Family and friends gathered at the Towrang Hall on Saturday January 13 to help Albert Burman celebrate his 90th birthday (actual birthday was Thursday, January 11). A great time was had by all, with Albert's sons, Alan and Stephan, their wives, two of his grandchildren with their wife and partner, and great-grandchildren in attendance. Unfortunately, due to distance to travel, two of Albert's grandchildren could not attend, but sent their best wishes from the Philippines and Queensland.

During the speeches and cake cutting, Albert was awarded with Life Membership of the Towrang Bushfire Brigade by the current captain, Phillip Ohlback.

As an added bonus, Stephan had his 60th birthday on Monday January 8, so a double celebration was held.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council have allocated $53,259 to the Towrang Valley Progress Group (TVPG) from the Village Discretionary Fund. It has been left it to the community to determine how these funds are to be used with the only condition being  that the funds are to be spent, or committed, by December 31, 2018.

It was resolved at the January TVPG meeting to ask the community for suggestions as to how we should spend this money. So, what do you think? Please give us your thoughts on how we should use this money. What do you think would give the community the greatest benefit from these funds? Notification has been sent to those on the email address listing, but if you would like to have your say and haven't received one, please send your email to Geoff Pearson at geoffpearson@live.com.au before Friday January 19.

A public meeting is being organised at the Towrang Hall on Saturday, February 10 from 4pm to discuss this further. Other details will be provided prior to that date via email. 

We have been extremely fortunate in our area not to have had any fires over the Christmas/New Year period, but that does not mean we are getting complacent. We are conducting training sessions every Tuesday evening – going over the trucks, learning how the pumps and sprinklers work, putting that knowledge to use by going to Mills Crossing to do some pumping exercises, driver training, radio training – the list goes on. 

If you would like to do your basic firefighting course, please come along on any Tuesday evening from 7pm to get the paperwork completed, and anyone over the age of 16 years is welcome to apply. It takes about six weeks for all of the appropriate security checks to be done. The next local course is scheduled for late October but if there are sufficient people applying, we can organise one prior to that date.

Having a birthday party, wedding, christening? Why not hire the Towrang Hall? Reverse cycle air conditioned/heated comfort - or use the fireplace in the winter. Contact the secretary, Alan Burman, at towrangnoticeboard@yahoo.com.au for further information.

Available for sale are bumper stickers stating "I Love Towrang" (with a heart symbol as the word 'love'). These cost $4 and are available from Fiona. Please contact her on 0418 617 035 and she will organise to get one to you.

There are also a number of Towrang t-shirts still available at $25 each. They have a design depicting the Towrang Bridge and Wollondilly River on the back and a small logo on the front. Contact Sue on 0409 500 166 for further details.

Towrang Tavern will be held on Friday, January 26 - Australia Day theme. Come along to the Towrang Hall from 6.30pm, BYO drinks, bring the kids and visitors. A meal is being organised - full details not yet organised. Emails will be sent or contact Geoff Pearson at geoffpearson@live.com.au - and don't forget to check our website, www.towrang.org