EIGHT members of the Queensland Manx Society (QMS) travelled more than 200 miles to erect their bright red tent and raise the Manx flag at the Australian Celtic Festival held at Glen Innes, New South Wales.
One member, Richard Blackburn, said: ‘It was a wonderful weekend, with representatives from all Celtic groups descending on this small town in the mountains of inland NSW.
‘The 2012 event celebrated the year of Brittany, Galicia and acknowledging Asturias, with pipers in the mist at the Standing Stones, kirking the tartan, a church service on Tynwald Hill and lots of dancers, singers, musicians, dinners and many other forms of formal and informal entertainment.
‘The very visible Manx tent was popular.
‘We sold triskelion mugs, IoM TT key rings, tea towels and many other souvenirs of the Little Island, as well as giving out a range of excellent brochures, pens and flags supplied by the Manx Department of Economic Development.
‘The brochures and maps, especially, were a great attraction and some people who admitted not to have heard of the Isle of Man before, went away promising to pay a visit on their next trip to the UK.
‘The QMS is very grateful for the generous donation from the Department. Even though we are a very small society compared with some of the other Celtic nations and clans, we were able to put on a good show. Many thanks to everyone on the island who gave us their support. These included Duke Video and Promenade T Shirts.’