On Friday 27 February 33 Probus ladies gathered in the McDonald’s carpark to drive to O’Connell.

We arrived at St Thomas Anglican Church to be greeted by a rather cool breeze.  A lovely morning tea, supplied by members, was set up in front of the Old Rectory Gift Shop.  Members enjoyed browsing in the Gift Shop which was bulging with attractive and unusual home decorator items, various Australian made hand and face creams, and enticing sweets.

We then moved into St Thomas Anglican church to be addressed by Ian Brown, a former O’Connell school teacher, an avid historian and researcher.  Ian delivered a very detailed history of the establishment of the O’Connell locale dating from the early surveyors and the Reverend Thomas Hassell, the building of first and the current Anglican churches, the first school and substantial early social functions.

We then enjoyed lunch at the O’Connell Hotel. - Glenda S