Mr McMillan, long-time advocate of Grenfell and the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts, sourced the image through curatorial associates at the Sir Lionel Lindsay Art Gallery in Toowoomba, Queensland, having first sighted the image in 2004 whilst assisting staff to identify the Grenfell location and the two famous ladies depicted, Henry Lawson’s widow Bertha Lawson and his daughter, also Bertha, who later  became Bertha Jago, after changing her name by deed poll following the death of her partner, Walter Jago, in 1941. Gallery staff have said they were most grateful for the information as they had not been able to confirm the identities previously.

An accomplished poet, Mr McMillan first entered one of his own works in the Verse and Short Story Competition in 1997 and has been a contributor and dedicated supporter of the Henry Lawson Festival for many years having successfully compered the popular Poetry on the Boards on three occasions. 

This would not be the first time Mr McMillan has sourced rare Lawson items for the festival, one year he persuaded the senior curator at the Mitchell Library in Sydney to display Lawson’s walking stick, hat, pipe and pencils here in Grenfell, the opportunity to view these treasures proved very popular with locals and visitors alike. 

He was also instrumental in the visitation of NSW Governor, Professor Dame Marie Bashir as the official festival guest in 2004, an achievement he is still extremely proud of today.

The Grenfell Record is delighted to have the opportunity to share this rare 1924 photograph, as many residents may be aware Grenfell was the first town in our nation to erect a monument to honour Henry Lawson, this photo was taken at the official dedication of the obelisk at Henry’s birthplace.