Roger and Mae flew into Sydney on Christmas Day, hired a car and drove out to Grenfell where they shared Christmas dinner with Gordon and Naomi and enjoyed a lovely Boxing Day together before heading down to Sydney to spend time with Roger’s brother John and sister Shauna and family. The Steinhardts flew to Tweed Heads to catch up with some of Roger’s Uni friends before returning home.

Sheryl and Barry Hinde entertained Sheryl’s brothers John Stevens and his wife Cathy from Bathurst and Brian Stevens and his wife Robyn from Wilton when they were home recently.

Former residents Rex and Deb Vane also caught up with them all following dinner at Fettler’s Restaurant.

Kathy (nee Noonan) was a former employee at the Commonwealth Bank in Grenfell some years ago.

Kim Fanning was taken to dinner at Fettler’s Restaurant by her father Len and Elva Fanning and friends Kath O’Brien, Belinda Power, Lucy Dumbrell, Deb Williamson, Sharon Eppelstun, Shelly Ryan and Michelle Rohan prior to her departure to the Northern Territory.

Kim, who has been working in aged-care, has taken a position at Numbulwar – three hours east of Katherine.

Numbulwar is a small, primarily aboriginal community on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Permanent settlement began in 1952 with the founding of the Rose River Mission by local Aboriginal communities and the Church Missionary Society. The Mission operated until the 1970s when community control was passed to the Numbulwar Numburindi Community Council.

The community consists of a general store, a police station, a community school, an engine repair shop, a post office and about 670 residents.

Grenfell was inundated with a huge downpour on Tuesday afternoon. Various amount of rain were recorded in the township, with outlying areas not receiving any.

The streets were awash, backyards flooded, creeks flowing and many of the roof gutters could not take the water.

We recorded just on 59mls of rain during the storm and I am sure the way the rain came –horizontal that much of that did not go in the gage.

 Most parents will be happy now that the children are back at school. No doubt some may be sad to see their littlies off to school for the first time.

Please remember the speed zone of 40km around schools between the hours of 8 -9.30am and 2.30-4pm on school days.  The 40km speed limit also applies when the flashing wig wag lights are operating on school buses.

Fr Kevin Flynn a former assistant priest at St Joseph’s parish Grenfell was the recipient of an Australian Day award presented by the Queanbeyan City Council for his ‘services to the Queanbeyan Community’ for over four decades. 

Monsignor John Woods VG said “Fr Kevin’s work with those on the margins was the basis of his recognition. In accepting the award Fr Kevin referred to the derisive description of Queanbeyan as ‘Struggle Town’ being more truly an affirmation of Queanbeyan giving all a ‘fair go’, especially those doing it tough. 

Kevin was nominated for the award by parishioners and clergy, a number of whom were present to see Kevin humbly accept the award. 

We give thanks for the example of Kevin, truly a man imbued with the joy of the Gospel and therefore a deep identification with the joys and sorrows of all.

Congratulations Kevin and long may you continue to be a channel of God’s peace.”

Fr Flynn came to Grenfell in the mid 60’s and was an assistant to Fr JJ Brohan.

He was transferred to Goulburn in early 1969.

Guyon Holland has been home in Grenfell visiting his mother Pam Holland and catching up with other family and friends.

Pam and Guyon were joined by Barry and Jan Holland on Tuesday evening at Fettler’s Restaurant.