LOVING MOSMAN & IT'S PEOPLE

A Wednesday selection of our 'Older Adults' Class of 2016
with our valiant leader, Clinton  (Front Centre)

Here we are at our last session at 'Fitness First, Mosman' for 2016 as we follow Clinton's instructions and benefit from his expertise and encouragement.  He tailors his classes to suit a wide diversity in fitness goals and physical ability levels and the participants, including myself, have expressed improvement in functional fitness. 

Often supported by TRX 's  we perform mainly strengthening and balancing exercises, with other mat exercises such as 'plank' and push-ups "groan", all of which assist in maintaining fitness and flexibility.  

He will often explain why a particular movement relates to daily life such as enabling good balance if you trip, making the movement more meaningful; partnering up occasionally in an activity adds to the important social aspect.

Most of us have been attending the 3 half hour a week sessions all year and intend to continue next year, hopefully with Clinton, but we are confident that if he is unable to take the class that he will ensure that we are looked after to continue our good work.

At the same time we enjoy the company of other people and afterwards often share viewpoints over a cup of coffee. 

There are many thoughtful and caring people around Mosman; our group was fortunate to have such a motivated instructor. Thanks Clinton.

 

Seagulls at Balmoral

Posted on November 24, 2016by Foreshore Flavour

Seagull The gull turns on the wind and its brief shadow falls cleanly through the wave on rippled sand. In stone, its flight is stayed… A moment weathering into eternity. David Campbell 1915 – 1979

Sydney sandstone rock carvings
Rock engravings, cave stencils remain to chronicle the past

The rock is soft enough to have enabled the Aboriginals to engrave images. 
Images around Balmoral are mainly aquatic with cave stencils of whales, sharks, stingrays, echidnas and human hands.  Images date from 5000 BC to as recently as 200 years ago.       Time and Tide    Gavin Souter

For the love of Balmoral          Photos taken proudly on my trusty Canon          Claire

For information as to how you can play a part  re  Keeping Mosman independent and therefore maintaining  our favourite beach as it is, visit the MAFA website,  Mosman Against Forced Amalgamation.       mafa2016.wordpress.com

HANDS OFF THE BEACH!

Posted on October 12, 2016by Foreshore Flavour

Balmoral Beach has to be the ultimate in fun for kids during the school holidays – scooting along the promenade,  making friends with dogs, chasing seagulls, paddling and getting one’s clothes wet.  Wonderfully simple, timeless activities which children have been enjoying for centuries.  It’s even unnecessary (at the moment with our free parking) to have to dip into one’s pockets, except to buy the odd ice cream or drink.  

History tells us that if the public had not rallied in the 1930s, there may have been a fenced-off area the full length of Edwards Beach which would have been revenue producing, with admission being charged to swimmers wishing to avail themselves to six acres of shark proof water.  

There was public opposition  to this council initiative and the outcry from residents was deafening :-

 HANDS OFF THE BEACH!    HANDS OFF THE BEACH!! 

The protest was led by Julian Howard Ashton, a son of Julian Ashton, “We are not hostile to the Council.  We are opposed to any scheme which will fence off the beach against the public.”

A compromise was reached in 1935  when the council accepted a tender for the steel net enclosure to be suspended between the Island and a tripod opposite the northern edge of the Pavilion.

A good model of ‘People Power’ and ‘Democracy in Action’.  

For the love of Mosman– Claire

For information as to how you can play a part  re  Keeping Mosman Independent and therefore maintaining  our favourite beach as it is, visit:-MAFA website,  Mosman Against Forced Amalgamation.       mafa2016.wordpress.com

Foreshore Integrity Retained

8/7/16  A letter from Kate Eccles – Mosman Parks and Bushland

The Council meeting on Tuesday 5th July produced an excellent outcome for Harnett Park.  http://portal.mosman.nsw.gov.au/temp/ViewedDocs/08072016-4951690-104641-1.pdf
The Development Application for an extension to the Scout Hall adding a kayak shed was refused. The proposed new building would have covered close to half of this little piece of waterfront green space… 

Many thanks to all those who made an effort on behalf of this beautiful little piece of public land, to maintain its integrity.

Sincerely,

Kate Eccles

CAFE & PICNIC PLANS IDEAS FOR HMAS PLATYPUS DEVELOPMENT

As a lover of picnics and an advocate for appropriate use of our foreshores to the community, I was delighted to read about how the SHFT is surveying the community view.  Let's hope that the public are listened to re this exciting use our glorious foreshores.  Claire

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust held an open day in May at the former site of the HMAS Platypus site to ask for community views as to its redevelopment.

The Mosman Daily recently reported, 'The survey found they (the community) would like cafes, cultural activities and picnic areas... Platypus has undergone a $43 million cleanup to remove pollutants from its days as a gasworks.

Earlier this year it was revealed that $20 million in federal funding is also on track for the park.'


A framework for the remediation, rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the former HMAS Platypus site to provide a sequence of new public waterfront places can be accessed here. Click here for Further information

1917-1919: A rare image of Australia's submarine depot ship HMS PLATYPUS at Devonport in WWI Royal Navy Service - RAN.  Photo - RAN Historical, Heritage collection

Guardianship of Mosman’s Harbour Foreshores

1890's Streeton and Roberts, "pulled through the lazy green water
and lunched in the shade and in the open air"
to join their fellow artists under canvas
in camps set up by Hopkins and Ashton.
" 'Til  matrimony claimed their souls."

 

“I shout and laugh at my immense wealth, 

all free and without responsibility.  

Who could steal this from me?  

No one!” Arthur Streeton 

by Foreshore Flavour

The Heads, Sydney’s gateway to the world, have witnessed the parade of vessels as they voyaged to and from the distant world.  ‘THROUGH THE HEADS to Balmoral, Sydney’ takes a nostalgic viewing point and is dedicated to all caretakers, past and present, of our magnificent harbour foreshores.  Mosman Council is acknowledged for its demonstrated energy re the development and management of Balmoral, along with the vigilance of residents in their continued role of protecting and valuing many Mosman’s historical and cultural sites.
Arthur Streeton ‘From My Camp’  1896 Art Gallery of NSW	The same site today  – Camp Curlew Photo – Christopher Maait
	“Our foreshores have it all: natural bushland, history, cultural heritage.”

THROUGH THE HEADS to Balmoral, Sydney ‘delivered’!

Posted on March 7, 2016by Foreshore Flavour

Photo – Christopher Maait  – Paul Delprat referring to the chapter ‘Generations of Artists’ “this Golden thread of overlapping lives of informed and dedicated artistic scholarship” … referring to his great grandfather, Julian Ashton – Grand old man of Australian Art

The metaphor of ‘delivery’ was coined by Zena Shapter, Wonder woman, who cast herself in the role of the assisting midwife between the draft and the compiling of the final book. The last 6 months before meeting Zena could be likened to ‘Eternal Groundhog Day in the Wilderness’ as I struggled with the E-book technology etc.    Thanks to her expertise,  we finally made it.

There were many people to thank for their contributions, both artistically, with stories and insights and with their support.  And a special thanks now to John Young who is kindly helping with the next step of the journey ie getting the book out there.

It was a fun night at the Horizon Terrace at the RS Club,  introduced by Carolyn Corrigan, Mosman’s deputy mayor and followed by an amusing recount of childhood memories at Balmoral by David Boddam-Whetham.

Claire

‘THROUGH THE HEADS to Balmoral, Sydney’ is published.

Pages & Pages  - Window Display

For over 40 millenia the indigenous Australians lived and ate along our abundant coastline of beaches
and bush. Then these foreshores provided a casual picnic playground for the early Sydney elite as they began to enjoy the freedom of the outdoor life. Today, both locals and visitors embrace these now public parklands as a beautiful, natural environment to be appreciated and enjoyed.

‘THROUGH THE HEADS to Balmoral, Sydney’
Taking Balmoral as the epitome of it all, I now trace the past and present development of Sydney’s abundant foreshores. This includes the people, the land and the food. I’ve zoomed in, from the perspective of The Heads, which ‘define and defend the entrance to our harbour.’ The gap between The Heads holds compelling prospects, as the massive protective arms stretch out, giving shelter from  the direct onslaught of the Tasman Sea.

Sydney Harbour became a container for those condemned by His Majesty’s Court when the First Fleet carried the first immigrants, whose labour would forge the new colony into a nation.
For over two centuries, the parade of vessels has passed through The Heads as they voyaged to and from the distant world.

Picnic suggestions are made with the emphasis on simplicity and seasonal, local produce. Shared platters and finger food dominate, reflecting the fusion style of our innovative Australian cuisine today.
Whether you’re at Balmoral Beach or your own special place, I hope you enjoy our harbour foreshores and picnics as much as I do.  Claire

Sometime in 2017 - when Mosman becomes part of the Greater Manly Council

A Prediction        

by  Greg Sommers

Residents of the area, formerly known as Mosman, have been asking whether the rat run that has long been closed on Awaba Street, will be re-opened by the Greater Manly Council?

A photo of the Awaba Street dead end  (attached 

for archive purposes.)

A renowned futurologist, was recently asked for his views on this question.  Here is what he had to say:

Based on the Spit Junction Masterplan of 2012, Greater Manly Council will adopt a new LEP allowing 8-10 storey buildings on the arterial roads of Mosman. This is pretty much a given. Please excuse me for referring to South Manly as Mosman. I keep slipping back into the old name for this area. 

    Traffic congestion will increase significantly in South Manly due to the influx of hundreds of new vehicles into the area, courtesy of the building of high rise apartments.    The bulk of residents of Greater Manly however live north of the Spit Bridge which makes South Manly their major thoroughfare to the city, eastern suburbs and inner west.

    The majority will win this battle and it is highly likely that the  councillors representing South Manly, 20% will be unable to influence the 80% of other councillors. 

He was then asked how would such congestion be dealt with. Surely the Government has some plan?

    Yes, the Government has a plan; but that plan has nothing to do with the lower north shore. New road or rail infrastructure is not a goer for the lower north shore. The poles and powerline billions will be spent in the west.
 As such you don't need a crystal ball to see that traffic congestion on Military and Spit Road is likely to worsen.
    Something has to give and more rat runs will need to be created. My view is that it is inevitable that Awaba Street will have to be unblocked to allow cars to race up Awaba Street all the way to Macpherson Street to help relieve   traffic congestion on Military and Spit Roads.

     After all a bit of pain for South Manly will be acceptable for the good of most of the residents of Greater Manly.


This ominous prediction completed the interview.

    My prediction is supported by the Duncan Gay decision in respect of the Beauty Point Rat Run. The closure of that rat run wasn't even allowed to go to the full length of the trial closure.

    There is also a good chance that this rat run will be made a permanent rat run available twenty for hours a day.

C'MON MOSMAN!! DO WE REALLY WANT TO BECOME part of 'GREATER MANLY'?

MAFA addressed a packed auditorium at Mosman RS Club
on Monday evening

The appalling plan was discussed  where Mosman, with the current amalgamation boundaries, would be destined to be absorbed into 'Greater Manly'.

Lost for polite words, ALL THAT CAN BE SAID  - LOUDLY & CLEARLY...

SAY NO TO MOSMAN BECOMING 'GREATER MANLY'

PEOPLE POWER WON THE DAY THEN AND CAN DO NOW. C'MON MOSMAN!!

Edwards Beach, Balmoral  was retained, 
thanks to People Power and Mosman Council 
which listened to, and was able to act upon local issues. 

Help to keep Mosman independent by attending the Mosman Community Meeting  - 

Monday 8 February, 6 pm at the the Mosman's Returned Service Club

FYI -'People Power' - 
Extract from 'THROUGH THE HEADS   to  Balmoral, Sydney'  

Shark Barriers at Balmoral -     One of the rejected  ideas was a 'Blackpool- style pier’ extending from the Island towards Wy-ar-gine, parallel with Edwards Beach. At the end of the pier there was to be a four towered edifice which would have dwarfed the future Bathers Pavilion and from there to the Wy-ar-gine rocks, a shark barrier was to be built.’ 

Fear of sharks  - shark barriers 

   From the cliff tops, silhouettes of Blue Pointers and Bronze Whalers were sometimes seen cruising over the white sandy bottom of the fish channel between Wy-ar-gine Point and the Spit.  

The danger was well known as Watkin Tench in 1788 wrote, “Sharks of an enormous size are found here.”  and “One of these was caught by the people on board the Sirius, which measured at the shoulders six feet and one of d a half in circumference…”


Various solutions had been suggested, one of which included ‘a Blackpool- style pier’  - see above which was rejected.  Another of Council’s initiatives was to erect a shark proof barrier along the full length of Edwards Beach.  This was to be made of turpentine piles and battens and would be revenue producing by  fencing in the beach and charging admission  for swimmers wishing to avail themselves to six acres of shark-free water.
The outcry from residents was deafening.  

“Hands off the Beach! Hands off the Beach!” was a public rallying cry in 1930, adopted by those who were opposed to Council’s initiative re their response to the problem of shark attacks.  A Beaches Defence Committee was formed against the turnstile component of the barrier plan and at an overflowing Town Hall meeting in 1930; the protest was led by Julian Howard Ashton, a son of Julian Rossi Ashton.  “We are not hostile to the Council.  We are opposed to any scheme which will fence off the beach against the public.”



In 1935 the Council accepted a tender for the steel net enclosure to be suspended between the Island and a tripod opposite the northern end of the Pavilion.   There were no shark attacks in Mosman waters during the next four decades probably because of the meshing program inside and outside the Heads and the proliferation of powered water craft.      Summarised from Mosman  - A History   Gavin Souter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Why Mosman Matters

Some facts

It's unique in so many ways; historically, its cultural heritage and natural beauty along with it's village atmosphere and community spirit.

If the proposed amalgamation with Manly and Warringah, for which the government has no mandate, goes ahead, Mosman would no longer be the same Mosman we know and love.

Details of how you can help prevent this happening are found in the previous post.  

Claire 

My Camp - Arthur Streeton

Mosman residents want to control their future and Keep Mosman Independent!

Mosman would only have 2/10 councillors on the amalgamated mega-Council. We would be outvoted on all Mosman issues 


Mosman would lose its sense of heritage, local community, and volunteer spirit 


Mosman would lose control over development applications and planning 


Mosman would suffer over-development and increased traffic flow  


Mosman would suffer increased council rates and lose control over spending 

Proud to be Mosman - let's keep it that way!

Hi there

I love Mosman and, like many others, want it to remain as the unique place we have the privilege to live with on a daily basis.

 I fail to see how this will happen if the proposed amalgamation takes place, because with a representation of 2 out of 10 councillors, we'll lose control of how council rates are spent.

MOSMAN COUNCIL:- 

Proud to be Mosman  |  Protecting our heritage  |  Planning our future | Involving our community

If you agree with these community goals, you can make a difference now  by responding to the action plan as set out below.     Claire

MAFA supports SOCC

Outcomes of Amalgamation

1. Your rates will rise by up to 50% as Mosman land values are high relative to Manly and Warringah
2.  BUT we will lose all control over how council rates are spent.  
   With only 2 out of 10 councillors we will be out-voted on all Mosman-specific issues
3. Mosman will no longer determine its own development applications and we will likely see a surge in high-rise

What you can do?   (Priorities in date order)

Priority 1 - Attend  a public meeting on Tuesday,  2 February 

at Manly Golf Club, 38-40 Balgowlah Rd, Balgowlah, NSW 2093. 

Manly Council Notification of public inquiry into the proposal to amalgamate or alter the boundaries of local government areas Manly, Mosman and (part) of Warringah.

Members of the public who would like to attend the meeting are requested to register prior at: www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au
or call 1300 813 020 before 12 noon, Friday 29 January 2016.  Also register if you wish to ask a question of  Michael Bullen, the Delegate who will assess the proposal in accordance with the provisions of the Act.      

There are 2 sessions – either 1:00pm to 5:00pm and 7:00pm to 10:00pm

There is a free Mosman Council bus service – call 9978 4109 to book your seat

Priority 2  - 

Join us at our Mosman community meeting, 

at Mosman RS Club, 6pm, Monday 8 February 

The purpose of this meeting is to fully inform residents on every aspect of this forced amalgamation proposal.

Priority 3 - Make your written submission to the NSW Government by 5pm, Sunday 28  February, to GPO Box 5341, Sydney, NSW 2001 or online here http://bit.ly/1QnQySk

More Information

Visit www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or 1300 813 02

1. 
   

For a wider perspective, Save Our Councils Coalition is a cross-council non-politically-aligned coalition of metro and regional councils. They are having their next public meeting at 11:30am on Saturday 30 January, at Strathfield Town Hall – all members of the public are welcome. More details from facebook.com/saveourcouncils/ or saveourcouncilsnsw.com.