2515 MAY 2015

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MAY 2015

www.2515mag.com.au

5 1 COAST NEWS

YOURS FREE!

team mates LUKE SWAIN AND TRENT WATERHOUSE BOOST BUTCHERS

Clifton | Scarborough | Wombarra | Coledale | Austinmer | Thirroul

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2515 CONTENTS NEWS 04 Comic Gong If you love comics this is for you 16 NINA in limbo Anxiety over future funding LIFESTYLE 06 Voices of Austinmer Library’s oral history project 08 Cover feature The Butchers’ new star signings 10 Catch Up News 12 Gardening Autumn colours and Mother’s Day gifts 14 Dr Rip Uncannily timely ‘Storms of storms’ report 15 Meet Porty The live pup washed up in a shark egg

18 Owls How to spot one in the wild 20 Art Laurens Tan and the theme of cultural identity 21 Music Lonesome Train – ready to rock

has a keen interest in conservation and ecology. He works at the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. His PhD involved the translocation of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird, a hugely successful project.

David has also worked with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; as a consulting ecologist; run an outdoor education company; and managed BirdLife Australia’s Powerful Owl Project (birdsinbackyards.net or ThePowerfulOwlProject) See p18.

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COAST NEWS

Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft

SPORT 26 Tides 27 BMX Expert tips from champion Kai Sakakibara 28 Thirroul Surf Club Young – and older – athletes impress at The Aussies

Rob Brander, Sara Newnham, Anthony Warry

was born and raised in Wollongong. He has an undying interest in all things design, food, culture and anything local. A belief that there is a story to be told about everything, even the seemingly mundane, led Leroy to study journalism at UOW. You might see him taking pictures of your letterbox, walking around a cemetery or people watching at the Art Gallery. He is a contributor and curator at design and innovation blog “uncluttered white spaces” and Bevan’s online magazine Room For Horse. Read more on page 20.

Janice Creenaune

is a retired English teacher of 35 years, who has lived and worked in the Illawarra, and completed three year-long overseas teacher exchanges (in Minnesota, Oxford and Cornwall). A wife and mother of three, she sees the life of a retiree as an evolution, something to be cherished, enjoyed.

The Publicity Officer for Northern Illawarra University 3rd Age (U3A) her personal interests include travel, Letters-to-the Editor SMH, letterpress printing and film study. See page 17.

SPECIAL!

Brendon Wise

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2515 is published by The Word Bureau Pty Ltd. ABN 31 692 723 477.

2508 Read our sister mag for the postcode around Helensburgh, 2508mag.com.au Disclaimer: All content and images remain the property of 2515: Coast News unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

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Editors

Art director

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS LEROY SOETERBOEK LYNNE TUCK

DAVID BAIN

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COAST NEWS

BUSINESS 22 Business Directory Find a local supplier

Cover image by Anthony Warry Photography; www.anthonywarry.tumblr.com

has always had a fascination with the ocean and its animals.

A resident of Coledale, she loves roaming the shores, finding flotsam and jetsam, creating jewellery and sculptures from resin and shells (Facebook: Urchin Creations). Lynne was a founding staff member of Sydney Aquarium and worked with marine animals, collecting and looking after them for display, for more than a decade. If you find something on the shore (or in the sea), maybe she can help identify it. Send us a photo, we’ll pass it on. See page 15.

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2515 NEWS

comic gong This full-blown comics event is tipped to draw big crowds again.

Just to be clear: Comic Gong is a festival of comics – not comedians. Wollongong City Libraries started the annual event to promote comic culture and local comic artists. The May 16 event will include a cosplay (costume play) exhibition and competition, caricature artist, stalls, workshops, children’s activities and more.

It was very popular last year and looks set to draw huge crowds again this year. The culture of the comic book is thriving.

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2515 NEWS comic gong

From 10am to 4pm on Saturday, May 16 This event will be staged in three venues: Wollongong Town Hall (corner of Kembla and Crown streets), Wollongong City Library and Wollongong Art Gallery (both in Burelli Street) for children, youth and adults.

Cosplay exhibition and competition, caricature artist, stalls, workshops, children’s activities and much more.

For a full schedule of Comic Gong events visit www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library.

Collector David Hopkinson, a 2515 resident, loves comics. He knows first-hand about the benefits of reading them.

“I started reading Asterix through the local library. I wasn’t very good at reading before that but once I started reading comics I just got better and better … and moved up to novels and just improved from there.

“You really need to use your own imagination

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to take full effect of what’s going on [in comics] … because they’re simple characters in a simple frame and as you read the story arc it gives you a bit more of a movie-type experience,” he said.

David will have a comic stall at Comic Gong for the second year in a row. Other local participants include award-winning illustrator Louie Joyce.

Visit Comic Gong for more details. 2515

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2515 NEWS

Austinmer Beach circa 1950-1960. Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.

voices of austinmer A Wollongong City Libraries pilot project is underway to enrich our local history collection.

Sydney-based cultural planner Sue Boaden, who grew up in Austinmer, has kicked off the Austinmer Oral History Project, contributing nine digital sound recordings of interviews with past and current Austinmer residents. She told 2515 about her finds so far: “A great way to be able to contribute to the history of a place is through storytelling, rather than just reading or looking at photographic images. Voices are important.

“I’ve done nine interviews. The eldest was 94 … Questions vary, but I always end up asking them, ‘How does Austinmer feel to you and is it special?’

“There is a thread running through about the geography and that sense of identity that comes from the beauty of the landscape and the seascape. The Northern Illawarra landscape … the coast, the barrier of the escarpment and the sea, is so distinctive. It’s shaped them, given them an anchor. The place seems to attract a strong sense of connection.

“There’s lots of stories. There’s the stories of the bushfires in the late 60s, of rescues at the beach. There is one mystery. One of the interviewees referred to the Centennial Hall… there is one reference in a newspaper, in 1888, to a Centennial Hall. But where was it? If anyone can throw any light on that, that would be good.

“They all talk about Headlands, of course, because it’s a site of great renown because of its beauty … They all felt strongly about the beach

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being important in their lives, the ocean – even if they’re not in there swimming.

“Everyone said they climbed Sublime Point.

‘You were at school, how did you spend your holidays?’ They were at creeks and driving along Buttenshaw Drive picking blackberries but … it was part of the pattern that you had to climb Sublime Point. They all walked down Bulli Pass … it wasn’t as treacherous. So you could actually walk down, get to the bottom and catch up a bus. They walked along the top … Bulli Pass was dark and wet and rainforesty, and they all did that.

“They talked about the flooding creek, which was a significant thing, it flooded in the grove and then it often flooded across the main road.

“They talked about the [Second World War], the beaches were closed and there was barbed wire on the beaches.

“The 50s was when the hub of Austinmer changed. At the end of the 50s the supermarket opened in Thirroul … it was one-stop shopping so people gravitated to do it all there. There was no question that you didn’t do your shopping in Austinmer until then. The greengrocers and the shops delivered, the bread was delivered, the milkman came round. If you wanted sausages or meat for dinner you could just send the kids down to at least two butchers. Until then it was a pretty well self-contained village … it’s still got a strong sense of community.” 2515 Want to contribute to the Austinmer Oral History Project? Call Wollongong City Libraries on 4227 7111 or email library@ wollongong.nsw.gov.au

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2515 REPORT

THE REAL DEALS former panther team mates Luke Swain and Trent Waterhouse have added plenty of star power to the 2014 premiership-winning Butchers’ side. 2515 reports

When 2515 turns up to a Butchers’ training session in April, the mood there is buoyant.

And why shouldn’t it be? They won last year’s Illawarra Coal League grand final over a tough Helensburgh outfit; and the club has attracted star signings in former NRL and representative footy big guns, Luke Swain and Trent Waterhouse in the off-season.

Some Butchers’ fans would now have you believe that, due to the arrival of new captaincoach Swain and lock Waterhouse, Thirroul will nab a back-to-back premiership for the first time in the club’s history.

It’s been a patchy start to the season though.

First up, the Butchers beat Collegians 26-4 in their Challenge Cup opener; they then lost to the Helensburgh Tigers 34-8 in their round one

Coal League clash, a gutsy grand-final rematch; and they were workmanlike in their 34-16 victory over Corrimal. But a win is a win.

Swain and Waterhouse have a history together – they were team mates when the Panthers won the premiership in 2003 – and the friendship shows in their relaxed interaction during our photo-shoot for the cover.

2515 had a chat to Luke.

How are you settling in at the club?

I’m enjoying it, mate. It’s good fun, it’s a good bunch of blokes, it’s a good comp and it’s a good team. I feel right at home and it’s a really good club; they’re really good to me.

Nice to have Trent Waterhouse there?

Yeah, we’re good mates from way back so

Luke Swain and Trent Waterhouse

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2515 REPORT

coal league draw Round 4 – May 2, Gibson Park 3pm: Thirroul vs Collegians Round 5 – May 17, Dapto Showground 3pm: Thirroul vs Dapto Round 6 – May 24, Rex Jackson Oval 3pm: Helensburgh Tigers vs Thirroul Round 7 – May 30, Ziems Park 3pm: Thirroul vs Corrimal

challenge cup

Semi-finals May 9, Parrish Park, Figtree Final June 14, Collegians Sporting Complex

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Photos by Anthony Warry Photography; www.anthonywarry.tumblr.com

that was a big drawcard for the both of us to come down, to play together.

Thirroul has had a few patchy performances this season. Are you happy with how things are going?

We’ve got a lot of combinations to work out, there’s been some big turnover of players and we’re still trying to work those out. But things are working out pretty good so far; I’m confident in the blokes that I’ve got.

Which side do you think will be your biggest threat this year?

Helensburgh touched us up, so we’ve got to respect that, don’t we? Obviously they’re a strong team. 2515

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2515 NEWS

catch up

Mike Hyde, director of Infrastructure and Works for Wollongong City Council, inspects the Austinmer Rock Pool.

Above: Thunderbolt’s Way II, part of the upcoming Thunderbolt’s Way exhibition at Egg & Dart.

On what’s been happening in our district.

big changes at EGG & DART

The Egg & Dart has announced its official re-opening, which will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, May 15.

“By relocating our workshop, we’ve been able to stay in our current location and create a larger gallery with a consultation space. This will allow us to have exhibitions with much larger artworks and free up floor space to enable the gallery to move into exhibiting installations and sculptures,” said Egg & Dart galley manager Ann Eklund.

The re-opening will coincide with an exhibition, Thunderbolt’s Way, by artist and Egg & Dart’s director Aaron Fell-Fracasso, from May 15 to June 6. Local artist Frank Nowlan will stage his solo exhibition, Things we don’t talk about, from June 12 to July 10.

For more info, visit www.egganddart.com.au

update on works at AUSTI rock POOL

When 2515 met Mike Hyde, director of Infrastructure and Works for Wollongong City Council, on April 14 to discuss the work to restore and repair the Austinmer Rock Pool, he was cautiously optimistic. However, he did admit that “it’s totally weather-dependent”.

“It’s not impossible to see that this will take six or nine months because when you look at the tidal windows that we’ve got work planned

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[there aren’t too many].”

He said, for work to go ahead, there needed to be “low, low tides” – about .3m or less – and no swells, otherwise the quality of work and, more importantly, worker safety was compromised. Safety remained “absolutely paramount”, he said.

“There’s [a tidal window] in July that’s looking good. We’re going to hope that that’s really nice, but that’s also the time of year – July, August – you get the heavy winds, and that’s the swell season.”

Mr Hyde said that problems with the pool structure, including another hole in one sea-facing wall, were still being discovered.

“The community’s been really vocal about ’How come it’s not repaired?’ and we’re trying to reinforce just how difficult it is.”

hamblin shoe SHOP sells for $1.754m at AUCTION

On April 18, the Buck Hamblin shoe store at 260 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul, went under the Bevans hammer and sold for $1.754 million. Jeffrey Barrett was the highest bidder on behalf of his son Luke Barrett. Luke and his young family, who reside in Cronulla, will now make Thirroul their home.

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2515 OUTDOORS

Gardening with sara It’s the season of many colours, writes Sara Newnham.

The warm tones of deciduous plants are a blaze of colour all around us at this cold time of year. There are many autumn foliage plants to choose from, there is one to suit any garden.

They have many benefits. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but you can use one to cool your house with shade in summer and allow the light in over winter. The leaf litter makes excellent mulch the whole garden will enjoy.

There are lots of great varieties. If you are after a medium-size tree with lots of autumn

use AN AUTUMN FOLIAGE PLANT to cool your house with shade in summer and allow the light in over winter. colour, plant a Nyssa Acer ‘Autumn Blaze’.

Ornamental pears are also easy to grow; look out for Pyrus ‘Capital’ or ‘Chanticleer’. These are good screening trees that won’t take up your whole back yard. Another tall but narrowish tree is the majestic Ginkgo biloba.

They have lime-green leaves that change to

brilliant gold before they fall.

I’m particularly drawn to purple foliage and there are some trees that hold this tone all year round, such as the heart-shaped foliage and magenta-flowering Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’, or Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’, with masses of cherry blossoms in spring.

For a small feature tree, Japanese maples are beautiful but prefer to grow in a sheltered position. South or east facing is best. Crepe Myrtle ‘Indian Summer’ are small, tough, disease resistant and drought tolerant. With mottled, smooth bark, they are beautiful to look at even when foliage has completely fallen.

Don’t have room for a tree? Plant a grafted weeping Japanese maple in a feature pot, or let a wisteria grow over a pergola, or cover an ugly wall with Boston ivy.

THE MOTHER’S DAY FLOWER

Chrysanthemums were destined to be given to mums on Mother’s Day – after all, it’s all in the name. The beautiful mums, or chrysies as they are known in the trade, are in flower this time of year. With their unique aroma, they come in many flower shapes, from cheerful single daisies, proud pom-poms, unusual thistle heads to fluffy spider forms. You can find them in almost every colour – I am partial to the lime-green kind.

Chrysies have long been a symbol of happiness and longevity. Buy mum a big bunch

From left, Sapium sebiferum, Ginkgo biloba and Boston ivy.

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2515 OUTDOORS

How to grow kale

By Narelle Happ, of A Garden for Life

and remove any foliage from below the waterline in your vase. Re-cut the stems every day to make them last longer or, even better, buy a potted one. When flowers are done, cut the plant back and plant it in the garden or feature pot. Feed every season with a complete fertiliser for maximum flowers. Avoid watering directly on foliage as they prefer it around the root drip line; this will prevent fungal disease.

If kept happy, they have been known to reflower throughout the year. True to their name, mums will fill your home with happiness and give a lifetime of joy. Thanks mums! 2515

Kale is easy to grow, attractive in the garden and a generous plant that keeps on giving.

Kale is known as borecole, which means “farmer’s cabbage”. There are many varieties, including Red Russian – my favourite.

Kale ideally likes a full sun position with added compost. You can sow seeds of kale directly where it is to grow or as seedlings in a greenhouse. (This can be as simple as a pot with a plastic bag placed over the top of it to create a greenhouse effect.)

Plants should be placed approx. 40cm apart and watered regularly to keep leaves tender. Plants should be ready to harvest after two months. Use in salads, hot dishes or make kale chips for kids. 2515 Narelle will teach a Garden Design Workshop for Wild Rumpus on May 9.

Book at www.wildrumpus.com.au

Call Creativescapes’ Sara Newnham on 0451 196 646.

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2515 COLUMN

Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf

widespread damage occurred to coastal structures up and down the coast. Buildings were destroyed or fell into the sea, car parks were carved into, and some beaches and dunes eroded back more than 100 metres.

These storms were caused by East Coast Cyclones, which are intense low-pressure systems that tend to form quickly in the Tasman Sea, just off our coast, and last for a few days.

They are not uncommon, and we can usually expect one to two bad ones each year, but it takes a certain amount of “perfect storm” Rob Brander conditions to generate a particularly reports on the nasty one like the June 2007 “Pasha ‘storm of Bulker” storm. storms’ – the Did you What does it mean for us? one in 1974, know?

Basically, we lose our beaches, that is.

Our beaches are only a thin veneer of sand particularly if they coincide with over what essentially very high spring tide levels. It’s Just like the is a buried rock not uncommon after big storms to atmosphere, the ocean has its own platform. see rocks exposed on the beach that climate, but in this case it’s called a wave you never knew existed. Remember climate. Thanks to one of the best offshore that our beaches are only really a thin wave data recording networks in the world, veneer of sand over what essentially is a buried the NSW coast has a long term dataset that tells rock platform. Huge storm waves are incredibly us the average wave hitting our beaches is erosive and it can take years for the sand to about 1.5 metres in height, has a wave period return to the beaches to pre-storm levels. (time between waves) of 8 seconds and comes The May 1974 storm was a real wake-up call. from the south-east.

It was the catalyst that spurred governments But superimposed on that average can be into trying to understand the characteristics some pretty impressive storm waves. This month marks the 41st anniversary (yes, I should and behaviour of waves, beaches and dunes in have written this last May!) of the famous coast- response to severe events. It really was the birth of coastal management and policy as we know al storm in late May 1974 that impacted much it in Australia. of the NSW coast, including the Illawarra.

The storm was also the motivation for Significant wave heights (the average of the installing the offshore wave rider buoys along highest 33% of waves) were over 8 metres high the NSW coast that we have today. and individual waves of up to 18 metres were Will we see one like it again? Well, a storm observed. To make matters worse, two more that size is estimated to occur about once every storms followed in June, exacerbating the erosion. Beaches were stripped bare of sand and 50 years… 2515 Visit www.scienceofthesurf.com Shortly after Dr Rip sent us this article, the worst storm in a decade struck NSW. Rob took this photo of Stanwell Park beach on April 21.

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2515 NEWS

Meet Porty

By Lynne TUCK

Walking on Sharkey’s Beach on Good Friday, I saw a shark egg floating in the water.

Expecting it to be empty I checked the egg and to my surprise found a live shark “pup” still with its embryo sac.

It is a Crested Port Jackson Shark fully developed, but still with the yolk sac. His egg is damaged, so his chances of survival are very low. The egg should have long strings attached to the pointy end that get tangled around seaweed and cunjevoi to keep it from being washed ashore, it should also be sealed shut.

At the moment he is living (in his egg) in a bucket, in my laundry with the whole family taking turns to change his water everyday.

Not all sharks lay eggs, some bear live young. There is no parental care, so when our little shark has consumed his yolk sac, we will

release him back to where he should be.

These sharks are harmless, ground dwelling sharks that have crusher plates similar to rays.

The eggs they lay look like a “corkscrew of seaweed”.

So if you see someone at Sharkeys over the next few weeks with a bucket ask to have a look and we can show you the cutest little shark! 2515

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2515 NEWS

Neighbour aid in limbo Fears of funding cuts have rattled staff and clients at Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid (NINA).

Based in Helensburgh, and covering the Northern Illawarra’s coastal villages, NINA has been a lifeline for almost 30 years, providing meals, transport and social outings, helping elderly people stay healthy and happy in their own homes for longer.

Now – with the Federal Government’s shake-up of aged care services – this small not-for-profit faces an uncertain future, with its funding only guaranteed until October 31.

“Best-case scenario,” said NINA manager Tracey Schroeder, “is our contract is renewed, but everything is more expensive. Worst-case, we close our doors and services cease.”

The new Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) begins on July 1. It amalgamates four aged-care programs, including Home and Community Care, which, along with Transport for NSW, funds NINA. Richard Smart, NINA management committee chairman, said, “[The Department of Social Services] say that it’s not a cost-saving issue, that the total amount of money that is currently there is going to be available … but it may well be allocated differently.”

NINA has four staff, 45 active volunteers and about 120 clients, but fears that funds will go to bigger organisations, while small, rural and remote community-based groups lose out.

Current services will continue until October 31, but NINA is operating “in limbo”, Tracey said.

She is also concerned a proposed new CHSP national fees policy could be “prohibitive” for pensioners. One example is NINA’s weekly Cafe Club daycare program. “A $12 day could turn into a $28 day. Nobody’s going to go. The fluffy stuff – going on an outing, out for lunch or to get your haircut – won’t be seen as a service priority.”

NINA organises regular outings, including river cruises, trips to the ballet, barbecues and drives along the coast. Richard said: “A lot of people you talk to on trips, for them NINA is their only social activity, otherwise they’d be in their house 24/7. It enables them to get out.”

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

“Use it or lose it” is NINA’s message.

“People can definitely start utilising services more … Start going on the outings, start raising our statistics, our outputs, so that we’ve got a chance of actually being offered a new contract from the 1st of November,” Tracey said.

She would particularly like to encourage pensioners in the 2515 postcode to consider using NINA, to “look up the hill rather than south to Wollongong”.

“If we can’t show a genuine need for the services in the area, we’ll just cease,” she said.

“It’s pretty scary stuff.

“The good thing is we have a really formidable management committee now …

They realise how important NINA is in the community.”

“We will do our darnedest to make sure we can offer as much as we can,” Richard said.

CONTACT

Find out what's on this month: call 4294 1900, visit www.nina.org.au or pop into 18 Walker Street, Helensburgh. 2515

what nina means to ME Graham Tye, client “After speaking to Tracey, I joined NINA and I found all of a sudden I had a life again.

“If I lost it [NINA], I don’t know what I’d do, I really don’t. I’d be buggered.”

“If NINA folded, especially the bus; those bus trips, I’m going places that I’ve never been before and I’d never go to without the support of NINA. “I’ve said quite often to people: NINA is actually my life, the way it is … and I really mean that: it’s my life. I just wait, when I go home – I live by myself – and I just wait for the next outing or meeting.”

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2515 CLUBS

Let’s talk about film

By Janice Creenaune, NIU3A publicity Officer “I've always been interested in how many ways there are to think about the cinema and that’s why it is so fabulous spending time with people who are all interested in film and the issues the various films present.” So says Rick Thompson about the group he started a few years ago within the structure of the Northern Illawarra University of the 3rd Age (NIU3A).

“The Northern Illawarra U3A Film Society has continued to allow me an outlet for my film interests and enjoy the intricacies of film with interested members of our network,” Rick says.

The film group meets each Wednesday afternoon in The Excelsior Room of Thirroul Library and is free after yearly membership to NIU3A. New members are always welcome.

“The films are the central focus for viewing and later discussion, but it is often a very personal focus from participants and we learn a great deal about each other as well,” says Virginia Cameron, a regular participant. “Issues arise I hadn’t previously thought through, which makes the discussion all the more interesting and the broader the age differences and the wider and longer the life experiences of group members the more interesting it is.”

The group’s leader, Rick was born in Portland, Oregon, studied at the University of Chicago in the 1960s, moved to Melbourne and finally settled in the Illawarra.

Rick has published film articles, worked in film distribution and had countless associations with film societies, museums and schools.

He’s taught film courses at the University of California, interviewed noted directors such as Clint Eastwood and undertaken post-graduate studies at UCLA’s Cinema Studies program.

Later he was enticed to start building the film studies course at Latrobe University and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2012.

■ U3A has other weekly meetings. Call 4268 2498 or email janicecreenaune@hotmail.com 2515

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Screen time … Rick Thompson leads U3A’s popular film group, which meets on Wednesday afternoons.

ESTATE & SUCCESSION

Solicitors • Conveyancing • Wills • Administration of Deceased Estates • Challenging and Defending Wills • Power of Attorney • Enduring Guardianship • Family Law • Litigation

364 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul.

Tel: 42 67 3111 and 42 67 3316 Fax: 42 67 1903 Email: nlyonsolicitors@bigpond.com Web: www.estateandsuccessionsolicitors.com.au 17

24/04/2015 7:36 am

2515 NATURE The photos of powerful owls in this and last month’s feature are

by Kristen Hardy.

hoot if you love owls Powerful owl expert Dr David Bain is a Threatened Species Officer at the Illawarra branch of the Office of Environment and Heritage. He shared his expertise.

Of the six owls seen in the Illawarra, only two – the boobook and barn owl – are not threatened species.

Populations of powerful, masked, sooty and barking owls have declined dramatically since European settlement. Agriculture, forestry and coastal clearing have destroyed their habitat and the tree hollows where they like to nest. But David says their chances of longterm survival are “probably fairly good, provided we keep maintaining habitat for them”.

David says, “They are all listed as vulnerable, so the lowest ranking on the threatened ladder.

If we can look after our old-growth forests and manage our forestry then they should be OK.” You can help by reporting owl sightings.

“Sometimes the random person who sees an owl in a random place ends up giving us a whole bunch of new information. If people get onto the Office of Environment and Heritage, our website, they will be able to Google the NSW Wildlife Atlas. And that’s got all the instructions on how to submit records.”

David’s Tips for owl spotters

“Evenings are actually the best time to see an owl. Just as it goes dark, that twilight time, until about half an hour after dark. Reason being is that is when the owls tend to call to each other, when they’re getting ready to go out for their night-time activities. Typically, you’ll hear them before you see them.

“You’ll be needing a spotlight if you want to see them.

“The other way to see them is go for a day walk and keep your eyes on the ground. Owls are fairly habitual and they’ll tend to only roost in maybe 10 or so spots in their whole territory over the course of the year. You’ll often get wide areas of what we call whitewash, so, of poo, on the ground. It’s typically very white as they are good at digesting all the bits and pieces, so it’s just all the calciferous stuff.

“Once you find that, if you look up you’ll find that it’s a roosting area for an owl. They nest in hollows, but they tend to roost, on a day-to-day basis, just out on the branch under a canopy somewhere.

“So if I’m looking for them, it’s a mixture of those two: going out in the evening and looking for them and if I hear them in a certain area, often I’ll go back during the day and go for a walk and see if I can find the area of whitewash – it kind of looks like someone’s been throwing

Evenings are actually the best time to see an owl, just as it goes dark, that twilight time.

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18

24/04/2015 8:18 am

2515 NATURE yoghurt on the floor. And then you look up and often there’s an owl right above you.

“For such large animals they are amazingly well camouflaged – sometimes you look up and can’t see them for a while, then all of a sudden they materialise out of the canopy.

“There is something very special about seeing an owl. They hold our imagination.”

4 VULNERABLE OWLS FOUND IN THE ILLAWARRA POWERFUL: Hawk owl, face like a hawk or eagle. Biggest owl in Australasia. Lives in forests, specialises in arboreal prey. Says David, “They go hoo hoo – it’s just this double hoot, which is a really typical sort of owl hoot.

Anywhere where you’ve got good tall forests is going to be a good chance of powerful owls.”

MASKED: Large masked owl (with typical storybook face, like a Harry Potter owl). Lives in more open and drier forests. “It typically is more a ground forager. Its call really sounds like a blood-curdling scream from a woman. It’s

quite bizarre when you hear it in the bush.”

SOOTY: Elusive masked owl, wet forest specialist, looks like someone’s rubbed soot all over it. Often roosts in caves on cliff lines.

“That’s why the escarpment is quite favourable habitat.

They have a really cool call – it’s called the falling bomb and it sounds like... if you can imagine what you’d put on a cartoon, Road Runner, or something where there’s a bomb falling.”

BARKING: Hawk owl. “It’s the rarest owl over the Illawarra, although I have seen it here.

It has a really big home range, it might be anywhere from 2000 to 6000 hectares for one pair. They’ve got this little double woof, it’s a two-note woof that sounds more like a small dog, a very distinctive call.” 2515 Opening night … artist Hayley Mischief Lord with her cousin, Olivia.

show time

About 50 art lovers attended the April 2 opening night of a new exhibition at the Matthew Gillett Gallery at the Scarborough Hotel.

The seven artists exhibiting are Hayley Mischief Lord (self-taught Bundeena painter of joyous colours and shapes); Renee Kamaretsos (contemporary art inspired by natural beauty); Kristine Ballard (“a fauvist at heart”); Jennifer Hesketh (photographer and artist who works under the pseudonym Quirky Bones); Robyn Sharp (sculptures celebrating the beauty of bodies); Scott Marsh (series of women’s portraits exploring the crossover between graffiti and fine art); and iOTA. Josephine Amber, Art Coordinator at the Matthew Gillett Gallery, said iOTA is probably the best known exhibitor, also renowned as a singer-songwriter, musical theatre star and actor (filming Mad Max: Fury Road in the Namibian desert in 2012 gave him the time and space to paint). Seven works were snapped up on the night, Josephine said.

The exhibition will run until May 24. 2515

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19

24/04/2015 8:18 am

Photo: Paul Jones

2515 NEWS

the art of Objects Laurens Tan is internationally renowned. He works with paint, clay, steel, fibreglass, straw, rubber, animation and anything else he can get his hands on, writes Leroy Soeterboek.

But he wouldn’t call himself an artist. “It’s more like, making objects as you experience life,” says Laurens.

Our interview takes place at his home overlooking the sea in Wombarra. Inside is an eclectic mix of classic furnishings, shelves of snow globes and American kitsch, including Las Vegas cushions.

Laurens is better known abroad. However, an early work in the Wollongong City Gallery’s collection is about to be shown again almost 20 years after it was made. Vegas of Death (1996) will be in the Death exhibition at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre from May 23 to July 5.

“It links the similarities in the nomenclature used in casino industry and in the death industry,” Laurens says.

Laurens was born in Holland to Chinese parents, spent his childhood in Indonesia. He recollects his family’s hasty departure from an untenable nationalism in 1959 for Singapore before migrating to Australia.

The theme of cultural identity drives many of his works. In his long career, Laurens has used art to reinterpret, invent and analyse the cultural and linguistic practices of the places he has been. TVs in wooden wheelbarrows, the inherent risk in the human condition, rubber chickens; everything is interesting.

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Laurens now has homes in Wombarra, Las Vegas and Beijing. “These places are vastly different in so many ways – their respective cultural relationship to nature, to the (built) environment, how they function as economic and cultural entities,” he says.

As a young man, Laurens studied economics, but “just wandered off in a daze”, not wishing to return. Playing in a band, he found himself between towns and jobs. Then came a job that sparked his creativity. “A local shop owner asked me to ‘decorate’, I think that’s what he said, a shop like a nightclub. So I did. I just used Day-Glo paints,” he reminisces of one of his first creative roles in the 70s.

Laurens wound up at the Adelaide School Of Art, alternating between musician and student, home renovator and screen printer.

A 1987 trip to China changed him. Laurens enjoyed the wealth of cultural contradictions.

“One of the things that hit me, for example, was watching these, I suppose, peasants move TVs. They were dragging them on old agrarian wooden wheelbarrows. “[There was] all this imagery in my head to make in red clay, terracotta clay… this big body of work, all about China.” Artwork at his next show flew off the shelves.

From the 80s to the 00s, he did a series of commissioned projects, curated shows and taught at universities in Australia, the US and China. “Aspects of travel and the experience of a new environment is a sensory stimulant, a surprise that sets up a new perspective or idea,” he says. 2515 Read the full article at roomforhorse.com

20

24/04/2015 7:37 am

2515 NEWS

lonesome train returns

Lonesome Train: (from left) Rob Laurie, Christian Power and Jordan C Thomas.

Photos: Supplied

They’re loud and proud and ready to rock your socks off. It’s the wild lads of rockabilly: Lonesome Train Lead singer and guitarist Christian Power of the local band got in touch with 2515 with a stack of exciting news. Well, we’ll let him get the message across in his own rather colourful words: “We’re back, Beaches!

“After a long hiatus from playing at our local. Those honky-tonkin rockabilly playboys, Christian Power & Lonesome Train (aka Rob Laurie and Jordan C Thomas), will perform at one of our favourite stops, Beaches Hotel, Thirroul.

“Lonesome Train are widely known across the country and beyond for their brand of rockabilly, rocking fun, which is popular with fans of all ages.”

Christian told 2515 that it’s been “a busy start to the year” for the band. He said they had already performed “for hundreds of thousands of fans at New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, Tamworth Country Music Festival and Canberra’s Multicultural Festival amongst others”.

Lonesome Train also holds the honour, he said, “of being the longest serving house band

2515

2515-MAY-p020-21_BAND, LEROY.indd 21

for the famous Orient Hotel in the Rocks in Sydney”.

In January, the boys released their fourth disc Get Lucky.

“The boys also love to pull on the fatigues [see the photo, below, for proof] to entertain our troops serving overseas and have done several tours of duty for the Australian Defence Forces and Federal Police.

“If you ever wondered what would happen, if one day on a train, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Bon Scott, Aerosmith & Jack White sat down for a jam…”

Christian Power & Lonesome Train are scheduled to perform at Beaches Hotel, Thirroul from 8pm on Saturday, May 9. Entry is free.

Visit the band’s website at www. lonesometrain.net for more details. 2515

21

24/04/2015 7:37 am

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paddle against poverty Paddle Against Poverty: Wollongong has announced that it will direct all cash donations from its May 2 event to Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre’s Emergency Relief programme, which helps people in financial crisis.

Event organisers are hoping to raise more than $20,000 from this year’s Paddle, which will start at either Wollongong Harbour or Stanwell Park depending on wind direction.

This year is the event’s 15th anniversary. It started in 2001 with a small group; more than 90 paddlers took part in last year’s event.

Register at www.paddleagainstpoverty.org. au or check out Paddle Against Poverty: Wollongong. 2515

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6 0343 0942

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2515 TIDES

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0427 1027 TH 1601 2229

7

1814 0.42 TH 1748 0.57 SU 1626 0.45 MO 1645 0.59 0.36 0.30 0500 0.28 0244 0.34 0309 0.21 0529WE0.28 1.57 1.34 0408 1.45 0540 0404 0254 1.36 2247 1.84 0445 2300 0337 1.55 2348 1.32 1.36 1047 1.32 1104 1.34 0936 1.33 0906 1.38 0838 1.36 1144 0.30 0.50 1024 0.37 1140 1011 0932 0.54 0533 0.42 0020 1.53 0601 0.48 0530 0.20 6 11401604 60.53 21 1814 1148 1.31 0645 0.31 1230 1.43 21 0.50 0.58 0.55 1442 0.42 1415 0.48 1807 1.71 1.59 1654 1.64 1651 1.35 FR1506 SA SU TH 1616 SA 1635 TH FR FRTH SA1.36 WE 1307 1.52 FR 1842 0.61 MO 1722 0.49 TU 1730 0.63 1.77 1.82 2300 1.79 2322 1.75 1.91 2045 1.83 2318 0.48 2111 2202 0.75 2338 2134 1.46 1921 0.48 2340 1.74 2243

0.36 1.33 0.54 1.73

0533 1137 FR 1701 2326

0.36 1.27 0.65 1.67

0.58 1.70

SA 1749 0.72

0551 1200 SU 1731 2353

0.29 1.34 0.59 1.72

0620 0.46 1234 1.27 MO 1804 0.72

0621 0.25 1236 1.44 TU 1823 0.53

0611 0.46 1233 1.31 WE 1820 0.67

0122 0739 FR 1408 2036

1.38 0.40 1.53 0.51

0036 0645 SA 1322 1946

1.23 0.53 1.35 0.63

1715 0.68 1252 0.4 1.50 173 MO1523 M SA SU 0.52 1924 1.70 1.8 2332 1.58 0.62 2146

22 0040 22 0.41 70306 0.23 22 0427 7 0355 0.53 0533 0.36 70.32 0.29 0502 0.46 0.34 0.36 0.30 22 0355 0.18 0620 0322 1.56 0327 1.33 0420 0513 0551 1.42 1.25 0425 001 31 22 7 1200 22 7 1027 4 0223 19 1021 4 0627 19 1029 4 0924 28 13 1.31 13 1.43 28 13 1.30 1.34 1.27 1.34 1056 1.27 1.33 1018 0818 1.41 19 0906 1.35 1137 0955 1.40 1234 1000 0.34 0.53 1115 0.38 0.52 060 1408 0.46

0.49 0.65 0.58 0.59 1735 0.72 0.54 1652 1448 0.43 0.50 1701 1532 0.43 1804 1622 1601 1.47 1458 1.43 1549 1746 1731 1.74 1217 1.58 114T SU 1603 MO 0.55 2222 1.63 182 1323 1.28 1334 1.47 1321 1.33 1420 1.37 1513 1.54

FR FR SU1.26 SU TH TH0035 1.62 SA 0135SU1.15 MO WE 0620 0.43 TU 0645 0.31 1.49 0022 1.37SA 0.37 0231 82115 23TH0015 8 07142303 23 1851 8 MO 2033 1228 1.24 1257 1.361.90 0702 0.49 2128 0.30 23 0651 2215 0.49 0737 0.56 1.67 1.29 23 1.71 0837 0.46 2326 1.67 81.75 2353 1.72 2229 1.73 1.85 2159 1.90 2220 0.56 0.69

0515 1116 FR 1647 2315

MO 1832 0.62

TU

1900 0.76

0356 0.25 0301 0.37 042801030515 1.56 1.40 0010 1.57 0050 1.64 9 085924 1.39 90958 24 07471116 0.52 0708 0.49 0741 0.341.38 1054 0.31 SU 1320 1.23 TU 1358 1.39 WE 1415 1.31 1647 1716 1.59 2005 0.77 1844 0.77 WE 1532 1942TH 0.630.50 FR TU 1443 0.47 FR 2159 1.74 232602002315 0.46 0006 2109 1.65 0059 1.48 0153 1.561.85 1.33

5

10 0703

0.40 SU 1311 1.26 1841 0.66

WE

1931 0.56

TH

1919 0.70

SA

2154 0.50

SU

2100 0.62

0620 0.43 0.36 0645 0.31 1.49 0.38 0.37 0413 0.28 0500 0442 0.18 0015 0019 0.40 0245 0012 0.53 0459 010 0450 1.33 1.49 0113 1.28 0346 1.19 1.11 9 0136 24 0839 0808 0.36 24 0937 0.50 0738 0.53 0.58  1105 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 1228 1.24 91.28 1257 1.36 0.49 1.31 1.29 1108 1014 1.35 1046 1.41 0702 0613 1.40 0555 1.26 065 1100 0.51 TH 1434 1.51 FR 1415 1.35 SU 1616 1.57 MO 1522 1.42 0.72 1832 0.62 1.28 0.58 1645 1545 0.52 1631 0.63 1626 0.45 1204 0.40 1139 0.50 123 1734 1.51 0.57 2305 0.46 2029 0.71 MOAstonomi SA SU 2211 SA 1749 MO TU 1323 W SU of MO0.55 TU 0.59 FR2045 Datum Predictions is Lowest 2213 1.83 1.67 2247 1.84 1900 0.76 1.55 1.70 1837 1.82 0359 1817 1.67 2300 190 2355 0457 1.18 0244 1.38 0.61 0214 2253 1.21 1.12

23 20 14 8 5 29 23 20 14 8 5 29 20 14 PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

0606 0.38 1211 1.27 SA 1739 0.63

25 0756

0.52

10 0836

0.35

25 0835

0.54

LAT0.4134° 29ʼ LONG 150° 55ʼ 25 10 0903 25 0829 1036in0.51 0.55 10 0943 0.55 Times are local standard time (UTC +1

1415 1.24 WE 1459 1.46 TH 1510 1.36 MO 1715 1.62 TU 1623 1.50 FR 1535 1.57 SA 1511 1.39 0.42 0445 0500 0.28 0.41 0530 0.20 0103 0343MO 0.36 0.38 0010 1.57 0050 1.64 0115 and 0.33 Low 0058 0.44 0533 015 052921160606 1.57 0540 1.34 Times and ofPhase High Waters 1946 0.79 2056 0.620.30 0.75 2201 0.54 Heights 2141 0541 0.68 2311 0.45 New1.40 Moon Moon Symbols 1149 1.27 1140 1.43 0747 1047 1.32 1104 1.34 0942 1.36 0.52 1.31 1211 1.27 0708 0.49 0741 0.34 0708 1.39 0503 0644 1.29 1148 074 1144 0.30 1140 0.50 0106 1.60 0154 1.41 0301 1.50 0301 1.27 0355 1.31 0320 1.17 0004 0.41 1.18 11 WE 110.68 26 1043 11 26SA09231739 11 26 JULY JUNE MAY 0930FR 0.360.58 0.54 0959 0.44 0923 0.55 0555 1.20 0.49 0804 1520 0.39 26 0.50 0845 0.54 TH 1730 0.63 1715 1722 0.49 1616 1635 0.55 1415 1.31 0.63 1320 1.23 1358 1.39 1252 0.42 1222 0.48 131T 1807 1.71 1814 1.59 TU SA SU MO WE SU TU MO TU WE SA 1131 0.49 WE 1718 1.61 MO 1416 1.30 TU 1511 1.29 TH 1558 1.55 FR 1602 1.42 SA 1634 1.63 SU 1606 1.46 1.74 1.75 0.77 1.46 0.77 TU1.58 1942 0.63 1900 1924 1.87 1.76 195 2210 0.561.77 0.70 2300 2313 1.79 0.48 1844 2246 0.60 1806 1.66 1952 2147 0.67 2055 Time m 2340 Tim Time 2005 m 2338 Time2223 m Time m 2332 Time0.79 m 2243

21 15 9 6 30 24 21 15 9 6 30 24 21 15

6

12 0213 0904

1.57 0.37 TU 1522 1.37 2108 0.64

0254 0932 WE 1604 2202

1.36 0.54 1.35 0.75

0408 1024 FR 1654 2318

1.45 0.37 1.64 0.48

0404 1011 SA 1651 2322

1.25 0.54 1.50 0.62

0502 1.28 1053 0.45 SU 1730 1.70

0427 1016 MO 1659 2343

MO

TU

1.17 0.54 1.54 0.51

0052 0645 WE 1220 1851

0.36 1.24 0.47 1.68

0003 0558 TH 1138 1810

0.33 1.26 0.41 1.72

27 0.36 120533 0.36 27 0006 12 27 0621 0205 0153 0.29 023 0141 0200 0.350611 0026 0.37 0551 012227 0.460620 0024 0.57 0.29 0059 1.48120.46 1.56 0.25 1.65 0040 1.33 0.46 0.53 16 1.27 1 25 16 1.31 16 1.27 10627 1 1.33 22 7 1236 22 7 1200 7 0427 10 25 10 1 31 0800 1.37 082 0626 1.56 0730 0835 1.321233 0710 0756 1.351234 0619 22 1.421137 1.44 1.34 1027 0.52 0836 0.35 0703 0.40 0.54 1.34 1338 0.45 140 1231 0.30 1307 0.45 1255 0.48 1228 0.46

1804 1823 0.53 17011.420.65 0.59 1.24 1459 1.46 1.26 1.36 1217 0.49 TU 0.72 WE TH 0.67 MO FR 0.54 MO TU 0050 WE 1820 SU 1731 TH 1601 MO WE0.32 SU 1311 TH 1510 F SU 0133 0.21 0355 1.33 FR 0513SA 1.25 0014 0.41 1415 0527 1.20 132326 28 0502 13 28 0647 28 1.73 0727 1.28 1.36 1942 2116 1018 1115 0.381.67 1056 0.52 2353 0603 1.28 28 1108 0.50 1.88 1856 1.81 1.84 0.75 203 1928 1.74 18520.53 1.54 1.72 2229 1946 0.79132010 2056 0.62 1841 0.66 1851 1.67 1304 0.45 1231 0.32 1652 1.43 1746 1.74 1735 1.58 1145 0.46 1747 1.65

13 0322 1000

1.56 0.34 WE 1622 1.47 2220 0.56

TH

2303 0.69

SA

SU

1821 1.76

TH

1932 1.70

FR

1859 1.82

0253 0.27 0135 0224 0301 0.270022 012200120106 0.29 0202 0154 0.39 0105 0.510620 031 0015 0035 1.62 0515 0.37 0.43 0645 0.31 1.41 1.49 1.60 0301 1.50 1.27 1.37 1.56 0450 1.33 0019 0.40 0.53 0106 0.35 0031 0.39 0210 0.30 0.12 140.49 29 14 0428 141228 29 05550804 14 Copyright of Australia 2014, Bureau of Meteorolo 0849 1.35 0817 0923 1.35 0721 1.53 0754 1.35 07000.51 1.43 091 1054 1116 0.31 29 1.29 1100 0613 1.40 1.26 Commonwealth 0657 1.36 1.29 29 0620 0702 1.25 0806 1.31 0735 1.45 0714 0.30 0651 1.24 1257 0845 0.54 0.39 0930 0.36 0.54 0.49 1716 1.59 1734 1.51 1204 0.40 1139 0.50 1233 0.46 1158 0.45 1345 0.44 1323 0.25 TH FR 1301 0.45 SU MO TU FR SA 1423 0.49 1353 0.43 1317 0.33 1333 0.48 144S 1.28 1334 1511 1.29 1416 1.30 1558 1.55 1.42 WE TH TU FR 1.33 TU WE TH 1321 FR 1647 MO TUisWE MO TH1.69 FR 1602 2326 0.46 SA 0.58 2355 0.61 SA 1749 1837SU 1.820.72 1817 1.67 1832 1908 0.62 1.79 1834 1323 1.75 2010 1947 1.87 1.47 Datum of Predictions Lowest Astonomical Tide 2053 1.87 0220 2026 1.89 0.70 0.70 1.88 2005 1.79 1925 1.61 0115 0.33194300581952 211 1931 1.70 0.79 0.76 0.67 2210 0.56 0.44 0153 0.31 2055 0117 1900 0.28 0244 0.30 0.06 0.56 2223 1919 0529 2315 1.57 0540 1.34

8 2

15 1144

0.30 FR 1807 1.71

30 1140

23 17 11 8 2 26 23 17 11 8 2 26 23 17 1

0.50

Times Heights of 15 0708Times 15 0745standard 30and 1.39 30 0644 1.30 30 0709 time 1.32 15 0842 1.33 0822 1.53 are1.29 in local (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings t

1252 0.420215 0.48 0.47 TH0.34 1247 0.39 1424 0.44 0.19 1814 MO0010 TU 1222 WE 1319 1.64 SU high and1415 low waters 0.24 0244 01451.59 0.45 034 0337 0.28 0309 0.210113 0136 0606SA 0.38 0408 1.45 1.25 1.28 0213 1.57 1.36 SA1.40 1924Moon 1.871.57Phase 1900 1.76 0050 1951 1.80 0254 1920 0103 1.84 2045 1.67 2036 1.88 1.49 0404 New0.52 Moon First Quarter Symbols 0 0815 0904 1.49 0741 0838 0932 1.36 0739 1.420708 095 0936 1.33lat0305 0906 1.38 0738 0.53 0747 0808 0.36 1211 1.27 0.49 1024 0.37 1011 0.54 0.37 0.34 0.54 0040 0.53 0201 0.19 0.04 34 29’ 31 0.63 31 0911 1403 0.37 1415 0.48 13341.34 0.45 152S 1506 0.53 1442 0.42 0627 0757 1415 1.38 1434 1.64 1.50 1.37 1604 1.35 MO 1.23 WE 1.39 SU SA 1.35 TH 1.31 FR 01.59 1.51 FR 1415 WE TH SA 1739 SU 1320 TU 1358 FR 1654 SA 1651 TU 1522 WE31 long 150 55’ 0.17 SU 1217 0.49 FR 1337 0.34 MO 1509 2030 2108 1.91 1942 2045 2202 1.83 19591.67 1.671844 0.77 214 2134 2318 1.82 2126 2111 2322 1.912029 2045 0.48 0.62 0.71 0.64 0.63 0.75 0.77 1851 2007 2005 1.91 1.82 0.57

9 3

24 18 12 9 3 27 24 18 12 9 3 27 24 18 1

0223 0.41 0306Bureau 0.23 0327 0355 0.300200 0420 0059 2014, 1.48 0153 0006 1.65 0322 1.56 1.56 1.33 1.33  Copyright Commonwealth of Australia of Meteorology Datum of0703 Predictions is Lowest Tide 1000 0818 1.41Astonomical 0906 1.43 0836 0924 1018 1.350835 1021 0756 0.52 0.40 0.34 0.35 0.53 0.54 Times inMO local1.26 standardMO time (UTC +10:00) or daylight (UTC +11:00) when effect 1408 0.46 1448 0.43 1458 0.50 1549 1415 1.24 1459 1.46 1311 1622 1.47 1652 1.43 TU THtime FR in1.36 WE savings SUare TH 1510 SA WE TH Full Moon Moon Phase Symbols New Moon 0.79 First 2056 Quarter 2033 1.71 2115 2220 1.90 2128 2303 1.85 2215 1946 1841 0.66 2116 0.56 0.62 0.69 0.75

10 4

042 0.32 0244 0355 0502 0.180214 1.42 1.38 1.25 1.21 19 0.55 4 28 25 19 13 10 4 28 25 19 13 0513 10 0903 25 1 102 1.30 0955 1056 1.400829 0.41 1115 0.38 0.52 160 0.58 1532 0.43

1746 1.74 1.58 SU 1.39 SA 1.57 FR 1535 SA 1511 SU 1735 M Last Quarter 222 1.75 2159 1.902141 0.68 2201 0.54

The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights.

The Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

045 0356 0428 0.25 0301 0413 0450 0.280301 0500 0019 0.36 0355 0442 0012 0.180320 0301 0.370154 1.41 0.40 1.31 0.53 1.17 1.56 1.50 1.33 1.27 20 0.54 5 29 20 0.55 20 0.54 5 29 5 1.60 11 0106 11 0930 26 11 0959 26 14 0613 1 14 1054 110 0958 1.38 1014 1100 1.350923 1105 1.28 1046 0555 1.410923 0859 26 1.390845 0804 0.39 0.36 0.44 1.40 1.26 0.31 0.51

164T 1532 0.50 1545 0.52 1631 0.63 1626 0.45 1443 0.47 1.55 0.40 0.50 1.59 1.51 2515 MO 1.46 WE 1.29 FR26 SA 1.42 SU 1.63 TU 1.30 TU 1511 MO 1416 TH 1558 FR 1602 SA 1634 SU 1606 SU 1204 MO 1139 TH 1716 FR 1734 230 2159 2326 1.85 2210 2213 2355 1.832223 2253 1837 1.67 2313 2247 1817 1.842246 2109 1.742055 0.79 1952 0.67 1.82 0.48 1.67 0.60 0.46 0.56 0.61 0.70

053 0541 0115 0.41 0502 0530 0058 0.200427 0343 0.360254 1.36 0445 0529 0.30 0408 0500 0540 0.280404 0.33 1.28 0.44 1.17 1.57 1.45 1.34 1.25 21 0.54 21 0.54 6 30 6 1.57 21 0.54 6 30 27 12 27 12 0213 12 15 1 15 114 1149 1.27 1140 0644 1.431016 0942 27 1.360932 1047 1.32 1104 1140 1.341011 1053 0.45 0904 0.37 1024 0.37 0708 1.39 1.29 1144 0.30 0.50 173 1715 0.68 1722 0.49 1520 0.50 1616 0.58 1635 0.55 WE 1.37 TU 1522

0.42 0.48 1.71 1.59 TU 1.54 SU 1.50 MO 1.70 TH 1.35 SA 1.64 MO 1252 TU 1222 W FR 1807 SA 1814 SA 1651 SU 1730 MO 1659 WE 1604 FR 1654 24/04/2015 7:37 am 233 2332 1924 1.58 1.87 2340 1900 1.74 2243 1.77 2318 0.48 2300 1.792322 0.62 1.76 0.51 2343 0.75

2515-MAY-p026_TIDAL 26 2202 2147 1.75 2108CHART.indd 0.64

2515 SPORT

right on track

Kai and his sister Saya hitting the track hard – with all of their protective gear on to help prevent injuries. Photo: Martin Ward

Preventing injuries keeps you riding safely, writes champion bmxer Kai Sakakibara.

BMX is an extreme sport, and involves 40 seconds of adrenaline-fuelled shoulder-to-shoulder action with seven other riders around you. BMX athletes spend numerous hours each day training and practising, but the sport’s unpredictability means that you never know what is going to happen, or when you are going to come off … one of the many reasons why we love the sport! No matter how controlled your riding may be, there are seven other riders around you that can bump, take out, or crash into you, making the occasional fall unavoidable for a competitive BMX racer.

2515

2515-MAY-p027_SPORT_BMX_MAY_2015.indd 27

Full face helmet, gloves, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and closed-in shoes are essential for competitive BMX. There are actually rules that govern what a competitor can and can’t wear, and certain criteria that helmets must pass in order to be accepted on the BMX track. The amount of scratches on our helmets and gear really reminds us why we have all of this safety gear on!

An additional set of safety gear that Saya and I wear without fail is elbow pads and knee pads. We usually wear these under our race gear so not many people notice, but crashing suddenly and at high speeds almost always results in us landing on our elbows and knees.

These pads have saved us from countless broken arms and knees.

The use of essential protective gear while training and competing gives us full confidence to perform at 100 percent without the constant fear of crashing, and when things do go wrong, injury is kept to a minimum and we are back on the track in no time! 2515

27

24/04/2015 7:38 am

2515 SPORT

at the aussies!

Thirroul’s SLSC athletes did the region proud at the australian titles in april. Troy Beaumont reports.

Above: Jake Beaumont, Kate Dryden, Sienna Stuart and Dylan Gillett.

Left: Jazmine Yew won bronze in U15 flags at the Aussie Youth Championship.

All photos: supplied

Thirroul SLSC’s Jazmine Yew won bronze in flags at the Australian Youth Surf Life Saving Championships.

The event was held on April 11 and 12 at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast.

In an outstanding effort against some of Australia’s top U15 beach competitors, Jazmine placed third in flags. She also made the sprint quarter-final.

The club had four teens in the surf events – U15 Jake Beaumont, Kate Dryden and U14 Dylan Gillett, Sienna Stuart.

The surf conditions were near perfect except the swell was on the small size.

Jake, Kate and Sienna made it through to the semi-finals of the board paddling and all just missed out on a spot in the final, finishing in Australia’s top 32 paddlers in their age groups.

Dylan narrowly missed the semi-final,

2515

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finishing one spot out in his quarter-final.

Kate made it into the final of the surf swim and narrowly missed the final in the Ironwoman, finishing one spot out in the semi.

It has been a long time since Thirroul has achieved such great results in these age groups.

The club is very proud of all of them. It will be great to see them develop and continue their success with the club over the coming years.

■ Thirroul SLSC had four competitors – Ross Taylor, Russell Gibson, Mick Banach and Euan Poulton – at the Australian Masters Surf Life Saving Championships, held from April 13.

Ross won one silver (1km beach run) and two bronze (board rescue, with Euan Poulton) and surf race. He also came 5th in the board and tube race. Russell came 7th in the 60-64 years surf race, and Mick came 7th in the 55-59 years surf race. Well done to you all! 2515

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24/04/2015 7:39 am