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THE ILLAWARRA
June 2022 Keeping community news alive
Welcome to Winter
It’s swim time for the Sea Eels
F r e e t o 1 1 , 0 0 0 l e t t e r b oxe s / www.thei llawarraflame.com.au
Meet Our Contributors
Rob Brander – aka ‘Dr Rip’ – is a
coastal geomorphologist and
professor at the University of New
South Wales in Sydney. A resident of
Coalcliff, he’s been studying beaches
for more than 30 years, starting in Canada where
water temperatures convinced him to come to Online
in June!
Australia. He is an international expert on rip
currents and beach safety and runs a community
education program called The Science of the Surf.
Iris Huizinga migrated to Australia The Wednesday Flame –
from The Netherlands, where she was e-news for nature lovers
a screenwriter. She graduated from The Friday Flame –
the Victorian College of the Arts in your e-guide to what’s on
Melbourne. Since 2009 she has
volunteered locally, at the surf club and with the New ‘Community Champs’
fire brigade. Iris is filming a ‘Community Champs’ films on Fridays
series celebrating local volunteers for the Flame. Fresh puzzles & trivia
Renee Jurgielan is co-founder of Digital badges for
local Illawarra based not-for-profit, Local News Supporters
Frame Running Wollongong. Renee
is passionate about supporting Choose from free or
children with disability to enjoy $5 a month subscription deals
inclusive sporting activities. Renee likes getting
outdoors and spending time with her friends and www.theillawarraflame.com.au
family and their therapy dog, Erin.
Dr Michael Hanson has a special
interest in men’s health and a strong NEXT
background in the treatment and T H E I L L AWA R R A DEADLINE
prevention of skin cancer. Michael 20 June for
moved to the area in 2015 and works July’s
at Bulli Medical Practice. He is married with three edition
children and enjoys bush walking and travelling. EDITORS Gen Swart, Marcus Craft
Janice Creenaune is a retired CONTACT editor@theillawarraflame.com.au;
English teacher. A wife and mother of 0432 612 168; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508.
three, she sees the life of a retiree as TheIllawarraFlame
an evolution, something to be ADVERTISING www.theillawarraflame.com.au
cherished, enjoyed. Janice is a 0432 612 168 | T&Cs apply
volunteer for PKD Australia and her interests DEADLINE 20 June. Submissions welcome,
include travel, Letters-to-the Editor SMH, letters over 100 words may be edited.
letterpress printing and film study.
COVER The Sea Eels. Photo: Anthony Warry
Matthew Derbridge is a 28-year-
old graduate student of Wollongong THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by a family
business, The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477
University who studied teaching,
social science and education. DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain
A writer, Toastmaster and School the property of The Illawarra Flame unless
Learning Support Officer, Matthew is a jack of all otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine
may be reproduced without written
trades, an entertainer with an active imagination permission. Views expressed do not reflect
trying to make a difference in the next generation. those of the publishers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The publishers acknowledge
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultural
and spiritual connection to this land. Their stories are written
in the land and hold great significance to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, from the mountains to the sea.
2 June
KANE DOWNIE
Q&A with a debut author
Jackie Bailey’s first book is out just in time for the South Coast Writers Festival in June.
to see her before she died. I organised her funeral.
I delivered the eulogy.
After my sister died I took some time off writing.
I enrolled in an ordination program to become an
interfaith minister and funeral celebrant. I had
learned from my sister’s death that a funeral does
not solve grief but, when done well, the ceremony
can leave a person with a clean wound, ready for
healing. I conducted my first service a month after
I finished The Eulogy.
Best part about the writing process?
The best part of the writing process: having done
the writing!
A highlight for me has been meeting fellow
writers here in the Illawarra, who have become
Please tell us a bit about yourself. great friends. Also, working with my editor at
I live on Dharawal Country in Austinmer with my Hardie Grant Books, Emily Hart. It is such a
husband and our daughter. Writing is my passion privilege to have someone else care about your
but it doesn’t pay the bills, so I am lucky to have words and help you solve issues that you had
other passions which (sort of) do! I work as a thought were impenetrable!
celebrant, an independent funeral director, and an
arts and social impact researcher. When I am not What can readers expect?
writing, working or hanging out with my family, you Writing The Eulogy was an act of pure hope on my
might see me panting my way up Sublime Point. part. I gave my protagonist Kathy a positive ending
because sometimes people manage to metabolise
Your book is described as “autofiction” – how intergenerational trauma. For Kathy and me, hope
much do truth and imagination cross over? is an act of defiance and an entirely reasonable
I would say that The Eulogy is 70% true. I first choice. I hope it is for readers, too!
started writing The Eulogy as memoir, telling the
story of my sister Allison’s diagnosis with a brain Where can we buy the book?
tumour and how our lives unfolded around that. Collins Booksellers Thirroul or online through
I wrote The Eulogy as part of a creative writing Booktopia. Collins Booksellers Thirroul are also
PhD through the University of New South Wales, hosting an event with me on Wednesday,
and one of my readers suggested I try writing the 29 June 2022.
story as fiction. So I did, and it was liberating. Spine width: 23.05mm
Fiction allowed me to create a real sense of
South Coast
‘Jackie Bailey’s work is
a masterclass on death,
In The Eulogy she deftly loss, grief and love.
urgency in the present tense for my protagonist,
unpicks and unpacks one
family and asks: how should sprawling
we live?’ —Hayley Scrivenor
‘A beautiful big-hearted
book, alight with wonder
‘What a book!
Writers Festival
wisdom. It broke my heart and rich with
and mended it again.’
THE EULO GY
—Roanna Gonsalves
Kathy Bradley. Fiction also gave me a safe place to
Brutal and funny
It’s winter in Logan, south-east
warm enough to sleep
Queensland, and still and full of love.’
in a car at night if you
else to go. But Kathy can’t have nowhere ALICE PUNG
sleep. Her husband is on
talk about all the hard things – race, disability,
blocked caller list and her
weekend
she’s running from a kidnapping
a Tupperware container charge,
of 300 sleeping pills in
She has driven from Sydney her glovebox.
to plan a funeral with
surviving siblings (most her five
of whom she hardly speaks
trauma, poverty.
their sister Annie is finally, to) because
blessedly, inconceivably
the brain tumour she was dead from
diagnosed with twenty-five
years ago,
the year everything changed.
Kathy wonders – she has
I could also research and imagine my parents’ Jackie Bailey will appear
always wondered – did
get sick to protect her? Annie
And if so, from what?
In writing Annie’s eulogy,
Kathy attempts to understand
JACKIE BAILEY
the tangled story of the
Bradley family: from their
childhoods and write about that too. I wrote about at the South Coast Writers
childhood during the Japanese mother’s
occupation of Singapore
World War Two and their in
father’s experiences in
conflict and the Vietnam the Malayan
War, to Annie’s cancer
and the events that have and disability,
shaped the person that
Kathy is today.
my father’s time in the Malayan Conflict and the Festival, held over the first
Ultimately, Kathy needs
Annie to help her decide
she will allow herself to whether
love and be loved.
Jackie Bailey’s autofiction
novel is an astounding
weaving together storylines debut,
Vietnam War, and my mother’s childhood under weekend in June at
and relationships over
and will stay with readers decades,
long after the last page.
Japanese occupation in Singapore. Basically, venues across
CATEGORY
I wrote everything I could remember, and I Wollongong Town Hall, JAC KIE BA ILE Y
imagined all the things I could not. Library and Art Gallery.
HGB001-Eulogy-fullcov
er-FA2.indd 1
Catch Jackie on Saturday 4th at The Music
31/3/22 8:52 am
What inspired you to write it? Lounge from 2-3.30pm for her talk on ‘The
The Eulogy is at its heart about me and my sister, Eulogy: Challenging the Limits of Autofiction’.
Allison. Halfway through the PhD my sister
Allison was admitted to palliative care. Like Kathy For a full program of events,
in The Eulogy I arrived at the hospital just in time visit southcoastwriters.org/festival
4 arts & culture
More housing urgently
needed for downsizers
Our area needs more villas and apartments to meet high demand,
writes Raine & Horne Helensburgh Principal Julie York.
At Raine & Horne Helensburgh, we have many
clients wishing to downsize from their large
family home, but cannot do so because of the
lack of suitable smaller houses/villas and
apartments.
There is high demand for 2 – 3 bedroom villas
and apartments with garaging and a small yard
or courtyard.
We really need to recognise that our seniors
don’t want to move out of the area and therefore
suitable housing is urgently required. If only
someone would build a complex to cater for
these residents, most of whom have lived here
for most of their lives.
This week alone I have spoken with five
couples, all asking for the same thing. They all
want to downsize and would love to stay here, in
a town they love.
Maybe council can look at changing the
zoning on suitable land to allow this type of
development to come to fruition, sooner rather
than later.
Achieve the highest result, with the name you know and trust
Contact Julie York – your local real estate professional
0405 128 070 | rh.com.au/helensburgh
June 5
The Big Switch Pitch
Austinmer has the potential to be a climate leader, the Illawarra Flame reports
Could the popular seaside village famous for its
twin pools ‘electrify everything’ and become a test
Dr Saul Griffith
case for the world to follow? presented the case
The figures stack up, Austinmer local Dr Saul for electrifying
Griffith told an audience of about 130 people who everything. Photo:
gathered for the launch of his book, The Big Switch, David Corbett
on 11 May at Thirroul Community Centre.
Deb Thompson, of event organisers Collins
Booksellers Thirroul, said: “After two Covid-
postponements, we finally welcomed Dr Saul
Griffith, introducing his inspiring plan to
transform Australia as outlined in his latest book
The Big Switch: Australia’s Electric Future.
“Saul offered practical advice on taking a slow
and steady (and budget-friendly) approach to help
fight climate change, which can ultimately lead to
individual households making a large impact.
“Our thanks to facilitator, Caroline Baum, and
Voices of Wollongong for their involvement.”
The talk had been booked out but, possibly due Inspired by the ‘electrify everything’ argument,
to wet weather, about 70 people did not turn up. Cr Cox was set to ask councillors at Wollongong
“As a result, the wait-list of more than 60 people City Council’s May 23 meeting to consider
missed out,” Deb said. “Please let us know if you switching off gas connections to all new
cannot attend events as your place will always be households as a step towards net zero.
gratefully taken by someone else.” “There should be no more gas stoves connected,
Internet connection problems plagued a no more gas hot-water heaters connected,” she
livestream of the talk. To listen to a recording, said. “I am confident it [the motion] will get up.
visit www.voicesforwollongong.org/speakers “We shouldn’t be building stuff that we know we
need to shut down in the coming decades. Can you
Support from local Greens believe we are still doing that?”
Jeremy Park, of Voices for Wollongong, the
non-partisan group that helped run the event, said Rewiring Australia
that while all local politicians had been invited, An engineer, inventor and recent advisor to the US
only Wollongong Greens councillors Cath Blakey government, Dr Griffith founded Rewiring
and Mithra Cox had attended. Australia last year. During his talk, he said he had
“People were really inspired about the really been lobbying politicians to launch community-
practical and possible solutions that Saul based electrification projects. “Hopefully we get to
presented,” Cr Cox told the Illawarra Flame. do this in a few places,” he said.
“He paints a pretty compelling picture of how No locations have been locked in.
possible this transformation is, and not just that it’s Ahead of the election, Rewiring Australia
possible, but that it can make life better and that it published an online tool calculating how much
can actually make everybody’s life cheaper.” each electorate might save if it electrified homes
On the idea that Austinmer could be a Suburb and cars. The average Cunningham household, for
Zero and host a two-year pilot project in which example, could save $4190 per
cars and homes are fully electrified, Cr Cox said it year on energy and vehicle costs
would be “absolutely fabulous”. by 2030, while 1690 direct and
“One of the things he was saying is that one of indirect jobs were predicted to be
the most important factors is community buy-in to created from community savings
such a scheme. I think, on that criteria, Austinmer and installation work.
would be perfect.
“When he asked people who had already done The Big Switch book is at
various actions, like put solar panels on or switched Collins Thirroul or listen to an
their stove from gas to electric, there was already a audio edition at www.
really high take-up amongst the audience.” rewiringaustralia.org
6 arts & culture
May 7
Murder documentary makers traced
family’s history in Helensburgh
By Jenny Donohoe, Helensburgh Historical Society researcher
Towards the end of 2021, ABC TV See Historical Society
producers spent time in Helensburgh
working on a new TV documentary about president interviewed
the Family Court Murders of the 1980s. Long-time Helensburgh
The second episode of the four-part resident and local historian Jim
series about four murders, two shootings, Powell has featured in the
and five bombings between 1980 and 1985, second episode of investigative
featured Historical Society president Jim journalist Debi Marshall’s
Powell (see sidebar). gripping four-part documentary
Director Chris Thorburn and Walkley award-winning crime series, The Family Court
journalist Debi Marshall, author of the book, The Family Court Murders, on ABC.
Murders, on which the series is based, spent time in In the episode, titled “An
Helensburgh researching and filming part of the documentary. Unusual Killer” and aired on
In September 2020, Helensburgh-born Leonard Warwick Jnr, Tuesday, May 17, Debi visits
then 73, was sentenced to three life terms for murdering a judge, Helensburgh because that is
a judge’s wife and a churchgoer. The murder of Warwick’s where the convicted Family
brother-in-law, for which he was a suspect, remains unsolved. Court killer, Leonard John
Why did it take so long for Warwick to be charged? Well, you Warwick, was born and raised.
will have to watch the series. His five-year reign of terror, from
Leonard (Lenny) John Warwick was born in 1947 in 1980 to 1985, included the
Helensburgh, son of Leonard John Warwick (1913-1994) and murder of a judge with a .22
Eileen Muriel Grant (1922-1953). Leonard’s sister, Eileen, was calibre rifle and the bomb-
born in 1948 in Helensburgh, but she disappeared about 1963. related murders of two people
No record has been found and Ancestry.com recorded her in separate incidents.
death in 1953, but that is wrong; her mother died in 1953. In an on-screen interview with
(Confusingly, mother and daughter had the same name.) Debi, Jim talks about
The Warwick families were old pioneers who moved to the Helensburgh, its mining history,
district from 1910-1913 and lived on Lawrence Hargrave and he also explains that
Drive, called Blue Gum then, now Helensburgh. Warwick’s father had worked his
The original pioneers were Walter John Warwick (1879- way up from shovelling coal to
1933) and Pearly Theodora Arnold (1891-1964); their children being in charge of shot-firing* at
were Walter Reginald (1910-1986); Leonard John Snr the mine. (* The placement and
(1913-1994); Eric Wilton (1917-1993) Enid Joyce (1923-1997) detonation of explosives in a coal
– the last three children were born in Helensburgh. wall so rocks and hard soil can
Pictured: Helensburgh Public School 1959 – Lenny Warwick be removed from the site.)
(top, 3rd from right) and his sister, Eileen (2nd top, 2nd from The Family Court Murders can
left). Photo: Jim Powell/Helensburgh Historical Society be watched via ABC iview.
8 arts & culture
Artists of the Illawarra
Stanwell Park painter Edith McNally introduces Barbara Gray
Originally from southern Sydney, Barbara art prizes including the Mosman Art Prize,
Gray became a regular day-tripper to the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize
Northern Illawarra for sketching and and Ravenswood Australian Women’s
painting. Day-tripping morphed into a Art Prize.
permanent move in mid-2019. She had Contact Barbara or view her work on
absolutely fallen in love with the area and, as Instagram (@barbaragraystudio) or visit
she said, “immersed in such a spectacular www.barbaragraystudio.com.
landscape, with so much inspiration, feels like a
perpetual holiday and an artist’s dream come true”. Write to Edith at mcnallyedith@gmail.com
As a child, Barbara never stopped drawing and
painting. She studied fine art in her 20s and
continued to learn by doing various master classes.
She was always pursuing new artistic goals by
challenging herself with different mediums and
effects. She prefers to paint from sketches gathered
in her local environment, where she interprets in
colour, texture and with emotion. Her subjects
vary from landscape, figurative to still life.
When able to travel Barbara always carries a
sketchbook and watercolours – so much fun to sit,
observe and absorb a place. Most Thursdays are
spent sketching outside with a small group. She
became involved with Wollongong Art Gallery by
entering the “Postcodes from the Edge” exhibition
and “Flow Watercolour” art prize. She also
delighted in participating in the “Group” exhibition
last year at the gorgeous 55 Parrots store, Bulli.
Barbara captures what many local artists share
when she says: “I feel so privileged to live in this
environment and to be able to share its beauty on
paper or canvas. I paint in oils, watercolours and
mixed media. Art has always given me great joy
and an amazing journey”.
Barbara has been selected as a finalist in many
First in a fantasy
By Helensburgh’s newest author, Matthew Derbridge
For 10 years, I have been pursuing a dream and got more work done.
that started as a hobby. I have been using Come 2022, I decided that if I couldn’t
any spare time I found, using any money I get my ideal career and accepted that fate,
earned to achieve it. During the first five I would pursue my other dream on my
years of university, I wrote the first and own, with time, money and a lot of
second books. I attended a Shire Writer’s thought, stress and joy. I put my first book
Festival in 2017 and pursued being out there online for everyone. What started
published by talking to a publisher. as a small idea grew into a whole world.
After being rejected six months later in Age of the Immortal, Book One of the
2018, I lost sight of the dream when I Immortal Legacy Series, is available on
didn’t hear back from other publishers. Amazon and other platforms. I hope to
When my ideal career was becoming more difficult have paperback copies to sell to anyone who wishes
to get, I returned to writing and worked on a third to buy them in the near future.
book, hoping that a series would sell better. When Please check out www.immortallegacyseries.
Covid put us in lockdown, I had more time to write com or find me on Facebook or Instagram.
10 arts & cultureSee Side ptical
This is who we are,
where we work
and what we do
Anita’s Theatre Shop 10, King St Thirroul
Call for an appointment today on 42683933
June 11‘Barton’s playing was just superb’
Words and photos by Iris Huizinga
Concert goers told us what they thought of the Steel City Strings performance Earth
Connections, with William Barton on didgeridoo, in Wollongong on Saturday night, May 21.
Nikki (Shellharbour): David (Wollongong): Natalie (Wollongong):
“It was good and I liked it. “I’m the CEO of Wollongong “I like the diversity in all the
I really liked the way they Conservatorium and I’m just pieces and definitely the
performed it and showed really enjoying the program. didgeridoo.”
emotion in it. In the middle [of It’s a really beautiful, really
“Port Essington” by composer interesting program. Some
Peter Sculthorpe] there was a really meditative sections and
section with the birds, where then some slightly more kind For more information on
they imitated the birdsong of gritty, earthy music in there Steel City Strings and their
and I liked that.” as well and William Barton’s upcoming programs, visit
playing was just superb.” www.steelcitystrings.com.au
Above the waterline, below the bridge
By local studies librarian Jenny McConchie
The Sea Cliff Bridge is an engineering marvel and
popular tourist destination. However, there was
little leisure time for the men who travelled to the
area in the 1880s.
The image below, recently donated to the
Wollongong City Libraries, provides a glimpse into
the area’s past. It shows Coal Cliff Jetty jutting out
into the sea below where the bridge now stands.
The jetty was built in 1877 to ship coal from the
Coal Cliff Colliery. Rail tracks ran from the jetty to
the mine’s entrance in the nearby cliff face. High
above, the wooden posts that marked the route of
the road, now known as Lawrence Hargrave Drive,
are just visible.
If you have images or documents you’d be Lawrence Hargrave Drive in the old days,
willing to donate or share, contact the Local Studies when rock falls were a major hazard. Below,
team at localhistory@wollongong.nsw.gov.au Coal Cliff Jetty (Illawarra Images P38224)
12 arts & culture+ use your health rebate, before you lose it
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Anita’s Theatre: Shop 10, King St Thirroul
Call for an appointment today on 4268 3933
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13 George St Saturday
Thirroul NSW 2515 9am - 12pm
June 13Time to
write for children
Janice Creenaune meets Dianne Ellis, who worked in local government as an
assistant to the mayor of Bankstown and now writes children’s books in retirement
Dianne Ellis has a passion for reading and a talent naturally to me. Not all my books rhyme, but
for writing, but deep within her psyche there is an children react so strongly to those which do rhyme
even deeper love for children and the environment. and I enjoy them too.”
She combines all these elements to create stories Dianne’s first books, the Rusty Rumble series,
for children. First came the Rusty Rumble series which she self-published, were just that: poetry in
and later Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class, Kingsley, storytelling form for children up to age six.
the cross-eyed kookaburra and Dabbleduck. “I love the promotion of the books through
Dianne’s first published poem appeared in her readings in libraries, day-care centres, schools and
school newsletter when she was eight. She bookshops. Sometimes I even read at the Nan Tien
continued to write poetry through her life and Temple markets.
constantly developed fictional characters and “But I must admit it is the passion for writing
stories in her mind. “I was so busy as a working that is important even if it is not published, and the
mother of three, I didn’t have time to take the joy of children when we read together and later
stories to the next level,” Dianne says. discuss the issues. I just love it all.
As assistant to the mayor of Bankstown, she “The lovely area I live in allows me to feel a very
organised huge events and wrote numerous positive energy about me, the sea, the escarpment
speeches. “I wasn’t particularly good at writing and my house, and I really had a Rusty Rumble dog
speeches so I took some courses and excelled in the myself. I’m a regular ocean pool swimmer and
creative writing component. My tutor urged me to many new characters pop into my head during my
continue my creative journey and my confidence to morning laps.
write for children grew from that time. Not sure if Dianne is careful not to preach. “My last three
my speech writing ever improved though.” books are about perseverance, friendship,
In retirement in Austinmer, living at the foot of team-work and environmental awareness and I’m
the escarpment, Dianne did not have to look far for thankful children seem to understand their
inspiration. “My husband and I also travelled a lot, messages.
so that too allowed me to look beyond for all types “Having a cross-eyed kookaburra, for example,
of inspiration. Dabbleduck evolved from watching allows discussion of differences and even
some eastern wood ducks being disturbed by nearby disabilities within us all without necessarily stating
platypuses at Walcha village bridge. it outright. My illustrator, Janet Davies, has done
“Poetry has always remained close to me as well, such a wonderful job.
so traversing children’s books just seemed to come “I love reading all my stories to little ones and
sometimes I use puppets and animated voice
characterisations to bring it alive.”
Dianne says she is fortunate to have a supportive
and encouraging husband in John, who is also
creative with his stained-glass work. Dianne also
appreciates her writing group buddies who meet
regularly to critique each other’s work.
Dianne works on multiple books at a time.
“I’m currently on a second draft of a doggie
looking out of the window based on a real dog
living just a few doors up the road and I’m also
working on the sequel to Dabbleduck.”
Children (and their parents) can also look
forward to her first novel, out later this year.
Writer Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for
Dianne Ellis. Photo: PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation
Janice Creenaune
Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com
or phone 4267 4880.
14 arts & culturecollins BOOKSELLERS thirroul
books, games and gifts for all ages
Going strong!
By the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul
To kick off the donation drive for Lismore
South Public School we put a shout out to our
local publishing houses and Penguin Random
House stepped up with an extremely
generous donation of 300 Stage 1 and 2
books for immediate use by teachers in the
classroom. A great start!
Since then, our incredibly big-hearted Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive
community has consistently been donating www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au
an incredible array of picture books, early @collinsbooksellersthirroul
readers, middle-grade fiction, non-fiction…
The list goes on.
At the time of writing, hundreds of books
have been delivered to Thirroul Public School
and are now awaiting the construction of a
new library for Lismore South.
To our local community, well done!
Congratulations! Thank you! As you can
imagine, it takes a LOT of books to stock a
school library, so the drive continues…
Every book counts!
Literary Events
June is a great month for Collins Booksellers
Thirroul literary events. Check out the Friday
Flame (subscribe at www.theillawarraflame.
com.au) for weekly updates and, of course,
we’ll keep you posted on our social media
and in our email newsletter. To RSVP for the
events below, email thirroul@collinsbooks.
com.au or phone 4267 1408.
1 June, Politics: What Happened: Election
2022, a post-election panel with political
insiders Lech Blaine, Matthew Knott &
Jacqueline Maley; introduced by Elliot Stein
and moderated by ABC’s Isobel Roe
15 June, Literary Crime: Dirt Town, Hayley
Scrivenor with Helena Fox
18 June, Special Kids Book Club with the
Author: The Callers, Kiah Thomas
29 June, Fiction: The Eulogy, Jackie Bailey
with Julie Keys
June 15Grey-
headed
flying foxes.
Photos:
Amanda De
George
Backyard Zoology With Amanda De George
The bats are back. After our non-event of a way I was going to miss out on a quick visit
summer I couldn’t be happier. Usually they and so I donned my gum boots as we now
fly into the small temporary camp we have apparently live in a swamp, and sunk into
here in Thirroul for the summer months the mud as I headed into the bush and
and some of autumn, before returning to down the path. And there they were,
the warmer northern NSW and south-east hanging like the plump fruit that they like to
Queensland regions over winter. I mean, who can eat, little teddy bears in capes, bickering with one
blame them? It’s generally a small colony but another, jousting with their clawed thumbs to find
during the recent drought and fires the number a prime position.
swelled to thousands as hungry flying foxes came Now I know not everyone is a fan of these
to feast on our blossoming trees. But this summer animals. They can be noisy. They can have a bit of a
they didn’t turn up; not here at least. musky odour, particularly after rain… but have
There are camps scattered throughout the you met my dogs? But unlike my dogs, these
Illawarra, some more permanent than others, and creatures are classed as a ‘keystone species’
research has shown that numbers within a camp meaning that they are incredibly important,
can fluctuate day by day. Perhaps they were in occupying a key role in the ecosystem, and that
another local colony. Either way, I missed seeing other species rely on their survival. That in itself is
them. But last week, while I was face-down in a a worry as grey-headed flying foxes have recently
plant chasing this bug and that, I heard a familiar been listed as vulnerable and their population
sound and my head flicked up as I instantly knew continues to decline.
who I’d find. With the weather being all upside- Not wanting to stress them, I headed back out
down as it is and the devastating floods up Lismore onto the street with the knowledge that they may
way, it’s to be expected that the flying foxes are have moved somewhere else the next time I look for
moving around in areas and in periods when them. And that’s okay, as long as they come back to
they’re usually not here. while away their day, sleeping and chattering and
But once I knew they were back, there was no sleeping again, when summer finally returns.
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16 science & natureFocus on prostate cancer
By Dr Michael Hanson, of Bulli Medical Practice
Men’s Health Week is 13 to 19 June, and this Screening: Because early prostate cancer is
year we are raising awareness about prostate asymptomatic, it is important for men aged
cancer. About 18,000 new cases of prostate 50 to 70 years to undertake screening via
cancer are diagnosed in Australia every their GP (usually just a blood test).
year. It is the most common cancer in men A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test
aside from skin cancer. One in six men will measures the proteins made by both normal
be diagnosed by the age of 85. and cancerous prostate cells. Your GP may use
results from more than one blood test, over time,
Symptoms: EARLY prostate cancer does not to help determine your risk.
typically cause symptoms and can usually only be
detected by screening (see more information Diagnosis: Your GP may arrange a clinical
below). ADVANCED prostate cancer symptoms examination, scans and/or a referral to a specialist.
can include: frequent urination; pain while
urinating; blood in the urine or semen; a weak Management: Men with low-risk prostate cancer
stream; pain in the back or pelvis; weak legs or feet. may only need to be regularly and carefully
monitored. If the cancer is progressing, surgery or
Risk factors: Age, risk higher > 50 years old. 63% radiation therapy may be recommended. While
of cases diagnosed in men over 65. Family history five-year survival rate is quite high (95.5%), men
of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, especially with prostate cancer experience a range of effects
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. from their disease and its treatment, including
depression, anxiety, urinary incontinence, and
Prevention: Regular screening and early detection impairments in sexual and bowel function. Your
of prostate cancer ensures the best possible GP can help and offer treatment or referrals.
outcomes. There is evidence that regular physical
activity can be protective for prostate cancer. More information at www.cancer.org.au
Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm 74 Park Road, Bulli
Saturday: 8am - 12 noon
4284 4622
Full range of general practice
Book online* via our website:
services including women’s
www.bullimedicalpractice.com.au
and men’s health, child and
scan QR code:
adolescent health, older adult
health and nursing home visits,
and specialised clinics including:
y Travel medicine
y Weight management
y Skin cancer checks *Please call 4284 4622 for an appointment if
you have any respiratory symptoms
QUALITY PERSONAL HEALTHCARE AND TRAVEL MEDICINE
June 17Photo by Amber Cree at the
Scarborough Boardriders’
‘Get Her Onboard’ day in May
Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf
This month: A Survey for Surfers, by Professor Rob Brander
Do you consider yourself to be a surfer? Who surfs and how often? What are their
By ‘surfer’ I mean someone who goes out opinions about the ocean, coastal
and rides waves as a boardrider, boogie management and environmental issues?
boarder, stand-up paddler, surf skier, kite Surfers probably use the ocean more than
surfer and even a bodysurfer. I’m thinking anybody, but their voices are often
that could be quite a few people! If you fall overlooked when it comes to
into one of those categories, you need to do the coastal management.
Global Surfer Survey. The new study then kind of took off as I
Almost 10 years ago we did a survey and contacted colleagues and surfers around the world
conducted interviews of surfers (including some and we created the Global Surfer Survey that can
Stanwell Park locals) who had rescued someone in be done in English, French and Portuguese.
the surf while surfing. The results were published The French went crazy and have already lodged
in a scientific journal and received a ton of media 800 responses so we need your help to catch up by
attention because we showed that using the most doing the survey at globalsurfersurvey.com or by
conservative of estimates, surfers make more using the QR code on this page. If you live in NSW,
rescues each year in Australia than lifeguards and you’ll go into a draw to win a custom-made
lifesavers combined – that’s a big deal. The survey surfboard valued at $1000. It’ll only take you 20
also asked them to tell us about their most serious minutes, it’s anonymous, fun, for a good cause and
rescue and 63% reckoned they had saved a life don’t worry, we won’t be giving any secret surfing
– also a big deal! spots away!
Last year my UNSW Beach Safety Research Please spread the word on social media to every
Group was contacted by Surfing NSW, who run a surfer you know – this really is a survey for surfers!
free Surfers 24/7 Rescue program during which
surfers are trained in basic CPR and how to use
their board to make a rescue. They were keen to do Do the survey: simply
another survey on surfer rescues, so we said sure. scan the QR code with
But I also thought this was a good opportunity an iPhone camera or
to learn more about surfers in general. How many use a QR reader app
people surf? What types of surfers are out there?
18 science & natureFlowers through the ages
By Edwina Ellicott, Community Engagement Manager at H.Parsons
Flowers and Funerals – the two have gone favourite type of flower such as a lily or an
together since… well, according to some orchid. Roses are the perennial favourite,
sources, since 62,000 BC. but harder to come by post COVID,
Radiocarbon dating performed on unfortunately meaning they can be cost
ancient graves has shown them to be prohibitive. Natives are also popular due
lined with fragrant wild flowers such as to their longevity and their connection
mints and figwort. Other discoveries of ancient to Australia.
burial sites have revealed wildflower pollen and What happens to the flowers after the service?
flower fragments in the soil samples indicating Some families will invite guests to take
flowers were placed around the grave and on individual sprigs from the arrangements as a
the deceased. memento or keep the flowers for drying and
All of this conjures up quite the floral fragrant pressing as an ongoing tribute to their loved one.
scene of an aesthetically pleasing burial site. But And the arrangements left over? With the
the reality is a bit different. So while it probably permission of the family, at H.Parsons we
did all look quite lovely, the role of these pretty donate these to floristry students at a local
fragrant flowers was to mask the odour of TAFE. This wonderful partnership has created
decaying bodies. For the same reason, perfumed the Flower Reach Project, an initiative that has
flowers were also placed over the deceased’s been in place for over a year now. The Flower
body during the embalming preparation Reach Project allows students to flex their
process, with the quantities and types of flowers creativity on these donated floral arrangements,
varying according to tradition and the climate. breathing new life and purpose to the original
Happily, the need to deal with these donation. The cycle continues as these are then
unpleasant smells through scented flowers is no gifted to local aged care facilities, often bringing
longer required and today flowers have a more a smile to a resident’s face.
symbolic meaning. We send them to families
and friends as an expression of sympathy and
support. They’re often chosen for their colour
or type and arranged in such a way to be
impressive, modest, dignified, or to show status.
In funeral services the large floral sprays
placed over the coffin or casket is probably a
remnant of the old times when this was done for
practical reasons. Now these arrangements are
beautifully designed and structured and may
match the flowers in the venue, bringing
warmth and a sense of brightness to an
otherwise sombre occasion.
At H.Parsons we see some families preferring
bright and cheerful colours for their
arrangements and casket covers. If they’re
unsure, we suggest they think of their loved
one’s favourite colour or ask if they had a
H.Parsons has chapels in Bulli, Wollongong, Warilla and Dapto
Phone 4228 9622 or visit hparsons.com.au
June 19Native bee hotels made from
lantana sticks in the light, breezy
style of Glenn Murcutt and a
banksia log in the Brutalist
architectural style of the High Court.
Tree of the Month
By Banksia Bush Care’s Kieran Tapsell
Breynia oblongifolia (Breynia) favour by spreading the pollen.
Breynia oblongifolia is sometimes known as Coffee There are about 1800 different species in
Bush and can grow up to three metres high. Its Australia and 200 locally. Most of them are solitary
leaves are ovate and alternate, as distinct from the and do not sting. While some live like monks in
invasive Senna (Cassia) whose leaves are opposite monasteries, like honeybees most of them have
and which produces conspicuous yellow flowers in their own apartments where they give birth to their
the late summer. Breynia has small green flowers young, and then send them off when old enough.
and orange and pink berries. While Breynia does We now have two hotels along the Stanwell Avenue
grow in the rainforests, it also tolerates a wide to Kiosk track, one with 24 apartments in a Banksia
variety of environments. There are many examples log in the Brutalist architectural style of the High
in the Stanwell Avenue Reserve, with many new Court of Australia in Canberra, and 28 apartments
ones springing up after the recent rains. in the light and breezy style of Glenn Murcutt
made from Lantana sticks.
Banksia Bushcare News: Native bees. An examination of our nests reveals that native
Banksia Bushcare has recently erected two native bees have been making their homes in the lantana
bee hotels in the Reserve. Native bees are an sticks. Lantana sticks are perfect for native bee
important part of our biodiversity because many hotels because they dig out the soft marrow of the
plants depend on them for pollination because of sticks. Bamboo also works well.
the structure of their flowers. Bee hotels in the Brutalist style can also be made
European honeybees, like all colonists, often just out of any kind of timber by drilling holes of about
plunder the nectar, like the Spanish did with the 100 mm, and holes of different diameters of 5mm,
Inca gold in Peru, without doing the flower a 7mm and 9mm.
20 science & natureBeetling About
With Helensburgh entomologist Dr Chris Reid
As promised, a story about leeches. Your many, but sometimes, e.g. in Borneo and the
intrepid scientist set off today to collect a Daintree, they can quickly accumulate
few leeches in the name of science, or between each toe, and any that are missed
rather to get a good photo for this story. up the legs get into some very sensitive
I wandered for 30 minutes along the areas. Another approach is to completely
slopes of Wilsons Creek in Garrawarra cover up with gaiters, trousers, raincoat. That
Conservation Area, walking slowly, backtracking produces a nice ring of leeches around the neck,
along the same routes in the wet undergrowth, a sometimes other interesting places like inside the
sure method of picking up leeches (if you go mouth or on the eye. Yes, in our wetter forests they
bushwalking with a group, make sure you are not are definitely a nuisance.
last otherwise you will collect everything that has Leeches are related to earthworms. They both
been disturbed). Well, they weren’t biting and I need moisture. Earthworms are important for
didn’t get any. Maybe I’m the wrong sort of human creating soil. Leeches are important for … well, for
or something. I did see a fox. The nice leech photo leeches. Actually, what feeds on a leech? Frogs and
used here is from the Australian Museum’s website. birds do, especially pittas, rarely seen beautiful
Anyhow, I’m assured that a leech plague is going rainforest birds. So, having lots of leeches around is
on and that people’s gardens are full of them, so I’m a sign of a healthy moist environment.
writing this to alleviate some concerns. Don’t be Three years ago the leeches seemed to have
too bothered by them. Leeches don’t carry diseases completely disappeared due to the prolonged
that we know of, so compared with ticks and heatwaves and drought. But they can’t fly so they
mosquitoes they are quite benign. And here in the didn’t really ‘go’. Leeches produce eggs in a
Illawarra we don’t seem to have species with thick-walled case, which resists drought, so that’s
painful bites, like the Borneo tiger leech. So they where they were.
are annoying more than anything else, especially Keep well.
when they get into sensitive bits. They are really
only dangerous when they attach to an eyeball – in ? s p!
which case it’s best to wait until they drop off. ICE ion hel Entry
There are different approaches to dealing with A DV uest t to
q s $7
them if you have to trek through rainforest. One NT ur r be
WA ng yo o ou Children
way is to walk around in sandals and shorts and ri l d Free
– b wil
pick them off as seen. That works if there aren’t too we
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an
Dogs on
leash
welcome
Illawarra Grevillea Park
Winter Open Days
Sat & Sun / 10am-4pm
July 2 & 3, 9 & 10
Expansive native display gardens;
rainforest walks; picnic areas
Extensive range of natives for sale
including tubestock and grafted plants
A leech ‘searching for The Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden:
blood’. Photo: Anna A Photographic Portrait now available
D’Accione/Australian
Museum Grevillea Park Road, Bulli
www.illawarrgrevilleapark.com.au
June 21‘War’s not the only thing
that causes PTSD’
Thanks to a local psychiatrist’s campaign for justice, Thirroul will become home to Australia’s
first trauma-informed mental health clinic for women. The Illawarra Flame reports
“War’s not the only thing that causes PTSD
[post-traumatic stress disorder]. If our home lives
are like war zones, then we are going to also get
PTSD from that too.
“So I was getting really frustrated seeing this real
injustice in our health system and the real stark
contrast – the two traumatised groups and both of
them getting completely different levels of care.”
Things came to a head when Dr Williams was
working at a private hospital with mixed groups of
trauma patients.
“Women were sitting in groups with defence
Dr Karen force patients and feeling like they didn’t belong
Williams will there. They were thinking that their trauma is less
lead the team at – except that they weren’t recognising that the guys
the new Ramsay in the defence force and the women in the defence
Clinic Thirroul. force go there by choice, and they’re trained and
they go with weaponry and they go in a group.
They know exactly who their enemy is and they’re
For years, Wollongong psychiatrist Dr Karen prepared for that enemy. And they’ve got safe
Williams has fought to fix the health system for people that they work with.
women with mental illness. “Whereas women are by themselves, all alone, in
Simply medicating isn’t the answer, she says. these really dangerous situations.
“We need to look at trauma a lot more. And “Often men have actually cut them off from their
recognise that family violence is a cause of trauma, families. They cut them off from their friends.
the same as going to war is the cause of trauma.” “What happens in DV situations is you’ve got
Last month, Ramsay Health Care announced women living with nobody apart from their abuser
she’d won a major victory. and they’ve got nowhere to go. The symptoms are
In August, the private hospital operator will often worse than you get in the defence force and
open Ramsay Clinic Thirroul on Phillip Street, and the treatment’s less – it’s practically zero.”
Dr Williams will become the medical
superintendent leading Australia’s first trauma- ‘We wouldn’t do that with our soldiers’
informed mental health facility for women. The system fails domestic violence victims by not
addressing their trauma, Dr Williams says.
‘Real injustice in our health system’ “The best comparison is that we wouldn’t do that
Originally from Sydney, Dr Williams moved to with our soldiers that come back.
Wollongong in 2004, where her work with trauma “We don’t say, ‘Oh, well, let’s just medicate.’ You
victims inspired her advocacy. actually go, ‘You’ve got PTSD. Let’s talk about those
“I’ve done all my psychiatric training in the traumatic events.’ Whereas for women, it’s ‘Oh,
area,” she says. “What I was experiencing within you’ve got depression, you’ve got anxiety, you’ve
the hospital system, right from day dot, was that got a mental health disorder’...”
there’s a whole lot of family violence and sexual How we look at things makes a big difference,
violence that is underneath a lot of the mental she believes. “There is a whole movement towards
health problems that I’m apparently treating. recognising trauma in women, right around
“I was seeing the difference in the way we deliver the world.
care to the defence force and the police officers and “I have been fighting to reframe the way we look
first responders, because I worked directly with at mental illness in women for a number of years.
them. It doesn’t cost them anything. “I’ve been going to politicians, I’ve gone to the
“Whereas women can’t get anything. There’s no health minister, I’ve gone to the minister for
services for them, but they have the same symptoms. women, I’ve gone to the prime minister’s office,
22 local businessI’ve gone to the attorney-general… Clinic Thirroul will have a 43-bed women’s-only
“There are no services for PTSD for women. unit. It will offer day-patient programs and become
“So why is that? Why aren’t we up in arms about a training centre for psychiatric, medical,
that? Why aren’t people screaming about this? psychological and other allied health and nursing
“They all say, ‘Oh gosh, really? It’s pretty terrible.’ students. If the clinic is a success, it could be a
And then they don’t do anything about it. I have blueprint for the nation.
never had any luck with getting them to fund “If we can get good results in people, if PTSD
treatment for women.” reduces and the symptoms reduce, then they can
roll it out around the country,” Dr Williams says.
‘What if I give you a hospital?’ “This shouldn’t be innovative, it really shouldn’t.
Then, this year, Dr Williams approached Ramsay “We know about one in four women will
Mental Health Director Anne Mortimer, hoping experience domestic violence. One in six women
“they would let me have just one ward where I can will be sexually abused by the time they’re 15.
keep my female patients safe”. There’s been a blind spot in society, where we’ve
“I probably spoke to her a bit more than 45 just overlooked the fact that there are so many
minutes. And she just listened quietly. At the end traumatised women.”
she said, ‘How can Ramsay help you?’ Trauma treatment for defence force patients may
“And I said, ‘I’d like a ward.’ involve yoga, therapy dogs and gym time, she says.
“And she said, ‘Well, what if I give you a hospital?’” “These are all important aspects of getting better.
Ms Mortimer explained that Thirroul’s Lawrence So Anne said, ‘We’ll put all of that in there for you,
Hargrave Private Hospital would be empty soon as and we can show that women need it just as much
its rehab service was closing. The plan had been to and will benefit.”
sell it but this could be called off. Dr Williams’ determination may have led to the
“Well, I burst into tears,” Dr Williams says. clinic’s creation, but she also credits a cultural shift,
“I was shocked, I almost fell off my chair. It was driven by the #MeToo moment.
that mix of laugh/cry sort of thing.” “Thanks to Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins,
“She said, ‘Right, we’ve been talking much more about this stuff.
you’ll have to run it. Sexual assault and domestic violence is definitely
It’s a big job. You can much, much more in the conversation.
put in it whatever “There’s been that and a combination of just
you want.’” good luck, and serendipity that the director of
When it opens in Ramsay was female. And, you know, a strong
August, Ramsay female leader makes a difference.”
Transformation on Phillip Street: Ramsay
Mental Health Director Anne Mortimer
(inset above) made the call to turn
Lawrence Hargrave Private Hospital into
Ramsay Clinic Thirroul, a ground-breaking
new centre for women. Photos supplied
June 23From L to R: The Symbio team –
Matt Radnidge, managing director;
Jess Harris, services manager; Nikki
Szafranski, guest services
supervisor – with Des Poeling-Oer
of Sydney Children’s Hospitals
Foundation. Photo supplied
‘Pay Discover Forward’
wins three awards By Kevin Fallon, of Symbio Wildlife Park
On May 19, at the PR and Communications And came a very close runner-up, being awarded a
industries night of nights, the Mumbrella highly commended in the Best Social Media or
Commscon Awards held at the Four Season Hotel Digitally-led Campaign Category.
in Sydney, Symbio Wildlife Park were recognised The Pay Discover Forward initiative has, to date,
for the success of our ‘Pay Discover Forward’ allocated more than $2.5 Million in entry tickets to
Campaign when we were awarded three wins and a children in need across NSW to visit Symbio
highly commended in respective categories. Wildlife Park and allows members of the public to
Coming up against giants of the industry, such redeem their unused NSW Discover Vouchers and
as Snapchat, Singleton Olgilvy PR, Thinkerbell, select one of five NSW-based Children’s Charities
Aussie Home Loans, Pizza Hut, Seek, Jetstar, to be recipients of two entry tickets to the
Converse, Telstra, Destination NSW, and many family-owned and operated Wildlife Park, to which
more, Symbio took out the honours in: they pass on to the families they help assist.
• Best B2C (business to consumer) Campaign You can still get involved and, through one
• Best PR-led Brand Partnership Campaign random act of kindness, help give the gift of
• Best Sustained COVID-19 Initiative memories to children in need.
With the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover
initiative ending on 30 June, don’t let your unused
Discover vouchers go to waste! You can choose to
pay your voucher forward to: Canteen, Sydney
Children’s Hospital Foundation, Starlight
Foundation, Kidzwish and Variety (The
Children’s Charity).
Donating vouchers is easy:
simply use your phone to
scan the QR code or visit
Symbio’s website.
Go to symbiozoo.com.au/
paydiscoverforward
24 local businessSmall Business
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raywhitehelensburgh.com.au
raywhitehelensburgh.com.au
What Labor’s win means
Labor has won the election and our new PM
has a big list of campaign promises and
initiatives. So what will this mean for real
“Working For estate? Below are some of the major
Your Success” announcements from Labor:
Katrina Rowlands Help to Buy: The program involves the
Managing Director government providing eligible home
DipFMBM JP AIFS buyers with an equity contribution of up to
Principal Katrina Rowlands believes that
40 per cent of the purchase price of a new
understanding a client’s needs is key to home and up to 30 per cent of the purchase
finding their premium loan options. price for an existing home.
“We established Mortgage Success Regional First Home Guarantee: Under an
in order to provide the people of the expansion of the current First Home
Illawarra with an individually tailored Guarantee scheme, an additional 10,000
service that can take the time and effort regional Australian families a year will be
out of finding their best outcomes.” assisted to buy their first home.
reception@mortgagesuccess.com.au
www.mortgagesuccess.com.au
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4222 2222
June 25You can also read
