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October 1, 2022 |
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Newsletter for the
Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 23,
Issue 1186
We acknowledge and pay our
respects to the Traditional Custodians of
Pittwater, as well as our Indigenous readers
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Contents
Thompson's BrothersAn essay on oblivionRoy Baker
I doubt whether erasure from history was a primary concern of the elderly woman whose passing, at her palace in Scotland, recently filled the airwaves. To a lesser extent the name of Andrew Thompson is also assured longevity. Many offshore residents, including myself, live on Scotland Island’s Thompson Street, named, of course, for the island’s first non-Indigenous owner.
Hall’s book depicts Thompson as a thoroughly decent man: brave, personable and surprisingly erudite, given his humble origins. Hall even suggests that Thompson may have been innocent of the burglaries that led to his transportation. Thompson pleaded guilty, but the only evidence against him was the discovery of stolen items among his possessions. Hall surmises that the guilty plea may have purely been to avoid death by hanging. While Thompson’s role in Sydney’s evolution is noteworthy, what interested me during my recent trip to the Scottish borders was what Andrew left behind. He grew up in the small village of Yetholm, nestled among the Cheviot Hills. It’s a beautiful place, but I was there to look for the Thompson legacy.
Soon I was finding Thomsons and Thompsons everywhere. (The difference in spelling is, I am told, insignificant.) One local Thomson is celebrated for composing the lyrics to ‘Rule Britannia’. More impressive, I think, is that a Thompson has won, on no fewer than three occasions, the prize for growing Yetholm’s best leek. But where was our Thompson? Surely there must be some trace of his existence. And then, in Yetholm’s churchyard, I came across what Hall confirms is the grave of two of Andrew’s siblings. Thompson’s brothers play a significant part in his story. It was the house of his eldest brother, William, that Andrew allegedly burgled. Shortly after Andrew’s trial, William received violent threats from others in Yetholm. What motivated these threats? Hall speculates that a small Scottish community would have seen theft by a teenager from his brother as a strictly family matter, resolvable without recourse to the law. Might William have planted evidence against his brother, spurred by sibling rivalry? We can only wonder. Andrew was driven by a need for respectability. He loved his mother, but we don’t know how his Scottish family regarded the son who had brought them so much disgrace. Years later, after Andrew had died a rich man, another brother, Walter, refused the legacy Thompson bequeath him. Was this out of shame, guilt, or some other motive? In Yetholm’s tranquil churchyard I contemplated the heartbreak and squabbles, doubt and betrayals that governed the lives of the multitudes now laid to rest. Andrew was one of six children, and it’s obvious from the Thompson gravestone that it was intended as a memorial to them all. ‘Here lyeth the children of John Thompson’, the inscription begins. It names the two who died prior to Andrew’s transportation. And then silence. The rest of the stone remains bare, as though the calamity of Andrew’s conviction required the family’s erasure from Yetholm. Indeed, a number of family members departed the village soon afterwards.
Little Robert is gone, and the stone is crumbling. His name and memory will soon face the obliteration that awaits us all. But let us not despair. As Yalom says, to face our doom and still say yes to the life we have is what takes real courage. Information on Annegret Hall’s biography of Andrew Thompson, as well as her other works, is available here.  Madeira VineA super weedCB Floyd, with Ben Dray
Some of you may have
noticed islander Ben Dray, out and about on road verges
around Scotland Island, carefully pulling out weeds, and
wondered what he’s up to. The answers is that Ben is a
member of the SIRA Roads, Drainage & Environment
Subcommittee (RD&E), and over recent months he has
focussed on controlling and eradicating the South
American invasive Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia)
from the island’s parks and road verges.
Why Madeira Vine? There are many weeds on the island: lantana, tradescantia, morning glory, asparagus fern and more. Bush regeneration groups, as well as garden owners, tackle these weeds regularly – and so they should. But Madeira has been singled out for this special campaign for a few good reasons.
Secondly, Madeira is considered a weed of National Significance and is one of the top weeds on the Australian government’s priority invasive plants list. It’s banned from sale in Australian nurseries. Finally, with all the rain, the South American invasive Madeira Vine infestation is on the rise. Offshore residents who have dealt with it know that it's a very efficient invasive weed and hard to eradicate. In short, it’s a super weed. If you do nothing about it, it takes over your garden – and then will infest your neighbours’ garden and, even worse, adjacent bushland. What is the SIRA RD&E Subcommittee doing to combat this infestation? Ben is methodically surveying and mapping island roads as well as the reserves and private property infested with this vine. Also, as an information gathering experiment, a section of road verge on Richards Road, starting from Carols Wharf, has been cleared successfully and is being monitored. The aim is to weed out Madeira Vine all the way to Bells Wharf. The primary method he has used is to collect all of the plant, (and that means all of it!!!) - tubers, roots and all, and bag it for landfill. It is NOT suitable for council vegetation clean up. No herbicide is being used since the vine is being cleared from road verges where poisons could leach into catchments that drain into bays. How is the vine
recognised?
Tips on how to identify the
weed, as well as photos, are available on the NSW Dept
of Primary Industries web site: click here.
What can you do?
1. Check your property for the vine. If you are aware of the weeds on your neighbours’ property, talk to them. A collaborative effort with your neighbours is definitely the most effective way to attack Madeira Vine.  2.
Remove the Madeira Vine. These resources may help:
• For a video from Pittwater Ecowarriors showing step-by-step how to tackle large plants using herbicide, and how to dig out and bag smaller plants, click here. • For a factsheet from the Dept of Primary Industries containing instructions on dealing with the weed, as well as lots more photos to help identify it, click here. 3. Dispose
of the weed cuttings. Ben says they can be mulched
in a fully sealed container but a normal compost heap
will just not work. Almost any part of this plant will
regrow and start a new vine. Collection bags must be
sealed by tying them firmly, then put them in garbage
bin.
4. Follow up
2-3 months later. Ben stresses that this is
vital, as it is almost impossible to completely rid your
property of the weed in one session. You may need to
repeat this, in collaboration with your neighbours, for
several years.
Obviously we share a responsibility to keep invasive plants out of our reserves and parks. That starts with making sure the weeds we have around our homes don't spread into neighbouring bushland. If we work together, we can address this invasive weed problem, and build on the work that Ben and SIRA’s RD&E Subcommittee has begun. If you have any questions or need advice, please call Ben Dray on 0411 403477. Artists' and Makers' WebpageA SIRA initiative
Are you an artist or maker
of craft ware? Would you like to be included on a
special page on the Scotland Island community website?
The offshore communities
are home to many talented artists and those who enjoy
other types of creative endeavours. We are putting
together an Artists and Makers page on the website; a
directory where artists, potters, sewers, photographers,
knitters, graphic designers etc can promote their
business or hobby by providing links and/or contact
details to sell or display their wares. It’s also the
perfect place for community members to find one-off
hand-made gifts while supporting local talent.
To get yourself listed,
fill out the Directory Request Form, available here. If you list yourself in the
directory, please select ALL applicable categories. For
example, select ‘Artists and Makers Page’ and then hold
down the 'Control' key and also select ‘Art and Craft’.
Feel free to include a link to your
website/Instagram/Facebook page, as well as an image.
Carols Afloat 2022A survey It’s that time of year
again! Our Carols Afloat choir is now coming into its
fourteenth year. For those who are not aware, the choir
meets during November and December for a few rehearsals,
culminating in one offshore performance before we all
float over to Church Point for a second performance at
the wharf. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to
be able to sing to join this choir!
Your trusty Carols
Committee are busy making plans and we have earmarked 15
December as the date for our performances.
But first, we would like to
canvas opinions on involvement levels and repertoire.
Please take a moment to answer our survey. Tell us
whether you’d like to be involved (in any capacity) and
what you would like to see in the choir performances.
Please click here to answer the survey. Thanks The Carols Committee The Two Catherines PlayExtended call for actors, production crew and more
ACTORS, PRODUCERS,
DESIGNERS AND STAGE HANDS NEEDED FOR AN EXCITING NEW
PLAY
The SIRA Recreation Committee is extending its call for anyone interested in auditioning or participating in the production of our Island play: The Two Catherines: A Twisted Scotland Island Tale. The play will be staged in early 2023. To find out more please contact the director at kay@marmalademedia.com.au. This call for expressions of interest closes 7 October 2022. Harold LiljaA request for information My
grandfather, Harold Lilja, had a cottage on Scotland
Island from sometime around World War II until the 1950s
or 1960s. He lived there from time to time.This painting is by friend
and renowned Australian artist Roland Wakelin. It
depicts my grandfather in 1939.
I would love to know where
on the island my grandfather's cottage was. When did he
purchase it and how long did he keep it? I'd especially
like to know if there are any neighbours still living on
Scotland Island who may have memories of my grandfather,
or may remember his family.
If you have any
information, please contact me at berylouisemitchell@gmail.com.
Thanks
Beryl Mitchell
Table TennisScotland Island Recreation CentreMost Saturdays throughout the year2 - 3 pm: Introduction to Table Tennis3 - 5 pm: Table Tennis practice Groups meet most Saturdays
and anyone over 12 is welcome. Sessions are supported by
the Scotland Island Recreation Club.
Play from 2 - 3 pm is
intended primarily for those new to table tennis. The
session from 3 - 5 pm is open to everyone, regardless of
your standard of play.
Sessions do not run every Saturday. If you are interested in taking part then it's best to join the table tennis WhatsApp group to receive up-to-date information on who is playing. If you would like to join the group, please email editor@scotlandisland.org.au. Alternatively, you can just turn up and take your chances. Adult players are asked to contribute $5 per player per attendance to defray expenses. Adult Art WorkshopScotland Island Recreation CentreTuesday 4 October, 6:00 - 9:00 pm To book, click here.
Children's Art WorkshopScotland Island Recreation CentreWednesday 5 October, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon To book, click here.
Children's Music WorkshopScotland Island Recreation CentreFriday 7 October, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon To book, click here.
Fire Shed DinnerScotland Island Fire StationSaturday 15 October, 7:00 pm onwards Look out for the link
for advanced booking on Facebook, posters around the
island and the SIRFB
website
Scotland Island CaféCatherine Park, Scotland IslandSunday 16 October, 10 am - 2 pm Spring Garden FestivalCatherine Park & Community Hall, Scotland IslandSunday 16 October, 10 am - 5 pm The Tuesday Discussion GroupScotland Island Recreation CentreTuesday 18 October, 11 am - 12.30 pmThe Recreation Club runs a discussion group, meeting on
the third Tuesday of each month, from 11 am to 12.30 pm
in the Recreation Centre. Everyone is welcome. Members take it in turn to design a session. In September Robyn Armsworth-Brack led a discussion on philanthropy, asking who really benefits: the donor or the recipient?
The group is administered via a WhatsApp group, which will be used to distribute further information about this and future discussions.If you would like to be added to the group, send your mobile phone number to editor@scotlandisland.org.au. Alternatively, contact Jane Rich (janebalmain@hotmail.com) for more information or to express your interest in participating. International Folk DancingScotland Island Community HallSaturday 29 October, 7 - 9 pm The Recreation Club
asks for $5 per person per attendance to defray
expenses.
'The Authentic You' MasterclassScotland Island5 & 6 NovemberAre you available
November 5th and 6th? Mandy Nolan and George Catsi are
coming to the island for a weekend workshop: The
Authentic You.
This workshop is about your story. It’s about how your narrative intersects with everything you do. It’s the ‘why’ of you. It’s about your purpose, about what drives you and it’s about the courage to stand in your truth. Performance coach, presenter, comedian, writer and former Greens candidate Mandy Nolan, teams up with creative producer, social entrepreneur and doctor in persuasive performance, Dr George Catsi to present a this unique and empowering masterclass ’The Authentic You’. It's dynamic. It's deep. It's fun. It's a game changer! This could be the workshop that changes the way you tell the story of what you do and who you are! It has been for the hundreds of people from all over the country who have participated in the two-day transformative workshop. Running over two days, 5 & 6 November, Mandy and George will share performance techniques they utilise to create quick rapport and real connection with their audience. Drawing from more than
three decades of live performance experience, Mandy
Nolan brings a wealth of practical knowledge of
working with audiences of all shapes and sizes, while
national award-winning writer and academic Catsi
brings the profound insights that will transform your
idea of standing in front of an audience!
Mandy and George will be there to guide you to the triumph of stepping into your most authentic you! Regards, George and Mandy
 For further
information, and to book, click here.
Creative Drawing WeekendScotland Island Recreation Centre12 & 13 November, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sydney
Art Space is very excited to be hosting a Creative
Drawing Weekend Immersion on beautiful Scotland
Island. This workshop will be tutored by Sydney Art
Space Director, artist Christine Simpson and will
focus on the figure on day 1 with the life model, and
abstraction of the figure on day 2.Only a limited number of places remain available. DRAWING MATERIALS
REQUIRED:
6B, 2B and HB lead pencils Graphite stick Willow charcoal Putty erasure A3 drawing pad Drawing paper, sizes Drawing pad A3, 2 sheets A2 & 1 sheet A1 PVA Glue Black Indian ink Various brushes for ink and wash 2 Small plastic containers Scissors For enrolment and accommodation options please click here. Jazz ConcertScotland Island Community HallSaturday 19 November, 7:30 pm |
For the
October meeting, Sarah Polomka will lead a discussion
based around cartoons. Political cartoonist Glen
Le Lievre said of the relationship between Australia and
its satirists that 'the deeper the country digs itself
into a hole, the more material we get'. With that quote
in mind, bring to the discussion a cartoon to discuss.
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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)
