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| - June 2009 - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Newsletter for Offshore Residents
of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 10, Issue 394 June 2009 |
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| Editorial: As you all know, last month a number of cars in the Church Point car park were broken into. Most sustained damage of some sort, broken windows, locks torn out, interiors trashed and so on. Following that, we mentioned the importance of reporting all criminal incidences, no matter how trivial, as this is the only way authorities get an accurate picture of the degree of crime in an area and hence the level of police allocated to that area. Harriet then kindly provided this insight into why it is worth pursuing such matters..... "It might be worth letting people know that six months ago following a spate of car breaks we had our car fingerprinted and the offender was arrested, charged and dealt with in juvenile court - he returned most of the property from a number of cars broken into. There will be a youth conference with him and the victims next month which may also result in more compensation to victims. The message - it is worth taking the time to get the police to fingerprint your car! " You may not know that SIRA now manages the island community hall. Kerry Borthwick (Kez) is the person to contact regarding bookings etc. You can contact her on; 9999 4092 or kezborthwickbolton@gmail.com We also now have a these contact details at the bottom of the newsletter in the Local Guide Section. Also added, is a direct link to the Scotland Island Emergency Water Contacts and Guidelines and the Scotland Island Community Transport Vehicle information. Do take the time to read the letters of thanks from Wildlife Victoria and the Australian Red Cross for the donations this community made following the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Enjoy. Contents:
 Essence of Coasters Fund Raising event - All welcome - Sunday 7th June, 10am to 4pm  Every year Western
Foreshores community holds a fund raising event on the Sunday of the
June long weekend.As you know, the communities on the Western Foreshores man and maintain their own bush fire brigades, we are no exception. This event is one way to fund our Brigade to keep the equipment and infrastructure (such as it is) up to date and in full working order. We welcome visitors to come and enjoy this particular part of Western Foreshores paradise with us! Regards, Louise (Brogan). click image to load flyer Local Athlete invited to compete in the US Scotland Islander Ryan Hirsch - Cross County Runner  Ryan
Hirsch, who was in the CIS Cross Country running team, has
been
invited to compete in the 2009 Cross Country Tour to America for young
Australian Athletes on 30 September 2009 for two weeks.You may have seen Ryan running around the Island training – or doing hill sprints up Heartbreak Hill ! He worked washing school buses in the Easter holidays and is trying to get a job at the Marinas to contribute to the costs himself as he is really keen to participate, and realises it is an honour to be invited on this tour. His school, Pittwater House are assisting in raising the $5,125.00 needed for him to compete. However he needs as much help as possible to raise the funds. The first fund raising project he is doing is selling the Entertainment Book, click here to load the flyer. Each book is $65 of which $13 will go towards Ryan’s tour. Your involvement and contributions will be greatly appreciated. Scotland Island & Offshore Children’s Services ‘GREEN’ GROUP NEW INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF CATHERINE PARK:
SO COME AND GET INVOLVED!! ANY TIME AND HELP YOU CAN GIVE IS GREAT!
(On behalf of Scotland Island and Offshore Children’s Services) Victorian Bushfire Appeal Donations Scotland Island Players - Red Cross Donation An incredible $2400 was raised by the Scotland Island Players hugely successful and entertaining show "An Evening with the Blues Brothers". The players decided that all the profits from the show should be donated to the Red Cross for Victorian Fire Appeal.... Read the letter here Letter of thanks from Wildlife Victoria Here is the letter from Wildlife Victoria, that was mentioned in the editorial. The money sent to them, $3000, was part of the $7,500 that was raised from the Pittwater Offshore Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. .... Read the letter here Local Council Notices  RESIDENTS SOUGHT FOR PITTWATER ESTUARY WORKING GROUP Pittwater Council is seeking up to six local residents interested in becoming voluntary members of its Pittwater Estuary Community Working Group. Mia Dalby-Ball from Council’s Natural Environment and Education team said the input of residents was vital to future planning of the Estuary. “The draft Pittwater Estuary Management Plan is due to go on exhibition later this year and members of the group can help with input into the draft plan,” said Ms Dalby-Ball. “Residents, particularly those that live in the catchment area, often have valuable insights into changes affecting Pittwater.” She said the group also has representation from the state government and Pittwater Council. “The group will continue to meet once the draft plan has gone on exhibition to help contribute to the actions that have been set out in the plan. “It will also consider the range of issues that impact on the Estuary, including sea level rise and possible development, said Ms Dalby-Ball. Applications to join the working group are open until Friday 18 June. Application forms are available at the Pittwater Council website at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment/coastal/estuaries and can be submitted online. Application forms are also available from the Council’s customer service centres at Avalon and Mona Vale. The Council will review applications to the group and will appoint up to six community members by the end of June. For further information about the working group call 9970 1369. Media contact: Mia Dalby-Ball, Pittwater Council Ph: 9970 1369 UNIQUE MARINE CARE PROJECT LAUNCHED A unique project aimed at schools and surf clubs in the Pittwater, Manly and Warringah areas was launched at the Coastal Environment Centre in Narrabeen on Friday 29 May from 6.30pm. The Northern Beaches Marine Care and Humpback Whale Project will see education kits distributed to primary schools and surf clubs on the northern beaches, aimed at increasing awareness of caring for the marine environment and in particular, humpback whales. Humpback whales are some of the largest of the whale species and regularly migrate along the northern beaches during winter. Project coordinator Tina Demetriou said that the Pittwater, Manly and Warringah communities each ‘adopted’ their own humpback whale through the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2007. “This project builds on the whale adoption idea by widening awareness of the need to care for our marine environment,” she said. The education kits contain activities and games for teachers to use as a resource for Years K to 6 and for age managers in the nipper program at surf clubs. “Surf clubs often have days when the beaches are closed and the education kits are perfect for keeping nippers interested and aware of the beach environment,” Ms Demetriou said. “Primary school teachers will be able to incorporate the activities in the kit into their regular environmental teaching,” she said. Ms Demetriou said the humpback whale had been chosen as the animal to spearhead the marine care project because of the emotional connection the northern beaches had to the previous whale adoption program in 2007. The local indigenous community have also contributed to the project, with artist Jessica Birk offering her visual interpretation of whales and fish as the artwork for the education kits. ”I bring my own interpretation as a local living Aboriginal person to the Northern Beaches, its land, its water and its story,” Ms Birk said. Every northern beaches surf club will be presented with a framed depiction of the adopted whales and Ms Birk’s whale artwork as part of the marine care project. Each education kit will also contain a brochure explaining the significance of the artwork, which Ms Birk will explain at the launch on Friday. The Northern Beaches Marine Care and Humpback Whale Project is funded by a grant from the Australian Government’s environmental grants program. Athena Mumbulla, Project Officer with the Aboriginal Heritage Office, Northern Region, will speak at the launch on Friday and said the project would widen understanding of marine care and the significance of the ocean to indigenous people. “The northern beaches were sustained and kept pristine for many thousands of years by the Guringai people and we now need to rise to that challenge,” said Ms Mumbulla. For more information about the project or to RSVP for the event call Tina Demetriou on 9970 1676 or email tdemetriou@pittwater.nsw.gov.au Light refreshments will be available. Media contact: Tina Demetriou, Pittwater Council Ph: 9970 1676 or 0428 102 040 ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ON PUBLIC EXHIBITION Pittwater Council has developed a draft strategy to assist Pittwater residents who have sewage management systems on their properties. The strategy has been developed to ensure that sewage management systems on private properties in Pittwater meet all relevant health and environmental legal requirements. The draft strategy will be on public exhibition for comment between Saturday 23 May and Monday 22 June 2009. Council’s Principal Environmental Health Officer Robina Warburton said that Pittwater has approximately 1200 properties which have these systems. “This draft strategy aims to effectively manage privately-owned sewage treatment systems and maintain public health, “ said Ms Warburton. Key points of the strategy include: * details of standardised performance requirements for all on-site sewage management systems * the responsibilities of property-owners and wastewater service providers * an outline of the Council’s risk assessment and inspection program * actions and education programs that focus on sustainable on-site sewage management practices * details of the Council’s responsibilities and enforcement actions Copies of the strategy can be viewed at the Council’s customer service centres at 1 Park Street Mona Vale and 59A Old Barrenjoey Road Avalon or at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/documents_on_exhibition Comments can be emailed to pittwater_council@pittwater.nsw.gov.au or mailed to the General Manager, Pittwater Council, PO Box 882, Mona Vale NSW 1660. For further information about the strategy call 9970 1111 during business hours. Media contact: Robina Warburton, Pittwater Council Ph: 9970 1141 SPONSORS & STALLHOLDERS SOUGHT FOR DOG DAY BY THE BAY Pittwater Council will host their popular Dog Day by the Bay at Rowland Reserve Bayview on Sunday 27 September and are looking for stall-holders and sponsors for the event. Organiser Rennae Projceski from the Council said that stallholders should be providers of products and services for dogs. “The day will have a mix of fun events plus talks on many interesting subjects relevant to dog owners,” she said. “We’re also keen to hear from organisations who wish to sponsor the event or provide prizes.” Ms Projceski said Dog Day by the Bay was aimed at dog-owners and their pets and regularly drew a crowd of around 2000, the event has been run for over 10 years. Sponsorship packages range from $1500 to $4600; full details are available at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au Dog Day by the Bay runs from 10am and 3pm and activities include demonstrations of canine skill and training, children’s activities in the kids corner and competitions to enter including the Canine Fancy Dress Parade. A variety of pet-related stalls and food & drink stalls will also be at the event and proceeds raised will be donated to local branches of the Animal Welfare League and the Guide Dog Association. Entry and parking are free. This year organisers will hold a photo competition and are looking for photos in the categories of ‘Funniest Dog’, ‘Cutest Dog’ and ‘Owner and dog look-alike’. Entries to the photo competition are open now and until 1 September and winners of each category will have their photo displayed on the day and receive a prize. For full details and entry forms visit www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au For more information about Dog Day by the Bay contact Pittwater Council’s environmental education team on 9970 1194. Media contact: Rennae Projceski, Pittwater Council Ph: 9970 1194 2009 PITTWATER VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED Winners of the 2009 Pittwater Volunteer Awards were announced by Mayor David James at a special presentation held last month. Representatives from over 60 voluntary organisations including community groups, emergency services, surf life saving clubs, bushcare and environmental groups, service clubs and schools attended the presentation. Pittwater Council’s Manager of Community Library & Economic Development Lindsay Godfrey said that 85 nominations had been received for the volunteer awards this year. “This was a significant increase over previous years and shows the depth of volunteering we have in Pittwater”, he said. “The Councillors on our selection panel had a very hard time in choosing the winners for each category.” 15 winners were selected from the award categories in aged and disability services; arts and culture; Bushcare; community service and support; emergency services; environmental; Rural Fire Service; sporting groups; surf lifesaving, and youth. Each nominee and category winner was awarded a certificate of appreciation and a gift. Speaking at the presentation, Mayor James paid tribute to local volunteers for their dedication and efforts for the Pittwater community. “It is a testament to the community of Pittwater that in spite of the current economic uncertainty, our dedicated volunteers are still eager to pitch in and offer their time and skills to help the causes and projects close to their hearts,” said Mayor James. Summary of Winners – 2009 Pittwater Volunteer Awards Marianne Van de Voorde Aged & Disability Services Marianne Van De Voorde has been a volunteer with Manly Warringah Pittwater Community Aid in their Neighbour Aid program for 7 years. The program provides support services for older people, people with disabilities and their carers. Prior to that Marianne volunteered with the Australian Red Cross and Lifeline as a telephone counsellor. Marianne has also been involved in a number of wider community initiatives including the Community Safety Committee and Neighbourhood Watch. She is involved with groups such as the Elanora Players and the Special Olympics tenpin bowling. Marianne’s credo is ‘if something needs to be done, just do it’. Elaine Dewey Art & Culture Elaine Dewey is an enthusiastic and driven member of Pittwater Community Arts Inc. Elaine has been a volunteer for this organisation since its inception 6 years ago. Elaine has held the position of membership secretary and is currently treasurer of the community group. Elaine is also a convenor for the craft section at the St Ives Show and an ice skating judge and still finds time to hold another position on the Knitters Guild Committee. Karen & Brian Penny Bushcare Karen and Brian Penny are ‘the quiet achievers’ in the Bushcare category, contributing their time over many years. As well as acting in many roles within a number of Bushcare groups they have also been regular attendees at community field days. In addition to their significant contribution to Pittwater through Bushcare, Karen and Brian live out their concern for the environment in other practical ways, such as controlling weeds in local road reserves. Raymond Watmough Community Service & Support As the longest serving member of the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group, Ray Watmough has given 23 years of devoted service repairing donated toys that are then given to disadvantaged children. He has brought joy to countless children over the years. His repairs are of a very high standard and his meticulous work in making and repairing toys in the style of traditional lead soldiers is highly regarded. Ray is also active in supporting many other community organisations including Centacare, Chesalon Aged Services, the Warringah Mall Community Club and the Manly Model Train Club. Ken Hughes Community Service & Support Ken Hughes has a distinguished record of 30 years of voluntary service to the Pittwater community. Ken has fought fires with the Rural Fire Service, both in the local area and throughout NSW. He is also actively involved with the running of the local RFS. In addition to his invaluable work with the RFS, Ken actively supports no less than nine local organisations and currently acts as treasurer for 4 local organisations! Ken is a driver with Northern Beaches Food Services for their Meals on Wheels program. He is a strong supporter of local environmental groups and was actively involved in the Save Mona Vale Hospital committee. He has been instrumental in raising over $300,000 to support local organisations. Mark Colwell Emergency Services Mark has provided tireless and dedicated service to his community through the State Emergency Service for over 10 years, with 6 years served as deputy local controller. Mark is also a senior trainer, attends call-outs, provides technical support and is the SES representative for the Australia Day festivities in the area. As well as playing a major role in local and regional SES leadership, Mark is an active volunteer for the Rural Fire Service. Sue Martin Environmental Sue is passionate in her commitment to protecting Pittwater’s natural environment and has put her passion into practice through long-term involvement with organisations working for Pittwater’s environment and heritage. These include the Avalon Preservation Trust, Friends of Currawong, Careel Bay Pittwater Protection Association, Avalon Beach Historical Society, Pittwater Natural Heritage Association and the Pittwater Ramblers. Sue’s outstanding knowledge of her local area, extensive network of contacts, experience in running community organisations and ability to work with government at all levels are just some of the skills that have qualified her for this award. Shane Withington Environmental Shane has been a passionate advocate for the protection of Currawong from development over many years. He has been a driving force in the community’s battle to save the site from development, following the Labour Council’s decision to sell the Currawong site over 10 years ago. His efforts and those of the many groups and individuals he has been able to mobilise to help save Currawong have finally come to fruition with the recent announcement by the NSW Minister for Planning that the site would be protected – a lasting legacy for the people of Pittwater and for the national heritage. Desmond Ferris Rural Fire Service Desmond Ferris has given over 20 years of active service to the RFS Tumbledown Dick Brigade. He is the longest serving president in the Brigade’s history, and a significant fundraiser on their behalf. Des remains an active fire fighter despite being involved in many other aspects of the Brigade’s work. Des is listed on the Brigade’s honour board for his enduring leadership and distinguished service. As well as serving the Pittwater and Warringah communities as a volunteer fire fighter, Des has travelled extensively throughout the state serving other communities by fighting bushfires. Steve Monty Sporting Groups For over 15 years Steve Monty has been a lynchpin of local sport. His service in support of the Pittwater Baseball Club exemplifies Steve’s commitment to his community. He has coached club teams for 15 years. He has held a number of committee positions, assisted with fundraising, undertaken ground marking and maintenance. He continues to coach even though his own son is no longer playing with the club. Aside from his ongoing commitment to his local club, Steve has coached district representative baseball teams, under 12s, under 14s, under 16s and has taken representative teams around the state. Roland Luke Surf Life Saving Roland has been an active member of the Avalon Beach Surf Club for close to 30 years. He trains the under 14 cadets, is an active patrol member and attends all club events both at home and away. Roland also supports the Club through a range of other duties from attending committee meetings through to manning the BBQ and is an integral part of the Club’s biggest fundraiser, the Avalon Big Swim. Apart from his three decades of service to surf lifesaving, Roland is also a veteran of the Avalon Soccer Club. He works from 5am to mark fields and put up nets for all home games on the weekends and then takes everything down at the end of each day’s play. Alana Smithies Youth Alana Smithies is the patrol vice captain and active member of Newport SLSC. Alana has been a member of the club for the past 12 years and is currently an assistant age manager with the Newport nippers program. She also provides assistance with the special needs nipper program. Alana is a great mentor for the clubs junior members and in the 2007/2008 season she was ranked in the top ten for highest patrolling hours as part of the Newport first aid team. She is a team leader for SLSC Youth and Junior Development Camps and a keen and successful competitor. Callum and Darcy Gray Youth Twins Callum and Darcy Gray are active junior life savers of Bilgola SLSC. Callum and Darcy have been patrolling members for 2 years and also participated in the nipper program. They assist the club by training others, patrolling the beach and coordinating the first aid section at major events eg. the Big Swim and boat carnivals. Callum and Darcy are also volunteers for the St John’s Ambulance First Aid Servic and give up many tireless hours on weekends to provide first aid at events such as the City to Surf, Northern Beaches market days, the Easter Show, and Oxfam Trail Walker. Scotland Island Fire Shed Dinner Saturday June 6 from 7pm  Author Talk@ Mona Vale Library  Whistler Street by Noel Braun  Wednesday 17 June
6.30pm Noel Braun commenced his working life as a country school teacher in Victoria then moved into a corporate career which took him from Melbourne to Perth and Sydney. He has had a lifelong passion for writing, and wrote the first words of Whistler Street thirty years ago in Perth. After a busy career and raising a family of four, he has found the time in retirement to fulfill his long-held ambition to see Whistler Street in print. Whistler Street is Noel’s second novel, following his successful Friend and Philosopher. He lives in Sydney’s northern beaches. click image to load flyer Portraits from a Land Without People by John Ogden A pictorial history of Aboriginal Australia 1847-2008
“Photography is a very powerful medium to tell the story of the Aboriginal people’s way of life and how it has survived during the last 200 years,” he said. Librarian Catherine Buddin said that copies of the book would be available for purchase following John Ogden’s talk, with all proceeds to the Jimmy Little Foundation, a national program dedicated to improving indigenous health, particularly in the area of kidney disease. The Guringai Festival – now in its ninth year - aims to raise awareness of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and culture through a series of events and activities throughout northern Sydney. The festival program can be downloaded at www.guringaifestival.com.au Tick Exchange... Information regarding Ticks and How to deal with them.. Safely remove tick to avoid meat allergy: By Danny Rose, Medical Writer SYDNEY, May 3 AAP The Australian doctor who found the link between ticks and red meat allergy says the condition can be avoided by safely removing the parasite. Dr Sheryl van Nunen, a clinical immunologist based at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, found when treating people with meat allergies that almost all had an earlier bad reaction to a tick bite. Many reported feeling short of breath, having a swollen tongue and an itchy lesion on the spot where they were bitten by a tick. A similar allergic reaction then occurred, sometimes not till months later, after they ate a meat-based meal. "They have a full-blown anaphylaxis,'' Dr van Nunen told AAP. "`These are people that have to be gurneyed up and taken off to Mona Vale District Hospital. We need to look at what the advice should be because I feel this is a preventable problem.'' Dr van Nunen studied 25 people with meat allergy for research to be published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday. Most of the subjects described the culprit as a hard-bodied tick shaped like a human fingernail, ranging in size from 3mm to 10mm. This tick species (Ixodes holocyclus) is common to Sydney's northern beaches and is also "associated with hypersensitivity reactions in humans''. Dr van Nunen said more people had come forward since the close of the study, and the number of meat allergy cases linked to Sydney's northern beaches was now more than 90. The problem could stem from how a tick bite is treated, she said. Doctors use ethanol (pure alcohol) to remove the parasite and Dr van Nunen said this stunned the tick before it was scraped off. "I now tell tell everybody I see who lives anywhere near ticks to use `Aerostart' or a high-alcohol substance to stun the tick,'' she said. Dr van Nunen said Aerostart, a spray-on engine cleaner that contains ethanol, was effective in safely removing ticks. "It is stunned and then you scrape it out, and it can't inject what it injects.'' It is thought proteins in tick saliva are cross-reactive with proteins found in various red meats, but Dr van Nunen said more research was needed. Submitted by Piers Akerman Judy Parrott - Photographer Scotland Island photo exhibition in Scotland! Hello! Scotland Island is now up and running in Rothesay, Scotland. People are loving it - fascinated with your island and looking for you on Google Earth. Thank you to you all and all the islanders for helping this to happen. Next is getting it to Sydney. I'll keep you informed. Hope it doesn't take as long as this took though! If you think the school kids would like some pen pals I may be able to set it up with the school here? A couple of ballet shots - I took lots that day and they are my favourites. Judy
Larger version can be seen here
Submitted by Claire AitkinsYou Asked.. Art Workshops in drawing and painting with Marion van den Driesschen Saturdays 2-4 pm At Suzie Boyd's house on Scotland Island Cost $25 For more information call Marion on 9979 3993 or 0431 457 431 Need a house sitter? I am looking for somewhere offshore or nearby for my visiting parents to stay for a few weeks around October this year; their dates can be flexible. Non-smoking and dog-loving they would make great house-sitters or dog-sitters if you or someone you know might be able to make an offer. Please contact Jon on 0409 075420. Septic Pump-out? "Interested in joining me in a septic pump-out?...I live on Thompson St, above Bells Wharf. kyliebennetts@hotmail.com or 0402 957 705
For Sale If you have something for sale that you think locals would like - let us know and we will put a SINGLE line entry in the PON at the beginning of each month...
The Local Guide
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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 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. 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. 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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