Vol 2 No 11 November, 2004 e-edition

Water tanks from 300 to 25 000 litresTough – Durable – Long lasting – No rust problems

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Cops on a cleanupP o l i c e h a v e r e j e c t e d

suggestions that those who run foul of the law on the Cox Peninsula become invisible.

The “invisibility” tag came from the apparent lack of action on a number of incidents at Mandorah and Wagait Beach.

The police media section has responded by providing details of complaints dating back the December 2001 when three people were allegedly bashed at the Mandorah Hotel.

According to the response, police attended on the night and spoke to victims and witnesses.

“The three victims said they did not wish to make a formal complaint and two of the three refused medical attention,” the report said.

“Some time later the three victims called police and said they wished to proceed with a formal complaint and the police investigation recommenced.

“Four offenders have been

charged and are currently engaged in the judicial system – any delay caused was due to the fact that police received no official complaint on the night.

“As the matter is before the court, police cannot make further comment on the matter.”

In another incident at the pub when publican Steve Brown was threatened with a star picket, the police said they arrested the offender.

“The victim/publican (Steven

Brown) told police that he did not wish to proceed with formal complaint,” they said.

“Police obtained a witness statement from Mr Brown and the matter proceeded with juvenile diversion for the offender for disorderly behaviour in a public place.”

The police said they had investigated an attempted break-in at the supermarket and at the hotel on the same night.

Continued page 3.

Play group a real cool idea

Entertaining small children during the buildup can be almost as oppressing as the weather.

But the local playgroup seems to have the answer.

Set up the kitchen play equip-ment, find a large number of containers and ensure there’s a large supply of water handy and the junior imagination will do the rest.

Sure enough, the tots had a great time making drinks and plates of water – most of which finished up on them or the floor, but who cares?

More pictures from the play-group on page 6.Left: Charlie, Jade and Anja

having a splashing time.

2 – The Wagaitear, November 2004

Whatʼs inside …Council jottings ...................................................... 4Bright idea from local girls .................................... 5Playgroup pictures ................................................. 6Cyclone awareness ................................................ 7Crossword and “horror”scope ............................. 8Ads and local trade/service directory .................. 9Tide times .............................................................. 10From the quarterdeck .......................................... 10

The WagaitearPublisher: Jack EllisPublished at: 22 (Lot 60) Mungalo Rd Wagait BeachPhone: 8978 5111 mobile: 0417 089 528 email mediaplus@octa4.net.auPublished: monthly (first Monday)Deadline (advertising and editorial) – 27thPostal address: CMB 1 Wagait Beach via Winnellie NT 0822Sold at Wagait Beach Supermarket, Sea-Cat Ferry, Mandorah Beach Hotel, Bayside Store, Cullen Bay.Subscriptions available at $1/edition (post paid) or 50c an edition (pdf via email) or at http://homepage.mac.com/chrisnjack

Rainfall and TemperatureRain for October .......................................................... 32 mmOctober average .......................................................... 74 mmRain since October 1 2004 ........................................... 32 mmAnnual average (Oct 1 – Sep 30) ............................. 1620 mmAverage expected for November ............................... 140 mmAverage number of raindays ............................................... 12Average min/max temp ................................... 25.5ºC/34.3 ºC

New water supply in a couple of weeks: Day

Weather watch

Firies can use more volunteersThe Cox Peninsula Volunteer Fire Brigade needs more people on the roster to cope with the number of call-outs. The firies have battled several late season

wildfires – including this one deliberately lit near the hotel. Hundreds of litres of water were poured on to this nearby tree in a vain effort to save it.

Water from the Charles Point bore field should be flowing to the Wag-ait Beach storage tanks some time this month.

The Power and Water Corporation’s General Manager Water Services, Darryl Day, said Cox Peninsula residents will enjoy better tasting, high quality water from mid November.

“More than 12 kilome-tres of the water supply rising main has been completed, and the re-maining 700 metres is almost finalised,” Darryl said.

“The project had stalled while legal agreement for works across land subject to the Kenbi land claim.

“The Power and Water Corporation received ap-proval from the North-ern Land Council for the project to continue in early October.

“When water begins flowing from this new ground water source, water restrictions for Cox Peninsula residents will be a thing of the past.”

This year Power and Water has carted about three and a half mega-litres of water from Dar-win River Dam to Cox Peninsula to ensure con-tinuity of supply.

Darryl said a sugges-tion for a hydrant on the pipeline for the volunteer fire brigade had proved impractical.

“Power and Water pro-vides free water to the Bushfire Council for fire fighting purposes in the Top End,” he said.

“It is not technically possible to establish a hydrant point to extract water directly from the rising main because it will only contain water when the storage tanks need refilling.

“Access to free water (for the firies) will con-tinue from the existing water storage facility at Imaluk Springs.”

Darryl said Power and Water appreciated the co-operation of all involved to bring the project to the earliest possible conclu-sion.

• ODD SPOT •Apparently Richard the deckie took a tumble

into the drink while doing some work on the boat when it was parked in Cullen Bay. Did he lose his balance or will some people do anything to cool off on a hot day?

And the new skipper Kim also holds a marine engineer’s certificate. When not working on the Mandorah run, Kim is one of the engineers on the big ferry to the Tiwi Islands.

The Wagaitear, November 2004 – 3

Pub hires boat for big New Year bash

Cane toads are moving north towards the coast and west to the WA border. You can help keep cane toads out of your yard if you:Fence your yard - use a smooth solid material at least 50 cm high buried 15 cm into the ground.

Cut off the water supply - remove or fence any standing water and use sprinklers less often.

Let your garden go wild - gardens with long grass or dense ground vegetation are less attractive to toads.

Keep them in the dark - toads like to feast on insects attracted by lights.

You will also need to do regular searches with a torch at night to find and destroy any intruders before they get a chance to breed.

Want to know more? Contact Parks and Wildlife Service on 8999 4536 or go to http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/canetoads/

From page 1.While suspects were

i d e n t i f i e d t h ro u g h word of mouth, a lack of evidence prevented police laying charges.

Those quest ioned about the incident denied any involvement.

Reports of an unlawful entry at Wagait Beach and a car stolen from a neighbouring property were investigated and people charged.

“ P o l i c e a t t e n d e d and empty beer cans were seized for forensic evidence. DNA of two people was located,” the report said.

“ T h re e o f f e n d e r s have been charged with steal ing. There was insufficient evidence to charge anyone with entering the building.

“Three people are currently before the courts (for allegedly stealing the car).

“Delay in the laying of charges was due to a delay in receiving receipts for the damage to the vehicle.”

Police denied suggest-

ions they had approached the car’s owner to with-draw the charges.

The owner of a four-wheel-drive that had a window smashed at the jetty car park did not report the matter to police.

P o l i c e s a i d t h e y investigated the bashing of Phil Adams and his son and discovered the rego number supplied was not that of the cuprit, but of another witness.

No further information w a s a v a i l a b l e t h a t may lead to those res-ponsible.

An investigation is continuing into pool furniture taken from the pub last month.

P o l i c e s a i d t h e y attended early the next day and are following leads to the culprits.

They also had no further information about a man accused of stalking.

But they did confirm officers spoke to the man again and warned him to ask directions from adults in future.

Free hourly ferry trips are expected to ensure the success of the 2005 New Year cel-ebrations at the Mandorah Beach Hotel.

Publican Steve Brown says a sponsorship deal with Carlton and United Brewery will see the Spirit of Darwin travelling across the harbour every hour starting from 7 pm.

“They’ll be coming across every hour right through, it should be good,” Steve said.

He’s expecting about 1000 people to come across the harbour for the celebrations.

Brownie is attempting to have the free city bus service extended to Cullen Bay to cater for those heading home.

There was a difference of opinion last year between the hotel and regular ferry opera-tors Sea-Cat Ferries.

The operators refused to run extra late night services, saying there were concerns about safety, insurance and security.

Cox Peninsula Council president Peter Clee said the initiative would help boost the

area’s tourist profile.“This is a great coup for (Brown-

ie), the MBH and the peninsula,” he said.

“It will raise the profile of the place as a New Year’s eve and so-cial destination, which has dimin-ished in the past five years.”

Right: The Spirit of Darwin.

No ʻinvisible ̓baddies

The Cox Peninsula Council has rejected suggestions from the Emergency Services Min-ister Paul Henderson that the council office could cope with people seeking shelter during a cyclone.

The council wants the planned extensions for the council com-plex to be built to cyclone shelter standards to cope with the rap-idly increasing population.

But Mr Henderson says the NT Emergency Service believes this is not necessary.

His letter continues: “I am advised by Emergency Services

that upon completion of the of-fices in late 1996, the building was assessed as being suitable for up to 100 adult persons seek-ing shelter.

“A recent re-assessment of the building, applying the re-vised space standard, indicates suitability for a minimum of 75 persons.

“NTES advised that current indications are that most recent-ly constructed houses in the Cox Peninsula/Wagait area are built to cyclone code and that many people would shelter in their own homes.

“NTES recommends that pri-or to the council progressing the enlargement of the existing shel-ter facility, it would be advisable to ascertain what proportion of residents would be likely to seek shelter in the council facility.

“It would then be possible to make an accurate assessment of the space and facilities re-quired.”

Some 100 properties have been assessed – by Emergency Services – as being in the cyclone surge zone and risk being flood-ed during a severe storm.

These properties alone would

more than fill the existing cy-clone shelter.

The local NTES volunteer division has already assessed the facility as inadequate for the present population of more than 300.

Dale Egan said Mr Hender-son’s letter did not address the real situation.

“We’re way behind the 8-ball, we’re not even close,” he said.

Council president Peter Clee agreed, saying he would write to Mr Henderson disputing the claims made in his letter.

Cyclone shelter debate: 300+ into 75 just doesnʼt go

4 – The Wagaitear, November 2004

Cox Council report

Insurance creating problems for beach activitiesCox council-sanctioned

beach football and sand cas-tle building could come to an end unless there’s a positive response from the council’s insurance company.

Responding to an earlier que-ry about beach activities, the company has told the council that they are outside the present public liability cover.

The beach is outside the coun-cil’s control but councillors are now asking for a quote to cover the cost of insuring the once-a-month activities.

“We have to stop it or work out what it’s worth,” Dale Egan said.

Vic Stow canvassed the possi-bility of holding activities on the beach near the Mandorah Hotel, an area covered by the council.

“I’d rather have the kids dis-appointed than face a public liability case,” he said.

Jill Mumme and Margie Marr were keen to see the activities continue and suggested that

parents may be prepared to sign indemnity forms.

The council’s recreation of-ficer Alby Murray has run the beach touch football for years on a private basis.

It was agreed he could con-tinue to do so but not as a council sponsored activity – at least not until a decision was reached whether it was viable to extend the council’s public liability in-surance.

• • • •Negotiations are continuing to

have the road verge contractor, H and K Earthmoving, address complaints about the work.

The council has withheld part of the payment, citing debris, the lack of trim and compaction of

the road shoulders and potential drainage problems.

The council meeting was told that the contractor had claimed the work had been passed by a “council representative”.

The council has agreed to hire a street sweeper to remove some of the debris on the roads, par-ticularly at corners.

Although Ken Pittman ex-pressed some scepticism that H and K would agree to do the work, it was decided to continue negotiations with the company.

• • • •The Cox Peninsula Council

should get more Territory Government funding this year than previously expected.

A d e c i s i o n b y L o c a l Government Minister John Ah Kit means the council will get at least as much as in the last financial year.

All councils have been warned that they must increase their income through rates or service charges or face future cuts.

Under a funding formula introduced in 1999/2000, the majority of small, remote councils were due for substantial funding cuts this financial year.

Mr Ah Kit has announced that the Government would provide once-only additional funding of $450 000 to remove council funding formula shortfalls.

“The Territory community simply cannot sustain the present number of small councils as effective representative structures or service delivery organizations,” he said.

“Under the funding formula councils and communities are able to sustain funding by raising their own revenue through service charges or joining with other communities in larger, more effective councils.”

Dale Egan said the policy did not recognise the effort being made to raise funds from service contracts such as jetty cleaning, water tank maintenance and grounds upkeep.

“(Our) serv ice charges for such things as water and garbage haven’t been taken into consideration.”

• • • •Cox Peninsula is not alone in its

opposition to the government’s push for amalgamation with other councils or forming new “maxi” councils.

Dundee residents last month rejected suggestions they become part of a new regional council centred on Coomalie.

Council president Peter Clee said one alternative put forward at a meeting at Dundee was the possibility of establishing a council and forming an alliance with Cox Peninsula, an idea rejected out of hand by Dundee residents 12 months ago.

• • • • Akubra hats and work boots

were high on the list of issues discussed at the October Cox Peninsula Council meeting.

The debate was sparked by the monthly financial report that listed the items as purchases for the council work force.

Jill Mumme queried the pur-chases, with several councillors asking why it was necessary to buy hats worth more than $100.

Others suggested that award conditions and occupational health and safety requirements could be the reason for the top of the range gear.

Chief executive Peter Clark was asked to check on what was and was not required by the regulations and report to the council’s next meeting.

• • • •

Mandorah Beach HotelGreat range of icy cold beers

November Friday night special fish’n’chips – $9.00

Some seats left for the MBH traditional Christmas lunch

Ph: 8978 5044 • Fax 8978 5060

Action from the Friday soccer at the sports

ground. No problems with insurance here but council sponsored beach activities are in doubt.

The Wagaitear, November 2004 – 5

Big effort for cancer sufferers

The children’s Starlight Foundation is set to benefit from a bright idea from two young Wagait Beach girls.

Laura Vincent and Jasmyn Fisher came up with a plan to hold a stall to raise money for the seriously ill children helped by the foundation.

“It was the last day of the school holidays,” Laura said.

“We woke up and had a great idea. First we made some Christ-mas cards …”

“And one birthday card,” Jas-myn added.

“Then we made a chocolate fudge cake,” Laura continued.

“And then we made an orange poppyseed cake,” Jasmyn said.

After all the work, the two girls set themselves up on the verandah at the Wagait Beach Supermarket in time for the peak-hour crowd from the 5 pm and 6 pm ferries.

“We hade lots of customers,” Jasmyn said.

“A few people gave us money without getting something.”

The final total raised was an impressive $23.60.

The two entrepreneurs decid-ed on the Starlight Foundation because, as Laura said, it helps children “who make wishes be-fore they die”.

Jasmyn’s mum, Joanne Man-son, denied any part in the brainwave.

“It wasn’t my idea, it was the girls’ idea,” she said.

Jasmyn Fisher and Laura Vincent with their fundraising banner and their cash tin … $23.60 a big effort.

“Not my idea …” – Joanne.

Wagait Beach Supermarket

Ph: 8978 5008 – Fax 8978 5076Not just your local

licensed supermarketWe also have … • Cappuccinos • Home made pickles, cakes & muffins • Gas bottle exchange & refills • Irrigation equipment • Selleys handyman bar • Electrical appliances • Lotto quick picks • Book exchange • ATM & EFTPOS facilitiesAnd we also …• bake crusty bread on weekends • make pizza to order (allow a bit of time!) • cater for your next function (salad platters, sandwiches, wet dishes, cakes etc.) • take orders for fruit & vegetables, bread, magazines & papers • stock your favourite wine • gift wrap

Locally owned & operated – supporting our community

6 – The Wagaitear, November 2004

Mungalo Native Plant NurseryOpen weekends 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm – or give us a call

8978 5111 or 0417 089 528November’s $3 special: Maranthes –

shady native tree ideal for Wagait Beach conditions

Time to plant to take advantage of the wet seasonGreat range of native trees and shrubs available now at

Playgroup just tons of funThe warmer weather

means just one thing to small people at a play-group session – water.

And so it was that the tea parties and “meal” preparation had one sim-ple theme … also known

as let’s see how wet we really can get.

Despite, or perhaps because of, lots of damp clothes, it kept everyone cool and happy.

Clockwise from top left: Jade, Jordon, Charlie and Hayden prepare a

meal aka let’s see how much water we can spill. Charlie … :just a little drop more in there.” Jade, Jordon and Charlie stir things along while Jordon prepares to give her brew a taste test.

Don’t forget the Emergency Services big shed sale to raise money for children’s

play equipment.

The Wagaitear, November 2004 – 7

Make sure you’re ready for the cyclone season

When a tropical cyclone moves across or near the coast, it can cause sea levels to rise higher than the normal tide levels.

This is called a storm surge and is the result of the strong onshore winds associated with the cyclone which cause water to pile up against the coast and generate unusually large waves on top or this piled up water.

Reduced atmospheric pres-sure associated with the cyclone will also cause water levels to rise, but this represents only a small component of large storm surges

The peak storm surge level does not necessarily occur as the cyclone crosses the coast but could be reached up to several hours prior to landfall. A cyclone does not need to cross the coast for a storm surge to affect low lying areas on the coast.

Breaking waves on top of the surge act like a giant bulldoz-er, sweeping everything in its path.

Worldwide, storm surges

have been responsible for the major proportion of loss of life associated with cyclones.

Elements affecting the height, extent and impact of a storm surge are the direction of travel; speed and size of the cyclone; the strength and direction of the winds associated with the cy-clone; the stage of the tide at the peak of these effects; the depth of water offshore and the shape of the coastline.

Cyclones in the southern hem-isphere are clockwise rotating systems and, where they cross the coast, storm surge levels would be at their maximum to the left (looking in the direction of motion) of their track.

For example, the centre of Cy-clone Tracy crossed the coast at Ludmilla. The tide gauge at Stokes Hill Wharf (to the right of the cyclone track) recorded a maximum storm surge of 1.6 m (above normal tide levels) whereas the storm surge at Cas-uarina Beach (to the left) was estimated to be 3 to 4 metres.

It is very difficult to predict the time and location of the land-fall of a threatening cyclone.

As the cyclone approaches, wind strength and the risk of debris and fallen trees blocking evacuation routes will increase.

Heavy rain associated with the cyclone could result in pos-sible escape routes being cut by flood waters – a major problem on the Cox Peninsula.

To minimise the chance of people being trapped, any in-structions to evacuate will be issued well before the arrival of a cyclone.

At that early stage, the time and location of landfall of a cy-clone, and therefore the extent of areas likely to be affected by a particular storm surge event would be difficult to predict.

In order to minimise risk of loss of life or injury, more exten-sive areas than those potentially affected by the storm surge are likely to be the subject of an or-der to evacuate.

At all times, the warnings and instructions issued by the coun-ter disaster authorities should be heeded.

The large tidal range in Dar-

win (eight metres) provides a natural safety factor.

The chance of a storm surge coinciding with the highest pos-sible tide is quite !ow.

8 – The Wagaitear, November 2004

✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

Your stars✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

Scorpio: October 24 – November 22Check the alignment of your planets and the

oscillations of your biorhythms before making any decisions. Howʼs thatʼs for good starry column type advice? Lucky number 87Sagittarius: November 23 – December 22

It is admirable that you constantly try to help other people out of their sticky problems, but remember you wonʼt get the thanks you de-serve if threeʼs a crowd. Lucky number 76Capricorn : December 23 – January 20

There is a romantic interlude in your stars this month. But thatʼs not a green light to stray off the rails. Invite your partner or if you donʼt have one just say yes. Lucky number 99Aquarius: January 21 – February 19

The bright lights of the Darwin chip factory beckon but make sure your planets are in the right alignment before throwing your money on the tables. Lucky number 58Pisces: February 20 – March 19

There is a soft, slightly rotund juicy future to your life. It could be a new romance or it may be a slightly overripe mango on the tree down the road. Lucky number 20Aries: March 20 – April 20

Christmas is getting close and itʼs time for Rams to be thinking about other people for a change. Do that Chrissie card list right now! Lucky number 825.Taurus: April 21 – May 21

The trouble with a bull is you are never content to stay in your own paddock. There is always greener grass next door. Check care-fully before chewing. Lucky number 24.3Gemini: May 22 – June 21

There is a saying that goes: “He (or she) that rows the boat does not have time to rock it.” Think about it and the meaning will become clear. Lucky number 41.Cancer: June 22 – July 22

Do not participate in pyramid selling or in-vestment schemes. Look what happened to the Egyptians when they started selling bricks to the infidels. Lucky number 68Leo: July 23 – August 23

If you are given a paddle itʼs not because you are a stirrer – itʼs a hint you should join the Wagait Beach dragon-boat racing team. Lucky number 25Virgo: August 24 – September 23

You! Under a virgin star sign? You have to be joking. No future for you this month! Lucky number 3Libra: September 24 – October 23

This could be a good month for investments. Check the wine specials at the supermarket or get a monthly ferry ticket before you blow all the spare cash. Lucky number 241

In an emergency …Medical – ask for the duty District Medical Officer 8922 8888Police 8999 3422 a/h 8927 8888 or 8922 3344Fire 89 785 176Power and Water 8924 6506 or 1800 245 090NT Emergency Service Cox Peninsula via 000

Edwards, Michael (Wally)Sincere condolences to Stem and Jackie Edwards and family on their tragic loss

CLASSIFIEDS … CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE:Hitachi fully automatic washing machine. 15-years-old but still goes well. $75. Phone Chris 0401 110 289_____________________

ADVERTISING:Wagaitear classified ads just $5.50 for 5 lines.Phone 8978 5111 or email mediaplus@octa4.net.au_____________________

2005 Territorial Calendar

See some of the Territory’s leading women as even they never expected to be seen.And all in aid of further breast cancer researchA unique Christmas gift for family and friends

Dragons Abreast Ph: 8941 8923, Fax: 8941 0821, email: nationalcoordinator@dragonsabreast.com.au

The Wagaitear, November 2004 – 9

Sadgroves Quay Pty Ltd66 Frances Bay Drive DARWIN

Our range of services include:• Shipwright • Abrasive Blasting • Aluminium and Steel Welding

• 70-tonne Marine TraveliftPhone: 8981 9625 or 0414 893 112

or see our web site www.sadgrovesquay.com.au

mediaplus• printing services • digital & film photography

• applications • resumes • letters • editing

22 Mungalo Road Wagait Beach 8978 5111 or 0417 089 528 or email mediaplus@octa4.net.au

Chads ExpressServicing Wagait Beach

& Mandorah every Wednesday

Ph: 8981 0533 Fax 8941 7466

ABN 30 098 962 504

Wagaitear trades and services

Who does what locallyAccommodation

Beach Front Cottage .............0418 827 697 or 89 785 130 Golden Sands ................................................... 89 785 075 Mandorah Beachside Hotel ........................... 89 785 044

Concrete finishing Doug ............................................................. 0415 634 529

Dressmaker Brigitte .............................................................. 89 785 234

Earthworks Mick & Donna ......................0419 822 320 or 89 785 034

Garden and home maintenance Owen ............................................................. 0417 827 107

Hairdresser “House Of Sheree” .......................................... 89 785 031

Home renovations Ian Bird ............................................................. 89 785 059

House cleaning Jan ...........................................0410 776 215 or 89 785 325

Kerbing Gary and Brigitte ............................................. 89 785 234

Mechanical repairs G-Mac Services ............................................... 89 785 136

Mower & whipper-snipper repairs John ................................................................... 89 785 322

Native plant nursery Chris & Jack .......................................................89 785 111

Painting & tiling Paul ................................................................ 0415 373 708

Pest control Bob ........................................ 0418 827 967 or 89 785 130

Plastering Michael Milton ................................................ 89 785 126

Printing and publishing mediaplus .............................. 0417 089 528 or 89 785 111

Property conveyancing Trish McIntyre .......................... 8981 6733 or 89 785 237

Real estate Nadja Tauber .................................................... 89 785 043

Supermarket Chris, Sue and the ladies ................................ 89 785 008

Washing and laundry Pam .................................................................... 89 785 248

Water Mick & Donna ......................0419 822 320 or 89 785 034

Sales Office: 8932 9100 Fax: 8932 9200

Email: bearehomes@tpg.com.au

49 Georgina Crescent Palmerston NT 0830Quality homes at an affordable price

Experienced builders in the Wagait Beach area

Are you a woman aged 50–69?Just a few minutes every 2 years could save your life.

Breast cancer is more common as we grow older. Screening mammograms can detect breast cancer before it can be felt or noticed.

Call 13 20 50 today for your free appointment

10 – The Wagaitear, November 2004

from the quarterdeck …with the Admiral

ACROSS

THE

HARBOUR

Darwin Harbour tide times for November

Another local man, er, woman overboard incident managed to miss the pages of the big smoke newspaper.

Not that people falling off boats is so unu-sual, but this one involved a crocodile, the paper’s favourite front-page fodder.

It seems nature called during a sunset fish-ing trip at Two-Fella Creek.

The damsel in distress decided modesty came a bad second to comfort, so bared the backside over the edge of the boat.

But balance also came into play and Lizzie ended up in the water.

She was rescued amid much laughter and ribald comment, although it all seemed not quite so funny when a croc was spotted in search of dinner not 10 minutes later.

• • • •

Speaking of saurians, one really impressed a group of holiday-makers when it strolled up the beach near Dale Egan’s block.

There were varying reports about how big it was – and it got bigger every day.

But it was certainly large enough to trim the toenails if anyone got too close.

• • • •Local council toilers Speech and Doug

were pretty chuffed when a Keep Australia Beautiful judge said lots of nice things about the rubbish tip.

Given it’s hardly a high-tech operation, Bubbles thought it was pretty good for a small community – a fence, regular back filling and separate areas for garbage, green waste and larger items like car bodies.

So it must have been a bit of a let-down

when the same tip was described as a dis-grace at last month’s council meeting.

A quick check showed more than the usual number of plastic bags in the bush, but there’s not much the workers can do about those too bloody lazy to chuck their rubbish into the hole.

• • • •The warmer weather has provided the op-

portunity to christen new swimming holes in a couple of local backyards.

Given the size of the blocks and plenty of bushy screening, swimming gear seems to be optional.

The admiral hears there’s a couple of ten-der bums around after getting a little more ultra violet than proved to be wise.

• • • •

Return fare

ADULTS

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CHILD

$9.50

DepartsCULLEN BAY MANDORAH

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