Rodney Stevens

One of the biggest drawcards for tourists to the Lower Clarence needs a facelift, so the Maclean Scottish Town in Australia Association has put the call out for locals to help repaint the world-famous power pole tartans.

Maclean’s power pole tartans were a project devised by the Maclean Scottish Town in Australia Association, which took three years of negotiations with authorities to come to fruition, to coincide with when the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch came through the town.

What started as a few tartans on power poles along the torch relay route quickly grew to 100 as Maclean residents loved the Scottish designs and colours and paid to have family tartans painted on power poles outside their properties.

Today, 240 power pole tartans can be found around the streets of Maclean from Harwood Bridge to Ferry Park, which were painted by Brooms Head artist Linda El Mir.

Decorated in Scottish family clan tartans ranging from Abercromby to Wallace, the poles include five poles that form the St Andrews Cross in Herb Stanford Park, which have been painted in sections to commemorate the Chiefs that have ruled over the Maclean Highland Gatherings.

Warren Rackham from the Maclean Scottish Town in Australia Association said the tartan painted poles in Maclean are widely known as one of the town’s most popular tourist attractions.

“The co-ordinating body for painting the poles, Maclean Scottish Town in Australia Association, is seeking an artistically dedicated person willing to undertake the painting of the final tartan coats on poles now needing refurbishing,” Mr Rackham said.

“The Scottish Town Committee seeks expressions of interest from anyone who would be keen to undertake this very worthwhile community project.

“Training and remuneration are available.”

Anyone interested in contributing to this valuable community project can contact Mr Rackham on 0448 868 819.