History of GIPB

The Glen Innes Pipe Band was first formed in 1909, when Professor Andrew Binnie was brought out from “the old country” to teach and lead the band. He returned turned home a couple of years later suffering ill health and died not long afterwards

Since then much of the band’s history is lost, but apart from two world wars and occasional recesses due to lack of player numbers, the band has continued to function as an autonomous body to the present day.

In the 1950s the band adopted the Cameron of Erracht tartan , which is one of the military tartans worn by Highland Regiments, and purchased tunics, horsehair sporrans, spats and knitted half-hose. The headgear was Balmoral bonnets.

As times have changed, so has the band’s appearance. Increasing costs have seen the band move from the full military style dress uniform of tunic, hair sporran and spats, to today’s more informal “civilian” uniform of long-sleeved white shirt, vest, leather sporran, long socks and ghillie brogues (shoes). Headwear has changed to include Akubra hats (for sun protection in the Australian outdoors), and Glengarry bonnets for formal and indoor occasions. The Cameron tartan kilts remain the centre piece of band members’ dress.

Towards the end of the 1960s the band went into recess because of a shortage of playing members, particularly drummers, and was not re-activated until 1976 when a joint effort between existing band members and a citizens’ committee saw a resurgence of interest. The band has operated continuously since then , although at times numbers have been very small.

At various stages throughout its history the band has competed at local and higher levels with some success at Highland Gatherings (including the Glen Innes Boxing Day gatherings) and Band Championships. In recent years the band has been a non-competing "social" band, although the current members have expressed a wish to return to the contest arena , mainly for the experience and to provide a challenge for up-and-coming young players.

As is often the case with Pipe Bands, many families have had several generations as band members, including in the last half century the Howitts, Fergussons and Fishers.

(What little is known of the band’s early history is published in the “Land of the Beardies” and “The Beardies Heritage” books.)

Among the current playing members of the band are five Life Members who have served the band for periods ranging from over 45 years to 20 years. However, as is the case with many organizations in country towns, the band has a high turn-over of younger members, who get a start here and then move on to other areas , often the city, to further their education or careers. Consequently, the band is always on the lookout for new recruits who wish to learn to play pipes or drums, or who have moved to Glen Innes from other bands. The "ideal" time to learn pipes or drums is in youth, but as can be seen from today's band, many people successfully take up playing in their later years. The band welcomes all who wish to learn to play, or to resume playing.

Another change which has occurred in recent times is the significant increase in the number of female band members from one or two to the current level of approximately half the band. The band today places great emphasis on being a family-oriented organization, and several families have most of their members involved in the band .

Recent years have seen an increased level of activity for the band. Play-outs have gone from three or four a year in the 1980’s (Anzac Day, Glen Innes Festival, Glen Innes Show) to an average of one performance a month, with the band supporting local occasions including Anzac Day, Celtic Festival and Land of the Beardies Festival, as well as participating (often in collaboration with other bands, marching under the “InverGlenMor” banner) in festivals in Armidale, Inverell, Grafton, Toowoomba, Ballandean and Moree, as well as the Maclean Highland Gathering at Easter.

The band enjoys an excellent relationship with other community organizations, and has for quite a few years been able to survive on donations, thereby not having to charge for its services. This support from the community is much appreciated. In return, the band makes itself available whenever possible for public functions and ceremonial occasions.