It was ideal weather for a trip into town and some time with seals. Little did we know, little old Casey Crescent was leading us to our ends. In a brand new car, we were optimistic we could make it on the 4WD road we were led to. It was great – until we were bogged on the top of a dirt hill, with two wheels suspended in the air. Stress and disappointment quickly set in as we realised we were really stuck in a muck. We lost all hope. 

Luckily for us, the beautiful Max and Claire came to our rescue. Driving past on Mystery Bay Rd, the pair turned their car around and quickly set out to help us. Efforts were made with dirt and wood and sweat, until Claire returned with her Dad’s 4WD. Roped up, and with the efforts of four people, we eventually got the car free. 

If it weren’t for these two lovely locals, we would have never had a chance to see the beautiful surroundings of Narooma and experience swimming with friendly seals. Max and Claire are a true testament to the lovely people in Mystery Bay and Narooma, and we will never forget their good deed. We are truly grateful and blessed to have witnessed such kind hearts in such a beautiful place. Cheers to our knights in a shining Mazda. 

Readers of the Narooma News may remember the story about the Wonga Road fixed wireless NBN Tower, or as some called it, the ‘concrete elephant’, in July this year. 

The tower was built in June 2015 and activation date was set for December 2015. This date gradually extended to March 2018.  In July, Stan Gorton posted a story about this state of affairs and, magically, the date started coming back to November and, just like magic, it was available.  For the past few days I have enjoyed speeds of nearly 50Mbps down and 20 up – fantastic.

Credit to Stan … in my mind if the story did not appear, then Christmas holidays would have been a very slow internet time.

Further to the Narooma News article on November 29, “Mayor, councillor back Narooma pool as Shire’s premier swimming facility”, it should be noted that the Odium consultancy’s aquatic strategy also says: “Narooma Swimming Centre does not reflect contemporary aquatic facility trends, has few components that contribute to more successful facilities and/ or cater for a diversified range of markets.”

It continues: “The centre will need some fairly major work in the not too distant future … there is evidence of foundation and sub-grade movement which is likely to be a result (of) changes in the ground water conditions. A leak test of the pool and pipe work and rectification of the associated leaks was recommended. The report recommended a geotechnical engineer be engaged to review the material under the concourse and around the pool and building structure. This should provide sufficient information to establish what is causing the movement. … it recommended that destructive testing and defect mapping be undertaken to determine the effective life left in the pool shell … these works would enable informed discussion of the pros and cons of pool repair versus pool replacement and the various options available, together with the preparation of associated costs.”

Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes and Councillor Phil Constable might like to give concrete assurances that when the aging Narooma pool does require replacement, it will be with another 50-metre pool. It’s crazy to suggest the Olympic pool, to be the shire’s focal point for competitive swimming, should be anywhere other than in the most populous part of the shire i.e. Batemans Bay.