Macleod South Australia Macleod society macleod society south australia clan macleod south australia

Clan MacLeod Society of Australia (South Australia) Inc.

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The Story of 50 years of a Clan Society, 1957 - 2007

Clan MacLeod Society in South Australia

South Australia 1959

In 1959 no social activities were arranged as Clan Parliament was held on the Isle of Skye and travellers went by ship, making it a long excursion.

In 1960 the Highland Games were held at Adelaide Oval, and there was a visit from Mrs. Joan Woolridge Gordon, the Chief’s daughter. In her honour a Saturday Ceilidh was held at the home of DB McLeod, with entertainment by Pipe major DB Cook, and dancing by Robin Nicholls. The next day there was a service at Scots Church. Monday was a Barossa Valley tour with 5 carloads of clanfolk. On Tuesday she attended a civic reception at Adelaide Town Hall with various dignitaries, and did a spot on radio 5 AD for the ‘Woman’s World Session’. Dinner at the South Australian Hotel concluded the visit followed by introduction of young ladies.

The year concluded with a Christmas BBQ, 'and Children who wished to follow their favourite plays, will be welcome to watch the television.'

In a time when women were conventionally mentioned as “Mrs John Smith”,

without their own name, it must have been inspirational to ladies, to get to

meet strong independent women who headed Societies and organisations.

In 1961 the Clan was booming with 100 at the Long Gully Picnic, and an attendance of 200 at the Ceilidh at Burnside Town Hall. The Clan’s association with the Port Adelaide Caledonian Society and the Scottish Assoc. also grew.

There was also an evening of 'Films of Scotland', (procured from the Dept. of Information Canberra). They had been supplied as a special feature for Sydney’s annual MacLeod Week, and were shown in 'Adelaide’s most modern Auditorium, of the Master Builder’s Assoc. South Tce.'.

The programme:- 'Bonnets over the Border (Vintage cars); The Story of Todmore; The Queen in Scotland; George IV’s Scotland; Playing Away.'

This became a feature for a few years.

1962 activities included Highland Games, picnic dinner, and Ceilidh.

The Associated Clan MacLeod Societies (ACMS) was constituted at the Clan Parliament. The Australian Clan Soc. standardized their names, for example:

Clan MacLeod Society of Australia (South Australia) Inc.

NSW formed a Clan MacLeod Pipe Band, (still performing in competitions, Parades and Surf-Lifesaving Carnivals).

Debutante Balls were still the fashion and there was a Campbell themed Ball at Norwood, as well as the Highland Deb Ball at Adelaide Town Hall, with Sir Lyell and Lady McEwen (Royal Cale Chiefs), and Governor Sir Edric and Lady Bastyan.