Keep the Date - 2021 Hickson Reunion at Toolleen, Victoria, Australia.

We will hold a reunion of descendants of Edward George Hickson and Lucy MaryAnn Aylett at the Tin Shed at Toolleen Hotel, Toolleen, Victoria on Saturday 16th October 2021.  There will be a spit roast lunch, followed by the cutting of a cake and getting together for a group photo at afternoon teatime. The original home of the couple no longer stands but the site should be accessible. More details will follow or can be obtained from Yvonne Osborn (nee Hickson) at tlpsart@yahoo.com.

Hickson Reunion 2019

What a great day we had on Saturday 12th October 2019 at The Tin Shed at Toolleen when we got together for lunch to celebrate 160 years since Lucy Mary Ann Aylett arrived in Australia. Edward George Hickson, who was to become her husband, arrived in 1860. Sadly, Ron Hickson, who is 101 years old and had been looking forward to joining us on the day, was unable to attend after being hospitalized with pneumonia. We wish him a speedy recovery. His younger sister, Annice Jensen (nee Hickson), cut the Anniversary cake with Graham Hickson who had traveled from Queensland for his first Reunion. There have been twelve Hickson family reunions, the first being held in 1984.

Hickson Family Reunion 2019

Our next Hickson Family Reunion will be held on Saturday 12th October 2019. We will be celebrating 160 years since Lucy Mary Ann Aylett and Edward George Hickson arrived in Australia. The couple married on February 10th 1879 at Toolleen and had 10 children. Their descendants are scattered across Australia and some live overseas.  The Tin Shed next to the Toolleen Hotel will be the venue for the Reunion which will begin at 11am and conclude at 5pm.
The oldest descendant of the family, Ron Hickson, who was 101 on April 13th 2019, will be in attendance and the newly restored Hickson Family Bible will be on display. Souvenir bags will be on sale for $10.
For further information contact Cheryl Payne (née Hickson)  cherylgracepayne@gmail.com or Yvonne Osborn (née Hickson) tlpsart@yahoo.com

Hickson Reunion Saturday 14th October 2017 at Toolleen

Edward George Hickson and his wife Lucy Mary Ann Aylett, settled in Toolleen in 1859 and had 10 children

In his obituary in the “Bendigo Advertiser” on Thursday 23^rd December, 1915, it was reported that “an old resident of Toolleen had died at the age of 78. He had been a carrier between Toolleen and Bendigo and that he would be buried at the Heathcote Cemetery”. Lucy lived on for many years until she passed away in 1942

Some of the Hickson descendants are still farming nearby in Muskerry East, ( the youngest descendant present at our Reunion was Lexi Hickson, 7 months, who belongs to one of those families).

The eldest descendant present was Mr Ron Hickson who is 99 and will turn 100 years of age in mid-April 2018

In 2019, we will celebrate 160 years since his arrival to Melbourne from County Kerry in Ireland.

This was our 10^th Family Reunion since our first one in 1984 when the book “Dawn of Hope” outlining the history of the Hickson family, was launched.

Nearly 80 family members and invited friends of the Hickson family attended.

Each reunion we cut an Anniversary Cake and have items of memorabilia featuring our family crest for sale. Our motto is “Fide et Fortitudine” which means “By Faith and Fortitude”.

Toolleen Tin Shed -A unique historic venue with its array of farm and blacksmith implements along with other local history memorabilia which added to the nostalgic ambiance.

This display was supplemented on the day, by many items brought to the Reunion by the descendants. This year, the exceedingly SIGNIFICANT item unearthed was the mislaid Hickson Family Bible !! 

Family members were overjoyed to view photos in the front of the bible, many unseen previously.

This Reunion’s updated booklet, included research into the family history as far back as 1749 noting Edward George’s grandfather, Robert Fitzjohn Hickson, Esq. from Dingle in Ireland.

Before each Reunion, the family charts are up-dated and been available for sale.  New information and modifications, can be sent at any time to Elaine Longford ( nee Welshe) email:  elongford@sme.com.au or to Cheryl Payne ( nee Hickson) email: cherylgracepayne@gmail.com.au

Notes by Cheryl Payne.

Our October 14th, 2017 Hickson Reunion at Toolleen

It's only seven weeks until we all get together again at the Tin Shed at Toolleen, Victoria. This year we celebrate the 158 years since the family members arrived in Australia. During that time there have been so many descendants of Edward George Hickson and his wife Lucy Mary Ann Aylett that it is difficult to give an exact number. It must be over 2000 though. Invitations have been posted out and we look forward to prompt replies to help with catering. It will be wonderful to catch up with all the descendants born since our last Reunion and to meet our patriarch Ron Hickson who is now 99 years young. The photo was taken by Cheryl Payne( nee Hickson). She is particularly excited because her daughter Lauren ( who often works on the Registration Desk at our Reunions) is due to have a new descendant  for our growing Hickson family in late October. We hope to see you there.

Hickson Reunion Saturday October 17th 2015

Last Saturday was a great day for the many Hickson descendants who gathered at the Toolleen Pub's Tin Shed. Family members enjoyed a delicious roast lunch and spent the afternoon catching up with each other, taking photos, posing for a group photo and sharing afternoon tea.
Presentations were made to the oldest, youngest, furthest traveled, longest married couple etc. Floral bouquets were awarded to main organizer Cheryl Payne and family record keeper, Elaine Longford. Our Oldest Family Member, Ron Hickson cut the Reunion cake which was  decorated by Faye Reid. His sisters, Grace Triplett and Annice Jensen and cousins Les Smirk and Elsie Woodgate joined Ron as the centre of attention as they are five of Edward George and Lucy Mary Ann Hickson's nine surviving grandchildren.

During the afternoon we gathered for a group photo.

Our Hickson family crest was the central decoration on the celebratory cake.

We provided some colonial costumes to dress up as our ancestors would have. Lucy and Ella Wilkinson tried out some of the gear.

Cheryl Payne, nee Hickson's, children Christopher and Lauren managed the Registration Desk. We are very grateful that we are able to rely on the younger generation of descendants to help make the Reunions run smoothly.

 Cheryl took a well deserved break to eat the delicious roast lunch.

The Toolleen Pub's Tin Shed was an excellent venue for our Reunion.

2015 Hickson Descendants' Reunion

Our next Family Reunion will be held on Saturday 17th October 2015. Descendants of Edward George Hickson and his wife Lucy Mary Ann Aylett are invited to attend the family gathering which will be held at The Tin Shed, Toolleen, which is a charming part of the historic Toolleen Hotel. It is only a kilometre or so from the site of Edward and Lucy's original home in Toolleen and is a landmark Edward would have passed in his horse drawn cart as he travelled to and from Bendigo with farm produce and supplies for the locals.