On May 6, some members visited Janet Gill, patron and life member of Pambula Hospital Auxiliary. Janet was presented with flowers, cards and a UHA 100 year birthday certificate. Janet was also the inaugural secretary of the branch when it was formed soon after the first Sydney Branch in 1933. Members were delighted to share some memories, and also some laughs, as Janet has not lost her sense of humour.

At our last meeting, members were pleased to meet and welcome Kelly,  the new nurse manager of Pambula Hospital who advised us planning is under way for the refurbishment of the hospital building. She also reported that the hospital is full, all patient beds currently occupied.

Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of each month; the next is May 24 at 10am at the Pambula Community Health Centre. Currently we are meeting at a temporary venue next the old Sunshine Centre. New members are always welcome.

PAMBULA ROTARY CLUB GOLF WEEKEND

The weather was perfect, the golf course looked great and funds were raised for non-profit organisations that volunteer their services to our community to make it a better and safer place to live.

Following the Pambula Rotary Club golf weekend donations of $2500 each were given to: Pambula Rural Fire Service, Police Citizens' Youth Club, the establishment of a Pambula Mens’ Shed, and the local branch of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network. Also, the Pambula Rotary Club was able to donate a cheque for $2000 to the Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club towards their irrigation fund.

Pambula Rotary thanked the businesses who donated either money or prizes to make the event such a success.

NEW BOARD AT TBCC

Tura Beach Country Club now has a new board to go with their recently appointed general manager Andrew Pease. Chair is Bob Eley, deputy chair Grahame Hocking, treasurer Rob Staite, directors Graham Brown, Norm Hamilton, Patricia Jones and Michael McCarron.

FIRE & RESCUE NSW OPEN DAY 

Firefighters are encouraging people to visit their local fire station for the Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) annual open day on Saturday, May 20. 

Most fire stations across NSW will be open from 10am to 2pm and families are encouraged to come along and meet their local firefighters and learn more about fire prevention. A range of free activities will be on offer, including firefighting demonstrations, station tours and fire safety presentations. 

“Firefighters will also be able to provide advice on installing or replacing smoke alarms, and preparing a home fire escape plan,” he said. 

“Children will be able to see the fire engines and firefighting equipment up close – always a highlight of this much-anticipated day. “They will also be able to take home a “Brigade Kids” activity booklet, which teaches them vital fire safety lessons.” 

Commissioner Baxter said FRNSW is this year focusing on fire prevention in the kitchen, urging people to “Keep Looking When Cooking”. “Almost half of all house fires start in the kitchen, usually when people fail to keep an eye on the stovetop,” he said. For more information visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au

COMMUNITY RADIO

Tune into your community radio station, 97.5 Sapphire FM Friday mornings with Colin Dunn.

At 8.30am Gav and Col peruse the News Weekly for the latest from around the traps.

From 9am this week's Rotary Local Heroes include Gai Byrne and Brad Barker, of Merimbula Rotary.

At 10am find out what it's like to be a winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize, with local author, Glenda Guest, before Liz Wheeler and Shane Thornberry tell us about their work with the RSPCA, at 11am.

WOMBAT RESCUE

On Thursday, May 11 Cathy O’Connor from Albacore Apartments went out to find a wombat on the front lawn.

Unfortunately for the wombat it was artificial grass so being an animal lover and not wanting the wombat to sleep rough (out on the streets) she contacted WIRES Far South East branch.

Janine and Baron Green came to the rescue, capturing and placing the animal in a cage and he was then relocated to a lovely bush property away from the town lights and cars.

PEBBLES FOR NEPAL

Jenny Stewart, founder of Pebbles for Nepal spoke at the Merimbula Uniting Church on Sunday, May 7 about her work in Nepal. Each year Jenny visits the Chepang Hills area and donates water tanks and poly pipe to communities there. The Uniting Church donated $1282 towards this vital work which should cover the cost of another 10 tanks. Jenny will distribute these when she goes to Nepal in July.

VIEW CLUB CONFERENCE

The VIEW NG03 Zone Conference is being held in the upstairs Sapphire Room  at Club Sapphire Friday May 19 from 10am until 2pm. VIEW Club members from Narooma, Bega, Eden and two Merimbula clubs will attend as well as three guest speakers.

PARKINSON GROUP

Following the celebration of World Parkinson Day the Bega Valley Parkinson Support Group held their May meeting at the Bega Golf Club with exercise physiologist Clarra McKinnell as guest speaker. Clarra gave a presentation on her work with people living with Parkinson's disease. A number of members are planning to attend classes arranged by Clarra.

The group received a donation from the Tai Chi for Arthritis group who attend classes at South East Regional Hospital. The donation was well received by the Parkinson group. The next meeting will be held on June 5 at Bega Golf Club commencing at 10.30am.

Contact can be made with the group through president Bob McDonald on 64954108 or 0448325002.