Details: About 11:30am on Saturday 11/5 a 15 old girl was walking along Nelson St Umina when she noticed a white van travelling slowly behind her. The victim went into a number of front yards to avoid the vehicle but the vehicle continued to follow her to Trafalgar Ave before she then ran losing the van.

Police attended, patrolled the area and conducted a canavas of the area but did not locate the man or van. We are currently investigating the circumstances surround this incident and would like to speak to the driver of the van who man be able to assist police inquiries.

POI described as: Male, Caucasian appearance, aged in his 40′s, unshaven with short white hair.
VOI described as: NSW Black & yellow rego plates with partial registration ‘B407′ or similar. Older model white van with blacked out windows.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or the online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.

This is also a timely reminder to the community for parents to discuss the message ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ with their children. This includes:

* Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
* Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
* Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
* Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
* Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
* If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
* If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.

PATONGA CROWN LANDS PLAN OF MANAGEMENT

Patonga residents and property owners are facing draconian measures under a Draft Plan of Management for Crown Lands in Patonga prepared by Crown Lands and Gosford Council. The Draft Plan proposes a number of measures which directly affect the community and which threaten the peaceful lifestyle we enjoy. The Plan is part of a requirement by Councils to prepare plans of management for all public land under their jurisdiction, which means that at some time in the future Pearl beach may experience a similar process.,

The Plan was prepared without community consultation to identify either the views of the community or many of the issues which affect our lives. We were given 42 days to respond or it would become final, and only after strong representation by the community was the closing date for submissions extended to May 26.

While some recommendations are not significant, the thrust of the Plan is improving the return to Council through upgrading the caravan park, and making Patonga a tourist destination, one which conflicts with community wishes and has serious implications for traffic and parking on Patonga Drive and in the village.

Measures proposed include:
• the relocation of tennis courts from their present position in Bay Street adjoining the caravan park to a proposed location on the Eve Williams Memorial Oval and turning the present tennis courts into an overflow car park for the Caravan Park;
• floodlighting the Oval;
• extending parking in front of the Patonga Hotel;
• undertaking further dune restoration which has been specifically rejected by the community;
• encouraging more commercial activities around the wharf and beach area;
• gating the caravan park and controlling access, and reducing the parking available for creek residents in the area of the creek boat ramp;
• introducing charging for boats parked on the foreshore and requiring them to be stacked in racks;
• converting an attractive picnic area at the Patonga Street entrance to the caravan park into a car park;
• assessing the opportunity for privatising the caravan park, which may require cabins or similar facilities to become profitable.

Patonga Progress Association is seeking the support of Pearl Beach residents on issues which are of mutual concern. Submissions may cover general issues, or if you wish to view the draft plan click here.

Letters, which can be by email, should be sent to
Senior Manager – Hunter
NSW Trade and Investment – Crown Lands
PO Box 2215
DANGAR, NSW 2309

Or email; MaitlandCrownLands@lands.nsw.gov.au

Dain Simpson
President
Patonga Beach Progress Association
dain.simpson@gmail.com
0416025274

The inaugural Pearl Classical Music Festival was held over the June long weekend in 1994 and seen at the time to be quite an ambitious venture for the Pearl Beach Progress Association. From the beginning the objective has been to harmonise fine music with the cultural life of Pearl Beach and its unique environment.

Since 1994 the festival has played host to many great and established performers and talented young artists.

Tickets are available for the Saturday and Sunday afternoon concerts commencing at 2.30pm. Saturday afternoon enjoy a performance by The Sydney Omega Ensemble (Trio), who was established in 2005 by its artistic director David Rowden when he and other young musicians sought to redefine Sydney’s classical chamber music landscape. David Pereira returns on Sunday afternoon to enthrall audiences with his magnificent cello playing, accompanied by Tamara Anna Cislowska an outstanding concert pianist and chamber musician.

The two evening performances are sold-out. Saturday evening Slava & Leonard Grigoryan guitar duo and on Sunday evening and returning for the third time renowned musician Simon Tedeschi with highly acclaimed, award winning jazz pianist Kevin Hunt.

Bookings: 4343 1455 – Children under 15 $20 each concert, credit card transaction plus $4 fee
Saturday afternoon concert price $35.00; Sunday afternoon concert price $40

Photo: Sydney Omega Ensemble (Trio), David Rowden, clarinet; Maria Raspopova, piano; Tobias Breider, viola.

Inaugural “Showcase” Concert
Performed by junior students from the Central Coast Conservatorium

Venue: Memorial Hall
Times: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Cost: Donation appreciated
All welcome
Enquiries: 4344 2319

Sunday 2nd June

Pearl Beach Music & Irvine Family
Piano Scholarship Concert

Venue: Memorial Hall
Times: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Cost: Donation appreciated
All welcome
Enquiries: 4344 2319

June Long Weekend Classical Music
Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th

Celebrating 20th Festival Concert series
A spectacular sell-out weekend;

Tickets available for Saturday at 2.30pm $35
The Sydney Omega Ensemble (Trio)
Chamber music at its best!
&
Sunday at 2.30pm $40
Renowned Cellist David Pereira &
Tamara Anna Cislowska an outstanding concert pianist

Evening concerts featuring
Simon Tedeschi & Kevin Hunt – Two Pianos
&
Guitar Duo The Grigoryan Brothers,
These two concerts are sold-out!

Venue: Pearl Beach Memorial Hall
Bookings: (02) 4343 1455
Enquiries: 4344 2319

Saturday 29th June

Pearl Beach Rural Fire Brigade
Special event – replacement of old “Troupie” carrier
Community are invited to come along & celebrate
Commencing at 10am – official ceremony at 11am
Followed by a BBQ – all welcome
Venue: Brigade Station, Emerald Ave

Saturday 24th August

Trivia Night & Dinner

Venue: Memorial Hall
Times: Doors open at 5.30pm
Trivia commences at 6pm
Ticket cost: $30 BYO refreshments
Bookings: 4342 1870
“Proceeds to Pearl Beach Rural Fire Brigade”

Friday 30th &
Saturday 31st August

Annual Glee Club Concerts

Venue: Memorial Hall
Times: 7.30pm Friday & 2.30pm Saturday
Ticket cost: Adults $20; Child (under 15) $10
Bookings: 4343 1455/4344 2319
Includes a glass of wine/soft drink

Saturday 28th September

Pearl Beach Food & Wine Fare
Venue: Memorial Hall
Times: 10am – 5pm
Entry free

Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th

October Long Weekend
Craft Fair; Bi-annual event
Venue: Memorial Hall
Times: 10am – 4pm daily
Entry free

Future Events

Community Dinner
13th December

Twilight Carols
22nd December

First Saturday of each month General Meeting – all welcome
Venue: Memorial Hall: 5pm – enquiries: 4342 2729
Check Notice Board to confirm details

The meeting on 6th April at Paul Landa Reserve was well attended and members undertook vigorous weeding of species such as but not limited to Cassia, Asparagus Fern and Turkey Rhubarb.

The next meeting will be at the corner of Pearl Parade and Coral Crescent on Saturday 4th May and include work on the dune opposite Agate Av. to reduce the incidence of Gloriosa. Rachel and Robert will lead in plant identification. The work can extend to the area just North of the little white bridge Dunecare have been consulted/are supportive of the proposed attack on Gloriosa.

Robert Payne will be coordinator with Council/Contractor presence if possible.

The meeting in June will be on Saturday 1st June, at a site to be decided by Robert/members attending in May.

Children’s Tennis Camp

A Children’s Tennis Camp will be held on April 20th to 22nd inclusive. Please contact Kathryn Kelly, General Secretary on 0414 248246 for details.

Club Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the Club Committee is scheduled for 10th of May. Members of the Committee will be advised by email.

Membership Renewals

Annual membership fees are now due and are payable to either Kathryn Kelly or Judy McFarlane. Members whose details have changed may obtain a membership form from Kathryn or Judy or from the sleeve at the outside noticeboard at the Clubhouse.