How nice to catch up with former Cootamundra couple John and Krisite Wallace when they were back in town over the Christmas period.

They now call that leafy part of Sydney, Cronulla home and report on being a very busy couple there in that beachside spot.

HELEN’S BACK

Busy lady Helen Axentieff has been on holidays for the past two weeks and has certainly enjoyed a well earned break. She will be ‘back on track’ running the Water Aerobics classes next week.

AND progress is happening with the indoor heated pool (one can dream that when the Aerobics classes cease in the outdoor pool we simply move indoors to continue throughout the winter months.)

HOME FROM INDIA

Welcome home to the group from the Cootamundra High School who have returned this week after the most amazing, breathtaking, fantastic trip to India.

They were accompanied by former students and parents, and we look forward to telling you of their time in that very interesting country.

TOP REUNION

The 11th annual Coota Old Blokes “No Frills” Reunion will be held at the Cootamundra Country Club from 1pm Saturday 22nd February and continue until midnight with golf and lawn bowls being held on Sunday morning (23rd).

 Anyone with a connection to Coota is most welcome to attend. The “No Frills” refers to no speeches or formalities but there will be ample time to relive good times and ‘incidents’ from the past and to tell a few tall stories over a quiet drink or two.  Ladies are also welcome to attend. 

 Friday night entertainment is available for early arrivals at the Central Hotel (Roadshow Mojo) and Sunday afternoon will see the Cook Twins (Dave & John) at the same venue.

Please make an effort to attend, you will be surprised who you might bump in to.

Any enquiries reference this TOP weekend do be in touch with Wayne “Rocky” Ford or John “Youngen” Kennedy.

OUTSTANDING MOVIE

Oh what an outstanding movie Backyard Ashes is, heaps of laughs and one left the theatre with a smile on ones face!

The local connection with Jack Walsh working behind the scenes, former Coota man Adam Drummond playing the part of a pompous Englishman and 15 year old Maddison Smith-Catlin (the granddaughter of local man Jim Smith) was outstanding as the young girl in the movie.

Maddison is pictured (right) here with her young sister Caleigh Catlin who also appeared in the movie.

There was a story on Maddison in yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald, then last night she was present at the Gala Opening Night in Sydney of Backyard Ashes at the Ritz Theatre, Randwick, with actor Bryan Brown in attendance. The evening there drew a great crowd with Glen McGrath in attendance and all profit from the evening going to the McGrath Foundation.

Spending the weekend in Cotamundra were Chris and Cecilia Taylor of Mittagong (Cecilia is the sister of Geoff and Michael Twomey and Lynne Spain.) they did have a lovely time catching up with old friends and family members at the Gala Film Evening.