Descendants of George Wickey are spread across the nation, but many returned to Junee recently to learn more about their heritage.
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Mr Wickey was one of the district’s most renowned Aboriginal people, originally brought to the district by EW Donnelley of Borambola Station.
He was eight when his parents died in 1889 and moved to Borambola Station. He later married Fanny Fitzgerald.
Mr Wickey was a footracer, winning a 70 pound race in Broken Hill. An accomplished jockey and rough rider, he rode Wax Straw to second place at the Grand National hurdle race.
More than 150 of his descendants were present at a sports day at Laurie Daley Oval, with people arriving from Warren, Brisbane, Sydney, Nowra, Young and even Perth.
The idea of a reunion was floated two years ago and was organised by Del Byron from Orange, Debra Hulm from Cowra and Jacqui Daley from Junee.
As Mr Wickey was a renowned runner, Ms Bryon said a new family tradition was started, with the George Wickey handicap.
“We plan it for every two years, we’ll take the top three in each age division from 15-year-olds to 60-year-olds.”
