[John Amiet]

Sandringham Foreshore Association Newsletter

- Autumn 2017

SANDRINGHAM FORESHORE ASSOCIATION (SFA)

Founded January 2007
ABN 42947116512
A CHARITABLE NOT FOR PROFIT VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION
SFA
PO Box 52
Sandringham 3191
Email: sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au
Website: http://sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com/
Patron of SFA: Professor Tim Flannery, former resident of Sandringham and Australian of the Year 2007

"We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the waters and lands on which we live and work,
and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present

From the president of SFA, Dr Vicki Karalis

Dear Members and Friends of SFA,

I hope you enjoy this issue filled with a myriad of information and updates of our Bayside beaches. We have a
new section titled "The natural wonders of Bayside" if you would like to submit your photos to include in future
newsletters. We thank Dr Susan Carden for submitting her photos of Hoverflies recently seen at Dendy St beach.
There are many Bayside locals and regular visitors who deserve acknowledgement for all their voluntary work in
preserving and caring for the environment. I take this opportunity to thank them. I see them on a daily basis,
picking rubbish off the beach particularly after storms all in their own personal time with no expectations for
thanks. Simply because they care for our precious environment.
I wish to applaud and acknowledge the Bayside City Council for their services to the environment. I am
impressed at the tremendous efforts and work of our Council in recent years helping to preserve and care for our
environment. For example, the hosting of the annual 'Summer by the Sea' program for which I've enjoyed
participating in, giving walks and talks, and the many workshops to help the environment such as that recently
held to reduce the source of littering on our beaches. We are blessed to have a council who appreciate the
importance of preserving and protecting the environment, and working closely in consultation with community
groups. I wish to take this opportunity today on behalf of our community to give thanks to Council, and express
our gratitude for all their efforts and achievements.
As a medical practitioner, and through my research publishing many articles, I am vastly aware of the benefits of
a healthy environment free of chemicals on human health. For example, research demonstrates that leafy
suburbs with lots of trees have a lower incidence of childhood asthma. Trees shelter us from the effects of
windswept pollens and produce higher levels of oxygen, reducing carbon emissions and pollutants. It makes
good sense to preserve and plant as many native trees as possible and, of course, to provide a natural habitat
for local fauna.
Working closely with my community to help protect and care for our local environment the beach, parklands
and reserves concentrating on my own front yard is deeply meaningful to me. Like our indigenous people, I
personally feel spiritually connected to our community, land and the environment.
Here in Bayside, we are blessed with rich natural assets; golden sandy beaches, the vibrant geologically
significant cliffs like the Red Bluff, 2&1/2 to 5&1/2 million years old, the 5&1/2 million-year-old fossils embedded
in the natural sandstone extending from Brighton all the way to Beaumaris Bay, where we have an international
significant urban fossil site of both land and marine fossils worthy of National Heritage Listing. A well preserved
coastal scrub, a number of coastal Aboriginal midden sites and Aboriginal wells along our cliffs, the majority
thousands of years old, and a beautiful and inspirational landscape painted by many famous artists, and up top
of all this, a marine sanctuary! This natural environment gives us pleasure, relaxation, joy and happiness. Who
doesn't enjoy a day at the beach with their families?
If we start locally, in caring and preserving the lush and ample assets of our environment, situated right here
around our homes, we as a community can present as good role models to our neighbouring and wider
communities, and hopefully the rest of the world.

Beaumaris Bay Fossil update

Richard Casley to the left and Dr Erich Fitzgerald of Museum Victoria right of Vicki
An update from Dr Erich Fitzgerald of Museum Victoria:

In terms of research news, we are making progress with a major paper on the diversity of fossil baleen
whales from Beaumaris. It has been delayed as new finds keep being made, but we are approaching
the point where we'll have to draw a line and exclude new discoveries. More will be revealed when the
paper is published, but you can report the following if you like:
1. Fossils from Beaumaris reveal that the biodiversity of whales in Australian waters 5 million years ago
was higher than the present day. However, the average body size of whales was much smaller than the
species alive today.
2. A handful of fossil ear bones from Beaumaris are the first evidence for the existence of a major group
of baleen whales in the western South Pacific.
3. There are a number of whale ear bones that are true enigmas, defying classification. We simply
cannot determine what family of baleen whales these fossils belong to--they are something
unprecedented in the fossil record. Only discovery of more fossils, especially parts of the skull, will
reveal what this group of whales is. For now, they are an utterly tantalising mystery.
4. Most of the ear bones of baleen whales from Beaumaris are from physically immature, indeed
juvenile, individuals of an extinct species of right whale. That there are so many fossils of young
individuals hints that 5 million years ago the shallow sea around what is now called Beaumaris was a
calving ground for right whales.
You may also wish to report that Museums Victoria has begun an ambitious field program to uncover
the untold 30-million-year saga of whale evolution in Victoria. We begin in 2 weeks' time with a week-
long expedition to Jan Juc, followed up by expeditions across the state--including a major shore-based
and underwater survey at Beaumaris in the near future. If any SFA members are interested in assisting
with this pioneering program of discovery they can contact Dr Erich Fitzgerald at Museums Victoria
(efitzgerald@museum.vic.gov.au).

Dr Erich Fitzgerald, Senior Curator Museum Victoria.

New fossil finds by Richard Casley

We were delighted to also hear from Richard Casley, now well known to the Bayside residents for finding
incredible fossils at Beaumaris Bay. A few words from Richard:
Beaumaris beach continues to release extraordinary fossils to amateur collectors. These three fossils
are some of the more memorable ones from the past 18 months of collecting. The white shark tooth is
my second largest of its kind, the megalodon tooth is solid evidence of the largest shark to ever live and
the sperm whale tooth is now part of the collection of Museum Victoria. This beach is for everyone to
enjoy, happy hunting!

Richard Casley, fossil collector.

Here are some photos provided by Richard of his recent finds:

Carcharodon hastalis, extinct white shark upper teeth: Carcharocles megalodon, megatooth shark tooth:

Physeteroidea sp., extinct sperm whale:

Introducing James Disney and Harry Stubbs & their fundraising venture by cleaning our beaches!

SFA commend the tremendous efforts of James and Harry who are cleaning our beaches on their own initiative
to raise money for a great cause! They are very keen and decided early on that they would prefer to fundraise by
doing something positive.
Harry and James are Year 10 students at Parkdale Secondary College. They are participating in a World
Challenge, a program where groups of students visit third-world countries and participate in community services
as well as going for a trek or two whilst there. Their group is going to Uttarakhand in Northern India, and part of
the experience is raising funds to get there, about $6500 each. In order to do this (as well as both having part
time jobs) James and Harry have embarked on a program of cleaning up beaches, parks anywhere really!
So far, they have collected 115 kilograms of rubbish mainly from beaches in the Cities of Kingston and Bayside.
Yes, 115 kg!! They are aiming for 200 kilos but may not stop there.
If you would like to reward their efforts by donating to their cause you can do that by going here:
www.gofundme.com/world-challenge-2017-fund-raising
They have a Facebook page which is here: https://www.facebook.com/Pristine-Clean-1845731782362847/
The boys welcome any publicity at all and we are very proud of their efforts. They have quite a bit of money to
raise and we really hope that the local community can see the benefits of supporting these community minded
young people no matter what they are doing. World Challenge is an expedition company that organises trips for
secondary school aged kids to third world countries where the groups perform community service of some kind
as well as experiencing local culture and trekking around the local area. More Details on WCE here:
http://www.worldchallenge.com.au/

James and Harry busy picking up rubbish on the beaches!

3191 Beach Patrol - Sandringham beach clean-up

Clean Up Australia Day

Sunday March 5th 2017

Meet leader Victoria Perkins and her group:
Car Park adjacent to children's playground on Beach Road, opposite Sims St, Sandringham.
They will head to the beach down the ramp south of the playground. BYO gloves. Bags supplied.
Time: 9am - 10am
For more information click on this link: http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary update - new dog controls

Dogs are now prohibited or must be on a leash at the northern end of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary [see sign
below] and this is in keeping with many restriction access by-laws of dogs on marine sanctuaries throughout
Australia. There is precedence of no dog zones over sensitive areas in other jurisdictions such as Woollongong
NSW. See: http://www.woollongong.nsw.gov.au/services/household/pets/Pages/DogsonBeaches.aspx
Why does SFA support these dog restrictions at a Marine Sanctuary?
The presence of dogs can have negative consequences on marine sanctuaries when owners cannot restrain
their dogs. Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris is one of Australias premier marine sanctuaries. Whilst
many dog owners are responsible, the beach is already congested with high levels of human and dog activity.
Trampling affects sensitive flora and fauna and dog's faeces are rich in E. Coli and other microbial organisms,
which negatively impact the health of marine life and alters pH of the waters.
Department of Environment, Land, Water Planning (DELWP) update on Hampton Beach
Project 2017

By Cassandra Philippou, Senior Project Manager, Coastal Programs, Port Phillip Region

Hampton Beach Renourishment Project 2017

DELWP's coastal processes study and design report for the proposed renourishment of Hampton beach is
progressing well. Feedback from stakeholders clearly indicated a preference for a single longer groyne, but there
was little feedback on preferred construction material. Most stakeholders stated that they would like the project to
further investigate the opportunity to relocate some of the black silty material from near Hampton Pier. Whilst
some sampling and testing has already been carried out on this material, the consultants are extending the
sampling to confirm whether silt further east of the pier may also be suitable for relocation. Should results come
back that indicate it is safe to use as fill, further work will be required to determine the likely success of removing
it and reburying it in deeper parts of the renourishment.

Grain size analysis has been completed for several locations around the breakwater, and so far, has shown that
there is sand of very small grain size around the northern end of the breakwater (which is not suitable for
renourishment as it will be eroded from the beach too easily by wind, waves and tides) and is likely to be the
result of littoral drift from beaches to the north and south. Larger grain sand that is suitable for renourishment of
Hampton beach exists to the west of the breakwater. We are now awaiting further information regarding
quantities available and the additional testing results from within the harbour as outlined above. Meanwhile the
coastal engineering consultants Cardno Victoria are developing the next draft of designs based on the single
longer groyne with a revegetated area at the landward end.
DELWP is grateful for the input and feedback that has been provided by local stakeholders, including members
of the Sandringham Foreshore Association. Any queries about the project can be directed to Cass Philippou,
Senior Project Manager, Coastal Programs at cass.philippou@delwp.vic.gov.au or 0448 397 452.

Note the length of the proposed groyne for Option 4 is 160m, which has increased 125m as
per the information issued previously:
Summer fun activities
The 'Summer by the Sea' program hosted by Friends of Bayside [Bayside City Council] was a great success.
Here is a photo of Elizabeth Walsh of Friends of Wildlife Natives taken at one of the events discussing microbats
and rakalis, both local natives, and their habitats in the Bayside foreshore:

Sunset gathering at Sandringham beach 18 Feb. 2017 & update on Sandringham beach
works.

Many thanks to Alison Horton, Vice President of SFA who brought along a hearty warm mulled wine for us to
enjoy the sunset and meeting to discuss the proposed works at Sandringham beach in April 2017. Here is a
lovely sunset photo taken on the night by Alison. We will keep you informed when plans are finalised by DELWP
on how they are recycling the rocks from the Southey St groyne, which might include creating a submerged reef
and shore platform with the bigger rocks and stabilising the Tennyson St ramp with the smaller rocks.
Sandringham beach sunset 18th February 2017 8.45pm Letter from Jill Whyte 18th Feb 2017,
long term resident of Sandringham

Dear Vicki and SFA friends,

Congratulations on all of your
achievements. Unfortunately, I will not be
able to salute you, and the setting sun
tonight, but I will raise a glass to celebrate
your hard won victory. In recognition of
your work, I paid a nostalgic visit to your
beach this morning. My father grew up in
Cowper St, and I have fond memories as a
little girl accompanying my grandfather to
the ramp to feed the seagulls each winter.
So thank you on behalf of the Whyte family
for your reclamation and conservation of
our precious coastline,
Cheers, Jill
Sandringham beach erosion
With prevailing southerly, south-westerly winds typical of this time of the year, sand is generally moving to the
northern beaches. Consequently, we will be witnessing lack of sand north of both rock groynes at Sandringham
beach soon, leading to lack of protection of the base of the cliffs from wave action especially during storms
causing recurrence of cliff erosion.

Royal Ave beach 19.2.2017:

Tennyson St beach 19.2.2017:

Below is a photo of timber groynes used at Scheveningen beach in the Netherlands. This is an example of how
the Dutch reduce the flow of sand movement on beaches using open timber type groynes. The photo was
provided by local resident Mark Slykhuis's mother. Mark is profiled in this newsletter [see below].
Scheveningen beach in the Netherlands - using timber groynes to stabilise beaches

The natural wonders of Bayside

- SFA welcomes you to submit your photos and tell us what inspired you to take these images
"On 21 February 2017 at 8am there were millions of Hoverflies on Dendy St beach and on Dendy St. They were
everywhere. Does anyone know about their lifecycle? They were quite beautiful in the sunlight and stillness."
Dr Susan Carden, local Bayside resident.
Hoverflies on Dendy St beach 21 Feb 2017
Community announcement

Coastcare Victoria's community grants are now open for application

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for funding from the Coastcare Victoria Community Grants
Program, which supports the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of coastal and marine environments
across the state.

If you volunteer in the Barwon South West, Port Phillip and Gippsland regions your group can apply for up to
$7500 to undertake projects that help protect and enhance the coastal and near-shore marine environment.

Victorias clean and healthy coastlines are the backdrop to a huge number of social and recreational activities in
our communities, and one of the main drawcards for millions of visitors to Victoria each year.

More information can be found at www.delwp.vic.gov.au/coastcare

Community announcement

Our Gardens: Our Refuge will be an exhibition of your photographs and stories about your own
Bayside garden.

Our Gardens: Our Refuge will be an exhibition of your photographs and stories about your own Bayside
garden, revealing the importance of the garden to you. The exhibition will be launched in the Artrium, at the
Bayside City Council Corporate Centre in Sandringham, before touring Bayside Libraries.
How to apply For a copy of the application form and any queries, email Pauline Reynolds
pauline.reynolds.au@gmail.com or phone 0408 587 763.
Garden lovers can send an image of your garden and a short story (300 words max) detailing the importance of
your garden and the positive outcomes that you associate with gardening. Please submit well exposed and
focused images in the biggest image size available setting on your camera.
The photographs will be enlarged to the maximum of 20 x 25cm. They can be any shape you wish within these
dimensions.
Submissions close April 5th 2017.
Historical photos of our Half Moon Bay, Sandringham beach [south end] and Red Bluff
cliffs, 1926
Featuring Half Moon Bay and Sandringham beach - images provided by Charles Lyne AM,
local Bayside resident

A word from Charles Lyne AM:

"Hello Vicki,
The historical photos are all from an album of my original Lifesaving Club Photo album North Rd
Brighton. The photos I have copied out from you are all North Rd members during the late 1920's taken
down around the Red Bluff and Half Moon Bay beaches. The thought being, perhaps a comparison of
Bluff condition and sand as compared with now. Note the old Cerberus in one and the pathway view
looking down to the Red Bluff. The girls look alright too!"

Below is a snapshot of Charles's incredible life and contribution to developing Lifesaving clubs in Victoria, and his
continued efforts to help Vietnamese children from drowning through his on-going service to Water Safety
Vietnam. Well done Charles! We are also grateful for the historical photos.

"I was born in November, 1933 and grew up with the beach at Middle Brighton Baths as my second
home. I learned to swim at about 3 years of age. Mum brought me a Seasons Ticket to the Middle
Brighton Baths.
At age 6, Tim Jones invited Peter Whiting and I to join the early morning swimmers at the Baths.
I went to Miss Gregorys kindergarten in Brighton and then at 4 years I went on to Gardenvale
Primary School where I shared at desk with Neil Roberts of St. Kilda Football fame.
We wore our bathers to school and caught the brown bus from school, got off at Miss Leighs chemist
shop and straight over to the baths. We would stay as long as we thought we could without getting into
trouble at home.
I joined the Brighton Icebergers, and I am the only living one of those original groups.
I had a stint at Royal Brighton Yacht Club in cadet dinghies, skiffs and the old Mistrel III.
I went to North Road and with Bill Kerr and Guy Copley we re-opened the North Road Life Saving Club
in about 1949/50. This finished again around 1958 with the affect of the Brighton Marina, (no sand, the
pier at North Road fell over and the North Road L.S.C. disbanded).
Then to Torquay so the life saving side is 63 years.
Life Saving has been quite a commitment.
1967 : I started the Nippers in Victoria.
President of Torquay : 1970 : the Clubhouse burned down.
Over 30 years on the Board of Examiners for Victoria
Surf Life Saving Victoria : a Vice President for 8 years.
Then President from 1987-2000.
A Director of Surf Life Saving Australia 13 years.
Then the new headquarters of what is now Life Saving Victoria was built.
A 15 year journey involving joining Royal and Surf in Victoria and the new building to house the new set
up which cost went from $3.5m to $7.5m.
I am a life member of Torquay.
I am a life member of Surf Life Saving Victoria
I am a life member of Surf Life Saving Australia
I am a life member of World Life Saving.
I received a Citation of Merit from International Life Saving (ILS.)
And was awarded A Member of the Order of Australia for my contribution to Life Saving.
In retirement I chair a Not-for-profit organization namely Water Safety Vietnam but I still have strong
concerns
about our environment and what we humans are doing to, particularly our coastline."
Above photo. Note Red Bluff cliff and the beach huts at the Sandringham beach (1926) in the background with
no evidence of erosion and extensive vegetation of the cliffs.

Half Moon Bay beach huts, 1926:

Note Cerberus in the distance still afloat, 1926:
Basking in the sun
Red Bluff cliff and HMB in the background, 1926:
SFA member profile Mark Slykhuis - also a community minded person & active Lifesaving
club member.
A Sandringham resident, local athlete, Head of Community Service at St Leonards College, married to Jules and
a father of 2 lovely young men. Mark generously gives up his time and is of service to many local activities in our
Bayside community such as the Surf Lifesaving club, the Bayside Triathlon club and a development role with an
Indigenous Program involving young Indigenous students. SFA commend Mark on his tremendous efforts. He is
a humble, quiet achiever of good character.

I feel incredibly privileged to live in Bayside. We have such a wonderful clean, safe and beautiful
environment with a minimal population. I have always taken an active interest in our environment and
the increasing pressures we are placing on it.
Every day, I visit the beach or the foreshore area for either a swim or a run to clear the head or freshen
me up for the day ahead.
This is something I have done for 30 plus years and I hope to be able to do for another 30 years.
I am one of the lucky ones to be working with young people and being able to share and hopefully have
a positive influence in creating healthy active bodies. I run a Community Sports Program at St Leonard's
College and share a development role with our Indigenous Program.
 Community Sport is a program devised to encourage our young people to try new sports and activities
that will help connect them in the community and for them to develop a lifelong passion for healthy living
and engagement. The sports I look after include; sailing, triathlon, adventure racing, surf lifesaving,
kayaking, basketball, gymnastics and dance sports, running and mountain biking/cycling. Most of the
training and events we do are in the bayside area.
Growing up I was always in the surf, or running or cycling and basically enjoying keeping fit in the
outdoors. We started the Bayside Triathlon Club nearly 30 years ago, so that we could have fellow
fitness fanatics to train with. Surf Lifesaving has been another passion of mine as it is a great way
to keep fit and do some community service also. Both my sons have grown up in surf lifesaving and
have progressed through the ranks to be professional lifeguards. My oldest son Jack spent a lot of the
summer in the Westpac helicopter watching over our beaches and chasing away a lot of big fish.
The Half Moon Bay Lifesaving Club is a wonderfully active club where is there is a constant hive of
training activity going on throughout the year with kids as young as 6 thru to masters over 60. It is such
a beautiful beach that gets protection from the afternoon sea breeze. Mind you, the keen ones are
always paddling over to the Bluff to pick up some waves, which are always lots of fun. The sea life
around our beaches is still pretty amazing and hardly a week goes by without seeing dolphins, large
sting rays, seals or other fascinating creatures.
We do live in one of the best kept secrets, so get out there and enjoy it, but dont rave too much about it
! We should all also appreciate the custodians of the land; The Boon wurrung People who protected and
have a strong connection to the land and waters of Bayside for many thousands of years!

In Honour and a Tribute by SFA to Adrian Cerbasi, President of Beaumaris Conservation

Society Inc. (2000-10 & 2014-16) who died unexpectedly on 26th January 2017
Adrian Cerbasi attended the Beaumaris Bay Fossil event in 2015 and presented the gifts to the speakers on
behalf of the Beaumaris Conservation Society (BCS). He was a very kind, loyal, and giving person with a great
sense of humour. He passionately believed in this beautiful area we all are blessed to live in, and devoted
immense amounts of time over many years to protect it. He served the Society well, and was widely respected
for his work and outlook. He was also, until recently, the Treasurer of Port Phillip Conservation Council Inc.
SFA offer our condolences to Adrian's family and friends of the BCS.
State of the Bays | Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria
See: http://www.ces.vic.gov.au/sotb
New (draft) Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan 2017-2027

See more at: http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/parks-forests-and-crown-land/protecting-port-phillip-bay-developing-

an-environmental-management-plan

We hope you have enjoyed reading the autumn 2017 edition of the SFA Newsletter!

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 & Editorial assistant
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