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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 1969

In 1969 at the Ceilidh, President George McLeod was piped in by his two grand-daughters, Heather and Carol. It was, perhaps, a first anywhere. Carol later married Piper Philip Wyld, who in recent years has acted as the Clan’s Honorary Piper.

The Highland Ball in Victoria featured the 'Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band' wearing MacLeod tartan.

Following the 1959 publication of 'The MacLeods,. A History of a Clan', the ACMS launched the next literary work 'Genealogy of a Clan' by A. Morrison.

Oct 4-8, aged 93, Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod was out here again with Mary Northcote. There was a reception at Government House.

In 1971 Don and Meg McLeod attended Parliament on Skye, as part of a 23 week extended holiday.

In 1972 the Chief’s Birthday Dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel cost $3.50 pp. A car tour of the Barossa Valley was organized.

In 1973 the Chief’s eldest daughter Mrs. Alice McNab visited in October. The Grandson, John (to become 29th Chief) and wife Melita, had a son Hugh, an heir, to the jubilation and relief of clanfolk.

In 1974 The SA clan paid attribute to retiring President George and Ann MacLeod. Ann had spent the past 8 years visiting sick clanfolk, and both George and Ann vowed they would continue to do so.

A report arrived about Arthur MacLeod Rogers, of Canada who travelled far into the Canadian wilds. 'Rumour has it that the further he went, the wilder the country became, and the wilder the country, the more MacLeods were thriving. He founded new societies right to the top end.'

In 1975 in lieu of a clan picnic, members were invited by Rev. C. McLeod to attend Woodville Presbyterian Church, and following BBQ. The ACMS made an appeal for funds to put the Organisation on a sound financial footing and clear the Clan Magazine debts. (Oh! Deja vu).

It is evident that the life of Dame Flora MacLeod, and the familiar

closeness which clanfolk felt towards her, dominated the sentiments

and focus of Clan MacLeod Society for the first 20 years.

It was the year of the release of the Biography of Dame Flora, by Annie Wolridge Gordon, wife of Flora’s grandson Patrick, John’s older twin.

'Dame Flora said that her 70’s and 80’s were the best years

of her life…..for it was when she began to tour the world as

the mother figure for her beloved Clan, that 'the erect

little figure' truly reached her full stature.'

Dame Flora MacLeod attended a banquet at House of Lords to celebrate her ninety seventh birthday.

In 1976, 5th. Nov. aged 98 Dame Flora MacLeod died peacefully in a chair after a walk in the garden. It was a quiet year.

The death of the Chief clearly had a detrimental impact on membership, morale and optimism within the Clan Societies, and it was evident again this year (2007) with the passing of Chief John 29th of MacLeod. These are just the times when the Clan Motto “Hold Fast” must apply, just as the Chief would have expected.

At the AGM President Donald commented on the clan’s situation

'Clan-wise, we seem to be passing through a nationwide recession. At the NSW branch annual meeting, the President suggested that the Society might as well consider disbandment, but the members rallied with new enthusiasm.

Perhaps we have been neglecting the obvious way to promote interest in the clan. The magazine is the best literature we have to offer. It comes direct from Scotland, giving it that indefinite something - that local scribes can never match'.