-March 2004 -

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia  Volume 6, Issue 53; March 2004

Editorial:

Your editorial staff were HIGHLY impressed with the remarkable results from the survey in the last newsletter. More than 120 (~30%) of subscribers responded. At a presentation to Pittwater Council and other interested bodies, representatives from SIRA were able to show the commercial viability of the underground car parking scheme as a result of this survey. We will keep everyone informed as to progress.

This month we want you to complete another survey. This time to try to persuade Telstra to provide ADSL broadband capability to offshore residents. Please read the item below carefully!

In this Issue:

Your Subscription Information

ADSL Survey - Sick of slow 'net speeds?

As many of you are aware, obtaining an ADSL (Broadband) connection if you live offshore in Pittwater is virtually impossible. There are alternatives, including ISDN and satellite, to dialup but they are more costly and not for everyone. We are sick of being geographically disadvantaged. Many offshore residents work from home, or are planning to do so. We choose to live in a slightly remote part of Sydney, but that does not mean we cannot take advantage of modern telecommunications.

Now is your chance to influence Telstra. Simply complete the survey by clicking here, or going to http://members.optusnet.com.au/sira/adslsurvey.html

Lerps - What are they & how to get rid of them

The Red Gum Lerp (Psyllids) - A Tiny Insect That Attacks Eucalyptus

Psyllids are also called jumping plant lice and belong to the Order Homoptera, along with scale insects, aphids and cicadas. In fact, they superficially resemble a miniature cicada except they are the size of aphids (less than 4 mm long). Both immature and adult psyllids feed by sucking plant juices out of the leaves, causing serious leaf drop which weakens the trees and makes them more susceptible to other pests, such as wood-boring beetles. The wingless, yellowish immature form (nymph) secretes a waxy protective cover called a lerp. "Lerp" is a term derived from an aboriginal Australian language describing this cover.

How do I remove them from my drinking water?

With great difficulty. Many local residents are adding chlorine to their tanks and this does seem to provide some temporary relief. Some residents claim that if the water is allowed to settle for some time before drinking (for example, a holding tank), good results are found. If you want more information on lerps and their removal, try clicking here

The Dance of Life
By Marion van den Driesschen
An exhibition of paintings and drawings
February 17 to march 7 2004

Gallery hours: tuesday to sunday, 8am - 4pm

washhouse gallery 711 darling street rozelle 2039
p.0425 248-334 or 02-9555-5704
www.washhousegallery.com.au

Water - Unsafe to Drink

You may have seen or perhaps been told, that water provided to residents via the emergency water scheme on Scotland Island is not warranted by Sydney Water or Pittwater Council as potable. That is, they will not accept responsibility for the quality. Stickers, such as the example shown here, are being placed on standpipes and water lines to cover this problem.

The water you buy from your emergency water monitor is not warranted as to quality by anyone. That is not to say it is polluted. Just not guaranteed as to quality.

Pittwater's Seniors Week Activities

Pittwater Council is offering a wealth of FREE, interesting activities for residents to enjoy in Seniors Week. There's something for everyone at these events, which run between 15-23 March. Activities include:

Avalon Computer Pals Open Day - Tuesday 17th March, 1:30pm-4pm: Like a glimpse into the world of computing? Have a go at accessing the Internet, making personal greeting cards, chatting to friendly volunteers, enjoying an afternoon tea and lots more!

Discover Warriewood Wetlands Walk - Friday 19 March, 9:30am: A guided tour through the Warriewood Wetlands.

Planning for an Easy-Care Garden - Monday 15 March. Informative seminar on learning how to work towards an easy-care garden. Guest speakers include Eileen Rees, Pamela Polglase and Peter Rutherford.

Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2004

More information about these grants can be found by visiting: www.facs.gov.au/volunteergrants or phoning 1800 050 199.

I am delighted to invite you to submit an application for the Australian Government’s
Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2004. These grants will provide funding of up to $5000
to organisations involving volunteers for equipment or other one off costs, which will make
the volunteer’s work easier, safer and more enjoyable.

In recognition of the valuable work that volunteers do in local communities, the Australian
Government has made additional funding available from the Stronger Families and
Communities Strategy for the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2004. This initiative builds
on the success of the International Year of Volunteers 2001 Small Equipment Grants and the
Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2003

THE HON LARRY ANTHONY MP
MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFFAIRS

Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade

The Brigade annual General Meeting is to be held in the fire shed at 2.0pm on the 7th March. all are welcome wether you are a member of the brigade or not. The Brigade is seeking to attract new members, anyone can join over the age 16 years, You can join as an active member or social member.

 Anyone interested could come along to our brigade training on Sunday the 7th March after 9.0am, (or any 2nd Sunday of the month) you would see something of the way we operate, look at the equipment and talk to active members. You are most welcome. Basic training is given in certain aspects of bush fire protection and firefighting at the training centre in Terry Hills qualifying you as a Basic Firefighter, from there should you wish, on going training is available.

Hope to see you at the fire shed.

Recipe of the Month

For all those Scotland Island residents who feel a bit 'Scottish"

Atholl Brose

Ingredients:
3 rounded tablespoons of medium oatmeal
2 tablespoons heather honey
Scotch whisky

Method:
The oatmeal is prepared by putting it into a basin and mixing with cold water until the consistency is that of a thick paste. Leave for half an hour and then put through a fine strainer, pressing with a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Throw away the oatmeal and use the creamy liquor from the oatmeal for the brose.

Mix four dessert spoonfuls of pure honey and four sherry glassfuls of the prepared oatmeal and stir well. (Purists insist on a silver spoon for stirring!) Put into a wine bottle and fill with malt whisky; shake before serving.

The local guide

As our newsletter continues to grow (nearly 600 readers) we are including some links to other nearby organisations and events that may be of interest. If you would like to contribute, please send a message to the editor by clicking here.

Local Real Estate Agents:

Government Organisations:

• Local Pittwater Council, or email them at pittwater_council@pittwater.nsw.gov.au  or by clicking here.
• State: John Brogden, Member for Pittwater, or email him at jbrogden@nswcoalition.com or  by clicking here
• Federal: Bronwyn Bishop, Member for Mackellar, or email her at Bronwyn.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au or by clicking here

Local Transport:

Airlines, Buses and Railways

Weather

• Tides for this week and month for Pittwater
• Weather Forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology in Sydney, Australia

Archived Newsletters A complete set of past electronic newsletters since 2000 can be found and read at http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/archive.html  or by clicking here or by visiting the Mona Vale Library.

Spread the Word:

The future of this newsletter is in your hands. More than 700 residents and friends read this electronic newsletter monthly. Please tell your friends and neighbours to subscribe. If you are particularly literate in matters computing, you might like to help them follow the very simple path to subscription. It is easy to join. Simply click here to join, leave or change options or go to following address: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup

Finally:

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter it's easy!. Send an e-mail to the editor by clicking here. Type your short contribution (100 words would be fine) and assuming it is of general interest to the community, does not include matter of a political nature and is not offensive to your neighbours, it will appear next month.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:

To get on and off this newsletter, or to change your options,  - click here or got to: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Scotland Island Residents Association, or any of the associated Pittwater Offshore Resident's Committees