GRENFELL Grenfell is a quite large and dynamic heritage town. There is quite a lot going for this community, and the traveller is urged to stay a day or two at this great town. Grenfell is a cross roads town centred between Cowra, Young and Forbes, but can be easily missed, particularly on a north south journey. Grenfell is a gold mining town first known as Emu Creek and renamed in honour of John Grenfell, Gold Commissioner at Forbes, who had been killed in 1866 when bushrangers attacked a stagecoach on which he was travelling. Weddin Post Office opened on 3 December 1866 and was renamed Grenfell on 24 December the same year. By 1870-71 it was producing more gold than any other town in NSW. However by the mid-1870s gold was in decline. Wheat was first grown in the district in 1871. The rail reached Grenfell in 1901. Unlike most Australian country towns Grenfell has a main street which bends. The poet and story writer Henry Lawson was born on the nearby gold fields. On the Queen's Birthday weekend in June every year, the town hosts the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts, which attracts thousands of visitors. The festival is a celebration of local and national talent, with art, poetry and writing competitions drawing entries from all over Australia. It was first held in 1958. The June weekend was chosen because it is close to Lawson's birthday. Many of the buildings at Grenfell are historic and worthy of heritage acknowledgement. The Grenfell Rail Museum is a replica of the Inverell Railway Station; also now a museum. The Congregational Churches in particular are really great design and buildings. The Anglican and Catholic particularly so. There are a number of old and traditional hotels in Grenfell. Some really great pubs here. The Grenfell War Memorial has great presence on entry to the town from the south. The Grenfell Museum is a great spot to visit. All of the town and Henry Lawson history on display. Be sure to visit Grenfell and also allow plenty of time. Heritage diary