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| January 9, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Newsletter
for
Offshore Residents
of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 12, Issue 545
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Editorial A belated happy new year to everyone, yes we are finally back up and running again. To all those people that sent emails only to have them bounce back, please send them again as your involvement in the PON is vital. By all accounts most have had a tremendous festive season, and as is becoming the custom around here, the offshore community set the standard for celebrations with the outstanding performances from the Floating Choir, the Island Dog Race which attracted an enormous crowd this year and of course the new and very promising Gone Fishing gallery offering entertainment at Church Point on the Christmas eve. For those interested, here are the links to the offshore photo gallery with photos covering these events. Note there are more floating choir photos to come - also, there is a link to short compilation video (only a few minutes) of the Floating Choir at Frog Hollow ! Scotland Island Dog Race Photo album or Slideshow version Floating Choir Photo Album Short Video of Floating Choir Penny of Church Point Ferry Service is working on a history of the boats, crew and ferry service, and is looking for material to be included - if you have any photos, or interesting anecdotes about our colourful ferry drivers please contact Penny at penny@churchpointferryservice.com - 0433 038 408. The article come tribute to Lenny Duck and the Elvina printed below may spark your memories, and hopefully allow Penny to build an accurate history of the service. Enjoy Contents
 Scotland Island Children's Centre Looking for Director and Childcare Worker  FerryTales…  The Elvina, the Falcon, and Driver Lenny Duck Before the Community Centre and fire brigade, before electricity connection and Tarrangua, before Eastern and Bell Wharves, and even before the Sydney Harbour Bridge… there was the Elvina. Our old girl is approaching 100 years. She has much to celebrate. The Elvina is the longest serving passenger ferry in NSW and her story is rich. Jimmy Goddard’s granddad built the Elvina in 1911 at Palm Beach. She was built for the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company, and originally named the “Falcon.” She has been plying the waters of Pittwater ever since. The Church Point Ferry service began in 1924. One of the first drivers was a demobbed Norwegian seaman, Einar Holst Fredriksen, AKA Fred. But motor forward a couple of decades. It’s World War II. All dinghies, skiffs and yachts were to serve the war effort. The Elvina (then Falcon) played her part moving troops to the gun emplacements on West Head, not to mention most people around Pittwater. Post war, December 1951 to be precise, E.H. Caldwell of Church Point purchased the Falcon. Her moniker was soon the Elvina, named after Pittwater’s Elvina Bay, serviced by the Church Point Ferry Service. The best known of the ferry drivers was Mr. Lenny Duck. Lenny was a lived locally, driving the ferry prior to the existence of water taxis. He was himself a taxi of sorts. Early flights, medical emergencies, out of hours issues, Lenny could be enticed out of bed to help. And there were the regular after-hours runs. Tanya Mottl worked at a Newport restaurant. After work Lenny picked her up – as long as she brought him a dessert or two. Margaret Molloy remembers Lenny delivering mail and taking the Molloy family back to Church Point after the last ferry. He thought they were having such a good time he couldn’t possibly take them away before dark. Reminiscing about the Elvina, it’s only right to linger long on driver Lenny Duck. He loved the old girl, and to this day the Elvina is moored outside the house where he lived. When Lenny decided to retire, the Elvina was brought out for his last shift. Lynne and Michael Clay, long time resident of Elvina Bay, wrote an ode to the man, which she has kindly allowed us to use. It too is part of the Elvina’s 100-year story: “Through rain, hail, lightning, sunshine, bushfire smoke, moorings too close together – From southerly busters, howling nor-Easters, hot summer nor’ westers that sear the inside of your nostrils and threaten bushfires with every gust, to the bitterly cold winter westerlies that dry out your lips and hands till they split…. The weeks of rain where you got soaked tying up the ferry and collecting fares - Here’s to a very special man – a man who wore shorts right through winter, and to days when there weren’t any outboard motors of tinnies, no electricity, a monthly garbage service, when we all tied our putt putts to Church Point Wharf and parked our cars between the Pasadena and the Blacklers boatshed (now the mini- market)  To the sounds of the World War II air raid siren at the old Fire shed… which still make the hair stand up on the back of my neck! And do you remember Denis Ryan playing the double bass and the bagpipes as he travelled around the bays on the back of the ferries? Or when the Elvina had no wheel-house and you had to drive with the front window down because the spray on the window made it hard to see - needless to say you and the passengers got wet, but never a complaint - You have seen all these things and more. Here’s to the Beaver, Wagstaff, Church Point, Curlew, and Elvina and here’s to you. Our heartfelt thanks for being such a thoughtful considerate and helpful friend over the thirty plus years we have known you."
Mona Vale Library has a number of events taking place in January that will suit both children and adults. Library Manager Cathy Howie said that one of the highlights would be craft workshops that are suitable for both primary-aged and older children. “The workshops focus on making ‘softies’ that are the latest rage in stuffed toys,” said Ms Howie. “Softies have been described as handmade and unique and only limited by one’s imagination,” Ms Howie said. Details of the workshops are as follows: Design a rabbit – Learn how to create a funny bunny 19 January 2011 Ages 8 – 12 years 9am – 11.30am Sampler Cat – This quirky cat teaches sewing techniques used in softie making 20 January 2011 Ages 12 – 18 years 9am – noon The workshops are $10 and are limited to 10 participants; bookings are essential on 9970 1600. Workshops include a morning snack, but participants are asked to bring a drink. Children involved in the Sampler Cat workshop can also bring any colourful ribbons or favourite buttons that they may wish to use on their ‘softie’. Another highlight of summer activities at the library is a photo competition for children under 18 years of age. The library is looking for images of unusual or interesting mailboxes. Local Studies Librarian Sarah Thompson said that the photographs entered would be added to the library’s local history collection. “A selection of the photos will be displayed in the library as part of a collage,” she said. Ms Thomson said each photograph submitted would be entered into a prize draw raffle. Entry forms will be available at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/library from 1 January 2011. Other activities over January at the library include a free photographic exhibition to celebrate the National Heritage Festival called The Home Front: Life in Pittwater during World War Two. The exhibition showing photographs of everyday life in Pittwater during the war will include anecdotes and oral history excerpts. The exhibition runs from Wednesday 5 January to Monday 31 January 2011. Sarah Thompson, Mona Vale Library Ph: 9970 1607 Council adopts Great Mackerel Beach Flood Plan At its meeting this week Pittwater Council adopted the Great Mackerel Beach Floodplain Risk Management Plan. Mayor Harvey Rose said the Great Mackerel Plan was the first in a number of flood risk management projects that Council was reviewing. Others include Mona Vale/ Bayview, Nareen Creek at North Narrabeen and Narrabeen Lagoon. “The primary aim of these plans is to reduce risk to people and property in Pittwater and ensure that future development takes into account any flood risk,” he said. “Adopting the flood plan for Great Mackerel Beach was a priority, given flooding has occurred there on a number of occasions, causing property damage and potential risk to life,” added Cr Rose. Cr Rose said that there were a number of issues raised by residents during the consultation period which included a community information day held earlier this year. These included investigating:
Cr Rose said that while flooding is nothing new for Pittwater, climate change could mean that local floods will be higher and more prolonged in the future. “This in turn may impact on more properties.” The Council’s review of its flood plans takes into account benchmarks set by the state government’s Sea Level Rise Policy that was adopted last year. The policy assumes a sea level rise of 0.4 metres by 2050 and 0.9 metres by 2100 along the NSW coastline. To view the Great Mackerel Beach Floodplain Risk Plan www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au Jennifer Pang, Ph: 9970 1209 Celebrate World Wetlands Day Pittwater Council is organising a free twilight walk in the Warriewood Wetlands to celebrate World Wetlands Day on Friday 4 February 2011. Natural Environment & Education Manager Mark Beharrell said the twilight walk led by a Coastal Environment Centre educator forms part of the Sustainable Living in Pittwater Program. “The walk will give residents the chance to explore the largest remaining sand plain wetland in northern Sydney, “ he said. “There is an abundance of bird life in the Warriewood Wetlands which contains several endangered ecological communities which includes the swamp mahogany forest,” said Mr Beharrell. “The walk takes in the wetland boardwalk and shows some of the design features used in managing water quality and restoring habitat near new housing developments in the valley,” he said. Mr Beharrell said the walk would provide a memorable opportunity to learn about wetlands and the creatures that live in them. He said families and accompanying children are welcome on the walk, which will meet at Katoa Close, Warriewood at 6pm. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, bring a rain jacket and wear insect repellent. Book online at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/cec or call 1300 000 CEC (232) Media contact: Sharon Kinnison, CEC Educator Mobile: 0438 719 764 Life in Pittwater during World War II Never before seen images from World War II and anecdotes from those who lived through it are a highlight of Mona Vale Library’s latest exhibition. Amazing Stories is on display at the library until 31 January to celebrate The National Trust’s Heritage Festival for 2011. Library Manager Cathy Howie said the photographic display which includes anecdotes and oral history excerpts brings together the memories of Pittwater residents who lived through World War II. “These residents lived through rationing and the ever-present threat of a Japanese invasion,” she said. Other memories shared as part of the exhibition include the presence of barbed wire on our beaches as well as recalling the servicemen and women stationed in the Pittwater area. Ms Howie said the images show the fortitude and resourcefulness of Pittwater residents during World War II. Mona Vale Library is located at 1 Park Street Mona Vale. Media contact: Sarah Thomson, Mona Vale Library Ph: 9970 1607 The Russcraft 7 A day yacht Down Under by John D. Little  Pittwater is a spacious natural harbor situated about three hours’ sail north of Sydney, Australia. The eastern shore is crowded with houses, yacht clubs, and marinas. Half a mile across the water, the western side rims the vast Kuringai National Park. This is untouched wilderness, save for a half-dozen tiny communities dotting the water’s edge. At the southern end of Pittwater lies Scotland Island, home to a thousand souls. The only way to get to these places is by water. So, those who choose to live there generally have an uncommon love of boats. Greg Roberts has lived on Scotland Island for 15 years. He’s sailed and built boats all his life, includ- ing canoes, rowing sculls, sailing dinghies, and his outboard-powered commuter boat. All of his boats are made of wood. Once a week Greg has been crewing aboard a Jubilee-class sloop in an informal ’round-the- buoys series. The Jubilees are 18' open centerboarders designed in 1935 as one-design racers. They’re lovable, but no match for modern boats. While Greg has enjoyed the Jubilees, at about the beginning of the new millennium he began to ponder the idea of building a day- sailer of his own—something like a Jubilee, only much faster, with more room and “something where I wouldn’t get my head knocked off every time we go about.”....... You can read the rest of this fascinating pre-production article about the making of the Pegasus III by downloading the PDF file here - The Russcraft 7. Also photos of launching day of Pegasus III can be viewed at the Offshore Gallery - go to this link - http://picasaweb.google.com/offshoregallery/PegasusIIILaunch2009# BYRA Twilight Sailing Invitation to join Tuesday evening sailing  Found Silver Wrist Watch Contact Phillippa Thomas............0407 244 677 House Swap Wanted to swap late May/Early June a beautiful Georgian home in Perthshire, right in the heart of Scotland, UK. My folks are looking for a 4-5 week swap (including car) for a house on the Island or Bays (including boat!) They need a place with at least 3 bedrooms and ideally 2 bathrooms. The house in Scotland is newly renovated (3 beds/2 bath), central and well appointed. Only 45 min from Edinburgh or an hour from Glasgow - the house is well situated to explore Scotland. Perthshire is also the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and has a many quality local food and farm shops. If anyone is interested please ph or email Col on 0412 294 216 / colin@ehsproject.com The Local Guide Community Information
Transport
Real Estate
Services, Clubs & Accommodation
Island Classes (Fitness, Dance, Art etc)
Groups
Government Organisations
Airlines, Buses and Railways
Weather Scotland Island Tides, Moon phases, Sun rise & set Local Weather Forecast Radar weather for Sydney (128k circle) Emergency Contact Numbers
Archived Newsletters 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  The Online Local Contact 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)
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