Villages missing out?
Dear Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick and Councillors, Bega Valley Shire Council, and Editor Ben Smyth.
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I refer to recent articles about projects for Cobargo under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund in the Bega District News (July 6 and July 20, 2021).
I am concerned how Cobargo-centric the conversation and reporting is on this subject. For instance, not once in the above articles has there been a reference to Quaama village (apart from in a group title) or to the localities surrounding Cobargo. Even then, the Cobargo Quaama Business Recovery Group has become 'subservient' to Cobargo through its amalgamation with the Cobargo Community Development Corporation.
While this insensitivity is probably inadvertent, and apart from precious lives lost, it must be hurtful to the residents of Quaama village and every locality surrounding Cobargo. They were all also impacted severely by the Black Summer bushfires.
Quaama lost several houses and a church (St Saviour's). In the localities of Wandella, Yowrie, Dignams Creek, Coolagolite, Verona and Brogo, residents, particularly farmers, lost all or a combination of houses, out buildings, stock, pastures/crops, machinery and fences. Most of us in the north-end of the Shire (and indeed beyond) will be acquainted with such victims and have tried to share their pain and support them.
So, I suggest future conversations, reporting and discussion about the re-development be more explicitly inclusive. After all, Cobargo will be the hub of the entire district in terms of economic recovery and bushfire resilience.
The town, the village (Quaama) and the surrounding localities are all in this together and are mutually dependent.
Dave Richard-Preston, Bermagui
Loved and respected owners
The' young couple' in your story about Kameruka Golf Course were Frank Foster and his wife Odille. Unfortunately Frank, a previous owner of Kameruka Estate and descendent of the Lucas-Tooth family, died recently. He was a much loved and respected member of the Candelo community for many years.
Rob Owen, Tathra
Angry over spending
Regarding the $8.9million council offices renovation. This makes me very angry. What about Eden. Eden has lacked a town hall since the council demolished ours decades ago. We are constantly told we can use the Eden Fishermen's Club for meetings, deb balls etc. Now the club has been sold and the doors close at the end of this month. Eden urgently needs facilities and this should be a priority. Where is the plan for Eden?
Amanda Midlam, Eden
Aged care home concern
This lodge has seen many Eden senior people have somewhere comfortable and safe to live with dignity in their later years as well being able to be comforted and assisted by staff and their families
if it closes it will be a big loss for the community.
John Halloran, Kambah ACT
Hopeful common sense prevails
Thank you for your thorough coverage of the possible, sudden closure of Roy Wotton Gardens. My mother is a resident and I am in lockdown. The callously worded letter on late Friday was a gut-wrenching shock for all.
I am fortunate that my sister is in Eden but the burden on her at this time is unfair, and makes my lockdown absence even more painful. We are all hoping that a level of common sense, and honesty, prevails. But I am not hopeful that Eden will retain this delightful refuge for our aged in need.