Meet Our Contributors
Liv Lorkin is a heart-led creative, children’s book author, and illustrator. When she’s not out riding her bike on Dharawal land she can be found exploring gardens, finishing a good puzzle and drinking her third cup of tea.
Dr Berlinda Png is a GP at Bulli Medical Practice. She was born in Singapore and graduated with honours from The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2007 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Berlinda’s areas of interest include women’s health, chronic disease management and skin cancer. Berlinda enjoys spending her spare time with her husband and four daughters, cooking and walking.
Janice Creenaune is a retired English teacher. A wife and mother of three, she sees the life of a retiree as an evolution, something to be cherished, enjoyed. Janice is a volunteer for PKD Australia and her interests include travel, letterpress printing and film study.
Vale Brian ‘Hori’ Howard
By Zach Houtenville
Austinmer Thirroul RSL
Sub-Branch held a public memorial service at 11am on July 13 at Thirroul’s Woodward Memorial Park to honour former Major General Brian ‘Hori’ Howard, a decorated military leader and beloved community member.
Hori passed away in May, aged 86.
Born in 1938, Hori joined the Royal Australian Army in 1959 and began 30 years of service to his country. His military career included postings in eight countries, with notable service in Vietnam as A Company commander with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. His leadership there earned him the Military Cross. In 1989, he was appointed Director General of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and, in his second career, Hori was the driving force in reforming the organisation. In 2017 Hori was elected as president of Austinmer-Thirroul RSL Sub-branch.
“He was very proud of his association with the RSL and he very much enjoyed being part of the community in the northern suburbs,” said Michael Howard, Hori’s son.
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Otford farewells school principal
By Genevieve Swart
After nine years as principal of Otford Public School, Bec Stone said there are two things she will really miss: “The kids and the environment.
“The thing about a small school – we always use the tagline, ‘small school, big heart’ – the kids are so well known,” she said.
Otford has just two classes – Kindy to Year 2 and Years 3 to 6 – and a total of 42 children.
“We tend to get a lot of kids who come from other local schools that need the environment of the small school for that kind of support.”
Bec only came to teaching at age 35. She originally studied a Bachelor of Science at Macquarie Uni then worked in a variety of jobs, including as a Qantas flight attendant, a travel agent and at a pharmaceutical company.
“When my son started school, I used to help out in the classroom just as a parent helper. And I just thought, ‘Wow, this is the coolest’.”
It reawakened her interest in biological psychology, in learning about senses and brain development. “So I worked part-time and did a two-year degree in one year. It was the best thing I ever did.”
Bec worked at schools across the Illawarra, including at Coledale, Bulli and Bellambi. In 2016, she started at Otford, on the same day as school administrative manager Nicole Kludass.
“I hadn’t been a principal and she hadn’t been a school admin. We started together and had a great nine years. I love designing curriculum. I love looking at ways to put units of work together that are really engaging for the kids. And being a teaching principal gives you that opportunity.”
Not long after the pandemic began in 2020, a parent who was an epidemiologist warned Bec we would be in and out of lockdown for years.
This prompted her to start on her third degree: a Master of Education in STEM. Today, after 25 years in teaching, Bec is most proud to have shared her love of science, technology, engineering and maths with both students and other teachers.
In recognition of this passion, Wednesday, July 3 was ‘Dress Up like Mrs Stone Day’ at Otford Public School and Bec had a “lovely surprise” when children arrived as astronauts, a paleontologist and a dinosaur, and some mad scientists.
“We’ve been a STEM-based school and we’ve been really at the forefront of future-focused learning,” she said. “Last year we were part of a Mars in Space program with the Andy Hargreaves Foundation and the Australian Space Academy.
“We looked at how could we get people to settle on Mars with nothing there and using 3D printing to design biodomes that we could live in and grow food in. The kids designed things like Space Rovers, which would travel up and down indoor vertical gardens. The P&C helped us by buying an aeroponics kit, so we were growing plants in air.”
In retirement, she is looking forward to travel and family time. “I’ve got family overseas. My mum and my uncle are both in dementia care and a nursing hospital… I’ve got six grandchildren.”
The son who drew her into the world of teaching all those years ago now has a little boy aged nearly 12 months. Bec might even go full circle and return to Buddy Reading.
“That might be the funny part of it all,” she said.
“And I’ve had a couple of principal friends say, ‘We need you in our school, would you come and do some professional learning with our staff and work in our classrooms?’. So I may take my STEM and try and get some of these big schools up to date with where Otford is.”
Plenty of STEM-inspired outfits at Otford’s Dress Up Like Mrs Stone Day. Photos supplied
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Friends care for cemetery
By Genevieve Swart
More people may be eternally remembered locally thanks to Wollongong City Council’s new ash memorial spaces at Scarborough Cemetery.
“Since Council announced the sale of new sites at the Scarborough Cemetery on the 1 July 2024, we have received an extraordinary level of interest,” a council spokesperson told the Flame.
“Of the 450 new sites available, Council has received approximately 150 reservations.”
New memorial spaces cost from $1250 to $3425, excluding plaques ($416 to $710).
Prue Watson, the coordinator of Friends of Cemetery group, says: “I think it’s incredibly important that you are able to be buried in the place where you grew up or lived …
“There’s that connection of life and death – death is a part of life.”
It’s not simply the views that make owning a piece of this ocean-front property so popular. Dating from the 1890s, the historic cemetery is neat and tranquil, evidence of a much-loved community asset. This is largely thanks to decades of work by volunteers, who’ve gathered windblown plastic flowers, planted a scented garden and protected the native kangaroo grass on the headland overlooking the sea.
Prue was one of the founding Friends who first met in 2010. “We felt the cemetery was just not being taken care of,” she says. “It was a weed patch.
“It was a small group of about 12 of us. We decided to have a garden of remembrance at the entrance. So we built that garden, the scented garden at the entrance of the cemetery.”
As well as planting the traditional rosemary for
remembrance, plus gardenias, lavender and murraya in the scented garden, volunteers have also put in native plants along the cemetery’s edge on Lawrence Hargrave Drive.
Prue says: “Now it’s not only our group, but anyone who walks through it picks up litter. So, because it’s looked after, it continues to be looked after by the community as well as the group.
“We just keep it under control. We also keep in touch with the council about vandalism, which now almost never happens, but it was common. The graves were desecrated earlier.”
At 80, Prue is a remarkable example of the area’s generous spirit. She has lived here for 30 years and also volunteered with Wombarra Creek Bush Care.
“Everyone that goes by will say something,” Prue says. “It’s usually about things like caring for the garden – you know, ‘the garden’s beautiful’ or ‘Oh, we come down and pick the lavender for our roast lamb – is that all right?’
“Of course… We live in a great community.”
Leon Do a finalist in Young Archie’s
Anh Do’s son is following in his famous father’s footsteps, writes Jeremy Lasek
Budding artist Leon Do, aged 14, is one of four children of Anh and Suzie Do, of the Northern Illawarra.
Anh Do is the well-known Vietnamese-born Australian author, actor, comedian and artist. In 2013 he decided to cut back on comedy and writing to focus on painting. It was an inspired decision. Anh is now a four-time finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize portraiture competition.
In 2024, enter young Leon, who looks set to follow in his famous dad’s footsteps, having been selected as a finalist in the Young Archie’s, the
junior extension of the famous Archibald’s, on at the Art Gallery of NSW until September
Leon, a Year Nine student at TIGS, entered a portrait of his brother, titled Xavier on a Tuesday. “My painting captures my older brother Xavier on a Tuesday morning,” Leon said in his exhibition statement. “Sometimes Xavier is up, some times he’s down; on this day he was in the middle. In my painting I have attempted to portray my brother’s slightly melancholy mood. I have chosen to paint my brother because he is always there for me no matter what.”
Volunteers in July 2017.
Photo: Prue Watson
Admin of the decade
Thanks to Kerrie Blackwell for 10 years at the helm of Helensburgh Help. Zach Houtenville reports
Helensburgh Help and 2508 Suburbs turns 10 this year and much of the Facebook group’s success can be attributed to its founder, Kerrie Blackwell.
Kerrie, a lifelong resident of Helensburgh, worked at the local Coles for 12 years before retiring to prioritise her family. Inspired by the many inquiries about community affairs during her time at Coles, she founded the Facebook group in November 2014 and it has fostered connections and provided vital support ever since.
“I’d be constantly asked, ‘Oh, do you know this?’ as I was serving people,” Kerrie said.
“I thought ‘This is just ongoing’, so I sat down on my Facebook page and thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to make a group up’.”
Today, Helensburgh Help has 6000+ members and generates much monthly discussion. For example, in March 2024 the group hosted 825 posts, 4812 comments and 16,454 reactions.
Since the group started, Kerrie and her assistant admin, Kathy Scullion, have worked tirelessly to keep it running smoothly.
“We’ve managed to avoid a lot of unnecessary horrible comments and we’ve kept it a friendly and
RISE with SPAT
By SPAT president Sonia Westwood
Stanwell Park Arts Theatre (SPAT) is very proud to continue our long tradition of presenting original works and supporting emerging playwrights.
RISE is the culmination of a play-writing competition run by SPAT and the three short plays being presented on Saturday, August 17 were selected by a panel of experienced directors. The three successful playwrights are Leo Metzker, Will York and Dell Brand – our congratulations to all. The show will be presented as rehearsed
a safe sort of place for people,” Kathy said.
Most of Kerrie’s time is spent denying or accepting new members. A common problem that many Facebook groups face today is the onslaught of scammers. However, Kerrie is ever vigilant.
“I do the checks to make sure I see the person’s name, and I see where they live,” Kerrie said.
“You don’t get accepted unless I see proof that you live here.”
Moderating poses other challenges and it takes diligence to juggle privacy and harmony.
“If it’s a friend or someone puts up a horrible post or gives out too much information, you have to draw a line, and I’ll message them and I’ll explain,” Kerrie said.
Group rules for residents and local business owners emphasise mutual respect.
“You support your community, you support your shops and if you’ve got a problem, you go back to the shop. You don’t put it on Facebook where we have 6000 members … one bad post about something, one customer complaint can really affect their business.”
Despite all the hard work, Kerrie loves being able to give back to her community.
“I just like helping people and that it brings the community together,” Kerrie said.
Generous group members are known for supporting local causes. “I think it just says we’re a very strong community and if there’s something that needs help, we’ll get on it,” Kerrie said.
“We do another one for our dog rescue, for our local Country Companion Animal Rescue, where I often order Cadbury chocolates and I give them out to people who then sell them, give me the money and we have given them a cheque for a couple of thousand.”
readings, which means with scripts in hand.
If you would like to be part of the action, come along on Friday, August 9, to an Information Session at the Stanwell Park CWA Hall at 7pm where there will be casual auditions and scripts distributed. Or simply come along and enjoy the evening on Saturday, 17th August as part of the audience. Stanwell Park CWA will provide refreshments and BYO is fine. The show will also feature a Q&A session with the playwrights. And of course SPAT’s 50th celebration weekend on 19th-20th October is getting closer! LIGHTS UP!
RISE tickets $15 via spat.org.au
Kerrie Blackwell. Photo: Anthony Warry
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Every Wednesday from 7:30pm $110 IN PRIZES + A CASH JACKPOT
THURSDAYS 6PM THURSDAYS 6PM
Artist Michele Elliot. Photo: Nina Kourea
‘I’m
drawn to the frays and the edges’
Coledale artist Michele Elliot shares the story behind her exhibition – what is held, is here –at Wollongong Art Gallery until Aug 25
A loose idea became a hypothetical question during the early days of Covid. When we found ourselves in the midst of the lockdowns, I felt like we all had to become more resourceful. My question was: What if I could only work with what is here around me, with what is at hand?
I set out to create artworks that are mostly comprised of materials gathered from local walks, from my garden, with objects gifted by family and friends or those in my studio. I wanted to bring them all into a conversation through the process of making and the language of textiles. Materials like bedsheets, onion skins, lemongrass, pumice stones light as air, a fallen branch, are tethered to moments through stitching and dyeing – an earthquake, fires, a volcanic eruption, the death of a sibling become meeting places.
I have been working with upcycled and collected materials for many years. My studio is full of them.
I’m drawn to things that have had a life in the world, particularly those with an innate connection to the body. Like our bodies, cloth and garments wear down, their frailty becomes visible. I’m drawn to the frays and the edges, where holes appear and seams fall apart. As materials and artworks, they mirror our bodies and can stand in for the human experience, with scars and breaks and mends.
The conceptual side of what is held, is here relates to the places we live and dwell, to community and the ways we come together in celebration and adversity. One of the large wall works – cloak (black summer smoke bath/lost orchard silk/thakurma churi), 2023 – was created with bark fallen from a tree in my garden during the 2019-20 bushfires. The acrid smell of smoke had impregnated the bark and I wanted to record the memory of that time.
I filled a tub with water, added the bark and an old white sheet. It sat there for three years, with an occasional stirring, slowly absorbing the bark’s colour. I had no specific plan but trusted that something would emerge. If you look closely, all the artworks in the show have stories linking place, process and materials.
The other aspect of community that has fundamentally shifted my art practice, came out of a residency at Tender Funerals in Port Kembla. I facilitate their fortnightly Sewing Circle as part of the After Care Program. It is a social space for people who have experienced loss and grief, and we meet to work on projects, on sewing for mortuary care and for friendship and support.
As part of the exhibition, I’m holding a weekly sewing circle in the gallery as part of the public program. Bring a craft project and join us.
Thursdays, 10.30am-12.30pm for the duration of the exhibition.
What’s On at the Writers Centre
By Liz Heffernan of South Coast Writers Centre
The South Coast Writers Centre enjoyed a fantastic Readers and Writers Festival in July. The weekend was our busiest festival yet, with Saturday sessions sold out before the day even started. Pictured is journalist Antony Loewenstein, author of The Palestine Laboratory, in conversation with Sara Saleh.
Now we’re looking forward to the Young Writers Program starting up again in week 2, term 3, with new mentors Rebecca Monteleone and Bron Pierson joining facilitator Rhys Lorenc.
Members Silent Write-Ins at the SCWC also return in August. Now weekly on Wednesdays, all members may bring their current projects to
Coledale Hall between 9:30am3pm to share a creative space and foster productivity. Free for SCWC members, bookings are essential.
At the end of the month, join the host of Enough Said Poetry Slam, Adara Enthaler, in the half-day, exclusive workshop ‘Performing Your Poetry’.
Visit southcoastwriters.org/upcomingevents
Are EVs better for the planet?
Part 8 in Peter Aubourg’s Diary of an
We’d only had our EV for a week or so when someone said to me that EVs are worse for the environment because of the embedded emissions of the battery. So, as an engineer, I was curious to find out the facts.
The easiest way to judge this is to look at all the emissions over the lifetime of the car, which is about 190,000km, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says. Let’s start with the embedded CO2 in the raw materials and manufacture of the car. An EV without the battery has slightly less than a petrol car, but then you add the battery and the EV has significantly more embedded emissions as it rolls out the showroom.
But as the petrol car starts up it is at a big disadvantage. Even modern petrol cars are incredibly inefficient, losing about 80% of their energy to heat. They just can not escape the basic physics of all heat engines. So to get the power they need, they have to burn the power for their waste heat and the power to make the car travel on the road, resulting in lots of “tailpipe emissions”.
The EV has more embedded emissions when new, but when driving, has less emissions, depending on where it sources its electricity. As the kilometres go by, there is a point where the petrol
EV Driver
car overtakes the EV in terms of total emissions. If you are in Tassie, powering your EV on hydro power, that point is 23,000km and in WA where the electricity has the least renewables, the point is 38,000km. The eastern states are somewhere between these numbers. This assumes you are charging your EV from the grid. If you are charging it from excess solar from your roof, you could have your crossover point closer to the Tasmanian figure. So, after this crossover point, the petrol car keeps producing its tailpipe emissions up to the end of its life, producing significantly more tonnes of CO2 than the EV. I’ve only had my EV for nine months, so it is going to take another year or so to reach the crossover point where it has produced less emissions than an equivalent petrol car with the same odometer reading. I will have to save any planet-saving self righteousness until then! However, I will still be enjoying the big fuel savings on the way.
The information for this article came from an excellent ABC article ‘Are electric cars better for the environment than fuel-powered cars?’ by Jo Lauder. Read it for more in-depth details.
Fancy a women’s bike ride
Liv Lorkin shares an IBUG initiative
It started with a borrowed bike. I clambered onto the early-morning train to Thirroul to meet women from across Wollongong for a ride along the coast. I was easily lured by the promise of hot chocolate and savoury crepes to finish our journey.
Since then, I’ve swiftly fallen in love with cycling. I now prefer a cruise down to the supermarket on two wheels, I normally have the best ‘parking’ spot and I love to see the delighted faces as I ride past with my cavalier Gracie in her little doggie backpack. I’ve found friends through our shared love of the outdoors, I’ve gotten fitter (with a little e-bike boost) and I’ve explored my local backyard. All of this is to say, I’m a biking convert.
So this is a call-out to all those fellow women and gender-diverse individuals to dust off or borrow their bikes, pump up those tyres and join me for Wollongong’s first Fancy Women’s Bike Ride, an Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG)
volunteer-led ride from UOW Northfields Avenue to the Basin Cafe.
With jazz and coffee on arrival, participants are encouraged to dress up in their fanciest outfits and cycle through Wollongong sharing in the fun and community of riding. BYO picnic and grab a spot on the lawn while the judges officiate the winners of our bike and outfit prizes.
This is an open event for women, gender-diverse people and all bike enthusiasts. Join the ride from 11am on the 1st of September, tickets are $10 and I hope to see your fancy selves there!
Visit www.trybooking.com/CTMCG
Time to
coordinate
Janice Creenaune meets Margaret Groom, a long-term resident of the Northern Illawarra, who owned and ran a bookshop in Sydney. In retirement she co-ordinates The First Wednesday Knitting Club in Thirroul Library. Photos by Janice Creenaune.
Margaret Groom is active and gregarious, with a sparkle in her eyes that immediately draws people to her. She is the ideal person to bring people together and facilitate sessions of craftwork at Thirroul Library.
“My part is really to coordinate details, to remind members of meetings and liaise with Thirroul Library,” she says. “I merely want to keep the group going. A great group can die when nobody deals with the details and I want to ensure it doesn’t die.”
knitting, crochet, leatherwork, needlework or even Christmas gift bags. It is really up to the group member working on their project. I guess the one restriction is that it is completed on our laps, because the most important thing is that we are together, talking and enjoying each other’s company as we work on our projects,” Margaret says.
Participants have varying degrees of expertise.
The group began more than 11 years ago. “I saw another group and thought, ‘I would like to join that group’, but it was in another area. I was encouraged to post a sign at Thirroul Library and drew out a few like-minded. Many of those ladies from the early days are still in the group. Others have joined along the way and we continue to welcome new members.”
Margaret is delighted to say that even after 11 years there is really never a harsh word. “That said, we do not always agree on all topics of discussion, but there are never harsh words. We love being together.
“We discuss everything from politics to local happenings to whatever comes up really.”
It is obvious that this craft group does more than mere craft. Their 11-year communion is more a solidarity of action. “We meet, we talk, we learn from each other about everything as well as craft techniques and we produce useful items as well. I make scarves, beanies and blankets, but the group is very creative and ideas swell and sometimes spark from each other.
“We decided to call it The First Wednesday Knitting Club.”
The name was strategic to ensure all members always remembered when the club met, and it is not just about knitting either. “While most of us do knit, we really can pursue any activity because, the reality is, we work on our own projects. It may be
“If help or advice is needed, it is offered, but it is not an intentional teaching and learning group,” Margaret says. “It is all about the camaraderie and the friendships while we work on our projects. It is definitely not time-wasting in idle chatter, there is productive output as well. I guess we are a small community in ourselves.”
A few years ago the group took part in a ‘Knits for Nature’ Project, knitting penguin jumpers as a group project. “Oil pollution is a serious threat to little penguins and very dangerous when they become oiled and attempt to preen themselves and clean the toxic oil from their feathers. Ingesting it kills them. The knitted jumpers help to minimise this risk until the natural feathers return to some form of normalisation in the environment.”
It costs nothing to join and Margaret says that the group is grateful to Thirroul Library for hosting and encouraging them in their work.
“Interestingly we decided movement was another key to a healthy life and so we walk monthly now. Lorelle co-ordinates this and though it is comprised of craft group members other ‘non-knitters’ are also welcome,” Margaret says.
The First Wednesday Knitting Club meets monthly at Thirroul Library. For more information, email margaret.groom@gmail.com
Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com for further information.
Thirroul Village Committee Update
Report by TVC secretary Annette Jones; photos by Tyneesha Williams
On Sunday, 21 July the TVC held its Annual General Meeting. The executive was re-elected unopposed. Pictured from L to R: John Mebberson (Treasurer); Tony Horneman (Assistant Secretary); Annette Jones (Secretary); Ray Smith (President); Elliot Stein (Vice President); Stephen Le Bas (Public Relations).
After the AGM, a Meet the Candidates Forum was held. Each candidate for Sept 14’s Council elections outlined their background and vision.
Mayoral candidates
Cr Tania Brown (Labor) – Grew up in Unanderra; Deputy Lord Mayor for 5 years; been working at UOW for 15 years. Wants to deliver a customer focused Council; stated due to lack of available land it is not appropriate to increase development in the northern suburbs. (See p34.)
Cr John Dorahy (Liberals) – Grew up in Wollongong; Councillor for 13 years; Deputy Lord Mayor on 3 occasions; has a sporting background; works as general manager in sales; worked in the hospitality and club industry; relinquished his board membership on various clubs; wants to increase and improve the engagement to understand community challenges; to reinvigorate businesses and small villages, such as Thirroul; increase footpaths and funding to sporting infrastructure to improve facilities for all genders.
Jess Whittaker (Greens) – Grew up in Bulli, lives in Port Kembla; works as a Paramedic. Hopes to ease cost of living pressures by holding more Council events, making pools free and building more skate parks; wants more community gardens; shark nets removed off our coast. (See p34.)
Ward One candidates
Cr Richard Martin (Labor) – Moved to Wollongong 13 years ago; regularly attends the TVC, NIRAG and Neighbourhood forums; been working with Maryanne Stuart and TfNSW on an alternative route to and from Thirroul; successfully lobbied Council to apply to NSW Government to become part of a noise traffic study; wants to make sure that residents are looked after to minimise their risk of flooding and to educate people near waterways of their rights and responsibilities.
Dan Hayes (Labor) – Worked as a Councillor for 7 years while living in Wagga Wagga; is a psychologist working in suicide prevention.
Cr Cameron Walters (Liberals) – Lives in Helensburgh; pushed for and achieved installation of CCTV on Bald Hill; wants to increase parking availability in the city; identified the need to increase use of parkland; wants to increase funding from the State Government.
Philip Clifford (Liberals) – Born and bred in Thirroul; attends TVC meetings; identified the need for more footpaths.
Jess Whittaker (Greens) – Said we need safe streets for children; more cycleways and footpaths; remains connected to the northern suburbs.
Martin Cubby (Greens) – Grew up in Sydney and went to UOW; coaches a local soccer team; been a Union Organiser for 20 years.
Scan the QR for the full report & photos. The TVC next meets at 4pm on Sun, Sept 22; thirroulvillagecommittee@gmail.com .
4 Surprising Home Buyer Turn Offs
By Ian Pepper of Ray White Helensburgh
Putting your home on the market? Consider these common buyer turn-offs and make sure you’re in good graces with potential buyers.
1. Dirty or crowded homes
It can’t be overstated how important it is to de-clutter and clean. Buyers want to look at your home, not your things.
2. New upgrades done to a specific taste
Upgrading your kitchen can be a wise investment before listing your home. Just make sure you do it in a neutral style, as no one wants to rip out something that’s been recently renovated.
3. Irrational seller expectations
Be realistic about where your home sits relative to the market. Overpricing can spell disaster when it comes to selling a home.
4. Bad listing photos
Make sure online listing photos show your home in the best light and give a true sense of the space. And again, no clutter. Contact us today, would love to talk!
PARTNER CONTENT
Ian Pepper 0403 570 041 | ian.pepper@raywhite.com
Josh Pepper 0437 790 052 | joshua.pepper@raywhite.com ianpepperraywhite @peppersrealestate
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, 5 Aug Boomerang Bags sewing workshop with CWA, 2.30-4.30pm Eventbrite bookings
Wed 7 Aug Knit, Stitch, Yarn 10.30am-12.30pm
Thurs 8 Aug Justice of the Peace, 10am-1pm 11 Sept Author Talk with Barbara Lepani
@ Helensburgh Library
Every 2nd Mon Wriggle & Jiggle, 10.30-11am
1st and 3rd Wed Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm in school term, ages 5-12. Free.
Wed Baby Bookworms, 10.30-11am
Fri Preschool Storytime (3-5 years), 10.30-11.15am
Children’s Book Week 2024
This year’s Book Week theme is ‘Reading is Magic’. Short-listed titles to borrow: A hunger of thorns by Lili Wilkinson; Grace Notes by Karen Comer; Let’s never speak of this again by Megan Williams; The quiet and the loud by Helena Fox; Two can play that game by Leanne Yong; Inkflower by Suzy Zail.
Illawarra Family History and Heritage Fair
Sat 17 Aug To celebrate National Family History month, the Illawarra Family History Group Inc. are hosting a fair at City Diggers Club in Wollongong, 10am-4pm. Admission is free. A raffle will be run with great prizes. There will also be books and other items for sale. Three interesting speakers will present talks: 10.30am, Brenda Inglis-Powell, author of Soldiers in Different Armies; 12.30pm Wendy and Terry Nunan, ‘Histories of the Families in Dapto Cemetery’; 2.30pm, John Boyd, ‘His First Fleet Ancestor’.
Living Large exhibition
Australia is the land of big things. Wollongong Library came across a series of photos of people with large vegetables and thought that would be a great jumping-off point for an exhibition. They’re very funny photos. The exhibition includes images of more serious history, including large protests by coal miners, and a Vietnam War protest. There are also images of large landslides, floods and bushfires. View it online or at Wollongong City Library until 23 August.
Austinmer Scouts Jumble & Bake Sale 18 Aug Moore St Scout Hall, 8am-2.30pm
Fees force trike tours to close
By Marcus Craft
Well-known local personality and small business owner Steve Melchior has been forced to shut down his guided bike tour company, Just Cruisin’, due to high government fees, he says.
For almost 35 years Steve has been hosting motorcycle tours and he and his Boom trike or one of his Harley-Davidsons – all with paying passengers aboard – have been a familiar sight up and down the Illawarra coastline as well as inland to Kangaroo Valley, Bathurst, Parkes and more.
But Steve’s dispute with NSW’s Point to Point Transport Commissioner over fees has occupied almost four years of his time and it has now forced him to close his business.
Under the Point to Point transport law, authorised service providers who carry passengers in vehicles of 12 seats or fewer must pay an annual $596 authorisation fee. The fee is aimed at high-volume ‘point to point’ businesses, such as taxis and Uber drivers which take customers from one point to another; Steve’s tours take customers
from a pick-up point and then return them to that point when the tour is finished.
Steve, whose fees jumped from $70 every three years to $596 a year, says a “fair and equitable” scheme should replace the current fee system.
“I don’t get any of the benefits a cab driver gets: I can’t work 24/7, I can’t tout for jobs, I can’t sit on ranks, but I’m paying the same fee.”
Let’s talk about loneliness
By Dr Berlinda Png of Bulli Medical Practice
Loneliness Awareness Week runs from August 5 to 11. As well as increasing awareness about the extent and impact of loneliness, it encourages communities to talk about loneliness to reduce stigma. Approximately 1 in 3 Australians feel lonely and young people (18-24 years) and middle-aged people (45-54 years) report the highest levels.
The impact of loneliness
People who feel lonely are less engaged in physical activity, less productive at work, and more likely to have a social media addiction. They are also:
• 2 times more likely to have chronic disease
• 4 times more likely to have depression
• 4 times more likely to have social anxiety
• 5 times more likely to have poorer wellbeing. It is important to recognise the signs of loneliness in ourselves and others and try to connect with people who may be feeling lonely.
What are the signs of loneliness?
There are certain life changes when people are more vulnerable to loneliness, such as losing a friend or
family member, relocating, relationship breakdown, unemployment, becoming a parent, and/or starting university/school. People might say things like they don’t fit in, don’t feel accepted or belong, or that nobody understands them. People might avoid or withdraw from others to prevent rejection. They may have poor eye contact and/or withdrawn body language. They may be less engaged in conversations and work.
What can you do?
We’re social beings and thrive when we feel heard, seen and understood. If you think a person is lonely, try to make contact on a level you feel comfortable with. If appropriate, invite them to share a meal or join an activity with you. They might not say yes, but having options and knowing that you care will help them feel included.
GPs are well placed to provide holistic care by listening to people and connecting them to services to help reduce their sense of isolation.
Visit lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au
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
Decades of dedication have led to international recognition for Wollongong flute teacher Suzanne Cowan, whose commitment to excellence in music education will be showcased at September 7’s Music 4 Medicine 2024 concert.
Suzanne is known as one of the best flute teachers in New South Wales, if not all of Australia. She is in high demand as a tutor of ensembles and teaches at the University of NSW. Suzanne pays homage to her first flute teachers, Esme Yamaguchi, Louise Dellit and James Kortum, for their influence in her exceptional work with young students, recognised by the AMEB.
Suzanne has also guided the journeys of many outstanding young flautists, including her
Suzanne Cowan with her daughter, Annabel Wouters
daughter, Annabel Wouters, and nurtures local talent through her Wollongong Flute Studio.
About Music 4 Medicine
Music 4 Medicine is an annual fundraiser at Wollongong Town Hall. This year, the concert aims to support the Royal Flying Doctors while also providing a platform for emerging concert artists to share the joy of music.
The concert will open with a performance by the WollCon Flute Ensemble, presenting a medley of works from their performance at “Flauta Mundi: Global Voices of the Flute”, one of the world’s largest flute events, held in Texas in August.
Suzanne’s daughter, Annabel, then presents a unique program, “Flight of Fantasy,” highlighting the flute’s diverse and magical capacity to create music of many colours. Annabel will be accompanied by acclaimed Australian pianist Vivian Choi Milton, and together, they will perform several trios alongside Suzanne.
Also featured is the brilliant young harpist and composer Paul Nicolaou, who presents “From Darkness into Light”, including the world premiere of a new work by the same name.
The concert promises an incredible night at Wollongong Town Hall. To book tickets, scan the QR code above or go to merrigong.com.au
Choral Riffs for climate
By Lyndall Fowler of Steel City Strings
Steel City Strings has designed a program with local choirs that melds strings and voices to move, inspire and provoke. The ‘Choral Riffs’ concert will feature a Sally Whitwell commission about local seasons in a changing climate, with a call to action.
Sally (pictured) is a composer and pianist who has written Elemental, a three-part work about our rainforest and escarpment, Lake Illawarra and local birds, with a call to protect our environment. She was inspired by Electrify 2515 and their grassroots action. The WollCon Chamber Choir and con voci Chamber Choir have combined to present the Pavane and Cantique de Racine by Fauré – elegant works with sumptuous harmonies. The contemporary choral works will be the ethereal Lux Arumque by Eric Whitacre and Northern Lights by Ola Gjeilo. The orchestra will play works for strings by local composers John Spence, Ann Carr-Boyd and the nation’s favourite composer,
Elena Kats-Chernin. We raised $15,000 through the Australian Cultural Fund for this project. Thank you to all our supporters.
Save the date: Wollongong Town Hall 7.30pm, Saturday, Sept 21, steelcitystrings.com.au
NF1 Report
By Neighbourhood Forum 1
convenor Warwick Erwin
Otford Community Hall
Council are yet to provide the details of the design for the replacement hall. WCC did promise that NF1 would be involved with the final design before the DA application but it appears Council have gone back on that promise.
Whitty Road reconstruction
Now listed for construction in the budget for this financial year.
New H’burgh Community Centre and Library
This is now listed in the four-year plan as being in design for the next two years and then two years for construction. So much for the commitment from Council including the Lord Mayor to have construction started in 2025.
The WCC 2024 budget has listed restoration of the front of the existing Community Centre (referred to as Youth Centre) so the community will have “something” to use until the new centre is constructed.Still no details on when the main hall will be demolished due to health hazards inside.
The community has now had this “health risk” for over a full session of Council (4 years). Does this clearly show the concern for the Helensburgh community from the majority of Councillors?
Shared Footpath Parkes Street, Lilyvale Street to Cemetery Road Helensburgh
Still waiting on details from Council. No scope of
Lego Magic
By Fran Peppernell, Helensburgh Lions Club
Thank you to everyone who attended the Brick Fair at Tradies and we our appreciate our sponsors Ray White Helensburgh and Peabody Mine. From great displays by Gonglug to the fantastic entries in our Brick Fair colouring competition, the consensus was … a great family day! We will now donate the proceeds to local schools.
Scan the QR code to see the Flame’s Brick Fair photo gallery by Melanie Russell.
We recently were able to partner with Illawarra Convoy to provide a standing machine for a young Helensburgh boy, William Coup, who has rare genetic conditions. This will help William interact with other children at preschool and in kindergarten next year. William has a wonderful spirit and is admired by his friends at preschool.
works has been provided to date. It appears that there is a shared footpath without curb and gutter from Lilyvale St to Cemetery Rd on Parkes St. But the path link along Cemetery Rd from Parkes St to join the existing path has been left out of the project. Another missing link from Council.
Vera St to Railway Station
One lane is now open and Council has reconstruction of the roadway listed for this financial year. Council Geotechnical team are in the process of design work now.
Walker St Works (near roundabout)
Work was not completed by the end of June as promised due to weather and supply issues (sandstone delay). Council’s staff were relocated to repair storm damage. The ramp in the curb is where the disabled parking space will be located.
Council Elections in September Council will go into caretaker mode in August, a month before the elections. Council Election is 14 September 2024. Nominations for Councillors are from 5 August to 14 August (Ballot paper draw).
Residents will vote for 4 Councillors for Ward 1 and separately for Lord Mayor.
NF1 need a co-convenor
Neighbourhood Forums are organised and run by volunteers and need the support of Council and the community. NF1 does not have a Co-Convener at present.
Next NF1 meeting will be 14 Aug 2024 at Otford Community Hall at 7pm
This only happens because we have such a generous community who support us through our fundraising activities through our raffles and sausage sizzles, once again thank you.
We are now three months out from Helensburgh Country Fair, which returns on Saturday, 26 Oct.
Apply for a stall at www.helensburghlions.org. au and follow us on Facebook for updates
Why we invented Uggs
Well, it took some time but I’ve finally got the puffer jacket out. Antarctic winds have hit, dropping the temperature down to “uggboots essential” degrees.
By Ben Wollen
If you’ve ever lived in a cold-climate country like Canada or Denmark, you’d know that the only time you put your jacket on is to go outside. Not so much in Australia. In general, Australian homes don’t winter well. That’s why we had to invent the Oodie and the Ugg boot! It costs seven times more to heat a 2-star versus a 10-star rated house in Sydney. The average home in Australia sits at just 1.8 stars.
I recall in my uni days, putting curtains over the living room doorways and just heating that space. And that was when electricity cost a lot less. This is just one example of how we’ve learned to adapt to our poor standard of housing.
There are many out there at the moment struggling to keep warm, and a combination of poorly designed buildings and higher energy costs are forcing some people to take drastic measures. So outside of rugging ourselves up in the latest Aldi snowsports range and duct-taping Uggies to the feet, what can we do to our homes to help insulate ourselves from the winter chills?
If you don’t own the home you’re in, there are limited options. Certainly, heating only one room of the house and closing it off with curtains is one way to reduce your energy consumption. Another one is to close any draughts you can find.
There’s a range of fairly inexpensive foam or rubber draught-stopper strips that can be used to block these gaps. To find the gaps, light an incense stick and pass it along the edges of the doors and windows to see where precious heat is leaking out.
Once the leaks have been blocked it’s all about tackling the weak spots and for the most part, that’s the windows. Some form of insulating window treatments like curtains or insulated blinds should help here. Curtains need to be heavy and cover the
entire window and a bit beyond on all sides. Blinds should be tight to the window reveal and ideally be insulated like honeycomb style blinds. Finally comes the floor. If there’s no carpet, then find some large rugs to put down in the most used spaces. Timber floors can also suffer from leaks, so a leak test around any cracks might reveal draughts between boards. If you can access the subfloor, take a torch down and shine it up with a friend above to mark out spots they can see the light.
It’s much more difficult to improve a house if you don’t own it. If you do own a home (and that includes you, landlords!), then it’s time to insulate. Whether it’s for the comfort of yourself, your tenants or your desire to reduce our collective reliance on fossil fuels, there’s no reason not to improve the thermal performance of your house.
In general, it’s most effective top to bottom, so ceilings first. Thick and fluffy as possible with full coverage across all the ceiling – don’t skimp and miss the bathrooms. Do all of it – don’t let jack frost have even the smallest of gaps to get in!
Walls are a bit harder if you’re not in a position to remove the internal or external lining, but there are pump-in options available that only require a 20cm hole cut through the internal lining to pump the insulation in. Again, sealing drafts around all openings is essential.
Floors can be an easy one if you have subfloor access. There are many insulation options to put on the underside of floors whether they be timber or concrete. If you don’t have subfloor access, then as much as possible you want to insulate the edges or close off any low-clearance subfloor areas (make sure there is some ventilation – you just don’t want the roaring forties getting under there). If your floor is slab on ground this may require a bit of digging down so that there’s proper full coverage along the perimeter of the house.
Home
design fails mean we have to insulate our feet.
Of course there are many other things one can do to improve the thermal performance of their home. Most of the above are bandaid measures at best and will likely still have people struggling through winter.
To really tackle the poor housing component of our energy poverty crisis, we need to start back at the beginning. This should be at the initial design phase and site placement (houses should address Winter solar access, not the street!). Poor building standards in the past have meant we’ll be bare and grinning it for sometime in the future. That is unless someone invents an oodie and Ugg boots for a house – any entrepreneurs out there?
Buying or selling a property is a
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Trust Access Law Group to give you the peace of mind you deserve by providing you with thorough legal advice throughout your
At left, the committee at the 2022 AGM; below, a 2023 Rise and Shine clean-up; and, centre, the 1984 NIRAG logo.
NIRAG celebrates its 40th
NIRAG secretary Ross Dearden shares four decades of achievements
This August it will be 40 years since NIRAG began, and a gathering is planned at 4.30pm on Sunday, August 18 at the Black Diamond Bulli Heritage Museum to present a collection of records to the Local Studies Library. Afterwards there is an opportunity to socialise at Resin Brewery. Please RSVP to nirag@bigpond.com.
What NIRAG has achieved in 40 years
In 2003, the Tramway Wetlands Planning Committee led by Jill Merrin in association with NIRAG produced the Sandon Point Community Vision, to guide and protect natural and cultural values.
First and foremost, we have led the movement to recognise the special environment where we live. From the very beginning, we were able to rally, unite and empower a whole community to value the area and prevent unsuitable development.
The first challenge was to fight off the threat of 40m-high coal bins at Sandon Point in 1984. Supported by Jack Munday and the wider community, in the 1990s NIRAG members had ongoing representation on Development Control Planning, Rezoning committees and working parties, the Sustainable Development Committee and later on the Rick Farley Process committee.
In 1993 NIRAG objected to the proposed cycleway route from Bulli to Thirroul that would have destroyed the Tramway Creek wetlands. The cycleway was relocated to the west and crossed the creek at the Water Board causeway. It is significant that this route now defines the western boundary of the Aboriginal Place, declared in 2007.
From 1998 to 2006, NIRAG applied for and received CoastCare and Environmental Trust Grants totalling over $150,000 for revegetation projects along creeks and the foreshore from Woonona to Thirroul, led by Marcel van Wijk, with Jill Merrin as Project Manager.
Since 1999 NIRAG has won annual Wollongong Council Environmental and Healthy Cities Awards for bushcare work and Rise and Shine clean-ups.
Led by founding member Max Ackerman, NIRAG held public meetings and made representations and submissions to Council and the Land and Environment Court (LEC). In 2001 Max, who was Secretary from 1984 until 2004, initiated the Community Picket at Hill Street to oppose the inappropriate housing development. This resulted in concessions, including increased buffer zones and setbacks for Tramway and Woodlands Creeks; the Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) for Point St; and dedication (at no cost) of the 3000m2 land between the end of Hill St and the cycleway.
Recognition of Indigenous heritage has always been important and NIRAG helped raise funds for environmental studies and to support both the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE), and the Community Picket at the end of Hill St Bulli from 2001 to 2006.
More recently there have been submissions to Wollongong Council on the annual Infrastructure Development Plan, the Cycleway Strategy, and the Integrated Transport Strategy. We successfully lobbied to have the cycleway widened at Trinity Row, Bulli and have a commitment to widen the northern cycleway to Thirroul to 4m in future.
We continue to support local groups threatened with contentious DAs, as well as promote access to the Lower Escarpment trail and finding solutions to the parking issues at the Bulli Hospital site; improvements to the cycleway road crossings, and encouraging solar and PV installations.
Since taking on the role of Neighbourhood
Forum 3, from Woonona to Austinmer, in 2020, we have greatly appreciated the support of Ward 1 Councillors Richard Martin and Cameron Waters, and Jo Page, Director Infrastructure and Works, who have attended most of our meetings. Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart has also attended.
All residents are welcome. As we are not an official Council committee, our minutes are not on Council’s website. We are fortunate that the Flame kindly posts the meeting minutes on their website.
We maintain a strong relationship with the Thirroul Village Committee (TVC) and have worked together on many areas of common interest, such as Thirroul traffic and rail transport issues, the Anglicare Seniors Living proposal, Thirroul Plaza DA, McCauley’s Beach/Amy St DAs; and the proposed New Hope Nursing Home.
As an independent group we are not restricted to council issues. We have also made submissions to the Dept of Planning about housing policy changes, the Private Certifiers, and to Transport for NSW about the South Coast Rail, and Bulli and Thirroul traffic planning issues. We belong to the Better Planning Network (BPN) supporting improved processes and legislation changes.
The Future
Point Street LATM works have improved safety, but traffic on local streets is still a concern. We are advocating to have a footpath built for the remaining 500m between O’Brien St and the Point Café. This path is vital to ensure Point Street is safe, particularly once the bridge to Thirroul over Tramway Creek (Geraghty St) is built.
We continue to work with Council and the Local Aboriginal Land Council to incorporate the 7ha of C2 (Environmental Conservation) “Ray Hanah” land between the McCauley Beach estate and the northern cycleway from Tramway Creek to Hewitts Creek, in public ownership. This would achieve a green corridor from the beach to the escarpment. We support the Tent Embassy
(SPATE) and the establishment of a Keeping Place, as required by the Land and Environment Court judgement in 2001.
10 Years of Bushcare at Hewitts Ck
To celebrate, an Open Morning will be held at 10am on Sunday, August 25. Each Monday morning the Bushcare Group meets at the Hewitts Creek bridge; volunteers welcome.
Next meeting: Wed, August 14, 7pm upstairs at Bulli Community Centre. (The AGM has been deferred). Contact nirag@bigpond.com
Tuesdays at U3A
Visit www.northernillawarra.u3a.org.au
Philosophy: 1st and 3rd Tue, 9.30-11am
Members delight in a respectful exchange of ideas.
Brain Games: 1st and 3rd Tue, 9.30-11am
Amusing puzzles, activities and creative challenges to stimulate the brain. Bring a sense of humour!
Reading Aloud: 1st + 3rd Tue, 11am-12.30pm
A great way of sharing reading from a range of genres. Non-readers warmly invited as listeners.
U3A Illawarra Choir: Tuesdays, 1pm at the Wollongong Conservatorium
Musical experience is not necessary, just a love of singing. Wonderful friendships are formed.
Arts Hub: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 11am-1pm
Quality DVDs on art and artists, music and musicians, architecture and more.
Book Clubs: Tuesdays, 1.30-3pm
1st Tuesday: This year in the Classics Book Club members picked books by European writers such
as Oscar Wilde and Franz Kafka. 2nd Tuesday: all or any category (mostly novels). Meetings lead to good friendships, entertainment and intellectual stimulation. What fun! 3rd Tuesday: contemporary books. Last year we read biographies, mostly Australian. This year we’re reading writers of Asian background. Hugely enjoyable.
Table Tennis: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-12pm at Bulli-Woonona RSL Club Fun and fitness. Limit of 20 persons per session.
Tuesday Lunch Forum, 12.30-1.30.
Talks are via Zoom from Canberra U3A, which is able to access retired politicians, senior public servants, academics and other experts to talk on issues of the day. An exciting new addition.
Tax task for Not-for-Profits
By John Corker, a local lawyer who holds a NSW pro bono practising certificate
For the first time this year, all Not-for-Profits (NFPs) with an active Australian Business Number (ABN) must lodge a self-assessment of their eligibility for income tax exemption.
For organisations with an income year ending 30 June, the self-review return is due by 31 October 2024. This change is “designed to enhance transparency and integrity in the system, by ensuring only eligible NFPs access income tax exemption”. This applies whether or not the organisation is incorporated.
Many small organisations in the Illawarra may be required to do this, particularly those whose main purpose is community service, cultural, educational, scientific, or sporting. The obligation to lodge this return is additional to the annual return to the NSW Department of Fair Trading that many local organisations now lodge.
Check whether your organisation is a NFP by looking at its governing documents and if it is, they will prohibit it from making any distributions (money, property or otherwise) to its members. You can also do an ABN check at ABN Lookup to see if your organisation has an active ABN.
Some organisations are exempt from having to lodge this return, particularly those registered as
charities with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).
The return must provide an estimate only of gross revenue as a small, medium or large organisation and self-assess whether the organisation falls within one of the income tax-exempt categories.
Lodging the return can be done through the ATO online services portal but that requires the organisation to set up its own MyGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). This in turn requires a strong identity strength for the individual doing it. Alternatively, you can lodge the return using a self-help phone service if you can’t access ATO online services. This arrangement is only available for this first 2023-24 income year. The ATO asks that organisations ensure that their ABN details are up to date so they can send a letter to the person and address associated with the ABN.
Concern has been expressed that many small organisations will find these new tasks difficult to undertake. It will be interesting to see what level of compliance is achieved. The provisions do provide for a penalty to be imposed for failure to lodge in time, but extensions of time can be sought. Find details on the ATO website by searching ‘How to prepare an NFP self-review return.’
Campfire night
By
Bella, a Helensburgh Girl Guide
On the 20th of June, it was a cold night, perfect for a campfire at guides.
Luckily, Annabel, Adara and I were chosen to teach everyone how to make one that evening. We first went through the safety rules before building the fire. We built the fire by applying long pieces of wood, overlapping each other (like Jenga). We gathered heaps of kindling (dry leaves and grass) and stuffed it inside the wood as fuel to keep the fire going. Then, we all took turns lighting the fire. Before extinguishing it, we sang a song that I really enjoyed. It was Edelweiss (from The Sound of Music). It felt so calming and gentle. After it got dark, we played a fun game indoors; it was like robbing the nest since there were plastic eggs in the middle of the hall, each filled with answers. On our turn, we had to grab an egg, open it, and place it on the sheet we thought contained the correct answer. We had a great time!
Lunch with Friends
Literary lunch in Wollongong
Sophie Green will be the guest at the Friends of Wollongong City Libraries’ next Literary Lunch.
Sophie’s debut novel, The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club, was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards for General Fiction in 2018. Her newest book, Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel, is a warmhearted novel about friendship and new beginnings, set in the Mornington Peninsula. This will be the focus of her talk at our next Literary Lunch. The event will be held on Wednesday, August 28 in the Function Room on Level 9 of the Wollongong City Council building. Tickets – $30 (members) or $35 (non-members) – can be purchased from select libraries or online at Eventbrite.
Inspiring author events
With the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul
August’s events will stimulate, inform and entertain. Lock in these dates. 14th: In Hot Water, on saving the Great Barrier Reef. Dr Paul Hardisty with Sarah Hamylton & joined by Saul Griffiths. 15th: Pages & Pints Book of the Month is The Glassmaker, by acclaimed author Tracy Chevalier. 18th: Squirrel Takes the Cake, book launch for new picture book from Danielle Camer. 21st: Girl Falling, the much anticipated second book from Hayley Scrivenor, with Sue Turnbull. 25th: Charles and Barbara Blackman - A decade of love & art, by artist, writer & daughter Christabel Blackman with journalist Rick Feneley. 28th: A Town Called Treachery, crime fiction debut by journalist Mitch Jennings, with Hayley Scrivenor. How spoilt are we to have access to this feast of creative voices. Events are free; bookings are essential: thirroul@collinsbooks.com.au or 4267 1408. More details in our August newsletter.
collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul
Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive
www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au
@collinsbooksellersthirroul
feature Cover Bound
FOR GLORY
By Marcus Craft
Saya Sakakibara is ready to win gold in Paris.
The 25-year-old Helensburgh athlete is representing Australia in the sport she’s been doing since she was four years old: BMX. The Paris Games are her second Olympics.
The Paris challenge comes in the wake of a turbulent few years of extreme training and competition, and personal hardships.
But the Sakakibara family stands strong in the face of adversity.
Saya and her older brother Kai were for a long time both associated with elite-level BMX success and both were on track to gain selection for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic). That is, until February 8, 2020. On that day Kai crashed in his opening-round heat of the UCI BMX World Cup event at Bathurst and suffered a traumatic brain injury that would change his life and end his BMX career. He was 23.
It’s been a harrowing ordeal for Kai and his family and it continues as Kai is working hard to rebuild himself, to grow a flourishing side hustle as an in-demand motivational speaker. Kai also has his sights set on a spot in the Paralympics rowing team for the 2028 Games. He’s always been a fighter.
And that family fighting spirit is just as strong in Saya. She’s had to bounce back from
Photos: AusCycling/Mitch Ramm, supplied
race crashes (including crashing out of the Tokyo Olympics in her semi-final), concussions and crushing self-doubt to achieve global BMX success, including being crowned UCI BMX Racing World Cup champion in 2023 and 2024. And now it’s her time to shine on the Olympic stage.
Saya kindly took time out of her hectic training schedule in the last few days before the Olympics started on July 26 to answer questions.
What’s it like to be at your second Olympics? I feel so grateful. It was only just two years ago, I thought about letting go of this idea, and giving it up all together. My training has been going really well. I think I learnt a lot in the past 10 weeks after my last race, which was the World Champs, and I adjusted the things I needed to, to be even more prepared for this one.
Is it a bit bittersweet without Kai competing? Everything Kai does at this point is a bonus to what he’s already achieved in his recovery. He has come so far in the past four years and to now be rowing and aiming for the Paralympics is just so inspiring. Of course, our dream was to make it to the Olympics together but from his work ethic and mindset, I know Kai’s time will come!
What are some of the greatest challenges you’ll face during the Paris Games?
I think it will be not getting caught up in the spectacle of it all. They say no one can prepare you
for your first Olympics and I thought that was quite true in hindsight back in 2021. It was all very new and I wasn’t prepared enough for it. Now I know somewhat what to expect, I’ve been working on solidifying my race week routine, my race day routine, warm-up routine, so I have something familiar that I can focus on. So I can be confident in an environment when everything is different.
How do you control your fear and nerves just before a race?
It comes with practice and preparation. It’s all about coming back to my own process, and controlling what you can control. So that could be simple cues I say to myself like “Focus on the process” or “Follow the process”. And practising that in the real world at races. At some point you realise the fears are quite irrelevant to what you are trying to do, so it gets easier to disregard them.
What inspiration do you draw from Kai?
His willingness to never give up, his ruthlessness in sticking with something and his focus. During his recovery, there was not one point when he complained about the rehab or the way his body functions. He just quietly got on with what he needs to do. Because that was the only option in his mind! He is so strong and he doesn’t let anything get in the way of what he is trying to achieve. I love that!
The Paris Olympics are on until August 11.
Local BMX champ Saya Sakakibara (pictured, in action) is set for her second Olympics.
Beetling About
With
entomologist Dr
Silverfish. What I know about silverfish –‘offishially’ called Zygentoma, an order of insects – could be written on the back of a beermat. So let’s find out about them together.
Chris Reid of the Australian Museum
Why are they significant? ‘The silverfish’ in Australia is a species of Ctenolepisma but usually misidentified as Lepisma saccharinum which is the dominant species in the northern hemisphere (NB: Wikipedia is muddled on this). Whatever the correct name, the domestic silverfish all do much the same thing. They may be familiar creatures in your house, seen occasionally at the edge of carpets or in bookcases or stored clothes, harmless looking and easily squishable. But their diet is starch and similar polysaccharides – paper, cotton, linen, silk, dried food, all things we value and like to store in cupboards. Not wool – that’s left for carpet beetles.
I’m not in a position to say how to exterminate them, but there are plenty of pest control companies who can help. I just live with them –they are never abundant, and I’ve read that some house spiders feed on them – so they are part of the domestic ecosystem! They don’t carry diseases.
Silverfish are ancient survivors – they have been around since the Devonian, 400 million years ago, well before reptiles, mammals and dinosaurs. They have survived enormous changes in climate and atmosphere, so they should be able to keep going for a while longer, in spite of us. One reason is their ability to survive up to a year without feeding. Another is the ability to regenerate appendages (legs etc) each time they moult, which is often, up
Bird Watch
By Ewan Auld
to 66 times in a four-year lifespan. So a predator grabbing a leg is no hassle. There are 70 described species in Australia, which my colleagues in the Australian Museum are adding to each year. The native species are under bark, in ant and termite nests, caves, and deep in leaf litter. Most silverfish are so uniform in appearance that DNA analysis has become the best means of determining species. However, there is one cute genus that’s a little bit different; species of Australiatelura look like small golden slaters and live in ant nests.
Silverfish make ideal laboratory animals for school biology classes, as they are low maintenance. They deserve to be better known.
Further literature (both online): G. Smith, 2017, The Australian silverfish fauna – abundant, diverse, ancient and largely ignored. General and Applied Entomology 45: 9-58; G. Smith, 2020, The European silverfish in Australia. General and Applied Entomology 48: 17-18
Australiatelura
species Photo: Bruno Bell, CC BY-NC 4.0
Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis) August’s bird of the month is the Eastern Yellow Robin. This species inhabits a broad range across eastern Australia and is the most common robin in the Illawarra. They typically live in woodland and rainforest areas and are often seen around the escarpment but can also be observed in more coastal vegetation. Eastern Yellow Robins usually feed on insects and other arthropods found in the leaf litter. They prefer to cling to vertical branches when scouting for food and will pounce down on unsuspecting prey.
Despite being rather shy, Eastern Yellow Robins can remain still on their perch when scouting for food, providing excellent photo opportunities. I was able to get within a few metres of this individual (pictured, at left) on Mount Keira while it was distracted foraging.
Forging ahead
By Bob Pymm, Helensburgh Men’s Shed
What can you do with old brake drums, left-over reinforcing bar, some PVC pipe and an unwanted hair dryer? (Oh, and some coke or coal comes in useful too.) If you’re at the Men’s Shed, you make a blacksmith’s forge.
This latest fabrication by the guys working in the metal shed has turned out to be extremely effective in creating the necessary heat for forging metal and making attempts at various wrought iron shapes and sizes. The hair drier has taken the place of the traditional bellows and for far less effort, creates the draft necessary to quickly get the coals glowing. With the second brake drum working as a lid, the heat builds up rapidly and work can commence on bending or mending your ironwork.
Traditional blacksmithing may be pretty much a lost art but here at the Shed, giving it a go is what it’s all about. Using available materials and the ingenuity of members, the Helensburgh Men’s Shed now has a forge.
Come and see for yourself – you may be surprised at what’s possible at The Shed. If you are a bloke over 18 it really is a great place to just hang out, chat, learn some new skills or share some with others, work on a project, help others with theirs or potter around creating something – the day just flies by!
Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed at 199A Parkes Street any Monday or Tuesday, 9am to 3pm to find out more
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
New Grevillea Emerald and Ruby
By Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden volunteer John Elton
This stunning plant doesn’t mind water-logged gardens. New on the market, this Grevillea has dark green fern-like foliage and with contrasting bright red flowers which appear as clusters on the ends of branches. Its peak flowering period is through Spring and Summer.
Growing to about 2.5 metres high and wide this is a versatile plant that can be grown as a specimen or it can be hedged for a dense plant.
Birds and bees love this plant. It has been grafted onto Grevillea robusta, which ensures no amount of water is too much. This plant is available at the Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden during the Spring Open Days in September: 7 & 8; 14 & 15.
Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’.
Photo: Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden. Visit illawarragrevilleapark.com.au
The women who would be mayor
Two aspiring leaders share their plans for the city with Genevieve Swart
Wollongong’s Lord Mayor for the past 13 years, Gordon Bradbery AM, is retiring and two women will be among those vying to for the top job at September 14’s local government elections. Could Labor’s Tania Brown or the Greens’ Jess Whittaker be the first woman to lead the city?
to fight for our fair share. I am determined to be a strong voice for Wollongong and bring new energy to the role. I have the experience to do the job, as a Councillor for seven years and as Deputy Lord Mayor for five of those years.
My record includes responsible Council budget management, establishing a post-Covid economic recovery taskforce, a skills roundtable and various measures to promote affordable housing.
LABOR
CANDIDATE TANIA BROWN
I grew up in Unanderra and now live in Wollongong. I’m a proud mum of two adult children who are my biggest supporters. I play trivia weekly with mum, family and friends –history, Broadway musicals and entertainment are my special topics. An Illawarra Hawks fan for 25 years, I served as a club director and next season’s games are already in my diary.
I’ve worked at the University for 15 years running a $62m infrastructure research centre. As a former senior government policy advisor I spent 13 years working in transport, police, and regional development portfolios.
Why are you the best person to be Wollongong’s next Lord Mayor?
As a life-long local I understand the challenges facing our city and have a passion to make Wollongong a great place to live, work and raise a family. I know how government works and how
We asked the two mayoral candidates to share their vision for Wollongong. End of an era
What would be your top priorities if elected?
Housing – facing the housing affordability problem head-on using Council’s policy levers and working within the State government’s housing reforms to build a city people can afford to live in.
Investing in our suburbs – more new footpaths and maintenance of the existing ones, similarly our roads and playgrounds need repair and upgrades. Finding resources to mitigate floods.
Guaranteeing residents have a weekly red-bin service if they want it.
Jobs and Investment – seizing opportunities to deliver a sustainable economy that provides new local jobs rather than having to commute out of the city.
Protecting our Environment – our unique coast and escarpment must be saved for future generations.
If you could deliver one key project in your first term, what would it be?
In an era of financial uncertainty and rising costs, to deliver responsible budgets that reflect a change in Council’s culture to become more customerservice focussed. This means both, listening to residents, taking their views seriously and deploying resources to meet expectations. ‘Computer says no’ must never be the answer to someone battling Council’s bureaucracy.
We must be financially responsible yet meet the growing challenges of climate change, and floods
Our affable and popular Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery AM, will soon hang up his mayoral robes. After the shame and embarrassment of our council’s past, Gordon Bradbery was the right person for the job when he scored a massive win at the polls in 2011. Rebuilding some sort of respect and community confidence in city hall will probably be his greatest legacy. Previous Lord Mayors have had parks and roads named after them. I’d suggest, having helped in council’s recovery from those awful ICAC times, Gordon deserves lasting recognition.
A couple of years back, when Council was deliberating on how we should recognise our greatest ever Olympian, superstar Emma How should the city recognise Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery? Jeremy Lasek has an idea
- but still deliver important projects such as the Helensburgh and Warrawong Library & Community Centres while also ensuring a request to fix a local pothole is completed in good time.
Why do you want the job?
I am proud of Wollongong and want it to be even better. I believe I have the skills, experience and passion to lead a Council team that delivers for our community. Residents tell me they want new leadership … if given the responsibility I’ll repay that faith with all my energy.
GREENS CANDIDATE JESS WHITTAKER
Hi! I’m Jess and I was born and grew up in Bulli and I now live in a great little village, Port Kembla, with my husband and two wonderful daughters. I work as a paramedic in the Illawarra and volunteer as a dunecare coordinator at Port Kembla Beach and as the Vice President of the Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce. Besides bike riding, surfing, bushcare, and live music (you’ve got to love the talented musicians and performers we have in the city) I spend most of my time with my family and friends. As a working mum, you might understand how hectic life can get.
Why are you the best person to be Wollongong’s next Lord Mayor?
If I’m elected Lord Mayor I would bring fresh green ideas and a bold vision for a welcoming, fun city with interesting and exciting things to do and see, a city that looks after its community and its environment, and is easy to get around. I also want
to see Wollongong refresh its once thriving nightlife. Wollongong can also become a region that embraces new industries in the renewable energy industry and the jobs that will come as we make the transition to a Net Zero nation.
What would be your top priorities if elected?
• Build footpaths, pedestrian crossings and cycleways.
• Revitalise our nightlife by creating a dedicated position for Night Time Mayor.
• Provide secure bike parking and push for Opal-activated bike sheds.
• Encourage urban farming and community gardens to increase our food security and build communities that say hi to their neighbours.
• Support new housing developments with affordable housing.
• Push state government to give us more trains, more buses on the weekend and broaden free public transport options like the Gong Shuttle.
• Invest in skateparks and spaces for young people.
• Open our Libraries and Art Gallery all weekend.
If you could deliver one key project in your first term, what would it be?
I’d like to continue the work of our previous two Greens councillors and see the budget for walking and cycling in the city increased again by funding new footpaths, shared pathways, pedestrian crossings and cycleways. We need to increase the pace of roll out of the safe routes to school program so our kids can walk and cycle safely and cross roads at well designed pedestrian crossings. There are so many benefits from improving participation in walking and cycling, and by helping people with low mobility move about easily in our city.
Why do you want the job?
I just love Wollongong. It’s a fantastic city and we are lucky to call it our home … we need people with fresh ideas and new energy so we can make our city an easy place to get around with lots of fun and interesting things to do.
McKeon, our Lord Mayor put two suggestions to the community. One was to have the small lookout on Cliff Road overlooking Wollongong Harbour named after Emma. The other, which ultimately was the winner, was to have the new parkland adjacent to the North Wollongong Surf Club named in her honour (hopefully the long-awaited official opening can take place soon after Emma’s final Olympics in Paris). So, that leaves the Cliff Road lookout without a name. I believe it would be most appropriate that there’s a nice shiny plaque recognising the excellent civic service of Gordon Bradbery overlooking our harbour. Scan the QR to read more and share your suggestions.
Rooftop solar is the people’s revolution
Part 3 in the Flame’s Common Ground series. By
Australians love rooftop solar.
“We invented the technology, we’re the biggest users of the technology,” said Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong.
“Australia is leading the world with the uptake of solar on homes and businesses.”
At a local level, volunteer organisation Electrify 2515 has hosted packed ‘town hall’ talks in Thirroul, held an EV & E-bike Open Day and launched a discounted solar roll-out program as part of its bid to become Australia’s first electric community.
Driving the growing demand for solar is people’s desire to cut costs and save money, as well as switch to renewable energy and combat climate change. It’s an empowering situation for ordinary Australians, Ty said.
“There’s lots of bad dad jokes in this, but it’s a shifting of the power balance – consumers are taking control of their own energy supply.”
We spoke to two locals who’ve done just that.
Donna’s six years of solar
Driven by a desire to reduce her carbon footprint, Illawarra local Donna bought a hybrid car and spent $20,000 on a 6.5kW rooftop solar system when her home was built six years ago.
“I just decided that I would try and do what I could for the environment, so I asked the builder to arrange to have solar panels and a battery in the build process,” Donna said.
A grandmother who is now retired and at home
Genevieve Swart
during the day to enjoy the full benefits of solar power, she said: “The solar panels do work really well – when it’s sunny.
“I have to be honest that I am now onto my third battery because the first battery failed within the first year. Then my second battery was recalled last year. So it was very disappointing for me because those two batteries have just gone into landfill. But I have to say that the system works well.
“If we’ve had a sunny day, I’ve probably exported 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to the grid. My battery’s full, and then my battery will usually last until the next morning. Then if it’s sunny, it will do the same thing over and over again.
“But if it’s cloudy, then that doesn’t happen. I import from the grid all day.”
To begin with, Donna found her account in credit but monthly electricity bills have been rising and last month she received her biggest bill so far. Donna worries about electricity prices going up and also what will happen when householders have to pay to export to the grid.
In a June Electrify 2515 report, the group’s coordinator, Kristen McDonald, explained how the Australian Energy Regulator recently introduced a new pricing structure for electricity distributors, including our local Endeavour Energy.
A key change will be that, during peak sunshine time, from 10am to 2pm, only 2kW of solar can be exported to the grid for free; any more will be charged. Endeavour’s changes will be phased in and apply to everyone from 2029.
Of the changes – which some media have
Left: Rachel and dog Toby, next to the tank that forms part of her heat pump. Right: Electrify 2515’s Kristen McDonald and her family. Photos: Melanie Russell, supplied
labelled “a sun tax” – Donna said: “I believe this is not very fair and not in the interest of people putting solar panels on their roof, because if you are going to have to pay to export your solar to the grid during the day, then what’s the point?”
Ultimately she recommends panels (“although I would think twice about having batteries”) for environmental reasons, and would prefer a future powered by the sun rather than offshore wind.
Donna worries that cables from offshore turbines will harm sea creatures, so has joined Responsible Future (Illawarra Chapter). “I think that they need to look at other options.”
New to solar and loving it
Northern Illawarra resident Rachel and her family are pleased about their solar system installed in January.
“We wanted to install solar as soon as we moved to the northern Illawarra,” Rachel said. “We were motivated by a trifecta of benefits – to protect the environment, support the local economy, and reduce our household budget.”
Rachel got quotes from reputable local businesses using Electrify2515’s community solar rollout. They chose a 6.6kw system for their three-bedroom house. They saved for the upfront cost, spending less on a second-hand car as a result, and chose an accredited installer to obtain a federal government subsidy. “There are some great tradies and small businesses who are part of the growing local renewable energy sector,” she said. “They were fast to respond to our enquiries and happy to inspect our house to see what would best meet our needs.”
After five months, they are already seeing the environmental and economic benefits of solar.
“Solar power reduces our carbon footprint and reduces our bills at the same time,” Rachel said. Her family’s first quarterly electricity bill after installation was less per day than the daily supply charge. While they don’t have a home battery, they time many of their appliances, such as their heat pump, to run off solar during the day.
“Every little bit counts to manage cost of living pressures,” she said.
With rooftop solar generating more than 10% of Australia’s electricity, it seems many other households feel the same. “We hope governments and businesses continue to support renewable energy initiatives, especially for renters and social housing residents. A cleaner, cheaper and fairer energy system would benefit everyone.”
Scan the QR to read ‘Electricity Regulation – Kicking goals or killing time before the bell?’, by UOW’s Ty Christopher and Rewiring Australia’s Dr Vikki McLeod
Solar FAQs
“Should I put solar on my roof?” is the question UOW energy expert Ty Christopher is most often asked. His answer is “yes” – if you’re at home to use that power during the day or can set timers to run appliances like dishwashers while the sun’s out.
His second FAQ is “Should I get a battery?”
For households, Ty’s tip is to consider a thermal battery, i.e. your hot-water system, rather than a costly chemical, lithiumion battery.
“With the government rebates being very attractive at the moment, look at getting a highly efficient heat-pump electric hotwater system, and run it during the day when the sun’s shining and store the solar in the form of hot water,” he said.
“That, at the moment, is a far more ecologically and economically good thing.”
In the future, we’ll need a mix of household and community batteries but the big advantage of a community battery is it’s fair for all, including renters. “It democratises access to locally generated clean energy.”
More than a third of Australian homes and businesses now have rooftop solar and Ty described its widespread uptake as “the biggest revolution that’s ever occurred in the energy industry in Australia”.
Yet, big companies have been slow to change. and Ty said it’s time to restructure the bodies that govern our electricity market. This could include stacking boards with people from the likes of the Salvation Army. “That would be, I think, the best thing to bring down electricity prices.”
Final FAQ: Why can’t Wollongong run on sun? “The physics prevent you from doing it,” Ty said.
Rooftop solar can’t power big industry or even our city centre. The sun doesn’t shine enough, the grid was not designed to ship massive amounts of energy upstream and the wires connecting homes to the grid are too thin. “Home solar is great … but it will not deliver the big grid solutions.”
Two weekends of winners
By Ian Pepper of the Scarborough Boardriders
Our June pointscore was split over two weekends due to conditions and the sheer number of surfers registered to attend.
The first Sunday was the last day of the financial year June 30 with Juniors only at Coledale.
The mixed 10s and under took to the water first (many with parents and great enthusiasm) for a showcase of the future with a super impressive display of style, ability and stoke. Sometimes two or even three surfers jumped on the same wave, but hey, it didn’t matter as the aim of the game was simply having fun.
After two heats and a final, winners did emerge, with Felix Tracey 1st, Fletcher Bell 2nd, Mara Giddings 3rd, Austin Wilson 4th and Levi Ellery 5th. In the 12’s it was Ari O’Connor’s day to take the win and the 14’s Jess Fitzgibbons.
While the Junior Girls saw Roxanne Stancourt take the win and the Junior Girls Parent Assist was won by Ruby Forbes.
The following weekend also at Coledale was a giant eight-hour day for the seniors with semis and finals in all divisions. It was a day of “almost” and “what could have been”. Just 0.77 separated 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the A-Grade final. Had Mannix ridden out of either of his full backhand rotors he would have won. Same with Fin if he managed to hold out just a moment longer, but it was Josh who waited patiently out the back for the buzzer beater that took him to first place and a free dinner at Headlands with cash in his pocket.
There was drama in the 35s final too. While Steve Rainford was tearing it up to get 1st, it was a
Solstice Swim
Mixed 10 & Under Finalists.
Photo: Ian Pepper
back-and-forth Battle Royale between Tristan and Dave, with Dave just 0.03 ahead and Christian 0.10 behind in 4th. Who knows what would have happened if Joel didn’t accidentally drop-in.
The Open Women’s saw Talina score the waves of the heat to seal the deal with Macey snapping at her heels in 2nd and Amira stylin’ it in 3rd.
It was a great day with footy and fires on the beach, a ripper backwash booger session at the north end and even the sun made an appearance.
Next pointscore was to be held on July 28 (as this issue went to press).
40th Anniversary Celebration
Save the date: Saturday, September 28 at Headlands Hotel Austinmer.
On Friday, June 21, the Flame’s Tyneesha Williams met the Winter Wonder Women at Austinmer Pool for a sunset swim to mark the winter solstice. Scan the QR to see the photo gallery
The Point
By Rick Warr
I started my surfing life near Cronulla Point. After progressing from a surfing plane to Coolite to surf board, I had become an OK surfer.
At age 14, I was obsessed with surfing. I knew the surf was huge that Wednesday when I told my mother I was just going for another surf, with no mention of the conditions.
The huge 25-foot swells that were running into the point and smashing against it, were challenging surfers to take it on. Not all were up to it.
I took my precious surfboard down to the rocks and carefully managed my way out to the break. The mountains of water that were tripping up on the reef were exploding with a fury that threatened life, limb and surfboard. I can candidly tell you I was very scared.
I watched others negotiate the challenge till I was compelled to get involved. Surfers have an adage that goes, “Take off or f*** off”. I felt the imperative of the philosophy so I stroked toward the rocks to catch the next big wave. I felt the wave lift me high into the air and the speed of my board race. I stood as the board fell from underneath me as it skittered down the wave’s face. I angled away from the impact zone and managed to escape without being caught that time.
Other times I got caught and learnt the importance of not panicking. To rag-doll your body and allow the turbulence of the wave to spend itself before spending any energy swimming to the surface with lungs bursting for fresh air.
Now my local is Sandon Point. The surf is up
again with monstrous swells exploding on the reef. I now watch avidly, as a surfing elder who no longer has the youth or the fitness to take the risk.
However, I watch and vicariously feel the thrill that young surfers feel as they take it on. I notice them negotiate their way out through danger zones of furious wave energy. I watch them get dragged back against the wash of the waves as they tenaciously paddle themselves out into take-off positions. I know how much energy that takes.
I watch them learn how confidence has its rewards when riding these waves. I watch them as they tame awesome swells with fearless aspiration. I watch as they drive themselves up a cresting monster to quickly snap a full-tilt slash-back at the threatening lip, and tap the fall energy to make their escape, a la John John Florence.
I watch them deal with the setbacks. I watch them get right back up again and sometimes get that one-in-10 wave that runs fast and makeable from outside all the way through a thrilling race-course, all the way into the beach, knowing their thighs are burning with the exertion.
The Point and big surf is a proving ground. It is when I became a man. It is great to see and understand how this is happening for young surfers today. I know that once you have confronted your fears this way, you are better equipped to meet life’s challenges. It is a combination of humility and confidence. You learn respect for the power of nature while learning how to work with it, for the thrill of your life.
Photo: Anna Warr
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2017 1.79
5 MO 0303 0.32 0857 1.26 1424 0.52 2054 1.76
6 TU 0336 0.33 0932 1.28 1503 0.52 2129 1.71
7 WE 0406 0.35 1007 1.30 1542
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Port Kembla Tidal Chart
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13 TU 0136 1.13 0734 0.63 1427 1.41 2118 0.69
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14 WE 0251 1.07 0832 0.66 1528 1.45 2235 0.62
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24 SA 0523 0.28 1142 1.60 1755 0.40 2359 1.45
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25 SU 0607 0.39 1235 1.60 1904 0.47
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27 TU 0215 1.12 0753 0.60 1440 1.57 2150 0.51
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28 WE 0343 1.06 0901 0.66 1550 1.57 2306 0.47
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29 TH 0502 1.07 1012 0.65 1657 1.60
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15 TH 0413 1.06 0937 0.66 1630 1.53 2336 0.52 TH 1557
30 FR 0003 0.42 0600 1.12 1114 0.61 1752 1.63
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31 SA 0048 0.38 0643 1.18 1206 0.56 1839 1.66
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TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS LAT 340 29’ LONG 1500 55’
resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded. Scan the QR to download a fresh Tide Chart each month
© 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
Tradies Social Golf
Barry Thompson reports
Golf news
From the chatter back at Tradies it is apparent that most of our members would be champions if it were not for (a) rain, (b) wind or (c) the occasional inability, in Mick’s case, to drive past the ladies’ Tee. This is only a brief listing; further research will undoubtedly reveal many more excuses.
Nineteen of our stalwarts Teed-off into a high wind to play our July Stableford event. Hayden Overton won the Helensburgh Butchery prize with 43 points. He also took out the 7th hole Eagle’s Nest – that’s a day well spent, Hayden!
Iain Birss took silver (42) to win a Gallardo’s Pizzeria coupon and Roger Hendry settled for bronze with 40. John Towns will be at Helensburgh Driving Range after winning the Bucket of Balls.
The Matchplay round saw Dave Tipping advance by forfeit; Aaron def. Rod (2&1), Mick def Blake (2 up), and Iain def John (7&5). These results see Mick play Iain, Aaron v Dave Tipping. These matches must be played by September 21 and will decide the finals protagonists.
Our next outing is at Boomerang on August 17. We Tee-Off at 7am to play the second round of the Club Championship. Please arrive early to assist our starters.
Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club
Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports Hurstville July 7th was yet another HSSGC event where weather conditions restricted member’s abilities to perfect their game.
Thanks to our sponsors Christian’s Premium Meats and Helensburgh Golf Range.
Contact Tony, 0418 863 100, for all your membership information and remember to register your attendance and cart requirements on the Tuesday ahead of the date of our next event.
Next event: Hurstville, August 4 – 8am.
September in the springtime, the question is where will HSSGC be playing? Stay tuned!
Join us to enjoy a game of golf, the great outdoors and good company.
Indy signing off: Maybe fishing in the rain may not be so bad.
more details, email ccarpetrehoming @tpg.com.au Country Companion Animal Rescue
