Chapter:

Murdoch Family Reunion
March 1998
Hobart Tasmania
176 years of family history in Australia

In 1922 a celebration of descendants was held at Craigow to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of DR. JAMES MURDOCH and his family in Tasmania. The speech given at that celebration stated "From such a forebear a stock of more than ordinary capacity and determination might well be looked for. The family still has not only strong rural and farming links, but also has made its mark in commerce and law, in government, in the public service and in mining". In 1998 the same quotation was still appropriate, but the family was more scattered, with only about 50% of the 1600 known living descendants living in Tasmania.

THE IDEA IS BORN

The idea for the 1998 Reunion started with Rob Murdoch, (ROBERT'S BRANCH), currently living in Queensland. Rob had often wondered about his patriarchal family history, but really knew little of the extended family beyond his immediate family. Even contact with cousins had been lost over the years. He thought it would be great to learn more about his family history, and to bring his living relatives together at some appropriate time. It was whilst looking at the 100-year anniversary booklet with sister Gill in January 1997, that Rob realized that the appropriate time for a Reunion had arrived. It was 175 years since his family had arrived in Australia. However, it was not until May 1997, that Rob wrote to every Murdoch in the Tasmanian phone books to see if they were related to DR. JAMES, and if they thought a Reunion would be a good idea.

Those who responded were enthusiastic and in July 1997 a meeting to form an organizing committee was held at Rob's niece (Terri Gough's) home in Blackmans Bay, Hobart.

THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE:

MAX LINTON: (WILLIAM'S BRANCH): Max was the key to finding descendants and learning family history. He had recently updated the family tree, from one originally prepared in 1974 by Elizabeth Murdoch of Albury (JOHN) and the late Colin Murdoch (JOHN). Max was a wealth of information on family history and had many names and telephone numbers and addresses of family contacts. This information made the job of contacting people easy and also meant that it was possible to plan the Reunion to coincide with the 176th anniversary of DR. JAMES and MRS GRACE MURDOCH arrival in Hobart in March 1998. Max organized the historical display for the Reunion, and prepared a booklet on the life of DR. JAMES, notes on the five branches of the family, and an updated family tree. In addition Max gave a talk on the life of DR. JAMES at the Reunion.

ANNE and TOM VINCENT: (ROBERT'S BRANCH): Anne and her husband Tom worked very hard to ensure that the Reunion was an outstanding success. They organized the Saturday afternoon bus tour around the historical buildings of Hobart and the morning tea for the Craigow visit. They prepared notes for the participants and one of them went on each of the 2 buses used to provide a very informative commentary. For the Monday following the Reunion they organized a bus tour of the Bream Creek and Dunalley area to visit historical homes and properties owned by members of the Dunbabin family (all descendants of ROBERT). In addition to all this Tom acted as the Treasurer for the Reunion Committee.

TOM MURDOCH: (JOHN'S BRANCH) Tom was one of the few third generation descendants still living in 1998. He acted as patron to the committee and was its guiding light. He also organized the visit to Craigow on Sunday morning, including the preparation of the dedication plaque for Grace Murdoch. He organized an historical tour of the Craigow grounds and a church service at the Cambridge Church. On Saturday afternoon he led a walk from Mt. Nelson down the old historical trail to Sandy Bay.