Amy passed away in 1990, it has been mentioned that her brothers were looking after her affairs and would give her a fitting headstone – this did not happen.

As a Grenfell icon the community started a bank account and felt that Amy should have something.

Thank you to Craig Johnson and Katherine Eppelstun who were instrumental in making this happen.

Yesterday the unveiling of the headstone took place in the Grenfell Monumental Cemetery and you can read all about the big day and see photos in the Grenfell Record.

Former Grenfell resident Wayne Heathcote along with several politicians is now participating in the Pollie Pedal charity bike ride from Moree to Sydney.  The 8 day ride is raising money for and awareness of Carers Australia and is a way of connecting with the local communities and some of Australia’s 2.7 million carers.  Along the way the riders have visited regional communities, raising awareness of this year’s focus – carers and employment.  The ride which started in Moree on August 10 covers 1,043 kms, travelling through a number of country areas including Tamworth, Gunnedah, Dubbo, Mudgee and Katoomba and will finish in Sydney on Sunday August 17. This is the third year that Wayne has joined the ride and he is hoping for better luck this year as he was badly injured during last year’s ride when he was hit by a feral deer in South Australia. 

 Even though the injuries hampered his training Wayne still completed the legendary Hawaii Ironman Triathlon last October and now that he is back into training he is very much looking forward to the Pollie Pedal ride and continuing his connection with the bush.

“I love the ride as you get a chance to get out in the bush and just “smell the roses”, but the best part is when we stop in lots of places along the way and have special functions with the carers and those that they care for. We have two or three functions a day and it’s great.” Wayne said. “I’ll suggest to Tony that we should ride through Grenfell next year!” He continued.

Wayne and his family had been in Grenfell a few days prior to leaving for the Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon last year when they attended the Jones family reunion at the Showground on Saturday and the Church Service at Warraderry on the Sunday. 

(also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, V-J Day, or V-P Day) is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Japan occurred, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event. The term has been applied to both of the days on which the initial announcement of Japan’s surrender was made – to the afternoon of August 15, 1945, in Japan, and, because of time zone differences, to August 14, 1945 (when it was announced in the United States and the rest of the Americas and Eastern Pacific Islands) – as well as to September 2, 1945, when the signing of the surrender document occurred, officially ending World War II. 

Geoff and Julie Grattan recently travelled to Cessnock to watch their son Steven compete in the Hunter Valley Winery Marathon.

This was Steven’s first marathon 42 km.

Steven was placed sixth in his age group, and 48 overall out of 150 runners

Last week Irene and Gill Carroll had a quick visit to Grenfell with their grandson Tyler. 

They had flown to Sydney to spend some time with their children Jason and Rebecca and their families before travelling to Grenfell for the day to pick up Irene’s mother Mavis Joyce.

Mavis was flying back with them to the Gold Coast and then travelling down to Grafton to visit her other daughter Dianne and her husband Wayne Harris and family. 

Hopefully the weather is a little warmer up there.

Braeden Leibick celebrated his 7th birthday on Sunday August 10 with a fun afternoon at the Trivia at the Railway Hotel.

Following the trivia Braeden enjoyed a little party in the courtyard with his mother Belinda, Jordon Nasser, his grandfather Al, aunties Jody-Lee and Ashleigh and his grandmother Di Leibick and his little cousin Blair Randall.

Local GPS boys Mac Bucknell, Hugh Wilson, Riley Cartwright and Will Johnson had an opportunity to meet their Qantas Wallabies heroes at Kinross Wollaroi School in Orange last Tuesday August 5. They had a chance to be involved in rugby activities, watch a Wallabies open training session and were able to meet the Wallabies and have autographs signed.

 The boys also had the rare opportunity to get close and pose next to the Bledisloe Cup.

The kids arrived home full of news and excitement, enjoyed dinner at the Railway Hotel and had fun telling all of their fantastic afternoon.

Best wishes to Judy and Steve Mitton who celebrate their wedding anniversary today August 15.

Judy, Steve and their daughter Lindsay enjoyed a night out recently to celebrate Steve’s belated birthday and an early anniversary with friends at Fettler’s Restaurant.

Mako Koyanagi from Kumumotu Japan is enjoying a four week 

Lion’s Youth Exchange with Steven and Esmee Carroll and their children Sanne and Pippin in Canberra.

Steven, Esmee and family are hosting Mako on behalf of the Grenfell Lions Club. 

16 year old Mako who has two brothers and one sister arrived in Australia on August 1.

Last weekend they travelled to Cowra to visit the Japanese Gardens and checked out the happenings of the Cowra Breakout, before coming to Grenfell to spend the night with Terry and me.

Naturally Mako was taken to all the wonderful tourist spots around Grenfell in her short stay.

Although her English is not spot on as yet, it did not take Steven very long to teach her his favourite footy song from the Carlton Blues.

While in Canberra, Mako has attended school with Sanne and Pippin, had a few days with Esmee where she teaches pre-schoolers at Manuka and stayed with a Lions family who are also hosting an Exchange Student and has attended a Lions meeting.