Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Newsletter 4 July 2024

Dear Friends of the Old Bega Hospital

Restoration

The restoration continues well: on time, on budget and no disasters. Excellent team from Leser Build, and all the preparatory work done by Design 5 Architects is paying off. Current expectation is that ‘defect free completion’ will be in mid August. About 80% of the inside will be completed: we didn’t have sufficient grant funds to finish the job, but have done rather more than at some stages we thought we could. We will still need to get an occupation certificate, and for that we depend on Council to tick off on roadwork required to be completed in Corkhill Place as a condition of development approval.

The precinct is open 24/7 and you are welcome to have a look in from the outside. Please do not go inside the security fence at any time – it is a construction site and access is restricted. If you do a circuit in the evening some of the lights may be on.

Vale Claire Lupton

Claire was a member of the Reserve Land Manager board from 2008 to 2024, and saw many challenges and changes. Claire was also a founding member and secretary of the Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Inc. Claire had a major interest in the history of the Old Bega Hospital, and collected stories from a great range of personal and historical sources. Extracts from her unpublished history of the OBH are on the OBH web site. Claire was a colleague, friend and an advocate for the OBH.

Friends Committee

A casual vacancy on the Friends committee was filled at the last meeting, when the committee was pleased to add Judy Geary to its ranks.

Friends purchases for the new community kitchen

The Friends have purchased a stove, rangehood, dishwasher and boiling water service for the community kitchen in the restored main building. The items have been supplied by Betta and are waiting to be installed by the builders. They will be ready for use when the restoration is completed. Much more remains to be found – microwave, fridge, and any amount of crockery and cutlery.

Raise the Roof 2024

Our Raise the Roof Spring Fair will be on again this year, and give you the chance to have a look inside the building. All the usual attractions are being lined up, and it should be bigger than ever. Yes, we have a roof, but we are keeping the name. Proceeds from the Fair will go to fitting out the centre. Save the date: 27 October, 10am to 2pm.

New tenants?

If you’d like to become a tenant in the restored building, or just hire a room sometimes, or bring your food van into the precinct, let us know: reservelandmanager@obh.org.au. The Reserve Land Manager is developing a new management strategy for the precinct and it would be good to get an indication of the range of possible interests.

Reserve Land Manager vacancies

The terms of appointment of the current Reserve Land Manager board members come to an end on 13 December 2024. Board members are appointed by the Minister responsible for Crown Lands, and the board administers the precinct (a Crown Reserve) on behalf of Crown Lands. There is no remuneration – 100% volunteer. With completion of the main phase of restoration work, the focus of the board is expected to turn to community management rather than building. Vacancies on the board have been advertised at https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/who-we-are/get-involved-in-crown-land-management/board-vacancies, and will also be advertised in the Bega District News on 12 July. Applications close on 12 August. Crown Lands has a phone number for inquiries. You are also welcome to contact any of the current board members.

Pavers

The order has been placed for supply of your engraved pavers to go into new paths around the precinct. Should see them in the ground before mid August.

History

Please provide Friends with any stories you or people 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. More info.

What else?

All sorts of activities already happen at the Old Bega Hospital, and there’s plenty of scope to join in.

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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