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OCTOBER 2021

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Top of the world Cheers to award-winning Darkes Cider!

Clifton / Scarborough / Wombarra / Coledale / Austinmer / Thirroul / Bulli

Meet Our Contributors Duncan Leadbitter is a director of fisheries and natural resource consulting company, Fish Matter, which advises industry, government and NGOs on the sustainable use of fish. Duncan is a keen scuba diver, snorkeller, spearfisherman and photographer.

Brian Kelly first stepped into the Illawarra Mercury office as the new kid from Thirroul nearly 40 years ago and is still managing (just) to hold on tight to a career he is grateful has dragged him to the UK (10 years), then Perth and Melbourne before a return to the district in 2008.

He deems it a pleasure to get back into the grassroots stories of the northern suburbs.

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 enjoys spending time with her husband and four daughters, cooking and walking.

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Spring sensations

From the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul It’s definitely time to start getting out and about with the beautiful spring weather and the gradual lifting of Covid restrictions, so take your time to have a solid browse of our webstore to find some inspiration to get outdoors. Kate is constantly updating it to keep you ahead of all the new releases and there’s plenty to expand your horizons. We’re almost out of the bestselling Wollongong’s Native Trees – so be quick as we can’t guarantee another print run. And we’re very excited for the long-awaited 13th October release of our favourite gardening guru’s new book, Costa’s World. Pre-order now! 2515

collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul

EDITORS Gen Swart, Marcus Craft CONTACT editor@2515mag.com.au. Ph: 0432 612 168 2515mag. PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508.

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NEXT DEADLINE October 20, 2021 COVER Darkes Glenbernie Orchard. Front row: Glenn Fahey, Ruth Fahey, Jo Fahey. Back row: Callum and Edward Burns (6th generation baby), Elouise Burns, Casey Burns (née Fahey), Brandon Fahey. Photo: Anthony Warry 2515 is published by The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477.

DISCLAIMER: All content remains the property of 2515 Coast News unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission.

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

2 October

www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au @collinsbooksellersthirroul

KANE DOWNIE

Q&A with a winemaker

Meet Matt Burton, owner of Gundog Estate, nominated for 2021 Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE Your family lives in Austinmer; you went to TIGS. How did growing up in the Illawarra shape you?

Moving to Austinmer from Balmain in Sydney, we just loved how accessible the Illawarra was, particularly the beaches. We’d spend most of our time with friends at Austi beach or rockfishing on the Headies rock platform. This kind of thing just didn’t exist for us in Sydney, so it definitely shaped our teenage years. No doubt these freedoms and the more laid-back Illawarra lifestyle shaped what I wanted in life. I have always valued natural beauty, proximity to the beach, and a desire to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

What inspired you to become a wine maker?

I grew up in a family where food and wine were always a big part of life. My parents are wonderful cooks and loved entertaining, and no doubt I really enjoyed the atmosphere and conversation (often about wine) this brought to the house. One of Dad’s old industry workmates owned a vineyard in the Hunter, and I decided it could be fun to spend a week there for our year 10 work experience program. I loved the scope of winemaking work – from the vineyard, with all the farm machinery, to the winery full of stainless-steel tanks, pumps, and wine barrels. This experience also introduced to me the links between winemaking to science and art; areas I was already interested in at school.

The fit seemed natural and, from the age of 16, I really didn’t picture myself doing anything else!

What was the first wine you produced, and how far have you come since?

I took the reins as a winemaker at the age of 22 and I still laugh at how young and naïve I was. I can’t remember the first wine I made, but I’m guessing it was a little rough around the edges! Mastering any craft is a lifetime’s work, and after 20 years I feel I am only halfway there. I’ve learned a great deal over the years, getting plenty wrong and at least some of it right. Philosophically, I’ve stopped chasing impossible notions of perfection and tend not to worry too much about the things I can’t control – like the weather leading up to harvest.

Overall, my approach to winemaking and life is much more measured and calm – I like to think this is reflected in some way in the wines we make.

4 October

What's the story behind the name, Gundog?

The brand is playfully named after the late family Cocker Spaniel, Karl. Gundog by breed but certainly not temperament – he’d invariably take off in the other direction at the sound of anything resembling a gunshot!

In business, what are you passionate about?

That’s easy – sustainability! More than a buzz word, it’s a philosophy linking the economic, social, and environmental aspects of our business (and lives).

Sustainability shapes every decision we make as an organisation and has led to some incredible outcomes far beyond operating a financially viable wine business. For the second year, our business and wines are carbon neutral and, via our community partnership with 15 Trees, we’ve been able to support some amazing environmental regeneration projects. We also work with another community partner, Path 2 Change, to support their efforts in breaking the cycle of homelessness by getting disadvantaged young people into jobs.

You returned to Wollongong in 2018 and now live in Balgownie. What brought you back?

In 2017 we opened a second cellar door in Gundaroo, near Canberra. This coincided with our vineyard interests expanding into the emerging, and high-quality surrounding wine-growing regions. I found myself travelling big distances between the Hunter and Gundaroo, often making a detour to the family home in Austinmer to break the travel up. This seeded the idea of basing myself in Wollongong and bouncing between the two.

Gundog had grown to a point where I could hand over some of the levers to my incredibly talented team. This lifestyle change was a bit of an experiment, but so far so good – it actually seems like the further away I get, the better the business does! My partner, Marissa, is from Wollongong so that made the move even more attractive.

Best drink to toast to the end of lockdown?

It’s got to be expensive and bubbly, right!? 2515 Visit www.gundogestate.com.au

Your Jewel in Thirroul We trust everyone in our community is staying safe and well.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the club when we reopen in mid-October.

(Subject to government restrictions).

MCCAULEY’S SUMMER SENSATIONS $15 FOOD AND BEVERAGE SPECIALS WHEN WE REOPEN AUSSIE FAVOURITE BEEF BURGER House made beef patty, lettuce, tomato, beetroot.

Tomato or BBQ sauce and seasoned fries.

CHICKEN ‘TROPPO’ PARMI Chicken breast schnitzel topped with ham, cheese, pineapple, and napolitana sauce with seasoned fries.

CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD Cos lettuce, parmesan cheese, crispy bacon pieces, croutons, egg, and Caesar dressing topped with grilled chicken breast.

Choose a schooner of house beer or a glass of house wine or soft drink to go with your meal. (Conditions apply).

$30 FAMILY PIZZA DEAL Including two pizzas, and a jug of soft drink.

CLUB THIRROUL. 2B STATION STREET. PH: 02 4267 1148

www.clubthirroul.com.au

L to R: Grant Plecas, Kylie-Ann Haynes, Toby Dawson, Vicki Tiegs, Jeremy Lasek. This photo was taken on September 13, when lockdown eased and five vaccinated adults were permitted to gather for a picnic. It was the team’s first face-to-face meeting since launching #VaxTheIllawarra.

Who’s behind #VaxTheIllawarra 2515 reports on a home-grown public health campaign On September 2, #VaxTheIllawarra burst onto the social media scene like the soda fountain of good sense we’ve all been waiting for.

“Together, we can make Illawarra and the Shoalhaven Australia’s first region to be 80% fully vaccinated,” one of the first posts said.

“Vaccination is our only way to end COVID restrictions and uncertainty.

“Let’s rally together to support local business and our community.”

The campaign calls on Local Heroes, known and trusted community members, who support the vaccination effort in a series of videos.

Its message is clear – unlike the Federal Government’s July campaign to ‘Arm Yourself ’, it can’t be confused with an instruction to get a weapon. In fact, with a swish website, graphics and strategy, it’s so professional you might think it was a cashed-up Department of Health initiative, rather than a grassroots effort relying largely on talented volunteers.

So who’s behind it? Vicki Tiegs and Jeremy Lasek kindly took time to answer our questions.

Whose idea was #VaxTheIllawarra and when did inspiration strike? #VaxTheIllawarra came from the frustration of a small group of community-minded citizens who felt something positive needed to happen to speed up an end to lockdowns. This region seemed to be

6 October

caught up in the Greater Sydney restrictions, unfairly many of us felt, yet there was precious little vaccine available for those who wanted it (particularly Pfizer). The protest by anti-vaxxers at the lighthouse was the final straw. We decided to mobilise, at a grassroots, non-political level and start a pro-vaccination public health campaign, the first regional campaign of its type seen in Australia and possibly the only one of its type in the world.

Please tell us about the team behind the scenes.

It’s a very mixed group, covering a whole range of skill-sets and experience. The common thread is our passion for our community, great connections across business and community, and a roll-upyour-sleeves desire to get the job done. Vicki Tiegs OAM is one of the region’s top PR/marketing executives and founding co-director of Waples.

Toby Dawson is a powerhouse in the Illawarra’s community engagement and is head of strategic partnerships at the IRT Group. Kylie-Ann Haynes is an event management specialist and has overseen some of the country’s biggest events, specialising in major sport. Grant Plecas has had his heart and soul in the community for decades, including leading the Cancer Council in SE NSW. Jeremy Lasek is a former journalist, TV news director and has headed communications for the ACT Government and the AFP. Both Vicki and Grant are past Wollongong Citizens of the Year.

What has the response been like – any surprises?

No surprises, except how overwhelmingly positive the response has been from everyone we have approached: business, community, sport, disability, Aboriginal, multicultural, arts and culture, the list goes on. We have been staggered by the support we have received and we are now closing in on 100 incredible ambassadors. The media has also been amazing. Every single media outlet has said ‘yes, just tell us what we can do to help’. In just four weeks we have a great following on social media, have a busy and informative website (the go-to place for where to get a vaccination), we are in the media prominently on a daily basis, and, most importantly, with more vaccine hitting the region, our vaccination rates are quickly rising.

You’ve run a fantastic campaign featuring Local Heroes, from Emma McKeon to the GovernorGeneral, David Hurley. What’s been the highlight?

There are too many highlights to mention really.

Securing Emma so soon after her incredible achievements at the Olympics was a real coup and the perfect launch pad. The Governor-General is a former Port Kembla boy and he and his wife didn’t hesitate to offer their support when asked. We think the strength of the campaign is the diversity of voices and faces who have been willing to share their stories and to make the case for people to get vaccinated real. From brave ICU nurses and patients who literally came back from the dead,

to our biggest sporting superstars and entertainers, the common catchcry is ‘let’s #vaxtheillawarra’.

How is the campaign financed?

The vast majority of the work is being done voluntarily – it’s been pretty much a 24/7 operation which hasn’t slowed down since we decided to hit GO. The generous financial support from business, community organisations and some individuals is helping cover the hard costs to get the campaign running. Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) is the recipient of all funds and any monies left over once the campaign wraps up will go to a local mental health project. Mental health has been heavily affected during Covid so both IHMRI and our working group think that is a perfect solution. 2515 LIKE 80% Illawarra on Facebook FOLLOW @vaxtheillawarra on Instagram VISIT vaxtheillawarra.com.au

Seated, clockwise from left: Jeremy Lasek, Vicki Tiegs, Toby Dawson, Grant Plecas, Kylie-Ann Haynes. Photos supplied by #VaxTheIllawarra

October

7

GARDEN MAKEOVER: PART 1

Losing the lawn

By Green Connect general manager Kylie Flament Thirteen years after we met, my husband and I finally purchased our first home. It had everything we wanted – it was walkable to a school, train station and nature; the neighbours were all lovely, there was no need to renovate. Before we even put in an offer, we had made plans to turn the lawns and rose bushes into vegetable gardens, and adopt some chickens and bees.

There was only one small problem… we had never gardened before!

One of the perks of my job at Green Connect is being able to sign up for every new tour, workshop and service we offer. Resources are tight, so I’m always a paying customer, happy to soak up the knowledge of my incredible permaculture colleagues.

I did a chicken-keeping workshop with Jacqui, a bee-keeping workshop with Claire, an introduction to permaculture weekend with John and a native gardening workshop with Narelle.

I came home full of enthusiasm and ideas. We bought four chickens, named Doris, Phoebe, Mannie and Coco by our kids, who spent hours picking up, putting down, feeding, following them

Contact: enquiries@ green-connect. com.au or 02 4243 1537

around and talking to them. We had built-in babysitters for six months before the novelty wore off.

I bought a beehive and suit and tools and would sit and watch the girls (yes, girls – a story for another day) flying in and out of the hive, cup of tea in hand, smile on my face.

When it came to the garden though, I had a tough time.

Many of my first decisions went horribly awry – I managed to put the compost bin in the shadiest part of the garden, my kale was covered in white cabbage caterpillars, my passionfruit vine died inexplicably, as did all the herbs we had proudly planted in the front yard and told the neighbours to help themselves to, and after six months, kikuyu grass had taken over all of my vegetable beds despite daily weeding.

Happily, the Green Connect team had been toying with the idea of offering backyard garden consultations.

“Sign me up!” I cried.

The wonderful Claire came and walked around the garden with me, talking about what I wanted (lots of produce, and a tidyish looking front yard so that I didn’t scare the neighbours off growing their own food), what I had (early attempts, many in the wrong spot, poor soil and kikuyu-infested garden beds) and where to from here.

Claire drew plans and wrote detailed notes about what to do where. I had a five-page plan of attack, tailored for the sun, soil and slope of my yard, and what I wanted from it, plus a few more pages on how to get “up and growing”.

The next step would be implementing this plan.

2515

Next month: how Kylie’s garden grew!

8 October

The Powerful Owl is a very special visitor.

Photo: Amanda De George

Backyard Zoology With Amanda De George

Nature tends to hum with a predictable rhythm that changes only with the season.

I know that during spring and summer, for example, when dusk begins to fall, that the local micro bats will take to the sky, flitting and looping as they snatch at moths unlucky enough to get too close. I know that around 7pm, or earlier on hot days, the possums that live in our roof will begin scratching and stretching and readying themselves before noisily clomping across the back of our tin roof, leaping off and into the same tree and out into the world to begin their night. And I love that I know all these things and as a result have a window into the lives of the creatures that live with us.

But, let me tell you, there’s nothing that gets the blood pumping more than having a very unexpected encounter with a very special visitor like a Powerful Owl. I’ve won the neighbourhood lottery and live surrounded by lovely people who happen to love the local wildlife as much as I do.

I received a text from a neighbour letting me know that there was a beautiful Powerful Owl in our gum tree. This was a bit of a shock for a couple of reasons. Firstly, these birds are classed as vulnerable in NSW, which means they’re at high risk of extinction in the medium-term future, and secondly we have not heard so much as one call for ages – that classic, somewhat mournful ‘hooo, hooo’ from the owls that fly in and out of our area.

I got a brief glimpse of the P’Owl before it spread its enormous wings and headed out to hunt for

10 October

Ringtail Possums and other tree-dwelling critters. By the next morning, I’d pretty much put it out of my mind and instead was distracted by some very focused Kookaburras who were quickly joined by a couple of Currawongs, all calling simultaneously and flying down at something closer to the ground.

It doesn’t matter how quiet I try to be, I always just end up a mess of crunching leaves and snapping twigs and so, just as I angled my body so that I could follow the gaze of the furious kookas, I scared something very large out of the foliage. I watched as it flew low, hotly pursued by the shrieking birds and into one of my neighbours’ yards. It was the same owl from the previous night!

We ended up spending maybe 20 minutes in the presence of this incredible creature, its one yellow eye staring down at us once the kookaburras were satisfied that it was no longer a problem and ceased their relentless dive-bombing.

I sent a message to the people at the Powerful Owl Project who advised that this particular owl, a male, is a very well-known local who has been sporting the injury to its eye for about 18 months and who, along with its partner, is known to be particularly quiet. Look at that amazing face.

So, yes, I love being a part of the daily lives of so many beautiful creatures, but there’s always room for special visitors! 2515 Visit www.backyardzoology.com

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Right: Portia, the Port Jackson shark raised from an egg in a bucket, then released off Coledale by the Tuck family (find this remarkable story in 2515’s archives, in our July 2015 edition). Photo: Lynne Tuck

length and can be found in groups of four or so, although they are mostly seen by themselves. They feed on crustaceans fish and squid and give birth to live young.

Wobbegong sharks are also seabed-dwelling fish that live on rocky reefs. Some species can grow to over 2.5m long and they feed on crustaceans and fish. They can be very difficult to see due to their camouflage and whilst they won’t actively attack they have a nasty set of teeth and can inflict some damage if you land on top of one whilst diving.

Port Jackson sharks are also in the cute category.

Totally harmless, these sharks also live on the seabed and are commonly seen in winter in groups of up to 30. Their teeth are designed for crushing animals like sea urchins and crustaceans. They lay eggs that look like a purse with a screw end that is used to anchor the egg in amongst the rocks.

The grey nurse shark can be seen in various spots around Bass Point. It is a critically endangered species that can grow to about 3.5m in length. It has an impressive array of sharp teeth

By Duncan Leadbitter which are used for holding their fish prey. They will I occasionally get asked if I see or get worried about bite only if provoked and generally swim away if approached. sharks whilst snorkelling and diving. I do worry Whaler sharks are potentially dangerous but not to the extent that it stops me from getting in the water. The chance of getting bitten by a shark especially if a decent size. The one in the video is only about 1.5m and it swam out from under a is vanishingly small. bunch of surfers at Bellambi. As soon as a dived There are upwards of 50 species of sharks to be found along the NSW coast, most of which are not down to get a closer shot it swam away.

Most sharks are not a hazard. If you see one that a hazard to humans at all. The video to be found at takes an interest in you, keep your eyes on it and the QR code, at right, provides some footage of don’t panic and splash around. More than likely it species that I have seen. will simply come in, have a look and go away. 2515 If any shark can be thought of as cute the blind shark would, in my view, fit the bill. They can be found in shallow (<5m depth) water around rocky Scan the QR code to watch Duncan’s dive video or follow ‘Illawarra Underwater’ on YouTube headlands. They grow to a bit over a metre in

Hello Fish

Tell us a story!

By South Coast Writers Centre director Sarah Nicholson

Do you know a young writer between 9-18? Young writers are invited to submit a real-life story to the SCWC's ‘Young Archie’ Writing Competition.

Tell us a story of someone you know who has been on a great adventure, or has a funny story to tell. Someone who knows a great hiding spot, or has had a scary experience. Someone who has lived through a war, or has lived overseas.

It might be your own story, or a story from your

12 October

family. It could be a neighbour’s story, your teacher’s, or a friend’s.

No matter what it is, the SCWC want to read your best real-life stories!

Competition closes 16 October. 2515 Guidelines, entry details and resources can be found on the website: southcoastwriters.org/youngarchiewriting

Supported by and with thanks to The Team @ 130 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Austinmer // 02 4268 1399

Martin Place Cafe Open daily 8am-2pm Come in for a coffee & enjoy the sunshine in our backyard All staff fully vaccinated The coffee shop is the gallery centre of Thirroul with a lot of local paintings and antiques Drahos Zak exhibition on now 3/345 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW 2515 Phone: 4268 0666 / 0439 325 458 @martins.place

Moore Street General Open for takeaway! Call and order ahead, or pop by Tuesday-Sunday.

Coffee, Cakes & Pastries — Weekdays & Saturday 7am-1.45pm, Sunday 8am-1.45pm Kitchen — Weekdays & Saturday 7am-1.30pm, Sunday 8am-1.30pm Seasonal menu + full-day breakfast menu available on our website Pantry staples by our favourite local farmers and suppliers include bread from Pane Paradiso and milk from South Coast Dairy www.moorestreetgeneral.com.au 38 Moore Street, Austinmer, NSW 2515 @moorestreetgeneral | 0466 248 559 October

13

Time to create Janice Creenaune meets Christina Slon, a long-time resident of Austinmer and a retired teacher of art in evening colleges who now continues her passion by developing her skills and creating works of art

Christina moved to the Illawarra over 30 years ago, but her childhood illness and her surroundings in far-away England dominated her early life. It was there she developed her passion and skills for painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.

Later, Australia enabled her to develop her arts and to teach them to others.

“I was very sickly as a child and couldn’t attend school as often as I would have liked, but I was always focussed on what I could do rather than what I couldn’t do. My father was an engineer and he had brought home some cardboard boxes.

“I took these cardboard boxes and turned them into a sculpture of a plane. It is the first thing I can remember creating but it was big enough for me to play in. There was a cockpit, dials, joystick, a substantial wingspan, all put together with brown paper tape.”

Making art was Christina’s way of making life enjoyable by focussing outside of herself and her health problems. “I would look out the windows in my home in London and watch the world go by.

“Opposite my window the theatre ladies would wave as they were doing their make-up. Theirs was a great generosity for a sick little girl. But my photography came out of this.

“I find people fascinating, particularly their gestures. Their gestures show more about themselves than they think. I was always good at noticing, sensitive to people’s emotions, and then capturing that image seemed a natural ‘flow-on’.”

In painting, Christina found her way through trial and error, and an escape from the constraints of illness. “I realised early that I was a very visual learner and even with my absence from school I did very well especially in maths. But I found happiness in my art, in another world, my own space, and I realised I was quite astute visually.”

Christina found inspiration in the works of great artists, such as English sculptors Henry Moore and Antony Gormley, as well as US photographer Diane Arbus, but French artist Henri Matisse “changed the direction of painting” in her mind.

“Matisse managed to depict three dimensions by making two-dimensional work truly amazing.”

Christina finds creative inspiration everywhere.

“The area where I live, the views from my balcony, the world around me all inspire. But I also love visiting galleries and viewing the works of

14 October

others. The French Impressionist exhibition in Melbourne was very emotional for me.

“I really understood what those artists were aiming for. And you hold those memories close because they are so emotional. I learn from others through my understanding.”

Christina’s world is indeed one of beauty; the walls of her warm house exhibit her works, and those of other artists. Any visitor is drawn into that same world Christina and her partner have created.

Beauty personified in their surrounds.

Christina is happy to pass on her knowledge and insights, and has conducted local classes for the Northern Illawarra U3A group. Hers is a generous and giving spirit, but there is immense beauty in Christina’s careful use of words that denotes an intense love of the arts in all its forms. It is a pleasure to spend even the smallest amount of time in her company.

Christina has faced immense personal challenges in her life, but she has found a rich creative life not only despite them, but because of them. 2515 Writer Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation. For more info, contact janicecreenaune@gmail.com

Bringing the West to the Illawarra

By John Elton, of Bulli’s Illawarra Grevillea Park Western Australia is home to some of our most spectacular plants. Thanks to grafting we can now grow many of these wonderful plants in our gardens. This is done by putting the desirable plant on a rootstock that will take our wet humid conditions here on the east coast. For grevilleas, plants are usually grafted onto Grevillea robusta, the Silky Oak. The result can be stunning and more and more are being seen in our gardens.

Grevillea flexusosa is one such shrub. Growing to 3 metres, it is smothered for several months in fragrant bright creamy yellow flowers. It is sometimes called the zig zag grevillea because of its unique foliage. It will grow quickly and reward one with a stunning display in no time. Our small birds, like the eastern spinebill, absolutely love the nectar and the protection provide by the plant.

With Western Australian grevilleas we are now spoilt for choice, so why not try one or many! The best place to see grafted plants is at the Illawarra Grevillea Park, which will have a special open weekend on October 30 and 31.

For details, go our Facebook page or website, illawarragrevilleapark.com.au 2515

Grevillea flexusosa.

Photo: Illawarra Grevillea Park

CWA hall needs your help

By Sonia Westwood Stanwell Park’s much-loved CWA hall needs your help!

The Stanwell Park CWA and Stanwell Park Arts Theatre (SPAT) together received a grant to carry out improvements to the CWA Hall and are now ready to go ahead with Stage 1 of the building project.

The DA was approved, but additional compliance requirements imposed by Council have increased the costs. Covid has thwarted many fund-raising events – as the wonderful Thirroul Community Garden well knows! Their support during SPAT’s production of The Sound of Music was very much appreciated, but halted after the first weekend as restrictions began. We are now asking for your help to complete the building improvements and invite you to “Make Your Mark in the Park”.

For $100, you can nominate up to four words to be etched on panels that will be permanently displayed in the CWA hall, and then there will be a HUGE launch party to celebrate the unveiling of

16 October

the Supporters Panels (Covid permitting).

Your four words can be your name, your family, a memory of a party or special occasion, in honour of someone, a class, a group, an address – whatever you would like to be remembered or noted.

Imagine the fun of seeing your name (or a memory) up on the wall. It could also make the perfect gift!

To support the improvements to what is effectively a community hall in the northern Illawarra, and for the opportunity to be immortalised in Stanwell Park, please buy your $100 “ticket” from the SPAT website at www.spat. org.au and you will receive an invitation to the Launch event when we can confirm the date.

This fundraiser will close on 4 December and the hall plans will be shared via the CWA’s Facebook page.

Enquiries can be emailed to spartstheatre@ gmail.com or call Sonia on 0418 200 029.

Thank you for your support. 2515

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Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf

By Rob Brander

It might already be a distant memory, but in the last week of August we experienced a fairly significant East Coast Low storm event that generated some of the highest wave run ups (how far up the beach the waves come) seen in decades.

When the storm waves peaked in size around 9.30pm that night I went to have a look at Coalcliff and could not believe how far the water was coming in – I’d never seen it come up so far. Waves were rushing all the way up the concrete ramp and were overtopping the sand bags (if you haven’t been to Coalcliff in a few years, it’s changed a bit).

At Stanwell Park the water reached the lower car park below the surf club. I heard similar stories from people up and down the coast. They’d never seen the water levels so high. What was strange about this storm was that while the waves were big, we’ve had bigger waves from East Coast Lows in recent years (April 2015 and June 2016 come to mind) and the high tide wasn’t particularly high or unusual.

So why did the waves come up so far this time?

The answer is storm surge.

Storm surge is a term used to describe the super-elevation of the ocean water surface above normal tide levels and is usually associated with cyclones, typhoons and hurricanes, which are essentially the same things (intense low pressure The day after the storm surge the night before: Coalcliff Pool feels the impact of cyclone waves.

Photo: Rob Brander

18 October

systems), but with different names depending on where you live in the world.

Over the ocean, these cyclones cause the water level to rise because there’s less pressure ‘pushing down’ on the ocean surface and the water basically rises up. At the same time, cyclones are associated with gale force winds that create large, messy waves and essentially push water towards the shore.

In this case, because the East Coast Low was pretty much centred just offshore of Wollongong we got a double whammy and an unusually high storm surge of about half a metre, which explains why the wave run up came so far up the beach and dunes. However, while our beaches definitely experienced erosion, it could have been worse and we were lucky that the storm didn’t coincide with a spring or king high tide and was relatively short-lived. It also helped that the wave direction was from the south. A bit more easterly and it could have been a lot worse.

Or you could have been in the southern United States during Hurricane Ida a few days later and dealt with storm surges of more than three metres, which still doesn’t compare to the 14m storm surge

by Cyclone Mahina, the highest ever recorded, that hammered Cape York, Queensland in 1899. 2515 Have a question for Dr Rip? Email rbrander@unsw.edu.au

Springtime and itchy eyes

By Sonya Broadhead, at Thirroul’s See Side Optical

I’m loving the beautiful smells of spring in the air, the sound of the birds welcoming the warm spring days, but I know some others dread it.

That’s because they know they’re in for months of red, sore and itchy eyes.

Take flowering plants, full of pollen, add a little bit of wind and suddenly the sky is raining pollen. For hypersensitive people, this is worst in the morning, between 5am and 10am, when trees release pollen.

How to tell if you have hay fever Hay fever affects more than just the eyes – it also produces a runny, itchy nose and even an itchy throat and ears. Classic symptoms of hay fever include: • Itchy eyes • Irritated throat • Sneezing • A blocked or runny nose.

How to reduce your suffering • Clean the house – have a Spring clean!

• Close your windows • Buy an indoor air purifier • Create a ‘barrier’. Dab a bit of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the inside of your nostril.

That way, pollen won’t be able to attach itself inside your nose.

• Avoid the peak hours for pollen. Between 8-10am and 5–7pm is when it’s at its worst.

• Get a good night’s sleep. This helps your body recover.

• Wash your hair at night. Pollen is nasty – it can stick to your hair, then rub off onto your pillow.

• Eat well. Omega 3 oils, leafy greens and brightly coloured fruit and vegetables are great for eye health.

How to treat eyes affected by hay fever Your first stop is a trip to your optometrist or GP, who can discuss treatment options and may suggest a number of prescription drops that should help relieve the suffering. Other ways to bring relief include: • A cold compress held to the eyes.

This will help soothe red, inflamed eyes.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes.

This may seem to provide temporary relief but, in fact, it causes the release of yet more histamine, and will only add to the inflammation that is already there. That will, in turn, make your eyes even more uncomfortable.

Anita’s Theatre: Shop 10, King St Thirroul Call for an appointment today on 42683933

October

19

Bushcare work undone

The Hewitts Creek site is in danger of being loved to death, writes Ian McKinlay

Shelters have been built from dead and live branches, and native groundcovers ripped out from the surrounds. Photos supplied

Monday morning pedallers and pedestrians at the Thirroul end of the cycleway will probably have noticed the shabby chic clad members of the Hewitts Creek Bushcare Group working on either side of the cycleway.

The group was spun out of the Sandon Point Bushcare Group in 2014 and, until lockdown, was one of many such groups of volunteers working under the direction of the Wollongong City Council Bushcare Program. We have 16 to 20 active members normally but Covid precautions have temporarily reduced our workforce.

As the June lockdown began, WCC’s insurers withdrew cover for its volunteers but we decided to keep working independently at the socially distanced points of most concern: ie, where the worst weeds were getting away from us. These include blackberry, formosa lily, asparagus fern, privet, crofton weed, cobblers peg, morning glory, and the ubiquitous lantana. Some have been here for decades, others are garden escapees, unwanted gifts of fruit-eating birds or Hewitts Creek floods.

As with Covid, elimination is likely a distant dream, so containment is our objective.

With suitable plantings of local natives and a lot of weeding, we hope to crowd out or shade some weeds into oblivion.

Recently, our plantings and some longestablished trees and shrubs have been threatened with obliteration – and it’s been HUMAN thoughtlessness that’s done the damage.

Lockdown brought an understandable surge in foot and bike traffic through the Bushcare site and, with it, a rapidly growing toll on the native vegetation we work to preserve. The 2 narrow dirt paths to the west of the cycleway widened and multiplied, destroying recently planted natives and

20 October

branches of ” inconveniently located”, established native vegetation. Last weekend three separate “shelters “were built using dead and live branches and the entire western side of a Coastal Saltbush, one of our great successes, was ripped away to clad the walls. On September 20, we discovered a surfers’ lair, replete with wooden table, office and dining chairs and a foam mattress, installed at the expense of local, native shrubs we planted in 2020.

Many passers-by thank us for the small piece of natural environment that we maintain but there seems to be a logical disconnect beyond that appreciation. Unless all of us value our native vegetation and the native birds and animals who share it, thoughtless, self-indulgent acts can destroy natural areas in a few minutes.

Recovery takes many years and a lot of work.

Our plea is that in using this very attractive area, adults and children keep to the cycleway and the established tracks. Please refrain from casually damaging plants and keep dogs on leashes until you reach the off-leash area. That way, the bush can regenerate without disturbance. We are often told what a valued job we are doing, and we enjoy doing it. Please assist us to allow the site to regenerate and the whole living community will benefit.

About the author Thirroul’s Ian McKinlay is an original member and Convenor of the Hewitts Creek Bushcare Group.

A retired history teacher, Ian joined Sandon Point Bushcare Group in 2011, Bellambi Dunes Bushcare Group in 2012 and did a TAFE Conservation and Land Management Course in 2013. Also an Illawarra Bird Observers Club member, he’s recorded 84 native bird species between McCauley’s Hill and Sandon Point since 1996. 2515

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October

21

Farewell, Alan Smith

Heather Smith shares an extract from her eulogy for her father.

Dad was born on the 30th August 1941 to Margaret Farmes Robertson and Thomas John Wesley Smith of Thirroul.

His paternal grandparents lived close by in 17 Pass Avenue Thirroul and his maternal grandparents at 20 High St, Thirroul, so the Smiths are true locals.

Dad grew up at 16 Hewitts Avenue, Thirroul, with his younger sister Carol.

All the neighbours knew each other in Hewitts Avenue and Dad was especially close to the Browns that lived opposite them. He was educated at Thirroul Public School, then Corrimal High School & later went on to Teacher’s College studying in Wagga, Wagga in 1959 for two years.

The first teaching job he was posted to was a tiny place called Mulgowrie. He then went on to teach at Crookwell followed by Talong where he was the only teacher in the small school.

In 1963 he met my lovely mother, Helen Margaret Flinn, at the Presbyterian Fellowship in Thirroul. They fell in love and were married the following year and they lived in Talong.

Dad said many times that he believed Mum was sent to him as a gift from God. My eldest brother David was born in 1965 and they were happy in Talong until a bush fire went through and sadly destroyed much of Talong. Mum and Dad moved back to Little Dunne St Austinmer, followed by 33 Redman Avenue, Thirroul, where they stayed for the rest of their lives. I soon came along followed by Andrew in 1971. Our parents were always loving and we were lucky to be surrounded by a very closeknit family.

Dad’s parents were still in Hewitts Avenue and Mum’s parents living in Boyce Avenue, Austinmer. We were so lucky to have them all both so nearby.

We had an extended family through many church friends from Thirroul Presbyterian church.

Dad continued teaching, firstly at Lindsay Park Public School and then, for the next 30 years, at Bellambi Public School, where he was a highly respected and a much-loved teacher.

The Northern Illawarra Uniting Church is where Dad has given so much of his time dedicated to his faith. Spending hours in his little study doing the church services as a lay preacher, enjoying making a full on visual presentation for the congregation.

For 28 years Mum and dad organised Singalong through the Church for the whole community to enjoy. Mum with her beautiful singing voice and Dad once again spending hours perfecting a varied program of music and laughter for everyone’s enjoyment. They did this every month for 28 years.

In our hallway at home, we have a wall of certificates of achievements for Dad. Amongst them is a National Volunteer Award and an award for excellence in teaching. He was involved with many organisations, such as Rotary and Probus, and he loved going on trips with his Men’s Group.

Dad, I want to say thank you for everything you have done for me and all the others you have touched throughout your extraordinary life.

You have been an outstanding, exceptional father, a wonderful teacher and faithful servant to God and I’m so extremely proud of you. 2515

Vale Pauline Lacelles-Smith

By Ian Hill Residents of Otford have received the sad news of the passing of Pauline Lacelles-Smith in her sleep on Thursday, 16 September. Pauline was very much a leading figure in the community, an upfront and upright lady with a distinct Yorkshire accent who became the driving force behind Otford Pantry on Lady Wakehurst Drive. Pauline championed fresh homemade apple pies that

22 October

became legendary, even world famous. For bush walkers, the pie shop provided a welcome starter prior to a walk and upon return, if reached before closing time at 4pm, one could safely restore any calories lost due to the exertions of the day with a legendary Apple Pie and Cream.

Pauline’s energies extended into community building. She was president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce for many years and the chair of Neighbourhood Forum 1. Pauline was a strong supporter of the movement to retain and preserve our natural environment and also president of the Otford Protection Society. Vale Pauline, you will be fondly remembered. 2515

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23

Let the Bird Count begin!

Illawarra Birders president Terrill Nordstrom gives Brian Kelly the lowdown on what to look for locally.

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count (you don’t have to do it in your actual backyard) will be on from 18-24 October, during National Bird Week.

Your role is to sit down for 20 minutes and note the birds you see, thus providing BirdLife Australia with valuable data.

As all eyes look to the skies (and trees and the ground), there’s no better time to ask a few questions of Illawarra Birders president Terrill Nordstrom.

How long have you been keen on our avian friends?

Seventeen years in the Illawarra. I have been watching birds since I was 10 and recording them since 1970.

Your book, A Guide To Birdlife of the Illawarra Region of NSW, was recently published. What has been the response to it?

My book has been going well and I have had a lot of positive feedback on it.

We hear a lot these days about the dangers of habitat loss when it comes to wildlife generally.

How is this affecting the birds of the Illawarra?

Any habitat loss will affect populations and species diversity. The clearing of land for farms in the early days of settlement reduced the habitat for a number of species and now the loss of farmland to housing will also affect a number of bird species.

Which birds of our region are rare/endangered ... are there any whose future you truly fear for?

There are a number of endangered species in the

24 October

Illawarra; some species such as waders are affected by development and habitat loss that happens overseas. Other species such as the regent honeyeater have declined because of habitat loss along the east coast of Australia.

Swift parrot, Pacific emerald dove, regent honeyeater, scarlet robin, hooded robin, blackchinned honeyeater are a few species that we might lose in the next few years.

A record number of people took part in last year's Bird Count – what are your feelings on the event?

The bird count is a great way to get everyday Australians interested in birds, I’m all for it.

With spring here, which species in the region will become notably active?

Spring birds are starting to arrive now, species such as the eastern koel, channel-billed cuckoo, shining-bronze cuckoo, rufous whistler, whitethroated gerygone, reed warbler, fairy martin, just to name a few.

What tips would you have for beginners?

Buy a good bird guide, a good set of binoculars and join a bird club and go on some walks with more experienced birders.

If you could come back as a bird, which species would it be?

The Peregrine Falcon – it’s the master of the skies.

2515

Visit illawarrabirders.org + aussiebirdcount.org.au

Tech brings families together

By Edwina Ellicott, Community Engagement Manager at H.Parsons

Every section of society has been impacted

by COVID, and the funeral industry is no exception. Shane Chapman, Customer Service Manager at H.Parsons, is seeing first-hand the impact on families.

“As a team we are constantly reviewing the way we do things, making sure we’re complying with changing restrictions so that we are COVID safe,” Shane said.

“To date (early October), 90% of our staff are fully vaccinated and we are on track for achieving 100% by November.

“Most importantly, we want to make the situation easier for the families that we serve and ensure they have the best possible funeral and service.

“Knowing a family can only have a certain amount of people attend the service is really tough, but there are some things that can be done which make a massive difference.

“Webcasting the service for instance, has become very popular. We offer it as a free service from all of our facilities, and at our Wollongong

The Zoom Wall at H.Parsons

Chapel, we go one step further with the Zoom Wall.

“With webcasting, family members and friends from all over the world can view the service, while the Zoom Wall is interactive technology. Attendees at the Wollongong Chapel can connect with everyone who has logged in via Zoom. Remote attendees appear on the Zoom Wall and can talk, smile and wave to those in the Chapel. This is about as close as you can get to being there in person.

“People are also struggling emotionally and financially.

“To experience the death of someone close to you and on top of all of this to then arrange and attend a funeral with so many constraints makes it doubly hard. Our priority is to help people have a service that is as close to their wishes as possible. If families are struggling financially, we have options that are available to them.

“Providing a dignified and respectful service – for everyone – despite their financial circumstances is our priority.

“Limits on attendance have been the hardest part for families to have to come to terms with.

I’m really impressed with how well families are respecting NSW Health’s guidelines and working with us. It’s a real reflection on our community working together.

“At the moment we can offer catering packs for the limited gatherings after the service.

“But many families are now planning a memorial service to be held later, when restrictions on attendance are eased. This may include a service and a gathering afterwards at the same location as the funeral. Importantly, it will be a chance to bring everyone together to support each other and remember their loved one in a fitting way.”

Bulli: 278 Princes Highway (ph 4284 3163) Wollongong: 34 Belmore Street (ph 4228 9622) Warilla: 10 Woolworths Ave (ph 4296 7834) Dapto: 4 Princes Highway (ph 4262 0400)

October

25

South Clifton Colliery and Cokeworks, a sign of other times, and miners at Coalcliff.

Photos: CSA, David Roach

The stories beneath our feet

By David Roach, Clifton School of Arts vice president

A real estate agent constructing a narrative about the Northern Illawarra for a couple of prospective buyers may begin with our rich Indigenous history.

They may point to the sweeping wilderness at our backs, the spectacular ocean views. Oh look, is that a whale? After that they’re likely to skip straight on to the abundance of great coffee and sourdough.

The obvious gap in that story is where Dawn Crowther focusses her passion. Chronicles From Clifton tells the hidden stories beneath our feet. As gentrification buffs up our suburbs, evidence of our recent past is harder to spot. There’s not much romance to be exploited in the relics of industry; a vine-covered sign warning of abandoned mine shafts, the rotting remnants of a jetty, the rusting ruins of a colliery glimpsed from the train.

Tourists on the Sea Cliff Bridge may be unaware that entombed below is another world. Coal Cliff Colliery, once the country’s largest underground mine, is still there. Tunnels snake down the coast, spreading north and west under the escarpment, reaching to Darkes Forest and beyond. These corridors are sealed and silent now but not so long ago they were filled with dust and noise and life.

Down there, generations of wheelers, shot-firers, riggers and fitters sweated and toiled in the dark, worried about their families, dragged their mates from beneath cave-ins with bare, bloodied hands, were maimed, played goofy jokes on each other, sang sad songs, gave themselves nicknames like

26 October

Outchy, Bat Eye and Oil Can, shared rollies at smoko and told stories of their fathers and grandfathers who laboured for years in brutal British pits before risking all to sail to Australia and start again, to build a life for their kids.

There were many deaths in Coalcliff, hundreds across the Illawarra coal fields and countless victims of black lung. Dawn Crowther is the daughter of a miner. Her uncle, George Draper, was killed in Coalcliff Colliery in 1967. But she chooses not to dwell on the fatalities. It’s out of respect, she says, for the miners who contributed their stories.

The anecdotes they told her invariably accentuated the fellowship and camaraderie that was needed to survive in the industry then and still today.

Thanks to local historians like Dawn, evidence of that camaraderie is not hard to find. The most obvious example is the modest, magnificent Clifton School of Arts, built in 1911 by those same miners.

Maybe it’s possible to hold two seemingly opposing views simultaneously. You may believe fossil fuels have had major impacts on our climate and coal mining should be phased out. At the same time you can argue, as Dawn Crowther does in Chronicles from Clifton, that miners deserve to have their histories told, their dignity preserved and the sacrifices that they made acknowledged. 2515 Chronicles From Clifton by Dawn Crowther is published

by CSA Press. Available from www.artsclifton.org

‘Community Hands’ video goes viral A short film that had a minuscule budget and a volunteer crew is currently going viral. After only a week online the Clifton School of Arts video, Community Hands, had already been viewed thousands of times both in Australia and internationally.

Directed by David Roach, it features the brilliant young Wombarra violinist, Cedar-Rose Newman (pictured below). Until Covid-19 hit, Cedar-Rose had been studying in New York under the guidance of her teacher, Professor Lucie Robert.

In the film, Cedar-Rose performs Westerway by Wollongong born composer, Professor Matthew Hindson AM. Hindson has become one of the most-performed and most-commissioned composers of his generation. When Hindson and his publisher, Faber Music, heard about the project they very generously allowed the CSA to use Westerway license free.

The other star of the film is the 110-year-old Clifton School of Arts itself and the extraordinary landscape of the Northern Illawarra, the escarpment, the coastal pools and the famous Sea Cliff Bridge. Aerials were filmed by drone pilot, David Corbett with additional photography by Dom O’Donnell. The track was recorded by Ben Davis at Silver Sound Studios and features Rita Woolhouse on cello.

The film can be viewed by going to https:// vimeo.com/604581434. 2515

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October

27

Osteoporosis: the silent disease

By Dr Berlinda Png, of Bulli Medical Practice Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and lose their strength. Most people do not realise they have osteoporosis until a fracture happens, as there are usually no signs or symptoms. Therefore osteoporosis is often called the ‘silent disease’.

Osteoporosis particularly affects women in their middle and later years, although some men are also affected.

Screening Currently, the most reliable way to diagnose osteoporosis is to measure bone density with a dual-energy absorptiometry scan called a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan. This short, painless scan measures the density of your bones, usually at the hip and spine.

Reduce your risk There are things you can do to improve your bone health, and hopefully prevent osteoporosis progressing, including:

• Know your risk - ask your GP about your risk.

• Ensure adequate calcium in your diet.

• Maintain adequate vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is important because it helps your body absorb the calcium in your diet.

• Exercise regularly.

• Falls prevention - if you’ve either fallen before or you feel unsteady and are concerned you may fall, see your GP. • Stop smoking - as well as the many other smoking-related health issues, it is also linked to reduced bone density.

• Consume alcohol, caffeine and salt in moderation as they can affect your bone density.

Alcohol also increases the risk of falling, and the chance of fracturing a bone.

Osteoporosis management Your treatment will depend on your specific needs.

Generally, your overall risk of fracture will help your GP decide on the best course of treatment for you. 2515

So we sat down together and looked at the traditional recipe, and then made some healthful tweaks and this recipe is what we came up with.

Now, having tasted a fair few choc crackles in my day, I have to say these healthful crackers taste the part, are super crunchy and are a cinch to make.

Healthy Choc Crackles Serves 12 mini crackles

Crunch time

By Stephanie Meades, functional nutritionist at Thirroul’s Life Wellness Co. Chocolate crackles were one of my favourite things to make when I was a kid, however, we have long since given up refined cereals like rice bubbles and sugar in our household.

But when my son asked what choc crackles tasted like (after seeing them in a movie), I realised I had to find a way for him to experience the delight of choc crackles in a healthier way.

28 October

Ingredients: 3/4 cup buckwheat kernels 3/4 cup sunflower seeds 2 tbsp natural peanut or almond butter 1/4 cup dessicated coconut 1 tsp of vanilla extract 2 tbsp of cacao powder 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted) 2 tbsp rice malt syrup Method: Mix together all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Scoop dessert spoons of mixture into small patty cases or a silicon mini muffin tray and then set in the freezer for 30 minutes.

You can store them in the freezer and pull them out 5-10 minutes before serving. 2515

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As of 21 September 2021, the median price for a house in Thirroul this year has hit $1.83m! (based on data from Property Data Solutions Pty Ltd 2021).

This represents an increase of 35.5% on the prior year, which is the highest growth rate recorded in the last 30 years (when this info became publicly available). Our experience indicates demand from Sydney buyers looking to relocate to our area continues to far exceed the supply of houses being released to the market and this is driving the competition for each and every house. Most properties don’t even last for one week. Similar issues exist in other suburbs in postcode 2515, however, there are not enough sales in these areas at present to calculate a median house price.

October

29

The Ones I Love to Hate By architect Ben Wollen

My lockdown exercise has been dominated by bike rides, with the odd run up to Sublime Point and back. The Sublime track is good to get your head back into nature, but riding along the coast I can’t help but look at the local architecture.

One of my past-times has been to slowly document some of the buildings that attract my curiosity, whether in a good or bad way. They’re the ones I hate to love (because I wish I could have designed them) and the ones I love to hate (the ones that are just plain, well, crap). So, at the risk of raising the shackles of some landowners or sparking debate over what is considered ‘good design’, let’s start with the ones I love to hate.

1. Thirroul Plaza While there has been a lot of reaction against the current plans to rebuild the site with an additional 82 apartments, I feel like the majority of us agree that the existing Plaza is outdated. The biggest issue I have with the Plaza isn’t the building itself (although it’s certainly not great), it’s the way it presents to Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Dominated by steps and ramps, with the odd untended garden in between, it just doesn’t beckon one in like the shops across the street do. These shops are level with the footpath, have awnings and animated windows full of merchandise. The Plaza is a classic Photos: Ben Wollen case of someone designing it without that pedestrian approach in mind. Its focus is arrival by many car ads. The sinuous curves mimicking those vehicle (and even that leaves a lot to be desired!). of the coastline, and the contrast between concrete and sandstone, does make for spectacular visuals, 2. The Thirroul Telstra Exchange but if the bridge didn’t have the curves, its actual There’s no other word for this building except design is a fairly straightforward concrete beam ‘eyesore’. Now, I get it – the designer’s mentality bridge with a fairly awful aluminium railing to stop would have been, “Well, it’s just a telephone people falling off. exchange, why does it have to look good?” That’s Sure, the fact that it’s perched over the ocean is a just plain ignorance. And in a world where Telstra marvel in engineering and construction terms. But is showing multi-million-dollar profits from all of let’s say we compare it to the Stanwell railway our streaming activities, it’s a shame they can’t viaduct (no less an engineering feat!) with its design something at least palatable to the street, monumental arches, its broad curve across the maintain it graffiti-free and mask those awful valley and its respectable but not over the top brick mobile towers. While it’s not that visible due to its detailing – design wise, I think it’s a superior location behind the southbound ramp up to the bridge. And don’t get me started on all the other railway bridge, there’s simply no excuse for this malignant tumour set upon our built environment! marvellous bridges from around the world.

I just think that given its remarkable location, that a bit more effort could have been made for the 3. Sea Cliff Bridge This may come as a surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I Sea Cliff Bridge. A separate bike lane would have been good! 2515 too enjoy walking, riding and even driving across this landmark. It’s made the area famous, featuring Next month: Ben reveals the Ones he Hates to Love in social media posts, great drone footage and

30 October

Coalcliff’s old cokeworks.

Photo: Ben Wollen

Eyesore or opportunity?

You tell us

Readers react to ‘Eyesore or opportunity?’, Ben Wollen’s September 2021 article on the old cokeworks at Coalcliff and how it could be converted into a recreational park.

No, it is inappropriate Dear Editor, The proposal to convert the Coalcliff Coking plant to a recreational park (with affordable housing) is inappropriate for the Area.

Mr Wollen’s examples of converting former industrial sites into public recreation / housing are all located in densely populated city areas with a lack of green space for the local population to utilise; Coalcliff is most certainly not comparable.

Visitors to the Coalcliff Area and its surrounds is already at high numbers with related parking and traffic problems and has no capacity (or willingness by the State Government) for improvement to the road choke points (witness the regular 1.5km traffic jams at Stanwell Tops trying to access the Royal National Park and the coast) and at Thirroul.

Access to the Coke Oven Site is difficult (and dangerous) to say the least. Any housing proposal for the Site will be at an immediate disadvantage due to the hilly, unstable nature of the escarpment, drainage issues existing rail line and the lack of supporting infrastructure (eg no shops, lack of schools, medical services, emergency services, poor mobile phone coverage, etc).

Coalcliff residents suffer disturbances from the early hours of the morning to late in the evening each and every day – lets not add to them.

– Dave Shepherd, Coalcliff resident

Yes, I strongly agree Hi Ben, I read your article this morning in 2515. I live between Thirroul and Duisburg- Essen and was delighted to read your appreciation of the industrial landscape of reclaimed mining areas. I am very fond of the Zollverein and the history it shares with human development and industry of the 20th century. I really love how the jungle, in the middle of Germany, is reclaiming this landscape. I think it gives us hope, that the earth can forgive our greed and ambition. I strongly agree with the idea of a park. I intentionally take the train to work to Sydney because it goes through this “park” and gives me a feeling of adventure that I don’t get on the road, despite the wonder of the Sea Cliff bridge.

Thanks for your article!

– Johanna Elliott, Thirroul Yes, do preserve the cokeworks site Hi Ben, I want to congratulate you on the article. I am a resident of Helensburgh and have spent lots of the last 40 years frequenting Coalcliff and Stanwell Park and our coast with my family and friends. I wholeheartedly endorse your argument for the preservation of the Coalcliff coke works site.

It would be an excellent use for this site and one many could enjoy including the crowds who frequent our suburbs out of COVID lockdowns.

– Bronwyn Balderston, Helensburgh 2515

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October

31

Cover

feature

World’s

best ciders Glenbernie Orchard’s Darkes Ciders have won international acclaim! Jo Fahey reports from the sixth-generation family farm in Darkes Forest

When we sent a selection of our ciders to the World Cider Awards, judged in London, we hoped we might do well but were shocked and somewhat overwhelmed to be so successful.

We sent three products and won four awards.

That’s pretty huge. To win gold medals for Darkes Howler Cider and Darkes Perry, a silver for our Dry Cider and capping it off with the title of ‘World’s Best Sparkling Perry’ was a major thrill.

This means our Perry was not only awarded Gold in its category, it has been placed above all other gold winners across all Perry sparkling categories.

With travel out of the question, we couldn’t send anyone to London to the awards night! It’s all hush-hush anyway until the announcement so we went to bed not knowing we’d won until the next day, when it was all over the news.

32 October

Tell us about the medal winners.

Perry: ‘World’s Best Sparkling Perry’ (World Champion Award) and Gold Medal – ‘Worlds Best Sparkling Contemporary Perry’ Most people know little about Perry. Perry is the term for pear cider. It is cider made from pears. In our case, it is cider made from 100% fresh crushed pears. There would be the equivalent of at least four pears in each of our bottles.

We have been perfecting our Perry for the past six years. This one is absolutely delicious at only 3.5% alcohol. It has a light, fresh pear aroma and when you drink it you will sense the beautiful light fine bubble within a gorgeous fresh fruity taste.

It finishes dry, just like any beautiful champagne.

Perry is not usually a drink that you ‘guzzle’ a lot of in a session. Keep it special. For example, it’s the sort of drink that you may have one or two glasses of, with a lovely Thai-inspired dinner or as a pre-dinner drink with a cheese platter.

Cheers! From left to right: Brandon Fahey, Glenn Fahey, Callum Burns (holding 6th generation baby Edward), Jo Fahey, Ruth Fahey and Casey Burns (née Fahey), holding her daughter, Elouise. All photos: Anthony Warry

Howler: Gold Medal - ‘World’s Best Sparkling Cider’ – Contemporary Medium Cider Howler was our first cider. We released our first batch in 2013, with the launch party on the farm in the middle of a storm. It’s named after one of our farm dogs, who would howl to warn us of dangers within the farm, things like snakes and other intruders. She was a wonderful dog who lived an idyllic dog life, accompanying the workers each day within the farm, overseeing everything and protecting them from harm. Howler is an all-occasions drink and is great to add to your cooking – try a splash in your bolognese!

Drink it with a burger or pasta; it is also lovely with seafood. The Gelatoman, our local expert gelato maker, has even used it in a very special gelato!

Darkes Dry: Silver Medal – ‘World’s Best Sparkling Cider’ – Contemporary Dry Cider Darkes Dry is definitely also a go-to in our family.

October

33

We think it’s useful to marinate a roast pork and then drink with a pulled pork bun!

What are your top cider tips?

Always drink cider from a beautiful glass, and ladies this is a chance to use your best crystal and especially a champagne style flute! Our nonalcoholic cider, Little Blue, is also beautiful served the same way.

Great craft ciders, like ours can be served at around 7°C, that way you will pick up more flavour.

In other words, if it’s in your picnic hamper and

34 October

not as cold, there’s no worries! If you are at a party and you like to sip slowly, again no worries! There is no need to add ice.

What can we look forward to on the farm?

We are beavering away at our farming as we always have, getting ready for stone fruit picking season, starting around mid November.

Inviting locals and visitors to share the farm is evolving with the needs of our community. The way we run activities and events will be changing with Covid regulations and challenges as they arise.

There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy our spaces this summer, including picnicking.

When lockdown ends, travelling for experiences here in the Northern Illawarra area and staying local is a great thing for our local economy, local jobs and it is environmentally friendly! Buying your food locally grown is such a benefit.

We are currently planning and preparing for reopening. We have just released our brand-new branding and will be rolling out a fresh new look over the coming months. You can keep up to date on everything that’s happening on the orchard and in the Darkes Cider space by checking our website, darkes.com.au

Local Delivery = Low food miles During lockdown we have streamlined a whole new side to our business. We are delivering locally ourselves and this will continue after the lockdown ends. You can purchase a huge range of products and produce from our darkes.com.au website.

Your order leaves our farm fresh and is delivered straight to you in the local area. We mostly ‘knock and run’, to keep contactless delivery. You probably mostly catch the back of our drivers!

We would like to thank you for your support – locals supporting locals. It is possible that we may be able to expand this side of our business if we keep the momentum going after lockdown. It makes sense that if you are short on time and can’t get here, no need to worry, we’ll come to you and because we are in the area anyway, it’s cutting down on environmental impacts. A win-win!

We are busy putting together some amazing new hamper ideas for Christmas orders. Trays of fresh fruit will also be on the delivery menu locally.

If you are in a rush for your cider, there are some great local bottle shops who stock our products, so it can be convenient to run down the road and pick up a four-pack or two. 2515

Where to buy world’s best ciders Shop online www.darkes.com.au Visit local bottleshops Helensburgh Hotel, Stanwell Park Cellars, Coledale Fine Wines, Thirroul Cellars and Ryans Hotel Sit and sip, once Covid restrictions permit At Tradies Helensburgh, Helensburgh Hotel, Scarborough Wombarra Bowlo, Coledale RSL, Headlands Hotel, South Sailor, Franks Wild Years, Two Mountains Merchants and Ryans Hotel

October

35

‘Kids not coal’

By Kristen McDonald, of Extinction Rebellion Northern Illawarra When you tuck into a glass of water do you think to yourself, “Ahhh I am so lucky to have this fresh, clean water”? No, neither do I. Because clean drinking water is a human right and we entrust (and pay) our authorities to provide it. In fact, we forbid public access to our water catchment special areas due to their importance and sensitivity. So if we won’t allow bushwalkers in Greater Sydney Water Catchment’s special areas, why would we allow a large mining operation?

to be drastically reducing them. We are very sensitive to the fact that our region is built upon a strong legacy of coal mining and we support everyone’s right to employment.

The good news is the transition to renewable energy industries is happening now, at home and aboard, and it is creating thousands more jobs than the fossil fuel industry.

Renewable energy is skyrocketing – in late September on Australia’s main electricity grid, the share of renewable energy reached 60% for the Risky Business first time and the output of coal has been sinking to Last month community members were appalled to new lows. The positive fact is, we don’t need coal learn of Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s anymore. So why take the risk? approval for Wollongong Coal’s Russell Vale Colliery to go ahead.

Kids Not Coal The company plans to mine a seam of coal Northern Illawarra residents have been joining beneath two previously mined seams, making it a groups such as Protect Our Water Alliance, Stop riskier than usual operation and one that may Russell Vale Mine and Extinction Rebellion involve the loss of water from the catchment Northern Illawarra to showcase their opposition to forever. It’s not just our water supply that is under the mine’s approval. Covid-safe mini pickets have threat due to the risk of subsidence, cracking, water been taking place outside Russell Vale Colliery contamination and groundwater and surface water since the announcement was made and we are not loss. The Russell Vale mine also threatens giving up. While we might not be able unite in biodiversity and First Nations heritage sites, it person right now, our outrage and optimism increases the bushfire risk and it is the closest mine remain high and there is plenty you can do to join to a residential area on this continent, posing air the call for no mining in our water catchment. 2515 pollution and traffic hazards.

The mine will be responsible for more More info: www.protectourwateralliance.org, www.stop greenhouse gas emissions at a time when we need russellvalemine.org, www.xrnorthernillawarra.org

36 October

On Board With

By Coledale’s Susie Crick, board director at Surfrider Australia

Faces of the rebellion XRNI’s Kristen McDonald introduces Sallie Moffatt, of Coledale

Sallie Moffatt from Coledale is an artist who loves walking and working in our surrounding bushland. She wasn’t active in the Extinction Rebellion until recently but was one of many local residents who have joined the decentralised picket outside Russell Vale Coal Mine following the news it will reopen.

“I never saw myself as a glue-myself-to-thepavement type, so it took a while for me to get involved. But the news that we’re currently on track to 3°C global warming with devastating consequences convinced me that I need to do everything I possibly can right now to prevent that. We need a government and an environment minister who will stand up to fossil fuel interests and make decisions that will protect our kids into the future. We need leadership that will support fossil workers and their communities as we transition to renewables. In particular, the coal at Russell Vale Mine in Bellambi should stay in the ground and the water catchment be protected from the operations. With prolonged droughts predicted in the future, we’ll need a secure water supply more than ever.

“Getting together with locals who care about the impacts of climate change makes you feel empowered and we need to be creative and brave about getting our voices heard. I think the solution to a global problem is to start local and work out from there. With the window to reduce emissions closing fast, now is the time to find some space in your life and do whatever you can. Don’t underestimate the power of a conversation.” 2515

World Smile Day is on October 1st, and in 2515 we have lots to smile about. We have the green of the escarpment on one side, and the blue surf on the other, and luckily we don’t get too inundated with pollution, other than the occasional overflowing bin at playgrounds and beaches on the weekends.

If you do see a bin that needs to be attended to, simply use the SNAP SEND SOLVE app to notify Council, who will add the job to their list. Seeing results like that brings a smile to my face!

One thing I took from this lockdown was the fact that our community has been going out of its way to show kindness. We collected close to 1200 masks for the communities in Western NSW who had no access to masks when the Delta strain was racing through the region. If we can come together for our own health, then the same urgency can be applied to the planet. It’s so hard to see the problem when we live in paradise and when one of the biggest problems is micro plastics, which aren’t easily seen – even when you are looking for them.

The ocean provides solutions to many global climate heating issues. The Blue Carbon Ecosystem of mangroves, sea grass meadows and salt marshes is among the world’s most efficient ecosystems at sequestering carbon, and leading research is happening just down the road at the University of Wollongong. This is exciting and I feel like we are winning. Yet, further up the road in Sydney, our Surfrider branches are campaigning against PEP-11 which stands for Petroleum Exploration Permit 11; a licence to drill for oil and gas just offshore from Manly to Newcastle beaches. 2515 Join Surfrider South Coast, email susie@surfrider.org.au Wombarra Pool by @stellacrick

Converse with us! Join Extinction Rebellion Northern Illawarra www.xrnorthernillawarra.org

October

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Phyllocharis cyanicornis. Photo: Kindi Smith, Australian Museum

Zoo to reopen

By Symbio’s Kevin Fallon

Beetling About

With Helensburgh entomologist Dr Chris Reid A few weeks ago, I walked to Bulgo to poke around in the littoral rainforest, a rare and special habitat.

Littoral rainforest is rainforest next to the sea and at Bulgo it’s a bit gnarly and stunted, getting salt drenched and bending in the big southerlies.

I was looking for a plant, Clerodendrum tomentosum, an attractive shrub or small tree with white flowers. The Sydney Royal Botanic Garden calls it the Downy Chance Tree.

Clerodendrum tomentosum is the host of one of our most attractive local leaf beetles, Phyllocharis cyanicornis [= the blue-antenna phyllocharis], which I’ve collected at Bulgo in the past. Not to be confused with another attractive beetle, Phola octodecimguttata [= 18 spotted phola], which feeds on Vitex trifolia, a garden plant from the subtropics that is planted here. Phola is a recent migrant to this area, not having been collected south of Lismore before 2005 and only found in gardens, where Vitex is planted. The two species differ in their biology: Phola larvae construct a tube of their own poo as a daytime shelter in the twigs and feed at night, whereas Phyllocharis larvae are out on the leaves all day. So I was down at Bulgo looking for Clerodendrum leaves with holes, the telltale signs of larvae. However, I didn’t see any Clerodendrum.

Instead there was little vegetation under the canopy and I disturbed three of the culprits – Rusa deer. In the wild, in Java and Bali, the Rusa deer is considered a threatened species. But ours are like all the other feral pests we’ve introduced – in the wrong place, destroying unique flora and fauna, without any of their natural predators (leopards and dhole). My impression is deer have greatly increased in the past five years. Elsewhere in 2515, Kieran Tapsell has talked about the impact of deer in bushcare projects, wiping out all plantings.

We have a serious problem here. Perhaps the colour pattern of Phyllocharis suggests the solution… the introduction of leopards? 2515

With lockdown restrictions set to ease on October 11, Symbio is looking forward to reopening – and our lockdown babies can’t wait to meet you!

Over the past few months we have welcomed some adorable new arrivals to the Symbio zoo family, including kangaroos, wallabies and one extra teeny-tiny bundle of joy. Our pygmy marmosets, the world’s smallest monkeys, have had a baby!

We’ve also been busy making our grounds beautiful – from laying fresh turf in the kangaroo walk-through area to building an Endangered Species Laboratory. All these attractions, plus our Adventure Playground, Farmyard and Splash Park, are now waiting on just one thing – you!

For the latest re-opening news, follow us on Facebook or visit www.symbiozoo.com.au 2515

Meet the ‘lockdown babies’. Photos: Symbio Wildlife Park

See you soon! Follow Symbio Zoo on Facebook

October

41

national schoolboys line-up for three decades; the last being Glen Air, of another famous Butchers family, in 1991. And Thirroul being Thirroul, Ryan is best mates with Glen’s son.

“It definitely would have been good to finish off the season,” says Ryan of the cancelled Illawarra competition.

“I was pretty lucky to play a fair bit of footy this year; I have been doing lots of training to stay fit and prepare for next year’s season.”

In a season when the issue of players under 18 being picked for first grade (through NRL player Joseph Suaalii at the Roosters) was fiercely debated, Ryan Couchman Ryan stepped out for Thirroul’s top grade aged 17. with his dad, Ben. “It was something I’ve always wanted to do,” Photo: Thirroul he said. “I don’t think playing at 17 is too young; Butchers . playing at that level has really improved me as a player, I feel.”

Butchers fans spare a thought for Toby, who was just about to get back on the paddock after shoulder surgery earlier this year before lockdown cruelled those plans. The twins are on three-year contracts with St George Illawarra.

Ryan intends to take rugby league as far as he

By Brian Kelly can and is studying a Certificate IV in Fitness, as For generations, countless boys (and nowadays well as taking on HSC studies at Bulli High School. girls) have gathered at Gibson Park to watch the He caught the eye of selectors when he scored a Thirroul Butchers go round, dreaming of how far try playing for Combined High Schools during they might go with rugby league.

NSW trials in May. For most, it might be no further than shouting at “Playing for against NSWCCC and CIS was the Maroons on Origin nights, but there are an elite definitely a high standard it was a really enjoyable few who could rise all the way to the top. camp,” he said. “Our coach made it pretty simple Thirroul’s famous club is celebrating the recent and everyone understood their role which made it selection of dynamic young back-rower easier.”

Ryan Couchman in the prestigious Australian Australian Schoolboys selector Timothy White Schoolboys squad. had words of encouragement for the 18-year-old.

Ryan and twin brother Toby began with the blue “Ryan had an exceptional tournament, where he and white aged five; the Butchers’ home ground showed great enthusiasm and tenacity,” White said. must have been like a second home in winter as “He chased everything and played as tough as he they cheered on their dad, Ben, a well-decorated could. With a little more development, I’m sure he clubman who had himself started in the under 7s can go on and have a great career.” before going on to play 138 first-grade games.

Brandon Morkos from Figtree High School also Ryan is the first Butcher to be picked in the made the schoolboys squad. 2515

Butchers star selected for Schoolboys squad

Struggling to find things to do at home?

Your library membership can help, writes librarian Cara Maloney.

What better time to discover your family history?

Enjoy free access to Ancestry and Find My Past with your library membership.

Simply follow the links on the Wollongong City Library website.

You can also explore local history with resources such as Illawarra Images, Illawarra Stories, and Illawarra remembers.

42 October

Why not ease your lockdown boredom by enjoying some free online puzzles featuring a selection from the Illawarra images collection?

Or help us document how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our community by donating relevant photographs to the Local Studies collection or sharing a brief story detailing your experiences during the pandemic?

Keep your eye on our social media for our libraries digital programming. Wollongong City Libraries has begun hosting digital events such as author talks. You could access past recordings on the ‘Author chats’ section off the website. 2515

A triumph to remember

By Tony Ryan, the Northern Districts Tigers’ women’s coach

Our co-coach, Austi’s own “Fabulous” Phil O’Neill (the Tigers’ longest serving coach), revved the boys up stating that this was the last chance for all of them to win the ultimate prize together.

I was quite animated in my speech to the players.

I told them that, at the end of the game, they had to be able to look their coaches and teammates in the eye and tell them that they had done their best. I said that they had to be able to look at themselves in the mirror after the game and ask themselves if they’d given it everything they had. I expressed – quite colourfully – that we needed all players to use every drop of petrol in their tanks. If they ALL did that then I guaranteed there’d be a premiership medallion around their necks that night.

The boys were fired up. They knew they had to score more in the last stanza than they had in the previous three. A quick early goal gave the The 2018 U-17 premiership victory rates as impression the boys were up and about. Within one of coach Tony Ryan’s favourites. two minutes Austi lad Logan Davis received a free kick and, with a bit of “Home and Away”-style acting, ensured a 50m penalty on top of the free Covid has caused Illawarra’s sporting arenas to fall kick and saw another goal. The crowd roared and silent, but while that’s far from ideal it does give the players knew they were a chance. A Jai McPhee one the opportunity to reflect on years gone by: the mark and goal with eight minutes to go edged us 2018 Under-17 boys premiership rates as one of my within one point. A quick point saw scores level greatest sporting joys –if not the greatest. with seven minutes to play. The tide had turned.

I’d coached the same group of kids since Auskick Then the moment that will live on in Tigers (Under 8s) and we’d made it to the big dance (the history: captain Jack Collimore grabbed the ball grand final) on four previous occasions, but every and, from 60m out on his non-preferred foot, time we left the ground empty-handed. booted it towards the goal. The ball floated over the The heartbreak of two years previous – losing to forwards’ heads, took more twists and turns than a Figtree by less than a goal – was still burning in our Dan Brown novel and after a final bounce, which memories. was a leg-break even Shane Warne would be proud This time the lads just scraped into the finals in of, it trickled through the goals. fourth place and expectations were not high. We We’d hit the front! The noise from the weathered the storm against Figtree in the first grandstand was as loud as when Dave Warner had elimination final and then we were set to face a raised his bat at the SCG. combined Shellharbour/Albion Park/Kiama in the A bone-crunching Tommy Mott tackle and grand final qualifier but injuries forced them to subsequent smart play from Brodie Ryan to soak withdraw – so we were off to the big dance! up 90 of the last 120 seconds meant the Tigers held Our opponents, a combined Batemans Bay/ on to possession.

Ulladulla, had recorded a comprehensive win in Then the final siren blew – we’d won! The the grand-final qualifier so they were favourites. ecstasy, the frenzy, the excitement, the euphoria An absolute ‘banger’ of the day greeted the and maybe even the relief that followed was a teams at North Dalton Park. Could our lads finally moment to be savoured. break their grand-final Hoodoo?

More than 150 people ran onto the ground but I We started in the best fashion with a goal against managed to find my son in the crowd. The smile a reasonably strong wind. After that the Tigers and hug we shared will be etched into my memory seemed to slip back into second gear as the forever. I was so happy for him and the others who Seahawks’ running game took over and by had endured so much heartache on the road to that three-quarter time they had taken a commanding victory – but it was time to celebrate.

20-point lead at the last break.

And celebrate we did! 2515 October

43

On patrol through the ages By librarian Jo Oliver. Images from the collections of Wollongong City Libraries

HelensburghStanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club, 1920s or 1930s

Coast Heats Surf Teams Championship, Austinmer Surf Lifesaving Championship, 1937. Photo: R.A. Henry

Local Surf Clubs have been training and performing rescues in the Illawarra for over 100 years.

Techniques, gear and costumes have changed but their mission to save lives and train members young and old has remained the same. As the surf lifesaving season opens for another year, let’s thank our surf clubs and support these local heroes.

Wollongong City Libraries Illawarra Images has some wonderful photos of surf clubs in action.

To see more, go to ‘Illawarra Images’, under ‘Explore Our Past’ on the library website.

If anyone has photographs they would be willing to donate or loan for scanning, contact the Local Studies Team at localhistory@wollongong.nsw.gov.au 2515

Austinmer Surf Lifesaving Club 1938. Photo: R.A. Henry.

44 October

Seven surf lifesavers, Austinmer Surf Lifesaving Club, Illawarra Championship, , 1938-1939, (L to R), Ron Henry, Frank Henry Tony Lorenz, Jack Tuckerman, Bill Milne, Bill Grey, Jack Bell. Photo: R.A. Henry

Surf lifesavers and frie Bell’s Point, Austinmer,nds at 1937.

Photo: R.A. Henry

Supported by and with thanks to The Team @ 74 Park Road, Bulli // phone 4284 4622

JOIN YOUR LOCAL CLUB! Surf Life Saving offers mateship, education, experience and in doing so gives back to the community

bullisurfclub.com.au

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sandonpointsurfclub.org.au

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Find your local club at slsillawarra.com.au October

45

1947 Time 1.77

m

2241 Time 1.201928 2033 Time 1.642154 2102 Time 1.71 2145 Time 1.402330 2227 Time 1.44 2223m 1.36 2340m 1.19 m 0 m 1.69 m 1.45

0.550132 0.270414 0321 0425 0.17 0.390522 0410 0005 0.33 0.20 1.03 0255 0432 0055 0.38 1 1.13 0.22 0011 0.32 0.35 1.060.45 0.360.57 0421 0509 22 0900 221.490340 221.570404 7 0223 16 10 1 0338 16 10 125 16 10 125 1038 1.680650 1.471027 0932 1.64 1000 1.601148 1039 1.90 0822 1.39 0.68 0715 1.4770 0954 0.6071.56 0620 1.2571.75 0907 0939 0.71 0620 1.30 1044 1142

1725 0.371324 0.36 1541 0.21 1622 0.36 1722 0.12 0.35 1.42 0.49 1.62 0.57 1612 1.43 1204 0.56 1703 1827 MO0.45 TU1 WE 1500 TH0.32 FR0.47 SU0.25 TU 1407 TU 1328 WE 1553 TH 1633 FR SA SA 1156 MOMO FR 1633 SU 1827 WE 1.162035 1.562242 2149 2312 1.66 2221 1817 1.33 1.57 2324 1815 1.34 1.53 2323 1923 2028 2300 1.79 0.57 2110 2333 1.37 0 0.32 1.57 0.461.25 2301

0.320454 0400 0518 0.19 0.450029 0458 0045 0.42 0.600245 0.17 1.06 0325 0535 0128 0.39 1 1.19 0.29 0057 0.30 1.31 1.130.52 0.291.13 0451 0025 230.630441 8 0259 23 0935 231.470408 17 11 17 11 17 11 2 0452 226 226 1.491114 1015 1.71 1032 1.610609 1130 1.88 1115 1.640759 0901 1.46 0.67 0751 1.5580 1101 0.5481.59 0705 1.3380.46 1012 1041 0.64 0700 1.43 1120 0545

Port Kembla Tidal Chart 2021 October 2021

0.39 1632 0.19 1701 0.381241 1823 0.17 1807 0.40 0.31 0.44 1.67 0.49 1.48 1707 1.50 1257 0.45 PORT KEMBLA – SOUTH WALES 1730 1750 0.52 1222 TH 1540 FR0.36 SA MO1.71 TU1.52 WE1 WE 1453 WE 1412 FR 1735 SU 1252 TH 1653 SA SU TU TU SA NEW MO TH 1430 2238 2354 1.57 2300 1907 1.261933 2110 2352 1.76 0.49 2146 1.462333 1.43 1.57 0.31 0.381.16 2345

9 3

EMBERTH

Time

10 4 16 0432 0954 FR TH 1633 2333

LAT 34° 29ʼ S

LONG 150° 55ʼ E

1903 1.580.49 1917

2004 2142 1.34 0

0.38of 0440 0.26 0437 0136 0.500134 0026 0124 1.25 0006Local 1.130357 0335Times 0.18 1.11 0200 0.41 1 0025 0.26 0.29 1.19 0547 1.230.59 0.231.07 0525 0537 0.38 0116 and 0353 Heights High and 0700 Low Waters Time 1.501204 1100 1233 1.75 1105 0745 1.600703 0550 0741 0.52 0520 0825 0.640915 0943 1108 1.52 0.62 1009 0625 1.60 0 1.27 1.59 1.41 0.57 0.551.44 1.560.69 1202 0630 0.43 1727 0.21 1743 0.41 1224 1.81 1155 1.60 1541 0.30 1.56 NOVEMBER DECEMBER OCTOBER 0.40 1200 0.47 1341 0.43 1854 1.59 1347 0.33 1845 1309 FR 1620 SA0.41 SU0.57 TU1.65 WE1.46 TH1 TH 1452 SAM MOTIME FR 1744 SUMO WEWE SU 1834 TU 1341 FR 1542 TIME TIME M M TIME M 1.36 1.72 1.192048 2154 1928 0.23 1852 0.432243 1.31 1.56 1.60 2016 0.53 Time0.35 m 1951 Time0 m 1.69 Time2223 Time 2330 m 1.45 Time2340 m 1950 Time m 2044 m 1827 0.450032 0509 0.570251 0132 1.18 0055 1.100500 0414 0.22 0.40 0522 0.35 0108 0.23 0.29 0.21 0230 0.43 0211 0.29 0038 1.08 0219 1.04 00551.12 0.38 0203 00441 1.13 0035 00111.28 0.32 0132 0623 1.52 04250421 1.06 0005 0.36 1.490626 1142 1.570811 0650 0.60 0605 0.681030 1027 1.56 1.18 1148 1.75 0821 1.48 0708 1.34 1.33 1.70 0858 1.65 0609 0.66 0728 0.74 0.60 0630 06200.48 1.25 0737 07150.64 1.47 0822 07200 09391044 0.71 1235 0.46 0620 1.30 0.47 1827 0.45 1324 1.71 1239 1.54 1633 0.32FR0.55 1827 0.25 1424 0.39 1250 0.41 1319 1439 1530 0.37 1252 1.40 1405 1301 1649 1450 1.62 1156 0.57 1328 0.49 1358 1612 1.43 1831 1.45 1204 0.56 SA 1703 SU1.57 MO WE1.59 TH1.41 FR1 SU TU SA 1157 MO TU TH TH FR MO SATH WE TU MO0.44 WE0.23 SA 1.251950 2035 0.29 1943 2122 0.462333 2242 1.57 1.64 1913 1.73 2030 2206 1.52 1.66 1.580.53 1.27 1953 0.59 1.53 2123 0.32 1827 18170.45 1.57 1937 19230.36 1.37 2041 19410 23122301 0.46 1815

24 18 12

9 327 24 18 12

9 327 24 18 12

9

125 19 1316 10 428 125 19 1316 10 428 125 19 1316 10

0150 1.090551 0.29 0.32 0.520145 1.31 0025 1.130415 1.15 0147 0.22 0243 0.31 0.22 0300 0.47 0.22 0145 1.02 0333 1.04 01281.12 0.39 0244 01191 1.19 0112 00571.16 0.30 0208 0041 05180451 0045 26 11 0454 26 110.570029 26 110.670245 110 201.13 200.29 5 0708 529 200.29 529 14 14 14 17 2 17 17 0535 17 2 0658 0.72 1.47 0609 0.46 0545 0.63 1114 1.5921.25 0759 0.66 0747 1.40 0855 1.53 0815 1.43 0930 1.68 0905 1.80 0725 0708 0.72 0930 0840 0.76 1139 1101 0.54 0705 1.33 0709 1.67 0751 1.55 0757 10411120 0.64 0700 1.43 1.49 0.35 0.52 0.37 1241 1405 1.71 0.35 1222 1505 1.52 0.37 1430 1531 1730 1241 0.36 0.48 1750 1335 1.61 0.15 1328 1608

1408 1607 1747 1252 0.49 0.33SUFR 1412 0.44 1438 1.50 TUSU 0.45 THWE FR1.39SA SA 1.67 SU MO MO1.56 TU1.37 TH1.56 SA1 WE SU TUWE 1354 FR FR 1513 FR 1735 TH 1333 SA 1707 TU 1257 2038 0.46 1.24 1.162114 1933 0.31 1917 0.492315 2333 1908 1.43 1.71 2142 0.33 1955 1.70 2108 1.46 1.71 2201 1.52 2109 0.59 2227 0.50 19070.44 1.57 2019 1928 1.45 20040.35 1.34 2132 2024 23542345 0.38 1903 1.58

0.590310 0.38 0.25 1.19 0116 1.070526 1.17 0251 1.100017 0222 0.23 0.18 0312 0.35 0.26 0331 0.51 0310 1.02 0443 1.10 02001.17 0.41 0326 0125 01550 0.26 0147 01361.11 0.29 0244 07000525 0124 27 12 0537 120.610134 27 120.640357 121 27 6 0745 211.23 630 210.23 630 210.28 15 15 15 18 3 18 18 0025 18 3 1.44 1204 1.5931.32 0703 0.57 0630 0.69 0915 0.68 0801 0.74 0825 1.44 0852 1.54 0928 1.58 0950 1.88 1003 1.69 0838 0824 0.74 1048 0958 0.74 0636 0825 1.60 0755 1.81 0831 0625 1.27 0745 1.41 12331202 0.55 0741 1.56 0.57 0.35 1341 1452 1834 1323 0.41 0.41 1845 1418 1.65 0.27 1309 1544 1.46 0.36 1542 1626 1.53 0.12 1426 1645 1.45 0.35

1523 1.38TH 1717 1237 1452 0.40 0.21MOSA 1516 1341 0.43 1854 TU 1.59WEMO 1347 0.33 FRTH SU 0.47 TU1.58 FR1.56 SA1.41SU SU0 MO WE TH 1505 SA SA 1621 FR 1429 SA 1200 SU MO WE WE 2048 0.35 2016 0.53 1.40 0.35 2133 0.441838 2033 2230 1.64 1.71 2145 1.44 2241 1.20 2217 0.54 2320 0.43 2044 2243 1.31 2227 2024 1.43 21051 1827 1.72 1947 1.77 19500.39 1.56 2102 1951 1.60

1.08 0.27 1.28 0.20 1.04 0.39 1.23 0353 1.16 0.55 1.12 0.17 0404 0255 0340 0.33 0536 1.19 0.23 0223 0211 0251 0.29 0321 01320038 02030219 0230 0500 0.43 0410 0211 0230 28 28 13 0032 13 1030 28 13 13 0811 220.29 7 0932 220.21 731 220.30 7 0822 19 0108 19 19 4 19 0.66 0626 0.4841.39 0.74 0.66 0914 0.73 0.6441.64 1038 1.68 0900 1.47 1000 1.60 1039 1.90 1106 0.66 0708 1.34 0821 1.48 07370609 1.33 08220728 1.70 0858 1.65 0843 1.92 0907 1.40 0.36 1450 1541 1301 1407 1.57 0.35 1252 1500 1.41 0.36 1649 1722 1.48 0.12 1530 1725 1.43 0.37 1.59 0.21 1405 1622

0.44 TU 1424 0.23 FR 1530 0.13 SU 1554 TU WE MO 0.41 TH FR SA 0.37 SU1.47 MO WE 0.39 MO TH SU SU 1722 TU SU 1250 MO 1319 TH 1439 SA 1525 0.59 1.56 0.45 1.79 0.53 1.33 0.36 1.34 0.41 1.16 0.36 1.66 2323 2110 2221 1913 1950 1.73 2028 2030 2206 1.52 2149 19371953 1.66 20412123 1.58 2122 2333 1.27 2324 21212225 1.39 2145

1.16 0.17 1.02 0.32 1.12 0.19 1.04 0.45 1.31 0.42 1.25 0.60 0441 0325 0408 0.22 0259 0243 0415 0.31 0400 02080145 0.22 0300 0551 0.47 0458 02590448 0.34 0306 02440333 0.22 14 14 14 0145 29 14 29 29 23 8 23 8 23 8 20 0147 20 5 20 0725 0.5751.46 0.72 0930 0.6751.71 0.76 1139 0.61 0.67 ©20 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2020, Bureau of Meteorology 0935 1.49 1015 1032 1.61 1130 1.88 0901 1115 1.64 0747 1.40 0855 1.53 08150708 1.43 0930 1.68 09321026 1.98 0943 09050840 1.80 PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES 1408 1.56 0.31 1354 1540 1.37 0.39 1607 1632 1.56 0.19 1513 1.39 0.38 1747 1823 1.44 0.17 1633 1807 1.43 0.40 1701 1453

202

0.37 1405 TH 0.35 Datum 1620 TU 0.08 MO 1630 0.15 Astronomical TU 0.37 TH FR SU 0.35 TU FR SA MO Tide WE MO 1335 WE 1505 TU WE SA 1608 SU MO FR 1531 of Predictions is Lowest 0.44 1.76 2109 0.59 1.46 0.35 1.57 0.50 1.26 2146 1955 2114 1.70 2110 1.46 2238 2019 1.71 2201 1.24 22182313 1.350.36 2224 LAT 34° 29ʼ S2108 2315 LONG 150°2132 55ʼ2227 E1.522300

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time 0.37 1.25 0537 1.38Local 1.11Times 1.02 0.38 0526 1.17 Low 0443 1.10 0.50 0006 1.13 0.18 0353 0440 0.26 0437 0222 0310 0.23 0335 02440310 0.18 0312 0.35 0326 0.26 0331 0017 0.51 0026 0348 0.39 0343T and Heights of High and Waters New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols 1.39 0.52 0.58 0.64 0.61 1.52 0.74 0.64 1.75 0.74 1.60 0520 1009 1.50 1105 0825 0838 1.44 0943 08520824 1.54 0928 1048 1.58 1100 09500958 1.88 1003 0636 1.69 0550 10231133 2.00 1018 EPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBE 0.55 1.44 1.58 1.38 1.56 1.41 1155 1620 1743 0.35 1452 0.27 1544 0.36 1626 0.12 1645 0.35 1716 0.08 1708 MO 1237 TU 1734 WE WE 1523 TH 1505 FR 1717 SA 1621 WE TH 1541 FR SA 1727 SU TU 1224 TU 1418 WE0.30 TH0.43 SA0.21 SU0.41 MO1.81 TU1.60

21 15 9 m

630 24 21 15 9

630 24 21 15 9

630 24 21 15

1.41 0.32 0.39 0.54 0.43 1852 2223 2340 2033 2230 1.64 2154 21022217 1.71 2145 Time 1.40 2330 22272320 1.44 2241 1838 1.20 1928 23162357 1.30 2303 Time m 0.23 Time m 1.69 Time m 1.19 Time m 0.43 Time m 1.36 m 1.45

1.19 0.38 1.18 1.13 0.22 0.32 0.35 1.521.10 1.060.45 0005 0.360.57 0421 0509 0055 0.27 0414 0321 0425 0.17 0340 0011 0.39 0522 04100536 0.33 0404 0055 0.55 0132 0442 0623 0.45 0422 31 16 0715 16 16 0432 125 16 0620 11106 125 10 25 10 10 22 0255 22 22 22 0.66 1.4770.60 0954 0.6071.56 1.2571.75 1235 0.46 0939 0.71 0620 1.30 1044 1.49 1142 1.57 0605 0.68 0900 1.47 1027 0932 1.64 1000 1.60 1148 1039 1.90 1038 1.68 0650 1115 1.96 1056 1.47 0.49 1.71 18311239 1633 1633 1.62 0.32 16121703 0.57 0.25 1722 1.451.54 1.430.47 1156 1827 12041827 0.560.45 1328 1324

1.03 0.68 1.42 WE 0.57

1500 0.21 FR 1622 0.12 MO 1725 0.12 WE 1746 SU TU 0.37 TH TH 0.36 FR SA SA 0.36 MO MO WE TH SU FR WE TH 1541 SU 1722 TU 1814 1.37 0.29 0.32 1.57 0.461.25 2301 1943 0.46 2110 2333 1.56 2242 2149 2312 1.66 2221 1817 1.33 1.57 2324 1815 1.34 1.53 2323 1923 1.16 2035 2345

0.39 1.15 0.291.09 0535 1.19 0.29 0.30 1.31 1.130.52 0.291.13 0451 0025 0150 0441 0128 0.60 0245 0502 0.32 0454 0400 0518 0.19 0408 0057 0.45 0029 0458 0045 0.42 0015 0041 1.25 17 0751 226 17 17 17Australia 226 2Bureau 11 26 11 11 © Copyright of 2020, of Meteorology 23 23 23 0325 23 8 1.5580.66 0709 1.67 1101 0.548Commonwealth 0705 1.33 1041 0.64 0700 1.43 1120 1.47 0.46 0545 0.63 0658 0.72 1.59 1115 1.64 0759 1134 0935 1.49 1114 1015 1.71 1032 1.61 0609 1130 1.88 0537 0.51 0.44 1.61 13331328 0.331.49 1735 1730 1.67 0.36 17071750 0.49 1.71 12571222 1.500.52 1252 1241 0.451.52 1412 1430

1.06 0.67 1.48 TH 0.49

1540 0.39 0.19 0.38 0.17 TU 1807 WE 0.40 TH FR SU SA SU TU TU MO SA of Predictions TH FR 1632 SA 1701 MO 1823 WE 1209 Datum is Lowest Astronomical Tide TIMES 1.34 AND 1.57 0.31 19031917 0.381.16 1.580.49 2004 2142 2345 0.33 2146 1.46 2333 1.43 2238 2354 1.57 2300 1907 1.26 1933 1912

1.87 TH 1828 FR FR 1928 1.450.46 2038 0.18

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in HEIGHTS OF HIGH

0.41 0125 0.281.10 0.26 0.38 0.29 1.19 1.11 0353 0025 1.230.59 0.231.07 0537 0525 0134 0116 0357 1.17 0251 0006 0200 1.13 0116Full 1.22 0029 0.38 0440 0700 0.26 0437 0.50 0026 0124 1.25 AND LOW WATERS New0136 Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Moon 1.60 1.810.74 1.27 1.59 1.41 0.57 0.62 1009 0625 0.551.44 1.560.69 1202 0630 0801 0520 0825 0.64 0915 0635 0755 0.58 0546 1.50 1204 1100 1233 1.75 1105 0745 1.60 0703 0550 0741 0.52 LAT 3400.68 29’ 01304 0.40 0.21 0.47 0.43 1.56 1854 1.59 1347 0.33 1845 1309 1542 1426 1155 1.60 1.75 1215 0.43 1727 0.21 1743 0.41 1224 1.81 TH 1452 SA FR 1429 SA 1200 MO 1341 SU MO WE WE SU 1834 TU 1341 FR LONG SA WE1.46 TH FR1.45 FR 1620 SA0.41 SU0.57 TU1.65 1501.53 55’ 1.31 0.35 1.430.44 1.56 0.35 1.600.53 2016 2133 1852 2044 0.43 2243 2009 2024 0.26 1910 2223 1827 1.36 1.72 2330 1.45 2340 1950 1.19 2048 1928 1951 0.23

24 18 12

9 327 24 18 12

9 327 24 18 12

9 327 24 18

0.23 1.28 0.29 1.12 0.291.08 0.211.04 0.43 1.23 0.301.16 0038 0219 0353 0.45 0032 0522 0132 0.35 0509 0211 0.57 0251 0055 0230 1.10 0500 0218 0211 1.21 0116 0132 0203 1.18 19 0108 19 428 428 19 0858 428 19 13 13 13 25 0421 10 25 25 10 25 0708 1.34 0821 1.48 0737 1.33 0822 1.65 0843 1.92 0.48 0609 0.66 0728 0.74 0.64 1030 0.66 0914 0.73 MOON PHASE SYMBOLS New Moon 10 First Quarter 1.70 Full Moon 0.68 Last Quarter 1044 1.49 0626 1148 1.75 1142 1.57 0811 0605 0739 0.63 0635 0650 0.60 1250 1301 0.41 1.57 13191252 0.39 1.59 14391405 0.441.40 1424 1450 0.231.41 1530 1649 0.37 1.48 15251530 0.131.43

0.40 1.18 0.55 SA 1.64

1703 1827 0.25 MO 1827 0.45 1.54 1402 1.61 SA 1259 1324 1.71of Predictions SU 0.47 TU2020, MO TH Datum FR SA SU SU MO TU TH WE SA ©SU Copyright Commonwealth of Australia Bureau ofWE Meteorology. is Lowest Astronomical TH 1239 FR Tide.

1.73 1.52 19371953 1.66 2041 1.58in0.53 2122 1.27 1.390.41 Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00)2030 or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when effect.

Bureau of Meteorology 0.45 0.59 2123 2206 0.36 2333 0.36 2225 2301 1913 1.25 1950 1943 The 0.46 2105 2121 0.33 1955 2035 0.29

0.32 1.25 0.48 SU 1.71

0451 1120 1750 MO 2345

gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency,

completeness, or reliability of the information or that the information will be0.22 fit for1.04 any particular purpose or will not 0147 0.22 0243 0.31 0208 0.221.02 0300 0.47 0259 0.341.25 0244 0551 1.31 0448 1.16 0145 1.12 0333 0.52 0145 0029quality 1.31 0025 1.13 0415 0150 1.09 0209 0245 1.15 0320 1.23 infringe third party Intellectual Property rights.

The Bureau’s for any loss, damage, cost or expense use of, 0747 1.40any0.57 0855 1.53 liability 1.43 0930 resulting 1.68 from 1.980.67 0905 1.800.76 1139 0.61 1026 0708 0.72 0930 0.67 0840 1.47 0725 0609 0815 0.46 0545 0.63 0731 0759 0.66 0847 0932 0.67 or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded. 0658 0.72 1335 0.37 0.37 1405 0.35 0.35 1620 0.08 0.15 1633 1354 1513 0.52 1241 1.71 1222 1.52 1328 1.49 1348 1430 1.61 1504 1.48 WE 1505 TU WE SA 1608 SU MO MO FR 1531 SU 1747 TU 1408 TH 1607 FR MO1.56 TU1.37 FR1.39 SU1.43 TH1.56 SA1.44 1955 1.70 0.44 1.46 0.35 1.710.59 1.350.36 1.520.50 2313 2109 2227 1.16 2114 1933 2019 0.31 1917 2108 0.49 2315 2038 2201 0.46 1.24 2157 2218 2042 2142 2132 0.33 0.39

26 20 14 11 529 26 20 14 11 529 26 20 14 11 529 26 20

0.25 0525 0222 1.11 0.23 October 0.59 0134 460310 1.32 1202 0825 1.44 0.61 1.44 0838 0703 0.41 0.35 0.57 1341 TU 1418 WE WE 1523 MO 1845 TU1.58 1.77 2033 2230 1.64 0.39 2048

0244 0.181.02 0.35 1.17 0.261.10 0.51 0.37 0.391.38 0310 0443 0537 1.19 0116 0312 1.07 0526 0357 0326 1.17 0251 0331 1.10 0017 0418 0348 1.28 0304 21 0928 630 21 1003 630 21 15 15 27 21 15 12 630 27 12 27 12 27 0852 1.54 1.58 0950 1.88 1.69 1023 2.00 1.39 0824 0.74 0.64 0958 0.74 1133 0.58 0.57 0630 0.69 1048 0915 0.68 0801 0.74 0636 1000 0.68 0837 14521505 0.271.38 1544 1717 0.36 1.56 16261621 0.121.41 1645 1237 0.35 0.55 17161734 0.081.44

0.20

0255 0.27

1.65 WE 1309 1.53 SA 1426 1.37 MO 1445 TH 1.46 SA SA SU 1.45 MO TU TU MO TH FR FR 1542 SU 1606 2102 1.710.54 1.440.43 1.20 1.41 1.300.32 2217 2320 2357 0.35 2016 2145 0.53 1.40 2243 2227 0.35 2133 2241 0.44 1838 2245 2316 0.43 2131 0321 0.17

0340 0.39

0410 0.33

0404 0.55

0442 0.45

Surf comps delayed

By Scarborough Boardrider Ian Pepper

Waiting for the Junior State Titles: Austinmer’s Short sisters, Zahlia (left) and Shyla.

Another month goes by and another month without a pointscore to report on. Luckily with our sport we have all been able to continue to enjoy our surfing and waves have continued to deliver over the end of Winter and early Spring.

A few forward dates for our members to note from Surfing NSW, pending Covid restrictions: • NSW Junior Shortboard State Titles – Northern Illawarra beaches, Wednesday 13-18 October • Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps – Kiama, Saturday, 13 November • Aloha Junior Teams, Saturday to Sunday, 4 to 5 December at Manly beach • Australian Boardriders Battle qualifier, Saturday, 11 December at Kiama Our last two scheduled pointscores are 10 and 31 October. It looks unlikely these will be able to run, however, we are hopeful something may be possible before the end of the year.

Will keep you posted! 2515 Follow @Scarbsboardridersclub on Facebook and @scarboroughboardriders on Instagram Licence No. 95628C / ARC Licence No. AU09136 ABN 62 078 105 978

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