OSPD Leadership
Pipe Major – David Forbes
As a former student of Scotch College and Pipe Major of the school pipe band, David brings a lifetime of knowledge and skill to the role of OSPD Pipe Major.
After completing VCE in 1979, David - along with fellow Scotch student Bruce Webb - joined the Nunawading Pipe Band, and as one of a number of young emerging players, further developed his skills as a piper and band leader.
David was a key part of Nunawading’s success over the next decade, which included wins in Victorian, Australian and New Zealand Pipe Band Championships. David also competed with Nunawading in Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championships in 1994 and again in 2005 as the renamed Australian Highlanders.
After a break of several years, David was encouraged by the foundation OSPD Pipe Major Brian Symington to join OSPD in 2015. David assumed the Pipe Major role in 2016 and is universally respected not only for his wealth of musical skills and knowledge, but also for his considered and patient style – which has been recognised as the basis for bringing the best out of the band’s pipers and drummers.
Lead Drummer - Ben Jones
Ben grew up in New Zealand and began learning drums from his father Alan at the age of 4. He initially joined City of Hamilton Pipe Band and began competing with them at age 6. He then joined Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band, beginning in the No. 2 band before moving into the No. 1 band, winning multiple Grade 2 titles including prizes for drumming. Ben competed in his first World Championship in 2003 with City of Auckland at age 14 and has since competed in Grade 1 with NZ Police Pipe Band in 2018.
After moving to Australia in 2012, Ben was given the opportunity to tutor side drumming at Scotch College and since that time, has been instrumental in the success of the band which has included winning the European Championships in 2019. In 2017, he also took over the drumming program at Ballarat Grammar.
In 2013, Ben joined Hawthorn and had 5 years playing with Scott Birrell, ultimately winning the Australian Championships in 2018 as well as multiple State Championships. Ben brings a wealth of skill, knowledge and experience to the role of Lead Drummer.
Old Scotch Pipes and Drums Committee Members
Under the leadership of OSPD President Bruce Webb, the committee attends to the band’s day to day affairs as well as planning and arranging activities such as new uniform acquisitions, instrument purchases, competitions and playouts.
The committee also manages the band finances, administrative functions and provides a link to the activities of Pipe Bands Victoria and the VHPBA. The 2021/22 committee comprises the following:
President: Bruce Webb
Vice President: Eddie Butler
Treasurer: Graham Reid
Secretary: Ian Bell
Committee: Peter West, James Atcheson, David Forbes
Meetings of the committee are generally held on a monthly basis. All members are welcome to attend to either listen in or contribute to the discussion. Members are also encouraged to raise any issue with a member of the committee.