November19

By-Election to Be Held

President Lawrence Cormack today announced that a By-election will be held during the December Luncheon Meeting to fill the position of Membership Chair, left vacant by the sudden death of John Madden in October.

Members interested in running running in the By-election are asked to notify any member of the Board for further information. As well, nominations will be welcome from the floor.

October 15

Club Mourns Loss of Board Member

The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club is today mourning the loss of long time member John Madden, who passed away yesterday after a legnthy battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Madden who frequently entertained at luncheon meeting, often with friend Craig Oliphant had been a Director and had been elected as Membership Chair at the AGM in April.

The death came on the eve of the first Luncheon Meeting of the fiscal year.

October 1

New Fiscal Year Begins - New Board Take Office

With the coming of October, a new year begins and the Board of Dirctors elected at the AGM in April official take office today. The first meeting of the new Board is scheduled for tomorrow.

Long time members John Gunn and Margaret McCurdy join the Board as Directors, while Directors John Madden and Janet Thompson take up new offices, John as Membership Chair; and Janet succeeds Joyce Cormack as Treasurer. All other members retain their previous offices

.Sept 3

Burns Club to Participate In Parade

Members of the Burns Club are welcome to join other local members of the Scottish Community to participate in the 7th Annual Combined Scottish Community Parade which will leave Main St & Assiniboine Avenue at 1:00 on Saturday September 10, proceed through The Forks to the Thistle Monument on Waterfront Drive.

Aug 4

Future Member born

Burns Club Board Member Lynette Buchanan and Greg Buchanan are pleased to announce the arrival, on July 18 of Murdoch Gilbert Gregor. The brother for Alastair weighed in at 11 pounds 4 ounces and measured 22.75 inches. Copngratulations Lynette and Greg.

July 31

Pavilion of Scotland opens

With the start of Folklorama the Pavilion of Scotland opened this evening. It will continue at 6:00 each evening, until Satuirday Auigust 6.

July 5

RBANA Past President Dead

Frank Campbell, Immediate Past President of RBANA, creator and Editor Emeritus of the RBANA Tattler died this morning in hospital in Barrie Ontario. The executive and members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club send heartfelt condolences to his family.

June 17

Burns Club President to speak to Women's Group

Winnipeg Robert Burns Club President Lawrence Cormack will address the Womens Canadian Club of Winnipeg at its January 17th luncheon.

May 16

RBANA Meeting Concludes - Burnsians Head Home

With a church parade from the Marlborough Hotel to Knox United Church, the 31st RBANA Annual General Meeting and Conference came to a conclusion yesterday.

The conference began Friday, with a meeting of the Executive Board, and a dinner and ceilidih in the evening. The Annual General Meeting on Saturday discussed the future of the Association. The highlight of Saturday evening was the Burns Supper. The Winnipeg club's Dr Tony Grogan, RBANA Canadian Director, Addressed the Haggis, Jim & Jean Cunningham of Halton - Peel Toasted the Lassies and replied, Dr Archie McNicol Toasted the Immortal Memory. Margaret Zadworny and the Braemar Dancers provided the entertainment.

Special guests durting the conference weekend, included David Baird, President of the Robert Burns World Federation, and his wife Ruith.

April 16

Annual Meeting Held - Constitution Ammended New Executive Board Elected

The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club held its 104th Annual General Meeting this afternoon.

Following minor changes to the constitution, the officers and directors who will guide the club through the coming two years were elected.

Lawrence Cormack was acclaimed for a second term as President. Vice President Don Rennicks was similarly reelected.  Janet Thompson succeeds the retiring Joyce Cormack as Treasurer.  Colin Harris will continue as Secretary.

John Madden succeeds to the position of Membership Chair.

Following balloting Lynette Buchanan returns as one of three directors, being joined by long time club members John Gunn and Margaret McCurdy.

We congratulate all who were elected and thank those who sought election for participating.

March 31

Jock Smith passes

The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Milwaukee club President, and RBANA Director Jock Smith.  Jock's last visit to Winnipeg was for the Burns Supper in January 2009, when he toasted the Immortal Memory.  His friends in Winnipeg bid him a sad farewell.

March 21

New Links Added

Links were added this morning to a new business business venture based in Mauchline Scotland - Burns Tours of Ayrshire and to the RBANA 2011 Registration forms.  The Mauchline link can be found òn our Òther Burns Links page.  The Registration link on our home page.

March 3

Club Secretary Named Ambassador

The Executive of the Pavilion of Scotland have selected Winnipeg Robert Burns Club Secretary Colin Harris as one of two Adult Ambassadors for the Pavilion during Folklorama.  This is the third time in recent years that a member of the club has been honoured, past Presidents Jim Carrigan and Craig Oliphant previously having served.  Colin is a regular denizen of the cultural booth area and is also a member of Melrose Camp, Sons of Scotland and Clan McLeod Society of of Manitoba.  Colin looks forward to welcoming everyone to the Pavilion of Scotland, July 31 - August 6.

February 24

 Les Archibald 1926 - 2011

Members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club joined members of the St Andrew's Society, Sons of Scotland, Manitoba Highland Dance Association along with friends and family to bid farewell to Les Archibald, a Past President and Honourary Member of the club.  Les was a longtime, and well regarded member of numerous Scottish Associations.  He died January 28 after a long battle with Parkinson's.   

February 5

 Bertha Leeder Turns 90

Members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club joined family members, and members of the Sons of Scotland, to celebrate the 90th birthday of long time member Bertha Leeder.   

January 26

104th Burns Supper enjoyed by over 100

More than 100 attended the 104th Annual Burns Supper at the Marlborough Hotel last night.  Following the piping in of two tables of guests from the St Andrew's Society of Winnipeg and the President's Table, Colin Harris led the singing of the National Anthem.  Compere John Perrin then welcomed everyone and introduced the members of the President's Table.  Following Grace, and a Toast to Absent Friends, the guests enjoyed a hot bowl of Scotch Broth.

Following the soup, Piper Kirby McRae led in the Haggis Procession.  Greg & Lynette Buchanan bore the haggis in the regimantal style that has become club tradition followed by Secretary, and Supper Committee Chair Colin Harris, who, for the first time in public, gave the Address to a Haggis, to much acclaim.

Prior to the service of the Trile, Guest Entertainer Ronnie O'Byrne performed Son of Mar, from The Jolly Beggars, accompanied on the Bodran by club member John Madden.  Following a post dinner interval, and Colin Harris bringing "Greetings Frae Ither Clubs" Ronnie returned to perform "Such A Parcel of Rogues in a Nation, again accompanied by John Madden.

Immediate Past President Roy McLeod Toasted Canada prior to Craig Oliphant humourously toasting the L:assies, to which his wife Carla replied.

The Winnipeg Burns Club Men's Chorus took centre stage to perform Scot's Wha' Hae and A Man's A Man before Compere John Perrin introduced special guest for the evening Dr Archie McNicol, Membership Chair of the St Andrew's Society, who suitably Toasted The Immortal Memory.

The Men's Chorus returned, to accompany Ronnie O'Byrne for the Star of Rabbie Burns before Ronnie presented Holy Willie's Prayer.

President Lawrence Cormack made brief remarks of welcome and thanks before Ronnie O'Byrne presented a well received PowerPoint accompanied recitation of Scot's Wha Hae.

A brief interval was followed by the door prize and raffle draws, with several guests winning prizes.

The evening ended in the traditional manner with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the Royal Anthem.

 

January 10

Burns Supper ticket sales progressing well

With two weeks to go before the 104th Annual Burns Supper, the board learned at its meeting last night that ticket sales are progressing well, with a number of first time guests.  Tickets are still available.  Contact Joyce Cormack at 224-2291.

 November 20

Burns Club welcomes 40 for lunch

The November luncheon meeting of the club saw 40 members and guests, a number unprecedented in recent memory, enjoy lunch in the Kensington Room at the Marlborough Hotel.

The gatering marked the first official luncheon meeting for new Executive members, Dr Gordon Mills, appointed to fill the new position of Membership Chair, and Lynette Buchanan, appointed to fill a vacant Director position.

Following a lasagne lunch, the assembled were entertained by Club Secretary Colin Harris perfornm the Address to a Haggis, led in behind new member Bob Grant on the pipes, as well as a talk on The Portraits of Robert Burns, by Past President Roy McLeod, and a reading by Sebastian Sears, who, it was learned, will be stepping down as Club Chaplain due to family health concerns.  Bob Grant concluded the program with a pipe performance.

August 22

Due to technical difficulties the email address for the club has been changed.

The new email address is:

winnipegrobertburnsclub@gmail.com

October 26

Canadian Government recognizes Tartan Day.

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage announced Thursday October 21, that the Government of Canada will now officially recognize April 6 as Tartan Day.

The declaration is the culmionation of a lengthy campaign supported by Scottish groups across the country.

A bill was before the Canadian Senate, introduced by Senator John Wallace of New Brunswick and was at second reading.

October 24

The RBANA Tattler now available online.

The RBANA Tattler, the newsletter of the Robert Burns Association of North America is now available online at www.rbana.com  The issue contains reports of both the RBANA and Federation Conferences and reports from President Chrys Ballantyne.

June 25

Burns Club Commerates Burns Death

Close to 2 daozen members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club gathered on the grounds of the Legislature this afternoon for the Annual Memorial Service, commerating the death of Scotland's Bard.

Following a brief eulogy President Lawrence Cormack laid a wreath at the base of the statue.  Piper Kirbby McRae vplayed ca eulogy on the shuttle pipes.  Readings by Ishbel Turnbull, Joyce Cormack and Tony Grogan followed.  Kirby McRae and The Men's Chorus and Craig Oliphant provided music and song. 

Dancing followed (Gay Gordon and a Virginia Reel).

The afternoon ended with the assembled singing Flower of Scotland, Auld Lang Syne, and God Save the Queen.

June 5

Winipeg Burns Club Members elected to RBANA Board

Club to host 2011 Conference

3 Members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club were elected to join the new RBANA Board at the Association's Annual Meetig held today in Livonia Michigan.  Club Secretary Colin Harris is the new RBANA Vice President, by acclamation.  Dr Tony Grogan,  was reelected as Canadian Director and is joined by Club Vice President Don Rennicks.

The complete RBANA executive chosen is:

President Chrys Ballantyne (Halton-Peel)

Vice President Colin Harris

Canadian Director - Tony Grogan

                               Ron Ballantyne (Halton Peel)

                               Don Rennicks

US Director         -   Kathleen McGlew (Annapolis)

                                Robert Boyd (Houston)

                                John (Jock) Smith (Milwaukee)

Following the AGM Ron Ballatyne was appointed as Secretary-Treasurer

 

RBANA members also heard details of the 31st Annual Conference, to be held May 13-15, 2011 at the Marlborough Hotel in Winnipeg

May 10

Winipeg Burns Club Members prepare for RBANA AGM

Three Members Nominated For Canadian Director

Members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club will be attending the RBANA General Meeting in Detroit, June 4-5.  At the conference a ew RBANA Executive will be elected.  The new executive will include at least three members of the Winnipeg club.  Club Secretary Colin Harris will be the new RBANA Vice President, by acclamation.  Three members are nominated for Canadian Director.  Dr Tony Grogan, Club Vice President Don Rennicks and former club and RBANA President Jim Carrigan are three of four nominees for the three Director positions.

April 17

Burns Club Holds AGM

Constitution Amended

The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club held its 103rd Annual General Meeting this afternoon.

The main business was amending the club constituition to eliminate the position of 2nd Vice President  and institute a new position of Membership Chair on the Executive.  The motion passed unanimously.

April 1

Burns Club to participate in Tartan Day Celebrationc

The Tartan Day Manitoba 2010 Committee, which includes several members of the Burns Club, is planning a Tartan Day Celebration to be held at the Legislative Building beginning at 5:00PM on Tuesday, 6 April 2010. The Guest Speaker will be Hon. Bill Blaikie.

Manitobans of Scottish birth or descent, or those who are interested in Manitoba’s Scottish culture and history are invited to attend the public celebration in the Rotunda and Grand Staircase Foyer. The committee also encourages all Manitobans to wear tartan and other Scottish attire on 6 April.

Tartan Day was first established in Nova Scotia in 1986 and has since spread across Canada, the United States and internationally, even to the mother country. Tartan Day was officially adopted by the Legislative Assembly in 1994. The purpose of Manitoba Tartan Day is to recognize the role that Scottish Manitobans have played and continue to play in Manitoba’s cultural heritage.

March 14

Club to bid to host 2011 RBANA Conference

The Board of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club agreed to present a bid to host the 2011 RBANA Conference.  The bid will be presented to the forthcoming conference in June.  The club is proposing to hold the conference the weekend of May 13-15, 2011 at the Marlborough Hotel.

October 1

New Year Begins - New Board Take Office

With the coming of October, the Board of Directors elected at the Annual General Meeting in April, officially take office today.  The new President is Lawrence Cormack, supported by Vice Presidents Don Rennicks and Roseann Carrigan.  Joyce Cormack remains as Treasurer, Colin Harris is the new Secretary.  Sebastian Sears remains as Chaplain.  Roy McLeod, of course is Immediate Past President. John Madden remains as a Director and is joined by Chris Halliday, and Janet Thompson.