Pipe Band History

Pipe Band History | Brass band history

Formed in 1966, the band wears the Napier tartan and performs throughout the state of Western Australia representing the Western Australia Police Service. The Band takes part in many community initiatives, including school performances, regional and community events, and they also perform concerts at various locations throughout the State.

The band has taken part in national Tattoos in Hobart Tasmania, Melbourne and Adelaide and has also competed across Australia and in New Zealand. In addition, they have also taken part in Tattoos in London at the Royal Tournament, Colchester at the Colchester Searchlight Tattoo and twice at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

During the most recent trip to Edinburgh in 1997, the band took part in competitions at Inverkeithing, Bridge of Allan and North Berwick. The success at these competitions saw the band return to Glasgow, Scotland in 1998 to contest the World Championships.
Prior to Competing in Glasgow the band returned to North Berwick where it successfully defended its title from 1997. The following day the band travelled to Perth (Scotland) where once again it was placed first in the Grade Two competition.
On August 15th 1998 the Western Australia Police Pipe Band, against a strong field of 32 bands from around the world, was declared the 1998 World Champion Grade Two.

Since Scotland in 1998, the band have also travelled to USA where they won the 2001 USA open Pipe Band Championships Grade One, and again to Scotland to take part in the 2003 World Pipe Band Championships, Grade One. All the travel costs associated with these events were generously funded by Friends of the Band.

On returning to Scotland in August 2003 to contest the World Pipe Band Championships, WAPOL travelled to North Berwick where they gained second place. The following day the band was again successful at Perth where it placed 3rd.

The following weekend at Glasgow the band entered into the qualifying round of the Grade 1 competition but was equal sixth – this was the end of WAPOL’s 2003 assault on the pipe band world stage.

A further attempt on the world title, this time in 2004, saw the band progressing through the qualifying round and into the finals of the Grade 1 competition and was eventually placed 11th. Although this was not the placing WAPOL had hoped for, it was nevertheless a great achievement. For a band residing in one of the most remote cities in the world, to be judged 11th best band in the world, perhaps says something about the dedication and desire that drives the band, to hopefully one day, achieve even better placings.

As well and the busy program we keep at home, WAPOL is keen to maintain a heavy interstate and international schedule, spreading the name and professional image of the Western Australia Police beyond the boundaries of this vast state, as well as a very full programme here at home.

ABOVE
Grade 2 World Pipe Band Champions trophy.