On a mild winter's evening in August 2006, members of the Clan MacLeod Society of Auckland (CMS Auckland) gathered to greet old friends and meet new ones in celebrating the Auckland Society's 50th Jubilee with the sound of pipes projecting their magis across the still waters of Manukau Harbour.

Guests were welcomed by Don Hammond, Presient, who read out congratulatory messages from Chief John, Malcolm ACMS President, Torquil Donald, John of Rassay, Ian F MacLeod President NZ CMS, Mary Clark CMS Canterbury, Bruce McLeod CMS Hawkes Bay, an Emma Halford-MacLeod co-editor of the CMS magazine, followed by a greeting in Gaelic from Cathie MacLeod, originally from Lewis.

Entertainment was in the form of Highland dancing by the Balmoral Dancers, followed by a splendid rendition of Robbie Burns' "Ode to a Mouse" by  Ian McLeod originally from Inverness as well as songs by Les and Sonia Andrews. Les was made an honourary MacLeod when invited to sing in front of Dame Flora during her Auckland visit in1955. les was invited to visit Dame Flora at Dunvegan Castle and remains very prod of this honour.

The haggis was piped in by Sarah Smythe, secretary of CMS Auckland, escorted by Don Hammond and Ian McLeod, whilst Robert Halliday Addressed the Haggis vigorously. A few of the guests had not tasted haggis prevously and were pleasantly surprised by the experience.

To mark the Jubilee, the committee authorised the design and manufacture of a new Auckland Clan Banner, which was presented to the gathering who expressed admiration and delight with its appearance and workmanship.

Laurence McLeod, President of Helensville CMS, spoke of the Helensville society whichis basically made up of direct descendants of two McLeod brothers, Isaac and John and their wives who settled and developed the Helensville area, just noth of Auckland, contrasting their Society with other New Zealand Societies which are made up of MacLeods from a variety of backgrounds and origins.

After a Gaelic Grace by Cathie MacLeod a delicious dinner was enjoyed by appreciative guests. Janet Pullan, who was secretary of Auckland CMS for over 30 years, cut the Jubilee cake and spoke of the history of Auckland CMS during her long involvement including the visits of Dame Flora, Chief John, Chief Torquil and many others. Anecdotes and happy memories were shared amongst the gathering.

Next morning, being Sunday, many attended the service at St Andrew's First Presbyterian Church where the new banner was blessed by the Rev Harry Morgan with readings by Don Hammond and Ian McLeod. At the end of the service the banner was piped from the church by Sarah Smythe followed by clansfolk, who later joined the congregation for a convivial morning tea.

It was a happy, informal, friendly successful and enjoyable Jubilee Celebration. Grateful thanks to all members of the committee who worked so hard to make the celebration a success, with special thanks to Sarah Smythe, who continues the proud tradition of the Pullan family involvement in CMS Auckland.

 

Auckland and Waikato members got together at a luncheon at the Muddy Waters Irish pub in Mercer and enjoyed a buffet meal and lots of chat.

 

All office holders were re-elected at the AGM

 

 

 

The Helensville branch has also celebrated 50 years. Our 50th celebrations started with a small gathering at the Helensville cemetery where the recently restored grave of Alexander Porter was rededicated by the local Presbyterian minister Warren Howes. Alexander sailed on the schooner Sea Gull from Nova Scotia with the McLeod families that settled in Helensville and married Isaac Senior McLeod’s daughter, Elizabeth.

 

The gathering then moved to the Parakai Tavern with approximately 50 clansfolk including Joy Bridge and Don Hammond and several other Auckland Clan members.

 

The evening started with the piping of the Haggis, followed by a buffet dinner after which several congratulatory messages to Helensville on reaching it’s 50th Anniversary were read out by President Laurence McLeod including ones for Chief John, Chief Donald, NZ President Ian F and ACMS President Alex McLeod.

 

Next was the unfurling of our new Clan MacLeod Helensville Banner by our two oldest members, Jean Robinson and Murdoch McLeod and the blessing of the banner by minister Warren Howes. The banner was well received by those members present and will be proudly carried and displayed at every function, or occasion, including the next Waipu Games in 2006.

 

The official function concluded with the cutting of the 50th Anniversary cake (made by Mary Robinson) by our only life member Joyce McLeod and Callum Clark, the youngest member attending the function.