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CIan Chief Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of Maclennan Clan Cheiftan Gregory Scott MacLennan

FIRST EDITION OF THE CENTURY

President's Report14th March 2000

Greetings to our clansfolk, family and friends.

As I prepared to write this letter I happened to sit down with a few oldbooks and pamphlets. I noticed an old magazine, "The Scottish Austra-lian". Written in this publication is an obituary of my late Grandfather,Frank Mclennan. lt was good to read of this man's qualities and virtues.It also included some history of the Mclennan's on the North Coast.

Our branch has again donated money to the Maclean Highland Gather-ing for the Grade 4 pipe band contest. We are proud to continue withsuch sponsorship. I will be working there on Easter Saturday. Being a

volunteer at the Gathering is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I

regret never having learned to play the bagpipes, particularly as my fa-ther played for Maclean and Grafton Pipe Bands.

One of our clan pipers, my cousin lan Mclennan, is not only pumped upin the chest in preparation for the Maclean Gathering. He is very proudof his daughter Sarah who has just recently given birth to a most beauti-ful baby girl named Cedar Rose Mclennan. lan is a doting grandfatherand he easily succumbs to Sarah's other child, Sanny. lan has a boat

berthed at Yamba marina in which he has recently invested a lot of timerestoring and refurbishing. He is contemplating changing the name ofthis vessel to "Mary Matheson", in memory of Alexander Mclennan'swife who came to Australia in 1837 on board the'William Nicol". lan feltthat the hardship and adversity these early pioneer women had to en-

dure should be recognised.

I hope that all are well. For those who are not, I wish a quick recovery.

AII the best for the Year 2000.

Yours FaithfullY,

M o-l"wl,vYtt M oL ean na,w

Autumn

April 2000

lnside this issue:

Grafton Branch Newsand Photos

News from Scotland

Gaelic Revival

New Millennium Tartan

Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Poetry

Recipes-Scottish Soups

Clan Contacts

Subscriptions

trA red cross denotesthat your annualsubscription is due tobe forwarded to thetreasurer. Pleasemake cheques pay-able to MacLennanClan Grafton Branch.

SINGLE $5COUPLE $10

April 2000

****************************Jt***********************t************** ^^:----'" -- ----.^

** NEXT MEETING *** ., ':.-,;.:,: -.'::I^-^^1,'::;-^.,1 ^+ .t.t./E^* ** ro be held on the 8th JUNE at SEE PARK, GRAFTON at 11:45am. *lAdiscussion*j1riZil#;;#"i:,,*":,,rtffitofthenewsletterT9?nSit that you annualfees are due to be forwarded to the treasurer. SINGLE $5 COUPLES $10 ************************************************************************News from Melba

21st March 2000

Happy millennium to you all. I hope the new year is going along smoothly for you all.

It was really nice to receive a letter and Christmas card from Harry (the drover) and Mairi Dale.

we send our best wishes and hope that you are both enjoying good health.

Congratulations to our publicity officer Daph Hill who has been selected to carry the olympic

torc"n through Grafton. Daph isin her seventies now and we are all proud and happy for her. An-

other member Maxine Mclennan was chosen to take part in the opening of the games with one of

her horses but had to forego due to other commitments. This was a little honour for our Grafton

Clan.

I enjoyed reading the Sydney branch newsletter recently, particularly about Leon Vance's trip to

Contin.

For those visiting scoland soon I read of an interesting place in Aberdeen, the Gordon Highland-

ers Museum. The iaw of the Gordon Highlanders spans 200 years of world history and is packed

with tales of courage Lno tenacity. TheI were Britain's most famous regiment of kilted soldiers

and there were ,o,i" notable Mclennan's who played a part in this fine regiment' Th^e. museum

is housed in the beautiful surroundings of the home of the well known Scottish artist Sir George

Reid.

our thoughts go to those people affected by the disastrous floods, especially in the outback of

Australia. These people really irave had theiifair share of bad times with lack of services and clo-

sure of small towns, droughts and now floods. I read somewhere that Dr Tom Murray said the

inland should be declared a "no tax zone" for a number of years to enable a rebirth of this conti-

nent. He said we must live in and develop our continent, ii we don't others will seek to move in

andtherestoftheworldwillnotliftafingertohelpus.we pay our respects to Eunice capple of Broken.Hill who died late last year. Eunice spent most

of her life in the Grafton district. She was one of the early members of Grafton Clan Maclennan

and was secretary for a few years. Eunice did a lot of research into the Maclennan family history'

we wish the organisers of the Maclennan world Millenium Gathering at lnverness all the best for

this event. ns yet r have not heard of any of our members heading across to Scotland to attend'

BestWishestoall,especiallythosewhohavebeenunwell.

Best Wishes and God Bless,

MdharAut*e,w

April 2000

News from our GhiefRuairidh enjoyed some rare time at home in Dores with his sisters Kirsteen and Lorna over thefestive season. They have been making improvements to their house and have appreciated theassistance of combined clan members.

Last year Ruaridh played the bagpipes at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. He is the first Clan Chiefto do so.

Last summer Ruairdh was busy working for the Forestry Commission for six weeks. He has re-cently returned to university in Aberdeen and will complete his degree in June after his final ex-ams.

Next August Ruairdh, Kirsteen and Lorna are visiting Canada for a couple of weeks and will be at-tending the Fergus Highland Games in Ontario.

Ruairidh sends his very best wishes for the New Year and the new Millennium to all clan mem-bers throughout the world. He hopes the Clan has a flourishing future with an increased role in to-day's society. He says that two of his main goals for the clan at the start of this new century are togain more members and to increase clan social events.

More news from Scotland* The last Clan Council meeting was held on 15th January 2000.* Malcolm Lobban is Working on an index to the book /n Search

of Clan MacLennan which he co-wrote with James Maclennan.* Clan Maclennan Millennium Gathering "Celebration 2000'

will take place from Sth-9th July around lnverness.* Clan T-Shirts, displaying the Maclennan clan crest have been organised for the "Celebration2000". It is hoped that these will be available through the Clan Shop. Any enquiries relating toMaclennan CIan items can be directed to the Clan Shop.

Clan Shop Margo Mclennan, Balgate House, Kiltarlity, lnverness-shire, lV4 7HL, Scotland.

Visitors from Londonln January clan members from the Grafton Branch arranged a Iuncheon to welcome RoddyMclennan from London and his sister Pat Anderson who lives in Port Macquarie, NSW. A mostenjoyable lunch and afternoon tea was spent by all.

President Malcolm Mclennan welcomed them both to the Clarence Valley and to our branch ofthe clan. Roddy gave the Grafton branch a copy of ln Search of Clan MacLennan written byJames Mclennan and Malcolm Lobban.

Thank you to Barry and Helen Ellis for their generosity in having Roddy and Pat stay with them.Also for taking them to Armidale up through Nymboida and Ebor and sharing a little of our own lo-cal history with them.

April 2000

Best WishesOur thoughts are with our Treasurer and Historian, Thora Mcleod who has not been well. Shehas been hospitalised in Sydney for some time for treatment and an operation. I am sure shewould appreciate a letter. Mail can be sent to her at Brusgrove (address on the back page).

Best wishes also to Doll and Percy Browne of Grafton.

Tidy Towns AwardRhonda Mclennan has received a Tidy Towns Award

for her restored federation home in South Grafton'

The home is surrounded by well kept cottage gardens.

Jokes* The bus stopped at the pub corner and a drunk got in and staggered up the row of seats. As he

passed by by'Mrs Snob she said "Drunk, drunk!". At the next stop the drunk staggered back down

the aisle and as he passed Mrs Snob he said "Ugly, ugly! Ta morra llsh be sober and ye'll still be

ugly".* A teenager on his birthday was heard to say to his father "Why don't you give me something you

made yourself, like moneY".

mac[e an Hi gb[ and G atb er ing-E asley 20 o o

trnac[eanwit[bece[ebyafing$eg1thuigb[andGathetingt$isveavxverEasLer, Lrst- 2-2nd APri[ zooo.

Satwydaywilbeaf "{[dayof

actiaityatMac[eansbowgrauvLd.

{yoweviog'ytiping,Mwvwntutyorutyb[and?#.t'rvnakesuveyauget

Yowwifibe swreto carcL1 uT) with s,vne otfier c[anvnevnbev s

il1 er e $r ow gb ofi " tfi e d oy. T or any f ur $ er inf or w ati on c ont ad tfi e

L ow ev Q[av ence Scaui shS o ci e tY.

April 2000

Top Left: Kevin and Joan Smith,s50th wedding Anniversary last yearBelow: Shirley Mclennan of Melbourne,who will soon be off on a trip to ScoflandBelow Left: Roddy Mclennan, Londonand his sister Pat, Port Macquarie

April 2000

Gaelic Revival ...from Scot's Magazine-Number 6 pp. 4649

Sir lain Noble has had a life long passion for Gaelic language. Twenty years ago, at a time whenmany were prepared to simply write the language off, he made an extraordinary gesture whichmay well come to be seen as a critical turning point in Scotland's gaelic revival.

ln 1973 Sir lan generously donated his own land on the South Skye Peninsula and expressed thehope that in time his initiative would see the foundation of the first gaelic centre for further educa-tion (in Scotland) since St Columba's monastery at lona was destroyed by the Vikings".

It has taken two decades to make Sir lain's vision a reality but Arainn Chaluim Chille, the newColumba campus at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic College on Skye, has been well worth thewait. The six million pound campus admitted its first students in the northern spring and looks setto play a vital role in regenerating the gaelic language and gaelic culture.

Founded in a refurbished steading (Sabhal Mor in Gaelic means big barn, Ostaig is the townshipof its location) the college spent its first few years providing summer schools in gaelic for learners.A bilingual library was established and then came a succession of distinguished writers-in-residence: Somhairle Maclean, Aonghas Macneacail, Angus Peter Campbell and many other lu-

minaries of British literature.

The official opening of the new campus saw studies commence with forty students from across

Scofland and lreland. It was both a celebration of achievement and an announcement of intent

marked with song, dance and speech. The college now has eighty full time students with degree

courses offered. Lessons are taught to young and old alike in the old Gaelic dance and musical

skills.

New Tartan for the Third Millenium ...rrom rhe Hishtand Gatherins-April

Each year tartan manufacturers are designing new tartans. ln particular it is becoming increas-

ingly iompetitir,,e for Highland Dancers to wear the newest tartans available. One of the newest

tartans at the moments Is the "21s1 Century Tartan" which has been designed by the Scottish firm

Geoffrey (Tailor). This tartan's design has been based on red for "man's spilling of blood over the

past 20b0 years", pale blue for "thJUnited Nations to keep the peace", deep blue signifying " the

oceans which cover 7A% of the planet", black for "the minerals, oil and coal", green for "land and

the ecology" and silver and white for "the space age technology taking Scotland and the world into

the 21st century.

Another of the latest tartans is the "Brigadoon Tartan" designed especially for the Bundanoon

Highland Gathering in Australia. The colours blue, yellow and red are part of the design to reflect

the natural elemen"ts and community involvement around Bundanoon. lt sports bold parallel lines

to acknowledge the railway and steam trains which originally opened this area for settlement in

the 1g60,s. The Bundannon tartan cloth is woven by Dllgliesh Mills at Selkirk, Scotland. lt will

most certainly be worn with pride by many locals at the Bundanoon Highland Gathering this year'

April 2000

Hogmanay in Edinburgh- By Fiona Ellis

Hogmanay...l now understand what all the fuss isabout! Being on Princes Street Edinburgh withtens of thousands of other people to welcome inthe new year, and century, was quite an amazingexperience. I saw in the new year in such stylewith friends and family. The highlight of the eve-ning was obviously the excitement of midnight,with the fireworks and cannons exploding fromthe castle. lt was impossibie to hear and virtuallyimpossible to move, but sornehow I managed tojump up and down and hug everyone in sight. ltwas such a glorious night and we all wanted tomake the most of the occasion, so we roamed thestreets of Edinburgh until daylight on the first dayof the century. It was amazing how many otherAustralians were in Edinburgh to celebrate Hog-manay. Many Scot's remarked to us that therewere more of us there than them.

PicturedAbove: Ivly travelling party at the Scottish border.(L-R) Jason fulclennan, Lawrence Gersh, NicolaGrace, Caroline Borcherds and Adrian Borcherds.

Left: Fiona Ellis at Calton Hill, Edinburgh.

Unfortunately this was a quick trip for me. How-ever, I was pleased to be abie to visit my goodfriends Liz and Klmberley Coliiar of Glenrothesand George and Margaret Connell of Aberdour.fulargaret is an excellent cook and I was able tosample some fine traditional Scottish food; ClootieDumplings and Black Bun.

My first cousin Jason Mclennan accompanied me

from Sheffield to Scotland and I was able to showhim a few places of importance to our heritageand family tree. We also spent a day in Edinburgh-

and did some touring through the Kingdom ofFife.

April 2000

c[evmr'vnesstaWnyt::!.escekicIntevestebinattending?

c at[ me[b a xwstenPh: o z 6 6 4 4 g Lgo

Testiva[

BirthsHugh Gingell: 11'11-1 999Soifor Dein and Michelle, Lindfield, Sydney. Grandson for Len and Joyce McGrath, Grafton.

Kyle Jordan Mclen nan: 4'2'2004S6n for Craig and Cathy, Albany Creek, Qld. Grandson for Mervyn and Barbara Mclennan and

great nephew for Donald and Coral Mclennan'

Cedar Rose Mclennan: 17'2-20A0Orugnt", for Sarah Mclennan. Grandson for lan Mclennan, Lake Wooloweyah, Angourie'

Flowers of the FieldEunice Irene CaPPle: 21'10-1999oerrrv loved and'loving wife of Les. Passed away suddenly at Broken Hill.

A Well Earned RestAfter many years of trading in Grafton, Kaye and Malcolm Mclennan have closed down their

,6op, xaybi's craft. Kaye iI enjoying her free time and has recently enjoyed a holiday .in sydney

with her daughter Lisa. Malcolm *iirer the company of the people in the shop as he shared

many laughs with them. However, he finds he now has more time to work on the farm. He has

become very relaxed, has grown a beard and has been spending time with lan Mclennan at

Yamba Marina working on lan's yacht'

Many ThanksThanks are extended to peter and Maxine Brooks for their help with typing, printing and copying

the newsletters in the past. Fiona Ellis has now undertaken this job.

On the WallabYMembers from Newcastle, Kris and Terry Maguire are horidaying in the cook lslands' lt will be

interesting to hear about their experiences when they return.

Arso out and abouirr" ou, Vice-president and his wife, Error and Edna Newton' They have taken

a trip to the TabeLnds. Errol hasn't been well and it is good to see him well again'

April 2000 Page 9

Top Left: Joyce McGrathand Betty MclennanBelow Left: LlYod and JoYce GreenBelow: Noel and Marie McLennan

ib-

April 2000

AccYedttatLowThere Aye cowyses bg the hvtwdreds lo Lwtprove

gour edvtcatLow,

It's r40w becowve essewtLaL thaL gou get accredL-

tatLow.

\ovt wLLL weed that TLece of TaTeY or r4ovt'LL reaLLg

be Lw strLfe,

ALthovtah whal 1or,t wLLL be learwLwq, t1ot^'ve

beew doLwg aLL govtr LLfe.

lwth| drovtght of 'b9 I ct+t scrvt"b frowt daww'ILLL

darlz,

*wd fewce posts bg the thottsawds t have heww

fvowv Lrowbark..

Now ft's hard for wte lo fatb,ott* that I covtld

bveaVz the Law,

f t dare to start Lhe- wtotor 0f '*A trvtstg oLd'

chaLwsaw.

raQe chevvtLcaL appLLcltLows, that's sovu-ethLwg I

kwow best,

Bg wow t wtv"st have sTrat4ed everg sLwqLe LLv-

Lwq yest.

Frowt ca-luLe tLcQ. lo bvtffaLo f,g, f"'*- bvtrrs to

rv-bber vLwes,

NDw a clvYse vwvtsi be a*ewded ar t'LL rLsVa' a

,,uhopTLr-q fLwe.

)v,.st asia- those who Vz',n avt wte

Fronx eveYu soYt of weaVow

Lhe tow,

Thovtgh t''/e beew TrofLcLewtage of tew,

Lf t caw ase a c)vLwt

t've shot bvt"LLets b4

sLwce I Yeached the

k seevws LtQ,e thLs ts son*ethLwg t)r'al t have

learw agaLw

Page 10

t've stvtdLed, ow cowtp*ters, Learwt how to vwar-

Vzet croqs,

BewchvwarQLwg awd QA's l've beew to those

workshops.

rhe bawlz wovtLd, LLVze to see vw€ because the

fvLwds are ge*Lwg Low,

Awd t'd lLVzeto getthelLr',teto plar"t the croTs t

weed to qYow.

ray wtfe awd QLds aLL wtLss vwe 'cAwse l'vw

hard,lg ever there,

rd Love la sta1 at hlvwe bvtt here's thLs covtrse

Lw ca*Le care.

tf t cowtLwvte Lw thLs veLw t'LL sareLy ewd' up

bro@e,

*lL these accredLtatLaws AYe reaLLg lttsl a loVze'

t'd rather wrestle wLth scrvtb bvtLLs or rLde ow

bv"clzLwg horses,

-rhaw be st,.bjected to these bLoodrtr two dag

CDI"LYSCS.

Avtthor t{wl?.woww

to

April 2000

SCOTCH BROTHA one-pot, heafiy, filling soup for cold winter days.

Preparation time:25 minutes and overnight soaking.

Total cooking time:2 hours

Serves: a-o

lngredients:1/4 cup dried peas (blue boilers)

2 tablespoons pearl barley

6 (750g) lamb neck chops/rosettes

1.5 titres water

1 leek, cut into 2 cm pieces

1 turnip, cut into 1cm cubes

1 large carrot, cut into lcm cubes

1 stick celery, s/iced

2 cups shredded cabbage

Salt, pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh ParsleY

Method:1.

COCK.A.LEEKIEFrom Edinburgh

Preparation Time:20 minutes

Tota! cook!ng time:t hour 45 minutes

Serves: o-a

lngredients:1.2 kg chicken

2large leeks, chopped

1.5 litres water

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 small bunch parsley

2 teaspoons salf

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

12 pitted prunes

Method:1. Rrnse chicken under water both.inside and out.

Drain well and pat dry with paper towel. Trimoff excess fat and cut chicken in half.

2. Piace chicken, leeks, water, herbs and salt intarge heavy-based pan. Bring slowly to boil,reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered far 1

1/2 hours, removing froth occasionally. D,s-card bay leaf and ParsleY.

3. Carefully remove chicken halves from pan,

cool slightty. Shred flesh coarsely, discardingskin and bones.

4. Return chicken to pan with pepper and prunes,stir through until iust heated.

Note: Raisrns may be used instead of prunes'

2.

Place dried peas in a bowl. Cover with warmwater, stand uncovered overnight. Rinse anddrain well.

Place peas, barley, chops and water in large

heavy-based pan, bring to boil, Remove frothfrom the top, add leek and turnip. Reduce heatto low, simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours.

3. Add carrot and celery to pan. Simmer un-

covered for a further 30 minutes.

Add cabbage, stir until heated througtt and ten-

der, season to taste. Stir in parsley iust beforeseruing.

3.

4.

Autumn

MacLevtvlan C[an

craftonsvancb-

Dwvn Sytiro Dwvn SYteto

lms[Etteri

It is s[snys Sreet, to keep in touch end hepr

D€xA,s frorn our rnernbers. If you would like

to contribute to the newsletter with fgmlh

D€xlrs, sD article, sornethin$ of flrterest ete,

please send it to us for pubtishiug. ?e ft?

touch rnitth enyobe listed belorru in the

Cl"sn Contscts for s chst or if you hsve

sornetlring written, pleese forwsrd it to

Pions Ellis or Melbs fl-usteo

...Clan COntaCtS...Glan GOntaCtS.'.Clan GOntaCtS"'

PRESiDENTMalcolmMclennan,POBoxZ4T'SouthGrafton'2460Ph: 02 6642 4290

vlcE PRESIDENT Errol Newton, wharf street, wombah ,2466

Ph: 02 6646 4522

SECRETARYMrsMelbaAusten,ll}BChambigne'viaGrafton'2460Ph:02 6644 9290

TREASURER Mrs Thora Mcleod' PO Box 5' Brushgrove' 2460

Ph:02 6647 6371

puBllclry oFFlcER Mrs Daph Hill, 5 william street, south Grafton, 2460

Ph: 02 6642 2658

NEWSLETTER Miss Fiona Ellis' PO Box 5033' Turramurra' 2074

Email: fibeeT3@hotmail'com