Friday 12th (~4.30pm) to Sunday 14th September 2025 (~3.30pm)

Castlemaine, Victoria, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Australia

The focus for the 2025 Goldfields Piping Weekend is on piping in our Australian context. Pipers of all levels will find stimulation, inspiration and development in this weekend-long program of group tutorials, sessions, and performances, plus loads of fun.

We are delighted to announce our tutors for the weekend:

Special guest Ciaran O'Grady, concertina and tune-writer (pictured)

Matt Horsley, uilleann pipes

Merran Moir, Scottish smallpipes

Nick Martin, uilleann pipes

Oscar West, Scottish smallpipes

Paddy Connor, uilleann pipes

We welcome special guest Ciaran O'Grady. Ciaran is a concertina player, composer and teacher with an extensive knowledge of traditional music styles and approach. You can discover Ciaran's music on Bandcamp and YouTube.

We also welcome our faculty of piping tutors teaching beginner and intermediate classes in uilleann pipes and Scottish smallpipes, and special-interest topics. Classes are held on the Saturday and Sunday starting from 9.30am.

The 2025 soiree will be interwoven with our Saturday evening meal in a private, cosy setting. Our annual Goldfield soiree offers the opportunity for all participants to gain rehearsal and performance experience in a casual and supportive environment. Pipers of all levels are invited to participate, contributing an item to perform. There will be time on the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon to rehearse with other participants to prepare items. 

As a new initiative, Celtic Piping Club will present a public concert on Sunday 14 September, at 2pm. The concert will feature a set by our special guest and concertina player Ciaran O'Grady, and a piping ensemble performance of a selection of medleys inspired by Australian landscapes and places. Concert entry is included in the weekend pass, plus tickets will be available for public. This concert will be the finale of our weekend.

The 2025 Goldfields Piping Weekend is best suited to people who play or are interested in:

• Uilleann pipes

• Scottish smallpipes

• Other types of pipes including Northumbrian smallpipes, English pipes, other pipes

• Other folk instruments

Piping tuition streams will be offered for uilleann pipes beginner and intermediate, and Scottish smallpipes beginner and intermediate.

There is no minimum standard of playing or experience required. All participants have the opportunity to learn from and alongside each other.

Breakfasts: help-yourself continental breakfast items will be available for those staying onsite. Good coffee is available from cafes in Castlemaine.

Lunches: Different from previous years, Saturday and Sunday lunch is not supplied. There is time allocated in the program to source lunch from local cafes or shops.

Dinners: Friday evening meal is included. The Saturday evening meal is also included, and will be enjoyed together as part of the Soiree.

As usual, we request everyone lends a hand to assist with meals preparation and clean-up. 

Campbell House 1882: 31 Campbell Street, Castlemaine

Castlemaine Community House:  30 Templeton St, Castlemaine

Ray Bradfield Room: 33 Forest St, Castlemaine

Anglican Church Hall: Kennedy St, Castlemaine

Full weekend:  $165 members / $215 non-members

Full weekend partner/non-participant: $115 members / $165 non-members

Friday evening pass:  $45 members / $55 non-members

Saturday day pass: $95 members / $115 non-members

Sunday day pass: $75 members / $95 non-members

There is space for 18 people to stay onsite at Campbell House 1882, 31 Campbell Street, Castlemaine.

Bedrooms: All rooms sleep two people, either as two singles or one king bed. When making your booking you will be able to request or nominate your room mate or room allocation preference. See the Campbell House webpage for more details, including the floorplan (image 51 of the photo gallery).

Bathrooms: All shared bathrooms. There are no ensuite rooms.

Bookings: $160 per person for two nights. If you would like to secure a private room for yourself, you will need to purchase two beds.

Participants may otherwise book their own local accommodation. The Castlemaine Colonial Motel is very close by and offers a number of private rooms. Further close by options can be found at Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation.