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EVENTS
Glen Innes Celtic Festival - April 29th to May 2nd 2010 The Year of the Manx There was a lot of activity from the Queensland Manx Society before and during this annual Celtic festival as it was the Year of the Manx. It was an opportunity to let the world know there is more to the Isle of Man than Manx cats and the three-legged symbol. Many people were involved in the organisation of this Festival which has become a great gathering place for Celtic groups from throughout Australia and overseas. We trust their efforts have been duly recognised elsewhere. We would like to acknowledge the efforts of our own QMS people for all they have done to contribute to the success of the Festival. We were sorry that our Secretary, Trevor, could not make it to Glen Innes after all his hard work. We wish him a speedy recovery from his illness. Some of our Queensland members elected to drive down to Glen Innes before the official opening at 3.00 pm on Friday 30th April so that they could join in the many activities in and around Glen Innes. These included the Deputy Mayor’s luncheon at the Land of the Beardies House which was attended by President Val. Val also sang the Manx and Australian National Anthems at the Opening Ceremony outside the Glen Innes Town Hall. Some of us, who were also members of the Celtic Connection, sang at a Manx Concert in the evening at the same venue. The Celtic Connection, a Brisbane Community Choir, had been invited to sing, together with national and international artists, at Glen Innes during the Festival. The choir also performed to an appreciative audience at the Australian Standing Stones on Saturday and Sunday and at the Triquetra Awards Dinner on Saturday evening. They had a good repertoire of Manx songs that contributed to the Manx cultural focus of the weekend and even braved the cold weather and dim light to sing a couple of Manx hymns at the Dawn Service on Saturday morning. The Queensland Manx Society members, wearing their smart blue Manx sweaters, marched at the Festival Parade on Saturday morning which finished with the Manx Flag-raising Ceremony in Grey Street. The QMS joined the NSW Manx Society for the Dawn Service on Tynwald Hill at the Standing Stones where President Val gave a short speech and Tony recited the Lord’s Prayer in Manx Gaelic. As usual, the Queensland Manx Society and the NSW Manx Society met for dinner on Sunday evening and the Queenslanders also had the opportunity to meet special guests, the Earl and Countess of Dunmore, at a joint dinner on Friday evening before the Manx Concert. John Corlett gave entertaining talks on the Manx TT on Saturday and Sunday in the Workshop Tent but couldn’t show his exciting videos of the latest races on the Isle of Man because of the sunlight streaming into the fairly basic tent/shelter used as a crude venue. Similarly, Tony Ashworth’s slide presentations on Manx Heritage were abandoned in favour of an interactive chat with verbal descriptions of the various slides. Despite these setbacks, some awareness was created of what the Isle of Man is currently famous for and people left with a better understanding of the Isle of Man’s history and heritage. (See the Photo Gallery for pics)
Lunch - March 27th 2010 This was the second members’ meeting for the year and we had 25 people present. President Val welcomed us all and gave a special welcome to Joy and Colin Trethway from the Cornish Society, Valma, a friend of Norma Conwell and Barbara Poole, Secretary of the Celtic Connection Choir. It was also wonderful to see a few members who have been absent for some time, back among us. We sang the National Anthems, accompanied on the piano by Barbara Poole from the Celtic Connection Choir, who was standing in for both Vic Riddel and June Caine, both sadly absent. I think that is the first time in the History of the Manx Society [that I can remember anyway] that we have not had a pianist at our meetings. A special thanks goes out to Barbara for generously giving of her time to help us out. Secretary Trevor read the apologies from Ten members unable to attend. Norma Conwell showed us wonderful photos of her visit to the Isle of Man late last year. We were thankful to Tony Ashworth who provided the projector and screen so we could all view the photos so well. Tony Ashworth said grace in Manx and English before we visited the buffet to enjoy a wonderful lunch. After Lunch Trevor showed photos of his Shimmin family with some wonderful old photos which were taken in 1855 and 1875. They included photos which taken of both his Grandfathers, one of his Grandfather and Grandmother on their wedding day, then later with their first two children. The photos followed the trail up to recent times with his daughter’s wedding. Not only were they photographic memories of Trevor’s family, they were of interest just to see the fashions of the day and the result of many years of painstaking work which I am sure his grandchildren will appreciate in the future.
Christmas Lunch - 5th December 2009 Forty members and friends attended our Christmas party and final meeting of the year. We were well looked after by the Chifley Restaurant staff who set us up in three rows of tables, angled so every one could see, and each loaded with Christmas decorations. President Val welcomed everyone and led us in singing the Australian and Manx National Anthems. Secretary Trevor read the apologies, several of which were from members who were recovering from various medical issues. We wish them a speedy recovery and hope to see them in 2010. As last year’s Big Raffle was so successful, we decided to hold another. George Cowin reported that this year’s Raffle will be a painting of a Manx beach scene by Al George, three novels signed by Queensland Manx members and a glass vase etched with the Manx three legs emblem. The Raffle will be drawn at our Tynwald Day meeting on 3rd July. Tickets are being prepared and will be ready for distribution in the New Year. Dawn Barrie entertained us with her wonderful voice by singing some Australian Christmas Carols. Her husband John read excerpts from one of his collection of old books, the autobiography of early Brisbane pioneer, Tom Petrie, who was very involved with the life and culture of local aboriginal tribes. The book described a Bunya Feast which Tom Petrie was privileged to witness. After a delicious lunch, Dawn Barrie sang more carols and John read an amusing poem entitled ‘Thanks’. Following this, we all sang Christmas Carols and Happy Birthday to those whose birthdays were in December or January. A happy figure in a Santa suit distributed the gifts which members had earlier placed on a table. The meeting closed with the singing of Ellan Vannin. Thanks go to our accompanist, Vic Riddle, the delightful entertainment from Dawn & John Barrie and President Val who planned the programme.
Meeting Dates 2010
Picnics
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