Burns festival success

BAGPIPES, kilts and all things Scottish were the talk of the town over the weekend as Camperdown held its annual Robert Burns Scottish Festival.

By Support Team

BAGPIPES, kilts and all things Scottish were the talk of the town over the weekend as Camperdown held its annual Robert Burns Scottish Festival.

The festival, which began last Thursday night, was filled with events and activities that celebrated the town’s connection to Scottish poet Robert Burns.

The festival kicked off with the movie ‘Falling for Figaro’ on Thursday night, which screened at the Killara Centre.

Mayor Ruth Gstrein and Liz Patterson cooked up a variety of traditional Scottish foods on Friday at Camperdown College’s Wilson St campus.

Friday evening saw 100 guests go to the Gala Dinner, featuring a traditional Scottish meal and the Address to the Haggis given by festival performer Fiona Ross.

Ms Ross later performed a wonderful selection of traditional Scottish song, Merran Moir played the small pipes and son Kyle Moir played the bag pipes.

Classical folk musicians Hugh and Janet Gordon also entertained the patrons.

Strip the Willow, a Scottish country dance, got attendees up and dancing.

Saturday’s free choir workshop, run by Kym Dillon, had 30 people come along and learn three songs in preparation for the first concert on Saturday morning at the Theatre Royal.

The morning concert featured Tuniversal, the Lakes and Craters Band, and Merran and Peter Moir.

Chris Gstrein shared stories with children as part of the Wee Stories held at the library, with Jock MacEcka and his sidekick Angus MacSparky telling jokes during the family show shortly afterwards.

The festival’s lecture series at the Killara Centre was well-attended, with Fiona Ross, Stewart McArthur, Dr Rosalie Triolo and Allan Willingham presented lectures on Camperdown’s Scottish heritage and Robert Burns.

Market stalls were set up in the avenue over the festival weekend, showcasing a variety of wares for sale.

Camperdown and District Historical Society hosted the two Highland Dancing demonstrations on Saturday, with over 100 people watching dancers perform basic steps and the more intricate sword dance.

The afternoon concert was headlined by Maree, Peter and Anne Daffy, and the Andrew and Anne Cooper Band, singing a selection of traditional songs.

The bands were followed by Hugh on fiddle and Janet Gordon on piano and vocals, and the Twa Bards.

The whiskey tasting at the Hampden Hotel was a full house, with festival musicians providing musical accompaniment to the session.

The Saturday evening concert was also well-attended by over 100 patrons, kicked off by Tuniversal Music Group.

Tuniversal were followed by headline acts Fiona Ross, Peter, Maree and Anne Daffy with Andrew Cooper, and finishing off the concert was Austral.

Sunday morning kicked off with Dr John Menzies OAM on bagpipes at the Clock Tower, with the Lakes and Craters Band performing during Sunday’s market.

The Twa Bards honoured Robert Burns with music, songs and stories, and a poem from Andrew O’Flynn at the Burns statue at the Corangamite Shire Council offices, which was opened specifically for the festival.

The Golf Ambrose at the Camperdown Golf Course had 88 competitors enter and play for the Robbie Burns Trophy.

This event has continued to grow, with keen golfers coming specially to play on our Golf Course.

To complete the festival weekend, the Festival Finale kicked off with the Warrnambool Pipes and Drums Band performing for over 150 patrons.

Brett Clarke then did a Traditional Welcome to Country and taught the audience a traditional song to celebrate NAIDOC week.

The Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club also performed at the finale event.

At interval, the school children’s art prizes were awarded, followed by an afternoon tea with homemade scones, jam and cream.

The second half of the program featured Maree, Pete and Anne Daffy with Andrew Cooper, and to finish off the concert Austral performed.

Dr Menzies OAM said the festival was a great success this year.

“A full festival program, including free events and ticketed events on offer, proved to be a great combination for patrons and visitors to Camperdown,” he said.

“Lots of people took advantage of the festival events, venues were well full and well patronised.

“The hard work in planning and putting the festival has meet all of our expectations.”

Dr Menzies OAM said the 2023 Robert Burns Scottish Festival committee presented a successful weekend, with full houses and happy patrons who are intending to come back to Camperdown next year.

“The Festival could not have happened without the Robert Burns Scottish Festival committee, who are all volunteers, and their family members and friends of the festival who put up their hands to assist,” he said.

“Thank you to all our sponsors who supported the event.”