Alex and Maggie Strong at the Lismore Show 

Sunday of the June Long Weekend saw 68 descendents of Alex (1883-1965) and Maggie Strong (1885-1969), late of “Broughton” AIS Stud, Strong Road, Corndale get together at Corndale Hall. Those attending included two of their surviving children, Alex of Ballina (aged 96) and Bruce of Kiama (aged 83), two daughters in law, Tiddy of Lismore (wife of the Late Jim Strong) and May of Brisbane (wife of the Late Barrie Strong), 23 of their grandchildren, 14 of their great-grandchildren and 5 of their great-great grandchildren.
Many travelled lengthy distances to attend including from Queanbeyan, Kiama, Sydney, Gosford, Terrigal, Wyong, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Warialda as well as Brisbane and further north in Queensland.
Alex was the son of Alex and Florence (nee Boyd) Strong and Maggie was the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (nee Ingram) Pearson. They married in Paddington (Sydney) in 1909 and thereafter moved to the North Coast to commence farming and establish the well known “Broughton” AIS Stud. The farming interest continues on to this day with grandsons Jim & Michael Strong and grand-daughter Jenny (Grey) conducting dairy farms on the South Coast of NSW, grandsons Tim & Warwick Strong involved in grain farming in the Riverina and grandson Barrie King involved in grain farming on the North West Slopes and Plains.
Alex and Maggie had 9 children Jack (dec.) m. Betty Littlechild (dec.), Alex m. Rose Proudfoot (dec.), Jim (dec.) m. Tiddy Littlechild, Mark (killed in action Papua 1942), Betty m. Bill Lewis (dec.), Joan (dec.) m. Dixon King, Wilson m. Mollie McDonald (dec.), Bruce m. Joy Smith and Barrie (dec.) m. May Spencer and 31 grandchildren.

Alex and Maggie at their farm "Broughton" in Corndale. Circa 1960 

Before meeting at the Hall, many gathered at the family farm in Strong Road for a walk over the farm. This was a nostalgic occasion for many of Alex & Maggie’s grand-children, who had not returned to the farm since the late 1960’s – early 1970’s.
Many a story was told back at the Hall with memories of all the fun times at Pa and Nana Strong’s farm – a regular gathering place for their adult children and grandchildren from 1940 when the first of the next generation (Peter, son of Jim & Tiddy Strong) was born through to when the farm was eventually sold after the passing of Maggie in 1969.
The day will be fondly remembered by all those attending as many of Alex & Maggie’s grand-children, because of the paths their lives have taken, had not had the opportunity of catching up with their cousins for many years.
Margaret Duggan
Grand daughter