It’s $5 donation for entry and BYO instruments and refreshments. There’s a free sausage sizzle happening on arrival and a sumptuous supper is always available to buy for a modest cost.

And if it takes your fancy to bring something for the supper please feel free, then yours will be free. For more info phone 0487899677 or 0406915137 AH

The Merimbula and District Garden Club is holding its first meeting of the year on Saturday, February 23 at 10.15am in the lower meeting roomof the Merimbula RSL Club.

As well as hearing a fascinating talk about the gardening practises of rural China, members are asked to bring a pot of their favourite succulent plant for a show and tell.

The usual raffle, plant display table, cuppa and a chat will round out the morning. Visitors are welcome.

People living with Parkinson in the Bega Valley received some great news a few days ago when Health Minister Greg Hunt allocated $30m over five years for Parkinson research and clinic trials.

Australian researchers (who are world leaders in this field) are expecting great results from these funds -  maybe finding a cure – but certainly finding out more important information about Parkinson's disease. Minister Hunt has also agreed to provide $6.8m for the training and evaluation of 15 specialist nurses in remote areas in Australia. It would be nice if the Bega Valley was included in this training.

The members of the Bega Valley Parkinson Support Group had a special day at their first meeting of the year when they  were visited by Nina Cheyne who is a Parkinson neurologist specialist nurse from the Shoalhaven area.

Nina has a huge reputation throughout NSW and her knowledge of Parkinsons is amazing and many of the questions asked by the members at the meeting were expanded to cover more information. It is likely that Nina will call again later in the year.

Our guest speaker for the March 4 meeting is Clarra McKinnell an exercise physiologist. The next meeting is on the March 4 at Bega Golf Club commencing at 10.30am

We would like to invite MIHS members and visitors to our first general meeting for 2019. Liz Bretherton will be speaking about museums she and Don visited in Portugal and England and there will be Portuguese snacks for afternoon tea.

The society will hold a cake and produce stall at the Old School Museum on Saturday, March 23 to coincide with the NSW State Election. Members and friends are invited to donate goods for sale but are reminded that all baked goods must contain a list of ingredients. The society can help to prepare labels if help is needed.

The South East History Group held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, February 9 at the Uniting Church Hall in Merimbula.

Matters of interest, including the Bega Shire Hidden History (101 Objects) project were discussed. After lunch Brigitte Kestermann spoke about the founder of Bimbimbie, John McIlwraith Smith and later took people to the complex to look at various memorial plaques and the site of the demolished homestead.

Visitors and members are invited to Bega Valley Genealogy Society’s first meeting for 2019 to be held Sunday, February 24 at 2pm in the Masonic Hall, Canning Street Bega. Highlight of the meeting will be an enthralling talk  - Mrs Macquarie, first gardener of NSW to be presented by accomplished speaker Meg Ward.

Planning is underway for a one day seminar in May with sessions showing how to find the gems of information in the Australian National Library’s Trove collection and how to research Irish ancestors.

You are reminded that the society’s library at the Old Courthouse, Pambula has an extensive collection of Monaro and South Coast, Australian and international family history material. For details visit the website https://bvgenealogy.webhive.com.au

Community groups are welcome to use the Courthouse and its facilities for meetings, and classes etc.  Enquiries to Barb 0428 310 264.