TWO of Tathra’s most treasured people are to be acknowledged in a public ceremony next week.
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Community stalwarts Kevin Cole and Betty Koellner, both 84, are being thanked for more than 60 years of voluntary service to the Tathra community.
A plaque will be unveiled in the pair’s name on February 11 from 10.30am at the Tathra skate park.
Some of Tathra’s iconic places – including Tathra Wharf and Tathra Community Hall – remain thanks largely to the hard work of Mr Cole and Ms Koellner.
Mr Cole and Ms Koellner are members of the Pig and Whistle Fleet and were part of the Tathra Wharf Action Movement to “save the wharf” for 12 years.
The pair have enjoyed a long-time association with the Tathra hall, which celebrated its 100th birthday last November (BDN, 29/11/13).
Ms Koellner has dedicated over 50 years to restoring and preserving the venue.
“I love that hall,” she said.
Mr Cole and Ms Koellner have spent time on numerous committees around Tathra, including the Tathra Beach Reserve Committee and inaugural Tathra ladies golf club (see attached stories).
Fittingly, next Tuesday’s ceremony will be held at the Tathra skate park.
Mr Cole and Ms Koellner helped instigate and plan the park’s barbecues over 10 years ago.
Ms Koellner said the pair designed the plan, found barbecues and sought approval from the Bega Valley Shire Council.
“We marked the area and that’s how it started – those barbecues have been there ever since.”
For more information about the ceremony, contact Janelle Curtis at the council on 6499 2289 or email execassist@begavalley.nsw.gov.au.
