Family and friends gathered at the Jerilderie Sports Club on Sunday to celebrate a remarkable milestone – the 90th birthday of local resident Nancy Bryce.
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The occasion brought together family members from far and wide, with loved ones travelling from Geelong, Melbourne, Albury, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Barellan, Ardlethan, Leeton and Griffith to share in the month early celebrations and enjoy lunch together.
Born Nancy Lilian McDermott at Ardlethan Hospital on July 25, 1936, Nancy was the eldest of eight children. She spent her childhood on a farm known as Nanveena in the Mallee country, north of Moombooldool between Barellan and Ardlethan.
Nancy attended the small school called South Yalgogrin, where around 20 students were taught by a single teacher.
She remembers a very different way of life growing up, with no electricity, no running water and the challenges brought about by World War II.
Food and clothing were scarce, and families relied heavily on ration tickets and what they could produce themselves. They survived off the land, rabbits often featured on the dinner table and clothes were commonly made from hand-me-down materials.
Music became an important part of Nancy’s life from an early age. She taught herself to play the piano simply by listening to music, and soon became a regular performer at local dances and balls throughout the district.
It was at a mutual 21st birthday celebration that Nancy met her soulmate, Ronald Bryce. According to Nancy, “they just clicked”, and the couple married two years later in 1956.
The newlyweds began married life on a farm near Barellan, where their first two sons, Ian and Colin, were born.
In 1960, Ron’s interest in irrigation farming saw the family purchase Eagle Farm and relocate to Jerilderie, where they would build their future together.
The family continued to grow with the arrival of twin boys John and Max, followed later by another set of twins, Richard and David. Nancy fondly recalls the many happy times shared raising her six sons and being part of the Jerilderie community.
The Jerilderie Football and Netball Club played a significant role in family life over the years and remains one of Nancy’s treasured memories.
Today, Nancy’s family has grown to include six sons (two sets of twins), 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Nancy currently resides in the Wunnamurra Estate in Jerilderie and I do love our chats when I see Nancy down the street, she always checks in: ‘how’s the kids?’ ‘gee they've grown’ ‘how’s the netball/footy going’?
Congratulations Nancy on your spectacular 90th birthday year milestone!
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A great night for local football fans and the wider community is coming up tomorrow, with former AFL great Anthony Koutoufides visiting Jerilderie.
‘Kouta’ will spend the afternoon and evening at the Jerilderie Football Netball Club, first taking part in training sessions with the junior and senior footballers before hosting a community talk and Q&A session at the clubrooms from 7.30pm.
The event is free and open to everyone to attend, with nibbles provided and the bar open.
Those attending will also have the opportunity to take part in raffles and an auction featuring AFL memorabilia, including signed merchandise and a football signed by Carlton players.
In other JFNC news - congratulations to Jenny Barlow, who was the lucky winner of the PDFNL Big Freeze giveaway, scoring two tickets to the Big Freeze match at the MCG.
Jenny purchased Big Freeze beanies for four of her grandchildren and in doing so, supported a very worthy cause.
Thank you to everyone in our community who bought a beanie this year and helped raise funds in the fight to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
JFNC also extends thanks to the Picola and District Football Netball League for providing clubs and supporters with the opportunity to be part of this fantastic initiative.
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The Ian Sneddon MND Committee is gearing up for what promises to be another fantastic fundraiser in support of MND Victoria.
The annual Golf, Bowls and Big Freeze Day will be held on Sunday, June 28 and is expected to once again bring the community together for a great cause.
The event continues to honour the memory of our beloved Ian ‘Sneds’ Sneddon, whose courage, determination and positive spirit left a lasting impact on so many throughout our community.
Through this annual fundraiser, family, friends and supporters are helping ensure his legacy continues while raising vital funds to support those affected by Motor Neurone Disease and the search for a cure.
To register for the 18-hole ambrose golf competition or the bowls tournament, please contact the Jerilderie Sports Club.
The committee also has a range of merchandise available for purchase, including beanies, stubby holders and other items, with all profits going directly to MND Victoria.
The fundraising action will continue into the evening with the ever-popular Big Freeze, where four brave locals - Sam Sleigh, Daz Wright, Jeremy Bryce and Katrina Muto have volunteered to be iced in support of the cause.
Spectators are encouraged to come along, cheer them on and help raise as much money as possible for MND Victoria.
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Applications are now open for the 2026 Sir John Monash Education Bursary, proudly funded by the Jerilderie Monash Committee and Murrumbidgee Council.
Valued at $3000, the bursary provides an opportunity for students and community members to reflect on the legacy of one of Australia's most respected leaders.
Applicants are invited to submit an essay of no fewer than 1000 words on the topic:
‘Monash spent his early years in Jerilderie. Did that experience shape the man Sir John was to become?’
Applications close at 4pm on Friday, September 4. The successful applicant will be announced and presented with the bursary at the Remembrance Day service at the Jerilderie Cenotaph at 11am on November 11.
For eligibility criteria and application details, visit Murrumbidgee Council's website at www.murrumbidgee.nsw.gov.au
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Fr Prasanth and the community of St Joseph’s Parish have passed on their gratitude to Murrumbidgee Council’s 2026 Community Grants program, having received $2000 towards Phase 2 of rising damp maintenance works on the historic church.
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Mandy from 99 Stitches in Berrigan will be bringing a clothing pop-up to the Jerilderie Civic Hall on Wednesday, June 17. Mandy also has a permanent store on Chanter St, Berrigan.
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The Jerilderie Tidy Towns Committee has purchased 20 roses for the Jerilderie Cemetery.
Tidy Towns expresses its gratitude to “the fabulous help of Murrumbidgee Council and the outdoor staff”.
The cemetery offers a tranquil, calm place to visit departed family and friends, especially when the roses are in full bloom.
Tidy Towns members will be assisting with the pruning of the gardens in the next few weeks.
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Jerilderie Hospital Auxiliary will hold its AGM on Thursday, June 25 at 2pm in the Jerilderie Hospital Multipurpose rooms.
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Expressions of interest have opened for the 2027 Jerilderie Debutant Ball. If you will be in Year 11 in 2027 and would like to make your Deb, please contact Katrina at St Joseph’s Jerilderie on (03) 5886 1475 to put your name down.
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If you have a good news story for inclusion, make sure to email it to justjerilderie@gmail.com by 9am Sunday.