The Bega Valley Parkinson’s Support Group  had their Christmas party at Club Sapphire with an excellent attendance enjoying a great day.

The President made special presentations to Ian Battersby and Stan and Joan West for their special help they give the group through the year.

The group has had a great year with World Parkinson’s Day, the information seminar we arranged in Bega, which was a great success, and the President being chosen as the face of Parkinson’s NSW.

All these things made our group more visible to the public and our numbers have grown due to this awareness.

The President would like to take this opportunity to thank the local newspapers for their continued support in getting our report to the public.

Wishing everyone the compliments of the season.

Candelo's busy Craft Group ladies celebrated Volunteers Day by making a generous donation to St Vinnies in Bega.

The photo above shows volunteer  Lorraine Thompson presenting the cheque to manager Danny Kougkamp, so toys can be purchased for children to help brighten up their Christmas.

Chris Denton and Kylie Ramsay, two exceptionally skilled printmakers, who happen to be local residents and partners in life, are showing their work with Tanja ceramicist Sonja Jacob, at Ivy Hill Gallery from December 14 to January 14.

Chris Denton’s work in this exhibition is from the recent and ongoing series entitled ‘white, red, black’.

The series consists of editioned prints, unique state prints and mixed media drawings.

“My work is mostly on paper, that most beautiful and receptive of surfaces. I like to move freely between intaglio printmaking and mixed media drawing, and to let the mutual influences flow. My favoured printmaking technique is drypoint on copper plate,” he said.

Kylie Ramsay has used digital images and drawing to build the many layers involved in developing her exquisite prints which gives them a dreamlike quality.

Using modern technology, she is able to print them in larger than usual sizes.

Sonja Jacob is a Sapphire Coast ceramic artist inspired by the natural world in which she lives.

For this exhibition she has created both functional and sculptural works, which reflect the colours of the forests and the sea.

You will find Ivy Hill Gallery on the coast road between Bermagui and Tathra. The Gallery is open from 10am-5pm, Thursday to Sunday. Check the website www.ivyhill.com.au for catalogues.​ 

Tanja Public School’s Christmas Tree event will be on Friday, December 15, with music and awards presentation from 5.30pm and performances from 6.30pm at the Tanja Hall.

The Evening Members Night for the Far South Coast Birdwatchers will be held at the Uniting Church Hall, Henwood St, Merimbula, at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 14. 

As always for the last club meeting of the year, the evening will be full of variety, and there will be an emphasis on quality bird photography.

After a short meeting, members will welcome local film maker Peter Constable, known for his nature photography, who will give a presentation of some of his work. 

Following this, some of the group’s own skilled photographers will show a selection of their photos from this year, taken both locally and from farther afield; and Alan Scrymgeour will be presenting a “Birds and Stones” segment.

Visitors are most welcome - supper provided! Contact the group via website, www.fscb.org.au, which provides details of club activities. They can also be found on Facebook or Twitter.

Will there be someone special missing at your festive table this Christmas?

Christmas is a time for family, friends and celebration, but for some it is a time of sadness and heartache especially those who have suffered the loss of a child.

Compassionate Friends, a world-wide organisation founded to provide support and comfort to grieving families who have experienced this devastating tragedy, understands.

On December 16 at 11am the Bega Valley Chapter of Compassionate Friends will hold a small informal get together in the headland memorial garden at Tathra.

They will gather at the memorial chair dedicated to the memory of the children they have lost.

An open invitation is extended to anyone who has lost a child to join the group in a beautiful contemplative setting  with people who understand and share your grief.

Afterwards the group will adjourn to a nearby venue for a light lunch.

Should you wish to contact the Bega Group the contact numbers are Janice  6492 1359 or Sue 0429 921 460.

Bega office

Council’s main office in Bega will close on Friday, December 22, at 3pm and reopen on Tuesday, January 2, at 9am. The after-hours phone will be staffed ready to respond to emergencies - call 6499 2222.

Waste Services

All Bega Valley tips are open as usual over the Christmas and New Year period, with the exception of Christmas Day, when all sites will be closed. Go to council’s website to check operating hours. Household bin collections will happen as normal.

Children’s Services

Bandara Children’s Services: Closes at 12.45pm on Thursday, December 21 and reopens at 7.45am on Tuesday, January 16.

Eden Child Care Centre: Closes at 12.30pm on Thursday, December 21 and reopens at 7.30am on Tuesday, January 16.

Bandara Preschool: Closes at 12.45pm on Thursday, December 21 and reopens at 8am on Tuesday, January 30.

Eden Preschool: Closes at noon on Friday, December 15 and reopens at 8.30am on Wednesday, January 31.

Sapphire Mobile Preschool Candelo: Closes at 3pm on Thursday, December 14 and reopens at 9am on Wednesday, January 31.

Sapphire Mobile Preschool Bemboka: Closes at noon on Friday, December 15 and reopens at 9am on Friday, February 2.

Libraries

All libraries will close at the normal time (Bega 5.30pm, Bermagui, Tura Marrang and Eden 5pm) on Friday, December 22, and reopen at Tuesday, January 2, at 9.30am.

After hours return boxes are available at all libraries and will be emptied regularly during the closure.

Check out the Summer Holiday Program during January at all four libraries.

There are great activities planned for kids of all ages, including the Summer Reading Club, Storytime and craft, Photoshop workshops and 3D Printer pens.

For details and bookings visit www.begavalleyshirelibrary.eventbrite.com.au

Bega Valley Regional Gallery

The Curtain Breathed Deeply will close at noon on Saturday, December 23, and reopen at 10am on Wednesday, January 4.

This amazing exhibition from Justene Williams runs until Saturday, January 27.

For information on the BVRG summer holiday kids’ workshops in January, visit the Bega Valley Regional Gallery website https://gallery.begavalley.nsw.gov.au

Bega Valley Regional Learning Centre, Merimbula

The Centre will close at 1pm on Friday, December 22, and reopen on Tuesday, January 2, at 8.30am.

Need to stay connected to the office while on holidays? Try the new co-working space. For any urgent issues contact Council on 6499 2222

Shire pools

All pools will close on Christmas Day. For public holiday opening hours, check with your local pool.

Sunday, December 17, will be the next monthly community documentary screening in the Old Cobargo Butter Factory at 3.30pm. 

Dogs of Democracy is an essay-style documentary about the stray dogs of Athens and the people who take care of them.  Filmmaker Mary Zournazi explores life on the streets through the eyes of the dogs and people’s experience. 

Shot on location in Athens - the birthplace of democracy - the documentary is about how Greece has become the 'stray dog of Europe',  and how the dogs have become a symbol of hope for the people and for the anti-austerity movement. 

A universal story about love and loyalty and what we might learn from animals.

Coffee and tea provided - bring your own mug. To cover the costs a $5 donation is much appreciated.

The community is reminded next week’s Bega District News is the last print edition for the year. 

Be sure to send in any details of news, events and district diary contributions you wish included in our December 22 edition to ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au prior to 10am Thursday, December 21. 

Keep an eye on www.begadistrictnews.com.au for all your news during the break and we will return to shelves on Tuesday, January 2.