Greetings all members and supporters,
Our final news update for 2024 and as usual there has been a lot on and more coming up.
SJA Youth have started fundraising for the Kokoda Trek July 2025
A market stall was held at Pambula last weekend, a movie night for participants, and look out for the Blue Gazebo at Merimbula Markets NEXT SUNDAY December 15. Please support if you can. Link for more information:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/social-justice-advocates-youth-kokoda-png-walk-fundraiser?
SJA Youth Hub Restorations Working Bee Saturday December 14 9am-1pm at 20 Auckland st Bega (Grow the Future Complex)
Housing update
Nullica Lodge in Eden (formerly an aged care resource) has been vacant for several years during a housing crisis, despite lobbying by community groups including SJA. There are around 20 vacant units in the property. The issue moves forward, but VERY slow progress overall.
The following motion was passed at the November 27 BVSC meeting.
Source: BVSC Council Meeting Minutes https://begavalley.infocouncil.biz/
13.4 Activation of Nullica Lodge site
182/24 RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Mudaliar and Allen
That Council:
1. Endorse the Chief Executive Officer to work with NSW Crown Lands and any other necessary parties to ensure the urgent activation of the Nullica Lodge site in Eden, which may include a transition to other possible future tenants including an appropriate community management model.
2. Note whilst undertaking work on activating the site, it will be understood that the outcome is for the best possible future community benefit with a desired focus on affordable seniors living and/or supported accommodation for those with a disability.
3. That the Chief Executive Officer provide regular updates to Councillors on progress of activating the site as outlined above.
IN FAVOUR: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O’Neil and Porter
AGAINST: Nil
And also the long running transitional housing units saga continues:
https://aboutregional.com.au/social-justice-advocates-to-lobby-newly-elected-bega-valley-shire-councillors-on-contentious-housing-units/463762/
UPDATE FROM HOUSING /HOMELESS SUB GROUP CONVENER MICK BROSNAN
We “celebrated” Dec 9, the two year (730 days) wait for a determination on the Development Application (DA) for our Bega crisis transitional units as demanded by council staff to be retrospectively submitted.
Of course there will NOT be a determination while council Director of Planning and CEO of the BVSC continually state that they will never accept these specific units ! This despite demanding the retrospective DA? and whilst our units are acceptable in the Reflections Caravan Park at Pambula .
This after the Reflections CEO declared the SJA units to be suitable and SAFE.
SO to our next approach is a Local Approval Policy – LAP. Thanks to the tireless and expert work of Roz Hansen, our councillors will move a motion for a LAP to enable crisis transitional units to be “fast tracked”at the council meeting on December 18th at 2pm.
This offers a way for our councillors and council staff to support the Bega Valley community to support its homeless and those at risk struggling with rents and the social disgrace that is our domestic violence victims.
Because of the crisis in housing declared by council on April 5th 2023, this offers a way forward to actually take some planned sustainable action. Know that our units are in high demand and we need to offer more support .
We have 24 caravans in action EVERY NIGHT still and this situation is exacerbated by the forced removal of six caravans from many caravan parks as they have booked all their sites for the upcoming holidays. They have that right of course, but again we have lobbied our council staff to address this demeaning, degrading situation .
*** We need double and queen beds please
Please contact me prior to acceptance so that I can monitor. But demand for our furniture donations is increasing and growing more
constant .
*** We thank Chris from Tilba Tilba ( former owner Quarterdeck restaurant Narooma) for his caravan donation.
Chris is trying to establish a similar support model in the Eurobodalla to our crisis caravan program.
*** We thank many people who have supported our SJA efforts to ensure dignity and safety for those in our community at risk of being homeless.
Many Donations continue to be made showing that the community REALLY CARES .
THANK YOU ———- Its Up To Us
*** The children at the Learning Centre in Port Moresby are far closer to better Hygiene, Health and Education – water and toilets .
One more visit next Feb we hope .
THANKS TO SJA and Rotary Club of Merimbula and also Pambula and some VERY generous community members.
We will have enough I hope for another toilet facility which we have already scoped with budget savings. (PNG Toilets photo below)
Bloody brilliant .
I wish all SJA members and families , and all in our community a peaceful ,relaxing and hopeful Christmas season .
What Can I Do ??? How May I Help ????
Cheers
Mb
Recently a contingent of SJA members travelled to Newcastle to experience the Rising Tide Protestival.
Report from SJA Environment Convener Wendy Wait.
The Rising Tide Protestival in Newcastle Muloobinba brought thousands of everyday people together for the 2024 Peoples Blockade to defend our climate and a healthy future. We won’t stand by while new coal and gas projects fuel the climate crisis that’s devastating communities across Australia and the Pacific.
Our Sapphire coast hub-let of staunch Climate defenders and advocates from Social Justice Advocates and from the Bob Brown foundation travelled up to Newcastle last weekend to attend the Rising Tide Protestival to highlight and make a stand about our government’s inaction on climate issues.
First day of the festival saw Peter Schofield ( a Rising Tide Activist) placed under arrest and detained on a Police vessel before being returned to the shore and released without charge. Peter said he chose to risk arrest because the government is not listening to the science that clearly says we can’t open new coal and gas projects. “As a doctor and research scientist I know that climate change is causing a global public health crisis and I know that many medical professionals are similarly concerned.”
Gavin Bell from SJA said: “I attended the Protestival as I saw this opportunity for like-minded people to come together and discuss alternatives to old age practices of taking fossil fuels out of our ground, sending them overseas for questionable purposes. I wanted to open others eyes to future possibilities to protect our forthcoming generations while questioning the business as usual approach to how we currently live our day to day lives”
Russ Jennings (SJA) said: “It’s time to move away from coal and gas as an energy source. I’ve sat by the Hunter River many times and watched the endless line of coal ships travel northward and am astounded by the empty ships floating high in the water as they enter the port and 2 hours later they leave half submerged with black polluting coal. In the 3 days we were in Newcastle we witnessed over 20 huge coal ships enter
and leave the port. Only 3 per cent of the coal earnings from Newcastle remain in Newcastle and 1 percent of worlds CO2 emissions come from Newcastle port!!!”
Wendy Wait said: “I attended and supported the Rising Tide Protestival because I’m sick and tired of our government’s inaction in regard to the climate crisis and I wanted to encourage others to be involved and fight for what should be the most important issue of our time. History and Science is showing us that we cannot keep taking and abusing this fragile ecosystem that we call home. As a previous Outdoor and Environmental Education teacher I have been advocating for climate education, awareness and discussing climate issues and associated impacts for over 30 years… I need to believe that we can make the changes we need to slow down and halt global warning and stop the environmental devastation world-wide that will occur if we don’t! By joining the Protestival I felt part of a united, deeply passionate voice demanding climate action. I was so impressed by the Rising Tide organisation and the thousands of like-minded people who all came together to fight for the health of our planet and all living creatures. Today we all need to be asking ourselves what we’re willing to do for the change we need. There is too much at stake to give up hope and I will continue to advocate for ‘climate action NOW‘. It’s time to treat the climate emergency like an emergency…. Thanks SJA for supporting us to attend this important climate action Peoples Protestival.”
SJA have been donated funds to develop a Marine Education program in collaboration with Sea Shephard Sapphire Coast.
Several meetings have been conducted. Stay tuned for updates as the program develops and evolves in 2025.
Contact Wendy Wait for more information: wendywait1@gmail.com
A productive working bee at Potoroo Palace last Saturday clearing out an enclosure that has been closed for some time.
The humidity was high leading to much sweat, but no tears. A truckload of garden waste was moved to the compost heap by Mr Brosnan and Bobcat.
Thanks to Nico and Alexandra for delicious lunch!
A good mix of young and mature aged toiled on this project – Many Thanks to all who attended.
Many thanks to the following businesses that host an SJA collection tin: please support them to support SJA.
Black Daisy Trading Pambula
Wild Rye & Roastery Pambula
Toast Cafe Pambula & Eden
Hudsons Coffe Bega Hospital
Bonnie Day Coffee (usually at Spencer Park Merimbula)
Oaklands Pambula
Aqua Cafe Pambula Beach.
Summer BBQ’s Rotary/SJA:
– SJA people If interested – contact Gavin Bell to be placed on the roster (see options for times below)
gajabell@yahoo.com.au 0411 564120
Proceeds are shared between Rotary and SJA.
Hi all,
Catering Col (Dunn Pambula Rotary) again!!
This holiday season (January) we will be catering (with bingo) at the Pambula Beach Caravan Park on Tuesday 7th, 14th and 21st. The themes will be – 7th Spanish; 14th Wurst burgers; and 21st Spanish. There is a changeover at the Park on Saturday18th hence we have two Spanish paella nights – different clientele.
Tasks and timing:
SPANISH NIGHT
Monday 6th 2pm to 4pm Prep in the market kitchen
Tuesday 7th 4pm – 5pm Set up and cooking
5pm – 7pm Cooking and serving
7pm – 8.30 Clean up
WURST BURGER NIGHT
Monday 13th 2pm to 4pm Prep in the market kitchen
Tuesday 14th 4pm – 5pm Set up and cooking
5pm – 7pm Cooking and serving
7pm – 8.30 Clean up
SPANISH NIGHT
Monday 20th 2pm to 4pm Prep in the market kitchen
Tuesday 21st 4pm – 5pm Set up and cooking
5pm – 7pm Cooking and serving
7pm – 8.30 Clean up
Let me know ASAP what your preference would be. A great opportunity to work with SJA to make these events work.
– SJA people If interested – contact Gavin Bell gajbell@yahoo.com.au 0411 564 120
Proceeds are shared between Rotary and SJA.
Help Overturn the Tura Corridor Zombie. We only have until FRIDAY DECEMBER 9 to make submissions.
PDF Submission guide is attached OR see email from us sent 2/12/24
If you, or someone you know, would like to join SJA follow the link below:
Diary date: Next General Meeting Thursday Feb 13 2025 5.30 pm CWA Rooms Pambula
And finally, wishing all our valued volunteers, members and supporters a safe and peaceful Christmas –
As always, our thoughts are with those less fortunate in our society.
What can I do? How may I help?
Russell Jennings
Secretary
secretary@sjasc.org.au
https://sjasc.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/sapphirecoastsja
https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeadvocates/
The Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast acknowledge the Yuin People as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work.
We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
ABN 19 708 992 414
PO Box 352 Pambula NSW 2549