HALLIDAYS POINT SOCIAL TRIATHLON GROUP

 DUATHLON FOR WINTER

With the onset of colder weather, the June, July and August sessions of the Hallidays Point Social Triathlon Group will eliminate the swim leg and concentrate on just the 20km mountain bike ride through state forests and the 8km run through the Black Head and Red Head reserves and along Black Head beach.

The winners of the June sessions were Dan Warren (male) and Helen Pursch (female), pictured being congratulated by the Group’s co-ordinator Peter Ryall.

Times were down on previous sessions because of the boggy track, especially in the bike leg where both bikes and competitors needed a good hose down when they returned.

The record times for the Group are:

SWIM: (32 laps of Black Head pool): Dan Warren (15:58) on 26/4/09.

BIKE: (20km): Rhett Pattison (49:04) on 26/4/09.

RUN: (8km): Scott Davies (33:52) on 21/12/08.

The next session will be held on Sunday July 26 commencing at 7.30am. Meet at the Black Head pool. All are welcome, and as this is a social event, you enter at your own risk. All ages and levels of ability (especially beginners) are welcome. Compete in both legs, just one, or even parts of the legs - it’s up to you! Breakfast afterwards.

For further details, contact the co-ordinator Peter Ryall on 6559-2780, or see Natalie Carrier at Futures Real Estate opposite Coles in Black Head.

SENIORS ART EXHIBITION

Librarian Diane Emms and tutor Noel Sulman at the official opening of the exhibition.

The artists from the HALLIDAYS POINT DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION invite you to an exhibition of their works at the Hallidays Point Library from June 17 until July 8 2009. Hours of opening are Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm, and Saturday 10am - 12 noon.

The works cover charcoal, pastel, acrylic and mixed media on paper, canvas and board.

Many are unframed and the works may be purchased at realistic prices.

Come along and see the diversity of local talent!

HALLIDAYS POINT SOCIAL TRIATHLON GROUP

PATTISON CLOSE TO RECORD

Rhett Pattison was outside the record time of 1:47:00 held jointly by himself and Dan Warren in winning the May session held by the Hallidays Point Social Triathlon Group.

His split times of 16:00 (1km swim), 49.25 (20km bike ride) and 43.05 (8km run) gave him an overall time of 1:48:30.

First female home was Natalie Carrier in a time of 2:09:45.

During the winter months, the Group will continue to meet on the last Sunday of each month, but will eliminate the swim and revert to a duathlon - 1.5km run, 20km bike ride, and then an 8km run.

The next session will be held on Sunday June 28 commencing at 7.30am at the Black Head pool. Those wishing to do the swim leg can do so at 7am. Remember, this is a social gathering, so you enter at your own risk. All ages and levels of abilities (including beginners) are welcome.

For further details, contact the co-ordinator Peter Ryall on 6559-2780 or see Natalie Carrier at Futures Real Estate.

Pictured are the May female winners Natalie Carrier (first) and Helen Pursch (second).

DAD’S ARMY

For over 20 years, a dedicated group of local volunteers, affectionately known as “Dad’s Army” has been cleaning the Black Head pool.

On a regular basis (anywhere between weekly and every 3 weeks, depending on conditions and the quality of the water), Dad’s Army empties the pool, scrubs the pool and its surrounds, and refills it with fresh ocean water.

The pool is closed for a few hours while the cleaning takes place. For cleaning times, see the sign on Dad’s Army’s shed adjacent to the pool.

Donations from the public, which can be dropped into the donation box at the shed,  help Dad’s Army maintain the pool in pristine condition.

VOLUNTEER GRANT FOR RED HEAD

A Federal Government Volunteer Grant has enabled the Red Head Community Group to purchase a ride-on lawnmower.

Red Head Community Group President Bill Gillis said that the mower would be used to maintain the land around the various sites that have been developed by Group members. He said that a particular area of use would be the roadside verge at the top of Redhead Road, where the group has been active in planting and maintaining native trees and shrubs.

The photo on the left shows Ron Brown test-driving the mower, watched by, from left, Group members Rob Haeney and Leo Pitt, and Chelmsford Farm Machinery’s Ron Little. In the second photo Leo Pitt (right) hands the Volunteer Grant’s cheque to Ron Little.

HALLIDAYS POINT LANDCARE GROUP

An enthusiastic band of volunteers has been active in producing some very observable benefits to the rainforest reserves in a variety of sites at Hallidays Point.

Regular working bees have helped to clear the land of noxious infestations, especially asparagus fern.

The Group maintains an ongoing partnership with the Manning Coastcare volunteers who continue to work in the Black Head Flora Reserve.

In addition, regular open days and walks are held to provide information on plants, birds and bush tucker as well as to have the opportunity to view some of the sites greatly improved by members, including the southern end of Diamond Beach, Shelly Beach, and the littoral rainforest strip behind much of Black Head Beach, Black Head headland and the Bowling Club site.

If you would like more information on the Hallidays Point Landcare Group, or if you would like to volunteer, there are regular working bees at Red Head on the fourth Monday of each month, and each Tuesday at Black Head.

Ann Ryall and Eleanor Long at one of the recent working bees.

BRIGADE HOPES FOR QUIET SUMMER

Members of the Diamond Beach Rural Fire Brigade are hoping for a quiet summer but preparing for the worst just in case there are serious fires in our area. Although we have had plenty of rain recently, strong winds can quickly dry the undergrowth which increases the ground fuel and makes it easier for a fire to spread quickly.
Acting Captain, Russell Gray, said today that all Brigade members continue to brush up their skills in the lead up to the all important summer fire season.
“We’re training every Thursday and making sure that all our equipment is fully operational. We’ve also introduced monthly evening training during daylight saving to ensure all members have the opportunity to participate in the numerous training programmes being organised.”
Brigade numbers have been bolstered recently with the addition of Corey Love and Gwenda Duncan who have gained qualification as a Bush Fire Fighter and Bush Fire Fighter (support) respectively.
Mr Gray said the Brigade is always seeking new members in a variety of capacities and members of the public are always welcome to visit the Brigade any Thursday morning between 9.30 and 11.30am.

FAIRY LIGHT CHECKS

Fairy and other decorative lights are a colourful part of our Australian Christmas as they twinkle on trees, roofs, balconies, fences and home fronts. Unfortunately they can sometimes pose serious safety and fire hazards.
Mr Gray would like everyone to take particular care, and has some simple safety tips –
Plug in only one item per socket
Check your lights before you set them up, and don’t use them if the wiring, cords or plugs are damaged
Don’t let hot lights touch decorations
Switch lights off before going to bed
Make sure you have working smoke alarms
Make sure you have all practised your home escape plan.

Remember in any fire emergency to phone 000 – triple zero

ORIENTEERING

ORIENTEERING Tuesday 28th October

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN READ A MAP!

Here is an opportunity for you to put your skill to the test.

A “Street Orienteering (or car rally on foot)” event is to be held in the Hallidays Point area on Tuesday 28th Oct between 10 – 12 noon.

You need to bring your reading glasses so you can clearly see the map and a good pair of walking shoes, high heels not recommended. The course will take about one hour to complete assuming you do not get lost! There are no big hills to be climbed.

You will be provided with a coloured map of the area with the course marked on it and a set of questions for each checkpoint that you visit.

The event is a time trial which means that participants/groups will start the course at 5 mins apart. The event will Start and Finish at the Senior Citizen’s Hall. The first participant can start at 10am.

For further info contact Geraldine Livingstone 6559-2003

Children’s rainforest walk

Hallidays Point Library provided the venue for an informative chat about the new walking trail through Black Head Flora Reserve on 2 October. After the talk, Alana Parkins took the group of 31 participants, including 17 children, through the reserve, pointing out some fascinating points of interest along the way. Alana made great use of the new walking track brochure, now available at the library, to inform and entertain. It was excellent to see such a high level of interest and enthusiasm for this precious local resource from both children and accompanying adults.

This event was organised by Hallidays Point Landcare Group with the support and cooperation of Hallidays Point Library.

For more info on upcoming Hallidays Point Landcare Group working bees and other events, please contact Alan on 6559 3365 or 0413 482 505.

Hallidays Point Social Triathlon Club

New Members Win Monthly Event

New members Jim Crookston and Karen Hosking took out the men’s and women’s events at last month’s Hallidays Point Social Triathlon meeting.
Jim won the men’s open event in a time of 1 hour, 48 minutes, while Karen led the women home in a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes.
Apart from Jim and Karen, new competitors on the day were Paul Cremmer, Ann Davies, Annika Jende, Graham Taylor, Peter Bird and Vicki Smyth.
The next meeting will be held on Sunday October 26 commencing at 6.30am, followed by a breakfast at the Hallidays Point tavern. Entrants will begin with a 1km swim (pool or bay), followed by a 20km mountain bike ride through state forests and then a 6km run through Black Head and Red Head walking tracks, and along Black Head beach.
There is no entry fee, and entrants can compete in all three legs, or in just one or two legs. Just turn up at Black Head pool at 6.30am
Contact Club President Peter Ryall on 0414974384 for further details.

The photo shows Jim Crookston (right) being congratulated by Club President Peter Ryall (left) after his win in last month