CHIEFTAIN’S MESSAGE

Chieftain

EDITOR’S NOTE

Yvanka Jeffery – Newsletter Editor

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

A number of members have not renewed their membership yet for the year 1999 – 2000. If you do not wish to renew then this will be your last newsletter, as you will be taken off the membership list. If you want to continue your membership, please contact Avril McLeod.

WHILE YOU’RE SURFING….

Try some of these Scottish web sites;

www.tartans.com
www.highlander.com
www.scotland.rampant.com
www.single-malt.com
www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/scotland.html
www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bill-alexander
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~painless/broons/broons.html

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Please note that the St. Andrew’s Ball will take place on November 20^th, at the Shangri-La Hotel.

NEWCOMERS NIGHT

It was with great hospitality that I was received at the 'Newcomers Night' held at the residence of Sheila and Ian Nicholls on April 9, 1999. Having only just joined the Java St. Andrew Society, it was great to be made to feel at welcome so quickly. It was grand to catch up with 'old' as well as make new friends. Had we known how well the Welsh did play against the English 10 days or so later, then I am sure they would have been the "Toast" of the evening. In any event 'cheers' to the Welsh.

I sincerely hope our society will grow from strength to strength even during these uncertain times.

I look forward to catching up with everybody in the near future.

On a personal note and for the record, although I was born in Surabaya, Indonesia and sired by a Dutch Naval Officer, my Mother's Father came from Perthshire in Scotland and 'arrived' in Perth, Western Australia.

Cheers, John Suermondt (McNab)

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

BENTON, OBE, Gordon & Trisha
Home : Jl. Jimbaran Golf, # 28
Office : PT Lippo Karawaci
2121, Bulevar Gajah Mada, # 02-01
Lippo Karawaci 100, Tangerang 15811
Tel: 5579.7288 (direct), 5579.0190
Fax: 5579.7220

FLANNIGAN, John & Jacquie
Home : Kedoya Elok, # S-2104

LAYCOCK, Derek & Ratna
Office : Deutsche GTZ
Deutsche Bank Building
Jl. Imam Bonjol, # 80, Jakarta 10310

E: laycock.gtz-indonesien@id.gtz.de

McMANUS, Bill & Moira
Home : Citra Regency
Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, Kav. 1, Kuningan, Jakarta 12950
Tel/fax: 522.5930

!! Please advise Avril of any changes of address and contact numbers!!

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE HALL

NEW MEMBERS

E: cblades@bjservices.com.sg
.

E: patrick_target@unocal.com

DEPARTING MEMBERS

• BROD & ALISON SUTCLIFFE are going to Dubai
• JUDITH & MICHAEL SCOTT will leave for India
• GERALD & WANDA SMITH have gone to USA
• FRANCOISE & DEEPAK SABHARWAL
• ANDREW WINSTANLEY has gone to the UK

• ANGUS ROBSON
• MARILY SMELCER
• KEN & DIANNE KEAG
• MARTIN MENTIPLY & WENDY BEVAN

Forwarding addresses are available from Avril McLeod.

THOMPSON CUP

From disappointment to euphoria – what a weekend – we valiantly took on the English at golf, only to be scuppered at the last by a 15 foot putt to half the game, set and match, keeping the Thompson Cup in the hands of the English for another six months. BUT IT WILL BE BACK – unlike the 5 Nations Trophy, which will stay in SCOTLAND forever! Following Scotland’s magnificent win over the French and Wales’ last minute try to send the English back to the drawing board to learn the basics, like when to kick for goal and when not.

Well back to the Golf. I would first like to thank everyone involved in the actual match especially the newcomers to the team who found out the hard way how seriously this match is taken and the real nerve tingling excitement of standing on the first tee and representing your country (well society). I would also like to give a big thanks to Chris Wooten of Cengkareng golf for hosting the match. Cengkareng is a great course and anyone who hasn’t played there yet should certainly give it a go.

The result of the match is a bit painful to recall but for the record the game was drawn 2.5 point to 2.5 points – details as follows:

Well that’s it for this time. REMEMBER if you are interested in playing inter society golf; give me a call with your details, as I can only pick a team from who I know. So call me NOW.

Happy golfing,

Mark Manderson

A LESSON IN WHISKY…..

More sheltered from the sea than any other region besides the Western Highlands, the eastern part of the Highlands region produces some of the more fruity whiskies, with some smokiness and a dry character.

The distilleries here are: Glendeveron, Glen Garrioch, Fettercairn and Lochnager.

The distilleries are: Oban and Ben Nevis

Distilleries include Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain and Port Ellen.

Distilleries are Rosebank, Auchentoshan, Bladnoch and Glenkinchie.

FUN DAY

Sunday 2 May dawned sunny and bright, and the roads were quiet as we made our way about mid-day towards the secluded villa in the Rempoa Permai Complex where the Robsons live. Our vehicle turned into a seemingly deserted courtyard and we crept quietly out, and into the cool shaded garden. We strolled towards the sound of water and discovered a pond teeming with fish and the odd terrapin or two. All that could be heard from the shadowed interior of the house was a faint murmur of voices controlling and advising on some unseen domestic arrangements. The Marie Celeste of Jl.Merak!

Thirty minutes later all had changed. Kate had thrown open the doors, Hugh was supervising the BBQ, Michelle and Gus had gone through the outside games checklist, Ronnie had charge of the Bar and Jacquie stood guard at the door with cashbox and bar tickets to hand as the first fun day revellers arrived.

The two most popular games were the bouncy castle and the Aunt Sally. What is it with kids and water! The first volunteer for Aunt Sally was Gus, dressed rather fetchingly in a black bikini top and clashing sarong, who strolled casually to the stool set up not far from the main pool. Placing the straw hat at a rather jaunty and devil may care angle, he settled into place—just in time to get six wet sponges like smart bombs straight in the kisser. A balloon on a stick does not seem a great reward for knocking off a hat, but the little thugs –sorry—children, kept coming back for more.

The skies darkened, the god of war thundered and the clouds dumped lots of rain onto the assembled company. Gus, wet as he was, ran for cover, holding onto the old straw hat, so the Great Sponge Thrower did not get His balloon on a stick.

The precipitation provided an opportunity to feed the ankle biters, as Hugh had been labouring long and hard over the furnaces, providing all manner of burgers, roast meats, and other goodies. He was seen at one stage stripped to the waist, wrestling with a number of steel implements, turning, patting, and coaxing the reluctant flesh into place over the hot coals; McDonalds meets Ben Hur!

Towards dusk some of the adults were in the pool with the kids, but eventually the day wound down round the bar, as groups of revellers made their weary way home with drowsy and sleeping children trailing behind. Mark the date in your calendar for next year.

- Contributed by John Flannigan -

PUB NIGHT

Diane Ross

FIND A GOOD HOME

How come the 'wee' kids over in the South Moluccas are wearing Highland Gathering teeshirts? After a few hints placed in the right ears I was delighted to be offered a large donation of small sized teeshirts left over from the 1998 Gathering that never took place. Off  I went on my 10 day trip on the phinisi schooner "Mona Lisa" to places seldom visited by tourists carrying my bags of JSAS teeshirts. I can tell you they were very much appreciated by scores of school children on the islands of Kisar, Alor, Babar, and Sermata.

The pictures are of a group of children who danced for us on Kisar and another group in front of their school on Pulau Sermata.

Initially on arriving at the small island of Sermata our ship was greeted with some apprehension and a group of natives clutching large parangs refused to let us visit their village. When they realised we were not hostile Buginese pirates and were bearing gifts of JSAS teeshirts they gave us a great welcome, showed us their church and school and sang for us.

On behalf of some 200 very happy kids I wish to thank the JSAS committee, particularly Mike Ross and Kate Low, for their generous gesture. I'm sure any Scots travelling to these islands in the future will be welcomed with open arms. I can imagine in years to come, when the teeshirts have seen better days, someone visiting these islands wondering how on earth the fictitious Jakarta Highland Gathering of 1998 was recorded in such a remote spot!

-Contributed by Margaret Kerr-

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Extract from the Minutes of a General Meeting on Wednesday, July 23^rd, 1947

It was suggested that legal advice be taken before any allocation is made.

Extract taken from the Minutes of a Committee Meeting on Thursday October 21^st, 1948

Mrs. Kay raised the question of the Society’s funds and the Chieftain said he thought the English Church in Batavia should be remembered. It was decided without further discussion to leave this subject until some later date.

HIGHLAND GATHERING CHARITY DONATIONS

No, the Gathering unfortunately didn’t take place last year, due to circumstances beyond our control!!!!!! However the majority of our sponsors didn’t claim their contributions back therefor the following donations have been made to the charities listed below.

1. Yayasan Nanda Dian Nusantara – Rps. 7,000,000

This yayasan is one of the many now in Jakarta which has been established to help the street children. The children are taught many skills such as woodwork, sewing, batik and cooking, hopefully to help them make a living. The donation will help buy materials for theses needs and to help feed and clothe them, as well as school fees.

2. Panti Usada Mulia – Rps. 10,000,000

P.U.M. was established in 1968 as an authorised nursing and rehabilitation centre for common diseases of the poor. The medical staff consists of two part time doctors and three nurses. The Highland Gathering have supported this yayasan for many years. The donation will help buy medicines and go towards the every day running of the home, which has, as in most yayasans increased three to four hundred percent during the last year.

3. Biara Beato Arnoldus – Florus Timor – Rps. 15,000,000

This is a high school (S.T.M. Binya Karya ) in Larantuka, Flores, a new building has already been constructed but they have no clean water. The H.G. donation will be spent on building a well 20 – 25 metres deep.

4. Ir. Ernawati M.S.I – Rps. 3,000,000

This was a personnel request where we thought the money would be well utilised. Ernawati had been working as a teacher at Wijaya Kusuma University and had requested a scholarship from Yayasan Van Deventer Maas to study for a doctor’s degree overseas. The H.G. paid for her English examination, which she had to sit before the scholarship could be awarded.

5. UP KMT Scholarship programmes Pasar Minggu – Rps. 4,800,000

Ibu Priyani Toesadi, an ex-UNICEF volunteer or Ibu "Bing" as she is affectionately known, started her social welfare programmes 27 years ago by bringing children into her own home, not discriminating the mentally or physically handicapped. Also she has raised funds to build a school at Pekalongan Central Java. Her funds normally go towards the upkeep of the schools and fees for students at SMP, SMA and University. The H.G. donation was to fund two children through school and clothe and feed them for a year. Ibu Bing found these children in a mosque with their older sister. Their mother had remarried and her husband had taken what money there was from their father. The mother then left to work in Saudi Arabia and has not been heard of since. The names of the two students are Arina Rosyada and M. Labib Ashar.

6. Beth Shan orphanage, Solo – Rps. 5,000,000

Anne Dakin, a British lady, has been running Beth Stan for the past 25 years. There are 62 children at Beth Shan, ranging from the youngest of just 2 weeks old to one of the older students who is about to study for her Masters Degree. They also run a women’s refuge centre and have recently opened a coffee shop for the public as well as a help line for people in distress. I met Anne recently in Jakarta. As she receives no funding from the government, she was thrilled with our donation. The money will go toward buying new shoes, school bags and uniforms for the coming school year.

7. Kincir Family Helper Project – Rps. 2,520,000

This foundation was developed to help families in the areas of Jakarta, Cengkareng and Kalideres, to improve their standard of living. Help is given regardless of race, sex, religion or politics. Educational assistance is also provided and the H. G. is sponsoring 4 children for 18 months; 3 through junior high school and 1 through grade 6 of primary school. The income of the families of these children is between Rps. 50,000 to Rps. 100,000 per month. Families of between 6 to 8 are living in one room with no facilities, e.g. running water, electricity and sanitation.

8. Yayasan Amal Mulia – Rps. 9,000,000

This is an orphanage in Kebayoran Lama run by Ibu Ollin. I have visited the above on a regular basis, most of the children go to school, although a few are slightly handicapped. The H.G. donation is going towards a new water tank, new electrical fittings including ceiling fans and a septic tank. After this work is finished we will be buying new lockers, mattresses and bunk beds. On visiting the orphanage the water tank was leaking onto the lights with wiring hanging down from light fittings – horrors!!!!!! The children were sleeping between 4 to 6 in a bed, although they all seemed very happy especially with the second hand clothing we gave them; it made me feel very humble. The St. Andrew Society have also kindly donated Rps. 6,000,000 to this ongoing project, which is being well monitored by myself and a friend who teaches English at the orphanage.

9. Merdeka Wheelchair Fund – Rps. 5,000,000

To date the Highland Gathering has contributed Rps. 64,000,000 to Indonesia charities, just the tip of the iceberg. As far as I know the money has been well spent and in all cases is well monitored. On behalf of the Highland Gathering Committee, once again, a terima kasih banyak to all sponsors.

- Contributed by Gill Wight -

SCOTTISH LITERATURE

A few people have asked me why I published the Lancashire Ballad in last newsletter. The ballad was written by a Scottish writer, Robert William Service, a well-travelled person, who wrote about a variety of subjects, including Lancashire. But, in the second of my series of Scottish writers, I’ll stick with the subject and would like to highlight the poet John Freeland, who lived from 1826 until 1888. John Freeland was born in Edinburgh, but when he was young, his family moved to Bathgate, where his father went into business as a chemist and druggist. He was educated at the Bathgate Academy. On leaving school he learned the drug trade with his father and went to Glasgow where he gained a thorough knowledge with the Apothecaries’ Company. He left to start business for himself in Barrhead and lived there for some 20 years. In 1869 his father died and he returned to Bathgate to succeed his father’s business successfully until his death. His talent in verse was almost entirely devoted to themes of local interest, and as a writer of parodies, he was famous in the county. He was one of the original members of "Under the Beeches" Literary Society. At these meetings his verses, set to popular airs, were the source of much amusement. " As a writer of verse he had a great fund of humour, play of fancy, and a keen sense of the ridiculous," writes one of his colleagues. A volume in which he kept copies of his effusions has, unfortunately, been irrecoverably lost. The following is one of the few kept.

MY MITHER SENT ME TO THE WELL

(Written on reading the report of the medical officer of the Local Authority, which stated that the Bathgate water was contaminated with from 18 to 24 grains of organic matter per gallon.)

My mither sent me to the well, the water it was muddy;
She sent me wi’ a sample o’t, to oor auld doctor’s study.
The doctor was a learned clerk, and weel acquaint wi’ Buchan;
Yet noo I ne’er gang by his door, but aye I fa’ a-lauchin’.

He’s fairly scunnered a’ the folk, wha drink the Bathgate water,
For he’s declared there’s something in’t, the ca’ "Organic Matter!"
But when he telt me twenty grains ilk gallon had suspended,
I leuch sae lang the doctor thocht, I never wad hae ended.

The doctor girned and shook his mell, quo’he, "My man, ye’re merry;
But haud till my Report’s in prent, ye’ll see a hurry-burry".
He claught his pow and stared sae wise, as we stood baith thegither,
And aye I nichered in his face, and said I’d tell my mither.

My mither met me at the door, quo’she, "what’s in the water?"
"A beast," quo’I, "will kill us a’, the ca’ ‘Organic Matter!’"
"Nae mair shall water cross my craig, I’ll gie ’t up a ’thegither;
There’s table beer in Prestonpans,- I’ll stick till ‘t," quo’ my mither.

MORAL

Guid whisky and the wate, still I’ll ix the twa thegither,
And tak’ a drap to creesh my hawse; I’m no fleyed like my mither.
But, simple Burghers, dinna heed, hoo ither fold may blether;
Tak’ my advice, and follow aye, the footsteps o’ my mither.

-John Freeland-

FOR SMARTER BUT POORER, FOR BETTER BUT SICKER, TIL DEATH WE ARE PARTED..

The results have lead the Labour party to form a coalition in Scotland with the Liberal Democrats and speculation of an opposition coalition of Tories and Nationalists. Sounds like a recipe for disaster…….

Fry admits the problem. "You can argue and argue for hours. In the end they will agree with your arguments on the doorstep—and then vote Labour." But a vote for Labour isn't necessarily a vote against eventual independence. Polls suggest that up to half the electorate is happy with the idea. Says Edinburgh pensioner Bill Jikes, watching work on the new Parliament building, a futuristic, boat-shaped structure under construction opposite Holyrood house, the royal palace: "I'm not against independence: we consider ourselves Scottish not British. But now I'd rather have Labour in charge." Much will depend on the performance of the new Parliament, whose 129 members will have powers over health, education and housing, together with some limited ability to levy taxes. But responsibility for defence, foreign affairs and macroeconomic policy will stay in London. Labour insists that's quite enough: Nationalists reckon the new powers will just whet the appetite for more.

- Contributed by Chuck Jeffery-

SCOTTISH RECIPES

PRAWNS "EILLAN A CLEOD"

This recipe comes from the Post House Hotel in Aviemore. Aviemore, in the heart of the Highlands, is the well-known Spey Valley resort, with skiing and curling in winter and fishing, walking, riding and shooting in summer. Albert McKay is chef at the Post House Hotel, and has developed this recipe as a tribute to his home, the island of Skye.

Serving 1 as main course or 2 as a starter you’ll need;

This recipe was devised by Mrs. Anderson of the Beechwood Country House Hotel.

• From "A Feast of Scotland"-