Happy New Year to all our readers – in print and online.
The Eurobodalla is in the thick of its seasonal population boom – and, for the most part, loving it.
Yes, the traffic is dense at times, but so have been the crowds at some wonderful community events.
Take the annual sand castle building contest at Broulee on New Year’s Eve.
Light rain could not deter homegrown and visiting sand sculptors from testing their skills.
The event is now a must-do for many families and is a great example of community goodwill and chutzpah.
You could not find a better, non-commercial, counter balance to the overindulgence that can be Christmas.
The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner was there to record the shifting sands.
You can enjoy reporter Duncan McLaughlin’s coverage on pages 2 and 6 of today’s print edition or see his work online.
The carols at Tuross Head before Christmas were another example of community good will.
Tuross Head Marine Rescue put on the event to say thank you to the community – and it was much appreciated.
Both these events attracted residents and tourists and really add to the holiday vibe in our seaside villages.
In Batemans Bay, the CABBI art group has once again put on a great showcase of talent, and many works have already found their way into homes over the Clyde Mountain and beyond.
Tourist operators and retailers rely on this seasonal influx to tide them over the hungry gap they all experience from Easter to spring. If the traffic is any guide, they should be having a bumper season.
Highway congestion is clearly a hot topic for those living here, visiting or thinking about making the trip on the Kings or Princes Highways.
On December 27, reader Matthew Witcombe sent us a short video of the traffic heading south into Batemans Bay that day.
As a piece of film making went, it was no Oscar winner, but it hit the the spot on social media.
At last count, the story had reached almost half a million people on the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner Facebook page – a total of 476, 303 people.
It had been viewed 228, 000 times, shared 1735 times and more than 2300 readers had commented on it.
