Down under, up and over: the Victoria Police World’s win 20 years later

Robert Crozier remembers things a little differently. “That was decided in a band meeting a few weeks after we returned home from Scotland. The question was asked of the band by Nat, ‘Who wants to go back next year?’ Only a couple of guys in the band put their hand up. It was a little sad in a way after years of hard work and dedication to get to that top level and then just stop.”

Incredibly, according to Harold Gillespie, the band learned of the police force’s decision to prevent the band from competing at the very function being held to celebrate their World’s victory.

“While the band was attending the police function to celebrate our success, the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police answered a question from a TV reporter by publicly stating the band will never compete again,” Gillespie said. “The band was totally gob-smacked by this unexpected announcement. The celebration for winning the World Championship quickly defused into the realization that this was the sudden and unexpected end of the journey.”

The group would from then on serve strictly as a performing unit for official functions.

“Further regulations enforced meant that no unsworn members of the police could perform with the band, thereby eliminating any chance of ever continuing as a competition band,” Gillespie adds. “Having carried the good name and reputation of the Victoria Police around the world to the UK, USA and Indonesia, as well as all over Australia, I felt our efforts had counted for nothing.”

It was most likely a combination of both optics and desire that led to the band’s decision not to return to Glasgow. Finally grasping the ultimate pipe band prize after years of commitment and investment inevitably takes its toll on motivation and personal life, and history is full of fine pipers and drummers who drop out after achieving their one goal.

But could the Victoria Police have been repeat World’s winners?

“Almost certainly,” Lyons says. “I think we could have defended quite confidently in 1999 and 2000. Beyond that, who knows? The band was an anomaly. It was a unique set of circumstances along with a unique group of people.”

“I definitely think the Band would have won the World’s a couple of more times,” Brian Niven agreed. “Remember that the majority of the members were still in the Band and playing nearly every day to the Victorian public.”

Twenty years later, their rivals remember the band well.

“The Vicky Polis as we knew them were always a major threat and well respected by their peers at the World Championship,” says Robert Mathieson, who was pipe-major of Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia at the time. Mathieson guided his band to five World Championships during his tenure, and his band finished second to the Victoria Police in 1998. “I have great memories and friendships from their visits to Scotland. The pipe section were probably the first group to show that the modern synthetic reeds and bags could be set up with great tonal precision to be the best in the world. They also brought their own brand of music, especially in 1997 and 1998. They pioneered the teamwork approach to setting up a band on the day of a contest. Their ensemble sound was put together using a system similar to that of a Formula 1 racing pit stop team. A great iconic band with unwavering leadership.”

“I smile when I think of the madness that ensued when the result was read out,” Terry Lee says. “There were band members running and sliding all over the pitch. Crazy! So good to see a new continent take the prize.

Fortunate members of the 1998 Victoria Police cherish the memories.

“My feelings that day are almost indescribable,” Gillespie says. “A lifetime of playing drums, the dedication, effort, unbelievable hard work and 10 years of traveling to the UK for the ultimate prize was a dream come true. It is still hard to believe that a band from the other side of the world could come to Glasgow Green and win the World Championship.”

“At the time it was sheer relief,” Fuller remembers. “But now it is something very special and precious. I still have Did that really happen? moments from time to time.”

We hope that you liked this article, and we thank the former members of the band for their help.

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