COVID Chaos in the Bega Shire

Written by Michael Nelson

COVID-19 has impacted many people, sports, businesses and organisations throughout the world and affected local sport in a way no one could have predicted. When lockdown first started, many athletes didn’t think that their sport would be affected by the pandemic, but little did they know they wouldn’t be able to play for another seven months.

One of the many sports that was most affected by the lockdown was NRL. The 2020 season got postponed, which meant when the season restarted that the teams had to play later than they were used to. To catch up, teams had to play more games per week, resulting in a significant rise in major injuries. The NRL Committee decided to move all the teams up to Queensland for the remainder of the season once the second lockdown was announced in late June. As a result many players were unable to see their families for months.

Joseph Wilson (a local player) said he was disappointed when the season was cancelled. Wilson has been with the Eden Tigers for five years and didn’t enjoy missing out on a season. To keep his fitness, during this time, Wilson went on runs with his friends and went to the gym three times a week. Wilson said that during lockdown he, “practiced, practiced, practiced. Nothing comes overnight so spending lots of time with the sport or thing you love will make you better at it.”

The local soccer competition has been dramatically affected by COVID-19, and, as a result, the season was cancelled for a second year in a row. Lockdown has caused two very different outcomes for different players. For some, not playing soccer or exercising resulted in a dramatic drop in fitness and drive to play a sport they once had loved. A few even lost inspiration to play in the higher leagues for soccer in Canberra. However, for other athletes, the pandemic inspired them to work harder and get better, so when the lockdown finally lifted they could continue to follow their dreams. This mindset is extremely beneficial for these athletes, whether it's in sport or in their day to day life.

Tanisha Tresize has, in the past, been involved in the local soccer season. She has been with the Wolumla Tigers for four years and has enjoyed playing with the local community. She stated that when COVID-19 stopped the season she felt “very frustrated and disappointed” as she felt her team had worked very hard to compete but were unable to. She also found it difficult to keep fit as online schooling kept her busy, however she tried to make time for a daily run.

From a personal perspective:

Through my time of playing sports I have always had a dream to play professionally. When COVID struck the Shire I was stuck in lockdown, trapped from participating at a higher level, but that didn’t stop me. I put in over two hours of training per day with no days off which took a massive toll on my body. Because of this lack of guidance in how much to exercise I had to slow down on many things so I could be ready for when the season started again in Canberra.

I wish that COVID never happened mainly because it affected not only me but many of my friends, and also family and businesses in our local area. However all we can do is move forward and deal with whatever is thrown at us.

Local Sport And Businesses Affected By Covid

By Morgan Thornton

Sport locally has taken a major hit from COVID-19 due to the protocols put in place to coincide with the pandemic. Taking this into consideration, COVID-19 continues to represent the biggest single challenge for sport globally and locally. Having to comply with the exasperating rules, regulations and standpoints created by the NSW State Government has changed the way local sport is played as well as changing the outlook of the locals that enjoy following the various sports.

Protocols that have hampered the local regions sports include having to socially distance at 1.5 metres at venues as well as venues having to provide specific seating for spectators. A particular local business that has been dramatically impacted by the virus is Eden Gardens Golf Club and its’ Pro Shop. After interviewing several members of the golf club, the overall consensus of the group was that COVID-19 initially affected them in a negative way by restricting numbers in playing groups from four to two, not being able to have the flags in the holes, which affects the golfing ability of the community. Also, only being able to have one person per golf cart is another example of how COVID-19 has restricted the social aspect of golf, however most of the members feel they have learnt to deal with these alterations and are now playing as if COVID-19 didn’t exist at all.

Samuel Johnson, the assistant Pro Shop owner for the Eden Golf Course stated: “The pandemic has dramatically affected the business. Economically, the Pro Shop has been crippled and sales of clubs, lessons, rounds of golf, and other golf related items have nearly come to a stand still.” This is due to the lack of interstate and overseas travel with the closure of the borders as well as the harsh lockdowns put in place, causing less tourism and local activity. The golf course grounds itself has had some major issues that have been directly impacted by the pandemic. When the issue was discussed with Morgan Thornton, Eden Golf Club Champion, he expressed great anguish: “That major cracks have developed aesthetically throughout the golf course. This has led to a decline in the number of visitors to the course.”

Surprisingly with these issues, numbers of local golfers at Eden Golf Course have increased by just under 10 percent during this time period, due to golf remaining somewhat unaffected by the global pandemic. This has greatly increased the wellbeing of the district.

The Eden Golf Course is just one of the many local businesses that have been affected by COVID-19 for the past two years. Despite this, rather than let their business go bust and or go bankrupt, locals have shown great resilience in the face of the virus and have dug deep within themselves and their sporting communities, they have risen to the challenge and continue to build their sporting business through these challenging times.

Summer Surfing
Written by Isaac Overend

Are you aware that summer is right around the corner? After being released from lockdowns, thousands of tourists will be travelling down from the cities to the Far South Coast to catch a break.

If you want to learn how to surf and find out where the best places for beginners are, or are more experienced and want to know where to surf the best waves then this article is for you! From the top 11 surf spots in the Bega valley shire rated from 1 being the best.

1. Merimbula Short Point

This beach can be for more experienced surfers but great for bodyboarding, diving or swimming. Watch out for the dumping waves and dangerous rips, but aside from that clear waters & expansive views draw visitors to this scenic beach. If swimming, steer clear of the rocky area near the lookout!

2. Merimbula Main Beach.

This beach is great for beginners with small waves that aren't fast or powerful. This beach is perfect for a warm summer day with your family and usually very safe. It has heaps of sand and space for families and kids to play. It is also patrolled by lifesavers from Boxing Day to Australia Day. A ‘dog off leash' area is located at the Dunn's Lane entrance.

3. Pambula beach.

With fun waves for all, a great day at the beach can be had with family. Pambula Beach has great views, a barbeque and a new playground for the kids. The town only has a population of around 654 so there is plenty of room for everyone.

4. Bar beach located in Merimbula.

A great beach to surf if you are more experienced. It's a beach with a small amount of sand but has beautiful clear water that is great for swimming, snorkelling & sunbathing. This is a lifeguarded beach with outdoor showers and with a kiosk.

5. Aslings beach located in Eden.

This is one long beach where waves are perfect for beginners and even better for bodyboarding and swimming! It’s a beautiful and quiet spot, with clear blue water and toilets, plus showers right across the road.

6. Pinnacles Beach, located just outside of Eden.

This beach is more for experienced surfers with deadly rips and fast waves. There are a few great walking tracks and it is perfect for a stroll with the dog.

7. Tura beach.

This is a great place for a relaxing day with friends and family. It’s not always surf-able but great for a swim. There are walking tracks and fun bike tracks.

8. Tathra Beach.

At the more protected southern end, there are dramatic rocks and water so clear you can see fish in each wave. It’s a little cooler but a great beach for snorkelling and swimming.

9. Salt water Creek/Beach located just outside of Eden

This beach is a great spot for more experienced surfers with bigger waves and fast rips. Saltwater Creek campground also offers swimming, fishing, paddling and walking in Ben Boyd National Park.

10. Cocora Beach, located in Eden.

A sheltered beach overlooking magnificent Twofold Bay perfect for a family barbecue and a playground for the kids.

11. Terrace Beach, Broadwater

Leonard’s Beach is a reef, suited for more experienced surfers due to the shallow waters, rocks and dumpy, powerful waves.

These are among some of the more popular beaches around the area, and I highly recommend visiting these beaches for a great time this summer!

Wandering Wonderings
An Editorial by Indigo Keaney

Before the pandemic struck, my favourite part of the school week was sport. Two glorious periods on a Wednesday afternoon where you could choose the sport you wanted to do for the term.

When we came back to school after lockdown, sport wasn’t the same. We weren’t allowed to leave the school, year groups couldn’t mix and, once every four weeks, each year group had to walk.

Personally, I find hiking challenging and I have no problem with walking, however, there was nothing stimulating or interesting about walking around Lake Curalo for 80 minutes, repeatedly. The options for creative games to be played on the school grounds are limitless. So why, despite knowing that very few students would pick walking over any other sport, are students continually made to walk?

I enjoy walking the dog, just me, my music and the bush. For some reason, I do not enjoy walking quite as much when surrounded by hungry, tired teenagers. Something about loud complaining and whining disrupts the serenity, not just for me, but for public users as well. Many teachers will tell us to ‘shut up and get on with it’ as ‘most people don’t get the opportunity to walk in such pristine bush.’ Unfortunately for the teachers, most teenagers couldn’t care less about how pristine the bush is.

These walks feel unwarranted, almost like a punishment, and raise many questions. Why do we have to walk for what feels like hours? And why do we not get a reward for this tedious task, when all of the other years are happily back at school? Perhaps the incentive of a Zooper Dooper would make the walking feel less like a chore. Most of the time, when we arrive back at school, instead of getting commended for our achievement, we get told off for being disruptive or complaining too loudly. How can we be expected to enjoy these dull and monotonous ‘nature walks’ if all we get for our efforts are telling offs?

On top of that, these walks are extremely time consuming. Instead of walking for two periods and inevitably becoming so bored I could fall asleep, I could be doing something worthwhile, such as completing assignments or playing a sport that I actually enjoy. The walks don’t have to be boring. Activities, such as scavenger hunts or team challenges, could be included to make them more interesting and to add some healthy competition. Something that was once considered dull, could, with some extra planning, be the highlight of the students' week. Sport shouldn’t be dreaded, but anticipated.

Many teachers will argue that what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger, and maybe that’s true, but it doesn’t mean we have to enjoy it or stay quiet about it. I miss the good ol’ days, when sport was fun, and we could mix with other years. As that is in the past, I say that we make the most of what we have now. I am under the belief that since life is about the journey, why not make the journey fun.