Darling Downs residents with Scottish ancestry or have an interest in all things Scottish are invited to a patron meet and greet evening for the local branch of the Society of Saint Andrew of Scotland.
Branch president Rod May said their Toowoomba-based branch welcomed anyone who enjoys Scottish culture, music and having fun to join them for a dram on Friday, February 22.
Mr May has been involved with the society since their inaugural meeting 28 years ago.
“We aim to keep Scottish culture alive while also raising funds for our community through educational bursaries,” Mr May said.
“We raise money for St Andrew’s Hospital where we provide money for nurse bursaries,” he said.
“We also provide a bursary to an apprentice each year through the Master Plumbers Association in memory of one of our founding members Ron Douglas,” he said.
Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP encouraged people who were interested in joining the comradery to attend the patron meet and greet.
“We’ve got a rich Scottish heritage on the Darling Downs and it’s great to see the Society has an eye on the future,” Mr Janetzki said.
“The Scots have made a major cultural contribution to the world - poetry, the bag pipes, whiskey and of course haggis!” he said.
The patron meet and greet will be held at St James function room on the corner of Mort and Russell Streets at 6pm for a 6.30pm start on February 22.
The cost will be $15 which includes canapes and dram (nip of scotch) for guests. RSVP by February 18 to Rod May on 0412 987 771 or 4635 4086.
Mr May said the society had a number of Scottish family history books available for people to research their family names and clans.
“There are many reasons why you may enjoy membership including: you have Scottish heritage, you enjoy the traditions of our society, you enjoy the bag pipes, you enjoy a dram of scotch, you enjoy wearing a kilt or you enjoy the company of likeminded people,” Mr May said.