Altona Meadows’ Anthony Sell has got that highland feeling.
He has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours with an Order of Australia Medal for his service to pipe bands over 55 years.
His association with pipe bands stretches back to 1963 when he became inaugural secretary of the Melbourne University Pipe Band while studying law.
Mr Sell has been largely responsible for drafting the rules and regulations.
He has been a life member of Pipe Bands Australia (formerly Australian Federation of Pipe Band Associations) since 1981, and of Pipe Bands Victoria since 1974.
“The Victorian association is the oldest distinct pipe band association in the world – the Scots have never forgiven us,” Mr Sell said. “We started in 1924 and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association in 1927.”
During the 1970s, Mr Sell was president and an executive member of the City of Nunawading Highland Pipe Band, of which he also was made a life member.
Mr Sell’s favourite tune is that of his father’s company –
Bonnie Dundee – which is also how he became involved in pipe bands.
“Dad commanded a company in the 2/5th Battalion in the Western Desert during World War II,” he said. “This was largely manned by people from the Victoria Scottish Regiment.
“And the guy who was state president when I first got involved had been his sergeant major for a while, and they got on very well.
“Several times, as a family, we went to town … so I was the kid sitting in the corner drinking a lemon squash while they were drinking a beer.”
The 75-year-old said he had no plans to retire.
“My first national championships in charge was in 1965 as a student, which amazed a few people; my last national champions was this year in Brisbane.
“The music of the bands can be quite inspirational.
“It graces memorial-type things, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable when the dancers are performing or when the bands are displaying their musical capacity, and that is a very pleasant thing to be involved with.”
