Spring has sprung!! Isn’t it wonderful to see all the blossom trees? In this area, of course, there are new baby animals everywhere. It is very easy to get distracted by all this burgeoning growth but it’s time to get this edition of Celtic News together for you. Throughout this Newsletter you will find lots of dates for Celtic music performances.

Last month’s article “Innis versus Innes” gave rise to some correspondence regarding the origin of the name of Glen Innes, so I approached the expert, Eve Chappell, Museum Manager and Research Coordinator at the Land of the Beardies History House, who kindly sent me the following article. When you next visit Glen Innes, do go and have a look at this great little museum. It is full of local memorabilia and is a wonderful resource for those researching local history.

Major Archibald Clunes Innes

First Printed in “The Land of the Beardies History House Bulletin” Volume 5 NO 1 February 1977.
Archibald Clunes Innes was born in 1800 and arrived in Sydney with the rank of Captain of the Guard on a convict ship in 1822. After holding several military appointments in the Colony, he resigned his commission in the army with the rank of Major, to assume the position of superintendent of police, and magistrate at Parramatta in 1828. Following his marriage to Margaret McLeay, daughter of the Colonial Secretary, Innes became police magistrate at Port Macquarie, where he received a grant of 2,568 acres. During his term at Port Macquarie he set about acquiring more land and between 1836 and 1840 he bought 9,900 acres of land from the Government for £2,499-1-2, as well as 2 town allotments at Port Macquarie for £122 and 5 acres at Kiama for £72.

Besides the land he owned in the vicinity of Port Macquarie, Innes’ holdings extended to the New England where, as well as Furracabad, he owned Waterloo at Walcha, Kentucky at Uralla, and Dundee Station in the Beardy plains district. Although Major Innes’ name appears as the licence-holder of Furracabad when Commissioner Macdonald visited the station on 10th May 1845, Lands Department records show the licence-holder was the Bank of Australasia so it was apparently mortgaged to that bank. It remained in the name of the bank until 1851 when it was transferred to Archibald Mosman. There is little doubt that the Bank took the property over eventually, but it is not clear at what period Innes ceased to be interested in the property. In the 1840s, his holdings were mortgaged to the bank of Australasia (and thus appeared under the bank’s name). It is hard to distinguish which other places he did own. Mole River Station, which was taken up by Ward Stevens in 1839, was also shown under the ownership of the Bank of Australasia, so it is likely that it also was owned by Major Innes.

Previous owner of Furracabad, William Turner was only running cattle on the property when he left Furracabad, but when Innes took over in 1845 the latter was running 16,000 sheep. The sheep had to be shepherded, and Innes is shown as having 32 residents on Furracabad, whereas there were only 5 residents the previous year when Turner was running only cattle. Either the Bank or Innes altered the policy because in 1851 Furracabad is shown as running 13 horses, 1,500 cattle and 8,670 sheep on 25,000 acres.

The Deepwater Station diary confirms that Major Innes owned Dundee. On 30th June 1846, it states – “a flock of rams belonging to Major Innes was found running on this side of the Dividing range” and on 1st July 1846 – “sent notice to the overseer at Dundee about the sheep trespassing”.

Some writers have questioned whether Major Innes ever came into the District. The Deepwater diary dispels these doubts. “14/5/1847 Mr. Donaldson and Captain Innes slept here on their way to Sydney.” “28/5/1848 Major Innes stopped here on his way to the Downs.” “9/6/1848 Major Innes called on his way back”.

In this District when the original squatters took up their runs, they searched for a valley which had not already been occupied. When they found what they were looking for, they defined the boundary by the watershed and all the land that drained water into that valley was considered theirs. When they thought they had enough land, they marked the lower end of the run by a line of physical features or by a line of blazed trees. The next land-seeker could either continue down the valley from this line or find a new valley.

It is interesting to note on each occasion that Commissioner Macdonald visited Furracabad he gave a different estimate of the area.
29 August 1839 extent 8 miles
13 April 1840 extent 5 miles
22/23 November 1840 extent 9 x 5 miles
17 January 1844 extent 17 x 5 miles
10 May 1845 extent 12 x 3 miles

In 1848 the Government Gazette defined the runs and Glen Innes run was defined thus: “25,000 acres bounded on the north and north west by a range dividing it from Captain Ditmas’ run, on the north and east by a range dividing it from A. Boyd’s run, Boyd’s Plains, on the south by a range dividing it from William Boyd’s run and on the west by a range dividing it from McIntyre’s run”.

Major Innes was in financial difficulties through the 1840s and was reported bankrupt in 1852.

Mobile Movie Fest Update

Tenterfield Cinema

Peter Harris, Festival Director
Musicians in particular need excellent communication skills in digital technology.  Making a movie on a mobile device brings together most of the exciting forms of communication (image, animation, text, audio, music, spoken word, story-telling).  And that’s just what the Mobile Movie Fest is all about – plus the excitement of seeing your movie on the Big Screen and the Fest website.

Welder’s Dog member Peter Harris has conducted workshops with over 150 school students across the Northern Tablelands and is looking forward to all sorts of movie contributions.  There is an open section which would suit your latest music video.

And a reminder to submit your best/favourite music video or live performance clip to our Folk/Celtic-Fusion category. Welder's Dog is sponsoring this great initiative to help us all find new fans for our incredible genre of music.

Check out www.mobilemoviefest.com/celticfolk.html for details and to see the latest additions to the website. There will be a Big Screen celebration of the Music Videos on January 14th 15th 2017. Submissions to the Mobile Movie Fest need to be filmed/edited on a smartphone or tablet. BUT submissions to the Folk/Celtic category can be shot and edited on any devices.

Gone Molly Album Fundraiser Concert!

The girls from Gone Molly (Sally Harris and Rebecca Wright) are planning an album and would dearly love your help!  They’re holding an album fundraiser concert at Magda’s Community Artz on Sunday 23rd October with special guest appearances, a concert, raffle and more!  Afternoon tea and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Adults $20. Concession $15. Kids Free.

Hope to see you all there!  

Click here for bookings.

Australian Celtic Festival 2017

This is your last call to apply to appear at the 25th Anniversary Australian Celtic Festival, celebrating the Year of Ireland. Performer, busker and workshop applications are on the website and close on 20th September 2016.

Pigs and Frogs; A Menagerie of Sorts

John Graham

It is now one month since the world’s largest Celtic festival in Brittany, France finished and it already feels like we were there several months ago.

2016, The Year of Australia, has come and gone and organisers agree that it was a great success. It has been ten years since the inaugural year Australia and ten years since Murphy’s Pigs first emerged as a Celtic band in its own right at the festival.

This year was very different to the first time. Those members of the band who had been before knew exactly what to expect and were eager to share this experience with the other members who had not. The performance programme was different. We were busy. Instead of one gig per day, as in 2006, Murphy’s Pigs played 17 times over eight days.

The crowds were big, enthusiastic and ready to revel. The performances could start anywhere between 2pm and 1.30am. It didn’t seem to matter to the festival goers. The crowds kept filling up the pavilion. And so we played, and sang and enjoyed their revelry.
We were fortunate this year to share the pavilion with some great Australian Celtic bands. Claymore, Saoirse, Sásta and Murphy’s Pigs were the main performers and then the Kelly Family Band, Graham Dodsworth and a contingent of singers, dancers and musicians from New Zealand ably filled the gaps.

William Hutton, of Celtic super group Claymore, did an amazing job in coordinating all of the artists performing at the Australian Pavilion. No-one knows for sure when he actually got to sleep.

The camaraderie among the Australian performers was fantastic.  Although most of us had met before it was the first time that we got to spend a good deal of time with each other and chew the fat. Watching these groups perform at their best to appreciative crowds was fantastic. Some new friendships were made and some exciting, future prospects mulled over. It was an honour to be part of such a wonderful event and share our music with the Celts in Europe.

Highlights? Listening to and watching the crowds go berserk when we performed the very popular song ‘Santiano’ in French. Watching crazy Frenchmen and women dressed in kangaroo suits crowd surfing in front of us. Peter being given the honour of leading the festival parade, the March of the Celts (a massive street parade – 4 hours long) as the Australian flag bearer. Hearing that Peter tripped as he entered the stadium (the parade ends in front of a crowd of thousands and a television audience on millions) and then commando rolled with the flag, springing to his feet to a jubilant, cheering crowd. Finally seeing the photos of his feat of derring do. The new friends.  The old friends. Music, music, music.

So what did the other groups think of Festival Interceltique de Lorient, 2016?

Michael Hughes (Sásta):

Sásta had a wonderful experience at the Festival Interceltique 2016 in Lorient, France. With huge appreciative audiences, great camaraderie amongst all the Australian bands and a free bar backstage….sure t’was heaven! Musically and culturally, we learned so much from the opportunity to perform there. It was a formidable mix of creative energy, musical affinity and audience appreciation – a festival among festivals.

Bernadette O’Neill (Saoirse):

Saoirse were delighted to be involved in the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, France 2016. This was our first visit to Lorient and we had heard fabulous things about the festival but nothing could prepare us for the Celtic festival fantasy land that is ‘Lorient’. For 10 amazing days we sang and played to a crowded heaving tent of spectators of all ages and backgrounds. There was a great mixture of bands from all around Australia and a great sense of camaraderie developed between all. It was truly an amazing festival and we all definitely felt richer musically from this awesome experience.

William Hutton (Claymore):

Well what a great experience we had at The Festival Interceltique de Lorient 2016, The Year of Australia. This was the eighth time Claymore has had the honour to appear at this amazing festival and the best so far!

It was a lot of hard work but great fun, having played 28 shows in 10 days. We even did three shows on our official one and only day off!!

Festival Interceltique de Lorient is a festival that has to be experienced to be believed. Simply telling someone about it doesn’t really relay the magnitude of this event.

Claymore’s highlights this year would have to be, performing alongside some of the Australian music scenes biggest and best names, the likes of Tommy Emanuel, Eric Bogle and the amazing Archie Roach! We also got to play with some of our great friends from Saoirse as the Claymore Saoirse big band, always a blast. The Australian pavilion at the festival was the busiest pavilion of the whole festival. It just rocked from Morning till the wee hours every night! The biggest highlight would have been the amazing camaraderie shown between all of the acts working in the pavilion. No egos there; all for one and one for all was the motto. From the amazing Trad music of Sásta to the total crowd participation of Murphy’s Pigs, the sweet, sharp, scintillating sound of Saoirse and the sheer power of Claymore to get everyone on their feet and dancing, it’s an event we won’t forget in a hurry and look forward to number nine.

Mark Cryle and Carmel Newman

23rd and 24th September Folk by the Sea Kiama

Website: www.folkbythesea.com.au

String Loaded

Clans on the Coast, Port Stephens, 17th September 2016
Gala Spectacular Concert, Adamstown Uniting Church Newcastle, 13th November
Woodford Folk Festival Woodford QLD, 27th December 2016 to 1st January 2017

Lorin Nicholson

Lorin is an inspirational entertainer and speaker, who appears at many schools throughout Australia. Members of the public, as well as family and friends of students are invited to attend at no cost.

October 18th to 22nd, Christmas Island Western Australia Indian Ocean, various school and community based performances on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.

Friends of The Australian Celtic Festival

Supporting Celtic Heritage

• Renew your membership or join (applications on the website) for 2017 and get free entry to see The String Family on 1^st October 2016 at the New England Club.
• Renew or join as above and get free entry to see The Abbies at Land of The Beardies Museum on 26^th November 2016. This is a spectacular small museum with lots of local exhibits.
• Buy a Friend of The Australian Celtic Festival polo shirt for $27.50. This is a great way to show off at the Festival! These polo shirts are only available for Friends.

To book, contact Barbara on 02 6734 5189 – barbara.saxonge@gmail.com or 
Mary (Tuesday to Thursday) on 02 6730 2410 – mhollingworth@gisc.nsw.gov.au

Mobile Movie Fest Sponsors Shakespeare Workshop

Mobile Movie Fest is sponsoring a fantastic workshop on 29th and 30th September 2017 with the theme of Shakespeare for Acting and Film.

Celtic Journey

26th and 27th November, Central QLD Conservatorium, Mackay

10th Triple Threat Theatre Academy production featuring soloists, ensembles and groups from the Academy, Molly Armstrong & the Cape Byron Celtic Dancers (Australian Celtic Dance Champions), and the debut of a new all-male group of singers, in the vein of Celtic Thunder plus Principles Petar and Jessica Grulovic.

What’s on in Glen Innes?

October 1st
The String Family at the New England Club. From 6.30 pm. $15 pp including light supper. Book with Barbara on 02 6734 5189 or email barbara.saxonge@gmail.com or Mary (Tuesday to Thursday) on 02 6730 2410 or email mhollingworth@gisc.nsw.gov.au.
 
October 13th and 14th
New England Wine Show.   Glen Innes Showgrounds. Phone: 02 6732 1759.
 
October 15th
Emmaville Vegetable Creek Hospital Fete. Phone: 02 6734 7975.
 
October 22nd
2CBD Grand opening of their new studio at 131 Church Street, 8.30 am to 3.30 pm. The studio will be formally opened by Deputy Prime Minister and member for New England Barnaby Joyce. Guided tours of the studio, BBQ, meet your Presenters. Family friendly day out.
 
October 29th
Peace Train – Darren Coggan presents his acclaimed retrospective of Cat Stevens’ music at Glen Innes & Districts Services Club. Doors open at 7.30 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 02 6732 1355.
 
October 29th and 30th
Vintage Truck, Machinery & Steam Show.  Showgrounds. www.truckandautoparts.com.
 
November 26th
4.30 pm. The Abbies at Land of the Beardies History House. $15 pp including light refreshments.

Glen Innes Services Club

Next time you’re passing through Glen Innes, come in and check out the new Lounge. It’s going to be a great venue to meet your friends for a drink or to play your favourite songs on the new free digital DJ.

The String Family

5th and 6th November
Australian National Busking Championships, Cooma. The String Family is defending their title.

Murphy’s Pigs

Arabesk

The band is just back from a 10 day tour of Japan including playing 2 shows at the Sumida Street Jazz Festival in Tokyo.

Earlier in August they launched their new EP Mr Fi, which contains 6 tracks that will leave you wishing for more. Recorded entirely in Bathurst NSW and featuring the artwork of acclaimed photographic artist Nicole Welch on the cover, the music lifts your spirits and takes you over the mountains and down the other side.

Clan Celtica – New Zealand

3 gigs in one day on 19^th November – crazy stuff ! Frankie Mac.

Every month I sit down to put together Celtic News and wonder if I will have enough to make an edition. Not this month! Lots of things coming in from lots of wonderful people. Please continue with your submissions.
I hope that you enjoyed this edition of Celtic News.

Barbara McLennan
Editor
Celtic News
02 6734 5189
barbara.saxonge@gmail.com

Published with permission from Celtic News