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David is currently
the Pipe Major and tutor of the band, having joined the Rats of Tobruk
in 2003. His experience in Pipe Bands spans 40 years, having also served
as Pipe Major of the Victoria Police Pipe Band from 1980 to 1987, and is
still a serving member of that band. He has also served with the 5th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment Pipes and Drums and the City of
Casey Pipe Band. His Pipe Band experiences
have seen him perform on four different continents around the world including the
Edinburgh
Military Tattoos in 1975, 2002, 2005 & 2008. David also led the band in
Moscow 2007 and Libya 2009. |
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Lois commenced
learning the bagpipes with the Nunawading Pipe Band in the early 1960’s. She then played with the Melbourne Ladies Pipe Band from 1963 to 1987.
In 1987 Lois joined the Rats and held the position of Pipe Corporal for
the first trip to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1988. In 1994 Lois
again performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo as Pipe Major of the Band. Lois
has also been a long standing member of the Golden City Pipe Band
competing with them during the 90’s in grade 3. In 1997 she again
attended the Edinburgh Tattoo as Pipe Sergeant and had the honour of
performing as the Lone Piper that year. Lois has also appeared with the
band in 2001
in Edinburgh and
Moscow in 2007. |
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Bruce started
learning the pipes at age 10 under Duncan MacLennan and played till the
age of 16. Bruce then stopped playing the pipes much to the disgust of
his quite famous piping father Donald McPhee. Thirty four years later
Bruce took up the pipes again in earnest. After short stints with
Frankston RSL and City of
Casey Pipe Bands he joined the Rats in 2000.
He has enjoyed performing with the band in many international events and
Tattoos around the world. Bruce is currently the Vice President and Pipe
Corporal of the band. |
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Lindsay joined the
Rats in 1967 playing and competing with the band until 1983. During that
time he held the positions of Pipe Corporal and Pipe Sergeant. Work
commitments took Lindsay away from the band for 20 years but he made it
back in 2003. Lindsay has performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo and in
Moscow. Being a very loyal member he is delighted
that a number of his fellow members of the current band also date back
to the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s. |
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Deborah started
learning and playing bagpipes in
Calgary,
Canada, socially
and competitively. With a move back to
Australia, she became a member of a ladies pipe
band in
Melbourne from 1990 to 2000. Since then she
has been a member of the Rats performing at the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo in 2001 and 2005, and with the Tasmania Police Pipe Band in
Edinburgh in 2002. Deborah has also performed
in
Moscow in 2007 and
Libya
in 2009. She has a deep love
of the music & traditions of the bagpipe and enjoys the camaraderie of
the pipe band world. |
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Kevin learned to
play the pipes in 1955 with the Victorian Irish Pipe Band. He joined the
Rats in 1964 and became secretary of the band in 1975 - 1985. Kevin took
a short break from the band until 1992 when he returned performing with
the band at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1994, 1997 & 2001; he also performed
in Red square in
Moscow in 2007. If you
look closely at the famous AC/DC “Long way to the Top” video clip you
will see a young Kevin performing on the back of the truck in
Swanson Street
Melbourne. |
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Under construction |
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Frank commenced
piping with the Castlemaine Pipe Band as a learner and on joining the
Victoria Police Force played with the Victoria Police Pipe Band for 11
years attaining the rank of Pipe Sergeant. At the same time he was a
member of the 1st Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment Pipes
and Drums, serving 25 years with that band. Over the years he has also
played with Golden City Pipe Band and Williamstown RSL Pipe Band. Frank
has played for many years for the V.S.U Highland Dancing. Frank joined
the Rats in 2004 and has performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo on 3
occasions and
Red Square in
Moscow. |
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Margaret commenced learning the pipes with Melbourne Ladies Pipe Band and played for 9 years. It was many years later that Margaret joined the Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band in January 1993. Margaret has travelled and performed with the band at the Edinburgh Tattoo 1994 and 1997, the Kremlin Zoria Festival in Moscow's Red Square in 2007 and Green Square Libya 2009. Margaret is the current Quarter Master for the band and is responsible for many thousands of dollars worth of uniform and equipment items. |
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Born in
Irvine
Scotland, David moved to
Australia
as a child in the early 1960’s. He grew up surrounded by Scottish culture
and music. It wasn’t until adulthood that he seriously started learning
the bagpipe. He commenced learning with the Sale RSL pipe Band where he
is currently the Pipe Sergeant. David joined the Rats in 1996 performing
with the band at the 1997, 2005, 2008 Edinburgh Military Tattoos,
Moscow
2007 and
Libya
and Tobruk in 2009. David is a dedicated, or some say crazy, member of the
band as he travels 480 kilometres round trip weekly to practice and
perform with the band from his home in
East
Gippsland. |
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Les started
learning the pipes at age 25. He joined the Rats in 1970 until 1981 when
he joined the Victoria Police as a Shrine Guard and piper with the
Police Pipe Band remaining with the police till 1986. At that time Les
stopped playing the pipes until 2006, when he renewed his acquaintance
with some of his old mates from the Rats at a pipe band competition. He
was gently coerced into getting the pipes out again. Since then he has
competed with the band and travelled and performed in
Edinburgh,
Moscow
and
Libya
where he took part in the emotional ceremony at the war cemetery in
Tobruk. You will also find a young Les on the back of the AC/DC truck
performing on the video clip “Long way to the Top”. |
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Bruce, the son of an
original WW2 Rat of Tobruk, started learning the pipes with the Rats
just after the band was formed in 1960. He studied under Duncan McLennan
and Ron Fleming where he was required to prove himself on the solo
competition field before being accepted into the very successful grade 2
competition band. In 1969 Bruce left the band to join the RAAF but was
able to rejoin the Rats in 1980. In 1988 Bruce performed with the Rats
at the first Edinburgh Tattoo the band attended. He has subsequently
performed with the band in
Edinburgh 1994, 1997, 2001 & 2008. A highlight
for Bruce was being selected to be the Lone Piper in a performance at
the 1994 Edinburgh Tattoo. He has also performed in
Moscow
and
Libya.
Bruce played the lament at the commemorative service at Tobruk in 2009.
Bruce has strong ties to the band through his fathers’ service in WW2.
Living in
Sale, he travels fortnightly to
Melbourne for practice. |
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Thinking of
something sensible to write. It might take a while. |
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Andrew, an
engineering tradesman, learned to play the pipes as an adult. He has
performed with the Rats in
Edinburgh in
2001, 2005, 2008 and
Moscow in 2007. A recent highlight was the trip to
Libya
and in particular Tobruk in 2009. Andrew is also an honorary member of
the Williamstown RSL Pipe Band. |
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It is going to
happen soon! |
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Robert (Bob) is no
doubt the bands inspiration. He is an original serving Rat of Tobruk,
serving from 1940 – 1945 with the 2/12th Aust Field Reg 9th Div 2nd AIF in all campaigns during WW2. Bob commenced
learning the pipes in 1933-34, originally playing with the Victorian
Scottish Regiment Band prior to joining Hawthorn City Pipe Band as a
piper and subsequently Drum Major from 1960. Bob has had a close association with the Rats of Tobruk Memorial
Pipes and Drums in various ways for many years; he is a Hon Life Member
of the band and still plays the pipes. Bob has appeared at a number of
Edinburgh Military Tattoos with the Rats, and Tasmania Police as a guest
piper.
There are too many
accolades attributed to our Bob to mention here, and his modesty would
not allow them to be expanded on in this forum. Suffice to say, Bob is
one of the most respected members of the Australian Pipe Band community
and is our current Chieftain. His active association in piping & bands has
continued since 1946 both as a player and administrator. |
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Sharon started playing the Side Drum with the Benalla Caledonian Pipe Band in
1991. She joined the Rats in 2004, performing as a side and tenor
drummer at the 2005 Edinburgh Tattoo.
Sharon developed aspirations of becoming a
real musician and abandoned the drums to start learning the bagpipes in
late 2005.
Sharon
continues to play with the band as a piper, and has not given up hope
that one day she will become a real musician. |
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I just haven’t
thought of anything yet. |
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Ken joined the band
as a tenor drummer in 1966. He has performed with the band at the
Melbourne Military Tattoos in the 1980’s and has journeyed to most
Australian States for Tobruk Veteran reunions. Ken has performed with
the Rats at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1988, 1994, 1997, 2001,
2005 and 2008. He played in the first Moscow Military Tattoo (Kremlin
Zoria) in 2007. A highlight of his career with the band was travelling
to
Libya
to preside over the band's Memorial Service at the
Tobruk
War
Cemetery in September 2009. Ken was
honoured with life Membership in 1991. |
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Mary is a life
member of the band and is the current secretary. Although a non-playing
member, her contribution to the Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums
is a dedicated and honourable association over many, many years. |
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Born in
Lochgelly Fife, Scotland, Kathleen came to Australia
as a youngster. As a teenager she joined Melbourne Ladies Pipe Band as a
tenor drummer and soon became the assistant Drum Major of that band. In 1987
Kathleen joined the Rats who at the time were known as the Tobruk
Memorial Pipes and Drums, changing to the current name in 1992. Kathleen
played at the 1988 Edinburgh Tattoo as a tenor drummer. In 1992 Kathleen
became Drum Major of the Rats, a position she has held since. She
has lead the band into Edinburgh Military Tattoos in 1994, 1997, 2001, 2005
and 2008. She has also lead the band onto the Red Square in
Moscow in 2007 and Green Square in Libya in 2009. A highlight was leading the Rats into the
Tobruk War Cemetery on the band's latest pilgrimage
to Tobruk in 2009. |
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Rob Bennett started with the
band in 1962 as a learner drummer and was taught by Alec McPhedran and
the drum sergeant at the time was Len Smythe was a great inspiration
to him. Rob has been with the band now for 20 years and played with
the Hawthorn City Pipe Band for 12 years at grade 1 level. Currently he
holds the position of V/P of the Drumming Panel Victoria Branch Australian Pipeband College, drumming judge and
ensemble judge for competition. Rob performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo in
1994, 1997, 2001, 2005 (Grade 4 First place Perth Scottland) and 2008. Further highlights are the Russian
Tattoo in Red Square 2007, Libyan Music Festival in 2009 and the Band's
service at Tobruk War Graves Cemetery. Rob enjoys teaching both learners and mature aged students and
seeing them perform in solos, competitions and band play outs. He sees Anzac
day as the most important parade that the Band participates in, and
in particular returning to Tobruk House to relax with players and
returned Rats Servicemen. There is a very good comradery in the band
between players that all enjoy, and Rob feels indebted to his family for their
support of his drumming interests. |
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Rob originally
joined the Rats at the tender age of 15. He played with the band for 8
years. Due to other commitments Rob left the band returning after 25
years as bass drummer. Rob describes his current time with the band
as exciting. He enjoys catching up and performing with old friends and
travelling to all parts of the world to perform with the band. |
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Born and raised in
Edinburgh, Ron moved to
Australia
in 1980. He played bass
and tenor drum with the City of
Melbourne Pipe Band grade 1 & 2 before joining the
Rats. The greatest highlight of Ron’s playing career to date was
marching over the draw bridge in his home town of
Edinburgh
at the 2008 Tattoo. Ron quite unashamedly points out he did have a wee
tear in his eye on the first occasion. |
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Matt started drumming with the Sale RSL Pipeband in 1996 with Ben Wright. In 2003 Matt started with the Rats and has participated in the 2005 Edinburgh Tattoo, 2007 Kremlin Zoria in Russia, the Andre Rieu concert in Melbourne in 2008, Libyan Music Festival in 2009 and the band's service at Tobruk War Graves Cemetery. |
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Teresa started
learning the highland side drum at the age of 11 with St Andrews Ladies
Pipe Band. She performed with that band for 8 years. For the next 20
years Teresa didn’t touch her sticks. Then, three and a half years ago
picking up her sticks again she joined the Rats as a side drummer.
Adding it up, not a bad effort considering, she says, she is just 29 years
old???. Teresa has performed in solo competitions and with the band in
Russia
in 2007 &
Edinburgh
in 2008. Not forgetting the Andre Rieu concert in
Melbourne in 2008 in front of 38,000
people. |
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Marcus came along to Band practice one evening in early 1998 to learn to play the pipes. As it happened, the Band was low on drummers at the time and, having mentioned his father's history of performing in Brass Bands in Holland, Lloyd Page (Rats' Pipe Major at the time) suggested he try the snare drum. A year later Marcus became a playing member of the Rats. In 2005 he achieved a long-held dream of performing at the Edinburgh Tattoo, the final performance of which was a personal highlight for him as he led the drum corps as leading tip while his family watched from the grandstands. Marcus has since performed at the Russian
Tattoo in Red Square 2007 and Libyan Music Festival in 2009, including the Band's
Memorial Service at the Tobruk War Graves Cemetery. |
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Pauline started
learning snare drumming with the Rats in 2006. Although only playing the
drum for a short time she has competed and been successful in solo
drumming competitions. Pauline has travelled and performed with the band
in Russia, Edinburgh and Libya. |
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Ellie began learning
the drums with the Rats at the age of 15. She started with the side drum
before moving onto her preferred instrument the tenor in 2007. Ellie has
performed with the Rats in
Edinburgh
in 2008, the Andre Rieu concert in Melbourne 2008 and
Libya
in 2009. Ellie continues her
solo career competing at most Highland Gatherings in
Victoria whenever she can. |
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Hayden started with the band as a learner side drummer in March 2007.
His grandfather, Len Ormsby, was an original Rat of Tobruk, hence
Hayden’s association with the band. He is a junior member of the Rats of Tobruk Association and is very proud to represent them by playing in the Band. In his playing
career to date he has taken part in Anzac day parades, Tobruk Sunday
services at Puckapunyal, toured with the band to Libya (which included a
memorial service at Tobruk), along with many other RSL engagements. A
highlight was playing in the Andre Rieu concert at the Telstra
Dome. He also enjoys playing in the
solo drumming competitions at the Daylesford and Berwick highland games. He has met many good drummers
from around the world whilst attending the PLC training camps which he has attended annually for the last 3 years. |
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Blair, one of our up and coming drummers, began learning the side drum when she joined the band at the age of 13 before making the transition from side to tenor. In 2009 Blair began competing with the band around Victoria. Blair has travelled with the band to the Libyan Military Music Festival in Tripoli and the commemorative service in Tobruk which she regards as one of her most cherished life experiences so far. Blair is looking forward to further overseas trips with the band in the future. |
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Peter is a professional musician and instrumental tutor for drumkit and has played and recorded with artists such as Geisha, Jim Keays (Masters Apprentices), Ross Ryan, Mick Pealing (Stars) and Lil'Fiand. Peter has been a member of legendary Australian rock band Spectrum since 1998. He Joined the Rats of Tobruk in 2008 (his first Pipe band) after meeting the drum corps when they played at his Uncle Albert Donald's funeral service. Albert Donald was a member of Alex Duthart's drum corps with Dalziel Highlanders winning the World Championship drumming title in 1953 and also played with Shotts before moving to Australia. Peter has toured with the band to Edinburgh in 2008 and Libya in 2009. |
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