Merimbula’s community updates

Judy has been a devoted officer bearer for many years and in her role as “Care Bear” has always kept the members of the club up to date on other members’ health status.  

During the presentation, life member Geoffrey Hayes recalled that he joined the Probus Club in the 90’s and couldn’t remember a time when Judy had not been the “Care Bear”.

Graham Waldon acknowledged that Judy always goes the extra mile, not only sending cards but following up with several phone calls. We hope that the club has Judy as its “Care Bear” for many years to come.

Tura Marrang Quilters is a newly formed group of patchwork and quilting lovers who have decided to make the Tura Marrang Library and Community Centre their home base.

Programs and Partnerships Officer, Scott Baker, said everyone is welcome to join the group which will meet at 10am on the first Tuesday of each month, starting on Tuesday, August 2.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner wanting to find out how to get started or if you are an experienced quilter, this is a great way to meet people, have a cuppa and share ideas,” he said.

The group is open to all quilters whether they quilt by hand or machine, applique or patchwork.

Participants can bring along their own project or some people may like to work together on a charity quilt or some other group challenge.

There is no need to book, just come along.

For more information please phone Tura Marrang library on 6499 2340.

The monthly meeting of the Merimbula RSL Sub Branch was held on July 18 with 30 members and one proposed new member in attendance. Five apologies were received.

The meeting received the regular reports and Secretary Tony gave a report as coordinator for the Panorama Day Club.

Reporting the Day Club had a visit last Tuesday from the RSL State Day Clubs Coordinator and DVA Day Clubs Community Support Adviser. Both were very impressed with the Panorama Day Club running and activities.

The Day Club is still looking for more members. Meet Tuesday mornings 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. Cost $10 per member, includes morning tea and lunch. For more call Tony Toussaint on 0417 249 235.

Two other items also came up for discussion.

The first was a notice of motion for the Merimbula sub-Branch to accept affiliate membership. The vote was carried out by secret ballot, with the majority vote going in favour for accepting affiliate membership. Information on affiliate membership can be obtained from sub-Branch Secretary Tony Toussaint on 0417 249 235.

The second was a letter was tabled with a notice of motion to change the RSL Club Ltd Constitution to remove the requirement that four of the seven Board Directors must be sub-Branch Service members.

This was put forward by RSL club members seeking support from the RSL sub-Branch to have this change put to the RSL Club Ltd Board for consideration.

A vote was taken by sub-Branch members and passed that the sub-Branch supports the proposed recommended change to the Club Ltd Constitution.

This change if passed at the next AGM will allow all members of the RSL Club Ltd to nominate for the Club Board at the next Board elections.

After the meeting, drinks and snacks were supplied by the sub-Branch.

The Merimbula RSL sub-Branch will be holding a Service to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Vietnam Veterans Day.

The Service will be held at the Beach Street Memorial on Thursday,  August 18. Vietnam Veterans, Veterans, Ex and Serving members are invited to attend.

Assemble in the RSL Car Park at 10.45am for a march down Alice Street to the Memorial for a Service to start at 11am. Medals are to be worn.

After the Service lunch has been arranged in the RSL Club dining room. Cost $10 per head. School students who attend are invited for drinks and snacks in the Down Stairs Function room of the RSL Club.

The Salvation Army Family store Merimbula will be holding a fund-raiser open day to raise funds for the Salvation Army End Slavery Safe house and Anti Human Trafficking mission in Australia. The store will be offering great hourly specials and bargain buys. All money raised on the day will be donated to this cause. Please come along and support our volunteers for the special open day on Saturday August 13 at 3 Alice St Merimbula from 9am until 1pm.

Christmas came early for Far South Coast Legacy widows when they enjoyed a special Christmas in July lunch held at the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club last week.

The warmth and companionship of the social get together attended by 80 widows and Legatees from Tura Beach, Merimbula, Pambula and Eden, more than made up for the absence of snow on the greens.

The Glasshouse Restaurant served up a sumptuous roast meal, while the renowned Sapphire Coast ukulele group The Wobbles, entertained everyone with their catchy tunes and sing-alongs.

All the widows who attended received a small gift of goodies from Santa. One of the many highlights was the monster raffle, with lots of smiling faces among the winners.

The function was hosted by Far South Coast Legacy, whose Chairman Legatee Peter Johnston, thanked the Golf Club staff and organisers for making it such a resounding success.

Pambula Hospital Auxiliary held their AGM on July 27 at Pambula Community Health Centre, with all executive positions being filled.

Members were pleased to welcome Shire Mayor, Councillor Britton, and Councillor Tapscott, Christine Smith UHA Regional Representative, and a number of Bega and Tathra Auxiliary members. We also met and welcomed Fiona Burns, who has been appointed Acting Nurse Manager at Pambula Hospital. Fiona had only taken up the position 2 days prior to our meeting, so is still settling into her new job.

Pambula Hospital is remaining open. The Auxiliary still has a role to support patients and staff at Pambula Hospital, as well as the Community Health Centre which provides services to the community such as Dental, Physio therapy, Speech therapy, and Podiatry; also home services for example, wound dressing for patients, which can be arranged through the old Emergency Department at Pambula, now renamed Assessment and Treatment centre.

The next fundraiser being planned by the Auxiliary is a Luncheon and Cooking Demonstration, with a modern approach to cooking. Those attending will sample several recipes, as well as food they see prepared. There will also be a Lucky Door prize, trading table and raffle.

The Luncheon is planned for September 1 at the very reasonable cost of $30 for four courses, and is being held at 24 Toallo Street Pambula (CWA hall). Seating is limited, so book early.

Entry will be by prepaid ticket only, to facilitate catering. Allergy and dietary needs will be covered, as long as advised at the time of booking. Inquiries to Barbara at 6495 6297.

Members of the community are invited to a special event on Thursday, August 11 at 7.30pm, in the United Church Hall, Henwood Street, Merimbula when the Far South Coast Birdwatchers welcomes Dr Stephen Debus, renowned raptor expert, to their evening meeting.

Dr Debus has researched and written about raptors for many years and based on his book 'Birds of Prey of Australia: A Field Guide, will help us hone our raptor identification skills.

In the Bega Valley we are fortunate to observe raptors such as Wedge-tailed Eagle, Whistling Kite, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black- shouldered Kite, Nankeen Kestrel and Osprey.  Identifying them in flight can be confusing but there are features of each, once learnt, will help unravel the confusion.

Join us for this absorbing evening event, which includes a light supper, and an opportunity to meet Dr Stephen Debus and chat with members. Visitors and potential members are extremely welcome at meetings and regular walks.

Enquiries to 6495 7390. All events appear on the FSCB website www.fscb.org.au and Facebook.