In 1999 I passed the Principal Musician exam top of my class. My musical development was influenced by mostly the CD's and books
that we had in the SAMS library. That includes compositions by Robert Mathieson (Shotts) and Mark Saul (Victoria Police) books
called Master Blasters. Also big influences were the albums Do Mo Chara Maith by SFU and By The Water's Edge by Shotts.
We were (it still is) the only full-time pipe band in the country. In my time in the Medics, I attended a Murray Henderson recital, attended
a piping clinic hosted by Nat Russel from Victoria Police, and saw the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards band perform at the Natal Scottish Gathering.
We were a Grade 2 competition band between 1996 and 2000, and I played competetively in 1997-1999. It was a fiery forge but fun.
Back: Frikkie Boshoff; Michael Armstrong; Liam O'Flaherty; Andre De Bernier; Rohann Ludick
Front: Reginald Simpson; me.
Absent: Graham Crisp; Jacques Buys
We were 4 Afrikaans guys in the pipe corps. Our Pipe Major, Liam wrote a Reel called Farm Boy Pipers for us. We played it in our competition medley.
I left SAMHS and the SANDF as a sergeant in 2000 to work in the private sector. I played a little for the short-lived Lyttelton Manor Old Boys Band
and I have played in a few concerts as solo piper. I have become very rusty, and a good friend recently inspired me to start playing again.
