Clan MacLennan Association-Grafton BranchFirst br:ancfr in the world outside Scotland

Clan Maclennan

Presidents Report

Our Graffon Branclr had a pleasant Christrnas Party on the mightyClarence River. Those of us, wlto had the opportunity of attending theRiver Cruise, enjoyd the run to Ulmarra and backto Grafton.

During the first half of the last century the Clarence River wasthe lihblood of the upper and lovrer seciions of the valley. All forms ofproduce namely com, potatoes, livestock, milk and cream rrrere alldelivered to factories and depds to be processed for wholesale andtrade. Livestod< vrrcnt to Sydney, as did other produce. ln faci the lastuater and ocean transport to the Sydney markets was in 19*1. Theirade nas canied out from the North Coast Stearnship wftarves atGraffon.

On the ge March Leon Mclennan late of Tyringham wasburied at the Nymboida Cometary. I travelled along with rny cousin lanMcLennan to attend his servbe, lan being our Clan piper, piped at hisgraveside. Leon was a legend and hard'.wrking famity man who lovedhis fannrly and envircnment. He will be sadly nnis*d and we o'ffer eurdeepesd sympathy to his family. Sad[ Leon's wife Janet predeceasedhim by only a fewtreeks-

I had the pleasure of attending and volunteering d lhe EasterHighland Gatherings in Maclean as I usually do year by year. Thisyelr a pipe band tuom Perth entercd in the 3* Grade Pipe contest.They rron the Dnass section. Their kilt was the modem ClanMclennan Tarian, which th€y urore with Bristol Green Jackets, u.lftictt

looked very smart. I made rnyself knosn to the Pipe Major AndewMcConnack. He and his fellcw bandsmen knew of the MadeanGathering's history and were keen lo come over and participde' Theynere trcated with the best of hospitalfu and assued rne they wouldretum-

Lewis McLennan of Perth formed the band in 194O. PiPe

Major McCormack told nre he was taught to pipe by Lanvis Mclennanhimself. He was highly regarded as a piper and leacher, he$ce theMcLennan tartan for the band- I believe the Melboume Pipe Band alsorrears the same tartan.

The Gathering $/as a great day out for all. Horever at 3p.mtfre grounds were hit by a savage electrical storm, no damage wasi*rcuned fortunately. The Blmktown Pipe Band holever had to endure

the effec,t of the heavy rain as thay gallanl$ piped through the

dormpour. As their sedion finished the rain subsided and athunderrous and appreciative public endorsed their gratitude for thebands bravery to sustain their musical ability during suchcircumstances.

Our Vie President Enol Nstion in not feeling the best inhealth and we hope and pray his condition is on the mend. I also wishall famity members and ffiends lhe very best in health"

Our treasurer and longest serving member Thora andhusband Melcolm Mcleod have sold their properties at Brushgrove-They will move to South Grafion to take up a new residence, tre wish

the allthe bestYours Malcolm

MAY 2OO5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Page 2Secretary's RetrmrtComing Event

Page 3A Nasty YoyageSchool at Nymboida

Page 4JokesBirthsFlowers of the Field

Page 5Recftrc of LifeA Nice Way to Live

Page 6Clan Members do usProud

Page 7Christmas CruisePhotos

Page 8Nextmeeting

Clan Maclennan Association Grafton Branch Newsletter M;ay 20051.

SECRETARY'S LETTER 98 Eatonsville RoadVia Grafron 2460

Dear ClansfolkHere at Grafton we are enjoying lovely autumn weather and have had good rainsince Christmas.Our Clan Christmas party, a cruise on the Clarence River, was enjoyed by forS-twomembers and friends. The cruise started with a barbeque lunch inen nter tea andcoffee with homemade cakes and slices. Through the afternoon there was lots oflucky ticket prizes and the lucky boat prize, which was vyon by Elaine Campbell. ltyas a lovely afternoon on the river with a nice breeze off the water. Visitors camefom the Maclean area, Coffs harbour and Woolgoolga.The Standing Stones Festival is on at Glen lnnel th6 first weekend of May and somemembers are planning to attend.Eric and I have just had a trip to Newcastle to visit our daughter Kris and husbandTerry who are getting a move to Coffs Harbour where Terry is working. Kris took usto visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, which are well worth a uisit if you aie in that area.we also visited rrevor Mclennan who is not enjoying good health.We were all saddened to hear of the death or teon ilrlitennan and send our deepestsympathy to his family who only recenfly lost their mother Janet.The Clan General Meeting was held on tne 5h March and for our next function DollBrowne has kindly invited members and friend to a barbeque dinner and sleepover ather home at Minnie Waters.I wish to thank those members who have written and sent information. lt is atwaysappreciated.All send their best wishes to Enol Newton who has heen unwell. To all those nctenjoying good health we wish you a speedy recovery.lf you need a'reminder when our meetings are due jlst let me know and I will put youon my list.

Kind Regards Melba

COMING EVENT

Members and friends are invited to a barbeque dinner andsleep over at Doll Brownes residence at Minnie waters onSATURDAY, 21st MAY 2005.Bring your own food and sleeping gear.lf you cannot stay over then come for the afternoon and Doll willhave the kettle on for a cuppa.Looking forward to seeing you there.

clan Maclenrum Association Grafton Branch Newsletter May 20052.

A Nasty Sea Voyage for Clan Members

Shirley and Tom Buckley took a ten-night cruise on the Pacific Star for their 20ftwedding anniversary last year. Shirley had a bad fall and split her elbow. She sawthe ships Doctor who did not as much as clean the wound.Before leaving the ship she was unable to walk and her feet, legs and arms wereswollen and had to be disembarked in a wheel chair and taken stra-ignt to hospital.Shirley was diagnosed with a Staph infection and could have died. She was inhospital for three weeks and has now recovered.

Clan Maclennan Association Grafton Branch Newsletter May 20053.

School at Nymboida Kaye Webster

I remember your name Melba at school as well as another Melba I went to schoolwith at Grafton.....l wonderwhere she is now.Our teacher during the Second World War was Mr Baker who was very dedicated.He persisted with tables and spelling until he was sure everyone knew them.Later on I made good use of my primary school maths, when I worked at a bank inSouth Grafton- I felt l^had a good grip on spelling and was very competitive with myoousin Monte (Joan) Simpson who was also a very good speilei. Today we are spoiltwith computers etc.Many children with the name Mclennan were pupils at Nymboida. Five in the onefamily who were all there at the same time were Athol. Loh, Thora, Sandra andKevin. They lvere always neatly dressed and had a long distance to travel to school,Another family of Mclennan's at the one time were Valmai, Lonaine, Eunice andcousin Kevin. There were other Mclennan children as well.Most of us walked the dusty roads or rode horses. My late younger sister Jan and Irowed a boat across the Nymboida River from the time I was-eight-years old.We were taught Scottish poems and songs, which I loved nut OiOn-'t realise then thatmost of us had a common Scot's background.One day we were asked to write a play as scriptwriters were in demand to fulfil theneeds of radio stations. lt was suggested we write about life on a cruise ship and Iwas hopeless at imagining it, as I had travelled no further than Grafton. Later onthough a couple ol ry stories appeared in metropolitan newspapers.Lunchtime was filled with activities such as cricket and rounders and I loved it. Iwould run to second base and throw myself down on the hard ground and I think aninjury from then still comes against me today. Bill Towns was an expert at hitting theball with a broomstick brought from home. There was very little supplieO Uf tfreGovernment then.We were like mountain goats, a bit wild and actively free.At school in Grafton I played first grade netball and actuatly was selected in the teamto go to Casino to play. I was so proud as I had never been outside Grafton beforethat.

Jokes

A man went into a lumberyard and said he wanted four 4 x 4 boards. Thesalesman asked how long he wanted them.The man said 'Just a mo l'll ask my mate".After a while he came back and said "me mate says we want them for along time"!

A farmer losing his flock wrote to the Dept of Agriculture saying thatsomething was wrong with his sheep as each morning he found somelying on the cold ground and stiff with their feet in the air.One week later he got a letter that said, "Dear Sir, Your sheep are dead".

Births

McGrath - to Scott and KylieA daughter Saskia on 11th November 2AA4.Great granddaughter for Joyce McGrath Mclennan).

Mclennan - to Matcolm and Vanessa of EatonsvilleA daughter Brooke Elizabeth on 3d March 2005.Granddaughter for Aubrey and Sue (Shiela) Mclennan.

Landenburger - to David and Vanessa of GraftonA daughter Samantha Grace on gth May 2005.Granddaughter for Bob and Janice Landenburger ( Mclennan).Great granddaughter for Audrey Mclennan.

Flowers of the Fieid

Leon Mclennan - of Tyringham and Nymboida.Passed away 3d March 2005. Husband of the late Janet Mclennan. Sonof the late Vivian (Boodge) and Phyllis Mclennan.Father of Leonie, Hilton , Alice, Tony and Charlene.Greatly missed by his family and friends.

Clan Maclennan Association Grafton Branch Newsletter May 20054.

Recipe of LifeTake a dash of wisdomMix well with common senseSift together strength of mindPatience then commenceTo measure full the gifts of loveCompassion and gooO wiltAdd a litfle humblenessAnd if there is room stiltSprinkle in UnselfishnessThen flavour with a smileYou will find this recipeMakes living most worthwhile.

A Nice Way to Think from Kris Maguire

The g2 year ord, petite, weil-poised and proud rady, who is fugy dressedeach morning by eight o'crock, with her nair r#nionrnJv coifed andmakeup perfecfly apptied, even though she is regafly brinJ, *or.d to anursing home today- Her husband o-f zo years recenfly passed away,m_aking the move necessary.After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home,she smiled sweefly when iord tnit her room lvas ready. As shemanoeuvred her walker to the etevator, I provided a visuaioescription ofI?;,XH.

room, incruding the everet sheets that had been hung at the" I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight year ord havingbeen presented with a new puppy.

" Y.* Jo.nes, you haven,t seen the room..... Just wait.,," That doesn't h.rrg.anything to do with it,i ine repried. . Happiness issomething you decide on ahead of time. \Mrethe, f tite my room or notdoesn't depend on how the furnityrg ir a"angeo..... it,s now I arrange mymind. I already decided to rove it. rt,s a deiision t make every momingwhen I wake up. r have a choice; r can s[*ni m" day in o"J ,"*untingthe difficulty I lrug.with-the pa.rts oFmy oooy tngt no tongerwork, or getout of bed and be thankfur for the ones'thatio. Each day is a gift, and aslong as my eyes open t'lr focus on the new day ,no "it

tn" happymemories |ve stored away.....justforthis time in my life.Jold age is like a bank account.....you withdraw from whatyou put in.

clan Maclennan Association Grafton u*":l Newsretrer May 2005

so, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank

account of memories.Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank. I am still depositing.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:1. Free your heart from hatred-2. Free your mind from worries-3. Live simPlY.4. Give more.5. Expect less.

CI.AN MEMBERS DO US PROUD

A strong team of clan members and their friends proudly competed an{*er" sirccessful in the numerous events held at Maclean Highland

Gathering.CIan members competing included Barry Ellis - winner of the farmers

walk and setting a new record; Adrian Borcherds (Sydnef) - winner of

the caber toss and the men's kilted dash, semi finalist in the pole

wresling; Jennifer powell ( cotrs Harbour) - competing for the first tlme

in every- event (against the men) and winner of the lassies kilted dash

was named the jrlnior Champion athlete; Kayleigh Ellis (now of Sydney)

- second in the lassies kiiled dash; Bryan McLennan (Powell) from

Hobart, competing for the first time in all events was a semi finalist in the

pole wiestling. Ot[er members and friends who competed were Ryanda

EttirlCrrfton), Joseph Orr(Grafton) and Joel and Kate Clinton(Sydney)'

Bethany McLennan, daughter of Matthew and Leanne of Grafton Yvas

abo sutcessful in the Hightand Dancing competition.

As well as the perth pipe Band wearing the modern colours of the

Maclennan tartan the Eiand from Logan city in Brisbane uvore the

ancient colours known as Logan Maclennan so our clan tartan

certainly had a big showing on the day-

Perhaps next year it wculd be v+orthwhiie our cian branch having a

visitors tent on the day which woutd give people a great opportuntty to

meet up with other Mclennan connections-

The Maclean Highland Gathering is held on Easter saturday each Yjarand is a not to-Ue missed eveit. ..plan to be there in 2006' The

Editor would oe nappy to help any visitors with accommodation and

opportunity to meet fellow Clan members'

clan Maclennan Association Grafton "*";:

Newsletter May 2005

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Clan MaclennanGrafton Branch

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NEXT MEETING

OF

GLAN MACLENNANGRAFTON BRANGH

WILL BE HELD

ON THURSDAY,4th AUGUST, 2OO5

AT

SEE PARKTURF STREET, GRAFTON,

Clan Maclennan Association Grafton Branch Newsletter May 2005

8.

CLAN GONTAGTS

PRESIDENTMalcolm MclennanPO Box 247,South Grafton, 2460.Ph: 02 664,24294Email: kaemac@tPs.cqm-au

VICE PRESIDENTEnol NewtonWharf Street,Wombah, 2463.Fh:02:6646 4522

DEPUW VIGE PRESIDENTHelen Ellis372 Kangaroo Creek Rd,Coutts Crossing, 2460.Ph: O2 6649 3587Email: bellis@tPg.@m.au

SECRETARY & NEWSLERERMelba Austen98 Eatonsville Rd,Waterview Heights, 2464 -Ph: 02 6644 9290

TREASURERThora McleodPO Box 5,Brushgrove,2460.Ph: 02 6647 6371

PUBLICITY OFFICERHelen EllisPh. 02 6&+93587Mobile 0427 493587

WELFARE OFFICERDaph Hill5 \ArIlliam Street,South Grafton, 2464.Ph: 02 6642 2658

3'iEWSLETTERHelen EllisST2Kangaroo Creek Rd,

Coutts Crossing, 2460-Ph: 02 6649 3587Email: bellis@tPg.com.au