Well it's all wrapped up and waiting for summer. Wee Jasper Naturally went off like clockwork last weekend. People travelled from as far as Sydney and Albury to attend the event.
All activities were hailed a success and organisers were happy with the turn out. Saturday night's activities at Billy Grace Reserve were very popular. The night sky put on a fabulous show for the amateur astronomers.
The bonfire and barbecue was the hub of the evening with both visitors and locals providing some very professional and surprising entertainment. Watch out John Williamson and Eric Bogle, Craig Slyney was back in town. His original pieces 'Jonathon Livingstone Budgerigar', the 'Wee Jasper Song' and several others about local identities deserve to go down in the books as Australian classics. The crowd, mostly lead by the Keegan girls, was in fine voice supporting musicians Geoff Kell, Zac Campbell, Pip West and others.
Sunday saw intrepid souls up early for a hearty breakfast courtesy of the Binalong Volunteer Rescue Association, a fascinating talk on wild caves by John Brush from the Canberra Speleological Society and an informative demonstration on cave rescue by Tony Greenwood from the VRA. This was the start to an active morning of Karst walks with Andy Spate - a great way to learn about our limestone landscape, Cooradigbee fossil tours and a trek to the top of Mount Wee Jasper and back on the Hume and Hovell Walking Track.
All this plus the wonderful photographic exhibitions at Cooradigbee and the Goodradigbee Café, as well as Carey's Cave's special Science Festival tours meant there was not rest for the wicked. Everyone is looking forward to the summer edition of Wee Jasper Naturally in 2008.
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How pleased was I to see the news last week about the Mount Carmel musical production of 'Joseph'? More than anything, I was glad to see that it is now being held at a cooler time of the year! Back in my day, the fantastically talented Mrs Jill Gunning would put us through our paces in the sweltering heat of summer. Perhaps this was her way of instilling discipline and character?
Sitting in the chorus with sixty or so other students, sweating it out under Bob Nash's lights is still a common topic of discussion when old schoolmates get together. Parents still talk about cramming into St Augustine's Hall with two hundred other parents from far and wide, queuing up for a bit of slice from Mrs Bissett or Mrs McManus at intermission.
I hope this year's students have as much fun that, despite the trauma, we all had in the eighties and before. You may not know it now, but 20 years down the track when you start humming a vaguely familiar tune... you will recall it all fondly. Congratulations to Mrs Gunning, staff and students as no doubt the production will be a big hit.
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Condolences from the Wee Jasper community to the Knox and Davis families, following the recent passing of the much-loved Uncle George. George Davis grew up in Wee Jasper and reached an excellent innings of 83. George held a special place in the hearts of Wee Jasper and this was reflected by the large numbers attending his funeral service on Monday.
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Got some news, birthdays, events? Email kate@weejasperweb.com.au.
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