Pittwater Offshore Newsletter

History Corner

At Cape's Flat, where a popular eatery named Rainaud's Restaurant (now gone) once stood, the road to Church Point led to a thriving orchard. When farming as a paying business could no longer be carried on because better soil inland offered better results, the land owners of Pittwater were tempted to turn their attention to growing fruit. Early pictures of the isthmus between Elvina and Lovett Bays show rows of loquat and lemon trees with signs of only a few eucalypts.

Nearer to Church Point, William James, an old resident of the area, made ambitious plans for a garden to be watered by pipes leading to a reservoir on the nearby hilltop. The scheme was never carried out but the reservoir and pipes remained for many years, a legacy for another gardener.

At the end of the picturesque and curving road to Church Point, land was given to the Wesleyan community by William Oliver and on it one of the first buildings erected in Pittwater for public worship was built. But it was not in a building of any sort that Pittwater folk first met to unite in public worship. The first religious service was held under loquat trees on the shores of Bayview. Mr Oliver gave the Methodist Church one acre of ground for ten shillings with the proviso a church would be built soon afterwards. The little wooden church was built in 1872 at a cost of 60 pounds and it stood on the hillside above the Pasadena (where some of the graveyard can still be seen) until its demolition 60 years later.

The simple church boasted a manual pedal organ, ornate pulpit and cocoanut matting covered the wooden floor. Among the parishioners were the Misses Woods who, dressed in long white dresses and shady hats, sailed across from Lovett Bay in their sailing boat every Sunday. For a time the area was known at Chapel Point. William Henry McKeown who, along with George McIntosh was one of the instigators of the church, first gave a saddle horse to bring the preacher to the services.

Leicester Warburton

NEXT MONTH: What , or where, was the Peninsula?

General Boating Licence Changes

A licence for people aged 16 years and over to drive any vessel, except a PWC at 10 knots or more.

General Young Adult Licence

A restricted licence for those aged from 12 to under 16 years. A Young Adult Licensee must:
(i) be accompanied by the holder of a General Licence when travelling at 10 knots or more
(ii) never exceed 20 knots
(iii) never travel at 10 knots or more after sunset and before sunrise
(iv) never travel at 10 knots or more when towing an aquaplaner
(v) never tow a water skier or wake boarder
(vi) not drive in any race, display, regatta or exhibition without prior consent from the NSW Maritime and
(vii) never operate a PWC unless the holder of a Young Adult PWC Licence.

From 1 July 2006

Anyone wishing to obtain a boat licence must, from 1 July 2006, first undertake compulsory boating education either by studying an online seminar or attending a seminar conducted by NSW Maritime or an accredited agency. A nominal fee will apply.

Water Line Update

The new water line has now been laid out along Florence Terrace from Tennis to PatHilda Reserve.

The new line will be turned on (and the old line disconnected) at 7am on Monday 1st May.

New fittings will be required to connect to the new line. For information on requirements please contact Cass Gye by clicking here

Special Events from Pittwater Council

Planting for Possums or Prohibited Provender?
Speaker: Jutta Evman
From Macquarie University
CEC
Our Pittwater possums are often viewed as pilfering pests in our urban backyard. How can we learn to live in harmony with important members of our local native fauna? Jutta Evman from Macquarie University will share a bit of possum magic at the Coastal Environment Centre.
Date: Tuesday 23rd May
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: No Charge

World Oceans Day Talk focusing on Marine Pest -Caulerpa Taxifolia
The CEC will host a forum on the invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia. Caulerpa is a new and spreading threat in our Pittwater estuaries. Dr James Sakker from DPI NSW Fisheries Research at Port Stephens is our special guest on this evening.
Date: Thursday 8th June
Time: 7.30-9.00pm
Cost: No charge
Where: CEC
JUNE
World Environment Day Environment Volunteer of the Year
This award is given annually by the Coastal Environment Centre in recognition of outstanding and sustained effort by volunteers to improve the environment of our local area. The award winner will be announced at this evening function at the CEC celebrating World Environment Day.
Time: 5.00-7.00pm
Date: Saturday 24th June
To nominate your 'Environment Volunteer of the Year' please contact the CEC for a nomination form on 9970 6905. Nominations close 5pm 26th May.

Breakfast with the Birds
At Warriewood Wetlands
Have you ever wanted to know more about the Winter birds in the Warriewood Wetlands? Join us and an experienced guide for an early morning bird walk at the and discover some of the wonderful species found in this area. Tea, coffee and muffins will be provided.
Where: Meet at Katoa Close (off Garden Street Narrabeen)
Date: Sunday 11th June
Time: 7.30am-9.30am
Cost: Gold coin donation
Age: Not suitable for small children
Bring: Comfortable shoes, notebook and binoculars.

Scotland Island Players present

Open For Inspection!

A farce by Frank Hatherley
Directed by Kez Borthwick-Bolton

Scotland Island Hall
Friday 23, Saturday 24, Friday 30 June, Saturday 1 July at 8:00pm
Sunday 25 June at 6:00pm
Tickets from
Rosemary & Colin at ‘Scotland Island Lodge’, ph: 9979 3301
Annette after work at the Point
Melanie & John at PMC Hill

Adults $15 Children $10

Interested in being an agent?

This email was received by the editor during the month and is a great example of a database gone 'wrong'!

My name is xxxxxxxxx and this year I am the first Glasgow tour operator to run daily tours to the Highlands of Scotland.

Our tour company offers small group day tours to the Scottish Highlands on our luxury Mercedes-Benz minicoach.

We leave from Glasgow city centre tourist board, George Square, Glasgow every day. Our website is called www.maxwellsheartland.co.uk.

The reason for e-mailing you is to ask if you would act as agents for tour groups coming into Scotland and if our company could be of any assistance to you?

If this would be of interest to you please contact me on 01360 310 783.

I look forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards

xxxxxx

Missing person

Hello Scotland Island Residents,

Does anyone remember Geoffrey Craft who lived on Scotland Island in the 80's & ?90's. I am trying to find him for a friend. If so, could you email me: YvetteV@resmed.com.au

Thanks Yvette

Community helps develop Pittwater's Cultural Plan

Over the last year Pittwater Council staff have have been working with their community to develop “Living Pittwater, Our Cultural Plan”, which defines a strategy for maintaining and developing Pittwater’s culture over the next five years.

The Cultural Plan highlights the council’s level of commitment and interest in arts and cultural issues within Pittwater. It ensures that all aspects of cultural life in Pittwater will be addressed in a planned and integrated manner over the next five years.

Pittwater Mayor Cr Alex McTaggart said: “Pittwater’s draft Cultural Plan is a wonderful example of council working with its community to produce a plan for the future. In developing this plan, Pittwater Council is recognising the important role culture plays in our community. It is a great achievement that signifies a coming of age for both Council and the community and highlights the level of commitment and interest in arts and cultural issues within Pittwater,” he said.

“The Plan gives us a better insight into the values and aspirations of residents, as well as providing a framework for council and the community to work together to meet our cultural needs over the next five years. I encourage residents to have a look at it and send any comments to us by 12 June,” said Mayor McTaggart.

The draft Cultural Plan is on exhibition at customer service centres and libraries at Mona Vale and Avalon and on the Pittwater website at www.pittwaterlga.com.au, Exhibitions. Hard copies are available from Simonne Shore on 9970 1169, who will answer any queries on the draft Plan.

Residents are encouraged to submit their comments or suggested improvements on the draft Plan by Monday 12 June 2006 to sshore@pittwater.nsw.gov.au, or online via www.pittwaterlga.com, Exhibitions, fax to 9970 7150 or written submission to the General Manager, Pittwater Council,
PO Box 882, Mona Vale 1660.

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