HERE’S a piece of history to bring out the country squire in all of us: the historical Bywong mining town (the whole town) is for sale.

Set on 24 hectares of scattered native bushland just north of Canberra and strewn with remnants of a once-busy, gold-mining town, agent Jan Ladmore sounds a little awe-struck by it: ”I was amazed to have the opportunity to step back in time and really appreciate such a wonderful, interesting piece of history that is in such authentic and original condition.” The 37 photos on allhomes.com certainly attest to its condition. Price is by negotiation.

Gabi strips, but for a good cause

GLAMOUR model Gabi Grecko says she’s known for “stripping down on the fly”, but has gone and done it this time “for a really good cause”.

She’s the latest naked celebrity to drop her drawers and stand up in a new anti-fur campaign for animal welfare group PETA Australia in which she cuddles a kitten next to the ambiguous slogan: “Fur is for Pussies”.

“I want to show the world that only a coward would hurt animals by wearing fur,” she proclaims.

PETA Australia says almost 74 per cent of imported fur comes from China – where, they claim, animals – including dogs and cats – are bludgeoned and even skinned alive for their fur.

Grecko joins Waka Flocka Flame, Dave Navarro, Missy Higgins, Iggy Pop, Kesha, The Veronicas, Kid Ink and Natalie Imbruglia in speaking out against the fur trade.

Opportunistically, PETA has a racier version of this ad on request.

For chrissakes!

ABC Radio’s Alex Sloan had the principals from “Jesus Christ Superstar” on her program for a bit of publicity banter and to sing a tune from the musical (playing at the AIS). Sloan does the big intro, the piano strikes up and… nothing. The program dropped out, silence, then listeners were switched to another station for a passing moment before the singers returned. The song? “Everything’s Alright”.

Bin and gone

THE mayor’s going to miss them; after an astonishing 40 years and the involvement of three generations, waste contractor JW O’Sullivan & Sons has carried out its last rubbish, recycling and green waste run and retired from the Queanbeyan City Council contract.

And in the four decades and 25,000 pick ups a week, O’Sullivans only missed one collection day, and that was due to a strike in Canberra preventing them from disposing of the rubbish.

Queanbeyan Mayor Tim Overall said: “On behalf of the entire community, I wish all the best to John and his family as they retire from Queanbeyan City Council waste collection and continue their private commercial services.”

“The company has always been prepared to go the extra mile to assist the community.”

O’Sullivans began its foray into the waste collection industry in the 1950s, collecting kitchen organics from Canberra businesses as a means of supplying food to the family’s pig farm.

Woolly heroes wanted

RED Cross shops are looking for winter woollies superheroes, that is anyone who can help stock the shops with winter clothes.

Community Engagement Manager, Kate Dear says: “Your daggy jumper, unwanted coat or ridiculous beanie can be turned into a phone call to check on an elderly person living alone, a shower and a hot meal for a young homeless person, or clean drinking water for someone affected by a disaster.

“It is as easy as donating a woolly jumper or a warm coat that you probably won’t wear this year.

More information at redcross.org.au/shops or 1800 339888.