NOOSA WATERS Residents Association Issue 71 Winter 2015 Skippy Docks at Noosa Waters Recently a visitor to Noosa Waters gained considerable media attention. Some of our residents were seen on the local evening news making phone calls concerned for the kangaroo s wellbeing. Julie Compton and her husband have recently moved into a home in the Anchorage and were delighted, and rather surprised, to be visited by this large grey boomer after his swim across the canal. Booma stayed at Julie s place for several hours and was most reluctant to leave. After many calls to numerous wild life agencies the advice was open the side gate so he could leave. Whenever they encouraged him to leave, he rose up hissing ready for a fight! Booma made himself at home, slept on the lawn and inspected the trees and the jetty. Passing boats, stand up paddle boarders and kayakers were very surprised to see a large kangaroo taking in the sights from Julie s jetty. Finally, Booma jumped back in the canal and swam to the neighbours, where he again inspected everything and made himself at home. Eventually he swam the length of the canal and climbed out onto the lawn at a Shorehaven Drive property. The news cameras captured him in Sternlight Av. Local Vet, Dan Capp said that it is unusual for them to swim and usually means they are trying to escape a predator. If visited by a kangaroo, the advice is to leave them alone and ensure they have a safe departure route. Do not try to catch them as this can seriously stress them and may result in both you and the kangaroo being injured. Photos contributed by Julie Compton Contact Wilvos Wildlife Rescue for help or information about wildlife in trouble - 5441 6200. AGM Tuesday 11th August 7.00pm Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Hall Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015 1
President s report Lock, Weir and Pumping System Considerable attention has been focused on the maintenance of the lock and pumping system to ensure cost efficiency coupled with high operational availability. The Council budget for 2016 has been reviewed and savings made in a number of areas. An exercise to re-register lock access cards has been undertaken by Council. This will provide for greater access control and enhanced security. Dear Members and Residents Although Xmas 2014 is now well behind us I would like to take this opportunity to thank all residents who made the effort to light up their houses and boats. It provided wonderful festive spirit throughout the estate, as did festive gatherings, such as held by the Saltwater group featured below. Let s try and expand it for 2015! Revetment Walls Photo contributed by Prue Blake The Council canal bed restoration program adjacent to the revetment walls has been completed. All undercut walls have been addressed, the work has been inspected and signed off by the consultant design engineer and the contractor work areas restored. It was a long battle to get this critical repair work underway but since then Council and the contractor have done an excellent job. An annual inspection program will now be implemented and any problems will be promptly addressed. The inspection program and any further maintenance work will be funded through the Canal Maintenance Levy. During work After restoration Revetment wall work site on Shorehaven Drive Excess funds that had built up in the levy account as at 31 December 2014 have been refunded to levy ratepayers in proportion to their original year by year payments. Council is continuing to identify and locate all qualifying ratepayers. Landscaping I have previously advised that our landscaping coordinator John Langdon has resigned. Again I would like to acknowledge the outstanding job he has done over the last 7 years in this role. It has involved many hours attending to our park and garden areas, cleaning the fountain and upgrading entry statements. All residents have benefited from the very positive impact this work has had on the appearance of our estate. Responsibility for the fountain cleaning has now been taken over by Peter Sheerin who would appreciate your support. If you are able to volunteer a couple of hours every month or so to help with the fountain cleaning, please contact Peter on 0409 040 778. Landscaping liaison with Council will be undertaken by Ian Dopper - 5474 3998. Requests for mulch for estate gardens, removal of rubbish from park cleanups and tree removal/planting should be directed to Ian who will make the appropriate arrangements with Council. We are encouraging more residents to form small volunteer groups with their neighbours to do some work in their own local area parks, gardens and roundabouts. Some residents are already doing this. The objective of us doing some volunteer work is to enable the Council landscaping budget for Noosa Waters to be stretched further. If we all share in this work, our local area will continue to benefit from higher landscaping standards that have been achieved across the estate over the years, thanks in no small way, to the dedication of our team of volunteers working in partnership with Council. Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015 2
Enforcing Building Setbacks Problems with building activities within the 4.5metre setback provision for Noosa Waters continue to be raised by concerned residents. These are passed to Council for action. It is pleasing to note that Council is also concerned about these problems and has taken action in a number of cases. To preserve the look and feel of the estate it is important that developers/builders follow correct procedures. Noosa Waters Sports & Social Group A very successful Meet & Greet party was held on 20th March 2015 at the Croquet Club. Some 130 residents attended including many new residents. I would like to thank all the people on the Sports and Social Club Committee who worked hard to ensure that everyone had a very enjoyable evening and who continue to arrange other events during the social calendar. Please support them. Information about the diverse selection of activities and events that are available, can be accessed by current financial members of Noosa Waters Residents Assn. via the website: www.noosawaters.org. If you are not already a member, do join and participate in activity groups or events of interest to you. You will have the opportunity to meet new friends, have fun and enjoy new challenges. Supporting Your Association By joining up and supporting NWRA, you can add your voice to help your Association to have more impact on matters affecting your neighbourhood. NW S&SG Chairperson s Report Thank you to all those who came along to our annual Meet & Greet Social. The weather was perfect and the pleasant atmosphere was enjoyed by all, residents as they made the most of the opportunity to circulate and meet as many new and old friends and neighbours as possible. The committee prepared a wonderful array of savouries and nibbles for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. Everyone was delighted to indulge in the huge cake presented at the end of the evening for dessert. The generosity and dedication of my committee members and helpers was amazing and the whole evening was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Saturday 12th September 2015 Let s Go To Rio This is the next date to set aside for our annual extravaganza. Plans are in full swing to bring you a super night. The Black & White Bash last year was so successful we decided to use the same venue and band; but this time a fusion of colour will be added to the festivities. Please see the flyer in this edition. Numbers are limited to 100 people so please book your table/ tickets early. I do hope you will come along and join in the fun. Joining Sports & Social Activity Groups Noosa Waters residents have the benefit of being able to join a number of flourishing S&SG activity groups, or to start new ones through the NW website - see S&SG webpage for details and ideas. New members are always welcome. However, if there is not already a specific existing interest group to meet your needs, or if the group of your choice is one that is yet to be activated, or is already at capacity, you are encouraged to initiate a new group which can be held how, when and where best suits your group. Starting can be as easy as ticking the activity box on the webpage and sending out an invitation (via the privacy protected website system), to meet with others who have ticked that activity box e.g. Book club, Scrabble, fishing, theatre, gardening, tennis, trivia quizzes; but for more help, contact Sue Lloyd on: activities@ssg.noosawaters.org. Cathie Martin, Chair, NWRA Sports & Social Group Do attend the upcoming AGM on August 11th. Our guest speaker will be Noosa Council CEO, Brett de Chastel. Take this opportunity to hear what is happening in the Noosa region. See you there! Dick Patterson, President NWRA Special Tribute Celebration Ahead 2016 marks the 20th year of your Association - a chance reflect on the journey that commenced in 1996 and to celebrate NWRA of today! Social Cards Group 3 Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015
Noosa Waters Neighbourhood Watch is excited about now having a dedicated section in this newsletter, and I hope you will find the content interesting and informative. Thank you for your support; please continue to inform us of anything which may help to maintain a safe community. Remember to keep doors and vehicles locked at all times! MISSION - to promote safety and security within the community OBJECTIVE - seek to reduce preventable offences through: reporting incidents and suspicious activity within the area improving personal safety and household security RESPONSIBILITY - to the Crime Prevention Programs Unit, Queensland Police Service Noosa Waters Neighbourhood Watch endeavours to foster community spirit by supporting - and even hosting - activities and events, such as the Christmas get-together, which bring neighbours and friends together. By getting to know each other and looking out for each other and our properties, we can help to keep our neighbourhood that bit safer. Our Area Coordinator is also Treasurer & Incident Emailer and we have a Secretary who is also our Newsletter Editor; 10 Zone Coordinators and 36 Block Coordinators. Zone Coordinators have responsibility for their Zone and can be the first point of contact, with Block Coordinators to assist them. If you can assist in any way, please let me know. We have a current vacancy for a zone co-ordinator. Visit Neighbourhood Watch webpage tab via www.noosawaters.org for contact details for Zone Coordinators, latest scams, incidents and other information. Raising Awareness Domestic Violence and Prevention Recently, NWNW partnered with Queensland Police by participating in a special grass roots initiative which utilises disposable coffee cups, served by local coffee houses, as a tool to raise community awareness about domestic violence and prevention. The Sunshine Coast based scheme promotes the ethos that Personal safety is everybody s responsibility and that: Domestic violence is not OK. Not now. Not ever. Local SC District Crime Prevention Officer, (Acting) Sergeant Mark Readman, featured in the photo with Noosa Waters Neighbourhood Watch Zone co-ordinator, Evelyn Murphy and staff from Little Cove Co. Weyba Rd, (cafe and fresh coffee retailer & wholesaler), was inspired to design this project by chance. When on holiday in Sydney and waiting for the Manly ferry, he saw Departmental Road Safety messages on disposable coffee cups and realised that this concept could potentially also be a method of helping to get the message about domestic violence and prevention, out to the wider community. Within 4 months this idea was implemented and Phase One was launched in March this year. Evelyn was delighted to represent Noosa Waters Neighbourhood Watch and be part of the first group with Little Cove Co, to participate in this valuable community initiative. Driven by the appalling statistics on domestic violence generally, and in Queensland specifically 66,000 incidents reported just last year, 1200 reported in Sunshine Coast region (Acting) Sgt Readman said he wanted to help to get strong messages out there. He also deplores the impact on children of having to witness violence in their homes, which has far reaching affects on them and can perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence. As stated on the cups - 45% of Queensland s homicides relate to domestic violence. Gerald Theron Area Coordinator, NW Neighbourhood Watch Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015 4
Editor s notes How wonderful to welcome Neighbourhood Watch to the pages of our Newsletter. Thanks to Gerald and the NWNW zone coordinators and blockies for the work they do for our community. Congratulations to NWNW for being one of the first groups to support the SC Coffee Cup Project, raising awareness about domestic violence and prevention. Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention The alarming statistics given in the NWNW article and in recent media coverage, prompted me to seek out helpful websites including: www.domesticviolence.com.au and www. dvconnect.org (A Crisis Support Qld Resource, which offers support for women, girls, men, elders and pets.) Our local newspapers ran articles in May as part of Domestic Violence Prevention Month. Anyone who needs assistance or knows anyone in need of assistance, can phone SCOPE on 5430 9300 or 1300 CENTACARE or visit: www.scopedv.org or www.centacarebrisbane.net.au Sports and Social Groups One of the many joys of living in Noosa Waters, is the way that friends and neighbours have been able to meet and have fun at the many events and activities thanks to the NW Sports & Social Group and generosity of members. For information about the various activity groups, how to join them or establish new ones, for recent and historical NWRA achievements, and much more visit: www.noosawaters.org. Thank you to Joan and Claude Joan and Claude Luguel have convened social table tennis on Friday nights, nearly every fortnight, for the last six years. Joan and Claude have been responsible for making newcomers feel very welcome to the area and have encouraged many new people to become involved in other NWRA activities. Many of us have made new friends thanks to Joan and Claude s wonderful hospitality. We wish them well in their new home. Thanks also go to John and Janet Day for taking on the role of convenors, hosting monthly Friday night social table tennis and of the active Boating group which has enjoyed several successful outings already this year including a rally in May. Sign up if you would like to join! Thank you Kevin McDonald Over recent years Kevin has put in countless hours helping with the layout of this newsletter; due to full time work commitments Kevin is unable to continue this volunteer work. We thank him sincerely for his contribution. Noosa Waters Resident in Local Papers There have been many stories published about ANZAC Day; one that gladdened my heart was a story about Oz Ertok (NNews, May 1st). I first met Oz when my husband and I were walking our dogs. My husband took Oz to the Table Tennis finals one night, only to be greeted by many old friends with whom he used to compete. Oz is an inspirational 85 year old who regularly rides his bike to the beach for a swim and loves a chat. The most inspirational insight was when I read how proud Oz is of being an Australian for 45 years, originally from Turkey, his grandfather Mustafa, fought and was killed by Allied troops at Gallipoli. Oz respects the sacrifices made on both sides and hates all wars and is proud to be Australian. Oz typifies the bond of friendship and respect that now exists between Turkey and Australia. An amazing man with a positive outlook and enthusiasm for life. Nature Corner Can you identify this creature? Neither could Howard & Cathie when they found it in their garden! However, an email to Qld Museum brought a rapid response - even on a Saturday! (What amazing service!) It is an Extratosoma tiaratum or female spiny leaf stick insect! If you have had an encounter with nature or have photos or stories to share on other topics of interest to Noosa Waters residents, please send to: editor@noosawaters.org Helen Brown, Editor 5 Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015
- Out and About Meet & Greet Event, March + Boating Picnic, March & Boating Rally, May To join the Boating group, or other activities, please follow the prompts shown on the Noosa Waters website, Sport & Social page. Thanks to the convenors and group members who make such events possible and so special. What great ways to meet new friends! Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015 6
Dry Blocks Lights 1st prize - 1/8 Bluefin Court 2nd prize - 102 Shorehaven Dr 3rd prize - 2/15 Bluefin Court Congratulations to 2014 Christmas Lighting Competition Winners (See website for more photos) Wet Blocks Lights 1st prize - 45 Shorehaven Dr 2nd prize - 42 The Peninsula 3rd prize - 58 Saltwater Ave Ahoy There! All watercraft owners Become a member of the Coast Guard - Subscription forms are available from Alan Hall. Call 5474 3695 or email dfc.qf5@coastguard.com.au To Advertise Here newsletter @noosawaters.org 7 Issue 71 - Winter Edition 2015
- Sit and Reflect 1 2 3 4 Our wonderful world There is often so much troubling news confronting us in the media. How often do we count our blessings and consciously appreciate our lifestyle and our beautiful environment? Discover these seats dotted around Noosa Waters, slow down for a minute or two and consciously take in the beauty and reflect on our good fortune to live here. See www.noosawaters.org - landscaping tab for location details Are you a member of the Residents Association? If not please join and help support your Noosa Waters community. Membership is just $15 p.a. + $5 to join Neighbourhood Watch. ($20) You can join online at www.noosawaters.org or you can supply your name and address and send a cheque to: NWRA, P.O. Box 197, Noosaville, 4566. Events Calendar 2015 Noosa Waters Annual Gala Event 2015 Let s go to Rio Saturday 12 September - Noosa South Pacific Resort, Harii Bandu & Bossanova Cowboys. Noosa Water Residents Association Inc. and Noosa Waters Neighbourhood Watch AGMs 7.00pm Tuesday 11 August - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Hall The Thursday Girls Lunches Contact Di Kirby 5474 1184 to find out what is being planned each month on the last Thursday Feb - Nov. RSVP Blokes Lunches Held on the last Friday of every month. RSVP essential -To book contact David Brown 0412 292 018 Christmas Flotilla Friday 18th December Christmas Lighting Judging week commencing Monday 14th December Emergency matters (life threatening) : 000 Non-emergency matters : 131 444 Complex Security 5447 7566 Police Noosa 5440 8111 Police Link 131 444 Police M dore 5475 2444 (24 hrs) Hoon Line 134 666 Noosa Waters Neighbourhood Watch Convenor Gerald Theron 0416 298 585 gtheron@internode.on.net Useful Phone Numbers SES 132 500 Coastguard - Emergency 5449 7670 Coastguard - General 5474 3695 Noosa Council 5329 6500 RSPCA 5449 1371 Wilvos Wildlife Rescue 5441 6200 Queensland Museum 3840 7555 www.noosawaters.org For the latest information on all NWRA activities or events; emergencies or local matters. NWRA Management Committee President Dick Patterson 5449 9288 president@noosawaters.org Vice President Gary Trevithick 5473 0519 vicepresident@noosawaters.org Secretary Kay Passenger 5449 8916 secretary@noosawaters.org Treasurer Tony Van Der Linden 5474 4109 treasurer@noosawaters.org Sub-Committee Convenors Advertising Howard Martin 5474 2230 admin@noosawaters.org Membership Cathie Martin 0416 032 578 membership@noosawaters.org Landscaping Ian Dopper 5474 3998 landscaping@noosawaters.org Fountain Peter Sheerin 0409 040 778 fountain@noosawaters.org Legal Advisor Harvey Williams 5473 0012 harvey.williams@bigpond.com Newsletter Helen Brow 5447 1059 editor@noosawaters.org Boat Parade Warren Burrows 5473 0545 waterwatch@noosawaters.org Webmaster Howard Martin 5474 2230 webmaster@noosawaters.org Sports & Social Group Chair Cathie Martin 416 032 578 chair@ssg.noosawaters.org Treasurer Ian Pilz 5440 5154 treasurer@ssg.noosawaters.org Activity Liaison Sue Lloyd 5449 9418 activities@ssg.noosawaters.org Photos contributed by:- Prue Blake, David & Helen Brown, Julie Compton, Janet Day, Carole Hoffenberg, Mike Pallot, Gerald Theron Disclaimer Noosa Waters Residents Association (Inc.) PO Box 197 Noosaville 4566 The information contained in this publication has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No responsibility for error or omission, can be accepted. Interested persons should rely on their own enquiries.