Always on the lookout for new members, you may spot the group in their yellow shirts on Tuesday or Saturday mornings - and as their new worksite sign says, 'feel free to say hello'.

One particular target for the weeders is bitou bush, sprayed and hand-cut last year but unfortunately also taking advantage of the current good growing conditions. Bitou out-competes native flora through its strong seedlings and roots that exude chemicals which build up in the soil to prevent native seedling germination, a process known as allelopathy.

As bitou bush seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to five years it's not surprising that the volunteers are finding plenty of seedlings to pull!

Bitou bush can also change dune morphology. Its roots initially hold the sand in place so that mounds of trapped windblown sand build up around the bushes, leading to the formation of sand mounds or hummocks. Bitou bush plants in turn grow over the mounds and erosion may then be enhanced between these hummocks by channelling wind.

Beach erosion is a major on-going issue in Old Bar and, although wave erosion was minimal, storm water damage during the recent rains saw significant breaches of the dunes, erosion of walkways and further cutting of the dune spit by Racecourse Creek.

Manning Coastcare is liaising with MidCoast Council on repair and preventive measures.

The Manning Coastcare organisation, formed in 1996, has around 100 volunteers working in five groups over the 40 kilometre coast from Crowdy Head to Hallidays Point. In cooperation with MidCoast Council, Coastcare operates under the Landcare NSW umbrella and is a foundation member of the MidCoast2Tops Landcare Connection with two other local Landcare groups.

Find out more at www.midcoast2tops.org.au/manning-coastcare or email secretary.manningcoastcare@gmail.com.

Today the ladies will be finishing off Fathers' Day cards to be sent to our troops serving in various parts of the world. These cards will be distributed as needed free of cost to our service men and women who are serving in areas where cards in their own language are unavailable. Combat Cards is an Australian organisation which manages this charity to show our respect and appreciation for their service and devotion to our country.

The Lions Club of Old Bar has established a small book exchange within the Community Technology Centre (CTC). Similar systems are in place in many towns and villages throughout the country.

A range of novels is currently on offer, so pop in with one you don't want and exchange it for something you haven't read. If you don't have one to exchange, you are still welcome to borrow one and bring it back when finished.

This is a free service offered by your Lions Club and supported by the CTC.

Available during office hours, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Closed weekends and public holidays.

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