Two Branches celebrate their 10th Birthday

 

 

Birthday Celebrations for Two Branches

On Saturday 4th June 2011, the North West Chapter and the New England Chapter celebrated their 10th Birthdays of both branches at the Tamworth Diggers Club.

It was a glittering affair and 74 First Fleeters and friends enjoyed a wonderful luncheon and were entertained by 2 excellent speakers, Dr John Atkinson a Retired Academic Historian of Armidale and John Haxton, the NSW President of the Fellowship of First Fleeters.

The hall was decked with Australian Flags on the walls and on each table in the form of serviettes as well as small replicas of the ships of the First Fleet on a box of jelly beans.

The stage featured a display of beautifully built models of sailing ships on a sparkling blue sea. All the while a series of photos of the North West Chapter’s activities were being displayed on an overhead screen on the stage.

Photograph albums, memorabilia and various family pedigree sheets were on display on a number of tables to be viewed as well as a complete collection of the ships of the First Fleet and posters of various items of interest to members and guests.

It was very gratifying to welcome back a number of past members who had moved away and even interstate, but returned to celebrate this milestone in our Chapter’s history.

Charter President of the North West Chapter Warren White acted as MC. New England Chapter Secretary Fran Newling said Grace. After the meal Mrs Robyn Crossle’ the President of the New England chapter introduced the Keynote speaker, Dr John Atkinson who delivered a most interesting talk on the connection of the descendant of First Fleeters to families in and around the Tamworth and New England and their input into the development of the business and rural activities from the beginnings of white man influence in the area.

A vote of thanks was given by Mrs Diana Harband the President of the North West Chapter and this was enthusiastically endorsed by everyone present.

Mr John Haxton then spoke on the activities of the Chapters state wide. He said that the North West and New England Chapters were the 5th and 6th formed in the State but there are now 13 Chapters in NSW, one in Queensland and a new Chapter has recently been formed in Western Australia. Interestingly that with over 1000 different family groups that could be formed by descendants of those who arrived on the First Fleet, only 193 different family groups are in existence. Perhaps this relates to the fact that there were only a little over 200 females on the First Fleet when it arrived in Port Jackson on the 26th January 1788.

John presented both Chapters with detailed maps of land holdings in early Sydney.

A beautiful Birthday Cake was cut by the oldest attendees of each Chapter, Mrs Joan Fulloon of Armidale and Mrs Daisy Holley of Tamworth. Both ladies are into their 90s and wielded the knife like experts. 

Late in the afternoon the members of the New England Chapter walked the three blocks up the hill to catch their train back to Armidale. It was unanimously agreed that a great day was had by all.

By F.F. Warren White.