In an age of electric guitars and keyboards, the bagpipes are an instrument that retain an air of mystery.
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Even their origins have been shrouded in the past, with some historians suggesting they first appeared in ancient Egypt, others saying they came from ancient Rome or Greece.
For David Corbett of Tathra, they are a passion he has had since he was 15 years old.
“With bagpipes you can send soldiers out to battle. Now try doing that with a kazoo, or a Jew harp, or a violin!” the 87-year-old said.
“I couldn't tell you then and I couldn’t tell you now, they just had an appeal that I liked.”
He learnt the bagpipes from “a feisty, crusty Scot who came from the Isle of Skye” while he was at Scotch College in Melbourne, eventually becoming the pipe major of a band.
When he got married, he “more or less gave the bagpipes away”, knowing one day he would take them up again.
Retiring to Tathra 25 years ago, he decided it was the time to pick up the pipes again and became an active performer.
Mr Corbett played at events across Batemans Bay, Moruya, Wyndham, Eden and beyond, saying his proudest moment was leading the parade for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Sydney about eight years ago.
He also played at several of Clean Energy For Eternity president Matthew Nott’s human signs, including one of the grounds of Parliament House in Canberra.
On Sunday, September 30, he picked up the bagpipes for the last time to perform at Clean Energy For Eternity’s human sign in Tathra, which drew 2000 people to spell out phrases such as “Keep Tathra Cool” and “Climate Action Now”.
“I’m definitely in my retirement now. It’s a demanding instrument, physically,” Mr Corbett said.
His penultimate performance took place six weeks ago when he was invited to perform at a bagpipe concert at his old school where his passion for the instrument began, saying he was the oldest piper or drummer to appear at the event.
“They said it was a great show. I felt completely at home,” he said.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
