A Word from Watto

From time to time, John Watson, President of the Preston Beach Progress Assoc., will put together a few words for the membership and it will be published here on the blog.  This is the first of what should be regular updates from Watto;

A Word From Watto - 2012

 General Background

As you are all probably aware after the recent Annual General meeting The Preston Beach Progress Association executive now consist of Fred Evely, Vice President, Marion Herkes, Secretary, Danny (Mac scrooge) Norton, Treasurer and myself as President. Judy Carroll is to be congratulated on her hard work for the Progress Association over the many years and deserves a well earned break from the presidency. However in saying this Judy is still prepared to support and assist the Progress as we continue to travel into the future.

 Welcome to Our New Members

Under Larraine’s initiative and Marion’s support Preston Beach Progress has commenced a new membership drive which is having outstanding results. If you know of others who have a vested interest in Preston Beach, either residential or transient to Preston on weekends, public holidays or when they please, can contact us for membership forms. The more membership the better, as we are all in this together.

Community Ownership Vision

In my other life before retirement there was a mindset syndrome called “The Broken Window Syndrome”. Also documented in enforcement research. In summary, it relates to damage, anti social behaviour, and crime. The syndrome starts from a small incident of a window in a street building being broken and left unrepaired. It then becomes a signal that there’s no ownership and no one really cares, so the breaking of more windows in that street occurs. This cascading affect is the same as a motor vehicle being left unattended on the side of the road for several days. Someone comes along and smashes in the front windscreen, if still left unattended the mind set signal comes to fruition – no one cares so the vehicle becomes totally trashed and sometimes burnt along with other vehicles in the vicinity. The area or neighbourhood then declines - people begin to ignore rowdy, unruly and threatening behaviour. They no longer become the eyes and ears by ceasing to exercise social regulation over little things happening in the area. When law-abiding eyes stop watching the streets, social order breaks down and a more vicious cycle begins. Pride, community ownership, law-abiding eyes and ears to enhance social regulation can eradicate this broken window syndrome.

To enable us to display a form of pride and community ownership, in liaison with the Shire of Waroona, there will be a placement of a Welcome to Preston Beach entry sign on the right hand side of the causeway as you enter Mitchell Road. More work is planned to develop this area into a viable entry statement with a new upgraded Information Town site map, a picnic rest area and seating. Our current Preston Beach Town site information map at this location is outdated with its support structure becoming unserviceable and unsafe. This will be addressed at our next Progress general meeting Saturday March 31^st, 2012.

Preston Beach Community Open Day

The Preston Beach Community open day for the Town Site Strategy project, took place between 10 am to 2 pm Saturday March 10^th 2012 and was well attended by community members. Approx 120 people attended our community centre to find out what was happening, asked questions and provided feedback. Appreciation is given to all who assisted and contributed in making this a successful occasion. Marie and her team, Larraine, Marion, Bev Judy, Jan, Fred, Lew, Geoff and Doug, your support and commitment was outstanding, so were the few wines and frothies’ later.

Thank You

On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for your kind thoughts and condolences on the passing of my son John Patrick Watson (Jnr). Your support was greatly appreciated by Larraine and myself.

Regards

John Watson

President Preston Beach

Progress Association

March 16^th 2012 

St Patrick's Day Photo Album

There were a heap of excellent photo's taken on St Patrick's Day which couldn't all go into John's report so here are a few more for you to enjoy.

We would like to thank the Shire of Waroona for supporting the event through Summer Events funding.  This funding meant that we could offer a meal to the local community for a tiny $5 a plate - where else will you get a good feed for so little?!!

I wish we had 'smellavision' because the aroma's coming off the cooking pot were just amazing and the flavour of the stew was something to write home about.  Best stew ever!  Well done boys.

Fred - not just a clever sparky but a pretty good gardener too!

Shire President Noel Dew pitching in with spud duties - is there no boundary Noel?

Of course, these events don't just materialise overnight.  John and his band of workers put a lot of effort into the planning and execution of the day.  A team of willing hands turned up on the Friday night prior to St Paddy's to peel a ton of vegetables (might have exagerated a little), dice meat, set up marquees and do a general tidy up.  Fred did his lighting tricks as usual - what would we do without his special talent?

John has thanked Dave for his help with the main course and I would like to add thanks to the ladies who supplied a delicious range of desserts; Carmel for a trifle and pavlova (how fast did that go??) and Larraine for the green jelly trifle.

The terrible triplets from Tipperary

We all know how good the "not so rusty" Hay Seeds are but what a surprise when Dave Forsey came out and did his Elvis numbers for us.  We are very lucky to have such a wealth of talent on our doorsteps and no doubt we'll be seeing more of Dave and the boys at the next function.

 

We had a big crowd and they spread out over the grounds of the community hall including the use of the rotunda area which is fast gaining in popularity at events because of the cool breezes and lovely shade from the peppermint trees. Personally, I can't wait to see the hall extentions underway and the proposed deck out from the paved area installed. The view over the golf course is there to enjoy.

Ahah, a leprechaun!

What's in the water bottle?  Where's the Guiness?  These Irish scally wags are trying to fool us.

Stacee's fingers fly over the keyboard

Can't talk - too busy eating :D

Rambling About

I've been getting out and about a little more lately in an effort to raise my fitness level and general well being.  I've been rising at 6am and taking long walks around town, along the walking trail and down to the beach and can I say well done to all the other Prestonians who I see out early in the morning! 

Fig tree near the Lake Preston walking trail

It's not unusual to see lots of kangaroos and their joey's. It's not even unusual to spot an emu or two sauntering along the road, but recently I was delighted to see a gorgeous red breasted robin in all it's finery on Fairway Terrace.  I know the residents in this part of town see them quite frequently, but for us hill dwellers, they are a bird we never see.



Emus are easier to photograph than robins or eagles

Even more exciting than the robin was my encounter with a large wedge tailed eagle, right up close and personal!  He was perched in one of the dead trees opposite the Heritage Poles near the entrance to town.  When he saw me he soared overhead for a minute or two, head cocked to one side and we were looking eye to eye.  Very special!  What a magnificent bird and how lucky are we to have them living on our doorstep. Mind you I fear for the little robin...

I've also had it on good authority that there is a pair of emus that have a nest right here in town.  It will be wonderful to see them trotting about with their chicks in a few months.

Autumn is my favourite time of year and there's nothing more invigorating than a brisk walk in the crisp morning air.  I ventured down to the beach for a long walk with Lew recently and on the way back to the main swimming area we spotted a pod of dolphins playing a hundred meters off shore.  It certainly pays to get up early.  There's always something interesting happening.

Several months ago I was told by the Shire of Waroona maintenance man that the table in the gazebo at the beach car park was in a dangerous condition and would be removed.  What Mark didn't tell me was that they were going to rebuild it and reinstall.  I was very pleased to see the table reappear recently with a sturdy new frame which will give many more years of service.  It was a nice surprise.

Everything old is new again!

Finally, because I am rambling, the Progress Association made a last minute decision to hold a book sale at the hall over the long weekend to clear out some of the library books to make way for a storage area to house the tables, chairs etc.  It was a great opportunity to catch a few visitors to town and bolster the coffers a little.  The sale brought in just on $200 in a couple of hours.  Well worth the effort.

There are plenty of books left so if you missed out don't worry.  We'll be having another book sale over the Easter break

St Patrick's Day Lunch 2012

A little Leprechaun told me the Progess Association will be hosting a St. Patricks Day lunch for the community at the Preston Beach hall on Saturday, 17 March 2012

 -He's already got his hat on and we're ready for another great event!  -

Join us at the hall for

ST PATRICKS DAY

2012

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

by

THE RUSTY OLD HAY SEEDS

and a good old fashioned Irish Knees Up

Doors open at 12 Noon

BYO drinks

A serve of Irish Stew and a bread roll will cost you $5.00

The stew will be laced with Guinness and you'll get a generous serve.  I've had it before and can vouch it will be the best you've every tasted. 

  

Dress in green, grab your hat, harp, shamrocks and shalalie and join the Crack down at the hall. 





oooooooooOOOOOOOOOooooooooo 

Something to Think About

The following blog contains my personal views on a sensitive issue. These views are not necessarily supported by the Preston Beach Progress Assoc and/or its executive nor members.

How often do you think about the consequences of driving on the beach?  Every time our tyres hit the sand I think of what a privilege it is to be able to drive to our favourite fishing spot, instead of lugging all our equipment down to the water by hand.  I see people go flying past in high powered 4X4’s without a care for the environment, other beach goers or even their own safety and I think, this isn’t going to last!

Over the years the Progress Association has tried many ways to educate drivers and raise awareness of the need to take great care of our beach.  At almost every meeting, someone will suggest changing the signs to read more clearly or erect new signs to get our message across.

 Signs have been replaced, redesigned and rehashed numerous times but still you hear stories back from the Rangers who have pulled someone up for infringing the rules and they say “there are no signs’ or ‘I didn’t see any signs’  when they are actually standing next to the sign!  It boils down to the fact that people just don’t read signs.  

Clearly visible, easy to read and erected in a prominent position - can you see the sign?

So, what is the solution?  Closing the beach has been offered up as the next step.  This is an end not a solution and unfortunately it will be brought about by people who don’t live here, don’t pay rates here nor give a damn what happens here.  If they can’t hoon on the beach they will find somewhere else to do it.  So, where does that leave us?

It’s a privilege not a right to use 4WD vehicles on the beach and we should expect to pay for privileges.  The Shire of Waroona is responsible for the stretch of beach within its boundaries.  This beggars the question why don’t they issue permits to vehicle owners. By this I would suggest annual fees for regular users and day fees for visitors, the same as applies to National Parks. 

This is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination - here are a few links;
http://www.hastings.nsw.gov.au/www/html/940-vehicles-on-beaches.asp
http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/discover.aspx?id=666
http://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/sdsbch.htm

Introducing permits would have multiple benefits.  It would give the Shire the opportunity to educate drivers in the safe and sensible use of the beach at the time of issuing the permit. Control and regulate access.  There would be additional funds available to put full time Rangers on the ground in suitable vehicles, taking the pressure off volunteer services. It would reduce the number of vehicles using the beach.  Joy riders would quickly learn by the pain in their pocket.

Permits attached to windscreens would be easy to identify and those without a valid permit could then be legitimately stopped and removed from the beach.  Permit users who offend would lose the privilege and face penalties. 

Beach goers would be safer.

Putting up speed signs and handing out leaflets is folly!  Volunteer Rangers work their butts off, take abuse on daily basis and give up many hours of their time because they care.  The Ranger service makes a huge difference but as more communities close beach access to vehicles, forcing inexperienced weekend warriors to Preston Beach in pursuit of happiness, the problem grows greater as each year goes by.

The only solution (other than closure) is effective and permanent policing of the beach by qualified and paid Rangers.  There is no other way to keep the beach open.  The Shire can’t afford to do this without funding so why not make the user pay. It might be unpopular but who wants to win a popularity contest?

If you do nothing else, consider joining the Volunteer Rangers and help to keep our beaches safe until such time as alternative solution is found.  Contact me for details.

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. (Elbert Hubbard)

Annual General Meeting

The formalities of the AGM are done and dusted for another year and I am pleased to announce the newly elected President of the Preston Beach Progress Association is John Watson aka 'Rusty'.  I would like to welcome John to the chair and wish him the very best for the coming year.

Fred Evely stepped up again as Vice-President, Marion Herkes as Secretary and Danny Norton aka 'Scrooge' will be carrying on as our trusty Treasurer. 

After 10+ years of different roles within the Associaiton, I have decided it was time to step down and take a break.  John has come back on board with fresh enthusiasm and some great ideas to move the Association forward.  Please throw your support behind this dedicated team of hard working members. In the meantime, I will continue to publish the Beach Blog and lend a hand where ever it may be needed.

John will be calling together a Functions Committee to assist the Exec with organising, setting up and running functions throughout the year.  A function calendar will be established after consultation with the golf club to ensure there are no event clashes.

ACT - BELONG - COMMIT

If you're looking for way to help out and fill in some spare time, why not consider volunteering for this committee.  You'll have fun and build friendships while helping to make a great place even better.

The Changing Scene

Thanks for your feedback, which is not always in the form of comments on this blog but still important to me.  I've had a number of emails and occassionally someone will stop me when I'm out and about and tell me they enjoy the blog.  Recently, I was sent some photo's of the changing scenes at Preston Beach and I am very happy to share those with you on this page;

December storm clouds gathering to the east - photograph by Mhairi Flay, taken as they were heading home from the beach

This rolling cloud formation was captured by Tammy Smith

This is one of my own photos, taken from our back balcony

If you have a special Preston Beach shot you would like to share, we would love to see it here on the blog.  Just email it to me as an attachment and tell me a little about the photo.