G’Bro gets a grand final gig
Local piper Graham Broadhead will be among those performing at this year’s Retravision Northern League grand final at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, on Sunday, September 16.
Graham, also known as G’Bro, is well-known to Ballina Shire residents as editor of the weekly newspaper, The Advocate.
But he hasn’t always been a newspaperman. Graham’s first job was as an Army paratrooper — which, for someone who admits to a fear of heights, is unusual, to say the least.
He says that there’s no time to look down and get scared when you’re leaping from an aircraft. “When you’re jumping out the back of a Caribou, it’s just a big panorama out there,” he said.
Graham’s love of the bagpipes is part hereditary, and part a remnant of his youth.
He grew up in Grafton and his family were frequent visitors to the annual Maclean Highland Gatherings, where he became enthralled with the skirl of the bagpipes.
And the hereditary side of his love of the pipes? An uncle of Graham’s was a soldier and piper in World War II, and unfortunately he didn’t return.
The uncle’s bagpipes were handed down to Graham, and he treasures them. He says his set of pipes would be at least 70 years old.
Graham is a regular marcher and piper on Anzac Day in Ballina, and his repertoire is, and no pun intended, broad.
He amazed his friends at his 40th birthday at The Australian Hotel in Ballina when he joined local band Fossil Rock in thumping out an AC-DC rock classic — on his bagpipes!
Meanwhile, Ballina Seagulls’ grand final opponent will be determined this Sunday when Mullumbimby Giants host Marist Brothers Rams in the preliminary final.
The Giants are coming off a loss to Ballina in last week’s major semi, while Brothers continued their fine form by beating Tweed Coast Raiders in the minor semi-final.
PICTURE: Graham Broadhead at this year’s Anzac Day march in Ballina.
