Former Principal Drumming Greg Bassani OAM and Gary Webb have been named recipients of the 2020 national awards for merit and achievement in Education and Training.
The selection panel noted that both Greg and Gary had been considered in multiple categories in the national awards.
Their precis citations read:
· Greg Bassani – As Principal Drumming (1997-2017), Greg wrote music for the College, devised syllabi, designed and conducted examinations, made videos for educational purposes and trained drumming and ensemble judges. He also has made a significant contribution to adjudication in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the USA.
· Gary has tutored many bands in Tasmania and nationally, composing drum music for a number of bands. Assisted in the writing of drumming syllabi, conducting workshops and has been vice-principal drumming in Tasmania for more than 30 years. While drumming remains his focus, now also a pipe major.
The national awards were instituted in 2018 with an initial 12 recipients with future awards limited to two recipients in future two-year periods.
All recipients of awards become eligible for elevation to the Pipe Bands Australia Hall of Fame.
Formal recognition of new Hall of Fame inductees and award recipients has been rescheduled to April 2021 following postponement of the Australian Pipe Band Championships due to restrictions on public assemblies during the coronavirus pandemic.
