Friends of Old Bega Hospital Spring Fair

The 2025 Spring Fair will be on Sunday 2 November 2025 at the Old Bega Hospital.

The Friends Committee is gearing up for the OBH Spring into Summer Community Fair (which replaces Raise the Roof) happening on Sunday November 2, 10am to 4pm. Entry is free and it is overall a cash only Fair.

With our region taking on the colours of Spring and Summer we invite you to get into a warm, sunny mood by gearing yourself up in your best Spring outfit – don’t forget the hat. And by ‘you’, we mean everyone – all of us. Friends will have spotters walking around and quietly making a note of the most springy/summery outfits for prizes.

And continuing the Spring into Summer theme enter the OBH Spring Bouquet of Local Blooms flower show. Two groups – '15 and Under' and 'Open'. And please, no florist foam. Keep an eye on your garden, or your neighbour’s garden, for colourful flowers. Then on the day of the Fair, pick yourself a nice bunch, and arrange it, in a normal household size vase, to suit your idea of a pretty presentation of nature’s beauty. Prizes awarded. Entry form and details.

There will be plenty of handmade products on display and for sale by OBH’s resident artisans and market stall people. Beekeepers will fascinate you with the latest developments in Bee World, and the Men’s Shed will also fascinate you with all the bits and pieces they offer for sale – and with what they do to help our community. And make sure you catch the demonstration of Pickle Ball on the concrete area at the southern side of the Nurses’ Quarters. Admire the landscaping work of the Garden Buddies and Land Care. Music will be nonstop. Starts on the NQs verandah with our Bega Brass Band at 10.30am – 11.00am, followed by BAAD Band (Bega All Ages Development Band), 11.00am – 11.30am; then our buskers will keep your foot tapping from 11.30am – 1.30 pm. At 2pm the action will move to the front of the OBH when the much in demand Figments will entertain for the next 2 hours.

Chris Rogers and her helpers from Bega Weavers, will be running the Friends Cake Stall along with providing morning tea and lunch. Scones jam and cream, fresh sandwiches and your pick of the home baking from the cakes and slices on offer make up the menu. All served with a smile, reasonably priced and set up in the Women’s Ward and Verandah. If you are able to volunteer a couple of hours of your time to help please let Chris Rogers know (email: rogers@netspeed.com). Baking is always needed. Cakes, slices, scones (any sort), muffins, biscuits will all be appreciated.

Secretary Kay Dowman will be laying down her pen to run Friends very popular Sausage Sizzle Tent. There’s nothing quite like fresh bread, sausage, sauce, coleslaw and onions that spells out community fair! And you can stroll and eat all at the same time.

As our new Fair date is also Candelo Market Day some of our normal Market Stall people have a regular date with Candelo Markets. However you might know of local artisans or other creative people who may not have regular market days. You can help to publicise the Fair by letting them know they will be welcome to come to display and sell. But they must have own insurance and the cost for 3mx3m is $35. Any questions they can contact Kay Dowman – 0437101645. Not for profit community groups are also welcome – no charge.

Check your family out for the Cake with a Story competition. Celebration Cakes, Birthday Cakes, Christmas Cakes, Anniversary Cakes, recipes handed down through the ages – every baker and family has its cake with a story – maybe you just haven’t thought about ‘this special cake’ which actually holds a special place in the family story! Nelleke Gordon, Paul West and Lisa Herbert will be our judges. Cakes will be on display in the Women’s Ward – and interviews telling the story of some of the cakes will also occur there. Rules are minimal: the cake will be judged on Appearance, Flavour and the Story. Entry form – also at various locations around Bega.

Bega Lions Club wii help with Fair parking arrangements. But it’s good to have a couple of people from Friends working with them to learn what happens and also so the Lions volunteers can get a break. If this is you message Val on 0428 991 683.

Help is especially needed to manage the Spring into Summer Fair – setting up, signage, guiding people, answering questions, staffing Friends various stalls, parking, trouble shooting etc, etc. If you are coming to the Fair and can include a couple of volunteer hours in your day – anytime from 7.00am to 4.00pm – please let Val know on 0428 991 683.

If you have any questions or suggestions about anything to do with the operation of the OBH RCCC (Old Bega Hospital Regional Community Cultural Centre) please don’t hesitate to contact friends@obh.org.au.

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