Dennis Family Reunion

Descendants of Richard & Patience Dennis of Cornwall (circa 1780-1850) are invited to gather for a family luncheon gathering at Tarndwarncoort on Sunday 26 April, 2026.

It’s an increasingly rare thing to know the names of your ancestors and spend time in the places they lived, worked and contributed to society.

While Richard & Patience never came to Australia, their sons Alexander, William, John and James set up such firm roots here, we’re still on the ground where they had great hopes and dreams.

This reunion is chiefly about being with family.

It’s also a chance to share stories & connections - hopefully in a fun and engaging way - that might lead up-coming generations to benefit from a deep understanding of their own heritage.

Read below for the proposed programme and register in the online form.

Looking forward to seeing and meeting you!

——Convenors: Jill Urquhart, Tom Dennis, Cal Menzies, Jason Arnall.

Programme

Sunday 26 April

Enroute to "Tarndwarncoort” you may like to visit the Warncoort Cemetery to see the family plot where many of our descendants are buried. Flags will mark those who served in armed forces as part of ANZAC Day commemorations.

11.00am arrive at “Tarndwarncoort”.  Collect name tags.  Tea/coffee & biscuits available.  Catch up, stroll about and view photo displays.  

Let’s also remember past generations - perhaps bring a labelled photo of parents/ grandparents/family members. Framed photos would display well.

11.30am Welcome to Tarndwarncoort by (Tom Dennis) followed by:

“Notes & Narratives” 3–5-minute informal presentations as chats, observations, research, anecdotes, profiles etc round the garden seat where the original house/hut was built. (open to all to participate in the spirit of passing on stories and connection - please get in touch with Tom if you have a topic to talk about)

12.30pm Lunch served

1.30pm Intergenerational interaction activity, including Homestead tours.

2.30pm Group Photo followed by cider toast to the Family (Dave Dennis) and traditional fruit cake cutting by oldest “front rower” (Helene Dennis)

 3.00pm Tree Walk - view the Lone Pine planted 10 yrs ago at the last reunion and continue on to plant a new commemorative tree - a Cornish Oak (Wendy Tuechler)

Notes

  • Please bring a nibble or sweet to share.

  • BYO drinks & glasses.

  • Name tags will be issued on arrival. Please help by including all the names of those participating in the Registration Form.

  • No dogs - partly because of sick rabbits and dispersed rat baits

Registration

If you have any trouble completing the form, please contact Jill on 0403 069 166 or Tom on 0480 080 248.

Would you be able to contribute to making this a great event?

We’re looking for people to:

  • bring along photos and/or interesting items that invite intrigue and spark connections.

  • help set up chairs, tables, displays in the days prior

  • tidy up the graves in the cemetery on a day a few weeks prior

  • be willing to talk for 3-5 minutes on a topic relevant to sharing family histories (for example:

    • recollections of the oldest family member you’ve ever met,

    • descriptions of the business/work your ancestors were involved in,

    • funny stories passed down the line,

    • readings from “Six Generations”, “Campfires at the Cross”, “The Old Ewe” or family histories.

Reunion Invitation