While in Wellington, Ron and Jan also had the pleasure of meeting Sue's three adult children and members of their families. On the morning of day five, Sue took her visitors into town to catch the day-long train to Auckland, where they picked up a hire car. After spending time in Auckland, they drove farther north to the Bay of Islands area, before returning to Wellington via Rotorua, Taupo, Hamilton, Napier and Masterton.

Ron and Jan enjoyed every single aspect of their trip - their stay with Sue, the fantastic scenery, the all day train trip, and points of interest in each place they stayed. Apart from the fantastic scenery, just a few of the highlights included the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa, with its stunning Gallipoli sculptures, a tour of the "Beehive" (which houses the executive wing and cabinet room of their government, as well as a huge function area) and the (both adjacent) Parliament House and the historic Parliamentary Library building, the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland and the rehabilitation of quarries to beautiful gardens in Whangarei and Hamilton and a particularly beautiful public garden in Taupo.

After being with Sue for one more night and day at the end of their NZ trip, Ron and Jan flew home on the evening of Nov 15, wishing their stay could have been longer.

FIRST COMMUNION: On Sunday morning November 26, six young parishioners received their first Eucharist during Mass in St Joseph’s Church. The celebrant for this import occasion was former Parish Priest Fr Allen Crowe. Congratulations to Noah Eppelstun, Hamish Baker, Brayden Jewell, William Reid, Xanthe Johnson and Annie Nealon. Each of the children participated in the readings, Responsorial Psalms and the Offertory Procession.

Sincere thanks to Leslie King, Sacramental coordinator of St Joseph’s Parish and to Fr Paletasala (Pale) Leota for preparing the children for this most important day. Following Mass the children, their families and parishioners gathered outside church and enjoyed a beautiful morning tea and a lovely First Communion Cake.

SOUTH COAST VISITORS: Former Grenfell residents from Bateman's Bay who used to live on a property in Graham's Lane were home visiting long time friends Jan and Barry Holland.  

Unfortunately whilst in Grenfell, Russ had an accident, injuring his leg. He was taken to the local Hospital/MPS and wishes to thank the staff who looked after him so well. Owing to this slight accident, Russ was unable to drive his campervan home and had to call his daughter Debbie and her husband Chris Cooper, also from Bateman’s Bay to come and take them home. No doubt they will be back for the van and have a few more days in Grenfell. On Saturday evening the group enjoyed an evening at Fettlers Restaurant.

OBE PARTY: As reported in Wednesday’s Record a number of Grenfell residents who reached the grand age of the big 80 during the year, celebrated at Fettlers Restaurant for a great get together last Saturday evening. Following a wonderful dinner Joan Eppelstun the first of the group born in 1937 and the last Fay Hancock were called upon to cut the celebration cake.

LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR: Congratulations to all students from the Henry Lawson High School who participated in the Annual Youth of the Year Quest. You are a credit to your family, your school and district. It was great to see Lions Lady Edith Taylor at the Quest. Edith’s late husband Allan was a charter member of the Grenfell Lions Club and Edith has always supported the Club whenever she can. She had a great time catching up with LL Diane Skelton and thoroughly enjoyed the speakers.

FRONT PAGE FLASHBACKS: In the Grenfell Record Millennium Feature dated February 4 2000, some of the top stories from 60’s, 70’s and 80’s included these headlines:- 1968: February - Plans to prepare for Quandialla Baths, May – Drought broken by 403 points of rain recorded at Post Office, July - Building boom, $500,000 in construction works, August - Stan McCabe dies in cliff fall. 1969: February - Sees almost the end of The Henry Lawson Festival, April - Four escape death in plane crash in Weddin Mountains, July – Council adopts the introduction of LPG Gas, 1970: September, Sudden death of Mayor Ald Claude Mendham shocks community. More Front Page Flashbacks next week.