THE SCOTLAND ISLAND NEWS
MARCH 1955
Vol. 1 No. 1
The Scotland Island Progress Association was away to a fine start when just
on forty residents turned out for the inaugural meeting held at "Bangalla"
on Saturday night January 29th.
Fully appreciating that many residents may have had insufficient notice
of the meeting it was decided that a Provisional Organising Committee only
would be appointed. This Provisional Committee will vacate office at the
General Meeting fixed for Easter Sunday (April'10th) at 8 pm, when all offices
become vacant and a committee will be appointed for the ensuing twelve months.
With such a large proportion of Island residents being week-enders and the
fact that various sections' of the island are somewhat remote from each
other there are very real difficulties in the way of successfully organisihg
a virile Association.
It is therefore necessary for every resident to give his or her support
to the formation of the Association and so that a sincere hard-working Committee
is appointed to act on their behalf for the welfare of our small Community.
Correspondence has already boon entered into between the Provisional committee
and Warringah Shire Mackellar County, Council, the P.M.G., the Bushfire
Committee of the Chief secretary's Department and the local Member, Mr.
R. W. Askin. Contact is also being made with the Water Board.
Attendance at the General Meeting of the Progress Association will give
residents an opportunity of voicing opinions on the many and varied questions
to be discussed and assist in determining the policy to be followed in regard
to electricity, water supply, bushfire equipment, public telephones, public
wharves and street maintenance etc.
There are formidable tasks ahead of the Association - it can only succeed
with the goodwill and support of all residents and the earliest opportunity
residents have to give their support will be by attendance at the General
Meeting.
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA.
Here briefly is the business paper to be submitted to the General Meeting-
on April 10th
Meeting opens at 8 p.m.
X X X
TEA ONLY.
A suggestion that some liquid refreshments might be provided following the
General Meeting provided on April 10th was turned down by the Committee
after due consideration.
Supper will be provided (ladies a "plate" please) and the beverage
served will be tea. Those that need it strong and black can have it that
way if they want it.
X X X.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Two meetings of the Provisional Organising Committee have been held to date
of preparation
this Newsletter. The Committee's decisions are reported elsewhere throughout
this issue.
BUSH FIRE BRIGADE
Due to the nature of the terrain, the dense coverage of forest and scrub
and its comparative isolation, Scotland Island possesses a grave bush fire
potential.
It is proposed to form a bush fire brigade and equipment for this purpose
will be made available by the Bush Fire Advisory Committee through the Shire
Council.
Because of the relatively small number of permanent residents on the Island
such a brigade will need the full cooperation of all casual as well as permanent
residents if it is to be successful. The knowledge and practice of fire-safety
precautions by all residents (including the ladies) will be essential.
Those who have experience of bush fires know of the tragic loss of life
and property that can result from the careless burning of rubbish or even
the thoughtless discarding of a cigarette butt .
In Victoria in 1939 seventy-one lives were lost and damage of incalculable
value was done by the tragic bush fire of January of that year.
A sane outlook on the lighting of fires and some elementary knowledge of
fire fighting by residents could prevent a comparable tragedy on the Island.
Members of brigades fighting bush fires are covered by special provisions
of the Workers Compensation Act.
XXX
SCHOOL FARES
An active group of island permanent residents are organising to have their
childrens' fares to school subsidised by the Education Department.
Ferry and bus fares for one family of little tots totals 17/6 a week If they lived in a country area where school buses are subsidised the greater
part of this amount would be met by subsidy through the department.
We understand the ferryy fares are also subsidised in the Gosford Woy Woy
districts.
If the parents decide to seek the Associations assistance in this matter
it should be readily available in such a worthy cause.
MONSTER PRIZE CONTEST
In order to boost circulation & also perform a public service we are
offering an appropriate prize for winning suggestion on how best to make
use of empty bottles (unbranded of course).
First prize is one gross of assorted empties to be picked up and removed
by the winner. Location to be advised after the contest.
THE BUGLER.
Ever blow a bugle? It's much harder than you think and a few local residents
were trying their utmost to get even the faintest burp out of one when Tod
Gill happened along.
Hoping f or a laugh at Tods expense the bugle was pressed on him and --
wait for it -- he blew the "cookhouse" call so expertly that all the old soldiers marched
straight off home to beg their wives
for a meal of stewed bully beef and dehydrated potatoes -- just for old
times sake.
x x x
MILK IN CARTONS
News that milk might soon be available in cardboard cartons will be welcomed
by these folk who fight a losing battle with empty bottles. milk and various.
There appears little likelihood of lolly water and other effervescing beverages
being sold in this manner but surely our scientists could evolve some method
of dehydrating kerosene so that it could be sold in tablet form. After all
we don't have to drink the stuff.
xxx
SCOTLAND ISLAND PIPE BAND.
The Scotland Island Pipe Band promised a skirl or two for the night of the
next meeting.
The band consisting of one piper will parade the Island to ensure nobody
goes to bed early on the big night.
FISH STORIES.
Congratulations to Mr. Jack Cooke on his exploit, in catching a shark with
a broom. Jack literally swept the four foot monster -out of the shallows
on to the rocks where it was quickly dispatched and promptly converted into
flathead fillets.
x x x
Keith Egan also merits applause for his performance catching a nice large
mullet by hand without the aid of hook, line or net. Keith merely bent down.
from the Church Point, wharf, tickled the mullet's tummy for a second and
then lifted it out all lively and kicking. If in doubt ask the ferry load
of passengers who witnessed the incident on Monday 21st.
x x x
SNAKE STORY
Once upon a time it was a local legend that there were no snakes on Scotland
Island. At least four residents who attended at the inaugural meeting the
Association testified to the fact that they have seen a number of snakes
on the Island this summer.
Forewarned is forearmed -- and after all they did have them in the Garden
of Eden.
BIRD STORY
A sleepy citizen and a sleepy Kookaburra both received a shock when they
came face to face on the Eastern side of the Island recently, Both of them
awoke with a start and a "Squark" but
it is sad to relate that although the citizen can now laugh about this experience
the Kooka has lost his most prized possession and now makes a noise like
a Mopoke. It seems he suffered the greater shock.
X X X
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS?
The Shire President and all 11 "A" Riding Councilors of Warringah
Shire have now boon invited to attend the Association's General Meeting.
Due allowance must be made for the fact that our meeting is being hold during
the Easter holidays period and our worthy representatives may have made
prior arrangements to be else where.
FAUNA AND FLORA.
At the invitation of the North Shore Fauna and Flora Association extended
to the President and Secretary the Scotland-Island Progress Association
we attended a meeting on March l7th called for the purpose of forming a
branch of the Society at Newport.
The meeting was addressed by Mr H.J.R.Overall President of the Society,
Councilor Corkory, President of the Manly-Warringahah Branch, Mr. Frank
Griffiths, Chief Guardian of Fauna and Mr. Miller, Secretary of the Avalon
Branch.
These talks were most interesting and indicated the important work the Society
does in preserving the lives of our native animals, birds, trees and wildflowers.
Encouragement is given in planting
native trees and flowers- and seedlings and seeds are supplied to interested
persons.
In the Avalon district many white-gum trees are being planted as a source
of, food for Koalas.
We gathered that possums wore becoming rare in the Newport area so we promptly
offered to exchange some possums from the Island for koala boars. There
were no takers.
x x x
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
Have you returned your complete questionnaire form to Mackellar County Council
yet?
Until sufficient satisfactory replies are received by the Council a full
investigation of the matter cannot be made by the officials so further progress
in the matter rests in the hands of residents.
You will hear the latest information at the meeting on April 10th.
x x x
PUBLIC TELEPHONES.
Warringah Shire Council has voted to support the Association in its activities
toward securing public telephones at various points on the Island.
Whore would YOU like the first one located? Tell us at the Meeting.
ADVERTISERS WANTED. FULL ISLAND COVERAGE. RATES ON APPLICATION .
POSITIONS VACANT
WANTED enthusiastic hard working persons to assume office in progress association.
All positions vacant as from 10th April and must be filled. Remuneration
will be in the form of personal satisfaction arising from service to community.
No bouquets but occasional brickbats guaranteed. Apply ready to start at
"Bangalla" 8 p.m. April, 10th.
X X X
SUPPER'S ON.
After the General Meeting of the Progress Association at "BANGALLA"
on April 10th light refreshments will be served.
It is hoped that all residents attending the meeting will stay on and become
acquainted with each other.
The ladies are requested to provide a "plate" towards the supper.
X X X
POSSIES FOR- PERMS.
Majority opinion of the Provisional Organising Committee is that permanent
residents should occupy the positions of President and Secretary of the
Association.
Keenest exponents of this theory are the Provisional Committee's President
and Secretary!
X X X
TO BAY OR NOT TO BAY?
A suggestion that the now progress Association should include residents
of the Western Shores and Bays was made at the Association's inaugural meeting.
An alternative suggestion was also made that the Western Shores should also
form an Association thus permitting the two organisations to co-operate
on matters of mutual interest.
Island residents will have an opportunity of discussing the pros and cons
of these suggestions on April 10th.
THANK YOU
MR. and MRS. LUCAS.
Our thanks to Mr. and Mrs Leslie Lucas of "BANGALLA" for making
their historic old home available for the inaugural meeting of the Progress
Association and providing supper for the forty residents in attendance.
Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have also kindly offered their home for the next General
Meeting of the Association at 8 p.m. on April-10th.
TOM TAIT
for the preliminary work done prior to the last meeting with the Warringah
Shire, Mackellar County Council and the Water Board.
LEN BARNES...
for transporting so many residents to the last meeting.
MISS KERRIE LUCAS,..
for acting as Minute Secretary and providing an accurate record of proceedings.
TED GILL.
for those fine -posters advertising the next meeting.
KEITH EGAN
for his offer of assistance with water transport to the next meeting.
BILL BAGNALL.
for his welcome contribution in providing paper and duplicating this newsletter.
X X X
PLEASE PASS IT ON: We hope to have a copy of this newsletter delivered to
each house on the Island but it is inevitable that some residents will not
receive a copy. You can help the Association by passing your copy on to
any interested party and seeing they also attend the meeting.
X X X..
N. E. STEEN., . , Provisional Secretary,