A complimentary aim is to ensure the sustainability of  regional communities along the old road such as Gunning, Goulburn and Yass.

The meeting was held in the Yass Memorial Hall with the support of the Yass Valley Council and attracted representatives from Historical Societies, Chambers of Commerce and Councils along the Old Hume Highway together with motoring organisations, NSW and Victorian transport organisations and other interested parties.

Members of the Gunning and District Historical Society and Gunning District Chamber of Commerce attended along with representatives of the Upper Lachlan Shire and Upper Lachlan Tourism Association.

Hamilton Hume’s role

Canberra based author, screenwriter and journalist Robert Macklin set the tone of the meeting with a rousing perspective on Hamilton Hume after whom the highway is named. This was closely followed by Frank Burke, recounting why he believes the Old Hume Highway is such an asset and could become an iconic road much like the famous Route 66 in the USA.

There were two more presentations on how the old highway could be marketed online and on what sort of legal structure the organisation should take. There will be a steering committee to decide the exact details for the way forward with nominations being sought from attendees.

The proposal to practically celebrate the history of this major arterial road linking Sydney and Melbourne, forged back in 1824 by explorers Hume and Hovell, is very exciting and will build on the renaissance of Gunning and other old highway communities.

Exceptional day

Australian Wool Network (AWN) Rabobank and Tablelands Farming Systems (TFS) presented ‘Insights into sheep and beef markets and modern production systems’ at the Gunning Shire Hall on Monday.  Guest speakers were Matt Costello (Rabobank), Josh Lamb (AWN) and James Walker (TFS).

Phil Jones of ‘Coolong’ Dalton, a representative of AWN said it was an “exceptional day with good up-to-date information on where the agricultural sector sits in the country at the moment”.

Over 150 Southern Tablelands farmers, graziers and professionals with a vital interest in the future of agriculture attended.

Phil said organisers hope to run more sessions over the next year or so.

Quilts for others

St Saviour’s Cathedral Patchwork Group recently held a raffle to purchase batting material for their Quilts for Others Project, part of the Anglicare Emergency Accommodation Program.

Two quilts were raffled after being displayed in the BDCU Goulburn shopfront with terrific support given by this credit union and its staff.  First prize was won by Sheryl-Ann Schaeffer, second was Kath Vivas.

This group meets on Mondays call 0421 900 015.

Congratulations to Divalls

The Gunning Water Reservoir just keeps on giving with terrific news that Goulburn company Divall’s Bulk Haulage and Earthmoving has won Category 2 of the highly prestigious Earth Awards from the Civil Contractors Federation of NSW for the outstanding work they undertook on its construction.

 “Council is very proud of this achievement and thanks Divall’s for its major contribution towards the success of the project,” Upper Lachlan Shire Council mayor John Shaw said.

Coming up

Sunday: Gunning Lions Markets from 8am to 2pm. Call: 4845 1288.

Sunday: St Edmund’s Gunning, communion service 9am

Sunday: Greendale Church service and shared lunch at 10am. Call 6226 2266.

Sunday July 27: Wood Auction for the Oolong BFS at the Telegraph Hotel from 12noon. Call 0419 498 468.

Thursday: July 31: AGM Historical Society meeting at the Shire Chambers. Call 4845 1809.