New high for top piper

Ross Duncan

Wanganui man Ross Duncan has been a military band piper since 1947.

And it's that dedication which has earned Mr Duncan a Queen's Service Medal in this year's New Year's honours list.

Mr Duncan served as a piper for the Pipes and Drums of the fifth Wellington West Coast Taranaki Regiment from 1986. He served as a band piper, the Colonel's Piper, the Chief of General Staff Piper. He was also the Queen's Piper for Queen Elizabeth's visit to New Zealand in 1990.

Mr Duncan was on the Pipes and Drums committee from 2008, and was in charge of fundraising to ensure the band was well-equipped to tour to Tonga, Scotland and Australia.

He performed - along with the band - at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Queen Mother's Royal Tribute in Scotland in 2000.

Mr Duncan was the Rangitikei Scots Pipe Band Major for 23 years from 1959. As well as his involvement with pipe bands, Mr Duncan has undertaken a range of community work.

He has been a fundraiser and volunteer for Hospice Wanganui and the Whanganui Riverboat Trust. He has been involved with Age Concern for more than 20 years, and a volunteer for Meals On Wheels. He was a founding member of the Hunterville and Districts Museum.

Mr Duncan has held various positions within the Hunterville swimming Club, Scouts, Presbyterian Church and the Hunterville School Committee.