Health & Wellbeing

I was waiting for a friend to arrive at a cafe recently and I  felt fidgety. The cafe was busy, with plenty of people to watch and details to observe, piles of pretty cakes and jars of biscuits and cute little succulents growing in random vessels but I felt at a loss, my attention drawn again and again to the...

With the peak season for meningococcal disease still more than a month away, Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) is urging people to be alert to lesser known signs of the disease. The Director of Public Health, Tracey Oakman, says meningococcal disease can occur at any time of year but cases normally start to increase towards the end of flu season when people’s...

The Royal Commission's national investigation into aged care is ongoing but one of its positive effects is coming into play now. NSW police have created a new role, the Aged Crime Prevention Officer, who is responsible not just for cases involving the elderly but also other vulnerable groups such as the disabled and homeless. While the position will be rolled out state-wide...

A unique Bega initiative geared towards improving teenage health is now available in Victoria. Teen Clinic is a free service operating out of a general practice that allows teenagers to drop in and discuss their health and lifestyle concerns in a relaxed and confidential environment. Mallacoota Medical Centre will be operating a Teen Clinic each Monday and Thursday afternoon. No...

A milestone in the construction of the Bungendore Ambulance Station with the concrete slab, structural steel, roof sheeting and external wall sheeting now complete. “I am excited to see the progress. This is something the community fought hard for, and I am proud to be delivering on this important asset,” Member for Monaro, John Barilaro says. “In the event that...

A new branch of support, friendship and fun is growing for parents and guardians of babies aged under six months in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma. 'Embracing Babies', run by Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Children’s Services, is a friendly and casual fortnightly catch up for mums, dads, grandparents or other guardians of babies, to come together and socialise. Child Development Officer...

"Muuuum, I need a shirt with more colours on it! It's for Crocodile, Crocodile and I don't get a turn because I'm always wearing the same colours - grey, blue, black..." my seven-year-old son gestures to a pile of clothes on his bedroom floor. I paw through them with him and he's right - how did we end up with...

Many of us crave different foods throughout the seasons. In winter my heart sings at the thought of slow-cooked baked beans, or long-time stirred oats and porridge smothered with maple syrup or honey and loaded with healthy fruits, seeds, nuts and milk. Some of Bega Valley's cafes have been very clever and created heart-warming winter menus to keep us healthy...

The Surf Life Saving NSW Pool Rescue Championships brought together almost 450 lifesavers at the weekend with competitors from the Far South Coast and ACT mixing it with 29 other clubs and holding their own. The weekend's event at Woy Woy Peninsula Leisure Centre on the Central Coast marked the eleventh year of competition. The State Championships are focused on...

After a week of celebrations, the Eurobodalla NAIDOC Awards Ball at The Coachouse Marina Resort in Batemans Bay saw generations come together to recognise each other's contribution and achievements. Guests were treated to a performance of "Hitchhiker" by comedian Dane Simpson who also hosted the event and kept everyone laughing. Eurobodalla Shire Councillor Pat McGinlay was one of the first to...

Obsessed with horses from a young age, Emma Booth’s dream of riding one came true when she won a competition run by the TV show 'The Saddle Club' to win a pony and riding lessons. Her raw talent was clear early on and in 2011 she accepted a job in Germany riding and training horses for international dressage rider Holger...

Two opposite elements were at play in the surrounding region over the weekend, united by wild winds that kept emergency services busy from Jindabyne to Moruya. Icy rain and snow in the Snowy Monaro caused minor traffic accidents and delays on busy snow routes while in Moruya, a speedy grass fire had Eurobodalla Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and...

Two new special interest playgroups are starting in Batemans Bay this month for families with children under five. One playgroup will cater to families from multicultural backgrounds, while the other will be run at disability service Muddy Puddles to provide support for families who have concerns about their child’s development. Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Supported Playgroups Coordinator Lisa Heinze says the...

There is a twinkle about Jen Russell that goes beyond the almost $5 million her service has just won from the New South Wales Government. Jen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bega Valley's Tulgeen Disability Services. For over 40 years Tulgeen has offered a vast range of supports to people living with disabilities. The afternoon I met Jen she...

With Wimbeldon in full swing, the Bodalla community is celebrating the refurbishment of the town's tennis courts, perhaps a breeding ground for Australia's next Ash Barty. Looking at the end result, it's easy to forget the bumpy road the project has traveled; collaboration on a number of fronts the key to meeting the challenges. Following a review of the condition...

Award-winning short films reflecting the lived experience of people with disabilities are coming to Bega. The local screening of the Wide Angle Film Festival is a partnership between Bega Valley Shire Library and Tulgeen Disability Services. This free public Festival presents animation, live action, drama, comedy and documentary. The Wide Angle Film Festival is produced by The Bardic Studio - a...