Chiefs speech at 152nd Waipu Highland Games Opening
CEUD MILE FAILTE – One hundred thousand welcomes to our 152nd McLeods Brewery, Waipu Highland Games.
It is wonderful to see you all here as this year, we have broken from tradition and moved the date of the Games from 1 January to 31 December. This means we are actually holding two Games events in one year. There are many reasons for this change, too many to go into here. Suffice to say, it was well discussed at the AGM and the decision made to change.
Once more, I have to thank the committee for their commitment to organising the event.
We have come a long way from the days when it was just gathering of the locals having a picnic day with a few running and bicycle races. Now it needs many more people and much more effort to put the event together.
Thanks again to our talented competitors in Dancing, Piping, Drumming and of course, the mighty Highland Heavyweight competitors. Thanks, must also go to the Judges who give of their time to adjudicate these events. Many of them 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 each and 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 support them whilst visiting Waipu.
Thanks also to our Mayor, Vince Cocurullo, who will open the Games today.
Vince has become a great supporter of the event and has researched his Scottish ancestry to find his Clan Tartan, then fitted himself out splendidly for these events.
Lastly, thanks to each and every one of you for coming along today and making these 152nd 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.