About Shelagh Trusselle
My Story
The only daughter of five children to an Irish mother and English father, Shelagh with the family emigrated to Australia in the early sixties, first settling in South Australia and then moving to Tasmania. It was in the latter state that Shelagh successfully completed teaching qualifications at the College of Advanced Education, now part of the University of Tasmania.
The family wanderlust of both parents was inherited in spades by Shelagh who, straight out of college, joined the Royal Australian Army Education Corps. Her first posting was to the then Australian Army Apprentice’s School at Balcombe, Victoria, followed by a posting to Ingleburn Education Unit and then as 2IC to Education Unit, DSU, Lavarack Barracks, Townsville.
Having married a fellow Army Officer, Wayne Trusselle (RACT), on board the HMAS Tobruk, Shelagh then retired from the Army as a Captain to become an Army wife and mother.
Having married a fellow Army Officer, Wayne Trusselle (RACT), on board the HMAS Tobruk, Shelagh then retired from the Army as a Captain to become an Army wife and mother.
However, the journeys continued with the couple moving to Brisbane, Perth, the United States, Queenscliff, Victoria at Command and Staff College and then back to Brisbane where Wayne retired from the military.
Personal Life
It was during this later phase that Shelagh was introduced to the world of bagpipes with both of her sons learning to play this complex instrument. Both learnt through the Queensland Police Juvenile Pipes & Drums with the elder son also playing with the Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band.
With the wanderlust still not assuaged, the family then moved to Ireland where they spent 5 ½ years with Wayne working as a consultant in various companies and Shelagh teaching in the Irish National School system.
Whilst both boys were still eager to continue with their piping, the Irish practice system was very different to that in Australia and both ended up leaving their piping in abeyance. The family was ready to return to Australia, with the older son determined to join the Australian Army.
"Two week’s later, I turned up at their regular, weekly practice and have been there ever since, loving the opportunity to be part of such a great, supportive group of people".
Shelagh Trussle
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A living, musical memorial to those called to National Service in Australia
Band Supporter to Tenor Drummer
Time and tide led to him having to leave his piping on the back- burner but the younger son continued after a fortuitous meeting one Saint Patrick’s Day with the Pipe Major of the Queensland Irish Association Pipe Band.
Playing the role of pipe band supporter, Shelagh and her husband supported their son and the band, this support following him when he moved over to the University of Queensland at Emmanuel College Pipes and Drums. Spending so much time with the band, Shelagh’s son suggested that she learn an instrument and why not start with the tenor drum? Hence, she spent two years as a tenor drummer and learnt to love the instrument and being part of the band. Shelagh later left this band and took a one- year hiatus.
However, missing being part of a band, Shelagh then met members of the “Nasho’s” band at a BBC competition where the band had set up a tent, advertising their presence to the piping world.
Two week’s later, Shelagh turned up at their regular, weekly practice and has been there ever since, loving the opportunity to be part of such a great, supportive group of people.