Following dinner at the Thistle Hotel at Altens, Aberdeen, attendees at the Federation Conference were treated to a marvellous evening’s entertainment. With John Caskie acting as MC the evening sprang into life with the Garioch Fiddlers playing an eclectic mix of jigs, reels and marches including several Burns’ songs which had the audience tapping and clapping.
During the Fiddlers’ well-earned break the audience was treated to beautifully balanced vocals, a stunning array of instrumental music and comic poetry in Doric from an astounding array of young talent who had formed a band following their participation in the Federation Schools competition. 
Although they had not known each other before the competition they so enjoyed each other’s fondness for Scottish music they decided to get together. This is a great tribute to the worth of the Federation’s Schools Competition and also to the Helena Anderson-Wright for promoting the youngsters of the Grampian region so avidly.Following a lively AGM and three excellent presentations during the afternoon seminar, the highlight of Saturday's programme was the President's Inaugural Dinner at which David Baird assumed the role of President, always an emotional event for both outgoing and incoming Presidents. Senior Vice President Jim Shields and newly-elected Junior Vice President Bob Stewart applaud as David relishes the honour of donning the magnificent chain of office.
As a consolation I have the pleasure of receiving my Past-President's medal from David.
In my response I thanked the NAS for helping the Federation maintain interest in Burns and in recognition of the importance of the find I presented Federation Homecoming Medals to Tristram Clarke and David Brown (above) who were responsible for finding the letter and pursuing its significance. Also in the photograph above, in the stripped dress, is Janet Elsie-May Coom, the great, great, great granddaughter of Burns through Anna Park. She expressed her delight at seeing the letter with its moving description of his condition during the final stages of his life.
The event started with a commemoration at the Burns Monument on the Carlton Hill at which Federation JVP Jim Shields (seen here introducing the guests) had organised a mixture of poetry recitations, songs and speeches relating to Burns. I was particularly delighted to be involved in this because I had commented during my speech at the rededication of the monument in October 2009 that the Monument must be seen as a living space and not just as a cold, stone, artefact. This lively event was exactly the sort of thing I had in mind and gave real meaning to the memory of the poet’s time in Edinburgh.
Judged by an eminent panel consisting of Professor David Purdie, EDBCA’s very own Margaret Anderson and Federation Past President Murdo Morrison (seated left to right on the front row with JVP Jim Shields far left), the competition produced a clear winner in Ian Buick with his outstanding rendition of To Mrs Scott, the Guid Wife of Wauchop House. 
I was delighted to present Ian with the inaugural Tom McIlwraith trophy; he graciously recognised that the other competitors had also performed their chosen poems magnificently well. In summing up, the Chairman of the judging panel, Professor Purdie, highlighted the brilliance of Burns as a wordsmith and it was the expressive use of his language which the panel held as their main yardstick in judging.
The photograph shows some of the dignitaries from clubs and associations standing in front of the chalybeate spring well from which Burns would have drunk, from a ladle, the saline water with its supposed restorative qualities.
The highlight was a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne led by ten of the students who knew all the verses off by heart. Yet again I saw at first hand the love of Burns' poetry and song which seems to be so inherent in Russian youngsters. All the exchange students had thoroughly enjoyed their time in Scotland and returned home with certificates and other mementoes of a highy successful cultural and educational visit. 
Fortunately, my next function was to be the Secondary School's Festival at Coatbridge High School where I could witness the incredible talent of our own pupils who are proudly carrying on the tradition of their forebears with such distinction. The photograph shows the overall winner, and Young Burnsian of the Year, piper Callum Moffat from Lockerbie Academy with his haul of trophies. Alongside Callum is Mr David Scott, Group Director of Gladedale group of companies which very generously sponsors the school's competitions, including the choral competition. Others in the photograph from the left are; Jim Shields JVP, Isa Hanley School's Convenor, Sam Judge RBWF Chief Executive and David Baird, SVP. 
Although we have no record of Burns having visited the library, he would almost certainly have known about it and went on to help establish and run one himself along roughly similar lines in the form of the Monklands Friendly Society at Dunscore Parish in 1789. 
The lecture, with the intriguing title of ‘In and Out of Tam O’Shanter,’ was delivered by Jim Thomson, President of the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs. 
The top table guests from left to right: Councillor Pam Clearie (Wife of the Provost) Provost South Lanarkshire Russell Clearie, Cathie Cowie, Archie Cowie (Pres. LABC), me, Helen Waddell Hon President of Allanton Jolly Begars Burns Club, Eric Budgell (V.Pres LABC) and Lily Budgell (Mins Sec LABC) 
I also commented on the fine work done by the LABC in maintaining the cairn at Covington Mains and arranging the annual celebration of the visit made by Burns when he stayed there with farmer Archibald Prentice, en route for his triumphant first stay in Edinburgh in November 1786. Burns said of Prentice, “sound sense and plain warm hospitality are truly his.” I can only comment that I found the same good sense and warm hospitality still well to the fore within the membership of LABC.
Seated in front of the illustrious gathering of past and current Presidents are Mrs Mary Schlag (right), the longest-serving member and Mrs Jenny Burns (left) the oldest member who both took part in cutting the beautiful cake later in the evening. 
I tried to do justice to the club in recognising its generous contributions to charity, its participation in all aspects of the Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association, its support for the Federation’s Schools’ Competition and its hosting of the annual Tam O’Shanter recitation competition. Along with Mary Schlag, some have been members for over fifty years, some for over forty years and at least 13 have over thirty years service which is a great testament to the loyalty and longevity of the club. Keep up the good work and roll on your century!
This fine statue (just visible above the mace) sits prominently in front of the Anglican Church (below). 
Close by is the very striking Presbyterain first Church with its close connexion to the Robert Burns story in that his nephew Thomas Burns (son of Burns' brother Gilbert) was the founder minister of the church and played a fundamental role in setting up the city of Dunedin. 
He was also a member of the founding committee of the internationally-renowned Otago University. During a visit to the present-day University I had the pleasure of meeting with Professor Liam McIlvanney, author of the splendid book 'Burns the Radical,' who currently occupies the Stuart Chair in Scottish Studies. As well as researching the influence of the Scottish Diaspora and other groups of emigrants, he is making a particular study of the contraversial New Zealand poet James Keir Baxter who was one of those selected for the Burns Writing Fellowship - a highly prized residential writer's position at the University. 
Before catching the ferry for South Island we stayed overnight with my 'new' cousin Yvonne (below) and her husband Peter who gave us a wonderful tour of Wellington - a great end to the North Island part of our trip. Photo shows the ferry route through the Cook Straits. 
President Tom Shiels (middle) presided over proceedings and Pat and I were presented with beautifully carved wooden pens as a memento of our visit. These had been carved by our host, and Club Secretary, David Small, ( second from right) and pictured below with his wife Beth and ‘Lass’ their cairn terrier.
They could not have been kinder hosts and gave us a memorable start in our exploration of New Zealand's North Island. I was also given a bound copy of a poem entitled ‘An Epitaph and Eulogy for Robert Burns” written by Charles Colquhoun Rowan, a member of the Club. Later in the day I paid a visit to the very fine 1921 Burns Statue in the Auckland Domain Gardens. 
6 February 2010
This was an evening full of variety with a highland dancing demonstration and opportunity to partake in country dancing interspersed between the dinner courses. It also included the most impressive and dramatic haggis ceremony with sword-wielding escorts guarding the ‘beastie’ before the puir wee thing was ceremoniously despatched in grand style before being piped back to the kitchen. I was particularly pleased to see Ron Johnston and his wife Joan (below) who had hosted me on my two previous visits to Melbourne when he was the Hon Secretary of the Burns Club.
On this trip we were looked after with most thoughtful hospitality by Bill and Ina Graham, a couple who came originally from Ayrshire and work incredibly hard on behalf of all the Scottish societies in and around Melbourne.
