​Vallance family reunion planned in mid-November

Descendants of the Vallance family will be gathering for a family reunion at the Vallance Cottage Reserve in Alexandra over the weekend of 16-17 November 2024.

About 40 family members are expected from all over New Zealand and will be assembling at the place where it all began, the grounds where the 128-year-old mudbrick cottage built by their forebears and early pioneers William and Jean Vallance still stands.

The cottage had to be closed and cordoned off before Labour Weekend because of rapid deterioration and the partial collapse of the southwestern wall. This has now been supported and the cavity sealed to protect the rest of the cottage from further damage from the elements while the Central Otago District Council (CODC) property team and working group investigate the causes and extent of the deterioration.

Despite the structural issues, Vallance descendants were still planning to travel to Alexandra, one of the reunion organisers and great grand-daughter Anne Lee, said.

"We were terribly saddened to hear about the damage but, if anything, it has made us even more determined to gather together.

"Thanks to help from the council, we will be able to carry on with the reunion on the Vallance Cottage Reserve. We'd love to see others from the community join us as so many have been involved with the cottage over the years."

The weekend will be the first time such a big group of William and Jean's descendants will have come together since their own children and grandchildren gathered for family occasions, she said.

“Some of those grandchildren will be at this event with the oldest of them now 95 and others in their 80s. Grandson Te One Wesley, who grew up living in the cottage will be there along with the youngest, fifth generation family members, some only a few months old.

"We are all so looking forward to gathering on the cottage grounds and bringing back the vibrant, bustling family times of old, connecting with each other as well as with those who have been instrumental in maintaining this special, heritage home over the years.”

It coincides with a lovely time of year at the cottage on Samson Street. The blossoms will be out, and although the Central Otago District Council (CODC) will not be able open the cottage to family and visitors, they can still enjoy the atmosphere and environment of the Vallance Cottage Reserve, CODC Property and Facilities Officer Bex Snape, said.

“Council and the Vallance Cottage working group have put a strong focus on the cottage over the past year, and it has been devastating for us to see the rapid deterioration that led to the wall collapsing, brought on by an unusually wet spring.

“We had been so conscious of the fact that the mud bricks were deteriorating and needed some urgent TLC. This led to the removal of the concrete footpaths that were trapping moisture and additional investigation of the mud bricks, and we are pleased we did this, because it meant we could learn more about the footings and substructure, and what may need to be done to stabilise the cottage. There are some real challenges ahead, and we are so grateful for community’s support in helping us make the cottage safe.

“Well before this happened, the remedial process had made us think of the need to prevent traditional skills and methods being lost between generations, so we held mud brick making classes back in March to teach and share the history of the cottage with local schools with fantastic support of EnviroSchools. In light of what has happened to cottage, again, we are thrilled to have been able to be a help impart these skills.

“The other positives that can still be appreciated and enjoyed include the world-class lilac collection, and the Trees for Babies collection, along with the heritage fruit orchard.

“We are excited to have the descendants of Bill and Jean Vallance on the reserve and welcome the public to attend the open day on Saturday 16 November. So, pop along, meet the family, check out the grounds, bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the reserve.”

A coffee truck will be onsite from 11am to 2pm, and a small event held at 1.30pm, which will be attended by key staff members of the CODC and representatives from the Vincent Community Board.