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McCallum Family Reunion
25/26 August, 2007
Digby Memorial HallThere was a big response to the McCallum Family Reunion, which ran on both days of the 2007 Annual Exhibition. Nominally the Reunion was for descendants of Dugald McCallum (Circa 1791 - Circa 1841) & Janet Macilriach/Macilraith (Circa 1787 - ), although in the spirit of equal-opportunity we saw many other family names courtesy of the female lines.
Our big, red and white marqueel feature was the focal point, with McCallum photograhs, family trees and charts, and memorabilia. The Supper Room was a close second, with a great deal of talk needing a great quantity of tean, coffee, sandwiches, scones, jam and cream to sustain it.
Many people contributed to the family material on show. Lorraine and Geoff (nee Corner) McCallum provided the basic display, incorporating a huge (but known-to-be incomplete) family tree printed by Vern McCallum, and boards which invited all comers to contribute to each of the family lines. We were particularly pleased to see photographs and family tree data for the New Zealand branch of the clan, contributed by Janine Nolan of Christchurch. Over the weekend much additional data was added to the charts on display.
Geoff had prepared a display of 240 family photos which ran continuously on a computer screen, along with a printed catalogue for those who wanted to pore over particular images. Lots of attendees brought along more images which were scanned and added to the family photo collection. Orders were taken for a CD/DVD of the family photos - if you missed out, please contact Geoff.
The Reunion high point was the Saturday night BBQ dinner in the Supper Room. All tables were filled by contented McCallums, family and friends, still chattering away. We have to thank the Digby Hall Committee for organising the catering for the dinner.
We were asked several times "When will the next Reunion be?" The answer is, we think, not for several years, at least not for the McCallums. The Photographic Collection Annual Exhibition and the Digby folks have plans for a "small school" and possibly for a "local churches" and "another local family" reunion which would take up three or four years. But, we would be extraordinarily pleased to go along to another McCallum Reunion organised by someone else!
Cavell McCombe with Lila (now Grimes) and Noel Mills.
Are all female descendants of Russell and Alma McCallum blondes?
We used this when advertising the Reunion. It is of John McCallum (back, right) and his family. It was taken at the Narrawong annual camp, which was a focal point for McCallum gatherings.
Lorraine and Jean McCallum, Colin McCallum, Beryl Mills, Kevin McCallum, at Narrawong, c 1950.
Alan Gardiner, Susan (McCallum) McCombe, Dulcie Gardiner, front Cavell McCombe, c 1947.
(Cavell and her husband travelled from Traralgon to the Reunion)
Duncan and Margaret (nee Kennedy) McCallum, taken later in their lives. Duncan (b 1827) married Margaret (b 1834 at Fort William Scotland) in 1856 at Digby. He was a brother of Donald. Duncan and Margaret emigrated on to New Zealand and had a family of 7 boys and 5 girls. They are both buried in Long Plain cemetery in Takaka, South Island New Zealand.
Edith Rachael McCallum reunion, 27th December, 1987.
Merv McCallum (back centre, in yellow jumper) and family.
Wayne McCallum pores over the catalogue for the 240 family photos.
The Reunion dinner in full swing.
Go to:
2007 Exhibition home page
2007 Setting up
2007 Photo Exhibition
2007 Displays and stalls
2007 Digby Historical Walk
Important !!
Don't let your photographic memories slip away. Add names, place and date NOW !!
