LIFE SAVERS NEEDED - COAST NEWS - South Coaster
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NOVEMBER 2020
www.2515mag.com.au
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COAST NEWS
LIFE
SAVERS
NEEDED
SCARBOROUGH
WOMBARRA
CALLS FOR MORE
PATROLLING MEMBERS
Clifton | Scarborough | Wombarra | Coledale | Austinmer | Thirroul | Bulli
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COVER Kieran Ritter, of Scarborough Wombarra Surf Life Saving
Club. Photo by Sean Ritter, @seanritterphotography
The South Coaster
2515 is published by The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477.
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MAT WALL-SMITH is as local as a blow-in can Farm
Discover
The Grand
Pacific Drive
be. He has lived with his little family and his big
Hot art, cool cafes
fresh
and ocean pools
Your paddock to Salt Water
plate guide
Wonderland
Whale
dog in Thirroul for a decade. He has spent most
The best beaches for
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surfing and stand-up
thesouthcoaster.com.au
trail
Your ultimate guide to
Discover
3 of the best
wineries
Explore
Glenbernie
Orchard
paddling!
the annual migration
of his life teaching media and communications
Cheers to the Home of award-
Shoalhaven! winning apple cider
and media art at whichever university would Our tourist magazine is
take him (mostly at UOW). That said he doesn’t really believe in becoming a book!
universities. For a while he designed and manufactured robots
but discovered he was even less an entrepreneur than he was an
academic. These days he spends a lot of time running vast The ultimate guide to exploring
distances through the bush between bouts of writing, coding and the bush and the beach
making computers do interesting things. He really likes writing
but doesn’t like writing bios at all.
Holidaying at home?
DR MICHAEL HANSON has considerable Three reasons our book is
experience in the treatment and prevention of a Christmas must-have:
skin cancer. He’s worked alongside clinicians
from the Melanoma Institute of Australia. He
completed his medical education at the 1. Packed with local knowledge
University of Queensland, and his special interests include
dermatology, paediatrics and men’s health. Before coming to 2. Illustrated by local artists
Australia in 2002, Michael completed a Master of Science
(Chemistry) at the State University of New York. As a research
chemist, he worked on drug development and the synthetic 3. Available at local shops!
production of Heparin. Michael now works at Bulli Medical
Practice. He lives with his wife and three children in the northern RRP $19.99, PRE-ORDER TODAY
Illawarra and enjoys bush walking and travelling. Email editor@2515mag.com.au
SARAH MCKENZIE is a writer, reader, and
community advocate living on Wodi Wodi land,
Dharawal Country. She is a former Wollongong The South Coaster book is brought
Writers Festival volunteer. You can follow her on to you by the publishers of
Instagram @sarahrose_writer. 2508 District News & 2515 Coast
News. Any profits from this book
SARAH NICHOLSON is the Director of the South
Coast Writers Centre, creative director of The will go into the production of
Heroines Festival and editor of the Heroines community news, ensuring the
Anthology. future of the local mags you love!
2 / 2515/ NOVEMBER
KANE DOWNIE
This spider has a bright blue face
and was previously unknown to
science. Photo by Amanda De
George, in her Thirroul backyard.
BACKYARD ZOOLOGY With Amanda De George
Just when I was thinking that 2020 couldn’t discovered a species that was new to
get any more surreal, I went and discovered science! So that was the easy bit. I was
a new species of spider! And I found it in about to find out how difficult the next bit
my own backyard! I should back up a bit was. Basically, for the spider to be
and give you all a little context. scientifically described, named and entered
About 18 months ago, I found a little into the scientific literature, the taxonomist
Jumping Spider on my recycling bin. It was requires at least one specimen. By the time
late afternoon and, as many of us know living in I got around to posting my photo, the spider I had
the Northern Illawarra, by that time the sun is long seen was LONG gone!
gone sinking down behind the escarpment. So the I spent the next three and a half months
light was pretty poor for taking photos but this searching. I turned over leaves, all of the leaves,
lovely little boy was feeding on a bug and that turned over garden furniture, looked in every nook
always makes for an interesting post so I took some and cranny. And the bin? Well, that got special
photos and didn’t think too much more of it. attention as I found, after going back through old
Fast-forward to June of this year when I photos, that the spider I first saw 18 months ago
stumbled across a teeny dark brown spider on the was the same species as my special blue-faced boy.
umbrella out on our deck. I almost didn’t run But nothing. Day after day, nada, zero, zilch. Until a
inside to get the macro lens for the camera because few weeks ago, having pretty much exhausted
it was just another brown jumping spider, right? myself searching, I happened to walk past my deck
But I’m nothing if not predictable and a total and there on the side was my spider! Just sitting
sucker for Jumping Spiders with their huge puppy there, in plain sight! Even more ridiculous was the
dog-like eyes and ended up on my hands and knees fact that I found ANOTHER just two days later,
trying to get a photo of this little one who had bouncing along the dash in my car!
sailed down from the umbrella and was now And so, I carefully collected a specimen, packing
bouncing along the deck itself. At one point, the it safely for an overnight trip to Melbourne and
spider stopped and turned. And then it looked up sent him off, where he is currently with Joseph
at me. And that’s when I got my first look at its Schubert, the taxonomist who is currently
incredible, vibrant blue face. This spider was not reviewing the Jotus genus of jumping spiders. What
only very unique looking but also stunningly a year! And to think, all of that extra time at home
beautiful! has helped to contribute to the scientific record of
After trying to research the identification myself, spiders in our region and, indeed, the country!
and then heading out for a coffee and to do the So keep your eyes open, for this little brown
groceries, I finally posted a photo on a spider spider with the bright blue face. He might be
identification page hoping to get a quick, easy jumping around your yard too!
answer as to what this spider was. The answer was
quick alright, but completely unexpected – I had Follow Amanda’s Facebook blog @BackyardZoology 2515
4 / 2515/ NOVEMBER
Makeshift leaders: Caitlin Marshall (at left) and Lizzie Rose.
Inset: a Rumpus cover story from September 2015.
to promote mental wellbeing. Rumpus students
will recognise Makeshift’s “creative prescription
facilitators”, including Narelle Happ (gardening),
Emma Saunders (dance and movement), Kiara
Mucci (painting) and Helena Fox (writing).
Lizzie says: “If we didn’t have Rumpus,
we wouldn’t have Makeshift.
“The seven years that came before us morphing
into Makeshift was the ground that paved the way
for where we are today.
“Participants were telling us that while they
loved learning how to fix their own bike tyre or
bake their own sourdough bread, what it was also
bringing them was a sense of just happiness for two
hours in their day. And they felt calmer and less
anxious and more connected, less isolated.
“That just kept on happening. And then a couple
of GPs and psychologists got in touch with us and
mentioned that they were referring people to our
classes on a therapeutic basis.
“We realised we had some sort of prescription
program happening, and focused in on that and
turned it into Makeshift.”
“The really wonderful thing too,” Caitlin says,
“is we’re working with all these Illawarra-based
artists, but now we have people from all over
Australia participating in our programs.
MORPHING INTO
“In Australia, it’s such a new field of work, but in
the UK, it’s part of the national health scheme – the
concept of social prescribing, where you can
MAKESHIFT
literally go to your doctor and get a prescription to
go to sing in a choir or join a community garden.”
“It’s quite exciting for us. We’re walking down a
The Rumpus has ended, it’s time for Makeshift. 2515 reports. new trail here.”
Researchers have found exercise and creative
Local social enterprise Wild Rumpus is no more, acts can have a similar impact on our nervous
but its lessons live on in Makeshift. system, Caitlin says. “If you spend 15 minutes
After nearly eight years of running all kinds of drawing, you’re actually going to be reducing your
classes, teaching thousands of people how to build stress hormone; calming your nervous system …
tree houses, use power tools, keep bees and more, “But so many people just say, ‘Well, I can’t draw.
Rumpus founders Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose I’m not creative’.”
have launched a new not-for-profit venture. Lizzie: “It’s not even what you’re drawing. It’s like
“Makeshift is an education and support agency the very act of taking a pencil or a pen ... and
dedicated to mental health and creativity for social literally drawing a stick figure can alter the
change,” Caitlin says. chemistry in your brain.
“Our big focus is really wanting to build the “We focus more on the making, rather than the
skills and capacity of people in the community to outcome, because it’s what you’re doing while
understand that we all can be empowered to find you’re making that has the integrated effect on your
ways to support our mental health. nervous system, your brain chemistry and your
“We have a program called Creativity on hormones.”
Prescription, a course that goes over eight weeks. Caitlin: “Kind of like going to the gym.”
And we’re working in partnership with iCare NSW, So, we can all skip the gym today, stay home and
the workers’ compensation agency.” draw a stick figure?
Makeshift will also deliver mental health first aid Lizzie laughs: “Yes!”
courses, quick doses of creativity for workplaces
and teach people how to invite play into their lives For more information, visit www.makeshift.org.au 2515
6 / 2515/ NOVEMBER
Where To Dine
In Coledale ?
(Especially Mondays & Tuesdays)
If you are looking
for quality dining
for breakfast,
lunch or dinner,
then the new-look
Coledale RSL is
the answer!
International
menu with
chef Carlos
Barista coffee
Waterview deck
Member discounts
Bookings not
required
COLEDALE RSL CLUB
731 Lawrence Hargrave Drive Coledale
Coffee Corner open from 6am every day (7am Sundays)
Bar open from 11am | Phone 4267 1873 | @coledalerslclub
OLD WORKS, NEW TIMES
Last month we brought you the story of the Scarborough’s award-winning young filmmaker Ava Dupont. This month,
meet Ava’s very talented dad, photographer Stephen Dupont. Stephen is recognised around the world for his concerned
photography of the human condition, war and climate. In an ordinary year, he would have been off on international
assignments. Instead, Stephen shares how the pandemic forced him to take a trip back in time. The result: OLD WORKS,
NEW TIMES: A survey of photographs, on this November at Clifton School of Arts.
The only positive side to a pandemic is that it published books, signed and half price.
makes you slow down and feeds your mind a new The works will be on show inside the
kind of freedom. magnificent Clifton School of Arts for one weekend
During much of this lockdown and self-isolation only. The exhibition will include many of my
period, I’ve immersed myself in my photography most significant photographs taken in Papua New
archive. If you can imagine for a moment, it’s a Guinea, Cuba, India, Afghanistan, Australia
little like taking a time-machine journey that and more.
rewinds through your memories. I will personally be on site to discuss my work
Gazing over all the photographs I’ve taken, the and answer questions.
exhibitions I’ve had and all the books I’ve made, My works are highly collectable here in Australia
humbles my feelings of some sort of achievement and around the world. They are in the Collections
I suppose. What has always excited me is the of National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery
challenge of trying new things and I can’t think of of Victoria, MONA, Stokes Collection, Jack
a better time than now to open the vault and offer Ginsberg, Aileen Getty, Peabody Museum, New
my hidden works for show and sale. York Public Library, Library of Congress, British
For someone who relies on travel here and Library, TATE, Boston Athenaeum, Wits Art
abroad for work, for creativity, production and Museum, Berlin Art Library, and Joy Of Giving
sales, it has been incredibly challenging. Something, to name a few.
Like many other artists, I have had my income
crippled by this pandemic and, for the first time OLD WORKS, NEW TIMES: A SURVEY OF PHOTOGRAPHS
ever, I am offering some of my photographs for sale 13-16 November at Clifton School of Arts.
with 50% discount along with complimentary Visit stephendupont.com, follow @stephenmdupont
frames. Also available will be a selection of my on Instagram. 2515
8 / 2515/ NOVEMBER
SCULPTOR CALLS FOR COMMUNITY INPUT
NSW sculptor Col Henry is working on a public art project for the Grand Pacific Walk, and he’d love your help.
Wollongong Council has commissioned artist Col
Henry to create a public sculpture for the Grand
Pacific Walk – exact location to be announced.
In an October 14 media release, council said the
artist’s work would be installed on either side of the
viewing platform on stage 1 of the walk, between
Stanwell Park and Coalcliff. But following residents’
objections, including a rash of comments on social
media, Council has backtracked.
“Wollongong City Council is investigating the
suitability and appropriateness of a proposed site,”
a council spokesperson told 2515 at press time.
“At present, no final decisions about the location
for the sculpture have been made.”
2515 understands the sculpture is now tipped to
be installed at Moronga Park in Clifton.
A well-known sculptor, Col Henry mostly works
with marine-grade stainless-steel – one of his
famed creations is Turtle Dream, a giant steel turtle
installed 8m underwater in the Whitsundays.
For the Grand Pacific Walk, Col envisions two
hand-formed towers, with reflective elements at the
top that will respond to the environment and
weather conditions. The works will have space for
some form of inscription or simple image to
“Tell The Story”, to reveal the “Vibe of the Place”.
This is where you come in. Col would love
community input: he envisions aspirational words
or short phrases, sketches, or petroglyphs to mark
the time, and the human connection.
A mini version of the planned
Call Col Henry on 0448 512 788, colhenryart@gmail.com sculpture alongside a GI Joe
or visit www.colhenryart.net toy to show actual scale.
Q&A WITH SCULPTOR COL HENRY but quickly realised there were so many important features,
flora, fauna and the built environment … The chosen theme
What was the inspiration for this design? was to delve deeper into the site and community, and present
I chose to call the work‘ Reflect’. This is to reflect the ocean a lasting abstraction of life on the coast.
environment, the natural environment and the wildlife, but
there is a lot more to the word ‘reflect’. The Latin origin of Where else in Wollongong can readers see your work?
reflect means to bend, or persuade. The modern translation: I have a major work in Osborne Park near Wollongong boat
‘to mirror, to give back, to make manifest or apparent, or to harbour, called Sea Stories, a smaller work outside the
think deeply or carefully about’. Community Centre at Warrawong, and recently was
The polished stainless-steel will reflect the mood of the commissioned to create a community-inspired work
moment / day, whether it be dull and grey, bright and installed on the waterfront park [at Berkeley], called
colourful, or dark or light. The reflections will also show the Sea Shanties.
viewer, how they fit in the Place and Space, even if it is a What’s the lifespan of an outdoor sculpture like this?
multiplied and distorted image. Of course, the community are Stainless-steel is robust, very long-lasting, with a low
the caretakers of this work, and are encouraged to have requirement for maintenance. I suggest that the work will
input into the final design of the work. physically last for many hundreds of years. The Council asks
Did gymea lilies come into it? for a 15- to 25-year lifetime, and can replace the work in the
I was drawn towards the bird life in the first instance, future if the fashion changes. 2515
10 / 2515/ NOVEMBER*Member’s only (can join at reception).
Available Sunday - Tuesday from 5pm.
*Members only (can join at reception).
Takeaway only, no dine in.
Voucher must be surrendered to claim offer.
Add an extra pizza for $12 (max 3 extra pizzas)
Valid for the month of November 2020.
Voucher must be surrendered to claim offer.
Valid for the month of November 2020.STAR-STUDDED ONLINE FESTIVAL!
Helen Garner and Tara June Winch are taking part in the 2020 Wollongong Writers Festival, writes Sarah McKenzie.
Literary lovers, we have great news: Wollongong
Writers Festival is back! The eighth festival is
coming up from 23 to 29 November, with 12
exciting panel discussions taking place online.
Among the headlining writers are Walkley
Award-winning journalist Helen Garner; Miles
Franklin Award-winning author Tara June Winch;
NSW Premier’s Literary Awards-winning author
Bruce Pascoe; Stella Prize-winning author Jess Hill;
and award-winning author and appearance activist
Carly Findlay OAM. Wollongong Writers Festival will feature Helen Garner (left)
This year’s theme is ‘Writing the Body’. The and 2020 Miles Franklin winner Tara June Winch.
diverse line-up of writers will consider the human
body through a range of lenses, including the Griffith Review editor Ashley Hay (A Hundred
traumatised body, the non-white body, the trans Small Lessons); and Laura Jean McKay (The
body, the dying body, the non-monogamous body, Animals in That Country).
the disabled body, the sick body, the sex worker There will also be a range of talented non-fiction
body, the aging body, the sexual body, the animal writers, activists, editors, poets, journalists, and
body, and bodies hidden by history. many others featured in the panel discussions,
Festival director Chloe Higgins said that the which will take place online for the first time.
body has long been a subject of fascination in “In response to Covid-19, we made the decision
literature, and for her personally. to deliver an online program for 2020,” said Chloe.
“This is a theme that is close to my heart, “I’m actually pretty excited about this format
as both a writer and reader. I think that’s because because it means our regional festival has
when we talk about what it means to inhabit a attracted some of the biggest names in Australian
body, what we’re really talking about is what it literature, as well as a few highly sought-after
means to be human.” international writers.”
Other dynamic writers exploring the theme To find out more and book your ticket, go to:
include: Paul Dalgarno (Poly); Dervla McTiernan, wollongongwritersfestival.com
bestselling author of the Cormac Reilly series; You can also follow the festival on Facebook,
Jessie Tu (A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing); Twitter and Instagram. 2515
We raised $1336 for The Smith Family’s “Learning for Life”
program, for disadvantaged children!
Thirroul VIEW Club supports 12 children on this great
program, but they’ve been unable to meet for the last six
months, to fundraise, so the money raised from our Open
Garden was donated to boost those funds. More than a
million children in Australia are growing up in poverty. When
they start school, children in disadvantaged families often fall
behind in the skills they need, particularly in reading and
maths, and without these skills and support it becomes more
difficult to participate in class, and catch up.
THANK YOU
The “Learning for Life” program works with these
children, to give them encouragement and emotional support,
and connects them to local learning opportunities.
From Sandy and Ron Brenchley. If you would like to sponsor a child, you can call
The Smith Family on 1800 633 622 or email them on
A big thank you to everyone who accepted the Brenchleys’ sponsorship@thesmithfamily.com.au 2515
invitation to visit their Open Garden in Thirroul on 19 and 20
September, despite a VERY wet Sunday morning! So many Pictured: Garden club president Derek presents Thirroul VIEW
people came after reading about it in 2515 Coast News, and president Harriet Cartwright with a $1336 cheque for The Smith
we were thrilled to welcome them all! Family’s “Learning for Life” program,
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texture over surfaces – vistas large and small, inside
and out… liquid seas, industrial scenes, dreams
and memories”. Vyvian works with many types of
media but is particularly fond of charcoal which
Events are back – we hope! she finds to be a very forgiving and flexible tool for
WOLLONGONG MAKERS MARKET her exploration of land and seascapes.
By market organiser Lisa Stuart
We’re so pleased to announce that the Wollongong
Makers Market will go ahead this year – with new
dates, times and venue!
Previously held at the UOW Innovation Campus
North Wollongong ,the market will now be held at
the Illawarra Sports Stadium in Berkeley, over two
big days: 28 and 29 November, 8.30am to 3pm.
Of course, we’ll be following all guidelines to
ensure a Covid Safe event. The new venue will
allow for wide aisles and plenty of space between
stalls, and having it over two days will ensure no one
misses out, as visitor numbers will need to be limited.
A donation at the door this year will help save a Visit 55 Parrots, 237 Princes Hwy, Bulli, open daily. Sublime
20ha parcel of unburnt, mature native forest runs 4 November to 1 December. Opening: 7 Nov, 4-6pm.
bordering Conjola National Park from being
cleared for a housing estate. CARVE & CREATE YOUR OWN KITCHEN UTENSILS
So come along and support our local Illawarra Join Brad Van Luty’s two-day workshop at
artisans, help save and support native species and Woonona’s Illawarra Woodwork School. Let this
their habitat, enjoy good food over two big days in respected spoon-carver and bush-regenerator
two enormous halls at the Illawarra Sports introduce you to the wonderful world of spoon-
Stadium, Fred Finch Park, Berkeley. carving with Woody Weeds from Greenwood at
Visit makersmarkets.com.au/wollongong or call a local creek. Nov 28-29, $420.
0411 297 963. Follow @wollongongmakersmarket on Book online: https://woodworkschool.com
Facebook and Instagram
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE
SUBLIME SHOW The Stanwell Park CWA hopes to run a mental
This month, the new 55 Parrots store at Bulli is health first aid course in Helensburgh in late
exhibiting work by Illawarra artists, including November, but the exact date and venue are yet to
works by Wombarra’s Vyvian Wilson. be finalised. If interested, call Ron on 0490 062 466
Vyvian will exhibit alongside four others: or Carol on 0432 385 524 as places are limited.
pleinaire landscape artist Kate Broadfoot, Bulli Mental Health First Aid aims to give the average
painter Renee Kamaretsos, Jennifer Jackson, of person the knowledge and skills to be able to
Stanwell Tops, and mixed media artist Alison support someone who has mental health issues
Winchester. The exhibition, titled Sublime, has until professional help can be arranged. The course
been curated by well-known artist Tanya Stubbles. will be delivered by an accredited trainer over two
Vyvian describes her work as “essentially a separate Saturdays. It is a 12-hour course with a
response to the ephemeral movements of light and certificate of completion available. 2515
LIBRARY’S TINY BITES FOR TINY ONES
Wollongong City Libraries presents, for your viewing
pleasure, Tiny Bites: Snack-sized stories and songs.
This online story telling program is designed for you and
your little ones to enjoy while taking some time out.
Grab a snack and get ready for some fun stories and
songs with your favourite librarians.
Just go to www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/whats-on/
online-programs/tiny-bites and enjoy!
Pictured: Thirroul librarian Tracey talks about insects. 2515
14 / 2515/ NOVEMBERWOLLONGONG
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NOVEMBER / 2515 / 15Janice Creenaune meets Cassandra Cahill, a Coledale
resident who represents the newly formed ‘Winter
Wonder Women’ swim group in the northern suburbs.
GO SWIMMING
Utilising the local ocean pools, the women are
discovering the enormous benefits of swimming while
building friendships during Covid-19. Photos supplied.
Most people agree that 2020 has presented hurdles “We love all the pools so we don’t just stick to one
that are both unprecedented and challenging. but enjoy them all,” Cassandra says. “ They each have
A group of women in the Northern Illawarra and their own personality and beautiful environment. It
beyond have challenged themselves to take on new is partly this we enjoy too. We live next to, and
opportunities. One of those is the Winter Wonder around, such beauty, it is great to feel a part of it with
Women swim group. our group.”
The initial aim was to make connections and Swimming is one of the best activities for body
exercise, but the women have found so much more. and mind. It may strengthen the immune system,
They started swimming in winter 2020, when it keep you fit, boost your mood, alleviate stress and
was too cold for many residents. help you to relax.
“Swimming is, in fact, one of the best activities “We have made good friends, enjoy plenty
everyone can undertake in winter. The healing of laughter and that can’t be a bad thing,”
powers are immense,” Cassandra Cahill says. Cassandra says.
“There are many people swimming in winter, “The group will go on during summer. We are
men’s groups in particular, but we wanted a women’s having way too much fun to stop. We have a
group, and we wanted to enjoy the many wonderful Facebook page and Instagram “Winter Wonder
tidal pools which are a feature of our beautiful coast. Women” and hope many more will join us in the
And we wanted to be outside, yet together, and future.”
supportive in difficult times when we can easily be They are all to be congratulated for their
drawn apart as a sacrifice to the virus. innovative approach in a very confronting time.
“Most often we swim on Sundays, not too early
and we relax after for coffee or a general meet-up. Writer Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for the PKD
Our ladies are multi-generational, one family sports (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia.
three generations, and some travel from quite far, Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com 2515
but above all we have fun… occasionally coffee,
even Macedonian hot shots.
“A lot of ladies have even bought new gear that is
also therapeutic (lycra suits) and, of course, we
‘rug-up’ afterwards. We ignore any body image
issues because it is just us, and we are non-
judgemental. We just enjoy being together.”
Some have even lost weight in their enjoyment of
the exercise, but there is no competition – some
women do four laps, others do 20. There is a lot of
conversation and laughing.
The Winter Wonder Women swim at many of the
ocean pools along our coast.
16 / 2515/ NOVEMBERThirroul Collective
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G7039730AL-140115Below: a stick with cicada eggs in it.
Right: Verity’s daughter Vivian holding some Christmas beetles.
Inset: a Christmas beetle on the lawn (“These are actually from
the curl grubs many gardeners spray every year - the reason
we don’t see many anymore,” Verity says); and a cicada.
BRING BACK BUGS!
By landscape designer Verity Snaith, of Sydney Wildflower Nursery
DOWN IN THE DIRT BRINGING BACK THE BUGS
Dirt – it’s not the first (or the most glamorous!) Unfortunately, many gardeners have been taught to
thing you think about when you’re creating your fear bugs in the garden. But by cultivating wild
garden. But in one handful of soil there are more spaces – giving over an area to the various
living organisms than there are people living on composters, pollinators and pest managers that live
Earth. in our soil – we can all benefit from their hard
From bacteria to protozoa, all the way to work. In your home garden you can do this by
earthworms, ants, insects and burrowing animals limiting digging, chopping up garden prunings and
– the dirt in your garden is of vital ecological using them as mulch, or creating a space for a
importance, yet it is so often overlooked when we compost bay and insect hotel to help encourage
come to creating habitats. more bugs into your backyard. Worm farms and
bug catchers are also a great way to engage children
KNOCK, KNOCK WHO’S THERE? in learning about healthy soil habitats and the
If you put a spade into your garden, what do you benefits and miraculous array of insects and
see? You might notice some earthworms, maybe an organisms that can be found in their very own
earwig or slater, a slug or perhaps some ants. Some backyard.
of these have been branded garden pests but it’s
much better to look at them as part of a whole BALANCING THE SYSTEM
ecosystem that can work harmoniously for the All the organisms – big and small – that live in
benefit of your garden. your soil play a role in balancing the eco-system of
Slaters and earwigs are great garden recyclers your garden. When you neglect your soil health,
and pest managers, providing their populations your plants will ultimately fail to thrive, which
don’t get out of control. And it’s not just bees that means less birds, bees and other wondrous
pollinate your vegetable patch – ants play an creatures visiting your garden. So take the time to
important role as garden pollinators, soil aerators see what’s going on in your soil and leave space for
and composters. Healthy soil that is part of those underground critters who can – if we let
a healthy ecosystem is the best and most them – do a lot of the hard work for us in our
cost-effective way to creating a great garden. gardens. 2515
18 / 2515/ NOVEMBERFOR THE LARGEST RANGE OF AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS
9 Veno Street, Heathcote 2233
Phone: (02) 9548 2818
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
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NOVEMBER / 2515 / 19Hal Pratt – East MacDonnell Ranges
TWO FRIENDS, TWO PLACES
Caroline Baum reports on an exhibition of landscapes near and far by local artists Ashley Frost and Hal Pratt.
Between them, Ashley Frost and Hal Pratt have and shade of the bush on the escarpment above
lived and worked in Thirroul for more than 40 his home and the beaches where he runs in
years. Of different generations and professional the morning.
backgrounds, they became friends when Ashley In Coastal Brush Desert Ochre, Ashley contrasts
took the initiative of presenting a selection of local those familiar places with a very different part of
artists at the Hong Kong and New York Art Fairs. the country, travelling to Fowlers Gap Arid Zone
“We had a great response from homesick expats Research Station in the far west of NSW to take
who were missing the Australian landscape,” says part in an artists’ retreat in a remote gorge. The
retired architect Hal, who initially took up sparse landscape and changing weather provided
photography, with solo shows at Wollongong, plenty of drama, while pushing his work
Orange and Manly public galleries, before turning increasingly towards abstraction.
to painting about 10 years ago. “It’s paradise for painters out there. Something
Although very different in approach, Ashley like rain changes all the colours.” Responding to
and Hal have similar laid-back temperaments the quick-changing and extreme elements, he
and a shared appreciation for the coast, the bush swapped his oils – “they take too long to set up and
and the desert. Each has developed a distinctive don’t do well in the conditions” – for mixed media
style of painting: Ashley usually works in thickly including dry pigment. The experiment was a
applied oils; Hal draws in graphite and paints pleasant surprise: “I like the immediacy of paper.”
in watercolour. Meanwhile, Hal was on his annual mid-winter
Ashley, who has exhibited locally and shows trip to the outback at another artists’ retreat,
regularly at Stella Downer Fine Art in Sydney , a camp out of Alice Springs, sleeping under the
is best known for his glowing, burnished sunrises stars. Unlike Ashley’s set-up, “it’s all catered for,
over Austinmer and Coledale, where he enjoys so you don’t have to think about anything else
plein air (outdoor) painting, capturing the light but painting”.
20 / 2515/ NOVEMBERAshley Frost - Fowlers Gap
Hal feels a strong connection with the country
painted by Albert Namatjira. “It was a thrill to sit
where he sat and paint the very same place,” he says
of the works that pay homage to the Indigenous
master in brilliant colours and the stark sculptural
forms of rock formations and scrub.
“You don’t go out to central Australia to paint
clouds,” he says laconically.
Unlike Ashley, who saw plenty of wildlife, Hal
observed none, “except for dingoes, who will come
right up and take your shoes”.
Now, these two coastal dwellers with a shared
appreciation of the desert are contemplating going
back to Fowlers Gap together.
This year is the first time the two have joined
forces to exhibit close to home at Clifton School
of Arts.
Ashley, who teaches in Sydney and at Hazelhurst
Gallery, will also hold a drawing and painting class
on November 26 ($55 adults, $25 kids). Weather
permitting, it will be held outside, on the grass
across the road from the gallery. Paper and
charcoal pencils will be supplied.
Places are limited, so bookings are essential.
Call 0420 711 853.
Coastal Brush Desert Ochre is on show from
November 20 to 29, Wed-Sunday, 11am-6pm,
Clifton School of Arts, Lawrence Hargrave Drive. 2515
NOVEMBER / 2515 / 21Events are back! The
centre’s Poetry By the
Sea series starts in Kiama
on November 7 and YA
novelist Claire Zorn hosts
a Wollongong Library
workshop on November 21.
WHAT’S ON AT THE WRITERS CENTRE
It’s time to celebrate the centre’s new home in Coledale, write Sarah Nicholson & Matt Campbell.
We’ve got a packed schedule coming up at the over the month. Those interested can become our
South Coast Writers Centre, but are particularly ‘buddy’ by registering on the NaNoWriMo site, and
excited to be finally able to open our doors can join the SCWC Zoom group every Monday in
properly and welcome in the local community! November to “write-in”. You can also attend our
On December 5 we would love to have you at the “drop-in writing group” each week if you’re a
official launch for our new home at Coledale member: it’s lightly facilitated by editor Linda
Community Hall. From 6.30-8.30pm you can hear Godfrey in our ocean-facing meeting room at
from the talented writers at our centre. The event Coledale Community Hall.
features readings from our Young Writers Then on Saturday, December 19 we have the first
Collective, the SCWC Poetry Group, Keira Fiction of our “Say It, Sing It” performance evenings at
Writers, and Ngana Barangarai – our Indigenous Coledale Community Hall. MC Martin Henchion
literary program. We’ll also be launching our 2021 will be presenting a comedy line-up for the first
program and the SCWC Poetry Award. half of the evening. Falling so close to the Summer
This showcase night is also a part of the SCWC’s Solstice, our theme for the evening is all things
fundraising drive. We’ve had a bumpy year (along Pagan! We are open to expressions of interest from
with the rest of you!) and we are running a big artists who would like to perform. Whether you’ve
crowd-fundraising campaign. We’ve already raised got a song, a poem, a dance or a monologue, we
$4500 but we’ve got a way to go to meet our welcome you to let us know via the SCWC website.
$20,000 goal. Finally, we are looking for fellow creatives
In the meantime, Saturday, November 7 starts who’d like to co-work in our Coledale offices,
the SCWC’s 10-month long poetry series in Kiama, particularly those who might be interested in
Poetry by the Sea. First up is poet Emily Crocker engaging with the SCWC activities or joining the
teaching a workshop on Scallywag Poetry. The cultural programming committee for the Coledale
workshop is followed by an open-mic poetry Community Hall.
reading hosted by our director Sarah Nicholson
and featuring Emily Crocker and Jack Oats. More information: www.southcoastwriters.org.au 2515
Whether you want to write, read or listen to poetry,
this event has something for you.
On November 21, we have the second of our ABOUT THE ARTICLE’S AUTHORS
Writing the Distance: From the Short Story to the Sarah Nicholson is the Director of the South Coast
Epic workshops at Wollongong Library. In this Writers Centre, creative director of The Heroines
workshop, aspiring novelists can join award- Festival and editor of the Heroines Anthology.
winning YA novelist Claire Zorn for help with Matt Campbell is a UoW student, amateur poet,
Plotting Your Novel. The third workshop, Planning music enthusiast and aspiring writer/editor with a
a Series, will be held on the 12th of December with passion for linguistics. His creative content is often
seasoned author Alyssa Montgomery. inspired by his experiences as a courier in the
All of November is National Novel Writing Illawarra. He hails from the Central West and has
Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo, where spent four years falling in love with the South Coast.
writers aim to generate 50,000 words of their novel
22 / 2515/ NOVEMBERFor local, experienced and educated real
estate advice, call Ian today!
Ian Pepper
0403 570 041
ian.pepper@raywhite.com
raywhitehelensburgh.com.au
Real estate &
finance update
Local real estate continues to be a
sellers’ market as limited stock is
quickly snapped up by buyers leaving
the city. Houses have been the main
beneficiary particularly those with
plenty of internal and external areas
for the occupants to work from home
and seek space. Some great prices are
being achieved for the most desired
properties and as data comes in, we
should see median prices in the area
are on the rise. Meanwhile, on finance,
the federal government has
announced that responsible lending
laws implemented in 2009 will be axed
by March 2021. The proposed changes
0422 865 648 Thursday and Friday
robyn@beachframing.com 9:30am - 5:30pm
shift from a “lender beware” model to
a “borrower responsibility” model,
13 George St Saturday allowing lenders to rely on the
Thirroul NSW 2515 9am - 12pm
information provided by borrowers.
NOVEMBER / 2515 / 23THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK By Jo Oliver, author of Jessie Traill: a biography After seven years of research and writing, my biography of the artist Jessie Traill was published this year by Australian Scholarly Publishing. I spoke at an International Women’s Day event at the State Library of NSW to an appreciative audience on 6 March. Since then, public events have had to be postponed, including a launch planned at Collins Bookshop at Thirroul. I have also written and illustrated four children’s picture books. Each book uses printmaking as an illustration medium and my love of the printmaking process was my initial connection with the work of Jessie Traill. I received a Creative Fellowship from the State Library Victoria to research and write about Jessie Traill using her extensive papers held in the collection. Other sources included Tom Roberts collection and the Anderson papers from State Library of NSW. I travelled within Australia and to France and the UK to find out more about Jessie Traill’s life, meet people who knew her and see places she lived and worked. My journey researching the life and work of Jessie Traill has been a series of deeply enjoyable and fascinating explorations. I’ve experienced serendipitous connections and met many wonderful and generous people. I have spoken about my research at the National Gallery of Australia and State Library of Victoria. From the 10-year-old girl who first met Tom Roberts painting on the Ti-Tree lined shores of Port Phillip Bay, to the student of Frederick From top: author Jo Oliver; Jessie McCubbin and etchers John Mather and Frank Traill, winter VAD uniform 1916 Brangwyn, Jessie developed her skills as an artist. (Jessie Traill Papers State Library She interrupted her career to work as a voluntary of Victoria); with bicycle in nurse in France for five years in World War I and France, 1917; and Possum time, later raised funds and revisited to war-torn Europe. Harfra at night, by Jessie Traill. She returned to become one of most accomplished Australian etchers of the 20th century, working in a field uncommon for women of her time. Through extracts from her diaries, descriptions of her world travels and letters to friends and relatives we hear her voice. Whether travelling, or in her beloved bush studio at Harkaway, we see through her eyes, beauty, humour and the joys of simple living. I have an ongoing interest in life stories and am currently researching a new biography about another Australian woman artist. Jessie Traill: a biography can be purchased at Collins Booksellers Thirroul (collinsbooksthirroul.com.au) or at Australian Scholarly Publishing (scholarly.info/book/ jessie-traill) 2515 24 / 2515/ NOVEMBER
PICK YOUR OWN
STONE FRUIT
Nectarine and peach picking starts mid-November.
Plus Jo Fahey shares some great Christmas gift ideas!
If you haven’t come to our farm to pick fruit before,
then this is the year to give it a go!
Stone-fruit picking will begin mid-November
and will continue each weekend in the lead-up
to Christmas.
We will run our Pick Your Own tours under a
Covid Safe plan, including smaller groups, physical
distancing and hand sanitiser. Those who wish to
wear a mask are encouraged to do so!
It’s perfect for young and old and something to
do together. Old-fashioned farm stuff – love it!
TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A ‘PICK YOUR OWN’ VISIT
Get orders for fruit from friends. That way you
can have fun picking more!
Make a list of all the people you still need to sort
for Christmas cheer! Pick some fruit to include
in a hamper tied up with a bow or just present
your freshly picked fruit straight from the
paddock in your picking bag or box. I can’t think
of a nicer way to give joy than to turn up at a
friend’s place with local fresh fruit – and the
Photos: Sasha best bit is that it was hand-picked from the tree
Faint Photography by you!
Bring your Santa hats and take a family photo
around the tractor. Could be a nice touch to
print this and other picking shots and include
these with your fruit gift for friends and family.
Make some jam, chutney or other preserves
from your picked fruit to give as a gift.
Homemade is always a wonderful thing! Peach
or nectarine jam is great used as a ham glaze or
served with ham.
Add a bottle of Apple Cider, Perry or juice to
your basket for your Christmas celebrations.
Enjoy a cider tasting on the lawn with the family.
Check in will be required, along with Covid Safe
rules so get here about 15 minutes before your
picking group start time.
For more info and to book: www.darkes.com.au 2515
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NOVEMBER / 2515 / 25Scarborough Wombarra Surf
Lifesaving Club president
Ant Ritter, with his two eldest sons,
Sean (left) and Eamon (right).
Photos: Sean Ritter @seanritterphotography
COVER
FEATURE
LIFE SAVERS NEEDED
Your community club needs you! Scarborough Wombarra Surf Lifesaving Club has a strong
Nippers program, but the club is desperate for adult patrolling members. 2515 reports.
Fifteen years ago, Scarborough’s Ant Ritter joined “I sat in the background, helping with admin.
his local life saving club. As a new father of a We had 60, 70 kids and he got them all there, in the
one-year-old boy, he thought some surf rescue groups and off they run and do their thing.
skills might come in handy later. “I was really, really, proud; the club was proud
“Not growing up near the beach, I thought I of him.”
should learn a few skills myself. It’s been great. Sean – who has been chosen as Bulli High
Thankfully I haven’t had to rescue any of the three School’s vice-captain for 2021 – is also a keen surf
boys yet! photographer. He took the photos for this article
“I say yet…” he adds, laughing. – follow him on Instagram @seanritterphotography
Today, Ant is president of Scarborough Meanwhile, Sean’s younger brother, Eamon,
Wombarra Surf Life Saving Club. And – far from won his award for “recruiting his mates”, giving a
needing rescuing – his two oldest sons have won much-needed boost to teenage patrolling numbers.
top honours at Surf Life Saving Illawarra’s awards “Eamon won Illawarra Junior Lifesaver of the
of excellence. Year last season for his role in attracting all his
In February, Ant’s eldest son, Sean, age 16, was friends to come and start their surf lifesaving
named the Illawarra’s Youth Surf Lifesaver of the journey with our club,” Ant says.
Year and his middle son, Eamon, 15, was awarded “My 10-year-old didn’t win anything but we took
Junior Lifesaver of the Year. him and three friends up to the state carnival for a
“Last year nippers was in danger of being shut weekend – they had a ball, competing and running
down and potentially moving to Coledale,” Ant around in the sun – it’s such a healthy sport.”
says. “We didn’t have the numbers, or parents to
help, or people who knew how to run it… PATROLLING MEMBERS NEEDED!
“And Sean said, ‘I’ll run it.’ Scarborough Wombarra’s Nippers – known as the
“So, at 15 last year, he ran Nippers. Stingrays – are going strong, but the club
26 / 2515/ NOVEMBERdesperately needs adult patrolling members.
“Our starting point this year was 17 patrolling
members,” Ant says. “We have previously had 40 to
50, so we are really struggling this year.
GET YOUR BRONZE!
“We do also have 21 kids who have done their Calling grown-ups. Want to help? There’s no need
Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) and Bronze for life saving experience and club membership is
Medallion (BM) over the past couple of years, free in 2020/21.
but they are too young to patrol on their own. “We just need the people. We’ll teach them the
“I have asked Surf Life Saving Illawarra to do a Bronze Medallion,” Ant says.
full Sunday patrol a month, and some Illawarra “There’s a course over two days - and a bit of
clubs have indicated they would be able to help online with COVID.
us… as I don’t want our members to burn out. “We’ve got an in-house trainer, Bindi Adams,
“We will get through this year with their help,
but the fear is for future years and whether it is and she’s running a course in November.
sustainable or not. We always have this battle, “They’ll learn how to do a board rescue, how to
but it just seems that it is at a low point right now.” do a tube rescue, how to swim in the ocean. And
To recruit new members, the club has held an many adults can do all that – it’s just the technical
open day and distributed flyers in the area. component, the CPR and the resuscitation. We’ll
teach them all that.
IT’S HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF “They can then come and patrol once a month
The Ritters’ role in the surf club all started back in for three and a half hours.”
2005 when Ant found a scrap of paper in his
letterbox calling for volunteers. n The club will run a Bronze Medallion course
“It was just a little ripped off piece of paper -
nothing as professional as our flyer,” he says, with a on Sunday, 15 November and Sunday, 29 November.
laugh. “It was a piece of paper ripped off with a Contact Ant Ritter, email info@
ruler saying the club is in desperate need. scarboroughwombarraslsc.org
“I walked down here [to the club house
overlooking Scarborough Beach].
“A couple of good friends of mine, Tony Harper
and Lisa Carroll and myself, we came down. A guy
came down and suggested he be president – he
wanted to build a second storey on the surf club
and a walking bridge across to the football field and
all these grand plans. We voted him in. And we
never saw him again.”
Ant suddenly found himself elevated to club
president. “I initially put my hand up as treasurer.
So in 2005 I became president – despite not
growing up in the surf – I grew up in the
Sutherland Shire, but not at the beach – and having
no knowledge of surf club culture.”
He introduced a new program that became the
foundation for the club’s strong youth division
today. “We started an under-fives program –
nippers only starts from under-6. We’d have up to
50 kids under-5. Typically your brothers and
sisters, the parents came along, had a bit of fun,
realised we needed help. And they joined. So we
got some really good patrolling members
throughout that time, up to around 40 to 50.”
Ant did a Bachelor of Commerce at the
University of Wollongong, so he knew the coast
prior to moving south to Scarborough. “I moved
down in ’99, and the best thing we did as a family
was to come here, to the surf club, because you
meet everyone.
“The sense of community has been great for us.
NOVEMBER / 2515 / 27JOIN NIPPERS
Scarborough Wombarra SLSC has waived
membership charges this year – families can join
for free!
Nipper numbers at Scarborough Wombarra range
from 50 to 70 a season. “That’s comfortable for us,”
Ant says.
“We’ve always pitched ourselves as the family
friendly club – just come along. We do every second
weekend, not every weekend, it’s for an hour and a
half, not three hours.
“We don’t take point score or roll call. You just
come along. We encourage the parents to come
along.
“The 20-odd kids that my kids have brought in -
they did water safety for us last year.
“So the parents found they could come and just
sit down and watch - it was great.
“We do have the opportunity to go to carnivals.
You don’t have to qualify for local branch carnivals
or the state carnivals. We give them every
opportunity to become a future life saver.
“We’ve got half a dozen new boards and rescue
boards. So there’s plenty of opportunity for kids to We’ve made – they’re better than best friends
try different things. And parents, of course - we – some people we consider family now. They’ve
need the parents!” watched my kids grow. I’ve watched their kids
grow. It’s really nice.
n The Nippers proficiency swim will be on “I presume all clubs have got that, but I know
November 1 and the season kicks off at 10am we’ve got that in a really tight-knit way.”
on Sunday, 15 November at Scarborough Wombarra
Beach. Visit www.scarboroughwombarraslsc.org THE LOCATION
Scarborough is a small beach, just 0.8km long,
bordered by rocks to the north and south.
The Beachsafe website rates it 6/10 (moderately
hazardous), with dangers including topographic
rips and strong currents.
Ant says the club is bound by the same rules as
Bondi. “Clearly Bondi have a lot more people.
But the dangers are exactly the same – people
swimming out, rips… so we all need the same
skill-set that Bondi life savers do. That said,
everyone who patrols here would rather this beach
than Bondi because of the sheer volume of rescues!
“I’ve never had a rescue in between the flags in
summer.
“It’s a quiet beach.”
Since Sea Cliff Bridge opened in 2005, Ant has
seen more people discover Scarborough,
something he’s happy to share.
“I think it is great.
“It’s nice to see a hundred people on the beach,
rather than 10. Just not too many.”
It is relatively quiet at Scarborough Wombarra
28 / 2515/ NOVEMBERYou can also read
