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 Anzac Day 2008
Anzac Day 2008 saw Coastals once again look very smart as we marched down the city streets of Perth. The band has a good turnout of members and everyone was very proud to be paying their respects for our fallen serviceman. The band also received very coverage on television during the live ABC broadcast.
Two members, Keir McCormack and Tom Poulson made their debut on Anzac Day. The day was fantastic with a lot of support and a large crowd. Thanks very much to Sarah Harvey who went to a lot of trouble to film the event.
COASTALS ONCE AGAIN ROCK FOR BON SCOTT!
Piper and resident Rock Star Louise Rowland wrote this story to explain an evening of stardom and excitement for the members involved.
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Sunday 24th February, Pipers: Maureen, Steven, Robyn, Laura, Louise, Ian and Mel as cameraperson
Claremont Showgrounds.
We all arrived around 8ish, to play at 9.30pm. While the pipers were tuning, Mel went down to the concert area to find a good filming spot.
Our "on stage" instructions were to walk on between the red carpet and drum kits, play Scotland the Brave, then go off stage, don't play Long way to the top, and don't step on the red carpet. Maureen did a fantastic solo of Amazing Grace up in the stands to draw the crowds attention away from the stage while the "Bon statue" was wheeled out from his hiding spot. The camera men must have been having difficulty with the zoom, as Maureen's nose suddenly filled the whole screen, then they panned back to include all of her...quite scary really!! When Maureen finished playing, the pipers marched on stage playing Scotland the Brave. The roar of the crowd was sooo loud, that the skirl of the pipes was drowned out.
Bon was pushed out from between the drum kits with Doug Thorncroft draped over his shoulders, finally revealing his face to the mass of ACDC fans. Fire works went off at the front of the stage, sizzling the nose and eyebrow hairs of those that were closest (and possibly a wig hair or two on some of the old rockers). The Party Boys launched into "Its a Long Way to the Top", and there was absolutely no way the pipers were leaving that stage. We didn't have any microphones for the pipes (which normally isn't a problem), so I walked across the red carpet ....yes, I stepped on the red carpet!!..to a mic with the lead guitarist and played the pipe break with him.
At the conclusion, we marched off to Scotland the Brave again. Robyn was so star struck that she had to be dragged off !! Steve seemed quite interested in a young lady in the crowd that had mysteriously misplaced her shirt. Luckily she was right against the fence at the front, so the offending articles were able to hang over the fence and she was able to maintain her balance.
Meanwhile, Mel had braved the mosh pit to get that all exclusive video footage. She was punched, slapped, pushed to the ground, her kilt lifted, her sgian dubh stolen, and mobile phones shoved up under her kilt. So unfortunately the film includes greasy heads, sweaty bodies, and a close up of the grass. Thanks for trying though Mel. And as to the where abouts of her knife, we all reckon some guy woke up the next morning with it in his chest.
Our last gig for the night was a quick snake through the VIP tent area, with Mel drumming, and dodging people who were determined to see exactly what was worn under the kilt. And it seems we have a true Scotsman in the band!
We were congratulated by everybody.....singers, fans, and even the producers, with most saying that the bagpipes made the concert.
All in all, absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
Louise
ROCKINGHAM CITY PIPE BAND ANNUAL PIPING AND DRUMMING CONTEST
21st October 2007
Another very successful day for Coastals Pipers and Drummers.
Its a great to see so many supporters coming along to help run the great stall
and to cheer on those competing.
A big thank you to pipers Ben Walshe, Laura Oliver, Louise Rowland and Betty Thompson who did such a great job in playing for the drummers and in the quintet competition. Also thank you to Gordon Sked and Graeme Gurney for tuning and our supporters and stall runners, Ian Young, Barbara Gurney, Donna Farrell, Lochlan and Joyce McNeill, Tom Poulson, Sergeant Hamish. Sorry if I have forgotten anyone.
Well done to all the competitors! Results for Coastals members are below:
Beginner Snare: 1st Keir McCormack
Sub-Intermediate Snare: 1st Tristan North
2nd John Christensen
Intermediate Snare: 1st Melissa Carrell
2nd Tristan North
3rd John Christensen
Open Snare: 1st Melissa Carrell (By Default)
Quintet Competition: 2nd Orange County MacLaines
(Louise Rowland, Ben Walshe, Laura Oliver, Julia Christensen and Melissa Carrell)
Drum Corp Competition: 1st Coastal Scottish Drum Corp
(D/S Graeme Gurney, L/S Alan Hamilton, John Christensen, Melissa Carrell Tristan North, Sarah Harvey, Julia Christensen and Dave Walker)
Piping Duets: 3rd Betty Thompson and Louise Rowland
Bagpipe Composition: 1st Melissa Carrell (non-competition event)
 
COASTALS WIN THE GRADE FOUR NZ CHAMPIONSHIPS!
The band produced an outstanding result. Each member was awarded a Championship medal to bring home. The results are as below:
 MARCH, STRATHSPEY AND REEL
MEDLEY
DRUMMING
MUSICAL COMPONENT OF THE STREET MARCH
OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP - GRADE FOUR
Coastals would like to thank everyone who offered their encouragement and congratulations before and after the results were announced.
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The band with the past. The band with the future.
