Cops drum up support

Hazel Osborne, Prue Manthey, Henry Dahl-Braganza and Ali Bremner at yesterday’s Kops in Kilts performance.

Renee Pilcher

STUDENTS at Cooloola Christian College were treated to a "soul-stirring" performance when "Kops in Kilts" took their pipe band - Queensland Police Pipes and Drums - to perform at the school yesterday.

"We certainly enjoy attending primary schools to provide entertainment and education," Sergeant Roland McCartney said.

"Our main aim in putting on these concerts is to build a better relationship between young people in Queensland and the Queensland police through the shared enjoyment of music."

The band has been long celebrated as one of Australia's finest pipe bands and has won numerous state, national and international championships. It has performed at thousands of functions, ranging from the world famous Edinburgh Military tattoo to rock concerts to community group receptions.

"This is the second visit to CCC and it tends to draw a crowd of community members as well," head of primary CCC Ross Waltisbuhl said.

"With the new hall and stage, it is the ideal venue for such a concert and the bagpipes don't need any amplification."

The band was formed in 1958 by a small group of police officers led by former Senior Constable Neville Montgomery.

In 2005 the band performed in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo "A Salute to Australia" in Sydney and as a crowning achievement, performed in the 57th Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2006.

While in the UK, the band was invited to perform with the newly formed Royal Regiment of Scotland in a Beating of Retreat before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and members of the Royal Family in the grounds of Balmoral Castle at Braemar, Scotland.

"Our school is also welcoming a new Adopt-a-cop, Senior Constable Andrew Lipke in the next few weeks," Mr Waltisbuhl said.

"Having these positive interactions and friendly faces at the school really helps students to know the police are there to help and support us."