Many dressed for the theme of the occasion "Black Tie & Pearls" and were seated at tables beautifully decorated by event organizer Annette Manton.

An excellent three-course meal was provided by the Oceanview Brasserie, ensuring the mid-year dinner dance was a great success. Master of Ceremonies Michael Kermode cleverly and humorously outlined how this particular group enjoyed all the benefits of being born in 1949, a year of great activity.

Club president Mike Birks warmly welcomed all those who attended and new friends were made, as guests moved around the room, catching up on old acquaintances and welcoming new members.

The Swinging Old Fellas provided great music for dancing. The evening's closing song should have been "Nice to, nice to know ya, let's do it again ..."

We need your help! WIRES (Mid South Coast Branch) rescues and cares for Australian native animals.

Many of our WIRES members are energetic people, many of whom started with little or no experience. We are not only looking for people to rescue or care for animals but also to provide transport or fund raise.

The initial training includes an online component, plus a one-day face-to-face workshop. We are holding our next new members' workshop on August 17 in Batemans Bay. Visit www.wires.org.au or phone local training coordinator Rachel McInnes (0419 863 966) for more information.

August 1 is World Lung Cancer Day.

Asbestosis, mesothelioma and associated lung diseases are a legacy that workers have inherited through no fault of their own.

I am still seeing Australians with lung disease coming forward today.

Slater and Gordon was one of the first law firms in Australia to hold big business, mining companies and big money to account on behalf of Australians who were suffering from asbestosis and associated lung disease.

I believe that our work didn't end with Wittenoom or James Hardie.

I see people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s who are diagnosed and don't know how long they have left.

They are men who worked in the mines and women who washed their dust-covered clothes.

The reason that some struggle to breathe is because they worked in the mines or a factory where asbestos dust and debris were strewn across their workplace.

However, it lives on in our buildings, in our homes, schools and work sites.

In our desire to bash out the walls of our 50s-70s do-er-uperers, we forget that the dust lies dormant in many of our homes.

Because of this we are seeing a new wave.

Please check if you have asbestos walls or rooves in your house before knocking them out.

Check if you need to protect yourselves, neighbours or contractors.

No-one should ever have to go through what my clients and their families have had to.