There was a gathering of the wonderful Cotter family at the weekend, celebrating Bill's 83rd birthday  and the  marriage of his son and daughter-in-law.

Bill had a leave pass from the Harden hospital for the  occasion.

As usual when the Cotter clan are around, there was some toe-tapping music emanating from the hall. They are great musicians.

One of the important bowls days took place on Sunday when 56 players rolled up to take part in the local president’s day.

The Coota Country Club players were the winners with the lads from Young claiming the runner-up trophies. Terry O'Mara from Yass won the raffle.

The club will  be open next Friday evening for the Halloween party and I have been told there will be social bowls on for interested players beginning at 6pm with names in 5.30pm.

I think there will also be bowls on Sunday commencing at 3pm but this is all subject to change so  anyone intending to play please check with the club.

The golf on Friday night is a done deal with the par-three course back in play and hit-off time is 5.30pm. Peter Curtis won the first game last Friday night.

There will also be golf on Saturday and Sunday afternoon commencing at 3pm. I think the events are undecided so again, check with the club.

Sunday's three-person Ambrose for Tom Duffy's trophies saw the ladies team of Helen Curtis, Monica Field and Ethel Lee give the men a bit of a shake up but eventually they lost by just one sixth of a shot.

The Melbourne Cup Calcutta is on Sunday night.

In the school bulletin, Mr Bennett reminds the students that photos are being taken on Thursday and they need to be in full summer uniform, including black shoes. So shine 'em up, kids.

Last week the new Creative Arts program began with  lessons for both infants and primary classes. The music program will commence this week.

Local lad Luke Cotter will be returning this week to do a three-week prac teaching stint (they have a fancier name for it these days) with the infants and kindergarten classes.

I took a photo of Luke as a very musical two-year-old playing a mouth organ. I always said that when he became famous I expected to be acknowledged as his first photographer.

A busy school! On Friday the classes enjoyed the performance of the ACT Junior Concert Band. Kindergarten orientation began on Tuesday and will continue for five weeks with the littlies attending from 9am until 1pm on those days. Due to the rearrangement of classes there are now four classes at the school.

The installation of a new router has hopefully solved the computer problems but unfortunately the phone system is still causing trouble and they are awaiting the technician to investigate the problems.

Quotes have been obtained for an awning to go over the doors of the new hall and to fix the primary air conditioning leak which has frequently caused the room to flood.

The infants garden is growing well with broad beans already being picked, tomatoes ready to be staked and the capsicums looking great.

Stars last week went to Jack Paterson, Ivy Saunders and Emelia Martin.