SO SHIRE

10/08/2026

Sorry for the belated share! It’s been quite a year!

10/08/2026

Congratulations to the successful participants!

Looking forward to their completed projects and next year’s entries!

09/07/2026

We pick up sooo many small fibres … one of the sources:

09/07/2026

Tonight we attended the Gujaga Foundation Randwick City Council screening of “The return of the Gweagal Spears” to celebrate 50 years of National NAIDOC

It is such a beautiful, honest and poignant short film documenting the journey so far to bring the spears home for good.

Crafted by Gweagal clansmen of Gamay (Botany Bay), the spears were taken during the “first encounters” by James Cook and the crew of the HMB Endeavour in April 1770 and held in the United Kingdom for 254 years.

This documentary follows the ongoing efforts of their descendants, who have fought for generations to bring them home.

Following the screening, was the panel discussion featuring Noeleen Timbery, Clare Woolley, and Quaiden Williams-Riley, who shared insights and reflections on the journey and significance of the return of the spears, including their trip to the UK for the official hand over of ownership.

We really hope to have a local screening soon.

We were privileged to get to see the spears on display couple years ago chak wing museum at University of Sydney when they finally returned to Australia after centuries abroad, and now we patiently wait for their final home in the Kurnell Kamay Visitors Centre (currently being built).

Tonight we learnt what the spears were made from and what the different forms/types of spears were used for based on the skill of the thrower/user.

After their display in the Mungari exhibition at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, the spears are now safely stored, awaiting their permanent re-homing at the new Kamay Visitors Centre.

are fundraising to build and fit out the exhibition space in the centre that will honour the spears and the Gweagal legacy. (Link in stories or use the QR code).

https://www.mycause.com.au/page/380722/kamay-visitors-centre-exhibition

The vision is to Permanently exhibit the Gweagal Spears, Host annual temporary exhibitions exploring the wider story of First Contact between Aboriginal peoples and Captain Cook’s expedition and Create employment opportunities and a place of ongoing cultural connection for our community.

01/07/2026

Today is the first day of Plastic Free July and we had hoped to have some good news for you regarding helium/lighter than air balloon releases in the NSW Environmental Legislation Amendment (Plastic Reduction and Container Recycling) Bill 2026. But, sigh, The Upper house vote on the amendment NSW Plastics Reduction Bill HAS once again been pushed - after being declared “urgent” a month ago - as the house has been adjourned until Tuesday, 4 August 2026​ at 10.00 am.

A ban on balloon releases is urgent. Too many years (for us it has been 13 years of campaigning against balloon releases).

A perfect example (and timely example):
This Monday 29/6/26 Shire Jewels rescued this pink balloon on dropping tide in the zone where the migratory and endangered birds forage after roosting on Port Hacking. We presumed from a gender reveal , and then sadly most likely proven when on Tuesday 30/6/26
she found Two more balloons pink balloons and the shorebirds were roosting right next to it!

Such a terrible way to start a celebration of new life. Pollution and threatening wildlife.

Latex balloons (and mylar) have been shown to float on the surface of water and are easily mistaken for food by birds and other marine animals, including turtles. Their impact on marine life is considerable from entanglement, strangulation to death from ingestion. A 2019 CSIRO report found that balloons are the highest risk plastic debris item for seabirds. When ingested, they are 32 times more likely than hard plastics to kill birds. Although soft plastic items, including balloons, accounted for only 5 per cent of items ingested by seabirds in the study, they were responsible for more than 40 per cent of mortality.

From Julie: “At one point wind moved it towards the critically endangered eastern curlews. Also featured (in images) the endangered bar-tailed godwit and the NZ migrant the double-banded plover (listed as vulnerable in NZ)

Please ask Penny Sharpe MLC to support a ban on balloon releases.

Thank you No Balloon Release Australia and Kobi Shetty MP for fighting for this inclusion in the amendment !

29/06/2026

Join us for the Return of the Gweagal Spears documentary that tells the story of the long-awaited homecoming of four of the most significant fishing spears in Australian history.

📅Thursday 9 July
⏰6-7:30PM
📍The Ritz

Following the screening, join us for a panel discussion featuring Noeleen Timbery, Clare Woolley, and Quaiden Williams-Riley, who will share insights and reflections on the journey and significance of the return.

Bookings essential: https://events.humanitix.com/the-return-of-the-gweagal-spears-documentary-screening

18/06/2026

Please keep a lookout for any pelicans that may be affected:

There are lots of posts regarding the 'brown' pelicans which are actually oiled birds from an oil spill in Sydney!! This is a photo from Taronga which shows a 'brown' bird after being cleaned up! Please make sure you report any birds you see to your local wildlife group including Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast & Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services)!
They are not a cross breed, they need help from a diesel spill ASAP!!!

17/06/2026

Kurnell Public School Sydney Institute of Marine Science Gamay Rangers - Botany Bay Operation Posidonia Sydney Airport

The focus at Sydney Airport is naturally on what's going on in the ...

13/06/2026

Please Keep batteries out of the red bin!