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Uploaded on: January 29, 2026

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Strand Theatre 67 Gaskill Street, Canowindra, NSW

STRAND CANOWINDRA - This photo was taken at a Catholic Ball in The Strand Theatre in Canowindra sometime during 1958 - You can see the screen in the back-ground. Article by Canowindra phoenix editor

From left to right are Jim and Marie Toohey, Rose Grant (Mrs Arthur Grant), Monsignor Thomas Brosnan, Madeline and Kevin Ryan.

Monsignor Brosnan was the Parish Priest, Mrs Grant was Matron of Honour and Madeline and Marie were the Ball Secretaries.

This Ball, being the first major function for the Parish to be held on a Friday night as previously, Catholic Balls were held on Monday nights because it was much easier to cater for, as it was during the time when it was forbidden for Catholics to eat meat on Fridays. At this particular function, the caterer served chicken and said “we will just have to bless it and call it fish!”

Monsignor Brosnan was Parish Priest at St Edwards Church in Canowindra from approximately 1944 to his death in 1961. He was born in Ireland, ordained in Dublin on June 24th 1906 and died on 27th June 1961 in his 55th year of his Priesthood. Monsignor Brosnan is buried in the Catholic portion of the Canowindra Cemetery and has a very elaborate headstone on his grave.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -