History Corner

 

Having recorded the strenuous and desperate swim by his men to reach their ship across an arm of Port Jackson, Captain Hunter (later to become Governor Hunter) waited  until he ended his gruelling tale to relate "a providential story". For during their several attempts to reach their ship and avoid a long trek around the North West Harbour to do so, they occasionally heard a shot. Eventually, and quite accidentally, they encountered their ship's carpenter, Peter White, who, having left the Sirius for a walk and to shoot birds, had been "lost in the woods" for four days.  He had eaten all the food he had taken with him and worn the flint in his musket "down to a stump". As a result he could not risk using it to shoot birds for food fearing that nothing would be left to draw attention to his "starving and helpless condition".

 

 These mishaps did not , however, deter them, or others, from further exploration. ln August of the same year, while the Sirius was laid up in Port Jackson and her officers were at liberty, Governor Phillip decided that a careful survey of Broken Bay should be made. So Captain Hunter set out again with "several gentlemen of the settlement" determined to be "two days on the journey and to lie all night in the woods". The boats, under Lieutenants Ball and Bradley, had sailed around, and the walking party "joined the boats on the afternoon of the second day" at Pittwater. A careful survey was made and this time  without any mishap, the party walked back along the shore to Port Jackson.

 

In l792, William Dawes, Lieutenant of Engineers, walked from Manly Beach to Pittwater to make another survey and soon after published the first map of all that portion of the coast. This map, inscribed to "Captain Twiss of the Royal Engineers", shows the path over which Dawes and his companions travelled until they mounted "the rocky sides of Barrenjuee". The high land above Careel Bay over which the path is shown is marked "good pasture for sheep". The same exploring party later walked to what is now Church Point and a line on the map shows the path they took.

 

These journeys and surveys are interesting because they show Phillip's continual anxiety to find land suitable for cultivation .They also explain what would not otherwise be clear -- the important place which Pittwater held in the early days of Australian settlement, a place which was lost when , with horses at their disposal, the men in authority discovered thousands of acres of better soil inland and decided that the rock and sand of the sea coast were comparatively worthless.

 

But that time was as yet a long way off.

--Leicester Warburton     

Rental Accommodation Wanted

 

From SINEWS, the original Island paper

(Easter Issue, 1970) :

 

That glorious structure with picture windows with floor-to-ceiling glass, aluminium frame and pneumatic sliding door is now sited on its north westerly aspect  for all to see and admire! While there's been no official house-warming, we were thrilled to pay our five cents and get the use of the phone. When we ventured that it was probably the most picturesquely positioned phone box in the Southern Hemisphere, our grumpy companion suggested he'd rather have the money than the box At this outrageous comment we sent him reeling against the phonetorium giving him the unusual but appropriate punishment of "an ear on the box". 

A Big Thank You

I would, on behalf of KU Scotland Island Pre-school, like to extend a great, big Thank You to everyone that has been involved in this years fundraising.

We all thought that the Scotland Island Fair was such a successful event. Absolutely beautiful! We appreciate all the hard work that went into it and would like to take this opportunity to give you a bit more information…

The Pre-school’s cookbook raised $2000 in profit, all work done by Jacqueline Turnure, Adrian Matthews and Jane Kennedy. 300 copies have been sold!
Cindy and pony Molly donated half their earnings, $50. Thanks for the photo too!
All of the following artists donated their entire income from the Silent Auction:
Craig Burton, Susan Rushforth, Micha Nussinov, Gordon Floyd, Claire Atkins, Karen Lambert, Antonia Hoddle, Eunice McAllister, Emmie Collins, Gwyn Perkins and M.Van Driesschen. Their total contribution mounted up to a staggering $1065.

Megan Longginau and Nathan Brown (and all their family members that were involved) donated all of their takings from the Greek food stall, and gave us a totally unexpected cheque for $815. Rick LePlastrier had a Chinese dumpling stall, adding on another couple of hundred $$$. As if this wasn’t enough Margaret Urlich sang (once again) to make our day!! Her wonderful performance and dedicated speech really urged the audience on to dig deep into their pockets when the pledge buckets were circulated.

A final thanks to all of our parents, children and staff who had activities, stalls or were part of the organisation. The Pre-school had beading, headbands, lanterns and an obstacle course. These activities and the pledge buckets raised $ 800. We are sure to follow up and evaluate. A contribution has been sent off to the St Johns Ambulance. As a non-resident, I can only urge you all to continue supporting this very unique Pre-school. We need you! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Cheers! Mimi Symons (Director)

Pittwater Council is moving

For Your Convenience -  Pittwater Council  Is Relocating To Offices In Central Mona Vale
From Monday 24 January, 2005
 
New Address And Office Hours:
 
Pittwater Council
Customer Service Centre
Village Park
1 Park Street, Mona Vale
 
(Additional Entrance Also At Pittwater Road Via Central Plaza)
 
8.00am To 5.30 Pm Monday To Thursday
8.00am To 5.00pm Friday

Change in Post Office opening times

SIRA has been advised by members that the Church Point Post Office is now open only on weekdays from 9.00 am until 5.00pm and that people who need to access it outside those times cannot do so.

We spoke to the postal officer to ask whom we should contact to request at least one extended opening each week. He replied that Australia Post had made the call on the basis that it is not financially viable to do so. So much for public service in the third millennium!

The contact details for the Post Office are as follows:

Church Point LP
1860 Pittwater Road
Church Point 2105
(02) 9999 3089

If you call during working hours your mail can be left in the shop for collection unless it is a registered item which requires your signature in the presence of a postal officer. If this happens you will need to take time off work to collect it during office hours.

Anyone who is affected should contact SIRA at this email address: SIRAPittwater@hotmail.com and we can consider further action. However we will have no hope of changing the situation things unless a reasonable number of people make representation.

Pittwater's Australia Day Breakfast

Residents and visitors have made the Australia Day Breakfast at Newport Beach one of the Northern Beaches most popular summer events. This year will be no exception, with the organising committee determined to support the national theme of “Celebrate What’s Great on Australia Day”.

All the great fun events such as a Beach Treasure Hunt, Thong Throwing Competition, Wheely Bin races and Face Painting will be on again. Of course, the BBQ breakfast with the legendary bacon or sausage and egg rolls for $2 each, drinks and fairy floss will also be available. The fun commences at 7am and concludes around 10.30am.

The Citizenship Ceremony, always a popular highlight, will commence at 7.45am and the Flag Raising Ceremony, which will include the Australia Day Ambassador’s speech and the presentation of the Australia Day Pittwater Citizen of the Year Awards, will follow at 9am.

Pittwater’s Australia Day Ambassador is local Olympian Yachtsman Colin Beashel, who has competed in five Olympic Games and was Flag Bearer for the 2004 Australian Olympic team at Athens (biography attached).

Sponsored by Pittwater Council and organised by a group of combined service clubs including Lions, Rotary and Zonta, with the assistance of the NSW Rural Fire Service and SES, Newport’s Australia Day Breakfast is a non-stop festival of fun. A new addition for 2005 is a Nippers Parade March Past, comprising Nippers from Pittwater surf life saving clubs. Snake Gully bush band will provide live entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment.

“In keeping with our Pittwater tradition, this great event will have something for people of all ages -with the usual informality and fun people have come to love - so we invite everyone to come along and join us”, said Pittwater Mayor Lynne Czinner.

ENDS

For more information: Gay McCorby, Corporate Communications Officer,
Tel: 9970 1119
16 December 2004

A Message from Annette Freeland

My name is Annette Freeland I have been living on the Island with Tony my husband and Grant my son, coming up to 28 years, I live near Tennis wharf, would you mind publishing a small paragraph in the SI News, to let all my friends know that I have been accepted and put on the active
Transplant list, for a lung transplant, with St Vincents hospital.
"The Call" could come at anytime, but likely to be within the next 9 months, it has been common knowledge that I have been suffering for emphysema for some years, and I would just like to let everyone know how very fortunate I am to be given another chance at breathing.

Kindest Regards and all the best to everyone for Xmas Annette Freeland

A little humour to start the New Year

Family Fortunes, ITV
1) Something a blind man might use? A sword.
2) A song with the word Moon in the title? Blue Suede Moon
3) Name the capital of France? F
4) Name a bird with a long neck? Naomi Campbell
5) Name an occupation where you might need a torch? A burglar.
6) Where is the Taj Mahal? Opposite the dental hospital.
7) What is Hitlers first name? Heil.
9) Some famous brothers? Bonnie and Clyde.
10) A dangerous race? The Arabs.
14) A famous Royal? Mail.
16) A famous bridge? The Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
18) Something you do in the bathroom? Decorate.
21) A sign of the Zodiac? April .
23) Something you do before you go to bed? Sleep.

Goshin Ryu Karate on Scotland Island!
for beginners to blackbelts
Commencing Wednesday February 2, 2005
6pm - 7.30 pm
Scotland Island Community Hall
with Sensei Luke Atkins

Cost: Adults $8.50
Children 6 yrs+ $7.50
annual club membership $33.00
Contact Luke 9979 4709

Goshin Ryu is one of the worlds leading Karate styles. Karate helps develop self confidence, physical fitness and discipline. It is also great fun!
Goshin Ryu established in Australia in the 1960's and we are proud to bring its newest club to Scotland Island. To find out more about Goshin Ryu visit the website www.goshinryu.com or call Scotland Island's instructor Luke Atkins 9979 4709.

The Scotland Island Bush fire brigade

would like to wish all off shore residents a very happy new year, and we would like to thank you for your support during the year. The peak months for bushfires are December and January, so you should have started preparing already, getting rid of potential fire fuels from around the house, leaves, branches and think undergrowth , also other potentially flammable material ( old newspapers, boxes , crates, etc.) Make sure gutters are in good condition and are not blocked so they are still capable of holding water. If bushfire threatens it is best to check final precautions ; water, taps and hoses. Keep a battery operated radio and torches on hand in case of electricity failure, For more information go to www.rfs.gov.au

Mona Vale Hospital in Real Trouble again

The General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2 of the Legislative Council has established an Inquiry into the operation of Mona Vale Hospital, and in particular:
The closure of the intensive care unit and the reasons behind its transfer to another hospital
The level of funding given to Mona Vale Hospital compared to other hospitals in the area
The level of community consultation in relation to changes proposed by NSW Health to the hospital
The reasons why the hospital has not been made the general hospital for the Northern Beaches area.
This may be your last opportunity to have your say, so please make a submission, which can be as short as a letter or as long as a detailed paper. Submissions close on 31 January 2005. Please send them to The Director, General Purpose Standing Committee No2, Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000. Send emails to gpscno2@parliament.nsw.gov.au.