Lower Clarence Scottish Association, Clarence Valley Independent

Maclean celebrated its 120th Highland Gathering in style across two massive days of events on the Easter Long Weekend.

Events began with solo piping and drumming at the Maclean Showground from lunchtime on Good Friday (April 18).

Over 130 competitors travelled from as far as Perth, Melbourne, and Townsville to compete in the 33 solo events on the program.

Fine conditions allowed the competition to take place on the banks of the Clarence River, with the iconic McFarlane Bridge in the background.

Several locals finished in the prizes with local piper Sam Brailsford taking out the Novice Champion Piper, and Arliah Rhodes receiving the Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Scholarship for Drumming.

Spectators were presented with plenty of options on Friday night with the A Grade Solo Pipers competing for the McSwan Family Gold Medal at three venues on River Street.

The gold medal was won by Andrew Roach, a former Maclean resident currently living in Brisbane, with New Zealander Jamie Hawke taking silver, and Tom McGirr of Maclean receiving the bronze following a masterful performance in the A Grade Piobaireachd.

Just down the street the Ceilidh in the Park drew big crowds to McLachlan Park for performances from pipe bands, and local singers and dancers.

The glorious weather conditions continued into Saturday (April 19) and thousands lined River Street for the Pipe Bands on Parade with 22 bands performing.

The competing bands completed the route along River Street and included the Grafton and District Services Club (GDSC) Pipe Band, Gens Altera Pipe Band from Uralla, Ballina Pipe Band, and the Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums.

BBC Old Collegians were judged the Best Pipe Band on Parade.

Some of the largest crowds recorded at the Highland Gathering witnessed a packed day of events at the Maclean Showground with pipe bands, highland sports, and highland dancing all competing concurrently in the main Showground arena.

More than 70 highland dancers competed across seven different dances.

Major trophy winners included local dancer, Elaina Smith, who took out the Beginners 9 and Under Aggregate winner, Audrey Rae won the Jennifer Wallace Memorial Scholarship for Highland Dancing, sponsored by CVC, and Steffaney Treadwell who won the Jessie Massie Memorial Gillie Callum and was also announced as the Premier 17 and Over Aggregate winner.

The highland sports included tossing the caber, putting the stone, log wrestling, the farmers walk, and the haggis hurl with the kilted dash to finish the day.

Married couple Terry and Melanie Sparkes dominated the day’s events with Terry taking the Senior Men’s Senior Champion while Melanie triumphed as the Women’s Senior Champion.

Major prize winners of the pipe band events included the Brisbane Pipe Band (Grade 4B), City of Ipswich No.2 (Grade 4A), Brisbane Boys College No. 2 (Novice Juvenile B), and Brisbane Boys College No.1 (Novice Juvenile A and Grade 3).

The Grade 2 Champion, Brisbane’s St Andrew’s Pipe Band, were presented with the A.R.W “Sandy” Campbell Memorial Banner.

A memorable performance by the massed pipes and drums brought a fitting end to a wonderful day’s entertainment with all 22 visiting bands coming together for a fantastic display of piping, drumming and drill.

Chief Peter Smith commented on the magnificent display in his closing remarks while thanking all the sponsors, volunteers, competitors, and spectators who made the event so special and the crowd agreed, roaring their approval.

The Massed Bands were led by the winner of the Drum Major’s Flourish, Dominic Anderson-Strudwick, and featured a haunting rendition of Amazing Grace.

The final event of the 120th Maclean Highland Gathering saw almost 200 people attend the International Guest Piping Recital with renowned soloist and Pipe Major of the current World Pipe Band Champions, Inverary and District Pipe Band, Stuart Liddell MBE.

Stuart’s performance was described by Dr Alastair McInnes, himself a thirteen times winner of the McSwan Gold Medal, as the best recital he had seen, with Stuart described as a “master and a showman”.

It was a wonderful climax to a fantastic weekend.

This article appeared in Clarence Valley Independent, 23 April 2025.