Post by Cameronian on Feb 5, 2005 23:55:17 GMT -6
CLAN CAMERON INTERNATIONAL GATHERING 2005
AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
Two weeks have now passed since we all said our heartfelt farewell to Auckland and those of our Clan who attended the Gathering, to say that we all enjoyed the most wonderful companionship, entertainment, enlightenment and weather is not enough, we enjoyed the presence of over three hundred of our Clan, travelling together, eating together and sharing thoughts, laughter and research, and on the Sunday, praying together and remembering our ancestors in the presence of many, to whom we were more than likely distantly related.
I am not a stranger to attending conferences, study groups and family reunions but this was somewhat different for it displayed the shared past history of our ancestors and the present life of their descendants in an extraordinary exhibition which covered the Lochiel family, The Lochiel Estates, the wildlife that dwells there, Major Allan Cameron of Erracht and the 79th Cameron Highlanders, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, (a rather miss-named) Short History of Clan Cameron which required eight full wall panels full of laminated scrip and many illustrations to tell…together with all the achievements of Camerons past and present who migrated to Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand…….quite an exhibition indeed.
From the Opening Ceremony where we were welcomed by both Mayor and Maori. Where, Lt Col Charles Cameron of Lochiel MC representing Lochiel, responded to our Maori welcome by relating warm recollections of past Army service in Egypt, and his clear memories of members of the NZ Army’s Maori servicemen playing Rugby barefooted, and earning the lasting admiration of all. To evenings spent wining and dining together, trips over the beautiful Waitemata Harbour out into the Hauraki Gulf to Tiritiri Matangi Bird sanctuary Isle, a weekend when we talked Cameron, wore Cameron and in more cases than we care to admit were recognisable as Cameron.
This gathering was more than just a photo op, it was a very real experience of what life based on a Clan system may have been, a recognition of how an acceptance of common ancestral history can continue to bond generations together far beyond the time an place of it’s origin.
In reality the burden of organization and management rests with few, but for this Gathering to have left such an enduring impression on us all, many contributed with many talents….So congratulations to Neil and Clan Cameron Auckland and our gratitude to all who attended and shared the experience.
Valerie J Smith
President Clan Cameron New South Wales
AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
Two weeks have now passed since we all said our heartfelt farewell to Auckland and those of our Clan who attended the Gathering, to say that we all enjoyed the most wonderful companionship, entertainment, enlightenment and weather is not enough, we enjoyed the presence of over three hundred of our Clan, travelling together, eating together and sharing thoughts, laughter and research, and on the Sunday, praying together and remembering our ancestors in the presence of many, to whom we were more than likely distantly related.
I am not a stranger to attending conferences, study groups and family reunions but this was somewhat different for it displayed the shared past history of our ancestors and the present life of their descendants in an extraordinary exhibition which covered the Lochiel family, The Lochiel Estates, the wildlife that dwells there, Major Allan Cameron of Erracht and the 79th Cameron Highlanders, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, (a rather miss-named) Short History of Clan Cameron which required eight full wall panels full of laminated scrip and many illustrations to tell…together with all the achievements of Camerons past and present who migrated to Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand…….quite an exhibition indeed.
From the Opening Ceremony where we were welcomed by both Mayor and Maori. Where, Lt Col Charles Cameron of Lochiel MC representing Lochiel, responded to our Maori welcome by relating warm recollections of past Army service in Egypt, and his clear memories of members of the NZ Army’s Maori servicemen playing Rugby barefooted, and earning the lasting admiration of all. To evenings spent wining and dining together, trips over the beautiful Waitemata Harbour out into the Hauraki Gulf to Tiritiri Matangi Bird sanctuary Isle, a weekend when we talked Cameron, wore Cameron and in more cases than we care to admit were recognisable as Cameron.
This gathering was more than just a photo op, it was a very real experience of what life based on a Clan system may have been, a recognition of how an acceptance of common ancestral history can continue to bond generations together far beyond the time an place of it’s origin.
In reality the burden of organization and management rests with few, but for this Gathering to have left such an enduring impression on us all, many contributed with many talents….So congratulations to Neil and Clan Cameron Auckland and our gratitude to all who attended and shared the experience.
Valerie J Smith
President Clan Cameron New South Wales
I sure wish I could have joined you all there! (May I put this in the next issue of our newsletter? Or would you rather hurry and write & send me something early next week?)