SPRING ISSUE October 2011

SANDRINGHAM FORESHORE ASSOCIATION (SFA)

Founded January 2007
ABN 42947116512

A CHARITABLE NOT FOR PROFIT VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION

SFA
PO Box 52
Sandringham 3191
E-mail: sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au
Website www.sandyforeshore.net.au
Past e-newsletter issues available on SFA website: http://www.sandyforeshore.net.au/

Join the Sandringham Life Saving Club:

The Sandringham Life Saving Club (SLSC) was formed in 1917. They have been patrolling our local beaches for
93 years and should be commended on their great efforts in servicing our local community and beaches. It
consists of a committee, a number of voluntary workers, lifesavers and members. Lifesavers play an important
role in patrolling our local foreshore starting from Spring to Autumn, especially over the summer period.
On behalf of the SFA, Vicki Karalis was extremely honoured to be able to speak about the history of the SFA,
while Murray Thompson Sandringham MP spoke on the important community work of the Lifesaving Club, and
together with Murray, Vicki presented some of the awards at the Sandringham Lifesaving Club Annual General
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Meeting held on 26 August 2011.

Vicki with Ruby Campbell-Beschorner and Murray Thompson Sandringham MP

A well deserved medal presented to a nipper.

Joining a Life Saving Club is a unique and rewarding experience that can enrich and change the lives of young
children. The primary mission of life saving clubs is to provide a safe and enjoyable aquatic experience for all
visitors to our beaches.
Lifesaving is able to offer volunteers:
Aquatic Education and Training
Membership Development, Growth and Support
Youth and Leadership Development
Skills and Fitness
Life Saving Clubs train volunteer lifesavers in aquatic rescue and resuscitation techniques as well as offering
water safety education to the general beach going public. As a patrolling member of a life saving club you will
play an important role in the provision of this vital community service.
The Club welcome new members. To join the Sandringham Lifesaving club press onto the following link for a
membership form: https://lifesavingvictoria.wufoo.com/forms/z7p7r3/ or call 9598 2340 or Stewart Carmody,
President on 0423 956 781

Half Moon Bay (HMB) sand renourishment update:

Photo by John Amiet.

DSE had commenced works last week on HMB but they were recently halted by the Minister of Environment
Ryan Smith who has organised an investigation to review the works. SFA congratulate Black Rock resident

Michael Schuh and our local MP Murray Thompson for their tremendous efforts in raising concerns about the
sand renourishment for HMB with the Minister of Environment and the media.
According to Michael, the Minister is reviewing the works based on the following concerns:
DSE has not conclusively demonstrated a need for the project.
DSE has not gained full stakeholder or public support for the project.
DSE has not tested the sand for contamination prior to putting it on the beach, nor done the
appropriate testing of the chemical makeup of the terrestrial dirt/sand to test its reaction in the
marine environment. There are significant risks to introducing terrestrial material into a delicate
marine environment, particularly when its from another geographical location.
DSE has not prepared an environmental impact study
Dr Eric Bird, a Black Rock resident for over 50 years, and a leading coastal scientist / world authority
on coastlines Geomorphologist has stated that Half Moon Bay is one of, if not the most, stable
beach in Port Phillip and that
o there is no need at this stage to put more sand at Half Moon Bay
o other beaches are in much more need
o the current DSE project incurs a risk of southerly sand movement possibly burying boat
ramps
o erosion of Red Bluff (at the north end of HMB far removed from the proposed works) occurs
from the top and not from wave action. The DSE proposal would have no effect on any of
the erosion that is occurring at the cliff.

If you object strongly to the current works, you can do the following, but you need to act immediately:
STEP ONE
(i)

Email the Minister Ryan Smith asking for a cessation of works, or at a minimum the delay of the
works whilst a soil report is completed by DSE & objectors - ryan.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au

STEP TWO
(ii)

Call the Ministers office 9637 8890 and voice your concerns in person.

Photo by John Amiet. Note size of granules of new sand.

If you would like to become more involved with this issue, please contact Michael Schuh via his mobile phone
on 0412 443 701 or emailing him on mschuh@vic.knightfrankval.com.au

Photo by Alison Horton. HMB in summer.

Do we need to attract more people onto HMB in summer when there arent enough car parking spaces and
facilities to service the increase in population?

To view some of the recent media on HMB press on the following links:
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The Age 4 October 2011 Angry locals draw line in the sand over beach extension:
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/angry-locals-draw-line-in-the-sand-over-beach-extension20111003-1l5cr.html#ixzz1aEz2hcSK
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The Age 6 October 2011 Guard on new sand added to beach:

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/guard-on-new-sand-added-to-beach-20111005-1l9wx.html
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The Age 7 October 2011 Halt ordered on shifting sands of Half Moon Bay:
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/halt-ordered-on-shifting-sands-of-half-moon-bay-201110061lbrp.html#ixzz1aEzNIbc6
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ABC news: 4 October 2011

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-04/residents-against-dirt-coloured-sand/3223366?section=vic
The Age Poll: Are locals right to oppose the renourishment of Half Moon Bay with red quarry sand?
Yes 63%
No 37%
Total votes: 2622. Poll closed 7 Oct, 2011

Bayside City Council update:

SFA value their relationship with Bayside City Council. We have found Council to be helpful and excellent in
consulting with us on beach issues. Members of SFA are soon meeting with Council officers to walk along the
Sandringham beaches and cliffs.
Do you have an issue with the local beaches you would like us to raise with Council?

SFA plan to discuss the importance of vegetation to help prevent cliff erosion, the current state of our cliffs
and beaches, how to create a sense of place, ways to further beautify the cliff top walks and concerns with
the current storm water drain pipes.

Profile of a local resident and her family:

Alison Horton

The Horton family from a

recent teaching trip to Santiago, Chile (Alison is in the middle).

Stephen and Alison and their two girls Ella (13) and Karina (11) live a very short walk from Half Moon Bay
(HMB). Alisons wish was to have a home close to the beach as she had grown up in country England on the
North Downs. They moved into their Black Rock home in 1994 after working overseas at the Cleveland Clinic in
Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Photo by Ella Horton (13 years of age).

They all spend a lot of time at the beach as they love diving, kayaking, snorkelling and swimming, along with
exploring the cliffs and rock pools. Many dead shark eggs have been brought home to nurture in a bucket

(until the smell necessitates immediate disposal). Ella loves taking photos of HMB and often disappears with
her mothers camera to take another sunset on the beach (this is one of hers above). They visit the beach most
days of the year and are keen observers of the wildlife both above and below the sea. The family joined the
Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Karina enjoys the Little Nipper program.
Alison is a member of the Sandringham Foreshore Association (SFA) and only found out about the DSE
proposal for the refurbishment program of Half Moon Bay through Vicki Karalis and the SFA. They were
disappointed that the DSE or council had not contacted any of the residents. She voiced her concerns through
the SFA, and spoke to all the neighbours or emailed other friends to inform them of the proposals. She was
ecstatic when the proposed groyne was shelved as the ugly ones on the Sandringham foreshore could have
been avoided with sand replenishment.
Both Alison and Stephen work in cardiac surgery as Perfusionists at The Royal Childrens Hospital. Stephen
initiated the Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) program and went on to do his PhD. He is a world authority in
pediatric perfusion and his expert opinion is sought after around the globe.
Alison also works part time at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She is Chair of the Registration Committee of the
Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists and was President for a few years. With their workload,
on call and hospital commitments, Alison felt that one of them needed to work less. However she fills any
spare moment helping other community clubs. Both Ella and Karina attended Sandringham Primary School,
and they spend a lot of time at the Thomas Street netball courts!
They love the beach lifestyle and they often use the bike track to cycle into work. They have watched Black
Rock shopping area develop into a busy caf style area. A recent job offer from the USA was not tempting
enough to move them from this piece of Paradise.

The Bayside Environment Friends Network:

The Bayside Environment Friends Network (BEFN) is an ambassador for indigenous vegetation and wildlife. It
shares knowledge about how to protect and foster indigenous plants and habitat and promotes this.
The BEFN is coordinated by Barbara Jakob. They have a Facebook page that can be viewed by everyone. It is a
public forum and they welcome your involvement. To open the Facebook page type Bayside Environment
Friends Network Facebook into your browsers search engine and click on the facebook link.
Otherwise you can email Barbara on BaysideFriends@gmail.com
The Network offers:

Thank you, with kindness

Vicki Karalis
President, SFA