Launching the "must-go-to event" at the official opening ceremony today, she struck a somewhat sombre note, making the point that the influx of hundreds of tourists would add not just to the pockets of businesses, but that the many events scheduled for this weekend would help uplift residents' souls.

"Given the serious ongoing drought conditions and the devastating fires we have experienced in our region and the effects these events are having on our community we need a festival to lift our spirits," she argued in a speech at the official opening today.

"We need the sounds of music the movement of dance and the colours of costumes and the kilts to give us hope

"So let us make this year, celebrating Scotland and its people the best festival yet."

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, who has Irish heritage, told the story of his grandmother Mary Troy, whose name is now on St Mary's cathedral in Sydney, and who arrived in Australia an orphan after her parents starved to death in a hedge.

"Unfortunately in a way that was part and parcel of her Celtic heritage," he said.

"But we should move on from that and realise what an incredible benefaction Australia is. How incredibly lucky we are to be here. But we must remember all those who made the sacrifices for us to be here.

"If you don't know where you came from then it's vastly more difficult to work out who you are," he said his parents always told him.

Mr Joyce also strongly encouraged tourists at the ceremony to enjoy some of the generosity Glen Innes has to offer.

"I know that not only will you see the Standing Stones but you'll probably see the standing pubs and probably see some of the standing restaurants and at the end of the night you might not be standing and I suppose that's what it's all about."