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Creating new memories: Vallance family reunion at Alexandra

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Anne Lee, Vallance family member and reunion organiser, pinning the names of Jean and William Vallance’s direct descendants who made it to the reunion last Saturday at Vallance Cottage Reserve, Alexandra.

About 40 descendants of Jean and William Vallance, founders of the 1896 Vallance Cottage, gathered in Alexandra last weekend for a family reunion.

It was particularly poignant for the three generations who travelled from throughout the country for the event, because of the recent deterioration of the cottage on the Vallance Cottage Reserve in Samson Street. However, thanks to a concerted local effort, the cottage has been made safe with bracing, and the family and public were able to take a tour inside.

Vallance descendant and reunion organiser Anne Lee of Canterbury said it was wonderful to have so many of the family come down “especially so many of the cousins, and the next layer down of Bill and Jean’s great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren". “It was wonderful listening to the old memories and creating new memories.”

Vallance Cottage working group member and conservator/archaeologist Matt Sole (centre) talks to the family of Diana Maskill (right, in hat, back to camera) who are descended from Jesse Vallance, one of the nine children raised in the historic Vallance Cottage in Alexandra. With Diana are Ben Soper and Inge Whibley, and their children. They are pictured beside the bracing in the cottage’s kitchen/living area, which has suffered deterioration this year with the southwestern wall collapsing prior to Labour Weekend this year.

Many of Jesse Vallance’s descendants from left including Virginia Maskill, Diana Maskill (partner Warren Richards at rear), Estelle (4) and Liam (6) Tebbutt with their mother Inge Whibley and Ben Soper (and their baby Tom, 5 weeks), Paul Maskill, Anne Lee and daughter Jessica Mason (with baby June, 5 months and daughter Claire, 3), Jed and Liv Clark.

In front, Arthur Maskill (95) and Gill Grant, one of the original savers of Vallance Cottage which faced demolition in the 1990s.

Te One Wesley (son of Hazel Vallance) and Ray Grant (son of May Vallance) pictured outside their grandparents’ cottage, which was also home to Hazel and Te One for many years.

Descendant/Piper Hamish Grant pipes the dignitaries onto the Vallance Cottage Reserve.

Newly elected Vincent Community Board Chair Jayden Cromb officially welcomes visiting Vallance family members to Alexandra, accompanied by son Tamati Cromb (8).

Central Otago District Council Property Officer Bex Snape (left) is acknowledged for her work in helping organise the event and in conservation of Vallance Cottage, by descendant Anne Lee.

Enjoying the sun and the reunion, including CODC’s chief executive Peter Kelly and his dog Georgia.

Descendant of Floss Vallance, Rick Rothwell and wife Liz.

Descendants of May Vallance from left, Lisa Grant, Carol Grant, and grandchildren, Hamish Grant, Jillian Grant, Aimee Scott, Jocelyn Watson, Russel Grant and Neil Grant.

Descendants of Doug Vallance from left Vickie Lane, Mike Vallance, Clare Vallance, Doug Vallance and Joy Ashby.

Descendant of Earnest Vallance, Brian Vallance (father of Nicola Toki who presented one of the Council's Vallance Cottage videos) and Ilona Vallance.

Vallance Cottage working group members, left, Matt Sole (archaeologist) and conservator Nigel Murray.

Original members of the save Vallance Cottage committee, Gill Grant (centre) flanked by Debbie and Helena.

Family members enjoying meeting up, including Vallance Cottage working group member, right, Judith Maxim talking to Te One Wesley.

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