On Saturday last, December 13, members of the Hollis family gathered lakeside at Foletti Park in Donald, with more than 30 in attendance.

During the afternoon they made their way out to the original family property off Sheep Hills Road, where a plaque was unveiled, commemorating 93 years of ownership of the land, and four generations living there.

The property was originally selected by Alexander Kelly in 1873, and Charles Hollis bought the land from the Kellys in 1927. In 1934, Charles married Elsie Nicholls, and they had seven children, John, Ronald, Stewart, Norman, Heather, Marjorie and Trevor.

In 1966, Norman married Beth Madder, and they moved on to the farm. They had two children, Sharon and Daryl.

In 1989, Daryl married Michelle Loats, and they took ownership of the farm. They had three children, Cameron (dec.), Lachlan and Zac.

The original house on the property was a mud brick dwelling. In the 1940s, Charles bought B.M. Basset's house in Donald, and shifted it to the property.

In 1934 there were just Charlie and Elsie. Today, the family has grown to more than a hundred.

Among Donald district's best known residents, the Hollises have played leading roles at all community levels, including summer and winter sports, Lions Club, and the development of the Old Police Station. Appropriately, “Ned” is positioned at the edge of the property originally belonging to the Kelly family, before being bought by the Hollises. On the plaque, ominously guarded by Ned, are details of the Hollis clan from the time the property was acquired in 1927.

The plaque can be seen at the corner of Sheep Hills Road and the N. Hollis