Scotch College

‘Ninety-Sixers’ Leadership Prize – new to the Pipe Band

WORDS: Mr MARK SAUL • TEACHER-IN-CHARGE - PIPES AND DRUMS

A new Pipe Band prize for leadership sponsored by Will Fowles (’96) has been introduced this year.

This prize is awarded annually to a band member who is not an office-bearer of the band, but who demonstrates great leadership, including leading by example, motivating others, and conducting himself in a manner worthy of a formal leadership role. The prize of $500 can be used towards the purchase of musical materials or instruments, or towards specialised leadership training approved by the Teacher-in-Charge of Pipes and Drums.

The ‘Ninety-Sixers’’ Leadership Prize honours the achievements of the 1996 Pipe Band, who against the odds and without a large pool of talent upon which to draw, succeeded in winning the Australian and South Pacific Band Championships for Juvenile Grade. Said the then Pipe Major Will Fowles: ‘We brought the Juvenile Shield back to Scotch after a two-decade drought. The win concluded our most successful competition season for decades.’

Ross Campbell (Teacher-in-Charge of the band at the time) observed that although Will Fowles may not have been Scotch’s best ever piper, he was undoubtedly the strongest leader the band had had in all of his (Ross’s) time from 1976. Daily practices and Will’s forceful personality proved once again that hard work, determination and perhaps a little fear of the driving force (Will), could win the day!

This year the prize is awarded to Year 12 piper Matthew Pierri. Mark Saul, the new Teacher-in-Charge of Pipes and Drums said: ‘Matt is an ideal inaugural recipient of this award. This year he has shown great leadership and initiative within the band. He is certainly an inspiration to everyone.’ GS