News archives: 2009

Our latest news:

WAPOL: Live In Concert.
July 2010:...

WAPOL proudly presents the one of musical showcase not to be missed combining a mix of tradition and compemporary songs and pipe music. Performing live at The Curtin Theatre, Fremantle, the band will be performing some music from its recently released self titled album, WAPOL, amongst some new innovative material composed from within the band.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased on: (08) 9370 7184 during office hours and are priced at $30 for adults & $20 for concessions.

Full address:
The Curtin Theatre,
John Curtin College of the Arts,
Ellen Street, Fremantle.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Expression of interest.
July 2010:...

The Western Australia Police Pipe Band (Wapol) is currently seeking expressions of interest from anyone wishing to become a tenor drummer with us. Tenor drummers play an important part in the drum section, adding rhythmic, dynamic and visual effect to the Pipe Band performance.
No experience is necessary, but the minimum age requirement is 18???????? years.

Tuition will be from Morag  Roarty (who has won the title for best bass section in the world on more than one occasion) and will teach you everything you need to know.

Cost: FREE (All equipment and lessons are provided free of charge)
When: Tuesday evenings from 6 – 8 pm
Where: Police Complex, Maylands
For more information or to register your interest please
Phone:  93707183
or
Email:  police.pipe.band@police.wa.gov.au
If you are interested we’d love to have you on board.

Our latest news:

The end of an era...
July 2010:...

Drum Sergeant Alexander (Sandy) Bayne.
The band has recently farewelled Sandy Bayne who has now left Western Australia and the WA Police Pipe Band to return to his native Scotland.

Sandy has been with the band for two years and during his time has made a valuable contribution, serving both as Drum Sergeant and President of the Western Australia Police Pipe Band Supporter's Association (inc.).

Now for a little bit of Sandy's history:
Sandy started drumming when he was 10 with the 1st St Andrews Coy Boy's Brigade under Dave Clark (world champion, Muirhead & Sons), but rose to prominence under the tutelage of Alan Graham. At 16, he moved to the City of St Andrews Pipe Band as lead tip where he won several major championships, becoming the youngest (we think) leading drummer to ever do so. At 19, Sandy went to play for the Scotrail Vale of Atholl for 2 years before returning to St Andrews to take on a predominantly teaching role.

Sandy has proudly taught such institutions as RAF Leuchars and the Black Watch. He has performed at many prestigious events worldwide and has spent the last 3 years learning from and playing with Paul Turner (former world solo drumming champion) once again at the Vale of Atholl.

From the OIC Sergeant Brett Bale
July 2010:...

A new feature of the news section will include a quarterly will include a note from the Officer In Charge Sergeant Brett Bale. This article carries news which is exciting, amusing informing and sad.

The exciting news I’m sure you will all agree is the announcement of the band’s upcoming concert. I know a lot of you will have been anticipating this event, and without giving too much away, from what I’ve heard of the rehearsals so far, you will not be disappointed. The band has a proud tradition of presenting innovative concerts and this is set to continue. The decision was taken to hold the concert in Fremantle and I’m sure the Curtin Theatre will be a great venue. It is however limited to 450 seats so please don’t delay reserving your tickets to avoid disappointment.

The amusing news is the inclusion of comments from the children who are always writing to the band. The band has a very positive impact on the many young people it encounters each year and our recently developed school resource pack is now available on the website for teachers and students to access. It’s great to think that generations of young people have formed a positive view of the Western Australian Police
through their interactions with the band.

The visit to the band office by the Hon. Rob Johnson MLA and the band’s involvement in ANZAC Day make good reading and both were very special events. The band strives to be a highly professional group and both the Minister’s visit and the reaction of the crowd on ANZAC Day help to reinforce the high esteem the band is held in. It’s certainly great for the players to see first hand that their efforts are appreciated.

As mentioned in the June issue of our Sporran Correspondent, ANZAC Day also highlights the large number of guest players who contribute to the band’s operation. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes coaching these players, and they themselves put in a great deal of personal practice to meet the high standards required. This is greatly appreciated by both the band and me on the many occasions where they’re able to augment the size of band we put on parade.

Finally, the sad news for me is the departure of Drum Sergeant Sandy Bayne. Sandy has been a great asset to the band during his time in Western Australia and it’s with genuine sadness that we see him go. I wish him all the very best for his future endeavours back in Scotland and thank him most sincerely for his contribution to the Western Australia Police Pipe Band.

Kind regards to all,
Brett

Back To Pinjarra
June 2010:...

The band were fortunate enough to perform at the "Back To Pinjarra" (an indigenous and community event) and the Pinjarra Aboriginal reconciliation events where a warm reception was evident and the inclusion of APLO (Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer) Jeremy Garlett on didgeridoo in the musical performances was greatly appreciated by all those in attendance.

we have had tremendous feedback from the event and thought it'd be fitting to share some of this feedback with you:

" Your music was received exceptionally well by all, in particular the official parties, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community in Pinjarra.

There were several positive comments from those who had not been privy to see you play live. The greatest compliment was the fusion between the Pipe Band and the didgeridoo. There were a number of Aboriginal people who had not heard the Pipe Band and didgeridoo sound together and were in total awe. It was a pleasure having you as part of the event and hope to have the chance to work with you all in future."

Ministers Visit
May 2010:... Celebrating 15 years of service

The Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Road Safety; the Honourable Rob Johnson MLA, visited the WA Police Pipe Band at their office in Maylands recently.
The visit enabled the Minister to make a presentation to Constable Iain Hamilton who had recently gained entitlement to the 15 year National Service Medal. Iain is amongst the longest serving of the playing members in the band and this along with his role as bass drummer has earned him the reputation for being the ‘heartbeat of the band’.

The Minister acknowledged Iain’s dedication to the band before revealing his own outstanding talent on the drumkit with an impromptu performance alongside piper John Roarty.
The Minister was complimentary about the band’s performance standards and the important role played by band officers both in terms of portraying a positive image for the WA Police and in their support for frontline officers.

All band members joined with the Minister in congratulating Iain on his achievement.
Iain joins colleagues, Officer in Charge Brett Bale and piper Paul Spencer who are both previous recipients of this award.

ANZAC day parade 2010
April 2010:... embracing the significance of the day in increasing numbers.

The Western Australia Police Pipe Band proudly marched a large contingent of WA Police through the city on ANZAC Day. Looking and sounding impressive, the band then completed the march a second time, leading veterans through the city this time.

Once again, the streets were lined with large crowds of people of all ages, there to pay their respects to the fallen. There is an obvious importance to this day, and it is noticeable to us that the younger generation are embracing the significance of the day in increasing numbers as well.

ANZAC Day is also one of the days when all of our guest players make a special effort to be available and this is appreciated by the fulltime players and the public alike. A special thanks to all our guest players whose commitment and enthusiasm allows the band to have the kind of presence it does on this day.

WAPOL Building guest players...
April 2010: WAPOL are seeking expressions of interest for guest players...

WAPOL are seeking expressions of interest from pipers and drummers in Western Australia who are of a high grade 2 or grade 1 standard who are capable of playing in a grade 1 band.

This year is going to be an exciting year for WAPOL with an end of year concert in the planning, with a long term plan of being a highly competitive grade 1 band and striving to be the best pipe band in the Southern Hemisphere.

If you would like to be part of this exciting future with WAPOL, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'd love to have you on board.

Our practices are every Wednesday night at the Maylands Police Complex starting prompt at 6pm.

We look forward to seeing you.

In Concert with the Royal Australian Navy
February 2010: WAPOL return from a succesful Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The WA Police Pipe Band has performed in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy Band on four occasions in recent months. The partnership began with the 2009 Perth Royal Show where the bands combined, playing individually and together during a shared billing on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
A contingent from the Navy band then travelled to Newman with the WA Police Pipe Band to perform in support of the Police band’s community concert in the town.
And now, the WA Police Band has returned the favour, performing in support of the Navy band in a community concert in Yokine and again more recently at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre in a combined concert with the Navy band and the Mandurah Concert Band.
The Mandurah concert proceeds were donated to Legacy and Police Legacy.
A number of the WA Police Pipe Band ‘Friends’ made the trip to Mandurah and all were full of praise for the event. As always the band was proud to perform for these faithful supporters and were given a warm reception by the Navy and Concert band followers as well.
Look out for future pairings of two of WA’s finest musical ensembles.

Ednburgh Military Tattoo
February 2010: WAPOL return from a succesful Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The WA Police Pipe Band featured in last month’s Edinburgh Tattoo in Sydney, which attracted more than 80,000 spectators during the four nights it was staged.

Performances took place at the Sydney Football Stadium where an impressive million dollar replica of Edinburgh’s famous castle - complete with cannons, drawbridge and turrets - provided the perfect backdrop for the event. The Tattoo included performers from around the world with this being only the third time the event has been taken outside of Scotland.
The Band left Perth on January 30 and headed straight into an intensive rehearsal schedule made all the more difficult by the unpleasantly humid weather conditions in Sydney.

Police Bands from Tasmania, NSW and Queensland joined WAPOL alongside an impressive array of Australian and British Military Bands with additional performers from Russia, China, Norway, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Switzerland and Australia making up the remainder of the cast.

WAPOL proudly represented Western Australia at the Tattoo and were pleased to receive many compliments on the standard of both the Band’s musicianship and drill.
The WA Police Pipe Band has performed at two previous Edinburgh Tattoo’s during 1975 and 1997.
Any associated costs are always met by the WA Police Pipe Band Supporter’s Association.

Position Vacant
February 2010: Position Vacant for Full time PIper Position.

Expressions of interest are invited from pipers who are of a high grade two standard or above,  who are able to relocate to Perth,  and who are interested in making sunny Western Australia their new home!

A six month probationary contract as a Level 3 public servant is offered,   however we are not,  unfortunately,  able to offer any relocation expenses.

For more information, please contact the Pipe Major, Paul Hughes, and Officer In Charge, Brett Bale at: paul.hughes@police.wa.gov.au / brett.bale@police.wa.gov.au

Recognising our own
January 2010: Promotions and recognition within the band.

There is no better way to start the year than to mention a promotion and a couple of internal accolades from within the band.

Firstly, the band would like to congratulate Iain Westgate on the promotion to Pipe Sergeant. Iain has been a member of WAPOL since Feb 2008 and is honoured to be WAPOL's new Pipe Sergeant. Iain’s reaction to the appointment is as follows:
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be Pipe Sergeant of the band, especially one with such a successful history as WAPOL. The band has been going through a rebuilding stage over the last two or three years and has produced a terrific album and returned to the competition scene, as well as expanding our active schools program. I am proud to be part of the rebuilding process and to support the Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant in all our musical endeavours.”

Also of note, pipers John Roarty and Peter Field were awarded the Western Australia Police Pipe Band Supporter’s Association awards for “Best Overall Contribution 2009” and "Best Turned Out Bandsman 2009" respectively. Presented annually, these awards provide recognition from within the band for outstanding contribution to the band and both John and Peter were deserving recipients.

2010
January 2010: Start of a new and exciting year for WAPOL.

2010 is upon us and WAPOL are looking forward to an exciting year packed full of highlights beginning with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney, Australia, followed by a range of other high profile events throughout the year. The band will of course attend to the wide range of ceremonial and community events which are an essential part of its role.

The band is pleased to be representing both the WA Police and the wider community of Western Australia in Sydney at the Tattoo which is expected to realise a total audience of 80,000 spectators and be the largest Tattoo ever held in terms of cast numbers and show duration.