Connect To Country : a winner that showcases the South East

Narooma’s Connecting to Country programme, showcasing indigenous culture, crafts and dreaming tales, has been a red-hot winner, with the full programme of events for December and January selling out.

Fourteen workshops, tours, walks and experiences have been delighting participants who are enjoying the chance to try their hand at basket weaving and traditional art and dance or to join Elders on walks, boat trips and e-bike rides while learning about Yuin history, heritage and Dreaming stories.

The programme, curated by Southbound Escapes, and delivered in collaboration with First Nations tour operators, the NSW Government, and the Eurobodalla Shire Council, has exceeded expectations according to Southbound’s Director, Sally Bouckley.

‘We have been overwhelmed at the response to Connecting to Country,’ Sally said. ‘Our aim was to create awareness of Yuin culture and to raise the profile of some of the outstanding Indigenous experiences available on the South Coast. I think it’s safe to say that’s mission accomplished!

‘It’s fantastic that 16 participants have been able to participate in each experience for free, thanks to a portion of a $287,582 grant under the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program.

‘But the best part is that these Indigenous-led tours are going to be available into the future. Our aim was always to provide ongoing support for Indigenous tourism providers and I’m delighted that some of our Yuin partners have already had repeat paid bookings through our collaborative platform.

‘We are lucky enough to be working with some of the most well respected Yuin Nation Elders and Knowledge Holders in the region, and this programme has been a great chance for them to share compelling, authentic, immersive Indigenous experiences with locals and visitors alike.

‘My hope is that we can secure additional seed funding to expand this programme across the South Coast and make these experiences available all year round.’

Patricia Ellis, from Minga Aboriginal Cultural Services, who led a sold-out traditional basket weaving workshop, said the Connecting to Country initiative was not only creating employment for local Yuin people, it was also making an important contribution to raising awareness in the community and building respect for Aboriginal culture.

‘Sally’s passion and commitment for profiling Aboriginal experiences is amazing,’ Patricia said. ‘This programme has given us a chance to showcase our traditional skills and knowledge which is something we never had before.’

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the State Government’s Community Events Program is supporting the events and hospitality sectors across the regions.

“The past three years have been difficult, with many unpredictable events people have been disconnected from family and friends. We want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions,” Mr Toole said.

For those who missed out on these hugely popular events, Southbound Escapes is taking enquiries for bookings at a later date. Email bookings@southboundescapes.com or call on 0407 106 392.

Work starts to repair landslip sites on Brown Mountain

Repair work on landslip sites along the Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain will start next week. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said since the highway was damaged during the severe weather events in early 2022, Transport for NSW has been inves ga ng and designing solu ons to repair a number of sites. “Brown Mountain is a key route for freight, locals and tourists travelling between the Snowy Mountains and the far south coast of NSW,” the spokesperson said.

“Repairs will start on three sites next week to help get this sec on of the road back to pre-disaster condi on and ensure it is more resilient to future severe weather.

“Work will involve reinforcing failed slopes at these three sites between Piper’s Lookout and the Brown Mountain Power Sta on, about nine kilometres west of Bemboka.

“Design solu ons are currently being developed for other sites also damaged during the severe weather events, with work on those expected to start later this year.

“Transport for NSW carried out extensive inves ga ons last year to understand the factors that led to the damage and inform designs that will ensure robust and resilient repair solu ons.

“These inves ga ons included flying drones equipped with LiDAR cameras capable of producing high resolu on 3D maps of the mountain slope terrain, as well as borehole drilling down to 13 metres to gather informa on about the ground and soil forma on.

“Transport for NSW will no fy the community when further work will be carried out and will plan repairs to ensure impacts to traffic are minimised wherever possible.”

Work will be carried out from 6am to 6pm on weekdays from 31 January and is expected to be completed by early March, weather permi ng.

Single lane closures with traffic lights and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place 24 hours a day. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their pa ence during this me.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

This is a one-day white card course that teaches the health and safety legisla on requirements in order to work safely and prevent injury or harm and iden fies repor ng common construc on hazards.

A white card or general construc on card is required for all workers who want to carry out construc on work or be on a job site. This course teaches you the basics of the construc on safety and gives the knowledge necessary to remain safe and healthy on the work site.

Units of competency covered is CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to Work Safely in the Construc on Industry.

If you wish to find out more about this course, call our friendly administra on team on 4472 9202, visit our website at h ps://southcoastcolleges.edu.au/

Local photographers of all ages, it’s me to get snapping

Friends of the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden (ERBG), in partnership with the Eurobodalla Shire Council, invite photographers to enter this annual compe on. All entrants have a chance to win prizes and have their images selected for exhibi on and inclusion in the 2024 Botanic Garden Calendar.

Entry to the compe on is free. Images must be taken in the botanic garden during the last 12 months. Entries are now open

Entries close: 29 September 2023, 4pm

Sec ons and prizes

The compe on will award three prizes in the junior sec on (under 18 years) and four prizes in the open sec on. The public will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite image, which will win the People’s Choice Award.

All images included in the 2023 exhibi on will be available for sale to the public.

Open sec on - the first-place winner in each of the four categories will receive $300.

Junior sec on - three prizes will be awarded:

$250 - first prize

$100 - second prize

$50 - third prize.

The People’s Choice Award winner will receive $250.

Winners will be announced at the opening of the exhibi on and calendar launch on 20 October 2023. The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at the close of the exhibit.

Categories

Open sec on

Flowers, foliage and fungi., Trees and landscapes ,Wildlife - all animals, birds, rep les and insects., People in the garden.

Junior sec on—The junior sec on accepts photographs of any subject or category.

.A condi on of entry is that submission of images gives automa c consent to the ERBG to use those images for exhibi on, adver sing or fundraising purposes.

For more informa on about the photographic compe on, contact the visitor centre: T: 02 4471 2544

Broulee Sand sculptures a crowd

It might be legal but will Council refuse to renew rodeo lease on ethical grounds

ABC News reports "A new RSPCA study looking at distress levels in calves put through the rodeo event has confirmed earlier findings that the prac ce is highly stressful and injurious to calves".

RSPCA renews calls for calf roping ban a er new study confirms high levels of animal distress

This study will add further pressure to Eurobodalla Councillors who are set to vote on the con nued approvals of the Moruya Showgrounds, that are under their care and control, for the purpose of rodeo.

In accordance with Sec on 47 of the Local Government Act 1993 no ce is given of Council’s proposed inten on to grant a licence for rodeo events, including a five-year licence to Rodeo Associa on of Moruya within Lot 1 DP 1141031 Crown Reserve 580020, Moruya Showground.

Wri en submissions regarding this proposal will be received by Council up to 10am on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

Have your say HERE: h ps://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/council/haveyour-say/public-exhibi on/other/public-no ce-licence-formoruya-rodeo