 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A meeting was held at Coffs Harbour in April 1997, to determine the feasibility of forming a Chapter of the Fellowship of First Fleeters on the North Coast. Approximately 50 people attended this meeting and showed that there was enough interest to form a group, with Coffs Harbour being the central point.By popular vote the inaugural meeting was held at Boambee Bay reserve on the first Sunday of June 1997 and was attended by 33 with apologies from 15 others.
Formation: It was moved that this organisation be known as the "North Coast Chapter, Fellowship of First Fleeters".
After some discussion it was decided to adopt the aims as set out by the Northern Rivers Chapter, Fellowship of First Fleeters, with some small additions. The aims of the Chapter are as follows:
(1) To support the aims of the Fellowship of First Fleeters
(2) To promote membership of the Fellowship of First Fleeters.
(3) To provide information on the Fellowship of First Fleeters & to promote interest among descendants in the community.
(4) To assist with education on family research & encourage sharing of information.
(5) Participate in social activities.
Office bearers are elected each the year. Our meetings are held bimonthly at various venues between Ulmarra to the north, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Boambee in between and Dorrigo to the west. Our membership stands at 70 and the residency covers from south to Urunga, Nambucca Heads and Macksville, west to Dorrigo with Coffs Harbour Sawtell etc. in between and north to Grafton and Ulmarra with two members who live in Brisbane, QLD.
The format for our meetings is - 11.00am socialising, sharing of information and lunch, then a formal meeting at 1.00pm, with a special guest speaker or visit to a venue of interest such as museum.
A book of "Stories of First Fleeters by their Descendants" is being made available, free to all members. This book is a compilation of stories by members of the North Coast Chapter, Fellowship of First Fleeters, about their First Fleet Ancestors and is a unique documentation of fact, coupled with feelings of pride at achievement, sadness at hardship and wonder at tenacity. At each meeting an historic story is told and this book will be added to as other members retrace their First Fleet Ancestors' footsteps during the foundation days of our colony.
It is hoped that future generations will benefit from these tales as written from the heart of descendants. This set of stories differ from usual documented facts because each member feels an affinity with the person they are writing about - they are not just a name on paper. Each person sees their First Fleeter in a different light to another and if two write about the same person each story will be vastly different as various aspects of life appeal to different people.
Members are being encouraged to tell their own life story, which we have called "Our people of the Present". This should also be a valuable documentation for future generations as an autobiography is better than a biography any day.
Click to view Chapter Photos, Application Form and 2008 Venues
For further information please contact:
Membership Officer
North Coast Chapter
Fellowship of First Fleeters
Robyn M Condliffe
28 Sandpiper Crescent
Boambee East NSW AUS 2452
Phone no: (02) 6653 3615
Parent Body: -
Fellowship of First Fleeters
First Fleet House
105 Cathedral St
Woolloomooloo NSW AUS 2011
Phone No: (02) 9360 3788
Phone No: (02) 9868 3063
This Website last updated 19th January 2008