General News
26 June, 2023
Another step towards parity for the Gathering
Parity between the men and women’s events at the Highland Gathering has taken another step towards reality, with the winners of the women’s gift to be engraved on a new ceremonial sword. Chairman of the Scots of Victoria Reg Davies and Carol...
Parity between the men and women’s events at the Highland Gathering has taken another step towards reality, with the winners of the women’s gift to be engraved on a new ceremonial sword.
Chairman of the Scots of Victoria Reg Davies and Carol Davies, CEO of the Victorian Scottish Heritage Cultural Foundation, presented a replica of William Wallace’s sword to the Maryborough Highland Society last week.
The sword will be presented to the winners of the women’s gift at the Highland Gathering, with their names to be engraved on its blade as currently occurs with the men’s gift.
The Highland Society’s sports secretary Nick Weaver said receiving the sword was a symbolic reflection of the club’s move toward parity, or equality, between the men’s and women’s events.
“We’ve been working towards parity for the last four or five years, it’s something we wanted to achieve and we’re now looking at doing that in 2024,” he said.
“The presentation of this sword is just great, it’s a symbolic step towards that parity and recognising female athletes.
“We’ll display the sword next to the existing one and it will look great.”
The sword had been owned by the Davies for a number of years and its donation to the Highland Society was a special one, Mrs Davies said.
“My aunt and uncle lived in Maryborough so there is a local connection,” she said.
“When I was a kid we’d travel to Maryborough for the Highland Gathering every year.
“To come to the Highland Society and deliver this sword makes sense, this is the perfect place for it and we’re really proud to do that.”
With next year’s Highland Gathering just six months away, Mr Weaver encouraged businesses in the community to get involved.
“We’re looking forward to hosting the event on New Year’s Day next year,” he said.
“Sponsorships are huge for us in terms of making the day happen, so if there are any businesses out there that want to come on board, give us a call.”
