From Daniel ... Friday 29th January 2010

Subject ... Thought I would say "G'day"

Hi Geoff

I was just reading through your fantastic website ... HERE ... great stuff !!

I am Daniel Meers, son of Joseph and Margaret from Gladstone South Australia

I looked at your 1975 and 1983 photo ... THIS PHOTO ... rang some bells
NOTE - see the email below from Geoff on Sunday 31st January 2010

Michelle and I were born on 27th July 1965

I was working in China when your Mum died but Nell Duffy (Gladstone ... now deceased) kept us in the loop

Just quick update on the family

Theresa (56) ... lives in Tumby Bay South Australia
Her son Craig and family live in Port Lincoln
Her daughter Alison and family just moved to Cairns from Perth

Julie (54) ... lives in Bordertown South Australia
Her daughter Louise and family live in Adelaide
Her son Michael lives in Bordertown

Angela ... died at 39 years ... if she was alive today she would be fifty years old
Her son Luke and family live in Margaret River Western Australia
Her daughter Kelly and family live in Busselton Western Australia

Michael ... died at 17 years ... if he was alive today he would be fourty eight years old

Daniel (44) ... lives in Melbourne Victoria
Never married ... no children

Michelle (44) ... lives in Laura South Australia
Her son Ben (just turned 20) and daughter Sarah (17) still live at home

Of course both Mum (Margaret) and Dad (Joseph) are both deceased

On the Meers' side of things, Geoff
I have most contact with Margaret McDonald, eldest of Uncle Jim's (!!DANIEL!!) kids, in Birregurra near Colac
Actually Marg had mentioned that you had a website a while ago and just found myself on there tonight

I remembered Terry's face ... and saw that he is a grandfather

Incredible stuff, Geoff !!

I won't overtax your memory on you but I must say I really enjoyed seeing Nana Meers
The photos of her in the 1980's are the same as I remember her in my childhood memories

Say 'Hi' to your brothers for me ... your names have come up in family discussions/celebrations over the years with great fondness

Take care up there ... cyclones and all at the moment !!

Love and best wishes ... Daniel Meers

Hey, Daniel ... and your note is above ... and it was great to read !!

Names from the past ... in fact, the very distant past !!

We are in the final stages of moving house ... so please give me a day or two to set out a proper reply

One thing ... your link where you state "THIS PHOTO" did not work ... ??

Will write again soon

Bye ... Geoff

Well, here I am again ... and it's only taken me about three months to answer ... BUT ... I do have a bit of an excuse

Over the last few months I have been researching The Family History
The pages that were on our site had been neglected for a while so I decided now is the time to sit in front of this computer and get as much information as I could ... and it worked !!
It is a frustrating business, trying to follow 'links and clues' which most times end up in a dead end
But I found heaps of new information and lots of new photos

I looked at both sides of the Family Tree ... and some of the info is amazing and terrific to read !!
Anyway, if you want, check it out yourself ... just click on these links

#01 - The Raneberg / Roneberg Family History

#02 - The Beerworth / Bierwirth and Meers Family History

It is probably of not that much interest to you, but I also did a heap of research into Dad's Military Service ... it is amazing what you can find out and obtain from the War Memorial and Archives

#03 - Dad's Military Service

#04 - Day-by-Day chart of where he was during the War Years

And finally, a few "very small" photos that I found stuck in a folder on my computer ... and one of them includes Joe and Theresa

#05 - The Meers Clan

Thanks for all the details on your family, Daniel

I still have memories of Joe and Margaret and their house in Gladstone
There was a shed out the back that had a milk separator set up in it and I used to get great fun out of turning the handle and watching it spin ... small things amuse, etc, eh !!

'Tis amazing how time marches by

If you want to see what's going on with us, the easiest way is to click on the link below and then check out anything that catches your eye

#06 - What's New in Cairns

Would you do me a favour ??
Please send this note on to anyone who may be interested
As I mentioned, there are heaps of new details but there is probably still heaps out there ... in drawers and cupboards ... plus old and terrific photos hanging on walls ... I would love copies of them all !!
And there might be corrections that need to be made ... some of the info from the internet is not 100% accurate !! ... tell them to let me know

So that's about it ... all the best to you and yours ... and we may run into Alison one day !!

Regards ... Geoff

Hey Geoff

Great to hear from you

Love the "#05 Meers Clan" ... what amazing photos ... particularly Dad with Theresa and Grandpa Jim ... terrific !!

You're amazing ... it must take an incredible amount of time to get this all together ... brilliant job ... thanks, Geoff

Best wishes ... Daniel

Glad you like it all !!

I gotta admit it has been very interesting and good fun doing all the searching ... you just never know what you may come across ... I really like doing it !!

These Family Records and History do make you 'regret' things though
And the main one is ... why didn't we speak to these people when we had the opportunity ??
I would love to be able to sit down with Grandpa and Nana Meers and talk to them about their lives and families ... but it's too late now ... and that's a bit sad

You may have seen it, but look at this shot of Grandpa and Bill ... it is a classic ... love it ... and I'm guessing that's their home in Hallett in the background ... I would 'kill' for more shots of this farm !!

I don't want to hassle you or become a pain in the butt, but please remember to pass on my notes to those who may be interested
To be honest, yours is the only email address I have from all the relations ... and that's terrible !!

I need lots of help ... with the Facts'n'Figures ... but would also love photos ... and there might be some great shots of these people hanging on walls or in old photo albumns or stored in the bottom of wardrobes !!

Your namesake is one I am having hassles with ... Daniel Meers
If you check ... HERE ... he is listed in both the "Great/Great/Great" and "Great/Great" sections ... but I can't find out 'who/what/where' his parents were !!

Hey, I'll send you a note if I make any more discoveries !!

HAVEAGOODWEEKEND

See you ... Geoff

ATTENTION
the notes below are Nine Years after those that are above

From Daniel ... Sunday 16th June 2019

Dear Geoff

I know it has been a long time since our last contact but, I often think of you, Sharon and Brett, and pray that you are all okay
Of course, over that time you all suffered that great and tragic loss of Tanya

I entered the Benedictine Monastery at New Norcia, WA on 1st March 2015 and made my Simple Profession as a Benedictine Monk on 3rd June 2016
I renewed my Simple (temporary) vows for a further year on 3rd June this year
I will make my Solemn Profession (Life Commitment) on 19th June 2020 here in New Norcia
By the Grace of God and if that be his will and his plan for me

I have attached a link to our website should you like to "check us out":
https://www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au

If you, Sharon or Brett are ever over this way (about 2 hour drive Northwest of Perth), please come and see me
It would be so wonderful to catch-up with you

Take care, Geoff ... please keep me in your prayers
Love to Sharon & Brett
With much love & prayers

Daniel

Dom Daniel Meers OSB
New Norcia Benedictine Community
Holy Trinity Abbey New Norcia WA 6509
Tel: 08 9654 8018 Ext:134
Fax: 08 9654 8097
Email: daniel.meers@newnorcia.wa.edu.au

From Sharon ... Tuesday 18th June 2019

Hi, Daniel

It is Sharon here !!

How lovely to hear from you and to read about your life now
I looked at the link in your email and New Norcia looks to be a beautiful place

My first thought when I read your email was how proud and happy Eileen Roneberg would be

We are, as you would know, devastated at the loss of Our Tanya
A gorgeous girl ... full of life, love and laughter
A loving loyal Daughter, Sister and Friend ... we miss her terribly
Hard to get through some days

I keep fit too ... just as she would want me to
We did lots of exercise, hikes, etc together and I know she would be cross with me if I stopped !!

Brett is a tower of strength to us
He is a great kid (40 years !!)
He climbed to Mount Everest Base Camp last year and is off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in a weeks time
He is a good, kind and generous man and we love him to bits !!
He works in a Demolition Business and keeps very busy !!

Now for Geoff
He smoked for fifty years and now suffers from emphysema and is not in the best of health
He is also terrified, and I mean really terrified of flying, so he won't be visiting you I'm afraid !!
I have a sister in Perth so if I am ever over there I will come and visit and Brett might show up one day too !!

The link below was in the Cairns Post and is a good read about Brett
http://www.ronebergcairns.com/2018onwards/brettbaseball2018_050.html

I have also attached a few photos
They are self explanatory and I hope you like them

Thanks so much for contacting us
Our Love to You

Sharon and Geoff

From Daniel ... Tuesday 18th June 2019

Dear Sharon

Thank you so much for your beautiful reply and photos attached
I love them !! ... Thank You

I have attached a picture of my brother Michael (Mick) aged seventeen when he died as you may recall

On looking at Tanya's photos, I could not quite get over the family resemblance between Tanya and Mick (Second Cousins of course)
Particularly across the eyes and smile !!
So what do you think ... may be me just being sentimental

It has been fourty one years now since Mick died (not long before Brett's birth)
And I still can remember the day as if it was yesterday ... as clear as clear in my mind !!
The sense of loss and pain is always there ... but it is our love for each other that always sees us through
I recall our nicknames for each other and lots of other boyhood memories ... love never dies !!
And love is God ... present always in our lives ... every moment of every day in the good and the not so good times

Tell Geoff if he ever wants to make a road trip ... well, once he gets here he can stay as long as he likes !! ... bless him

I love the work that both you and Geoff have done on your website
The family information ... it is just superb !!

My prayers are with Brett as he takes on Kilimanjaro !!
And of course, my love and my prayers are with you and Geoff too !!

Dear Aunty Eileen !!
The last time I remember seeing her was at Dad's funeral in 1978
I could not make it to her funeral as I was working in China at the time
But Aunty Irma Moten (Mum's sister) now gone to God at ninety two (25/8/2018) had told me of Aunty Eileen's death

Please keep me in your prayers too
It would be great to see you over here anytime, Sharon
With every blessing

Daniel

From Daniel ... Tuesday 18th June 2019

Dear Sharon

Had to get to Compline (8.15pm) ... last prayer of the day
So hit the 'send' button a bit too quick !!

Mick's photo was Year 11 so he would have been sixteen (came to me in prayer)

Also can you tell Brett that they say ... "Once you have done Kilamanjaro, you've just gotta do New Norcia !!"
I think that is how the saying goes !!

Good night, Sharon
Lots of love

Daniel

From Sharon ... Wednesday 19th June 2019

Hi, Daniel

There is a very strong resemblance in the photo of Michael and Tanya
We always said Tanya took after Geoff's side of the family ... I never had a look in !!

I have always been amazed how dates coincide with events !!
When Tanya was travelling she went to Berlin and took a little piece of the Berlin Wall
She said she never realised the Berlin Wall came down on her Birthday ... 11th November 1991
She said she must have been too busy being Sweet Sixteen !!

I have just gone to our website and re-read the correspondence between you and Geoff
And checked out lots of the photos and information on the Meers side of the Family

Geoff did an amazing job !!
As well as researching his Mother and Father's Family history he also did my Mother and Father's Family history !!
It will always be there for anyone to look at which is wonderful

Love and best wishes to you
I will keep you in my prayers and am thankful you will do the same for us

Sharon