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January 21, 2022 |
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Newsletter for the
Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 23,
Issue 1168
We acknowledge and pay our
respects to the Traditional Custodians of
Pittwater, as well as our indigenous readers
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ContentsThe Bathing ShedAn Instance of Early Offshore VolunteerismRoy Baker
The Pittwater offshore community is replete with volunteerism. Our fire brigades, bush regeneration groups and residents’ associations are just three examples of selfless devotion. And this year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of perhaps the most spectacular occasion of collective generosity: the building of Scotland Island community hall, completed in 1982 by volunteer labour. The above are all examples of post-war munificence. It’s easy to imagine that earlier settlers, at a time when Pittwater was isolated and scarcely populated, were more individualistic. But perhaps that perception is a symptom of the enormous condescension of posterity, because there are older instances of volunteerism that seem forgotten.
Some months ago Vivianne provided me with a photo taken 30 November 1930. It shows her grandmother, Florence, sitting in Pittwater with her four children. It’s not certain precisely where the photo was taken. But having spent hours examining the stonework of Pittwater’s stone jetties, and having bored my friends with the question ‘where do you think this was taken?’, I’m fairly sure that the family is sitting on the beach right next to Tennis Court Wharf. And that would make sense, since there used to be an enclosed swimming area at that spot. If my conjecture is correct then the wooden structure behind Florence is of considerable interest. Consult Warringah Shire council records for 1936 and you’ll find reference to a small bathing shed. This was ‘erected by volunteer workers on the reserve at the northern end of Scotland Island’. It would seem logical for the bathing shed to be built next to the enclosed swimming area. And the structure in the photo certainly looks like a bathing shed. If my theory holds, that simple structure in the photo tells two stories. One is of early offshore volunteerism. But the other is a sadder tale of destitution.
One wonders whether the islanders of 1936 extended any kindness to this unfortunate man. It seems that the council did not, and he was told to immediately vacate the shed. Indeed the authority seemed more concerned about the dilapidated condition of the anti-shark netting around the swimming area which, in the eyes of the council, rendered it unsafe for bathers. Possibly the council extended some other support to the swagman: the records are silent on the matter. The man has sunk into the oblivion of time. But it is known that £5 was voted to repair the swimming area, so that islanders could bathe more safely. Thanks to Alison Guesdon of Pittwater Online News for tipping me off about the council records and, of course, Vivianne Byrnes for providing the photo.  Greg Roberts: a Celebration of his LifeSunday 30 January, 11 am onwards As
reported in earlier editions of the PON, Greg Roberts,
former president of SIRA and well-loved island
personality, died on 24 December.On Sunday, 30 January, two events will be held to mark his passing. At 11 am, a flotilla of boats will collect off Tennis Court Wharf. Led by the Reliance (an old ferry boat), the flotilla will then motor around Scotland Island. Greg's family hopes that anyone with a boat will feel welcome to join in. If you have one or more spare seats in your boat and could make them available to members of Greg's family then please email Megan Sadler, Greg's daughter-in-law, at megansadler@hotmail.com. At 2 pm a celebration of Greg’s life will be held at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Newport. It will take place on The Terrace: outside but in the shade. If it rains then the event will be relocated to upstairs in the club. Tributes will begin at 2.30 pm. The family will start the tributes, followed by anyone who would like to talk about their memories of Greg (open mike). RPAYC INFORMATION
ParkingParking is available at two places:
Guests must sign in at reception. Please ensure you have your membership card or evidence of identification (driver's licence). Guests who live within 5 km of the club are able to enter without a member signing them in. Current COVID regulations All members and guests must check in with the Service NSW app and provide proof of double vaccination (or medical exemption). For Gregory Bill Gye
Scotland Island CaféCatherine ParkSunday 23 January, 10 - 12 noon Much Ado About NothingCatherine Park, Scotland IslandSaturday 12 February, 4 - 6 pmSaturday 13 February, 2 - 4 pmRoy Baker
Anyone acquainted with
islander Paul Kininmonth should know his admiration for
Shakespeare. Not only does Paul run online courses on
the Bard, he has twice produced his plays on Scotland
Island: The Tempest in 2020 and Hamlet in
2021.
Paul studied Drama at
university, then taught the subject as a primary school
teacher. He has been involved in community productions
of Shakespeare for over 30 years. ‘I just love his
eternal relevance’, he says.
Just the title of
Kininmonth’s third production suggests its pertinence to
our offshore community in times of COVID. For
Shakespeare's England, ‘nothing’ was a near-homophone
for ‘noting’. In today's online culture, ‘noting’ could
be understood in terms of posting on social media. As
offshore social life remains muted by the pandemic,
community engagements have largely shifted to Facebook
and its ilk. Certainly much ado is made of our offshore
online exchanges.
On one level Shakespeare's play is a cautionary tale about gossip. But Paul sees its ultimate message as an exhortion for us to be true to ourselves, to drop our masks and to realise that others are not always who they seem, particularly online. Ensuring that audiences find Shakespeare relevant and accessible is not always easy. There are many modern interpretations of Much Ado About Nothing, any of which can aid our appreciation of the work. These include Kenneth Branagh’s film (available here for free). Perhaps the most bizarre retelling of the story is this one, set in a teenager’s bedroom and stealthily disguised as a video blog. For his take on the play, Paul has coupled Shakespeare with Leonard Cohen. Thus the island production will include several Cohen songs, performed live by Robert Hanly. Cohen is an interesting choice, given that his work, described as ‘precise, supplicatory and cloistral’, has been likened less to Shakespeare's and more to that of the Bard's contemporary, John Donne. Indeed Cohen confessed to not understanding Shakespeare, at least as a young man. Whether Paul has successfully married together the works of Cohen and Shakespeare will soon be revealed. Tickets to the island’s performances ($45 for adults, $25 concession) are already on sale. To book, click here.  The link to the ticket
office is here.
Boat Repair WorkshopsOutside Scotland Island Community HallSunday 27 February, 1 - 3 pmSunday 13 March, 1 - 3 pm Water tank for sale Black poly under-deck water tank for sale: $400. The tank was put under the deck but never installed, so it is in great condition. Dimensions: 2400mm L 1200mm W 825mm H Capacity: approx 2000 litres. Collect from Elvina Bay. For further details contact Andy Derijk: 0418 613 890. Missed out on a previous newsletter? Past newsletters,
beginning May 2000, can be found and read at https://ymlp.com/archive_gesgjgm.php.
To ContributeIf you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please send an e-mail to the editor (editor@scotlandisland.org.au).Subscription InformationTo subscribe or unsubscribe, go to: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup.Follow the PON
The Online Local Contacts GuideClick HERE to loadPittwater Offshore Photo Gallery |
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