“ Walker St here in Clunes was named after my mothers great grandfather and James Gibson Drive is named after my fathers great grandfather. Both families were here in Clunes. My grandfather on Mums side was one of the first students at Clunes school in 1880 and we have all gone to Clunes School since then. My sons went there and now my grandsons go there so that’s the fifth generation going to that school. Six generations being in Clunes.
A year or so ago we had our High school reunion. Out of the 70 or so in my year I think I was the only one who didn’t move away. I moved from Clunes to Lismore for 17 years then we moved back when my eldest son was 5 so he could go to Clunes School.
I’m on the East Community Panel. The Council has divided their area into 7 different divisions we call the East Community. There’s one called the Northwest, South, etc. It’s supposedly to get feedback from those areas about things we need or want and also to promote community. We started off asking Council for things and they didn’t have the cash so we now organise things to get the community together. We had a big trivia night here in Clunes Hall last year which was really well attended. We are spreading ourselves around the different halls.
We are having an art show at McLeans Ridges Hall on the 27th and 28th May. It’s free to enter and free to attend. It’s to get people together so they get to know their neighbours. So many people sit at home and never meet their neighbours. I went to the Eltham movie last night and was chatting to some people who were from McLeans Ridges. They were saying they hardly know any of their neighbours. In places like McLeans Ridges you don’t have a local shop so you don’t get to meet people. In so many areas you meet people at your local shop or your local cafe. So the idea is to get people together, a bit of cohesion.
I’m involved in a lot of things around here as I’ve been here for so long. I’m Secretary of the Progress Association and I also do the local newspaper the Clunes Clues. I’ve been here for 65 years and not going anywhere. It’s a nice climate, rainforests, beaches, just a beautiful area. I’ve travelled all through the world but always happy to come home.”