NEWSLETTER NO. 101 March, 2012

PRESIDENT: Graeme MacLennan 722 Balloong Rd., WOODSIDE 3874 TEL 5187 1291 VICE—PRES: Max McLennan Unit1/6 Fisken St, BALLAN 3342 TEL 5368 2691 SECRETARY: Patsy McLennan 13 Lamart St., STRATHMORE 3041 TEL 9379 2425 TREASURER: Geoff McLennan 34 Hornsby St., MALDON 3463 TEL 5475 2092 EDITOR: Carol Davis PO Box 3500 Mdl.CAMBERWELL 3124 TEL 9836 2298 COMMITTEE: Carol Davis, Reg Davis, Bob McLennan, David McLennan, Ivan and Liz McLennan,

Marion McLennan, Mary McLennan, Ross McLennan, Kath Nicholls, Heather Vickers. WEBSITE: <www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com> EMAIL: ed-au@clanmaclennan-worldwide.com

A RED CROSS MEANS you are unfinancial for the year 2010/2011. Please forward back payment/s with your 2011/12 Membership Fee which was due on 1/5/2011. Your 2012/13 Membership Fee is due on 1/5/2012 ANNUAL FEE: $22.00. LIFE MEMBERSHIP: $250.00 plus Voluntary yearly levy of $6.00.

CHIEF: RUAIRIDH DONALD GEORGE MacLENNAN OF MacLENNAN CHIEFTAIN: GREGORY SCOTT MacLENNAN PATRON: OLIVE MacLENNAN

Clan MacLennan Association Australia Melbourne Inc.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Clansfolk,

It was once again my privilege and honour to be your President for our 34th year. I welcome Ross McLennan as a new committee member and congratulate ongoing members for their enthusiasm and hard work in organising functions and events for the Clan. Ross McLennan is not only the son of Max and Mary McLennan but is also a keen and talented musician with an interest and enthusiasm for Scottish music.

Our Clan Patron Olive MacLennan continues to be in good health physically having celebrated her one hundredth birthday on the 23rd of January. (See full story on Page 6)

It was pleasing to see some old friends attend the Clan Picnic in November, some of whom we haven’t seen for quite some time. The Clan Picnic is an ideal time of year to renew old acquaintances and to make new ones. I’d like to thank the ladies on our Committee for providing another sumptuous array of treats for afternoon tea. Reg Davis took out the Petanque Trophy, the 2nd time Reg has won. - The Petanque ‘challenge’ has taken on a tradition of it’s own and I encourage anyone who hasn’t participated to join us this year for a fun but spirited afternoon game followed by afternoon tea.

At this time of year many Clansfolk will be looking forward to the fun and spectacle of our first Gathering of the year at the Ringwood Highland Gathering and Games, to be held on the 1st of April, 2012, at Jubilee Park, Ringwood. (Melways Reference, Page 49, J10/11)

There will be a free and frequent, shuttle bus between Ringwood Railway Station Car Park at the clock tower to the Gathering at Jubilee Park. This event is always a great family day and a wonderful opportunity to proudly wear your tartan. There will be plenty of entertainment or participation if you choose, including competitions for Highland dancing, Pipe bands, Games and many carnival events.

Reg Davis being presented with his

trophy by President Graeme MacLennan

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (Continued) Don’t forget to visit our clan tent – which will be displaying our banner – for a “cuppa and a chat” anytime during the day between 9.00am and 5.00pm.

Ours will be one of many clans gathering on that day and your attendance will help us once again be one of those with the strongest representation in the Grand March Past of the Clans.

Rally at our Clan tent at 1.00pm to march together in the parade timed to begin at 1.20pm. Don’t forget to wear a wee splash of MacLennan tartan!

On Saturday 5th May the 18th Annual Dinner of the “Scots o’ the Murray” will be held at the Tuileries Restaurant in Rutherglen, and as usual, many of our members will attend. This is always a great evening as evidenced by our Clan’s expanding numbers each year. You are most welcome to join with us in our Clan’s contingent. (See Dates to Remember for contact details)

One of the highlights for a Clan President is to announce the winner of The MacLennan Clan’s Perpetual Trophy for Piping, which is awarded on results in competitions run by the Victorian Pipers’ Association during 2011. I am delighted to announce that the MacLennan Clan’s Perpetual Trophy for Piping for 2011 has been won by Laura Watson from Wangaratta. We look forward to meeting Laura and hearing her play at our AGM and Ceilidh.

Our Second Gathering for 2012 will be our AGM and Ceilidh on 17th June, 2012, at the Roseville Community Centre (Melway map 34 B9/10), with a “Bring-a-Plate and Share” lunch followed by our Annual Meeting and Ceilidh from 1pm - 5pm. We have a special presentation this year which you won’t want to miss and as usual, Clan members can expect a very pleasant day in the comfortably warm lounge area, with a shared lunch and great traditional Scottish hospitality. (Please reserve this date in your diary)

The “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan” service organised by the Scottish Clans and Associations Council will be held at The Scots’ Church, corner of Collins and Russell Streets, Melbourne on Sunday 1st July, 2011, at 11am. After the Service all the Clansfolk will meet upstairs in the Church Hall in Collins Street for a “bring-your-own” lunch; tea and coffee will be provided. After lunch you are invited to walk in a loose procession to Federation Square where from 2.00 to 4.30pm a Tartan Day Scottish Celebration, organised by the Scots of Victoria Co-Ordinating Group, will provide a great entertaining program of Scottishness.

Your committee continues to work hard on the exciting event currently being planned, which is the visit to Australia of our Chief Ruairidh in November 2013. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our members, particularly our younger members, to meet our Chief and share a meal and some Scottish culture. More information in the next newsletter.

Our Chief Ruairidh will celebrate his 35th birthday on 22nd of April and his sister Kirsteen’s birthday will be on the 23rd of April. We wish them both a very Happy Birthday and I am sure they would appreciate receiving your best wishes.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Ringwood Highland Gathering on 1st of April, 2012.

Regards, Graeme MacLennan President, Clan MacLennan Australia, Melbourne

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Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan

Venue: The Scots’ Church, cnr Collins & Russell Streets, Melbourne. Date: Sunday, 1st July 2012 Time: 11.00 am

*Car parking on Sunday is available to worshippers free of charge up to 2pm at Wilson’s Grand Hyatt Hotel Car Park, entry from Russell Street or Flinders Lane. To exit the Car Park free of charge, you must validate your parking ticket at The Scots’ Church.

Laura Watson 2011

Clan MacLennan Perpetual Piping Trophy Winner

NEWS FROM OUR CHIEF

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Dear Clansfolk

The snowdrops are out in abundance, the days are stretching and the un-seasonally warm weather is giving us hope that we are entering Spring and leaving behind yet another long dark winter. This is one of my favourite times of the year, knowing that there is a good six months of longer bright days ahead. When living in Scotland, the weather has a big impact upon life, hence why Scots tend to spend so much time talking about it! We were very lucky to have escaped the much publicised cold temperatures that were inflicted upon much of Europe throughout January and February. In fact, we have not had many days or nights where the temperatures have fallen below zero degrees. Yet again, a wasted purchase of snow tyres for the car!

It is Saturday morning and for the first time in a while, I have a free weekend with no planned commitments and intend to take myself up to the west coast to visit the bothy at Shieldaig. I spent a lot of time there last year carrying out improvement works and walking the hills armed with my digital camera. I plan to check on how the wee place has faired over the winter months and see what materials are required for the next batch of improvements. My father built it around 1963 and it is surprising how well it has stood the test of time in such an exposed coastal location.

I have kept myself fairly busy over the winter months with various projects. I am currently working with Bruce McLennan (Sydney) and Melanie McLennan (Canada) on a few research projects partly in connection with the excellent work that is being carried out to input the genealogical information onto the Clan web site. I am working on updating various pages of the web site including new photographs which will include a page for the newly created Scottish Committee and a “Clan Chief” page outlining information both on my father and myself. One of the projects that I have been working on is to piece together the facts surrounding my father’s early life through various photographs, journals, military records and discussions with people who knew him then. I have often felt that his Clan duties and achievements have become his history with little or no record existing of who he was as a younger man prior to becoming Clan Chief. As he rarely wrote about these early days, it has been an interesting task piecing together his movements and I think that it will be interesting to write a factual account of it. Sometimes the humanistic element of someone’s life can be more interesting than their achievements.

I had a recent breakthrough in learning about my father’s early days when I spent Christmas with a friend at her parent’s farm near Harthill, a small village half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow. I told the family that my father spent his first teaching post in Harthill as a physical education teacher in the 1950’s and early1960’s and showed them his characteristically well documented photographic record of his time in Harthill. These photos included records of his time as a teacher of the Silver Thistle Dancers, a Scottish Country Dance group based there. Using the photographs and newspaper articles naming his dancers, we succeeded in tracing a number of older residents of the village who knew my father very well and I have now received further photographs of him and have been invited down to meet some of these people, one of whom recalls that she used to join my father on trips to the bothy in Shieldaig around the time that it was built.

The family are all well. Kirsteen and James are set to add to their brood with Kirsteen expecting her third child in July. Charles and George are growing up fast and are keeping both parents busy. James has sold his seafood business and has now set up a new company which has meant that he has been very busy lately. Lorna and Robin continue to do what they do best and are currently on a month’s vacation in Vietnam and Thailand.

(Clan MacLennan Australia send our congratulations to Kirsteen, James, Charles and George on the wonderful news of the expected new addition to their family) Continued …

Ruairidh’s Godmother Marlene McKenzie,

Teaching him to groom a young Highlander.

Clashnessie. Sutherland (one of Ruairidh’s godmother’s

Highland cows)

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NEWS FROM OUR CHIEF (continued)

In November, the Scottish Committee of the Clan held its first meeting followed by a dinner in the Dores Inn and agreed a way forward to hold annual get togethers and to work towards organising a Clan Gathering in June 2014. Alistair MacLennan was elected Chair and a working Committee was formed. We are shortly going to be uploading a Scottish Committee page onto the Clan’s web site with contact details as well as information on future events. Between this and the web project being led by Bruce McLennan in Sydney as well as my own wee research projects, there are quite a lot of positive things happening.

Work is keeping me fairly busy with recent trips to the Western Isles, Argyll and meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I continue with TA and the pipeband and am starting to get ready for a pipeband trip in April / May to play at the Virginia Military Tattoo followed by a trip to Washington which I am looking forward to. Looking further to the future, there are a number of potential trips in the pipeline which I am working on but nothing yet confirmed with the exception of a visit to Australia in November 2013 which I am very much looking forward to. I was very pleased to be able to send a congratulatory card to Olive MacLennan last month to mark her 100th birthday, we wish Olive the best for her 100th year, a truly wonderful achievement. In 2014 we will be holding our own Clan Gathering in Scotland and it is hoped that many of you will make it over for this event.

Wishing you all the very best.

Yours aye

Chief Ruairidh -ooooooOoooooo-

Welcome to Clan MacLennan Committee, Scotland

At a meeting in Dores last November a committee was formed to begin planning future Clan events in Scotland. It was agreed to hold a party/ceilidh/BBQ next summer at Fochabers, Moray to coincide with Speyfest. Any MacLennan’s who wish to attend are welcome.

Clan MacLennan Committee, Scotland are seeking your expressions of interest in their proposal to hold a Clan MacLennan Gathering in Scotland in 2014. This would coincide with the Homecoming being organised to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn. The Scottish Committee would welcome assistance from our Clansfolk worldwide to help organise such an event. You can also assist by providing an early indication of the potential number of attendees. This would be of valuable assistance for forward planning by the organising Committee.

If you are interested in attending or would like to offer assistance with organisation, Alistair can be emailed at firybits@blueyonder.co.uk or contacted via facebook Clan MacLennan or Clan MacLennan Pages. The Clan MacLennan Committee, Scotland will keep you updated as plans for the proposed 2014 Gathering are further developed, via this Newsletter and very soon via a link on the Clan website.

Editor’s note: Congratulations and best wishes to all Clan MacLennan Scotland Committee members from our Clan Association, Australia.

-ooooooOoooooo-

Scottish Committee

John, Morag McLennan, Kirsteen, James Eckersley, Chief Ruairidh, Alistair MacLennan,

Elaine MacLennan, Jillian Ferguson, Jane Krieger

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CLAN CHRISTMAS BBQ/PICNIC AT WOODLANDS PARK, 20th NOVEMBER

A small miracle happened and instead of the expected quagmire at Woodland Park following the previous day’s drenching rain, dry sparkling green grass greeted us, on which we placed our tables and chairs for lunch. We welcomed Jeanette and Brian Jasper with open arms after their long absence from gatherings due to ill health, and it was also good to see Carol McLennan again. Following a leisurely lunch, spectators and players moved to the petanque area for another gruelling match.

The game moved along steadily with much serious discussion and measuring going on until the late arrival of Reg Davis, who joined in the late stages of the contest and managed to secure the championship trophy for a second glorious win. Shame on all the other contestants for

becoming so complacent! But seriously, congratulations to Reg for such a great display of skill.

Throughout the afternoon pleasant music drifted across from the house verandah as Frank Donovan (son-in-law of Mary and Max) sang and played the harmonica. It was much appreciated on what was a very busy day for him. We missed Gary King who usually pipes for us and we hope he has a speedy return to good health. Afternoon tea back in the house completed a perfect day. Many thanks to the ladies on our Committee for providing such a delicious spread and to all our willing helpers who cleared the decks. We hope to see you again later this year. It’s a great opportunity to get to know more of your Clan family. By Patsy McLennan

Kath & Ewen Nicholls with Carol McLennan (centre)

Debbie Thomas, Carol Davis & Courtney Denis (Carol’s nieces)

Jeanette & Brian Jasper

Members of our Clan enjoying the afternoon at the Clan Picnic, November 2011

Joy Peck, Wes & Heather Vickers, Joan & Dick Parker

Marion, Patsy & Mary McLennan

The challenge was on! Reg Davis & Wes Vickers fight it out

OUR PATRON OLIVE’S 100TH BIRTHDAY

On the 23rd January, 1912, our Patron Olive Blanche MacLennan (nee Prowse) was born at Eaglehawk, Bendigo, Victoria, to her proud parents Samuel Prowse and Alice Head.

Olive grew up in Eaglehawk, but eventually moved to work in Melbourne, where she met my uncle Ivan Lovell MacLennan (a Lieutenant then later a Captain in the Army) and they were married on 21st October, 1939, at the beginning of the Second World War, just a few months prior to Ivan being sent over to the middle-east.

After the war ended they settled on a sheep farm at Yarram in Gippsland, Victoria, where they raised their six children born during the period of 1941 to 1954; Heather, Barbara, Graeme (our Association’s President), Annette, Faye and

Marion. - This farm is still being run by Graeme and his wife Frankie. Unfortunately Ivan died on the 11 April,1959, aged 53yrs, and Olive was left to raise the family with the help of the older children, and what a fine job she has done with the bringing up of six wonderful people.

In 1975 Olive and Elsie Smith (nee Logan) attended the first World Gathering of our Clan MacLennan in Scotland, organised by the newly formed Scottish Association and our Chief Ronald George MacLennan (our first recognised Chief since the Battle of Auldearn in 1645).

On their return to Australia Olive & Elsie resolved to set about raising interest to form a Branch of the Clan MacLennan Association in Melbourne, which after several failed attempts they succeeded in getting the Association formed at a meeting held on the 9th April, 1978, at the Lady Janet Clark Rotunda in the Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne. - Elsie was our President for the first three years; Olive was our Secretary for the first eighteen years until she stepped down at the age of eighty four and was appointed as our Association’s Patron. Without these two ladies, and in particular Olive, we may never have had our Association here in Melbourne!

On the 23rd January, 2012, Mary & I with Patsy & Bob were honoured to attend the celebration party for Olive’s 100th Birthday at the McGarvie Hostel “Strathdon” in Forrest Hill (Melbourne), together with fifty of her family, relations and close friends; including her six children, ten of her twelve grandchildren and four of her six great-grandchildren (the two missing grandchildren and two great-grandchildren living in France and Switzerland were unable to attend)

The room was decorated with gold & white balloons, flower arrangements and photos of Olive over the years. Olive was thrilled by the enthusiastic good wishes and congratulations given to her by all those at the party, but in addition to these she had received many, many beautiful congratulatory birthday cards, including those from Queen Elizabeth II, the

Governor General of Australia, the Prime Minister of Australia, the Governor of Victoria and our own Chief Ruairidh MacLennan; all of these are treasured by Olive and they continue to provide her with such wonderful and continuing enjoyment. (Max McLennan, Chief’s Lieutenant)

Our Patron Olive is very much loved and respected by Our Clan MacLennan members around the world and on their behalf we wish you Olive a Happy 100th Birthday and the good health to enjoy many more!

-ooooooOoooooo-

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Our Patron Olive - 100yrs

Marion, Faye, Barbara, Anne, Heather & Graeme with their mother

Olive

The Birthday Cake

NEWS OF CLANSFOLK BOTH NEAR AND FAR (compiled by Mary McLennan)

Once again Christmas has come and gone, but as usual we have received many cards and letters from Clan folk all over the world, including –

Allan & Isabel Anderson, Balnarring,Vic; Marg.MacLennan, Sunshine,Vic; Bruce McLennnan, Sydney, NSW; Roddy McLennan, Plymouth, U.K; Clare MacGregor, Edinburgh – We all enjoy the Newsletter; Ian & Ann McLennan, Donald,Vic; Geoff & Marion McLennan, Maldon, Vic; Carol & Reg. Davis, (Newsletter Editor.); Patsy & Bob McLennan, Strathmore, Vic; Beth, Simon, Britt & Rory McLennan, Queensland, Love to All and Best wishes; Harry Dale, Thurso, Scotland, Hope you are all well, God Bless. Kate McLennan - Canberra, Still teaching Tai Chi twice a week , also playing golf twice a week but just Nine holes this year. Bought new clubs at the beginning of the year - got too enthusiastic and tore a muscle in my arm, unable to play for two months and had lots of physio and now back on track and really enjoying my golf. Went to the Prom concert in the grounds of the Governor-General’s place in February, very enjoyable as usual but very wet – not as usual! We were rather sodden at the end. I had a scare with macular degeneration during the year but now on a course of injections into the eye which has turned back and I am still able to drive again!

Peggy Leonard & Bruce (her little Scottish terrier), Henley-on-Thames, England. I’ve had a quiet but pleasant year, lots of good friends around & popping in. Still playing pipes as I don’t have to blow them – bellows do that for me and with my elbow I can keep going! Wondering what the Olympics will bring us in 2012, hoping that Andy Murray will win Wimbledon – as he is now 3 in the World. Garden was very good – everything bloomed early and still collecting Heuchera’s and have 30 different varieties now. They are so good tempered and withstood snow & ice. Best wishes to you all and again thanks for MacLennan News.

Ross & Viv. McClennan, New Zealand, Happy Xmas to all. We haven’t done anything exciting this year at all. Alex and Elise returned home from England in October so we’ll be able to see the granddaughters again (apart from on Skype) now and then. They still have their home in Auckland. Jamie & Emily will be here again in Feb/March for a catch-up and a few gigs around the country. He’s just started up a duo with his great mate (Australian) James Fagan . They call themselves “The James Brothers”. They both sing and Jamie’s playing the banjo now as well as fiddle and guitar etc. Emily Smith and Band has also been nominated for Live Act of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Award and Emily has also been nominated on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Folk Singer of the Year. Ross and I are still running Scottish Shop and home; sold lots of flags during the Rugby World Cup! All the best to all for 2012.

Margaret MacLennan, Sydney, Nova Scotia.Canada, . Dear friends, I hope this finds you well and about to enjoy a wonderful Christmas season! I’ve had a few health glitches but feel quite good now. At 90 I feel old, stiff and creaky at times but can’t do much about it. My youngest, Gwen lives with me and Sheeno lives in Sydney with Bruce and daughter Christo. I get Clan news through Clan MacLennan Canada, back in Ontario. It is too bad that the Local Association (Nova Scotia) fell through. All the papers from our existence are in the archives of the Breton Institute at Cape Breton University. We’ve had our first snowstorm but back to mild temperatures. The weather has had such ups and downs all year! Very best wishes to all, Margaret.

Malcolm, May Lobban & Family, Hope you are all keeping well. We are still thriving here in Pooraka, in our 80th Year! Doesn’t time fly when you are enjoying life? Regards to all!

Marilyn Lawlor, Harrowsmith, Ontario, Canada. Hope this Christmas greeting finds you all well and enjoying the start of your Summer. We’ve been having an unbelievable mild autumn - no snow – warm temperatures for this time of year, 5 Deg. today - last week it was up to 14deg., the grass is still green and the plants just do not know what to do!! Congratulations to Mary on receiving Life Membership, well deserved for all her contributions to Clan MacLennan. My niece Catherine, who was teaching in New Zealand and Vietnam is now back in Canada – Victoria B.C. with her partner, Howard (a Welsh/N.Z.) and their daughter Isabel. My daughters are all going well – continuing to teach at the high schools in their area – no weddings as yet or Grandchildren but good relationships. I’m adjusting to retirement – it was so good that I had all the Clan MacLennan dinners and Ceilidh planning to do at the Glengarry Highland Games. It went well. This winter I’m going to try to get all my family history on line – I have bags of it!

Hamish and Margo MacLennan, Kiltarlity, Scotland. Merry Christmas and a Good New Year blessing. Lots of Love to all, Hamish and Margo.

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8 NEWS OF CLANSFOLK BOTH NEAR AND FAR continued

Doug. MacLennan, British Columbia. Greetings from Beautiful BC. and thanks again for your Newsletter. Even though I have never met most of the people in it it’s nice to hear about your musing, specially from near and far. It’s the only Scottish Newsletter I’m getting from anyplace?? First let me thank you and writers for your condolences for my wife Elva who passed away Feb.6 just a few days short of her 83rd birthday. I am single again for the first time since we met in Oct. 46 even although we were not married until Apr. 49. Our branch here in Canada is still active, although I have been unable to travel the four thousand miles east to events. This year’s gathering centered around the Maxwell Games near Ottawa, the usual crowd at Fergus, absent? British Columbia have several Highland Games, not large but interesting games. I don’t think our Chief has been to BC, perhaps a few members we have here would welcome him to Beautiful BC.! An update on the Speed skating member of the family – he is in Europe (Russia, Holland etc.) now skating. He is now a Senior and holding his own. We are looking forward to hearing of him winning some events. Some sad news for you - I went East on Dec. 3rd for my sisters 80th birthday. My younger brother took me for a jaunt around some old eastern haunts in the morning. We had lunch and he prepared for his bike ride up the big hill out of Dundas where he lives (a routine he does several times a week!) He came down and collapsed. Efforts to revive him failed and he died at 73years. He was a fitness buff, very conscious about his fitness, so my visit was extended for a funeral. (We send our condolences to Doug and the family for the loss of his brother.) I am now several days behind with correspondence etc. John was not active in the Clan, never the less I had hopes that he would change when their grandchildren arrived. I’ll try and bring you up to date after Christmas on other activities., Yours Aye, Douglas A. (PS: “How could I forget?” to add “Merry Christmas” to all and Good wishes for 2012.)

Barbara Milojevic, Melbourne. Life has been hectic here, Beau has just finished Year 12, about to sit his P Plate Licence test on 20 January, then flies to Darwin 21 Jan. to spend 6 months of a GAP YEAR working at Kormilda College with aboriginal students – a Teacher’s Aide – should be very interesting for him. He is looking forward to it. We are gearing up for the immediate family Christmas Lunch here, about 11 of us, then continue on Boxing Day with some old friends – lots of food and cheer! Thanks for the news and congratulations to Mary on her Life Membership – lots of years of dedication to the Clan. I will aim to keep in touch more often. Regards to all, Barb.

From Kirsteen Eckersley, Best Wishes to all for Christmas and the New Year. Hope you are all keeping well! All our love from James, Kirsteen, Charles and George.

Sally Jo Truhlar & Bob. Texas. My Gordon cousins have been building a straw house for two years or more. The wife and son have done much of the work. I couldn’t believe Judy when she told me they were going to build a straw house; I know of a large nightclub that was built of straw during World War II, when building materials were scarce. It is still standing. Judy and Don have lived in a large two and one half story antebellum house near downtown Crockett for the last forty five years. Don was the District Attorney for sixteen years when

he retired. Their daughter Donna Jean is District Attorney now!...How is your weather down there this time of the year? We have had a few freezers, but severe. They may get a dusting of snow just west of here Christmas Eve. We have been getting a few good rains, but they say we are still in a drouth. My deer hunters are doing a good job thinning out the deer population. They also saw a coyote stalking my blue cat down by the barns last week and both yesterday and today. ....I have been waiting to get an epidural in my back and finally got it today. It really feels good! It will also cut down on falls. I finally got new glasses this past year and had cataracts removed from both eyes in September. Then I had to wait another six weeks for the eyes to heal before I could get glasses. I could see good at a distance, but couldn’t see to read, so had to buy little dollar store readers.....I hope you’all are doing good and have a great a Christmas with family and friends and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, Love Sally Jo & Bob.

Don & Margaret MacLennan, Melton, Vic., had a hand in creating Family History on the 26th of October; their eldest Grandchild, Tim Lyon (Tim is a Police Officer with the Victoria Police Force), was the chosen driver for the Royals visit to Melbourne.- Tim drove the Range Rover that carried Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip from the airport to the City, where a huge gathering of Royal fans waited for a glimpse of the Royals. It was the occasion where the Queen opened the new and wonderful ultra modern Royal Children's Hospital. Continued ….

George, James and Charles

9 NEWS OF CLANSFOLK BOTH NEAR AND FAR continued

Following this activity, the Royals caught a tram to Government House for the official welcome lunch and a cuppa. - From there Tim drove them back to the airport to then fly to Western Australia. During this drive the Queen asked Tim some questions about the various buildings seen along the way, also Prince Phillip asked Tim if the railway system in Victoria was still broad gauge; Tim advised Phillip most was now standard gauge, except for the Suburban system. Tim and his wife, Jade, presented us with our first Great Grandchild some 20 months ago, now with No.2 on the way the family grows. .....

Regards from Donald & Margaret

Alison (McLennan) Sharpe, Ballan, Vic., reached 50yrs of age on the 23rd

November, 2011, and the celebration of this was held on the 26th November, with many friends and family at a Party in the large Barn at their farm on the outskirts of Ballan. - The Theme for this party was for the guests to come dressed as 1970/1980’s characters and Alison chose to come as Cyndi Lauper. Guests enthusiastically entered into the festive spirit of the night dressed in a multitude of colourful costumes and characters in that period of time, whilst enjoying the feast of beef, chicken and lamb on the spit followed by plenty of pavlova and cheesecake. Congratulations on a Happy 50th Birthday Alison

Wes Vickers 80th birthday celebration party was shared with wife Heather (Clan McLennan Committee Member), family and friends. Wes turned 80 on 3rd January and was presented with a beautifully bound book featuring photos and stories of some of the memorable moments in Wes’ life. The following small excerpt is taken from the introduction page of his personal ‘This is your Life’ book: “The photos in this album show a family man with a kind heart, a sense of humor and a wide variety of interests ranging from vintage motorcycles, cars, music, photography and singing ….” Congratulations on celebrating your 80th Birthday Wes

OUR SCOTLAND TRIP

Hello, my name is Bev Johnston (nee McLennan) and my brother George is a Life Member of the Clan. After just on 38 years of marriage and with our three children all now adults, my husband Wilf and I finally had the opportunity to travel to Britain and Europe. A trip to Scotland was always going to be a major part of our holiday. For me, it was the first visit to the country of my heritage and for Wilf, a return to the country of his birth.

We arrived at Heathrow on the 1st September 2011, and after spending the first week driving around parts of southern England, Cornwall and the Cotswold’s, we headed north and spent our first night on Scottish soil in Gretna Green, with the opportunity to witness a couple of weddings at the ‘Old Blacksmith’s Shop’. The weather forecast was not good, as Hurricane Katia was coming across the Atlantic from the US and gale force winds were expected in the next few days but we were hopeful of it not spoiling our plans. Our next stop would be Glasgow, where Wilf lived when he was quite young, so we visited parts of the city that were significant to his childhood.

We left Glasgow and headed towards Fort William, where we planned to spend the night. As we travelled, Loch Lomond was on our right and the scenery was beautiful. As we approached the Highlands, the scenery called for quite a few stops for photo opportunities, as the views were simply breathtaking. We had planned to spend an extra night in Fort William, with the intention of travelling on the Jacobite Steam Train of Harry Potter fame, only to find that it did not run on a Sunday. Instead we decided to take a drive along the edge of Loch Laggon, towards Inverness, with the hope of catching a glimpse of ‘Ardverikie Es-tate’ as we had promised a friend that we would take a photograph, as she was a fan of the television series Monarch of the Glen, filmed at the estate. We turned back with the intention of heading towards Skye, however, as we headed west from Invergarry, the weather was getting worse and the rain and wind was not abating. After travelling a bit further, we came Continued ……..

Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Phillip, driven by

Tim Lyon

Alison Sharpe as Cyndi Lauper

Wes Vickers

10 OUR SCOTLAND TRIP continued

across some quite large signs, warning us of the expected gale force winds and very heavy rain. Regretfully, we had to make the decision that our trip would not include a visit to Skye, so we turned around and headed back towards Inverness, travelling alongside Loch Lomond. Even with the constant rain, I found the views incredible and visited my first Scottish castle – Urquhart, to learn some fascinating history and see more great scenery.

We continued on, spending the night in Beauly and the next day travelled north on another very scenic and very narrow road towards Tongue and then Thurso. It was along this road that I had the chance to see our first highland cattle. There were only two of them but it almost seemed like they were put there for the tourists, as they looked towards us for a photo at the right time. Fortunately, the rain held off for most of the day, so we were able to take quite a few photos.

As we missed out on going to Skye, we decided to take a tour to the Orkney Islands. This time we were lucky with the weather, as the day prior to our trip there was very poor visibility around the islands and the day following our trip the ferry was cancelled due to the bad weather. The trip was great and we enjoyed the history of the islands and visiting many landmarks, including the Stone Age village of Skara Brae and the beautiful Italian Chapel with the hand painted interior.

Although we had our photo taken at John O’Groats, which we believed to be top of the mainland, we were told that to truly be at the most northerly point, we must go to Dunnet Head. Just as we arrived, a squall hit with strong winds and rain, and although we could barely get out of the car, we were determined to take photos at this spot.

Leaving the bad weather behind us, we travelled down the east coast towards Inverness, with more beautiful scenery. Next stop was Culloden, where through more drenching rain and wind, we walked around the battlegrounds. We felt it appropriate that we experienced a bit of similar weather in

which the battles were fought.

Aviemore in the Cairngorms was our next stop and then on towards Balmoral Castle, with lots of photo opportunities, breathtaking views of mountains, glens and rivers. We were told the Queen was in residence at the time but did not see her fishing in the river. The Kingdom of Fyfe was where we were heading next. We spent time visiting St. Andrews and then Kirkcaldy where Wilf grew up, before heading to the beautiful city of Edinburgh.Visited the castle, saw the fantastic views over the city and walked down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace. From Edinburgh, we went to visit and ride on the Falkirk Wheel, which we had seen and read about on the internet. A fantastic piece of engineering built to connect the upper Union Canal to the Forth & Clyde Canals, 25 metres below.

This was our last stop in Scotland, as we were then heading back to England to visit and stay with Wilf’s cousin around York. Whilst our trip through Scotland would seem quite brief to many, we were there for 10 days and in this period, we managed to see so much. All new to me and many places Wilf had never seen in his childhood. Our accommodation was at very friendly and comfortable B&B’s and Guesthouses, where the hosts made us feel very welcome and were always interested in hearing about our trip. This trip was one that we had been talking about for many years. I had always wanted to visit Scotland and Wilf had always intended to take me back and show me the places where he had spent his childhood. We both now have fantastic memories and photos of a great holiday. By Bev Johnston (nee McLennan)

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John O’Groats

Culloden monument

Edinburgh Castle

A VISIT TO VARANASI, INDIA

Seven thurifers (incense bearers) clad in brightly coloured robes wave their thuribles in synchrony. A breathtaking sunset over the Ganges River is a hard act to follow. These Hindu priests are conducting aarti (evening prayers) at the Dasaswamedh Ghat on the west bank of the Ganges at Varanasi. Smoke from the incense and the smell of sandalwood pervade the air as thousands of the Hindu faithful offer oil lamps while bells are rung and sacred mantras chanted.

Our tour party, all connected with St. Helena Secondary College in Melbourne’s northeast, was watching this amazing spectacle from one of

dozens of wooden rowing boats which ply up and down past the ninety or so ghats along a six kilometre stretch of the river. The ghats are steep stone steps which lead down to the river. Lining the ghats are temples, shrines, palaces and pavilions, many of which were built during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; others are much older.

Varanasi, also known as Kashi (the ‘City of Light’) or as Benares, is the oldest living city in the world. Historians calculate that it was founded about 3000 years ago; Hindu mythology claims it was founded 5000 years ago by the god Shiva. For centuries pilgrims have come here to wash away their sins in the sacred waters of the Ganges or to have their loved ones cremated. The city is deemed an auspicious place to die because those who do so are believed to achieve moksha – liberation from the cycle of reincarnation; souls sent from this place on earth go straight to heaven.

Pilgrims and tourists filled the boats which were crowded at the base of the landing forming a nautical chain, twelve boats deep in places. The priests dominated the service as they chanted to the accompaniment of a piano accordion and tabla drums, all mega amplified. The congregation chatted informally, moved around and took photos using their flashes. Suddenly the crowd sprang into action. They clapped, namaste’ed

(bowed their heads with hands in prayer position, a typical Indian greeting) and raised their arms. The priests gathered at the central platform to chant their finale Broadway style, then distributed blessed flowers to their devotees.

Our boat disengaged itself from the flotilla and our two valiant oarsmen, only teenagers, rowed all thirty-two of us to Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, which operates twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. Huge piles of firewood are stacked on top of the ghat. Outcasts known as doms handle the dead bodies which have been carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in cloth. The corpse is doused in the river prior to cremation. The shrouded bodies are placed on biers on the fires and when the burning is complete the mortal remains are consigned to the river. As we watched the fires and the smoke from a respectful distance we could hear clearly the weeping and wailing of grieving families.

Now it was our turn to add to the detritus in the river. Guiltily, but hopefully, I joined the others struggling in the breeze to light our candles, each of which was surrounded by marigolds in a small basket. We made a mandatory wish and lowered the candles into the Ganges to float picturesquely downstream taking our wishes with them.

After a steep climb back up the ghats we walked along narrow streets lined with shops selling clothing, fabrics, jewellery, pots and pans, fire crackers, flowers, accoutrements for the religious ceremonies, fruit and vegetables, sweets and souvenirs. In the interests of OHS (occupational health and safety) we avoided livestock and any dubious looking matter on the ground as well as fending off hordes of persistent hawkers and touts, and dodging the unruly, honking traffic. The rickshaws which had brought us to the old city were parked off a back lane in a rickshaw park, where we had to find our rickshaw wallah for the return trip to our hotel. He greeted Ewen and me like old friends and continued to cycle, narrowly averting disaster ie. collision with cars, taxis, tuk-tuks (autorickshaws), bicycles, people, cows, goats and dogs, many of which were suffering various degrees of mange. Continued ...

11

Aarti ceremony Varanasi

Cremation ceremony

Incense - aarti, Varanasi

A VISIT TO VARANASI, INDIA continued

Just after 6am the next morning we were back in a rowing boat, wearing just about every article of clothing we had brought to combat the cold, watching the sun rise over the east bank, which is relatively deserted. It was a magical experience especially as the intense sunlight hides the truth of the contents of the Ganges. On the west bank at the ghats pilgrims were performing puja, offering prayers to the rising sun. People were there for all sorts of activities: a ritual bath, to wash clothes, do yoga, offer blessings, sell flowers, get a massage, play cricket, wash their buffaloes and since it was the kite festival, a Hindu celebration marking the sun’s passage into Capricorn, fly kites. The kites were small and uncharacteristically not particularly colourful, but they were flying all over this unforgettable city and the utter concentration of those flying them and the obvious enjoyment and encouragement of the onlookers made these airborne paper diamonds an impressive sight. Our exuberant and

knowledgeable tour guide Kumer, a son of Varanasi, had advised us, “Always look up, not down. Then you will see the true India.” By Kath Nicholls

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SCOTS OF VICTORIA CO-ORDINATING GROUP (SVCG) AGM/SEMINAR/LUNCH

Held last November in Canterbury Stables at Flemington, there were a good number of Scottish associations and clans in attendance, including our own. The AGM saw the re-election of Chairperson Ian Murdoch and Secretary Bill Schrank. Armed with the Day’s theme, ‘Where will Scots be in 10 years’, the various spokespersons told of their groups’ activities over the past year and it was heartening to hear of efforts to keep younger participants in the fold.

Cairistiona Tait, from the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society, organised a project named ‘Camp Awesome’ to take place in February, which she hopes will encourage young dancers to continue on in the roles of tutors and adjudicators Following the retirement of the Geelong Highland Gathering Committee, a new committee emerged of younger members to breathe new life into an old established icon. Representative, John Fraser, was very enthusiastic about this venture and full of new ideas and hopes to build a bigger and better event each year. All this together with the dedication of all the speakers means the outlook for the Scottish commu-nity in Victoria looks very promising. Guest speaker, Sam Afro, JP, of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and of Lebanese background, told us a Scottish-Australian woman taught his mother English on his family’s arrival here in 1986 and the association continued over many years. He stressed the importance of engaging with other cultures in order to maintain our own and it was even more vital to take every opportunity to involve our youth in activities.

Following a smorgasbord lunch we mingled and shared ideas with each other. The organisers of such a well run program deserve a big vote of thanks.

Footnote: The Scottish Resource Centre is alive and well with Ian Murdoch in charge of a team of volunteers ready to handle requests of a varied nature. One call recently came from Clan MacLean in Canada enquiring how to set up a chaplaincy within their ranks!

Phone: (03) 9670 6766 between the hours of 10am and noon, Monday - Friday. By Patsy McLennan

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Varanasi Ghats sunrise

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RESEARCHING OUR ROOTS - CLAN DATA BASE HELP NEEDED

Genealogy is an appealing hobby for many people these days. A lot of information can now be found on-line without needing to travel to Scotland. In previous columns we saw how various websites can reveal the names of our ancestors, places where they lived and how to learn more about those places.

In the last newsletter we announced an exciting new project to help Clan members research their ancestors with a “MacLennan Family-sharing” part of our worldwide website. The MacLennan Family-sharing database concentrates on Mc/MacLennans, their spouses and their children - born before 1900. Children of Mc/MacLennan girls are therefore eligible for inclusion.

Our present emphasis is on Scottish Mc/MacLennans, going back as far as records permit. Work on this project has progressed well with many thousands of couples being “joined up” and verified against the Scottish marriage records. Information on all sources is being included in the “Notes” associated with the relevant people.

We now have over 20,000 individuals. Many of these have records of their “sightings” at different times such as Scottish censuses, finalisation of estates, poor law applications, newspaper clippings, etc. As part of the project we have also acquired every recorded marriage of a Mc/MacLennan – for cross-checking.

I must gratefully recognise the invaluable contribution by my friend Geoff Bell to preparing programs to find matches between couples and to find their children!

Of the boys names, we have 1,130 Donalds, 458 Duncans but 1,515 Johns. Ann is a very popular girl’s name (1,073), with Mary having 670 examples and Isabel 470. Janet, and its variant Jessie, total 366. There are only eight Mc/MacLennan girls called Grizel - although also 38 called Grace (a more recent form of the same name). The girl’s name Christian, was quite popular in earlier times but often evolved into Christina or Christy (441). The same person may be born as Christian, married as Christina and have children as Christy!

Of all the marriages recorded in Scotland up to 1930 twice as many showed the surname McLennan as did those whose names were recorded as MacLennan. This is equally true both before and after compulsory registration started in 1855.

So far, Mc/MacLennans married twice as many McKenzies as MacRaes. The earliest birth we so far have is 1660. The average lifespan (for those for whom we have both birth and death information) is 47 years. Given how many died in infancy, many also lived to a fair old age.

Some wonderful stories are emerging of Mc/MacLennans from the past.

Of course, this database will always be a “work in progress”. Not all the Mc/MacLennans in the on-line resource will be connected up – some may be in the tree as a spouse and as a child or as a parent of one child and separately as a parent of another. Children may be missing. Hopefully, however, in time, we will be able to identify where at least some of these people can be merged or added. This will be a logical outcome of bringing as many Mc/MacLennans as we can find together in one place. We would like some (careful) volunteers to help with the challenge to fit this jigsaw together!

As well as family trees, the system has the capacity to hold and retrieve photos and documents. This repository will provide a further resource for Clan research. Several authors have offered their MacLennan history books to be available through the site. Photos and other documents will be searchable. We invite you to send in your trees and Family History Stories for this repository!

Later this year the database should be ready for first release to members of Clan Associations in different parts of the world. The project has the support of our Chief and Clan Associations elsewhere. The new on-line facility will provide a good reason for Mc/MacLennans to join one of the Clan Associations.

In the Australian context we are looking for a person to become the Immigration specialist – tracking down Mc/MacLennans who came on ships and where they are in our database.

All this is a big job. I invite you to volunteer to help with this rewarding work. If you would like to be involved, please contact me on 0416 231 939 or by email on famhist(at)clanmaclennan-worldwide.com.

By Bruce A McLennan

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CLAN MacLENNAN GOODS AVAILABLE

Plain Ties with Crest

$ 15.00

Tartan Bow Ties

$ 29.00

Tartan Material by the metre

POA

Key Board with Crest

$10.00

Tartan Ties (Wool Blend)

$ 35.00

Tartan Beret/Tam-O-Shanter

$ 40.00

Tartan Caps (Mens) $ 45.00 Tartan Scarf or Square $ 40.00 Tartan Evening Sash $ 65.00 Tartan Shawl $120.00 Clan MacLennan Post Card $ 2.00 MacIain Post Card (Logan) $ 1.50 Tea Spoon with Crest $ 6.50 Sugar Spoon with Crest $ 6.50 Small Lapel Crest Badge $ 6.50 Pewter Crest Brooch $ 45.00 Key Tags with Crest $ 5.50 Book Mark with Crest $ 5.00 Clan MacLennan Kilt Pin (Pewter) $ 45.00 Polo Shirts with Crest - short sleeve $ 25.00 Fridge Magnet $ 6.00 Crest Stickers $ 6.00 Crest Coasters (Set of Two) $ 15.00 Polo Shirt - long sleeve $ 25.00 Windcheaters – Grey Marle with Navy Crest $ 26.00

Music and History CD/s

“In Search of Clan MacLennan” by Malcolm Lobban and James McLennan on CD/Pdf . $14.00 ”Return to Kintail” words and music by Ross McLennan on CD $15.00

Please add Postage/Packing: Within Australia: under 500g A$4.00 for one item plus A$1.00 for each additional item, over 500g A$10 flat. Overseas Surface Mail - triple the rates for “Within Australia” Supply subject to availability of stock and variation in price. Cheques payable to “Clan MacLennan Association” Orders with payment to Bob McLennan 13 Lamart St., STRATHMORE , VIC., 3041. Tel: 03) 9379 2425

DATES TO REMEMBER (You always find the most recent Events Calendar on our Website:

www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com ) OURS: 1 Apl. 2012 Ringwood Highland Gathering & Games, Jubilee Park, Ringwood (Mel.49 J10/11) (Free, frequent shuttle bus between Ringwood Railway Station Car Park at the Clock Tower to the Gathering at Jubilee Park.) 6 May 2012 North East Victoria Gathering, 2 Moodemere St, Rugherglen (12 noon) (02-6032 8328) 17 June 2012 AGM&Ceilidh, Roseville Community C’tre, 110 King St.E.Doncaster. (Mel.34 B9/10) 18 Nov. 2012 Christmas Picnic Gathering, Woodlands Park, Essendon. ( Mel. 28 F1 ) OTHERS: 18 Mar. 2012 Geelong Highland Gathering, Showgrounds, East Geelong (03-5275 8413) 21 Apl. 2012 Bundanoon Highland Gathering, NSW (02-4883 7471) 3-6 May 2012 Glen Innes Celtic Festival, NSW www.australiancecelticfestival.com (02-6730 2400) 5 May 2012 Scots’o’ the Murray Dinner, Tuileries Restaurant, Rutherglen, Vic. (02-6032 8328) 6 May 2012 Burns Club Pleasant Sunday Afternoon, Altona RSL, Sargood Street. (03-9743 5383) 27 May 2012 Scottish Heritage Day, Greaves Reserve, Dandenong (03-9794 0562) 9-11 June 2012 National Celtic Festival, Portarlington, Vic. (0403 192 631) 24 June 2012 Hogmanay Australis, Ascot House, Moonee Ponds, Vic. (03-9803 9678) 30 June 2012 Kilmore Celtic Festival, Vic. (03-5781 1711) 1 July 2012 Kirkin’o’ the Tartan, Scots’ Church, Melbourne, 11am (03-9836 4232) 1 July 2012 Tartan Day Celebration at Federation Square, Melbourne. 2pm (03-9836 4232) 7 July 2012 Aberdeen Highland Games, Jefferson Park, Aberdeen, NSW (02-6543 6240) 15 Sept. 2012 ‘Clans on the Coast’ Celtic Festival, Nelson Bay, NSW (0418 495 336) 6 Oct. 2012 Canberra Highland Gathering, Kambah Oval, Kett St;, Kambah, ACT (0407 244 129) 4 Nov. 2012 143rd Annual Highland Gathering, Castle Hill Showground, NSW (02-9871 3593)