Hi Beryl I organised and held my first family reunion at the Creswick Primary School (marking 150 years since the LAMPRELL family arrived in Australia) at the end of September which was held over a weekend and was very successful. As it was our first reunion for this branch of the family I didn't make it too structured. As the family had settled in the Creswick area I organised a visit to the local Museum for those interested on the Saturday, a visit to the Gold Battery on the Sunday and as the Museum was open for normal trading on the Sunday afternoon the option was open to those interested in doing the Museum on the Sunday as well. I had marked family plots in the cemetery and made a mud map of the cemetery which was available for people to take at the Reunion. The main costs were public liability insurance, venue hire, postage, photocopying, stationery and mugs commemorating the Reunion. The mugs went well paying for themselves and a good proportion of the insurance. I didn't charge an admission fee, however suggested people make a donation. To keep the costs down I asked people BYO their lunch and a plate if possible for morning & afternoon teas. We were very fortunate to be situated a block away from the town centre so those wishing for a pub lunch, takeaway etc had the facility to do so. I didn't organise anything for Saturday night as I thought people may wish to do their own thing. Those that were at a bit of a loose end I invited out to tea with us - had pre-booked a large table at one of the local pubs! About 150 people attended and the weekend just flew and we all had a ball! Mind you I was very glad to put my feet up on Sunday night!!! I was very lucky to have a friend who has organised a number of Reunions as my sounding board. As I came up with ideas I would run them by her for her thoughts which worked very well. Hoping this is of some help. Kind Regards Roz Voullaire rvoull@hotkey.net.au > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Beryl OGorman" <beryl@wordweavers.net> > To: <AUS-VIC-NORTHWEST-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 4:26 PM > Subject: [AUS-VIC-NorWest] Family reunion > > > > Anyone got any great ideas to share on organising a family reunion? Is a > whole week-end too long for a big one? What kind of activities can we have? > How can the poor old organiser cut costs and get everyone else enthused? > Help! Next year it will be 150 years since our HOLMES ancestor hit these > shores and Muggins feels that she should organise something special. > Estimating about 100 people at this stage, and thinking of Hamilton as the > most central spot to where they settled. > > > > Over to you. > > > > Beryl O'Gorman > > Greensborough Victoria Australia > > List Admin > > > > > > > > ==== AUS-VIC-NORTHWEST Mailing List ==== > > Genealogical & Historical Societies for Northern & Western Victoria > > (Ballarat & District Genealogical Society) > > http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/society.htm > > > > > > >