About Us

THE WAIPU CALEDONIAN SOCIETY INCORPORATED

COMUNN NA H-ALBA WAIPU

MOTTOS

Tir nam Beann’s nam Gleann’s nam Gaisgeach - The country of the mountains, the glens and the heroes

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit - No one injures me with impunity

The Waipu Caledonian Society was formed in 1870 to run the newly instituted Highland Games in 1871. There had been sports days in 1869 and 1870 and these were the inspiration to have such an annual event. Below is part of chapter 21 of Norman McKenzie’s book that gives a good introduction to the Waipu Caledonian Society.

‘The Gael Fares Forth’ by Norman R McKenzie 1935

The Caledonian Society

FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL, PHYSICAL TRAINING BY MEANS OF games and dancing formed an important part of the educa­tion of Highlanders. It was not by accident that Highland dancing steps were included in modern systems of physical culture. Their value had been proved. Of course, music was necessarily associated with dancing and here the great pipe (piob mhor), with its martial strains, found its place.

In the earlier days of Waipu, there were no facilities for practising these activities and there were no fields in which gatherings could be held. Towards the end of 1870, it was felt that the time was ripe for action and a small committee was set up to arrange for the first gathering. The members of the committee were Kenneth McKenzie¹ (‘Prince’), D. J. McLeod ², Murdoch McDonald, Donald McLean and Roderick Fraser ³. The upshot was the inauguration of the Waipu Caledonian Society, which held its first gathering on New Year’s Day, 1871, and has had a meeting every New Year’s Day since. Not only is this the principal social event of the year in Waipu, but it is one of the classic events of the Dominion. For New Year’s Day, 1934, two New Zealand Championships in piping and dancing, were allotted to the Society by the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand.

The objects of the Society are:

‘To keep up the customs, traditions and language of the Mother country, Highland dancing, music, games, etc., and to assist any immigrants from the Highlands of Scotland or from Nova Scotia who settle in Waipu and are in need of help.

¹ Lost in the Rona.

² Afterwards Manager, AMP Society, Auckland.

³ The Miller.’