Gary Poile from Gunning/Collector SES reports that they had a busy weekend with rain and wind causing flooded roads and fallen trees. Most roads around the Collector and Breadalbane area were flooded by Friday night with a couple of self-evacuations.

On Sunday morning, they were called out to Gunning. A large pine tree had its roots loosened by the rain and with the subsequent wind fell on an unoccupied house as well as on the neighbouring residence. Remarkably there was surprisingly modest damage, although the tree had to be extricated manually by the volunteers. Check out the photographs on the GunningCollectorSES Facebook page.

The local SES is holding an Open Day on Saturday, September 17 between 2-4pm at the Collector Oval. There will be presentations on local flood plain management and on seasonal forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology.  

To all those SES volunteers that were called out - thanks for your help!

This is one of the biggest weekends with the Gunning Fireworks Festival being held at the showground on Saturday, gates opening at 3pm. There will be food and market stalls on site plus amusement rides.

For those with little people that may need to get to bed early there is a fireworks demonstration at 6.30pm followed later at 8.10pm with the Fireworks Pyromusical Spectacular. Entry fees are adult $10, children under16 $5 and family (2+2) $25.  People travel from far and near so make sure you get in early to bag a good spot and perhaps bring a blanket as it is still early spring.

On a cautionary note, make sure your dogs are safe and if you have horses in the village, take them away for the night if you can. Both animals are very susceptible to taking fright at fireworks, running away and possibly injuring themselves.

All 12 candidates for the ULSC elections on September 10 fronted electors at a packed Old Hume Cafe, Gunning with MC for the evening Dr Michael de Percy. Their claims to fill one of the nine positions ranged from “Steady as She Goes”, through “Fresh Ideas” to “Council Needs a Good Shake Up”.

The main topics were roads; wind farms including community enhancement funds; economic development including tourism potential; jobs for youth; evening meetings of Council at venues rotated through the Shire.  

Local specifics were expanded hours for Gunning Library; a tourism position in Gunning; and advocating for natural gas and NBN connections.

We look forward with interest to finding out the make-up of our Council with the Mayor chosen by the newly elected councillors on September 22.

The Gunning Roos went down to the North Canberra Bears 18-12 last Saturday in the preliminary final. This ended what has been a remarkable return to rugby league that included upsetting last year’s premiers the Bungendore Tigers. Many thanks go to the coaches for both the Roos and Rooettes.

Club President Ian Blackburn is delighted to announce that the coach for the Roos next season is Tom Johnson, a Gunning boy now farming in Bookham. Tom played representative Juniors with the Raiders and has been coaching the U19s for Binalong. The Rooettes are currently advertising for a coach.