Gunning news by Ann Darbyshire GRINCH IN GUNNING The Gunning Shire Hall was packed for Gunning Public School’s presentation night. It featured a delightful enactment of Dr Seuss’ book ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, a cautionary tale about the commercialization of Christmas. The book was voted in the Top 100 Picture Books of all time in a 2012 poll. Parents were asked to ensure that their children came to perform dressed in colourful clothes and the stage was indeed a riot of colour and movement as the tale unfolded. This was the night where awards were presented, year six students farewelled and student leaders for 2015 announced. Congratulations to School Captains for next year being Milly Guilfoyle and Rhys Carr with Vice Captains being Tristan Downey and Jake Waters. Congratulations also to Milli Duncan who was school Dux for 2014. Other awards went to Angus Ross (Freda Waters trophy presented by Dennis Waters); Bailey Lanham (Premier’s Sporting Challenge medal presented by Mrs Lawrence); Dakoda Tetley (Pru Goward Enjoyment of Reading Award presented by Rosemary Thomas); Acacia Read (Lions Club citizenship awarded presented by Lion Shirley Luck); Lilly Belle Brett (RSL citizenship award presented by Dave Findlay); Kirrilee Lewis (Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society award presented by Mrs Shaw). School patrons Mr Granger, Mr Johnson and Mr Miller presented the year awards – William Carr (Year 3); Prue Cucchiaro (Year 4);Tristan Downey (Year 5); and Nicky Cooper (Year 6). Good luck to all Year 6 students as they move to the next stage of their education! WHAT DO YOU THINK? If you have ideas about the economic future of this Shire, now is the time to air them as Council is inviting your participation in surveys that will shape its Economic Development Strategy. The surveys will gauge community and business expectations on how to move the Upper Lachlan Shire forward into the future. This could be one way to express your opinion on the suitability of such proposed developments as the motocross park. You may have some ideas about what should be in the Local Environment Plan that must be due for another look. The surveys are available on Council’s website (just search for economic development) and paper copies will accompany the December edition of The Voice. Council notes that if no responses to the surveys are received, the not unreasonable assumption will be made that everyone is happy with the status quo. So it is a case of “Speak now or forever hold your peace.” BUY LOCAL While many are happy about the various Free Trade Agreements being signed, it is also salutary to remember to support our local businesses and producers. Two thirds of pork sold in Australia is imported yet Hume boasts some of the biggest pork producers in Australia. Local federal member Angus Taylor on a recent visit to Gunning, checked out the Gunning Butcher Shop where Ben, Mel and Andrew will be supplying 250 ham orders for Christmas that have been smoked in-house from meat sourced mainly from the Young district. To ensure that 100% Australian ham graces your Christmas table, buy only bone-in ham as our quarantine laws make it illegal to import ham with any bone in. LIMITED NUMBERS Have you got your Gunning 2015 Calendar? The profits will go to the organisation ‘Soldier On’ that helps service men and women who are physically or psychologically wounded. Please contact Historical Society members who put this together on 4845 1809 or 0414 714 562. Calendars cost $15 each. FISHY HOLIDAY FUN Do your kids want something to make that holiday feeling last a little longer? If so, send them along to join in the fun at Crookwell or Gunning Library for their school holiday Under the Sea Collage Workshops where each child will have their own canvas to turn into an underwater world filled with fish, crabs, shells and seaweed. These workshops are designed to develop artistic and creative skills through painting and decorating with a variety of craft supplies. Sessions are aimed at children 5 years and up with parents welcome to stay and help younger children. As this activity could be messy make sure children bring along an apron or wear old clothes. The first workshop will be held from 10.30am to 11.30am on Thursday 15 January at Crookwell Library. Another session will be held at Gunning Library from 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday 16 January. The cost of each workshop is only $6. Numbers are strictly limited so please reserve your place by phoning Crookwell Library on 4832 1048 or Gunning Library on 4845 1231 by Tuesday 13 January. THE FIRST NOEL While humming the tune to this well loved Christmas carol, my mind did a word association somersault and the words morphed into “The First Koel”. And in 2014 the bird with the truly sleep denying call appears to have made its first visit here. Not just here either as residents of Dalton and some nearby country properties have reported hearing it. I even heard one calling in Murrumbateman the other day. Canberra has also been on its visiting list with one ACT Assembly member calling for its eradication (embarrassingly as shadow environment spokeswoman, she did not realise it is a protected native species!). While we may have heard the first koel in Gunning, it seems unlikely that Santa will be able to grant the Christmas wish that this also be the last. MY THANKS TO YOU Everything that goes into this column comes from you and I thank each and everyone for your generous assistance in getting the Gunning district story out. There is so much happening in this community and so many people contributing to its well bring and future viability. This is my last column for 2014 as I am taking a break, with my first 2015 Gunning News planned for just before the January long weekend. A special thank you goes to Bernie Boyce who stepped in to do the column when I was absent. Don’t you love how he always managed to sneak in something about cars! His descriptions are so technically knowledgeable and enthusiastic compared with my vehicular commentary that tends to be like Diana “”Bubbles” Fisher from the original TV program ‘The Inventors’ where her catch phrase was “What colours does it come in?” Thanks Bernie! All the very best to you all for a peaceful, safe Christmas enjoyed with family and friends and may 2015 bring you health and happiness. COMING UP Fri 19/12 Telegraph Hotel Fishing Club prize night after Xmas raffle Sat 20/12 Dalton Community Xmas BBQ Royal Hotel from 5.30pm Sun 21/12 4pm Gunning/Fish River RFB Santa Run+BBQ 0418 664 496
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 21:56:23 +0000