Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Newsletter 20 December 2024
Dear Friends of the Old Bega Hospital
End of another year – and quite big one for the Old Bega Hospital.
Restoration
The highlight of the year was calling the community together for the big announcement on 29 April. The Reserve Land Manager was delighted to announce that Leser Build was the successful tenderer for stage 1 of the restoration project for the 135 year old, heritage listed, Old Bega Hospital main building. Leser Build are certainly passionate about restoring the Bega Valley’s first hospital for the community, and they are doing a splendid job. It is fabulous to have the building looking loved again after the 19 years it took to get a finance package sorted. Many thanks to everyone who has been involved over those 19 years: each small step got us closer to the goal.
Good news is that things have gone well with the building work, and it looks like stage 1 won’t need all the funds held in reserve for things we didn’t know about. The Reserve Land Manager is looking at how best to use those funds on parts of stage 2, meaning more of the building will be available for the community when work finishes in 2024.
Raffle and Street Stall
Friends will have its Carp Street Stall running outside Sportspower on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am to 1.30pm.
The Friends OBH $2 Summer/Autumn Raffle has been sponsored by Bega Betta Home Living. Friends sincerely thank Brendon and Shane for their continued support of OBH over the years, this time with vouchers totalling $500; first prize draw, $250 voucher and 5 more prize draws, each for $50 vouchers. Christmas ticket special - 8 for $10. Bega Betta Home Living has a great array of gear suitable for Christmas presents. Buying locally ensures the continuation of work and services in our region. And local workers and services come with a real smile and a chat.
Pavers
The Carp Street Stall will have information on the OBH Paver Project. New paths are part of the restoration project, and everyone will have a chance to have their own personalised paver included.
Individuals, businesses, groups can own a small piece of their regional community cultural centre and take a step into history. At the same time you’ll be helping to equip and furnish community spaces in the new building. You can grab an information pamphlet from the Carp Street Stall or download a printable order form at https://obh.org.au/Reserve%20Trust/PaverOrder.pdf (or an editable order form in Word at https://obh.org.au/Reserve%20Trust/PaverOrder.docx).
T-shirts, T towels and Jigsaws
We have T-shirts - new stock $25; old stock $20; and tea towels - $20. Limited Edition OBH Jigsaws – in a presentation tin for $35 or boxed for $30.
History
The Carp Street Stall will also be the place to provide Friends with any stories you or someone you know have about the night and aftermath of the 2004 fire. Friends are collecting these stories as part of their Memories of the Fire Project. The stall has a question sheet which could be used as a guide for recalling the memories.
Trivia Night 2024
Friends are starting to organise the Trivia and Cake Auction Night for 2024. The date is Saturday 6 April - the last evening of daylight saving. Friends Trivia Nights took a bit of a hit during Covid, but are back and it is not too early to start thinking about who will make up your table of 8! Venue will be the Bega Golf Club. Theme has yet to be decided. Our prizes are popular because they are either artisan creatives, tenant inspired or Bega business house vouchers. Rhonda Jones organises questions which reach across all age groups and are not too taxing on anyone’s store of general knowledge. It is a fun night!
Raise the Roof Spring Fair
Everything worked out well for the Raise the Roof Spring Fair at the end of October and a good time was had by all.
The Friends particularly thanks Bendigo Bank for its continued sponsorship of our Raise the Roof Spring Fair, and its support of our vision for a vibrant, inclusive community managed regional community cultural centre.
Others who assisted include: Barbeques Galore, Bega; Bega Furniture One; Sandbar Bistro, Tathra Beach Bowling Club; Big W Bega; Bega Cheese; Cignal Newsagency; Croc’s Little Bottlo, Tathra; Inkwell Art, Bega; Frillneck Lizard Framing, Bega; Tathra Post Office; Inspirations Paint, Bega; Coast Hire, Bega; Plevey’s Pharmacy, Bega; Studio 157, Bega; Carpet Court, Bega; No 1 Happy Emporium, Bega; Tathra Newsagency; Tarra Motors; Red Cafe, Bega; Tuff-As Workwear, Bega; Georgies Fine Jewellery, Bega; PeaNut Eatery, Bega.; Bendy Kates, Tathra; Club Bega; Candelo Books; Wattle and Hide, Bega; Mimosa Meats, Tathra; Raymond Groceries, Bega; Coles, Bega; Fox Den; Tiny Zoo; Bankinbeans; Bega Valley Beekeepers; Tathra Beach Country Club. Many thanks to every one of you.
Committee and helpers
The volunteers who form the Friends committee, the Friends Events Committee and the Old Bega Hospital Reserve Land Manger are the backbone of the Old Bega Hospital Regional Community Cultural Centre.
Following the Friends annual general meeting there is a vacancy on the committee. We would very much welcome what you can bring to the committee and the OBH. Contact me by replying to this email and we can take it from there.
The Reserve Land Manager is also a bunch of volunteers – the RLM board. They are appointed for 5 year terms, and the current term will run out at the end of 2024. For the last 20 years the RLM board has been focussed on getting the main building restored. With the building up and running again, it will be time for a rather different board – one with skills and energy to manage and oversee a thriving community centre. The time to start getting involved is now, to work with the current board so that things get going on the right foot. Again, send a reply to this email to get started.
The street stall is also looking for helpers. Only a couple of hours a week, but your help it will make a big difference – one or two more hands will make it light work.
As Christmas and 2024 are both just around the corner we wish everyone of you the happiest of times over the festive season as you celebrate in whatever way suits you and your family. Stay safe everyone and see you next year.
Finally, a big shout out to all the Friends who supported OBH over 2023.
Regards
Richard Bomford
President
Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Inc
Find us at www.obh.org.au and https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheOldBegaHospital/.
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