My failure to deliver a Beagle Weekender last week was a first in 278 edi ons. Every Friday, come rain hail or cyclone I have managed to deliver and publish the Weekender but last week saw me ‘otherwise occupied’, flat out in a hospital bed and in a pleasant daze that drew me in and out of the world of Morpheus as I recovered from surgery.
While I could describe my malady in detail all you really need to know is that I once had a le kidney and now I don’t. But this editorial is not about the kidney. It is about our incredible public health system and the dedicated people we have working in it.
For the past six years The Beagle has run stories on the declining state of public health services brought on by failures in administra on, cost cu ng, poor decision making and more recently bloody mindedness on the part of bureaucrats and poli cians that borders on neglect.
But the people of Eurobodalla, and the South East have stood firm in support of our health workers. The community first signed a pe on that resulted in recogni on of the need for a Regional hospital. That same pe on demanded improvements to funding for interim improvements to be made to services and resources un l the new hospital was completed.
An addi onal pe on, to be formally handed over next week, calls for the promised radiotherapy facility to be delivered.
Each me our local nurses have gone on strike for improved pa ent ra os and improved wages the local community have again supported them.
And all the while, at arms length, The Beagle has done what it can to understand the outcries, to report the frustra ons and anger and to reveal the poli cal and bureaucra c shor alls. I have spoken to so many nurses and doctors wan ng to understand their frustra ons and apprecia ng their passion and dedica on but never really knew first hand just how incredible our health workers are and how fortunate we are already with the services we have at hand in the South East.
In a nutshell my own recent health journey required me to jump onto the public health conveyor belt. From the me that I first became aware of my condi on the transi on between doctors, specialists, pathology, scans and eventually surgery was seamless. Everything I needed in readiness was at hand in Eurobodalla, other than the team of specialist urology surgeons. That required travel to Wollongong where I was cared for 24/7 by a team of dedicated hospital staff, from doctors to nursing staff and wards folk. And all of this was under Medicare, in a public hospital, in a system we so o en hear is under funded and under resourced.
Having wandered the planet and seen first hand the public health systems being offered up elsewhere I am in awe of what we have at hand already here in Australia. We are indeed the Lucky Country with the health system we have, yet for one reason or another those in power chose to devalue its workers, defund its resources, defund its research, underfund its training, disempower its protests and suggest instead that “all is good” and they know best.
My editorial today is to recognise those who were there with me on my journey. From the local doctors to the pathology people and then on to those in Wollongong. It was my journey, but made all the easier via the genuine care and regard I received at every step of the way by dedicated humans who went above and beyond, as they do with every pa ent they encounter
I note that a Liberal senator has indicated that she intends to change the way she votes a er the recent passing of her father. Possibly what public health in Australia needs is for our poli cians and bureaucrats to experience first hand the resource we have at hand, marvel and celebrate those at its coalface, and then rise to do all they can to improve it and to show due respect for those dedicated to keeping it running.
Back in 2017, the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism met with representa ves from Roads and Mari me Services (now Transport for NSW) to propose a floa ng pontoon wharf for the use of recrea onal boats and seaplanes.
The Chamber had a seat at the commi ee that reviewed the effects to the foreshore and strongly supported the pontoon concept. When planning of the new Batemans Bay bridge developed, the proposed pontoon wharf was incorporated into the bridge works as a trade-off for infrastructure replacement that would be lost during the bridge construc on.
The Chamber worked with Tim Gilbo from South Coast Seaplanes in developing a concept for the pontoon wharf. In due course, Transport for NSW accepted the concept for the pontoon wharf, but the design which had been developed with John Holland Construc ons was a closely guarded secret and despite many requests for access to the design drawings, all requests by the Chamber were turned down.
Eurobodalla Shire Council adopted the pontoon wharf into their Batemans Bay Waterfront Master Plan with a nota on on their drawings that the new wharf would be suitable for seaplanes.
Following construc on of the wharf it became evident that only the smallest of seaplanes, of which there is one such cra on the south coast, could u lise the new facility.
In all of the Chamber’s discussions, it was made clear that the vision for the new pontoon would be to facilitate water born air services to Canberra and Rose Bay in Sydney.
Aaron Shaw, the principal of Sydney Seaplanes and two of his pilots dropped in this week in their 10-passenger seaplane to assess the suitability of the pontoon wharf for his cra .
Aaron is keen to establish the air services outlined above and a er viewing the wharf decided that with minor modifica ons to the wharf deck, his planes may be able to access the wharf.
Ongoing discussions to come up with a proposal for the NSW Government to effect changes to the wharf will be undertaken between Sydney Seaplanes and the Batemans Bay Chamber.
Image: File photo - Sydney Seaplanes
Tuross Head experienced a heavy downpour of rain on 28 September 2022 resul ng in stormwater inunda on of Council’s sewer system. As a result, there was a brief overflow from Council’s sewage pump sta on into a drain that flows into Coila Lake. Council have advised the NSW EPA of the overflow.
A Council Environmental Health Officer has advised "There is the poten al for pathogens to be in the water that could cause illness in humans and animals, therefore the sign was posted. There was no environmental impact expected on the fauna and flora in the area.
"Samples have been taken and the signs will be removed when sa sfactory results are received. Council recommends that swimming in waterways be avoided for several days following rain due to debris and other material being washed into them".
The response to the signage by a member of the group looking at the current development proposal for this area was"Given the huge volume of rain we are currently experiencing and the likelihood of further overflows from the sewerage pump at Coila, I think this illustrates why further development should not be sustained at Tuross as this could well lead to a greater number of overflows in the future which will impact not only humans, domes c pets but also wildlife even though council has indicated there should be no impact on wildlife due to the current overflow".
Organiser Andrew Everard, from SHASA’s Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts Eurobodalla (EVEE) says "There’s a new wave in motoring – electric vehicles are on their way, and they’re be er and cheaper than ever. Our neighbours in the ACT have introduced a ban on sales of new fossil fuel light vehicles from 2035, offer a two year registra on holiday for new EV sales, and will be charging registra on fees based on emissions rather than vehicle weight.
"The NSW government aims for 50% of new vehicle sales to be EVs by 2030 and has removed stamp duty and provides a $3,000 rebate for new EV car purchases".
As a result of this ground swell of interest, the South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) is running an Electric Vehicle Expo at Corrigans Beach, Batehaven on Saturday 1 October, between 10.00am and 2.00pm.
It’s an opportunity to meet local EV owners and talk to retailers of new and used EVs as well as EV bikes, boats, and scooters. You can also test drive the SHASA Nissan Leaf and experience an electric vehicle for yourself.
“It isn’t just cars!” said Andrew Everard, from SHASA’s Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts Eurobodalla (EVEE). “We’ve also approached retailers of electric bikes, boats and scooters. If we’re going to Electrify Everything we should cover the whole range of possibili es!”
"Across the Eurobodalla, the frequency and severity of climate related natural disasters has increased much faster than expected. Carbon in the atmosphere (emissions) con nues to rise - the average Eurobodallan produces about twenty tonnes of C02 each year. Switching to an EV saves roughly 3 tonnes per year. Charging it from roo op solar or other renewable energy sources saves another 4 tonnes per year. That’s one third of average household emissions gone in a heartbeat".
Residents can rid themselves of unwanted chemicals at Eurobodalla Council’s Household Chemical Cleanout this October long weekend.
This annual event provides the community with drop-off points at Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma for pes cides, gas bo les, paints and varnishes, and other household chemicals. Council’s waste services manager Nathan Ladmore said many common household chemicals were poten ally harmful.
“By dropping them at a collec on point, they can be disposed of safely,” he said. Items accepted include paints, fungicides, household ba eries, oxidisers, weed killers, household cleaners, fuel, compact fluorescent light globes, oils, syringes, poisons, acids and alkalis, pool chemicals, gas cylinders, medicines, fer lisers and smoke detectors.
Asbestos, explosives, clinical waste and radioac ve materials will not be accepted.
Household Chemical Cleanout collec on points are at:
Gundary Oval car park, Campbell Street Moruya on Saturday 1 October, 8am-2.30pm
Narooma Library car park, Graham Street Narooma on Sunday 2 October, 8am-2.30pm
Hanging Rock boat ramp, Hanging Rock Place Batemans Bay on Sunday 2 October, 8am-2.30pm.
The Household Chemical Cleanout is funded by the NSW Environment Protec on Authority and supported through the Canberra Regional Joint Organisa on. For more informa on visit the Household Chemical Cleanout page or phone Council’s friendly waste services team on 4474 1024.
Come down to Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club this Saturday for a free pizza truck, live music from 6pm for and a great show at 7pm performed by local young people who have been busy this week crea ng theatre from their own stories. and experiences
Na onal cabinet has agreed to li the five day mandatory isola on period for people contrac ng COVID, with the Commonwealth’s chief medical officer declaring “it is me to move away from COVID excep onalism”.
In a landmark step federal, state and territory governments have essen ally moved to trea ng COVID like the flu and similar illnesses.
The isola on requirement will be li ed on October 14. The pandemic payment, designed to compensate workers without sickness leave en tlements and so encourage them to stay at home, will be removed at the same me.
But to protect people at high risk of COVID, na onal cabinet agreed to con nue targeted financial support for casual workers in the aged care, disability care, Aboriginal healthcare and hospital care sectors. The new payment will be on the same basis as the leave payment has been and funded 50:50 between the two levels of government. Notably, the body that advises na onal cabinet, the Australian Health Protec on Principal Commi ee (AHPPC), made up of federal and state health officers, was not asked for advice. Instead Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly provided wri en advice, at the request of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Several weeks ago Kelly had push back from the AHPPC over the proposal to reduce the isola on period from seven to five days. There was division among the state health officers, and no recommenda on from the commi ee, which is supposed to operate by consensus. Na onal cabinet cut the number of days anyway. Having the advice come just from Kelly this me avoided any prospect of divided health advice. But it will s ll be a controversial decision in some quarters, with epidemiologists and other medical experts split.
Australian Medical Associa on president Steve Robson said those pushing for the isola on periods to be cut were “not scien fically literate and are pu ng the public at risk”.
The strongest push for liberalisa on has come consistently from the NSW government. Albanese said the na onal cabinet decision was unanimous.
Explaining the move from “COVID excep onalism” Albanese told a joint news conference with the other first ministers that as decision makers “we have a responsibility to listen to the health advice but we also have a responsibility to make decisions which are propor onate. That is what we have done.”
“We are changing our posi on based upon changing advice and changing circumstances. And that has to occur. There’s not a role for government in running every bit of people’s lives forever. And that is my firm posi on.”
He said “the nature of emergency measures is that they’re not there with no end date in sight”.
“The flu has existed, and health issues have existed, for a long period of me, and the government hasn’t always stepped in to pay people’s wages while people have health concerns. It is not sustainable to have in place a system whereby the government steps in permanently.”
Kelly, si ng beside Albanese at the news conference, said “Isola on itself cannot be seen in isola on”
It needed to be seen in the context of Australia’s high vaccina on rate, high previous infec on giving further protec on, the availability of treatments, and measures in place to protect the vulnerable.
“It is me to move away from COVID excep onalism, in my view, and we should be thinking about what we do to protect people from any respiratory disease.”
Kelly provided his advice on Thursday. The first ministers discussed the change over dinner on Thursday night.
In his le er of advice Kelly said: “In the current Australian context of low community transmission and high hybrid immunity from vaccina on and recent infec on, it is my view that removing mandated isola on requirements in the current period would not materially detract from Australia’s pandemic response and would be consistent with the current aims of that response.
"We have seen a rapid and substan al decrease in cases, hospitalisa ons and ICU admissions, and the number and size of Residen al Aged Care outbreaks since the peak of the most recent BA.5 wave at the end of July 2022.
"Whilst we are closely monitoring new sub-variants of the Omicron variant which con nue to emerge, at this stage the situa on in Australia is stable.
"In contrast to earlier stages in the pandemic response, Australia now has a number of readily accessed pharmaceu cal measures (vaccines and treatments), rapid diagnos c capability, adequate personal protec ve equipment and appropriate infec on preven on and control procedures to protect those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and to limit outbreaks in high-risk se ngs.
"On the basis of these current epidemiological and pandemic control se ngs, in the context of high underlying immunity within the popula on, as well as readily available pharmaceu cal interven ons, I consider that a change in mandated isola on periods at this me is a reasonable approach.”
However Kelly stressed new waves of COVID were highly likely and constant vigilance was needed. He urged a detailed transi on plan to “adequately prepare Australia to respond to a surge in cases”.
Business, anxious to ensure the economy is as open as possible, especially in light of the worsening economic head winds, welcomed the decision.
The Ai Group (Australian Industry Group) said scrapping the mandatory isola on period “gets the balance right between the health of the community and the desperate need for workers facing so many businesses”.
Meanwhile the Australian Defence Force assistance to aged care facili es to help with COVID ended on Friday. This support has been provided throughout the pandemic, with reinforced efforts announced in February, a er Omicron surged. This ar cle was first published in The Conversa on
Students will learn how to introduce themselves, talk about family, and how to order in café. They will also find their way around the general language and be prepared to speak French, while having more independence when travelling around French speaking areas.
Commencing on the 14th November for 4 weeks, 5:30pm - 7pm
There will be course fee of $120.00 for all four sessions.
To find out more about this or enrol, contact the administra on team at admin@southcoastcolleges.edu.au or call 02 4472 9202!
Get on in to Bay Soldiers this Saturday and Sunday for The Best of Eurobodalla Expo in our auditorium. See a range of great businesses from the local region with goods and services on offer. Entry is free both days from 10am.
There will also be raffles throughout both days of the event with goods and services from the businesses to be won!
In two separate funding announcements, future events in the Eurobodalla - both big and smallhave had a boost thanks to financial support from the Eurobodalla Council and NSW Government.
The River of Art Fes val and Narooma Oyster Fes val each received Council funding of $20,000 per year, in a three-year agreement.
Tourism events coordinator Oliver Ba en said both fes vals were significant large-scale events for the shire, offering dis nc ve experiences and a racted huge numbers of tourists.
“Council’s funding offers organisers a solid base and a show of confidence from which to con nue their quests for funding and sponsorship to run these growing events.”
“It’s fantas c to see our hallmark events flourishing this year with Narooma Oyster Fes val smashing record numbers and River of Art recently delivering the spectacular Luminous: Art A er Dark event,” Mr Ba en said.
Mr Ba en commended volunteer commi ees behind the events, saying their efforts cannot go unrecognised.
“Their commitment to showcasing Eurobodalla as a vibrant, diverse and fun place to live and visit is incredibly important,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to work collabora vely with the commi ees on these annual events.”
Mayor Mathew Hatcher was pleased to announce the hallmark funding at the River of Art fes val launch earlier this month.
“These events create a sense of local pride through highligh ng the unique produce, arts and culture of Eurobodalla to the thousands of visitors who a end,” Mayor Hatcher said. “The three-year funding agreement gives these events long-term surety of council support.”
In other news, Council has secured $287,582 from the state government’s Reconnec ng Regional NSW Community Events Program. The funding has been allocated to six community events which will be held between October 2022 and March 2023.
Three events will be run by Council’s community development and arts departments. This includes a series of crea ve arts events, a celebra on of children and families, and an all-abili es fes val.
The Bay Pavilions will run a community events program comprising eight separate marquee events.
In March, Adventure Junkie will host an adventure race with kayaking, trekking and mountain biking in Batemans Bay and Mogo areas.
Tourism company Southbound Escapes will offer ‘Connec on to Country’, involving First Na ons experiences for locals and visitors.
Eurobodalla’s domes c waste and li er services will look a li le different as new trucks take to the streets.
Waste services company, Cleanaway, is the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s new contractor for both household kerbside collec on and public place li er collec on.
They take over collec on services this Saturday 1 October 2022 a er the seven-year contracts were finalised earlier this year. Council’s waste services manager Nathan Ladmore said Cleanaway will con nue a quality service that protects and preserves the environment.
He said the Cleanaway trucks were packed with safety features and new technology.
“The new trucks have an automa c brake that engages when reversing if needed as well as 360-degree cameras for the safety of residents and visitors, especially throughout holiday mes when the shire’s popula on explodes,” Mr Ladmore said.
Mr Ladmore said the collec on service will not change for residents
“Con nue to put your bins out the night before your collec on day and they will be serviced as usual, just by a new blue truck,” he said.
Mr Ladmore congratulated former contractor Suez, who held the collec on contract for 25 years.
“Suez and their local staff have served this community very well over many years, including during the bushfires when they went above and beyond to help,” Mr Ladmore said.
“We thank them for their dedicated service.” For all enquiries, please contact Council on 4474 1000.
For more details on the garbage service collec on, visit Council’s website at www.esc.nsw.gov.au
www.iga.com.au/
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, 2 October 2022, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to Sunday, 2 October 2022, 3:00:00 am local daylight me instead.
In 1895, George Hudson, an entomologist from New Zealand, came up with the modern concept of daylight saving me. He proposed a two-hour me shi so he'd have more a er-work hours of sunshine to go bug hun ng in the summer.
His shi -work job gave him leisure me to collect insects and led him to value a er-hours daylight. In 1895, he presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society proposing a two-hour daylight-saving shi ,] and considerable interest was expressed in Christchurch; he followed up with an 1898 paper
From 1 October, regional Australians in Eden-Monaro will be helped into their first home through the Federal Government’s Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee - three months earlier than promised.
The delivery of this elec on commitment will mean 10,000 places will be available each financial year through the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee to support regional first home buyers to purchase new or exis ng homes with a deposit of as li le as five per cent.
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee will provide a government guarantee of up to 15 per cent for eligible first home buyers, so regional Australians with a 5 per cent deposit can avoid paying mortgage insurance.
To be eligible for a Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, applicants must be Australian ci zens, purchase outside a capital city, and demonstrate they have been living in the region in which they are purchasing the property (or adjacent regional area) for at least 12 months.
Property price caps and income caps will be consistent with the exis ng First Home Guarantee, administered by the Na onal Housing Finance and Investment Corpora on (NHFIC).
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee is part of the Government’s ambi ous housing reform agenda to support people into home ownership and improve the supply and quality of social and affordable housing, which includes:
· Widening the remit of the Na onal Housing Infrastructure Facility, making up to $575 million available to invest in social and affordable housing;
· A $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund which will build 30,000 new social and affordable housing proper es in its first five years;
· A Na onal Housing Supply and Affordability Council to increase housing supply and improve affordability;
· A Na onal Housing and Homelessness Plan to set and deliver short, medium and long term goals to improve housing outcomes across Australia; and
· The Help to Buy program, which will reduce the cost of buying a home by up to 40 per cent for 10,000 Australians a year.
Member for Eden-Monaro and Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP said Australians living in regional areas like Eden Monaro are finding it increasingly difficult to save a sufficient deposit.
“The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee will help aspiring first homebuyers living in the Eden-Monaro gain home ownership sooner by overcoming the deposit hurdle,” Ms McBain said.
“I have heard from people living across Eden-Monaro from Berridale to Pambula, Tumut to Yass and Braidwood, the need for regional assistance to tackle the housing affordability crisis we inherited.
“This is part of our government’s plan to support more people to purchase their own home as well as inves ng in social and affordable housing”
Researchers have rugged up and headed off the coast of Batemans Bay to spend nights monitoring Li le Penguins on Snapper Island. This Spring, more intense monitoring efforts will take place as part of a new conserva on research ini a ve.
Eurobodalla Shire Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) are working together to ensure the penguin colony is be er understood and breeding success is maximised into the future.
Senior DPE scien st Nicholas Carlile and his team of penguin researchers have been working with Council’s environment team over the past few years.
Together, they have monitored marine debris and restored penguin habitat by removing weeds, replan ng na ve vegeta on, and added ar ficial burrows to create more nes ng opportuni es. Mr Carlile said researchers will be moving about the island a er sunset un l early hours of the morning.
“We will be working at night on the island to enable a full count of the popula on,” he said. “A GPS tracking study to look at the movements of the birds may also be carried out. While ligh ng of the birds at night is not recommended, lights will be seen on the island as researchers move about doing their studies.”
Council’s invasive species supervisor Paul Mar n said the research will help be er understand the conserva on status of the species in NSW. He said research will also capture the penguins’ movements in rela on to available food resources and poten al threats to their survival.
“We are so lucky to have Snapper Island here in the Bay; all our efforts out there appear to be increasing the breeding success of the island’s Li le Penguins,” Mr Mar n said.
“This increased monitoring will really help us to understand popula on trends and how to best tailor habitat restora on efforts to benefit these cute li le guys.”
Mr Mar n reminded the public Snapper Island was a no-go zone. “The general public must adhere to Council’s no landing policy as many of the penguin burrows are hidden under a dense carpet of knee-high vegeta on,” he said.
“The penguins can very easily be trodden on and injured or killed. Visita on can also lead to nest abandonment, so it’s super important we keep disturbance to an absolute minimum.”
The penguin monitoring on Snapper Island is part of the Seabirds to Seascapes research program, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust. Research was being led by key scien sts from the Department of Planning and Environment, Macquarie University and Taronga Conserva on Society.
More informa on on the research program can be found at www.dpie.nsw.gov.au. Volunteers are welcome to par cipate in Council’s habitat restora on ac vi es which occur outside of the nes ng season.
If you are interested, contact Paul Mar n: P: 4474 1000
The crime that has intrigued people of the Far South Coast for 142 years – the 'Bermagui Mystery' – s ll remains a mystery despite the best efforts of about 25 amateur sleuths.
They joined members of Narooma and Bermagui Historical Socie es and the Montreal Goldfield Management Commi ee to retrace the mystery from Bermagui to Mystery Bay.
Five men disappeared from Bermagui on Sunday 10 October 1880. Their bodies were never found, only their boat deliberately wrecked near what is now known as Mystery Bay.
Lost were Government Geological Surveyor Lamont Young, sent to survey the new Montreal goldfields, his assistant Max Schneider, and three men from Batemans Bay – boat owner Tom Towers, William Lloyd and Daniel Casey. Their disappearance quickly became known as ‘the Bermagui Mystery’.
Bermagui Historical Society President Alan Douch said, “We were delighted to a ract people from Moruya to Eden, all of whom were quote fascinated with how the mystery unfolded during the day”.
“This is the fi h me we’ve held this event and amazingly each me we seem to consider something more, even this long a er the tragedy,” said Narooma Historical Society President Laurelle Pacey. This included confusion in the original records about where the boat was wrecked, Corunna Point or Mystery Bay. Then one man who was never considered a suspect at the me le the Tilba area abruptly the day a er the boat was discovered, never to return. It turns out he may have also had another but similar iden ty.
Dave Co on of Bermagui Historical Society provided the map combining old maps and evidence from the me to give people a clear overview of the area between Bermagui and Corunna Point.
While this me there were no descendants of any of the people involved in the tragedy, some had been in contact with Judi Hearn of the Montreal Goldfields commi ee in recent days.
“So while we are no closer to solving the mystery, everyone went away mulling over what might have happened and why,” Ms Pacey said. “The mystery remains.”
Above: Judi Hearn of Montreal Goldfields Management Commi ee outlines to the gathered throng on Sunday the scene on the Montreal goldfields and what was seen from the beach on the fateful morning Sunday 10 October 1880. Photo courtesy Wendy Douch.
A Poet, a Priest and an Architect walk into a hall in Moruya for a chat……..
The census data tells us we just might be losing our religion. So, what are we losing, what does it mean, does it ma er anyway and where is spirituality in all of this change?
Join us in the hall for a conversa on with architect and writer Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, priest and academic Reverend Dr Jane Foulcher and poet, John Foulcher in Moruya on Saturday 8th October at The Mechanics Ins tute Hall.
We hope you can join us for what promises to be a fascina ng conversa on, facilitated by Linda Chapman, with me for Q&A and pples to follow at the Red Door Hall.
Dr Elizabeth Farrelly is a significant public intellectual and writer. The current Writer in Residence at the University of Sydney’s Henry Halloran Trust, a er thirty years the Sydney Morning Herald’s weekly principle essayist on urban planning and city-making. Trained in architecture and philosophy with a PhD in urbanism from the University of Sydney. Her 2007 book Blubberland; the dangers of happiness, considered climate change as a spiritual issue. Her most recent book is Killing Sydney; the fight for a city’s soul.
Jane Foulcher is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Theology at Charles Sturt University. Jane has par cular interests in Chris an spirituality and mys cal theology. An Anglican priest, her doctoral research in the area of monas c theology, was published as Reclaiming Humility: Four Studies in the Monas c Tradi on.
John Foulcher has wri en twelve books of poetry, most recently 101 Poems, a selec on from his previous books, and Dancing with Stephen Hawking. His work has appeared in Australian magazines and anthologies over nearly forty years, and he has received and been short-listed for many awards.
Poems from his first book, Light Pressure, were set for study on the New South Wales Higher School Cer ficate syllabus for ten years. In 2010-11 he was the Literature Board’s resident at the Keesing Studio in Paris.
Mechanics Ins tute, Page St, Moruya 3pm Sat 8 October.
How many different species can you find? During a walk around the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden the challenge is to iden fy and record as many living things as you can – including insects!
The botanic garden will host its first BioBlitz event on Sunday 2 October, star ng at 10am.
BioBlitz is a Na onal Geographic challenge where scien sts, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity. Garden manager Michael Anlezark said the BioBlitz will be a fun day for the whole family.
“It will be a day looking at nature and learning more about the beau ful plants and animals in our region,” Mr Anlezark said.
BioBlitz is all about discovering, iden fying, and recording as many living things in the one loca on as possible during a short period of me.
“Par cipants get to interact with and learn from experts, and also offer their own local exper se and insights,” Mr Anlezark said.
Par cipants can contribute observa ons through the iNaturalist smartphone app. “Data collected through the app will contribute to scien fic research and conserva on planning across the globe,” Mr Anlezark said.
iNaturalist was already helping the botanic garden be er understand seasons when plants were flowering and what insects were about.
“People have taken beau ful photos of fungi and insects which we would not have been able to appreciate without iNaturalist,” Mr Anlezark said.
“We are also ge ng a much be er picture of the post-fire recovery of the garden.”
Since the bushfires, Mr Anlezark said the garden has grown rapidly with the help of decent rainfall. He said rare species started popping up!
“Last year we spo ed the rarely-seen East Lynne Midge Orchid, which only occurs in the area between Moruya and Ulladulla,” Mr Anlezark said.
The botanic garden is a great place to get a glimpse of a broad range of na ve plants.
“All of the plants in the garden are na ve to the broader Eurobodalla region, which makes it a great place to learn about the local biodiversity,” he said.
“The garden also includes a large area of natural forest which is home to a fascina ng array of wildlife.”
The BioBlitz offers hikes for all ages so everyone can get involved.
“We hope to see many people taking photos; we can help with the iNaturalist app as needed,” Mr Anlezark said.
“For younger children, we have find-it sheets which does not require a phone.
“For those who just want to come and appreciate the garden in Spring and leave their phone in their pocket – that’s ok too.”
More informa on or to register for the BioBlitz, visit www.erbg.org.au
Oct 1st - Joe Driscoll – Club Narooma (5.30pm)
Oct 1st - Flock of Haircuts at Tomakin Social club
Oct 1st - Live in the Lounge Alexie Pigot at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club
Oct 2nd - Three Hours South at Tukka Cafe, Moruya
The Montague Choristers would like to invite you to their Spring Concert at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 2 ; their first 'proper' concert since Covid. They'll be singing some wonderful a cappella music by Renaissance and Roman c composersmadrigals, chansons, lieder and part-songs. The concert is at All Saints' Anglican Church, Bodalla, entry by dona on.
Oct 7th - Mul Golden Guitar winner Catherine Bri will be performing at Smokey Dan's Tomakin
Oct 8th - Joe Quennell – Tuross Club (6.30pm)
Oct 9th - Jamie Parkinson – Tomakin Club (1pm)
Oct 9th - Greg Byng plays Grumpys in Mogo at 12pm
Oct 15th - Ricky Bloomfield at Club Tuross
Oct 16th - Eurobodalla Live at the Moruya Golf Club
Oct 21st - Tyler Hauptberger @One Tree In
It’s vanishingly rare in a columnist’s life that a vision of the future suddenly arrives that seems so absolutely inevitable that you race for the computer to get it down before its outlines have the chance to fray.
It happened in the early hours of this morning, so here it is in a nutshell: The campaign for the referendum on The Voice gathers momentum and passes resoundingly six months before the re-election of the current government. Inspired, we embark on the next step to declare a republic in which the office of Governor-General and/or Head of State is replaced by an ‘Elder’ of Aboriginal heritage with no executive or electoral powers but as Australia’s ceremonial representative. She or he would be chosen by the National Cabinet of PM and Premiers and reside for a set term at a purpose-built residence on the land currently set aside for the new prime ministerial Lodge overlooking Lake Burley Griffin.
All very nice, I hear you cry, but totally idealistic and impractical.
Well, maybe. Let’s see the barriers we need to overcome to reach it. The closer you get to them, I discovered, the more fragile they become.
The Voice already has the backing of the Government and most of the crossbench. The truth-telling has begun with Aboriginal filmmakers and supportive authors and artists from all shades of the community. Rachel Perkins’ The Australian Wars might have begun with SBS, but its effect is a starting gun that will be followed by other programs, books and artistic endeavour with powerful appeal across the social spectrum.
Once The Voice is established under the guiding hand of a much underestimated Anthony Albanese, it will seem a very natural addendum to our system of governance. Support for the Republic will rise accordingly, boosted by the inevitable public downgrading of the monarchy in the international backlash against colonialism and the antics of the Charles and Camilla regime.
By voting time, the Dutton-Taylor Opposition and the Anglo-Australian reactionaries will be reduced to a slim, if noisy, minority.
But what of the form this republic might take? Surely that’s the stumbling point to split the republicans down the middle once again. Well, this is where practicality and the scientific method of peer review take centre stage.
Let’s forget the silly nonsense of the ARM which has been run into the ground by its current leadership. Its latest model of multiple State voting arrangements signed its own death warrant.
More importantly, it turns out that we have already tested an exact template in miniature, right in the heart of the nation. And it’s operated without a hitch for no less than 34 years. The ACT Government simply eliminated the Head of State notion as some kind of constitutional or electoral referee.
The ACT Parliament meets after an election on the third Saturday of October every four years. In its wake the Parliament elects a Speaker and a Chief Minister who appoints her/his Ministers. She/he signs the Bills passed into law. If the Chief Minister resigns or loses a majority vote, the next order of business chooses a replacement. All authority rests with the elected representatives. Should some extreme constitutional issue arise, it would be resolved by the High Court.
Finally, that would allow the National Cabinet – for whose prominence, in glorious irony, we must thank one Scott Morrison - to choose a figurehead to salve the wounds of national tragedy and lead the rejoicing of Australian achievement. And who better than a member of the First Nations to whom we owe an unrepayable debt.
Now tell me that’s not a vision splendid.
Bazza joined the lament about the rain with the older blokes gathered around the bar.
‘Know all Ron’ held court and cleared his throat.
“There was the big rain back in 1860. You know….. Araluen was pre y much washed away with flash flooding. In fact, a number of people lost their lives.”
A long pause and a few murmurs of concurrence.
‘Timeless Tom’ weighed in.
“Yeah….. but this is such a long rain, Ron. It’s been going on for a long while now……. not just down here but all over the place. We are talking long term damage from the rain and not just to roads, bridges and similar infrastructure. It’s had a huge impact on how and where we live. I reckon we need to make some pre y significant decisions.”
Yuin Na on Elder, Noel, let out a long sigh.
“Tom is right…….. I reckon a er a rain like this one, we need to talk about the displacement of people on a grand scale, star ng with the North Coast. We can’t ignore the impact of this con nual rain. This long rain has caused some major damage to some of our Sacred Sites down here. It’s a good thing they are resilient.”
Noel shi ed to allow Mick to join the group.
“We are just talking about this long rain, Mick.”
Mick took in the sullen faces and touched his black armband.
“Yeah…..seventy years of Queen Elizabeth II was a long reign. I feel your pain. Even Bazza, seems somewhat upset. Now cheer up, another reign begins with King Charles III.”
Incessant rain on the n roof s fled further conversa on.
Have a beer with Bazza at john.longhurst59@gmail.com
Come to Batemans Bay (Tuesday 4 October, 5.30pm) or Narooma (Wednesday 5 October, 5.30pm) libraries to hear local author Sandi Logan discuss his book 'Betrayed: the incredible untold story of the two most unlikely drug-running grannies in Australian history'.
Join for nibbles, a glass of wine and a chat with journalist Sandi about this fascina ng story Books will be available for purchase from Candelo Books
Free event, bookings essen al. More info and bookings: h ps://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/ community/libraries/whats-on
THE Minister for Lands has announced the Government’s inten on to grant £200,000 for rabbit-proof fencing.
The following tennis players will represent Moruya against Bateman’s Bay to-day on the local courts:Mesdames Ison, Simpson, Armstrong, and Sanders, Messrs. Carter, Knight, Feneley, Armstrong and Sanders. Play to commence at 1.30 p.m.
MR. T Cooper is having his Campbell Street property improved by the erec on of a new paling fence, Mr. F. Ryan being the contractor. If other landowners would go and do likewise, the appearance of some of the town’s back yards would be greatly enhanced.
MR. James Greig, of Bergalia, has purchased a new Buick car through the local agent, Mr. Weatherby. The new locomo ve apparatus arrived under the care of the agent last Friday. The color is French grey, and is of the famous four cylinder type. Mr. Greig took over on Monday last, and under the tui on of the sub-agent, Mr. Nelson, is progressing favourably towards the manipula on of same. This is the third Buick for Bergalia in the last six months, and brings the total number of cars up to five for the place. Now, Henry, what about the purchase of a “Lizz.”
OWING to heavy rain falling on Saturday a ernoon and evening the dance at Bodalla in aid of the Moruya hospital was not very well a ended, however those present had a very enjoyable me. A novelty waltz was won by Mr. G. Cra and Miss Alice Lipscombe. Mr. E. Anlezark was M.C. and Mr. Desclen was in his usual place at the piano.
NAROOMA. (From our Correspondent.) The wood-chop … was held on the 23rd instant, under the auspices of the Soldiers War Memorial Hall Commi ee. The £5 prize and the logs were generously donated by Mr. J. P. Hyland, of the Narooma Hotel. There was a fairly large a endance, and during the chopping contest there was keen excitement, which made a very enjoyable a ernoon. A collec on was taken up on the ground by the commi ee resul ng in the sum of £3 being added to the Memorial Hall Fund. Following is the result of the chop: - Final. C. Backhouse, 13 secs – 1; T. Hawke, 26 – 2; R. McMillan, scratch – 3. Barling Bros. were unfortunate in having their axes damaged during the chop. A lively squad of the Narooma Progress Associa on was very busy on Wednesday plan ng ornamental trees along the southern side of Campbell Street sec on of the Prince’s Highway, which, if all goes well, will further add to the beauty of Narooma in the future. The trees were received from the Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc. h ps:// www.mdhs.org.au
The Beagle Editor,
The image shows the Crown land reserve off Turnbull's Lane currently for sale for the equivalent of $4000 per house block size (40x20m) to one neighbour, the Lot 6 owner with Council’s full encouragement, while the eastern neighbours would need to pay 40 mes that amount and are given no considera on from Council for the pricing discrepancy.
At the 13 September, council mee ng two very reasonable mo ons were raised by Cllr Worthington — that Council withdraw support for sale of the land and that Council consider use of the reserve as part of a recrea on route for future residents. Instead, the mee ng was subjected to a string of fatuous comments presented in the General Manager’s report that had not a shred of evidence to support any of its nega ve claims. Having only Clr Mayne in support, the mo ons were lost.
The reserve is a 20 -25m wide paper road and although Council claims it is a narrow corridor subject to crime and an social behaviour it has calmly existed as a reserve for many years and has been well managed by its eastern neighbours. It has 4 important trees that council had noted as ‘to be retained’ but no house block will keep them.
The Reserve has the poten al to meet one of the high priori es — E 13 of Council’s Recrea on Open Space Strategy for trails and track-based ac vi es as well as addressing the community desire for open space networks close to their home spaces. The reserve has poten al to become a re recrea on trail linking Turnbulls Lane to Dwyers Creek road.
Although there will be 97 housing blocks in Lot 6 and some are large enough for double density, Council is using the opaque argument that the reserve is needed for housing!! Council’s inten ons area clear — no management responsibili es, no community recrea on space, no consulta on with exis ng neighbouring land managers, fill up the area with around six ba le-axe blocks, and get rid of the significant trees.
The idea that reserve becomes a linear network trail recrea on space, a green buffer, a site for enhancing an environmental corridor, and with a con nuing community management is not in the Council’s mindset.
The Bathla Group has now started construc on in Lot 6, but the decision for the Reserve rests with Crown Lands and Council has been nego a ng with Crown Lands, no doubt to ensure it gets support for its dismal inten ons. While Council encourages the purchase of the reserve by the Lot 6 owner, it has had absolutely no liaison or discussion with the eastern neighbours who s ll manage the land and who will clearly suffer a loss of amenity from Council’s cavalier approach to local planning. Once this green space, a remnant of the Lagoon Road route goes, it is lost forever.
29 September 2022
Juliet Ramsay, friend of the reserveWe’re on again! Part of the Eurobodalla Arts’ calendar since 2016, Eurobodalla Writers are once again teaming up with local ar sts to present two evenings’ entertainment. 13 writers have been paired with 13 ar sts, with the writers using their ar st’s work as inspira on for their wri ng.
Where: Moruya Library mee ng rooms (opposite The Bas)
When: Thursday October 13 and Thursday October 27
Time: 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Program: Refreshments followed by presenta on of the ar sts’ and writers’ work, plus audience ques ons (7 pairs in Salon 1, 6 pairs in Salon 2)
Cost: Free
Display of art works: Salon 1, Mon 3 Oct -Thurs 13 Oct, Moruya Library
Salon 2, Mon 17 Oct – Thurs 27 Oct, Moruya Library
Bookings essen al: Judy Turner (turnersparadise@gmail.com)
These events have been very popular, with hundreds in a endance at the Bas over 3 evenings in 2019 (pre-Covid) and we’d love to see you, so don’t forget to book. Sea ng is limited to 40 for each event.
Presented By: South Coast Pastel Society
Address: Sunshine Bay public School, Beach Road, Sunshine Bay
When: to Monday 3 October.
Cost: Gold Coin dona on
The South Coast Pastel Society 2022 Exhibi on and Compe on is the society’s premier event for the year with ar sts entering works in four categories: Landscape; Seascape; Flora/Fauna and S ll life/Interior. As a judged compe on, the exhibi on always a racts pain ngs of the highest quality in a variety of styles.
Visitors to previous exhibi ons have commented on the breadth of subject ma er and the depth and vibrancy achieved by each ar st in their pain ngs. Pastels are truly a versa le medium!
Each year, the pain ngs are judged by a well known and respected ar st and this year is no excep on with award winning south coast ar st Gary Laird judging the pain ngs and providing insigh ul cri ques on the winning entries. Winners and runners up in each category will be awarded cash prizes generously provided by the society’s loyal sponsors who have con nued to support the society through good mes and bad. The Society is very apprecia ve of this ongoing support. All pain ngs will also be considered for the highly prized “Best in Show” award whilst visitors to the exhibi on will also have the opportunity to nominate their favourite pain ng for the “People’s Choice Award”.
The exhibi on will be open from 1:30pm to 4pm on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September and from 10am to 4pm each day from Monday 26 September to Monday 3 October at the Sunshine Bay Public School, Beach Road, Sunshine Bay.
Entry is by gold coin dona on with the proceeds going to the School.
Grab your friends and grab some ckets for our next show, Calendar Girls, directed by Candy Burgess. Get ready for a joyful, funny and upli ing show!
Tickets on sale Friday h ps://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/932979
Bay Theatre Players Inc brings you Calendar Girls, by Tim Firth, directed by Candy Burgess. Adults $30.50, Concession $28.50, Group 20+ $27.50 all inclusive of booking fees.
The show runs for 2 hours & 20 minutes, including one interval. Please note that no food or drink is allowed in the auditorium. If you need assistance with your booking, contact Rowena - 0404 246 005 www.baytheatreplayers.com
Bookings for Friday, 21/10/22 must be made by contac ng Judy Rafferty of the McGrath Nurse Scholarship Fundraiser on - 0409 000 802. These ckets will be priced differently to the above pricing. Bookings for Friday, 28/10/22 must be made by contact Carol Shor of the Binh Minh School Fundraiser on - 0450775067 These ckets will be priced differently to the above pricing.
DATES Friday 21 October 2022 - Saturday 5 November 2022
The Bay Playhouse 33 Gregory Street, BATEMANS BAY NSW 2536
A er the area was drenched with torrents of rain and the bike path was covered in inches of water, it was only the keen runners who ventured out. The actual runners tackled the 4 kilometres and navigated the water as best they could.
Liza Mar ni (right) made a very welcome appearance this evening. She now lives in Townsville, but she is s ll very much a Broulee person. Back in 2007, she and Mike Kennedy started the event on 7 February of that year, when they were training for the Canberra Marathon in April. Through her many contacts she was able to a ract people to the event. From those seven starters, the event has established itself on the running calendar. Many visitors enjoy the event and in holiday mes we regularly get over 100 par cipants.
Broulee Runners will be highly ac ve in various events this coming weekend. The Lambert family have entered events in the Melbourne Running Fes val. Michael is running the marathon; Ma is running the half-marathon and Bernie is in the 10 kilometres. Karen Harding-Smith has entered the fun run at Reboot Bermagui. Jenny Taylor is a member of a Broulee Team in a 10 Kilometre Sur oat Race on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. We look forward to the results of these champion athletes.
Monday, 26th Sept, 27 ladies competed in a medley stableford event.
Two divisions: Div 1: 0-29 Div 2: 30-45
Division 1 winner was Heather McMillan with a great score of 41 off handicap of 25, Second place went to Sylvia Donohoe who posted a score of 37 off handicap of 3. Division 2 winner was Chris Hendra who also posted a score of 37 off handicap of 33. Second place went to Patricia Benne with a score of 35 C/B off handicap of 39 Balls to 33 C/B
Nearest to pin
Hole 3 Div 2 Heather McMillan
Hole 9 Div 3 Patricia Benne
Hole 17 Div 1 Sylvia Donohoe
Wednesday, 28th September, only 19 ladies braved the inclement weather condi ons to compete in October Monthly Medal. We were treated to a magnificent display by the whales. The overall winner was Dorelle Monteith with a great score of 72 ne off handicap of 17
Runner up was Bec Smart with a ne score of 73 off handicap of 17 Balls to 76
Nearest to pin
Hole 3 Div 1 Sylvia Donohoe
Hole 9 Div 2 Chris Hendra
Hole 14 Div 3 Laura Taylor
Chris Cox (right) was the winner of this weeks THCC men’s Saturday golf compe on.
Played under the par scoring format Chris handed in a card of plus 3.
Jed French was a close second with a plus 2 score. Peter Hogan and Tony Brown, who also scored plus 2, followed on a countback.
Steven O’Shea, with plus 1, filled the remaining award posi on.
4A Col Houghton, 4B Ma Ryan 2.63, 4C John Egli s.
6A Troy Kingdom, 6B Ian McManus, 6C Mike Allen. 7A Nick Brice, 7B Jake Clarke, 7C Pete Johnston.
Thursday’s medley stableford compe on was cancelled due to the return of adverse wet weather.
Saturday’s compe on was able to go ahead by applying adjusted rules to allow for the changed condi ons.
The threat of rain kept the numbers down to only 36 starters for the 2 person Irish Stableford game. The rain almost held off un l the round was complete, a couple of the teams were caught in the rain.
Winners on the day on a countback were Sandra and Ron Hanlon, from Robin and Paul Green, Third place also on a countback went to Paul and Peter Coffey from Jennifer Gray and Steve Johnston. Ball or chocolate winners were Greg Smith and Neal Watson, Greg Bush and Neil Mather, Chris and Ian Wra en, Anne e and Ian Manton, Marg and Ray Downey, Rick Brake and Richard Kelly plus John Cox and Les Thompson.
Nearest the Pin awards went to Frank Pomfret on the 4th, Steve Gardner on the 6th, ladies on the 7th Shirley Quinlan and the mens on the 7th went to Paul Coffey, the Accuracy award also went to Shirley Quinlan.
Moruya River.
With water temps in the river star ng to increase, the fishing ac vity is doing likewise. There have been really good numbers of tailor towards the lower sec ons of the river, with Preddy’s wharf con nuing to be a favourite place to find them early in the morning or late a ernoon early evening. The seals however, have also been enjoying the free feed on offer. If the seals are present, then it’s me to find another spot to fish.
As has been reported earlier in the week, the area known as hole in the wall, is now and always was, free to access and fish. The signs that were placed on the gap are being removed, hopefully they are all ready gone at the me this goes up. I will check this weekend to see what progress has been made.
Further up the system, the bream and flathead have also been present in under the town bridge, so cas ng a few baits or lures from the bridge a er dark could also be an op on.
The weather is going to be a factor this weekend, with the rain we have had this week, slowly star ng to add a bit of colour to Moruya. A li le bit of colour doesn’t hurt, as it can mo vate fish to hunt under a bit more cover.
Tuross river.
Flathead have been the main stay of the ac on this week in Tuross, with fish being taken from the front of the system to the back of the system. So there are plenty of op ons to explore. Trying to find a spot out of the wind, will be part of the ba le early this weekend, but it is forecast to drop as the weekend progresses.
The seals also seem to have found Tuross toothier liking, with reports of several seals taking up residence throughout the systems chasing both the mullet and tailor that are in the system in good numbers. So , like Moruya, if you find the seals are where you want to fish, your best op on is to find another spot. There have also been bass con nuing to move further up into the sweet water, so if bass are something you like to chase, early season is a good me to chase a few big fish.
Rock and beach.
There have been good numbers of salmon on most of the beaches and the Moruya breakwall this week. With 3-4m seas today, the breakwall will be a bit wet, but the seas are forecast to drop off as the weekend progresses. The trick will be to find a spot that is comfortable to fish in the wind and swell condi ons.
Remember no fish is worth going for a swim for!
Offshore.
With big seas today, the Moruya bar needs to be closely watched if you are planning a trip out this weekend. Remember that the bar cam is a really good tool to u lise for those thinking of going offshore. The sea state and wind are forecast to drop this weekend, so be safe if you are thinking of heading out. We have new stock in store to check out, if you need a respite from the weather this weekend, so we have op ons for you.
Stay safe everyone and remember “everyday’s a good day for fishing…” Team Tackle World Moruya.
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.
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
The Victorian Government has recently announced that it was inves ng $3.8 million towards a dedicated taskforce to squash underquo ng in the state’s property market. For those who are not aware of the term, underquo ng is where an unscrupulous agent essen ally “lures” poten al purchasers to look at a property (usually for sale by auc on) with the sugges on that the property will sell for much less than they believe it will.
As property adver sing must not be misleading or decep ve it is illegal for real estate agents to underquote. Yet, it s ll happens from me to me as it gets people to a end auc ons. Unfortunately, it also means that prospec ve purchasers may have spent considerable money undertaking their due diligence such as having pest and building inspec ons done which is then completely wasted as they were never going to be in a posi on to purchase the property due to the underquo ng prac ce.
While it seems the Victorian Government ini a ve should be applauded it has met with mixed reac on in the industry. The move was cri cised by the Real Estate Ins tute of Victoria, which argued it was “overkill”, “not jus fied” and carried out without proper consulta on.
However, there was a very interes ng sugges on that has emerged and was outlined in a recent Realestatebusiness.com.au ar cle. In the ar cle, it was suggested that to fix the problem and provide complete transparency in the auc on process, that it become mandatory for the vendor’s reserve price to be adver sed in all adver sing material. The reason this is such an interes ng sugges on, is that tradi onally the vendor’s reserve price is a very closely guarded secret and generally only known by the vendor(s), the lis ng agent and the auc oneer.
While the “vendor’s bid” may be made known during the auc on, the reserve price is usually never specifically revealed with the auc oneer o en advising bidders that the “property is now on the market” once the reserve has been met or exceeded.
The person sugges ng this change is an auc oneer John Kea ng, managing director and auc oneer at Kea ngs Real Estate. Mr Kea ng said while the Victorian government’s intent behind the taskforce is “honourable”, current rules are “fundamentally flawed” so long as vendors are able to change reserve prices before contracts are signed. He also suggested “The reform should also be Australia-wide. It is ridiculous that every state has different and confusing auc on rules for homebuyers for what is one of the most emo onal and biggest financial decisions most people make.”
It will certainly be interes ng to see if Mr Kea ng’s sugges on gets any trac on as it would be a major change in the way Auc ons are conducted and also in the adver sing surrounding them. Maybe it is just the drama c change the industry needs? As usual, me will tell.
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