On Saturday, April 18, 2026 the Victorian Pipers’ Association held its first in-person contest of the 2026 season at Rupertswood Mansion on the grounds of Salesian College, Sunbury (Melbourne, Australia). This was the first time a contest was held at this venue and it holds some historical significance. 41 competitors registered for the competition.
The contest was sponsored by the Sunshine foundation, a charitable foundation created in honour of Hugh Victor McKay, an industrialist in Melbourne during the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. H V McKay founded the Sunshine Harvesters company and had a significant involvement with pipe bands by funding the Sunshine Pipe band, which eventually became the current Victoria Scottish Pipe Band. This year marks the centenary of H V McKay’s passing and it is fitting that a piping contest has been started in his honour.
The Sunshine Foundation’s sponsorship enabled the VPA to award a prize purse of $2100AUD, which was awarded across C, D and Novice grades. It should be noted that the number of competitors was a record for a season opener in the VPA.
Rupertswood Mansion was owned by H V McKay and the mansion itself has a very prominent place in Australian history, being the birthplace of the Ashes cricket series. The first Ashes test match was played at the cricket ground adjacent to Rupertswood and the legendary burning of the bails and presentation of the Urn was held at the mansion.
For information regarding the Sunshine Foundation, please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.au
Overall winners
- A Grade – Jonathan Quay
- B Grade – Campbell Wilson
- C Grade – Finely Parsons
- D Grade – Sachindri Rathnayake
- Novice – Weston Carey
Judges: Brett Tidswell, James Easdon, Craig McKenzie, Robert Wilkinson, Matt Gervasoni, Cam Ely, Dan Whelan
Results
A Grade
Piobaireachd
1st Jonathan Quay
2nd Joshua Chandler
3rd Stephen Ross
2/4 March
1st Jonathan Quay
2nd Dan Whelan
3rd Joshua Chandler
Strathspey and Reel
1st Jonathan Quay
2nd Dan Whelan
3rd Joshua Chandler
Hornpipe/Jig
1st Jonathan Quay
2nd Dan Whelan
3rd Joshua Chandler
B Grade
Piobaireachd
1st Campbell Wilson
2nd Dan Whelan
3rd Craig McKenzie
2/4 March
1st Campbell Wilson
2nd Stephanie Scott
3rd Michael Zhang
Strathspey and Reel
1st Campbell Wilson
2nd Stephanie Scott
3rd Michael Zhang
Hornpipe/Jig
1st Campbell Wilson,
2nd Stephanie Scott
3rd Cam Ely
C Grade
Piobaireachd
1st Finley Parsons
2nd Mike Taylor
3rd Ian Thorn
2/4 March
1st Finley Parsons
2nd Charlie Schaefer
3rd Charli Millar
Strathspey and Reel
1st Finley Parsons
2nd Charli Millar
3rd Charlie Schaefer
Hornpipe/Jig
1st Finley Parsons
2nd Charli Millar
3rd Lyn Vanos
D Grade
Piobaireachd
1st Isabella Lau
2nd Sachindri Rathnayake
3rd Dylan Tran
2/4 March
1st Sachindri Rathnayake
2nd Isabella Lau
3rd Roger Sinclair
Strathspey and Reel
1st Sachindri Rathnayake
2nd Dylan Tran
3rd Roger Sinclair
Novice
Piobaireachd
1st Weston Carey
2nd Matt McKay
3rd Fergus McKittrick
2/4 March
1st Weston Carey
2nd Fergus McKittrick
3rd – Maisie Nield
Slow Air
1st Fergus McKittrick
2nd Weston Carey
3rd Maisie Nield