May 19, 2017
The Kumbia community, and his many friends and relatives, were shocked when Jim Lenihan died suddenly in March 2015.
St Mary’s Catholic Church in Kingaroy was packed to overflowing for the funeral of the well-known butcher, horse trainer, punter, former Kumbia State School student and all-round “good buddy” to the citizens of Kumbia and beyond.
Kumbia State School P&C didn’t want Jim’s legacy to the town to be forgotten so they commissioned Dave Penny (a “school dad”) and Dave Parry to build a “buddy bench” for the school in memory of Jim.
The bench has been placed inside the school entrance near one of the school’s iconic fig trees.
“The seat is absolutely beautiful,” Jim’s niece Natalie Reardon said.
“I have to say we were all very smitten with it and so proud that our uncle and brother was so loved and is still fondly remembered by the school community. It is very touching!
“It is a fantastic job by the clever men who built it.”
[Photos: Natalie Reardon]
- Related article: Kumbia’s Low Before The High
