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The Lowry's Visit
Ron & Kate Lowry, members of the UK branch,
travelled to
Australia and New Zealand a few years ago. Ostensibly they were visiting family. In fact, they
also met up with a number of Clan Society members from both countries. Judging
by Ron's accounts, they had a great time...
"While we were on holiday in Sydney with our family, we were
invited by both the Australian and New Zealand Chiefs' Lieutenants to join them
in Clan Matheson activities in Auckland and Melbourne. It was too good an
opportunity to miss and we were able to meet them and to renew many old
friendships, as well as creating new ones. The welcome we received was most
heart-warming and we felt very privileged to be with them."
"The first meeting was a fairly formal tea party at the home
of Doug and Anne in Howick, near Auckland, where about 20 Mathesons met us for a
good chat and a mountain of food prepared by Doug and Anne, with help from their
daughter, Diane. The chairman, Donald Matheson, and secretary, Ailsa, were both
there too, as well as other committee members of the New Zealand society. We
were delighted and embarrassed to be presented with a book of New Zealand
photos, signed by all those present, with (of course) Lake Matheson prominent.
As Donald Scott, the clan genealogist, and his wife, Rae, couldn't join us that
day, we were taken to meet them near their home and had a very enjoyable
conversation over tea."
"Our welcome in Australia was equally warm and we enjoyed
the hospitality of Colin and Mary in their home in Canberra before driving down
to Melbourne for the weekend of the Clan picnic, an annual event. About 36
Mathesons met in one of their beautiful parks for a bring-your-own picnic under
some magnificent trees. Colin and Mary, Colin's mother, Lady Audrey Matheson,
Kate and I were duly piped to the meeting by Pipe Major Warren Matheson. The
event doubled as a committee meeting, and again we were welcomed
most warmly into their discussions."
"Apart from the usual domestic issues (membership, events and such like) Colin raised the possibility of hosting a
Gathering in Australia, with the New Zealand society as joint hosts. The idea
would be to hold events both in say, Melbourne, where the majority of the
Australian branch seem to live, and in Auckland. He felt that the agreement of
those present was necessary before suggestions could be put to the Chief,
because a lot of the organisation would fall on Australian branch members. He
knew that Doug Matheson in New Zealand was also keen and would support the
endeavour. The proposal was to hold the Gathering in their autumn i.e. April or
May, in a year to be agreed."
"The Australian and New Zealand branches have active
programmes of events and despite the long distances involved (especially in
Australia), their members support events really well. Their newsletters are
issued several times a year and contain a lot of information."
Further Information
To view the photos from Ron & Kate's
visit click here.
Since this article was written, an Australian & New Zealand
gathering took place in the local autumn of 2008. To view the pictures from that event
click here.
For contact details and a website link
to the Australian branch of the Society,
please
click here.
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