NEWSLETTER OF THE CASTLECRAG PROGRESSASSOCIATION INC.Eighty three years serving the community

ISSN 0814 2054 No. 176 August 2010

CASTLECRAG PROGRESS ASSOCIATION

OUR NEXT MEETING8pm, Tuesday, 24 August, 2010

The Castlecrag Community Centre, The Rampart (down laneway near intersection with The Postern)

Speaker: Senior Constable Matt JewellIdentity Theft — Strategies to Prevent Falling Victim to this Emerging Crime

Senior Constable Matt Jewell, the Crime Prevention Officer at Chatswood police, has 16 years'experience in the NSW Police Service, 10 as Crime Prevention Officer at Chatswood.

YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.

THINK LOCALLY! SHOP LOCALLY! EMPLOY LOCALLY!

After completing a BA in EnvironmentalDesign in Tasmania, I moved to Sydney in1988 where I obtained a Diploma ofDramatic Art in Theatre Design at NIDA.The attraction to NIDA was theopportunity to study outside Tasmania,and to study design in a different butclosely related people based industry—astheatre and film design is defining theplaywright's words and characters, creatingcostumes and settings which reinforce thecharacters and the script.

It offered a rigorous hands-on designeducation second to none, teaching onehow to become one's own critic, and toknow that a project 'is never finished, andit can always be improved'. Financialpressures and significant student debtstopped me from completing my secondarchitectural degree. After a short time ofpainting shopping centre murals and

drafting stage sets for Les Miserables,Chess and others, I took a full time jobwith a renowned Japanese architecturalstudio which was setting up in Australiaand the US.

I was introduced to the Castlecrag ofmy earlier studies by my Japanese directorwho lived there. This job also introducedme to many memorable experiencesincluding overseas work and travel: LouisVuitton, Armani suits, stretch limousines,Chivas Regal and our then PM PaulKeating (that’s another story). It was thelast of the heady days…

Sense prevailed during the recession wehad to have, and I then worked for theleading Sydney practice, Travis Partners(Richard Travis now lives on EdinburghRoad), followed by Rice Daubney. Thisgave me the opportunity to design manyexciting projects throughout Australia andSouth East Asia before forming my ownstudio in 2000. fitzpatrick+partners nowhas projects underway throughoutAustralia. These include the 6 GreenstarMacquarie Bank Building at Kings StreetWharf, the new entry building for Star CityCasino, and the 55 story headquarters forBHPB under construction in WA. Themajority of our commissions are won incompetitions, a process we enjoy as itconstantly questions and tests us to createinnovative, place-specific architecture.

Perhaps the most important project is ournew family home in Sugarloaf Crescent.The DA has taken two years to get ready—too many options and the three verypatient clients!!!

Susie and I first made our home in

Castlecrag in mid 2006, renting a propertyon The Tor Walk. Susie was also veryaware of Castlecrag, with her sister andbrother in law (Jenny and Gary) living onEdinburgh Road. After a short time wepurchased our property on Sugarloaf fromthe Biharis—who now live on EdinburghRoad.

Many people know stories of our house,having played tennis in the middle of thebush or dined on the balcony overlookingthe bay whilst being attacked bykookaburras and cockatoos! We havefound our place to live, to share withNoah and Alexandria, with beautifulviews, and an adventure playground—all only 20 minutes from the city.

I am sure our story is similar to manyothers; it distils the reasons we choseCastlecrag over so many other places:

• The architectural and design heritagewhich has created a character andvalue beyond bricks and mortar

• The landscape character, blendingwater and bushland, village andcommunity

• The proximity to Chatswood, the city,schools and beaches.

The Castlecrag Progress Association wasan obvious organisation to becomeinvolved in, particularly when I understoodthat it had members with similar storieswho also wanted to protect and enhancethe character of our suburb. I quicklybecame involved, wanting to give some-thing back to our community, and to helpprotect it for future generations.

Meet the recently elected President of the CPA

James and Susie Fitzpatrick with Noah andAlexandria Photo: Jessica Fitzpatrick

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 President’s musings

3 Catlecrag news

4 CPA committee members

5 Houses of Castlecrag

6 Remembering Joyce Batterham

7 $10,000 to Find a Tree Vandal

8 CPA Annual General Meeting

9 Book Review: Wiloughby’s Wildlife

10 Council News

11 Neighbourhood Watch Report

Page 2 August 2010

is the community newsletter of theCastlecrag Progress Association Inc.

PO Box 4259Castlecrag NSW 2068

web page:www.castlecrag.org.au

emails to the CPA:info@castlecrag.org.au

Please send all correspondence and membership renewals to the above address.

COMMITTEE 2010-2011

President James FitzpatrickVice Presidents David Harrop

Kate WestobySecretary Jill NewtonTreasurer Diana Jones

Committee Joe ChristieElizabeth Lander Stephen Richardson

Howard Rubie Lorna SinacGay Spies OAM Bruce Wilson

Editor Margaret ChambersAssistant Editor John Steel

email: editors@castlecrag.org.au

Write to usThe Crag is a community newsletter

and we welcome letters and contributions from residents about local issues.

We do not publish anonymous letters.Items should be sent to the editors

by email to: editors@castlecrag.org.auThey should be concise

(preferably less than 250 words for letters). Please include your email address or

phone number as we may need to edit items to fit the space available.

Advertising EnquiriesEmail David Harrop at

fivefootnineteen@bigpond.com

Copy & Advertising Deadline6 September, 2010

Design, Typesetting & PrintingRobin Phelan & Associates

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In the role as President of the CastlecragProgress Association, I am honoured to beable to contribute to our colourful historyby striving to make our community a safer,more environmentally aware and beautifulplace in which to live. Castlecrag is enteringthe next family generational cycle, and inthis issue I wish to discuss areas which areof interest to all in our community, andsome which are perhaps misunderstood:Development and the CPA, the CastlecragFair and our relationship with WilloughbyCity Council (WCC). We welcome yourfurther thoughts, comments and ideas.

Development in CastlecragAll development applications for Castlecragare forwarded by Council to the ProgressAssociation for comment. We have a policyon the manner in which we review theseapplications, and you can read it on theCPA website. We assess these applicationsagainst the Willoughby Local EnvironmentalPlan (WLEP) and the WilloughbyDevelopment Control Plan (WDCP). As avoluntary organisation we rely on thecommunity also to identify developmentsof concern.

Under our assessment, if we consider aproposal to be inappropriate by notdemonstrating compliance with, or asuitable design alternative to achieving theintent of, the WLEP and WDCP, we stronglyadvocate change through Council andthrough court proceedings as necessary.

Local development is capable of beingcategorised into three types:

Commodity Builders—are attracted toCastlecrag by good capital growth,desirability and exclusivity. They promulgatethe right to unrestricted development at allcosts, and then defend the right to objectto any other surrounding development.They quickly sell and start again or moveon. They are a minority within ourcommunity.

We attempt to demonstrate to them thebenefits of working within the constraintsand opportunities offered within Castlecrag,and how they can create better solutionswhich may enhance the return tothemselves and the community.

Family Builders—understand the intrinsicvalues of Castlecrag and actively want toparticipate in the community, and to builda family home blending with theirenvironment. Many of these people areunsure how to proceed with thedevelopment process, often erring on thesafe side. These applications are in themajority, and we rarely need to commenton them. These are the people we welcomeand would like to assist more within ourcommunity. They are Castlecrag’s future. We continue to engage with this group,assisting by organising council presentationsto explain the DA process. We will also beinviting new and young, experienced andaward- winning and local architects tospeak on their work—open to thecommunity to meet designers in a relaxedinformal setting.The Megastars—people with moreexperience who engage the best architectsand consultants and produce award-winning renovations, extensions and newhomes, not always on large properties.Sometimes this group seeks our thoughtsand comments, and we often write tocouncil supporting their design solutions.Again, great community members andwe welcome assisting them as required.

The FairOur biennial fair, to be held again nextyear, entails monumental organisation.If you have thoughts, comments, or canoffer assistance, please contact us.

Council RelationshipsOur strong relationships with our wardcouncillors, mayor, other councillors andsenior staff are very important and will beused to foster support for new communityprojects such as The Welcome Pack, TheGateway Project and a Community Nursery.These and ongoing projects such as trafficissues require working closely with ourcouncil and state member. Success dependson their confidence that we speak for thewhole community. So, please, join yourlocal community group, The CastlecragProgress Association. Become an activemember, or a listener, but get involved.

James A Fitzpatrick

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President’s Musings

August 2010 Page 3

The capacity crowd, including anenthusiastic contingent from the unofficialValda Wilson Castlecrag fan club, wastreated to a most enjoyable programme.Items ranged from compositions by Handel,Donizetti, Wagner, Mozart and severalFrench composers to some more recentitems by Jerome Kern, George Gershwin,Claude-Michel Scholberg (of Les Miserablesfame) and Richard Rodgers. As SharolynKimmorley said in her introduction, weexpect to hear a lot about these two youngsingers in the future, and we wish themevery success in their careers.

Margaret Chambers

Locals excel in 2010 NSWArchitecture and Property Councilof Australia AwardsWe congratulate Peter Tonkin, a residentof Castlecrag, for his practice’s achievementsin the 2010 NSW Architecture awards.

• Paddington Reservoir Gardens by TonkinZulaikha Greer with JMD Design and theCity of Sydney won the Lloyd ReesAward for Urban Design and theGreenway Award for Heritage.

• The Glasshouse Arts, Conference andEntertainment Centre, Port Macquariedesigned by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer wonthe Blacket Prize and a Commendationfor Public Architecture.

• Kane Constructions HQ, The Old TannerySchool, Waterloo by Tonkin ZulaikhaGreer with Linley Hindmarsh won aCommendation for CommercialArchitecture.

We also congratulate CPA president JamesFitzpatrick for his firm’s achievements indesigning One Shelley Street at King StreetWharf.

• In the 2010 NSW Architecture awards,One Shelley Street (aka Macquarie Bank)designed by fitzpatrick+partners earneda commendation for SustainableArchitecture.

• One Shelley Street was also the overallwinner of the annual Property Councilof Australia Rider Levett Bucknall NationalInnovation and Excellence Awards.

Castlecrag NewsHaven Spring FestivalTravelling the world through storiesand music with Bronwyn Vaughanand Hip Hop Duende

The Haven Amphitheatre presents a showfor the entire family with two halvesmaking one fabulous whole. Hip HopDuende is a unique duo of femalerhythmatists bound to get you clapping,tapping and moving to their excitingrhythms from around the world. To addto the delight, performer extraordinaireBronwyn Vaughan will have two of herstorytelling shows full of humour, music,puppetry, beautiful aesthetics and pathosin 'Aditi and her Rickshaw' about a youngIndian rickshaw driver (first weekend),followed by 'Floating on a sea of stories'drawn from traditional Japanese stories afortnight later.

Performances will be on Saturday 18 andSunday 19 September, Saturday 2 andSunday 3 October at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost $12 from 4 years old plus;bookings at Roger Page Real Estate 99580124. There is no parking available at thevenue; catch the free Haven shuttle busfrom 1.30pm at the corner of EdinburghRoad and Raeburn Avenue.

Further information is available from9958 2127 or www.thehaven.biz

The Haven Spring Festival is supported byThe Spring Festival 2010 Grant Program.

Lindy Batterham

Valda Wilson—update onCastlecrag divaWe reported in issue No 168 of The Cragnews that Valda Wilson had been awardedthe prestigious Opera Foundation AustraliaRockend Scholarship to study at theNational Opera Studio in London for tenmonths. Valda and her family have beenCastlecrag residents since 1984 and havebeen active participants in local musicalevents for many years. Parents, Bruce andKaren, are active in local affairs, Brucehaving served as President of the CastlecragProgress Association from 2007 to 2009and is currently a committee member.

On completing her studies at the NationalOpera Studio, Valda was awarded the 2009Robert and Betty Salzer Award to improveher Italian and German language skills andto audition in Europe. She reached thefinals of Placido Domingo’s Operalia inBudapest and the Concours de Geneveinternational singing competitions, inaddition to singing the role of Susanna inMozart’s Le nozze di Figaro in Weimar,Germany. Since returning to London thisyear, Valda has sung in a variety of concertsand oratorios, and performed the role ofAdina in Donizetti’s L’Elixir d’amour. Sheis a member of the 2010 ConcordiaInternational Ensemble and a Making Musicartist. She is booked for several Europeansummer season concerts and will performElsie in a London production of Gilbert andSullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard. Hernext move will be to Germany to join theYoung Artist Program at the spectacularSemperoper Dresden (www.semperoper.de/en/das_haus/welcome.html).

On Tuesday 18 May Valda performed in arecital at the Paddington Uniting Churchwith baritone John Donohoe, a final yearstudent at the Sydney Conservatorium ofMusic, and vocal coach and accompanistSharolyn Kimmorley AM. Both singersdemonstrated, in addition to their versatilityand expressive powerful voices, a markedacting ability which is not always a featureof professional opera singers.

Valda Wilson, Sharolyn Kimmorley AM and JohnDonohoe at the Paddington Uniting ChurchPhoto: Bruce Wilson

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Page 4 August 2010

Castlecrag Progress Association CommitteeCongratulations are due to members ofthe new CPA committee; we particularlywelcome two new members, Joe Christieand Stephen Richardson. Below are theirshort profiles in addition to that of thePresident James Fitzpatrick on page 1:

David Harrop, Vice President, has aDiploma in Financial Services (InsuranceBroking) and is a Justice of the Peace. Davidlived in Castlecrag for over 30 years, servingon the CPA Committee since 1997. He hasbeen active in a number of communityissues such as the Foreshore Building Lineand the ongoing fight to retain the urbanbushland.

Kate Westoby, Vice President, is ateacher/librarian at Castle Cove PrimarySchool. Kate has been active in theCastlecrag community for many years,covering the kindergarten, infants' school,the SOS CRAG campaign, WEPA and theConservation Society. She has served onthe Progress Association Committee since1985, as President from 2001 to 2004 and2009 to 2010.

Jill Newton, Secretary, a patent andtrademark attorney and intellectualproperty lawyer, moved with Richard toCastlecrag in1999 after rebuilding a househere. Elected to the CPA Committee in2003, Jill has been secretary since 2006.She is an active member of the RetreatBushcare Group, enjoys the local waterwaysand loves living in this very special part ofSydney with its sense of community, history,natural beauty and architecture.

Diana Jones, Treasurer, a sciencegraduate, bookkeeper, and retiredcomputer programmer, has lived inCastlecrag for over 30 years and has ahusband and one married daughter. Sheis interested in heritage and the naturalenvironment, is active in several communityorganisations and helps maintain the 203bus terminus garden. In recognition of herservices, Diana was awarded LifeMembership of the CPA in May 2009.

Joe Christie, a qualified CPA [CertifiedPublic Accountant] and part owner of aproperty funds management business, has

lived in Castlecrag since early 2006 and ismarried with three young boys. As a childhe played and explored bush tracks aroundCastlecrag while visiting his cousins. Heenjoys the Crag community, the bushsurrounds and unique history and aims toget more people involved in the broadercommunity.

Elizabeth Lander, a life-long residentof Castlecrag, has been involved in manyaspects of the community including theCastlecrag Kindergarten and Infants'School. Elizabeth served as President of theProgress Association from 1994–1997 andas Secretary from 1997–2005. Currentlyshe is the secretary of the CastlecragConservation Society and a Council-approved member of the Griffin ReservesAdvisory Committee and The CommunityCentre Management Committee. Elizabethenjoys the sense of community Castlecraghas provided her and her wider family.

Stephen Richardson has a degree inbuilding and runs a commercial buildingand property investment company. Afterrecently building his own family home andmoving to Castlecrag, Stephen joined theCPA and is pleased to encourage a positive,consultative and healthy approach to theprocess of design, approval and buildingwithin the area. He joins the committeehoping to assist in promoting andprotecting the natural beauty of the area.

Howard Rubie ACS, film/TV producer,director, cinematographer and winner ofmany international awards, has lived inCastlecrag for over 40 years. Active incommunity affairs as President of the HavenAmphitheatre Management Committee andpast President and committee member ofthe CPA, he was awarded WilloughbyCitizen of the Year in 2007 and inductedinto the Australian CinematographersSociety (ACS) Hall of Fame in 2010.

Lorna Sinac was elected to the CPACommittee in 2009 following herinvolvement in the 2009 Community Fair.Lorna and her family moved to Castlecragto be near the Glenaeon Rudolph Steinerschool which her children attended andwhere she has been an active member of

the school's P&F. Currently working as aninterior designer, her interests includecommunity building, family and friends,and her two Hungarian Viszla dogs.

Gay Spies OAM is a former microbiologyteacher. Her service as President ofWilloughby Environmental ProtectionAssociation (WEPA), her work on theSugarloaf Bush Regeneration Project andother environmental activities with herhusband Harold over 31 years, resulted inher Willoughby Citizen of the Year Awardin 2002. Gay is an active member ofCouncil's Natural Heritage and BushlandAdvisory Committee, its Griffin ReservesAdvisory Committee, its SustainabilityReference Group and the CastlecragConservation Society. Her interests includeindigenous plants, climate change andsustainability, travel and SE Asian historyand textiles.

Bruce Wilson is a retired governmentenvironmental lawyer and currentlymanages his family businesses. Bruce servedas the Progress Association's President from2007 to 2009 and is a former President ofthe Castlecrag Sports Club and of theCastlecrag Infant School P&C. He is anactive member of the Council's HavenAmphitheatre Management Committeeand has particular interest in encouragingfriendship between neighbours andreinvigorating the peninsula's sense ofcommunity.

Editors

HSC ENGLISHCoaching by Qualified Teacher

• English as a Second Language• Standard• Advanced• Extension• Essay & Creative Writing

Call Henrietta 9958 7528

Contact your Ward CouncillorsIf you have questions or issues to raisewith your Ward Councillors, they arehappy to be contacted:

Adrian.Cox@willoughby.nsw.gov.auOr phone 9958 1135

Gail.Giles-Gidney@willoughby.nsw.gov.auOr phone 9967 0395

John.Hooper@willoughby.nsw.gov.auOr phone 0402 395 155 (if possible please email rather than phone)

robin phelan

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August 2010 Page 5

The Houses of Castlecrag

This house is a landmark in Castlecragbecause of its striking design and streetpresence. It was designed by the architectPeter Muller in 1953 and is known as theAudette House.

The house is built on two parcels of landand has a very strong three-dimensionalquality where separate horizontal wingsspread out into the landscape. This helpsconnect the house to the site. Otherfeatures of the house are:

• dark stained timber framing;

• flat roofs with splayed timber fascias;

• splayed brick walls, splayed in theopposite direction to the fascias; and

• oozing mortar between the bricks togive a texture to the brickwork.

The charming technical name for thistechnique is called snottedbrickwork.The architect wanted the brickwalls to be made of stone but this wastoo expensive.

The design concept broke down themassing of the traditional house byseparating its functions into differentspaces. The kitchen, breakfast and laundrywere located at the front of the housenear the street, the dining and coveredterrace to the rear and the living and studyto the side. The bedrooms were located onthe first floor with the garage andworkshop on the lower level.

An interesting feature of the house wasthe inclusion of exposed timber trusses forthe living room. The remains of this featureare the dark stained timberwork at thefront of the house on the left-hand side.

Muller wanted this room to sit inside atimber truss. A truss is a structural framemade up of steel or timber members inthe same plane to act like a beam tospan a long distance or to carry a heavyload. Originally the trusses continued overthe roof line but were removed by aprevious owner.

This house was the first commission forMuller in Australia. It was one of fourhouses he designed in Castlecrag of whichonly two remain today. Muller’s work wasnot restricted to houses. He also designedoffice buildings, town houses, apartments,cinemas, drive-ins, shopping centres andtourist resorts in Tahiti, Bali and Fiji.

Muller was born in 1927. He designedthis house after coming back from Americawhere he had completed his Master ofArchitecture degree at the University ofPhiladelphia. Mr Robert (Bob) Audette washis client.

Some say the Audette House wasinfluenced by the work of the well-knownAmerican architect Frank Lloyd Wright.These influences can be seen in the overallhorizontal form, rooms spreading out intothe landscape and exposed timber frames.'It was the compatibility of Wright’stheories on building with his own alreadydeveloped ideas that attracted Muller.' (i)

These ideas were Muller’s starting point.From here he developed his own organicstyle picking up other influences by visitingother countries, for example Japan, andlearning about their cultures. 'He identifiedwith the spiritual principles within a cultureand so attained a deeper understanding ofthe culture's architecture.''(ii)

The Audette House has been added toover the years. The current ownersrenovated the house in 2003. Thearchitects for this work, Monckton andFyfe, required an endorsement from Mullerfor their work on the house (iii) since thiswas a requirement from Willoughby CityCouncil. They replanned the house byrelocating the kitchen to the rear of theground floor and increased the size of thepublic spaces in the house. The renovationreconnected the house to the northerlyaspect, the landscape and the wonderfulview of Middle Harbour.

Other changes included replanning thefirst floor, to add a new first floor wing onthe back of the house, and reworking thelower ground floor. Also, services havebeen upgraded. This new work appears tobe seamless between the old and the new.

Ben GerstelBen Gerstel Architecture Pty Ltd

E: bgerstel@optusnet.com.au

Information has been sourced from thefollowing publications:

(i) Jennifer Taylor. An Australian identity:houses for Sydney 1953– 63. 1972(ii) Philip Drew. Profile of Peter Muller (iii) Leeta Keens. Belle Magazine, August/ September 2005.Karen McCartney. 50/60/70 IconicAustralian Houses, Three Decades ofDomestic Architecture 2007.Jacqueline C. Urford. Peter Muller: thecomplete works 2008.

This is the second in the series of articles in our new column 'TheHouses of Castlecrag' by local architect Ben Gerstel, highlightingsome of the amazing houses located in our suburb built throughthe decades from Griffin’s time to today.

Ben is a volunteer guide for the Australian Architectural Association(www.architecture.org.au) and conducts walking tours aroundCastlecrag and Middle Cove.

265–267 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag'The Audette House' Photo: Ben Gerstel

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Australian Architecture Association.

A gathering of some 60 family and friendson a perfect Sydney autumn afternoon onSunday 2 May at the 'Isle of Lament' trafficisland on the corner of The Parapet andEdinburgh Road paid tribute to thecontributions of Joyce Batterham to theCastlecrag community.

The event was jointly sponsored by theCastlecrag Progress Association and theWalter Burley Griffin Society. Master ofceremonies, Kate Westoby, President of theCPA, spoke also as a personal friend ofJoyce: 'We are here to celebrate andcommemorate Joyce Batterham's life. OurProgress Association recognised her workby awarding her life membership. We nowfurther celebrate her communityinvolvement by jointly supporting (withCouncil and the Walter Burley GriffinSociety) the upgrading of this traffic island,the fine bench and the plaque.'

Kate outlined Joyce's legacy in Castlecrag,namely the community centre, the libraryand the Castlecrag Infants' School. Joyceplayed a major role in establishing thecommunity centre which was formallyopened in November 1947, and was atireless worker for the community librarythat opened in 1951. Her other grandeffort was the establishment of the

Castlecrag Infants' School. It was officiallyopened on 30 June 1950 and soon becamethe centre for infant education andcommunity life for generations ofCastlecrag families.

Margo Watson, Joyce's niece, provided afamily perspective. Joyce had first come toCastlecrag in 1931 to stay with her uncle,Edgar Deans, the Secretary of the GreaterSydney Development Association (GSDA),and his wife 'Cappy', to look after theirnew daughter Margo. It was at this place inthe adjacent GSDA No. 2 house that Joyce'slove of The Crag started.

Her time in Newcastle working to help thedisadvantaged was an important period.When she married her 'Bobby' during theWar, the couple came back to live inCastlecrag, initially in a basic cottage downby the water, then in The Citadel beforetheir own home on Edinburgh Road wascompleted.

The local Castlecrag community wasblessed by Joyce's unassuming, active andunique concern for the good of the peoplehere as well as for flora and fauna. Pursuitof the arts and the ideals of social equalitythrough various philosophies were sharedand enjoyed. Margo concluded: 'Materialpossessions were not one of Joyce’s valuesin life; rather her unassuming way throughword and deed to promote lasting valuesthat enriched the lives of our Cragcommunity is what we remember her for.How appropriate and vital then that weremember her by keeping her ideals andvalues active in this way at this place.'

Former Castlecrag Councillor Sue Randlespoke of Joyce's influence as a fellowmember of Council's 530A Committeemanaging the Community Centre. Sheemphasised that Joyce was a 'behind thescenes' woman who could be counted onto be there, to do what was necessary andto fight for Castlecrag. She was motivatedby a sense of service to this community andshe had a great sense of social justice. Shewas there walking down Macquarie Streetfor the Save-Our-School (SOS) campaign;she manned the caravan during our effortsto save the Infants' School; she sat through

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Remembering Joyce Batterham

Lindy Batterham making the first planting ofindigenous tube stock at the ceremony onbehalf of the family Photo: Bob McKillop

endless Council meetings; she fought tosave the foreshore cottages; and sheattended numerous public meetings.'

Sue concluded: 'Joyce wanted not only herown children and grandchildren to live inthis special community, but also fought forALL Castlecrag residents to have a specialquality of life here. During the SOScampaign for our school "A CommunityLament" was held at this place in honourof the residents' efforts to save the localschool. Today, we are again comingtogether to formalise this space; and thistime in the memory of our friend JOYCE.'

Cr Lynne Saville spoke of Joyce's activitiesoutside Castlecrag, particularly of hercontribution to the Northside Peace Groupduring the 1980s and 1990s: 'Joyce wasan inspiration to everyone, never givingup her commitment to social justice.Many people relinquish some of theircommitment to such ideals as they age,but Joyce maintained her ideals andcommitment for life.'

Cr Adrian Cox concluded the speechessaying: 'Given Joyce's contributions to thecommunity, Willoughby City Council ispleased to have been able to assist in therecognition of her memory through thisplace. Council staff have expanded andrejuvenated the garden areas and TonyHamilton, one of Council's talentedcontractors, was responsible for the stoneedging and the memorial bench-seat, whichwas milled from locally grown Blackbutt.The new plantings are of indigenous speciesof local provenance, as are the tube stockflannel flowers, grasses, creepers and smallshrubs that will be planted today.'

Lindy Batterham, Joyce's daughter, made abrief response to the speeches on behalf ofthe family and then formally unveiled thememorial plaque that has been inlaid intothe bench. Lindy and Adrian Cox thenplanted the first two tube plants, followedby other members of the family and friends.The participants adjourned to an afternoontea in the front garden of the Griffin-designed Johnson House at 4 The Parapetat the invitation of its owners, Roger andJane Alliker. It was a fitting conclusion to aninspiring event.

Bob McKillop

August 2010 Page 7

105 Edinburgh Road

www.castlecragdental.com.au

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• Value of one murdered tree in,Northbridge—$125,000

• Reward for information leading to aconviction for tree vandalism—$10,000

• Fine for the perpetrators of treevandalism—$1,100,000

• Neighbourhood determination topunish these vandals—PRICELESS!

From an obsession to steal a view, localresidents have resorted to killing trees.Death by poisoning is a slow death; wehave lost mature native trees in Castlecragin The Embrasure Reserve (on twooccasions) and The Bulwark, and inNorthbridge in Clive Park and KamerukaRoad. These losses have angered theneighbourhoods.

Approved Council policy of letter-boxdrops to affected residents and theattachment of a small signs to the deadtrees has proved ineffective; catchingthe perpetrators has proved difficult—thus far.

So, Council has now approved exhibitionof a new policy that enables Councilofficers to conduct personal interviews,offer rewards of up to $10,000 forinformation leading to a conviction,provide large-scale signage to bringattention to the cause of death for thetree and to leave the tree skeletonstanding.

Council is serious about catching thesetree vandals and preventing further killings.We ask your help in identifyingperpetrators so that we can prosecute,fine and shame them. Join us in protectingour neighbourhood (contact number forCouncil's ranger is 9777 1000).

Every majestic native tree living to a ripeold age is PRICELESS!

Councillor Gail Giles-Gidney Phone 9967 0395

Gail.Giles-Gidney@Willoughby.nsw.gov.auwww.gailgg.com.au

$10,000 to Find aTree Vandal

Buk Bilong PikininiBuk Bilong Pikinini (BBP) is a voluntary group in Papua New Guinea which has beencreating small libraries in Port Moresby, Lae and beyond, to give disadvantaged childrenaccess to books and improve literacy. Sponsorships enable the group to engage teachersto run the libraries.The BBP Founder and Co-ordinator is Anne-Sophie Hermann, wife ofAustralia's High Commissioner to PNG. To start a new library BBP need at least 1500books, educational toys and craft materials.

Castlecrag has been sending books to BBP over the past year, which has been very muchappreciated. We send books whenever there are a few boxes ready to go, and thank youto all the generous Castlecrag folks who have donated lovely books to BBP.

If you have any gently-used children's books (or pencils, drawing books etc.), we can passthem on. Just drop them in to 70 The Bulwark, or phone Lorraine on 9958 1213 and wecan pick up. Just one book makes a real difference! Encyclopaedias are excellent, too.

Lorraine Cairnes

Over 50 CPA members and friendsattended the Sunday afternoon AGMthat was a hugely successful mix ofinformation, entertainment and socialisingover refreshments.

2010–2011 Committee ElectionOur Mayor and Mayoress, Pat and BethReilly, and Councillor Gail Giles-Gidneywho is a member of our Association andresident of Castlecrag, attended themeeting.

The Mayor presided over the election of12 committee members including fiveoffice bearers (profiled on page 4). Twomembers of the 2009–2010 committee,Warwick Lynch and Maggie Scheller, whowere unable to attend the meeting, maybe coopted to the current committee at alater date. The Mayor congratulated theCommittee, the newly elected president,James Fitzpatrick, and welcomed two newCommittee members, Stephen Richardsonand Joe Christie.

Preview of DVD of the Haven’s2009 Carols Spectacular A preview of the Haven’s DVD wasenthusiastically received. Orders for the

DVD are now being taken. It seems it willbe a HOT item so we suggest that youplace your orders ASAP (cost $25; contact9958 2127 or www.thehaven.biz).

Guest Speaker architect RobertSheldon AM LFRAIA - the HavenAmphitheatreHistorical Background

Robert provided a short history ofCastlecrag's development. He painted apicture of The Haven Scenic Amphitheatre,built in the 1930s in the Griffins’ time withthe help of local sculptor and stonemasonBim Hilder, as a scene of Greek tragedies,anthroposophical festivals and medievalplays that attracted people from near andfar. In 1943 Marion, after Walter’s deathand her return to Chicago, gave the titledeeds of the Haven Amphitheatre toWilloughby Council. During the war andthe post-war building boom the theatrefell into disuse.

Resurrecting the Theatre

In 1969 Robert moved with his wifePatricia and young family to the house hedesigned for them in The Bulwark. Localsmentioned a theatre but it took Robert awhile to find it, covered in lantana and treecuttings and with only a few stone seatsremaining. In 1975 he heard that BeverlyBlacklock and the Bush RegenerationCommittee were considering resurrectingthe theatre for the Castlecrag HeritageFestival and the centenary in 1976 ofWalter Burley Griffin’s birth.

Robert was eventually persuaded to makethe theatre workable in time for theFestival. He: • had a survey of the site prepared to

show the location of trees and rocksand to demonstrate the contours;

• decided to create a 'theatre in theround', a mini version of the ancienttheatres in Greece; and

• chose the position of the stageacoustically by employing his youngdaughter Petrina to scramblethroughout the valley playing her violin.

Robert thought a hexagonal platformfloating between the two banks of the

creek would relate to Walter BurleyGriffin’s work. He submitted drawingsto Willoughby Council hoping for a quickapproval as the 1976 Festival was fastapproaching!

Council was concerned! This was a publicreserve with two road reserves comingdown its slopes! Council approved thedevelopment, seeing the advantage ofa theatre on this abandoned land whichcould be a park when not used forperformances.

Mr Wangman, a local builder/developer,on whose project Robert was working atthe time, agreed to help build the stage.A stonemason was found to build theseats with new stone. The stage was tobe built of large treated logs for beamswith columns and timber joists to supportthe floorboards. However floods on thenorth coast delayed delivery of the logs.Finally the materials were delivered, only11 days before the first of nineperformances of Oscar Wilde’s Salome.

Beverley Blacklock’s husband Davidgenerously financed most constructioncosts. However as there was a shortfall of$2,000 Patricia doorknocked residents toobtain a loan, guaranteeing full repaymentat the completion of the Festival. Aresident, Mr Salteri was particularlygenerous, the theatre was built in 11days and the loans repaid as promised.

Salome, directed by Howard Rubie withPatricia Sheldon playing the lead, was wellreceived. Patricia had to dance whilecarrying in her arms a plaster head of Johnthe Baptist made by Bim Hilder whoinsisted it should be the weight of ahuman head to add realism! (It was waytoo realistic for Patricia who had almostfallen down a trapdoor on the first nightsuffering a split fracture to her leg! Sheonly discovered the fracture after theFestival when she finally had time to visither doctor!) 500 residents worked to makethe Festival a great success and the theatrebecame a focal point of the suburb.

Patricia organised Christmas Carols in theHaven for over 20 years, holding choir

Page 8 August 2010

Castlecrag Progress Association Annual General Meeting

Robert Sheldon AM at the Annual GeneralMeeting. Photo: Lorraine Cairnes

Castlecrag Progress Association Inc. Membership Form

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FOR 2010I wish to renew / apply for membership fo the CPA Inc., and enclose payment of: $ .....................................

($10 per person, $5 per student)

If you wish to make a donation, it will be most welcome. I enclose my donation of: $ .....................................

Name: ........................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................

Phone: ........................................................ Email: .................................................................. ............................

Please post to the Treasurer: PO Box 4259

Castlecrag 2068

Queries to:info@castlecrag.org.au

Continued on page 10

Did you know that the Willoughby localgovernment area is home to more than250 species of native animals? Thisnumber includes recordings of 5 speciesof freshwater fish, 7 species of frogs, 15species of mammals, 28 species of reptiles,144 species of birds, a large, but as yetunknown, number of invertebrates,including slugs, snails, ants and no lessthan 18 species of bees.

This excellent small spiral-bound book,produced by Willoughby Council'sBushland section and printed on glossy,100% recycled paper, draws on the faunastudies of Dr Arthur White and the birdsurveys of Andy Burton. Divided into foursections, the book first addressesWilloughby's Changing Landscapes,

including the impacts of pressures suchas predation by non-native animals andurban infrastructure.

The second section, Willoughby's Wildlife,examines the different fauna types,including feral animals, lists their status(eg abundant, common, rare, orthreatened) and discusses threats to theirsurvival. Wildlife Habitat in Willoughbydescribes the different types of habitat,together with their location, walks whereone can experience them and the valuesthey provide. Techniques of rehabilitationsuch as bush regeneration and use of fireare also discussed. Finally a section onCommunity Involvement outlines councilprograms such as Bushcare and the manycouncil/community activities such asguided bushwalks, school activities,community gardens and the Fauna Fair.One case study highlights the Bushcaregroup working in Castlecrag's RetreatReserve. A small subsection is devoted toorganisations such as progress associationsand Willoughby Environmental ProtectionAssociation (WEPA) which are working toprotect the environment.

The quality of the photographs, taken byCouncil staff and community members, issuperb. The feathers of the Buff BandedRail photographed by local resident PeterMoffitt are as sharp as a line drawing. Itwould be wonderful to have a photographof every species, but that would require amuch larger volume.

A glossary and list of referencescomplement the book. There is no index

but the clear listing of contents shouldhelp locate specific information. WildlifeProtection Areas are referred to but theotherwise good map does not indicatetheir location.

Every household should have a copy of thisbook. Get your copy for $20 from Level 4,Willoughby Council Chambers, 31 VictorStreet, Chatswood.

Willoughby's Wildlife.102 pp.Willoughby City Council (2009)

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August 2010 Page 9

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Book Review: Willoughby’s Wildlife

Friends of the FountainThe Friends of the Fountain is a group ofa dozen local residents with a monthlyroster to weed and remove litter from thesmall triangular reserve surrounding the BimHilder designed fountain at the intersectionof Edinburgh Road and Sortie Port.

The group recently re-planted barepatches with local native plants tocomplement new rocks that have beenplaced there to prevent trucks and busesfrom using the Fountain 'island'inappropriately as a turning circle.

Participants were Frances Davis (fromWilloughby Council), Chris Hopwood,Jill Newton, David Martin, Peter Moffittand Lorraine Cairnes. Volunteers arewelcome to join the group.

For information contact Frances Davis atWCC on 9777 7873.

Lorraine Cairnes

Page 10 August 2010

Spring FestivalThis will be the 14th year of theWilloughby Spring Festival. Last year'sfestival attracted 240,000 people across45 wide-ranging events, many organisedby members of the local community.

StreetFair

A highlight of the festival is the StreetFairto be held on Saturday 11 September,10am–4pm. For more than 13 years, theWilloughby Street Fair has been the heartof Willoughby City Council's SpringFestival. The CBD streets of Chatswood willbe transformed into a showcase of craft,fine art, food, live performance and familyactivities. Of local interest will be the nativeplant stall organised by the WilloughbyEnvironmental Protection Association(WEPA).

StreetFair Parade

The Parade, to be held from 10–11.30am,is a major feature of the StreetFair,transforming Chatswood into ‘a sea ofmoving colour as more than 1000community members dance, march andperform to the beat of drums, bagpipesand brass bands’.

The Parade is open to all groups, fromdancers and performers, to marchingbands, to scout groups and seniors clubs.

Information from Rebecca Hill, WCC

Community Gardens PolicyCouncil has recently adopted a CommunityGardens Policy in response to growinginterest in establishing community gardensin underutilised land to grow food locallyand increase community participation.Preferred locations are the higher densityareas where such gardens would serve agreater social function and where suitableland is in shorter supply. Comments on thepolicy were invited for submission duringJuly, with feedback to be incorporated intothe policy. Information from Rebecca Hill, WCC

Loop Bus Willoughby City Council's trial of 'TheLoop', a free shuttle bus, will continue atleast until the end of August. Residents areencouraged to try out the service and sendcomments to the Sustainability ProjectsOfficer Alison Jones (9777 7706 orAlison.jones@willoughby.nsw.gov.au).

The route serviced is different on each day,that on Tuesday being of most interest toCastlecrag residents. The bus runs from10.30am–6pm on Tuesdays betweenCastlecrag, Northbridge and WilloughbyEast along Sunnyside Crescent, EdinburghRoad and Eastern Valley Way, servicing theCastlecrag, Northbridge and High Streetshops. The bus runs every 45 minutes andcan be accessed anywhere along the routewithin safety limitations. A brochure can beobtained from Alison Jones.

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practice in her home, using studentsfrom her speech and drama studio andeven one year having a donkey on stage.Local ministers participated and madetheir choirs available when possible.

A few years after the Festival, HowardRubie and others continued supportingand improving the theatre, making it afirst-class performance space. Thetheatre is now managed by the HavenAmphitheatre Management Committee,a committee of Willoughby City Council,with Howard Rubie as Chairman. Robertis a member of the Committee.

Robert noted that 34 years later, withmuch needed maintenance, constructionof additional undercroft and storeroomand installation of electrical and soundfacilities, the theatre is close to achievingHoward’s dream. There is however stillwork to be done. The Committee isalways seeking new members to helpcare for our unique theatre in the uniquesuburb of Castlecrag.

In closing, Robert thanked the currentCommittee members (saying they werethe best group ever) for their energy andenthusiasm to do their very best.

Tributes were paid to both Robert andPatricia Sheldon for their work for thecommunity over many years andparticularly for their vision and work onThe Haven Amphitheatre.

Jill Newton

Castlecrag ProgressAssociation AGMContinued from Page 8

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August 2010 Page 11

Neighbourhood WatchPolice Incident report April–May 2010 (Castlecrag and Middle Cove)

Following the report in issue No 175 of TheCrag i n wh i ch we repo r t ed tha tCastlecrag—Middle Cove NeighbourhoodWatch (NHW) would be disbanded unlessvolunteers came forward to serve on thecommittee, we can now report the goodnews that Jan and Geoff Duggin, ChrisJones and L i nda McGrego r havevolunteered. They were elected to form thecommittee at a meeting held to discuss thefuture of the local NHW organisation on26 May at the Castlecrag CommunityCentre. Jan Duggin will be the Area Co-ordinator. We would like to express ourappreciation to these residents.

Other matters decided at that meeting werethat NHW membership fees will no longerbe applicable and no membership list willbe kept. Snr Constable Matt Jewell fromChatswood Police confirmed that quarterlyCrime Statistics can be provided forpublication in The Crag as long as there isstrong community interest and that acontribution from NHW funds would bemade to The Crag to cover printing costs forCastlecrag and Middle Cove. Above are the

statistics for the period for April–May 2010.Although the statistics cover a shorterperiod than usual owing to The Crag'sdeadline, they appear to reflect a drop inreported crime in the area.

Middle Cove, where The Crag is notdelivered, will receive the page prepared forpublication in The Crag (with approval ofThe Crag Editor), duplicated for distributionin Middle Cove, using the volunteer NHWdeliverers already available there. This willbe arranged by the Area Co-ordinator.

Residents may not be aware that Castlecragwas the area selected in 1984 for thefirst Neighbourhood Watch programestablished in New South Wales after a trialscheme in Campsie. A report in the NorthShore Times on 4 May 2010 quoted MrDaley, Deputy Chief of the NSW PoliceCrime Prevention Unit in 1984: 'Thepeople on the North Shore supported theprogram because of their community spiritand the large percentage of owner-occupied homes. They also had a reallystrong desire to help the police.'

Briefings for the North Shore Local Area

Command (LAC) Community SafetyPrecinct Committee (CSPC) are heldregularly at Chatswood Police Station.Residents are welcome to attend thesebriefings, the next one being scheduled for10 August at 6.30pm.

Jan Duggin, Lorraine Cairnes, Margaret Chambers

Incident Category Details Address Premise Date Time

Stealing Steal from motor vehicle Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag Outdoor/public place Fri 23 April 5.30pm

Malicious damage Damage to property Raeburn Avenue, Castlecrag Building site Sat 8 May 8.00pm

Stealing Steal from house yard Rutland Avenue, Castlecrag House yard Thurs 27 May 10.00pm

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Page 12 August 2010

• Saturday 11 September 10am–4pmWilloughby Spring FestivalStreetFair and Parade 10am, Victoria Avenue, Chatswood.

• Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 September • Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 October 2.30pmHaven AmphitheatreSpring Festival: performances through stories and music withBronwyn Vaughan and Hip Hop Duende. Cost: $12 from 4years plus; bookings at Roger Page Real Estate 9958 0124.Further information 9958 2127, www.thehaven.biz

• Tuesday 21 September 8pmWilloughby Environmental Protection Association(WEPA) Meeting at Artarmon Library; Cotter Erickson will speak on'Should we be using Nuclear Power?'. See http://wepa.org.au/ for information.

• Thursday 23 September 8pmCastlecrag Conservation Society (CCS)Meeting in Castlecrag Community Centre; speaker will beCosta from SBS' Garden show, Costa's Garden Odyssey.Further information: Matthew Keighery 9967 2682

• Other NoticesWalter Burley Griffin SocietyPlease contact the Secretary at info@griffinsociety.org forfurther information.

Castlecrag Community LibrarySupport your local library. Opening hours: Tuesday 3–4.30pm; Thursday 2–5pm;Saturday 10am–12noon. Phone: 9958 8395.

Diary Dates • Diary Dates • Diary Dates• Monday 9 August–Friday 13 AugustCouncil Metals Clean Up Service For further information and precise date for your address seeCouncil website at: www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/CleanUpSearch.aspx?PageID=510

• Tuesday 10 August 6.30pmNeighbourhood Watch briefing for North Shore LocalArea Command Community Safety Precinct Committee Chatswood Police Station. Residents welcome. Furtherinformation: Snr Const Matt Jewell 9414 8499

• Sunday 22 August from 9amTenth anniversary of Clive Park/The Knoll BushcareGroup, NorthbridgeBushcarers and other interested people welcome; morningtea and refreshments will be provided. Further information:Don Wilson 9967 0007

• Tuesday 24 August 8pmCastlecrag Progress Association (CPA) Inc. GeneralMeeting Senior Constable Matt Jewell, Crime Prevention Officer atChatswood Police, will speak on Identify Theft: Strategies toprevent falling victim to this emerging crime. All welcome.Further information: info@castlecrag.org.au

• Saturday 4 SeptemberSydney Opera SocietyWilloughby Presbyterian Church Hall; lecture by StephenMould, Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, onThe Merry Wives of Windsor to be performed by the OperaStudies Unit at the Conservatorium on 18, 21, 23 and 25September. Further information: Shirley Robertson 9605 5851

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Diary Dates is a service by the Castlecrag Progress Association. Please contact: editors@castlecrag.org.au with details of forthcoming events and activities for inclusion.

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