The WA Branch of the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) was established in 1996 and shortly after in 1999 was incorporated as the Clan Mackay Society Western Australia (Inc). We are an admixture of ages, interests, physical capacities and backgrounds, attached each to the other by ancient bonds of fraternal and cultural heritage. Currently, we number some 60 adults and 18 juniors from under one to eighteen.

The pressures of modern living, together with the distractions of the electronic age, have changed the supporting bonds of the traditional extended family structure. Out of this has come an awakening of interest in our roots genealogically and culturally which crosses the diversity of age, national, religious and economic constraints. Our Clan Society is formed to provide the type of support, as originally in the dark years of the “clearances and the diaspora” of the highland clans, coupled with the hardships and alienation of the early years of the industrial revolution, and to give some hope and feelings of a new connectedness.

That’s why we stress the fraternal bond of the wider and ancient extended family which is typical of our Clan! The old highland bond of "family for forty generations and a foster brother for a thousand" was a rule for sticking together throughout time, through good times and bad, and blood should tell.

We can be contacted through.
Mr Brian E McGee Davis Rank JP
Villa 11, 56 Sulman Road, Wembley Downs 6019, Western Australia, Australia.
Phone: +61 (08) 9341 3885
Email: ClanMackayWA@people.net.au

The Society (An Comunn) :

The name of the Association is "CLAN MACKAY SOCIETY WESTERN AUSTRALIA" Inc, hereinafter referred to as "the Society".

The Society exists to govern and encourage Clan activities and Members in Western Australia and elsewhere.

The Society shall exist as a fully recognised and approved Centre of the Supreme Council, representing the parent body in Scotland, and also as an affiliate of the Clan Mackay Australia (Inc), and a Member of the Worldwide network of Clan Mackay societies.

It is recognised that the Head Quarters (Ceann-Cairtealan) and Supreme Council (Ardsheanadh) of the Clan Mackay Society are in Scotland (Albann). Accordingly, the only higher authority recognised on Clan Mackay, over the Council and Members of the Clan Mackay Society Western Australia, is the Supreme Council of the Scottish Parent Centre.

Purposes and Objectives :

The purposes and objectives of the Society shall be :

• To encourage clansfolk (na fear-cinnidh) to heed the Mackays' ancient slogan (sluagh-ghairm) or rallying call of "Mackay's White Banner" ("Bratach Bhan Mhic Aoidh") and flock to the Clan Mackay Society, to rebuild the Clan's social fabric and instill the lost fraternal links and Clan knowledge.
• To encourage the cultivation of mutual knowledge and social intercourse amongst all persons of the name Mackay or MacAoidh or whose origins are in the Clan of Mackay.
• To encourage the pursuit or knowledge; the collection, correlation and preservation of genealogical and historical records; the heritage of the Clan Mackay, its Septs, Branches, Members.
• The general promotion of the Clan Mackay (Chlann Mhic Aoidh) and interest in its History.
• To promote knowledge of Mackay Country (Duthaich Mhic Aoidh) and our Clan Chief (ar Ceann-fine), “Morair Magrath” himself, Lord Reay.
• To render assistance where possible and practical, in whatever form may be required or deemed necessary, to Members and Clansfolk everywhere.
• To study the folklore, the language and dialects of Celtic Scotland (Gaidheil na h-Albann), to develop a knowledge of Gaildom (na Gaidhealtachd), and to maintain the heritage of early Scottish Australians.
• To cooperate with any Clan Society, or, other similar body in the furthering of Clan sentiment.
• The Society is non-political and non-sectarian.

Until the Society decides otherwise, there shall be the following classes of membership :

Persons eligible for membership shall be : 

(i) All persons bearing the name of Mackay or MacAoidh either by birth or marriage and in the various forms which the name is recognised by the Society in Scotland;
(ii) Persons bearing the name of the various Clan Septs or related to the Clan by descent or by marriage. Claims for admission to the Society based upon any variant forms or varieties of spelling of the Clan name or upon any Sept name shall be submitted to the Society in Scotland for determination;
(iii) Membership is not restricted to any specific or particular geographical area of Australia or elsewhere;
(iv) Such membership shall constitute acceptance in the worldwide Clan Mackay Society, given however that memberships are not reciprocal;
(v) Membership is confirmed in any of the categories per Rule 12 upon payment of the prescribed fees, the amount of which shall be determined by the Executive Council at each Annual General Meeting.

Clan Mackay Society Western Australia (Comunn Chlann Aoidh Astrailia Siàr) calls all Clansfolk bearing the name, or descended from bearers of the MacAoidh, Mackay or of the many Clan Septs (listed below), to contact the appointed Commissioner for WA, to help expand the local Centre of the Clan Society.

Membership Categories :

Membership categories shall be :

ORDINARY members shall be subject to payment of annual dues; shall have one vote; shall have the right to offer themselves for elective and/or appointive offices; and shall have the privilege of attending all functions of the Society. Ordinary members must be eighteen years of age or older.

FAMILY membership shall involve the husband, wife and all children who are under eighteen (18) years of age or who are full-time students, resident at the same address, who shall have the right to attend all functions of the Society. Only those over the age of eighteen (18) years in this category shall have the right to hold appointive office and/or the right to offer themselves for elective positions, and the right to vote. Payment of their annual dues will be determined by the Executive Council.

LIFE (paid) Members shall have the same rights and privileges as ordinary members but shall only pay dues once, at a rate to be determined by the Council.
FAMILY-LIFE (paid) members shall have the same rights and privileges as Family members but shall pay dues only once at a rate to be determined by the Council. 

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP: The Council may recommend to the membership from time to time members who have, over a period of years performed exemplary and outstanding service to the Society. Upon such recommendation being passed by the members and with the approval of Council, such Member will be awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Society, which will be attested to by a badge and certificate presentation.

CONCESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP: The Society may receive as Concessional Members any persons eligible under Rule 11.1(i) and/or (ii), whom the Council may determine should be given special consideration in deciding their membership. This may include the elderly; disabled/invalid, student or other such person entitled to considerate deliberation by the Council for reduced fees. Such members can hold office, and are entitled to vote.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: The Council may receive as an Associate Member any person who may not be eligible for membership under Rule 11.1 (i) and/or (ii), but who, in the Council's opinion, displays a deep and genuine interest in the Society and its endeavours, may be granted Associate status.

(i) Associate members accepted under Rule 12.7 cannot hold office, are not entitled to a vote and Council will determine their fees.
(ii) Application for membership of the Society must be made in writing and acceptance is dependent upon the Council’s approval.
(iii) Membership shall be open to any person over the age of eighteen (18) years who is approved by the Council pursuant to Rule 14.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP: Honorary Members, whose appointment shall be confirmed by a seventy-five (75) per cent majority vote of Members present at a General Meeting of the Members. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay subscriptions and shall be appointed for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months. Honorary Members may not vote or hold office. They may be re-appointed under the same conditions each year.

Annual Subscriptions :

Members shall pay such annual subscriptions as determined by the Council from time to time.

A Member's annual subscription shall be due and payable on the date of becoming a Member and thereafter on 1st January in every year and shall cover a period ending 31st December in the same year in which the subscription becomes due and payable PROVIDED THAT in respect of any new Member who joins after 1st July in any year the Council, in its absolute discretion, may fix as the annual subscription payable by that new Member for the period ending on 31st December in that year an amount equal to one half of the then current annual subscription that would have otherwise been payable by that Member for a full year's subscription.

Members shall pay such joining fees as determined by the Council from time to time.

Membership & Joining Fees :
 

Type	Fee	Joining Fee
ORDINARY MEMBERS	$10.00 per year	$10.00
LIFE MEMBERS (paid)	$100.00	$10.00
FAMILY MEMBERS	$20.00 per year	$10.00
FAMILY LIFE (paid)	$150.00	$10.00
CONCESSIONAL MEMBERS	$5.00 per year	$5.00
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS	$5.00 per year	$5.00

Membership Application Form :

Membership can be applied for using the following link to a PDF format application form :

Australia :

The Clan Mackay Society Australia :

The National body was formally established at Ballarat, Victoria  in 1986 after beginning in 1984 and has autonomous branches operating in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia. 

Purposes and Objectives :

• Promotion of the CLAN and interest in its History.
• Encourage the cultivation of mutual knowledge and social intercourse amongst all persons of the name MACKAY or MACAOIDH or whose origins are in the CLAN of MACKAY.
• Encourage the pursuit of knowledge; the collection, correlation and preservation of historical records and heritage of the CLAN MACKAY, its Branches, Members and Septs.
• Render assistance where possible and practical, in whatever form it may be required or deemed necessary, to MEMBERS and CLANSFOLK everywhere.
• Study the Folklore, the Language and Dialects of Celtic Scotland and to maintain the Heritage of early Scottish Australians.
• Co-operate with any Clan Society or other similar body in the furthering of Clan sentiment.
• Be Non-political and Non-sectarian.

The society helps bind together those who belong to the family (or clan) of Mackay. Ceilidhs (or social gatherings), Clan Gatherings and the Clan’s representation at events such as "Kirkin the Tartan" and Highland Games, develop that kinship and support in modern times which our ancestors fostered and enjoyed.
The Society mails newsletter 3 or 4 times per year containing information about the Clan, upcoming events and members’ family history queries or ‘help’ requests.

You are encouraged to become a member of a worldwide group of Clan Mackay Societies, including Scotland, USA, Canada, Nova Scotia and Australia, to name a few. Please feel free to contact us directly with any membership queries or applications.

Victoria :

The Victorian branch (also the primary contact for the national body of the society) can be reached through the following address:

Mr John McKay JP
PO Box 810, Hamilton 3300, Victoria, Australia.
Phone: +61 03 5572 5540 (Business Hours)
Email: telpeto@hotmail.com

New South Wales :

An autonomous branch of the society that has formed since the inception of the national body in 1986, the New South Wales branch of Clan Mackay can be contacted through:

President: Mr John MacKay Stanhope
Phone: +61 (02) 9868 2503

Secretary: Mrs Adelaide Agate
Mail: PO Box 1176, Auburn 2144, New South Wales, Australia.
Phone: +61 (02) 9649 3616
Email: mackaynsw@bigpond.com

Western Australia :

An autonomous branch of the society that was formed in 1996, since the inception of the national body in 1986. The Western Australian branch of Clan Mackay can be contacted through:

Mr Brian E McGee Davis Rank JP
Villa 11, 56 Sulman Road, Wembley Downs 6019, Western Australia, Australia.
Phone: +61 (08) 9341 3885
Email: ClanMackayWA@people.net.au

Structure :

Commissioner and Newsletter Editor: Mr Brian E McGee Davis Rank JP
The Council:
President: Mr Fred Mackay
Vice President: Ms Kay Ridley
Secretary/Treasurer: Mr Brian E McGee Davis Rank
Councillors: Mrs Margaret Jones, Mrs Eilidh Vellender, Mr Neil McKay, Ms Fey Rank.

Brief History :

1806 - the first Clan Mackay Society was formed in Glasgow as a benevolent & funeral fund.
1888 - the Society was re-constituted in its present form.
1986 - the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) was established in Victoria.
1987 - the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) was incorporated.
1990 - the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) was reincorporated.
1991 - the NSW Branch of the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) was established.
1992 - the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) NSW Branch was incorporated.
1996 - the WA Branch of the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) was established.
1997 - a Commissioner for Western Australia was appointed to promote the Clan Mackay interests in WA.
1999 - the Clan Mackay Society Western Australia was founded and incorporated.
2001 - the Clan Mackay Society (Australia) NSW Branch (Inc) celebrated it's 10th Anniversary.

The Clan Mackay Society in Scotland is the oldest known Clan society in existence.  The society helps bind together those who belong to the family (or clan) of Mackay.  Ceilidhs (or social gatherings), Clan Gatherings and the Clan’s representation at events such as Kirkin of the Tartan and Highland Games, develops that kinship and support in modern times which our ancestors fostered and enjoyed.

Link to more detail on the clan history, heritage and development :