In Top Gear!

Yesterday we held our final meeting for the Big Centenary Celebrations next weekend! It has been a pleasure just working with the eight other relatives on the committee. and everyone has done a fabulous job,  Most especially the families who still live on the home properties and will be hosting the big event. Not only have we spent many hours on all the details of the day, but we've enjoyed sharing anecdotes and memories and had lots of laughs and a few tears.

On the site where my grandparents pioneering hut stood (above) we will be planting a grove of Moreton Bay Ash which were the original trees in the  surrounding  area.  Each tree will represent one of the original family members and those living will plant their own, and descendants will plant the ones for those who have passed.  My cousin Jenny and I will plant a tree for Norah, the little still born baby of my grandparents in the 1920s, as we have both lost babies.

We checked out the site yesterday, where the current residents of that block have done an enormous amount of work to prepare for the planting.  This gate will be branded on the day with the brands of all of the family members who have them.  Behind it is the sandstone rock in preparation for the plaque which will be unveiled on the day.  This will have the beautiful poem "Our Song" written by another cousin.

"Glen Erin"

This is my older  brother's house where most of the day will be spent.

He and his wife have made it into a beautiful home.  I hardly recognise it as the simple 50's style house that I grew up in! For many months now they have been doing preparation jobs including grading a car parking area below the house and a better road up to the Lookout.  This house sits on a hill but it rises much higher behind and from the top is a glorious,sweeping view of the valley below which encompasses all four properties owned by family members.  After a very full day we will be taking the drive to the Lookout for wine and cheese at sunset!  Something more modern after a day of reminiscing back to the "Good Ol' Days"!

Of the almost two hundred relatives, friends and neighbours invited nearly one hundred and eighty are coming!  We are really excited with how many relatives are making the trip from Brisbane and places further afield to come.  We are revved up and in high gear.  Can't wait for the big day and I hope to have lots of memories to share from it.

School holidays here so there is a much more relaxed feeling about.  Next weekend the Centenary, then the following week we will head to Brisbane to celebrate the 80th birthday of my
Mother-in-law.