Beagle Weekender Vol 293 January 13th 2023

Photo courtesy of Brian Kinsela

Welcome to this week’s editorial,

As you are no doubt aware there is much being said, and very li le being done, around homelessness and housing affordability in the South East. While there have been some good ini a ves to provide short term solu ons the long term problems remain.

In trying to work through possible solu ons one of the ques ons I ask myself, me and me again, is “What exactly is an affordable house?” This leads down the rabbit hole of what people find acceptable. To most of us a three bedroom, one bathroom, lounge/kitchen/dining with a laundry would describe a basic home. A roof over our head, some room outside to grow a few flowers, maybe even the luxury of a driveway to park the mandatory car that every regional Australian family needs.

There is a high demand for these basic houses but alas they are in short supply in the South East. By rights these basic houses are meant to be affordable to buy or rent—but they aren’t. The rules of supply and demand have seen to that, added with the fact that mortgages have increased and as a consequence rents have risen.

So if there is no basic housing stock available and if the social housing stock of 700 houses or more are full then there is li le le to do but to sleep rough in your car or a empt to make a camp somewhere where you won’t be moved on, such as the North Moruya Campground. Even there the laws say that you cannot stay indefinitely.

In the past year or so we have had all manner of poli cian, bureaucrats, agency representa ves and the media come and look at our plight, shake their heads and say how sad it is that we, as a na on, have come to this, and then go away. Fi een minutes of fame, and then forgo en.

With Christmas over and a New Year begun the noise of an elec on is in the air. The NSW State elec on is on March 25th, 2023. Ten weeks away. Ten weeks for those in charge of budgets, laws and policies to come up with a solu on to the fact that there are more and more South Coast families finding themselves homeless due to housing availability, rental affordability and the very real increases in the cost of living that has li le, if any, increase in wage.

Local Government is right in advising the State Government that social and crisis housing is their responsibility. Coming from the other direc on the Federal Government is also very clear that such responsibility rests with the State Government. It appears that the State Government is between a rock and a hard place and it appears that they too have no solu ons. Basically there are too many people who need basic houses, and they need them NOW.

But the basic house is not cheap to build. Firstly there is the issue of where to build. Social housing projects come with a s gma. They have a reputa on for having “issues”. Do we create an enclave, as has been done in the region, with mixed results or do we intersperse affordable housing into new estates. A $600,000 basic house between to $1.5m homes? Given the rising cost of land with 450m2 selling for $300,000 the basic $600,000 house to accommodate one family is approaching $1 million.

Of interest is that there have also been protests of proposed affordable housing enclaves by those in the community who feel that such an enclave might devalue their property or bring miscreants and mischief. Nimbys everywhere.

I o en think of the immigrants to Australia in the 1950’s who were given the most basic accommoda on to hold them over un l they could find their feet. The huts were built and supported by the government and those who were housed were thankful. The huts may well have been at a standard well below the average Australian home at the me but they offered shelter and security. A place to call home.

The fact of the ma er is that the cost of a basic Australian home is rising rapidly with material costs, wages and finance rates. Maybe we need to reconsider what is affordable housing and start to consider what is acceptable housing at a me of crisis where anything has to be be er than living under a tarp or sleeping in the back of a car.

Un l next—Lei

Crisis accommoda on needed now

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher remains hopeful the NSW Government will shortly offer a solu on to the homelessness crisis at Moruya’s North Head campground.

Mayor Hatcher wrote to NSW Premier Dominic Perro et in December, outlining the seriousness of the situa on and asking the Premier to urgently find housing appropriate to the needs of the people currently making the campground their home.

The campground is managed by Eurobodalla Council, who is allowing the growing number of people living there to stay beyond the NSW Government’s mandated 50-day per year rule.

Mayor Hatcher said Council is showing discre on and compassion in not enforcing the regula on because there is nowhere else for people living there to go.

“The NSW Government is responsible for crisis and social housing, and they must step in and help us solve this issue,” he said.

“These are primi ve campgrounds, meaning there is no permanent hot water or enclosed showers. They simply aren’t a suitable place for people to be living permanently.”

Council has been working with local homelessness agencies and case managers are visi ng the campground weekly, where more than 50 people experiencing homelessness are currently living.

“The local agencies are doing great work in terms of providing support, but what no one can offer right now is a suitable place for these people to live,” the Mayor said.

“We need the Premier to act quickly. The NSW Government could buy a motel or a block of units to temporarily house people in a crisis.

“The situa on has become cri cal and now is the me for the NSW Government to do something. “I don’t want people living in freezing cold tents again this winter and the local council installing temporary hot showers to provide some small comfort and dignity.

“In Australia in 2023, everyone should have a roof over their head and the security of a place to call home. “I’m asking the Premier to provide this basic human right for the people living at North Head campground.”

Mogo Trails crew on track to start work

With the paperwork done and dusted, ground-breaking work on Mogo’s new mountain-bike trails – with poten al to a ract 45,000 visitors annually – starts next week.

Crew from Rocky Trail Des na on and Next Level MTB have vowed to build quality trails that appeal to all users when they bring an experienced team to establish the site and get the trail-build underway.

Eurobodalla Council’s Mogo Trails manager Shane Spicer said the $8 million project would deliver 155 kilometres of track now the trail network had been finalised following years of planning and consulta on with community groups and forest stakeholders and users.

“That’s building 125 kilometres of new trail and then formalising and upgrading 30 kilometres of exis ng trail through Mogo State Forest and Deep Creek Dam,” Mr Spicer said.

“All the current, volunteer-built trails will remain open in the short term, but we’re asking riders to stay off freshly built trails, follow advice on safety signs, and stay away from construc on crew un l the trails are opened.

“Along with the Narooma Mountain Bike Club’s new trails in the Bodalla State Forest that are expected to open early this year – and exis ng State Forest networks at Eden, Bermagui, Burrill Lake and Nowra – this hub at Mogo will see NSW’s south coast become something of a mountain bike mecca.” Council’s director of planning Lindsay Usher said the trails would inject $12 million into the local economy in the first year alone.

“There’s an explosion of mountain biking in our region and across the world and we are lucky to have plenty of mul -use forest right on our doorstep. Research has shown that every dollar invested in cycling infrastructure returns almost $5 to the economy in health benefits,” Mr Usher said “Mogo and nearby towns and villages can capitalise on this growing market of enthusiasts year-round, giving local accommoda on providers, food outlets and retailers a boost through the colder months when tradi onally things are too slow.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said once complete, the trails would be a major drawcard for locals and tourists alike.

“It’s exci ng to see work get underway on the Mogo Trails. This project will see even more people travel to spend more me in the picturesque Eurobodalla Shire,” Mr Toole said.

“Projects like these make a real difference to communi es, and that’s exactly why the NSW Government is backing Council to transform Mogo into a mountain bike mecca.”

For more informa on visit Council’s Mogo Trails webpage. The Mogo Trails project has relied heavily on collabora on with Forestry Corpora on NSW and was made possible thanks to $5 million from the Australian and NSW Governments’ Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and $3 million from the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies Fund.

Above: Ride South Coast in Ulladulla are one of the many local businesses enjoying the increased interest in

On the lookout for water weeds

It’s fast growing, floats and causes havoc in our waterways … salvinia molesta is a water weed you don’t want to see.

Eurobodalla Council’s invasive species team spent a decade controlling the invasive weed that forms dense mats on the water’s surface, smothering and destroying habitat for aquatic animals. The team used helicopters and hard yakka by hand to get rid of salvinia.

Invasive species supervisor Paul Martin said the team will be doing inspections in Sunshine Bay and Denhams Beach throughout February and March to check salvinia hasn’t made a comeback.

It was in 2011, when salvinia was first spotted in a one-hectare dam at Sunshine Bay. Mr Martin said removing it was “incredibly resource intensive, laborious and dangerous”.

“We spent the best part of 10 years spraying by hand, from a helicopter, releasing biological control, removing it with an aquatic excavator, and hand-scooping it from the complex wetland environment,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin said salvinia would have been disastrous if it took over the shire’s drinking water supply.

“There was a significant risk to our water supply if a waterbird carried salvinia to Deep Creek Dam,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s important to protect our drinking water. By doing future inspections we can make sure salvinia does not exist in our catchment.”

Landholders and Council have a legal obligation under the Biosecurity Act 2015 to stop the spread of the weed.

Landholders in the area have been notified of the upcoming inspection. Mr Martin said they will be quick and landholders’ presence is optional.

“There’s no need to be home for the inspection; our invasive species team will do a quick inspection and report back to you if we find anything of concern,” Mr Martin said.

“However, we certainly welcome being accompanied. Landholders can get in touch to make a suitable date and time to go through the property together if they prefer.”

The team will also check for other serious water weeds such as water hyacinth, horsetail and alligator weed.

For more information, contact Paul Martin on 4474 1000 or paul.martin@esc.nsw.gov.au

Free Saturday show entry

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

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

Submissions sought on Moruya rodeo licence

Eurobodalla Council is seeking community feedback on a five-year licence renewal allowing the Rodeo Associa on of Moruya to run events at the Moruya Showground.

The rodeo has run for 48 years and is consistent with Council’s plan of management for the showground, and to obtain a new licence the rodeo must con nue to comply with all relevant legisla on.

Council is also considering mandatory compliance with the NSW Code of Prac ce for animals used in rodeo events as an addi onal condi on should a new licence be granted.

Submissions close 10am on Tuesday 31 January. For more informa on visit Council’s Public no ce: Licence for Moruya rodeo page.

A New Look For U3A Batemans Bay

U3A Batemans Bay is the largest totally volunteer run organisa on in the shire. Part of the worldwide U3A network, U3A Batemans Bay offers affordable learning opportuni es for seniors, using the skills and abili es of our members, to promote ac ve, lifelong learning and social connec on. Classes are held under the broad categories of Arts and Cra , Languages, Literature (which includes Book Groups), Physical Ac vi es, Science, Recrea onal Ac vi es, and Personal Development. New tutors are always welcome.

Classes are held in Batemans Bay and surrounds, Malua Bay, Tomakin, Broulee and Moruya. U3A Batemans Bay has recently launched a new website, www.u3abatemansbay.org.au, and a new membership administra on so ware which enables members to manage their own profiles and enrolments, making them much more independent and greatly lessening the workload for our dedicated volunteers. This system is accessed through the website. Over 250 of our members have a ended training sessions and acquired the necessary skills to use this new system.

The program for Semester 1 can be accessed by clicking on the Courses tab on the website and scrolling down to Courses and Ac vi es Currently Available. You do not have to be a member to do this. Enrolments in 2023 classes open on 19 January. Members can enrol online or at Registra on Day which is being held on at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Thursday 19 January, from 10.30am – 12.30 pm. You must be financial in order to enrol.

Membership is $50 for new members and $45 per annum therea er. This fee enables members to a end as many classes as they wish.

New members may join online via the website, visit the Shopfront at the Batemans Bay Library on Thursday 12 January between 10.30am and 12 noon, or join at Registra on Day.

For addi onal informa on contact the President on president.u3a.bbay@gmail.com or call 82505262 and leave a message.

community

Story of Narooma’s pilot sta on and marine rescue

Narooma Historical Society’s guest speaker this Sunday (15 January) is Society member Craig Pe erd, also of Marine Rescue.

Craig is currently wri ng a book about the history of the Pilot Sta on and of Narooma’s marine rescue services over the years. Everyone is welcome.

“The research I’ve done has been absolutely fascina ng,” Craig said. “I’ve spoken to many former members of our marine rescue services as well as delving deep into various archives.”

Above: Pilot Sta on Inspec on

An emergency rocket system was introduced following the wreck of the Bodalla in 1924. The idea was the rockets would fire a rope to a boat should it be stuck on rocks close to shore. The system was demonstrated during official inspec ons, as seen here in 1941. State Library NSW, Narooma Historical Society

His book will be published later this year.

The Society meets this Sunday in the School of Arts’ Studios (red co age behind BP and the Kinema) at 2pm. A ernoon tea is provided.

Le : Jade Morrow has posted a truly amazing photo in Narooma History in Photos with the following comment: "Narooma's 'original boardwalk' over Mill Bay."

Be sure to follow Narooma History in Photos if you have an interest in Narooma and the history of the region.

This is just an example of the gems that are discovered.

Caught out on toilets and bins

Eurobodalla Council’s General Manager

Warwick Winn has described locked public toilets and overflowing bins in Batemans Bay over the New Year break as unacceptable.

Mr Winn said despite doubling the number of street bins and emptying them daily, the Batemans Bay CBD and foreshore looked a mess at mes with li er spilling out of bins, and members of the public resor ng to shopping trolleys to contain the waste.

“We thought we had it covered with ten extra bins on the Bay foreshore alone,” Mr Winn said.

“We’ve now placed 12 addi onal bins around the waterfront, but we as a Council will set about finding a be er long-term solu on.

“I don’t want to see this happen again. Businesses are doing their best to a ract visitors and the community expect their towns to present well.”

Above: Despite Council doubling the number of street bins and emptying them daily, residents and visitors were using shopping trolleys to contain li er around Batemans Bay over the New Year break.

Mr Winn also acknowledged issues with locked public toilets around the Bay on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

He said Council’s cleaning contractor had let them down, leaving Council staff scrambling to open the toilets a er complaints started coming through.

“This is unacceptable, and we will do be er next me,” he said.

Support Vesna Andric a er Sur oat Tragedy

On Wednesday 4 January 2023, Vesna Andric was rowing for Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club in the iconic George Bass Sur oat Marathon.

Vesna & her Tathra ladies crew were involved in a tragic accident just off Bermagui beach.

As a result of the accident Vesna has sustained horrific injuries including a smashed pelvis, fractured ribs & internal bleeding. Vesna’s spine has been rea ached to her pelvis in surgery. As of January 13th 2023 Vesna has been transferred out of ICU onto the orthopaedic ward. However there is months of rehab ahead & more surgery but her condi on is “stable”. She is somewhat able respond to doctors now & has the bedside support of her daughter Sinead & beau ful friends Claudia & Carly.

Close friends have established a Fundraiser for Vesna, calling on Surf Life Saving clubs, Bega Valley shire residents & the wider community to help their gorgeous friend through her long recovery road ahead. All funds to go directly to Vesna to aid in her long recovery & living expenses.

This fundraiser is being endorsed & supported by both Tathra Surf Life Saving Club & the George Bass organising commi ee

Ves has been told of the fundraising & is completely overwhelmed at the amazing generosity & support being shown

Friend, Kate, says "Vesna is the most giving, generous & loyal friend, team member & employee & much loved member of United Fitness gym in Bega. Vesna recently commenced a new job with the South East Women’s & Children’s services in Bega where she directly helps vic ms of Domes c Violence.

"Vesna herself would never ask for help but we are doing it for her".

h ps://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vesna-andric-a er-sur oat-tragedy

Do you realise the Moruya RSL Sub

Branch is holding its first mee ng of the year next Tuesday,17th January at 2p.m. in the Moruya RSL Memorial Hall 11 Page St Moruya.

Don't forget the monthly mee ng is held on the third Tuesday of the month at 2p.m. We welcome any serving personnel or veterans from the Australian Defence Forces to come along to visit & join the Sub Branch.

We shall be discussing our arrangements for Anzac Day as there is a lot to do. We welcome offers of help from our members so please let us know as we would be very glad of any help.

The President ,Kevin Se er, has resigned due to ill health so we wish him well.

The Narooma VIEW Club

Narooma VIEW Club Breakfast & Book Stall

On Saturday January 2st the Narooma VIEW Club will be hosting a book stall. Lots of interesting titles available, and all proceeds go to support The Smith Family.

The first Meeting of the year will be breakfast at the Narooma Ice Creamery. Please contact Carlien 0411408269

Social Bridge/Refresher Lessons at Moruya Bridge Club

Played Bridge a while ago? Or had some lessons? Would like some refresher lessons or social play? Moruya Bridge Club is offering both

Every Monday, 11 am – 12.30 pm at Moruya Golf Club

Star ng Monday, January 9, 2023, Cost: free Lessons from an experienced teacher Social Bridge supervised by experienced players Bridge is a fantas c card game for all, regardless of age For more informa on, contact: rosietoth102@gmail.com

What’s under the

wharf?

There was so much to see!

More than 200 people a ended the Narooma "What’s under the wharf" event to learn about marine life under the Narooma town wharf on Monday. Five divers from the Nature Coast Marine Group collected cri ers for kids and adults to touch and learn (they were all safely handled and released). The s ngrays put on a show and someone spo ed an octopus from above.

Above: Eurobodalla Council sustainability educa on Officer Alex King with natural resource officer James Caffery with (right) Lisa Comthwaite of Repurposing for Resilience.

community

Bodalla Rectory garden reopens to public viewing

The award winning Bodalla Rectory Garden will be open this Saturday and Sunday from 11am un l 4pm and every weekend in January.

The Rectory Garden will con nue to open for the months following January on dates to be confirmed.. Open weekends from 11am to 4pm.

Garden closed on rainy days.

No pets. Entry fee $10.

Follow The Rectory Garden on Facebook or Instagram for up to date and addi onal opening dates and mes

Located at 59 Princes Highway, Bodalla NSW 2545

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 8.0012.00 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

What’s on

Songs From Swan Street Vol. I for Surf Beach musician Rhys Duursma

The South Coast is learning of Rhys Duursma of Surf Beach this summer via his latest releases from his album Songs From Swan Street Vol. I h ps://youtu.be/keFzLKrJdLw

Within his rock band Lowline, cra ing indie-folk as Mayfair Lane or simply si ng by himself with a guitar. Since he was young Rhys' hope was that these songs, birthed in his quiet, melancholy inner world, could somehow become a conversa on where together we explore our humanity and the things that unite us.

You can catch Rhys and his partner Esther performing this weekend, January 14th 2023, at The Patch in Tomakin performing as Mayfair Lane.

Mayfair Lane is married couple Rhys & Esther Duursma who now live on the beau ful south coast. Prior to this they embarked on a twelve month experiment as full me musicians and van lifers, travelling up and down eastern Australia as well as overseas, sharing their songs and stories.

Mayfair Lane supported cel c duo The Sweet Sorrows on a three week tour around the UK and then joined folk family band The Hollands on a four week tour across the USA. This incredible opportunity put them in front of interna onal audiences who loved the pair’s sweet harmonies, conversing guitars and authen city. Join their journey this weekend as they find their place in the Australian indie-folk scene.

We Are Back This Summer! The Never Ending 80s OUTSIDE River Side STAGE

At Moruya Waterfront Hotel JAN 21st

Tag The Gang And BOOK NOW

It was THE era of BIG HAIR, BIG HITS and BIG FUN. NEVER ENDING 80’s take you back to Party Like It's 1989 with a night packed full of the biggest hits by the greatest ar sts ever.

The 80s were RAD with THE GREATEST soundtrack, and we are bringing it back to Dance The Night Away.

Now, Australia’s number one retro band the Never Ending 80s are bringing that soundtrack to the stage as they carve their way through the music of Prince, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, INXS, Bon Jovi, Huey Lewis & The News, Whitney Houston, as well as so many other giants, you’ll be dancing and singing along to all of your 80s tunes LIKE TOTALLY..!

What’s on

Jan 14th - Sirenics at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club

Jan 14th - Vince Jones and Friends + Out Of Abingon @ John The Po ers, Bingi - Ticketebo.com.au/bingiepo ery

Jan14th- Jeff Aschmann at Grumpy's Cafe Mogo 11:302:30

Jan 14th - Roddy Reason – Club Tuross (7.30pm)

Jan 14th - Mayfair Lane at The Patch, Tomakin 7:30pm

Jan 15th -Ma hew Lloyd – Club Tuross (4pm)

Jan 15th - Eurobodalla Live Music at Moruya Golf Club 12:30pm

Jan 15th - Jacii Leigh at The Patch, Tomakin 2-5pm

Jan 20th - Rick Bamford – Tomakin Club (7.30pm)

Jan 21st - Dave Newman – Tuross Club (7.30pm)

Jan 21st - Roddo’s Rythmn’s – Tomakin Club (7.30pm)

Jan 21st - Dust and Echos at One Tree Tavern, Tuross

Jan 21st - Never Ending 80s Party -Moruya Waterfront Hotel

We Are Back This Summer!

The Never Ending 80s OUTSIDE River Side STAGE

At Moruya Waterfront Hotel - JAN 21

It was THE era of BIG HAIR, BIG HITS and BIG FUN. NEVER ENDING 80’s take you back to Party Like It's 1989 with a night packed full of the biggest hits by the greatest ar sts ever. The 80s were RAD with THE GREATEST soundtrack, and we are bringing it back to Dance The Night Away.

Jan 22nd - Country Pumpkins – Eurobodalla Show (noon)

Jan 22nd - Steve Benic – Tomakin Club (2pm)

Jan 26th - Stru Trio – Club Tuross

Jan 27th - @agirlar st will be at Moruya Golf Club

Jan 28th - Legoman at One Tree Tavern, Tuross

Jan 29th -Rick Bamford – Club Tuross (4pm)

Feb 1st - Chamber Philharmonia Cologne (Germany) at the Anglican Church, Batemans Bay. 8pm. h ps://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/999318

A er several successful European tours in 2019 and 2020 the Chamber

Philharmonia Cologne (Germany) is coming back to Australia in summer 2023 with a powerful and lovely new programme. Tickets $40

Mar 24th to 26th 2023 - Moruya Blues and Roots Fes val at the Moruya Waterfront Hotel

270 By Robert Macklin

It is now clear that Peter Dutton has joined the Nats’ leader, the eponymous David Littleproud, in a de facto campaign against the referendum for an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament. It is no coincidence that they both hail from Queensland.

I say this as a born and bred Queenslander. Indeed, I jackarooed on a property in Littleproud’s Maranoa electorate. There was even a moment as press secretary to his predecessor, John ‘Black Jack’ McEwen when the idea of a political career in that very region passed its way through the juvenile cerebellum.

It took me as far as forming a Canberra branch of the Young Country Party and recruiting Peter Nixon (McEwen’s preferred successor) and the Boss himself to address a meeting of the group at the Party’s Barton headquarters. And I still recall the drug-like thrill of applause from a (smallish) group of enthusiasts at a Harden Branch meeting. Thankfully, with the help of my much more sensible wife, I kicked the drug before an addiction took root.

The Queensland upbringing has its compensations. Every State of Origin match for the last 20 years sees my two sons and I hook up our mobiles wherever we are in the world and cheer home the Maroons (or blame the ref). And my first novel, ‘The Queenslander’ has been optioned three times for a TV series which the latest American producers have hopefully billed, ‘The Thorn Birds of the 21st Century’. This doesn’t mean it will ever get made, and I hated The Thorn Birds with a passion, but when things look crook – as they occasionally do in a writers’ life – it’s nice to fantasise about that moment at the Golden Globes awards: ‘And the winner is…’

But Thomas Aquinas certainly knew something when he said, ‘Give me the child until he is seven and I will show you the man’. The myths of childhood and the formative years seem almost baked into the young brain; and it takes hard work, emotional grit, and the kind of courage that all addicts bring to their struggle to beat the gloating Aquinas boast. Many don’t make it. Littleproud and Dutton are sad examples. They must know deep down that Queensland was the site of the most - and some of the worst - massacres of the Aboriginal people. But because they know there is a ‘base’ within their parties that remains deliberately ignorant, they pretend otherwise: Queensland is ‘Godzone country’ and can do no wrong; and if there was some unpleasantness with the great ‘pioneers’, it was generations ago and things were different then.

Well, they got that almost right. In truth, things are now more different than they realise. It was Queensland that produced Eddie Mabo and Noel Pearson and Marcia Langton; Queensland that welcomed the first Aboriginal Senior Counsel, Tony McAvoy, now central to the negotiations for a Treaty. More recently it’s given us Ash Barty, Jonathan Thurston, Arti Beetson; and it was Queensland that last year elected its first three Greens to Seats in the House and a second Senator.

Indeed, it was another Queenslander, Kevin Rudd, who initiated the Apology to the Stolen Generations; and it was Dutton who walked out of the House when he did so. His latest demand for the Voice’s modus operandi is simply a pinch from the Howard playbook to defeat the 1999 referendum on the Head of State: confuse the argument with the fine detail to be decided once the principle has been secured.

It’s either pathetic or childish – but either way it’s another win for wise old Tom Aquinas.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Reading—A beer with Baz

Mick wended his way through the front bar and out to the beer garden. Bazza had secured the favoured table under the big gum tree with his eyes half closed.

An Elvis Presley impersonator who missed the train to Parkes, began his cover of ‘All Shook Up.’

“Found you, Bazza…..deep in thought in the beer garden eh?”

“I’m not sure why they call it a beer garden, Mick……..it’s not as if they grow any beer here.”

Mick opted for a shake of the head rather than a chuckle and they both took generous sips.

“Ahhhhh……we have to make the most of these endless summer days, Mick. I’ve had to reconfigure the alarm clock so it reminds me of the weekday rather than the me. My wife had to remind me it was Friday so you are lucky I’m here. January seems to be divided between the cricket or the tennis.”

“Or more likely, the fridge or the couch, Bazza……anyhow….the Premier seems to be in a bit of strife, dressing up in a Nazi uniform, at his twenty first birthday party.”

The Elvis impersonator had the odd couple up and dancing as he leaned into the microphone with;

‘Oh, well, my hands are shaky, and my knees are weak I can't seem to stand on my own two feet Who do you thank when you have such luck?’*

Bazza leaned back and sighed.

“Yeah, I did read that, Mick……but I don’t buy the excuse that you know li le about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust by the age of twenty one. I reckon I would of watched ‘A Sound of Music’ fi y mes before I le primary school and then gained a deeper understanding at high school. He must of either been asleep at school or there is something wrong with the educa on system he now presides over.”

“He did seem genuinely sorry at the press conference, Bazza.”

Bazza took a long sip.

“No doubt about that, Mick…..just like your mate, Prince Harry, who did something similar in 2005.”

Mick screwed his eyes.

“I’ve never really been into fancy dress par es, Mick, but if you must do it; choose someone that is not divisive or controversial. Choose a unifying figure whose life is guided by empathy, responsibility, respect, integrity and compassion. Put a fancy dress on those quali es and it can s ll be fun.”

A long silence.

“Agreed for once, Bazza…….who would you have in mind?”

Bazza pursed his lips.

“Ahhhhh…..I don’t know, Mick…….maybe a Cardinal.”

*Acknowledge: ‘All Shook Up’ by Elvis Presley. Have a beer with Bazza at john.longhurst59@gmail.com

Beagle le er re Council rubbish issues etc 10.01.23

Eurobodalla Council to receive Local Government Kama Sutra Award?

Dear Editor,

Thank you for your lead ar cle and editorial last weekend on the Eurobodalla rubbish and public toilet crisis over the Christmas New Year holiday break..

As you note, this annual waste crisis is out of control. While Council may have put out a few more bins, the tsunami of overflowing waste shows they clearly underes mated demand; and as for the closing the public toilets on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day – what are ratepayers to conclude other than that the responsible ESC managers are Missing In Ac on yet again?

Coming on top of such Council management fiascoes as the Congo Road nightmare, the Coila Zombie Development, trashing of Dalmeny nature corridors for developers, the sacrificing of community services for commercial developments such as at the Bay Pavilions, etc , our new GM Warwick Winn must surely be wondering about some of the Divisional managers he has inherited On each one of these issues we have been treated for years with so many contradictory posi ons and blame shi ing excuses, it all looks like some Local Government version of the Kama Sutra. The only problem is, while the Divisional heads smile on their $200,000 odd annual salary, ratepayers have no joy. And are le with their mess..

If Council wants to seriously address garbage dumping/ overflows from tourists they need be er managers – and to pay them to work over me in holidays.. They also clearly requires more bins, regular monitoring and backup bins and personnel to deal with overflows. At a strategic level Council needs to install camera monitoring of hotspots, more signage about waste preven on and poten al fines; plus the will to fine people who illegally dump waste.

In terms of public toilets administra on and services, our Council has always been a poor rela on compared to neighbouring Shires . As with Waste Management, this area also needs a new management team with new policies and opera onal plans.

Good Luck Warwick!

Jack Purcell

Reading—le er to the editor

To Beagle Editor.

Welcome to another year. For Beagle readers who may be interested in the weather, tradi onally a staple topic opener for many conversa ons , my rain gauge at Tuross Head recorded 1520mm in our wet and flooded 2022. Going back to 2019, it was only 540mm in that terrible dry and bushfire year.

Our local average is around 1100mm so we can only hope for normality and less extreme weather episodes.

Sadly though, I believe Climate Change is just flexing its ample energe c muscles worldwide with damaging and costly weather extreme teasers.

Paying for floods and fires is a very big hit to our na onal economy, for us at home we can already see the rising cost of food and insurance, pe y stuff so far. I’ve no ced how quiet the Climate Change Scep cs have been in the past year or two.

Nearly two decades ago I met Al Gore ( US VP) at the Sydney launch of his film “An Inconvenient Truth”, a mely warning of the Global Warming impacts to come. The Fed government of the day dismissed the message of the film, one high ranking MP saying “it’s only entertainment”.

Lost opportunity, lost me. Locally we have new councilors and senior staff at Eurobodalla Shire Council who seem to be more aware of such issues and are , I understand, working on the findings of the Bushfire Royal Commission regarding fire plans, zones etc. For instance, Tuross Head dodged a bullet due to a wind change in the drama c 2019/20 summer bushfires, other towns were not so lucky.

Tuross remains at high bushfire risk and doesn’t have an emergency evac shelter. Residents of our shire no doubt eagerly await helpful plans and feedback from Council well before the next bushfires or any emergency. People are becoming less tolerant of lazy arrogant poli cians and bureaucrats, perhaps now is the era of Li le Brother watching Big Brother.

This could just be the beginning so hold on to your hats.

www.iga.com.au/

Gary Smith. Tuross Head.

Reading—history

100 Years Ago—13th January 1923

MESSRS. R. W. Thatcher and Sons have just completed a fine residence at Central Tilba for S. W. Bate. It is one of the show places on the Coast, and is lit up with the Gloria light.

AT 11am on Wednesday there passed peacefully from this world of joy and sorrow Miss Susan McLean, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Archibald McLean, of Newstead. Deceased who was 68 years of age, died at “Bonnie Doon,” the residence of her sister, Mrs. M. Rose, by whom she had been devotedly nursed during an illness of many months dura on. … She is survived by one brother, Mr. Allen McLean (Sydney), six sisters, Mesdames M. Rose (Moruya), Caskie (South Africa), Johnson (Newcastle), Misses Bella (South Africa), Agnes (W. Aus), and Janet (Lansdown), Miss Annie McLean having pre-deceased her only a few months ago in America. …

A GOOD fall of rain is needed throughout this district, as the extremely hot weather and drying westerlies of the past month have had a serious effect on the crops and herbage. The fire fiend has wrought havoc in many parts and has le devasta on in its trail. From numerous centres in the state good falls of rain has been reported, but Moruya’s good cheer is s ll to come.

An image of the grave on Broulee Island. Just a comment on the name on the grave: in the Australian convict and later record Malabar is spelt with a's but in the earlier records in England Abraham Malabar's name is spelt with e's.

A PARTY of campers report having had a deligh ul period of eight days on Broulee Island. Though the spot is difficult of access visitors are well repaid for the tedious journey. [There is] …a wind-sheltered spot for tents, clean and sandless, a supply of deliciously cool spring water, and firewood in abundance. The scene overlooking the bay on a moonlight night, with the red glare of the bush-fire on the farther shore, the silver beams on the water, and the white fringe of surf is a feast for the eyes of a nature-lover. [In the old cemetery] …remains but one gravestone, and that broken. The almost effaced le ering reads: “To the memory of Elizabeth Malabar, wife of Abraham Malabar, who died 1842.” Some traces of the abandoned hamlet s ll remain, here a heap of bricks, there a half visible fence, and for the rest enormous hills of sand which has completely smothered the group of co ages that once faced the bay. …

ON Wednesday the only son of Mr. and Mrs. George Patrech, of Bateman’s Bay, was admi ed to the local Hospital suffering from diptheria in a very severe form. Despite Dr. Cutler’s special a en on and treatment when his services were called upon and Matron Constable’s kind nursing, the li le sufferer passed away yesterday morning at the age of 1 year and 11 months. Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc. h ps://www.mdhs.org.au

Reading Come Death and High Water

by Ann Cleeves

A rou ne weekend visit by the Gillibry Bird Observatory Trust is made memorable by the owner's announcement that he is going to sell the island. A sale would mean the end of the Observatory, which for some of the birders makes life worth living. A fire in Charlie Todd's co age adds to their distress. And when, next morning, a er a fierce storm, they find Charlie dead in a bird hide, their pleasant September weekend assumes a dangerous new face.

Charlie Todd's murder could have been the deed of any member of the Trust. And it falls to one of their own, George PalmerJones, to unravel the iden ty of a killer within their midst . . .

Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five cri cally acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime wri ng, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detec ves Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Ma hew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respec vely. The TV series and the books they are based on have become interna onal sensa ons, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.

Ann worked as a proba on officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started wri ng. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other Bri sh northern writers to promote crime fic on. Ann also spends her me advoca ng for reading to improve health and wellbeing and suppor ng access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authori es across the North East. She lives in Northumberland where the Vera books are set.

Narooma Gallery presents: Frida & Feathers

Perpetua (Pe ) McInnes and Donna Goulding exhibit new work together for the first me at the Narooma Gallery. Diverse works, both ar sts explore character, belonging, and personal strength.

Thursday, January 12, 2023 10:00 AM un l Sunday, January 29, 2023 4:00 PM

Narooma School of Art & Soldier's War Memorial Hall Inc92 Campbell Street, Narooma

Goulding’s works are an interpreta on of Frida Khalo’s life. Khalo is a muse, model and leader for many women and a source of inspira on for countless ar sts. Goulding states: I am interested in the life of Frida Kahlo as she is a strong woman like me, and she inspires me to create and be honest. Frida Kahlo’s strong poli cal, intellectual and deeply patrio c views always sought to be a strong voice for oppressed women. Self-taught, her pain ng allowed Frida to overcome and alleviate severe physical and psychological pain caused by a debilita ng accident.

A er a 30 year career in Fes val and Event management, McInnes has recommi ed to her con nued love of crea ng and pain ng. The works for this exhibi on are an explora on of colour movement. They express McInnes’ fascina on with birds, which on observa on are like humans, each bird has their own clans and personali es.

Ar st talk gathering

All are welcome to come along and listen to the ar sts talk about their work and stay for drinks and a sausage sizzle immediately a er.

Saturday 21 January 5:30 pm - 7:00pm

Image credits:

Le : Donna Goulding, Frida (detail), 2022, acrylic, 300 mm H x 150 mm W. Photograph the Ar st

Right: Perpetua McInnes, Inquisi ve (detail), 2022, oil, 610 mm H x 1220 mm W. Photograph the Ar st

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.

Jus n Pearson's outstanding collec on of landscapes "A Cluster of Green" runs un l Sunday 5 February.

Expressive and invi ng, Jus n's rich oils are full of movement and nuance, brought together skilfully with the most beau ful use of colour.

Gallery Bodalla is open Thursday to Sunday 11am4pm and by appointment, post office 66a Princes Hwy, Bodalla ph 0421 238 174.

Visit the exhibi on at www.gallerybodalla.com.au

Tuross Head Vets Golf Results - 11 January 2023

Tuross Head Veteran golfers played a modified form of Par event on Wednesday 11 January 2023. The modified version provides bonus scores for results be er than handicap golf.

Winner on the day was Robin Green from Terry Lunn, both players with results of square on the day. They beat home Julie Barningham and Steve Johnston, both with -1. Minor prizes went to the following players all scoring -2: Paul Green, Warren Hodder, Bruce Mar n, Dorothy Madden, Barry Hoban, Mike Birks, Steve Collins, Don Russell, Blaise Madden and finally Steve Swanbury. Greg Thornton had the misfortune to win the Bradman award whilst nearest the pins were won by Steve Swanbury on the 4th, Ken Brown on the 6th, and by Jane Egli s and Lars Gaupset on the 7th. Teri Swanbury won the Accurate drive.

Catalina Country Club was founded by 25 members in 1956. It was named a er the WWII seaplanes that were kept nearby. Back then it was a 5-hole course laid out on sand greens. The founda on players recall having to “rake the gravel” as they played.

In 1961, the course was upgraded to a 9hole grass green and six years later it expanded to 18 holes. In the 70s, Catalina boomed boas ng a new clubhouse and hos ng professional compe ons a rac ng the likes of Kel Nagle, Bruce Devlin and Greg Norman.

Above: Winner Robin Green alongside runner up Terry Lunn.

Broulee Runners

Wednesday January 11th

2023

For health and safety reasons we moved to the new course on 27 April 2022. Although there has been some disappointment about not having a 5-Kilometres course there has been general agreement with the new courses. One of the results it has given the good runners an opportunity to excel and those with prams to par cipate safely.

The mes over the three distances have been outstanding and it is a good opportunity to list the record holders and their mes for others to measure themselves:

Women 2-kilometres Lilly McIntosh 8.37 3-kilometres Lilly McIntosh 13.36 4-kilometres Tess Aungles 15.07

Men 2-kilometres Will Trevaskis 7.56

3-kilometres Tino Lopres 12.21 4-kilometres John Maguire 12.22

It is mely to announce a new record holder in the men 3-kilometre with Jack Field, a visitor from Melbourne, who had his first run this evening, reducing the record by 48 seconds. Well done, Jack!

In the 2-kilometres personal best mes were recorded by Lewis Gunn, Andrew Greenway, and Ciara Ciahill In the 3-kilometres PBs were recorded by Tegan Carton, Chloe Tangney, and Peta Virgo. In the 5-kilometres PBs were recorded by Geoff Hawke, Erin Drewson, Aislinn Scahill, Niamh Scahill, and John Scahill. It was a great day for the Irish!!!!!

15 Red Noses To Cross Bass Strait

15 Volunteer Life Savers known as the ‘Red Nose Mussel Rowers’ from the south coast of NSW are taking on one of the toughest ocean journeys in Australia for a brilliant cause.

The all-female crew will leave on February 12th, 2023 from Port Welshpool, Victoria. The es mated 320 km epic journey will be a massive achievement, but the real mo va on behind the crossing is to raise money for the now famous Red Nose Day Founda on.

What is es mated to take about 7-8 days island hopping across the Strait, the girls will row in a tradi onal surf boat proudly on loan from Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club. The boat is named in honour of two amazing women being Broulee Surfers Life member Claudia Dixon and Kathy Glinsky of Avoca SLSC who was tragically killed in the Thailand tsunami in 2004.

The trip celebrates an amazing female members of SLSA.

‘We will be chomping at the bit to get going once February rolls around. We know it will be hard, but the Red Nose Charity do amazing things, and our hard work will be worth it to be able to support their work’ said Michelle Co ngton who is one of the 8 women taking part.

‘This trip is not for the faint hearted and the girls who have put up their hands to take it on are experienced in long distance ocean rowing. They will have good days and bad, but the adventure and challenges are something they will never forget’ said Shannon Small.

Training began in chilly condi ons, and so too the efforts to cover the costs of the trip which are nearing the $50,000 mark. The biggest chunk of costs being that of the support boat and fuel costs. Once running costs are covered, the important fundraising efforts will begin for Red Nose Day.

Opportuni es exist to sponsor a rower, or donate you might consider $1 a km.

Dona ons can be made via GoFundme – RED NOSE MUSSEL

ROWERS - h ps://gofund.me/ d3ce07e0

THE RED NOSE MUSSELROWERS

Taryn Carver

Michelle Co ngton

Anna McGlynn

Kirsty Luff

Elle Pannowitz

Shannon Small

Ash Bujeya

THE RED NOSE SWEEP Rob Pollock

THE RED NOSE SKI PADDLERS

Sco Carver

Andy Lawson

sports

Moruya river.

Once again, Friday has go en away from me with stock and customers to be sorted. Let’s do the report.

With last weeks spike in ocean temperatures, 18deg to now 23deg on the beaches, the river is kicking into overdrive. Flathead have well and truly increased their feeding ac vity in the river as have the trevally and bream. I am star ng to hear reports of a few whi ng also star ng to be taken in the river. Looks to the flats areas with ac ve nipper beds to try for a whi ng or two. Live nippers are a gun bait, as is throwing surface style lures.

Under the town bridge estuary perch, bream, flathead and the odd whi ng have all been seen and taken from the bridge itself, or the banks on either side Up in front of the hospital, the holes up there are providing anglers with both a shady protected spot to fish, and a few fish for the table. Baits of live nippers, prawn and mullet fillet will tempts the resident bream, trevally and flathead that live amongst the boulders here. Tuross River.

This system is on fire at the moment, the flathead con nues to wears the kings crown of this system at the moment, with good fish reported from the mouth all the way up past Bumbo creek and into Bumbo lake.

The potato point side of Tuross has a very healthy flats system, and has seen many good flathead, bream and some very nice whi ng over the last week. It’s amazing what a few degrees of water temp will do for the fishing!!

The extensive system of oyster racks that Tuross is famous for have been producing some very nice bream for the lure guys. Hardbody lures and so plas cs are both accoun ng for some great fish. Don’t neglect a cicada style surface bait, as bream will most definitely take an easy feed of surface cicada. Further upstream in the fresh, the bass crews are doing very nicely on surface lures late in the a ernoon and early evening. Any popper or cicada imita on will do the trick. We are moving into another new moon phase, and reports from Coila are that the prawns are bigger than last month, and are star ng to run again.

Rock and beach.

Salmon con nue to make up the bulk of the beach and breakwall captures this week, but with warming water temps, the bream and whi ng are star ng to show themselves. A bit late, but be er late than never. There have been drummer from the rocks also, so there are plenty of op ons for the beach brigade this weekend.

Offshore.

Snapper and flathead have all been plen ful this week, start looking in 15m of water for the flathead, then move into 30-40m of water for the snapper. With the temps on the increase, expect the snapper to start moving into the 50m range or deeper once we get closer to 24deg.

There has been a start to the gamefish season with a run of Marlin being taken out wide of Batemans bay this week. Game crews will already be ge ng themselves prepped for the summer season. It great to see lots of happy families s ll coming through the store, all though trade is star ng to level out, there are s ll plenty people around.

Our range of kings product is into its third restock since dropping in store, and it con nues to sell well. If you are looking some something to make your camping and 4wding adventures more comfortable, we have you covered.

Stay safe everyone and remember, “every days a good day for fishing…”

Team Tackle World Moruya.

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

real estate

South Coast Property Specialists (Carlene Franzen) Tips #1129:

2023 - What are we likely to See?

With 2022 now done and dusted we are all looking ahead to see what 2023 may have in store. It is a pity that crystal balls don’t work but we can still have an educated guess.

The key item that everyone will be looking at will be the dreaded interest rates. As we reported last year, the RBA steadily increased interest rates every month for the last 8 months. Fortunately, they don’t meet in January, but most analysts are expecting another increase at their first meeting in February. Quite a lot of mortgage holders will also be coming off their fixed rate loan periods and they will be the ones most affected by these increases as they have been insulated from them to-date. News reports indicated there is a mass scramble amongst lending institutions to offer these people new loan arrangements to help them with the transition.

It is reported that many owners are expecting a house market rebound during the latter part of 2023, but analysts are warning that this expectation may be too optimistic, and it will certainly be dictated by interest rates. Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan said he did not expect prices to rebound until 2024, when he forecasts a 2 per cent rise off the back of rate cuts. “The third phase is the recovery phase and that typically only happens once you have a clear signal that the next move in interest rates is down,”

2023 will also be a year for a state election and we are already seeing movements on this by the two key political parties. The key election issues (relating to property) are the availability of rental properties and housing affordability. Both parties have policies that relate to “build-to-rent” schemes with Labor leader Chris Minns visiting the South Coast and announcing a $30m pilot scheme where unused public land is developed primarily for rental accommodation. If Labor wins the election and if the scheme is successful it would be rolled out to other regional areas in NSW before being rolled out into Sydney areas. Labor has also announced its own stamp duty reforms in response to the Liberal government’s current stamp duty program that we reported on during 2022.

Locally, it will be business as usual for South Coast Property Specialists. We certainly haven’t seen the huge drops that are being reported in Sydney and Melbourne and interest is still strong on properties that are priced in-line with buyer expectations. Unlike previous declines, the buyers are still out there, and enquiries continue to roll in.

Locksmith

TV Antenna

Trees

The Beagle business and trades Directory a to z

Waste Management

Late entries

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/