Craig McFadyen
Craig commenced playing the Highland Bagpipes in 1986 in Bendigo, central Victoria when aged 10. Craig was fortunate enough to be tutored by David Suters who was a member of St Mary’s Pipe Band in Sydney for several years. After approximately 12 months, I progressed from the practice chanter to the Bagpipes and then eventually was introduced to the Pipe Band proper, being Golden City Pipe Band in Bendigo.
I played my first Australian Championships in Hobart in April 1992, having competed with Golden City Pipe Band in Grade 3 for all of the previous competition season.
I completed my VCE in 1993 and achieved a grade average of A in music and music performance.
I moved to Melbourne in 1994 where I joined City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band and later City of Footscray Pipe Band where I competed in Grade 2.
I took a break from pipe bands from 1996 and pursued some sound engineering for live acts in the Melbourne Pub scene for several years and performed at PJ O’Briens in Southgate Melbourne every weekend during 1997 and 1998.
I returned to the pipe band world in 2001 and have continued to play ever since.
Some highlights since this time are
2006 New Zealand Pipe Band Champions – Golden City Pipe Band Bendigo
2008 Australian Pipe Band Champions – City of Adelaide Pipe Band
2012 Australian Pipe Band Runners Up – Golden City Pipe Band (Tutor)
I have performed at many weddings, funerals and ceremonies, along with many corporate functions including AFL Grand final Eve Luncheon, radio events on MMM and KIIS FM in Melbourne and featured in the online campaign for Ford Motor Company for their SYNC voice activation technology.
I am currently Pipe Major of Victoria Scottish Pipes and Drums, Australia’s premier Grade 3 Pipe Band.
Pipe Major, Secretary
Tracey King
Tracey has been influenced and mentored by many great drummers including Bill Russell, Geoff and Jason Gerdsen, Paul Turner, Harold Gillespie and Noel "Nobby" Blake. In her earlier years, Tracey competed with the Golden City Pipe Band Bendigo in Grade 3 & Grade 2 winning several major championships including a memorable win at the Australian Championships in Adelaide 2000 against some dynamic and strong competition. During her time in Scotland from 1993- 1995 Tracey played in all major competitions over 3 pipe band seasons in Glasgow, Scotland for Grade 3 band Kirkintilloch. In 2002, she played with Maryborough Pipe Band at the New Zealand Championships where the band and drum corps placed equal first in Grade 3.
Drum Sergeant
Jason Gerdsen
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Drum Tutor, Competition Snare Lead