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www.clanmacrae.org.au

Volume 32 - January, 2019 2

Message from Clan MacRae President

Firstly, welcome to our January 2019 Clan newsletter. I’m am getting some very pleasing feedback each time I do a newsletter.

I would like to thank Sue Tregoweth, our Clan’s representative in New Zealand, for all she does with collecting memberships as well as posting out the Clan’s newsletter in New Zealand. Sue also attends a number of Gatherings with the help of her husband and son, along with friend Heather Hine. Heather assisted at the last Auckland and Paeroa .

It was very pleasing to see all the MacRaes/McRaes who visited the Clan MacRae marquee at the Canberra Highland Gathering last October. There were grandparents, sons and daughters, grandchildren, friends and acquaintances of our grand surname. A full report appears on page 6.

Exciting news was announced a few weeks back that from 17th October to the 19th October, 2019, ‘The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’ is coming to perform in Sydney. The impressive esplanade of the Edinburgh Castle will be created at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. Be sure to book early if you want to go.

An attachment with our newsletter will be the details of our 31st Annual General Meeting. It is being held on Saturday 16th February, 2019, at the Katoomba Family Hotel, 15 Parke St, Katoomba NSW, commencing at 2 pm. Please join us for lunch prior to the meeting in the Family Hotel Bistro starting at 12.30pm but let Roslyn MacRae know you’re coming Ph: 0412 291 054 or email [email protected] It is easily accessible by train less than 5 minutes’ walk from the station or drive and park in their car park. Disabled drop-off is available so please read details. I am looking forward to seeing you all. Alan McRae. President oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

2019 UPCOMING EVENTS – AUSTRALIA

17th February 2019 – Richmond Highland Gathering – Richmond Oval, Richmond, Tasmania. [email protected]

6th April 2019 - Saturday - Bundanoon Highland Gathering - Enjoy a street parade with marching pipe bands, Clan Societies, children’s decorated floats, The Warriors - Bundanoon Stones of Manhood, Mary Kiani - Scottish 3 Singer, Bob MacInnes and Friends, Fiddlers performing in the Fiddlers Tent, Scottish Highland and Country Dancing, 120 speciality crafts, souvenirs and food stalls. http://www.brigadoon.org.au/

19th & 20th April 2019 - Maclean Highland Gathering - A parade along the main street of all participating bands takes place on Easter Saturday (8.30am sharp) and is followed in the Maclean Showground by traditional Scottish games and dancing - tossing the Caber and hammer throwing, food stalls and Scottish products await the bands and visitors at the Showgrounds before a Grand Scottish Concert at the Civic Hall. [email protected]

26th May – 2nd June 2019 – Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival - Wingham, NSW. This annual event is presented by the Manning Valley Historical Society and includes a week long program of Scottish themed events including a Scottish concert, Genealogy Fair, Highland Games, Ceilidh and more. Contact John 02 6556 9057 or www.bonnie-wingham-scottish- festival.manninghistorical.org

6th July 2019 - Saturday - Aberdeen Highland Games 2019 at Aberdeen in the Upper Hunter Valley of NSW. Parade of bands, clan representatives, Massed Band Salute and Chieftain’s Address, Highland and Country Dancing, Strong Man events - tug-of-war, three-legged races, and the famed Kilted Dash along with a multitude of stands selling all manner of Scottish heirlooms and souvenirs, clothing and garb, and food and drink.

12th October 2019 – Saturday - Canberra Highland Gathering , Kambah District Playing Fields, Kett Street, Canberra, ACT. Massed bagpipe bands will compete in the ACT pipe band championship. Highland dancers will compete in the Canberra City Championship. Other music types throughout the day, historical re-enactments, Tartan Warriors, lots of stalls. www.canberragathering.com.au

17th October – 19th October 2019 - The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Sydney. Greatest show on earth with more than 1200 performers from around the world. The esplanade of the Edinburgh Castle will be erected at ANZ Stadium in Sydney’s Olympic Park precinct. Further info: www.edinburghtattoosydney.com.au oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

2018 UPCOMING EVENTS – NEW ZEALAND

26th January 2019 – Saturday - Turakina Highland Games , in Turakina Domain, Turakina

4 27th January 2019 – Sunday - Ashburton’s Festival of Pipe Band Music , the Domain, Ashburton.

9th February 2019 - Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo , Paeroa, New Zealand. 26th Annual Highland Games with evening Tattoo at the Paeroa Domain. www.paeroahighlandgames.co.nz

16th February 2019 – Sunday - Octagonal Day , Octagon, Dunedin.

29th March - 2019 NZ Pipe Band Championships , Dunedin. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 --- NOTICE OF MEETING

You are cordially invited to attend the 31st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLAN MACRAE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND to be held on Saturday 16th February, 2019, at the Katoomba Family Hotel, 15 Parke St, Katoomba NSW, commencing at 2 pm. Please join us for Lunch prior to the meeting in the Family Hotel Bistro starting at 12.30pm. RSVP – Please advise me if you are attending the Lunch (for booking tables). Lunch will be from the Bistro menu at your own cost. AGENDA: Welcome, Treasurers Report, Presidents Report, Election of Office-Bearers for 2019 and General Business. NOTE: • Nominations for Office Bearers are to be provided to the Secretary prior to the meeting. • Items of Business should be forwarded to Secretary as soon as possible for inclusion in the meeting. • Provision will be made for members to attend via teleconference (details below).

DIRECTIONS: Train to Katoomba Station, then the Hotel is less than 5 minutes’ walk from the station, walk up the stairs or ramp and you are at the top of Katoomba St., then cross the crossing and turn to your right, the hotel comes into view in a few minutes ahead of you. Drive to Katoomba, the Hotel is on the roundabout just off the Highway. Parking is available at the back of the Hotel. Access is via the Bottle Shop Drive-Thru entry in Cascade Street (behind Hotel). Disabled drop-off is available via the Drive-Thru Bottle Shop – then vehicle to be parked in car park.

TELECONFERENCE DETAILS : All you need to do is: at 2pm (NSW time) on Saturday 16 February, please: Dial: (02) 8077 0506 - When prompted enter access code: 799719 followed by the # key. You will then be greeted and after a short period, allowing all interested members to connect, the meeting 5 will begin. For our valued New Zealand members, you can participate by dialling: +64 6-928 7532. Kind Regards - Roslyn MacRae, Hon. Secretary. Ph: 0412 291 054 or email [email protected] oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND CONGRATULATIONS

Welcome to our new members since our last newsletter: Mr Brett McRae – New Zealand Ian Elliott – New Zealand Marie-Therese McRae – New Zealand oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

AUCKLAND HIGHLAND GAMES

There was a full programme at the 43rd Auckland Highland Games & Gathering, at the Ellerslie Event Centre on the 17th November, 2018.

The Solo Piping and Highland Dancing commenced at 9am followed by the Strong Man Events at 10am. There was a Parade of the Clans, a welcome by the President, Raising of the Standards and Malcolm Campbell sang the Flower of during the Opening Ceremony. Papakura, City of Sails, New Zealand Police, Northern Caledonian and Auckland & District were some of the Pipe Bands competing in the Pipe Bands Contest.

Throughout the day there were children’s games, Scottish Country Dancing Displays, Historic Battles and Scottie Terrier, Shetland Ponies and Highland Cattle Displays.

A special thanks to our New Zealand Lifetime Member Molly Akers for her recent generous donation to the Society. 6

WE STILL HAVE SOME MACRAE MUGS

The Clan MacRae white ceramic china mugs are still in stock. Why not proudly proclaim your MacRae heritage over morning coffee or give as a gift to a ‘special’ MacRae. Each mug has a double emblem to allow for left and right handers. Every mug comes in a presentation box. They cost: - for 1 mug - $15 + $10 p&h = $25, or 2 mugs - $25 + $16 p&h = $41.

The famous Clan MacRae mugs will be taken to all Scottish Gatherings that the Society attends so take the opportunity to obtain one. These mugs would make a unique birthday gift for that hard to buy for MacRae. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

PRESIDENT’S HEALTH

Whilst my terminal melanoma cancer treatment has been ongoing over several years I was informed the day after Boxing Day last year that the cancer has now reduced by about 80% and could be clear in another 3 or 4 months. The new treatment is immunotherapy and is all experimental – but it has worked so far for me thankfully. Alan McRae - President oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

CAMBERRA HIGHLAND GATHERING 2018

This gathering saw the largest number of MacRaes, family and relations visiting the Clan tent that I have attended as President or Vice President. Some 36 signed the visitor’s book during the day.

Above left – Colin MacRae in the exhilarating official opening parade which incorporates a representative from each Clan in attendance on the day. Each representative carries their Clan banner. I motored down from Bathurst, with secretary Roslyn and her husband Colin travelling from Vittoria towards Orange. Others travelled from nearby villages and towns around Canberra with others from Albury, Melbourne, Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast. 7 Left - Roslyn (Clan secretary) and her husband Colin with Gordon Ramsay, the Chieftain of the Day, outside the Clan MacRae marquee.

Above right - Helen and Wayne Hunt visited so Wayne could meet Colin MacRae. The two ‘Cargelligo’ MacRae cousins spent some time reminiscing about various relations and the old township.

Those attending gatherings these days always get a warm welcome and a great day out. There was plenty to see with the long- established heavyweight sporty events such as tug-o-war and the caber toss. The varied Highland dancing competitions and piping so the gathering is a great spectacle like no other.

Left - Joseph McGrail-Bateup, Canberra’s Town Crier with Roslyn MacRae, had been lubricating his vocal chords in accordance with ancient tradition at the gathering. Right - Constable Kenny Koala from the Australian Federal Police was another who visited us during the gathering. Organisers saw to it that there were plenty of activities for the children in Kid’s Corner such as getting one’s face painted in beautiful or fearsome styles, or had a balloon animal 8 friend twisted into shape or jumping on the Scottish castle.

Vice President Allan Smith with his grandson Elijah in his . Elijah’s parents Matthew and Kathleen were also in the Scottish spirit.

Our thanks goes to Peter Sillis for ongoing help with setting up on the day. ooooooooooooOOOOOOOooooooooooooo

IN LOVING MEMORY We were saddened to hear of the passing of several of our members. Please accept our sincere sympathy to their partners and family.

VALE – SANSON Gwendoline Alice (Gwen) - 29th July 1921 to 2nd October 2018. We send our heartfelt sympathy to Gwen’s family, she was such an enthusiastic Clan MacRae Society member who took the opportunity to attend our past gatherings to catch up with her siblings and cousins.

Gwen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was wife to the late Sandy and mother to Pauline & Winston Carter. Friend and Nana to Dan and Debbie, Siran and Paul, Franz and Jac. Great Nana Gwen of Max and Tyler, Sara, Ethan and Fenella, Zaria and Marco. Gwen’s parents were the late Alice and Gillies Baird. Her siblings were Dolina (descd), Florence, Alison (descd), Dorothy and Robert.

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VALE - MCRAE Malcolm Clyde – to Marie-Therese and family we are sad to hear of the passing of your husband, father and grandfather.

Malcolm was born in Auckland to Clyde and Nancy McRae. He had a proud Scottish heritage to follow dating back to 1340, being a 16th generation direct descendant of the founder of the MacRae Clan.

After finishing sixth form at Onehunga High School, Malcolm worked several jobs, on the wharfs, doing a postie round and some factory work. He tried teachers college but teaching wasn’t for him. Eventually Malcolm moved from Auckland to attend Otago University, starting a music degree. He wasn’t 9 enjoying this so thought he might become a Fireman. On the way to the recruiting office at the fire station, he had to go past the Dunedin Police station. Out of the blue Malcolm’s parents received a call from the local police constable in Onehunga to do a background check for joining the police. Within a few weeks at the age of 28 he was at the Police College in Trentham.

Malcolm served 21 years in the New Zealand Police in Christchurch where he met Marie-Therese who was also a Police Constable. He attained the qualification of Detective. He had a reputation as conscientious, loyal and with his attention to detail was a skilled analyst for many investigations. He was a member of Search and Rescue, an able mountain climber and the police representative on Face Rescue. After resigning from the police, Malcolm became an Insurance Investigator which he continued to do until his last year when leukaemia started affecting his energy. A recent infection of endocarditis lead to open heart surgery but Malcolm never recovered from the surgery. Fortitudine has summed up Malcolm’s attitude to illness.

Malcolm and Marie-Therese married in 1977 and are very proud parents of Daniel, Jeremy, Clare, Rebecca and Sarah and have three grandchildren Hazel, Zach and Lachie. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

NEW BOOK - ELLA’S WAR : From a MacRae Archive

A new book has recently been released titled ‘Ella’s War : from a MacRae Archive’ and has been written by Fiona Kelsey, nee MacRae. The book is about Miranda van Lynden’s great grandmother whose money restored . It contains quite a lot of factual information such as the donors to the Eilean Donan war memorial and lots more.

They can be ordered from the following : [email protected] or by air mail letter to: 1715 Publishing, 9 Causey Way, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 2JQ, U.K. Payment, in Australian/NZ dollars by bank transfer is preferable, but a letter with a bank cheque is fine too. The international banking code is: GB93HBUK4034 1874465 180, and the price, including postage and packing, is Australia/NZ $35.

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SOMETHING DIFFERENT - CLAN MACRAE RING For those clansmen who have everything to do with their heritage name one can now purchase a cased fine men’s Sterling Silver Clan MacRae signet ring. The sides of the ring are smooth showing our Clan Crest in excellent detail. The arm can be seen gripping the sword with the noble MacRae clan motto, “Fortitudine”, which means ‘With fortitude’. They cost $170 plus

postage.

I got mine from White Heather Highland Supplies, PO Box 210, Charlestown. NSW 2290, however, they have a showroom at 81 Fletcher Street, Adamstown, NSW 2289. Phone 02 49526533 or you can email them at [email protected] They also have a website www.whiteheather.com.au They can be supplied in most clan’s crests. These are made to order and take about 5 weeks to supply.

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WHAT A TRIP!

Several years ago Colin and Elaine Strong took a trip to Gallipoli and Scotland and had a wonderful time as most do. They planned to see places where respective families were involved. In Scotland they visited places such as Bannockburn, the WWII memorial at Runnymede dedicated to Flight Crews who never made it home, Culloden, and of course Eilean Donan Castle. Photo above shows Colin Strong with his daughter Kate. oooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

11 EMAIL OR MAIL?

Remember that you can now nominate to have your Clan MacRae newsletter emailed direct to you. Just email your name and Clan member number and we will update our email list. Another benefit of emailing is that you get reminders and information that may have missed the newsletter. If members get the newsletter via email, it is cheaper for the Society and will delay any increases in memberships. You also get information faster. Just email [email protected] and let me know.

Have you looked at our website lately? – just type in to Google ‘clan macrae australia’. ooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo

MEMBERSHIP REMINDER

Your membership is due in January 2019 unless you have paid extended membership in advance. Cost is $15 per annum – Payable to the Clan MacRae Society of Australia and New Zealand Treasurer to:

Mr. Thomas Brown, 23 Pages Lane, Kingswood, Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340 Ph. 6762 4232 Email [email protected]

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SCOTTISH FAMILY NAMES CAN BE CONFUSING

I’ve been sent the following from one of my relations overseas. It appears that, despite what we may have thought, there was a bit of an order or pattern to those early and often confusing MacRae christian names.

The traditional naming pattern for the children of many of our Scottish ancestors may at least ease our minds as to why they happened. Possibly it may make those researching hours seem worthwhile.

● the eldest son was given the forename of his paternal grandfather ● the second son was named after his maternal grandfather ● the third son took his father’s name ● the fourth son was given the name of his father’s eldest brother

● the eldest daughter was named after her maternal grandmother ● the second daughter took the name of her paternal grandmother ● the third daughter was named after her mother ● the fourth daughter followed her mother’s eldest sister. 12

OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 2018 - 2019 President Mr. Alan McRae, F.I.A.H.A. P.O Box 151, Bathurst. N.S.W. 2795 Ph. (H) 02 6331 5404 Email [email protected]

Vice-President Mr. Allan Smith PO Box 191, Vincentia. N.S.W. 2540. Ph. 02 44415778 Email [email protected]

Treasurer Mr. Thomas Brown 23 Pages Lane, Kingswood, Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340 Ph. 6762 4232 Email [email protected]

Secretary Roslyn MacRae 2513 Mitchell Highway, Vittoria NSW 2799 M. 0412 291 054. No fax. Email [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Mr. Alan McRae, F.I.A.H.A. P.O Box 151, Bathurst. N.S.W. 2795 Ph. (H) 02 6331 5404 Email [email protected]

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES New Zealand (North Island) Mrs. Sue Tregoweth P.O. Box 374. Te Kuiti 3941 N.Z. Ph. 021 234 8532 A.H. Fax (International 64 7) 07 8788291 Email [email protected]

New Zealand (South Island) Mr. Ian Rae 17 Orme St. Outram, New Zealand 9019 Ph: 03 486 2388 Mob: 027 433 7656 [email protected]

New South Wales (Southern District) Mr. Mark McRae Unit 10, 43 - 45 Dutton Street, Yass NSW 2582 02 6226 5929

Victoria Mrs. Flora McRae “”, 1A Jones Street, St Arnaud. Victoria 3478 Ph. 03 54952124

Western Australia Mr. Brian McRae 18 Marimba Crescent, City Beach, Western Australia 6015 Ph. 08 9385 8115

South Australia Ms. Jane Reath-Olver c/- Post Office, Callington. South Australia 5254 Ph. 08 8538 5058

Membership is due in January Cost is $15 per annum – Payable to the Treasurer Mr. Thomas Brown 23 Pages Lane, Kingswood, Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340 Ph. 6762 4232 Email [email protected]