Mollymook News
editor Ken Banks
The Mollymook ocean swimmers are not an organised group. They are simply a number of local Mollymook Milton Ulladulla citizens joined by numerous other ocean swimmers holidaying in the Mollymook Milton Ulladulla area who enjoy an ocean swim each morning. They meet at the Mollymook Surf Club at 6.30 am and a 2nd group of longer distance swimmers at 6.45 am daily, throughout the year. (However during winter when the days are shorter we may start up to 15 minutes later, viz. 6.45 am and 7.00 am). There is no water safety, each person chooses individually whether or not to swim in the prevailing conditions and if so the distance they swim and understand they swim at their own risk. Most endeavour to swim in pairs or groups and numbers vary from 4 to 6 in the winter to say 40 during summer.
Local model and Ocean Swimmer plays Santa
Christmas joy and celebration – drinking responsibly
Feedback is pouring in:
Louise M. “Well if it’s not Santa’s little helper Johnny from the Golfie (I use the term ‘little’ loosely)!”
Phil R. “all the best (John) in the … wonderful world of club management in 2015”
Brian G. “It’s BAD SANTA”
Louise M. “ho ho ho that’s hilarious!”
John H. “It’s a gee up from another club manager”.
Byron Bay Markets: Keith and Trish bump into a comrade from Mollymook
Alien sighted on Mollymook Beach rock platform
Keith and Trish send their greetings from Byron Bay to the Mollymook Ocean Swimmers. Pic. Courtesy of Grant M. highlighted on the big screen.
The course begins at the foot of Pigeon House mountain. The 1st leg is a 5 km hike to the summit of Pigeon House Mtn. and return. The 2nd leg comprises a 25 km bike ride from Pigeon House Mtn. to Burrill Lake. The 3rd leg a 5 km paddle on a Stand Up Paddle board (SUP) across the lake and up the backwaters to Cupitt’s vineyard. This is followed by a 4th leg, 6 km run to North Mollymook Beach, then the 5th leg is a 2 km swim to South Mollymook completing this leg on a wave riding body board.
It’s a social event whereby contestants can do the entire marathon or just a few selected legs of the marathon. It has been made possible by the vision of two boys Harm and Jonathon Schaap helped by their dad Ice in aid of raising funds for Turia Pitt’s charity ‘Interplast’.
Check their “Mountain to Sea” marathon on Facebook.
Remember to support the sponsors who make so many events possible: Tallwood Restaurant, Board Lounge, Cupitt’s Restaurant and Winery, M & J Green Builders, La valle Fisheries, Kristy’s fitness and well being, AKWA surf, Surf House Narrawallee, Office National, Tucker R/E, DDe-signtech, Coastal Paddle Surf.
The Ocean swim group were represented at this full day testing event by Bobby White our elder stateman, Simone Scott and children Chloe & Jamie with dad Rob in the support crew. Cheryl and daughter Mia. John and Tracy’s daughter Melissa.
Having a great time in Vietnam, its a wonderful place. Very lively and noisy. Its chaos when I’m on a motor bike as they drive on the wrong side and I forget to look the other way but they swerve well and don’t drive as fast as us. Lots of people getting around on the backs of motorbikes.
Been doing a lot of revisiting of the Vietnam war remembering Apocalypse Now, ” Love the smell of napalm in the morning” and Platoon. I’ve visited the Cu Chi tunnels where the Vietcong staged their final assault to take Saigon. I could fit easily into those tunnels. (Ken you’d have to do a bit more running) Ho Chi Minh is the main man here. Beat off the French then the Americans. Fairly depressing visiting the War Remnants museum. Remnants of place, weaponry and people, however I have seen some great cat traps I could use in my own back yard!
Haven’t seen anywhere to swim as yet. The Mekong looks like Beach Hut coffee and is about as inviting. Well I’ve now moved to Da Lat, it’s up in the hills away from the smog and noise where they grow lots of flowers and strawberries. (PS. John. If I win a trophy at the swimmers Christmas party can you look after it for me?) Craig.
Mercy Ship Africa
Sunday Night program 7pm, 14th December Channel 7 (that’s this Sunday night) and then available online at ‘Plus7’.
Sunday 21st December 8:30pm on both Channel SBS One and Channel SBS HD, and then available online at ‘SBS On Demand’. This will be the ‘new’ 54min (longer) version of ‘The Surgery Ship’ documentary..
This coverage provides a wonderful opportunity to lift Mercy Ships’ profile in Australia. It would be greatly appreciated if you are able to support our efforts by forwarding this advice to your contact list, with a recommendation that the recipients forward to their contacts.
The 30 second promo video for the Channel 7 episode of Sunday Night can be watched on this YouTube link.
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Along the coast of Africa, a long way from Australia, there is a desperate need for medical help. Here, a state-of-the-art floating hospital. On board, a team of dedicated Australians transforming lives – free of charge.
This is the basis of a story featuring on Sunday Night on Channel 7 at 7.00pm on December 14.
Filmed on location in the Republic of the Congo, the story centres on the work of the world’s largest independent hospital ship, Africa Mercy, during its 10 months docked in the Central African nation performing surgeries for conditions often not seen in the West.
“The only difference between me and the patients is the fact that I was born in Australia,” observes Rinnah Fry, a paediatric nurse from Bundaberg who has volunteered three times with Mercy Ships, the international charity that operates the Africa Mercy. Rinnah is one of the many Australian medical personnel who make up more than 450 volunteers staffing the Africa Mercy.
Mercy Ships Australia, screening on Channel 7 December 14 at 7.00 pm
Not to be missed:
Channel 7 screening the above presentation Australia wide at 7pm on 14th December following a film crew visit to the ship early this year in the Republic of Congo.
It highlights the wonderful work being done by Australian volunteers, Doctors, nurses and others.
These volunteers are the real heroes who help enable all medical services to be provided free of charge to those in desperate need.
Prime location at No 1 Forest Way, couples accommodation in Mollymook. Walk to Mollymook beach, Bowling club, restaurants and cafes.
Ideally suited for couples, boasting an ‘open plan’ design with spacious area for queen size bed, kitchenette and dining area. En-suite bathroom, outdoor area and gardens. Kitchenette boosts a microwave oven, fridge, toaster, electric kettle with ample crockery and cutlery. (Can arrange a separate single stretcher bed or portacot for $10 extra)
Affordable rates at $85 mid week and $110 per couple on weekends.
Holiday periods: 1st 2 weeks in January, Easter & Oct. long weekends $140 per night
phone: 0419 492 599 or email: isaszanto@hotmail.com
Archer turns 10 – November 19
Val with grandson River Ashley born November 19
Jackie’s birthday bash – Saturday 15 was huge. Brian put on free beer and more food than an army could eat, a sign on the road ‘all invited’ and a special invitation to ‘Times’ front page celebrity Darryl Bozicevic.
Food was served early to allow all the gentlemen to adjourn to the ‘Men’s shed’ to watch the rugby league test on TV.
‘Shop Pink’, members of the Jane McGrath Foundation consoled sensitive Ken who had arrived with a massive cake plus an extra one from Bianca to celebrate his Sunday birthday, and hardly any swimmers turned up.
Anyway, Grant had four large slices, and we were able to feed the staff and many other diners at the Beach Hut plus the needy.
Graeme like the other Graeme we know, won’t be turning up with his birthday cake this Friday.
To avoid a repetition of the riotous behaviour earlier this year at Banister’s when the other Graeme was absent on his birthday, this Graeme has promised a ‘late’ birthday cake for swimmers on his return to Mollymook.
Grant and Valerie are the proud grand-parents of the first male in their lineage. One can only imagine how hard Grant fought for the Bub to be called Grant the 2nd, I’m sure when outnumbered he graciously acquiesced and allowed the parents Desi and Hayden to name their son – River Ashley Naylor.
Bottom two images, ‘photographer at large’, Anne-Maree.
Mollymook Beach Friday Oct 31 am
Mollymook Beach Friday Oct 31 pm
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Pods of Whales: Few whales have been sighted during the traditional Sept – Oct period this year however Friday was huge with pod after pod moving south down the coastline. Those pods of whales that were close to Mollymook beach, were ideal for photography.
Africa Mercy Ship: Just a reminder, on channel 7 TWO tonight 2nd November, from 7.30 to 8.30 is a presentation called “Mighty Ships”. This showing is all about the Africa Mercy, not the medical services provided, but all of the issues and challenges that have to be overcome in order to keep the ship fully operational so that it can perform its function as a hospital ship in Africa.
Sunrise at Coalcliff
Following the release of Mollymook – Billy Rushton’s post earlier this week titled ‘Billy – A step back in time – 1964’, local Coalcliff residents Tony Williams and Ed Melinz sent through a number of other early Coalcliff photo’s that related to the Surf Club and Beach history.
1935 with old Surf Club in foreground
1955-56 Surf Club members
1969-70 Beach and old Surf Club
Squatters era
The image of the Surf Club was taken in 1969-70 prior to being washed away in the floods that occurred in 1974.
The ‘Squatters era’ shows a group of squatters lowering their boat to the water below. The ‘Squatters’ apparently occupied tin shacks (built during the depression years) on weekends and over Christmas. The council finally bulldozed and removed them in 1964.
1977 – 78 period
1977 – 78 period
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The occasion: Peter Lozan’s 21st birthday (Pic – centre front row). Billy Rushton was on the scene to capture this group photo of the club members.
NOTE: The dress / fashion for that period: All the young men in their late teens – early twenties dressed in a suit and tie. That’s the way it was.
Back in this period the feature social event each Saturday night was a ‘Sand Dance’ held at the old surf club with some parents keeping an eye on proceedings. The old surf club was later washed away in the huge storms of 1974-1975.
Some of these youngster have aged gracefully over the ensuring 50 years as they came together for a 50th celebration, early November 2014 that Bill help organise at the Gerroa Fishermans Club.
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We have gathered here today to celebrate old friendships that are unique,
Friendships, formed as kids by a common bond of sun, surf and the beach.
We used to congregate at Coalcliff, down by the seaside blue.
For around sixty years, give or take, we have known each other true,
But when we come together like this, old friendships to re-kindle .
Enabling us a chance to talk and laugh, a few beers, a toast,
Or just a wine to sip.
How often we recall what we did when younger and now we find,
For just a moment, lets just reflect those long gone years of perfect days at Coalcliff.
So let me pose this question when we all rode our Malibu’s,
Does any of the following sound familiar to you??
“The waves, though steep,
Were a sheer wall of green?
The type of waves,
Which were seldom seen?
Louise and her milestone (Pic Anne-Maree)
Cairns at Collers Beach (Pic June B.)
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Celebrity birthday’s on October 24:
Along with former great international swimmer Gertrude Ederle, our own Louise M. celebrated her birthday Oct. 24 at the ‘Beach Hut’ cafe Mollymook.
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Cairns:
Mollymook showed off its own ‘Cairns’ showpiece (above) at Collers Beach this morning. An unknown artist put together this rock sculptor and (below) Popeye – Mick Purcill shows a different ‘Cairns’ structure at Mollymook Beach before vandals dismounted it. Stone cairns are considered an ancient art form, and are often constructed by balancing large rocks or stones on top of smaller ones. No mortar is ever used in making a stone cairn, which is what makes this feat so amazing. Cairns have been popular in many cultures since the prehistoric times. Pic below shows those in Ireland and Stonehenge.
