Pittwater Offshore Newsletter-January 2006

History Corner

A writer in the Sydney Morning Herald of March 1867, after describing the beauty and fertility of the district near Pittwater, says:" It is evident that a large portion of the land was under cultivation at one time. No doubt the chief cause of the present inertia is to be found in the bad reputation of the district for agrarian outrages. The history of the Mona Vale case (the appalling persecution of new farmer James Therry) reveals a condition of society within a few miles of Sydney that might well deter persons from settling there. Although the arm of the law fell on some of the evildoers, there is now too much reason to fear that similar outrages will again disturb the district"

It is true that for a few years crime did continue to stain the fair name of beautiful Pittwater. For many months detectives were continually sent there. At one time six were reportedly camped on nearby Sheep Station Hill to watch for trouble. But, finally, active crime ceased and the district settled down to the quiet it still enjoys.

Although fear of further outrage did possibly discourage further farming in the area, there were other more potent reasons. The first sod of the building of the railway to the west had been turned in 1850 and this was beginning to offer farmers land that was more accessible and more easily cultivated. Ships were sailing to harbours on the rich South Coast and up north the Hunter Valley, with its rich pastures, was being divided among less wealthy settlers. It was inevitable that Pittwater, more suited to tourism because of its spectacular scenery than to long term farming was being abandoned for that pursuit.

For a few more years after the departure of the disillusioned James Therry and his family (rumour has it that he returned to Ireland) some farming was carried out. Therry's property was taken over by a man named Wilson who grew an excellent crop of oats on the flat land near Warriewood which was later called Brock's Flat after Henry Brock who was one of the last of the farmers. Sadly, some trouble still clung to Mona Vale. There were many waterholes on the flat and, during the harvesting of a large oat crop, one of Wilson's sons fell in the waterhole and drowned. The last owner of the farm was a Mr. Boulton and his wife who lived to the early 1900s loved to tell of her adventures when she used to take butter and eggs in the farm dray all the way to market in Manly.

Leicester Warburton

(NEXT MONTH: How useful is humility?)

Online Diary - Add your function

An online diary has been created for readers of this newsletter. This facility will allow you to enter details of any upcoming function that might be of interest to the offshore community. For example you might be having a BBQ to raise funds for the kindie. To let everyone know that you have "reserved" a particular day(s) simply find the date on the calendar and enter the detail. Then click submit at the bottom of the page. You can colour your entry, make an entry span over a number of days and much more.

You will need a username and password. The username is 'island' (without the quotes) and the password is 'island' (without the quotes.) Clearly you should only add items that are of interest to all of our community. Please remember these username and password for the future! Please write it down somewhere!

To add information about your function and to check what is happening in the offshore community, visit http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/calendar.htm or just click the link from the Scotland Island home page at www.scotlandisland.org.au

Congratulations Nicky Souter

Yachting Australia is pleased to announce that Nicky Souter (RPAYC - NSW) and Seve Jarvin (CYCA - NSW) have been selected as the skippers to lead the Australian teams in the 2006 ISAF Nations Cup.
As the defending nation in the Women's event, Australia receives direct entry to the Grand Final, which will be held in Ireland in September 2006.

Recycle your Plastic Shopping Bags!

For a limited time Pittwater Council is swapping unwanted clean plastic shopping bags for reusable calico bags. Until February 2006 you can receive a free calico bag for every 10 clean plastic shopping bags you bring to our Avalon or Mona Vale Customer Service Centres for recycling.

Enquiries: Rennae Projceski on 9970 1216

Scotland Island Traders - On-line shopping

from your computer, through your door on Scotland Island Starting mid January
Shop on-line at www.coles.com.au

First deliveries 21 January, 2006
Go to www.coles.com.au, register your details and then go shopping
www.coles.com.au offers all the great value items available from Coles Supermarkets and LiquorLand as well as the great specials offered from time to time. You will need to pay for your groceries at the time of purchase, on-line,
After completing your shopping, select the delivery time, date and contact details. You will need to complete your order by the Wednesday before Saturday’s delivery.
Delivery needs to be scheduled between 7am and 9am on Saturdays and contact details area: Graeme Richmond on 0419 460 331
The Coles delivery driver will contact Graeme half an hour before delivery on Saturday and he will then deliver your shopping to your kitchen.
Orders will be delivered to Church Point in Australia Post boxes and transferred into bags for delivery to the Island. Delivery fee from Church Point into your kitchen on Scotland Island is $6 per
Australia Post delivery box.
For details, contact Graeme on
0419 460 331 or email graeme.r@hotkey.net.au

Offshore anthology, last call

With the new year we are beginning the compilation and creation of the Offshore Anthology for launch at the Scotland Island Festival in 2006. It will be launched by the local Mayor of Pittwater and will be a real keepsake, with beautiful stories, and photos/artwork capturing the essence of our Offshore Life. If you have a story, photography or artwork capturing our island life, please contact me urgently. All those who have stories and poems and anecdotes on the way, please send now!!!! A writers get together to discuss the book will occur soon but you need to get onto our database if you'd like to like to be kept informed. Please contact Juliette Robertson at scotisle@tpg.com.au or phone 02 9979 2411.

Scotland Island Wall Calendar 2006

Purchase this limited edition wall calendar and be uplifted everyday by inspiring photos of our local kids being kids. There is a large date section to write important dates - great present for proud grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. You can view a couple more calendar photos by logging on to www.pittwatertradingonline.com.au and going to the “Noticeboard”. Reply to the ad for an order form, or email jillyb38@hotmail.com, or call 9999 4421. $12 each, 3 or more $10 each.

Missing Person - do you know her?

Do you know a Jane Elliott, winner of a prize in the kindy raffle? If so, please contact me by clicking here!

Carols @ Carols - wonderful!

The recently held Carols @ Carols was, as usual, a wonderful success. The musicians played with great skill, Santa arrived courtesy of the RFS, much to the delight of the many kids and a great time was had by all. Below are a few low resolution photos of the occasion

Scotland Island Infrastructure

We are continuing to seek commitments from Sydney Water to provide mains water and sewerage for Scotland Island. In addition we will be carrying out roadworks in 2006 to improve the worst of the Island's roads. The Environmental Infrastructure funding will assist with these works.

Australia Day Activities

Join the fun at Newport Beach Reserve, 7-10am for great family fun - Citizenship Ceremony, $2 breakfast, Thong Throwing competition, Bush Band, Face Painting, Flag Raising, Australia Day Ambassador, Kids’ Novelty Races and lots more!

Recycle Your Christmas Cards!

Close the recycling loop and turn your Christmas cards into packaging or 'SAFE' toilet tissue with 'Cards 4 Planet Ark'. Drop your cards into a 'Cards 4 Planet Ark' box at any Coles supermarket or place them in a free greeting card recycling envelope, available from participating Australia Post outlets. Your old cards can also be recycled using Council’s kerbside paper recycling.

Pittwater Council Newsletter - December 2005

SIRA President's Message for 2006

We wish a healthy and prosperous New Year to all our readers.

During 2005, SIRA’s 50th year, we’ve made excellent progress in promoting island issues, thanks to our talented and hard working SIRA Committee and to the support we’ve had from Pittwater Council, particularly the Mayor Alex Mc Taggart, our wonderful Councillors Lynne Czinner and Patricia Giles and the new General Manager, Mark Ferguson. SIRA is represented on two Portfolio Committees of Council and the Environmental Levy Committee. We are now firmly on Council’s radar. The full text of President Shar's message can be found by clicking here.

Congratulations to island sailors!

Special congratulations to island residents Kym Bermingham and Greg Roberts, for taking out the Australian Jubilee Championships (NSW division) held this last week in Sorrento, Victoria. Their beautiful little boat was handled with great skill by these not-as-young-as-they-once-were sailors!

The local guide

What's On in Pittwater - Self Editing Event Diary Click Here
Buy and Sell: Pittwater Trading Online or visit http://www.pittwatertradingonline.com.au
Local Real Estate Agents:

Botham 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, or email her by clicking here or Bronwyn.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au or

Local Transport: Scotland Island Community Vehicle: Info: click here. Phone 0404-103-700

Church Point Ferries (02-9999-3492) Manly Warringah Cabs (02-9997-9111) Palm Beach Cruises (02-9997-4815) Pink Water Taxi (0428-238-190)

Bed & Breakfast:	Scotland Island Lodge: or http://www.scotlandislandlodge.com.au (9979 3301)
Yacht Clubs	Woody Point Yacht Club or http://www.wpyc.com.au
Short Term Holiday Accommodation:	Pittpoint Cottage: (9997 8382)

Local Pittwater Studies Website: http://www.pittlink.net/ls

West Pittwater Community Association Monthly Minutes: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/wpca.htm

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

Emergency Scotland Island Water Contacts: click here for information (while online)

Airlines, Buses and Railways

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

Weather

Join SIRA You can now join the Scotland Island Residents Association by clicking here. Please print the page you see 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 Larry at larrye@aftrs.edu.au or click here or phone 02-9979-5026 for more information. (in revision)

Archived Newsletters A complete set of past electronic newsletters since May 2000 can be found and read at http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/newsletters/archive.html or by clicking here or by visiting the Mona Vale Library. The Scotland Island website is at www.scotlandisland.org.au

Spread the Word:

The future of this newsletter is in your hands. More than 700 residents and friends read this electronic newsletter monthly. Please tell your friends and neighbours to subscribe. If you are particularly literate in matters computing, you might like to help them follow the very simple path to subscription. It is easy to join. Simply click here to join, leave or change options or go to following address: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup

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, or to change your options, click here or got to: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup

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