Editorial

Over the next twenty four hours or more we are going to be offered countless “Happy New Year” gree ngs. From friends, neighbours and family to those we pass in the street.

From the day we are born we are reminded that the current day’s date is an ascending count from Day 1. Today’s date is li le more than a con nual reminder of how many days, months and years it has been since Jesus was conceived and born.

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Tomorrow will be 1 /01/ 2022 AD ("anno Domini nostri Jesu Chris ", which translates to "in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ").

But what if you aren’t Chris an? What year is it for non-Chris ans? Does anyone else on the planet have a different calendar?

Under the Islamic Hijri Calendar, a lunar calendar consis ng of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days, it is 26 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1443.

Meanwhile the current year in Ethiopia is 2013. The Ethiopian year starts on 11th of September or on the 12th September in a Gregorian leap year. It is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian year owing to alternate calcula ons in determining the date of the annuncia on of the birth of Jesus.

My favourite is the Nepali Calendar. The current Nepali Year in Nepali is Nepali calendar 2078 due to the fact that their calendar is approximately 56 years and 8 and months ahead. In Nepal the new year starts from the middle of April.

For those fortunate to have visited Nepal one of the best takeaways from the country is their expression “Ke Garne” that roughly translates into “it is what it is”. The road or path you are travelling on is cut by a landslide and might take a week to repair— “Ke Garne” The electricity has been cut and will stay off for some me—“Ke Garne” The cow has eaten the vegetables—“Ke Garne”

As I reflect on the expression “Happy New Year” I remind myself of the images that go with it. Clocks, me, calendars… there is even a countdown as if we are willing the year that was to vanish as we “Welcome in the New Year”. There are hugs, kisses, the clinking of champagne glasses.

But why do we stop at “Happy”? Instead of Happy why don’t we actually aspire to a bit more. Some a empt to by using alternates such as “Prosperous” but surely we can go beyond that as well. Surely we want more than just happiness and prosperity?

How about wishing for a New Year that is frui ul, gra fying, produc ve, sa sfying, valuable, worthwhile, edifying and fulfilling that is eco-friendly and sustainable and healthy? It is me to set the bar higher. For ourselves and our expecta ons. I think, for too long, we have said in our own way “Ke Garne”(it is what it is). Let’s see the year ahead, being 1443, 2013, 2022 or 2078, as the year we aspired to be more than just “Happy”.

The Broulee Sand Modelling Compe on

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Broulee Surf School presents the 2021 'The Broulee Sand Modelling Compe on' Located on North Broulee Beach on NYE Meet at the North Broulee Toilet Block from 1pm for check in - Compe on runs from 2pm-3pm 1 - Junior Sandcastle (12 years and under) 2 - Open Sandcastle (13 years and over) 3 - Junior Sculpture (12 years and under) 4 - Open Sculpture (13 years and over) Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each sec on. Friday 31 December 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00

Photo supplied

Photo supplied

NSW Govt needs to act on Rapid An gen Tes ng kit availability and its communica ons

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 If you have a friend, neighbour or family member in need of a Covid test you will have heard first hand of Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 the long queues in Moruya for PCB tes ng. You might have also heard of the closure of the queues around mid morning for the day having reached the capacity to have tests taken and then dispatched via courier for analysis at 3pm sharp. Those in the tes ng clinics and direc ng the snaking queues are our local heroes. They are working under extreme pressure, barely able to take breaks and doing their best to remain calm and collected. Across NSW there are currently 763 COVID-19 cases admi ed to hospital, with 69 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ven la on. There were 21,151 COVID-19 posi ves reported to 8pm last night. NSW Health are saying: "To reduce the strain on our services and be er protect the NSW community, priori sa on will be given to people ge ng a PCR test (nose and throat swab) who: • Have COVID-19 symptoms or a posi ve rapid an gen test • Are a household contact with a confirmed COVID-19 posi ve case • Have been in a venue where there has been high transmission such as a club • Have been in a se ng with vulnerable people, such as an aged care facility, which is experiencing a current outbreak If you receive a case alert in the Service NSW app, you should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms but only go and get a PCR test if symptoms develop." Source Above: Given the long queues, people being turned away, labs under the pump and the Christmas and New Year fes vi es bringing us all closer together it is inevitable that the rapidly spreading Omicron is taking a foothold.

Aware of the long delays or turned away due to the daily quota being met our locals and visitors are doing all they can to find

Rapid An gen Tes ng kits. Social media lights up when a new delivery is made and no doubt the stock is sold out in minutes once the supplier is iden fied. Woolies, Coles, Silly Willies, a chemist here, another there..... Orders are flowing fast for online purchases of the kits. But in the mean me the queues con nue and the anxiety builds as the numbers of local infec ons climbs daily. Labor Candidate for Bega, Dr Michael Holland said of the situa on "I endorse Ryan Park, the Shadow Minister for Health, who is calling for increased access to free Rapid An gen Tests across New South Wales. "I’m calling on the Government to specifically priori se regional communi es like ours for Rapid An gen Tests. Par cularly as people hit our beau ful coastal towns for a break, and our popula on triples, people need access to RAT tests.

"We don’t want a situa on where people are feeling unwell but can’t access a quick test simply because there aren’t any. It will inundate the tes ng infrastructure up the coast. "In the same way, any increase in infec ons in our region will strain our primary health services and any increase in hospitalisa on will strain our already under-resourced local hospitals. "The NSW Government has con nued to fail to provide clear and logical advice on when to be tested, what test to use and what to do following your result.

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Eurobodalla Fishing & Boa ng Network advise: Conducted two surveys at the local boatramps at Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Batemans Bay. More than 50% of vessels are towed by out of state vehicles. Punt Road boat ramp before and a er Christmas was full and people had to prepare vessels in the road. The majority of vessels were jet ski. All disappointed no washdown facili es. Clyde street boat ramp 80% full of vessels des ned to fish up the river. Disappointed they could not wash their engines out a er travelling in river - concerned that they may contaminate other estuaries.

Hanging Rock was coping rather well with the increased volume and extra floa ng pontoons. Parking working well except a number of cars without trailers taking up valuable space. All vessels using washdown ignored water restric ons sta ng "why water restric ons when the dams are full?" Sign is too small at loca on. When surveyed all boat owners had never used the local toilet (they have onboard facili es) Not a single person had ever used an onsite BBQ or pick-nick facility at any NSW boat ramp. All respondents want more floa ng pontoons if no beach adjacent and clear road marking showing prepara on areas and washdown facili es.

www.iga.com.au/catalogue

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Photo supplied

Covid cases spike in the South East

Southern NSW Local Health District advise: Daily updates will no longer include breakdown by town/suburb. One hundred and fi y nine (159) new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Southern NSW today. Of the 159 new cases: Twelve (12) are in the Bega Valley LGA Seven (7) are in the Eurobodalla LGA Ten (10) are in the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA Seventy (70) are in the Queanbeyan Palerang LGA Twenty seven (27) are in the Snowy Monaro LGA Six (6) are in the Upper Lachlan LGA Twenty seven (27) are in the Yass Valley LGA

community Pay it Forward with your Discovery Vouchers : for Vol 16 September 15th 2017 deserving families to visit the Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Mogo Wildlife Park

Most of us have 3 unused NSW Discover Vouchers that might not, for one reason or another, be redeemed before they expire on 30th June 2022. If you do have Discover Vouchers that you feel won't be used here is a wonderful Christmas sugges on The good folk at Mogo Wildlife Park invite you to "PAY-IT-FORWARD with your DISCOVER VOUCHERS" Mogo Wildlife Park is calling on the Eurobodalla community to rally together in the support of local groups suppor ng foster families, our indigenous community and mental health this month. Locals are encouraged to ring a member of the Park team on 02 4474 4930, or visit the park, and present their valid remaining Service NSW Discover vouchers, so that it can then be redeemed and donated to three deserving local groups: Anglicare Moruya (caring for foster families) Mogo Aboriginal Preschool (caring for indigenous children and families) Rural Counsellor (suppor ng mental health needs) Mogo Wildlife Park have also offered to Beagle readers the opportunity to let us know of deserving family you think might appreciate a 2-child entry voucher to Mogo Wildlife Park. To enter please email to beagleweeklynews@gmail.com Your nominated Family's surname, your contact number and 25 words or less why you believe the family should be given a 2-child entry voucher to Mogo Wildlife Park. Entries will be passed on to Mogo Wildlife Park and winners advised. The Mogo Wildlife Park say "A big thanks to everyone for ge ng behind this new ini a ve for our Eurobodalla community. Ring us on 02 4474 4930 between 9am-4pm daily to offer a voucher or for further informa on." "Our Discover Voucher redemp on drive will run un l January 6th, and then the vouchers will be distributed to the groups in late January to enjoy throughout 2022..

You must not drive a vessel when your blood alcohol concentra on (BAC) is over the legal limit or if you’re under the influence of illegal drugs. Driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug puts everyone on the water at risk.

It's recommended that passengers also stay under the legal limit. Studies show that passengers are just as likely as drivers to be involved in incidents – such as falling overboard – as a result of drinking alcohol. Passengers may also need to respond quickly in a collision, or if the vessel capsizes or is swamped. When you're on the water, alcohol can affect your coordina on, judgement, vision, reac on me and balance more than when you're on land. Waves, mo on, vibra on, engine noise, weather, wind and spray can all mul ply the effects of alcohol. If you end up in the water, you're more likely to drown if you've been drinking alcohol. It's very difficult for you to es mate your own BAC, even if you know how many drinks you've had. Your size and weight, how red you are, and varia on in alcohol servings can all affect your BAC. The only way to be sure you're under the limit is to not drink alcohol at all. If you do intend to drink, it's recommended that you have a plan, such as a designated skipper to get you, your passengers and your vessel home.

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Random tes ng Police regularly monitor NSW waterways. They can stop you for random breath tes ng (RBT) and random drug tes ng (RDT) when your vessel is underway, including when it is dri ing. If you're over the legal limit, police can give you a court a endance no ce. If a court convicts you of an offence, your licence can be cancelled.

community Batemans Bay LEGO Brick Show Jan 17 and 18

For the first me ever, Playwell Events will be holding Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 it's very own Brick Show at Batemans Bay Soldiers club. They will have over 50 tables of custom built LEGO models on display. With themes ranging from Star Wars, Architecture & Ninjago to a huge City layout, there will be something for everyone. There will also be the ever popular play tables where the kids can get crea ve and build themselves as well as opportuni es to purchase LEGO sets & parts on the day from the Show's vendors Mon 17 Jan 2022 - Tue 18 Jan 2022 (UTC+11) Batemans Bay Soldiers Club 6 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay NSW 2536

Need a COVID-19 test in Moruya?

The Gundary Oval clinic hours are: Friday 31 December 9.00am to 3.00pm Saturday 1 January CLOSED Sunday 2 January 8.00am to 4.00pm Opening hours from Monday 3 January: Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm Saturdays 8.00am to 3.00pm Sundays CLOSED

Photo supplied

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

real estate OUT NOW—your latest Beagle Abode : Eurobodalla’s

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 leading real estate guide

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The beagle abode is an online weekly Eurobodalla real estate guide showcasing the current Eurobodalla market and our many realtors.

The beagle abode is the new addi on to the South Coast Beagle that owns The Beagle and the South Coast Travel Guide: The Nature Coast of NSW : from Durras to The Tilbas The Beagle Abode has been established to provide that service while also providing our readers with a glossy overview of latest proper es on the market each week. You can find Beagle Abode on the Beagle website under REAL ESTATE

The latest Beagle Abode lis ngs are also available each week as a FlipBook on the website and also distributed to readers via our social media pages and our twice weekly mailouts. CLICK HERE: h ps://www.beagleweekly.com.au/real-estate