Batehaven university student Rebecca Douglas has not given up on returning live music to the Bayview Hotel beer garden on Saturday nights, nor have many Eurobodalla residents.
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Ms Douglas, 27, wants Saturday night music reinstated after it was stopped in September as a result of neighbours’ complaints and a decision by the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing.
She began distributing a petition to Batemans Bay businesses in October.
“We have got five back, so that is 500 signatures, and with the ones that are still out there, I would say there are around 1500 signatures,” Ms Douglas said.
“What amazes me is the ages of the people who have signed. We have 50, 60, 70 and 80-year-olds’ signatures. There are more over 50 than under 25. It is a testament to the local community.”
There is also an online petition on the Care2 activist-themed social network website.
“It had about 150 signatures the last time I checked,” Ms Douglas said.
She acknowledges that not all the reaction has been positive, but nothing will deter her.
“There has been a backlash,” she said.
“There’s been quite a few nasty messages on social media, but I don’t really care. I’m like a dog with a bone, I’m passionate about it, I’m relentless.”
Ms Douglas said it was easy to find businesses willing to display the petition.
“People approached me because they actually wanted it,” she said.
“One business said ‘no’, but other than that I’ve been amazed to have so much support.”
Ms Douglas said she would “probably wind it up in the next month” and the petitions would be sent to Eurobodalla Shire Council, the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing and Bega MP Andrew Constance.