A visit to Cardiff Alpacas at Harwood Island followed by lunch at the Harwood Hotel was a wonderful outing to bring 2016 to a close for members of CRu3a’s ‘A Little Bit of Culture’. Cardiff Alpacas is an absolutely wonderful place to visit. The setting is perfect, the morning tea delicious, the hands-on experience fantastic and the alpacas are so cute and gorgeous. It was so relaxing and peaceful as we enjoyed listening to the stories on the history of the property and of the Werry family by our hosts Robert and his niece, Kathleen. Robert has lived at Harwood all his life, and except for a ten year break to attend university and to do field work, so has Kathleen. They are the fifth generation of the family to call Harwood home. We are so blessed to have this wonderful attraction in our community and I am sure many in our Group will return and bring family and friends. Lunch at the Harwood Hotel was a jolly time with lots of fun, laughter and friendship, delicious meals and a time to reflect on the wonderful outings we have shared throughout the year. It certainly was a cultural year with coach trips to QPAC Brisbane for Sound of Music, We Will Rock You and Singing In The Rain (arrangements have already been made to see Matilda the Musical, My Fair Lady and the Bodyguard in 2017). It is wonderful to be able to work with Dianne Ward of Wards Coaches to enable us to go to these shows. We really do have a wonderful day. We also travelled down to Grafton to see Celtic Illusion, and locally enjoyed Dean Doyle Morning Melodies and Tom Jones & Friends at the Yamba Bowling Club. The Northern Rivers Big band was also a hit with us when it also played there. What fantastic performances from the Clarence Coast Theatrical Society this year! Juke Box was certainly a hit (a few of our members went and saw it twice) and what about Annie! Wow, that was fantastic. Our Group never misses the combined View Clubs International Women’s Day luncheon each year and we also support the Maclean Hospital Auxiliary Mother’s Day morning tea and Christmas luncheon fundraisers. They are all great events and truly worthy fundraising activities. Our weekly Tuesday movie/lunch days are always fun and has seen many friendships form. Thanks to Deb at Yamba Cinema, we are able to see all the latest movies and then we enjoy lunch and a chat at Bean Scene. It’s been a great year full of wonderful outings, fun and friendships. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CV Independent for giving the volunteer community groups an avenue to promote and inform the wonderful role that they play in the local community. A happy New Year to all. Patricia Kan