Minister reflects on our uniqueness

Minister at the Umina Uniting Church, the Reverend Bruce Edgell, is one of many people on the Peninsula whose lives centre on our community. He spoke recently with Sally Lambert, a work experience student with Peninsula News, about his thoughts on what defines the Peninsula community.
For Umina's Uniting Church minister, the Reverend Bruce Edgell, the Peninsula community is unique.
While it was not self-contained like a country town, it was not the busy crowded sprawl of a city.
We made up a part of two separate cities: Gosford and Sydney.
Mr Edgell said that we came under Gosford City Council and thus relied on it for many things.
However locals were often heard saying that the Peninsula was "the land that Gosford Council forgot".
Mr Edgell said that he believed people could get frustrated with this lack of control over their lifestyles and facilities.
In some ways, this frustration defined us, he seemed to say.
The Peninsula also had an affiliation with Sydney.
Many people worked in Sydney and commuted there regularly.
The Peninsula was also made up of Sydneysiders who, having visited here during holidays, had retired and, having loved it so much, came to take up permanent residence.
And why wouldn't you? The natural beauty of the area creates so much to do.
The beach and the bush, as well as some spectacular views create a sense of pride amongst the people who live here.
So much of the natural beauty has been preserved, and in the residential areas, people take the time to keep gorgeous gardens.
But the geography was not all that was attractive about the Peninsula.
Mr Edgell said that there was an interesting mix of people from different socio-economic backgrounds and ages.
The Peninsula had a large number of retirees, many of whom had lived here all their lives, others who had recently moved here to retire.
There was also a large proportion of younger families, whose dream of home ownership had come true because they could afford to buy here.
Mr Edgell said that the standard of accommodation on the Peninsula reflected this mix.
He had seen the most luxurious houses as well as the very basic cottages and granny flats, all in the same area.
Another strength was the number of community services, he said.
He cited Meals on Wheels, Red Cross, day care centres, aged care centres, play groups, after and before school care and senior citizens' associations.
He said many of these involved volunteers whose generosity and sense of community contributed to a higher standard of living for many residents on the Peninsula.
Despite these positives, he said that there was much to improve.
The Peninsula had a number of problems which were not necessarily unique to the area, but were still tearing the community apart.
Vandalism was a huge problem.
On street corners, the street signs were bent, broken or not even there.
Mr Edgell said that our parks were victims of wanton vandalism, with the destruction of public facilities.
It was the result of unemployment, boredom, the influence of alcohol and other drugs as well as a lack of sense of community among a younger element of society.
He said that problems were caused by people who had gone out of control.
Along with the advent of gambling, the abuse of alcohol and drugs had contributed to many problems on the Peninsula, he said.
One example was the high incidence of robberies in our community, aimed particularly at elderly people.
He said it highlighted an element of the community, or perhaps an outside force, which had a lack of respect and regard for other people's property and rights.
He said that people were frightened and often needed counselling after a robbery has occurred in their home.
Mr Edgell said that road design and use had an impact on our community which was not widely recognised.
He believed that dangerous incidents seemed to occur more often with an increased population and the lack of facilities for bike riders.
He said that this, coupled with a disregard of road rules by children who wore no helmets and weaved all over the road, made for difficult and dangerous driving.
Mr Edgell believed that, like most communities, the Peninsula had changed over the years.
With increased development and a larger population, locals did not know everyone any more.
He said that he believed there was no longer the personal feel, or the village atmosphere, that there once was.
He thought that there was an unhealthy level of selfishness from all ages of society.
However all was not lost.
"It is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness."
If everyone contributed slightly to our community, imagine what could happen.

Sally Lambert, December 13