Family reunion time?




Proctor family gathering, Williamstown, Vic., 2002, to mark the 150th anniversary of our Proctor ancestors' arrival in the bay in the background.

You've done the research over many years. You've written your ancestors' stories. You've made many contacts, probably from all around Australia and possibly even internationally. You've exchanged scores of letters and emails. Maybe it's time to finally meet up with many of your newly-found relatives?

Organising a family reunion can be a massive exercise in logistics and communication. I have organised six such events over the years and so appreciate just what is involved. It can also be an expensive undertaking if you don't manage things wisely and efficiently.


Louttit Family Reunion, Mortlake, Vic., Easter Sunday, 1996

There are so many things to consider when organising a reunion. Where will it be held? When will it be? Will it coincide with a significant anniversary in your family's story? Food and drink? How much will it cost to stage? How will you recoup the outlay? Whom will you invite? How will you invite them? Will it be an afternoon event or perhaps a weekend event? Will there be an organising committee? Who will speak? How will you document the occasion? How will you promote the occasion? Will everyone be taking away a memento of the event? Will there be a book to launch at the reunion? Who will write it? Who will print it?

These are just some of the questions you need to consider prior to committing to an event, as worthwhile and as memorable as it will doubtless be for all who take part.

Allow me to advise you on the logistics of staging a family reunion based on my experience...and having learned through trial and error!

Below: photos of Proctor family members gathering for a reunion at Kooreh, Vic., way back in 1968 and again in 1999.
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