A small committee of interested locals, sponsored by MidCoast Council, has been meeting with a view to creating awareness of actions required in preparation for any disaster.
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The catalyst was the 2019 bushfires and the effect it had on the community, but since then the flood has added more impetus.
The first project is to have information ready in time for the annual Old Bar Health Expo on May 14, where the group plan to have a table so that they can discuss the issues with the public and provide information on such things as evacuation centres, places of last resort and what to pack and take with you.
Households should all have an emergency plan and advice on that will be provided also. Contact Bettina Bettington at bettina.bettington@hotmail.com if you have a contribution to make.
Weather takes a toll
Perhaps no houses flooded at Old Bar but quite a few discovered they have a leaking roof. Water also seeped into sheds, garages and outdoor entertainment areas.
Despite being patched by MidCoast Council crews prior to the deluge, Old Bar Road deteriorated to be in the worst state it has probably ever been in, with a myriad of potholes that were hard to dodge.
Council crews were quickly on the job once fine weather returned and the potholes patched so that traffic could once again have a reasonable run.
Manning Point Road closed in several places. Water over Old Bar Road closed it for some days.
Farquhar Inlet, having been opened, has allowed goods from the Mondrook house, as well as other debris, wash down the river and turn up on Old Bar Beach.
The sea has been very angry looking with breaking dirty water and lots of foam but has largely cleared now. Racecourse Creek has been surging out and eroding more fore dune.
Anzac Day arrangements
Anzac Day arrangements are basically in place but may change as the day draws nearer.
A dawn service will occur with all spectators seated but there will not be a public breakfast afterwards, only sub-branch and auxiliary members will be catered for.
The main march will be at noon with numbers currently restricted to 100 however there will be a Jeep, a troop of the Australian Light Horse, the SES, Rural Fire Brigade and possibly Army Reserves.
There will be a Field of Remembrance with approximately 200 white crosses with a poppy attached at our Anzac Day service at Club Old Bar.
The public are welcome to advise of the names of loved ones that served and these names will be placed on a cross.
To request a name to be added please text or email that name to the following: tearley@bigpond.net.au or 0400 679 878. We would like to add names prior to placing these crosses out for Anzac Day to assist us with keeping within COVID rules.
People will be able to walk through and view names/take photos (limited people at each time practising social distancing). A COVID marshall will be on site to assist.
The wonderful ladies from Craft at Old Bar organised and made 250 poppies for our Field of Remembrance and the Old Bar Men's Shed made the crosses. What a wonderful contribution to our Anzac Day service!
RSL activities
Old Bar Beach RSL Sub-branch held their monthly meeting recently with another new member joining up, Neil Hester. Welcome aboard Neil.
One weekly Saturday morning meat raffle was cancelled due to the weather and the Old Bar Gourmet Butcher being closed. The last scheduled Sunday Sippers was also cancelled due to weather.
Meat raffles in support of the sub-branch are coming up at the Old Bar Tavern on April 9 and at Club Old Bar on April 16. Members have been invited to the Old Bar Men's Shed Open Day on April 21.
Old Bar Soldiers' Memorial Hall secretary/treasurer, Peter Vidler, reported that he is waiting on fine weather to have the concreting completed at the hall. Also it is in need of a new roof but funds are not available at the moment. Some patch repairs are to be carried out in the meantime.
The Old Bar markets can commence again, once a new licence has been obtained.
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