For those who know Mike, this will come as no surprise, he is a humble quiet achiever who will do anything to help anyone. He is thoroughly deserving of this recognition.

Mike works behind the scenes and never seeks the limelight. He is always first to recognise the efforts of others, but does a tremendous job in our entire community. Whether helping out at church, community groups, assisting with drafting plans for many developments in our shire including the Batemans Bay SLSC, Moruya SLSC and Carroll College, he just does what needs doing, for no recognition.

He’s been known to miss a number of family backyard cricket matches to race off to the surf to rescue people in trouble and has done a magnificent in building up the Moruya Surf Club membership base, redevelopment programs and commitment to Special Nippers and Lifesaving in general. He has been our branch vice president, key callout member and driving IRBs on the George Bass for many years. On behalf of the Far South Coast Branch congratulations Mike – you champion.

Batemans Bay and Narooma both have opening bridges interrupting traffic flows on the Princes Highway – a result of some past expert advice and influence it would seem.

A new Princes Highway corridor needs to be identified and developed, removing the bottle necks, including the opening bridge problems. Any sensible and reasonable person involved with highway designing would have to agree that should be a priority.

Despite the glowing endorsement of some, including non-users,  of the Narooma Apex Park boat ramp, the significant expenditure has resulted in a substandard facility.

The fact is the facility has failed in many ways to meet the requirements of the users and in just as many ways has resulted in much angst amongst fishers and boaters alike and damage to boats.

There was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to provide a launching facility that was tailored to fit the site and one we could all be proud of and happy to use.

It seems a bog standard, off-the-shelf floating pontoon has been dumped down the middle of an already two-lane ramp that was suffering some difficulties, none of which were resolved by this addition, whilst at the same time creating its own problems.

These problems, voiced prior to installation, have proven correct. We have been saddled with a mess that cannot be fixed without massive expenditure. Our money, not the engineers’ and council staff, who, as an aside are also paid by us.

“Don't confuse me with facts; my mind is already made up” has driven this project. Does it look good? Sure. Does it work well? Sure, it floats. Is it practical? Not for boating. Did it address previous issues? No. Has it improved launching and retrieving? No, made it worse overall.

The facility is too narrow and confined, the pontoon contributes to this and to boat damage; the gradient of the ramp is too shallow, reversing on to the ramp is difficult as the path is not straight, lighting is poor and the list goes on.

Clearly there are people who think it is OK. My suggestion would be, get yourself a boat and use the facility before judging others.

As the long, hot summer continues, PETA continues to receive reports of dogs dying or suffering after being left inside hot cars, even when the windows were slightly lowered. 

Even dogs left in the shade can quickly succumb to heatstroke and sustain brain damage as a result. On a 30-degree day, the temperature inside a car parked in the sun can reach 54 degrees in just minutes. 

If you see a dog showing any symptoms of heatstroke –including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of coordination – get the animal into the shade immediately. You can lower a symptomatic dog's body temperature by providing the dog with water, applying a cold towel to the dog's head and chest or immersing the dog in tepid (not ice-cold) water. Then immediately call a veterinarian.

PETA makes the following suggestions for safeguarding dogs in the Eurobodalla during the summer:

Avoid parked cars: Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for short periods with the windows slightly open. Dogs trapped inside parked cars can succumb to heatstroke within minutes – even if the car isn't parked in direct sunlight.

Keep dogs indoors: Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their footpads and cool themselves by panting. Soaring temperatures can cause heat stress and be physically damaging or fatal.

Walk, don't run: In very hot, humid weather, never exercise dogs by cycling while they try to keep up or by running them while you jog. Dogs will collapse before giving up, at which point it may be too late to save them.

Provide water and shade: If animals must be left outside, they should be supplied with ample water and shade, and the shifting sun needs to be taken into account.

If you see animals in distress give them water and contact humane authorities right away.