MAY 2023

Caroline Baum is a journalist, author and the ambassador for the Older Womens’ Network (OWN) in NSW. She lives in the Northern Illawarra and is the artistic director of Coledale’s annual True Story Festival.

Nick Bolton is a filmmaker in Bulli, and is the founder of production company TEN ALPHAS. He is the Chair of Screen Illawarra, teaches at AFTRS and Sydney Film School, and is a Creative Industries Business Advisor for NSW Government.

Rachael Mogan McIntosh has written for publications across Australia, France and the USA. She is the recipient of a Varuna Writing Fellowship and the author of two books: Pardon My French, the hilarious tale of a year spent in France with her family, and Mothering Heights, a year of joy and survival in the trenches of early parenthood (and Collins Australia’s current Non-Fiction Book Of The Month). Mum of three, crisis counsellor and Coledale local, Rachael loves books, baths, coffee, podcasts, Below Deck Mediterranean and Terry’s Chocolate Orange; consuming them simultaneously whenever possible.

Harley Mangham is a trail runner originally from NZ. He has been a trail runner for many years including international events and is also a keen hiker. He currently works as a track and trail builder in the Royal National Park. A Helensburgh resident, Harley thought parkrun would be a great idea to support the running community and all residents in living a healthier lifestyle. “Geographically it is an ideal location,” he says, “as we are almost smack bang in the middle of the closest parkruns in Menai and Sandon Point”.

Dr Helen Maclean is a GP at Bulli Medical Practice with specialist interests in women’s health, antenatal care, paediatrics and mental health. Before her medical studies, Helen completed a Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Psychology. She incorporates this expertise into general practice, caring for patients with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and gender issues.

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.

EMAIL: info@asquithlegal.com.au

WRITE TO: PO Box 3048, Austinmer NSW VISIT: WorkLife Coledale, 741-743 Lawrence

THE ILLAWARRA

NEXT DEADLINE 20 May for the June

EDITORS Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft

CONTACT hello@theillawarraflame.com.au; 0432 612 168; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508. TheIllawarraFlame

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DEADLINE 20 May. Contributions welcome.

COVER Judy Bourke at Barracks Art Studios Thirroul. Photo: Anthony Warry

THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by a family business, The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477

DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain the property of The Illawarra Flame unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Views expressed do not reflect those of the publishers.

KANE DOWNIE

CWA history on show at hall

By Jan Johnston of Stanwell Park CWA

In March, our members attended the Group Council Meeting, which included the judging of the Handicrafts and Land Cookery competitions. They were hugely impressed with the beautiful handicrafts and high standard of cooking. As a result, we have been inspired to arrange some craft demonstrations and try some craft activities. I will be sure to report on our progress.

Many of us have skills and talents that may date from our childhood, education, work or a retirement goal. These can include art, photography, writing, handicraft and cooking, and entering a competition is fun and allows our projects to be displayed and appreciated.

Last year, the Stanwell Park branch won first prize in writing and second prize in art and photography by one of our talented members.

Our beloved hall has had recent changes. Some may have noticed historical photos lining the front of the CWA hall. They reflect an earlier time when CWA was most relevant in lobbying for services for women in this remote South Coast region. An unwelcome change was the result of the intense storms early in April when verandah ceiling panels came away. These need to be replaced.

If you’d like to share a skill or learn something new, we’re at 15 The Drive, Stanwell Park at 10am on the first Tuesday of the month.

AUSTI. Season Launch

On May 17 & 18, AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre launches their 2024 season with This Much Is True at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Two half-hour contemporary dance pieces will premiere: Rien & other nothings, by French-born Australian Cloé Fournier, and UnFiltered, choreographed by AUSTI’s artistic director Michelle Maxwell. UnFiltered explores the evolution of gossip, exploring its profound impact on society, from survival mechanisms to the stigmatisation of women in today’s world. A performance where physical prowess meets emotional depth, performed by familiar and fresh AUSTI talent.

This image from 1952 is on the front of the hall

Anita’s Theatre Shop 10, King St Thirroul Call for an appointment today on 42683933

To all the remarkable mothers & mother figures out there!

Whether you are a mum-to-be, a single mother, a grandmother, a step-mum, a grieving mother, a foster mum, a guardian, or juggling multiple roles - you are the rocks of our families. Your strength, hope, and guidance illuminate our paths. Your care, wisdom, and unwavering support have moulded us into the people we are today.

Happy Mother's Day to every single one of you. You are treasured, admired, and cherished beyond words. nd to those for whom this day is difficult, please know that we are here to offer our love and support.

Dancing for Mum

By Nick Bolton

My mum, a dietician, retired on her 64th birthday. Fair to say she sacrificed a lot in her career to look after me and my two brothers, Matt and Jez. But retirement wasn’t the end for Mum, it was the start, the opportunity to live HER life. She was developing a fine talent as an artist and loved culture and travel, especially coming to visit me in Australia.

The very next day, the very first day of her retirement, she was informed she had lung cancer. She never smoked, and didn’t drink much. Talk about being dealt a cruel card. For five years she battled it admirably, and towards the end, in and out of hospices.

She even got two wigs, one for home, and a ‘going out’ wig that had flamboyant reddish tinges – she called it her Sharon Osbourne wig.

In her last three months, I returned to England. In the afternoon, I would carry her out of bed to the car and we would drive to one of the many little villages that pepper Kent, the Garden of England, and we would talk, and have ‘the talk’ that you only have with a parent who is dying. True talk: fears, memories, hopes, desires, wishes. We’d arrive at the village, and by the time I had turned the car around, she was asleep. She had made her destination. A lesson in itself. I’m crying as I write this. The journey, the experience, was always more important to her than the destination. Make the most of the moment. Be present.

I always wanted to turn this special experience into a film. But two people in a car isn’t that interesting, so when encouraged to make a film with my wife, cinematographer Jess Milne, on our honeymoon, I jumped at it. Our honeymoon took us from Sydney to Hong Kong, to London, to

Dubai and then to India and so I expanded the premise of ‘that trip’ to make it global.

Made by just the two of us, with just a small camera and a GoPro, what the film lacks in production values it makes up for in heart. The Road to Vagator won many awards around the world and is a beautiful tribute to my Mum. Watch it at tenalphas.com.au/ search#277855679

In her last three months, Mum was in and out of a hospice, and those angels, those palliative care nurses, showed Mum, and us, human kindness I didn’t think possible.

Cancer is a slow torture. Seeing your Mum deteriorate in front of your eyes, constantly in pain, is brutal. Modern medicine gives you ‘the hope’ but the bugger keeps fighting back, and cancer has tended to win. But the scientists are discovering breakthroughs, survival rates are increasing, and there is now real hope for a cure.

So when Sian at the Cancer Council asked me to get involved with the Stars of Wollongong, Dance for Cancer, it took me about 0.03 nanoseconds to say yes – it’s to honour those palliative care nurses and give my Mum up there, and all of you down here, a laugh at my bad dancing.

Now spare a thought for Lacinda Fisk, my amazing dance teacher. The poor girl has been tasked with turning my two left feet into twinkle toes! As an actor, I am very comfortable with the rehearsal process, but what has surprised me in dance rehearsals is the mental focus it requires and the physical toll it takes on you. I have developed a new appreciation for dancers and their art. My heartfelt thanks to Lacinda, and also to South Coast Writers Centre who have donated the Coledale Community Hall for our rehearsals.

This issue of the Flame has a Mother’s Day focus. I was blessed with a wonderful Mum, and Dad, but did I tell her how much I appreciated her, did I thank her enough for all she did for me and my brothers? I did but no way near enough. Give ya Mum a hug for me and thank her. Please donate via the link below.

Visit stars.cancercouncil.com.au/fundraisers/ nickbolton/stars-of-wollongong

Nick Bolton and Mum

THE MOVEMENT

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Our Pilates instructors are trained to work alongside our Physios and EPs;leading group reformer classes, semi-private classes and 1:1 sessions. Join The Movement and start your journey to better health!

The Glittering Chaos

Thanks to Coledale writer Rachael Mogan McIntosh for sharing this extract from her new book, Mothering Heights, ‘a love story about becoming a mother’ wants both eyeballs on them. All the time. How do I meet the attention needs of three children (one still cooking, requiring the juice from my very bones to knit its earlobes together) as well as a husband, a part-time job, the housework, parents, in-laws, friends and an inner self?

Biggles and I have a conversation one morning. ‘Biggie, the bathroom smells a lot like wee. Have you been weeing on the walls?’

He answers carefully. ‘I n’used do that Mama, but not n’more.’

Calm, I think to myself. Patience. I breathe deeply and then regret it. The place smells like the baboon enclosure at a subpar zoo.

‘When did you stop doing that, Biggs?’ I ask.

‘Just wight now,’ he says.

It’s clear that Biggles’ grasp on bathroom etiquette needs attention. The problem is, so does everything else in my life. The car is composting itself, Mount Washmore on the couch waits to be folded back into already overflowing drawers, and the glitter that four year-old Tabitha recently threw into the air has settled onto every surface of the house.

I have only the two eyeballs (plus the one in the back of my head that switches on when a child is in the pantry drinking food colouring) and each kid

My hip is killing me. I should be resting it, not resting the weight of a sturdy potato-fed toddler on it, but that feels impossible. Everything in my life demands more of me than I have to give. I need to write, I need to do yoga to manage my pesky bad back and I need to have coffee with my girlfriends every once in a while, (as in actual human interaction, not ‘liking’ Instagram updates and shouting ‘Nice scarf!’ at the preschool drop-off).

Oh man; so many needs unmet. And these are just my own requirements, which are nothing compared to those constant incoming tides of demand that lap at my feet from the children and the house, where our walls smell like wee and the chaos glitters.

‘Mummy!’ Tabitha shouts in her squeaky chipmunk voice. ‘Can we do cwaft?’

There it is. The C word. Striking fear into mothers’ hearts since time immemorial. (Well, since the 80s, to be precise, when Professional Parenting began.) If you want to see a mother’s eyes dilate with terror, don’t talk to her about abduction or vaccination injury; no, creep up gently behind her and whisper in her ear: Mummy, can we do cwaft?

See Side ptical Heroines reimagined

The Heroines Anthology’s four volumes of poetry and short fiction are written about and by women. These books reimagine the heroines of legend, fairytale and mythology in ways that are resonant and startlingly new, The Heroines Anthology also travels alongside some of the forgotten women of history and touches on the deeper questions of women’s true nature. Unique, beautiful, soul-nourishing and locally produced by South Coast Writers Centre director Dr Sarah Nicholson.

Visit www.theneoperennialpress.com/ the-heroines-anthology

Mothering Heights is published by Affirm Press Anita’s

The Skin Confidential

Registered Nurse Emma Noakes shares her Healthy Skin Expertise

Meet Emma, a Registered Nurse and the visionary behind Helensburgh’s new Cosmetic Clinic, The Skin Confidential.

With a wealth of experience dating back to 2012, Emma managed three top-tier clinics in Sydney before relocating south to raise her family. Her dream of establishing a premium cosmetic clinic near her home in lovely Helensburgh came true when The Skin Confidential opened in April 2024, focusing on common skin issues like premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles, volume loss and skin texture.

Emma says: “Most clients I see want to slow the aging process down and improve the look of their skin but just aren’t sure what’s possible. Being able to guide my clients on treatments appropriate for them and achieving real change in their skin, is the best part of what I do.”

Emma’s clinic offers a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment where you can trust her seasoned care.

During May, in celebration of Mother’s Day, booking an initial consultation at The Skin

PARTNER CONTENT

Confidential entitles you to a complimentary medical-grade LED Light Therapy session worth $99. Unsure about LED light therapy? Let Emma walk you through its numerous benefits and why she selected it as the first step towards achieving radiant, healthy skin.

To schedule an appointment, visit the website theskinconfidential.gettimely.com

School bus win for parents

By Genevieve Swart

Bulli High parent

Danielle Beazley and Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart. Photo supplied

On April 11, Minister for Transport Jo Haylen announced new bus services connecting Helensburgh and Bulli would begin in term 2.

“We’re just very, very happy,” said Helensburgh mum Danielle Beazley, who founded the “Better transport for Helensburgh and 2508 Bulli High School students” group in February 2023 after her son was the victim of an attack.

“I’m getting a lot of feedback from the other parents,” Danielle said. “I’m getting pulled up at the shops, [people are saying] ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this; I’m so happy that my kids will be able to get home quicker.’

“There’s a lot of very happy people in Helensburgh as a result of this decision.”

Community meeting a tipping point

The catalyst for the new bus was an April 3 meeting at Tradies Helensburgh attended by about 70 people, including parents, students, Transport for NSW staff, Bulli High principal Denise James and Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart.

The meeting heard tales of a boy who was punched, a child pushed down stairs and students worried about knife threats, with the Heathcote MP promising “to move heaven and earth to make sure that we get the bus service”.

Afterwards, the mother of a 13-year-old Bulli

High boy, allegedly punched by a stranger on an after-school train, told the Flame: “I don’t feel like I’ve ever been so emotionally charged in my entire life. Some of the things said by other parents –those things were really tough to hear because these kids were petrified.

“People threatened them with a knife and it wasn’t just one or two kids. They were threatening carriages full of kids.”

A student’s view

Bulli High School student Lilly described the April afternoon incident on her train as “petrifying”.

“Me and my friends were frantically banging on the door as we arrived at Coalcliff, the two people were a mere metre behind us shoving kids around … I am in year 7 and starting in high school and that is scary as it is, but this is the third big incident I have witnessed. When catching the train I have to be alert or I worry what might happen to me or one of my friends.”

Is a bus enough?

A support worker who has lived in Helensburgh for almost 20 years, the year 8 boy’s mother was concerned a bus might not solve the wider safety problem on public transport. “I work with aged care, if something like this would’ve happened to one of my clients, it’d be heartbreaking. It’s not just the kids that are vulnerable.”

The day after the April 3 meeting, TfNSWsaid it was “partnering with NSW Police to increase patrols of Illawarra train services”.

The boy’s mother questioned how long a daily presence is sustainable: “Police have a hard enough job as it is.

“It’s just not right that our kids feel unsafe to go to school. These situations, not all of them, but a majority of them are happening with general members of the public. We’re not being over the top… We actually are scared for our kids.”

She thinks cameras on trains and uniformed officers would be “massively beneficial”.

“We’ve got Opal and it’s a new system, progress and all of that, but at the end of the day there’s still elements that we need people for.”

“These kids, they should be worrying about if their footy team’s going to win or whatever. Not what’s going to happen today on the train ride home from school.”

Trouble the new normal

The Flame spoke to numerous parents and students who said trouble on trains was “the norm”.

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When asked if data showed that security incidents on trains were increasing, a TfNSW spokesperson said numbers are “stable”.

“The overall number of security incidents on trains and at train stations in the Illawarra remains low.”

“That’s not our experience,” Danielle said ahead of schools returning on Monday, April 29.

“I think nine-tenths of these [incidents] aren’t being reported.”

As an example, Danielle mentions a person harassing year 7 girls last year by sitting on their laps. “The ‘intimidating but no harm done’, your near-misses are not being recorded.”

The next goal is to have cameras on all trains, Danielle said. “CCTV is definitely the big one. It’s not just the 3.25 from Bulli that has these problems.

“There’s people getting on trains who are affected by drugs, mental illness, who are drunk … it’s affecting everybody and everybody has a right to be safe on the trains.

“Fixing a lot of these issues helps everybody, not just our kids.”

Where to catch the new bus

From term 2, the Route 2 bus will extend to Helensburgh and include a new stop at Bulli High School. Students will be able to catch a bus at Helensburgh Station Interchange at 7:31am and a bus from Bulli High at 3:25pm. For train travellers arriving in Helensburgh at 4.01pm, a new 4:05pm bus will cut wait times. The existing Route 15 4:20pm service will remain in place.

Aevum Podiatry

How to report incidents on trains

A TfNSW spokesperson said serious incidents should be reported to NSW Police on 000.

“Emergency help points on every train carriage are there to report any serious incidents and call staff for help. These are also at stations.”

To report antisocial behaviour or crime: call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. For vandalism, graffiti or suspicious activity, call TfNSW on 131 500. Feedback or complaints can be made via 131 500 or online at transport.nsw.gov.au.

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Firies’ flood training put to the test

By Caitlin Sloan

Just two months after their first flood training session, volunteer firefighters from Otford and Helensburgh Rural Fire Brigades tested their new skills amid the deluge on April 6. Local RFS crews helped out across the northern Illawarra, from controlling traffic after landslides to rescuing a driver from floodwaters.

Their new ancillary land-based flood rescue kits came in handy.

“Both Otford and Helensburgh used theirs,” NSW RFS Illawarra/Sutherland group captain Craig Robertson said.

“I didn’t expect to be using it that quick.”

Flash flooding and landslides wrought havoc on Saturday, April 6 as some Illawarra suburbs were inundated with more than 200 millimetres of rain. But the grim forecast had given the RFS time to prepare and more than 30 local volunteers were on hand to help the State Emergency Service (SES).

“We sort of put a little bit of pre-planning into it, remembering that floods come under jurisdiction of the SES and we normally work under them, but once we start getting local triple zero calls to the local area, then we’re dispatched to those jobs,” Craig said.

“We had a few jobs up north, and we had one rescue [in] which our flood kits were utilised on Saturday morning down at Otford Causeway.”

“Apparently the driver come down and he hit the dirt and the mud, and [the car] slid into the causeway because the water and the mud had [risen] and he didn’t know as there were no signs to say [so],” Craig said.

The crew threw a lifejacket to the driver.

“Then we managed to get a truck across to him to actually get him onto the back of the fire truck to get him out, so it was another good outcome. And for us to have those kits there to throw to the person, if that person would’ve been washed off the car or fallen off the car, at least that person would’ve had a lifejacket on.”

The callouts for the Otford and Helensburgh brigades continued throughout Saturday morning.

Another driver was trapped in floodwater on Lawrence Hargrave Drive before it subsided. Crews helped Waterfall Rural Fire Brigade remove fallen trees in the Royal National Park, cleared debris and performed traffic control alongside Stanwell Park Rural Fire Brigade during the closure of Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Coalcliff and Bald Hill.

Even after the busy Saturday, many volunteers turned up for training the next day.

“I was doing some assessment and training with members on Sunday at Darkes Forest, with members that had been out on the Saturday doing flood work … that goes to show the commitment of our volunteers,” Craig said.

“They’ll do operations all day and then if they’re committed to training courses and those courses are going [ahead], they’ll do those on the Sunday.”

Craig was first on-scene after being notified that a man was trapped on top of his vehicle, which had been washed into the fast-flowing Hacking River at Otford Causeway.

Photos: Craig Robertson, Karen Elward

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Festival spirit thrives in Thirroul

By artist Christine Hill

Once a year Thirroul comes alive with the Festival spirit, this year over the weekend of May 31-June 2.

Kicking off the Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival will be the awe-inspiring Art Prize Exhibition opening on Friday evening and showing all weekend at the Thirroul Community Centre & Library, with hundreds of artworks – paintings, sculptures and photography for sale.

Sunday at the park is a big day by the beach. It’s a family fun day with carnival rides, market and food stalls, kids’ activities, live music and much more!

Artists should now submit their entries for the art show at thirroulestival.com.au

Entries must be received by May 15. After entries are submitted, artists must await email confirmation that they are ‘in the system’ before making entry payment.

Results are in!

Part 6 in Peter Aubourg’s Diary of an EV Driver

I have been testing out my new EV charger for six weeks and the results look pretty good. The Evnex charger has a control system that diverts excess solar power directly to the car battery. This means that the majority of the power for the car comes straight from the solar panels and not from the grid. “Solar Sponge” is one of the terms used to describe how these types of systems lap up all the excess solar power.

Now, I know that I was trying to get “free power”, but there were a few times that we had to charge directly from the grid. Cloudy days, days when it was sunny in the morning and we were out, and then cloudy in the afternoon when we were home.

There were also times when we needed to be fully charged for a longer trip and needed to top up using power from the grid. But as they say, “perfect is the enemy of good” and the results overall were good.

Eighty percent of the power to run our car for 1700km over the six weeks came directly from our

Please carefully read the website details for Art Entries Terms & Conditions.

Of course, an event like this needs many volunteer helpers to run smoothly, and the art team greatly value the volunteer Helpers who join them every year to spend a few hours at the Community Centre. If you have time to assist over the weekend of the exhibition, please contact the art team and let them know times you might be available, from Wednesday, 29th May (delivery day) to Sunday, 2nd June’s afternoon finish.

This year, Bulli High School’s Creative Arts students will also be displaying artwork in the Community Centre. This is a first for the Festival art show, and it will be a wonderful encouragement to all those talented young people to know so many visitors have admired their inspiration and creativity.

Continuing the local theme, the principal of Bulli High School, Ms Denise James, will be the Guest Speaker for the opening on Friday night, 31st May.

Artist Enquiries: enquiriesthirroulfestival@ gmail.com. Helper Enquiries: volunteersartthirroul.2@gmail.com

solar panels. Based on our current electricity charges, the cost to run the car was $15 (less than the cost of a few cups of coffee!). As a comparison, if we only bought power directly from the grid, it would have cost us $79, and if we had been buying diesel for our previous Nissan Qashqai, it would have cost $228.

The cost savings on fuel alone, compared to running the Qashqai, would be over $1800 per year and I estimate the savings on maintenance would be half as much again.

So, the combination of the MG4 and the EVNEX solar tracking charger has definitely lived up to expectations in terms of cost savings. And, the car itself is quiet, smooth and accelerates really fast when you need it.

New single ‘moody but dreamy’

By Coledale musician Alysha de Ruyter

Music always brings me back to myself. I grew up in the Illawarra always passionate about singing, but moved to Sydney several years for my studies. After finishing at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor in Contemporary Music (Honours), I’ve returned to my family home and this welcoming area.

While at the Conservatorium, I spent my final year working on an album under the mentorship of Toby Martin (Youth Group), the indie folk singer-songwriter who recently visited our own Frank’s Wild Years to debut a new release. His guidance was helped me refine my songwriting skills and give me the confidence to share honest lyrics.

One of the songs that came out of this process was Broken, which I’ve just released under the name Alysha de.

The song is a moody but dreamy exploration of overcoming trauma, layering acoustic guitar and

vocals into an ambient wash of sound. Broken was recorded live with my drummer MJ Whyte and bassist Faisal Hussain at the Conservatorium studio before we completed the production from my bedroom. I love how it’s come together, as the rhythmic layers help propel the verses and allow the music to envelop a listener.

Although Broken is one of my sadder and more dramatic pieces, I find the modal sound and repetitious loops provide a soothing place for my mind to be. Writing the song helped me move past my own emotional wounds, and I hope that listening can help people heal the same way.

Broken has been shared on the Sydney-based radio station 2ser, played live at Society City Wollongong with my band Sand People, and at the Coledale RSL over Easter celebrations. I’m loving being back in my beautiful hometown to share my music, gigging locally with my brother as Andre and Alysha de.

I now look forward to the release of my next single, Love Never Had A Chance, which is a bit more upbeat, while in keeping with the indie folk and ambient soundscape of Broken

To hear about releases, gigs and events, follow @alysha_de._ on Instagram or Andre and Alysha de on Facebook. Hear Broken by Alysha de on streaming services like Spotify

Singers pass the baton

By SPAT president Sonia Westwood

SPAT is thrilled to announce that Lindy Sharp has taken on the baton as the new director for the SPAT Singers. She will be very ably assisted by Rosemary Bauer and all the other members of the group.

Lindy has been a member of SPAT for 40 years and has rarely missed being part of a SPAT Singers performance – as well as starring in many other theatrical productions.

She has had a lot of experience directing vocal groups whilst working as a high school music teacher in the Illawarra for 33 years. Lindy is looking forward to continuing the SPAT Singers tradition of presenting music from a diverse range of genres, following in the footsteps of the founding and long-term leader Rod Lander. His was the vision and the dedication that created the lasting legacy that we hope to continue.

Another of the popular ‘afternoon tea’ Soiree shows, which we presented at Hillcrest House last year, is planned for late June or early July. Audience numbers will be limited to 40, so watch out for advance notice to ‘book the date’.

The Singers meet at the Stanwell Park CWA Hall on Friday nights at 7.30pm and all are welcome. Come along for some singing, socialising and perhaps a glass of wine as well! We look forward to an exciting musical journey ahead.

And don’t forget SPAT’s Improv workshop followed by a night of theatre sports in June, plus our upcoming production of Things I know to be True by Andrew Bovell as well. Lots on!

Enquiries to spartstheatre@gmail.com or visit spat.org.au

Plan to honour hotel’s history

By Marcus Craft

The new owners of the heritage-listed Scarborough Hotel have big plans for the pub, but we won’t see them do anything on the site until it officially changes hands in July 2025.

Glenn Piper, chief executive of Epochal Hotels, bought the landmark pub from WIN Corporation for $9.5 million in a deal that was announced on April 2.

The Scarborough Hotel is located on more than 3900sq m of clifftop, oceanfront land and, before this sale, WIN had owned the now 138-year-old hotel, Wollongong’s oldest licensed venue, for 40 years.

Glenn says he’ll be “hands-on” in the pub’s development, while retaining its historical character.

“I definitely lead the design, the inspiration, the vision for the site, and I then engage experts to execute that: so from the food and beverage, executive chefs, external consultants for the design.”

Glenn says he’s always had a strong affinity with “the water and the ocean”, so the Scarborough Hotel is a natural fit for him and the team of silent investors behind this deal, some of whom are South Coast residents.

“Typically what I’m attracted to are these heritage buildings, which have been operating for decades, sometimes over a century, such as the Scarborough.

“Quite often they are the oldest building in the community. And what I’m passionate about is making sure the location and the format share and celebrate the history of the area. We don’t look for inspiration outside of the local community.

“Before we do anything, we actually engage a historian to feed us all the different stories and characters that we could potentially draw some inspiration from for the design, so then once we have that, we continue the process.

“We use that to inform the design, the food and beverage – all the way down to what the customers want, what the staff are wearing in their uniform selection…”

Epochal Hotels is in the very early stages of its pre-handover process, so Glenn is reluctant to hint at any potential upcoming design, themes or even menus for the Scarborough Hotel.

“There have been certain characters that have been quite prominent through that pub, or publicans that had a pretty big impact on not just the Scarborough, but throughout the area.

“We’re still early days, so we’re just collecting information at the moment.”

Glenn Piper and his family. Photo supplied

Home improvements to increase the value of your home

By Ian Pepper of Ray White Helensburgh

Want to add 10%-15% to your property’s value? Not all renovations will make you a tidy profit when you come to sell your property.

Many home improvement projects don’t add value to your home, especially in a down market. In fact, some improvements can even detract from the asking price when you decide to sell. On the other hand, some projects can add significant value to your home.

So which home improvement projects should you invest in, and which projects should you avoid? The Peppers Real Estate team from Ray White Helensburgh have come up with an e-book which includes some helpful tips for home improvement projects that increase the value of your home, and touch on some home improvement projects to avoid altogether!

Simply text Ian on 0403 570 041 or Josh on 0437 790 052 to get your free e-book today.

PARTNER CONTENT

Ian Pepper 0403 570 041 | ian.pepper@raywhite.com

Josh Pepper 0437 790 052 | joshua.pepper@raywhite.com

Office: 32 Walker Street, Helensburgh

Phone: 02 4294 9980

Email: lynda@babisterlegal.com.au www.babisterlegal.com.au

Incredible music, exceptional art and a friendly cup of tea

With Felicity Woodhill, founder of InpireMusicAustralia

Every month the BlueScope Gallery at Wollongong Art Gallery fills with an audience of all ages to hear some of Australia’s leading young musicians perform along with exceptional local talent. These concerts often include the premiere of new compositions by the performers and other contemporary composers.

Our young audience who regularly attend from Planet Childcare, Coledale opened the December concert with songs accompanied by a trio: Sarah Zhu on viola, Paul Nicolaou on harp and James Monro on cello. In April this trio took their concert to Canberra, where they again played to a full house. Creating live performance opportunities is the most important way for the community to support the musical journey of our next generation of musicians.

In May the Emerging Concert Artists Series celebrates 20 performances at Music & Tea at the Gallery. These concerts have featured 41 passionate and dedicated young musicians from across NSW with a strong focus on performers from the Illawarra and Southern Highlands.

Volunteers make it happen and keep it FREE An increasing number of volunteers contribute to the production of the event.

Diane manages front of house. Joining the team at our first concert in August 2022, she has not skipped a concert. Her calm, ordered approach is greatly appreciated.

Therese has come on board to assist with organisation on the day, from handing out programs to making the tea and biscuit service run

smoothly. My daughter, violinist Cedar Newman, also regularly volunteers her time for the concert set up, pack up and tea service.

Chelsea Caligari is our wonderful professional photographer who captures the artists in action and the ambience of the concerts. The photographic journal of the concert is important for the artists and our marketing. Cheryl Tucker from Bowral proofs the copy of the program. Artist Shining Rainbow is another member of the community who has been captivated by the young musicians and contributes her time to help create the flyers and programs for the concerts.

Fundraiser for Emerging Artist Concerts InspireMusicAus is a newly formed not-for-profit committed to providing more live music performance opportunities for emerging classical, jazz and world musicians, and to making live music accessible for all community members.

Most of our concerts are entry by donation, and the model works. Our first series, Concerts Across the Lawn, started during Covid-19 and has become very popular. Our Emerging Concert Artist Series has seen positive growth in donations, helping to cover musicians’ performance fees.

Yet running a concert series is expensive and requires more than just artist fees. We are launching a fundraising campaign via the Australian Cultural Fund – all donations through this fund will be tax deductible.

Follow us on Facebook @inspiremusicaust and on Instagram @inspiremusic.aus

Planet Childcare are regular concert goers.

Photo: Chelsea Caligari

Great jazz in the Gong – thanks to Eric!

Former WollCon jazz student Alec Watts celebrates his mentor, Eric Dunan

Wollongong has put itself on the map as a jazz town! We have jazz in schools, at the mall, in our libraries, on the radio and at community events. Often our young musicians go on to the top jazz schools and carve out successful careers.

The enthusiasm for jazz in our community comes from a collective awakening nudged along ‘just’ a little by trumpeter, jazz musician and teacher Eric Dunan.

Eric is passionate about music and sharing his expertise. There is always a cohort of Wollongong students in the Sydney Conservatorium’s Bachelor of Jazz Performance, the most prestigious jazz course in Australia.

Following his departure in April from Wollongong Conservatorium, the base for Eric’s teaching and jazz programs for the past 20 years, it’s time to pay tribute to the band man.

As the race to replace human action with AI speeds up, keeping ‘Live Music Alive’ has never been more important. Many are hoping Eric stays in town and continues to share the joy of jazz.

I was a student of Eric’s, after starting saxophone in high school. Eric showed me how to realise my goals through opportunities in various bands, and

going on tour to America! Eric inspired me to pursue jazz. He introduced me to communities and lifelong friends; guided me to Sydney Conservatorium; modelled what an educator could achieve. Now I teach and conduct a band of my own. I struggle with where I fit in, but music has given me more than I could have imagined. Thank you Eric, you deserve all the love in the world.

To find out what’s next for Eric Dunan, visit www.wollongongjazz.com

Alec Watts with trumpeter Eric Dunan at Wollongong Art Gallery last year.

New beachwalks booklet

Geoff Whale tells Genevieve Swart about his new guide, Northern Illawarra Beachwalks

Please tell us a bit about yourself. My wife and I moved to Bulli from Botany in 2021. Semi-retired from an IT business analyst role at UNSW after 35 years as an academic, I found working remotely in such a relaxed environment so much preferable to the bustling eastern suburbs of Sydney.

I’ve been a bushwalker through later adult life, and with a young family in the late 1990s spent many summers on day walks in Kosciuszko National Park. The official walking brochures lacked detail (and proper maps), so in 2003 I self-published Family Bushwalks in the Snowy Mountains, which has sold over 3000 copies.

My favourite place is the mostly trackless alpine region east of the Main Range, a remote landscape of wildflowers, imposing peaks, majestic granite formations and pristine mountain streams.

Key elements of the book are the detailed topographic maps, assembled using custom software, GPS tracks and licensed geoscience data.

Where did you learn map-making?

As a lecturer in Engineering I would try to convey techniques for transforming raw data into information that improves people’s lives in some way. That applies very much to geographic data, and newer ways of presenting maps make the publication process relatively straightforward.

What does your booklet cover?

It identifies typical walking conditions along the coast from Stanwell Park to Coniston, plus Otford to Bald Hill and the Sea Cliff Bridge; it discusses tides and hazards; it lists points of interest and nearby cafés. It’s for locals and visitors alike.

What inspired you to produce it?

Like most Sydneysiders, I knew little about the Illawarra coastline and what makes it special. I soon came to appreciate the Illawarra geography, with its stretches of beaches joined by rock platforms, compared to the high headlands and often crowded walkways of coastal Sydney.

Long, contiguous journeys beckon; and since bushwalkers dislike out-and-back walks, there’s the train line for the return leg, an easy 10- or 20-minute walk from any beach.

Producing a compact, information-rich booklet seemed an obvious step. It should encourage planning a route that makes effective use of low-tide accessibility, while emphasising safety and hazard awareness.

What’s the best part of writing a local guide? You get to explore beyond just the obvious routes. For example, there’s a surprisingly remote feel to the rugged coast north of Wombarra, where you can find the historically popular “ghost” rock pools such as Doctors Pool (still extant) and Clifton pool (remnant). This is the most difficult of the walks, mostly on boulders with a steep scramble at Clifton.

What were the most challenging aspects?

Striking a balance between recording what’s likely to be encountered months ahead, while acknowledging that seas and weather will alter the beachscape. Have I emphasised risk awareness enough (such as taking the headland alternative when the route ahead is awash or looks unsafe) without discouraging moderately fit people from enjoying the full experience? Should I deter walkers from visiting the unfenced Sea Cliff Bridge lookout? (I haven’t, but there are warnings.)

What did you learn?

Tides, it’s all about tides. Many of the rock shelves are just below mean sea level, so they’re only passable for a few hours each day. The Illawarra Flame’s tide summary is OK for planning, though smartphone weather apps’ full daily tide profiles are more comprehensive.

Northern Illawarra Beachwalks is available for the price of a coffee from Collins Thirroul, Southern Gateway, or Bushcraft Equipment in the city, or order online at bcw.grwpub.info. Email grw171@gmail.com

Photo: Tyneesha Williams

Yarning Poetry with Anne-Marie

By Tyneesha Williams

Anne-Marie Te Whiu is a Maori-Australian editor, weaver, writer, festival director and cultural producer. Her work is led by a deep sense of connection, to herself, her community and the places they inhabit.

“I am my community and my family – I am from these lands but also New Zealand,” Anne-Marie says. “My whakapapa belongs to the Te Rarawa iwi from Hokianga in Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand. I definitely do not call any specific place home. Home is here, at the moment. There’s always an ‘at the moment’.”

Anne-Marie lived in Port Kembla for three years, running writing programs and enjoying the beach.

“I cherish Port Kembla … especially The Servo and the beach. I have a very deep love of the Illawarra, the South Coast Writers Centre.”

Anne-Marie says that, in her 20 years in the arts, all of her career highlights have been about human connections. “I try to connect people and bring people together. It’s in all of my projects, it was the anchor point for Woven.”

Woven, edited by Anne-Marie and published by Magabala Books, will feature at July’s South Coast Writers Festival.

“I was honoured to be able to facilitate international Indigenous poetic conversations that resulted in this incredible collection of work.”

Woven is a poetry anthology of 30 Indigenous voices from Australia and around the world. It is the culmination of a writing program named “Fair Trade” that Anne-Marie facilitated at Red Room Poetry, where she was cultural producer from 2019-2023. It also includes poetry by six First Nations writers Anne-Marie met while working at Qtopia Sydney and curating the First Nations Queer Languages exhibition.

Anne-Marie is now working on her own debut poetry collection, Mettle, set to be published by University of Queensland Press in February 2025.

“It’ll be my actual own words, for the first time.”

On Saturday, July 13, she will appear at the South Coast Writers Festival at Thirroul Community Centre, presenting ‘Yarning Poetry’ with Kirli Saunders and Judi Morrison. She will also feature in a poetry-reading showcase.

“I hope that they hear from me a different way to know what it means to be Maori-Australian, part of this diaspora, and I also really hope that people are motivated not only to read, but to buy the books, go to a library – literacy is power,” Anne-Marie says.

What’s On at the Writers Centre

By Elizabeth Heffernan of SCWC

Join local South Coast writers at two exciting author events in May.

On Sunday 19th, participants of the South Coast Writers Centre’s 2024 Emerging & Established Writers Group Retreat will share insights into their current writing projects and the unique writer-in-residence experience at Bundanon with SCWC director Dr Sarah Nicholson.  It’s on from 1-2pm at The Boyd Education Centre, Bundanon.

Then, on Saturday 25th, join in on the Sydney Writers Festival action with Live & Local 2024. This day-long event includes a live stream of panels from Sydney Writers Festival, alongside in-person panels featuring local writers. The local panels, curated by SCWC, will include Siobhan

O’Brien, Lyn Hughes, Suzanne Leal, Catherine Cole and Christine Sykes. 10am-5pm at The Music Lounge, Wollongong Town Hall.

Also in May, learn the tips and tricks to the editing and publishing industry with a half-day masterclass by Bernadette Foley. This intensive workshop will help participants understand what publishers are looking for in a new book pitch. Limited places remain. Saturday, 18th May, 10.30am-3pm at Coledale Hall.

And don’t miss the launch of Volume 12 of Dreaming Inside: Voices from Junee Correctional Centre. Presented by special guest Graham Ackhurst, author of Borderland, and Ngana Barangarai (Black Wallaby) project leader and Wollongong’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, Aunty Barbara Nicholson. Thursday 23rd May, 6-8.30pm, at Wollongong Art Gallery. Tickets by donation.

Visit southcoastwriters.org

It’s Thyroid Awareness Month

By Dr Helen Maclean of Bulli Medical Practice

The thyroid gland is in the front of the neck on either side of your trachea (windpipe). It is responsible for making thyroid hormones (known as T3 and T4), which are vital hormones for your body’s growth and development, and for managing/ regulating metabolism. The thyroid gland is controlled by parts of your brain known as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Thyroid conditions

anxiety, palpitations and high blood pressure. Both conditions are readily diagnosable and treatable. Iodine is a crucial requirement in our diets to maintain healthy thyroid function. Iodine deficiency is increasing in Australia, so supplementation is important in certain populations like pregnant and breast-feeding women (due to increased demands).

People can have an underactive gland (hypothyroidism) or an overactive gland (hyperthyroidism). Thyroid disorders are common, but it is estimated over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid condition.

The most common cause of underactive thyroid is an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is particularly common in women and can present with symptoms including fatigue, constipation, cold intolerance and hair thinning.

The most common form of overactive thyroid is an autoimmune condition known as Graves’ disease. Common symptoms include weight loss,

Another thyroid condition is congenital hypothyroidism, where a newborn has either an absent/small or under-functioning thyroid gland. This is screened for, as part of the newborn screening test, but can lead to significant growth and development issues in the infant if undetected.

Thyroid cancer is increasing in Australia but is generally treatable and has a good prognosis.

In summary, thyroid conditions are common but, in general, are very treatable. If you notice any lumps in the front of your neck or feel you may have any of the symptoms outlined above, please ask your GP for a thyroid check.

More info: Thyroid Foundation & Health Direct

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:

Travel medicine

How a writing competition fosters belonging

By Genevieve Swart

Cash prizes of up to $150 are on offer in the 2024 Refugee Week Creative Expressions Competition but for many entrants the chance to share their story is the real reward.

“We want people to be able to express themselves – that’s the main reason why we run the writing competition,” says Amro Zoabe, projects manager at Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS), which organises the annual event in partnership with the South Coast Writers Centre (SCWC).

Many IMS clients come from countries where there is no freedom of speech. “So it’s common for them to be scared to be reserved … we want to change that. We want to empower them to be able to speak their mind, to tell their story and also to learn English better.”

Finding housing and jobs are two of the biggest challenges that local refugees face, Amro says, and speaking English is the key to success in both. Learning English helps people fill out forms, cope with baffling new bureaucracy, earn a living, make friends and put down roots in their new home.

Amro knows all this first-hand.

“I was born in Syria in 2000 and I lived there until I was 13. So in 2011, when I was 11 years old, the Syrian Revolution started. As you might be aware, it escalated quickly into like a civil war. So it became unsafe. We tried to stay in our home. We tried to stay in our city, we tried to stay in our country, but eventually we had to leave.”

In 2013, when Amro was 13, his family left Syria for Jordan, where they lived for three years.

“Jordan was safe, like physically safe, but we were living in very poor conditions. For example,

we weren’t allowed to work. Also, there was no charities, no support, no nothing…

“So we had to work illegally, of course.

“I worked at a makeup store for three years, as a makeup salesman.”

For Amro and his brother, life was harder as their mum and dad were older parents, practically pensioners. “After the war as well, their health really took a turn for the worse. So when we were in Jordan, they couldn’t work. They were like really reliant on my brother and I.

“So my brother and I would work sometimes 60 hours a week.

“I didn’t want to stop going to school … so I would work eight hours after school. But I couldn’t work more and we needed more money to actually pay the rent and pay for the food.”

Between 2013 and 2016, the situation in Syria deteriorated, so there was no chance of returning. Amro worried about his future, with sick and ageing parents and no prospect of being able to pay for university. “One semester would be equivalent of my annual income.

“Luckily, my uncle was living in Australia and we applied to come to Australia as refugees. He was like a sponsor.”

In 2016, when Amro was 16, the family moved to Australia. He did an intensive English course, went to Keira High School and is now in his sixth year of studying at the University of Wollongong. “I’ve been doing a double degree, so electrical engineering and business analytics.”

And all the while, Amro has been working. He started in entry level jobs as a kitchen hand and a waiter but thanks to his fluency in English and Arabic, he found work as a research assistant, a mental health support worker and, for the past four years, as a social services worker at IMS. He has now risen to become the project coordinator.

“I genuinely love my job,” he says.

In April, IMS launched its fifth annual Refugee Week Creative Expressions Competition. This year’s theme is “Finding Freedom: Family” and winners will be announced at a formal dinner on June 28 at Wollongong Town Hall.

Every year since the competition began in 2020, Amro says writers have reflected on the importance of having a physical place to belong to. “Especially our refugee clients, they do want to feel like they do belong to the local community.”

L to R: Amro Zoabe, projects manager at Illawarra Multicultural Services, with 2023 writing competition winner Shahed Al Jasry and Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.

Photo supplied by IMS

Postcard from the Red Baron’s plane

By Local Studies librarian Jenny McConchie

When German flying ace the Red Baron was shot down by Australian soldiers in World War I, Ernest Tibbetts from Corrimal was among those who witnessed the event. This postcard (pictured), which he sent to his mother, was written on a piece of plywood he scavenged from the baron’s plane.

Local Studies staff were excited to become involved when the current owner needed help tracking down descendants of the Tibbetts family. Much detective work on our part has resulted in the rediscovery of letters that Ernest wrote describing what he saw when the plane came down.

Ernest is one of the men and women honoured on the Wollongong City Libraries Illawarra Remembers website, which contains profiles of WW1 service men and women from the Illawarra. Members of the public are invited to submit additional information via the website so that we can build on the personal stories of those who served our nation.

The inscription on postcard is: “France, piece of aeroplane of famous squadron commander Cav. Capt Baron von Richthofen, who achieved 79 victories. Brought down behind Hamel by 18th Aus. Bde. M.G. fire on 21st April, 1918.”

Gifts for every Mum

With the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul

Little Angler is a lovely new lift-the-flap board book from local Zoe Gaetjens, with illustrations from Heidi McKinnon. Zoe will be holding a special story time for the under-5s between 2.30-3.30pm on Saturday, 11th May in the bookstore. Register your interest by emailing thirroul@collinsbooks.com.au. Then Sunday 12th is the day to celebrate our mothers or those special others who love and care for us when we need mothering. A puzzle or game, charming piece of stationery, or something to read? Of course, we believe there’s no better gift than a book! We have an abundance of beautiful picture books as well as all the latest releases in fiction and non-fiction. The bookstore has something for every taste. Happy Mother’s Day!

Time to manage a men’s shed

Janice Creenaune meets Dave Read, a long-term Austinmer resident and past railway employee for Sydney Trains. Now, in retirement, he manages the Thirroul Men’s Shed. Photo by Janice Creenaune.

At 73, Dave Read could sit back after a long career with Sydney Trains and time at the Steelworks, and relax. Instead he chooses to manage the day-to-day running of Thirroul Men’s Shed, overseeing jobs, and ensuring the safe use of machinery.

“Currently there are about 60 members in our group and we always have a few on the waiting list, but there may be opportunities for new members in the future,” Dave says. “We do need good participating members and, of course, raising funds to pay for materials, rent on the Railway property etc is always essential.”

Dave spent his entire career in the metal trades but it was wood that always appealed. “Even at school, I’d work on a job and I was often pleasantly surprised at how well the job appeared when I finished. One of my fondest memories is carrying home my finished coffee table from school in Newcastle, UK, where it remained in pride of place. So, in retirement I picked the skills up again, three days a week. The Men’s Shed has all we need, especially in our newer premises and often we work together on community projects as well as our individual pursuits.”

Dave enjoys making things with his hands and Huon pine is a favourite material of his.

“I love it when somebody donates a beautiful piece of timber. Good timber, good tools and the development of worthy skills make all the difference to the finished product.”

There are many different abilities and skills employed among the group, but camaraderie stands out, as well as skill building within the Shed’s members.

“Some have never had the opportunity to hone skills while one member wins prizes at the Royal Easter Show. We are a varied bunch. We have worked on some quite big projects. The picnic tables at Scarborough-Wombarra Bowling Club was one such project. We made 10 for the club and they are a substantial job and certainly quality, built to last out in the open space. We have also made some for Fairy Meadow Bowling Club and a local coffee shop. It can be a good earner for our shed, but it does take three to four men working

constantly for at least two weeks on one table. A lot of work goes into them.

“Part of my job is to oversee and ensure everyone remains on task. The jobs need to be done and expectations are high for quality.”

The Shed also works on signs by request and fixing damaged furniture.

“We simply try to help the local community whenever we can, as well as working on our own projects.”

Dave says the Thirroul Men’s Shed offers more than wood products within its shed.

“We also have a metalwork room with some group projects happening, but we are fortunate in having one experienced metal-worker to lead the way.”

The photography group is another option for Men’s Shed members and they assist each other with programs, discussion groups and generally sort out problems for each other.

Skill-building for local men is an obvious consequence of the facility. The shed offers even more – men discuss anything and everything as they work and three to four times a year Health Talks are included in the program targeted specifically for men.

“Some come in just for a chat some days,” Dave says. “It is a place where long-term friendships have been forged. It is no doubt very social, but also where friends are looked after and, if a member has been missing-in-action for a few weeks, local member Wolfgang Kulick follows up to see where we may be able to help.

“There is great camaraderie amongst the group as many have been members for years and we all support each other.”

For Dave, as manager of Thirroul Men’s Shed, his role is “to hold The Shed together”, keep communal tasks flowing and help to provide a safe environment in which all may work. How he manages to also produce his own practical and beautiful pieces in wood is a prime example of skill development at its best.

Janice is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com

A colourful cultivator

By Bob Pymm of Helensburgh Men’s Shed

Well, it is now! This cultivator turned up at the Men’s Shed not so long ago looking really like a pile of rusty junk. It hadn’t tilled the soil for a very long time.

Then Wayne (pictured), our mechanics guru, took up the challenge of restoring it and getting it going. Some months later, after a lot of TLC, creative engineering and sourcing of new parts, it is nearly ready to start its new life.

At the same time, out came Wayne’s creative and colourful side. He made the most of all those odds and ends of paint we often have left over but can somehow never steel ourselves to throw away. The cultivator is now a colourful going concern and looking for a new home with a community garden or similar not-for-profit organisation.

So, if you’re feeling a bit rusty yourself and could do with a bit of brightening up, think about checking out the Shed. If you are a bloke over 18 (though we do tend to be a lot over 18!) it really is a great place to just hang out, chat, learn new skills or share some with others, work on a project or potter around creating something – the day just flies by!

Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed at 199A Parkes Street any Monday or Tuesday, 9am to 3pm to find out more. 0478 892 485; helensburghmensshed.org.au

Tree of the Month

By Kieran Tapsell, of Banksia Bushcare

Toona

Ciliata (Red Cedar)

Red Cedar is famous for its furniture timber. It also has a bloody history with the arrival of the first cedar cutters in the Illawarra in 1810 and the subsequent conflict with the Aboriginal people. Most of the cedars were cut down and attempts to grow them commercially failed because of the Cedar Tip Moth, which does not kill the tree but causes it to become multi-stemmed, making it useless for timber.

Red Cedar is very fast growing in the right conditions and can grow to 50 metres. The juvenile tree has smooth bark, but as it matures, it becomes scaly and fissured. There are some fine examples along Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal National Park as well as behind the Stanwell Park Kiosk planted in the 1980s. It is one of the few native deciduous trees, with leaves falling in autumn and growing back in early December.

Image taken in Helensburgh

NATURAL

Help conserve Helensburgh’s natural places by reporting illegal dumping, more info overpage

LET’S GET RID OF ILLEGAL DUMPING

Scan to report illegal dumping

The Environment Protection Authority, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and your local council have joined forces to tackle the problem of illegal dumping.

The Environment Protection Authority, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and your local council have joined forces to tackle the problem of illegal dumping.

The Southern Regional Illegal Dumping Program operates in your area with specialist investigators that:

Investigate and find illegal dumpers and illegal landfill Take action against offenders.

Lets all work to get RID of illegal dumpers. For more information call 131 555.

Thirroul Village Committee Update

By TVC secretary Annette Jones

Thirroul Plaza

Thirroul Plaza Developments Pty Ltd has appointed a development manager, Solid Void, to formulate a new development vision and Master Plan for the Thirroul Village Plaza site in the centre of Thirroul. To assist with this Solid Void has appointed a consultancy firm, Urban Concepts, to help them with the project.

Urban Concepts has a range of initiatives called UrbanTalk to keep residents and businesses informed. This includes the UrbanTalk Project Listing, which acts as an online community information hub for the project.

An extensive community consultation process with residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders will extend over the next 12 months. The consultation process has started with the ‘Big Ideas Community Survey’.

Please use this link – https://www.urbantalk. com.au/projects/thirroul-plaza – to access the survey as well as information about the survey. To start the survey head to the end of the initial page and click on ‘Take the Survey’. It takes around 15 minutes to complete and will run until Monday,

NIRAG/NF3 Report

By NIRAG secretary Ross Dearden

The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) supports preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage.

Since 2020 Neighbourhood Forum 3 (Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer) has not had a convenor and residents have been welcome to attend NIRAG quarterly meetings to discuss and contribute to local community issues and concerns.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm at the Bulli Community Centre (in the upstairs

27th May. The TVC encourages the community to get involved and have their say on this important development.

Should you have issues with accessing the survey online, contact UrbanTalk on 1800 828 255 and they will post a copy of the survey and a reply-paid envelope to you.

We invite residents to take time to participate in this survey. The findings from the ‘Big Ideas Community Survey’ will provide insights into the community’s ideas for redeveloping the Plaza site.

McCauley Lodge

The TVC has been advised that the conciliation conference between Wollongong City Council and Fresh Hope Care has been adjourned to allow the parties time to continue without prejudice discussions. The parties are currently scheduled to meet again on 22nd April, although an extension till 29th April has been requested. It is anticipated that a decision, one way or the other, should be reached by the end of the month.

Wilkies Walk

People heading to McCauley Beach, via McCauley Estate would have noticed work has commenced on the land behind Panmills Drive. This work involves land clearing, building of retaining walls and installation of services. According to the developer it is anticipated this work should be completed by early November 2024.

In addition, work on the relocation of Wilkies Walk should be completed by the end of June 2024.

Visit the TVC stall at Thirroul Beach on Sunday, June 2 at the Seaside and Arts Festival

meeting room). Council officers will be attending to outline the Draft Delivery Program 2022-2026 and Operational Plan 2024-2025, which has the principal activities that Council will implement to achieve the longterm objectives in the Community Strategic Plan. The Delivery Program accounts for Council’s stewardship of the community’s longterm goals, outlining what it intends to do. The Plan will be on exhibition from Wednesday, 10 April to Tuesday, 7 May.

Minutes of previous meetings are on the Flame’s website. For more information or to add items to the agenda email nirag@bigpond.com

Next meeting: Wed, 1 May, 7pm at Bulli

Say hola to Memo’s place

Stanwell Park has its first botanero, writes Genevieve Swart

Mexican music producer turned chef Guillermo Batiz recently launched his dream ‘botanero’ at Husk, on the corner of Lawrence Hargrave Drive and Stanwell Avenue at Stanwell Park. For some customers, though, the concept has been lost in translation.

“I’ve been having trouble trying to rebrand the place,” Guillermo says. “Because if I say ‘cafe’ people don’t even look at the menu board. They just immediately assume that I’m going to make bacon and egg rolls. I do … but I don’t want to.

“I have guacamole on toast, not avo on toast, you know? So it’s trying to change what people thought this place was.

“It’s not a cafe and it’s not a restaurant, that’s for sure. I don’t want those titles.

“It’s called ‘botanero’, which means ‘a place where you get snacks’. That’s how you would literally translate it from Spanish to English. But it sounds bad in English. Japanese people have really good concepts of that and it’s called ‘omakase’ in Japan, which is ‘let someone else do it’.

“Right now, it’s Memo’s place, that’s all. When you come here, it’s like this is my house. You are welcome.”

Guillermo emigrated 15 years ago after falling in love with Tamryn Bennett, an Australian on holiday in Mexico. Fittingly, they met over coffee.

“She was travelling with a friend and they met me at a cafe [Mexico City’s Cafe Tacuba]. There was no tables for them so they sat down with me and we just started talking … And look at me now, it’s 15 years later. We have two kids and we’re happy.”

The couple’s eldest boy is five, their youngest was 14 weeks, only slightly older than the new business.

Guillermo plans to open Husk in the afternoons once he has more staff. “I have to do the baking, the logistics, the administration, the service in the kitchen. Sometimes I’m the barista as well. But I’m having so much fun.

“I love cooking, like it’s my hobby. When I close down the cafe, I’m still here, inventing stuff.”

His ‘Burrito of the Day’ is a stand-out feature on a menu inspired by what’s in season. Behind each meal is a story, whether it’s about memories of his nana’s cooking or the chef who gave him the recipe.

“You have to talk to me if you want to know what is in it,” he says. “Customers, they’re not just getting food, they are getting an experience, they’re getting a story. Sometimes, if I have time, I make guacamole at the table for them.”

The botanero focuses on whole foods, like a biodynamic kitchen, he says. “I don’t prep things. Everything’s done to order… I cut my own steaks, I do my own fish, I do my own baking … just to make it 100% sure; I know it’s gluten-free because I made it.”

He aims to avoid food waste. “I’m going with the seasons as much as possible. I used plums the other week, I’ve used pistachios.

“My bin bags are really light because I compost, then that compost goes to the farm in Otford.”

Like many cafe owners, Guillermo is struggling with the cost of living, but has a five-year plan to keep him motivated. In Mexico, he says, there’s a saying: “Don’t take the finger off the line, as in when you’re reading a book, or you won’t get it.

“I’m going to stick to it.”

The cost of a cuppa is rising and Husk charges the now standard $5 for a regular flat white. Guillermo says his prices are “fair” and that customers need to take into account the high cost of operating a cafe. “Fifty percent or more of my earnings goes to pay the employees. So it’s really hard for a hospitality business nowadays to stay afloat or get ahead because of the wages.”

Husk is open from 6.30am-3.30pm and Guillermo intends to offer takeaway dinners that may be pre-ordered in the afternoon. He also plans to rebrand – look out for a name change soon –and start his own social media accounts. For the moment, he’s inviting locals to simply drop in and discover the joys of a botanero.

“Just pop in. We make our own cakes, I try to make the most of them gluten-free. It’s a great place, I’ve been dreaming about this place for 24 years.

“The only thing is to come and experience the place. That’s all.”

Guillermo Batiz. Photo: Melanie Russell

Focus Apple ‘Granny Smith’

Jo Fahey reports from Darkes Glenbernie Orchard

We are just finishing harvest of our Granny Smith so it’s the perfect time to stock up.

Granny Smith Apples, are known for their versatility and can be incorporated into a wide array of dishes and uses beyond the simple pleasure of biting into them fresh.

Most people are used to transforming them into comforting baked goods. From classic apple pies to apple crumble muffins, the possibilities are endless. They will add moisture and depth to any baked treat.

To celebrate it being ‘Granny’ time of year, here are 10 creative suggestions for using them beyond the norm!

1Granny Smith Apple Salsa: Chop apples with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice for a tangy twist on traditional salsa, perfect for fish tacos.

2Caramelized Apple Grilled Cheese: Thinly slice apples and layer with sharp cheddar on sourdough bread, pan-grill for a sweet and savoury melt.

3Apple Beet Salad: Combine matchstick Granny Smith apples with roasted beets, arugula, and a honey-balsamic dressing for a refreshing salad.

4Pork and Apple Skewers: Skewer marinated pork tenderloin pieces and apple chunks, then grill for a smoky, sweet, and savory dish.

5Apple, Walnut, and Gorgonzola Pizza: Top pizza dough with slices of apple, crumbled gorgonzola, walnuts, and a sprinkle of rosemary.

6Curried Apple Soup: Puree roasted Granny Smith apples with onion, vegetable broth, and curry powder for a creamy, spicy soup.

7Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal: Stir diced apple into oatmeal while cooking, finish with a dash of cinnamon and honey for a cozy breakfast.

8Baked Apple Chips: Thinly slice apples, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake until crispy for a healthy snack.

9Granny Smith Apple Slaw: Shred apples with cabbage, carrot, and a light vinaigrette for a crunchy side dish.

10Spiced Apple Chutney: Simmer chopped apples with vinegar, sugar, ginger, and spices until thickened for a flavourful condiment.

www.darkes.com.au

Orders over $50 free delivery – Sutherland Shire

OPEN 7 DAYS

Visit the AppleShack farm store 10am-4.30pm

Welcome, Friends of Woolyungah

By Jeremy Lasek

In the months since October’s Voice referendum, local Yes supporters have waited, seeking guidance from our First Nations friends about what we can do to salvage something from the wreckage.

At the University of Wollongong on April 9, a new alliance was formed; the Friends of Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC).

Nearly 70 of us pledged our commitment to do whatever we can to support WIC in its endeavours and to keep alive the spirit of friendship and cooperation forged in the referendum campaign.

It was the team at Woolyungah who hosted the launch of the Illawarra Yes campaign in June 2023, and we stood side by side in the months after that.

Wollongong’s 2023 Citizen of the Year, Sally Stevenson, recalled how she made a promise to the Woolyungah leadership team one morning, when a group of campaigners watched the sunrise over Dharawal country just before the referendum, to continue her commitment to the Uluru Statement of the Heart, regardless of the outcome.

She said the Friends of WIC was a chance to do that – to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to support truth telling –and to hold ourselves accountable to our personal commitment to the principles of the Voice.

None of us can understand the pain and the hurt that the rejection of the Voice did to our Indigenous friends.

At the Friends of WIC launch, Woolyungah staff member Jaime King said, “After the referendum, this was the only place that felt safe for me.”

For most of us, this was the first opportunity to hear how our Indigenous allies were feeling and how they were framing their future.

Jaymee Beveridge, the director at WIC, said following the referendum “our people were upset, hurt, it was a very emotional time”.

UOW’s Indigenous staff met off campus “to find an opportunity to rethink our journey? How can we heal together, individually, and as a society?”

It was decided to take a new track.

“We’ve been kidding ourselves that practical reconciliation can work,” Jaymee said.

It seems UOW will make a significant shift, abandoning National Reconciliation Week, which starts at the end of May. “Reconciliation isn’t about one day or one week a year. It needs to be about every decision we make,” Jaymee said.

Tammy Small, the Indigenous Advancement Manager at UOW, shared, “We decided the whole notion of ‘reconciliation’ was sapping the energy of our people. Instead, we’re headed down a healing and recognition track.”

Catherine Moyle, who is Conscious Community Lead at WIC, said Australia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous people had been “reconciling for decades”.

The referendum result proved that it hadn’t worked. “Reconciling is about bringing two relationships back together, but when there hasn’t been a relationship, we can’t reconcile anything – until we start telling the truth,” Catherine said.

Truth telling and recognition will be at the centrepiece of a new UOW Indigenous strategy now under development.

“We will be the first university in Australia to have a dedicated plan like this,” Jaymee said.

Woolyungah’s Catherine Moyle wrapped up our launch, sharing a Maori allegory: “When we lash our wakas (canoes) together it boosts our buoyancy, and the capacity to withstand challenges and help get us to where we’re going…Friends of Woolyungah are an important pontoon for the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.”

To register with the Friends of WIC, email wic-events@uow.edu.au

At left: Friends of Woolyungah at the April launch. Above, L to R: Friends of WIC Jane Robinson, Sallie Moffatt and Mary Fitzpatrick with the Woolyungah team’s new educational resource ‘You Can’t Say That!’ Photos: Jeremy Lasek

Meet the Admin

By University of Wollongong journalism student Zachary Houtenville

Real estate agent Rachael Griffin is part of a team of four vigilant volunteers who are on call at all hours as admins of the busy Woonona/Bulli Community Facebook group.

Established in 2016, Woonona/Bulli Community is a private group with more than 19,000 members. In the past month, it has had about 1400 new posts.

To run a group of this size requires four admins – Rachael, Lachlan Dewsbury, Kristen Hunt and Paul Boultwood, also known for his volunteer work at Corrimal Chamber of Commerce. The admins’ role involves everything from fielding queries to building camaraderie within the community.

Rachael, a real estate agent at First National Wollongong, has lived in the Illawarra since 2004.

“I bought real estate down here, moved and have never left, I love the area,” she said.

Originally only a member of the group, Rachael responded to a previous admin’s post about someone taking her place. Now she is not only an admin of Woonona/Bulli Community Facebook group, but also of the CommUnity Notice Boards for Bulli, Corrimal and Woonona, which each have about 5000 members.

“I think it’s a needed role – people lose dogs, keys and wedding rings,” Rachael said. “It is rewarding that the community bands together for different things.”

Rachael generally dedicates three to four hours a week to managing the group. “Sometimes more and it’s all hours of the day,” she said.

“People message you at 10 o’clock on Friday nights, Saturday nights, Sunday nights. They have no boundaries in contacting admin at any time, day or night.”

Rachael balances her volunteer work with real estate commitments by sharing her professional advice publicly and privately, and, in some instances, helping local people find homes.

Over the years, Rachael has observed shifts in community perspectives, particularly when it comes to contentious topics, such as elections and wind farms, as people have come out strongly for and against the proposed offshore zone.

Like many other admins, Rachael is confronting the growing challenge of scammers.

“You don’t want to see people in the community lose money or get scammed in another way,” Rachael said. “It’s important to keep all the members vigilant to report things if they see it because you can’t be on there 24/7.

“Just trying to know what the next scam is and how to stop them.”

Mediating disputes within the Facebook community is another challenge. Rachael helps address conflicts, although her visibility is limited.

“You’re getting both sides messaging, it’s just a matter of trying to keep the peace,” Rachael said.

“Trying to keep people happy but you can’t please everyone all of the time.”

Admins check new membership requests, but privacy settings often make this difficult. Admins may review content and make decisions in the best interests of the community.

“We’re open to most forms of content,” Rachel said. “If someone objects to it, then we review it and make a decision on it.”

Residents of Woonona/Bulli and nearby areas are welcome to join the group.

Rachael Griffin at Bulli Beach.. Photo: Ironbark Photography

Cover

Judy Bourke is the winner of the inaugural City of Wollongong Arts and Cultural Achievement Award

Local

LEGEND

By Caroline Baum

It would be fair to say that Judy Bourke is having a moment. The colourful local identity, unmistakeable thanks to her distinctive pink hair (in a style that combines a fringe with a tail) and colourful vintage look, is so well-known to locals that she can’t move without being stopped in the street or at Austi pool, where she swims daily. It makes daily chores take much longer than they should, but Judy turns every occasion into a social encounter.

Recently winning the top prize in the Arts and Cultural Achievement category at 2024’s City of Wollongong Awards, Judy beat off stiff competition from organisations as an individual. The volume of applause in the room reflected the popularity of the

decision. Judy is a battler, a single mother who was subject to life-threatening levels of domestic violence and raised four children on her own. Yet you don’t hear her complain.

“I’ve had a shit life,” she says matter-of-factly. “But I made a choice,” she says of her positive outlook. Growing up in a tent on a block of land in Woonona while her father, an electrician, built a house, made her tough and practical. She owned two books.

As a survivor of DV, she hasn’t forgotten others; her former sister-in-law lived with the rare and previously little understood Angelman’s Syndrome (a genetic disorder causing severe cognitive disability) and Judy has dedicated significant time and effort to campaigning and advocating for more

support for those living with this symptom, lobbying for changes in legislation and improved care.

She gathers up people and things: her home is a bowerbird’s collection of textiles, found objects, anything that might be turned into a sculpture or a mixed media work that could incorporate a combination of crochet with photopolymer printmaking. Judy likes to break down barriers and mix it up: call it hybrid, or mongrel.

Her eclectic eye and practice was on display in A Gentle Response, the companion show to the retrospective of sculptor Ian Gentle at Wollongong Art Gallery until March this year, featuring whimsical pieces made from television antennae and found objects.

“I save things for a rainy day,” she says. “I pull apart electronic components, washers, screws, anything from remotes and radios and store them in ice-cube trays.”

One thing she is not, is a domestic goddess: “The house is not so clean,” she says cheerfully.

Gentle was a key figure in Judy’s artistic

evolution: as a single mum with no money to buy materials, she was liberated by his urging to use what she found.

“Ian started me on the path of being a maker, whether that was welding or knitting. The more digital our society becomes, the further we get from that chain.”

Now she belongs to a group of artists for whom frugality is a badge of honour, an artistic sensibility of recycling and making do that chimes with the times.

She will be exhibiting work in an upcoming show at Project Contemporary Artspace in Wollongong in May, but Judy being Judy, will defy convention by including masking tape, textiles, wire and plastic.

In 2025, she will co-curate an international show of artist’s books at the Clifton School of Arts. Meanwhile, she’ll keep trying to stop the roof from leaking at her studio at Barracks Art Studios Thirroul, where she’s worked since 1997. She’s weathered plenty of storms to get this far.

Judy with fellow Barracks Studio artists David Hull (at left) and Lyndon Keene.

Judy’s art will exhibited at 3 at Project Contemporary Artspace in May. Photos: Anthony Warry & supplied by the artist

3 of a kind

David Hull, Lyndon Keene and Judy Bourke of Barracks Art Studios Thirroul will be exhibiting their work in Wollongong in May

Three prize-winning abstract artists from Barracks Art Studios Thirroul will unite for an exhibition at Project Contemporary Artspace in May.

David Hull studied art in England and Canada. He has exhibited widely, as well as teaching drawing and painting for 28 years and helping to establish the School of Contemporary Arts at the University of Western Sydney.

“The sounds of a place and the interactions of humankind with place have been central to my work,” says David. “My approach is free improvisation, allowing processes to determine their own outcome that gives an authenticity to the work.”

Lyndon Keene also studied art in England but has lived mostly in Aotearoa New Zealand. He moved to Australia in 2015.

“I’m in awe of nature and my landscape-based abstracts aim to capture something of its poetry,” says Lyndon. “My approach is more about discovering than about making – reimagining the forms, colours and textures of remembered landscapes to find intuitively a hybrid kind of order that resonates.”

Judy Bourke’s diverse art practice includes prints, sculptures, artist’s books and textiles. “I am inspired by women’s achievements, family

interactions, climate change, relationships, community events, found materials, colour, collections of objects and the patterns of seascapes and landscapes. I try to find the most appropriate media to express my ideas.”

Their exhibition, with the minimalist title 3, runs from Wednesday, May 15 until Sunday, May 26 at Project Contemporary Artspace, 255 Keira St, Wollongong. Gallery hours: Wed-Friday 11am6pm, weekends 10am-4pm.

3 opens on Friday, May 17 at 6pm

Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival Open Days

Barracks Art Studios Thirroul will open their studios to the public on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, 10am-4pm for Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival.

Visit 1 Church Street, Thirroul.

Barracks Art Studios Thirroul is home to Judy Bourke, Graham Sinclair, Skye Zaracostas, David Hull, Frank Nowlan and Lyndon Keene. See the artists’ studios and grab a bargain. Free entry.

Artists Lyndon Keene (at left), Judy Bourke and David Hull.

What’s On

Comic Gong

Sat, 11 May 10am-4pm at Wollongong Library, Art Gallery, Town Hall and Arts Precinct Plaza. A free, fun celebration of comics, cosplay, gaming and pop culture. With live entertainment, cosplay competitions, fan group meet-ups, VR, arcade and tabletop gaming experiences, and more. The huge exhibition hall will bring together dozens of pop culture vendors and artists showcasing everything from comics, art, collectibles and apparel. There’s family-friendly fun, with superhero shows, crafts, LEGO robotics, as well as circus, K-pop and lightsabre workshops. Free. See Wollongong City Libraries website for full program.

@ Thirroul Library

Sat, 4 May Music in the Library, 11am-12pm. Sat, 18 May The Grigoryan Brothers, doors open 6pm for 6:30-8:30. Guitarists and brothers, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan will serenade you with an evening of music showcasing a variety of genres including classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world. Free, book via Eventbrite. Fri, 31 May Family Friendly Friday, 5-6:30pm. Bring the family along to decorate delicious cupcakes. Free, bookings via Eventbrite.

@ Helensburgh Library

1st and 3rd Wed Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm in school term, ages 5-12. Free.

Bookmaking workshop

June 20-21 at Clifton School of Arts

Venture into the world of the artists’ book in this exciting two-day workshop at Clifton School of Arts. Following the enthusiastic public response to Prelude: Artists’ Books Now, Clifton School of Arts (CSA) will host a two-day artists’ book workshop on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June 2024.

The aim is to promote a greater appreciation of the book as an artform, leading up to a major international artists’ book exhibition in 2025 to be held at the CSA.

The Prelude curatorial team – Judy Bourke, Liz Jeneid, Kathryn Orton and Lucia Parrella – will co-facilitate the workshop. Drawing on their extensive experience and individual approaches to book making, each artist will show examples of her own work and will demonstrate different structures

Helensburgh Historical Society Open Day and Book Launch

Sat, 11 May 10am-2pm, Old Mine Surgery, 78 Parkes St, Helensburgh. Jan Lee’s new book Teaching the 3Rs: Pioneer Schoolteachers of the Helensburgh District, will be launched at 11am. $20 on the day or order online. Email for local pickup.

University of Third Age (U3A) Stanwell Park Term 2 Program, Mondays April 29 to June 24.

6 May 9.30am The Australia Constitution. Is it Fit for Purpose Ainslie Lamb

13 May 9.30am Women’s Fans, Kerrieanne Christian

20 May 9.30am The Last Woman to be Hanged, John Watson

27 May 9.30am Australia’s First Successful Wheat Crop, Roy Lawrie.

10.30 Morning Tea, 11am-12pm Music

Appreciation. Meetings are held at Hillcrest House. All welcome. Contact Jenny on 0406 350 025.

Brahms Requiem

25 May 2pm at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong. The Illawarra Choral Society, joined by The Berrima Singers, will perform the beautiful Brahms Requiem. This profound music offers solace in a time where we are reflecting on life and the tragedies occurring around us. We are joined by two talented soloists and a wonderful orchestra. www.illawarrachoralsociety.com. Tickets via Humanitix

Wollongong Volunteering Expo

Wed 22 May 9.30am-2pm, Wollongong Town Hall, showcase of volunteering opportunities hosted by Wollongong City Council. Free.

and techniques. Over the two days, participants will take part in four hands-on workshops, each focusing on a different idea and book structure. Participants will leave the workshop with at least three different sample books and a plethora of ideas. The workshop will be open to all, from beginners to experienced artists. Numbers are limited; materials, tea and coffee will be provided.

Enquiries via text to Liz (0408 421 664) or Kathryn (0435 009 504). Book via Humanitix

Yael Stone set on new path

By Genevieve Swart

L to R: Yael Stone; Jack Manning Bancroft at Hi Neighbour’s launch; and Buckaroo’s Tanya Van Der Water. Images: Melanie Russell, supplied

Inspired to build a better world for her children, Orange is the New Black star Yael Stone has transformed from an actor to a climate communicator (who still does a bit of acting).

Her phoenix moment rose from the ashes of 2019/20’s Black Summer.

“I experienced a lot of anxiety,” says Yael, who was living in Bulli, her eldest child aged two at the time. “How am I going to meaningfully raise her with joy and hope for the future?” she wondered.

After the fires, the NIDA graduate went back to university, studying Sustainable Communities at UOW. Primed by memories of her grandfather, a Newcastle steelworker, Yael learned from social scientist Chantel Carr about the risks of industrial change and the history of “steel cities blues”.

“My concern is that a whole bunch of really amazing renewable projects come into the area, but we haven’t worked on upskilling our local talent and people from outside the region get the benefit of all those jobs,” she says. “That’s a recipe for a real social sickness.

“We have the chance to tell an amazing story here because we’ve got so much local talent, so much local history in that industrial space, that energy transformation here could tell a story for the nation.”

What began as an idea for a short documentary became a not-for-profit called Hi Neighbour, which turned one in April.

Working in a circular model, Hi Neighbour supercharges cash – raised via crowdfunding, grants and philanthropy – by loaning it to businesses to install large-scale solar, then using the interest from repayments to fund scholarships for local workers to upskill for renewable jobs.

It’s transformative for businesses with big power bills and roof space. Two companies owned and operated by longtime locals – Bellambi’s Buckaroo Leatherworks and Unanderra’s Thomas Creative –are not only enjoying the financial rewards of slashing their energy costs, but the feel-good effects of climate action, immediately reducing emissions and later helping local workers.

“The personal growth for me, as somebody in their late 30s to say to myself, I’m going to do a totally new thing, is immense,” Yael says. “The fuel at the heart of it is I know the work is really important. Nothing has been this rewarding in my professional life.

“Red carpets were never that much fun for me. I’m not really suited to that stuff.”

Hi Neighbour’s first partnership was with Buckaroo Leatherworks, owned by Tanya Van Der Water. “Her second youngest child and my first child are thick as thieves, so we became friends and we’ve become very close. Tanya is actually on the board of Hi Neighbour. She’s an amazingly accomplished woman in so many ways, as a business leader and as a thinker. Buckaroo is an

innovative brand, and a lot of that is about her. She came into that leadership role at quite a young age, took over from her father after he passed.”

Hi Neighbour funded Buckaroo to put on a 99.kW solar system with 220 panels, cutting their emissions by 100 tons of CO2 a year. The interest from that loan will fund a scholarship round named after Buckaroo.

Hi Neighbour’s first round, helping electricians qualify for solar work, was designed to sit alongside the Electrify 2515 initiatives for households.

Yael is inspired by the work of Dr Saul Griffith. She forged a connection with Rewiring Australia’s chief using an unconventional angle. “I went to a talk he gave in Sydney … someone asked, so what gives you hope? And he said, the CWA of Australia, it’s the women of Australia, the small community organisations that make the shift happen.

“So the subject of my email was, ‘I Am Your CWA Woman!’”

Yael’s board is stacked with talent. “We’ve got Steve Blume, the previous president of the Smart Energy Council, Scott Hamilton, an emeritus professor in hydrogen.” Former coal miner Darryl Best and metallurgical engineer Greg Knight are core team members. Xavier Mayes has been “amazing” in his role as scholarship coordinator and Yael is also grateful to Parul Punjabi Jagdish, Jen Owens, Diane Lawrence, Carly Young and Elana Stone, Anna Martin and Madeline Holmes.

Each scholarship round focuses on different sectors in renewables and jobs supported might range from solar installers to chemical engineers. One thing stays the same: Hi Neighbour prioritises coal and steelworkers and their families, to show

support for those workers shifting into renewables.

Storytelling is where her old and new worlds collide. Yael is making short films about her work and still accepts the odd acting job, including in One Night, filmed on our coast in 2023 (“because it was a beautiful script, but it was also about home”), and recently The Correspondent, starring Richard Roxburgh as journalist Peter Greste. “All the stuff I did was set in Mogadishu and Nairobi, but it was all shot in Sydney and Shellharbour, at the airport.”

Living in Wollongong is a dream she’s had since a teenager on the train from Sydney to Jervis Bay (“it spoke to me, the escarpment in this particular configuration with the ocean, just something so protective and contained”).

Yael shares her life and her children with Jack Manning Bancroft, the Bundjalung social entrepreneur who founded AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience). Jack is her “cheerleader”, understanding the practical challenges of running an organisation. “He’s there at the end of the day and we can talk through things after the carnival of putting children to bed.”

It’s been a difficult year as a public figure speaking up for peace, human rights and clean energy. Dinner table discussions, though, are controversial only in a way familiar to all parents.

“It’s more like ‘you eat two more broccoli and maybe you can have some ice-cream’,” she says, laughing.

On the upside, Yael doesn’t feel so anxious any more. “I’m not saying, oh, my anxiety’s cured.

“I, like a lot of parents, worry about what are the jobs my kids are going to have in the future, what’s the world going to look like? Working on that future to be as positive as it can be is the best way I’ve found to alleviate my anxiety – because I’m there in that hope space.”

Visit www.hineighbour.com.au

Yael and Darryl Best, and Dr Saul Griffith at the Yes2Renewables Family Fun Day.

After the storm: How communities rallied together

By Amanda De George

As the torrential rain that inundated much of the Illawarra finally eased and the sun came up on April 6, photos of the destruction from Saturday morning’s deluge began to appear on local community Facebook groups. Offering a hub for local news, from roads closed to areas to avoid, these groups also provided a place for the community to come together with offers of help, of free coffees and food for those worst affected.

Jaime-anne of Bellambi, who woke up to water lapping at her front door, posted that she and her 11-year-old son were ready to help anyone in need. She was contacted by a fellow Bellambi local whose garage and its contents were inundated.

“I feel in times like these we really need to be a community and help who ever needs help,”

Jaime-anne said. “I also feel this was a great chance to show my son how we can spread kindness and look after others.”

Photos of rubbish-strewn local beaches were soon met with calls to action, to ‘grab a bag and gloves and meet at the beach’, and photos of the subsequent piles of debris that people had picked up in the clean-up effort.

Kylie Madden, whose property was also affected, collected everything from rusting gas bottles to broken surfboards as she walked the coast.

“My kids both went down separately with their mates and picked up bags and bags. Even the teenager,” she said.

Age didn’t stop Len Garvey’s young daughters, aged four and six, getting out and helping. Mum Kat Lynch said, “They just walked around with the

wheelbarrow and shovels as it was obvious people would need help.”

After getting caught in flood waters in Russell Vale, Samantha Mccauley found herself scrambling out of her broken-down car. Right in the middle of the deluge, she was helped by good samaritan Susan Miller and her husband, who got her to safety. While Samantha was safe, her car, reported to the SES, remained in the middle of the road. Lindsay Newton came across the scene and decided to help. “My mate Bailey and I noticed it as we came around the corner and thought it’s best to take it out of harm’s way,” he said.

In Otford, local residents Tom and Catherine stepped up to help out at Otford Causeway.

And while some cleaned up, others offered everything from humidifiers to clean clothes. By midday Saturday businesses were helping out where they could.

Woonona Kebab House invited people who had been involved in the clean-up to ‘grab a feed on us, free of charge’ while Blackbird Thirroul offered free coffees on Sunday for those affected. Mad Tribe Brew Coffee Van not only posted that they would drop off free coffee to those cleaning up for others, but that locals were ‘paying it forward’ and donating coffees so that the van could continue to operate through Sunday.

Say what you want about social media, but community groups are a fantastic reminder that community spirit does still exist.

Lindsay Newton and mate Bailey, moving a broken down car from the middle of the road in Russell Vale. Photo: supplied. Right: Residents Tom and Catherine cleaning up at Otford Causeway. Photo: Warwick Erwin

Acts of kindness in Thirroul

By Lachlan Street resident Marlowe Richards

In times of adversity, humanity often reveals its essence through acts of kindness. The neighbours of Lachlan Street in Thirroul know this from personal experience.

On Saturday, April 6 rainwater filled Hewitts Creek and burst its banks, flooding the houses at the lower end of the street, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

The aftermath of the flood was terrible – homes were inundated with mud, streets strewn with rubbish and possessions destroyed.

But no sooner did the waters wash away, the clean up process began. Neighbours, friends and family arrived en-masse to lend a hand. Strangers from up the street, whose homes were unharmed, arrived to clear debris, help salvage belongings and provide emotional support.

Everyone worked side by side over several days.

In addition to cleaning up, neighbours of Lachlan Street got to know each other, laying the groundwork for strong long-term relationships. Through adversity, they have built a support network that can withstand future challenges, strengthening the fabric of their community.

This hands-on effort is a testament to kindness, compassion and empathy we find in our beloved Thirroul community. Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to lend a helping hand. Our thoughts and best wishes remain with those affected by the flooding.

Fallout in numbers

After the deluge, Wollongong was declared a natural disaster area – a Category B, which is for serious but localised events.

200+mm On April 6, the Bureau of Meteorology reported damaging winds and widespread heavy rainfall overnight, with the heaviest totals in the Illawarra at Brogers Creek (272mm), Wattamolla (257mm) and Mount Pleasant (240mm). On April 6 alone, Bellambi recorded 194.8mm.

3 Recovery Assistance Points (RAP) in Thirroul, Warrawong and Dapto with staff from Insurance Council of Australia, Service NSW, Red Cross and Salvos. Therapy dogs (pictured) present for a pat. Plus, council staff were at Helensburgh Library.

2450 Calls taken by Council’s Customer Service team between April 6 and 12 April.

1300 requests for on-call, household clean-ups from impacted residents, 780 done by press time.

2200 tonnes of flood waste taken to landfill.

3 months + Time needed for a complete picture of damage done by the rain and flooding. 60 percent of water courses in Wollongong LGA on private land. Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said, “We need residents to be mindful of placing structures, landscaping materials or waste around these waterways as this can contribute to the debris load during significant rain events.”

$26 million for more stormwater infrastructure in council’s draft budget, on exhibition at the Our Wollongong website until May 7.

What is your home’s Flood Risk?

Information on Council’s current Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans is available for free on the NSW SES website: https://flooddata.ses.nsw. gov.au/organization/wollongong-city-council

For basic flood information, check floodaffected areas on Council’s planning map at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/development/ development-policies-guidelines/floodingstormwater-and-development

For more detailed information, residents can:

• Apply for flood level information. Check first if this is available for your property on 4227 7111.

• Apply for a planning certificate. You’ll need to request a combined 10.7(2) and 10.7(5) planning certificate to see if the property is flood affected, and the risk category, if available. Fees apply: https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/development/ property-information/planning-certificate

Photos: Mark Roberts; Roy Wakelin-King

Neighbourhood Forum 1 Report

By NF1 convenor Warwick Erwin

Otford Community Hall Replacement

A revised set of drawings has been received by Otford Community Inc for the replacement hall with questions from the Otford Community Inc receiving responses from Council. NF1 has been promised further community engagement.

Helensburgh Town Centre work

Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Works committed to having works completed before the end of this current financial year.

Helensburgh Community Centre

Commitment from Council to have the front section – Youth Centre – reopened by the end of June. The main section of the existing community centre will remain closed with its future demolition timeframe yet to be decided.

Where do you want the new Helensburgh Community Centre located?

From the feedback to NF1, the majority of the community feels the best location is where the existing Community Centre is, with parking and green space on the three blocks of land that Council owns across the road. Council staff have pushed for the location to be at the swimming pool to the extent of delaying further community engagement and design by waiting for change of use permission from the State for the Crown lands. The draft 2024 Infrastructure Delivery Plan has the new centre listed for design in 2024/5 and 2025/6 years and construction in 2026/7 and 2027/8 years.

Another 4-5 years but with Council’s delay record that could be longer.

As a community we may get to give the demountable library a 60th birthday.

Let the Councillors, including the Lord Mayor, know and make a submission on the Draft Plan.

April rain storm

Council’s Floodplain and Stormwater Manager was at the April NF1 meeting and listened to members detail the impacts, especially at The Crescent and Postmans Track, where road and drainage works damaged the heritage drain and removal of curb caused flooding into at least one house. We also discussed the impact to residents of Otford with water coming down from the railway bridge.

Director of Infrastructure and Works, Jo Page, drove in to Otford down Otford Road, inspecting the Otford Causeway. She agreed with the member who pointed out the descent to the causeway was a concern. The promised flood gates have not been installed as NF1 was led to believe with the

completion of the replacement causeway. This has been listed in the draft 2024 Infrastructure Delivery Plan as being designed in 2026/7 and 2027/8 years. The electronic warning signs at Werrong Rd and Bald Hill on Otford Rd to warn of the causeway being closed are not listed. Discussions raised concerns of someone driving onto the causeway in a flood and not being able to be rescued, following the incident on Saturday, 6 April with a P-plater not being able to stop before the causeway. It was driven home to Council officers of the great concern over the danger of the causeway being flooded.

The causeway was not totally blocked and even with the deflector deflecting large debris up and onto the causeway to allow water to continue to travel under the causeway. It was reported by locals of a 2m depth over the causeway at 6am on the Saturday. Locals and Council had the causeway clear by the Monday.

The road from Tunnel Road into the railway station has been taken to the top of Council’s repair list. Geotechnic engineers from Council were on site on the Monday after the rain event and also reviewed Whitty Rd and Walker St intersection, with construction listed in the draft 2024 Infrastructure Delivery Plan for next financial year together with safety railings.

Helensburgh Pool Reline / Upgrade

NF1 understood it was to take place this winter but the draft 2024 Infrastructure Delivery Plan lists it for 2024/5 and 2025/6 years. Asked if the state grant for the work could be lost due to the delay, Council said they would ask for an extension and this has not been refused in the past.

Draft Delivery Program 2022-2026 and Operational Plan 2024-2025

This was presented to NF1 and is now on exhibition. View documents at www.wollongong. nsw.gov.au and Helensburgh Library. On Council’s website, watch a video, read the FAQs and explore the map. You can search by suburb or project type.

Let Council know what you think about the plans or make a submission – not only what is in the plans but what they have left out – via the feedback form on Council’s website, email to ourwollongongourfuture2032@wollongong.nsw. gov.au or phone (02) 4227 7111.

Submissions close on Tuesday, 7 May.

Council elections are in September. The next NF1 meeting is 7pm, Wednesday, 8 May.

Flooding again

By architect Ben Wollen

Seriously! I really hope this isn’t a new normal, but climate scientists would suggest it is. That rain event in the wee hours of Saturday, 9th April saw my driveway become a level 3 rapid complete with wheelie bin white-water rafters from the neighbours across the road. Going to sleep the night before, I mistakenly thought somehow that we had escaped the brunt of it and it was all a furphy made up by the BoM. 5:30am and the sound of a tsunami from the skies woke me up. Worried about my infamous flooding basement, I moved downstairs to check out how my thousands of dollars of drainage works were holding out. Outside of a couple of leaks, lucky enough – the drainage system worked! Money well spent. To be honest, I was almost disappointed when the BoM were suggesting El Niño was coming back last Summer due to the coin I dropped on aforementioned drainage works. I thought they’d never see any action!

Outside of my personal Niagara Falls – and much more seriously, 31 homes in the Illawarra area were inundated with 14 left uninhabitable. Hopefully, these properties were insured. It’s probable that some weren’t. I’ve been told by a friend of mine that due to their home being flood affected, to insure their property, it would cost more than $3000/year!

So if more intense and unpredictable weather is a by-product of climate change and that we can expect the same if not worse than our most recent deluge. Outside of designing our houses like Noah’s Ark, what can we do to help our homes become more resilient? And should we even bother if the extremes are going to get more extreme?

I would suggest the current construction requirements to improve bushfire resilience in homes is pretty good. It’s not a panacea, but if all homes in bushfire-affected areas were built to the

current code, there would be fewer houses lost during bushfire events. Flooding, however, is a different beast altogether. Whilst we have good knowledge of flood-affected areas from our past historical records and can pinpoint areas that shouldn’t be built on. Extreme localised events like we saw on the 9th of April can affect homes that are, in terms of planning/historical records, not flood affected. Does this mean we have to build Queenslander-style homes to account for these events?

Certainly, your classic Queenslander is a tried and true resilient flood design, but there are some simple things that we can implement in our own homes to make them a little bit more flood resilient and after a history of extreme events, Queensland are leading the way. The Queensland Government have released a very informative document on some simple things we can implement in our homes that will assist both during and in the clean-up after a flood. Simple things like raising the height of air-conditioning units, leaving bottom treads of stairs open, selection of ground-floor materials. Check out the following document for informative tips – https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/ resilient-homes/flood-resilient-building-guidancequeensland-homes

Some little inner voice of me is hoping for an El Niño year to come back and dry things out for a while, but we all know what that entails. Either way, what we do know is that if we build resilience into our homes, we are in a better place to confront the potential perils of a changing climate. Whilst we prepare our own circles of influence, I can only hope that we can address the main cause of climate change being our carbon footprints. The more we have to rebuild from disaster, the more carbon footprint we cause and the more we get stuck in that terrible self-fulfilling spiral.

Coalcliff photos: Britta de Laat

Submit via the Get In Touch page at

Keiraville CWA turn out the teddies

Our recent Teddy Stuffing day at our lovely Paula Campbell’s home where we stitched and made faces, stuffed and dressed these 31 little teddies ready for their trips with NSW Ambulance and hospital surgery wards for little people. These little bears will comfort young patients in need of care. Delighted ambos at Bulli Ambulance station gladly accepted these from Paula.

– Marion Cook, Keiraville CWA

Whose pottery is this?

Does anyone recognise these beautiful urns I purchased in the late 80s, made by a local potter in Stanwell Park area?

– Jason Firmstone, 0400 462 541

Re: Nuclear power in April magazine

Thank you Martyn for expressing our want for nuclear power! We need it yesterday if this country is to remain productive. I too champion nuclear reactors for the Illawarra they WILL provide jobs for locals. I grew up in the Sutherland Shire so I do not understand what people are afraid of! Reliable affordable energy, jobs and a clean future to pass on to our grandchildren so yes yes please in my back yard! “Begone with the wind” and all of its outrageous never ending cost it will desecrate our beautiful Wollongong.

– Marie Tarrant, Bulli

Note: Letters may be edited to fit.

TMS Roofing Contractors Pty Ltd

Tile – Metal – Slate 0414 533 374

ABN 67 661625 903

Email: tmsroofing.reception@outlook.com

Dream catcher

By Zachary Houtenville

Abigail Inman, the under-16s goalkeeper for South Coast Flame, has joined the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS), taking another step towards her “wildest dream” – representing her country in professional football.

Abigail’s interest in sport started at age four and from the get-go soccer stood out as her primary passion.

“I was involved in Nippers, dancing, cricket, basketball and karate, but my love was soccer,” Abigail said.

“I don’t have a clue what my life would look like without it.”

Subsequently, she spent nearly nine years playing at club level before elevating her competitive spirit by joining a representative soccer team, the South Coast Flame.

“In my club environment, many of the girls there didn’t share the same love for the game that I did,” Abigail said.

“When I moved to Flame, everyone from players, coaches and even parents had that same passion and love.

“It was a much better environment to be in as a player.”

Upon arriving at Flame try-outs, Abigail initially presented herself as a midfielder and a goalkeeper, but with no intention of playing in goal. However, after a few goalie drills, she hasn’t looked back.

“I went down to trial for both midfield and goalkeeper because my Dad told me keeper would be my best chance at getting a spot,” Abigail said.

“They told me to chuck the gloves on and I did a couple of drills with the goalkeeper coach and when they asked if I wanted to go on the field, I said, ‘Nuh! I want to stay in goals’.”

Since her try-out, Abigail has demonstrated remarkable progress in her second year with the Flame, earning the title of the ‘most improved player’ on the team in 2023. Recognising her talents, the team’s technical director nominated

Abigail for the Talent Support Program run by Football New South Wales and she secured a spot for 2024.

With her dedication to the sport and a desire to continuously step up her game, Abigail was drawn to the IAS. In her first year, she believes the academy’s resources have given her a chance to professionalise her passion for soccer.

“I want to do everything I can to become the best athlete I can be and that means trying out all the resources I have available to me and that is IAS,” Abigail said.

“IAS has given me strength and conditioning programs that have significantly improved my overall strength and motivation to go to the gym three, four times a week.

“They have taught me about nutrition, sports science, rest days and character building, and I am excited to bring my knowledge to my team and my sport.”

In 2024, Abigail has set ambitious goals for herself, aspiring to clinch victory in finals with her team and secure a spot in the state public school team. Additionally, she aims to gain exposure and enhance her leadership skills.

“I want to receive opportunities through the IAS to develop my leadership skills,” Abigail said.

“I’d also like to have further exposure to teams like Junior Matildas, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.”

Abigail’s aspirations exceed her local achievements. Following a life-changing tour to the UK with her team, during which the players experienced premier facilities and renowned clubs, her ultimate goal is to turn professional and represent her country on the international stage.

“I learned what it would be like to live a professional football lifestyle with the training and games every day and long bus rides,” Abigail said.

“My absolute biggest and wildest dream is to go professional and do the thing I love for a living and I want to represent my country.”

Goalkeeper Abigail Inman. Photos supplied

HORCC happy to be back on track

By Zachary Houtenville

Members of Helensburgh Off-road Cycle Club (HORCC) are celebrating the reopening of Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park after it was closed for a year due to asbestos concerns.

But the club now needs the community’s help to restore the site to its former glory.

For several years, Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park has been a beloved destination for the local mountain-biking community but, in mid-2023, Wollongong City Council closed the site after fragments of asbestos were found there.

“The community was upset, just like we were,” said Wayne Teal, president of the HORCC.

“We used to hold fortnightly social events, fitness challenges, social days – like the ladies used to have mums and pubs every Wednesday – but they had to go by the wayside.”

HORCC has created strong community connections by providing a sense of camaraderie on and off the track.

“We’re about mountain biking,” Wayne said. “We also support a lot of community-based programs, such as women in sport, First Nations people in sport, working with them getting them bikes, and fundraisers for cancer.”

While the fences were up, the MTB community rallied to keep the club spirit alive, venturing to other parks while waiting for Wollongong council to finish cleaning up the site.

“It was difficult, we had to ride out elsewhere, such as Mill Creek,” Wayne said.

After the removal of 2200 tonnes of contaminated soil material, the council took away the fences, signalling a triumphant moment for the club.

“We are ecstatic,” Wayne said.

“We all went there to celebrate with a beer up there the day they came down.”

HORCC has already assembled a track design committee, ready to rebuild the site.

“I wanted to get started yesterday,” Wayne said.

The club is also eager to restart its social events after a difficult year.

“We’re past that now, and we are just concentrating on getting back into the club back to being fully functional.

“We’ve missed out on our social events.”

With the club’s return to normalcy, Wayne is optimistic about attracting new members of all ages.

“It’s such a growing sport, and anybody can do it,” he said.

“Our oldest member is about 76 years of age, and he’s got an e-bike and he loves it.

“Having the track back means kids aren’t in the way on the streets, they’re not on devices, they’re out playing.”

Even with the fences down, the club needs help to clear remaining obstacles, such as weeds, and welcomes support from anyone willing to lend a hand.

“If anybody wants to keep an eye on the Facebook page when we post work, there’s a lot of work to be done up there,” Wayne said.

“If they want to come up and give us a hand, even for only an hour, it doesn’t matter – any bit of time is good.”

Left, the track and, right, HORCC president Wayne Teal. Photos: Anthony Warry

Seniors at Scarborough, groms at Sharky Beach

By Ian Pepper & Emily Laurence

Pointscore #4 was spread over two weekends with seniors only on Sunday 7th and Juniors on Sunday 14th. The seniors only event was held at our local beach, Scarborough, and was certainly one of the best points scores for waves for quite a while.

Early on we saw some big drops for the U18s & big pits for Open As, though, of course, more went in than came out.

The Open’s final saw Angus Cochrane in rhythm with the ocean kicking off with a 3 turner followed soon after by a massive stall and backhand barrel clasping the rail & bursting out to loud cheers from the beach.

In the Open Women’s final, Zahlia Short could do no wrong, picking the bigger smoother waves with a two turn combo on one and backhand power carve on another that saw her finish nearly four points ahead of Talina in 2nd and Shyla who never really got her engines revving in third.

It was a day of waves and sunshine all day, with the previous Friday night’s storm damage not far from most people’s thoughts.

The following Sunday was a great morning for the groms at Sharky Beach. Some stand out rides from surfers across all divisions dominating on the right, with a lucky few getting a push from junior alumni Cooper Smoley and VP Fin McLaren.

Congratulations to our winners:

• Junior Girls – Pepper Jolley

• Junior Girls Parent Assist – Lilly Forbes

• u14 – Jesse Fitzgibbons

• u12 – Noah Kornek

• u10 – Austin Wilson

All our winners enjoy a well-deserved dinner voucher from our sponsor Headlands Hotel Austinmer.

That’s a wrap for pointscore 4. Next pointscore May 5.

L to R: Charlotte Agnew, Talina Wilson, Macey Jolley, Zahlia Short and Shyla Short. The Open Women finalists are pictured in front of the Scarborough Boardriders’ newly renovated club trailer, back from Helensburgh Men’s Shed and with new 2024 sponsor stickers. Photo: Ian Pepper

Probus appoints new Life Member

By publicity officer Lorraine Jones

The Helensburgh and District Probus Club made Barry Mellier a life member of the club on Thursday April 11. Barry was a foundation member of the club and has participated actively in all the club activities.

The monthly talk was given by a Wollongong City Council staff member on recycling. An important fact provided was that shredded paper should be placed in a brown paper bag before being

put in the recycling bin. This is because the recycled matter is sorted on a conveyor belt. Shredded paper floats about like confetti if it is not in a paper bag.

Our club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 10.30am at the Helensburgh Tradies club.

For more information, please contact Val, our Membership Officer, on 0419 129 984

Paddlers set to represent Australia

By Simone Elliott

The Illawarra Canoe Club (ICC) had a huge season of paddling, attending three Sprint Series events, Grand Prix 1 & 2, NSW State Sprint Championships, National Sprint Championships and National Marathon Championships.

In the lead-up to Nationals, the committee held a presentation at the Canoe Club, giving athletes a donation to help with competition expenses and in recognition of their commitment to their sport.

The 2024 National Sprint Championships were held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from March 6-10. It was a successful regatta for the ICC who took a team of six paddlers – Jasmine

Locke, Callum Elliott, Kia McIlwraith, Kynan Burke, Tarren Elliott and Taj Caldwell.

The group won multiple medals and made many A and B finals. Congratulations to Jasmine Locke and Kynan Burke who qualified for the Australian U23 and Junior World Championships Teams respectively. Congratulations to Callum Elliott and Kynan Burke who qualified to represent Australia at the Asia-Pacific Cup at SIRC from 6-10 May. Congratulations to Taj for competing in his first National Kayak Sprint Championships and winning several medals.

The National Marathon Championships were held at Encounter Bay in South Australia from April 5-7. Tarren Elliott and K2 partner Chelsea Sutton (from Manly Warringah Kayak Club) contested the 15km course and won the event, qualifying for the U18 Australian Marathon Team competing in Croatia in September.

The club added two new K2s to our fleet this season. The first is a K2 Nelo, acquired thanks to club fundraising and sponsorship from club coach Adam Dean from Dean Industries. The club was also successful with a Club Grants NSW application via the Shellharbour Club enabling the purchase of a Vajda K2. A huge thank you to the committee, coaches, parents and athletes.

Austi Cub Scouts on the Up

By Scott Bradburn,

The Covid pandemic took its toll on most Scouting groups with member numbers dropping off considerably. The Austinmer Cub Scout Unit was not immune and saw numbers drop to single figures. More recently though, the Unit has seen a resurgence, with 20 plus Cubs now regularly filling the little Austi Scout Hall.

As the Cubs’ new Leader, and Cub Dad, I put the resurgence down to a shift to a more communal model of running the group.

The retirement of our long-standing leader, Jenny, last year prompted the group to rethink its leadership approach. We now have an expanded group of half a dozen parents who share the responsibility of running the group.

This has brought fresh ideas and more energy and I think the kids feed off that. They talk about it at school and we’ve been seeing new faces every week over the last month.

Our aim is to take advantage of the amazing place we live to assist the kids in appreciating, and

the Cubs’ new leader being confident in, nature and to try things that they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to do.

This includes traditional scouting activities like camping, bushwalking, creek rambles and abseiling but also life skills such as cooking, social skills and risk assessment.

In Term 2, the Cubs have a varied selection of activities planned including a Masterchef cooking challenge, geo-caching, a night bushwalk, movie making and three-day camp at Kangaroo Valley.

The Cub group caters for kids from the ages of eight to 11. The group meets each Wednesday night of the school term from 6:30-8pm.

More info: Scott Bradburn on 0437 678 774

ICC paddlers with their new Vajda

Rex Jackson parkrun - alternate course

Rex Jackson parkrun starts May 4

Great news for the runners and fitness enthusiasts in town, parkrun is landing in Helensburgh this May!

It’s been a long time coming and there were setbacks along the way including the recent heavy rainfall hitting Fletcher Street and causing huge ruts. We have held a couple of trials on the new course, which does two loops of Flatrock trail (see map of course, at right).

The course isn’t dog friendly unfortunately as it goes into NWPS land … and due to the rocky trail along Flatrock it isn’t stroller friendly either.

But it is very people friendly, and is a free, timed run/walk for everyone!

Your personal results will be emailed to you after the run … you just have to register and download a barcode from www.parkrun.com.au

Lions prepare for Brick Fair

By Fran Peppernell

The Brick Fair on June 30 at Tradies Helensburgh has been confirmed with lots of models, brick pits, a colouring competition and great raffle prizes. Save the date: we will keep you posted.

We want to thank Mattias Samuelsson from Ray White Helensburgh for hosting the Family Easter Film and Egg Scramble event, which was a great family night for all those that attended.

Helensburgh Lions, in conjunction with Illawarra Convoy, will financially support a local Helensburgh family with the purchase of a standing machine for their son, who has cerebral palsy, to use at preschool and later at school. This

will allow him to be more interactive during class and other learning activities.

We held a BBQ outside Coles in April to raise funds for the Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation and as a result we will be donating $1500. This foundation plays a significant role in the treatment of childhood cancer research programs in Australia and the world. We believe every child deserves a chance at a healthy life.

We can now confirm the date for this year’s annual Helensburgh Fair, which will be Saturday, 26 October. Planning is in progress for entertainment, rides, stalls and other great activities. If you want to be involved in the organising, contact us via our web page or Facebook or come along to a Fair meeting on the 4th Monday of every month at 6.30pm in the Helensburgh Hotel.

See you all next month!

Port Kembla Tidal Chart

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

May 2024

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club

Golf news

Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports HSSGC Headed to Campbelltown on April 7th to be once again challenged despite atrocious weather. Regardless, being damp underfoot did not deter members, the game of “Par” resulted in a narrow win to Mark O’Connor with a score of “+1”, ahead of Rob Carter and Blake O’Conner both with a score of “0” (no, don’t ask me) separated on a count back to be 2nd and 3rd on the day.

The O’Connors displayed their love of an early start capturing 70% of the on-course prizes, again Dad leading the way, leaving one other member, Rob Aspromonte, with the remaining spoils.

Next events: Campbelltown: May 5th - 7:38am; Campbelltown: June 2nd - 7:31am; and a return to Hurstville on July 7th - 7:45am.

This cutie, his brothers and his mum Eva are ready for their forever homes. Mum is not much more than a kitten herself and her boys are full of cuddles and fun. These gorgeous fluff balls are all vaccinated, desexed and lifetime registered!

Country Companion Animal Rescue

Call Tony, 0418 863 100, for more info and to register your attendance and cart requirements on the Tuesday before our next event.

Indy’s sign-off: You can drive me crazy, waste time puttering around and still be the best, by par.

Tradies Social Golf

Barry Thompson reports

Twenty-three players teed off under bleak conditions although our Presso turned up a bit late as he had to get his Saints flag out of mothballs. We welcomed new members Blake Collins, Aaron Griffiths, Dale Blackwell, Ryan Wrigley, and Shaun Lindsey. They’ve turned in three cards and we petition Ming the Merciless to treat them gently.

In the Stableford, Gary Overton (38) pipped Blake Collins (38) on countback to share the Helensburgh Butchery and Gallardo’s Pizzeria prizes, Iain Birss (36) third and Ivan McMillan (19) admitted playing dead to win the Bradman’s prize.

There were some good drives despite the conditions with Kynan winning A grade, Craig B and Geoff C. Hayden won the 10th Eagles Nest. Bad luck, it was not the 7th Hayden, that’s where the money is. Roger took out the Helensburgh Driving Range Bucket of Balls voucher

In the Matchplay first-round games Iain beat Dave Astill 4&3, Dave Tipping beat Kynan 2&1, Mick beat Geoff 4&3 and Blake beat Gavin.

Our next outing is on May 18th. We Tee Off at 7am and play a stroke event, the first round of the club championships. Please arrive early.