Band History
Inspired by the rich tradition of Scottish music, the Burns Club Pipe Band was formed in 1928, when a group of passionate players gathered at a Highland Gathering in Canberra. With their exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, the band quickly gained recognition as a true force to be reckoned with. Fast forward to the mid-1930s, and the band solidified its position as a true musical powerhouse, thanks to the efforts of legendary musicians Jack Ross and Sandy Stuart. Today, the Burns Club Pipe Band continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their soul-stirring performances and timeless melodies.
After the 2nd World War Jack Ross and David Stirling rebuilt the band. By 1948 the band comprised 7 pipers; Jack Ross, David Stirling, Robert Stuart, G Kennedy, J Somerville, G Christie, Tom Stirling and 7 drummers; Colin McKenzie, David McKay, Bill Bruce, Jim Ogilvie, Jim McGowan, Bill McHardy, Bill Robb.
The band wears Royal Stewart tartan. This iconic pattern was granted official approval by King George VI for the band’s uniform, solidifying its place in history as a symbol of Scottish heritage and royal tradition.
Band is formed
Jack Ross becomes pipe major
Colin McKenzie becomes drum major
David Stirling becomes pipe major
Charlie Caulfield becomes drum major
Betty Martin (nee- Kellie)
became the first female to join the band.
Jim Ogilvie becomes pipe major
New players
Including George Waterson, Don Fraser, Adam Macintosh, Robert Davidson, Brian Perrin, Victor Batch, Jim Orr, Harry Schmidt, John Wallace, David Turbitt and Bob Ellis. The Band also played as the Third Battalion of the Werriwa Regiment of the Australian Army for 3 years.
Bill Nicholson joined the Band.
The band entered its first competition
Tom Russell becomes drum major
John Skinner, Bob Walker join the Band.
The Band wins its first grade 3 competition at Newcastle
The Band wins again at Newcastle.
Will Brown Snr., Tom Brown, Jim Moyes, Bill Rudd and Joe Haxten joined the Band.
Bill Rudd becomes drum major
The Band wins 2nd Grade at the Australian Championships in Melbourne .
A 3rd place at Newcastle at the New South Wales Championships.
2nd place in Queanbeyan.
Band is promoted to 1st grade.
A last place at the Australian Championships allowed the band to be regraded into 2nd grade. The Kingston-Narrabundah RSL Memorial Pipe band was formed, players coming from Queanbeyan.
Will Brown Snr. becomes pipe major
2nd place at Newcastle
Following the competition 2 players were killed; John Duncan and Graham Leslie and 3 others injured in a car crash.
Tom Brown becomes pipe major
Kingston-Narrabundah RSL Memorial Pipe band renamed
changed its name to James Reay Fraser Memorial Pipe Band.
1st place at the South Australian championships in Adelaide
1st place Newcastle. 1st at Goulburn.
Robbie Ogilvie become Pipe Major of the Fraser Pipe Band with several Burns Club players joining him there.
Will Brown Snr. becomes pipe major
1st place Wagga Wagga in grade 2 and 2nd in Grade 1.
Will Brown Jnr becomes pipe major
Formation of the Canberra Caledonian Pipes & Drums
with Norman McLean Pipe Major.
Bruce Campbell becomes pipe major
Bill Dunbar becomes pipe major
Jim Stuart becomes pipe major
Fraser Pipe Band players joined us
Athol Chalmers becomes pipe major
Ian Carruthers becomes grade 4 pipe major
Bill Nicholson becomes drum major
Burkley Competition saw the band compete for the first time in 10 years.
The Band won grade 4. Following the competition the New South Wales PBA regraded the Band into 3rd Grade, after an appeal we were able to remain in 4th grade. A major influx of players occurred following the members of the Canberra Caledonian Pipes and Drums joining us. With 50 players we were able to form 2 competition bands, grade 2 and 4.
John Brown becomes grade 4 pipe major
Stuart Gray becomes grade 4 pipe major
John Brown becomes grade 4 pipe major
Band competes in Scotland
A band trip was organised with the band competing at multiple competition across Scotland, including the World Pipe Band Championships
Ian Carruthers becomes grade 4 pipe major
Band competes in Scotland
A band trip was organised with the band competing at multiple competition across Scotland, including the World Pipe Band Championships
Band competes in Singapore
Sean Hodgman becomes pipe major