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July 1, 2024

Newsletter for the Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 25, Issue 1210

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of Pittwater, as well as our Indigenous readers

Acknowledging our Offshore Firies

Another busy year

Roy Baker

The first posting you'll see in the listings section below is for the island fire brigade's AGM. As its errant president, I will be in Scotland rather than on its namesake island. In my absence, let me take this opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of all our offshore brigades, as well as the hard work of its members.

The term 'fire brigade' is something of a misnomer. As an active firie myself, it's a little irritating when, in the absence of a major conflagration, some locals assume that the offshore brigades haven't been doing anything. Certainly the RFS received plenty of praise during the dramatic fires of 2019-20. But just because the air isn't full of smoke doesn't mean that your local brigades are idle.

The island brigade's captain, Peter Lalor, calculates that his brigade dealt with 37 incidents during the last 12 months. That's an average of over three each month, or almost one per week. Part of the reason why the brigade is so busy is that to a considerable extent it covers jobs which would normally be undertaken by other agencies.

That's particularly true of medical emergencies. We are fortunate to have on the island a team of dedicated community first responders, headed by Ian White. If someone calls for an ambulance, the chances are that the brigade's CFRs will be the first on the scene, while other brigade members will coordinate with the ambulance service, driving paramedics and their equipment to the scene of the emergency.

Since we basically live in a forest, the brigade is also kept busy clearing fallen trees or branches that are blocking roads. That's work that might otherwise be done by NSW's SES. Offshore it will be the firies who work the chainsaws.

Even though fires might not always seem our core activity, they still arise. Over the last year the brigades have been called out to a considerable number of real or suspected bush and house fires. What's more, boat fires recur with surprising frequency on Pittwater.

Finally, let's not overlook the contribution our brigades make to community life: social dinners and dances, Santa visits and, on the island, the annual Easter egg hunt.

I'll miss the AGM this year, but let me thank the island brigade for all its hard work. Thanks to its leadership, particularly Peter Lalor and Ian White. Thanks also to the men and women who regularly attend callouts, which often occur at the most inconvenient of times, including late at night or early in the morning. We have a small core of very hard working brigade members, and as islanders we owe them a great deal.

My gratitude extends to the other offshore brigades. They are equally hardworking, and keep us all safe. Thanks to you all.

Support for Older Offshore Residents

Aged Care Assessments

Rosemary Haskell

Australia’s population is ageing, with the proportion of people aged 65 or older increasing from 13 to 17% between 2001 and
2021. But the same is even more true of offshore residents. In 2001 just 3% of Scotland Islanders were over the age of 65.
Now it’s 18%, the same as for the Northern Beaches generally.

Just because we live offshore doesn’t mean that we can’t access government support. Did you know that many older
Australians can benefit from help in relation to numerous aspects of life, including the following?
• Transport
• Health care
• Home cleaning
• House and garden maintenance
• Meals and personal care
• Nursing.

To qualify most people need to be 65 or older. If you’ve had a recent hospital visit you may have been asked
to fill out an ACAT assessment. ‘ACAT' stands for Aged Care Assessment Team, a group of professionals approved to
assess a person’s needs. They can then determine the most appropriate form of care and support needed.

To be assessed, you need to apply, and you need to be registered. The bad news is that even after you have filled out the form it may take from 6-12 months to receive any benefits. (I am told that if your application is accompanied by a doctor’s letter that could speed things up.)

The main thing is to fill out the registration form as soon as possible. Go to https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply-online or phone 1800 200422 (weekdays 8am-8pm). Some people may not be computer savvy but the phone service is very helpful.

If you know of anyone who might qualify for support and is unaware of the system please pass on this information.

'Where Are All The Children?'

'Where are all the children?' That's my grandson's cry as he runs into the 'kindy' playground (behind the Recreation Centre).

For a couple of years, we had a regular weekly playgroup meeting up to enjoy the playground together. Kids loved it, and adults had a good natter too. This year, different days of parents working and daycare make it difficult to find a shared day. However, other babies are growing up and a few new families are moving on. If you have preschool children or grandchildren on the island and would like playmates, contact me so you can join our playgroup app and meet up when suits.

Jenny Cullen
0406 806 648
Jennifercullen57@gmail.com

Newcomers' Welcome

Call to community organisers and small businesses

In September we shall be holding another welcome session for newcomers to Scotland Island. This is held in conjunction with the café in Catherine Park.

If you have a social activity, business service or skill that you would like to promote it will be a great opportunity to highlight what you can offer and meet new potential customers.

You might also like to take the opportunity to put an entry on the website or update your current entry (contact CB Floyd on communications@sira.org.au). Any promotional material you can display on the day.

For further information please feel free to contact me.
Rosemary Haskell 0410500704

Island Café

Island Fire Brigade AGM

Scotland Island Fire Station

Sunday 7 July, 10 - 12 noon

All brigade members are encouraged to attend this year's AGM, which will celebrate the brigade's achievements over the course of the last year and elect field and administrative officers for the year to come. A light lunch will be provided.

To assist with catering, please indicate your intended attendance by clicking here.

The brigade's new all-terrain vehicle, acquired in March 2024

Annual subscription:
The 2023-24 membership fee of $20 (life members exempt) was due by 2 August 2023.
If you are overdue with payment please pay it as soon as possible. The brigade bank details are as follows:

Account name: Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade
BSB: 082 294
Account: 509351401

Ordinary members of the brigade voting in the election of field or administrative officers must have paid their 2023-24 subscription fee (unless a life member). If 2023-24 membership fees remain unpaid at the time of the AGM then membership of the brigade may lapse.

The Tuesday Discussion Group

Scotland Island Recreation Centre

Tuesday 16 July, 11 am - 12.30 pm

The Recreation Club runs a discussion group, meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, from 11 am to 12.30 pm in the Recreation Centre. Everyone is welcome.

Members take it in turn to design a session. For the June session Tim Turpin led a discussion on housing planning policies in Australia.

For the July meeting, Sarah Polanka and Kathy James are asking the group to consider the rise of the Radical Right internationally.

Everywhere right-wing politics seem in the ascendancy. Is Democracy under threat? The far right taps into the identity politics of racism, anti-immigration sentiments and nationalism. Most Radical Right parties oppose the expense of the green energy transition, oppose the cost of foreign wars, and denigrate large state-run bureaucracies.

Russia and China have autocracies. India, America, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Italy and Spain have rising radical right-wing parties. Why is this swing to the Right growing in recent times?