John Keating passes 70-year milestone playing the bagpipes at Robinvale Anzac Day services

This year, Mr Keating will mark 70 years of playing at Anzac Day services and after reaching the platinum milestone, the 83-year-old said he planned to retire from official piping duties.

“It has been a great journey,” Mr Keating said. “But, there comes a time when it does stop.

Mr Keating took up bagpipes as a teenager because he needed a hobby and “didn’t mind getting out on the front verandah annoying the neighbours”

He would join the Robinvale and District Highland Pipe Band, which was formed by a group of returned servicemen in the early 50s, and perform at Anzac Day parades until the group disbanded in 2012.

Since then, Mr Keating has piped solo, performing the Scottish folk tune and traditional lament Flowers of the Forest during the laying of wreaths at the Robinvale Cenotaph.

“The pipes really make the occasion,” he said.