Winners of each trial since the event began in 2013 all came to compete again. Before the presentation Matt Sherwood thanked Hanworth Station for the use of their cattle, Ian Baxter and Chris Croker for supplying the sheep. Thanks were also given to anyone who helped set up in the yards and time keepers. Special mention was made of Tony Pearce, John and Matt Corby. The sponsors were Wollondale Hampshire Stud, Goulburn Agricultural Spraying, Elders Goulburn, Australia Stockyards Karana Kelpie Stud, Koonama Working Kelpies, Cotway Working Kelpies, R and R Bruest Rural Contracting, Lost River Kelpies, Will Collins Transport, Will McCormack Transport, Scotty B’s Timber Treats and Trophies, Thanks were given to the  three judges: Andrew Heath, Graham Cooper and Roger Robertson.

The Rookie Award Ribbon went to Chris McRae while Justin Tombs won the Stockmanship Award; the Top Scoring Bitch Tundabardi Roxi was owned by Rod Cavill; the individual event winner in the Paddock Winner was Greg Walton’s Karana Max; Yard Section was won by Justin Tomb’s Sunraysia George; Cattle Section, Matt Sherwood’s Boco Wonder. Fifth place ribbon in the Ultimate Stock Dog went to Adam Jame’s Myamba Moss; 4th place, Jai Moar’s Culgoa Dash; 3rd place, Kevin Howell’s Karana Tige; 2nd place Matt Sherwood’s Boco Wonder ; the Ultimate Stock Dog 2017 – Ribbon, Jacket Trophy and $5,000 - Justin Tomb’s Sunraysia George. Justin Tombs and the winning dog travelled from Armidale.     

The annual Show Dinner will be held at The Club on Saturday, May 27. Replies should be sent to secretary Don on 4840 6113 before May 20. Don’t forget that the Red Cross annual lunch and presentation of Fleece Competition winners will be held in the Masonic Hall on Friday, May 26. Father Assin will celebrate Mass at the Sunset Lodge also on May 26 at 11am. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Fifty six members and guests enjoyed the lively talk given by Jane Stockel when she spoke on her annual visits to the Chelsea Flower Show, meeting David Austin, admiring the 26,000 hand knitted poppies in the Australian display and the tremendous amount of work in preparing a display for the Show. Jane also displayed fine embroidered linen, wedding ring pillows and vintage recycled items. Jane’s husband, Peter, accompanied her. A roast lunch with tempting desserts crowned the morning.

The next meeting will be on June 8 at the Club. The cost will be $20 and names must be confirmed by Saturday, June 3.

Thanks to Mary Chalker and Ella Menzies we were given an account written by Jean Murray of what she knew of Bob Hennessy. Jean’s memory was stirred when she heard that the Pony Club had erected headstones over the unmarked graves of Bob Hennessy and Darcy Kelly. Jean stated that both men were legends. Jean also recalled how they were featured some years ago on the Ray Martin Show. She met Darcy when she took horses there to be shod. He was, she said, a well spoken man. Bob Hennessy told Jean that he, Darcy, was a top blacksmith  and knew the breeding of all the horses in the district.

Bob Hennessy was from Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains. He had a twin brother, Jack When Jean first went to Chatsbury she remembered a breaking- in- gig which had written on the seat area “Hennessy Bros. Horsebreakers”. Bob used ride to school but could not recall when he learnt to ride. He had worked on a lot of horses including those on Tuggeranong Station and had taken draught horses to Wagga Show. Jean pressed his clothes about 1933 or 1934 so he could attend Sydney Show.  He spoke about the Grand Parade and handled horses from Pomeroy and blood horses for Fred Carr, Chatsbury Station.

Another horseman, Jack Lindsay told Jean that Jack Henessy was working in Racing stables at Randwick. It was said that only starvation would get Bob off a horse.