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District news

Fire mums up front Meet the women of Helensburgh Rural Fire Service

Waterfall / Helensburgh / Otford / Darkes Forest / Stanwell Tops / Stanwell Park / Coalcliff

Meet Our Contributors Adam Keighran is a personal trainer and Athletics Australia accredited running coach. Adam grew up in the Sutherland Shire, finishing his HSC at Caringbah High in 2001. After brief stints at university, Adam’s life took a change of direction as he found a passion for long distance running. His wife (Ironman & 100km ultra finisher herself) and four-year-old son moved to The Burgh in 2019 to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. Career highlights include completing over 25 full marathons including the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon in kilt and highland dress.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT REGISTERED TAX AGENT REGISTERED ASIC AGENT ATMA MEMBER

REGISTERED SMSF AUDITOR

Sarah Nash is a Speech Pathologist who was raised in the Sutherland Shire, trained at the University of Sydney then spent 17 years living, working and exploring London. She returned to Australia in 2019 with her young family and settled in the local area. Sarah can be found running to the gym or the school gates and cheering loudly on the sidelines of sporting matches or live music gigs.

Merilyn House is a bush regenerator and horticulturist, passionate about protecting of our local bushland. She moved to Helensburgh in 1973. In 1993, Merilyn, along with her husband Allan, started the Helensburgh & District Landcare Group, as they were concerned about the increasing presence of weeds in our bushland.

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

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NEXT DEADLINE May 20 COVER Karen Elward. Photo thanks to Iris Huizinga and Helensburgh Rural Fire Service 2508 is published by The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477.

DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain the property of 2508 Coast News unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Views expressed do not reflect those of the publishers.

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Founded in Helensburgh, helping in Africa Maeve Turner reports on sayari nyuki, the charity she started.

During 2020, my charity, sayari nyuki, was able to continue working with Cheti NGO in Tanzania to support the most vulnerable in Arusha, and provide an education to over 1000 children, including over 50 orphans.

Schools closed during the pandemic, meaning that some of our students went to homes where there was no food, and Cheti’s teachers and employees went without pay. Thanks to our eight regular donors and some welcome one-off donations, during this closure we provided the entire Cheti staff – 75 teachers, drivers, cooks, cleaners and security guards – with rice to feed their families.

When schools reopened, the combined seven Cheti schools had a 96% attendance rate on their first day. Since then, we received the wonderful news that Cheti Secondary School came 6th in the regional examinations.

In conversations with Zuma Mtui, Cheti’s director, I found out that school and our projects were the only support available for some of these children and vulnerable women throughout 2020 and 2021, as Tanzania continues to struggle with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Project Poppy, the Promise of Proud Positive Youth, is another sayari nyuki initiative, supporting young people and disadvantaged women in Arusha. We are now supporting 20 widows in the Sokon 1 region with microfinance loans, enabling

Stop dumping!

Only good quality donations are acceptable, says Helensburgh Catholic Church.

Since the start of the Pandemic and the closure of the Smith Family bins in Walker Street, the Vinnies

4 May

these women to start or expand their business and support their families, some of whom are affected by HIV. Currently, we are one of two international donors helping to fund Cheti schools and Project Poppy but our regular donations do not begin to cover the necessary expenses. You could change lives by becoming a regular donor – just $10/ month – and we guarantee that your donation goes directly whichever project you nominate. Please visit our website to see what we and Zuma have achieved so far. 2508 Visit sayarinyuki.org

bins near the Catholic Church in Parkes Street have received a much greater level of donations from the Helensburgh community. These donations are greatly appreciated by Vinnies, especially when they are good quality clothing which is cleaned and recycled to needy families and individuals.

Sadly, however, the bins have become a dumping ground for many people’s rubbish, with old toys, furniture and other household items left to rot outside the bins which are clearly marked “Clothing Only”. These useless items cost Vinnies thousands of dollars each month to dispose of and adversely affect the viability of this wonderful community charity.

We sincerely ask our community donors to think about what you are donating to Vinnies, good used clothing is what we need, and dispose of any other rubbish in terms of the Wollongong City Council guidelines.

If the dumping practice doesn’t stop, we will be removing the donation bins. 2508

Julie York

0405 128 070

julie.york@helensburgh.rh.com.au

2021

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'I ran just over 125km around and around a 400m track in 12hrs' By 2508 local Adam Keighran

Photos: Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

Just 10 years ago, I was a smoker, a heavy drinker and I weighed 132kg.

In 2011, after a stinging assessment from my GP, I decided to make a complete life overhaul.

Shedding more than 50kg, picking up far healthier nutritional habits and also finding a passion for long-distance running, I left my job as a wine salesman and became a qualified Personal Trainer and Run Coach. I now operate here in Helensburgh with my business, Nuffs Fitness.

After years of running full marathons and 100km ultra marathons, I decided to step it up a notch last March, and I entered the 2021 Sri Chinmoy 12hr track event at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

This event involved runners completing as many 400m laps as they could physically complete in the 12 hours between 10am and 10pm.

I had the goal of running non-stop for the first three hours (35km), following it with seven hours of an 18:2 (jog:walk) approach (65-70km) (consuming nutrition on the two-minute walk) and then finishing with a two-hour non-stop run (20-25km) if I still had the energy.

Every 20 minutes along the way, I had crew members following an elaborate Excel spreadsheet of what food and what drink I would need at

6 May

different stages of the day. This ended up being around 35 serves of the electrolyte drink, Tailwind, and one banana and one chocolate biscuit. The choc pretzels, Pringles, lolly snakes and grapes remained untouched.

My training plan leading up to the event involved running 100-115km every week for two to three months. It was this massive volume that shone through in the last two hours of the race, which I was really happy about!

I caught up 3km to pass 2nd place and I fell an agonising 700m short of picking up the gold. I was more than satisfied with the result!

At an average pace of 5:45/km I finished with 125.085km.

This meant that I recorded 312 laps of the track, the equivalent of running a 28:45min Parkrun back-to-back, 25 times.

The whole team was thrilled with the day.

My next event is a 24-hour track race – the Southern Sydney 24 Hour Ultra at Barden Ridge in June – with the goal of running 220km in that time. 2508 If you would like to begin your own running journey, please contact me @coachadam, @nuffsfitness.com.au, or reach out via Facebook.

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Terrific turnout at Lions Brick Fair

By Fran Peppernell, publicity officer for Helensburgh Lions Club

Hi everyone, We hope the Easter Bunny popped in and delivered some sweet treats.

A big thank you to our community for coming along to support the LEGO Brick Fair on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 April.

It was a terrific turnout with 450 in attendance over the two days. Even with Covid restrictions in place everyone still managed to enjoy and the children were very enthusiastic with a colouring competition. Lots of talent among the young ones in the community. That said, a hard task to choose winners!

A big thank you to our sponsors, Tanya and Brook from Switched On Mechanical and Switched On Tyres; Ron and Chris Kissell from Ray White; Sandy from Sunrise Nursery; Paul from

Puttogether; Peabody Energy, as well as Helensburgh Tradies. Money raised from this event will be passed onto our local schools, which in turn aids their fundraising for the year.

We are also continuing to prepare for our major event, the Helensburgh Country Fair in October.

We’ll keep you posted.

On a special note, we have donated funds to a local resident who sadly lost her home in a fire. We also donated to Australian Lions Foundation to aid natural disaster relief, especially the recent flood-impacted areas.

Please go to our website www.helensburghlions. org.au or our Facebook page for updates.

Bye for now. 2508

p

Visit www.helensburghlions.org.au

Is your child ready for school?

By speech pathologist Sarah Nash

Deciding when to send your child to school is an important decision for parents and determining if they are ready can be difficult. At this time of year, parents of preschoolers may be starting to think about what their child needs to be able to do in order to be ‘school ready’. Rather than thinking about academic knowledge, like knowing letter names or being able to count to 20, research tells us that it’s children’s skills in communication, social and emotional domains that are more important in determining school readiness.

Communication skills are important. A pre-schooler’s vocabulary is strongly associated with their reading comprehension skills and their later performance in school. Having strong spoken language skills, such as being able to talk in full sentences, helps to lay good foundations for learning. However, school is much more than just an academic environment; it’s a social place where

8 May

emotional intelligence is important too.

When a child can use words to think through and talk about challenges, they are more able to resolve problems and regulate their behaviour. This is called ‘selfregulation’ and it is a key skill that helps children to be ready for school. Talking to your child’s early educators will help you understand your child’s skills in group environments.

Parents can help to prepare their children for school by encouraging their speech and language development. Reading to your child every night, teaching them the meaning of new words, having conversations, talking about your day and telling your own stories are all valuable activities.

If your child has difficulties with listening to and answering questions, maintaining attention to stories, speaking in sentences or if their speech is difficult for others to understand, then speech pathology may be a useful support. 2508

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Sarah Nash,

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Good communication skills a are essential for success in life and Sarah has a wealth of experience helping children, their families and educators with speech and language development to optimise their social wellbeing and educational outcomes. Read Sarah’s article in this edition of 2508 District News for tips on pr preparing your preschooler for school. If you think your child may need assistance, call us to make an appointment with Sarah for an assessment.

Courtney Rudd,

Clinical Psychologist Accessing help for our mental health is a vital part of our overall well-being, yet often people struggle through it alone. Courtney offers psychological services for adolescents and young adults (12 to 30yrs), with speciality training in the area of eating disorders. Courtney strongly believes that mental health support should be comfortable and relatable. If you think you or someone you love could beneet from Courtney’s support, call us to book an appointment. telephone

book online

4294 1955 eqhc.com.au 61-63 Walker Street Helensburgh Open Monday to Saturday equilibriumhelensburgh

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Michelle with her children, Mattia and Charlie.

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Hot sauce wins again!

By Helensburgh chilli sauce entrepreneur Michelle Walsh

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Australia and the country went into lockdown, The Chilli Project was instantly impacted. All markets and events were cancelled for the foreseeable future, and our tried-and-tested way of selling face-to-face was gone in an instant!

Australians were hit with uncertainty, financial strain, and no idea if or when the situation would improve. Retail spending was down (except for the supermarkets and those unforgettable queues for toilet paper and pasta) and small businesses like ours, were left dumbfounded (my husband’s recruitment business was also decimated by the pandemic).

Overnight, parents like us were working from home, facilitating home-schooling and trying to be as positive as possible for their kids. It took multi-tasking to the next level! Eventually we found a routine – we would do schoolwork together in the mornings and then I would set my daughters up with activities so my husband and I could work in the afternoons. My youngest daughter had only just started kindergarten, so she needed a lot of assistance with her learning, but somehow, we survived!

It was a very stressful time, and for about two to three months, sales were slow, we lost access to our kitchen due to Covid restrictions, and the future of The Chilli Project seemed bleak.

There was, however, a lightbulb moment (after a glass of lockdown wine) in which I realised that we already had the systems in place to build our brand’s online retail presence.

10 May

I spent the following weeks re-designing our labels, doing a crash course in social media marketing and began to push our sauces online.

We found a new production kitchen (in Helensburgh), created new products to expand our range, re-worked postage and courier costs and that’s when things really started to take off!

Thankfully, The Chilli Project survived and thrived in the second half of 2020 despite all the craziness and our future is looking much brighter!

We have just received another award for our sauce as well – The Chilli Project Habanero Hot Sauce was awarded 2nd Place at the 2021 Mr Chilli Awards (our 7th award in three years). We are so grateful for the acknowledgement for our delicious sauces which are handcrafted in small batches from fresh Australian produce.

We now have nine sauces in our range, from mild to extreme heat, and all with their own unique flavour profile, so we like to think there really is a sauce for everyone!

We would like to thank the 2508 community who have stuck by us and given us so much encouragement over the past 12 months – we honestly could not have done it without you!

Our sauces and chilli gift boxes are continuing to sell to customers nationwide via our website, and we are on the shelves in more than 20 stores across Australia. Head over to our website for more details. 2508 Visit www.thechilliproject.com.au

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Scouts grow to three patrols

By Vickie Crawley

1st Helensburgh Scout Group is expanding, we have Joeys back up and running at 5pm on Thursdays with Naomi Burley running it, before Cubs starts on at 6.30pm Thursdays.

At the end of last term, the Joeys and Cubs went to Mount Keira and had a camp fire, exploring under the watchful eyes of three Scouts and Bugeera. The Cubs cooked sausages on a barbecue then the kids toasted marshmallows on the fire and drank hot chocolate. They had fun exploring and watching the Scouts use their orientation skills.

Two of the Scouts organised this orientation.

Scouts has had quite a few Cubs go up into their section over the past six months. They now have three patrols. Last term they did bike maintenance and the following week was a night at the bike track; unfortunately due to weather that wasn’t possible. They have also had camps away at Mount

Keira where they did orientation and learned knots and went hiking through the Scout camp. They came back exhausted but extremely happy and with new skills they couldn’t wait to use. They also did Clean Up Australia Day here in Helensburgh.

Scouts runs on a Tuesday night from 7pm.

Hall Hire role to fill

Unfortunately the Scouts do not have anyone to handle hall hire. For the foreseeable future, they won’t be able to hire out the hall for birthday parties etc until someone can be found to fill this role. Please speak to the Group Leader, Bruce Crawley, or Kristy Poole, the president, if you would like to help. 2508

Stroke survivor shares his story

By Paul Blanksby, of the Men’s Shed

Stroke – the very word chills you. A drooping eye, slurred speech, an arm swinging uselessly; a life-sentence of uselessness. NO. Keep on reading.

One of our newer members, Rodney, is a stroke survivor. And not just surviving. Here’s his story.

He’s in the bush a few years back, protecting Australia as an Army Reservist, when he’s not being an RFS volunteer, dad, husband or ANSTO worker. And then, boom, the stroke hits. In the bush. A long way from help. And that’s key to minimising a stroke’s long-term damage. His mates do what they can, but he’s pretty buggered. Then rehab starts. His missus is strong for him, and his two girls. His friends rally, and help wherever they can. Engadine Connect Church is a blessing, taking Rod to physio and talking through stuff.

Then he and his mate and carer Peter hear about

12 May

the Burgh Men’s Shed. Come on down, have a chat, join up. Rod has a few rocky days, tires easily, but he keeps on, reinventing methods to use tools, do things he used to before they were snatched away.

And here he is, with a possum box he made for a friend, one-handed, with a little help from a shedder. Surviving? Way better than that.

Recognise a stroke: think F.A.S.T. Has their Face drooped? Can they lift both Arms? Is their Speech slurred? Call 000, Time is critical.

Your Men’s Shed, open for business, Covid-safe and full of laughter, fun and meaningful stuff.

Visit helensburghmensshed.org.au or 199A Parkes Street, 9-3 Monday and Tuesday. Michael Croft 0413 401 522; Ron Balderston 0410 564 752.

Vale, Tony Wooley

Our very good friend, and founding Shed member, dedicated, full of humour and courage through a difficult illness, the Noughts and Crosses gamesman with always a smile and a joke to welcome new blokes, loved by Kay and his kids, the bloke who wore his Shed Cap everywhere with pride – you won’t be forgotten. 2508

Heathcote Community Update A letter from Lee Evans – your State MP

I would like to take this opportunity to again gauge the community’s support for CCTV in Helensburgh town centre – a matter raised with me initially

in 2017 due to the ram raid at Helensburgh Coles.

The decision to install CCTV is Wollongong City Council’s (WCC). In August of 2017 I wrote to the then General Manager of WCC, Mr Farmer, stating the installation of CCTV in Helensburgh would assist NSW Police investigations on anti-social behaviours and crimes.

You may recall receiving my letter at that time asking for support by signing my petition calling on council to install CCTV in the town centre of Helensburgh.

With NSW Government funding of $1.6m to WCC for the revitalisation of the Helensburgh

www.leeevansheathcote.com.au | (02) 9548 0144 Shops 1 & 2, 17-23 Station St, Engadine NSW 2233

town centre in 2019 I would have hoped this was an opportunity to install CCTV for the safety and security of residents. Placing CCTV on or about the roundabout facing Walker and Parkes streets would provide vision of both streets and allow monitoring of traffic behaviours and other activities.

I call on Wollongong City Council once more to install CCTV at Helensburgh. I’m happy to support a request from them for funding, but council must initiate the process so I would urge you to contact your local councillors to act on your behalf.

Lee Evans, Member for Heathcote

Follow Lee

Giant leap in frog numbers

By Kevin Fallon at Symbio Wildlife Park

threat to the frogs’ survival remains Chytrid Fungus, an introduced disease.

To help save the species, Symbio began working with Roads and Maritime Services (now Transport for NSW) in 2015. Our goal was to set up Symbio’s first amphibian breeding facility and build an insurance population. Meanwhile, in the heart of Sydney, TfNSW was establishing safe ponds for the tadpoles born in captivity.

On 10 February 2017, the program launched with 18 frogs. Today, we’ve bred and released more than 13,000 tadpoles! And surveys show the green and golden bell frog is once again thriving in the wild. 2508 Symbio is celebrating a frogging triumph!

Visit symbiozoo.com.au An endangered species breeding program – which started with 18 green and golden bell frogs four years ago – has become a 13,000-strong success story for the zoo and its conservation allies at Transport for NSW. The green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) is a highly mobile, extremely tolerant amphibian that likes to live in marshes, dams and stream-sides.

It used to be common in Sydney but since the 1970s numbers have plummeted.

Land degradation and feral predatory fish such as the plague minnow have taken a toll. But the biggest

Be Weed Wise With horticulturalist Merilyn House

Remove it: Mother-of-millions, Bryophyllum delagoense Mother-of-millions is native to Madagascar. It is an erect, smooth, fleshy succulent plant growing to 1m or more in height. Its mottled leaves are cylindrical and have a few small ‘teeth’ near their tips. Tiny plantlets are produced at the tips of its leaves. The drooping bell-shaped flowers (2-4 cm long) are usually red or reddish-pink.

These flowers are borne in dense clusters at the top of the stems. The fruits contain many seeds.

Mother-of-millions is commonly spread by gardeners and in garden waste. The plantlets at the end of the leaves drop readily, develop roots and establish quickly to form a new colony.

Broken leaf parts can also take root and give rise to new plants. Hand

14 May

remove plants carefully, loosening the soil with a knife or trowel. Ensure all pieces are removed and disposed of in your FOGO bin.

Grow Me Instead Leek lily (Bulbine bulbosa): A native plant, leek lily is an attractive species with fragrant yellow flowers, suited to rockeries and cottage gardens.

Blue Mexican hen and chicks (Echeveria glauca): A hardy, low growing Echeveria with orange/ yellow flowers.

Mexican firecracker (Echeveria setosa): A lovely clump-forming evergreen ground-cover succulent with spoon-shaped leaves and yelloworange flowers in summer. 2508 Visit www.helensburghlandcare.org.au

hookeriana. Another plant to look out for is Grevillea ‘Bulli Envy’ with its giant flowers that begin as a deep green and open to yellow.

It’s not just Grevilleas on show. The Banksias at this time of the year are simply stunning.

A highlight is always the bed of Banksia Bush Candles. Seeing hundreds of banksia cones in the one bed blows the mind! Banksia praemorsa from the south coast of Western Australia has unique purple, red or yellow flowers. The large golden cones are especially beautiful and well worth a close-up look.

A new addition to the Park is a garden of sensational standards – both Grevilleas and Eremophilas. Standing 2m high, the plants weep gracefully to the ground, making a real statement.

Increasingly, people visit the Park to buy their plants and hard-to-get grafted plants are always at

By John Elton the top of their list.

There is no better place to see our wonderful native Bring your camera, your picnic rug, explore the flora than at the Illawarra Grevillea Park. rainforest and search the gardens for the plethora Autumn presents a display full of variety, interest of flowers, and plant textures, forms and colours. and beauty. While the time of the large tropical As always bring your questions and Ray and the grevilleas is mainly in Spring, there are still many team will do their best to help out. in bloom, including the wonderful ‘Bush Lemons’ Autumn open days: Saturday and Sunday, May 1, (pictured) and ‘Bulli Beauty’.

2, 8, 9 (10am-4pm); Winter open days: Saturday But it is the time to see many of our special and Sunday, July 3, 4, 10, 11 (10am-4pm); Spring Western Australian plants, including Grevillea open days: Saturday and Sunday, September 4, 5, dielsiana and the black flowers of Grevillea 11, 12 (10am-4pm). 2508

Explore Grevillea Park in autumn

9 Veno Street, Heathcote 2233 Phone: (02) 9548 2818 Open 7 days 9am to 5pm www.sydneywildflowernursery.com.au FOR THE LARGEST RANGE OF AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS May

15

Award-winning writer releases her memoir Congratulations to Stanwell Park’s Christine Sykes.

Earlier this year Christine Sykes won a prize for her debut novel, The Changing Room, and this month she is set to release her second book, a memoir titled Gough and Me: My journey from Cabramatta to China and beyond.

“In February 2021, my novel, The Changing Room, received the fiction award from the Society of Women Writers NSW,” Christine told 2508.

“The Changing Room was inspired by my work with the women’s charity Dress for Success Sydney (DFSS). DFSS provides a clothing and support service for women entering the workforce and has a branch in Port Kembla.”

Christine was born and raised in Albert Street, Cabramatta, in Sydney’s western suburbs. She attended Cabramatta Primary School, Liverpool Girls High, the University of Sydney and ANU. Now a retired senior public servant, whose interests apart from writing include tap dancing, performing and painting, Christine will be launching her memoir in Wollongong on 15 May. She gave us a sneak peek at its contents: “When Gough Whitlam and his family moves into her street in Cabramatta in 1957, eight-yearold Christine has little idea how her new neighbour, one of the most visionary and polarising political leaders in Australian history, will shape the direction of her life.

“In Gough and Me, Christine Sykes overlays the social and political events of the tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 70s and the impact that Gough Whitlam has – not only on her own life but generations of Australians. Education was the key to Whitlam’s plan for equality and progress, and the secondary school scholarship that Christine

16 May

received enabled her to complete high school and contemplate a tertiary education, certainly a first in her family.

“As the child of working-class parents, living in a fibro house without sewerage built by her truck-driving father, the opportunities that were afforded Sykes by Whitlam’s policies and his vision for Australia were quite simply life-changing.

“In this perceptive and affecting memoir, Sykes explores the impact a big picture leader can have and how Whitlam’s policies helped women, Indigenous people and migrants, and how his government championed multiculturalism and community development.

“She reveals her own struggles as her life diverged from those of her family, making ends meet as a sole breadwinner and mother, and the opportunities and adventures of living and working overseas.

“On the 55th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Sykes celebrated her 55th birthday at the Australian Embassy in Beijing, which had been established by the Whitlam government. Nibbling on a mini-quiche, she reflected how far the mud-pie eating kid from Cabramatta had come!”

The book has been endorsed by Patricia Amphlett (aka Little Pattie), who writes: “This terrific read is not just for the rusted-on Whitlamites but for all of us who grew up in a very different Australia, one we often referred to as a cultural desert. Christine’s life, with all its struggles and great achievements, will resonate with many, particularly women, who had to strive for recognition, respect and equality.” 2508

Have a say

very soon. We have lost so much, but we have each other. – Denise

Write to editor@2508mag.com.au Thank you to the ‘small town with a huge heart’ Early Monday morning, 12 April, my world was turned upside down. A fire destroyed my home, a place where I have lived for the past seven years.

Thankfully, myself and my three grandchildren, whom I live with, were able to escape uninjured.

Our dog and our cat also survived. Most of our belongings did not.

The next few days were a blur. But the main thing I remember from the week after the fire is the overwhelming generosity of the people in Helensburgh. We were offered a place to stay temporarily. People donated food, clothing, money.

I was supported by good friends and was put in touch with the right people who could assist me with the processes involved with securing housing.

I would like to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who expressed their care for us through their support. People I have never met before heard of our plight and went above and beyond in their generosity. Helensburgh truly is a remarkable place to live. It’s a small town with a huge heart.

Things look promising for our future and we are hoping to have a local home to move into

Travelling Quilters Meet like-minded friends at Bulli Corner Quilters who meet at the Northern Illawarra Uniting Church, cnr Prince’s Highway and Point Street, Bulli, on the last Wednesday of each month.

JPs available The NSW Justice Association Wollongong Branch offers free JP services at libraries, including Thirroul (1st Thursday of the month, 11am12.30pm). Call Ray Vaughan (0419 293 524). 2508

POLLY NEEDS A HOME! Polly is a happy, friendly easy-care, two-year-old girl in need of a home with high secure fences. She is desexed, vaccinated and lifetime registered.

FOR MORE INFO: email ccarpetrehoming@tpg.com.au or visit Helensburgh’s Country Companion Animal Rescue.

Furniture You’ll Cherish Forever Coledale’s Stuart Montague is a respected third-generation woodworker, founder of the Illawarra Festival of Wood and owner of the Illawarra Woodwork School.

See his creations and commission a personal piece for your home at

stuartmontague.com.au

May

17

Artists of the Illawarra Emma Metcalf’s photography celebrates the female form.

Painter Edith McNally meets ‘Wild Femmes’ photographer Emma Metcalf.

Austinmer local Emma Metcalf is a producer, director and most recently a photographer. Her love for capturing imagery starts and ends by the sea. Beginning as a creative outlet outside her work in television and film, Emma’s work takes inspiration from her travels around the Australian coastline, exploring the world surfing culture and, of course, the ocean itself.

Emma’s photography started to take shape in a strong direction in 2020 with the launch of her first photography series, ‘Wild Femmes’.

Wild Femmes celebrates the female form and the powerful women who inhabit them in what Emma considers their natural habitat – the water.

Through ethereal black and white underwater photography with a touch of escapism, the series empowers, inspires and shares the stories of the powerful women Emma has the good fortune to be surrounded by in her community (and beyond).

Emma aspires to normalise how we view women, and the relationships they have with their bodies.

Many of her muses have been shot in the rock and ocean pools dotted along the incredible Illawarra coast and Emma is excited to be producing her first exhibition at a date to be confirmed later this year. 2508 Follow @Emma_Metcalf and @WildFemmes

18 May

Local artist exhibits STUFF

By Christine Sykes

Stanwell Park artist John Svoronos is mounting an exhibition called Just a Lot of STUFF in Wollongong. John is of Greek heritage, born near Lyons, France and moved to Australia as a child.

He has spent most of his life in and around the arts, having studied art at Liverpool TAFE, Julian Ashton’s and has an arts degree from ANU. He has exhibited as far afield as Canberra and China.

This art exhibition, at Project Contemporary Art Space, brings together John’s paintings done over several years that revolve around the stories of the Wodi Wodi trail and the black panther, as well as Jonah’s Journey.

His installations use discarded items and kitchen materials, such as orange peels, cherry pips and discarded containers, which most see as expendable. En masse, these form art objects with unintended metaphors and meanings.

Just a Lot of STUFF will be at Project Contemporary Artspace, 255 Kiera St Wollongong from 12 to 23 May, from 10am to 5pm (Mon to Fri) and 10am to 4pm (Sat and Sun). Official Opening 2pm, Saturday, 15 May 2021. 2508

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One of the paintings in John’s exhibition (above) and one of his installations (below).

Tuesday 1st June 10am-2pm

WARMING UP...

Establishing techniques to describe the elements.

Wednesday 2nd June 10am-2pm

GETTING STUCK INTO IT...

Using the techniques to create a composition or landscape.

Full price $100. CSA Members $80.

Booking is essential.

Email Prue: pruewat2@gmail.com

www.artsclifton.org

May

19

Neighbourhood Forum 1 report

By NF1 convenor Warwick Erwin

Council presentation on plans till 2022 Andrew Ogg, Wollongong City Council Corporate Planner, gave a presentation on the Delivery Program 2018-2022 and Draft Operational Plan 2021-2022, now on exhibition, along with the Draft 2021-2022 Budget and Draft Infrastructure Delivery Program 2021-2024. Infrastructure delivery highlights include Warrawong and Helensburgh Libraries and Community Centres, Play Facilities and Safety Around Schools, West Dapto Urban Release and Active Transport and Cycling. The draft plans are on exhibition until 20 May at Council’s website, and Helensburgh Library.

Have a say via our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au or email OurWollonjgong2028@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Footpath, east of Walker St – Short to Whitty Rd Council has not explained what happened to this project, which was budgeted for a few years ago.

NF1 will keep asking.

Walker St & Lilyvale Rd Roundabout Now listed in the Operational Plan for construction in 2021-22 year – no details as yet.

Hacking River crossing at Otford – Otford Rd Now listed in operational plan as being constructed in 2022-23 – no details available yet. This was to be a higher level crossing a few years ago, but is another project that just “washed down the river”.

Helensburgh Town Centre Plan update Phase 1 Parkes St is due to be completed by mid-year. Phase 2 Walker St is due to commence in the new financial year. This will include a path at road level on the western side of Walker St, access ramp from street level to shop level, rejuvenated plaza area (Lane 10 to roundabout – outside chemist and restaurants), possible disabled parking in Lane 10 and landscaping around the trees. The pedestrian crossing at Coles is to have a curb bridge installed on the eastern side (Coles side).

Community Safety At the Council meeting on 19 April, in relation to Ward 3 Cr Cameron Walters’ motion about the issues with the Coles car park after-hours, Cr Leigh Colacino gave an eight-minute speech on the 2508 area, while Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery pointed out that Helensburgh is not the only area with issues and that via NF1 these issues are passed on to the Community Safety Committee.

Council’s Resolution was resolved unanimously on the (amended) motion of Cr Colacino, seconded by Cr Cox, that Council notes the recent comments made in the public domain regarding concerns for community safety/anti-social behaviour in the township of Helensburgh.

The General Manager liaises with the Local Area Command regarding any improvements that could be enacted to improve public safety in Helensburgh immediately and what actions will be needed to secure the re-opening of the Helensburgh Police Station to a fully resourced 24-hour-a-day service.

Ward 1 Councillors will receive a briefing on progress to improve safety in the community of Helensburgh after six months.

Helensburgh Library & Community Centre – New Still no details from Council as to where the new centre will go, except that it will not be where the current 40-year-old TEMPORARY library is. The centre is listed for construction in 2024-25; procurement of the land for 2022-23. We know a 400m² site is required, and it has to allow for a considerable amount of parking – more than Thirroul, according to a Council officer.

Council Election set for September 2021 We have four Ward 1 Councillors elected by Ward 1 residents and registered business owners, and a Lord Mayor who is elected by all Wollongong residents and registered business owners. Current Ward 1 Councillors – Cr Leigh Colacino (Liberal), Cr Janice Kershaw (Labor), Cr Jenelle Rimmer (Labor) and Cr Mithra Cox (Greens). Lord Mayor is Cr Gordon Bradbery AM. 2508

Lot 2 Short Lane Helensburgh update The proposed DA for a mixed-use development has been withdrawn by the applicant.

NF1 meets on the second Wednesday of each month except December and January at the OLD Community Centre on Walker St at 7pm.

Rex Jackson Oval path proposals A shared path is proposed to start at the swimming pool car park on Walker St and connect to the eastern oval entrances, cricket nets and down to the netball court car park and mountain bike facility. A footpath is also proposed to link from the cricket nets west to the skate park. The project will include cleaning up weeds and shrubs on the Walker St frontage, which will improve visibility and safety. Seats will be installed every 100m or so, plus shade trees. Go to our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

20 May

The new Probus committee for 2021-22.

Probus elects new committee

By Helen Durham, Publicity Officer

In March our Probus Club celebrated our 17th anniversary with a delicious cake for all to enjoy.

Also on the day we held our AGM and the new committee was presented to the members.

For the next few months we will be meeting at Tradies Gymea as Helensburgh Tradies can’t accommodate us because of Covid restrictions.

This meeting was the first in a year and it was great to be all together, seeing each other again. At the meeting we welcomed a new member, Pam Mahler.

The monthly lawn bowls players have been enjoying the outdoors, with games played on lovely sunny days and many members attending, Our golf players have also been busy playing on various courses around southern Sydney.

At our first regular meeting we had a very interesting guest speaker, Rob Mason, who spoke to us about his training for ultra-marathons.

He showed us a video of his preparation, mentally and physically, for the Coast2Kosci Marathon he ran a few years ago. He is supported by his wife, parents and other family members when doing these marathons.

Our recent walks have been from Stanwell Park to Coalcliff return. In April we visited Carss Park Cottage, where we had a very interesting talk about its history and the surrounding area. We all enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park after each walk.

Twenty-six members of our club have just returned from a week away to Norfolk Island. The weather was great. We did some very interesting tours including a Fish Fry dinner while watching an amazing sunset, a night Light and Sound tour of Kingston, a night dinner dressed as convicts. We all enjoyed the progressive dinner at three different lovely local houses. 2508 For membership details, please phone John Ingle on 0425 323 352 or visit www.probussouthpacific.org/ microsites/helensburghanddistrict

For local, experienced and educated real estate advice, call Ian today!

Ian Pepper 0403 570 041

ian.pepper@raywhite.com raywhitehelensburgh.com.au

Nothing to Buy! The local real estate market continues to set record prices for streets and suburbs across the area and another overall record was broken in April at $6.31m for a waterfront in Wombarra.

A combination of low interest rates and lack of houses to buy are the main causes for the hysteria. To illustrate the lack of stock, below is a table of the number of houses sold this year so far (to 21 April 2021) compared to 2020.

2020 2021

(so far) Helensburgh 105 10 Thirroul 81 8 Wombarra 19 1 Coledale 19 1 Stanwell Park 21 2 Scarborough 7 0 Austinmer 22 4 Clifton 3 0 (Source: Property Data Solutions Pty Ltd)

May

21

Helensburgh Cycle Club outside the Paragon Hotel in Walker Street (where the units were built south of the library) circa 1920s – Helensburgh Historical Society; 1938 Goulburn to Sydney bike race winner Jack Wood – Bulgo Collection (Bob Marshall file)

Bicycles then & now

By Dr Lorraine Jones, vice president of Helensburgh and District Historical Society Bicycles – we both love them and hate them. They are a great help and a great nuisance. The beautiful bicycle path from Thirroul to Wollongong winds past stunning scenery. Why would we travel, we say, as we look at the pelican in the Towradgi Lagoon as we cycle past. This is so beautiful.

Then as we drive up Bald Hill or to Thirroul we mutter under our breath as we get held up by bikes labouring up hills or on winding roads with double lines preventing us from overtaking in our cars. It is easy to forget how important bicycles are to people’s lives, both for work and leisure.

Bicycles started as tricycles in 1850. They progressed to the penny farthing in 1870. The bicycle as we know it with wheels the same size, was invented in 1885 by John Stanley.

By 1900 bicycles had pneumatic tyres, chains and gears. They became an important part of people’s lives and work.

My father was out of work for two years in the Great Depression. When his sister had enough money to send him the cost of a secondhand bicycle, he could cycle and find work. His life changed for the better.

Adults and children rode bicycles to work and school. They were liberating.

22 May

Helensburgh prior to WWII had a large cycling club. People would line up on Saturday afternoon and race their bikes in Walker Street. A photograph of the races showed an all-male group with no helmets. Helmets were made compulsory in New South Wales in 1991. Jack Wood, a 23-year-old Helensburgh lad, won the Goulburn to Sydney race on handicap in 1938.

Migrants from the Netherlands and Britain brought bikes with motors to Australia. One Dutch man, a new migrant, was fined by the police for not having a driving licence for his bicycle. “It is just a bicycle!” he said. Police stated it was a motorbike since it had an engine! Fortunately, now, as we ride increasingly popular electric bikes, police do not regard them as motor bikes.

Food delivery drivers at the height of the pandemic were some of the few vehicles on the streets of Sydney. With their electric bikes and carrying packs of food on their backs they cycled all over Sydney taking meals to those who formerly dined out often. They gave work to those foreign students who did not get any government help.

The use of bicycles for work and leisure grows more important now than ever due to climate change. 2508

Gear up for change

By Mithra Cox, Ward 1 Greens Councillor

Earlier this year, Wollongong was awarded the coveted Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Bike Friendly City label. Not because we can truly call ourselves bike friendly yet, but because we have a 10-year plan to transform Wollongong to put bikes at the centre of our transport system.

Bike-friendly cities are a good idea for many reasons. People are fitter and healthier because they get more incidental exercise in their day. Fewer cars on the road means less pollution, and less pressure on road maintenance and parking.

But the thing I think is most important is that when you can roll down to the beach or the shops on your bike, it makes your city a nice place to live.

Many of our streets are extremely wide – much wider than the streets of Amsterdam or Copenhagen, where bicycles are the most used form of transport. But all the space on our wide roads is allocated to cars – for parking, and for double lanes of traffic.

To make our roads bike friendly, we need to allocate some of that space to bikes. This can mean less parking, narrower streets or a reduction in car lanes. But remember that if more people use bikes, there will be fewer cars on the road.

When bikes and cars are moving at radically different speeds, we need separation – it is totally unreasonable to put bikes on Memorial Drive – or any road with fast speeds. They should be safely on the other side of a physical barrier – ideally a curb, some trees and maybe even a wall or earth mound.

It blows my mind that the bike map for Wollongong shows Memorial Drive as the main cycleway linking Bulli and Wollongong CBD. No one in their right mind would think that is a nice place to ride a bike! Very few cyclists use it.

Where bikes and cars share the same space and there is no physical separation, the cars need to move at a slower speed so that the two uses are compatible. For many of our suburban streets this can be a good option, as slower speeds also make neighbourhood streets safer for pedestrians and kids playing. 2508

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Office: 32 Walker Street, Helensburgh Phone: 02 4294 9980 Email: lynda@babisterlegal.com.au www.babisterlegal.com.au

May

23

Hardy aphids can survive frosts.

Photo: Alvesgaspar / WikiCommons

Beetling About With Helensburgh entomologist Dr Chris Reid

Reading the rather gruesome recent Guardian article on aircraft stowaways who freeze yet survive (less than a quarter of them) reminded me of aphids. Aphids (greenfly, blackfly) are those squishy things that infest bean and rose shoots, preventing them from developing normally. They are soft-bodied and stay out in the open all year, yet aphids, in high latitudes like Scotland and Canada, can survive frosts.

Playing with aphids and temperature seemed to be a favourite zoology project in my undergrad uni, at Newcastle upon Tyne, a famously cold place in winter. One of my friends worked on this and has since had a stellar career in entomology in the UK.

24 May

In temperate countries aphids are important – they are major pests, as they are vectors of plant viruses (e.g. in wheat) and also can develop huge numbers very quickly, each one feeding on the host plant juices. As Shelley might have said: Hail to thee blithe aphid Pest thou ever wert While other insects pollinate All you can do is hurt (Yeah, okay, apologies not just to Shelley but anyone reading this – I made it up to put in my third-year exam almost 40 years ago; there’s a few more verses…)

How they breed quickly is another little magic thing about aphids – they are facultatively parthenogenic. Big words for a simple process – it means that in the right conditions the females keep producing babies without having all the fuss and nonsense of sex. That makes them easy to keep in the lab as well, so they are often ‘lab rats’ for experimental work.

Anyhow, going back to the cold, adult aphids are not tolerant of severe cold. Depending on the species, they can survive two weeks at -2°C (continuously), but do not survive temperatures much lower than that even for short periods.

Cold-climate aphids get through winter in thick-walled eggs. But other insects, such as flies, may be freeze tolerant, surviving temperatures down to -40°C. How do they do this?

Survival of these insects is based on having a mixture of chemicals in the blood system – some that can allow partial freezing in the blood but outside cells, and some, such as glycol, sugars and various proteins, that are antifreeze agents.

We don’t have these chemicals in our bodies, so have much more difficulty surviving cold if we allow our body heat to drop much. Of course, insects are cold-blooded, having no internal heat-generating system.

If those insects are not amazing enough, there’s a non-biting midge called Polypedilum (family Chironomidae) living in central Africa with larvae that can survive severe dessication (water content down to 3%) for 17 years and then be ‘woken up‘ with water to develop normally.

Such dessicated larvae can be heated to 100°C, frozen to -270°C, given high doses of radiation, or immersed in 100% ethanol, yet survive to develop normally.

Who needs science fiction? I suspect these things will be around long after we are gone. 2508 For general insect enquiries, contact the Australian Museum’s Search And Discover team at sand@austmus.gov.au Have a question specifically for Chris?

Email editor@2508mag.com.au

Yes, we can!

Jo Fahey reports from Darkes Glenbernie Orchard

Little Blue is now in cans!

We have a trial run of our favourite Little Blue Non-Alcoholic apple cider in cans. So now you can take it to the footy or glass-free area!

It’s the same fresh sparkling taste as in a bottle.

Try it with a twist of lime.

Champion Awards for Cider and Mead!

Darkes Perry has just won Best Perry In Show at the Redhill Cider awards in Victoria.

More than 70 cider producers exhibited at this show, so this is a huge accolade for Darkes!

Try it with a seafood dish. Perfect with salt-n-pepper squid, oysters or chilli stir-fry.

We are also excited that our Spotted Gum Honeymead won not only a ‘gold medal’, but Best Traditional Honeymead at the Redhill Mead Show. This show is the biggest mead competition in Australia.

Dreamy Darkes Dessert For a nice dessert idea, drizzle Darkes Spotted Gum mead over spongecake (cut into bite-sized cubes) with dollops of vanilla custard and whipped cream, sprinkle with toasted almonds and garnish with sliced strawberries. 2508

Champion products! Darkes Brewing’s Perry pear cider and Spotted Gum mead both recently won ‘Best in Show’ at prestigious competitions in Victoria.

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25

Miners’ vision for Clifton revived

By David Roach, vice president, Clifton School of Arts The School of Arts and its doors to nowhere. Photos: David Corbett and David Roach

Walk around to the rear of the iconic School of Arts building at Clifton and you will see a set of double doors leading … nowhere. The modest, two-storey brick building was erected in 1911 by volunteers – striking mine workers with time on their hands. It cost £100, the funds raised by public subscription. The original design called for two large light-filled rooms overlooking the ocean for meetings and lectures, a small reading library, space for an upright piano.

The community had plans in place for a second stage; those rear doors were to open into a large hall for dances and weddings. But before construction could commence the industrial dispute was settled and the miners went back to the pit. The decades that followed, the wars, economic downturns and global pandemics, meant that any plans for expansion were forgotten.

But throughout those difficult years a succession of committees kept the doors open and the School of Arts became central to the Clifton community, a much-loved local institution.

110 years later, the building is still in community hands. Successive waves of new arrivals to the area have fallen in love with the modest institution and have helped to keep its spirit intact. Now, incredibly, the dream of completing the vision of the original founders is being revived.

Last year, the Clifton School of Arts was bequeathed $100,000 from the estate of philanthropist, Warren Halloran. Mr Halloran’s

26 May

generosity meant that much-needed upgrades could be carried out, including new kitchen and bathroom facilities, new handrails and lighting.

In committee meetings the inevitable question came up, “What would it take to get plans for the rear hall back onto the drawing board?”

We formed a Planning Sub-Committee and reached out for input and ideas from CSA members and the local community.

Out of this process a design brief began to take shape. The original plans for the rear hall have been lost to history, but documents describe a building that was to take up the entire block from fence line to fence line. These days council planning regulations are much more sensitive to the needs of neighbours, with shadow lines, green spaces and accessible parking to consider. So we knew that whatever shape this new iteration ended up, it would have to be smaller than the original.

Our design brief called for an energy-efficient pavilion utilising ecological sustainable materials that would be set back from, and complement, our existing heritage building. It would incorporate an elegant multi-function gallery space with accessible facilities and level access via covered walkways so that, at long last, patrons in wheelchairs and walkers could have access to the entire upper floor of the School of Arts. The new space will allow for exhibitions, workshops and community gatherings of all kinds. But how to proceed?

Just like 110 years ago, the community provided.

After decades of running a successful Sydney architectural practice and working with the likes of Harry Seidler, architect Tim Antiohos and his wife Kim settled in Wombarra. Kim became a member of the CSA. When the idea of completing the rear hall came up, Kim and Tim approached the committee, offering to carry out the entire design work pro bono. Tim says the reason for their offer is simple. Back in the 70s when he was desperate to study architecture but couldn’t afford to go to university, Gough Whitlam came to power and abolished university fees. Tim says that act changed his life and ever since he has looked for ways to give back to the community to repay the Whitlam Government’s generosity.

Tim’s plans show an elegant pavilion featuring Australian hardwoods and local stone. The roof appears to float on pointed, cruciform steel columns which, he says, reflect the history of steel-making in the Illawarra. Large glass doors open out onto a broad deck with sweeping views to the ocean and escarpment. Tim explains that his design embodies the geometry and “golden mean” proportions of the heritage building.

With the plans going through the development application process, the Clifton School of Arts committee is now turning its attention to fundraising opportunities.

Clifton has become a vibrant precinct in recent years. The Sea Cliff Bridge and the re-opening of the Imperial Hotel mean that an increasing number of visitors are being drawn to our spectacular part of the world. All the more important then that community-based, not-for-profit organisations like the Clifton School of Arts continue to serve the local area. By continuing to adapt to the changing needs of our community we intend to keep our doors open for at least another 110 years. 2508 For more information or to become a volunteer or member, visit www.artsclifton.org

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May

27

Ceoavtuerre f

Fire mums ready

for hard slog

By Iris Huizinga

With a growing number of female firefighters, the Helensburgh Rural Volunteer Fire Brigade has expanded the women’s locker room with an eye on the future.

In 1993 when local mum Karen joined, there were no active firefighting female volunteers in the

28 May

Helensburgh Brigade. Now, almost 30 years later, she has nine active female colleagues who respond to their pagers and jump on the fire truck. Most do it for fun, community and friendship.

Here’s what Kathleen and Karen have to say about being mums and firefighters.

In the locker room, from left to right: Iris Huizinga, Kallie Rayner, Megan Robertson, Louise Andrews, Kathleen West, Annette Gribbin, Brianna Robertson, and Karen Elward. At right: Karen Elward. Below: Mum and daughter fireys Brianna and Megan Robertson. Photos: Helensburgh RFS & Iris Huizinga

Karen Elward I was 16 when I joined, but I wasn’t active. Back then, there were no female firefighters active.

Women used to cater: they did food and stuff when there was an incident. That’s what I did initially too.

After the big fires in 1993-1994, the Senior Deputy Captain asked the guys in the brigade if they had a problem with a female joining the brigade. They said: “We don’t care as long as she can do what we can do.”

At first, it was pretty clear at times that some people preferred you not to be there as a female.

You had no privacy to get changed back then, you just got changed with everyone else. I got stuck in a little corner with no lights to get dressed in. It was awkward. You were shoved to the side, being the only female. But, other than that, I never really felt awkward as such.

I’m one of four girls and I was the one that always would try and give something else a go.

Joining the rural fire brigade is one the best things I’ve ever done. I have met some of the best people.

My best friends are all in the brigade, that’s how we’ve become friends. You bond and become a

family with the people that you meet because, at the end of the day, you are trusting each other with your lives. It’s someone you can rely on and they are always going to have your back. It’s just great bonding. Males and females: to me it doesn’t matter. To the younger ones I’m like an auntie or a mum to most of them. The rest of them are just your mates.

At the Helensburgh Brigade we always seem to have fun together. Like, for instance, during the hazard reduction yesterday [Saturday, 24 April]: you do the hard slog, but you have fun doing it. At 8am I was up at the station, home about 6.20pm.

We worked hard all day, but it was a good day. We still had fun.

In summer when I know there are going to be days of particularly high fire danger, I prepare meals early in the morning, so that the dinner is cooked and in the fridge. This in case we do get a call-out and I’m out for a long period of time. That way, the kids and my husband can come home and there’s dinner done and things like that.

During the 2019/2020 fire season, when I went away on a short notice for five days, I had my sister May

29

cook meals for the kids and my husband.

[From] before the kids were born we had pagers in the house. It’s like we have a cuckoo’s clock. The kids don’t pay attention to the cuckoo calls on the cuckoo clock anymore. My husband hears it, but he just rolls over and goes back to sleep. It’s just a noise they have learnt to switch out.

There are a lot of women in the Illawarra. Darkes Forest, Albion Park, Dapto: they all have a lot of women. Women now are probably made to feel more welcomed than they ever were, because we have more female firefighters. No one has to feel insecure or anything about being here. They’ll sort of blend in, because they are not the only one.

Whereas early on, when there were hardly any women … you probably feel a bit lonely, being the only female. I don’t have a problem getting out there and being the only girl on a crew anymore.

That does not worry me in the least.

I think it’s great that more girls are interested and want to get out there and have a go. We have heard so many times: we’ll take you on our crew any day. They know we work. I think sometimes we work harder than the boys to make sure that they realise we can do this stuff.

Kathleen West Kathleen (pictured above) has been with the brigade 11 years. She says: I’ve always liked doing community service and have always done volunteer work for schools and other organisations. After seeing what Aaron, my son, was doing, I thought: ‘I’d like to do that for myself.’

My son joined when he was 16. I asked him if he would mind if I joined. He was fine with it. When I had the interview they were joking that Aaron, an officer by then, would be telling me what to do.

That was absolutely fine by me: as with any officer, you follow directions. He sometimes says “Kathleen”, sometimes “Mum”.

It’s really nice, we are very lucky in our brigade, all the people in it are great. I’ve made some good friendships.

Rather than the brigade being all male dominated, when it is more mixed it brings another dimension.

Last bushfire season I went away on a strike team. Work gave me emergency leave. I’ve never had an issue with getting time off from work for fighting bushfires.

It’s really rewarding, you meet great people and we’re just very fortunate with the Helensburgh Brigade, it is such a good brigade. Most people respect each other. It’s hard to put into words sometimes, I think we have a good group of people up here. 2508 Follow @nswrfshelensburgh on Facebook

30 May

Teachers Connect To Country

By Helensburgh Public School’s Belinda Partridge

Personalised Learning Pathway ‘Eat & Greet’ Last term, our school hosted an ‘Eat & Greet’ for our Aboriginal families to develop Personalised Learning Pathways (PLPs). Personalised Learning Pathways are an effective tool for increasing learning and engagement and are developed in consultation with students, parents/carers and teachers. Riley McElhone, from the Northern Illawarra AECG, attended spoke about the importance of goal setting and how PLPs helped her achieve success at school. We look forward to continuing this close partnership with our Aboriginal families throughout the year.​

With Uncle Dean Kelly.

Helensburgh Public School Term 2 Staff Development Day As part of our school evaluation process, Helensburgh Public School developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and at our staff development day, all 28 teachers had a unique and inspiring experience of participating in the ‘Connecting to Country’ professional learning at the Royal National Park.

Uncle Dean Kelly, Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer for National Parks and Wildlife Service, was very knowledgeable, wise and engaging. He helped teachers build stronger insights into Aboriginal culture, history and social experience.

There were many highlights, but one in particular was when Uncle Dean performed a traditional healing ceremony.

Teachers sat in a circle inside a cave where Aboriginal families had ate and slept many years ago. During this intimate and spiritual experience, Uncle Dean helped teachers to reflect upon healing the sick, less fortunate and how they can do their part to conserve nature.

All of the teaching staff came away motivated to continue their awareness of Aboriginal culture and improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal students. Our school is very fortunate Uncle Dean Kelly has accepted an invitation to share his knowledge with students during this year. 2508

New time for VIEW meetings

By Barb Kitson, VIEW Publicity Officer

Happy Easter ladies, hope everyone had a lovely Easter break. Well, we are back to our monthly meetings at last. Our zone, Kiama to Helensburgh, has decided it is time we restarted our meetings.

We will change our time to meet at the Tradies, 3rd Tuesday at 10am for a 10.30 start, order coffee etc at coffee shop as soon as you arrive, and it will arrive at the table by 10.30. Our table will be in the club dining area at the back of the children’s play area. Some ladies stay and have lunch at the club.

Some of our members were away on an outback road trip during our April meeting. They were with the Seniors Club. Part of the itinerary was Dubbo, nice; Wilcannia, mmm, different, not nice; Whitecliffs, very interesting, dusty, dry, underground living, oh, also UFOs; and Broken Hill, mining town, pubs, art gallery, special, also

dusty and dry. Oh, did I say pubs, wonder if they used a ‘long drop’. Hope you have a lot of stories to tell when you come home.

I suppose you have all seen the Smith Family’s “Learning for Life” ads on TV, they have been pushing it hard, to try to get more sponsors for disadvantaged children and their families.

Our club financially supports this great organisation. This great southern land gives us so much, we are certainly in the lucky country but some families live hard and need help and so don’t count themselves as ‘lucky’ and can’t see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

If you would like to help, please join us at our next meeting, ring Lyn 4294 1815.

Okay, ladies this old girl will see you at our birthday, Tuesday 20th, bye now. 2508 May

31

Tuberous Sclerosis Australia founder Lynn Wilson. Photo supplied

‘A true inspiration’

Kate Garrard, of Tuberous Sclerosis Australia, shares the story of the organisation’s founder, Lynn Wilson.

Lynn Wilson has lived in the Illawarra for almost 70 years and is the founder of the Australasian Tuberous Sclerosis Society – now known as Tuberous Sclerosis Australia (TSA). Back in 1981, Lynn set up the organisation because she, “just wanted to make sure another family didn’t go through what she had been through.”

As TSA marks its 40th anniversary, we look back at how far the organisation has come and how Lynn’s vision, determination and dedication has helped hundreds or even thousands of families living with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC).

When Lynn was diagnosed most doctors in Australia had not heard of Tuberous Sclerosis and families were instructed to write to doctors in England to get information on this rare disease.

Lynn’s vision and hard work changed all that.

Families now have access to peer support programs, accurate and up-to-date medical information on TSA’s website, a dedicated free telehealth nurse service.

This is Lynn’s story.

Lynn Wilson cannot remember a time when she didn’t have facial angiofibromas. At school, as both a child and a teenager, she always felt very self-conscious of her red and marked face. She recalls that she was tormented and called names by other children simply because she looked different.

Even her own aunt would always refer to her as, “Lynn with the terrible skin.” Lynn sought advice and help from a doctor, but was told that she simply had blood vessels that were too close to the skin and that nothing could be done about it.

As she got older, Lynn had fairly frequent

32 May

‘niggles’ with her kidneys, but having been X-rayed, she was told that there was nothing wrong with her and it was suggested that perhaps she needed to visit the psychiatric ward.

Lynn left school after Year 8 and married Andrew McKinnon on her 19th birthday. Her daughter Tracey was born on 1 September 1971.

Lynn soon observed differences and delays in Tracey’s development. Other family members, friends and even neighbours looked at her beautiful baby and told her, “there is nothing medically wrong with your child”. Lynn knows that they simply didn’t believe that Tracey had any issues. Some felt the problem was with Lynn and her ability to look after a child properly.

By the time Tracey was a few months old, it was evident she was experiencing epileptic seizures and the seizures worsened as time passed. Tracey was originally classed as ‘epileptic’.

Lynn continued to seek out medical help. Tests were done. Finally, in February 1973, both Lynn and Tracey were diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Lynn was 21 years old and Tracey was now 17 months old. The doctor told Lynn and Andrew that the only case he had ever seen of TSC was a man in America. Lynn and Tracey were the first cases he had diagnosed.

Lynn received very little support. It was a lonely and isolating time. Health professionals advised her not to have more children and performed a tubal ligation to block her fallopian tubes and prevent any further pregnancies. This resulted in many infections and a need for Lynn to take round after round of antibiotics. Two years on, just before her 23rd birthday, she had a full hysterectomy.

Despite wanting a big family, because of TSC, Lynn could also not adopt or foster children.

In those pre-internet days, Lynn and Andrew wanted to find out more about tuberous sclerosis and took themselves off to the Mitchell Library, part of the NSW State Library. A helpful librarian told them there were lots of books – all but one turned out to be books on tuberculosis! And the one book that did reference TSC, told them Tracey would not reach adulthood and Lynn herself would deteriorate to the level of a high-grade schizophrenic, become mute and die in her 30s.

Tracey’s TSC took a very different path to Lynn’s.

Tracey, has never achieved seizure control and she has severe behaviour and sleep issues. As a child there were times when Tracey would go for days or even weeks on end sleeping one hour in 24.

Because of this, escalating issues with epilepsy and behaviour and lack of support, Tracey was admitted into a private nursing home facility permanently when she was seven years old.

On a trip to a bookstore in Wollongong, Lynn found the name and address of the British TSC Association and got in touch with them. She recalls that, when she read the information from Britain, she felt as if she had won the lottery. It was clear that everything Tracey was experiencing was a part of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex – it wasn’t her imagination and it wasn’t because she was a bad mother. The British Association didn’t believe Tracey would be dead by the age of 16 or Lynn would deteriorate. Thankfully, they were right.

Lynn was determined that others should have

more support than she had and she says that’s what led her to set up the society. She started by writing to New Idea magazine, who printed her letter. As a result, 30 or so people who believed they or one of their family had TSC contacted Lynn.

Lynn devoted herself to helping these people, working long hours and always being available.

As a result of her efforts, Australia was the fourth country in the world to register a TSC charity, joining the UK, the USA and Holland. Lynn’s husband, mother-in-law both served as presidents.

Lynn served as secretary-treasurer for 19 years and was also on the committee after that. Other family members and friends served on the committee at times. Lynn deeply appreciates the unwavering support her husband gave for so many years.

At one time, Lynn personally wrote to every Federal Member of Parliament in Australia to get laser treatment for angiofibromas on the Medicare schedule of item numbers. She compiled a quarterly newsletter for 15 years. In the early days of TSA, she even crocheted items for raffle prizes.

Lynn is inordinately proud of how TSA has evolved and admits to being pretty astounded it now has a dedicated nurse Service, a website, education events, a magazine and newsletters. The organisation has, she proudly says, come “a very long way indeed!”

In 2000 Lynn was awarded an Order of Australia medal for service worthy of particular recognition.

TSA General Manager, Jackie Gambrell, says: “Thank you, Lynn Wilson. You are a true inspiration to us all.” 2508

May

33

Dawn Service returns

By Warwick Erwin

On a cold Sunday morning before dawn, about a quarter of the residents of 2508 gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day at the Dawn Service at the War Memorial in Charles Harper Park.

Helensburgh was able to again honour those who’ve served their country. Acknowledgement of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels (PNG), who have been represented in past years, is unique to the Helensburgh service. After the absence of a Dawn service last year due to Covid, it is encouraging to see the large number of younger residents attending the dawn service. The service ended with the presentation of the Helensburgh RSL SubBranch ANZAC awards, given to students from each of the four local primary schools who display the characteristics of the ANZAC spirit. 2508

Helensburgh Lions held an ANZAC Day Service at 10am at the Stanwell Tops Memorial Park. More than 80 residents attended. Tea, coffee and ANZAC biscuits were served.

New at the library

Calling over-50s 2508 reports

From May 3, Helensburgh Respiratory Clinic will start giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to all people over the age of 50.

In the 2508 district, and around the nation, the vaccine rollout has slowed due to concerns over blood-clotting cases linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Phase 1B rollout of Covid-19 vaccines began at Helensburgh Respiratory Clinic on March 24. The government-funded GP-led clinic was set to deliver 6400 vaccines a month but at press time on April 22 had vaccinated 3500 people.

“The vaccination clinic was really busy at the start but now a bit slow as most of the people over 70 are vaccinated – as well as the news of blood clot,” said Dr Cindy Htet, owner of Parkes St General Practice, which runs the clinic.

“Over 3500 people are vaccinated, out of which 2250 people are over-70s, 800 people are aged 50-69, 29 people are indigenous.” 2508

program starting 4th May, 10.30am, Youth Centre.

Eventbrite bookings essential. Fun with songs, rhymes and music to support your baby’s auditory NEW! Lego club Suitable for children aged 5 to 12 perception and develop their future vocabulary. years. First Tuesday of Each Month. Starting 4th Knitting and Crochet group Fri 7th. 10.30-12.30pm.

May 3.30pm. Helensburgh Youth Centre.

All welcome. Youth Centre.

Eventbrite bookings essential.

COMIC GONG Marvel Murder Mystery For older teens Preschool Storytime Friday 14th and 28th. 10.30am. and adults. Thurs 13th, 6-8pm. An Infinity stone Helensburgh Youth Centre. Eventbrite Bookings has been stolen from Odin’s vault and there are two Essential. dead bodies. In teams of two or three, you will aid SPECIAL National Simulations Storytime Wed 19th May. Brunnhilde, captain of Asguard’s elite guard, track 10.30am. Youth Centre. Eventbrite bookings down the stone and solve these murders by essential. For preschool aged children. Every year a completing tasks and solving puzzles to earn clues. picture book, written and illustrated by an Doors will open at 5.45 for drinks and nibbles.

Australian author and illustrator, is read Costumes encouraged. Helensburgh Youth Centre. simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, Eventbrite bookings essential. childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and Author Talk: ‘Shack Life’ by Ingeborg Van Teeseling many other places around the country. This year Tue 11th, 5.30pm. Shack Life tells the story of three we will be reading Give me some space! by Phillip small beachside communities in the Royal National Bunting. We will also be playing some games, Park south of Sydney and how their residents singing some songs, and having a fantastic time! fought to save their beloved shacks. Youth Centre.

NEW! Baby Beats From birth to 12mths. 6-week Eventbrite bookings essential. 2508

34 May

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38 May

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42 May

Olympic prep and Kai improves

By Saya Sakakibara

Because the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was postponed to 2021, I am once again in an Olympic year. There are still a lot of unknowns but it seems as though all the stars are pointing to the fact that the Olympic Games will go ahead this year in July, one way or another. Either way, I’m acting and preparing as if I am going – even though I am not officially selected into the team yet.

In preparation for Olympics, I packed up and moved to the Gold Coast to have access to support staff, as well as being close to an Olympic-standard BMX track, and a better overall training environment.

Then I spent five weeks in France training with the French team, mainly to get some competition experience and a change of scenery, which I was able to get.

The trip away was beneficial for me, but I am so ready to get back into normal routine again on the Gold Coast and knuckle down for these last three

months of training in the lead-up to the Olympics.

This time away from home does mean that I’m watching Kai’s progress from a bit of a distance.

In February this year, it was one year since his accident and it has been crazy to look back at how much Kai has improved and the milestones he has achieved. He recently achieved a major milestone: he was able to get back on his race bike and go for a pedal!

Aside from his regular rehabilitation activities, Kai is enjoying learning to play golf, getting stronger in his strength and conditioning sessions, and socialising with friends every week.

In my opinion Kai has found an appreciation for other areas of his life now that BMX isn’t taking up 100% of his time.

Over one year down and Kai still continues to get better. It is inspiring to see and keeps me motivated to keep striving for the top. We are on different paths now, but we are still a team! 2508

Kai (at left) back on the bike, and Saya takes a quick break from training.

May

43

High-performance surfing at Sharkies Rights

By Scarborough Boardrider Ian Pepper

Kasey Hargreaves won the cash prize.

Pointscore no.4 on 18 April was a full day with finals run in most divisions. The swell had been dropping from solid conditions the week prior, but there were still enough waves around to keep

Hello Fish

With Duncan Leadbitter at Flagstaff Point Underneath Wollongong’s iconic lighthouse (well, one of them) is Flagstaff Point. Compared to Bass Point or Hill 60 it is a moderately sized headland that offers some good snorkelling and diving, with options on the northern and southern sides depending on weather and swell.

In this article we explore the south side via scuba but there is lots to see on snorkel. There is plenty of parking and paths down to the rock platform are well formed. The best entry/exit point is marked on the video (see QR code at right). As always, take note of tide and swell. There is always a bail out option of a swim to the beach but there can be a strong current heading out to sea along the rocks, especially if the swell picks up.

There is a lot of habitat structure at Flagstaff Point. By this I mean that there is a diversity of habitats such as boulders, overhangs, some sandy areas (note the flathead and the ray in the video) and a vertical wall at the eastern end. This mix provides shelter for some animals and the exposed areas favour others. The mix helps contribute to a diversity of species including some thick colonies of red and green zoanthids (similar to anenomes)

44 May

nearly everybody satisfied at Sharkies Rights.

There was some high-performance surfing all round from Macey Jolley, who took out the Junior Girls final with a 12.57 total; Mannix Squiers who won the 18 Boys with 15.23; and Brett Davis, who notched another win in the Over 55s with a total 15.03 points.

The Open Women’s saw a return of Kasey Hargreaves, who had to fight off a very hungry Anna Chamberlain for a win, with Talina Wilson coming third.

The Open A-Grade saw a top line-up after some firing semi-finals, but as darkness fell the waves started to get sleepy. Fin McLaren struck early picking up a 6.5 and a 7.5 hitting a series of sections all the way to the beach.

Will Clarke, surfing with a heavy taped ankle all day, kept up the pace with 2nd, while Nic Squiers managed to land the only air in the As – scoring at perfect 10 in the semi-final! – but this wasn’t enough to secure the win and he came away with a third.

Next pointscore is 30 May and watch out for other local events over the next month with the Werri Slash 1st May and Junior Regional Surfing Titles 8th May. 2508 Follow @scarboroughboardriders on Instagram

on the walls and caves for cuttlefish and fish like juvenile bullseyes to hide. I was drawn the habitat issue after a snorkel earlier in the week off Coledale rockpool where, at least where I looked, the seabed is flat rock with little or no habitat structure, and very few species of fish.

Flagstaff Point also attracts ocean predators like kingfish, which come in to hunt small fish like the yellowtail that star at the beginning of the video.

The flathead are also hunters as is the cave dwelling wirrah cod, a moderately sized predator on other fish. Everyone is on the look out for food! 2508 Click on the QR code to be taken to the video stored on Illawarra Underwater

First patrol and paddle ‘lots of fun’

By Coalcliff SLSC member Holly Wilson, who recently completed her Surf Rescue Certificate

Our first patrol was lots of fun, and I am very lucky to have a great group of friends to do it with – after we had all just completed our Surf Rescue Certificate with Dave Winner – and a fantastic surf club to guide us.

We watched the beach and also went for a few walks to check things like if the lifebuoy was still where it was supposed to be.

The Rod Stevens Memorial Paddle was also a lot of fun. I entered it with a few friends. When asked if we wanted to take part in the Paddle we were all a bit hesitant but in the end we decided to give it a go and just did it for fun to see how far we could get.

I enjoyed that there was no pressure to go the full way, as long as you tried your hardest. We went out about half-way, and they were nice enough to bring the buoy back in after the competitors went around it, so we could claim we went around the buoy too – it was quite funny.

Overall our first patrol was great, and the paddle was a lot of fun. I would recommend it to anyone whether they want to race or just have fun. 2508

The annual Rod Stevens Memorial Paddle on March 28 took paddlers from Coalcliff Beach to the southern end of Sea Cliff Bridge and back. All photos: Damian Lloyd, Sea Salt Studios

May

45

2305 Time 0.70

m

2154 Time 0.711910 m 1.59

2347 Time 0.461943 1835m 1.79 m 1 Time

0022 0032 0.63 1.50 0.28 0402 0523 1.440224 1.570125 0636 0.45 0 0.49 0.54 1.730.35 0058 221.580539 7 0512 22 1039 125 16 10 1 0556 16 10 1134 0.400814 0605 1.32 1140 0.47 1.30 0.380718 1245 1.237 1124 1.197 1159 0742 0.39 1.43 0654 1

1810 1.85 1200 0.54 1.44 0.63 1.501317 0.74 0.73 1353 1.26 0.49 1254 0.33 0 MO WE FR 1800 TU SA 1702 TU TU WE 1802 SA 1721 SU 1636 MO TH 1342 1833 1909 1.63 2359 2355 0.64 1.82 2300 2310 0.601942 1.65 1.65 0.771.91 1922 2017 1

0105 0132 0.56 1.48 0.34 0501 0612 1.590203 0.340302 0025 1.63 0 0.52 0.50 1.610.26 0154 8 0558 231.540049 23 1124 17 11 17 11 226 2 0702 0649 1.30 1215 0.47 1.23 0.340757 0641 1.420855 0726 0.448 1215 1.178 0836 0.45 1307 1 0751 1.39

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES Port Kembla Tidal Chart

1233 0.55 1.52 0.72 1.65 1224 0.41 1.27TH 0.78TU 1453 1.29 0 1340 0.37 0.51 SA 1836 SU 1748 WE TH 1342 MO 1722 WEWE SU 1821 TU 1346 FR 1417 1908 2018 1.69 1900 1905 1.952053 0.75 1 23572013 1.61 1.69 0.792.00 2010

LAT 34° 29ʼ S

2021 9 3May 24 18 12

TIME Time

1 0556 1159

SA 1721 2355

LONG 150° 55ʼ E

0145 0.51 0147 0121 0.240341 0044Times 0.59 1.72 0000 0705 0.47of 0.53 0233 1.510.20 0056 1.57 0 0250 0241 0.47 and Heights High and Low Waters 0731 0925 1.29 0740 0816 1.400937 0639 0811 1.45 0.40 0558 1313 1.600835 1.16 1.36 0.491.47 0.43 1 0848 1307 0.57 1315 0.44 1247 0.47 1.21 0.321416 MAY 1819 0.81 1547 1.34 1438 1.35FR 0 1428 0.43 0.55 WE TH SUTIME MO 1209 TUJUNE TH TH MO 1421 FRJULY SA 1455 WE M M TIME M TIME M 1943 1.74 1952 2.022130 1.59 0.78 0.78 0.73 2100 2.04 Time1.72 m 2129 Time1 Time 1910 m 1930 Time m 2015 Time1835 m 1.792045 m 0.350319 0224 0.46 0243 0.180421 0.54 1.63 1.43 1.53 1.56 0347 0.18 06360.45 0.45 0333 00030 0523 0125 0.49 0203 0.28 00320058 1.730051 0053 1.550224 1.580915 1.43 0.44 0814 1.28 0838 1.371019 0.52 0.51 0.41 0947 1.41 1124 0718 1.19 0915 12451.32 1.23 1009 06481 1.30 07420654 0.390802 0745 0.470906 0.33 0.49 1342 0.60 1407 0.47 1.19 1635 1.45 1535 0 1447 0.59 1517 0.50 0.73 1802 0.74 1307 0.63 SU 1636 1353 1.261416 1403 1.311533 MO 1317 TU 1254 TH FR SA WE FR FR TU 1531 SA SU THWE TU1.23 TH1.41 FR 1.912117 1.65 0.79 2017 2235 1.77 2044 2.052209 0.82 1.74 0.75 0.67 2150 2.03 2310 1942 1.65 2047 18481 1.82 19091922 0.771928 1939 0.762130

16 10 4

9 327 24 18 12

9

125 19 1316 10 428 125 19 1316 10

2 0702 1307

0.50 1.56 0.260358 0.43 0337 0.160503 1.38 1.49 1.54 0445 0.20 00250.45 1.63 0429 0.52 0314 01320154 1.610153 0145 1.420330 00570 11 0203 111.280302 26 111 26 529 5 1012 20 20 14 14 17 0612 17 2 17 0757 1.3920.46 1.54 0855 1.26 0935 1.35 1048 0.52 0956 0.40 0859 0.49 1104 0955 1047 1.34 1215 1.17 08360751 0.45 0829 0.52 0735 0726 0.44 1346 1630 0.51 1.29 1340 1518 0.37 1.26 1417 1718 0.62 1.48 1500 1627 0.51 1.58

3 0056 0811

0.47 1.52 0.200439 0.42 0430 0.190548 1.34 1.46 1.55 0545 0.25 0.53 0417 02330250 1.510300 01210.47 1.57 0519 0242 1.320435 01580 27 121.230341 27 121 12 0241 630 21 6 1100 21 15 15 18 0705 18 3 18 0835 1.3630.46 1.47 0937 1.25 1030 1.32 1125 0.53 1045 0.39 0951 0.44 1153 1038 1148 1.29 1313 1.16 09250848 0.49 0816 0.43 0911 0.55 0826 1416 1718 0.55 1.36 1428 1613 0.43 1.37 1455 1758 0.64 1.56 1553 1718 0.55 1.72

4 0203 0915

0.45 1.50 0.18 1.57 0.42 0522 0.24 1.44 0.63 0644 0.32 1.56 0512 03330347 1.430402 0341 1.250539 0308 0224 0421 1.53 0022 13 0319 28 13 1019 28 13 731 22 7 1140 22 19 0051 4 19 19 0915 1.3240.47 1.41 1.23 1124 1.30 0605 1.32 0.40 0.38 1250 1.26 0802 0.52 10090947 0.511039 0953 0.571134 0919 0906 0.41 1447 1800 0.59 1.44 1517 1702 0.50 1.50 1535 1200 0.67 0.54 1646 1810 0.61 1.85

5 0314 1012

0.43 0.56 0.32 0.34 0.45 1.48 0.20 1.59 04290445 1.380501 04400612 1.210049 0421 0330 0503 1.49 0105 1.54 0558 29 14 29 14 14 0358 8 8 23 23 20 20 0153 1104 1.2251.30 1.29 0955 1.2850.47 1.34 ©20 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 0.34 0649 1215 0641 1.42 10481047 0.521124 10351217 0.58 1015 0956 0.40 0859 0.49 PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES 1619 1233 0.69 0.55 1740 0.66 0.41 1520 0.63 1.52 1610 1748 0.58 1.65 1836 1224

0.34 1.23 SU 1821 0.72 1.72 0.40 MO 1421 1.21 1930 0.78 1.63 0.44 TU 1531 1.23 2047 0.79 1.56 0.46 WE 1630 1.29 2201 0.76 0417 1100 TH 1718 2305

6

1.52 0.46 1.36 0.70 Time

1619 0 1520 0.63 0.58SU 1.29 FRTH 1.35MOSA 1401 1342 1.27 TU 0.78 WE TH FR SA SU SA SA 1610 WE MO 1722 WE 1453 FR 1455 1.69 0.76 2.002152 2053 1.79 2134 2.022250 0.69 0.57 0.78 2242 1.96 2357 2013 1.61 2201 20182010 0.792043 2047 0.782241 19581 19051.73 0.75 2332

1707 0 1556 0.68 0.66MO 1.34 SAFR 1438 1.35 1.41 TUSU 1459 WE 0.81 TH FR SA SU MO SU SU 1704 TH TU 1819 TH 1547 SA 1545 2045 2305 1.72 0.70 2.042230 2130 2225 1.942335 0.46 0.71 23362158 1.86 21292100 0.782154 0.762347 21151 20151.70 0.73 1.78

0.72TU 1.41 SA 1533 1.47 MO 1558 TH 1.19 FR SA SU 1.45 MO TU FR MOMO 1804 WE 1416 FR 1635 SU 1632 1.74 0.64 2.03 0.60 1.76 1.63 1928 2117 0.82 2359 22352150 0.752300 23032314 0.70 1.83 2232 2130 2209 0.67 1833

1.48 Datum 1.54 Astronom 1.58 MO TULowest WE FR 1.26 SA SU TU SA WE SA 1718 MO 1717 TU 1656 SU 1627 TH 1518 of Predictions is 1.72 1.69 2242 0.69 0.631900 1.95 2344 0.57 1908 2043 2152 0.78 1.73 2332 LAT 34° 1.96 29ʼ S2241 2250 LONG 150°2358 55ʼ E

0300 0951 MAY 1613 SA FR m 2154

Times are in local standard time (UTC +

0548 0.44 Low 0003 1.69 0.24 0439 0.47Times 0.25 0.47 0145 0.51 0.59 05190545 1.340000 0435 1.46 0536Waters 1.200147 0531 1.55 0044 and Heights of High and New Moon Phase Symbols 1.21 1.29 0.40 Moon 1038 1.23 1.45 1.29 1.60 1.40 11251148 0.530558 1045 1153 0.39 0731 11160700 0.590740 1111 0.44 0639 JUNE JULY 0.72 1.29 1556 0.68 0.66 0.32 0.44 1758 1.561209 1718 1.72 1759 1.611315 1753 1.37 TU 1707 WE 1311 TH SU 1704 WE 1307 TH SU 1247 MO SU0.47 MO TU0.57 WE 2230 1.70 2335 1.68 0.72 1.86 2347 Time 0.46 1943 0.71 1910 m 1.74 1837 Time1952 m 2.02 Time m 1.59 2336 Time1835 m 1.79

21 15 9

630 24 21 15 9

630 24 21 15

0.32 0.45 0.46 0.49 0.54 0032 1.730.35 1.550.18 00220644 0.630058 0539 0636 1.44 0224 0045 0053 0.550243 0045 1.50 0.28 0402 0523 1.57 0125 31 125 16 11250 16 1245 1 0556 16 1124 10 25 10 22 22 7 0512 1.26 1.2371.28 1.1971.43 1159 1.30 1039 0742 0.391.58 0745 0.471.37 0605 1.320654 1134 0.40 0814 0626 1.200838 0636 1140 0.47 22 0.38 0718 0.72 0.74 0.60 14031407 1636 1317 0.73 0.49 1804 1721 0.63 13531254 1.260.33 1802 1342 1.310.47

0.54 TU 1810 0.59 TH 1207 MO TH FR FR TU TU WE 1.85 SA 1.44 SA 1702 SU 1.50 MO TH MO 1200 WE 1157 FR 1800 1.65 1.65 0.771.91 0.762.05 2017 1.77 1833 1909 1.631922 1838 1939 1.672044 1847 2359 2355 0.64 1.82 2300 2310 0.60 1942

0.52 0.50 1.63 0.43 1.610.26 1.420.16 0105 0132 0.560154 0127 0145 0.480337 0141 1.48 0.34 0501 0612 0049 0025 0.34 0302 1.59 0203 17 17 2 0702 226 2Bureau 17 11 11 26 © Copyright of Australia 2020, of Meteo 8 23 8 0558 23 1215 1.178Commonwealth 0726 0.44 1307 1.23 1124 0836 0.451.54 0829 0.52 1.39 1.26 1.35 0649 1.300751 0712 1.220935 0733 1215 0.47 23 0641 1.42 0855 0.34 0757 1722 1346 0.78 0.51 14531340 1.27 0.62 14551500 1821 0.72 1.290.37 1342 1417 1.350.51

SU 1.52 SA 1836 0044 0639 MO SU 1247 1910

9 3

0056 0.59 0811 1.45 1421 0.47 1930 1.59

0.55 0.59 FR 1301 0.41 1.65 MO TH WE WE FR SA SA TU of Predictions FR TU 1233 TH 1237 WE 1224 SU 1748 Datum is Lowest Astronomical Tide TIMES 2357 2013 1.61 1.69 0.75 AND 0.792.00 0.782.02 1.79 1908 2018 1.692010 1916 2047 1.732134 1940 1900 1905 1.95 2053

1.72 0.40 1.21 MO 0.78

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savin HEIGHTS OF HIGH 0242 1.320.19 0.430430 0232 First Qua 0911 0.551.32 1.231030 0827

0705 0.53 0.47 1.510.20 1.57 0341 0.42 0241 0145 0233 0.510250 0205 0147 0.24 0000 0.47Phase AND LOW WATERS New0121 Moon Moon Symbols 1.16 1.36 0.491.47 0.43 0731 0925 1.290848 0754 0740 0816 1.40 0937 0558 1313 1.60 0835 LAT 3401.25 29’ 01316 0.81 1.34 1.35 1455 1307 0.571428 1315 0.44 1209 0.32 TU 1819 TH 1547 FR 1438 SA LONG WE 1416 TH WE0.55 FR TH0.43 1500.64 55’SA 0.782.04 0.73 1.78 1943 2129 1.742100 1955 1952 2015 2.02 2130 1835 1.79 2045 1.72

24 18 12

9 327 24 18 12

18 9 327 24 15451553 1.410.55

0.59 SA 1355 SU SU 2158 0.761.94 1.772225 2030

1.56 0.45 1.430.18 1.250.24 1.53 0.42 0.54 1.63 0058 0051 0.35 0319 0320 0224 0333 0.460347 0243 0224 0.18 0421 0244 0341 0.390522 19 13 428 428 19 19 13 10 01254 0203 25 25 10 25 10 1416 1447 1.19 0.59 16351517 1.410.50 1533 1535 1.470.61 1531 1.23 1.45 0.67 16321646

0802 0.52 1009 0.571.30 0.44 0654 0.41 1.23 1.32 1.41 MOON0718 PHASE0915 SYMBOLS New Moon First Quarter 0.51 Full Moon 1.37 Last1019 Quarter 1.43 1.58 0915 0916 0814 1.280947 0838 0906 0835 0953 1.241124

1317 0.49 TU 1254 0.33 1342 0.60of Predictions 0.47 1357 0.58 SU 1445 WE2020, FR Datum SU MO MO TU SA SU TH FR ©MO Copyright Commonwealth of Australia Bureau ofTH Meteorology. is Lowest Astronomical FR 1407 SA Tide.

0.82 0.75in2.03 0.701.83 2047 0.79 2130 0.67 Times are1942 in local standard (UTC1922 +10:00)1928 or daylight savings1.74 time (UTC2235 +11:00) when effect.

Bureau of Meteorology 2209 1.76 2117 2150 1.65 time 1.91 2117 2017 1.77 2044 The 2.05 2032 2303 1.802314 gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, of the information or that the information will be1.38 fit for0.20 any particular purpose or will not 0429 0330 1.49 0440 1.210.32 0314 1.56 0154 0153 1.54 0503 0.43 0.45 0445 0203 quality 0.50or reliability 0302 0.43 0337 0.16 0321 0.360612 0406 0.26 0358 infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights.

The Bureau’s for any loss, damage, cost or expense use of, 1048 0.521.34 0956 resulting 0.40 from 0.581.29 0859 0.49 liability 1104 1.22 0955 1.28 1047 0757 1012 1.39 0.46 0751 0855 1.26 0915 1035 1.251217 1004 1.54 or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded. 0935 1.35

20 14 11 529 26 20 14 11 529 26 20 11 5 1630 26 1.480.58 1627 1619 1.58 0.69 17171740 1.540.66 1.29 1518 1520 1.26 0.63 17181610

0.62 SA 1500 0.58 MO 1535 SA SA SU 0.51 MO TU TU WE 0.51 WE 1340 TH 0.37 MO FR TU 1346 FR 1417 SU 1437 0.691.96 0.57 1.72 0.78 1.73 2013 2201 1.69 0.76 2010 2043 2053 2332 1.792242 2134 2241 2.02 2250 2112 2358 1.81 0.63 2203 2.00 2152

1.340.25 1.201.69 1.46 0.44 1.55 0.47 0341 0519 0.420545 0430 0435 0.19 0548 0400 0536 0.340003 0449 0.47 1.52 0250 0300 0.20 0439 630 630 21 21 1045 21 0951 15 15 12 27 12 27 12 08356 0417 1125 0.531.29 1116 0.590.40 0.39 1100 0.46 0848 0.44 1.21 1.23 0937 1.251148 1030 1.32 1153 0957 1.250700 1050 1.36 27 1.47 1038 1.560.66 1718 1707 1.611.29 1.72 0.72 17591311 1718 1.36 1613 1556 1.37 0.68 17581704

46 May 0241

0.64 SU 1553 0.58 TU 1624 SU SU TU WE WE MO 0.55 TH 0.55 TH 1428 FR 0.43 TU SA SA 1455 MO 1520 WE 1416 0.46 1.68 0.71 1.70 2130 1.782336 1.86 2225 2347 1.94 2335 2151 1.801837 0.72 2246 2045 2305 1.72 0.70 2100 2154 2.04 2230 0512 1.50

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0045 0.55

Golf news

Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports

April 11th, saw everyone playing stableford for the “Burgh Bowl’’, along with the 1st round of HSSGC match play for 2021.

Members, obviously buoyant from their coverage in this fabulous magazine, were joined by Tradies Social Golf Steve Burns and Tod Skevington, who, on seeing Barry Thompson reports our story, decided to come aboard.

Despite a breeze, Mark O’Connor finished with Back from a long lay-off and straight onto the 32 points to take home first prize from Luke winner’s podium with 39 points. Well done, Jack Hatcher (31), with Chris Emmett (29) rounding off Hardacre – and he took off the A grade longest the top three. Match play had Greg Herbert 5&2 drive as well! The ever-consistent Ron Easton over Kevin Brown, Peter Gardner 5 up from Dave cobbled a 38 for second and John Towns came in Flewin, Tony English 3&2 ahead of Craig Nicoll, third with 35. It was also good to see Bill Dodd Jose Hernandez nudging out Mark Buckley in an back and still able to whack a straight ball. even match, Rob Jones 5&4 against Rob Brooks, Winners in the first round of match play were: Chris Emmett 5&4 from Ross Fragerstrom, Bruce Rod, Bill, Paul and Dave. Presso Terry and Jerry Gersback 2 up over Phil Wilson, Daniel Gersback Reilly drew and opted for a coin toss. Terry won, 3&2 over Darren Arthur, Mark O’Connor 4&3 held but there is no proof of the suggestion that he Tim Lowe at bay, and Luke Hatcher 2 up, held on provided dodgy pennies.

Thanks again to Tradies, Helensburgh Butchery, to defeat Blake O’Connor.

On the fairways, newcomer Steve Burns has Gallardo’s Pizzeria and Helensburgh Driving Range shown his intention to be among the low for their continued support. Craig won the Range voucher and will put it to good use. Saw a lot of tots handicappers, whilst Mark O’Connor demonstrated his class along with his match play enjoying the Putt Putt during the holidays … performance and win overall. future members of our club?

Contact Tony on 0418 863 100 for membership Full results of what was an enjoyable tournament information and secure your spot on game day, will be posted on our Facebook page.

Our next Boomerang outing is on Saturday, May where new players are always welcome.

Keep an eye on our reports here in 2508 and via 15th. We tee off at 7am … the gloves are off! This is emails to members. Thanks to our sponsors the first round of the club championships.

Christian’s Premium Meats and the Helensburgh Musing: Why are my playing partners issued Golf Range and other local businesses that support with compasses? the local community. Our next events are on May If you enjoy golf and would like to join us, ring 2nd, June 6th and July 6th.

Mick Carroll on 0414 734 353 for details. 2508 Indy signing off: What is a golfer’s favourite bird? Any birdie will do. 2508

HELENSBURGH POST OFFICE

Helensburgh Car Services

4294 2930 Tune & Service • E Safety Checks All Makes & Models LPG Rego Checks • Blue Slips Licence no. MVRL 17877

INK AND TONER SUPPLIES IN-STORE OR BY ORDER

Child Restraints Fitted

4294 1008

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47