ULSC Australia Day 2023 Event of the Year nominees

Rising Sun Health

Nomination 1:

The Upper Lachlan has not had an event like this in over 10 years for the youth of the Community.

This event has benefited the kids by giving them a location to have a safe outlet to have fun. The event has over 180 people attending from all over the Shire.

The School Aged Disco also helps local businesses as parents take the children out for dinner in local restaurants which again supports local.

The event is also supported by 20 local businesses who have seen how important it is for the youth.

Nomination 2:

After the tough time we have been through the last two years, having a Disco Party is the best idea not just because it bring s the community together in a place to be happy and playful but also because it’s important for our well-being and it is an opportunity to relieve stress.

Crookwell 100 Years Committee for CWA Day Branch

Crookwell CWA has celebrated being the first branch of the CWA of NSW and first branch in Australia. Starting on 26 April 1922, now 100 Years.

Celebrations commenced 12 Feb 2022 with a parade of cars to the Showground with members. The State president opened our Show, afternoon tea in our rooms with Council representatives., members of the families of the original members, and blessing and opening of our plaque which tells our story of being the first branch formed.

On 26 April we had a fabulous Birthday at the RSL with members of Crookwell and Southern Tablelands. We also began this day by a Church Service at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Crookwell with all plate takings going to Lismore Flood victims. We also had a cake and a bench seat recognising 100 Years.

Crookwell Senior Green Devils Football Club

This fund-raising event was held at the Crookwell Golf Club on a Sunday. A seafood and chicken smorgasbord and raffles were held with about 200 attendees.

Over $20,000 was raised which allowed a trust fund to be established to assist players with living expenses if injured while playing for the club.

The fund has since grown to about $27,000 and this will be an annual event. The driving force behind this very worthwhile and successful initiative was Craig Judd.

Crookwell Golf Club

This event started out as a conversation between 2-3 members of the club who just wanted to take on the challenge as a personal challenge for themselves. The chatter soon started and we soon as 21 guys signed up to take part.

The Challenge itself is for golfers to play 72 holes of golf from dawn until dusk – that is 4 lots  of 18 holes and equates to going around the Crookwell Course 8 times – approximately 35 kms.

To top this of, the guys also raised funds along the way from family and friends to drive them to complete the challenge, with all funds raised going to the Cancer Council for research, treatment and support of cancer sufferers.

The night before the Challenge the Golf Club hosted a player auction to further bolster the fundraising for the team and to say this was a successful component of the event is an understatement. This night along further bolstered the fundraising efforts by approximately $15,000.00.

The day arrived, and 5am the boys were ready to hit the course, albeit in the dark for the first hole. As the day progressed, teams had music playing to drive them, family members coming to help push buggies and just provide general support to them as they went around and around (and around) the course!

Food and drinks were provided by the Golf Club and Crookwell IGA to keep the guys going and the emotion felt as each team felt still gives you goosebumps.

They achieved what some thought was unachievable, all the while raising massive $$ for a wonderful foundation, and have signed up to complete the Challenge again this year!

Gunning 200 Committee (sub-committee of Gunning Show Society)

It is my pleasure to nominate the Gunning 200 weekend for the Gunning/Upper Lachlan Shire Event of the Year.

In 2021, Gunning celebrated its bicentenary. The year marked 200 years since it was first explored by Hamilton Hume and his exploration party. The Gunning 200 Committee, led by President, Mr John Shaw, worked tirelessly to make the celebrations memorable. On two occasions the celebrations were postponed due to covid, but the fabulous weekend eventually went ahead on 30-31 March 2022.

Many organisations came together to mark this momentous occasion. Many new and old residents enjoyed an array of things to see and do over the two days.

Key activities the Committee undertook in planning for the event:

• Created a brand and logo for organisations to use for collateral associated with Gunning 200 celebrations.
• Created celebratory bunting which was hung on shopfronts and private homes right along the main street of Gunning.
• Purchased hats, keyrings, tote bags and other collateral to mark the event. Over 1000 hats were purchased and sold prior to, and on, the weekend.
• Developed a commemorative program of events.
• Erected a plaque outside of the Gunning Library as well as two large signs at the entrance to the town as a permanent reminder of the bicentenary and Gunning’s history and heritage.
• Worked with over 20 local community groups to design separate events to showcase the town.
• Organised and ran the official commemoration service with key dignitaries in attendance.
• Worked with media local and state media outlets to promote the festivities.

In all, the Committee was in planning mode for over 18 months and there were over 50 volunteers who helped make the weekend a tremendous success. It is estimated that over 750 people—locals, past residents and sight-seers—attended events across the two days. Not only was it a special community celebration, but also a wonderful tourist attraction and brought a lot of new business and people to Gunning.

The weekend was supported by donations of time and funding from a range of organisations, including the Upper Lachlan Shire Council who supported the event from the outset.

Snapshot of some of the Gunning 200 weekend activities:

• On the Saturday afternoon, the celebrations were opened by The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Federal Member for Hume, The Hon. Wendy Tuckerman MP, Member for Goulburn, as well as the Upper Lachlan Shire Council Mayor, Clr Pam Kensit and her fellow councillors.
• The Gunning & District Historical Society opened the historic Pye Cottage Museum as well as the Old Gaol behind the Gunning Court House. This was extremely well attended and the change for new and old residents to visit the site, many for the first time.
• The Gunning Library set up displays of historical Gunning, including photographic display and other memorabilia.
• The Gunning Show Society held a Glitz & Glamour cocktail event, attended by over 100 people. It was a fabulous night hosted at the Old Coach Stables, the stables of the old Cobb and Co. coach run.
• The Anglican Church hosted an ecumenical service on the Sunday morning and released a cookbook with photos and recipes from local residents.
• The Gunning Markets were held on the Sunday where a large crown enjoyed music, vintage cars and a horse drawn carriage as well as the usual market stalls. People came from far and wide to enjoy the festivities.

Gunning 200 brought the community and beyond together and will be remembered as a tremendous success for a long time to come. The whole Gunning 200 committee should be proud of all their work in making it such a huge success and will be remembered for a long time to come.

I therefore unreservedly nominate the event for the Gunning/ ULSC Event of the Year and believe it is highly deserving of the recognition.

Gunning 200 Committee members:

John Shaw, President
Mike Coley, Secretary
Suzie Shaw, Treasurer
John Searl, ULSC Representative
Vikki Basnett
Belinda Neame
Jen Medway
Melinda Medway

Frank Hannan

Graham Dyer

Taralga Progress Association

The 2022 Taralga Art Show was held over the long Weekend in June after a two year absence due to Covid.

The art show proved to be a huge success much to the Delight of the organisers.

The show attracted over 1,000 people coming from far and wide with 200 attending the opening night.

A record number of 92 artists exhibited 303 artworks, of which 84 sold. The art-work medium ranged from paintings, ceramics, wire & wood sculptures, pottery, jewelry and quilts.

An adult workshop – “working with wire” run by Leanne Kelly from Crookwell and a Children’s Workshop run by Amy Curran from Taralga were held on the Saturday – both local artists.

The children along with adults were also able to work on the mural over the weekend and also complete an activity sheet whilst exploring the exhibition. Something for everyone.

Taralga Sports Club / Taralga Rodeo Committee and NSW Wheelchair Sports Australia

This event was supposed to be held during the Rodeo but as the Rodeo was cancelled, Terry Bennett got a group together to have in the Sports Club Grounds.

It was a great community event and fundraiser for Beau Cosgrove.

The all-day event included breakfast supplied by NSW Wheelchair Sports. RFS Taralga held a BBQ lunch and ULSC organised a community afternoon tea.

The Goulburn Street & Classic car Club supported it and helped organise a major auction. Many community groups held market stalls.

Something was happening all the time for everyone. Taralga Community coming together in a safe, friendly, relaxed way whilst exceeding expected outcomes of fundraiser. But I believe all benefitted in being able to come together socially. Excellent day had by all.