Seventy-five members of the Brooks family gathered in Bendigo on Sunday, March 22, to celebrate more than 170 years of their family’s roots in Rochester and surrounds.
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The family first arrived in Australia 175 years ago during the 1850s’ gold boom, where it had immediate success.
With its newfound riches, the family able to purchase 100 acres of land at Camberwell and established the Brooks Market Gardens.
Brothers Walter and Alec Brooks later enlisted in World War I and, although Walter was turned away, Alec went on to join the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
Descendants of Walter Brooks.
While serving in the Middle East, he met Harry Schier from Rochester, who encouraged him to purchase irrigation land in Rochester.
In 1920, Walter, Alec and their brother Bob decided to sell the Brooks Market Gardens and purchase farms in the Rochester area.
Walter established an orchard and dairy farm at Ballendella, while Alec and Bob purchased farms along the Campaspe River, just north of Rochester.
Their children attended Ballendella and Nanneella West primary schools before moving on to Rochester Elementary School.
Descendants of Amelia Brooks.
Eventually, all three brothers retired and moved to Rochester and, with all the family members living within a short distance of the Campaspe River, a cherished tradition was born — the New Year’s Day picnic, which ran continuously for almost 100 years.
Descendants of the three Brooks brothers made their way to Bendigo for the reunion, including the Weller family from Lockington, the Coghill, Fehring and Bray families from Rochester and others from around Australia.
The eldest living descendant is 99-year-old Ken Books, who still lives in Rochester.
Coincidentally, the youngest living descendant is Maisie Poole from Elmore, who shares the same birthday as Ken.
The Bendigo gathering was a celebration of family, history and enduring traditions that continue to connect generations of the Brooks family.
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