In 2016 the annual total rainfall was 1025mm, 10 per cent above the long-term average value.  The monthly rainfalls in January and June were well above the average value. Conversely the rainfall in February, May and August were well below the average values.  Our wettest month was June (323mm) while the driest month was August (2mm).

The 2016 annual rainfall is typical of the period since 1950 when, interestingly, the average annual rainfall at Narooma increased suddenly by 17 per cent – from 838mm to 983mm! Daily observations of temperatures have been made in Narooma since 1965; however the records prior to June 1999 were often incomplete.  

A comparison was therefore made of the 2016 temperatures with those recorded over the 18 years since 1999. In February, our hottest month, the mean maximum/minimum temperatures in 2016 were 24.8/17.5 degrees, while averages since 1999 were 23.8/17.3 degrees.

The corresponding numbers for July, our coldest month, were 17.2/7.9 degrees (16.6/7.3 degrees).  The mean annual max/min temperatures for the whole of 2016 were 21.2/12.6 degrees, which compare with averages of  20.3/12.4 since 1999. So while 2016 was a bit warmer than average, reflecting the effects of the 2016 El Nino, the overall temperature trends have been essentially constant since 1999.

Brian Gunter, Narooma

I am hoping you can advise me of how to proceed in getting some information into your paper as I am searching for my father. The details are I was born on August 1,1941 to Audrey Moon, 18, who lived with her family in Narooma in 1940-41. It has never been disclosed to me who my father was but my recently deceased brother told me that his middle name could be Anthony and he may have worked or had connections to an electrical shop/business at the time. Any assistance in getting this information into the paper with my email address would be greatly appreciated as, like everybody, I am keen to know my roots. Happy to be contacted by readers via email at barryanthony01@outlook.com or by phone 0424 537 393.

Barry Anthony Moon, Coffs Harbour

Recently I lodged a Medicare Claim form via the post box at the Batemans Bay Centrelink complex. After four weeks the rebate had not been paid. Over the next days I rang the Medicare 1300 number on four occasions to be told by recording “we are too busy to take your call ring back later”. (40 cents a call!)

I then drove to Narooma Centrelink in the hope that “face to face” I could correct this situation only to be told they no longer dedicate staff to Medicare issues. Apparently the Federal Government has introduced a new batching system whereby all claims are now sent to a central site for processing. I was also told by staff that the new turnaround times are now likely to be 3 to 4 weeks except for hardship cases.

The Government has introduced an online application which runs on mobile phones allowing you, upon registration, to submit a claim form. I ask, how do people who live remotely or older people who don’t have mobile phones succeed in applying for a rebate under the current Government policies? This level of this virtual service is deplorable! This Federal Government has to be held to account by Australian voters for its decision to deliberately diminish practical access to Medicare clients. It also has to be held account for its appalling management of Centrelink Welfare programs.

Ray Sillett, Tuross Head