Illawarra Pipe Band

Interested in learning Pipes or Drums then get in touch with the Illawarra Pipe Band through the contact page. Tuition is free of charge and you do not need bagpipes to start only a practice chanter which is of similar appearance to a recorder and the Band keeps a few spares for sale to the public.

In 2024, the band attended many functions in the community. These included ANZAC Day – many of the members of the band participated in dawn services in the Illawarra and the band was part of the Wollongong Parade.

The band also attended a wonderful Indian festival and the Berry Celtic festival.

And, for the first time, the band attended the Canberra Highland gathering.

On 20th August, 2023 a mini pipe band contest was held at Moss Vale Showground. Illawarra Pipe Band was one of the bands putting on a display for those who came to enjoy the day.

ANZAC Day 2023 and as well as doing various dawn services around the Illawarra the Band participated in the Wollongong Street Parade.

 Mathew Cox and the Illawarra Pipe Band
In 2007 the Illawarra Pipe Band went to the Dapto Markets on a recruitment drive the same day Bob Smith went to the markets taking a then 6 year old Matty with him. Not long at the markets, Matty saw the stall and said to Grandad “I want to sign up”. Bob thought Matty was a bit young and said “OK we will come back before we leave and you can sign up then”, thinking Matty would forget about the Illawarra Pipe Band. As they approached the gates to go home Bob felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down to Matty who reminded him that they had not gone back to the table for him to sign up with the Illawarra Pipe Band. “OK” said Bob. “Off you go. “……. and Matty signed up.

The following Tuesday Matty who was “as keen as mustard” came along to practice with Bob. This continued until Matty, who was still 6 years old, started to come to practice on a Wednesday night with the Band with both Dave Routledge and John Hamilton giving their time helping Matty along.

In 2008 Matty made his first appearance with the Band at the Berry Celtic Festival using a Drum made for him by Dave Routledge. Prior to Band Engagements Matty would go along to John Hamilton’s house for extra tuition this continued with Matty becoming a regular at both practice and Band engagements. In 2011 Matty attended a Pipes and Drums Workshop where Duncan Graham (Judge of Pipe Band Drumming Competitions) saw his potential and commented that he would like to tutor him, but he had no time left. Within the week Duncan Graham was in touch and Matty was then travelling to Sydney for extra tuition with Duncan Graham.

In 2012 Matty entered the Australian Pipe Band Association New South Wales Branch State Solo Drumming Championships at Scots College where he gained an impressive 3rd place in D Grade Snare Slow March and 6/8 March. Recently Matty competed in the Solo’s held at Ryde TAFE gaining 5th place and competing against Drummers who attend Scots College and are tutored there as well as putting in a lot more practice than Matty!

Matty has other interests as well: one of these being the Rural Fire Service Cadets where Matty was the youngest and keenest participants in New South Wales and recently received a Graduation certificate at Corrimal High School Cadet Graduation for Fire fighting in September 2013.

Matty has been on occasions the only Snare drummer able to turn out to a band engagement with Illawarra and has not let the Band down. The Drum Sergeant reckons if the whole band was like Matty it would be great for the Band as he is a regular at practice along with Bob Smith and also at Band engagements.
Well Done Mathew “Matty” Cox.

This is what we are practicing for