clan maclennan association australia · clans in the church hall at morning tea after the service....
TRANSCRIPT
Dear Clansfolk,
It is with much pleasure that I write to you as your new President following my election at the AGM in June. I would like to thank outgoing President Graeme MacLennan for his six years of outstanding leadership and service to the clan. Graeme has made the long journey from his property in Gippsland to attend night time committee meetings and weekend clan functions, rarely missing an important event. We are truly grateful for his loyalty and commitment to the Committee and the Clan as a whole. We’re delighted that Graeme will continue on as a member of the committee.
This is a time of growth and activity for the Clan, both locally and internationally. Social media has meant an upsurge of communication between clansfolk from around the
world. We can instantly share stories and photos quickly and easily and many friendships have been formed this way. Take a look at our Clan Facebook page or go to the Clan website Australia page to safely view the Facebook page if you don’t have a Facebook account of your own. We also have an Instagram account and would love you to post MacLennan photos eg; MacLennan Street (hopefully more
inventive than my suggestion!) http://instagram.com/clanmaclennan_au
We have a busy social calendar in the next few months with our Sydney informal gathering on 7th November at Roseville Memorial Club, NSW and our Family Christmas Picnic and Petanque Championship on 15th November at Woodlands Park, Essendon, Victoria. These are family events and we encourage you to bring your children, grandchildren along. After all, they’re the Clan’s future.
I’m pleased to announce that for the first time we will be joining with Clan Cameron to hold a Family Hogmanay Celebration on Wednesday 30th December, the night prior to New Year’s eve, at the MCC Bowls Club, 41 Glen Street, Hawthorn Victoria. (NB: This is a different venue to the one used for the AGM). The evening will commence at 7.00pm and conclude at approximately 10.30pm with a ‘bring a plate’ shared supper. Drinks available at members bar prices. No BYO please as the Club does not have a BYO licence. There will be music and dancing and of course an ‘address to the Haggis’. We hope Mac/McLennans will be out in force to uphold the Clan’s honour and join our Cameron friends to celebrate this most Scottish of new year traditions. We look forward to seeing you at a Clan function and to meeting some of you for the first time. (see Clan Noticeboard page 13 for more details of all these events)
An afternoon of dancing and musical entertained over fifty of our members at the AGM and Ceilidh on Sunday 21st June. The very talented John McLennan serenaded us and our guest piper Matthew Bouwmeester played a long bracket of tunes and then generously invited requests from the audience. A group from the Stonnington Scottish Country Dancers entertained us with a display of Scottish country dance sets, followed by an invitation to guests to join them on the dance floor. There were plenty of flushed cheeks and smiling faces when the first couple of dance sets finished twirling around the floor. Don and Gwyneth McLennan (Wodonga) were one of the first couples on the floor along with new members, Rosemary Tait and her husband. Thank you to our Secretary Patsy McLennan for organising our enjoyable entertainment. Thanks also to Reg Davis for securing the venue and to Bob McLennan for his hard work in setting up the beautifully presented clan shop display. (See report page 7)
Chieftain - Gregory S. McLennan Chief’s Commissioner Australia - Carol Davis
www.clanmanclennan-worldwide.com Newsletter 111, November 2015
CHIEF: RUAIRIDH DONALD GEORGE MacLENNAN of MacLENNAN
Association Australia
Clan MacLennan
The Kirkin ‘o the Tartan service was held at The Scots’ Church, Collins Street Melbourne on Sunday 5th July and I had the honour this year of presenting the tartan for the blessing. Two pipers lead the way as we walked in formation up Collins Street with representatives from other Clans, each carrying our individual Clan tartans. The Rev. Douglas Robertson welcomed us at the altar and Rev. Richard O’Brien placed the tartans on the steps of the altar. Rev. Robertson welcomed the representatives of the Clans to The Scots’ Church and delivered an interesting and engaging service. It’s easy to see why The Scots’ Church attracts a large number of parishioners and visitors each week. We had the opportunity to meet with members of other Clans in the church hall at morning tea after the service. Pictured left, standing outside The Scots ’ Church holding Clan MacLennan tartan is Carol Davis with Elizabeth Cameron, President of Clan Cameron Victoria (centre) and Clan Cameron member Lynda.
This year will see the first of our Clan’s worldwide newsletters being produced and due for distribution in early December. This was an initiative that was proposed and agreed upon at Clan Council during the worldwide Clan Gathering in 2014. Chief Ruairidh will share his plans for the future direction of Clan MacLennan and you’ll hear news from our worldwide associations and clansfolk from around the world. Watch out for it in your ‘inbox’ in early December. If you are a financial member you will automatically be added to the mailing list. *Our Association newsletter containing all our local news will still be produced three times a year. If you have an article to submit for the worldwide newsletter please forward it to [email protected] by 15th November 215. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming Clan social events. *Clan Genealogist, Bruce McLennan will be discussing Clan history at the Clan Picnic on 15th November at Woodlands Park, Essendon. Bring along all your family history questions, photos and certificates. Your continued support and friendship is very much appreciated.
On behalf of your Committee, I wish you and yours a very happy, safe and healthy Christmas and New Year.
Sincerely yours,
Carol Carol Davis President
Committee President Carol Davis PO Box 3500, Middle Camberwell 3124 Tel: (03) 9836 2298 E: [email protected]
Treasurer Geoff McLennan 34 Hornsby Street, Maldon 3463 Tel: 5475 2092 E: [email protected] Family History Bruce McLennan E: [email protected]
Committee members
Bob McLennan David McLennan Kath Nicholls Marion McLennan Reg Davis Heather Vickers Ivan McLennan Helen Quinn Gary King Bruce McLennan Graeme MacLennan
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Secretary Patsy McLennan 13 Lamart Street, Strathmore 3041 Tel: (03) 9379 2425 E: [email protected]
Editor Carol Davis PO Box 3500, Middle Camberwell 3124 Tel: (03) 9836 2298 E: [email protected]
News from Chief Ruairidh
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Dear Clansfolk
Here in the Highlands autumn has arrived and I suspect tonight will see the first frost in Inverness as it feels particularly cold with clear skies. In the past week we have had some outstanding Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) with very clear skies. I have not managed to get any photographs but many local photographers have been posting outstanding ones online. The past six weeks have seen some pretty good weather which was effectively our summer as June, July and August were pretty awful. One of the sunniest and hottest weeks we had this year was at the very start of October which is very odd and unusual weather patterns. I must remember next year to take my summer holidays late September!
It has been a busy summer, both fun and relatively productive. Despite the disappointing weather, Jillian and I have packed in a fair amount of activities and trips. We have enjoyed a few camping trips, kayaking, mountain biking, swimming, hill-walking and even some surfing. Jillian is keen on surfing and has been doing a bit on the north and east coasts of Scotland as well as quite a lot of “wild swimming” in various lochs and sea lochs. A couple of weeks ago she swam across Loch Ness with a couple of friends. Lorna and I were the support vessels in kayaks. It took a bit less than two hours and she was quite chilly by the end. It’s not a hobby that appeals to me but I enjoy the spectator element of it. As well as doing quite a lot of mountain biking with Jillian, I have become more involved in road cycling and took part in a number of races/sportives this summer including a 66 mile lap of Loch Ness during the Loch Ness etape. I also did the Bealach Beag race again this year which includes climbing the Bealach na Ba to Applecross, a total of 6,441 ft climb over 44 miles. I certainly earned my pint in the Shieldaig pub that day!
We have had a number of visits to the bothy at Shieldaig this year and are preparing for the next phase of its renovation. Prior to getting married there last year we carried out a lot of work to the small chalet/bothy which dad built in 1963. The next phase is in fact an extension which we are hoping to get through planning shortly with a view to building in the spring/summer next year. We have also been doing a lot of work to the land in the bay within which the bothy is set including bracken control/spraying, cutting rushes, planting and felling trees and repairing fences. There are 6 old stone ruins within the bay and we are also working to make these safe for public access and are considering a very long term ambition to re-build one or more of them in the future. This aspiration has been made possible by the fact that early this year, Jillian and I bought the bay which includes all the land surrounding the bothy and its small garden and 8 acres of grassland and native birch woodland. It is exciting to now have the whole bay / peninsula within the family, dad would certainly be happy and proud.
In July we joined a group of friends in France for a 10 day holiday to celebrate a friends 30th birthday which was great fun. The fine warm weather was a welcome change.
Shortly after returning, we had Gael and Cecile from France come and visit Inverness for the Inverness Highland Games where we had a Clan MacLennan stall within the Clan village for the first time. We were pleased to get a good turnout of members/committee joining us for the weekend as well as our visiting MacLennan’s from France pictured left. In the evening we had a BBQ dinner at Kirsteen and James’ house. During the Games a number of us attended the Association of Highland Clans & Societies AGM with whom we had corresponded a lot to promote multi-clan events in the Highlands. The AHCS is a vibrant group and we are hoping to assist in the organisation of an annual multi-clan event in
Inverness as well as to promote each of our individual clan events amongst other clans to encourage visitors/guests from these other clans. During the meeting I was voted onto the AHCS as Vice President and given a mandate to co-ordinate an annual clan event. The price one has to pay for coming up with ideas! There are a number of positive developments within Clan MacLennan Scotland and we are busy working away on a number of projects including annual events and the 2018 gathering which we hope to announce/launch early in the new year. Continued ...
The family are all well. Kirsteen and James’ boys are all now at School/nursery and continue to be suitably mischievous. (see photo left. Uncle Ruairidh is under siege from Charles, George and Donald). The boys go to the Gaelic School in Inverness so Kirsteen has been busy going to Gaelic classes over the past couple of years to brush up on her skills. She often sits next to the Earl of Seaforth (Chief of Clan MacKenzie) during these lessons which is funny, especially with our close links to the MacKenzie Clan. James is busy with the seafood business and looking after the three boys when Kirsteen is away flying with British Airways. They are lucky to have James’ mum Isobel come over to help babysit when Kirsteen is away otherwise I am sure James would be driven demented by them! Lorna is living in the house at Dores at the
moment and continues to work as a nurse in Inverness in amongst going on an ever increasing number of foreign holidays. She has a Spanish boyfriend who joins her on her travels. She is very much the social butterfly of the family!
Jillian is busy developing her business and has been working for a number of companies recently. She spends a couple of days a week working for Sutherland Estates and has become good friends with the grandson of the current Sutherland Chief who will one day inherit the Chiefship. We have become good friends and being similar ages, I have tried to help convince him that Chiefship is not all bad but he is so far not convinced! We recently met him surfing on the north coast and I was impressed to see that his sponsors had provided him with a Sutherland tartan surf board. Perhaps this is something we should consider for our clan shop in the future! (See how you go filling that order Bob!)
My work continues to keep me busy with quite a lot of travelling. I have been throughout the west coast and western isles in recent months which I enjoy. I have had a lot of large sporting estates to value in both the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris. This week I am up in Caithness and Sutherland valuing large areas of woodland for an ongoing conservation project knowns as the Peatland Restoration Scheme. A couple of months ago I was down in Birmingham on a renewable energy training course and managed to coincide my trip with a visit to Keith & Rosemary Criswell who many of you will recall being heavily involved in the Clan in their younger days. They are both keeping well and it was lovely to see them. Keith’s brother Colin Criswell sadly passed away last year.
I am pleased that progress has been made with a global/worldwide clan newsletter which I understand will have its first edition issued later this year. As an ever increasing global family, I think that this will help us realise the merits of working together and pooling our resources whilst also sharing news from all our clan associations within the one publication. I hope that we get a lot of contributions globally and look forward to it progressing over time.
Wishing you all the very best from the bonny Highlands. Yours aye Chief Ruairidh
The Aurora borealis . Photos courtesy of The Guardian Newspaper October 16th 2015.
Photograph by Robin Parker Photograph by Rupert Shanks taken in Ryoan Pass, Cairngorms National Park
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News from Clansfolk
Helen & Richard Gentle of NSW visited Canada in June and sent this message and photo. “Today, whilst strolling around beautiful Lake Louise, Alberta, I spied this seat with a view dedicated to a clansman, Floyd McLennan.”
Editors Note: Perhaps some of our Canadian clansfolk can tell us more about Floyd McLennan and the seat plaque dedicated to him and his family.
From Helen in September: “Our daughter, Alice, and her husband, Paul are now living and working in Edinburgh. I had a quick trip over to see them happily settled in during August. (see photo of Alice & Helen right) I was also there for the last days of the wonderful Edinburgh Festivals.
Edinburgh, an already intrinsically beautiful city, comes alive during August for the Festivals. The late Spring weather held and the crowds and excitement were infectious. We were lucky enough to catch a few of the shows. My favourite was Austentatious, a drama group that do improvisations on Jane Austen’s work, using audience ideas for the titles. Fantastic!
We were also mesmerised by a French artist, Barroux, who read excerpts from the diary of a French WW1 soldier, while skillfully illustrating the scenes with brush and ink. These were projected on a large screen as he worked, accompanied by a solo guitarist. A very moving experience.
With over 3,000 performances, it is hard to choose, but it seems the quality is so high that everyone is bound to enjoy themselves. The fireworks every evening over the Castle, alone, were worth the visit. Great job, Edinburgh!
Richard and I will be there again for 2 months over the festive season. We are very excited about spending Christmas in the snow in the Cairngorms. Very different to the Aussie experience. We look forward, also, to participating in Edinburgh's other big celebration, Hogmanay. The fun never stops! Have a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year all. Cheers Helen.”
From Fay Elliott, Victoria: I thought I would let everyone know that my daughter Katherine Hamilton announced her engagement (on Mothers Day) to Matt Geary. Katherine and daughter Sylvie (10) and Matt are now living by the sea in Frankston. We are looking forward to their wedding on Friday 4 March 2016 on the Mornington Peninsula. Ken and I and all our family send the happy couple warmest congratulations and all our love. Best wishes, Faye Elliott
Clan MacLennan sends congratulations to Katherine, Matt and the family and wish you both every happiness.
Membership Fees
Membership fees were due on 1st May 2015. This is a reminder that membership fees can now be paid online via PayPal on the Clan MacLennan website. You do not need to hold a PayPal account to use this secure payment facility, which accepts Visa, Mastercard and Amex. Payment may also be made by cheque or credit card via clan Treasurer, Geoff McLennan, 34 Hornsby Street, Maldon Vic 3463 Tel: (03) 5475 2092 Cheques made payable to ‘Clan MacLennan Association’ E: [email protected] or http://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/aust/subs.htm
*Your membership must be current to access the Genealogy database and to receive newsletters
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News from Clansfolk
From Sally Hawley: my son Connor (eldest grandson of committee members Geoff and Marion McLennan) has recently joined the Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums Band as a snare drummer. Last month his tutor Daniel put him forward to compete in the Victorian Solo Drumming Championships held at Haileybury College in Keysborough. Connor was in the Novice section and placed 4th. Connor played Bonnie Dundee, a 6/8 March and Massed Band Tune accompanied on the chanter by his band mate James. He was the only player who hadn't played at competition level before so we were very proud of him. He will also be making his Band Performance debut at the Daylesford Highland Festival in December, where he'll be dressed in full kilt.
Graham McLennan, Orange NSW. Graham and twelve Charles Sturt University (CSU) dental and oral health students experienced a most rewarding trip to Cambodia in July. The trip was organised by Charles Sturt University in conjunction with One2One, a Christian charity founded in New Zealand, to provide dental treatment to the people of Svay Reing Province on the Vietnam border. Clan member Graham, a dentist from Orange, had the role of supervising the students. Those treated included children from the slum village school pioneered by Pastor Abraham, who looks after 1000 children. Also treated were workers from a dried fruit
factory which employs people who have been permanently injured by land mines. The dried fruit factory was founded by Australian woman, Marion Fromm. The twelve students, six Oral Health students from Wagga Campus and six 4th Year Dental students from Orange campus, consulted with 652 patients, treated 557, extracted 679 teeth, restored (filled) 308 teeth and placed over 1000 fissure sealants over the seven days they worked. The students also gave out hundreds of toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste. Each student paid their own way to Cambodia, taking donated dental materials with them.
Baby news
Graeme and Frankie MacLennan are delighted to welcome their first grandchild to the family. Baby daughter Esha was born in June and is the first child of Graeme & Frankie’s son Ashley and his partner Renae.
Congratulations to Ash and Renae and to the proud grandparents.
Birthday Greetings
Graeme McLennan Reg Davis
In August, Committee members Graeme MacLennan and Reg Davis celebrated significant birthdays (with a 0 at the end). Both were born in the same year within a week of each other but that’s all the information we’re allowed to give away! We’re told that both enjoyed several days of celebrations.
Belated happy birthday wishes to Graeme and Reg.
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AGM/Ceilidh at Malvern Bowls Club 2015
There was a good attendance on Sunday 21st June at the warm and comfortable Bowls Club which was again organised by Reg Davis. BYO finger food was accompanied by hot soup and Marion’s mini muffins and judging by the buzz of conversation everyone was having a good time. An encouraging message from Chief Ruairidh to our members was read by President Graeme MacLennan prior to the AGM.
During the Meeting, Treasurer Geoff McLennan reported a satisfactory result for the past year and on recommendation by Committee, moved that membership fees be increased to $25 per annum, the first increase for many years. Financial members receive three newsletters per year as well as the new world-wide newsletter and have access to the Clan Genealogy database.
During elections our President for the past 6 years, Graeme MacLennan, stood down from this position but was happy to remain on Committee. Carol Davis was elected as our new President and was welcomed to her new role. We were pleased to have David McLennan (pictured left) elected to the vacancy of Vice-President. Liz McLennan and also Ross McLennan resigned from positions on committee and Bruce McLennan (Sydney) and Gary King were elected to these vacancies.
Carol spoke of the decision taken at the Clan Council in Inverness during the worldwide Gathering last year to produce an annual worldwide newsletter with contributions by Scotland, Canada and USA. The first edition will be distributed in late November/early December following Highland Games summer season overseas. We will still send out our own three local newsletters per year.
At the close of the Meeting, Graeme was congratulated on becoming a grandfather for the first time to Esha, baby daughter of his and Frankies’ son Ash and partner Renae.
The trophy presentation for our current piping winner is usually held just prior to the Ceilidh but this year’s recipient, Griffyn Haroutunian, is now resident at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra and was unable to attend due to exams and assessments next day. He was thrilled and honoured to receive our award and sent grateful thanks with his apologies. Instead, MC David McLennan welcomed our replacement piper Matthew Bouwmeester (pictured right), who was kilted in MacLennan tartan, and invited him to play for us and launch the Ceilidh. After performing a brilliant and lengthy first set, he then generously played ‘Highland Cathedral’ on request, to everyone’s delight.
The Stonnington Scottish Country Dancers were next on the program with their elegant and flawless display of a variety of dances, each one preceded by an explanation from instructor Patsy Marks who warned us we were going to be invited to join them later for some thankfully easier dances.
Matthew was then asked to come forward by David to play a final brief set on the pipes. We were then delighted to have with us John McLennan to sing and play guitar. Firstly we were treated to his moving version of ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” leaving us all teary eyed.
John then invited us to join him on the chorus for the beautiful ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, finishing with an emotional performance of ‘Flower of Scotland’.
The time had come to prove ourselves and a few eager volunteers moved forward to centre stage with the Country Dancers who went through the steps first before they braved it to music. Surprisingly everyone excelled themselves and found it good fun. A great way to keep fit and exercise the brain as well!
The prizes draw during afternoon tea completed a very enjoyable afternoon of wonderful entertainment Scottish style. Carol sincerely thanked David our MC, all of our talented entertainers and everyone for attending and making the day a success, especially the wonderful workers on our Committee who kept everything running like clockwork all day.
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Canberra Highland Gathering
Our Clan was well-represented this year at the Canberra Highland Gathering on 10 October 2015 . There were lots of visitors to our Clan tent and Clan shop and Scott (from Canberra) and Don (from Wodonga) did a brisk trade in Clan caps, scarves, spoons, lapel badges and much more. Genealogist Bruce was kept busy fielding family history questions and renewing acquaintances with existing members. A number of people we met on the day have now joined us as new members and we are pleased to welcome them.
Photo left to right - Don (Wodonga), Bruce (NSW), Chieftain for the Day, Minister Mick Gentleman MLA & Scott (Canberra).
This was the fifth annual Canberra Highland Gathering arranged by the Canberra College of Piping & Drumming supported by the Canberra Burns Club and other Institutions.
Scott and Bruce marched in the Parade of the Clans, (scott can be seen right holding the Clan MacLennan banner) accompanied by a good number of pipe bands. The City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band, who wear our Clan’s Modern tartan, was one of the bands in the Parade and later took part in the competitions. The Melbourne Band was formed in the 1890s and has consistently been one of Australia’s top bands, winning many national and state championships. The band has been invited to take part in next year’s Edinburgh Tattoo in Melbourne. Lewis McLennan (ID i9854 in our Clan database) was closely involved in this band’s early development.
The Highland dance competition was judged by Fiona Borcherds, wearing MacLennan modern tartan. Fiona is a descendant of Alexander McLennan from Plockton, many of whose descendants live in and around Grafton, NSW. (ID i1891 in our Clan database)
Our group joined a dinner for the Clans in the evening. Perhaps next year a dinner for our Clan members in Canberra will be on the agenda. More photos are on Instagram http://instagram.com/clanmaclennan_au & the Clan Facebook page.
DNA Matching
If you’re on a personal genealogy journey to trace relatives, DNA matching can make connections between Clan members who might not otherwise know they are related. In fact some of our Clan members who’ve taken the test have already been surprised to learn they are in fact related. Our Clan is very fortunate to have Dr. David MacLennan (pictured left), a medical researcher, to help us understand DNA tests. In a new Q&A section on our Clan website, David answers many of the most common questions about DNA matching in two plain-speaking interviews conducted by Melanie McLennan, Chief’s Commissioner Canada. The interviews cover what MacLennan
Clan members can learn from DNA based genetic genealogy and what we can expect from DNA based results, written in an easy to understand Q&A format. To learn more go to www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/dna
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.
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Vale
Enid May Macfarlane A long term Clan MacLennan member and past Committee member, Enid passed away on the 29th August 2015. A prayer and thanksgiving service was held on September 3rd at East Preston Uniting Church where she was a member and regular churchgoer, to recall and celebrate her life, with the Church filled to overflowing.
She grew up on her family’s farm near Stawell in Western Victoria, in the days of horses and buggies during tough times and this hard working background equipped her well for life. The family enjoyed Scottish Country Dancing together and Enid learned the bagpipes. When they moved to Melbourne to run a grocery store, she
joined the Coburg Ladies Pipe Band and at a social gathering, she met Trevor Macfarlane who was a member of the Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band. They eventually married and had two daughters Heather and Alison and their partnership lasted for 45 years until Trevor’s death in 2008. She had a zest for life and was quite annoyed when she realised she wasn’t going to reach her target of living for 100 years.
She was always there for her family and Alison said her mother travelled to the UK 5 times to be with her when she was needed, during a difficult patch in her life. We were told by Heather that Enid attended every Sunbury Rock Festival! She hastened to add that it was as part of a support team for the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade where Trevor was with the medical team. One of her most spectacular achievements was to abseil down the craggy rockface of the Grampians in Victoria during rescue training with the St. John’s crew. A passionate supporter of Geelong Football Club, she was compelled to enlist her whole family to their cause, including grandchildren and was overjoyed when Trevor’s team, South Melbourne, was transferred to Sydney, which enabled her to persuade him to follow the more local Cats. She actually claimed to have been largely responsible for the Swans removal up north.
She belonged to the Pascoe Vale Hand Spinners and Weavers and was rarely seen without knitting needles in her hands. During her last weeks she decided to knit 6 beautiful scarves for kind medical staff at St. Vincents Hospital oncology unit. She managed five and Heather completed the last one for her. A trained nurse, Heather was permitted to stay with Enid to nurse her for her final month at Caritas Christi Hospice, with Enid’s faithful dog Heidi by their side. The officiating Minister, Rev. Dr. Philip Creed, summed up Enid’s full life when he said she lived her years according to the Clan MacLennan motto, ‘While I breathe I hope’. Her smiling face and happy chuckle will be missed by those who knew her, at our Clan gatherings, which she regularly attended with Trevor and her brother Bruce and Pat.
Our heartfelt condolences to Enid’s family.
Alan Logan - We have just heard of the passing of Clan member Alan Logan from Thornbury, who was a nephew of Elsie Smith, co-founder of our Clan MacLennan Melbourne Assn.
We send our sincere condolences to Alan’s family.
Does anyone have information about Esmee McLennan and her acting career - are you related to Esmee? If you have more information please share it via email to [email protected]
This entry about Esmee McLennan comes from an actors’ almanac: (ca. 1891-) Soubrette, principle boy, musician (piano)
“Hailing from Brungle, NSW, Esmee McLennan was educated at the Convent of Mercy, Goulburn, and excelled in music. Between 1910 and 1916 she toured the Antipodes with Stanley McKay’s Royal Pantomime Company, invariably cast as principal boy. Of historical interest, McLennan had the distinction of being the first woman to make a successful aeroplane flight in New Zealand while touring there in 1914. Little is know of her life or career following the disbanding of the troupe in 1916 apart from her marriage to Tivoli Theatre conductor William Quintrell in August 1919. NB: McLennan’s surname was sometimes spelled McLennon and/or McLellan.”
Does anybody know who this gentleman is? Doug McLennan of Gherang in Victoria would like to know. Doug says in his email
“I have been trying to identify the Scottish man in the attached photo. I was wondering if you could put him in the next newsletter. I have had this for some time amongst other photos, and recently I was asked if I knew who he was by another family member who had the same pic. Hope you are well. Doug”
If you can help Doug to identify this gentleman please send an email to either [email protected] or [email protected] and we’ll pass the information on to him.
Missing person
Does anybody know the Hugh McLennan mentioned in the NSW Police Gazette 24 December 1879?
Hugh and Ewen can be interchangeable. Please write to famhist (at) clanmaclennan-worldwide.com
Croick Decanter used to feed babies gifted to Inverness Museum
A wine decanter taken from a church during the Highland Clearances and used by evicted families to feed milk to babies has been gifted to Inverness Museum. Tenants cleared from Glancalvie Estate set up a camp in Croick Churchyard, near Ardgay, 170 years ago. Some who camped scratched their names into the glass of the church windows and the names are still visible today. (some of you may have seen these during your travels in Scotland). A descendant of one of the infants fed from the decanter has handed it into the care of Inverness Museum. Donald MacMillan’s grandmother Christina Ross was the daughter of John Ross, a shepherd who with his family and others was cleared from the estate. They set up a temporary camp at Croick Church in Sutherland in May 1845 before going on to settle in and around Kilmorack and Achnagart in Glen Shiel. Excerpts adapted courtesy of an article by Steven McKenzie BBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporter.
Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals - Australia vs Scotland
There were many with conflicted loyalties when Australia played Scotland in the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals at Twickenham, UK.
Australia trailed at half time and were behind in the dying moments but took victory 35-34 in a controversial finish.
The controversy rages on, however Australia now takes on Agentina in the semi-final.
Congratulations Australia, commiserations Scotland.
Malcolm McLennan aka ‘Malk the Knife’ McLennan
All of you Stuart MacBride crime thriller fans, particularly of the Logan McCrae series, will be disappointed to learn that one of the leading characters, Malcolm McLennan aka ‘Malk the Knife’, is not a real person. Yes, we have it on good authority directly from the author himself that Malcolm ‘Malk the Knife’ McLennan is someone he made up! In fact so real is his character that Malcolm is listed on the Clan genealogy database (id 122383). True! Author Stuart very kindly answered your Editor’s cheeky ‘tongue in cheek’ email asking for more details about his character Malcolm ‘Malk the Knife’ McLennan.
For all those who enjoy a gripping, gritty crime/murder novel you’ll be hooked from the beginning. The 1st in the series is Cold Granite. Go to Stuart MacBride’s webpage www.stuartmacbride.com
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Researching Our Roots
Clan genealogy database and resources
The “MacLennan Family-sharing” – part of our worldwide website – it now has over 31,000
individuals with many thousands of couples being verified against marriage records and “joined up”. Our project concentrates on Mc/MacLennans, their spouses and their children – especially those born before 1900. To date the emphasis has been on Scottish Mc/MacLennans, going back as far as records permit.
Verification information on all sources is being included in the “Notes” associated with many individuals. Through the database, you are able to share research with other Clan members. Certificates are an important means of verifying marriages and births. With your newsletter you may have received an invitation to contribute to this project.
We have better documented the amazing McLennans who migrated from Applecross and neighbouring parishes in Scotland, first to Nova Scotia, and then on to New Zealand in the 1850s and 1860s – some via Adelaide. The first two ships were built by the migrants themselves before they sailed. Using our Clan database we have been able to find McLennans in Scotland before these courageous voyages. Working together with the Waipu Museum, north of Auckland, and other sources, we now have a well-documented record of these families. We have, for example, sixteen individuals born in the small Scottish west coast parish of Applecross who died in New Zealand. Some descendants then moved to other parts of Australasia.
“The Spray”, brigantine of only of 107 tons, from Nova Scotia, Canada arrived in NZ
in June 1857 – with McLennans on board. She left Cape Breton on the 9 January –
just in time to avoid being frozen in.
We are looking for more photos and certificates for a Norman McLennan (1860-1909) who was born at Toscaig, in Applecross in 1860. He migrated to Sydney
in 1887 and married Mary Dickson in 1890. Norman named his home – in the
Sydney suburb of Enfield – “Toscraig”. He is number i8408 in our Clan
database.
You can now become a subscriber to the Clan association through secure PayPal. To join the Clan association and/or to obtain a password to the “Family-Sharing” pages, please go to www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/genealogy and follow the link to “Register for a User Account”. Please be sure to include details of your subscription payment.
Call for documents I would be pleased to receive documents supporting the relationships between husband and wife (such as marriage certificates) and with their children (birth certificates). Death certificates and similar documents are also a big help in getting the right people connected up! Please keep in mind we are presently only focussed on Mac/McLennans and their spouses/children born before 1900.
If you would like to contribute certificates, please contact me on 0416 231 939 or by email on famhist(at)clanmaclennan-worldwide.com.
DNA Matching DNA matching can help find family connections even before other proof is found. Clan members in NSW have recently found themselves to be a close match to Chief Ruairidh. We are very fortunate to have former professor Dr David H MacLennan to help you with this valuable work. More about DNA
matching is at www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/dna Bruce A McLennan
Did you know? … McLennan Street, Randwick NSW – only a couple of km east of the famous racecourse – was named for Alexander McLennan, born at Lossiemouth (Elginshire) in 1868. Alexander was an alderman of Randwick Council from 1917 to 1922, a foundation member of the Randwick Branch of the Labor Party and a lifetime member of the Sailmaker’s Union. You read much more about his life on the Clan database – ID i9646.
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Welcome to our New Members
Clan MacLennan extends a warm welcome to our newest members. We look forward to meeting you at one of our Clan functions. Check the clan worldwide website for regular updates on Clan events www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/aust and on our Clan Facebook page www.facebook.com/clanmaclennanaustralia.com.au Don’t forget to ‘Like’ out page when you visit.
We hope many of you will meet at the Clan MacLennan Worldwide Gathering in Inverness, Scotland in 2018.
We’d be pleased to hear a little about yourselves and your Mac/McLennan family connections for inclusion in future newsletters. Send information and photos to [email protected]
New Members Australia
Marcus R. McLENNAN, Gulgong NSW
Margaret McLENNAN, Penshurst NSW
David McLENNAN, Reid, ACT
James CAMERON, Goulburn, NSW
Ross ANDREWS, Queanbeyan, NSW
Ian & Honni McLENNAN, Katoomba, NSW
Worldwide Members
Don GUTSELL, Canterbury, NZ
Carol MOHR, Langley BC, Canada
Cecil SPECHT, Courtney BC, Canada
Kathleen TOVAR, California, USA
Gaylene MASON-HOLLIER, NZ
Rashell McLENNAN, Colorado, USA
Test Your Knowledge of Scotland
1. What is the name given to Scottish mountains above 3000 feet?
2. Law dictates that Scotch Whisky must be matured for a minimum of how long in Scotland (a) 7 years, (b) 3 years, or (c) 1 year?
3. What is the longest river in Scotland?
4. In which year was the Battle of Bannockburn?
5. In which month of the year is Burns Night?
6. Which anthem refers to victory of the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, over England’s Edward 11?
7. Which Scottish mathematician invented logarithms?
8. Who is sometimes known as the Scottish Robin Hood?
9. Name the capital and biggest town of the Orkney Islands
Answers
1) Munros 2) 3 years 3) River Tay 4) 1314 5) January 6) Flower of Scotland 7) John Napier 8) Rob Roy 9) Kirkwall
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CLAN NOTICEBOARD
Sat, 7th November 2015 NSW Informal Gathering & Ceilidh 6.30 for 7 pm
Roseville Memorial Club, Pacific Highway, Roseville - near the station ($14 per head - $7 for Clan members)
Call Bruce on 02 9400 9898 to book
Sun, 15th November 2015 BYO Xmas Picnic & Jnr & Snr Petanque Contest 12 noon **Clan Genealogist, Bruce McLennan will be in attendance**
Bring along your family birth, death, marriage certs & photos.
Woodlands Park , Essendon, Victoria Melways 28 F1 - Enter from Winifred Street.
BYO picnic lunch - afternoon tea supplied by your committee
Call Patsy on 03 9379 2425
Wed, 30th December 2015 Hogmanay Celebration - Family Night 7pm Clan MacLennan & Clan Cameron
MCC Bowls Club 41 Glen Street, Hawthorn
*Bring a plate of shared supper* The bar will be open at Club Members’ reduced rates (No BYO licence) There will be music, singing and dancing for the young & young at heart and of course the night wouldn’t be complete without an ‘Address to the Haggis’!
Call Patsy on 03 9379 2425 or Carol 03 9836 2298
We look forward to seeing lots of Mc/MacLennan’s celebrating
Hogmanay with our Clan Cameron friends
Other Events
1 Nov 2015 145th Annual Highland Gathering, Castle Hill Showground, NSW 6-8 Nov 2015 Beechworth Celtic Festival, Beechworth Vic. 8-13 Nov 2015 Celtic Pilgrimage Walk, Bright to Beechworth, Vic. 30 Nov 2015 St. Andrew’s Day. Scotland’s national day for Scotland’s patron saint. 5 Dec 2015 Daylesford Highland Gathering, Victoria Park, Daylesford, Vic. 1 Jan 2016 155th Maryborough Highland Gathering, Princes Park, Maryborough Vic. 25 Jan 2016 Burns Night - check for Burns Night Dinners in your area. 3 April 2016 **Ringwood Highland Games, Jubilee Park, Ringwood, Vic. 9 April 2016 **Bundanoon Highland Gathering, Bundanoon, NSW.
** Clan MacLennan will have a Clan tent at these events. Be sure to come and say hello.
Supply subject to availability of stock & variation in price.
Please add Postage/Packing: Within Australia: under 500g A$7.00. Items over 500g price on application. Overseas Surface Mail: triple the rates for “Within Australia”
Orders with payment to Bob McLennan, 13 Lamart Street, STRATHMORE, VIC. 3041.
Tel: (03) 9379 2425 or email [email protected] PAYMENT OPTIONS: PAYPAL via the Clan website. www.clanmaclennan-worldwide/aust/
subs.htm Mail Cheques payable to: “Clan MacLennan Association” to Bob McLennan or pay EFT: ‘Clan MacLennan’, Bendigo Bank Maldon BSB: 633-108 Account No: 1312 66728. (Include your full name on EFT and orders.) then confirm your payment via email to Treasurer Geoff McLennan at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]
Crest key tags $5.50
Crest sugar spoons (or 2 for $10) $6.50
Crest fridge magnet $6.00
Crest drink coasters (2) $15.00
Crest stickers $6.00
CD”Return to Kintail” by Ross McLennan $15.00
Crest windcheaters –M&L $20.00
Crest polo shirts (short & long sleeve) $25.00
MacLennan post card $2.50
Tartan bow ties $30.00
Clan Crest Kilt Pin $44.00
Clan Crest Brooch $45.00
Clan Crest Fobs $45.00
Clan Goods Shop
Standard Scarf $40.00
Square Scarf $40.00
Full Shawl $140.00
Tartan Cap $45.00
Evening Sash $65.00
Wool Blend Tartan Ties
$35.00 Plain Ties with
emblem $15.00
Crest Lapel Badge $40.00
Tartan Beret $40.00