JANUARY 2024

THE ILLAWARRA

January 2024

Keeping community news alive

Folk heroes Volunteers bring music festival back to Bulli Showground

F r e e t o 1 1 , 0 0 0 l e t t e r b oxe s / www.thei llawarraflame.com.au

Meet Our Contributors Brian Kelly first stepped into the

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

He deems it a pleasure to get back into grassroots stories, dipping a literal toe in the waters of sea pools and a metaphoric one into local theatre or playing bass in a rock band when possible.

Elizabeth Heffernan is the Media and Event Coordinator for the South Coast Writers Centre.

She is an Australian cultural historian specialising in World War I and a member of the Professional Historians Association (NSW & ACT). She is currently studying her Master of Creative Writing at Macquarie University.

Kieran Tapsell was born in 1945 and spent his childhood in Cronulla. He was a solicitor at Kirrawee from 1973 to 2013. He came to live in Stanwell Park in 1972 and started learning Spanish in 1998. He is the author of Potiphar’s Wife: The Vatican’s Secret and Child Sexual Abuse (2014) and of Tales Old and New from Stanwell Park (2021), and has had translations of six books

by Colombian authors published. His hobbies have been surfing, hang gliding, travelling, sea kayaking, ceramics and bush regeneration.

Rob Brander – aka ‘Dr Rip’ – is a coastal geomorphologist and professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. A resident of Coalcliff, he’s been studying beaches for more than 30 years, starting in Canada where water temperatures convinced him to come to Australia. He is an international expert on rip currents and beach safety and runs a community education program called The Science of the Surf.

Dr Jeffrey Hall graduated from the University of Sydney in 1995 and worked in regional NSW and the UK before settling in the Illawarra. He joined Bulli Medical Practice in 1999 and became a managing partner in 2001. He supervises students from Wollongong University and general practice registrars from GP Synergy.

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

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January

Conveyancing Family Law Wills Estates and Probate Small Business Law Your local lawyer.

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

T H E I L L AWA R R A

NEXT DEADLINE 19 Jan for the Feb 24 edition

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

TheIllawarraFlame ADVERTISING www.theillawarraflame.com.au 0432 612 168 | T&Cs apply DEADLINE 19 Jan. Contributions welcome.

COVER Kay Proudlove, Shalani Thomas and Cody Munro-Moore. Photo: Chris Frape THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by a family business, The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477 DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain the property of The Illawarra Flame unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Views expressed do not reflect those of the publishers.

KANE DOWNIE

What’s On at the Writers Centre

By Elizabeth Heffernan of SCWC

2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the South Coast Writers Centre, with workshops, a poetry award and a writer’s residency all coming up in January and February.

Sign up now for the ‘Gentle Art of Poetry’ workshops at Wollongong Art Gallery, on 20 January with Meredith Wattison, and 25 February with Kathleen Bleakley. These workshops will respond to the art of Ian Gentle and include a 30-minute exhibition tour led by gallery staff.

On 27 January, join award-winning author Meredith Jaffé in her workshop, Essential Ingredients of Great Fiction, as she explains what you need to whip up great stories and how to edit your work to make it shine. Young writers are also invited to sign up for the Term 1 Young Writers Program, beginning on 6 February. In-person and online classes available for writers aged 10-18.

The popular ‘First Time Fiction’ course also

returns for 2024. Places are limited in this six-month, gentle-critique writing course starting from 10 February, so book soon.

Applications are open until February 9 for the Bundanon Group Writers Residency.

This week-long retreat at Bundanon Homestead will allow eight emerging or established South Coast writers to focus on developing or completing works. To accept a place on this retreat you must be a SCWC member.

The SCWC 2024 Poetry Award is open for submissions responding to the theme “gentle”. The award is run in conjunction with the Wollongong Art Gallery exhibitions that form part of The Gentle Project. Winners will be published in our 2024 Anthology. Entries close on 5 March.

Visit southcoastwriters.org Pictured: Ian Gentle’s Dagg in Duckboat, 1997.

Photo: Bernie Fischer

Streets alive with sound of HONK!Oz Wollongong’s biggest street music festival is back, writes Rhiannon Morgan

On Saturday, January 13, the ninth annual HONK!Oz street music festival will come alive in the Wollongong Arts Precinct.

Honk!Oz is a free street music festival supported by dancing, craft, art and fashion. Originating in Boston and Seattle, this festival has its own Australian version right here in Wollongong.

HONK!Oz is unique in encouraging participation for all ages. Come along and groove away with some of the best street bands in the country. If you play an instrument of any kind you can join the “Hoot Pickup Band for unattached and attached musicians” led by Ken Field, a professional saxophonist from Boston, USA. Children can participate in the festival through “Kids’ HONK!” performing in the festival, alongside the other street bands in the Kids Honk!

Band, led by the Junkadelic Brass Band from Perth and staff from WollCon. There are also many other fun support roles, including art and lantern making, available for 4

arts & culture

anyone who would like to help with Honk!Oz festival operations.

So mark Saturday, 13th January in your calendar for a day like no other in Wollongong.

For more information and to register for festival volunteering, lantern building, HOOT Pickup Band and for Kids’ Honk! go to the website.

Visit www.honkfest.org.au

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o t e m i T protect beach-goers

Janice Creenaune meets two surf life saving volunteers at Coledale Beach – Director of Lifesaving Craig Walker and Tamara Lilliendal, patrolling member and vice-captain of Blue Patrol. Photo: Janice Creenaune.

Lifeguards and volunteer life savers are crucial in ensuring that all people experience safe and enjoyable visits to the beach.

Coledale Surf Club volunteers Tamara Lilliendal and Craig Walker have offered many hours of training, skill building and surf knowledge, all while remaining passionate about the surflifesaving movement.

“I joined over 20 years ago, as a Nipper parent,” Craig says, “My children may now be grown, but I am still here, loving every minute of my roles, both at Coledale Beach and wider at NSW level.”

Tamara, who lives across the road from the beach, began at a younger age.

“I started in the Under 6s and moved up the age groups to Rookie Level, a SRC (Surf Resuscitation Certificate), the Bronze Medallion and a patrolling member with all duties, then Silver Medallion and service in Beach Management and Vice-Captain of Blue Patrol, Advanced Resuscitation and First Aid and then Support Operations up-skilling in Rescue Water Craft (jet ski) etc. I have loved every moment of my participation.”

Tamara is studying a Bachelor of Social Science and aims to become a primary teacher.

Craig is equally inspiring. A security manager at Chubb for 34 years, his role as Director of Lifesaving, Coledale (Club Captain) involves facilitating training and assessments for awards.

“I am also a State Welfare Officer in supporting peers right across the state during and after critical incidents. We offer the initial support to members

and act as a conduit for them to find the appropriate support required by utilising our Employee Assistance Program,” Craig says.

“I have my own career that I still enjoy and Tamara is working hard for her future at university.

Volunteering is definitely the way forward for us and many others in the surf life saving movement.

“Our families enable it all to happen. They are key people in our lives. Even my employer, Chubb, allows me time off to perform duties in times of critical incidents and crisis.”

Tamara agrees and also highlights the camaraderie within the Coledale club.

“One day a week I offer my services, but the friendships grow over the years and intergenerational and I love going to the beach.

I always have, so the enjoyment keeps growing,” Tamara says.

“As experienced locals we know this particular beach well. We understand the rips, the breaks and watch for problems. We try to prevent problems arising and are definitely pro-active and teach beach safety and culture all the time.

“For small children we concentrate on educating their parents. Above all: No Flags, No Swim.”

Craig’s continued experience and dedication to training ensure all members of Coledale Surf Club are fit and skilled. This is important not only for the longevity of the club but for visitors’ safety.

“Our demographics have changed over the years,” he says.

“It is no longer merely locals, but visitors from over the mountain, Penrith, Revesby and other suburbs in Sydney. However, it is important to remember that not all have local knowledge or surf knowledge at all.

“So we are always looking for community members, in particular, to join our club and gain new skills and above all patrol our beach for the safety and benefit of all visitors.”

Tamara says Covid issues impacted Nipper numbers but the club is “working hard to entice some members to return and other new members to join”.

Visit coledalebeach.com.au for more details.

Janice is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia.

Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com

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clubs & community

BEER, BBQ &

BAREFOOT BOWLS Sunday 14 January 3pm - 5pm

Join us for an afternoon of Jervis Bay Brewing beer tastings, gourmet BBQ and one game of Barefoot Bowls all for $35 Members Price.

BOOK HERE

Sunday Sessions

LINE UP

LIVE MUSIC EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON THE ALFRESCO TERRACE: Pockets Duo - 07.01.2024 @ 3-6pm Carl met Patricia - 14.01.2024 @ 3-6pm Jordon Collyer - 21.01.2024 @ 3-6pm Casey - Burn - 28.01.2024 @ 3-6pm

For more details on the above events or to book go to our website or call (02) 4267 1148 2b Station Street, Thirroul

Heading for a half century Graham ‘Eggs’ Williams has served in the RFS for 48 years, writes Caitlin Sloan

Graham ‘Eggs’ Williams is 77 and still serving. Below: Eggs in 1999, at left, in the red helmet.

Photos: Caitlin Sloan, supplied

Helensburgh Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade’s former captain Graham ‘Eggs’ Williams has dedicated 48 years of his life to serving the local community.

Eggs moved from Mortdale to Helensburgh in 1971, after military service in Vietnam. As bushfire swept through the township in the summer of 1974-75, he hurried to the station to lend a hand and, as he says, “I’ve been here ever since.”

At 77, he’s both the oldest active member of the brigade and the longest serving. Even just his stint as treasurer – 20 years and counting – is likely longer than many of the other 30 active firefighters have been at the brigade.

“I’ve been every position in the brigade except secretary,” he says. “I’ve been the captain, I’ve been the deputy captain, I’ve been the senior deputy captain, I’ve been the first aid officer, I’ve been a welfare officer, and at present time, the treasurer.

“I’ve always been in a uniform since I was six years old. I was a cub, a scout, a senior scout, joined the army and then joined here… so that’s 71 years. And, you know, I can’t really say why. It just became part of my life.”

Proudly on show among Eggs’ many insignias when we sit down to chat is a third bronze clasp on his National Medal to honour more than 45 years of service. The award was presented at a ceremony in September 2023.

Eggs describes the chance to reflect on almost 8

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five decades at the brigade as both daunting and emotional. “I got my 45 bar for the National Medal… that’s 15 years for the medal and 10 years for every bar, and one of those bars is for military service as well. “[It was] a bit daunting because they get up and they talk to you and tell your story – they write the script, you don’t write it, they write it, and give a spiel on you and where you’ve been, what you’ve done. It was a bit emotional because I’ve had some good times – a lot of good times – but I’ve also had some bad times in the service.”

Eggs has attended countless callouts, including car accidents, a train derailment and blazes such as 1974-75 fires that introduced him to the brigade; the ’94 fires that tore through the Royal National Park; the Green Wattle Creek inferno of the Black Summer bushfires; and deployments to Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and Kangaroo Island.

“I’ve had some close calls – very close calls. One was the 2001 fire on Christmas Day out at Darkes Forest, and the National Park in about ‘94, I think it was, and in ‘97 at Barnes Crescent [in Menai].

“I was in Barnes Crescent when the fire come through and took out all those houses. We never got out of there until the fire had gone. We lost five houses, I think, and there were only two brigades that stayed in there – Helensburgh and Loftus.

“In the 2001-02 fires here, the longest campaign I fought from this station was 23 days, and we went out every day… It took a bit of time to come back down to earth.”

Looking back, he says, it’s the friendships and sentiment that come from serving the community that render even the tough times worthwhile.

“I encourage everybody to volunteer for something,” he says.

Eggs was a boilermaker and worked at the Helensburgh mine in the early 80s, retiring in 1996. “Work-wise, I was very lucky working down the pit. They accepted me as being in the Rural Fire Service and they used to pay me if I went out and fought fires, and a few other places, [like] Arnco, were the same.”

Eggs is nearing retirement – he thinks – as he plans to wrap up after 50 years of active service.

But he won’t bid farewell to the RFS for good.

“I’ll be on what they call support,” he says.

“I still have a lot of close mates, a lot of young people and people I try and get close to because you’ve got to pass your experience on.”

To volunteer, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Stay up to date via the Hazards Near Me NSW app

Accelerating out of the ICE age The latest instalment in 'Diary of an EV Driver' by Peter Aubourg

I have really been getting into the things that are different about EVs. The big one is acceleration.

Our MG4 has fantastic acceleration from the moment you push on the accelerator and there are no gear changes. It has maximum torque right from the start and even as you get up speed the torque is still available.

Unlike internal combustion engines (ICE), the power is immediately available. Electric current comes straight from the battery and drives the motor instantaneously. Getting the energy from petrol to the wheels is a different matter. The poor old ICE has to suck in air, compress the air, squirt in fuel, ignite the mix then use the expanding gas to turn a crank. AND it has to do this in a number of cylinders, many times a minute. It is exhausting (pun intended) just thinking about it. There is almost no power when the engine is going slowly (it can easily stall when you release the clutch) and lots of power when it is going faster. But you can’t go too fast or it will blow up, so you have to keep chasing the power by changing gears.

Now I think the MG4 has fantastic acceleration, but it is in the shade compared to the Ioniq 5. I feel another experiment coming on…

My iPhone has an app to measure and record acceleration. I was a passenger in my friend’s Ioniq 5 and recorded the explosive acceleration when he took off from the lights. I then asked him to do an emergency stop in a safe spot. I recorded that acceleration as I was hanging out of the seat belt with my eyes bulging out of their sockets. When I got home I downloaded the data and plotted both accelerations against time. (Engineers love a good

graph). It turns out that the car reached an acceleration of 0.7 g and only took half a second to get there. That means that a 100kg man would be pushed back in his seat with a load of 70kg force!

No wonder I had to straighten out my neck afterwards. The emergency braking deceleration also got to 0.7g in half a second, but it continued to 1.1g at which point there was definitely rubber being torn from the bottom of the tyres.

The long and the short of it – in the first half a second, the Ioniq 5 can get to the same acceleration going forward as it does going in the opposite direction, during emergency braking. In other words, in that half second, you will be pushed back in your seat at maximum acceleration as much as you will be hanging out of your seat belts when emergency braking.

So, EVs are great for overtaking, without those pesky gear changes, but they can also be quite gentle when parking.

U3A Northern Illawarra, based in Thirroul Join U3A community District Community Centre, is a community

By Barbara Cranfield

Retired and looking for a means of meeting new people, getting some exercise, enjoying books, films and discussions? Join the U3A community!

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organisation that gives seniors opportunities to socialise and participate in a range of activities.

Our special interest groups include yoga, current affairs, drawing and painting, gentle exercise group, book clubs, Australian/Pacific studies, table tennis, a weekly Wednesday talk and more!

Members pay $50 a year and can join as many groups as they like. It’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, have fun and be stimulated.

The first Wednesday talk is on January 31 and groups start the following week. We invite you to visit our groups in the first two weeks of Term 1 before enrolling. The Term 1 Newsletter will be online after January 18. We hope to meet you soon.

Visit www.northernillawarra,u3anet.org.au

Gentle Project opening night With photography by Melanie Russell, a former student of artist Ian Gentle Artists and art lovers gathered at Clifton School of Arts for the launch of The Gentle Project on Friday, December 1, 2023. Pictured, clockwise from top left: Vivian Vidulich, Amanda Buckland and Shelley O’Neil; Judy Bourke and David Roach; Noel Thurgate and Michael Downs; Rachelle and Paulienke Balez; Jane Johnson, Brian Murphy and Sheona White.

A good resolution

By Denise Aubourg of Electrify 2515

While making New Year’s resolutions, why not make one for your home? Make a plan on how to phase out your fossil fuel powered machines with efficient electric versions and in what order. You don’t need to replace all at once, just ensure every future appliance is the efficient, electric version.

Start by listing your oldest appliances and the big gas users. The main categories to go electric include: hot water system; space heater; cooktop; and car. Then power these with a renewable source – namely solar and possibly a household battery.

Do I need to upgrade to three-phase wiring?

all-electric home. If you install a large solar system or need to charge multiple EVs simultaneously, you may need to upgrade to three-phase power.

What else do I need to research?

Find out what government rebates you may be eligible for or other financial products, electric appliance options and local installers who use them and how to go about disconnecting your gas.

Electrify 2515 has a guide to making a Household Electrification Plan and so does Wollongong Council so check out the links below.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and electric year ahead!

Most Australian homes and apartments have a single-phase electrical connection from the street wollongong.nsw.gov.au/electrify-wollongong and can continue to use this as they transition to an electrify2515.org/plan 12 arts & culture

See Side

ptical

This is who we are, where we work and what we do

Anita’s Theatre Shop 10, King St Thirroul / telephone 4268 3933 Call for an appointment or book online at seesideopticalthirroul.com.au January 13

Where’s all the housing Gong By architect Ben Wollen

The Covid pandemic is lingering and I don’t just mean in case numbers. It looks like we will be paying the price for the pandemic and our government’s response for some time. First there was the jump in regional real estate, then there was rampant inflation, then a cost of living crisis and now thanks to record migration (681,000, up 103% from last year), we have a housing crisis. To be honest, I’m not sure we can call them crises anymore as it seems to be more of a status quo or to use a military term – SNAFU! Behind it all, we have the climate crisis looming larger and larger. All of which is compounding the other smaller crises.

I’m sure you’re also probably sick of reading all about crises. We need more talk of solutions than stating the obvious. Which turns me to the Minns Government solution to the housing crisis and their leaked plans to include the suburbs of Corrimal, Dapto and North Wollongong as part of their strategy. What is their strategy?

It’s nothing new. “Transport Oriented Development Programs” have been around the urban planning scene for some time. They make a lot of sense. Densify around train lines and major

Hello, hydrogen TfNSW says there’s a new bus in town

This summer, look out for your chance to ride in Wollongong’s first hydrogen bus.

Built by ARCC in Western Sydney and operated locally by Premier Illawarra, the new bus started its six-month trial on the Gong Shuttle Loop on December 10.

It will also be trialled on other existing routes in the Illawarra.

Transport for NSW will use the data to make decisions about the best technology for regional bus operators and passengers. The bus will refuel at the Coregas hydrogen refuelling station at the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub. According to the NSW Government, the bus can drive for 16 hours and cover 515km on 32kg of Hydrogen. A similar diesel bus would consume 170 litres of diesel to travel the same distance.

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transport corridors so that the increased populations in these areas can benefit from better connection from home, work and play. Chatswood and Parramatta are good examples of this style of density at play.

So it seems if you want a good investment best get out there and buy something near Corrimal, Dapto or North Wollongong stations!

Mind you, you’re probably all too late as developers have been stockpiling these types of properties and, even if they haven’t, you’re already looking at a premium price. The old Bunnings site in North Gong went for a record-breaking $40 million.

Move over sausage sizzles, hello high density!

As with all Government solutions, they’re not without their criticisms. I would suggest the main one of these being that the expenditure along these train stations needs to be matched on the actual public transport that serves them first, so that the new owners aren’t forced to drive their cars everywhere. What good is being next to a train line that only gets a four-carriage train every hour and which is notorious for breakdowns, industry shutdowns and can cost more than a car trip?

Same goes for bike infrastructure. Current expenditure by the state government seems to favour extending our road network and many of these being toll roads – meanwhile, there’s little to no incentive to at least encourage more of the cars on the network to be electric. Without the expenditure on effective, reliable and sustainable transport infrastructure, we risk shuffling the housing crisis to a transport crisis.

It’s going to be an interesting year in the Gong.

There are some real pressures on our region that if not carefully considered will result in detrimental change that will linger more than our current crises. There’s no question that we have to address the housing crisis. Some would say that is better achieved with a change to the current tax/tenancy legislation than just addressing supply.

Unfortunately, this tends toward political suicide and the shortsighted nature of our election cycle.

Much easier to be big and visionary.

You can sell it with a photo!

Construction Excellence Discover The Local Business Leading The Way The building industry has had a nerve-racking ride after 16 consecutive quarters of interest rate rises since Dec 2019. Material prices have increased, margins are tight and construction companies are racing to the bottom to win jobs, only to fall over when costs blow out.

Too often, consumers are left to wade through the quagmire of insurance claims and delays.

Amidst this economic chaos, Grand Pacific Homes remains quietly optimistic about the future. “We price realistically,” says Mark O’Connor, company director. “And our clients trust us.” Together with his brother Clint and their dedicated team, Grand Pacific Homes has completed over 20 builds this past year, including 4 duplex projects. They have won two HIA Awards for the best duplex in NSW

and are in the running for the National Award.

But there’s more! They were awarded the IWIB Best Executive Award for supporting women’s participation in construction. And they also presented design and construction industry insights in the Education Pathways Program for high school students throughout the Illawarra, demonstrating their commitment to their local community.

Considering building? Mark and Clint O’Connor believe trust is the basis of every good building relationship. They are hands on in every project and are invested in getting the best result for their clients. Get in touch: (02) 4227 6405 or info@grandpacifichomes.com.au

January 15

Snaps in time From the Surf, Sun and Sand exhibition

Pictured clockwise from top right are Thirroul Ocean Baths in the 1930s; Stanwell Park 1930s; children at Thirroul beach in 1910. To see more iconic photography visit Wollongong Library’s Level 1 or illawarrastories.com.au/exhibitions.

All photos from the Collections of Wollongong City Libraries

Memories of surf breaks

By Thirroul’s Silver Saltie Col Bruton, aged 89 1. Sharky Reef or Beach

Sometimes better surf is in the middle of Sharky Beach, named for the sharks (mainly bronze whalers, occasional grey nurse) that used to follow the colliers into Hicks Point Jetty. Depends on waves, wind and the building up of sand. The Reef Break can go either way in the right swell.

1A. “Wheely Bowley” in the middle of Sharky Beach, now shortened to “Willy”: Named after a rounded boulder that appears from time to time in the middle of Sharky Beach. Its name derived from a fisherman who once said, “If I was strong enough, I could wheelly bowley this boulder along the beach.” Since 1910, the name of “Wheely Bowley” stuck. Has a good left and right break with right wind, sand accretion and swell.

1B. The Boiler or Boilie: Straight off the rocks where the Boiler used to be. A good reef is partly exposed at low tides. With a southerly swell, there is a good right-hander into Jacky Jones Rocks.

2. Heady’s or Headlands North

Good break with a southerly swell. Dangerous in a nor’easter. Named (naturally) after Headlands Guest House, later Hotel which existed since 1926.

In the 1950s, the break was often used by surf ski paddlers, could ride waves into Flinders Beach.

2A. Heady’s or Tuckerman’s South: In the right 16 clubs & community

tide, sand accretion, combined with a good nor’east swell, there is an excellent run of nearly 500m from Headlands Point into Little Austi or Tuckerman’s Beach. Watch out for rocks. Again it is very fast.

3. Thommo’s Point

Good both ways; with either a north-easterly swell or a southerly swell. I recall catching a good southerly swell on my surf ski one Christmas Eve. Could ride the waves right into “The Menzies”.

Sometimes called Billygoat Point. Named after a family of Thomas’s, who lived there for many years.

4. Wombarra Reef

Need a fairly big southerly swell. Quite excellent, fast and noisy. Right wave will “carve” around the rocks as the waves try to refract into the reef. Could carry on to rocks near baths. Wombarra means “Black Duck” in the Dharawal language.

5. Coledale Beach

Several places, depends upon wave, wind and sand build up. Sometimes, level with Boat Rock, a good shore break. In the middle of Coledale beach, off the Bomby, rocks are about 3m below the surface and can cause a big break, dangerous at low tide.

6. South of Boat Rock

When tides and winds are right, there is a good reef break on to the Dingwall Rock Platform. Only a short ride, as waves tend to die quite quickly.

Step into Fernwood Woonona—a space where fitness blends seamlessly with friendship, creating a ripple of positive change with every stride. Beyond the gym floor, we're more than just a female fitness club; we're a pillar of support for our community. At Fernwood Woonona, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Rizeup, extending a lifeline to families affected by domestic violence.

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Photo credit: Destination NSW

HERE TO HELP MARYANNE STUART MP

MEMBER FOR HEATHCOTE (02) 9548 0144

Heathcote@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Shops 1 & 2, 17 - 23 Station Street Engadine /MaryanneStuartHeathcote

PO Box 183, Engadine NSW 2233

@Maryanne_Stuart

maryanne.stuart_heathcote

AUTHORISED BY MARYANNE STUART MP, SHOPS 1 & 2 17 - 23 STATION STREET ENGADINE NSW 2233. FUNDED USING PARLIAMENTARY ENTITLEMENTS.

January 17

Beautiful and secluded. Can you spot the rip? Photo: Rob Brander

Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf Prof Rob Brander presents his Summer Beach Safety Tips

Last summer 54 drownings occurred along the Australian coast – all of them at locations unpatrolled by lifeguards or lifesavers. That’s an incredible statistic. The safest place to swim is always between the red and yellow flags, but the problem is that not all beaches have flags and even on patrolled beaches, the flags aren’t up all day long. So if you find yourself on an unpatrolled beach this summer, here are some important tips to help you keep safe.

First, always spend a few minutes when you arrive at the beach thinking about beach safety. Are there flags further down the beach? What are the conditions like – are the waves too big, are there any rip currents? Do you know what a rip is? Do you have a plan if anything goes wrong? Do you have phone reception? Is there an Emergency Response Beacon on the beach that you can contact emergency services on? Is there anyone else on the beach?

Second, look for rips. Our surf beaches have rip currents on them most of the time. Rips can quickly take you out into deeper water and are the main cause of beach drownings so if you’re not sure how to spot them, I highly encourage you to check out my website at www.scienceofthesurf.com which has videos about rips as well as a ‘Rip of the Month’ feature that has 180 pictures of rips! If you

Treating bluebottle stings

By Dr Jeffrey Hall

18 science & nature

don’t get in a rip, you won’t drown in one so please educate yourselves and your family.

Third, if you do find yourself caught in a rip, or in trouble in the water, the best thing to do is to just float. This conserves your energy and allows you to signal for help by raising or waving your arm or calling for help. If there are no lifeguards or lifesavers around, get the attention of surfers who have a nice board you can hang onto. If there’s no one on the beach or in the water at all – well, you shouldn’t be swimming. If in doubt, don’t go out. And if you are not a good swimmer, never go in past waist depth and make sure your feet are always firmly on the sand.

Finally, if you do see someone in trouble in the water, even if it’s your child, don’t rush in to help them. Take 10 seconds to call for help, or get someone else to get help, and look for something on the beach that floats, like a boogie board or an esky. If you’re going to go in the water to help, you absolutely must bring something that floats.

Follow these tips and always think about beach safety and you’ll be fine. Or you can just swim between the flags at the nearest patrolled beach.

A new edition of Dr Rip’s Essential Beach Book is out now. Visit www.unsw.press/DrRip or Collins Booksellers Thirroul

Management includes removing the sting (if still wrapped around the skin) using tweezers or a stick, fingernails, or the thicker part of the skin on your fingertips. Initially wash the sting site with salt water (fresh water is thought to increase the toxins discharged into the skin). Then apply hot water – as hot as possible but always check the temperature to prevent burns. Do not rub or scratch the site and do not apply vinegar as this can increase the toxin discharge.

Managing bites and stings

By Dr Jeffrey Hall of Bulli Medical Practice

The management of stings and bites has changed with improved understanding of how toxins work and are delivered to our bodies.

Ticks

Tick bites are a particular problem for families living close to the Escarpment bushland.

Avoid tick bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts tucked into long jeans and a broad-brimmed hat.

Use insect repellent (ideally one containing DEET) before gardening or bushwalking. Check for ticks on return. If you find a tick, avoid scratching or pulling at it as irritation causes the tick to increase the amount of toxin they inject into your skin.

The best way to kill a tick is using a freeze spray containing ether available at pharmacies or your GP can use a liquid nitrogen spray.

Otherwise, try killing the tick with a permethrin cream (Lyclear). Do not put kerosene or methylated spirits on ticks as this may increase the toxin they inject.

Reactions to tick bites can vary. Some people get a slight redness and itching, others have significant

Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 12 noon Full range of general practice services including women’s and men’s health, child and adolescent health, older adult health and nursing home visits, and specialised clinics including:

tenderness and swelling. Manage with cold-packs and non-sedating antihistamines. Some people develop severe allergies which need emergency treatment with adrenalin. See your doctor if you have concerns or if you’re worried about developing Mammalian Meat Allergy which is an unusual consequence of tick bites.

Bees

Bee stings can happen any time of year but are more common in later summer as worker bees are more active.

Reactions can vary from a painful local swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis requiring emergency adrenaline.

Remove the sting as soon as possible. Slide the sting sideways using a credit card, fingernail or carefully angled knife blade. Apply a cold-pack, take a non-sedating antihistamine for the inflammation and paracetamol for the pain. If you are worried about a more severe reaction, see your GP to develop an emergency response management plan.

74 Park Road, Bulli 4284 4622 Book online* via our website: www.bullimedicalpractice.com.au scan QR code:

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QUALITY PERSONAL HEALTHCARE AND TRAVEL MEDICINE January 19

What’s On

Submit events at theillawarraflame.com.au HARS Aviation Museum Tarmac Days Fri-Sun, 12-14 Jan

See iconic aircraft at Shellharbour Airport.

Look out for a replica of the Fokker FVIIB Southern Cross, which staged an inaugural demonstration flight in December.

Aquathon 26 Jan Swim-run at Wollongong Harbour, visit

www.aquathon.com.au

Summer reads at your local library

Local librarians share their list of must-reads.

Fiction Yellowface by R. F. Kuang; None of this is true by Lisa Jewell; Happy Place by Emily Henry; Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros; The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue; The Edge by David Baldacci.

Non-fiction Build the life you want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey; Love & pain: the epic times and crooked lines of life inside and outside Silverchair; You called an ambulance for what? by Tim Booth; Our voices from the heart by Professor Megan Davis & Patricia Anderson; The Woman in me by Britney Spears.

Join Helensburgh guitar/singalong group

Seeking expressions of interest for a informal Acoustic Guitar, play and singalong group for Helensburgh. Folk music style. If interested, let us know what instrument you play or would like to play. Developing or experienced players welcome.

Monday, Thursday or Friday afternoons, venue TBA. Contacts: Bruce Hamilton 0490 509 328; Dave Oliphant 0419 218 926.

NSW Justice Association Wollongong Branch

Free JP services at Community Desks at Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong, Dapto & Warrawong Libraries. All services given by JPs are free of charge. They cannot give legal advice. More info: branch president Morgan Prosser, 0432 378 318

This is the place

Fun with Santa

By Paul Blanksby, Helensburgh Men’s Shed

By Helen Slade of the Seniors Travel Group

Newly retired? Perhaps made redundant, but still want to make a difference in people’s lives? Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Or you’re recovering from an injury or illness? Or you just need to get out of the house! (Did your wife say that? Hmm?) Sound familiar? It does to our Shed blokes. We come from all walks of life, with different stories, varied skills and … we like it here.

So as 2024 begins why don’t you come to the Men’s Shed and see what we do?

Have you ever wanted to turn something on a lathe? Fix up Granddad’s old chair? Learn how to use a drill, a plane or a welder? This is the place.

And if you want a laugh, a shoulder to lean on, or a listening ear – this is the place.

Helensburgh Men’s Shed. Ready for you.

I’ll get the urn on, and warm the sausage rolls (thanks Arthur!)

Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed at 199A Parkes Street. The Shed is open Mon-Wed 9am to 3pm.

Phone/text 0478 892 485.

A huge thank you to the Helensburgh Hotel for hosting Helensburgh Seniors Travel Group’s amazing Hawaiian-themed Christmas Party.

David Cazalet totally wowed us again as he does each year, and he just gets better each time.

Santa Claus turned up and set the mood for everyone having a wonderful party.

2024 starts for us in February, with a day trip to West Leagues for lunch on the 15th, followed in March by a Hawkesbury River lunch cruise with the Riverboat Postman on the 21st.

Thank you to all who participated in our day outings and holiday trips throughout the year.

All enquiries to Helen Slade 0427 043 774.

Go to helensburghmensshed.org.au

20 clubs & community

Considering volunteering?

We find out how NINA volunteer Luke got involved in volunteering and what it’s brought to his life.

Please tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Wollongong in 1981 and lived most of my life in Wollongong and several locations across the Illawarra. I spent four years living in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast, and yes, that name is true as it was sunny almost every day!

I used to run my own gardening business that I had for 14 years. I probably fell into that line of work as that’s what my father used to do. I would help him whenever he was really busy or had a job that needed two people on site. Unfortunately I had to cease trade in 2022 as I was losing clients due to Covid putting a strain on people’s spending as well as the period when we had unexpected rainfall on the east coast of Australia. So I’m now residing back in Wollongong and currently looking for work.

Why did you start volunteering and how did you come to be volunteering at NINA? After I relocated back to Wollongong, I spent a couple months off to reorganise my life and next career change. I was looking for volunteering opportunities and found out about NINA through a friend.

I started volunteering with NINA to get back some self worth, I wanted to be proactive and do something to help others while I was also looking for work. I was also keen to drive the NINA bus to get more driving experience in a light rigid vehicle as some extra knowledge for my next career change.

What volunteering work do you do at NINA? 1 to 1 transport, also driving the NINA buses to social support groups, shopping trips and outings.

I drove a group of clients to the Bowral Tulip

Festival as well as a Melbourne Cup lunch outing to a local bowling club. I also do some Meals On Wheels deliveries.

How do you juggle volunteering with other commitments?

You can make your own schedule with NINA. I let the team know when I am available and they fit in transports around that. So, if I had a job interview or other commitment NINA works around my availability.

Also, there are some breaks during trips – once I drop off a client to their appointment I can go run an errand and then return to the client to take them home.

What have you got from being a volunteer?

Volunteering with NINA has built my self belief.

I have got a sense of purpose. Providing a service and helping the elderly clients or clients with disabilities has made me feel like I’m making a difference to the lives of people in my community.

I’ve built great rapport with some clients and we’ve had some nice chats and the atmosphere on the bus to groups is always fun – I’ve enjoyed ensuring the clients have a good day out.

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

Yes absolutely! If you work part time or are a part time carer you would be able to find a balance between your own commitments and volunteering at NINA. You can just give the time that works for you, even if it is for a shorter period while you are in between other commitments.

The impact that volunteering has, can be so important to the client, NINA and the volunteer.

Monday–Friday (8.30am-4.30pm) | telephone 02 4294 1900 18 Walker Street, Helensburgh

Ceoavtuerre f

k l o F HEROES

It takes a dedicated team of volunteers to produce the annual Illawarra Folk Festival, Brian Kelly reports.

Shalani Thomas, Cody Munro-Moore and Kay Proudlove. Photo: Chris Frape

22 arts & culture

If you think the local stars at the Illawarra Folk Festival merely swan up to the microphone, do their thing and walk off into the sunset, feel free to think again.

“There’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen, which is great in a lot of ways because the festival is so big,” is how Kay Proudlove, the Thirroul singersongwriter with a growing CV, puts it.

Kay is co-artistic director for the festival, and many emails, calls and chats formal and informal need ticking off before all hands get to go on stage to sing up a storm with traditional festival closer Time is a Tempest (by veteran Illawarra folk figure John Broomhall).

“It was a natural progression into the admin side of it because I had played at the festival for so many years – I started when I was probably 15, doing the blackboards and stuff like that, and it progressed from there,” she said.

“It kind of feels like giving back to it in a way, because it had a really big impact on me growing up as a writer.”

At a recent sitdown chat with the Flame, Kay and fellow performers Cody Munro-Moore (co-artistic director) and Shalani Thomas (Instagram social media manager) pretend to complain about the endless reams of emails they churn through daily, but all agree they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t love it.

It’s been 11 years since Shalani, who grew up in literal earshot of the folk festival in Bulli, busked up a storm as a kid enchanting passers-by at Tamworth Country Music Festival, and folk is much more her flavour now.

Shalani will appear in her duo, Frankie & Albert, named after a murder ballad (which she will play with duo partner Saxon). The pair started jamming about a year ago after discovering a shared love of the genre – “he showed me this big thick book of like thousands of folk songs in it”. Frankie & Albert have recently played several Sydney gigs and Kiama’s Folk by the Sea. Shalani has even taken on Instagram duties for the festival and is being schooled in the fineries of how ticketing works. And, as a younger participant, she is conscious of getting more of her generation to the event.

“A lot of people are interested but I think sometimes it’s financially hard for young students to come who aren’t working full-time,” she said.

“A lot of the time, they might hear ‘folk festival’ and a lot of people have no idea what that is. I think there’s a lot of potential for young people to come; I think it’s been a bit inaccessible.

“People who have been doing these jobs for years have slowly had enough, and they want to get

mainly younger people involved.”

Such is the sense of community during the event, Kay asserts, that it’s easy to miss the main reason you’ve attended.

“Sometimes you don’t get to see any music,” she said. “You’re walking to a stage and you’re just talking to about 10 people on your way there. By the time you get to the stage, it’s over!”

With the event in its second incarnation since the pandemic, Cody, who will play with Morning Star, says organisers feel they know what they’re getting themselves into.

“We’ve put a cap on our expectations,” he said.

“The festival was so big in past years, and Kay and I have definitely tried to bring the scope of it down to a great size, not a massive size. I think last year everyone was a bit unsure of what we were heading into … we’re just finding our feet in what is achievable as volunteers without wearing out.”

As the event offers an annual chance to catch up with fellow fans, many performers are returning, among them Maurie Mulheron of Austinmer, formerly head of NSW’s teachers union and handy with a stringed instrument.

He plans on presenting a mix of old folk favourites from the ’60s “because people, young and old, know them and sing along. It doesn’t get much better than to hear a crowd join in a chorus or two”.

Maurie plans to revive a new chapter of the banjo workshop he has done in previous years – with a little help from overseas.

“There’s a good friend of mine from Vermont performing – Rik Palieri, a wonderful banjo player,” he said. “I’ll be roping him in to help out with the banjo workshop. For that, he’ll get free bed and lodging and my place!”

Having sorted through 430 artists who submitted works, organisers will present 87 international, national and local acts for the 2024 festival at Bulli Showground on January 19-21.

Acclaimed Irish singer-songwriters Wallis Bird and Andy Irvine, young Scottish fiddle maestro Ryan Young and his countrymen, celebrated Celtic band Tannahill Weavers and the Scottish/Irish quartet Dallahan head a strong international line-up, while national acts range from National Living Treasure Ted “The Drover’s Boy” Egan to singer-songwriter Alana Wilkinson, Jordan Ireland from Queensland Indie band The Middle East, and Indigenous performers the Stiff Gins, Jessie Lloyd and Pirritu.

The Illawarra Folk Festival returns to Bulli Showground from January 19-21. For more information, visit illawarrafolkfestival.com.au

January 23

Q&A with a musician Brian Kelly chats to Austinmer local Maurie Mulheron, who’ll be reprising his banjo workshop at 2024’s Illawarra Folk Festival You recently took part in The Times They Are a-Changin’, hosted by the Illawarra Folk Club, reflecting on the Dylan album of the same name – how did that go?

It was a privilege to gather together some wonderful musicians to re-imagine the songs that made up Dylan’s third studio album, his first with all original songs. What surprised everyone was just how relevant and powerful these songs still are.

The audience loved the show too – with lots of folks singing along. Last year’s Illawarra Folk Festival publicist considered our Dylan show to be in his top 5 picks of that festival.

We look at the tragedies unfolding in the Middle East and wonder ... are the times really changing these days, or is it just more of the same heartache?

We’ll always need songs of peace and songs of hope that lift the spirits of those suffering oppression.

I wrote a new verse to the song The Times They Are a-Changin’ which we included in the show. It goes like this: “It’s sixty-odd years since we first learned this song / Sixty-odd years and still things are wrong / There’s war, hunger, greed and there’s hate / The wealthy few still decide our fate / But don’t get discouraged, keep rattlin’ those walls / For the world still needs changin’.”

What will you play when you play at the folk festival – a mix of old and new?

Sure. I plan to do a mix of old folk favourites from the ’60s … But I’ll also be performing some new original songs that I’ve written.

You led the NSW Teachers Federation between 2012 and 2020 – what’s your current professional capacity these days?

I still do work for the union on different projects.

24 arts & culture

At the moment, I’m working with a coalition of music industry groups, the MEAA, musicians, Alberts the music publisher, researchers and music educators on a campaign to improve the quality of music education that we provide young people, particularly in our primary schools.

So Australia finally got a Labor federal government in 2022 – what’s the main issue affecting Australian unions currently?

The cost of living. Wages and salaries have been capped and suppressed now for years, and many workers are struggling. Yet, company profits have soared and sit at historical highs. We know what’s causing inflation and it’s certainly not workers’ wages.

What’s the main issue affecting teachers?

Funding. Funding. Funding. No public school has received the amount of funding required to meet the nationally agreed Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) as determined in the Gonksi Review 12 years ago! Yet virtually every private school receives public funding in excess of the SRS. Teachers are doing an extraordinary job in our public schools. Just imagine what could be achieved if they received the resources they need to do their job.

Right: Maurie Mulheron.

Below: Folk Fest organisers Shalani Thomas, Kay Proudlove, and Cody Munro-Moore (photo: Chris Frape).

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Be Weed Wise

By Helensburgh Landcare’s Merilyn House

water and by attachment to humans and animals by sticky hairs.

Carefully remove by hand, being sure to dig out all the roots. Where roots are anchored in walls or rocks, herbicide may need to be used. For large areas spraying with herbicide will be necessary.

Asthma weed (Parietaria judaica) is also known as pellitory of the wall and sticky weed. It is a native of Europe, central and western Asia and northern Africa. It has invaded and is common in some parts of eastern New South Wales, southern Victoria and south-eastern South Australia, as well as being present in other states and Lord Howe Island.

It can be found growing in urban areas (i.e. in walls, footpaths, embankments, etc). It also inhabits gardens, rocky crevices, cliffs, coastal environs, riparian vegetation, waste areas and roadsides. In Helensburgh, it is present in damper areas, e.g. along creek and drainage lines, but is spreading.

As well as competing with our native species, it also has an impact on human health. Contact with the plant can induce severe skin reactions.

Its pollen causes asthma, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and hay fever.

Pellitory has inconspicuous small flowers in spring and into summer. Plants mainly spread by abundant seeds, which are dispersed by wind,

Congratulations to Merilyn

At Council’s 2023 Environment Volunteer Awards on Friday, 8 December, Helensburgh Landcare’s Merilyn House was honoured with a Silver Rise & Shine Award.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery AM – pictured above with Merilyn – acknowledged her long service, saying: “As one of the founding members of the Helensburgh Landcare group, Merilyn has been instrumental in battling weeds in the northern suburbs as well as advocating and protecting the city’s history through her work maintaining the Old Helensburgh Railway Station.”

Visit HelensburghLandcare.org.au

from the forks of the leaves. Its fruit is a light brown woody capsule that contains red and black seeds. The new leaves are often reddish, and the heartwood is a blushing pink, hence the common name. One has been planted in the Stanwell Avenue Reserve.

Banksia Bush Care News

Tree of the Month

By Kieran Tapsell, of Banksia Bushcare

Sloanea australis (Maiden’s Blush)

Sloanea australis (Maiden’s Blush) is a rainforest tree extending throughout the Wollongong area, including Stanwell Park. It is more commonly found along the watercourses of the escarpment. It can grow to about 15 metres. It has large dark green elliptical leaves and white flowers emanating 26 science & nature

As explained last month, we received a grant from Sutherland Shire Environment Centre to continue our work in protecting our rare littoral rainforest from deer. Most of the Acacia binervata in the circle of the Stanwell Avenue Reserve have died, leaving significant openings in the canopy. The result has been the natural regeneration of native rainforest species like Cheese Trees (Glochidion ferdinandi), Sandpaper Figs (Ficus coronata), Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) and Celery Wood (Polyscias elegans) all of which are eaten by deer.

Our plan is to cage as many of these trees as we can with star pickets and hinge mesh wire bought with the grant money.

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TVC update Thirroul Village Committee secretary Annette Jones reports on the November 26 meeting Community Recognition

The Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, presented the TVC with a ‘Community recognition statement’ for 33 years of service to the community.

This was a surprise and a much-appreciated recognition for the TVC’s work.

Aaron Beath Stand

The TVC has raised a number of issues with Wollongong City Council (WCC). This includes the refurbishment of the Aaron Beath Stand in Thomas Gibson Park. The draft scope of works for the stand involves the demolition of the current building and replacement with a new sporting facility including: amenities and change rooms which include accessible facilities; kiosk; storage spaces; first aid room/referees’ room; accessible car parking; rain harvesting; concrete perimeter path and lighting. Unfortunately, there is no news as to when work will commence.

Parking on Hospital Road, Bulli

Parking remains an issue. From the plans it does not appear that parking for the hospital will be allowed on the former hospital site. A number of options are being considered to help relieve the current problems. Ms Stuart, continues to work with TfNSW to find a solution and Cr Richard Martin has put a motion before Council about parking on Hospital Road.

Relocation of Austinmer Rural Fire Service

opinions and information, all of which has helped in the development of the current Concept Plan now on exhibition. You can view this at the NSW Department of Planning Portal and make an online submission. The Concept Plan will be on exhibition until 19 January 2024.

There was discussion about the bridge and link road, and members were advised that Stantec is looking into grant opportunities that could be accessed for Anglicare. If approved, this could mean that the bridge and link road can be delivered independently and hopefully early in the project.

Non-compliance by dog owners between Austinmer and South Thirroul Beach

Thirroul Beach is an ‘Orange Zone’. Dogs are allowed at set times, but they must stay on a leash.

In summer this is before 9am and after 6pm; in winter, the times are before 9am and after 4pm.

Suggestions to reduce non-compliance included: • increasing the size of the signs at beaches; • providing more education to dog owners, and offering that they move to a green zone (such as McCauley’s Beach and/or Little Austi Beach); • providing a warning to owners before issuing an infringement notice, • increasing the number of animal compliance officers and their schedules.

Happy New Year to all from the TVC. Next meeting, 4pm, 25 February at TRIPS Hall;

The Austinmer Rural Fire Service attended the last thirroulvillagecommittee@gmail.com TVC meeting to explain why the RFS is moving from its current location on Buttershaw Drive to Seafoam Ave in Thirroul. Principally this move was necessary because the current premises are no longer suitable due to the lack of adequate facilities, structural issues with the building, plus difficulties in accessing the site. It is anticipated that the new location will provide a proper functioning station from which to operate and reduce response times.

Update on Sandon Point Seniors Living Development by Anglicare

Throughout 2023 there have been consultations about the development. Anglicare and their consultants, Stantec, have also met with other stakeholders, such as TfNSW – Roads and Maritime Services and RailCorp; Rural Fire Service (Development Assessment Team); all key utility authorities; Indigenous groups; WCC; Federal MP Alison Byrnes, and local MPs Ryan Park and Maryanne Stuart. They have gathered a lot of 28 news

Paul Tuckerman with the TVC’s statement of appreciation.

Photo supplied

Aevum

NIRAG/NF3 report By secretary/treasurer Ross Dearden

Our community group, the Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG), was initially formed in 1984 as a reaction to proposals to construct 40m high Coal Bins at Sandon Point, Bulli. Since 1988 the group has become a focus for community action primarily for the 61 ha of land east of the railway between Sandon Point, Bulli and Thirroul, and we continue to help achieve better environmental and social outcomes in our local area.

So that NIRAG could continue to represent the northern Illawarra communities, we became incorporated in May 1994 as a legal entity under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984. We continue to support the preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage.

Since 2020 Neighbourhood Forum 3 (the suburbs of Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer) hasn’t had a convenor, and residents of this area are welcome to attend NIRAG quarterly meetings to discuss and contribute to local community issues and concerns.

We are able to be a conduit for community engagement and are fortunate that Council officers and some of our Ward 1 Councillors regularly attend and participate.

NIRAG meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of February, May, August and November. The minutes of our meeting on 1st November are available on the Flame’s website.

For almost 40 years NIRAG has been actively working to improve the local environment and volunteers have won many environmental awards for regeneration and clean up work of the Hewitts Ck / McCauleys Beach area. Throughout the year each Monday morning the NIRAG Hewitts Ck Bushcare Group meets at the Hewitts Creek cycleway bridge to care for the site south of the creek, controlling noxious weeds and revegetating with endemic species.

The next NIRAG quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday, 7th February 2024 at 7pm at the Bulli Community Centre Hall.

All are welcome to share and contribute.

Contact Ross Dearden by email: nirag@bigpond.com

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NF1 needs a co-convenor

By Genevieve Swart

If the 2508 community wants to keep Neighbourhood Forum 1 alive, volunteers will need to step up.

For more than seven years, one man – Warwick Erwin, a self-described ‘community activist’ – has borne the brunt of the NF1 workload arising from a district now home to almost 10,000 people.

Recently, Warwick lost his co-convenor when Jenny Sherratt moved away from the area, so he is currently shouldering all the bureaucracy involved in championing residents’ concerns alone.

“Right now, I allocate 12 hours, usually one and a bit days to NF1,” Warwick says. “The majority is done over one day a week.”

When the Flame speaks to Warwick in December, he has not had time to write his usual NF1 report; the night before, he fell asleep at his computer while trying to clear a few emails.

Warwick runs his own business, Stanwell Tops Technical Services. He has a mortgage, grandchildren to babysit and Christmas is coming.

He’s also juggling other volunteer roles – coordinating Station 325’s Santa Lolly Run, running the accessibility zone at Wollongong’s New Year’s Eve fireworks and still finding time to volunteer on his true love – trains.

“I’m a member of the Rail Motor Society, I volunteer on charter trips. That gives me a bit of headspace,” he says.

A co-convenor would be a big help – they could write up the minutes, talk to council staff or run

Warwick Erwin was recognised for his volunteer service at the Lord Mayor’s Recognition Reception in September 2023.

30 news

meetings if Warwick was away.

“Their job is initially as a back-up to the convenor,” he says. “And to try and take some of the load off the convenor of what’s got to be done, especially interfacing with council.”

Acting on behalf of the community may include everything from checking on heritage features – air-con units on Helensburgh Post Office’s facade are a hot topic – to dealing with current issues, including the “disgraceful workmanship” in the town centre, flooding at Coles and what Warwick sees as Council’s failure to enforce DAs regarding matters from illegal dumping to demolition of buildings, such as those at 750 Princes Highway.

2023 has been a particularly busy year.

“The natural disasters that occurred end of last year and early this year have caused a lot of extra work,” Warwick says. “A really good example is Otford Causeway. When we asked for the specifications in the design, we got a sketch on an aerial photo. I’m sorry, but that’s not acceptable.”

Warwick says council’s response showed a lack of respect for the knowledge base in the community, which includes civil engineers and a respected hydrologist.

Residents in Helensburgh – Wollongong’s northernmost point – have told the Flame that consultation is poor and locals are not being heard.

In response to questions about processes, a council spokesperson said there were lots of ways to be involved, including social media, enewsletters and the Our Wollongong website.

“Our biggest message to our community is to please continue to work with us,” the spokesperson said.

“The important thing to remember is that your voices inform what Council does, both on the big and small scale.

“Here in Wollongong, we have an incredibly engaged community. We’ve noticed that postCOVID, as people have gotten used to using QR codes and accessing online spaces, community engagement has increased. Online engagement through Council’s Our Wollongong website continues to increase.”

In Helensburgh, Warwick says community engagement is going the other way. “My feedback would be it’s decreased,” he says.

Only about six people turned up to the NF1 meeting in November. “It’s got fewer and fewer over the last year or so since coming out of Covid.”

One unique problem for NF1 is the lack of a council-approved venue in the district’s biggest town. “NF1 does not get very many people,

because we’ve got to hold it at Otford, because there’s no council facility in Helensburgh that we can use,” Warwick said.

Neighbourhood forums are independent groups supported by Council, with council staff providing project updates and occasional guest speakers.

Three of Wollongong City Council’s eight neighbourhood forums do not have convenors.

The Coledale area’s NF2 – including Wombarra, where the Seacliff estate development caused much controversy after construction run-off in 2022 – has not met for more than a decade, with the last minutes filed on 8 November 2012. Leaders of active forums are often retirees, including former council staff who know the system.

Across Wollongong, and the world, volunteers are ageing with clubs struggling for members. For NF1, battling bureaucracy via public forum lacks even the adventure and camaraderie claimed by surf clubs and fire stations. “The younger people don’t want to be involved,” Warwick says. “There are a few exceptions, but very few.”

Low turnouts also reflect a changing community.

“Helensburgh has become a dormitory suburb of Sydney. If you go back five years even, we never had meetings of less than 25, 30 people.”

NF1 remains active – for now. One day Warwick would like to retire and before then he’ll need to pass on all his local knowledge, from who to email at council to get action, to why Helensburgh’s old community centre on Walker Street really died.

“Council stuffed up the community centre,” he says, explaining the youth centre at the front was built without allowing for springs under the building. “Whoever built it didn’t understand what was going on. They just designed and plunked the building in and their foundations blocked the drains. That’s when things started to go bad … 30 years ago. It’s been getting worse and worse.”

Warwick says council reacted too late. The building has been set for demolition for months, which is why NF1 is homeless in Helensburgh. “A lot of these things involve a lot of understanding the history or having the knowledge of the history.”

With new year’s resolutions looming, Warwick hopes more people will attend NF1 in 2024. If more step up, he may even be free to pursue a long-held local dream – organising school holiday rides on the old rail motors that used to travel between Sutherland and Helensburgh.

“The oldest one is 100 years old next Sunday,” Warwick says. “It’d be nice to bring that little bit of history back to the community for a week.”

NF1 next meets 14 Feb. To find out about the co-convenor role contact Warwick Erwin on 0419 413 935 or warwick@stts.com.au

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Beetling About With Dr Chris Reid

The other day the train was late so I sat down to get a twig out of my shoe and got talking to my neighbour on the bench. She discovered I was a bug person (‘bug-a lugs’ when I was a student) and told me she had hornets in the back garden. That surprised me, as Australia (fortunately) doesn’t have true hornets.

The real hornet is a northern hemisphere thing of the genus Vespa. It’s basically a giant ‘European wasp’ (= Vespula germanica) and like the European wasp is nastily aggressive, social and makes papery nests. Some get pretty large, eg the Giant Asian Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is up to 5cm (2 inches in old money) long.

Hornets occur as far south as Bali, where they are mostly black with thin yellow bands and rather pretty – but best avoided. They seem to prefer rainforests to beaches. Hornets and wasps can kill, like honeybees, by severe allergic reaction. But they also release a neurotoxin, which in the case of multiple stings can also kill and, unlike honeybees, each individual can sting multiple times. This is why their aggression makes them dangerous.

It’s probably fair to say (to the wasp) that anything that stings can kill by allergic reaction.

Fortunately our stingy wasps are not so aggressive.

So what was the wasp in the back garden in the Illawarra? Fortunately my neighbour on the bench had photographed it. It was a giant potter wasp, Abispa ephippium, which is a solitary wasp (ie not forming large colonies) of a mere 3cm length, which makes a mud chamber in a loose rock wall or

similar. The chamber is packed with paralysed caterpillars which the larva feeds on. These wasps are not aggressive and although they sting, the sting is mild (the sting of the giant hornet is described as ‘having a hot nail hammered into you’ in Wikipedia).

Some websites call Abispa the ‘Australian Hornet’ but I think it’s less confusing to not use hornet for any of our native wasps. Once we get them, yes, they are spreading in the world, I think you’ll appreciate the difference!

There are actually larger native wasps than Abispa in this area, for example the Cicada Killer Wasp, Exeirus, which is 4cm long and also solitary.

These paralyse cicadas, collected in tree tops, and drag them into underground burrows for their larvae. They have a bad sting, but are rarely encountered – it would be exciting to see one.

All of these wasps, Vespa, Vespula, Abispa and Exeirus, have the same ‘waspy’ appearance – narrow waist, folding wings, and yellow and brown or black banding. Their colours are warning you to avoid them. This is a collective mimicry system, called Mullerian mimicry. And, of course, being the natural world, many insects cheat and pretend to be nasty wasps, but aren’t. This is Batesian mimicry. More on them in another post.

Above: Cicada killer, Exeirus (photo A. Donnelly, Australian Museum).

Left: Giant Potter wasp, Abispa ephippium. (photo James Niland, Wikicommons)

32 science & nature

Happy new year

From the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul

Welcome to the penguins!

By Kevin Fallon of Symbio Zoo

collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul

books, games and gifts for all ages

Ten members of the littlest member of the penguin species have marched into their new home in Helensburgh.

Symbio Wildlife Park is thrilled to share our new Penguin Shores exhibit with all our visitors this summer. Come and see our new Little Penguins enjoy their resort-style river, rock platforms and large pool with underwater viewing.

“They are one of the most inquisitive, cool, amazing little critters to watch,” said Symbio’s managing director, Matt Radnidge. “It’s almost like a water version of a meerkat – people are just drawn to them.”

Penguin Shores is home to four male penguins and six females, aged from two to 12 years old.

Matt said his dream is that Symbio will one day host the biggest captive-breeding program outside Taronga Zoo. About as tall as a school ruler, standing at 30-40cm, the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the world’s smallest penguin. It’s also known as the fairy penguin or little blue penguin as it is the only species with blue feathers.

Locally, there are breeding colonies just off Port Kembla in the Five Islands Reserve.

Whether a local or holiday maker, summer in postcode 2515 puts you in a great headspace for relaxing and what complements this more than a few good reads or games. To enhance your holiday, there are activity books for adults and children. A particular favourite is Murdle: Solve 100 Devilishly Devious Murder Mystery Logic Puzzles. If you discovered this little gem in 2023, you’ll be happy to know January is bringing a fiendishly foul round two; Murdle: More Killer Puzzles. And for kids’ screen-free downtime, we always stock a selection of activity books and games. The Infinite Maze is just one recommendation, there’s plenty to choose from. High on our list of summer tips for a family read is Dr Rip’s Essential Beach Book; keeping our community surf safe, it makes a great new year gift – signed copies in the bookstore. Don’t forget to bring your gift vouchers to redeem! Happy 2024.

Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au @collinsbooksellersthirroul

January 33

The why of offshore wind An energy expert explains why its capacity factor is so exciting, writes Genevieve Swart

The proposed offshore wind zone in the Illawarra could generate up to 4.2 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power 3.4 million homes. This would be a “pretty good match” to replace Eraring, Australia’s biggest coal-fired power plant, said Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong.

At an interview at UOW’s Innovation Campus, Endeavour Energy’s former ‘chief engineer’ said that at the “really important heart of the why of offshore wind … there’s not a plan B other than continuing to burn coal and gas”.

“I say that carefully because if taken out of context that can sound like an ultimatum or a threat, something desired to elicit an outcome.

I say it as none of those things – I say it as an engineer with almost 40 years’ experience in the power industry and looking at the technology that we’ve got right here.

“Australia’s leading the world in the uptake of renewables, and that’s fantastic. But 70% of our electricity still comes from burning coal and gas as we sit here today.”

While he fully supports the push to ‘electrify everything’ by putting solar on homes and businesses, Ty said there is not one silver bullet for decarbonising our energy future. “There is only silver buckshot. There are multiple technologies that need to come into play.”

Something capable of powering steel manufacturing, heavy industry or city centres must replace fossil fuels soon and Ty said it can’t be nuclear (too expensive, too late) or solar (the sun doesn’t shine enough and skinny transmission wires can’t cope with big loads).

“We need three things from our energy at the big grid end of the spectrum,” he said.

“We need multi gigawatt scale, we need high capacity factor and we need proximity between where the energy is created and where it’s needed to be used, because that’s the efficient way to do things.”

Only offshore wind can rival the capacity factor of fossil fuels within the next 10 years, Ty said.

Capacity factor – a ratio of actual electricity output to maximum theoretical output – is a key reason why clean energy experts are excited about new offshore wind projects in Australia.

To clarify the concept, Ty said: “If an electricity generation source was running flat out for a time period, what would be the theoretical energy that it could deliver versus, practically, how much energy does it actually deliver over the same time period.

34 news

“So what it’s a measure of is how much is the capacity of that electricity generation available when you need it.

“Even with a lot of the big batteries and home batteries coming online, the reality is our power system has always, and still substantially works, entirely in real time.

“You switch on a light, a generator needs to have an output to match that and commensurately when you turn something off. It’s a balancing act in real time between generating the power and using it.

And it happens in every second of the day in real time, the way the physics of it works. We need electricity to be there when we want it.”

This is the reason that renewable energy sources with low-capacity factors are a challenge.

“Solar is a classic example. The capacity factor of solar is about 20% because of the diurnal window – the sun’s only there usably for about five and a half hours a day.

“So 20, 25% at best is the capacity factor of solar.

“If we move into onshore wind, so land-based wind turbines, the characteristics of wind onshore is the highs are high, but the lows are low, and the lows are more frequent than they are offshore.”

Onshore wind has a capacity factor of 30 to 35%, he said. “So you put a megawatt of wind farm out there, you can only really rely on getting a third of a megawatt out of it. There will be material periods of becalment – I think I just invented a word there, but when the wind’s not blowing – when you won’t get any output from it.

“Now, offshore wind – once you go more than 10km offshore wind is an almost constant resource.

The periods of becalment 10km or more out are highly infrequent.

“The wind is there nearly all of the time.”

At its peak, coal had a capacity factor of about 80% but, with Australia’s plants ageing, this is declining.

“The capacity factor of offshore wind, depending on your location, is between 45 and 55%. So, on average, the capacity factor of offshore wind is 50%. Contrast that to coal at 65% and declining.”

To put this in context, Ty said, Eraring, the nation’s largest coal-fired power plant, generates 2.88 gigawatts of electricity.

“Now, if we look to offshore wind here off the Illawarra, 4.2 gigawatts is proposed, 50% capacity factor. That means reliably, it’s a 2.1 gigawatt offshore wind farm. It’s a pretty good match for Eraring.

“Coal’s ageing out of the system. We need high capacity factor generation to replace it. And soon.”

Windmill origami for change

By Genevieve Swart

Taking climate action in a heat wave is a gamble.

On one hand, an extreme weather warning may support your message; on the other, no one may turn up.

“The streets were very quiet,” said Thirroul activist Luke Gelder, a member of the Tomorrow Movement, which set up an art installation demonstration in Wollongong on Saturday, December 9.

“In spite of the heat, people from the public did come and show their support for renewable energy to tackle climate change.”

No media attended, with coverage on the day going to the SantaFest Pub Crawl. Fortunately for the young people campaigning for clean energy jobs, the Knitting Nannas rolled up.

“They came and did some of the windmills and then also their crocheting like they normally do,” Luke said. “So it was quite fun.”

Also braving the “near 40 degree heat” in the Arts Precinct from 11am-1pm were members of

the Australian Conservation Foundation and a few hardy passers-by.

“Members of the public could come up and make little paper windmills and we’d stick them in the ground just outside the Arts Precinct area,” said Luke, a 22-year-old UOW law graduate nicknamed ‘the wind farm’ boy due to his legal expertise in reading complex documents.

While Wollongong activists used windmill origami to make their point, around the nation different groups had different themes. “It was part of Tomorrow Movement’s overall action, which is called Heat Waves for the Summer.”

In the end, the demonstration produced 20 or 30 paper windmills with handwritten messages about offshore wind, including calls for a community benefits scheme and independent environmental assessments to protect ocean wildlife.

The windmills were all recyclable. “Besides the pin, but we’ll just be reusing that,” Luke said.

The Tomorrow Movement planned to deliver the public’s messages to Labor to show support for clean energy and an urgent transition to net zero.

Offshore wind remained a controversial topic in the Illawarra, even a month after the closure of the renewable energy zone consultation.

“To an extent, both sides aren’t really quietening down,” Luke said, adding there were more pro-renewables demonstrations planned for the holidays. “So it’s hard to say how much of a break I’ll be getting personally.”

Next for CAOW

Flame on Media Watch

The Coalition Against Offshore Wind (CAOW) held the biggest demonstration of the offshore renewable energy zone (REZ) consultation period, with more than 1000 people at Flagstaff Hill on October 29.

A month after consultation closed on November 15, CAOW’s private Facebook group had 2400 members and remained active, with more than 700 posts in the past 30 days. So, what’s next?

CAOW admin Grant Drinkwater told the Flame, “I think the main thing for the Coalition Against Offshore Wind is to continue to raise awareness in the Illawarra about what is being proposed.

“We believe that there are many people who still don’t know or understand the sheer scope and scale of this project…”

On November 13, the Illawarra Flame became possibly the happiest publication to appear on the ABC’s Media Watch (scan the QR to watch). It was a surprise to see our brand pop up on national television and a relief to find it was for a good reason – breaking the story of how fake news has been deployed in the offshore wind wars.

The reason we think this story was important was not because it exposed a lie on Facebook – that’s hardly breaking news – but because it’s a symptom of a wider sickness, of how disinformation is undermining democracy. People have genuine concerns and real decisions to make. That’s not going to end well if trust is lost and the truth goes AWOL.

January 35

Cast stages 40-year reunion

By Brian Kelly

The minute they walked in the joint, reuniting members of Arcadians’ 1983 Sweet Charity production knew it was to be a night of fun, laughs and good times, as the show’s most famous song pronounces.

In November, the Illawarra’s premier musical theatre company reprised the 1960s musical, and the 40 years since fell away as more than a dozen thespians gathered to reminisce and enjoy the new version. They included 1983 director Lilian Bates and Liz Geraghty, titular star of the show, which includes the songs Hey Big Spender, If They Could See Me Now and Rhythm of Life.

But for 1983 cast member David Lester and wife Kerry, who choreographed that show, the link with the past was particularly special. Their son – Troy Lester-Reynolds, conceived in the months before the 1983 version hit the stage at the old Wollongong Town Hall – directed and choreographed the 2023 update.

David and Kerry expressed their pride in Troy and his achievement via social media before taking their seats in the front row for opening night’s flawless performance.

Of the familial link, Troy wrote in his program notes: “I guess you could say I was born with the Rhythm of Life in me”, dedicating the season to his uncle, Glen, David’s brother, who was in the 1983 ensemble and who passed away in 2023.

The 1983 cast numbered 34; the 2023 cast filled a smaller venue with similar volume and dynamism with just 19 players.

Arcadians president Steve Sanders said putting the 1983 show on was a feat in itself considering the limited stage in the annex.

“Yet we played to full houses who appreciated what they saw,” he said. “Now we are fortunate enough to present Sweet Charity in our own theatre. This is an achievement we are very proud of.”

Other 1983ers who attended included Beverley Craig, Sue Causer, Maureen Franciskovic with husband Tom, Tony and Rowena Sanderson, Pam Towns, Bob and Leonie Hinch, Peter Karos, John Wiseman, Jim McCallum, Maralyn Young and Phill Irvine.

The Arcadians, who will celebrate their 60th anniversary of bringing musical theatre to the Illawarra in June 2024, will present Pippin that month and Big Fish in February.

Your Letters

widen the foot-made ramps already in place … chains linking steel poles about 4m apart would enable descending walkers to move a hand along to feel secure. This is one more example of the powerless handing money over to those in a position to spend it anyway that appeals to their world-view. Also – I hope the steps are synthetic.

I hate to think of the cost if it is real standstone.

– Brian Holden, Stanwell Park

Submit via email & please aim for 100 words Planners should have asked a bush walker

I wish that whoever was responsible for the planning of the Bald Hill track had bothered to seek advice of those who actually walk on bush tracks. The indicators were there on the Wodi Wodi track that walkers much prefer ramps to steps, which are hard on knees ascending and descending. Those missed indicators were the ramps formed by feet bypassing the wooded steps set in place back in 1988 as a Bicentennial project.

There are several stone steps on the new Bald Hill track that are so narrow that when descending, I fear diving head-first into the steps below.

All that was needed was to: Smooth out and 36 arts & culture

Visit arcadians.org.au

Re: “Why not nuclear” in Dec 2023

Dear Ty, I read your article where you summarised nuclear energy in Australia as “too expensive & too late”. If we continue to procrastinate I agree. So let’s stop & decide to go nuclear asap. World available technology is there now. COP28 asked for more focus on nuclear. So many countries are already going nuclear. Why not Australia?

– Rod Gruggen, Helensburgh

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FREE ABN 67 “LEARN 661625 903 TO SWIM” CLASSES Email: tmsroofing.reception@outlook.com

Water sports to try

By Zachary Houtenville Surfing

Over summer, the Illawarra Surf Academy will run five-day holiday programs, while adults have daily group lessons from Monday to Friday at 10am and on weekends at 11am at Thirroul and Corrimal beaches.

“All surfers say, ‘Everything is better after a surf ’, and I totally agree,” said Nic Squiers, owner and head coach at Illawarra Surf Academy. “It’s a great sport, really good for fitness but it’s a place where distractions can’t find you.”

Essential Surf School offers lessons year round at Coledale and McCauley’s beaches for everyone from groms to grown-ups. Lessons are run by Stanwell Park local Fiona Hunt, of Essential Surf store in Helensburgh.

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

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January 2024

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Seeking a relaxed way to explore? While a big paddle can be an all-body workout, SUP can also be a serene experience, allowing you to soak up the scenery. “99% of our guests don’t fall off and that’s what’s great about Stand Up Paddling (SUP) – everyone can do it,” said Rebecca (Bec) Dunning, who with her husband, Justin Dunning, co-owns Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour. “It’s a great sport for beginners to professionals, from flatwater to giant waves.

“We do yoga on paddle boards, fitness sessions, we play a game called ‘SUP Ball’, which is like water polo but on paddle boards,” Bec said. “We put lights on the bottom of the boards and go Night SUPing and we even have a 17-foot SUP that takes eight adults!”

Freediving

Find your zen through freediving. “Both snorkelling and freediving are great ways to disconnect from tech and wash away the stresses of your day to day life,” said Curtis Tredway, the founder and head instructor of Deep Sensations Freediving in Thirroul. “The warmer waters also bring in a lot of vibrant marine life, so it’s one of the best times of year to jump in with a mask and fins and explore your aquatic backyard.

“Think meditation, whilst having fun and not forcing yourself to sit down in an uncomfortable position for an hour.”

Visit theillawarraflame.com.au to read more about water skiing and canoe polo in “Water Sports to try this Summer”

F r e e t o 1 1 , 0 0 0 l e t t e r b oxe s / www.thei llawarraflame.com.au

January 43

Boardriders’ big night

By Ian Pepper

L to R: Charlotte Agnew & Kasey Hargraves; Mannix Squires, Will Clarke & Lenny Golding; new Life Member Ian Pepper.

Photos: Scarborough Boardriders

The highly anticipated 2024 presentation day for Scarborough Boardriders Club was held on November 25 at Beaches Hotel Thirroul. It was a great year of waves and events with nine events held for our juniors and eight for the seniors.

The following division winners were crowned: • Open A-Grade – Mannix Squiers • Open Women’s – Kasey Hargreaves • Junior Girls – Equal 1st Macey Jolley & Marlie Moston • 14 & Under – Finn O’Connor • 12 & Under – Noah Kornek • Mixed 10 & Under – Fletcher Bell • 18 & Under – Oscar Hargreaves • Over 35s – Jeremy Keed • Over 45s – Andrew Christensen

• Over 55s – Nick McLaren • Open B-Grade – Tyler Haines Congratulations to Life Member Ian Pepper on over 10 years of involvement in the committee and as the club’s major sponsor; Senior Club Person of the Year Paul Lourenco; Junior Club Person of the Year Will Crossley; Most Improved Male Flynn Gale; Most Improved Female Macey Jolley; and surfboard winners Rory Warren, Christian King, Oliver Keed. Future dates for your diaries: • January 18-21 – Usher Cup on the Gold Coast • January 30 – AGM at Beaches Hotel • February 4 – Pointscore #1 for 2024 • March 9-10 – Australian Boardriders Battle National Finals at Burleigh Heads, Qld.

Jasmine excels at ocean ski champs

By Genevieve Swart

Surf sports athlete Jasmine Locke ended a tremendous 2023 atop another podium – this time for her skill in an ocean ski.

At the 2023 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships – held from November 30 to December 3 in WA – Jasmine and her paddling partner, Perth’s Patrick Eley, were crowned world champions in the U23 double ocean ski category.

“We also finished second overall,” said Jasmine, who spent four weeks in Perth competing in ocean skis. “We had the Shaw and Partners Race Week, which I finished 4th in my category (u23s) throughout the week. The following week we also had the world ocean ski championships. I finished 4th in the U23 women’s race and 8th overall in the women’s.”

As a sprint kayaker, Jasmine represented Australia at July’s U23 Canoe Sprint World 44 sport & leisure

Championships in Italy, where she came 12th in the K1 500. She’s also a member of Bulli Surf Life Saving Club and was named Athlete of the Year at 2023’s Illawarra Surf Life Saving Awards.

“I’m looking forward to the new year, the ocean ski is done for a few months, so I’m excited to get into the surf ski and kayak,” Jasmine said.

“We have Australian team selections for kayaking coming up in February and March, and the state and Australian titles for surf life saving in March and April.

“It will be a busy start to the year but I’m excited to line up and see where I’m at.”

Juniors triumph over stormy seas Matt Jolley reports on the Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island

The waves off Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, played host to the recent Australian Junior Surfing Titles, where our local junior surfers navigated stormy conditions with remarkable skill and determination. Despite the challenging weather, our young talents showcased their surfing prowess, securing notable placings and exemplifying outstanding sportsmanship.

In the fiercely contested Under-18 category, Sammy Lowe carved through the tumultuous waves to secure a commendable 13th place, demonstrating resilience and tenacity in the face of the formidable surf. Other rising stars hailing from Your local, experienced and educated our coastal community, sisters Zahlia and Shyla For local, experienced and educated real Short, claimed an impressive 10th and 5th real educated estate professional For local, experiencedestate and advice, callreal Ian today! place respectively.

The Under-16 division saw Macey Jolley,estate advice, call Ian today!

Ian Pepper representing our shores, secure 19th place with 0403 570 041 Ian Pepper finesse and determination. Ashton Mekisic made ian.pepper@raywhite.com his mark in the Under-14 category, achieving a 0403 570 041 raywhitehelensburgh.com.au noteworthy 10th place, while Sophia Lambergerian.pepper@raywhite.com showcased her commitment, earning the raywhitehelensburgh.com.au 25th position.

Beyond individual accomplishments, the camaraderie and mutual support displayed by our junior surfers set a positive tone. In an arena where 2024 Real Estate Market figures competition can sometimes overshadow collaboration, the unity and encouragement The Reserve Bank of Australia announced witnessed among our young surfers were interest rates would remain on hold in exemplary, reinforcing the values of sportsmanship.

December and given no RBA meetings in As we celebrate the achievements of Sammy January, it means rates are on hold until at Lowe, Zahlia Short, Shyla Short, Macey Jolley, least February 2024.

Aston Mekisic and Sophia Lamberger, we recognise On top of this, it appears inflation is trending that the future of our local surfing scene is in capable hands. downward so there is less likelihood of another rate rise and the next move a rate cut sometime towards the end of 2024.

This is great news for the start of the 2024 real estate market as buyers feel more confident taking on mortgages and those cash buyers feel higher positive sentiment while rates are steady.

We have seen this already in December with a surge in sales activity, good prices being achieved and solid buyer numbers at open homes.

L to R: Macey, Zahlia, Shyla and Ashton

ianpepperraywhite @peppersrealestate January 45

Time

m

Time

m

Time

Time

m

m

1.55 0 1.37 0.50 1.310.54 0127 0209 0.590246 1.640115 0001 0115 0.59 0537 0039 1.47 1.16 0640 0055 0219 0.52 1 0.46 1.79 0.651.75 1219 0557 0.61 0.64 1344 0633 0800 0836 1.650919 0.440759 0647 0704 1.68 0857 1.24 1.73 1304 1.36 1.14 1.57 1448 0.38 1.111453 1347 0.36 1548 FR 1429 TU 1253 TH TH MO 1222 TH0.32 MO 1930 WE0.27 SU 1755 TH0 WE SA 1605 0.54 1 1935 2043 0.24 1.22 0.491.20 1938 1930 1.18 2339 1914 0.54 0.43 2043 2027 1.232201 2139

22 16 10

7 1

7 125 22 16 10

7

1.40 0.47 1.54 0 1.330.52 0209 0308 0.550339 0625 0122 1.57 1.18 0046 0148 0.580205 0100 0200 0.52 0300 17 11 17 11 2 0644 226 23 8 23 0800 0.691.75 0736 0.5181.89 0958 0.5782 0838 1.681008 1316 0.50 0.68 0730 1.690846 0740 1.81 0934 PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

Port Kembla Tidal Chart

1350 1.25 1.56 1.10 1520 0.35 1.15 1.48 0.38 1435 0.23 1622 WE 1346 SA 1543 TU 1301 FR FR FR0.31 MO 1856 TU 1431 TH0.18 FR0 SU 1649 TH 1540 1952 0.46 2019 2022 0.33 1.26 0.63 1 2115 2123 1.282248 1.142132 2029 2008 1.26 2215 LAT 34° 29ʼ S LONG 150° 55ʼ0.55 E1.23

1.53 0 0210 0245 1.44 0250 1.350.51 0027Times 0.53 1.20 0135 0.56of 0154 0.44 0247 0414 0.510432 0257 0.43 0339 and Heights High and Low Waters January 2024 18 3 18 3 9 24 24 12 27 12 1124 0.5691 0738 0846 0.5791.96 0910 0.711.74 0712 1.68 0.72 0816 1.730934 0830 1.92 0913 1.691056 1010 MARCH FEBRUARY JANUARY

M m

1.04 1.38 1448 1.15 0.38 1.39 0.34 1521 0.13 1549 0.341731 1654 SU 1712 WE 1346 TH 1446 SA SA TU 1406 WE 1512 FR0.12 SA0 SA0.32 FR 1627 MO M 0.49 TIME M 1.29 TIME M 0.68 2112 0.42 0.60 1952 1.18 1.182222 2115 1.34 2145m2230 1.322336 2248 1.24 1 Time m 2055 Time TimeTIME m 2033 Time2101m Time

MO 1222 1.57 1914 0.43

1617 1605 0.07 1429 1.24 1419 1.73 1.360.32 1.300.34 1815 1714 1724 MO TH 0.27TH 1304 FR SU SU TH 1548 WE 1453 SA0.10 SU0.34 SU0 FR 1236 TU 1253 TUSA SAFR 2337 0.63 2203 0.50 2216 1.35 0.68 2201 1.41 1.202312 1.22 0.52 2027 0.54 2153 1945 1935 2043 0.24 2117 19302139 0.49 1836 0.54 1.32 2322 1.25

TIME Time

0521 1.54 1.40 0344 1.48 0.540348 0246 0.36 0324 0.480527 0.50 1.24 0209 1.55 0347 0133 0055 0115 1.37 0301 1.16 01150219 0029 0415 0.52 191.31 428 191.45 4 0843 25 10 0759 100.41 1001 161023 125 161145 1 0039 13 13 1237 0.52 1031 0.69 1006 0.59 0945 1.68 1.75 1.7910.75 0919 1.99 0836 0.52 0827 0.46 0557 0.64 16 0633 07040857 0.65 0642 0.58 1.99 1044 1.70 1830 1.06 1438 1.29 1605 1.08 1556 1.23

0623 1.57 0445 1.53 1.46 0400 0.470025 0339 0.31 0.47 1.30 0.520441 0148 0205 1.40 0355 0308 1.54 0448 0231 1.18 02000300 0109 0454 0.53 201.45 201.33 529 5 0957 11 0846 26 110.40 1110 171112 170624 2 0122 226 14 14 1331 0.46 1130 0.57 1150 0.61 1008 2.00 1.8920.75 1.75 1018 1.64 0958 0.57 0945 0644 0.68 17 0736 08000934 0.69 0734 0.63 0.51 1.96 1117 1.64

TU 1301 1.48 1952 0.46

1925 1.11 1713 1.13 1729 1649 0.06 0.18FR1.21 0.31 1645 0.36SU 1543 1.10 1539 1350 1.25 1322 1.20 1.56 1235 1801 1754 0.37 TU FR 1539 SA MO MO MO SU0.11 MO1 TH 1540 FR 1622 WE 1346 SA1.07 WE SUSA 2258 0.63 1.47 1.26 0.54 1.23 0.55 2247 2123 2248 0.63 2259 2047 20082215 0.55 1912 0.611.391857 2022 2132 0.33 2203 0 2358 1.27

0037 0.64 0545 1.59 1.56 0432 0.29 0436 0.480115 0.43 1.38 0.510002 1.20 0245 0257 1.44 0446 02500339 0414 1.53 0550 0156 0339 0533 0.56 211.44 6 1112 211.35 630 121.35 1210 12 0934 27 3 0210 180536 327 180726 15 15 0715 1.61 1245 0.51 1254 0.49 1056 1.94 1050 1.58 1.9630.70 1.74 0738 0.72 18 0846 0.57 09101010 0.71 1124 0.56 0840 0.65 1104 0.42 1151 1.57

WE 1346 1.39 2033 0.49

1413 0.42 1828 1.10 1841 1731 0.10 1711 0.38 0.12SA1.16 0.32SU 1.38 1448 1.15 1712 1.04 1422 1.10 1710 1201 1328 1825 WE SA 1647 SU TU TU MO1.87 TU0.40 TU1 FR 1627 SA 1654 TH 1446 SU1.11 MO THMO 2007 1.17 2353 0.57 2336 1.421940 1.29 0.55 1.241848 2112 2222 0.42 2250 20552248 0.60 2230 0.68 1.51 20002319 0.67 2205 0.16 0

0640 0.59 0127 0.31 0515 0.50 0.59 0.41 1.47 0.52 1.64 0521 0527 1.54 0001 0453 0344 0348 1.48 0537 03470415 1.24 0255 0035 1.29 221.40 221.44 7 1219 731 13 1145 13 13 1023 28 190.44 191.65 4 0301 428 1344 0647 1.68 0800 1.81 1123 1.50 1.9940.61 1.70 1237 0.52 1210 0.59 10311044 0.69 0843 0.75 19 1006 1001 0.64 0616 0.60

TH 1438 1.29 2117 0.52

1930 1347 1448 0.19 1737 0.42TU0.38 0.10SU1.14 0.34 1830 1.06 1817 1.23 1605 1.08 1544 1.05 1226 1.47 MO WE WE TH SU 1755 TU 1815 WE WE SA 1714 SU 1724 MO1.11 FR 1556 MO0.36 2043 1.18 2353 1.44 1.23 1.32 0.54 2321 2203 2312 0.50 2339 21532322 0.631.25 2337 0.68 1938 2109 0.71 1856 0.45

0209 0046 1.54 0.52 0.54 0.55 0.40 1.57 0.53 0.58 0623 0025 1.57 0100 0558 1.30 0445 0441 1.53 0625 04480454 04070556 231.48 231.46 8Commonwealth 8 1316 14 0624 14 14 1112 29 20 5 0355 ©20 Copyright of Australia 0838 1.68 0730 1.69 0740 1.81 0.37529 1.41 1.9650.50 1.64 0957 0.75 20 1130 0.57 11501117 0.61 11231158 0.57 1331 0.46 1300

FR 1539 1.21 2203 0.54

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

1520 1431 1235 1.63TU0.23 1805 0.48 0.11 0.37 1.13 17291754 1.07 1715 1.07 1925 1.11 1904 FR MO 1856 TU TH 1435 WE TH SU 1801 MO TH TU0.38 WE0.35 SA 1713 MO1.15 Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronom 2115 1.28 2019 0.30 1.26 1.27 1.14 1857 2029 2258 0.55 22592358 0.63 2231 0.70

LAT 34° 29ʼ S are LONG 55ʼ E time (UTC + Times in local150° standard

0.53 0135 0.44 0247 0.51 1.35Times 0115 1.55 Low 0.56 0.56 0037 0.64 0154 0023 0545 0002 1.59 0027 05500533 1.56 0446 1.38 0520 1.57 and Heights of High and Waters New 1.69 Moon Moon Phase Symbols 0816 1.73 0830 0913 0.42 1.68 0726 0.45 1.92 1.57 0715 1.61 0649 1245 0536 0.51 0712 12541151 0.49 1112 0.70 1229 0.45 1512 MARCH FEBRUARY 1549 1.87TU0.38 1.43 0.40 1413 0.42 1338 1.10 1841 1.11 1827 SA 1.15 TU 1406 WE FR 1521 MO 1201 TH 1328 FR TU 1825 WE0.34 TH0.34 SU 1828 SA 1647 1.16JANUARY WE0.13 2145 0.16 0.42 2007 1940 1.17 2115 1941 0.57 1952 2250 Time 0.55 m 2353 1848 2345 Time 0.63 Time m 1.34 m 1.32 Time m 1.18 Time2101 m 1.18

21 15 9

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1548 1617 1.47 1.11 1448 0.38 1411 1.14 1.57 1347 0.36 1920 1.25 1.73 1.24TH0.07 1304 1.36 1.30 TH WE 1453 SU SA 1605 WE MO 1930 TH0.32 FR0.34 SU 1755 WE0.27 TU 1253 TH1226 FR 1429 FR 1236 SA MO 1222 2139 0.45 2043 2027 1.23 2201 2014 2339 1914 0.54 0.43 19381856 1.18 1935 2043 0.24 1.22 0.54 1.41 18362216 1930 0.491.20 0.541.35

0400 0300 0.58 0205 0100 0200 0.52 0209 0308 0.55 0339 0153 1.57 1.18 0046 0148 0046 0109 0.52 1.40 0.47 1.330.52 1.54 0.31 1.450.47 11 26 11 231.75 23 23 0730 8 0625 82.00 17 2 0122 226 17Australia 2Bureau 17 © Copyright Commonwealth of 2023, of Meteo 1018 1.64 1.89 0934 1.69 0846 0740 1.81 0838 1.68 1008 0809 1316 0.50 0.68 0719 1.81 0736 0.518 0644 0800 0.69 0958 0.57 0734 0.63

1649 0.06 1645 1540 AND 0.38 1435 0.23 1520 0.35 1441 1.15 1.48 1409 0.21 1346 1.56 1.25 1543 1.10FR 1322 1.20 SU TIMES TH of FR TU 1431 TH0.18 FR0.31 SA0.36 MO 1856 WE TU 1301 FR 1350 SA SA MO SU Datum Predictions is1622 Lowest Astronomical Tide 2248 2247 2215 1.14 2132 2029 2008 1.26 2115 2123 1.28HEIGHTS 2045 2008 1.36 OF 1912 0.33 1.26 1952 0.46 2019 2022 0.551.23 0.63 1.47 0.611.39 Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savin HIGH AND LOW 0436 0339 0230 0.56 0257 0154 0250 0.44 0027 0210 0.53 1.20 0135 0245 0143 0156 0.41 0247 0414 0.51 0432 1.53 0.29 1.44 0.43 1.350.51 1.440.48 WATERS New Moon First Qua Moon Phase Symbols 1050 1010 1056 0844 1.73 0934 0830 0910 1.92 0712 0738 1.68 0.72 0816 0846 0811 0840 1.91 0913 1124 1.69LAT 0.56 0.57 1.96 0.711.74 0.651.58 3401.94 29’ 1711 1654 1731 0.10 1508 0.34 1521 0.13 0.38 1.39 1453 0.13 1549 0.34 0 1.04SA 1.38FR0.12 1.15 1.10 TU FR 1627 SA MOLONG SU0.38 WE 1512 TU 1406 SA0.32 SU 1712 MO WE 1346 TH 1446 SA 1448 SU 1422 150 55’ 2319 2248 2115 1.18 2222 2115 2055 1.34 1952 2033 1.18 0.49 2101 2112 2053 2000 1.47 2145 2230 1.32 2336 0.68 1.51 0.42 1.29 0.601.24 0.671.42

9 3

24 18 12

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1123 1044 1.70 1145 1.81 0857Moon 1.75 1023 0759 0843 1.79 0.75 New 0945 1237 1.68 0919 1.99 0900 1001 1.94 0916 0.52 1006 0.59 1031 0.69 0.641.50 MOON PHASE SYMBOLS First1.99 Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter 1714 0.10

1724 0.34

1815 0.19

1737 0.42

0.32 1453 0.27 of 0.34 0.07 of1.08 0.09 1.05 1.06SU 1535 1.29 1556 1544 SA SU TU Astronomical TH 1548 WE Commonwealth SU 1617 SA 1605 MO 1534 MOis1830 TU TH 1438 FR SU 1605 MO © Copyright Australia 2022, Bureau1.23 of Meteorology.

Datum Predictions Lowest Tide.WE 2353 2322 1.25 2139+10:00) 1.20 1.22 2216 1.35 The 2201time 1.41 2137 1.57 2144 0.68 2117 0.52 2203 0.50 1.32 2153 0.63 0.711.44 Times are2043 in local standard time (UTC or2312 daylight savings (UTC +11:00) when in2337 effect.

Bureau of 2109 Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, 0556 0441 0454 0.53 0025 1.54 accuracy,0205 currency, completeness, quality or reliability the information or1.46 that the information be fit for any 0407 0339 0.31 0400 0.47will 0330 0.25 0344 0.47 0.52 0445 1.53of0.40 0448 0623 1.57 0355 1.30 0300 1.480.54 particular0846 purpose or will 0.75 not infringe any1130 third Intellectual rights.

Bureau’s liability for any0.37 loss, 1158 1112 1.96 1117 1.64 0624 1008Property 2.00 1018 1.64 0948 1123 1.91 0950 1.89 0934 1.75party 0.57 1150 0.61The 1331 0.46 0957 0.571.41 damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

1805 0.48 1754 0.37 1649 0.06 1645 0.36 1235 1.63 1616 0.11 1600 1540 0.18 1622 0.31 1801 0.11

11 5 TH

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

1729 1.07 1.07 TH SU 1.13SU MO MO WE 1.11 MO TU 1925 MO TU 1715 TU WE FR SA 1713 FR 1539 1.21 2358 1.47 2247 1.39 1857 0.30 2222 2231 1.65 0.70 2214 2132 2203 1.26 0.54 2215 2258 1.23 0.55 2248 2259 0.631.27

0533 0436 0037 0.48 0115 0.43 1.38 0339 0545 0.51 0002 0432 0550 0.29 0423 0520 0.23 1.57 0421 0.64 1.55 0446 1.59 1.35 1.560.56 46 sport0257 & leisure

15 15 271.57 12 09346 1112 27 1010 120.42 120.45 27 1025 21 0715 21 21 1245 630 6 1229 1151 1050 1.58 0726 1.96 0.70 1.74 0536 1056 1.94 1038 1.81 0.45 1.61 0.51 1254 0.49

1825 1711 0.38 0.12 1.16 0.32 1731 0.10 1657 0.18 1.15 0.42TU1.43 1.10 1.11 MO 1201 TH 1328 TU TU0.40 FR 1627 SA 1654 MO1.87 WE 1627 WE 1413 TH SA 1647 SU 1828 TU 1841 WE 1827 2319 2007 1.42 1940 2222 2250 1.29 0.55 2248 2353 1.24 1848 2336 1.51 2307 2345 1.70 0.63 2244 1.17 0.42 0.57 0.16 0348 0537 0.41 1.47 0415 0640 0.52 1.64

0035 0515 0127 0.50 0.59 0527 0001 0.31 0.591.29

0518 0624 0.26 1.69 0500

H’burgh MTB park to remain closed Wollongong City Council is taking steps to remediate Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park, closed in May 2023 due to the discovery of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) in the imported soil used to build the park’s dirt tracks.

The park will remain closed over summer.

After weekly site inspections and ongoing talks with representatives of the Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club (HORCC), the council plans to have any contaminated soil removed and disposed of.

All soil removed will be classified as hazardous waste. Testing has revealed the affected area is more significant than initially thought, necessitating a thorough remediation process.

Golf

news

Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports

HSSGC members ended the golfing year on December 10th.

The President’s Cup event threw up a new challenge when Hurstville Golf Course turned the front 9 into the back 9 and so the 10th became the 1st through to the 9th turning into the 18th.

Adding to the confusion was the not-so-serious scoring of Mulligans in an effort to reduce those professionals, a group of four in carts who rounded out the field. Did they give the rest of us a chance?

Alas, a professional still managed to score 74, Peter Gardner defied his knowledge of the Mulligans to lead Rob Carter with 76, ahead of Luke Hatcher with 84.

On course, the Professionals scooped the pool on 8 out of 11 holes.

Our presentation day on December 17 brought our HSSGC golf year to a close. We look forward to our 2024 events, split between Hurstville and Campbelltown. HSSGC events start at Hurstville on January 21st (8am), February 4 (7:30am), then Campbelltown on March 3rd (6.28am).

A big thank you to our sponsors Christian’s Premium Meats and Helensburgh Golf Range, and The Illawarra Flame for promoting our community and support of local organisations.

Contact Tony on 0418 863 100 for membership information to enjoy a game of golf, the great outdoors and good company.

Indy signing off: To all HSSGC members and their families, I hope you’ve enjoyed a safe and healthy break enjoying the company of family and friends over the festive season.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2024 and hopefully a lot more golf.

“This will be an expensive exercise as it’s a large site with a significant number of trails and a large volume of affected material,’’ Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.

“We will need to work through a tender process to have this work completed by a licenced provider who has the experience to manage an extensive clean-up of this nature... This means the park will remain closed over summer to manage public safety.”

Once the soil is removed a clearance certificate from an independent asbestos assessor will be required before the site can be re-opened to the public.

PUPPIES NEED A HOME! Yaretz is a four-monthold pup who would love a home of her own! She has been waiting & waiting along with her siblings since she was a tiny little bubba. She has almost given up having her own family, but I have my fingers crossed for them all!

For more details, email ccarpetrehoming@tpg.com.au Country Companion Animal Rescue

Helensburgh Car Services

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

Child Restraints Fitted John Hine (Proprietor) 187 Parkes St Helensburgh 2508 January 47