Celtic celebration

CELTIC enthusiasts from all over Australia descended on Camperdown for the annual Robert Burns Celtic Festival last weekend, with strong crowds at all events.

By wd-news

Camperdown’s own Robert Burns Celtic Choir was among the six choirs to perform at the Choir Concert on Saturday.

Festival coordinator Catherine O’Flynn said events across the town over the weekend were full houses, including the popular festival lecture series.

“There were over 60 people at the St Paul’s Church for The Reformers and Harpistry,” she said.

“The choir concerts were a full house, and the mass choir song lifted everyone’s spirits under the tutelage of Kym Dillon – an extraordinary chorister who travelled down to teach seven different choirs one song to come together on the day.

“The family ceilidh was a great time, with mums, dads, grannies and grandpas all learning to dance and having a laugh.

“It was very joyous to watch – thank you to the Corby Family Band and Tuniversal members who provided the music.

“The instrument making at the library was great fun – all involved did a fabulous job entertaining the children.”

Other festival hits included the highland cows, the Rotary markets along the avenue in Manifold Street and the opening of the Robert Burns statue at the council offices.

Residents were also able to view a special plaque from the Scottish Government thanking Australia for its care of the statue.

“There was sensational support from the Lions Club of Camperdown, who catered for the Gala Dinner,” Mrs O’Flynn said.

“The Gala Dinner was fully subscribed – 110 people attended. It was a magnificent meal, and a grand time for everyone.

“The festival finale concert saw the Melbourne Male Welsh Choir come and they put on a wonderful show – covering Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Cornish and English songs.

“The Warrnambool Pipes and Drums started the concert off with rousing renditions of pipes and drums.

“We finished up the concert with our headline acts Fiona Ross, Luke Plumb and Peter Daffy, The Raglans and MacCrimmin – MacCrimmin put on the best one-man show you’ll see anywhere.”

Mrs O’Flynn extended her gratitude to everyone who made the festival possible – from the sponsors of the event to festival chair Dr John Menzies OAM.

“I would like to acknowledge my hardworking committee and all the people who put their hand up and said they would like to help out,” she said.

“A very big thank you to those people who came along and did all sorts of extraordinary jobs to help us get the festival out there for everyone to enjoy.”