A generational Easter tradition unfolded during the long weekend in Kialla West.
The Malcolms’ family reunion took place this year at Peter and Marg Tacey’s home on the grounds of the former Belstack strawberry farm, with the space accommodating 35 family members.
However, the tradition is deeply rooted: it started in the 1940s when Robert and Nelly (Elizabeth) Malcolm hosted the first event at their family farm in Seven Creeks.
Organised every two to three years, the family reunions have become a cherished tradition hosted in various places around Australia.
According to Peter Tacey, each family reunion brings joy and surprises.
“There’s something about getting together, just listening to stories being told,” Peter said.
“Some stories were forgotten, and whether we remember them or hear them for the first time, sharing these moments is meaningful.”
This year’s participating families came from Shepparton, Mooroopna, Bright, Wagga Wagga, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Toowoomba and even Tasmania.
Peter and Marg love showcasing the local area to the wider family when hosting, often arranging tours of nearby farms.
“There’s plenty to see!” Peter said.
The Easter gatherings bring together up to a hundred members across four or five generations, including 26 grandchildren of Robert and Nelly Malcolm.
Marg Tacey, a retired school teacher, planned a weekend packed with activities for the young ones, ensuring the reunion was enjoyed by all.
Family members even took the stage, performing as dancers, singers and comedians.
Delicious food was on the menu: a barbecue, a camp oven dinner, a pizza night and an Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning for the little ones (and not-so-little), which was followed by a high tea luncheon.
Peter reflected on the essence of the gatherings.
“Seeing my grandkids get together and form bonds with their new-found relatives is a highlight,” he said.
“To see them enjoy the friendships among them is beautiful.”
Several birthdays were celebrated: a 15th, a 16th, a 73rd — and there was even a milestone: an 80th.
“It’d be a ton of fun to have a rented crowd for your birthday,” Peter said with a laugh.
One of Peter’s fondest memories of the gatherings dates back to 1996 when a group of adventurous teenagers took canoes on the river.
Unfamiliar with the area and at a time before mobile phones, the teens got lost somewhere between Kialla West and Mooroopna.
“We couldn’t track them easily,” Peter said.
“Let’s say that the rescue mission was a little bit of an experience.”
Over the years, those hours of concern have made for a good story.
The Malcolms feel privileged to have kept their Easter weekend reunion tradition alive.
Each gathering brings new stories and shared moments.
In the words of Peter Tacey, life is all about creating and cherishing “lots and lots of very fond memories”.