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SPRING ISSUE October 2011
SANDRINGHAM FORESHORE ASSOCIATION (SFA) Founded January 2007 ABN
42947116512 A CHARITABLE NOT FOR PROFIT VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION SFA
PO Box 52 Sandringham 3191 E-mail: [email protected]
Website www.sandyforeshore.net.au
Past e-newsletter issues available on SFA website:
http://www.sandyforeshore.net.au/
Join the Sandringham Life Saving Club:
The Sandringham Life Saving Club (SLSC) was formed in 1917. They
have been patrolling our local beaches for 93 years and should be
commended on their great efforts in servicing our local community
and beaches. It consists of a committee, a number of voluntary
workers, lifesavers and members. Lifesavers play an important role
in patrolling our local foreshore starting from Spring to Autumn,
especially over the summer period.
On behalf of the SFA, Vicki Karalis was extremely honoured to be
able to speak about the history of the SFA, while Murray Thompson
Sandringham MP spoke on the important community work of the
Lifesaving Club, and together with Murray, Vicki presented some of
the awards at the Sandringham Lifesaving Club Annual General
Meeting held on 26th August 2011.
Vicki with Ruby Campbell-Beschorner and Murray Thompson
Sandringham MP
http://www.sandyforeshore.net.au/http://www.sandyforeshore.net.au/
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A well deserved medal presented to a nipper.
Joining a Life Saving Club is a unique and rewarding experience
that can enrich and change the lives of young children. The primary
mission of life saving clubs is to provide a safe and enjoyable
aquatic experience for all visitors to our beaches.
Lifesaving is able to offer volunteers:
Aquatic Education and Training Membership Development, Growth
and Support Youth and Leadership Development Skills and Fitness
Life Saving Clubs train volunteer lifesavers in aquatic rescue
and resuscitation techniques as well as offering water safety
education to the general beach going public. As a patrolling member
of a life saving club you will play an important role in the
provision of this vital community service.
The Club welcome new members. To join the Sandringham Lifesaving
club press onto the following link for a membership form:
https://lifesavingvictoria.wufoo.com/forms/z7p7r3/ or call 9598
2340 or Stewart Carmody, President on 0423 956 781
Half Moon Bay (HMB) sand renourishment update:
Photo by John Amiet.
DSE had commenced works last week on HMB but they were recently
halted by the Minister of Environment Ryan Smith who has organised
an investigation to review the works. SFA congratulate Black Rock
resident
https://lifesavingvictoria.wufoo.com/forms/z7p7r3/
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Michael Schuh and our local MP Murray Thompson for their
tremendous efforts in raising concerns about the sand renourishment
for HMB with the Minister of Environment and the media.
According to Michael, the Minister is reviewing the works based
on the following concerns:
DSE has not conclusively demonstrated a need for the project.
DSE has not gained full stakeholder or public support for the
project. DSE has not tested the sand for contamination prior to
putting it on the beach, nor done the
appropriate testing of the chemical makeup of the terrestrial
dirt/sand to test its reaction in the marine environment. There are
significant risks to introducing terrestrial material into a
delicate marine environment, particularly when its from another
geographical location.
DSE has not prepared an environmental impact study Dr Eric Bird,
a Black Rock resident for over 50 years, and a leading coastal
scientist / world authority
on coastlines Geomorphologist has stated that Half Moon Bay is
one of, if not the most, stable beach in Port Phillip and that
o there is no need at this stage to put more sand at Half Moon
Bay o other beaches are in much more need o the current DSE project
incurs a risk of southerly sand movement possibly burying boat
ramps o erosion of Red Bluff (at the north end of HMB far
removed from the proposed works) occurs
from the top and not from wave action. The DSE proposal would
have no effect on any of the erosion that is occurring at the
cliff.
If you object strongly to the current works, you can do the
following, but you need to act immediately:
STEP ONE
(i) Email the Minister Ryan Smith asking for a cessation of
works, or at a minimum the delay of the works whilst a soil report
is completed by DSE & objectors -
[email protected]
STEP TWO
(ii) Call the Ministers office 9637 8890 and voice your concerns
in person.
Photo by John Amiet. Note size of granules of new sand.
If you would like to become more involved with this issue,
please contact Michael Schuh via his mobile phone on 0412 443 701
or emailing him on [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
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Photo by Alison Horton. HMB in summer.
Do we need to attract more people onto HMB in summer when there
arent enough car parking spaces and facilities to service the
increase in population?
To view some of the recent media on HMB press on the following
links:
The Age 4th October 2011 Angry locals draw line in the sand over
beach extension:
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/angry-locals-draw-line-in-the-sand-over-beach-extension-20111003-1l5cr.html#ixzz1aEz2hcSK
The Age 6th October 2011 Guard on new sand added to beach:
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/guard-on-new-sand-added-to-beach-20111005-1l9wx.html
The Age 7th October 2011 Halt ordered on shifting sands of Half
Moon Bay:
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/halt-ordered-on-shifting-sands-of-half-moon-bay-20111006-1lbrp.html#ixzz1aEzNIbc6
ABC news: 4th October 2011
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-04/residents-against-dirt-coloured-sand/3223366?section=vic
The Age Poll: Are locals right to oppose the renourishment of
Half Moon Bay with red quarry sand?
Yes 63% No 37%
Total votes: 2622. Poll closed 7 Oct, 2011
Bayside City Council update:
SFA value their relationship with Bayside City Council. We have
found Council to be helpful and excellent in consulting with us on
beach issues. Members of SFA are soon meeting with Council officers
to walk along the Sandringham beaches and cliffs.
Do you have an issue with the local beaches you would like us to
raise with Council?
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/angry-locals-draw-line-in-the-sand-over-beach-extension-20111003-1l5cr.html#ixzz1aEz2hcSKhttp://www.theage.com.au/environment/angry-locals-draw-line-in-the-sand-over-beach-extension-20111003-1l5cr.html#ixzz1aEz2hcSKhttp://www.theage.com.au/victoria/guard-on-new-sand-added-to-beach-20111005-1l9wx.htmlhttp://www.theage.com.au/victoria/halt-ordered-on-shifting-sands-of-half-moon-bay-20111006-1lbrp.html#ixzz1aEzNIbc6http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/halt-ordered-on-shifting-sands-of-half-moon-bay-20111006-1lbrp.html#ixzz1aEzNIbc6http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-04/residents-against-dirt-coloured-sand/3223366?section=vic
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SFA plan to discuss the importance of vegetation to help prevent
cliff erosion, the current state of our cliffs and beaches, how to
create a sense of place, ways to further beautify the cliff top
walks and concerns with the current storm water drain pipes.
Profile of a local resident and her family:
Alison Horton
The Horton family from a recent teaching trip to Santiago, Chile
(Alison is in the middle).
Stephen and Alison and their two girls Ella (13) and Karina (11)
live a very short walk from Half Moon Bay (HMB). Alisons wish was
to have a home close to the beach as she had grown up in country
England on the North Downs. They moved into their Black Rock home
in 1994 after working overseas at the Cleveland Clinic in
Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Photo by Ella Horton (13 years of age).
They all spend a lot of time at the beach as they love diving,
kayaking, snorkelling and swimming, along with exploring the cliffs
and rock pools. Many dead shark eggs have been brought home to
nurture in a bucket
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(until the smell necessitates immediate disposal). Ella loves
taking photos of HMB and often disappears with her mothers camera
to take another sunset on the beach (this is one of hers above).
They visit the beach most days of the year and are keen observers
of the wildlife both above and below the sea. The family joined the
Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Karina enjoys the Little
Nipper program.
Alison is a member of the Sandringham Foreshore Association
(SFA) and only found out about the DSE proposal for the
refurbishment program of Half Moon Bay through Vicki Karalis and
the SFA. They were disappointed that the DSE or council had not
contacted any of the residents. She voiced her concerns through the
SFA, and spoke to all the neighbours or emailed other friends to
inform them of the proposals. She was ecstatic when the proposed
groyne was shelved as the ugly ones on the Sandringham foreshore
could have been avoided with sand replenishment.
Both Alison and Stephen work in cardiac surgery as Perfusionists
at The Royal Childrens Hospital. Stephen initiated the
Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) program and went on to do his
PhD. He is a world authority in pediatric perfusion and his expert
opinion is sought after around the globe.
Alison also works part time at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She
is Chair of the Registration Committee of the Australian and New
Zealand College of Perfusionists and was President for a few years.
With their workload, on call and hospital commitments, Alison felt
that one of them needed to work less. However she fills any spare
moment helping other community clubs. Both Ella and Karina attended
Sandringham Primary School, and they spend a lot of time at the
Thomas Street netball courts!
They love the beach lifestyle and they often use the bike track
to cycle into work. They have watched Black Rock shopping area
develop into a busy caf style area. A recent job offer from the USA
was not tempting enough to move them from this piece of
Paradise.
The Bayside Environment Friends Network:
The Bayside Environment Friends Network (BEFN) is an ambassador
for indigenous vegetation and wildlife. It shares knowledge about
how to protect and foster indigenous plants and habitat and
promotes this.
The BEFN is coordinated by Barbara Jakob. They have a Facebook
page that can be viewed by everyone. It is a public forum and they
welcome your involvement. To open the Facebook page type Bayside
Environment Friends Network Facebook into your browsers search
engine and click on the facebook link.
Otherwise you can email Barbara on [email protected]
The Network offers:
mailto:[email protected]
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Thank you, with kindness
Vicki Karalis
President, SFA
