Sandringham Foreshore Association Newsletter

- Summer 2016-2017
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 2017

From the president of SFA, Dr Vicki Karalis

Dear Members and Friends of SFA,

We hope you are enjoying our beautiful beaches over the summer holidays. The warm weather and beaches for
swimming are so welcoming after the cold winter we experienced this year.
Summer fun activities
This newsletter is so jam packed with many community activities such as 'Summer by the Sea' program. I will be
giving a 'walk and talk' on Saturday 9.30am January 14th 2017 at the Sandringham beaches on our evolving
coastline, how our beaches were formed and the history of our cliffs and local fossils, whilst we mesmerise and
enjoy the beauty of our local majestic cliffs. Please see full details to register below under the title 'Summer by
the Sea' program. I hope to see you and your family there if you are not away on holidays. Otherwise pass this
invitation onto friends. There are lots of fun activities in the program including Local Aboriginal People, Heritage
and Bay History and discovering local wildlife such as the Rakali. Also Friends of Native Wildlife series of
Bayside are holding free community events such as microbat and frog watching in their natural habitats [see ads
below].

Invitation to a sunset beach party at Sandringham beach!!

We are so excited that DELWP and Bayside City Council are improving our beaches to help mitigate coastal
erosion. Works to modify the Southey St rock groyne and sand renourishment are scheduled for March 2017.
SFA invite you to a beach gathering to celebrate the proposed works and discuss what is being planned for our
beaches e.g. how the rocks from the groyne will be recycled. Everybody is invited but parents must supervise
children on the beach.
When: Saturday 18th February 2017
Time: 8pm to watch the sunset
Where: Sandringham beach at the bottom of the Tennyson St ramp
BYO musical instruments if you like, smiles, cheers, happiness and a drink
-I personally am bringing water and a bottle of champagne to celebrate!
100 years on at the Sandy Beach Boat Shed
Congratulations to Mike Meyers, owner of the Sandy beach Headquarters and Kiosk, who together with the
Sandringham Historical Society and the help of the Hampton Life Saving Club and historian Graeme Disney
hosted an historical exhibition including local beach photos from 100 years ago! See below a snapshot of what
was exhibited at the gallery and you can view at the Headquarters next time you go there for a coffee.

Source Leader Newspaper December 2016

Tree removal at Beaumaris Secondary College

It was a sad day for local residents to witness the removal of over 200 established trees, some 100-200 years old
at the Beaumaris Secondary College site! Our community are extremely pleased that the State Government had
committed funding for the much needed and anticipated Beaumaris Secondary College to serve the demands of
the growing local community, however, the removal of the trees on the site to make way for a very large sports
precinct really should have been re-considered. The proposed plans should have incorporated the trees. Many of
the trees could have been kept by reducing the size of the sports precinct or cricket oval. We applaud the good
work of the Beaumaris Conservation Society and their president Mr Gregory Mier who fought hard to negotiate
and preserve as many trees as possible. They did exceptionally well raising awareness of this issue and we
hope this situation may never occur again. This was a particularly rare site - the back of the school site morphs
into the immediately abutting Long Hollow Heathland and much of the established nature reserve park consists
of a wide variety of established vegetation and trees, including a creek! As an expert in Environmental Medicine,
it cannot be emphasised the health benefits the trees offer for humans. The trees provide health and wellbeing
benefits not only to the school children, but to the surrounding community, i.e. the green spaces provide a calm
environment, the trees act as carbon sinks for increased carbon levels, and protect from the local traffic
pollutants. The vegetation contributes to much needed shade especially during heat waves. Please view this
beautiful video by Heather Stewart a local botanist and former Councillor to appreciate the significance of the
trees, now mostly removed: https://vimeo.com/190173809
The aim now is to ensure that only local indigenous plants are used for re-vegetation to provide a suitable sized
corridor for flora, fauna and birdlife. The SFA have written to relevant ministers on this issue.
Plastics in the environment
- Additional information on their harmful effects [1st article was published in the Spring SFA newsletter]
What is not well recognised is the impact of plastics in the environment on human health.
Professor Garry Egger published this article for doctors in Medical Observer
Can plastics cause obesity and/or diabetes?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there are some 80,000 man-made chemicals floating around
planet earth since the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.
Some of these, including lead, arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and pthalates have been
classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) because of their known effects on endocrine organs. The
WHO says EDCs can alter function of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects in
an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub) populations. 1
EDCs are a hot topic for research at the moment with an ever-widening search for products with specific ill-health
effects. Some have been shown to have direct effects on brain function, others on changing the balance of gut
microbiome, which has indirect effects on a range of issues, including obesity.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous chemical used to make plastic bottles and in the epoxy resin lining of metal
cans to increase food preservation. Its use is gathering increasing attention as a potential EDC, because of its
possible links with diabetes and obesity.
Humans come into contact with BPA through industrial waste in water, air and soil. But the most common contact
occurs through consumption of food stored in plastic containers or tin cans lined with BPA, particularly if these
are exposed to microwaves or heat.
Yet despite growing concerns about its toxicity, the demand for BPA in products is on the increase, partly
because of the growing industrialization in China and other rapidly developing countries.

Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2003-2004 showed that
around 90% of the US population older than 6 years of age had detectable levels of BPA in their urine. Children
and adolescents had higher levels than adults, consistent with their greater exposure to the chemical.
The fact that several national bodies have banned BPAs in infant food containers because of neurological
damage, is suggestive of concern at all levels. But various food authorities and the WHO suggest that amounts
are insignificant to cause problems in adults.
In a comprehensive review of the data to date, two medical researchers from the University of Indiana are not so
sure.2 They looked at several epidemiological studies that show associations between BPA and both obesity and
Type 2 diabetes in a number of different sub-groups (healthy US adults, Chinese children, overweight
peripubertal girls etc).
The majority of these show positive associations between obesity, diabetes, and urinary BPA. However
association doesnt imply causality and this is where human data are currently lacking. The physiological effect of
BPA has been linked to a number of molecular targets with relevance to metabolic health and function and
effects have been shown in animals on insulin resistance, Beta cell functioning and blood sugar levels.
While we wait for further evidence, what can be done to reduce any possible risk? A prudent approach would be
to advise the avoidance of BPA exposure such as through:

Minimising plastics use (which can have an added positive environmental effect)
Avoiding placing plastic and tinned food (where BPA levels are not marked on labels) in microwaves
Not keeping plastics or tinned food containers in extreme heat (eg. inside a closed car)
Discarding plastic bottles with scratches, as these can lead to greater release of BPAs
Using glass or stainless steel cookware as an alternative to plastic and cans with unknown BPA content
Encouraging exercise to eliminate BPA and other EDCs through sweating
Not storing vegetable oils and/or salt solutions in plastic containers as these can cause BPAs to leach
into the food.

While the evidence for the effects of BPAs as an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical is clearly not definitive, the
potential links with obesity and diabetes (BPA in mice leads to greater food intake), make these of particular
interest in a lifestyle approach to health. Together with other EDCs in the air, soil and water, BPAs are likely to
attract some genuine research interest in the future.
1. WHO. State of the science of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
www.who.int/ceh/publications/endocrine/en/index.html
2. Mirmira P, Evans-Molina C. Bisphenol A, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: genuine concern or
unnecessary preoccupation? Translational Research, 2014;164:13-21.
Source:_Medical Observer October 2016 [6th October 2016 http://lifestylemedicine.org.au/content/can-plastics-cause-obesityandor-diabetes/ Accessed 28 December 2016]

Why are seabirds attracted to eating plastics?

The scientists think they have found the answer - it has to do with their smell. Science Advances showed that
algae that coats plastic marine litter gives off the same smell that triggers seabirds to look for food.
See links below:
University California researchers have figured out why seabirds eat plastic:
http://qz.com/835190/university-of-california-davis-scientists-figured-out-why-seabirds-eat-plastic/
Animal behaviour: Plastic smells good to marine birds: Nature : Nature Research
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v539/n7629/full/539332a.html

Birds Mistake Plastic for Food Due to Its Smell | PLOS Ecology Community
http://blogs.plos.org/ecology/2016/11/09/birds-mistake-plastic-for-food-due-to-its-smell/
Why Do Seabirds Eat Plastic? The Answer Stinks | UC Davis
https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/why-do-seabirds-eat-plastic-answer-stinks/
Almost all seabirds to have plastic in gut by 2050 - CSIRO
http://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2015/Marine-debris
The Conversation, the oceans are full of plastic, but why do seabirds eat it?
http://theconversation.com/the-oceans-are-full-of-plastic-but-why-do-seabirds-eat-it-68110

3191 Beach Patrol - Sandringham beach cleanup

Next due:
Sunday 29 January
9am - 10am
Location: Red Bluff Cliffs
Meet at bottom of the ramp opposite Edward St and head south to beach beneath Red Bluff cliffs.
BYO gloves. Bags supplied.
Sunday 26 February
9am - 10am
Location: Southey St Groyne
Meet at grass area opposite Southey St. Will head south down track/ramp to clean area around the groyne.
BYO gloves. Bags supplied.
Funding available for community groups to help protect and preserve the health of the Bay
http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/parks-forests-and-crown-land/coasts,-bays-and-marine-areas/port-phillip-bay-fund
The Port Phillip Bay Fund is a grants program that supports projects by community groups and organisations
who are working to protect and preserve the environmental health of the Bay.
The Victorian Government is providing a total of $10 million over four years from 2016/17 to support efforts to
protect and enhance the health and amenity values of Port Phillip Bay.
The objectives of the fund are to support projects that address local and regional priorities to protect the health of
the Bay and bay catchment area, including:

encouraging partnerships across a range of interested groups and organisations who support the
environmental health of the Bay;
enhancing the amenity and environmental values in the Bay and on the foreshore; and
reducing and addressing threats to the health of the Bay, including nutrients, pollutants and litter.

- See more at:

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/parks-forests-and-crown-land/coasts,-bays-and-marine-areas/port-phillip-bayfund#sthash.mcpxQCnD.dpuf

Tackling marine debris and litter:

You are invited to participate in an exciting project to tackle marine debris & litter at the source. As a leading
expert in addressing the marine debris issue, Tangaroa Blue Foundation is coordinating Source Reduction Plan
workshops in seven council regions around Port Phillip Bay in 2017 (see more details below).
Cleaning up areas like beaches, waterways, streets and parks is essential to reduce the impacts of marine debris
& litter, but this is only a Band-Aid approach to what has become a major environmental issue worldwide. If all
we do is clean-up, thats all well ever do - Heidi Taylor, Tangaroa Blue Foundation. The only way of making a
real change is analysing where the litter & debris comes from, and finding ways of stopping it ending up in our
ocean and rivers in the first place - a Source Reduction Plan.
Join Tangaroa Blue Foundation in 2017 to help find ways to stop the flow of rubbish into Port Phillip Bay and the
Yarra River. The hands-on workshops will include:

An introduction to the framework for developing a Source Reduction Plan

A summary of the top items/groups of items being found in each of the seven council areas (collated
from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database, other local data sources, photos and local
knowledge)
Overview of the location and effort of clean-up activities
Overview of the existing capacity and partnerships in each council region helping to address the marine
debris & litter issue
The latest news and approaches of tackling the marine debris issue using examples from around
Australia and the world
Using a partnership approach to develop a Source Reduction Plan for each of the seven council
regions.

The Source Reduction Plan workshops in 2017 are:

Bayside City Council, 17 February
City of Melbourne, 20 February
Wyndham City Council, 22 February
Hobson Bay City Council, 24 February
Kingston City Council, 6 March
City of Greater Geelong, 8 March
City of Port Phillip, 10 March
Registrations are now open and its free to participate. Workshops will run from 9am -1pm followed by a
networking lunch. If you would like to participate in multiple workshops, you are welcome to do so.
To view more details about the events and register, please follow this link to Eventbrite. If for some reason you
cannot register via Eventbrite, please contact cluder@sustain-n-able.com to arrange for an alternate registration
method. Registration closes 6pm, 13 January 2017.
Source: Carolyn Luder, Project Manager Tangaroa Blue Foundation
0402115125
Working together to target the source of marine debris & litter - this project is funded by the Victorian
Governments Litter Innovation Fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria

Summer by the Sea 2017

The Bayside Environmental Friends Network (BEFN) is at it again and bringing a suite of family-friendly, coastal
activities to your doorstep as part of the annual Summer by the Sea program.
You can find out about all activities of this Victoria-wide program and book your activities by
visiting http://summerbythesea.vic.gov.au/. Please note that places at events are limited and do sell out fast, so
keep an eye on the website and register soon!
Events include:
Local Aboriginal People, Heritage and Bay History
Sat 7 Jan 10:30am 12noon
The Marine Education Science and Community Centre (MESAC) will offer a forty-five minute presentation on the
50 000+ years of Aboriginal peoples presence in Australia, from the picturesque location of Beaumaris Yacht
Club. Following this, participants will be taken on a guided, 45 minute Walk and Talk on Port Phillip Bay (Nairm)
history, including specific insight into some aspects of our local Aboriginal peoples heritage.
Discover Rakali, local wildlife and Indigenous Heritage of Bayside
Wed 11 Jan 8:00pm 9:30pm
Explore Sandringham foreshore at dusk and discover the abundance of wildlife living here, including the only
semi-aquatic mammal besides the platypus - our native Rakali. Rakali are amphibious mammals, especially
adapted for aquatic life. Also learn about other local wildlife including Micro Bats and aspects of Indigenous
Heritage on a guided walk around Sandringham foreshore.
Disabled Beach Access & Snorkelling
Wed 11 Jan 10am 11:30am
This unique event - Disabled Beach Access & Snorkelling delivered by the Disabled Divers Association (DDA),
provides people of various abilities the opportunity to experience a day at the beach in a new light. Gain
confidence in accessing the beach and water environment with the assistance of DDA, which is a non-profit
organisation, dedicated to encouraging and supporting people with disabilities. This event is designed to
inspire and give people with disabilities the opportunity to put the fun back into life. Please note that this activity
may be rescheduled if weather is unsuitable.
Our Evolving Coastline
Sat 14 Jan 9:30am 11am
A fascinating guided Walk and Talk led by Vicki Karalis of the Sandringham Foreshore Association (SFA), along

the Sandringham coastline. Learn how beaches form over millennia, the trends and impacts of sand movement,
the history of local rock geology, issues of coastal erosion, Baysides living museums of local fossils and much
more. Deepen your knowledge to help care for and protect our precious coastline, all whilst taking in
breathtaking views and a fresh sea breeze.
Geocaching
Sat 14 Jan + Thur 19 Jan 6:00pm 9:00pm
Geocaching is a modern treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific
set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. This fun
outdoor activity is suitable for the whole family, where one can discover an abundance of interesting things about
their local environment. Family friendly team event.
Discover Baysides Coastal Wonders
Tue 17 Jan 9:30am- 11:30am
Experience Baysides beloved Brighton Beach in a new light!
Green Point is known for its broad sweeping views in every direction - the famous bathing boxes, the city skyline,
the sailing boats and ever-changing sea and sky. But there is wonder in its detail too. Use your smart phone or
digital camera to make your own 'virtual collection' of the amazing natural colours, textures, shapes and sights
you will discover on a guided walk with our local experts. Bring your family and friends and don't forget to
charge your phone or camera battery before you come!

Community Announcement by the DELWP

A healthy Port Phillip Bay that is cared for by all Victorians
Victorians have a strong connection with the Port Phillip Bay. We know this from the feedback we received in
early 2016 when we spoke with the community and key stakeholders on what they value about the Bay, and the
priorities they want addressed to manage the future health of the Bay.
We also know that the health of Port Phillip Bay is generally good. However, Melbournes growth, the demands
of Victorias economy and the pressures of climate change will impact on the health of the Bay unless they are
managed.
The government, together with the input of experts, industry and the community has therefore prepared a draft
Plan that will provide a framework for government, industry and the community to work closely together on the
most pressing challenges facing Port Phillip Bay.
The draft Plan focuses on three themes:
1. Improved stewardship of the Bay
2. Water quality
3. Marine life and habitat
You can find out more by visiting our document library. The draft Port Phillip Bay Environmental
Management Plan 2017-2027 has been released for public comment. You can find out more about the draft
Plan and contribute your ideas until 10 February 2017 by following this link

Community Announcement by the Central Coastal Board

New Marine and Coastal Act. The submissions on the consultation paper are now closed and will be
considered by the Expert Panel, DELWP and the Minister. We look forward to the new legislation in 2017. The
CCB position is that the proposals in the consultation paper do not go far enough to elevate the priority of the
coast and its major challenges of population growth, adaptation to coastal processes and climate change,
unclear roles and responsibilities and funding. The CCB submission is available at ccb.vic.gov.au on the home
page under Discussion Papers.
The Port Phillip Bay Fund of $10m is now available to government and community organisations protecting
and managing our marine and coastal environment. It was created from the proceeds of the Port Lease and
announced earlier this year. Applications are now open and close 15 February 2017. Details at delwp.vic.gov.au
State of the Bays Report. The first State of the Bays report was released on Saturday December 10 and
launched by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. Documenting the health of Port Phillip
Bay and Western Port this is the start of an ongoing process to document the environmental health of the bays.
Details at ces.vic.gov.au
Port Phillip Environmental Management Plan 2017 - 2027. A draft has been released for comment by 10 Feb
2017. The Plan proposed three goals to guide future action and investment over the next ten years, stewardship
of the bay, water quality and marine life and habitat. Community workshops occurred in November and
December with one remaining in January in Mornington Peninsula. Details at delwp.vic.gov.au
Got something to say to the Central Coast Board? Then simply reply to this email (admin@ccb.vic.gov.au).
The Man o' War Patrons Bayside Beaches
Words by Ray Lewis
There was a mass arrival of blue stinging sea jellies around the Bay beaches and the Victorian coast prior
to Christmas. They are known as Portugeuse Man o' War, Bluebottles or Physalia physalis. Generally
speaking they should not be touched. Thankfully they are now gone! Here is a photo taken by Susan
Carden.

Friends of Native Wildlife series of Bayside events

See link for more information and to register for events:
https://www.bayfonw.org.au/events?mc_cid=feded73436&mc_eid=2fefada426
Events include:
Frog Watch January 2017
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Tjilatijirrin Reserve (park on street), 25 Tulip St, Sandringham
Frog Watch February 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Tjilatijirrin Reserve (park on street), 25 Tulip St, Sandringham
Microbats at Twilight in Dendy Park 2017
Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Dendy Park, Brighton East
Wild in Bayside: Local Insects
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Beaumaris Senior Citizens Centre (building behind library)
96 Reserve Rd, Beaumaris
Frog Watch Summer 2016-2017
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Tjilatijirrin Reserve (park on street), 25 Tulip St, Sandringham
Foreshore Bird Walk at Ricketts Point
Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, Beaumaris
BirdLife Bayside watching and activities
Meetings
Beaumaris Community Centre Tennis Club in Reserve Road, Beaumaris, between
Cloris Avenue and Victor Street, Melway map 86 D 6. Meetings are $4 for visitors
and includes supper. Present BirdLife Bayside name tag for free entry.
Enquiries: Tania on 0433 015 282 or email: taniai@ozemail.com.au.
Wednesday 16 November 7.30pm for 7.45pm start
The Great Australian Bird Competition hosted by Tania Ireton
*** bring your favourite field guide ***
Bird of the evening: Chestnut Teal
Competition theme: Victorian Ducks, Geese and Swans (6)
Outings
Rigbys Wetland, Scoresby
Saturday 26 November 9 am

Leader: Brendan McDonald

Meet at the first car park in Mulgrave Reserve, Garnett Road, Wheelers Hill, off
Wellington Road, Melway map 81 A 1. The entrance to the reserve is on the right,
not far after a chicane in the road and well before a roundabout. The walk will be
followed by lunch. Bring chairs, toilets may be available if the sports pavilion is open.
Enquiries: Tania on 0433 015 282.
********************************************************************
2017 Mud Islands trips
Saturday 25 February & 18 March 9 am Mud Islands, Port Phillip Bay
Meet at the Sorrento Pier (Melway map 157 C 7) at 9 am. We are being picked up
around 9.30 am and will be dropped off again about 4 pm. People will need to be
prepared to wade into Mud Islands from the boat, but it is rarely more than knee-deep.
Bring lunch, sunscreen and shoes for wading as Mud Islands is actually two sand
islands and we will be wading between them. If the wind is too strong for the trip to
proceed, we will visit an alternate birding location on the Mornington Peninsula.
There is all-day parking adjacent to the pier at $10 for the day or free parking up the
hill.
NOTE: THE TRIP WILL ***NOT*** BE CANCELLED FOR TOTAL FIREBAN.
Cost $50 for adults, $40 for children under 14 years. Maximum 39 people.
Bookings : Tania on 0433 015 282 or email taniai@ozemail.com.au.
********************************************************************
Historical photos of our Bayside beaches
Featuring Beaumaris Bay

We hope you have enjoyed reading the summer 2016-2017 edition of the SFA Newsletter!
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!
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 selfacclaimed 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