It was early and new residents of Nelanglo Street adjacent to the school, Lisa and Michael Cullis were awoken from a late morning sleep-in. What could all the fuss be about?

Much to their surprise, Barbie, Elvis and others characters were found visiting the school as part of the Variety Club Bash and handling out goodies to the school students with many other kids in attendance. It was an event that couldn’t go without photos.

They were not the only ones to catch the amazing event with Kerry and Jay Gribbin being forewarned through a relative who was part of the run that Gunning was on the itinerary.

It all goes to show, you never quite know what to expect on the streets of Gunning, in the best possible way.

The Age of Enlightenment finished in 1815 – is Dalton only catching on 200 years later?

Not at all – instead, there was recently an Enlightenment Ceremony at Dalton Public Hall, closed for 20 years. The lights were switched on in the first stage of an ambitious refurbishment.

There was music, recitations, recollections and even stand up comedy from Dalton Primary School students, bush poet Rob Gorman and Mad Kelpies Playdate.  

Les Martin shared some entertaining memories of growing up in Dalton including about the Boorowa Hill tyre race that ended with one whacking into a Holden car parked outside the pub! Also mentioned was Old Bill, the gold miner.

The enthusiastic crowd included Pru Goward MP, Mayor Brian McCormack OAM, Mrs McCormack and Councillor John Searl.

Congratulations to the good burghers of Dalton.

The Garden Club and Gunning Community Care (GCC) drew raffles recently and I was lucky in both! GCC had a very successful garage sale with their Spring Country Produce fundraiser this Saturday.  All funds raised go towards enhancing facilities and equipment at GCC.

Fundraising kicked off five years ago by Guy Southwell and Leigh Hickey led to the skate park. Now the Variety bash may help with a new community fundraising focus – a swing for kids with disabilities.

Social media, email and so on – check out how to master these at Gunning Library workshops.