PAGE 8 – BELLINGEN SHIRE NEWS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022 Dorrigo Neighbourhood Meal launched GARDEN - LANDSCAPE - SUPPLIES FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS WHERE THE LOCALS SHOPWHERE THE LOCALS SHOP Nursery • Mulch • Woodchip GErika Munan and Bruce Naylor usher in the first of many community meals on the Plateau. Soils • Sands • Aggregate By ERIKA MUNAN 130pm, and there is no cost to meals of beautiful savoury mince, onnecting Dorrigo hosted its attend. amazing dhal, rice and bread. Cement products • Gravel Cinaugural community meal on Local venue Th e Never Never We enjoyed 34 bookings and July 28th at 12pm. Mind was selected to kick off the several more people who saw our Connecting Neighbourhood Dorrigo Neighbourhood Meal, signs and were welcomed to join in. NEW DRIVE -TRU! Centres already have community courtesy of Dandarrga Landcare Uncle Allan Phillips gave a moving meals in Urunga and Bellingen, and Dorrigo Seed Savers, who are welcome and acknowledgement to and our aim is to establish a big supporters of seasonal meals, Country, and a short blessing from unique complimentary meal event shared by locals. another local before we all tucked in Dorrigo that gives residents a We also reached out to the into our meals. chance to gather, that is also for community and were so pleased to A er our meals, everyone washed the long-term sustainability of the be able to include local providers up their own bowls and utensils and community. Plateau Farms, as well as the Dorrigo settled into coff ee, tea and assorted We are committed to welcoming Butcher, Dorrigo Bakery, IGA biscuits, enjoying the fi re and the all walks of life on the Plateau, and Dorrigo and Dorrigo Youth Centre. music put on by Avril, Ian and hope to share with everyone that Polly from Sunshine at Hickorys friends. this is a great chance to break bread generously donated her time, Lunch-goers were also gi ed with other community members. supplies and expertise in preparing spinach seed packets, courtesy of Food is available from 12pm- this seasons simple but yummy Dorrigo Community Nursery. Safeguarding the future NEW NURSERY By ADAM NORRIS As a full member of the Nature “A local Environment Centre ince 1989 the Bellingen Conservation Council of NSW, as holds a unique responsibility to SEnvironment Centre (BEC) has well as being a member of the North the community it represents,” Ruby been a staunch advocate for our Coast Environment Council, the said. natural environment, welcoming BEC has developed into one of the “It should advocate for our many members over the years in leading community organisations environment, nurture younger their eff orts to promote and protect dedicated not only to environmental voices, and be a hub to connect the unique biodiversity of the Shire. issues impacting the Bellinger Valley and inspire environmentalists from At BECs monthly committee and surrounds, but to the realities of diff erent cultures and backgrounds meeting on June 7th, three members climate change more broadly. across all generations.” tended their resignation, including “It is more important than “If you arent already a member, two members of the executive – ever that we come together as a now is the time to sign-up. Attend Treasurer, and Secretary. community to protect this place the Annual General Meeting later Th e organisation is now looking to from decision-makers who are this year, and vote in people with the community once again to share hellbent on destroying the planet diverse skills and experiences onto their time and skills by taking an for a quick buck,” Carly continued. the committee. active role in BEC governance. “Th e BEC has a 30-year history “Members are encouraged to Former Secretary Carly Flemming of community members coming commit to preserving the local is concerned that without new together to do great work protecting environment through teamwork members coming onboard, the BEC our local environment.” and skill sharing. Th ere are many may struggle to maintain the vast Carly is not the only resigned passionate people of all-ages array of projects and affi liations it is committee member calling out to living in the Bellingen area who committed to across the region. the community. Another former could empower themselves, and 111Shortcut 3oad, “Th e organisation is not future- Secretary, Ruby Oliver-King, also the community, in the face of a 3aleigh proofi ng itself. It struggles to retain hopes that the organisation can fi nd challenging future.” Ph: 0466 690 978 and nurture dedicated and skilled new members to ensure the BEC To learn more about the BEC, TUE - FRI: 7am - 4pm community members who have a does not lose momentum. With including information about SAT: 8am - 1pm genuine passion for preserving the active and engaged new members, their ongoing campaigns, local natural environment,” said they argue, the BEC faces a much visit their website at www. Carly. more secure future. bellingenenvironmentcentre.org.au