The Beast's Monthly Mailbag Words The Wonderful People of the Eastern Suburbs THE CLOVELLY SPRINGBOARD Hi Nicola (Diving Into Clovelly’s History, The Beast, October 2020) - I was a child (born in 1943) living in Boundary Street, Clovelly. I remember the springboard was there until the mid ‘50s when my family moved from the district. I was too scared to use it myself. Regards, Orel Lea Clovelly A HEARTFELT THANK YOU On Thursday, September 24, I was transported to the emergency department at Prince of Wales Hospital by ambulance, suffering from a mashed up face and broken nose after crashing to the footpath in South Coogee (note to self: must inform Randwick City Council). I was lucky to be rescued by a passer-by, Sam, who helped me staunch the blood from my bleeding nose and called for an ambulance. So, thank you Sam from Matraville. And also to Callum, from a plumbing company, who fetched my friend from the café where she was waiting for me and kindly brought me water from the nearby servo. Thanks also to the owners of the Lion & Buffalo, Anna and Dean, who provided some of their best napkins to help with the blood flow, and the ambo’s
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who arrived promptly, Martin and Stephen, who were caring and professional and transported me promptly to the hospital. I can’t say enough about the staff in emergency, but I will mention those who looked after me during the day and were humorous, caring and professional. In particular, the treatment I received from registered nurses Emma and Niamh, Dr Jonathon, physiotherapist Cynthia and two student nurses, Catherine and Finbar, was second to none. I would be happy if these staff members would be made aware of my gratitude to them. If I ever doubted the kindness and helpfulness of the human race, all was restored after Thursday. Mashed Face South Coogee FISHING AT CLOVELLY Hi - I read with interest Angela David’s remarks on the above subject (Untangling the Fishing Legislation, The Beast, October 2020). She has her answer; fishing at Clovelly is, and should continue to be, allowed. Us fishers have had enough of NIMBY/WOKES from the anti-fishing mob commenting on us. If you don’t want to share the coast and/or see people fishing at Clovelly, move to Newtown. Paul Cooper South Coogee
BEACH WARS: RETURN OF THE NARC Dear Beast - It had spent the past two decades on its knees, but mark down October 6, 2020 as the day the soul of Bondi officially exhaled its last breath. When this humble ‘columnist’ first read the recent reports of the flouted European beach club in the reputable newspaper, The Daily Mail, my mind instantly turned to the poor souls who had spent all their life in Bondi only to watch it turn into a caricature. You only had to spend five minutes in Bondi to realise that she was crying out for our attention; to help prevent her from turning into a dystopian land of 35 year-old men with long hair, a cool accent and a skateboard. Plans to bring ‘Euro beach chic’ to the culturally starved ‘locals’ are completely unnecessary. You don’t need to pay $80 to sit in a cabana with doctors, lawyers, reality TV stars and wannabes; just go to the Coogee Pavilion. Commercial ‘European beach clubs’ are a little incongruous to Australian beach culture (although Bondi may be different, but not that different). Australia is different to Europe - we watch rugby league instead of soccer, our children have names like Brad, Darren or Shane, and the beach is inclusive and free for all. However, I could be out of touch. If the people are that desperate to spend their $80 to go to Bondi, they can park their car on Queen Elizabeth Drive for six hours and have a Bulmers on the grassy knoll with all the other legends with an interest in “fashion, travel and luxury goods”. Concerned Narc Coogee SCOOTER PARKING IN BONDI JUNCTION I read with interest Tim’s letter about scooter parking at Bondi Junction (Stop Fining Bikes, Letters, The Beast, October 2020). I have ridden scooters in Bronte, Bondi and Waverley since 2005 due to finding it a quick and inexpensive way of getting around.
