Material arrived for dune fencing and “Work for the dole crew” started work on Monday March 11. The sand traps are being restored by volunteers. MidCoast Council are on board, supplying advice and materials.  It is great to have council working with us. A method of sand stabilisation that MidCoast have used successfully is “hay bales” and they are working with our volunteers to see if this can be adapted to suit our needs.

It has been confirmed that Minister Roberts is handling coastal protection and he has been written to, advising of our plight and plans for protection, some of which depend on his approval of the funding from the stated $83 million for coastal repair.

The group had a very promising meeting with Gerard Tuckerman (Old Bar Manning Point Coastal Plan) and Geoff Love (Beach nourishment and beach scraping) on Monday, March 13. They are both working very hard and with sincerity to get protection for our beach with the sand scraping and the Old Bar Manning Point Coastal Program and advised of their progress.

Gerard Tuckerman has gathered together a group of coastal engineers and environmental specialists to assist in the preparation of this very important program for the long term protection of the Old Bar Manning Point Coastline.  The committee will be following this up constantly as we are looking for the dredging of Farquhar Inlet for the tourist industry, restoration of some of our lost foredune and to assist the oyster, prawning and fishing industries which have been asking for this since 2006

Geoff Love has progressed well with the issue of sand scraping he is pleased that there is a strong possibility of it putting a good amount of sand back on our beach. Ideally, this should be commenced before 1 May to take advantage of probable weather conditions and existing sand stock in the “intertidal zone”.

Our local state member, Steve Bromhead, recently visited Old Bar for one of his regular communications with the public. A small number of locals met him at the tennis courts.

It was pointed out that the three significant issues that concerned Old Bar residents were: 1. footpath from the CBD to  the beach; 2. protection and nourishment  of our beach and 3. reconstruction of Old Bar Rd.

Mr Bromhead agreed and stated that the footpath issue can now be ticked off, the state government having supplied half the money with MidCoast Council supplying the remainder.

He was almost 100 per cent certain that the undertaking given by Minister Stokes to provide funding for sand scraping will be honoured by the new ministers now in charge of the matter and he is meeting with both of them later this month to secure that arrangement.

He further stated that the government is working towards a medium term and long term solution to our beach erosion. Groynes may be trialled for the medium term and there is a possibility of a break-wall  as a long term solution.

Mr Bromhead is also hopeful of securing $15million for reconstruction of the remainder of Old Bar Road. He has raised the matter in parliament and will continue to push hard on behalf of the community. If this can be achieved, Old Bar and area residents will be well pleased. The recent weather has highlighted the shortcomings of the road, with freshly patched pot-holes washed out within days after each rainfall event.

It's time to get started on the purple poppy project. We need enough knitted or crochet poppies to make two wreaths, one for each cenotaph/memorial at Old Bar.  Old Bar CTC is again partnering with this project, as they did in 2015, handing out patterns and as a collection agent for the poppies.

If we have an overflow of poppies we will send them via an Australian address (South Toowoomba, Qld)  and they will be taken to Pozieres and displayed at the ceremony opening Australia’s first official war animal memorial. 

If you would like to participate by making a purple poppy or two, why not make one for yourself also and wear it this ANZAC Day to honour those animal “diggers”. You can also wear the purple poppy alongside the red poppy.

Don’t forget, patterns are available from Old Bar CTC (opposite Vinnies) Old Bar Road, Old Bar. The patterns are the same as used for the 2015 Old Bar Poppy Project .

So find your old pattern or get a new one and start to knit or crochet for the project. Completed poppies can be dropped in at the CTC.

Next Wednesday, April 5, is our last craft session for Term 1. With Easter fast approaching, Geraldene’s cute Easter Bunny is easy to make with the children in your life and carries some Easter goodies with him. To participate in this workshop you will need patterned or plain card (not too thin) 3D thick dots or A4 piece of ¼” foam.

There is absolutely no necessity to participate in this workshop. Feel free to  simply bring along your own current craft project – or do nothing and just enjoy yourself. Our aim is to get together, relax, create and have some fun and fellowship. We care about each other!

Want to know more? Please phone either 6553 2500 or 0415 785 608. Craft resumes for Term 2 on 3 May. Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Community Transport monthly shopper's bus service made its first run to Port Macquarie recently, to Settlement City. Sixteen residents of Old Bar took advantage of the service and had a wonderful time. Allowing room for parcels, this is about the limit for numbers.

The next run will be to Forster on April 20. If you wish to go, ring the Wingham Office before 1pm Tuesday April 18. Phone 6553 5860. The cost will be $10.