General News
9 March, 2025
Friendships renewed at renunion
What a fabulous weekend in Hopetoun for the annual reunion.
This year there was a change of venue as the reunion had been held previously in Melbourne before shifting to Ballarat.
It strted off on Saturday night with a great gathering of around 50 people at the Community Hotel for a counter tea: so much chatting, laughing and reminiscing, as well as renewing friendships.
Sunday morning, from 10am until noon, was very busy with many people trying to visit all the places which were opened for returning visitors.
A big thanks goes to Cynthia Maiden at St Joseph’s School, Allan Malcolm at Corrong Homestead, Jenn Stephens at the Historical Centre, Nina Gould at Power House Studio and David, the tour director at the P-12 College.
Glowing reports came back about each of them.
We thank all of these people for making their facilities available for the returnees.
To the food providers of Hopetoun – Raj at Meals Box, Country Lane Delights and the Community Hotel – participants give a huge thanks for having an endless supply of good food.
To each accommodation and food business, we hope that by holding the reunion in Hopetoun we will have boosted the economy of the town we love to refer to as home – thanks for making us feel so welcome.
The recreation reserve footy clubrooms was where the action was from noon until the final visitors left around 5pm.
About 100 people attended so the noise level throughout the afternoon was high, indicating that everyone was having a fabulous time.
There were also 50 apologies.
At 1pm Allan Malcolm said a few words about the historical society and we then held the annual meeting of Hopetoun/Beulah Reunion Inc.
After the formalities of the minutes, treasurer's report and business were dealt with, Allan chaired the elections for the committee for the next 12 months.
The new committee are: chairperson Cath Taylor, secretary/treasurer Steve Haynes and committee members Lyn Giovani, Joy Weightman, Wal Ferguson, Robyn Bellinger, Marilyn Clancy, Judy Lynch and Barb Allen.
A vote was taken on where the next reunion would be held and it was decided that Hopetoun was the place.
A presentation was made to Brian and Shirley Decker for their work in finding accommodation for those who missed out on the motel, caravan park and cabins and the Airbnbs.
We look forward to many more visitors next reunion.
With the addition of Barb and Judy representing Beulah on the committee I am sure Beulah people will be there next year and we hope to continue to support our two great towns in 2026.
One of the highlights was when Lisa (Hopetoun Courier editor) suggested a group photo.
Sadly, a few people had already left but we rallied the remainder for the photo – I look forward to seeing it.
A huge thanks to the outgoing committee who worked extremely hard to make the return to Hopetoun happen: Steve Haynes, Lyn Giovani (Williamson), Joy Weightman and Phonse Liddle.
See you on the first Sunday of March 2026 at Hopetoun.
Let’s see more ex Beulah people and Hopetounites come to this great gathering where tall tales are told and reminiscing is keeping us young.
Contributed by Cath Taylor
