50 Years Ago – 19 March 1976

The Eurobodalla Shire Clerk, Mr. Jim Johnston, announced the construction of a new bridge over the Kiora River, 2 miles west of Moruya today. The original bridge was washed away during the August 1974 floods leaving the residents west of the bridge a 10 mile trip to Moruya via Larry’s Mountain Rd., instead of two. The bridge will be of concrete construction being 270 feet in length, and consist of eight 35ft spans. Kiora residents were pleased with the news.

Mrs. Gordon Hughes said that at present their ‘short cut’ was about nine miles of dirt road whereas the Kiora trip is only about three miles of sealed road. Mrs. Pearl Greig said that she always seemed to be putting petrol in the car and would be pleased to get back to the shorter sealed road.

The Council has officially delegated the authority to control and manage the Moruya Park to the Moruya Park Management Committee. This Committee was formed to try to co-ordinate sporting bodies into a group outside the direct control of the Eurobodalla Shire Council. These groups include the Show Society, Football Club, Pony Club, Moruya Rodeo, Rodeo Stampede, Golf Club and Jockey Club. Subject to conditions, the Committee may do all such things normally done by a committee to foster and promote use of the area. The Committee has already received proposals for a new grandstand, basketball stadium and auditorium, and a training track for local racehorses.

On Saturday, family and friends gathered at the Moruya Presbyterian Church for the marriage of Wendy Maree Thomas, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thomas, of Moruya, to Colin Peter Simpson, sixth son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Simpson, of Canberra. The Rev. S. Crean officiated at the ceremony. Wendy’s attendants were her sister, Mrs. Kay Stephens and a friend, Miss Robyn Lawler. The reception for 75 guests was held at the Moruya Bowling Club. Music for the occasion was supplied by Dick Thornton and Keith Eiken. The day also marked Mr. Eddie Simpson’s birthday and the surprise engagement of his son Phillip.

An extraordinary meeting of members of the Dalmeny/Kianga Bush Fire Brigade took place on Saturday, March 6, and about 50 members attended. A motion to seek the immediate disbandment of the Management Committee was defeated almost unanimously. John Black was elected president again, almost unanimously.

At Moruya Surf Lifesaving Club last Sunday, power boat Captain Col Chesher was putting the craft through a series of trials in a consistent two metre surf. He was negotiating the large waves when the throttle stuck open, causing the craft to charge through the waves at about 40 k’s per hour. Col was thrown into the water and the boat took off in a circular path, finally ending up on the beach. Col ended up with 18 stitches in a badly gashed foot and three stitches in his arm.