Chiefs speech at 153rd Waipu Highland Games Opening
CEUD MILE FAILTE – One hundred thousand welcomes to the 153rd Waipu Highland Games sponsored by our local McLeod’s Brewery.
Once again, I must thank the committee for their hard work and commitment to organising the event, which is a celebration of Scottish culture and a tribute to the early settlers who sailed their boats from Nova Scotia to settle in Bream Bay. To our many visitors from outside of Waipu, I would implore you to visit the Waipu Scottish Migration Museum to learn of the amazing story of these early settlers.
We are again blessed to have so many talented competitors in Highland Dancing, Piping, Drumming and of course, the mighty Highland Heavyweight competitors. Many of these competitors travel great distances nationally and internationally to compete and help keep the Scottish culture alive in New Zealand.
Thanks, must also go to the Judges who give of their time to adjudicate these events. Many of them also travel considerable distances to be here and avail us of their talents.
Events such as these rely on volunteers to set up, run the events and to pack up once the event is over. These wonderful, selfless people are at the heart of what you see and enjoy on the day. My thanks go to every one of them. (If you would like to participate in the pack down on 2 January, see our secretary in the office on the day. It is a lot of work, made less by many hands, but it is also fun.)
We could not hold the event without the generous support of our sponsors. Please read about them in your program and support them whilst visiting Waipu.
Thanks also to our Northland Member of Parliament, Grant McCallum, who will open
the Games today, and to our Mayor, Ken Couper.
Of course, all of this would not happen if not for all of you. Thanks to each of you for coming along today and making these 153 rd McLeods Brewery, Waipu Highland Games a success.
We wish you a Safe and Happy New Year.
Slaite
Ted Hart, Chief.
PS. Don’t forget to visit the Avenue of the Clans to check your Scottish ancestry. You may be more Scottish than you think. Also try the Scottish food stall and Haggis at the Lion’s tent.
This banner designed by Wayne Laurence represents the history of the migration to Waipu by the original Nova Scotian / Scottish settlers.
Top left 1st quarter: Saltair, Thistle, and lion rampant, representing Scottish origins
2nd Quarter: maple leaf, Nova Scotian arrangement representing the time spent in these two countries.
3rd Quarter: Southern Cross configuration for New Zealand and Lymphad/ship representing their final destination.
Centre: A Waipu Caledonian Society Emblem.