Nearly a hundred people turned up to enjoy what turned out to be a fantastic afternoon of music, liberally washed down with German beer or other libations, accompanied by pretzels, wagyu pies and sausages.

The Tonnage Tuba Quartet comprising a Yank, a Brit and two Aussies (Tim Buzbee, Michael Wells, Alex Hurst and Matt Van Emmerick respectively) were in fine fettle. They belted out a selection of marches and polkas plus covers of some well known popular songs that included the Beatle’s “Eleanor Rigby” and the Eagles “Desperado”.

Also on the play list were “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Under the Double Eagle” with the audience singing, clapping, stamping feet and thumping tables. At least one person wondered if he should stop trying to be good as we belted out “In Heaven there is no Beer”!

While the tuba can be played in a musically sensitive fashion, in its lowest register, a descent into the visceral is not only possible but expected. Just like a drunk who has abandoned the social niceties, most emphatically flatulent notes are a common tuba finale!

It was a rollicking good event that drew a standing ovation!  OcTUBAfest was brought to Gunning by the Gunning Focus Group and proudly sponsored by Kooland Wagyu and Gunning Ag and Water with facilitation from Council and Gunning Show Society. A fantastic job was done by Michael Katz and ‘Team Katz’ together with Michael Coley.

OcTUBAfest is a welcome addition to the continuing music events in Gunning. Bring it on next year! 

Have you got a burning issue that you want Council to know about?  Your chance could come on Wednesday November 19 at 9.30am when the Upper Lachlan Council will hold its only meeting for the year in Gunning. You could formally address Council as per its document “Presentations to Council Policy and Procedure”. Its stated objective is “to provide members of the community the opportunity to publicly express their views to Council by means of a presentation to Council”. You need to decide what you want to say and submit this in writing to the General Manager 10 days before the meeting.  

The NSW Independent Commission against Corruption has published guidelines on “Lobbying local government councillors”. The Commission notes that lobbying is common in local government and that appropriate lobbying of councillors is normal. The guidelines are for councillors, constituents and other interested parties and cover inappropriate lobbying and transparency.  

Lesley Johnson, an organiser for packing of boxes at St Edmund’s Anglican Church for Operation Christmas Child said that they were delighted with the great response of community members. Over 50 boxes were packed, well above the number in previous years.  Generous donations of money just about covered the cost of transporting the boxes to their intended destinations.

A big thank you goes to everyone who helped out with this very worthwhile project.

On Thursday October 30, Gunning Garden Club members will visit Annie and Andrew Basnett’s garden and on Thursday November 6 it will be John and Jan Weatherstone’s garden, each timed for 10.30am with further information available from Hazel on 4845 1021.

Fri – Sun 24-26/10 Steven Hart Performance horses at the showground.

Sat 25/10 Marli Martin benefit dinner at Gunning Shire Hall.

Sun 26/10 Lions Markets 8am–2pm stalls/info 4845 1288.

Thurs 30/10 Hist Soc meets at Council Chambers 7.30pm info 0414 714 562.

Sat 8/11 Flower Show, Uniting Church, Free entry and food from 10am.