February/March, 2021
SCOTS NEWS
magazine
SCOTTISH CASTAWAY inspiration for Robinson Crusoe Volume 10 Number 5
TARTAN GLASS artisan explains the process
LET THE GATHERINGS BEGIN! Scottish-themed events to resume
FRONT COVER PHOTO
FROM THE EDITOR
FORMALLY opened on March 4, 1890 by the Prince of Wales, the Forth Bridge which provides an unbroken East Coast railway route from London to Aberdeen, has become a Scottish icon that is recognised the world over as the most famous of cantilever designs. The world’s first major steel structure, the Forth Bridge represents a key milestone in the history of modern railway civil engineering and still holds the record as the world’s longest cantilever bridge. Designs by John Fowler and Benjamin Baker for a suspension bridge across the Forth, were approved in 1842. A full-scale restoration project to return the bridge to its original construction condition was completed in 2012. The total painted area of the bridge is 230,000 sq metres, requiring 240,000 litres of paint. There are 1,040 lights installed on the bridge, using approximately 35-40,000 metres of cable. The overall length of the bridge is 2,467 metres with the main structure (portal to portal) measuring 1,630 metres. At the height of its construction, which required 53,000 tonnes of steel and 6.5 million rivets, more than 4,000 men were employed. Sadly, 57 lives were lost during construction. In 2015, UNESCO inscribed the Forth Bridge as the sixth World Heritage site in Scotland.
THERE is an air of positivity within the Scottish community as Gatherings and events are planned for 2021. As the early days of this new year have shown, events can be cancelled at a moment’s notice because of another outbreak and subsequent lock down, but we live in hope and bring you the latest news about planned activities. I am looking forward to seeing readers at events this year - we’ll make it a great celebration to make up for the cancellations last year. I’m sure many readers would agree that, despite what the world can throw at us, the love of family is what really matters. We have been blessed with four beautiful grandchildren - twins Tom and Sam, our only granddaughter Willow and now her little brother Mac born in January. The photo above shows baby Mac being held by his Granny who started the year with another skin cancer operation. I miss out on Burns’ celebrations every year - I need to change my dermatology appointment dates! We had an outstanding number of entries in our 12 Days of Christmas competition in the last issue of the magazine, and 12 lucky winners (see page 2) received some lovely gifts in the post. Here’s to a bright new year as we get out and about to celebrate our Scottish heritage. Best wishes,
PUBLISHING AND CONTACTS SCOTS NEWS
magazine
is an independent publication for Scots in Queensland. The magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed on the first of the month. EDITOR AND PUBLISHER: Carmel McMurdo Audsley COPYRIGHT: All stories appearing in the magazine are written by the editor unless otherwise stated and are subject to copyright laws. Stories may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the editor. COMPETITIONS: See page 8 for competition prizes and entry details. CONTACT: We welcome emails and would love to hear your news and views. Advertising enquiries are also welcome. EMAIL: scotsnews@iinet.net.au DEADLINE FOR APRIL/MAY ISSUE: March 10. 2
Carmel
CONTENTS New Veterans’ Band for Townsville
3
Easter Gathering at Maclean, NSW
4
Bundanoon becomes Brigadoon
5
Process of making Glass Tartan
6
Scottish Networking in Brisbane
7
Give-Away - Win a Book
8
Scottish Castaway becomes Crusoe
9
Anniversary - 100 Years of The Barras 10 Anniversary - Massacre at Glencoe
10
Directory of Goods and Services
11
Calendar of Events
12
Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
NEWS New Veterans pipe band for Townsville
IN October, at the Townsville RSL Expo, Pipe Major John Ferguson launched a new pipe band for Townsville, to be known as the Veterans and Families Pipe Band. John is known to the community through his former role as Pipe Major with the RSL Memorial Pipes and Drums. The Veterans and Families Pipe Band is open to veterans of any of the service organisations, including military and front line services such as fire, police and ambulance, as well as family members who are descendants of veterans. There is no restriction on how long ago the veteran in a family last served. A playing member may be the great, great grandchild of a person who served in some capacity. John plans to establish the new band and lead its development through to a competition standard band. During this formation, the band is open to all levels of musicians from learners to experienced pipers and drummers. The Veterans and Families Pipe Band has the support of the Oasis Townsville, which is the local home base for veterans, chaired by Lieutenant General John Caligari OA, DSC (Ret’d). Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
Winners are grinners AFTER the great success of our annual 12 Days of Christmas competition, some of our prize winner sent photos with their gifts. The Scottish-themed bags, donated to Scots News Magazine, by Judy Macdonald from Clan Donald Queensland, were particularly popular. Dorothy Anderson, from Wurtulla on the Sunshine Coast (pictured top right) sent a note of thanks. “I am trying to get rid of plastic bags, so these will come in very handy,” Dorothy said. Carolyn Davidson (pictured below right) from The Gap in Brisbane got her grandson to take a photo when she received her Nessie and Scottie Dog bags. The major prize of a bespoke Glass Tartan dish, donated by north Queensland artist Lynne Hartley, was won by Donald (Scotty) Weir from Ningi in Moreton Bay, and will be produced in Scotty’s Old Gordon Tartan. As soon as Lynne has created the piece, and shipped it off to Scotty, he has promised to send us a photo of him holding the dish and wearing his kilt and sporran (or shorts and t-shirt, still to be decided). Congratulations to everyone who won a prize, and thank you to all the readers who entered the competition, and to our great supporters who donated prizes. You will see an advertisement for Lynne Hartley’s work on page 6. The Scottish-themed bags will be available at Gatherings at the Clan Donald stall. See advertisement for Clan Donald on page 11.
Dorothy Anderson
Carolyn Davidson
See details of this month’s competition on page 8.
WINNERS in our DECEMBER/JANUARY 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVE-AWAY are: Karen Murphy; Joanne Collins; Dorothy Anderson; Jock Lewis; Frank Archer; Ann-Marie Faulkner; Adam Devine; Carolyn Davidson; Fiona McKee; Andy Davis; Maggie McPherson; Donald Weir 3
EVENTS
Easter Gathering and Games at Maclean
MACLEAN Highland Gathering and Games will be held on the Easter weekend of April 2 and 3, kicking off on Friday afternoon with piping and drumming events at the Maclean Showgrounds in northern New South Wales. In the evening, guests can enjoy a Ceilidh in the Park, massed band display and entertainment from special artists. Bands will be on parade from 8.30am Saturday morning to be followed by the Highland Dancing Contest, Pipe Band Competition and Highland Sports including caber toss, hammers, putting the stone and log wrestle. Scottish food and product stalls will also be available. In its 116th year, the event is organised by the Lower Clarence Scottish Association Inc, which was formed in 1893. The annual Gathering is the main activity of the association, and focuses on providing opportunities for pipe bands, solo pipers, drummers, dancers and sportsmen and women to participate in Scottish cultural events. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for aged pensioners and $5 for children. Contact tracing details will be taken, in accordance with current COVID-19 restrictions. For further information and updates visit www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au.
Year of Ireland and the Isle of Man at Glen Innes AUSTRALIAN Celtic Festival will be held in Glen Innes, New South Wales on Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 2 at the Australian Standing Stones. There will be events happening around the town as well, with a full program of COVID-safe events to be released soon. Visit www.facebook.com/ AustralianCelticFestival.
4
Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
EVENTS
Brigadoon Grand Raffle
BRIGADOON is set to rise out of the mists to celebrate all things Scottish on Saturday April 17 at Bundanoon in New South Wales, but with restricted numbers due to current health advice. Bundanoon Highland Gathering Inc vicepresident Alaistair Saunders said only 3,000 people could be admitted to the event, which includes paying patrons and all performers, committee members and volunteers needed to run the event. “Of course, this number is likely to change as COVID-19 twists and turns its way through the community. With this mind, the Executive has decided to continue the planning, with a final decision to be made on March 4.” “The interest since we announced our intention to go ahead with the event has been incredible,” Mr Saunders said. “After a year of bushfires, then floods and now COVID-19, we’ve put together a Grand Raffle to try to put 2020 behind us. Because of this drastic chain of events, we were unable to make any financial donations to our volunteer groups, specifically our donation of ten per cent of gate takings to the Rural Fire Service for their outstanding work over the last summer.” Mr Saunders said, regardless of any restrictions in place, the Grand Raffle would still go ahead. Information about a complete list of prizes, how to get tickets, and further updates are available from https:// www.facebook.com/Brigadoon1978.
A Braw Scots Night in Brisbane CLAN Campbell will host a Braw Scots Dinner and Ceilidh on Saturday April 24 at the Riverside Function Room, 50 Oxland Drive, New Farm in Brisbane. Family and friends are invited to enjoy a delicious dinner and a free ‘nip’, while listening to the Nation Servicemen’s Memorial PipeBand. Guets can also watch a demonstration of Highland Dancing, then take to the sprung floor with foot-tapping muic from Celtic Cowboy playing traditional music. Clan Campbell members look forward to welcoming guests to a grnd evening of fun and fellowship. Contact Bill Campbell on 3402 2594 or Bob Morrison at macnjan@powerup.com.au.
All Celtic cultures to be celebrated at Ipswich Gathering THE Gathering is set to paint the Ipswich Turf Club tartan in a celebration of all Celtic cultures on May 23. Meet the clans before exploring your genealogy in the Discovery Centre, or head to the Ceilidh Centre for some Scottish country dancing, before being transported to Edinburgh Castle for the massed bands display of hundreds of pipers and drummers. Purchase tickets early to guarantee a park in the premium in-field parking area. www.gatheringfestival.com.au/tickets.
Get in early! Visit www.gatheringfestival.com.au/tickets. Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
5
NEWS
Glass Tartan draws interest Readers were eager to win a bespoke Glass Tartan piece from North Queensland artist Lynne Hartley in our Christmas competition. Marie Gibson, from Townsille Scottish Community Inc, spoke to Lynne about the creative process. LYNNE chooses all the colours of ‘glass strings’ for the threads of the tartan and creates a template for how many threads of each colour are required, for the weft (perpendicular) and warp (horizontal) to form the sett of the tartan. She has a glass base on which she places the weft strings, starting in the centre. The colours and broken strings being used in the photos at left are for example only, and not for a specific tartan. When all weft strings are in place, Lynne begins to lay the warp strings over the top of them. The sett of the tartan is then complete with a glass base, covered by one layer of perpendicular strings and a layer of horizontal glass strings – with nothing holding them in place! Lynne then needs to lift the glass base, carry it to the kiln and lower it in place for firing without moving any of the strings. Makes me think of glass fiddlesticks! The first firing locks all the threads together on the glass base, creating a flat piece of glass tartan. This is then fired again to create the required shape for a tray or bowl. To order your special piece in your family tartan, see the advertisement below for contact details.
Two days of Scottish and country fun at Clydie Spectacular SCENIC Rim Clydesdale Spectacular will take place at Boonah, west of Brisbane on Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13. Tickets are sure to sell fast so visit https:// www.ticketebo.com.au/clydiespectacular. Scots News Magazine will have a stall in the Scottish Pavilion - come and say hello!
Glass Tartans in Australia Artist: Lynne Hartley . Made to order Clan Tartans crafted in glass . Trays, Plates, Bowls Email: lynne.hartley53@gmail.com Phone: 0404 852 909 Facebook: Glass Tartans in Australia
6
Ideal for Special Occasions, Presentations and Gifts
Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
Photographs courtesy Craig MacDonald.
A night with the Bard kicks off Scottish Business Network in Queensland
NEW ACQUAINTANCE NOT FORGOT: Members of the newly-formed Queensland branch of the Scottish Business Network Australia celebrate their inaugural Burns Supper in Brisbane. National chairman, Michael Reid, stands front and centre in the red kilt, with piper Dr Charlie Elliot (picture right) and Queensland chair Campbell McDowall beside him.
SCOTTISH Business Network Australia (SBNA), Queensland branch, held its inaugural Burns Supper on January 25 at the Inchcolm Hotel at Spring Hill in Brisbane. The newly-formed branch, under the chairmanship of Campbell McDowall from Simpli Fire Consulting, attracted around 20 members to its first event. National SBNA chairman (and Brisbane-based owner of Thistle Insurance Services) was there to raise a glass to the Bard. Dr Charlie Elliott, a piper with the City of Brisbane Pipe Band, was on hand to pipe in the haggis and play some familiar Scottish tunes.
Professor John Fraser provided a rousing rendition of the Address to the Haggis, decked out in his hospital scrubs as he was on call and had to hasten away before the group photo could be taken. Mr McDowall said the night was a great success and was confident that membership would grow. If you would like to join the
Queensland branch of the SBNA, and enjoy business and social networking opportunities with others of Scottish heritage, email Campbell McDowall at Campbell@simplifire.com.au.
Burns suppers on the menu again WHILE trying to plan any event has been difficult, Burns Suppers have heralded in a year when people can start to gather once more. City of Ipswich Pipe Band recently organised a Burns Supper and Trivia Night and Mackay and Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
District Pipe Band held a Burns evening featuring vocalist Kathleen Campbell. Piper Joe McGhee was the star of a Burns Supper held at Turmeric Indian Restaurant at Daily Hill in Brisbane, hosting and playing the pipes for guests.
Burns and Blether Townsville Scottish Community Inc will host a casual get together on Saturday February 6 at Jezzine Barracks. For a touch of tartan and a taste of haggis, while toasting Robert Burns,, email Marie Gibson at mlg7@optusnet.com.au. 7
GIVE-AWAY WIN one of three copies of Carmel Audsley’s latest novel Seven Deadly Sinners - set in Australia in 1957, with a hint of Scotland. valued at $AUS25 each. All you have to do is email scotsnews@iinet.net.au by Friday February 12, with ‘competition’ in the subject line, to go into the draw.
DRO U GHT, FLOOD and an OUTBACK PUB Travellers are stranded - one of them is a serial killer! The latest murder mystery from Carmel McMurdo Audsley
ANNIVERSARIES IN SCOTTISH HISTORY February February 4, 1649 - Charles II proclaimed king in Edinburgh but not in England. February 4, 1716 - Prince James Francis Stuart, the Old Pretender, left Scotland after a stay of only three weeks, effectively bringing the first Jacobite Uprising to an end. February 7, 1313 - Robert the Bruce captured Dumfries. February 10, 1306 - Robert the Bruce murdered Red Comyn. February 10, 1794 - The 4th Duke of Gordon was authorised to raise the Gordon Highlanders. February 13, 1692 - Massacre of 38 of the Clan Macdonald by government order at Glencoe. February 17, 1540 - King James V passed a law which recognised Scotland’s gipsies. February 20, 1437 - King James I murdered in Perth by a group led by Sir Robert Graham. February 27, 1560 - Second Treaty of Berwick between England and Scotland, providing English assistance to remove French forces of Mary of Guise from Scotland.
March March 4, 1890 - Forth Rail Bridge opened by Prince of Wales. March 13, 1947 - The classic Lerner and Loewe, Broadway musical Brigadoon opened at the Ziegfeld in New York. March 18, 1689 - Earl of Leven raises a Border regiment to hold Edinburgh against the Jacobites. It later becomes the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. March 24, 1603 - Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland on the death of Queen Elizabeth I and the succession of King James VI of Scotland. March 25, 1306 - King Robert I (The Bruce) crowned at Scone. March 28, 1642 - The Scots Guards Regiment was formed when King Charles I issued a commission to the Marquess of Argyll, Chief of Clan Campbell, authorizing him to raise in Scotland a regiment of 1,500 men. The King’s ‘Lyfe Guard of Foot’ became the Scots Guards. March 31, 1652 - Scottish Regalia (crown, sceptre and sword) saved from invading army of Oliver Cromwell by James Granger, minister at Kinneff, Aberdeenshire, after they had been smuggled from Dunnottar Castle which was under siege.
8
Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
BORN Alexander Selcraig in 1676 in Lower Largo, Fife, he was the seventh son of a shoemaker and tanner. Young Alexander seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble. On August 27, 1695 he was summoned to appear before the kirk session (ecclesiastical court) for indecent behaviour in church. Court records note that he failed to appear and the case was deferred as the young Alexander had gone away to sea. In an effort to wipe the slate clean, Alexander changed his surname from Selcraig to Selkirk, and became involved in a number of buccaneering expeditions. In 1703, he joined the ship’s company of the notorious privateer and explorer William Dampier, captain of the ship Cinque Ports, a sixteen gun, ninety ton vessel. Privateers were effectively pirates who operated under licence from the (British) government to prey on ships of an opposing nation, namely Spanish ships in the waters around South America. After a number of encounters with Spanish vessels, the Cinque Ports called in at the uninhabited Juan Fernandez Islands, 400 miles out into the Pacific from the coast of Chile, to restock with water and provisions. Selkirk had fallen out with Dampier, and was also concerned about the seaworthiness of the ship because of battle damage. Selkirk asked to be left on the largest island in the group (what has now become known as Robinson Crusoe Island). He expected that other members of the crew would feel as he did, and immediately regretted his decision as soon as the ship sailed away leaving him alone to fend for himself, with only his Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
Scottish castaway the inspiration for Daniel DeFoe’ s Robinson Crusoe Some say he was the inspiration for Daniel DeFoe’s 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe, and the Chilean Government has renamed an island based on that premise, to encourage tourism. What was the real story of the Scotsman from Lower Largo in Fife? personal belongings: a flintlock pistol, a knife, a hatchet, some oats, a little tobacco, a Bible, a few navigational instruments from the ship, and the clothes on his back. Previous Spanish sailors who had visitied the island had left some wild goats which he hunted for food, first with his pistol, then when the gunpowder ran out, with his knife. He fished, caught spiny lobsters, milked goats and foraged for wild turnips, cabbage and pepper berries. He chopped down pepper trees and built himself a shelter and, when his clothes fell apart, he fashioned coverings from goat skins. He kept himself mentally alert by reading the Bible aloud, and singing psalms. He was to spend four years and four months on the island, during which time two ships landed, but both were Spanish vessels and Selkirk had to hide from their crews. On February 2, 1709, the privateer vessel Duke, captained by Woodes Rogers and piloted by William Dampier, took Selkirk off the island. He was told by Dampier that he had been right about the seaworthiness of the Cinque Ports. The ship had sunk with most of its crew, except for Dampier and seven men, off the coast of Peru. Impressed by Selkirk’s surival skills, and his still impressive sailing skills, Rogers gave the castaway his own ship which Selkirk used to plunder jewels from Spanish ships and gold from galleons off the coast of Mexico. Now a wealthy man, Selkirk returned to Lower Largo in 1717
Juan Fernández Islands where Alexander Selkirk was marooned for over four years
but could not settle. After a few months he ran away to London with a 16-year-old dairymaid. Less than a year later he went to sea again, this time as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and during a visit to Portsmouth he married a widowed innkeeper. According to the ship’s log, the 45-year-old Lt Selkirk died of yellow fever at 8pm on December 13, 1721 on board HMS Weymouth off the coast of West Africa. A legend grew around Selkirk and it has been suggested that author Daniel DeFoe met the former castaway in the Bristol Inn and used him as inspiration for writing his now-famous novel. While DeFoe never confirmed the meeting, the similarities between the two tales have led historians to argue over whether Selkirk’s adventures sparked the idea for the novel, or whether his tale was just one source from which DeFoe drew information. The Chilean government renamed the island where he was marooned Alejandro Selkirk Island and a second island in the Juan Fernandez Islands has been named Robinson Crusoe Island. 9
ANNIVERSARIES
Glasgow’s famous east-end markets
Memory of Glencoe massacre lives on SCOTLAND’S early history is full of treachery, battles and murders, but few violent encounters stir up as much passion as the murder under trust of innocent men, women and children in such a cruel and heartless way. The massacre of the MacDonalds at Glencoe in February, 1692 was perpetrated by government order under the command of Captain Robert Campbell. Of the 200-strong clan, 38 men, women and children were slaughtered. At 5am on the morning of February 13, Campbell and his redcoats set about their murderous task ‘to put all to the sword under 70’ in the villages of Invercoe, Inverrigan and Achacon. Of the 200-strong clan, 38 men, women and children were slaughtered. Some were sliced up with swords or shot in the back and others hunted through the glen. Clan chief McIan was killed by Lieutenant John Lindsay and Ensign John Lundie but his two sons and several others escaped. The villages were torched and an additional 40 MacDonalds perished from exposure on the snow-swept hills. As news spread to Edinburgh and London, King William was forced to have the matter investigated. A commission’s report dated June 25, 1695 declared the attack to be murder with the majority of the blame falling to Dalrymple, although he was never punished for his role in the massacre. Eventually the MacDonalds of Glencoe were allowed to return to their lands where they lived in poverty due to their loss of property in the attack. The memory of the massacre lives on.
10
celebrating 100 years of trading IT began in 1921 with just one barra (barrow), when Maggie McIver set up a handcart in the east end of Glasgow, and grew into the largest open-air market in Europe. Glasgow’s East End has been a hotspot for bric-a-brac hunters since mass immigration in the late 1800s from the Scottish Highlands and Ireland. The area became overcrowded and the growing population of the lower working-class needed somewhere to trade and make a living in the city. The Bridgegate, or Briggait, was synonymous with the rag and second-hand clothing trade at the time, and hawkers would pile their goods into handcarts to sell their wares. The hawkers would also travel to middle-class parts of town to source bundles of clothing and other goods. Once home, they would wash and mend anything saleable. The system of bartering and street hawking gave the poor and unemployed an option from begging or stealing, and it provided cheap clothing for the poor. When Maggie (who later became known as The Barras Queen) set up her cart, she could not have known that she was starting a tradition for generations of people to come. The McIver family expanded their business by opening a dance hall upstairs, which became known as the Barrowlands Ballroom. The present ballroom was rebuilt in 1960, after a fire in 1958. In the 1920s and ‘30s, they built the McIver sheds. The Barras thrived and until the 1980s it was the only place you could shop on a Sunday. However, Sunday opening of supermarkets, and car boot sales, took their toll on market trade. Numbers have risen slowly again, and today The Barras Market is a mixture of street markets, indoor markets, shops and pubs. You can buy just about anything from antiques to a pair of work boots. There has been an influx of new arts and entertainment hubs with plenty of places to eat, and people spend hours walking around, taking in the sights and sounds and soaking up the atmosphere. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, The Barras plans to mark the 100 year anniversary with a series of events, when possible. Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
DIRECTORY OF GOODS AND SERVICES
P l ea s e s u p po r t th e o r g a n is a t io n s a s e nd b usi n e s s e s CLAN TO JOIN
PIPER FOR HIRE
PIPER JOE
CLAN DONALD
AUSSIE-SCOT EVENTS
Clan Donald Society of Queensland
Bagpipes for all occasions.
Contact Neil Macdonald - Ph 0412 090 990
Phone 0412 785 216 Email joe@piperjoe.com.au Visit www.piperjoe.com.au
clandonaldqld@optusnet.com.au http://www.clandonaldqld.org
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
SCOTTISH SOCIETY TO JOIN
FUN FOR ALL AGES
AUSTRALIAN SCOTTISH COMMUNITY QLD INC
A Club or Class near You No need to dress up or bring a partner
visit www.aussie-scots.org.au
or phone 07 3374 1468
email president@aussie-scots.org.au Promoters of International Tartan Day Phone 3359 8195
RECRUITMENT
SCOTTISH SOCIETY TO JOIN
Lynch Doc Staffing Pty Ltd
TOWNSVILLE SCOTTISH COMMUNITY Inc.
Email queensland@rscds.org.au
Labour Hire and Recruitment Services – Trades, Warehouse/Office Staff.
See Facebook
Call Phil Docherty 0404 005 527
ORDER CUPCAKES
ORDER SMASHCAKES
or email mlg7@optusnet.com.au to receive newsletter.
PIPE BAND TO JOIN The Pipes and Drums, National Servicemen’s Memorial Band (P&DSMB) is seeking Pipers and Drummers. Military background not required. Tuition and support provided. We are not a competition band but play at official, ceremonial and community functions.
A sweet treat for any occasion. contact.whynotcupcakes@gmail.com
and follow on Instagram and Facebook @why.not.cupcakes. Delivery in Brisbane only.
The cakes that are always a hit! Made for any occasion. Fully customisable inside & out! Search Brisbane Smashcakes on Facebook and Instagram.
Call Rolly McCartney on 0409 302 574. Like us on Facebook PipesandDrumNationalServicemanMemorial Band@NashosPipesDrums
SCOTTISH BUSINESS NETWORK AUSTRALIA Campbell McDowall - Qld Chairman Campbell@simplifire.com.au www.scottish-business-network-australia.com
Scots News Magazine February/March 2021
11
CALENDAR OF EVENTS WHAT’S ON in FEBRUARY and MARCH February 6 - Toowoomba Caledonian Society and Pipe Band Inc presents a Burns’ Night Supper at the Oaks Hotel. Almost sold out - enquiries to ronimctcs@ gmail.com. February 6 - Townsville Scottish Community Inc will host a casual Burns Night at Jezzine Barracks. Contact Marie at mlg7@optusnet.com.au. February 21 - Pipe Band Queensland will host a Brisbane Twilight Competition at Easts Juniors. Visit https:// pipebandsqld.com/event/pbq-twilight-competition. Small Pipe learning and playing held at Milton on the first Tuesday of each month from 7pm. Contact Malcolm on 3820 2902 or Ken on 3279 4093.
WHAT’S COMING UP April 10 and 11 - Highland Dan cing Championshi ps at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre April 24 - Braw Scots Dinner and Ceilidh hosted by Clan Campbell. Contact Billon 3402 2594 or Bob at macnjan@powerup.com.au. May 23 - The Gathering at Ipswich celerating all Celtic cultures. Get your tickets early at www.gatheringfestival.com.au/ tickets. June 11 to 13 - Townsville Tartan Weekend including Heavy Games competition, music workshops, Clansmen Ceilidh and Tartan Day parade. Contact mlg7@optusnet.com.au. June 12 and 13 - Clydesdale Spectacular at Boonah . www.ticketbo.com.au/clydiespectacular
Gaelic classes are held each month in Brisbane. Visit www.facebook.com/BrisbaneGaelic for details.
July 10 - Mackay Scottish Bluewater Fling - a celebration of Scottish music, song and dance
Townsville and Thuringowah Pipe Band rehearse at the Thuringowah Sound Shell on Wednesday nights from 6.30pm. New members welcome.
July 24 - In ternati onal Tar tan Day in Brisbane August - Toow oomba Caledonian Society and Pipe Band 150 th anniversary c eleb rati ons
INTERSTATE IN 2021 NSW Apr il 2 to 3 Maclean H ighl and www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au .
Gat heri ng
April 17 - Brigadoon: Bund anoon Highland Gath ering May 1 and 2 - Glen Innes Celtic Festival celebrating Ireland and the Isle of Man
SCOTTISH TUNES AND CONVERSATION ON THE RADIO Join Ron Tannock every Thursday night from 7pm to 9.30pm and every second Saturday from 9am to noon for the Sounds of Ireland (and Scotland), on Burnett River Radio 91.5FM broadcasting to Gayndah and Central Burnett region. Colin Nightingale hosts Acoustic Harvest every second Thursday night at 8pm on bayFM100.3. Enjoy ‘A wee bit o’ Scotland on Thursday’ on 4EBFM98.1 from 2.15pm to 4.30pm. Scottish Program on Global Digital Radio (4EB) each Sunday from 2pm to 3pm. Triple T 103.9 Townsville Community Radio’s Scottish Program each Sunday from 3pm to 5pm with Don MacDonald. 12
Scots News Magazine February/March 2021