Town Talk

Can anyone share gathering details?

By Marnie

Aug 31, 2026

Seeking information about the Blossom Festivals in 1956 and 1957.

A certificate recognising Bog Agnew’s service for Shepparton’s Highland Gatherings.

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Sometimes, in this ever-changing, don’t stand-still world, it is pleasant to simply sit, and remember.

And this is exactly what Janet Vibert and I were attempting to do.

There were two Shepparton events, which succeeded in the 1950s; then disappeared.

We wanted to know more about them.

Janet is a good friend of Town Talk and a strong, positive advocate for this newspaper.

She has good contacts and a good memory.

She is also good company.

We knew there was a Highland Gathering in January of 1954 – because Janet has a certificate, given by the Gathering’s committee, to thank her father for his outstanding work.

Bob Agnew had left Scotland in 1912 and he worked to help Scottish immigrants retain their culture with the Highland Gatherings, and also with the Dhurringile Boys Pipe Band.

Janet remembers watching 19 pipe bands marching from the Queen’s Gardens to the showgrounds, and she says that number grew to 22 after a couple of years.

She remembers was wonderful.

The certificate of thanks was presented to Bob in 1962, and it mentions the Gatherings began in 1954.

What we don’t know is when the Shepparton Highland Gatherings ceased.

I am feeling extremely frustrated because I would have danced at these events and my memories are scattered.

In the ’50s I also travelled to other Gatherings around the state, and there were many, some of which continue today.

Daylesford celebrates its 75th event this year.

Checking on Victoria’s population in the second decade of the 20th century, I notice that our numbers increased by around 230,000 and I’m wondering how many were from Scotland.

This was when the government decided to offer 100,000 irrigated acres for sale and we had a representative in Glasgow.

There was also a war.

And there’s more

The Blossom Festival was an appropriate celebration of our city, which also disappeared from our calendars.

I have read that this festival was organised by the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and I remember it happening in the spring of 1956 and 1957.

There was a street parade and carnival at the lake, with lots of stalls.

I clearly remember the first year, when I was on a float which carried several fruit trees covered in blossom, and two other experienced dancers.

One was Joyce Dawber, who has remained in Shepp; the other, married a man called Murdoch, and we haven’t heard from her for some time.

Anyway, one of the organising men at the showgrounds asked if we could stay “on your toes” for the duration of the parade. I thought “showgrounds to the lake – not that far really”.

So in our white calf-length tutus and pink satin ballet shoes, we did small circles, back-to-back, and remained en pointe.

However, the parade did not move quickly, and I hadn’t anticipated visiting Corio, Fryers and Maude St.

We limped off the truck at the lake and emptied the blood from our pink satin shoes.

Looking at the photo, which Jeanette Doherty found in her personal album, how could anyone see our feet anyway.

I think we bled for nothing. (Thanks Jeanette – you truly are magic)

I believe the Blossom Festival ran for just two years which was a shame.

Does anyone know why?

Perhaps the Jaycees folded?

Or perhaps the blossom team had had enough of making little white flowers?

I remember it as a nice celebration of our city.

We’d love any info you have on either of these events.

When you read this, it will be the first day of spring – and spring promises so much.