PATRICK HEFFERNAN --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I will cite here some details I have found in a biographical note about a Patrick Heffernan of the Temora area in southern New South Wales which appeared in a centenary book entitled "Temora Yesterday and Today". The book was published in 1980 by the Temora Centenary Historical Book Committee. The singer Marie Narelle`s father John Ryan died at Temora in 1881. His will made that year which was admitted to probate appointed an executor identified as -- "Patrick Heffernan of Clear Hills near Temora Station Proprietor". That man was the subject of a biographical note set out at pages 80-81 of the Temora centenary book cited above It was said at page 80 -- " Patrick Heffernan of Clear Hills Temora and Millbank, Junee was born in Melbourne in 1838. His father, William Heffernan owned a station property 'Sunday Creek' near the metropolis of Victoria ...... Patrick`s education began at St Francis` School in Melbourne and later at Lucerne House, Heidelberg ...... Leaving school at 17 years of age, he remained on his father`s property for two years until the glamour of the gold fields lured him to seek his fortune ...... " The biographical note then referred to mining activities in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales before turning to pastoral matters. The note said Patrick Heffernan returned to the Temora district in 1867 and shortly later bought a holding amounting to 50,000 acres, which he named "Clear Hills", on which he ran sheep, cattle and horses. The note said he married Miss Catherine Teresa Raleigh of Boorowa in 1868. The book said at page 81 -- "Relatives of Patrick Heffernan and early settlers in the Temora district were James Comans of Combaning Station ( 19,000 acres Lease No. 31 ) and John Ryan who married Kate Comans and whose daughter Marie won fame as a singer. She had a beautiful soprano voice and assumed the name of 'Marie Narelle'." -- A.F. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------