AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L Archives

From: "Peter Stewart" <>
Subject: HAWKESBURY & MACDONALD REUNION
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 19:53:51 +1000

Greetings to Each of you

WOW!!! What a weekend!

Firstly I would like to pay a special tribute to those who worked so hard to
ensure the success of the weekend. For the last twelve months Lesley Uebel,
Norma and Ian McLean, John and Ena Norris, and Allen Maunder have been in
the forefront of the organisation of this reunion. Shirley Kelly too, took
on the job of contacting two large family groups and sent out over 800
letters. To each of them I say again, A MOST SINCERE THANK YOU. It is
because of your hard work that we had a brilliant weekend.

The scheduled time to begin was 10.00am Saturday. The committee was there
by 8.30 to open up and get set up for the weekend. We didn't have time to
do that as by 8.45 there was a crowd stretching well along the verandah
champing at the bit to get in and get started.

The theme of the two days was "MIX, MAG & MINGLE" and that's exactly what
everyone did. It was my pleasure to WELCOME every one to the event. I'm
delighted that all had such a great time and many even came back on the
Sunday.

Saturday saw some 350 genies come through the hall. They just kept on
coming. There was a never ending line or so it seemed. Records show that
they came from far and near,from Rockhampton to Melbourne, from Western
Australia to New Zealand. Yes there was someone from New Zealand present
too. So you can see our advertising was successful.

Saturday night saw some 120 people sit down to dinner at the Windsor RSL.
The Bistro meal was delightful and the company just GREAT. It was wonderful
to just sit and talk and spend time with each other in a relaxed atmosphere.

I for one, like most of the committee, did not get a lot of opportunity to
mix, mag and mingle over the course of the weekend, but I did make a lot of
useful contacts.

For those who are not aware of the history of this reunion it was born out
of the clash last year of the Jurd and Sternbeck Reunions and so to avoid
that it was suggested that we have a Macdonald Valley reunion. This then
spread to encompass the Hawkesbury as well and I'm delighted it did.

Thanks to Mrs Joan Drake of Windsor High School through whom we negotiated
the use of the Hall. It was a brilliant venue - large enough to hold all
who wanted to attend at any one time. The facilities were great - and it
didn't matter what the weather chose to do.

Thanks to EACH ONE who attended and helped by their presence to make the
weekend so successful.

As I mentioned it began as a Jurd Reunion and I am pleased to say many Jurds
came along from Rockhampton to Canberra and all parts in between and beyond.
As 2002 is the bicentenary of the arrival of Daniel Jurd in NSW courtesy
of the British Government we launched to Headstone Restoration Project
whereby the Headstones of Daniel who's buried at Pitt Town and
Elizabeth,buried at Old St Alban's Cemetery will be restored and a bronze
plaque placed at each grave to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Daniel's
arrival. Each of their 9 children will be mentioned on the plaque. The
project will cost approximately $1800.
Those with connections to the Jurd Family are invited to make a
contribution. The fund currently stands at $305.00 If 180 people donated
$10 each we would have the funds necessary to proceed. If you wish to
contribute please send your cheque or money order payable to Peter Stewart,
Marist College Ashgrove, PO Box 82, Ashgrove, Qld 4060. A receipt will be
forwarded to you by return mail. I am investigating how contributions can
be made tax deductable.

Once again my SPECIAL AND PERSONAL THANKS to Lesley, Norma, Ian, Allen, Ena,
John and Shirley for their specific help. To all those who on the day
assisted on the door or sent out notificationS to Newspapers, to various
family groups, family history societies etc, my sincere THANKS TO YOU. I
couldn't have done it without your help.

What a fantastic weekend. I had a ball. However, I've been told I'm not
allowed to choose the date for our next one as the last two dates I've
chosen have been wet. [but it did not dampen our spirits.]

A FINAL PLEA! PLEASE READ THE MESSAGE RE CENSUS 2001 and ACT UPON IT!

With best wishes and thanks to all who came to make it successful.

Peter Stewart
Brisbane
Reunion Organiser By Remote Control

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
<> SAVE OUR CENSUS <>
<> <>
<> on AUGUST 7th, 2001 <>
<> <>
<> VOTE " Y E S " <>
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

To keeping your household census form
in the National Archives of Australia,
so this data will be available for
genealogical, historical and medical research
by our descendants in 100 years time.

There are more than 100,000 genealogists in Australia.

TELL 10 OF YOUR FRIENDS TO TELL 10 OF THEIR FRIENDS
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SAVE THESE RECORDS.

Vote YES on 7 August 2001


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ "To Live On In The Hearts And Minds Of Descendants ^
^ Is To Never Die". ^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Researching:
Descendants of Daniel & Elizabeth Jurd, and associated families
in the Hawkesbury and Macdonald River, Wollombi and Hunter Region as well as
Moree
and surrounding districts.

Also researching the families of
Dugald & Hannah Stewart [Jurd Connection] paternal
Timothy & Margretta Tomlins} maternal
David & Mary Simon } side




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• HAWKESBURY & MACDONALD REUNION by "Peter Stewart" <>