Published: 6 March 2023

Our beach mobility mats have been absolute winner, and a much-loved Moruya local agrees.

Myril Bunt is a life member of Moruya Surf Club, so it was extra special to see accessibility improvements at a location close to her heart.

Generations of the Bunt family have been involved in the club, but the beach holds particular significance after the family scattered the ashes of Myril’s late son Roger there in 2005.

Last year on December 19, the mobility mat was being rolled out. That same day, as she does every year, Myril came down with one of her daughters to wish Rodger a happy birthday and lay flowers in his memory.

Aged 92, Myril is now too unsteady on her feet to cross soft sand. She would sit in the carpark and watch while her daughter placed flowers at the water’s edge.

Looking from the car window at a bright blue mat and council crew installing it, Myril had to see for herself what was going on. She was thrilled when they encouraged her to be the first person to use the mat.

For the first time in many years, Myril was able to walk down to the water and place the flowers for Roger herself.

Myril’s is one of many stories we’ve been told by lovely community members excited to get themselves or their loved ones near the ocean again, thanks to the mobility mats.

With the support of the shire’s four local surf clubs, the mats can stay on beaches until the end of April and will be rolled out again for many summers to come.

Read more about our mobility mats on the beaches webpage.

• This story was first published in Council’s quarterly newsletter for residents, Living in Eurobodalla. A printed edition is delivered to the shire’s 26,000 households.

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