Branch Get Together, Milton, 24 May 2014

 

The Branch Secretaries from Southland (Peter L Ayson), South Otago (Heather Hore), Central Otago (Sandra McGregor), and Dunedin (Dot Johnson) planned a Get Together of the cousins from these areas to mark this occasion.   We thought it was fitting to hold it at the Tokomairiro High School as Alexander was the first teacher in Tokomairiro in 1856.

 

 A plaque presented by the Ayson Descendants, recognising the 150 years of education in the  Tokomairiro District, is proudly displayed in the School Foyer.   This was presented to the School by Murray Ayson (3.2.1) in June 2006. 

 

The School Principal Glenis Sim was most welcoming for us to hold it at their School and felt privileged to have our group due to the very strong connection with Alexander Ayson – the founding Principal of Tokomairiro School.    It was held in the School Cafeteria, which suited our purpose well, and at no cost to us. 

A donation of $200 was made to the school to support some of their students who struggle to pay for their year 10 camp which is being held in August 2014. 

 

Thirty five travelled to the Get Together in sunshine  to join in the celebration.

 

This started with morning tea with the cousins enjoying  renewing friendships, some  of whom they  hadn’t caught up with  for some years , and meeting new ones.

 

 Dot Johnson welcomed the cousins, followed on by a few words from our Sub-Chief Bevin Watt, mentioning an accident that had happened to Peter & Mary Ayson from Gore, when a car lost control and went through their house; fortunately they had left their kitchen a short time before otherwise the outcome would have been quite different.

 

 

After lunch was the cutting of the cake by Peter D G Ayson 1.5.1 and Margaret Allan 3.1.5. Heather Hore made the lovely birthday cake.

 

Nancie Allison a long-time resident from Milton, then gave a talk on Early Tokomairiro and the Aysons involvement in the Community.  Alexander Ayson taught in Tokomairiro from 1856-1866, the first school being in a Dairy.   Sandra McGregor thanked and presented her with a gift on her informative talk.

 

There was an opportunity to do a Self- Drive around Milton, to look at the points of  interest in relation to the Aysons time in Tokomairiro , but as a severe southerly came through,  only a few managed to do this.

 

Alexander & Joan’s 3rd daughter Anne Ayson (Robinson), along with her baby daughter Annie (lived 18 hours) are buried in the Fairfax Cemetery in Milton.   Anne was aged just 34; she died from an Apoplexy (Stroke).   Sadly there is no headstone.

 

Afternoon tea was served and the cousins headed home after a most enjoyable day of renewed friendships and new ones made.