Monty’s wonderful place
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I must say thank-you to the team at Monty’s Place for all that Monty’s is. What a wonderful social hub it is.
If you haven’t seen somebody in a while, just wander in to Monty’s. You’ll most likely find them there. And if you’re new to Narooma and don’t know anybody, then pop into Monty’s.
You’ll know half the town by the time you’re finished lunch. So thanks crew. You are doing a great job. It’s a fabulous day out.
Wendy Brown
Narooma
Sea storms occur
At the present time the Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven councils have on public exhibition a Draft “Sea Level Rise Policy”.
There are many in the community who could be affected by “Sea level Rises” should they occur as predicted by those working in the “Climate Change” industry. In the 1970’s sea storms or if you like “sea level rises” as a result of the sea storms did cause some considerable damage to public assets in the Eurobodalla Shire, washing away roads, at the Moruya Airport between the Airport and Broulee, as a result a new road was built from the racecourse to the Broulee Intersection getting it away from the coastline.
Beach Rd at Casey’s beach was also affected requiring rock wall works to repair and reconstruct the road.
Parts of Beach Rd in the area between Bevarde Avenue and the Soldiers Club were affected as well.
There is documented evidence of “Sea Storm” or South Coast Lows causing problems in the shire to public and private lands and other assets.
Some past real estate agents are aware of the events.
Although the actual measured “Sea level Rises” may be small at this time, it’s actually the wave heights and wave run up in the event of a “sea storm” that is likely to cause significant damage. Sea Storms do occur.
Allan Brown
Batemans Bay
Australia versus the USA
It is always interesting to hear what visitors from overseas think of Australian laws and customs. David Mason, a US writer, professor and poet laureate from Colorado, USA, had this to say about the differences between guns in Australia and guns in America....
“You had Port Arthur in 1966 and got real in response.
America replicates such massacres several times a year and nothing changes.
Why?
Our religion of individual rights makes the good of the community an impossible dream.
Instead of mateship we have “It’s mine and nobody else’s”.
We talk a great deal about freedom, but too often live in fear.
There’s more to say-your kaleidoscopic birds, your perfumed bush in springtime, your vast beaches.
These are just a few blessings that make Australia a rarity.
Of course it’s not paradise-nowhere is - but I love it here.
No need to wave flags like Americans and add to the world’s windiness.
Just value what you have and don’t give it away”.
Susan Cruttenden
Dalmeny
Eight down, how many left to go?
I have recently purchased shares in Australian companies which are manufacturing brown paper bags in anticipation that the demand will increase for these paper products by tenfold in the coming months, closer we get to the NSW State Elections.
I have also had stocked up on the Penfolds Shiraz, no, not the $3000 bottle variety, but the ones selling around the $9.95 mark, but I do think that there will be a brisk trade at the higher end of the markets as well, if history can be relied to repeat itself.
I did stock on the cheaper version as a poor person, I don't drive much due to the recent hike on the fuel exercise so when I do drive I tend to buy in bulk that lessens the need to go to the south of the bridge by car.
I am intrigued to know who the “big man” is. Apparently he had lazy $120,000 dashed away in a brown paper bag ready to be handed over to the state Liberal election coffers prior last state election.
I just wonder if it had something to do with the proposed Newcastle coal loader, idea and a proposal which was pushed on by certain well known colourful racing identity as he wanted to get the planning for the coal loader approved and on its way with favourable outcomes, that $120 grand was there for a little bit greasing of bearings within the political wheels that were heard making squeaky noises and obviously needing a little bit greasing.
Half way through the parliamentary cycle and NSW Liberal Government is down eight of its elected members all from the north of Sydney, including Newcastle itself, not only that, but among them is the former Premier of the state who succumbed to poor memory after having drunk the very, very expensive bottle of Grange Hermitage from the South Australian wine growing region of Barossa Valley very fine drop indeed so I am led to believe.
What does it say about current lot of governors in our premier state, no better than the last lot, best they can do is talk about poles and wires.
I think they all ought to be up the poles, walking on tight rope as trapeze artists and yet they have the hide to get angry when being questioned or criticized by their own constitutions about their behaviour.
I think we need to go back to the beginning and start afresh, let’s start by least testing the political candidates from all parties how good their memories are to start with, and if they understand the value of a notebook and then ask them, to explain the meaning of the word "honour in terms of being an elected member of an exclusive club of parliamentarians.
Mark Ikonen
Dalmeny
Mayor's say… Connecting through books
THIS week is Children’s Book Week; an annual event promoted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia that is celebrated throughout libraries, schools, early learning centres and the community.
Council gets involved by hosting children’s story time activities in all three libraries during the week, and the presentation of awards to the winners of the annual Mayor’s Writing Competition.
This year’s book week theme is Connect to reading - Reading to connect.
Connect to reading expresses how reading is about enjoying the experience of exploring stories and travelling to other worlds. Reading to connect is suggesting that reading helps us create bonds with others which is an important theme for children who read books and a variety of digital media to connect to other people.
Eurobodalla’s annual Mayor’s Writing Competition started in 2009 as an initiative of our previous Mayor Fergus Thomson.
Clr Thomson planned the competition as a way to encourage literacy in young people in the community.
Seven years later the competition is still going strong and well supported by all schools in Eurobodalla and children between the ages of 5 and 16 years.
Awards are given in age categories and the works are judged by the Eurobodalla Writers Group on their ability to demonstrate a high level of creativity and a unique story plot.
The award presentation is a day that I am proud to be part in my role as mayor.
In Eurobodalla we are fortunate to have three well-resourced libraries that all residents can use.
If it’s been a while since you dropped into your local library you might be surprised to see what’s on offer.
You will still walk into a wonderful space with rows of books to be enjoyed, but you are also likely to see an exhibition featuring the work of local artists amongst the rows of books.
Look some more and you will also find computers and wi-fi, e-books and audio books, local and family history resources, magazines and newspapers, a Legal Information Access Centre and Drug Info@ Your Local Library, and information on library events, programs and exhibitions.
Our three libraries receive around 200,000 visitors a year and some 50 per cent of residents are library members.
230,000 books are loaned out every year and there are around 20,000 bookings to use the computers and
wi-fi. In the year ahead our libraries plan to host about 35 artists and author floor talks, 150 children’s programs and activities and 30 community events.
So they are well worth a visit!
Please let me know if there are any issues that Council can assist with. You can contact me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 279 215.
Clr Lindsay Brown
Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire
Thanks to the workers
I would like to express my thanks to the men working on the highway near the Bodalla Bridge.
On Wednesday my car broke down and they could not do enough to help me get going again. Once again my sincere thanks to you all.
Lyle Mead
Narooma
Thank heavens for having vision
It is heartening to see that so many Narooma News readers obviously appreciate what the proposed enhancement of Narooma School of Arts’ precinct will achieve, particularly the new Arts Centre.
That is, providing larger and better facilities for everyone in our community to use and enjoy, youngsters through to the elderly, as well as tourists who will see this precinct as even more of a destination than they do now.
Already 40,000 – 50,000 people visit this precinct every year. Enhanced facilities on the site should boost that significantly.
The people of Narooma own this land, you and me, not Council or the NSW Government. We are all responsible for managing, maintaining and enhancing the site and facilities for ‘the arts’ in its broadest sense (currently the Hall/Kinema, MACS Cottage and the SoART Gallery), real estate valued at $1.8m.
Some of the same activities envisaged for the future are already happening on site but are restricted by a lack of space and facilities.
The plans that will soon go to council are the culmination of eight years of considered discussion, consultation and planning by a dedicated group of volunteers who are determined to see this vision through and ensure Narooma is not caught in a time warp.
They believe our community deserves quality and well-designed purpose-built facilities to meet the needs of today and those of the future.
It is not a matter of some outside group of ‘they’ doing this; it is ‘us’.
I urge readers to go online to understand more fully what this project is all about www.naroomaartscentre.com.au.
We welcome anyone willing to lend a hand to help see this vision become a reality, particularly with fundraising.
A full public presentation will be made soon.
Laurelle Pacey
Secretary
Narooma School of Arts
Proposed Art Center
My concern about this proposed Art Centre for Narooma is the cost of the project especially during the present economic climate.
The present MAC Cottage cannot hold 8 to 10 students comfortably during each class. A simple shed/workspace adjacent to the cottage was suggested in the first place and to a reasonable budget.
The proposed art centre are not planned to be built in stages and it is overcapitalizing on the small site.
Being on the roster at SoArt Gallery exhibitions, it has a low pedestrian traffic and you can’t even park the car easily to drop in for a quick look in if you are time poor. The location and the vehicle rear access is not ideal. There are no room for future expansion.
Bega Regional Art gallery is one of the good example that was built on a too small size with no room for future expansion.
The proposed site pose problems for the prams or wheelchairs to be safely access to the new building during any public major events.
I believe the old Servo Club is up for sale, which has a better access, or try the old hardware store on the Flat which could be refurbished and is another good site being close to the library and wheelchair/pram friendly.
Most public art venues are built on the council land and it require a majority of the community to support this concept.
A referendum from the ratepayers can show us what kind of support it will give, not just from the art and other minor groups.
There are other public venues such as Tilba School of Arts Halls which is being overlooked and should be given a priority by getting more support from the wider community without the volunteers getting burn-out.
The Big Hall was built in 1914 to farewell the WW1 soldiers and will be part of the Anzac Centenary in 2015.
Vivienne Wood
Narooma