It was chaired by the deputy mayor, John Stafford, in the absence of the mayor who sent an apology, as did Cr Ron Cummins, Darren O’Brien and James Wheelwright.

John Stafford welcomed residents to the meeting. Andrew Croke outlined the council’s draft plan for the next 10 years, the Strategic Plan for Goulburn, Yass and Crookwell as part of the Tablelands.

Andrew named the re-sheeting of gravel roads, timber bridges, pavement rehabilitation, Bannaby Street rehabilitation, black spots on local roads and Goodhew Park upgrade as projects for future attention.

Residents mentioned items they felt needed attention: the Curraweela Creek Culvert, the damage by animals to Stonequarry Cemetery, bodies of dead animals on roads, block sizes, illegal buildings on small blocks and the problem of growing numbers of native animals.

Director of Works, Mursaleen Shah, explained it would cost too much to have a truck patrol the roads on a regular basis and asked residents to write letters to the council when they had any concerns.

There was a pleasing attendance at the Wild Dog Group meeting held last Wednesday at the Club, in spite of a clash with another local meeting.

Pastoralists were pleased to learn that the Local Land Service were willing to match the 2017 funding again. Free baits will again be available during May.

The monthly markets featured a new stall when Stewart and Sheree Chapman brought an assortment of trees and shrubs from Goulburn.

Cakes, handcraft, knicknacks and equestrian clothes were on sale in the Memorial Hall. Passing traffic stopped when they saw goods on display.

Among the family trees held by the Historical Society is that of William Crampton (1829-1902).

Crampton is a name that has not been now known locally, but in 1857 William, Jane and their family arrived aboard the Castilian in Victoria from Canada, where he had spent some time after leaving Lincolnshire where he worked on the railway.

It is said William was involved in the construction of the Zig Zag Rail at Lithgow.

There is no proof of this in the Australian Historical Rail Society but it is definite that he was a rail sub-contractor.

He was listed in in a court case at Goulburn in 1866 and he was recorded as a surveyor. William is also listed a  member of the Public School Board formed in 1868. His address is given as a farmer at Richlands.

Mention is made in the Goulburn Herald of William being attended by Dr Hanford after being thrown from his horse.

In 1871 he is listed as shooting 280 ducks in the Taralga area but in 1873 he went with several neighbours, including Tom Mooney, to take up land in the rich Lachlan Valley at Condoblin.

The children of William and Mary Ann were: Mary Ann (1849-1919) born in Lincolnshire; George William (1851-1928) Lincolnshire; Alfred Charles (1855-1920) UK; Jane(1857-1945) on board the “Castilian”; Sarah (1859-1859); Sarah (1860-1867) Beechworth. Died in Goulburn; Elizabeth Ann (1862-1945) died in Condoblin.