Third Barlow / Cooley Reunion - 2004

Descendants of William Barlow and Thomas Todd Cooley

16th-18th April 2004 - Melbourne

The Reunion Story

Here is a little story for all our cousins who weren't able to attend the recent Barlow/Cooley family reunion, held in and around Melbourne the weekend after Easter.

While thinking about all the people who did attend, I realised we should have had a guest book on hand so as to record just how many there were. We were lucky to have a great attendance and many remarks were made about how wonderful it was to see a "younger" generation there enjoying themselves.

The gathering began on Friday at the home of Bruce & Merlina Barlow-Barker in Mooroolbark. I am told that many stories unfolded, lots of photos were eagerly investigated and new acquaintances made whilst the hosts plied everyone with lots of home cooking.

On Saturday it was time to travel to Vernon & Gillian Tansley's beach house at Somers, a beautiful spot on the southern Victorian coast. Despite the weather choosing this particular day to turn wet and windy, lots of people arrived and managed to easily fit in the house or under the verandah. With some helpers at hand, Gillian and Vernon hosted a wonderful bbq during which there were lots of conversations going on. Russ provided some great music on the piano accordion while Gail sang for us, all making for a terrific afternoon.

Sunday lunch was a very relaxing affair, high up in the Dandenong Ranges at one of Bruce's favourite restaurants. It was lovely to be able to quietly have a chat to our new found relatives. Shelley and Athol and Rob and Therese had travelled from New Zealand for the occasion.

After lunch Tony thanked our organisers and we had a quick discussion about the next reunion. It was decided to hold it in March 2006 in Tasmania. More to come.......

Links to other reunions can be found on the right of this page.