HISTORY GALORE TURNS UP FOR ST PETER’S 100TH
There was history everywhere at the 100th anniversary gathering at St Peter’s Church on Russell Island own Sunday 30 June.
First and foremost was the famous island Kennedy name, all associated with the biggest park on Russell Island, Jock Kennedy Park.
It was the Kennedy avocado farm that eventually became the park that it is today, with the avocados still popular with locals who are clever enough to coax them down from high in some of the avocado trees still prevail.
Two of Jock’s daughters returned to the island for the milestone at St Peter’s.
Eldest daughter Rosemary and younger daughter Jane.
Rosemary Kennedy lived on Russell Island with her dad and family from 1946 when she was two, until 1964, when she left the island for good. Today she lives in Manly.
Jane (Kennedy) Lewis even brought along a book she has written about Russell Island titled: “Russell Island via Redland Bay My Memories’.
The book outlines many stories and events on the islands, particularly the 1950’s.
Rosemary caught up with another long-time ‘local’ Phoebe Du Pont; herself a well of island history.
Janet Jenner was another island stalwart who attended with three of her children Jenna, Peter and Julie.
Janet Jenner told some remarkable stories relating to the famous Miss Alice Wills, who became known to one-and-all as ‘Aunty Alice’.
Janet Jenner has lived all her life on Russell Island and was baptised in St Peter’s over 80 years ago.
Janet reckons there is much more to St Peter’s historically and religiously.
“I am quite sure there were some ‘mircales’ performed here.
“I particularly remember the ‘laying of hands’ and an unusual outcome, oh so many years ago.
“This place holds many island treasured memories,” Janet recalls.
There was a great crowd in attendance to mark the 100 years with a brilliant cake made for the occasion by Adrian Rushby.
• The big crowd at the 100th anniversary event at St Peter’s on Sunday, June 30.
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