Hi all In 2000 I was the organizer of two Family Reunions in Queensland. The Dionysius Reunion was held at the Gatton Showgrounds because it was likely to attract about 1000 people. Obviously the task was too much for one person. We had formed a Committtee in order to finance and publish our own Family History Book, thus another sub-committeee was formed to organize the Reunion under my direction. These people were mostly volunteers willing to take on various tasks to report progress at the next meeting. Each facet of the Reunion was discussed, direction given to volunteers, and decisions made as reports came in. Each person had an area to organize and be responsible for on the day. This Reunion was a weekend affair. Quite a few actually camped on site. Others booked in at local hotels, motels, homes of relatives, or caravan parks. Friday was mainly for setting up. As we had German visitors, also Dionysius descendants of another branch attending, they were billeted out with two families. The Program started 9.00a.m. Saturday, with people socializing and picking up orders of Books, Mugs, glasses, Coat of Arms keyrings, Bottles of Wine (Dionysos - God of wine), Reunion Video, and Music tapes or CD's. mostly all pre-ordered and paid for. This was some task to undertake. Three quiet rooms in the Arts Gallery were filled with family displays of 20 Branches for descendents to inspect. Some musical entertainment, balloons and face painting was organized for the children. An Old Time Band played in the background in the stadium until the official opening and release of Book. The Lord Mayor opened the Reunion. Channel 9 arrived in a helicopter to televise our Reunion as did Channel 7 and local newspapers. Lunch followed with a canteen open (Local Church School catering) at the showgrounds as special guests and german visitors were catered for at a sit down luncheon. The local Club opened up their bar facilities - it was a very hot day. (they shared the profits with us) After lunch about 20 Family Group photos were taken by a local photographer.(That was some task getting everyone organized) This was followed by a presentation to the youngest Dionysius descendant present and the oldest. Then the oldest was asked to cut the Reunion Cake The rest of the day people were free to play cricket on the oval, sit under tents and chat, or be entertained in the hall. A Barbeque tea followed and that evening there was a concert - our own. A German lass was an opera singer and our MC was a country singer. - this was the highligh. Even a live rock band played to entertain the young at heart early in the evening. Next day started with a special church service with descendants taking part. The rest of the day was taken up with chatting and entertainment, or a car rally - about 4 groups leaving the grounds to visit all the Dionysius sights of the Lockyer including the original first land selections. The day finished with barbeque lunch, yarns and stories and final farewell and packup. There was no entry fee, only a donation box. The cost of the Reunion was covered mainly by sales on the day and Fund raising social events held during the time it took for the book to be written - 4 years in the making. Future Reunions will be much smaller and more casual and less organized. e.g. BYO. It was a time to remember and we had special fond memories of our newly found German distant relatives. I hope that one day a BATESON Reunion maybe organized at Kaniva or Miram. But I live in Queensland and descendants are scattered all over Australia, few still in the West Wimmera. Any ideas? Lyn Bateson Near Brisbane