Ho Ho Ho
One thing Tilligerry boys and girls – the good ones that is – always look forward to is a visit from Santa on the weekend before Christmas. This year was no exception and the two local fire brigades drove him around the town spreading good cheer and tossing out bags of lollies to the children who flocked to the sides of the roads.
Santa would like to thank Club Lemon Tree for giving the friendly firies $400 to buy the lollies and the firefighters for wrapping them up and putting them in his sack.
Photo: Santa in the Tanilba fire truck on his annual run at Mallabula.
Sailing Club News
Tanilba Sailing Club is well and truly up and away with twelve catamarans vying for points this season. The club races from its picturesque waterfront setting at the end of the short boardwalk leading from Peace Pde. New members and crew are most welcome. Contact Mike Colecliffe 041 9999 785. The club will be hosting a regatta on 25th and 26th January with crews coming from as far afield as Sydney and Coffs Harbour to compete.
Photo:Club stalwarts Steve Breaden and Mike Colecliffe rigging up for a race.
Jaws
Visitors and locals alike have been wondering what the huge set of shark’s teeth were doing painted on the bow of a pleasure cruiser moored at the LTP marina.
Reliable sources told tilligerry.com that this was done to showcase the vessel for the recent waterfront festival’s sailpast and blessing of the fleet. The boat’s owner from Bundaberg Qld. said that he would be back next year with another eye-catching design.
Photo: ‘Jaws’ with its shark teeth bow at the marina.
Tidal Troubles
Residents trying to get to the shops or the doctors’ surgery on Monday 12th December 13 in LTP, found the roadway and footpath flooded. This problem occurs when heavy rain coincides with king tides. It results from the fact that the roadway and gutters are below high water mark.
To alleviate the problem, council put ‘one-way’ flaps on the stormwater pipes which
stopped the salt water backing up the drains and welling up onto the roadway with the big
tides. This works well during dry times but residents still have to endure the inconvenience of flooding when a big high tide happens at the same time as a heavy downpour .
Photo: The waterfront area which is subject to flooding.
School Swimming
The NSW Department of Education &Training has just completed its annual concentrated swimming school at the heated Mallabula pool. Some 64 Tanilba Bay pupils and 45 from Salt Ash participated. The 21 non swimmers at the start of the program were reduced to just eight at its completion and all other students improved their performances, receiving certificates of attainment.
Teacher-in-charge Helen Carter said that there was a strong emphasis on water safety “Never Swim Alone’ was the message we imparted to the children,” she said.
Photo: Lily Morris showing off her underwater swimming skills
Caught On Camera
Thieves who broke into four separate shops at the Kooindah Centre Tanilba Bay have been caught on the centre’s high definition security cameras. The video-tapes have been handed to police and they have apprehended a suspect.
Businesses targeted were the new noodle shop, the dance studio, the art gallery and the hairdressing salon.
Photo : Kooindah Shopping Mall – targeted by thieves.
Paper Man Rips Up Track
Tanilba newsagent Ross Fitzgerald’s up and coming greyhound ‘Paper Man’ has stamped himself as a dog to watch after his stunning 4˝ length win in a maiden final recently. Starting at 5/1 and recording a time of 22.84 sec ‘Paper Man’ impressed the pundits and looks promising for the future. In his 15 starts ‘Paper Man’ has been placed 7 times and has won his last two races.
Ross said that he and the trainer were a bit concerned with the greyhound’s earlier performances.
“He just wasn’t race savvy,” he said. “He tended to overrun the other dogs and create interference. He is now much smarter and looks for openings. We have high hopes for the future.”
Photo:- Winning grin – Ross with his latest trophy and a feature article on ‘Paper Man’.
Cricketers Shine
With four wins and three losses in the first half of the season Tilligerry under 17s cricket team has high hopes of making the finals. They have won all of their home games and are currently coming third in the Newcastle District Division four competition. Outstanding players include Nicole Hedley, a bowler who took two wickets for three runs off just three overs, Matt Cross who took four wickets for 16 runs and Brodie Cox who scored 75 runs n.o.
Photo: The under 17 team at a recent home game.
Photographic Exhibition
After 18 years, Helen Taylor from historic Tanilba House will no longer hold her annual Little Picture Show – but all is not lost. “This year we will be hosting a photographic exhibition by noted wildlife photographer Sue Walker”, she said. “It will open on 13th December and run until 1st February.”
The exhibition is open to the public of a Wednesday and Sunday, admission is free but bookings are needed for opening night and a small charge will apply.
Photo: Tanilba House - new photo exhibition to open 13th December.
tilligerry.com
Tilligerry now has its own online news site. The local Tilligerry Adult and Community Education (TACE) volunteers headed by Sue Hamilton has got the site up and running. They welcome all community groups to send in their news or details of upcoming events.
Sue Hamilton said that online news was the way of the future.
“It is very hard to promote the activities of community organisations these days so we have decided, as a community service, to provide a site for all to access. I’d ask people to go onto our website at tilligerry.com and have a look and if it suits them they can send their photos and stories to tace@tilligerry.com for consideration. Photos should be of low resolution and news items brief, non political and edited. This is a free service run by volunteers and supported by Port Stephens Council.”
Photo:- Check it out – Sue Hamilton at the TACE office in the LTP Library.
Tilligerry Adult & Community Education Inc. (TACE)
Don't forget that we have the only public internet/computer access open 6 days per week. We are located in the community library (opp the Motel) at Lemon Tree Passage. - CLOSED UNTIL Tuesday 17 January and on reduced hours 10-12 noon until 30 January!!
Monday 10am to 2.30pm Tuesday 10am to 12 midday Wednesday 10am to 12 midday
Thursday 10am to 2.30pm Friday 10am to 12 midday
Saturday 10am to 12 midday
Cost to non-members of TACE is $3.00 per hour and printing/photocopying is 10c per sheet (black and white only)
If you have any stories you want to put on the tilligerry.com send an email to tace@tilligerry.com or ring Sue on 4982 3986.
Citizenship Awards
A large crowd of around 300 attended the Paterson Citizen of the Year Awards at the Tilligerry RSL Club auditorium recently. Guest presenter Julie Bishop the Federal Deputy Leader of the opposition was there along with local MP Bob B
aldwin. Those receiving awards included:-
Senior Citizen Jan McWilliams
Citizen Robyn South
Corporate Anna Bay IGA
Sportsperson Natasha Van Eldik
Young Sportsperson Taylor Corry
Young Citizen Mitchell Blanch
Photo:- Award winners Cooper Jenkins and Mitchell Blanch flanked by Bob Baldwin and Julie Bishop.
Santa Photos
Noted portrait photographer Gary Oliver was on hand at the Tilligerry RSL and Sports Club recently to take photos of children with Santa. Although some youngsters were overwhelmed by the occasion most settled down and enjoyed the experience. Around 70 young children had their photos taken. People wishing to have family portraits taken can contact Mr Oliver through the RSL.
Photo:- Not so keen – Taylah Curry being coaxed by her father Trevor to have her picture taken with Santa..
Friendly Fire
The bushfire which tore through the Worimi land in September has produced one of the best displays of Christmas Bells for years. These native flowers would be better known as November Bells as they are at their peak during this month. It probably saves them from extinction as they are wilting when people steal them around Christmas. It is illegal to pick them.
Workers are currently replacing the solar matting on top of the Mallabula Community hall after burning embers from the bushfire damaged the matting.
Photo:- A Christmas Bell comes to life after the fire.
Star Value
Yet another new business has opened on the Peninsula. Louis and Ada, both graduates of Newcastle University have opened an emporium, ‘Star Value’ near Coles at Tanilba Bay. The couple believe that the business will prosper in the growth area of Tilligerry and source their shopware from Australian suppliers.
Photo:- New faces: Louis and Ada outside ‘Star Value’
89 Not Out!
An inspiration to us all! Brian English of Tanilba Bay swims every morning at the Aquatic Centre.
“I used to do around 80 laps but now I have cut it down to 40,” he said.
He recently had his 89th birthday and his friends and fellow early morning swimmers gave him a small surprise party at the pool. A highlight of the celebration was the reading of a ‘message from the Queen!’
Photo:- Brian ( centre) with his friends…..89!
School Numbers Soar
Enrolments at Tanilba Bay School are set to soar according to school Principal Stewart Wylie.
“We started the school year with 409 pupils and so far have picked up an extra 44,” he said. “At the end of the year we will lose 57 6th graders but next year there will be an intake of 92 kindergarten students. We expect to start the 2012 school year with 482 pupils.”
At its peak some 15 years ago the school population was over 600 but since then a steady decline has taken place. The 270 lot Landcom development has brought new young families into the area. Mr Wylie said that so far two new permanent teaching positions have been created by the increasing numbers.
Photo:- Numbers up. Tanilba’s Principal Stewart Wylie.
Ten Years Young
Senior ambulance officers, Federal and St
ate MPs and community representatives gathered at Tanilba Ambulance Station recently to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the station.
Supporters of the ambos which included – the Lions Club; the RSL; the women bowlers; quilters; Ian Barnett and the Amateur Theatrical Society were presented with mementos by station officer Anna Brown.
The gathering was told that in ten years there had been 9950 callouts, 5776 of which required hospitalization. The ambulance vehicles had clocked up over 1 000 000 km. Of the 9 permanent staff, 5 of the original officers were still there.
It was estimated that by using new drugs and early intervention for cardiac patients, $280 000 was saved in medical expenses.
Photo:- Anna Brown cuts the cake.
Never Too Young
Along with the warmer weather, parents are flocking to the Mallabula heated pool to have their young ones taught the basics of swimming and water safety.
Lessons are conducted on four days each week with three morning and four afternoon sessions. The cost is $11 per lesson with discounts given for family bookings.
Photo:- Swim safe - Talia Daniel with her class of tiny tots.
Little Athletics 2011
Little A’s are well and truly up and running with some 60 children from tiny tots to under 17s training at Mallabula Oval. They are looking for more members and helpers each Monday at 5.15pm.
Troy Morrison said that it was more about socializing and fun than anything else.
“Although we have had success at regional, zone and state level it’s more about bringing families together and enjoying healthy outdoor recreation,” he said.
Details and enquiries – 4984 5287.
Photo:- Tiny tots getting ready for their activities.
Fire Bans
LEMON TREE PASSAGE RURAL FIRE BRIGADE
The abbreviated fire regulations following do not represent the complete Bush Fires Act or the Port Stephens Council regulations but are a guide to that part of the regulations concerning residential occupancy on the Tilligerry Peninsula.
For complete details go to:
Port Stephens Council website or
The NSW Rural Fire Service Website.
Lighting of Fires During Bush Fire Danger period.
Rural Fires Regulation 2008
Division 2 .
Lighting of fires for cooking.
The area around the fire must be cleared of all combustible materials for a distance of 2 metres.
Burning Garbage and refuse.
Must be in a properly constructed incinerator designed to prevent the escape of sparks and burning material, or in accordance with the conditions set out in a permit issued by the appropriate authority. And, in any case the site must be clear of all combustible matter for a distance of at least 5 metres.
Tobacco Products;
A person must not leave or deposit a lighted tobacco product , match or any incandescent material on any land , bridge, wharf pontoon or similar structure.
Port Stephens Council Regulation.
( See Fact Sheet backyard burning regulations)
The burning of general waste in The Port Stephens Council Area is not permitted at any time.
The burning of Tree Waste is not permitted at any time unless your land exceeds 4000 square metres.
Regulations apply if your land exceeds 4000 square metres.( Approx. 1 acre)
Total Fire Ban
No open fires whatsoever on these days.
Some of the above regulations override others in which case the one forbidding use of fire is relevant.
New Name – Old School Centre
The Lemon Tree Passage Community Centre has been renamed the ‘Old School Centre’ after confusion over its location and to give an historic flavour to the site.
At a recent Spring Fair the new sign on the main road was unveiled after residents and visitors has inspected the work of various groups who use the centre for their activities.
They included: art, lead lighting – mosaic, mahjong, family history and patchwork. The Lions Club provided a sausage sizzle and revenue from stalls will be used for maintenance of the site.
Photo:- Back to School – the new sign on the main road.
Show Piece for RSL
A 40mm anti aircraft Bofors Gun has been mounted on a concrete plinth at the entrance of the Tilligerry RSL Club. Landcom supplied the concrete base and the WW11 artillery piece was donated by a north coast RSL Club.
The Bofors Gun was a Swedish invention which came to prominence in WW11 and was so successful that it was used extensively by most armies and navies during this conflict. It has stood the test of time and is still in service in 2011 making it the longest serving artillery piece of all time.
Photo:- Silent sentinel – the Bofors Gun at the RSL entrance.
