I was also dining at the Chinese that night and there were 3 groups of diners present during the 3 and a half hours of my meal. About eighteen year 12 students filled a long table in the far corner. My table of nine Gun Club friends was positioned next to the students and a couple sat at a small table for two close to the entrance.

As a teacher of these students, I am appalled and offended by Ms Meddow’s letter. The students had just finished their HSC exams and many were about to leave town to start jobs.

They enjoyed a noisy meal with a lot of talking and laughing, but they were always well behaved and did absolutely nothing wrong.

There wasn’t even a spilt drink!

The students were friendly and polite to us and many said hello.

A second group of year 12 students were next door at the Exchange Hotel and some

came in and out visiting their friends at the Happy Inn. There were regular movements to the front counter to purchase their drinks.

The owner of the Happy Inn had asked the students to pay for their drinks separately at the front desk, since they wanted individual bills for their meal.

We sat next to the students’ table and their moving in and out was not a problem for us, simply because there was no rushing past and no calling out.

In fact, since reading the letter to the editor, a member of my Gun Club table has returned to assure the owners of the Happy Inn that our table, also busy laughing and talking, was not at all disturbed or offended by the students.

As a parent, I think it is wonderful that the Happy Inn regularly welcomes Primary and High School students to enjoy a meal, often without adult supervision at their table.

Unless we reply to Ms Meddow’s accusations, then too many people reading her letter may believe it to be true. I have taught most of these Year 12 students during their six years of High School.

They are a wonderful group of responsible young adults and they do not deserve this inaccurate smear on their reputations!!!

Mrs Colleen Gorman, Grenfell