Beagle Weekender Vol 279 October 7th 2022

Welcome to this week’s editorial,

While it might be La Nina outside for the third year in a row, and the shire is saturated, we must remember that it wasn’t all that long ago that the shire was under extreme drought that had a major impact on our local farmers, rendered our bushland nder dry and saw our water reserves at concerning levels.

By way of foresight and good engineering the shire has enjoyed the safeguards that enables Deep Creek Dam to be topped up and for treated water to be dispatched from one end of the shire to the other.

Recognising the inevitable increase in demand as our popula on base expanded Council, several GMs and councillor terms ago, developed the idea of having a second water storage dam above the Tuross River.

Now fully funded that project is advancing and it shouldn’t be too far off where we see our second water storage dam completed and full, ready for the next drought. The dam is due to the vision and persistence of Council staff who managed to convince State and Federal governments of the need, and the funding.

Visionaries. Alas they are few and far between. But they are there, quietly plugging away and bringing change, if not rapid, then in baby-steps.

In terms of vulnerabili es we are simple creatures. We need water, food and shelter. Add to this the modern necessity of electricity that produces our Neanderthal need for fire (hea ng, cooking) we have the primary elements to keep us alive and safe from the elements.

But many of us remember the me of the bushfires and the loss of electricity. Days without power that impacted the region and our homes. Refrigerators and freezers failed. People resorted to candles for light, gas cooking un l the gas ran out, and then BBqs when able if there wasn’t a fire ban. The na onal network was down and were cut off. But from that calamity there are new visionaries.

A project being led by the Australian Na onal University has selected eight sites on the south coast to inves gate the feasibility of transi oning “at risk” regional communi es to a network of islandable renewables and ba ery-based microgrids examining the use of microgrids to bolster local energy resilience.

The project is in partnership with the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA), Ba ery Storage and Grid Integra on Program at ANU, network company Essen al Energy, and technology company Zepben. It came about a er SHASA approached the ANU, in a bid to find solu ons to the region’s “power vulnerability,” which had been exposed during the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20.

The project is s ll a work in progress but the key takeaway is that someone saw a problem and had the vision to bring the right folks together to find a local solu on that will, if it comes to frui on, future proof the region from being cut off from the north as was the case in 2019-20.

Building momentum for future proofing the region is the con nuing vision, supported by passion and demand, of local produce with more and more local growers coming on line. Fresh local produce, fresh value added staples of breads, preserves and dry goods. As we increase our local demand and pay respect to our local growers by way of paying a fair price the opportuni es for new growers builds.

Who knows, at some point someone might take up the baton in regards to growing hemp in the region for use in building, clothing, food and medicine. The area is perfect for it. All that needs to happen is for a visionary, with passion, to begin the transi on that could make us the hemp region of Australia.

Any visionaries out there? Maybe the me has come for the new Council to call a VisionFest and pay respect to the vast repository of ideas and knowledge that we have in our community.

Thomson’s winning encounter with $25,000 art prize

Michael Thomson has won the 2022 Basil Sellers Art Prize with his oil on canvas An Encounter on the Path that Leads to the River. Rain and flooding prevented southern tablelands ar st Mr Thomson from accep ng his prize in person. Instead his acceptance speech was read to art lovers gathered for the prize winner announcement at the Basil Sellers Exhibi on Centre on Friday 7 October.

“My work is focused on the concept of iden ty and in par cular male iden ty. In this work I hope to show the subtle es within individual male iden ty and the rela onships between those iden es.”

Mr Sellers was present to make the winners announcement and said he appreciated all the support for the prize and exhibi on. “Many entries were submi ed and there is a lot of work to determine which should make the final cut and go into the exhibi on,” Mr Sellers said.

Above:. 2022 Basil Sellers Art Prize

Winner - Michael Thomson’s oil on canvas An Encounter on the Path that Leads to the River

The Basil Sellers Art Prize has grown from strength to strength since its 2004 incep on and is now open to ar sts across the na on. Also at the opening, Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher announced the winner of the $5,000 Eurobodalla Prize open to exhibi on entrants from the local region.

“The winner of the Eurobodalla Prize for 2022 is Gillian Wilde with her watercolour and ink collage Glory Going,” Mayor Hatcher said.

The Mayor had previously expressed his admira on for Mr Sellers contribu on to both the exhibi on centre and the art prize.

“Both bring extended benefits to our local and na onal arts community and help support the economic and social recovery of our region,” he said.

“I’m thrilled to be standing in this stunning, purpose-built space alongside Mr Sellers – who made this all possible – and with many of the finalists. It’s fair to say the quality of work in this exhibi on is really next-level.”

Na onal Gallery of Australia’s associate curator of Australian art Simeran Maxwell and Basil Sellers Art Prize judge said she appreciated the consistently high quality of work in the exhibi on. “The diversity of subject ma er and medium made this a really hard task – I was looking for technical excellence, original thought and aesthe c,” Ms Maxwell said.

The $500 People’s Choice award winner will be announced on Friday 18 November. The Basil Sellers Art Prize exhibi on runs at the Basil Sellers Exhibi on Centre in Moruya, more fondly known as The Bas, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, un l Sunday 20 November.

Right: 2022 Eurobodalla Prize winner – Gillian Wilde’s watercolour and ink collage Glory Going

GIPA Documents Reveal New Facts about Controversial Dalmeny Land Sale

Eurobodalla Shire Council has finally released informa on about the sale of public land in Dalmeny under a GIPA applica on by the group, Dalmeny Ma ers.

A member of the Dalmeny Ma ers group told The Beagle "The documenta on shows that Council staff have withheld vital informa on from Councillors and the Community alike.

"The informa on accessed includes the Valua on Report for the 40 + Ha parcel sold by ESC to a Sydney Development Company in 2021.

"In this report it is revealed that ESC originally considered selling the land with a 20m wide buffer between exis ng houses and the development area. This land would have been excluded from sale, remain na ve vegeta on and be rezoned for public open space. However this op on was mysteriously not presented to Councillors when they voted to sell the land".

"This buffer may have made a significant difference to Dalmeny residents living adjacent to the Land Release Area, who currently face a future where their bush backdrop is replaced by a massive noisy construc on site alike to that currently experienced by Broulee locals.

Dalmeny Ma ers say "The Valua on Report is prefaced by a recommenda on that ESC seek a review of the price due to the significant uncertainty of the market (covid pandemic).

"A Valua on review did not happen and this fact was also not communicated to Councillors at the me, who therefore voted to sell the land unaware of the risks involved.

"In email correspondence between Council staff and the Real Estate agent selling the land, ESC instructs the estate agent not to 'scare the community' by men oning how many lots the land may poten ally yield.

“The sec on ‘into approximately 300-350 allotments’ concerns us as we don’t want to scare the rest of the community” .

Dalmeny Ma ers say that this es mate is for part of the land release only- with another 70 Ha also proposed for clearing and development.

"Emails also reveal that ESC accepted the offer from Heppa Construc ons, despite it not being the highest, because unlike other offers they did not ask for a due diligence period or make an offer dependent on DA approval. What does this say about this company?"

"There is no publicly available informa on on Heppa Construc ons aside from the fact that it was formed in 2019- no past projects, no company website, nothing.

Dalmeny Ma ers ask "Did Council perform any checks on this company before accep ng the offer?"

Dalmeny Ma ers have been arguing the need for more genuine community consulta on on this development proposal and are s ll awai ng a response from ESC.

Gathering diverse views on biodiversity

The spo ed gum is Eurobodalla’s favourite plant, according to the 204 respondents of an online survey earlier this year, with kangaroos, black cockatoos, burrawangs, echidna, glossy black cockatoos, white-bellied sea-eagles, yellow-bellied gliders, gang gangs and greater gliders making the top ten. Eurobodalla Council’s environmental planner Stacey Clohesy said the survey was part of prepara ons to gauge community interest and understanding around biodiversity.

“Biodiversity is the variety of life, with three levels commonly recognised,” Ms Clohesy said.

“These include the variety in the gene c informa on of individuals within a popula on, the number of different species at a given loca on, and the variety of different habitats within a region.

“At any of these levels, high biodiversity is considered a good thing because it indicates more resilience to changing condi ons. That’s why we need to protect and enhance biodiversity.”

The survey results – along with community workshops, informa on stalls, and stakeholder mee ngs – have given rise to key areas that could provide structure for a dra biodiversity strategy for Eurobodalla. Ms Clohesy said Council would run a series of community drop-in sessions to priori se these areas.

“These key areas include valuing and protec ng biodiversity, enhancing and restoring biodiversity on both public and private land, enabling Yuin People to care for country, and engaging and connec ng the community to biodiversity principles and ac ons,” she said.

“These lead to prac cal ac ons. For example, establishing wildlife corridors or pursuing opportuni es for Indigenous land management. The community’s priori es for different ac ons will form the backbone of a dra Biodiversity Strategy that will be presented to the community early next year.”

Community drop-in sessions will run at

 Batemans Bay Rotary market, Corrigans Beach Reserve Batehaven, on Sunday 16 October, 9am-1pm

 Narooma Rotary Markets, NATA Oval Narooma, on Sunday 23 October, 9am-1pm.



The Bas, Cnr Vulcan and Campbell Streets Moruya, on Wednesday 26 October, 4-6pm

 Moruya Country Markets, Riverside Park Moruya, on Sunday 29 October, 8am-12.30pm.

Pothole repairs priori sed

Eurobodalla Council has diverted its seven road maintenance crews to pothole repairs a er heavy rain and long weekend traffic made a mess of local roads.

The shire’s busiest local roads will be priori sed, like South Head Road and North Head Road in Moruya, George Bass Drive and Cullendulla Drive, and Dalmeny Drive in the shire’s south.

The Council says repairs will be temporary and won’t last long, but the aim is to reduce the risk of vehicle damage and poten al for crashes in the short term.

More permanent repairs will be made once the roads dry out and equipment becomes available.

Hundreds of low-lying and roadside drains will also be cleared of leaf ma er and debris to prevent poten al flooding.

While a strong weather warning is forecast again this week, crews will work in the rain to make the necessary road repairs and unblock drains.

Mayor Mathew Hatcher says the state of the highway con nues to be an issue, with the Transport for NSW work at Turlinjah, north of Bodalla, especially problema c.

The Mayor said Council staff will be in touch with Transport for NSW to request urgent repairs to potholes on the highway in the Eurobodalla.

Drivers are asked to slow down and take extra care on the roads, and to watch out for workers.

Slow down in school zones this spring

Motorists are reminded to slow down and watch for children, as the new school term begins, and school zones come back into force from Monday.

Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regula on Tara McCarthy said drivers must remain vigilant in school zones which are generally in place from 8 to 9.30am and from 2.30 to 4pm.

“With the state dealing with more wet weather, it is par cularly important to stay safe on our roads and we are reminding motorists to take extra care, especially in school zones,” Ms McCarthy said.

“I’m reminding all motorists to slow down near schools, just a couple of kilometres over the speed limit could be the difference between being able to stop in me or not at all.”

Ms McCarthy said school zones are clearly marked with flashing lights and school zone signs.

“More than one million students travel to and from school each day and their safety is our top priority, please slow down near schools and remain extra vigilant par cularly near bus stops, school crossings and Kiss and Ride Zones,” Ms McCarthy said.

“Motorists who don’t obey the rules put lives at risk and face heavy fines and demerits points, which can be higher within school zones.”

The NSW Government has invested an extra $18.5 million to provide 300 new school crossing supervisors and is on track to appoint an addi onal 32 with recruitment already underway. Addi onal school safety is being delivered through ini a ves that improve the visibility of school zones including signage, road markings, and flashing lights.

For more informa on on school zones please visit The Centre for Road Safety site and school road safety educa on site Safety Town h ps://www.safetytown.com.au/

The Shed welcomes males over eighteen with the aim to provide a safe place to be involved in joint projects, snooker, photography, cards, table tennis etc or just have a cuppa and a yarn.

Our general open me is Monday and Thursday 8.00-12.00 am We also open Tuesday 2.00-4.00pm for cards (euchre)

Wednesday 2.00-4.00pm for snooker and the camera group meet Thursday 2.00-4.00pm.

For informa on contact brocky1967@outlook.com or ptuross@bigpond.com

U3A Batemans Bay news

Are you over 50, re red or semi-re red and looking for a new interest?

U3A Batemans Bay Term 4 classes will resume on Monday 10 October at various venues throughout the shire.

U3A Batemans Bay, with over 500 members, is the largest volunteer run organisa on in the Eurobodalla Shire. We have been providing courses and social ac vi es for the over 50s for 25 years. As an organiza on, we are unique in that every person involved, including the commi ee and the tutors are volunteers. Our tutors are members who offer their me, knowledge and interests to others, which helps us keep the cost of par cipa ng low. Our current half yearly fee is $20, with a $5 joining fee, which en tles you to par cipate in as many different courses as you wish providing there are vacancies. Some courses have a small charge.

Anyone interested in joining U3A should go to the website h p://bbay.u3anet.org.au. and access the newsle er which contains the second semester program and an easy schedule indica ng the me and day of classes. The newsle er is also available in hard copy in the shire libraries. You can obtain more informa on by calling the Membership Coordinator Joe, on 0411 327 700. Alterna vely, you can a end the Shopfront which will held on 13 October from 10 – 11.30am in the Mee ng Room at the Batemans Bay Library.

There are over 40 different ac vi es offered this semester at a variety of venues throughout the shire. You can delve into Chinese history, sing your heart out, sketch, dance, join a book group, par cipate in one of our three discussion groups, exercise your mind and body at one of our weekly physical ac vity classes, learn more about wine at one of our wine apprecia on groups or visit local restaurants with our monthly dinner group.

Ac vi es are classified under the broad headings of History and Culture, Science and General Interest, Literary Ac vi es, Arts and Cra s, Physical Ac vi es and Recrea onal Ac vi es. We also offer a Saturday Talks program.

There are three new courses next term, a weekly course, The Ancient Kingdoms of North West China (with a look at China today also), run by Dr Jennifer Brewster, and two short courses, Learning to Relax, and Managing Chronic Pain, both run by psychologist Bill Radley. New members are welcome in all of these courses. These three courses do not appear in the newsle er so please contact Lyn, on coordinator1.u3a.bbay@gmail.com for tutor details.

Many of our con nuing courses also have vacancies. Please contact the tutor, details in the newsle er, to see if the course you are interested in has vacancies.

www.iga.com.au/

First steps towards the Tilba District becoming a Biosphere Reserve

The Tilba District is renowned as one of the most beau ful parts of Australia with Na onal Parks, beaches and rocky coves, plen ful birds, animals and plant life, produc ve agricultural land and rich Indigenous and modern history.

As a result, it is a popular place to live, work and play with tourists visi ng the area each year to join local residents in the villages of Central Tilba, Tilba Tilba and Mystery Bay who enjoy the region year-round.

When the Tilba District Chamber of Commerce undertook community consulta on last year as part of a Strategic Plan for the area, there was strong community concern for the protec on and enhancement of the natural environment of the Tilba District whilst balancing the need to be able to live, work and play in the area in a sustainable way, for the benefit of current and future genera ons.

That Strategic Plan is now being implemented and one key idea is to discuss how best to achieve the community’s goal, including considering whether having the area declared as a Biosphere Reserve would be a valuable step in that direc on. This idea was introduced into the Strategic Plan by Tilba Environment Landcarers.

Biosphere Reserves are UNESCO-endorsed areas of terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems managed with the aim of balancing biodiversity, conserva on and the sustainable use of natural resources.

The aim of a Biosphere Reserve is to safeguard natural ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as to improve human livelihoods and protect ecosystems managed for human use. The reserves promote environmentally sustainable economic development which is socially and culturally appropriate.

Biosphere Reserves are not another layer of bureaucracy – quite the opposite. The decision to become and then abide by the ethos of a Biosphere Reserve is a community-driven process.

There are many Biosphere Reserves across the world. The latest Australian Biosphere Reserve, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, was declared in June this year where it joins two neighbouring Reserves in Noosa and the Fraser Island area.

To start the conversa on about Biosphere Reserves and to discuss the possible future direc on for the Tilba District, a forum will be held at the Central Tilba Hall on Monday 17 October 2022 from 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm following a free lunch from 12.45pm.

Speakers will include leading expert in the area Professor Peter Bridgewater from the ANU, who has years of experience working with UNESCO and engaging with other Australian accredited Biosphere Reserves, and Mr David Moore from Sunshine Coast Regional Council who will explain the process and their reasons for becoming an accredited Biosphere Reserve.

Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is a floa ng freshwater plant from Central and South America that has been kept and traded for use in fish ponds, aquariums and water features.

Frogbit (some mes called spongeplant) spreads quickly and smothers ponds, dams, lakes, rivers and creeks. It can spread from a ny piece into a thick floa ng mat covering the water's en re surface!

If you see this plant report it by calling Bega Valley’s Council’s Biosecurity Team on (02) 6499 2222, Eurobodalla Council on 44741000, or the NSW DPI Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244.

For more informa on on Frogbit, including a 3D model to help iden fy this plant, go to the NSW WeedWise website. h ps:// weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Frogbit

LOVING MARSHALL

Are you ready to start loving Marshall?

Marshall is a four year old German Shorthaired Pointer cross, who's looking for his forever home.

Marshall is a big package of affec on! This gentle boy loves everyone, and is good with other dogs, children and cats. He is best not living with chickens, birds and pocket pets.

Typical of his breed, Marshall is very easy-going. He enjoys mee ng new people and bonds quickly. His long tail wags constantly, and when he's excited his wiggle-bu is really impressive. needs is lots of human a en on, so he is best suited to a home where there is someone around most of the me.

Marshall enjoys ge ng out and about. He is s ll learning to walk well on a lead but he's nearly there. His new home will need secure fencing, as Marshall's inquisi ve and friendly nature may lead him to go exploring on his own.

Marshall is available for adop on from the RSPCA Eurobodalla Branch. Email Eurobodallabranch@rspcansw.org.au for inquiries.

A Poet, a Priest, an Architect in Conversa on Losing our Religion

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.

Sharpy hangs up the high-vis

A er almost 38 years in the job, Eurobodalla Council’s director of infrastructure is hanging up his high-vis.

Warren Sharpe AOM – ‘Sharpy’ to many – said it had been an incredible journey since star ng as Council’s assistant works engineer in 1985 straight out of uni.

“I was well educated but pre y green, so I turned to our experienced staff to soak in their extensive prac cal knowledge and experience, and then blended in my own exper se. It was a great match that helped our team and my own learning,” Warren said.

Warren rose rapidly through the ranks into senior engineering roles, becoming the technical services manager in 1996, works manager in 1999, and later group manager roads and recrea on in 2006, which was re tled director in 2008.

“Over the years, I’ve had lots of different roles covering all areas of infrastructure. When I look at the team now I know our community will be well served in the future,” he said.

Above: Last plans: Eurobodalla Council’s director of infrastructure services Warren Sharpe OAM signs his last set of plans this week a er 37 years in the job.

Looking back over the decades, Warren can point to a long list of accomplishments, big and small, but also acknowledges the constraints of working in local government.

“We’re looking a er $2B of infrastructure that our rate income cannot support alone so we have to be innova ve, think laterally and leverage every dollar we can from the NSW and Australian governments to support our community.

“I love the Aussie cynicism and we’re the closest level of government to the people with expecta ons o en exceeding what we can provide. But I’ve found the best way is to partner with our community and show we’re going to bat for them. We get lots of le ers and notes from people thanking our team for what they do,” Warren said.

“Tight budgets mean you o en need to be pa ent. For example, back in 1998 we knew it was logical that the caravan park couldn’t stay alongside the Moruya River due to flood risk. But it wasn’t un l 2006 that we had money to build Riverside Park; transforming a messy and run-down site with lots of asbestos into a beaut community area with paths, sea ng, amphitheatre, amenity block and playground, now home to two popular weekly markets that bring thousands of people to town.

“I’m proud to have been instrumental in the development of na onally-accredited training structures for our opera onal teams, crea ng hundreds of opportuni es for local youth using our appren ce and cadet programs, and in driving diversity within the engineering sector.”

Warren has always been admired within his professional circle. However, it was as the Local Emergency Management Officer during the 2019-20 bushfires that he became be er known to the community at

large, moving heaven and earth to get done those things that needed doing.

“When we see the community pulling together in a disaster –well that’s resilience right there. That’s what should happen. There will never be enough fire trucks, enough emergency crews to protect every property, especially in a shire like ours. Residents really do need to get their proper es prepared and disaster plans in place – that’s something I really want the community to take on board following the fires and floods since 2019,” Warren said.

“Of course, government needs to do its bit. By partnering with others, we’ve made real progress around the resilience of local roads and bridges, water and sewerage systems, telecommunica ons, power supply and highways. Ensuring our alternate coastal routes are resilient is so important for future disasters as we will always need func onal alterna ves when the highway closes.”

When asked what’s next, Warren said he was effec vely re ring, at least for now.

“I’m looking forward to spending me with my biggest supporter, my wife Rose, and our kids and grandkids as well as catching up with family and friends hardly seen over the last three years. And I hope to dust the fly rod off and head into the mountains for some quiet me. Then who knows what the future holds.”

What’s on

Tickets are on sale for The Bay Theatre Players final produc on for 2022, Calendar Girls by Tim Firth.

Directed by Candy Burgess, Calendar Girls is the story of six middle-aged women from Yorkshire, England who set out to raise money for a new se ee for their local hospital a er Annie’s husband dies from cancer.

Determined to do something big and funny to raise money in John’s memory, they land on crea ng a nude calendar, starring themselves!

The BTP cast have shot their own calendar which will be available for purchase at the theatre or online.

The play is based on a true story. The calendar of the real-life Calendar Girls went viral in 1999, with over 200,000 copies sold and hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for leukemia and lymphoma research.

It is usual for all theatre companies that stage Calendar Girls to produce their very own calendar for sale during the show run. Director of Calendar Girls, Candy Burgess said this produc on is no different, with all profits from the sale of BTP’s calendars to be donated to various Cancer Research Founda ons and chari es.

The Bay Theatre Players are delighted to welcome both new and old faces to the stage for this joyful, funny and upli ing show. Rowena Blewi , who plays the main role of Annie Clarke, is se ng foot onto the Bay Theatre Players stage for the first me, a er a long break from her previous involvement in ac ng and theatre. Luna Gaia is also a newcomer to The Bay Theatre Players, and will play one of the six main female roles, Cora, a vicar’s daughter and a rock chick! With an amazing cast of 16 players in this produc on of Calendar Girls, it will be a fun and seriously entertaining evening out!

Calendar Girls is running at The Bay Theatre Players Playhouse for 12 shows only, from Friday 21 October to Saturday 5 November. Ma nee and evening performances are available.

Tickets on sale now and selling fast at www.trybooking.com.

Oct 7th - Mul Golden Guitar winner Catherine

Bri will be performing at Smokey Dan's Tomakin

Oct 7th - Minnie and The Moonrakers Bay Soldiers

Oct 8th - Retro Dance Party Disco at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club

Oct 8th - Joe Quennell – Tuross Club (6.30pm)

Oct 8th : Country Pumpkins – Moruya Markets (10am)

Oct 9th - Jamie Parkinson – Tomakin Club (1pm)

Oct 9th - Greg Byng plays Grumpys in Mogo at 12pm

Oct 9th - Tony Jaggers at Tukka Cafe Moruya

Oct 14th - The Whitetop Mountaineers (USA) @ ST JOHNS ANGLICAN CHURCH MORUYA -7:00PM

TICKETS $35

Oct 15th - Ricky Bloomfield at Club Tuross

Oct 16th - Eurobodalla Live at the Moruya Golf Club

Oct 21st - Tyler Hauptberger @One Tree In Tuross Head

Oct 22nd: The Eagles tribute show presents Rocking Down the HWY at Moruya Golf Club Tickets are $25 + BF from Eventbrite or just the $25 from recep on.

Gadfly 255

By Robert Macklin

The British subjects of King Charles III are in for a lively time if the reigns of his first and second namesakes are any guide. There’s even a couple of vague parallels with the current occupant of the throne.

Charles I was a corker. As the Prince of Wales in succession to his Scottish father James I, he had an early romance with an eighteen-year-old aristocrat, the delicious Spanish infanta Maria Anna. But his heart wasn’t in it, and after eight months they called it quits.

Two years later he married princess Henrietta Maria of France. But because of her Catholic background she was denied a coronation and like Camilla became a Queen Consort. However, she produced two bouncing boys who would later succeed to the throne themselves.

Meantime, Charles I’s reign, beginning in 1625, went from bad to worse. He truly believed in the divine right of kings and squabbled with Parliament over his tax policies and his refusal to send aid to the Protestants fighting the 30year-war in Europe.

The quarrel became so intense that by 1642 the Parliamentarians rose against him in a Civil War that saw his forces defeated three years later. In 1649, he was tried, convicted and executed for high treason. The monarchy was abolished and England itself became a Republic!

The Scots, however, had a taste for their royal line and they remained loyal to his son Charles II for another two years until the Republican leader, Oliver Cromwell, cleaned them up at the Battle or Worcester. Whereupon Charles II fled to Europe finding sanctuary in various Catholic boltholes in France and the Spanish Netherlands.

Cromwell became the dominant figure in the Republic, leader of the New Model Army (the ‘Ironsides’) and in 1653 was named Lord Protector, backed by the Protestants. When he died in 1658, aged 59, the British love of heredity brought his son Richard the trappings of power as the new Lord Protector.

Alas, Dicky Cromwell was not up to the task. A gentle soul, he tried to mediate between the Army and the Parliamentarians and even allowed many disaffected royalists to take their Seats at Westminster. But when word spread that his people were about to prosecute an army officer for some slight against a royalist, Dicky went to water and renounced his position after only nine months in the chair.

This was the cue for Charles II’s Scottish supporters under General George Monck to storm south and the republican army melted away. In 1660 the line of Stuart royal succession was restored. However, Charles II was almost as high-handed as his father and by 1681 he had dissolved Parliament and ruled alone.

He’d married a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza, but though he had at least twelve illegitimate children from his many mistresses, none would be conceived with Catherine. So when ‘the Merry Monarch’ departed his mortal coil in 1685, his kid brother James II took over.

It would be quite some time – and several Houses of succession later – before the current Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family changed their name in 1917 to Windsor. But why, we must wonder, did Elizabeth and Philip choose to call their little sausage Charles? Surely they knew of the republican imbroglio of his namesake predecessors.

Of course, he could always follow multiple precedents and change his name to whatever he wished. No doubt he’d appreciate some suggestions from the gang Down Under. The possibilities are endless…Barry? Trevor?…

IngaSimpsonhaswrittenanewbook!

Sodonyourwhitesandjoinustocelebratewithaspotofcricket,somebubblesandfunat @mogendoura_farm

Bookingsareessentialsopopintotheshoporgivethemacalltoreserveyourspot. TheWillowmanisoutOctober26th,pre-orderyourcopynow.

Reading—A beer with Baz

An empty front bar had Bazza sipping in the solitude.

Bella, the publican, glanced his way a few mes, bit her bo om lip repeatedly and decided to join him.

“As you know, Bazza……. I’m just back from a couple of weeks in Provence, France and…..”

Bazza looked up at her contorted face.

“And……well…Bazza, I’ve started wri ng…….. and I just don’t know ….you know….ummm….so”

Bazza took a decent sip and adjusted his glasses.

Her eyes traced the crisp white linen tablecloth to the very edge of the table. It fell in perfect right angled symmetry. Before her, a single well polished dessert spoon, foreshadowed the final course. Her near empty long stemmed glass of Beaujolais, mirrored her enjoyment of the meal.

She breathed in slightly and allowed her eyes to take in the whitewash on ancient walls with minimalist art teasing the imagina on. Ghostlike table a endants padded the floor and muffled conversa on was soothing in its lack of meaning.

Her life really was a jigsaw she mused. Every piece thought about, carefully selected and neatly fi ed. As a child, the pieces were selected and she readily complied and as an adolescent they were nego ated. In adulthood, she took great pride in selec ng the right piece. Her physical well being, study and career op ons were premeditated and executed with precision.

And before her; the next choice.

Her companion was wi y, charming, a rac ve and fun. Conversa on moved effortlessly from French to English with an awareness of the world rooted in wide reading and deep thought. She strived to find a nega ve in her balance sheet approach to life.

Her hesitancy swirled in the silence. They awaited the table a endant.

Her eyes returned to the artwork on the walls and the smallest of the pain ngs captured her. It exuded a light that was mesmerising. The toil of a farmer at work under the bluest of Provence skies, his back forever bent in a meless ritual, but it was the light captured in the pain ng that stunned her, forever a midday sun.

She con nued to peer as the restaurant owner hovered.

Her eyes darted from the pain ng to the owner. A raised hand silenced her opening mouth.

In accented and prac sed English he simply stated ‘Maybe…… It might be……. I do not want to know for certain.’

The response stunned her, and as always her le forefinger moved to the niest of birth marks behind her le earlobe. She gently rubbed it.

Con nues….

Reading—A beer with Baz Con nues….

In a fog of thoughts, the dessert arrived; its symmetry painstakingly precise and complete with a single perfect berry

Her eyes oscillated; to her partner, to the berry, to the pain ng.

She rubbed her birthmark and excused herself.

Dreamlike she floated to the exit. Her eyes blinked in the bathing sun.

Impulse and spontaneity suppressed reason and her next step startled her shadow.

She let her hair cascade, removed her shoes to feel the unevenness of the cobblestones and her steps of trepidation turned to strides of certainty

Bella bit her bottom lip as Bazza looked up.

“Well…… Bella……I want to know what happens next…… keep writing.”

Bazza’s smile was generous and genuine.

Have a beer with Bazza at john.longhurst59@gmail.com

100 Years Ago—October 7th 1922

UNDER the new award Shire employees are reduced by 4s per week from Sept 4th .

CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Muriel, second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bown, of Bergalia, who has successfully passed her examina on in St. Margaret’s Hospital, Sydney. Nurse Bown is expected home in a few days on a visit to her parents.

The following vital sta s cs for the quarter ending 30th September supplied by our C.P.S. :- Births : 10 males, 15 females; total 25. Deaths : 5 males, 7 females; total 12.

OUR obliging young telegraph messenger, Master Phil, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Dace Crapp, of Yarragee, has received no ce of his promo on to Wagga. Phil expects to leave for his new appointment next week.

A BABY, 7 ½ months old, of Mrs. Alf Richards, of Eurobodalla, was admi ed to the Moruya hospital at 4 p.m. on Sunday, but died at 6 p.m., the croup, from which it was suffering, being too far advanced for the child’s life to be saved.

Narooma residents may be justly proud of their one- me school-mate Miss Wilma Berkeley, daughter of Mr. W. Easdown, and whose voice has cap vated Dame Nellie Melba. … “The coming diva” graciously consented to give the Moruya people an opportunity of hearing her lovely voice prior to her departure for London.

MONTAGUE ISLAND [By N.R.]… At present there are three men on the island, Mr. R. Pyburne (ac ng in charge), Mr. C. Tennant (relieving), and Mr. S. Kells (relieving). Mr. Williams, the man in charge, is at present away on sick leave. They have a lonely and apparently monotonous life. Once in two weeks-providing the weather is favourable-the steamer pulls up and a boat is taken over to receive provisions and mail. This appears to be the only break in their dreary loneliness.

Seagulls are there in their thousands, the fried eggs make a delicious meal. Rabbits, penguins, goats (200) and a few fowls and one horse make up the rest of living things on the island. The island is made up of two huge round knobs, one of granite and the other of ironstone. There is a dis nct division between the two, in fact, in rough easterly weather two islands are formed.

The lighthouse has a revolving op c light with four bull’s eyes and can be seen on a clear night from 35 to 40 miles away.

At the present me a hundred or more seals are ma ng close to the island and during the recent visit of the writer, a huge whale was spor ng himself unpleasantly close to the launch we were in. … It is indeed a pleasure to inspect such a place.

Literary and Art Salons October 13 and 27, 2022

We’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.

BTP Presents: Calendar Girls

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.

arts

A Busy September for Eurobodalla Photographers

During September, the Eurobodalla Photographic Club help a macro-photography workshop for members, at the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens, and the following weekend curated an exhibi on at Club Malua as part of the Eurobodalla River of Art Fes val. One hundred and thirty-six visitors passed through the exhibi on that displayed over a hundred member photographs. Our thanks to Club Malua for their support in providing the venue

At the beginning of October, a group of our members par cipated in the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens, Bio Blitz. Again exhibi ng member photographs and demonstra ng macrophotography techniques. Our September compe on, was an open and judged by Wanda Lach a professional photographer based in Jindabyne (h ps:// www.wandalach.com/). Wanda is also an FCC accredited judge. Our grateful thanks to Wanda for suppor ng our club

New Members and visitors are welcome to join our monthly mee ngs on the 4th Tuesday of the month (except December), 7pm at the Tomakin Community Hall, Ainslie Pde Tomakin.

Regional sport conference program announced

The region’s first sport and recrea on conference is coming up and registra ons are s ll open. The free twoday event is open to all spor ng clubs, volunteers, coaches, and professional recrea on providers.

The South East and Tablelands Regional Sport and Recrea on Conference will be held at Bay Pavilions on Friday and Saturday 14-15 October.

Eurobodalla Council’s recrea on development coordinator Tina Smith said the conference was aimed at strengthening the spor ng community.

“As winter sports finish up and summer sports ramp up, the conference is great ming to meet like-minded people and take what you’ve learned back to your club,” Ms Smith said.

Conference topics include:

Keeping girls in sport

How to use the media to grow your club and tell your stories

The future of coach educa on

What it takes to develop high-performance talents and teams

Understanding and implemen ng child safety

A rac ng those in need to engage in physical ac vity.

Each day also involves a panel discussion for a endees to share ideas and hear from industry experts.

“Speak with representa ves from the NSW Office of Sport, the Australian Sports Commission, and state spor ng organisa ons,” Ms Smith said.

“Take advantage of having so many industry experts in the one room - it’ll be a fast-paced two days, loaded with informa on.

“Whether you’re a volunteer or sports representa ve, this conference will provide opportuni es for you to strengthen as a club or individually.”

Ms Smith was looking forward to Olympian Jane Flemming’s presenta on and the panel discussions. She said guest speakers were there to help boost sport and recrea on ac vity in our region. She hoped to see a endees from far and wide.

“It will be a great networking event to hear from other clubs or spor ng professionals,” she said.

The event is fully catered, including dinner and entertainment by local musician Chris McGrath.

The conference is co-hosted by Eurobodalla Council and the NSW Office of Sport, who hope to make it an annual event. The conference is free to a end, thanks to the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources' Building Be er Regions funds. Bookings are essen al. Grab your ckets via Eventbrite.

Narooma Ladies Golf results

On Monday 3rd October we had 33 entrants in our medley stableford compe on.

Two divisions: Div 1 +3-20; Div 2 21-45

Winners in A grade were Jayne Hotchkis who posted a score of 37 C/B off handicap of 7 and Chris Fader also with 37 off handicap of 11.

Winners in B grade were Julie Melville who also posted a great score of 37 off handicap of 29. Julie Whyte was the runner up with 35 points off handicap of 25.

Balls went to 33 C/B

Nearest to pin:

Hole 3, Div 1 Sylvia Donohoe

Hole 9, Div 2 Margaret Brown

Hole 14, Div 3 Marea Clarke

Wednesday 5th October – only the very brave fronted up to play in the Woman’s Gold Medal Playoff. The fact that during the year they had all won a monthly medal they had no choice. As it turned out apart from being a li le cold it did not rain.

Chris Fader was the Gold Medal winner with a score of 72 off handicap of 11. Only one shot behind was Chris Hendra with 73 off handicap of 28. Balls went to Chris Hendra and Jayne Hotchkis.

I should men on the other worthy compe tors: Dorelle Monteith, Jenny Walker, Sylvia Donohoe and Tina Wilson.

Broulee Runners Wed

October 5th 2022

Day light saving is with us, if only the sun would help enjoy the experience. Once again, we are in the midst of a wet week. Nevertheless, the keen runners want to get out on the track and test themselves. This was the case with Mary Ann Kulh, who came along with her two children and two of their friends. 10-year-old Thu recorded an excellent me of 17.51 in the four kilometres. The other three ran strongly in the cold wet condi ons. Andrew McPherson, the only local to run, recorded a personal best me in the 4-kilometres. We were fortunate to have virtual runners, who ventured out during the day to submit mes. We like to accept virtual mes so that those who cannot make the Wednesday start of 5 PM can be part of the Broulee Runners scene. Broulee Runners dis nguished themselves over last weekend in big events. Michael Lambert ran the Melbourne Marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes, Ma Lambert ran the half-Marathon in 91 minutes and Bernie ran the 10 kilometres in 58.35 minutes. Karen Harding-Smith did the 5 kilometres Fun Run at Reboot Bermagui in a me of 23.46 minutes.

Chris Fader-Gold medal winner 2022

Bruce and Denise Lidbury Regain Mixed Pairs Title

Bruce and Denise Lidbury have been able to regain the Mixed Pairs Championship that they have dominated in recent years a er being regulated to runners up last year. It marks the fi h me they have won the tle since 2016! In 2020 they could not enter due to ill health.

Their win has been the highlight of events at Tuross Head Bowling Club in the last couple of weeks as the very wet weather played havoc with the bowling program. Both the Mixed Pairs and Minor Singles have been seriously affected by the rain. As well the last round of the Men’s Pennant was washed out!

When the much an cipated semi-final in the Mixed Pairs between Carol and Doug Williams and Sue and John Fahey was finally played it turned out to be a cracking match! It was a ght match from the start with all four players contribu ng to the ghtness of the game. A er 11 ends the Williams’ had a 11 – 9 lead. Just as the Faheys grabbed the momentum to be ahead 15 – 11, the Williams’ struck back to narrow the margin to 15 - 14 a er 15 ends.

The next six ends followed the same pa ern. The Faheys would widen the gap only to see the Williams’ strike back. Going into the final end the Faheys held a 21 – 19 advantage. In an exci ng finish Carol Williams showed her nerves of steel to dominate the end to allow her side to score 4 shots and record a remarkable victory 23 – 21.

A er a further delay due to the wet weather the final was finally played on Tuesday October 4 with the Lidburys keen to regain their tle but they knew they would have a tough task against the Williams’. The clash was very close early with the Lidburys just holding sway a er 7 ends at 7 – 6. They slowly built the margin to 14 – 9 a er 13 ends.

The 14th end proved to be key to the match. In an effort to change the momentum of the game, the Williams’ tried a longer end. However, the strategy did not work for them as they struggled on the sluggish green to reach the head. As a result the Lidburys scored 6 shots on the end and extended the lead to 20 – 9. This proved too big a hurdle for the Williams’ to overcome.

They did not stop trying and played some excellent bowls in the final ends but the Lidburys had the answer to their every move.

If Denise did not play a key bowl then Bruce did. The Lidburys regained their tle with an excellent 26 -13 victory with the score not a true reflec on of the quality of the compe on throughout the match that kept the many spectators glued to

their seats.

Congratula ons to the winners!! Their record shows how well they bowl together. Well done to the Williams’ on their effort to make the final!

Minor Singles

Both of the semi- finals of the Minor Singles have been completed. In the first game Michael Challice played Chris Coddington in a very close game.. Challice managed to keep his head in front – but only just. Every me he looked like running away with the game, Coddington fought back. He lead 10 – 5 to see his margin reduced to 11 – 9. He then made it to 15 – 9 only to see Coddington fight back to 15 -14. At this stage Challice was able to land the killer blows. Over the next 4 ends he scored 10 shots to take the game 25 – 15. The second semi-final between Rob Payne and Bill Burch proved to be an epic both in the closeness of the scores and how the players coped with the wet weather. They decided to ba le the elements on Friday. It was clear when they started but the showers kept on coming. They made the decision to ba le on, taking shelter through the worst of the rain. Their marker, Mick Atkinson, also did a remarkable job in keeping the score card dry!!

The game itself was excellent despite the condi ons. Overall the lead changed 8 mes! Payne had the be er of a very ght start and was ahead 8 – 7 a er 12 ends. By the 18th end Burch grabbed the lead at 15 –14 to mark the start of changing fortunes. Payne regained the lead at 19 – 17 only to see Burch back in front 21 – 19! Payne scored 3 shots on the next end to move to 22 – 21 with the finish in sight. Burch won the next end with two shots to again hit the lead at 23 – 22. Payne was able to finish the game on the next end when he picked up 3 shots to win 25 – 23! Well done to both players on a great

Club Malua Women’s Bowls Report.

There were 42 bowlers on the green on a lovely sunny Tuesday morning. President Sue Beavan welcomed District President Vicki Harmen who then congratulated our Grade 2 Pennant team on winning the District Flag. All proceeded onto the green for presenta on of Flag by District President before the unfurling of the Flag and lots of photos. Great to have our Bowls Organizer David Thomas back on deck, also lovely to have Carol Harris back bowling with us and a visit from Helene Szendeleit. Winners on 5, Gayl Vidgen, June Williams, Shirley Edwards, Marlou Rollinson.Runners-up Rink 6, Jean Beeley, Helen Rees and Colleen Ashby .Rink 7 was selected to try for Jackpot, winning Skip Sue Beavan chose card but no luck, only 15 cards le in pack so there will be a winning team soon.

Other winning teams, Carol Harris, Tricia Wheeler and Nancy White. Rosie Rayner, Wendy Geary, Tania Calder and Rae Fayle. Lynn Gowans, Sonia Frey and Raija Johnston. Robyn Butcher, Yvonne Huddleston, Pat Bill and Sue Beavan.

President Sue presented Patron Dorothy Stewart with a Cer ficate for 30 years of bowling and 20 years for Judy Davis then David informed us of his 36 years, what great achievements and congratula ons to each of them. Sue also men oned how lovely it was to see everyone in their new uniforms.Happy Birthday wishes to Noleen Taylor. David couldn’t believe there were no wrong biases bowled today although most members gave a dona on towards our collec on for Charity. Rosie Rayner realized half way through her match today she had her new bowls pants on back to front, must have been uncomfortable Rosie!!

Tackle World Moruya Fishing Report

Moruya River.

Well, haven’t we had just a wee bit of rain!!? As a result, the Moruya river is looking a li le on the shabby side. With the river running brown and very fresh, fishing op ons, are yet again going to be limited. The lower, deeper sec ons of the river, and an incoming de will most definitely help improve your op ons this weekend. The upside of the rain is that it will force a lot of bait to the lower sec ons on the river or completely out of it all together. This creates an opportunity to fish an area where the fish have been forced into, concentra ng them into pockets. Best bait or lure op ons will be oily baits, such as mullet or tuna fillet, with lures that have flash and noise making poten al your best bet. Try any type of paddle tail so plas c or vibe style lure with scent added, and fish the deeper holes that will hold be er sal er water.

For the bait brigade, definitely use some burley to help a ract the fish to you.

Tuross River.

All the same condi ons that Moruya is experiencing this weekend will apply to Tuross also. Tuross does have the advantage that it is a bigger system, and as a result will offer a few more areas to try for a fish. The hole in front of the boat shed will be a really good op on to try this weekend, as will the hole in front of four ways.

A live poddy mullets sent into these holes has the chance to be intercepted by a large flathead or even a mulloway as they set themselves up to ambush any bait fish that has been flushed down the system. Persistence will be the key in these less than ideal condi ons to find fish.

Rock and beach.

The mouths and the beaches adjacent to them should be holding fish that have set themselves up to take advantage of the flush out we are currently experiencing. With Durras And Mummaga lakes both being opened this week due to levels hi ng the trigger points, expect to see some ac on on the beaches that sit in front of theses local lakes. We can expect that Coila will also be following as it is star ng to look VERY full. Try fishing the very front of Coila lake as the fish will be moving down to the front in prepara on of the lake opening.

The beach side of Moruya breakwall towards the end of the wall should also see some ac on this weekend, but keep an eye on the swell, with Sunday forecast to be over 4m!

Offshore.

The dirty water will be pushing a fair way offshore this weekend, making finding fish a li le harder. Sunday is not shaping up to be the best day to head out, as stated before the swell will be up. It may be a good weekend to do some boat maintenance, check your safety flares are s ll in date, and get ready for the summer season.

I s ll haven’t heard back from NSW Waterways as to why the signs at the hole in the wall were put in place, neither have they been removed as of last weekend. To be honest, I’m not expec ng to hear back from them as to the why, but I will keep an eye out for the removal of the signs. We have fresh stock in store, with some new product hi ng the shelves, and more changes underway. I will be pos ng on our socials as things progress, as they safe in the classics…watch this space!

Stay safe everyone and remember, “every days a good day for fishing…” Team Tackle World Moruya.

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

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

Property Market Perspec ve

We are all seeing reports about the market “slowing down” and “property prices falling” and of course they are. That’s what property (and pre y much any investment) does. From me to me, it goes up and down, it speeds up and slows down. Like most investments, property is not a short-term proposi on. So, it is important to keep some perspec ve on what is really happening in the market over a reasonable period of me and not get too caught up in the sensa onal media headlines.

For example, in many loca ons the property market increased around 30% (or more) over the last 3 years. Even if the market has fallen 10%, it is s ll worth 20% more than before the pandemic. I’m sure if someone offered you 20% more than your property was worth in early 2020 most people would have jumped at the opportunity.

And now we are already seeing the fall star ng to slow. The Reserve Bank’s rate increase of 0.25% was also lower than most people expected with one (maybe brave) analyst predic ng there might only be one more increase to come. Regardless, it does indicate that no one needs to hit the panic bu on.

In a recent property market update (propertyupdate.com.au/australian-property-market-predic ons/) the following predic ons for house price growth over the calendar year 2022 were made by Dr Andrew Wilson, chief economist of My Housing Market:

Sydney property values will end the year down -6%, led by the more expensive end of the market, but this is a er home values increased by 31.6% over the last 3 years.

Melbourne property values will also fall -6% over the calendar year a er growing by almost 19% in the last 3 years.

Brisbane property values will end the year 11% higher

Adelaide property values will grow by 12% in 2022

Perth property values will finish the year 9% higher

The takeaway from the above predic ons is that the overall Australian mean property value will end up much the same as at the start of the year. So that doesn’t seem like gloom and doom to us.

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