A Capital read
In collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Ian Ingram has given us a collection of stories and articles on surfing, growing up in Canberra and escaping the national capital, looking for the perfect wave from Lorne in Victoria to Noosa in Queensland.
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He has presented more than three hundred quality photographs, many taken from Naroooma to Broulee and places in between.
I met Ian when I was about 15 years old, and he always seemed to have a camera in his hand and the keys to a car, an essential asset for "gypsy surfers" in the 1960s and later. My mate, Bobby Giles, and I relied on older brothers and friends with a licence, or else we just surfed Mossy Point and walked to North Broulee. Readers will enjoy many anecdotes about identities, especially Charlie Bettini, the Guilhome brothers, his brother Don and Mick Commins, amongst many.
As a dossier of photographic and written surfing experiences over a decade or more, it is also a significant piece of history, locally and nationally. It ushers in the changing period of the 1970s and highlights a major leisure industry.
There are a few gaps in his memory, as evidenced by several quality photographs of unknown surfing folk. That is not to be critical and I have helped identify a few of them, as no doubt others have too.
The book mentions the Safari Surfriders Club, based in Canberra, where a lot of us studied, worked and planned for the next weekend at the coast.Ian suggested I might write the next book on surfing and the associated travel, fun and games associated.
Ian has demonstrated the value of friendship and networks in life and leisure. We would be the poorer without this fine piece of work, and surfing.
All the best for Xmas and the summer of 2016-17.
Bill Baker, Potato Point
Why elect councillors?
Nine councillors, including the mayor, were elected by the shire’s voters and residents to represent residents and voters on the Eurobodalla Shire Council.
The voting community supported and trusted nine individuals to convey their messages and discuss their business at council meetings.
They didn’t expect any of the nine to ignore them once they were elected and on the ratepayer funded payroll, nor did they expect any of the nine elected community representatives to roll over and be led by public servants and state bureaucrats. Unfortunately, that’s what seems to be occurring. If the elected councillors didn’t wish to represent the voters in the workings of the local council, which is funded by the residents of the shire, why did they nominate for election earlier this year? Was it just all for personal benefit and attempting to climb the political ladder to Sydney or Canberra?
Allan Brown, Catalina
In praise of volunteers
International Volunteer Day was a time for us to reflect on the immense contribution volunteers make to our society and thank them for all that they do.
Red Cross is an organisation built on voluntary service, made up of 17 million volunteers worldwide. Volunteers help save lives, build resilient communities, support people in disaster, and prevent and alleviate human suffering in times of war and conflict.
Every day our 35,000 members and volunteers in Australia improve the wellbeing of the vulnerable. I can’t thank them enough for their time, energy and commitment, and I feel privileged to work alongside them.
Voluntary service not only helps the recipients, but also the volunteers whose lives are enriched by the act of giving. I strongly urge you to join our humanitarian movement and help your community by visiting redross.org.au/volunteering.
