Gunning news

It's been quite awhile since we had the trots in Gunning.  Now locals in the know have been excited to see pacers back on the track at the Gunning showground.  The track has inspected by Harness Racing NSW officials.  Some work still needs to be done by Council with financial support promised by the owners of the pacers.

The new owners are young couple, Dean and Rikki Cernovskis who have purchased the Willoughby property on the corner of Cullavin and Warrataw Streets.  They had just moved their seven horses in the day before I spied them exercising on the track on Monday.  Rikki is a member of the O'Sullivan clan, a name that many with horse connections will instantly recognise.

Have a wander down to the Showground most mornings to see the horses doing their track work and say "Hi" to Rikki and Dean who are looking forward to being part of this community.

UPGRADE AT THE SHIRE HALL

The 355 Advisory Committee of Council for the Gunning showground and Shire Hall held its AGM on Monday.  Kelly Dowling was elected as Chairperson and Michael Coley as Secretary.  Members were very pleased to learn that there had been a significant electrical upgrade at the Hall.  Further plans are being formulated for improvements to the grounds and facilities with a view to accessing grants that could complement funds available from Council.

There was a wide ranging discussion at the meeting on how best to manage interaction between the various users of the facilities especially in the main arena.  Also discussed was how best to ensure that facilities were left clean and tidy for the next users.  Committee members will be coming back to the next meeting on 2 September with ideas on improvements.  If you have any thoughts or concerns, please get in touch with the committee secretary on 0417 663 045 or michael.coley@bigpond.com to make sure that these are discussed by the committee at its next meeting.

MONDAY ACTIVITIES

Monday is the day that various members of the community, especially those older or more socially isolated residents, get together for activities and outings.  This program is run by Gunning Community Care and includes lunch for a small fee.  This week there was bingo with GCC staff member Chloe Johnson doing a great job of calling, including all the usual patter like "Number eleven, legs eleven"!  If you would like to support this, modest items suitable for prizes are always welcome.

There are often craft activities as well. Some Mondays are theme days with one of the highlights of the year being the Christmas in July function. 

Volunteer drivers help to ensure that folk who are a bit out of town can get to sessions. 

On Monday June 17 a bus load will be heading to Canberra for an outing that will include bowling.  Even if you are not a regular at the Monday Group activities and if there is room on the bus, you are most welcome to join the outing.  Just contact Gunning Community Care on 4845 1166 to find out more about the activities and outings.  If you need community transport, for this or for other reasons such as medical appointments, please contact Home Care on 4821 0121.

AUGUSTUS JONES

At the Historical Society meeting last week, photographer Ray McJannett from Jerrawa, gave a presentation on a 120 year old collection of glass plate negatives.  This amazing collection of early Australian photography came to light only very recently and belongs to Daphne Hjort of Yass.  The photographer was Daphne's grandfather Augustus Jones and the 22 boxes of 360 small glass negatives have been passed down through the family.  Ray was able to recover some of the images though unfortunately many were degraded.

The images were taken by Augustus Jones from Gunning around the three districts of Jerrawa, Dalton and Gunning between 1890 and 1912, the year Jones died at the age of forty two from blood poisoning. This death came very soon after his marriage to none other than the aunt of Pat Bush from Jerrawa, the village's memory keeper who was also present at the meeting last week.

In country Australia in the late 1800s having your picture taken was a big event so everyone got really spruced up and dressed in their Sunday best.  Jones specialized in location portraiture rather than the more commonplace studio portraits.  The images shown by Ray were really impressive in their detail and sharpness.  Unfortunately many of the subjects will remain unknown as Ray believes it unlikely that the images were actually printed.

It may be possible for Ray to display the images he has cleaned up at an event such as the Gunning show where members of the public may recognize some of the people.  In the meantime Ray is working towards an exhibition of his own work with details to come.

ANOTHER PRESENTATION

The Historical Society's Bernie Boyce took the opportunity to show members and invited guests his short film on the Cullerin Deviation (Bypass) and talked to this presentation.  He is still gathering material and will continue to improve and expand on the film.  The material he has unearthed through his research and the stories and photos from local people are fascinating.  We can look forward to having this film as a valuable resource and a backdrop to making sure that the old Hume Highway segment of the Cullerin becomes a tourist attraction for the people who drive, cycle and walk along it.

CAR POOLING

If you are travelling to or from Gunning to Canberra or have a spare space in your car, the Gunning Car Pool could be for you.  If you live in Crookwell and travel to and from Gunning or through to Canberra, this may also suit you.  Just phone Bernie Boyce 0414 714 562 or Therese Nash 4845 1653 for further information.

REAL ESTATE AUCTION

Following on from the Show Society's wood auction was an auction of an entirely different ilk.  Potential buyers gathered at Gunning's Telegraph Hotel to bid on blocks in a recent development on Copeland Street up from the Gunning showground.

The outcome of the auction was one sale with the other seven passed in. 

COMING UP

Sat 15/6 home game junior soccer, Gunning Showground from 9.20am

Sat 15/6 6pm Table tennis, Uniting Church Hall, Gunning, info 4845 1997

Sat/Sun 29&30/6 Gunning Patchwork Weekend, info/enroll 4845 1617

LIONS CHANGEOVER DINNER

The incoming Board for the Lions Club of Gunning was formally inaugurated at their changeover dinner at the Bentley Café on June 1.  Long time Lions member Shirley Luck is the new President.  Over the years Shirley has served in a variety of roles with Gunning Lions, including ten years as Secretary.  Main office bearers are Vice President, Tony Porter; second Vice President, Bruce Giles; Secretary and Noticeboard editor, Roslyn McLoughlin and Treasurer, John Oke.  Anita Simmons continues as Tail Twister and Pam Lees is Lion Tamer!  To join the local Lions Club please contact the Membership Chair, outgoing President Margaret McPherson on 0408 451 446.

Despite the bleakness of the weather last Saturday evening, a lovely night was had by all.  Special guests for the evening were District Governor Gary Parker and his wife Lois.