Pipe band feeling ‘positive’

BY ABBY WALTER

Horsham City Pipe Band is relocating to Jubilee Hall as infrastructure upgrades continue at Horsham’s City Oval.

The band signed a nine-year user agreement to move to the hall, in Roberts Avenue, after decades of practising in a building next to the clubrooms at city oval.

The building is slated for removal as part of the city oval redevelopment.

Renovations will be carried out at Jubilee Hall to accommodate the band, including improvements to acoustics, heating and cooling and opening up of spaces and storage.

The renovations will improve function and security of the building.

Horsham City Pipe Band president Gordon McKenry said the band was looking forward to making the most of renovations at the hall.

“We have more room in the hall and there is enough space to practise,” he said.

“The feeling of most band members is pretty positive.

“We had constructive talks with the council all the way through.

“Early on, we had some issues with the sound at Jubilee Hall due to echoing, but they have been fixed and we are looking forward to officially moving into our new home next month.

“A few people are a bit sad to leave the old hall, but overall, it is a very exciting time for the band.”

Horsham Rural City Council director of communities and place Kevin O’Brien said the hall was a councilowned asset and had been available for groups to hire casually.

“Use of the space has changed over time, with the hall not fully activated or used,” he said.

“Previously, the space was used by Horsham Regional Art Gallery to run its services and programs and to house part of the collection, while the Horsham Town Hall was being redeveloped. It has also been used by the council to run short-term pop-up events and projects.”

Mr O’Brien said depending on how arrangements worked with licensees over a term, there was always an option to enter into a new licence and a new term.

“Licence agreements specify certain spaces that will be available for particular groups to use,” he said.

“At present, there is one vacant space not under licence, with the City Band still considering its options.

“A shared meeting room can be booked for small meetings by external users.”

Mr O’Brien said relocating the band to Jubilee Hall would increase use of the facility.

“Another benefit is the co-location of various performance and event providers to be located in the same vicinity,” he said.

“Maximising the use of councilowned or managed facilities makes social and economic sense and aligns with the council’s social infrastructure strategy.

“The council is moving towards better quality, more accessible, multiuse facilities that are used by more people, more often.

“Sharing council-owned or managed facilities will become more standard practice.”

The Horsham City Oval and Sawyer Park redevelopment includes a new community pavilion and football changerooms, netball pavilion and changerooms, two netball courts, an accessible grandstand, a bigger playing oval and a playground area.

It is the second stage of the Horsham Rural City Council’s City to River Masterplan.

Works have begun on the netball courts and pavilion and changerooms after funding was received in October last year.

Plans also include the removal of a council-managed hall on O’Callaghan Parade, currently used by Horsham Rural City Band for practise.

Ongoing discussions

Mr O’Brien said discussions with the city band regarding its future location continued.

“The council has offered the Horsham Rural City Band exclusive use of a space with storage provision at Jubilee Hall,” he said.

“A number of modifications will occur to meet their needs, including adequate acoustic treatment.

“The council sees this as an ideal new venue for the Horsham Rural City Band.”

Mr McKenry said the possibility of the Horsham Rural City Band also relocating to Jubilee Hall was positive.

“We have similar interests as musicians and although we have very dif- ferent music and different styles, it will be good to cross paths now and then,” he said.

The pipe band formed in 1923 and celebrated 100 years in October.

“Working with the atmosphere after our 100th-year celebration, we are looking at hosting a mini-bands competition later this year,” Mr McKenry said.

“We’re hoping to get bands from across the state and interstate to join us for that event.”

Mr McKenry said it was a ‘myth’ that members needed to be of Scottish descent to be part of a pipe band.

“We welcome anyone from any background,” he said.

“This year we will start competing again in mini band competitions. That’s really what drives everyone.

“We’re lucky that we get people join our band who can already play, but we have very good piping tutors and can arrange drum tutoring, too.

“We feel like we are on the verge of a bit of a period of resurgence.”