One of the group has a very beautiful, (and valuable) solid gold bracelet that was the first gift given to her by her husband many years ago when their fledgling business started to take off. (It is really for that reason that it is so cherished.)

While visiting the markets at the Catholic Church my friend realised that her bracelet was missing. After a fruitless search at the markets, along the road and at the hotel, we informed one of the female cleaning staff at the what had happened.

My friend and her husband, were resigned to their loss.

Unbeknownst to us the lovely lady, Charmaine, put notice of the loss on a local community social page in an effort to help.

Meanwhile back at the markets a little boy had picked up the bracelet. He asked his father if the bracelet was valuable. His father said “No, don`t think so son.”

The boy’s mother however was not so convinced, and took it to a jeweller who confirmed that it was a very valuable bracelet. So the mother took the bracelet home and went on social media where she found the notification about the missing bracelet and contacted my friend and her husband.

They went to the family home and wanted to give the family a reward. The family would not take any money for themselves but instead would donate it to a local committee. The staff member had a similar attitude – but my friend left her a small thank you gift.

I do not know the name of this lovely family, but their efforts, and the efforts of everyone in the community who were involved, brought such happiness to us.

And confirmed a sense within our group, that we were experiencing a unique community at Mudgee where there is such a sense of welcome, of giving and genuine sense of caring that our faith in human nature was reinforced.

Made our `wine weekend ` just that bit more special.

The kindness that your community showed to visitors is quite remarkable.

Lynda Werda