Local Paramedic Chris Branson visited the Little Nippers Early Learning Centre on Friday, April 22, to talk to the children who were delighted with the flashing lights and the inside of the vehicle.  Most children will never need to be transported in an ambulance but sadly for some this is the reality and can cause immeasurable stress upon our most vulnerable community members.

After Chris left the centre, several children told their carers that the ambulance was really cool and that Mr. Branson was really nice. The visit from Chris will hopefully cast a more positive light on children’s perception of using an ambulance.

Merimbula resident Helen Cook is hosting a luncheon on Saturday, May 14, to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The Luncheon will take place at 1/2 Yarrawood Ave, Merimbula at 12pm for a 12.30pm start. If any one would like to support a great cause phone Helen on 6495 3424 and get a ticket. 

The next meeting of Merimbula Day VIEW Club will be held on Friday, May 13, and Barbara Jones, president of the Far South Coast Bird Watchers will be the guest speaker. Club meetings are held at Merimbula RSL Club commencing at 11.30am for lunch at 12 noon the cost for which is $13.00.  

Visitors are always welcome to join for friendship, fun and interesting speakers while supporting The Smith Family’s work helping Australian children in need to take advantage of their education. Bookings or cancellations can be made by ringing Danielle on 64950859.  

Ten members of the club attended the recent Zone Conference where VIEW members from the five clubs in our Zone were entertained by The Wobbles Ukulele Band, Radar, a delightful young exchange student from Taiwan and Jen Hunt from the ABC South East radio station. 

 For those ladies who regularly attend the coffee morning at the airport, please note that this has now been changed to “Brunch at the Airport” at a cost is $10.00 and the starting time is 11.30 am.  The first brunch held last month was very enjoyable  so if you would like to attend the next one on Thursday May 19, please call Denise on 6495 3037.

WIRES Far South East has just released another pelican that came into care recently with a large fishhook embedded in the muscle under his wing. He was anaesthetised and the fish hook removed by local vets before going into Janine Green's enclosure for treatment and assessment.

WIRES Far South East is having another rescue and immediate care course on Saturday, May 21 in Bega for all people interested in helping to rescue these magnificent animals.

To become a volunteer of WIRES go to www.wires.org.au and click onto the volunteer page. The online part is completed at your own pace and then finished up with the workshop.

The next meeting of the local Red Hat Society chapter, the Sassy Sapphires, will be on Thursday, May 12 from 10am to 11.30am in the Tasman Room at Club Sapphire. 

This is a group for ladies from 60 years young to 100, to come together to enjoy some fun with good company. Dont be lonely ladies come and join us for some good times. No joining fee just a sense of humour. For more information call Elaine on 6495 1525.

Imlay House Nursing Home Auxiliary say thank you to all the wonderful people who donated goods for the Giant Sale held on Easter Saturday. The group raised over $2,000 to go towards the purchase of the decontaminating machine. 

The group’s next event is the Pambula Cream Tea to be held at 2pm on Wednesday, May 25, at the CWA rooms, in Pambula. 

This is a fun day with a yummy afternoon tea, trivia, lucky door prize, raffle and trading table. Seating is limited so please ring 6495 7703 or 6495 6875 to reserve your place. 

Well known local artist Sam Klobasa will demonstrate and speak at the next meeting of the Merimbula and District Arts Group. Sam is a Merimbula artist who loves to experiment with colour, line and texture.  Marine scenes are a special favourite.

The Meeting opens at 2pm on Saturday, May 14 at the Merimbula RSL, members and guests and most welcome. There will be no meeting in June due to the Merimbula Jazz Festival.

Bega Valley Shire Council is pleased to announce the launch of the 2016-17 Community Environment Grants Program.

Due to the popularity and success of the grants over the past 5 years, Council recently increased available funds to $50,000.

Funds for the grants are sourced from within the existing Bega Valley Shire Environment Levy.

Mayor Michael Britten said that groups with a passion for the local environment can receive significant assistance with their proposed projects through successfully applying for a grant.

“This is a great opportunity to make a difference in your local area and the grants are a proven way to keep our Shire beautiful,” he said. “We encourage any group with an interest in the environment to fill out an application form today and tell us about their projects.”

Grants are competitive and a maximum of $6,000 (+GST) is available for any one project.

To be eligible, your group or organisation must be non-profit and based in the Bega Valley Shire.

Groups must also have an ABN and be incorporated (or be auspiced by an organisation that has an ABN and incorporation status), and they must meet the requirements of the Community Environmental Grant Guidelines.

Applications for funding close at 4.30pm on Monday, May 23. 

It is strongly recommended that you discuss your environmental project with Council prior to submitting an application, please contact Council’s Environmental Services Section on 6499 2222.

There are still some tickets left for the Masquerade Murder Mystery Party to be held at Ravenswood Castle (aka Eden Killer Whale Museum) on frightening Friday, May 13, at 7.30pm.

You can throw off your shackles for the night as you receive your new persona and career. You can see how good you are as a sleuth. Maybe become the victim, or yet, solve the crime. Whatever else, it'll be a hoot. Proceeds to the Scout Hall mural.

Tickets are $20 for a great night of fun. Phone Margaret 6496 1924 or Jack 0407 963 036. 

The Sapphire Coast Million Paws Walk in on this Sunday, May 15. 

The Million Paws Walk is the biggest annual fundraiser on RSPCA NSW's canine calendar, and a real treat for dogs and their owners. 

Starting at Rotary Park at 10am, participants will enjoy a 3.5km walk to Merimbula Bridge and back, with no road crossings. There will many fun activities and attractions will be available on the day, including competitions, veterinary advice and raffles. 

Marine debris is an ongoing problem both globally and locally. Clean-ups on our coasts beaches have helped to reduce the amount entering our waterways but is that enough?

The staff at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre (SCMDC) think not. “

We need to stop rubbish before it even enters the environment, either through good recycling and stopping littering or by reducing the amount of plastic we each use in our daily lives” says marine education coordinator at SCMDC Jillian Browning. “This is why we are holding the community event on marine debris in May, to address this issue”. 

The event, themed Turning the Tide on Trash is being held on May 28 and 29, at Club Sapphire in Merimbula.  The forum is run over two days with four different marine scientists presenting on their research and a pollution solution workshop. 

Registrations for the forum are open now. Visit www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au or contact Kerryn Wood at admin@sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au or on 02 6496 1699.