‘Cruisin' Along’ came about when John Davis and Murray Horstman were on the Bourke Outback Trek in which they were regular participates. They thought it would be a great idea if they could organise something similar, with a start from Orange and get the locals involved.  The first ‘Cruisin Along’ eight day drive in April 2009 with initially a $500.00 entry fee per car,  in the form of a donation to Cancer Care Western NSW -.this would go towards the Western Care Lodge, accommodation for cancer patients and their carers at the new $290 million Orange Health Service (completed March 2011). On Friday afternoon September 24, a group of ‘Cruisin’ Along’ rally cars arrived in Grenfell on a weekend run.  Originally the rally was to go to a function in Cudal and owing to the drought conditions was postponed. The members decided to still come along not asking for donations but to support the smaller towns in way of accommodation, food, beverages, fuel, coffee shops etc. This group stayed at the Railway Hotel, dined at the Chinese Restaurant, fuelled their vehicles at various service stations and enjoyed breakfast at the bakery and coffee shops in town before heading off to Burcher, Condobolin, Fifield and another overnight stay in Albert before heading back to Orange.

50TH BIRTHDAY: Anthony Gray celebrated his 50th birthday at the Happy Inn on Sunday August 19. Helping celebrate this milestone were his daughter Madison and sons Axton, Dempsey, Braydan and his girlfriend Simone, Anthony’s Mum Margaret and Step Father Alan.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS: Emily Protheroe celebrated her 5th birthday with her parents Brian and Amanda, siblings Jack and Isabelle and neighbours Jackie and Harvey Matthews on Friday August 21 at the Railway Hotel.

At the other end of the scale our beautiful Myrl Reeves celebrated her 91st birthday on August 12.  It was a weekend of reminiscing and celebration. On Saturday Myrl travelled with family to Quandialla for a visit to her old property of "Dundee" at The Bland. Myrl was lucky to be joined by her brother Athol and nephew Tim McCabe from Temora. Coincidentally Tim's birthday is on the same day. Also joining Myrl was Marie Keir who was her neighbour at "Glenayr”, Quandialla for many years before they retired to Grenfell. Marie continues to be a great neighbour in town. The photo of Myrl and Athol depicts them recreating in their minds where their old house and their grandparents houses were. The homes were joined by a stone path. Old pink ladies still grow in what mum said was the front garden. They visualised the old tennis court close to the house that they all learnt their skills to be able to play in local competitions. The group travelled back to Quandialla for lunch at the Bland Hotel with family and friends. Another coincidence, grandson Adrian was celebrating a birthday as well. On Sunday,  Myrl was joined by many of the family who all celebrated Myrl’s birthday, a year of good health and enjoyable family events. 

OBE: Congratulations to Lion Rodney Harveyson who was presented with his OBE “Over Bloomin’ Eighty” certificate at the Lions’ meeting on Monday. Rodney celebrated his 80th birthday on August 28. Lion May Suzuki, who is jetting off to the USA for a working holiday was the recipient of a ‘Bob Voyage’ card from the members. May will meet up with her fiancé Brent Logan and will be the cook as they travel across America during harvest season.

VISITING LIONS: President of the Australian Online and Travellers Club Lions Hazel Pickwell and her husband Lion Ted, Membership Chairman welcomed a visit from Lions Gwyneth and Stewart Payne. The Paynes were passing through Grenfell on their way up North. Gwyneth is their Club Secretary, whilst Stewart is the Necrologist for the club as well for District N1 and The Vanern’s Lions Club. The Club was created to assist with the Lions National Membership Retention Programme. They currently have members in most states and also have two members from New Zealand who have also taken up the opportunity to stay in touch with Lions International as they travel. The Club also have members from towns where clubs have become defunct who wish to stay in Lions. Members meet once a month on Skype. The main idea of the club is to retain members who leave their clubs as Lions at large or similar, and never return to the club when their travelling days are done. The Pickwells and Paynes attended the Grenfell Lions Club meat raffles at the Railway Hotel on Friday and were lucky enough to win a meat tray. Ted and Hazel enjoyed a visit from their youngest granddaughter Ruby from Goulburn. Ruby’s main attraction for the weekend was to visit the Grenfell Show.