Nine things to do in the regions this week (12 - 18 January)

Looking for something to do this coming week? We have you covered!

Take a wander through the open gardens at All Saints Bodalla, chat to the fine people at Marine Rescue Narooma to learn about what they do (and see some demonstrations) at their open day and listen to an update about health infrastructure in Batemans Bay.

A Far South Coast theatre group is behind the Head in the Clouds pantomime, while a Bega art gallery and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council have organised art events so locals can flex their creativity. Meanwhile, NelliJam Music Festival is just one of several live performances coming to the regions this week. Kelesi Woodhouse will stop by Narooma Library for some jazz and Andy Irvine and Dallahan will perform at Four Winds.

Multiple days

Open gardens at All Saints Bodalla

When: 6 to 21 January (Saturdays and Sundays only), 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Rectory Garden, All Saints Bodalla, 59 Princes Highway, Bodalla
Cost: Entry costs $10.

Summer is known for its hot weather, so why not seek some shade among lush gardens? Flowers of all kinds will be on display at the Rectory Gardens, which is known for its range of beautiful plants. While they are beautiful to look at, the gardens are only open to the public on select dates – and the January ones are about to come to a close!

Head in the Clouds pantomime

When: 13 and 14 January, from 2:30 pm
Where: Cobargo School of Arts Hall, 18-20 Cobargo Bermagui
Cost: Tickets cost between $5 and $10 (children under five have free entry), and are available via Trybooking or can be purchased with cash at the door.

School of Arts Players (SOAPI), a theatre group based on the NSW South Coast, has organised the production to keep youngsters busy during summer. Head in the Clouds was written and produced by the group alongside participants in their 2023 free holiday theatre workshops. Come along to one of the two shows and see what their hard work has produced.

Comics and Zine Workshop

When: 17 to 19 January, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA), Zingel Place, Bega
Cost: Free entry, though registration via Humanitix is necessary.

This three-day workshop will give participants an introduction into comics and zine-making. Guest artists will teach sessions on illustration, character design, graphic storytelling and illustration. The workshop is aimed at people aged 12 to 20, and their work will be hosted within the new SECCA project space.

Saturday

NelliJam Music Festival

When: 13 January, 11:30 am to 11 pm
Where: Steampacket Hotel Nelligen, 963 Kings Highway, Nelligen
Cost: Tickets cost between $5 and $200 (depending on age and ticket package chosen) and are available via Humanitix.

Dance the night away as the NelliJam Music Festival returns on Saturday for its 11th outing. The Choirboys, Sarah McLeod (of The Superjesus), the Bo’Ness Brothers, Paul Johnston, Kathleen Halloran and Corey Legge are among the line-up. All adult attendees require a valid ID and the venue is cashless.

Marine Rescue Narooma Open Day

When: 13 January, 8 am to 3 pm
Where: Apex Park, Narooma
Cost: Free entry.

You won’t have to go out onto the water to learn about Marine Rescue. The Narooma branch of the organisation is hosting an open day, including a fundraising sausage sizzle and raffle, flare displays, knot tying demonstrations and more. Attendees will be able to tour the unit’s two rescue vessels, Narooma 30 (a 10-metre Naiad) and Narooma 20 (a 6.3-metre open Naiad), and learn about the roles at Marine Rescue Narooma.

Tuesday

Bungendore pop-up art day

When: 16 January, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Bungendore Scout Hall, 66 Turallo Terrace, Bungendore
Cost: Free entry, though online registration is necessary.

Whether you have a dozen sketchbooks or you’re not very creative, this is a chance to practise your skills. Teenagers are invited to spend the day doing a variety of artistic activities, including working with clay, drawing, painting and other crafts. The sessions are aimed at teenagers aged 12 to 17, and lunch and snacks will be provided so no one goes hungry.

Eurobodalla health planning update

When: 16 January, 5 to 6:30 pm
Where: Auditorium, Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, 6 Beach Road, Batemans Bay
Cost: Free entry.

Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) has organised this session to give the community an update about the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and Batemans Bay Community Health. Residents are invited to come along and listen to speakers from SNSWLHD, Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance.

Wednesday

Kelesi Woodhouse performance

When: 17 January, 5 to 6 pm
Where: Narooma Library, Field Street, Narooma
Cost: Tickets cost $5 (children under three are free) and are available via eventbrite.

When you think of a library, you probably thing of books – but this performance will have the courtyard filled with music! Piano player, singer, and performer Kelesi will perform some jazz music set to get everyone relaxed. Attendees are asked to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time and bring their own seating (chair or blanket), and nibbles to snack on.

Andy Irvine and Dallahan: Inside the Windsong Pavilion

When: 17 January, 6 to 8:30 pm (food truck and bar open from 5 pm)
Where: Windsong Pavilion, Four Winds, 17 Four Winds Road, Barragga Bay
Cost: Tickets cost between $35 and $40 (those 16 years and under have free entry but have to book), and are available via the venue’s website.

The Yuin Folk Club has partnered with Four Winds for this concert, set to excite fans of folk and Celtic music across the South Coast. Andy Irvine and Dallahan will take to the stage in this family-friendly evening of music. There will also be a bar and food truck, so everyone can relax and enjoy the music without a care in the world!