Stacey Briggs, eldest daughter of Gordon and Judy Briggs of Bega, recently graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Education-Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) with distinction. Stacey, who attended Bega Primary and Bega High Schools, has accepted a position at Scone Grammar School and is now happily teaching Year Four in the “horse capital of Australia”.

Celebrating Australia Day were best friends Peter McDermot, Marvin Maher-Smith and Jayden Coyle.

Rebecca Mace of Tathra recently graduated from the University of Canberra with a double degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts.

Congratulations to “Squib” Val Rowley for your 50th birthday tomorrow Saturday . Love from Cheryl and John, Mum and Dad, Jim and Tracey, Dylan, Adam, Mikey and all of your friends and family.

Happy 13th birthday to Starleigh Peterson-Frame who turned 13 on January 31. Lots of love from Nan, Pop, Dad, auntie and all of your friends.

Aaron Daly celebrated his first birthday on Wednesday, Janurary 30. Love from his mum and dad, Verity and Colin Daly.

Birthday greetings

Happy birthday to Lynda Ward, Sheralee Balcomb, Robert Lawler, Maree Rolfe, Ashley Wilton, Alex Roberts, Adam Campbell, Kelly Vear-Fittock, Matthew Sims, Alison Sandwith, Jess Gordon, Courtney Willis, Kellie-Anne Salway, Troy Lucas, Sharon Bastian and Greg Wheatley who all celebrated their birthdays during the week.

Sommerville-Shore wedding

On Saturday, December 1, surrounded by 90 family and friends, Kirsty Sommerville and Chris Shore were married in the grounds of Edrom Lodge overlooking Twofold Bay.

Kirsty is the eldest daughter of Wayne Sommerville of Sanctuary Point and Carny Bower of Tathra.

Chris is the youngest son of Ross and Shirley Shore of Merimbula.

Kirsty was attended by her sister Bec Sommerville and great friend Lisa Garner and Chris was attended by long time friends Ben Barker and Mal Cash.

Kirsty's younger brother, Adam Lucas, was ring bearer and her sister Sarah Lucas and nieces Ashlyn, Charlie, Kobe, Kayla and Ashley were special helpers.

Kirsty wore a white satin low-back gown with a small train and carried a bouquet of frangipani and orchids.

Her bridesmaids wore lilac halter neck dresses and carried matching posies.

After a beautiful ceremony conducted by celebrant Wendy Svirak, guests enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on the lawns of Edrom Lodge where they were able to watch the dolphins in the bay.

The verandah of the lodge provided a magnificent setting for the reception where guests enjoyed great food and music and partied well into the early hours of the next morning.

Not only was the day the beginning of Chris and Kirsty's life together it was also the 60th anniversary of the wedding of Chris's Nanna Iris Behl and his late grandfather which made the day even more special.

Kirsty and Chris thank their parents, especially Carny, for their help with organising the day and making it so memorable.

Special thanks go to Kirsty's grandparents Marj and Doug Bower who also assisted and to Bec and Lisa who helped with all the preparations.

Thanks also to the celebrant Wendy Svirak, Ulli Arens and his staff for the wonderful meal, Angi High for the amazing job she did with the photography, Lynnie for running the bar and make up artist Lisa Styles who did a fantastic job.

After spending a few days catching up with family, Kirsty and Chris returned to their new home at Bucasia in Queenslandd are plan to have their honeymoon overseas later in the year.

Floral art

The Bega Valley Creative Floral Art Group’s next meeting will be held in the CWA Rooms, Church Street, Bega, on Wednesday, February 6, at 7pm for the executive, with the members’ meeting to follow at 7.30pm.

The theme for the night will be an arrangement of your choice taken from the forthcoming Bega Show schedule.

New members are always welcome.

Social afternoon

The Bega Presbyterian Women’s Association will hold a social afternoon at the Bega Presbyterian Church Hall tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm.

Everyone is most welcome, so go along and enjoy a pleasant time.

Pre-School thanks

Bega Pre-School thanks the following businesses for their support last year for a fundraising afternoon at the Commercial Hotel.

The funds raised were put towards the shade structure that has now been erected at the pre-school ready for the children to start the new year.

The staff, committee, parents and carers are very grateful.

Tanja Rural Retreat, Kianinny Cabins, Tappapizza restaurant, Tanya and Gary Smith, Builders, Fletchers Fotographics, Bega Woolworths, Cat Balou Cruises, Candelo Books, Sportspower, Magpie Music, Bega Newsagency, Bed and Bath, Look’n Good, Triple P Studios, Priceline, Toy Kingdom, Red Cafe, Jenny Webber, Southern Furniture One, Mitre 10, Best Girl, Bega Allens, Staffords Building Supplies, Kalaru, Retravision, Betta Electrical, Georgie’s Fine Jewellery, Swift Health and Fitness, Hair Cafe, St George Leagues Club, Commercial Hotel and Bistro, Sarah, Willie Lucas Lawnmowing, Chemworld Pharmacy, Kydd’s Butchery and everyone that helped out on the day.

Hospital Auxiliary

The Bega Hospital Auxiliary’s first meeting for 2008 will be held on Friday, February 8, at 10am in the education centre at Bega District Hospital.

New members will be most welcome and there is a special appeal to old members to go along as well.

With so much happening in the next 12 months it promises to be a very busy year and the auxiliary will need the support of all of its members.

The Christmas raffle was a great success and thanks go to those who both bought and sold tickets.

A special thank you to GoLo for their continued support.

Old Time Dance

The Bega Old Time Dance Club will hold its next dance tomorrow (Saturday) at the Bega RSL Club.

Dancing commences at 8pm to the music of Black Rose.

BYO supper, tea and coffee will be provided.

Admission is $6 and everyone is most welcome.

Compassionate Friends

The Bega Valley Chapter of Compassionate Friends will meet in the Bega Red Cross rooms in Church Street, Bega, on Monday, February 4, at 7pm.

Compassionate Friends is a grief support group for parents, siblings and grandparents following the death of a child.

For more information phone Sue on 6492 1460 or Janice 6492 1359.

Presbyterian Moderator

The State Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Right Reverend David Seaman, will be visiting the Bega Presbyterian Church this Sunday, February 3, at the 10am service.

Accompanying him will be Stuart Bonnington from the Inland Mission Patrol.

A luncheon will be served after the service.

Golden wedding

Ross and Dawn Rixon celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss on January 22. Congratulations from Maryanne and Neville, Shirley and Doug, Gloria and John, Glen and Leonie , Patricia and Graeme, Allan and Gail, June and

Richard and all your grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are all very proud of you both.

Pancake night

Saint John’s Anglican Church in Bega will hold its traditional Shrove

Tuesday Pancake Night next Tuesday, February 5.

There will be a short service at 6pm to which everyone is invited. Pancakes will be served from 6.30pm with a smorgasbord choice of savoury and sweet toppings.

Pancakes cost $5 each and tea and coffee costs $1 (bottomless cup.

There will be free cordial for the children.

Net proceeds will be donated to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund which is

used to support emergency food and assistance to individuals and

families in need in our local community.

Candelo Play group

The Candelo play group gets together on Tuesday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am in the fully fenced in pre-school building at Candelo.

Activities including craft, dancing, singing, games, free play and story

time.

Children have morning tea so take along a piece of fruit to share.

Go along, have a cuppa and see what the new committee has to offer you and your children.

For more information phone Christie Clarke on 6493 0501 or 0428 365 551.

Engagement

Love was in the air at Montague Island recently when Shane Coles asked that all-important question of Jewel Penafor on top of the island's lighthouse – and she said yes.

Shane had been planning the proposal for some time and had managed to keep it a secret from Jewel.

Shane is the head chef at Fat Tony's Bar and Grill in Tathra and Jewel works as dental technician in Merimbula.

Also on the trip was a couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

Diamond weeding

Dudley and Thelma Parbery celebrated their 60th wedding last Sunday with a luncheon at Tura Beach Country Club.

The gathering of family members and friends was hosted by their sons, Tony and Stephen.

Dudley's sister Margaret Englert and Thelma's brother and sister-in-law, Les and Mary Gainey, were among the guests.

Having met in New Guinea during the second world war where both served in Australia's armed forces, Dudley and Thelma married in Walgett on January 24, 1948.

They then returned to Dudley's home town, Bega, where they have spent all their married life.

Both Thelma and Dudley enjoyed immensely their afternoon celebrating with friends and family members and were proud to display letters of congratulations from the Queen, the Governor General, Governor of NSW, Prime Minister, Premier of NSW and local Members of Parliament.