Community
29 May, 2026
Committee gearing up for Burns Festival
THE Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival committee are gearing up for another busy year as the festival draws closer.
With just five weeks until the weekend event, the program boasts national and international performances coming to celebrate the town’s connection with Scottish bard Robert Burns.
Festival committee chair Dr John Menzies OAM said the festival will offer something for everyone between Friday, June 26 and Sunday, June 28.
“The Friday night Festival Dinner at the Theatre Royal offers a three-course meal and includes haggis and music, with Fiona Ross, The Scottish Fiddle Club Ceilidh Band and Merran and Peter Moir performing at the dinner,” he said.
“The Melbourne Male Welsh Choir is returning and will be in concert Saturday afternoon after the choir event in the morning, featuring our own Camperdown Celtic Choir and six visiting choirs at the Theatre Royal, finishing with chorister Kym Dillon conducting all seven choirs – over 100 choristers will sing together as one choir with the well-known Scottish song Mull of Kintyre.
“The popular History Talks at Killara on Saturday morning promises not to disappoint.
“Wee Stories at the Library with Anne Daffy and friends and the shortbread baking competition sponsored by the Loaf and Lounge are also returning.”
Festival co-ordinator Catherine O’Flynn said other drawcards will also be returning, including the opportunity to visit the Robert Burns statue at the Civic Centre, climbing the Camperdown Clocktower and the Rotary Market in the avenue over the weekend.
“Guest speaker Bill Spawton will be sharing the ‘Legend of the Welsh Fairy Brides’ stories at the Leura Masonic Hall on Saturday and the Lakes and Craters Band will perform a great selection of Celtic songs after Bill’s presentation,” she said.
“The Harps will be playing at St Paul’s Church along with Fiona Ross and the Raglins in concert on Saturday, and next door at the St Paul’s Church Hall you can see the Irish Dancers, the Geelong Highland Dancers and the Glenn Brae Scottish Dancers in concert.
“The James Blair Memorial Piping Solo’s will be on at St Patrick’s Primary School on Saturday and is open to the public to go and see pipers from all over Australia compete.
“On Friday night there is a concert at Killara featuring the Pete Daffy Irish Band and the Raglins.
“Saturday night at the Theatre Royal will see our family dance night and presentations to the winners of School Children’s Art and Writing Prizes along with the Shortbread Bakers Awards for Best Shortbread entry.”
The family night will see Tuniversal and Ann Daffy, John Corby and friends play while attendees participate in a variety of traditional Scottish country dances.
Mrs O’Flynn said the Twa Bards will also be returning, performing Robert Burns’ songs and sharing his story at his statue on the Sunday.
“A concert will be held at the Killara Centre with Fiona Ross, The Twa Bards and the Raglins on Saturday, and afterwards at the Theatre Royal is a not-to-be-missed performance featuring Aria Award-winning band Austral, The Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club Ceilidh band and Peter Daffy’s Irish Band,” she said.
“On Sunday, visit the Camperdown Heritage Centre and view renowned quilt maker and textile artist Jenny Bowker OAM’s exhibition.
“The Camperdown Golf Club is hosting the Robert Burns Ambrose and this event has been very popular with local and visiting golfers.
“Our headline acts coming to Camperdown this year are the City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums, who will perform at Sunday’s Festival Finale Concert along with the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, Austral and the Warrnambool Pipes and Drums.”
Mrs O’Flynn said the program features a variety of free events for attendees alongside the ticketed events.
“On Sunday the Rotary Club will be busy with coordinating a new event in the avenue – ‘Show us your tartan’,” she said.
“Dress up and wear your tartan outfit then register at the Rotary tent for a fashion parade of tartan outfits.
“Junior, Senior and Best Dressed Pet sections will be awarded a prize.”
Tickets are also available from Laff’s at 163 Manifold Street or online at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1478441.
For further information, contact Mrs O’Flynn on 0407 056 126.
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