Pipe Major
Ailsa Barnett
Ailsa commenced her piping journey at 11 years of age starting with Simon Reedman and then Graham Adams.
Aged 16 (when deemed no longer cool), she gave up playing, returning some 23 years later and now trying to make up for lost time.
Commencing with the band in 2011, she is very proud to be a member and honoured to represent it.
Cherished Memories: The bands 90th Anniversary in 2014 and playing with the NSW Highlanders in 2011 at the World Pipe Band Championships.
Favourite Tune: Salute to Pipe Major Merv McMillan of the City of Newcastle R.S.L. Pipe Band
Drum Sergeant
Steve Dorse
Steve joined the band in 2004 with a keen interest in side drumming. He took up the position of Drum Sergeant in 2010 and is very proud to lead a talented and dedicated drum corps.
He enjoys writing drum scores that challenge the drummers' abilities and create interest.
Cherished Highlights: Leading the pre-show Massed Bands drum corps at the 2019 Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney.
Favourite gig: ANZAC Day parade and performances.
Other interests include playing bass guitar and kit drums.
Pipe Sergeant
Brian Couch
Brian began learning the pipes at age 12 with the Lake Macquarie Police Citizens Youth Club Pipe Band under the tutelage of Iain MacConnachie. At age 24 Brian joined the Royal Australian Corps of Transport Pipes and Drums where he spent 20 years playing the pipes as a musician in the Australian Army Reserve.
Brian then joining the City of Newcastle R.S.L. Pipe Band in 2018. Piping highlights include playing at the 2019 and 2005 Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney.
Favourite tunes: Cullen Bay and The Dark Isle.
Other hobbies include Reading, Brewing and Motorcycles.
Pipe Corporal
Alan Suttner
Alan Started playing bagpipes aged 49. He has played for Singleton Pipes and Drums before joining the Newcastle Band. The best thing Alan learned about the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band is that it is a serious social band. They are serious about their music, and also serious about enjoying being in the company of band members. He enjoys piping and entertaining the public. He says, "If you see people tapping their toes, they are enjoying it."
Drum Corporal
Sophie Wells
Sophie's drumming journey began in 2016, learning snare under City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band Drum Sergeant, Steve Dorse. Thanks to Steve's excellent tuition, Sophie became a full-fledged member of the band in 2017. Eager to advance further, she started lessons with the esteemed Dean Hall of DrummingMad in 2021. She now finds fulfilment in teaching online through DrummingMad and at band practice. For Sophie, the band's camaraderie is invaluable. The supportive environment has fostered her growth as a musician and individual.
Favourite gig: Beaumont St busking
Other hobbies: Playing flute at Irish sessions, buying an irresponsible number of plants
Snare Drummer
Alison Agnew
Alison has been learning the snare drum since 2020 under the tuition of Drum Sergeant Steve and has been performing with the band since 2022. She grew up surrounded by Scottish culture and pipe band music thanks to her dad, and still gets chills when surrounded by the pipes.
Favourite gigs: being a part of the ANZAC day parade and enjoying the party atmosphere on Beaumont Street at Christmas.
Piper
Cliff Brown
The band has provided me opportunities to better my playing ability and learn different tunes. I only began playing the pipes 1 year before joining, but the band took me in and I am so grateful that they were patient as I definitely feel part of the team now… having a laugh along the way also definitely makes it easier.
Cherished Memory: Every gig played is a cherished memory, however Aberdeen is a favourite. When I’m not playing favourites like Cullen Bay and Cock of the north, I am cycling with mates, or doing some gardening in the back yard.
Tenor Drummer
Cass Campbell
Cass joined the band to follow her love of music and drumming. She is curious about her Celtic heritage and wanted to explore this through music. Joining the band in 2023, she discovered her great uncle had previously been a member of the band.
Favourite Tunes: Duncan McInnes, The Black Bear & 79th Farewell to Gibraltor - so far!
Cherished Moments: Witnessing the joy the band brings to others, and playing alongside the Australian Army Concert Band.
Interests: She loves playing guitar and has released a number of albums and enjoys trying to surf and loves spending time in nature.
Piper
Peter Campbell
Peter enjoys playing in street parades and during special events and community occasions. Having been a schoolteacher and school principal he has continued an association with school students playing during wreath laying and representing the Band at an annual Combined Schools Anzac Service in Newcastle Civic Theatre.
A highlight of his piping career has been mentoring junior members and playing in the World Pipe Band Championships in 2014. He received a Commendation Award from the City of Newcastle RSL Anzac Committee and the Lord Mayor in 2015 for services to Anzac Day as Pipe Major of the City Band.
Piper
Wayne Campbell
Wayne was a late starter to bagpipes picking up the practice chanter at 45yrs old. After 3yrs tuition with Newcastle Piping Guru Graham Adams he joined the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band in 2011.
He started learning Piobaireachd (pronounced “pea-brock”) the classical music of the great highland bagpipe (or big music) before learning small music (band music).
Other interests are photography and Scotland landscape exploring.
Tenor Drummer
Clare Johnston
Clare was inspired to start learning the tenor drums after years of watching bands perform in her hometown of Wingham. After moving to Newcastle and seeing the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band march on ANZAC Day, Clare joined the band in 2023. Clare is keen to learn more about Scottish music and culture after a trip to Scotland tracing family history and one day hopes to play in Scotland.
Favourite Tune: The Black Bear
Highlights: Playing Amazing Grace at the ANZAC bridge Memorial service alongside the Australian Army Band
Tenor Drummer
Tennille Johnston
Tennille was inspired to join City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band after watching the band march on ANZAC Day 2023. Motivated to keep the Scottish culture alive and connect with her heritage, Tennille started learning tenor drums mid 2023 and debuted at the Pipe Band State Championships 3 months later.
Highlights: ANZAC Day 2024 for the bands 100th anniversary and the popular Beaumont Street Christmas busking
Favourite tunes: Cullen Bay and the drummers salute
Other interests: Sailing, traveling, and running her own resume writing business
Piper
Julie Kuehn
Julie is a long standing member of the band.
Tenor Drummer
Donald McGregor
Donald joined the City of Newcastle R.S.L. Pipe Band in 1979. Starting off as a tenor drummer, he was promoted to Drum Major shortly after joining the band when the role became vacant.
After suffering a severe back injury, bass drummer, Bob Egan, and Donald switched roles, taking Donald from the Drum Majors position to being the bass drummer for the band, a role he held up until 2013, returning to tenor drumming thereafter.
Other Hobbies: I love to read and make people laugh.
Passion: my 3 amazing children.
Donald now in his 45th continuous year with the band, is proud to play his part in the Centennial Year and looks forward to the future ahead.
Snare Drummer
Ken McLeish
Ken learnt bagpipes from childhood from his father Pipe Major Duncan (Don) McLeish and at times had lessons from P.M. Sam Young and Duncan Johnstone.
Having played in many pipe bands, Ken rose through the ranks in the City of Blacktown Pipe Band to compete in grade one with P.M. Barry Gray for ten years and also had success in open solo competition.
After a recent illness Ken ‘turned to the dark side’ and now plays snare drum with the City Band under Drum Sergeant Steve Dorse. Ken enjoys his new role as a drummer and shares his bagpipe knowledge generously including teaching where required.
Snare Drummer
Simon Melmeth
This band revealed the joy of performing in front of an audience and it was their careful guidance and encouragement that allowed him a chance to experience that.
Favourite Gig: Spontaneous pub performances because of the close interaction with patrons.
Favourite tunes: Scotland the Brave and our drummer's salute which gives our pipers a rest and we drummers get to show off a bit.
Tenor Drummer
Ben Pearson
Ben was born in Lismore and grew up in Taree.
His first band was Castle Hill R.S.L. Pipe Band and has also served time with the Pipes and Drums of the Australian Defence Force.
He joined The City of Newcastle R.S.L. Pipe Band in 2023.
Highlights include playing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Melbourne with the Pipes and Drums of the Australian Defence Force.
Piper
Stuart Scott
Stuart grew up in a family where his mother and father had a keen involvement with Scottish Country dancing, music and culture.
It took 46 years and a son learning bagpipes before he would pick up a set himself.
Having no musical knowledge he learnt from two experienced tutors this sometimes difficult and rewarding instrument.
Learning to march and do drill, memorise music, play together is something that gives a sense of achievement and camaraderie amongst the players which Stuart enjoys
while doing a service to the community.
Piper
Jamie Searle
Jamie’s journey with the bagpipes began at Scots College in 1975 aged 12 and was a part of the Scots College Mass Pipes and Drums until leaving in 1981.
Putting his pipes down for a few years in pursuit of his farming career in Coonamble, it was a good friend that brought him back to piping by performing at his wedding. At that time joining a band was not possible because of distance, so for the next 30 years it was the odd wedding, too many funerals and the odd performance with The Scots College Old Boys.
Jamie now lives in Gloucester and within distance.
Piper
Graeme Smith
Graeme joined the band after watching his son learn to play chanter/ Bagpipes.
Graeme is from Edinburgh, Scotland and his father played in a few tattoos with the Fireman’s Brigade Pipe Band.
Favourite Tunes: Jingle Bells and Black Bear.
He loves to play along side with his daughter the “best bass drummer around” in his own words.
Piper
Felicity Splieth
Felicity started learning in 1979 with tutor Pipe Major Kent Hilton, travelling from Griffith to Albury every 2-3 weeks for practice.
A life member with Albury Wodonga Pipes & Drums from 2001, she played with them until moving to Newcastle in 2008 and joined The City of Newcastle R.S.L. Pipe Band, welcomed by then President and Drum Major The Hon. J. Richard Face.
Cherished Highlights: Competing in Melbourne, Daylesford and the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Sydney.
Felicity enjoys the camaraderie with those in the band the friendships formed in playing with other bands, sharing experiences and knowledge so often freely given.
Bass Drummer
Jessie Streicher
Jessie joined in 2012 after watching her father playing in the band for many years. In this time she’s learnt snare, tenor and bass drum.
Highlights for her include playing at Andre Reiu in 2016. She also loves all Highland gathering tattoos and solo competitions. Jessie has done some highland dancing at engagements with some other amazing members.
Piper
Cassandra Vizintin
Cassandra started learning bagpipes at 11 years of age and has been playing now for over 35 years. She started with the Benalla Caledonian Pipe Band and has since played with The Scots School Albury Pipe Band and the Cairns Pipe Band before settling in with the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band in 1999. Between then and now she has been busy raising two boys and working with her husband in their business