The national management committee oversees the day-to-day affairs of Pipe Bands Australia. Its members are elected and appointed by the National Council.
National Management Committee
Originally from Ireland, David began his piping career with New Ross & District Pipe Band, based in Wexford, Ireland. David’s career within that band grew for over 20 years to become one of the senior pipers. During his time with the band, David competed in grades 4B up to Grade 2 and took part in many international trips. In Ireland, David was a member of the Irish Pipe Band Association.
Since moving to Tasmania in early 2024, David has been a piper with St. Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band, Launceston and also briefly competed with the Grade 2, City of Melbourne Pipe Band.
David is currently a committee member for St. Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band.
Solo, David has performed as a guest on albums, played for Presidents, Foreign Ambassadors, and dignitaries. David has performed a number of tours with the world-renowned Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. He is the current Pipe Major for the Irish delegation to the Festival Interceltique, Lorient, France. Taking place annually in August, it has quickly grown into the world’s biggest Celtic festival.
David enjoys working with bands and players who want to grow and focus on development. Earlier in 2025, he took on the role of Tutor for the Scotch Oakburn College Pipes & Drums ensemble in Launceston which has continued to grow and evolve from strength to strength.
For the term of 2025-2026, David was elected to the Chairperson for Pipe Bands Tasmania, now David steps back into a Vice-Chair role and he looks forward to the journey ahead with Pipe Bands Australia and looks forward to working with all association members to help the Australian Pipe Band scene grow.
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Joel Solak is an accomplished piper, educator and administrator whose involvement in the Australian pipe band movement spans performance, musical development and organisational leadership. Beginning his piping journey at the age of 10 under Hall of Fame inductee Gary Webb, Joel has developed a longstanding commitment to the advancement of piping and drumming, with a particular interest in education, youth development and the sustainability of the movement.
Alongside his piping education, Joel undertook formal classical music training, achieving Honours through the Australian Music Examinations Board. His musical career has included performances throughout Australia and internationally, most notably at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Belfast International Tattoo. He has also performed at significant cultural events, including the opening of Tasmania’s inaugural MONA FOMA festival, and appeared on national television.
Joel is the Pipe Major of the Derwent Scottish Pipe Band, having been appointed as one of Tasmania’s youngest Pipe Majors. Under his musical leadership, the band has achieved success at state championship level while maintaining a strong commitment to community performance, musical development and an inclusive band environment. Beyond his own band, Joel has served as a piping tutor with the Tasmania Police Pipe Band and has contributed to workshops, educational programs and musical collaborations across Australia.
An active contributor to the administration and governance of the pipe band movement, Joel serves as National Secretary of Pipe Bands Australia, following several years on its National Management Committee. His involvement in the Association has also included appointments as State Secretary and State Vice Chair of the Tasmanian Branch.
Throughout his involvement with Pipe Bands Australia, Joel has contributed to initiatives designed to strengthen the movement and broaden opportunities for participation. These include supporting the development and implementation of national child safety governance frameworks, the establishment and ongoing development of the Australian Juvenile Pipe Band Championships, and the revival of the Association’s Summer School tradition through the Winter Piping and Drumming Retreat.
Joel’s contributions to the movement have been recognised through the Peter Cook Scholarship and two Presidential Commendations from Pipe Bands Australia. He also played a leading role in the winding up of the McGee Foundation, helping secure the transfer of its remaining funds to the Tasmanian Branch of Pipe Bands Australia to support the ongoing development of piping and drumming within the state.
Beyond the pipe band movement, Joel has held professional leadership positions in the Tasmanian public sector, including roles involving child protection, organisational governance and public administration. This experience complements his voluntary contributions to Pipe Bands Australia, particularly in strengthening organisational accountability, safeguarding and sustainable governance.
Joel is committed to fostering a pipe band movement that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible, where musical excellence is encouraged, volunteers are valued, and opportunities exist for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate, develop and contribute.
Further
- Peter Cook Scholarship Recipient
- Two Presidential Commendations (Pipe Bands Australia)
- State Secretary, Tasmania (Past),
- National Management Committee, 2020 –
- State Vice Chair (Tasmania),
Originally from New Zealand Scott learnt under Pipe Major John Downie of the City of Auckland Pipe Band. In 1998 Scott perfromed at with the Western Australia Police Band who secured victory in Grade 2. Scott is the current Pipe Band Coordinator at Scots School Albury. In 2023 under Scott’s leadership the School band was victorious at the World Pipe Band Championships.
Tim is an experienced Chief Financial Officer, Chartered Accountant and Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), bringing extensive expertise in financial management, governance and executive leadership to his appointment as Treasurer of Pipe Bands Australia. Complementing his professional career is almost four decades of involvement in the pipe band movement as a competitive snare drummer, tutor, Drum Sergeant and officeholder at band, state and national levels.
Tim’s pipe band journey began in 1986, learning the snare drum with the Ballarat Scottish Pipe Band, now the Ballarat Pipe Band. Since then, he has played with numerous bands competing at the highest levels in Australia and overseas. His pipe band career has included competing at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, as well as performing at major international events including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France.
Tim’s current pipe band roles include Treasurer of Pipe Bands Australia, Treasurer of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association, and snare drummer and Executive Committee Treasurer of the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band. He has also previously served as Treasurer of Pipe Bands Australia, bringing established national-level experience and a strong understanding of the Association, its branches and member bands to his current appointment.
Professionally, Tim has more than 20 years of accounting and taxation experience and is currently Chief Financial Officer of a significant Ballarat-based business. His expertise spans financial management and reporting, taxation, budgeting and forecasting, risk management, corporate governance, strategic planning and executive leadership. Outside the pipe bands, Tim is the Director of Finance for the Ballarat Health Services Foundation, further extending his experience in financial stewardship and not-for-profit governance.
Pipe bands are very much a family affair for Tim, with his wife and two of his children actively involved. This shared involvement has further strengthened his appreciation of the important role pipe bands play in developing musicians, creating community and providing opportunities across generations.
Tim’s combination of senior financial expertise, governance experience and lifelong involvement in pipe bands provides a strong foundation for his national role. As Treasurer, his focus is on financial sustainability, transparency, accountability and sound governance, ensuring Pipe Bands Australia is well positioned to support its branches, bands and members and the continued development of pipe bands across Australia.
Ex Officio Members
Ex Officio members are appointed by the National Management Committee and assist in governance of the Association in their published capacity.
Nick is pipe major of Castle Hill RSL Pipe Band and has held the position for 12 years. A holder of the Australian Pipe Band College elementary piping certificate, he will shortly undertake the college course for rules and administration.
He has previously organised the Combined Scottish Society’s solo piping and drumming competitions and has been involved in the pipe band movement since 1988.
Nick brings to the role considerable experience in use of computer software and platforms and in administration, currently being deputy principal at a Sydney high school.
