Tributes flow for Basnett family

Former Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor John Shaw was among them, taking in news that good friends, Anne (known as Annie) and Andrew Basnett and Andrew’s brother, Richard had died in tragic circumstances the night before.

“I saw a number of people who just knowingly nodded their heads and shrugged their shoulders in disbelief. Words just failed them,” Mr Shaw said.

Mrs Basnett’s friend, Ann Darbyshire noticed it too.

“It’s hard to comprehend something so unspeakable,” she said.

“Everyone was talking about it and was in shock. They were sharing stories and being kinder to each other, knowing that they were hurting.”

Mr Shaw had known Andrew and Annie for nearly 50 years. He played rugby union with Andrew in the 1970s and went to school with Annie’s brother. 

Later, their children went to preschool together, a facility that Annie fundraised tirelessly to establish. 

The couple have been described as “pillars of the community.” They had established links in the Gunning and Yass district. Andrew and Annie moved to their Veterans Road, Oolong property, ‘Nerragundah’ in the 1980s from Blakney Creek and continued to build up a high quality merino sheep flock. 

Mr Basnett was an eager participant in the recently established Flock Ewe Competition at the Gunning Show. He won the title last year and was tipped to take it out again, Mr Shaw said. 

“He was a true gentleman who never had a cross word,” he told The Post. 

“If he had a difference of opinion with you, he’d rather talk about it.”

Mr Basnett was formerly involved in the public school P&C, was an active Bushfire Brigade member and a former Gunning Show steward.

Mrs Basnett was just as immersed in Gunning life. Mr Shaw recalled her turning up to Garden Club meetings in gardening gear and dirt beneath her nails, fresh from a happy day’s work.

“She was down to earth. She was bubbly and effervescent and told things as they were,” Mr Shaw said.

Mrs Basnett had a horticultural background and was a selector in the Open Garden Scheme, Mrs Darbyshire said. She took a special interest in palliative care, was a member of the Gunning District Community Health Service management committee for 10 years and a volunteer community transport driver. She was rostered on for Monday.

“I’ll remember her as a person with the most wicked sense of humour who was so enthusiastic about life in the community and had an enormous capacity for friendship and inclusiveness,” Mrs Darbyshire said.

Richard Basnett had been regularly visiting from his Canberra home, helping out and staying with his mother.

He was also well known to the Taralga community where he lived and grazed sheep in the mid to late 1970s on district property, ‘The Knoll.’ His children attended Taralga Public School.

“I couldn’t fault him. He was a good neighbour,” former neighbour Max Wright said.

Andrew and Annie are survived by their three children, Campbell, Tom and Emily, their spouses and five grandchildren, on whom the couple “doted,” Mrs Darbyshire said. Richard is also survived by his family, including his brother, Murray and their 102-year-old mother, Marjorie, a patron of the Gunning Garden Club and much-loved resident. 

Mr Shaw said the community would rally to support the family through their grief.

“We really feel for them. Andrew and Annie always had a smile on their face and were always happy to see you. Their personality just popped out,” he said.