Gunning & District Historical Society

The name of Bredalbane Plains will forever resound in my bosom: Dr John Lhotsky 1834  King Ludwig 1st of Bavaria who provided the funds which enabled Dr John Lhotsky to explore the new world – including Breadalbane and Gunning, in 1834.  I have been unable to find any portraits of Dr Lhotsky.  This circa 1830 lithograph of Dr Lhotsky’s patron scanned by Franz Hanfstaegl: From Wikimedia Commons He Could’ve Been a Contender This article is part of a series on the Oolong Oologists; Oolong being a locality in the Gunning district and oology a branch of ornithology studying mainly eggs and nests – particularly popular in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Polish polymath, naturalist and vigorous self-promoter Dr John Lhotsky passed through the Gunning district in 1834, recording details of the people, landscape and wildlife that he encountered.  Before learning more about him I thought he would have been a strong contender for the title of First Oolong Oologi...

Photo from Mardi Lees' post in Gunning Community Announcements and Events Facebook group. The Gunning Community Announcements and Events Facebook group is a great forum for all sorts of discussions, notifications and requests.  With over 760 members, there is always something of interest being posted and enthusiastic engagement by the community. On 10 February, Mardi Lees posted two photos of a trophy found by "local fossicking fanatic Michael Brown".  The inscription on the trophy said: G.D.S.A.A.A. Champ Girl Under 6 J. Lees Mardi asked for clues to the age of the trophy and who J. Lees might be (not her sister, Jennifer). Responses to the thread soon focused on the meaning of G.D.S.A.A.A.; the consensus being Gunning District Schools Annual Athletics Association.  A further post suggested that it was from 1952 or 1953 (a remarkably accurate estimate as it turns out). After a couple of days, the urge to research this got the bette...