It's Reunion Time Again

Left to Right: Grace Triplett (nee Hickson), Ron Hickson who will be 94 on April 13th and Annice Jensen (nee Hickson) are the offspring of William James (Jim) Hickson and Christina May Stoddart who lived at "Hillsyde", Muskerry East, Victoria.

Jim Hickson ( front right) caught up with his cousin Neville Triplett, front left) at the planning meeting on January 12th, 2012. Also in the photo are from left Annice Jensen, Ron Hickson, Peter Longford and Faye Reid (nee Triplett).

The Meeting was chaired by Cheryl Payne (nee Hickson) right. Cheryl has been a keen supporter and organizer of our many Hickson Family Reunions which began in 1984 and is the author of "Dawn of Hope"which she published for the first reunion.

This year a Reunion of the descendants of Edward George Hickson and Lucy Mary Ann Aylett will be held at the Toolleen Comnmunity Centre, Toolleen, Victoria, Australia on Saturday 13th October.

Planning is already underway, having begun with a well attended meeting at Ron and Alma Hickson's home in Strathdale, Bendigo. A delicious afternoon followed the planning discussions.

The planning committee welcomes suggestions via email prior to our next meeting which will be held in June 2012.

Paul Tuohey Graduates as a Doctor.

Proud Grandfather Ron Hickson with his eldest Grandson , Paul Tuohey after Paul's graduation as a Doctor at Melbourne University on Saturday December 5th 2009.

Paul is pictured with his proud Auntie Dianne Hickson who travelled from Muskerry East, collecting Ron from Bendigo on the way.

Paul with his sister Kylie and their Grandfather, Ron Hickson.

Paul with his very proud sister Kylie McMahon (nee Tuohey).

Paul's wife Kim was a great support to Paul in helping him achieve his goal of being a Doctor.Paul initially graduated in Computer Science and worked in that field for many years. At a mature age and with four young sons he chose the field of Medicine and has graduated at age 35.

Paul receives his degree from the University Dean. He was one of 294 graduates .

Paul with his Grandfather Ron before the ceremony.

Today was a very proud day as Ron Hickson's grandson Paul Tuohey graduated from Melbourne University as a Doctor.. There to share the occasion were Ron Hickson, his daughter in law Dianne Hickson (nee Kennedy) , Paul's wife Kim and her parents Neil and Robyn, Paul's sister Kylie and her son Sean and me taking the 100 plus photos.

It was such a proud day for us all. Paul's Mum Kaye Tuohey (nee Hickson) would have been the proudest of Paul but sadly passed away, aged 39, back in 1989 when Paul was only a teenager.

We felt she was with us in spirit today as the occasion was a magnificnt spectacle in Wilson Hall at Melbourne Uni.

I'm sure that the whole Hickson family wishes Paul every success for his future in Medicine.

The Hickson House at Toolleen, Victoria.

Lucy Mary Ann Hickson (nee Aylett)is pictured outside her home in Toolleen with some children, possibly hers.I had a copy of the photo which I scanned. I do not know who has the original photograph.Hopefully if and when we find it we might find the names of the children on the back.

Stepping Back in Time

Bruce Hamblin's magnificent Clydesales, Sam and Max, driven by Roger Hickson were an outstanding part of our Hickson Reunion acivities on Saturday 10th October at Toolleen, Victoria, Australia.

The Hickson Reunion was a Day to Remember

Lucy Wilkinson accepted her present for being the youngest descendant in attendance at the Reunion on Saturday October 10th 2009. Her big sister Ella and her Mum, Carly Wilkinson (nee Hickson) looked on.Making the presentation is Cheryl Payne (nee Hickson) who travelled all the way from her work in Fiji for the Reunion.

The commemorative plaque was unveiled at the reunion by Ron Hickson and Les Smirk who are grandsons of Edward and Lucy Hickson.

The plaque is fixed to the Eastern wall of the Toolleen Community Centre within sight of the original home site of Edward and Lucy Hickson.

The descendants and guests gathered as Yvonne Osborn (nee Hickson) introduced the Five Grandchildren of Edward and Lucy who attended the Reunion
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Cheryl Payne (nee Hickson)left and Yvonne Osborn (nee Hickson) right are pictured with their uncle, Ron Hickson.

The weather was kind and the Spring day provided wonderful light conditions for our many photographs.

Roger Hickson drove Bruce Hamblin's magnificent Clydesdales Sam and Max. Cheryl, Yvonne, Bryan and Ron enjoyed their first wagon ride for many years.

Roger shows a marked resemblance to his great grandfather, Edward George Hickson.

Roger's daughter Meredith Hickson held her niece Ella Wilkinson as Grandad Roger took them for a ride.

Bruce Hamblin supervised learner driver Roger Hickson as he brought the horses and cart into the Toolleen Reserve.

Kerry Osborn, Yvonne Osborn (nee Hickson) Roger Hickson and his father Ron Hickson. Ron , who was born on 13th April 1918, is the patriarch of the Hickson family.

It was a beautiful Spring day for our Hickson Reunion at Toolleen on Saturday October 10th. The day was a great success and it began with a picnic lunch. We were then entertained by some magnificent Clydesdale horses driven by Edward George Hickson's great grandson, Roger Hickson of Muskerry East (near Toolleen).The horses, Sam and Max, are owned and were expertly handled by Bruce Hamblin of Toolleen.We are very grateful to him for all the effort he put into the occasion.

The unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of Edward George and Lucy Mary Ann Hickson in Australia followed. Two of the couple's grandsons Ron Hickson and Les Smirk unveiled the plaque and the five members of that generation present on the day posed for photos.

The Anniversary Cake was expertly baked by Annice Jensen (nee Hickson and decorated by Faye Reid nee Triplett .

Lucy Mary Anne's great, great, great granddaughter who is also called Lucy, was awarded the "Youngest descendant in attendance at the Reunion" and was pleased with her gift of two books.

It was wonderful to have my sister Cheryl Payne and her husband Simon home from their year in Fiji especially for the Reunion. She helped to tie up all the loose ends in the organizing and that, together with the weather and the wonderful relatives and family friends who attended made the day a great success.

Afternoon Tea, expertly prepared by the Mount Pleasant Football Club Committee was delicious as was the dinner at the Toolleen Hotel in the evening. A truly memorable occasion.

I am hoping to add some more photographs over the next few days and I would LOVE to have some others emailed to me at hicksonreunion@gmail.com .

One Week to go - Yesterday

Back Row: Bert Smirk, Percy Smirk and Viv Smirk
Front Row: Grace Smirk, Olive Smirk, Mrs Bush (Percy's sister) seated, Les Smirk, Maria Smirk with young Stan on her knee.

The second daughter of Edward and Lucy Hickson was Maria Emily.She married Percy Hymus Smirk on 27th August 1907 and they had six children of whom only the youngest, Les Smirk, survives aged 88.
Edward George and Lucy Mary Ann's first child Barbara Lucy Hickson married William Henry Pieper on March 3rd 1903. They had 9 children of whom one remains in NSW- Pearl Logan, who is 91.

This week is the last week before Saturday's Hickson Family Reunion at Toolleen. Numbers are down but enthusiasm is high for those members who look forward to meeting at a family occasion which is not a funeral. Someone asked me recently whether Facebook would replace the School or Family Reunion. I replied that on the contrary, relatively new technologies such as email, Facebook , Twitter and Skype should enhance the Reunion, making it easier to communicate and organize. It's just up to people to put the human effort into attending and interacting.
I have posted some photos from my sister Cheryl's well loved book "Dawn of Hope" which is the Hickson Family story up to 1984. It was launched when we held our first reunion at Toolleen Community Centre in October 1984. Cheryl is home for the reunion all the way from Fiji where she has been teaching this year. Her blog is www.livinginfiji.blogspot.com .

Setting the Scene @ Toolleen

This old photograph is of the Toolleen Hotel back in the late 1800s.It wasn't on the site of the present hotel but further south of its present position.To the left of the photograph is the kind of vehicle which Edward George Hickson used to take fresh produce to Bendigo and bring supplies back for his customers. Apparently on a clear night Lucy could hear him whistling as he travelled down the Toolleen Axedale Road crossed the Northern Highway, over Mt Pleasant Creek and headed home.

Today's Toolleen Hotel can be found on Google Maps and using the Street View facility.One can't help thinking how old Edward George Hickson would be surprised by such technology.

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