Robert Burns Scottish Festival

2020 Cancelled

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The 2020 Robert Burns Scottish Festival has been cancelled.  Chairperson Dr John Menzies OAM said “that the RBSF Committee met last week and the decision to cancel the Festival which aligns with the Australian Government guidelines on mass gatherings became the catalyst that was the only option we could take.  Dr. Menzies said that before making a public announcement we needed to contact all of the Performers, Guest Speakers and providers who had been booked for the 2020 festival.” We are mindful of the impact of the Covid-19 Virus and the loss of income for our Musicians and providers including our Patrons. Early Bird Ticket holders will be refunded and our Website will be updated for the duration, the committee will continue to plan the festival for 2021 and appreciate the support given over recent months. Dr Menzies said, “This is a time for us all to use our strength and compassion to pull together …

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Press Release Program & Ticketing Updates

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The Camperdown Robert Burns Festival committee are pleased to announce that the festival program is nearing completion and promises our 2nd festival as a community operated festival will see new elements adding to a number of favourite events returning. Festival Chairperson Dr John Menzies AOM said “the committee are pleased to announce that Early Bird tickets are now available via the festival website via Trybooking.com until May 25 . Visit: https://camperdownburnsfestival.com.au/tickets/ Early Bird tickets are $80 which allow patrons to go to all the performances at designated venues over the weekend”. This price excludes the Burns Festival Gala dinner which is $70 / person, bookings are essential”. Dr Menzies said, “ a number of festival musicians have now been booked and the performers coming include The Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, returning as our headline act in 2020. A great combination of Australia’s best known Scottish performers are now confirmed to appear at the festival include …

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2020 Lecture Series

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Guest Speakers Announced. Saturday 4th July, 10.30 am – 3.30 pmKillara Centre, Camperdown $20 per Lecture Series for Adults (Saturday 4 Lectures). Under 18’s: Free(under 13’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.) Dr Andrew Lemon has chosen to speak on “The legacy of Camperdown district Scots and the Manifolds to Australian horse racing.” Dr Ruth Pullin will speak on “Vision and patronage: von Guérard and the Scots of the Western District.” Dr Ian D. Clark will take us on “A Scottish Ramble through the Western District.” David Jellie will discuss “The legacy of Scottish Engineers, Telford and McAdam, to Australia’s roads.” For further details and updates visit our Lecture Series page. Tickets now available!

2020 RBSF Press Release

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Camperdown’s Robert Burns Scottish Festival 2020 After the relaunch of the Robert Burns Scottish Festival this year the Community Festival Committee is pleased to announce that the Festival was a great success with an increased patronage. A revamp of the festival saw new elements implemented into the event. Chairperson Dr John Menzies OAM said the committee are busy now planning the 2020 festival program. The popular Schools program is returning and visits to local schools will include an Art, poetry and a story writing competition. The popular shortbread baking competition saw an increase of entries with many mums and dads participating. The committee made the decision for entry to the festival performances for children under the age of 18 years to be free this year, and the same offer will be offered in 2020. It is our way of offering opportunities to families to come along and experience cultural events. The RBSF starts on June …

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Burns Gala Dinner 2019

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BURNS GALA DINNER @ Killara on Friday, July 5 6.00pm for 6.30pm start Enjoy a wonderful evening of fine food and entertainment 3-course meal for $65 includes: Entrée Haggis with Mashed Potato and Turnips Main (Alternative serves) Salmon Fillet on a Leek and Pea Barley Braise 8 hour Hunters Beef with Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Mash Served with assorted Green Vegetables Sweets (Alternative serves) Sticky Gingerbread Pudding with Ginger Wine and Brandy Sauce Chocolate Orange Whisky Mousse Entertainment: Eric Bogle and Band, Fiona Ross and Shane O’Mara Sing-a-long, Poetry, Addressing the Haggis Drinks @ Bar Prices Bookings essential by Tuesday, July 2 Tickets available from Laffs, Affordable Elegance and Robinson Street Clinic or phone Catherine 0407 056 126

A Special Opening of Camperdown’s Masonic Hall

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This year, for the Robert Burns Festival, the Leura Lodge, Camperdown is opening their beautiful bluestone building to the public. The Lodge itself was formed in 1865 and by 11th September 1868, the Geelong Register reported: “Another fine building in Camperdown is now nearly approaching completion.  I allude to the Masonic Hall, a large bluestone edifice in Manifold Street which has been erected by the brethren of the mystic order for their accommodation in this district.  The building when finished will be a credit to the Leura Lodge for whom it is intended and an undoubted acquisition to the township.” The hall will be open from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July. Visitors will be greeted by a current lodge member who will be there to talk about the history of the building and answer questions. There will be a display of notable Camperdown Scots where were active in …

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Top line-up for Burns Festival Lectures

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The lecture program for the 2019 Camperdown Robert Burns Scottish Festival will feature some great speakers on everything Scottish. Coordinated by the Camperdown & District Historical Society, the lecture program has grown in popularity over the years.  According to Festival chairman Dr John Menzies OAM, “an important aim of the Festival is to educate the community about the enormous contribution and influence of our Scottish forebears. The lecture program is a vital component of this”, he said. Speaking this year will be former long-serving Federal politician and well known local identity, Stewart McArthur. Stewart is a descendant of Peter McArthur, a founding Scot of Camperdown district. His subject will be; “Scots Tradition: Five generations of McArthur’s – A perspective of 180 years at ‘Meningoort’, 1839 – 2019” There will be a welcome return of culinary expert Dr Iain Buckland, who will talk about “the immigrant food experience for the Western District settlers from Scotland”. Also …

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Early Bird Tickets

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The Camperdown Robert Burns Scottish Festival Committee are pleased to announce that the festival Program is nearing completion and promises to be a Festival for the community with new elements adding to a number of favourite events returning.The Festival Chairperson Dr John Menzies OAM said “the committee are pleased to announce that Early Bird tickets will be available until May 31st and the Early Bird ticket is $80.00 which will allow patrons to go to all the performances at the designated venues over the weekend” this price excludes Festival Burns Gala Dinner $65.00 per person, bookings are essential. Dr Menzies said “our festival musicians have now been booked and the performers coming to Camperdown include Eric Bogle and his band, Fiona Ross, John McAluslan which is a great combination of Australia’s best known Scottish musicians.  Luke Plumb and Kate Burke, Shane O’Mara, Peter Daffy, Maree Daffy, Andy Rigby and Nick Martin, Claire Patti, Geoff McArthur, …

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Fabulous Music Workshops

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The Camperdown Robert Burns Scottish Festival presents three days of fabulous workshops at a Winter Music School on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Peter Daffy, Musical Director said “Some of Australia’s finest tutors will be in town conducting a range of workshops”  There are a range of lessons for beginners in pipes and drums, Scottish country dancing and community choir and the instrumental workshops for mandolin, bouzouki, fiddle and concertina will be tailored to suit intermediate to experienced musicians. The focus is traditional Celtic tunes and songs accompaniment.  Scottish country dance lessons will be run in the late afternoons with the junior choir and informal sessions will be run in the evenings along with the senior choir.  Some come and try piping and drumming lessons are available for a small fee on the Friday.  Workshops start at $10.00 and full registration for the three days just $60.00 for Adults and $30.00 for under 18 years. …

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