Gathering of the Clans

Mr DAVID HARRIS (Wyong) [1.47 p.m.]: Every year since 1996 the town of Toukley in my electorate has hosted the popular Gathering of the Clans. It was originally an initiative of Wyong Shire Council as part of its celebration of Wyong Shire's 50-year jubilee but is now a festival of great renown that is proudly supported by the local businesses and community. During its 12-year history it has attracted pipe bands and clans from all over New South Wales. Greater Toukley Vision, with Shari Young as the coordinator, works tirelessly to ensure the weekend of festivities is a success and this year was no exception. Shari was able to publicise the event far and wide and as a result more than 8,000 people attended and were entertained by all the participants.

I was happy to be involved with this wonderful community event promoting Toukley and, for the second year in a row, I was asked to be the chieftain of the clans. I proudly wore the kilt—which is a good sight—given to me by the Toukley Pipe Band, of which I am also the patron. Like many Australians I can trace my heritage back to origins in Scotland. My family roots have been traced back to the Duncan clan—back to Duncan the 1st—which formed part of clan Donnchad. It is interesting to note the Duncan clan's motto is "Learn to Suffer". I am not sure how I should phrase my next comment—but, needless to say, I have days when that motto is profoundly significant.

The weekend of celebration began on Friday night at the Toukley RSL Club when the Premier Highland Dance Competition was held. I attended this event with my family and was pleasantly entertained by the different styles of dance and high level of technical ability. The Parade of the Tartans was held on the following Saturday morning and it delighted the residents and visitors to Toukley as it made its way from the Toukley CBD to the Harry Moore Oval. It was led by the visiting Lithgow Highland Pipe Band, with Ray Burgess as the Drum Major. The Lithgow Highland Pipe Band is a regular participant in the Gathering of the Clans and has been together since 1913 when it was formed by a group of Scottish, Welsh and Irish miners from the area. Members of the band currently range in age from 11 to 59. Last year they won a Lithgow Arts Council Award.

The Nutbush and the hokey-pokey are all-time favourites, and they really got the crowds going at the Saturday night ceilidh held at the Toukley RSL Club. No doubt my colleague the member for Bathurst at some time has kicked up his heels to the popular music of this band, as they have at least 30 engagements each year throughout the State. On that Saturday, a mass pipe band display opened the proceedings in the Harry Moore Oval. Seven pipe bands participated this year, and I had the difficult job of judging the best. The bands this year were the Lithgow Highland Band, Maitland City Pipe Band, Ingleburn RSL Club and Campbelltown Community Pipes and Drums, Hills District Pipe Band, St George Sutherland Pipe Band, and of course our own local Toukley RSL Pipes and Drums.

The winner was the McEwan Family Band, which included quite a few young members. They came from the adjoining electorate of my esteemed colleague the member for Swansea and certainly out-classed the competition, even though they had only been together and practising for 22 weeks. The feature of this band is that all its members are related, either by birth or marriage. The rest of the highly successful weekend was filled with live entertainment, medieval displays, craft stalls showcasing Scottish and local handicrafts as well as clan displays to help people trace their heritage. On Sunday there was a special Kirking of the Tartan service which was held at St David's Presbyterian Church at Toukley. The Minister ended the service with the traditional benediction and blessing of the tartan, and he also bestowed God's favour upon the Scottish people.

I take this opportunity to congratulate all the volunteers and organisations who worked with the board of Great Toukley Vision to make this year's Gathering of the Clans a wonderful success. The include people like Ken and Kathy Marvell, OAM, Toukley RSL Pipes and Drums, Toukley RSL Club, Wyong Shire Council, and the fabulous Mr Chris King, who compered the day. I make special mention of Tony Burgoine, who earlier this year passed away from having had cancer. A special ceremony was held in his honour on Saturday during the opening ceremony. Tony was a long time member of Toukley Pipes and Drums and of the organising committee for the gathering. He will be sorely missed. Events like the Gathering of the Clans help not only to unite the community but also to promote the Wyong electorate as a dynamic, vibrant place. Truly this is one of the great multicultural festivals held on the Central Coast.