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\u201cThe lady that started that band was a member of the Australian Ladies\u2019 Pipe Band. The Ballarat Band was a top, grade two pipe band. They were very good,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 1984, we amalgamated with Ballarat Highland Band, the men\u2019s band. In 1993, we again amalgamated with Ballarat Scottish Band to get one strong band in Ballarat; our band now.\u201d<\/p>\n
As one of two female pipers currently in the FedUni group, Ms Brant said it\u2019s an instrument that requires determination.<\/p>\n
She loves the social nature of the \u201cteaching band\u201d which has always had a strong, \u201cclose-knit,\u201d consistent core of people, and enjoys the adventures the ensemble gets to experience together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve played at some weird and wonderful events over the years, like the Andre Rieu concert at Marvel Stadium, and at the soccer when Celtic Football Club played,\u201d Ms Brant said.<\/p>\n
A fellow piper of at least 50 years, Mr MacDonald is the son of a highland musician and now has grandchildren playing.<\/p>\n
His pipes and drums history differs, spanning varying ensembles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played with other bands in the district, and a few of us have done that, but Sue\u2019s always been dedicated to this band for all of her great service,\u201d he said. \u201c50 years… It\u2019s unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nine awards recipients were acknowledged at the Federation University Pipe Band Annual General Meeting last Sunday at their band room in Brown Hill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS of the Federation University Pipe Band are celebrating decades of service and participation in the Pipe Bands Australia movement. Neil MacDonald, Robert Kerr, Ian Ives and Sue Brant have been playing for 50 years, while Leah Thevenet, Nathan Keane, Frank Gillett, Tim Bodey and Stephen Matthews marked a quarter of a century. Ms Brant […]<\/p>\n