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| - July 2009 - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Newsletter for Offshore Residents
of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 10, Issue 401 July 2009 |
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| Editorial: In this edition we include our SIRA President's report for 2009. It is important to recognise those who do all the hard works for this community, and to see just how the huge load is distributed amongst a few dedicated members, and as such, Bill's report is tabled in full in this newsletter. Following the submission of a number of letters from the offshore community that raised objections to the manner in which council has approached the issue of their On-Site Sewage Management Strategy, council has now agreed to a 3 month extension in time, for owners to submit their on-site wastewater inspection reports. See councils communication below. Last months Fireshed Dinner was a huge success with a record 140 people being treated to a wonderful Moroccan feast cooked up by Michelle and Nathalie and their helpers. A great time was had by all and congratulations to John and friends for their extraordinary efforts with the desert. It's not surprising they won the dessert bake-off contest! Photos of the night can be seen here. Also don't miss this months Christmas in July Fireshed dinner on Saturday, 4th starting at 7pm. $15 a head and don't forget to bring a small gift (under $10) for the Kris Kringle give away. Enjoy. Contents:
 SIRA Membership 2009 – 2010 and President's Report  The new SIRA membership year has begun! Membership applications and invoices have been sent to all residents, together with the annual SIRA President’s Report. Please complete and sign the application form and return with a cheque or money order for $20.00 to SIRA, PO Box 70, Church Point 2105 To keep you all up to date with important news and information, the return of the Membership Application with your current details is an essential part of our communication system and we value your support, so please complete and return asap. Here is a link to the Membership Application Form 2009-2010 and the SIRA Constitution, and the President's Report. You can contact SIRA by email sirapittwater@gmail.com or by mail PO Box 70, Church Point 2105 Note: Our email address has changed due to the amount of spam received at our hotmail address. Cass Gye 02 9979 5853 0418 220 107 P O Box 52 Church Point 2105 2009 President’s Report “Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it” George Santayana (not the guitarist) If Local Community Action (LCA) was a science I think we would have concluded by now that a necessary though not always sufficient condition for getting things done is for: (a) The whole local community to have a relatively united front and agreement (b) To understand the processes and priorities of relevant external bodies (e.g. local council) (c) To align (a) with (b) and communicate that fact in the most effective way possible Unfortunately, with the exception of some everyday inconveniences, life in the Offshore communities is generally too good and our normal busy lives too demanding for large numbers of community members to be continually passionately motivated in a united front to fight for local issues. Of course, we respond very effectively if threatened - witness for example the 1994 Fires, Currawong and the previous threats to loose parking at Church Point, but generally the mass energy and interest dissipates quickly. An alternative, though a usually less effective replacement for (a) above, is the persistence, over a long period of time, by a few “champions” to further a local cause. These people need our thanks and acknowledgement! The local issues that affect us (and their champions) are mirrored in the SIRA project teams:
Most of the above Projects have team members as well as a “team leader”. I do not have the space to list all their names, but I thank them all. If you think you can constructively contribute to any of the above please contact the team leader. You don’t have to be a committee member to contribute to these issues. It is very difficult to make headway on all these issues with volunteer time only. I have previously suggested that the community hold a meeting to choose one issue a year and then persevere as a whole until that issue is satisfactorily resolved. Of course, the challenge is that almost all of the above issues require ongoing attention be it ever so minor and, as famously said by General George Marshall, “the price of peace is eternal vigilance”, that is it is necessary to be always vigilant on several fronts. There is another impediment to getting things done. As said above, local and state governments are influenced by a united community sentiment, but unfortunately some people avoid meetings because they say that they do not like argument and controversy, which makes obtaining such united agreement very difficult. It is true that conflict resolution and negotiation skills are hard won and something which I think should be more effectively taught in school. In this regard our courthouses and parliaments are not good role models, based as they are on adversarial argument with winners and losers. Our common pattern of forcefully presenting a point of view to win a debate needs to be subsumed into a broader and more socially intelligent pattern of clearly and calmly expressing our varying views, as a sub-component to a more primary task of thinking creatively to design effective solutions to local problems that, as far as possible, encompass our varying viewpoints. Critical thinking is a great skill, but if your only tool is a hammer everything looks like a nail. Let me encourage you to participate more in community discussion and community action this year and bring at least two additional tools with you - creative design focused thinking with an ability to listen and where possible encompass the views of others in your solutions. Bill Gye June, 2009 Motor Vehicle Registrations Saturday , July 18 Where: SCOTLAND ISLAND FIRE STATION Time: 9am to 2pm Requirements: Rego Papers Plus: Your motor Vehicle $50.00 Per vehicle $10.00 S.I.R.F.B. TOTAL: $ 60.00 Please Note: This will be a once only inspection!! Please have vehicles in roadworthy condition Rejection slips will be issued for vehicles not conforming with RTA regulations CONTACTS: TIM BYRNE 0416 003 205 FIRE STATION 9999 4404 MULTiPLE ViSiONS An Invitation to view the works by; Paul Smith, Michael Kempson and Charles Arnot An exhibition about the artist as master printer; how being artists has informed their role as printer for other artists' works.  Opening Friday 24 July 2009, 6-8pm Manly Art Gallery & Museum 24 July - 6 September Click here to load the flyer Kindy News The children have been embracing a new rhythm at the Kindy. The new schedule creates the opportunity for the Possums (2- 31/2) and the Wallabies (31/2 - 5) to spend a couple of sessions each day with their age peers. This has allowed not only for some wonderful group efforts to emerge, but also for interactions between the groups to be nurtured. A highlight recently was when small groups of Wallabies cooked muffins and then set up picnic mats and invited a Possum each to join them for dining. Berkelow Book Fair:July 14,15,16 and 21, 22, 23 Open 8.00-10.00am, 3.30-5.30pm Come, support the Kindy and browse in our little book shop. Buy and/or donate a book. Thanks to Cher Bailey for the donation of the dolls house and furniture, and Poppy Fitzgerald for all the wonderful plastic food. The new items are being well used. If you have unwanted working CD walkmans we would love them for the children to listen to stories in quiet time. Please drop at the Kindy or call to arrange pickup! Thanks. SIOCS GREEN GROUP The Kindy Bush Care Group will be meeting the first Monday of the month again! Here’s your chance to learn what the native and weed species in your garden are; whilst helping make this area of the park even more beautiful! We will continue concentrating on weeding the exterior garden beds and path edges approaching the buildings. Monday 6th July, 9am to 12 noon Tools, bush care supervision, good people, and tea & cake provided. Meet us between the Kindy and Hall! Any queries please contact Emmie Collins 0405 330 781 URGENT NOTE TO PARENTS OF ACTIVE CHILDREN!! There have been sightings of some school aged children climbing and sliding down the shade sails at the Children’s Centre. This is an extremely dangerous activity and could lead to serious injury. If you are aware of any children participating in this activity or sight any children in the process, please caution them. It is also not helping the state of our shade sails!! Regards, Shona Forsyth Director On-site Sewage Inspection Extension Granted WPCA has negotiated an extended deadline for the on-site wastewater Inspection – now due on 30 September 2009 – see below response from Robina Warburton. From: Robina_Warburton/Pittwater_Council@pittwater.nsw.gov.au Date: 26 June 2009 4:37:22 PM To: m2wiener@bigpond.net.au Subject: request for extension to submit on-site sewage inspection forms Michael, Receipt of the submission from the West Pittwater Community Association dated 21June 2009 regarding the On-Site Sewage Management Strategy is acknowledged. I wish to confirm that Council raises no objection to the Association's request for a three month extension of time in which owners are to submit the completed on-site wastewater Inspection Report forms. Therefore, the owners that have not yet had their on-site system inspected by a third party and reports submitted to Council are to do so by 30 September 2009. As discussed today, all high risk (water/creekfront) properties require an inspection to be undertaken every year. This means that where a high risk property was not inspected during the 2008/2009 financial year it will now be necessary for the property to be inspected twice during the 2010/2011 financial year. Yours Faithfully, Robina Warburton Principal Environmental Health Officer Pittwater Council phone: 9970-1141 fax: 9970-7150 office: 5 Vuko Place, Warriewood NSW 2102 mail: PO Box 882 Mona Vale NSW 1660 DX: 9018 Mona Vale Internet: www.pittwaterlga.com.au <http://www.pittwaterlga.com.au> Clean Up needs you Help  Dear Friends of Clean Up As Clean Up celebrates the 20th anniversary of our flagship campaign it's clear that the environment is top of mind with communities right across the country. What's also clear is that we cannot simply depend on our governments to take the lead where action is needed to reduce our environmental impact. Communities need our help. Clean Up Australia Day is our powerful flagship event but every day is Clean Up Day for us. From day one, our mission has been to inspire people to come together and take charge by arming them with simple and easy-to-achieve actions. Collectively we have jolted governments, industry and our fellow Aussies into action. Today Clean Up is one of Australia's most recognised and credible brands. One in three Australians has participated in a Clean Up activity; supporting our call for action because what we offer is simple, non-confrontational and brings tangible results. And we need your help. A donation to Clean Up will assist us to work with communities as we help them learn to live with the challenges that a changing climate will bring. Clean Up Australia is ahead of the pack in our ability to mobilize hundreds of thousands of Australians to produce fundamental, positive change. Donations received during the past twelve months have assisted our volunteers around the world to:
What's next:
To make a donation on-line click here To make a donation by phone give us a call on (02) 8197 3400 Australians are proud of the beauty of our natural habitat. We enjoy sharing it with the millions of visitors who come here very year. But, there is no denying that the Australian landscape we love is under threat from the challenge of our generation - climate change. Every one of us can make a difference. Join me today by donating to Clean Up. With kind regards, Ian Kiernan AO Chairman of Clean Up Australia Local Council Notices  SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN IN UPGRADED CENTRE Places are now open for primary school-aged children to attend the July school holiday program at Pittwater Council’s Coastal Environment Centre. The school holiday program runs between 14 and 24 July and has great activities with an environmental focus. This school holiday program will also be one of the first events held in the newly upgraded Coastal Environment Centre. The Centre has been undergoing renovations for the past month, aimed at making the building more sustainable and attractive to users. Improvements include a sustainable sisal-type floor covering made from cactus husks and a mini ‘eco-cinema’ for film and DVD screenings with theatre-style seating and surround-sound. Pittwater Council’s Natural Environment & Education Manager Mia Dalby-Ball said the school holiday program offered a combination of art, craft, adventure, discovery and learning activities in small groups. Highlights include:
Each activity is led by an enthusiastic and experienced educator. The Coastal Environment Centre is located at Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen. For more information or to book a place visit www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/cec or call the Coastal Environment Centre on 9970 1675. RESULTS IN ON WATER USE SURVEY Pittwater Council has released the results of its second water survey of residents, which was conducted last month. The survey was held as part of the NSW Government’s Water for Life campaign, which aims to promote water conservation education across the state. Natural Environment & Education Manager, Mia Dalby Ball said the results would assist the Council in planning Pittwater’s water needs over the next ten years. “It’s essential we get an accurate picture on how residents use water, given the pressures of drought and the threat of climate change,” she said. “Over 90% of those surveyed said they consider water conservation critical or very important.” Ms Dalby-Ball said there had been a slight drop in the number of people concerned about having enough water in the future, (91% of respondents compared with 98% in 2007, when the first survey was conducted). “This change may be in part due to Council’s recent water recycling projects,” she said. Ms Dalby-Ball said that close to 9 out of 10 residents responding to the survey were aware of how much water their household used and around half acknowledged that they could do more to save water. “Most reassuring was that almost all respondents (97%) said that they were taking steps to conserve water, slightly higher than the previous survey in 2007 (91%),” added Ms Dalby-Ball. The May survey was conducted online on the Council’s website and attracted 235 respondents. For more information about water saving tips visit www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment Water for Life information kits with free shower timers are available at Council’s customer service centres at 1 Park Street, Mona Vale and 59a Barrenjoey Road, Avalon. Media contact: Mia Dalby-Ball, Pittwater Council Ph: 9970 1369 COUNCIL COMMITTED TO PREVENTING OVER DEVELOPMENT AT CAREEL BAY Pittwater Mayor David James announced today that Council is committed to continue working with the community on ensuring that any future development of Careel Bay is conducive to its sensitive environment. Cr James statement follows a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal on a point of law in favour of the applicant Austral Monsoon. In February 2006 the NSW Planning Minister refused a Development Application by Austral Monsoon for expansion of the Marina in Careel Bay. Austral Monsoon appealed this refusal and in March 2007 Pittwater Council supported its community and resolved to participate with the NSW Department of Planning in the court hearing of the appeal. Cr James said the decision of the Court of Appeal on the point of law is a setback, however we will continue to vigorously support the Minister’s decision to refuse the application as I am sure will the community. “The Court of Appeal’s decision means that the application will be referred back to the Land and Environment Court to consider its merits.” “Council will continue to work with the NSW Department of Planning to demonstrate that the development is inappropriate in line with the Minister’s original refusal,” added Cr James. Austral Monsoon’s proposal includes a new marina building with a 24-berth floating marina. Mayor James acknowledged the local community in their continued fight to prevent over development at Careel Bay. Media contact: Steve Evans, Pittwater Council Ph: 9970 1133 ENTRIES OPEN FOR SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS Pittwater Council announced today the inaugural Sustainability Awards. The awards are to recognise and reward residents and businesses who are committed to making Pittwater sustainable. Entries are being sought in three categories; ‘sustainability in design’, ‘sustainability in business’ and ‘sustainability in landscaping’. Pittwater Mayor, Cr David James said the awards formed an important part of Pittwater’s efforts to minimise its environmental footprint as outlined in the 2020 Strategic Plan. The sustainability in design category will focus on recognising architects, owner-builders and designers who have developed buildings with sustainable features. Entries can include new residential buildings, extended, renovated or refurbished buildings, medium density housing and commercial premises. Sustainability in business will offer awards to both small (less than 20 employees) and medium to large businesses (over 20 employees) who have become more sustainable through innovations involving staff, resources or new business practices. The sustainability in landscaping category will recognise homeowners, landscape architects, landscapers or garden designers who have committed to making Pittwater more sustainable through landscaping and gardening. This may involve practices such as designing gardens to be drought-resistant, creating vegetable gardens or havens for native wildlife and birds. All entries for the awards must be within Pittwater and be submitted by 15 August. Awards will be announced at a special ceremony in October. Entries can be submitted online at the Council’s website www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au Nomination forms are also available from Council’s customer service centres and libraries at Mona Vale and Avalon. Alternatively, entries can be hand delivered to Simonne Shore or via mail to PO Box 882 Mona Vale 1660. Media contact: Paul Reid Ph: 9970 1102  Waterfront JazzSunday, July 5 The next Jazz on the Waterfront concert at Church Point will be held on Sunday, July 5, weather permitting. The concert, which begins at noon, will feature The Offbeats, with Evan Harris on sax, Brendon Paul on drums and Tom Gatward on bass guitar. The concert will be held near the waterfront Store/Cafe. Author Talk@ Mona Vale Library  Rudd's Rise and Howard's Fall Mona Vale Library will host an Author Talk with renowned journalist Peter Hartcher on Tuesday 7 July at 6.30pm. His book, To the bitter end. The dramatic story behind the fall of John Howard and the rise of Kevin Rudd has been described as ‘the real story behind closed doors’. To the bitter end is a penetrating, riveting and revealing exploration of an election year when the political stakes had never been higher. The book covers the tumultuous year of 2007 in the ranks of the Liberal Party, in the back rooms of the ACTU and the campaign war room of the Labour Party. With unprecedented access to key players and countless hours of confidential interviews, Peter Hartcher reveals how Kevin Rudd secretly forged his alliance with Julia Gillard to topple Kim Beazley. He also exposes the way Labor’s factions intimidated Rudd. The book also lays bare the unending struggle between John Howard and Peter Costello for control of the national budget. Peter Hartcher is the political and international editor of the Sydney Morning Herald. He is also the chair editor of the Australian foreign affairs journal The Diplomat, and a visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Politics in Sydney. The author has been cited as one of the most objective opinion-setters in the country in a 2007 independent survey of Australian pundits. Peter Hartcher’s Author Talk will begin at 6.30pm at the library in Park Street, Mona Vale. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 9970 1600. The admission fee which includes light refreshments is $7.50 or $5.50 concession (please show cards at the door). This talk is filling up quickly. Those who have already booked, need to pay within 3 days to confirm booking Media contact: Catherine Buddin, Librarian Ph: 9970 1605 The True Story of Butterfish Curtis Holland is no longer a rock star! His dad is dead. His wife has left him and his life is a mess. The Daily Telegraph Big Book Club selection for July is The True Story of Butterfish, by award winning author Nick Earls. Curtis is the kind of guy most of us know, and plenty of us are. He’s not exactly sure where he’s heading, and he’s not exactly sure where things went wrong. He’s working from home, thinking too much, eating too much. Curtis, unlike most of the rest of us, is also a burnt-out rock star. With album sales of twenty million behind his band, Butterfish, imploded, first privately and then publicly. Curtis moves back to Brisbane to reconnect with his brother, Patrick, and work as a music producer from his home studio. Curtis pictures himself as a recluse, with a house on the edge of town, but then he meets his neighbours, Kate, Annaliese and Mark, who perplex and draw him in, each in their own way. He begins to live a life far removed from the incessant clamour of touring, until Derek Frick, Butterfish’s lead singer, reappears, apparently still intent on living the rock god cliché to the max . . . Nick Earls is the author of twelve books, including bestselling novels such as Zigzag Street, Bachelor Kisses, Perfect Skin and World of Chickens. Zigzag Street won a Betty Trask Award in the UK in 1998, and is currently being developed into a feature film. Perfect Skin was the only novel nominated for an Australian Comedy Award in 2003, and has recently been filmed in Italy. He has written five novels with teenage central characters. 48 Shades of Brown was awarded Book of the Year (older readers) by the Children’s Book Council in 2000, and a feature film adapted from the novel was released in Australia by Buena Vista International in August 2006, and has subsequently screened at festivals in North America and Europe. Nick has an honours degree in Medicine from the University of Queensland, and has lived in Brisbane since migrating as an eight-year-old from Northern Ireland in 1972. Meet and hear Nick Earls at the following literary event: WEDNESDAY 8 JULY Time: 6.30pm (wine & Cheese evening) Venue: Mona Vale Library, Park St, Mona Vale Cost: $7.50 or conc. $5.50 Bookings: 02 9970 1600 Nutrition & Exercise: The Facts Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it...don''t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap. Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable slop. Q: Is beer or wine bad for me? A: Look, it goes to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As we all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three categories: animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not animal, and they are not on the periodic table of elements, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice: Have a burger and a beer and enjoy your liquid vegetables. Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat; your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one etc. Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? A: You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you? Q: What's the secret to healthy eating? A: Thicker gravy. Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach. Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: Are you crazy? HELLO..... Cocoa beans ... another vegetable! You Asked.. Community Radio needs you help FBi NEEDS YOUR HELP FBi was founded all the way back in ‘03 with a mission to bring you the best new music and emerging sounds from Sydney, Australia and overseas In the last five years FBi has grown into a damn fine music station that is proudly independent and not-for-profit. We don’t get millions of dollars from the government to help pay our bills and sponsorship only covers about half of our running costs. Your financial support is what keeps us broadcasting loud and clear across Sydney. If you are interested, go to the following web site to find out how you can help http://www.fbiradio.com/content.php/468.html
For Sale If you have something for sale that you think locals would like - let us know and we will put a SINGLE line entry in the PON at the beginning of each month...
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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 the Western Pittwater Community Association (WPCA) |
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