A PON Milestone has been
Reached
Issue 1000 !
You may have noticed in the last PON issue, (1st December), that
we had reached issue number 999, so this makes this issue the 1000th
Issue of the online PON ! So I thought it appropriate to take you
back to the beginning when it all started...
The PON first started it's life as a two-page issue of the Scotland
Island Progress Association Newsletter
back in 1955. It was put together by Geoff Steen, the then provisional
Secretary of the newly founded Scotland Island Progress Association.
He continued producing the newsletter until Ian ‘Bunks’ Carmichael, a
senior executive at the ABC, took over for two years before being sent
to London. Leicester Warburton then took over from Ian and kept the
newsletter running for around 28 years. It was during this time that
Scotland Island News was more conveniently condensed into S.I. News
(Sinews) and so it was referred to there after. Under Leicester’s
stewardship the readership grew to over 300 with issues running to 8
pages.
In March 1995 SINEWS celebrated 40 years of publication
and continued to run for a few years until the most capable and
computer literate Paul Purvis felt it was timely to embrace the
internet and gather information for all residents of West Pittwater
with the introduction of a more contemporary news service - see Volume 1 Issue 1 HERE - this was later to be
renamed Pittwater Offshore Newsletter (PON). Readership
grew and as the service was seen to be so readily available the number
of issues increased from the original one per month to roughly one per
week.
Some
360 issues and eight years later Paul hung up his keyboard and handed
over the editorship to me. That was back in December 2008, now 9
years on and 640 odd issues later, we have close to 1000 subscribers
as well as some 200-400 social media users regularly reading the
newsletter.
The overall style of the newsletter has not change
dramatically over the years however the content has, and it's
interesting to see those changes as they reflect, to a certain extent,
the life of the offshore community. I encourage anyone interested in
what life was like years ago to go back through our PON
archives online - link HERE as it provides a glimpse as to what was going
on then.
Finally, I thought it would be interesting to reprint
the very first S.I.News which was distributed in 1955.
Now remember this was typed on a typewriter, probably with two sheets
of carbon paper to make 3 copies in total and then copied; how, I don't
know, and I have not been able to find out, but it must have been a
real
chore regardless to produce 8 pages every month, copy them and then
hand deliver
them around the island.
Happy reading and reminiscing....
Oh, and a big thank you to Annette for sending me the
copy of this first issue, and, we seem to be missing some of the very
early PON's - Nov 1 2001 thru to Feb 2003, if anyone has any of
these, I would love to get a copy.
Many thanks for your continued support and contributions.
Julian
THE
SCOTLAND ISLAND NEWS
MARCH 1955
Vol. 1 No. 1
EDITORIAL.
The Scotland Island Progress Association was away to a fine start when
just on forty residents turned out for the inaugural meeting held at
"Bangalla" on Saturday night January 29th.
Fully appreciating that many residents may have had insufficient notice
of the meeting it was decided that a Provisional Organising Committee
only would be appointed. This Provisional Committee will vacate office
at the General Meeting fixed for Easter Sunday (April'10th) at 8 pm,
when all offices become vacant and a committee will be appointed for
the ensuing twelve months.
With such a large proportion of Island residents being week-enders and
the fact that various sections' of the island are somewhat remote from
each other there are very real difficulties in the way of successfully
organisihg a virile Association.
It is therefore necessary for every resident to give his or her support
to the formation of the Association and so that a sincere hard-working
Committee is appointed to act on their behalf for the welfare of our
small Community.
Correspondence has already boon entered into between the Provisional
committee and Warringah Shire Mackellar County, Council, the P.M.G.,
the Bushfire Committee of the Chief secretary's Department and the
local Member, Mr. R. W. Askin. Contact is also being made with the
Water Board.
Attendance at the General Meeting of the Progress Association will give
residents an opportunity of voicing opinions on the many and varied
questions to be discussed and assist in determining the policy to be
followed in regard to electricity, water supply, bushfire equipment,
public telephones, public wharves and street maintenance etc.
There are formidable tasks ahead of the Association - it can only
succeed with the goodwill and support of all residents and the earliest
opportunity residents have to give their support will be by attendance
at the General Meeting.
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA.
Here briefly is the business paper to be submitted to the General
Meeting- on April 10th
Meeting opens at 8 p.m.
- Chairman (Dr. U. L. Brown) welcomes visitors.
- Minutes of Inaugural Meeting.
- Business arising from Minutes
- Correspondence,
- Reports by Provisional Committee
- Fixed Annual Subscription
- Election of Officers:
- President
- Vice-Presidents,
- Hon. Secretary,
- Hon. Treasurer,
- Committeemen,
- Hone Auditors.
- Adopt Constitution or instruct committee to prepare
same for submission to next meeting. Consider formation of Bush-Fire
Brigade.
- Address by representative of District Brigade
- If formed appoint Captain Vice Captains etc,
- Address by Shire President and a Riding Councillors
(if present)
- Conduct General Businsse.
- Fix date for next General Meeting
x x x
TEA ONLY.
A suggestion that some liquid refreshments might be provided following
the General Meeting provided on April 10th was turned down by the
Committee after due consideration.
Supper will be provided (ladies a "plate" please) and the beverage
served will be tea. Those that need it strong and black can have it
that way if they want it.
x x x
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Two meetings of the Provisional Organising Committee have been held to
date of preparation
this Newsletter. The Committee's decisions are reported elsewhere
throughout this issue.
BUSH FIRE BRIGADE
Due to the nature of the terrain, the dense coverage of forest and
scrub and its comparative isolation, Scotland Island possesses a grave
bush fire potential.
It is proposed to form a bush fire brigade and equipment for this
purpose will be made available by the Bush Fire Advisory Committee
through the Shire Council.
Because of the relatively small number of permanent residents on the
Island such a brigade will need the full cooperation of all casual as
well as permanent residents if it is to be successful. The knowledge
and practice of fire-safety precautions by all residents (including the
ladies) will be essential.
Those who have experience of bush fires know of the tragic loss of life
and property that can result from the careless burning of rubbish or
even the thoughtless discarding of a cigarette butt .
In Victoria in 1939 seventy-one lives were lost and damage of
incalculable value was done by the tragic bush fire of January of that
year.
A sane outlook on the lighting of fires and some elementary knowledge
of fire fighting by residents could prevent a comparable tragedy on the
Island.
Members of brigades fighting bush fires are covered by special
provisions of the Workers Compensation Act.
x x x
SCHOOL FARES
An active group of island permanent residents are organising to have
their childrens' fares to school subsidised by the Education Department.
Ferry and bus fares for one family of little tots totals 17/6 a week If
they lived in a country area where school buses are subsidised the
greater part of this amount would be met by subsidy through the
department.
We understand the ferry fares are also subsidised in the Gosford Woy
Woy districts.
If the parents decide to seek the Associations assistance in this
matter it should be readily available in such a worthy cause.
MONSTER PRIZE CONTEST
In order to boost circulation & also perform a public service we
are offering an appropriate prize for winning suggestion on how best to
make use of empty bottles (unbranded of course).
First prize is one gross of assorted empties to be picked up and
removed by the winner. Location to be advised after the contest
THE BUGLER.
Ever blow a bugle? It's much harder than you think and a few local
residents were trying their utmost to get even the faintest burp out of
one when Tod Gill happened along.
Hoping f or a laugh at Tods expense the bugle was pressed on him and --
wait for it -- he blew the "cookhouse" call so expertly that all the
old soldiers marched straight off home to beg their wives for a meal of
stewed bully beef and dehydrated potatoes -- just for old times sake.
x x x
MILK IN CARTONS
News that milk might soon be available in cardboard cartons will be
welcomed by these folk who fight a losing battle with empty bottles.
milk and various.
There appears little likelihood of lolly water and other effervescing
beverages being sold in this manner but surely our scientists could
evolve some method of dehydrating kerosene so that it could be sold in
tablet form. After all we don't have to drink the stuff.
xxx
SCOTLAND ISLAND PIPE BAND.
The Scotland Island Pipe Band promised a skirl or two for the night of
the next meeting.
The band consisting of one piper will parade the Island to ensure
nobody goes to bed early on the big night.
FISH STORIES.
Congratulations to Mr. Jack Cooke on his exploit, in catching a shark
with a broom. Jack literally swept the four foot monster -out of the
shallows on to the rocks where it was quickly dispatched and promptly
converted into flathead fillets.
x x x
Keith Egan also merits applause for his performance catching a nice
large mullet by hand without the aid of hook, line or net. Keith merely
bent down. from the Church Point, wharf, tickled the mullet's tummy for
a second and then lifted it out all lively and kicking. If in doubt ask
the ferry load of passengers who witnessed the incident on Monday 21st.
x x x
SNAKE STORY
Once upon a time it was a local legend that there were no snakes on
Scotland Island. At least four residents who attended at the inaugural
meeting the Association testified to the fact that they have seen a
number of snakes on the Island this summer.
Forewarned is forearmed -- and after all they did have them in the
Garden of Eden.
BIRD STORY
A sleepy citizen and a sleepy Kookaburra both received a shock when
they came face to face on the Eastern side of the Island recently, Both
of them awoke with a start and a "Squark" but it is sad to relate that
although the citizen can now laugh about this experience the Kooka has
lost his most prized possession and now makes a noise like a Mopoke. It
seems he suffered the greater shock.
x x x
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS?
The Shire President and all 11 "A" Riding Councilors of Warringah Shire
have now boon invited to attend the Association's General Meeting.
Due allowance must be made for the fact that our meeting is being hold
during the Easter holidays period and our worthy representatives may
have made prior arrangements to be else where.
FAUNA AND FLORA.
At the invitation of the North Shore Fauna and Flora Association
extended to the President and Secretary the Scotland-Island Progress
Association we attended a meeting on March l7th called for the purpose
of forming a branch of the Society at Newport.
The meeting was addressed by Mr H.J.R.Overall President of the Society,
Councilor Corkory, President of the Manly-Warringahah Branch, Mr. Frank
Griffiths, Chief Guardian of Fauna and Mr. Miller, Secretary of the
Avalon Branch.
These talks were most interesting and indicated the important work the
Society does in preserving the lives of our native animals, birds,
trees and wildflowers. Encouragement is given in planting native trees
and flowers- and seedlings and seeds are supplied to interested persons.
In the Avalon district many white-gum trees are being planted as a
source of, food for Koalas.
We gathered that possums wore becoming rare in the Newport area so we
promptly offered to exchange some possums from the Island for koala
boars. There were no takers.
x x x
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
Have you returned your complete questionnaire form to Mackellar County
Council yet?
Until sufficient satisfactory replies are received by the Council a
full investigation of the matter cannot be made by the officials so
further progress in the matter rests in the hands of residents.
You will hear the latest information at the meeting on April 10th.
x x x
PUBLIC TELEPHONES.
Warringah Shire Council has voted to support the Association in its
activities toward securing public telephones at various points on the
Island.
Whore would YOU like the first one located? Tell us at the Meeting.
ADVERTISERS WANTED. FULL ISLAND COVERAGE. RATES ON APPLICATION .
POSITIONS VACANT
WANTED enthusiastic hard working persons to assume office in progress
association. All positions vacant as from 10th April and must be
filled. Remuneration will be in the form of personal satisfaction
arising from service to community. No bouquets but occasional brickbats
guaranteed. Apply ready to start at "Bangalla" 8 p.m. April, 10th.
x x x
SUPPER'S ON.
After the General Meeting of the Progress Association at "BANGALLA" on
April 10th light refreshments will be served.
It is hoped that all residents attending the meeting will stay on and
become acquainted with each other.
The ladies are requested to provide a "plate" towards the supper.
x x x
POSSIES FOR- PERMS.
Majority opinion of the Provisional Organising Committee is that
permanent residents should occupy the positions of President and
Secretary of the Association.
Keenest exponents of this theory are the Provisional Committee's
President and Secretary!
x x x
TO BAY OR NOT TO BAY?
A suggestion that the now progress Association should include residents
of the Western Shores and Bays was made at the Association's inaugural
meeting.
An alternative suggestion was also made that the Western Shores should
also form an Association thus permitting the two organisations to
co-operate on matters of mutual interest.
Island residents will have an opportunity of discussing the pros and
cons of these suggestions on April 10th.
THANK YOU
MR. and MRS. LUCAS.
Our thanks to Mr. and Mrs Leslie Lucas of "BANGALLA" for making their
historic old home available for the inaugural meeting of the Progress
Association and providing supper for the forty residents in attendance.
Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have also kindly offered their home for the next
General Meeting of the Association at 8 p.m. on April-10th.
TOM TAIT
for the preliminary work done prior to the last meeting with the
Warringah Shire, Mackellar County Council and the Water Board.
LEN BARNES...
for transporting so many residents to the last meeting.
MISS KERRIE LUCAS,..
for acting as Minute Secretary and providing an accurate record of
proceedings.
TED GILL.
for those fine -posters advertising the next meeting.
KEITH EGAN
for his offer of assistance with water transport to the next meeting.
BILL BAGNALL.
for his welcome contribution in providing paper and duplicating this
newsletter.
x x x
PLEASE PASS IT ON: We hope to have a copy of this newsletter delivered
to each house on the Island but it is inevitable that some residents
will not receive a copy. You can help the Association by passing your
copy on to any interested party and seeing they also attend the meeting.
x x x
N. E. STEEN., Provisional Secretary,
Scotland Island Fire Brigade
Great turn out for
Community Fire Briefing
Last Sunday morning almost 30 residents from around Bells Wharf attend
the RFS briefing at the Bells Wharf Community Fire Unit cabinet.
Stewart Hasell (Deputy Captain) and Peter Lalor (Captain) discussed
local fire risks, opportunities to join the Brigade and demonstrated
equipment stored in the cabinet.
Everyone enjoyed a hearty BBQ breakfast and coffee.
Ten residents expressed interest in joining the Community Fire Unit and
training to protect their homes and to support the regular Brigade in
emergencies.
Further
briefings are
planned for:
- Florence Terrace 10/12/17 8:30am – this Sunday
- Cargo Wharf 17/12/17 8:30am – next Sunday
- Western end of Elizabeth Park 14/1/18 8:30am
Residents near Bells have set the bar high for community engagement and
if these next briefings draw a similar response we can look forward to
a community that is well prepared for fire risks this summer.
Message from Paul Purvis
As some will know, I have a connection with Fiji.
The local indigenous people rely on the 'net to provide them with all
the information that used to be available from books at the local
schools. Much of that printed material was lost in the cyclone of 2016.
I have made it my
business to collect, erase and reinstall an operating system on old or
discarded laptops that offshore residents might have surplus to their
needs.
Can you help? I am happy to collect your 'newer than 10 year old'
laptop and to refurbish and take to Fiji. Any student given one of
these laptops will write to you to thank you for your generous
donation.
Thanks in advance
Paul Purvis
Elvina Bay
0403442764
XMAS Ferry Timetable
Gone Fishing...
going...going GONE !
Such a pity this was not
preserved.
So this is what working
closely with the community gets us ??
Many thanks to Phillippa
Thomas for the images
Reflection Exhibition
Including Marion vanden
Driesschen
Scotland Island Fire
Brigade Goodwill XMAS Lunch
December 25th from Midday
Booking essential - RSVP by 18th December at the
latest
Free 
Solid pine bookcase
- Stained dark mahogany colour
- Height 150cm, width 120cm, depth 32cm
- Excellent condition
- Moveable shelves.
Pick up from Lovett Bay.
Call Gayle on 0401 099 503.
House Swap
Mature couple looking to swap their 4 bedroom ski chalet in Whistler
Canada
Non simultaneously
Available from Feb 1 2018
Want to be on Scotland Island in November 2018
Photos available
Jeanine messeguer
Allenrochester@hotmail.com
Tinny for sale
With Evinrude 25
All ready for offshore living
$3300
contact Gareth 0406669686
Are you moving - free boxes
If anyone would like some heavy duty cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and
packing paper please call Sam this week on 0451 651606.
To collect from Richard Road, SI
A complete set of past electronic newsletters since May 2000 can be
found and read at https://ymlp.com/archive_gesgjgm.php or
by clicking
here or
by visiting the Mona Vale Library.
The Island website is at www.scotlandisland.org.au
To
Contribute
If you would
like to contribute to this newsletter it's easy!. Send an
e-mail to the editor (editor@scotlandisland.org.au) or by clicking here. Type your
contribution (100 words or so 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, it will
appear next month.
Subscription
Information
To get on and off
this newsletter, click
here or got to: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup
.
To change your
address, click the 'modify' link at the bottom of this
newsletter or send an email to the editor@scotlandisland.org.au
Follow the PON
The
Online Local Contacts Guide
Click HERE to load
The
views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the
Scotland Island Residents Association (SIRA), or
the Western
Pittwater Community Association (WPCA)
|
