Steiglitz reunion returns after layoff

THE Back to Steiglitz Reunion will be on again this year after missing its 2024 instalment.

It will take place from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 26 October, with organisers arranging a long list of attractions and activities.

“We have resurrected the day after last year, which went by unobserved due to limited volunteers (being) available,” Back to Steiglitz secretary Gillian Dickson said.

“There seems to be renewed interest from families researching their ancestors and there is a following of people interested in exploring old places.

“We hope to run a town history walk and possibly a wildflower walk. The day is also an opportunity to raise funds to help the buildings always needing upkeep.”

On the agenda for October will be an appearance by The Inklings from the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club, a public art performance, an art exhibition in the historic St John’s Catholic Church, poetry recitals, spinning and weaving demonstrations, a quilt display, stalls, a children’s art display, a sausage sizzle and more.

Entry to all local historic buildings will be free on the day, and home-baked goodies will be served with tea and coffee at the original blacksmith’s cottage.

The reunion has been running virtually uninterrupted every year since it was held for the first time to celebrate the township’s centenary in 1951.

It has taken different forms, including a major festival in 2001 to mark Steiglitz’s 150th birthday.

“The festival was a huge success, with billy cart races and a huge program with blacksmithing and a variety of old trades being demonstrated,” Ms Dickson said.

But she said the reunion had lately become “much diminished” and its organising committee now consisted of just a handful of people.

“We used to alternate an ‘Airing of the Quilts’ with the reunion focus and family history, so this year we have invited quilters to display their quilts around the town and in the Anglican church, along with the history displays and poetry recitals,” Ms Dickson said.

“The art exhibition is a new inclusion, with one of our members also presenting the art performance.

“There are four public buildings so there will be spinners and weavers in the blacksmith’s cottage and the Anglican church, where there will (also) be some poetry recitals.”

The Back to Steiglitz group has its own Facebook page and also a webpage, at backtosteiglitz.org.au .