History Corner

Piano wanted

I am looking for a piano for my children (so something fairly cheap and basic) and am wondering whether anyone wants to sell one. My phone number is 9997 5018 or 0412 891 091.

Anyone have children who do home schooling?

We are interested in living in community, with connections to people of all ages, interested . We home school our 8 year old son and are particularly interested if there are any home schooling families on Scotland Island. Also, how many children are on the island?

Thanks for you help
Jen Tel. (612) 9262 1612 jenh@qedactuarial.com.au

Volunteer required for film shoot

I am a student at the Sydney Film School making a short documentary about the different ways Sydneysiders commute to work. I understand that some people on the island take their own runabouts to the mainland as part of their trip to work and I am hoping you can help me find someone who would be happy for me to film part of their trip from the island to the mainland.

There will be no dialogue in the documentary as it is being set to original music composed by a student from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The Scotland Island portion will be used as a contrast to the more hectic and stressful methods most Sydneysiders use to get to work in the mornings.

I am seeking to film one morning between 10th April - 21st April on a day when it is convenient for the person volunteering. Filming will take 1 - 2 hours and will start around 7.30am - again this is flexible and will be agreed with the person being filmed.

I would be grateful if you would pass this request on the Scotland Island residents. I can be contacted via email at: caite@internode.on.net or by phone on: 0401
719 040.
 

Seaweed Invades Pittwater

The invasive marine plant, cold tolerant Caulerpa taxifolia threatens coastal ecosystems in NSW. By growing quickly, it overruns seagrasses and alters marine habitats.

Caulerpa taxifolia can easily be spread. Pieces that break off can start whole new plants. Even after a week out of water, if in a warm damp place such as a wetsuit or anchor well, pieces can start a new plant.

Caulerpa taxifolia is a bright green seaweed with a characteristic 'creeping' stem called the stolon. The stolon can measure over 1 m in length and is fixed to the bottom by the 'roots' called rhizoids. The stolon bears 'leaves' or fronds. The fronds can be 5 to 65 cm in length.

What you can do

• Avoid boating near Caulerpa taxifolia outbreaks. Propellers cut the plant into many fragments that can drift into areas only to grow into new outbreaks.
• Inspect anchors, ropes and chains before leaving an area.
• Inspect fishing equipment; nets, traps and fishing lines before use.
• Inspect dive gear such as wetsuits bags and other equipment before use.
• Collect fragments of Caulerpa you have accidentally picked up. Seal the pieces in a plastic bag and dispose of them in a bin where they can not re-enter a waterway.
• Collect information on where you have seen Caulerpa. An accurate map, size of the outbreak, depth, habitat type (seagrass, bare sand, rocky reef) are important details.

Report sightings of Caulerpa taxifolia to the Threatened Species and Biodiversity Unit on (02) 4916 3811 or email tsadmin@fisheries.nsw.gov.au, or to NSW Fisheries' 24hr reporting hotline on (02) 4916 3877

Alex McTaggart MP - excerpts from his maiden speech

(reprinted with kind permission of the author)

..... I shall now address the issues facing Scotland Island and the western foreshores, which are our offshore communities. It is these people who are most disadvantaged by the lack of services. There are a number of issues relevant to offshore communities which should immediately be addressed by this Parliament. Scotland Island needs town water and town sewerage. There should be an immediate promise by Sydney Water to provide these basic services. Also, it is ridiculous that Scotland Island residents cannot get the rainwater tank rebate because they are not connected to town water, yet during times of drought they must buy their water from the mainland half a kilometre away and from a Sydney Water tap. It is nonsense.

Then there is the stupidity of the Crown Lands Act, which prohibits car parking on a Crown reserve other than for the purposes of recreating in that reserve. The Department of Lands has indicated that car parking must be removed from Church Point Reserve by August 2007. There are 350 car spaces there, used by the offshore communities, and we have had no indication of where they are supposed to go or why they should go. Another issue for the offshore communities is the jetty tax, or rather the tax on Crown Land leases which applies to waterfront properties with wharves that are accessible only by water. These people need to have a reasonable acknowledgment that part of their lease should be exempt from the tax, or at least taxed at a lower rate, to acknowledge that they are water access only.

..... I take this opportunity also to highlight the lack of investment in road infrastructure by the State in recent years. The electorate of Pittwater is served by five arterial roads: The Wakehurst Parkway, Barrenjoey Road, Pittwater Road, McCarrs Creek Road and Mona Vale Road. These roads are in a disgraceful condition and require immediate repairs and upgrading, including replacement of bridges, widening of carriageways and safer pedestrian access. Of most concern is Mona Vale Road, the most talked about neglected piece of metropolitan roadway in New South Wales and, regrettably, the scene of many fatalities. The state of our roads is a classic indication of 30 years of neglect. I give notice that I will not relent in pressuring the Government to carry out these essential works. In summary, it is fair to say that the Pittwater electorate, from the light at Barrenjoey to the lagoon at Narrabeen, has not had its fair share of the State's resources.

If you would like to read the speech in its entirety, click here

Author Talk at Mona Vale Library

Thursday 6 April, 11.30am. Simon Nasht, political journalist, foreign correspondent, documentary filmmaker and novelist will talk about his latest book "The Last Explorer - Hubert Wilkins - Australia's Unknown Hero". Hubert Wilkins was one of the world's greatest explorers but why was he largely forgotten by Australia? Book with Mona Vale Library on 9970 1600.

Police Local Area Commander visits Scotland Island

On Thursday 16th March, Doreen Cruickshank, Local area commander of the Dee Why area of the NSW police, together with Alex McTaggart MP, visited Scotland Island and the Western Shores for a familiarisation tour.

Our visitors were taken around the bays and then given the grand circuit of the island in the community vehicle, driven by Gordon Floyd. Thanks also to Greg Roberts for the use of his beautiful boat for the tour. The photo shows our two guests on the Northern side of the island, accompanied by SIRA president Shar Jones.

Pittwater Community Arts Event

for the National Trust Heritage Festival