50 Years Ago – 10 June 1976

Through an example of self-help, it would seem that the residents of Bateman’s Bay will soon have a lending library opening to borrowers two days a week. The response to the recent canvass of interest in the establishment of a library in Bateman’s Bay has been encouraging and the Community Library will be open in early July.

Last Thursday, a station sedan towing a caravan, and a motor lorry, were travelling in a northerly direction on the Prince’s Highway. As both vehicles approached the southern end of Coila bridge, both got out of control and the lorry plunged over the eastern side of the bridge into the creek, taking much of the bridge railing with it. At the same time, the broken top rail of the bridge went through the windscreen of the car, narrowly missing the driver and his wife who was in the front passenger seat, and two children sitting in the back seat. The vehicle and van went over the side, coming to rest on the northern bank of the creek, with the rail still imbedded in the body. All occupants, who were from Western Australia, escaped death by inches. They escaped with cuts, bruises and shock.

The lorry driver, Norman Gefford, 44, of Malua Bay, received head injuries, a fractured right foot, and five fractured ribs. Moruya police and ambulance attended the scene of the accident, and with the co-operation of the D.M.R. workmen, the highway was kept open to the traffic. The next day temporary repairs were made to the bridge, and both lanes were open for traffic.

A necklace worn by the bride’s grandmother, mother, and sisters on their wedding day, was chosen as something old by Margaret Constable, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Constable of Bodalla, for her wedding to Paul Saunders, the second son of Mrs. Jeff Murphy of Narooma, and the late Mr. Stanley Saunders. The radiant bride entered the beautiful All Saint’s Church, Bodalla, on the arm of her father. Following the wedding, a reception was held at the Memorial Hall Bodalla where the parents received one hundred and thirty guests.

Mr. Hugh Basil McHugh, of Moruya, completed fifty years as a Registered Legal Practitioner on the 2^nd of June 1976. He says that over those years he has never stopped learning, and being involved in peoples affairs has taught him the value of human understanding. Asked if he had his time over again would he become a lawyer, Mr. McHugh said that would be a hard question to answer, but he thinks the fishing industry would be an attraction, for there nothing like fishing, once you learn how to think like a fish.

MORUYA THEATRE. Double Feature. ALOHA, BOBBY & ROSE (M), plus CLASS OF 44 (M).