General News
6 January, 2026
Chieftain honour for Dennis
Dennis Turner was proud to be the face of this year's Highland Gathering as the event's chieftain.
After a lifetime of contributions to the Maryborough Highland Society and local community, Dennis Turner proudly became this year’s chieftain.
While Mr Turner said he’d never wear a kilt, New Year’s Day told a different story as he sported tartan for the 163rd Highland Gathering.
It’s the latest in a long line of achievements and contributions for Mr Turner.
He’s previously done two stints as the Maryborough Highland Society president, around five years as their sports secretary, life member of over 40 years, and longtime contributor to the local men’s bowls section.
It meant he suspected he might one day be asked to be chieftain, but coming from his longtime friend and Maryborough Highland Society president Garry Coburn, it was an honour.
While Mr Turner was offered the position in early November, and would say yes a week later, he said that was never in doubt.
“I had it in the back of my mind that I might get it one day ... and when it did come I could have said yes there and then,” he said.
“I was actually elated when asked but I kept him on hooks for a week.”
Beyond his lifetime contributions to the Highland Gathering, Mr Turner has also been an attendee his entire life having only missed one.
“We have a member who prides himself on only missing one New Year’s Day in his whole lifetime. Well I say the only thing he’s got over me is he’s older,” he said.
It was a Turner family tradition to go to the Highland Gathering New Year’s Day.
He suspects his parents would have pushed him down to the street parade before he was even a year old.
Mr Turner said they’d be elated if they could see him now.
“It was always our family tradition … back as far as I can remember,” he said.
But he said it’s a tradition under threat as the highland dancing and pipe bands shrink year on year.
“The best of it really has gone,” he said.
While he, alongside other members of the Maryborough Highland Society, are trying to find a solution they’ve come up short so far.
“I always think about it and I don’t know what the answer is,” he said.
“Someone needs to come up with a magic remedy to get all that started again.”
Mr Turner used his time as the face of the Highland Gathering to encourage the public to continue supporting the tradition.
“I ask the general public out there to support the gathering and come forward with any new ideas,” he said.
“We did this for Maryborough.”