Broulee set to host Winter Gala Ball for the Australian Skin Cancer Founda on

by Brooke Ellen Lou t

Broulee is gearing up to host the highly an cipated inaugural Australian Skin Cancer Founda on Winter Gala Ball on June 17, where the local community will come together for an enchan ng evening of elegance and philanthropy. Organised by community member Lee Lou t, this black- e affair aims to raise awareness about the importance of skin cancer preven on while genera ng much -needed funds. Lou t expresses her gra tude, sta ng "Broulee and our other coastal communi es are so generous and love to support a good cause. We look forward to sharing this night with them”.

Jay Allen, the CEO of the Australian Skin Cancer Founda on, sheds light on the Winter Gala Ball's significance and the crucial role it plays in comba ng skin cancer in Australia. Allen emphasises, "Funds from this event will benefit our four pillars of Advocacy, Educa on, Research, and Suppor ng those going through melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer... Events like the Winter Gala Ball provide an opportunity for the community to come together, have a great me, and contribute to a worthy cause."

As Australia con nues to face the challenges posed by skin cancer, raising awareness and educa ng the public about preven on and early detec on become impera ve. Allen highlights the educa onal impact of events like the Winter Gala Ball, sta ng, "We o en hear many mes how events like these save lives, with community members going to get a skin check a er learning more about preven ng skin cancer at the event and discovering deadly melanoma cancers or non-melanoma skin cancers, of which we have around 1 million cases each year." With melanoma being the most common cancer among 15-39 year olds, Allen stresses that there is no safe way to tan, and with these sta s cs, he stresses "it's just not worth it."

Organiser Lee Lou t shares her hear elt inspira on behind the Winter Gala Ball, sta ng, "I wanted to create an event that would be ongoing in memory of my brother, Anthony." Tragically, Anthony lost his ba le with a rare form of melanoma in September 2022. Throughout his final years, Anthony dedicated his me to raising funds and awareness for the Australian Skin Cancer Founda on, forging a close bond with its Founder and CEO, Jay Allen.

The Winter Gala Ball promises to be an unforge able experience within the beau fully renovated Broulee Surf Club. With its expanded capacity to accommodate 150 guests, the venue sets the stage for a spectacular evening. A endees will be greeted on the red carpet with a glass of bubbles, and can expect an evening of elegance and celebra on. To ensure an electrifying atmosphere on the dance floor, popular local band Soul Tonic will take the stage. Renowned for their ability to get people up and moving, their performance guarantees an unmissable night.

The Winter Gala Ball aims to make a substan al contribu on to the Australian Skin Cancer Founda on, with Lou t expressing her hope that the event will raise significant funds. Lou t men ons that she hosted a similar event in 2019, where over $16,000 was raised through cket sales, raffles, silent auc ons, and dona ons. She hopes this years event will surpass the previous success.

Local businesses have the unique opportunity to show their support through several sponsorship opportuni es, which include having their logo displayed on the event's Media Wall. However, these opportuni es are limited and will only be available un l May 31st to allow for design and prin ng. Businesses are encouraged to act quickly to secure their posi ons.

For those unable to a end the Winter Gala Ball, there are alterna ve ways to show support by dona ng through the Australian Skin Cancer Founda on website. Every contribu on plays a crucial role in advancing skin cancer preven on, research, educa on and support ini a ves.

The Winter Gala Ball will not only be a beau ful night out for the community, but a powerful statement of unity in the fight against skin cancer. The Australian Skin Cancer Founda on is commi ed to making a difference and saving lives from this prevalent disease, and encourage you and your loved ones to #getaskincheck. Join us on this very special night to help spread the message of preven on and early detec on.

Tilba

WOODWORK SHOW Bate St, Central Tilba Halls June Long weekend – June 10 & 11

Love hand-made? Love the look of beau fully cra ed mber? Then the annual Tilba Woodwork Show is for you. The Central Halls on the main street of Central Tilba hosts the 27th exhibi on of fine woodwork cra ed by ar sans from north of Batemans Bay to south of Bega.

Exquisite handcra ed items will be both on display and for sale, ranging from small toys to cu ng boards and serving pla ers, from fine jewelry boxes to pens, bowls - both func onal and decora ve, and much more. Come and watch the magic of wood turners at work on the lathes, and stroll through the Exhibi on Hall and vote for your favorite piece on display.

In addi on, the Dalmeny Quilters will once again be special guests and will have a display of their intricately designed quilts and other handmade items, most of which will be for sale.

Enter the raffle for the opportunity to win a variety of great prizes. The entry fee is $2.00 per adult and for children under the age of 16 entry is free.

What’s on South Coast Music Society presents

ANDREW HAVERON (VIOLIN) AND KATHRYN SELBY (PIANO)

Mozart Sonata No 32 in B flat major K454

Beethoven. Sonata No 9 in Amor Op 47 “The Kreutzer”

"Drama and Virtuosity, Power and Emotion"

2pm SUNDAY 28 MAY

St Bernard’s Church

Batehaven

Tickets

Adults $45, Concessions $40 Students and an accompanying adult FREE

Purchase tickets at www.southcoastmusicsociety.com Or at the door

Batemans Bay’s Premier

Entertainment venue

Gadfly 287 By Robert Macklin

It’s time for the Prime Minister to intervene. Otherwise, he risks the collapse of the ‘Yes’ case for the Referendum on the Voice. And he doesn’t have a moment to lose.

Ironically, the threat comes not from ‘No’ side but two of the most prominent Aboriginal supporters for the Voice, Treaty and truth telling on his own team.

Trouble is, they are not team players. The two rapscallions are of course, Noel Pearson and Stan Grant, who are so wrapped up in their own personas they can’t see the damage they are doing to the cause.

I have no doubt that Albo can. He’s been around the political traps long enough to understand just how vulnerable a referendum can be when one side splits on what first appears to be a mere technicality. He watched in horror as John Howard and his atavists chuckled in their beards as the Republicans ripped into each other over the manner of choosing an Australian Head of State to replace the British Monarchy.

He would be even more horrified if his promise to pursue a Constitutional amendment to accept the invitation contained in the Uluru Statement from the Heart were to suffer the same fate. It was, after all, the first promise he made on that night of electoral triumph over the Morrison Ministry to begin the rebuilding of an Australia fit for purpose in the 21st Century.

Indeed, it goes to the heart of our self-perception as a nation embracing the great southern land bequeathed to us by the first nations people whose love of country is so desperately needed if we’re to survive and prosper in a world where man-made climate change threatens our very existence.

So when Noel Pearson insulted the Aboriginal former human rights commissioner Mick Gooda as ‘foolish’ and worse, ‘a bedwetter’ for suggesting the removal of a few unnecessary words from the referendum question, the ‘No’ folk saw their chance. The words, ‘and the Executive Government’ are not just unnecessary since it’s the Parliament not the referendum that will decide the powers of the Voice. Yet the ‘No’s’ have raised it as a scary complication, and the great undecided centre right will split.

But perhaps that’s not the point. Mick Gooda might be right or wrong, but it’s the ferocity of Noel Pearson’s vicious response that elevated the suggestion to an excuse for the undecided to take the ‘safe’ option and vote No.

Stan Grant’s protest about his desperate ordeal in the face of social media threats and insults was sad to watch. His complaint that his suffering of racial mockery and vile verbal attacks ‘is in the air I breathe’, is shocking. But when you choose a working life on public television there are well worn ways of coping. Engagement with social media is not compulsory. It’s not even productive.

Of course, that’s easy enough for a privileged whitefella like myself to say. But there is a bigger picture, Stan, and it’s designed to make life very much easier for the Aboriginal folk who will follow you.

That’s the message, surely, that Albo has to get across to these two fine and talented blokes. Maybe it’s the first time since his election that the PM finds himself confronted by a really difficult personal challenge. But that, Mr Albanese, is what real Prime Ministers do.

The globe-trotting and the great social reforms are the good stuff that comes with The Lodge. But this is also what you signed up for; and the result will define the rest of your political life.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Bazza took a sip of his half full schooner and checked his watch again.

Bella, the publican, caught his eye.

“Mick running late, Bazza?…….. come over and meet my cousin, Kim………She is a social media influencer”

Bazza rubbed his brow and screwed his eyes before Bella made the introduc ons.

Kim was immaculately dressed and groomed in designer clothes with labels prominent. Her face was plas c like with make up in various coloured shades and hair cut to a millimetre of perfec on. Before her a neat arrangement of beauty products with labels facing a miniature camera on a ny tripod.

Bella concealed a smile and tapped her phone.

“I will let you guys get to know one another…… have a listen to ‘Celebrity’* by Brad Paisley. I play some American country music on Friday a ernoons for Old Tom.”

A seated Bazza’s schooner hugged the edge of the crowded table. Kim held up one hand of freshly painted nails to the camera and the nail polish in the other. She purred a product endorsement into a lapel microphone.

Kim took a break from influencing to offer an explana on of her profession. Bazza’s head was one me nodding and many mes shaking as Kim hurdled through terms; ‘click through rate’, ‘cost per click’, ‘deliverables’, ‘engagement rate’, ‘brand awareness’ and ‘hashtag’.

“So….. in a nutshell, Bazza….. more followers means more income from companies whose products I endorse.”

Bazza took a very long drink and leaned back.

An extended pause.

“So….Kim…..you must have a talent to a ract all these followers?……. Like singing or dancing?”

Kim’s false eyelashes flu ered but her forehead struggled to li waxed eyebrows.

“Not at all, Bazza. My talent is influencing.”

As Bazza rubbed his chin repeatedly, Kim ran her eyes over his appearance.

“You see, Bazza…… I could take you on as a before and a er project. We could start with a hair transplant company followed by an upmarket stylist. An electric razor company would jump at the opportunity to deal with that stubble. Some designer glasses will also help and I know a great cosme c den st to give you some pearly whites. A nip and tuck on that turtle neck will also generate considerable revenue for me.”

Bazza’s eyes widened.

Kim shook her head at Bazza’s ta ered shirt, faded ill fi ng jeans and stained hush puppies.

“I will earn some serious money re-shaping and re-dressing you, Bazza. A real estate agent would refer to you as a renovator’s dream.”

Bazza’s mouth remained open as Mick bounded in.

Mick was soon in animated conversa on with Kim as she scrolled through her iPad, with repeated ‘congratula ons’, ‘that’s amazing’, and ‘famous’.

Bazza returned from the bar with drinks.

Mick con nued to gush.

“So much talent, Kim…… so much talent.”

Bazza looked past Kim to the large flatscreen television and his eyes remained trained on Tina Turner powering through ‘Nutbush City Limits’** and smiled as Bella led Old Tom through the accompanying line dance. Before long other patrons joined in.

Mick let out a low whistle and repeated.

“You have so much talent, Kim…..just so much talent.”

*h ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPgCSSNLv5E **h ps://youtu.be/zc-EHachhRE

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

We Come With This Place

Shortlisted for the 2023 Stella Prize By:

Debra Dank

A deeply personal, profound tribute to family and the Gudanji Country to which Debra Dank belongs.

We Come with This Place is a remarkable book, as rich, varied and surprising as the vast landscape in which it is set. Debra Dank has created an extraordinary mosaic of vivid episodes that move about in me and place to tell an unforge able story of country and people.

There is great pain in these pages, and anger at injus ce, but also great love, in marriage and in family, and for the land. Dank faces head on the ingrained racism, born of brutal prac ce and harsh legisla on, that lies always under the skin of Australia, the racism that calls a li le Aboriginal girl names and beats and rapes and disenfranchises the genera ons before hers. She describes sudden terrible violence, between races and some mes at home. But overwhelmingly this is a book about strong, beloved parents and grandparents, guiding and teaching their children and grandchildren what country means, about joyful gatherings and the pleasures of ea ng food provided by the place that nourishes them, both spiritually and physically.

Dank calibrates human emo ons with honesty and insight, and there is plenty of dry, down-to-earth humour. You can feel and smell and see the puffs of dust under moving feet, the ever-present burning heat, the bright exuberance of a night- me campfire, the emerald flash of a flock of budgerigars, the journeying wind, the harshness of a sta on shanty, the welcome scent of fresh water.