Descendants of the Hokonui McRaes gathered recently on the original home farm at Dunsdale for a fond farewell. The farm has been sold. The cousins knew this reunion would probably be the last time they could all be together on the family farm.
The cousin's parents were the children of John McRae (known as Billy) and his wife Isabella Robertson. They had 14 children between 1896 and 1914. Billy was known for distilling illicit whisky in bush bordering his farm at Hokonui (see article South Island Moonshine).
Billy lead the 1st gathering of the Celtic Society in 1895 in Hokonui.
Ian McRae
In the photo from Left to right: Bill Keast, Shirley Dickson, Ailsa Duthie, Melva Cockburn, Shirley Walker, Doreen Hamlin, Gladys Boatwood, Ian McRae.
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