JUNE 2024

Keep local news thriving

Some readers may have heard that Australian media is in trouble. And behind the mainstream headlines crying for help, small independent publishers like the Flame are finding it hard too.

Print costs are ever rising and delivering magazines to 11k homes is a huge logistical exercise. This is why the Flame is the only local news provider delivered to letterboxes and inboxes.

Thanks to a Walkley Foundation grant during the pandemic, we’ve been building an online home that now has 10k+ visitors a month. Due to print costs, often we’ll run a short story in print and the long read online – a capability, which as journalists who put the story first, we love. (If you haven’t yet subscribed, please sign up for our unique free digital magazine emailed every Friday!)

Yet even sharing digital news has become challenging, partly because global tech giant Meta, owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is fed up with paying fees to big media co’s and doing the equivalent of ripping down our posters and binning our pamphlets as it ‘deprioritises’ all news. In Canada, Facebook has blocked news links altogether, something expected to follow here.

This is why, from June 3-7, for the first time in our 10-year history, we’re taking part in a national fundraiser for local news.

It’s run by the Local and Independent News Association (LINA), a professional body founded in 2021 to represent publications like ours.

Over the past decade, we’ve told countless stories about everyone from scouts to firefighters, historians to scientists, sports stars to artists, authors and musicians. We’ve covered everything from fires to floods, from traffic to development, from school fundraisers to environmental science.

At LINA’s conference in Port Douglas in May, a personal highlight was hearing Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland mention the Flame in her opening address as an example of the good work done by local media.

Inspired by LINA’s leadership, this month we’re joining 34 other independent publications around the country to call on readers to help fund

local news. LINA members come in different shapes and sizes, print and digital, pay-walled and free, but they’re all playing a vital role in connecting, informing and empowering their communities.

At the Flame, we’re continuing to reinvest in public interest journalism, hiring and mentoring the young local graduates who are our storytellers of the future. Everyone is welcome to send us a news tip and if we like the idea, we’ll pay one of our young (or old) journalists to cover it.

To contribute, scan the QR code or visit https://theillawarraflame.presspatron.com

Thanks for reading, Genevieve & Marcus, owner-editors

NEXT DEADLINE 20 June for theeditionJuly

EDITORS Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft

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

ADVERTISING www.theillawarraflame.com.au 0432 612 168 | T&Cs apply. June’s theme is Health; July will be Small Business.

DEADLINE 20 June. Contributions welcome.

COVER The McCallums. 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 necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

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

THE ILLAWARRA

KANE DOWNIE

Soup for the soul

Helensburgh Salvos reports on a successful Red Shield fundraiser

Four friends – Addi, Lacy, Keira and Heidi – have raised more than $1000 for the Salvation Army by baking and selling Anzac cookies, and helping their parents at a Salvos Soup Stall.

Lacy Carroll heard about the work of the local 2508 Salvos mission in town from her mum, who works for Equilibrium Healthcare in Helensburgh.

Earlier this year, Equilibrium partnered with 2508 Salvos by offering Mission Leader Lauren Martin and Community Caseworker Niasha Love the use of a consulting room at the centre.

“This has been wonderful,” Lauren said. “We don’t have an office space in Helensburgh and we can’t afford to rent one. Partnering with Equilibrium Healthcare has allowed us to meet community members in a confidential,

professional space, to talk about what is going on in their lives and how The Salvation Army, or other referral agencies, might be able to assist.”

It has also paved the way for the professionals at Equilibrium to encourage people in need to make an appointment with The Salvation Army. Several patients are now receiving support from the Salvos.

Equilibrium nurse Jackie Carroll became passionate about assisting through fundraising. She suggested to her daughter, Lacy, that they hold an Anzac biscuit stall in front of the centre during the week of Anzac Day. It was a huge hit!

Lacy involved two friends, Addi Forbes and Heidi Brassett-Xavier, saying she wanted to be part of helping people in need. On Anzac Day, another friend, Keira Quayle, joined them and their parents for a Soup Stall after the Dawn Service.

“It was really fun, and I liked to see what people liked to eat what we had on the soup table,” Addi said, adding that she felt it was important to assist The Salvation Army, “because they help the homeless.” Keira said it was wonderful to “sell all the nice soups to people and to get all the money to donate to the poor”.

Email lauren.martin@salvationarmy.org.au

$3m for Police Station

A new $3 million Helensburgh Police Station could be complete by September, with demolition of the existing demountable on Waratah Street set for June.

With a design described as “modular”, the new station will have secure parking and a first-response police vehicle to ensure 24/7 coverage.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM said: “Up to eight officers can work from the purpose-built station, which will provide modern facilities for police to operate from.”

The current demountable – which only had space for three officers – is not operational as it does not meet work health and safety standards. When needed, officers are deployed from Wollongong to the northern suburbs.

“The government, community and police are looking forward to this upgrade and we are looking forward to its completion, with Police staffed locally in this station,” Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said.

An artist’s impression of the new station

There was no news on the fate of the historic courthouse on the corner of Parkes and Waratah streets.

For years, Helensburgh & District Historical Society has campaigned to save the rundown brick building, which dates from 1902, but the land is caught up in a long-standing ownership dispute between Crown Lands, NSW State Police and the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Helensburgh

Now hiring! We are seeking the perfect Office Administrator to join our team.

We are seeking a dedicated & exceptionally organised individual who has drive & commitment. The ideal candidate will have worked within the real estate industry in admin, sales or property management & possess a Class 1 or 2 real estate licence or Certificate of Registration. This however is not essential, as the successful candidate will be offered a traineeship & complete a Cert IV in Real Estate Practice.

Your previous experience & proven track record is crucial to this role which encompasses assisting the Principal with the overall running of the office, & other responsibilities including

Efficient co ordination of business operations & compliance

Providing sales & property management support

Processing new listings/managements through CompassPlus/VaultRE

Co ordination & management of marketing & advertising

Assisting with Open Homes & client follow up

Managing the database

If you meet the above criteria & can see yourself in this important role, please email admin@helensburgh.rh.com.au for the osition Description & more information.

Cook Chill Chat nourishes Burmese community

By Healthy Cities Illawarra’s CEO, Kelly Andrews

One of Healthy Cities Illawarra’s most loved programs, Cook Chill Chat, recently delivered vital food and nutrition education to Wollongong’s Burmese community.

The program has been adapted to help new migrants – it increases social connections as well as nutritional knowledge and cooking skills. I asked participant Way Nan Shar to share her experiences.

What is the best or most important thing you learned about healthy food in Australia?

There are many types of unhealthy foods in Australia. I get to compare between Australian foods and our food. I learned that it is very important to eat lots of fruits and include equal portions of different types of food in the food wheel.

What did you learn about your children’s health needs?

Children need proper lunch boxes and I also learn how to prepare them now. I also need to encourage children to eat all the five different types of food. I need to encourage my children to avoid sugary drinks and juices, and chocolate which can destroy their teeth. I learned that tap water is safe to drink and it is best thing to drink in Australia. I used to think that bottled water is better, but there are different types of bottled water, and they are not necessarily healthier.

What was your favourite food? I like the wrap most because it is easy to prepare

and contains lots of healthy and nutritious ingredients, such as cheese, egg, cucumber, lettuce.

What did you learn from the supermarket tour?

First, I learned how to use the self-checkout machine. I learned where to get the healthy and unhealthy foods.

I always need to look for stars on the food packages as the more stars the better they are. I also know where to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. I came to know that meats and seafoods are sold at different sections of the store.

I now know where to get some common Asian spices or even European food. I also learned there are various healthy and unhealthy cooking oils in the market, but olive is the best among them all.

We were shown how to buy good quality children’s lunch boxes, including the coolers and how to use them for different seasons of the year.

I know where to buy cheaper and fresher meats and seafood. I can easily locate where fresh milk is stored. I learned that there are different types of instant noodles and I learned where to get cheaper but healthy noodles.

It was great – I got familiar with the supermarket in just a few hours and now I feel more confident!

For more info, visit healthycities.org.au

Wellness on a plate

Kasey Simpson picks three cafes serving food for body and soul

Earth Walker & Co.

– Coledale

With fresh, local produce and certified Ocean Friendly status, Earth Walker sets the bar high for ecoconscious dining. Everything on the menu is delicious, from the Earth Bowl to the Cauliflower Tacos. Look out for specials too. Pictured are the cafe’s heirloom tomatoes, cream cheese and basil.

Lettuce B. Frank – Wollongong

In the heart of Wollongong, Lettuce B. Frank is a

wholefoods cafe using locally sourced, organic produce to create tasty and nutritious meals. The menu includes everything from steak sandos to vegan burgers, green eggs and super-food bowls.

All Good Things – Wollongong

Run by husband and wife team Cindy and Matt Russell, All Good Things is a boutique wholefoods cafe and store on Burelli Street in Wollongong. It provides certified organic food and aims to serve wholesome meals that are nutrient dense, ethically sourced and chemical free. Their breakfast menu includes avocado sourdough, fermented crumpets and house-roasted activate muesli.

Way Nan Shar took part in the Cook Chill Chat program. Photo: HCI

Vital service at Coledale Hospital

By Local Studies librarian Jenny McConchie

Nurses have been caring for the Coledale community since 1917 when the Coledale Hospital opened its doors. Named the Illawarra Cottage Hospital, sometimes known as the Miners Hospital, it was built after local miners recognised the need for a hospital north of Bulli.

The government contributed £5000 and locals dug deep to raise the extra £2000 needed. Miners donated part of their wages, fundraising activities were held and Dr Dixon of Bulli donated some land, allowing construction to begin in 1915.

When it opened, the hospital had 15 beds and four cots. In an emergency, 21 beds could be provided. The early years were hard, with no running hot water or steriliser plants. Lack of electricity in the first few months meant that doctors operated under Millar lamps and nurses carried lanterns when on night duty.

With mining the major local source of

Brick Fair back June 30

By Fran Peppernell, Helensburgh Lions publicity officer

The Brick Fair will be at Tradies Helensburgh on Sunday, June 30, 10am-4pm. Cost is $5 per person. It will be a great day with fantastic displays, retired sets and mini-figures all presented by Gonglug, a small group of AFOLs (Adult Fans Of Lego) who put on Lego exhibitions around NSW to raise funds for local charities.

There will be a colouring competition with Lego prizes to be won and also great fun to be had in the Brick Pits! So come along to this fun event as funds

employment, it was little wonder that the first patient was a miner. A 16-year-old boy broke his leg at Coal Cliff Colliery and was carried to the hospital by stretcher.

With few cars around and no ambulance station in the area, the Illawarra’s early paramedics also provided a valuable service.

In 1927, the 22 members of the Coledale Ambulance Class would meet every Tuesday night at Carrick’s shop, where they studied first aid techniques, then went on to sit for examinations.

Class members would go out into the bush and practise crafts, such as making bush stretchers, so the injured could be transported to hospital.

You can find thousands more photos and stories in Wollongong City Libraries’ online catalogue.

Email localhistory@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Pictured: P08917, P16255, P16238 from the Collections of Wollongong City Libraries

raised go to our local schools. Thanks to everyone who supported us with a sausage sizzle outside Coles on a very rainy Saturday! Proceeds go to Lions Foundation Childhood Cancer Research.

Our next sausage sizzle will be outside Coles on Saturday, 15 June.

See you at the Brick Fair!

Follow Helensburgh Lions Club on Facebook

It’s Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

By Dr Michael Hansonof Bulli Medical Practice

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, develops from the inner lining of the bowel and is usually preceded by growths called polyps.

An estimated 15,300 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2023, making it the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

Risk Factors

• Blood in the stool/rectal bleeding

• A recent, persistent change in bowel habit, especially if severe (including diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying)

• A change in the appearance or consistency of bowel movements such as thin bowel stools

• Abdominal pain or swelling

• Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum

The risk of developing bowel cancer increases from the age of 50.

Bowel cancer risk is increased by smoking, eating a diet low in fibre, high red meat consumption especially processed meat, drinking alcohol, and being overweight or obese.

Family history also influences bowel cancer risk, as does inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease.

Symptoms

During the early stages, most patients have no symptoms and so screening over the age of 50 is very important. Symptoms can include:

• Unexplained tiredness as a result of loss of blood (anaemia)

• Blood in urine (dark, rusty or brown colour) or passing urine frequently or during the night.

Screening and diagnosis

The average age at diagnosis is 69 years old. People aged 50-74 are sent a bowel screening test every two years as part of the National Bowel Cancer screen program.

If you have any concerns about your risk, or are experiencing any of the symptoms above, see your doctor. Your GP will perform a physical examination and may order tests or refer you for a colonoscopy.

Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 12 noon

Full range of general practice services including women’s and men’s health, child and adolescent health, older adult health and nursing home visits, and specialised clinics including:

y Travel medicine

y Weight management

y Skin cancer checks

Book online* via our website: www.bullimedicalpractice.com.au scan QR code:

*Please call 4284 4622 for an appointment if you have any respiratory symptoms

Roller-skating revival is a healthy dose of fun

By Caitlin Sloan

In February, Sugartown Skate Club owner Angie Russell welcomed a full house of young rollerskaters to her first class at Helensburgh Scout Hall.

It was proof of the roller-skating renaissance, which was born out of the pandemic and taps into nostalgia as well as the resurgence of the fashion, disco beats and synthpop tunes of the 70s and 80s.

“I think skating’s really contagious,” she said. “I just love the feeling I get when I strap my skates on. I just feel like it’s the closest thing to flying.

“I know that heaps of people got into it just as something to do during the 2020 lockdowns… you couldn’t actually buy skates [because] the whole of Australia bought up all the skates.”

Seeing young girls roller-skating around town, Angie realised there was a niche waiting to be filled. “And I really love new skaters, teaching new skaters, because there’s a real infectious joy and excitement about learning to skate.

“I love being able to nurture that in young kids and even [in] adults.

“When they get on their wheels, they’re always saying, ‘Oh, I loved doing this when I was a kid’. There’s a youthfulness to it that I think is just a joy.”

Though she’d roller-blade at the rinks as a kid, Angie didn’t pick up her skates again until 2018. But when she did, she was hooked.

Angie joined Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby (WIRD) as a coach for newbie skaters and, while after a couple of terms she discovered derby wasn’t for her, she did find that she loved teaching.

So Angie opened a seniors class (for ages 14+)

for all abilities at her Roller School. “It’s so fun to do with friends,” she said. “It’s a very womendominated sport… I’m inspired by derby skating and some artistic skating, some roller dance and some free skating as well, so we just mishmash all these different skate styles in class.”

Though kids and teen lessons were full in term 1 – with 25 full-time and six drop-in students attending – just five adults registered for weekly lessons, so Angie would love to see more grownups enrol. “I would definitely encourage everyone to give it a go,” she said.

“It’s a really good workout, the endorphins are pumping… it’s really social as well, just having a laugh with other people and having a chat but doing it with wheels on our feet.

“We get the music cranked and the kids love playing games… so I try and incorporate heaps of games and racing, and a few games here and there for adults, but we mainly focus on fitness, technique and having fun.”

Helensburgh Roller School’s timetable aligns with school terms. Under-14s and adult classes are run two days a week. Mondays: Teens Intermediate (age 12-16): 5:30-6:30pm. Adults All Levels (age 14+): 6:30-7:30pm. Thursdays: Kids All Levels (age 13 and under): 4-5pm and 5-6pm.

Students receive a 10% discount on street coaching. BYO skates and safety gear.

Visit sugartownskateclub.com/roller-school or call/text Angie on 0435 874 997

Angie Russell runs skating classes in Helensburgh. Photos: Anthony Warry

Time to

Sing

Janice Creenaune meets Joan Gissing, a retired school counsellor and psychologist. A long-time resident of Thirroul, Joan remains active and proud of her inclusion in the four-part acapella choir, ‘Out of The Blue’.

Joan Gissing’s eyes sparkle as she talks about her time in various choirs in the Illawarra.

“I was an early member of Out of the Blue (OOTB) way back in 2001, when a neighbour approached me about joining the newly formed choir.

“But really, I had always loved music and performing in musicals as a high school student in Wagga Wagga. Music has always held an important and necessary part of my life. My mother taught piano to the majority of her seven children and singing intuitive harmonies around the pianola was simply a part of my life from a young age.

“The moment I walked into my first Out of the Blue rehearsal, the choir members and particularly the director inspired me. As I listened to the beautiful four-part harmonies I knew I wanted to be a part of this collective of women producing such a beautiful sound.

“Originally OOTB was a member of the Australian chapter of the Sweet Adelines International organisation, the joys of singing in the strict barbershop tradition. There is no doubt the rigorous framework of Sweet Ads took us to a high level of performance and national competition, along with the razzle-dazzle costumes and carefully rehearsed choreography – not to mention the false eyelashes! However, there came the right time to leave the organisation, as voted by the majority of members who were interested in singing a wider range of songs outside the barbershop style.”

The change made the choir more accessible to women, Joan says.

“Our choir is immensely supportive of each other, not only in building beautiful harmonies, but also on a personal and social level.

“The egalitarian quality of the choir is a great equaliser and allows capable, smart women to be their best, bringing everybody along on a generous and supportive journey.”

Out of the Blue has performed in and hosted various events such as International Women’s Day events (raising funds for breast cancer research); Viva La Gong; three Choir-tly LOUD festivals (2013, 2015 and 2017) which saw 20 local, regional

and interstate choirs coming to Wollongong for a weekend of singing; and the Festival of Choirs in Kiama.

Joan says OOTB’s weekend singing retreats draw most of their 40 members, with ages ranging from 50 to 81.

“OOTB’s Dinner Shows are also a lot of fun when we book out the top floor of Centro in Wollongong and perform a scripted repertoire of songs, put together by our two talented directors, for our families and friends. Our most recent dinner show featured songs made popular by The Seekers and Olivia Newton-John.”

The weekly rehearsals are about two and a half hours long, most of that time spent standing on stage risers. There is a commitment by all members to be punctual and considerate of others; take responsibility for learning; and to be ‘present’ and engaged with the process.

As a result, OOTB has developed a culture of enormous pride and trust amongst its members, who are amply rewarded when everything comes together and the chorus sings with ‘one’ rich voice … not to mention a sense of humour and fun that goes a long way in helping everyone relax, laugh off errors and the odd poorly executed key change!

“At times, OOTB breaks into smaller groups to learn different songs and sing to each other. This, along with our regular whole choir rehearsals, allows us to keep improving our craft and skills in readiness for public performances.

“It is so joyous to sing together when our voices ring out in harmony, key changes are executed seamlessly and the physicality of the singing exercise is brought to the forefront. We all enjoy the experience and are grateful. The hard work is definitely worth it for these moments.”

At 67, Joan does not look like stopping. Her world is enveloped by a supportive network with beautiful harmonies and generous spirits with a common purpose, and her choir benefits in return from Joan’s experiences and joyous outlook. They are part of a unique whole.

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

Congratulations to all the high achievers at Helensburgh Public School.

Records set at athletics carnival

By Matthew McCoy and Annaye Chisholm

Helensburgh Public School students went to The Ridge Sporting Complex in Barden Ridge for the school athletics carnival this year. This carnival was extra special because our Kindergarten and year 1 students were able to attend. Our youngest students participated in their own modified athletics games and cheered on their older peers.

There was lots to celebrate with some incredible results. Congratulations to Spencer G, Tom R, Jonesy H, Jackson F, Ellie B and Daisy D, who all

Art Show funds enrich students

By Acting Principal Genevieve Smith

We are delighted to share the wonderful impact of the Scarborough Public School Art Show, as the funds raised have been thoughtfully allocated to enrich the student experience in numerous ways.

An exciting addition is our new cubby house, which provides students with a vibrant space for imaginative play and social interaction.

Furthermore, the funding has facilitated a full term of the GOT Games sporting program, where students receive tailored fitness and movement instruction from a skilled sports teacher for an hour each week. This program promotes physical wellbeing and fosters a love for an active lifestyle.

We are delighted to have been able to employ a learning and support teacher for an extra day each week, offering truly invaluable assistance to students in their literacy and numeracy learning. This personalised support ensures that every student receives the guidance they need to thrive academically.

came in first or second place for nearly every event they entered.  We are very proud of Maddi K who set a new 12-year-old girls’ discus record that was from 1998 and Jonesy H who beat the 11-year-old girls’ shot put record from 2009.

We were very proud of all of our students and their sportsmanship. Thank you to all the parents who came along to cheer on the students and to the Heathcote High School students who were exemplary helpers on the day.

On the subject of art, we are thrilled to continue our highly successful Art Literacy program, led by talented artist Gabrielle Adamik. Through this program, Gadhu and Mudjingaal students engage in specialised art projects including glasswork, fostering their creative expression and artistic skills. Many students eagerly anticipate Art Literacy sessions, highlighting this as their favourite activity.

We extend our most heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the Scarborough Public School Art Show, as your contributions have truly made a difference in enhancing the educational experiences and opportunities for our students. Together, we continue to nurture a thriving and vibrant learning community where creativity and growth can flourish. Thank you!

For its 61st birthday, Keiraville CWA would like more members

By Genevieve Swart

Keiraville Country Women’s Association (CWA) is looking forward to a special lunch in June.

“This will be our 61st birthday,” said Bulli local Marion Cook, honorary treasurer and the branch’s publicity officer.

PR is a key role as, despite its longevity, Australia’s largest women’s organisation still needs to raise awareness of its work.

“People still will say to you, what’s CWA?” Marion said.

“People have this image of these older ladies cooking scones… And some people will say, oh that’s right, that’s the Cranky Women’s Association.

“And I’ll go, no, it’s the Chicks With Attitude.”

Behind the iconic scones is a group of experienced, talented and kind-hearted women.

“The CWA started 102 years ago to assist the country women who are fighting isolation and lack of the essential medical facilities,” Marion said. “The members worked tirelessly and set up baby health centres and funded bush nurses.

“We aim to provide better conditions for women and children in the country. And we do this by lobbying for change, helping the local community and creating a network of support in rural, remote and regional Australia.”

Keiraville CWA is going strong, with about 55 members. In May, to mark National Volunteer Week, Marion travelled to Sydney for the Premier’s Volunteer Reception at the Art Gallery of NSW. June will be another busy month.

“We’ve got our next appearance on Channel 7 Morning Show on the 5th of June and we’ll be demonstrating how to make sausage rolls. On the 8th of June, we have a knit-in at Kiama Library with Wrap With Love.”

Marion joined the CWA six years ago to give back to the community and meet new people.

“I’m retired and I have been for about nine years; my husband and I between us have eight children and six young grandchildren. I’ve spent much of my time up until now looking after and spending time with them. But they’re all at school now.

“I live in Bulli and I like to cook, sew, knit, garden, walk at the beach, do a bit of mosaics and a bit of screen printing.

“My parents had always done community work and they were heavily involved with the Uniting Church. Dad was an ambulance man and he used to give resuscitation lectures, and he did Lifeline counselling. I guess you have a bit of a gap when your children have grown up, and then mum and dad are gone, and you are looking for something to do, to give back to the community.

“The new friendships have been the biggest thing, with just some very kind and caring ladies in amongst the group.”

Marion has thrown her energy into the CWA, helping at stalls, Bunnings BBQs and catering for functions, from weddings to 100th birthday parties. Asked how many hours she puts into the CWA a week, Marion laughs. “I couldn’t tell you, maybe we should ask my husband that. I’m always doing things for CWA, getting ideas and working on different initiatives, making pickles, making food for the stalls, trying to get more publicity.”

Keiraville CWA members come from a range of generations and Marion would like to encourage more younger women to join.

“We’ve probably got four or five in our group that are around age 90. Once those people can’t get to the meetings anymore or once they’re gone, we lose a lot of the skills. We just need to have more people become involved. We do have a girl who’s 50 and she’s still working, she’s a nurse and she’s our handicrafts officer, a beautiful sewer.”

There are jobs for men too. Marion’s husband has his own interests (including the Austinmer Otters) but is very supportive of the CWA, helping to set up stalls and cook at barbecues.

Everyone is welcome and you don’t need to live in Keiraville to join. “We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Polish Club on Gipps Road. We meet at 9.30 and have a cup of tea and then the meeting starts at 10 o’clock.”

To join, phone branch president Liz Corfield on 4285 8121. Follow Keiraville CWA on Facebook

Bulli local Marion Cook is the publicity officer at Keiraville CWA. Photo supplied

Meet an Admin

Zachary Houtenville chats to community forum volunteer Grant Drinkwater

Stanwell Park Community Forum was created six years ago to establish cooperation and build connections in the neighbourhood. The private Facebook group now has nearly 3500 members.

“It’s an easy place for people to do simple things,” said Grant Drinkwater, admin and founder of Stanwell Park Community Forum.

“Tell their neighbours that something happened or warn people about something they think is happening – lost dogs, lost car keys, rings, basic stuff like that.”

Grant has lived in the Illawarra for 25 years. Previously, he worked for Qantas as an international customer service manager; today his day job is as the admin manager at Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea.

Running the community forum is a volunteer role that takes nearly 10 hours a week to ensure its smooth operation.

“Some weeks are busier than others as far as what’s going on,” Grant said.

In the week before my interview with Grant, discussions within the group revolved around a wide range of topics as members exchanged tips for local walking tracks and national parks, as well as debated contentious issues, such as the proposed offshore wind zone.

Grant is also the admin of a group called the

Improv and a Drama

By SPAT president Sonia Westwood

In our 50th year, Stanwell Park Arts Theatre (SPAT) is thrilled to be presenting two contrasting events at the CWA Hall, Stanwell Park this month.

For one night only, Improv Your Night, is being held on Sat, 8th June from 7pm. Think hilarity, spontaneity, quick-wittedness and audience involvement! Watch teams compete in a series of theatre games, compered by Nurina Simpson as they try to win a much-coveted mystery prize!

If you’d like to be in a team, a one-day workshop to familiarise yourself with the format of the games will be held on Sunday, 2 June. All improv, so no lines to learn! Call Nurina on 0449 140 255.

General admission is $10, payable at the door.

And, secondly, we are very proud to present five performances of the Australian award-winning play Things I Know to be True by Andrew Bovell.

Coalition Against Offshore Wind (CAOW), but within the Stanwell Park Community Forum he abstains from personal opinions, while acknowledging his participation in CAOW events.

“I try my best to stay out of it because, as an admin, I try to be neutral in these things as best I can.”

For Grant, running Stanwell Park Community Forum is a chance to give back to the community.

“I think the best thing that can happen in communities is allowing people to be able to discuss the things that are of concern to them,” Grant said.

One of the group’s most memorable moments since its 2017 creation centres on a lost dog named Sparky who was missing for a week before it was found in bushland near Stanwell Park.

“I suppose some of the best things are just people getting reunited with their lost things.”

Stories like these give Grant a profound sense of achievement because the Stanwell Park Community Forum provides a place where people can not only discuss issues, but help each other.

He’d like all residents to know that the forum is there for them to share.

“I think for the community, just to let people know that there’s someone there to help when they need it.”

An ensemble cast from SPAT (above, pictured in rehearsal) take you on a journey exploring the dynamics in a family as they encounter some unexpected discoveries along the way.

Dates are June 14, 16, 21, 22 and 23, with the Sunday performances starting at 5pm.

Tickets for this excellent play are available from the SPAT website and are already selling fast. See you there!

spat.org.au or spartstheatre@gmail.com

Photo: Melanie Russell

Wondering if you should buy first or sell first?

By Ian Pepper of Ray White Helensburgh

It’s tricky, right? If you own a home now and want to move to another, you’re left with the lingering question: “Should I buy or sell first?”

The answer depends on your financial resources. Can you afford to carry two mortgages if your current home doesn’t sell? If you buy first but don’t sell your current home fast enough, you’re stuck with owning two homes at once.

What if buyers don’t think your current home is worth your asking price? You may have trouble securing a mortgage for the new home. If you sell first then you’ll know exactly how much money the sale brought in, thus how much you can afford to pay for the next place.

There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or sell first. While there’s no right or wrong answer here, the goal is to make sure you have realistic expectations and a plan that works for you and your family.

What’s On

More events at theillawarraflame.com.au

@ Thirroul Library

Tues 10-10.45am, Preschool Storytime (3-5 years)

Wed Wriggle & Jiggle (birth-2 years) 10-10.30am

2nd and 4th Wed LEGO Club, 3.30-4.30pm

Thurs Baby Bookworms, 10-10.30am

Thurs Duplo, 10am-12pm

Fri Toddlertime (2-3 years), 10-10.30am

Mon, 3 June Boomerang Bags sewing workshop with CWA, 2.30-4.30pm Eventbrite bookings

Wed 5 June Knit, Stitch, Yarn 10.30am-12.30pm

Thurs 6 June Justice of the Peace, 10am-1pm

Thurs 20 June Stories in the Park, 10-10.30am, Glastonbury Gardens, Austinmer, Free, no bookings required. Songs and stories for carers and their preschool aged children, birth to 5 years.

@ Helensburgh Library

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

Wed Baby Bookworms, 10.30-11am

Every 2nd Mon Wriggle & Jiggle, 10.30-11am

Fri Preschool Storytime (3-5 years), 10.30-11.15am

18 June Henna Workshop, 10am-12pm, Free, bookings essential. Learn body art techniques!

Barefoot Bowls Fundraiser

Sun, 14 July 10am-3pm at Club Thirroul. Gary and Bronwyn Hart have called Lachlan St, Thirroul home for all their married life, raising their sons Tristan and Ben there. They’ve dedicated over 35 years to local rugby league, coaching,

Thanks Mike and Gail

By Yvonne Bryce of Thirroul Probus

Mike and Gail Brennan were recently awarded Life Membership in recognition of their contribution to the initial establishment of the Thirroul Probus Club in 2019.

Mike was the first president, a role he enthusiastically undertook for two years.

Mike and Gail then took on the joint role of Group Outings Officer and did a brilliant job in organising many day outings and events that club members thoroughly enjoyed. Their very active involvement in the club has seen it develop into a very well-supported, well-run club that is continuing to cater for our local retirees. Congratulations, Mike and Gail! This award is very well deserved!

committee work and more. The family has endured flooding three times since 1998; in April, their home was inundated again. $40 includes bowls and a sausage sizzle. All proceeds to helping the Harts.

Bookmaking Workshop at Clifton

20-21 June Phone Liz 0408 421 664 or Kathryn 0435 009 504, www.artsclifton.org

Reel Music: Music of the Movies

22 June 7.30pm, cinematic classics with Steel City Strings at Wollongong Art Gallery.

Made From Scratch

26 June Merrigong presents a multi-artform performance night at Wollongong Town Hall.

University of Third Age (U3A) Stanwell Park 9.30am Mondays at Hillcrest House. All welcome. Contact Jenny on 0406 350 025.

3 June Reconciliation Day – ‘Finding Alice Angale’, Stuart Traynor

10 June HOLIDAY – KING’S BIRTHDAY

17 June Camellias – Beautiful but Endangered, Patricia Henderson 24 June Conspiracy Theories, Dr Brian Martin.

Music and Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery Thu 6 June 11am, Emerging Concert Artists – Lyrical Magic. Free, donations welcome.

Join the Edible Garden Trail

9-10 Nov 10am-3pm. Open up your growing space! Organisers want all kinds of gardens: balcony, verge, backyard, school, bees, chooks and aquaponics. Register interest: foodfairnessillawarra .org.au/join-the-illawarra-edible-garden-trail/

U3A for everyone

By Barbara Cranfield of NIU3A

Northern Illawarra U3A offers a wide range of special interest groups in a friendly, fun and supportive atmosphere.

• If you want something stimulating, try Brain Games/Book Clubs/Reading Aloud/Film Appreciation/Language;

• Something thought-provoking? Try Current Affairs/Philosophy/Arts Hub;

• Something informative? Try Australia/Pacific Studies/Weekly Wednesday Talks;

• Something creative? Try Drawing and Painting/Drama;

• Something physical? Try Table Tennis/ Therapeutic Yoga/Gentle Exercise/Choir. Visit www.northernillawarra.u3anet.org.au

MUSIC OF THE MOVIES

Reel Music navigates a trail through cinematic classics, plus music for Rip Tide by local composer John Spence and much more. In addition you will hear the world premier of a commission from Australian film composer Lauren Mercovich. Don’t miss this one!

Tickets $15 – $55

The fictional worlds depicted by the cinema come vividly to life once music is added. Berry School of Arts, Sun 16 June 2.30pm

Group of 5 or more $35 per person For bookings: steelcitystrings.com.au/events-calendar/

Size doesn’t matter

By Bob Pymm of Helensburgh Men’s Shed

Here at the Men’s Shed our projects come in all shapes and sizes. From the simple and straightforward to the complex and demanding.

Rod’s hand-turned pens are a good example of the small-scale and he’s been happily training a few of us in the production of these pens.

They can be made to order – your name or any pattern that will fit can be laser-etched onto the barrel which is usually wood but can be resin or metals such as steel and copper.

At the other end of the scale, Stephen, our fine furniture craftsman, has been building benches and again, helping others to do so as well. These benches are super-functional and add to our facilities. So, if you are feeling down, fed up or just bored and unmotivated, join us at the Shed. It really is a great place.

Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed, 199A Parkes St, any Monday or Tuesday, 9am to 3pm

Art Gallery, Sat 22 June 7.30pm

Memorial Hall, Sun 23 June 2.30pm

Beachwalk: Otford to Stanny

An edited extract from Geoff Whale’s new guide, Northern Illawarra Beachwalks

The climb from Otford Station is fairly steep. Walk straight up Beaumont Rd to Lady Wakehurst Drive, cross the road and join the track heading south Continue past the Bulgo Beach junction and follow the track downhill away from the road at a bend.

After 2km the wind-sock used by hang-gliders looms into view. Skirt the take-off area to the right, then visit the accessible Yulunga lookout. Toilets and the Flying High cafe are below the lookout.

Best views are from the grassy areas further on. Gliders usually land on Stanwell Park beach after a languid 270 degree loop.

Bald Hill lookout is about 170m above sea level.

The bluff across the valley is unofficially known as Mt Mitchell. The 14km Forest Walk (when reopened) climbs up from the road via the Wodi Wodi Track, then follows the cliff line to Sublime Point. It’s part of the multi-day Great Southern Walk, opening soon.

From Bald Hill there’s a steep 130m descent along the track recently reconstructed by NPWS through escarpment forest dotted with cabbage palms. It has over 400 sandstone steps, and is easy to negotiate. At the 4-way junction you can visit the old Otford railway tunnel portal. The graffiti can’t hide the craftsmanship in its construction. Return the 200m to the junction and turn left.

Walk along the beach to the lagoon, then cut across the sand to Beach St. Take the rough track uphill from the end of the street, just behind the surf club, 4.8km. Follow Stanwell Ave north over the crest, then around the corner to the right. On the left, look for a small sign at the entrance to a bush track. Banksia Bush Care maintains the whimsical Art in the Park walk leading to the Beach Reserve. After a rest, head up Station St. Cross the overpass, turn left and keep to the footpath up Railway Crescent to the station.

Buy the booklet at bcw.grwpub.info

The Bald Hill track ends at The Drive, 3.7km. Although there’s no footpath, Maxwell Crescent opposite the trackhead is the quickest and safest way down to the beach. DISTANCE 6.5km, climb 150m | ALLOW 2.5 hours, plus 1hr lunch |

Tiny Dreams

By Ben Wollen

I have a plan. A very small plan, or perhaps more of a tiny dream. To buy a block of land somewhere along the beautiful South Coast and plonk something like a tiny solar home on it such that my family and I can escape the noise of Lawrence Hargrave Drive for a week or two, gaze upon a properly dark night sky and peer into the Milky Way with all its glory.

I believe I’m not the only one with this dream. Now, whether it includes a tiny home, a caravan, a yurt, or even a country villa, what is the net result of us city-type folk buying vacant lots in regional Australia? Yep – you guessed it, property price increases. And we all know about the effects of this. But, I digress – this is an article on tiny homes, not property prices. So, why not dream big and go for the large country villa? My response would be that there’s something unique about living in a tiny well-considered shelter. I would say that it allows you to become more intimate with nature, but without incurring the discomforts of camping.

I love caravans too, especially the old Airstreams, but they’re designed more to be carted around than for the comforts of home. Let’s face it, tiny homes only have wheels so they can bypass the legislation around building them with footings.

With the advent of modern efficient solar panels and composting toilets, it means these tiny homes are a very versatile domicile. So that brings me to why I like tiny homes so much. First, for the most part, you don’t need Council approval to park them on your piece of terra firma (STCA – that abbreviation you often see on real estate ads, it stands for Subject To Council Approval).

You do need to check with your local Council first. You see, tiny homes are technically caravans that look like houses. They are on wheels and they need to be registered if they ever encounter a road. (You can relocate them on the back of a lorry but

that’s kind of silly when they have their own wheels.) For the most part, the wheels will likely get used once and then that’s it. They just sit there to prove that for all intents and purposes, the thing is not permanent.

To alleviate the housing crisis,

Shellharbour Council is looking at ways to make it easier for people to plonk a tiny dream on their or someone else’s piece of terra firma. Whilst I laud them for doing so, I think this will only make a small dent in the housing crisis. I also feel that this is almost an act of exasperation for want of other longer-term and more appropriate solutions.

My friends on Instagram @ordinaryhouseau are doing great things with the tiny house form. Chatting with co-directors Sam and Lucia was illuminating, as there are some murky unknowns that one encounters with a tiny home plonk.

1. Do you need to keep them road-registered to justify them as a caravan?

2. How do you attach to a sewer? Does Sydney Water have an issue with another toilet, kitchen and shower popping up all over the place?

3. Should tiny homes have a standard for construction? Currently, they just need to fulfil the caravan standards.

4. What happens when you plonk your tiny home on someone else’s land and they keep jacking the rent up? Should there be a residential lease agreement that protects tiny renters?

5. If they don’t produce their own solar power, will they require their own circuit from the property’s mains board? Who pays for this?

6. Many Councils require the person occupying a tiny home to be a “member of the household”. How does one define a member of the household? Do they occasionally need to stay in the house?

7. In a bushfire-affected area – do tiny homes need to be made of non-combustible materials and/or adhere to the bushfire building code?

8. Insurance – can they even be insured?

Photo: Zach Bowden @Zachjames.studio

Byron Bay Council has a fact sheet summarising some of these quandaries. Tiny Solar Homes has a good FAQ at www.tinysolarhomes.com.au – while you’re there, book a tour of their display model.

As you can see, it’s not the easiest of plonks! There’s no doubt that tiny homes have a role to play in alleviating the housing crisis, but unless some of these unknowns are converted to certainties, they’re going to be effective only in certain circumstances.

As for my tiny dream, it will have to be satisfied by the ones available to rent for now!

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Spotlight on crime fiction

By Tyneesha Williams

Roger Simpson is a television writer and producer known for his work on Halifax f.p. and its re-boot, Halifax: Retribution. More recently, Roger has written a series of crime novels – Transgression, Resurrection and Unblessed – the last of which will come out in September.

“I have a particular affection for the Illawarra,” Roger says. “It’s one of my favourite places to write. I have written some of my most successful shows there.”

Roger says that his shows Good Guys Bad Guys, Stingers, Something In The Air and Satisfaction were all written at his holiday house in Stanwell Park.

At July’s South Coast Readers & Writers Festival, Roger will talk about what makes crime shows and crime novels so popular in Australia.

“The crime novel has the perfect three-act structure: set-up, interrogation and resolution,” he says. “A well-written crime novel gives the reader the chance to participate in the investigation, to try and guess the outcome while being challenged and misdirected along the way.”

After creating 20 series for television, Roger’s books have taken him out of his comfort zone.

“Setting the third book in the USA pushed me even further into the unknown. Unblessed is set in Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Hollywood – so there was a lot to get my mind around,” he says.

“It heavily involves the military industrial complex. So I was scrupulous in sourcing the right advisers, which is something we always do in television.

“It not only provides the book with authenticity; I find it generates a lot of the story as well.”

His fiction trilogy builds on the characters and world invented for the Halifax series. Roger’s next book, Matrimonial Causes, is grounded by his expertise in writing comedy and crime, however, it will not draw on pre-existing worlds created for television.

“A friend has described me as a writer-holic rather than a work-a-holic and I think she is right. As long as I’m writing – I’m happy,” he says.

Roger will give a Crime Fiction talk at the festival on Sunday, July 14 at 11.15am.

“I hope that readers will get an insight into how I work – but I have always been especially interested in festival goers who want to write themselves.” Roger says.

What’s On at the Writers Centre

By Jeremy Lasek and Elizabeth Heffernan

12th ‘Dreaming Inside’

When Aunty Barbara Nicholson first stepped foot in Junee Correctional Centre 13 years ago to teach creative writing to Indigenous inmates she thought it was going to be a “one-off”.

Last month, author Graham Akhurst joined the 2024 Wollongong Citizen of the Year to launch the 12th volume of inmates’ stories and poems in her series, Dreaming Inside: Voices from the Junee Correctional Centre. “It’s been a journey of discovery and learning,” Aunty Barb said at the May 23 book launch at Wollongong Art Gallery. “The fact that 13 years ago we had six inmate writers and now we have 127 for the latest edition, I think that success speaks for itself.”

Aunty Barb said the project is helping change lives. “The fact they see themselves in print, you can see the change in them and their change of attitude. Some of them say they can’t write, and I say ‘I’ve got five books that show you can.’”

Dreaming Inside has won Aunty Barb a Lifetime Achievement Award to First Nations Literature.

South Coast Readers & Writers Festival

The festival will be at Thirroul District Community Centre and Library on 13-14 July, with 40 guests across 22 sessions. Hear Antony Loewenstein and Sara Saleh talk about Antony’s Walkley Awardwinning book, The Palestinian Laboratory. Join Bri Lee as she discusses her debut fiction novel, The Work, and Anne Manne as she reveals the secrets of the Anglican diocese of Newcastle in her new book, Crimes of the Cross. See you in July!

Book tickets at southcoastwriters.org

Girl Guides proud to make their Promise

By Kinya Donnan of Helensburgh Girl Guides

Earlier this year, seven of our unit members made their Promise with the help of their fearless leader Brolga and our most experienced unit member Liana.

Brolga and Liana planned a circus-themed Promise Ceremony where the girls had to take part in two exciting tasks – walking a tightrope while blindfolded and taming a ferocious lion – before jumping through the ‘Hoop of Fire’ and making their Promise.

All six girls have worked hard in the lead-up to making their Promise, taking part in many Girl Guide activities designed to teach the girls what it means to be a Girl Guide, and how as Girl Guides, they can become compassionate and responsible citizens in their community and the world.

Many of our Guiding parents and other family members were in attendance to watch their girls make their Promise. The girls were so thrilled to have them all there and it was lovely to see so many proud parent faces.

The Unit Leaders would like to extend a special thank you to both outgoing and incoming parents who have taken up roles in our Support Unit. Our unit could not operate without you.

Lastly we would like to extend a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Isla, Bella, Josie, Noelle, Annabel, Anna and Madeleine on making their Girl Guide Promise. We know you will be exceptional Girl Guides and we look forward to supporting you throughout the rest of your guiding journey.

Cosy reads

With the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul

Ranger the Bookshop Dog has exciting new releases to recommend. Come in, stay hi to Ranger, and pick up a cosy read. On Wednesday, 26 June, come to Ryan’s Hotel for the launch of Ariane Beeston’s memoir Because I’m Not Myself, You See, a frank, hopeful and darkly funny memoir of postpartum psychosis and recovery. Register via thirroul@ collinsbooks.com.au. And a big congratulations to Helena Fox, who won the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature at the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards for her remarkable young adult novel The Quiet and the Loud

collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul

Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au

@collinsbooksellersthirroul

Left: Petalura gigantea. Photo: Christopher Brandis, WikiCommons (CC0 1.0 Universal).

Below: A drawing of the wing venation of a male Petalura gigantea (from Tillyard 1917)

Beetling About

With entomologist Dr Chris Reid of the Australian Museum

Reviewing my several years of contributions to this esteemed magazine, I realise I’ve been biased towards beetles and moths. The latter usually because I’m late to submit, I’m wondering what to write about, and then fortuitously I see some moth about to be squashed on Helensburgh Station.

Dragonflies and damselflies are not flies at all, of course, but they have large wings hence the name. Dragonflies have wings held rigidly at a 90-degree angle to the body, damselflies can fold their wings along their bodies at rest. The two groups are put in the order Odonata, so biologists refer to them as odonates. Odonates are the oldest of fossil winged insects – they were around in the Late Carboniferous swamp forests 300 million years ago (mya), the same forests that became coal in the UK (our coal is from much later, a mere 220 mya).

Those first odonates were huge, with wingspans up to 70cm, a size never regained in their later history. By comparison, the largest modern odonates are South American damselflies, up to 17cm in wingspan. And the largest modern dragonflies are our very own species of Petalura, up to 16cm in wingspan (P. ingentissima in North Queensland).

Here we are lucky to have one of the Petalura on our backdoor – Petalura gigantea is a frequently recorded species in the peat bogs of the escarpment. However, despite the name, it is only 12.5cm in wingspan.

Petalura belongs to the Petaluridae, a family of only 11 species whose fossil wings have been dated back to 130 mya, peak dinosaur time. So petalurids are ‘living fossils’.

How have they managed to survive so long, especially in this dry continent? The key might be found in their larvae which live in deep burrows (up to 75cm) in wet peaty soil, unlike most modern dragonflies and damselflies, which are truly aquatic.

From these burrows, they ambush prey, which may include small frogs. The larvae live for about five years and grow to about 5cm long. Recent studies of peat bogs in the Blue Mountains after wildfire have shown that the larvae survived in their deep burrows.

Insects breathe by simply allowing air to filter through the body via paired holes (spiracles) in the sides of the body, not unlike the stomata on the surface of leaves. However, plants don’t fly, so it’s probably not important to have such an inefficient system. Insects do, so their size is constrained by that inefficiency, and surface area to body volume ratio. But the largest modern dragonflies are much smaller than their fossil ancestors. How come?

One theory is that there wasn’t anything around to eat them – they were the apex aerial predators of the day. But another is that they could be bigger simply because the Late Carboniferous atmosphere had 20% more oxygen. We are now in the process of depleting the world’s oxygen. Perhaps the dragonflies will shrink.

Good accounts of Petalura gigantea here:

• www.bushcarebluemountains.org.au/the-giantdragonfly-petalura-gigantea-an-ancient-peatswamp-survivor-in-the-blue-mountains/

• www.aabio.com.au/a-day-in-the-swamps-of -katoomba-chasing-the-giant-dragonflypetalura-gigantea/

Pick the right plant for your garden

By John Elton

Go to any nursery and you will see large colourful labels designed to entice the buyer. Only the best flowers are used and even then, they may be enlarged and photoshopped. Names such as Peaches and Cream, Goliath and Golden Lyre are evocative and give some indication of what might be expected.

However, labels are generic and often can’t be relied on to give you what you need to know.

Someone who buys a plant at Thirroul will have the same label as the same plant purchased in Wagga Wagga. What labels often won’t tell you is whether the plants will grow well in our conditions on the east coast.

Nurseries stock plants from the desert, the rainforest or the tropics and people who buy them are disappointed when the plants quickly die.

At the Grevillea Park Botanic Garden, we grow many of the plants we sell on our open days, and have done so for many years. Those that won’t grow we often graft onto a hardy rootstock so that even desert plants can thrive in our gardens.

Our next open days are on the first two weekends in July, so come and have a look at the gardens, find a few special plants to take home and don’t be shy to ask us for our advice.

Tree of the Month

By Kieran Tapsell, of Banksia Bushcare

Tristaniopsis laurina (Water Gum)

This tree grows prolifically in the Stanwell Creek area where it can reach 15 metres.

It also appears along the escarpment, and the Royal National Park, usually at the heads of watercourses. Its range is from south-east Queensland to Northern Victoria, generally along the coast. It has creamy yellow flowers in short clusters and has alternate narrow leaves that can be from 5 to 12 cm long.

The wood is light and strong, and has often been used for making tool handles, mallets and golf club heads.

NSW Justice Association Wollongong Branch provides free JP services at Community Desks at Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong, Dapto & Warrawong Libraries. All services given by JPs are free of charge. They cannot give legal advice. More info: branch president Morgan Prosser, 0432 378 318

Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’.

Photo: Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden

feature Cover

Footy families

By Marcus Craft

The 2024 footy season is in full swing. And the Helensburgh Tigers have once again rallied a town-strong army of friends and family to play, support and raise funds for the club.

The Tigers have a long and proud tradition as a grassroots, family-focused club. It’s what keeps generations of local families returning each season.

Case in point: Burgh Tiger legend Steve “Tower” McCallum, his wife Mel and their three children: Cooper (9), Jack (8) and Marley (5).

You’ll know Steve from his many years (25 and counting!) on the footy field, or you’ll know him from his business, SRM Plumbing & Gasfitting, or you’ll know him as one of the Flame’s very first sports reporters – way back in 2014!

The McCallums are one great example of a Tigers family, but there are more – check out the opposite page for photos of other Tiger clans.

In between working, playing, coaching and family life, Mel McCallum kindly took time out of her hectic schedule to answer our questions.

How long have you all been playing rugby league?

Steve – approximately 25 years. He’s an old boy. He has celebrated his milestone 250th game (200 of those in first grade) with the club – I keep egging him on to make 300 but I don’t think the body will make it. He’s notoriously known as Johnny Farnham for hanging up the boots a few times but the fear of missing out always gets him back again.

It’s my 1st season of league tag. I sat at the presentation dinner last year and thought ‘I want to be a part of this’. So I got to work creating our first over-30 girls’ team to join the Shire comp.

An amazing group of mainly mothers looking to have a social outlet that was family friendly, great exercise in an awesome club that made them something other than “just mum”.

We have the absolute best time together and wish we had done this sooner. Some have no experience in a ball sport so it’s amazing to see everyone giving it a crack.

The McCallums. All photos: Anthony Warry

Cooper is in his second year. He loved his first year with the boys last year and couldn’t wait to be back with them this year. Jack is in his third year. This kid breathes footy. He is unbelievable with stats and is seen out the front from 6am most mornings practising his kicks and plays. Marley is in her second year. She played last year and never made a tag, but really took to the game over the summer in a girls’ Oztag side. She has really picked up the game well and loves the team she is in.

What appeals to you about rugby league for your family?

It’s all Steve has ever known and loved. I’ve supported him for 10 years playing for this club and I guess the passion was attractive.

For the kids, they were only days if not months old when we started bringing them to watch Dad’s game. They have had a footy in their hand since before they could walk and we never really had to ask them – they just begged to play.

Finally finishing having kids and wanting to play competitive sport again, I found that same attraction to what Steve and the kids had – and I hope I’ll be around for a couple of seasons yet.

The fitness, social and skills I’m learning is

never-ending. I have huge admiration for players’ dedication and commitment for the sport.

We watch every game on TV at home and it’s something we bond together over as a family.

What’s great about the Tigers?

Probably the biggest introduction I got when I met Steve was to the Tigers family. He had been with the Juniors since 1995 and continued into the seniors in 2003.

Welcomed from day dot, with many of the staff and players being there with us to celebrate our marriage, each of our kids, and there through the tough times as well. The amount of community support for the game we all love is evident in games and at events. We have the support of local businesses and families driving us.

Would you recommend the sport to others? Rugby league is an amazing game of skill, precision, execution, communication and fitness. The added social side is when you find a club like ours you instantly belong, everyone finds a way to get to know you and your family and support each other … I would love to see our kids there until the adult years – what a milestone that would be.

Read more at www.theillawarraflame.com.au/ sport/footy-in-the-family

Helensburgh Tigers’ footy families (clockwise from left): Kirra, Jasmine & Teagan Cox; Wilson, Dodge and Jesse Cobb; Carlie Gibbs & Kristie Linke; Emily & Ryan Andrews.

Thirroul Village Committee Update

By TVC secretary Annette Jones

On Sunday, 28th April the TVC held a general meeting where of issues discussed included graffiti attacks across the village, development applications and garden maintenance.

Members were fortunate to be joined by the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, and also by Louis Goulimis, from Solid Void, who discussed the Thirroul Plaza survey.

Update from the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart

Maryanne informed the TVC about projects she is working on. She arranged for an extension to the operation of the flood recovery assistance points. Maryanne advised that if residents’ property has sustained damage they need to register this with the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

Maryanne said Minister for Roads NSW, John Graham, attended a round table in Wollongong with 40 stakeholders to discuss the 24-hour economy and work out how to ensure this happens. The problem is that public transport ends before or just after midnight which curtails night-time activity. More work is being done in this space.

Maryanne is aiming to have a Housing Forum with the Minister of Planning, Paul Scully, later in the year.

A suggestion was made to Maryanne that speed cameras be placed on Bulli Pass. No decision has been made about this as yet. It was suggested that trucks be stopped from driving down the pass; although this may have unintended consequences on the roads to the south of Thirroul. Also discussed was the possibility that the green parkland at the end of Bulli Pass be utilised to

Probus News

By publicity officer Lorraine Jones

On April 29, 33 members of the Helensburgh and District Probus Club set off on a six-day bus holiday to Dorrigo.

Native wildlife seen on the trip included a red-bellied black snake, a large water dragon, ducks and waterfowl, a bush turkey and small crabs making sand balls on the beach at Woolgoolga.

The bus route was along the Waterfall Way to the motel up in the mountains outside of Dorrigo. It was very beautiful and, with all the waterfalls we saw, the route lived up to its name.

The countryside was very green. There were very healthy beef and dairy cattle grazing on this excellent pasture.

create a more sweeping left-hand turn towards Thirroul. This would be safer than the current ‘stop’ where Bulli Pass joins onto Lawrence Hargrave Drive as sight lines at this junction are extremely difficult. It is hoped there will be some news about the Bulli Bypass soon.

Update on the Plaza Survey by Louis Goulimis Louis Goulimis, from Solid Void, is a consultant with more than 25 years of experience. The Thirroul Plaza developers have employed him with the aim of achieving a good outcome for all stakeholders. He said the survey is one part of the consultation process that will happen over 12 months. About 3200 letters were delivered to households around Thirroul and up to Austinmer.

At the time of the meeting, there had been 1500 visits to the website, 70 email responses, 520 electronically completed surveys and two hard copy surveys received. The survey will be open until mid-June, and all residents are invited to complete the survey. Once the survey period ends, the data will be collated and a report produced outlining the findings. This information will be fed into the design of the building.

The issue of flooding was raised, especially given the recent downpour. Louis said the owners have looked at the site after the recent flood and are aware of the issues. They have organised for a new hydrological assessment to be done on the site.

Once the consultation process is complete the design and development application process will begin. It was acknowledged that there is a lot to do beforehand as it was recognised that this development is located in the centre of town.

We visited a trout farm that grows fingerlings used to stock creeks and rivers with trout.

We visited the butter factory in Bellingen. There was a Model T Ford on display.

The catering at the motel was superb. The cuisine was Italian. It was hard to know if the tiramisu or panna cotta was the better dessert.

The honey farm we visited served delicious honey ice-cream. Also seen on the trip was a display of dolphins and a sea lion at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary The dolphins performed amazing leaps and twirls and the park also had fairy penguins.

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

For more information, please contact Val, our membership officer, on 0419 129 984

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 attended NIRAG quarterly meetings to discuss and contribute to local community issues. We are fortunate that senior Council officers and Ward 1 Councillors regularly attend and participate.

Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) 2024

At the last meeting, Council officers Chris O’Connor and Andrew Ogg gave a presentation of the Draft Delivery Program 2022-2026 and Operational Plan 2024-2025 and distributed a summary of the projects relating to the NF3 area. Submissions closed on 7th May and NIRAG / NF3 has submitted comment on the draft.

Bulli Hospital Community Group:

Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, was unable to attend the last meeting but she advised by email in relation to the issues with parking at Bulli Hospital that “this is a high priority and work will soon get underway to install additional parking spaces at Bulli Ambulance station (roughly 6) and that longer-term options are being investigated for parking at Bulli Hospital… the free shuttle service has expanded to include an on-demand service that is available to the public in addition to hospital staff, to provide an alternative to driving and parking at the hospital”. Maryanne is working with Wollongong City Council “to identify other local solutions to assist in creating additional parking along Hospital Road and timed parking has already been installed on Hospital Road.”

Big Ideas Community Survey

Thirroul Plaza Developments Pty Ltd has appointed Solid Void to formulate a new development vision and master plan for the Thirroul Plaza site (pictured at left). There was a meeting with Project Manager, Louis Goulimis, on 9th May to give background and discuss traffic issues affecting the broader community. Members are encouraged to take the survey: www.urbantalk. com.au/projects/thirroul-plaza or contact UrbanTalk on 1800 828 255. Consultation has been extended to mid June.

Sandon Point Feature Exhibition

Kerrie Anne Christian, president and curator of Black Diamond Heritage Centre, has advised that the Sandon Point feature exhibition at the Museum at Bulli Railway Station on Sundays, 1-4pm, is extended until mid-August, or email bdhcbulli@ gmail.com if you would like to make an appointment for a mid-week viewing.

Special General Meeting

The next NIRAG meeting will be a Special General Meeting at 7pm on Wednesday 12 June at the Bulli Community Centre (in the upstairs meeting room) to consider and vote for voluntary cancellation of NIRAG Inc incorporation.

It is proposed that incorporation is no longer needed because NIRAG no longer has a tax deductible gift account, is not likely to apply for grants that require incorporation and is not intending to take legal action. This would simplify administration by removing the fees and reporting requirements of the Dept of Fair Trading. The group would then continue as “NIRAG” with the same aims and objectives.

40 Year NIRAG Anniversary

In mid-August 2024 it will be 40 years since NIRAG began, and to recognise this anniversary a celebration is planned at the Black Diamond Bulli Heritage Museum followed by a gathering and a meal at Resin Brewery. Save the date: Sunday, 18 August. If you are interested in attending, please reply to nirag@bigpond.com.

AGM in August

The next regular quarterly meeting (and the AGM meeting) will be on Wednesday, 14th August 2024 at 7pm at the Bulli Community Centre (in the upstairs meeting room).

The minutes of previous meetings are on the Illawarra Flame website.

For more information or to add new items to the agenda, contact Ross Dearden by email: nirag@bigpond.com

Common Ground: ‘We need more research’

Genevieve Swart looks at an issue everyone supports in the energy transition

There’s good news for locals united in calling for more research into the impacts of offshore wind. Not only do years of environmental investigation lie ahead but everyone can get involved.

As well as drone tech and satellite tagging, citizen science will play a big role in whale and bird surveys, so we can all look forward to heading to the nearest headland with a deckchair and a pair of binoculars, and declaring it a regional priority.

“It’s going to be a really exciting time for marine science,” said Associate Professor Michelle Voyer, a marine social scientist and Blue Energy Futures Lab (BEFL) spokesperson at the University of Wollongong. “We are going to learn a lot in this time, whether wind farms proceed or not. The key point that we’ve made right from the beginning … is that the science needs to be done independently, as well as by individual proponents.”

Research required

Regulatory body the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority has listed marine research priorities, but Michelle thinks more could be done.

“We need to begin now with research into the circular economy. So beginning to plan now for waste and decommissioning, reusing/recycling,” she said. “We need to do a lot of work on understanding social values, social connections to place, the emotions and aspirations of local communities, and start this process of co-designing community benefit arrangements.

“There’s also a lot of work that needs to begin straight away in understanding what the impacts are on other users, such as fisheries.”

Research may assess coexistence opportunities.

“Offshore aquaculture development is something that’s been looked at quite a lot overseas, such as co-locating wind farms with fish aquaculture or shellfish aquaculture. Seaweed’s quite an exciting one as well.”

A zone announcement is expected soon, but the 30 academics with “amazing expertise” at BEFL are not yet funded to spring into research. “If you go in half-baked, that’s when you’re going to lose people’s trust, and their trust in the result,” Michelle said.

View from Responsible Future

Environmental studies should be undertaken before a zone is declared, said Alex O’Brien, media spokesperson for Responsible Future, a new group standing for “unconditional opposition” to offshore

wind turbines in highly sensitive marine ecosystems, like the Illawarra.

“We’ve completed internal polling with our supporters and by far the number one issue was the impact a wind farm would have on the environment,” Alex said.

“It wasn’t the view, it wasn’t a NIMBY attitude, it wasn’t that they didn’t like renewables or didn’t believe in climate change – it was simply the impact on the environment.”

Responsible Future (Illawarra Chapter) Inc. is an advocacy association with a committee of nine volunteers. About 250 people attended its first public meeting in Unanderra on April 30.

“We are supported by 16,000 people across multiple social media pages as well as stakeholders in the community including impacted businesses and further supported by politicians across the political landscape,” Alex said. “These include family-run businesses in commercial fishing and tourism operators that employ hundreds of locals, whose jobs are at risk.”

The group’s vice-president, local teacher Amanda De Lore, said: “We have strong credibility in the community.

“We’ve been made out to be all sorts of ridiculous things – coal lovers, Trump supporters; that we’re funded by coal and gas. We are funded by the people and businesses that live in this area. Because they want transparency, they want truth. They want to know what is actually going to happen out there and how it’s going to impact them, their environment and their economy.”

Of the three choices of funding for research –industry, government or philanthropy – Amanda said “philanthropy would be wonderful but the reality is government needs to be the one to fund the research and it should not be the developers”.

Alex said: “You have got to take the conflict of interest out of the environmental impact studies.”

View from Surfers for Climate

Coco Venaglia, the campaigns manager for Surfers for Climate, finds the idea of common ground between offshore wind groups “really interesting”.

“We’re asking for the same things,” she said of calls across the board for environmental research.

“Surfers for Climate is asking for the federal government to include an independent environmental assessment process … That means that government would potentially fund something like CSIRO or local universities to do a proper

From top: Coco Venaglia at Thirroul’s youth summit; UOW scientists Ty Christopher, Freya Croft, Michelle Voyer, Duncan Leadbitter and Teaniel Mifsud; Alex O’Brien of Responsible Future; and Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes (left) with Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon in Denmark. Photos: Melanie Russell, supplied.

environmental map of the avian and marine area and ecology, so that it’s not left in the hands of proponents, which we know hasn’t worked in offshore oil and gas.”

On May 11, Coco ran an Illawarra Youth Climate Leadership Summit for 28 people aged 14 to 25 at Thirroul Surf Club. The event – which opened with a talk by renowned climate scientist Professor Tim Flannery – brought together Coco’s passion for helping young people and the environment. A Wollongong local who has spent a decade working in children’s rights, Coco is also one of the founders of Good for the Gong, which became an incorporated association in late 2023.

On who should pay for offshore research, Coco said: “For me personally, I’m totally fine with my taxes paying for proper environmental research. I’m all for it. Wherever the money’s coming from, it just needs to be independently led.”

View from Sea Shepherd Australia

Sea Shepherd is one the world’s most respected defenders of the ocean, so many people have looked to the organisation for leadership in the offshore wind debate. John Corker, a Sea Shepherd Australia (SSA) National Advisory Panel member, said the need for research is now urgent.

“Sea Shepherd Australia starts from a position that our changing climate is one of the greatest planetary challenges currently being faced, and which impacts all species,” John said.

“On balance, SSA is prepared to support the use of technologies and methods of OSW construction and operation that avoid and/or minimise adverse impacts on marine life as well as birds and bats transiting the OSW areas but this must be carefully considered on a site by site basis.”

Sea Shepherd Australia is especially concerned about the impact of underwater cables and noise.

“For the Illawarra we noted in our submission that the Australian East Coast Migration Corridor has been recognised as an important marine mammal area for the Humpback whale and other marine species. The potential whale migration path through this proposed zone is considerable.”

Government promises ‘strict’ legislation

Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes said any approved offshore wind projects will be subject to strict legislation. “The Albanese Labor Government has already been investing in marine research like that of Dr Jodi Edwards’ ‘Unbroken Whispers’ project,” she said. This $300,000, two-year project will collect Indigenous knowledge about whales, orcas and dolphins. Alison also said $96.6 million has been allocated to support “robust” environmental approval decisions for renewable energy, transmission and critical mineral projects.

Neighbourhood Forum 1 Report

By NF1 convenor Warwick Erwin

April Rain Event impacts

• Vera St – Road to Railway Station Sydney Water have completed their stabilisation of the sewer pipes via the use of bulka bags containing a stabilising mixture. Council have a design to stabilise under the roadway to allow one lane to be opened to enable traffic in to the carpark and buses to use the “Transport Interchange” under flow control (unknown at the time of writing this report whether that flow control will be traffic lights or humans). Council are working on a design to restore the road to full width but this will take time. Allowing traffic to the car park is the priority.

• Whitty Rd  Council Geotech and Stormwater teams are monitoring the impact of the subsidence on Whitty Rd and it has been indicated that work to stabilise the area should be starting shortly with design being undertaken for a long-term solution. Council are also investigating the culvert under Walker St for damage and stability. Council to provide more information on completion of these investigations.

• Tunnel Rd – opposite and beside 17 Tunnel Rd Council geotechnic team have reviewed the area on the railway side of Tunnel Rd where the creek has undermined the side of the roadway (orange barriers in place) and Council’s Stormwater team reviewed the creek from Foster St to Tunnel Rd beside No. 17 Tunnel Rd and found that a property owner has impacted the easement and creek flow and been requested to restore both.

• Postmans Track/The Crescent  Council Stormwater Manager was advised that Council had filled in the old stormwater drain when Postmans Track had been resurfaced years ago. The issue of the flooding in this area in April was from rainwater flowing over the Helensburgh curb that Council used to replace the old stormwater drain. More to come on this as Council investigates. Anyone with photos or drawings of the old drain in Postmans Track is asked to forward a copy to NF1 as residents are indicating the old drain worked better than the current one.

• Lady Carrington Rd (Otford Rd to Otford Railway Station) Council Geotech team are reviewing investigations into a collapse into the Hacking River on the side of the roadway. NF1 is waiting for information on a solution to stabilise the roadway to come from Council. Damage to the Railway Weir further down the road at the Hacking River (Heritage-listed as it was the weir that water was pumped from to the old water tanks at Otford Station for rewatering of the steam engines) was

also referred to Council. Some residents indicate the damage is a result of loaded heavy trucks travelling across the weir.

Otford Community Hall Replacement

Latest plans from Council have been reviewed by Otford Community Inc (licensee of the hall) and they have advised Council of no gable roof and glass doors as discussed with Council officers back in February (at NF1 meeting). Council advised that the next stage is DA. NF1 has asked about the further community consultation that was promised in February by Council staff. It appears this will be a prefabricated building trucked in.

Helensburgh Community Centre and Library

No new news on the new Centre and Library. We are waiting on Community Consultation plans from Council. Many people have told NF1 that residents want the new centre to be either where the old community centre is (with parking across the road, with playground) or new centre with parking on the eastern side of Walker Street (and the old centre turned into green space, with playground and public toilets). The four quilts that were hanging in the old centre and the restored original Helensburgh Station sign are stored for inclusion in the new centre.

Councillors who have attended NF1

In this current term of Council, the Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery, Cr Cameron Walters and Cr Richard Martin are the only Councillors to have attended an NF1 meeting.

Helensburgh Town Centre Work

Still on track for completion before the end of this financial year, with notice of potential delay due to sandstone/stone mason delivery. Confirmation of power location for potential events received. Ramp and footpath concreting was to be done by end of May. Ramp to roadway on footpath is for a disabled parking spot, so that a van with rear wheelchair lift can park and unload a wheelchair to use the ramp.

Draft Operational Plan and Budget

June 24’s meeting is when Council will pass or modify the draft Operational Plan and draft Budget for 2024/25. A week before, the business papers for the meeting with be available on Council’s website.

Council Elections in September Council will go into caretaker mode in August.

The next NF1 meeting will be on Wednesday, July 10 at Thistle’s Club Room. There is no meeting in June.

See where your solar power goes

Part 7 in Peter Aubourg’s Diary of an EV Driver

And now for my fellow solar nerds, some juicy graphs care of the Clipsal Cortex monitoring system that I installed to track production and consumption of the power in our home.

The first chart I use as a reference. This shows the dome-shaped curve of the power generated by the solar panels on a beautiful sunny day when we were out, and almost no power was being used by the house. The yellow indicates solar power that is being exported back to the grid. The light green is

solar power that is being used by the home. The jagged shapes on the yellow indicate clouds have come over and interrupted the solar power.

The second chart shows a perfect day for charging the car. No clouds, so a smooth domeshaped solar graph. The light green shows the loads in the rest of the house and the dark green shows the EV charging, filling in the gaps to consume all of the available solar power.

The tiny yellow triangle at the start of the day is solar power being exported back to the grid, before I had plugged in the charger. The pink is power imported from the grid for the evening peak. You can see how the Evnex car charger continually tracks up and down to feed all the excess solar power into the car battery.

The third graph shows a partly cloudy day when we were using the dishwasher, water heater and stove in the middle of the day. At this time, the car charger had turned off and a small amount of power had to be imported to cover the excess.

A fairly bumpy ride for the car charger that day as it powers up and down around the cloudy periods and the whims of the home owners turning appliances on and off.

This monitoring system allows you to learn the best way to manage various appliances/electrical loads in your house.

After a little while, you can get some good savings by simply turning loads on at different times of the day.

Well done to junior surfers

By Ian Pepper & Emily Laurence

Well, Pointscore #5 on May 5 was one for the books. First time in recent memory the club has abandoned a pointscore mid-event due to weather.

What started out as a rainy morning with some decent waves at Coalcliff quickly descended into chaos as the rain intensified, started coming into the tents, and wet all the gear. Then the wind picked up one of the gazebos and simply blew it away, destroying it in the process. Despite our best efforts, the event had to be abandoned.

We did, however, manage to complete the junior divisions. Congrats to Roxanne Stancourt for taking out the junior girls, Jesse Fitzgibbons won the U14s, and Noah Kornek won the U12s.

Massive shout-out and thank you to Coalcliff Surf Club, Rob Deacon and Damian Lloyd, for assisting us with the use of their club to move all our gear when the weather hit.

On May 11 all of the junior surfers in our area competed in the Illawarra Junior Surfing Titles.

BIG congratulations to our place-getters:

• 1st u18s girls – Shyla Short

• 3rd u18s girls – Macey Jolley

• 2nd u18s boys – Mitch Burroughs

• 1st u12s boys – Noah Kornek

• 3rd u12s boys – Saxon King

Hail the queens!

By Anna Martin

Sam Kornek took 4th in the u14 boys final. Ashton Mekisic reached the u16 boys semi-finals; Oliver Keed and Jesse Fitzgibbon got through to the 16 boys quarter-final. Special mention to Noah Kornek, 10, who scored a perfect 10 in the semis!

Thanks to this year’s hosts, Sandon Point Boardriders, who did a great job in bad weather.

Big news! 40th Anniversary Celebration  This huge event has been booked for Saturday, September 28 at Headlands Hotel Austinmer. Stay tuned for further information.

Rain, wind, and the threat of even more flooding did not stop the Illawarra’s first all-women surf comp, the Ocean Queen Classic, from going ahead on May 5 at Woonona Beach.

Forty women and girls took to the murky water to battle it out for the crown, some serious cash and fantastic prizes. In the Open Women’s division, Charli Hurst from Port Kembla surfed with flair all day to take out Oceanna Rogers (Shellharbour), Summa Longbottom (Cronulla) and Billie Melinz

(Scarborough) in a stacked final.

“Women’s surfing is progressing so much and this event really got to showcase that,” Charli said. “I had the best day…”

In the Junior Girls Division, Werri Beach’s Lucy Darragh surfed a level above to defeat Lani Cairncross (Jones Beach), Pearl Eaton (Malua) and Marlie Moston (Sandon Point) in the final.

Woonona Boardriders women’s coordinator and contest director Kirby Mowbray and her codirector Yvonne Turner were both stoked. “The real winner of the day was female surfing,” Yvonne said. “We were skunked by the weather, but the joy the competitors have for our sport still shone through. There were happy girls and smiling faces everywhere.”

The U12 finalists at the Illawarra Junior Surfing Titles. Noah Kornek (far right) took the win, scoring a perfect 10 in the semi’s.

Photo: Emily Laurence

AFL club hosts Inclusion Round

By Tony Ryan of the Northern Districts Tigers

Game day looked a little bit different at Hollymount Park on May 18, with the Northern Districts Tigers hosting a community-driven inclusion round.

The club partnered with the southern branch of the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia (DSAA) and the Homeless Hub, and players wore rainbow socks and hung pride banners and posters in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The opponents on the day were the Kiama Power in the Women’s and Men’s Premier Division, and the Wollongong Bulldogs in Men’s Reserve Grade.

Club president Leigh Forsyth said inspiration for the round stemmed from the long relationships with the two organisations, as well the club’s support for the AFL’s Pride Round initiative.

The DSAA is a fantastic group that helps people living with a disability try surfing safely with the help of volunteer instructors. Its relationship with the Tigers dates back more than 25 years.

The association’s president, Ian Picton, reflected on the club’s past fundraising efforts: “About 10 years ago they had a jumper raffle which bought us a wheelchair which we actually still use to this day.

“I think they also gave us $10,000 in the end, for a club like that to raise that money and not use it for themselves, but give it back to the community, for us was fantastic.”

Ian is a long-time supporter of the club. “We always say what goes around comes around, they help us. I live close to the ground so I’ll go down and help officiate where I can …”

The Disabled Surfers Association’s involvement included tossing the coin before the men’s and women’s Premier Division games. A trophy was awarded to the best performing player in each game by one of the association’s participants.

In terms of fundraising for this year’s event, the Tigers hosted a pool competition with all profits from entry fees going to the DSAA. Donations were also accepted at the game.

The Wollongong Homeless Hub helps people in many ways. It provides food assistance, helps families and individuals access government services and runs programs assisting clients to overcome barriers and establish new tenancies.

The club accepted non-perishable food items, clothing and toiletries on the day to donate to the Homeless Hub, as well as cash donations.

CEO Mandy Booker brought the Hub’s mobile laundry to the ground so people could see the fantastic work the Hub does. The clubroom was full of donations and the club was appreciative of the Kiama and the Bulldogs teams who came with donations. Casey White, AFL South Coast community football and competition manager, said: “The Inclusion Round concept is a fantastic and creative initiative.”

The men’s team had a great win over Kiama to remain undefeated on top of the ladder, while the AFLW side, who has been promoted to the Premier division, registered their first win.

Find out more at www.whhhs.org.au and www.disabledsurfers.org/nsw-south-coast

Bird Watch

Impressed by the photography by a local PhD student, the Flame has asked Ewan Auld to start sharing his Bird Of The Month

The Kelp Gull (Larusdominicanus ) is less abundant in the Illawarra than their counterpart, the Silver Gull, but can still be frequently seen around rock platforms and lagoon outlets on our local beaches, particularly between Wombarra beach and Red Point in Port Kembla.

Kelp Gulls are quite opportunistic feeders, with their diet consisting mainly of fish, crustaceans and molluscs but can forage on whatever prey is available, and will even harass other bird species for food scraps or target eggs and chicks.

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Port Kembla Tidal Chart

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16 TU Time m 0328 1.17 0925 0.62 1615 1.50 2304 0.67

17 WE 0437 1.14 1015 0.63 1704 1.58

18 TH 0001 0.57 0539 1.15 1104 0.61 1752 1.68

22 SA 0236 0.37 0827 1.26 1345 0.58 2027 1.90

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Scan the QR to download a fresh Tide Chart each month

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© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2023, Bureau of Meteorology. Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect. The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau’s liability for any loss,

resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club

Golf news

Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports We headed to Campbelltown once again on May 5th. The damp conditions were an unwelcome addition. On-course prizes were limited to Jordan Munro and Mark O’Connor.

Next events are as follows. Campbelltown: June 2nd – 7:31am, Hurstville on July 7th – 7:45am and August 4th – 8am.

Looking further ahead, interest in a return to Boomerang was evidenced by members who played in May, and back to the future … playing at a single location, that being on the top of the Illawarra escarpment.

Thanks to our sponsors Christian’s Premium Meats and Helensburgh Golf Driving Range. Contact Tony on 0418 863 100 for information and remember to register on the Tuesday ahead of the date of our next event. Join us to enjoy a game of golf, the great outdoors and good company. Indy signing off – Last month, I heard Master Yoda as Luke sliced the ball onto the next fairway over: “May the Fores be with you.”

Tradies Social Golf

Barry Thompson reports It was slippers and cocoa for me and others dependent on carts this tournament. Rain had forced the banning of our chariots, so it was sleep-in time for we senior members.

Fifteen of our younger brigade (yes, that includes Terrance Maney) drove off into the tempest and, considering conditions, good scores were recorded. Shane Wilson won the Helensburgh Butchery voucher with an impressive 66. Blake Collins, Paul Morahan and Dale Blackwell all recorded 72, with Blake claiming the Gallardo’s Pizzeria prize on count-back. Terry collected the Helensburgh Golf Driving Range Bucket of Balls coupon. Kynan Ainsley won the first nine with Aaron Griffiths taking the second nine. Shane took out the 10th hole Super Pin and Blake the 14th Nearest the pin. Shane also outlasted Terry 3+2 in their match-play round. Next outing is on Sat 15th at Boomerang. We tee-off at 7am for Stableford event. Let us hope it stays dry so that we can get blokes like Sparrow, Yammu, Bill and myself back on the paddock.

For more details, email ccarpetrehoming @tpg.com.au Country Companion Animal Rescue