Former Canowindra resident Jack Grant celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, March 31.
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Mr Grant received congratulation messages from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian, Honourable Governor General David Hurley, Minister for Veteran's Affairs Darren Chester, Governor of NSW The Honourable Margaret Beasley and The Member for Cootamundra Steph Cook.
The family had a great celebration organised for the Saturday evening of March 28, unfortunately with so many family members inter-state and overseas and not being able to travel or attend due to the COVID-19 virus social isolation and social distancing measures the party has been put on hold and the family hope it will be held at a later date.
Mr Grant had a well written speech prepared for his big day which he hopes to give at the celebration when it can be held.
Though the day couldn't be celebrated how it had been planned Mr Grant was the recipient of many phone calls over the weekend and on his birthday.
Mr Grant said his family originated from "Moyne" Tipperary, Ireland to "Moyne" Hartley, then Canowindra, to "The Treasury" and "Moyne" Gooloogong Rd and finally to "Moyne" in Rose Street in Grenfell in 1994.
Jack attended St Stanislaus College in Bathurst for four years and served for five years in the Australian Army.
Jack married Meg Rue in Canowindra in 1949, being two of the oldest pioneering families in the district.
A feature of the wedding was that the bridegroom's two brothers, the Reverend Fathers Leo and Noel Grant officiated.
Mr and Mrs Grant raised eight children on the farm and now have 21 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
Mr Grant had a long standing relationship with Canowindra and was honoured as the oldest relative in the area to be called upon to open the new John Grant bridge over the Belabula River.
There were rumours around town that Jack had proposed to Meg under the old bridge many years ago.
In April 2019, Jack, the oldest Acolyte in the Canberra-Goulburn Diocese was the recipient of a Papal Blessing.
In recognition of Jack's dedicated years of service to St Joseph's Parish Fr Tom made the presentation and thanked Jack for his outstanding contribution to the parish over many years.
