The Ringwood Highland Games is one of Maroondah’s largest community based events and is held at Jubilee Park in Ringwood. The Highland Games began in 1966 through the former Ringwood Council and is managed through a voluntary Committee of Management, with assistance from the Maroondah City Council.

As the Mayor of Maroondah, I was invited to officially open the Ringwood Highland Games and it was encouraging to see strong public involvement, despite the wild and varied weather that we experienced throughout the afternoon.

Almost all of Maroondah’s Councillors attended today’s event, with Cr Tony Dib, Cr Anne Fraser, Cr Nora Lamont, Cr Michael Macdonald, Cr Paul Macdonald, Cr Rob Steane and Cr Natalie Thomas in attendance. In addition, Maroondah’s new CEO Frank Dixon also attended and joined me on a tour of the event highlights.

Mike Symon, the Federal Member for Deakin, Heidi Victoria MLA, Member for Bayswater and Ryan Smith MLA, Member for Warrandyte, were also present throughout the day.

The event contains a number of highlights, including an opportunity for Scottish Clans and Societies to gather together, as well as Pipe Band and dancing competitions. The event also includes a range of Scottish goods and foods and attracts people from across Victoria and Australia.

The Ringwood Highland Games is an annual event and will return for 2011.