2515 AUGUST 2021 by The Illawarra Flame

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AUGUST 2021

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5 1 Coast news

Sarah Nicholson The Writers Centre director with a creative vision for a community hall

Clifton / Scarborough / Wombarra / Coledale / Austinmer / Thirroul / Bulli

Meet Our Contributors Gem Romuld is the Australian

Director for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. She has worked on the campaign since 2013, building community and political support for the nuclear weapon ban treaty. She participated in the 2017 UN negotiations that led to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and is now working to raise awareness and ensure Australia signs and ratifies as soon as possible. She has worked with Australians for War Powers Reform and spent six years producing radio programs for 3CR Radio and the Community Radio Network. Gem has degrees in communications and law from the University of Technology, Sydney. Sue Whiting is the author of numerous children’s and young adult books, including the bestselling Missing, the award-winning A Swim in the Sea and a number of CBCA Notable Books. Sue’s latest novel, The Book of Chance, was recently shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. As a storyteller, workshop leader and schools’ performer, Sue has informed, inspired and entertained kids across the country. She lives in the Northern Illawarra. Imogen Ross is a local artist who specialises in working imaginatively with her community around environmental sustainability, repurposing household objects and reducing the amount of waste we generate. Imogen runs Go Create upcycling and after-school workshops in the 2515 area. To invite Imogen to your school, community group or private event to deliver creative upcycling craft workshops, please email imogenross@yahoo.com.au Sandy Fussell is the author of 14 books for children published in Australia and overseas. She has been CBCA shortlisted, won an international IBBY award and listed in The New York Times Best Picture Books of the Year. Dr Saroja Gunasekera is a GP at Bulli Medical Practice, passionate about providing patients with comprehensive, personalised, holistic medical care. She also provides a mentoring and life coaching service. Saroja is a Clinical Associate Professor in General Practice at the University of Wollongong. From 2003-2012 she was the region’s Director of General Practice Training. She balances work with an active family life and enjoys the Illawarra’s fabulous coastal life.

2 August

Enter our Art in the Wild competition to win a guidebook! Email your nature art photos to editor@2515mag.com.au See story on page 4

south coaster Sharing local knowledge

www.southcoaster.com.au 1 home for 3 publications 2515 Coast News, 2508 District News & the South Coaster guidebook

NEXT DEADLINE August 20 for September issue

EDITORS Gen Swart, Marcus Craft CONTACT editor@2515mag.com.au. Ph: 0432 612 168 2515mag. PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508. ADVERTISING www.southcoaster.com.au | T&Cs apply. NEXT DEADLINE August 20, 2021 COVER SCWC’s Sarah Nicholson. Photo: Anthony Warry 2515 is published by The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477. DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain the property of 2515 Coast News unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Views expressed do not reflect those of the publishers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The publishers acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultural and spiritual connection to this land. Their stories are written in the land and hold great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, from the mountains to the sea.

Make Art in the Wild

It could be a shell mandala, a rock tower or an arrangement of leaves. However nature inspires you, we want to see it. Art in the wild by Wombarra sculptor Stephen Hamper, Coledale artist Lizzie Buckmaster Dove and Banksia Bush Care.

SCARF has merged with Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra.

As we head into another month of lockdown, 2515 and Austinmer art teacher Imogen Ross are collaborating on a nature art challenge. We’re inviting Illawarra children of all ages to get creative outdoors, photograph the result and send it to us. To give your family a challenge on a walk, we encourage you to make art in the wild. Famous artists such as British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, Australian environmental art pioneer John Davis and our own local artists Lizzie Buckmaster Dove and Stephen Hamper regularly incorporate found objects in situ to create sculptures, photographing their decomposition back into the earth and sea. Our diverse Illawarra environment gives us an endless supply of materials – both natural and man-made. The challenge is to ‘see’ what you can create with them, in your own unique style. Locals often see the work of Wombarra sculptor Stephen Hamper on the tide lines, slowly getting smaller and smaller until the waves reclaim them. He never signs his name or leaves evidence of his being there apart from the strange totem-like piles of balanced rocks. It is his ‘gift’ to the community. Coledale artist Lizzie Buckmaster Dove’s ongoing investigation into sense of place, embodied mapping and connection often uses the Coledale sea pool and rock shelf as a catalyst. “As I walk the Illawarra shoreline, collected coal pebbles mark my hands black. When pocketed they knock together, remembering the music they made when dancing on the ebb and flow tide,” Lizzie has said. In Stanwell Park, the legacy of sculptor Gaby Porter, former owner of Wombarra Sculpture Garden, lives on. Lining the bush track from the kiosk up to Stanwell Avenue are giant bird’s nests

4 August

woven with stalks of lantana, senna and ochna. All invasive weeds, reinvented as bush sculpture. Inside the nests are porcelain eggs featuring the works of great painters – think Van Gogh’s sunflowers. The Modern Art Tributes on Eggs (MATE) Exhibition is an open-air community art show, curated by Banksia Bush Care founder Kieran Tapsell. Let these artists inspire you on your own walks; to hone your eyes, to see beauty in the most mundane objects and ignite your imaginations. Send us a photograph of your works and a location if safe to do so. Other local readers may wish to find your artworks before nature reclaims them. Though they might be incorporated in your art, please do not leave any rubbish in the landscape. The beauty of eco-art is that it can stay in the landscape and you do not have to take it home. Send us your photos! Up for grabs are copies of our South Coaster guidebook, featuring fabulous 2515 columnists, including Amanda De George of Backyard Zoology, and Chris Reid of Beetling About. Email photos to editor@2515mag.com.au and we’ll publish some entries in our next issue. Please include your name (plus age, school or suburb, if you like). 2515

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Gem Romuld, director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australia. Photo supplied

Paintings for peace A Bulli art show will promote a world with no nukes, writes Gem Romuld, director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australia Did you know that there are still over 13,000 nuclear weapons on the planet? Nine irresponsible heads of state are clinging to these abhorrent weapons, with the capacity to incinerate entire cities and billions of people. In 2020, mid-pandemic, the nuclear-armed countries spent $72 billion on these weapons. This money is handed out in contracts to nuclear weapons-producing companies, who then fund think-tanks and lobbyists to ensure the contracts keep coming. We all know these kinds of funds are desperately needed to address the very real problems we face worldwide, such as the climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of nongovernmental organisations in more than 100 countries promoting the prohibition, stigmatisation and elimination of nuclear weapons. Our campaign was the driving force behind the adoption of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017; the first global agreement to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons. In 2017 the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to ICAN for our work to “draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and [our] ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons”. This September, the Illawarra is celebrating this Australian-born campaign and the push for Australia to sign and ratify the treaty.

6 August

An art exhibition “ICAN see a world without nuclear weapons” will run from September 20 to October 2 at the Bulli Timber Mill. Anyone who despises nuclear weapons but loves a Sunday beer, art and music is invited to the opening on the 26th of September from 2pm. The Jodie Michael New Trio (jazz) and Mel Stjepanovic (folk) will be playing live. We’ll also hear short speeches from local Councillor Mithra Cox, federal representative Sharon Bird MP and yours truly. Our Nobel Peace Prize medal, the only one in Australia, will be on display. One effective thing we can do in the Illawarra is raise the pressure for Australia to become part of the solution by joining the nuclear weapon ban treaty. This goal has the support of 79% of the public, numerous unions the Australian Red Cross, the Australian Labor Party, the Australian Greens, 90 federal parliamentarians, 36 local councils, over 60 faith-based organisations and more than 80 diverse civil society organisations. Australia has joined treaties banning chemical weapons, biological weapons, landmines and cluster munitions – and now the nuclear weapon ban treaty is the circuit-breaker we need to put nuclear weapons in the past. 2515 ‘ICAN see a world without nuclear weapons’ Exhibition: 20 September – 2 October at Bulli Timber Mill (email shaneladymoon@gmail.com to submit) Opening: Sunday, 26 September from 2pm. Visit Icanw.org.au

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Fieldwork and video analysis has shown sulphur-crested cockatoos are copy-cats. Photos: Australian Museum

Contact-tracing cockatoos Research has revealed the spread of the foraging culture, writes Dr Richard Major, one of the authors of a cockatoo study published last month in the journal Science.

It may seem as though the action of a cockatoo flipping a bin-lid is a simple one – but recent research has discovered that this behaviour is far more significant than first thought. If I had a cracker for every question I received about cockies behaving badly, you’d be calling me ‘Polly’. And after years of fruitless war on my local citrus pickers, new behavioural research provides a possible window to freedom. What started as an interesting observation of bin-opening has resulted in a significant advance in our understanding of animal learning. Video analysis and intensive fieldwork on 500 colourmarked cockatoos, in combination with a community survey, demonstrated that mastering the wheelie-bin puzzle is not something that clever cockies just work out for themselves. Instead, sulphur-crested cockatoos are copy-cats and after one individual solves the lid-flip puzzle, other birds in its social network imitate the new foraging innovation. What started out just south of Sydney spread quickly – within two years, bin-flipping had gone viral across 44 geographically linked suburbs. Some birds modified the technique, perhaps walking the lid up the left side of the bin rather than the right, or holding the half-open bin with their foot, not their beak. These subtle differences in the behaviour were the key to contact-tracing, showing how geographically localised variants arise in the cockatoo community. While the behaviour seems largely to be learnt, more than one cockatoo has solved the puzzle. A later, and independent innovator on the northern beaches of Sydney started a similar

8 August

bin-opening cluster. And although it looks to the casual observer in these areas as if all cockatoos are bin-ravaging villains, colour-marking of individuals showed that fewer than 10 percent of birds learn the art, with most swooping into the open bin after the pioneers do the tricky bit. As video evidence shows, cockatoos also have to stay on the learning curve, to cope with the wild cards that people deal them. And this is where you can help, by participating in the 2021 cockatoo bin-opening survey and reporting if you have, and if you have not, observed this behaviour in your suburb. We are also continuing to research urban bird behaviour and value your reports of birds, nests, marked individuals (e.g. wing-tags), and behaviours including bin-opening, using the Big City Birds app or website. So how does this help the backyard battler save their cedar window frames, flyscreens, solarheaters or citrus crops? Be alert, and a little bit alarmed – lock it down immediately! Wave and shout the first time you observe bad behaviour, while you only have one challenger to contend with. Don’t give the flock the opportunity to share it with their close contacts, because we know they will – and you might be saving your neighbours as well as yourself! Read more in Innovation and geographic spread of a complex foraging culture in an urban parrot. Science: 23 July, 2021. Authors: Barbara C. Klump, John M. Martin, Sonja Wild, Jana K. Hörsch, Richard E. Major and Lucy M. Aplin. Visit www.sciencemag.org 2515

A Day in the Life Nurse Rachel Qi shares her story.

You may think it’s a monotonous job to give hundreds of patients COVID-19 vaccines a day, but for me, a nurse immunizer, it’s an honor to care for all of the people who are struggling through this pandemic and another round of lockdown. My day working at Parkes Street General Practice normally starts with a half an hour train ride from Wollongong to Helensburgh, if the sky is clear, the morning view outside of the train window is quite enjoyable. But that’s as much leisure time as I can get before finishing a day’s work, because the day is going to get really busy with hundreds of patients coming into our clinic to get their shots. After arriving at work, my first job is drawing up the vaccines, which is a very important preparation process so that patients don’t have to wait that long and can get their shot as soon as they arrive. Some patients find the online registration difficult, and that’s when our lovely receptionists’ step in and help these people with registration on their arrival, they then give them queuing tickets and help them sit down in the waiting room. Most of the time there would be three nurses working on giving injections simultaneously. Sufficient working staff combined with our great queueing system reduces patients’ waiting time greatly and makes our work more effective and efficient. The majority of patients who we have cared for have been excited to be able to come and receive their covid-19 vaccination here. I can feel their excitement from the laughter coming out from each injection room from time to time. We also know how satisfied the patients are with us from all the chocolates and “thank you” cards that we receive from them. It’s really heartwarming to hear how appreciative they are. In times of

OU • • Dr Cindy Htet, owner of Parkes Street General Practice, gives the Pfizer vaccine to Nurse Rachel Qi, a frontline healthcare worker at Helensburgh Respiratory Clinic.

lockdown, it makes it even more special to see happy, smiling patients. Of course, sometimes I have patients coming into our clinic feeling anxious and nervous about having the vaccine, in which case, I try to talk to them and comfort them with patience and my professional knowledge, to make sure the patients are completely comfortable to receive the shot. At Parkes Street General Practice and Respiratory Clinic, I work with an amazing group of super-human people, and we are a family here. Here, we provide the best service to our patients and do our absolute best to help them to get through this tough time. To our patients, I would like to say: the impact of COVID-19 is very difficult, but just know that we’re here. 2515

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SCARF merges with ‘ideal’ charity

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On May 31, members of SCARF, a not-for-profit that supports more than 2000 people from refugee communities, voted to merge with the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI). The SCARF Board sought to join a like-minded organisation to provide financial stability and secure its long-term future. SCARF Chair Kath McCollim said she was delighted that members supported the merger.

•

Refugee communities will benefit as two organisations join forces, writes Cristina Sacco, of SCARF Refugee Support.

10 August

“MCCI is the ideal organisation for SCARF to merge with – in fact, we’ve already worked together on many projects,” Ms McCollim said. “SCARF will keep its name and branding and our team of wonderful volunteers will continue to deliver our programs to refugee communities.” The new arrangements are expected to take effect from October. Visit www.scarfsupport.org.au and www.mcci.org.au 2515

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NEW A P TIENTS WELCOME

Parkes Street General Practice is excited to welcome 2 new faces to the practice!

OUR DOCTORS: • Dr Cindy Htet (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)

• Dr Martin Gellatley (Monday, Tuesday, Friday)

• Dr Meng Chen (Thursday)

• Dr Sally Mon (full time)

• Dr Taras Kusyk (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)

• Dietitian Rachel Watson (Friday, Saturday)

Dr Sally Mon has a variety of experience in both emergency and general practice settings. She is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). She also has a certificate from Sydney Child Health Program. She is particularly interested in women’s and children’s health.

SERVICES INCLUDE: • Onsite Pathology (Mon-Fri 8-12pm) • 24hr Holter Monitor & 24hr BP Monitor • Laser Hair Removal (Thursday) • Cosmetic Procedures • Full Skin Check & Skin Cancer Treatment • Covid-19 Assessment Clinic • Health Assessment including Healthy Heart Check • Allied Health Service - Dietitian

Dr Taras Kusyk is currently extending his skills in skin cancer medicine. He worked for many years at St George Hospital, Wollongong Hospital and Sutherland Hospital as a surgical registrar before joining the general practice. His main interests are preventive medicine, dermatology/skin cancer and mental health.

Book your appointment via www.psgp.com.au or phone 4294 1400 129 Parkes St, Helensburgh

‘Like a very long black log’: a Southern Right Whale spotted off McCauley’s. Photos: Amanda De George

Backyard Zoology With Amanda De George

Okay, confession time. I’m often late submitting my stories to 2515. Not late-late but pushing-my-luck late. But, boy, am I thankful that I dragged my heels this month because I’m so excited to share one of favourite wildlife encounters with you all, and in lockdown, no less! Yesterday started out normally enough, walking along the pathway at McCauley’s Beach and on to Sandon Point. It’s always a lovely walk. I mean, that coastline, especially in the sun is beyond perfect. As I turned to head back, I noticed in the distance what looked to be a long, a very long, black log lying just beneath the water’s surface. I slowed my already not particularly fast pace right down and stood for a while, just kind of working through what it might be. And then suddenly the ‘log’ surfaced and sprayed a very impressive and very distinct V-shaped bushy blow. My first whale of the season! And one that looked suspiciously like an animal that had been on my bucket list since forever: a Southern Right Whale. Before I could really decide on my next course of action, a second, smaller shape surfaced right next to the first. This whale had a calf with her! Cue frantic running and half-sliding, halfstumbling down the hill to try to get to my car so I could grab my husband and my camera – both essentials but both also at home at the time. These whales weren’t just on my bucket list because they’re lovely, although they totally are. But these

12 August

are seriously special animals. They were originally named ‘Right Whales’ as during the 1800s they were the ‘right’ whale to catch, with the perfect amount of meat and oil, easy to capture due to their slow swimming behaviour and their tendency to stay in the same bay for hours or days and the fact that once dead, they will float. What may have been right for the whalers turned out to be a disaster for these beautiful creatures. Currently the Australian population is estimated to be about 3500 individuals while the number of breeding females on the east coast is thought to be as low as 68. Coupled with the interval between calves being around three to five years, these huge mammals (adults can grow up to 18 metres in length, with calves between five and six metres!) face an uphill battle to increase their numbers. And so we stood there on the beach for a few hours, just watching the whales as they slowly made their way up and down the bay, resting and readying themselves for the trip back south. I cried a few times, especially watching the interaction between calf and cow; the young baby turning on her side and her back and gliding in front of, and over, her mother’s face. The name may have an awful history but, for me, during a lockdown that has left me at times feeling incredibly flat, they were the right whales, in the right place and at the right time. 2515 Visit www.backyardzoology.com

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How to help locals in need Do you know someone doing it tough in lockdown? Green Connect can help, writes Kate Mayhew of Community Resources.

Restrictions and lockdowns because of Covid-19 are undeniably hard, many in our community are struggling with social isolation, home schooling and reduced work hours. Illawarra-based social enterprise Green Connect wants to help and is asking locals to consider donating a fruit and veg box or care package to people who are doing it tough right now. The fruit and veg boxes are filled with chemicalfree and locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables from Green Connect’s 11-acre permaculture farm in Warrawong. The care packages have been put together by the Green Connect op shop team. They are handpicked according to what people need most and may include things such as warm clothes, blankets, cookware, books or toys. All items have been gently used and are packed in a Covid-safe way. Green Connect General Manager Kylie Flament said: “We’re delivering free fruit and veg boxes to people who may be struggling financially or working reduced hours. “Our amazing op shop team are putting together and delivering care packages to people stuck at home in lockdown. “How can the community help? We’re asking

14 August

people to go to our website and donate a veg box or care package, which we will deliver to someone in need. “People can also nominate someone they know who may benefit from a free care package, or four weeks of free fruit and veg boxes delivered to their door.” Deliveries of care packages and fruit and veg boxes not only benefit those in the community who receive them, they also allow Green Connect to keep local staff employed. “We are a not-for-profit social enterprise and most of our employees are young people and former refugees, many of whom are doing it tough themselves,” Kylie said. “The Illawarra community is always supportive of Green Connect and we’re so grateful. “We’re also honoured to be in a position where we can coordinate help for people who need it most right now. As we’re hearing from the families receiving these boxes, a little bit of kindness goes a long way.” 2515 To donate a veg box or care package, or to nominate someone in need go to https://green-connect.com.au/ care-packages/

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Where have all the wine memes gone? By Brian Kelly, a father of two teenage girls.

It’s the “wine o’clock!” memes that seem to be missing this time around. Last year’s lockdown (you remember – the fun one, the novel one, Anzac Day in the driveway etc) arrived with a flurry of artworks highlighting the joys of keeping a potentially deadly disease at bay, not going anywhere interesting AND having to suddenly be your kids’ teacher(s). There we were, asking if 10am was too early to fetch gin from the freezer, as if almost daring each other. Who would crack first? But now ... eerily quiet on that front. Maybe it’s just my newsfeed, but we’ve either gone cold turkey, hit the back of the booze cabinet or passed out. Which is a worry; when the laughs dry up, tears appear. Supervising the schooling of one’s offspring (NOT home-schooling, which appears to be a whole other extension of the very hot place, and hats off to those who do it all the time) can actually be very self-educational. Why is Year 7 algebra suddenly beyond me? When did I forget what the “subjunctive pluperfect” tense was ... and did I ever know? As my own teen queens are largely selffunctional (self-censorial might be nice on occasion, ladies), it’s parents of the younger tribe that I feel for most. People are seriously stretched. Stats speak loudly (a 27 per cent rise in calls to Lifeline, 40 per cent of parents ‘actively’ caring for children during work hours), but the one that matters most is that 100 per cent of us are Over It. Distinctly not helping are the wide-ranging views that it’s all so much easier/harder this time.

16 August

You’ll be aggrieved for single parents trying to keep 16 balls in the air one minute, green with envy the next at the 11-year-olds who seem to be making an early start on their HSC as their parents punch out another batch of award-winning sourdough. There’s no doubt teachers are suffering, too, but some have gone out of their way to keep it fun. In at least one Illawarra primary school, three kinder teachers managed to dispatch learning packs to students’ homes, complete with a note that said “your work colours our day like a packet of SKITTLES”, with a pack of that kaleidoscopic confectionery attached. The mum sharing this on social media – who contends with chronic illness and has five kids at school “plus a 4-year-old rascal” to corral – was duly impressed. Then there was the dad who said his daughter had that day studied physics – along with “force, momentum, acceleration and resistance ... mostly on a scooter”. All followed by photos of a nasty knee scrape. File under life lessons, perhaps. Meantime, we should not underestimate the power of our abilities to brighten someone’s day through gestures grand and humble. US president Ulysses Grant (keen on a drink himself, coincidentally) said: “The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most.” And while we inhabit a part of the world where we are free to wander into the great outdoors and witness a whale mumma and her bub (thank you, McCauley’s Beach), there is surely enough hope to justify looking forward to better times and the sound of clinking glasses once more. 2515

Photos: Instagram

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The Comeback! By Tony Ryan

As a 55-year-old bloke who has had more AFL comebacks than John Farnham has had comeback tours, I thought the days of me being asked “Do you reckon you can fill in for us?” were long gone. Apparently not. The Northern District Tiger’s men’s are fielding a thirds side this year to accommodate the influx of new players and, naturally, the side gets drained the most, due to injuries. Captain-coach ‘Trimmers’ asked me if I could sit on the bench and come on if needed. I agreed, but when I informed my lovely wife I heard muttering – it sounded like “stupid [naughty word] idiot” – and she informed me that I would receive no sympathy for any damage I did to myself. On game day, the weather was miserable at Woonona’s Hollymount oval so, after standing in the cold wind and rain for over 75 minutes, coaching the reserve grade women’s team, I had to get changed to go out to battle. Arriving on the bench half-way through the first quarter I was surprised to see that I was the only player there. A few late withdrawals from higher grades meant some players were playing up. A player put his hand up for a rest and I ventured onto the paddock. There were a few shouts from supporters, which I’m sure were followed by whispers of “What the hell is this old bloke doing?” Our team was performing well against the undefeated Bombaderry side as I shuffled my way to the back line to line up on a kid who looked like he’d just come out of puberty. His eyes lit up at the prospect of running this old bugger off his feet. Commonsense prevailed as I swapped onto their oldest player, who was only 20 years my junior. After a couple of handfuls of possessions by three-quarter time I was not dominating, but I was not embarrassing myself. ‘Trimmers’ said I was running hard, but looked like I was on a treadmill. I was playing up forward in the last quarter and the Tigers had firm control of the game. The Tigers women’s side were warming up on the adjoining oval, as I contemplated coaching them within the next 30 minutes. They yelled out some quite witty and complimentary comments to me. With about eight minutes to go, the ball was kicked into the forward line. A pack formed, ready for someone to take a strong mark. Experience had taught me I was not that ‘someone’ as I’d never really had a great leap and nowadays I was lucky to jump over a jam tin. With a strong wind blowing, I predicted that the ball might float over the pack and into my waiting arms, which it did. There were screams from my Tigers girls as they

18 August

stopped their warm-up to see what would happen. Being 30m out I went back and tried to remember all the things I had taught the girls about goal-kicking: aim to kick the ball at the trees behind the goals; go back far enough not to kick into the man on the mark, and get a bit of momentum in the delivery stride. I also hoped that my hamstring, more of a ham-thread, would carry the extended burden of a kick which would be at my full measure. The wind was blowing left to right so I aimed at the left goal post. And, last but not least, I thought to myself: “I have kicked 1000 of these, so let’s make it 1001.” The ball came sweetly off my boot and back with the wind to sail through the goals. I was delighted, and the cheers of the crowd, especially the girls, were pretty special. Most of the team ran towards me and rubbed my bald head like it was Aladdin’s lamp. Not long after, I realised my left foot was wet. I checked the sole of my 15-odd-year-old boots to find that it had snapped right across the middle. Within minutes the siren sounded. We had knocked off the top side, I got into the huddle and belted out the team song, and I’d played with some kids I had coached as juniors. I was stoked that I had kicked a goal in front of my AFLW side and I had survived the game pretty much unscathed. As I sat in the change rooms, observing my broken, worn-out boots, I wondered: were the footy gods, who can be so cruel at times, now saying to me: “We have granted you this good day but this should be the final time you should grace the field.” If so, I agree! (For now, anyway!) 2515 Tony’s old boot has kicked its last goal.

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August

1 tsp vanilla extract (organic) 2 cups almond meal ¾ cup buckwheat flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon 100g dark choc chunks (>80% cacao)

Bake with Mum

By Stephanie Meades, functional nutritionist at Thirroul’s Life Wellness Co. One of my sons’ favourite home-schooling subjects has been ‘Mummy’s Home Economics’ class. Each day they look forward to creating something new from the wholefood ingredients in our pantry and fridge and working out how to put them together. It doesn’t always work out, but they keep trying and it warms my heart to know they are developing such great life skills. This recipe was one of their best creations and they gave me permission to share with all the other kids in 2515!

Chunky Choc Banana Bread Serves 12-14 slices Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas (mashed) 3 eggs (whisked) ¼ cup coconut oil (melted) ¼ cup maple syrup

Note: The higher the cacao content of the chocolate your use, the more health-boosting benefits you will receive as Cacao is super mineral-rich, being one of the highest food forms of magnesium and contains more than seven times more antioxidants than green tea. Not that we needed an excuse, right? Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C degrees and line a loaf tin with baking paper. Mix all wet ingredients (bananas, eggs, oil, maple syrup and vanilla) until well combined and set aside. Mix all dry ingredients (except the choc chunks) in a separate bowl and then combine with wet ingredients. Mix well. Add 80g of the choc chunks to the mixture and stir to combine, saving the remaining choc chunks for the topping. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and then sprinkle choc chunks on top for decoration. Put the bread into the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Once cooked through, allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes prior to slicing and serving with some organic butter or nut butter. Delish! Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. Enjoy! 2515

Faces of the Rebellion

Who are the ordinary people behind Extinction Rebellion Northern Illawarra and the extraordinary global movement? In the first of this series, Kristen McDonald introduces Amy Luschwitz, from Thirroul. “We all have to step up and take responsibility” – is a motto I firmly believe in. If you listen to the science, we are in an urgent climate crisis and drastic action is needed to avoid its worst effects. But neither Greta Thunberg nor Scott Morrison alone can save us. We all need to take responsibility and do something. This is why I helped establish Extinction Rebellion Northern Illawarra (XRNI). One day my friends and I called a community meeting to see who might be interested in becoming active on climate change. I never expected more than 100 people would show up! The sense of community and connection that I have felt through this group makes me love where we live. Whilst many conversations and opinions are diverse, it is clear we agree that all levels of government need to drastically reduce carbon

20 August

emissions now – not in 2050 when it will be too late. I’m terrified my daughter’s future will be compromised, but I won’t sit idly by. And I encourage you to get active in some way as well. You can join XRNI, or any other number of climate initiatives that are happening locally or worldwide. You can help with your time, money, ideas or your consumer choices. The point is to take action.” 2515 Visit www.xrnorthernillawarra.org

9 Veno Street, Heathcote 2233 Phone: (02) 9548 2818 Open 7 days 9am to 5pm www.sydneywildflowernursery.com.au FOR THE LARGEST RANGE OF AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS Entry $7 Children Free

Illawarra Grevillea Park Spring Open Days Saturday and Sunday September 4 & 5, 11 & 12 Large display gardens of wonderful native plants. Picnic, bushwalk, stroll through the rainforest - dogs on leash okay Extensive range of plants for sale Grevillea Park Road, Bulli www.illawarrgrevilleapark.com.au

0422 865 648 robyn@beachframing.com 13 George St Thirroul NSW 2515

Thursday and Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 9am - 12pm

August

Inspired by a true crime Sue Whiting’s tale has been shortlisted for a ‘Book of the Year’ award by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Here, the local author shares the story behind her book.

The Book of Chance is my 18th trade book for children and my ninth children’s novel. It took three years from first idea to printed book and was released into the wild when the world was reeling from the news that we were in the midst of a global pandemic and Australia was flung into a national lockdown. Talk about impeccable timing! Now, 15 months on, we are in the grips of another outbreak and in lockdown once again. This time on the eve of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year announcement, for which I am happy to report The Book of Chance has been shortlisted. Again, impeccable timing! But,

22 August

truly, not even the dreaded Delta strain can take the shine off my book being recognised in this way. I am both humbled and delighted. For this story I made a conscious decision to go local. (Who knows maybe this was my “magic” ingredient?) After some location scouting, it soon became apparent that Wollongong suited my needs perfectly. Besides, I thought, how often is the Gong featured in Aussie books? Here was my chance. Even though I have lived in the area for 30+ years, I still needed to spend much time roaming the streets, noting details, taking photos and sound grabs and videos. The houses that my main character, Chance, and her neighbour, Alek, live in are based on two actual houses in Wollongong and I am certain the occupants must have wondered about the strange woman with backpack, notebook and phone camera who seemed to be constantly lurking about. Apologies! But getting to know the Gong from a different perspective and trying to bring it to life within the pages of a book, throwing in local references to WIN TV, WIN Stadium, the beaches, the rocky sculptures in the mall, Stuart Park, etc. was a lot of fun. We really do live in a vibrant area. The Book of Chance was inspired by a true crime, and so the opening scene is set inside Wollongong Police Station. The “true” crime that started it all was committed in 1998 but wasn’t solved until 2017 – some 19 years later. As the story of this crime unfolded in the world media, I followed it intently. The more I found out about the case, the more intrigued I became, particularly with the teenage girl caught in the centre of the crime. She wasn’t the criminal – she was the victim and I began to wonder – and worry – about her. How was she going to cope? What would become of her? And that’s how The Book of Chance began. The crime in my book is slightly different to the crime that inspired it, but the devastating impact of the crime is very similar. Except for the fact that it happened to a fictitious teen in a seaside city on the other side of the world! Our very own Gong. 2515 The Children’s Book Council of Australia has short-listed The Book of Chance for 2021’s Book of the Year in the Younger Readers category (ages 7-12). Winners will be announced on 20 August. Visit www.cbca.org.au and suewhiting.com

Feast for junior cooks By the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul

Printmaker’s art illuminates picture books

All Jo’s books are on NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge lists. They are for sale at Collins Bookshop Thirroul.

collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul

books, games and gifts for all ages

Austinmer librarian Jo Oliver is the author and illustrator of four children’s picture books for children from K–6. Jo’s first book, Pilgrim, was released in 2008. Pilgrim was commended as a Notable Book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week Awards and Jo was shortlisted for their Crichton Award for new illustrators in 2009. Pilgrim is about a boy’s first journey out to sea with his dad on their boat. Together they share the power and beauty of the natural environment. The motifs and place names in the book lend another level to Pilgrim – reminding us of the legacy of freedom and safety we enjoy as a result of sacrifices made by Australians in war. Jo’s second book, Tatiara, is about a girl and an injured seal who become friends in a sheltered bay. The book tells the story through words and pictures of how healing comes to each of them and the environment in which they live. Tatiara has a message of hope for young generations. The Light is about a family living at Montague Island Lighthouse in the early 1900s and how music draws them together and the lighthouse becomes a safe haven for others. The Dreaming Tree is a book of poems illustrated in picture book format. The free-verse poems celebrate the joy and freedom of being a child in the Australian landscape. The illustrations for Jo’s books use forms of printmaking including linocut and etching. The images are then hand painted in vibrant watercolour washes. When Jo shares her books with children, she shows them how she creates the illustrations. 2515

With lots of stay-at-home hours to fill, it’s the perfect time for family activities. Browse online at www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au for puzzles, games, crafts and, of course, cooking! Winter is the time for everyone to stay cosy and keep our bellies content. We have plenty of cookbooks to choose from for both adults and kids. Some of our favourites for kids: · Wild Child - Sarah Glover · Jolly Good Food – Allegra McEvedy · The Forest Feast for Kids – Erin Gleeson · The No-Cook Cookbook – Rebecca Woollard Purchase options during Covid-lockdown (all with pick up or contactless home delivery): purchase online, click & collect, call or email, pay over the phone. Stay warm & safe! 2515

Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au @collinsbooksellersthirroul

August

Art with apples By Jo Fahey, of Darkes Glenbernie Orchard

Apple Art: fun for kids and big kids too! Apples can be made into a fun art exercise. Get creative with cutting shapes and then get the kids to build something with the shapes. Think a bit like it’s fruit Lego. Use a toothpick or a skewer to hold together. Dip or drizzle apple pieces in chocolate and use muesli, oats or other fruits to add some fun highlights or create features. Dip your apple slices in a little lemon juice to stop browning and add extra zing and Vitamin C. If soaking a lot of apple, use up to two cups of water and juice of one lemon to make the lemon go a bit further, and soak for a few minutes.

Toppings ideas Rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, cacao nibs, mini chocolate buttons, granola, chopped nuts or seeds.

CE WITH

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NE PROD

24 August

V E FA R M

100%

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100%

SINGL

Visit www.darkes.com.au

Fun drink you can use a spoon with Darkes Little Blue Non Alcoholic apple cider 1/2 cup with a scoop of ice-cream makes an excellent volcanic reaction and loads of fun. Dress it up with strawberries and cinnamon. 2515

IGIN PR UCT

1939

SINCE

M E F A I LY F AR

Easy, healthy Apple Art recipe For a healthy choc dip or coating, mix the following together until smooth and creamy: • 1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy and natural (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free option) • 1 tbsp cocoa powder Then spread on apple and sprinkle or arrange your choice of toppings to suit!

Warmer weather is on its way and Darkes Glenbernie Orchard is doing delivery! Yes, we have cider and apples but we have other goodies to go with them. (To get a larger amount, split an order with a neighbour!) Check our website shop for the full product list. Free local delivery for orders over $50. Shop online at www.darkes.com.au

Dying To Know Day

Dying to Know what this is? Join H.Parsons on Friday, 6 August to find out … Dying to Know Day is an annual campaign initiated by the Groundswell Project, an organisation that works with communities, groups and individuals to improve how people in Australia die, care and grieve. Dying to Know Day takes place on 8 August, and during the month of August, communities across Australia will be holding events as part of this campaign. H.Parsons is joining the Dying to Know Day campaign and on Friday, 6 August we’ll be holding our own online event and creating a welcoming space for the Illawarra community to have conversations about death. Everyone has their own experiences and questions when it comes to end of life, but many people don’t have the opportunity to share these experiences or ask the questions. We’ve talked to so many families and members of the community over the years, and many, many topics come up. For our Dying To Know Day event, we’ve selected some of the more common topics to be the conversation starters and we’re lucky to have some fantastic community leaders to lead these conversations. Here’s an overview: • At top of mind for many people is the care of pets. Knowing that your pet will be looked after can alleviate so much stress. Maria Natera, from the RSPCA, will be leading this discussion and talking about some options in this space. • Carolyn Vaughn has led a number of projects for Compassionate Communities and is a practising end-of-life doula. Carolyn will be inspiring conversations around the topics of death and dying and the choices and decisions that we can make to improve our end-of-life journey, for ourselves and those we love. • Being in control of the practical details can also remove much stress. Margot Kennedy from NSW Trustee and Guardian will cover Will

preparation and the roles of enduring guardianship and other related topics. Advanced Care Planning is another topic that comes up often and Selen Akinic from Multi Cultural Communities Illawarra will lead this conversation. • We’ll be holding a virtual tour of the crematorium at Mountain View Crematoria and there’ll be opportunities to talk with some of our Funeral Directors. We invite the community to join us online and participate in these conversations and virtual tours. H.Parsons is committed to supporting the local community and we look forward to welcoming you at Dying to Know Day, on Friday 6 August, from 9.30-11.30am. The event is free and will be held online via Zoom. To register and find out more, please go to Eventbrite: https://hparsons.com.au/ dying-to-know-day/ and register online by Wednesday, 4 August.

Photo: RSPCA

Bulli: 278 Princes Highway (ph 4284 3163) Wollongong: 34 Belmore Street (ph 4228 9622) Warilla: 10 Woolworths Ave (ph 4296 7834) Dapto: 4 Princes Highway (ph 4262 0400)

August

Time to paint

Janice Creenaune meets Sandra Cox, who after a career in administration, made a lifestyle choice 15 years ago and found new beginnings in her artwork and room to breathe in the seaside village of Coledale. At 63, Sandra Cox now has time to reflect on her life and what her art has meant to her. Nearly 30 years ago she was confronted by a breast cancer diagnosis and needed to look beyond herself. “I remember saying to myself ‘I can get through this.’ With the intensity of the treatment I needed something. I began with a few painting courses, in oil. All of this really helped at the time, but life resumed with work and children and it was busy. “Later, with more time and a lifestyle move, I rediscovered my love of painting and developed more skills with the aid of my Coledale Community ‘Coffee’ Group. This group has morphed into something a little bigger but with my mentors, and in particular Lynne Lyons, we have travelled the journey together.” Sandra comes from a family of creative people. Her mother played music (piano) and could turn her hand to anything. A milliner by trade, Sandra followed in the family footsteps initially in fabric painting, but a move to Karratha in Western Australia found her dabbling in pottery by hand-building and the wheel. Upon retirement Sandra and her family returned to Coledale and joined the Coledale Community group and had a painting day. “Initially there were only four of us but it snowballed into a strong painting group and eventually moved to Austinmer Scout Hall.” Sandra says it was also a social outlet where they shared ideas, painting skills as well as their lives. Sandra uses landscapes, floral influences and still life. “Different things I see, the environment, photos I take, all intertwined with memories. It becomes very personal for me.” Generally Sandra uses acrylic paints. “I get

26 August

greater satisfaction from using acrylics. Because of a lack of patience I like something to be finished and ‘done’. I put it aside and I add to, or take out.” It may take Sandra a day, a week or three to four weeks to complete a painting. Each painting is different, the processes different and the time too. Sandra’s experiences in Western Australia have influenced her floral paintings. “The flannel flowers, for example, with the red earth beneath were garnered from my travels, but also my fabric painting experiences. All my experiences morph together and combined with the use of light and dark it all falls into place.” Sandra finds great happiness in seeing other people enjoy her work and finds it rewarding for others to want her works. Painting remains a type of personal therapy for her. However, art remains the focus and marketing and exhibitions are the necessary by-product. “Most recently we have set up a Pop-up Gallery in Thirroul ‘Artspace 2515’, where local artists can display.” Permanent artists there include Sandra Cox, Lynne Lyons and Judith Russo, who also runs the gallery. Some of Sandra’s paintings are on display at Woonona Medical Centre. “I am also hoping for future group exhibitions. Often the joy is in the camaraderie of exhibitions and also a lack of pressure in the performance of it as well.” Sandra has found a whole world inside herself for her work and undoubtedly offers inspiration for us all in overcoming obstacles and gaining new insights and skills. 2515 Writer Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation. For more info, contact janicecreenaune@gmail.com

Missing your favourite red panda? Check out Symbio’s Facebook page for a dose of Covid lockdown cuteness.

See you soon

For only the second time in our history, Symbio has temporarily closed its doors due to NSW Government-issued Covid restrictions for the Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Wollongong. We will re-open as soon as we can. Our team will still be taking care of all our animals throughout this time and showing them all the love and affection they always receive. We hope that everyone stays safe and uses this time to really connect with their families. Look forward to welcoming you again soon! 2515

How to donate and help children in need

Log on to symbiozoo.com.au/paydiscoverforward, redeem your unused Discover NSW vouchers, and choose one of five charities to receive a $25 Symbio Zoo Ticket. Your chosen charity will then receive two-entry passes to the wildlife park, valued at $78, and Symbio will absorb the entirety of the price difference.

For local, experienced and educated real estate advice, call Ian today! Ian Pepper 0403 570 041

ian.pepper@raywhite.com raywhitehelensburgh.com.au

Lockdown Listings With the current lockdown likely to be extended beyond 30 July, what is permitted in our area for the sale of real estate? Traditional open homes and in person auctions are not permitted however private inspections by appointment only and online auctions are. A private inspection must only be undertaken with one buyer at a time and strict COVID-safe procedures adopted. Masks and QR codes are to be used. Agents should also utilise 3D virtual tours of their properties for buyers to navigate their own way around a property online from the comfort of their own home. Then only genuine buyers need to arrange an appointment for a private inspection. The current demand to leave Sydney and move to our area has not shown any signs of easing despite these lockdown restrictions. August

OPINION

Happy with AstraZeneca By Iris Huizinga

I have a simple point to make – that vaccination is freedom. Freedom mentally, financially and existentially. The alternative is constant lockdown, and I think we are all beginning to agree that is not much of an alternative. My mother was three years old when her sister Ellen got the measles. Unlike now, there was no choice to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. Measles is a viral disease, contracted through air droplets. Sound familiar? Ellen died, and my grandmother’s heart was broken. That was 1940. Fast forward to now, and I got vaccinated as soon as I could, and I was lucky enough to be in the first wave (1b) because I am a volunteer firefighter. I visited the lovely nurses at Parkes Street in March to receive my first AstraZeneca shot. I was surrounded by a busload of cackling seniors, all 80 plus, who had come down from Wollongong to make a day out of it and to avoid the long lines at their local clinics. They were all gorgeous, just like the nurses. After the jab, which I hardly noticed, I waited dutifully for fifteen minutes in the area set aside to Iris’s grandmother, with Ellen Margot, who died of measles, and Iris’s mother as a baby.

watch for side effects. One by one, all the seniors marched right out. “Aren’t you going to wait fifteen minutes?” I asked them. They chuckled. “Time for coffee!” they replied. To hell with any side effects. They had Helensburgh to explore and life to live. I was half expecting to see them all again when I returned in early June. But the vaccination rate had slowed to a crawl and the clinic in Parkes St was empty. I didn’t have to wait. The nurse asked me how I went after my first jab. I told her I had gone down to the flooded Hawkesbury River region the day after, dragging debris into stinking piles. I was hot and sweaty, but I didn’t know whether it was hard work or fever that caused it. The nurse said that was probably a good thing, as I couldn’t dwell on it. I had never thought of myself as a “dweller”, but had a long think about it. In comparison, my husband was nauseous and miserable for two days after his first AstraZeneca jab. We had a face-off about what that said about him versus me. Of course it meant I had a superior constitution. According to him the vaccination hadn’t worked properly with me. I wasted a good hour investigating this claim. It turned out to be untrue, but by then he had been grinning the whole morning. A lot of people have had AstraZeneca. More than six million doses of that vaccine have been administered in Australia. On the Australian government’s health website ( health.gov.au) you can find out more: “AstraZeneca can be used in adults aged under 60 years where the benefits clearly outweigh the risk for that individual and the person has made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits.” A talk to your GP can also help you overcome any fears you might have about vaccines and he or she can work with you on a clear plan to manage your worries afterwards. Friends and family can help too. Even if there still are no vaccines available to you, it might help to stay well-informed and proactive, so you are ready to seize a vaccination opportunity when it opens up. 2515 For more facts about vaccination: www.health.gov.au; ncirs.org.au; covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

28 August

Anxious? You’re not alone By Dr Saroja Gunasekera, a GP at Bulli Medical Practice Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Up to one-third of women and one-fifth of men will experience anxiety at some point in their lives and it can be diagnosed in children too. Feeling anxious is one way for our bodies to keep us safe from danger. Common responses are fight, flight or freeze. When people are very anxious, they have intense feelings of worry/ distress that are difficult to control. Anxiety can interfere with your everyday life and make it hard to cope with ‘normal’ challenges. We’ve all experienced anxiety in particular situations, but when responses become persistent, and impact on daily life, it may be an anxiety disorder. Risk factors for anxiety include: • personality type, genetics and brain chemistry • medical conditions and side-effects of medications • substance use/abuse • ongoing stress or trauma • pregnancy & childbirth • other mental health illnesses like depression. Factors that may protect you from developing

anxiety are your level of social support, coping style and previous life experiences. When people are very anxious, they may think: • ‘Everything’s going to go wrong’ • ‘I can’t handle how I feel’ • ‘I can’t focus on anything but worries’ • ‘I don’t want to go out’ • ‘I can’t calm myself down’ • ‘I might die’. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where people have ongoing unwanted/ intrusive thoughts/fears that cause severe anxiety. To relieve their anxiety, they engage in certain behaviours/rituals, such as cleaning. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or OCD, visit your GP. Your GP will help diagnose the type of anxiety disorder, and, if necessary, refer you to a psychologist. There are a variety of psychological interventions and medications available. These will help you to manage symptoms and get back to living the life you want. For more info: www.beyoundblue.org.au; www. blackdoginstitute.org.au; www.thiswayup.org.au; www.wayahead.org.au; www.headspace.org.au 2515 SERVIC ING SYDNEY AND TH ILLAWA E RRA

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August

Ceoavtuerre f

Hall for hire

South Coast Writers Centre director Dr Sarah Nicholson has a creative vision for a community-run arts space. 2515 reports.

South Coast Writers Centre director Dr Sarah Nicholson, pictured beside Beastman’s mural at Coledale Community Hall. Photo: Anthony Warry Photography

30 August

Lights, curtains and … an empty stage! What could you do with such a community space? South Coast Writers Centre director Dr Sarah Nicholson is inviting residents to come forward with their best creative ideas to activate Coledale Community Hall. The hall is already used for more traditional purposes but Sarah has a vision beyond meetings, classes and birthday parties. “We’ve got a lot of young people’s dance, yoga, meditation, pilates, all that sort of stuff, which is great. “But there’s also this funky stage!” she says, laughing. Since the Writers Centre took on the management of the Wollongong City Council building last year, Sarah has overseen a stage lighting upgrade and the installation of a lighting control board. Velvety red curtains, courtesy of council, now frame the stage and in the pipeline is a new projector and a dedicated wide-screen. Funding for these improvements comes from Stronger Communities NSW Government grants. “It’s just such a great space,” Sarah says. “But I think what goes on needs to really come from the local community, what they would like to see there. “We need to establish a community consultation team, a cultural committee, who want to work with us on what programming they want.” It may seem a distant dream in lockdown but one day live theatre, music and comedy will be back. “I know there’s lots of local musicians who live nearby, there are all sorts of artists in the local area,” Sarah says. “We had a really successful International Women’s Day event in March, which sold out. We had 96 people for a dinner and cabaret show. That was a fundraiser for the Eve Project, as well as the South Coast Writers Centre. We worked with LadyMoon Productions – it was a partnership that worked really well. “So I want to do more of that sort of stuff… fun things that people want to use the hall for.” The South Coast Writers Centre moved into offices below Coledale hall in March 2020, on the brink of the pandemic. “It was just me for a while, just because of lockdowns,” Sarah says. “We opened up in June/ July (2020) to some of our writing groups… and then we had our first event in December.” Sarah, who works at the centre three days a week, has been joined by two more SCWC staff members – children’s author Sandy Fussell (who runs finance and administration) and Adara Enthaler (events and communications). “We are all part-time, three days a week,” Sarah says.

Both the writers centre and its new home have grown under Sarah’s leadership. Passers-by may have admired the new native verge garden beside Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Even the hall’s basic brickwork has felt the creative force. In January, the writers centre hosted free poetry and history writing workshops for the community that would inspire a sonnet and inform the design of a new public mural. Working with Council’s Cultural Services team, Sarah commissioned a poem by award-winning Southern Highlands poet Mark Tredinnick (see page 34). In early May, Sydney artist Brad Eastman (aka Beastman) transformed the hall’s southern wall with a striking mural featuring a white-faced heron and abstract geometric shapes inspired by the area’s landscape, community and history. And there’s more to come. “We’re going to be installing a QR code by the mural outside so that you can listen to an audio recording of the commissioned poem,” Sarah says. “And installing a wallpaper on the inside wall of the hall with the poem and motifs from the external mural.” Both these projects will be done in conjunction with Cultural Services at Council. Already, the new mural has transformed Coledale hall from nondescript public building to colourful local landmark. Makeovers like this don’t just happen. It’s tempting to say that for every Cinderella transformation, there is a fairy godmother. However, this is entirely the wrong analogy for Sarah Nicholson, a woman who did her PhD in the feminist philosophy of religion, founded the Heroines Festival in Thirroul and has invigorated the Writers Centre even in the midst of a pandemic. Possibly a more fitting comparison would be with the Sumerian goddess who Sarah studied during her PhD – the legendary Inanna, famous for her journey through the underworld. After all, grant writing – which is what it takes to fund many of the centre’s activities – can be hellish work and navigating the labyrinthine pathways of officialese is not for the faint-hearted. Sarah kindly took the time to answer 2515’s questions. When did you become South Coast Writers Centre director? In early 2020. I was previously the chair of the board in 2019. Is it one of those jobs where you find yourself working more than the official hours? Yes! August

We’re guessing money isn’t your main motivation – what is? I find working in the creative arts inspiring. I love curating and working with other creatives to create live events, courses and publications. There is always the opportunity to learn new things and be exposed to new creative work in this job. I also work at Merrigong Theatre as their Community and Education Programs Coordinator. I feel really lucky to be able to work for two excellent local creative organisations across two different art forms!

What have been some recent big successes for the Writers Centre? One of the really exciting things we did in May – we worked with South East Arts, who are the organisation that looks after Eurobodalla Shire. We worked with them to develop Tathra’s Headland Writers Festival, which was the first time they’ve had a writers festival down there. It sold out … and I got to be in conversation with Scott Ludlam, which was really exciting for me! He’s got a new book, Full Circle (published by Black Inc in May). The children’s program is doing really well [at Have you discovered many local writers? Coledale hall], we’re really excited that we’ve got a It’s actually amazing, I keep finding new ones. space where we can build a school holiday Almost every week! On the website we’ve program. We’re going to be opening a new young developed a list of local writers. writers class during the term. Two weeks after publishing this list, more turned We’ve got four writers – two poets and two up. Since then, I’ve found another 30 that I need to novelists [Annie Te Whiu, Peter Ramm, Hayley add on. Scrivenor and Judi Morison] – who are in We might have to develop categories. residence in the Botanic Gardens, at Cratloe It really is phenomenal. We cover the South Cottage, which is 100 years old this year. Coast, so it’s a big area – not just Coledale. We’ve also got an emerging Aboriginal writers There are at least 50 local writers in the mentoring program. We have another emerging Wollongong area. writers program, working with novelist Hayley Scrivenor from the University of Wollongong. Why do you think writers are drawn to this region? Later in the year, we will have work from those I think we have a really good mixture of it being projects that we will be able to showcase – readings quite chilled out … it’s a lovely place to live, it is and stuff like that. We’re also going to be doing a beautiful, it is inspirational, there’s still quite a bit South Coast Writers Centre anthology this year going on culturally, and you can get to Sydney if called Legacies, that’s poetry and short stories, you need to. So, lifestyle. short non-fiction. We have the Dreaming Inside series, they’re up to Is the lifestyle what brought you here? volume 9, no. 10 will be out next April. [This Totally. I grew up in Newcastle but then I spent a project is produced in collaboration with the Black long time, decades, in Sydney, and Sydney did not Wallaby Writers team and Junee Correctional suit me. I actually remember coming down here Centre, which holds writing workshops to bring during university, that would have been early 90s, Aboriginal inmate voices to an outside readership.] and visiting a friend who was living in Stanwell When we did a satellite event for the Sydney Park and just thinking it’s such a magical spot. Writers Festival, called ‘Live and Local’, down at the I went to Macquarie and did my PhD at Town Hall, about 70 people came to that. Western Sydney. We did a lot of online stuff last year, which got a I’ve lived here about five years. lot of take up. So we did more online stuff this year I have four boys. I have one who is an adult, 22, but I think people are really digitally fatigued … my son who is 8 and then I have two stepsons, one which I totally understand. who is eight and one who is 12. I’m so happy being here. I also wanted to live What’s your vision for the Writers Centre’s future? somewhere where I could feel like I was really I want us to be part of a strong network of creative integrated in the community. And I think what I’m organisations across the NSW South Coast region doing is really filling that for me. that supports the development of writers and their work, and also assists with the careers and How’s work on your own novel going? promotion of local writers. It’s not at the moment [laughs]. I’m that To do this, over the last 12 months, we’ve been overwhelmed by all the other creative things that working on establishing partnerships with writers I’m managing. Sometimes [I go to the Writers festivals across the coast: in Tathra, Berry, Kiama Centre workshops]. But still in that managing role and Nowra. 2515 – doing the catering and stuff like that. Coledale Community Hall has two spaces for hire: the Hall and the Meeting Room, visit southcoastwriters.org

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Authors adapt to lockdown By children’s author Sandy Fussell, of South Coast Writers Centre

Ask any writer what their biggest problem is and the majority will roll their eyes and say it’s hard to find time to write. I asked four Illawarra children’s and YA authors if that was how they were spending their spare time during lockdown. Prime Minister’s Literary Award-winning YA author Bill Condon is finding lockdown has a positive effect on his writing focus, and he’s meeting targets he hadn’t expected to reach so quickly. “To me, this is a perfect time for writers to fill those blank pages. We’ve got no interruptions. Nowhere we can go. In short, no excuses, which, to be truthful, is a bit of a bummer, but the upside is that I have been writing more than usual.” Picture book author Pat Simmons is enjoying the time to be creative but pointed out that the cancellation of live events was disappointing. “I was so looking forward to running a children’s workshop at Coledale Community Hall for the South Coast Writers Centre school holiday program and reading my latest picture book, The Cat Thief, at Thirroul library.” Successful author of YA, middle grade and picture books, Sue Whiting is always busy. Even busier since The Book of Chance was CBCA shortlisted in March. While the pandemic made it difficult for her to concentrate on writing during the first lockdown, it’s different this time. “I have been able to adjust to lockdown life swiftly and have been chipping away at my current work in progress, barely missing a beat. For me, the

biggest impact has been on my upcoming school visits and festivals – term 3 being the busiest term for children’s authors. This is where I give thanks to technology and Zoom!” Picture book author Di Ellis is using technology to attend meetings online. “For many years, I’ve been part of a talented writing-for-children group where we critique each other’s work on a regular basis. Even during lockdown, we continue through technology to persevere and improve our skills.” Di is celebrating a forthcoming new picture book and is doubly inspired to write during lockdown, although occasionally distracted by the cover image she was sent last week for Dabbleduck. “Lockdown has also given me the opportunity to have lots more time to write and, for me, that’s important. I’m never lonely when my imagination is allowed to have its way. My book characters keep me company for hours during the day.” As for me, my latest book, Red Day, was released in March 2020, when the first community transmission, coronavirus deaths and lockdown occurred. Red Day was a little lost in a time of national panic and anxiety. This lockdown I’m working from home, juggling a multitude of medical appointments and a house of five plus an unanticipated veterinary surgery and a recuperating cat on my lap. I’ve managed to edit a few chapters but I’m still complaining I can’t find enough time to write! 2515

Book Week 2021 is coming!

In August, Thirroul Library will be celebrating the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week. The theme is ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’ and we have wonderful displays and fun activities to do in the library or take home – restrictions permitting. You can borrow all the short-listed books and don’t forget to tune in on 20 August to find out who 2021’s winners will be. Library events for August were to include regular children’s programmes, Music in the Library (August 7) and an Introduction to Family History workshop (12th). Visit ww.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/whats-on/events 2515 August

34 August

Listen to the poem thanks to Wollongong City Libraries’ Illawarra Stories Coledale Community Centre Mural Project 2021: This recording includes a reading of the poem, Five Soft Nets, by Mark Tredinnick after a short introduction by Morag Mirankar. The poem inspired artist Bradley Eastman (Beastman) to design the vibrant mural for the Coledale centre in April 2021. The project was a partnership between Wollongong City Council and the South Coast Writers Centre. Pictured at left are Mark (in purple) and Beastman. Visit illawarrastories.com.au/community-stories-2/ coledale-community-centre-mural-project-2021/ August

‘Stronger, wiser, fitter’ Our local ‘All Talk’ team survived June’s GeoQuest Adventure Race! Lisa Matuzelis reports

I survived, we survived! The Illawarra team All Talk team survived one of the most challenging GeoQuest Adventure Race courses to date! Over the June Long Weekend our team of northern suburbs women – Teresa Kay, Ange Tokley, Katrina Skellern and myself, Lisa Matuzelis – was blessed with favourable weather conditions and an A-grade support crew that allowed our inexperienced selves to endure a weekend of relentless activity on only a wink of sleep! The intensity of this event started the evening prior with the arduous task of mapping out 14 legs of biking, running and paddling over a distance of 240km becoming tiresome in itself. Our early-tobed strategy was blown out to a late night of orientating compasses, highlighting routes, determining distances with a piece of string, and breaking into fits of laughter at the absurdity of what we were about to do! As the siren sounded on Saturday at 0800 the GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race kicked off! The nerves settled once we warmed into the first leg with a beach run from Crescent Head towards our first checkpoint hidden amongst the dunes. What followed thereafter was sugar-coated brutality! A kind of love-hate experience as we mountainbiked 4WD tracks in foot-deep soft sand; traversed by foot along coastal tracks with incredible scenery yet treacherous footing; entered the ocean paddle in unseaworthy kayaks to experience dramatic cliff lines, pods of dolphins and the early stages of hypothermia; equipped ourselves with headlamps

36 August

for a dark starry night run only to make navigational errors that cost us time, energy, and vital battery life; and night-paddled against an outgoing tide for 4.5 hours into the blackness and bleakness of a cold morning to experience new levels of fatigue that had us alternating from senseless giggles to stone-cold silence. And this was only day one! After a measly 1.5hrs sleep, at Transition Area 6 we commenced day two with trepidation. We were all feeling beyond weary and experiencing new sensations of fatigue, to such a point I was questioning my own endurance and resilience. But, with a belly full of warm food and a pep talk from our support crew, I found renewed strength to continue on despite the feelings of lightheadedness and nausea. Coming into day two brought upon us its own challenges: everything from gravelly 33% gradient climbs on the bike; to check-points hidden deep in the scrub along high ridge lines and down steep gullies; to hike-a-bike episodes dramatically slowing our progress along difficult terrain; to strategic calls to miss several minor checkpoints due to time-constraints and health concerns; to not finding the golden arches to stimulate our weary minds with caffeinated beverages; to trails that appeared benign on the map but, in reality, were steep, loose, rocky and tiresome; to cold wet feet as we waded in knee-deep marshlands along our pitch-black route; to a declining enthusiasm for eating nut bars, trail mix, gels, and bananas to

Photos: Lisa Matuzelis and GeoQuest

maintain our energy levels; to knees that got crankier as the end became nearer; and to yet another early morning of crisp cool air that had us freezing our asses off! But despite all the hardship, frustration and fatigue the All Talk team stuck together for the 40+ hours throughout this epic challenge and rolled into the finish line together at 4.37am on Monday with beaming smiles and a real sense of accomplishment. We have come out of this experience stronger, wiser, fitter, and hungry to do another one! So look out for us next year! A massive thank you must go to our support team and sponsors! The Edge Outdoor Adventure Store, Steel City Cycles, Thirroul Surf Lifesaving Club, Illawarra Canoe Club, Woronora Boatshed and many others. For more details, visit www.alltalkwomen.com/support. 2515 August

Science vs architecture By architect Ben Wollen

Some would say architecture is the perfect vehicle to bring together the arts and science. It was one of the main reasons I was drawn to the field. With the exception of sculpture or installation art, there aren’t too many other arts that need to grapple with a number of scientific principles. That’s not to say art can’t grapple with all of the science that architecture does, but it doesn’t have to. Architecture, on the other hand, hasn’t got a choice. It has to resist gravity, heat and cold, the effects of sun, wind and rain, as well as forming somewhat of a vessel for modern domestic living. The technology making its way into modern houses is diverse and can be truly high tech. Urban legend has it that Bill Gates’ home is so high tech, you rarely need to touch a surface except the floor! Many architects would claim there’s always a tussle between the science side and the art side of architecture, but most, if not all, architects would agree that the best buildings harmonise the two, such that the art becomes a science and there’s a science to the art. Whilst there’s the obvious physics side of architecture that requires a building to stand upright and resist various forces, this has evolved to a point where almost anything can happen – think of the Burj in Dubai. Thanks to super computers and super materials, this area of the science of architecture is well practiced. What makes up the vast majority of the Architectural Sciences these days is all in the envelope. On a warming planet and with increasing energy prices, new buildings are seeking better eco-credentials so they can reduce their impact on the environment as well as their power bills. Many traditional forms of architecture evolved

MIT Solar One house. Photo: DOE, modified by Mrshaba, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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around their genius loci, think igloos, pueblos, the longhouses of Asia and, in more modern times, the “Queenslander”. Through many years of evolution, these traditional forms were developed to respond best to the local environment and with the available materials at hand. From industrialisation onward, much of modern architecture forgot these traditional forms as they were seen as antiquated. Why build like that when we have modern materials, easy access to energy and water etc. Oh, what fallacies we pursued! These forms are now taking on new interest and being reinterpreted in the modern era but it takes a long time. One visit to a recent “homeworld” subdivision will show that we are still unlearning from our industrialised past. A little research into the history of passive designed, so-called ‘low energy’ houses, and the earliest one I could find was a little house called ‘Solar 1’, designed and built in 1939 by MIT in USA. (Check it out at http://web.mit.edu/ solardecathlon/solar1.html.) It looks just like a normal weatherboard cottage with some sort of early version of solar panels on the roof. Even more fascinating, and 50 years earlier, was the construction of the ‘Fram’ in 1883. Possibly the first passive designed construction was actually a boat! Designed by naval architect Colin Archer and built to withstand the extreme conditions of Arctic exploration, it was air-tight and had thick insulated walls, triple panel windows, and controlled ventilation. One day (I write this during the hard lockdown of July 2021) you might be able to go and see it at Norway’s Bygdøy Museum. The evolution of passive designed houses has evolved markedly since then. It wasn’t until the ’70s when the first generation of solar panels were starting to improve and become slightly affordable that we started to see the integration between architecture and solar capture. These days houses can achieve net zero energy and better. One of my favourites is the 10-star home by Clare Cousins Architects. This house is carbon positive, meaning that during its lifetime it will negate its initial carbon footprint to build. Built in 2017, even a lot of its technologies are out of date but the owners benefit from their initial insight and careful design. It forms part of a community subdivision in Southern Victoria where they mandate a minimum 7.5 star NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) rating for every new build. Now if only more subdivisions saw some art and science coming together in passive harmony… 2515

Surfrider South Coast welcomes new members. Sign up to get involved at susie@ surfrider.org.au

On Board With By Coledale’s Susie Crick, board director at Surfrider Australia Happy Birthday to Surfrider. The first meeting of Surfrider activists was 30 years ago at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast and soon branches started popping up all around Australia and our South Coast branch represented strongly. Back then, volunteers were busy with the ‘poo’ marches to protest about raw sewage on beaches. We have come a long way since then and have had many amazing volunteers help out with extraordinary efforts for all of our ocean victories! Thank you to all those legends who paved the way for us. Drain Buddies stop garbage en route to sea Last month I mentioned that we were successful in obtaining 12 ‘Ocean Friendly’ Drain Buddies that were installed in drain pits around locations surrounding Wollongong Harbour. The funding to buy the Drain Buddies was the result of a $20,000 Government Grant that the South Coast branch was awarded. Our aim was to collaborate with Wollongong City Council to trial Drain Buddies in our region and then provide our captured data to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative. These 12 Drain Buddies have prevented a huge amount of garbage from entering our harbour. The premise is simple: when it rains or even when it is very windy, loose bits of plastic and garbage end up on the side of the road. More often than not with a normal drain, the garbage goes straight down the drain and is carried into our waterways and makes its way to the beach. However, an ‘Ocean Friendly’ Drain Buddy captures debris in its ‘basket’. The

rain can still sieve through the drain, but rubbish, cigarette butts and even microplastics are trapped. Microplastics are any small bits of plastic that are less than 5 millimetres in length and can be derived from broken up bits of plastic, cosmetic scrubs and even clothing. Drain Buddies are doing a great job of preventing nasty plastics and pollutants from entering our beautiful Wollongong Harbour. Stop single-use stuff This isn’t about hating plastics, after all I have a phone and drive a car and it would be hypocritical of me to condemn all plastics. But unnecessary, single-use, non-recycled and littered plastics bother me. Plastic is an amazing and versatile material that lasts forever and therein lies the problem. Plastic never really goes away – it breaks ‘up’ into tiny pieces, too small to pick up. Even as the tiny plastic particles sink to the sea floor, they continue to wreak havoc, attracting other floating chemicals to become tiny toxic parcels. Marine life ingests this plastic, mistaking it for food, so anything we can do to prevent plastic from entering the ocean is a bonus. We have to stop plastics before they hit the beach or waterways because once they are there – it is too late. We can do beach cleans forever, but we can also be clever and come up with solutions that prevent rubbish from getting there in the first place. Please join us and get involved. You can help us to get more of these great initiatives happening in our area. Sign up to get involved at susie@ surfrider.org.au 2515 August

A new eucalypt-feeding potential pest has just turned up in New Zealand – Trachymela. Photo: Jon Sullivan/ Wikicommons CC BY 4.0

Beetling About With Helensburgh entomologist Dr Chris Reid Working with biosecurity agencies is fun, you never know what is going to come up next. Biosecurity (the old name is animal and plant quarantine) is not the prime focus of my work, but as an expert in a plant-feeding insect group I regularly get called upon to help out. At present I have two cases on my metaphorical desk (writing this in lockdown). A new eucalypt-feeding potential pest has just turned up in New Zealand. New Zealand doesn’t have any native eucalypts but, as anyone knows who’s been there, Australian eucalypts are planted all over the place and several species are important timber trees for their forestry industry. In the absence of eucalypt-feeding insects these trees grow really tall and straight, often nothing like our own venerable gnarly trees. My first experiences of eucalypts were in Northern Ireland, where we had Tasmanian Blue Gums in the school grounds. Even though such trees could not have been in the UK for more than 150 years, they were already regarded as the source of a ‘traditional’ cure for colds. We would gather and crush the gumnuts, pour boiling water over them in a basin, then breathe in the fumes with a towel over our heads for maximum efficacy. They certainly cleared the nose, if nothing else! There also were young forestry plantations nearby at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and later I saw plantations of ramrod-straight trees in Portugal and in Colombia (yes, with hummingbirds visiting the flowers). It was a shock coming to Australia and seeing crooked trees. That’s the effect of native insects. I digress. The Australian beetle that’s turned up in NZ is a species of the leaf beetle Trachymela.

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These are mottled dull brown beetles that often cover themselves in a film of wax, so that they look dusted in flour or icing sugar. They generally stay hidden on dead leaves or bark during the day and feed at night. They all look similar but thanks to work by my former student in Queensland, we know there are about 160 species, of which about a third are described. So we are unlikely to get a name for this beast but, of course, the important thing is to know where it comes from in Australia, so that its natural enemies can be found. The hunt involves ecologists, taxonomists and foresters, professionals and amateurs, in six states and on online forums, such as i:Naturalist. The second case is an Asian beetle that has turned up in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. First notice of this animal was posted on i:Naturalist, and on the basis of the photos it has been identified as a seed predator of Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), but I’m waiting for specimens to confirm this. Honey Locust is, of course, American, but there are Asian species of Gleditsia and these are the natural hosts of the beetle. There is an interesting twist to this story. Honey Locust is (surprisingly) still widely sold in nurseries, yet it has become a serious weed in NSW. The usual story, today’s garden plant is tomorrow’s weed. So the beetle, though brought in accidentally and escaping our strict biosecurity measures, may actually be useful. The moral of the story: plant native. 2515 For general insect enquiries, contact the Australian Museum’s Search And Discover team at sand@austmus.gov.au. Have a question specifically for Chris? Email editor@2515mag.com.au

BANKSIA BUSH CARE’S

Tree of the Month Welcome to our new native tree series, by Stanwell Park’s Kieran Tapsell. First up: the coastal wattle.

Acacia longifolia (Coastal Wattle)

The Stanwell Avenue Reserve

The Banksia Bush Care group looks after the central headland of Stanwell Park along which Stanwell Avenue runs. At the end of Stanwell Avenue there is a park of 4.5 hectares, which was denuded of practically all trees in the 1920s, but

regenerated from the 1940s onwards with some human assistance. At the present time, there are 107 species of trees within the Reserve. The purpose of this column is to provide a brief description of each of those species. Three species of Acacias (Wattles) are in the Reserve: Acacia longifolia (Coastal Wattle), Acacia binervata (Two-veined Hickory) and Acacia maidenii (Maiden’s Wattle). Acacia longifolia (Coastal Wattle)

Coastal wattle is local to the east coast of Australia from Queensland to Victoria. It often grows in sand dunes and is salt resistant. It is also used to stabilise sand dunes and other coastal areas. At Stanwell Park it mainly grows in the sand dune area off the northern lagoon where most of them were planted to stabilise the dune area. It is normally a small shrub, but it can grow to as high as five metres. They also grow on higher ground within the Reserve right on the point of the headland. Banksia integrifolia (Coast Banksia), Allocasuarina littoralis (Black Oak) and Acacia longifolia (Coastal Wattle) are the three main native trees that can withstand direct frontal salt attack. Wattles flower from late winter to early spring. It is common to see them in August before all the other flowers come out in Spring. 2515

The man on the $20 note

Lawrence Hargrave Society secretary Jenny Donohoe reports on aeronautical technologist, explorer, mason and astronomer, Lawrence Hargrave. In 1890s a small number of inventive technologists were working to translate infant aviation theory into airplanes. Leading the race was Hargrave. A gifted explorer, astronomer, amateur historian, and practical inventor, he devoted most of his life to constructing a machine that would fly. He believed passionately in open communication within the scientific community and would not patent his inventions, instead scrupulously published the results of his experiments. The first successful aircraft incorporated three crucial aeronautical concepts developed by Hargrave: (1) the cellular box-kite wing, (2) the curved wing surface, and (3) the thick leading wing edge (aerofoil). His successful experiments were well documented at Stanwell Park, New South Wales, Australia. In 1889 Hargrave revolutionised engine technology by inventing the ‘radial rotary’ engine,

which reappeared (unacknowledged) in modified form in 1908 as the French Gnome engine. His rotating radical engine was extensively used in military aircraft for many years. In 1893 Octave Chanute, another aviation pioneer, wrote that “if there be one many more than another who deserves to succeed in flying, that man is Lawrence Hargrave of Sydney”. Hargrave deserves recognition for his accomplishments and so our new International Terminal at Badgery’s Creek in Western Sydney should be named the Lawrence Hargrave International Terminal. Support this by sending a submission to our Federal Minister, The Hon Paul Fletcher. 2515 A copy of a submission is at the society’s website, www.lawrencehargrave.org Enquiries to lawrencehargravesociety@gmail.com

August

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1853 Time 1.69 1929 Time 1.872051 2030m 1.98 Time1955 m 1.77 m 1.82

2138 1.72

TH 1342WE0.60TH FR 1407TH0.47FR SA 1357SA0.58SU SU 1445SU0.45MO TU 1506 0.44 1838 1939 1.67 1847 1848 1.912032 2015 2112 1.862131 1933 2116 1.75 0.64 1.80 0.53 1.81 0.721.94 0.762.05 2017 1.77 2044 2117

0.27 1.39 WE 1600 0.44 2216 1.61

0.46 ime1943 m 1.74

1952m 2.02 Time

0143 0149 0.38 0045 0053 0.55 0045 0003 0.310244 1.44 0.170332 6360224 0.45 0.46 1.63 0.39 0144 1.28 0.25 1.210.16 1.550.18 0409 0243 0320 22 221.330215 125 16 10 125 16 10 10 0.40 0733 1.21 0626 1.20 0636 1.290835 0810 1.340930 2450814 1.2371.28 0648 0.3771.24 0751 0.48 1.33 25 1013 0808 0.58 0745 0.471.37 0916 0838 1.85 0.53 1.39 1345 1430 0.59 1.31 1207 1307 0.46 1.36 1259 1447 0.39 1.54 802 0.74 1157 1403

0127 0145 0.48 0141 0057 0.220321 0.34 0.180410 0219 0254 0.32 0250302 1.63 0.43 1.130.19 0301 1.19 0.24 1.420.16 1.53 0.36 0443 0406 0337 23 231.340256 226 17 11 226 17 11 11 0712 1.22 0733 1.310915 1.42 0852 1.371012 0812 1.25 7260855 0.4481.26 0857 0.61 0853 0.53 1.36 26 1051 0829 0.521.35 0735 0.4081.25 0935 1004 0.59 1.35 1301 1401 0.45 1.42 1340 1543 0.41 0.38 1.60 0.49 1.43 1432 1537 342 1.27 1237 1455

0.34 1.40 TH 1644 0.50 2253 1.48

Port2021 Kembla Tidal Chart

ES FR 1417TH0.62FR SA 1500FR0.51SA

SU 1437SU0.58MOMO 1535MO0.48TU WE 1552 0.44 1916 2047 1.73 1940 1958 1.972112 1.95 2058 2232 1.812213 2012 2230 1.79 9052053 0.75 1.79 0.681.86 0.46 1.76 0.782.02 0.64 1.81 2203 2134

August 0.24 0205 0242 0.43 0333 0423 0.210448 0232Local 0.170400 0256 0.27 0406 1.10 1.320.19 0158 1.43 0.34 1.16 0.25 1210341 1.57 0.42 0514 0430 0449 0.25 Time 242021 24 327 327 18 12 18 12 12 1.40 0754 1.23 0933 1.391057 0827 1.330957 0850 1.29 0950 0.63 0911 0.551.32 0826 0.4391.25 0959 0.54 1.40 27 1130 8160937 0.4391.25 1050 1.33 1030 0.44 0.59 1.41 1355 0.40 1.68 0.45 1.51 1422 1636 0.46 1.49 1516 1643 ULY AUGUST 1459 438 1.35 1316 1545

1624TU0.52WETIME SA0.55SUMMO 1520MO0.58 TU TUM SA 1455FR0.64SA SU 1553 TH 1642 TIME TIME M 0.46 1955 1.77 2138 2342 1.722257 2030m 2115 1.982151 2051 1.82 2.02 0.601.74 0.76 0.61 0.36 1.67 0152130 0.73 1.78 2225 1.94 1.80 2246 Time m 2158 Time m 2332 Time 0409 0535 0.270529 0.18 0244 0.39 0320 0.160440 0332 0.25 1.110.32 1.25 0308 1.35 2240421 1.53 1.19 0.29 0.42 0522 0.24 0.34 0530 0003 1.63 0341 0144 1.28 0513 0149 1.21 1013 1102 1.391143 0930 1.33 1.37 0835 1.24 0916 1.331040 0.621.33 0.52 1.43 0.57 0919 0.45 9061019 0.41 1.23 1124 1.30 1.27 1136 0751 0.48 1042 0648 0.37 0953 0808 0.58 1600 0.44 1506 0.44 0.47 1357 0.58 1445 0.45 1726 1.55 1.76 0.49 1632 1558 1.61 533FR 1.45 1535 1646 1605 1712 1430 1.54 1307 1.36 1447 1.39 TU0.59 WE0.58 SA0.67 SU0.61 WEWE SUMO MO TH 1744 SU TUMO FR 1736 SU1.47 2216 1.612345 1.55 2131 2.05 2032 1.80 2117 1.942232 0.70 2232 0.53 1302209 0.67 1.76 2314 1.83 1.76 2329 1.60 2112 0.53 1.81 1848 0.64 2303 2116 0.72

1316 10 428 125 19 1316 10 428 25 19 13

0.41 1.39 1730 0.56 FRTIME M 2331 1.35

28 0545 1210

0.48 1.39 SA 1820 0.61

0.340611 0410 0.24 0.16 0321 0.36 0406 0.190521 0.520.40 0040 0.27 0.35 1.21 0421 1.30 3300503 1.49 0014 0609 0612 0.32 0254 0301 1.19 0022 0057 1.53 0440 261.330443 110.34 110.43 26 529 20 14 529 201.13 14 14 2 17 17 1051 1.401233 1012 1.36 1.35 0915 1.25 1004 1.34 0607 1.14 0634 1.24 1.46 29 0620 1035 0.58 1015 0.47 956 0.40 1220 1104 1.22 1217 1.29 1126 1.28 0857 0.61 0853 0.53 0735 0.40 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.60 1644 1202 0.51 0.58 1.54 1535 1656 0.48 1.72 1552 1130 627 1.58 1437 1717

1619 0.66TU 1654 1543 1.43WE TU 1537 1.60 1401 1.42 WE0.60 SU0.69 TH TH 1802TH0.64FR SA 1838 0.53 MO TU 1740 MO SA MO MO 1.48 1.83 2213 1.76 1.62 2253 1839 2.02 2112 1.81 0.63 1.862315 2344 0.42 2412250 0.57 1.72 1.71 22302203 0.68 2232 0.46 1812 1958 0.64 2358

1.23 0.55 SU 1255 1.38 1921 0.65

0.410040 0449 0.250604 0448 0.25 0.19 0400 0.34 0.441.46 0130 0.20 1.41 4350548 1.46 1.20 0531 1.28 0003 1.69 0010 0107 0406 0423 1.16 0104 0158 1.43 0536 270.470514 27 120.35 120.44 630 21 15 630 211.10 15 15 3 18 18 1130 1.390658 1050 1.33 1057 1.40 1.32 0957 1.25 0653 1.18 0725 1.29 0.42 30 0703 045 0.39 1116 0.59 1111 0.47 1153 1.21 0700 0.40 1215 1.31 0645 0950 0.63 0959 0.54 0826 0.43 0.56 0.43 0.52 1.83 1642 1215 0.46 0.57 1730 1256 0.55 0.58 1.61 1624 1753 718 1.72 1520 1759

1707 1747 1.49THWE 1643 1.68 1459 1.51 TU1.29WE TH0.63 MO0.72 FR FR 1307FR1.34SA SU 1329 1.50 TUWE 1311 TUSU TU 1636 2331 1929 1.351950 2246 1.67 1.94 2151 1.690.70 1.87 0.55 3472335 0.46 1.68 18372332 0.72 1858 0.601.74 2342 2257 0.36 1853 2115 0.61 1.80 0.48 0.17 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.34 0.55 0.381.32 0045 0055 05130530 1.35 0045 0535 0529 1.19 0143 13 1143 280.530545 731 7 0626 221.11 22 0215 19 13 0440 19 1210 1.39 1.34 1.33 1.43 1040 1.27428 0810 0733 1.21 1.20 0636 1.29 0725 10421136 0.62 0.45 1102 0.52 0.61 0.39 0.58 0.46 1736 1259 0.49 0.53 1820 1345 1605 1157 0.59 0.59 1712 1207

0.24 539 1.44 0308 1.30 134 0.40 0919 0.61 810 1558 TU MO1.85 1.83 2232

1726 TH 1.55 TH 1744 1.61 FR 1.76 SA SA 1356SA1.36SU WE WE WE 1.60 1.91 2345 1933 1.55 2232 1.76 1.67 2329 1847 2015 1.86 1.750.73 2002 0.53 1838

0.40 0.22 0.35 0.32 0.34 0.48 0141 049 0.34 00220609 0.52 0040 0611 0.27 0219 0421 0521 1.30 0127 1.33 1.31 1.46 1.29 1.28 f641 Australia 2020, Bureau of 1.14 Meteorology 1.22 0733 1.42 06071220 0634 1233 1.24 0812 1015 1126 0.47 0712 0.64FR0.45 0.53 0.66 0.60TH0.59 1301 224 1130 0.60 1202 0.47 1656 1.72 TH 1802 SA 1838 WE 1654 TH 1237 FR SU 1340 TU0.41 t900 Astronomical Tide 1.71 1.73 1940 1.97 1.95 1812 1.62 1839 1.83 2012 2344 2315 0.42 1916

20 14 8 ALES

529 23 20 14 8

0.72 952 m 2.02

1.05 0.66 TU 1448 1.38 2152 0.63

1255 1.38 0.38 MO 1432 1921 2058 0.65 1.81

0040 1.41 0.27 0107 0333 0.35 0.43 0010 1.46Local 1.13 0.21 147 0.24 0232 0.17 0104 0.44 0130Time 0.20 0256 0531 0604 1.28 0205 s1.69 New First Quarter Full1.29 Moon 0.42 0.40 1.31 1.23 0.47 1.33 0703 0933 0.61 1.39 740 Moon 1.40 0827 06530645 1.18 0725 0658 1.29 0850 1111 1215 0.47 0754 JULY AUGUST 1.50 0.46 1.29 0.63FR0.59 1.34 1.38 0.40 315 0.44 1355 1215 0.57 1256 0.43 1753 1.83 SU 1329 TH 1747 FR 1307 MO 1347 FR 1316 TU 1516 MO 1422 SA SA0.45 WE

630 24 21 15 9

31 0215 0800

1.23 0.18 29 0014 23 0256 0620 0.55 1.37 0852

0.32 1.25 0.49 SU 1.79

2021 e (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect 21 15 9

1.13 0.61 MO 1347 1.38 2034 0.66

30 24

Last Quarter

1950 0.55 0.70 0.66 1.72 2030 18531858 1.69 1929 Time 1.87 2051 Time 1955 m 1.77 Time m 1.98 m 1.82 2034 2138

1.32 1.63 0.39 1.28 0149 1.21 0.16 1.55 0.18 0320 243 01430055 0.38 0045 0003 0.31 0244 0215 0144 0.17 0332 0.53 0.37 1.24 0.48 0808 0.58 1.33 0.47 1.37 0916 838 07330725 1.21 0636 0648 1.29 0835 0810 0751 1.34 0930 1.36 1.36SA0.58 1.54 1447 1.39 1.31 1445 407 1259 0.53 1207 0.46 1345 0.39 SA FR 1307 SU1356 MO 1430 SU TU 1506 SA 1357 TH0.47 SU0.45 0.73 0.64 1.80 0.53 2116 0.72 1.94 0.76 2.05 2117 044 19332002 1.75 1847 1848 1.91 2032 2015 2112 1.86 2131

22 16 10

731125 22 16 10

1.05 0.27 31 0215 25 0409 0800 0.66 1.39 1013

0.25 1.33 0.44 TU 1.81

1.13 0.19 1.19 0.24 1.42 0.16 1.53 0.36 337 0406 0141 0057 0.22 0321 0219 0254 0.32 0256 0301 0.18 0410

23 17 11 1.4280.58226 23 17 11 1.60 15431535 1.43 0.48 1537 1552 1.35 0.51 1401 1437 500

u935 of Meteorology 0.61 1.34 0.53 1.36 0.52 0.40 1.25 1.35 1004 0733 0735 1.31 0915 0812 0857 1.25 0852 0853 1.37 1012

0.44 0.49 MO 1432 MO MO TU 0.38 SA 0.45 WE SU FR 1301 SU 1340 0.68 1.86 0.46 1.76 0.78 2.02 0.64 1.81 134 2203 1940 1958 1.97 2112 2012 2230 1.79 2058 2232 1.81 2213

1448 1.38 0.44 WE 1600 2152 2216 0.63 1.61

26 0443 1051

0.34 1.40 TH 1644 0.50 2253 1.48

ight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect 0406 1.10 0.25 1.32 0.19 1.43 0.34 1.16 0.25 0514 0.41 430 0449 0333 0423 0.21 0448 0256Full 0.27 0232 0158 0.17 0400 First Quarter Last Quarter Moon 0.63 1.33 0.55 1.32 0.43 1.25 0.54 1.40 1130 1.39 030 1050 0933 0959 1.39 1057 0850 0950 1.29 0827 0826 1.33 0957

24 18 12

9 327 24 18 12

1.49 1.41 1.51 1.68 0.46 553 1624 1516 0.40 1422 0.46 1355 0.45 TU 1636 SU 1459 WE 1643 TH 1642 MO 1520 TU TU0.52 MO0.58 SA0.55 0.60 1.74 0.76 1.94 0.61 1.80 0.36 1.67 225 2246 2138 2342 1.72 2257 2051 2332 1.82 2030 2115 1.98 2151

FR 1730 0.56 2331 1.35

TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS LAT 340 29’ LONG 1500 55’

1.11 0.32 1.19 0.29 1.25 0.24 1.35 0.34 0545 0.48 522 0530 0409 0535 0.27 0529 0320 0308 0.16 0440 0332 0513 0.25 0.62 1.33 1102 0.52 0.57 1.30 0.45 1.39 Last Quarter 124 1136 MOON1.27 PHASE1042 SYMBOLS New Moon First1.43 Quarter 1210 Full Moon 1013 1.39 1143 0916 0919 1.33 1040 0930 1.33 1726 1.55 1744 1.76 1.47 1.61 0.61is Lowest Astronomical Tide. 1736 0.49 Datum 646 0.59 1712 0.58 1600 0.44 1445 0.45 1506 0.44 WE TH2020, MO 1558 SA 1820 FR TU 1605 WE © TU Copyright Commonwealth of Australia Bureau of Meteorology. of Predictions WE SU0.61 0.70 1.83 0.53 Times are1.76 in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or1.61 daylight savings1.55 time (UTC +11:00) when in effect. The Bureau of Meteorology 2345 314 2329 1.60 2216 2117 2232 1.94 2232 2131 1.81

25 19 13 10 428 25 19 13

gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency,

completeness, or reliability of the information or that the information will0014 be fit for1.23 any particular purpose or will not 0022 0.52 0.40 0040 0.27 1.21 0.32 1.30 0.35 612 0.34 0609 0410quality 0.24 0443 0.34 0611 0406 0421 0.19 0521 infringe third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau’s damage,0.55 cost or expense resulting from use of, 1.14 0634 1.24 liability 0.58 1.29 0.47any1.28 1233 1.46for any loss,0620 217 1220 1.33 1012 0607 1.36 1051 1.40 1004 1015 1.34 1126 or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded. 0.60 0.47 0.53 SU 1255 1.38 1.54 1.72 740 1802 1552 0.44 1644 0.50 1535 0.48 TH 1130 FR 1202 TU 1656 SA 1838 WE 1654 TH WE0.60 TH0.64 MO0.66 0.63 2203 2344 0.42 1.71 1921 0.65 2213 1812 1.76 1.62 2253 1839 1.48 1.83 1.86 2315

26 20 14 11 529 26 20 14

0.44 1.46 1.20 1.69 0.20 003 0010 0.35 1.28 August 0514 0130 0.41 0040 0448 0104 0.25 0449 0531 0.25 460604 1.18 0.47 0.59 0.40 0.47 1.31 1.29 700 0645 1130 0725 1.39 0658 1057 0653 1.40 1050 1111 1.33 1215 0.57 1.61 1.83TH0.63 0.43 311 1307 1730 0.56 1642 0.46 1624 0.52 FR 1215 WE 1753 SA 1256 SU 1329 FR TH 1747 FR1.34 TU1.29 1.69 0.70 1.87 837 0.72 1858 2331 1929 1.35 1950 2257 1853 1.67 2246 1.74

27 21 15 12 630 27 21 15

0.55

0045 0.31

0143 0.38

0215 0.17

1.41 0.42 1.50 0.55

30 0107 0703

1.13 0.61 MO 1347 1.38 2034 0.66

Upside of lockdown: epic waves

Lenny Golding during early lockdown swell at Coledale. Photo: Raylee Golding

By Scarborough Boardrider Ian Pepper After a busy May and June, the 2021 surf year came to a crashing halt with lockdown restrictions ending any form of competition. Our July pointscore was cancelled and the next one scheduled for August 15th will depend on restrictions currently in place being lifted on 30 July. State titles scheduled to be held in our area during July were postponed to August 25 to September 1. Meanwhile, the first few weeks of the lockdown saw some epic waves along all our beaches providing a great opportunity to leave home and exercise. 2515 Follow @Scarbsboardridersclub on Facebook and @scarboroughboardriders on Instagram

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