March Movies

 

FOR SALE

 Three wheel walker for sale in perfect condition $99. Villa 49 - Julie. Call 2449.

  

PALM LAKE BALLING GARDEN CLUB

A warm welcome is extended to all residents to attend the next meeting of our Garden Club.

NEXT MEETING: 24 FEBRUARY  2021. Old Clubhouse 9:00 am

Agenda

1.  1.      Welcome and updating of contact details

2.      Planning for 2021

(a)    Garden Competition – Don Willet

(b)   Activities for 2021

(c)    Organisation of Garden Club for 2021

3.      Finances

4.      Other Business such as garden problems, unusual or problem plants

5.      Garden Visits for March 24^th 2021 Meeting: Villa 215 and Villa 283

6.      Morning Tea. Gold coin donation appreciated

Robert Barlow - Villa 219

January 2021

Fishing Reports

The Patches Team have done it again this month with a very productive session on South Ballina late in the month. This never happens when I go with them.

Left:  A fine haul from the Patch’s team
Right: Lady Lizard shows them how

I’m beginning to realise where they get their success from and it’s not Captain Patch’s Col but his lovely wife Missus Patch’s (aka Lady Lizard) as they always have success when she attends. So if you go out with the Patchs Team make sure Julie comes along if you want to have a successful day.

 Anyway it was really great to hear that a number of our new members had success with the team as shown by the following photos.

 

    

Left:  Mangrove Jack strikes fear on Patchs -  A very proud fisho
Middle: Nice whiting Pam!
Right:  Don't let her beat you Graeme

The Trip of a Lifetime

The other big news this month is the announcement that we are heading off to Glenlyon Dam on 2^nd March for a few days to chase monster Murray Cod and Golden Perch. We will be staying at the Tourist Park from Tuesday 2^nd to Thursday 4^th returning home on the Friday. Some are taking vans or mobile homes while others are booking cabins. We have considerable interest in the trip and have around 15 people attending at this stage. Let me know if you are interested but haven’t booked yet and I can give you further details

Report on the Sinkers

We can’t claim to have won the month so far as fishing success is concerned but at least I can report that we finally managed to get the SS Vaucluse back into the water in January after a very long ansence. We launched her at the Martin Street Boat ramp and headed across North Creek for a bit of drifting around the sand bar for flathead in the middle of the creek.

We drifted up and down the creek for a couple of hours but only caught undersized bream and flathead so we decided to anchor up on the other side and fish in a deep hole we identified on the sounder. Once again we had little to write home about so about an hour later with just two legal fish we decided to give it away and head for home.

On returning across the creek the mighty SS Vaucluse got the stutters and began to lose power. Bam the Clam just gunned the motor in an attempt to get quickly back to the ramp as we were unsure what was causing the problem. Just as we were approaching the shore Anchors Away Johnnie yelled out “We didn’t pull the anchor up” No wonder we were battling to get back as we had been dragging the anchor  all the way back through the weed banks. Could happen to anyone I guess!

Tip of the Month

For this month I really can’t go past my advice earlier about making sure Lady Lizard attends if you plan to go over the south side with the Patch’s Team. I think there are a number of our club members such as Banjo Sherlock, Bam the Clam, Anchors Away Johnnie, Hammerhead and Graham Stewart who would all vouch for this as they have all fallen for Patch’s Col and his enthusiasm only to draw a blank on the south side. It seems the only time they catch fish is when Lady Lizard is there to get them right so don’t go over there without her.

Tight Lines Douggie

Chinderah Golf Day

 

Another sunny day saw 18 players tee off on Friday 29th and it was great that we were able to travel  up in our two buses.

We welcomed new players Ian and Moyra Mercer ,Steve Fleming and Ramsey Roper. 

The ladies comp was won by Sue MacDonald followed by Hilary Lewis and Julie Maynard and the men’s comp went to Ken Nunn followed by Paul Denmeade and Ramsey Roper. Roger Pallant had a very good round with one over par  -  well done Roger. 

Nearest the pin on the fourth first went to Moyra, but was beaten by Bill Oliver on the 13th. Michael Sherlock took the prize. Thanks again to our drivers Michael Sherlock and Steve Horne. Next game is 26 February -  see you there

Bill Oliver

Brush Turkey Babies

Lee and Phil Pinch spotted this lovely little chick in their front garden a few days ago, a baby brush turkey and they've never seen an adult here at Palm Lake.

After hatching, brush turkey chicks burrow out of the mound where the eggs were laid and are left to completely fend for themselves, with no parental care, are fully feathered and are able to walk immediately.

Lee and Phil enjoyed this chick foraging in their front garden.

Emergency Road Repairs Upddate

The road north of Lavender Boulevard will remain closed until Saturday 30

CD Excavators and LJR Concreters have completed the emergency road repairs in the vicinity of Villas 213, 214 and 215.

LJR Concreters has advised that the road will remain closed north of Lavender Boulevard from Villas 213, 214 and 215 for the repairs to settle and will re-open Saturday 30 January 2021.

This will include no access to the Caravan Bay along this road until Saturday 30 January.

We will continue to waive the two day parking rule for those residents impacted by having to move their vehicles.

Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

Exhibition of photos in Creative Artisans Gallery Wigmore Arcade

 I am having an exhibition of  'artistic' versions of my photographs in the Creative Artisans Gallery in the Wigmore Arcade Ballina (just down from Swish coffee shop in River St) for the next month. 

Images are for sale as printed canvases or framed prints - see the flyer below for details.

If you are in the area pop in and check the exhibition out. 

Julie Pallant (Villa 283)

 

Palm Lake Lunch and Dinner

 A message from Palm Lake Manager: 

Just a reminder that lunch and dinner service is going back to the table by table service, provided COVID regulations are adhered to. Social distancing must be maintained. 

It is also important that residents who attend lunch and dinner must bring their FOB with them to check in for their meal. 

Farm fresh mangoes for sale

 Shirley Hughes (Villa 257) has a friend who can supply farm fresh mangoes, delivered to your door.

Trays of 12 Mangoes are just $10. 

To order contact Karly on 0404 154 408

Furniture for sale

 Hazel Buckley from Villa 35 has a Buffet and Hutch for sale. 

Both items are solid timber in excellent condition. They were moved from Sydney but are not suitable for new home. 

Buffet W=163cm, H=94cm, D=50cm  Price $250

Hutch 2 piece: W=114cm, H=214cm, D=50cm, Bottom H=94cm Top H=120cm  Price $250

Will considerable reasonable offers.

Please contact Hazel Buckley on 0417 068 040 if you are interested. 

Bike for Sale

Andy Duke-Yonge has an Avanti Bike with Dillinger E conversion kit fitted for sale.

It has a large frame and is in excellent condition. 

Asking Price: $1,350.00

If you are interested please contact Linda Duke-Yonge (Villa 97) Ph: 2497

 

Emergency Road Repairs: Impact on residents and caravan storage area

 CD Escavators have inspected the road in the vicinity of Villas 213, 214, 215 and determined this area requires major road works to be completed urgently. Work will commence 7am Monday 18th January.

Lavender Boulevard from Villa 206 to Villa 220 will be closed for approx 1 week. Villas 213, 214, 215 will not be able to use their garages until road works are complete. Villas 206 to 216 will have access to their driveways, but will be impacted by road work traffic. 

Residents who have their caravans/motorhomes/trailers parked in the caravan bay and who need them next week should move their vehicles by 7pm on Sunday 17th Jan 2021 as this area will not be accessible for approx 1 week. 

Palm Lake will waive the 2-day parking rule for those residents impacted by having to move their vehicles. 

We apologize for the inconvenience but this involves urgent repairs. 

Thank you for your patience. 

Palm Lake Manager

Line dancing classes at Palm Lake

 

Fishing Club report December 2020

 

In the absence of any December Report from Commodore Barry and his First Mate Pam it seems like Patches and his team have been our most successful fishers for December. Once again the Sinkers have little to report and we still haven’t even been out in the SS Vaucluse or Tiny Tinny. I think I’ll look for a new team.

 Anyway in view  of the old adage “If you can’t lick ‘em then join ‘em” I decided to accompany Patches and Michael across the Ferry to South Ballina one afternoon to catch some of these whiting and bream Patches keeps telling me about. They certainly weren’t leaping out of the water at us but we managed to get two keepers each. Patches said “You should have been down here this morning when every throw was a fish!” That’s about the story of my life.

 Despite the fact that we only managed two fish each the entertainment was provided by Michael (aka Banjo Ray) Sherlock. Banjo lived up to his name by catching 10 banjo rays as well as his couple of whiting. Every time we looked over at him he had another ray. I guess some people have some kind of innate ability which enables them to succeed where others fail. Onya Banjo but I’d rather it be you than me!

 Report on the Sinkers

Although we haven’t managed to catch too many fish we have had a ball with the crabs this month. In one three day period we caught over twenty legal sized muddies from our secret spot in Emigrant Creek. We had an absolutely amazing feast one afternoon and treated our partners to a seafood extravaganza!

Tip of the Month

The danger with catching a lot of crabs is that you can become a bit complacent with the way you handle them. Anchors Away Johnnie and I decided to sort out a big group and place them in to separate buckets according to size to help with the cooking. Now we know that when you take them out of the refrigerator where they have been sleeping peacefully they don’t take long to wake up. Anyhow we tipped them in to a big bucket and we were lifting them out to sort them when one of them woke up and took a vice like grip on my finger. I wailed so hard I was heard all along the Street but no matter what I did the damn thing would not let go. I finally shook it off and despite weeks of treatment from Nursie Joy (the Fishing Club Nurse) I am still getting over the infection. Well Hammerhead has been at it again getting advice from his local cronies and he tells me I should have put the crab on the ground and it would have let go straight away.

I’m not absolutely convinced and I hope I don’t have to try it out but that’s the tip for this month for any of you silly enough to let a muddie get hold of you.

Our Special Guest Reporter

 This Month we are fortunate to have an article from our very special reporter Lyn Pramana (wife of Bam the Clam) and despite the fact it may have some inaccuracies I have agreed to publish it as an addendum to the December Report.

CRABS - CAUGHT – CLEANED – COOKED – CONSUMED (THE REAL STORY)

CRABS OR CRAP – THAT IS THE QUESTION

For some reason none of us can fathom, the guys decided to cut and clean the crabs before they boiled them. This proved not only to be a not good idea, but in fact it was a really bad idea.
It seems that Doug had never seen inside of a raw crab before and was quite put off by all the “translucent crap” he found inside. He decided he better clean all that stuff out and it was about 4 crabs later that someone looked at what Doug was doing and asked him why he was cleaning all the meat out from the crab. It took another bottle of beer each to discuss if it was indeed translucent crap or crab meat.
Once all the crabs were cleaned they were then thrown into the 2 big pots (regardless of size) and boiled up. Even Doug’s empty crabs were tossed in just in case he missed a bit.
The result was not too bad for the smaller crabs but left a lot to be desired for the larger crabs. When you cracked the claws water squirted all over your face and clothes.  They were full of water and translucent crap. There was a lot of scolding and head shaking and “I can’t believe you did that” from one particular wife.
The ladies ate modestly and the guys polished off the rest of the 21 crabs. As luck would have it, Doug did not get one of the empty crabs.

Happy New Year

 What a great party we had at the Centre on New Year’s Eve and many thanks to all those who made it happen. Let’s hope we can have many more great times at the Centre throughout 2021.

 Stay safe and Happy New Year to you all !

 Tight Lines Douggie

New email address for events at Palm Lake Ballina

 

Driftwood Xmas Party photos

Jacqui Baskerville from Villa 262 sent in some photos she took at the recent Driftwood Xmas Party. To view her photos click on the link below:

Link to Jacqui's photos from Driftwood Xmas Party 

Trivia Night

 A total of 96 wannabe quiz masters turned up for the 70s theme trivia night last week. Quite a few dressed for the occasion, as did hosts Peter and Roger. 

The night was hotly contested with “Golfers plus 1” taking the prize. Fiona Jones was the non golfer in the team and it can be argued whether Lyle, Bob White and the Hogbens, Ted and Sharyn, can claim to be golfers. Serial burglar Doug was there with wife Lesley nictitating (winking) at him all night. 

Some of the team captains submitted profiles of where they were in the 70s and what they were doing. There was skinny dipping, long sideburns, VW Beetles, escaping Cyclone Tracey and some boring stuff like being the CEO of Ballina Hospital.

Information session about a new exercise program

 

Fishing Report November 2020

 

Not too much to report again this month and the most successful team again was Commodore Barry and First Mate Pam who never seem to miss when they take the Rescue vessel up the river. Using mainly yabbies they have had success with bream and whiting and I understand they caught a nice big muddie up in Graham (the Emigrant) Suffolk’s territory in Emigrant Creek. Speaking of muddies now is the time to get amongst them so get out there and have a crack at them. I should have exciting reports on this next month.

 As promised Paul (Ice Blocks) Ison took Anchors Away Johnnie and Stephen (Flash) Fleming up to Casuarina Beach where according to Ice Blocks you can’t miss with the tailor. Apparently apart from a couple of undersized bream and whiting the mission was a total failure. Well done Ice Blocks!

 In the meantime Hammerhead and I were fighting huge barramundi at the Fish Farm in Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast. We took our wonderful wives up to Mooloolaba to treat them to a couple of day’s luxury and while we were up there we snuck away for a bit of fishing action. It was hard to believe the size of the barramundi in the ponds and while we didn’t manage to land any we had the best time ever fighting them. They kept breaking us off and Hammerhead couldn’t control his emotions as freight train barramundi well over 60cms kept charging away with his line.  If you are looking for a good day of sport fishing you can’t go past this place.

 We’ve had little in the way of reports from Patch’s and his team this month, so he either hasn’t been out much or his efforts have been unproductive.      

Club Meetings

We finally held a very successful barbecue meeting of the Fishing Club on the 9^th November with around 15 members and their partners in attendance. Apparently we broke some of the Covid 19 rules (which have never been explained to us) and caused some angst with Management. Oops! Sorry about that. Anyway now that we have a better appreciation of the rules Gladys has taken the brakes off in NSW and it seems we’re all good to go again.    

 Report on the Sinkers

Now that the blackfish season is over we have taken to fishing the beach and the river for whiting. Apparently the reports (mainly from the Bait Shops) have been that the whiting are thick. We haven’t seen any evidence of that apart from the odd small one from the River. The Ballina Bait and Tackle man told us that we couldn’t miss if we took our (very expensive worms) along the river to the tree behind the Swimming Pool. Anchors Away caught a couple and a small flathead but I wouldn’t say the spot was anything to write home about. Hammerhead certainly wasn’t impressed.

 We still haven’t taken the boats out but we should take to the water with the SS Vaucluse and Tiny Tinny as soon as the winds die down and the weather warms up.

 Tip of the Month

As we heard local reports that the whiting were really on the Sinkers decided to take up the challenge of catching them with poppers. At $8.50 a packet for about three lousy worms we decided it would be much cheaper and more fun to catch them on the poppers.

 Hammerhead in one of his regular visits to BCF, was introduced to the very best,  you beaut , top of the range poppers and despite my protestations forked out the princely sum of $25 of his hard earned to buy one. Anchors Away was similarly encouraged to buy one from Dave’s Bait Shop (this was also supposed to be top of the range and guaranteed to catch whiting) but his only cost $20.

 We headed off to the beach at Flat Rock, me with my yabbies and the boys with their poppers determined to get amongst the whiting. You guessed it, the boys caught zilch with their poppers and I caught four very nice whiting.

 By the way I have since bought five poppers very similar to theirs over the net for $10 bucks.

The Tip

Don’t take too much notice of the bait and tackle stores and don’t expect to get amongst the whiting with poppers.

Happy X-mas to All

Cheers till next month and have a great X-mas and a fantastic New Year.

 Let’s hope we will have lots of very successful fishing outings to report in 2021.

Tight Lines Douggie

 

Palm Lake Photography Exhibition

 Last week the second annual Palm Lake Photography Exhibition was held with 10 photographers bravely displaying their work. 

Exhibitors of printed images included Andy Duke-Yonge, Helen Armstrong, Tony Hart, Peter Biddles, John Cross, Michael Armstrong, Jill Greaves, Julie Pallant, Norm Harris and Ali Sidki. Thanks also to Stuart Barker for his digital images.

A big congratulations and thank you to all these exhibitors who put in the effort behind the scenes getting their images ready for display.  

It was great to see so many residents make their way over to the Oasis clubhouse to check out the exhibition, many returning for a second look. Your support, positive feedback and encouragement were greatly appreciated by the exhibitors. 

My thanks also go to those of you that purchased the Birds of Ballina calendar that I produced again this year to support SeaBird Rescue. There are still a few calendars available if you missed out, or want some extras for gifts - give me (Julie Pallant) a ring on 2283 or email jfpallant@gmail.com and I can arrange delivery. There are more details about the calendar on my website: Link to Birds of Ballina Calendar

For those of you that missed out on the exhibition, or want a second look, I took some shots of the exhibition and have put them up on my website, as they are too big for this blog. If you would like to check them out click on the link below: 

Link to photos of Photography Exhibition

If you are interested in getting involved in next year's exhibition, or would like more information please email me and I will add you to the mailing list. We are considering starting a Photography Discussion Group - email me if you are interested in coming along. Details of dates/times are yet to be decided. 

Julie Pallant (Villa 283)

Phone: 2283  Email: jfpallant@gmail.com

Warning about scams

 Dougie Townsend (Villa 108), in his volunteer role with the Ballina Police Station, has sent through a warning about scams that are operating taking advantage of people. Sadly some within Palm Lake Resort have been affected. 

Please be very careful if you are sent a message indicating you must pay using gift cards or ITunes cards. As the flyer above indicates - these are scams. 

  

Golf Report Nov 2020

 

The last game of Golf for 2020 was played at Chinderah with 17 golfers attending. The number of players over the last 6 months has been very pleasing given the restrictions of Covid and no buses.

The winners for November were:

·         Ladies: Sue MacDonald on 40 points followed by Hilary Lewis on 34.

·         Mens: Doug Stinson on 40 points followed by Bambang Pramana on 37.

·         Nearest the pin on the 4^th was hotly contested with Yvonne Smart edging out Steve Horne

·         Nearest the pin on the 13^th was initially held by Robert White until Bob MacDonald put one closer.

Every year an eclectic event is conducted; that is the best score per hole over the year minus handicap.

The eclectic winners this year were (oh no not again!!!) Doug Stinson and runner up was Michael Sherlock; both winning vouchers for Teven Golf Club.

Thanks for coming throughout the year and have a safe and merry Christmas.

Bill Oliver

 

PS Picture of Doug Stinson (serial golf burglar)

 

Wooden Rocking Horses for sale

Bruce Nelson from Villa 25 has some Rocking Horses for sale. 

If you are interested please give him on the phone numbers shown in his ad above. 

 

Last day for the Palm Lake Photography exhibition

 Just a quick reminder that today (Friday 27 Nov 2020) is the last day of the Palm Lake Photography Exhibition. If you haven't already done so pop across to the Oasis Club and check it out. 

Congratulations to the winners of the Palm Lake Tennis Challenge

 

Palm Lake Massage

 A message from Mel Miller from Palm Lake Massage: 

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your kindness and patience with my latest recovery. Palm Lake Massage is now back in business and available : Monday, Wednesday and Friday..

 Last Day to grab your before Christmas Massage is 21st December 2020

 Christmas Holiday Dates: Christmas/New Year Holiday = 22nd December 2020-3rd January 2021

 Begin again in the new year Monday 4th January 2021.

 We wish you all a fun and fulfilling 2020 Christmas holiday season.

We look forward to enjoying a bigger and brighter year with you in 2021.

 Many thanks for all your love and support

 Kind Regards,

 Mel Miller

Ph: 0449 524 284

Clinic hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am - 6pm

Trivia Night 8 December

 

Access to Palm Lake facilities

Message from Rick Stewart Resort Manager 

Good morning everyone. Further to yesterday’s introduction of QR codes becoming mandatory in NSW, we are working to transition into this process. 

I completely understand the confusion surrounding this new process.

We currently have the  manual sign in sheets available, while we work out the “bugs” of this new system.

We can also sign you in through the office, so please see us for help.

If you need help setting up the app, or learning the process, we can also help you with that.

I understand that this is a less than ideal system, but it has been released state wide, and is causing anxiety and confusion it seems everywhere, not just here. 

I will send out more information as it comes to hand.

Please be reassured that you are not going to be stopped from using any of  the resort facilities.

Rick Stewart 

24/11/2020