Entertainment

Another Quality Field Heading for the Pipe Band Competition at the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering

Published

4 months ago

20 March 2024

Liam

Pipe Band Competition at the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering

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Another Quality Field Heading for the Pipe Band Competition at the 119^th Maclean Highland Gathering

Maclean’s reputation as one of the premiere pipe band competitions in Australia will be further enhanced with another quality field heading for the Clarence Valley to compete in the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering on the Saturday of the Easter Long Weekend. Eighteen bands will compete across five grades on Saturday 30 March 2024.

All the bands set to compete on the day will begin the festivities with the Pipe Bands on Parade. The competing band will be joined for the Street March by four additional bands; Armidale Pipe Band, Coffs Harbour Pipes & Drums, Grafton & District Services Club Pipe Band and the Murrumba Pipes & Drums Society Inc.

The Pipe Band Competition will commence from 9.55 am at the Maclean Showgrounds as part of a full day of events. All events including the Highland Sports and Highland Dancing, along with the band competition are held in the main arena of the Showground ensuring that all the action can be viewed from the main grandstand and other vantage points around the picturesque grounds.

Chief of the Lower Clarence Scottish Association, Peter Smith said “This year we were struck by the quality of bands joining us for the competition. We have three Grade 2 bands, St Andrews and The Emmanuelle College Highlanders from Queensland, as well as The Pipe Band Club from Sydney, which will make this the strongest Grade 2 competition in Australia this year. I’d particularly like to acknowledge The Pipe Band Club. It is a huge undertaking to bring the band up from Sydney and we a glad of their support.” The Grade 3 competition will also feature three high quality competitors, BBC Old Collegians, the City of Ipswich and BBC College No. 1. He also thanked the Queensland Pipe Band community for their continued strong support with 14 of the 18 competing bands travelling across the Queensland border to participate in the Easter Gathering.

“Bands will be judged by one of our strongest panels we’ve had at Maclean with three international judges Donald McPhee (USA/Scotland), Glenn Brown (Canada/ Scotland) and Brian Switalla (NZ). They will be joined by some of Australia’s finest adjudicators,” Mr Smith said.

Chief Peter Smith also praised the contribution of country bands like Warwick Thistle, Toowoomba, Moree Caledonian, the NSW Highlanders and the local favourites, the Maclean and District Pipe Band. “Our aim is to continue to nurture the Scottish culture and it is only with the great support we get from the bands that we can continue to do this”

At 4.00 pm all 21 visiting bands join together at the Maclean Showground for the Massed Bands display, a not to be missed climax to an amazing day of events.

Maclean’s reputation as one of the premiere pipe band competitions in Australia will be further enhanced with another quality field.

The full list of bands attending is:

BBC Old Collegians Pipe Band
Brisbane Boys’ College No.1
Brisbane Boys’ College No. 2
Brisbane Pipe Band No. 1
Brisbane Pipe Band No. 2
City of Ipswich Pipe Band No. 1
City of Ipswich Pipe Band No. 2
Emmanuel College Highlanders at the University of Queensland
Gold Coast Tweed Pipes & Drums
Maclean & District Pipe Band
Moree Caledonian Society Pipes and Drums Inc
Murrumba Pipes & Drums Society Inc.
NSW Highlanders Pipe Band Inc
Qld Police Juvenile Pipes & Drums
Queensland Irish Association Pipe Band
St Andrew’s Pipe Band, Brisbane
Toowoomba Caledonian Society Pipe Band
Warwick Thistle Pipe Band
Grafton and District Services Club Pipe Band
Armidale Pipe Band
Murrumba Caledonian Society Pipes & Drums
Coffs Harbour Pipes & Drums

The Lower Clarence Scottish Association would like to thank all competing bands for continuing to support our event and making the day such a wonderful spectacle for our town.

The 119^th Maclean Highland Gathering will be held on Friday 29^th and Saturday 30^th March 2024. For more information check our website – www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au or check the Lower Clarence Scottish Association Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more entertainment news, click here.

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Clarence Valley News

Clarence Valley Country Muster

Published

1 week ago

17 July 2024

Liam

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Clarence Valley Country Muster

If you are missing the country sounds from Tamworth, fret not, as the Clarence Valley Country Muster is just around the corner.

Expanded from two days to four, the event will start on July 25^th and go to July 28^th at 11 Coulters Lane, Ulmarra, near Grafton.

You will enjoy artists such as Jade Hurley, John, Lloyd, Jack Watson, Lindsay Waddington and Jamie Davis.

Special guest artists, Paul Ricketts, Winner of the Thornton Young Award and Nay McAplin, Winner of the Walk Ups in July, will also make an appearance.

Your comperes for the main stage will be Terry Gordon OAM and Ken ‘Chainsaw’ Lindsay.

And bring those nerves with you, as from 10.30am on Thursday, aspiring artists can take their turn on the microphone, with John Lloyd hosting the walk-ups.

All acts will be vying for a gig at next July’s event.

Now is the time to grab a group of friends or family members and book your spot by heading to their website www.cvcmuster.com.au or calling Wendy Gordon on 0432 741947.

Gates open for early arrival at the muster site on Tuesday, July 23.

For $120 per person, you can enjoy a full week of camping, camaraderie and entertainment at one of the best value-for-money festivals in the Clarence Valley.

Check out is Tuesday, July 30.

If you have a fire pit, bring it along as wood will be supplied.

There will be songs around the campfire, best dressed Christmas and party games and a big finale on the Sunday.

For more local Clarence Valley news, click here.

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Casino NSW News

37th Bentley Art Prize promises to be a great event

Published

1 month ago

26 June 2024

Liam

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37^th Bentley Art Prize promises to be a great event

By Samantha Elley

There has been a changing of the guard in the running of the 37th Bentley Art Prize for 2024.

For the past 18 years Bentley’s Helen Trustum has been running the show, but she has now stepped down and a new committee of eight, headed by Gordon Serone, will be taking over.

“Helen’s service to the community, for which we give hearfelt thanks, has been truly amazing,” said Gordon.

“We wish her a relaxing retirement and hope she’ll come along to join in the fun, with no responsibility.”

This year’s Bentley Art Prize is on the weekend of July 12-14, starting on the Friday night with a cheese and wine event.

“Judging will take place on Friday afternoon,” said Gordon.

“The deadline for entry submissions will be June 28 and all entries need to be at the (Bentley) hall by Thursday afternoon, July 11.

“Because the prize will be in the school holidays, if the schools want to deliver their submissions, they can deliver directly to 56 O’neill Road, Bentley.

“We’ve also changed the categories where we took out the Golden Oldies section because everyone is an oldie now.”

All the regular sponsors have continued with their support, collectively donating prizes of over $14,000.

“We are very thankful to Richmond Dairies, Richmond Valley Council, the Casino RSM Club, Macdonalds pharmacy and Dr Castagna and Richmond Valley Library,” said Gordon.

With the expectation of over 300 entries this year, Gordon said the event is shaping up to be a fabulous weekend.

“Starting with the entertainment by Jamie Sullivan on Friday night, Luke Vassella on Saturday and Croaker and the Honeybee and Sylvia Nowlan on Sunday,” said Gordon.

Judging will be done by artist Harry Westera. His work can be seen here.

The cost of submitting an artwork is $10, or free for school children.

For more Casino news, click here.

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Coffs Harbour

The Circus is in town and it is action packed

Published

2 months ago

5 June 2024

Liam

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The Circus is in town and it is action packed

By Samantha Elley

Put your expectations away and open your mind to the ‘edge of your seat’ experience you will be in for when you go to see The Circus in Coffs Harbour.

“We are a seventh generation circus family, originally from Germany,” said tour manager and matriarch, Marie Weber.

“We bring acts that have never been seen under the big top in Australia before.

“These include FMX (freestyle) riders, the splitting globe of death, comedians, aerialists and even a human cannonball.”

Patriarch, Harry Weber, has been involved in the circus touring life for the past 40 years and the family are excited to be in Australia.

“We have been touring in New Zealand, South Africa, Korea and other international areas,” said Marie.

That’s no mean feat with a family of eight children who have all grown up with the circus.

“We have performers from all walks of life,” said Marie.

“There are about 40 crew and performers, including those travelling with families.”

Marie said they are all like one big happy family, especially when they have been working so closely together for so long.

“Most of us have been working together for more than 10 years,” she said.

The Circus has just wound up six shows at Lismore Showgrounds and is now heading to Coffs Harbour where they have a giveaway on their Facebook page ‘Weber Bros Entertainment’ for two VIP packages and 10 double passes to their shows.

They will be performing their action packed shows at Coffs Harbour Showground between June 6^th – 16^th.

Book your tickets at 0452003300 or online at iticket.com.au for two hours of great family entertainment. Prices range from $35 – $85 for adults and $25-$70 for children.

For more Coffs Harbour news, click here.

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