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Scotland Island - Western Shores - Mackeral Beach

- May 2006 -

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia  Volume 9, Issue 136; May 2006     

 
Editorial:

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter (PON) celebrates 6 years with this issue, due to your wonderful contributions.

Please accept my apologies for the brevity of this newsletter, and those in the next 2 months. I am living on another island (second only to Scotland Island) and will attempt to keep up with matters in the offshore community in my absence. As the local say: έχω έναs σπουδαίος μήναs

This Month

  • History Corner
  • Annual General Meeting of SIRA
  • Scotland Island Bushfire Management Plan
  • Environmental Educators Wanted !
  • The Fireman's Ball
  • Marion and Michael write from Broome
  • Sale By Tender - Dinghies
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Child Care Benefit Now Available
  • Long Day Care Centre To Open On Thursdays
  • Play Group Starting On Monday
  • After School Care With Child Care Benefit
  • Smoke Alarm Requirements
  • Jubilee Yacht Regatta won by local sailor!
  • Water Line Update
  • Local Guide
  • Archived Newsletters
  • Your Subscription Information
  • History Corner

    The whole of the traffic to Pittwater was at first carried through Newport and passengers to the opposite shore had to arrange to be transported by boat across the bay. There was then no Bayview and no road to Church Point, but simply a track which led through farms, generally called by the name of the owner. But, as time went on, Mona Vale and Bayview became more settled than Newport and passengers from Manly were transferred at the Rock Lily Hotel to a smaller coach while
    the larger coach carried the majority to Bayview and Church Point.

    An interest in the impressive Newport beach then began to take hold and the balance of settlement altered once again. Newport began to grow commercially while Bayview and Church Point established the almost wholly residential pattern that still exists today.

    The road to Bayview branched to Cabbage Tree Road past an old farmhouse which stood for many years while the coastal road (now Pittwater Road) wound past Shaw's Creek, the old aboriginal name of which was Winnererremy and is now known as Winji Jimmi Reverve. Because of heavy
    mangrove growth nearby it was also known as The Maze.

    Further on, on land where the Bayview Post Office once stood, was a farm of 80 acres owned by a Mr. John Collins who moved there from Careel Bay and the road led, in turn, to 200 acres granted to a Mr. MacIntosh and later cut up and sold for residential land in a development called Sunnyside. The road then continued to Cape's Flat where an immense fig tree once stood at the very edge of the tide. Early residents became aware of considerable erosion of the southern edge of the shore and that near the first pier built at Bayview casuarinas once 50 feet from the high water mark were now standing at the high water mark. Many old landmarks were becoming submerged. 20

    Next Month: Hymns under the loquat trees.

    Leicester Warburton

    Annual General Meeting of SIRA
    NOTICE

    The Annual General Meeting of the Scotland Island Residents’ Association (SIRA) will be held:
    ON: Sunday 30 April 2006
    AT: 10:00am
    IN: The Scotland Island Community Hall,
    Catherine Park, Scotland Island

    All residents are invited to attend. VOTING is restricted to financial members of SIRA. Current members are eligible to vote. Membership for 2006-2007 ($20) may be paid prior to commencement of the meeting. New 2006-2007 financial members are also eligible to vote.


    9:30am Morning Tea and Registration   10:00am Commencement

    For further information: Email SIRA at SIRAPittwater@hotmail.com, telephone the current Secretary (Kerry Borthwick) on 9999 4092 or write to SIRA at PO Box 70, Church Point, 2105
     Top of page

    Scotland Island Bushfire Management Plan

    Pittwater Council will be holding a Stakeholder Meeting for residents to provide input into the Scotland Island Bushfire Management Plan. The meeting will be held in the Scotland Island
    Community Centre on the 6th May 2006, beginning at 1:00pm. For further information please contact Mark Beharrell on 02 9970 1368
     

    Environmental Educators Wanted !

    With growing demand for high-quality school excursions, the Coastal Environment Centre is seeking people to help fill a casual position. Local environmental knowledge or involvement is desirable, with some teaching experience preferred. Please send your expression of interest and CV to the Coastal Environment Centre, PO Box 522 Narrabeen 2101 or email to CEC@pittwater.nsw.gov.au.

    Enquiries: Jo Tulau on 9970 6905Top of page

    The Fireman's Ball April 2006

    Oh - what a success! Fantastic decor, music, food and company combined to make this the bal of the year. Can we do it all again next year please?

    Congratulations to the many who contributed to this event. The photos below are a couple of samples from a much larger collection.

    Marion and Michael write from Broome

    Dear All,

    Greetings from Broome and Gantheaume Point. If you look at a map of Broome it is the Northern tip of the point jutting out into the Indian Ocean right near the light-house or the right eye of the hammerhead as it is called.


    We are fortunate to be able to stay in Cori and John’s house, where we have been experiencing the big wet. Though we haven’t had continual rain, when it rains it is dramatic.

    We bought a $160 digital camera and Michael took up the camera as challenge to see what magic he could make of a digital Box Brownie

    Luckily we were spared from cyclone Gertrude, though the rains that followed together with enormous tides flooded the streets of Broome.

    We came back to Broome from Derby the day after when they were still mopping up.

    Our trip to Derby was in order to visit the Mowanjum Community with whom Michael had made films in the 70’s and 80’s.
    Unfortunately there are not many of the elders left, but we did see Puja who is now 80 and still painting and an active member of the community. As Michael says, “… if you are going to have an Aboriginal skin aunty then Puja beams with the energy of the old ways and what an aunty she is”. A Community Cultural and Arts Centre is being built and is scheduled to open in July.


    Part of the reason Michael wanted to go back and re-establish a relationship is because he has a stone axe that was given to him by Sam Woolagoodja as a thank you for taking them back up to ‘spirit’ country and making the films for generations to come. Times are very difficult in the community as they are elsewhere for Indigenous people. In recent times there have been 7 deaths, 2 of them suicides which is an indication of the problems they are faced with. We are going back up there next week to read a letter Michael, our editor Kathy James and I have developed in the past couple of weeks, which as Michael says, “is a working model” to create new editions of work to be part of their Cultural and Arts Centre.

    I will be back in Sydney on 15th April. Michael has been offered a 2 week job in the Pilbara working with Aboriginal film-makers, so there will be more news to follow.

    Love

    Marion and Michael
    Broome 04/08/06

    Sale By Tender - Dinghies

    We have removed dinghies within Pittwater, which are currently unclaimed and held at Council’s holding yard at Boondah Depot, 1 Boondah Road, Warriewood. Under the provisions of the Impounding Act, these dinghies will be offered for sale by tender at 8am on Saturday 6 May 2006 at the above Depot.  All items will be available for viewing between 8am and 11am on that day and sold as is.

    Sale will be via sealed tender, to be in even dollar amounts. Tenders will be opened at 11.15am on 6 May and the highest tender will be accepted. If there are equal highest tenders, the matter will be settled by a draw out of a hat. Payment is required on the day by cash, cheque or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Bankcard). Enquiries: Tanya Carmont, Reserves & Recreation Officer- Graphics, Tel 9970 1353.

    Funding Opportunity for our CommunityTop of page

    Under the Community Development and Support Expenditure (CDSE) Scheme, local community organisations are invited to apply for funding from local clubs in Pittwater for community welfare, social services, community development and cultural activities.  Application forms are available from Pittwater and Avalon Beach RSL Clubs and Clubs NSW Website www.clubsnsw.com.au

    Applications should be submitted directly to your local club - closing date is 28 April 2006.


    Child Care Benefit Now Available

    For Island Long Day Care Centre.
    From 2nd May 06, the Island Child Care Centre will be recognised as a Long Day Care Centre and will be authorised to administer Child Care Benefit Subsidies.
    Parents interested in claiming Child Care Benefit should quote the ACRN number 407223706H and either: -
    a. If already claiming Family Tax Benefit simply call The Family
    Assistance Office on 136150. b. Otherwise, complete the income estimate form, plus either the Reduce Fees Form or Lump Sum Payment Form. Copies can be obtained from the Long Day Care Centre (02 9979 7856) or www.centrelink.gov.au.
    Until 2nd May 06, the community will continue to subsidise the daily fees from $55 for 3 – 5 year olds and $57 for 2 year olds down to $48 per day. Once Child Care Benefit is available the community subsidies will cease.

    Long Day Care Centre To Open On Thursdays

    From 2nd May 06.
    The Centre is currently open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however, from 2nd May the Centre will also open on Thursdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.
    We will also officially welcome Ariadne Krausman (otherwise known as Tors) to the staff team from 2nd May, as she will be joining the Centre as another Child Care Worker. Tors has been volunteering at the Centre since January and she is currently studying Steiner education methods.
    At the moment Wednesdays are full and Tuesday is filling up quickly, make sure that you get your child’s name down for Thursday as soon as possible to ensure a place. Call 02 9979 7856.

    Play Group Starting On Monday

    1st May 06.
    After the Easter break a Play Group will start at the Centre on Mondays from 10 am to 12 noon. Children aged 0 – 5 are most welcome with their parents or carers.
    The Play Group will be affiliated to the NSW Play Group Association, and the weekly fee will be $3. The first few visits do not require membership to the Association but eventually, if parents have not already joined through another Play Group elsewhere, the annual Association membership will be payable of $30. Contact Lizzie Hazelwood on 02 9997 8731 for more details.

    After School Care With Child Care Benefit

    Anticipated In July 06.
    It is anticipated that an after school hours service will be available for primary school children later in the year, contact Brigitte Mahler-Mills on 02 9997 2307 for more information.

    SIOCS is a community-managed association that provides services
    for offshore children aged 0 – 12 years. For more general information about SIOCS, and the services we provide please contact Anne Palmer, the President, on 9999 3478.

    Smoke Alarm RequirementsTop of page

    From 1 May 2006, the EP&A Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Regulation 2006 comes into effect, which will require smoke (or thermal) alarms to be fitted to all new and existing buildings containing bedrooms. Location, amount and type of alarm depends on the class of building under the Building Code of Australia. Owners of such buildings will have six months within which to implement the requirements. Penalties will apply for non-compliance, and/or tampering with installed alarms. For more information visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/smokealarms/index.asp

    Jubilee Yacht Regatta won by local sailor!

    The Easter Jubilee Yacht Regatta was won by well known locals Tania Mottle and Rob Howe, sailing their beautifully restored Jubilee. Don't know what a Jubilee is? This small day racing boat is after a design from the 1930's and very popular still in both Melbourne and Sydney. A number of them are moored on the North West corner of Scotland Island. If you are interested in sailing one of these easy-to-sail boats or would just like some more information, contact Paul (me) by clicking hereTop of page

    Water Line Update
     
    The new water line has now been layed out along Florence Terrace from Tennis to PatHilda Reserve.
     
    The new line will be turned on (and the old line disconnected) at 7am on Monday 1st May.
     
    New fittings will be required to connect to the new line. For information on requirements please contact Cass Gye by clicking here

    The local guide

    What's On in Pittwater - Self Editing Event Diary Click Here  
    Scotland Island Traders - On-line shopping from your computer, through your door on Scotland Island. Contact Graeme on 0419 460 331 or click here for full details  
    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
    State: Alex McTaggart, Member for Pittwater, email him at pittwater@parliament.nsw.gov.au or by clicking here
    Local Transport: Scotland Island Community Vehicle: Info: click here. (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) Northern Beaches Shuttle (0500 505 100)
    Bed & Breakfast: Scotland Island Lodge: or http://www.scotlandislandlodge.com.au          (02 9979 3301)
    Yacht Clubs Woody Point Yacht Club  or http://www.wpyc.com.au 
    Short Term Holiday Accommodation: Pittpoint Cottage:  (02 9997 8382) Wiringulla Cottage (02 9971 8375)
    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 https://www.ymlp.com/pubarchive.php?sira  or by clicking here or by visiting the Mona Vale Library. The Scotland 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.

    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

    Newsletter Design:Paul Purvis [0403-442-764]