The McKenzie Connection
McKenzie Connection with St. Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band
The Scottish interest of the McKenzie family stems back to my great grandfather, Thomas McKenzie, arriving from Scotland in 1854.
My Father, Robert McKenzie, known as Bob, was a piper and highland dancer from an early age. He would have been a learner and junior piper in the very early Societies or Bands that went into recess before the current St. Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band was formed in 1933 with him as Pipe Major.
There is photographic evidence of this in a photo taken in 1915 with him as a young boy, aged 9, in the midst of adult pipers.
The entire McKenzie family became involved with the band. My grandfather, Norman, becoming Patron and my grandmother forming a Ladies Committee to support and raise money to be used for instruments and uniforms for the band members. Dad's sister, Louisa, also joined this Committee.
For many years St. Andrews was the only pipe band in Tasmania and performed at many important State events including farewell to the troops from Hobart in the 1939-45 War and welcoming them home later. St. Andrews led the Victory Parade through Launceston in 1946 and have played in two Coronation Day Parades - King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Some photos show St. Andrews parading with 17 pipers which must have been quite an impressive sight and sound.
My Father was a very committed bandsman and I can remember him going to parades all over the state. These include Hobart Show, Scottsdale and St. Marys Shows, Burnie Highland Gatherings, a Scotch Ball in Fingal and a train trip to Scottsdale to play in a concert on Saturday evening and a church service on Sunday. Caledonian Balls and Scotch College Balls were also important engagements for the band.
One very important event for both my father and Pipe Sergeant Malcolm Murray was playing for Queen Elizabeth whilst she had breakfast at Connorville in 1954. This was a very proud moment for both pipers.
Important parades for St. Andrews always included Anzac Day where the Rats of Tobruk requested to be placed in the parade behind St. Andrews. Launceston Show in its heyday at Elphin was always important with St. Andrews leading the Grand Parade. Our family home was at 2 Cypress Street which was the meeting and tune-up venue. The members would then march down the street and into the showgrounds much to the delight of the neighbours.
New Year's Eve was another important tradition. The band would play at Nursing Homes and Hospitals early in the evening and then do a street parade in the city. They would then travel by bus playing at different venues in the suburbs and outside the homes of Band Committee members. They would finish the evening with another street march to play outside the Launceston Hotel in Brisbane Street at midnight. They then went to the McKenzie family home for refreshment and to enjoy the haggis made by my grandmother to a true Scottish recipe. There is reference to this in letters to Bob from band members serving overseas in the army.
Dad was also called on as a solo piper for many celebrations as well as playing for the Highland Dancers at Launceston Competitions. He taught pipers at Scotch College and formed the first Scotch College Pipe Band - their first parade was in 1956. He was Pipe Major of St. Andrews for 33 years and sadly passed away one month before the Band's 50th Anniversary.
My mother, Jean McKenzie, was a wonderful support to Dad during his days as Pipe Major becoming a member of the Ladies Committee from the early days to the time it had to be wound up due to reduced membership. Many garden parties were held at our house with all funds raised going to help the band.
My contribution has been through the Ladies Committee and as a member of the Reel Party. We accompanied the band and danced at many functions over the years. We also were successful in competitions here and on the mainland. My daughters Alison and Natalie have continued the McKenzie association with the band by dancing at numerous engagements, and are both capable of playing bagpipes.
I remain a staunch supporter of St. Andrews as a Committee member and am proud to have been awarded Life Membership. I congratulate the band and extend best wishes for its future success as it moves to 100 years.