The Much Anticipated Reunion!

I wonder in 1916 when this handsome couple married whether they could ever have imagined the dynasty that they were beginning! They have ended up with 6 children, 36 grandchildren, 93 great grand children and so far, 42 great, great grand children!

With spouses and a number of step children there was a potential of 250 living relatives attending the Reunion. We were thrilled that over 130 made it.

We booked one whole area of a large facility which has camping, caravans and units. This made it possible to spend the maximum time catching up and reminiscing. The site is on the Capricorn Coast as the majority of us live in Central Queensland, but we had relatives from as far north as Cairns, south to Brisbane and Toowoomba and one family living in the US coinciding their holidays for the big event.

This is part of the play ground and barbecue area, taken in the early morning on the Saturday before we invaded! The whole complex is set between many acres of bush land so it was ideal for all the children who attended. There were tennis courts, volley ball, basket ball, slides and swings and the big winner, a huge jumping pillow. More relatives came from the older generation (mine!) and the young singles and I think that is because young families find both the expense and the logistics of taking little ones away for the weekend a bit of an obstacle. We decided to do the live in weekend because after our last reunion 10 years ago we all felt not enough time was spent together when we were booked into various accommodation and just met for dinner and then lunch the next day.
It really was worthwhile to do it this way and everyone agreed
that is the way to go again next time.


The picnic area later in the day.
Friday night and Saturday we had picnic/barbecue meals in the outdoor area. Quite a few who weren't staying for the weekend but lived close enough joined in here.
On Saturday night was the big event, the Reunion dinner.


The Tribal Elders!

My dear mother (almost 80) and her brother (almost 88),
the last two remaining children of my grandparents, and
honoured guests of the whole event, along with dad and one widowed aunt.