The clock has been an iconic landmark in Bega for so long and it is just across the street from the beautiful court house – in my opinion in good company.

According to the local newspaper editorial, the removal and relocating of the clock will cost we ratepayers at least $50,000 – I consider this to be a waste of ratepayers’ money.

The clock and old town hall are perfect examples of the council’s neglect over the years.  

All buildings need to be maintained and council should not turn a blind eye to the buildings it is supposed to be looking after because it is an important part of management of the shire.

It is my strong wish the clock be restored and repaired so it is running well and the proud monument enhancing Bega’s heritage.  

This would be far less expensive and a better alternative to relocating it to another place (and out of the way).

Years ago the Bega District News would have an April Fools’ Day story on its front page if the day fell on a Tuesday or a Friday.

One year the story was that council had decided to digitise the Dr Evershed Memorial Clock and on the hour it was to play “Rock Around the Clock”.

The reaction to the story was immediate.

Sobbing little old ladies rang council, there was a talk of a petition and a protest march through the street.

As the next edition was out for a few days the only way the paper could explain it was only an April Fools’ Day prank was to ask the ABC radio to broadcast the fact.

That generation who were so upset are now dead, but I doubt they would have agreed with council’s decision to move the clock tower.

I would like to clarify a comment “..the region has more than just dairy farms, beaches and cafes”, attributed to me in a report in Friday’s paper about the 2016 Cobargo Folk Festival.

I meant no disparagement of dairy farming, beaches or cafes.

I was raised in dairy country and have spent many years enjoying beaches and cafes up and down the Sapphire Coast.

I live between three dairy farms and appreciate the enormous effort that goes into a successful farm.

The point I was making is that the Valley is famous for the skill and industriousness of the dairy farming community and its contribution to the health of the regional economy. The beauty of the Sapphire Coast is renowned across Australia. 

Less well-known outside the Valley, however, is the tremendous musical talent within our community.

For example, up and coming young people, like Daniel Champagne and Heath Cullen, who are making names for themselves nationally and overseas; established artists like Kate Burke, Mike Martin and Pete Wild; and the Djaadawan Dancers who recently placed third in the inaugural Dance Rites competition at the Opera House, which celebrates Aboriginal dance culture.

All have appeared (or are appearing this year) at the Cobargo Folk Festival.

Music is a rich and vibrant part of the lives of many in the Valley.

We have dairy, beaches and cafes.  And we have music, art and a highly creative community.  

They are not mutually exclusive.

They are all part of the web of wonderful stuff happening here in the Bega Valley and I want to help make sure that people know about all of it.