Tumby Bay community rallies to save historic jetty
Residents of Tumby Bay recently came together for a second time to protest the closure of their town’s beloved 116-year-old jetty. Unlike the previous protest, this gathering was peaceful, with no police presence, arrests, or barricades.
Over 400 individuals, spanning multiple generations, including children, parents, and grandparents, participated in this mass community gathering. Their shared goal was to save the Tumby Bay jetty, which has been closed since October 22, 2022, due to safety concerns arising from storm damage that exposed its deteriorating condition.
Despite the closure, neither the Tumby Bay District Council nor the state government has made any commitments to repair the jetty. Instead, the council is actively advocating for the construction of an entirely new structure.
This demonstration of unity and determination by the Tumby Bay community highlights their deep-rooted attachment to the historic jetty. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving local landmarks that hold significant cultural and historical value.
If you want to learn more about the Tumby Bay community’s efforts to save their jetty, please visit our site 60time.com. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on social media, such as Instagram or Facebook (@60time.com), to stay updated on similar community initiatives.
The Tumby Bay community rallies together to express their support for the jetty, with residents of all ages coming together to highlight its plight. In a mass community protest, individuals lined the foreshore, demonstrating their solidarity with the jetty. Some residents even went as far as swimming or climbing around fencing to reach the jetty, where they unitedly jumped off. This display of unity and determination showcases the strong bond between the community and the jetty.
A 1970s blockade
One of the notable events in the history of the Tumby Bay community was a blockade that took place in the 1970s. This blockade was led by business owner Charmaine Cross, whose grandfather, Laurie Curtis, spearheaded a campaign to save the jetty in 1972.
During the blockade, Mr. Curtis took matters into his own hands by driving his tractor and sounding a whistle to alert the community. This call to action prompted the community to gather at the jetty and prevent workmen from demolishing a section of the structure.
In the 1970s, Charmaine Cross’s grandfather, Laurie Curtis, led a blockade to save the jetty, causing quite a stir at the time. He used megaphones to rally the community, urging them to come together and prevent the jetty from being taken down. Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Cross is now part of a community committee advocating for the reopening of the jetty. She emphasizes the importance of preserving this historical asset, as once lost, it cannot be regained. The Tumby Bay community is feeling the impact of the jetty’s closure, and Cross believes it is crucial to fight against its demise.
During a recent rally, three generations of the Curtis family, including nine grandchildren, showed their support for the cause. Sharon Campbell and Sue Atkinson, who had participated in the blockade as school children, reminisced about their efforts to save the jetty in the 1970s. They vividly recall racing to the jetty upon hearing the whistle blow from the tractor, linking arms to block access and prevent its demolition. Campbell and Atkinson are determined to save the jetty once again, just as they did decades ago.
The significance of the blockade in 1972 is evident in a Port Lincoln Times article, which reported that 125 people were involved and had their names recorded by the police. Noel Cave, who was a schoolboy at the time, remembers joining his fellow students in standing in front of the jetty to protect it. His mother was one of the participants and even got arrested during the protest. Cave, who now faces mobility issues, expresses how the inability to access the jetty has negatively impacted his mental health. The jetty holds great sentimental value for him.
Marie Swaffer, another supporter of the cause, also faces mobility issues and emphasizes the importance of the jetty for the community’s well-being. She believes it plays a significant role in the mental health of Tumby Bay residents, providing a beautiful and relaxing space for them to unwind. Swaffer highlights that the closure of the jetty has had a noticeable impact on tourism, as visitors often choose to go elsewhere upon discovering its closure. Additionally, she mentions the lack of activities for teenagers and older kids in the town, making the loss of the jetty even more disheartening.
Overall, the Tumby Bay community is rallying together to fight for the reopening of the jetty. Inspired by Laurie Curtis’s efforts in the past, they recognize the importance of preserving this historical asset for future generations. The jetty holds sentimental value, contributes to mental well-being, and attracts tourists to the area. To support the cause, please visit our site 60time.com. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on social media, such as Instagram (@60time.com) or Facebook (@60time.com).
Providing a Healthy and Enjoyable Experience, at No Cost
Jetty jumping has become a beloved tradition among young people living near the coast.
The Tumby Bay community has come together to express their disappointment over the closure of the jetty, a place that holds great significance for the locals, especially the younger generation. Many young people have expressed their longing for the days spent jumping off the jetty. Local resident Max Baldissera, who grew up enjoying summers at the beach, emphasized the importance of the jetty to the Tumby Bay community. He highlighted the sudden closure and the subsequent community response as a testament to the jetty’s significance. Baldissera noted that the recent protest at the jetty attracted the largest crowd he had ever seen at the beach, indicating the strong bond between the community and this iconic structure.
During the protest, community members went to great lengths to access the jetty, even climbing over fences. This demonstrates the determination and passion of the Tumby Bay community to preserve their beloved jetty. Another concern raised by community member Ms. Swaffer is the impact of the closure on the local sea life, particularly the leafy seadragons. These unique creatures are not only rare and protected but also attract tourists to the town. Swaffer expressed the hope that the jetty can continue to serve as a home for the leafy seadragons and as a draw for visitors.
The Tumby Bay community rallies together to voice their support for the jetty, recognizing its importance as a cherished gathering place and a vital habitat for marine life. The closure of the jetty has sparked a strong sense of unity among the locals, who are determined to preserve this iconic structure for future generations. To learn more about the Tumby Bay community and their efforts to save the jetty, please visit our site 60time.com. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on social media, such as Instagram (@60time.com) and Facebook (@60time.com), for updates on this and other community initiatives.
Calls for government funding
The Tumby Bay community is coming together to advocate for government financing for the maintenance of the Tumby Bay jetty. Currently, the council leases the jetty from the state government, and as part of the lease agreement, they are responsible for its upkeep.
Dion LeBrun, the organizer of the jetty rally, believes that Tumby Bay is not alone in its struggle. According to LeBrun, there are 35 jetties across the state facing similar challenges. He argues that the government should take financial responsibility for these jetties since they are state assets. Currently, the burden of maintenance and upkeep has been passed on to local governments, which have been unable to meet the required standards. LeBrun points out that metropolitan jetties, on the other hand, are still fully maintained by the state government. This situation places an unfair burden on smaller regional councils who struggle to maintain these state-owned structures. LeBrun emphasizes that this is not a fair arrangement.
In response to the issue, the District Council of Tumby Bay has submitted an expression of interest to the SA Jetties Renewals Program. This program, funded with $10 million from the state government, aims to address the needs of all jetties in South Australia. The Tumby Bay community is hopeful that their plea for assistance will be heard and that the necessary funds will be allocated to ensure the preservation of their beloved jetty.
Please visit our site 60time.com for more information on similar topics. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on social media, such as Instagram (@60time.com) and Facebook (@60time.com), to stay updated on the latest news and updates.
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In Tumby Bay, the local community has come together to show their support and unity.
