IN PICTURES: Katanning’s Kowald family reunite to celebrate rich 116-year history

The Kowald name, deeply rooted in Katanning since the early 1900s, brought together more than 60 family members from across the State to honour their shared history. Following their marriage on September 18, 1907, Ryan Kowald and his wife Bertha settled in Malvern Hills about 15km from town, beginning their journey of the Katanning Kowald legacy. Their descendants unveiled a commemorative plaque at Malvern Hills, honouring the couple’s humble beginnings. Trevor Kowald was the event MC and said it was a perfect day to bring everyone back together. “It was great to have everyone together and tell stories and display memorabilia about their immediate families,” Mr Kowald said. “We had each family present something that represents the history of their own family and they had them all displayed. “Then in the evening, we had some dinner and music and it was all a lot of fun. “It was really important for us to honour the lives of Ryan and Bertha because they’re the reason we are all here.”