CATH will be remembered for plenty of things, none more so than her way with horses. One example of that was five years ago while working for the Taylors at Tamac Stud Farm. Some wild brumbies from Kosciuszko National Park were shipped in by the RSPCA to be looked after.

ABOUT three weeks after they arrived, the RSPCA boss phone to enquire about their progress and then shortly after, when he visited Tamac, expected not to get within 300m of the brumbies. To his surprise, there they were lined up against a fence, manes pulled and tails brushed – a true testament to Cath’s horse-whispering talents.

MOST people would know Cath was a horse trainer and one day after attending the Walcha Races, she was towing her horse float when she pulled up directly in front of the New England Hotel. After jumping out of her vehicle, Cath dropped the horse float tailgate just before 12 drunks backed out of it. Two shied, one bucked, one bolted, while the rest took off in all directions. It proved a great afternoon’s entertainment for the Newie crowd.

CATH’S boss Mark “Baldy” Taylor informed me at the service in Armidale on Monday that it was Left-handed Day, and reckons there was no one who favoured their left hand more than Cath. There are a few blokes around town that found that out when Cath beat them at arm wrestling – with her left arm of course.

CATHERINE Maree Brennan was the strongest, kindest and most genuine person one could ever meet. She was a very generous and selfless person with a heart of gold who was always more worried about everyone else than herself. Even through her lengthy ill health, she held up the spirits of everyone else around her and was the first there to support her friends when they fell on hard times.

WE all love you and will miss you dearly, Cath. Rest in peace our friend – no one deserves to do so more than you. 

EXTREMELY sad is the only way to describe the tragic death of schoolboy Saylem Slater who was killed in a motorbike accident last Sunday. Our sincere condolences to Saylem’s mother Wendy along with all other family members and friends.

ON a lighter note, Prime Meats head honcho Clint Lyon celebrated his 40^th birthday last Saturday with family and friends on his property “Grace’s High Valley” at Nowendoc. Word has it that the party went well into the night and into the following morning, with a few attendees a bit fatigued towards the end.

PARTYGOER Lachlan Laurie was one of those people and by all accounts, it didn’t take him any time at all to fall asleep shortly after leaving the shindig, while his much-better half Alysha drove. No big deal there, but please read on.

AFTER leaving the party, the travelling plans were to head towards Nowendoc and then take a shortcut through “Quiet Valley” before coming out on Thunderbolts Way just north of the Mukki Creek. That particular shortcut would slice about 30 or 40km off the trip, but because “Louie” couldn’t wake “Chocy” and didn’t know where the “Quiet Valley” route was, she drove into Nowendoc and then back out again, adding unnecessary time to their journey.

ON the subject of “Quiet Valley”, one of the dogs residing on that property would have to be one of the most travelled hounds around the district. “Dinko” has visited Bondi Beach, the Tamworth pound and an Armidale Vet Clinic, but every time owners “Truck” and “Sandy” Laurie manage to get the wayward pooch back again. It would be no surprise if Dinko was now on a last warning.

BIG Wigs of the Week: Lisa Swanton picked the card at both the Newie and the BC. Prime Meats – Brian Wellings 14 points; Apsley – Lizzie Manns, Johnny Bell, Jamie Wall, Jake Le Strande 12 points; Vet Supplies – Pete King, Kate Lyon 10 points.

WEREN’T a few of the bowling club Sunday lunchtime raffles attendees giving Roosters supporter Barry Kliendienst some hurry-up after they found out “Bazza” had backed the Rabbitohs against his beloved Chooks last weekend.

A COUPLE of weeks ago, “My Gunyah” grazier and livestock buyer Brian Wellings made the brave prediction that the Dragons would win the NRL competition, but he may have changed his mind after the “Penny Lizards” were belted by the wooden spoon contenders Parramatta last weekend. Brian selected the Dragons last weekend. The choice proved to be the only team he picked that was incorrect.