George turned 90 on February 13 2019.

George’s daughter Leanndra and husband Gary from Sydney hosted over 130 guests coming from as far away as Queensland, Victoria, Canberra, NSW Central Coast as well as many country locals family and friends.

Sue Flanagan, George’s niece and her husband Phillip travelled from Canberra on the day, unfortunately her sister Michelle was an apology due to work commitments.

Margery and Geoff Nicoll delighted George by bringing their father Mr Harry Nicoll along to celebrate with George.

It was wonderful to have the Wood and Fanning families present on the day with some travelling up from Sydney and Bathurst to surprise George as well as Geoff and Andrea Kelly from Yass  - part of George’s Racing Family.

This wonderful party was just like “Topsy” – it grew and grew.

A beautiful 90th Birthday cake in George’s racing colours was made and decorated by Michelle and Neil Townsend as a gift from Michelle’s late father Norman Dykes - George’s best childhood friend.

George grew up living next to the Dykes’ family and is fondly known as the 13th Dykes, he was so thrilled to have so many of the treasured Dykes family in attendance.

Marie Dykes was the family matriarch on the day travelling all the way from Queensland.

George was so thrilled to have his grandson Shaun and wife Lia from Sydney, who are blessing him with twin great grandchildren sometime in May this year.

They have actually broken the family tradition – George was an only child, his daughter Leanndra was an only child as was her son Shaun.

Gail Fourtier née Simpson presented George with many letters from dignitaries including The Honourable General David Hurley ACDSC Retired Governor NSW, The Hon Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister, Gladys Berejiklian MP Premier of NSW, and Steph Cooke Member for Cootamundra among others.

The family wish to thank Tania Mooney and her team for the beautiful catering on the day and also to the ladies and staff at the Grenfell Country Club for their help and efforts to make the party a wonderful success.

Special mention to Jenny and Mark McNickle for welcoming the Dykes’ Family at “James Cottage” and Gale and Allison Mendham for welcoming George’s grandson Shaun and his wife Lia to No8.

George is now looking forward to more celebrations in 10 years time.

Thank you to everyone who sent cards and kind wishes for his birthday, they were all greatly appreciated

Leanndra, Gary, Shaun and Lia would like to again thank all the wonderful folk from Grenfell who continue to support and care for George - we can’t tell you how much your kindness means to us all.

Footnote: George commented during his “Short” thank you where he mentioned everyone in the room by name that his father came to town on October 30 1981 and brought a  purple 1974 second hand Holden Torana from Terry Carroll Motors.

George said he came to town and roused on Terry as he thought his father was far too old to be driving!!!

I think George is still driving???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Bill Rudd celebrated his 88th Birthday recently with several relatives travelling to Grenfell for the occasion.

Daughter, Sue and Philip Brown made the long trek to Grenfell from Port Macquarie to spend a few days celebrating.

Grandson Andrew Brown and Amanda along with their two young sons, William and Xaviour drove down from Dubbo to be with Bill, daughter, Dianne and Darren Pyers drove up from Bulli to also help Bill celebrate his birthday.

The family took Bill out for lunch to the Albion Hotel Restaurant where they were joined by Bill's grandson, Steven Brown and Sally, Greenethorpe farmer, David Brown also joined in for the occasion.

WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY: 

Congratulations to Meg and Max Makin who celebrated sixty two years of wedded bliss on Saturday February 16.

Meg and Max, great friends of George Small celebrated at George’s 90th birthday Party.

VALE DONALD HOGAN: The family of Donald Hogan wish to advise of his passing at Wollongong at age 93 on 6th February 2019.

Don will be remembered as a teacher who spent 14 years at Brundah North Public School from 1944-1958.

He and his wife Connie (Hughes) celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in 2018.

Don’s funeral was held at Coonawarra and Dapto on Friday, February 15.