Burrawang Herald News November 2014

Produced by the Burrawang Wildes Meadow Progress Association

http://www.burrawang-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Barber of Seville

Oz Opera thrilled its audience once again. The Barber of Seville was a high- energy musical performance that showcased incredible talent and engrossed the children from beginning to end. The smiles and excited discussion after the performance were testament to the students’ enjoyment. Our students would like to thank the and District ADFAS for generously allowing our students to access this wonderful opportunity.

Life Education

Life Education, as always, proved to offer valuable learning for all students. The Junior Class learned about healthy eating and keeping safe. The Senior Class participated in learning surrounding peer pressure, medication, illegal and legal drugs, and cyber safety. And of course, everyone enjoyed meeting Happy Harold.

Spelling Bee

On September 2, all students from Stage 2 and Stage 3 STOP PRESS were involved in the Spelling Bee trials. The most Past President, Katherine Wood, was delighted today to accurate spellers from each stage were then selected to receive notification from the Member for Throsby, compete at the Regional Spelling Bee on Thursday, 18 Stephen Jones, that the ANZAC Day sub-committee of September. the Burrawang/Wildes Meadow Progress Association has received a grant of $835 to place a bronze plaque Congratulations to our school Spelling Bee champions – commemorating the centenary of ANZAC on each of our Georgia and Freya Stage 3 and Oscar and Breanna from two War Memorials, one at Burrawang and one at Stage 2 who represented our school at the Regional Finals. Robertson.

Many thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Don’t forget to check out the website1 : www.burrawangvillage.com Burrawang Herald News November 2014

http://www.burrawang-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Year 6 Jerseys Swim School 2014

Our Year 6 students were presented with their jerseys This week we have begun our annual swim school. On at Friday’s assembly. Don’t they look wonderful! A Monday, all students were assessed on their abilities and big thank you to the P&C for ordering and paying for were put into groups, ready for their daily sessions. these.

Burrawang Sporting Achievements.

Zoe & Clancy attended a 'Team Gym' Gymnastics competition in Picton on the weekend. They picked up bronze for their efforts. They represented the Moss Vale Gymnastics club.

Our Burrawang hockey players attended their presentation on the weekend and Emily, Bronte and Aurora received trophies.

Well done girls!

Remembrance Day – School Service

Well done to all of our students who respectfully remembered all those who have fought for our country.

Thank you to Clancy and Freya for reading the poem and ode and leading this ceremony.

INFORMATION & DISCLAIMER This publication is intended to be a Village Newsletter for the distribution of general information and events, not a Broadsheet for political comment. Whilst opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the present Committee of the Association, any information submitted to the Editor which is likely to offend or concern a member or resident, will be withheld from publication. Correspondence in relation to this should be addressed to the Editor, PO Box 3209, Robertson NSW 2577.

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Est. 1883 Burrawang School of Arts Burrawang School of Arts INCORPORATED Duelin' Pianos concert Saturday, 1st November ..... This was once again a wonderful night, filled with fun for all the family, and fabulous music. The boys have now been to Burrawang so often they can almost qualify as locals! Certainly they have become our friends, and say that next time they want to stay the night, and come to the pub afterwards.

DNA Festival - October long weekend...... The inaugural DNA Festival has come and gone, and due to the enormous efforts of a small and wonderfully creative group of people, was a resounding success. The Burrawang School of Arts, who underwrote the event, would like to congratulate the DNA committee, and thank all those who contributed in any way towards making the weekend so successful. For a first-time event, run solely by volunteers, it was amazing.

COMING EVENTS:

Community Christmas Party -Sunday, 14th December 5.30pm at the School of Arts. Sausage Sizzle provided by BSOA BYO Drinks and small plate to share. REGISTRATION NECESSARY FOR CATERING ( by 7th December please ) Bookings on website

www.burrawangvillage.com Merry Christmas and a Happy Or by phone and Healthy New Year. Cath Ward 0405 151 651 Annie Jones 4886 4565 A huge thank you to everyone 0418 272 500 who has supported us throughout the year. Please To all those who we will not continue to attend our events see at the Christmas and join in the fun. Party...... we wish you a very

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The NSW Association has its program organised for 2015 when there are 50 weeks of golf on the list. You don’t not have to be made to play We always have a rest day on golf, but it does help. Wednesday to allow our visitors to This means that apart from the have a look around the district and This is a well known saying, and if it Christmas and New Year period there gain an appreciation of glories that is a veteran week of golf being played is true, there is a lot of insanity in our nature has provided, and also to have ageing population. somewhere in NSW every week. a look at what goes on out of town.

A lot of retired couples who both play The Southern Highlands Veteran Golf Tournaments such as this bring a lot Association has recently held the golf plan their year’s activities around of business in the area for our motels playing in ten or twelve of these annual week of golf which has and caravan parks, and of course, the become a major part of our year’s tournaments to enable them to see all local clubs and restaurants also of NSW over a period of a few years. activities. benefit. Word of mouth is a marvellous form Over 250 golfers from all over NSW Veterans golf has become very participated this year and as usual of advertising, and there is no doubt popular, and any local Association these veterans are doing a very good they were divided into two divisions wishing to hold a week of golf has to and we used two courses on each of job of promoting the State as a whole. plan a long way ahead. four days. Mad perhaps - but very good value.

11 March 2015

4 Burrawang Herald News November 2014 Some History of the Shoalhaven Water Scheme As far as we can ascertain this article was published in our “Herald” in the early 1970’s. A copy was given to me by a long term farming resident, Mr Stan Webb in 1986, and is printed now to complement the current interest being shown by our High School students in the history of this remarkable development.

The Wingecarribee was completed in 1973, and replaced Bowral’s water supply which was contained by a small weir inside the southern end of the new dam wall on the Sheepwash Road. Through Local Eyes

The Wingecarribee - devised by the Water Board, developed and originally operated by , and now managed by the Sydney Catchment Authority. The reservoir receives inflows from Caalong Creek which runs from Robertson through the Wingecarribee Swamp, and joins with water transferred from the , pumped up Barrengarry Mountain from Kangaroo Valley to travel the Fitzroy Falls Dam, and be pumped under Burrawang through a tunnel (large enough to take a cement mixer) into the Wingecarribee Reservoir. Off takes from the Wingecarribee Reservoir are taken down the , which flows to and the for Sydney’s water supply. Water can also be released through the Glenquarry Cut to service the Nepean, Avon and Cordeaux , which service the South Coast. Off takes for the are also available for Council’s local supply.

The was designed Apologies for the photos, they were the “I couldn’t say the extra trade has to commence at Braidwood with the best we could do at the time. been staggering,” he went on, but it construction of the Welcome Reef has certainly helped a lot. Every day “The Scheme’s been a great thing, and Dam, but owing to ecological we had men calling with bulk orders has really taken the cobwebs out of concerns this has not been developed. for cut lunches, fruit, drinks and the place,” Eric Hubbard declared Altogether a truly remarkable feat of cigarettes. Business really picked up unequivocally, leaning across the in some lines - waterbags, overalls Civil Engineering. counter of his time-weathered general and workshirts and the like. And FYI - Eric Hubbard was the father of store in the Southern Highlands we’ve never sold so much soap and Margaret Beaumont who has printed our village of Burrawang. shampoo, which the workmen needed Herald for over ten years. to wash the dust from their hair.” A group of chattering schoolchildren The Hubbard’s quaint old store, Jack McGrath was the father of Norma charged into the store, and jostled where you can buy almost anything Pridgeon, Postmistress in the Old Post around a row of glass lolly jars. As he from drapery to hardware, is as good Office for many years. tried to appease them, Mr Hubbard a yardstick as any of the effects the Llewellyn Wilson lived on the corner of managed at intervals to talk further Hoddle and Crown Streets, beside the about “The Scheme”. Shoalhaven Scheme on a district Hall. where much of Stage 1 has been constructed over the past five years.

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Burrawang a wayside village hidden “The best view away on a green, tree-shrouded around here now. A hillside off the Illawarra Highway few years ago you between Moss Vale and Robertson, is would look down an enchanting relic of yesteryear. there and see only Until the Shoalhaven Scheme began, the reeds along the and the highland works such as edge of the , canals and tunnel were Wingecarribee built in the area, it was very much a Swamp. No doubt moribund backwater. about it, the Scheme’s been a The Scheme gave it a much-needed wonderful thing for boost, and Burrawang is now a place the area.” with a future. Land values have risen with the delightful water views that Along the Robertson around here looking for a block with a can be obtained from the higher road we met another local character, water view,” Mr McGrath says. points in the village - views of both John McGrath. “Lived here all my the Fitzroy Falls and Wingecarribee life,” he says, “and I wouldn’t The Scheme gave a new lease of life reservoirs - and with a rejuvenated exchange Burrawang for any other to Burrawang village. The trade of its interest in the whole area as a tourist place. I’m 83, and still active - only hotel improved enormously, to attraction ad a residential retreat. never bought a packet of aspirins in the extent that the bar had to be my life. I was in the city for a few As Eric Hubbard says: “The greatly enlarged. Accommodation months, an couldn’t take it at all - reservoirs have made a big difference was booked out by construction any longer and my next address to the district, and have really workers, transport drivers and sundry would have been Callen Park. No, transformed the outlook from the other visitors. The hotel leased a Burrawang will do me.” village. I’m quite confident that the neighbouring cottage which was

Scheme will have long-range benefits tenanted by a well-liked group of We ask Mr McGrath about the fame here, especially on the tourist side.” Maori workers. They christened it of the local potato. “There’s none “The Paradise Club”. Burrawang Along the street, shopkeeper Cliff better,” he says. “They say this area residents became accustomed to the Scarlett has similar sentiments. “The produces more money per acre than lilt of Polynesian music and sight of Scheme’s a good thing in my book - any part of the state. And it’s occasional “Maori hangi” as a pig was the best thing that’s ever happened producing more now than ever. baked in traditional style in an around here,” he says. “A few of the When I was a boy, you got two to earthpit fire. locals, mostly affected farmers, were three tons of spuds to the acre, and a bit upset at first. But I’d say most now they’re getting 12 to 14. It’s all The locals recall many “new faces” of them finished up happy - and this volcanic soil, you know. It’s so and new sights and sounds in the some more than happy.” rich that the messmate and gum tree village, but now that it is all over Burrawang retains its rustic charm. A customer, Brian Elliott, joins in the roots go down 30 feet and more. Likewise, the district itself has not conversation. “You’d be flat out to Years ago a fellow came here clearing suffered scenically. It has inherited buy a block of land around here now,” land with a bulldozer, and as he tried two new “showplace” lakes which, he says. “But before the Scheme you to knock one over I told him I had a apart from enhancing the surrounding could have got a block for next to tenner to back the tree. I won, of course.” landscape, are already attracting large nothing. The prices just shot away.” numbers of waterbirds including Mr Elliott points out that many local The several colonies of graceful black residents - mostly farmers’ sons - Shoalhaven swans. Certainly, the highlands is had found employment on the Scheme? living quite contentedly with the Scheme. And he says he personally “Real asset Shoalhaven Scheme. gained by virtue of ‘some very hand to the Indeed, there is today a surprisingly overtime’ in his job at the Berrima district. high degree of acceptance of the works which supplied cement for the Brought a Shoahaven Scheme, both on the various structures. lot of money, and highlands and in the Kangaroo Valley Nearby, we encounter another local it’s not below, as something good for the identity 80-year-old Mr Llewellyn finished yet region as well as for Sydney and the Wilson, enjoying the sunshine of a - only the South Coast whose urban dwellers crisp winter’s morning on the front other day I will benefit directly. porch of his house next to the School had a city of Arts. “My favourite spot,” he says. bloke Part II in the next Herald. 6 Burrawang Herald News November 2014

THE BURRAWANG WILDES MEADOW COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS In September the newly elected and the grant will lapse shortly if Council accordingly on the basis of Burrawang & Wildes Meadow approval is not obtained from the grassed walkways. Progress Association committee Progress Association. On this basis conducted a survey of residents of the Committee is liaising with 4.NUMBERING/ADDRESSING Burrawang and Wildes Meadow to Council to obtain final detailed plans, OF HOMES determine community priorities and and will support the building of the Some residents have expressed canvas resident’s views on a number shelter as planned. frustration that the existing of issues. numbering/addressing of their homes 2.TURNING LANE FROM THE is unclear and has caused problems The surveys were hand delivered in an ILLAWARRA HIGHWAY INTO with mail deliveries etc. Only 5% of attempt to ensure that everyone had CHURCH STREET responses advised of a problem and the opportunity to participate. Of the Discussions are ongoing with RMS to the Committee has recommended that several hundred delivered 63 surveys make this turn safer by creating a those concerned contact Jan Giblin, were returned. Thank you to all those channelised turnoff bay. As locals we Rural Addressing Officer at Council. who responded. are all aware how dangerous this turn

To all those who are not members of can be and the number of accidents 5. TREESCAPING the Association we exhort you to which have occurred recently. To comply with regulations the power companies are authorised to lop any consider membership as the work of 92% of responses agreed this is a this Association can directly impact vegetation that grows too close to priority. Follow-up discussions with power lines. This has produced on your community. the RMS has revealed this work is misshapen trees in the villages, The results of the survey are scheduled for late 2015, at the adversely affecting their summarised below and the Progress earliest. The Committee are working attractiveness. Association will organise a public to move this schedule forward, meeting at the hall in late November although it is not certain this will be 84% of responses agreed that to give residents a further opportunity possible. addressing this issue should be a to express their views. priority. There were some powerful 3. PATHS IN THE VILLAGES adverse comments.

1.BUS SHELTER The Committee has been asked to approach the Council with a view to The Committee has contacted the The previous Committee had obtained Council who have advised they have a Council grant to erect a bus shelter creating proper paths a) from the centre of Burrawang to the churches, no authority and this is the on the north side of Hoddle Street responsibility of the power companies outside the school. This was and b) from the centre down to the hockey fields. These walks can ( in our case). The conditional upon the shelter being a Committee are following up with standard modern design to satisfy currently be dangerous for pedestrians, particularly Endeavour. One solution is to insulate development regulations. the lines which is feasible as it is done schoolchildren. 62% of responses were in favour of elsewhere and has the potential to the bus shelter as planned, with 30% 68% of responses agreed this should save money. We have been advised against. 73% wanted clear side panels be a priority. However, many there is widespread frustration across and 67% wanted a varnished timber expressed the view that the ‘rural the Southern Highlands and beyond seat. Some residents expressed look’ of the village should be with the current lopping concerns that this design will protected by avoiding concrete paths arrangements, which completely negatively impact the rural etc. disenfranchise residents and their Council representatives. appearance of the village. The Committee agreed further work

is required to establish feasibility, Discussions are ongoing with Council 6. PLAYGROUNDS regarding the design but it appears cost, and environmental impact and Residents have complained that the that despite the Committee’s best discussions have been initiated with two playgrounds in Burrawang, efforts the design cannot be amended Continued page 9

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Battle of the Banger Burrawang Cup (20th Year) If you we've been visiting Iceland or This years contest was at Mt another planet and haven't heard, Gibraltar with 28 players. Schoey and Geo bought home the trophy to Burrawang after defeating 2014 winner was James Handley all comers for this prestigious honour. who was presented with the trophy by last year’s winner Mike Bolton. Well done Lads A good day had by all.

Fishing & Social Club Xmas Dinner Friday, 5 December $45 PP book & pay at Hotel Tranny Trivia Includes Pre Dinner drinks 6 pm to Has had a great turnout every month, 6.30 pm looking forward to some more fun and Seafood Platter quiz on Wednesday, 3 December. Entree Chef cooked BBQ and Salads Xmas Eve DJ Music by Kenovotion. Santa arrives -----////---- at 6 pm David Helfgott’s impromptu Pub performance was a special night for those who had the chance to meet Hotel closed Xmas, Boxing & and greet him. New Year’s Days

Happy 18th birthday to Erica Longhurst Thanks to Clive, Lucille, Jennifer, in October. Simon and Beth

A welcome to all the new residents who have moved into the village.

Our thoughts have been with the Heath and Deveson families on the sad loss of Lisa.

She will always hold a special place in the hearts of all who knew her.

Please watch this space In the next edition there will be a tribute to a Dear Friend and Truly Philanthropic Resident Warwick Vyner

Anyone wishing to place an article or an advertisement in the 2014 Herald please address it to the Editor, PO Box 3209, Robertson NSW 2577, or could help with delivery, please contact Cathy Allen on 4886 4346, email: [email protected]

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From page 7 http://www.burrawang-p.schools.nsw.edu.au particularly the one near the school, were poorly maintained. K-2 class Great news! Our mealworms have 54% of responses thought this should finally completed their be a priority for the PA, with 33% transformation. After turning into against. The Committee has taken pupa last term, over the holidays this up with the Council and will they have now turned into darkling keep residents advised on beetles. discussions. This term our new science unit is called “What’s it made of?” We 7. OTHER ISSUES will be exploring the properties of The following is a summary of other objects and materials found in our matters raised by residents: school. Our Kinders completing a 100’s chart puzzle in Maths. This week our new Lego story Village entrances kits arrived and we are looking 60% of responses were in favour of forward to creating some exciting Second Kindergarten orientation improving the entrances to the stories using these an the iPads, as for 2015 villages from the Illawarra Highway part of our literacy program. by lighting signs and listing Last Wednesday was the second of amenities etc., 35% were against. our three 2015 Kindergarten Orientations. Already our new Road Surfaces Kinders are enjoying being part of 65% of responses were in favour of school life and are settling in beautifully. improving road surfaces especially from the churches to Wildes Our last session will be held in Week Meadow. 8 (after swim school has finished.) On this day our Kinders will stay Promoting the villages until recess break. I will also be 59% of responses were in favour of holding a short parent information promoting the area via the tourist session during the last half hour of Parent helpers association and by other means, 35% this time. were against this. As always, we are looking for parent/community helpers to Hoddle Street lighting assist in the classrooms with a variety of activities, and also to 48% of responses were in favour of assist with laminating and book better street lighting in Hoddle Street, covering. with 41% against. Campers These issues require further A photo from the Years 5 & 6 consideration in the light of Camp residents’ visions for the nature of our villages and the committee will “We all thought that camp was continue to canvas community views the greatest experience of our about matters which affect us. lives.”

Alex Campbell President Burrawang & Wildes Meadow Progress Association

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http://www.burrawang-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Moss Vale Community of Schools Award

Congratulations to Burrawang School who received an award at last week’s Come Together awards at the Sydney Town Hall.

This award recognised the great work that our school does as part of its connection with the local Moss Vale schools.

above all, we’d like to thank everyone The inaugural Burrawang DnA the Saturday celebration was driven who came along and made the Festival, held over the October long by local Julijana Griffiths of “A Year Festival everything we had hoped it weekend was a huge success that in My Garden” blog. could be. And the people of celebrated the designers and artisans Burrawang for all their great support.” of the Southern Highlands. Festival organiser, Rob Macdonald said “It really went as well as we Workshops put together by Brooke An initiative of a small group of could have hoped for. Burrawang Munro and Beth Macdonald were also Burrawang volunteers, Burrawang was full of people, and the general held throughout the weekend. They came alive with an estimated 2,500 atmosphere was fantastic.” were mostly a sell out and a huge plus people coming through the success adding to the creative exhibition over two days. An Local artist and weaver Harriet atmosphere throughout the village all enormous achievement that gave a Goodall designed the School of Arts weekend. major boost to the local economy. halls to accommodate over 20 exhibitors. “The halls looked All in all an outstanding event, an The weekend kicked off with a hugely fantastic”, said Macdonald, “Harriet initiative for the Southern Highlands successful fund raiser at the Robertson really did a wonderful job coming up that highlighted Burrawang as a farm of Skye and David Leckie. Skye with a design that so effectively village punching above it’s weight. very generously put this together with separated each exhibitor but also assistance from Michael Yabsley, Jan brought them together cohesively into All thanks to the amazing talent and Campbell, Elizabeth Crundall and a one exhibition space.” months of dedication from local Rob band of helpers. Macdonald of “We want to thank the School of Arts thebutterflyarmoury.com.au, and Saturday night saw a sold out event at for their support and all the the rest of the DnA organising team; the Burrawang Village Hotel, with volunteers who helped bring the idea Beth Macdonald of BabyMac.com live music, a live painting kindly to life, John Olsen AO OBE our fame, whose blog coverage helped donated by renowned Robertson artist, Patron, all of the exhibitors who drive up the numbers over the Carlos Barrios, food stalls and a truly worked so hard to get their works weekend, Brooke Munro, Zvoni wonderful atmosphere. Over 350 together for the festival, Skye & Hodak, Julijana Griffiths, Cath Ward, people packed the hotel grounds under David Leckie, Lawson Auctioneers Michael Lynch, Patsy Peacock and a perfect spring sky. Organisation of and LatteLife our media partner, but School of Arts committee members.

Thank you to the small band of volunteers who help with the delivery of the Herald each issue.

If you have a couple of hours to spare once every three months, please ring Cathy Allen 4886 4346

10 Burrawang Herald News November 2014 State Indoor Hockey Selection

Congratulations to both Tessa Good and Jack Donovan on their selection in the NSW State Indoor Hockey teams.

Tessa was selected in the NSW Under 14 Invitational team which will be held in Canberra, 23-25 January 2015 and ... Jack will represent NSW in the Under 18’s State Team in Melbourne 15-18 January 2015.

Congratulations to these Burrawang Hockey Club Juniors.

Left - Schoey and Geo celebrate after their ‘Battle of the Banger’ win.

Right top, centre and bottom - A good time was had by all at the recent Hockey Club annual presentation and fancy dress evening.

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Wednesday 7:30 pm - 9 pm Rural Fire Service, Fire Shed Steve Horton 4886 4232 3, 10, 17

Wednesday 3 6:30 pm Tranny Trivia at Burrawang Hotel Byron Woolfrey 4886 4206

Friday 5 6 pm Fishing Club pre-dinner drinks then Christmas Byron Woolfrey 4886 4206 dinner at Hotel Monday 8 5:30 pm Burrawang School of Arts monthly meeting Annie Jones 0418 272 500

Sunday 14 5:30 pm Annie Jones 0418 272 500 Cath Ward 0405 151 651 Wednesday 6 pm 24

Wednesday 7:30 pm - 9 pm Rural Fire Service, Fire Shed Steve Horton 4886 4232 14, 21, 28

Wednesday 7 6:30 pm Tranny Trivia at Burrawang Hotel Byron Woolfrey 4886 4206

Monday 13 5:30 pm Burrawang School of Arts monthly meeting Annie Jones 0418 272 500

Wednesday 4, 7:30 pm - 9 pm Rural Fire Service, Fire Shed Steve Horton 4886 4232 11, 18, 25 Wednesday 4 6.30 pm Tranny Trivia at Burrawang Hotel Byron Woolfrey 4886 4206

Monday 9 5:30 pm Burrawang School of Arts monthly meeting Annie Jones 0418 272 500 Friday 27 7:30 pm Movie in School of Arts - “Charade” Michael Kelly 4886 4323

Wednesday 4 6:30 pm Tranny Trivia at Burrawang Hotel Byron Woolfrey 4886 4206

Wednesday 4, 7:30 pm - 9 pm Rural Fire Service, Fire Shed Steve Horton 4886 4232 11, 18, 25 Monday 9 5:30pm Burrawang School of Arts monthly meeting Annie Jones 0418 272 500

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