Pittwater Offshore Newsletter

ANDREW THOMPSON'S LINK WITH THE ISLAND

When Andrew Thompson died on October 22, 1810, at the age of 37, Governor Macquarie attended his funeral as Chief Mourner. The rigidly conservative and influential preacher, the Reverend Samuel Marsden stayed on his plebe, the land attached to his parish church at Parramatta. Not even death could persuade him to give public recognition to "an evil-liver" for Marsden believed that his superiors in England would never approve of him associating with an ex-convict. He felt that this disapproval might not only besmirch his sacred character but also cause him to lose the respect of the people under his care. Such were the religious intolerances of the time.
A few days later, the Sydney Gazette, which was edited by an emancipist like Thompson, wrote of Thompson's success in accumulating considerable property after his early lapse of rectitude. Only just under 10 months earlier, on January 1 of the same year, Macquarie had rewarded Thompson for his many community services with the grant to him of Scotland Island for an annual rent of three shillings. (See attached historic draft of the official agreement. Note the Government's right to "make a public road"!)

At Thompson's funeral Macquarie paid generous tribute to Thompson saying "This most useful and valuable man closed his earthly career on the 22° day of October at Windsor of which he was the principal founder in the thirty-seventh year of his age with the hope of eternal life". In this way Thompson's death became the occasion for the first statement that the country belonged to deserving emancipists. At the same time Governor Macquarie identified himself more closely with their aspirations by earlier writing a tribute to Thompson in which he pointed out that "by persevering industry and a diligent attention to the command of his superiors he had raised himself to that state of respectability and affluence . His appointment as a JP also helped to restore him to that rank in society he had forfeited".

These words made a profound impression on the grateful Thompson that he bequeathed a quarter of his fortune of 36,000 pounds (the equivalent of millions today) to the governor. His estate had included 1585 acres of prime land. A distillation of Macquarie's words appeared on Thompson's headstone.

As for the Reverend Marsden, 20 years later, in the district where he had taken his unforgiving stand against Thompson's lapse from rectitude, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

NEWS RELEASE

BROADBAND SUCCESS FOR SCOTLAND ISLAND

Pittwater Council recently initiated a “Smart Community” pilot project in conjunction with the Scotland Island Residents Association (SIRA). The “Smart Community” concept has been developed in Canada and Northern Europe, and is based on a community-wide internet connection allowing people to use the internet to conduct business and social activities as it best suits them. It is a concept which is particularly applicable in remote areas and/or areas such as Pittwater where public transport services are poor.

As part of the ”Smart Community” initiative (SIRA) and Council have been working with Telstra to investigate providing high-speed internet access to Scotland Island and the western foreshore communities.

SIRA and Pittwater Council were concerned at the lack of ADSL in areas within Pittwater, and the difficulties this was causing people wanting to work and study from home. After discussions between SIRA, Council representatives and Telstra to try to achieve broadband access to the island and parts of the western foreshores, Telstra has agreed to work on solutions to provide this access.

As part of this process residents of Scotland Island and the western foreshores have been requested to complete a “Demand Register”, to give Telstra an indication of potential take-up of broadband access in these areas.

Telstra North Region General Manager, Tamara Fisher, has announced that Telstra is working on solutions to provide access to ADSL for 60 per cent of Scotland Island, as well as for Lovett Bay and Elvina Bay, by the end of July. The remaining 40 per cent of the island is undergoing a technical evaluation to see what is required to bring ADSL to this area.

Pittwater Council’s Mayor Lynne Czinner said: “This is wonderful news for the communities of Scotland Island and Lovett and Elvina Bays. One of the major benefits of this access is the opportunity it affords residents to work from home. We fully encourage this – it is, in fact, part of our own Transport Policy and the SHOROC Regional Transport Policy, as it reduces traffic congestion on our roads.

“These offshore communities of over 1,000 people regularly use the internet for local communications and also for working and studying from home. The Smart Community concept is a way of getting like-minded members of communities in touch with each other via the internet, for mutual benefit. We want to encourage our Smart Communities to discover the opportunities to share knowledge and information with each other. The possible benefits to communities like Scotland Island and the western foreshores are enormous”, said Mayor Czinner.

Telstra is holding an Information Day on Scotland Island on Saturday 3 July, to inform residents of progress and to answer general questions about ADSL.

Not too late to get ADSL

Scores of offshore residents have applied to Telstra for ADSL availability via the special newsletter you received recently. Without commitment to anyone, these residents will get ADSL very quickly. They will be able to select their own Internet Service Provider and enjoy the benefits of 'always-on 'high-speed' internet connections.

The Annual General Meeting of the Scotland Island Residents association was held on Sunday 6th June and we all welcome the new team, listed below:

Greg Roberts, the outgoing president of the association after 5 years in office, welcomed the appointment of well known local identity Shar Jones to the office of President. Greg said: " The association is in good shape and will progress strongly in Shar Jones care.

We have a great team who are totally focused on making our corner of the world one of the best places to live in."

John Bryson, Lovett Bay.

Ways to prevent smoke and odour nuisances

Ways to prevent smoke and odour nuisances from the operation of wood fire heaters include:

· Only using dry seasoned hardwood
· Always storing wood in a dry well ventilated place
· Using an approved Australian Standard wood fire heater
· Ensuring a hot well oxygenated fire
· Ensuring that the chimney flue is clean
· Checking the chimney at different stages of the fire to see if there is any smoke.

Council's website has more info and links to EPA brochures regarding this subject by clicking here

Pittwater Civic Design Awards

Pittwater residents, architects, designers and builders are invited to enter the 2004 Pittwater Civic Design Awards, which are presented every three years.

Pittwater Council introduced the awards in support of its Statement of Urban Environmental Values, in order to recognise:
• Quality design
• Design sympathetic with Pittwater
• Ecological Sustainability
• Restoration of Heritage buildings and the preservation of conservation areas
• The enhancement of streetscapes, foreshore and beach areas
• Quality landscaping
• Bushland regeneration

Eligible buildings must be within the Pittwater local government area. Categories are:
• Residential buildings – New
• Residential buildings – Extended, Renovated or Refurbished (including Heritage restorations)
• Residential buildings – Dual Occupancy
• Multi-Unit Occupancy – Shoptop Housing
• Medium Density Housing (including SEPP5 dwellings)
• Commercial Premises

Entries close on Friday 6 August, with judging taking place Monday/Tuesday 9/10 August.

Editor goes on holidays

The editor of this newsletter is going to be absent from his keyboard for 2 months. After 4.5 years of pumping out this newsletter, he felt that he should accompany the sub-editor on a fact finding tour of Ireland and France.

In his absence, you may get a small newsletter, but, fear not, it will return in September.

Samantha Hazelgrove: SI Travel Agent

I am a mobile travel agent and operate from a home base. I offer the same products and services of a storefront agency, the difference being, the personalised service I can provide. I am available outside office hours even Sunday's and Public Holidays. Being mobile I can visit clients to talk about their travel arrangements in the comfort of their own home or office. I can be contacted on 02 9979 4029 (from 30 June), Mobile 0412 620 641 or email shazelgrove@mtatravel.com.au

Scotland Island Players
In case it has escaped your notice, The Players are up and running again.

We have formed a new committee with the following members:
President: Bob Blackwood
Vice-President: Bob Bolton

Hon. Secretary : Kerry Borthwick
Treasurer: Bob Bolton (a glutton for punishment!)
Committee Members:
Costume Coordinator: Liz Brand (assisted by Terese Valenti)
Publicity Coordinator Nettie Lodge (assisted by Rosemary Haskell)
Technical Coordinator John Marshall (assisted by Steve Valenti)
Hall Coordinator Annette Ritchie
Set Coordinator Gill Unwin
Props Coordinator Rebecca Erdman

Auditions have been held, and rehearsals are underway for our first play “Caravan” by Donald McDonald, an hilarious farce set in a caravan park “somewhere on the South Coast of NSW”. Five old friends have gone away on their first holiday together with the very young girlfriend of the perennial bachelor in their midst. A combination of extramarital mischief, rain, generation differences, domestic conflict, confined spaces and more rain makes “Caravan” a great night out.

“Caravan is directed by Bob Bolton and the cast members are:
The long-suffering Penny Robinson is played by Nettie Lodge
Parkes Robinson, her chauvinist husband, is Mark Morgan
Monica, a bitchy friend, is played by Tracey Smith
Her accountant husband is Paul Burchall
The bachelor mate is John Travers, and
His oh so young girlfriend is played by Jessica Thompson

“Caravan” will be playing at the SI Community Centre in September (between the Olympics and the school holidays) so keep your eyes open for notices. It’s not to be missed!

Clearing Your Block and Pile Burns

This is a great time of year to clear away excess vegetation around your house and garden. When clearing, you may find you have a pile of vegetation suitable for a pile burn, which is used to reduce the threat of a bushfire impacting on your property. To conduct a pile burn, a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate is required. Valid for 12 months, application forms are available from your local Rural Fire Brigade.

A good size for a pile burn is 0.5m high and 2.0m wide. Piles that are too big produce too much heat. Piles should be located away from structures, overhanging power lines, telephone cables and branches. 24 hours prior to the burn, the local RFS and your neighbours must be informed of the intention to burn.
For further information contact your local RFS or go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Christmas in July – 31st July

The annual Christmas in July fundraising dinner presented by Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade is on again. Strap on your dancing shoes, buy a small gift to put under the tree and prepare for a feast. The fun starts at 7pm with a drink at the bar followed by a full sit-down Christmas Dinner.

Santa is due to pay us a visit and we’ll cap off the night dancing away to Joe’s Garage. At just $45 a head, tickets will sell fast so book soon. For tickets, call Melanie or Fiona at PMC Hill on 9999 4902, Jenny on 9979 3777, Graeme on 0419 460331 or Bruce at the Station on 9999 4404.

The Scotland Island Fire Brigade presents

‘ THE LADY & THE TRAMP ’

Saturday 3rd July @ The Scotland Island Fireshed at 4 pm

C h i l d r e n $5 A d u l t s $5

Includes P O P C O R N + F I L M + S A U S A G E S I Z Z L E

~ A l l W e l c o m e ~
In a winter series of film afternoons - 1st Saturday of every month

Piers Akerman article in the Daily Telegraph

Well known local identity Piers Akerman has written an excellent piece in an edition of this week's Daily Telegraph relating to the new State government slug of waterfront owners in Pittwater. To view that article, click here

As our newsletter continues to grow (nearly 600 readers) we are including some links to other nearby organisations and events that may be of interest. If you would like to contribute, please send a message to the editor by clicking here.

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:

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Scotland Island Residents Association, or any of the associated Pittwater Offshore Resident's Committees