National management committee has set the weekend of 16 and 17 September as the date for National Conference 2017.

Conference weekend will be also incorporate meetings of the Australian Pipe Band College – Piping, Drumming, Drill and Dress and Rules and Administration – in recognition of the vital role played by all divisions of College in the effective promotion of our movement and the importance of achieving consistency across branches.

Divisions of college will have a “report and recommend” brief from their respective meetings involving Principals and Vice-Principals.

Branches and College are requested to submit items for consideration of inclusion on the conference weekend agenda by 31 March, including discussion papers that can be circulated to member bands and branches for discussion ahead of conference.

National management committee considered flight access and costs for conference weekend for a councillor from each state and also involving all divisions of College in determining that the conference will be held in Melbourne.

While details will follow early in 2017, an indicative schedule for conference weekend is:

Friday 15 September Welcome dinner

Saturday 16 September 9am Conference opens – PBA Reports

10am College meetings

12.30pm Luncheon

1.30pm College meetings continue

3.30pm College reports and recommendations to council

4.30pm Proposals from branches

6pm Adjournment and dinner

Sunday 17 September 9.30am Conference resumes – Elections

Report on planning for 2018 Championships

Proposals from branches/management committee

Education and Training – Players, Bands, Adjudicators

Communications forum

Setting of tasks for 2017-2019

1pm Conference closes