Daylesford Highland Gathering -1983
We hired a bus for the weekend, and stayed at a very nice hotel in Ballarat overnight before the event.
This was our second crack at this contest, and we felt we had a chance to win Grade III and make a reasonable showing in Grade II. As it transpired, we were disqualified from the Grade III contest for missing a flag in the Quickstep course. I feel that the piping and drumming in the Quickstep and Selection in Grade III would certainly have won us the event, but for the fatal error in the drill.
Our only chance of picking up a prize was therefore confined to the Grade II events. There were six Grade II bands in the competition, and we gave them a good run. We were 3rd in Piping in the Quickstep, 2nd equal in piping in the Medley, and 3rd overall in piping - which was a very pleasing result. However, we won no prizes ....
The Pipers:
Angus Massie(sen), Alan Dodds, Angus Massie (jun), Peter Cameron, Peter Whitehead, Liam Craig, David Cottnam, Simon Boyle, Stewart Kearney, Craig McAinsh.
The Drummers:
Marshall Hamon (D. Major), Sides - Tony Krelle Karl Krelle, Peter Crookes, Robert Cottnam, Bass - Jim Cottnam, Colin Cottnam and Ray Jones (Gr II) and Michael Niven (Gr III).
Our tunes:
Street March - 76 Police Tattoo, The Kerr Quine, Leaving Liverpool.
Quickstep (Grade III and Grade II) -
Mr and Mrs Alex Ross, Dornoch Highland Gathering, Major MacLennan.
Selection (Grade III and Grade II) -
Taking of Beaumont Hamel, Dornie Ferry, Brown Haired Maid.
Medley (Grade II) - Campsie Hills, Mary Darroch, Joe McGann's Fiddle, Old Toastie, Sporting Jamie, Lady MacKenzie of Fairburn, High Road to Linton, Minnie Hynd, 76 Police Tattoo.
Results:
No Placings, but an excellent showing in Grade II piping (see introduction above).
Relaxing by the bus prior to tuning up.
Angus and Ray getting into their gear.
The Street March is mandatory for all competing bands and draws a good crowd in the morning.
In the cool morning air we wear our jackets when striding up the quite steep hill in the Street March.
Ray, Craig, old Angus, Jim, Peter.
Ray, Craig, old Angus, Jim, Peter.
Simon, cool and relaxed before entering the arena.
Peter and Robert in earnest discussion.
Peter at the assembly point.
Up to the line and ready to go !!
Disqualified ...... Alan's face says it all.
And again ---- Up to the line and ready to go !!