Town Talk and Yass Valley community notices

Kynan Leahy, 11, of the 1st Yass Cub Scouts, has been honoured with the Grey Wolf Award. 

The award is the highest award for Cub Scouts in Australia, the equivalent of the Queen’s Scout Award.

Kynan was presented with the award on Monday, May 8, by Lisa Bourke, the District Commissioner for the Riverina Region.

“It took a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Kynan’s mother, Melanie Leahy.

“He really was just thrilled to be able to get it. He was just beside himself.”

Kynan has been involved with Scouts for three years.

He had to plan and lead a bush walk for his troop as one of the criteria for the award.

A six kilometre hike over Mount Ainslie in Canberra fitted the bill.

Kynan loved the chance Scouts give him to get out and try new things, Mrs Leahy said.

“Kids these days have a very insulated environment really, and he loves the fact he can get out and about,” she said.

On Saturday, April 8, more than 80 descendants of the late Charles and Emily Clarke – formerly of ‘Arnville’, Yass – gathered at Murrumbateman for a Clarke/Rudd family reunion.

The reunion commemorated the 100 year anniversary of the passing of Private Charles Thomas Clarke.

Private Clarke was killed in 1917 in France while fighting on the Western Front for the 53rd Battalion in WWI.

The commemorative service for Private Clarke was held at All Saints Anglican Church, Murrumbateman.

A reflection of the man was presented by great grandsons of Charles and Emily Clarke, Ken Rudd and Michael Crowe.

Organisers of the reunion, great granddaughters, Dianne Pyers (nee Rudd), Carmel Rudd and Debbie Cochrane (nee Rudd) presented quotes taken from letters written by Private Clarke to his parents while in the army and letters from his parents to their son.

The Ode was presented by grandson and nephew, Eric Rudd of Orangeville, followed by the Last Post, one minute of silence and the Rouse.

Following the singing of Amazing Grace by great granddaughter, Sue Brown (nee Rudd), the Reverend Ken Rampling, concluded the service.

On leaving the church, the descendants then gathered outside at Charles Thomas Clarke’s memorial plaque and tree for the laying of a wreath, carried out by grandsons Maurice Hall, Eric Rudd, Jim and Bill Rudd.

A sumptuous luncheon was enjoyed at the Jones Park Memorial Hall, during which several speeches were made and the cutting of the cake.

The luncheon was followed by a visit to ‘Arneville’, where the 10 children of Charles and Emily Clarke grew up and attended school.

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward is encouraging local residents to acknowledge the efforts of community members who give their time to help others, by nominating them for the Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Program.