Members of the Dwyer family returned to Benalla for a family reunion with more than 50 in attendance.
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Mick and Mary Dwyer moved to Benalla in 1951 and purchased a petrol station on the corner of Faithfull St and Bridge St West.
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Nearly 74 years later, more than 50 descendants returned to the Rose City from all corners of Australia for a family reunion at the Northo.
The Dwyers raised eight children in town, all of whom attended St Joseph’s Primary School.
Now they are located as far afield as the UK, United States, Canada and Peru.
Mick was a Major in the Australian Army, serving in World War II.
He was part of the 2/8th infantry division in the Middle East and New Guinea.
The Dwyers’ petrol station was located on the corner of Faithfull St and Bridge St West, where the West End car wash is located today.
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The couple would live in Benalla until their passing, and their eldest son Mike still lives in Warrenbayne with his wife Lainey.
Lainey said Mick and Mary loved it in Benalla, having moved from Melbourne.
“There was six of the siblings at the reunion,” she said.
“Some came from Derby, some from Perth, others from Townsville.
“There was one from Western Australia who couldn’t make it and one is a missionary nun in Peru, so she was unable to come.”
Lainey said there were cousins that had never met, and everyone had a lovely time catching up.
Six of the Dwyer siblings were at the family reunion: Kath, Christine, Maggie, Kevin, Leo and Mike (front).
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“Everyone took a tour and looked at all the old houses where we lived,” she said.
“Then we went to the cemetery where Mick and Mary are buried.”
She said the highlight would have been the meal at the Northo.
“The meal was wonderful. It was a very special day,” she said.
The day was a double celebration as one of the Dwyer siblings, Christine, also celebrated her 80th birthday.
Lainey said it went so well the family might look to have more reunions in the future.
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