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Scotland Island - Western Shores - Mackeral Beach

- March 2008 -

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia Volume 9, Issue 302 March 2008     

 
Editorial:

If you use rainwater for your water supply then you will have been very grateful for the recent flooding rains! Wasn't the waterfall at Salvation Creek just wonderful! Next month brings us closer to the Church Point precinct resolution and this newsletter will bring you all the action from PC as it comes to hand...

We now have a link that will allow Scotland Islanders to download a 'Water Agreement' for the emergency water supply. See the link in The Local Guide at the bottom of this page.

Contents:

  • Annual General Meeting - SIRA
  • Island Thinking
  • Syringes at Cargo Wharf, Scotland Island
  • Cartoon of the Month
  • Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade AGM
  • Want to do some local gardening work?
  • Mobile Massage in Elvina Bay
  • Church Point Ferries Announcement
  • Peninsula Music Club Proudly Present
  • ARTZPACE for local artists at Avalon Recreation Centre
  • Dowse Your House
  • Hatched:
  • Temporary Closure of Carols Wharf
  • NSW Waterways User Survey
  • New Web Page for Pittwater Libraries
  • Scotland Island Kindy Update
  • Pittwater Photoshop" in April @ the Pittwater YHA
  • Rain Delays Carols Wharf Rebuilding
  • Local Guide
  • Archived Newsletters
  • Your Subscription Information
  •  

    Cartoon of the Month

    Gwyn Perkins

    Download a full version of this months calendar, ready for printing - click the calendar image to the right
     

    Annual General Meeting - SIRA
    NOTICE

    The Annual General Meeting of the Scotland Island Residents’ Association (SIRA) will be held:
    ON: Sunday 6 April 2008
    AT: 10:00am
    IN: The Scotland Island Community Hall, Catherine Park, Scotland Island

    All residents are invited to attend. VOTING is restricted to financial members of SIRA. Current members are eligible to vote. Membership for the financial year 2008-2009 ($20) may be paid prior to commencement of the meeting. New 2008-2009 financial members are also eligible to vote.

    Order of Business:
    9:30am Morning Tea and Registration
    10:00am Commencement
    Welcome
    Previous Minutes
    President’s Report
    Treasurer’s Report
    Election of Office Bearers
    Reports (Roads and Drainage (Sharon Kinnison); Waste Management (Shar Jones); Water & Sewerage (Greg Roberts); IT & Communication (Lisa Macdonald); Community Vehicle & Other Vehicles (Gordon Floyd); Community Hall (Kerry Borthwick); Parks & Reserves (Shar Jones); Wharves, Boats & Marine Issues (Kerry Borthwick); Future Vision (Greg Roberts); Recycling & Waste Disposal (Lisa Macdonald); Finance & Insurance (Deryn Vokins); Emergency Water (Cass Gye); Meetings & Community Events (Lisa Macdonald); Kindergarten Liaison (Jon Hazelwood); SIRFS liaison (John Marshall); Media & Public Relations (Shar Jones); Church Point POM (Ian Souter); Bush Regeneration
    Other Business

    OFFICE BEARERS for 2008-2009 will be elected. To be eligible for election the individual must be a financial member of SIRA. Individuals must also be present at the meeting or have given written consent for nomination prior to the meeting. Written consent may be posted or emailed to SIRA or given to a meeting attendee.

    Positions are:
    President, Vice Presidents (2), Secretary, Treasurer, Ordinary Committee Members (9) including the position of Rural Fire Service Representative on the committee which is filled by the nominee of the SIRFS.

    NOTE that all Ordinary Committee members are required to take responsibility for the coordination and management of at least one particular area of SIRA’s activities. Relevant activities include: Emergency Water & Sewerage, Roads & Drainage, Community Vehicle, Wharves, Church Point Plan of Management, Green Waste, Community Hall, Communications, Island Vision, Finance & Insurance, Meetings & Community Events etc.

    For further information: Email SIRA at SIRAPittwater@hotmail.com, telephone the current Secretary (Kerry Borthwick) on 9999 4092 or write to SIRA at PO Box 70, Church Point, 2105

    Island Thinking - Reputation on an island

    Nothing highlights the value of a good reputation more than living in a tight-knit community. But what does a person’s reputation depend on? What kinds of behaviour are likely to give us a bad name? And what no longer matters to how our friends and neighbours see us?

    Roy Baker has spent the last six years studying personal reputation in Australia. His specialism is in defamation law, the legal protection of reputation. But how successful is the law in understanding contemporary values? How well do judges, lawyers and jurors relate to what ‘ordinary reasonable people’ think? And do you think you could do any better?

    This talk will summarise the results, as yet largely unpublished, of extensive research into attitudes across Australia. Using phone surveys and focus groups, as well as interviews with judges and lawyers, Roy believes he can demonstrate some surprising facts about how modern-day Australians think, as well as some worrying failings in the law. The repercussions of these are both immediate and major: they affect everyday perceptions of ourselves and our relationships with those around us, as well as our hopes for a freer and more enlightened society.

    ‘Research that puts a cat among the legal and media pigeons’ was how this work was described by ABC Radio National’s ‘Media Report’. And, according to a Senior Counsel, it is a ‘bombshell … it shows that one of the fundamental assumptions upon which defamation law has been built is misconceived. … There will be a lot of interest in this. The law can’t ignore it.’

    When? Saturday, 15 March 2008, 7.30 for 8.00

    Where? 10 Thompson Street (Lot 332), Scotland Island.

    Directions: this house, which used to belong to Jim Hinckley, is on the top of the island, looking north-east. It lies between the house that used to belong to Trudi (to the north) and the one where Claire and Luke Atkins live (to the south). As you go up the fire track that starts just behind the fire shed it is the second house on the left after the first hairpin bend. (There is likely to be a white Suzuki Vitara parked outside by the fire track.) Note that the only access is from the fire track: there is no access direct from Thompson Street. Please also be careful of trip hazards on our path leading from the fire track.

    RSVP: roybaker99@yahoo.com

    Contact no. in case of difficulty (eg in finding house): 9999 6891

    Please bring either a bottle or something edible (light finger food only please) to share.

    Syringes at Cargo Wharf, Scotland Island

    I am so disappointed to read of the child who found the syringe and needle at Cargo Beach.

    My own young children also love to play there as it is the closest place to our home for a quick dip on a hot day.

    Prior to Scotland island our family lived in Africa for 7 years where many people all around us – our colleagues, neighbours, the boy in the corner shop, the girl selling tomatoes on the street - were HIV positive. In such a devastating situation you learn to live with caution and a heightened awareness for health and safety. I helped my own house staff to understand the tragedy of HIV and explained to them safe practices which could prevent them from catching this deadly infection. I remember as a mother and school teacher, at home and school, we would all teach our children about ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ blood and that they must never touch someone else’s blood or any objects with blood on them.

    Coming to live on Scotland Island I think it took my husband and I at least 6 months to ‘relax’ and no longer lock all the car doors automatically upon entering or always be watching our backs for unexpected hostilities. Since I live here I have not felt the need to discuss the concept of ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ blood as regularly with my children. Just as I am finally considering myself to be reasonably ‘chilled out’  in this little patch of paradise we call home, I am saddened and disillusioned to discover that even here I will now need to limit the freedom of my children playful spirits because of the selfish, thoughtless and dangerous actions of others.

    In addition to this, we were disappointed last week to discover that the picnic table someone had kindly left at Cargo for community use had been damaged to the point where it is no longer useful. It seems such a shameful waste. Now, instead of sitting around a recycled table enjoying the beach with friends, we sit amongst its’ unsafe remains. Please, please everyone – young and old – take time to stop and think of the impact your actions have on others. There is no need for any more damage, hurt or destruction in this world. We should all be working together to preserve the beauty of what we still have and try to support the healing of our environment damaged through our own society’s selfish actions. I know this is a deep and big idea but it starts right here at home.

    I love this place. I choose to live here for the tranquillity of the bush and water, the people around me who all understand this and finally, because it seems safer, friendlier and less complicated than the suburbs. I really want it to stay that way – especially for all of our  children.

    SIRFB AGM

    The Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade cordially invites all members and friends to their Annual General Meeting, commencing at 2.00pm on Sunday, 9 March 2008, at the Station. Annual membership dues of $10 payable at the meeting. New members always welcome.

     

    Want to do some local gardening work?

    Alan & Marion Grundy at 71 Robertson Road (next west of Catherine Park) owners for the last 25 years are seeking a permanent part time helper for 2 days a week who enjoy the fruits of gardening , including mowing ,trimming ,building compost heap etc. etc . and maintaining the house .

    Please call on 94186871 or Email alangrundy@iprimus.com.au

    Mobile Massage in Elvina Bay
    Finally, there is a convenient way to pamper yourself off shore.
    Sydney Remedial Therapies (www.sydneyremedialtherapies.com) has opened its second clinic in Elvina Bay. Leave your car keys at home and hop in the boat or ferry for a short ride to Elvina Bay South jetty. Upon docking take a stroll through the park and you can relax among the gum trees with a Remedial Massage.
    Or for those who would rather relax in the comfort of your own home we also offer jetty-to-jetty massage at your doorstep.
    Take care of yourself and we will work out some of those sore muscles from lugging the groceries, fending off the rain, and hoping over boats at the commuter wharf. Relieve the stresses of work, the kids, the dogs, and LIFE by enjoying a relaxing treatment.
    What can you expect from a treatment?
    After filling out consultation details on your current state of health, and a short discussion about any affects your lifestyle would have on your well being, the appropriate therapy that best suits your needs will be developed. Assessing your posture and structural tests will pinpoint causes of your pain, injury or imbalance. From here you can lay back, relax and listen to soothing music while we do all the hard work.

    Health Fund rebates are available with most health funds
    Elvina Bay Clinic Rates – 30 min $40, 1hr $70, 90 min $90 and 2hrs $120
    Mobile Service 1 hr $105, 90mins $125 and 2hrs $155

    Call to Schedule Your Appointment – 9999-5223 (Available 7 days a week)
    GIFT VOUCHERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE

    Church Point Ferries Announcement

    Church Point Ferry Service is pleased to announce concession tickets for students.
    In addition to the concessions granted for Centrelink, War Widowers, Seniors and Concession card holders, we are also offering concessions to those holding a New South Wales Student Identification card for full time University or TAFE students, apprentices holding a 1st/2nd/3rd year Indentured Apprentice Card and we are resurrecting the 13 trip Concession card which should be available from the 14th of February.
     
    For more information please contact your Ferry Master or Penny on 0433 038 408.

    Peninsula Music Club Proudly Present
    TrioZ
    Australia’s most exciting new Piano Trio
    Featuring: Kathryn Selby Piano, Niki Vasilakis Violin, Emma-Jane Murphy Cello
    Performing works by Ross Edwards, Mendelssohn and Schubert
    Friday 7th March 2008 at 8pm
    Loquat Valley Prep School Hall
    1977 Pittwater Road Bayview
    Subscription to 5 concerts for 2008 $55 or $20 for single concert tickets. Includes Sparkling Wine Supper
    Ph Janice Tuynman 9999-1937 David Howe 9918-0550

    ARTZPACE for local artists at Avalon Recreation Centre

    Pittwater Council has set aside space at Avalon Recreation Centre for established and emerging artists to exhibit during January each year – and is now looking for artists to exhibit in 2009.

    Known as ‘ArtZpace’, the new project opened with an inaugural exhibition between 3 and 9 January this year at the Recreation Centre, containing works by four professional artists and twelve emerging or young artists.

    Artzpace was developed as a result of the Council’s five year Cultural Plan prepared in 2006. One of its key goals is for the Council to find ways to encourage artistic expression in the local community.

    The Council’s community development officer Susan Winter said last month’s exhibition had been so successful the Council was now looking to book the space for January 2009.

    “The idea behind ArtZpace is to encourage local artists to express their talents in a professional space at affordable rates at a time when there are plenty of visitors in the local area to appreciate their work,” she said.

    Ms Winter said ArtZpace 2009 would provide two applicants the opportunity to hire the whole of Avalon Recreation Centre and coordinate an exhibition of professional and emerging artists during the peak holiday period from Saturday 3 January to Thursday 8 January 2009.

    Ms Winter said the Recreation Centre was fully equipped with hanging systems and art screens to assist artists display their work to optimum effect.

    Applications to book Artzpace in January 2009 open on Monday 25 February and close on Tuesday 25 March. Contact Susan Winter on 9970 1171 or Judi Wilson on 9970 1273 during business hours to obtain an application form and information pack.

    Dowse Your House
    Author and international geomancer Alanna Moore will present a practical, hands-on workshop day where participants will learn about environmental impacts such as Earth energies, Electro-Stress and Building Biology, and find out how these can effect our wellbeing.
    Is yours a healthy home and what to do if it's not. Techniques of pendulum dowsing will be practised, including map dowsing for remote assessments (BYO house plan). Eco-architect Peter Cowman will also explain 'living architecture' and the tyranny of the box.

    Fee: $85/$75 conc.
    (BYO lunch)
    To book;
    email - shonaforsyth@yahoo.com
    hm: 9979 2296
    mble: 0425 277 596
    Enquiries: email - info@geomantica.com
    For more information: www.geomantica.com

    Hatched:

    Jon and Lizzie Hazelwood of Scotland Island - A daughter Jessica, sister for Megan. Congratulations!

    Temporary Closure of Carols Wharf

    Following earlier advice as to the closure of Carols wharf on Scotland Island, we have received this kind offer that may be of interest to you. If you ring, ask for Alan!

    If boat owners at Carols feel A temp tie up next to Tennis Wharf on the western side of Catherine would be useful please call me at 94186871 to set up a procedure

    NSW Waterways User Survey

    As a person who enjoys recreational boating, you may like to consider participating in important research into the introduction and spread of marine pests in NSW waterways. So, if you are a boat owner you can help by answering a 10 minute anonymous survey being conducted by Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority and NSW Department of Primary Industries. The results from the survey will help determine how marine pests could be transported into and among NSW waterways. There is no information being collected that will enable you to be personally identified.

    To participate in the survey, please go to www.asr5.com/boating . Further details and contact information are provided on the website. The last day to access and participate in the survey is 4th March 2008. You are thanked for participating in research that aims to maintain the health and vitality of our waterways.

    New Web Page for Pittwater Libraries

    After eighteen months in the making, Pittwater’s libraries have a new online presence that library staff say will help make using library services quicker and easier.

    The new library services web page will formally be unveiled to library users on Wednesday 5 March.

    Technology Services Librarian Marketa Vacek said the new web page contained features such as the ability to locate and reserve books or other items online, as well as renew items already borrowed.

    “Users can log on at home and browse the libraries’ catalogue which contains approximately 90,000
    items for loan,” she said.

    Ms Vacek said that borrowers could tap into the collections of Mona Vale Library and Avalon Community Library, and members of both libraries could access all the features of the website.

    Other features in the new online service include an ‘ask a librarian’ facility, where users can get help from library staff to locate information on various topics.

    The new web page contains links to the Council’s community directory, which contains contact details for community organisations and services, a local history page, reader’s advice, a What’s On section, as well as HSC resources for students among others.

    Library Manager Cathy Howie said the main improvement to the new site was the ability to find all library services online in the one place.

    “It’s a much more user-friendly site all round,” she said.

    The new library web page can be found at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/library

    Scotland Island Kindy Update 

    Greetings and welcome back to the new year.  With all the kids installed happily in school / kindy we hope to have time each month to update you on SIOCS activities. Scotland Island Kindy has had a big 12 months and we thought you might like to hear about some of our victories for last year and exciting plans for the year ahead.

    BUT: Due to the immense amount of interesting news, the editor of this esteemed newsletter has agreed to a special edition in 4 days time that will give you all the news! Stay tuned...

    Pittwater Photoshop" in April @ the Pittwater YHA

    Friday 18th & Saturday 19th April

    Come to the Pittwater YHA and join Sydney wildlife photographer Ken Griffith for photo walks & talks. The course is aimed at beginners through to intermediate level of photography. The emphasis will be on digital photography but those still using film and are ready to take the digital plunge will benefit greatly from this course.

    Cost: YHA Members $ 120 includes 2 night accommodation, Sat night meal, Sat and Sun breakfast, workshops.

    Bookings: phone Michael or Sarah 9999 5748 (8-11 am and 5-8pm)

    (BYO camera, questions and walking boots)

    Sarah Polomka, Michael Doherty Pittwater YHA
    Ph 9999 5748 (8-11 am and 5-8 pm)
    View Hostel details, travel information and book on-line via
    www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=31

    Rain Delays Carols Wharf Rebuilding

    The contractor performing the work at Carols Wharf has been held up to due to weather and other issues outside his control. Latest information is that it should remain open until Wednesday the 5th of March. However there may be further change due to weather.

    By prior arrangement Church Point Ferry Service will be able to pick up the children from Carols Wharf at 8.55 am on Wednesday the 5th of March but can’t guarantee that we can drop them back to Carols, however, Bells and Eastern can be used as alternatives.

    Penny Gleen Church Point Ferry Service penny_gleen@hotmail.com 0433 038 408

    The local guide

    What's On in Pittwater - Self Editing Event Diary Click Here  
    Scotland Island Traders - On-line shopping from your computer, through your door on Scotland Island. Contact Graeme on 0419460331 or click here for full details  
    Local Real Estate Agents:  
    View Real Estate L.J.Hooker Mona Vale
    PMC Hill (subscribe to their newsletter here) Pittwater Real Estate
    Government Organisations:
    Local Pittwater Council, or email them at pittwater_council@pittwater.nsw.gov.au  or by clicking here.
    Federal: Bronwyn Bishop, Member for Mackellar by clicking here or Bronwyn.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au
    State: Rob Stokes, Member for Pittwater, at pittwater@parliament.nsw.gov.au or by clicking here
    Local Transport: Scotland Island Community Vehicle: Info: click here. Phone (0404103700) Church Point Ferries (0408296997)  Manly Warringah Cabs (0299725600) Palm Beach Cruises (0299974815) Pink Water Taxi (0428238190)
    Local Accommodation
    Bed & Breakfast: Scotland Island Lodge: or http://www.scotlandislandlodge.com.au (0299793301)
    Yacht Clubs Woody Point Yacht Club  or http://www.wpyc.com.au 
      Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club or http://www.rpayc.com.au/
    Short Term Holiday Accommodation: Pittpoint Cottage:  (0299978382) Wiringulla Retreat (0299718375) or here
      Treetops on Towlers Bay' (0293322611) info@walkabouttours.com.au
    Budget Accommodation:

    On the doorstep of the Ku-ring-gai Chase N P: Pittwater YHA, Ph 0299995748 www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=31 

    Local Pittwater Studies Website: http://www.pittlink.net/ls
    Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade: http://www.sirfb.org.au

    Emergency Contact Numbers

    • NSW Police: 000, Police Assistance Line: 13 1444, general information 9281 0000
    • Broken Bay Water Police 9979 4944 or 0412 162 093
    • NSW Fire Service: 000, general information 9265 2999
    • NSW Ambulance Service: 000, general information 9320 7777
    • Rural Fire Service: 000, general information 9450 3000
    • State Emergency Service, Warringah/Pittwater SES: 9486 3399
    • National Parks & Wildlife Service: 000, general information 9457 9322
    • Dept of Community Services: general information 9977 6011
    • Sydney Water: 132 090
    • Energy Australia: 131 388, (ah) 131 909

    Membership of SIRA, Emergency Scotland Island Water Contacts and Application for Water + Guidelines for water, in one document: click here for information (while online)Download the Scotland Island 'Water Agreement' by clicking here (while online)

    Airlines, Buses and Railways

    Sydney Airport: Arrivals and Departures Qantas Information                    Jetstar Information Virgin Blue Information
    Sydney Buses Information.  Sydney Ferries Information City Rail Timetables & Information. Country Link Rail Timetable

    Weather

    Join SIRA You can now join the Scotland Island Residents Association by clicking here. Please print the page and return the completed form to SIRA at this address: The Treasurer, SIRA, PO Box 70, Church Point 2105. Please NO CASH. Contact SIRA at sirapittwater@hotmail.com Join WPCA

    To join the Western Pittwater Community Association, contact Michael Wiener at m2wiener@bigpond.net.au

    Archived Newsletters A complete set of past electronic newsletters since May 2000 can be found and read at https://www.ymlp.com/pubarchive.php?sira or by clicking here or by visiting the Mona Vale Library. The Island website is at www.scotlandisland.org.au

    Finally:

    If you would like to contribute to this newsletter it's easy!. Send an e-mail to the editor by clicking here. Type your short contribution (100 words 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 to your neighbours, 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.

    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

    Newsletter Design:Paul Purvis [0403-442-764]