Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Newsletter 11 September 2023

Dear Friends of the Old Bega Hospital

Building work on the Old Bega Hospital is progressing well. Trusses are up, fallen chimney is standing again, lots of electrical conduit has been installed, structural cracks have been repaired, and many many metres of brickwork have been repointed. See front page article in the Bega District News 1 September (you’ll need to be a subscriber to read it) and progress reports on Facebook (just cancel the sign in page if you are not a Facebook member – our page is open for all).

Meanwhile, Val Little and the Friends Events Committee are getting on with organising the annual Raise the Roof Spring Fair for Sunday 29 October from 10am to 2pm at the Old Bega Hospital. Notwithstanding the restoration work, the show must go on! Bendigo Bank is our major sponsor for the day.

We’re lining up some great entertainment and activities.

Because of Vegemite’s newish (since 2017) association with Bega, Friends are going to celebrate the centenary of our iconic spread by adding a handmade section to our Old Bega Hospital Vegemite Cooking Competition. The Bega Valley’s artisans are invited to create a Vegemite-themed handmade item of any description and to bring the item in for display and judging by the Bega CWA ladies on the day of the Fair. There are only 2 rules for the handmade section:

How easy is that. Entry forms are available online, and at the Fair for last minute entries. Prizes have been sponsored by Bega Group (who own the Vegemite(R) brand) and Tarra Motors (who are our new neighbours at the OBH).

You can help spread the word about both the Vegemite Cooking and Vegemite-themed Handmade Competitions by passing on the information and dreaming up some entries. Open to all ages.

One of the main money earners for Friends is the Cake, Devonshire Tea and Morning Tea Stall. The Textilers organise this stall under the guidance of Chris, Sue and Pat and are putting out an early call for Friends to start thinking about what they can bake for the Stall to sell. This year, because the Cottage is rented out to Leser Build for its site office, the Cake etc Stall will be set up in the front meeting room of the Nurses’ Quarters, complete with its new kitchenette! Baking can be delivered to the Nurses’ Quarters on the day of the Fair, any time after 9.30am. We can arrange to pick up baking if you know someone who is happy to bake, but can’t make the Fair.

Another earner for Friends is the Business Houses Chocolate Wheel. If you know anyone with a business ask them if they are prepared to support OBH with a voucher or product from their business. Even non shop-front businesses can help by purchasing a voucher from a shop-front business and donating it to the cause. Each donor gets mentioned over the mike by the Chocolate Wheel spruiker. If you do get a voucher or product over the next 6 weeks please email Val with the details and she will make arrangements to pick up from you so the prizes can be organised before the day of the Fair. Val’s email is froglittle@bigpond.com.

There will be a BarBQue stall too, run by Kay Dowman. Buckets of coleslaw have to be made: if you are able to assist with this please email Val.

Friends will also be selling our merchandise T-Shirts, T-Towels, limited edition OBH Jigsaws and postcards, on the day. Keep this in mind, as they make great Christmas or Birthday presents. Come and check out the new colours of our latest batch of T-Shirts.

Other stall holders welcome too: commercial or not for profit. You can find a stall booking form at http://www.obh.org.au/Friends/raisetheroof.htm.

See the poster for all the Fun of the Fair. You can print it out and put it up at school or work if you like.

All proceeds will go towards purchasing equipment etc for the Main Building once work is completed – scheduled for May next year.

If you want to help to manage the community centre, or lease a space in it, or just have ideas to share, contact the Reserve Land Manager at reservelandmanager@obh.org.au.

With best wishes

Richard Bomford

President
Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Inc

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