Last week’s Golden Oldie triggered lovely family memories for some – albeit surprise ones.
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The mystery man in the dapper hat holding a huge rainbow trout is Ernie Smith and his photo appearing in the Bombala Times came as a lovely surprise to his daughter Helen Crawford, of Cooma.
“I was looking through the paper and got a real surprise – that’s my dad,” Helen said.
“I rang my family and told them to have a look. They said I need to post them some copies of the paper now.”
In a happy coincidence, three days before the photo was published was Ernie’s birthday. The day before that was Helen’s.
And the Wednesday the Bombala Times came out was the 50th birthday of Phillip Crawford, who we’re told had a wonderful relationship with his grandfather Ernie.
“When Phillip saw the photo he said that was the best birthday present he could have wished for,” Helen said.
Helen said the photo was likely taken in the 1960s or ‘70s at the Maslins’ property Gunningrah, where Ernie worked as a gardener for more than 30 years.
He retired to Bombala.
He was also very fond of fishing and regularly took part in the district’s fishing competitions – which is probably the reason for this photo being taken.
“He loved his fishing and he was a member of the Bombala Fishing Club back in the day,” Helen said.
Ernie died 25 years ago at the age of 86. His wife died 10 years later. They had seven children.
“It was so lovely to see that photo!” Helen said.