GRENFELL'S FORGOTTEN SON

            Grenfell is justly proud of Henry Lawson, Stan McCabe and Jan Lehane but one sportsman of local origin and international stature, Reggie McNamara, is often overlooked.  Reggie “Iron Man” McNamara was a hero of the professional cycling circuit in the United States in the early 1900s and one of the highest paid athletes in the world in his day. Some of his triumphs are recounted in a recently published book, “Iron Mac: the legend of roughhouse cyclist Reggie McNamara”.

            Reggie McNamara was born in the Morangarell area in 1887, the ninth of fourteen children. He and his brothers enjoyed cycling from an early age and it seems Reggie may have had his first professional ride at the age of eighteen, in a series of races to support the local hospital in Dubbo where the family moved when Reggie was ten. From an early age his strength and endurance stood out.

            The heart of professional cycling at the time was six-day racing and here it was that Reggie starred. He arrived in the United States in 1913 and during a thirty year career won seventeen six-day races plus many shorter events. One famous race in which he competed was over 2,700 miles done in seven days – the Tour de France is 3,300 miles in fifteen days!

            The book is really more about the professional cycling of the age than the life of Reggie, but it does give a fascinating insight into the ‘tricks of the trade’. The aim was to maximize the number of spectators and so it was a bit like professional wrestling in more modern times, an entertainment event as much as an athletic competition. Unfortunately the pressure to perform and a high injury toll led Reggie into alcoholism, destroying his family life. However, showing the same determination he had on a bike he finally overcame his addiction, becoming one of the earliest successes of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement. He died in the U.S. in 1971.

 

            This book is now available at the library. It is part of next week's New Material's display - reservations are invited ......

 

 

PICKS OF THE WEEK 27

        Highlighted this week are two books with a positive message to share, a pleasant change from the 'doom and gloom' which seems to permeate our media and sometimes spills over into daily life.
        "Catharine with an A" is the biography of Catharine Keir who grew up in the Bribbaree district and may even be known to some of you. Catharine was the youngest child of Noel and Edna Keir, born with Down Syndrome at a time when there was minimal support for families raising such a child. Indeed the parents were initially told it would be best if Catharine died. But supported by her loving and courageous parents and a bevy of brothers and sisters she learnt to read and write, took part in all the family activities, gave as well as received from those around her and eventually lived independently in Canberra. It's a great cameo of a real family and also an insight into rural life in the mid-twentieth century.

        Events in the Middle East as reported in the media become blacker by the day but to balance that is "I Shall Not Hate", a book by Gaza doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish. In 2009 his wife died of natural causes and three months later an Israeli shell killed his three eldest daughters and a niece. Despite these events he continued to treat Arabs and Jews, making a conscious decision to not hate. His memoir has no bitterness and isn't even a call for sympathy but rather stresses the need for reconciliation. It too is an inspiring book and the Middle East needs many more people of his quality!
       
           Both these books are available for immediate borrowing ......

"THE LOADED DOG" ENTERTAINS ANEW!

       Around thirty people enjoyed a performance of Henry Lawson's classic short story "The Loaded Dog" by professional storyteller Christopher John yesterday (7th July). The traditional tale was supported by a variety of simple but effective props and proved very entertaining for the audience with lots of laughter.




The children were totally engrossed by the story.

      It was great to have as special guests a number of residents from the MPS - thank you, Gail, for organising the outing. After the performance all enjoyed morning tea courtesy of the Friends of Grenfell Library.

HATS OFF TO NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME!

     It was hats everywhere in the library on Wednesday 25th May with the set book for National Simultaneous StoryTime this year being "I Got This Hat" by Jol Temple. Right around Australia in school preschools and libraries the story was read at 11.00 am, usually followed by craft and other activities. Here the general topic of hats was discussed - why do we wear them, special hats for special people like miners and motorcyclists, then children listened to the set story.




      Then the children joined in a special hat song and 'dance'. The chorus was (to the tune of Twinkle, twinkle, little star) "We wear our hats to block the sun, We wear our hats while having fun" and there were numerous verses along the lines of "I wear a hat" (repeat), "I love my hat" (repeat) with appropriate movements, some suggested by the children themselves.

        The children then listened to  another "hat" story about a little boy called Anton who wrongly believed he had a magic hat - the children were very good at seeing why Anton was mistaken. The visit concluded with the children decorating a hat to take home, and some very creative hats were produced.

         The library is very grateful to the PreSchool staff for bringing the Star Room children to the library each year and overseeing the craft activities. The children seem to enjoy the visit and those who don't normally visit the library have the opportunity to experience it as a fun place.

2016 SUMMER READING CLUB AWARDS

         The Awards Afternoon Tea for the 2015/6 Summer Reading Club was held in the Community Hub on Monday, 23rd May, the first day of Library Week. Over forty Club members and their guests gathered to enjoy a performance by star Grenfell entertainer Zippo Zappo (alias Paul Westman), watch the presentation of Awards and Participation certificates and partake of a sumptuous afternoon tea courtesy of the Friends of Grenfell Library.




Little kids and big 'kids' loved Zippo Zappo's performance.

Clare Amery was a very cute magician's
assistant

  

All good magicians can pull rabbits out of
 hats - or at least out of boxes!!

    During the Summer  Reading Club members were challenged to read ten books between mid-December and the end of January. Twenty-eight met the challenge ad received Winner certificates while another eight read fewer than ten books but also returned reading logs and so were honoured as participants in the Club. It was great to see quite a few people who have been involved over a number of years receiving awards along with some new names. In some cases it is a family affair with parents and children joining up - or at least mothers and children .... it would be great to see some Dads involved next year!

Alecia, Marie and Beth with Zippo Zappo

The large group of members who met the reading challenge with the librarian. Was it the award certificates or the thought of afternoon tea that produced the grins??!