Beeck reunion 1952
UNIQUE HISTORICAL GATHERING IN KATANNING
200 Family Members Celebrate 60th Beeck Anniversary
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Great Southern Herald
23 May 1952 – P1
A gathering of historical significance in the district, and one which must be unique in Western Australia, took place in Katanning on May 15 when some 200 descendants celebrated the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the Beeck family In Western Australia.
The celebration, observed in the form of a family re-union, commenced with a visit to the original family holding, “Capemont,” where a memorial service was held. Later a dinner was held in the Katanning Town Hall and was followed by a social evening.
A celebration, perhaps unique in Western Australia, took place in Katanning on Thursday last, when members and descendants of the Beeck family joined in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the arrival of Emil Robert Beeck in Western Australia. The celebrations commenced with the gathering of over 100 persons at the Katanning Town Hall, where group photographs were taken, and cars decorated with yellow and blue streamers.
A long procession of nearly 40 vehicles then passed through the town along Clive Street and out to “Capemont”, the original home of Emil Robert Beeck, his wife and eleven children. This property, on which stands the stone home erected by Mr Beeck and his family in 1905, is at present the residence of Mr and Mrs Norman E. Kowald, grandchildren of the pioneer.
Here members assembled to pay tribute to their founder, Mr Laurence Beeck, acting as chairman, welcomed members from afar, many of whom had travelled great distances to be present at the memorable function.
Under the direction of Mr Norman Beeck, and accompanied by young Tinsley Beeck, a memorial service was held, during which Mrs Norman Beeck rendered a solo in praise and tribute to the brave pioneers, the words and music of which were composed by Mr Laurence Beeck.
The gathering joined in prayer, after which Mr S. Hedges Dale, Senior Deacon of the Baptist Church, briefly outlined the part played by the patriarch Emil Beeck, and his family, in the formation of the Baptist faith in the district. He stated the first church of Baptist denomination outside the metropolitan area was formed at “Capemont.” Gradually the faith spread to Marracoonda and Katanning where, too, churches were eventually erected. Throughout the years the Beeck family has remained loyal to the Baptist faith and today, they and their descendants, formed a very large portion of the Baptists in this district.
Throughout the remainder of the afternoon the children were kept occupied by novelty games including “catch the bantam,” and an afternoon tea of sweets and cool drinks. The adult gathering, too, entertained themselves with such old contests as throwing the weight and “catch the rooster,” to say nothing of the handshakes and reminiscing.
Those present signed the family book in the sections allotted, and all were able to see just where they came in the big family, while on display was a detailed family tree, the work of Mrs Neville Beeck.
REUNION DINNER
Great Southern Herald
23 May 1952 – P7
The reunion dinner was held in the Katanning Town Hall during rite evening when 220 people, all Beeck descendants or relatives, with the exception of about a dozen visitors, sat down at four, long tables which filled the main body of the hall.
The evening section of the reunion commenced with a finger tea in the Katanning Town Hall when 220 guests sat down at the four long trestle tables which filled the main body of the hall. A typical example of the family co-operation which marked the entire day, the catering for a really outstanding repast was undertaken by those attending. Each family provided on the basis of their own needs, and the contributions were pooled, resulting in attractively arrayed and generously provided tables.
Mr Gordon W. Beeck, as master of ceremonies in charge of the function which commenced with Mrs Paul Beeck saying grace. The Loyal Toast was first honoured, after which the principal toast of the evening, that of Mr and Mrs Emil Robert Beeck, and their sons and daughters, was proposed by Mr F. M. Bowden.
“The Beeck family came as pioneers to this country, joined other pioneers, and helped to develop it to what it is today,” said Mr Bowden. “Great courage was displayed to uproot an entire family from South Australia and bring it to this State. Since their arrival, members of the family have played their part on the land, in civic affairs and in all community interests, and have proved themselves worthy citizens.”
In the course of his remarks Mr Bowden expressed his appreciation at being so honoured in being called upon to propose the toast and recounted many of his personal experiences with the family in the early days of the town. He also commented on the fact the family had spread from the original holding at Capemont and had mainly settled in the district.
Mr John Beeck, of Gnowangerup, the last surviving son of the original family to arrive in Katanning, responded to the toast. He recounted the early experiences of the family, saying how the drought conditions in South Australia had caused the family to seek new lands. Finding N.S.W. land values too high his brother Bill, with his brother in-law Ted Wilhelm, had then come to the West and, after landing at Albany, had travelled up the line to Katanning, deciding to go no further when they saw the Katanning Flour Mills. They considered it a sign of the district’s productivity.
Word was sent back to the family, which at once disposed of all its holdings – the property of his father, and properties owned by other brothers, some even in Victoria. The entire family, wives, children, personal possessions, produce, farm machinery, horses, cattle and foodstuffs, sailed. on the “South Australia” to Albany, arriving on February 24, 1892. Mr Beeck recounted the welcome they had received, from total strangers, when the whole train load of them had arrived at Katanning.
Two particularly interesting facts were mentioned by Mr John Beeck. One was that people at Albany had no idea of what the machine was when the family unloaded its stripper. The other was the first stump-jump plough in the district, and possibly the State, was brought over by the Beeck family from South Australia.
He told of the selection of 1400 acres at the original homestead “Capemont”, and how the first 60 acres sown to wheat produced 12 bushels to the acre and that without super. Mr Beeck told many personal anecdotes regarding the families, early experiences in the district, and of how the family had been the means of many other settlers coming to the state from South Australia. He commented on the wonderful farming lands of W.A., and the State had progressed. He concluded his remarks by saying look to the younger generation to be a credit to the State, “as we hope, and think, we have been in the past.”
Proposing the toast to the descendants of the original Beeck family, Mr Job Haddleton stated when he saw the arrival of the Beecks in Katanning, it never entered his head that, sixty years later, he would he proposing a toast to their descendants at a function such as the gathering of the evening. All members of the Beeck family had selected beautiful land, made beautiful homes and had been good farmers.
He considered Katanning was lucky the family had decided to settle here, and they had taken their part in the life of the district as well as developing the country.
450 DIRECT DESCENDANTS
Prominently displayed at the Katanning Town Hall, was the family tree of the family, dating from Mr Emil Robert Beeck and his family of eight sons and three daughters. In the five generations to the present time, there are 450 direct descendants. Wives and other in-laws are not included in the total.
Response to the toast was made by Mr Max Beeck, the eldest son of the eldest son; Mr Marcus Beeck, the second son of the second son, and Mr Sydney Beeck, eldest son of Mr John Beeck. Mr Max Beeck said the family forebears had done a great job and it was the responsibility of the present generation to continue the work and to face their problems with the same courage and fortitude. If the generations to come could make as much progress in the next sixty years as had been achieved in the past 60, they would have much of which to be proud. He hoped his own generation could live up to what had been done in the past.
Mr Marcus Beeck said it had taken great courage to uproot an entire family and come to an unknown country, and he felt proud of his relationship to those early pioneers. The Beeck name was one held in respect and the descendants had been left a legacy of honesty, unrighteousness and progressive spirit which they would have to live up to.
Mr Syd Beeck described himself as the most fortunate of all the descendants as he still had his father with him. The original family he described as practical Christians and contended the Beecks had progressed because they were God-fearing people. Their forebears had had a wonderful way of life and he thought all should ask of themselves “what sort of house are you leaving for your descendants.”
Mr W. A. Beeck proposed the toast to Absent Relations, saying in the course of his remarks the descendants of the original family had reason to be proud of the family’s achievements.
The toast to those who had married into the family was proposed by Mr Sam Kemble who stated he was pleased to be associated with the gathering, and proud of his friendship with the family. The family members were honest and industrious, and had left their mark in the district, and in their achievements had been ably assisted by their life partners.
Describing the occasion as “B” day in Katanning, response to the toast was made by Mr S. H. Dale. He also stated the family had all been good farmers and much was owed to them for the part they had played in the advancement of the district.
APPRECIATION EXPRESSED
Mr Laurence Beeck, who had acted as chairman of the various meetings held prior to the re-union, expressed appreciation the fine spirit of co-operation which had existed throughout the day. He paid tribute to the originators of the idea, Mr and Mrs A. H. Beeck, Mr and Mrs O. B. Beeck and Mr and Mrs Hervy Harris. He also thanked the Katanning Road Board, Mr H. O. Wanke, Mr J. Fitzmaurice, the Lutheran and Baptist Churches for the co-operation given. He expressed his appreciation for the work put in by Mrs Neville Beeck in the drawing up of the family tree and made special tribute to Mrs Percy Beeck who had accepted the responsibility of organising the evening meal. Appreciation was also expressed for the ready assistance given by Mr and Mrs Norman Kowald.
PICTORIAL SLIDES
A most enjoyable social evening followed, the outstanding feature being the presentation of pictorial slides by Mr Norman Beeck. The slides had been prepared in family groups, consisting of wedding photos, family groups and items of special interest to each section.
The feature gave a strong historical picture, of the various family branches. Solos were also presented by Mrs Dorothy Beeck, piano and piano accordion duets by Arnold and Les Kowald, and a sketch on the arrival of the Beeck family, written Mr Jack Battersby and presented by Mrs Muriel Beeck and John Owen. Mrs Beeck also recited “The Pioneers“, written by Mr Battersby.
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