Okete Family Reunion

George and Emma Watkins owned the bach at Okete (Howdenville) from 1943
through to 1971 when the property was reluctantly sold in accordance with 
Georges will. 
Okete and the bach has been, (and still is) strong in the memories of all 
that have stayed at the bach over that period, and the bonds and comradeship
that developed between family and friends will last forever. 
So many experiences.
So many memories. 
Times of hardship, and living off the land, (or sea), fun times, times of adventure, and
making of our own fun, times that will never be repeated.
The Reunion of the 5th April 2008 was testament to the strong family values
and bonding that has been passed on from George and Emma through the 
generations. 
90 persons attended sharing stories and experiences, everyone with common
acceptance of one another as close friends just as if we had always been together.
Many had not seen each other for decades.
What a wonderful time.
This Blog has been setup with the intention of recording the thoughts and memories of those who attended (and others) to share there stories and photos of the day and of times past.


 

Group Photos

Reunion Photo:
Back Row: Ken Soanes, Graeme Soanes, Les Soanes, Graham Watkins, Karen Watkins,
Paul Watkins, Colleen Watkins, Len Watkins, Christine Horne, Lynda Horne,
Barry Johnstone, Mel Johnstone, Cherie, Adam Thompson, Graeme Thompson,
Stephnie, Linda Burris, Peter Jamieson, John Vujcich.
Middle Row: Jan Soanes, Susan Verhagen, Michelle Johnstone, Aileen Spago,
Jo Watkins, Lisa Kapua, Ailsa Rasmussen, Heather Thompson, Fay Meyer,
Dean Watkins, Ngaire Lamers, Maureen Soanes, Shirley Robb, Phylis Burris,
Hans Lamers, Raewyn Vujcich, Mara Vujcich, Doris Johnstone, Brian Johnstsone,
Mathew Vujcich, Alexis Vujcich, Val Horne, Don Haley, Rhoda Soanes, Gwenda Haley.
Front rows: Flynn Verhagen, Sophie Verhagen, Erin Walter, Aiden Johnstone,
Logan Stewart, Yvonne Johnstone, Callum Johnstone, Emma-Louise Johnstone,
Caroline Stewart, Brianna Stewart, Don Burris, Alan Rasmussen, Brian Horne,
John Stitt, Cliff Soanes, Liz Soanes, Rebecca Stitt, Dianne Stitt, Mathew Stitt.

Attendees absent from photo: Amy McChesney, Andy McChesney, Edan McChesney,
Conner McChesney, Louisa George, Maureen George, Nina George, Angela Jackson,
Martin Jackson, Emma Jackson, Gretta Jackson, Greg Jamieson, Nicky Jamieson,
Connor Jamieson, Michael Wallis, Jo Wallis, Eric Vandy.


Cousins Photo:
Back Row: Mel Johnstone, Peter Jamieson, Cliff Soanes, Paul Watkins,
Les Soanes, Barry Johnstone, Graham Watkins, Don Burris, Ken Soanes
Dean Watkins.
Front Row: Lisa Kapua, Dianne Stitt, Heather Thompson, Fay Meyer,
Raewyn Vujcich, Aileen Spago, Ailsa Rasmussen, Shirley Robb,
Ngaire Lamers, Val Horne.


Seniors Photo:
Back row: Colleen Watkins, Len Watkins, Phyllis Burris, Gwenda Haley.
Front row: Brian Johnstone, Doris Johnstone, Rhoda Soanes.