FAQs

WHEN

22nd to 25th April 2023

WHERE

The celebrations will be based in Hobart.

WHAT’S ON

We have planned events over four days to accommodate families with children starting a new school term on Monday 24th while at the same time celebrating the 200th anniversary day on 25th April.

Saturday 22nd April – Family party – King’s Domain (Hobart)

A big lunch time family party for all ages at a magnificent picnic / playground facility with exotic pizzas or bring your own options.

Sunday 23rd April - Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Sandy Bay (Hobart)

Afternoon tea and an opportunity to bring historic documents and memorabilia for display and to help fill in the family tree.

Monday 24th April – Campbell Town / Hobart

Gathering at Howley Lodge at Campbell Town. A small contribution for a soup and sandwich picnic with refreshments.

Some Northern Tasmanian Swannies may have difficulty making it to Hobart. A chance for visitors and Southerners to meet Northern cousins.

Also an opportunity to do a self guided Swan history tour around Hobart.  You will be provided with a map pointing out significant old Swan houses, properties and points of interest.

Tuesday 25th April – The 200th Anniversary - Anzac Day (Bagdad and Hobart)

John Swan’s original land grant was the Rosewood property at Bagdad, about 30 km north of Hobart. It remained in the family until 2017.

The Anzac Dawn service at Bagdad is included in the 200th commemoration where John Hamilton, John and Mary’s great-great-grandson, will deliver an address on behalf of the Swan family.

This will be followed by a visit to Rosewood with a Thermos-style morning tea.

The “swansong” is a farewell pub lunch in Hobart.

WHO IS INVITED?

All descendants - littlies, middlies and oldies - of John and Mary Swan; and husbands, wives and partners of course.

This includes the families of John and Mary’s children and their spouses, John and Jane Swan, Charles and Georgina Swan, Jane and Arthur Perry, Mary and James Raven, Catherine and Thomas Chapman, Maria and William Nairn, Harriet and Edmund Isdell, Louise and Leader Cox Stevenson and Amy and George Stevenson.

AM I A SWANNIE?

We can help. Fortunately we have an excellent family tree publication produced for the 100th anniversary in 1923. If you know your grandparents’ and parents’ details you probably can trace your Swannie line from there.

See the Swan family tree HERE

HOW MANY WILL BE COMING?

We have had considerable interest including from interstate familes. We will not have an idea of numbers until everyone books their spots.

COSTS

We are very mindful of keeping costs for each event moderate so in addition to some catering there are bring-your-own food and refreshment opportunities as well as buy-as-you-go options.

HOW DO I BOOK?

Click HERE to book your place at the various events. Details and times are on the booking page.

SHOULD I BOOK FLIGHTS / HOTELS NOW?

Yes, when you have booked. The events definitely will be taking place.

WHERE TO STAY

Lots of options. Hobart is a pretty switched-on city these days.

We suggest you book on-line through booking.com or alternatively you can Air BnB or choose to stay with cousins or friends.

GETTING AROUND

If you are staying in Hobart you may not need a car.

It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from central hotels both to the Royal Yacht Club on the 23rd of April (bus service also available) and also to the King’s Domain gathering on the 25th. Taxi sharing is another option and we can arrange some car pooling if necessary.

The lunch at Campbell Town is about 2.5 hours from Hobart and the Anzac Day dawn service and Rosewood visit at Bagdad is about 40 minutes from Hobart.

CAN I HELP?

While the committee is organising the activities you may be able to help with setting up and transport. You can indicate this when you book.

If you wish to bring some family memorabilia we recommend you bring copies, not originals. The committee cannot be responsible for any loss or damage.

WHO IS ON THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE?

Tim Swan, Denise Swan, Jennie Kay, Rosie Giddings, Suzie Jones, Jane Beckitt and John Hamilton

PLEASE BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

For catering, venue hire and other reasons we will have deadlines to meet so it will be very helpful if you might please be prompt in your responses.