Issue 13 Autumn 2016
MOSMANNOW NEWSLETTER What’s your distraction?
Local Government Reform As many residents are aware Mosman has, over the past few months, been the subject of two separate merger proposals by the NSW Government. The first, which was formally made on 6 January 2016, is to merge the Mosman local government area with Manly and the southern part of Warringah. The second proposal, announced on 25 February (prior to consultation on the first proposal concluding), is to merge Mosman with the local government areas of North Sydney and Willoughby. Public consultation for this latest proposal, which would create a new Council for more than 175,000 people (compared to Mosman's current population of just over 30,000) closed last week. Consideration of the proposal including all public submissions is now in the hands of the Government's Delegate, Ian Reynolds, who will prepare a report for consideration by the Minister for Local Government and the Local Government Boundaries Commission. The Government's delegate for the first merger proposal, Michael Bullen, will do the same. Council has lodged formal submissions on both proposals reflecting its strong opposition to forced amalgamation of any kind. This in turn recognises the Mosman community's strong and continuing desire to remain independent, as evidenced through surveys and polls over many years. While the formal submission period for both proposals has now concluded, Mosman Council will be continuing to argue the case for independence and seeking full accountability and transparency from the NSW Government. The NSW Government has advised that it expects to be able to make further announcements regarding council mergers by the middle of this year.
Mosman Council is driving a new regional campaign to make pedestrians more aware of the dangers of being distracted by using mobile devices when they are out and about. The campaign, aptly named Distracted...?, follows survey results showing a cluster of pedestrian crashes at Spit Junction with the majority of these occurring along Military Road between Cowles Road and Mosman Junction. Research indicates that pedestrians are more vulnerable when stepping out from the kerb if their head space is occupied with music and mobile phones as they limit hearing and reduce concentration and reaction times. Mosman Council urges pedestrians to keep their heads up and their phones down when using roads, particularly in high traffic areas, and for drivers to remember to give way to pedestrians crossing streets even if there is no marked pedestrian crossing.
Distracted...? is a joint initiative of Mosman, Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Manly, North Sydney, Pittwater, Ryde, Warringah and Willoughby Councils, in conjunction with the RMS.
Need more information? Visit Council’s website mosman.nsw.gov.au or contact Council’s Road Safety Officer on 9978 4032.
for the latest events in Mosman visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Signs test a new look
Calling all young writers Entries for the 2016 Mosman Youth Awards in Literature are now open for primary and high school students to submit a prose and/or poetry piece. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 31 May. The competition, which is in its 24th year, offers the chance to win cash prizes from a pool of more than $1,600 with winners announced at a presentation ceremony on Wednesday 31 August. Prizes are proudly sponsored by Mosman Zu Café, Mosman Community College, the Rotary Club of Mosman, the Lions Club of Mosman and Oracle Books. Entry forms and guidelines can be collected from Barry O'Keefe Library or downloaded from Council's website at mosman.nsw.gov.au/library/teens
MOCC Preschool Program New signage has been installed in four public areas as part of a pilot program which began in December. The signage has been rolled out in Clifton Gardens Reserve, Mosman Park, Mosman Square and at South Balmoral. The signs incorporate a stylish grey theme with accents on patterning, materials and finishes to create an enduring and contemporary 'Mosman' concept. The updated signage has also been designed to increase the levels of legibility and readability to ensure way finding and public information meets best practice design standards. The pilot program follows an extensive audit and review of signage overseen by members of Council's Visual Amenity – Signage and Advertising Committee (VASA) and the removal of surplus signs from Mosman streets. Visit Council's website mosman.nsw.gov.au for further information.
Helping those affected by dementia Mosman Art Gallery has expanded its art and dementia tours with a new series of popular guided visits for people with dementia. Gallery guides undertook training by Alzheimer's Australia to help them cater for participants' needs such as not overloading tours with information and encouraging those attending to respond in a variety of ways to the experience. The training will enable guides to more easily engage with visitors with dementia during future tours. The program, which aims to strengthen community connections and increase social participation in Mosman, coincided with the NSW Seniors Festival and is one of Mosman Council's 'Mosman Connects' initiatives, supported by the Department of Family and Community Services (FACs). Business owners also recently attended a separate workshop run by Council's Aged and Disability Services to increase their understanding when dealing with customers with dementia, which addressed topics including communication issues and ways to assist carers or family members. For more information on gallery tours call 9978 4185.
Mosman Occasional Care Centre has re-introduced its preschool program for 2016. The program, which provides a high quality school readiness curriculum focusing on building and fostering self-help and social skills, runs on Mondays and Tuesdays, exclusively for 3–5 year olds. For further information and enrolments please contact mocc@mosman.nsw.gov.au or phone 9978 4197.
Keeping our sports ovals in good shape When using Mosman's popular sporting fields, including Allan Border, Balmoral, Georges Heights, Middle Head or Rawson Ovals, please remember to put your empty food packaging or other rubbish in the bin after the game. Don't forget to reduce, reuse and recycle by buying items you can use again such as shin guard stays and reusable drink bottles – every little bit counts. The campaign to keep our ovals clean is part of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle project which is supported by the NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.
mosman.nsw.gov.au Saturday Youth Group
Saturday Youth Group is one of a number of specialised support programs for young people in the local area offered by Mosman Youth Services. The social and recreation program which caters for young people with a mild intellectual disability has undergone changes over the past six months. The program now features outings and excursions, such as a recent jet boat trip on Sydney Harbour. The Saturday Youth Group is open to 11 to 17 year olds living in the Mosman area. To find out more go to mosmanyouth.com.au or call 9978 4013.
Selling or leasing with a pool?
National Youth Week
Celebrations for National Youth Week have begun ahead of the Northern Sydney regional music festival ShoreShocked. Mosman High's own band Jester recently won a regional band competition to perform at the festival, alongside nationally recognised bands such as Art of Sleeping and Hockey Dad. Shore Shocked will be held from 11am–5pm on Saturday 16 April at St Leonards Park, North Sydney. It follows the recent youth music event Backyard Vibes which featured local acoustic artists and was organised by Mosman Youth's volunteer program Vocal Rewind. For more information visit www.mosmanyouth.com.au
Mosman Youth Art Prize Entries are now being accepted online for the Mosman Youth Art Prize, which is an annual competition organised by Mosman Council to encourage the creative talents of young aspiring and emerging artists and provide a showcase for their works. With more than $8,000 in cash prizes and $6,000 in art scholarships, materials and prizes to be won, the prize, sponsored by Audi Centre Mosman, is one of the richest youth art prizes in Australia. The exhibition of works of young people aged 12–21 years will run from 9 July to 7 August at Mosman Art Gallery. Visit mosmanartgallery.org.au/mosman-youth-art-prize
Faces in the Crowd Changes to swimming pool legislation come into effect on 29 April 2016. Properties with a swimming pool or spa will now be required to have a valid compliance certificate before being sold or leased. After an application is received, Council will organise a pool inspection to advise if the pool complies with the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 (the Act) or if any work is needed to comply. Upon completion of works, Council will issue a certificate stating that the swimming pool or spa complies with the requirements of the Act. Apply to Council for a swimming pool inspection (cost $150 and $100 for re-inspections) via mosman.nsw.gov.au/pools or call the Compliance Team on 9978 4000. All pool owners are required to register their pool or spa with the Office of Local Government (OLG) at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
Mosman's forgotten fairy tales, fortunes and once high-profile local identities are returning to the limelight for Mosman Library Service's Faces in the Crowd exhibition. Part of the National Trust's Heritage Festival celebrations of local communities and their unique heritage, this year's theme Discovery and Re-Discovery provides an opportunity to revisit tales of fame and fortune of the many Mosman residents and businesses that were once household names. Mosman identities included in the exhibition through fame or notoriety include architect Adrian Ashton, jeweller Percy Marks, collector P. Neville Barnett, manufacturer Eric Lowe, businessman L. J. Hooker, artist Dora Toovey, filmmaker Ken G. Hall and the mysterious entrepreneur Jean Bianconi. Faces in the Crowd is free and is on exhibition at the Barry O'Keefe Library from 19 April to 22 May during library hours.
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©2015 Mosman Municipal Council This publication is written by Council staff and authorised for distribution by Veronica Lee – General Manager
mosman.nsw.gov.au Spit Junction NSW 2088 9978 4000 fax 9978 4132 council@mosman.nsw.gov.au
What’s On
Connect with us
Don't miss out on the many interesting events taking place in Mosman over the next few months. Here is a sample of what's on offer – visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au for more.
ANZAC Sunday Service Sunday, 17 April, commencing 3pm Mosman War Memorial, The Crescent, Mosman ANZAC address will be given by Mr Rex Vidler who served with the RAAF during WWII. Local community groups and citizens are welcome to lay a wreath. The Service will be followed by a march to Mosman RS Club where refreshments will be served. In wet weather, the Service will be held in the Mosman Art Gallery and Community Centre. For information contact Mosman RS Club on 9960 2888.
ANZAC Dawn Service Monday, 25 April, 5.30-6.30am Old Parade Ground, Georges Heights ANZAC Address to be given by Lieutenant Commander Wendy Duffy RAN, Executive Officer, HMAS Penguin. All welcome. There is no seating, transport or cover if it rains. Parking is available and a torch may be useful. For further information, contact Mosman RS Club on 9960 2888.
Building resilience in young people with anxiety Tuesday 17 May, 7pm–8.30pm Mosman Seniors Centre At a special seminar for parents renowned consultant psychologist Collett Smart will share her tips on how to identify symptoms and support children and young people with anxiety. Collett, who is also a teacher, lecturer, author and mother of three, has spent the past 20 years working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice as a consultant psychologist. With a specialisation in special educational needs, Collett uses tried, tested and researched guidelines that are found to be effective for many families. The presentation will also provide parents with general resilience building strategies. Visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au/collett to book your seat for the session. Tickets, which are $25 per person, include light refreshments.
eXplore eBooks First Thursday of the month, 10.30am–12.30pm Barry O'Keefe Library Explore the world of eBooks at the Library’s new drop-in sessions. Bring your own tablet, iPhone or Android device and your library card and learn how to download eBooks. Most devices, with the exception of Kindles, are compatible. No bookings required.
events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Country comes to the Gallery The inspirational artwork Country by award winning artist Warwick Keen has been installed in Mosman Art Gallery's forecourt as part of a stunning new sculpture garden. Country was developed as part of the Bungaree: the First Australian exhibition in 2012 and was also included in the award winning Bungaree's Farm exhibition last year. Aboriginal curator Djon Mundine supported and guided the artist as he created the series of contemporary works inspired by the carved trees that were part of the traditional art and culture of Keen's Aboriginal heritage and which were used to signify important places such as initiation or burial sites. Individual supporters are now being sought to sponsor each of the 24 Aboriginal carved trees at a cost of $2,000 each. All donations are tax deductible and supporters will be recognised on an accompanying plaque as part of the new CREATE! funding campaign to support Mosman Art Gallery. The funds will also be matched dollar-for-dollar under the Federal Government's Plus 1 program run by Creative Partnerships Australia, with all funds raised supporting the gallery's exhibitions and programs. For more information contact Jane Hurley on 9978 4164.
2016 Community Survey Every two years Council engages independent market researchers to survey the Mosman community on Council performance and local issues. The 2016 survey, which will be conducted randomly by telephone, will commence on 16 April and run for one week. Each survey takes around 15 minutes to complete. Market research staff will also be in Mosman prior to the survey rollout to gather contact numbers, again randomly, from interested residents. This approach helps reach possible survey respondents that are not otherwise contactable on landlines. If you are contacted and have a little time to spare, consider sharing your views. This will help Council identify any areas of concern as well as opportunities for future improvement.