Last night at Tathra (about 40 minutes drive north of Eden, just south of Bega), a young father jumped off the wharf and drowned while attempting to save his sons. It's a very sad story. I went to Tathra as chauffeur for my friend Phil, who is the local cameraman for WIN news, though this time he went in his capacity as photographer for the Daily Telegraph.
It's not much fun covering such a story, being surrounded by sadness all day. It's as if the elements reflected the feelings of those present, because it rained and the wind blew all day long.
There wasn't much to see, just an empty wharf with a few hopeful seagulls, their feathers disarranged by the wind.
Sara from the
Eden Magnet came, and interviewed the Anglican minister who was providing free counseling.
News people came from far and wide. The Canberra Times was represented, and even Denham Hitchcock and Paul Collins from the Sydney networks were present, as well as the ABC crew.
The police came and had a look, but what was there to see?
Some of the relatives and friends of the family were upset at the presence of reporters. I heard that some inappropriate questions were asked, but I could see that a many of the news people really did care, and felt sad at what had happened.
The one bright spark in the day was the little 3 year old grandson of the cafe owner. Such a beautiful reminder that life does go on.
My heart goes out to the young woman who has lost her partner and children in one terrible blow.
With bush fires blazing all around the country, Eden got it's share of smoke today. Above, a smoky sunset this evening at Aslings's Beach. Below, sunrise this morning.
Smoke from fires burning near Wyndham was high over Eden yesterday afternoon, below.
The farmers market was on at the Uniting Church today, so I stopped in and found these wonderful chilli products, including Chilli Wine Jelly, of all things... so sweet and nice. The chillies are made by Disaster Bay Chillies. I'd seen their products at the deli and assumed they were from the north coast, but no, they are local, organic, and made from local produce as well. In fact, Pam, the lady who was selling the chillies, was the one who supplied the lemons to go into them.
Early yesterday morning I drove to Nimmitabel, which is half-way to Canberra and only an hour from the snowfields. At the top of the mountain just a few kilometers before Nimmitabel, it suddenly began to snow. So lovely, big fat flakes swirling down... Within minutes it looked like Christmas in the northern hemisphere.
Last night at Tathra (about 40 minutes drive north of Eden, just south of Bega), a young father jumped off the wharf and drowned while attempting to save his sons. It's a very sad story. I went to Tathra as chauffeur for my friend Phil, who is the local cameraman for WIN news, though this time he went in his capacity as photographer for the Daily Telegraph.
There wasn't much to see, just an empty wharf with a few hopeful seagulls, their feathers disarranged by the wind.
The police came and had a look, but what was there to see?
The bright grevillea and parrot are by Andrew Fraser.
I think the rocks are by Ida Akkerman. The rocks of Eden are beautiful and varied, it was good to see that someone else enjoys them too...
I think the bright flowers above are by Lisa Meredith. Below are two more by Andrew Fraser - the boats at the wharf, and the pelican.
Other artists include Rae Bingham, Di Swane and Elizabeth Cameron. Sorry, I don't know who did the quilting.
Just click on the photos to see more detail...
The youth center had a stall, and they did some nice airbrush tattoos.
Getting ready for the big ride...
That doesn't look too bad...
But how about that? You won't catch me on there!
Oops, the generator failed, but all was restored a few minutes later.
The Dept. of Fisheries tank was pretty interesting.
Clown school.
Aspiring rock stars.
Artistic merit.
The environment featured too.
Often the whales will come right in to the bay, last year I saw one just below the platform, as close as it was possible to be. You can also go out on the catamaran Cat Balou and see the whales close-up.
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