Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Tools Donation
We would like to thank all the residents of Palm Lake,
who helped us with donations of tools and building materials for the fire
ravaged town of Quaama. It is a little hamlet near Moruya on the South Coast. The
community felt that they had been forgotten. Many were left with only the
clothes they were wearing. Many are still waiting for power in some places,
three months after the bush fires.
With help from Nathan at Hertz, who donated
the use of a truck, Greg from Lismore Party Hire, and Andrew from GMC Enviro,
we were able to deliver a full load of goods to their School of Arts Hall. The joy on their faces is etched in our minds
forever....so much more to be done, but proving that a little bit of kindness
goes such a long way
Helen Armstrong
Sunday, 26 April 2020
Friday, 24 April 2020
ANZAC Day Rosemary Tradition
"Please
wear a sprig of rosemary", the lady said
And held one out, but I shook my head.
Then I
stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her
face was old and lined with care;
But
beneath the scars the years had made
There
remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy
came whistling down the street,
Bouncing
along on carefree feet
His smile
was full of joy and fun,
"Lady,"
said he, "may I have one?
"When
she'd pinned it on he turned to say,
"Why
do we wear rosemary today?"
The lady
smiled in her wistful way
And
answered, "Today is Anzac Day,
And the
rosemary there is the symbol for
The
gallant men who died in war
And
because they did, you and I are free -
That's
why we wear a sprig of rosemary, you see.
"I
had a boy about your size,
With
golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved
to play and jump and shout,
Free as a
bird he would race about.
As the
years went by he learned and grew
And
became a man - as you will, too.
"He
was fine and strong, with such a boyish smile,
But he'd
seemed with us such a little while
When war
broke out and he went away.
I still
remember his face that day
When he
turned and smiled at me and said,
"goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry.
"But
the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray
His
letters told of the awful fight
(I can
see it still in my dreams at night),
With the
tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the
mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
Till at
last, at last, the war was won -
And
that's why we wear a sprig of rosemary, son
"The
small boy turned as if to go,
Then
said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know
That sure
did sound like an awful fight,
But your
son - did he come back all right?"
A tear
rolled down each faded cheek;
She shook
her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away
in a sort of shame,
And if
you were me you'd have done the same;
For our
thanks, in giving, is oft delayed,
Though
our freedom was bought -and thousands paid!
And so
when we see a sprig of rosemary proudly worn,
Let us
reflect on the burden borne,
By those
who gave their very all
When
asked to answer their country's call
That we
at home in peace might live
Then wear
a sprig of rosemary!
And remember those who no longer live!
Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzFDPdO72Y
Did you know? Rosemary is also traditionally worn on Anzac Day, and sometimes on Remembrance Day. Rosemary has particular significance for
Australians as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula.
Since ancient times, this aromatic herb has been believed to have properties to
improve the memory. Apr 24, 2018.
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music
Entertainment ·
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Soup-de-doop
Some
photos from last week's soup day:
- A customer eagerly awaiting his delivery - Gerry.
- A staff member getting ready to deliver
- Glen, Ken and Roger delivering.
Sunday, 19 April 2020
ANZAC DAY 2020
Next Saturday is ANZAC Day - it is not cancelled - just different!
Here is the TIMETABLE for
a Dawn Service at Palm Lake:
05:55am - FALL IN (On your driveway or front of your residence)
- Tune your radio to FM 101.9 (PARADISE FM 101.9)
- You could hold a lighted candle or flower of tribute or place your personal wreath on your front door as some do for Christmas time.
- Reveille (Ballina Fire Station siren sounds)
- Dawn Service starts (abridged version) (Paradise FM 101.9) Includes Ode, Last Post, One Minute Silence, Reveille.
Monday, 13 April 2020
March Fishing News
March 2020 - A very ordinary Month
I'm sure you can guess there is not much to report for March due to some
terrible weather earlier and more recently we have all been oscillating in
isolation due to the Corona Virus. We didn't even have a whopper week last
month although I expect there wouldn't have been much to talk about over a
Sunday barbecue.
No matter, at least we have been giving the fish stocks an opportunity
to build up before we take them on again when things improve.
Before the restrictions set in a few of us had some limited success
fishing in the river alongside the boat ramp by the water slide. In the midst
of a lot of undersized bream we managed to take home a couple of Whiting, a
couple of Bream and a reasonable sized Flathead. We were using live worms and
some nippers that we managed to pump but in our inimitable style the washer in
the pump was stuffed so getting the nippers was a real challenge.
We put out four crab traps in Emigrant Creek one night but never caught
a sausage! I guess all the fresh in the Creek after the heavy rain had put them
off altogether.
The Good News
Recent announcements have opened the door again for recreational
fishing. In New South Wales, police say fishing is permitted, as long as people
follow rules about social distancing and gatherings of two or more people.
Asked about fishing on Thursday morning, NSW Police Commissioner
Mick Fuller said:
"If fishing is your exercise then you can fish. But if you
end up on a wharf with 50 other people, then we get back to safe distancing and
getting tickets."
New South Wales Police Minister David Elliot said he intervened
to remove fishing from a list of banned activities on Wednesday.
The other point to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t be
travelling in your car with more than one person who’s not in your immediate
household. This was reported in the ABC News “Corona Virus rules and
restrictions explained on Friday 3rd April 2020 under the heading
of “Can I go for a Drive”
So the message is you can take one person fishing but make sure
you follow the rules regarding safe distancing and others are not part of your
group.
The Relieving Rescue Vessel
.
By the way I haven't been run over in the rush in my request for
applications for a Relieving Rescue Vessel in the absence of Barry and Pam.
Fortunately we haven't been out in the SS Vaucluse so we haven't
needed rescuing lately.
I thought these cartoons might cheer you up in these very difficult
times.
Stay safe and make sure you follow the rules.
Cheers till next Month
Tight Lines Douggie
Thursday, 26 March 2020
Communiques
Wednesday, 25 March 2020
Communique 1
From your Residents' Committee ...
Attached is a follow-up to the emails you have been receiving
from Manager Rick, relating to the COVID-19 virus and how its affects our daily
life at Palm Lake Resort, Ballina.
The attached communique summarises key matters discussed
this afternoon with Manager Rick.
Added since it was written - the Library, in fact the clubhouse, is closed till further notice.
Added since it was written - the Library, in fact the clubhouse, is closed till further notice.
Don't forget to keep washing those hands in soap and hot
water......
Communique
Fellow residents,
in compliance with government and management advice, your Palm Lake Ballina committees have agreed to suspend all organised activities at Palm Lake Ballina until further notice. This situation will be reviewed on April 3.
Cassia Circuit in Lockdown
Well here are are some folk who know how to have fun while isolated. If you have a fun street who would like to have their photos immortalised let the blog know and well pass on the request to our fine photographer, Julie Pallant.
Message from Kate Hewitt
Kate H, our gym, water aerobics and exercise class teacher has asked for this message to be passed on ...
hope you are all well and managing to stay positive during these changing and
challenging times. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you all
and hope to see you again soon!. In the meantime, I will be contacting each of
you for a five minute chat (including a very short survey) about how we (CHEGS)
and I can best support you in maintaining your health and exercise program over
the coming weeks/months.
Hi
everybody,
hope you are all well and managing to stay positive during these changing and
challenging times. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you all
and hope to see you again soon!. In the meantime, I will be contacting each of
you for a five minute chat (including a very short survey) about how we (CHEGS)
and I can best support you in maintaining your health and exercise program over
the coming weeks/months.
I
do have some peoples' contact details, but I don't want to miss anyone, so if you
don't mind could you please text me on 0439302185 with your name so that I
can contact you and compile a group text to keep in touch moving forward.
Thanks
... talk to you soon!!
Kate Hewitt xx
New Link
The Residents' Phone List has been added for the convenience of those who want to check up on others or just have a chat in these "non face-to-face" times.
It will be updated regularly.
Please respect the privacy of your fellow residents by keeping the phone list confidential.
It must not be shared with anyone who is not a resident.
Sunday, 22 March 2020
Thursday, 19 March 2020
Shopping Bus
Notice from PLB Residents' committee:
Want help with your shopping?
The Palm Lake Resort Ballina bus will continue to take residents to Woolworths each Wednesday at 7.00am.
The Booking Sheet for the bus trip will be at the Information Desk in the Oasis Club. Please sign up in advance if you wish to use the bus. Space on the bus will be limited as we must allow for appropriate space between passengers, but it is likely than more than one service will be available.
There is an outside group of people who can help as well;
HELP! is a collective of volunteers from Ballina (not associated with Palm Lake) dedicated to assisting the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions who are advised to stay at home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their services are all non-contact so that both the recipients and volunteers are kept as safe as possible. Their services include - shopping and delivery; mail collection and Post Office runs; phone chats.
They would love more volunteers as well.
Check out the "HELP!" website
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Face Masks
Mary Doohan (Villa 13) is offering to show anyone how to make a face mask, a skill she has just perfected. She has asked for residents to spread the word as they are very hard to get at the moment (none in Ballina, I've tried).
Sunday, 15 March 2020
Workshop News
There has
been action aplenty in the Palm Lake Ballina Workshop this month as a small
group of residents has been busily handcrafting wooden bird boxes.
The Workshop
group were responding to a call-for-help from our local Wildlife Society
looking for talented folk to make the boxes. The Society places the bird boxes in
fire-ravaged bush areas for the shelter and protection of vulnerable birdlife. It
also encourages birds to return to that area.
Michael
Sherlock, Max Armstrong, Ron Rawson, David Crawford and Peter Kafka rose to the
challenge and have handed over their first production lot of 25 bird boxes.
Good onya’ guys!
The Wildlife
Society were so pleased they have asked for more but also added possum boxes to
the order. If you have had anything to do with purchasing wood in the last few
years you will know that it is not cheap! The material to make each bird box
costs close to $20; the possum boxes will obviously be more. Our Residents’
Committee funded the first batch, but they need more for the next lot.
Wouldn’t
you love to support such a worthy cause?
You can,
by:
- volunteering to help the Workshop group
- donating money to the group
- buying raffle tickets at the first Happy Hour in April (04.04.2020) where the proceeds from the PLB Social Committee’s raffle will be given over to the Workshop group.
CPR and Defibrillator Training
In response
to the great interest shown by many residents wishing to participate in CPR/
Defibrillator training Linda Duke-Yonge has organised 2 sessions led by Mal
Whitfield. Each is spaced about a month apart to enable an opportunity for
travellers to catch one of the sessions. They are also on different
days to minimise the inconvenience to groups who use the Oasis Clubhouse on
that day.
Sessions
are planned for:
- Tuesday 5th May
- Thursday 9th July
Each
session will be limited to a maximum of 30 people in order to allow attendees a
turn on the dummies. If you already put in an Expression of Interest at the
Information Session day you will still need to register on one of the 2 sheets
that will be on the Information Desk. If numbers are greater than 30 for each
session put your name on a reserve list and a third training session will be
organised later in the year.
Keep an eye
out for the advertising posters and an ear out for announcements at mealtimes.
Library News
With the help of funds from
the Social Committee and a very kind resident we have now bought 52 books since
the start of this year. Some are brand new and others are pre-loved and fairly
new publications.
Terri Clark, Villa 7 and Sue
Christie, Villa 68.
Wednesday, 11 March 2020
February News from the Palm Lake Fishing Club
I
don’t have much to report in regard to fishing last month as we didn’t get many
chances to try with the way the weather was. A few of us took Migaloo along
Patch’s Beach one day but the wind would blow a dog off a chain and the current
was travelling faster than Migaloo along the beach.
 |
| David Franklin - Our Champion |
Nevertheless
our new recruit David Franklin in his first attempt at fishing the beach with
his brand new rod was the only one to catch a fish. We decided we would need an
awful lot of chips to go with his small whiting so we practised “catch and
release” and let the blighter go. Despite this Dave was very proud and happy
with his catch.
Man of the Month
Our “man of the month” for February must
be John “Anchors Away“ Cross for his performance with the crabs we caught. We
had eight good-sized muddies to cook up for a feast at the Oasis and John kept
them comatosed by keeping them in the crisper trays his beer fridge in the
garage. His big mistake was
to take them out and try to weigh them as we were all very proud of our
success.
Johnnie
tipped them onto the kitchen bench only to find out that they wake up quickly
from hibernation once out of the fridge. They started running all over the kitchen!
Anne arrived when she heard the commotion and I won’t tell you of her response
to the calamity. Needless to say, she was not impressed and left “Anchors Away”
to sort it out on his own.
Anyway, once
he finally caught them all and put them back in the fridge everything was
forgiven and we all had a magnificent seafood feast one afternoon at the Oasis.
WANTED: Temporary Fishing Club Rescue Vehicle and Crew
Unfortunately,
our Fishing Club Rescue Vessel with Captain Barry at the helm and First Mate
Pam will be out of action for about 3 months while the courageous crew take a
holiday elsewhere in Australia. Consequently, we need somebody to step into the
breach and take on the onerous and dangerous duty of rescuing our members
should they get into trouble on the water.
Applicants should have a seaworthy
craft (no leaks) and preferably with a motor of at least 15 horsepower. You
will need to be available on call (not like one of our other members who has
been known to put his bowls in front of a major emergency) and brave enough to
take on extremely dangerous rescues.
Please
contact me to apply – This is a totally voluntary position and your application
will be treated in strict confidence.
Till next month,
Villa 252
Sunday, 1 March 2020
Last month events - photo gallery
Golf at Cinderah - 28th February
Trivia Night with Elvis - 24th February
 |
| Ooops . . . in the bunker |
Getting out of a bunker - Bam's style
Trivia Night with Elvis - 24th February
 |
| One of the 17 tables (8 persons each) |
 |
| Elvis 1 and 2 |
 |
| Elvis 3 |
Pizza Night with Band - Happy Hour - 21st February
Valentine Day Celebration - 14th February
Winner of Ladies Bowls
Bev Patterson
The lucky ones in Villa draw
 |
| Villa 203 - Sharyn Hogben |
 |
| Villa 187 - Stephanie Williams |