THE ILLAWARRA June 2022 Keeping community news alive Free to 11,000 letterboxes / www.theillawarraflame.com.au It’s swim time for the Sea Eels Welcome to Winter
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Meet Our Contributors
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. 20 June ‘Community Champs’ & from www.theillawarraflame.com.au
Matthew Derbridge is a 28-yearold graduate student of Wollongong University who studied teaching, social science and education. A writer, Toastmaster and School Learning Support Officer, Matthew is a jack of all trades, an entertainer with an active imagination trying to make a difference in the next generation.
COVER The Sea Eels. Photo: Anthony Warry
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Renee Jurgielan is co-founder of local Illawarra based not-for-profit, Frame Running Wollongong. Renee is passionate about supporting children with disability to enjoy inclusive sporting activities. Renee likes getting outdoors and spending time with her friends and family and their therapy dog, Erin. Dr Michael Hanson has a special interest in men’s health and a strong background in the treatment and prevention of skin cancer. Michael moved to the area in 2015 and works at Bulli Medical Practice. He is married with three children and enjoys bush walking and travelling.
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Janice Creenaune is a retired English teacher. A wife and mother of three, she sees the life of a retiree as an evolution, something to be cherished, enjoyed. Janice is a volunteer for PKD Australia and her interests include travel, Letters-to-the Editor SMH, letterpress printing and film study.
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Rob Brander – aka ‘Dr Rip’ – is a coastal geomorphologist and professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. A resident of Coalcliff, he’s been studying beaches for more than 30 years, starting in Canada where water temperatures convinced him to come to Australia. He is an international expert on rip currents and beach safety and runs a community education program called The Science of the Surf. Iris Huizinga migrated to Australia from The Netherlands, where she was a screenwriter. She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Since 2009 she has volunteered locally, at the surf club and with the fire brigade. Iris is filming a ‘Community Champs’ series celebrating local volunteers for the Flame.
KANE DOWNIE
BAILEY BAILEYJACKIEEULOGYTHE
The best part of the writing process: having done theAwriting!highlight for me has been meeting fellow writers here in the Illawarra, who have become great friends. Also, working with my editor at Hardie Grant Books, Emily Hart. It is such a privilege to have someone else care about your words and help you solve issues that you had thought were impenetrable!
I wrote The Eulogy as part of a creative writing PhD through the University of New South Wales, and one of my readers suggested I try writing the story as fiction. So I did, and it was liberating.
Your book is described as “autofiction” – how much do truth and imagination cross over?
What can readers expect?
Spine width: 23.05mm CATEGORY ‘What a book! Brutal and funny and full of love.’ ALICE PUNG It’s winter in Logan, south-east Queensland, and stillwarm enough to sleep in a car at night if you have nowhereelse to go. But Kathy can’t sleep. Her husband is on herblocked caller list and she’s running from a kidnapping charge,a Tupperware container of 300 sleeping pills in her glovebox.She has driven from Sydney to plan a funeral with her fivesurviving siblings (most of whom she hardly speaks to) becausetheir sister Annie is finally, blessedly, inconceivably dead fromthe brain tumour she was diagnosed with twenty-five years ago,the year everything changed. Kathy wonders – she has always wondered – did Annieget sick to protect her? And if so, from what? In writing Annie’s eulogy, Kathy attempts to understandthe tangled story of the Bradley family: from their mother’schildhood during the Japanese occupation of Singapore inWorld War Two and their father’s experiences in the Malayanconflict and the Vietnam War, to Annie’s cancer and disability,and the events that have shaped the person that Kathy is today.Ultimately, Kathy needs Annie to help her decide whethershe will allow herself to love and be loved. Jackie Bailey’s autofiction novel is an astounding debut,weaving together storylines and relationships over decades,and will stay with readers long after the last page.
Festival, held over the first weekend in June at venues WollongongacrossTown Hall, Library and Art Gallery. Catch Jackie on Saturday 4th at The Music Lounge from 2-3.30pm for her talk on ‘The Eulogy: Challenging the Limits of Autofiction’. For a full program of events, visit southcoastwriters.org/festival
Collins Booksellers Thirroul or online through Booktopia. Collins Booksellers Thirroul are also hosting an event with me on Wednesday, 29 June 2022.
Q&A with a debut author
‘Jackie Bailey’s work is a masterclass on death, loss, grief and love.In The Eulogy she deftly unpicks and unpacks one sprawlingfamily and asks: how should we live?’ —Hayley Scrivenor‘A beautiful big-hearted book, alight with wonder and rich withwisdom. It broke my heart and mended it again.’ —Roanna Gonsalves
Fiction allowed me to create a real sense of urgency in the present tense for my protagonist, Kathy Bradley. Fiction also gave me a safe place to talk about all the hard things – race, disability, trauma, poverty. I could also research and imagine my parents’ childhoods and write about that too. I wrote about my father’s time in the Malayan Conflict and the Vietnam War, and my mother’s childhood under Japanese occupation in Singapore. Basically, I wrote everything I could remember, and I imagined all the things I could not. What inspired you to write it?
Where can we buy the book?
I would say that The Eulogy is 70% true. I first started writing The Eulogy as memoir, telling the story of my sister Allison’s diagnosis with a brain tumour and how our lives unfolded around that.
Jackie Bailey’s first book is out just in time for the South Coast Writers Festival in June.
JACKIE
HGB001-Eulogy-fullcover-FA2.indd
The Eulogy is at its heart about me and my sister, Allison. Halfway through the PhD my sister Allison was admitted to palliative care. Like Kathy in The Eulogy I arrived at the hospital just in time to see her before she died. I organised her funeral. I delivered the eulogy. After my sister died I took some time off writing.
Please tell us a bit about yourself. I live on Dharawal Country in Austinmer with my husband and our daughter. Writing is my passion but it doesn’t pay the bills, so I am lucky to have other passions which (sort of) do! I work as a celebrant, an independent funeral director, and an arts and social impact researcher. When I am not writing, working or hanging out with my family, you might see me panting my way up Sublime Point.
arts & culture4
I enrolled in an ordination program to become an interfaith minister and funeral celebrant. I had learned from my sister’s death that a funeral does not solve grief but, when done well, the ceremony can leave a person with a clean wound, ready for healing. I conducted my first service a month after I finished The Eulogy Best part about the writing process?
Writing The Eulogy was an act of pure hope on my part. I gave my protagonist Kathy a positive ending because sometimes people manage to metabolise intergenerational trauma. For Kathy and me, hope is an act of defiance and an entirely reasonable choice. I hope it is for readers, too!
South atJackieweekendWritersCoastFestivalBaileywillappeartheSouthCoastWriters
More housing urgently needed for downsizers
Achieve the highest result, with the name you know and trust Contact Julie York – your local real estate professional 0405 128 070 | rh.com.au/helensburgh
June 5
Our area needs more villas and apartments to meet high demand, writes Raine & Horne Helensburgh Principal Julie York.
At Raine & Horne Helensburgh, we have many clients wishing to downsize from their large family home, but cannot do so because of the lack of suitable smaller houses/villas and apartments.Thereishigh demand for 2 – 3 bedroom villas and apartments with garaging and a small yard or Wecourtyard.reallyneed to recognise that our seniors don’t want to move out of the area and therefore suitable housing is urgently required. If only someone would build a complex to cater for these residents, most of whom have lived here for most of their lives. This week alone I have spoken with five couples, all asking for the same thing. They all want to downsize and would love to stay here, in a town they love. Maybe council can look at changing the zoning on suitable land to allow this type of development to come to fruition, sooner rather than later.
“There should be no more gas stoves connected, no more gas hot-water heaters connected,” she said. “I am confident it [the motion] will get up. “We shouldn’t be building stuff that we know we need to shut down in the coming decades. Can you believe we are still doing that?”
The talk had been booked out but, possibly due to wet weather, about 70 people did not turn up.
Austinmer has the potential to be a climate leader, the Illawarra Flame reports
Inspired by the ‘electrify everything’ argument, Cr Cox was set to ask councillors at Wollongong City Council’s May 23 meeting to consider switching off gas connections to all new households as a step towards net zero.
Could the popular seaside village famous for its twin pools ‘electrify everything’ and become a test case for the world to follow?
The figures stack up, Austinmer local Dr Saul Griffith told an audience of about 130 people who gathered for the launch of his book, The Big Switch, on 11 May at Thirroul Community Centre.
An engineer, inventor and recent advisor to the US government, Dr Griffith founded Rewiring Australia last year. During his talk, he said he had been lobbying politicians to launch communitybased electrification projects. “Hopefully we get to do this in a few places,” he said. No locations have been locked in.
“Our thanks to facilitator, Caroline Baum, and Voices of Wollongong for their involvement.”
Support from local Greens Jeremy Park, of Voices for Wollongong, the non-partisan group that helped run the event, said that while all local politicians had been invited, only Wollongong Greens councillors Cath Blakey and Mithra Cox had attended.
Ahead of the election, Rewiring Australia published an online tool calculating how much each electorate might save if it electrified homes and cars. The average Cunningham household, for example, could save $4190 per year on energy and vehicle costs by 2030, while 1690 direct and indirect jobs were predicted to be created from community savings and installation work. The Big Switch book is at Collins Thirroul or listen to an audio edition at rewiringaustralia.orgwww.
Deb Thompson, of event organisers Collins Booksellers Thirroul, said: “After two Covidpostponements, we finally welcomed Dr Saul Griffith, introducing his inspiring plan to transform Australia as outlined in his latest book
arts & culture6 The Big Switch Pitch
Rewiring Australia
“People were really inspired about the really practical and possible solutions that Saul presented,” Cr Cox told the Illawarra Flame. “He paints a pretty compelling picture of how possible this transformation is, and not just that it’s possible, but that it can make life better and that it can actually make everybody’s life cheaper.”
On the idea that Austinmer could be a Suburb Zero and host a two-year pilot project in which cars and homes are fully electrified, Cr Cox said it would be “absolutely fabulous”. “One of the things he was saying is that one of the most important factors is community buy-in to such a scheme. I think, on that criteria, Austinmer would be “Whenperfect.heasked people who had already done various actions, like put solar panels on or switched their stove from gas to electric, there was already a really high take-up amongst the audience.” Dr Saul presentedGriffiththecaseforelectrifyingeverything.Photo:DavidCorbett
The Big Switch: Australia’s Electric Future “Saul offered practical advice on taking a slow and steady (and budget-friendly) approach to help fight climate change, which can ultimately lead to individual households making a large impact.
“As a result, the wait-list of more than 60 people missed out,” Deb said. “Please let us know if you cannot attend events as your place will always be gratefully taken by someone else.” Internet connection problems plagued a livestream of the talk. To listen to a recording, visit www.voicesforwollongong.org/speakers
May 7
By Jenny Donohoe, Helensburgh Historical Society researcher
Pictured: Helensburgh Public School 1959 – Lenny Warwick (top, 3rd from right) and his sister, Eileen (2nd top, 2nd from left). Photo: Jim Powell/Helensburgh Historical Society
The original pioneers were Walter John Warwick (18791933) and Pearly Theodora Arnold (1891-1964); their children were Walter Reginald (1910-1986); Leonard John Snr (1913-1994); Eric Wilton (1917-1993) Enid Joyce (1923-1997) – the last three children were born in Helensburgh.
Towards the end of 2021, ABC TV producers spent time in Helensburgh working on a new TV documentary about the Family Court Murders of the 1980s. The second episode of the four-part series about four murders, two shootings, and five bombings between 1980 and 1985, featured Historical Society president Jim Powell (see sidebar). Director Chris Thorburn and Walkley award-winning crime journalist Debi Marshall, author of the book, The Family Court Murders, on which the series is based, spent time in Helensburgh researching and filming part of the documentary.
See Historical Society president interviewed Long-time Helensburgh resident and local historian Jim Powell has featured in the second episode of investigative journalist Debi Marshall’s gripping four-part documentary series, The Family Court Murders, on ABC. In the episode, titled “An Unusual Killer” and aired on Tuesday, May 17, Debi visits Helensburgh because that is where the convicted Family Court killer, Leonard John Warwick, was born and raised. His five-year reign of terror, from 1980 to 1985, included the murder of a judge with a .22 calibre rifle and the bombrelated murders of two people in separate incidents. In an on-screen interview with Debi, Jim talks about Helensburgh, its mining history, and he also explains that Warwick’s father had worked his way up from shovelling coal to being in charge of shot-firing* at the mine. (* The placement and detonation of explosives in a coal wall so rocks and hard soil can be removed from the site.)
The Family Court Murders can be watched via ABC iview.
Leonard (Lenny) John Warwick was born in 1947 in Helensburgh, son of Leonard John Warwick (1913-1994) and Eileen Muriel Grant (1922-1953). Leonard’s sister, Eileen, was born in 1948 in Helensburgh, but she disappeared about 1963.
No record has been found and Ancestry.com recorded her death in 1953, but that is wrong; her mother died in 1953. (Confusingly, mother and daughter had the same name.)
arts & culture8
In September 2020, Helensburgh-born Leonard Warwick Jnr, then 73, was sentenced to three life terms for murdering a judge, a judge’s wife and a churchgoer. The murder of Warwick’s brother-in-law, for which he was a suspect, remains unsolved. Why did it take so long for Warwick to be charged? Well, you will have to watch the series.
Murder documentary makers traced family’s history in Helensburgh
The Warwick families were old pioneers who moved to the district from 1910-1913 and lived on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, called Blue Gum then, now Helensburgh.
By Helensburgh’s newest author, Matthew Derbridge
Age of the Immortal, Book One of the Immortal Legacy Series, is available on Amazon and other platforms. I hope to have paperback copies to sell to anyone who wishes to buy them in the near future. Please check out www.immortallegacyseries. com or find me on Facebook or Instagram.
For 10 years, I have been pursuing a dream that started as a hobby. I have been using any spare time I found, using any money I earned to achieve it. During the first five years of university, I wrote the first and second books. I attended a Shire Writer’s Festival in 2017 and pursued being published by talking to a publisher. After being rejected six months later in 2018, I lost sight of the dream when I didn’t hear back from other publishers. When my ideal career was becoming more difficult to get, I returned to writing and worked on a third book, hoping that a series would sell better. When Covid put us in lockdown, I had more time to write and got more work done.
Write to Edith at mcnallyedith@gmail.com
arts & culture10 Originally from southern Sydney, Barbara Gray became a regular day-tripper to the Northern Illawarra for sketching and painting. Day-tripping morphed into a permanent move in mid-2019. She had absolutely fallen in love with the area and, as she said, “immersed in such a spectacular landscape, with so much inspiration, feels like a perpetual holiday and an artist’s dream come true”. As a child, Barbara never stopped drawing and painting. She studied fine art in her 20s and continued to learn by doing various master classes. She was always pursuing new artistic goals by challenging herself with different mediums and effects. She prefers to paint from sketches gathered in her local environment, where she interprets in colour, texture and with emotion. Her subjects vary from landscape, figurative to still life. When able to travel Barbara always carries a sketchbook and watercolours – so much fun to sit, observe and absorb a place. Most Thursdays are spent sketching outside with a small group. She became involved with Wollongong Art Gallery by entering the “Postcodes from the Edge” exhibition and “Flow Watercolour” art prize. She also delighted in participating in the “Group” exhibition last year at the gorgeous 55 Parrots store, Bulli. Barbara captures what many local artists share when she says: “I feel so privileged to live in this environment and to be able to share its beauty on paper or canvas. I paint in oils, watercolours and mixed media. Art has always given me great joy and an amazing journey”. Barbara has been selected as a finalist in many art prizes including the Mosman Art Prize, NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize and Ravenswood Australian Women’s ArtContactPrize.
Barbara or view her work on Instagram (@barbaragraystudio) or visit www.barbaragraystudio.com.
Come 2022, I decided that if I couldn’t get my ideal career and accepted that fate, I would pursue my other dream on my own, with time, money and a lot of thought, stress and joy. I put my first book out there online for everyone. What started as a small idea grew into a whole world.
First in a fantasy
Artists of the Illawarra Stanwell Park painter Edith McNally introduces Barbara Gray
June 11 Anita’s Theatre Shop 10, King St Thirroul Call for an appointment today on 42683933 This is who we are, where we work and what we do See Side ptical
David (Wollongong):
The Sea Cliff Bridge is an engineering marvel and popular tourist destination. However, there was little leisure time for the men who travelled to the area in the 1880s. The image below, recently donated to the Wollongong City Libraries, provides a glimpse into the area’s past. It shows Coal Cliff Jetty jutting out into the sea below where the bridge now stands. The jetty was built in 1877 to ship coal from the Coal Cliff Colliery. Rail tracks ran from the jetty to the mine’s entrance in the nearby cliff face. High above, the wooden posts that marked the route of the road, now known as Lawrence Hargrave Drive, are just visible. If you have images or documents you’d be willing to donate or share, contact the Local Studies team at localhistory@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Above the waterline, below the bridge
Natalie (Wollongong): “I like the diversity in all the pieces and definitely the didgeridoo.” For more information on Steel City Strings and their upcoming programs, www.steelcitystrings.com.auvisit
‘Barton’s playing was just superb’ Words and photos by Iris Huizinga
“I’m the CEO of reallyreallyConservatoriumWollongongandI’mjustenjoyingtheprogram.It’sareallybeautiful,reallyinterestingprogram.Somemeditativesectionsandthensomeslightlymorekindofgritty,earthymusicinthereaswellandWilliamBarton’splayingwasjustsuperb.”
arts & culture12 Concert goers told us what they thought of the Steel City Strings performance Earth Connections, with William Barton on didgeridoo, in Wollongong on Saturday night, May 21.
By local studies librarian JennyLawrenceMcConchieHargrave
Drive in the old days, when rock falls were a major hazard. Below, Coal Cliff Jetty (Illawarra Images P38224) Nikki (Shellharbour): “It was good and I liked it. I really liked the way they performed it and showed emotion in it. In the middle [of “Port Essington” by composer Peter Sculthorpe] there was a section with the birds, where they imitated the birdsong and I liked that.”
june30 before Anita’s Theatre: Shop 10, King St Thirroul Call for an appointment today on 4268 3933 + use your health rebate, before you lose it to use towards complete spectacles + prescription sunglasses* * Conditions apply VOUCHER$50CALLTODAY @studiodesignsdunn | karen@studiodesignsdunn 0437 140 913 | COLEDALE | NSW STUDIO DESIGNS DUNN INTERIOR DESIGN & www.studiodesignsdunn.comSTYLING In-home or Online Design consultations. Take the first step call Karen - 0437 140 913 for your complimentary Design Talk. 0422 865 648 robyn@beachframing.com13GeorgeStThirroulNSW2515 Thursday and Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm 9amSaturday-12pm
In retirement in Austinmer, living at the foot of the escarpment, Dianne did not have to look far for inspiration. “My husband and I also travelled a lot, so that too allowed me to look beyond for all types of inspiration. Dabbleduck evolved from watching some eastern wood ducks being disturbed by nearby platypuses at Walcha village bridge.
Dianne’s first books, the Rusty Rumble series, which she self-published, were just that: poetry in storytelling form for children up to age six. “I love the promotion of the books through readings in libraries, day-care centres, schools and bookshops. Sometimes I even read at the Nan Tien Temple markets.
Janice Creenaune meets Dianne Ellis, who worked in local government as an assistant to the mayor of Bankstown and now writes children’s books in retirement
“But I must admit it is the passion for writing that is important even if it is not published, and the joy of children when we read together and later discuss the issues. I just love it all. “The lovely area I live in allows me to feel a very positive energy about me, the sea, the escarpment and my house, and I really had a Rusty Rumble dog myself. I’m a regular ocean pool swimmer and many new characters pop into my head during my morningDiannelaps.iscareful not to preach. “My last three books are about perseverance, friendship, team-work and environmental awareness and I’m thankful children seem to understand their messages.“Having a cross-eyed kookaburra, for example, allows discussion of differences and even disabilities within us all without necessarily stating it outright. My illustrator, Janet Davies, has done such a wonderful job. “I love reading all my stories to little ones and sometimes I use puppets and animated voice characterisations to bring it alive.”
Writer Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com or phone 4267 4880.
arts & culture14 Dianne Ellis has a passion for reading and a talent for writing, but deep within her psyche there is an even deeper love for children and the environment. She combines all these elements to create stories for children. First came the Rusty Rumble series and later Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class, Kingsley, the cross-eyed kookaburra and Dabbleduck Dianne’s first published poem appeared in her school newsletter when she was eight. She continued to write poetry through her life and constantly developed fictional characters and stories in her mind. “I was so busy as a working mother of three, I didn’t have time to take the stories to the next level,” Dianne says. As assistant to the mayor of Bankstown, she organised huge events and wrote numerous speeches. “I wasn’t particularly good at writing speeches so I took some courses and excelled in the creative writing component. My tutor urged me to continue my creative journey and my confidence to write for children grew from that time. Not sure if my speech writing ever improved though.”
Dianne Ellis. Photo: Janice Creenaune
“Poetry has always remained close to me as well, so traversing children’s books just seemed to come naturally to me. Not all my books rhyme, but children react so strongly to those which do rhyme and I enjoy them too.”
Children (and their parents) can also look forward to her first novel, out later this year.
Time towrite for children
Dianne works on multiple books at a time. “I’m currently on a second draft of a doggie looking out of the window based on a real dog living just a few doors up the road and I’m also working on the sequel to Dabbleduck.”
Dianne says she is fortunate to have a supportive and encouraging husband in John, who is also creative with his stained-glass work. Dianne also appreciates her writing group buddies who meet regularly to critique each other’s work.
agesallforgiftsandgamesbooks, collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul
To kick off the donation drive for Lismore South Public School we put a shout out to our local publishing houses and Penguin Random House stepped up with an extremely generous donation of 300 Stage 1 and 2 books for immediate use by teachers in the classroom. A great start! Since then, our incredibly big-hearted community has consistently been donating an incredible array of picture books, early readers, middle-grade fiction, non-fiction… The list goes on. At the time of writing, hundreds of books have been delivered to Thirroul Public School and are now awaiting the construction of a new library for Lismore South. To our local community, well done! Congratulations! Thank you! As you can imagine, it takes a LOT of books to stock a school library, so the drive continues… Every book counts!
June 15 Going strong! By the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul
www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au
@collinsbooksellersthirroulShop5/264LawrenceHargrave Drive
Literary Events June is a great month for Collins Booksellers Thirroul literary events. Check out the Friday Flame (subscribe at www.theillawarraflame. com.au) for weekly updates and, of course, we’ll keep you posted on our social media and in our email newsletter. To RSVP for the events below, email thirroul@collinsbooks. com.au or phone 4267 1408.
1 June, Politics: What Happened: Election 2022, a post-election panel with political insiders Lech Blaine, Matthew Knott & Jacqueline Maley; introduced by Elliot Stein and moderated by ABC’s Isobel Roe 15 June, Literary Crime: Dirt Town, Hayley Scrivenor with Helena Fox 18 June, Special Kids Book Club with the Author: The Callers, Kiah Thomas 29 June, Fiction: The Eulogy, Jackie Bailey with Julie Keys
AmandaflyingheadedGrey-foxes.Photos:DeGeorge
science & nature16
The bats are back. After our non-event of a summer I couldn’t be happier. Usually they fly into the small temporary camp we have here in Thirroul for the summer months and some of autumn, before returning to the warmer northern NSW and south-east Queensland regions over winter. I mean, who can blame them? It’s generally a small colony but during the recent drought and fires the number swelled to thousands as hungry flying foxes came to feast on our blossoming trees. But this summer they didn’t turn up; not here at least. There are camps scattered throughout the Illawarra, some more permanent than others, and research has shown that numbers within a camp can fluctuate day by day. Perhaps they were in another local colony. Either way, I missed seeing them. But last week, while I was face-down in a plant chasing this bug and that, I heard a familiar sound and my head flicked up as I instantly knew who I’d find. With the weather being all upsidedown as it is and the devastating floods up Lismore way, it’s to be expected that the flying foxes are moving around in areas and in periods when they’re usually not here. But once I knew they were back, there was no
Backyard Zoology
With Amanda De George way I was going to miss out on a quick visit and so I donned my gum boots as we now apparently live in a swamp, and sunk into the mud as I headed into the bush and down the path. And there they were, hanging like the plump fruit that they like to eat, little teddy bears in capes, bickering with one another, jousting with their clawed thumbs to find a prime position. Now I know not everyone is a fan of these animals. They can be noisy. They can have a bit of a musky odour, particularly after rain… but have you met my dogs? But unlike my dogs, these creatures are classed as a ‘keystone species’ meaning that they are incredibly important, occupying a key role in the ecosystem, and that other species rely on their survival. That in itself is a worry as grey-headed flying foxes have recently been listed as vulnerable and their population continues to decline. Not wanting to stress them, I headed back out onto the street with the knowledge that they may have moved somewhere else the next time I look for them. And that’s okay, as long as they come back to while away their day, sleeping and chattering and sleeping again, when summer finally returns.
Subscribe to the Wednesday Flame Want more stories by Amanda De George? Sign up to read articles on our website (it’s free!) and you’ll receive the Flame’s enewsletter for nature lovers, essential reading for everyone wild about Wollongong.
Risk factors: Age, risk higher > 50 years old. 63% of cases diagnosed in men over 65. Family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, especially BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.
June 17
74 Park Road, Bulli 4284 4622 Book online* via our *Pleasewww.bullimedicalpractice.com.auwebsite:scanQRcode:call42844622foranappointmentifyouhaveanyrespiratorysymptoms Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 12 noon Full range of general practice services including women’s and men’s health, child and adolescent health, older adult health and nursing home visits, and specialised clinics including: y Travel medicine y Weight management y Skin cancer checks QUALITY PERSONAL HEALTHCARE AND TRAVEL MEDICINE
Prevention: Regular screening and early detection of prostate cancer ensures the best possible outcomes. There is evidence that regular physical activity can be protective for prostate cancer.
By Dr Michael Hanson, of Bulli Medical Practice
Symptoms: EARLY prostate cancer does not typically cause symptoms and can usually only be detected by screening (see more information below). ADVANCED prostate cancer symptoms can include: frequent urination; pain while urinating; blood in the urine or semen; a weak stream; pain in the back or pelvis; weak legs or feet.
Men’s Health Week is 13 to 19 June, and this year we are raising awareness about prostate cancer. About 18,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in Australia every year. It is the most common cancer in men aside from skin cancer. One in six men will be diagnosed by the age of 85.
A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures the proteins made by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. Your GP may use results from more than one blood test, over time, to help determine your risk.
Focus on prostate cancer
Diagnosis: Your GP may arrange a clinical examination, scans and/or a referral to a specialist.
Screening: Because early prostate cancer is asymptomatic, it is important for men aged 50 to 70 years to undertake screening via their GP (usually just a blood test).
Management: Men with low-risk prostate cancer may only need to be regularly and carefully monitored. If the cancer is progressing, surgery or radiation therapy may be recommended. While five-year survival rate is quite high (95.5%), men with prostate cancer experience a range of effects from their disease and its treatment, including depression, anxiety, urinary incontinence, and impairments in sexual and bowel function. Your GP can help and offer treatment or referrals. More information at www.cancer.org.au
Do you consider yourself to be a surfer?
Surfers probably use the ocean more than anybody, but their voices are often overlooked when it comes to coastal management.Thenewstudythen kind of took off as I contacted colleagues and surfers around the world and we created the Global Surfer Survey that can be done in English, French and Portuguese. The French went crazy and have already lodged 800 responses so we need your help to catch up by doing the survey at globalsurfersurvey.com or by using the QR code on this page. If you live in NSW, you’ll go into a draw to win a custom-made surfboard valued at $1000. It’ll only take you 20 minutes, it’s anonymous, fun, for a good cause and don’t worry, we won’t be giving any secret surfing spotsPleaseaway!spread the word on social media to every surfer you know – this really is a survey for surfers!
Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf
Photo by Amber Cree at the Scarborough Boardriders’ ‘Get Her Onboard’ day in May
By ‘surfer’ I mean someone who goes out and rides waves as a boardrider, boogie boarder, stand-up paddler, surf skier, kite surfer and even a bodysurfer. I’m thinking that could be quite a few people! If you fall into one of those categories, you need to do the Global Surfer Survey. Almost 10 years ago we did a survey and conducted interviews of surfers (including some Stanwell Park locals) who had rescued someone in the surf while surfing. The results were published in a scientific journal and received a ton of media attention because we showed that using the most conservative of estimates, surfers make more rescues each year in Australia than lifeguards and lifesavers combined – that’s a big deal. The survey also asked them to tell us about their most serious rescue and 63% reckoned they had saved a life – also a big deal! Last year my UNSW Beach Safety Research Group was contacted by Surfing NSW, who run a free Surfers 24/7 Rescue program during which surfers are trained in basic CPR and how to use their board to make a rescue. They were keen to do another survey on surfer rescues, so we said sure. But I also thought this was a good opportunity to learn more about surfers in general. How many people surf? What types of surfers are out there? Who surfs and how often? What are their opinions about the ocean, coastal management and environmental issues?
science & nature18
Do the survey: simply scan the QR code with an iPhone camera or use a QR reader app
This month: A Survey for Surfers, by Professor Rob Brander
H.Parsons has chapels in Bulli, Wollongong, Warilla and Dapto Phone 4228 9622 or visit hparsons.com.au
Flowers through the ages
By Edwina Ellicott, Community Engagement Manager at H.Parsons
Flowers and Funerals – the two have gone together since… well, according to some sources, since 62,000 BC. Radiocarbon dating performed on ancient graves has shown them to be lined with fragrant wild flowers such as mints and figwort. Other discoveries of ancient burial sites have revealed wildflower pollen and flower fragments in the soil samples indicating flowers were placed around the grave and on the deceased.Allofthisconjures up quite the floral fragrant scene of an aesthetically pleasing burial site. But the reality is a bit different. So while it probably did all look quite lovely, the role of these pretty fragrant flowers was to mask the odour of decaying bodies. For the same reason, perfumed flowers were also placed over the deceased’s body during the embalming preparation process, with the quantities and types of flowers varying according to tradition and the climate. Happily, the need to deal with these unpleasant smells through scented flowers is no longer required and today flowers have a more symbolic meaning. We send them to families and friends as an expression of sympathy and support. They’re often chosen for their colour or type and arranged in such a way to be impressive, modest, dignified, or to show status. In funeral services the large floral sprays placed over the coffin or casket is probably a remnant of the old times when this was done for practical reasons. Now these arrangements are beautifully designed and structured and may match the flowers in the venue, bringing warmth and a sense of brightness to an otherwise sombre occasion. At H.Parsons we see some families preferring bright and cheerful colours for their arrangements and casket covers. If they’re unsure, we suggest they think of their loved one’s favourite colour or ask if they had a favourite type of flower such as a lily or an orchid. Roses are the perennial favourite, but harder to come by post COVID, unfortunately meaning they can be cost prohibitive. Natives are also popular due to their longevity and their connection to Australia.Whathappens to the flowers after the service? Some families will invite guests to take individual sprigs from the arrangements as a memento or keep the flowers for drying and pressing as an ongoing tribute to their loved one. And the arrangements left over? With the permission of the family, at H.Parsons we donate these to floristry students at a local TAFE. This wonderful partnership has created the Flower Reach Project, an initiative that has been in place for over a year now. The Flower Reach Project allows students to flex their creativity on these donated floral arrangements, breathing new life and purpose to the original donation. The cycle continues as these are then gifted to local aged care facilities, often bringing a smile to a resident’s face.
June 19
Breynia oblongifolia (Breynia)
By Banksia Bush Care’s Kieran Tapsell
Breynia oblongifolia is sometimes known as Coffee Bush and can grow up to three metres high. Its leaves are ovate and alternate, as distinct from the invasive Senna (Cassia) whose leaves are opposite and which produces conspicuous yellow flowers in the late summer. Breynia has small green flowers and orange and pink berries. While Breynia does grow in the rainforests, it also tolerates a wide variety of environments. There are many examples in the Stanwell Avenue Reserve, with many new ones springing up after the recent rains.
European honeybees, like all colonists, often just plunder the nectar, like the Spanish did with the Inca gold in Peru, without doing the flower a favour by spreading the pollen.
Tree of the Month
Native bee hotels made from lantana sticks in the light, breezy style of Glenn Murcutt and a banksia log in the Brutalist architectural style of the High Court.
There are about 1800 different species in Australia and 200 locally. Most of them are solitary and do not sting. While some live like monks in monasteries, like honeybees most of them have their own apartments where they give birth to their young, and then send them off when old enough. We now have two hotels along the Stanwell Avenue to Kiosk track, one with 24 apartments in a Banksia log in the Brutalist architectural style of the High Court of Australia in Canberra, and 28 apartments in the light and breezy style of Glenn Murcutt made from Lantana sticks.
An examination of our nests reveals that native bees have been making their homes in the lantana sticks. Lantana sticks are perfect for native bee hotels because they dig out the soft marrow of the sticks. Bamboo also works well. Bee hotels in the Brutalist style can also be made out of any kind of timber by drilling holes of about 100 mm, and holes of different diameters of 5mm, 7mm and 9mm.
Banksia Bushcare has recently erected two native bee hotels in the Reserve. Native bees are an important part of our biodiversity because many plants depend on them for pollination because of the structure of their flowers.
science & nature20
Banksia Bushcare News: Native bees.
sale including tubestock and grafted plants The Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden: A Photographic Portrait now available Illawarra Grevillea Park Winter Open Days Grevillea Park Road,
many, but sometimes, e.g. in Borneo and the Daintree, they can quickly accumulate between each toe, and any that are missed up the legs get into some very sensitive areas. Another approach is to completely cover up with gaiters, trousers, raincoat. That produces a nice ring of leeches around the neck, sometimes other interesting places like inside the mouth or on the eye. Yes, in our wetter forests they are definitely a nuisance.
Beetling About
Expansive native display gardens; rainforest walks; picnic areas Extensive range
Three years ago the leeches seemed to have completely disappeared due to the prolonged heatwaves and drought. But they can’t fly so they didn’t really ‘go’. Leeches produce eggs in a thick-walled case, which resists drought, so that’s where they were. Keep well.
With Helensburgh entomologist Dr Chris Reid of for Satwww.illawarrgrevilleapark.com.auBulli&Sun/10am-4pmJuly2&3,9&10Entry$7ChildrenFree
As promised, a story about leeches. Your intrepid scientist set off today to collect a few leeches in the name of science, or rather to get a good photo for this story. I wandered for 30 minutes along the slopes of Wilsons Creek in Garrawarra Conservation Area, walking slowly, backtracking along the same routes in the wet undergrowth, a sure method of picking up leeches (if you go bushwalking with a group, make sure you are not last otherwise you will collect everything that has been disturbed). Well, they weren’t biting and I didn’t get any. Maybe I’m the wrong sort of human or something. I did see a fox. The nice leech photo used here is from the Australian Museum’s website. Anyhow, I’m assured that a leech plague is going on and that people’s gardens are full of them, so I’m writing this to alleviate some concerns. Don’t be too bothered by them. Leeches don’t carry diseases that we know of, so compared with ticks and mosquitoes they are quite benign. And here in the Illawarra we don’t seem to have species with painful bites, like the Borneo tiger leech. So they are annoying more than anything else, especially when they get into sensitive bits. They are really only dangerous when they attach to an eyeball – in which case it’s best to wait until they drop off. There are different approaches to dealing with them if you have to trek through rainforest. One way is to walk around in sandals and shorts and pick them off as seen. That works if there aren’t too
Dogs welcomeleashon leech ‘searching for blood’.
Leeches are related to earthworms. They both need moisture. Earthworms are important for creating soil. Leeches are important for … well, for leeches. Actually, what feeds on a leech? Frogs and birds do, especially pittas, rarely seen beautiful rainforest birds. So, having lots of leeches around is a sign of a healthy moist environment.
June 21
natives
WANTADVICE? and–bringyourquestionswewilldoourbesttohelp! A
Photo: D’Accione/AustralianAnnaMuseum
‘Real injustice in our health system’ Originally from Sydney, Dr Williams moved to Wollongong in 2004, where her work with trauma victims inspired her advocacy. “I’ve done all my psychiatric training in the area,” she says. “What I was experiencing within the hospital system, right from day dot, was that there’s a whole lot of family violence and sexual violence that is underneath a lot of the mental health problems that I’m apparently treating.
“I’ve been going to politicians, I’ve gone to the health minister, I’ve gone to the minister for women, I’ve gone to the prime minister’s office, For years, Wollongong psychiatrist Dr Karen Williams has fought to fix the health system for women with mental illness. Simply medicating isn’t the answer, she says.
In August, the private hospital operator will open Ramsay Clinic Thirroul on Phillip Street, and Dr Williams will become the medical superintendent leading Australia’s first traumainformed mental health facility for women.
Thanks to a local psychiatrist’s campaign for justice, Thirroul will become home to Australia’s first trauma-informed mental health clinic for women. The Illawarra Flame reports
local business22 ‘War’s not the only thing that causes PTSD’
“Whereas women are by themselves, all alone, in these really dangerous situations.
“So I was getting really frustrated seeing this real injustice in our health system and the real stark contrast – the two traumatised groups and both of them getting completely different levels of care.”
‘We wouldn’t do that with our soldiers’ The system fails domestic violence victims by not addressing their trauma, Dr Williams says. “The best comparison is that we wouldn’t do that with our soldiers that come back.
“We don’t say, ‘Oh, well, let’s just medicate.’ You actually go, ‘You’ve got PTSD. Let’s talk about those traumatic events.’ Whereas for women, it’s ‘Oh, you’ve got depression, you’ve got anxiety, you’ve got a mental health disorder’...” How we look at things makes a big difference, she believes. “There is a whole movement towards recognising trauma in women, right around the“Iworld.havebeen fighting to reframe the way we look at mental illness in women for a number of years.
“Often men have actually cut them off from their families. They cut them off from their friends.
“War’s not the only thing that causes PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]. If our home lives are like war zones, then we are going to also get PTSD from that too.
Things came to a head when Dr Williams was working at a private hospital with mixed groups of trauma“Womenpatients.were sitting in groups with defence force patients and feeling like they didn’t belong there. They were thinking that their trauma is less – except that they weren’t recognising that the guys in the defence force and the women in the defence force go there by choice, and they’re trained and they go with weaponry and they go in a group. They know exactly who their enemy is and they’re prepared for that enemy. And they’ve got safe people that they work with.
“What happens in DV situations is you’ve got women living with nobody apart from their abuser and they’ve got nowhere to go. The symptoms are often worse than you get in the defence force and the treatment’s less – it’s practically zero.”
“We need to look at trauma a lot more. And recognise that family violence is a cause of trauma, the same as going to war is the cause of trauma.” Last month, Ramsay Health Care announced she’d won a major victory.
“Whereas women can’t get anything. There’s no services for them, but they have the same symptoms.
Dr theleadWilliamsKarenwilltheteamatnewRamsayClinicThirroul.
“I was seeing the difference in the way we deliver care to the defence force and the police officers and first responders, because I worked directly with them. It doesn’t cost them anything.
“Thanks to Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins, we’ve been talking much more about this stuff. Sexual assault and domestic violence is definitely much, much more in the conversation. “There’s been that and a combination of just good luck, and serendipity that the director of Ramsay was female. And, you know, a strong female leader makes a difference.”
I’ve gone to the attorney-general… “There are no services for PTSD for women. “So why is that? Why aren’t we up in arms about that? Why aren’t people screaming about this? “They all say, ‘Oh gosh, really? It’s pretty terrible.’ And then they don’t do anything about it. I have never had any luck with getting them to fund treatment for women.” ‘What if I give you a hospital?’ Then, this year, Dr Williams approached Ramsay Mental Health Director Anne Mortimer, hoping “they would let me have just one ward where I can keep my female patients safe”. “I probably spoke to her a bit more than 45 minutes. And she just listened quietly. At the end she said, ‘How can Ramsay help you?’ “And I said, ‘I’d like a ward.’ “And she said, ‘Well, what if I give you a hospital?’” Ms Mortimer explained that Thirroul’s Lawrence Hargrave Private Hospital would be empty soon as its rehab service was closing. The plan had been to sell it but this could be called off. “Well, I burst into tears,” Dr Williams says. “I was shocked, I almost fell off my chair. It was that mix of laugh/cry sort of thing.”“She said, ‘Right, you’ll have to run it. It’s a big job. You can put in it whatever youWhenwant.’”it opens in August, Ramsay
June 23
Clinic Thirroul will have a 43-bed women’s-only unit. It will offer day-patient programs and become a training centre for psychiatric, medical, psychological and other allied health and nursing students. If the clinic is a success, it could be a blueprint for the nation. “If we can get good results in people, if PTSD reduces and the symptoms reduce, then they can roll it out around the country,” Dr Williams says. “This shouldn’t be innovative, it really shouldn’t. “We know about one in four women will experience domestic violence. One in six women will be sexually abused by the time they’re 15. There’s been a blind spot in society, where we’ve just overlooked the fact that there are so many traumatised women.” Trauma treatment for defence force patients may involve yoga, therapy dogs and gym time, she says. “These are all important aspects of getting better. So Anne said, ‘We’ll put all of that in there for you, and we can show that women need it just as much and will benefit.” Dr Williams’ determination may have led to the clinic’s creation, but she also credits a cultural shift, driven by the #MeToo moment.
Transformation on Phillip Street: Ramsay Mental Health Director Anne Mortimer (inset above) made the call to turn Lawrence Hargrave Private Hospital into Ramsay Clinic Thirroul, a ground-breaking new centre for women. Photos supplied
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From L to R: The Symbio team –Matt Radnidge, managing director; Jess Harris, services manager; Nikki Szafranski, guest services supervisor – with Des Poeling-Oer of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. Photo supplied ‘Pay Discover Forward’ wins three awards
Partnership
The Pay Discover Forward initiative has, to date, allocated more than $2.5 Million in entry tickets to children in need across NSW to visit Symbio Wildlife Park and allows members of the public to redeem their unused NSW Discover Vouchers and select one of five NSW-based Children’s Charities to be recipients of two entry tickets to the family-owned and operated Wildlife Park, to which they pass on to the families they help assist. You can still get involved and, through one random act of kindness, help give the gift of memories to children in need. With the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover initiative ending on 30 June, don’t let your unused Discover vouchers go to waste! You can choose to pay your voucher forward to: Canteen, Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, Starlight Foundation, Kidzwish and Variety (The Children’s Charity).
• Best Sustained
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Donating vouchers is easy: simply use your phone to scan the QR code or visit Symbio’s website. Go to paydiscoverforwardsymbiozoo.com.au/
On May 19, at the PR and Communications industries night of nights, the Mumbrella Commscon Awards held at the Four Season Hotel in Sydney, Symbio Wildlife Park were recognised for the success of our ‘Pay Discover Forward’ Campaign when we were awarded three wins and a highly commended in respective categories. Coming up against giants of the industry, such as Snapchat, Singleton Olgilvy PR, Thinkerbell, Aussie Home Loans, Pizza Hut, Seek, Jetstar, Converse, Telstra, Destination NSW, and many more, Symbio took out the honours in: Best B2C (business to consumer) Campaign est PR-led Brand Campaign COVID-19 Initiative
By Kevin Fallon, of Symbio Wildlife Park And came a very close runner-up, being awarded a highly commended in the Best Social Media or Digitally-led Campaign Category.
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June 25 For local, experienced and educated real estate advice, call Ian today! Ian Pepper 0403 570 ian.pepper@raywhite.com041 raywhitehelensburgh.com.au What Labor’s win means Labor has won the election and our new PM has a big list of campaign promises and initiatives. So what will this mean for real estate? Below are some of the major announcements from Labor: Help to Buy: The program involves the government providing eligible home buyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent of the purchase price for an existing home. Regional First Home Guarantee: Under an expansion of the current First Home Guarantee scheme, an additional 10,000 regional Australian families a year will be assisted to buy their first home. Your local, experienced and educated real estate professional Scan To Speak to Ian For local, experienced and educated real estate advice, call Ian today! Ian Pepper 0403 570 ian.pepper@raywhite.com041 raywhitehelensburgh.com.au Principal Katrina Rowlands believes that understanding a client’s needs is key to finding their premium loan options. “We established Mortgage Success in order to provide the people of the Illawarra with an individually tailored service that can take the time and effort out of finding their best outcomes.” “Working For Your Success” Katrina ManagingRowlandsDirector DipFMBM JP AIFS reception@mortgagesuccess.com.auwww.mortgagesuccess.com.au 4222 2222 ACCOUNTANTS Small Business All Tax and BAS Returns Current and Overdue SMSFInvestmentPartnershipsCompaniesSoleTradersTrustsIndividualsPropertiesCapitalGainsTaxReturnsandAudits Office: 02 4294 4462 John: 0418 162 999 Kerri 0415 117 804 Email: bizacct@bigpond.net.au 9 Walker Street, Helensburgh
I often hear from my clients that one of the downsides of healthy eating is that it can eat into the family budget (pardon the pun). As cost of living is a massive issue for many right now, I am on a mission to make healthy eating more affordable by sharing family recipes that are super-nourishing and don’t cost a fortune. Breakfast is one of those times when many opt for cheap, nutrient-void cereals or toast to save costs.
Yet there is an affordable way to feed the family a super-nourishing and warming breakfast with this Warming Spiced Porridge. Oats cost as little as $2 a kilo, and a little really does go a long way.
Blazzes Hair’s new salon is garnering great reviews. “Glorious!” says a man getting a head massage. This brings a big smile to hairdresser Kathy Cole’s face as it is exactly what she is aiming for: a caring, luxurious visit for each client.
1 tbsp of ghee or butter
At the same time, Blazzes Hair is a salon where clients can relax.
Iris Huizinga checks out the new Blazzes salon in Thirroul.
“It’s more like an experience,” Kathy says. “It’s more about luxury. It is an adult space and everyone has their hair shampooed.”
1 tbsp of raw honey + extra to drizzle on top Method: Heat butter/ghee in a medium sized saucepan. Add oats and stir to coat in butter/ ghee and lightly toast for 2-3 minutes (this adds heaps more depth to the flavour)
Kathy said: “I’ve been established in Thirroul Plaza for 32 years and because the plaza is being demolished eventually, we had to find somewhere else. So now we’ve moved here into our beautiful new salon and we have changed it up a bit. “The clients are loving it. Everyone enjoys being here. We have plans for the future as well. “Because I’ve been in the industry for so long it’s mainly about growing young hairdressers and giving them somewhere lovely to work, train
them up and empower the people here.”
½ cup of sultanas or chopped dried figs
Kathy’s new place is across from the Thirroul station, at 1/8 Railway Parade. It has a calm, modern and open feel, and wherever I turn my head I receive genuine smiles, except from the client in the shampoo chair who is blissfully enjoying his head massage with his eyes closed.
Winter Warming Spiced Porridge Serves 2 (simply double for a family of 4)
Ingredients: 1 cup of rolled oats
Add water and spices and stir to remove any lumps. Continue stirring whilst you add the milk of your choice. The more you stir, the creamier the porridge will be. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the porridge is thick and creamy. Divide into serving bowls and drizzle a little more raw honey. You can add a handful of berries or chopped bananas for extra goodness. Enjoy a nourishing start to your day!
2 tsp of cinnamon powder
1 cup of water 1 cup milk (oat, coconut or almond milk)
1 tsp of cardamon powder
Cutting edge
Visit 1/8 Railway Parade, Thirroul or blazzeshair.com.au
Oats so easy on a tight budget
By Stephanie Meades, functional nutritionist at Thirroul’s Life Wellness Co.
local business26
By Jo Fahey at Darkes Glenbernie Orchard
June 27
Did you know that apples have a footprint? Cider Australia has spent the last 18 months or so working on developing a testing procedure that can be used to identify cider made from Australian fruit versus cider made from imported concentrates. This is really important work to guard our Australian provenance. There are a lot of brands who are making cider from imported juice syrups (concentrates). We would like to give consumers the power to choose to purchase 100% Australian content over products made predominantly from imported ingredients. Darkes Cider is proud to be part of this research program. We have been working with the scientists on this project and it is very interesting that they can actually discern differences in our apples to apples grown in other locations. You can even tell the difference between one block of apples and another on the same property. Final results are still another year away but there is a very clear difference emerging from apples grown in other places. We call this ‘terroir’. In other words, the unique traits that the location imparts to the fruit. At Darkes Cider we have been saying to people for such a long time that cider apples are influenced by the location in which they are grown, just like grapes. Then the next difference that you will experience is the influence of the winemaker and the techniques that are used in fermentation.Cidershould be served at around 7°Celsius so you will be able to discern its natural flavours. Just as if you warm an apple to room temperature you will pick up more flavour than if you eat a very cold apple. Mulled or spiced hot cider is also nice in this cold weather. Cider is amazing as an accompaniment to food. Cider can be consumed alongside savoury products or sweet desserts. Try having cider with doughnuts, for example! You can support local by choosing Darkes Cider at one of our supporting local venues, ordering online for a farm to door local delivery, or by visiting us in person at the farm cellar door! Visit darkes.com.au
Can you tell if yourcider is local?
Farm ShellharbourfromdeliveryDoortotheShireto
‘History made’ as bill passed
Mr Evans’s mum, Rita, died in February 2015 after suffering dementia for nine years and enduring a terrible final three weeks of life. In 2017, when the voluntary assisted dying bill was first presented to parliament, Mr Evans told the Flame that the principle behind it – the notion of dying with dignity – was close to him.
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Aiden’s first goal was to donate his hair to Variety’s Hair with Heart, to make wigs for people who have cancer. His second aim was to raise funds for the charity FearLess, which helps those living with PTSD. More than 40 people joined Aiden for the ‘Big Chop’ fundraiser, including local hairdresser Kerry and Admiral Chris Barrie and Belinda Neil of FearLess.“Aiden’s fundraiser was a great success,” Simone said last month. “After cancelling the event in March, yesterday was super exciting and special.
“Therefore, it was with great honour I stood beside Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Sydney to co-sponsor the Bill when he re-introduced Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation alongside “His last haircut was eight years ago as he finds getting a haircut sends him to an ‘uncomfortable place’, however he wanted to get his hair cut but do it to support two charities.”
“Aiden raised over $6300 for FearLess… what an absolute“Aidenchampion.yourfamily and friends are extremely proud of you.” Visit www.aidencampbell.com
On May 19 New South Wales became the last state in Australia to pass voluntary assisted dying legislation for people suffering from terminal illnesses. Within 18 months people with a fatal diagnosis in NSW will be able to access voluntary assisted dying.
Voluntary assisted dying has been made legal in New South Wales and Heathcote MP Lee Evans, who has a personal connection to the cause, was a co-sponsor on the landmark bill.
Seven years after his mother passed away of dementia, Heathcote MP Lee Evans is proud to have co-sponsored the Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation
The person must be found to have capacity to make the decision to go ahead voluntarily without duress, and the application would be assessed by two medical practitioners.
At a Saturday morning tea in Scarborough on May 14, Aiden Read Campbell cut his long hair – a big deal personally, and for two great causes. “Aiden is 15 years old and has autism,” his mum Simone Read said.
27 of my colleagues in 2021.
The Big Chop Fearless fundraiser was ‘a great success’
Last month he said: “In 2017 I was on the Cross Party Committee for the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill which was defeated in its first presentation by one vote in the Legislative Council.
“History was made when the Bill passed NSW Parliament last“Thisweek.will now provide a safe framework for a patient who is in their final stages of a terminal illness or experiencing extreme pain (that cannot be relieved by treatment or palliative care) to make a personal choice to receive medical assistance to end their life peacefully, with dignity and surrounded by loved“Myones.only regret is for all those who have had to pass in pain while waiting for this Bill to be legislated.”Thebill,spearheaded by independent MP Alex Greenwich and 28 co-sponsors last year after previous attempts had failed, limits access to voluntary assisted dying to people with terminal illnesses who will die within six months, or 12 months in the case of a person with a neurodegenerative condition experiencing unbearable suffering.
By Paul Blanksby of Helensburgh Men’s Shed
June 29 Challenge of the Tumbling Tower
A great way to do that is our First Monday of the Month Shed Afternoon Tea and Tour, coming up on Monday 6th June from 2.30-4.30pm. Snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, maybe a sausage Sanger; come and see what we have to offer, make new friends, learn a new skill and have a chat. At your Men’s Shed, we practice the 13 R’s — yes, 13! We Rejuvenate, Resurrect, Revive, Reimagine, Recycle, Repurpose, Repair, Restore, Refresh, Revitalise, Rescue, Remake and Refurbish. And we do that with our blokes as well! Visit helensburghmensshed.org.au, 199A Parkes Street Helensburgh 9am-3pm Monday and Tuesday. Call Michael Croft 0413 401 522; Ron Balderston 0410 564 752; Blanksby 0403 701 788
The Helensburgh Men’s Shed motto is ‘Serving the 2508 Community.’ Sometimes we serve just a little bit further afield. One of our member’s, John ‘Carver’ Bucknell, now resides at Frank Vickery Village at Sylvania. His Coffee and Chat Club asked the Men’s Shed if we could create a Tumbling Tower game for them, with special numbering to keep score (not that the Chat Club members are competitive or anything…)
We love to help out wherever we can, and with timber kindly donated by Patrick from Heathcote Handyman Timbers and our new Laser Burner we were able to create a great, and noisy, game for the village people. So, do you have that special project you’ve always wanted to create? Why don’t you come along to the Men’s Shed and talk to the blokes?
OPERATOR, TRUCK, PLANT & EQUIPMENT HIRE TrailersCagedBox (Various Sizes) Car PlantTrailerTrailer Earth ContractorMoving Lots of Equipmentother For Hire Mini Excavator Small Tipper (Car Licence) Stump Grinder Generator High PressureWaterCleaner Call us today 0418 680 255 www.chasenhire.com.au sales@chasenhire.com.au Boutique law firm specialising in all areas of Wills & Estates EMAIL: info@asquithlegal.com.au WRITE TO: PO Box 3048, Austinmer NSW VISIT: WorkLife Coledale, 741-743 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale – by appointment ADMINISTRATIONESTATE PLANNINGESTATEWILLS ESTATES& Try our free bespoke estate planning tool www.asquithlegal.com.auat: 02 4208 0403SERVICINGSYDNEYANDTHEILLAWARRA
Paul
Neighbourhood Forum 1 report
clubs & community30
UCI 2022 Road World Championship Helensburgh will be the start of the road races for the 24 and 25 September 2022. Wollongong 2022 is calling for volunteers to help out. community@wollongong2022.com.au,Emailcall 0484 280 049, visit wollongong2022.com.au
Next meeting of NF1 will be on Wednesday, 8 June at 7pm at Otford Community Hall.
New Helensburgh Community Centre
DA-2021/1058 Lot 2 Short Lane, H’burgh This is the laneway next to Bear Trader. The applicant has placed the DA and Council’s rejection with the Land and Environment Court. The court held a conciliation conference on-site on Friday, 13 May to hear each side and then adjourned to the Council Chambers. The application will be determined at a hearing at a date to be fixed.
Helensburgh Town Centre Project Work Council is working on Walker St, which is getting reprofiled and parts of Walker St between Lilyvale and Parkes streets will be closed for that work. Council has assured NF1 that locals will be able to access the shopping centre at all times and work will be during the day so as to not disturb residents at night.NF1has recommended detours that locals would use that being Gibbons Lane southbound and Stuart St northbound. Council officers have promised that all works on Walker St will be done before the UCI 2022 Road Race in September. After the race, the Western Terrace area work will be Councilundertaken.Officers have excluded the footpath on the eastern side of Walker St, Oat and Honey to Witty Rd, from the work even though this was a separate approved project that Council just dropped. No news from Council as to why. NF1 has challenged the use of a traffic blister in Short St, southern side, at the intersection with Walker St, due to it preventing two lanes of westbound traffic, allowing one to turn left and one to turn right. Councillors Walter and Martin are discussion this with Council Officers. Parking Compliance Officers are monitoring the timed parking zones around Helensburgh CBD. The impact of the Council work zones in blocking off a large amount of parking means parking officers will be around more often than usual while the road works continue. Please don’t over-stay in a timed zone. This helps everyone and our local businesses appreciate the customer turnover.
A site at the Helensburgh swimming pool is the preferred site for a combined Community Centre, Library and pool administration centre. Choosing the pool site will have impacts on parking available for the pool, the sports fields and all-day parking used by workers in the CBD of Helensburgh. Council Officers attended the NF1 May meeting and told NF1 that due to the proposed site being on Crown and there were lots of issues being worked though with Crown Lands and native title. Council Officers have met with Emergency Services for initial discussions about the requirements for using the proposed building in emergency situations as a disaster/recovery/control facility. NF1 reinforced the need for a place to hold townThemeetings.existingCommunity Centre has not been able to be fully used for more than 10 years, with the damage to the hall floor due to Council’s lack of maintenance and time frame for repair causing the centre to permanently closed. It became unsafe to use for health reasons. Add in the five years it could take for a new centre to open and Helensburgh could spend a total of 15 years without a community centre. The Lord Mayor, Cr Gordon Bradbery OAM, and Councillors Cameron Walters and Richard Martin have each committed to trying to fast-track the new centre. NF1 is committed to working with Council to achieve the centre the community needs as soon as possible.
By NF1 convenor Warwick Erwin
Wollongong City Council Community Strategic Plan 2032, Delivery Program 2022-2026 and Operational Plan 2022-23 Council invited feedback on the draft documents. Submissions closed on the 31 May after being open for 28 days. NF1 has put in submissions on a number of items, with the major ones being the new Community Centre and Library; streets without curb and gutters; fencing for playgrounds and the dog park.
Liquor Licence Application for corner of Walker and Short St by Coles Group
The ILGA opened another submission period until the 9 May after releasing a subsequent submission from Coles that insults our community and clearly shows its lack of care for our community. The authority also released all the submissions received to date; some supporting submissions came from outside the 2508 area. The Authority will now decide the application at their board meeting after considering all the submission. We wait.
June 31 EstatesConveyancingFamilyLawWillsandProbateSmallBusinessLaw Office: 32 Walker Street, Helensburgh Phone: 02 4294 9980 Email: www.babisterlegal.com.aulynda@babisterlegal.com.auYourlocallawyer.www.SOUTHCOASTWRITERS ORG/FESTIVAL Stanwell TechnicalTopsServices Home and Small Business IT » Sales » Service » Support » PartnerMicrosoft Warwick Erwin JP 0419 413 935 warwick@stts.com.auOVER20YEARSEXPERIENCE
Photo: Anthony Warry
Last month the Flame got together with a group of dedicated Save Thirroul Village campaigners to take photos at the Thirroul Plaza site.
Save Thirroul Village supporter Martin Gorrick.
clubs & community32
Is this the palmcabbage-treestandinglastintown?
Not if the developers of Thirroul Plaza get their way, says Martin Gorrick
“The developer intends to ‘remove it’. “That is, kill it. This is outrageous. This palm tree should be declared a heritage item. The development should honour this tree. Pay it the greatest of respect. Make it a central heritage feature of any development proposal.
Livistona australis, the scientific name for this remarkable native, is one of Australia’s tallest plants. In its natural rainforest environs, the tree can grow up to 30m and it is a protected species in MartinNSW. also objected to the Thirroul Plaza DA on the grounds it failed to address Thirroul’s Aboriginal history. He is keen to promote the true meaning of “ThirroulThirroul.wasoriginally an Aboriginal gathering place, known as ‘Thurrural’, a First Nations’ word given to present-day Thirroul by the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation,” he says. “Thurrural” means ‘the valley of the cabbage tree palms’.” Look out for more news on the Save Thirroul Village campaign in a coming issue and follow the group’s website for updates at www.savethirroulvillage.com.au
“Instead the arborist’s report relied upon by the developer states, wrongly, on page 4 that the site has been ‘cleared of endemic vegetation’. Despite giving the tree the highest ‘significance rating’ of any tree affected by the DA, the author of that report supports its removal.”
Towering above the small group on the stairs up to Coles stands what Martin Gorrick reckons is the last standing cabbage-tree palm in Thirroul. “This splendid, solitary cabbage-tree palm is part of the Thirroul Plaza DA site: at the southern end of the Lawrence Hargrave frontage, near to the steps leading to Coles,” Martin says. “Judging by its height it is very old; possible pre-white invasion.
NINA OUTINGS
DATEDESTINATION
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June 33
Cruise
DETAILS JuneVIVID – a 1.5-hour cruise on Sydney Harbour ticket including transport. Pick from 2.30pm the latest exhibitions. plus Shop tour of Wollongong + lunch at Wollongong up from 9am. transport plus
Diggers Pick
Thanks to our volunteers
We enjoyed a great meal at Albi’s Cronulla. It was a great opportunity to spend some time with our fantastic volunteers. Dennis won the lucky door prize kindly donated by the Helensburgh Hotel (pictured below, at left). We presented 1-year service certificates to Maureen, Anita and Deborah and a 5-year service certificate to Barry (below right).
Pick up and drop off direct to your home. Bookings essential, call 4294 1900. Book early as tickets are limited. Visit 18 Walker St, Helensburgh, Mon–Fri (9am-5pm).
lunch 29 JuneWatch ELVIS at Warrawong cinema Cost TBA
$15
To celebrate National Volunteer Week (May 16-22), Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid held a volunteers appreciation lunch on Wednesday, 18 May.
$85
15 JuneWollongong Art Gallery and lunch at Wollongong Steelers Club View
$5
lunch 27 JuneOp
JUNE 2022
Free after-school fun awaits on Wednesdays. The Illawarra Flame (at left) and Kate Stewart are all set to welcome students after school.
“[Thirroul] is a different demographic but, you know, all kids deserve the same opportunities. “I’m just trying hard to figure out why it’s so popular out there [in Dapto] and why it’s not getting any interest out here.”
Every Wednesday, the snacks are out, the pool table is cleared and the boardgames are waiting. Now all that’s needed is the crowd.
“I run a similar drop-in at Dapto. We have a larger presence there. A lot of the kids that we work with in Dapto come from challenging family situations and they need someone to talk to, a bit of support.
“We provide afternoon tea so they can come and get something to eat. It’s totally free.”
GeorgiareportsOhrdorf
Photos supplied
“We haven’t had one this year – not even one,” says Kate Stewart, Careways youth and community programs officer. “This week we actually planned to have a Star Wars trivia because it fell on May the 4th. So we had a whole Star Wars trivia planned, with prizes to win and everything.”
Not-for-profit Careways re-launched its free after-school drop-in program for 10- to 16-yearolds at Thirroul Community Centre at the start of the 2022 school year. Last month, the hosts were still waiting for any students to turn up.
Calling tweens and teens
34 clubs & community Kate and her colleague, Georgia Ohrdorf, Careways community program officer.
To attract local kids, Kate has changed the Thirroul program’s start time from 3.30 to 2.30pm, and lowered the age limit.
The switch to an earlier start time in term 2 means kids can come over straight after school. “Hopefully that will make it a bit easier,” Kate says.
“The demographic used to be 12 to 18, so it was high school kids, and really the only two high schools that are close are Woonona and Bulli, but you have to get here by train … so we lowered our age demographic to fit in with the local older primary school kids as well.”
The two youth workers hosting the program are
“I love to be able to provide a safe place for them to come and to chat and get some help and some guidance from another adult in their life. If they’re not comfortable talking to their parents about certain issues, I like to be that ear for them. That’s my favourite part about the job.
The program is held at Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre, which is inside the library and community centre building, from 2.30-5pm each Wednesday, and there are a lot of activities on offer. “We have a pool table, video games, we have board games and card games, all sorts of activities the kids can choose from,” Kate says. “Basically it’s a safe place for kids to come hang out and meet others and have some fun. “We also have youth workers on site. We’re happy to help with homework or any kind of support, answer any questions, especially about those tricky teenage issues that maybe the kids don’t want to talk to their parents about.
“We’re both in our twenties,” Kate says. “We both studied public health at university. We’ve both been at Careways a bit over a year now.
The program was running in Thirroul two years ago, but it stopped when Covid hit in 2020.
Tell the kids: Thirroul Youth Drop-In is for ages 10-16 on Wednesdays, 2.30-5pm, at Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre (inside the Community Centre and Library building on Lawrence Hargrave Drive). Simply turn up on the day or contact Kate for more information, (02) 4262 1918 or KateS@careways.org.au
With a head office in Dapto, Careways is a local independent not-for-profit service, mostly funded by the “Wegovernment.havetwoteams,”
“We’re doing everything we can to get it off the ground again. Because it used to be quite popular.
Age is the only criteria for entry to the afterschool program. “It is totally open to anyone, 10 to 16. Doesn’t matter if they go to any of the local schools, if they’re homeschooled.
LeeEvansHeathcote.com.au
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Lee Evans Member for Heathcote
“We hope to create a safe place where kids feel like they can come and go. Bring your friends, bring your siblings as long as they’re in their age bracket. Anyone’s welcome.”
Authorised by Lee Evans MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.
June 35 (02) 9548 0144 heathcote@parliament.nsw.gov.au PO Box 536, Engadine NSW 2233 Shops 1 & 2, 17 23 Station St, Engadine NSW 2233
“I’ve reached out to schools and all sorts of local sporting clubs, Scouts, church groups, anywhere I think that families or kids might go. I have delivered flyers to all the cafes in the area. I just don’t think the word’s getting out there.”
Kate says. “We have our care team, which provides aged care and domestic services, meals on wheels, things like that, maintenance around the home, and then the neighbourhood centre team, which is the one I’m a part of. We run free and low-cost programs and events across the community. “Due to the lockdown last year, we weren’t able to run a lot of our programs, so this program is fully funded by our leftover money at the moment. We wanted to build up some good numbers and then use that to apply for another grant.”
“We are also looking at expanding our program and having more structured activities if that’s what interests kids, like we will have different trivias.”
• Rose: the extraordinary voyage of Rose de Freycinet, the stowaway who sailed around the world for love / Suzanne Falkiner
• The bookseller at the end of the world / Ruth Shaw
• Don’t be too polite, girls: a memoir / Wendy McCarthy
June 30, 5.30-7pm: Join wildlife photographer, natural history writer, and Australian Geographic columnist Peter Rowland as he chats about his new book Wildlife of the Australian Rainforests: A State-by-State Guide. Peter will also demonstrate how to build a nesting box to attract Crimson Rosellas to your backyard.
clubs & community36
• The Kelly hunters / Grantlee Kieza
Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival
What’s On Submit events at www.theillawarraflame.com.au/event-form
Thirroul Library
June 8, 6-8pm: Calligraphy with Vanessa Opazo – suitable for beginners. All materials provided. Over 18s only. Refreshments served. $25 June 16, 5.30-7pm: Author Lauren Chater discusses about her new historical novel, The Winter Dress. Inspired by a true and amazing discovery of the 400-year-old dress that was recently pulled out of the shipwreck that sank of the coast of the island of Textel, Holland, The Winter Dress explores the social history of women. Refreshments will be served.
June 30, 10-11am: Parenting information session – A practical guide to introducing solids
Join the South Coast Writers Festival from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June for readings, conversations, panels, and book launches in venues across the Wollongong Town Hall, Library, and Art Gallery. With writers including Jane Caro, Caroline Baum, Scott Ludlam, Jonica Newby, Vivian Pham, Zaheda Ghani, James Elazzi, Catherine Rey, Hayley Scrivenor, Dinuka McKenzie, Helena Fox, Aunty Barbara Nicholson, Kathryn Heyman, Christine Sykes, Claire Zorn, Andy Muir, Robyn Williams, Meredith Jaffe and more. Visit southcoastwriters.org/festival
• Not just the wife of the general manager / Sally Warriner
South Coast Writers Festival
• The uncaged sky / Kylie Moore-Gilbert
Back again in the first weekend in June, this family-friendly, community event is a project run by the Austinmer Thirroul Lions Club. It aims to promote the arts in the northern suburbs and to fundraise for local community projects.
Buddha V (irtue) talk series: transforming negatives emotions into positive actions Nan Tien Temple is excited to announce the first of the 5 Buddha virtue talk series. Join us to hear from an eclectic mix of speakers share compelling stories of their struggles, passions and insights.18 June, 1.30-3:30pm, Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley Book at www.nantien.org.au
WHAT’S ON AT THE LIBRARIES IN JUNE Limited places, bookings essential. Go to wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/whats-on/eventswww.
Helensburgh Library June 28, 10.30-11.30am: Parenting information session – Developing effective sleep patterns: from birth and beyond New Releases – Biographies and Memoirs
June 4, 11am-12pm: Music in the Library: Enjoy acoustic folk music from David Oliphant and Fiddledance while you browse the books.
The festival kicks off on Friday, 3 June with the Art Exhibition opening from 7pm at the Thirroul Community Centre. The festival continues on Saturday, 4 June with the Art Show and forecourt arts market stalls. The major community event will be at Thirroul Beach Reserve on Sunday, 5 June. From 10am there’ll be extensive food and market stalls, as well as live music and performances on the Horizon Bank stage. Carnival rides will also be available for the kids to enjoy. Art and photography exhibitions in the Surf Club. Visit www.thirroulfestival.com
• The writer laid bare: mastering emotional honesty in a writer’s art, craft and life / Lee Kofman
June 23, 6.30-8.30pm: Science of Wine – listen to local winemaker Simon Hall discuss the science behind winemaking while you enjoy tasting some fantastic locally produced wine. Over 18s only, $25.
• Mother’s boy / Howard Jacobson
Earlier in May we joined a lot of our sister clubs to celebrate 100 years of service by the Smith Family at a gala luncheon that was held at the Mittagong RSL club. Denis drove us in the Nina bus, the lunch was beautiful and a credit to the club. They had a few trading tables and we all got a brooch and a novel. We had entertainment provided by year 12 students from a local college. There was a young lady from the Learning for Life programme, a second year student studying law at Wollongong University. She spoke so well and was so informative – it made me proud to be associated with this cause and the Smith Family. Ladies, please don’t forget our meeting on the 21st of June at the Pub from 10am.
This munchkin is Grindelwald, a gorgeous kitten with a deformed tail, but is full of life , love and cheekiness. He is desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and will make a wonderful companion. Email com.auccarpetrehoming@tpg.formoreinformation
June 37
One more thing from our April meeting: a big thank you to Nerida’s granddaughter Saya who worked so hard, helping to distribute birthday raffle tickets and many other things. Such a beautiful young lady, I think everyone fell in love with her. Thank you, little darling.
It’s Pride Month!
A big thank you to all the retired office bearers who came back into office so we could continue our meetings – ladies, we can’t let this club fold as we do make a difference.
View Report By Barbara Kitson, Helensburgh View Club publicity officer
CAT NEEDS A HOME!
Hello, everyone. We have made it to May but couldn’t have our meeting as too many ladies were ill. Patty, our president, had organised a get together morning tea at the Pub. It was to be our Birthday meeting but we had to cancel and will celebrate our Birthday at the June meeting with lots of prizes and cake. By now everyone should know we meet at the Pub (Helensburgh Hotel) at 10am for a 10:30 start, the side gate will be unlocked so you don’t have to navigate the stairs. Don’t forget your takeaway coffee and we will see you there for lots of raffles.
This year, for the first time, Wollongong City Council put out a call to community groups to organise and promote Pride Month events with the“Whatcouncil.we’re hoping to achieve is a small-scale, community-focussed program of events and activities with the ambition to build interest for a bigger Pride Month next year,” a council spokesperson said. Below are a few of the events to check out. For a full calendar, go to gov.au/library/whats-on/pride-monthwww.wollongong.nsw.
Pride Art Showcase: A curated selection works celebrating and showcasing local LGBTQIA+ art and culture. Friday 3 June, 6-8pm at Project Contemporary Artspace, 225 Keira St, Wollongong Queerstories: Join host Maeve Marsden and local LGBTQI+ storytellers for a night of queer stories, unexpected tales, pride, prejudice, love and humour. Friday, 17 June, 6-8pm. Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli St, Wollongong Rainbow Storytime: Join Miss Roxee for an extra-special storytime filled with rhymes, games and songs at Thirroul Library on Saturday, 18 June, 10-11am Dragatondra 5.0: A night with resident Drag Bingo Queen Lauren Order PLUS a collection of Wollongong’s best beauties. Friday 24 June, 7-11pm. UOW UniBar, Northfields Ave, Gwynneville. Jackaranda Says NO To Bullying: An all-ages variety show. Saturday 25 June, 7-11pm. Scarlett’s Room, Illawarra Steelers, 1/5 Burelli St, Wollongong.
clubs & community38 In part 1, I wrote of the December 1873 proposal for a Railway Line from Sydney to the Illawarra that would pass along the Port Hacking River valley. Sydney businessman Alexander Stuart, who entered the NSW Parliament in December 1874, had, one year earlier, and soon after the route for the railway line was announced, taken out mineral leases along the Hacking Valley from near the nowadays Joan Holland Bridge, below Waterfall, to near today’s township of Otford. The proposed line from Sydney was to enter the Hacking Valley near Audley and continue southwards to Otford then via tunnels to Stanwell Park, then Clifton and thence along the lower escarpment and into Wollongong and to Kiama. In early 1874 a team of Government surveyors were delegated to survey the proposed route and by July of that year they had reached William Hamilton’s property at Bulgo (Otford). In February of 1875 the survey crew reached Wollongong. Importantly, the Hacking Valley route would open up the anticipated coal lands to its east, in the vicinity of today’s Maianbar and Bundeena. Indeed, in December 1874, the Sydney and Melbourne Coal Mining Company was formed. This company with £100,000 in funding took-up 42 acres of land near Maianbar and acquired a further 6 x 320 acres (780ha) of abutting mineral leases that ran southwards to the Wattamolla Inlet. Included in their plans was a relatively short rail line to connect their proposed mine to the Illawarra Railway in the Hacking Valley. Others also took-up speculative mineral leases in the area. It seems that all were under the impression that coal would be found at a reasonably shallow depth of 80 to 100 metres. However, in 1875 the prominent geologist, Rev. W.B. Clarke, after looking at the area, gave the opinion that the coal seams were likely to be at depths of 1000 to 1500 feet (300 to 450 metres). Without the Illawarra railway to transport the coal, and no great certainty as to the depth of the seams, no mining was undertaken in the Maianbar area. (It was to be 1878 before the diamond drill arrived in Australia, providing a reliable method of drilling deep holes to prove mineral deposits.)
Meanwhile, debates continued in the NSW Parliament as to the merits of a rail line to the Illawarra. One thing was certain: it would be a very expensive undertaking for the fledgling colony. Also, and concerning to coal-industry investors of the time, was the fact that an Illawarra Railway Line along the proposed route would open up competition between mines with rail-based transport, and Illawarra and Newcastle mines that relied on ships. Powerful men were involved. From the State Library of NSW: Scan the code to see an 1881 map of the National Park that shows the then proposed rail route NSW Justices Association Wollongong Branch provides free JP services at Community Desks at Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong and Dapto libraries. The association holds a monthly meeting for its members and other JPs on the second Tuesday of the month at the City Life Church in Jardine Street in Fairy Meadow from 7pm. All services given by JPs are free of charge. They cannot give legal advice and there are certain forms and documents that they are unable to sign or witness, but they can assist you in finding where these can be dealt with. For more info contact Ray Vaughan on 0419 293
Fledgling524.
librariesatJPs
colony baulked at costs of rail line
John Arney of Helensburgh and District Historical Society presents part 2 of his history of the Illawarra Railway
Probus welcomes new members
By Helen Durham, publicity officer for Helensburgh and District Probus
Although we’ve weathered the storms of the last few months, we cannot forget the trauma that our country towns experienced last summer. The Lismore Girl Guides have experienced this first-hand, losing many of their supplies after their hall flooded in March. Determined not to forget our fellow Guides, the girls have been brain-storming ways that they can help.
Prepare for the fair By Fran Peppernell, of Helensburgh Lions Club
We hope everyone is enjoying our lovely Autumn weather and getting ready to put a log on the fire. Our ANZAC Memorial Day was a success and enjoyed by around 120 local residents. As a community we were able to encapsulate the true ANZAC spirit. As we have waited some time to see the service in full capacity it was wonderful to see the wonderful community spirit.
After the last two years where we could not run the annual Lions Country Fair, we are pleased to advise we are now in full swing to run the 2022 event in October. With the usual favourite arts and craft, food stalls, entertainment rides and much more. We will be update our Facebook with news on progress, and when you can book a stall. We are also looking at completing some community projects like updating the surrounds of the miner skips in Charles Harper Park and some upgrades to the Stanwell Tops Lions memorial park. Come along and join a wonderful community group. We meet on the second Monday of the month at Helensburgh Hotel. Find us on Facebook @helensburghlions
saleScrunchieahead
Special thanks to Rosie for helping write this piece for you all to read. We are now back having our monthly Probus meetings at Tradies Helensburgh after a long break. At our most recent meeting we welcomed two new members, Robyn and Barrie, and hope they enjoy the club’s friendship and many activities. Our most recent guest speaker was Gordon Bell, who talked about sponsoring a young girl from Ghana through Compassion International Program, and how he and his wife travelled to Ghana a few years ago to meet her and her family. In April, 47 members enjoyed a short break away to Wangaratta, staying at the lovely Quality Wangaratta Gateway Hotel. On the way, we visited the restored Albury railway station. We enjoyed a cruise on Lake Mulwala and visited Glenrowan, where some enjoyed yummy ice-creams. Another day we visited Sam Miranda Winery in the King Valley. There we had a very delicious lunch with a shared antipasto tasting platter and a glass of wine.
On a very wet day, members visited the Sydney Tramway Museum in Loftus where they had fun riding one of the vintage trams into the National Park then onto Sutherland.
Another outing was a lovely lunch at Taren Point Bowling Club. Unfortunately, two games of golf have been cancelled, but our bowlers have been luckier, playing a game in May. To join our Probus club, please contact Lilian Slowik at 0408 668 987 or palsfx@ gmail.com. Or visit org/microsites/helensburghanddistrictwww.probussouthpacific.
On Anzac Day a few members laid a wreath on behalf of the club at Helensburgh’s Dawn Service.
June 39
A few weeks ago, they set to work with a sewing challenge to make 100 scrunchies using donated fabrics from the community. They had so much fun making them and can’t wait to sell them: 3.30pm at Coles on July 1st. Thank you to the parents and community members that came along to complete this challenge. That challenge being to rein in our silly, giggling guides, of course! This month they’ve also been planning their next term's adventures so stay tuned for a lot more crazier adventures with our new guides!
By Sophie Miller, publicity officer for Helensburgh Girl Guides
Last month Council announced the closure of Helensburgh Community Centre. It’s to be demolished and turned into green space. A new centre is only expected to be built in 2025-2027.
Fans and vents were installed in an attempt to improve airflow and circulation.
“A little-known thing about me is that I am a young punctual person who likes making friends and a hard worker for my communities towards their achievements. My hobby is soccer, preaching and singing songs of praise.
Meet mobilisercommunitya
Your answeredquestions
“The problem of wide-spread mould within the centre is a recent phenomenon,” the council spokesperson said. “Rather than through a lack of care or attention to the Community Centre, this mould issue has been exacerbated by a range of factors beyond Council’s control, including the closure of the building during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and while an independent investigation of the underfloor area of the Community Hall was undertaken, and the extreme rainfall during the past six months or more.”
“That’s what I enjoy about my job.”
“When our staff are onsite at Scarborough Cemetery they monitor the area and keep the site as tidy and well maintained – especially since Scarborough Cemetery can become very windy.” Council has placed bins at the cemetery and a Friends of the Cemetery Group meets regularly to help maintain the gardens.
The Illawarra Flame put readers’ questions to Wollongong City Council SCARF Refugee Support welcomes Patrick this month as a community mobiliser. Patrick was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and speaks Swahili, Kirundi and Kinyamulenge/Kinyarwanda and he arrived in Australia in 2012. He will be providing support to African community members. Patrick said: “Earliest during my childhood I loved school and also a big fan of sports (soccer), as well as observing my mother helping out the people in the community, those who were in need the most.
A Council spokesperson said: “Artificial flowers are allowed… There are conditions around the placement of artificial flowers and they need to be in approved vases, in approved areas, and replaced when faded, weathered or otherwise degraded.
“My role as SCARF is that I’m looking forward in supporting our community members based on the needs they will be having. I am a worker who works for the good of my organisation and the community and help makes a different in someone else’s life to help them live independently.“Firstofall,the things that I love most about my job is supporting people to believe that they’re not alone. I also love getting into the communities and meeting different people so that I get to offer my time in helping to build their understanding of how important he or she is to our community, even if they might be feeling like they have been left out. My presence in someone’s house has a big impact in their life in maintaining their daily living activities plus how I get to assist them achieve their goals.
A spokesperson said Council has been dealing with damp for a decade at the building, which is more than 30 years old. “The issue we’ve worked to address is not one of general maintenance, but a more complex underlying problem.”
What is Council’s stance on plastic flowers at seaside cemeteries like Scarborough? Local residents have objected to plastic flowers that blow off grave sites and into the sea, adding to the ocean’s plastic pollution problems.
Scarf Refugee Support’s Cristina Sacco welcomes a new team member
clubs & community40 Is Helensburgh Community Centre the building that died of neglect?
So here is my plea to every person reading thisYourarticle…community needs you. If you have time, energy, ideas, strength, passion and/or goodwill, now is your time to shine. Find something you believe in and lend a hand. I work at Green Connect and we really need more volunteers on the farm, in the office and in the op shops. I am a volunteer director at Flame Tree and we really need more volunteers in the shop and doing all of the tasks that make the place run (social media, washing, waste management, governance and more). I know that beach clean-ups, bushcare groups, meal delivery services and community support organisations all need moreVolunteeringhelp. is a great way to meet new people, try new things, build your skills and experience and confidence, and give back to the community you live in. The people who have been making all of this happen for the last couple of years need a break, and need to know there’s someone else able to step in. Be that person. It could be the thing we all need to lift our spirits. Kylie will be stepping down from her role as general manager of Green Connect at the end of July. Applicants are invited to contact her or apply online at www.green-connect.com.au
By Green Connect general manager Kylie Flament
A changing of the guard
June 41 Communities are built on kindness and goodwill. As someone who works in social enterprise, I know the value of both money and meaning, and I can tell you that once you have enough money to pay for the things you need (as an individual or as an organisation), it is all the non-monetary exchanges that really matter.
I know how lucky I am to live, work and play in the Illawarra. Over the past few years I have seen the best of it – and, on occasion, the worst of it. I see all of the non-monetary exchanges that build our community up and am so thankful that I live somewhere with organisations like Green Connect, Flame Tree Community Food Co-op, Grand Pacific Health, Housing Trust, Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra, Flagstaff, Disability Trust, Greenacres, Homeless Hub and so many more. I also see the time, energy and effort that goes in to make all of the good work happen, and often by volunteers, or by staff members who work well beyond what they are paid to do. The last couple of years have demanded so much of the staff and volunteers of these organisations. The upheaval and uncertainty of rolling disasters have taken their toll on our collective energy and resilience. Our communities are still hurting but we are tired. The public good often comes at a personal cost and, for some staff and volunteers, there isn’t much left in the tank.
Green Connect Farm produces chemical-free vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, honey, nuts and free-range meat. Your 90-minute experience will include an interactive and informative tour around the 11-acre farm, as well as time to explore the children’s garden. You’ll visit the thriving market gardens, food forests and native rainforest, and seek out the free-range goats, sheep, pigs and chickens to offer them a pat and a feed!
Green Connect Farm Tour 3 June, 9-10.30am, 6 Anna Ave Warrawong. Book online at Discovergreen-connect.com.au/visit/themagicoftheGreenConnect farm!
Just 13 minutes’ drive south of Wollongong CBD you’ll discover an 11-acre award-winning permaculture farm, hidden in an idyllic valley right in the middle of suburbia.
Here is a list of insulation myth-busters:
3. There should be no breaks in the insulation?
If you’re not patient enough to read installation instructions or you’re unwilling to face the prospect of cobwebs and animal carcasses (or even live animals!), hire a licensed installer (go insulation-installers/find-an-installer).www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/industry/toHappyinsulation,everyone.Mayyoustay warm and your insulation fluffy this winter.
I left very light handed and I did consider whether toilet paper would make good insulation.
I recently checked the insulation in our home’s ceiling cavity and found that it had sunk to be only half as thick as it was when new. It was time to bulk up! Easier said than done. A quick trip to the local mega green shed (killer of small hardware stores, purveyor of sausage sandwiches and they who will not be named here) revealed an empty insulation section. A staff member told me it goes out as fast as it comes in. Yep, some people are hoarding insulation – whether to resell or keep for future projects, who knows?
Luckily enough for me, I found a local supplier who had just enough for my ceiling cavity and, although it wasn’t the type I really wanted (the non-itchy variety), it was better than toilet paper! The next quandary I faced was whether I should remove the existing older insulation or lay the new insulation over the top of it? And there ensued a little moment of scholarly (well, just Google actually) research.
I couldn’t find a definitive answer on this one. In an ideal world, it all gets removed, vacuumed out and nice fresh fluffy insulation with a high R-Value is installed. If, however, the old insulation is still in decent nick, hasn’t completely collapsed and isn’t full of very desiccated rat bodies, then you can lay new stuff on top. While the old stuff may not offer too much in the way of insulating value, it’s cheaper to keep it there than remove and dispose of it. One tip was to lay it in the opposite direction to the older stuff to stop leakage along the ceiling joists, but don’t forget to give space around recessed light fixtures – remember the insulation scandals poor ol’ Peter Garrett faced over Rudd’s insulation program? Let’s not let that happen again.
While a higher R-value is definitely better, it’s only effective if the insulation can stay in its fluffy freshly unpacked state. Stuffing very thick insulation into a small cavity won’t work because it crushes all that lovely insulating fluffiness. You need to select the size of insulation to match the size of the cavity, whether that’s wall, floor or ceiling. Always follow the packet instructions!
2. The higher the R-Value, the better? The “R-Value” of insulation is a measure of how much the insulation will prevent the movement of heat through its material. In winter this is preventing heat from getting out of the house; in summer it’s preventing the heat from getting in.
clubs & community42 As winter nears it’s important to note that many homes don’t have insulation or they are too old for insulation to be any good.
The ghostly outlines of timber framing bridging through a wall captured by a thermal imaging camera. Photo: Ben Wollen
By architect Ben Wollen
Yes, but it’s sometimes tricky to achieve. Even the smallest hole can let valuable heat out. If you can achieve a complete cover, you’re restricting the chances of a thermal bridge. A thermal bridge exists where a building element of the construction connects the inside to the outside without some sort of insulative layer in between. The most common thermal bridge for single domestic homes is the timber frame in the walls. In most cases it forms a direct connection from the internal plasterboard all the way to the external cladding. And, while timber isn’t a great conductor of heat, over an entire wall, it can account for about 10% of heat transfer through the wall (not far behind doors and windows at 20-30%). The addition of even a thin layer of an insulating vapour barrier on the outside of the timber frame will prevent this thermal bridging from occurring.
Time to insulate
1. Should you lay new insulation over old?
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EMERGENCY REPAIRS 0409 875 391 Hot water systems Drainage Gas Roof & Gutters Blocked pipes Maintenance Lic No: www.cattleyplumbing.com226808c PLUMBINGCAREPETPLUMBING PreschoolPuppy GroupAdolescentPlaygroup&&AdultDogsclasses&inhome.com.au BOOK SONIASAYSSIT.COM.AUONLINE: 0422 533 046 YOUR LOCAL HOT WATER SPECIALIST ELECTRIC, SOLAR & GAS All Brands • Free Quotes 24hr Emergency srmplumbing.com.auService • Sales • Service • Installation Lic No 212622C David Wagstaff CALL NOW 0417 677 345 e: davidwagstaffdrainage@gmail.com • General plumbing • Specialising in storm water construction • Sub divisions and easements • Domestic drainage problems • Mini excavator hire also available Plumbing and Drainagefreequotes LICENCE NO. 8987C AGISTMENT | HORSE RIDING | SADDLERY 448 Darkes Forest Road DARKES FOREST NSW 2508 www.HorseRidingNSW.net.au Agistment • Lessons Parties • Day Camps Trail Rides • Saddle Club Pony Rides plus Kiosk www.darkesforestranch.com.au SPORT LEARN TO SURF Surf lessons / Surf coaching All levels / All ages All year round Women on Waves program Friday mornings SHOP LOCAL HELENSBURGH 0425 382 940 // SUTHERLAND (02) 9545 5599 WE’RE NOW ONLINE www.essentialsurfandskate.com.au 50 local directory
What do 25 or more local women do on the second Tuesday night of each month? They meet and organise events with the Illawarra Quota Club, one of the region’s longest-serving service clubs. Club members reside in the region stretching from Helensburgh to Gerroa, and they work hard to provide goods and services to vulnerable communities, disadvantaged women and children, as well as community members who have a speech or hearing impairment.
Quota members hold many fun functions throughout the year to raise funds – the Bunnings BBQ, Fashion Parades, Pie Drive, Food Drives, Tapas and Tampon nights (for the Women’s refuge) are just some of the examples. Husband, sons and partners are often working behind the scenes, assisting with unusual requests, helping to deliver goods or attending social events. We welcome new members to bring more creative ideas to the club.
M eet the Quotarians
Quota continues to provide for those less fortunate, but members support each other, have fun and enjoy social activities. Members are from a variety of backgrounds and ages range from mid-20s to over-70s. One active member still connects regularly with the club from Tasmania. A frequent ‘Friend of Quota’, the mother of one of our members, turns a young 100 this year. Up to a couple of years ago, Annie took to the cat walk for Quota’s fund-raising Fashion Parades. Illawarra Quota supports many community projects, such as providing funds for hospital equipment, vulnerable communities in need, cancer research and, from 2022, is providing an annual scholarship with UOW to support a hearing- or speech-impaired student.
Quota supports many organisations including The Shepherd Centre (Wollongong), Cochlear Implant Program, ASPECT School, Oak Flats High Welfare Department, Interchange Illawarra, Himalayan Health & Hearing, Illawarra Kind Hearts, Supported Accommodation & Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra and Wollongong Homeless Hub. Pre-Covid, Quota hosted “Student of the Year”, a public speaking event with our local high schools. This will recommence in 2022. In 2020-2021, Quota members (aka Quotarians) undertook the Happy Box Project. This mammoth task involved the collection, painting and decoration of 270 shoe boxes, which were then filled with toiletries and delivered by five Quota members (and one hubby) to Gunnedah. The Happy Boxes were distributed to vulnerable women who lived in the surrounding rural and regional areas. Many of the women had not seen such beautiful toiletries for a very long time, between isolation, drought and floods. The generosity of many local individuals, school children and Illawarra businesses in assisting us to fill the boxes was huge.
The Quota ladies after a luncheon. Photos supplied June 51
By Suzie Munkman, president of the Illawarra Quota Club
Friends and Members Meetings Held every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6.30 for 7pm start, at Wests Illawarra, Unanderra. We also hold a Social Night mostly bi-monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month, at various locations. Our Socials include guest speakers or a range of activities, such as bowling, rock painting, crafts, long table luncheons and dinner parties. Contact Karen 0418 227 469, Dot 0419 987 141 or email illawarraquota@gmail.com for more details. Facebook @illawarraquotainc
The club, now in its 66th year, was originally known as Quota Club of Port Kembla, then became Quota International, but in 2020, Illawarra Quota became a stand-alone incorporation.
sport & leisure52 THE ILLAWARRA SUDOKU 16 831 53 41 7 17 4 23154 283 94 68 9 78 6 SOLUTIONS 485791326 852439761 546378219 923546178 391627845 239154687 617283594 764815932 178962453 QUICK SUDOKUCROSSWORD QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Annoyers (5) 4 Settler (9) 9 Proposition (7) 10 People who speak (7) 11 One who evens the score (7) 12 Greek conception of afterlife (7) 13 Arrive at a judgement (9) 15 Relating to equipment (2-2)audio 17 Declare to be true (4) 19 Not here (9) 22 Type of acid (7) 25 Wed (7) 26 Paraguay native (7) 27 Whenever you like (7) 28 Conglomeration of fabric scraps (9) 29 Hankerings (5) DOWN 1 Very small amount (8) 2 Irish speakeasy (7) 3 Making less progress than others (9) 4 One half of Oxbridge (9) 5 Supple (5) 6 ‘Not on your —!’ (5) 7 Local law enforcer (7) 8 Recommence (6) 14 Get off (9) 15 Common question (3,3,3)greeting 16 Vulgar sexual behaviour (8) 18 Green (7) 20 Prepare writing for publication (7) 21 End a phone call (4,2) 23 Indisposed (5) 24 Egyptian capital (5) 2022May,PAGINATION & PUZZLES CONTENT ©PAGEMASTERS PTY pagemasters.comLTD QUICK CROSSWORDSUDOKU Love puzzles? We have more! Become a Local News Supporter on our website for just $5 a month and you’ll have access to a stack of interactive digital puzzles in our archives, including quizzes, crosswords, sudoku and 9-letter puzzles! Go to www.theillawarraflame.com.au
Taurus | April 20 to May 20
Aquarius | Jan 20 to Feb 18
Gemini | May 21 to June 20
Jupiter’s moons Ganymede and Callisto are orbiting close to each other and this affects your moods, like you used to be Indecisive but now you are not sure and in fact you would give your right arm to be Ambidextrous.
Cancer | June 21 to July 22
YOUR FUTURE WITHStarlight Bob
The editors at this fine publication are inundated with people wanting to ask Starlight Bob for advice. Often it is about relationships and with Leo sign it is about mixing the romance up a bit. I suggest to playing Doctors and Patient for three hours. Then make him stay in the waiting room for 2 hours and 55 minutes. Then I suggest some Role Reversal. So you blokes can now say you have a headache.
You wanted to bring more culture into your relationship. After several arguments you finally convinced him to go to the Opera House to see Sydney Symphony Orchestra. A fight started when he shouted out in the middle of their performance that they are nothing but a glorified cover band.
Virgos can be fiery people especially when in a relationship with an Aries or Piscean. Starlight Bob made a pact with Mrs Starlight not to go to sleep angry at each other. I’ve been awake for 84 hours.
Leo | July 23 to Aug 22
Sagittarius | Nov 22 to Dec 21
You enjoy sharing intimate dinners with a good red and watching a rom-com with your partner and a bottle of red. It is the best feeling, kinda like when your mobile and smartwatch are at 100%. But your partner says all the wine makes you fat. You state that wine does not make you fat! It makes you lean. Lean against walls, toilets, poles etc.
Sagittarians are represented by a half-human and half-horse, the centaur of mythology, whose higher intelligence forms a bridge between Earth and Heaven. But this intelligence has led your girlfriend to say you don’t respect her privacy. Least that’s what she said in her diary.
Libra | Sept 23 to Oct 22
June 53
You want to feel more intelligent and impress your friends. So you leave books on the coffee table. But you have to question your choices: To the toilet by Willie Make-it and Prison life by Ben Dover.
The fish is your symbol and you are thinking there is something ‘fishy’ about your girlfriend’s past. Be careful of what you want to find out. Like asking if you are the only ‘one’ they have been with. They may say, “Yes. The rest were 8’s and 9’s.” Aries | March 21 to April 19
People under this sign are sociable, rational and detached when dealing with situations. When it comes to relationships, you are the logical one, thus making your partner the psycho.
Virgo | Aug 23 to Sept 22
Pisces | Feb 19 to March 20
Capricorn | Dec 22 to Jan 19
Venus and Mars are a long way away from each other. You look at your relationship and wonder if it is as good as it should be. Then, watching the news, you realise you have it okay, unlike the train wreck that was Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s marriage. Our new columnist is becoming famous for the incredible accuracy of his predictions. Pity the pollsters didn’t consult him
Neptune’s largest moon Triton brings the thirst for knowledge for you this cycle. You have discovered a recent survey that suggests women who carry a few extra kgs live longer than the man who mentions it.
Scorpio | Oct 23 to Nov 21
The odd-shaped moon of Saturn comes into your life this cycle but with it comes confusion. Like when the TV announcer says you can’t afford to miss a minute of the Voice and the contestants are the best ever. Yet last season they were the best ever. So if these guys are the best, how come they did not get on last season?
Photo:MatthewsnowboarderParkCox.WollongongCityCouncil
The Illawarra Tribute Wall recognises athletes from all five local government areas of the Illawarra. Representing Wollongong on the day were Emma McKeon; 2022 Beijing Winter Olympian Matthew Cox (snowboarding); 2020 Tokyo Olympian Sarah Carli (hurdling); and 2020 Tokyo Paralympians Jonathan Goerlach (Paratriathlon), Tristan Knowles (Wheelchair Basketball) and Dave Mainwaring (Paratriathlon, guide).
Jaimie won a total of seven medals – three individual and four in the relay. She won gold in the 16yrs 100m Freestyle in 55.58 secs, which is a Junior Pan Pac qualifying time; and she won bronze in the 16yrs 50m Freestyle and in the 16yrs 200mHerIndividual Medley.relaymedalsincluded a bronze in the 15-16yrs 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay (with Bridie); and a silver in the 15-16yrs 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay. Jaimie was selected in the NSW team for the State Relay, held as part of the event, and won gold in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay, and silver in the 4 x 50m Mixed Medley Relay. Bridie won bronze in the 15-16yrs 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay; placed 4th in the 16yrs 200m Butterfly, and 15th in the 16yrs 100m Butterfly. The impressive results probably come as no surprise to those who know the family and the girls’ work ethic and discipline at swim training. Also, the family has a bit of a swimming pedigree as evidenced by the fact the girls’ older brother Nathan won silver at the nationals a few years back in the 200m breaststroke. The girls’ dad, Michael, told the Flame that Jaimie and Bridie are taking a short break from a busy schedule of swim training before they resume in preparation for the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships, on June 3, as well as this year’s short-course swim events.
Australia’s most successful Olympian, swimmer Emma McKeon, travelled back to her hometown of Wollongong on 18 May to help unveil the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic tiles to be added to the Illawarra Olympic Tribute Wall at Lang Park, opposite Wollongong Beach.
Jaimie (left) and Bridie De Lutiis. Photo supplied Stanwell
The Illawarra has honoured its Olympic and Paralympic athletes
The names of Illawarra Paralympians were included on the tribute wall for first time. Both para-alpiner skiers and 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympians Melissa Perrine and Sam Tait attended the unveiling ceremony.
New stars shine on Olympic wall
Wombarra’s Jaimie and Bridie De Lutiis recorded a stack of great results at the 2022 Australian Age Swimming Championships. The teens, who train at UOW with McKeon’s Swim School under coach James Greathead, were competing for the Wests Illawarra Aquatic club at the meet, held at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre from April 11 to 18.
sport & leisure54 Swim sisters’ medal haul
Twin Wombarra sisters have impressed at the national swim championships
Won’t be so cool then, will it?
Too soon? It’s never too soon when you have 2025 election promises like these!
June 55 As this fine publication reaches your letterbox, the election will be over. During it, you may have seen our politicians as they flew over or drove through Wollongong on the way to a marginal seat. Not that they would think to stop! I’ve always been amazed with the big promises both sides offer. And they make out like it’s their money they are spending. They forget sometimes that it is ours. Sadly, I have to admit that Big Brother is watched at our house. It would be good if we get a group of politicians onto the show. It would be entertaining with all the challenges that they would have to do – the prize would be winning a marginal seat. One challenge would be having to sing There’s a hole in the bucket non-stop for three hours. Not only for the entertainment value but just a month without having to listen to any of them! Their biggest mistake is they all ‘go large’ on their promises. If they went small then it might appeal to the common folk. Maybe I might stand at the next election, so here are a few of my election promises, mainly centred around crime and punishment and cost of living: ✔ People who walk their dogs and pick up dog poo. Fantastic effort! But the ones who then tie the plastic bag to the hand rail on the bridges along the bike path! You picked it up, now find a bin. For these people: for the next week everyone in the neighbourhood will put a bag full of poo and tie it to the fence at their home!
✔ People who stand on the right-hand side of the escalator. You’re not at Jamberoo Action Park. There is nothing to see! Just go to the left and let people rushing for their train run past you. You never know, they might fall over and – bingo! –there’s your entertainment!
Vote 1 for Tony Ryan
✔ Talking of Maccas – the people who still can’t decide what to get when they reach the front of the queue. The menu has not changed in about 20 years! It’s not that difficult! Your punishment? Eat plant-based hamburgers for a week.
✔ For the people who go on WIN News and complain about the cost of living. Most are covered in $4000 worth of tattoos and have a 70-inch plasma TV. Your punishment? A week of fruit-picking in the outback might be good for you! I’m not sure if any of these policies would get me elected, but at least we’ll have some fun with it.
✔ Graffiti taggers. You think it’s cool to ‘tag’ a sporting club house? Well, the sporting grounds are a second home to many families so the players at the clubs should be able to tag your home or car!
And to all the people who say their dog is so smart – well, the day I do a poo when going for a walk and my dog picks it up and puts it in a bin… then I know my dog is the smartest!
✔ People who drive south on Princes Highway at Bulli then get into the left-hand lane when there is a
✔ To the people who get their name engraved on a padlock and then lock it to the fence at the top of Sublime Point. If you break up then you have to remove the lock. Failure to do so after six months will result in being part of a working bee at the top of the point to clean all the rust your lock has caused.
200m wait at Park Road, then try to sneak back into the right lane before the traffic lights. Would you jump the queue at Maccas? No, but it’s alright to do it in the car? I think not!
✔ On public transport, having the sound on your iPod or computer so loud that other passengers can only hear the ‘doof doof’. Your punishment? Go to an old folks’ home and ask each and every resident: “What was it like for you growing up?”
✔ If you leave your shopping trolley next to your car and do not put it back in the space provided. It’s not that hard to walk 20m! Or the people who have hit your car with a trolley. If you can’t control a trolley, how are you allowed to drive a car? Your punishment? Go to all the cars in the car park with some touch-up paint and repair all the trolley dings people have. You will start with the three I have.
✔ The muttonheads who do ‘donuts’ on sporting fields and cause the cancellation of kids’ sport. Your punishment? Entertain the 200 or so kids who might have used the field for the whole day.
✔ If you still have your Christmas decorations up in February, then you have to leave them up all year and turn them on every night.
✔ People at work who eat tuna in the lunch room and then throw the empty can face up in the bin. If you haven’t noticed yet, it stinks. Your punishment? Empty the bins for a week.
The competing duo were club secretary Craig Picker and Rod’s son and current club president, Leo Stevens, proving they could do more than open emails and run Zoom meetings!
After the event Pete Jordan played his awesome tunes to thank Leo Stevens for his efforts as Club President for the last six years. Leo will be standing down as president at the end of the season to focus on his growing family.
Leo has been an outstanding president who has worked tirelessly to continue to grow the club during his tenure, while still devoting hundreds of hours to patrolling the beach as one of the Illawarra’s finest surf life savers. The club wishes him all the best with his next endeavour.
Words and photos by Coalcliff SLSC’s Damian Lloyd/Sea Salt Studios
The sky was dreary, the sea angry and stained with the run-off from the escarpment. Leo made an early start through the break, but in true club spirit waited for Craig to negotiate the surf zone before the two of them headed south out of sight from the beach. The weather held off for the duration of the race, but the swell remained a challenge. On their return, both paddlers had to take a wide arc around the Coalcliff rock platform known as the “Ledge”, which threatened to send unwary competitors towards the rocks. Having paddled side-by-side for the full distance, Leo and Craig were only separated by the run to shore after Leo picked two successive waves to carry him safely into the south end of the beach. Craig just missed both waves and had to get back to the beach the hard way, negotiating several sets and the ol’ Coaly shoredump on his way to a successful finish. Well done to both entrants for honouring a great club member with their efforts. A special mention to Craig Picker who competed in all three challenges the club was able to run this year, making him a shoe-in for the coveted Triple Crown.
Two competitors seize last chance for Memorial Paddle
Thanks to Leo Stevens
sport & leisure56
This ANZAC Day Coalcliff Surf Club hosted the Rod Stevens Memorial Paddle, a water event held to honour the late and great club member who was taken from us by melanoma in 2009. The paddle is one of four annual challenges run by the club, and sees contestants paddle rescue boards from Coalcliff Beach to the southern end of the Sea Cliff Bridge and back, a journey of more than three kilometres. The running of this year’s paddle had been hampered by the wet summer and large swells, which had caused the event to be postponed on three previous occasions. On the last day of the patrol season – after the dawn service for ANZAC Day – the event could wait no longer and two watermen braved the large surf to ensure the event would not miss a full season.
By Renee Jurgielan, co-founder of Frame Running Wollongong
L to R: (Back row): Sian Napper, Suzy Lock, Renee Jurgielan, (front row): Jacob Balazs, Pippa Napper, Ashton Binskin
The frame runner allowed Ashton to escape the confines of his wheelchair and move freely. It brought him so much joy. It was then that I came together with two other Illawarra women to ensure that more children with mobility challenges could benefit from the physical movement and social interaction of frame runners.
During the program’s first year, Frame Running Wollongong has grown to support 18 participants and their families. Thirty-eight registered volunteers help to facilitate the activities eachWeweek.have now received $18,000 in funding from the IMB Bank Community Foundation to expand the program for preschool children aged 3 to 5 years old. Funding is instrumental in supporting charities like Not-for-profitsours.can apply for 2022 grant funding via www.imb.com.au/community before 30 June. Visit www.framerunningwollongong.org.au
At 10 years old, my son Ashton has learned to walk three times in his short life. Ashton lives with rightsided hemiplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), vision impairment, and a brain tumour. He can only walk short distances and is often in a wheelchair.
Freedom of Frame Running
June 57
In 2021, our not-for-profit group Frame Runners Wollongong was born. The group is an initiative of myself (Renee Jurgielan), Sian Napper (mum to Pippa, who has cerebral palsy, and a primary school teacher of 19 years), and physiotherapist Suzy Lock. We support children with disabilities to participate in inclusive sporting activities and enjoy ‘the freedom to run’. The program runs every Monday afternoon (during the school term) at the Sports Hub at the University of Wollongong. Each session is designed by a paediatric physiotherapist and educator and tailored to suit the children’s needs andSessionsabilities.involve activities such as moving around cones and using the frame runner as support to stand and play throwing and catching games. There’s also a race or two for those kids who enjoy the thrill of the chase. Sessions allow children to develop their cognitive and physical abilities and support their mental well-being as they make new friends.
Then Ashton discovered frame runners –a custom-built three-wheeled frame where the runner is fully supported by a saddle and leans against chest support, to propel themselves forward by the feet (one or both) while using the hands and/or arms to steer.
sport & leisure58 All photos: Anthony Warry The winter swim season has begun. Iris Huizinga reports yourself! Brrr-ace feature Cover
Peter: The whole thing really is just a friendship. It’s just enjoyable, it is as competitive as you want it to be. We’ve had some very competitive people, but most of us just go down for the comradeship that goes with it. I think the benefits are, as I said earlier, the friendship, and we also raise money for charity, which is something we really enjoy doing. Do you need to be a good swimmer?
June 59
Marley: I think winter swimming is something that a lot of people are scared of because they don’t like the idea of cold water, but it’s good to get out of your comfort zone. And I think once you give it a go, it’s addictive to get in and just feel the cold water on your skin and
it’s nice. And then you get soup afterwards.
Peter: We have an average of 25 to 30 swimmers every week. Anybody can join. If you can swim 50 metres unaided, you are more than welcome. We don’t care how old you are, whether you are male or female, whether you are out of area. Wherever you are, you are more than welcome to come and swim.
The Stanwell Park Sea Eels have been around since 1989. It all started when a few brave souls put their names on a sheet to form a swimming club to stay fit during winter, raise money for charities, and have some “soup, tatties and liquid refreshment after”.Long-timemember
and president of the Sea Eels winter swimming club, Peter McDonald (71), shows the handwritten paper that was pinned in the patrol room and points out some names on the original sheet: Grant Kenny, former Ironman, medallist swimmer Lisa Curry, plus the names of the instigators, Phil Anger and Peter Le Breton. During the club’s 34 years, the Sea Eels have raised thousands of dollars for charities, while making a weekly splash during winter in the cold water of Coalcliff ocean pool. Now they are calling out for new members, and as one of only two clubs in the South Coast Winter Swimming Association who allow women members, everyone is welcome to sign Enthusiasticup. female member Marley Larkin (15) says the chilly water has its own magic. Why should we join?
Marley: I’m not the best swimmer, but I don’t think you need to be the best swimmer to enjoy winter swimming. I think it’s more about giving it a go and getting in the water because you do like swimming. I beat my dad today. I was happy with that.
Peter: Every swim is handicapped, the relay, the finals. Everybody does a time trial on their first swim. So if you are a good swimmer, let’s say you swim 50 metres in about 40 seconds and the swimmer next to you swims [it in] 60 seconds, then they’ll be off first and you’ll be going off 20 seconds after.
Peter: We didn’t swim the last two years because of Covid but the year before it was 11 degrees. That was cold. I think we only did the 50-metre swims, very quickly. It was fine, it was just cold. If you see me going for a swim, I always put some water down my back to let my spine and my brain know: “This is what’s going to happen, there’s going to be cold water.” Contact Peter on 0473 616 991, follow @stanwellparkseaeels on Instagram, visit www.stanwellparksurfclub.com I always put some water down my back to let my spine and my brain know: this is what’s going to happen, there’s going to be cold water.
Marley: Obviously some weeks I’d rather be in bed, but getting in the water makes it worth it. Once you get in, you never regret getting up early. It’s just nice.
We also give money locally – if anyone hears anything about someone who is raising money for someone, we’re quite happy to donate.
Peter, tell us more about the charities.
Peter: We originally started off with a charity that helps physically and mentally disabled children. They are – we have been doing this for 30 years –adults now. That charity has been taken over by the CRAM Foundation, situated in the Shellharbour area, that’s where our money goes. Last year we were able to given them $3200, that was a big one. We have bought a wheelchair so they could take disabled people down to the ocean. It’s downstairs at the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Club and anyone can make use of it.
How worried should we be about the cold water?
sport & leisure60 Turn up at Coalcliff Pool on Sunday 9am, you’ll do a time trial and then you’ll just join in the fun. It’s not a problem for you, Marley, to get up early on a Sunday morning?
Peter: Evidently cold water is supposed to be good for you. When was the coldest water?
Peter McDonald, president of the Sea Eels Winter Swimming Club
Theissue!day
June 61
Get Her Onboard
started with a surf and included yoga with Sarah and a beach clean with Susie from Surfrider.
Thanks to photographers Amber Cree and Anthony Warry for capturing the action at the Her Wave ‘Get Her Onboard Day’ presented by the Scarborough Boardriders at Coledale Beach on Sunday, 15 May. And look out for an event report by one of the talented young surfers in an upcoming
Photos: @amber.cree and @anthonywarry
sport & leisure62 June 2022 Port Kembla Tidal Chart TIMES HIGHHEIGHTSANDOFANDLOWWATERS LAT 340 29’ LONG 1500 55’ PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES LAT 34° 29ʼ S LONG 150° 55ʼ E Times and Heights of High and Low Waters Local Time 2022 Time m 0210 0.31 0806 1.51 1355 0.40 2024 1.94 0302 0.25 0900 1.46 1440 0.45 2112 1.99 0358 0.22 0959 1.39 1528 0.52 2201 1.99 0457 0.23 1059 1.33 1620 0.59 2255 1.94 0559 0.27 1202 1.28 1718 0.66 2352 1.86 0702 0.31 1310 1.26 1824 0.72 0055 1.76 0806 0.36 1419 1.27 1936 0.75 0202 1.67 0905 0.39 1522 1.32 2051 0.74 0310 1.59 0958 0.42 1618 1.40 2204 0.71 0413 1.52 1045 0.44 1707 1.48 2310 0.65 0508 1.47 1125 0.46 1751 1.57 0007 0.59 0558 1.42 1201 0.48 1 WE JUNE Time m 0338 0.44 0933 1.24 1449 0.66 2126 1.77 2 TH 0417 0.45 1015 1.22 1526 0.69 2202 1.74 3 FR 0459 0.47 1058 1.19 1606 0.73 2242 1.69 4 SA 0542 0.50 1144 1.18 1650 0.76 2323 1.64 5 SU 0628 0.52 1234 1.17 1741 0.79 6 MO 0009 1.58 0717 0.53 1330 1.19 1838 0.82 7 TU 0101 1.53 0807 0.53 1426 1.24 1945 0.82 8 WE 0159 1.48 0855 0.51 1520 1.31 2056 0.79 9 TH 0300 1.46 0940 0.48 1609 1.42 2204 0.72 10 FR 0400 1.45 1024 0.45 1655 1.55 2308 0.61 11 SA 0459 1.44 1107 0.43 1740 1.69 12 SU 0007 0.49 0557 1.44 1151 0.42 16 TH Time m 0350 0.16 0949 1.35 1513 0.52 2148 2.06 17 FR 0446 0.17 1048 1.33 1610 0.56 2243 1.99 18 SA 0544 0.21 1148 1.32 1709 0.60 2338 1.89 19 SU 0640 0.27 1248 1.32 1812 0.65 20 MO 0035 1.76 0734 0.34 1347 1.34 1917 0.69 21 TU 0135 1.61 0826 0.41 1445 1.38 2029 0.72 22 WE 0236 1.48 0914 0.46 1540 1.44 2142 0.71 23 TH 0337 1.37 0957 0.51 1630 1.51 2252 0.68 24 FR 0436 1.29 1038 0.54 1716 1.58 2352 0.63 25 SA 0531 1.25 1117 0.56 1759 1.64 26 SU 0043 0.57 0622 1.22 1155 0.58 1838 1.69 27 MO 0126 0.51 0708 1.22 1233 0.60 1 FR JULY Time m 0356 0.41 0951 1.22 1507 0.64 2142 1.75 2 SA 0433 0.42 1031 1.22 1547 0.66 2219 1.72 3 SU 0512 0.43 1114 1.22 1630 0.68 2259 1.67 4 MO 0551 0.45 1158 1.23 1717 0.70 2339 1.61 5 TU 0632 0.46 1245 1.25 1810 0.73 6 WE 0025 1.53 0715 0.47 1336 1.30 1911 0.74 7 TH 0116 1.46 0800 0.47 1429 1.38 2020 0.73 8 FR 0216 1.39 0846 0.47 1522 1.47 2135 0.67 9 SA 0324 1.34 0936 0.48 1615 1.59 2247 0.57 10 SU 0433 1.31 1028 0.47 1709 1.72 2354 0.44 11 MO 0541 1.30 1121 0.47 1802 1.85 12 TU 0054 0.31 0644 1.32 1215 0.46 16 SA Time m 0428 0.12 1028 1.37 1558 0.46 2227 1.97 17 SU 0517 0.18 1121 1.37 1654 0.50 2317 1.83 18 MO 0605 0.26 1214 1.38 1751 0.56 19 TU 0008 1.67 0652 0.35 1306 1.39 1853 0.63 20 WE 0100 1.49 0736 0.44 1400 1.41 2000 0.68 21 TH 0156 1.33 0820 0.52 1454 1.44 2115 0.70 22 FR 0259 1.21 0905 0.57 1547 1.48 2230 0.67 23 SA 0405 1.14 0951 0.61 1639 1.53 2334 0.62 24 SU 0510 1.11 1039 0.62 1727 1.58 25 MO 0025 0.55 0605 1.13 1126 0.62 1812 1.63 26 TU 0108 0.49 0653 1.16 1211 0.61 1852 1.67 27 WE 0145 0.43 0733 1.19 1253 0.59 1 MO AUGUST Time m 0437 0.35 1040 1.29 1613 0.55 2233 1.66 2 TU 0512 0.36 1120 1.31 1659 0.58 2313 1.58 3 WE 0547 0.39 1204 1.35 1749 0.61 2355 1.48 4 TH 0627 0.42 1251 1.39 1847 0.64 5 FR 0046 1.37 0710 0.47 1344 1.44 1958 0.64 6 SA 0148 1.27 0800 0.51 1442 1.50 2118 0.60 7 SU 0304 1.20 0859 0.53 1545 1.59 2238 0.50 8 MO 0425 1.18 1003 0.53 1648 1.70 2346 0.38 9 TU 0537 1.21 1106 0.50 1749 1.82 10 WE 0046 0.25 0639 1.26 1206 0.45 1845 1.92 11 TH 0139 0.15 0733 1.32 1303 0.39 1939 1.99 12 FR 0229 0.09 0824 1.37 1358 0.35 16 TU 17 WE 18 TH 19 FR 20 SA 21 SU 22 MO 23 TU 24 WE 25 TH 26 FR 27 SA © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021, Bureau of Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when Moon Phase Symbols Full MoonNew Moon First Quarter SA 1805 0.83 8 SU 0043 1.52 0800 0.59 1412 1.13 1912 0.86 9 MO 0145 1.48 0900 0.58 1518 1.17 2028 0.85 10 TU 0250 1.47 0952 0.54 1615 1.24 2140 0.81 11 WE 0352 1.48 1038 0.49 1700 1.35 2242 0.72 12 TH 0446 1.52 1117 0.44 1740 1.47 2337 0.62 13 FR 0536 1.54 1156 0.39 1818 1.60 14 SA 0028 0.51 0624 1.56 1233 0.37 1859 1.73 15 SU 0118 0.40 0714 1.55 1314 0.37 1940 1.85 SU 1419 1.27 1936 0.75 23 MO 0202 1.67 0905 0.39 1522 1.32 2051 0.74 24 TU 0310 1.59 0958 0.42 1618 1.40 2204 0.71 25 WE 0413 1.52 1045 0.44 1707 1.48 2310 0.65 26 TH 0508 1.47 1125 0.46 1751 1.57 27 FR 0007 0.59 0558 1.42 1201 0.48 1830 1.64 28 SA 0057 0.54 0644 1.37 1235 0.51 1907 1.70 29 SU 0141 0.50 0728 1.33 1308 0.55 1943 1.75 30 MO 0221 0.47 0810 1.29 1341 0.58 2016 1.77 31 TU 0300 0.44 0851 1.27 1414 0.62 2050 1.78 TU 1426 1.24 1945 0.82 8 WE 0159 1.48 0855 0.51 1520 1.31 2056 0.79 9 TH 0300 1.46 0940 0.48 1609 1.42 2204 0.72 10 FR 0400 1.45 1024 0.45 1655 1.55 2308 0.61 11 SA 0459 1.44 1107 0.43 1740 1.69 12 SU 0007 0.49 0557 1.44 1151 0.42 1826 1.82 13 MO 0103 0.37 0654 1.42 1238 0.43 1915 1.94 14 TU 0159 0.26 0752 1.40 1327 0.45 2004 2.03 15 WE 0254 0.19 0851 1.38 1418 0.48 2056 2.07 WE 1540 1.44 2142 0.71 23 TH 0337 1.37 0957 0.51 1630 1.51 2252 0.68 24 FR 0436 1.29 1038 0.54 1716 1.58 2352 0.63 25 SA 0531 1.25 1117 0.56 1759 1.64 26 SU 0043 0.57 0622 1.22 1155 0.58 1838 1.69 27 MO 0126 0.51 0708 1.22 1233 0.60 1915 1.73 28 TU 0204 0.46 0751 1.22 1311 0.61 1951 1.76 29 WE 0242 0.43 0832 1.22 1348 0.62 2028 1.77 30 TH 0318 0.41 0912 1.22 1428 0.63 2104 1.77 TH 1429 1.38 2020 0.73 8 FR 0216 1.39 0846 0.47 1522 1.47 2135 0.67 9 SA 0324 1.34 0936 0.48 1615 1.59 2247 0.57 10 SU 0433 1.31 1028 0.47 1709 1.72 2354 0.44 11 MO 0541 1.30 1121 0.47 1802 1.85 12 TU 0054 0.31 0644 1.32 1215 0.46 1857 1.96 13 WE 0150 0.20 0744 1.33 1311 0.44 1950 2.04 14 TH 0244 0.13 0840 1.35 1406 0.43 2043 2.07 15 FR 0336 0.10 0934 1.36 1502 0.44 2135 2.05 FR 1547 1.48 2230 0.67 23 SA 0405 1.14 0951 0.61 1639 1.53 2334 0.62 24 SU 0510 1.11 1039 0.62 1727 1.58 25 MO 0025 0.55 0605 1.13 1126 0.62 1812 1.63 26 TU 0108 0.49 0653 1.16 1211 0.61 1852 1.67 27 WE 0145 0.43 0733 1.19 1253 0.59 1931 1.71 28 TH 0221 0.39 0812 1.21 1332 0.57 2009 1.74 29 FR 0256 0.36 0848 1.23 1412 0.55 2045 1.75 30 SA 0330 0.35 0924 1.25 1450 0.54 2120 1.74 31 SU 0403 0.34 1001 1.27 1530 0.54 2157 1.71 SU 1422 0.49 2047 1.73 2 MO 0316 0.43 0913 1.36 1452 0.55 2120 1.74 3 TU 0357 0.44 0953 1.29 1522 0.61 2154 1.72 4 WE 0438 0.47 1035 1.24 1554 0.67 2229 1.69 5 TH 0521 0.50 1119 1.19 1630 0.73 2307 1.64 6 FR 0608 0.54 1208 1.15 1713 0.78 2351 1.58 7 SA 0702 0.58 1305 1.12 1805 0.83 8 SU 0043 1.52 0800 0.59 1412 1.13 1912 0.86 9 MO 0145 1.48 0900 0.58 1518 1.17 2028 0.85 10 TU 0250 1.47 0952 0.54 1615 1.24 2140 0.81 11 WE 0352 1.48 1038 0.49 1700 1.35 2242 0.72 12 TH 0446 1.52 1117 0.44 1740 1.47 2337 0.62 13 FR 0536 1.54 1156 0.39 1818 1.60 14 SA 0028 0.51 0624 1.56 1233 0.37 1859 1.73 15 SU 0118 0.40 0714 1.55 1314 0.37 MO 1355 0.40 2024 1.94 17 TU 0302 0.25 0900 1.46 1440 0.45 2112 1.99 18 WE 0358 0.22 0959 1.39 1528 0.52 2201 1.99 19 TH 0457 0.23 1059 1.33 1620 0.59 2255 1.94 20 FR 0559 0.27 1202 1.28 1718 0.66 2352 1.86 21 SA 0702 0.31 1310 1.26 1824 0.72 22 SU 0055 1.76 0806 0.36 1419 1.27 1936 0.75 23 MO 0202 1.67 0905 0.39 1522 1.32 2051 0.74 24 TU 0310 1.59 0958 0.42 1618 1.40 2204 0.71 25 WE 0413 1.52 1045 0.44 1707 1.48 2310 0.65 26 TH 0508 1.47 1125 0.46 1751 1.57 27 FR 0007 0.59 0558 1.42 1201 0.48 1830 1.64 28 SA 0057 0.54 0644 1.37 1235 0.51 1907 1.70 29 SU 0141 0.50 0728 1.33 1308 0.55 1943 1.75 30 MO 0221 0.47 0810 1.29 1341 0.58 2016 1.77 WE 1449 0.66 2126 1.77 2 TH 0417 0.45 1015 1.22 1526 0.69 2202 1.74 3 FR 0459 0.47 1058 1.19 1606 0.73 2242 1.69 4 SA 0542 0.50 1144 1.18 1650 0.76 2323 1.64 5 SU 0628 0.52 1234 1.17 1741 0.79 6 MO 0009 1.58 0717 0.53 1330 1.19 1838 0.82 7 TU 0101 1.53 0807 0.53 1426 1.24 1945 0.82 8 WE 0159 1.48 0855 0.51 1520 1.31 2056 0.79 9 TH 0300 1.46 0940 0.48 1609 1.42 2204 0.72 10 FR 0400 1.45 1024 0.45 1655 1.55 2308 0.61 11 SA 0459 1.44 1107 0.43 1740 1.69 12 SU 0007 0.49 0557 1.44 1151 0.42 1826 1.82 13 MO 0103 0.37 0654 1.42 1238 0.43 1915 1.94 14 TU 0159 0.26 0752 1.40 1327 0.45 2004 2.03 15 WE 0254 0.19 0851 1.38 1418 0.48 2056 2.07 TH 1513 0.52 2148 2.06 17 FR 0446 0.17 1048 1.33 1610 0.56 2243 1.99 18 SA 0544 0.21 1148 1.32 1709 0.60 2338 1.89 19 SU 0640 0.27 1248 1.32 1812 0.65 20 MO 0035 1.76 0734 0.34 1347 1.34 1917 0.69 21 TU 0135 1.61 0826 0.41 1445 1.38 2029 0.72 22 WE 0236 1.48 0914 0.46 1540 1.44 2142 0.71 23 TH 0337 1.37 0957 0.51 1630 1.51 2252 0.68 24 FR 0436 1.29 1038 0.54 1716 1.58 2352 0.63 25 SA 0531 1.25 1117 0.56 1759 1.64 26 SU 0043 0.57 0622 1.22 1155 0.58 1838 1.69 27 MO 0126 0.51 0708 1.22 1233 0.60 1915 1.73 28 TU 0204 0.46 0751 1.22 1311 0.61 1951 1.76 29 WE 0242 0.43 0832 1.22 1348 0.62 2028 1.77 30 TH 0318 0.41 0912 1.22 1428 0.63 2104 1.77 FR 1507 0.64 2142 1.75 2 SA 0433 0.42 1031 1.22 1547 0.66 2219 1.72 3 SU 0512 0.43 1114 1.22 1630 0.68 2259 1.67 4 MO 0551 0.45 1158 1.23 1717 0.70 2339 1.61 5 TU 0632 0.46 1245 1.25 1810 0.73 6 WE 0025 1.53 0715 0.47 1336 1.30 1911 0.74 7 TH 0116 1.46 0800 0.47 1429 1.38 2020 0.73 8 FR 0216 1.39 0846 0.47 1522 1.47 2135 0.67 9 SA 0324 1.34 0936 0.48 1615 1.59 2247 0.57 10 SU 0433 1.31 1028 0.47 1709 1.72 2354 0.44 11 MO 0541 1.30 1121 0.47 1802 1.85 12 TU 0054 0.31 0644 1.32 1215 0.46 1857 1.96 13 WE 0150 0.20 0744 1.33 1311 0.44 1950 2.04 14 TH 0244 0.13 0840 1.35 1406 0.43 2043 2.07 15 FR 0336 0.10 0934 1.36 1502 0.44 2135 2.05 SA 22271558 17 SU 2317165411210517 18 MO 175112140605 19 TU 1853130606520008 20 WE 2000140007360100 21 TH 2115145408200156 22 FR 2230154709050259 23 SA 2334163909510405 24 SU 172710390510 25 MO 1812112606050025 26 TU 1852121106530108 27 WE 1931125307330145 28 TH 2009133208120221 29 FR 2045141208480256 30 SA 2120145009240330 PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES LAT 34° 29ʼ S LONG 150° 55ʼ E Times and Heights of High and Low Waters Local 2022 MAY 16 MO Time m 0210 0.31 0806 1.51 1355 0.40 2024 1.94 17 TU 0302 0.25 0900 1.46 1440 0.45 2112 1.99 18 WE 0358 0.22 0959 1.39 1528 0.52 2201 1.99 19 TH 0457 0.23 1059 1.33 1620 0.59 2255 1.94 20 FR 0559 0.27 1202 1.28 1718 0.66 2352 1.86 21 SA 0702 0.31 1310 1.26 1824 0.72 1 WE JUNE Time m 0338 0.44 0933 1.24 1449 0.66 2126 1.77 2 TH 0417 0.45 1015 1.22 1526 0.69 2202 1.74 3 FR 0459 0.47 1058 1.19 1606 0.73 2242 1.69 4 SA 0542 0.50 1144 1.18 1650 0.76 2323 1.64 5 SU 0628 0.52 1234 1.17 1741 0.79 6 MO 0009 1.58 0717 0.53 1330 1.19 16 TH Time m 0350 0.16 0949 1.35 1513 0.52 2148 2.06 17 FR 0446 0.17 1048 1.33 1610 0.56 2243 1.99 18 SA 0544 0.21 1148 1.32 1709 0.60 2338 1.89 19 SU 0640 0.27 1248 1.32 1812 0.65 20 MO 0035 1.76 0734 0.34 1347 1.34 1917 0.69 21 TU 0135 1.61 0826 0.41 1445 1.38 1 FR JULY Time m 0356 0.41 0951 1.22 1507 0.64 2142 1.75 2 SA 0433 0.42 1031 1.22 1547 0.66 2219 1.72 3 SU 0512 0.43 1114 1.22 1630 0.68 2259 1.67 4 MO 0551 0.45 1158 1.23 1717 0.70 2339 1.61 5 TU 0632 0.46 1245 1.25 1810 0.73 6 WE 0025 1.53 0715 0.47 1336 1.30 16 SA Time m 0428 0.12 1028 1.37 1558 0.46 2227 1.97 17 SU 0517 0.18 1121 1.37 1654 0.50 2317 1.83 18 MO 0605 0.26 1214 1.38 1751 0.56 19 TU 0008 1.67 0652 0.35 1306 1.39 1853 0.63 20 WE 0100 1.49 0736 0.44 1400 1.41 2000 0.68 21 TH 0156 1.33 0820 0.52 1454 1.44 1 MO AUGUST Time m 0437 0.35 1040 1.29 1613 0.55 2233 1.66 2 TU 0512 0.36 1120 1.31 1659 0.58 2313 1.58 3 WE 0547 0.39 1204 1.35 1749 0.61 2355 1.48 4 TH 0627 0.42 1251 1.39 1847 0.64 5 FR 0046 1.37 0710 0.47 1344 1.44 1958 0.64 6 SA 0148 1.27 0800 0.51 1442 1.50 © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021, Bureau of Meteorolog Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings Moon Phase Symbols New Moon First Quarter TU 1615 1.24 2140 0.81 11 WE 0352 1.48 1038 0.49 1700 1.35 2242 0.72 12 TH 0446 1.52 1117 0.44 1740 1.47 2337 0.62 13 FR 0536 1.54 1156 0.39 1818 1.60 14 SA 0028 0.51 0624 1.56 1233 0.37 1859 1.73 15 SU 0118 0.40 0714 1.55 1314 0.37 1940 1.85 WE 1707 1.48 2310 0.65 26 TH 0508 1.47 1125 0.46 1751 1.57 27 FR 0007 0.59 0558 1.42 1201 0.48 1830 1.64 28 SA 0057 0.54 0644 1.37 1235 0.51 1907 1.70 29 SU 0141 0.50 0728 1.33 1308 0.55 1943 1.75 30 MO 0221 0.47 0810 1.29 1341 0.58 2016 1.77 31 TU 0300 0.44 0851 1.27 1414 0.62 2050 1.78 FR 1655 1.55 2308 0.61 11 SA 0459 1.44 1107 0.43 1740 1.69 12 SU 0007 0.49 0557 1.44 1151 0.42 1826 1.82 13 MO 0103 0.37 0654 1.42 1238 0.43 1915 1.94 14 TU 0159 0.26 0752 1.40 1327 0.45 2004 2.03 15 WE 0254 0.19 0851 1.38 1418 0.48 2056 2.07 SA 1759 1.64 26 SU 0043 0.57 0622 1.22 1155 0.58 1838 1.69 27 MO 0126 0.51 0708 1.22 1233 0.60 1915 1.73 28 TU 0204 0.46 0751 1.22 1311 0.61 1951 1.76 29 WE 0242 0.43 0832 1.22 1348 0.62 2028 1.77 30 TH 0318 0.41 0912 1.22 1428 0.63 2104 1.77 SU 23541709 11 MO 180211210541 12 TU 1857121506440054 13 WE 1950131107440150 14 TH 2043140608400244 15 FR 2135150209340336 TIME TIME TIME TIMEM M M M MOON PHASE SYMBOLS New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021, Bureau of Meteorology. Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect. The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.
Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports
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•following finalists:ShylaShort–1st in 16 Girls Macey Jolley – 3rd in 16 Girls Mannix Squires – 2nd in 18 Boys Zahlia Short – 2nd in 18 Girls Ashton Makisic – 2nd in 14 Boys Mitchell Burroughs – 2nd in 16 Boys. Still to come at press time were the Werri Beach Autumn Slash (28 May) and Pointscore number 5 (29 May).
Tradies Social Golf Barry Thompson reports Those poor glassy-eyed souls seen shuffling around town muttering about pars and birdies are not dangerous. They are merely some of our members in withdrawal after yet another wash-out. It is rumoured that Terry and other members have applied to transfer to the Royal Nullarbor G.C. The damage caused to the Boomerang course must be devastating to the management and ground staff. A few relatively fine days allows repair to a section, then the heavens open up again. Let’s hope our course can be returned to its pristine state soon. Our next outing is on June 18 at Boomerang with tee-off at 7am. It is listed as a Stableford but this could change as the committee scurries to fulfil our championship schedule. We continue to get some much-needed practice at the Helensburgh Driving Range covered area. No barbie at Tradies so I had to cook some of Jason’s sausages myself – not the same as when John Towns or Jack Hardacre do the honours. Bit of a disappointing day, but a Gallardo’s pizza in front of the telly while watching the election coverage sounds appealing. Hope to see you on June 18th!
Golf news Boardriders’ big month
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The never-ending HSSGC match play for 2021 continues in 2022 with Rob Jones surviving a late charge by Greg Herbert, 5 and 4. Greg now plays Jose to meet RJ in the final. A very positive response to the change to a new venue was voiced by all. To that end, Hurstville will be the next new venue on June 26th and then again on July 10th.
Tune & Service • E Safety Checks All Makes & Models LPG Rego Checks • Blue Slips John Hine (Proprietor) 187 Parkes St Helensburgh 2508 Helensburgh Car Services Child Restraints Fitted Licence no. MVRL 17877 4294 2930
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By Ian Pepper May has been a busy month for us, kicking off with pointscore number 4 on Sunday, May 1st. Coledale provided fun conditions all day for all divisions, while the micros had a great time at Austinmer. It was Angus Cochrane’s first comp for 2022 and he showed off his creative skills, whipping his board around the small pockets to take the A-Grade final. In the Open Women’s, Shyla Short went into backhand body-torque mode, launching some tight snaps to defeat sister Zahlia and reigning champ Kasey Hargreaves. And what about Ashton blasting his way through the u12s! New rashies went down a treat! Then on May 15th, also at Coledale, Scarborough Boardriders hosted our first female-only development day “Her Wave – Get Her Onboard”. About 30 participants enjoyed a full day of surf coaching, yoga, beach clean-ups, mentorship, positivity, amazing people, vibes and food! The full story from a participant’s point of view will be featured in the August issue. The following weekend May 21st our junior members represented themselves and our club at Illawarra Junior Surfing Titles held at Warilla Beach. Well done to our team with the
HSSGC was back in action on May 8th and some things never change. Jose claimed first place (with 37 points), ahead of Peter Gardner (34) and Luke Hatcher (33). Jose, Peter and Luke secured 50% of on-course prizes, joined by Blake and myself.
Indy signing off: the term “mulligan” is really a contraction of the phrase “maul-it-again”.
A special mention for Christian’s Premium Meats’ and Helensburgh Golf Range’s support of HSSGC, and any other local businesses who support the local community. For membership information, contact Tony on 0418 863 100. Join us and enjoy a game of golf, the outdoors and good company.
June 63
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As I cleaned the mould from the clubs on May 7th, I thought of dry fairways and waterless bunkers –was I dreaming?! With that thought, I took a cautious approach to the first hole at Campbelltown.
