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Editorial What’s On …………….... 13 to 16 FIND ALL YOUR DAILY NEWS @ www.beagleweekly.com.au
Welcome to this week’s editorial, We are now hopefully coming from a period of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ to ‘Eyes Wide Open’, both locally and federally. Our local councillors stood on a pla orm of openness and transparency and are slowly beginning to whi le their way through an endemic toxicity that has been allowed to fester for several years. Akin to a popping a boil, methodical and well aimed ‘lancing’ now needs to be carried out so that it doesn’t unnecessarily smear the many dedicated staff who are commi ed to their tasks, and to their community. Like the federal government, our new councillors are taking up the reins and se ng a new path forward that will hopefully include the community in the vital decision making processes of where best to spend a reducing budget in a period of cost blowouts. Basically the new Council will need to assess its priori es, limit its promises and focus on ge ng the important stuff done before they consider going a er the nsel. One of the key changes the new Council must make is to be open about the details of their budget. Presently the numbers are so ethereal that they are not open to scru ny. That might have suited the old guard however the newly elected Council is now turning the de with a swathe of new faces and appointments. The last term of Council offered very li le vision from the ex-mayor and her peers. The rudder was given instead to a select few and we were le to sail forth on the “Good Ship Lollypop” on a course that no-one, let alone the community nor the councillors, had any idea of. That has now changed and the Poop-deck is now in the control of the new councillors, much to the disappointment of some of the remaining ‘pe y’ officers who, it is understood, might be considering their demo ons and considering whether to follow others down taut bowlines to the docks. Ahead of us we have a shire rate increase that won’t cover CPI or the price hikes we are seeing for fuel, gas, electricity, u li es, goods and services as they apply to Council business. Our Business. The me has come when we will need to consider our Council budget as closely as our own household budgets. The only way we can do this is to know all the inputs. All of Them. If there is to be less mowing then let us determine where. Less p days, then let us determine when. Fewer toilet cleans? Less library hours, less roads graded. Let us determine why? With local government we are all expected to contribute to our revenue. There are very few excep ons other than discre onary charity or community dispensa ons. Like taxes, if we don’t contribute we are pursued. It seems fair. We apparently live in a country that has at its heart “a fair go for all”. As per the example we now see with a new council there is an opportunity Federally to begin afresh and to recognise the corrup on of process that we have endured that have tainted our na onal name and done so much damage in our names for the benefit of the few. Like NSW we need a Federal ICAC—and we need a universal spotlight brought back to ensure our processes are not corrupted by greed or ego. I am reminded from me to me that Australia is one and free and, apparently, having golden soil and wealth for toil, not to men on the plethora of nature's gi s that are deemed to be rich and rare. We can’t argue that our home is girt by sea and according to our na onal song we are renowned of all the lands. This might explain why, for those across the seas, it seems we have boundless plains to share. But is this the reality? There seems to be an ever increasing divide when it comes to being one. In fact it looks like our newly added “one” was just a pandering construct. The reality is that there are major chasms in our “oneness” when it comes to social equity. Hopefully we might now be able to address it and make it as “one as possible”. It can’t be argued that we have golden soil and wealth for toil but the average Australian sees very li le by way of benefit as the bulk of our wealth is exported yet returns li le, if any, revenue by way of taxes. As for nature’s gi s, we had them. The Barrier Reef, koalas, forests, a land devoid of plas c bait bags, roadside li er and cigare e bu s. Now we suck our rivers dry, slash and burn our forests and rape and pillage our resources at the cost of the environment. As for being a country that is ‘renowned of all the lands’ our reputa on has changed and we are now renowned for all the wrong reasons. With climate change, with angry borders, with soaring costs and unachievable dreams of home ownership, with ongoing interna onal and na onal racism and the con nued less-than– subtle influences of self en tled Chris an zealots and failed media tycoons, we have a long road back to restoring the Australia we dream of rather than being the reality that is served up that only divides us further. Un l next—lei
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The body of a man missing from the state’s South Coast has been located. The 64-year-old was last seen leaving his home in Bermagui about 11am yesterday (Thursday 2 June 2022). He was reported missing when he failed to return home and officers a ached to South Coast Police District commenced an inves ga on into his whereabouts. Following inquiries, the man was located deceased at Honeymoon Ridge, Murrah, about 8.15am today (Friday 3 June 2022). The circumstances surrounding his death are not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the informa on of the Coroner.
Latest: Thu, 02 Jun 2022 12:42:33 PM AEST Se ngs While only dribs and drab postal votes remain, and Labor have called the electorate for Fiona Phillips, the AEC has not declared a winner and Liberal candidate Andrew Constance has not conceded.
source: h ps://tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionPage-27966-120.htm Meanwhile in Eden Monaro Kristy McBain (right) increased her hold on the electorate in an astounding defeat of the last minute Liberal candidate who became the “last man standing” a er systema c interven ons to the preselec on process.
Council are now looking to sell the Batemans Bay Bowling Club site and have it on the market. The sale is via an agent and it is listed on Domain as:
Property Descrip on
Development Opportuni es We are seeking expressions of interest for this strategic piece of land known as the gateway of Batemans Bay.
Your chance is now, to leave your crea ve design on this large block of land, which is approximately 14,063 m2. Posi oned next to the water and right in the mix of the CBD this land is highly desirable.
The new Bay Pavilions and Aqua c centre is located directly opposite this site. Here are just a few ideas that council have iden fied as their preferred outcomes for this site: 1. Conference and events facili es 2. Restaurants and cafes 3. Tourist and visitor accommoda on 4. Residen al accommoda on
Please note that council are willing to consider changes to the zoning and you can inves gate the height limits when making your offer. Your op ons are limitless. This site would be ideal for a much needed 5-star hotel with a conven on centre and a world-class restaurant.
Imagine pu ng on a roo op pool and entertaining area that looks over the water. Maybe build something that contains mixed use?
Council will look at all proposals and select the best applicant. Opportuni es like this are rare, so put on your crea ve thinking cap and give me your submission by the 15th July close of business.
www.iga.com.au/catalogue
community Calling all chari es: apply now for 2022 funding
There’s financial light at the end of the tunnel for local not-for-profits following a tough couple of years. Applica ons close 30th June.
IMB Bank Community Founda on is pu ng the call out to all chari es and community groups who are doing it tough: apply now for 2022 funding. Following the triple-whammy of COVID, natural disasters and now cost of living pressures, there’s never been a more appropriate me for local not-for-profits to get an extra financial helping hand. Applica ons can be made online at: imb.com.au/community The IMB Bank Community Founda on supports people and communi es in IMB's key markets - Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter, South Coast, Southern Highlands, the ACT and Melbourne. It is focused on building brighter futures through strong, resilient and forward-focused communi es - which is at the heart of IMB Bank's core values.
"Over the years, IMB Bank's Community Founda on has played an important role in providing financial support to communi es in the places where we operate,” said Robert Ryan, IMB Bank CEO. "We are now calling for people and groups who are taking ac on to improve the lives of others to come forward and apply for IMB Bank Community Founda on funding. Applica ons can be made online, and the closing date is Thursday 30th June. If you are making a difference in your community, we would love to hear from you,” Mr Ryan said. Since 1999, IMB Bank Community Founda on has donated over $11million to more than 800 community groups and projects across disaster relief, educa on, health care, sports and recrea on, arts and culture, aged care, and many other services.
Community South Coast Community Colleges is partnering again with Telstra to provide you with Tech Savvy for Seniors.
Tech Savvy Seniors NSW is partnership between the NSW Government and Telstra. It is a key ini a ve of the NSW Ageing Strategy, helping bridge the gap between those seniors who can use technology and those who cannot. This course delivers seniors with real health, social and community benefits, especially for those in rural and remote areas. The topics outlined in this session are: - Internet Searching - Email - Online Banking - Social Media - Cyber Safety - Online Shopping This course is funded by the NSW Government if eligibility criteria is met. To find out more about this course visit our website www.southcoastcolleges.edu.au , phone 1300 722 223, email admin@southcoastcolleges
Moruya bypass consulta on extended
Transport NSW has received feedback that the community would like further opportuni es and more me to talk with the project team and to ask ques ons about the three shortlisted bypass op ons.
Transport NSW has received feedback that the community would like further opportuni es and more me to talk with the project team and to ask ques ons about the three shortlisted bypass op ons.
In response to this they have extended the consulta on period to 13 June 2022 and will provide addi onal opportuni es to meet with the project team, including a session in Batemans Bay at the Markets in the Corrigan's Beach Reserve on Beach Road at Batehaven.
Meet the project team For general project ques ons pop down and talk with a member of the team, we'll be at the following markets:
Moruya Country Market – Saturday 4 June Batemans Bay Market – Sunday 5 June Have your say Transport is currently seeking feedback on the Purple, Orange and Yellow corridors for the Moruya bypass. Use the ‘Map my Comment’ tool to tell them what you like and don’t like about the three corridors. Feedback can also be provided by comple ng their online survey. As part of the social and economic study for the project, Transport NSW would also like to be er understand how the community live and work around the Moruya town centre. Complete their 'Town Centre' survey and/or our 'Business' survey to help them get a be er understanding about your community now and into the future. Feedback closes 13 June 2022.
community OzFish And Tangaroa Blue Invite You To their Clean Up Workshop At Batemans Bay Marina Clean Up Workshop At Batemans Bay Marina, NSW
June 5 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am The community is invited to join OzFish And Tangaroa Blue at Batemans Bay Marina to conduct a quick clean-up and learn how to collect data on the rubbish we find to upload it to the Australian Marine Debris Ini a ve database. This database aims to iden fy li er sources and origins to inform future source-preven on solu ons. No prior experience is necessary, our friendly team leaders will teach you everything you need to know to collect data and submit it to the AMDI Database.
Volunteers need to wear sun protec on and enclosed shoes. Organisers ensure that all events are free from single-use plas c, so bring along your reusable water bo le. Spots are limited for this workshop, so register HERE to avoid disappointment. h ps://ozfish.org.au/cleanup-educa on-day-at-batemans-bay-registra on-form/ If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Moruya RSL Sub Branch was handed in a black & white photo a er the Anzac Day Service. The photo is of three ranked Naval Officers and the cap on on the back says "1969 Planning Dept Design Division Photographic Sec on HM Dockyard Chatham". If this belongs to you or you know who the owner is please contact the Moruya office at the RSL Memorial Hall 11 Page St Moruya which is open on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 7:30am to 12noon phone 02 4474 3513.
We welcome all veterans and Service personnel to our mee ngs held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2pm,our next mee ng takes place on 21st June. Our Sub Branch just recently made a dona on of $6000:00 to LifeCare to help our veterans.
At its mee ng on Wednesday 1 June, EuroSCUG welcomed Tricia Kaye, curator of the Wallace Herbarium, which is housed in a purpose built facility at the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens. The Wallace Herbarium is central to the scien fic aspect of the Garden and the collec on has been documented, iden fied and processed in accordance with scien fic best prac ces. The contents of the Wallace Herbarium are data-based and have been included in the Na onal Herbarium database and the Atlas of Living Australia. Tricia explained the types of technology used and how essen al they are to the maintenance if this important collec on. Following morning tea several small group sessions were held. Of par cular interest to many was the group on iden fying scams. An astonishing amount of money is lost to scams in Australia each year and sadly New South Wales residents lost the most during 2021. John demonstrated reallife scams and showed how to iden fy them, and hopefully avoid them.
Amanda is the proud owner of Virtual Reality (VR) Equipment and was available to show members how to use it. She also ran her usual Beginners Group, offering help on all devices. Addi onally there was also a Photo Help Desk run by Leslie for all the photo related ques ons. Jackie and Leslie Working On Photos
EuroSCUG were most fortunate to be recently awarded a grant to purchase four laptops running Windows 11. These have now arrived, and following Commi ee Training, should be available for demonstra ons next month. EuroSCUG has been helping seniors to master technology since 2008. The group is run by Seniors For Seniors.
They meet at the Moruya Golf Club at 10am on the first Wednesday of each month, and Local Area Groups meet regularly in Batemans Bay, Tuross and Narooma as well as in Moruya. Hands on phone and tablet groups, both Apple and Android, are held on the first Friday of each month at the Moruya Golf Club. Details of all group mee ng mes can be found on their website. Visitors are most welcome to a end any mee ng to see if the group is right for them. Each mee ng starts promptly at 10:00 am but everybody is asked to arrive by 9.45 am at the latest so that Covid-19 administra ve tasks can be carried out beforehand.
For addi onal informa on visit the EuroSCUG website at www.euroscug.org, or phone 0491 608 077,
community TAFE NSW Teaches English To Local Migrants So They Can Live Their Best Lives
New Australian residents who migrated to the Ulladulla region are accessing a TAFE NSW course to learn English, find employment, and adapt to their new lifestyle. TAFE NSW delivers the adult English classes to migrants to assist with their transi on to Australian life. Ulladulla resident Neha Nain enrolled in a course this year and has gone from anxious, isolated and housebound to an employed and ac ve member of the community she now calls home. Mrs Nain arrived in Australia in 2020 and like the more than 200,000 new Australians who have migrated to Australia since 2016, leaning English has been a lifeline. She was anxious about leaving the house, and her lack of English compounded her lack of confidence. “For quite a while a er arriving here I was too scared to leave the house, my confidence was low because of my lack of English. My husband encouraged me to learn English and look for a job, so I enrolled in the Cer ficate II in Spoken and Wri en English course at TAFE NSW Ulladulla this year and already my vocabulary has grown more than I could have imagined, I have friends and a job. “Some of the main reasons I wanted to improve my English was to become a part of this community, find a job and to communicate with other people and to explain about my country’s culture. “When I applied for a waitress job at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, I told them I was working on improving my language skills and they gave me a chance. In fact, talking to people at work helps with my English too.” TAFE NSW Teacher Sara Eastway said the students learn a mix of spoken and wri en English along with other skills to help with employment and general life tasks. “Through this course, which is subsidised for eligible students, we work on many skills including their digital literacy skills. This is important so they can improve their opportuni es for finding work and also for keeping in touch with family overseas. All the students in this class migrated from overseas, so keeping that connec on is important for them. O en these students can be quite isolated when they first move here. So, for this group TAFE NSW is about learning but also socialising. Last year two of the students used the me to write a resume and both are now working in the region, one in hospitality and the other in aged care – both those areas are experiencing high demand for employees. “Many of us take English skills for granted but the benefits go beyond having conversa ons. English skills mean these students can open a bank account, access healthcare, find work and further study and improve their listening, reading, and wri ng skills, as well as learning about Australian society and culture. These are just some of the everyday skills students learn. Neha is the perfect example of how the English speaking and wri ng is helping to change the lives of many people by providing students with access to the skills to be jobready.
The Far South Coast Group of the CWA of NSW would like to remind all Branch members from Batemans Bay to Eden the Group Council mee ng is taking place at the Cobargo CWA rooms on Monday 6th June at 9:30 am for 10:00am. Don't forget all Branch members are welcome to our Group Council mee ngs even as an observer. Also we remind our local communi es this year is the Centenary of the Country Women's Associa on of NSW see what your local Branch is doing and find out what all the volunteers at Branches in the Far South Coast Group are doing with CWA of NSW to improve outcomes across many areas in Regional NSW. Also ask what your local Branch is doing for its Centenary Celebra ons during this year.
Have you used up all of your NSW vouchers? They expire a er June 30th
Your Dine & Discover NSW vouchers expire a er 30 June 2022. There is so much fun to be had FOR FREE - it would be a shame not to use what you have been given and share the joy with your community businesses who bust their bu s to employ your friends, family and neighbours. Go to the Movies, go to the Mogo Wildlife Park, eat out, stay overnight somewhere locally Use this tool to search all of the op ons available to you The NSW Government launched Dine & Discover NSW to encourage the community to get out and about and support dining, arts and recrea on businesses. NSW residents aged 18 and over can apply for 6 x $25 vouchers, worth $150 in total. 3 x $25 Dine NSW Vouchers to be used for dining in at restaurants, cafés, bars, wineries, pubs and clubs or for takeaway meals. 3 x $25 Discover NSW Vouchers to be used for entertainment and recrea on, including cultural ins tu ons, live music, and arts venues. The vouchers can be used: 7 days a week, including public holidays at par cipa ng NSW businesses un l 30 June 2022.
