The extended Eyb family gathered at Hilldale Union Church to celebrate 150 years of their descendants living in the Hilldale valley and surrounds.
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The original descendants, Joseph and Lenna Eyb and their baby daughter Catherine made the journey from Germany in 1853 on the Johann Caesar. It wasn’t until 1868 that they gained Australian citizenship and were able to buy land in the Hilldale and surrounding areas, some of which still remains in the family today.
The event on Saturday, September 29 started with memorabilia sharting and children’s games before the family walked to “Morrowville”, the original homesite of Joseph’s son Frederick and his wife Elizabeth and their nine children where the remains of the chimney still stands.
At the property Tracey Ney (great grandchild of Frederick and Elizabeth) gave a short history of the property where she and her husband David now live. Tracey’s children Jacob, Amelia, and Lincoln planted a brush box tree to commemorate the occasion.
The family then travelled further across the valley to “Glen Ayr”, the property of Mervyn and Elaine Eyb, where Kathleen Thomas and Joy Wise, the oldest living relatives in attendance at the reunion, unveiled a plaque. Gary Eyb (also a Great Grandchild of Frederick and Elizabeth) gave a short speech detailing the history of this property. Gary’s children Jordan, Jade, and Nelson Eyb also planted a tree for the occasion.
Returning back to the grounds of Hilldale Union Church, family members enjoyed a well-earned BBQ and participated in a “Trash and Treasure” auction run by Eddie Rumbel which was very well received by all.
“A big thank you is owed to all family members who assisted with the set up and pack up of equipment and preparation of venues, preparation and presentation of memorabilia and family history documents,” said Jordan Eyb.
