A LATE Leeton resident has been honoured at a sacred religious site in Sydney.
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The Coogee Virgin Mary Shrine in Sydney is located on the Bondi to Coogee walk, popular among tourists, residents and those out for their regular walk.
In December 2002 a local resident, Christine Cherry, noticed what appeared to be an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the fence near Dolphins Point in Coogee.
It appeared to her again the next day at the same time, between 3pm and 4:30pm when the sun's rays hit the fence at a particular angle.
She provided a photo to the local paper and in January 2003 the legend of "Our Lady of the Fence Post" was born.
That is where late Leeton resident Mike Valenzisi comes into the story.
Mr Valenzisi would travel from Leeton to regularly visit the site and, according to his family and locals in the area, he too was able to see the apparition of the Virgin Mary on many occasions.
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After passing away in December last year, those who run the shrine in Coogee decided it would do something special to honour him.
In June, a ceremony was held at the site where photos of Mr Valenzisi were added to the shrine.
His daughter Rita attended, saying no other photos are allowed to be put up at the site unless they are of large religious significance, making the honour quite a big deal.
"People travel from all around the world and Australia to visit the site," she said.
"It's very important.
"My father seen Our Lady many times. They honoured him because they said they've never met a gentleman like my dad.
"If my father was still alive, he'd be very honoured by this."
