When looking at the history of families in the Gerringong district, some have been around for many generations and are still prominent such as the Millers, Quinns and Campbells. 

Many others have all but disappeared. One of those is the Blow family.

As a child I can remember my father talking about the Blow family from around the Gerringong district. 

He would regale me with stories about “Joe Blow did this” and “Joe Blow did that”. 

I actually never remember meeting any of them. Most, it seemed, had left the district before I was grown up. 

Here is a tale from Clive Emery about a meeting in Foxground for the 150th anniversary of the Blow family coming to the Gerringong district. It mentions a reunion of the family. I do not know the exact year this happened but I am guessing about 1990.

A small contingent of The Blow family, accompanied by many friends and pupils of the Foxground school which closed in 1954 met on a patch of prepared pastureland situated beside the oak-lined creek for a picnic lunch to celebrate the 150 years since the original grantee, John Blow, took possession of 300 acres of the fertile Valley floor. 

Stories are told of the presence of numerous flying foxes in the area at the time, and so the naming of the valley was first Fox Ground, finally grouping the two words for convenience.

The temperature of the day was around 20 degrees, made so by an inordinate southerly wind which lowered the usual temperature, but the geniality and friendliness of the group of some 65 celebrants overcame all difficulties and disabilities and around 40 cars lined the banks of the creek where a picnic lunch was held, and conviviality reigned.

Several representatives of the early families were present, and tales and remembrances were the order of the day.

Douglas Blow, a grandson of the original grantee, used the loudhailer to welcome the invitees and in a speech of explanation, he detailed the series of events in the Blow family throughout the intervening years.

On various tables he presented his collection of data which consisted of photos and genealogical history which left no one in doubt of the presence in Foxground of the redoubtable Blow family.

It appears John Blow built the original home on what was to become “Lawndale”, Harry Blow on Barham's property, Captain Ernie Blow on H.G. Miller's “Nestor Farm”, Dawson Blow on “Willow Glen”, while Captain Blow's Aides-de- camp farmed on Leaney's farm. 

In effect, the valley floor and into the foothills of the scrub land through which the Foxground Creek wended its circuitous way southward towards the Broughton creek at Berry, was peopled by family members.

The clearing of the land and the felling of the magnificent cedars started, to make way for the utilisation of the land for dairy farming purposes. 

To this end, a milk factory was eventually built on part of “Willow Glen” beside the road which wound its way along the Valley floor, and from which land was acquired by other settlers. 

Other roads would go into the hills and mountainsides to service the new selections.

Following the luncheon, provided by individuals, Doug Blow again brought his loudhailer to the fore and instructed the gathered groups on the format for the remainder of the evening, introducing various speakers who presented interesting histories on the Blow family. 

The Mayor of Kiama was welcomed, and addressed the gathering on the part the farming industry had played in the development of the wonderful area which was now the Kiama Municipality, and the Blow family in particular.

Following the speeches there was a general get-together of friends and relations and renewal of acquaintances while tales were told and memories recaptured and relived.

Schoolmates recalled incidents for examination and discussion, while others pored over the memorabilia displayed, and a small section went on a walk to the home of Harry Blow, now in the possession of Barbara Mathie, to whom generous thanks were offered for allowing her property to be used for the celebration.

By four o'clock the party began to disperse.

Tables were folded and packed away and the assembly broke up, but not before expressions of gratitude for the event were paid to Doug Blow for the opportunity to meet old friends once more in the beautiful Foxground Valley which had claimed so much of our young lives and loves in days gone by.