OBE: Former Grenfell resident Fay Hancock celebrated her 80th birthday on Sunday December10. To commemorate this milestone ‘OBE - Old But Everlasting, the Grenfell ‘Birthday Ladies’ organised a celebration for Fay with many of her Grenfell friends and family on Thursday evening December 07 at Fettlers Restaurant.
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Long time friend from kindergarten days and her cousin Patricia Reid welcomed all and congratulated Fay.
Patricia thanked Coral Mitton for the beautiful cake and Ruth McKellar for the floral decoration for the table.
As well as Grenfell friends, her daughter Gai Slavin from Young and Michelle who worked for Fay at Young were in attendance.
ANDREW’S FAREWELL: A beautiful evening under the stars at the Grenfell Racecourse was a fitting venue for a farewell dinner for Andrew ‘Fox’ Hooper on Saturday evening December 9.
Andrew will be leaving Grenfell to take up a position at Emu Heights in 2018.
Many work colleagues, P & C members, racing fraternity, family and friends were in attendance. Andrew’s parents Heather and Rex from Orange, his children Jack, Olivia and Jade and his partner Karen Mitchell enjoyed the evening.
Many people paid tribute to Andrew and wished him well in his new venture. MC for the evening Brent Cartwright, told some very humorous stories and thanked all the speakers and in particular ‘Blondie’ John Gorman.
Andrew suitably responded and thanked everyone for their well wishes and parting gifts.
LEST WE FORGET: Lloyd William Ellerman’s ashes were interred in the wall at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Saturday December 09.
Lloyd was the last POW from Grenfell to pass away.
Rev Ross Craven, RSL Chaplain Margaret Knight and RSL President Glen Ivins assisted in the ceremony and Grenfell Town and District Bandmaster Paul Best played the Last Post.
Lloyd’s son Peter and his wife Kathy and other relatives Ian and Shirlie Andrews, Erica Booker as well as Lloyd’s sister in law Teddy Simpson and her family and members of the RSL were in attendance.
Lloyd was born in Young on September 9 1918 and joined the old Bank of NSW at Grenfell in April 1937. From there he relieved at various branches in the district, although still attached to the Grenfell Branch.
Sadly, Lloyd passed away on August 31 2016 and his funeral was held in Canberra the following Wednesday.
Lloyd enlisted in the 8th Division AIF in Grenfell in June 1940.
Excerpts from Lloyd’s memories said, “We were taken prisoners in Japan on February 15 1942 and were only allowed contact with family, a twelve word card in June 1943. The first mail from home arrived on April 9 1944.
Younger generations reading this may not realise the heartache and endless worry, indeed the whole burden which rested on loved ones at home.”
Lloyd was released and returned to Australia from Japan in December 1945 and married Muriel Chivers (sister of Teddy Simpson) in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on January 16 1946. Muriel and Lloyd were married for 70 years, and had one son Peter.
Lloyd and his family were featured in a Veteran’s Affairs publication, “Beyond The Call” in 2009.
BUTCHER’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: Nev Essex, his wife Emily and their children Max and Eddie, together with Emily’s mum and dad, Scott and Jackie Eppelstun and her grandmother Joan Eppelstun enjoyed a Christmas get together on December 06 at Fettlers Restaurant.
Joining them for Christmas cheer was good friend, road runner, banker, odd jobs man John Williamson.
Emily also celebrated her 30th birthday on December 11. No doubt her three boys spoilt her. Happy birthday Emily.
GRENFELL DRAMATIC SOCIETY: Members of the Grenfell Dramatic Society enjoyed their Christmas party in the ‘Little Theatre’ Rose Street on Monday evening December 11.
Thank you to President Kathy Holmes and her mother Sandra for preparing a sumptuous banquet.
Pat Hazell entertained those in attendance and some members of the society entertained others whilst singing with the Karaoke Machine.
Members dressed in their favourite Christmas costume, and I am sure the winners were Ben Strange and his mother Brenda Hurst-Strange.
Darryl Knapp, Stephen Griffin and Kathy Holmes presented a (well rehearsed) “Burglars Christmas”, whilst Peter Soley and Darryl presented a duet.
Kathy’s son Beau Loader stole the show whilst Kathy and (‘Roxanne - Rowie’) Michelle Rohan were performing an item “The Time Walk” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.