Page 3861 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2013

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Vikings, bagpipers, dancers and drummers gathered at Kambah oval where members of the city’s Celtic community put on a display of massed pipe bands, folk dancing and traditional Scottish events, including caber tossing and stone lifting. There were also 15 to 20 Scottish clan tents and around 60 stalls selling a variety of Scottish and other goods and produce.

The event was a proud celebration of Canberra’s Scottish heritage and its vibrant and engaging Scottish community. Canberra was established by Prime Minister Fisher, who was of Scottish heritage, and over 20 suburbs in Canberra are named after Scots. The Burns Club in Canberra, a proud supporter of the gathering, was initiated to foster the culture and heritage of Scotland, and it is one of Canberra’s oldest clubs. This demonstrates the long and significant history of the Scottish origins in Canberra.

I congratulate the following bands on their participation in the championships: the Canberra Celtic Pipe Band, the New South Wales Police Pipe Band, City of Queanbeyan Pipes and Drums, the Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band Nos 1 and 2, the Sydney Thistle Highland Pipe Band, St Mary’s District Band Club Pipes and Drums, and the Pipeband Club.

I acknowledge the work of contest supervisor Michael Stubbings, and the adjudicators, Stuart Liddell, Barry Gray, Garry Barker, Andrew Sneddon, Jim Kilpatrick MBE, Dean Hall, Scott Nicolson, Ian Lyons and Ray Thorburn.

I also acknowledge the following sponsors for their support of the solo championships: the Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band, TyFry Pty Ltd, Professional Bagpipe Services, Phil Weber, Capital Pipers Club. Cantlie Recruitment Services Pty Ltd and the Bagpiper Case.

I acknowledge the attendance of Professor Michael Bryce AM AE, the husband of the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce. A number of representatives of sponsors from Capital Honda, Cantlie recruitment, the Burns Club and Scottish Heritage Accessories were also in attendance.

It was fantastic to see Peter Campbell, the direct relative of the Campbells of Canberra who have donated so much of their history and, of course, residences to the ACT. Finally, I congratulate Mr Athol Chalmers, the President of the College of Piping and Drumming, on his lead role in organising the event, and Mr Stephen Calder for his role as master of ceremonies.

Ms Celeste Italiano

Duo

MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.43): Firstly, I too, on behalf of the opposition, would like to extend my thanks to Celeste Italiano for the role that she has played here at the Assembly. I know that in my time here there is a fair chance that I have been one of the culprits in making her job somewhat tricky at times because of my QONs being lodged consistently at 11.59 or 12.01 or thereabouts. But I do want to thank her and wish her all the best for her time up on the hill and to say that the notice paper and all


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