OCTOBER 2014

2 0 80 8DISTRICT NEWS

OCTOBER 2014 www.2508mag.com.au

Helensburgh | Otford | Darkes Forest | Stanwell Tops | Stanwell Park | Coalcliff

snakesalive!

INSIDE THE SUPERB NEW

REPTILE HOUSE AT SYMBIO

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michael adamswas raised in Stanwell Park and became interested in local history, the Aborigines, Major Sir Thomas

Mitchell, and Lawrence Hargrave. He uncovered a nest of bushrangers as a bonus (see page 30). Michael has been a teacher, a principal and a lecturer. He was awarded an educational fellowship to Vietnam, and became sought-after as a Vietnam specialist. His hobby is writing and he has published books on Illawarra history, Lawrence Hargrave and Vietnam. He talks on these topics.

SARA NEWNHAM is a passionate horticulturist with nearly 20 years’ experience. Starting as a landscaper, she soon

discovered a love for plants and design. She has managed nurseries around Sydney. While raising four children, she worked and studied subjects such as natural area restoration. Sara now runs Creativescapes, a garden design and maintenance business (0451 196 646, [email protected]). Read her column on page 16.

Creativescapes garden service

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Karen Lane is the Otford resident who runs The Writers’ Boot Camp. “I believe every person has one unique gift to

share with those around them and when they do this, their personal world and our collective world twirls a little sweeter,” she says. “My gift is the ability to build belief in budding writers and re-build belief in professional writers.” Read her report on page 14. Contact Karen on 0412 787 873 or [email protected] or

WritingBootCamp

LETTERS03 Cancer fundraiser

Movie night in Stanwell Park

NEWS06 Lions Country Fair

It’s back on October 2508 Unleash Our Beaches

Vet speaks out 09 New NICC president

Congratulations to Greg Watts 17 National no. 1

Australia’s best camellia bloom came from Helensburgh

22 Dance stars! Well done to students in eisteddfod

BUSINESS18 new yoga studio

Four women unite to teach yoga and meditation

19 focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

LIFESTYLE10 Cover story Symbio’s

amazing new Reptile House 12 Dr Rip The wave was

how high? 21 Illawarra Men’s

Group Need to talk24 Incredible journeys

How life spreads via the sea 28 Clubs Catch up with the

VIEW Club and the CWA

SPORT42 Swim club Sign up now43 Sea Eels Awards season44 Cricket OS action45 Soccer Summer games46 Golf Club reports48 Touch footy Off to NZ49 Go Titans! Three local

lads at Kids in Care Cup50 Tides52 Burgh2Beach Race on!

Editors Genevieve Swart, Marcus CraftArt director Brendon WiseAd design Wendy Gergos Regular contributorsRob Brander, Sara Newnham, Anthony Warry, Matt SmithContactPO Box 248, Helensburgh, [email protected]/2508magThere is a contributor’s drop box at Helensburgh Newsagency on Parkes Street. AdvertisingSee www.2508mag.com.au for rates, specifi cations and deadlines. Terms and conditions apply. EditorialCommunity participation is encouraged. Please contact [email protected] with story ideas. Letters should be a maximum of 200 words. The editors reserve the right to edit submissions. Contributors should include contact details. Deadline 15th of the month prior to publication2508 is published by The Word Bureau Pty Ltd. ABN 31 692 723 477

Disclaimer: All content and images remain the property of 2508: District News unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in letters, other editorial submissions and advertisements do not refl ect those of the editors.

Printed by MPDUnit E1, 46-62 Maddox StreetAlexandria NSW 2015Distribution Southern Link Letterbox Distribution

DISTRICT NEWS

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

MATT SMITHshoots incredible “over/under” ocean pictures and is this year up for a BBC Veolia International Wildlife Photographer

of the Year award. “I have always had an attraction to the water and the tricks it plays on light,” he says. “I bought my fi rst fi lm SLR camera in my teens and I used it to shoot the coastlines of my home country of the United Kingdom.” Matt now lives in Stanwell Park and his photography illustrates ‘Incredible Journeys’ on page 24. You can his prints at www.mattysmithphoto.com,

Matt Smith - Vieu Photography

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Send your letters, notices and photos to us at PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508, or [email protected]

ladies night to raise funds for breast cancerTo all you ladies out there, save the date of

Friday 10th October to help raise funds for breast cancer research.

Now into its seventh year, the “girls night in” is once again being held at the CWA Hall at Stanwell Park. The movie night – featuring About Time – starts at 7pm, admission is $20 and there will also be fantastic donations for the raffl es with all money raised going to charity.

So grab a group of friends, pack some nibbles

have a say

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and something to drink and head down to Stanwell Park Friday, 10th October.

Thanks for your support,Tanya Pepper

Congratulations, Tanya. Not only have you organised a great fundraiser, you’ve won our Letter of the Month! To celebrate the opening of its new Reptile House, Symbio is giving away a family pass (2 adults, 2 children), valued at $75.

roundabout rules: part twoThank you for publishing “Rules of the

Roundabout” in the August edition of 2508: District News.

The main concept of the Roundabout Rules: 1) First car at the roundabout has the RIGHT

of way. The car on your right-hand side does not have right of way unless the vehicle was fi rst at the roundabout.

2) Indicate when leaving roundabout left or right.

Got that – I wish!Concerned Resident 2508

2 1 51 5COAST NEWSnew magazine!

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koeppel, EllyOur mum passed away peacefully at St

George Hospital, 22 August 2014. As per Mum’s wishes she was privately cremated 27/8/14. Renate and I would like to express our sincere thanks to all who expressed their wishes, fl owers, cards on such a sad occasion. To Dr Meates and his family, a special “thank you” for all the wonderful help and care that was taken with Mum at all times over the years. Fay and John, without you both we surely would have had a much more diffi cult task. Please accept this as our personal thank you. Renate, Margaret and families.

Vince Clarke - 31/12/37 to 5/07/14The family of the late Vince Clarke wish to

thank friends, family and the Helensburgh community for the wonderful support off ered to them during Vince’s recent illness and passing. The amount of love and sympathy expressed has been overwhelming. Thank you

COMMUNITY NOTICES to everyone for their kind words, cards and fl owers. He will be missed.

LIONS TO recycle EYEGLASSESHelensburgh Lions are asking people to

donate used eyeglasses to the Lions Recycle for Sight program. “In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages,” says club president Stephen Wright. Please place sunglasses and reading glasses in the collection boxes at Helensburgh Pharmacy. More info: helensburghlions.org.au

FREE personal FINANCE COURSEHope Church is running a free Personal

Finance Course in early November. Presenter Bronwyn Doak said it would help people structure budgets and save money. Register via Hope Church or CAP MONEY website.

SALVOS VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDWant to help out at Helensburgh Salvos?

Please contact store manager Michelle Hutchinson. Salvos is at 123-127 Parkes St, Helensburgh, phone 4294 9059. 2508

We provide a professional friendly storage solution for local Residents and Businesses. We are conveniently located at Heathcote & Helensburgh, and offer a great range of short and long term units, in various sizes to suit your needs.

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give lions fair a go!

The annual highlight on our calendar, the Lions Country Fair, will once again be full of family fun, reports Gina Krohn, of Helensburgh Lions Club.

On Saturday, October 25, Charles Harper Park will be packed with stalls, food outlets, rides and centre stage entertainment from 10am. Walker Street will have stalls from The Mama Tree members and the community centre will host the Lions’ second-hand book stall, Council information stalls and the Otford Writers’ Boot Camp forums.

“This is the one and only Lions’ market held in Helensburgh,” said Helensburgh Lions Club resident Steve Wright. “It’s important to us as Lions that we involve as many parts of our community as possible, hence working with The Mama Tree to give local entrepreneurs some visibility, featuring local talent in our entertainment, and inviting business, community and sports groups to have stalls at the fair, as well as march in our Grand Parade.”

New at this year’s fair will be a cake baking and decorating competition. All cakes will star in a silent auction in the community centre, the proceeds will go to the Lions’ work while the winner basks in cake kudos for a whole year!

For the big and little kids there will be a giant slide, cup and saucer, and other rides. Entertainment will include the local talents of the

Roly-poly fun at last year’s fair. Photos: Susan Richards

Helensburgh Public School Big Band, Alex and the Doves, Trixie and Friends, and Kay Proudlove, as well as perennial favourites Symbio and the Irish Dancers.

Lucy Lee’s The Art Box will have a pop-up children’s workshop and will work with Sunrise Nursery to decorate Walker Street.

“We would like to welcome the Tradies as our major sponsors for the 2014 Annual Country Fair, and to thank the generous local businesses that have donated to our raffl e,” Steve said.

“It is this support and community spirit that enables our small club to bring the fair to Helensburgh each year, and enables us as Lions to serve, and to give back to our community.”

Find information, stall application forms and cake competition entry forms at www.helens burghlions.org.au or Helensburgh Lions. 2508

What’s on when10am Grand Opening, with singer Casey Fahey ● 10.15am Burgh Public School Big Band!● 10.30am Symbio Reptile Display ● 11am Aubrey & Purton, musical duo ● 11.30am Irish Dance Display● 12 noon Alex & the Doves

● 12.45pm Dennis Aubrey ● 1pm Kenny Bartley – Super Hero ● 1.30pm Trixie & Friends ● 1.40pm Kay Proudlove ● 2.30pm Rebecca Moore Duo ● 3:30pm Jackie Dee Band ● 4.30pm Grand Parade, led by Ingleburn RSL Pipe Band and Irish Dancers

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owner – who wasn’t doing the right thing – to clean up their mess … but there are off ensive people everywhere in life and you don’t chastise the majority for the very small minority. Most dog owners clean up everybody else’s mess as well as their own dog’s.”

He said “the odd poo that’s not picked up on the beach isn’t a human health hazard unless somebody ingests it – and that’s not very likely. The sun and the salt in the atmosphere there dessicate out most parasite eggs pretty quickly.”

Dr Prowse said the beach was “the safest place for everybody”. “If you push people off the beaches, back into the bush then ticks, leeches, snakes … parvo, kennel cough; viruses linger in moist, damp shaded areas.”

As 2508 was going to press, the Illawarra Dog Community group issued a press release claiming that data gained under a Freedom of Information (GIPA) Application showed that complaints driving the offl eash changes could be traced to a relatively small group of residents. For instance, the 17 complaints against Sharkeys between October 2013 and March 2014 were traced to three families.

“Councillors have caused a great deal of anxiety in the community, forced residents to spend thousands of dollars and give up countless hours – all to fi ght what is a completely unwarranted policy change,” Illawarra Dog Community spokesman David Hurley said.

The proposed policy is on public exhibition until October 6. Fill out Council’s online survey or visit the library for a hard copy.

NF1 MEETING REPORTAction Items addressed at the September 10

meeting included an open drain in Walker Street, the “unsafe” Station Street bus stop at Stanwell Park, when will stolen road signs on Old Princes

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on what’s been happening in our district...

dog owners walk the talk Respected community leaders and a dog-

loving public have joined forces to save the northern Illawarra’s off -leash dog beaches.

On September 21, about 2000 dog lovers protested against the council’s planned changes by conducting a peaceful – and very colourful – walk between Bulli and Thirroul. People wore T-shirts, dogs wore bandannas, many with the slogan “Unleash Our Beaches”.

If proposed changes to the Wollongong City Council’s Dogs on Beaches and Parks Policy are implemented, dogs will only be allowed on Sharkeys, McCauleys and Little Austinmer at restricted times, and only if they are leashed. The same would apply in Stanwell Park on weekends and public holidays.

Veterinarian and owner of Austinmer Veterinary Hospital and Helensburgh Veterinary Clinic, Dr Rick Prowse, who spoke at the walk, told 2508 that the reasons for the proposed changes “don’t really stand up, in my book”.

Prowse, who is also a former RSPCA NSW director, said “the human-animal bond is very important”. “People learn a lot raising animals and I don’t think we should discourage people from raising animals; part of that nurturing is giving them exercise; it’s good for the dog, it’s good for the owner.”

Dr Prowse said, “Some of the locals said they were rudely spoken to when they told a dog

catch up

NICC leaders… Greg Watts and Pauline Lacelles-Smith.

Labradors on the march for unleashed beaches.

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Highway from Bulli Tops to Garawarra be replaced, potholes not being properly fi lled, and questions about the provision of safer trees to replace the trees in Charles Harper Park.

chamber elects new Executive TeamCongratulations to the new president of the

Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce, Greg Watts, of Helensburgh Post Offi ce. Greg would like to thank outgoing president Pauline Lacelles-Smith, of Otford Pantry, for her years of service to the community. Also on the new NICC executive are Gavin Little, (Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives), Glenn Lacelles-Smith (Otford Taxation), Warwick Erwin (Stanwell Tops Technical Services), Mattias Samuelsson (Ray White), Tanya Parry (Switched On) and 2508 publishers Genevieve Swart and Marcus Craft.

salvos window display is no. 1 in australiaWell done to Helensburgh Salvos! The store’s

creative “Tangled in Groove” window display has come fi rst in a nationwide competition.

Inspired by the artist Christo, Stanwell Park art director Therese “Peach” Petre and fellow stylist Jenni Booth wrapped furniture in vintage clothing, even pulling high-heeled boots onto chair legs. Voting was via the Salvos’ Facebook page in a National Op Shop Week contest.

cuttlefish MYSTERY SOLVED Anyone else amazed and puzzled by the

hundreds of giant cuttlefi sh bones that washed up on Stanwell Park beach in September?

Australian Museum naturalist Martyn

Robinson said it was all part of the annual cycle of birth and death. “They’ll court, mate, lay their eggs and then die. It’s the bodies of their dead and dying that are washing up on the beach. Almost all the cephalopods that have been studied seem to live about a year... as soon as they’ve spawned they will die. It’s a bit like the old movie Blade Runner, where they had a set lifetime – once they reached that end point, they died. Scientists have tried giving them artifi cial feeding… and they still die at the same time.”

Cuttlefi sh eggs will survive and hatchlings will repopulate the area.

WATER SAFETY REMINDERSThe red and yellow fl ags went up on Illawarra

beaches at the start of the September school holidays. Wollongong City Council issued a media release to remind everyone of the “no fl ag, no swim” rule. Council also reminded residents to check pool safety measures. “In NSW 67 children under the age of fi ve have drowned in backyard swimming pools the past 10 years,” according to Council. So, check your fences and don’t forget private pools must be registered. Go to swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au

growing business in Alternative therapies Ayurvedic consultant Melanie Clark has

joined the team at Aimee Vella’s Acupuncture, Massage and Herbal Medical Centre. “My aim is to bring some ancient wisdom into our busy lives,” said Melanie. “Balance really is the key to a happy life.” Call 4294 9318. 2508

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2508 spoke to Symbio’s John Radnidge about the launch of the zoo’s s-s-super new Reptile House.

Symbio’s new Reptile House is a triumph of creativity and craftsmanship. It’s home to more than 40 species – including snakes, crocodiles, lizards, chameleons and iguanas – has stunning mural art and its construction was a local team eff ort by zoo staff and experts from Dave’s End-less Concreting, Baines Concrete, Rocar Electric, Aldred Engineering and Lyfstyle Constructions.

“I think that our reptile house will be the best in Australia,” says Symbio’s John Radnidge.

We’re in the dark, man-made cavern before its offi cial opening. The 24 empty exhibits are fi lled with tools and paint pots, John is perched in one dripping with painted stalactites. “It’s almost fi nished – just needs some leaf mulch and a skull or two,” he says.

John is remarkably relaxed for a man who doesn’t really like snakes and has a two-metre olive python wrapped around his neck. “In 14 years, this is the fi rst time I’ve had a picture with a snake,” he confesses.

John picked to pose for our cover shot with Ollie the olive python, but reptiles are not his thing. “Give me a tiger ... raaahh,” he roars. Which is not to say he can’t see the beauty in Ollie. “The Aborigines refer to them as the Rainbow Snake because if you take them out in the sun the beautiful rainbow colours of their scales are just phenomenal.”

Ollie is a chilled co-star, with keeper Dan Rumsey keeping an eye on him. Dan is a huge reptile fan – he fi rst visited Symbio at age fi ve, held a diamond python and was “hooked”. He returned as a volunteer last year and is now on staff . Dan tells us olive pythons are Australia’s second largest snake and can grow up to 4m – evidence of which went viral on social media earlier this year. “Remember the picture of a snake eating a crocodile in Mt Isa?” Dan asks. “That was an olive python.”

John, meanwhile, continues to smile like a true professional for the camera.

Snakes alive!SnakesCOVER FEATURE

STATE OF THE ARTSymbio consulted zoos around Australia

to come up with the ultimate Reptile House, which includes an energy-effi cient design incor-porating 60 solar roof panels and two rainwater tanks. “What we have here is the realisation of a dream,” John says. “The work is abso-lutely phenomenal, you just can’t describe the craftsmanship, the hours, the scratching and the scraping, the painting, the building. Credit [my son] Matthew with all this work, he’s the brains behind this thing.”

The “house” is made of core-fi lled block walls and each exhibit inside features a beautiful mural, hand-painted by artist Geoff Williams and his crew from Mullumbimby.

Themes are linked to the animals’ natural environment. For example, the Sea Cliff Bridge exhibit houses our local diamond pythons, Cunningham skinks and jacky dragons. “This is one of my favourites,” says John, pointing to an outback road panorama. “It is very simple, but simplistically beautiful. There will be a heat mat in the middle of the highway – see the tyre tracks? – so a snake will curl up there; the world’s most venomous, the inland taipan.”

The Reptile House received state and federal government grants, but nevertheless has had “pretty substantial investment” by Symbio. “If I get any change out of probably $600,000 I’ll be happy,” says John. “This is a stunning outcome that’s been carefully planned, prepared and built. We’ve designed it so when you walk around each corner, it’s an ‘Oh wow’ moment. The whole facility will be protected by CCTV, alarms, all pretty high tech.”

THE FAMILY BUSINESSJohn left a successful career in insurance to

buy Symbio (then “more like a chook and duck farm”) in 2000. Shortly afterwards, the new zoo owners endured trial by fi re when the 2001 bush fi res came close to destroying the park.

But the zoo has survived and thrived, intro-ducing exotic species, such as a pair of endan-gered tigers, in an award-winning exhibit.

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The Radnidge Symbio dynasty includes John (Managing Director) and his wife, Margaret (Di-rector), daughter Michelle (Employee Relations and Administration Manager) and sons Michael (Operations Manager), and Matt (General Man-ager). “So it really is a family aff air,” John says. “But we like to think that everyone who works here is part of this family.”

Symbio has a staff of 40, plus about 30 volunteers and covers more than eight hectares. “There’s plenty of room to grow,” he says.

And that’s the plan: there’s a big farmyard precinct being built, homes for African animals, plus a splendid vision for penguins and otters.

“It all takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and a lot of money,” John says. “But our rich-ness is not what we have in the bank, it’s what we give... To be entrusted with the care of some of the world’s most critically endangered wild-life, it’s an honour and a privilege.” 2508

FAST FIVEFavourite Reptile House inhabitant?JOHN: Boyd’s Forest Dragon with its dinosaurish appearance and temperament (even though it’s a Queensland species).Scariest reptile?JOHN: Inland taipan, with the ability to kill 200 adults with a single bite.Most reassuring security measure?JOHN: CCTV and comprehensive procedures to ensure safety and security of staff and reptiles.Pick of the paintings?JOHN: Sea Cliff Bridge, featuring the retro Kombi van and the magnificent escarpment.Greatest construction feat?JOHN: The design and in-house construction works associated with 24 state-of-the-art, individually themed exhibits, among other things.

Behind the scenes … John Radnidge, managing director of Symbio, with Ollie, the olive python, in the new Reptile House.

Symbio, with Ollie, the olive python, in the new Reptile House.

Behind the scenes … John Radnidge, managing director of Symbio, with Ollie, the

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be looking at the front face of the wave from the top (called the crest) to the bottom (called the trough).

The vertical distance from the crest to the trough of a wave is the wave height. So the front face of the wave is the true wave height and is equal to twice the amplitude of the wave.

In other words, double whatever the Hawaiians (and a lot of local surfers) are calling the wave height.

As more overseas people started surfi ng in Hawaii and Hawaiian surfers started travelling, their method of estimating wave height started to take hold and that’s the reason why you so often hear surf reports in “feet” rather than “metres”. Even some of the popular surf report and prediction websites will list wave height in feet. The tricky part is that some use the true wave height and some use the Hawaiian method. Most surfers are pretty savvy at nailing the real wave height just by looking at it.

However, you just never know when there’s a little machismo and one-upmanship going

on, so if you really want to know the wave height, it’s best to check it out

yourself! 2508

Coastal geomorphologist Dr Rob Brander is the author of Dr Rip’s Essential Beach Book – buy it at www.scienceofthesurf.com.

two foot or two metres? Rob Brander explains how to measure the true height of a wave.

Have you ever stood among a crowd of surfers on the beach watching their fellow boardriders in big surf? Waves will be towering overhead of the surfers standing virtually upright on their boards, but all the talk will be about the waves being “four foot”. Unless the boardriders are midgets, this seems to make no sense.

So where does this blatant underestimation come from? Blame the Hawaiians.

Surfi ng pretty much started in Hawaii and with those big, long swells rolling in, the original surfers used to sit off shore on their boards estimating the height of the back of the wave as it passed them by. However, by doing this, they only really saw half the true wave height, something we call the wave amplitude.

Now, if you were sitting in front of that big swell wave as it reached shallow water, curled over and started to break on your head, you’d

Did you know?

The true height of a wave is measured from

the front face, from crest to trough, rather than the back of the wave.

It was how high? ... Big wave surfer Richie Vaculik at Cape Solander. Photo: Matt Smith, mattysmithphoto.com,

Matt Smith - Vieu Photography

Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf

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prepare, act, surviveThis is an abridged version of the NSW Rural Fire Service bush fire survival plan.

Having a Bush Fire Survival Plan will help you avoid making last-minute decisions that could be deadly.

Your Bush Fire Survival Plan outlines what you need to do to prepare yourself, your family, your pets and what actions each member of your family will need to take to be safe.

A good plan will consider diff erent situations you may face and what you will do if things go wrong. In a bush fi re, the situation can change quickly and your plan should cover this.

Make sure everyone in your family knows and understands your Bush Fire Survival Plan. Practice it regularly and keep it where you can fi nd it.

Completing a Bush Fire Survival Plan will help you to:● Make an informed decision on whether you will leave early or stay and defend your property.● Understand your level of risk.● Prepare your property.● Prepare a back-up plan. ● Check that you have adequate insurance to cover your property from bush fi re damage.● Act quickly.● Ensure that you have thought about care options for your animals.

Download your Bush Fire Survival Plan today at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and for more information please call 1800 NSW RFS.

For more information, contact Illawarra Fire Control Centre on 4230 8200. 2508

Thanks to Craig Robertson, group offi cer Illawarra Rural Fire Service, for his help with this feature.

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By Karen Lane, of the Writers’ Boot Camp in Otford

It’s not every day you get to sit in the same room as a Hare Krishna celibate monk, an agnostic, an atheist, a Jehovah’s Witness, a practising Christian, a non-practising Christian, a humanist and a Buddhist, plus a sprinkling of new-age believers.

However, at this year’s Helensburgh Lions Fair you’ll get the chance.

All the people are writers, who will gather for a “Meaning of Life Forum” in the Youth Centre (fronting the community centre on Walker Street) on Saturday, October 25. There will be four 45-minute Q&A sessions running on the hour from 10am-2pm.

The sessions could potentially provide a rare insight into the similarities between various religious and spiritual beliefs as each speaker

meaning of life forum

Charli Simons

presents a diff erent viewpoint.Panel members have been part of a year-long

project run by the Writers’ Boot Camp in Otford.

Each member has written on the meaning of life and developed some clarity about the subject for themselves, while also developing a harmonious relationship with their fellow writers.

Each session will address topics such as the nature of the soul; the concept of good versus evil; the subject of death, including murder, death during war and suicide, as well as a discussion of afterlife possibilities.

At the end of the discussion, panellists will take questions from the audience.

This is a free event and there’s no need to book, but if you have any questions prior to the forum, then please call Karen Lane on 4294 1457.

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SUBLIME POINT RESTAURANT & BAR

Coming Soon; We will be Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday Evenings…

§ Look out for our TAPAS MENU coming soon § We have a new STYLISH LOOK – vintage, shabby chic § Book your CHRISTMAS PARTY § Exclusive Venue – perfect for WEDDINGS or SPECIAL EVENTS

Sublime Point Restaurant, Bulli Tops | www.sublimepoint.com.au | Ph: (02) 4267 1855

ALL NEW MENU | Specials Include; homemade pasta & gnocchi, homemade desserts.

OPEN: Wed – Sun | Breakfast & Lunch

AND THE MEANING OF LIFE IS… Pictured are 10 of the 22 writers who’ll discuss this topic at the Lions Fair forum. Standing, from left: Louise Charman-James, Diane Thompson, Christine Williams, Julian Breeds, Julie Davis. Seated, from left: Michelle Aston, Karen Lane, Lesley Coombs, Felicity Simmons, Patrick Stultiens.

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selection. Functionality is important. Do you need some privacy plants or will the kids be kicking balls into the area regularly?

You may need hardscape (edging pathways, retaining walls) before starting your softscape (soil plants and mulch). Planning will help determine the cost, as you’ll have a design to work from. If you need help, call me for a consultation or go to your local nursery.

Tricks of the trade Spring’s new growth brings many sap-suck-

ing insects. If you notice an infl ux of aphids or the odd caterpillar chew mark, spray your plants with pyrethrum. Are your plants looking yellow? They may need a dose of nitrogen, so feed them now with a nitrogen-based liquid

fertiliser, such as Seasol, and repeat every two weeks until plants are green. If your cycads and gardenias are yellow they need nitrogen, but also magnesium, so please do them a favour and drench them in Seasol and Epsom salts.

Do your liriope and cordylines look tired and ratty, are the ends frayed? Do you see holes in the leaves? These are all signs of snail attack. Remove ugly foliage, feed with liquid fertiliser and scatter snail bait around the plants.

Now is seed-sowing time. I like to start seeds in egg cartons. Once seed has sprouted you can break the carton into sections and plant in the ground. This will lessen the shock for the plant and the carton will break down in the soil. 2508

Contact Sara on [email protected] or call 0451 196 646.

Having the garden of your dreams is easy with a little planning, writes Sara Newnham.

Think about the garden you wish you were in. Perhaps you would like

to wander through a cool rainforest or in a fi eld of fl owers. Would you enjoy picking fruit from your own orchard? Having tea in formal gardens like the Palace of Versailles? The possibilities are endless and achievable.

Okay, maybe you don’t have space to recreate the countryside of Tuscany, but I encourage you to borrow ideas and use them on a smaller scale. This is easy just by choosing the right plant combina-tions. For example, start a formal garden by planting hedges and feature pots of topiaries. Wish you lived in a tropical resort? Plant palms, cycads, cordylines, birds of paradise frangipa-nis – these are easy to grow and will make you feel like you are on holiday all year round!

The fi rst step to transforming any garden is planning: start collecting photos of gardens you like from magazines, TV shows, holidays you went on. Or take a walk in a local park – this is a great way of seeing what grows in your area.

Decide where you’d like your new garden and prepare the site. Find out where services may be, such as underground pipes. Look at the aspect – is it sunny or shady? Does it get hit by salt winds? These factors will infl uence plant

2 5 0 8 O U T D O O R S

Gardening with sara

wish you lived in a tropical resort? Plant palms,

cycads, cordylines, birds of paradise frangipanis.

Bushland in bloom: Sara spotted this beautiful little xx

in our local bushland. If you’ve seen any native gems, please

send us photos.

spotted this beautiful little xx in our local bushland. If you’ve

seen any native gems, please

Keep an eye out for little, local beauties …Sara snapped these native spring flowers blooming in the bushland around Helensburgh.

2508 16

2 5 0 8 N E W S

The Best Camellia bloom in Australia came from Helensburgh this year.

Last month locals Jim Powell and Jenny Donohoe were awarded Champion Best Bloom for an American Raised Camellia Cultivar “Royal Velvet” at Camellias Australia’s 2014 National Congress & Show, held in conjunction with Canberra’s Horticultural Society’s Annual Spring Bulb and Camellia Show.

Jenny said: “It is a lot of work participating in these shows, picking the best blooms, transporting them and fi nally benching them. We have travelled to several shows this year, as

national triumph

far away as Narranderra, Canberra, Gordon and Wollongong. In most cases we have plenty of time to pick and bench, but the Canberra Show was diff erent.

“Benching the blooms this time was limited in time and we only had a couple of hours to bench eight boxes of quality blooms, making out the labels and fi nding the class on the bench.

“It was all worth it in the end taking out a National Award and with the next congress and show in Richmond, NSW, we can do it all again.”

2508 17

2 5 0 8 B U S I N E S S

Four women have united to celebrate mind, body and soul at the new ‘Yoga With Amber’ studio in Helensburgh Business Park.

With bare concrete and high ceilings, Amber Muller’s new studio is stark and simple. Yet all it needs is a row of candles, a few yoga mats and the space is transformed.

“My idea is I want to keep the space as clear and open as possible,” Amber says. “I quite like that industrial feel in a way.”

Originally from England, now an Otford resident, Amber has taught yoga for more than

two decades. In her 20s, she backpacked around Australia

and Asia, then lived in Indonesia for 10 years, where she juggled raising children, yoga and a clothing business that supplied the likes of Harrods. It was in Bali that

Amber stumbled upon her specialty: Ashtanga yoga.

“Danny Paradise, who is Canadian, he trained Sting and Madonna and people like that, just happened to come through Bali,” she says. “I went along to a couple of his classes and that’s where I got introduced to

Ashtanga yoga, which is much more dynamic. And because I’m quite an A-type personality, I just fell in love with that style.”

Amber has six-week beginners’ classes starting on October 5 and 7. Joining her in the new Helensburgh studio will be Ellie Youdale, yoga coach for the Western Sydney Wanderers; she’ll teach the Iyengar style.

Kate Callaghan will teach children’s yoga on Tuesday afternoons (for ages 3-10). Kids can expect fun postures, games, storytelling and relaxation. “The children will have lots of fun while also learning tools that empower them to better manage their moods, emotions and reduce the eff ects of stress,” Kate says.

Louise Charman-James from Soul Signature will host meditation and music events, starting with a guided meditation night on October 17 and a family-friendly music evening (kirtan) on October 26. “The meditation is suitable for all levels and the music event involves simple, uplifting chants,” says Louise.

Amber’s vision goes further: she’d like to host all sorts of events, from talks on nutrition to fi lm nights. “All related to wellness, wellbeing, growing up to be happy, healthy people. I think it’s going to evolve...”

See www.yogawithamber.com.au 2508

stars of the studio

From left, Kate Callaghan, Louise Charman-James, Ellie Youdale, and

Amber Muller.

free!Yoga class with Amber

for the first 10 new students to bring

in this article.

2508 18

2 5 0 8 B U S I N E S S

what is traditional chinese medicine?

Founder of Helensburgh’s Acupuncture, Massage and Herbal Medical Centre, Aimee Vella, has had first-hand experience with traditional Chinese medicine.

As a teenager, acupuncture helped her migraines; later she credits traditional herbs with treating a rare uterine condition. “I will always thank this ancient medicine for the gift of my beautiful boy,” she told 2508.

Aimee studied at the University of Western Sydney and spent her internship in China, gaining experience in treating many gynaecological issues. Here she explains a bit about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): “It dates back more than 4000 years and combines many diff erent practices including acupuncture, Moxibustion (burning of a herb above the skin

to apply heat to acupuncture points) Chinese herbal medicine, Tui na (a form of Chinese massage), cupping, Gusha (skin scrapping) and electrotherapy (electrical impulses applied to areas of pain to reduce infl ammation and stimulate nerve regeneration), lifestyle advice, diet and counselling.

“Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical practice that is both an art and a science of healing; well-being is based on the harmonious coexistence of yin and yang. Yin represents cold, rest or sleep, passiveness, dark, night time. Yang is associated with heat, daytime, stimulation, energy, excitement.

“Acupuncture is one of the main tools used by TCM. It is based on the principle of moving energy through channels to infl uence organs, regions and functions that are disordered by stimulating specifi c acupuncture points of the imbalanced organs to help restore its natural homeostasis. This practice can also include the use Chinese herbal medicines to stimulate and strengthen healing mechanisms to restore balance and prevent further disease.” 2508

2508 19

2 5 0 8 H E A L T H2 5 0 8 H E A L T H

That Berrima was described as ‘quaint’ should have been a warning, writes Genevieve Swart.

You know you’ve fallen into a tourist trap when there are more hand-carved wooden ducks than people on the high street. When the village shops are open on a Sunday afternoon, but not a Monday morning. When the main street is soaked in cafes. And the coff ee is not just awfully expensive – it is awful and expensive.

We recently spent a weekend in Berrima, staying at the Book Barn Cottage on the historic 1839 Bendooley Estate in the Southern Highlands. The town wasn’t the only disappointment...

We had booked the romantic-sounding “Gatekeeper’s Lodge”, but didn’t factor in that what this really meant was a location next to the highway. Fortunately, the cottage’s bookshelves were a welcome distraction, fi lled with an eclectic range, from pop fi ction to classics (all for sale). The cottage is on the same estate as the Book Barn, country home of the Berkelouw Book business, just a few minutes stroll away, next to a vineyard.

The barn, about 100 years old, has been converted into a book lover’s dream. Here, you can order crispy pizzas and chilled wine, and dine amid the bookcases, which hold more than

lost days

80,000 titles, new and secondhand. Logs crackling in a mighty sandstone fi replace should have completed a midwinter idyll. Yet on our fi rst day the Book Barn was fully booked. There were queues. It was noisy. On the second day, staff had lost our lunch booking, and confusion and crowds took a pleasure toll.

It is possible, however, that our dream of having a quiet browse among the books was actually shattered by having two small children in tow. They didn’t want to explore the aisles, curl up by a fi re and read. They wanted to go to the fl ying-fox playground in Berrima, hunt for platypus in the creek and get lost in the hedge maze at Harper’s Mansion.

Harper’s is a National Trust property, a colonial Georgian residence, built circa 1834 by James and Mary Harper, and the highlight of our visit to Berrima. It has a 3m-tall hedge maze made of 370 Cupressocyparis leylandii.

There is 350m of path, although the shortest way out is only 185m. We probably walked kilometres.

Now that’s a tourist trap you can enjoy.

FAST FACTSWhere to stay: Book Barn cottage: Weekends/

public holidays (Fri-Sun) $375 per night. Midweek (Mon-Thurs) $250 per night.

More info: www.bendooleyestate.com.au 2508

2 5 0 8 T R A V E L

2508 20

2 5 0 8 H E A L T H

Illawarra men’s Group founder Nick Callaghan.

Why start a men’s group?To create a safe space for men to get together

and talk about the joys and challenges we face in everyday life.

Why do men need to get together like this?I think men have gathered in this way in

many diff erent cultures for thousands of years to share knowledge and experiences together & between generations. Work and family commitments keep modern men very busy making it diffi cult to be heard and gain new insights and perspectives from other men.

How did your fi rst meeting go?We had a fantastic and diverse group of

seven men with a wealth of experience to contribute. Each man wrote down the values he

Q&A with...felt were important, some of which are captured in the photo. Everyone felt there is great potential for the group.

What will the group be doing together?We sit in a circle taking turns to share what is

going on for us at that time. Listening, sharing perspectives and providing support for each other. There is a strong focus on integrity, friendship and taking responsibility for our own actions. It is really about being there for each other as we strive to be the best men we can be for our families, our partners and our community.

Illawarra-Mens-Group or email [email protected]

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www.rwshire.com.au | Ph: 4294 7000

2508 21

2 5 0 8 N E W S

Highly commended… Leah Snell (photo

by WinkiPop Media) and above, star student Olivia Coggan, who won

a first, a second and a highly commended at

the eisteddfod.

By Fleur Harlick, of Helensburgh’s Fleur de Lis Dance Academy.

Over two weekends in August, hundreds of dancers from all over NSW descended upon the Engadine Community Centre to compete in the Shine on Stage Dance Eisteddfod.

Fleur de Lis Dance Academy was proud to have several students competing.

Congratulations go to Olivia Coggan who won a fi rst, a second and a highly commended; Ellouise Paine, who won two second places; and Leah Snell, who won

dance stars!two highly commended places.

For most, it was their fi rst time competing and the experience produced a complex mixture of feelings. Dance eisteddfods are a fun and exciting way to perform onstage regularly but when you factor in competing against others, an audience and a judge it can be a daunting prospect. Facing nerves and excitement, all the students were very brave and danced well achieving great results in a highly competitive eisteddfod. 2508

2 5 0 8 S C H O O L S

nathan an inspirationHelensburgh Public School teacher Merle Carrett reports.

A visit from blind athlete Nathan Johnston was inspirational for some lucky students. Nathan began to lose his sight during early primary, here at Helensburgh Public School, but this has not prevented Nathan from competing in triathlons and distance running events. Among Nathan’s huge accomplishments is the completion of the gruelling Port Macquarie Ironman this year, comprising a 180km cycle, 3.8km swim and 42km run!

Nathan stayed for afternoon tea, chatting to admiring students and teachers, many of whom were part of Nathan’s primary school years.

Our annual Grandparent’s Day was held recently. Grandparents were treated to morning tea then a marvellous concert. Students performed a variety of fantastic songs and dance. Loud applause, cheering and huge smiles were seen throughout the hall.

Grandparents visited the classrooms and enjoyed seeing work, displays, photos and the school’s intranet. Grandparents were even found playing on iPads! The choir and the band performed around the school. The library had displays about the Lego Robotics Team and the trophies they won in Spain. 2508

WELCOME MADDIE: Susan’s Just Dance students were delighted to have Maddie Peat from “So You Think You Can Dance” teach a master class at their Helensburgh studio. “The girls were in awe of Maddie’s talent and loved her choreography. We are so happy to know that Maddie will be back teaching for us again soon,” Susan Page said. For more details, call Susan on 4294 8366.

2508 23

2 5 0 8 N A T U R E

incredible journeysOur new three-part series tackles the big question: how did life get there? To start, Australian Museum naturalist Martyn Robinson explains how creatures travel via oceans.

Life is amazing. It’s on the ground, in the air, under water and deep in the earth.

“Basically, because of the diversity of life and the irrepressibility of life, there is pretty much nowhere where life doesn’t exist on planet earth,” Martyn says.

“Animal, plant, fungi and protozoa life have managed to get to all of these areas, but the question is how?”

There are three main mediums for travel: land, air and sea. In the fi rst of our three-part series, we look at life that spreads via the sea and introduce you to Swimmers, Drifters, Rafters, Sailors and Lost Souls.

SWIMMERSThe most active means of water travel is

swimming. Tails and fi ns are common means of propulsion, but wings work well for birds such as penguins, puffi ns and auks. “They actually fl y underwater, it’s the same action that they use in the air,” Martyn says.

driftersThen you get the passive travellers, the

Drifters, who simply go with the fl ow and let the current take them to new destinations.

“This is what happens with a lot, but certainly not all, of the plankton,”

Martyn says. An exception is larval fi sh that

might actively move around to reach a promising-looking spot to colonise. “Some of the researchers

here [at the Australian Museum] have been studying larval fi sh, and they are

phenomenal as to what these tiny little fi sh will do to reach a suitable destination point.”

In the plant world, coconuts are famous drifters. “Locally, we’ve got mangroves, all of the mangroves have got those fl oating seeds, which do the same thing, travel around in the currents and then eventually wash up on a beach or a mud fl at somewhere suitable, down go the roots and away they go.”

sailingSailing is a more active form of Drifting.

Most of the animal is underwater, but part of it sticks out to catch the wind. “So like a sailing boat, it will actually blow them to new destinations, to new feeding areas, but sometimes disaster too,” Martyn says. “This is what happens to all of the bluebottles that

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2508 24

2 5 0 8 N A T U R E

wash up on the beaches. “They have a sail, which is angled to catch

the wind, it will blow them around the currents and into new feeding areas, without much eff ort at all on their part. It’s just a very limited movement ability within bluebottles, but it also means they can’t avoid things, so when you get a nor’-easterly, it blows hundreds of them to their deaths on the beaches every year.”

Countless bluebottles washed up on our shores in September, bringing with them a few other interesting creatures: the violet snail, with its bubbly raft, formed when it excretes mucous from a gland in its foot; and a blue and silvery striped sea slug called a sea lizard, with six leg-like appendages. “They eat the bluebottles, that’s what they’re there for,” says Martyn.

Rafters “Rafters are usually where there’s been some

kind of disaster in the life of the animal or the plant and it’s washed down a riverway in a fl ood, clinging onto fl oating vegetation or logs, then washed out to sea,” Martyn says.

“It then gets caught in the currents and is at the mercy of the wind and the waves until it washes up somewhere.”

Those that survive may start a new colony. “That’s why you’ve got South American iguanas in Fiji. And boa constrictors on Fiji too – they’ve certainly got there by rafting...

“They’ve been there long enough to become new species, but clearly they’re closely related to the ones in South America.”

lost soulsThe Galapagos Islands are famously home to

Lost Souls; survivors of long ago storms or volcanic eruptions. “All of those animals that are there would have either been blown off course by strong winds and ended up as Lost Souls on these isolated islands, or been fl ooded out to sea and rafted over,” Martyn says. “In the case of the tortoises, the tortoises themselves are the raft, they can fl oat.”

HITCHHIKERS One of Nature’s best known hitchhikers is

the remora, an opportunistic little suckerfi sh that attaches to sharks, turtles, dolphins, stingrays, even ships. They often switch hosts, fl icking over to a larger body that will travel further. “They have really taken the hitchhiking life to heart,” Martyn says.

Next month: How life travels via air. 2508

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Bluebottle predators: Violet snails (above) andGlaucus marginatus both travel with bluebottles.

2508 25

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova (Simon & Schuster)Sarah is a young mother who is trying to have it all – a fast paced career, a social life and a family. One day, a terrible accident causes her to suff er from “left neglect”, a disorder where the brain no longer recognises the left. This changes her life. A story about learning to value oneself. – Review by Dapto Library Book club, “A novel idea”)

send your listings to [email protected]

CHURCHESH’burgh & Stanwell Park Anglican ChurchRegular Sunday services, 8.15am, 54 Stanwell Ave, Stanwell Park; 10am and 6pm, 75 Parkes St, Helensburgh. Call 4294 1024.Helensburgh Baptist ChurchCommunity Centre, Walker St, Helensburgh. Call 4294 8459. Holy Cross Catholic ParishWeekend Mass: Sunday 8.30am. Reconciliation: Sunday 8am.Hope Church 2508Sunday services, 9.30am, 6/17 Cemetery Rd, Helensburgh. Call 0404 803 055.Hillcrest Christian FellowshipSundays, 6pm, Hillcrest House, Railway Crescent, Stanwell Park. Call 4294 3153.

CLUBS 05 Stanwell Park CWA is holding a market/garage sale at the CWA Hall. Devonshire teas on sale to fund raise for the Festival of Flight.21 VIEW luncheon, Centennial Hotel, 11am for 11.15 start, with “Poetry & Pretty Things”. Please phone Nerida 0429 004 298 by Wednesday, October 15. More info: page 28.

ENTERTAINMENT17 Stanwell Park Public School has rescheduled its Movie Under the Stars and Night at the Museum will – weather permitting! – screen from 6.45pm (gates 5.30). Tickets $5 single/$25 family from school offi ce, $8/$30 at gate, includes popcorn. Plus, there’ll be a barbecue, drinks, cake and coff ees. 18 Stanwell Park Arts Theatre (SPAT) fi lm night, see spat.org.au 31 Spooky Friday! Chill out at Helensburgh Public School’s 31 October event, from 4-9pm. “With rides, a haunted house, chocolate cauldron, creepy cake stall and lots more, you won’t fi nd a scarier place to be for Halloween!” the P&C promises. “This event is open to all and we welcome you – if you dare to come!” Download a pre-pay order form for $25 for unlimited rides via the school website – www.

helensburgh-ps.com – and drop it off at the school offi ce, Sunrise Nursery or Helensburgh Veterinary Clinic.

MARKETS 25 Helensburgh’s annual Lions Country Fair! See page 6 for full story.Sundays Foragers, Bulli Showground, 9 to 2pm

MEETINGS 08 Neighbourhood Forum 1. Community Hall Meeting Room at 7pm. All residents, owners and workers in the 2508 area welcome. Council activities discussed and future of 2508 area.21 Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce meeting, 6.15pm networking and dinner for a 7pm meeting start, Centennial Hotel, cnr Parkes and Walker Streets, Helensburgh, call 4294 1008.

PLAYGROUPSMondays 9.30am-noon, Stanwell Park Children’s Centre, Stanwell Ave. Call Penelope, 0431 593 118.Tuesdays 10am-noon, H’burgh Community Centre, Walker St. Call Rosemary, 4294 1290.Tuesdays 9.30-11.30am, Helensburgh Anglican Church, 75 Parkes St. Call 4294 1024.Wednesdays 9.30am-noon, Stanwell Park Children’s Centre, Stanwell Ave.Thursdays 10am-noon, H’burgh Community Centre, Walker St. Call Rosemary, 4294 1290.

HELENSBURGH LIBRARY57 Walker Street; 4294 2185 01 10.30am. Free School holiday activity for ages 5+, “Make your own Kaleidoscope!” Bookings essential, phone 4294 2185.08 Preschool storytime, 10.30am.22 Preschool storytime, 10.30am.

2 5 0 8 E V E N T S

What’s on

2508 26

2 5 0 8 E V E N T S

art by the sea The highly respected Scarborough Art Show is back on October 4 and 5.

At the 16th annual show, see works by photographers, printmakers, sculptors, ceramicists, craftmakers, plus entries from local schoolchildren as part of the ArtSpark Competition. There’ll also be live music, face painting, jumping castles and kids art activities.

Principal Jeff Whitham said: “Our students, this year, have made items for sale in the Craft Room. These items include glass jewellery and Christmas decorations. Additionally, each class has created a collective artwork which will be auctioned on the Saturday.

“This is the main P&C fundraising event and all proceeds raised from the sale of artwork, food, drinks and raffl es come back to the school in a variety of ways.” In the past, money raised has helped the school to air-condition every classroom, buy interactive whiteboards for each

class, expand computer and iPad resources, support a specialist music teacher, fi nance excursions and major ground works, such as drainage, seating and play equipment.

Entry: $5 adults/$3 concessions/under-13s free. Tickets for Friday October 3’s grand opening are $20, book via www.scarboroughartshow.com

Scarborough students prepare for the art show on October 4 and 5.

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Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary & Hip Hop.

Private lessons available. All ages and levels welcome.

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Dance and drama classes in our purpose built studio!

Contact Fleur on 0448 425 594

Tiny Tots to Adults, all ages are catered for.Our Showgroup performs on stage!

Dance Studio located at, 26C Walker Street ~ Entry from Club Lane ~Helensburgh, NSW 2508

2508 27

2 5 0 8 C L U B S

By publicity officer Virginia Dowson

At our luncheon in August, we were expertly educated in how to perform CPR, and other emergency procedures, by Susan Gow from The Ambulance Services. An easy way to remember CPR is to use the rhythm of the song Stayin’ Alive, of Bee Gees’ fame, to keep those pushes going for as long as possible, or until other help arrives, with breaths into the mouth every 28/30 pushes – about 100 a minute.

Thank you, Genevieve (Editor, 2508: District News) for coming to our meeting and luncheon, and we hope you will come again.

Congratulations to one of our new members

who was presented with her membership badge by our vice-president, Lin, our president being overseas.

Chris is now taking bookings for two exciting theatre parties: Dirty Dancing at the Lyric, on Saturday, February 21, 2015, 2pm matinee, to be paid by November 18, 2014; and Les Miserables, Saturday, April 25, 2015, 2pm matinee, at the Capitol, to be paid by February 20. Phone Chris on 4294 1103 for bookings and details.

Did you know The Smith Family operates 20 retail outlets in NSW and ACT, which off er quality second-hand clothes and accessories? Proceeds go towards helping young Australians in need to get the most out of their education through the “Learning for Life” program. The Smith Family’s nearest retail stores to Helensburgh are in Wollongong and Hurstville.

Our next luncheon will be Tuesday, October 21 at 11am for 11.15am start and the popular “Poetry & Pretty Things” will be our entertainment, with their inspiring verses and lovely craft. Please phone Nerida on 0429 004 298 for new bookings or cancellations by Wednesday, October 15. 2508

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2508 28

2 5 0 8 C L U B S

join your local cwa for

devonshire teaCarol Pugh, President of Stanwell Park CWA, reports on the club’s activities.

Our members have been out and about this month visiting other branches and joining with them in their birthday celebrations. We had a particularly enjoyable time at Marshal Mount and Albion Park.

Our next activity will be a market/garage sale to be held at the CWA hall in Stanwell Park on Sunday, October 5. We’ll be providing our traditional Devonshire teas and hope to raise some funds to put towards the expenses of running the Festival of Flight.

This year the Festival of Flight will be held on Sunday, November 16 – so put the date in your calendars now. The planning is well under way and we have put an order in for a bright, clear, sunny day!

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 7 at 1pm, following the regular monthly meeting at 10am and lunch at noon.

Like many organisations, we would love to welcome some new (hopefully younger) members. For anyone interested in joining please call Carol Pugh on 4294 1343 or Jannette Parsons on 4294 4367 or just turn up on the fi rst Tuesday of the month at 10am. 2508

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Head to the CWA Hall, on The Drive in Stanwell Park, on October 5 for a market/garage sale.

2508 29

gang’s reign is

overIn Historian Michael Adams’s

final article, Stanwell Park’s bushrangers come to a bad end.

On November 13, 1828, the Geraghty

brothers, Pat and Jim, stood against the bushrangers, and shot dead Wolloo Jack gang member Hughs.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Howe, miles away behind Kiama at the time of the gun battle, tried to claim that his men shot Hughs while he was trying to escape capture. The remains of Hughs, however, were later re-discovered near the Geraghty property.

It was a great embarrassment that the bushranger gang had been undone by two civilians, the Geraghty brothers, both ex-convicts, and not the large and expensive government force assembled for the purpose of capturing the gang.

York and McLoghlin were the most dangerous remaining gang members. They attacked several Illawarra farms and murdered a dray driver, William Powell, on the Bringelly Road in December 1828, burning his remains and submerging his dray in a pond.

John Paid and Edward Whalen, already captured, were tried and hanged in January 1829, partly on the evidence of former gang member Tom McAlister. Sarah Middleton was sentenced to 14 years at the notorious Moreton Bay penal settlement, a harsh sentence for one already in her 50s. She died just fi ve years later. Her son William was acquitted.

The police fi nally captured York in February 1929, at fi rst without realising they had a principal in the Wolloo Jack gang.

Superintendent Howe wrote to the Sydney Gazette in January 1829: “The whole of men

alluded to, with the exception of one man (McLoghlin), have been taken, and the district is now in perfect quietness and security.”

York confessed to his crimes, beaten by so long on the run. He led them to the remains of the murdered William Howell. Not

long after his partner, McLoghlin, was betrayed by a fellow Illawarra convict, taken, and reported as being shot while attempting to escape from the police. As no body was ever produced, doubt surrounded the police claims.

Tom McAlister was dragged back to court to damn York, who was executed in June 1829. McAlister, not surprisingly, moved away from the Sydney region, unsure if McLoghlin or others of the gang might still be hunting for him. He and his wife, Caroline, went to pioneer Tumut, about as far away from the scenes of the Wolloo Jack gang as they could in those days.

Three hanged, one or two shot dead, two sentenced to Moreton Bay, one virtually banished as far away as possible – the Wolloo Jack gang of “Stanwell Park”, Little Bulli, was ended after terrorising the colony like no other gang of the late 1820s. As Superintendent Howe wrote: “The country is now, in this neighbourhood, completely quiet.”

Whoever would have thought pretty, little Stanwell Park of modern times concealed such a vicious past? 2508

2 5 0 8 H I S T O R Y

This illustration by Phil Church

Three hanged, one or two shot dead, two

sentenced to Moreton Bay, one virtually

banished

2508 30

2508 local directories 31

Solar and Traditional Systems

Lic #227582c

AIR CONDITIONING

accommodation

business directory

Helensburgh Car Services

4294 2930

Tune & Service • E Safety Checks• All Makes & Models •Child Restraints Fitted

John Hine (Proprietor)

187 Parkes St Helensburgh 2508

Call STEVE on

art & about

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2 1 51 5COAST NEWS

ALL NEW MAGAZINEBusiness directory just $39 per month Book online at www.2515mag.com.au

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�rst consultation is FREEcall Chaya Bratoeva 0428 964 705


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All general concretingStamp – Stencil – Pebble – Excavation Council approved

Shane Wilson 0416 162 401

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

AUTOMOTIVE


Ph: 4294 3347 Mob: 0418 430 901

• Reconstruction• Decks • Renovations • Alterations

BRAD MCNALLYCarpenter/Joiner

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7 - 9am & 2:30 - 6:30pmVacation Care 7.30am - 6pm

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Part of the CCM System!

J & D CARPENTRYJohn McKinlayLic No: 46961c

Specialising in Decks, Pergolas, Renovations, Gyprock & Plastering, Maintenance, Ins. Work.

CARPENTER

Ph: 0419 970 902

child care

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

MARK JONES BUILDER• New Homes

• First Floor Additions• Decks & Pergolas

Trading as M&B Jones Building0419 448 696 or 42942078

Est. 1985 Lic No. 143571c

Call Gavin 0407 105 969

Pickering Constructions P/L

Lic# 228720C

New homes, renovations, decks and pergolas

‘Committed to providing qualitybuilding and carpentry services’

STANWELL TOPS TECHNICAL SERVICESHome and Small Business Systems

Local Support

Microsoft Small Business SpecialistMicrosoft Certi�ed & Microsoft Partner

0419 413 935

Kristy Klean Pty LtdAll commercial and domestic cleaning

0402 962 222

DOMESTIC SERVICES

COMPUTING & DATA SERVICES

0404 361 [email protected]

AROUND TOWNDRIVING SCHOOL

Stephen PotterDriving Instructor

DRIVING INSTRUCTION

pestproof.com.au


Specialist in the management of all pests, weeds and termites • Free quotes

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Water blast, seal and colour sealDriveways, footpaths, patios,Roofs, pool and pavement & exterior House cleaning & minor roof repairs

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2 1 51 5COAST NEWS



B.S.S.ENGINEERING0418 406 279Welding & MachiningGeneral Machinery Repairs

No JobToo

SmallUnit 14/17 Cemetery RoadHelensburgh Business Park 2508 OPEN 7 DAYS

ENGINEERING

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FREE local delivery - 7 daysBill & Stuart McWilliam

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• Lawn Mowing • Gardens • Rubbish Removal •

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- Lawn/garden care & maintenance- Council approved irrigation systems- Retaining walls & paving- Pergolas & decking- Ponds & water features


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Call Daniel: 0422 503 193

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Retaining Walls • Pergolas • DeckingPaving • Landscaping Complete Makeovers

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Quality Roof Gutters Supplied & Fitted

PLUMBING & ROOF PLUMBING

Plumber, Roof plumber, Drainer Gasfitter and Emergency repairs

Free quotes and adviceCall James 0409 875 391

Lic 226808c

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e. [email protected] | m. 0452 565 236

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Pool and Spa Equipment, Spares, Chemicals and Automatic Cleaner Suppliers.

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PROFESSIONAL & FINANCIAL


Call or SMS0421 566 312

Party Yourself Into The Best Shape Of Your Life!Tues: 7pm-8pm Helensburgh Public SchoolThur: 7pm-8pm MacKillop Hall, HelensburghSat: 9am-10am Helensburgh Community CentreCost: $10 per class with discount cards availableZumba - its fun, its fantastic,

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BAZZA’S HANDYMAN SERVICES: All handyman repairs. Decks, pergolas, tiling, fencing, plastering and all other timber work. Local, reliable, quick and fully insured. Free quotes. Ph. Barry [Bazz ] 0414 492 509 or 4294 8164.

BRICKLAYING: All brickwork, block work, extensions, retaining walls, repairs. Ph 4294 3741 or 0413 323 629 Lic. No. 35124C.

CARPENTER: Friendly, Honest, Reliable service where manners comes standard. From doors to decks and everything in between. Fully insured. Call Kelvin for a free quote on 0421 952 100. Lic No. 253680C

CLOTHING ALTERATIONS: Zippers replaced, hems taken up, minor repairs fi xed. Reasonable rates. Ph Melinda 0419 977 658 or 4294 1619.

FIREWOOD: Do you have logs that you would like turned into useful fi rewood but don’t want split it by hand? Call Home Log-Splitting Service 0429 009 400 or www.log-splitting.com for more details.

GARDEN SERVICE: Rejuvenate your garden: pruning, weeding, hedging, clean ups, rubbish removal. Regular mowing, edge trimming and gardening service also available. Call Stewart 4294 9726 or 0429 035 192.

HANDYMAN: Local service offering a friendly service for all aspects of home improvements, maintenance, construction and repairs. Fully insured. Call Kelvin for a free quote on 0421 952 100. Lic No. 253680C

RAELEEN’S FANCY FACES: Face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon twisting, special effects makeup, helium balloons and pregnancy belly art. Bring the ‘wow’ factor to your next party, fete, christening or corporate event. Local business (will travel), fully insured, exceptional hygiene standards, professional cosmetic-grade face paints used. Ph. Raeleen 0413 291 843.

SOUTHERN MATHEMATICS TUTORING: Real Tutoring, Real


CLASSIFIED AD RATES $120 for six months; $25 for a one-off. Max 30 words. [email protected]

Classifi edsResults. Combined 45+ years of teaching and lecturing experience. Qualifi ed Maths Teachers/Lecturers only. Max of 6 students per group session. Individual sessions by appointment. Contact Gavin 0459 550 452; Shaun 0407 213 622. References & information, www.southernmathematicstutoring.com.au

SUSAN’S JUST DANCE: Great fun, no pressure, fantastic environment to learn to dance. Jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, boys only hip hop crew. Ages from 3 to adult. Latest music, great teachers. Concert each year at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre. For registration Ph. Susan 4294 8366.

TUTORING: Maths, Physics, Chemistry. Primary, High School, HSC. Final year engineering student Sydney Uni. $25 hr. Ph. Jack 0490 134 480.

YOGA STANWELL PARK: Stretch, strengthen, relax. Based on Yoga & Pilates. Suitable for beginners. All classes 1 hour $14 casual or 5 for $60. Tues 9.15am & 7.15pm Thurs 7.15pm Sunday 4.30pm. Stanwell Park Childrens Centre, end of Stanwell Ave, Stanwell Park. www.facebook.com/yogastanwellpark – call Karen to book 0403 789 617.

YOGA WITH AMBER: Yoga classes in Stanwell Park and

Helensburgh. Amber has 20 years + of teaching yoga in Australia and Internationally. Classes are friendly, dynamic and tailored to suit your needs. $15 per 75 mins class. Beginners workshops, General & Advanced classes, Mums N Bubs, Pregnancy classes. Timetable: www.yogawithamber.com.au or call Amber on 0466 370 307. 2508

2 1 51 5COAST NEWS


Hawks swimmers

h-sp surf club open for business

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Lifesaving Club has important dates coming up, reports the club’s publicity officer Sandra McDonald.

Looking for a venue for a birthday party, engagement party, wedding or a great location for a business meeting? Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Club is available for hire. Contact Chloe on [email protected]

For up-to-date news and info about the club visit www.stanwellparksurfclub.com. 2508

Fun, friendly competition… Bowen Willebrands, of Helensburgh Hawks Amateur Swimming Club.

Helensburgh’s Nathan Shoemark is once again raising money for a worthy cause.

Woody’s Watch is aimed at breast cancer prevention and fundraising. (Leisa Woods was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.)

To raise cash and awareness, Michael Lough and Nathan Shoemark will ride from Byron Bay on October 30 to Noosa – that’s 350km over two days. After a day of rest they will compete in the iconic Noosa Triathlon. Visit noosatriathlon2014.everydayhero.com/au/byron-to-noosa-triathlon to donate. 2508

Helensburgh Hawks Amateur Swimming Club – new members welcome!

We invite you to be part of this exciting sport at the Helensburgh solar-heated 25m pool. Our swimming club will start on Thursday, October 9 and will be held every Thursday night at 7pm, through to March 2015.

The Thursday night swim is based on an individual point-score allocation whereby swimmers compete against their previous times. The main aim of point score is to encourage swimmers of all ages and standards, from younger swimmers through to adults competing in a fun, friendly atmosphere while improving their times.

Registrations are available online at http://

Important datesOctober 26 IRB Launch named “2508” in appreciation of community support plus Music on the Lawn October 31 The surf club’s very popular Friday Night drinks and meals return at the surf club. October 31 Fri Night – Surf Life Savers Collection Day – Stanwell Park.November 1 Sat morning – Surf Life Savers Collection Day - Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops and Otford.

riding for a great cause

nsw.swimming.org.au. Fees for the 2014-15 season are $95 per swimmer. For more info or assistance registering, contact Rachel on 0422 405 327. Please Like the club online –

Helensburgh Hawks Swimming Club. 2508

2508 42

sea eels2 5 0 8 S P O R T

Our winter swimmers have been very busy, reports Karl Weber.

In the fi rst week of July we took part in the South Metropolitan Winter Swimming Championships at Bondi Icebergs. This was a special event for us: it was the fi rst time all club members – men and women – could compete in a regional championship. The Cronulla Polar Bears had invited us, and we relished the opportunity to mix it with top Sydney clubs. We won a second in the O/50 men’s relay. Hopefully it will be the fi rst of many visits.

On July 20, the annual South Coast Winter Swimming Championships were held at the Woonona Ocean Pool. Our results included:First – ‘C’ Grade relay; O/30 Men’s 50m: James Quinn; O/50 Men’s 50m: Ron Masser.Second – 4-man nominated time relay; O/65 Men’s 50m: Rod Hampson.Third – O/40 relay; Open 50m sprint: Ron Masser; President/Captain relay: Peter McDonald and Barry McGuinness; O/65 Men’s 50m: Peter McDonald.

Our annual Cram House day was held at the Helensburgh Workers Club in the fi rst week of August. More than 50 clients from the Cram Foundation joined us for the day of fun. A highlight was the presentation of a cheque for $3723 from our swimming club. All monies were donated by club members and are raised each week by our raffl es team of Margaret and Peter Hunt, and the Fine Masters Rod Hampson and Anne Woodward.

Our ‘end of year’ championships were held on September 14. Presentations were held at the H-SP Surf Club. Winners included:U/14 – Aahlia MarshallU/18 – Ryan Van ZylOpen Men – James EcclestonOpen Women – Katarina LissO/30 – Steve McDonaldO/40 – Karl WeberO/50 – Barry McGuinness O/60 – Barry AllenJohn Stacpoole Swimmer of the meet – Jacinta Connelly100m Endurance Cup overall point score champion – Barry McGuinness

King Cup overall point score champion – Barry McGuinnessSlippery Eel – 100% championship race – Gary MarshallClub Member of the Year – Anne Woodward.

The Sea Eels will serve their famous rissoles every time we are rostered on at H-SP Surf Club’s Friday nights. Come and enjoy a hot meal and a cold drink. Stay cool and best wishes for summer. C’mon, ‘Feel the Eel’! 2508

The Sea Eels presented Cram Foundation clients with the results of the swim club’s fundraising efforts.

Open 7 Days

2508 43

Our home-grown cricketers are impressing overseas, reports HCC publicity officer Sean Mulally.

The Helensburgh Cricket Club and its members have a long-standing tradition of creating connections not just within the local community, but also expanding the club’s relationships abroad.

After having players from the Netherlands, England and New Zealand represent the Tigers in past seasons, the club has in recent years rekindled a playing relationship that began 10 years ago.

Just last year the Tigers took a travelling party to England and competed in a match against Chobham Cricket Club on their President’s Day. The Tigers also attended the Ashes Test at Trent Bridge during their visit.

Following in the footsteps of Helensburgh Tigers old boys Tim Lloyd and Ben Haran in 2004, players from the club have, in the past two winters, made their way over to England and

TIGERS’ OS CONNECTION

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

played with Chobham in the Surrey County League - with great success.

After the stellar performance in 2013 by 1st Grade batsman Mitch McCrae, 1st Grade wicket-keeper Ryan Morris applied his skills over in the “Mother Country” this year, much to the delight of his new team-mates.

Ryan Morris was the star player for Chobham C.C. this season. He played 20 games for the club, scoring 824 runs at an average of 51.5 with fi ve 50s and three 100s. But it wasn’t just with the bat that Ryan dominated. He took 44 wickets at the meagre average of 19.36 with two fi ve-wicket hauls.

Hopefully, Ryan’s season is just one of many to come in the future for any Helensburgh players who head overseas. We also hope it’s a sign of the form he is going to bring back home in season 2014-15, which starts on Saturday October 3.

For all the latest news in Tiger Town, Helensburgh Tigers Cricket Club or visit our website at helensburghcc.nsw.

cricket.com.au. 2508

Ryan Morris in hard-hitting action for Helensburgh. Photo: Lachlan Brady.

2508 44

Play the World Game in warm weather? Sounds awesome!

Jeanne Parker and Simon Fuhrer reckon the time is right for a Junior Summer Soccer Competition in Helensburgh.

“We are hoping to attract teams from the Northern Illawarra up to Heathcote and Engadine. While it is a competition, the emphasis will be on having fun and playing fair,” says Simon.

“The games will be on Mondays between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, right before the adult

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

summer soccer

Summer 7 kicks off , so we hope this will be a bit of a family event.”

The competition will start on Monday, October 13 and run until March 2015. There will be U7, U9, U11, U13 and U15 teams.

Fees are not fi xed at this point in time, but it will not be more than $80/player.

Email [email protected] asap with name and age group of interested player(s). This is not an offi cial registration, but helps organisers gauge interest.

burghjuniorsummer7 and please Like the page. 2508

• Conveyancing • Wills

• Administration of Deceased Estates • Challenging and Defending Wills

• Power of Attorney • Enduring Guardianship

• Family Law • Litigation

NEIL LYON Solicitor

5 Walker Street, Helensburgh PO Box 99 Helensburgh

Upstairs above the liquor shop Tel (02) 4294 2076 Fax (02) 4294 2238

Email: [email protected]

2508 45

A Helensburgh Workers Sports and Social Club report, by Barry Thompson

Our September tournament saw Bob Scullion sinking long putts from all points of the compass to take out the Parrino’s Pizza voucher and fi rst prize money. Well done, Bob; it’s been a long time between drinks. Two other old stagers resurged: Al Wagner took second and Rod Vaughn third. (Bob+Al+Rod would have been a big paying trifecta. Wish I’d been on it.)

We welcomed Jarrod Egbers as a guest and hope that Paul Morahan benefi ts from winning the Helensburgh Driving Range voucher.

the workers golf club

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

We must consider arranging an insurance company to underwrite our Eagles Nest prizes after two have been claimed in consecutive tournaments. This time Darryl Ovington took out the $50 with a great shot on the seventh.

Jammu Fagerstrom won his matchplay and we may invite Robbie Waterhouse to open a book on the result of his clash with Laurie Thompson in the fi nal this month. It should be a close result with a big hitter up against a wily short-game exponent.

Our Presentation Night will be held at the club on Thursday, December 4. Please advise John Towns if you will be attending.

The next tournament is on Saturday, October 18 at Boomerang. Tee-off at 7.30am. This will be a Stableford event. The weather is improving so why not come and share our triumphs and tragedies as we try to master this vexing sport? Just turn up early and introduce yourself to our starters, you’re assured of a warm welcome.

Musing: In championship rounds, why is it I always start badly then gradually fade away?

Contact me on [email protected]. 2508

Bella Shutters & BlindsDid you know?

sell awnings for all your windows, alfresco areas and to shade your outdoor areas.

call Carl today

2508 46

Never Late shines, Fabulous wins the cup and Vicki “The Hair” Little has a Barry Crocker.

We all have one of those days when nothing goes right! The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the heads were clear and you don’t have a hangover - that’s probably the problem! But it doesn’t matter what you do, it just gets worse. That’s golf! Even the pros have those days, which makes me feel better.

Dave “Never late” Flewin edged out Craig “Kung Fu” Nichol, taking out matchplay for the day. Down to three now with “Never late”, Dave “Leprechaun” Morris and Rob “The Sniper” Miller to fi ght it out in the fi nals.

Freddie “Fabulous” Tilden, who can smash a ball like you’ve never seen, was the winner of the day, taking out the Jo Doherty Cup, which

he should be proud of, and having his name engraved on it. I would like to see him skol that mug, it’s huge.

Mark “Chucky” O’Connor, in second place, won the grog voucher, which brought a smile to his face from ear to ear. Trev “The Retiree” Chipperfi eld was very chuff ed in third place, winning the Driving Range voucher.

If you’re thinking of playing golf once a month, come and join us on the fi rst Sunday in the month.

From The Confused Golfer: We must always be humble in victory and cocky in losing.

A special note from a Little Beauty:And baby makes three! Congratulations,

Jessica and Kristian Williams, on the birth of Khai Kristian Williams on September 20, 2014: cute, cute, cute. Luv From Ninny (Vicki Little) and Poppy (Peter Little). 2508

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

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2508 47

Watch out kiwis – the aussies are coming! and there’s plenty of helensburgh talent in the sides.

Five local Helensburgh teens – Jayden Thwaite, Adam Dee, Kobe Bell, Hayden Shoemark and Tyra R Thwaite – have been selected to represent Australia in the National Touch Rugby Association Trans-Tasman Tour to New Zealand.

Donna (Mixed Golden Masters) and Adam Thwaite (Over 40s) have also been selected to take part in the three-game Test Match series to be held in Wellington, New Zealand from October 16 to 18.

The Helensburgh families will hold a fundraiser at the Centennial Hotel on the afternoon of October 12 to help cover the costs of this tour. They would love your support – see the box, at right, for more details of the fundraising event.

In total there will be nearly 30 players from Heathcote Oval Touch Football on the Trans-Tasman Tour to New Zealand.

Players representing Helensburgh are: Over

touch footy reps to nz

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

40 Mens: Adam Thwaite; Under 15 Mixed: Tyra Thwaite, Hayden Shoemark, Zac Wynter, Kobe Bell, Madyson Shoemark; Under 17 Mixed: Jayden Thwaite, Adam Dee; and Mixed Golden Masters: Donna Thwaite. 2508

• Tune & Service • E Safety Checks• All Makes & Models

• LPG Rego Checks• Blue Slips

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John Hine (Proprietor)187 Parkes St Helensburgh 2508

Helensburgh Car Services

Child Restraints FittedSands • Aggregates • Road Bases • Soil BlendsMulch & Compost • 2nd Hand Building Supplies

Brick & Concrete • Construction & Demolition Waste Green Waste • Timber • Soils & Mixed Fill Steel No Hazardous Waste

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Locals get 10% OFF(just prove you’re from the Burgh)

Help our players get to nz!“We are holding an afternoon of jazz/country music, featuring my band and Triple Karma on Sunday, October 12 at Centennial Hotel, Helensburgh,” said organiser Jackie Dee. “There will be nibblies and raffl e prizes to be won.”

(From left) Tyra Thwaite, Jayden Thwaite, Hayden Shoemark, Adam Dee, Kobe Bell

2508 48

Three young rugby league players from Helensburgh did us all proud in the kids in care cup.

Local lads Zane Mitchell (U15), Seamus Allen (U15) and Billy Allen (U11) represented 2508 as part of the Illawarra Titans Aboriginal Rugby League Football Club in the Kids in Care Cup.

The comp was held at Sid Parrish Park, Fig Tree on September 20. Teams from throughout the region attended the event.

Billy, who plays half-back, is nine years old but played in U11.

The three young stars even stood still long enough for 2508 to get a photo of them!

An estimated 4000 people attended the Kids in Care Cup, which is a precursor to this year’s NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout. The Knockout will be held at Lakeside Ovals, Raymond Terrace, from October 3 to 6.

This year is the Titans’ sixth in the Knockout; open mens, womens, U17 and U12 sides are expected to play in the comp.

The Illawarra Titans Aboriginal Rugby League Football Club was founded in 2008 and has a proud tradition of participation in the region. 2508

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

TITANS’ local stars

Accepting for recycling: green waste (trees & branches), soils or mixed fill, general solid waste

Ph: 02 4294 2157 | Fax: 02 4294 4572 | BlackwellBros.com.au

Soils, Sands, Metals, Woodchip, Bark, Cement, Gravel, Bulka Bags, Recycled Concrete - Aggregate & Roadbase

DA Approved Resource Recovery Recycling Facility

Yard at 159 Walker Street Helensburgh

Pick Up and Delivery AvailableCall us or we’ll both be losing money...

Skip Bins: 2m - 12m Discount for Bulk/Large Orders

Zane Mitchell, Billy Allen and Seamus Allen.

2508 49

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

infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights.The Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting

from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

port kembla tidal chart

2 5 0 8 T I D E S

2508 50

Tigers look to next year

2 5 0 8 S P O R T

Pipped at the post is a painful way to end the season, writes first grade skipper Steven McCallum.

As the 2014 season drew to a close the Tigers were left wondering what might have been as the Thirroul Butchers held on for an 18-16 win in the grand fi nal.

It had been a hard-fought encounter: neither side had given an inch but in the end the Butchers prevailed.

The boys have done themselves and the club proud. Head coach Ryan Powell couldn’t have asked for more from his players, and will be looking to go one step better next season when he returns as head coach.

The Tigers did have some grand fi nal success this season: the U17 Tigers were crowned Illawarra champions with a brilliant come-from-behind 26-24 victory over Dapto. With a lot of the side coming into grade next year, the future is looking bright for the Tigers.

Our women’s side made it four premierships in a row with a 42-6 demolition job of Port Kembla in the grand fi nal, capping another undefeated season. NSW Player of the Year, Kezie Apps, scored four tries. Well done, girls.

Reserve grade were knocked out one game short of the grand fi nal by eventual premiers Wests, 24-18. Still a great season for them.

Big thanks to all who helped the Tigers this year: your support is greatly appreciated!

Also thanks to our sponsors: Peabody Energy, Canavan Building, Menai Civil Contractors, Gurnett Plumbing and Helensburgh Premium Liquor, to name a few.

■ Helensburgh lock Blake Phillips was named joint winner of the Paul McGregor Medal at the Illawarra Coal League’s Annual Presentation Dinner at Dapto Leagues Club on September 12.

Kezie Apps was named Women’s Player of the Year. Jarrad Fitzgerald received the Reserve Grade Highest Pointscorer Award for the third year in a row.

On September 13 the Tigers held their presentation night at Helensburgh Tradies. A huge thanks to all who helped on the night, as well as Tradies for their hospitality.

Award-winners were: U19: Coach’s Award Lachlan Highett; Best Forward Jesse Cobb; Best Back Ridge Barredo; Players’ Player Tasmin Gilmour; and Best and Fairest Tom Carr.

Women: Coach’s Award Jasmine Sarin; Best Forward Erin Blackwell; Best Back and Players’ Player Maddie Studdon; and Best and Fairest Kezie Apps.

Reserve Grade: Coach’s Award Jye Scott; Best Forward Jordan Hay; Best Back Michael Stone; Players’ Player Mitch McRae; and Best and Fairest Luke Dudgeon.

First Grade; Coach’s Award Rhian Gerard; Best Forward Steve McCallum; Best Back Eamon Hillen; Players’ Player Wayne Bremner; and Best and Fairest Blake Phillips.

Perpetual Awards:Rookie of the Year: Tasmin GilmourOutstanding Achievement: Eamon HillenDedication (Women): Georgie BrookerDedication (Men): Jesse CobbHighest Work Rate: Steve McCallumMost Improved Back: Tom CarrMost Consistent Forward: Grant SmithTackling award: Jarrod BoyleClub Service Award: Johann CobbPlayer of the Year (Women): Kezie AppsPlayer of the Year (Men): Blake PhillipsThe Tigers’ AGM will be held on October 12

at the clubhouse from 3pm.Hit Like at helensburghtigers. 2508

(from left) Tigers’ Blake Phillips, Dragons’ coach Paul McGregor and Thirroul’s Sam Clune. Blake and Sam were named joint winners of the Paul McGregor Medal this year.

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BURGH2BEACH2 5 0 8 S P O R T

First woman to finish: Erin Hargrave and her family celebrate her win in last year’s Burgh2Beach.

Are you ready? The third annual Burgh2Beach, an 8km fun run / walk for charity, will be on October 26.

The last two annual events have raised a total of more than $37,000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) NSW.

The 8km race will start in Helensburgh, outside the Centennial Hotel, and wind its way through Otford, down Lawrence Hargrave Drive and end with a beach run to Stanwell Park Surf Club.

For every individual entrant who raises $185 or more, Burgh2Beach will reimburse your entry fee. For details, look for ‘free entry’ on the website (www.burgh2beach.com.au)

The entry fee is $35, or $50 on the day. A family entry is available but not on the day and only preregistered. Family Entry for adults and their dependent children (e.g. two adults and three kids, or one adult and four kids) is $99.

The main person behind the Burgh2Beach is Helensburgh vision-impaired athlete Nathan Johnston.

The Sharny Army – those who come out in

support of Bulli MND suff erer Sharn McNeill – are expected to be out in full force at the race.

2508 asked last year’s winning woman, Erin Hargrave, to give us a few race-day tips:

● Eat something little before race; nothing too heavy / drink fl uid, e.g. banana and honey on toast, peanut butter on toast.

● Don’t go out too fast; there’s a long way to go and a challenging hill early in the race.

● After the race try to do a warm-down for 5 minutes, to fl ush your legs out and maybe get into the ocean to waist depth; that’s great recovery for your legs.

Please note: Walkers are scheduled to start at 7.30am; runners at 8am. A race briefi ng will be conducted at 7.15am for walkers and 7.45am for runners.

Family and friends of runners/walkers will able to make their way to the event fi nish on Stanwell Park Beach but spectators must pass through Bald Hill/Stanwell Tops by 8.15am when the fi rst event participant arrives. For safety reasons, the road will be closed for 45 minutes in both directions from the Stop sign at Bald Hill to Stanwell Park – a distance of about 1km. Alerts will be in place from weeks prior.

At the time of writing, Helensburgh Premium Liquor was the major fi nancial contributor to the 2014 Burgh2Beach.

Like the race at Burgh2Beach. For more details on the event, visit the website at www.burgh2beach.com.au. 2508

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OCTOBER 2014