Mollymook News
editor Ken Banks
A huge send off for Benny boy and Roger – Canberra bound. (Pic credit: Roger Nee)
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January 29, 2020: A wonderful turn up of Mollymook ocean swimmers this morning gave Ben and Roger a rousing send off prior to their departure for life in Canberra. Thanks to Sue and Issi for catering, scrumptious cakes and finger food.
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Following last week’s web post, I received so many thankful email responses from subscribers/tourist, intra and interstate wanting to be kept posted on conditions here in the Southern Shoalhaven. The responses were so positive, I thought to do this following brief update.
Yes, a lot of people have being doing it tough and its been felt by all members of the community to one degree or another. There has been a lot of grieving, however I must also mention that there is some beauty shining through by many members of the community in their efforts to help in whatever way they can.
The above image is that of the local clubs who have and still are doing so much to help those effected. At the height of the emergency they acted as places of shelter, providing a safe place to stay and be fed and now they are working collectively to help our community and smaller businesses rebuild and recover following the recent South Coast bush-fire crisis whereby Conjola was the hardest hit, where 3 lives and 89 homes were lost.
With the area like a ‘ghost town’ for the first three weeks in January, a guest staying at Mollymook Beach Waterfront made a point of going to a Milton shop and buying a dress. The shop owner was so grateful, she gave this visiting customer a big hug. So the following day the same lady drove into Ulladulla and bought a shirt, likewise she was warmly embraced and thanked by the shop owner. One would have to be present in the area to understand the devastating flow on effects the disaster has had on the local economy.
The local economy, employment / employees income has been devastated, almost non-existent in many cases thus extending the grief and hardship throughout the area.
The enormity of the NSW South Coast Catastrophic Bush Fires:
Mr Vince Di Pietro AM was appointed as the Shoalhaven Recovery Coordinator. He has had a distinguished career that includes the Royal Australian Navy, (senior leadership roles both in Australia and overseas) and most recently the CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia. In this his new Recovery Coordinator role he is working with council, in partnership with the emergency services and government agencies in ensuring that assistance is provided where it is most needed.
He said that “about 80 per cent of the land area of the Shoalhaven has been impacted or burned in some way“
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The Mollymook Ocean Swimmers kept on hoping and hoping, no matter what the odds were, that good surf conditions would once again emerge after weeks of smog and ash in the water following the devastating New Year’s Eve Bush Fires. Above pic of Tim displaying all the determination necessary to master this one, of numerous waves.
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Architects: Katie Macartney and sister Vicki Geraghty arranged an enormous supply of clothing made available for the bush fire casualties
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Milton Doctor Katie Macartney having had first-hand experience dealing with victims of the recent catastrophic South Coast Bush Fires was determined to do all that she could to help those in need in as ‘practical way as possible’. With help from her sister Vicki Geraghty and mum Julie Fitzgerald they came up with the idea of ‘clothing donations’ and then went about the task of organising contributions. They began getting word out to their friends in Sydney for help in gathering quality used clothing that could then be made available to those who had lost everything.
Katie said; “The number wishing to help grew exponentially, with friends sending word out to their friends. The end result was an enormous load of clothing delivered from Sydney and locally. The ‘giving’ attitude in some cases was beyond comprehension with some clothing items arriving from England that included new designer dresses, valued at around $1000 per item”.
Katie, mum Julie and Vicki were absolutely overwhelmed by the response.
Along with family and their many friends, they spent Friday evening at the Mollymook surf club sorting through all the donations and packaged items. Saturday morning was spent putting the clothing on racks and marking their various sizes. Katie said, “We just felt like we needed to do something extra, for when people are fleeing a fire the last thing, they think of taking with them is clothing”.
Katie was overwhelmed; she said “a) We counted 40 fire affected families who benefited from clothing donations b) Two of the most beautiful dresses which were sent from London (value of each approx $1000) went to two local women. One received a wedding dress! Another a year 12 graduation dress with shoes! c) Later when the clothing was made available to the public, the ‘gold coin’ donations from the public exceeded $2000 which is being donated to ‘Treading Lightly MUD’
Katie also expressed her gratitude; “So many amazing people volunteered their time to set-up, pack-up and look after the market on the day. Without their help, the success of this special day would not have been possible”.
Images below provide a small insight into the amount of donated clothing.
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Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla
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The Mollymook Milton Ulladulla area was fortunately spared from the surrounding bush-fires and local businesses are welcoming the tourist albeit there has only been a trickle at this early stage.
The scenery you will notice driving into our Mollymook Milton Ulladulla area will no doubt be an eye opener as the trees-cape along the highways on the north and south sides have suffered enormously from the unprecedented bush-fires. What may not be so obvious are the many homes destroyed (that are off the highway), a massive business downturn in the local towns of Mollymook Milton Ulladulla resulting in so many locals throughout the area without work or drastically reduced hours.
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Katie Macartney will have 2nd hand clothing available at Mollymook Surf club this Saturday, January 18 from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
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9-11 am – people affected by the fires can enjoy the opportunity to rebuild your wardrobe free of charge and choose from a wide range of second hand clothes and shoes.
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11-1 pm – open to the public to choose from second hand clothes and shoes and make a donation to Treading Lightly in the MUD.
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Come and shop from clothes and shoes given by families and companies in Sydney and surrounds. Lots of second hand clothes for men, women and children!
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The five members of ‘Convoy of Hope’ with Joel on the right
Portable ‘Shower Truck’ for local residents use
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Simone and Robbie Scott’s artistic works on display
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The exhibition will run for three weeks. Their works are inspired by the beauty of the sea life found along the south coast. So please come along and view the unique sea life mosaics, created by Simone and Rob Scott.
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Simone and Robbie Scott’s artistic works on display
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Possible origin of Simone and Robbie’s skills:
Google records; “Research shows January babies have a number of advantages because of their birth month. People born in January are more likely to be famous because they are more creative and have superior problem-solving skills, according to a study of 300 celebrities”.
Robbie’s birthday is January 2 and Simone is January 3. Could this be the link?
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Ken B., Mollymook Beach Waterfront: Editor for Mollymook News and Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla
Lloyd and Ruth MacDonald. Their former house with Lloyd in the b/g looking at the ruins
Lloyd and Ruth lost their home when the bush fires swept through on Tuesday. Ben and Roger kindly looked after them on Wednesday evening and fellow swimmer Mike and his dear wife Elizabeth Gaffney have offered their holiday home for some short term accommodation. Lloyd was so thankful and graciously accepted.
Garry Jenner and Jayne lost their shed and fowl yard including their fowls. I’ve heard that Garry was able to put out a number of small fires that had apparently started on their home and save it whereby their neighbour lost their home completely.
Swimmers have been inquiring into the welfare of Wendy and Craig Jenner at Lake Conjola. From reliable sources I am advised that they are presently ok, however everyone in that area are bracing themselves for Saturday’s predicted heat-wave.
Inquiries have also been coming in for Ray and Janie Ackerman. Ray was down swimming this morning and all is good at the moment. Others were inquiring into the welfare of Losal Lekshe who lives in a caravan down in Myrtle Gully north of Milton. Losal is OK and currently on the Central Coast for his birthday with his parents. He hasn’t been able to contact the owner of the property where his caravan is.
Later update is in BLUE below.
Just heard that the owner of the property where Losal’s caravan is, lost his life in Tuesday’s horrific fires.
Graeme and Suzanne have accommodation available for any swimmer in need.
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Ken B., Mollymook Beach Waterfront: Editor for Mollymook News and Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla
