A special significance was given to the concert by the attendance of two direct descendants of Ms Kennedy-Fraser.

In superb narrations by Bruce Roberts, supported by GWA's chairwoman Janet Low, and the guest artist, we learned of the epiphany of Janet Kennedy-Fraser.

An enlightenment to her future mission in life that resulted initially in a day-long, arduous, journey by train and ferry, culminating in Marjory sitting by a fire in a cottage, with a small child sitting on her knee singing traditional songs of the Hebrides.

The rich fruit of Marjory Kennedy-Fraser's work was brought to us with conspicuous and evocative musicianship by guest artist, soprano Eleanor Kerr, accompanied by pianist Jane Nice, whose sympathetic, complimentary support for the singer brought fond memories of Gerald Moore to my mind.

Indeed, Jane's solo contribution a stirring Scottish military tune during a well-deserved rest period for the guest artist was a highlight of the concert and was acknowledged as such by the audience.

Eleanor Kerr's rich voice, superbly intoned and modulated to reflect the elements and moods illuminated in the music enthralled us all, taking us on an exciting Hebridean journey.

We encountered lives at risk at sea, a safe return to harbour, the peaceful celebration of island life and the hauntingly beautiful Eriskay Love Lilt.

Through the calm and the storm, the sadness and the happiness, the richness of life in the Hebrides, we were carried, and our feelings of well-being, after a tough week across the world for humanity, were reinstated and enhanced by the experience.

Ballarat is indeed fortunate that we have artists like Eleanor and Jane living among us, able and willing to bring us a glimpse into the life of Janet Kennedy-Fraser a woman whose life's work preserved a substantial, irreplaceable segment of Scottish culture.

In doing so, Janet ensured that in far-off lands like Australia, where the Scottish people have contributed so much to our integrative multi-nationalism, our own eclectic culture is vastly enriched.

The Last Sunday concerts at the gallery are a wonderful, much-looked-forward-to gift to the Ballarat people by the GWA, on behalf of the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

I am sure that all who attended on Sunday would agree this concert was particularly special, representing, as it did, the culmination of the gallery's Auld Lang Syne celebration of the Scottish contribution to Australian life.

It was, therefore, fitting and heartening that the concert concluded with presenters Eleanor, Jane, Bruce and Janet, hands clasped, paying a final tribute to a vibrant part of our heritage with the spoken words "Scotland Forever".