Many friends, former and work colleagues and family attended the informal get-together. Margaret and Matthew’s children Tom and Elle were home for this nostalgic afternoon.

Chairperson, Nicola Mitton, invited guests to relay their memories of Margaret’s time at the school. Former teacher Adele Stead sent a video message from Newcastle and Former Principal Margaret Carey spoke of Margaret’s outstanding contribution to the school. Others delivered humorous accounts of being a friend and teacher with Margaret. An emotional Margaret responded and  gave a heartfelt encounter of her life a THLHS and thanked all for attending. Carol Hargrave presented Margaret with a bouquet on behalf of all present. The following week at school, students; Isabelle Hunter, Jessica Pereira and Sarah Knight wrote and read the following for Margie.

In 1985, Mrs Lynch arrived in Grenfell, fresh from the city and ready to continue her teaching career in the bush. Responding to the harsh 45 degree heat (a far cry from the cool climate of Maroubra), she took the logical course of action and caught a taxi from the public library to where she was staying at the Railway hotel which was her first lodgings in Grenfell. Unbeknownst to her, it was only a block away. Once in Grenfell, she quickly adapted.

As is the way in our humble country town, those who were once “blow-ins” become locals, with Mrs Lynch marrying a young Lynchie and eventually welcoming two children together. Mrs Lynch has always been greatly involved in schooling activities such as musicals, plays, public speaking and debating. She was also our unofficial historian, anthologising countless newspapers and clippings from the past to chronicle the achievements of THLHS staff and students. In more recent years, Mrs Lynch has organised many ceremonies for retiring staff and graduating students (Leaving us to wonder, would she organise her own retirement). Teaching many of our parents, relatives and siblings throughout her years here at school, the sense of community that Mrs Lynch creates extends beyond just the school students. A wealth of knowledge, Mrs Lynch might as well be dubbed the local ancestry wizz as she always seemed to know and have taught at least some of our relations. Her involvement in Love Bites and various girls’ days has helped to further connect the school to Grenfell in invaluable ways, weaving the school and the people of this town that she has come to love together so we might be able to feel a greater sense of purpose and belonging in both the school and within the community.

As the girls’ advisor, Mrs Lynch was practically written for the role. Her warm, loving heart, her supportive, encouraging spirit and lovely compliments, not to mention her reassuring hugs, never failed to brighten the day of anyone in need of a helping hand or even a chat. Mrs Lynch was always looking for ways for students to become involved in the school community. Things like the Premier's Reading Challenge and allowing us to man the library circulation desk during lunch, or as Mrs Lynch said, to be her “Library Fairies”. Through this role, she provided us with the opportunity to learn how to operate the desk, put books back and, if we were game enough, even sometimes answer the phone. Thank you for being so generous with your time and energy; whether it was your intent or not, you have equipped us with skills that have become invaluable as we take our own new steps into the workforce.

Mrs Lynch was also very passionate about students becoming involved in the Premier's Reading Challenge, ensuring that it was compulsory for every year 7, much to the disgust of some of the boys in our year. However, to make this challenge fun for all she has provided an incentive of merits and house points, and for those top readers, she gifted quality reading material.

Mrs Lynch came to play a key role in our lives as past debaters. Potentially our biggest fan and cheerleader, Mrs Lynch was always there, armed and ready with a jug of water, dictionary, a rearranged library to suit our needs, food prepared for home debates, and the video conference up and working - an art we never managed to perfect - for remote debates. Regardless of the outcome, Mrs Lynch was always there with a warm smile and a hug, proud of our efforts and achievements. Thank you so much for willingly giving up this time for us, enabling us to hone our skills further while always feeling uplifted and encouraged through the process. So Mrs Lynch, you always told us that the class of 2018 was your favourite (not surprising) and that when we left, you were also leaving. We always thought you were joking. Our teachers all seem to have energy that will last forever, although some staff may disagree. But when Lynchie retired, much to our devastation, it finally became a reality that you would soon follow. True to your word you are now leaving us and the schooling community. However, the memories that you created will stand the passage of time. When writing this speech, it was nice and at times very emotional to look back to all that we have shared, from those first lessons on the Dewey Decimal system that we have never forgotten to recent conversations about what retirement will hold. You have made a lasting impact on our lives, and we say thank you for your contributions.

Mrs Lynch, from all of us, we wish you all the best in this next chapter of your life and we hope that you enjoy your retirement. Reading and travelling widely, enjoying all the world has to offer, unbound by the margins of school. And as you turn this next page we hope that we can catch up again, in a library or over a cup of tea. Thank you, goodbye and goodluck!