Wonderful community
Following the horrific crash north of Bermagui recently, it was impossible for Bega Valley Shire Council to put up optional detour signs around the accident, depending on where people wanted to go. With police having more important things to do than direct traffic, I was very happy to direct motorists.
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It turned into quite a long stint and I’d like to thank the many people who helped me in that task. Rhonda gave me a hi-viz vest and some generous gentleman went into town and bought a torch for me after not seeing me waving him down until the last minute as darkness descended – you saved my life thank you.
Thank you also to the people, known and unknown, who fed me and gave me drinks and all those who offered to get me anything that I needed. I was also amazed at the number of people who said a prayer or wished the victims well when they heard that there had been an accident.
The only thumbs down goes to those drivers who took the detour onto the dirt road and behaved like they were driving in a rally, nearly causing further tragic accidents and frightening other drivers who stopped to let me know.
A couple of suggestions from my experience. Many of the people travelling the road were tourists who were not familiar with the area and for them to travel that section of road at the speed limit of 100km/h could be disastrous, especially given the state of the road at the moment, as evidenced by the number of accidents over past years. Can I suggest 80km/h from the Cobargo turnoff to Bermagui as most locals travel about that speed anyway?
Without fire brigade or SES volunteers to direct traffic there are always volunteers willing to help out so I’d suggest that police carry spare hi-viz jackets and traffic directing light wands for these types of situations.
Many thanks again to everyone who offered their assistance and prayers.
Seán Burke
Tilba
Reboot in Bermagui
My husband, Ian and I would like to send huge congratulations to the Bermagui Chamber of Commerce and all those concerned with the wonderful intiative, Reboot in Bermagui, which I believe had its first trial in 2014.
Such events such as the Tilba to Bermagui run; the Camel Rock to Bermagui run; the children's run; the Horseshoe Bay swim and the tug-of-war were wonderful to watch from beginning to end. It was also great to have demonstrations (and invitation to join in) of Tai Chi; Yoga; Boxing; and Zumba by local instructors.
All in all the entire weekend provided wonderful publicity for Bermagui and much incentive to return. It's success could not have been achieved without the hard work put in by the volunteers who worked tirelessly leading up to and throughout the weekend. I hope that this event continues and gains increasing support from local people and businesses.
Gay Parnaby
Seven Hills, Sydney
Illegal access
Tralee and I recently returned from five weeks barra fishing in the Gulf – she got one over a meter and several over 85cm.
Today it was brought to my attention while we were away a commercial fisherman used our names on a very dear a good friend to gain access through is property to Tilba Lake.
I’m incensed that anyone would use our names without our permission or knowledge particularly whilst we were away.
This was a scurrilous action and I regret any embarrassment caused to my mate. I don’t even know the commercial fishermen who used our name.
Ron Snape
Tilba
Functional but not creative
I attended the meeting with councillors and council staff at the Narooma Golf Club last Tuesday.
The matter of community consultation was raised in question time. How much real credence is given to community input and included in the final outcome of projects? The streetscaping project around the information centre, Club Narooma and the leisure centre comes to mind.
I remember well receiving a brochure with three attractive options we were asked to vote on. I also added further suggestions, sketches and a photograph. I was keen to contribute to such a wonderful project and pleased to be given the opportunity.
The final outcome looks nothing like the attractive options presented to us. It is functional but not creative after offering so much. For such a big and expensive project the outcome is fairly plain, flat and a disappointment.
There is nothing that is eye catching and a talking point to savour about what Narooma now has as a new attraction. The outcome could be part of any town.
It lacks something distinctively Narooma, a centre piece like a fountain, sculpture or feature wall. It is flat and lacking the third dimension. The play sphere for children is token and attracts very few youngsters.
I do hope the the proposed street scaping project for Batemans Bay is both functional and creative, something that further enhances the beauty of our coastline and is a truly unique expression of the local lifescape.
The final proposal surely needs community scrutiny before being implemented. The consultation needs to be carried further than the initial request for ideas. It is our investment and outcome a part of our day to day.