AS part of a discussion on the history of Gunning Public School, an image was discovered for which little is known. It would appear to be in the 1950s, by the clothing worn by the kids, and there is no doubting it is Gunning in the colder seasons as coats are the order of the day. Can you recognise any of the people in the picture and also where it might have been? The gentlemen in the foreground looks very official and the boy looks very pleased to be helping. If you have some clues, contact us on 4845 1809. A copy of this photo will be placed in the Gunning Library with space for your comments or suggestions.
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Skulk off, skulks!
GUNNING District Landcare's [GDL] first major offensive against the feral fox has got off to a great start, according to president Bob Spiller. Recently, some 170 locals put out over 5400 baits right across the district. "This is a huge effort" he said. "It is the first stage of a sustained strategic attack on the fox problem managed by GDL's lead organisers, Jenifer Heffernan and Lucy Knight in partnership with South East Local Land Services."
Foxes are a huge environmental and economic problem. They kill and maim native animals and vulnerable farm stock for food. Foxes carry diseases that can result in death or misery for some native animals, farm stock and household pets.
Foxes are not pack animals, raising their young in small families called a "skulk" of foxes. GDL wants these skulks to skulk off! The most effective way to achieve this is for neighbours to work together to bait over large areas at strategic times.
The current baiting exercise is the first stage of a long term plan. "We won't achieve a fox free Gunning district overnight," Bob said, "but by working together over time we are confident we can create a much better environment here." For information on further developments, please email GDL at gunningdistrictlandcare@gmail.com
Recent elections
EXECUTIVE members of the incoming Gunning PA&I Society Committee are Frank Hannan (President); Kay Walmsley, Wes Cosgrove and Kelly Dowling (vice presidents); Jenny Medway (secretary) and Trish Hallam (treasurer). Newly appointed Show Patrons are Kay Walmsley and John Granger.
Friends of the Gunning Library's executive committee recently elected are Ann Darbyshire (president); Mary Walsh (vice president) and Pat Bowden (secretary/treasurer). Events planned at the Library include Bingo in June and Scrabble in July. A table with books for sale or swap is also in operation for travellers and locals.
Cancer fundraiser
FEW of us are immune from having a family member or friend who has been touched by some form of cancer. The fundraiser KICK! Bowel Cancer dinner/dance will be held at the recently renovated Old Coach Stables Restaurant just outside Gunning on Saturday, June 4 from 6pm. Tickets are $75pp: that includes dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, dancing and entertainment with Scot Finnie tickling the ivories as 'The Piano Man'.
Premium wines and beers will be available for purchase and you will be able to bid on an impressive list of auction items. A bus will be available to ferry patrons to Dalton, Biala and Gunning village at $5pp (email to book at nedkellyphillip@gmail.com).
To book tickets for this terrific event with a vital focus, or to donate if you are unable to attend, please go to trybooking.com/LDER. Alternatively, email kickbowelcancer@gmail.com or phone Kelly on 0448 274 366 or Theresa on 0419 970 930.
Giving back
IT was National Volunteer Week last week and what follows is the heartening story of a young man with whose mother lives in Gunning.
Matthew Sharp is an army veteran who enrolled at university with his friend and fellow student veteran Michael O'Connor. The pair have set up the Australian Student Veterans Association (ASVA). The ASVA mission is ". . .to promote the academic success, empowerment, and professional development of student veterans at university through advocacy and supporting resources".
A few years ago, his mother Carol Sharp shared Matt's story through this column. After a turbulent adolescence, Matt joined the armed services and was deployed in Timor Leste and Afghanistan.
He left the forces and immediately enrolled at Griffith University, where his career has gone on a remarkable trajectory. Most recently he was awarded the New Colombo Plan Scholarship that includes his working for the United Nations office on drugs and crime in Jakarta.
Enrolment option
A PARTICULAR enrolment option available only through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) offers an entry rank to university of 82 for those who have experienced Australian armed service training plus two years’ experience post training. This is the option exercised by Matt in 2013 and Michael in 2015, both studying for a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University and later embarking on a double degree by adding a Bachelor of Laws. Last semester Michael achieved a High Distinction for every subject in which he was enrolled. He has been welcomed into both the Griffith Honours College and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice’s Academic Excellence Society due to his outstanding academic achievements together with those of leadership and community engagement.
Achieving goals
NEITHER Matt nor Michael would have left the army to attempt university via the Special Tertiary Admissions Test, the usual pathway for older enrolees to qualify for study at university. Their six years in the Australian Infantry did not prepare them well to sit such a test.
So how did Matt and Michael’s army training justify their success at university? Surely not as riflemen being qualified in over 15 different weapon systems!
These two dedicated young men assert that it is their ability to adapt, to use initiative, to be disciplined, to know what needs to be done to achieve a goal and to strive towards that goal no matter what: traits that mark the Australian soldier.
The transition from armed services life to civilian life has proved difficult for many and is a particular challenge for those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and those medically discharged. The statistics on suicide are very worrisome.
The young men’s aim is to advocate for the QTAC enrolment option to be offered at universities outside Queensland, thus encouraging both current and former ADF personnel to enrol at university. Scholarships, tutoring services from fellow student veterans and establishment of student veterans groups on university campuses across Australia under the banner of ASVA are part of the wide ranging ambitions of this not-for-profit organisation.
Check out Australian Student Veterans Association on their Facebook page and prepare to be impressed. Not willing to rest on their own considerable personal academic laurels, Matt and Michael have dedicated themselves to ensuring that other defence force veterans like themselves can realise their potential. No wonder there is one very proud mother in Gunning!
Coming up
Sat 21/5: Shire wide Garage Sale bagabargaintrail.com.au
Sun 22/5: A fun day at the golf course, tee off 10am, donate to play.
Mon 23/5: Last day to enrol to vote at Federal Election on July 2.
Sat 28/5: Historical Society meets, Foley Centre, 2.30pm, all welcome.
Sun 29/5: St Edmund’s re 100+ years of Anglican women, 10.30am.
Sun 29/5: Lions Markets, 8-2pm; Show Soc Wood Auction, stalls and info, 4845 1271/0405 539 482.
