Bernie Boyce reports that last Monday evening saw a community consultation meeting about the Gunning Skate Park, facilitated by Council’s Phil Newham. It was attended by a small but passionate cross section of the Gunning and Dalton communities and was a model of community and Upper Lachlan Shire Council working together.
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The Gunning Skate Park is a culmination of some seven years of fundraising by local skaters and the meeting’s main focus was to get an agreed concept for the park’s layout, location and features with four designs presented. There will be a further opportunity for input.
Council at its Gunning meeting on November 19 agreed that the possible Foley Centre sale will not proceed – details next edition. The deadline for submissions to Council’s budget close on Friday December 4 not 9 December as previously mentioned. Work is continuing on the upgrade of Gundaroo Road – exercise caution and expect delays.
Born on February 3, 1937 at Yass, eldest child of Glen and Edna (Beryl) Walmsley, the late Ian Walmsley was a fourth generation Walmsley in the district. Ian is brother of Barbara Johnson, Joan Smith and Ray Walmsley. He died on October 17, 2015.
Ian’s funeral was at St Edmund’s Anglican Church, Gunning on October 22 conducted by the Reverend Vicky Cullen, a former Gunning rector. All Ian’s children and grandchildren had a part in the service to celebrate his life, placing symbols of Ian’s passions on his coffin and sharing reflections on his life.
Ian loved his family, books, fishing, his sheep and native creatures. He had a great sense of humour, told great yarns, was a prankster and generous to a fault. He was a keen billiards player; a charter member of the Lions Club of Gunning; worked on the rodeo committee and was a member of the Civic Defence Foundation (later SES).
Ian was educated at the Nelanglo School until it closed, then Gundaroo Public School and later at Yass High where he first met Kay. They married in 1959, living in Gunning and later at The Glen. They had four children - Julie, Susan, Glenda and Graeme and four grandchildren – Sarah, Nathan, Jenna and Matthew.
Dancing, agricultural shows and gardening were shared passions of Ian and Kay.
"Ian Walmsley's your man"
Ian started as a builder in 1958 with many examples of his skilled building work in the Gundaroo, Collector and Gunning districts.
Lawrie Willett, a friend for nearly 50 years, gave the eulogy remembering that when his own first Gundaroo home needed urgent work he was told “Ian Walmsley’s your man”. And so it proved.
In the early days Kay was Ian’s invaluable assistant collecting all his needed building materials. Once a load of seven metre planks fell off the ute at a railway crossing with a train approaching. It was quite a scramble to clear the track.
Until June this year Ian remained active but unable to shake off a cough and breathlessness following a bout of flu. He was diagnosed with cancer, hospitalised and later home nursed.
Before he left home for palliative care in Goulburn, Ian had the satisfaction of knowing the shearing for the year was complete, hearing the machines being shut down for the final time. He died within 24 hours.
Vale Ian and sincerest condolences to Kay, their children and grandchildren, and all members of Ian’s wider family.
Saturday: Scouts Car Wash at Gunning Metro from 9am-3pm. Call 0414 714 662.
Sunday: Carriage Driving Championships from 8.30am at the Showground.
Tuesday December 1: 6.30pm Snooker Club Meeting presentation. Information regarding next competition.
Thursday December 3: Gunning Community Care AGM at the Court Room from 7pm.