Upcoming GRIBBLE Events

We will list here any GRIBBLE Events we know about. This may be of interest to GRIBBLE's (born, 'introduced', or originally) all over. Let us know if there is an event you would like to have included here.


GRIBBLE Family Reunion - Descendents of Rev John Brown GRIBBLE and other GRIBBLE's - Rockhampton, Queensland, Sunday October 2, 2000

Following the success of the GRIBBLE Reunion on 4 Oct 1998, Olga Miller has proposed that there be another GRIBBLE reunion in Rockhampton in 2000. All GRIBBLE's, both members of Rev JB's direct family, and all other interested GRIBBLE's are invited.

The details of the event are yet to be fully fleshed out, but it is suggested that if you can, you plan to attend!

Rumors that this will be an alternate Olympics with a restricted attendance are greatly overstated ...

Glen Miller, Olga's son, will be looking after arrangement in Rocky - utilising his contacts and experience with Queensland Tourism. If you want to contact him, just email him from here: Glen Miller


GRIBBLE Family Reunion – Descendents of Rev John Brown GRIBBLE (Sydney, Australia) October 4, 1998

Olga is the daughter of Ethel Marianne GRIBBLE and Frederick, and granddaughter of Rev John Brown GRIBBLE and Mary Anne Elizabeth BULMER. Rev John Brown emigrated from Redruth, Cornwall, in 1849 as a child with his parents Benjamin GRIBBLE and Mary BROWN, and in the later part of the 1800’s championed the cause of the aboriginal peoples in Australia. John Brown GRIBBLE had large family, and has many descendents throughout Australia, as well as relations in New Zealand, South Africa and England.

The Event: Despite not being related to the Rev JB, I was privileged to attend this reunion. Some 80 people came, meeting at the Waverley cemetery. Reverend Paul gave an interesting speech putting the contributions of the Rev JB into some context for those present, and noted the 'shock waves' of his achievements and conflicts still reverberate to this day. Olga Miller added some words and then we all adjourned to a lovely picnic in the park. Everyone was very friendly and interested, contributing to a folder with their family information. Many members of this family (getting more extended by the year!) met, some for the first time, and a good time was had by all.


Back to Ballarat (Australia) Gathering

As part of the 'Back to Ballarat' celebrations during 1998, Janice Haynes has organised a GRIBBLE Gathering to be held on 1 March 1998.

To crib from the invite Janice sent me:

All descendants of William GRIBBLE and Mary Ann UREN, married at Illogan, Cornwall, England, on 31 January 1824 are invited. These descendants include brothers Simon GRIBBLE (1833 - 1914), John GRIBBLE (1835 - 1899), Stephen Uren GRIBBLE (d 1875) and Joseph GRIBBLE (1838 - 1878). Descendants of both Simon and John's continue to live in Ballarat to this day.

There will be other GRIBBLE researchers also attending the day, and some presentations given - including by us (that may or may not be an incentive to come!!)

The Event: This was a very successful get together, with members of al the families mentioned in the invitation attending. Congratulations to Janice (click on her name to email her) and all the attendees were very grateful to her for organising the event. Please note that Janice is now the proud mother of a baby boy, so she may be a little distracted for a while!


New Zealand Gathering(s)

·         Mike and Jan GRIBBLE tell us that prior GRIBBLE Gatherings - in New Zealand - held at the Auckland Domain on 24 January 1998 and 23 January 1999, were great successes.  

Report on Gribble Gathering 24 January 1998 – from Mike GRIBBLE:

The Saturday closest to the 23 January is always a special time for those of Gribble descent and friends as we meet at the band rotunda in the Auckland Domain to catch up on family.

The idea is to have a picnic and keep everything simple. Half the fun is who will turn up and who are the non-Gribbles. This year we had Fijian, Chinese and Scandinavian non-Gribbles (as we call the ‘outsider’s) visit with families

People pop in on their way to the Museum, and concert practices. The numbers are small enough to talk and talking is what happens. The 70 plus age group have lots of shared experiences.

The idea grew because on 24 February 1930 William and Catherine GRIBBLE (nee Heron from Brooklyn, New York) celebrated their Golden Wedding in the Domain - we have a group photograph (see below – at least when Mike sends me the photo!!) - and there is certainly a more relaxed look in our shorts and jeans and summer dresses but we do have hats in common.

·         While these regular gatherings were initiated to bring together the descendants of Samuel GRIBBLE and Grace POLKINGHORNE, Mike and Jan make it very clear that they would welcome all people with the GRIBBLE name 'not only our Sam mob'. Samuel emigrated to NZ in 1848 and was originally from Redruth, Cornwall England. The family prospered in NZ, with Mike and Jan now having traced something over 1,200 members - most (but not all!) of the GRIBBLE's in NZ.

·         Next Gathering: Mike tells me this will be held on 22 January 2000. As always, if you would like to participate in the event, be sure to contact Jan and Mike, and be assured of a warm welcome if you are able to attend..


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Please send your input, comments and suggestions by email to Jules Gribble or Michael Gribble.


Page Last Updated: 23 December 2003