This year is the Bicentenary of the arrest in Greater Horkesley, Essex, UK, of 23 years old James Bugg for stealing, then his gaoling and transportation to the Colony of New South Wales as an English Convict. He arrived in Sydney in March 1826 and was assigned to the AACo which had just commenced its operations on Worimi Country at Tahlee, Port Stephens. After working on the developing sheep stations on Worimi Country for under 3 years, he was appointed Overseer of a small group of fellow convicts and was given the task of developing a further sheep station on Birrpai Country south-west of what is now known as Gloucester. This brought him into direct contact with the Kirripit Clan of the Birripai Peoples and led to his subsequent marriage to Charlotte, whose Goori name is sadly unknown today. Together, Charlotte and James had 8 children – Maryann, John, Eliza, William, James (2 nd ), Jane, Elizabeth and Thomas.

All descendants, partners, and family are invited to a 3 day celebration of a remarkable dynasty that commenced amongst frontier hostilities and survived colonialism and the challenges of mixed race families in Australia. The reunion will provide an opportunity to share our stories and learn from the experiences of other family members that may be quite different from our own. Our Dreaming provides us with an inescapable bond … we are descendants of these two remarkable Apical Ancestors – “A patriarch and matriarch brought together from two different worlds. The patriarch transported over 16,000 miles to eventually obtain freedom in the lands of the matriarch, who ironically was becoming entrapped in her own lands … Birrpai lands that were being usurped by the gaolers of her future life-partner”. [Goori-Bugg Dreaming p.5]

We wish to offer a broad program of activities including informal workshops e.g. making a kangaroo skin cloak with contributions from our various clans – descendants from each of the original Bugg children. Also, weaving, traditional and contemporary dance, Goori art, Birrpai language, author talks, separate Women and Men Yarning Circles, bus trips to significant sites such as Bugg’s Station, Stroud House, Bugg’s Farm, St John’s Church, Carrington and Tahlee.

An exhibition of various aspects of the Goori-Bugg Family History will include a detailed Family Tree as well as mementos of significance to family members.

To achieve this we are seeking contributions of memorabilia such as photos, newspaper clippings etc., either through donated copies or loan of articles. We will also need to cover basic costs such as the hire of the Gloucester Showground which gives us exclusive rights to the facility, and Public Liability Insurance. Therefore, we have decided upon an event registration fee of $20/adult. There will be an additional fee of $10/day for those who wish to camp on site – this gives access to power, water and public toilet/shower facilities.

Accommodation Options

Apart from the camping options of bringing your own van or tent and camping at the Gloucester Showground, family members may prefer to camp in onsite cabins or in their own vans/tents at the Gloucester Holiday Park, 02 65581720, gloucesterholidaypark.com

Other options in Gloucester include:

• Bucketts Way Motel, 02 6558 2588, buckettswaymotel.com.au

• Coppers Hill, 0427 589 075, accommodationmangementgloucester.com.au

• Gloucester Country Lodge, 02 6558 1812, gloucestercountrylodge.com.au

• Roundabout Inn, 02 6558 1816, roundaboutinn.com.au

• Among options in the surrounding area is Riverwood Downs – Monkerai, which islocated at the extreme eastern boundary of the land that James Bugg leased from the AACo and which was then known as Bugg’s Farm. 1800 809 772, riverwooddowns.com.au

For additional accommodation offerings in the surrounds visit:

barringtoncoast.com.au

Further Enquiries

• Lynda Holden, l.holden51@gmail.com, 0412 754 637

• John Heath, sjohnheath@outlook.com, 0477 653 544

• Donna Kemp, gdkemp@bigpond.com, 02 65582002

• Paula Maling, paula@malingproductions.com.au, 0474 014 521

• Tanya Morgan, writetotanyam@gmail.com, 0491 110 775

• Angela Ireland, angela.g.ireland@outlook.com, 0422 046 708

• Emily Heath, em5chanel@yahoo.com.au, 0421 770 263

• Joshua Gilbert, contact@gilbertjoshuam.com, 0432260024

• Cale Burge, cale.burge@outlook.com, 0418 980 898