I'd just bulldozed a new pit down the back for my slow dogs and thought I would have to fill it in-now it won't be wasted.

The same with my baits. I've got a shed full of possums, bunnies and piglets and I've just pulled out the claws of a couple of cats I found in an old lady's front  yard.

I love the screams they make when the dogs get to them and the dogs like a bit of fresh meat.

Don't need to worry about their rules upsetting us sportsmen-a wink is as good as a nod.

Can't wait to get back into the sport  so I hope I'll see you all out at the doggies!

Not too many years ago a young university student did her Masters thesis on the threatened species, yellow bellied gliders, in the Bay and Basin area.

Sites were in Vincentia, Sanctuary Point, St Georges Basin and Basin View. Mapping and recording was carried out and it seemed these incredible and beautiful gliders still survived in many of our local areas, including remnant bushland along Island Point Road at St Georges Basin. 

After Shoalhaven City Council had approved developments along Island Point Road, with consent conditions imposed supposedly to protect these threatened species, all the while stating they would be protected and survive developments by moving along to adjacent bushland.

It seems in the end that adjacent bushland has itself been developed so where do we find the gliders today. 

Sadly they have gone. Extinct in this local area. 

A sad indictment on our council and society of today with the almighty dollar coming before, the (supposedly legally required) ongoing protection of Australia's unique native species.

Now, there is a new development with more threatened species found, not yellow bellied gliders but Australian native plants. The proposal is for two four-storey buildings with 58 flats set for Anson Street, St Georges Basin. These four-storey flats have 13-metre height zoning, something new in St Georges Basin that normally has an 8.5-metre limit (another story).

Lo and behold! Incorrect studies done for Melaleuca biconvexa and failure (by council and developer) to recognise a legal requirement for an assessment to be carried out for the critically endangered orchid species Speculantha venticosa, previously found within 200 metres of the proposed fourt-storey double buildings.

Council hadn't noticed this omission. It took local orchid expert Alan Stephenson just a short while to note and contact council.

Unfortunately the block has been partly cleared (more questions) so who knows what would have been found and protected?

With the passing of Rebecca Wilson we have lost a real warrior and a fearless advocate for the demanding of appropriate behavioural standards for all sporting people.

No one was exempt. If you behaved like a boofhead you were called out and plenty were. Her commentary and opinion pieces were compelling advocacy for professional conduct. 

Always loyal to the battler and least gifted but scathing of those who wasted any God given talent by acts of stupidity.

The sporting  world is much the poorer at her passing but the legacy she left behind will be much remembered by all the little blokes in this world who were in need of a friend or a bit of a hand.

No fee was asked,no bill tendered but simply a slap on the back and a bit of advice of just simply, do your best.

Rest in peace, Rebecca, for you will never be forgotten.