Barbara and Neville were married in St Joseph’s Catholic Church Grenfell on March 6, 1965.

Best Man and Bridesmaid were Barry Harris and Annette Hodge (nee Beasley). Groomsman and Junior Bridesmaid were Joel (Tiger) Crowe and Barbara’s sister Jane Burgess (nee Bensley).

A small gathering of family and friends enjoyed celebrations on Saturday night, March 14 at Allan and Tracey Hewen’s home where Barbara had her wedding dress, veil and numerous photos on display. 

Guests who travelled from Dubbo, Canberra, Young, Cootamundra and Bribbaree for the celebrations included Barbara’s sister Jane Burgess (nee Bensley) and her partner Brian Taylor, grandson Joshua Hewen and partner Sarah Dickinson, niece Shane Cummings and husband Gavin their daughter Taylor and niece Donella Hall.

Neville and Barbara received congratulation letters from the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, Governor of Australia, Governor of NSW and numerous members of parliament.

The annual World Day of Prayer was hosted by St Joseph’s Parish on Friday March 6. 

This very successful evening featured country was the Bahamas and representatives of all Grenfell churches participated in the service with readings.

Rev William Morrow did the bible reading and Jenny Bell gave a very interesting talk on the Bahamas.

During the service which was attended by more than 60 members of all churches, a collection was taken up and this is to be sent to the Bible Society project in the Bahamas.

Following the service a very beautiful supper was enjoyed in the St Joseph’s School Library where fellowship was the order of the night.

Thank you to all parishioners who assisted in anyway.

Below is a précis of Jenny Bell’s Talk on the Bahamas.

World Day of Prayer 2015 

In a beautiful image described on the front page of the Nassau Guardian this week ‘the Bahamian organizers envisage a wave of prayer sweeping around the world’.  In a way we are part of the beginning of the wave.  

The prayers of intercession this evening identify places in the Bahamas which are centres of social concern.  They are social concerns that we share here in Australia, but in reading about this country I can’t help but be moved by the gritty ‘can do’ attitude that seems to thread its way through the culture of these people.

Over-the-Hill is a collection of suburbs, settled by slaves, in the capital Nassau on the island of New Providence.  Referred to in a travel blog as ‘what we might call, the other side of the tracks’ I explored further and while there is certainly a history of struggle and disadvantage in this neighbourhood I was inspired to also learn that these people celebrate the contributions they have made to the social, educational and political development in Nassau and the Bahamas as a whole.  This community proudly rises above stigma and sees themselves as ‘God-fearing, educated Bahamians of sound character’. 

The Crisis Centre, also in Nassau, founded in 1982, relies on volunteers to support the people of the Bahamas dealing with physical, sexual and emotional abuse.  Through hotlines, and its numerous counselling and outreach services the Crisis Centre responds to the needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse and it is a driver social change.

We hear regularly in our news the plight surrounding refugees and those in our detention centres here in Australia.  Tonight, we will be praying with the Bahamians for the inmates at the Detention Centre on New Providence Island.  People who are “mostly ordinary folks seeking a better life”.  Amnesty International reports that “detainees are often beaten by Defence Force guards, denied access to adequate food, water and medical care and prevented from filing asylum claims”.  As we pray tonight we may also take the opportunity to re-examine our stance on the situation in Australian detention centres.

PACE, stands for Providing Access to Continued Education for teenage mothers. Since 2001 this foundation has worked to ensure that teenage mothers have the support and opportunity to complete a high school education and thereby improve the quality of life of mothers and their babies.

All Saints Camp in New Providence is a refuge for men, women and children who are suffering from AIDS and HIV.  It exists because of the time and dedication of volunteers and community members.

The Cancer Care Centre in Nassau, for those that need it, is a home away from home for the people of the Bahamas. The Cancer Society, with the help of a team of professionals who volunteered their time, launched a campaign to build it and it now operates to provide a place of comfort and support to people with cancer and their loved ones. 

A fun/fundraiser charity bowls night will be held at the Grenfell Bowling Club tonight March 20 to assist with student excursions and facilities at the school.

It is not too late to nominate a team so get your family, workmates and class mates to form a team and support this worthy cause. 

Teams to be in by 5.30pm today.

Cost is a mere $10 per person which includes a sausage sizzle after the game.

The footy season is underway and the Grenfell Goannas presents a feast of football tomorrow at the Henry Lawson Oval.

The afternoon kicks off  at 12 noon with Grenfell Girlannas V Young Cherryettes, 1pm Grenfell Under 18’s V Young Cherrypickers, 2.15pm Grenfell Dinosaurs V Young Cherryatricks, 3.15pm Grenfell Goannas V Yass Magpies with the main game kicking off at 5pm featuring the Grenfell Expats/Invitational V Young Cherrypickers 1st Grade.

Lining up for Grenfell will be ex local and NRL player – Josh Bateman, from Penrith Panthers, Steve (Blue) Southern (North Queensland Cowboys), Jason Death (Canberra Raiders/South Sydney/ Cowboys/Warriors), James Nightingale (ex Papua New Guinean Test Player).

After the game a season launch and entertainment will be held at the Grenfell Bowling Club from 8.00pm.