It was fondly referred to as ‘101’ and the Miller family reunited at their former Port Fairy home for one last time.
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More than 50 Miller family members attended a celebration at 101 Regent Street on June 25.
Mary Gibb was one of the nine surviving siblings who attended the family reunion at their former home.
“101 Regent Street was our family home and it’s going to be demolished or relocated to make way for the new ambulance station and (Moyne Health Services) urgent care centre,” Mrs Gibb said.
She said there were 13 children in the family and the siblings reminisced and shared stories of their time growing up in the home.
The oldest family member was Kevin Miller, 86, who travelled from Mackay in Queensland to attend, while the youngest, Peter Miller, 62, travelled from Cairns.
“We all lived there but not together. Once Kevin turned 16 he went off to work.”
She said 53 family members “came from all over” for the occasion.
“It was good for us to say goodbye. It was 75 years to the day that mum and dad (Ken and Lizzie Miller) moved there with seven boys. They lived there until they died in 1978.
“Then my sister Claire and David King lived there until about 1990 when they moved to Queensland.”
Moyne Health Service (MHS) CEO David Lee gave Mrs Gibb the key to the empty house and the family caught up over a barbecue and afternoon tea.
“It was fabulous. I have several photos and holy pictures. We were a Catholic family and in those days they were put around the house. I put them strategically around the house where they used to hang,” Mrs Gibb said.
Five members from the Parkinson family who lived next door at number 99 Regent Street also attended the event, which Mrs Gibb said was great.
She said the home’s first four rooms remained similar to how she remembered them, but the back half of the home had been updated over the years.
“Outside was lovely because the shed dad built from handmade bricks was still there. When he retired he did a lot of shell work on walls and garden beds and about 70 per cent of it was still there.
“The grandchildren had a lovely time breaking a piece of the shell off to to take home,” she said.
“It was lovely. It was so special. It was a real letting go. It was about being able to get in and say goodbye.
“The ones who were most interested were the grandchildren who are now (aged) in their 40s and 50s.”
She thanked MHS’ Mr Lee and Peter O’Keefe for allowing the family into the home.
