Collector village and district locals, guests and friends gathered last Saturday in the Collector Memorial hall for the launch of the book “Collector Anzacs – a tribute to our town and district’s contribution to World War I”. Though modest in size, it is rich in information, beautifully illustrated with high production values and is a credit to the many who worked on it.
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Of the 208 residents recorded in the Collector district in 1913, 44 enlisted in the Great War and of those 13 fell in their country’s service. The names of all who served in WWI are on the recently refurbished Collector War Memorial, originally funded by local subscription and unveiled on January 31, 1920. The Collector Memorial Hall, also funded by locals with no outside monies was a fitting venue to launch this written memorial to those who served and died. At its opening in 1952, the Gunning Band was part of the welcome party
Members of the Collector & District Historical Association, only in existence for five years, were the driving force behind the book. President Ann Hegyi thanked all members and others involved, including local school children. She gave special mention to the enthusiastic researcher Frank Ross and also singled out Paul Hodgkinson, not only for his research but for his peerless ability to liberate grant monies from various government agencies! Thanks also went to local member Angus Taylor for his support and encouragement.
Frank Ross outlined the various impediments to bringing the book to press including the fact that the research only started early this year! Then there was the late payment of the Department of Veterans Affairs grant and difficulties with the Archives website being updated. When engaging the school in the process Frank mentioned that during the war the women ran everything. The wry response was “What’s changed!”
Michael Hadlow, a former serviceman, spoke about his generational military heritage from his great grandfather through to relatives in WWII, noting the continuing values of service to community, duty and responsibility.
Henry Drew was 11 years old when the Japanese surrendered in WWII. He recalled that after the war nearly everything was rationed including rubber. This meant that when the tennis balls wore out at the Saturday tennis days, croquet balls were fashioned that were wayward, causing frustration to players but much amusement to spectators. The school teacher Mr Andrews was a plane spotter during the war and made balsa wood replicas of them. Henry recalls that he envied the Breadalbane kids who got a lift with the mailman in a horse and sulky and got an early mark as well to fit with the mail schedule, unlike the other students who had to cycle to school!
Finally Evan Dougall played a moving rendition of “No Man’s Land” penned by Eric Bogle in 1976, a song also known as “Willie McBride” or “The Green Fields of France”. It is a lament for the futility of war reflecting on the death in 1916 of Private Willie McBride. Most of us would know the chorus that starts “Did they beat the drum slowly” and ending on a dying cadence of “Did the pipes play ‘The Flowers of the Forest’.” Evan’s little daughter Elsie swayed along to the rhythm of the song blessedly innocent of the context in the words.
This was a special occasion for a very special book. Copies of the book together with a commemorative tea towel and stubby holder are available from the Historical Society, CollectorHistoryNSW@gmail.com.
Further commemorations of the sacrifices made in WWI by the wider district will continue with the opening of a weeklong display at the Gunning Courthouse. Mayor John Shaw will officially open the display at 11.30 am following the ANZAC Day ceremony at the Gunning Cenotaph on Saturday.
Guest speakers at the ANZAC ceremony at 11am will be Ms Terry-Ann O’Neill and Mr Trevor Lawton who will also be special guests at the “Gunning Remembers” display. Their extensive research has formed a significant part of this display and form the basis of books that are yet to be published for which both the Gunning & District Historical Society and Gunning chapter of the Yass RSL Sub-Brach are most grateful.
Everyone will be most welcome at this display and the opening hours are 11.30am to 4pm on 25/4; 10am to 4pm (26/4 and 2/5) and 10 -12 noon week days. For queries about ANZAC Day please phone Dave Findlay 4845 8257.
The popular string orchestra Musica da Camera will present a program of works as a tribute to the Anzacs at the Gunning Shire Hall at 2pm on Sunday May 3. Presented by the Gunning Focus Group there will be works by Vivaldi, Shostakovich, Copland, Rutter, Whitaker, Williams and Kelly. For enquiries please contact michael.coley@bigpond.com or 0417 663 045.
Gundaroo is staging a War History Exhibition on April 25 – 26 at the Soldiers Memorial Hall with information from Ron 0411 400 897 or www.gundaroohistoricalsociety.com.
Members of the Gunning & District Chamber of Commerce are pleased that their submission about the state of the Gundaroo Road has been heeded in Council’s 2015/16 Operational Plan with an amount of $1,852,000 to be included in the proposed 2015/16 to 2018/19 Capital Budget for “...rehabilitation and resealing of Gundaroo Road (MR52).” Following on from the recent improvements on the Jerrawa Road, this will be welcomed by the many people who ply Gundaroo Road on a daily basis.
A further piece of good news is that Council has also earmarked $15,000 towards painting of the interior of the Gunning Shire Hall, prompted by a submission from the Gunning Focus Group.
At its AGM last Monday, those present elected an unchanged executive committee who are as follows: Kelly Dowling (President), Kaye Walmsley, Wes Cosgrove(Vice Presidents), Jenny Medway (Secretary & Public Officer), Trish Hallam (Treasurer), Belinda Cosgrove (Chief Horse Steward) and Louise Duncan (Chief Pavilion Steward).
Long serving steward for show jumping John Granger announced that after about forty years in the role, he was stepping down. John said that of all the committees he had served with over the years this was the best, noting in particular the inspirational leadership of Kelly Dowling and also thanking Belinda Cosgrove for her competent assistance as Chief Horse Steward. John, who will stay on the committee, stands ready with advice and assistance to whoever takes up the role. He was warmly thanked and given a round of applause.
Show Society’s wood auctions and associated raffles that raise funds for the Show’s shearing competitions will be on May 31 and July 26.
Volunteer cooks and helpers are sought for catering at the Shire Hall on 17 May for ACT Veteran’s Cycling Club lunch – 4845 1809 with proceeds to go to help painting the Hall.
Sat 25/4 5.45am and 11am Anzac ceremonies at Gunning Cenotaph
Sun 25/4-Sat 2/5 “Gunning Remembers” at Courthouse 4845 8257
Sun 3/5 10am – 4pm Collector Village Pumpkin Festival – see Facebook