She built a new post office beside her house in Red Range after she moved into the village in 1946.

This not only made her job easier but now she was able to answer phone calls at any time of the day or night.

The Examiner December 19, 1965 recorded her farewell: "Rain, snow, mist or other inclement weather did not prevent Miss Cornish from being punctual for work, despite a cross-country hike of more than two miles.

Her New Year resolution on taking over her duties as postmistress demonstrated her commitment: "I promised to do my best for the PMG department and to give the best service I knew to the residents of Red Range."

Miss Cornish related the many services required of a county postmistress apart from the normal duties.

Someone new to the district required directions to a neighbouring farm; a signature had to be witnessed; a message left for someone who would be in late to collect the mail; everyone knew there would be someone at the post office from 9 to 5."

For her truly dedicated work over 40 years, in 1966 she was awarded the British Empire Medal.

The Glen Innes Examiner of June 13 , 1966 wrote: "A woman who devoted half her life to the people of Red Range has been honoured by the Queen.

"During a period of 40 years she provided a telephone service for the people of the village and its district, attended to their postal requirements, accepted their money for banking and paid out pensions and war allowances."

We are very grateful to Jan Vizer who recently lent us a family photo album belonging to her mother, the late Audrey Vizer nëe Sargeant ,and this was one of the photographs scanned.

Audrey not only organised her photos with photo corners, and labelled every one, she wrote extensive additional information beside images of the Sargeant, Ballard, Cornish and Whitney families, allowing us to follow the lives of generations of the extended family.