The 2003 REUNION There's lots more pictures in the Gallery
At Mum's funeral in August 2002, I suggested to a few of the interstate visitors that 'A revisit Burrill time' would be fun, and I got a very positive response - like "Tell us when and we'll be there". So I proceeded to get it organised. The last complete family gathering had been in 1974. (picture) (it was a smaller family then). The little kids at that reunion, now had their own kids, some of whom had never been to Burrill.
So from the 17th to the 27th of January 2003, everyone (except Alison and Robert and Vicky) got together at Burrill. Obviously everyone could not fit in the house itself, so most of us found accommodation nearby. We hired a big Marquee (MegHaven Hire Ulladulla $290) and put it on Alison's block of land next door. This block also had a toilet left over from other days so we got it working again to cater for the extra load.
Many extension cords and power boards were run out. I put coloured party lights in the Marquee. (I had wired another power circuit into the house in October to be ready for this.)
Altogether, 35 people attended at some time during the week. There were....
Doris, Marian & Ken, Bill and Elsa (from Cairns), Greg & Pauline
Melanie and Atti
Jenny and Andrew
Bruce Hogg
Neil, Janette, Gemma and Penny
Bethany, Graham, Katherine and Benjamin
Douglas, Narelle, Tamara and James
Karen, Paul, Matt and Ellen (from SA)
Janice, Bruce, Tom and Mac (from Vic)
Robyn, Jason and Wilson (from Vic)
You can click on the photo for a larger version (120K) or
click here for a larger version (150K) with the names of everyone.
Most people camped/caravanned in Burrill CP. Bill and Elsa, Robyn and Jason stayed at the Resort on Kings Pt Rd. Greg & Pauline and Jenny put their tents on the parking area at the back of the house. Only Doris and Bethany/Graham slept in the house.
Everyone contribute $15/day into the 'kitty' for food and drink and hire of the tent. Everyone got their own breakfast. Each family then had a rostered day to decide the food they would cook, do the shopping and then lunch and tea preparation. Unfortunately there was a total fire ban the whole time, (It was the long drought), so all cooking was managed on 2 elec fry pans, the elec hotplate/stove inside and an elec hotplate outside.
We erected an Awning over the front concrete (thanks Douglas) so meals were served there on trestle tables and eaten in the marquee on many card tables.
We had an urn in the marquee for continuous tea/coffee.
The old ice chest, used for years as a blanket storage, was dragged outside and used for its intended purpose for all our cold drinks. This left the two inside fridges for food.
Washing up dishes were set up under the awning and everyone did their own.
When it got dark, we set up the old slide and movie projectors outside the marquee and the outdoor picture show returned to Burrill. This was usually followed by games (Pictionary thanks to Janette, chess) or just chatter.
During the days, fishing and swimming were the main activities (it was perfect weather the whole time, no rain). Some took the organised fishing cruise on the lake, but all to no success - the fish were away. We all played tennis one day (in the heat!)
The most exciting and popular activity was riding the current out of the lake entrance. The tide was going out each afternoon so we all gathered to jump in and get swept down to the entrance, then run back to do it again. At one trip 'down the rapids' we had 14 of us joined up.
Very bad bushfires had been happening in NSW for weeks prior, but on Sat 18/1/03 Canberra had 450 homes destroyed. Although the fires were not near Burrill, those driving up from Vic had very bad smoke and at Burrill it got dark about 4pm and ash drifted down all that night.
Greg & Pauline just happened to celebrate their 30th wedding Anniversary during the time so it was great to have everyone together for that too. Those who were at the wedding could peruse the photo album.
Wednesday 22/1 was the official photograph day.
Unfortunately a fantastic week came to an end and most had left by Sat night (25/1). On Tuesday, it was just Greg & Pauline left to potter around with a let-down feeling that it was all over.
Thanks to everyone for helping, but especially Bruce.
Will it ever happen again ???
