We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Pittwater.

 Roy Baker

Last June the Scotland Island Players performed Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off to sell-out audiences. Now our offshore thespians are turning their talents to two new projects, both guaranteed to lighten the mood of even the most careworn among us.

Cast members limber up for December's pantomime

Oh happy days! After his tremendous successes with Secret Island (2024) and Wedding Island (2025), Bogue Anthill, our island playwright, is back. This time he brings us a Christmas panto, written especially for and with our community's children. 

With a cast made up of offshore kids and adults, there will be singing, dancing (choreographed by island teenagers) and jokes – all the fun you'd expect from a traditional panto, but with a few fresh twists thrown in. 

With musical direction by Jess McGowan and artwork by Nettie Lodge, rehearsals are already underway. But we need more children for the cast (chorus and background roles). Or, if you don't fancy being in the limelight, there are opportunities to join in the fun by helping out backstage. If you think you or your child would like to take part, contact Jess on 0422 474 279.

And all of this comes to you FREE! Yes, there will be no admission charge for children or adults (although donations are welcome).

Escape Room: a Christmas Panto is brought to you by the Island Players, written by Bogue Anthill and directed by Reuben Stacey.

Two performances only: 2 pm matinées on 19 and 20 December, Scotland Island Community Hall. See the November PON for details.

Andrew Scott and Indira Varma in the 2019 Old Vic production of Present Laughter

Exciting news: the Scotland Island Players have been granted the rights to perform the comedy Present Laughter by Noël Coward. But we're short on cast. Would you like to take part?

Present Laughter, written in 1939, is widely regarded as one of a triumvirate of Coward's finest works, the others being Blithe Spirit (1941) and Private Lives (1930). Coward was among the twentieth century's great playwrights, as well as a composer, director, actor and singer. A consummate man of the theatre, he was renowned for his wit and flamboyance, not to mention dressing gowns. 

Present Laughter is Coward's thinly disguised self-parody. Described as 'the best comedy of its kind and generation', as well as 'among the most shameless, if liveliest, self-addressed valentines in theatre history', the play explores celebrity. Although written almost ninety years ago, it still speaks to the pressures of stardom. What's more, we hope to give to the play a distinctly contemporary edge.

We already have a partial cast, but we need more actors. In particular, we need men. 

There's no doubting that it's a play that will challenge its actors. We shall need to work hard. But they said the same about Noises Off, yet we pulled it off. Maybe we can do the same again.

If you have any interest in joining the cast, please email me at editor@scotlandisland.org.au. Alternatively, you can speak to any of the offshore players (eg Jess McGowan, Nettie Lodge, etc). 

Our current aim is to perform in May 2027, with rehearsals starting sometime over the summer.

 CB Floyd

The island café and July's winter market, just two of the events supported by SIRA

SIRA, Scotland Island's residents’ association, has an AGM coming up soon – on October 25 (see below for details). Nominations are open for joining the committee and subcommittees. Why should you care?

The Scotland Island Residents Association Committee (SIRAC) is a small group of islanders who together play an essential role in providing vital services, supporting island events and advocating on our behalf. It’s a volunteer committee whose responsibilities include:
• managing emergency water, the community website, the CV and the café
• supporting community events
• managing and funding the Community Hall and Recreation Centre
• managing finances and budgeting
• communicating with members
• advocating for better roads and wharves
• liaising with Northern Beaches Council (NBC) on many issues, including Church Point, waste and the environment.  

This year, SIRA has been operating for 70 years! But over time, the number of volunteers willing to join SIRAC or its subcommittees has decreased. This mirrors a society-wide trend that reflects our busier lifestyles and stresses, job and housing precarity, and many other pressures.

Despite the wider trend towards declining volunteerism, there is an admirable level of community spirit and participation on the island – witness the flourishing men’s shed, the fire brigade, the resurgent artists’ group, fitness, dance and social groups, and the active Island Players.   

We hope we can harness some of that community energy out there to reinvigorate our residents’ association committee’s membership. Getting involved in SIRA’s work brings many rewards, such as:
• contributing to essential services such as the provision of emergency water and the community vehicle
• helping to advocate for things that are important to you, which might include protecting our natural environment, improving amenities, negotiating on Church Point improvements, and better roads 
• keeping islanders informed about issues and events 
• being involved in actualising yet-to-be-realised projects like town water and sewerage 
• liaising with other local groups and NBC for better outcomes.

Being on SIRA usually involves no more than 5-6 hours per month, including our monthly two-hour (max) meeting, which is usually held online. 

SIRAC needs new people to bring some fresh ideas and to share skills and expertise. Don’t worry if you’re new to the island – we’re keen to include new perspectives.

Lastly, please remember – it isn’t a life sentence. Try it for a year and see whether it’s for you.

We hope to see you at the AGM! 

The AGM is October 25, 10 am to 12 pm, at the Community Hall. Everyone is welcome! The Two Catherines Café will be open from 9:30 to 12:30 so you can grab a coffee and something to eat before. We also invite everyone to a free sausage sizzle starting at 11:30.

Nomination forms are available to download here. If you don’t manage to nominate beforehand, you can always come on the day and put your hand up then. 

Not sure what SIRA really does? Read the Annual Report – you’ll be amazed!   

Volunteer Editor: Roy Baker

Supported by: Scotland Island Residents Association