august 2007 kangaroo valley voice page 1 kangaroo valley...
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August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 1
News p1–17 Folk Festival 18-19 Regular columns p19-29 Sport p30-31 Directory p32-33 Wot’s on p35
Volume 13 Issue 2 ISSN 1833-8402 Circulation 850 August 2007
Kangaroo Valley Voice
“an assault of appalling arrogance”
the RTA signposts to immortal infamy
Kangaroo Valley July 2007
Disdain:
Disregard:
Deception:
Dishonesty:
Distortion: resulting in
Deliberate destruction
Despicable desolation
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 2
All letters must be signed by the writer and give both business and home phone numbers so letters can be verified.
Mail to : The Editor
c/o Post Office Kangaroo Valley. 2577
Kangaroo Valley Voice was originally established under the Small Towns Program (an initiative of the Department of Business & Regional Development).
K.V. Voice Inc. aims to support & develop the Valley’s economic, social & communication infrastructure. The Committee & Assistants are all volunteers, who donate their time and expertise for the benefit of our readers.
All Valley residents, clubs & organisations are invited to forward editorial submissions.
The K.V. Voice is financially self sufficient due to income received from local businesses and advertising.
angaroo
alley
oice
Published by Kangaroo Valley
Voice Incorporated.
Registration # Y2627221
The monthly community newspaper of Kangaroo Valley
DISCLAIMER
The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are made in good faith by Kangaroo Valley community members.
K.V. Voice Inc., Committee, volunteers and contributors do not take responsibility for any statements advertisement, notice, letter or opinions published. Such are published at the risk of the contributor, who accepts liability for any intended publication. All contributors agree to indemnify the publisher and warrant that the material is accurate and is neither deceptive or misleading, in breach of copyright, defamatory or in breach of any laws.
Letters to the Editor
Office Bearers
President Carl Leddy Treasurer Position available Secretary Larraine Hahlos Committee Win Palmer
Sheila Young Joan Bray Laurie De Ville Editor Carl Leddy Advertising Position available Journalists Joan Bray Win Palmer Liz Aitken Ron Bower Wot’s On Position available Sports Report Kate Rutherford Legal Advisers A P Sparke & Broad Computer operator Hope Kennedy
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telephone (02)-4465 1621
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August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 2
K
V
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Editorial
DEADLINES for the September issue of the ‘VOICE’
Advertising, Wot’s On , Calender
& Sports Report August 20, 2007
Editorial Submissions August 22, 2007
Please do not leave your submission
until the last day; being early is a great help to us.
E-mail [email protected]
The day democracy died
The Editor
Kangaroo Valley for sale???
Imagine if every business in town could have an advertising sign on each street corner and if that was not enough then place “flag type” advertising signs pointing to the larger advertising signs, then when the items were sold or deal done leave those advertising signs up for months if not years.
(Continued on page 4)
Naturally enough, this issue of the
Valley Voice is dominated by the case of
outright vandalism, perpetrated by a
government instrumentality, in the
destruction of part of the valley’s
natural and National Trust recognised
heritage.
The tactics of deceit and disinformation by
the RTA, which enabled jackbooted storm
troopers, only this time wearing bright yellow vests, (isn’t yellow the colour of
cowardice?), to destroy in a matter of days, what had taken nature generations to
create, was an assault of appalling
arrogance which were signposts on the RTA’s path to immortal infamy. The people of this valley will not forget in a hurry, the betrayal of their honest and earnest endeavours (both RAG and individuals), in trying to persuade seemingly omnipotent officials and their political overlords, to take pause from the headstrong rush by the RTA to do things their way, but rather sit down in a calm and rational manner and consider other and better options to address the “safety requirements” of the entire valley. Those valley residents seeking dialogue and discussion (for the purpose of positive progress not any sort of victory) have been ignored and patronised in a manner befitting perhaps the ruling class in a police state, but Australia is supposed to be a democracy where citizens have a right to question and be informed, not treated like unintelligent troublemakers worthy only of contempt. The RTA moguls are supposed to be public servants. What a joke! From the beginning of the so called “community consultation process” it was clear to many, that the RTA’s interpretation of that high sounding phrase, was to tell the populace something of what was going to happen, throw in some “secret report findings” as justification and then carry out their plan according to the pre-determined schedule. The unseemly haste now (after the tragic fatal
crash on that stretch of road more than five years ago) to push ahead with the wanton destruction, without any reasonable notice to the community, is further proof that the die was cast many weeks before. Many of those who attended the public meeting (a part of the consultation process) saw the smirks and exchanges between RTA representatives, listened to the time wasting litany of high sounding but meaningless technical jargon in deceptive answers to honest questions and saw the writing on the wall. There was no meaningful dialogue between the government minions and the populace. They treated us in a patronising manner, told at least one outright lie and evaded questions they did not like. July 23, 2007 was indeed a day of shame for this valley, but those who took part in the rally to demonstrate their opposition to the RTA’s actions, should be proud of their determined efforts and behaviour during the protest. They deserve our commendation, as do the Moss Vale Road Action Group who by pushing ahead with their efforts to prevent further wholesale slaughter of more of our valuable assets acted in an open and determined manner. Other casualties of this imbroglio have been the loss of respect for the elected representative and the other Ministers theoretically in charge of rampant public bullies such as the RTA, have shown themselves to be. RAG gathered substantial report in a short space of time from the Nature Conservation Council and the National Trust which stated "The National Trust has expressed its strong
opposition to a proposal by the Roads and
Traffic Authority to cut down more than 95
mature trees along the Moss Vale Road in
Kangaroo Valley which has been designated as
a Scenic Drive. The proposal is being put
forward to address safety concerns but the
Trust is arguing that lower speed limits,
signage and specific works at major curves are
a more appropriate response in this landscape
listed by the National Trust."
The Executive Director of the Nature Conservation Council, Cate Faehrmann said
(Continued on page 30)
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 3
K. V. versus RTA Gorillas in the mist
The efforts of these rally
participants were in the end
unable to stop the slaughter
but their presence and
commitment is appreciated.
More on following pages.
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 4
Letters to the Editor (continued)
We had a financial adviser come down for a visit and he said “who would want to invest here with all these for sale signs around”. When told that 50% of the signs that are seen on the main road are actually of property already sold he said “why are they still up”? Why is a good question? Here is a list of just a few obvious locations. I’m sure there is a lot more if this is only the main street area. 1 Opposite Glenmack- block of land sold over 12 months ago 2 Corner Moss Vale and Mt Scanzi- auction sign for auction 6 months ago 3 Corner Moss Vale and Grahams- sold months ago 4 Corner Moss Vale and Upper River- sold months ago (2 signs) 5 Corner Moss Vale and Jenanter- Flag signs 6 Corner Moss Vale and Cullen Crescent-flag signs7 Moss Vale Road-two properties sold ages ago still with sold signs 8 Brooks lane-block of land sold We protest, quite rightly so, about the destruction of Kangaroo Valley’s natural beauty then we see this blight everywhere.
Name and address supplied
but withheld at the writer’s request.
Editor’s note.
We offered the opportunity to our local agents
to respond to these comments. Replies follow.
The Editor
Statement from Matt Brown’s office
“Ensuring the safety of drivers outweighs any tourism benefits Kangaroo Valley has from keeping these trees. The RTA is abiding by national regulations in cutting down these trees – it is the law. Mr Brown has helped organise several meetings between concerned locals and the RTA and have made sure the concerns of his constituents have been heard by the Roads Minister. This week he instructed Tourism NSW to again meet with those concerned to explain that the RTA are abiding by national regulations and it is for motorists’ safety.”
Heather Gilmore
Please attribute to a spokeswoman
from Matt Brown’s office
Editor’s note.
This is the only communication from Mr Brown
during the playing out of this tragic affair.
The Editor
Response on signage
It is the standard in Australia to leave sold signs up until a matter is settled – and we make every endeavour to make sure signs are removed at
The Editor
Response on signage
Thank you for forwarding this email and allowing us the opportunity to respond. Some of the facts presented are exaggerated, however we respect this person’s right to express their opinion, and we always welcome feedback, positive or negative. Real estate businesses are employed to market properties on behalf of their vendors. To achieve the best possible result for them means exposing the property to as many people as possible and one of those means among many is real estate signs. If our vendors choose not to have a sign we respect their wishes as we always have. Real estate is a competitive business and part of marketing our services is having our signs around the area, however we love the community we represent and we would be happy to talk to this person face to face about their concerns. Michael O’Gorman
Sandra Knight Harcourts
this stage. Occasionally the bigger signs may remain for a week or so after, but this is because they are owned by the sign company and removed by them.I would not imagine though that Sold signswould give any negative indication of the value of investing in Kangaroo Valley - quite the opposite in fact. For Sale signs that remain outside properties for some years may have given the financial advisor the impression that property may be a poor investment. However, these signs are not “advertising our
business”, but are advertising for the owner of
the property who wants to sell, who has sometimes had their property on the market for some time, perhaps to the point of hardship. Hence the dilemma. While I have indicated several times to those who have discussed the matter with me that I would love to see a moratorium on signs on the main road (which would of course be conditional upon other agents doing the same), the owners of the properties may not agree. The writer of the letter of objection may be well served by putting some thought into the needs of the people (owners) involved rather than throwing stones at the agents.As a member of the community of Kangaroo Valley, I would really appreciate any one objecting to such things speaking to me.
Lindy Ross
Lindy Ross and Associates
The Editor
Bowling Club Board explains
The previous Board now feel that it necessary to explain the motives behind our resignations.Prior to our resignation we were finding it increasingly difficult working with the bowlers in collecting fees to offset the costs of the greens. We felt that the only fair way to enter into the
amalgamation was to allow all members to have a say and also offer alternatives to the amalgamation should it not proceed for any reason. We were in favour of the amalgamation, subject to its terms and conditions, and were working towards it. We did believe that it was poor form to run up large debts and thought that it was good financial management to make alternative arrangements just in case the amalgamation did not proceed. We also were arranging alternative finance at much cheaper rates than the overdraft rates. We had tried to provide more facilities for the members so as to increase attendance at the club. We had made staffing changes to reduce costs. We were organising at least one if not two events per month to again increase attendance. We had arranged to up date the kitchen. All that needed to be done was to fix the tiles and the floor covering replaced. Which leads us to wonder why the kitchen has not been reopened? We had interviewed new contractors for the kitchen. We had arranged regular visits by motor home clubs.We changed accountants to reduce fees. All of these measures would have made the club more attractive to Bomaderry At no time did either the bowlers or any member of the present board ask us about our motives or our plans. When we held meetings to get their opinions and to explain our position we were treated with contempt. At no time did we wish to stop negotiations with Bomaderry in fact at the time of the resignations we had already started writing the deed of amalgamation. We were just waiting for a response from Bomaderry and all was ready to go to the solicitors. At the time of our resignation we felt we had no choice but to resign. The past board
C/- John Rebbeck and Lynn Ryan
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 5
Monday 23rd
July 2007 will remain
etched in my brain as a day of gloom
and hopelessness. A protest rally had been organized at short notice after the RTA gave six days notice that it was going to chainsaw 96 trees whose destruction six weeks earlier had been a mere “proposal”.In the following six weeks not one person, of the scores who had written to or rang Matt Brown, (Tourism), Eric Roosendaal, (Roads) or the RTA had any response other than “we acknowledge receipt of your letter” or “we have noted your objection”.
First hand thoughts of some who were there In other words no genuine listening to concerns, no compromise, no modification to the “engineering solution.” The community recognised that safety issues needed to be addressed but the NSW State Government and RTA response was “there is only one solution – 96 trees have to go.” When I arrived at the avenue of trees at 7.30am I consciously looked for one last time at the majestic white trunks and overhead canopy that had always welcomed one back to the valley after a trip to Nowra. Groups of locals continued to arrive until the crowd built to about 150-200 people. Everyone was subdued and sad as we marched into the avenue to listen to speeches by locals Christopher Warren and Elizabeth George. 96 white crosses were held aloft by protesters to recognise the death of this once magnificent avenue.As we proceeded along the avenue, people laid their crosses at the bases of the trees that were soon to be destroyed. I couldn’t help thinking what short-sighted, useless destruction was about to take place. If all State roads in NSW are to be cleared of trees to a standard of 4 metres from the edge of the road then hundreds of thousands of trees are going to have to be cleared. On the floor of the valley another 200 trees would have to go and between Moss Vale and Nowra thousands will go. Yet the benefit to road safety is questionable. Speed and alcohol are the major culprits. On the same day the trees in our valley were being cleared, the Federal Minister for the Environment called for more trees to be planted to help combat global warming. Last week the NSW Minister for the Environment called farmers “environmental vandals” for felling trees in protest against state restrictions on the use of their land. What a contradiction! The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.
The only aspect of the rally that gave me any joy or hope was seeing and hearing the local children express their love and appreciation of nature.Their parents, too, deserve our admiration for refusing to be intimidated by the threats of references to DOCS and allowing their children to march in what was always going to be a peaceful and dignified farewell to the trees. The Australian tradition of democratic protest lives on! Jo Gash and Lee Rhiannon, from opposite sides of the political spectrum, both gave passionate speeches and stood shoulder to shoulder in their opposition to the destruction, and earned the respect of all present. The 15 or so police from Nowra handled the crowd with a calm authority, which in hindsight, I think everyone will applaud – even those who managed to get themselves locked in the paddy wagon or led from the exclusion zone! Labour Party politicians were the only ones notable by their absence, but what could be expected when they have ignored us for the past six weeks?
Bryan Barger.
P.S. 607 people, in just 10 days, signed the
petition against the removal of the trees.
Bryan Barger (left) prepares for the rally
Roads and Traffic Autocrats
The high-handed actions of
the RTA in totally ignoring
the wishes and pleas of
most of the Valley’s
residents are difficult to
accept or understand.
Valley residents had made it perfectly clear that they did not approve of the plan to remove almost 100 mature trees. The RTA was not listening. They are another Government department that has now gone down the path of “we know what is best for you”. The RTA generally makes a “fair fist” of a difficult task; maintaining and improving the condition and safety of our roads. But to completely ignore the views of a whole community is bordering on a presumed “God-like infallibility”.
(Continued on page 14)
Anger just grew
Having been convinced that removal of 97
trees wasn't the best and only solution for
improved safety on Moss Vale road, it
was very special to be apart of our
community's response ( 200+ attendees) on
Monday morning.
Nature had it's own way, turning on a fog, heavy enough to halt the carnage for a few hours, it was a special time to be walking through this avenue of gorgeous gums with like minded friends, traffic free. I'm convinced that tourism lies at the heart of the economic future of our town, and the valley's natural beauty it's centre piece. I don't think we can rely on Government departments to always have the answers, it's for us to think outside the square. I think it came as a shock to us all as A & D Tree Services rolled in with it's fleet of trucks, cherry pickers, mulchers and the like, ruining our peace with the reality that this battle was lost.Personally, my mood swung to anger at those responsible and those who could have altered the outcome. Matt Brown's office became a vent for my emotions as did Roozendaal's fax machine.
Alison Baker
MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
Now supplying ‘Carlton’ chainsaw chainNow supplying ‘Carlton’ chainsaw chain
and spare partsand spare parts
New chain for all makes and models Professional chain sharpening service available
Specialising in the servicing of chainsaws, as well as power equipment, lawn care equipment
and farm machinery
Complimentary pick-up and delivery
Call Simon on 4465 2328 or 0438 274579
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 6
Country Womens Association Kangaroo Valley Branch
July has been a happy month for
members, starting with a fun packed
craft morning with a wonderful
demonstration by Tracey Waller.
Then there was the Group handicraft demonstration held at Nowra. This was held at the Nowra CWA rooms in Berry Street. Members have certain projects in the pipe line. One of these is the knitting of "jumpers" for new born AIDS babies. Below is the flyer requesting help!
CAN YOU HELP AIDS SUFFERING
BABIES IN AFRICA
Many babies are sent home wrapped in
newspaper for warmth, in order to help these
Little babies we are asking for your help in this
effort to knit small jumpers for these babies to
go home from hospital.
8ply wool (acrylic) needle size 5mm for tight
knitters, or 4.5 for loose knitters:
Please stick to pattern, this has been proven to
work well.
Stripes and bright colours are suitable
CAST on 44 stitches WORK 18 rows in K2, P2
rib, WORK 30 rows stocking stitch
CAST on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2
rows, at same time change to rib as above
RIB 22 more rows. RIB 21 CAST off 26 stitches
RIB 21.
RIB 21, turn CAST on 26 stitches, RIB 21.
WORK 22 rows in K2, P2 rib.
CAST off 12 stitches at beginning of next 2
rows. WORK 30 rows in stocking stitch. WORK
18 rowsK2, P2 rib CAST OFF.
Further information Wendy Norris 44651601
On Tuesday, 7 August members will welcome Fay Atkins and Elizabeth Taylor as Guest Speakers. Their topic is the workings of the Shoalhaven Hospital Wig Library. At 2pm in the Community Hall. A delicious afternoon tea to follow. Gold coin donation to the Shoalhaven Hospital Wig Library. Malta is the country of study and will be the content of International Day 13 August. The public school children's projects will be on show. Heather Kelly
Publicity Officer Fay Atkins and Elizabeth Taylor with some of the wigs
The two new Machinery Sheds at the
PIONEER MUSEUM PARK are completed
but we now need to label all the artefacts in
the sheds.
WE NEED ASSISTANCE in obtaining
information to print labels of explanation about
each piece.
In return for your time and effort we are offering the WINNER a 3 course dinner for two, courtesy of CAFÉ BELLA on an evening amenable to the winner and the Café. OR A gift voucher from the Kangaroo Valley
Another competition— be in it to win it!!! Supermarket.Anyone may enter, no age limit and help may be obtained from any source - grandfathers, uncles and dad's would be terrific!! Each piece of machinery will have a tag with a number on it. It is important that you put the correct number beside the information you have for each item, as we will need to match them up when judging your entry. Enterprising competitors are welcome to come to the Museum and take photos, put them on the Web and seek as much Australia wide help as they wish. There is a Museum of Farm Machinery near Bathurst that might hold some clues. The information you supply must be accurate and neatly compiled and a team of 3-4 local farmers will judge the entry with the most pieces named correctly. We request no less than 20 and no more than 80 words per piece of machinery. We require the name of the machine, who manufactured it and where and when it was built. Also an explanation of how and what it was used for. Closing date for entries is 1st December
2007.
Post your entries to "Competition" P.O. Box 6164 Kangaroo Valley 2577 or email the finished result to [email protected]
Blessed are the Cheese Makers..
I am looking for anyone in the Kangaroo Valley/ Berry/ Nowra area who may be interested in home cheese making and would like to get together on a regular basis to share their knowledge and skills.
I have limited experience and am very keen to learn more.
Anyone interested please contact: Kathy Harrington 0418 280 110
email: [email protected]
PURE HAIR & BEAUTY
Shop 12 Alexandra Street, Berry. PH: 02 4464 1110
ONLY 20 MINUTES DRIVE
Hair & Skin Solutions For Men, Women & Children.
Monday - Friday 8:45 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:45 am - 4:00 pm
Late Nights Tuesday & Thursday Until 8:00 pm
VIEW Club members were treated to a
wonderful talk in July when local
photographer Caroline Burton spoke about
her art and brought along some of her work
for us to see and admire.
Thank you, Caroline, for sharing it with us. Everyone is busy preparing for the 20th
birthday celebrations on the 26th September. Would those interested in joining us please contact the Secretary, Margaret McLachlan, on 4465 1946.
Jenelle Brangwin
Publicity Officer
VIEW Club enjoyed Caroline Burton’s address
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 7
Keong Chin Loh, known to us all as
“Johnny” sadly passed away on
Wednesday 11th July, after a two week
fight in Shoalhaven hospital.
Johnny was born November 1st 1961, in
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, the youngest of
four children. He was known to many of us in the valley as a man of great heart, softness of spirit, and a creator of magnificent food! An extremely qualified man in his field Johnny worked as Executive Chef in Malaysia’s Five Star Hotels for many years with up to 169 top chefs under his management. He came to Kangaroo Valley in 2002 for a quieter life following his friends Sophia and Nick who at the time ran the Bistro at the Friendly Inn. He then worked at the Country Club for a time managing conferences and functions. Johnny met Clare in Kangaroo Valley, they fell in love and were married on his 45th birthday on the 1st of November 2006. Close friends have shared that they were his
Beloved Johnny happiest and most blessed days here with Clare. Johnny’s service was held at the Kangaroo Valley Cemetery on Monday July 16th and was attended by many valley residents, friends and family and an eagle circling above. Phra Manna the Abbott of Sunnatarum Buddhist Forest Temple from Bundanoon held an uplifting service. Blessings where made by the monks and offerings given for Johnny to take into his next life. Phra Manna so beautifully reminded us all of the impermanence of this life and of its preciousness... therefore to live always with compassion and a loving heart. Johnny most definitely had a place in all our hearts as a loving man, his smile and jolly laugh will be remembered in the kitchen cooking up a storm for one of his Malaysian Curry Nights, or as he rode his bike down the street on his way to work.? May your next journey be blessed Johnny!... you will be missed.
Jo Stirling
I am...
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft owl out at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep.
Mary Frye (1932)
Phoebe and Claire Garrett, daughters of
Keith and Jacinta have newly been
rewarded for their staunch academic
efforts. Phoebe Garrett, School Captain of Kangaroo
Valley Primary in 1996 has recently graduated
with first class honours from the Australian
National University in Canberra.
Phoebe has been studying triple majors of Ancient Greek, Latin and History since she began university in 2003. Her honours dissertation explored the biographical efforts of Suetonius, who chronicled the lives and influences of the Roman Emperors. Her sister Claire, who studies Creative writing at Wollongong University, has just left the country to pursue her degree in Norway for the next year, visiting Asia and America on the way. She will be cold. Phoebe intends to begin Masters in Ancient Biography at Reading University, west of London , in October 2008. She is currently employed at the Australian National University. Both attended Chevalier College in Bowral after leaving KangarooValley Primary School.
Phoebe Garrett, with proud Dad, Keith
Kangaroo Valley girls are high achievers
Claire Garrett now has plans
for overseas study
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 8
from concept to completion, developing communities
Proposed Eco Village in the Valley ….
“We have started our community consultation process with a very productive meeting with one of the many active local interest groups.
We look forward to future meetings with this group and other Valley community members to progress our initial concept stage of this landmark project.”
The Colys Group Helping to build even better places in which to live
We invite your enquiries and comments about the initial plan published in the May issue of the Valley Voice You can contact us on Telephone 9531 8566 or Facsimile 9531 8499
or visit our web site www.colys.com.au
Mist belongs to
our valley like the
river and the
escarpments, but
there are so many
different mists
that they are like
creatures from
different planets.
I remember once last autumn as we
sat eating our breakfast in the warm early morning sun,
after a night when the dew had been
particularly heavy, that I felt as though we were observing some primeval ritual; that
the earth beneath the ground was on fire,
sending up wave after wave of steam like some great geyser bed. The steam was rising in front of even more mist, as beyond it, above the river, the normal early morning mist was hanging. This mist was dramatically beautiful.
Generally we are high enough to be above the mist. I can lie in bed and look out over the trees and see columns of mist rise gracefully up from the river, reaching and stretching and pirouetting before collapsing back down to their source, a white wispiness that often lacks the substance to rise higher and intrude upon our domain. If I go into town in the early morning I am often taken aback when I find myself in a deep gloom as I drive along the valley floor, having left home encased in nothing but blue sunshine Of course, there are many times when the mist has no regard for altitude and swirls hungrily around us, grasping with its clammy fingers and blotting out any thought of a brighter world. But we know that the brightness will probably come later, which is one of the good things about a mist. However, I pity the poor dairy farmers as they rise arise early on those cool, damp misty mornings. It can be no fun as they make their way to the sheds with the cold mud clinging to their boots and the wet mist clinging to their bodies. Thick as our mists can be they are no match for those that swirl up Robertson way. I have driven up there when it is almost impossible to see the road in front of you. A feeling of complete disorientation descends; there is a sense of displacement and loss of perception in such a bleached landscape. The road seems to be going up when it should be going down, or is it the other way around? As muscles
tighten and eyes strain there is a feeling of relief as the cloud seems to lift, a feeling that is as brief as the break in the shroud. What unknown entities might be lurking there, concealed in that misty gloom? And then there is the cotton wool fluff of a mist looked down on from above. I once stood on the cliff edge at Blackheath looking down at the mist completely filling the Grose Valley. We were about to walk down to the Blue Gum Forest and I felt I was part of the film, ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy,” in which a Coca-Cola bottle thrown out of a plane falls down through a similarly mist covered Rift Valley into another world of exotic plants and animals and mystified Bushmen. It was as though we were about to plunge through a screen enclosing an earlier world, a step into something completely unknown. Yet if there had been no mist it would have been simply a beautiful but normal hike down to the valley floor. Kangaroo Valley can appear like that as it is approached from Barrengarry or Cambewarra, a hidden valley ready to surprise. I generally dislike the grey dankness of a mist, its cold, its lack of warmth and cheer. But sometimes I can join with those who enjoy the feeling of eeriness and mystery it can bring, of walking through the mist and feeling the cloud part and then close again behind you, creating your own private world. These are no pea-soupers, but they are enough to completely change the landscape and our place upon it. Maybe that is one of the greatest values of mists; they change the way we view our familiar surroundings.
Reflections
by Jenelle Brangwin
The mist is our valley
David Neate Design Manager
For Valley Voice Advertising:
Please call
44 651 621
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 9
Part of a sentimental journey Feature story by Jenelle Brangwin
Carl Leddy, the man behind The Voice.
We all know his name, but who is he
really? I was invited to write an article about Carl as many people seem to know little about the life and interests of the man with such a public name.I found Carl and his partner Larraine Hahlos comfortably ensconced in the garden of Clerevale, their hideaway B&B. “One of the Valley’s best kept secrets” as one visitor declared. Having recently celebrated his 70th birthday surrounded by his six children and many grandchildren, Carl was able to look back, not only on his life as editor of the Valley Voice,
but on one that has encompassed salesman, poet, script writer, newspaper owner and international sportsman. Carl is a New Zealander by birth and grew up in a small town in Lower Hutt, near Wellington. Hutt Valley High School encouraged a wide range of interests, sporting, music as well as academic and Carl became involved in all fields.In the first years after he left school he travelled the country, working for a timber company and a wool buying firm. At 21 he first came to Australia, where he married, but New Zealand reclaimed him for the next five years, before he finally returned to Australia for good. Carl and his wife had six children, but after many years they went their separate ways. It was time for a new start and Carl branched out and bought a local suburban newspaper in St Marys. This expanded to take in Campbelltown, Mt Druitt and Penrith papers and the successful group was eventually bought out by Kerry Packer’s PBL. The Star Newspapers had been a major sponsor of the Penrith Panthers, so it seemed a natural progression that Carl was asked to undertake an assignment with that club. After several years with the Panthers he moved on to consulting for Sydney and South Coast enterprises and as B&B host at the lovely Clerevale. That was the business side of Carl. But his great love was writing, poetry in particular. Which is how he came to the Valley. In 1995 he had been invited to run a Poetry evening at the old Buckley’s Restaurant, the timber house opposite the tennis courts. On this, his first visit, he was captivated by the view of the Valley as he came down Barrengarry Mountain and he stopped and looked and wrote a poem, Values of the Valley,which is featured in the KV Tourist Association visitor’s guide and reproduced below. Amazingly, two years later, when Larraine made her first visit to the Valley, she stopped in exactly the same spot and painted a watercolour. Carl fell in love with the Valley, stayed and started a series of “Writers of the Valley”
evenings at Buckley’s, where poets, novelists, essayists, singers came and read excerpts from their work. They were so successful that people were coming from down the Coast and from the Blue Mountains.Carl’s own poetry has led to several projects. His latest book of poetry is nearly structured and ready for publication, but the project that excites him most is a combined production with the artist, Jenny Mitchell. Jenny has made a lifetime work of painting portraits of 104 Australian poets, from the likes of A.D. Hope, Les Murray and Judith Wright to lesser known scribes such as Carl. She came to the Valley to paint him, staying at Clerevale for several days. Carl speaks of her amazing technique in painting with a dozen paintbrushes in her hands at a time. They are now collaborating to develop a travelling exhibition, a book, TV documentary and series featuring the poetry and portraits of Australian poets gathered over 25 years, a project which will have at its core this unique collection. As well as poetry he has written a film script called “Clara,” which deals with the relationship between Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, a relationship spanning forty years following the death of her husband, Robert Schumann. A talented performer and composer, at 18 she had been invited to perform at the Austrian Court, who were so enamoured of her playing they gave her the highest award available, despite the fact that she was a woman, very young, a Protestant and a foreigner. She relinquished her composing at the time of her marriage to Robert, but continued her performing, particularly after his death, when she was left to provide for her eight children.
Reportedly a manipulative woman, she and Brahms never married, but he supported her in her concert tours around Europe. On these tours she mainly played Schumann, but her final concert was entirely devoted to Brahms.Poet, script writer, but also sportsman, Carl has played representative hockey in New Zealand and Australia and in 1998 was chosen to play in the World Cup for Australia in the Grandmasters Veterans team. This was the first time the Kookaburras, the Hockeyroos and the Grandmasters had all played in their World Cups in the same venue, which was Utrecht in the Netherlands. Kangaroo Valley Hockey Club raised money to help finance the trip, the proviso being that when he returned he had to write something for The Voice.His poem, “Camp Amersfoot” described a concentration camp that had been on the site of the motel where he was staying and was part of his “report”. In the woods near his motel Carl had come across a monument to the camp set in a deep hole with barbed wire encircling the top. “It was very spooky” he said.
(Continued on page 34)
A.P.Sparke & Broad (Established 1897)
Solicitors & Attorneys
OBJECTIVE, INDEPENDENT
ADVICE FOR ALL YOUR
LEGAL MATTERS
Contact: Philip Broad
31 Moss Street, NOWRA, NSW 2541 Telephone: (02) 4421 7688
Incorporating the practices of Alan C. Peters. Phelps & Brown and LFJ Norman
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 10
Gabbys at Berry
A la carte Dining- Saturday nights
Sunday lunch alfresco dining $18.50 menu with glass of
white, red or sparkling wine
Open 7 days nights by appointment
Friday August 24 Mexican Night Great for the Family Adults $29.50 Children’s menu $12-50
Fahjitas, sangria and margueritas Mexican music to set the mood
Bookings recommended 4464 2349 or 0410 648338
Around the corner, next door to the old post office
The school holidays are over and we
have returned to a new and busy term at
pre school.
During the holidays new playground soft fall surfacing was installed into the
playground to replace the bark soft fall. We received a $13,000 grant through the State Government’s Pre school Investment and Reform Plan to afford to have this work done. (rubber soft fall is very expensive). The playground has taken on a whole new life! The children are making cubby houses, riding bikes and playing in new ways on the rubber surface.
It is safe, looks tidy and the children are going home much cleaner! We are all very grateful that this improvementcould be achieved. (keep looking out for more exciting improvements at pre school!) Big thank-yous to Scott and Tracey Styles, Chris Barnes, Greg Baker, Glen Reed, Neil Gripper, Simon Shine, Amelia Perry Powell and Pat Powell who attended working bees to remove the old bark surfacing and to clean up the work site before the school term began. We have been very privileged to have special
visits from Stephanie the Ballerina (Stephanie Driver).Stephanie dressed in her tutu and Tiara and read the children a ballet story, showed them ballet positions and showed us special dances. The children loved imitating the five ballet positions, doing arabesques and plies and dancing with our beautiful ballerina! Thank you Stephanie for such a special treat!
Stephanie and Taidgh arabesque
Building cubby houses
Dancing with Stephanie
Stories with Stephanie
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 11
Kangaroo Valley Supermarket
4465 1512
Hello and welcome to the Valley! We have the one-stop-shop for all your
everyday and weekend needs Groceries Specialty breads Delicatessen Frozen foods Fresh fruit and vegetables DVD hire Chemist lines Video hire Newspapers Magazines
Moss Vale Road Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Tales By Joan Bray
In the second half of the 19th Century,
when early settlers came to the Valley
they brought their families, goods and
chattels and their Bibles.
Religious beliefs and a strong faith were a
comfort in times of hardship and there was
naturally an acute loneliness for friends, family and familiar customs in the ‘old
country’.Family gatherings for prayers each evening were a part of daily activity and on Sundays, neighbours would take it in turns to hold prayer meetings in their homes. There was usually a piano, no lack of vocal talent and someone who was willing to lead the service. The Nugents and Barniers had a family member, who was ordained and on his visits from Sydney he was more than willing to help out.As more settlers arrived the desire to establish a formal place of worship increased. The original Land Grants had been to the Osbornes and the Wileys and from these gentlemen land was purchased by the four main denominations.The northern end of the village was owned by Alick Osborne and here were established the Catholic and Anglican Churches. The Anglicans were given a helpful start to fund raising by the generosity of Isabel Osborne.She was a competent and energetic organiser and very devout: a good combination for success in this venture. Alick and Isabel were living at Barrengarry House with their young children and had many tenant farmers on their large land holdings in the Valley. They were well respected and socially prominent.In 1867, four hundred people attended a ‘Fancy Bazaar’ at the Osborne home and the initial plans were laid for a fund and subscription list to raise money for a church. The Osbornes also had connexions with influential people and the architect who renovated their magnificent home was commissioned to draw up plans. He was John Horbury Hunt and in the Valley he also designed the Anglican Rectory and the Barrengarry Primary School.
Churches of the Valley The Church was of Norman design and constructed of brick with foundations of sandstone quarried near the bridge. It originally had a thatched roof which was replaced by shingles in 1902 and tiles in 1942.The cost was 750 pounds and many bazaars and ‘basket picnics’ were organized to raise this sum. It was a commendable effort for a small community and they doubtless had the support of other denominations at their various social events. Alick donated the land and at the end of the project generously paid off the outstanding debt of 60 pounds. Ten years later when the Rectory building project was mooted, he sold that land to the then established Anglican Church. The Bishop of Sydney, Bishop Werton, laid the foundation stone on 19th October 1870 and the Governor of the colony, Lord Belmore, donated 50 pounds. The first Services were held by the Parish Minister, Rev. James Stack, after the official opening and dedication by Rev. Corlette on 26th
January 1872. It was consecrated in 1978 by Bishop Ken Short. Ivy grew on the walls and photos taken in the early years of the C 20th show a different looking Church of the Good Shepherd than we see today. Worthy supporters of the Church were the families of the Nugents, Grahams, Maguires, O’Connors, Barniers and Reillys. The latter donated the West Door and Isabel Osborne donated the beautiful East Window, which was made in England. For ten years, Sunday Services were conducted by Ministers from Berry-Jamberoo- Shellharbour parish, until in 1882, Kangaroo Valley had its own resident Minister when the
Reverend George H Muzy moved into the recently completed Rectory. There have been a procession of Ministers over the last 135 years, each adding their personal style to the spiritual welfare of the parishioners. Some families, like the Nugents who established the first Post Office, chose to bury their loved ones in the consecrated Church grounds, where their headstones remain to this day. In 1913 gas burners replaced the lamps, until electricity was installed in 1947. To obtain money for ongoing care and maintenance, there were regular Fund Raisers, but in 1925, the inaugural Flower Show exceeded all expectations. The Church Fete and Flower Show was then an annual social event, organised with great aplomb by Ida and Philip Lidbetter. After 1927, the wealthier parishioners would drive to the Sunday Services in their shiny motor cars, but many still preferred the traditional arrival in the spruced up horse and sulky. There were other church related activities like the Young Men’s Society, Tennis Club, the Dramatic Club’ Amusu’ and Fellowship every Friday evening. These groups helped bind the community together and offered healthy entertainment and recreational events. The original organ, from 1891, was fitted with an electric blower in 1961. In 1935, wrought iron Memorial gates were erected at the Church to commemorate the Jubilee of King George V. These were dedicated to Rev. Muzy and Septimus Osborne.
(Continued on page 16)
The Church of the Good Shepherd
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 12
There has been
much in the news
lately about
cancer clusters
and possible
workplace exposure.
There is no doubt that cancer clusters exist and also that certain carcinogens, or
cancer causing substances, are present in
certain workplace situations. The fact that they are more often suspected than proven shouldn’t deter our vigilance over such matters. The origins of cancers are many and varied, and frequently complex or multi-factorial. There are examples where there are clearly documented occupational carcinogens but equally there are others where environmental factors are at work and there are even types of cancers that some unfortunate people are genetically predisposed to. Examples of occupational carcinogens include asbestos and some aniline dyes, thankfully rarely used now, while environmental factors range all the way from the horrible and well documented Nagasaki/Hiroshima nuclear
Medical musts and mentions bombings to the Chernobyl disaster to simple overexposure to the sun contributing to the development of several types of skin cancer. Some types of breast cancer, and ovarian cancer are examples of a genetic predisposition. The key words here are vigilance and suspicion. If you feel you have developed, or are developing, symptoms which you have seen or heard of in others, which have ultimately led to a diagnosis of cancer being made, see your doctor and bring it to his or her attention. Similarly, if you are aware of a cluster or group of people at your workplace or in your neighbourhood or locality, who have been diagnosed with a certain type of cancer, even though you may have no such symptoms yourself, take it up with your doctor. It may be nothing at all, but better to be safe than sorry. Above all else, remember at all times that cancer is a word, not a sentence! Increasingly, better treatments and, yes, even in some cases, cures, are being found for some types of cancer. Ignoring warning symptoms gives you no chance whatsoever of any potential cancer being discovered and treated!
A Benefit Night will be held at
Kangaroo Valley Hall for Clare
McGlynn on Saturday 25th
August
commencing at 7pm. This tiny close-knit community has been deeply touched and saddened by the recent tragic passing of Clare’s husband, Johnny Loh. Whether it was a wave, a smile, a burger, a curry or a simple chat to while away the time, there can’t have been many who didn’t come into contact with Johnny in some way or another. To help Clare with the difficult times ahead, a night of fun and merriment has been arranged at the Hall, and hopefully in the process raise some well-needed funds.. There will be nibblies and music, Sean Kramer has kindly agreed to host the evening as well as regale us with his unique brand of humour, already several items have been donated for an auction which will include, among other things, sporting memorabilia and artworks and there will be at least one worthwhile raffle. Donations for the auction are still being sought and would be greatly appreciated. Tickets for the night are available at $10 per head.
If you can help in any way, or to purchase
tickets, contact Dr Bob or Tracey on
0403037309 during business hours.
Benefit night for
Clare McGlynn
NEW STUDY: SOUTH COAST MALES HAVE HIGHER CANCER MORTALITY RATE
Men on the NSW South Coast, from
Wollongong to the Shoalhaven, had a
significantly higher cancer mortality rate
compared to their statewide counterparts,
according to a new report just released by
The Cancer Council NSW.
The Cancer Maps for NSW: 1998 to 2002
report compares cancer incidence and mortality rates for Local Government Areas with the NSW State average figures. Other key findings from The Cancer
Council’s Cancer Maps report:
Men in Wollongong have a higher than average chance of developing and dying from lung cancer. Men from the Shoalhaven down to the Victorian border had a higher than average chance of developing cancer of the oesophagus Rates of melanoma of the skin were significantly higher for men and women throughout the south coast, but the mortality rates were on a par with the state as a whole.
There was a higher incidence of prostate cancer in areas such as Wingecarribee, Shoalhaven and Bombala, with the mortality rate being higher than average around the Bombala area. Although the study does not explore the underlying reasons for these trends, Jenny Beach, The Cancer Council’s Statewide Services Director, believes these findings could be very useful in developing tailored responses to fighting cancer in individual communities. “Men need to be aware that prostate problems are very common as they age. There are tests for prostate cancer but they carry with them both benefits and risks. We strongly recommend that men with a family history and those concerned about prostate cancer talk to their GP about their options,” said Ms Beach. “It can be very difficult for cancer patients in areas such as Bombala and Bega as they don’t have sufficient access to radiotherapy or oncology services. They travel vast distances for treatment and spend periods away from their family – and when you are feeling particularly vulnerable and low, this isolation can be devastating.“Whilst there is a much higher incidence of melanoma along the south coast, successful skin cancer awareness campaigns and access to specialist melanoma units mean many residents are being diagnosed at an early stage,” said Ms Beach.
For more information on cancer or to access
available support services call The Cancer
Council Helpline on 13 11 20 Monday to
Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 13
News stories please to
Hello, we’re the 3D Racers – that’s our
team name for The 2007 Kids’ Design
Challenge- NRMA TechnoPush
Challenge.
We’re Year 5 and 6 at Kangaroo Valley
Public School.
The competition involves different schools across NSW designing, testing, promoting and training for a pushcart challenge at Eastern Creek on 9 August. A pushcart is a billycart with two drivers – one to steer and one to push. We are in four different teams, each with a very
important role to play in achieving the goal of designing and racing a successful pushcart. We all knew where our talents were best suited because we understand our Multiple Intelligences and where they would best support the team. There’s the Media Team who organise sponsors, advertise the event and also present and talk about our investigations to officials on race day. Our Design and Make Team use the class’s scientific investigations to build our pushcart. Another very important part of our project is the Marketing Team who work on logos and artwork, and also set up our display area. Lastly there’s the Driving Team who have been working on developing healthy eating plans, fitness workouts and, our special added touch, a dance presentation – they will be doing the real “grunt” work on the day. All teams have liaised (we know what it means and how to spell it!) closely and we are very excited about the coming event. Next week, a representative of the NRMA will be coming to school to make sure our pushcart
meets all the design specifications, then the Driving team takes over to practise and train with the pushcart, and finally we will paint the cart in our team colours – gold and blue. We are very proud to say that our cart has been built from recycled materials and would like to thank everyone, especially Allen Harvey, who donated to this, or who gave money to support the team. The invaluable help of Jack Beasley, a student at KV last year, who guided and consulted with the Design Team. Also, many thanks to Bob Beasley for sourcing some of the pushcart's parts, KV Preschool for the use of their vehicles and thanks also to children and families who allowed 3D the use of their billycarts for our investigation. Finally, we offer a huge thanks to Meaghan Binder who happily gave up lots of her time to guide us in our scientific investigations; Dominic Parker whose amazing expertise and workshop facilities were invaluable; Troy
Nutter for bringing in billycarts and helping us to investigate different components; Nigel Champion for donating our teams’ shirts; and to Darrel and Margaret Williams who will be
printing the team shirts. We are still organising bus transport for the day, but we are sure someone can help us out here too!We’ll keep you posted – it’s going to be big!
Rhea, Aaron and Audrey building
a steering test for use by the whole class
Indy and Mollie comparing different wheel,
steering and braking mechanisms
Audrey and Jordan on the investigative trail
The Media Team – Sophie McGregor, Eloise Mounsey,
Cameron Leslie and Brook Pritchard.
Mollie, Sophie and Chrystal taking notes
whilst investigating a billycart
Kangaroo Valley Public School Stage 3 NRMA – KDC TechnoPush 2007 Challenge
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 14
KangarooValley Garden Group
Berry Vets
in
Kangaroo Valley
Consultations between 10 and 12 am Tuesday
(House calls available after 12 noon)
Consultation by appointment Please phone: 4464-1899
Address: 11 Rectory Park Way, Kangaroo Valley
Dr Bob (Sims) MB, BS – Family Doctor Kangaroo Valley Ambulance Community Complex
DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND HIS CONTROL,
Dr BOB IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PROVIDE REGULAR CONSULTATIONS
ON MONDAYS.
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 9 am – 12 pm, 2 pm-5 pm
(by appointment) – REMAINS UNCHANGED
Available at other times for urgent attendances
For appointments and enquiries phone: 0403 037 309
On a glorious day in July, the Garden
Group assembled at Eleanor Lyon’s
home for a celebration of her wood-fired
outdoor oven, and what a feast it was.
After meandering around her garden and
doing what we do best (giving advice to
others about what they could do with their awkward garden spaces) and looking over
the delightful chalets Eleanor has for
holiday makers, we gathered around the oven and enjoyed our culinary creations. The fire had been started at 5 am and the lamb was cooked to perfection. Eleanor is a proponent of the Slow Food movement. This is a belief that food should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work; and that the food we eat should taste good. This concept of eco-gastronomy recognises
the strong connections between plate and planet; it is also closely linked with the idea that the food we eat should come from within an area of 100 miles, that is, it should be local and therefore seasonal.The wood-fired oven has also been shown to provide the smallest amount of carbon dioxide of all heating energy sources (2003 CSIRO study) “Wood is simply the most abundant, biodegradable and reusable material on the planet.” (Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, ‘Washington Times’, January 2006). This was a wonderful experience for us all and certainly a chance to taste the slow food and become converts to this sustainable way of life. Thank you Eleanor. Find out more: http://www.slowfood.com
Lee Sharam
Christmas in July
The world is made up of people and people make decisions on a whole range of issues. What makes the RTA so convinced that they have a monopoly on wisdom in this issue???? If they are going to remove all such obstacles within four metres of vehicle travel lanes, will they start with telegraph and light poles?? Intervention was sought from the senior levels of the State Government but the silence was deafening. Two Ministers were on leave, which absolved them from having to become involved. Convenient?? Perhaps so. I noticed a very wide range of people at the demonstration to save the trees. I couldn’t help but notice that there were people present who would not normally be found at such gatherings. I fall into that category. So why was I there?? I would not demonstrate to save a tree because it was a tree. I accept that trees sometimes need to be cut down for a variety of reasons. In this instance we were not speaking of just trees; we were speaking of a large number of trees that made up a lovely avenue that has attracted much attention from many people. We were also speaking of destroying these same trees in the name of road safety. I don’t think there is a simple answer for my presence; I felt the actions were wrong and felt the need to demonstrate my feelings in the issue. I trust the good people of Kangaroo Valley will maintain the rage and attempt to stop any further similar actions by the RTA.
John Anderson
(Continued from page 5)
Roads and Traffic Autocrats
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 15
30 years Electrical experience
from this to this
Tree fellers – Iemma, Roozendaal and Brown Many residents of Kangaroo Valley and
tourists who love the area are heartbroken at
the devastation of the removal of 97 mature
trees along Moss Vale Road in Kangaroo
Valley NSW.
The RTA said that the removal of the trees, completed in the same week as National Tree Day, would be of “low visual impact” but the results speak for themselves. “”Huge gaps now appear along what once was a magnificent avenue of trees with rainforest understory; the destruction is sickening,” says Christopher Warren President of the Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association. “The ignorant heavy handed approach by the RTA and supported by this Government will destroy our scenic landscape across NSW. If the RTA interprets the National Guidelines to the letter all trees four metres from the roadside would consequently be removed” warns Mr Warren.“The Moss Vale Road Action Group fully supports road safety improvements and asked the RTA to look at the speed limit and introduce proper signage. We lobbied our ministers and local MP Matt Brown who is also Minister for Tourism but they refused to answer our letters and look into the matter in time to save our National Trust listed landscape,” says Elizabeth George of the Moss Vale Road Action Group. The Moss Vale Road Action Group is now lobbying the state government to introduce legislation to preserve the scenic integrity of
State Tourist Roads. “Tourists and residents alike, proud of our natural heritage and beauty of the Australian countryside which this State Government is hell bent on destroying mindlessly while other states in Australia logically apply common sense to road safety guidelines when trees and natural beauty are involved” says Mr. Warren The Road Action Group has delivered a petition for presentation to Eric Roozendaal, Minister for Roads to call for prompt action to save our
trees and landscape now. NOTE: The Moss Vale Road Action Group is a community based campaign involving all the key local Kangaroo Valley associations and some independent residents to help preserve the National Trust listed landscape, our heritage listed Hampden Bridge and historic villages of Barrengarry, Kangaroo Valley, East Kangaroo Valley and Beaumont.
Enquiries:
Chris Warren, Kangaroo Valley Tourist
Association 4465 1406 or 0439 801 349
Elizabeth George, Kangaroo Valley
Community Association 4465 1010
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 16
During WW11, special permission was granted from the Department of War Organization to repair the Church roof and paint it. Other improvements were made to the grounds with new trees and fences. There had been a Sunday school hall built in 1882, but demolished in 1929 and a new Church hall opened in 1991. The new Minister’s residence was built by 1995, with due care not to disturb the headstones in the grounds. Honour Boards for WW1 and WW 11 servicemen may be seen in the Church. The Church of the Good Shepherd acknowledged its 100th anniversary in 1972, with a luncheon picnic at the Rectory, a concert and a Flower Show. It was celebrated as an achievement and a reunion. This year, 2007, the 135th anniversary of the small village of Kangaroo Valley’s, fulfilment of a need to have a formal place of worship and fellowship, the building of The Church of the Good Shepherd should be proudly and gratefully remembered as a fitting tribute to those early pioneers. Other Anglican Churches in the Valley are worthy of mention. In 1872, at the volition of Edward Parish, who wished to be married to Miss Graham, in Upper River, the rural church of Fern Hill was constructed.It was rebuilt more substantially in 1909 and remains today as a private property. Barrengarry Union Church was built near the Moss Vale Road to the left of the driveway to the Barrengarry School, in 1886: the Vance family, Joseph and Isabella, being actively involved in collecting the necessary capital. Sunday school classes were organised and the weekly Services, both here and at Fern Hill conducted at a time that fitted in with the farmers and their milking duties. It was called the Union Church, because it was available to all denominations. Unfortunately the building was damaged by strong winds and later pulled down. Others that were operating for some years were at Wattamolla, Woodhill. Beaumont and Bendeela.
(Continued from page 11)
Kangaroo Tales By Joan Bray
All but Bendeela still stand, but not used for religious purposes. There were many Irish born settlers in Kangaroo Valley in the C19th and they were as keen as the Anglicans to have their own denominational place of worship. In 1873, the first Catholic Church was built on land acquired from Alick Osborne. This was replaced in 1888 with the Church of St Joseph. The pews were made from cedar, cut and milled in the Valley. In 2008, it will be the 120th Anniversary of this pretty little church on the hill and the 135th year since the original chapel on the same site. Another chance to celebrate the zeal of the pioneers and their dedication to their faith.
The Uniting Church, previously the Wesleyan, was built on land bought from the Wiley Estate, in 1887. Isabel Osborne was a financial supporter and laid the Foundation Stone. Opposite, also on Wiley’s land, was the Presbyterian Church. This was demolished sometime between 1930 -1937, after the remaining stalwarts, the Campbell family, who were influential residents in the Community, had all died. The Methodist and Presbyterian denominations amalgamated, in 1977, so it is thirty years of
The Church of St Joseph
this union that is now celebrated. The original porch and entrance to the Uniting Church was from the eastern end where the altar is today, but in 1966, substantial alterations were made. A separate hall for Sunday school classes and meetings was built and a small kitchen facility separated that and the main Church. However the Sydney architect’s recommendation for the entrance to be moved to the northerly aspect and the altar to the eastern end resulted in the loss of the beautiful elevated and quite grand pulpit. The tongue and groove lining boards were removed and replaced with a patterned masonite hardboard, the small arched windows on the northern and southern walls, gave way to large plate glass windows to let in sunlight and allow the parishioners to enjoy the view of the escarpment. The external horizontal weatherboards were changed and a new metal roof installed. During the alterations, Services and Sunday school classes were held weekly in the Osborne Park hall. In those years there was a thriving congregation and Sunday school classes taken by local teachers including the policeman! Memorial Tablets on the walls are for Joseph and Isabella Vance, Annie Shepherd and George Walker. With such an important anniversary in 2007, it is hoped that the Uniting Church will remain a centre of worship for the residents of the Valley and perhaps the younger generation will understand its historical significance and ensure that it does.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (now a division of the Department of Environment and Climate Change) are conducting a 1 week per month 1080 Fox Baiting Program in the Kangaroo Valley and Bugong Areas. Baiting is conducted on various private properties, National Parks estate, Sydney Catchment Authority estate and Crown land. All properties being baited are sign posted with the dates of each baiting session. Dog owners are asked to ensure their dogs do not wander as dogs are highly susceptible to 1080 poisoning.
For any further information please contact Melinda Norton or Alison Prentice at the DECC Highlands Area Office,
Fitzroy Falls on (02) 4887 8244.
The Uniting Church
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Janice Lunnon Dip Rem. mass
ATMS (over 25 yrs. experience)
Mobile service FRI / SAT / SUN
Ring after 6pm 44652063
Specialise in tourist/clientele, bed & breakfast
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 17
Mr Ian Pickford of the Antiques
Roadshow will visit Berry in August as
special guest of ADFAS Shoalhaven.
Mr Pickford will lecture on "Dr
Christopher Dresser and C. R. Ashbee's
'Guild of Handicrafts' (Silver and
silverware)".Ian grew up in St. John's Wood in North London.While his peers conquered the playing fields, Ian wandered the museums and art galleries of London, devouring all the information they held.As time went on, English silver began to hold more fascination for him than any other area of the decorative arts. Peering at hallmarks became his favourite occupation.Nevertheless, he was destined for university and a degree in physics, until a long
Antiques Roadshow at ADFAS conversation with an aunt convinced him to make his passion his career. Breaking into the small world of antique silver was difficult but Ian won a place at 'Shrubsole' (A distinguished Antique Silver Dealer) in Museum Street, bloomsbury and began his 6 years of training in 1965.In the early 1970s, Ian left Shrubsoles and has
been an independent lecturer, writer and consultant ever since. His lecture experience is vast and includes the University of London, University of Surry, Thwe southampton Institute, The Goldsmith Company, Victoria and Albert Museum, National Trust, NADFAS, National Art Collection Fund and many others. He is a popular broadcaster on radio and television participating in the Antique Roadshow, the Great Antique Hunt and Collectors World Ian is editor of Jackson's Silver and Gold Marks, the author of Silver Flatwear, Antique Silver (Antique Collectors Club, Starting to Collect series) and a contributor to Sotheby's Concise Encyclopaedia of silver, and various Antique Roadshow publications.
Ian is advisor to NADFAS Church Recorders on church Plate. He is a Freeman of the goldsmith's Company and a Freeman of the City of London. The Lecture on Dr Christopher Dresser and C. R. Ashbee will be focused on two remarkable and opposing developments which took place during the 1880s and 1890s. Both, for quite different reasons, failed at thwe time and yet both were to have a significant influence on what followed. With this lecture Ian will first look at the remarkable ideas and designs of Dresser who it may be said was the first true industrial designer and who introduced the principals of functionalism into design. Then he will go on to examine Ashbee and the development of the "Guild of Handicrafts" which put into effect, for silver, the Arts and Crafts ideas introduced by William Morris. The lecture will take place in the Berry School of Arts on Thursday 9th August commencing at 7.30 p.m. Visitors are welcome , $15.00 at the door. A light Supper is served.
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August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 18
Well, here
we are with
the Folk
Festival
almost with
us again.
The weekend of September
7-9 will be
an outstanding event for the Valley with more
than 150 staged performances by individual artists and groups in the two
main marquees on the oval and in selected
venues around the town. The program for the festival will shortly be published on the website: www.kvfolk.shoalhaven.info
In order to operate the festival in its second year we have incorporated the Shoalhaven Folk Club.The club will run a monthly music event, sometimes in the valley and sometimes on the coast and will kick off with a dance featuring EcoBeat in the Hall on Saturday 11 August. Notices with details are around the town. Poetry
As last year the popular Poet’s Breakfast will take place in Café Bella on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. These events are staged by the heroes of the good old Aussie bush yarn: you are guaranteed a couple of hours of humour and hyperbole from the classics (Lawson, Patterson…) as well as a front row seat at the public launch of any “new classics” from the pens of the modern poets.Come and have a coffee and a laugh.
Dance
For those with light feet (and those of us who may like to have) we are staging two main evening dances in the Hall. On Friday night we have a Bush Dance to the music of Celtic Craic: this is a great fun event for families and dancers who enjoy easy fun dances and music. For more serious exponents of the traditional dance measures the inaugural Shoalhaven Folk Club Ball is being held on Saturday night. Ball guests will be
piped into the Hall by
the Shoalhaven Scottish Pipes and Drums and will dance to the music of the well-loved local Scottish fiddler Bob McInnes. Several leaders of traditional dance groups have been approached for dance lists from the Irish, Scottish and Australian Colonial repertoires and these will shortly be available on the website. For those dancers a little rusty on the steps, a series of workshops leading to
the Ball will be held on the Saturday afternoon, please consult the program. Entry to the Ball is by ticket purchased from the Festival Office. This is a supper ticket, the proceeds of these sales goes to the P&C which is the caterer for this event. If you enjoy a freer dance style, the late night acts in the marquees may be of interest to you. Again this year we will enjoy the company of EcoBeat (popular local folk with a Balkans flavour), AllezGator (Cajun and Zydeco band from Canberra), The Lawnmowers (Bluegrass) and The Wheeze and Suck Band (good, old rompy (a bit bawdy) Morris tradition). If you are a dance spectator, look our for the display by “BlackJoke Morris” who can show you how to dance and fight with sticks at the same time.Workshops
We are delighted to provide a tremendous array of workshops for children and adults alike including harmony singing, song writing, music (including possibly: Whistle, bodhran, harp, guitar and others to be confirmed) and a great variety of dance displays and workshops. Children’s activities are a big part of Folk Festival tradition and concerts during both days in the dedicated Kid’s Festival tent will have enough variety to please anyone. In the evening it is planned to turn the kid’s tent into another “real’ venue: see the program. Artists
The Artists for the concerts at a folk festival
Folk Festival will be an outstanding event w
Sandra of Ecobeat
Bob Fagan
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 19
Shoalhaven Spring Water Pty LtdABN: 48 114 801 259
PO Box 4050, East Nowra NSW 2541
Phone: (02) 4423.3316 Fax: (02) 4422.6073
Email: [email protected]
Delivery to Kangaroo Valley on Fridays
with a great line up of talented performers
have often travelled considerable distances to perform and to enjoy the atmosphere of the community where the event is being staged. Most are not solely dependent on the music for their livelihoods and often take time out of their day job to attend. Many are teachers (active or retired) and university academics proliferate. Some work in the public service, unions, community assistance, conservation and some are students of music, science, and anything else you can think of. Folk is the music of the people of the world. The artists at this festival can claim to cover styles as diverse as Appalachian roots and blues, bluegrass, Renaissance historical pieces, traditional Celtic, Cajun, Australian colonial, Gaelic traditional and contemporary, various choral traditions and some good fun parody. Our artists have travelled from as far away as Queensland and Melbourne while the local
artists of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands are our most well-represented group. Look for the performer photos and bios around the town during the next few weeks. Fund Raising
Tickets are about to go on sale for the major raffles of the festival with any number of CDs and event tickets available to the prizewinners. The premier prize, however, is a Mandolin and case donated by Phil Haworth of Kiama (the donation was obtained for us by John Spillane of the Illawarra Folk club, whose assistance to us has been invaluable for both festivals). Photographs of this beautiful instrument will be displayed around the town. Volunteers
As with every festival we are in great need of volunteers in every area.
Trevof Allezgator
Mithra of the Lurkers
We need office staff, shop staff, gate stewards, cleaners, tidiers, builders, unbuilders, bar staff, put-uppers and pack-uppers. Some of the jobs are outside festival time and others are during the festival. Volunteers usually find that they miss very little of the festival fun as they are amongst the events for most of the time they are ‘at work’. Forms for applications are available in the website or be email to [email protected] Of course you get a season ticket for your trouble.
Jane Richter
Jason Roweth
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 20
So, what can we do?
We need to attack both sides of the equation: ! Increase the earth’s capacity to absorb CO2
and ! Stop pushing so much CO2 into the atmos-
phere.Of course, to increase the earth’s capacity to absorb CO2 we must also stop those activities that reduce it. The most obvious of these is the clearing of tropical rainforests, whether in the Amazon, Indonesia or Australia’s tropical North.Many organisations are offering Carbon Offsets – allowing you to pay somebody else to under-take some activity that will cancel out your carbon emissions. One example of this is tree planting. The rationale is that planting six extra trees will absorb a tonne of CO2 over the next 60 years or so. Therefore, if each person
planted an extra 150 trees every year, those trees would eventually absorb the 25.6 tonnes of CO2 emitted by the average Australian’s activities in a year. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-mate Change (IPCC) has estimated that the potential mitigation by activities like tree plant-ing could at best recoup about 10% to 20% of projected fossil fuel emissions up to 2050. That leaves the other 80% to 90% to be dealt with by reducing emissions. Some Carbon Offset schemes use your payment to subsidise renewable energy sources which would otherwise be more expensive than en-ergy from our coal-fired power stations, thus letting somebody else reduce their emissions. We can reduce emissions by: ! using less energy and ! using renewable energy that doesn’t generate
carbon emissions. There are lots of renewable energy technologies under development. They generally cost more than our coal-fired power stations, but this is bound to change when the environmental cost of burning carbon is fully taken into account. It is unlikely that renewable energy sources will ever provide the cheap, plentiful power we enjoy today, so reducing our energy consump-tion is going to be a fact of life if we are to become truly ‘Carbon Neutral’. Reducing energy use
You can save more than five tonnes of green-house pollution a year by doing simple things like buying a fuel efficient car, driving it less, and by making energy efficiency savings around the home. By using energy efficiently, you save money and prevent greenhouse gases from ever being produced. An energy efficient house emits 70% less greenhouse pollution than the average Australian house. Buying renewable energy stops greenhouse pollution before it’s even created, rather than trying to get it out of the atmosphere later. In Australia, renewable energy is currently only available for electricity.
Peter Stanton
With growing awareness of global warming
and the dangers of climate change, there is
talk of becoming ‘Carbon Neutral’ so we can
do our bit to protect the environment into
the future. But what does it mean?
The scientific consensus is that our rapidly increasing burning of fossil fuels to provide the energy we use every day is increasing the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere faster than the oceans and forests can absorb it. The rise in CO2 causes more of the sun’s energy to be trapped by the atmosphere, resulting in the average global temperature increasing. The danger is that this may reach a tipping point where our climate becomes irreversibly changed, with rising sea levels and more ex-tremes of weather – more droughts, more floods, more storms.
Some thoughts on becoming ‘Carbon Neutral’
Climate Change and Diet Kangaroo Valley Environment Group
invite you to a public meeting
Friday 17th August, 6.30pm
in the Village Hall, where
Rosemary Stantonwill speak on
the interactions
between diet
and climate change Supper will be served
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 21
Look after your teeth by Rosemary Stanton
I began my working career in the head office
of the New South Wales Health Department.
As nutritionists, we shared our offices with
the Dental Health Research Foundation
because dental health and nutrition were
seen as complementary. The diet that was
recommended for the body was also the one
needed for the teeth.
After the introduction of fluoride into the water supply, dental health improved. I am aware that some people are unhappy about the addition of fluoride to water supplies, but there is no doubt it had a dramatic effect in reducing dental caries (holes in teeth). Children who live in areas with fluoridated water continue to have far fewer dental caries than those without fluoride.
Many of the children who grew up in the 1970s and 80s in cities with fluoridated water have no fillings in their teeth. But since the 1990s, the number of holes in children's teeth has been steadily rising – although it remains much less in areas with fluoride in the water. The latest reports show a rapid rise.
There is no real mystery as to why dental caries are rising. There are two major factors involved. One is what children drink and the other is how often they eat.
Drinks
The ideal drinks for children are water and milk (or calcium-fortified soy beverages). Juice, juice drinks, cordial, soft drinks and sports drinks are all acidic and their acid damages tooth enamel, making it easy for bacteria in the plaque that grows on teeth to break down the enamel and cause holes.
Regular visits to the dentists and effective cleaning help to keep the plaque down and this will help. However, it's not a good idea to brush the teeth after drinking anything acidic as the toothbrush can etch the acid into the dental enamel. After drinking anything acidic, the best advice is to rinse the mouth with water. (You may have noticed while watching tennis on television that tennis players who take a swig of sports drink almost always follow it with plain water. This is to protect their teeth from frequent acid attacks.)
Some parents say their children won't drink plain water. Well children will drink water if they're really thirsty and if no alternatives are offered. Children are also more likely to drink water if they see adults around them doing so.
If children are sick, especially if they have a fever, some calories from a sweet drink can be important. A really sick child or one who has vomiting and diarrhoea will need an electrolyte replacement product rather than plain water.
Avoiding sweetened drinks not only benefits children's teeth, but is also one of the most effective ways to help avoid excess weight. Fruit juice may be a good source of vitamins, but any drink containing sugar (even the natural kind in juice) can easily add to body fat levels.
Snacks
Our teeth are attacked every time we eat. That's not necessarily a problem as the natural minerals in saliva help re-mineralise teeth over the next couple of hours. But if you eat often, the re-mineralisation process doesn't occur.
Dentists would prefer us to eat only at mealtimes. That's probably good for the waistline too, but if you really fel you can't last from one meal to the next, try to have only one snack midway between meal times. That will allow teeth to recover.
Some children graze almost constantly and their teeth suffer as a result.
Preventing holes
For babies
! Do not put a baby to bed with a bottle of juice, formula or milk as constant sucking means the child's developing teeth are bathed in sugar (even the natural sugar in milk can be harmful if left lying around teeth while the child sleeps).
! Ideally, breast feed for 12 months. If that's not possible, introduce a feeding cup from about 8 months and try to get rid of a bottle by 12 months. If that doesn't work, put plain water in the bottle.
! Do not dip a dummy in honey or anything else.
! Parents should ensure their own dental health is good as it is easy to transfer damaging bacteria to babies. Parents should never put a baby's dummy into their own mouth.
! Do not give infants lollies or other sugary foods. Chewable vitamin C tablets (with or without sugar) are the very worst things for teeth as their acidity damages tooth enamel.
For older children
Establish teeth-friendly eating and drinking habits with these tips.
! Avoid juice, cordial, soft drinks and sports drinks, except for a special occasion. Less damage will be caused if a sweet drink is consumed through a straw and all at once, preferably at meal time. Constant sipping from a bottle or can maintains high acid levels and favours decay.
! Reduce the number of snacks. If a child is having a snack, make sure it's healthy for their teeth.
! Suitable snacks that don't harm teeth include milk, yoghurt, cheese, soy drinks with added calcium, fresh fruit and nuts (allergies permitting). When older children are really hungry, wholegrain bread or toast are also healthy choices.
! Most people know that lollies, sweet biscuits and cakes are bad for their teeth, but the carbohydrates in savoury biscuits, crisps and extruded snack foods and chips also feed the bacteria that cause dental decay. Sticky snacks like muesli bars and breakfast bars can be especially problematic for teeth.
! Eating dry breakfast cereals is hazardous to teeth, but they're fine if consumed with milk.
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 22
Uniting Church News Many people have been absent from our
little Church recently, either on holidays
or with illness.
However, our usual monthly tea, on the 1st of July, was a happy gathering. Our guest speaker was Rosemary Stanton and Rosemary reminded us, in her down to earth, practical way, about the foods we should and shouldn’t eat and why. It was interesting to hear of the connection between food, our emotional and mental well being.Having heard about “Food for the Body” we
moved into the Church to focus on “Food for the Soul.” John Brentnall spoke about how many people feel closer to God in different parts of God’s creation be it; a headland overlooking the ocean, a mountain top or a forest. Since God is the creator of the universe, it is only natural that we can become more aware of God’s presence through God’s creation. The service included a meditation time using beautiful photos from nature, set to an inspiring piece of music. Our “Living the Questions” discussion
group, will resume when enough people have returned. If you would like to join us in September phone 4465 2026 and we can advise you of the date and send you a set of the notes to pre read. We will share our usual tea at 5.30 pm on
Sunday 5th August.
We will screen the movie “Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace,” the story of a highly regarded Lutheran minister, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who actively opposed Hitler and the Nazi regime. It was the Winner of Best Film at the Monte Carlo Television Festival in 2000.
Human interest
stories, news and
happenings from our
Kangaroo Valley
churchesCompiled by
Ron Bower
Commencing this month we will not be having our usual morning services except on special occasions. Instead, our services will be held at 6.30 pm
on the first and third Sundays of each
month. We are hoping that this will be an attractive option for many people, including those who work in the dairy, tourism and hospitality industries during the day.
AnglicanAs the school holidays are over, our services have reverted back to the traditional service at
8:30 am and contemporary service at 10 am.
We are planning to start a new boy’s group for years 7 to 9. The group, “Crossfire”, will and be held on Tuesday afternoons, 4:30pm to 6 pm. For further information phone Ron Bower 44652041 or Graham Castle 4465 1585. In a recent weekly bulletins Graham quoted St Augustine, who said; "Don't seek to understand
that you might believe, but believe that you
might understand."
It seems to me Augustine got it right. Even to gain language, one of the first things to do - is to exercise trust. To learn things, to grow means exercising faith. As creatures however we clearly start out with our jar of understanding essentially empty. Children don't understand things before they exercises faith, quite the reverse. They believe before they understand. It is the position of humility. When people ask me questions, I do not see myself claiming to know everything (God's domain), or nothing (pure folly). But I humbly say that The Truth is out there (not just my truth and your truth) and God has chosen to reveal Himself - to speak chiefly in His son Jesus. God's command to us all to 'repent and believe', without reference to some level of understanding, is a decidedly loving affair. To stipulate that none will enter the Kingdom unless they become like a little child is not exclusivist, but overwhelmingly inclusive - for all may if they but choose. Intellectual integrity in matters of faith is not holding out till all my questions are answered, but placing myself humbly in His hands with my eyes wide open to what I will come to understand.
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Lindy Ross & Assoc Ph 44651404 www.kvre.com.au
Shoalhaven City Council General Manager
Russ Pigg has appointed John Gould as
Assistant General Manager for Council.
“Mr Gould brings with him a wealth of
experience and a keen interest in seeing great
customer service provided to citizens of the city
through our local government,” Mr Pigg said.
“John has spent 32 years in local government and has also worked in private industry and State government, so his experience is impeccable. He will be a valuable member of my leadership team with the aim of
ensuring Council’s recent restructure sees the benefits flow on to the communities and that Council continues to improve its services and is working at best practice level of local government in Australia.”
John Gould has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of NSW, and qualifications in Local Government Town Planning, and a Graduate Diploma in Business Management.Formerly the Director of Shoalhaven Water, John has been Acting Assistant General Manager for the past few months. During his work with Shoalhaven City Council John has held many engineering and executive positions, including Design Engineer, District Engineer, Park and Reserves Manager, Caravan Parks Manager, Principal Engineer Investigation and Planning, Executive Engineer, Water Supply Manager, and Director Shoalhaven Water. “Local government now faces a number of challenges in providing best practice services and facilities to the community in a changing environment and budget limitations,” Mr Gould said. “Shoalhaven City, being a large Council, is not immune to these challenges. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to work at this level for Shoalhaven City Council and look forward to working with Councillors and staff in meeting these challenges.”
John Gould appointed Assistant General Manager
Kangaroo Valley property of the month
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 23
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Hi again for this
months WIRES
update.
We had a good turn out of Kangaroo
Valley WIRES
members in the recent protest against the RTA and other government bodies to
remove around 100 established trees on
Moss Vale Road.We as members are very disappointed that no environmental study was carried out by the RTA prior to commencing work on Monday the 23rd July. I personally felt very sad that day walking up the road and looking at those beautiful trees and thinking of all the animals that have taken up residence. It is all too familiar that our Native animals in this country continue to loose their habitats with road works and housing estates. They are pushed out of their homes and then take up residence in areas where they are not suited and at times can become pests. Thank you to those people who worked their butts off trying to save our trees. A and D Tree Services were rung and were given personal numbers and our rescue number in case any animal needed rescuing or relocating. I will let you know in my next update if any calls did come in from A and D. One particular WIRES member who was heavily involved from the start needs a special mention.
She made more than 100 crosses for the protest and has done a fantastic job all the way through.On the day I saw her liaise with police, gave interviews, and checked trees for hollows and much more. Good on you Brig. Another one of our newer members travelled from Sydney the morning of the protest and was there before we commenced. He felt very passionate on the day and gave it all he could. Big effort Mark. On a better front, since my last update, our branch has relocated a flight aviary from Canyonleigh to Fitzroy Falls which will be better used by the branch as it is now located in a more central place. Kangaroo Valley members rarely used the aviary due to the distance, but will now be utilised to its full potential. The fight aviary is a large space to allow a bird that has been in care for a period of time to be allowed to fly without further injury. It helps us to determine its flying capability and to build up strength in the wings prior to release. Well my wombat is getting so big now and should be moving to Wingello for the next stage of care in the next month. She will be put into a holding pen so she can start to dig and make a burrow. She will then go into a release pen until she is around 15-18kg and then released. Such a wonderful animal and have enjoyed caring for her.
I have also had two feathertail gliders in care due to the same cat (two separate incidents). Both gliders were treated and fortunately released a short time later. Such a gorgeous little animal, the smallest of the glider family. I would also like to mention the members of Kangaroo Valley and the efforts they put into doing phone duty each month. Most of us are doing at least two days a month to fill the gaps not yet taken on the roster. The phone is the life line for the injured or orphaned animal so good job to you all. We have around 40 people doing this month’s basic training course in our branch. This is a great number; let’s hope they all turn out on the day. We are in need of members in areas within our branch not covered. It is much easier to organise a rescue when a member is just up the road. TIP OF THE MONTH
Bird food dishes hanging in your yard look nice and will attract birds BUT, birds feeding from the same dish can pass on diseases and infections to each other and can die as a result. Planting a native Australian tree would be better suited and will also attract birds into your yard. Talk to either Janet or Darren at the local nursery for the best tree to buy. A water dish off the ground is also a way to attract birds into the yard. So plant a tree instead
From a WIRES volunteer
here in Kangaroo Valley.
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 24
Children’s Medical Research Institute
The Committee of CMRI are thinking to
organise a Debutante Ball next year to
celebrate the 50 years of their founding
as one of the first supporters of this
worthy Institute.
They are seeking expressions of interest
from young ladies in the Community.
Joan Good would like to hear from parents of these girls to discuss the procedures, costs and general commitments to the event. Please ‘phone her on 44651166, before September 3rd.‘Jeans for Genes day’ will be held on FRIDAY AUGUST 3rd and June Luscombe will be in the Village that day’, selling badges and other tokens to support CMRI. Due to the success of this fund raising campaign in 2006, the Institute was able to purchase a million dollar spectrometer. This resulted in a momentous new scientific discovery: the composition of the core enzyme, telomerase, which is present in 85% of human cancers. Dr Scott Cohen, from CMRI, headed a research team to identify the protein composition of telomerase. The findings will greatly enhance the ability of researchers throughout the world to develop efficient anti-cancer treatments. Another major development in Cancer Research is the opening of a new unit at CMRI. The Cell Transformation Unit will study the function of a tumour suppressor protein, p 53, one of the body’s natural protectors against cancer. This p53 gene is recognised by cancer researchers as having a major role in signalling the death of a cell. There will also be generous funding from Cancer Institute NSW and the State Government and will be headed by Professor Antony Braithwaite.
On-the-spot penalties of up to $1,760 can
now apply if a person with a dog classified as
Dangerous or Restricted Breed doesn’t
comply with the amended legislation. And if
your dog attacks another person, the fine
could be as high as $55,000 and up to two
years in gaol.
New State government legislation requires that all owners of Dangerous and Restricted Dogs must now have them desexed, keep them in an enclosure when at home, wear a distinctive collar at all times, keep them muzzled and keep them with a person over 18 years of age when out of the enclosure. Shoalhaven City Council’s Ranger Services is responsible for ensuring that all dog owners comply with the new provisions of the act.
Dangerous or Restricted dogs could cost up to $55,000
Councils Ranger Services Manager Ray Spencer said that penalty notices for owners of Dangerous and Restricted dogs that don’t comply with the provisions of the Companion Animals Act range from $550 to $1,760. “Under the new legislation if the owner of a dog which is classified as Dangerous or a Restricted breed doesn’t comply with the Act, then Council has the authority to seize the dog,” Mr Spencer said. The following dogs are classified as
“restricted”:
American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
Japanese tosa
dogo Argentino
fila Brasiliero
If a dog is a cross breed with any of the above breeds, then it will require a breed assessment by an approved assessor and the outcome could mean that it is classified as a Restricted dog. Any dog that is involved in an incident, such as an attack, may be classified as a Dangerous dog.Owners of Dangerous and Restricted dogs must ensure the dog is: desexed within 28 days after declaration kept in an enclosure that complies with the requirements when it is on property which it is ordinarily kept
wearing a distinctive collar at all times with a person who is over 18 years of age when out of an enclosure muzzled when out of enclosure under effective control when out of an enclosure Owners must also erect one or more warning signs on property “Warning Dangerous Dog” Also these dogs can not be sold, given away or advertised for sale. They can only be surrendered to a Council animal shelter or approved animal welfare organisation.
CONTACT:Ranger Services Manager Ray Spencer (02) 4429 3576
Animal Management Officer Jason Nichols with
a sign householders must display if they own a
Dangerous dog.
May I help?
As your Federal member, it is my role to facilitate and assist you and your family
with any concerns you have, please ring me on 4423 1782 or toll free on 1300 301 790
I regularly visit Kangaroo Valley and am more than happy to call or visit
you if you cannot get to my office.
Joanna Gash MP Federal Member for Gilmore
Excavator
New IHI 5 tonne with rubber tracks Includes:
All buckets—Rockbreaker—Augers—Levelling blade for
Dam clearing—Landscaping—House & shed sites & footings Rockwalls & rocks supplied Bobcat
4 in 1 bucket - trenching post hole boring - backhoe attachment
Tiptruck Vibrate roller Dozer D4
soil, gravel, rubbish removal Caterpillar, site levelling, roads, dams, small clearing
Also 2 coat cold bitumen driveway seal with own equipment Fully ticketed as required. Fully insured
Mobile phone number 0408 534 019 Home phone 02 44 651 172
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 25
“This matter and other recent Court prosecutions show that heavy penalties will be imposed for any activities that take place contrary to the development consent conditions,” Dr Jones said. “It is imperative that landowners and contractors comply with consent conditions. A maximum penalty of $110,000 may be imposed in the Local Court for anyone failing to comply” Council’s Acting Rangers Services Manager Grant Astill said the illegal removal of trees and other vegetation on Council reserves and foreshore areas is still a serious problem in the Shoalhaven. “Council Officers often investigate the illegal
removal of trees and vegetation on public foreshore reserves.This is community land and any person found to have removed flora from public reserves will be prosecuted. In this particular case the landowner is now required to restore not only her own property but the public asset,” said Mr Astill.
Valley Tourist
attractions and
activities
Canoeing Kayaking Hire
Kangaroo Valley Safaris
44 651 502
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Horse riding
44 651 912
Shoalhaven City Council has
successfully prosecuted a Sydney
woman after she failed to comply with
development consent and also illegally
cleared a Council road reserve.
The unauthorised work has been an
expensive exercise for the Culburra Beach landowner, Ms Wendy Hague, who was
fined a total of $42,700 in the Nowra Local
Court on Tuesday 24 July 2007. Apart from the substantial fine, Magistrate Doug Dick also ordered that the woman to engage a qualified bush regeneration consultant to prepare a rehabilitation plan so that remedial works can begin to restore the land including the Council reserve – with all costs to be met by the offender. The Court was told that Council’s Officers first inspected the property back in August 2006 with a report of illegal clearing and the non-compliance with a development consent which related to the construction of a new two storey
dwelling. When Council Officers attended the property they found that a number of trees had been cut down within a Council road reserve and that a 20-metre natural vegetation buffer had been completely cleared from the Culburra Beach property. During the development assessment process the flora found within the Council road reserve and the 20-metre natural vegetation buffer had been identified as an Endangered Ecological Community. This vegetation was not to be impacted by the development and was to be retained. As part of Council’s development consent the landowner was required to submit a landscape plan which was to be approved by Council. However Ms Hague had failed to comply with this approved plan. Council’s Environmental Services Manager Dr Sandra Jones said that any landowner issued with development consent must ensure all conditions are met, or face possible prosecution.
Council wins illegal clearing case Last goodbyes, to a
strong healthy tree
Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley, July 23, 2007
But this work is apparently legally sanctioned and morally justified by RTA
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 26
...the leading agent in Kangaroo Valley www.kvre.com.au 165 Main Road Ph 44651404
Confucius says “To write with a broken pencil is pointless.”
Market Report
The market - Buyers continue to be keen to make decisions quickly, which is the biggest change over the last 3 years. There is an abundance of buyers who are prepared to pay premium prices for the right property – only trouble is that there isn’t a lot that fits their bill on the market at the moment! Anyone who has been thinking of listing their property in Spring could be well served to consider a winter listing instead, as the buyers are out and about now and we don’t know what will happen by Spring! Its interesting that owners of properties always prefer to list their property in Spring because of the garden … and lack of fog I guess … however sales can actually be stronger in winter!
Sales in Kangaroo Valley over July have included :- a 4 bedroom house on 3 acres off Moss Vale Road, a 4 bedroom house on 25 acres in Tallowa Dam Rd, a 4 bedroom house with 2 holiday cabins on 1 acre, and offer and acceptance on 2 B/R house on 2 acres in Beaumont and on a 4 B/R house on 1 acre in Jenanter Drive.
Thinking of selling?
Don’t wait till spring – the buyers are here now!
Phone 44651404 now
KV Getaways – I continue to be more than pleasantly surprised at the success of KV Getaways. Bookings over the past two months have been at an unprecedented level and rising! The knowledge and skills which Tanya and Sally have between them, with over 10 years experience in the property management and holiday accommodation industry has ensured a pleasant and trouble free experience for both landlord and guest. With most properties being fully managed by the girls, which includes organizing cleaning, repairs and maintenance, as well as the actual booking of the accommodation, their attention to detail has resulted in a stress free management for owners. This makes the Business Principal’s life much easier as well!! We now have 38 holiday properties under our banner, and still growing, and are now seen as a convenient “one-stop shop” by visitors. Thanks Tanya and Sally!!
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 27
KVVRFB Report
Since the last edition of the Valley Voice
the brigade has been called out on five
occasions.The first call came at 5.26pm on Thursday 28 June to oil on the road, two km’s from the top of Cambewarra Mountain on the Valley side. A crew of three arrived to find local Valley police already on scene trying to slow down motorists before they came into contact with the oil/diesel slick that was nearly 100 metres long. A semi trailer driver used his skill to rest his truck against the Armco rail after he found himself all of a sudden going backwards, due to no traction. The truck, now stuck, in the dark on a wet and slippery road added to an already hazardous situation. We hosed down the road, which had no effect, whilst awaiting the arrival of the RTA. With our efforts in vain we assisted the police with traffic control. RTA arrived to put down absorbent material and even though the RTA was advised by police and us as to the extent of the spill they sent out two fellows with two buckets of material, Umm. The truck was assisted off the Armco rail some 2 .5 hours after his ordeal and up to the top of Cambewarra Mountain before he could gain enough momentum and traction to be on his way by himself. All valley crew and police finished from there at 7.30pm. The second call came 9.11pm on Thursday 12 July for Kangaroo Valley and Cambewarra brigades to respond to an MVA with power lines down on Moss Vale Rd near corner of Mt Scanzi Rd. A crew of three arrived within eight minutes of the call to a serious single vehicle accident into a power pole; Cambewarra brigade was called of as we also had three more members arrive in personal vehicles. The first thought was that, with the pole snapped at the base, the bus shelter ripped apart (pieces found 40 meters from the impact) and the destruction of the car that serious injuries would be found, if not a fatality. However what we discovered was totally the opposite.The “p” plate driver had, unbelievably, fled the scene in company of a “friend” in a following car and presented himself to Shoalhaven hospital.We blocked the Road with the tanker as with one lane blocked by the car already, debris all over the place, power lines down and with the driver having fled the scene we knew that the police would like all the evidence/area preserved. Ambulance were not originally called as locals, having heard the crash then seeing the driver been taken away in the following car thought it was not necessary. We however asked for ambulance, police and integral energy to be called and they all arrived in good time. Police arrived and with a phone call found that the driver had presented himself to Shoalhaven hospital and had other Nowra police go chat to
him. The Road was blocked for 30 minutes or so till police did their investigations and the car and debris was cleared. Integral energy crews, however, were not as lucky as some of their original crews on scene at 9.30pm were still there at 9.18am the next day when we were called out again to same location. (See below) Integral crews had to render the power lines as safe, replace the pole and get power back on, which they did for the 100’s of inconvenienced people in the Jenanter Drive, Moss Vale Rd, and Cullen Crescent area at approximately 9.30am on Friday 13 July, some 12 hours later. Crewmembers arrived back at station at 10.30pm.Our third call, for Kangaroo Valley and Beaumont brigades, came at 9.18am on Friday the 13 July to attend the MVA site from the previous night on Moss Vale Rd near Mt Scanzi Rd for an oil spill. The oil could not be cleaned the night before due to the power lines down and getting in the way of Integral energy workers. RTA was originally called to clean up the spill but they had no available crews so the fire brigades were called out again. With a crew of three in Valley 1 we arrived to a relative small spill, so Beaumont was stood down from attending before they left their station. Crewmembers cleaned the spill with absorbent dust and a shovel. With the power on, oil spill cleaned and road cleared Integral Energy crews and ourselves returned to our stations at 9.50am.
What is it with “p” plater drivers
fleeing accident scenes?
Our fourth call came at 8.51 pm on Friday 20 July to another MVA, this time on Barrengarry Mountain, 1 km from the bottom of the mountain.A crew of three in Valley 1 arrived to find a single vehicle on its roof after the “p” plate
driver lost control on a slight bend, hit the embankment and flipped. The driver of this car also left the scene in a car following and went to the KV pub where she was attended by local ambulance personnel, found to be not injured and then brought back to the accident scene. The KV fire crew made the vehicle safe and carried out traffic control whilst awaiting police to arrive from Nowra. When they arrived they turned away a tow truck that had arrived from Moss Vale, so with that and no ETA of the tow arriving from Nowra we headed back home leaving the police to do traffic. Arriving back at station at 10.30pm. Fifth call came 11.17pm same night back to MVA site. As police had earlier sent away a tow truck from the scene and had no idea when one would come from Nowra we headed home. However when the tow arrived from Nowra the car lost all its oil when being loaded onto the truck.Police did request RTA or fire brigade to attend to clean spill but the coin fell our way so off we go again (sound familiar). A crew of four went back to the same location to sweep up the glass and soak up the oil spill. A five minute job had us back at station at 12.01am.We also say goodbye to two of our members who are moving to Canberra. Mel Bowdern, our only “active” female firefighter who was also one of the CABA operators and Chris Allan. Both these members were also BF-VF-AF-FA trained and in the process of doing their crew leaders course. Both will stay as financial members of the brigade.We wish them the best of luck in Canberra. Thanks to members of the community who
(Continued on page 34)
SELBY’S EARTHMOVING “Your Local
Earthmoving Contractor”
! COMPETITIVE RATES ! COMPETENT OPERATORS ! FREE
4WD Backhoe –with augers (300 mm, 450mm, 600mm) Bobcat with trencher and augers
Bulldozers Excavators
Tip Truck (sand, soil & gravel supplies) Excavator Bulldozer
Phone David or Sharon on 4465 1186 or 0428 429 398
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 28
KANGAROO VALLEY
SAFARIS
Huge Winter Sale
New & Ex Hire Canoes, Kayaks, Sea Kayaks
Dagger Drifters Dagger Sea Kayaks
Australis Bushrangers Gecko Sea Kayaks Dagger Cortez
Prijon Kodiak & Seayak
Making room for New Fleet arriving in Spring
Plenty of choice, lots of colour combinations, paddles included
Call Glyn anytime for prices …….. Phone 44651502
www.kangaroovalleycanoes.com.au
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 29
For Valley Voice advertising
please phone 44 651 621
Valley Guide
to eating out
Thai
Jing Jo 44 651 314
Mediterranean
Café Bella 44 651 660
Modern Australian Source at Kangaroo
44 651 969 Value—service and
a good choice it’s all here in Kangaroo Valley.
you wont want to leave, but over the hill at there is also
Gabbys at Berry
open 7 days and nights by appointment For bookings
Carolyn on 44642349 or
0410 648 338
Well, a reprieve at last from the
(blessed) rain with quite a few clear
nights available to the keen observer
over the early part of July.
It has been fiercely cold and I have to
admit that there were two nights when I
wimped out as the temperature dropped to zero, heading down from the observatory
by about 11PM.
ECLIPSE of THE MOON! This month we are in for a real treat. On the 28th of August we will see a Total eclipse of the Moon from the Eastern States. This occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon and occurs about twice a year but not from the same location. The first one this year, back in March, was visible in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. The Moon will enter the full shadow of the Earth (umbra) at 7:52 pm and will begin to re-emerge at 9:22 pm. At various stages of the eclipse the Moon will appear distinctly orange but will never actually be hidden in darkness. This is due to the Sun’s rays still being refracted through the fringe of Earth’s atmosphere.The shorter wavelengths of light at the blue end of the visual spectrum are scattered, the longer wavelengths at the red end still find their way through.This relationship between wavelength and our atmosphere is what causes our often red or orange sunsets.
Star struck By Gerard Keyser
When the Sunlight comes from overhead it passes through less atmosphere than when it arrives obliquely through the extra kilometres to the horizon. The two eclipses of the Sun that occur this year are only partial as the Moon does not orbit directly between the Earth and Sun but “grazes” the Sun’s orb, barely dimming it at all. We are getting some brilliant views of Jupiter in the clear still sky and very comfortable they are with the giant planet overhead from about 7 pm. Now that Jupiter has crossed our meridian he will start to move further and further west so take the chance to see him over the next eight weeks, around Christmas we won’t be able to see him, as we round the Sun and he disappears from our view. Venus is already very low in the western sky and if one uses binoculars or small telescope you can see the slimmest of crescents, only about 10% of the planet shining with reflected light from the Sun. Some sharp-eyed viewers have mistaken the cusps of crescent Venus for the rings of Saturn. Saturn has been quite close to Venus but is a pale yellow dot in comparison. Venus and the Earth are very quickly approaching each other in their orbits. On the 18th Venus will be between the Sun and Earth at what is known as inferior conjunction. The planet will be lost in the glare of the Sun and will reappear by the end of the month in the dawn sky, becoming the Morning Star for our next year. By the 22nd Saturn fades from view behind the Sun and will not reappear until it becomes a morning object in late September. Then we will be heading to cross through the ring plane. I hope some brave viewers will be up early in the next few months to see the rings gradually become edge-on. I apologise to those looking forward to the second instalment of Women in Astronomy. I hope to have it ready next month.
Clear skies.
Kangaroo Valley – Remexio Partnership presents
Simone YoungThe divine Simone Young
and Alexander Soddy, from Hamburg State Opera
will perform a piano (four hands) arrangement by Engelbert Humperdinck
of Richard Wagner’s—Parsifal,with narration in German and English,
at Villa Music venue,427 Tourist Road, Bellawongarah,
2.30 pm onSunday 12th August 2007
this unique event will raise funds for our projects in East Timor.
More information and bookings at: http://www.wesley-smith.info/parsifal.html
ANJON PROFESSIONAL SERVICESANJON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
MINI DINGO DIGGER HIREMINI DINGO DIGGER HIRE
MOBILE LOG SPLITTINGMOBILE LOG SPLITTING JOHN MCKINLEY
KANGAROO V ALLEY
MOBILE - 0428 610 508
A.H. - 4465 1181
FAX - 4465 1904
* MOBILE LOG SPLITTING
* CHAINSAW OPERATING
* LAWN MOWING
* FIREWOOD SUPPLIES
* 4 IN 1 BUCKET
* TRENCHING
* POST HOLE BORING
* SOIL LEVELLING
* POLY PIPE LAYING
* ROTARY HOEING
* STUMP GRINDING
* ANGLE BLADE
* RUBBISH REMOVAL
DIFFICULT & CONFINED AREAS 1.1 MTR ACCESS
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 30
document not available for public viewing and not be provided to RAG (as requested) under the Freedom of Informationlegislation. There is an ironic contrast between the RTA’s action and that of a private landowner’s transgression (see page 25). On the good news front a pharmacy will be open it’s doors in the Valley from September. Also an explanation is due with respect to the first letter published in our July issue, when our computer covered up the writer’s name (Joan Good), there was no request for anonymity it was a technical error. Lastly is it too late to nominate the inspirational conductor of The Choir of Hard Knocks as Australian of the Year? It would seem a worthy change from a succession of sports people, politicians and public servants. What Jonathon Welch attempted and achieved, is surely deserving of such public recognition.
Carl Leddy
Thanks for the “tree” photos to Glynn Stones,
Dietmar Tucha and Nigel Lewis
The Sports Report
The annual King of the Mountain run
took place on July 15 and was closely
contested with just a couple of minutes
separating first place and runner up.
Full results are Male 1 Chris Truscott (Bondi) 2.06.19 2 Klayten Smith (East Ryde) 2.08.46 3 Tim Cochrane (Parramatta) 2.09.14
Female 1 Vanessa Haverd(Hackett ACT) 2.25.40
King of the Mountain 2007 results
2 Heather Logie (O’Connor ACT) 2.26.35 3 Michelle Beattie (Austinmer) 2.34.37
Local male 1 13th Jon Schol (Nth Nowra) 2.16.04
Local female 1 54th Helen Troy (Far Meadow) 2.44.37
O/50 Male 1 19th Alan Watson (Menai) 2.24.08
O/50 Female 1 65th Helen Stranger (Loftus) 2.48.36
Jan Schol ran brilliantly in his debut race and two groups of walkers (one 5 and one 4) walked back from the finish to cover 52 and 60 kms respectively. The Oxfam 100 km walk awaits them. Good for the Valley to have so many visitors for the event, we hope that what they saw during the King of the Mountain will encourage them to visit again on a less strenuous occasion.
More than 80 people from across
Shoalhaven City attended information
sessions and field days on the invasive
weed Giant Parramatta Grass
recently.
Thirty landowners attending the stock
sales at the Nowra saleyard on 28 June met with Council officers during the rain
to discuss control measures for Giant
Parramatta Grass. While in Kangaroo Valley on 30 June, 15 members of the Brogers Creek Landcare group inspected and worked on Giant Parramatta Grass infestations on a property on Wattamolla Road, Kangaroo Valley. And 40 landowners from across the Shoalhaven attended a Field Day at Carol and Kevin McCallum's property “Elspeth’ at Wattamolla on Tuesday. Ian Borrowdale, Shoalhaven City Council Chief Noxious Weeds Officer, said it was encouraging to find so many landowners wanting to learn more about how to control Giant Parramatta Grass on their properties. Giant Parramatta Grass has rapidly spread throughout many properties in the northern Shoalhaven and represents a major threat to livestock and pasture productivity. The noxious weed has little nutritional value and can quickly displace more valuable pasture and native grasses. District Agronomist Amanda Mather, from the Department of Agriculture, said that controlling this weed required careful thought and planning. Ms Mather invited any landowner with Giant Parramatta Grass to request a property inspection by Department officials, where a complete plan for tackling the weed could be discussed with landowners.
For more information, contact
Council’s Noxious Weeds Officer
Ian Borrowdale on [02] 4429 3833
or District Agronomist
Amanda Mather on [02] 4464 6007.
Willing workers aim to burn out invasive grass
Some of the 40 landowners attending the Giant Parramatta grass Field day at Elspeth on
Wattamolla Road, Kangaroo Valley.
“Roadside vegetation like the trees on Moss
Vale Road are crucial because the established
trees act as corridors that allow native birds
and wildlife to move from place to place in
areas dominated by farmland; many of the
state’s oldest trees are beside roads and are a
vital part of our environmental heritage.”
But on this occasion all the support and stout effort did not achieve a stay of execution for the first group of trees targeted. The Moss Vale Road Action Group is now lobbying the state government to introduce legislation to preserve the scenic integrity of State Tourist Roads stating their case as “Tourists and residents alike, proud of our
natural heritage and beauty of the Australian
countryside which this State Government is hell
bent on destroying mindlessly while other states
in Australia logically apply common sense to
road safety guidelines when trees and natural
beauty are involved.”
The Road Action Group has delivered a petition for presentation to Eric Roozendaal, Minister for Roads to call for prompt action to save our trees and landscape now. One of the more alarming situations is how an “Independent Road Safety Audit” suddenly becomes an “internal draft working
(Continued from page 2)
The day democracy died
Next to go?
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 31
Sports groups and community
associations are invited to submit news
of their activities and events
to the Kangaroo Valley Voice
E-mail to
Kangaroo Valley Bowling and Recreation Club still seeking a saviour Readers will be aware from the Club’s
statement printed in last month’s Valley
Voice that the current board decided to
temporarily suspend trading at the
Marshall St premises until they had
exhausted all possibilities of
amalgamation.
Members and visitors were notified by
means of the notice reprinted on the right
which was put into effect as advised.In encouraging latest breaking news, Club President Martin Barclay, has issued the following statement.
Notice of Meeting
Saturday 18 August 2007
To the Members “The Board advises that on the advice
of our auditors, the Club ceased
trading on Friday 29 June 2007,
following the withdrawal of Bomaderry
Bowling Club Ltd from amalgamation
discussions.
The Board has now commenced
discussions with the Nowra Bowling &
Recreation Club Ltd, whose Board has unanimously resolved to move forward
with an amalgamation proposal. Consequently, on 10 July 2007, a Notice of Special General Meeting to be held at 10 am on Sunday 12 August 2007 at their Clubhouse was circulated to members of Nowra Bowling & Recreation Club Ltd. The following motion will be tabled at that meeting for consideration by members: "THAT subject to the Members of the Kangaroo Valley Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd approving a similar proposal, that the members of Nowra Bowling & Recreation Club Ltd approve and authorise the Board to commence the procedure specified under the Registered Clubs Act 1976 to amalgamate with the Kangaroo Valley Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd". If the Nowra Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd members approve the amalgamation at the meeting to be held on 12 August 2007, the Board of Kangaroo Valley Bowling & Recreation Club Ltd considers that it already
has a mandate from its members to proceed with an amalgamation, pursuant to the unanimous resolution passed at the Special General Meeting held on 28 April 2007. The Board now invites current financial members of the Kangaroo Valley Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd to attend the meeting to be held on Saturday 18 August 2007 at 10 am at the Clubhouse for an update on the amalgamation process. Members MUST produce their current 2008 membership card to gain admittance to the meeting. The Board encourages all members to renew their Annual Subscription of $15.00 by the due date of 31 July 2007 to be able to vote on any matter arising at the meeting on Saturday 18 August 2007. Yours faithfully
KANGAROO VALLEY BOWLING AND
RECREATION CLUB LTD
J. T. Rebbeck - Earthmoving Contractor 4465 1329 Mobile 0414 744 258
Reliable service, excellent equipment, competitive quotes.
The Regional Achievement &
Community Awards for New South
Wales and the ACT was initiated by
PRIME Television and the
Commonwealth Bank five years ago as a
way to reward those many regional and
rural towns and organisations working
together to build a stronger and more
vibrant community, through true
community spirit, hard work and
dedication. There are many individuals, organisations and businesses worthy of recognition in regional and rural areas for their tireless dedication or
(Continued on page 34)
WIN A SHARE IN $20,000 CASH PRIZES AND TELEVISION AIRTIME PACKAGES
Kangaroo Valley Bowling
and Recreation Club Limited
DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL FROM AMALGAMATION NEGOTIATIONS
BY THE BOMADERRY BOWLING CLUB WITH THE KANGAROO VALLEY BOWLING & RECREATION CLUB,
THE BOARD HAS RECEIVED ADVICE FROM OUR AUDITORS, BOOTH & CO.,
IN THE INTEREST OF PROTECTING OUR DIRECTORSHIP AND THE CLUB’S FINANCIAL POSITION,
TO CEASE TRADING AS FROM 11.00PM FRIDAY 29TH JUNE 2007.
AS SUCH THIS CLUB WILL CLOSE ITS DOORS FROM THE ABOVE DATE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
MARTIN BARCLAY
PRESIDENT
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 32
Them what whispers down the well,
About the goods they ‘ave to sell,
Will not make as many dollars,
As thems wot climbs up trees an’ ‘ ollers.
DRYDEN PLUMBING SERVICES Plumber, Drainer & Gasfitter
"Your local 'easy being green' Tradesman." Offering FREE watersaver shower heads & energy efficient light globes
with any callout.
Call Mark or Margo Phone 44651503 Mobile 0413 99 1080
Lic. No. 11234
For all your electrical, data & telephone requirements
Phone: 4422 3588 Mobile 0427 442 004
The Village Green Nursery Pot Plant to Paddock—Natives, Exotics, Fruit and
Ornamental trees, Tubestock, windbreaks and Hedging
NEW SEASON FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES AND ROSES
Ph/fax 44 651 533 Janet or Darren
for helpful service and advice “council carpark” Kangaroo Valley, open 7 days
Paul Obern Arborist Services
Qualified Tree Surgeon with 10 years Experience
Tree Reductions, Section Felling, Felling, Dead Wooding, Fire Reduction Clearing, Thinning, Mulching, Dangerous Trees
Removed – all sizes
Call Paul Tel: 02 44651391 or Mobile No. 0403 610 236 Free quotes—Competitive Prices Kangaroo Valley Area
Ph 44651037 email: [email protected]
*All Electrical jobs including- domestic and commercial
*Refrigeration/Air-con *Plus Pump Repairs
~Emergency Service Available~
Eccles Electrical
Miss Shelleys Flower Shop shop 1/98 queen street Berry, (behind newsagents)
bh.02 4464 3674 mob. 0422 687 854
Innovative, Creative, Original and Traditional Flowering Hours
Monday to Saturday 8.30 am - 5.30 pm Sunday and public holidays 10-4 pm
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 33
Kangaroo Valley Security Regular and casual patrols of
properties and premises Alarm responses – Security signage
Static guarding Sales of alarms and associated equipment
Fully licensed security operative servicing the Valley
Ph 44 651 659 Mob: 042 865 1659 Master Licence No: 407376632
Ian McLean
Phone 4464 3267
Mobile 0427 643 267
MIKE & CATHY GORMAN
! Electrical Installations – Home/Business ! Smoke detectors, Surge protectors, Safety switches ! Garden and Entertainment lighting
Mobile: 0427651540
Phone/Fax: 44651540
1005 Wattamolla Rd Wattamolla, 2535 Lic No. 46822C ABN 76 031 101 072
“KANGAROO VALLEY” WATER CARTAGE LOCALLY OWNED DOMESTIC WATER CARRIERS
Call us for all your: 1: domestic water needs
2: swimming pool fills or top ups 3: when installing septic tanks or water tanks
4: roadwork or driveway wet downs 5: any other of your bulk water requirements
Local rubbish service on a weekly or fortnightly basis
Call: Mark & Jodi: 4465-1042 or 0418 426343 Craig & Donna: 4465-2170 or 0421 857207
KANGAROO VALLEY
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Doug Moore Physiotherapist
Mobile: 0439 401 120 Email: [email protected]
KV Ambulance Station, Mondays
Massage Therapist
Karen Palmer DRM 0417 407 212
ATMS accredited Health fund rebates
Deep tissue, remedial, relaxation and pregnancy treatments available Monday (all day), Wednesday and Saturday mornings
Commencing June 4 Ambulance station community complex
Lee Dale: Tel 0405 224043
Licence No: 158073C
24 hours—7 Days Emergency Service 15 years experience
KANGAROO VALLEY
PLUMBING SERVICES
Same day hot water system replacement
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 34
donated scrap steel during the recent Smorgon steel collection that was advertised late last year/early this year. Scrap steel was collected within the district and $15 per tonne given to the local rural fire district (Shoalhaven) where the money raised was then divided evenly amongst all local brigades. We, Kangaroo Valley, received more than $500 as our share. So thank you. Note: In an edition of the South Coast Register last month (June) it was stated the Kangaroo Valley Rural Fire Brigade was represented at the public meeting held with the RTA in relation to the removal of trees along Moss Vale Road. I have been asked by the brigade captain to make it known that no representation was made at the meeting by the Brigade or the RFS. The RFS and its brigades, as a government funded service (whichever government) is non political. Members of the public, who belong to the brigade can and do, of course, have their own views and opinions on matters and can represent themselves and their views as they see fit at meetings. This does not mean just because they are members of the brigade and RFS and attend public meetings that they are representing the organization. The editor of the South Coast Register was also made aware of this.
Craig Winter for KVVRFB
(Continued from page 27)
In the edition of The Voice following the publication of the poem, there was a letter stating that the writer could relate very closely to the poem as her father had been imprisoned there for helping the Dutch resistance. He had eventually escaped by donning a collar back-the-front and riding a bicycle disguised as the local priest. He had later come to Australia, but remained a “broken man”. The writer of the letter was a long time and well known resident of the Valley. So that leaves Carl and The Voice.He originally joined the group that had started the paper, becoming its Editor in 1997. Since then there have been huge technological advances, which have made production so much easier.
(Continued from page 9)
outstanding achievements and it’s up to you to nominate them now! Nominate someone you know in one of the six categories Business Enterprise Award
Events and Tourism Award
Regional Service Award
Environment and Landcare Award
Community of the Year Award (population
under 15,000)
Community of the Year Award (population
over 15,000)
Prizes include a share in $20,000 Commonwealth Bank AwardSaver accounts for the winners of the Regional Service, Environment & Landcare and the Community of the Year Categories.
(Continued from page 31)
Part of a sentimental journey Other changes reflect the changing demography of the Valley. The paper has grown and changed as the Valley has grown and changed. Positive feedback from advertisers and readers suggests an encouraging future. As well as Editor, Carl at the moment is also The Voice’s Treasurer and in charge of advertising, two positions he would quite happily divest. So if there are any readers out there who would care to assist I know Carl would be delighted. If Carl ever has spare time, he happily spends it developing the garden at Clerevale. He and Larraine made their home here in 1998. And that is where I shall leave them; in the garden where this interview began, ensconced in their much loved Kangaroo Valley.
Jenelle Brangwin
Regional Achievement and Community Awards Through the support of Prime Television, the winners of the Business Enterprise and Events & Tourism Categories will each receive an airtime package, and of course each winner will receive a magnificent hand crafted glass trophy. NOMINATIONS CLOSE 3rd August 2007
The awards are sponsored by Prime Television, Commonwealth Bank, The Land, the NSW Government through the Department of State & Regional Development and the Department of Lands, Kleenheat Gas, Integral Energy, Rex Airlines and the Local Government Shires Association of NSW. Nomination forms are available at all Commonwealth Bank branches and all other sponsors or by phoning the local awards office on 02 9643 1677 or visiting the website at www.awardsaustralia.com
KVVRFB Report
Values of the valley
observe the mist that trundles in, like soggy cotton balls
in waves, as for battalions form.
the mist absorbs the valley, protects it fiercely,
in nature’s war against intrusion,
nestling first in fertile groves, then nuzzling banks of silver streams,
that feed into the river, under cloaks of moistured sheen,
caressing tallest trees, coiled like wreaths around the native fern,
providing life support, for all the urchins of the valley floor,
forever nourished in such ways, without dead controls,
from stifling hands,
sustaining character and form, in generous costumed veils,
that enrich without selective favour, all those who are blessed in being here,
to greet each day the watery dawn.
Carl Leddy Kangaroo Valley October 1995
If the chimney of your wood-fired heater is
smoking, your heater might not be operating
efficiently. Solid fuel heaters can contribute
up to 40 per cent of the air particle pollution
around out towns and villages during winter.
Wood smoke can include fine particles that can
go deep into the lungs and cause respiratory
diseases, according to the Institute of
Environmental Studies, at the University of
NSW.If you do have a wood fired heater, the following tips from Shoalhaven City Council’s Environmental Services section will help you keep your winter heater operating as efficiently as possible and with little pollution, which can cause health concerns. Check your chimney and if you observe smoke for any
more than 30 seconds try following these few simple
steps:
If there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire. Older wood heaters can reduce the air flow to your fire and cause it to smoulder producing clouds of white smoke. New wood heaters are designed to always allow plenty of air for combustion. Burn only dry, aged hardwood in your wood heater.
Unseasoned wood has lots of moisture, which causes
a fire to smoke.
Store your wood under cover in a dry, ventilated area. Freshly cut wood needs to be stored for at least eight to twelve months be fore you can use it.
Never burn rubbish, driftwood or painted or treated
wood. These are sure to pollute the air and can
produce poisonous gases.
When lighting a cold heater, use plenty of dry kindling to establish a good fire quickly. Use several small logs rather than one large log and
stack them loosely in your heater, so air can circulate
around them. Don't cram the firebox full.
Put logs in so that they lay front to back (not sideways). This allows the air to draw between the wood instead of blocking it. Keep the flame lively and bright. Your fire should
only smoke when you first light it and when you add
extra fuel. Open the air controls fully for five minutes
before and 15 to 20 minutes after reloading the
heater.
Have the chimney cleaned every year to prevent creosote build-up.If you are buying a wood heater, make sure it has a compliance plate showing it meets the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 4013:1999). Don't let your heater smoulder overnight – keep
enough air in the fire to maintain a flame. All a
smouldering fire is doing is lining the chimney with
creosote and sending your money up in smoke. Smoke
= inefficient combustion.
Want to know more? An Environmental Health Officer can visit you at home, free of charge, to give practical advice on how to minimise smoke emissions from your wood heater.
To make an appointment, contact
Shoalhaven City Council
on (02) 4429 3111 or (02) 4429 8999.
Smoking clogs up your pipes
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 35
Claim the date!
September 7—9 Folk Festival
September 26 VIEW Club Gala day
October 20 School Trivia night
October 27 Buster Keaton Festival
January 27 Kiola Harp Ensemble
Wot’s on in the Valley
Monthly events
Mon (1st) KV Rural Fire Service meeting – 7.30 pm – Fire Shed – Bill Chittick 4465 1242 Mon (2nd) Senior Citizen’s Meeting - 10.15 am – Kangaroo Valley Bowling Club. Mon (2nd) Environment Group – 6 pm – The Ambulance Community Complex – Peter Stanton 4465 1688 Mon (3rd) Pioneer Museum Park – 1 pm – Garth Chittick 4465 1367 Pioneer Settlement Trust—Pioneer Museum Park - 10.30 am - Garth Chittick 4465 1367 A & H Meeting – 7.30 pm - K.V. Hall – Betty Allan 4465 1154
Tues (1st) CWA 10 am to 12, 12 Speaker, 12.30 pm Combined Luncheon, 1 pm to 2.15 pm Meeting
Tues (2nd) Pre School Meeting Tues (3rd) Pioneer Museum Park Trust 10-30 am Elaine Apperley 4465 2026 Tues (3rd) KV Historical Society 1 pm Garth Chittick 4465 1367
Thurs (2nd) P. & C. Meeting – – KV School
Fri (2nd) View Club Gen Meeting & Luncheon – 12 pm – Hampden Bridge Café
Sat (last) Brogers Creek Landcare – Andrew or Liz 4465 1482 Sat (3rd) 9-11 am for Upper Kangaroo Valley Landcare, meet at Upper
Kangaroo Valley Hall Contact Tess Heighes 4422 7147Sun (1st) Family Friendly Contemporary Service – 9.30 am – Anglican Church 4465 1585 Family Evening Service 6-30 pm Uniting Church 4464 1034 Sun (2nd) Communion & Traditional Service – 9.30 am – Anglican Church 4465 1585 Communion Service 9 am Uniting Church 4464 1034 Sun (3rd to 5th) Worship Service 9 am Uniting Church4464 1034
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Bi-weekly events
Tuesday (2nd & 4th) Lions Club – 7 pm Carolyn Green 4465 1384
Thursday (1st & 3rd) Men’s Group 7.30 pm - Bob Dunn 44651056
Special events July 2007
Organisations
are invited to use this page to claim the date
for any events they are planning, so as to avoid doubling up
and clashes with other groups.
Weekly events Mon – Fri Bus Service to Nowra and Highlands - 4423 5990Mon –Tues-Thurs-Fri Mass St. Joseph’s 11 am Mon Bingo – 5 pm KVB&RC Mon 1-3 pm Women's Bible Study Anglican Hall 44651585 Mon&Wed 10-12 am Women's Bible Study - Anglican Residence 44651585 Mon Wed Thurs 1-3 pm Women's Care & share - Anglican Hall 44651585 Tues 9 am Association Croquet Tues Men's Bowling - 1.30 pm, Casual Contact Club 4465 1175 & leave name Tues 10-12 & 6-8 Iyenga Yoga 44 651 364 Tues 8 pm Meditation Group ph 0427 383 645Tues Cuppa & kids Sunday School Hall 10am Wed Mass St Joseph’s 6-20 am Wed Tai Chi Hall 8.30 am 4447 8332 Wed Croquet Club 9 am Valley Club Wed Rural Fire Service Training at Shed 6pm Wed 6-8 pm Iyenga yoga contact 44 651364 Thurs 5 pm Golf Croquet Exercise Class 9-15 am KV Hall Walking group P.O. 10 am Fri 2 pm Association Croquet Sun Bowling Club - 'Barefoot Bowls' From 11.00 am Sun KV Rural Fire Service Training – Fire Shed 9 am Sun Anglican Church 8-30 am Traditional service 10 am Contemporary service and Sunday School Sun Mass - St. Joseph’s Church, 11 am Sun Uniting Church Worship 9 am (2nd to 5th Sun) and Worship 6.30 pm (1st)
August 4/5 Esteem Camp
August 12 Simone Young concert Villa Music Bellawongarah 2-30 pm
August 17 Environment group Public meeting 6-30 pm
August 18 K.V. Bowling and Recreation Club special meeting 10 am
August 25 Benefit concert KV Hall 7 pm
August 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 36
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KANGAROO VALLEY VOICE C/O POST OFFICE, KANGAROO VALLEY 2577
The monthly community newspaper of Kangaroo Valley
SURFACE MAIL POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA
PRINT POST No.201494/00039
SCHOOLS & CHURCHES
Preschool Jacinta Powell 4465 1327 Public School Mark McCarthy 4465 1182 P & C Dougall Blanch 4465 1182 Scots College Ian Boyle 4465 1089 Bomaderry High Marylin Henderson4421 0699 Anglican Church Graham Castle 4465 1585 Sunday School Irene Dunn 4465 1056 Cuppa and kids Shannon Chittick 4465 1367 Catholic Church Anne Dynon 4464 1910 Uniting Church John Brentnall 4464 1034
CHARITIES & SERVICE GROUPS
CMR Institute Isabel Butler 4465 1248 Lions Tony Barnett 4465 1800 V.I.E.W. Club Betty Allan 4465 1154 C.W.A. Gwen Nelson 4423 1193 Amnesty Int. Libby Turnock 4465 1357 Environment Pamela Davis 4465 2285Wires 4862 1788
AGES & STAGES
Nursing Mothers Karen Beeston 4465 1098 Cubs/Scouting Cathy Gorman 4465 1540 Senior Citizens Bez McKenzie 4465 1873
OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Brogers Creek Landcare Andrew 4465 1482 Pioneer Museum Elaine Apperley 4465 2026 Historical Society Garth Chittick 4465 1367 Osborne Park/Hall J. Lenz 4465 1272 A & H Society Betty Allan 4465 1154 K.V..Rural Fire S Bill Chittick 4465 1242 Tourist Assn Sue Foster 4465 1165 Iyengar Yoga Rose Andrews 4465 1364 Rock-Wallaby Melinda Norton 4887 8256 Alcholics Anonymous Rick 4465 1113 Upr/Rvr Prog Assn D. Loneragan 4465 1364 K.V.C.A.. Tony Barnett 4465 1800 KV Garden Group Lee Sharam 4465 1756 FYRE Karen Harrison 4465 1699
EMERGENCIES
Police 13 1444 or 4421 9699 Ambulance 000Poisons 13 1126 Integral Energy 13 1003 Lifeline 13 1114 Fire 000
SPORTS & EXERCISE
Tennis Club Nigel Lewis 4446 0638 Cricket Club Greg Thompson 4465 1531 Golf Club John Rose 4464 2384 Canoe Club Graeme Mounsey 4465 1597 Pony Club Sharon Selby 4465 1186 Ladies Bowling Margery Good 4465 1341 Men’s Bowling Phillip Chittick 4465 1035 Fishing Club Vinnie Winch 4465 1448 Croquet Club Heather Kelly 4465 1608
Group Secretaries - please check & update details