It is with great sadness that Pipe Bands Victoria, our bands and members learned of the passing of Life Member, Mr Anthony Sell OAM on 29th October 2024.
Tony’s commitment and service to the Pipe Band movement in Victoria and Australia was outstanding and endured for over seven decades. Such service is rare and remarkable. I know many of us are so appreciative of Tony’s friendship, as well as being recipients of his wise and gentle counsel over the years.
Tony established an interest with pipe bands as a piping student at Scotch College and continued his involvement during his Law studies at Melbourne University, where he became the Secretary of the Pipe Band in the early 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, Tony assisted with the administration of the City of Nunawading Highland Pipe Band and was their President for several years. He was also elected as an Office Bearer within our own community and held various Executive positions in the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association, Pipe Bands Victoria, and Pipe Bands Australia:
- Assistant Secretary: 1963-68 and 2015-2019
- Secretary: 1968-75, 1976 and 1978-80
- Vice President:1976-78
- Principal, Rules and Administration: 1991-2009
Tony’s most noteworthy and founding contribution was the drafting of the Australian Pipe Band Contest Regulations and the Pipe Band Association Rules, which continue to guide our members and bands in the pursuit of fairness and excellence.
He was awarded VHPBA Life Membership in 1974 and inaugural Life Membership of Pipe Bands Australia in 1981. Tony received the Sir Rupert Hamer Award in 1994 and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2018 acknowledging his incredible service to pipe bands.
While Tony was unable to attend contests in recent years, his devotion to the pipe band scene was unwavering, and he maintained a particular interest in pipe band history in Victoria.
On behalf of all in the Pipe Band community, I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences
to Tony’s family and friends.
Gus am bris an latha
Karen Wallace
Chair, Pipe Bands Victoria
