Caledonian Society of Otago

AUGUST 2016

Greetings to all Caledonian Society Members It seems hard to believe that five Months have elapsed since the publication of our last Newsletter in March. It is now time to update our members on all that the Caledonian Society has been involved in during the past five months.

Passing of Lin Rayner QSM 27.7.2016

It was with considerable sadness that the Caledonian Society learned of the death of our former Life Director and Patron Lin Rayner on Wednesday July 27^th at Yvette Williams Retirement Village. Lin joined the Caledonian Society at the time of the Second World War and at various times filled the Offices of President, Vice President. Secretary and Treasurer With his background in Athletics Administration Lin was a key organiser in many of the major Athletics Meetings and Highland Games organised by the Caledonian Society during the 1960s 70s and 80s. A special occasion for him was the 100^th Centennial Sports Meeting held at the Caledonian Ground on February 2^nd 1963 highlighted by the appearance of Commonwealth Games Steeplechase Gold Medallist Trevor Vincent and World Ranking Australian Distance Athlete Ron Clarke. In recent years Lin still maintained a keen interest in the affairs of the Caledonian Society and loved to hear and to read reports on anything the Society was involved in.

Lin will be sorely missed by the Caledonian Society for his great sense of humour and generous nature always being willing to provide assistance with any thing he felt would be to the Society’s long term benefit. The Caledonian Society expresses their sincere sympathy to Lin’s Family.

Kieran Columb with Lyn Rainor

Mid Year Function

The annual Caledonian Society Mid Year Function was held on Sunday July 10^th at the Mosgiel Station Function Centre Gladstone Road Mosgiel Forty four people enjoyed a lovely Carvery meal ideally suited to a Mid Winter Celebration.

Excellent entertainment was provided by Singer Mary Maynard accompanied by Pianist Francis Brodie, Highland Dancers McKenzie and Maddy accompanied by Official Piper Ray Goodfellow and Ian Seatter who delivered a forceful and insightful address to the Haggis. Ian also recited a special Scottish Poem written by Dunedin Burns Club Member Debbie Williams. All of these items were well received by everyone.

The day was considered to be a great success and something for everyone to look forward to next year. Special thanks to Wayne Allen for co-ordinating the days programme. Thanks also to all our entertainers and our other Guests Mr. Frank Brown President of the Scottish Heritage Council who delivered the Selkirk Grace and Dr. Royden Somerville QC President of the Dunedin Burns Club.

A final vote of thanks to our Patron Ron Cain QSM who provided the major Raffle Prize of a Bottle of Grant’s Whiskey and to Bev Allen for her excellent work in selling the Raffles on the day leading to a highly successful return

Piping and Dancing Championships

The Caledonian Society again provided Sponsorship for two Piping Events at the Queens Birthday Weekend Piping and Dancing Championships organised by the Otago Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand Inc. Caledonian Society President Kieran Columb represented the Society at the Championships and presented the Caledonian Society Trophies to the winning Pipers. While down in numbers the Piping was of a high standard and bodes well for a bright future for Piping and Dancing in Dunedin.

New Trophy Cabinet

The new Trophy Cabinet housing the various Cups and Trophies belonging to the Caledonian Society is now established in the Athletics Otago Rooms at the Caledonian Ground Logan Park Drive. This provides the Society with a sound and secure base to keep track of these valuable possessions a number of which have significant Historical Value. Thanks to Wayne Allen and Netty Lastovicka for their work in organising this important landmark addition for the Caledonian Society.

Annual General Meeting

The 154^th Annual General Meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago will be held on ThursdayAugust25th2016 in the Guthrie Pavilion of the Bayfield Park Sports Trust Building No2 Shore Street Dunedin. All members and supporters of the Caledonian Society are encouraged to attend. It is important for the Society to experience a good turnout at the AGM with discussion needed on some important upcoming matters.

Upcoming Events

The Caledonian Society will again provide demonstrations of traditional Scottish Events at a selected number of A and P Shows in Otago over the 2016-17 Summer period These events are important both for the Society and the public at large presenting them with an opportunity to participate in activities aligned to Otago’s rich Scottish Heritage. The first of these will be the 150^th South Otago A and P Show to be held in Balclutha on Saturday November 26^th. The problem facing the Caledonian Society is the lack of helpers to assist with the setting up process involved with these events. Unless more people can be recruited to help out with this essential work there is a real danger of the Caledonian Society being unable to commit themselves to participation in future A and P Shows. Hopefully this situation will improve before too long Helped by Volunteering Otago the Caledonian Society recently obtained a 10 minute spot on Otago Access Radio where the problems facing the Society were able to be aired. Access Radio have also provided the opportunity for Advertising on their Community Notice board On the subject of Highland Events the Society is currently investigating purchasing a smaller Caber and possibly some smaller Highland Stones to help encourage more Women to participate . Earlier in the Year a visiting Japanese Film Crew were at the North Ground filming Highland Events including a Caber Tossing Demonstration. Thanks to our Highland Events Principals Dave Crewe and Ian McDonald for their work in setting up the Demonstration.

New Members

The Caledonian Society extends a welcome to recent new members Todd and Sheila Wall from the Clan Gunn and Dr. Royden Somerville QC President of the Dunedin Burns Club. We hope your association with the Caledonian Society will be both enjoyable and rewarding.

Laughter Is STILL The Best Medicine

Art LinkLetter interviewing a ten year old on television asked what her first act would be if she were elected President of the United States. The youngster gazed at him in stunned horror for a split second then replied “Have the Voter’s heads examined”!

Before Thanksgiving a Minnesota First Grade Teacher asked her pupils to tell her what they had to be thankful for. “I am thankful said one small boy that I am not a Turkey”!

The Sunday School Teacher was horrified when she saw the picture one of her pupils had drawn. “Why it looks like a Cowboy walking into a Saloon”! she said. “It is” said the child. “But it’s all right He’s not going to drink anything “He’s just going in to shoot a man”.

Greetings to all members of the Caledonian Society of Otago on what has already proved a busy and hopefully profitable year for New Zealand’s oldest established Scottish Society. Over recent Months the Society has been an active supporter of both sporting and cultural events keeping intact the basic principles on which the Caledonian Society was originally established.

Otago District A and P Shows The Caledonian Society provided demonstrations of traditional Scottish Events at three A and P Shows held recently throughout the province. On November 28^th 2015 Society Directors travelled to Balclutha for the South Otago A and P Show. On January 23^rd the annual Otago Taieri A and P Show was held at Mosgiel while on February 6^th Palmerston provided the venue for the Palmerston Waihemo District Show. The Caledonian Society presented people with the opportunity to involve themselves in the time honoured Scottish activities of Caber Tossing,Tossing The Sheave,Carrying The Stones and Carrying the Heavy Weights. There were plenty of competitors willing to try their hand at the events on offer particularly for the Taieri Show where everyone was kept busy throughout the day. The Otago Taieri A and P Show also served as an unofficial Otago Championship with Cups presented to the various winners on the day. It was pleasing to receive such positive crowd reaction at all three venues making the amount of work involved all worthwhile. Special thanks to Ian McDonald and Dave Crewe for transporting and organising all the equipment needed to make these demonstrations happen. The Caledonian Society Trailer has really come into its own for these occasions.

Tossing The Sheave Contest at the Otago Taieri A and P Show

Queenstown Rural Festival Caledonian Society President Kieran Columb attended the second staging of the Queenstown Rural Festival held on Saturday February 6^th the same day as the Palmerston Waihemo Show. Kieran was involved in presenting the prizes for the Strongest Man Competition featuring three New Zealanders and three Australians The individual strongest man title was won by Reuben De Jong of New Zealand with Australia taking out the teams title. .Kieran reported that the Games were very successful with excellent crowds. .In2017 the Rural Games will shift to Palmerston North. The Caledonian Society also received welcome publicity by providing the 5m long 33kg Douglas Fir Caber required for the Queenstown Event. A photograph of Caledonian Society Director Ian McDonald lifting the Caber appeared on the Front Page of the Otago Daily Times Edition of January 15^th.

Caledonian Society President Kieran Columb with Adam Eketone at theOtago Taieri A and P Show Adam recorded fastest time in the Carrying of the Stones competition sponsored by Warehouse Stationery.

Robbie Rocks Competition The Caledonian Society was a Co- Sponsor of the Youth Section of the Robbie Rocks Talent Competition held in the Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum on January 25^th Robbie Burn’s Birthday. The Society was represented by Life Director Jack McLeod who described the Evening as extremely well organised with the prize giving ceremonies carried out in a most professional manner. It is a pleasure for the Caledonian Society to continue their support for events highlighting Dunedin’s long standing Scottish Heritage.

New Zealand Masters Track and Field Championships The Caledonian Society sponsored two events The Men Weight Throw and The Men Weight Pentathlon at the New Zealand Masters Track and Field Championships appropriately held at the Caledonian Ground Dunedin over the weekend of February 26^th to 28^th. The Championships were blessed with glorious weather leading to three days of exciting fun filled competition. The Caledonian Society Events were held on the Saturday and Sunday Morning of the Championships with a final combined total of 45 entries including a very strong North Island Representation. There was a great deal of positive feedback regarding the Championships for the excellent facilities and the helpfulness of all the Otago Officials.

Allan Halberg of Otago preparing for the Men 30-64 Hammer Throw one of the Weight Pentathlon Events sponsored by the Caledonian Society at the New Zealand Masters Track and Field Championships.

Papatowai Challenge On the same weekend as the Track and Field Championships the annual Papatowai Challenge Run/Walk was held in the Catlins area. The Papatowai event has been organised by Caledonian Society Past President and Life Director Wayne Allen since 1997 when 30 Runners took part. Walkers were included in 1999 and numbers have now grown to well over 300 on average every year. All funds are generated towards implementing projects in the Catlins Community.

Educational Grant At the Caledonian Society Directors Meeting held on February 25^th an Educational Grant of $500 was awarded to Amy Little Grand-Daughter of Caledonian Society Life Director Netty Lastovicka. This Grant is awarded annually to a suitable applicant to help provide assistance towards their chosen profession. This Grant complies with two of the main objects of the Caledonian Society the promotion of Education and also Customs and Accomplishments. Amy presented a professional CV outlining her numerous achievements and her determination to pursue a full time career in the Hospitality Industry. The Caledonian Society Directors wish Amy all the best in fulfilling her various goals.

Otago Scottish Heritage Council The future operation of the Otago Scottish Heritage Council the parent body of Dunedin Scottish organisations is somewhat clouded at present due to the lack of available personnel to take on important roles notably President and Secretary within the Council. Monthly Meetings have been suspended until the AGM in September when the future of the OSHC will be decided. The Caledonian Society has been part of the OSHC since its inception in 1925 and views the current situation of the Council with a considerable degree of concern.

Roberts Cup Presentation The Caledonian Society Roberts Cup awarded annually to the winners of the Boys and Girls Senior High Jump at the Otago Secondary Schools Athletics Championships were presented on Saturday March 12^th by Caledonian Society Life Directors Netty Lastovicka and John Stinson. First presented in 1937 to the Senior High Jump Otago Championship Winners the Roberts Cup spent a long period “In the Wilderness” before being reinstated as an Otago Secondary Schools Championship Trophy. The winner of the Senior Girls title was Adriana Mawhinney of Dunstan High School who won the title for the second consecutive year with a record jump of 1.65m. Adriana is coached by Auckland Commonwealth Games High Jump Gold Medallist Tania Murray. The Senior Boys Title was won by Daniel Rogers-Bromley from Bayfield High School on a count back from Matt Cramond of Taieri College both boys recording a best height of 1.76m.

Mid Year Event Function The Mid Year Function will be held for the second time at the Mosgiel Station Function Centre in Factory Road. The Date for the Function will be finalised at the Caledonian Society Directors Meeting on March 31^st.

Clan McNicol 30 Year Luncheon Jack Mcleod ,and Wayne Allen along with John and Moireen Stinson were among those who attended the Clan McNicol 30 Year Celebration Luncheon held at the Masonic Lodge Manor Place on Sunday March 13^th. This was a most enjoyable function highlighted by a lovely two course lunch and some excellent entertainment. It was a nice opportunity to catch up with fellow members of Dunedin’s Scottish Community.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

On my introduction to the Los Angeles freeways the overwhelming number of cars travelling close together at high speed gave me the jitters. When my California friend pulled into a filling station to gas up I had hopes that at least one hazard would be eliminated-the coat of grime on the windshield. However as the attendant approached sponge in hand my friend shouted “Don’t touch it!” Taken aback the attendant looked quizzically at him. “I can’t stand to see them coming at me” my friend explained.

There are so many Western Shows running on Television now that according to Bob Hope you can switch from channel to channel without interfering with the action. “The other night” he says “I saw a Cowboy dismount on channel 3,fire a shot on channel 5,drill a man on channel 6,jump on a horse on channel 8 and ride away on channel 9. By the time I got to channel 2 he was standing up in the Audience on the Ed Sullivan Show and taking a bow.”

Since the publication of our last Newsletter in March the Caledonian Society has been involved in events both celebrating the Society’s History and also in providing traditional Scottish Fun and Entertainment.

Ceremony For Caledonian Society Stone Chair

On Friday June 26^th Caledonian Society Directors along with Patron Ron Cain QSM were hosted by the Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum to a MorningTeaCeremony marking the official transfer of the Caledonian Society Stone Chair (Kings Seat) to the Settlers Museum. The Chair was carved by Oamaru Stone Mason James Robertson to commemorate the visit to Dunedin in June 1901 of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall later King GeorgeV and Queen Mary.

The Stone Chair has resided at the Settlers Museum since 1998 and was prominently displayed at the Dunedinburgh Exhibition organised by the Museum in early 2014. The date of the transfer ceremony was hugely appropriate marking 114 years to the Day when the Stone Chair was first on public display at the old Caledonian Ground South Dunedin. The Caledonian Society would like to express their appreciation to the Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum particularly Director Jennifer Evans and Kirsten Glengarry for arranging everything so well for the ceremony including media coverage and also the lovely Morning Tea. A photo and report of the ceremony appeared in the Otago Daily Times of Wednesday July 1 while a report on the ceremony was also presented by Radio New Zealand.

Mid Year Event Function

The 2015 Caledonian Society Mid Year Function was held on Sunday July 26^th at the Mosgiel Station Function Centre Gladstone Road Mosgiel. A total of 46 attended. The Function proved highly successful with the Hotel providing everyone with a wonderful carvery meal including a great variety of desserts. Our two young Highland Dancers Penny and Aleisha and Soprano Singer Sarah Oliver accompanied by Pianist Francis Brodie provided wonderful entertainment throughout the Afternoon. Guest Speaker Anna Clere the Manager of Volunteer Otago gave an interesting talk on the important roles filled by Volunteers and the opportunities available to become a Volunteer in the Otago Community. Anna also provided us with an insight into her own background and her current role with Volunteer Otago.

Thanks to our Official Piper Ray Goodfellow and Haggis Ceremony Co-Ordinator Hugh Marshall for their stirling contributions to a most enjoyable occasion.

Annual General Meeting

The 153^rd Annual General Meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago was held on Thursday August 27^thin the Guthrie Pavilion of the Bayfield Sports Trust Building 2 Shore Street Dunedin.

In his Annual Report President Kieran Columb outlined the achievements of the Caledonian Society during the preceding 12 Months. The President highlighted the Caledonian Society providing demonstrations at the Southern District and Otago Taieri A and P Shows with the Society being warmly received at both venues by the respective Committees and Participants.

In his concluding remarks the President spoke of the challenges facing the Society in recruiting new members particularly in the younger age groups The Caledonian Society needs these potential members to assist with running our Highland Games Events and to promote the Society by the latest online social networking services. Communication in Society today is is especially important.

To this end the Caledonian Society has recently joined up as a Friend of Vulunteering Otago The hope is that having regular contact with this organisation will help the Society in attracting new members and lift our profile in the Otago Community.

Scottish Community Updates

The “Totally Tartan” Day scheduled to be held in the Octagon on Saturday November 28^th has been cancelled. For the Caledonian Society this solves the dilemma of a potential date clash with the South Otago A and PShow however thecancellation provides bad news for the Dunedin Scottish Community. The cancellation has been brought about by the failure of all groups to present a combined front on the format of “Totally Tartan” resulting in no funding being provided from the DCC Community Grants Council. This unfortunate state of affairs needs to be rectified before any future progress can be made on combined Scottish Events. The Annual General Meeting of the Otago Scottish Heritage Council will be held in the Meeting Room of the Hocken Library onTuesday October 6that 7PM. A good attendance would be welcomed with some important issues to be discussed.

Paape Cup Children’s Athletics Day

On Sunday November 22^nd the Caledonian Society will be co-organising the Paape Cup Children’s Athletics Meeting along with the Athletics Otago Children’s Section The Caledonian Society will be running the gate and also providing Morning and Afternoon Tea for Officials. The Society will also present the Paape Cup to the winning Club at the end of the competition. Arthur Albert Paape was a former President and Life Director of the Caledonian Society who spent the majority of his working life in the Hotel Industry. He lent his support to a number of Otago Sporting Bodies and was a passionate follower of Harriers and Athletics.

Laughter is the best Medicine

The Sun-Baked Cowboy swaggered into the Saloon and through parched lips asked the bartender to give hisHorse a bucket of his best Whiskey. “And what’ll you have Stranger?” asked the bartender. “Nothin’ replied the dusty Cowboy “I’m Drivin’

An English Girl appearing on the Groucho Marx Programmesaid that she’d seen her Sister and Brother In Law “Snugging” in a Movie Theatre. “What is Snugging”? Groucho asked “Well the Girl replied when you do it I suppose you call it Necking”.”When I do it,” Groucho said I call it Reminiscing”.

Groucho Marx stated he once had a Nurse who was so conceited that when she took his pulse she subtracted ten points for her personality

March 2015

Greetings to all members and supporters of the Caledonian Society of Otago The 2014-15 Summer has proved a busy one for the Caledonian Society and this trend seems set to continue in the Months ahead.

Directors Christmas Function Was held once again at Robbies Bar and Bistro King Edward Street on Sunday Evening December 14^th. The Hotel provided us with a lovely buffet meal and everyone enjoyed an Evening of good company and entertainment. It was good to have Life Director and former Patron Lin Rayner with us for the Evening and finding him in such good form. Lin now a resident of Yvette Williams Retirement Village celebrated his 90^th Birthday in October 2014.Thanks to Wayne Allen who oversaw all the organisational details for the Christmas Function.

A and P Shows The Society has continued presenting displays of traditional Scottish Events at the Summer A and P Shows operating in the Otago area. These Shows provide opportunities to promote the Caledonian Society among local communities and encourage participation in a variety of disciplines ranging from Caber and Sheave Tossing to Carrying the Stones and the Dead Weight competition. The South Otago Show held at Milton on November 28^th proved particularly successful with an ideal set up position and excellent numbers of participants. On January 24 the Society was on hand at the Taieri A and P Show promoted as the inaugural Otago Scottish Events Championship. Trophies were presented to contestants who accumulated most points over the four events both Male and Female. Certificates were also presented to the first three competitors in each event IE Caber Toss Tossing the Sheave Farmers Walk and Carrying the Stones.

Queenstown Rural Festival On Saturday February 7^tth Caledonian Society Directors and Partners were in Queenstown assisting with the New Zealand Heavy Weight Championship held during the staging of the inaugural Queenstown Rural Festival.. Those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working alongside the Hororata Highland Games Committee and gaining first hand knowledge of the strength and skill demonstrated by top competitors from New Zealand and Australia. Special thanks to Ian McDonald and Dave Crewe for their combined work in organising our accommodation and transporting all the necessary equipment to Queenstown. The Caledonian Society Trailer purchased last year has proven to be a great asset over the Summer Months. In light of the contacts established at Queenstown the Caledonian Society has received a verbal invitation to attend the Hororata Highland Games to be held in November 2015.

New Caledonian Society Website The Caledonian Society has recently installed a new website www.otagocaledoniansociety@blogtown.co.nz Visitors to the site will find full background details and contact details as well as updates on recent events involving the Caledonian Society along with photographs. The site has been organised by Ian McDonald and the Society Directors are appreciative of his efforts to get this up and running Ian is happy to receive contributions for the website at email ianavis@clear.net.nz

Update on the Stone Chair On Friday June 26^th a Morning Tea Ceremony will be held at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum to mark the official handover of the Caledonian Society Stone Chair to the Settlers Museum. The date will be 114 years to the day when the Stone Chair was first seen on public display in 1901 to commemorate the visit to Dunedin of Prince George and Princess May Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York later King GeorgeV and Queen Mary. The Chair is now positioned outside the entrance to the Education Room at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. A Summary of the Stone Chair History along with a Photograph of the Caledonian Society Directors taken in May 2014 can be viewed alongside.

Mid Year Event Function The Annual Mid Year Event Function will be held in either late June or early July with the confirmed date to be set at the end of this Month. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day along with a Guest Speaker. Further details will be provided as soon as they become available.

Event Sponsorships The Caledonian Society continues to support a number of organised events in the Otago Community both Sporting and Cultural. Last November the Society Sponsored the Heavy Weights Competition at the South Island Masters Track and Field Championships held at the Caledonian Ground. On January 25^th the Caledonian Society Sponsored the Secondary Schools Section of the Robbie Rocks competition held during the Annual Burns Club Dinner at the Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum. Caledonian Society Life Director Jack McLeod was on hand to present the winners prize.

LAUGHTER- The Best Medicine

A Woman on a Train describing her holiday to a man in the next seat mentioned that she had visited San Jose. “You pronounce that wrongly” said the man. “It’s San Ho-Say. In California all the J’s are pronounced as H’s”. Dismissing the point he asked “When were you there?” The Woman thought a moment then answered “In Hune and Huly”.

“We’ll have to fight like hell Men” said the C.O. in Korea “We’re outnumbered four to one”A Hillbilly Soldier who had listened carefully was among the first to get into the fight. Later however the Commanding Officer found him lolling comfortably against a tree Up front the rifles cracked and the men were still battling furiously. “What’s the idea Terwilliger?” barked the Officer “Why aren’t you fighting?” “Ah got mah four” replied Terwilliger.

Willie Johnson a beaten down little man was arraigned in a Texas Court on a felony charge. The Clerk solemnly intoned “The State of Texas versus Willie Johnson!” Before he could read further Willie interrupted and solemnly declared “Lawd! What a majority!”

Greetings to all Members and Supporters of the Caledonian Society of Otago New Zealand’s oldest Scottish organisation on the publication of our latest Newsletter. This year has proved to be a busy and productive one for the Caledonian Society with a number of events still on the agenda for the Months ahead.

Promotional Day On Sunday May 11^th the Caledonian Society Directors along with Patron Ron Cain were involved in a promotional filming session at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum Dunedinburgh Exhibition. The filming took place around the Caledonian Society Stone Chair or Kings Seat carved by Scottish Stonemason James Robertson from a block of Waikawa Bluestone to commemorate the visit to Dunedin in 1901 of Prince George and Princess May the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall later King George V and Queen Mary. The filming was arranged as a great promotional opportunity for the Society to recreate the original photograph taken in 1909 of the Caledonian Society Directors surrounding the Stone Chair. The session was great fun to be involved in and was highlighted in the Dunedin Channel 9 Local News Bulletin the following Evening. The Caledonian Society would like to thank the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum Staff for their help in arranging the filming promotion especially Kirsten Glengarry and newly appointed Director Jennifer Evans who made it all happen for us. The highly successful Dunedinburgh Exhibition concluded on July 13.

Passing of Pat Sidon The Caledonian Society suffered a further loss in April this year with the passing of long serving Member and Director Pat Sidon. One of Otagos finest ever Distance Athletes Pat was a great supporter and advocate of the Caledonian Society and in recent years still made every attempt to involve himself in the affairs of the Society despite on going ill health. Pats loss was of special significance to the Society coming soon after the demise of Fellow Director Don Gordon in October 2013.

New Secondary Schools Athletics Trophy The Caledonian Society in keeping with their lifelong Support of the Sport of Athletics have instigated a new Cup for the Winner of the Otago Secondary Schools Female High Jump. The inaugural winner of the Cup was Georgia Johnstone of Cromwell College. Georgia received a miniature version of the new Cup with the Major Cup being retained in Dunedin for display purposes..

Otago Piping and Dancing Championships TheAnnual Queens Birthday Piping and dancing Championships conducted by the Otago Centre of the Royal New Zealand Piping and Dancing Association were held in Dunedin on the Weekend of May 31^st June 1^st. Caledonian Society President kieran Columb along with his Wife Kaye attended the Championships on the Sunday Afternoon where he presented the prizes to the C Grade Highland Dancing Competition Winners. Kieran and Kaye were impressed with the numbers of competitors in all grades and the huge amount of organisation carried out by the Piping and Dancing Executive Committee to ensure such a long programme was successfully completed.

Successful Grant Application The Caledonian Society were one of the successful recipients in the latest round of Grant Applications from the Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation. The Society received a Grant of $1,000 which will be used for installing signage on our newly purchased Trailer.

Mid Year Event Dinner On Sunday July 27^th the Caledonian Society hosted their Mid Year Event Dinner at the Otago Bridge Club in Otaki Street. Fifty Three People attended what was judged to be a most enjoyable occasion for everyone. Guest Speaker Jennifer Evans the newly appointed Director of the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum gave a most interesting talk on her strong Scottish Background and an outline of the History of the Paisley Tartan. Soporano Singer Sarah Oliver provided some beautiful versions of traditional Scottish Songs accompanied by Pianist Frances Brodie. Thanks also to Hugh Marshall for his full spirited rendition of the Address to the Haggis and his Son Scott who filled the role of Official Piper despite having just returned from Overseas. We also enjoyed Highland Dancing provide by Ashley Simpson and Larissa Mckecnie. The Society has since received

favourable feedback regarding the Mid Year Event.

South Pacific Rim Scottish Festival The Caledonian Society will be among those groups participating in the Lower Octagon on Sunday August 31^stmarking the opening of the South Pacific Rim Festival organised by the Dunedin Burns Club. This will be the first occasion this important festival has been held in New Zealand. The programme starts at 2 PM and the Caledonian Society will be providing a demonstration of Traditional Scottish Events including Caber Toss Carrying The Stones and Carrying the Heavy Weights.

AGM The 152nd Annual General Meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago was held in the Guthrie Pavilion of the Bayfield Sports Trust Building on Thursday July 31^st. A small attendance was on hand to hear how the Caledonian Society has progressed over the 2013-14 Year. In his Report President Kieran Columb spoke of a progressive year for the Caledonian Society citing the example of the trips made to a number of A and P Shows in the OtagoArea demonstrating popular aspects of a traditional Highland Games. The Society was well received and welcomed by Committees and Participants in all venues. The President emphasised that the Society must continue to look at ways of encouraging new membership and essentially recruit new Directors to assist and promote the Scottish Events we run. Principal Office Bearers remain the same President K.Columb,Secretary J.Stinson and Treasurer Mrs.R.Rowley continuing in their respective roles.

African Travels Caledonian Society Directors Morgan Hewland and Netty Lastovicka have recently returned from extensive travels in Botswana Zimbabwe and Cape Town where their trip included visiting a number of game parks and reserves viewing an extensive variety of Animals particularly Elephant in their natural environment. From all accounts they had a fantastic time with wonderful hospitality provided throughout their trip and have enjoyed sharing their experiences with family and friends on their return. You have certainly whetted my appetite for a future trip Morgan and Netty.