Being an ecumenical event, Christians of all denominations come together on this occasion. Everyone is invited to attend the service at Our Lady of Fatima church in Hall Street at 7.30pm on Friday, March 2.

The theme for this year's service is "All God's creation is very good." It has been prepared by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Suriname and focuses on their beautiful country and our care of the environment.

Suriname is the smallest country in South America, bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north.

This year, the Old Bar service will be hosted by the Anglican congregation, with participation by the Catholic, Uniting, Presbyterian and Beachside churches.

The guest speaker will be David Freeman, who has a particular interest in and love for Suriname. A collection for the Bible Society of Suriname will be used for programs to help children at risk.

Rough seas in the past weeks have taken a toll on the fore dunes at Old Bar.

Trees have been undermined and lie on the beach or are suspended on the dunes.

The volunteers with the Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group have installed some of the sand traps south of Racecourse Creek and a small part of the gabion wall can be seen partly exposed, still doing its job.

It is almost March already and the craft group is looking ahead to Easter. 

On March 7 we’ll be getting in early and making that special family member or friend a unique woven basket that can be filled with Easter goodies. 

Then on March 21 we’ll complete and decorate our baskets  and make gift tags.  Further information on requirements, etc. is available by phoning 6553 2500 or 0415 785 608.

As usual, it is not necessary to participate in workshops, you can bring your current craft project, or just sit back and enjoy the company.  We aim to get together and have some fun and fellowship.  We care about each other!

Craft at Old Bar meets in the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Hall Street, Old Bar, on the first, third and fifth Wednesday of each month, school holidays excepted, from 11am – 2pm. You will need to bring your lunch, tea and coffee provided. Cost is $4 plus sometimes extra for items used in our projects. All ladies are welcome.

Old Bar Bridge Club travelled to Laurieton on Friday, February 16 to compete against Camden Haven Bridge Club for the ‘Bridge of Friendship’ Trophy.

Members of both clubs enjoyed the camaraderie of like-minded friends and the opportunity to catch up with each others’ activities since their last get together.

Twenty seven rounds of bridge were played with the results being up and down.

However, when the scores were tallied, Old Bar was declared the winner and brought the trophy back home.

Old Bar president Jill Bicknell said, “Everyone had a fun time and bringing home the trophy was just an added bonus.”

Meanwhile bridge lessons are continuing at Club Old Bar at 10am on Friday mornings. There are several participants who are well on the way to becoming good bridge players and who will be able to join in the social day when Camden Haven next visit Old Bar.

Anyone interested in learning bridge or joining the club should contact Jill on 0407 733 537.

The Old Bar Beach RSL Sub-branch held its first monthly meeting for 2018 last week, followed by the annual general meeting.

Eleven members were present and prospective new member, Fr Peter Tinney was welcomed to the meeting. Fr Peter was appointed rector of the Anglican Parish of Taree on November 1, 2017 and is ex-Navy.

The sub-branch, like all sub-branches in NSW, is still prevented from carrying out fundraising and this is having a negative impact on the sub-branch finances.

Donations to local community groups has ceased and the sub-branch is faced with the costs of Anzac Day celebrations coming up shortly. It does not appear that this issue will be resolved at State branch level in the very near future.

The annual general meeting that followed was a very short meeting as it was not an election year.

However, due to the appointment of Geoff Gillard to the position of president last year, the position of junior vice president was required to be filled. John Richter was appointed to this position unopposed.