HISTORY OF CLAN CAMERON NSW
Clan Cameron Australia, based in Melbourne, has been active continuously since 1933. A branch of the clan was formed in NSW about 1938, but apparently lapsed during the war. Little is known of the activities or membership of this branch.
From 1981 a few Camerons attended the Scottish Week march held by the Scottish Australian Heritage Council, including members of Muriel Johnson’s extended family and that of Dr Bob Cameron. After the 1982 march we were contacted by the SAHC secretary, Rosemary Samios, who encouraged us to form a branch of the clan. We contacted Melbourne and after a preliminary meeting of interested people at a folk festival at Concord Hospital the inaugural meeting of Clan Cameron NSW took place at Bob Cameron’s house on 10 April 1983. He was elected president, with Muriel Johnson vice president and Ted Cameron secretary.
In the early years there was enthusiastic activity. Some of us learnt Scottish Country Dancing, and we began to buy our kilts. We had picnics, ceilidhs every year, and up to 100 members marching in Scottish Week. We have always been represented at the Anzac Day march.We managed to buy copies of John Stewart’s The Camerons for distribution amongst members, so that we learnt of the history of the clan. We also soon began our genealogical collection which steadily grew, culminating in the publication of the first edition of Cameron Genealogies in 1989. A fourth edition is now being prepared.
On a business note we became incorporated in 1987, deemed essential for our own protection. In recent years insurance cover has been a problem. This led to the closure of the Queensland and South Australia branches, which had formed after us, but so far we have managed to cope with the issue.
The highlight of the early years was the visit of Sir Donald Cameron, 26th Lochiel, and Lady Margaret in early 1986, with formal and informal gatherings enjoyed by all. They had already been in Melbourne and we took them on to Brisbane. Then1988 gave us a wonderful Bicentennial Ball at St Andrew’s College and later a Harbour Cruise during Scottish Week. Some of us went to Achnacarry for the Clan Gathering in 1989, and others have been since.
Unfortunately, if not surprisingly, the pace of the early years could not be maintained. A core of mainly Sydney based members has kept the organisation going, with a continuing membership happy to receive newsletters to keep in touch. Genealogical interest has been a constant, and continues to bring in new members as others drop out. | 
