REPORTS AUGUST 2020

I hope this report finds you all, though confined, still in good spirits and health.   To those not so, I wish you a speedy recovery.

I thank those who wished me a speedy recovery from my recent operation.   Especially our Welfare Officer, Hayley Rose, who sent me a pleasant card.   All went better than I expected, and to be truthful, I don’t remember much of the process.   As many others have said before me,” I now see things in a different light.”  

 Living where Jan and I now do, along with Ceilidh, we have been fortunate to avoid many of the restrictions placed on a great number of our Victorian Scottish Community.   We have still had plenty to do, and exercise to keep us in good health.   Ceilidh has recently obtained casual employment on a nearby Dairy Farm to keep her occupied (and exhausted), whilst she endeavours to obtain a placement in Education. 

 Recently, we were lucky enough to participate in the virtual Robert Burns Camperdown Festival.   If you wish, you may still visit the internet site, where you will see the oldest known statue of Robert Burns in the world, some of beauty of the Camperdown region, along with both Ceilidh and Jan, visually on camera.   Ceilidh participates in demonstrating some of the features of Highland dancing uniform, as well as a brief tutorial on Cape Breton dancing.   Jan Macdonald is the host for a Zoom meeting between herself in Cobden, Dr John Menzies (President of Robert Burns Camperdown) who is walking the streets of Camperdown in Victoria (participating on his phone), and the President of the Robert Burns World Federation, Brian Goldie in Scotland.   The technology showed no delay between Scotland and Australia, with conversations being held quite comfortably.  

 The site has numerous other participants, highlighting poetry, music and culture.   I am proud to say, it includes several members of our VSU Highland Dancing community giving demonstrations of Highland Dance.

 Speaking of our Highland Dancers, I was extremely pleased to see our Highland Dancers, all around Victoria, on Facebook, participating in a “Toilet Roll relay”, at the same time dancing energetically with varied backgrounds.   I am sure that if you legitimately contact the dancing committee, they will consent to you viewing the same.   One of the participants passes the toilet roll in an unusual manner, and should possibly be recruited by the AFLW.   The event is part of a worldwide phenomenon, to raise the spirits of the community.

 Our Highland Dancers have been a true inspiration, melding technology, and dancing together to maintain their involvement.   Medal Day, I am told, this year is to be held, and I hope recorded, on Zoom.   I would expect the resultant video to be available for a cost.      

 In view of this, I am now open to suggestion for a similar event involving the Scottish Country Dancers to dance in their own homes, and the resultant videos to be welded together to form a set dance.   To this outcome, I have asked Doug Pearce as well as Grant McKinna to investigate a suitable dance.   So lookout people, we will be looking for volunteers.   The dance should not be too boisterous, as many are limited for room, and may be of advancing ages.  On Youtube, I was amused to see there is an actual set dance called the Toilet Roll dance.   However all members are in the same hall.

 Along with the Robert Burns Festival, a brief recent eye adjustment which caused the postponement of a VSU Zoom meeting, I was fortunate to don the kilt to participate in a Scotch Whisky tasting at the nearby Mamre Irish Hotel.  The night being hosted by the hotel, but run by Chris Maguire of Robert Burns Camperdown.    As a regional area, numbers were restricted to fewer that twenty (at that time), with social distancing proprieties observed.   To ensure a safe, legal return, Jan accompanied me as the nominated driver.   Chris has had plenty of experience in this area, and co-ordinates the whisky tastings at the actual Robert Burns Camperdown festivals.   Whiskies from each of the Scottish regions was sampled, making it an enjoyable night.

 In view of the impending new restrictions, I would encourage all to importantly maintain contact.   We still require updates regarding welfare, if possible through your local DVP who is also the local Welfare Officer, but definitely to the Secretary (Jan Macdonald), and the Almoner (Hayley Rose).   We can’t help, if we don’t know.

 I have heard a number of complaints regarding our current “Lockdown” situation, which a few are suggesting political incapabilities.   As a retired Emergency Services member, I will say this.   It doesn’t matter what rules and regulations you impose, there will always be someone who wants to “buck the system”, and step outside the guidelines, contrary to the welfare of people outside themselves.  I ask them, when was the last time they had to manage a worldwide pandemic or disaster??   We may not always agree with the demands made of us, but we are not in possession of all the facts, and must have faith that our elected leaders are.

 Myself, I have taken inspiration from our young dancers, whose antics have cheered.   I similarly take inspiration, not only from our ancestors who endured greater trials that we can imagine to migrate to Australia, but also from our grandparents.   Here was a generation born at the turn of the last century, endured two World Wars, sent their families off to fight, with many not coming back, lost many to Influenza, Cholera and Polio just to name a few, as well as suffering several Economic Depressions and Recessions.   They still found the ability, after all that, to sing, laugh, play jokes on their grandchildren, and generally enjoy themselves in spite.   Many of my best memories involve being in their company, under their tutelage.   Will we give our descendants similar memories??

 In view of recent comments that have been voiced, and to avoid legal issues, I have instructed the editor of our magazines, to enforce the omission of any political comment in our future journals.   Any reports that are deemed to be so will be redacted so as to comply.

 I hope this report finds you all, though confined, still in good spirits and health.   To those not so, I wish you a speedy recovery.

 I thank those who wished me a speedy recovery from my recent operation.   Especially our Welfare Officer, Hayley Rose, who sent me a pleasant card.   All went better than I expected, and to be truthful, I don’t remember much of the process.   As many others have said before me,” I now see things in a different light.”  

Living where Jan and I now do, along with Ceilidh, we have been fortunate to avoid many of the restrictions placed on a great number of our Victorian Scottish Community.   We have still had plenty to do, and exercise to keep us in good health.   Ceilidh has recently obtained casual employment on a nearby Dairy Farm to keep her occupied (and exhausted), whilst she endeavours to obtain a placement in Education. 

Recently, we were lucky enough to participate in the virtual Robert Burns Camperdown Festival.   If you wish, you may still visit the internet site, where you will see the oldest known statue of Robert Burns in the world, some of beauty of the Camperdown region, along with both Ceilidh and Jan, visually on camera.   Ceilidh participates in demonstrating some of the features of Highland dancing uniform, as well as a brief tutorial on Cape Breton dancing.   Jan Macdonald is the host for a Zoom meeting between herself in Cobden, Dr John Menzies (President of Robert Burns Camperdown) who is walking the streets of Camperdown in Victoria (participating on his phone), and the President of the Robert Burns World Federation, Brian Goldie in Scotland.   The technology showed no delay between Scotland and Australia, with conversations being held quite comfortably.  

The site has numerous other participants, highlighting poetry, music and culture.   I am proud to say, it includes several members of our VSU Highland Dancing community giving demonstrations of Highland Dance.

Speaking of our Highland Dancers, I was extremely pleased to see our Highland Dancers, all around Victoria, on Facebook, participating in a “Toilet Roll relay”, at the same time dancing energetically with varied backgrounds.   I am sure that if you legitimately contact the dancing committee, they will consent to you viewing the same.   One of the participants passes the toilet roll in an unusual manner, and should possibly be recruited by the AFLW.   The event is part of a worldwide phenomenon, to raise the spirits of the community.

Our Highland Dancers have been a true inspiration, melding technology, and dancing together to maintain their involvement.   Medal Day, I am told, this year is to be held, and I hope recorded, on Zoom.   I would expect the resultant video to be available for a cost.      

In view of this, I am now open to suggestion for a similar event involving the Scottish Country Dancers to dance in their own homes, and the resultant videos to be welded together to form a set dance.   To this outcome, I have asked Doug Pearce as well as Grant McKinna to investigate a suitable dance.   So lookout people, we will be looking for volunteers.   The dance should not be too boisterous, as many are limited for room, and may be of advancing ages.  On Youtube, I was amused to see there is an actual set dance called the Toilet Roll dance.   However all members are in the same hall.

Along with the Robert Burns Festival, a brief recent eye adjustment which caused the postponement of a VSU Zoom meeting, I was fortunate to don the kilt to participate in a Scotch Whisky tasting at the nearby Mamre Irish Hotel.  The night being hosted by the hotel, but run by Chris Maguire of Robert Burns Camperdown.    As a regional area, numbers were restricted to fewer that twenty (at that time), with social distancing proprieties observed.   To ensure a safe, legal return, Jan accompanied me as the nominated driver.   Chris has had plenty of experience in this area, and co-ordinates the whisky tastings at the actual Robert Burns Camperdown festivals.   Whiskies from each of the Scottish regions was sampled, making it an enjoyable night.

In view of the impending new restrictions, I would encourage all to importantly maintain contact.   We still require updates regarding welfare, if possible through your local DVP who is also the local Welfare Officer, but definitely to the Secretary (Jan Macdonald), and the Almoner (Hayley Rose).   We can’t help, if we don’t know.

I have heard a number of complaints regarding our current “Lockdown” situation, which a few are suggesting political incapabilities.   As a retired Emergency Services member, I will say this.   It doesn’t matter what rules and regulations you impose, there will always be someone who wants to “buck the system”, and step outside the guidelines, contrary to the welfare of people outside themselves.  I ask them, when was the last time they had to manage a worldwide pandemic or disaster??   We may not always agree with the demands made of us, but we are not in possession of all the facts, and must have faith that our elected leaders are.

Myself, I have taken inspiration from our young dancers, whose antics have cheered.   I similarly take inspiration, not only from our ancestors who endured greater trials that we can imagine to migrate to Australia, but also from our grandparents.   Here was a generation born at the turn of the last century, endured two World Wars, sent their families off to fight, with many not coming back, lost many to Influenza, Cholera and Polio just to name a few, as well as suffering several Economic Depressions and Recessions.   They still found the ability, after all that, to sing, laugh, play jokes on their grandchildren, and generally enjoy themselves in spite.   Many of my best memories involve being in their company, under their tutelage.   Will we give our descendants similar memories??

In view of recent comments that have been voiced, and to avoid legal issues, I have instructed the editor of our magazines, to enforce the omission of any political comment in our future journals.   Any reports that are deemed to be so will be redacted so as to comply.

 I have prattled on enough for now, I end by saying, please keep in touch, contact each other by any media you deem suitable in your capabilities, and I hope to see you all soon, in good health.   In the words of the current catch phrase, “STAY SAFE”   

South west Victoria.

Robert Burns Club of Camperdown / Camperdown Robert Burns Scottish Festival.

Going virtual. (Visit our website and Face Book pages.)

Initially, we thought there may be enough material for just Saturday July 4th. In the end we had enough material for our  2 day virtual festival.  Many people donated their time with performers such as Kate Burke, Fiona Ross, Luke Plumb, Merran and Peter Moir along with others.  By using Zoom Festival Chair Dr John Menzies AOM was able to speak with Brian Goldie, President of the Robert Burns World Federation.

Our committee had to develop new skills, the less dextrous of us (myself included) were pushed along by those much more adept.  We have yet to have a follow up meeting due to the COVID 19 however feedback has been quite positive.

Our little venture of a whisky night / tasting on July 18 was merrily enjoyed by those who attended. An outbreak of the COVID in Colac in the previous couple of days severely impacted on those who attended.  "The best laid plans of mice and men" but this is now the world we live in at present.

Stay positive and well, the situation will improve eventually.

Cheers Chris