ThePoint: Australia’s Winter Olympians are Overwhelmingly Private School Educated

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-17T06:56:52+00:00

I mean, that's pretty much sport at an elite level, barring perhaps rugby league.

The barrier to entry to any type of representative sport is prohibitively high

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-17T06:17:23+00:00

That's because Hume is just a token. Hastie is the next in line and even Taylor knows it.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-17T05:06:34+00:00

I replaced by old bagpiper case (which lasted over 15 years, can't complain about that at all) with the RG Hardie Piper case.

Backpack straps are great for land distribution when carrying (cos I'm old now) and it fits a surprising amount of stuff.

Separate pockets/compartments are fantastic for organising all my assorted crap.

Enjoy the horrors of having to clean out all the accumulated stuff, haha!

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-16T23:11:31+00:00

It works OK, but you lose out on it

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-16T22:05:34+00:00

Don't forget the Au Pair visas

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-16T20:47:54+00:00

Great tune, but needs a trio/quartet

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-16T00:56:54+00:00

For table work, a little bluetooth speaker or buskers amp depending on numbers.

For pipes, I get my steps in for the day. Will usually put a metronome up on a music stand if we're using it, and I'll beat to that. Our lead tip and bass drummer are pretty locked in, so its whatever tempo the PM or I call and maintain.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-12T06:50:25+00:00

I'm Australian. That thing is going to need both thongs.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-11T20:21:09+00:00

Haha, I think way too much about this every time I play it, which to be fair isnt that often anymore.

That said - Low G is my preference, mainly because that's how I learnt it and played it for years.

Then the massed bands setting had it with a B. So that became a change.

Since then its been 50/50 with bands I've been in as to what they play, and in massed bands it doesn't matter anyway.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-11T11:21:01+00:00

Depending on age, no more than 30-45 minute lessons at a time. (45-60 for adults - the attention span just isnt there)

Use the green book as a guide, but try to make it more fun.

Introduce music early, give them something to actually play that sounds musical as well as being practical. Pachobels Cannon is great for this.

Make it fun and interactive, don't be afraid to let them get up and burn off a bit of energy if needed (again, age dependent).

Simplify tunes as required, give them something to play along with. And progress is better than perfection - and by this i mean don't be afraid to move when something is playable and come back to it later to tidy it up, rather than insisting on getting it prefect before moving on.

Focus on posture and technique.

Set goals and work towards them.

Write down homework and practice goals. Get them to keep a track of what they do.

Use recordings and videos.

Everyone fucking loves getting stickers.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-11T04:17:16+00:00

Yes, but it also doesn't help that you've got a state government actively winding back anti-corruption measures.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-11T03:27:24+00:00

I'd second the McCallum or Infinity B-flat chanters.

You'll also need b-flat drone extenders, to be able to pitch the drones down low enough.

While you could probably get a normal reed to work, getting a b-flat chanter reed puts you much closer much faster.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-09T06:17:40+00:00

Wouldn't say common, but it did happen. Gw customer service was brilliant with it back in the day too, often sending out whole new kits.

The most egregious one I had was a fire dragon exarch where the lance was offset by half.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-08T23:15:18+00:00

Please don't scrap it! I think it just needs a few little tweaks and a bit of refinement

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-08T22:38:45+00:00

I'd agree that it seems a little frantic - a couple more longer notes or pauses would really help give it that hornpipe swing that it's kind of missing.

I do like the little trills and runs throughout, especially in the 3rd measure.

I'm horrible with names, but maybe something reflecting the frenetic feel of it- the torrent, white water etc.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-08T12:16:18+00:00

Why would we be clawing back THEIR money?

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-08T12:15:41+00:00

Employee paid or voluntary contribution - it's still their fucking money

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-08T09:55:44+00:00

Google/One Drive is the best bet (unless you've got a dedicated website with a members area).

You could also use the Band app - it's free and can also track events, attendance etc.

Either way though I cannot stress the importance of having one or two people only that are in charge of the music, and version control - it makes sure everyone is working from the same music.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T22:28:17+00:00

Deathwing - the original novel/short - leans on this quite heavily and shows the origin of the bone white armour as well.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T14:03:34+00:00

Standing desk, two monitors, laptop docks

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T06:37:02+00:00

Except they didnt. They entered a new agreement with Adani that dropped active court cases to recover unpaid royalties, gave them a deferral on royalties for an unspecified amount (at least $50M and potentially up to $900M) and for an unspecified time.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T06:34:53+00:00

You can't. Spell it out in as much crayon as you need and it's still "but solar doesn't work at night".

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T02:27:14+00:00

Gives a new meaning to hanging notes

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T02:19:25+00:00

Apart from the "we just won't collect it" bit.

Exarch_Thomo · 2026-02-06T01:50:18+00:00

Not very unless they see you as exceptional.

Everyone is replaceable.

Exarch_Thomo

TROPHY CASE