The locals in the impressive line up for this event are Will Luck, who will be joined by his friend Angus Kemmiss (guitar and piano) plus Jessica Grainger (violin). They will be joined by two young Yass talents - Sarah Giddy and Jonah Smith (both on piano).

It won’t be the debut performance for some of the artists but it is certainly the first such event organised by the Focus Group. Members hope it will help introduce new young musicians before they go on to perform at the Wigmore Hall and Opera House in later years.

“The audience will be treated to some lovely classical pieces as well as some newer ones influenced by folk and world music and even a hint of rock and metal,” said Rosemary Spiller, who is organising the event under the guidance of long-time musical impresario Mike Coley. 

“We have named the concert Family Favourites. The musicians have chosen to perform their own favourite pieces which are often favourites with their families as well in spite of hearing many practices! We think they will be audience favourites as well”.

There will be one performance only of Family Favourites. It will be on Sunday, November 19 at the Court House at 2pm. Bookings and enquiries to 0409 241 6766 or raspiller@gmail.com. Special prices apply: members $10, public $15, students over 15 by gold coin entry, children free.

One of the lesser known and perhaps more elusive parts of the natural landscape in and around Gunning is the bird life. Attracted by water ways and sustained by nesting and breeding options that reeded creek banks provide, in the region of 50 types of birds can be seen. Perhaps the most striking is the appearance of a pelican.

The Bruce Bray Riparian Walk along the banks of Meadow Creek offers an opportunity to lookout for the many species as is a trip through the quieter parts of the Cullerin range. Often the it is only when the noise of traffic subsides, can you immerse in the natural environment, that bird calls and birds in flight can be enjoyed and Gunning and district is spoilt for choice.

With Gunning being right on the boundary of 200 kms from Wagga, it is well suited to accessing transportable building deliveries from the four Wagga based transportable builders. Last week saw the delivery of another such on 56 Yass Street in Gunning.

This time, a cute little three bedroom from Lloyds Homes based on the “Barclay” layout was installed. As is so often the case, the sudden appearance of a transportable on the block just prior to it being occupied, complete with craning and connection, invokes a feeling of a little theatre and in some cases shock. When homes are constructed on site, people have quite a while to get used to their location and appearance but not so with transportable houses. All the building happens elsewhere, hidden from view.

The term ‘plonk-on’ has in some case been used with some derision, but it is always a case of trying one before you make your final decision.

From the village’s perspective, by all accounts it is a young family moving in, which is always a healthy sign.

Saturday, November 11, from 9.30am to 12pm will see the hosting by Gunning District Landcare of a presentation by Alison Elvin on Garden Weeds. It will be held in the Gunning Fire Control Room with further information and RSVP to Ruth Aveyard 0488 027 653 coordinator@gunningdistrictlandcare.org.au

The presentation will provide ways to keep pesky weeds in your garden under control without the use or sprays or too much hard work. The chance of making some of the edible ones a tasty part of dinner might tempt some to call them by another name.

The presentation will be one of many successful Gunning District Landcare presentations this year to provide a sustainable way of dealing with common problems. Be sure to book a place.

The road from Gunning to Collector – which is the most direct route and follows what probably was the old horse drawn road in earlier times – does present an interesting alternate view of how we currently travel to Canberra.

As can be seen from the signage, it does add a small distance (9 or 10 kms) to travelling from the current route down through Gundaroo and Sutton with the final stage on the Federal Highway taking the best part of an hour. The Gunning through Collector route might in fact be faster as there is no slowing for villages or slower traffic once you join the Federal Highway just outside Collector.

What is perhaps the main detractor from using this road is its current state, with the majority still unsealed. The road signs indicate that drivers should drive to the road conditions section on the unsealed parts, which vary greatly with weather and state of grading.

Many anecdotal accounts from residents and unwitting travellers on the unsealed section to Collector describe near fatal accidents and significant vehicle damage. It may be that many of these go unreported. 

Surely full sealing of this alternate route to Canberra would lower the pressure on the current routes roads, along with providing much reduced travel times for those travelling between Collector and Gunning. I have always wondered about those small blue signs heading for Nowra.