They would love to have some new members join their happy group, and all are very welcome. Why not pop in and have a look sometime, maybe join us for a cup of tea? It is a lot of fun. George teaches the dance moves from the very beginning, so no previous experience is necessary. Either ring 64952734, or just turn up.

After having such an interesting meeting last month with David O'Connor showing us his artifacts from Mongolia and speaking about the life there, this month the Pambula-Merimbula branch of the Country Women's Association are to have Bob Hart entertain us with songs and poems.

This exciting meeting is starting early at 9am with a Bush Breakfast. This will all be held in our CWA hall at 24 Toalla Street, Pambula on Friday 15th July. Hope to see you there, and bring your neighbours and friends to enjoy this day. Also don't forget to bring along your recycled articles for judging at the Group meeting.

The Pambula Merimbula Lions Club held their annual changeover at Club Sapphire on Saturday, July 2. Members were joined by representatives from Council, Lions District, local Rotary Clubs and Lions from surrounding clubs. 

During the evening four new members were inducted. 

Outgoing president Ric Vanderbom presented the president’s badge, the gong and the gavel to incoming president Robyn Bedford. 

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 12 months as your club president, being involved in all our club’s activities and projects. However, I have just been the team leader and it is together as a team that we have made a difference to our local community, our wider Australian community and to people throughout the world,” Mr Vanderboom said. 

Highlights of the year were the presentation of a Melvin Jones award to Julia Bonet for her dedicated service of over 22 years. 

The 50^th anniversary of the club was celebrated in November. During the year the club demolished the fence around the old recycling centre at Pambula and reused the material to remodel the entrance to Lions Park at Pambula Beach. 

The 40^th annual ‘Fairway Golf Weekend’ was also held in November. 

This was followed by our Youth of the Year club final at Club Sapphire. Our winner was Ainsley Mann who went on to win the Zone Final in Cooma and compete in the District Final in Goulburn. Although performing well, Ainsley was not successful but stated that it had been a wonderful experience. 

Other community events the Pambula Merimbula Lions ran or helped with throughout the year include the Merimbula Pro Gift, Christmas carols at Magic Mountain, the opening of the Bega Commemorative Civic Centre and much more. 

But it is not all work for the Lion Club, they have also socialised on many occasions and participated in ten pin bowling as well as social lawn bowls run by Merimbula Rotary. 

In her acceptance speech Ms Bedford said: “My aims for this Lions year centre around keeping this club active and involved in the community, to keep building those bridges we always talk about.” 

Eleven projects designed to restore and protect the local environment have received financial backing from Bega Valley Shire Council.

The fifth year of the Community Environment Grants has delivered $50,000 to eleven not-for-profit community groups from Bermagui to Bemboka and down to Pambula.

The program is funded through the Environmental Levy, and since 2011 has supported 44 projects worth $183,000.

“This year’s allocation is $10,000 more than last year, and signals Council’s enthusiasm for the work being done by the community,”  Council Environmental Management Officer Michael Fiedler said.

The aim of the program is to enhance, protect and restore the natural environment of the Shire.

“Some good is going to come of this, for example Far South Coast Landcare has been awarded $6000 to initiate an education program where school students will propagate native plants,” Mr Fiedler said.

Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project was granted $5500.

"The team at Panboola are very grateful and excited to again receive support from BVSC through their Community Environment Grants program,” project coordinator Michelle Richmond said.

“This year we have been successful with funding to install education signage that promotes the awareness of the great range of bird species that call Panboola home. 

“In particular we hope to give recognition to the many threatened bird species that find refuge at the wetlands. The total number of bird species recorded at Panboola is 158, 13 of which are listed as vulnerable on schedules of NSW and Commonwealth legislation. 

“Panboola has over 50,000 visitors each year. Over the coming months new signage will be designed and erected which will help visitors to better understand some of Panboola’s feathered friends. In turn we hope that this evolves into a greater awareness of the important role conservation sites such as this play in protecting and conserving our biodiversity.”

The next meeting of the Sassy Sapphires Red Hat Ladies Group will be held on Thursday July 14 at the Tasman Room of Club Sapphire at 10am.

Any ladies 60 years and over are invited to join. No joining fee or fundraising. We wear purple clothing and red hats and just like meeting new friends and having a good time. For further information please contact Elaine on 6495 1525. All welcome.

The Writers of the Far South Coast are once again holding a writers retreat. 

The Writer’s Retreat for 2016 is set for the frist weekend in August from Friday 5 until midday Sunday August 7 at Kianniny Resort.

The ticket price of $250 includes accommodation, mentoring sessions, linen, firewood and some meals. You’ll be paired with another writer to share a cabin, but you’ll have your own room. It’ll be chilly… so pack those winter woolies.

On Friday night, we’ll start out with a welcome barbecue at 6:30pm where you will meet the mentors and sign up with whomever you believe will benefit your writing the most. While we enjoy our dinner we will be serenaded by local violinist, Andrew Kordas. You can arrive at Kianinny any time after 3pm to get settled.

Breakfasts will be your responsibility as there are too many dietary requirements to cater for everyone.

Mentoring sessions will be from 9:30am – 11am with the mentor you chose on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, followed by a break for morning tea.

After morning tea on Sunday, we’ll wrap up the weekend with photos and thank our mentors.

All activities are optional. You can stay in your cabin to write and only emerge when you begin to feel peckish.

Firewood will be provided, but you will be required to manage lighting the fireplace yourself. You’ll be provided with instructions, kindling and firestarters.

There is a possibility of WiFi being made  available in each cabin.

The resort has many walking tracks, quiet spaces, a pool (brrrr), climbing walls, and mini-golf.

For more information or to book a place contact Writers of the Far South Coast (WFSC) president Amanda Dalziel at writersofthefarsouthcoast@gmail.com.

Two South Coast Holiday Parks at Eden and Bermagui managed by the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust (NSWCHPT) has received a 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for their consistent outstanding reviews made by guests on the website.

Now in its sixth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is awarded to establishments that consistently receive great reviews on TripAdvisor.

SCHP Eden Managers, Chris and Diana Donahue said the award came from quality service and customer values.

“We spend a lot of time with our customers to make sure they are happy with their location, their comfort and their surrounds,” they said. “We also have heated amenities in winter which is always a winner.”