50 Years Ago – 5 May 1976

An enlarged Moruya Hospital, capable of 1,500 in-patients a year, was officially opened on Friday by Health Minister R. Healey. The extensions, which cost well over half a million dollars, have been in use for some weeks, but were open for public inspection for the first time on Friday afternoon. Bed capacity has been increased by 16 to 45. “The hospital now boasts the most modern kitchen in NSW for its size, and it is functioning excellently,” Mr. Healey said.

Eurobodalla Shire Council has decided to ask the successful tenderer for the Narooma breakwater construction to lodge a bond of $60,000 against damage to roads. Access for construction vehicles to the work site will be along Dalmeny and Fullers Drives, Narooma. It is expected the loaded vehicles will weigh more than the designed load-carrying capacity of the road, resulting in damage to the surface.

Mr. A. Benfield was elected president at the annual meeting of Bateman’s Bay Chamber of Commerce. The out-going president, Mr. W. Burns, did not seek re-election. Other officers are: – Vice-presidents, W. Burns and D. Mathewson; Secretary, D. Drinnan; Treasurer, J. Templeton; Auditor, G. Garland. Mr. Benfield said he intended that meetings should be taken up with speaking to definite motions without irrelevant discussion and called on all business people to join and support the Chamber.

A Clyde River Historical Society has been formed and Convening Chairman, Mr. D. M. Benfield invites all people interested in conserving history to contact him. The Society intends to clarify by research and exposition, the history of the Clyde and Buckenboura Rivers and their tributaries, and the coastal areas appendant to same. These include present and former communities of Nelligen, Bateman’s Bay, Runnyford, Bimbimbie, Currowan, Broomham, Termeil and Mogo.

Reconstruction of Maunsell Street, Moruya, will be completed in June, weather permitting, according to a shire council spokesman. The road is being rebuilt and sealed, together with a curb and guttering program. At the same time, it is being widened to the standard town street width of 11 metres.

Establishment of a caravan park between George Bass Drive and the beach east of Sunpatch was approved at a meeting of the Eurobodalla Shire Council. The applicant was Thunder Investments Pty. Ltd. of Bateman’s Bay. It will be established on an 11.2 hectare parcel of land, and will include a swimming pool, office and residence, laundromat, five amenities’ blocks, a tennis court, and 280 camp sites. The project will cost about $100,000.

MORUYA THEATRE. Commencing time 7.30 pm, Friday and Saturday – EARTHQUAKE (NRC), plus DOBERMAN PATROL; Monday – Walt Disney’s SLEEPING BEAUTY (G), plus ALICE IN WONDERLAND (G).