Volume 192 Print circulation 570 — Readership growing October 2019

Everything old was indeed new again at ‘a nice night’s entertainment’ Once again, Gundaroo School Combined with the generosity of those P&C Quiz Night on 7 September excitedly bidding for the prizes, the night maintained its long tradition (39 raised an amazing $11,500. This will be years) of being a fabulous evening. used to refurbish the former GOSH room, to become a new multi-purpose space. About 100 Gundaroo locals and their th friends participated with much humour We look forward to celebrating the 40 and spirit in what (then Mrs) Edna anniversary of Quiz Night in 2020. Everage might call – in massive ******************** understatement – “a nice night’s 2019 Quiz Night prize donors entertainment”. Most patrons took to heart the theme Keeping with convention, the Quiz Cork Street Café Tin Shed Bread Danny Apps Rolling Hills Kitchen ‘Everything old is new again’, and the Masters were last year’s winners. The Andrew Lemon John & Rachel Krnc Gundaroo Hall was a sea of Double ‘school team’ – the teachers – as Alison Coles Tecla Van de Zandt Denim, animal print, Lion King promised, took us back to the future Gundog Winery Capital Diamond Cleaners Bungendore Antiques Brooks Creek Hampers characters, Thunderbirds, and hair and with a retrospective look at life. Bungendore Woodworks Bliss Fur Dogs clothing fashions from past decades. Carole Nicola Ellie – Zumba lessons Country Children’s Rhee Tae Kwon-Do Even the questions from past Quiz Early Learning The Good Toy Shop Nights were given new life for this one. Lindi Heap Photography National Dinosaur Lou Jenal Bobcats Museum GOSH Aquatots Grazing Karalia Gundaroo Grocer Gorton Granger Flowers In this issue … Ian Jones Turners Nursery Local News pp 1–3 Belinda Barrett Ron Miller Emma & Mark Shadbolt Peter Cassidy Community Noticeboard pp 4–5 Santa’s Shaped Hair by Lyn Film Society p 6 This year, the Christmas Trees Cockington Green Festival Corner p 6 Barrett table Sutton Automotive Colonial Inn were the losers The Nest Gundaroo Music Festival School News p 7 Tracey Huckle, Nemori Flower Farm Fire Brigade bulletin p 8 champions, and Harvey Norman Questacon Gundaroo Scouts p 9 will be Quiz Total Traction Services Grandma Prior The Baker at Sutton Marion Meischke GOSH it’s grown! p 10 Masters in 2020 th McGrath Real Estate Gibley Gardening Dust, dollars and drought p 11 – the 40 Gundaroo South Vet Clinic Dog Trap Design anniversary Quiz Afflek Winery Southern Maintenance Tallagandra Hill Winery – special p 13 Contention Character & Water Sub-shrubs are not sub-standard p 15 Night. Lark Hill Winery Parkside Tennis Academy Garden meanderings p 17 It was a stellar year for donations for The Big Green Cup Café AIS Swim School Gunning Butcher Kathryn Kenny Water for woldlife p 19 the silent and loud auctions. A list of Lyndall Slater &family Matt Robertson from Gundaroo Sport p 21 sponsors is published here to publicly Nemorish Penske Trucks Australia Eateries p 23 Phil the Vege Man acknowledge the generosity of the Church services p 23 whole community in and near Emergency & community contacts p 24 Gundaroo.

Quotes for the month The Gundaroo Gazette “Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.” Kindly Sponsored by Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer, humorist, publisher, lecturer, entrepreneur DR Print “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors Mitchell are not victims … but accomplices.” www.drprint.net.au George Orwell (1903–1950) Phone: 6262 7780 English novelist, essayist and journalist 1 LOCAL NEWS

Drought plan for information kits. Having an up-to-date Gundaroo Common Bush Fire Survival Plan for your family, animals and property is the working well predominant message in this material. The Gundaroo Common Trust has (See page 8 for more detail.) brought forward its destocking plan, as As well as showing and demonstrating recommended by the independent the fire trucks, equipment and the new livestock vet after his inspection of the whizz-bang quick-fill trailer, visitors condition of the Common and the were given an important demonstration livestock (Gazette September 2019). of the value and use of a fire blanket, The cows were pregnancy tested to help especially in a kitchen, and a disposable Commoners decide the future of fire extinguisher. individual animals. Destocking has since Gundaroo Brigade Captain Michael Cliff occurred as planned, with cattle being talked about the value of a good sprinkler trucked to the Yass saleyards or moved system and a fire pump, hoses and the elsewhere by stock owners. and Brett Southwell were bussed north in best hose connections, even in the a team of 15 Southern Tablelands firies to The remaining cattle are being hand fed village. help control part the 100,000 ha fires in the stockyards, and are doing well. Michael spoke afterwards with The north of Ebor. Michael was leading, and Calving has begun, and will last a few Gundaroo Gazette about some of the on Monday reported that they were more weeks. The calving paddock special threats faced this summer. Grass holding well at Sandy Creek. (south-eastern, with the stockyards), fires can move very fast, and are a has been locked, in order to minimise constant threat to farms. But Gundaroo A near miss for Gundaroo’s disturbance to the cows and their village is a potential source of ignition ‘My Community Project’ bid newborn calves. within its boundaries – caused by embers Although Gundaroo missed winning a The Trust has asked other users of the from farmland grass fires falling on messy grant for the project at the Park, those Common to ensure their dogs are under village yards, and by lawnmowers, who voted and whipped up the local control, and preferably to keep all their chainsaws, angle grinders and unbaffled support can take heart and accept our activities well clear of the calving trail bike exhausts. thanks. The effort was not wasted. paddock. Particularly scary this year are the dry Not only did we score fourth in the vote ‘Getting ready’ for a very sclerophyll forests with very high fuel count, behind the big towns like Moss loads on the ground. Michael mentioned Vale, but the hard work has been done to dangerous fire season Wamboin, Brooks Creek and Beralston as lodge an application for the same project Gundaroo Rural Fire Brigade held its ‘Get- examples – even worse in steep country with the Stronger Country Communities Ready Day’ on Sunday 15 September at with limited access. Fund. Our application is well supported the Fire Station. (See Brigade column on Brigades can be badly hampered by poor by Council and other bodies. page 8 for the basic details.) access where landholders have not kept Other neighbouring brigades have been their roads and driveways in good order Roadside weed control doing likewise. and clear of low hanging branches. under way As well as the Fire Station talks and Access into and out of the village must Yass Valley Council has scheduled weed demonstrations, two Brigade members be planned for, as well as possible. This spraying of its public amenities and did a walk-through of the Pub, the Café particularly applies to schoolchildren roadways between September and and Cork Street Café, handing out whose parents work in Canberra during December, and will place signs where literature and children’s promotional the day, but face closed roads. spraying has been done. material, such as fire helmets, stick-on A major challenge for all brigades after The Cemetery and Gundaroo Park will be tattoos and activity bags. years of drought is accessing sufficient sprayed, as well as along the edges and water where needed. While there may related areas of these sealed main roads not be much grass left to burn, water – Gundaroo Road, Mulligans Flat Road, may become a more limiting factor in Shingle Hill Way, Hadlow Drive, East some areas. Tallagandra Lane, Marked Tree Road and Michael stressed to the Gazette the Sibley Road. importance of knowing what to tell 000 The Gundaroo Gazette is yet to follow up or the brigade when you’re reporting a with the weeds officer his progress in new fire. Not observing and reporting considering the issues raised in submissions accurately can seriously delay an early to the Yass Valley Weeds Action Plan. response. The Fire Station has a wall chart called ‘Size-up and SITREP’, which it Solar farm non-progress behoves us all to study and learn. A poor Another month has passed with no photo of it is on the Brigade page (8). communication from the proponents of Ten active Brigade members met and The early fires in Queensland and the Springdale solar farm or the NSW talked with about 25 visitors, answered northern NSW bode ill for the summer. Department of Planning, Industry and their various questions, and handed out On the last September Saturday, Michael Environment. That’s 13 months ‘showbags’ of valuable RFS advice and 2 LOCAL NEWS of silence from the proponents and the Community War Memorials Fund and NSW department. Anzac Community Grants Program While readers of The Gundaroo Gazette Applications close on Remembrance ‘WHERE GOOD may be losing interest (like your humble Day, 11 November. editor), Sutton Solar Action Group Go to: FRIENDS MEET’ continues to take advantage of the https://veteransnsw.smartygrants.com.au silence to discover anomalies and Before and After School Care (BASC) Coming events contradictions in the Renew Estate official documents. This time it’s the Applications and Submissions are open until the end of 2019. A FEAST OF MUSIC AND SPORT Biodiversity Assessment Report (BDAR), Go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au/basc. which SSAG says incorrectly claims 81 New interactive ‘Your Council’ website times that “there is unlikely to be any OCTOBER significant impact on biodiversity and Allows residents to access th comprehensive statistics on the Fri 4 – The Sweaty Palms threatened species”. operations of local council. 8–11pm (Blues country boogie rock) Readers are referred to the SSAG Go to: www.yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au Sat 5th – Rugby World Cup website for detailed information: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Grants 3.15pm (Australia v Uruguay) www.suttonsolaractiongroup.com Local business startups developing th new products can apply for MVP Sat 5 – Back 2 Back Duo Gundaroo student wins grants up to $25,000. 8–11pm (Classic blues rock country) Tuckwell Scholarship at Go to: http://www.jobsfornsw.au/mvp. (Happy 40th to Mick Connor!) Scholarships for students in social th ANU housing or out-of-home care Sun 6 – NRL Grand Final Gundaroo’s Isaac Martin, studying in Year Year 10, 11, 12, or TAFE equivalent 7.30pm, activities from 4.00pm 12 at Gungahlin College, has been Go to: www.facs.nsw.gov.au/scholarships Fri 11th – Rugby World Cup selected as a Tuckwell Scholar for the Yass ambulance station construction 9.15pm (Australia v Georgia) ANU undergraduate intake in 2020. He is completed th one of 25 recipients from 690 applicants. For the full announcement, go to: Sat 12 – Karaoke 8–11pm) (Cathy Stephenson’s ‘21st’!) The prestigious and highly competitive [email protected] scholarship is regarded as the most News Shorts Sun 13th – Bathurst 1000 transformational undergraduate Wagstaffs have ‘left the building’. All day (V8 Supercars) scholarship in Australia. It is awarded to After an emotional farewell at the pub th highly talented and motivated school Sat 19 – Veterans Motorcycle Club from local and more distant friends, 3pm 100 to 300 bikes on display leavers with leadership potential Mark and Kerry Wagstaff have left planning to study at ANU. Gundaroo and Australia and moved to Fri 25th, Sun 27th – Live music as the Isle of Mull off the west coast of The financial assistance and mentoring part of the Gundaroo Music Festival Scotland. th support means that Isaac will be offered There’ll be more about their life in on Sat 26 a place on the ANU campus to live and Gundaroo in the November edition. 19th/20th Rugby World Cup study whilst he completes a Science Engineering degree, and, along with his Quarter-finals peers, will be able to engage with the (Australia?) academic expertise offered at ANU. From ‘The Desk’ 26th/27th Semi-finals (Australia?) Once again, this humble journal NOVEMBER News from our State MP welcomes a new writer to our st Member for Goulburn, Wendy fellowship. You can read the ‘On Sat 1 – Bronze play-off Tuckerman, has made a lot of our farms’ column by Cate (Australia?) Thomas on page 11. announcement in the past month – too Sun 2nd – FINAL (Australia?) many to provide any details in the Cate joins Geoff Burton, Ann th space available in this edition. And Pellegrino and Elizabeth Kovacs, Tues 5 – Melbourne Cup (3pm) some grants and awards programs all of whom have written topical Pub and Rolling Hills Kitchen both articles in recent months. All mentioned in previous editions are still have already submitted another. open from noon. current. Book your function now! More local writers – whether These have been abbreviated below to neophytes or old stagers – are the barest essential information. invited to contact your editor Pool Competition Four of this month’s announcements with their ideas and intentions. Prizemoney – Winner takes all are similarly noted, with contact details As always, please join me in Thursdays – 6–7pm registration, for more information. thanking all our contributors, advertisers and distributors, and free pool. 7pm pool comp, $10 To access our MP’s full statements, of course all readers who give entry, minimum 6 players. Food readers can email her media officer or me feedback and point out errors. and grog specials on the night. the general electorate office address. Until next month 2020 NSW Woman of the Year Awards Your Editor/Custodian Nominations close Friday 25 October. Go to: www.women.nsw.gov.au.

3 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Book launch … and you’re invited!

In Living Memory: Gundaroo in the 1940s and 1950s by Marion Meischke

Volume 1 – The Valley: focuses on the farming community and the social settings of the time. Weed spraying in Yass Valley From September 2019 until December 2019, Council will Volume 2 – Cork Street: presents a picture of the undertake weed spraying of its public amenities and main street with the shops, services and characters roadways. Signage will be in place to inform the that inhabited them. community where spraying has occurred. Volume 3 – The Village: explores the side-streets In and around Gundaroo, spraying will occur in the of residences, churches, the school and beyond. Cemetery and in Gundaroo Park, and on the sealed main Presented in a handsome slipcase, this roads of Hadlow Drive, East Tallagandra Lane, Marked three-volume set weaves 470 pages of memories Tree Road, Mulligans Flat Road, Shingle Hill Way, Sibley into a fascinating, collectable memento of the Road and Gundaroo Road. time gone by in Gundaroo. For more information about spraying of Council-managed land, please contact Yass Valley Council on 6226 1477. Sunday 13 October 2019 from 2pm Approval of primitive campground At its September meeting, Council resolved to support an Soldiers’ Memorial Hall application to formalise an approval for the primitive campground, subject to some minor operational changes Cork Street, Gundaroo including camping areas and conditions of use for Please bring any of your family and friends who campers in order to minimise any adverse impact on the would like to share in this local event. amenity of neighbouring residents. Tea, coffee and cool drinks will be provided, but More information on this decision can be found at please bring a plate to share. yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/our-council/council- For further information: meetings/agendas-and-minutes/ [email protected] Gundaroo streetscape Council will soon commence work to improve the streetscape outside of the Gundaroo Colonial Inn. This will include improvements to the pavement and gutter, ‘Irrigation water, soil and the installation of new planter boxes. nutrients and salt’ As with other street furniture in Cork Street, the new planter boxes will be constructed using timbers recycled Tuesday 8 October 2019 from the old Gundaroo Bridge. Dr Richard Stirzaker from CSIRO will talk about Garage Sale Trail 2019 improving crop yields through better Don’t forget! The weekend of 19–20 October. management of irrigation water, soil nutrients To host a sale or ‘shop the trail, visit and salt. Dr Stirzaker is an authority on soils and www.garagesaletrail.com.au soil moisture. At the Sutton Primary School from 7.30pm. As part of his work at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Dr Stirzaker is involved with the Virtual Irrigation Academy (VIA), where anyone can Wildcare training learn about improving crop yields. The ‘Chameleon System’ is a way to measure soil water by producing colour patterns that show Basic bird course whether soils is too wet or dry, how deep rain and irrigation moves into the soil, and where roots are taking up water. Sunday 6 October But water, nutrients and salt must be measured together in order to 10am to 4pm really understand what is happening. VIA has become a global Karabar Community Centre network where monitoring sensors are buried on farms around the 183 Cooma St, Karabar world and data are shared on the VIA website. New volunteers are welcome to join Supper will follow, with an opportunity for further discussion. Wildcare and come along. For more information on Sutton Landcare Group, please contact our secretary on [email protected]. For more information, contact Arnold Dekker, Coordinator, Sutton Landcare Group [email protected] or 0411 422 897

4 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

As I See It SAVE THE DATE! An Exhibition of Photographic Works by Sam Chapman Saturday Cork St Street Café 7 December 24 Cork St, Gundaroo NSW Open Thursday to Sunday for Lunch and Dinner Fireside Saturday & Sunday for Breakfast too. Ph: (02) 6236 8217 Em: [email protected] Chats Exhibition runs until Sunday 6 October 2019. Sam Chapman is a young photographer with Down Syndrome ‘Charles Dickens and is studying photography in Year 12 at Dickson College. His and the making photographs have been shown in six exhibitions at Cork Street Café. This is his second solo exhibition. of Christmas’ SUTTON Lorna Fleetwood Gunning medical services – 4845 1166 STORIES: will share her musings on a topical Doctors and allied health services. In the Words (Phone for bookings and more information) subject. of the Locals Gunning Pharmacy – 4845 1339 Function Room A new 180-page history book Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00pm about life in the Sutton district over at the Saturday 9.00pm to 1.00pm the the past 150 years. Gundaroo 300 copies already sold! Colonial Inn Gundaroo Colonial Inn Copies available for $15 from the 4.00 – 5.00pm Sutton Post Office and the Chris ‘Choppy’ Connor welcomes All ages are staff inquiries Gundaroo Store and Post Office. Inquiries to Alan McNeill at welcome to attend Call 6236 8155, 0490 031 271 [email protected] this free event.

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FESTIVAL CORNER 2019 Gundaroo Music Festival Saturday 26 October, from 10am to 10pm (To support those living with Motor Neurone Disease) The countdown is on!

As the excitement is building, so are the preparations – and as you will see early in the month at Gundaroo Park, there will be lots going on. The Park will officially be closed from Wednesday 23 October until Tuesday 29 October 2019, with no public access until the gates open at 10am sharp on 26 October. Responsibility for the site rests with the Gundaroo Music Festival Organising Committee. Please remember that on Festival day, parking at the gates is for disabled permit holders only, and access on Gundaroo Terrace is restricted to service vehicles only. There is free general parking available along Cork Street. Just follow the signs and the guidance of our RFS volunteers. Don’t forget to tell your family and friends that we have camping available, and there are free buses running all day between Gungahlin and Gundaroo. Make sure you check out www.gundaroomusicfestival.com.au for all the program details and bus times. The Festival weekend kicks off with our Fringe Program – starting at 3pm on Friday 25 October at the Gundaroo Colonial Inn – (Luke Dickens and Luke Austen, from 8pm), where you can pre-purchase your tickets (eftpos available) if you haven’t already done that on www.Ticketek.com.au. This means you can access the 15% discounts across the weekend at participating businesses by showing your wrist band. Gundog Estate is also doing a special food and wine tasting from 4 to 6pm on the Friday. GMF Members can also bring their membership card to purchase tickets with a 10% discount. On Sunday, there will be a recovery breakfast at the Gundaroo Grocer (8–10am), RFS fire-ready at 12pm, and Tallagandra Hill will open for tastings from 11am. We will officially wind down the Festival back where we started with local favourites ‘¾ full’, starting at 4pm at the pub. Finally, don’t forget we need volunteers across the whole weekend. So please check out the website and sign up today. We can’t wait to see you all there! Many thanks, as always … from the GMF Organising Committee #GMF2019.

6

Gundaroo School News

Here we are at the end of Term 3 and what a term it’s the AIS. Lochie showed true grit and determination, been! To say the staff and students are ready for running a fantastic 100m race with a newly-fractured holidays would be an understatement… hand and doing himself and the school proud. Gwen had Quiz Night a very busy day, competing in three events. In her first race, the 100m sprint, she placed 7th in her heat, THANK YOU GUNDAROO! Official figures aren’t quite in followed by a 3rd in her heat for the 200m. She then yet, but our Quiz Night raised well in excess of $11,500! went on to place a brilliant 6th overall in junior girls long An outstanding effort. Thank you so much to all who jump. An amazing effort! donated and/or attended the night. We hope for those Reading Hour who attended it was a fun night – we certainly had fun organising and hosting! Congratulations to the winning Thank you to all the families who came along to read, team, ‘Team Spirit’! We are already looking forward to read, read for Australian Reading Hour! It was so lovely next year! to see everyone enjoying a bedtime story with parents Tournament of Minds and children reading to each other (and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate!). It is so rewarding to see the support Well done to our three fabulous TOM teams who of so many for such a worthwhile activity. Thanks to our represented Gundaroo brilliantly at Campbell High at wonderful Librarian, Mrs Harris, for her organisation and the beginning of the month. There were a record 114 enthusiasm! teams participating this year! As always, our students Bike Week did us proud, demonstrating outstanding teamwork, cooperation, creativity and artistic skills. No doubt you have seen all the bikes around the village at the moment! We have had a wonderful week of bike Special congratulations to the Gundaroo 3 Team – Katy, activities, and learning how to be safe and responsible Matilda K, Estelle, Maddy, Elise, Hannah, and Amelia – riders when out and about. One of the things I love most who succeeded in making it to the ACT finals! The team about Bike Week is seeing performed brilliantly, and while they weren’t the the confidence of the winners, they should be incredibly proud of their effort. children grow, and how supportive and caring our

older students are. I am sure there are many students who made the

transition to riding without training Spelling Bee wheels thanks to Bike Week! Rohan, Maddy, Matilda K and Rose went along to Netball Bungendore for the Regional ‘Premier’s Spelling Bee’. All Our two amazing Gundaroo students did particularly well. Maddy made it to round Netball teams battled it out three and Rohan made it to round four, while both in the finals of their Term 3 Matilda and Rose made it to round six, with Matilda competition. While both placing second overall. Well done! teams went down in thrilling games, there has been so much improvement both individually and as a team

across the board! Well done Guns and Gazelles, and thank you to Tecla, Helen and all of the parents who

provide support throughout the year! Regional Athletics Until next term! Lochie F-B and Gwen W competed earlier in the month Nigel Trethowan at the Queanbeyan District Regional Athletics Carnival at Principal 7 NSW Rural C/- Post Office Fire Service Gundaroo NSW 2620 Gundaroo Rural Fire Brigade

Prepare. Act. Survive. What is your current plan? Thank you to the residents who attended our Get-Ready Day on Sunday 15 September at our Fire Station. We hope you found it valuable, and that you’ve made your Bush Fire Survival Plans, perhaps with the aid of the advisory material handed out in the ‘showbags’ (which Brigade members also handed out at other Gundaroo venues). If you haven’t yet completed your Plan or need help to make one, it’s not too late. Simply contact Brigade Captain Michael Cliff (0428 494 403) for assistance. Information is also available online at www.myfireplan.com.au. Having a current Plan will help you decide whether to either LEAVE EARLY or STAY AND DEFEND in the event of a bush fire. It’s your responsibility to have a current Bush Fire Survival Plan. Remember that you are preparing for the survival of yourself, your family, your home, your pets, livestock and property. The NSW RFS, including Gundaroo Rural Fire Brigade, will not always be able to protect each individual property threatened by fire, so not having a Plan puts you and your family at risk. Bush Fire Danger Period The Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) officially commenced on 1 October 2019. No fires are to be lit for the purpose of hazard reduction without obtaining a FirePermit. To obtain a Fire Permit, contact Brigade Captain Michael Cliff (0428 494 403) or Senior Deputy Ian Robinson (0408 625 429). Once you have the Permit, you must notify Yass Fire Control (6226 3100, Monday to Fiday business hours) and your surrounding neighbours, at least 24 hours before your intended burn. On Total Fire Ban days, lighting any fire is prohibited and your Fire Permit is automatically suspended. Take care and remain vigilant when conductin your burn. In an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000). Help Gundaroo Rural Fire Brigade thanks everyone who committed and helped at the Gungahlin Bunnings Sausage Sizzle and the Get-Ready Day. We will be assisting at the following important events and are calling for volunteers from our community to help. You don’t have to be a Brigade member. Please contact Scott Shearer at [email protected]. Saturday 19 October – One day at Murrumbateman Field Days for catering assistance Saturday 26 October – Gundaroo Music Festival in aid of Motor Neurone Disease (for catering, parking, community education and hands-on displays) The Brigade is looking for an auditor. Please contact Treasurer, Peter Laudenbach on 0402 725 375. Incidents – Captain Michael Cliff reported one incident since our last report: 18 August – escaped pile burn on Shingle Hill Way. GRFB Training – Training is held on the last Wednesday of every month, commencing at 7pm at the Fire Station. The next scheduled training date is Wednesday 25 September. Deidre Robinson – Publicity Officer

Getting ready!

The Size-up and SITREP chart is worth studying, especially the first two – Fire and Threats. These are questions you will be asked when you phone 000 or the GRFB to report a fire. Being able to answer these questions accurately will avoid delaying the first response to a fire. You can find this large chart on the wall inside the Fire Station in Cork Street.

8 Ist GUNDAROO SCOUTS

Term 3 has been an exciting time for the 1st Gundaroo slippery. I was Scout Group, with all sections busy during their weekly impressed how meets. Each section has a tailored program that aims to these young people provide the youth members with life skills appropriate helped each other to their age and experiences. Our Leaders work hard to to ensure that ensure each youth member is supported and everyone encouraged through their scouting journey. completed the trek The Joey program is based on the themes of helping to the best of their other people. We introduce the basics of first aid, and ability. A special encourage our youngest members to explore outside. thank you to the We also try to ensure the Joeys have a great deal of fun. landowners who allowed us to pass The Cubs have through and camp been learning on their properties. about navigation using map and We are looking forward to the longer days and warmer compass. They weather next term. There is a short break over the have also enjoyed school holidays before we return in Term 4. a couple of There’s no better time to come along and try Scouting. sessions on the Scouting is open for youth of all ages from 6 to 25. You traditions of Cub can come and try out for a few weeks before committing Scouts, which to join. For more details, please call Group Leader Phil borrows a lot of names and themes from the classic Gaden on 0413 137 761. book, The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. A real treat Key Dates, Term 4: 18–20 October – Pre-Cuboree Camp was watching the Jungle Book movie for the end of term. at Gundaroo Oval The Scouts have just completed their much-anticipated 12 November – Whole Group Activity hike from the Lake George Escarpment back to 10 December – Whole Group Activity Gundaroo village. They faced many challenges during and End-of-Year the 16km hike, with various different types of terrain Phil Gaden traversed and some light rain making the ground Group Leader

‘And now a word from our sponsor’ Local resident Chris Dixon, Principal of McGrath Estate Agents, spent five minutes with Roving Reporter Adina Cirson about the upcoming Gundaroo Music Festival. Adina: Chris, you’ve been a sponsor of the Gundaroo Music Festival since it began. Tell me why? Chris: Originally our involvement as a sponsor of the GMF was to support Scott Windsor, Sue and the kids, and to help raise awareness and funds to support those affected by MND. As a founding sponsor, we felt it was important to continue our support for the festival to ensure that Scott’s legacy is enduring. A: How important is the GMF to the local community? C: Scott’s vision for the festival – to bring people together through music – is still going strong, and the GMF is a major event on the community calendar, requiring an enormous commitment from locals and businesses who volunteer their time, expertise and resources to keep Scott’s dream alive. Scott’s story is close to the heart of the entire community. A: Having been to every GMF, why do you think the festival is unique? C: It’s a family-friendly affair, not only with fantastic music but also with loads of activities and stalls for all ages. The festival is like a 12-hour sensory ‘degustation’. Families can enjoy, in a relaxed, safe country setting, the amazing talent on stage, the many diverse stalls and activities, and of course the impressive fireworks display. It’s also an opportunity for those from out of town to sample some of the fine food and wine on offer in Gundaroo and to unwind wandering the streets of this historic village. A: What is it about Gundaroo that makes it special? C: It sounds clichéd, but, as can be seen in most country towns, it’s the people that give the village its own special feel. The community’s generosity and enthusiasm for Gundaroo is not uncommon in other towns and villages, but it is Gundaroo’s heritage as an important 19th Century example of Australian village living that makes it and its residents so passionate about protecting its future. 9 GOSH it’s grown! by your resident reporter (generously aided by Helen Muller)

‘GOSH’. This clever acronym stands for Gundaroo Out of School inspection from the Government A recent end-of-day in the Hours. Run by the Gundaroo P&C, this service offers before- in which all areas were passed main activities room. and after-school care for pupils at Gundaroo Public School with flying colours. school, and vacation care for all primary school-aged children. The children help develop the From humble beginnings in the late 1990s, and run for many menu, including some favourites years by volunteer parents in what was the school music such as chicken and corn soup, room, GOSH now operates from a purpose-built building on chicken wings, lasagne, the school grounds opened earlier this year. homemade yoghurt, and the daily Starting with a few children attending after-school care, GOSH fruit and veggie platter is a staple in its new building can now cater for up to 40 children at any enjoyed by all. While GOSH time. The services have expanded, and more are planned, and doesn’t provide a ‘Full English’ there have been paid staff for the past few years. breakfast, a varied and nutritional offering is available daily. GOSH is open from 7.00am until school starts, then after school from 3.00pm until 6.00pm. The Vacation Care program People and new activities runs from 7:30am until 6.00pm throughout school holidays. The P&C are delighted to have Julia Morphett oversee and GOSH has certainly grown. administer the service, working closely with Debbie Cushenberry as Nominated Supervisor. Debbie is backed up Purpose when needed by Sue Windsor. There is also a team of GOSH began as a response to the needs of the growing enthusiastic carers who work for GOSH bringing great ideas of number of parents in Gundaroo and environs who work in activities and crafts that the children can enjoy. Recently they Canberra and commute daily, but who wanted their children were taught French knitting, which was enjoyed by many of to go to to primary school in Gundaroo. After-school care in the children. For those not so keen on knitting, the newly particular would enable a ‘normal’ working day, without expanded collection of lego and duplo has provided hours of having to rush back to the school by mid-afternoon to pick-up entertainment, particularly on the cold or wet afternoons. their little ones. As the weather is now It would seem logical to conclude that offering this service to warming up again, the parents would not be unrelated to the growth and viability of children at GOSH will be the school itself. creating their own kitchen Vacation Care (see ‘Community Noticeboard’ on page 5) garden, with the hope that complements the school-term program. Vacation Care is open what they grow can be to all children of primary school age, even if they don’t attend incorporated into the menu. Gundaroo school. This makes it possible for village children The children are enthusiastic who attend different schools to spend more time with their about this project and are neighbourhood friends during the school holidays – as well as looking forward to starting just enjoying a local fun vacation program of activities. The veggie garden will be made it next term. between the path and the ramp. Activities and food Chooks are also planned, to provide a ready supply of eggs. And Although activities were gradually expanding over the years, a small ‘garden shed’ too, for sports and garden equipment. the appointment of a paid Nominated Supervisor, followed by the move to a new building, has enabled the current and After many years of loyal service to GOSH, Nicky Foote this planned suite of activities to be even more diverse, creative, year retired from managing the service, so GOSH now works interesting and fun. closely with a P&C sub-committee that oversees the service with the help of feedback and input from parents via surveys. The new building includes a The sub-committee is currently evaluating the latest survey full kitchen and office, with feedback and incorporating many of the suggestions. distinct areas for children to enjoy different activities. The P&C run the service as a not-for-profit operation and have been able to keep fees low compared to other Out of School GOSH can now provide not Hours services. ‘Profits’ are returned to parents via this just after-school snacks but mechanism and through the services. The latter include the also breakfast, as well as appliances, furnishings and fit-out of the new building, which is lunch during Vacation Care. a reassembled NSW Department of Education demountable. The Vacation Care program has steadily grown and now Vacation Care this term started on 30 September and will run includes activities such as excursions to the movies, visits such until 11 October (closed on the public holiday), and the as this holiday’s Reptile Chick and her reptiles, and a lesson in program includes Gundaroo adventure day, messy day, the first aid conducted by Gundaroo’s own Cathy Stephenson. great GOSH bake off, and lots of other fun activities. All GOSH follows the My Time, Our Place framework for school- primary-age children in Gundaroo are welcome. aged care, which is part of the National Quality Framework If you are interested in sending your children to GOSH, you (NQF) and is now incorporating the Eat Smart Play Smart can find morer information on the Gundaroo GOSH website: program which links to the My Time, Our Place framework. This http://gundaroogosh.com.au/ or you can email: ensures that GOSH is providing the dietary and exercise [email protected] programs that the NQF requires. To this end, all GOSH staff and the P&C were delighted with a recent two-day

10 On our farms An occasional column about things agricultural Dust, dollars and drought Jim Finn By Cate Thomas Jim Finn was busy setting up for their next wedding event at ‘Bushfield Farm’, on Back Creek Road, when I Three local farmers with quite different operations spoke to him over the telephone. Jim’s mainstay is a kindly put aside time recently to speak to me about how fencing business, but he and wife, Kylie, are dab hands they are managing in the drought – Cecil Burgess, Jim at a diverse range of things, including running a few Finn and Glynda Bluhm. sheep. Jim agrees with Cecil that the 1982–83 drought was the worst in living memory. Cecil Burgess At the moment Jim is running about 100 head of sheep, Our Yass Valley Councillor, Cecil Burgess, has been but he normally runs about 400. When it’s dry, he grazing sheep at ‘Glenfield’ on Back Creek Road for manages things by reducing stock numbers down to several decades, as well as on several other nearby whatever the land can maintain, because buying feed is properties. And he has been a sheep, wool and too expensive. cropping contractor for almost as long, so he knows As long as the remaining stock “hold condition”, he said, this country well and has plenty of opportunity to they’ll stay. But going into summer with no substantial observe conditions first-hand. rain will become an issue with water supply in farm Cecil’s first response when I asked him how things dams. Naturally, water is needed for any remaining were going with the dry was “Bloody terrible!” In the stock. But, more critically, it is also needed for fighting 68 years he has been in Gundaroo, he recalls only one any fires that come through, and low water levels are drought that was worse, that was in 1982 and ’83, becoming a real concern. when you could “look up towards Gunning and see just Glynda Bluhm a dust storm”. And finally, I spoke to Glynda Bluhm from ‘Alpaca Magic’ A sight that may become even more common if we on Sutton Road. Glynda also mentioned the 82–83 have no substantial rain before and into summer. drought. She remembers that drought as a “hard one”. (This is not on one of Cecil’s propertiers!) Glynda currently runs about 20 miniature galloways, 20 small English/Irish donkeys, and 200 llamas and alpacas. Her main business objective for ‘Alpaca Magic’ is to maintain a quality gene pool. When I asked her how it was going in the drought, she said that farming non-traditional stock is different. “You can’t just send unwanted stock to the saleyards when it’s dry. So numbers are pretty much what they were before the dry. The stud llamas and alpacas are virtually irreplaceable, and so are worth feeding for as long as it takes,” she said. This winter she has spent $25,000 on feed and it is nearly gone. Luckily, the market for alpacas and llamas is only marginally affected in dry times. Most of her buyers want an unusual pet that is cute and cuddly. The more cuddly a beast is, the higher the price. Her buyers are mostly local, small-acreage tree-changers, although she At the start of this current drought, Cecil and his family has clients as far away as Queensland and Victoria. had two years’ worth of grain stored for tough times, Some want a ‘protector’ for their chooks or lambs. but it has all gone now. That’s how long things have Glynda has always been creative with her marketing and been dry. sales. She ‘packages’ her sales, rarely selling just one Cecil reminds me that we are now heading into our third animal at a time, and she offers an after-sale service. dry spring in a row. At present, they are at one-third of Tourism is a big part of the business at ‘Alpaca Magic’, their usual carrying capacity, and, after shearing next coming in as Glynda’s second most important business month, if it’s still dry, they will unload more young objective. It has provided a buffer in the drought. Her 20 Merino wethers. years of experience in farming llamas and alpacas, along On the bright side, Cecil says he doesn’t remember with her warmth, humour, and continued enthusiasm a previous drought in which wool and lamb prices for these species, means she attracts loyal staff and remained good, like they have been with this one. volunteers, many return buyers, and record numbers of At a recent sale in Yass, sellers were getting up to visitors at her famous Open Days. $170 for 12-month-old Merino wethers. This means I asked Glynda her plan for ‘Alpaca Magic’ if the drought that, so far, they haven’t had to simply shoot stock continues, she emphasised that she’d continue buying in the paddock. The overseas market is jittery feed as long as it is needed. “There’ll be no big sell-off.” though, with brief falls in prices recently in response to the US–China trade war. Local stock sold at Yass form part of the overseas market. 11

CORK ST. CELLAR DOOR OPEN THURSDAY & FRIDAY 11AM–4PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11AM–5PM Cellar Door Events November 3rd – Final Sunday Sounds for 2019 Gundog will hold a special showcasing of Chris Johnstone and some of his extremely talented students in the style of Jazz Improvisation, Rock, Funk, Blues and Acoustic Guitar. Wine, beer, and cheese platters available on the day, and a selection of meals prepared by GRAZING RESTAURANT. Music starts at 12 pm. NEW RELEASE Indomitus Rosa – IS BACK! After a brief hiatus, our limited production Rosé made from Hilltops region Nebbiolo fruit has hit the ground running. A fabulously dry Rosé made with minimal intervention ideals, wild fermented, aged in old oak, and unfiltered. A great Rosé to enjoy on its own. Think of rosewater, musk and gentle texture. Remember our special pricing for Gundaroo residents and our Loyalty Card! Phone 02 6236 8276 or email [email protected]. www.gundogestate.com.au

12 Tallagandra Hill Winery … another ‘special place’ by your resident feature writer

Gundaroo is now blessed with a stunning new venue for Labels such as ‘The Good Soldier’, ‘The Great Ron’, ‘The entertaining, ceremonies, corporate functions and other Diplomat’, ‘The Prodigal Daughter’ and ‘Eva’ carry family special private and open events – integrated with beautiful stories that enhance the wine experience – not unlike when rural boutique cottage accommodation. ‘Jamieson’s Run’ was popular in the country because it had a It is, of course, picture of sheep on the label! Tallagandra Hill Another objective of being local and authentic is to become Winery, on a meeting place for family, friends and visitors alike, with Murrumbateman visitors ‘feeling’ part of the family, and being able to tell the Road. And it is stories to others. Holding special wine tastings out in the scheduled to host its vineyard is a related emerging idea. first wedding in mid- Bella’s Feast Catering will cater for events and functions, October. The first maintaining the connection Bella Jakubiak had with guests have already Tallagandra Hill before she took over what is now ‘Rolling stayed in one of the Hills Kitchen’ at the Gundaroo pub. cottages, and the David says that, although the winery will be one of the venues for the long weekend event venue and the cottages Murrumbateman Moving Feast. are integral with the tasting David Faulks and Mary McAvoy became the new owners in room and the vineyard, and 2016, along with their two sons, Ben and Sam, and their connected with the new families. landscaping, tackling all three ‘Tallagandra Hill’ is well-known to many in Gundaroo, who at once was “madness”. But have been buying their wines in the village for some years. 12 months of intense activity And Brad and AnnMaree Schafferius, who planted the first saw them all ‘done’. vines on this former Sibley family property in the 1990s Keeping it local and developed the vineyard and winery, were active David and Mary have genuinely tried to ‘keep it local’. They members of Gundaroo’s rural community. have done their best to maximise local ‘capability’ – the skills David and Mary came to be there “almost by accident”, David and products. Many many thousands of dollars have been says. After regularly travelling from inner-Sydney’s Newtown spent on local equipment and material suppliers, and local to Canberra to visit two brothers and David’s parents, and tradesfolk. later both Ben and Sam, they started looking for “some “We wanted people to feel a part of the venture”, David acreage”. Mary comes from a farming family in Ireland. says. “And we want to employ local staff as well, if we can, “An interest in wine” didn’t amount to a firm plan, and and utilise local produce, as seasonal as possible. Our food David says “we wouldn’t have been disappointed if we’d offerings in the cottages will be only local produce. lost the auction”! “And when we run music and art events, we will strive to David had never been on a tractor. But David and Mary foster local talent.” appreciated that the 12 acres of vines on the 38 acre property David has a serious penchant for equipment and furnishings had been well-designed, developed and maintained, and the with history – whether they ‘match’ or not. They can be basic infrastructure was in place. And they’d also ‘inherited’ a found everywhere in the tasting room and the event venue, successful local winemaker, Greg Gallagher, later joined by and include a working jukebox that plays 45 rpm discs – very another, Jake Carter. So the ‘die was cast’. popular. David’s and Mary’s careers in the public and private sectors Gundaroo’s local history and then their own business embraced substantial is well displayed in the international experience – including the Sydney Olympics. new courtyard in the Their combined understanding of design, communication, four benches (pictured). marketing, events and project management were a natural These have been built fit for their ideas about growing and marketing local produce using the old timbers and creating a unique ‘brand’ communicated through stories from the dismantled about each product. historic Gundaroo Keeping it ‘in the vineyard’ bridge, which David An early decision was to use only their own grapes to make bought at the old bridge their wine. This meant Viognier and Vermentino for their timbers auction in July. white wines, and Shiraz, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon The very large wooden doors into the event venue were and Cabernet Franc for their reds. Their wine range includes hand-made on site, as were the tables. a Sparkling Viognier and Sparkling Shiraz, because “Greg is There is so much more to this story, and readers are good at bubbles”. encouraged to visit the website, www.tallagandrahill.com.au. ‘Authenticity’ is at the heart of this decision. That way, Building on the foundations laid by the Shafferius family, what they believe, Tallagandra Hill wines can more easily be David and Mary and their family have achieved is truly accompanied by stories – stories about the grapes and the remarkable, and another welcome addition to the attractions vineyard, and stories about family. Gundaroo can offer its visitors. 13

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14 Indumentum An occasional column about things natural bySue McIntyre

Sub-shrubs are not sub-standard Urn Heath (Melichrus urceolatus) is horribly prickly. It flowers in winter (as shown) and provides nectar for birds at a time of Low-growing shrubs are a somewhat overlooked part of our scarcity. Probing those spiny leaf tips can't be much fun for a bird. local vegetation. They are found in grassy woodlands and particularly on the poorer soils of sclerophyll forest. There is Harkening back to no strict height criterion when it comes to defining a sub- better seasons, the shrub, but essentially we are talking about woody plants flowering and that range from ankle-height to knee-height, at the most to growth of many a metre. They are a component of the ground layer, along sub-shrubs has with grasses and forbs. been impressive.

Around 20 species of sub-shrubs are growing at ‘Gang Below: In the excellent Gang’, and perhaps another ten or so in the wider district. spring of 2008, these They are most strongly represented by the pea family Low Bush Peas (Fababeae) and the heath family (Ericaceae). When the (Pultenaea subspicata) put on a fine flowering growing gets tough, sub-shrubs come into their own. They display to entice insects. tolerate dry, nutrient-poor soils better than most. However, The bushes are short- they are susceptible to grazing, their growth is relatively lived but regenerate slow, and they are vulnerable to having their woody stems readily by seed on trampled and broken. ‘Gang Gang’. There are two purple-flowered peas, the early-flowering Hovea heterophylla, and the widely planted, sprawling While these Hardenbergia violacea. The other local peas have flowers in plants have various shades of orange and yellow, some of them with red adaptations to or brown highlights. These markings lead to them being recovering from referred to as ‘bacon and eggs’, a cute but not very useful fire, it would name, as species of Daviesia, Bossiaea, Dillwynia, Pultenaea seem that and Mirbelia could all be called ‘bacon and eggs’ if flower burning is not colour were the only criteria. vital for their well-being. But The most beautiful local pea flowers are that of extended breaks Gompholobium huegelii, (below) which are large, and a from grazing by clear yellow. They flower prolifically in November. wallabies, kangaroos and livestock would seem to be essential. The flowers of sub-shrubs provide pollen and nectar that are important for insects. While the heaths provide winter food resources, peas do so in late spring and early summer. Their flowers are especially designed to attract pollinators – and us. Sue McIntyre October 2019 http://www.gang-gang-gundaroo.com/

GoodWord for the month: ‘paraprosdokian’ (Two Ancient Greek words meaning ‘against’ and ‘expectations’) Heath species are represented locally by the genera A phrase or sentence that leads us to expect how it ends but makes Melichrus, Brachyloma, Lissanthe, Leucopogon, Cryptandra, a sudden unexpected change. Well-used by comedians. Astroloma and Acrotriche. These shrubs mostly have Here are just four of MANY examples. creamy-coloured flowers and are characterised by small, tough, often prickly leaves. You don’t need a parachute to skydive. You only Heaths are very slow-growing and difficult to germinate and need a parachute to skydive twice. grow in nurseries. They are probably dependent on War doesn’t determine who’s right, only who’s left. particular types of mycorrhizal fungi, as plants of poor soils so often are. Persistence is their strategy. Because the I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure. leaves are so indigestible, they are mostly avoided unless Women will never be equal to men … until they the animals are starving – which seems to be the case in can walk down the street with a bald head and many places this year. beer gut and still think they’re sexy.

15

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16 In our gardens by Lisa Walmsley

Garden meanderings I realise that, with the drought, our wildlife are It is such a joyous time in the garden. Everything is hungry with very little or coming to life. Every day sees more flowers and more none of their natural food buds and foliage on the trees and shrubs. The days are supply available. Animals becoming warmer and we’ve been fortunate to have have become opportunistic had a little rain. All this is making it easier to toil in the and perhaps a little soil and potter in your plot. mischievous (pictured). But gardening can still be truly heart-breaking when Many of our native parrots dealing with our unrelenting wind, the general lack of seem to get some sort of rain, rogue birds, and all the other glorious (naughty ‘sick’ satisfaction out of fauna) animals that take up residence. decimating your bulbs, without eating any of them. Windbreaks This mindless destruction Wind has been endless this year (for many years, drives even the most actually). Surprisingly, it has also hammered us from tolerant soul to distraction. the east this year, which is very unusual in the winter. I’m also trying reflective discs. They look like they would So it is important to create windbreaks in your garden. be a bit scary as they flash sparkly spots all over the Generally, I would say to protect your garden from ground. The obvious problem is they don’t work at night the north-west, but the ongoing unpredictability of and they have little effect if it’s not windy or sunny. our weather means we may need to rethink our Parrots are also well-known for ‘nipping’ the buds of gardens – again. the new growth of roses. Creating windbreaks serves a multitude of purposes – All I can suggest is to be prepared in advance with some not only to break the wind, but also to reduce sort of ‘bird scare’, before they cause too much damage. evaporation, provide shade, and allow plants to grow I do quite like to use toy rubber snakes. They work – and flourish with less environmental hardship. sometimes – but you must remember where you put If you have a rural or semi-rural garden and you are them, as they can give you a nasty fright if you forget! starting with a blank slate, my advice would be to If you’re lucky enough to have other wildlife plant windbreaks as your first task. In town, you have wandering through, it can be a constant balancing act. a little more protection from surrounding properties, Learning to grow plants that they don’t like and but any extra plant protection is only going to having a few they do like is probably a good solution. enhance your space with faster growth, more shelter, and less watering. Lisa Walmsley September 2019 Quite a few plants really resent wind. So make sure, when initially planting your windbreaks and garden, that you plant trees and shrubs that don’t mind wind. Birds and other wildlife Another gardening dilemma is our wildlife. Most of us want a bird-attracting, animal-cohesive spot, and I’m often asked to include plants that will encourage birds to come. However, your garden is quite vulnerable during establishment, and your young plants taste delicious to anything that happens to be flying, hopping or rummaging by. How do you have both? I’m still not sure about this, but I am experimenting with a few things so that both plants and animals remain happy and unharmed. I have found a sensor-activated sprinkler, which is having a great effect keeping my dogs off the garden, although I am yet to see a bird alerted by an unexpected squirt of water. Meanwhile, my bulbs are being brutally attacked by our hungry-beaked friends. To add salt to my gaping gardening wounds, I arose a few mornings ago to find my peonies tragically snapped off at the ground – unforgivable.

17

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18 Wildcare By Merran Laver Water for wildlife Smaller visitors such as bees, butterflies and other As we rapidly move through the warmer months, you insects will also take advantage of this water, and could consider providing extra water on your property simply placing a stick (or netting/chain/gauze) so that for our local wildlife. Most places are currently very they can crawl out will prevent many from drowning. dry, so normal water sources may not be available, or could dry up as we head into a hot summer. Providing water and extra shade for the animals that visit your property is an obvious way to help. Fill bird baths and place water vessels at ground level – with sticks or rocks laid for smaller creatures to climb in and out. Recent research has shown that with a hotter, drier climate, many Australian mammals and birds are being adversely affected. For example, during a 2009 heatwave, a quarter of Gunnedah’s koala population was wiped out. The myth that koalas don’t need to drink has been dispelled with a study assessing koalas’ use of drinking stations provided in their range. One related change is to eucalyptus trees – their distribution and leaf composition – which is impacting on leaf-eaters (folivores, such as koala, glider, Water made available for wildlife during dry, hot days possum) that rely on the trees. Folivores mostly derive and nights will be much appreciated! their water requirements from the foliage they eat, Please always call Wildcare on 62991966 (or relevant and under normal conditions, water obtained from wildlife group) if you see a native animal in distress. the leaves is sufficient intake. But during extended hot Merran Laver and dry summers, leaf-water content may not be for Wildcare adequate, leading to dehydration of the animal. (Eating more leaves won’t help, due to toxins in the leaves – low levels can be tolerated in folivores.) Providing water could be one way for land owners to Going away? help these tree-dwelling animals in their habitats. Need your pets looked after? Artificial water stations – developed for the Gunnedah ✓ Experienced pet sitters region as ‘Blinky Drinkers’ – were found to be very ✓ In business since 2016 useful to maintain biodiversity. Initially put out for ✓ Reasonable rates koalas, video cameras revealed these stations to be of ✓ Referees available use to many thirsty tree-dwellers: possums, gliders, koalas, bats, owls and other birds ... among others. Need a babysitter? The North West Local Landcare Services, in Going out for the night/day, or just need a break for a conjunction with University of Sydney researcher Dr few hours and want your kids looked after? Valentina Mella, recently published the guidelines ✓ Experienced babysitters Providing Water for Koalas. These guidelines can be ✓ Reasonable rates applied to a range of our native arboreal wildlife, and ✓ Available most evenings and weekends advise property owners on how to set up tree- ✓ Referees available accessible water stations. These guidelines are Also available for: accessible via this link: House sitting, odd jobs, gardening and cleaning. https://northwest.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/ 0008/847142/NWLLS_USyd_KoalaDrinkerBrochure.pdf Help us to help others Putting out water for ground dwellers is fairly popular, We are Nikita and Grace. We’re currently saving to take but please also consider our native tree-dwellers. If part in World Challenge, where we travel to Vietnam you are able to secure a sturdy, shallow pot or and Cambodia and give back to a local community, container up a gum tree, and keep it clean and filled working on a worthwhile project with them. regularly, the wildlife will no doubt appreciate the Contact us: water greatly during hot days and in times of low Grace: 0490 782 594 rainfall. You could also instal a camera to check who is Nikita: 0490 391 520 visiting it! [email protected]

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20 GUNDAROO SPORT Bullocks celebrate a good year The Gundaroo Bullocks held their end-of-year function and presentation night on 28 September at the Gundaroo Colonial Inn, our major sponsor for the 2019 season. Catering was provided by Bella and her crew at Rolling Hills Kitchen, and what a feast they put on! A few presentations were made on the night: The function room was the venue, and the lads were • Chris ‘Choppy’ Connor – a big thank you for filled to the brim with a fine selection of food. None of supporting the club with meat raffles and major the Bullocks were left wanting any more to eat. Marley sponsorship for the 2019 season did a fantastic job looking after us and, although run of • Brett Wagner – ‘Golden Boot’, with 32 goals, and her feet, all of our needs were met. Thank you Bella, players’ player of the year Marley and staff for making the night a success. • Richard Hallinan – Gundaroo Bullocks ‘Clubman of the Year’ • Most successful meat raffle fund-raisers of the year – David Jeppesen and Richard Hallinan. Everyone had a great night, and we’re looking forward to a strong 2020 season, where we hope to bring the grand final cup home to Gundaroo, after such a close-run 2019. Thanks again to all the locals who support us at meat raffles, and fingers crossed we will have the oval ready for the 2020 season so that home games can again be hosted in Gundaroo, enabling the locals to come down and support their local team. Until next season … Go the Bullocks! Greg Garrett [email protected]

Auskick season wrap-up We thank the Gundaroo Public School for allowing The Gundaroo Jets Auskick season wrapped up with a use of the oval, all the parents who came along and presentation day on 21 September. Through the cheered or helped out, and the assistant coaches – season we had 37 registered players plus others who Tony LeMesurier, Chris Gaggin and Andy Harris. came along and had fun in the (cold winter) sun. Next year we’ll be looking to start again, probably The Gungahlin Jets have partnered with us so we can around April/May, so keep your eyes on the Gazette give a taste of Australian Rules footy to the kids of for more details closer to the time. the village without them needing to go into town each week. As the kids get older, we encourage them Junior cricket returns to head into Canberra to play under-age footy with Gundaroo Junior Cricket is coming back in the 2019/20 the Jets if they want to keep going with it. summer. The program is run on Saturday mornings, This year was the biggest yet numbers-wise, with a big this year operating out of the Gundaroo School. group of kindy and year-one kids rolling up to The program is due to commence on 14 November and supplement the older kids who’ve been there for a run for nine weeks, split into pre- and post-Christmas- number of years. All the kids managed to grow and holidays blocks. It is a super fun, social, safe cricket improve their skills as the season went on, and the program for girls and boys aged 5–10 – shorter than games during the last couple of weeks were really normal cricket, with the junior blasters (5–7) running fast, free-slowing and skilful. for about an hour and the master blasters (7–10) running for about 90 minutes. The cost will be $99, which can be covered by the NSW Government Active Kids Voucher. Registrations are now open – type in Play Cricket on your google machine, throw in post code and age, and it will direct you to the registration page for the Gundaroo Goats. More details will be coming on Facebook so keep a lookout. If you have questions in the interim please contact [email protected] Senior cricket (next page) 21 Gundaroo Sport (continued) Senior cricket Gundaroo Senior Cricket is also coming back very soon. The Gundaroo Goats play in the Yass District Cricket Association – 40-over games that are played on Saturday afternoons. We are a laid-back group of local (or local-adjacent) chaps who are as much about having fun as scoring runs. But we still go okay. Last year we took out the B Grade Premiership. Goats Senior Skipper Mark Graham lifts the YDCA trophy If you’re a decent person who is looking to make some new friends, we are always looking for new players. Those interested please contact team skipper Thank you to Sean Egan, Chris Gaggin and Mark ‘Diggles’ Graham on 0409 689 186. Mark Graham for these contributions.

Yang FaJin TaiChi Chuan Combat TaiChi Boxing Demonstration and Presentation Tai Chi is a simulated combat war dance. It is said to save your life twice – once against bullies, and twice by extending your health and life span. It’s taught in slow dynamic isometric motion to physically condition you to develop ‘FaJin’ or ballistic explosive power, using the form like a launch-pad. This form has been ‘weaponised’ by Sam Brentnall by combining the old with the new back to its original purpose – to protect you by increasing your balance, physical power and mobility, as well as to improve and maintain your physical and mental well-being. This Chinese ‘Treasure-Gift’ to the World was originally learnt only through combat applications – all learnt in slow-motion at first until each posture made sense and had real purpose. Sam will teach the entire form as a Choreographed Simlulated Combat sequence in four months – so you can quickly become a true beginner, and start your own lifelong practice to mastery. Research has proven it acts as an antidote to modern lifestyle diseases. if this slightly interests you, take this opportunity to have ‘a look and a listen’. Email Sam and register your interest to be sent an invitation to attend (only ticket holders will be admitted) and a hyperlinked PDF primer of scientific research findings. A series of demonstrations will be held for all who register (dates and times tba), and will be taught to and in the communities of Murrumbateman, Gunning, Wamboin and Sutton. Contact Sam to register your interest. [email protected]

GoodWords Consulting Edit | Write | Rewrite | Proofread Affordable, accessible, local Alan Cummine 0407 488 927 [email protected] www.goodwordsconsulting.com.au * * * * * *

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Eateries in Gundaroo Tallagandra Hill Winery ― Wine Bar Grazing (The Royal Hotel) 1692 Murrumbateman Road Cnr Cork and Harp Streets 0434 041 915 6236 8777 www.grazing.com.au Specially curated cheese and charcuterie platters Award-winning restaurant in a 19th-century pub matched to our single vineyard premium wines. steeped in history. Sophisticated country dining The menu offers a unique matched food-and-wine at its finest. experience for our visitors to enjoy either for a hearty Lunch: Friday to Sunday and most public holidays lunch or just for ‘grazing’. Dinner: Thursday to Saturday Saturday 12.00pm to 4.00pm Sunday 11.00pm to 4.00pm Cork Street Gallery Café 24 Cork Street 6236 8217 (Walk down the driveway to the stables behind the Old Police Station, now a private residence.) Church worship in Gundaroo Innovative gourmet pizzas, with salads and home- Catholic made cakes, served in the stables or the paved garden. BYO. Casual and popular. Phone orders St Joseph’s Church (Cnr Harp and Morning Streets) welcome. Takeaway available. Mass: 9.00am every third Sunday Thursday to Sunday, from 9.00am Communion Services: 9.00am every other Sunday For breakfast, lunch and dinner Contact: Narelle Buckley – 0422 808 964 Gundaroo Colonial Inn and Rolling Hills Kitchen Anglican 23 Cork Street St Marks Church 6236 8155 (Cork Street) www.gundaroocolonialinn.com.au All services start at 4.00pm The ‘village pub’. Great atmosphere. Very popular Communion Service (first Sunday) family restaurant, with indoor and outdoor dining. Live music often. Takeaway available. Family Service (other Sundays) Contact: Royce Thompson — 0416 265 600 Bar Tuesday to Sunday Uniting From 3.00pm weekdays Gundaroo Community Church From 12 noon weekends (Cnr Lot and Cork Streets) Restaurant Services on the first three Sundays of the month, starting Dinner: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 5.30–8.30pm at 9.00am and finishing with morning tea. Friday, Saturday 5.30–9.00pm Gundaroo Community Church (first Sunday) Lunch: Friday to Sunday from 12.00–3.00pm Family service, led by local families. Bookings preferred, via All ages worship, with activities for kids. www.bellasfeast.com.au/rolling-hills-gundaroo- Open Service (second Sunday) pub/book-restaurant Shared worship with Canberra district home churches, or [email protected] with activities for kids and youth. or 0401 579 650 Uniting Church Service (third Sunday) Led by Gunning Uniting Church worship team, with Gundaroo Grocer, Cork St Cellars & Takeaway activities for kids. 54 Cork Street Contact: Marion Meischke — 6236 8192 6236 8141 [email protected] Ecumenical Services Quality meals. Wide menu. Eat-in or takeaway. Takeaway hours: Refer to advertisement on page 12. The three churches combine to arrange an ecumenical service in each month with a fifth Sunday, rotating Gundog Estate Cork Street Cellar Door the venue. Cnr Cork and Harp Streets (enter from Harp Street) 6236 8276 www.gundogestate.com.au [email protected] Gourmet meat and cheese platters. Tea and coffee. Wine by the bottle or glass, served only with food. Facebook pages (Local groups) Wine tastings. Extensive range. Gundaroo Community Connect Thursday & Friday: 11am–4pm. Food until 3pm Gundaroo Buy, Swap and Sell Saturday & Sunday: 11am–5pm. Food until 4pm 23 The Gundaroo Gazette Gundaroo Services and Contacts

Editor: Alan Cummine LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES

Team: Elona Hanner. Extra help welcome. Fire/Police/Ambulance: Dial 000 e/m: [email protected] Service Contact mob: 0407 488 927

Contact the Editor with enquiries and to contribute a notice or Defibrillator (AED) See this page for the list of an article, or to place an advertisement. core responders. Publication: Every month except January. Deadline for Police content is 25th of the month before. Queanbeyan 6298 0599 Text/photos: Please supply text in an MS Word document Yass 6226 9399 attached to an email. Send photos in separate files, not Gunning 4845 1244 embedded in a document. Collector 4848 0271 Advertising rates: NSW Ambulance 131 233 Small — $20 58mm wide x 87mm tall (non-urgent) Medium — $30 121mm wide x 87mm tall Fire Brigades: and 58mm wide x 177mm tall Gundaroo 0428 494 403 (Mike Cliff) Back Creek 0429 443 260 (Ben Haseler) Large — $40 185mm wide x 87mm tall Sutton 0418 303 232 (John Cooper) Extra large — $45 121mm wide x 177mm tall Fire Control (Yass) 6226 3100 Advertisements: Artwork may be sent in Word, pdf, jpeg or State Emergency Service png, matching the dimensions above and saved in high (SES) 132 500 resolution. And preferably not containing multiple textboxes! (Sutton) 0417 502 396 (Duty phone) Please specify the time period for the advertisement to be run. Other emergency services: The billing cycle is three-monthly, in arrears. Gunning District Nurse 4845 1166 Veterinary Surgeon 6236 8222 (Joseph Nowak) Injured wildlife 6299 1966 (24 hours) Gundaroo Community Association Defibrillator Justice of the Peace 0418 449 984 (Mick Nicholls)

Yass Valley Council Gundaroo is fortunate to have a portable automated external Council Office 6226 1477 defibrillator (AED), centrally located and ready for use in a Gundaroo Councillor 0429 930 628 (Cecil Burgess) cardiac emergency around the village. Gundaroo Community 0421 520 278 Association (Moraig McKenna) It is kept in a locked cabinet fixed to the outside front wall Soldiers Memorial Hall [email protected] of the Gundaroo PO and shop, together with a list of ‘core responders’ (shown below). Gundaroo Park Trust 0411 400 897 (Ron Miller)

Interested in being a responder? Contact Gina Collins on Gundaroo Common Trust 6236 8129 (Helen Willett) 6236 8435 or [email protected]. Police Paddock 0418 496 908 (Sue Burns)

Name Address Telephone/s Village Monuments 6236 8169 (Dallas Leach)

Lisa Bell 4 Lot St 6236 8950 (h) Gundaroo Public School 6236 8115 0412 102 714 Gundaroo Outside School 6236 8105

Hours (GOSH) Scott Shearer 4 Lot St 6236 8950 (h) Ist Gundaroo Scout Group 0413 137 761 (Phil Gaden) 0400 291 827 (Joeys to Rovers) Gundaroo Playgroup 0405 776 518 (Katherine Barry) Cathy 44 Morning St 6236 8377 (h) (Little Explorers) Stephenson 0414 648 763 Gundaroo & District 0418 496 908 (Sue Burns) Historical Society Emily Wallis Morning St 6236 8948 (h) Gundaroo Arts and Culture [email protected] 0404 215 531 Gundaroo Community 6236 8104 (Maartje Sevenster) Singers Cecilia Davey 0417 203 023 ‘Gundaroo Loves Books’ 0406 377 025 (Kylie Bourne) Book Club Darren Cork St 6236 8481 (h) Gundaroo Men’s Shed [email protected] Schoevers 0402 494 604 (Ric Andrews) Gundaroo churches See page 23 for church services Gina Collins 35 Cork St 6236 8435 (h) and contacts. (For admin 0412 256 490 Civil Marriage Celebrant 0401 267 851 (Lorraine Bird) matters) [email protected]

ROOM FOR ANOTHER ENTRY OR TWO HERE:

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