Beagle Weekender Vol 290 December 23rd 2022

Welcome to this week’s editorial,

December 23rd and I am excited. While Christmas might be prawns and stonefruits the big one for me is that Hot Cross Buns will be back in the shops along with Easter Eggs in just eight days me.

Those who closely follow the annually recuring Chris an calendar o en observe that the shelves that usually stock the representa ons of the Cross (hot cross buns) and resurrec on (Easter eggs) are taken up with other lines.

The odd thing about Christmas in Australia is that we don’t actually have our shelves filled with tradi onal Christmas fare as they do in Europe where you can find all manner of Christmas cakes. Yes we have Christmas puddings and mince pies but they are well down the list of popularity in Oz.

There seems to be a clear divide between Christmas lunch people and Christmas dinner folks. The lunchers go for simple. Seafood, BBQs Salads, cold meats, plates of fruit and cheeses and casual a re, hopefully by a pool on a sunny day. The dinner folk tend to go for the more tradi onal trimmings inherited from overseas. Turkey, carved ham, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, roast vegies and plum pudding with a blazing brandy presenta on.

By New Years Day the turkey makes retreat, the hams disappear back into obscurity, the le over Christmas Cakes find themselves on hard to find shelves at half price and the cranberry sauce disappears back into the company of the other weird conserves.

And then… roll of drums…. out come the hot cross buns and the easter eggs to remind us all that in just four months me we have another annual holiday dedicated to the baby Jesus who, this me, is a full grown adult killed by some unscrupulous folks, but fear not, it is all OK because he didn’t really die.

One thing I no ce, and more so than ever, is that the Christmas and Easter is being overtaken by Santa and Easter rabbits, eggs and bilbies. The classic na vity scenes in shop fronts are being replaced by HoHo Santas, reindeer, elves, pine trees, nsel, lights and fake snow. And as for being put up on a cross the only hint we have of this during Easter is the humble hot cross bun, that now, due to popular demand, is available pre y much all year round.

The figures from the 2021 census for the Bega electorate are quite revealing in that they show, probably for the first me in the history of the electorate, that there are more people who are not Chris an than there of other faiths or have no religious affilia on. Maybe, just maybe, we might one day consider changing the name of Christmas Day to Santa Day to celebrate Santa, gi giving and family get togethers and then change Easter to Bilby Sunday where the country eats a chocolate bilby with 10% of all profits going to save the endangered bilby (along with all the others). If that was the case I would buy more foil wrapped bilbies all year round.

We are a na on of folks who have a majority who don’t iden fy as Chris ans. Maybe it is me to recognise that we might iden fy Christmas as Summer Holidays and Easter as a well deserved break before winter sets in, and give them names that are a li le less Jesus centric. My pick? HoHo Day (because we all believe in Santa) and Bilby Day because we really need to recognise their demise.

And as for the Queens Birthday ? He was born on 14th November, 1947. That falls on a Tuesday in 2023; the perfect opportunity for a very long weekend. Now there’s food for thought around your feas ngs.

ENTRIES CLOSE JANUARY

7th 2023.

FOR THE 20TH MORUYA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

So think about people you know who give outstanding volunteer contribu ons to the Moruya community be it in, for example: sport, educa on, culture, environment or community service.

In 2020 and 2021 we were not able to honour our outstanding volunteers that are announced on Australia Day. Now is the me to nominate your choice for 2022.

2019 Moruya Ci zens of the Year, Senior, Phil Smith and Junior, Jaylah Hancock-Cameron

Phil Smith Here are a few facts you may not know about the ex-Moruya High School teacher. He has been a giver for 20 years to local sport as par cipant/manager/coach or umpire for the Moruya Men’s Hockey Club, Broulee Soccer Club and Nippers and in the Olympic Torch Relay.

He has similarly volunteered for Rotary as a Youth Director, Treasurer and host to Interna onal Students. He has used his talents for Legacy, St Vincent de Paul, the Breakfast Program at Moruya School and as a singer in the Barbershop Quartet that performs in re rement villages.

Jaylah Hancock-Cameron was Moruya’s second Junior Ci zen of the Year and she is the one to watch. On December 3rd 2022 at just 20 she was second in the Open Australia Mile Championships that has a prize of $1,200. In January 2023 her challenge is with the World Cross Country Relay Team.

2018 Ron & Heather Chesser are known as ‘Mr & Mrs Moruya’, for their lifelong dedica on to Surf Life Saving and Rotary. Ron was a leading force in establishing the historic Moruya Quarry Park.

2017 Kathleen Smith and Chris ne Smith are not rela ves but for many years they have shared most posi ons – President, Secretary, Treasurer – for the Moruya Hospital Auxiliary.

In 2019 they gi ed $122,477.36 for medical equipment. Imagine how much pain and suffering that has eased.

2016 Bruce Reid has a long list of ‘helping out’ as President of

the Moruya Show Society, giving storage and transport to Life Saving and Rotary. Remember the drought? Bruce and the Boys did eleven Burrumbu ock Hay Runs to farmers in central Queensland.

2015 Kathy Shields volunteers for Red Cross and South Coast Lantern Club raising money for children with vision or hearing impairment and is s ll the stalwart for 2EAR Radio as presenter, manager, trainer and convener.

For those with a longer Moruya memory: 2014 Charles Pollock, 2013 Jenny Liney, 2012 Ray Jeffery, 2011 Lyneece Evans, 2010 Barry Stephens.

Moruya is a very giving community and givers do it because they are enriched by their incredible and unusual experiences, their feeling of self-worth and joy of life. They do not do it for reward but when it comes it certainly gives a warm glow that reinforces these posi ve feelings. It keeps them going when mes get tough – as they some mes do.

Nomina ons can be made by anyone but the nominee must be a resident of Post Code Districts 2537 or 2545.

Contact the Australia Day Commi ee Coordinator: Shirley Hayes-Cornish for further informa on, guidelines and nomina on forms at shirbil@hn.ozemail.com.au or 0419 404 220.

This year's Broulee

NYE

Sandcastle compe on has been postponed for 2022.

Organisers say "Due to the high de in the a ernoon, there will not be enough room to hold the event on North Broulee Beach. We are looking to reschedule the event in early 2023. Thank you all for your understanding.".

For further informa on please contact Jill or Shane at Broulee Surf School 44 717 370. Stay tuned to The Beagle for announcement of a new date.

Sign of the mes for Driver Reviver

Transport for NSW is helping to keep Driver Reviver volunteers safe with the installa on of state of the art remotely ac vated LED signage being rolled out across several Driver Reviver sites across the state.

The signage is being installed by Transport for NSW through the Australian Government’s Driver Reviver Site Upgrades program.

Transport for NSW Execu ve Director Community & Place (ROM) Anthony Hayes said the $2.6million investment will go towards signage upgrades at 30 Driver Reviver sites across the state.

“Motorists will more easily see these LED sings and have more me to make the choice to drive in, have a rest, swap drivers and con nue their journey safely,” Mr. Hayes said.

“Fa gue is one of the leading killers on our roads, contribu ng to about 15 per cent of fatali es so far this year. More people die and are seriously injured in fa gue crashes than drink driving crashes.

“Fa gue-related crashes are almost three mes as likely to be fatal than crashes not involving fa gue because drivers who have fallen asleep can’t break. Don’t trust your red self – it's important to stop, revive, survive.

Mr Hayes said an addi onal 69 new sta c LED signs would be installed at selected Driver Reviver loca ons across the state advising motorists of the loca on and whether the nearby site was in opera on.

“The new digital signs are also remotely controlled and volunteers from Driver Reviver loca ons can simply drive past one of these signs to ac vate it, providing an addi onal safety benefit for volunteers, who would normally have to walk or drive to the sign loca on, get out of their vehicle, and manually open and close signs on the side of busy roads.

“New electronic signage has already been rolled out, at several loca ons in the southern part of the state, including on both the north and south bound sides of the M1 motorway in Kiama. More sites are expected to be upgraded throughout 2023.”

“Driver Reviver has been opera ng in NSW since 1990, with volunteers from all ages and backgrounds providing a warm welcome and ‘cuppa’ to motorists during peak holiday periods, including school holidays and long weekends,” Mr Hayes said.

Ron Micallef, Kiama Lions Club Driver Reviver coordinator said the signs were located around 500 metres from the turn in to a Driver Reviver site, giving drivers me to pull off the road safely, while helping to promote the right message - ‘Stop, revive and survive’.

“When you see that sign, pull in, have a free cuppa, have a rest and take on the next part of your journey rested and refreshed” Mr Micallef said.

www.driverreviver.com.au/driver-reviver-sites

Free Saturday show entry

There’s free entry for all to the 2023 Eurobodalla Agricultural Show at the Moruya Showground on Saturday 21 January.

Eurobodalla Council’s community recovery officer Linda Wilton said the complimentary entry was possible thanks to bushfire recovery funding from the Na onal Emergency Management Agency and the NSW Government, which also funded a Community Preparedness Expo to be run in conjunc on with the show. “This is great news for our community and should encourage people to get out and enjoy our wonderful annual show, which has always been a crowd favourite and now back up and running a er a few difficult years,” Ms Wilton said.

“This funding means anyone and everyone can come along for free on Saturday, from 9am to 8pm, and enjoy all the show ac vi es: from the livestock judging to sideshow alley, from the motorcycle gymkhana to dog high jump.”

Ms Wilton will be coordina ng the Community Preparedness Expo during the show from 9am to 4pm and located just outside the basketball stadium.

“This is an opportunity for the community to get up-to-date with personal and community preparedness around emergencies and natural disasters,” she said.

“We’ll have a range of services and providers on site with informa on, demonstra ons and ac vi es. For example, the new fire-danger ra ng system, bushfire survival plans, flood awareness and how to get involved in community-led resilience. There’ll also be fun, down-to-earth or light-hearted ac vi es for kids and kids at heart, like drama games, community art installa ons, smokehouse demonstra ons and virtual reality headsets.”

Free entry is for Saturday only – normal gate fees will apply on Sunday 22 January 2023. For more informa on on the Community Preparedness Expo visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/events or contact Linda Wilton on linda.wilton@esc.nsw.gov.au

Teensafe is planning the next safe-driver course in the school holidays on Thursday 19 January 2023 at Moruya Speedway (weather and Covid permi ng).

Teensafe specialises in prac cal behind-the-wheel safe driver instruc on for L and P licenced drivers. To book a place and access a registra on form, email garys.home@bigpond.com or go to www.teensafemoruya.org for more info.

The Teensafe team is considering a driver course for seniors who feel the need to refresh their driving ability and skills using your own vehicle with an instructor alongside at Moruya Speedway.

Any enquiries or support for this road safety ini a ve welcome.

www.iga.com.au/

community

milk crate founda on launch Boxing Day at Mossy Cafe

milk crate founda on are a not for profit, stacked on suppor ng the mental health of hospitality workers and breaking down the s gma surrounding it

Right: Milk Crate Founda on are holding an official launch party at Mossy Café on Pacific on Boxing Day from 7:30am, with V&C Foods dona ng milk and Guerrilla Roasters dona ng coffee. All proceeds from the day go to suppor ng Milk Crate.

For more informa on, follow @milkcratefounda on or visit milkcratefounda on.org

Above: "A milk crate, in its simplest of forms transports milk. For some, it’s a res ng place, a dining table, a shelf, a ladder, a founda on for the hospitality industry. We are Milk Crate Founda on".

R to L Bloss McClelland, FOUNDER, Owner of Mami’s Bar (Batemans Bay), Mathew Hatcher, Head Bloke and Chris na Bruce, here to make you smile.

What’s on @ The Harrington

The Harrington Motel at 153 Princes Highway, Narooma, will be adding to the fes ve spirit in the town this year with a series of outdoor music events that will be open to the public. There will be seven concerts on the lawn above the recep on area star ng at noon on Boxing Day and concluding on New Year’s Day.

They will all be free and will be accompanied by food and drink vans in the car park at the motel. The full program is as follows:

Monday, 26 Dec – Boxing Day:

Dave Berry - noon Kara Coen – 3.30pm (right)

Tuesday, 27 Dec: Steve Benic – noon (below right)

Saturday, 31 Dec – New Year’s Eve:

The Pearlerz – noon Richard Cooke – 3.30pm

Sunday, 1 Jan – New Year’s Day: Kelesi Woodhouse – noon Rick Bamford – 3.30pm

Following extensive refurbishments the Harrington is back in business this summer and keen to contribute to the cultural life of the south coast.

For more informa on contact Lina at The Harrington on 0486 030125 or email recep on@theharringtonmotel.com.au

Reach out these holidays - support is available

Christmas and the holiday season can be a me of joy and happiness, but for some it’s the most difficult me of the year. Those experiencing stress or worry can o en find this me of year hard to cope with.

According to Eugene McGarrell, Mental Health Manager at COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN, a number of triggers can cause mental health concerns during Christmas and New Year.

“Things like family tensions, excessive alcohol consump on, loneliness, isola on and money worries can rise to the surface and make people feel worse around the holiday season. “It’s important for people to realise that there is help available if they are struggling and we want to get the word out about some of the ways to get support to the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern NSW community,” said Mr McGarrell.

WHO TO CALL, WHERE TO LOOK…

If you are considering ge ng you or a loved one support, there are a number of different avenues to obtain help:

See your GP and talk to them about what you or your loved one is experiencing – they can offer you op ons for support in your local area or make a referral to someone who can help.

Find health and wellbeing help via Head to Health on 1800 595 212 (no referral needed).

A free coaching service New Access, developed by Beyond Blue is available across South Eastern NSW via face-to-face, phone or video call sessions. To sign up and register with a Coach, call 1300 921 535 or visit www.wellways.org/our-services/newaccess

If you or a loved one need immediate assistance, you can call Emergency Services on 000, or you can call the following numbers for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 Lifeline on 13 11 14

NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

Beyond Blue Support line: 1300 224 636

Domes c and Family Violence Support Line: 1800 RESPECT

Beach Mobility Mats are rolled out

Council's mobility mats are already ge ng a workout ... and crea ng special moments. Mats are available at seven of the shire’s patrolled beaches for summer school holidays. These mats create a stable surface for people with reduced mobility to move across the sand. The Mobility mats are placed on patrolled beaches during patrol hours. Council installed the last one at Narooma today - there are seven in total at: Surf Beach, Malua Bay, South Broulee, Moruya South Head, Tuross Main, Dalmeny, and Narooma Surf Beach. The mats are an ini a ve of the Council to make our shire accessible for everyone.

Above: Yesterday, lifesavers met at Broulee to learn about the mats and chat with Michael Hughes from Get Skilled Access. Michael talked about what it's like living with disability and men oned simple ways to improve accessibility and inclusion for everyone. A erwards, Michael tried out the new mat and got to the water’s edge for the first me since becoming paraplegic at the age of 18 - a very special moment we’ll all remember.

Above: The mobility mat at Narooma's Surf Beach is set up and ready to use.

Le : A family with a stroller use the Malua Bay mat for the first me.

Above: John Tilbrook of Tuross conducts traffic on the new mat at Tuross Head.

Zorba Waterfront Motel celebrates 50 years

The Zorba Waterfront Motel, Batemans Bay, was first established in 1972 by Michael Diacomihalis. This much loved centrepiece of the Clyde Foreshore has become far more than a motel to the thousands of guests its doors have welcomed over the past fi y years. To them it feels like a home away from home, especially those of Greek origin.

For those familiar with the warm hospitality extended on any visit to Greece, that same welcoming hospitality was the hallmark of the Zorba. The Greek inspired pure white and coastal blues of the building and decor have guests feeling as if they were on holiday in Thera or Oia, overlooking the Aegean Sea, just metres from the water's edge.

In the past fi y years Batemans Bay has grown in popularity with new genera ons arriving for the first me. But whilst the Bay's accommoda on op ons have expanded over the past decade with new hotels, and more and more short term accommoda on, Zorbas is s ll at the heart of the town and in the heart of the genera ons who return each year to enjoy the familiarity and hospitably provided by the Diacomihalis family.

Celebra ng Zorba Motel's 50th birthday this week was Michael Diacomihalis, recently returned from a long s nt in Greece.

The Zorba Motel, built by Michael, was opened on December 18th 1972 and Michael returned to The Bay especially to celebrate this milestone with his family, friends and his current and original staff members.

Right: The 3 genera ons next to the monument Michael made with his bare hands in 1972. Le to right Michael, Barbara, Michael junior, Nicolas, Viole a and Jus ne Diacomihalis and Jus ne’s youngest boy Jack Donald.

Above: Jus ne Diacomihalis and Michael

Project Colombia x Alfresco Coffee Roasters

Alfresco Coffee Roasters is a Eurobodalla success story. Locally owned, hugely supported by the community and now in Batemans Bay as well as across the South East at innumerable cafes as their coffee bean of choice. The South Coast enjoys several roasteries that not only have great coffee but also stand by the principles of fair trade to ensure growers get the best price possible and are treated with respect and friendship. Owner Sam Steiner says "We’re passionate about sourcing, roas ng, brewing, and serving our award-winning coffee as ethically as possible, which takes us to some of the most iconic coffee growing regions around the world. We currently have coffee genera on projects in mul ple different countries, including Colombia, Philippines and Nicaragua. "At Alfresco Coffee Roasters, we have the heart to want to see the world become a be er place. In par cular, we focus on the Speciality Coffee Industry - an industry close to our heart. Although Speciality Coffee only plays a small role in the coffee industry, we can help bring las ng and effec ve change to the lives of many farmers and their communi es. "We currently buy our coffee beans from trusted partners in 13 origins in which we aim to build direct trade rela onships with producers whose vision aligns with ours. Alfresco now have projects running and opera ng in mul ple growing regions. Our most recent project started when we visited the growing areas in Colombia and Peru. Over our last few visits to Colombia, we have built a rela onship through our friends at Cofi.net with Diofanor Ruiz, a commi ed grower who has adapted his cul va on techniques over me to enhance sustainable farming prac ces in a bid to reduce the impact on the environment.

"Mr Ruiz is well-educated in coffee produc on and runs his farm accordingly. Recently he created his own brand of Honey as he saw the need to be a beekeeper as a vital part of climate conserva on and sees the union of beekeepers and coffee farmers as an essen al ingredient to sustainability. So it was a no-brainer to partner with this legend in a las ng rela onship and a project to help his endeavours. Alfresco Coffee Roasters, alongside their clients and customers, will be raising funds to help build coffee drying facili es at Mr Ruiz’s farm to assist in increasing his produc on capacity and replace his current facili es. He says, “When it rains, it rains more inside under the roof than the outside.”

"With your support, we aim for this to be an ongoing project affec ng the lives of Diofanor Ruiz, his family and their community. Although we o en see the social effect play out in regions, it starts with one individual commi ed to change, and we know that Mr Ruiz is the man for this occasion. Mr Ruiz has the knowledge and passion required to bring about las ng change.

"To do this, we have a minimum target of AUD 10,000 to raise in support alongside the already made commitment from Alfresco Coffee Roasters to purchase the more significant part of his crops, which we will be showcasing in-store and online very shortly. We look forward to sharing updates as this project gains trac on in the coming weeks and months!"

2023 eurobodalla food guide OUT NOW

Terrific to see the interest that is building around the upcoming holidays. The online South Coast Travel Guide website that showcases the Eurobodalla region is going gangbusters at the moment in the leadup. Pleasingly there is a high visita on to our eurobodalla food guide which indicates that our visitors are interested in more than the beach and the waves. There is so much to enjoy on the coast. We have great produce and terrific outlets that celebrate our products.

While the eurobodalla is famous for its oysters and dairy there is much more to discover for those who enjoy knowing where their food comes from and for those who relish the quality of produce you can only find at the farmgate, a market or served by a takeaway, café or restaurant.

The eurobodalla food guide promotes those local businesses and providores who qualify to be included and who showcase our wonderful local produce and the wealth of value added product we believe reflects the sen ment of eurobodalla…. all kinds of natural.

Have you discovered the South Coast Travel Guide website yet? You might be surprised at what gems can enjoy of your own backyard. Given that we no longer have Council run tourist Informa on centres the South Coast Travel Guide, owned by The Beagle, is fast becoming the go-to for visitors to the region.

Dec 24th Rod Folpp at Club Tuross

Dec 24th - Driving Sideways at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club

Dec 24th - Fractured Minds at One Tree Inn, Tuross

Dec 24th - The Pearlerz – Club Catalina (7.30pm)

Dec 26th - Intensity at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club

Dec 27th - Intensity at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club

Dec 31st - Pearlerz – Harrington Motel, Narooma (noon)

Dec 31st - Richard Cooke – Harrington Motel, Narooma (3.30pm)

Dec 31st - Steve Benic – Club Tuross (5pm)

Dec 31st - Drive Time – Club Tuross (8pm)

NYE Party Moruya Waterfront Hotel

19-Twenty • Fractured Minds • Eklypse • Angus Murray

Orphan Music & Moruya Waterfront Hotel presents2022 New Years Eve Party ! Over 5 hours of live music! 19-Twenty, Eklypse, Fractured Minds & Angus Murray. Original Rock & Roots + one of the best covers bands ever to grace the stage at the Moruya Waterfront. Watch the sunset & enjoy the best way to bring in 2023, LIVE MUSIC & CLOSE FRIENDS!

Tickets: h ps://events.humani x.com/moruyawaterfront-hotel-nye-party-2022-w-19-twentyeklypse-fractured-minds-and-angus-murray

Dec 31st - Drive Time at Club Tuross - Drive Time is a 4 -piece band based around the vast experience of lead guitarist and singer Rick Bamford who is a regular at Club Tuross as a solo ar st. Other members of the band are Adam Twyford on drums, Paul Leeder on bass and James "Hoogie" Hoogstad on harmonica and saxophone.

Dec 31st - This New Years Eve Bay Soldiers is going back to the 80's with a fun 1980's themed party. Tall Puppy Syndrome will be performing live from 8pm on the night, playing a great range of 80's hits and party rock through the night. there will be fun prizes for 80's themed fancy dress on the night too, so come back to the 80's with us this New Years Eve!

New Years at the Adelaide Hotel with the Spindri Saga - Tickets $40

Jan 1st -Kelesi Woodhouse – Harrington Motel, Narooma (noon)

Jan 1st - Rick Bamford – Harrington Motel, Narooma (3.30pm)

By Robert Macklin

As a 17-year-old, my mother took me to a big ward full of mental patients at the massive Brisbane public hospital complex. It was a halfway house to the official Goodna Asylum on the road to Ipswich. It felt like something from the previous century.

Mum often visited distant relatives and friends who had fallen on hard times and on this occasion, it was the latter: “Cec” by name, he’d had what was then called a nervous breakdown. He’d lost his bearings, shouted a lot and become uncontrollable.

He was a little bloke who’d spent his life in the bush as a station hand. After the boss sacked him, his wife, “Bonny” in the argot of the day, ‘couldn’t do a thing with him’. So, they called the cops, and he finished up, drugged to the eyeballs with lithium, in the big dormitory where a doctor would decide his fate.

Mum brought me along because I was jackarooing at the time, and she thought I might bring him ‘out of his shell’ with stories of my time at the property where we ran 6000 sheep and 500 cattle. I didn’t exactly jump at the chance but I had a few stories, mostly of me getting bucked off horses or being chased by a bull.

But I also had good one of Dave, a fellow jackaroo, who boasted he could pick up a brown snake by the tail and snap its head off the way you crack a stockwhip. But when Neil, our other jackaroo, challenged him to do it with a big black snake that was actually dead, the first twirl around his head went wrong and the snake’s head hit Dave on the neck and stayed there, fangs first.

Well, Dave’s antics and squeals were the funniest thing I’d ever seen, and I still laugh about it when I write it; but it actually brought Cec out of his semi-coma for his first chuckle in a month. And he was still smiling when we left.

Anyway, he didn’t go to Goodna but we lost touch with him and Bonny and I don’t know how he finished up. But I’m reminded of this by the kerfuffle now exercising the commentariat and the parliamentarians about the government’s decision to halve the mental health visits to psychiatrists or psychologists from 20 to 10, at a time when there aren’t even enough practitioners to meet the new deal.

Because here’s the thing: Other distant friends and family have also had mental health problems, seen a psychiatrist…and not one of them has ever been cured. The community’s suicide rate hasn’t fallen. In fact, it was higher before Covid than it was all those years ago when Cec had his breakdown and psychiatrists were rare as hen’s teeth. It wouldn’t matter if the government doubled their number, until we learn more about the brain and the nervous system it’s an exercise in self-delusion and money down the drain.

No doubt their hearts are in the right place, but the hard truth is that psychiatrists have neither the knowledge nor the toolkit to cure the afflicted. The brain is still a largely unknown quantity. It’s the Dark Continent before Livingstone. We’re only beginning to explore its geography, let alone the actions wrought by the multi-billion connections between its constituent parts.

They still use lithium to turn people into zombies, and electric shocks to fuse their brains, and they sit listening to patients chattering while bravely resisting the memory of that lovely five-iron they hit on the twelfth hole in the Saturday comp. It is treatment, the illusion of ‘cure’, and they charge a fortune for what any competent GP could do just as well.

Yet backbenchers are outraged, do-gooders tearful, and after every second ABC program the host says, ‘If anything has caused you distress (or whatever) call Lifeline or Beyond Blue.’

I doubt their ‘counsellors’ are all psychiatrists; but hopefully they’ll at least have a good snake story.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Reading—A beer with Baz

The gate clicked shut and Bazza stared down the driveway to Mick’s shed. The roller door was up and five over sized elves dressed in reds and greens were seated on upturned buckets and wooden boxes around the new ride on mower.

Bazza grinned…….a break in Santa’s workshop. Bazza screwed his eyes as ‘Jingle Bells’ crackled from a shoddy speaker. Test cricketers silently ba led the heat of the Gabba on an old television to one side.

Mick directed Bazza to the fridge at the back of the shed and he squeezed passed a couple of rotund elves to secure a beer. Mick threw him a ludicrously coloured stubby holder from some never to be visited again town. Bazza squeezed into the rickety old canvas director’s chair to join the circle.

Cheers for Christmas all round…… but the focus was back on the shiny red mower.

Mick cleared his throat.

“Top of the range model, fellas…… an Apache 52” Zero Turn Mower. It has an electric start, dual tanks with a 44 litre fuel capacity and a running me of 5.5 hours. It can be switched to four wheel drive for rough terrain and can even mow uphill to thirty five degrees. I thought the model with the air condi oned cabin was a bit over the top, but this one has a refrigerated stubby holder.”

There were a couple of low whistles and a few chuckles, as Bazza took in Mick’s modest, flat lawns.

The gathering heat had a few of them mopping their brows and Bazza scanned the garage. It resembled a mini Bunnings. A whipper snipper and the dreaded leaf blower, in the corner, had him grimacing. One side wall was taken up with numerous hand saws, a variety of hammers, lots of chisels, screwdrivers, wood planes and other tools. Each tool had its place neatly iden fied by black shadow paint. The bench on the other side was stocked with electric saws, drills and sanders. Some unopened boxes were gathering dust.

Bazza took a long sip of his stubby and ran the cool bo le across his forehead. His gaze shi ed longingly, to Mick’s newly completed deck at the back of his house. It was spacious and well shaded. Empty, well padded deck chairs were posi oned to pick up the a ernoon breeze. An intricate tapestry adorned the back wall of the house. In all, an image befi ng a ‘House and Gardens’ magazine.

Bazza’s eyes scanned back to the mini Bunnings.

“You have done a good job on the back deck, Mick.’

“Nah…….I got a builder in to do that, Bazza. All the tools you can see are for home maintenance and projects.”

Mick passed him a simple, par ally made teapot stand.

“Yeah……I’m pleased with the deck, Bazza. It will be good for entertaining over the summer.”

There were various murmurs of agreement and everyone was now running their stubbies across profusely swea ng foreheads. A few shi ed uncomfortably on the makeshi sea ng.

“Ah……Mick……why aren’t we si ng on the deck?”

Mick’s eyes widened, he leaned in and raised an eyebrow.

“Bazza, Bazza…….Bazza……..it’s tradi on. We always have drinks in the back shed.”

Mick straightened and took a long sip.

“Anyhow…….next up, I’m going to extend this shed. I’ve got to make room for the new five burner barbeque and put in a sink so we don’t have to use the kitchen. I’m not sure whether to go up or build out. I also reckon it would be good to put in a bed to have a bit of a nap between jobs.”

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

Reading—history

100 Years Ago—23rd December 1922

THREE farms in Tilba district experienced an outbreak of pleuro among their ca le, resul ng in the death of several cows. Strict steps for isola on were taken, with the result that infec on was checked. It is stated that all danger of any further loss by the disease is now over.

A SIGHT WORTH SEEING. – Beau ful Xmas Cakes, all shapes and sizes, dressed and undressed, in Mylo ’s windows. Don’t miss one in order to spend a Merry Xmas.

AT the age of 23 years, Patrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Donnelly, died at his parents residence, Bergalia, on Monday. Deceased had been in a delicate state of health from childhood, and very deep sympathy is expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly in their sorrow

A MIRACULOUS escape from a terrible fatality occurred on the Clyde River on Sunday. Mr. Walter Ison, with his li le son and two companions, was in a boat on his way down river, when a charge a dynamite – which he was carrying – exploded, sha ering his right hand. Unaware that the fuse was alight, Ison was searching in his pockets for a match, when the charge exploded. The li le boy received nasty gashes in his face, caused, it is surmised, from the splintered bones of his father’s hands, and despite his injuries the brave li le lad rowed the boat un l he reached help, the other occupants of the cra being in a dazed condi on owing to concussion. Through the kindness of the Captain of the I.S.N. Co’s steamer, who brought the vic m to Bateman’s Bay, and Mr. Anne s conveying him in his motor car the remainder of the journey, Mr. Ison was in the Moruya Hospital within two hours from the me of the accident. Dr. Cutler successfully amputated the injured member. Much sympathy is felt for the vic m, who will now be prevented from following his usual occupa on as a Shire maintenance hand. Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc. h ps:// www.mdhs.org.au

[Examiner 8- 8 -1958. – At the age of 75 Walter (Wally) Ison was honored for 50 years of service to the Eurobodalla Shire. Council Staff and Councillors, at a dinner at the Monach Hotel, presented him with a Ranleigh tray, and water jug and glasses. He was referred to as “one of our most valued staff” in the speeches, “despite losing his right hand and half his forearm” in 1922.

“He was soon back on the job with a hook on the end of his stump and improvised methods of handling pick, shovel and axe.”

Some of the fabulous photos you can find in the Face Book Group Narooma History in Photos

The South Coast Pastel Society 2022 Summer Exhibi on and Sale

returns this January with a diverse range of pain ngs in pastel, oils, acrylics and watercolour.

The art works reflect the diversity of New South Wales' South Coast and adjoining regions and showcase the talent and crea vity of the region's ar sts.

The exhibi on features spectacular landscapes and seascapes, beau ful studies of flora and fauna as well as well as wonderfully calming s ll life studies. Visitors to previous events have commented on the depth and vibrancy achieved by each ar st as well as the breadth of subject ma er exhibited across the exhibi on.

Visitors to the exhibi on also have the opportunity to meet with members of the Pastel Society who are all prac cing ar sts and happy to discuss their work and the pain ngs on exhibit.

A er many years exhibi ng at the Surf Club in Malua Bay, this year the society's exhibi on moves to the Sunshine Bay Public School, Beach Road, Sunshine Bay.

The school's hall is a great venue for exhibi ng art, with plenty of space to view the pain ngs and ideal ligh ng that allows visitors to see the colour and detail of each work. Entry is by gold coin dona on with the proceeds going to the School.

The exhibi on will be open from 1:30pm to 4pm on Saturday 14 January and from 10am to 4pm each day therea er un l Sunday 23 January at the Sunshine Bay Public School, Beach Road, Sunshine Bay.

The 38th Annual Art and Cra Exhibi on will be on at the Batemans Bay High School Auditorium from December 23rd to January 8th, except for Christmas Day.

Open from 10am to 4pm daily, over 100 pieces of art, plus sculpture and cra to admire and also for sale.

The official opening will be held at 6pm on December 23rd, free entry, drinks and nibbles too!

Bruce Ware Strikes Form To Take Out Tuross Vets Stableford Event

For the final compe on game of the year Tuross Head Veterans golfers played a Single Stableford event on Wednesday 21 December 2022. Winner on the day was Bruce Ware, returning to form with a great score of 18 points. He beat home Greg Smith on 17, and then Sandra Hanlon and Robert McKirdy both with 16 points. Minor prizes went to Jane Egli s, John Cox, Ted Quinlan and Dorothy Madden on 15, and finally Steve Gardner and Shirley Quinlan with 14.

Ian Wra en won the infamous Bradman award, whilst nearest the pins went to Graham Moore on the 4th, Chris Wra en on the 6th, and to Jane Egli s and Kevin Reilly on the 7th. Chris Wra en also took out the Accurate drive compe on.

Right: Winner Bruce Ware

Broulee Runners

Wednesday 21st 2022

Tonight, was a record number of starters over the new course with 74 finishers. As is fi ng with 74 starters it was appropriate that records had to fall. This happened over the 2, 3 and 4-kilometres courses. James Gunn broke Mike Atkins record in the 2-kilometres. Samson Kennedy be ered his own record in the 3-Kilometres. Thomas Menzies-Stegbauer broke Daniel Beby record in the 4-kilometres and Audrey Ward broke Paige Connaughton’s record in the 4-kilomrtres.

Poppy Mitchell, Violet Kerr, Roxy Kerr, and Emma Kennedy did personal best mes in the 2-kilometres. In the 4-kilometres Paige Connaughton, Thurein Halpin and Mary Ann Kulh improved their previous best me.

Moruya River.

2 days to Xmas and looks like summer has decided to make an appearance. The forecast looks good, not too hot not too cold, and we are ready for the masses.

The river is looking amazing at the moment, clean clear water with the water temp again on the rise. The flathead have been on the chew on the flats with live nippers, frozen baits of your choice and ar fices lures all working. The have been good numbers of bream also on the flats and weed bed edges, with reports of the odd whi ng sneaking around the flats in the back of the hole in the wall. Surface lures will start to become a very viable op on for those of us who like to fish the surface bite. Any popper will work, so if you haven’t tried fishing the surface, give it a go, it is an exi ng way to fish.

Under the town bridge there have been good schools of estuary perch on the southern side around the weed beds, small so plas cs or hard body lures will work a treat on these guys. We have the perfect des for a night session on the fish over the next few days, so get amongst them. In the middle of the river, under the bridge, flathead will be a great op on on the flats as will the bream.

The hospital holes will have bream, flathead, trevally and maybe the odd whi ng. And further upstream, the Yarragee bend is holding numbers of flathead, bream and the odd estuary perch.

Moruya river is fishing great! Get in on the ac on.

Tuross River.

Coila lake has now closed to the ocean, and the prawns are stacked up at the entrance, just wai ng for a dinner date with your family. It’s already busy down there a er dark, so give each other space, enjoy the prawn run as there are plenty for everyone. If you want to try prawning, we have everything you need to get started, nets, lights and buckets.

Tuross lake itself is yet again, a hive of ac vity! There are plenty of fish being caught this week, with flathead being the main stay of this amazing fishery. As is the norm this me of year, boat traffic is also on the increase. So please keep your cool at the boat ramp, and if you can see someone in need of a hand, please help out. The main boat ramp is star ng to sand up a fair bit from reports we have had, so please be cau ous at low de!! With a dark tonight, de varia ons are big, so the isn’t going to much water on the low!

Fourways is seeing good fish ac vity with bream and estuary perch on the snags and flathead on the drop offs and in the channel. The Bodalla metal

bridge is seeing the same level of fish ac vity both up and down stream of the ramp there.

Try and fish areas of less boat ac vity for the best chance of success. Increased boat traffic does have the affect of pu ng the fish down, so these harder to get to spots will give the be er rewards.

Rock and beach.

There have been a few reports of the odd snapper and drummer coming off of pre y point the last few mornings with fresh crabs and tuna fillet working a treat.

The Moruya breakwall has seen some nice trevally, salmon, bream and flathead all on the north side of the wall. There has also been a few travally in the river itself on the south side around the spur wall, so the Moruya op ons abound.

Expect Broulee headland to also be holding a few nice fish, as well as all of the headlands along the coast. With the wind easing, now is a great me to try a bit of land based fishing.

The beaches con nue to see good numbers of salmon, with the bream and whi ng just star ng to make an appearance. Offshore.

Snapper and flathead are both readily available both over the sand areas and the reef structures. With minimal swells and a respite to the winds, this weekend is looking good for a session offshore. If you are a occasional boat fisho, please have your boat ready to put into the water before you get to the boat ramp! A busy boat ramp is not he place to park up and rig your rods, or realise you are missing bung plugs or winch handle, while others are wan ng to also launch. A li le prepara on will save me at the ramp and get you fishing sooner.

Make sure that all your safety gear is both in good condi on and up to date, as I can guarantee waterways compliance offers will be out in force over the Xmas period. We are stocked to the eyeballs, and ready for all of our wonderful Xmas visitors to descend upon our beau ful li le town of Moruya. With the weather star ng to look be er this week, we are looking forward to a busy trading period. We are only closed Xmas day, and will reopen 6am to 6pm from Boxing Day onwards and into the new year.

For those who haven’t organised Xmas presents, like me, don’t forget we do gi vouchers to what ever dollar value you want. The perfect last minute Xmas present! We would like to wish all of our valued and loyal customers a massive thank you for all of your support this year, and we wish you all the happiest of Xmas holidays and the best of New Years.

Stay safe everyone and remember, “everyday’s a good day for fishing…”

Team Tackle World Moruya.

real estate

Tip #1 - Rent Bidding to be Outlawed in NSW

We all know that the rental market has been incredibly tough over the last few years. The plethora of natural disasters certainly hasn’t helped the situa on and renters are now either finding there are no (or few) proper es to rent or they are becoming unaffordable due to the low supply and high demand.

In some areas this has led to a scenario where renters have been encouraged by either the landlord or the agent to increase their offer, above the original adver sed price, to secure a property. This has further driven up prices. The NSW Premier has said “An adver sed rental fee should be just that”. Banning the prac ce of rent bidding will “give more people security and certainty so they can plan for their future”, the Premier added. The changes will be made to the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002, with the updates set to apply to all new lis ngs from Saturday, 17 December

Tip #2 – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

I would be remiss of us not to give you one of the biggest ps for the year!

South Coast Property Specialists (Carlene Franzen) Tips #1128:

estate

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

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The Beagle Trades and Business Directory provides local Trades and Businesses a free lis ng in a hope that they might gain work from it, and con nue to provide employment and economic benefit to their families and our communi es. Adver sing is usually outside the affordability of many smaller businesses and sole traders. The Beagle supports locals. These lis ngs are FREE. If you are a local business and would like to be listed please contact us as we o en turn over these lis ngs to give everyone a fair go. Email beagleweeklynews@gmail.com Trades and Businesses can also list themselves on the Beagle Trades and Business Group in Facebook at h ps://www.facebook.com/groups/1303512213142880/