Eden’s own community service club clocked up nearly 1000 hours of work for the town last year but its ageing membership is putting its future involvement in projects at risk.
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The Eden Service and Social Club Inc, commonly known as ESSCI, was launched in 1994 and in the past 12 months has participated in events such as the Eden Whale Festival, New Year’s Eve fireworks display and traffic control for the Anzac Day march.
It has also erected historic markers around Eden, installed picnic tables along the Aslings Beach walking path, repaired the Warrens Walk viewing platform and built shelves at the Scout Hall.
But the club's president Jim Chenhall said the club’s 26 members were becoming older and younger people in Eden were not getting involved in caring for their community.
“Our members are getting older and not as able to take on the heavy manual tasks we once did and this is also reflected in getting the executive positions in our club filled,” Mr Chenhall said.
Mr Chenhall said he did not know where the help would come from for festivities such as the whale festival if ESSCI was not involved.
In addition to manual work, ESSCI has contributed funding for a number of deserving causes including school scholarships, carers accommodation at the new Bega hospital, families with medical issues, as well as the Vinnies and Anglicare Christmas appeals.
It also lobbied Bega Valley Shire Council over the Lake Curalo walking track.
“For the members, ESSCI has become a way of both enjoying the camaraderie of good people and getting some fulfilment by giving back to our community to make our home a better place,” he said.
ESSCI meets monthly at the Eden Fisherman’s Recreation Club for a meal and to plan projects.
The meeting usually includes a guest speaker with either an informative or entertaining talk and the evening finishes by 9.30 pm.
More details are available from club secretary Graham Gray on 6496 3641.
