The official opening of the Eden Wharf extension on Sunday, August 4 was the culmination for more than 10 years of passion, lobbying and dreaming of something bigger and better for the community of Eden and the wider region.
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Despite the cold southerly the community came out in hundreds to line the wharf, hear the Welcome to Country from BJ Cruse, see the Smoking Ceremony and celebrate the significant development which promises so much for the future economy of the shire.
Now cruise ships of 300m plus will be able to berth at Eden eliminating the use of tenders and reliance on very calm seas. The first cruise ship is expected to berth on September 15 and will be the first of 23 using the facility in the upcoming season. The following season 35 ships are expected.
This is going to be an incredible success story not only in terms NSW but the nation.
- Member for Bega Andrew Constance
At the opening, member for Bega Andrew Constance, who has been very closely involved in the project from the start, said it was going to be an incredible success story not only in terms NSW but the nation.
"This is a phenomenal change and it is great that everybody is here today to celebrate the enormous contribution made by so many is getting this incredible wharf extension open which is going to see people come from all round the world to experience our beautiful place," Mr Constance told the community.
There was an air of optimism for the future which was reflected in the speech given by Eden Marine High School captain Connor Kellalea.
He called the day "a prodigious moment" in Eden's history.
"I believe it will make make strides in boosting the economy, job opportunities and allowing Eden to assert itself into being a desirable tourist destination," Connor said.
He spoke of the increased job opportunities for local youth and chances for entrepreneurs.
"It will do a lot for the youth," he said.
But he cautioned that while more holidaymakers would be able to enjoy the beautiful natural environment that Eden and surrounds had to offer, there needed to be respect for that environment and the planet.
I believe it will make make strides in boosting the economy, job opportunities and allowing Eden to assert itself into being a desirable tourist destination.
- Connor Kellalea, EMHS captain
"To my own and the generations to come I say explore all the natural options without diminishing its properties. Create new advancements in technology without destroying your integrity. The ideas of today are the innovations of tomorrow," Connor said.
Mayor of Bega Valley Shire Kristy McBain paid tribute to the local visionaries, the politicians who had backed the ideas and the numerous volunteers.
"There's been a lot of detractors and over time we have managed to put them back in their box and say no we can do this because we want to do it.
"We want to see change in our community and we want to build on the legacy from some of our amazing volunteers and visionaries in Eden," Cr McBain said.
She mentioned Gail Ward, Jenny Robb, Marge Snijder, Steve Heffernan and former general manager at Bega Valley Shire Council, Peter Tegart, who asked council to back a study. and also the "elected councillors from 2008 who have taken on that legacy and continued to advocate and seek grants and hound people to see that vision come to fruition," Cr McBain said.
This is a vision of a community that wants to do something spectacular and different. It's a vision of a community which knows it has to change to remain viable.and take advantages of all the natural opportunities around us.
- Mayor of Bega Valley Shire Kristy McBain
"This is a vision of a community that wants to do something spectacular and different. It's a vision of a community which knows it has to change to remain viable.and take advantages of all the natural opportunities around us," Cr McBain added.
She mentioned federal member Dr Mike Kelly who first advocated for the wharf, ex-federal member Peter Hendy and state member Andrew Constance "for his tireless work in advocating for us".
Cr McBain made special mention of "Cruise Eden and the army of red volunteers".
"The amount of volunteers amazes me; from high school students to pensioners and passengers say they love being welcomed by our volunteers," she said.
The Port Authority and Natalie Godward was thanked for her amazing job and passion for Cruise Eden.
"There is a really bright future for not only Eden but the wider region and what I want to impart on everybody today is to make sure we keep talking positively about the region. There are so many things we can achieve but we have to achieve them together There is more to do here We continue to advocate not only for Eden but the entire region because we have something really special to offer," Cr McBain added.
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