TAMWORTH man John Black was able to snare a lifelong wish on Anzac Day.
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Mr Black, 81, said it was on his bucket-list to march in front of the Scottish pipe band as the drum major.
After an offhand comment to his mate, Bill Hunt began drumming up support to get Mr Black out in from of the marching band.
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Mr Hunt contacted his son, Jamie, who is the pipe major of the band.
He had seven weeks to train Mr Black the role in the run up to Anzac Day, where Mr Black got to live out his dream leading the pipe band down Peel Street as part of the city's main parade.
"It certainly helped that John has experience in marching and giving orders from his time in the Royal NSW Lancers and RAAF," Mr Hunt said.
"This meant we could concentrate on the many orders that are given by movements of the mace."
For Mr Black, it was a dream come true, but it also served as a fitting ode to his family and its Scottish heritage.
"I have enjoyed training with the band and it was good to do it on Anzac Day as my forebears came from the Hebrides as part of the clan Duart of Maclean and my grandfather served in the artillery so this was a nice way to honour that heritage," Mr Black said.
Anyone interested in joining the Tamworth Pipe Band can contact Jamie Hunt at 0432 395 821.
"Novice and learner pipers and drummers are always welcome on Tuesday evenings at the Anzac Park Band Rotunda," Mr Hunt said.
