The Maryborough Highland Gathering is Australia's oldest continuous running sporting event.
Programme - 158th Highland Gathering
Adults $16 | Seniors $8 | Kids Under 16 – Free
Athletics
10:45am | Maryborough First National Open 70m Final |
12:00pm | Blue Ribbon Restricted 120m Final |
12:10pm | Lyal Eales Masters 120m Final |
1:45pm | Maryborough Toyota & JM Leech Womens Sprint 120m Final |
1:55pm | Phelan’s Funeral Open 800m Final |
2:05pm | Bendigo Bank Womens & Masters 1600m Final |
3:25pm | Maryborough KFC 1600m Final |
3:35pm | Max Martin Memorial Maryborough Highland Gift Final |
5:50pm | Maryborough Advertiser 200m Final |
5:55pm | Fortify Insurance 300m Masters Final |
6:00pm | Sportsbiz Restricted 400m Final |
6:05pm | Maryborough Transport Services Womens 400m Final |
6:15pm | Maryborough Sports and Leisure Open 400m Final |
Other Events
10:00am | Gates Open |
11:00am | Graham Jacka Holden Street Parade – High Street Maryborough |
11:30am | Earls Gym Heavy Games Commence |
12:00pm | Carnival Opens |
12:15pm | McDonalds VSDMA and VSU Highland Dancers Competition |
12:30pm | 158th Highland Gathering Official Opening |
12:45pm | Carmeri’s Mite 10 – Littlle Athletics Boys and Girls Sprint |
12:50pm | Superhero Entrance |
2:15pm | Pipe Band Performances on Oval |
2:45pm | Drum Major Championships |
3:50pm | Massed Bands on Oval |
4:40pm | Earls Gym Heavy Stones Final |
5:35pm | Girl on the Drum Spectacular |
7:00pm | Evening Concert with Shane Harman |
10:00pm | Bull and Mouth Evening Fireworks Display |
History of the Highland Gathering
The Maryborough Highland Gathering has been conducted each New Year since its formation in 1857 with the enforced exception of the years of 1942-45 when the Australian Commonwealth was at war and the Highland Gathering went into recess for the duration of this national crisis.
The Highland Gathering was originally formed by gold prospectors, Scottish squatters and businessmen who had arrived in the goldfields and central Victoria from Scotland. They organised an event to re create their traditional New Year Highland celebrations in their adopted land.
Combined and melded with Australian sports, recreation and athletics this tradition has survived and thrived for over 150 years and is as popular now as in its inception in 1857.
The Maryborough Highland Gathering has a proven long and proud History and is now into its 158th year.