Marli’s aunt Kayleen Pagett said that DI is a result of damage to the pituitary gland and since Marli’s diagnosis she has had MRIs, spinal taps and a PET scan to try to find the cause. In July a biopsy was taken from her pituitary gland that identified a malignant brain tumour requiring treatment by chemotherapy and radiation.

Marli’s Rainbow Smile is an organisation established to help assist Marli with her treatment along with the constant day to day care and support for her family. Marli’s parents Craig and Anne have had to leave Marli’s siblings with family members while they tend to her treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

A fundraising event for Marli and her family will be held in Gunning Shire Hall on Saturday October 25- a BYOG three-course meal. Mark Power, DJ Extraordinaire will preside over auctions, games and raffles from 6.30pm. Tickets are $50 a person and are available from the Gunning Service Centre and Gunning Early Learning Centre.  

Supportive community

Fund raising for Marli’s support has continued to gather pace with raffles, donations and a terrific wood auction, auspiced by the Gunning PA&I Society, held at Gunning Lions Market Day on August 30.

Gunning Show secretary Jen Medway said “We were absolutely thrilled by the turnout of wood suppliers, buyers and raffle ticket buyers”.  She put a call out to friends and neighbours and had an amazing response, ending up with 17 loads. Major thanks go to Dave and Sue Smith from the Telegraph Hotel for buying four loads that culminated in a hilarious haggling struggle over the final ute load that ended up going for $600! Barry Waters also bought up big and Karen Southwell was thanked for pushing up the price on all loads until she got one of her own. Bids went well beyond ‘market value’ due to this being such a good cause.

Generous donations to the raffles were more than matched by keen ticket buyers and the donation bucket was soon filled with coins and notes, showing the spirit and generosity of the Gunning community.

On Saturday August 23, 27 local ladies gathered for a ‘Girls Night In’ and raised $922 for the Pink Ribbon Foundation, plus $350 for Marli’s Rainbow Smile through a silent auction.

Marli’s story has touched a lot of hearts.

Soccer season ends

Gunning soccer came to a close last Saturday, with our final home games for what is its sixth season. Congratulations to some of the young local talent, including Jake Waters, Breea Waters, Elysia Mackay, Angus Mackay, Rubin Lees and Chantelle Blacker who took on the role of referee for first time, helped also by Bailey Lanham and Tim Matthews.

Thanks also go to the sponsors for the season being Gunning Lions Club, Gunning Butchery, Argalong Paint Supplies, Primmers’ Contracting Services, Metro Gunning and The Gilmore Inn, Lake Bathurst. Many thanks to the Goulburn teams that travelled to Gunning to play as well.  

A big thank you goes to Gunning Public School for allowing the teams to train on the school oval each Friday. Finally, thanks to  everyone in our wonderful community because as Karen said, without your involvement and support, the task would have been impossible.

Coming up

Saturday September 13: Gunning Fireworks Festival at the Gunning Showground from 3-9pm. Tickets cost $10 for an adult, $4 for a child and $25 per family.

Sunday September 14: Garden Club meets at Don Priol’s home. Call Hazel on 4845 1021.

Wednesday September 17: tree planting is on at 9.30am at Barbour Pk/Meadow Ck.