Sandringham Foreshore Association Newsletter

Spring Edition 2015

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: http://sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com/

Patron of SFA: Professor Tim Flannery

From the president of SFA, Dr Vicki Karalis

Welcome everybody, to our spring newsletter. We hope you are enjoying this
delightful weather and have managed to have a swim in our beautiful Bayside
beaches! The cool weather changes are also a refreshing, welcome change to
the heatwaves we are experiencing this spring.
Update on erosion of the Sandringham beaches
The movement of sand is now occurring towards the north, due to prevailing
south and south-westerly winds typical of this time of the year. We are now

starting to witness sand depletion north of both rock groynes and any hard
structures; for example, the Royal Ave and Southey St groynes. These changes
are evident in the photos below. As has occurred in previous years, this will
continue, particularly over summer and autumn. As the sand continues to
deplete, strong wave action will further erode the base of our cliffs.

Tennyson St beach north 19.11.2015

Note undercutting of sand at the shoreline north of the Southey St rock
groyne. This will progress over summer, through autumn

Royal Ave beach north of the rock groyne 19.11.2015

Note undercutting of sand at the shoreline

Edward St beach 17.11.2015 - in need of sand!

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) update
The good news is positive discussions are continuing with the DELWP. We are
extremely grateful to Kelly Crosthwaite, Regional Director, Port Phillip Region
of DELWP. She has made an enormous effort to listen to community concerns.
We have also worked closely with Sally Patterson, of DELWP in the past. Sally is
currently on maternity leave and we wish her all the best. The coastal
engineering report, Sandringham Sand Management Plan, prepared by Cardno
Coastal Engineers, should be finalised soon. We will be in touch with you once
it is available.
Fluker post research for monitoring of Sandringham beaches
DELWP in conjunction with Bayside City Council, have installed two Fluker
Posts at the base of the Royal Avenue groyne and on the Sims St ramp. Beach
users are invited to take photos from these fixed points and send through to
the web link to monitor the beach profile changes. See the below for more
information:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114676241519217510044/SAN1Sandringham
https://picasaweb.google.com/114676241519217510044/San2Sandringham
A Fluker post allows passers-by to take a photo from the exact same
perspective on different days, which they can send to the Fluker Post Research
Project. Photos are then arranged in chronological order and stored in an

online database. If you would like us to help you demonstrate how to use
these posts please contact us at sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au
For more information please view the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/fluker.post

Hampton (Brighton) beach update completing the groyne field

Many of you have asked us what we thought of the 2 new rock groynes
recently constructed and finalised at Hampton (Brighton) beach. The SFA
supported this project as the situation here is different than the beach
dynamics experienced at Sandringham beach.
Firstly there is a revetment wall spanning the entire Hampton beach. Sand
does not usually hold in front of revetment walls. This can be seen in front of
the revetment wall at Black Rock beach too. Secondly, the Hampton beach
already had 3 large groynes in place; it was necessary to complete the groyne
field. A rock groyne can be useful for retaining sand on one side of the beach,
but not the other. Where erosion or lack of sand occurs, this is called Terminal

Groyne Syndrome (sounds medical!). Once a rock groyne is put in place, it

usually requires construction of another to assist sand retention and prevent
the erosion it causes on the other side of the groyne. However, the new groyne
then affects the next beach. Eventually the beach is completed with a series of
groynes, called a Groyne field. This is the situation at Hampton beach. It may
be necessary in the future to need one more rock groyne at Green point if the
existing reef cannot mitigate sand loss moving towards the north in summer
and autumn. 25,000 cubic metres of sand was dredged from the local sand
bars to replenish the area.
Continued monitoring of this area will determine if this is required. Of interest,
there was a curved rock groyne built at Green Point in the past, but according
to Graeme Disney, the swirl and turbulence created by this groyne resulted in
several drownings despite warning in six languages. Consequently, the groyne
was buried with rocks and sand during renourishment of the beach adjacent to
Green Point.
The following photo was taken 21st June 2015, during construction works. It
demonstrates the two new 80 metre rock groynes abutting the revetment
wall

Beaumaris Bay Fossil site (BBFS) update

Palaeontologists such as Professors John Long, John Buckeridge, Tim Flannery
and Dr Erich Fitzgerald have been busy promoting the significance of the BBFS.
Please click on the following links to view their good work:
Fossil book of BBFS is now available on the Museum Victoria website:
http://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/40235/fitzgerald_schmidt_2015_fossilsof-beaumaris.pdf
Professor John Long articles published in The Conversation:
1. We need to protect the fossil heritage on our doorstep
July 27, 2015
https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-protect-the-fossil-heritage-on-ourdoorstep-42263
2. Australia needs more state fossil emblems, but let the public decide
September 8, 2015
https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-more-state-fossil-emblems-butlet-the-public-decide-46930
Beaumaris Bay Fossil Site featuring Dr Erich Fitzgerald and Professor
Tim Flannery now available on Global TV on Vimeo
https://vimeo.com/134601117
ABC News 4 October 2015 featuring Professor John Long on the
Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron development
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-04/beaumaris-yacht-club-risk-tomelbourne-fossils-palaeontologist/6824708

Fossil finds at BBFS

Please email us your interesting fossil finds.
The images of fossils over the page were discovered and photographed by a
local resident who is passionate about the fossil site. The fossils illustrated are
about 5 million years old.

Articulated bone

Complete cluster of mud oysters with both top and bottom shells and a
barnacle

Bayside City Council update

Draft Sandringham Foreshore Masterplan
Discussions to date with stakeholders and Council consultants, Matt and Nelly
from Thomson Berrill Landscape Design, have taken place in preparation of the
draft Sandringham Foreshore Master Plan process.
The draft Masterplan is available online under Council's Have You Say page on
the website:
http://yoursaybayside.com.au/sandringham-foreshore-masterplan
On this page, you will find a copy of the full draft Masterplan report and copies
of the detailed plans proposed for each of the car park precincts. A detailed
information sign is located on site, adjacent to the Sandy Kiosk.
Closing date for comments on the draft Masterplan is C.O.B Monday 30
November. Please feel free to contact Amy Weir of Bayside City Council should
you have any comments or queries in the meantime. Also, let us know what
you think of the plans and if you have any concerns.

Friends of Bayside update

Mother stock area for the Bayside Community Nursery
As part of the Community Nursery upgrade, Bayside City Council is establishing
a mother-stock area at Sandringham Golf Course. This will hold plant stock of
species propagated at the nursery, and will allow them to be maintained in
good health so that seeds and cuttings can be collected without depleting our
bushland reserves. Volunteers are needed to help water and weed the Mother
stock area. If interested please email Jill Robinson at
friends@bayside.vic.gov.au and specify your availability.
InDigital Photographic Nature exhibition featured the beauty of Bayside's
environments, by many local artists. Congratulations to Pauline Reynolds of
Friends of George St Reserve, Friends of Bayside Support Officer Jill Robinson
and Barbara Jakob former Support Officer of Friends of Bayside. The exhibition
was created by the Bayside Environmental Friends Network (BEFN) with
support from Bayside City Council. The Exhibition was hosted at Bayside City
Council's ARTrium Exhibition Space during the month of September 3rd - 30th.
Enjoy below samples of photos celebrating of our natural environment.

Friends of Bayside Support Officer Jill Robinson with Vicki Karalis at the
exhibition

Pauline Reynolds and Fiona Harrison featuring a photo in the background

taken at the SFA Beaumaris Fossil Event

Austrostipa stipoides, looking towards Red Bluff

Photo by John Amiet (pictured)

Seaweed crab

Photo by Raymond Lewis, President of MESAC

Lice bites at Sandringham beach

Have you experienced any unusual bites from sea creatures at our local
beaches? Please let us know. A local Sandringham family experienced lice bites
at the beach last August. The story was featured in our local Bayside Leader
newspaper follow the web link:
http://leader.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?article=3bce2d30-449b-4308a077
c565891abb40&key=6k9Qyrcv5TI%2bs6wF1lJs8g%3d%3d&issue=6882201508110000000
0001001

Beach cleaning
Have you noticed our beaches are cleaner due to the enormous efforts of
volunteers with Beach Patrol? But they need your help! More volunteers are
required particularly to pick up the growing amount of plastic! For more details
about your local Beach Patrol contact Ross Headifen at:
admin@beachpatrol.com.au

Book feature
Melbourne Down Under is developed and managed by Aquatic Scientist and
Environmental Communicator, Sheree Marris. Meet some of the bizarre and
wonderful marine creatures that live in our bay! Melbourne Down Under is
revealing areas best kept secret; Port Phillip Bay, a stunning marine
environment that rivals tropical reefs in colour and diversity: Think magical
kelp forests, vibrant rocky reefs and dragons that sparkle like jewels Over
80% of the marine life found here on the southern shores is found nowhere
else in the world.
To date, a 200 page full-colour coffee table book has been produced with
enormous success. This book is available by clicking on the following link:
http://www.melbournedownunder.com.au/
Congratulations to Sheree for producing a wonderful illustrated book!

SFA member profile

MARGARET GURNEY Dip Art, Post Grad.
Com. Ed./Dev., VAS
Bayside based artist Margaret Gurney has
exhibited her work both nationally and
internationally in a career spanning most of
her life. She has had 22 Solo Exhibitions and
hung in numerous Group Exhibitions.
Margaret was invited to the Florence
Biennale in 2009.
Her study has been continuous; Graphic
Design at Swinburne, Post Graduate
Community Education/Development, Art
study tours to Europe and North America
and selected master classes.

Margaret worked as a graphic designer, an art director, a lecturer and an arts

manager. She has taught numerous workshops at the National Gallery of
Victoria and Melbourne Art Societies.
Her work is represented in public and private collections in Australia and
overseas. She is an exhibiting member of the Australian Watercolour Society,
the Victorian Artists Society, the Melbourne Women Painters and Sculptors,
and the Contemporary Art Society.
Margaret has lived and worked from her Black Rock studio for many years and
walks daily along the bay for spiritual replenishment and inspiration. She also
paints plein air along the foreshore.
Born in Brighton to an artistic family, she is the youngest daughter of
Australian artist, Alex Gurney, creator of the legendary Bluey and Curley
cartoon.
A love of drawing and painting has been a natural part of Margarets life from
her earliest days. Her contemporary style continues to develop, emphasizing
strong shapes, form and glowing colour. She paints with a deep passion and
sheer love of her creative outlet.
www.gurneyart.com.au

Margaret Gurney with her painting of Red Bluff cliffs

Fossils of Beaumaris Bay

Beaumaris Bay cliffs Table rock

We hope you have enjoyed reading the spring edition of the SFA newsletter
2015.
Yours with kindness,
Dr Vicki Karalis, SFA President
SFA committee members:
Alison Horton, Vice-President, Perfusionist
Salva Crusca, Secretary, Mental Health worker
Craig Francis, Treasurer, IT expert
Ike Solomon, Engineer
Helen Gibson, Geologist
Paul Hede, Architect
Adrienne Smith, Secretarial assistant, IT consultant
Cristian Silver, Editorial assistant

Free SFA Membership

The Sandringham Foreshore Association is a charitable not-for-profit
association. Membership is free. Our self-acclaimed role is to foster and
promote good natural conservation principles to Bayside foreshore
management. Our current focus is to assist public education by aligning
ourselves with scientific experts in fields of conservation and natural
environment, and to facilitate effective communication between community
council and state governments and established environmental science
publications and position statements.
The role of SFA is to care for and help protect our local beaches and cliffs, but
also to educate, raise awareness and preserve our local archaeological,
geological, cultural, indigenous and heritage sites such as the Beaumaris Bay
fossil site.
If you are interested in joining our free membership, to receive notices and our
Quarterly Newsletters Please respond via our website
http://sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com/MembershipForm