Geelong Highland Gathering Association Inc.

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RN:
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 Geelong Highland Gathering Association Inc.

11894 853461
Yes
Victoria
Australia
President

 John M. Fraser
Secretary

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Telephone:
Address:

 Marene Turnley

The Secretary G.H.G.A.

(03) 5274 9193 (after hours)
P.O.Box 798 Geelong, Victoria 3220
Meetings

 Committee meetings are held each month
Place RSL Complex

Barwon Heads Road
BELMONT
2012 Highland Gathering
  • 2012 Gathering : The 55th continuous Geelong Highland Gathering in 2012 will include free to public entry for Solo Piping, Solo Drumming and a mini band competition on Saturday the 17th of March 2012. Sunday the 18th of March 2012 includes all the typical Gathering entertainment plus a large range of free childrens activities including jumping castle, petting zoo and childrens “heavy” games, a Highland Gathering Passport for obtaining stamps and signatures of competitors. A great family day out with free parking. ,
    Geelong Highland Gathering
    Association
Website: http://geelonghighlandgathering.org.au
Purpose: To bring Scottish Traditions and Culture to as many people as possible through a Highland Gathering with a wide variety of Scottish activities.
Short history: The Geelong Highland Gathering is part of a modern sequence started, over thirty years ago, in 1958.

The origins, however, are much older than that, going back to 1857.
The original Gathering Promoted by Commun na Feinne (established in 1856) was held on New Years Day at Kardina Park Oval, South Geelong and its badge included a Highlander in full regalia and an Aboriginal warrior, perhaps an early sign of reconciliation.
As is well known,there was a big population of Scots in Victoria in the middle part of the eighteen hundreds and the Gathering had all the usual sports as well as the Piping and Highland Dancing. All the best Competitors ,Pipers and Dancers came to Geelong which was a top event even a century ago.
The original Geelong Gatherings were held for over seventy years until the Depression of the 1930′s.
Today the Gathering is held at Queens Park, one of the nicest settings for a Gathering anywhere in Australia.
The decision to use Queens Park was made when the Gathering was revived in 1958 as part of the Centenary celebrations of the Newtown and Chilwell City Council.
The gathering is a colourful celebration of all things Scottish, with kilts and tartans everywhere, but people of all ethnic backgrounds have traditionally joined in the fun, which includes Highland and Scottish Country dancing, Scottish Heavy Games, including the popular caber-tossing, Scottish folk music and a fair and market.It is now one of the most popular and is part of the late summer Victorian Circuit of Highland Games. . The gathering in 2008 was granted Geelong Major Event status and funding to expand its activities by the City of Greater Geelong. It attracts more than 6000 people annually, many from elsewhere in Victoria as well as from other parts of Australia and overseas. As well as all the traditional Scottish attractions, the Gathering has grown to embrace archery, wood-chopping competitions, children’s activities, and a farmyard for small children and displays by a Scottish military re-enactment group, the 42nd Highlanders. Most activities continue throughout the day, so there is much to keep visitors interested. There are clan tents where people can check their Scottish genealogy and heritage. The Gathering is deliberately oriented toward families, with barbecue and picnic facilities available, novelty haggis hurling for all ages and access for disabled to most areas, depending on the weather. Further information can be obtained at www.geelonghighlandgathering.org.au
Established: 1958 Geelong, Victoria.
Affiliations:
  • Victorian Scottish Union
  • Pipe Bands Association