Some 374 enthusiastic pipers broke the record previously set in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2012 when 333 participated at a similar event.
Orchestrated by the ABC and known as the Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash, the special event was a tribute to AC/DC and the band’s history.
The band was formed by Scottish brothers Malcolm and Angus Young in 1973 and had a big breakthrough in 1976 with the release of the classic rock anthem It’s a long way to the top.
Among the musicians, who ranged in age from 14 to 98, were two Cobram bagpipe devotees, Bill Tom, 67, and Gavin Davey, 78.
The pair absolutely loved the whole experience, playing such a memorable piece alongside fellow musicians in a setting surrounded by a crowd of several thousand.
“There were 100 young pipers from various Melbourne schools playing as well, which was just fantastic,” Bill said.
“It was a happy atmosphere, so many came for the music and to just have a good time, and we certainly did.”
The two pipers share a Scottish connection, which appears to fit in with their love of the instrument.
Bill’s Scottish grandfather owned bagpipes, yet never played, and as a young boy Bill began to show interest but didn’t learn to play until he was a student at Scotch College.
There he joined the school band, and years later was eagerly recruited by the Cobram Band.
“Or coerced, more likely,” Bill said.
Bill attended Melbourne University where he studied veterinary science and moved to Cobram as a qualified vet in 1981.
There he decided he would stay for two years; however, Bill’s time in Cobram grew year by year to a total of 40, before he retired from the role.
He loved the work, the town and its people. For him, It was rewarding looking after dairy cattle, and he built strong relationships with local farmers.
However, despite there being little time for the band, he ensured he was available to play at Anzac and Remembrance day services, as well as other special occasions.
Bagpipes have become something of a retirement project for Bill, who is involved in various events, such as the popular Bright Autumn Festival.
He also plays, on occasion, with both Shepparton and Wangaratta pipe bands.
“I loved my work, yet I enjoy retirement too,” he said.
“There are many things to do, including spending time with my wife, Jen, and our three sons, practising and performing with the band, and I’ve also joined Rotary to give back to the community.”
Gavin also has Scottish ancestry and began playing the bagpipes at nine, thanks to assistance from an aunt in Geelong who was a music teacher.
She would take Gavin to Bendigo to watch the Easter Parade where he became fascinated by the town bands that played.
Gavin spent 52 years operating his dairy farm, where he milked 172 Jersey cattle and had very little free time.
It was a seven-day-a-week role. However, possessing a passion for bagpipes, a genuine love of music and being something of a perfectionist, bagpipes became his ‘thing’ and he worked hard to make time to play and practice.
“Living on a farm, I never had any problem with neighbours complaining about the noise, as they often lived several kilometres way,” he said.
Today there are electronic bagpipes and pipers can practice wearing headphones.
“It’s great for new tunes, and you don’t bother people,” he said.
“You need good, strong lung capacity and to build muscles in your lips. Bagpipes are not like other instruments and can be quite difficult to play, but when you get it right, it is amazing.”
Gavin and his wife, Sandy, have four children, with son Alex also a piper who joined his dad and Bill, playing the AC/DC classic at Federation Square.
“He loved the day just like we did, particularly after the recorded music began, and we all began to play,” Gavin said.
“The crowd broke into an uproar.”
While a student, Alex played in the Haileybury College band and later with the Army Reserves band at funerals and weddings and, like his dad, is a devotee of the bagpipes.
The opportunity presented to all three musicians was an amazing experience, which will not be forgotten any time soon.
