Frances Forbes and Anne Burton are your Reunion Organisers. We are Blencowe lasses from Leeton and descendants of the Marston St Lawrence via Brackley line, who now live on the east coast of New South Wales. We have volunteered to organise the first Blencowe Families' Association reunion in the southern hemisphere. Kristine Blencowe from Queensland has volunteered to co-ordinate adventure activities for the reunion.
Greater Port Macquarie is a thriving coastal region on the mid north coast of NSW and is a popular getaway destination. Established as a penal settlement in 1821, the region presents a diversity of seaside and hinterland venues and attractions, blending colourful heritage with rich culture and contemporary coastal style
Port Macquarie was chosen as it is an ideal holiday destination with activities that can cater for the most senior to the very young. It has a great climate and is well provided for in the range of accommodation and dining options and the array of tourist, sporting, water and adventure activities to cater for all ages. It is also a good stopping off point for interstate and overseas visitors travelling from Sydney to Brisbane and other Queensland destinations. A pre reunion function has been organised for international and interstate travellers in Sydney prior to the actual reunion in Port Macquarie.
The reunion will be held over the three days of the ANZAC Long weekend and will be a forum for catching up with known and unknown “cousins”; sharing and/or learning about genealogical / family history research; sporting activities; tourist activities or a combination of all of the above. A variety of activities are planned over the weekend that will be of interest to many and include:
As the reunion is being held over the ANZAC Day weekend we will be paying tribute to those who died in service to their country. Over sixty members of our family representing several countries have died in the line of duty. ANZAC Day is of particular significance to both Australians and New Zealanders and we hope will be of interest to those from other countries.
The venue, the Westport Club is ideally suited for small groups to gather over a coffee or beer or for larger groups to engage in discussion. People are encouraged to use the Westport Club as a base and meeting place between tourist, adventure or sporting activities.
Some activities have been organised and can be viewed in the Program. Group activities will be co-ordinated throughout the three days according to interest expressed. These could include walks, winery tours, surfing, wildlife experiences, theme park visit, barbecues, fishing, cruises, rainforest tours and others. See Things to do in Greater Port Macquarie and Possible Group Activities
Various Adventure & Activities for the not so faint-hearted could include: scuba diving, abseiling, kayaking, cross country cycling, jet boating, kart riding and hiking.
Port Macquarie enjoys one of the best climates in Australia. The daytime temperature in April is around 26 degrees Celsius, with mostly sunny days, and cooler starry nights. It's little wonder that cosmopolitan al fresco cafes, bars and restaurants abound. Combine this with a wide range of quality accommodation, shopping and galleries, river cruises and water sports, and you have the perfect destination for an enjoyable holiday and successful reunion.
Port Macquarie Information Centre (www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au) will assist us in weaving our colourful history, culture and local attractions into creative and social program with various options to cater for the families? varied interests.
A range of travel options makes Greater Port Macquarie easily accessible for everyone.
Driving time via Pacific Highway:
From Sydney — 4.5 hours
From Brisbane — 7 hours
The Oxley Highway connects the New England region and western NSW to Port Macquarie. Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.com.au/default.aspx) and Premier (http://www.premierms.com.au/newhome/home.asp) both provide daily coach services from Sydney and Brisbane.
Port Macquarie is serviced by regular Qantaslink and Brindabella Airlines Flights. Flying time is one hour from Sydney and 1.5 hours from Brisbane.
For Qantaslink (www.qantas.com.au) flight information and bookings: 13 13 13 or
For Brinadabella Airlines (www.brindabella-airlines.com.au) flight information and bookings: 1300 66 88 24
For Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) the phone numbers are:
From Australia 13 67 89
New Zealand 0800 67 0000
Other International locations +61 7 3295 2296
There is a CountryLink (http://www.countrylink.info/) XPT train service to Port Macquarie from Sydney and Brisbane with a connecting coach shuttle from Wauchope to Port Macquarie. Be sure to book your ticket to Port Macquarie and (not to Wauchope) to secure your seat on the coach shuttle. This is a long slow trip but very scenic and ideal for people new to the eastern seaboard. The train is comfortable with dining and bar facilities.
The region caters for all levels of transport, from modern charter coaches to mini buses for airport/rail transfers. We will assess the needs of the group closer to the event. Most national hire car companies have branches in Port Macquarie. Taxi services and public buses operate throughout the region.
For more information view www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au or contact
Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre
Corner Gordon & Gore Streets
Port Macquarie, NSW 2444
Tel 1300 303 155
From overseas + 61 2 6581 8000
Fax +61 2 6581 8010
Email tourism@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
To contact us Email reunion2008 @ blencowefamilies.com
We are thrilled with the response we have had from both overseas and Australian families and are confident it will be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all who attend.
See yah in Port
Anne & Fran