• Offshore Pittwater's Sporting Achievements
  
• Scotland Island Fire Brigade Needs You!
  
• Fireshed Dinner
• Carols Afloat
• International Folk Dancing: Christmas Party
• Santa to Visit Scotland Island
• The Summer Ball
• Moon Dance
• Moon Dance: The Wall

Offshore Pittwater's Sporting Achievements

Pan Pacific Masters Games 2024

The offshore Pittwater community was well represented at the recent Pan Pacific Masters Games in Queensland, with residents winning a number of medals.

Phil Thomson and Philippa Wight, both of Scotland Island, proudly wear some of their medals

The games are the biggest of their kind in the world. Held every second year, they allow thousands of mature-aged men and women to compete in sport. There are no qualifying standards to enter, the only requirement being that competitors have reached the minimum age for their chosen sport, which in most cases is 30 years.

The thirteenth games were held on the Gold Coast from 1 - 10 November. Taking part were at least four offshore residents.

Philippa Wight of Scotland Island won a number of gold, silver and bronze medals, having run in the 60, 100 and 200-metre races for her age group, as well as the 80-metre short hurdles and the 300-metre long hurdles.

Phil Thomson, also from the island, won bronze in the 60-metre and 400-metre sprints for men aged 65 to 69.

Karen Burns, yet another islander, participated with Elissa Henshaw of Lovett Bay in the over-45s women's soccer league. Their team, Blazing Fury, played six games over seven days. Not only did they win every game, they also won the final.

If that weren't enough, Karen also entered the 1 km ocean swim for women in her age group. And she won that too!

'It was a terrific feeling taking part', says Karen. 'It was all such fun'. Meanwhile, Phil Thomson is very excited with his two bronze medals. 'Maybe we can enter the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, just like Jersey, Guernsey and Norfolk Island', he suggests.

Roy Baker

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Scotland Island’s volunteer fire brigade is always looking out for new members, but now we have three particular needs: a new treasurer, new auditor and a new secretary.
 
Just because there hasn’t been a major fire on the island for a number of years doesn’t mean that brigade members haven't been busy.

Rehearsing medical evacuation from the island (using a manikin)

Last year the brigade attended around 40 emergency incidents. That’s almost one per week. Common reasons for call outs include boat fires, medical evacuations and trees blocking roads.

Besides responding to emergencies, brigade members are also engaged in preventative and preparatory tasks such as hazard reduction burns, plus the constant need to update training, maintain equipment, etc.
 
When the brigade was set up in 1955 it was made clear that every able-bodied man on the island was expected to join. These days the RFS is just as interested in applications from women, as well as teenagers aged 16 upwards.

If firefighting doesn't appeal then our need for additional Community First Responders is just as pressing. CFRs assist with medical emergencies pending the arrival of paramedics from the mainland. Training is provided. 

If you feel able to take part in our activities please contact Captain Peter Lalor at captain@sirfb.org.au. Peter's phone number is 0401 716194.
 

Lara Hasell, the brigade's retiring treasurer

Non-operational support is also needed
If you feel more inclined to support the brigade administratively, the brigade is looking for a new treasurer, secretary and auditor. Our current secretary Vanessa Barry can no longer commit time to helping us, while our treasurer Lara Hasell, after many years of service, also wants a break.

Similarly, after a solid 20 years of service to the brigade, our current auditor, Mr David Sutherland, would also like to step down. All three are thanked for their tremendous support.
 
None of these positions need be particularly time-consuming. The treasurer prepares monthly financial statements, as well as an annual report. This is checked by the auditor, who doesn’t need to be a qualified auditor: the work could be done by any accountant or someone with accounting or small business experience. The treasurer needs to have basic bookkeeping skills, while the secretary maintains very brief minutes of our monthly meetings.
 
If you feel able to help, please contact Peter Lalor (details above) or myself at president@sirfb.org.au.

Roy Baker, President, SIRFB

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Carols Afloat

Thursday, 19 December

Harold Reserve, Scotland Island: 4.30 - 7.00 pm

Church Point: 8.00 - 9.00 pm

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To help defray expenses, the Recreation Club ask for $5 per person per attendance.

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Experience "The Wall" Like Never Before!

Moon Dance presents an unforgettable musical journey as The Flaming Doghouse brings Pink Floyd’s legendary rock opera "The Wall" to life on 4 & 5 April 2025, at the Scotland Island Community Hall & Recreation Centre.

With masterful performances and immersive energy, The Flaming Doghouse delivers this iconic album in a way that’s both powerful and personal. Featuring epic hits like "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Comfortably Numb", this show promises to captivate both die-hard Floyd fans and new listeners alike.

Enjoy pre-show drinks and snacks at The Green Room Bar & Snackery, open from 7 pm. Showtime 8:00pm.

There will be a return ferry from Tennis to Church Point after the show (at 11:15pm). This is a seated event.

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