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| Australian Celtic Honours | | Australian Celtic Journal |
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| Celtic Links - from our Nations | | Coming Reported Events | | Major CCA Events |
To support, in appropriate ways, efforts by tertiary educational institutions in research, training and study of Celtic culture, languages and history;
To lift the public profile of Celts in Australia;
To provide liaison and aid co-operation between Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Manx and Breton communities, and other bona fide Celtic communities and organisations;
To encourage and maintain a sense of pride in all Australian Celts of their Celtic heritage;
To arrange and promote Celtic gatherings;
To honour members of Celtic communities who have made a contribution to the Celtic cause;
To publish a Journal;
To support activities of a significant Celtic content;
To raise money for all or any of the above purposes.
Official Contacts (National and NSW):
Celtic Council of Australia
Established in 1982; Incorporated (in NSW) in 2001
(Inc No 9876764); ABN 77 927 169 457 - The Celtic Council of Australia Incorporated President (formerly titled Convenor) - Dr Pamela O'Neill
Email: President
Hon. Secretary - Mrs Jessica Grulovic
Official Postal address only: CCA c/o 8025 New England Hwy, Glencoe, NSW 2365 ; Secretary Email: Secretary
Hon. Treasurer & Public Officer NSW - Mr Peter Grimes
Email: Treasurer
Public Officer (NSW)
Postal Address for both: CCA c/o 9921 New England Highway, Glen Innes, NSW 2370.The Council has a managing Standing Committee consisting of the President, Vice President, the Convenors of the Celtic communities represented, plus elected members from the Celtic communities and 'non aligned'. The Standing Committee elects from their number a Secretary, Treasurer, Awards Registrar; and appoints a public officer.
Other Contacts: General enquiries and Newsletter contact: celticouncilofaustralia@gmail.com
For ALL web site and Facebook matters contact the Webmaster E-mail direct: Celtic Council Webmaster
CCA Information booklet and membership joining form (ie.view/print pdf)Individual Membership: annual fees are due by each AGM (usually last quarter) for voting rights
Annual Membership: $25 per person or $40 per household. Community associations, societies or related groups, clans, etc: $25 per group (Entitles group to nominate one representative to exercise membership).
Contact: Email: TreasurerActive CCA (in NSW) Rules of Association - Entity incorporated in NSW only [aka Constitution] (view/print pdf) - Draft National Rules are not available on-line.
Current CCA members quick renewal form only (ie.view/print pdf)
Welcome to this site - this Page puts you in connection with the Celtic Council of Australia
We hope you enjoy your stay! Splan!
![]() On 24 March, 2022 after 40 years to the day since the first meeting to form the CCA, it held a small lunch at the Orient Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney to commemorate. Due to ongoing Covid-19 numbers a larger event may be held later in the year. Convenor Suzanne Jamieson welcomed the small group and awarded foundation members Chris Dunkerley (Cornish) and Clare Dunne OAM (Irish)(in absentia) with Life Membership. Sue Thomas gave a short talk on the rememberances of her late husband Roger Thomas T En E (2nd Convenor). On 12th November a larger celebration lunch was held, with 60 guests, at the Royal Automobile Club, Sydney. The photo shows some of the present and past members of the Committee. ![]() ![]() We celebrated 30 years: ![]() The first meeting was marked 30 years later in 2012 with a short ceremony at the Celtic Studies Foundation at Sydney University, founding member Clare Dunne accepting a certificate to note the milestone. On 20 April, 2013 after 30 years had been completed by the Steering Committee, it held a lunch at the Kirribilli Club to commemorate. Convenor at the time, Margaret Sharpe (Manx) assisted by Gwen Cryer (Welsh), cut the huge birthday cake. Foundation member Chris Dunkerley gave a short speech of tribute to those who have sustained the Celtic Council over those 30 years.
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![]() It was designated the Year of Brittany and Galicia (acknowledging Asturias) and was held from 3rd to 7 May, 2012. The special guest was the Spanish Consul-General Senor Gerardo Bugallo Otona. Recognition was given at the Guardians lunch to the milestone of 20 years (see cake). Far too much over the weekend to cover it all! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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![]() As an example, this report is on the 2011 one which was held on Friday 28 October, 2011 at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club, West Ryde attended by 60 guests from the Council and many of the Celtic communities. The special guest, and speaker, was the Spanish Consul-General (left) - Gerardo Bugallo Otona ![]() (awards and those who collected them are on the right)
Thanks go to guests for attending, and special mention to the many sponsors and supporters of the Dinner: (right mouse click on image, 'view image' - to see in larger size)
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NSW Welsh Church - At St Peter's Presbyterian Church, cnr Blue Street and Blues Point Road, North Sydney. Services - Second Sunday of month at 3pm.
Cantorian Welsh Male Voice Choir
St Patrick's Day - Parade, Sydney - March, 2023 tba www.stpatricksday.org.au
Scottish Week in NSW - Scottish Heritage Week: June, 2023 View last programme on SAHC
Scotland Australia Cairn WAS Sat 25th June, 2022 - in Scottish week - 36th Annual formal inspection of the Scotland Australia Cairn, in Rawson Park, Mosman. Mosman Scottish Cairn
Tynwald Day Lunch - Manx Community July, 2023
117th Annual Highland Gathering, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of April 2023 (Easter) - Maclean, NSW, Australia Maclean Highland Gathering
Bundanoon is Brigadoon - 42nd Annual Highland Gathering, NOW 1st April 2023 - Bundanoon, Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia https://brigadoon.org.au/ Book online to save time for 'Admission'.
31st Annual Australian Celtic Festival (ACF) - Australian Standing Stones - Glen Innes, NSW: Thursday 2th to Sunday 5 May, 2024. It will be the Year of Ireland and the Isle of man! More details also from Glen Innes Tourism and from Australian Celtic Festival web site 18th David Berry Celtic Festival - Saturday 24th May, 2025 - Berry Showground, Berry NSW. Massed Bands, Celtic Singers, Irish Dancers, Colonial Dancers, Caber Tossing/Haggis Hurling, Celtic societies, and Clans, (Enq. 02 4234.1346), paul@sqsm.com.au
A small ceremony at the Australian Standing Stones on the afternoon of each Celtic Nation’s National Day is held by The Australian Standing Stones Management Board.
After the relevant nation’s flag is lowered, the national anthem is sung and there is a short speech concerning the saint and the nation. This is usually finished off with a toast to the Patron Saint.
This ceremony is held at the flag-pole outside the Crofter’s Cottage and commences in March and November at 5pm (Daylight Saving Time) and in May and July at 4 pm
The dates of course are:
WALES – St. David’s Day – 1st March, CORNWALL – St. Piran’s Day – 5th March, IRELAND – St. Patrick’s Day – 17th March, BRITTANY – St. Yve’s Day – 19th May, ISLE OF MAN – Tynwald Day – 5th July, SCOTLAND – St. Andrew’s Day – 30th November.
For more details contact the Australian Standing Stones Management Board, assmb2022@gmail.com
VICTORIA Beechworth Heritage Festival - Beechworth - VIC - 10th to 12th November, 2023 The National Celtic (Folk) Festival: June, 2024 at Portarlington - Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
Koroit Irish Festival" - 26-28 April, 2024 A 3-day community celebration of the historical irish village of Koroit and its Celtic roots.
AWAITING NEW DETAILS: 63rd Geelong Highland Gathering at Goldsworthy Reserve, Goldsworthy Rd Corio - due in March, 2022 (postponed ??). The 2019 Gathering marked 162 years since the first Geelong Highland Gathering was held on New Years day 1858 and will be the 60th anniversary of the modern era, which began in 1958.Expanded in 2013 it also hosts a Scottish folk music concert. Solo piping and drumming competitions on Saturday, March 15, (when entry is free). Pipe band competitions, heavy games, Highland dancing and Scottish Country dancing, Highland martial arts and a market - will be held on Sunday. On the Saturday night, 7:30pm, a Concert for the Clans will be held and some top Scottish folk groups will perform including Taliska, Red Cat and local Geelong group Myra McCrae and Clan. $25 adults, U15 $15. (www.concertfortheclans.com.au for more info).
Geelong Highland Gathering Contact: The Secretary, G.H.G.A, P.O.Box 798, Geelong, Victoria 3220 or Phone: (03) 5221 7224 (after hours), Email:
daryl.mclure7@bigpond.com
Maryborough Highland Gathering New Years Day 2022 hopefully
AWAITING NEW DETAILS: Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival Inc As per the last 55 years we will still be hosting an annual Festival & Games in Maroondah. Formerly Ringwood Highland Games. Web Site remains: Sunday 3 October 2021 at Eastfield Park in Croydon
Daylesford Highland Gathering Daylesford, Vic. - 3 December, 2022.
QUEENSLAND Celtic Festival of Queensland - Helidon - Hopefully October, 2024 - Railway Street, Helidon, Qld - 9am to 3pm. Live music, Pipe bands, Celtic Art, books, and History, Medieval Re-enactment, Highland Games, and much more. Enquiries: 0403 434 623 celtichistorians@gmail.com
Celtfest Warwick, Qld - Sept/Oct, 2024. CeltFest Website
Scots in the Bush 18-21 August, 2022 at Boondooma, Qld Website
The Celtic Gathering - Ipswich: in May, 2022 Website
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Kernewek Lowender - 27th Cornish Festival (plus Celtic content) - Kadina/Moonta/Wallaroo, S.A. - 12-18 May, 2025 - PO Box 305 Wallaroo SA 5556; Ph: (08) 8821 2333 , 1800 654 991.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
Its Incorporation in 2001 at NSW level was a step to improving Australia wide operations. In July 2003 the newly elected Council standing committee voted in principle to in the future reconstitute operationaly as a NSW level body, and endorsed a National Constitution which went to similar Victorian and Queensland groups at the time for consideration. The key instigator and driving force behind the Celtic Council project was Mr Peter Alexander, then of the Scottish Heritage Council, and he was elected as the first Convenor of the Council and of its Steering Committee. After 17 years continuous and distinguished service Peter retired and was recognised with the top Celtic honour (C tu C) and was appointed to the Committee as a 'life member'. Peter sadly passed away on 26th December 2003 but a huge legacy of his in the form of the Celtic Council of Australia Inc. and the Australian Standing Stones, lives on! Under Peter's care the Council was involved in the launch of the Australian Celtic Journal, development of academic courses at universities and other centres, the instigation of the Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes NSW, along with the Australian Celtic Festival there, the Celtic Australia Day Festival at North Sydney NSW (now defunct), and recognition of the National Celtic Folk Festival in Geelong, Vic (now Port Arlington). The 20th year of the Council's existence saw it become an incorporated body, and expansion of the Committee of Management brought fresh ideas for it's 3rd decade. This web site's continued development is one of those. A major review of the Council's vision, mission, and objectives, and it's national and state roles, was undertaken.
The Convenor who followed Peter for 5 years of consolidation of its structures and festival growth was Mr Roger Thomas (T en U, Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd) of the Cornish community. The next Convenor from 2004/2005 to 2006/2007 was Mr Rory McCrudden, the first of the Irish community.
State level organisations under the banner of Celtic Council of Australia exist in NSW and Queensland (and previously in the ACT). Discussions had been held with kindred groups in Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and SA. Formation of other state level organisations in various states / Territories would be welcomed.
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![]() The Australian School of Celtic Learning - Present the latest and best research in the field of Celtic learning to all their students, whether their interest is genealogical, spiritual, historical or linguistic. Programmes are arranged in four terms each year, each beginning on one of the Celtic festivals of Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain. Offering includes study days, evening courses, residential immersion schools and overseas study tours. Topics for programmes range widely over topics of Celtic interest, with a particular focus on the early medieval period, and on medieval and modern Celtic languages. |
![]() The Australian Celtic Journal was established in 1988 by the Celtic Council of Australia. The aim of the Journal was to provide a quality forum for Australian Celticists, both academics and community members. Since 1988 fourteen (15) issues have appeared!
Journal Edition No. 15 is now available! Back copies No. 1 - 14 are available to order. |
Celtic Council organised or recognised:
![]() ![]() ![]() Other recognised Celtic, or Celtic Community, Festivals:
AWAITING NEW DETAILS: 60th Geelong Highland Gathering at Deakin University's Campus at Waurn Ponds, Geelong - March, 2018. Expanded again in 2013 it hosted a Scottish folk music concert. Solo piping and drumming competitions on Saturday (when entry is free). Pipe band competitions, heavy games, Highland dancing and Scottish Country dancing, Highland martial arts and a market - will be held on Sunday, March 3. On the Saturday night, 7:30pm, a Concert for the Clans will be held in the K.D Stewart Centre at the university, which seats 600 people and some top Scottish folk groups will perform including Taliska, Red Cat and local Geelong group Myra McCrae and Clan. $25 adults, U15 $15. (www.concertfortheclans.com.au for more info).
Geelong Highland Gathering Contact: The Secretary, G.H.G.A, P.O.Box 798, Geelong, Victoria 3220 or Phone: (03) 5221 7224 (after hours), Email:
daryl.mclure7@bigpond.com
Some other known Celtic or Celtic Community events:
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The Honours: For more information on the process for nominations contact the Awards Registrar, c/o Secretary, Email: Honours Secretary for award of an honour to a worthy person [eg. on some traditional Celtic seasonal festival days; Autumn (March), Winter (June), Spring (September) and Summer (November) Soltices OR at other key events during the year (eg. for the Awards Lunch, and at ACF Glen Innes); the committee will consider and award personal honours to be known as Australian Celtic Honours Such honours awarded currently consist of the following 5 categories:
Nominations Guidelines - for nominators and referees The award of Honours is made by the Celtic Council of Australia to recognise members of Celtic communities who have performed significant service for the Celtic cause. Awards are given to persons who have given service to a single Celtic community or on a particular occasion or whom one of the community member organisations desires to honour or for successful leadership in the Celtic community or such other as the Council decides. Read carefully the description of award levels above. Nominations for Celtic Honours are brought to the Standing Committee of the Celtic Council of Australia for confirmation and approval. In the first instance nominations should be addressed to any member of the Standing Committee or to the Hon Secretary who will table them at the next suitable meeting of the Council. The form of the nomination may be typed or handwritten and sent by hand, postal service, facsimile or e-mail. It should include the full name, title, address and contact number(s) of the nominee; the reason, effect and significance as to why consideration should given; a list of the relevant positions with dates of service and responsibilities; demonstration of achievement and contribution and referee names where appropriate. Your comments should be particular and need not be lengthy. While nominations are likely to be referenced the nominee will not be approached on the matter of the nomination. When the nomination has been adjudicated, the nominator will be advised and, where appropriate, arrangement will be made as to an award ceremony. For more information on the Celtic Honours system of the Celtic Council of Australia contact a member of the Standing Committee or to get information on lodging an honours nomination contact the Honorary Secretary (as above). Note: Over the decades that the honours system has been operating there have been minor adjustments - eg. pin colours, ribbon changes, introduction of purchaseable medals, naming and meaning clarifications - but ALL recipients of each Award and Post Nominal retain the same high status and honour as when they were awarded, for their lifetime and for perpetuity.
CCA Honours Guideline Principles 2009 (ie.view/print pdf)
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Celtic Council Certificates :
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For more information contact the webmaster (Chris Dunkerley CyC):
Telephone 61+2+(0)409 393 059 OR
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| 25 years online - These pages were operational from 9 July, 1999 |
| This page was last updated on 5 February, 2025 |