Organisers say it’s getting harder to attract young people and many of the older members aren’t keen on going out to the evening meetings held in the Scottish Hall in Weigand Avenue.
“The ethnicity in Bankstown has changed hugely in Bankstown in the last nine decades and quite simply, there are not too many Scots left,” local branch president and Roselands resident David Mathew said.
“There used to be branches all over Sydney but most of them have gone too, we were among the last.”
One member, Moyna Scotland’s father-in-law David was the original piper when the Scottish Association was established in Bankstown.
“My late husband, also David Scotland, was the migrant welfare officer in Bankstown for many years and both would be very sad the see our branch close,” Mrs Scotland said.
“It’s just been harder to keep up the membership and in Weigand Avenue, there is a lot of high rise there now and residents aren’t keen on hearing car doors banging after 10 at night which also makes it difficult for us to keep going.”
Planning to go out in style, though, the group will meet one more time in Bankstown this Saturday, February 8, from 7.30pm in the Weigand Avenue hall, with supper and dancing on offer.
Cost is $7 and for those interested in attending, call Mr Mathew on 9759 3924.
