Four generations of Japp family gather in Hay
The family reunion last month brought together four generations of Japps, many of whom haven’t seen each other for over 40 years.
The oldest family member present was 88-year-old Neville, the eldest son of Gibson Herman and Ollie Japp who bought the pharmacy in Hay in 1933.
He was born in the Hay Gaol and became a vet, raising his family mostly in Mildura.
Gibson passed away in 1966 and the pharmacy has been run by his second son, Allan ever since. Japps Pharmacy is now partly owned by Allan’s oldest son Michael who resides, and operates other pharmacies, in Perth. Michael attended with his wife Sara and their sons, Jasper and Felix. Allan’s second son, Tony and his wife, Chrissie travelled from Melbourne and daughter, Annaliese Houseman and her family attended from Crested Butte, Colorado.
Neville’s sons Ian and Allen also attended with their families. Allan and Neville’s sister, Glenda passed away many years ago from throat cancer. Her former husband, Hugh Best travelled from Tura Beach for the reunion, along with two of their children, Helen and David and their families from Albury.
Gibson was the grandson of the first Japp to arrive in Australia, Asmus Japp, who sailed out of Hamburg, Germany with his brother Claus in 1856.
They settled in Piggoreet, 25km out of Ballarat and worked as carpenters, funeral directors and occasional gold miners.
Four generations of the Japps family in Hay. From left (back) Chrissie Japp, Tony Japp, Sara Hector, Lila Japp, Ian Japp, Felix Japp, Finley Japp, Hugh Best, Ruben Japp, Helen Best, David Best, Oliver Houseman, Helen Best, Jasper Japp, Shitu Saini, Ben King, Allen Japp, Rowena Keenan
Second row: Howie Japp, Allan Japp, Jeni Japp, Neville Japp, Jan Japp, Michael Japp
Front: Lolo Houseman, Lucy Japp, Emmie Houseman, Anna Japp, Indi Japp, Bridget Japp, Annaliese Japp Houseman and Skye Houseman.
Image: Margie McClelland.
