Editorial What’s On …………….... 18 to 23 FIND ALL YOUR DAILY NEWS @ www.beagleweekly.com.au

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. Un l next—lei

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.

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.

community 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.

community

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.

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:

Tuesday, 27 Dec: Dave Berry - noon Kara Coen – 3.30pm (right)

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

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

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

community

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