Eurobodalla Mayor Mat Hatcher with Narooma Men’s Shed President David Trickett and the updated sign that was installed in September 2023. It recently needed repairs. Photo: Narooma Men’s Shed.
If you’ve driven through Clyde Mountain in recent weeks, you might have noticed that the sign at Pooh Bear’s Corner wasn’t there to cast its watchful eye over travellers.
Fear not – the sign was reinstalled over the weekend.
But it did have to be taken down for repairs after someone seemingly used the sign for target practice.
Narooma Men’s Shed president David Trickett told Region the damage happened shortly after Christmas.
“One of our members was passing by and stopped, and found it had been shot three times with what looks like a shotgun,” he said.
“It didn’t stand up too well to a shotgun blast because it’s just [made from] plastic and wood.”
The Men’s Shed volunteers took the sign down for some tender love and care.
The damaged Pooh Bear’s Corner sign before the repair works. Photo: Danni Johnson.
The metal backing was severely pockmarked, with Pooh Bear himself also receiving some damage to his face, especially to his nose.
Mr Trickett said volunteers had to repaint the sign, repair the backing plate, and treat the icon for rust to ensure it could remain outside, exposed to the elements.
“It was fairly time-consuming,” he said.
Mr Trickett said many in the Eurobodalla Shire and further afield were shocked at the damage.
“It’s been quite phenomenal, really,” he said.
“We thought there’d be a bit of an outcry, but the response has been tremendous.”
It happened just months after a weeks-long makeover in 2023, also by the Narooma Men’s Shed.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Mathew Hatcher asked the group to touch up the sign.
The Men’s Shed volunteers restored the sign, with local artist Rose Gauslaa adding a painting of Disney-style Winnie-the-Pooh digging a paw into a pot of ”Huney” and an image of his forest home.
While people were no doubt wondering who damaged the sign, Mr Trickett said he wasn’t expecting an answer.
“Nobody would ever know who did it,” he said.
“I don’t think the cops would be interested.”
Regardless, the hard work of the Narooma Men’s Shed volunteers means passers-by can once again see the sign on their travels.
“We’re certainly glad he’s back in place because it gives a smile to kids or people of any age that go past,” Mr Trickett said.
“That’s what it’s all about – it’s good for morale, if you will.
“It’s the highlight on the Kings Highway.”
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