Lesley Hewitt

Highland Cattle, Rough Collies and the return of the Highland Heavy Games (hammer thrown, caber tossing and weight over bar) along with the regular competitions for Pipe Bands and Scottish Highland Dancers, all made for an outstandingly successful 73rd Daylesford Highland Gathering on 7th December 2024.

Following the street parade down Vincent St more than 1800 people saw 20 pipe bands, over 110 dancers and 25 heavy games athletes compete in the various competitions at Victoria Park.

Community Bank CIC Chair, Margaret Hodge, gets a lift of thanks from the Heavy Games athletes

A highlight was the return of the Heavy Games  which had not been held in Daylesford for almost three decades thanks to a sponsorship from the Community Bank Daylesford and District. Chieftain for the Day was Mr Bill Binks, a legendary heavy games competitor who competed successfully in Australia and internationally in Scotland and Canada. Mr Binks commenced competing at Daylesford in 1971, retiring in 1996, continuing to support the sport as a judge.

Other highlights were the opportunity to watch the rough collies (colloquially ‘Lassie’ dogs) display the agility that made them excellent sheep dogs.  and to learn about the use and temperament of the beautiful highland cattle supported by the Poll Highland Cattle Society.

The Highland Gathering Committee for 2024 had new membership following the retirement of many long-standing volunteers. It was the new Committee’s first event and congratulations to Daylesford Highland Gathering President Chris Sinclair and the hardworking Committee of Jess Mackenzie-Wyer, Stephanie Barron, Pam Manning, Jeff Thorneycroft and Jo Barron for putting on a spectacular event, bringing back the Heavy Games for the first time in over three decades.

See a few of Richard Tommy Campion’s photos of the event in the gallery below.

The Daylesford Highland Gathering has operated since 1952 on the first Saturday in December. If you haven’t watched the Street Parade or been to Victoria Park, note it in your Diary – Saturday, December 6th 2025 – for next year. The Parade provides a wonderful buzz to Vincent Street and the activities at Victoria Park are most impressive particularly the Massed Bands display.

Lesley Hewitt is a Daylesford resident and Hepburn Shire Councillor.