CHIEF RUAIRIDH BACK IN MELBOURNE (continued)
Over tea and coffee, Bruce McLennan , web-master and genealogist, gave a brief summary of the
mammoth task he has taken on, gathering, checking and building the Clan MacLennan data-base which he
will launch at the Clan World Gathering in July at Inverness.
All good things must come to an end, but we finished on a high as always, when Ross McLennan sang his
Clan song and anthem, ‘Return to Kintail’ with harmonies from Caz McLennan and Frank Donovan and
accompanied by a piper for the last dying notes, and of course with all of us joining in on the chorus with
great enthusiasm. As we all linked hands for ‘Auld Lang Syne’ we were so glad we had been there.
It wasn’t quite over yet, as our Chief and Jillian had two more days with Carol and
Reg, which included a trip to the Great Ocean Road at their request, before they
headed to Sydney to visit friends and to attend the Sydney dinner and ceilidh
organised by Bruce McLennan to enable MacLennans from that area to meet them.
After a week spent near Cairns and three weeks campervanning around New
Zealand, there was a brief return to Melbourne for the Committee’s farewell dinner,
held outdoors on a balmy night at the home of Patsy and Bob, where they were
presented with a ‘photo book’ as a memento of their visit. Early next morning they
bade farewell and flew to Singapore for 3 days before they travelled home just in
time for Christmas with family.
The Clan Committee heartily thanks all who attended our special weekend and made it such a success and
to
all of our helpers, an extra big thankyou.
By Patsy McLennan
-ooo
O
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Winners of the Special Effort Raffle
1st Prize - Ash MacLennan, Vic
2nd Prize - Malcolm Vickers, Vic
3rd Prize - D&J McLennan, WA
4th prize - Jock McLennan, Vic
NSW/ACT Informal Gathering
In November Chief Ruairidh and Jillian were pleased to have an
opportunity to meet clansfolk from NSW and the ACT. This followed the
great success in Melbourne. It had been some years since clan members had
met in NSW and a mail-out was sent to all McLennans in the phone books.
Many new memberships came from both those attending and those who could
not make it.
The event was announced as an “Informal Gathering” with kilts and sashes
most welcome. Anyone attending was invited to contribute a song, dance,
reading, poem etc to the shared entertainment – and they came through with flying colours! Angus Gentle
won the freshly-made haggis, Stewart MacLennan (who came back from France to read two poems -
(which will be included in the June Newsletter due to lack of space in this edition) won the special
McLennan wine donated by Cleggett Wines, and Jenevieve McLennan (with support from Iain) won the
support of the crowd and a chance to play her bagpipes with the Chief. A good time was had by all.
Vice President Carol Davis outlined the many benefits of a Clan membership.
The meeting agreed to plan two events for 2014:
1.
March in the Parade at Bundanoon on 5 April 2014 – see separate
item in this newsletter
2.
Hold a similar informal Gathering again about the same time in 2014 – and have as much fun all over
again! By Bruce McLennan
10
Ruairidh & Jillian
Great Ocean Road
Victoria
Ruairidh draws the raffle
assisted by Bob McLennan
Haggis winner Angus Gentle
with his support crew
THE MELBOURNE SCOTTISH FIDDLE CLUB ON SHOW.
The refurbished Hawthorn Town Hall (now Hawthorn Arts Centre) was filled
to capacity for the MSFC concert on 8
th
December with visiting Shetland
musicians, fiddle-player Ross Couper and guitarist Tom Oakes, who were in
Melbourne as part of a regular exchange program with Scotland and the Isles.
Music Director, Matthew Robertson (who played at our Chief’s Luncheon
with Angus Downing) welcomed back retired husband and wife duo, fiddler
Judy Turner and guitarist/singer Neil Adam and with around 30 musicians on
stage, we were assured of an exciting and varied program with jigs, reels and airs aplenty, with many
numbers from their latest album ‘Of an Island’, now and then accompanied by a very energetic dancer. It
was heartening to see two talented quite young fiddlers featured in their debut solo performance.
Following a break, the two Shetlanders appeared and amazed us with their energy, zeal and technical
ability punctuated with little stories from Ross who lamented their return next day to a freezing homeland
after a lengthy and enjoyable visit here, touring and assisting at workshops. Finally, the whole band
returned to perform with the visitors for a frenzied grand finale to enthusiastic applause. Many of the
players continued on in the foyer to see us off on our way home. A delightful afternoon to be sure.
By Patsy McLennan
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O
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SCOTS OF VICTORIA CO-ORDINATING GROUP AGM/SEMINAR/LUNCH
There was a good attendance of representatives at Canterbury Stables in Flemington on Sunday, October
27
th
and Chairperson Alister MacLeod was very happy to welcome such a large group. During his address
he said how much we owed to early Scottish settlers and how important it was to keep this memory alive
for all to appreciate. He closed with emotional thanks to Bill and Lorraine Schrank who were retiring as
Secretary and Treasurer and presented them with well earned Life Membership Certificates. At the AGM
Alister was voted in as Chairperson, George McNaughton as Secretary and Neil Smith, Treasurer.
As many had made a donation following the death of Ian Murdoch in his memory, this had been placed in
Trust and an Annual Award created in his memory. The inaugural and worthy recipient was Amelia
McLean, nominated by the Glenbrae Dancers for her valuable contribution to highland dancing from the
early age of 5. Currently training as a prep teacher and working part-time, Amelia still manages to perform
regularly and is a very patient and helpful instructor to younger dancers.
It was announced that there is to be a from
November 2014 until May 2015. Exhibition Manager Emily Kocaj spoke of the importance of engaging
visitors to the Museum with an interesting and informative display, a rare opportunity not to be wasted.
An excellent display from a large troupe of younger highland dancers preceded lunch and later we enjoyed
another wonderful performance from a lively group of Hungarian dancers and singers.
During final announcements, Doug McLaughlin presented the new Treasurer Neil Smith with a donation of
funds from the Scottish Clans and Associations Council, which recently wound up due to the lack of new
office bearers. A sad note to end on but full of hope that the SVCG will continue to oversee and serve the
wider Scottish community with renewed vigour. By Patsy McLennan
-ooo
O
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11
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We gratefully acknowledge the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship for their support of Clan
MacLennan and the wider Scottish Cultural Communities of Victoria.