Cairn Commemoration

“We offer thanks for the bravery and strength of character of Malen and Alice Rumbelow and who in 1854 left their friends and family in rural Suffolk, boarded a small overcrowded ship and set out for Port Adelaide, a place unknown to them that they had heard about from Malen’'s nephews who had migrated a few years earlier. 

We have read of the journey to Australia, the deaths on board, the children born below, the storms and the drenching rain that reached everywhere and the stale food as the end grew near.

We don't know what brought them to this place in Encounter Bay, but we do know that Alice married Cain Jelliff who introduced the family to fishing. We again admire the bravery of the family, particularly the women because a whaling establishment in 1855 was a far from ideal place to raise a young family

We read of the births and deaths that occurred in the family so soon after and we wonder at the self-reliance this family showed so far from their family support.

We particularly paused to remember the members of our family who died at sea, most while fishing but not all.

We reach out in this quiet time with love and support to those who are with us today who have lost husbands fathers and grandfathers to the sea.

We also pause to remember the members of our own immediate families who are no longer with us or who couldn't be here for a number of reasons and we bring to mind how much they enjoyed these family celebrations.

We give thanks for all those members of the family who have made significant contributions to society in many different ways. Some through their trades and professions, some ____ makers and some through community organisations. 

We are especially proud and grateful to those who have risked their lives to save others and the awards received are testament to their bravery.

We remember with gratitude those who lost their lives serving their country in wartime their sacrifice is respected.

We also express our gratitude to all those who served and returned. We read with pride some of the citations detailing their bravery in action.

We are grateful for the opportunity as a family to remember our past and we look forward to the achievements that will come through the years from the descendants of the two humble people we honour; Malen and Alice Rumbelow”

Thank You.