From Councillor Martin Hughes:

Deane's Transit Group will be running a trial Transborder bus service from Cooma to Canberra, commencing Monday 27 February 2012, leaving Cooma around 7am and returning around 7pm, Monday to Friday.

This three month trial is being run in response to a Cooma-Monaro Shire Council survey circulated earlier in the year to establish the level of interest in operating such a service.

If the service is to operate beyond the trial period, it is essential that as many people as possible are made aware of its existence and that patronage over the trial period will encourage the operator to continue the service on a permanent basis. It is planned for the bus to stop on request. The bus will also provide free WIFI, wheelchair access and bicycle storage.

The proposed route at present is Cooma-Bredbo-Michelago-Calwell-Tuggeranong-Woden-City and return. The Canberra route may change depending on demand.

It would be appreciated if the villages (Bredbo, Colinton, Michelago) could liaise with the CMSC regarding Park and Ride facilities for those who wish to drive in to catch the bus. Details about the ticket prices and times will be published later.

There is a competition running at present to "Name the Service" with an HTC Wildfire Smartphone, courtesy of Deane's Transit Group, being the prize for the preferred submission. Submissions can be lodged at www.cooma.nsw.gov.au, the closing date being 22 December 2011 with the winner being announced on the website.

Please address any inquiries to Martin Hughes This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 0405209685, or to Alan Cairney on (02) 64551720 (bus.hrs).

Do you have any interesting old photos of the Michelago region, including local residents (past and current)?

We are looking for any photos to be included in a heritage brochure that the MRCA is developing and also possibly to decorate the Michelago Communty Hall.

We are happy to bring a scanner to your place so that you don't have to lend your photos out and worry about them being misplaced!

If you do have some photos and are willing to share (copyright will remain with the owner of the photos, unless otherwise agreed), please contact any of the MRCA committee members or e-mail us.