Surf and sand are central to the character of Old Bar and attract locals and visitors alike all year round.
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Unfortunately, Old Bar Beach has suffered severe erosion and sand loss over the years with subsequent exposure and die-back of the unique littoral rainforest along the coast. A group of concerned citizens is working to offset these losses.
Volunteers from Manning Coastcare Group have been working with the Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group to make good this damage through the building of sand traps along the beach front.
The hessian traps have been highly successful in collecting windblown sand, and native plants such as spinifex grass and pigface have moved in to help fix the new foredunes in place. Soon larger natives such as coastal wattle can also be planted by the volunteers to hold more and more sand to help rebuild and protect the beach.
With the support of MidCoast Council, a different environmentally friendly method of sand trapping is now also being trialled.
This involves the laying of hay bales end-to-end and settling them into the beach to form a low wall which can then be planted on top with pigface. As the sand accumulates and the plants grow, the bales will gradually merge into a new higher beach profile.
Both the hessian traps and the hay bale walls are subject to wash-away from high tides and seas, and Coastcare volunteers are also kept busy with maintenance. Unfortunately, there have also been some instances of vandalism, and beach goers young and old are urged to support the work in progress by keeping away from the traps and discouraging others from damaging them.
Coupled with the successful protective sand scraping undertaken by council, the sand traps and planting are helping to rebuild Old Bar's iconic beach for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.
Find out more at www.midcoast2tops.org.au/manning-coastcare or email secretary.manningcoastcare@gmail.com or call Manning Coastcare Group Coordinator, Helen Kemp on 0410 606 463. More volunteers would always be welcome.
The community owes a debt of thanks to these volunteers who have been striving for many years to protect our beach.
Visit by local MP
The Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead will be making one of his regular visits to Old Bar at 2pm next Monday, October 26 at the Old Bar Tennis Courts. Why not take this opportunity to meet up with him? You can find out what is planned for our area and also raise any concerns that are of a state government nature.
Veterans Health Week
Old Bar Beach RSL Sub-branch is pleased to advise that it is holding an event for 2020 Veterans Health Week on Wednesday, October 28.
Veterans and their partners will be assembling at the Soldiers Memorial Hall at Old Bar at 11am to walk to Club Old Bar to have a healthy lunch. For those who would prefer not to do the walk or are unable to do the walk but want to be a part of the day, you are still welcome to join them for the lunch at the club. RSVP by today to president, Jeff Early on 6557 4622 to finalise catering.
The incidence of mental health with ex-veterans is very high and mental health in the homes of veterans is hard for all the family, so this is a great event to come together and show our support for veterans, members and their families that are affected by mental health in particular.
Remembrance Day: Good news from the government for Remembrance Day. As a one off event, a gathering of up to 100 is permitted. The sub-branch will be holding a commemoration service at Club Old Bar at 11am on Wednesday, November 11. Normal COVID restrictions such as social distancing still apply.
Since we have not had ceremonies this year for Anzac Day, VP Day or Vietnam Veterans Day because of COVID restrictions, this will be the first opportunity to gather and commemorate. As always, members of the public are welcome to attend up to the 100 limit. More details will follow in later editions.
Auxiliary: The sub-branch would also like to start an RSL Auxiliary which will assist with some events and fundraising. Many sub-branches have had them for years. It is open to both men and women who are interested in supporting the Old Bar Beach RSL Sub-Branch. It is not a group that requires president, secretary or treasurer, it just operates under the sub-branch.
Members do not need to be veterans or partners of veterans, just people who would like to help. If you feel moved to help, please contact president, Jeff Early on 6557 4622.
Scam Operating in Old Bar
Old Bar residents have been receiving robocalls over the last week, advising that their Amazon prime subscription is being renewed at a much higher rate than it should cost if you do have a membership and that payment will be deducted automatically, and to press 1 to dispute the payment.
The advice, as always, is do not follow any of the prompts, just hang up.
WHILE YOU ARE WITH US: