August 23 - 29, 2015: Issue 228
Congratulations Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin - GOLD in Aquece Rio Olympic Test Event 2015
Pittwater's Waterhouse and Darmanin racing this week - photo ©Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / ISAF
Pittwater's Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin have won gold in the Nacra 17 early this morning our time in Rio. The duo finished within the top eight in every race this week and had a few firsts.
"This has been a really tricky week and we are super stoked," said Waterhouse through a beaming smile. "I'm so proud of my cousin Lisa and we've been working to do this together for about eight years now and there's one more goal in mind and that's where we are heading. This is just an awesome way to end it with one year to go." reports ISAF's Daniel Smith.
"It's great to win this week but we want to be winning in 348 days' time," commented Darmanin. "Every one of those days is going to count and we're just going to keep working really hard to make sure we will be there then."
Fellow Australian Sailing Team Members Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS), took gold in the Men's 470 a few hours later at the Olympic test event. On Friday AST's Tom Burton (NSW) won the bronze medal in the One Person Dinghy - Laser, at the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
Pittwater's Waterhouse and Darmanin racing this morning - our time - photo ©Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / ISAF
Oxford Falls/North Narrabeen Hazard Reduction burn from support helicopter - picture courtesy Ingleside RFS
Ingleside + 14 other NSWRFS Brigades conducted a Hazard Reduction burn in the Oxford Falls/North Narrabeen area around Middle & Deep Creeks near Wakehurst Parkway on Friday. Residents saw smoke in the area throughout the afternoon as 80 volunteer RFS fire fighters worked on this important burn.A helicopter was in the air, assisting with the burn including deploying aerial incendiaries to the ground to assist in lighting. This area last burnt in the 1994 Bushfires and the ground fuel was quite high prior to Hazard Reduction.
Working until midnight on Friday, Warringah & Pittwater NSWRFS Brigades at Narabang Way, Belrose conducted another Hazard Reduction Burn.
On Saturday Ingleside + 5 Warringah & Pittwater NSWRFS Brigades conducted a Hazard Reduction Burn in the Powder Works Rd, Ingleside area.
NPWS Director Metro and Mountains, Mr Tom Bagnat stated on Thursday August 20th that a series of hazard reduction burns totalling almost 5,000 hectares would be completed by NPWS fire experts, in conjunction with NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW).
“These burns are strategically undertaken to increase protection for homes and properties during summer, with the involvement of a number of agencies that include the RFS and FRNSW,” said Mr Bagnat.
People in smoke affected areas, with asthma or who are susceptible to respiratory problems, are advised to take necessary precautions during burning operations.
The hazard reduction burns are part of the NSW Government’s $62.5 million package to boost bushfire preparedness and double hazard reduction in the State’s national parks, where conditions allow. With the assistance of the Enhanced Bushfire Management Program, NPWS plans to burn an average of over 135,000 hectares per year, through more than 800 individual hazard reduction activities.
Pittwater Community Service Award 2015: Commodore Graham Sloper Rtd.
Commodore Graham Sloper (RAN RTd.), Hon. Robert Stokes - MP for Pittwater and Danni Sloper
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes announced retired Commodore Graham Sloper AM as the recipient of the 2015 Pittwater Community Service Award on Thursday August 20th.
The award was presented at an annual reception for community leaders at Mona Vale Golf Club and recognises outstanding voluntary service to the Pittwater community.
Commodore Sloper is the President of Avalon Beach RSL Sub Branch, founder and convenor of the annual Avalon Beach Military Tattoo, Vice-President of the Northern Beaches RSL District Council, a member of the Northern Beaches Anzac Centenary Committee and has been instrumental in helping improve veterans’ support services on the Northern Beaches.
On Saturday we spoke to Mr. Sloper about recent changes at Veteran’s Centre Sydney Northern Beaches - who are looking for more people to be Pension and Welfare Officers and need the services of a Barrister.
More HERE
Pittwater Friends of Soibada Update
PFOS Volunteers Rob Romer, Robert Johnson and Ian Laidlaw in Soibada - picture by Rebecca Ashton
The Pittwater Friends of Soibada are holding a Fundraising Cocktail Party at the Royal Motor Yacht Club on Saturday August 29th and have recently launched their Buy A Brick - build my future initiative to support children's education in Pittwater's sister village in Timor Leste.
Chairperson of the PFOS, Tamara Sloper Harding provides an insight into the volunteers most recent trip in July HERE
Mona Vale Hospital's New Community Health Centre: Construction View
The new Community Health Centre at Mona Vale Hospital - taken from Mona Vale Golf club this week.
Find out more HERE
McCarr's Creek Reserve
McCarr's Creek Reserve - by Bea Pierce, 2015
A feast for the eyes this week celebrates McCarr's Creek - beautiful pictures by Pittwater's Bea Pierce HERE