General News
4 January, 2024
Cobi stuns as Girl on the Drum
After a tumultuous few years affected by COVID-19, the Girl on Drum had a grand return to the Highland Gathering led by a grandfather and granddaughter duo to kick off 2024. 10-year-old Cobi Kaye and her grandfather Andrew Rae amazed audiences at...
After a tumultuous few years affected by COVID-19, the Girl on Drum had a grand return to the Highland Gathering led by a grandfather and granddaughter duo to kick off 2024.
10-year-old Cobi Kaye and her grandfather Andrew Rae amazed audiences at Monday’s Highland Gathering celebration as they performed in front of a euphoric Princes Park Grandstand.
However, despite the success of the day, the Girl on the Drum performance almost didn’t go ahead for the fourth year in a row.
“We had struggled to find a girl to go on the drum for today,” said Andrew, who is also a board member of the Highland Society.
“Luckily we got in touch with a dancing teacher, and she was interested in teaching Cobi and Cobi was all up for it.
“She’s only been learning Scottish dancing for two months, but she’s practiced really hard and trains every day. She’s been great.”
Despite never having done it before, the blistering weather and a few nerves, Cobi performed like a natural and flourished on the drum.
“I felt really proud of myself that I could actually do it and show it,” said Cobi.
Having taken part in the Girl on the Drum spectacle for a decade, Andrew was certain this year’s event is now his favourite.
“I was very proud to be Cobi’s grandfather on the day. It was fantastic to see her up on the drum,” said Andrew.
“I’ve been a part of the Girl on the Drum for 10 years, but this is my favourite.”
Fortunately, Monday’s Highland Gathering won’t be the last time the two perform the Girl on the Drum together.
“We hope to do it again at the Pipe Band Championships in April and at the Gathering again next year,” Andrew said.
“We’re both very keen to do it all again at the championships.”
The Australian Pipe Band Championships will return to Maryborough, the home of the first Championships, on April 13 after they were previously cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pan-demic.
