Members

Band Members

Pipe Corps

	Gordon Maxwell
	Michael Brownlee
	June McLeish
	Chris Brownlee
	James Coombs
	Andrew Sneddon
	Fiona Niuila

Drum Corps

	Mal Ridgley
	Grant Aitken
	Steve Roddick
	Carl Stewart
	Lisa Maxwell
	Jessica Mullins
	Krissie Waugh
	Vanessa Wells
	Greg Suey

Life Members

	The late John James "Jock" Pettigrew
	Chris Brownlee

Gordon Maxwell	Pipe Major
	History: Gordon joined the Parramatta Police Boys Club Pipe Band in 1976. He was taught by Sandy Young (Scots Guards) & Rod Parker (NSW Police). The band were Grade 3 NSW State Champions and East Coast Grade 3 Champions from 1978 to 1983. Gordon held the position of Pipe Sergeant from 1982 until the band folded in 1984. In 1989 Gordon moved to Rooty Hill RSL Pipe Band. The band were NSW State Champions in Grade 2 from 1989 to 1995 and placed 3rd in the Australian Championships Grade 2 in 1990. That same year also saw the band claim the title of New Zealand Grade 2 Champions. Gordon competed at the South East Asian Open Quintet Championships in Jakarta in 1989 & 1990. 1992 added another success to the band's list of achievements, with a win at the Hawaiian Championships. The band also competed again in the New Zealand Championships Grade 2 in 1994. Gordon joined the Blue Mountains Pipe Band in 1998, and took on the role of Pipe Major in 2000. Gordon has been a regular presence in the band's competition team for many years, and has many competition credits to his name. These include NSW State March Element at the Combined Scottish Society Competition 2003, NSW State Mini Band Champions Grade 4 and Grade 3 in 2004, and 2nd Place NSW State Mini Band Championships Grade 3 in 2005. Highlights: Winning the New Zealand National Championships in 1990 & competing in Jakarta in 1989 & 1990 are amongst Gordon's highlights. He lists spending his honeymoon winning the Hawaiian Championships alongside his many drunken mates as a favourite memory! Having his two daughters playing their first pipe band engagements with the Blue Mountains Pipe Band is also high on this list. The band president singing Chad Morgan after an extended day of drinking on ANZAC Day rates a special mention, as does two days of golf and a wedding with the Rooty Hill Drum Corps! Favourite Bands: Tannerhill Weavers, Runrig, Eric Bogle, Deaf Shephard, The Corries, SFU Favourite Tunes: Jig Of Slurs, Caledonia, Beneath the Southern Cross, Diamond Tina Drover Other Interests: Music, Darts & Gardening Back to Top
Michael Brownlee	Pipe Sergeant
	History: Michael began learning the bagpipes when he joined the Blue Mountains Pipe Band in 1995. In 1998 he took on the role of acting Pipe Major whilst membership was low. Michael has held his current role as Pipe Sergeant since 2000. Michael has been a regular presence in the band's competition team for many years, and has many competition credits to his name. These include NSW State March Element at the Combined Scottish Society Competition 2003, NSW State Mini Band Champions Grade 4 and Grade 3 in 2004, and 2nd Place NSW State Mini Band Championships Grade 3 in 2005. In 2002 Michael was invited to play with the Blue Cattle Dog Tavern Pipers at the South East Asian Open Quintet Championships in Jakarta. The band took home the gold medal against an international lineup of bands. In 2005 Michael was invited to play with the NSW Police Pipe Band at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo held in Sydney. Michael has also enjoyed numerous successes in a variety of Solo Competitions since 1998. Highlights: Michael considers his trip to Jakarta and participation in the Edinburgh Tattoo - Salute to Australia, Sydney 2005 as part of the NSW Police Pipe Band for the Police Musical Ride as major highlights. Favourite Bands: Battlefield Band, Deaf Shephard, Bothy Band, Dubliners, The Chieftains, The Proclaimers, The Wolfe Tones, Guns N Roses, Pipedown, U2, R.E.M, Hunters and Collectors Favourite Tunes: Too many to list here. Other Interests: Playing Hockey and spending time relaxing Back to Top
June McLeish	Piper and bagpipe tuner extraordinaire
	History: June began learning the bagpipes in 1966 under the private tuition of Don McLeish. She joined her first band in 1970, taking on the role of Pipe Major at St Marys #2. The band became Australian Champions in Grade 3 in 1972. In 1973 June became a foundation member of St John Ambulance Pipe Band, which eventually became City Of Blacktown. During her 11 years with City Of Blacktown, she was promoted to Pipe Sergeant of Blacktown #1, and became a life member in 1985. 1985 saw June move to Sydney Thistle for the next two years. June became a foundation member of Rooty Hill RSL Pipes & Drums in 1987, and spent most of the next ten years as Pipe Sergeant, under Pipe Major James D Smith, until the band was disbanded in 1996. She then played with both NSW Police and St Marys #1. June joined the BMPB in 2003, and also still plays socially with NSW Police and competitively with Canberra Burns #1 Pipe Band. Highlights: June lists many highlights in her long career. They include playing extensively for Highland Dancing, and being a Piping Adjudicator (NSW and National Panel) since the early 1970's. June gained her Advanced Certificate in Piping in 1979. June has enjoyed many overseas trips, particularly with Rooty Hill RSL Pipe Band, to Hawaii, New Zealand and Indonesia 11 times! She also competed in Scotland in 2004 with Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band #1. Another highlight for June was participating in the Edinburgh Tattoo - Salute to Australia, Sydney 2005 as part of the NSW Police Pipe Band for the Police Musical Ride. Favourite Bands: Favourite Tunes: Other Interests: June is an optometrist currently in private practice in Orange & Campbelltown. She has also worked as a Clinic Supervisor at UNSW School of Optometry & Vision Science since 1977. One of June's favourite things to do is to eat Paul's culinary delights! Back to Top
Chris Brownlee	Piper and President of the Band Management Committee
	History: Chris started learning bagpipes when he joined the BMPB in 1991. He says he is still learning and wonders when it will come?! With so many years now behind him, Chris is our longest serving band member. We don't believe his claim that he has nothing else to do! In May 1992 Chris was voted in as band Secretary/President. He organised the band into a legal entity by arranging for the band to become an Incorporated Association, The Blue Mountains Pipe Band Inc. This gave full protection to the committee and band members against any legal liabilities. With this and many other organisational responsibilities to his credit, it's no wonder that Chris still holds his position of President to this day! Chris has been a regular presence in the band's competition team, and has several successes to his name. These include Winner, Grade 4 Set Of Marches, NSW State Element, Castle Hill in 2003, and Winner, Grade 4 Bathurst Contest in both 2003 and 2004. In 2002 Chris was given life membership to the band in honour and recognition of his contributions and dedication. Highlights: Chris lists many highlights during his years with BMPB, including teaching his son to play the pipes (Chris says those roles are reversed now!) and seeing his son win his first solo competition. Chris also considers the band's first competition win at Bathurst, and many others to follow, as highlights. He loves seeing people enjoy their hobby and helping the community at the same time. We also couldn't fail to mention the first time Chris managed to march in time to Cockney Jocks! Favourite Bands: Chris says he has no particular favourites, simply appreciating anyone having a go. Favourite Tunes: No favourites, he appreciates all music. Other Interests: Chris has many other interests, including going to work, supporting his wife and family, reading, jogging, bushwalking, mountain climbing and walking the dog. He also enjoys gardening and landscaping, public speaking and having a drink at the pub ~ something he claims is "very rare these days"! Chris is involved in voluntary mediation work, and enjoys listening to the elderly as he says they have the benefit of wisdom and may have already entered the traps you may be about to encounter. He also spends time learning new management strategies and personal attributes to cope with managing a pipe band, stating that if you can't laugh it's time to give it away, you have been there too long! Back to Top

James Coombs

Piper and Treasurer of the Band Management Committee

History: James began learning bagpipes in 1964 while in 6th class, and was taught by the Pipe Major of Manly Warringah, Mr. Frank Morrison. After playing for about five years, James gave it away and didn't play pipes again for about 35 years! When one of his children brought home a BMPB flyer from school, James' interest was sparked and he joined the BMPB in 2002. He says it has only taken about 3 years to get right back to where he was!

James was a part of the teams which won in Grade 4 at Bathurst, and won the Grade 4 MSR at Castle Hill.

Highlights: James says his biggest highlight is winning every competition he has played in!

Favourite Bands: Deaf Shepherd, Clannad, Vic Police Pipe Band, Tannahill Weavers, Maire Brennan, Rich Mullins, Geoff Moore & The Distance, Michael Card, Ambushed!

Favourite Tunes: Train Journey North, Still, Shout To The Lord, Ass In The Graveyard, Jimmy Blue, Ben C Niven, Come To The Table

Other Interests: James enjoys playing squash and spending time in his church activities. He is also a pretty hot keyboard player in a bush band!