We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Pittwater.

 CB Floyd

The island bootcamp runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 - 8 am.

You may have noticed an increased level of activity in Catherine Park this winter, as islanders took advantage of the sunny, albeit sometimes cold, weather, and the many events taking place.

There are many different groups, both organised and casual, who enjoy Catherine Park. Young soccer players and dog owners are two groups that often meet for recreation in our park, and of course the park provides many opportunities for children to have fun. There is a play group for younger children using the old kindy playground area. If you have young children and aren't already on the playgroup chat, join to meet other parents or grandparents for sharing and caring. Contact Jenny Cullen on 0406 806 648 to join the WhatsApp group. 

Organised groups using the park and our community halls include:
• POSMS (Pittwater Offshore Men’s Shed), meeting in the Recreation Centre every Thursday at 6 pm;
• IBC (Island Bootcamp), a fun fitness session every Tuesday and Thursday morning 7 – 8 am;
• Strength training with Maddy every Friday from 7:30 – 8:30 am;
• Tai Chi with Angela Cooney, Wednesdays from 9 – 10 am (on a short rest now, but back in October); 
• Dancing in the Dark, 6 pm in the Hall on Tuesdays and sometimes on Saturdays – watch the Pittwater Offshore Community Facebook page for announcements and updates;
• Table tennis in the hall, Mondays 9  – 10.

If you are interested in any of the above, go along and check it out! See the community calendar for more details and updates.

There have also been some fabulous events in the park and halls this winter. The play Noises Off was a huge success over two weekends in June and brought hilarity and much enjoyment to islanders. It was the culmination of months of hard work from the Island Players. Just this last weekend, another show came to the island: The Merchant of Venice, another Shakespeare event from Such Stuff Productions.

Last weekend there was also a SIRA-sponsored First Aid course. About 12 young people and volunteers attended free of charge, and others paid a discounted fee for the remaining places. Beaches First Aid delivered an excellent hands-on five-hour session, which means we have a lot more trained first-aiders in our community! 

The island café, held on the third Sunday of most months.

The café and associated events
And then of course there is the monthly Two Catherines café, and lots of events are organised to coincide with these coffee and cake mornings. The café is staffed by young locals and the sweet and savoury treats are supplied by local chefs and bakers. Profits go to community equipment or events via SIRA.

In July there was the popular mid-year market, where our offshore artists, artisans, entrepreneurs and craftspeople sell their wares. This year the profit was just over $1400 – a tidy sum that will benefit our community.

Other café morning events have included: 
• a conversation on solar panels attended by a person from Go Solar MacKellar, a community volunteer group helping with transitions to renewable energy; 
• a salsa dancing demonstration;
• a demonstration by the island fire brigade on using defibrillators;
• the launch of the Scotland Island Mosquito Blitz, featuring Associate Professor Cameron Webb from NSW Health Pathology, one of Australia’s leading mosquito experts; Tim Scott, former Vector Control Officer with Queensland Health, who has decades of practical experience in mosquito control, and an NBC representative. Also, a representative of the company Aquarius Watermaster was there to show mosquito protection devices and offer advice. It was extremely well attended and the blitz continues! See the article below for more information.

So, after all this winter activity, what’s coming up in spring? 
• Two Catherine’s Café on September 27 – time to welcome spring in!  
• SIRA’s AGM is October 25 from 10 am to 12, coinciding with the October café. More about that will be announced soon. 
• The November café will be very special. We’re moving it back one week to the weekend of November 29 and it will feature the Christmas market stalls – always the best place to get your gifts! Plus, there is a community celebration planned for the weekend with lots of activities – much more news to come about this – and you will see the call out for makers below.

Book the Community Hall or Recreation Centre.

The winter market, Catherine Park.

 Mike Hall

Mike Hall at this year's winter market.

Be part of ANCHORED, the first major offshore exhibition in five years. 

The exhibition will run from 27–29 November in the Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade shed and coincides with the brigade's 70th anniversary. If you’re an offshore artist or maker, we’re inviting you to submit your work.

ANCHORED follows the recent creation of Pittwater Offshore Artists and Makers (POAM), an incorporated association with 25 paid-up members so far, including painters, sculptors, potters, textile artists, illustrators, photographers, woodworkers and writers. 

See the Submission Guidelines and complete a quick Expression of Interest form by 16 September to show you're keen.

POAM aims to nurture a thriving creative community offshore through exhibitions, studio visits, workshops and other programs to share skills in art and making. Anyone interested in the arts is welcome, from beginners to experienced makers.

As a member, you can connect with, learn from, mentor and collaborate with other local artists and makers, and help shape POAM's future direction. Membership is $50 a year and helps cover group insurance and administrative expenses.

Alongside ANCHORED, there’ll be workshops and artist talks, with a café in the morning and a bar in the afternoon, with local musicians, writers and events at the Men's Shed. 

Leading up to the exhibition, we’re creating a substantial community textile piece, made from used local RFS uniform fabric embroidered by as many offshore residents as possible. Keep an eye out for notices of free community workshops so that you can contribute to this memorable project.

If you’d like to join POAM, please complete a membership application. For more information: Mike Hall at president@poam.com.au.

The Australian backyard mosquito, a species ubiquitous around Pittwater

One of NSW’s leading mosquito experts, Associate Professor Cameron Webb, has lent his knowledge and support to Scotland Island’s campaign to dramatically reduce our mosquito population.

After inspecting the island for mosquito-breeding sites, Professor Webb joined Northern Beaches Council environmental health officers to address the community at Catherine Park's community hall on 23 August. Similar communities have achieved impressive reductions, but success depends on one essential factor: everyone working together.

Professor Webb identified two main species: the Australian backyard mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus) and the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). Neither generally travels far, meaning the mosquitoes biting you are likely breeding on your property or nearby.

Aedes notoscriptus lays small batches of eggs around water-holding containers, while Culex quinquefasciatus can lay rafts containing 100–300 eggs. In warm conditions, mosquitoes may develop from egg to adult in little more than a week. One neglected container can therefore produce hundreds of mosquitoes affecting several neighbouring homes.

What every resident can do

1. Remove standing water from your property.

2. Turn buckets, pots, toys, kayaks and other containers upside down or store them undercover.

3. Check that tarpaulins are stretched tightly and cannot form pockets that collect rainwater.

4. Empty and scrub birdbaths, pet bowls and plant saucers at least once a week.

5. Clear blocked gutters, drains and other places where water cannot flow freely.

6. Remove mosquito-breeding plants that hold water, particularly bromeliads, or thoroughly flush them at least once a week.

7. Ensure rainwater-tank lids, access points and taps fit tightly.

8. Fit fine mosquito-proof screening to every tank inlet and overflow.

9. Check that septic-tank lids, inspection caps and other openings are securely sealed.

10. Ask your immediate neighbours to complete the same checks—mosquito control will work only if we act together.

Aquarius Watermaster representatives were available to assist residents, while Council’s Max Payne provided advice about sealing septic systems. Council has also arranged inspections of tanks at the fire shed and Catherine Park.

Professor Webb explained that roadside puddles are generally less suitable where water is regularly moving or disturbed by vehicles. Persistent, undisturbed water may require treatment. BTI is a biological larvicide used by councils and mosquito-control authorities to kill larvae before they become adults. Residents should use only products registered for use in Australia and follow the product label or Council’s advice.

Island resident Tim Scott, a former Queensland Health vector-control officer, has generously offered free property inspections. To participate, please have the neighbours on both sides involved, join the Scotland Island Mozzie Group WhatsApp page and register your interest.

We cannot eliminate every mosquito—but if we start now and work together, we can make a substantial difference. Please inspect your property and be a good neighbour.

Juliet Wills

Volunteer Editor: Roy Baker

Supported by: Scotland Island Residents Association