Pittwater Life September 2017 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
MICHAEL
ROBOTHAM
WHEN CRIME
DOES PAY...
SEPTEMBER 2017
FREE
pittwaterlife
FARE TRIAL
CAN ON-DEMAND
BUSES SOLVE
TRANSPORT WOES?
GREENS WITH ENVY
PITTWATER’S PRIVATE
GOLF HOLES REVEALED
NB Council Election 2017
KEEP CALM,
VOTE WISELY
+ DUMMIES GUIDE
TO POLLING DAY

Editorial
Stay calm and vote wisely...
Far be it from us to tell you
who you should vote for
on Northern Beaches Council
election day on September 9.
That’s not how we do things.
That said, there are some
things we think you should
consider to help you make
your decision... Our cover line
says it all: Stay calm and vote
wisely. We believe the passion
and hype surrounding the
amalgamation of May 2016,
and whether or not the former
Pittwater is returned, should be
taken out of the equation.
Be wary of investing in
candidates who want to take
us backwards, irrespective
of their good intentions – if
de-amalgamation is to happen
it will happen, but it’s a wholly
different matter to the one
at hand: electing the office
bearers we need who will take
a seat at the table of a new
business that turns over nearly
$1 billion a year, and who will
be charged with driving our
local community forward.
Our advice? We need
progressive thinkers and good
communicators on the new
Council to ensure we have our
hyper-local issues and concerns
managed appropriately. We
cannot afford to allow our
voice to be muffled; we will
be represented by just six of
a total 15 councillors across
the 254 square kilometres
from Palm Beach to Manly to
Davidson to Belrose (see our
Dummies Guide on p25).
We need individuals sensitive
to our environment, both built
and natural, who possess the
business acumen (that doesn’t
mean business professional)
and the savvy required to not
just deal with other councillors,
but also negotiate with the
government of the day to
deliver the additional essential
and other services we require,
above and beyond seeing our
bins emptied on time.
Pride is an honourable trait;
just be careful what you wish
for.
– Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 3

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Email:
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Website:
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Publisher: Nigel Wall
Managing Editor: Lisa Offord
Graphic Design: CLS Design
Photography: iStock
Contributors: Rosamund
Burton, Gabrielle Bryant, Brian
Hrnjak, Jennifer Harris, Nick
Carroll, Sue Carroll, Dr. John
Kippen, Janelle Bloom, Geoff
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Vol 27 No 2
Celebrating 26 years
MICHAEL
ROBOTHAM
WHEN CRIME
DOES PAY...
FARE TRIAL
CAN ON-DEMAND
BUSES SOLVE
TRANSPORT WOES?
The Local Voice Since 1991
GREENS WITH ENVY
PITTWATER’S PRIVATE
GOLF HOLES REVEALED
NB Council Election 2017
KEEP CALM,
VOTE WISELY
+ DUMMIES GUIDE
TO POLLING DAY
SEPTEMBER 2017
FREE
pittwaterlife
16
34
40
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WANTED
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once a month.
Permanent and casual runs
are available now in:
Palm Beach, Avalon,
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thislife
COVER: The first Northern Beaches Council election is
on September 9 – we introduce you to all 41 candidates
for our two local wards to help you decide who you
will trust with your vote... and our future (p21). Plus
we detail everything you need to know about voting
in our ‘Dummies Guide’ (p25). Read about the NSW
Government’s on-demand Pittwater transport trial (p6)
and the amazing private golf holes hidden in our midst
(p16). Plus we sit down with award-winning Avalon
author Michael Robotham to discuss his ‘life of crime’
(p34). COVER IMAGE: Jack Fontes / Narrabeen pool.
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News 6-19
2017 Northern Beaches Council Election Special 21-28
Community News Briefs 30-33
Life Stories: Author Michael Robotham 34-35
Art Life 36-39
Surfing Life 40-41
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 42-49
Money & Finance 50-52
Local Call 54-55
Law 56-57
Food 64-66
Gardening Life 68-69
Travel Life 73-74
the goodlife
Restaurants, food, gigs, travel and gardening.
Also find our regular features on beauty, health, surfing,
art, local history, our guide to trades and services, money,
law and our essential maps.
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!
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our OCTOBER issue MUST be supplied by
FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Finished art & editorial submissions deadline:
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The OCTOBER issue will be published
on WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
COPYRIGHT
All contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the
written consent of the copyright owner. GST: All advertising rates are subject to GST.
4 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

On-demand transport
It's access
for all areas
News
The State Government’s
on-demand transport trial
for the upper northern
beaches, aimed at improving
access to main road bus stops
from the outer reaches of the
peninsula, will utilise a fleet of
eight four-seater cars, Pittwater
Life can reveal.
The government hopes
uptake of the super low-cost,
Uber-like service, timed to coincide
with the commencement
of the B-Line later this year, will
prove a success and help solve
the problem of congested car
parking along the new rapid
transport route.
Cars have been chosen to fulfil
the Pittwater trial due to the
difficult geographical nature
of parts of the peninsula that
would prove challenging for
mini buses to negotiate.
Local MP Rob Stokes said the
on-demand pilot – which will
run for an initial six-month
period and may be extended
for up to two years – would
allow commuters from Palm
Beach to Narrabeen to book a
ride by phone call or online, or
through a custom-built app.
Customers would be dropped
off at the nearest transport hub
– and could arrange a return
journey from the bus stop
home if required.
“We want to make it as easy
as possible for everyone to
access public transport – so
it’s entirely appropriate for
the government to be trialling
something that’s a little outside
the square,” Mr Stokes said.
The pilot is crucial to fulfilling
the important ‘first and last
mile’ component of the new
local rapid transport set-up.
The standard one-way fare
will be $3.10, with a 50% discount
for seniors and pensioners,
apprentices and students.
Its operating hours are Mon-Fri
UBER-LIKE: Your personal chariot awaits…
6am-10pm, Sat 7am-7pm and
Sunday 7am-5pm; bookings can
be made at least 30 minutes before
and up to one month prior
to the required pick-up.
The on-demand trial will be
operated by the partnership
of Keolis Downer, Australia’s
largest provider of multi-modal
public transport (Keolis are
70% owned by SNCF, the French
national rail operator) and
regulated by Transport NSW.
The partnership operates the
Yarra Trams in Victoria and
also the Gold Coast Light Rail
in Queensland.
Keolis Downer entered the
bus market in 2015; they currently
run 930 buses on 91
routes in South Australia, Western
Australia and Queensland.
The Group have partnered
with car share company Go Get
who will provide the vehicles
for the trial.
“There are many elderly
members of our community
who live in areas that aren’t
easily accessible by traditional
buses,” Mr Stokes continued.
“This is an additional option
that could help support their
transport independence.
“This trial will not replace
any existing bus services – but
will complement the range
of transport opportunities
already on offer.”
Minister for Transport
and Infrastructure Andrew
Constance said the Pittwater
trial would transform the daily
commute for workers.
“This trial is just the start of
our transport future in NSW
6 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

– imagine not having to check
a timetable because you know
your service will be there when
and where you need it,” he said.
Local community spokespeople
welcomed the trial but maintained
their concerns about the
new B-Line service.
CABPRA president David
Owen described the trial as an
interesting experiment.
“But it completely misses the
issue we have in northern
Pittwater and that is the majority
of residents should be within
walking distance (400 metres)
of fast and reliable public
transport services that will take
them into the city on an express
basis throughout the day without
changing buses.
“Until these express bus
services are in place, the ondemand
transport trial is very
much misdirected.”
PBWBA president Dr Richard
West said his membership supported
the trial and would be
keen to see its results.
“However, its introduction
does not negate the necessity to
continue an express bus from
Palm Beach to the city in peak
and off-peak hours,” he said.
“This trip to the city is the
longest commuter bus trip in
Sydney. There should be no
necessity to change buses.
Changing buses will make the
trip from Palm Beach to the
city even longer.”
Newport Residents Association
president Gavin Butler said
any initiative that made public
transport more accessible had
to be looked on positively.
But he was surprised at the
‘eleventh hour’ announcement.
“Transport experts say the
most essential aspect of rapid
transport is what they term the
‘first mile/last mile’ component
– the services which feed
into the core route,” he said.
“So here we have an announcement,
barely two
months prior to the revised
launch of the system, which
only now addresses the local
aspects that should have been
the first stage of the planning
process.
“As an established local
residents association, our
problem is not with the B-Line
per se – it is with the abysmal
lack of planning and community
engagement that becomes
more evident as the juggernaut
rolls on.” – Nigel Wall
Plan to wipe eyesore Pasadena
Locals have supported a joint State Government and Northern
Beaches Council initiative that would see the derelict former
restaurant Pasadena at Church Point purchased in the public
interest to remove a stumbling block to the waterside suburb’s
much-needed community infrastructure expansion.
Opened in 1930, in its time Pasadena was a vibrant ambassador
for Pittwater but since winding up operations in 2009 it has
become little more than a waterfront eyesore, wedged between the
public carpark and the commuter wharf hub.
President of the Clareville and Bilgola Plateau Residents
Association David Owen said residents would approve the
acquisition if the purchase price was reasonable to ratepayers.
“It would fit in well with a low key, iconic community precinct
concept,” he said. “The last thing we would want to see on the site
is more car parking.”
Local MP Rob Stokes said he was delighted the State
Government was continuing its financial support to Council
for the Church Point precinct, having already chipped in for the
car parking, boardwalk and pedestrian improvements being
introduced.
“The site is literally the missing piece in the puzzle – its location
in the centre of the community precinct is prohibitive in enabling
Council to proceed with broader landscaping, recreational and
community infrastructure improvements,” he said.
Negotiations will continue with the property owner; if
unsuccessful the site will be compulsorily acquired.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 7

News
Maz turns ‘life fails’
into successful read
Avalon gym owner Maz
Compton says she’s
crammed all the news that’s
fit to print about her career
in music and entertainment
media – all the positive news,
at least – into her new e-book,
‘UnEdited’.
The former MTV Australia
host and breakfast radio star
said the concept came to her
while she was writing a blog.
She noticed some stories
garnered more interest than
others – usually celebrity
encounters and confessions
on her “life fails”.
“The idea was for a collection
of my best and worst
moments and put them into
one hilarious read,” Maz says.
“It took about a year to write
and about a decade to do all
the stuff that I have written
about.”
She said anyone mentioned
in the book was included because
she has a great memory
with them – including an
unusual encounter with ‘Iron
Man’ star Robert Downey Jr.
“Yes, he called me a piece
of s*** – but if you read the
whole story and not just the
out-of-context quote in the
online news, you’ll see it
was a hilarious and playful
exchange,” Maz said.
“I’d like to think that anyone
I encountered during my
career, on and off the air, had
a good experience with me.
“The stories I want to share
are with people worth sharing
about – it goes completely
against my core as a person to
write an expose or to gossip.
I’ve chosen to reflect on my
time in media with a positive
energy and light.
“I’ve learnt a lot along the
way and I felt it was important
to include not just the
celebrity moments, but the
fabric of life stuff as well.”
Maz, who operates F45 at
Avalon, says she isn’t in a
hurry to return to the industry
she left two years ago.
“I am enjoying a new pace
of life, helping people on their
health journey and I am finding
day by day is a great way
for me to do life, as opposed
to interview by interview –
and I’ve already started writing
‘UnEdited 2.0’.”
And the three most relaxing
things in her life now?
“I live across the road from
the beach and I love it! My
husband just started baking
his own sourdough bread and
I love it! I can wear sneakers,
all day, every day… and I love
it!” – Nigel Wall
8 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Logo or loco? Beaches get a new
identity packed with symbolism
Like it or not, prepare to be swamped by the
Northern Beaches Council’s new logo as
it’s rolled out to brand garbage trucks, street
signs, boundary signs, uniforms and caps,
rates notices and Council correspondence –
even merchandise like mugs and
pencil cases – over the coming
months and years.
Our new ‘Identity’ – a State
Government requirement
of the interim council
prior to the September 9
election – was revealed
in August, along with its
$42,000 price tag, following
six months of community
consultation.
The swirly, wave-like logo
combines key elements of the
three former Council regions in
a new united symbol for life on the
Northern Beaches.
The artwork includes depictions of a collection
of flora and fauna, plus man-made elements
synonymous with the Northern Beaches.
There’s a humpback whale, Norfolk pine,
pelican, weedy seadragon, Bluetongue lizard,
references to sailing and surfing plus other elements
relating to culture and heritage, music
and creativity and community and nature.
One of the key drivers of the project, local
arts identity Lorrie Morgan, says the identity
“speaks about everything we are and brings
everybody together”.
However, feedback received by Pittwater
Life to date has been mixed.
While many people gave the artwork
the thumbs-up, just as
many said they believed the
logo was “too complicated
and busy” and described it
as “an ink blot”.
Council General Manager
Mark Ferguson said more
than 2000 locals, including
residents, businesses,
Indigenous representatives, a
community advisory panel, staff,
members of the Implementation Advisory
Group (IAG) and Local Representative
Committee (LRC) participated and provided
insights during extensive workshops, interviews,
pop-ups and online exercises.
The new identity was developed in conjunction
with the new website.
* What else can you see? Turn to p55 for an
explanation. Do you like what you see? Tell
us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
Fundraiser
is a fete
accompli!
Organisers of the Avalon
PS Fete on Sunday September
10 say they are taking
the biennial event to a
whole new level.
"We've flipped the traditional
fete program and
added cool and creative
bohemian workshops,
competitions and stalls
that blend with our unique
Avalon vibe... your vibe
attracts your tribe!"
There'll be a giant tipi
filled with kids' tribal
workshops as well as
yoga, music and movement
and drumming
sessions, an epic skate
course, comps for all ages
(c'mon dads) and a mechanical
surf competition.
In a nod to tradition, all
classes have been working
on activities and stalls including
tombola and show
bags. You'll also find artisan
stalls and amusement
rides. From 9am-3pm.
12 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

IHAPs corruption clampdown
The state government has
clamped down on possible
corruption in the approval
process for large scale development,
with Sydney councils
stripped of their power and decision-making
instead handed
to mandatory Independent
Hearing and Assessment Panels
(IHAPs).
New legislation passed will
see the independent bodies
consider applications valued
at between $5 million and $30
million as well as a range of
high-risk development types.
Significantly, property developers
and real estate agents
will not be able to sit on the
new panels.
Minister for Planning and
Housing Anthony Roberts
says the IHAPs will bring
transparency, integrity and a
high degree of probity to the
development application (DA)
assessment process and give
communities and ratepayers
greater certainty about planning
decisions.
“Most importantly, local
councils will be able to focus
on preparing the strategic
plans and development
controls that will identify the
range and location of development
types for their local
area,” he said.
The panels will comprise
three independent expert
members and a community
member; the community
member, to be selected by the
Council, will represent the geographical
area within the LGA
of the proposed development.
IHAP members, who will
be chosen by Councils from a
pool managed by the Department
of Planning and
Environment, will have to be
an expert in at least one of:
planning, architecture, heritage,
the environment, urban
design, economics, traffic and
transport, law, engineering,
tourism, or government and
public administration.
The Chair must also have
expertise in law or government
and public administration.
Local councils will still
process most applications for
individual houses.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 13

6THINGS
THIS MONTH
News
Life skill opportunity. Young
people 17-25 can learn how to
support someone in a crisis at
a workshop which introduces
core counselling skills and draws
on the experience of Lifeline
Australia. Accidental Counsellor
Training participants will receive
a statement of attendance at the
completion of the course in Mona
Vale on Wed 6 from 5-9pm. Cost
$20 – the usual $150 cost is being
subsidised by Lifeline Northern
Beaches and NB Council.
Bookings essential 9970 1600.
Off with the birds. Join a
guided bird walk with Pittwater
Natural Heritage Association on
Sun 17 at Irrawong Reserve from
8-10am. Wear a hat, comfortable
shoes and bring a water bottle
and binoculars. Meet corner of
Irrawong Rd and Epworth Rd.
More info pnhabirdwatching@
gmail.com or 0402 605 721.
New cultural space
workshop. Take part in a
workshop to shape Pittwater’s
new Cultural Space on Tues 19,
2-4pm at Newport Community
Centre. Book by Sept 12. Contact
Zoe Johnson on 9970 1171.
Sniff and pick. Get along to
Mona Vale Garden Club’s 46th
Spring Flower Show on Sat 23
and see displays of flowers,
vegetables, herbs and floral
art. All entries will be judged.
Refreshments, cakes, crafts and
white elephant goods for sale.
Adults $2; children free. At the Ted
Blackwood Hall Warriewood.
Get jazzed up. Experience the
celebration of sound, great food
and good vibes of the Manly Jazz
Festival, marking its 40th year on
Sat 30 – Mon 2 Oct with a variety
of international and local guests
performing in multiple indoor and
outdoor venues.
Peta Credlin visit. Like a good
back-story to politics? You might
find an event on Oct 12 of interest
when the Palm Beach Liberal
Party Branch and Jason Falinski
host guest speaker Peta Credlin
(Tony Abbott’s former COS) at
a Spring Dinner at Moby Dick’s,
Whale Beach. Tickets $150
available now, online.nsw.liberal.
org.au/events/2017 or phone
8356 0300 and ask for events.
14 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Private golf
designs are a
hole lot of fun
Pittwater boasts some of
the finest members-only
golf courses in Sydney – but
the region is also witnessing
a growing trend in private
golf holes maintained with
meticulous care on large-acre
properties.
It’s both the ideal
compromise if you can’t spare
five hours to play 18 holes –
and the prefect addition for
golf-mad home owners.
The smattering of custombuilt
‘backyard’ holes use
the best turf, practices and
standards.
Local turf care specialist
Liam Ash has overseen
maintenance of a few holes
(locations withheld for
privacy reasons) since 2015.
One is a downhill par-3
built by two construction
professionals in 2010; it
measures 105 metres with
four tee boxes and comprises
the finest quality Santa Ana
couch on its fairway, plus poabent
greens that are closely
mown and rolled to run
extremely fast.
“It is like managing any
hole on a regular golf course,”
says Liam, who was assistant
superintendent at Monash
Country Club prior to starting
his business, Platinum Turf
Solutions.
“There is a fleet of
equipment that was purchased
for the maintenance of
the green, tee, fairway and
surrounding areas. We deal
with the same pressures of
pests and diseases that all fine
turf growers do, which means
that in summer we have staff
here every day.
“This place is tournamentready
every day,” he
continued. “In summer, we
do around 10 hours a week,
dropping in winter to around
6-7. There is also a lot of
garden maintenance.”
16 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

The hole even has its own
‘Country Club’ logo for its flag
and tees, plus a sandstone
sign that directs golfers to the
adjacent billiard room that
also serves as the 'clubhouse'.
Liam said the hole provided
hours of ‘home’ entertainment
– with A-list celebs and PGA
professionals among those to
have teed it up.
Liam began his private
greenkeeping journey after
work hours and quickly realised
a business opportunity.
“The Northern Beaches
offers city living but five
minutes up the road there are
5-acre blocks with amazing
lawns,” he said.
“There is definitely a
market for private golf holes
on the beaches – plus it
increases land value, creates
an entertainer’s dream and is
downright amazing!
“It’s all about building to
your budget. If you didn’t
want to outlay as much you
could look at just a putting
surface – we specialise in
tailoring projects to meet all
different needs.”
Liam said building his
business (details p27) had
been tough, but rewarding.
“I was told I was too young
to take on management role
in the golf industry – now I
manage multi-million-dollar
projects and I maintain
properties worth millions of
dollars,” he said.
“My regular clients are
really seeing the benefits of
employing a greenkeeper to
maintain their properties.”
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 17

Clubby, lifeguard battle
News
Local surf lifesaving
heads say they expect
the service provided
by their members and paid
lifeguards to continue as a
‘status quo’ following the
election of the new Northern
Beaches Council.
It follows assurances given
by outgoing council administrator
Dick Persson and Your
Northern Beaches Independent
team (YNBIT) head
Michael Regan that there
were no plans to change or
expand the existing arrangement
which sees professional
lifeguards currently
employed at beaches in the
former Manly and Warringah
regions, alongside volunteer
SLS members.
Surf Life Saving Sydney
Northern Beaches (SLS SNB)
CEO Steve McInnes said fears
of a push to further dilute
the status of the volunteer
club members appeared
unfounded.
At the same time, he confirmed
SLS SNB’s own plan to
expand their responsibilities
on the beaches, saving ratepayers
money by delivering
wholescale lifesaving services
free; such a move would see
the number of paid lifeguards
reduced.
“We acknowledge that the
YNBIT has written to our
Clubs advising that it has no
plans to expand the current
paid lifeguard service for the
upcoming season which is the
same commitment we have
received from the Administrator,”
Mr McInnes said.
“We welcome this, as the
nine Pittwater SLS Clubs (Warriewood
to North Palm Beach)
have managed their beaches
for the past 20 years without
the need of assistance from a
paid lifeguard.”
He said SLS would work
closely with the newly elected
Council to review the three
different models that currently
exist regarding beach
management (lifesaving
services), security of tenure
(leases) and funding to SLS
clubs, and hoped to have the
situation resolved for the
2018/19 season.
Meanwhile he confirmed
SLS SNB president Doug Menzies
had written to council
candidates seeking pledges
and support on several issues,
including a review of the current
arrangements for beach
management, based on a
risk-based appraisal of needs
and potential savings to the
community.
Also, in the new Council’s
first term, the SLS SNB is
seeking replacement 20-year
leases for all Clubs on Council
or Crown land (the majority
of current leases expire in
2020); plus increased funding
for their 21 SLS Clubs and
Branch “based on the value
we provide to the community
– currently less than 3.5% of
our operating expenditure is
met by Council”.
Mr Menzies added they
would pass on to their membership
“the names of all candidates
who sign this pledge
prior to the election”.
Mr McInnes continued:
“Our SLS Clubs are essentially
a service provider to
Council and the community,
providing a voluntary rescue
service year-round (we are on
call 24/7) but more evident
in the summer months when
volunteers patrol the beaches
on weekends and public
holidays.
“Last season we invested
more than 150,000 volunteer
hours patrolling the beaches
between Manly and North
Palm Beach and an estimated
similar number of hours in
training for new awards and
maintaining skills.”
Pittwater ward independent
candidate and Avalon Beach
SLS office bearer Robert Hopton
said he was in favour of
the objectives.
“Our clubs are important
community hubs which
build better communities;
they need to be encouraged
and allowed to grow their
members, not become fearful
about disappearing into the
background.”
YNBIT head Michael Regan,
who has nominated to run in
Curl Curl ward in the Council
election, said he had been
forced to quash “malicious
rumours swirling around various
Surf Lifesaving circles”.
He confirmed that if
elected, he would lobby for
existing lifeguard contracts
to remain in place and if possible,
renewed where need be
18 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

‘cools’
BEFORE
AFTER
– with no plans for expansion
into beaches of the former
Pittwater.
“Surf Clubs play a vital role
in the service to our community
alongside either Council
Lifeguards, or in the former
Pittwater council area, alongside
the contractor Monday to
Friday,” Mr Regan said.
“We confirm that we have
no plans to change anything
or alter any existing arrangements
in regards to the provision
of lifeguard services.
YNBI team are committed to
enhancing the service, and to
working with each club and
group of clubs to maximise
community benefits.”
He said every beach and
every club was as unique as
the community it served.
“There is no ‘one size fits
all’… it is our intention to
sit down with all surf clubs
– both through the branch,
and separately – to see what
can be done to ensure the
relationships are enhanced,
strengthened and aligned to
community expectations.
"If elected, we will address
what was done well – and
what wasn’t – and find solutions
to existing problems.
"The Council has a unique
chance and more resources
than ever before to deliver for
our entire community – that
includes surf clubs.”
– Nigel Wall
Paving the way for walking
More residents and visitors
will soon be able to walk
to bus stops, wharfs, beaches
and village centres safely
with footpath improvements
at Palm Beach, Careel Bay and
Clareville set to get underway.
Local member Rob Stokes
recently announced the state
government would provide
Northern Beaches Council
with $1 million to support
foreshore and pedestrian access
helping to accelerate the
delivery of approved plans
and community-initiated
improvements.
The projects include the
Palm Beach (South) Landscape
Masterplan, Careel Bay
Foreshore Masterplan (Stage 2
– Stage 1 pictured above) and
the extension of the Hudson
Parade Footpath Project
between Clareville Beach and
Taylors Point.
The improvements have
been strongly endorsed by
residents associations.
Palm Beach & Whale Beach
Association President Dr
Richard West said the plans
preserved the iconic nature of
Palm Beach while at the same
time providing vastly improved
pedestrian access and
enjoyment in the iconic area.
“This is particularly so
for the elderly, disabled and
young families with prams,
strollers and toddlers, via
appropriate walkways and
thoughtful placement of street
furniture,” Dr West said.
The plans also provide for
the stabilisation of the sea
wall at the northern end of
the beach to prevent further
collapse of the wall.
Work on the Careel Bay
foreshore and footpaths along
Hudson Parade Clareville will
expand upon work done a few
years ago.
Extensive footpath improvements
were introduced
along Hudson Parade during
2014 – but there’s a missing
link that’s been identified by
the community that until now
hasn’t been funded, explained
Mr Stokes.
“With the Government soon
to increase the frequency of
public transport services operating
through the Clareville
area – completing this footpath
project will have multiple
benefits for surrounding
residents,” Mr Stokes said.
Clareville and Bilgola
Plateau Residents’ Association
President David Owen said
this was “fantastic news” for
the community.
“It’s great to see the Council
and State Government
increase their emphasis on
pedestrian safety, linking
communities, and access to
destinations as opposed to
the previous ‘town-centric’
footpath strategy,” Mr Owen
said.
“Now residents, both old
and young, can safely walk to
bus stops, beaches, wharfs,
Avalon and even Whale Beach
– and leave the car behind.”
– Lisa Offord
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 19

NB Council Election – Pittwater Ward
LIBERALS: Kylie Ferguson (right), Dale Cohen
and Allan Porter want a focus on long-term
investment rather than short-term gain.
FRIENDS OF PITTWATER: Peter Bosley, Jenny
Stone and John Lettoof want to see a cap on
building heights in the Pittwater ward.
YOUR NORTHERN BEACHES INDEPENDENTS:
Team head Michael Regan with Pittwater candidates
Ian White, Katinga Schroeder and Bill Gye.
Election Special
LABOR: Hamish Tilley, Barbara Butt and Richard
Pearse offer youth and experience; they support
the B-Line being held in public ownership.
Time to
decide
The first Northern Beaches Council
election is on September 9. The former
Pittwater Council region comprises two
wards; here's your guide to the total 41
candidates and what they stand for...
INDEPENDENTS FOR PITTWATER: Selena Griffith,
Dr Suzanne Daly, Peter Middleton, Marcia Rackham
and Lorrie Morgan offer experience and passion.
GREENS: Miranda Korzy, Pru Wawn and Andrew
McIntosh want an end to 'tokenistic' consultation
and true community liaison restored.
INDEPENDENTS: Alex McTaggart, Joss Stewart
and Margaret Makin are opposed to a return to
the 'bad old days of developer-driven culture'.
INDEPENDENTS: Robert Hopton (centre) with
Tony Blackie and Christine Hopton aim to ignite
the passions of the younger generation locally.
20 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Independents
Alex McTaggart: Elected to
Pittwater Council in 1999 on
a platform of “community
consultation” and served from
1999 to 2008 Including mayor
2005-07) and 2012-16; member
for Pittwater in State Parliament
2005-07.
Joss Stewart: Former financial
planner now retired;
worked for community helping
to build classrooms in
Mongolia and helped establish
indigenous scholarships in
the NT.
Margaret Makin: Former
Elanora Heights and Bilgola
Plateau school teacher now
retired; former president of
Bayview-Church Point Residents
Association (currently
secretary).
Their pitch: “There are three
key issues challenging the Pittwater
Ward – protecting and
enhance the natural environment
and our village lifestyle;
managing the spectre of
housing and population density
being forced on us by the State
Government; and opposing a
return to the bad old days of
developer-driven culture,” said
Alex.
“How Pittwater residents
deal with the ‘new reality’ of
the amalgamated council will
be crucial… confrontation
will lead to chaos and another
administrator. Firm, articulate,
vigilant representation should
ensure a fair deal.
“We must demand good
governance from the mayor,
councillors and council staff
and insist on an open, consultative
council which involves community
and gives ownership of
the decision-making process to
the community.
“The Government’s Greater
Sydney Commission 20-year
population increase with 3,400
dwellings in the first five years
is a moving projection, not a
target – that’s not good enough!
We will work to ensure realistic
numbers are set.”
NSW Liberals
Kylie Ferguson: Former deputy
mayor of Pittwater; was
actively engaged in the new
Northern Beaches Council.
Dale Cohen: Mona Vale
resident; longtime worker in
the internet industry with
ninemsn and Telstra.
Allan Porter: An original Pittwater
councillor.
Their pitch: “It is critical that
experience is carried forward
so that the potential benefits of
a larger Council are not lost to
Pittwater,” said Kylie. “My experience
and commitment will
ensure we get our fair share.
“We are pro-Pittwater and
all things aimed at maintaining
and enhancing the region’s
wonderful mix of community,
environment and unique beauty
– both natural and built.
“We promote long-term
investment rather than shortterm
financial gain. We welcome
and encourage those who
bring to the peninsula a vision,
which is aligned to Pittwater’s
existing qualities and evolving
them respectfully for future
generations.
“We aim to help facilitate
ongoing improvements in infrastructure
in Pittwater, while
fighting against inappropriate
over-development that may
be proposed as a result. “It’s
crucial that we consult with the
community on big issues and
sustainability should be at the
centre of everything we do."
Independents
for Pittwater
Selena Griffith: Former Pittwater
councillor; academic.
Dr Suzanne Daly: Family
doctor on Northern Beaches
for 38 years; supports retaining
Mona Vale Hospital with
all essential services.
Peter Middleton: Rotarian;
former member Pittwater
Council Community Reference
Groups.
Marcia Rackham: President
of the Mona Vale Residents
Association.
Lorrie Morgan: Arts advocate;
Pittwater Citizen of the
Year 2012.
Their pitch: “We are experienced
community leaders
with a proven track record of
listening to, and advocating for,
community across the Northern
Beaches Council Pittwater
Ward on Environmental, Social,
Development, Eco Tourism,
Health, Sustainability, Transport,
Culture, Arts and Heritage
issues,” said Selena.
“We are the only truly
independent team running in
Pittwater Ward. We are dedicated
to ensuring the people
of Pittwater are heard in the
new, larger council and are
unencumbered by political or
party ties which means we only
answer to, and represent, you,
the community, and promise to
do so once elected.”
Labor
Hamish Tilley: Trainee train
driver; lives Newport. Represents
the voice of youth.
Barbara Butt: School teacher
40 years; recently retired.
Active in community organisations,
including Catholic Care.
Richard Pearse: Teacher and
academic; former president
of Bayview Church Point Progress
Association.
Their pitch: “Labor’s position
on amalgamation is that its
communities should have the
opportunity to opt out of an
organisation if it does not meet
the needs of the community,”
said Hamish.
“Our candidates will also
work to achieve an effective
Northern Beaches Council. The
position is to make the new
council live up to the goals
of being more efficient and
remaining responsive to the priorities
of different communities.
“The practice of creating
place plans based on community
needs initiated by
Pittwater Council – and applied
to Mona Vale – has great value
compared with ad hoc growth
by individual developments
or growth legislated by State
governments.
“The place plans for Mona
Vale and being developed for
Avalon should be continued
and adjusted to community
concerns to find workable compromises,
in particular between
building heights and affordable
housing.
“The current program to
improve road congestion,
alignments and footpaths in
the Newport areas has to be
extended to other critical roads
in the area like in Church Point.
“The use of narrow streets
for trailer/boat parking is a
transport and safety issue that
has not been controlled by
recent state government legislation
and needs Council action.
“We’re running at the local
level because increasingly statelevel
government policies are
major drivers of what happens
Continued on page 22
Election Special
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 21

Election Special
NB Council Election – Pittwater Ward
Continued from page 21
at the local level – as shown by
the B-Line bus project, the redevelopments
at Frenchs Forest
and the need by local government
to respond to housing targets
set by state governments.
“We believe in the development
of the community and the
protection of the environment
rather than over-development
and privatisation; in the advance
of community facilities
rather than of private interests;
and in being accountable to the
community as a whole, rather
than to a particular interest.”
Your Northern
Beaches
Independent Team
Ian White: Former deputy
mayor of Pittwater; teacher at
Newport PS.
Katinga Schroeder: Event
manager; actively involved
with local not-for-profit organisations.
Lives Terrey Hills.
Bill Gye: President Scotland
Island Residents Association.
Their pitch: “We’re a team
of active locals and former
councillors who have banded to
take on the major political parties,”
said Ian. “We are all nonaligned
independents and all
votes will be conscience votes.
“We want to take the best
things about the former Pittwater
Council and bring them to
the new council. For example, I
would like to see more innovations
like the rotational energy
fund (where savings in electrical
costs by using new energysaving
technology was banked
and the money used to fund
more energy savings).
“I would also like to see the
Ingleside escarpment (that was
purchased by Pittwater Council)
linked via a wildlife corridor to
the National Park.
“We will address the infrastructure
deficit in the Pittwater
Ward. Pittwater Council,
although well run, struggled to
pay for much of its infrastructure.
Low housing density and
poorly constructed 1940s cutand-fill
roads meant that much
of the infrastructure budget
had to be spent on road repair
rather than building footpaths,
gutters, cycleways and other
basic infrastructure.
“My team believes that
limited strategic high-density
housing should be considered
as a solution for areas along
the beaches that attract more
business and new residents,
but accept that the natural
environment north of Mona
Vale should be preserved for
everyone to enjoy and high-rise
should not dot the skyline.
“Being nonaligned independents,
we look forward to
working with the State Government,
but won’t let it impose its
agenda on us. We need to work
with all levels of government to
ensure the best outcomes.
“Our challenge is to work to
build an inclusive council where
all residents feel they belong
– I know many residents are
worried the new council could
be remote and impersonal. It
will be important that the new
Council maintains the level of
intimacy that residents have
come to expect.”
Greens
Miranda Korzy: Local
resident and journalist 15
years; former vice president
Barrenjoey HS P&C; helped set
up ‘Protect Pittwater’ to regain
Pittwater Council.
Pru Wawn: Visual arts
teacher, member of numerous
community groups.
Andrew McIntosh: Accountant;
environmentalist.
Their pitch: “Top of our list
is making local government
open to the people it is meant
to serve,” said Miranda. “We
want the voices of ordinary
people rather than tokenistic
consultation. Accountability,
transparency and community
involvement will be of primary
importance.
“We will ensure we have a
‘clean’ Council. Climate change
is a serious threat to us in
Pittwater, with the increased
likelihood of sea-level rise,
flooding, bushfires and stress
on local native flora and fauna.
The Climate Council has recently
found that 1 in 5 councils
across the country are aiming
for zero emissions and we can
be amongst them.
“Closely related to this is our
commitment to environmental
protection and sustainable
development. Housing in Pittwater
should not be beyond
the means of our young adults
and ordinary workers. And we
22 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

must face the reality that over
the next 20 years, the over 65s
will grow to 40 per cent of our
population and will need homes
suitable to their needs. The
Greens on council will ensure
that those homes are built to a
human scale, without threatening
the precious green spaces
and character of the area we
are entrusted with.
“We will advocate to retain
one of our most important community
resources, Mona Vale
Hospital.
“We would continue building
and maintaining appropriate
walkways, tracks, bike paths
and promoting public transport
that works for Pittwater.
And we would investigate the
viability of a public pool heated
in the colder months.
“We have the greatest respect
for independent candidates and
their integrity. However, relying
on a councillor’s conscience in a
critical vote can be a gamble.”
Independents
Robert Hopton: Design and
architecture specialist; active
member of Avalon Beach SLS
Club since 2000.
Tony Blackie: Journalist and
PR business owner; former
head of Media for the ABC;
beaches resident 35 years.
Christine Hopton: Former
President and life member
Avalon Beach SLS Club; independent
director for Surf Life
Saving Australia since 2011.
Their pitch: “It’s time for
renewal – we need to ignite
the passions of our younger
generation to preserve and
enhance our unique natural
environment,” said Robert.
“Council looks after 270,000
people, with an $800 million
turnover – we need serious
candidates and not individuals
using Council as a political
stepladder.
“Our elected councillors need
to have a strong and articulate
voice at the ‘boardroom table’
to ensure that the community
voice is heard and to ensure
that there is a continuity of
the best processes and policies
from the ‘old’ council.
“We are firmly against height
restrictions lifted to accommodate
six-storeys; and for the
renewal of our major business
hubs in Mona Vale, Newport
and Avalon Beach, so they can
retain and attract businesses.”
Added Tony: “Our council
needs to be represented by
people who have the community
to heart and have the
business acumen to be able to
make decisions that improve
our environment and protect
our beaches.”
Friends of Pittwater
Peter Bosley: High school
teacher on the Northern
Beaches for 35 years, now
retired; member of Avalon
Preservation Association and
Friends of Mona Vale.
Jenny Stone: Lived on the
beaches 57 years, past 30 in
Mona Vale; supporter of community
groups including Narrabeen
Lagoon Committee.
John Lettoof: High school
English teacher; patrol member
Bilgola SLSC and member
of Avalon Community Garden.
Their pitch: “Pittwater is a relaxation
and rejuvenation destination
for people from all over
Sydney, as well as international
tourists – but we are now under
threat from State Government
planning laws working for developers
with the aim of forcing
further population, high-rise
buildings and traffic density
into our already full-to-capacity
and congested environment,”
said Peter. “We have only one
road in and one road out.”
Jenny said she wanted to see
building heights limited to no
greater than four storeys in Pittwater
Ward and supported the
development of a communitybased
alternative to the Mona
Vale ‘Place Plan’.
“I oppose any further
development of Mona Vale Village
Park, Kitchener Park and
other Crown Lands in Pittwater
Ward, support the campaign for
the return of Pittwater Council,
reject any development in
Pittwater’s wildlife corridors,
including Bayview Golf Course,
and support the retention of
emergency, maternity and
other critical public facilities at
Mona Vale Hospital.”
John said: “It is local
representation that must be
paramount in the policies and
deliberations of our local council.
Selfish, self-earning agenda
must bow therefore to local
concerns and consensus.”
Election Special
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 23

Dummies Guide to the Council Election
When is the Council election?
The first election for the new Northern
Beaches Council will be held on Saturday
9 September.
Why are we having an election?
On May 12 last year, the Northern Beaches
Council was formed when the state
government merged the former Pittwater,
Warringah and Manly councils. In the leadup,
Warringah council had fiercely advocated
for the three councils amalgamating,
while Pittwater and Manly had fought to
stand alone within existing boundaries.
Later, Manly and Pittwater proposed a
plan that would see Warringah carved up,
with Pittwater and Manly expanding their
boundaries to take in new territory. However,
the Government under then Premier
Mike Baird chose to amalgamate Manly,
Warringah and Pittwater councils as a single
entity. The resulting Northern Beaches
Council covers an area of 254 sq km with
a population of approximately 266,000
(based on latest Census). The government
appointed Dick Persson and Mark Ferguson
as Administrator and interim General
Manager respectively.
The election is your chance to have a say
on who will be the council’s first councillors
and who will represent the interests of
the area where you live.
Northern Beaches Council is divided into
five new wards – Manly, Frenchs Forest,
Curl Curl, Narrabeen and Pittwater. Residents
in each ward will elect three councillors.
There will be 15 councillors elected
to run the new council and the head of the
council – the mayor – will be elected annually
by the councillors.
Do I have to vote?
Yes. Voting is compulsory for all residents
18 years of age or older enrolled to vote.
Fines apply for not voting. The penalty for
failing to vote at a Local Government election
is $55.
Where can I vote?
There is no absent voting at this election.
You must vote in a polling place located
within your council ward. Polling places at
local schools and community centres are
open 8am-6pm on election day.
What happens if I can’t make it on
election day?
If you’ll be away from your ward, you must
vote early in a pre-poll venue or via postal
vote. Pre-poll voting is open from Monday
28 August to Friday 8 September at Mona
Vale Pre-Poll, 1 Park St Mona Vale; Northern
Beaches Returning Officer’s Office Unit
2, 192 Harbord Rd Brookvale; Manly Library
and Sydney Town Hall. You can apply
for a postal vote online at votensw.info (applications
close 5pm September 4). Postal
voting packs can be sent to any address
you nominate in Australia or overseas.
Completed postal votes must be received
by 6pm Monday 11 September. There is no
online voting for this election.
What’s my ward?
The fact you are reading Pittwater Life
means it is highly likely you will be voting
for candidates in the Pittwater Ward or the
Narrabeen Ward.
Pitttwater Ward covers the northern
end of the council territory including Terrey
Hills, Mona Vale, Bayview, Newport,
Bilgola, Avalon Beach, Whale Beach and
Palm Beach.
Narrabeen Ward covers north-central
parts of the council including Collaroy,
Narrabeen, Ingleside, Elanora Heights and
Warriewood.
You can get a clearer idea of the boundaries
of the ward you live in by visiting the
council website.
How do I fill out the ballot paper?
Carefully read the directions on the
ballot paper. You can vote for a group by
filling in squares above the line – known as
'voting above the line'– or you can vote for
individual candidates by filling in squares
below the line. If you choose to vote above
the line, you will be voting for that whole
group of candidates in the descending order
they are listed below that square. That
is all you have to do. If you vote this way,
you do not put numbers in any squares
below the line. If you do not want to vote
for a whole group but for individual candidates
in any order, you may choose to
Sources: NB Council Website, Electoral Commission NSW and Australian Electoral Commission.
vote below the line. To vote, you must put
a number ‘1’ in one of the squares below
the line and then put choices, starting with
the number ‘2’. The directions on the ballot
paper will tell you how many choices you
must show for your vote to be counted. You
can then show more choices, after that,
if you want. If you vote this way, you do
not put any numbers in any squares above
the line.
Who are the candidates?
Candidates in the Pittwater and Narrabeen
wards in this election are grouped as
Independents, Liberal, Labor, The Greens
and Your Northern Beaches Independent
Team. Candidates are (mostly!) locals
(check!); some have many years of local
government experience having served on
previous councils; others are community
leaders taking their first step into subpolitics…
and there are some new faces,
too. In the Pittwater Ward there are 26 candidates
in 8 groups (ordered A-H, based
on pre-determined ballot… so there could
be some good stuff down the bottom!)
In the Narrabeen Ward there are 15 candidates
in 5 groups (A-E). Regular readers
would have seen stories on many of the
candidates in previous issues and we’ve
brought them all together in this issue.
When will we find out the results?
Results will be available as they are counted
once polls close at 6pm on election
day. The first results are estimated to be
available about 6.30pm and most election
night results by 10pm.
What next?
The first meeting of the newly elected
Northern Beaches Council will be held in
the chambers in Dee Why on 26 September
at 6.30pm when the Mayor and
Deputy Mayor will be elected by the 15
councillors. An agenda will be available on
the council website. Council meetings are
usually held on the fourth Tuesday of each
month.
– compiled by Lisa Offord
Election Special
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 25

NB Council Election – Narrabeen Ward
INDEPENDENTS: Conny Harris, Stephen Baldwin
and Jayden Walsh have the Narrabeen catchment
at the top of their agenda.
LABOR: Pam Ward, with Sean Sotheran-Campbell
and John Ward, support appropriate development
and change, with a focus on affordable housing.
NSW LIBERALS: Rory Amon (right) with Neil Stronach
and Vicky McGahey, aim to bring down rates,
cut costs and set up a Narrabeen masterplan.
Election Special
TRUE INDEPENDENTS: Vincent De Luca (centre)
with Tammy Cook and Tony Biasi will work to deliver
more services at better value to ratepayers.
YOUR NORTHERN BEACHES INDEPENDENTS:
Sue Heins (centre) with Rohan Fisher and Matt
Nicholson will push for meetings with residents.
Your Northern Beaches
Independent Team
Sue Heins: Former deputy mayor of
Warringah; businesswoman and strong
advocate for local business. In 2015, Sue
received the Minister’s Award for Women
in Local Government.
Rohan Fisher: Former president of the
South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club
and current Duty Operations Advisor
for Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern
Beaches; heavily involved with the Dee
Why Lions Rugby Club and is passionate
about council’s provision of youth
services.
Matt Nicholson: Former Australian and
NSW cricket representative; lives North
Narrabeen.
Their pitch: “We need to create a solid
and sound foundation for our new council
based on transparency, good governance
and respect,” says Sue. “If we don’t get it
right now, we will face endless problems in
the future.
“We believe the Northern Beaches
Independent Team is the right platform
to find solutions for our community,
within our community. We want common
sense and transparency to be reflected
in a new council, along with financial
sustainability to provide the services and
infrastructure needed right now and for
future generations.
“We regard community consultation
as vital and, believing that compromise
can only be reached when different
perspectives are put forward, we would
like to introduce a regular meeting point
where residents can bring their concerns,
ask questions and be heard.
“Our wish list to work through if
elected includes giving the business
community a voice at council, determining
a firm direction for more sporting
fields; protecting our biodiversity;
supporting local lifesaving and its 12,000
members; facilitating a stronger voice
for local youth; and upgrading council
playgrounds.”
True Independents
Vincent De Luca: Solicitor; former Warringah
councillor; awarded OAM in 2004
for service to the community; lives North
Curl Curl.
Tony Biasi: Local small business owner;
former President of St Paul’s College,
Manly Parents and Friends Association.
Tammy Cook: Full-time working mum;
member of Narrabeen Beach Surf Life
Saving Club since 2007 where she currently
serves in Administration Support.
Their pitch: “The amalgamation so far
has delivered few cuts to the highly paid
and bloated bureaucracy while there has
been a huge reduction in services, with
increases in development,” said Vincent.
26 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

“We believe that only political
parties and developers have
gained from the amalgamation.
“We will fight to protect
the needs and interests of all
our residents, our environment
and community; stop
pushes for increased high rise
development; ensure Mona
Vale Hospital is not privatised
or sold off; build a cultural
centre, aquatic centre, community
centre hubs with
actual essential services; have
a review for more off-leash
dog walking and swimming
areas; widen the Narrabeen
bridge; ensure free parking
for ratepayers at beaches and
parks is maintained.
“At Warringah Council I opposed
the waste of over $500k
of ratepayers’ money being
spent on the aggressive amalgamation
campaign and felt it
was just a quest for power.
“Council should not be used
as a training ground for aspiring
parliamentary aspirants
but a place for people who truly
care about people, our local areas
and are prepared to stand
up and fight for the interests of
residents as opposed to developers,
party leaders, lobbyists and
party donors.”
Labor
Pam Ward: Educator; leader
in swimming education in
NSW as teacher in charge of
the NSW Department of Education
school swimming and
water safety program. Lives
Elanora.
John Ward: Former Principal
of Barrenjoey High and
Director of the Narrabeen
Sport and Recreation Centre;
currently Hon. Treasurer of
Pittwater RSL. Lives Elanora.
Sean Sotheran-Campbell:
Working in the Labor movement
as a staff member of
parliamentarians and an active
member of Young Labor;
lives Narrabeen ward.
Their pitch: “Our candidates
combine leadership experience
in community organisations
and the viewpoints of youth
and a gender balance,” said
Pam. “We are not developers
or associates of developers
(and have signed declarations
to that effect) – but we do support
appropriate development
and change.
“We will support the implementation
of the amalgamation
process and give it a go…
but we will also support any
future Labor state government
legislation to enable
de-amalgamation by way of a
plebiscite.
“Affordable housing for
rental and for purchase is vital
to maintain social cohesion in
families as well as to provide
opportunity for people of
average incomes. Councillors
will advocate that provision
of affordable housing should
be at the level of 10-15% in all
new developments in housing
complexes, apartments and
estates, and should apply to
new seniors’ accommodation
and retirement villages.
“We support the continuation
of Mona Vale Hospital’s
emergency, maternity and
theatre facilities as a major
public facility, and we support
continuation of the B-Line bus
service in public hands.
“We believe in the development
of the community and
the protection of the environment
rather than over-development
and privatisation; in
the advancement of commu-
Continued on page 28
Election Special
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 27

Election Special
NB Council Election – Narrabeen Ward
Continued from page 27
nity facilities rather than of
private interests; and in being
accountable to the community
as a whole, rather than to a
particular interest.”
NSW Liberals
Rory Amon: Commercial
litigation lawyer, lives in Narrabeen;
President Davidson
Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade,
active rugby union referee.
Vicky McGahey: Local
school teacher, Doctor of Education,
Rotarian and author.
Neil Stronach: RAAF pilot
veteran and retired financial
controller; active in the War
Vets Narrabeen RSL Sub-
Branch, Probus.
Their pitch: “Under the
Independents, the former
Warringah Council voted to
increase rates by 26%. If they
are elected to this Council,
they will do the same to the
residents of former Warringah
and the residents of former
Pittwater,” says Rory. “A Liberal
Party council will work to
bring rates down and cut costs
before hitting rate-payers.
“We need to fight over-development
and provide better
infrastructure and public
transport. We will oppose new
developments which do not
have adequate infrastructure
in place to cope with any
growth in population. We will
work with the NSW Government
to ensure continued
investment in infrastructure
and public transport. Labor
and the Greens are opposed to
the B-Line and Beaches Link,
vital projects, and will cancel
them.
“We need a masterplan for
Narrabeen Lagoon to make
this a recreational and tourist
hub. This is a resource which
can be shared by all, but
needs proper management.
“We cannot make a success
of Northern Beaches Council
by trying to drive it through
the rear-view mirror. Irrespective
of your views on amalgamation,
we now need to make
this council work.
"Ultimately, this election
comes down to who do you
trust? Who do you trust to run
a half a billion dollar a year
organisation? Independents
who will increase your rates
by 26%? Labor and the Greens
who don’t want to give us any
new roads or public transport?
Or, the Liberal Party,
who are sound economic
managers and whose State
Government is delivering record
infrastructure and public
transport investment to the
Northern Beaches.”
Independents
Conny Harris: GP who
worked in emergency at Mona
Vale Hospital for five years;
former deputy mayor Warringah
Council; lives Belrose.
Stephen Baldwin: Lives
Elanora.
Jayden Walsh: Lives in
Warriewood.
Their pitch: “We need capable,
independent councillors.
Our priority is protecting our
environment – we have wonderful
beaches and bushland
and once they are gone we
cannot get them back,” said
Conny.
“Protection of our natural
areas together with wildlife
corridors that make it possible
for wildlife to get from one
area to another will allow our
area to keep its outstanding
character and qualities. This
is especially important given
the significant road building
projects going on around us.
“Linked to that is our
commitment to stop
inappropriate development.
Dee Why will get more highrise,
Frenchs Forest is going
to join this unfortunately
with the new hospital and its
surrounds. All of this is being
planned without thinking
through the consequences for
traffic, public transport or
infrastructure.
“Good planning with
protection of the natural
environment is paramount.
The Frenchs Forest development
must be kept at bay
and not overspill to make our
iconic Northern Beaches a
second Chatswood. Dee Why
and Manly must not become
the Gold Coast.
“As chair of the traffic committee
during my previous
term as councillor, I understand
the problems associated
with our roads and the extra
demands which will arise from
increased population and the
new hospital, in particular for
Wakehurst Parkway.”
28 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater News
Scotland Island
wastewater study
Wastewater services on
Scotland Island are in the
pipeline following the
announcement of State
Government funding for a
Council-led feasibility study
into the long-standing issue.
Consultants will be engaged
to assess the viability of the
project and advise on service
provision models. “Providing
wastewater services to
Scotland Island has been
proposed for decades – but
without a detailed feasibility
study it’s never been able
to be properly considered
or progressed,” said local
MP Rob Stokes. Council has
already provided funding to
the Scotland Island Residents’
Association to introduce a
modern, automated water
booking system to better
distribute and manage
residents’ access to emergency
water supply – often used
to help top-up personal
household water tanks.
Get inspired about
sustainable building
If you’re planning to build or
renovate, or just have an interest
in sustainable building design,
be informed and inspired
at the free Building Sustainable
Homes information night on
September 21. The Council initiative
is designed to support
home builders and renovators
considering sustainable options,
with a goal of reducing
reliance on non-renewable resources
and minimising home
running costs.
Sustainability professionals
will offer expert advice
and information at the
two-hour event, which also
includes a Q&A session. Building
Sustainable Homes will
be held at Manly Town Hall.
Bookings are essential via
northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.
More info 9976 1664.
News
Locals push on for mental health
Terry Finch cycles to fight
his personal demons.
It’s a challenge he’s been
battling most of his life.
Cycling is his answer to a
disease that affects almost
half of Australians. From
September 16-23, Dee Why
resident Terry is joining 65
riders (including 23 cyclists
from the Northern Beaches)
in a relay ride from Perth to
Broome to raise awareness
about mental health and
funds for the Black Dog
Institute, an organisation
that researches, diagnoses
and treats mood disorders
and depression. It was
only after he visited his
local GP, who recognised
his disease, that he was
referred to the Black Dog
Institute. “The Black Dog
Institute helped me to
understand how important
it is to talk openly about
a condition that affects
48 per cent of Australians
– we often think of
individuals suffering from
mental illness as people
committed to psychiatric
wards, not ordinary people
who have families and
good jobs. Nothing could
be further from the truth,”
he said. More info tourxoz.
com.au
30 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Ocean swims
are just around
the corner
The popular Pittwater Ocean
Swim Series is on again
this summer, with Bilgola
kick-starting proceedings
on Sunday 10 December.
There will be an ocean swim
every Sunday in January,
starting with Newport (7th)
followed by Avalon (14th),
Mona Vale (21st) and the
Big Swim Palm Beach to
Whale Beach (28th). Series
co-organiser Rob Berry says
the swims will bring more
than 4,500 swimmers to the
Pittwater region from all
over Australia, providing
a boost to local businesses
while raising much-needed
funds for the participating
surf clubs. “Many in the
local business community
support the series through
sponsorship and prizes,”
Rob said. “Our feedback tells
us that swimmers and their
families love the area, with
many staying for lunch and
a browse through the shops.
“Local Avalon Beach travel
agency Travel View have
also been wonderful with
their continuing support
for the series providing
the prize of air fares for
two to Byron Bay and Bay
Royal Apartments provide
luxury accommodation
for three nights and entry
into the Byron Bay ocean
swim in May this year,” said
Rob. “Ocean swimming is a
wonderful sport that is good
for the mind and body and,
we have swimmers from all
age groups, young and old,
taking part." Most of the
clubs have shorter swims to
encourage those who would
like to get started in the
sport. All funds raised go to
the surf clubs enabling the
purchase of essential life
saving equipment as well as
maintenance. "That means
everyone using the beaches
benefits from the Pittwater
Ocean Swim Series,”
Rob added. Full details
oceanswims.com.
Female stars focus for
Rotary Spring Concert
Sing and swing along to an
exciting program of popular
music classics at the Rotary
Club of Upper Northern
Beaches’ eighth annual
Northern Beaches Spring
Concert from 7.30pm on
Wednesday 20 September in
the Grand Theatre at United
Cinemas, Warriewood. This
year brings back the popular
local symphony, the Northern
Beaches Orchestra, playing
for the first time with the
ARIA nominated Australian
country singer/songwriter
Melinda Schneider. The
show is an eclectic selection
of enduring songs made
popular by Doris Day, Dolly
Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Dusty
Springfield and others, plus
Melinda’s own award-winning
hits. Proceeds go to the
projects of Upper Northern
Beaches Rotary, including
the Palliative Care Centre
at Mona Vale Hospital. The
was formed in 2008 to give
talented local musicians
a chance to excel and to
enhance our community
cultural life. Tickets $50
(deluxe); $40 (regular). Book
early to avoid disappointment;
rotaryuppnorthernbeaches.
org or phone 9913 2800.
Northern Beaches Orchestra Continued on page 32
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 31

Pittwater News
Continued from page 31
Golden anniversary
for Community Aid
MWP Community Aid is
marking 50 years of assisting
many elderly and disabled
clients on the Northern
Beaches with a celebration
on September 2. The nonprofit
organisation based
in North Narrabeen, which
has helped thousands of
people to live independently
in their own homes, wishes
to gratefully acknowledge
its dedicated volunteers and
their generosity. Over the
years, many of its volunteers
have been recipients of local
and state awards for service
to Community Aid and the
community. The group also
wishes to thank the local
councils, churches and
other organisations for their
support over the years. “The
challenge for tomorrow is to
keep the wonderful heritage
of community-based services
supported by our strong base
of volunteers and qualified
staff,” said MWP Community
Aid CEO Kevin Reid. More info
9913 3244.
Fund floodgates
open on closures
The fast-approaching opening
of the new Northern Beaches
Hospital has seen the NSW
Government address the
ongoing issue of Wakehurst
Parkway road closures due to
flooding with the release of
up to $5 million to support
the introduction of flood
mitigation measures. Earlier
this year Northern Beaches
Council began investigating
environmental measures to
help address intermittent
flooding caused by the
overflow of Middle Creek.
An interim report presented
to Council late last month
concluded that making
changes to Middle Creek, and
removing vegetation, may be
able to reduce road closures
in smaller but more frequent
flood events. The new
funding from government
will support Council’s
detailed investigation and
the implementation of any
practical actions to reduce the
frequency of flooding.
Vintage cars focus
for PROBUS meeting
Vintage cars will be the focus
of an interesting talk at the
next Pittwater Men’s Probus
Club meeting on Tuesday
September 12. Club member
Kim Russell will speak
about specific makes and
models of vintage vehicles
manufactured from 1919
through 1930. Meeting starts
at 10.30am at Mona Vale Golf
Club; visitors welcome. More
info Bill Marshall 9999 5226.
Dee Why RSL
giving back
More than 115 local
organisations will benefit
from Dee Why RSL Club’s
Community Support Program
this year, with $1.65 million
worth of assistance allocated
through cash and in-kind
donations. Some of the local
groups who will benefit include
Be Centre, Zonta, Fight For
Cure and Life Saving Northern
Beaches. Executive Manager,
Community at Dee Why RSL
Club, Sheila Malone said the
support program was made
possible through all those who
utilised the club’s facilities
and services. Applications are
open during February and
March and the community
support year commences at the
beginning of each September.
News
No ‘Indian’ summer
ahead for Avalon
The collapse of a large chunk of
the cliff at the north headland of
Avalon Beach has left locals with
the task of coming up with a new
name for the landmark. Before
the rock collapse last month
the headland was sometimes
known as ‘Indian Head’ due to its
resemblance to the distinguished
profile of a Native North American
(not exactly PC we know).
Terrey Hills skatepark
a moveable feast
Local school student
Matthew Plunkett is the
toast of his mates following
Northern Beaches Council’s
announcement of plans to
build a $200,000 skatepark at
Terrey Hills Oval – on 11-yearold
Matthew’s suggestion.
The skatepark will be built
using a flexible system of
prefabricated skate elements
on a concrete slab that can
be relocated or expanded
32 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Time to strike up the
bands in Mona Vale
Northern Beaches Council has come up with an
initiative that will allow residents to contribute
tax deductible donations to a Charitable Trust,
with funds accumulated going towards the
construction of a new indoor performing arts
facility within the grounds of Mona Vale Public
School. The new Mona Vale Performance Space
would be run by Council (with permission from
the Department of Education) and used by
all local schools and the broader community.
The plan came about after Council’s Strategic
Reference Group for Arts and Culture
identified the clear need for a performance
space to support the many performance
ensembles across Northern Beaches’ schools
and the broader community. “Building such a
space at Mona Vale Public School would be a
great opportunity to utilise existing space for
the broader community benefit,” said outgoing
depending on the outcomes
of the proposed Terrey Hills
Oval Landscape Plan and is
scheduled for 2019.
Final film screening
The last work of former
Bayview resident, political
candidate and veteran
filmmaker John Davis, who
died in a helicopter crash in
November 2015 while trying to
expose damage caused by the
Shenhua coal mine, will screen
at Avalon Primary School
on Friday September 15. The
late filmmaker’s family and
friends completed the film in
his memory. It’s bound to be
an emotional evening, with
administrator Dick Persson. “This would
include creating a community organisation/
trust whose principal purpose is the promotion
of literature, music, performing arts, craft,
design, film, video, radio, community arts or
television.” A Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)
Endorsement will be explored along with all
other options for funding. The project would be
similar to the collaboration between Council,
sporting groups and the State Government in
the late 1990s which led to the establishment of
the Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre.
the film depicting invasive
coal expansion near our farms
and forests and revealing the
effect on the land and the air
we breathe. It also documents
some of the inspirational
people who have dedicated
their lives to stopping the
mining. Tickets are $5 on the
door; screening from 6.30pm.
Vet
on
call
with
Dr Ben Brown
We all know how important
tick prevention is for
our dogs as the weather
warms up but what about
heartworm disease? Is your
dog adequately protected?
Heartworm in dogs is
a potentially fatal disease
that is transmitted from
infected to uninfected
dogs by mosquitoes. These
mosquitoes inject a tiny
worm into the dog’s body
(microfilaria) which then
mature into adult heartworm
over about 6 months inside
the chambers of the heart.
Adult heartworm then cause
heart failure which can result
in serious illness and death.
Heartworm disease is very
difficult and expensive to treat
so prevention is much better
than cure!
According to the Australian
Heartworm Advisory Panel,
year-round heartworm
protection is recommended
for every dog Australia
wide. Therefore, just as we
vaccinate pets against deadly
viral diseases, heartworm
prophylaxis is an important
cornerstone of preventative
care. Whilst monthly
heartworm preventatives
have been demonstrated
to be effective, when given
every month, any lapse in
treatment puts patients at
higher risk of heartworm
disease. Recent research
showed that complacency
around heartworm prevention
has resulted in dogs testing
positive to heartworm, in
fact around 40% of dogs
diagnosed with heartworm
disease are on ownergiven
monthly heartworm
preventatives.
The easiest way to avoid
forgetting heartworm
medication is to use annual
heartworm prevention at the
time of vaccination. Give us
a call to discuss your dog’s
heartworm prevention to
make sure they are adequately
protected leading into the
warmer months.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 33

When
crime
does
pay…
Life Stories
When Michael Robotham was
a 24-year-old journalist with
Fairfax’s The Sun newspaper he
came up to Pittwater to stay in a house
that his then girlfriend, Vivien, was
housesitting. The house had a view in one
direction over Pittwater and in the other
over the ocean. He said to Vivien, “If I ever
achieve my dreams of being a full-time
writer I want to live in a place like this.”
Fast forward 30-odd years and Michael
Robotham is a renowned international
crime writer. His 12th novel, The Secrets
She Keeps, was released in July. His books
have been translated into 23 languages,
and made into films. Michael and Vivien
Robotham have three daughters, Alex,
Charlotte and Bella, and live in a large,
open plan sandstone house in Avalon.
But, despite the dream life, this couple
are very down-to-earth. When I arrive
Vivien is unloading the dishwater, and
putting a pile of obviously much-loved
plates, on which are faded images of African
animals, into a drawer.
“We bought them when we lived in
Harare for a year,” she explains, “while
Michael was ghostwriting a book there.”
Beyond the swimming pool is what
their daughters call the “Cabana of Cruelty”
where Michael pens his novels. He
seats himself on a worn red swivel chair
in front of his desk, on which is a large
Apple iMac, and I sit on a sofa.
He was born in Casino. His father was
a school teacher, and Michael was one
of four children. The family moved to
Gundagai when he was four, and Coffs
Harbour when he was 13. He describes his
upbringing as “idyllic and poor, but we
didn’t want for anything”.
When he left school Michael was one of
6,000 applicants to apply for 16 cadetships
with Fairfax.
“The newspaper said it would send me
a telegraph by the following Monday if
I’d got a position (my folks didn’t have
a telephone),” he recalled. “Monday and
Tuesday went. I gave up hoping. That Friday
I was at cricket practice when I looked
up and saw my mother running down
the road, waving a telegram. She had run
more than a mile from home.”
Vivien and he moved to London in 1986.
Michael was a senior features writer for
the UK’s Mail on Sunday, until in 1993
he left the newspaper with the idea of
ghostwriting.
“Vivien was pregnant with our first
child. We were living in Shepherd’s Bush
and our house was in negative equity. It
was a scary time. I was freelancing and
hoping to pick up ghostwriting work. That
first year I earned a tenth of what I had
been making as a journalist.”
The first book he ghostwrote was Empty
Best-selling author Michael Robotham
enjoyed a globetotting journalism career
before settling on his dream ‘job’
– and settling in his dream location...
Story by Rosamund Burton
Cradles about the Nottingham social
worker, Margaret Humphreys, who uncovered
the child migrant scandal, the British
Government’s program of forcibly sending
children from unwed mothers and orphanages
to Commonwealth countries such as
Australia and New Zealand. Over the next
10 years he was ghostwriter for 15 books
including the life of the singer, Lulu, and
Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls.
The Robothams came back from London
in 1997 when Vivien was pregnant with
their second daughter, Charlotte. “A week
after arriving home we drove up to Pittwater,
round the Bilgola Bends, and I had to
pull over because Vivien was morning sick.
Afterwards, we sat in a café in Avalon and
decided this is where we wanted to live.”
It was while ghostwriting for Paul
Britton, the forensic psychologist whose
work inspired the BBC series Cracker, that
Michael became intrigued by criminal
psychology. In between ghostwriting projects,
he started writing a crime novel.
He had written 117 pages of the novel
when he had lunch with the publisher
to discuss a ghostwriting project. She
demanded to see the partial novel, and
afterwards “made an offer that I couldn’t
refuse” for the UK and Commonwealth
rights. Several months later word leaked
out and a bidding war broke out at the
London Book Fair.
34 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

“The phone rang at three in the morning.
There were six American publishers
bidding, and five German publishers
bidding, and the French had offered this
and the Italians that. In the space of three
hours every dream I’d ever had of being a
full-time writer came true.
“By 7.30 in the morning Viv and I had
spent the money, by 8 o’clock we’d cast
the Hollywood film, and by 8.30 the terror
set in. It was a part-finished manuscript
and I had no idea how it ended. It
was like being backed into favouritism for
the Melbourne Cup never having run the
two miles before.”
That first book, The Suspect, which was
published in 2004, sold more than a million
copies. His latest page-turner,
The Secret She Keeps, a story told
through the voices of two pregnant
women, has been endorsed by crime
writer, Stephen King, and highly acclaimed
by the New York Times.
However, despite his phenomenal
international success as a writer Michael
admits he suffers from what is known as
‘imposter syndrome’.
“Every time I deliver a new book I
believe that this will be the book that exposes
me for being a complete fraud. And
no matter how many I’ve written when I
start a new one I feel like I’ve never done
it before, and I’m learning all over again
how to do it.”
The Robothams moved to their current
house five years ago. It was a home that
Vivien had admired years earlier. Michael
saw it was for sale two hours after it was
meant to have gone to auction. Vivien
rang the agent and was told it hadn’t been
auctioned, but there were three interested
parties. At four o’clock they were looking
around the house, and the following day
Michael put in an offer.
“When I bought it, my girls thought I
was having a mid-life crisis. They were
embarrassed to bring their friends here,
because they considered it to be ostentatious,
but they love it now.”
Michael Robotham is not a surfer, fisherman
or sailor, and admits he doesn’t even
get to the beach much. But as he writes all
his books in longhand, he is often found
sitting scribbling away in various Avalon
cafes. It’s at those times that he might
write a paragraph portrait of a fellow coffee
drinker for a character in a book.
“At the end of the day I’ve been very
fortunate to be one of the few people
who can make a living out of what I do,”
concludes this unassuming, hard-working
author. But when I walk down to Avalon
Village and into Bookoccino, its owner
Margaret Hutchings gives credit where it’s
due. “Michael Robotham is one of the best
crime writers in the world,” she says. “His
books keep getting better and better, and
he’s one of the most undervalued Australian
authors.”
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: Leafy surrounds outside the ‘Cabana of Cruelty’ where
Michael Robotham pens his novels; autumn in the UK with Vivien in 1986; ‘Indiana’
Robotham in Africa in 1994; on holiday in Amsterdam last year with Bella, Alex, wife
Vivien and Charlotte; sharing an adventure with Vivien in the 1990s; celebrating the
birth of first daughter Alex in 1993.
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 35

Art Life
Art Life
Plenty of Space to
satisfy your creativity
Sydney Art Space at Mona
Vale has linked with The
Manly Arts Festival to offer a
variety of interesting events
and workshops in September.
First up there’s the ‘From
Trash to Treasure’ weaving
workshop which will be held
on site at the Space at 64
Darley St on Sunday 17th from
1-5pm.
An experimental sound and
drawing night – ‘Sonic Moves
IV’ – will be held underground
at Newport’s Kave Bar on
Wednesday 20th from 6-10pm.
Set aside the evening of
Friday 22nd – SAS convenor
Christine Simpson will stage
her ‘Noise Pagoda: Recent
Works on Paper’ art exhibition
and fundraiser for the
upcoming Newport Sculpture
Trailblazers 2017; venue is the
Kave Bar from 5.30-8pm.
Live Painting Performances
will be held on Sat 23rd in the
BWS Arcade at Newport from
1-4pm.
The arcade will also be
the location for two Mural
Painting Workshops for kids.
The first one on Sunday 24th,
for kids aged 7-13, will be for
drawing and painting; it will
be followed by a drawing and
stencilling workshop for ages
14-18 on Sunday October 1.
Plus, the Sydney Art Space
School Holiday Art Program
is now up on their website
sydneyartspace.com, with all
sorts of creative experiences
for all ages.
Places are limited and bookings
essential; more info 0402
532 957 or email info@sydneyartspace
– Lisa Offord
Mia celebrates her
‘coastal aquarium’
ellyfish are
“Jmy organised
chaos,” says artist
Mia McLean with a
laugh, “they are my
playful, favourite
subject matter.”
‘Spindrift’ – a
collection of Mia’s
works drawing
inspiration from
the coastline and
waterways that
form her Australian
‘backyard’ – opens
at Re:Publik Café at
Ettalong Beach this
month, exhibiting
through to early
November.
Delicate
seahorses and the
floating tentacles of jellyfish are beautifully captured by Mia in
watercolour and multimedia on canvas.
Mia explained she travelled across Australia for nearly 12
months to beautifully capture ‘our backyard’, as she refers to
her paintings.
“We camped along the way, setting up market stalls and
selling watercolour originals of varying seascapes, all the time
drawing inspiration from the surroundings,” she said.
“My work is an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ take on realism, with
the colours and the placement slightly warping the truth.
“The Re:Publik Café exhibition is a celebration of the tranquil
beauty that exists in our own coastal aquarium.”
Amid the underwater ‘chaos’, Mia says whales were also a
favourite, representing ultimate calm and the solitude of the
deep.
Café owner Catherine McDonald said she was delighted to
help support the local arts scene.
“We do not take a commission on any sales and purely
support the artists and their works,” she said.
“The café walls become their space to show the art they
choose. With more artists signed up, our art schedule now
extends until the 2018 – it’s very exciting.” – Nigel Wall
36 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Win cool cash as a local Insta hero
What does the Northern Beaches mean to you?
In September, Northern Beaches Council is
running a photographic competition asking you
to showcase your images. To win one of four $200
prizes, take a local snap, share it on Instagram and
hashtag #northernbeaches2017. Entries are limited
to 10 per person. Photos should illustrate the Northern
Beaches’ lifestyle: heritage, culture, events,
music, technology, sports, arts, etc. Selected entries
will be included in a free exhibition at Mona Vale Library
on October 24, when the competition winners
will also be announced. More info 9970 1607.
‘Grand’ idea for kids
September may be the month
for Father’s Day but grandparents
will be the focus of one
of two great children’s holiday
workshops conducted by Meredith
Rasdall Visual Art at the
Avalon Recreation Centre.
The ‘My Grandma or Grandpa’
portrait-on-canvas painting workshop
on Wednesday September
27 will see children work from a
photograph of their grandparent
to create a unique keepsake using
expressive paint techniques
and mixed media such as buttons,
fabric and wire.
A second ‘Clay Masks’ workshop,
on Thursday September 28, will
encourage children to look at primitive
masks as inspiration for their
own creations that they will fashion
from clay, feathers, wire and cane.
Both workshops run 10am-
12pm; cost $50. Bookings essential
– phone 0402 121 184 or email
meredithrasdall@westnet.com.au
On the Trail
to connect
and collect
In October, don’t miss
the opportunity to
spend a day (or even two)
discovering original works
by a band of talented
Northern Beaches artists.
On Saturday the 14th and
Sunday the 15th, from
10am – 5pm, witness the
renewed and expanded
network of inspiring
studio locations on offer
in this years’ Pittwater
Artists Trail. Organisers
encourage you to plan
your own route from
Elanora to Clareville and
Terrey Hills to Newport.
Enjoy the day by engaging
with multiple makers who
are ready to share their
stories and spaces with
trail visitors. For a map
and artist details visit
pittwaterartiststrail.com.au
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 37

Art Life
Art Life
Bound to
make an
impact
Specialist book maker Gwen
Harrison has worked in collaboration
with Sue Anderson
in the production of finely
bound, limited edition Artists
Books for the past decade.
Motivated by a shared
respect for the integrity of
each process involved in the
making of an artist book, its
means of traditional labour, its
materiality, form and content,
their works are respected and
highly regarded.
The pair will exhibit a collection
of their prints and wall
works at Eye Doctors Mona
Vale (20 Bungan St) throughout
spring, with viewing during
business hours.
Gwen and Sue were recently
guest speakers at the ‘Codex
Symposium for Artists Books’ in
San Francisco as well as the ‘San
Francisco Centre for the Book’.
All but one of their book
series have full page, original
etchings or collagraphic
prints, researched and written
by the artists, with the text
hand-set letterpress type.
The books are large, with
images as substantial as 55cm
x 60-72 cm wide, gate-folded
within the volumes.
The stunning works are held
by the Australian National
The 50th Birthday celebrations
of the Artists &
Craftsmen of Pittwater continue
this month with a three-day
Spring Exhibition and Sale at
Mona Vale Memorial Hall.
Featured art from Thursday
28th to Saturday 30th (9am-
4pm each day) includes both
contemporary and traditional
styles in oils, acrylic, water
colour, pastel and mixed media.
Plus, multi award-winner
Linda Joyce will have a collection
of framed prints and art
cards available for sale.
In a new development,
ACOP’s Kathy Dallamico says
visitors will be invited to
take part in both the People’s
Choice Art and People’s
Choice Craft Awards.
“Voters will be eligible to
go into a draw for a $200 Gift
Voucher that can be redeemed
on Art or Craft items at ACOP
Exhibitions,” said Kathy.
“These Art & Craft Awards
have proved to be a big hit
Library for their Special collections,
the NSW State Library
as well as the British Library,
collectors from the US Codex
Foundation in San Francisco
and Boston, Stanford University,
University of California
Santa Barbara, Berkeley and
others.
Gwen and Sue’s work can
also be viewed from September
7-9 at ‘Sydney Contemporary’
at Carriageworks in
Sydney. – Nigel Wall
with customers as they peruse
the collections, sometimes
surprising themselves by
choosing a piece that they
wouldn’t have normally
thought would inspire them.
“This is a great way to engage
directly with the Artists
and Crafters and have a better
appreciation of the stories be-
Pieces of
Silver Plus – the peninsula’s
longest-formed cooperative
of jewellery makers – are
celebrating their 30th year
with an innovative exhibition
this month.
‘The Shape of Things’, to be
held over the weekend of September
16-17, will showcase
the work of 12 members in
their stunning studio setting
at Ingleside.
“A shape is determined by
the outline or external boundary
of an object,” explained
Silver Plus member Susan
Peacock. “With jewellery however,
the curves and movement
of the body, and the
body language of the wearer
themselves, also inform our
perception of the piece.”
She said members had chosen
this time of year to stage
their exhibition, to capitalise
on their exquisite bush setting,
which will be bursting
with spring colour.
“We hope people will enjoy
ACOP offers two bites
at People’s Choice awards
hind the people and the pieces
presented for sale.”
She said hand-made goods
continued to attract customers
looking for unique style and
craftsmanship in pieces for
purchase.
“The craft section includes
Kim’s ever-popular hand-made
jewellery pieces, including a
limited number of stunning
baroque pearl necklaces – and
she can also help you put
together a gorgeous personalised
bracelet for your children.”
Other collections to be showcased
are patchwork, handembroidered
baby gifts and
towel sets, children’s summer
dresses, silk scarves, screen
printed tea towels and aprons,
felt toys, hand painted cards,
wooden burls, paper tole,
quilling, hand knitted toys,
enamels, cushions made from
French and English fabrics,
mosaics and glass terrariums.
More information acop.com.
au or facebook. – Lisa Offord
38 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Silver take ‘Shape’
meeting the makers, viewing
the unique jewellery pieces
and breathing in the fresh air,”
Susan said.
The work on display will
include a huge range of metal
working techniques including
Kuem Bu – fusing
gold-leaf and silver
(Susan Peacock);
and Mokume – melding
metals to create
a water-like pattern
(Heidi Francis).
Other pieces are
patterned using a rolling
mill (Margot Ryan);
decoratively pierced
(Brenda Coleman),
forged (Lesley Mountford,
Hanne Kambro)
or twisted (Christine Sadler).
Unique chain designs from
Bobbie Winger and Gail Jenner
will feature, along with
bracelets from Cilla Cross and
Margaret Illy in sterling silver.
Colour is introduced with semiprecious
stones (Hanne Kambro,
Brenda Coleman,
Margot Ryan) and
enamel (Irene Garran).
The exhibition is open
10am-4pm on both days;
all are invited to attend the
launch on Saturday 16th
(morning tea supplied).
More information Silverplus.
studio@gmail.com or phone
0405 561 718.
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 39

Surfing Life
Surfing Life
What a ‘Lady’: chilling out
on a surf trip that isn’t...
Nothing glossy about this Great Barrier Reef location but it shines nonetheless
As the plane circles, I
gaze down, thinking
just how completely
strange.
There, a hundred metres
below, lies a coral sand
island, encased from the east
by a perfect semi-circle of
reef. You can see the ins and
outs of a doubled-up surf
zone, a left on one side, a
right on the other – a pretty
good right by the look, exit
point and all.
No real swell, but that’s
not so strange. Not even the
sight itself is strange – coral
sand islands with fringing
reefs are pretty familiar to
a surfer’s eye. Heck, I’ve
probably seen a hundred
of ’em. But I’ve never seen
such a sight without having
a board nearby. THAT feels
strange.
Lady Elliot Island is like that
– a surf trip that isn’t, kinda. I
was tipped off to it by surfer
mates who’ve visited, yet they
all talked about it like surfing
was secondary.
The island sits in clear
water on the southernmost
fringe of the Great Barrier
Reef, some way north of
Fraser Island. It marks one of
the east coast’s big transition
points, from the sandisland
deposits off southern
develop the island’s original
tree species. They also run
an airstrip and a very downhome
little eco resort facing
out to the eastern lagoon,
with daily SCUBA and snorkel
runs off the outer waters and
along the western side.
Spend a few days there and
it feels like you’ve fallen off
the edge of the world. Not
even in the Mentawais can
you escape mobiles these
days, but there’s no reception
on Lady Elliot, and no TVs in
the simple but comfortable
units. You can buy internet
time but really, why would
ya. Instead we collected fins,
masks and snorkels, dived off
boats near the non-breaking
with Nick Carroll
REEF-RINGED: Lady Elliot Island offers time to look at a tropical ecosystem in recovery. PHOTO: Wendy Carroll.
Queensland to the enormity
of the reef.
Its modern history is a
near perfect reflection of
Queensland’s oscillating
priorities – mining, or
tourism? In 1960, strip-mined
a century ago for its guano
deposits and since gnawed
flat by goats, Lady Elliot
was a desert. It was slowly
re-greened, first by keepers
of the island’s lighthouse,
then by a succession of
tourism lease-holders who
gained the rights from the
Commonwealth of Australia.
(Yep, we all own it!)
The current lessees have
accelerated the re-greening,
working out of a nursery to
left, and swam the lagoon at
high tide, when blacktips and
green turtles cruised over
the reef, looking for this and
that.
Humpback whales are everpresent,
sometimes circling
the island, breaching and
carrying on. Go down near
the bottom outside the reef
line, where the water density
carries sound for kilometres,
and you’ll hear them singing
and squeaking away.
At night, with a clear sky,
the stars explode out of the
blackness the way they never
do in a town. You might as
well be in Tahiti.
Like I said, there’s nothing
glossy about Lady Elliot.
40 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

PL’s SEPTEMBER SURF CALENDAR
6-17 Sept: Hurley Pro and Swatch Women’s Pro, WSL CT,
Lower Trestles, CA USA
Back into the double headers at pro surfing’s pointy end. All the top
men and women spend two sunny weeks in San Clemente, trying
to show off in front of their endorsements’ CEOs. This is actually a
critical event for the men’s and women’s world title races, both of
which are closing up into the last third of the tour, but Lowers isn’t
nearly as great a CT venue as we’ve seen so far this year – it’s not
a patch on Jeffreys Bay, for instance – and it doesn’t pose much
of a challenge to this level of surf skill. All one can hope for is a
freak storm swell, a hurricane or some such; or maybe for the entire
event to decamp 250 miles north to Kelly Slater’s new wave pool for
a demo session. That’d be weird, but it’d definitely be entertaining.
26-29 Sept: BL’s BlastOff!
The most eagerly awaited grommet surfing get-together of the year
bar none! Divisions from 6 to 14 years of age, girls and boys, get to
surf, compete, and take on heaps of advice from a judging panel
whose mission is less to sort out winners and losers, and more on
helping kids get to be better surfers. Venue: Whale Beach, with
Avalon and Palm Beach on standby. So much happens in a short
time. BlastOff! Idol is an eagerly awaited part of the deal, as is a
twilight carnival at Beach Without Sand and a Coastalwatch Grom
Summit where kids can learn about everything from sponsorship to
surf forecasting. Plus… showbags! Look it up online for late entry –
there’s not much space left!
NICK’S SEPTEMBER SURF FORECAST
First the bad news. The water’s not gonna warm up. Inshore water
temps dropped by two degrees in late July, dipped a tiny bit more
in mid-August, and while it’s fairly warm well offshore, Northern
Beaches surf zones will be tingly for some time yet. Sorry! Next, the
slightly better news – surf-wise I think maybe we are in for a pretty
active start to Spring. Southern Hemisphere air pressure charts
have shown a distinct early trend toward broken-up air masses, with
colder southerly air leaking up into the tropics and warm equatorial
air being sucked toward the temperate zones right around the globe.
This air mixing, often a sign of a very strong monsoon to come,
makes for a dynamic surf outlook on east coasts like ours. Watch
for sudden southerly gales, early season nor-easters, and warmer
days of variable winds and quite a bit of swell – often from the south
and south-east, but also from the direct east angle thanks to the air
mixture in the south-west Pacific. Seize the day! Etc.
Nick Carroll
Surfing Life
The food’s good, it’s quiet.
The clientele aren’t flashy
sorta people: some European
tourists, and a lot of repeat
customers who come to
dive or chill. Yet the island
contains one extraordinary
luxury: Time. I know the
surf here does actually
pump on occasion, I’ve seen
the photos, but with the
obsessive pursuit of waves
out of the picture, there’s
time to have a close slow
look at a tropical ecosystem
in recovery – at a time when
almost all the news about the
Reef is bad.
Further north, with the
The Local Voice Since 1991
Abbott Point loading
extension and the billiondollar
railway to nowhere,
Queensland might be
turning the clock back to
mining. Ironically, the reborn
Lady Elliot generates
way more income than it
ever did from guano, just by
being itself.
Nick Carroll is a leading
Australian and international
surf writer, author, filmmaker
and surfer, and one
of Newport’s own. Email:
ncsurf@ozemail.com.au
SEPTEMBER 2017 41

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Spring into the
school holidays
The weather is warming
up and Spring School
Holidays are almost here –
time to start planning how
you are going to keep the kids
occupied.
Here are a few ideas to
keep kids active during the
break.
Goodwin’s Tennis
Academy
With years of local knowledge
and experience Joel Goodwin
and the team have got kids’
school holiday tennis camps
down pat.
Held at Mona Vale and
Narrabeen for ages 4 and up,
Joel offers parents and carers
great flexibility with full-week
or daily bookings available
and free before camp care
from 7.30am and after camp
care until 5pm.
Qualified coaches ensure
the kids learn and/or improve
their tennis in a relaxed environment;
there’s lots of fun
and prizes – and free Maccas
on the last day of each camp!
For details and bookings
go to goodwinstennisacademy.com.au
or call 9979 6772.
Coastal Environment
Centre
Parents and carers in-theknow
book kids into the CEC’s
Kids On The Coast holiday
programs early to avoid disappointment.
There’s a range
of fully supervised activities
available during the holidays,
teaching kids the value of our
natural environment. Below is
a taste of what’s on the activity
menu.
Running Wild – kids will learn
about bush tucker and how to
make tools out of what they
can find in the bush, how
to make fire with hands and
make a fish hook out of shells.
Race Around the Headlands
– a day-long treasure hunt
where kids follow the clues at
the CEC and surrounding area
on a trail to fun and adventure.
Survivor Challenge – a great
activity for those wanting to
learn how to build a shelter
and survive on what they find
in the great outdoors.
Rock Platform Rambles – oldfashioned
outdoor fun by the
sea where the kids peer into
rock pools, build sandcastles
and fly kites.
The CEC is on Pelican
Path, Lake Park Road, North
Narrabeen. Kids must be 6
years and over and enrolled
in school. Activities run from
10am-3pm (no before or after
care). Cost $61. More info
online or 1300 000 232
All on board
No need to tell you when it
comes to water based activities
in Pittwater we are spoilt
for choice.
For starters check out
the school holiday sailing
camps at The Royal Prince
Alfred Yacht Club rpayc.com.
au and Avalon Sailing Club
avalonsailingclub.com.au
and Manly Surf School will
be running four-day learn to
surf courses at Palm Beach;
call 9932 7000.
42 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trusted advice still close
There’s no doubt navigating
the complex health,
disability or aged care
systems is confusing – which
is why it’s important to know
there are services available
that can provide fast, free,
unbiased information, advice
and guidance.
For almost a quarter of a century
the not-for-profit, non-religious
organisation Community
Care Northern Beaches (CCNB)
has been supporting older
people, people with a disability,
mental illness and dementia,
indigenous people – and their
carers to maximise their independence
and wellbeing.
Now settled into new premises
just up the road in Frenchs
Forest, the CCNB team are assuring
Pittwater residents they
will continue their mission to
enable people to live independently
in their own home
and get the most out of life
by providing impartial advice,
information, guidance, referral
and support covering:
n Home (aged) Care;
n Dementia Care;
n NDIS Support Coordination;
n Mental Health; and
n Families and Carers
CCNB’s care coordination
service helps to match and
connect people to the right government-subsided
and privately
funded support services and
helps them get the best out of
the disability, health and aged
care systems.
The organisation also
hosts a number of free events
throughout the year to help
arm the community with the
latest information on health
issues including mental health
and dementia (CCNB is highly
regarded for its expertise in
memory loss and dementia
and its impacts on the individual,
partners, family and
friends) and changes to health
and social care systems such
as the NDIS and aged care.
It also provides wonderful
support to the carers in our
community.
See the website ccnb.com.
au for more info and the ad
on this page for the new office
address.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 43

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Why modern dentures are
something to smile about
If the very mention of the
word dentures conjures in
your mind a full set of pictureperfect
false teeth protruding
from a lived-in face, you’re not
alone.
But what you may not realise
is dentures are not only for
the elderly and there are many
different denture types to help
improve a smile, the way a person
eats and their confidence.
Dental prosthetist Anthony
Boyle of Pittwater Denture
Clinic says it is a common
myth that not many people
wear dentures anymore.
“A surprising number of
people wear dentures and the
good dentures look so lifelike
that it is often difficult to tell
the difference between someone
with natural teeth and
someone who wears dentures,”
he said.
Anthony said that if you
don’t wear dentures you can
thank fluoride, which was
added to Sydney’s drinking
water in 1960 subsequently
reducing tooth decay, tooth
loss and the number of people
who required dentures.
“People have missing teeth
for a variety of reasons,” Anthony
said.
“The most common reason is
lack of fluoride in the water;
the next most common is
smoking which adversely
affects the condition of the
periodontal ligaments causing
healthy teeth to become loose
and drop out.”
Anthony, who has also
taught hundreds of students
and was the NSW Secretary of
the Australian Dental Prosthetists
Association, has witnessed
several advances since
his father started Pittwater
Denture Clinic more than 40
years ago.
He said by utilising technology
and modern materials,
dentures could now be
custom-made to fit accurately,
were stronger, remained
cleaner, were easier to clean
and were healthier, as bacteria
was less able to cling to the
denture.
For more information visit
pittwaterdentureclinic.com
or phone 9979 7590.
For a good
cause
n Local band RockGear
will shake the house at
Collaroy Beach Club on
Saturday September 30
in a fundraiser aimed
at increasing awareness
of the ongoing
battle against breast
cancer. Tickets are just
$10, with all proceeds
going to the McGrath
Foundation. The event
is supported by Peninsular
Cricket Club – head
along in pink and join in
for a good cause. More
info Kay 0429 268 138;
book online at facebook.
com/rockgearsydney/
n Home Sweet 2017 – at
Freshwater SLSC on
September 15 – is a new
‘sleepover’ fundraiser
which aims to raise at
least $100,000 to support
homeless youth on
the Northern Beaches.
Held on Friday 15th
September at Freshwater
SLSC also aims to raise
awareness. There are
currently an estimated
200 homeless young
people on the Northern
Beaches, many are
‘hidden homeless’ –
sleeping in cars and on
couches. All funds go to
The Burdekin Association,
providing housing,
counselling and access
to employment and
training for vulnerable
youth for over 30 years.
More info homesweet.
raisely.com
44 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Stay in your home as you age
Clareville resident Louise
Mace founded a business
dedicated to helping people
in the later stages of life after
she experienced the emotional
and logistic struggles families
faced when the desire to age
independently at home is compromised.
Louise said her elderly father,
like many Australians, never
wanted to move into aged care
so when his health took a turn
and his independence faded,
the prospect of leaving the
safety of his home was more
stress than he needed.
“Like many my father didn’t
qualify for a government-subsidised
home care package;
his options were limited,”
Louise said.
Louise left her job to care
for her father full-time; however
within weeks he passed
away in hospital.
“I found myself in this position
of grieving not only for
the loss of my dad but for the
way his final weeks turned
out,” she said. “It seemed obvious
in hindsight that what he
needed was a way to not only
be able to receive the care he
needed at home, but to fund
that care by using his wealth
that was tied up in his home.”
Driven to act, Louise, who
has more than two decades
working in the health and
aged care industries, and
husband Les, a veteran of the
Australian financial industry,
created New Way To Stay – a
service that develops personalised
in-home care packages.
New Way To Stay is hosting
an Empowerment In Ageing
information evening at the
Royal Motor Yacht Club on
November 9; speakers include
specialists in estate planning,
a dedicated aged-care
experienced financial planner
and MP Jason Falinksi (who
has a career background in
health care products used in
ageing).
More info newwaytostay.
com.au
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 45

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
High blood pressure: the
possible effect on eyes
High blood
pressure
can damage
blood vessels in the
retina – this is called
hypertensive retinopathy.
The retina or film layer of
the eye has infinite delicate
blood vessels that can be
affected by various medical
conditions and eye diseases.
Detrimental changes in
the retinal blood vessels
can occur when high blood
pressure is not controlled,
which may cause a loss
of vision that can become
permanent. The higher the
blood pressure and the
longer it has been high, the
more severe the damage.
Symptoms may include
double vision or dim
vision, headaches, visual
disturbances and
sometimes sudden
vision loss. Sudden
symptoms can be a
medical emergency.
Unfortunately,
most people with
hypertensive retinopathy do
not have symptoms until late
in the disease.
However, some may report
decreased or blurred vision
and others experience
headaches.
Some of the signs a
comprehensive retinal eye
examination will detect
include retinal arteriolar
narrowing, arterio-venous
crossing changes, retinal
with Rowena Beckenham
haemorrhages and exudates,
retinal microaneurysms,
macular and optic disc
oedema.
Your optometrist should be
asking you for a full medical
history in relation to current
medications and any personal
or family history of high
blood pressure and refer back
to general practitioners for
review if signs are detected in
the eyes.
Comment supplied by Rowena Beckenham, of
Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon (9918 0616). Rowena
has been involved in all facets of independent private
practice optometry in Avalon for 16 years, in addition
to working as a consultant to the optometric and
pharmaceutical industry, and regularly volunteering in
Aboriginal eyecare programs in regional NSW.
46 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 47

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Creating a positive place for teens
New research suggests
small daily acts of creativity
can bolster mood – and
that those positive changes
could be enduring.
Counsellor Shar Votano
(pictured) first observed the
power of the artmaking process
and how it transformed
students when she was a high
school visual arts teacher.
“It brought about critical
thinking and contemplation in
some, a focus and calmness in
students who perhaps were not
in other classes, whilst others
were energised and empowered
by creating,” Shar said.
As a qualified counsellor
and Director of Good Counsel
Northern Beaches, Shar has
created a serene space in Warriewood.
She incorporates art therapy
practices for some clients to
help express themselves, trigger
conversations and boost
wellbeing.
Art therapy studies support
the notion that creative
expression is good for us.
“Research underscores what
artmaking can do for us in
terms of ‘feeling better’… and
tells us that art therapy is conducive
to producing positive
health outcomes,” Shar said.
Cognisant of the issues
facing young people, Shar has
teamed with teachers and artists
to present another series
of school holiday workshops
where teens can unwind, create,
express their feelings and
emotions, learn how to maintain
healthy boundaries and
adopt good coping strategies.
The art-based therapy
workshops, which also include
yoga, meditation and some
light-hearted activities, are
designed to allow young
people aged 13-17 to explore
their creativity and help build
self-confidence.
Designed to be positive and
thought provoking, the workshops
will also address relevant
concerns for teens such
as self-esteem, body issues,
anxiety and depression, social
pressures, how to reach out for
support when they need it and
how to build resilience.
Sessions will be held on
Mon 25 to Fri 30 September
and Mon 2 to Thur 5 October
from 9am - 4.30pm at Good
Counsel Retreat Space, 6a
Prosperity Parade, Warriewood.
Cost $60 per day includes
art materials and resource
books, personal journal to
make and keep for reference
and support, a healthy lunch
and snacks and yoga and
meditation facilitation.
For info email info@
goodcounsel.net.au, visit
goodcounsel.net.au or phone
0409 253 277.
– Lisa Offord
* Interested in finding out
more about art therapy?
UNSW is hosting a festival
of arts + science + people
called The Big Anxiety,
Australia’s largest mental
health festival, with 60
events across Sydney. More
info thebiganxiety.org.
48 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
How pulses of light can
provide skin rejuvenation
with Sue Carroll
Every human cell contains
organelles called
mitochondria, which
generate the energy that the cell
needs to survive, as well as help
cells communicate with each
other to work more efficiently.
The process of generating the
energy can be stimulated and
enhanced by providing energy
to the cell in the form of light
energy. This is called
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
therapy, which uses pulses of
visible therapeutic light over
many wavelengths that deliver
energy to the various layers of
the skin.
The science of light therapy
started in Europe around 40
years ago. It has also been used
extensively in the USA by the
NASA space program to aid
in the rapid healing of cuts,
scrapes and bruising (when in
space the lack of gravity limits
the body’s healing capacity).
It has been shown in studies
using LED light, that the visible
light works by changing the
molecular structure of a gluelike
layer of water on elastin, the
protein that provides elasticity
in skin, blood vessels, heart
and other body structures.
Figuratively speaking the
light strips away those water
molecules that are involved in
the immobilisation of elastin,
gradually restoring its elastic
function and thus reducing
facial wrinkles.
Other benefits of LED light
therapy that have been studied
and reported include:
n increased vascularity (relating
to fluid carrying vessels);
n stimulated collagen
production (a protein found
in skin, bone and connective
tissue);
n increased adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) release
(fuel for cells);
n increased RNA and DNA
synthesis (essential for protein
synthesis, ATP production and
cell repair);
n increased lymphatic drainage
The Local Voice Since 1991
(a fluid containing white blood
cells that is drained from
tissue spaces – in the course
of healing, it often carries
away bacteria, viruses and
cancer cells);
n stimulated fibroblastic
activity (connective tissue that
secretes collagen and elastic
fibres);
n increased phagocytosis
(a process of cleaning the
blood stream and tissues of
bacteria, waste and other
foreign particles);
n it is anti-inflammatory, which
will assist in reducing red
capillaries, and rosacea; and
n its purifying and antibacterial
effect will assist with
reducing, calming and healing
acne.
For those looking for a
non-invasive and no-downtime
treatment, LED is a safe and
effective treatment for the
rejuvenation of skin, the healing
of jaundice in babies, and the
reduction of acne and rosacea.
Treatments can take from 15-30
minutes per session. Depending
on what is to be treated, several
sessions may be required over a
few weeks.
LED treatments may also
be included in other skin
treatments in order to speed
the healing and rejuvenation
capacity of the skin. Most
people will see results after the
first application of LED, where
the skin is calm, hydrated
and has a healthy and radiant
glow. LED treatments may be
performed while lying on an
LED bed – similar to a sunbed
– in a clinic, or even at home at
your own leisure.
It is very important to know
the true efficacy of the actual
LED, knowing that it is of the
correct wavelength and not just
a coloured light globe, which
will not produce a beneficial
result.
The science of skin
rejuvenation can be as easy
as LED therapy. The light
treatment is beneficial for both
men and women of all ages,
skin types and conditions.
Sue Carroll of Skin
Inspiration has been a qualified
Aesthetician for 33 years.
Sue has owned and
operated successful beauty
clinics and day spas on
the Northern Beaches.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
SEPTEMBER 2017 49
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
Business Life
Mortgage stress: Same
old story, different day
This month we look at a
topic that is becoming
somewhat of a recurring
theme in financial markets.
Last month ABC’s flagship
‘Four Corners’ program
screened an episode
titled ‘Betting on the House’,
presented by Michael Brissenden.
The report dealt with
the topic of mortgage stress
and the linked question of a
bubble in house prices. Aside
from entitlements granted to
politicians and bank bashing I
can’t think of a more popular
topic and proof of that was
the blanket press coverage
the next day as every major
paper and plenty of regionals
ran with the story. Part of
the reason why this particular
issue carried far and wide was
the use of clever graphics that
depicted mortgage stress by
postcode and showed, not
surprisingly, that our regional
areas were carrying more than
their fair share of the burden.
This is not to say we are immune
from mortgage stress
here on the sunny northern
beaches. The same data used
in the Four Corners report
suggested the following statistics
for our local area:
Stressed at current rates:
Avalon (17% of 2,277 properties);
Newport (33% of 1,440);
Mona Vale (0% of 1,393); Warriewood
(11% of 1,292); and
Narrabeen 0% of 2,669).
Stress rates with a 2% rate
increase would see each of
those suburbs hike to 51%,
40%, 52%, 58% and 36% duress
respectively.
It dawned on me a few
minutes after I saw the Four
Corners report that this is
old news. So I dug back a few
years, 13 to be exact, and
there it was – my Pittwater Life
column from November 2004
titled ‘Interest Rates on my
Mind’. Here’s the first couple
of paragraphs:
with Brian Hrnjak
‘You can tell you’re living
in Sydney when the number
one read article on the Sydney
Morning Herald website
concerned forecast changes to
interest rates (SMH: 18 October
2004). Scrolling down the page
you could see that in Victoria,
readers of the Age newspaper
were far more concerned
about issues of child welfare,
followed by Shane Warne and
then finally interest rates which
ranked a distant third.
So what’s the big deal about
interest rates in Sydney? Clearly,
rates are the number one
concern in the mortgage belt
– which is the rather tight belt
around the necks of so many
homebuyers in our community
and control, or, perceived
control, over where these rates
may go will get you elected to
Government.’
Here is the fourth paragraph:
‘The article in the Herald
quoted research from economic
forecasters BIS Shrapnel
who say that Australia’s long
period of moderate growth,
low inflation and low interest
rates can’t last. Fair enough,
nothing lasts forever. The
researchers argue that as a
consequence of skills shortages
and subsequent wages push
inflation, interest rates would
rise in their estimation by 2 to
3 per cent over the next three
years. You can almost hear
that mortgage belt tightening
at the thought.’
BIS Shrapnel did a great job
forecasting, standard variable
home loan rates peaked at
9.60% in July 2008.
So when rates rose to their
peak in 2008, did disaster
befall the property market? No
it didn’t and it’s worth looking
at a wider history to see what
did occur at certain times –
bearing in mind that we can
only talk about averages as
the data for the Sydney area is
from the ABS.
50 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

In the six-year period following
Australia’s last recession in
1991, Sydney home prices grew
23.6% between 1991 and 1997,
an average of 3.9% per annum.
Variable home loan interest
rates at that time fell from
highs of around 17% to 6.7%.
For the seven-year period
between 1997 and 2004 Sydney
home prices more than
doubled their value while rates
were relatively flat: 6.7% –
7.05% p.a.
For the 13-year period
between 2004 and 2017 Sydney
home prices more than
doubled again as standard
variable rates fell to around
5.6% p.a.
So, do Sydney house prices
ever fall? Well, yes they do, as a
deeper look into the statistics
would show and recall again
these are averages which may
mask some wild swings. During
the period of the last recession
around 1989 to 1991,
prices were flat to negative.
Prices stagnated for nearly four
years between 2003 to 2007
in response to a fairly modest
rate rise in late 2003 which
went on to become the start
of a rate rise cycle. During the
tail end of the GFC in 2010/11,
prices also stagnated or fell in
response to extreme volatility
in financial markets.
Is the Four Corners report
justified in putting a negative
spin on the incidence of
mortgage stress and talking up
fears about a housing price collapse?
I suspect that mortgage
stress is a sad but incidental
part of trying to establish
oneself in Sydney, a world class
city. What we know about the
housing stock in our area is that
around 40% is owned outright
and around 38% of homes are
in the process of being bought
with a mortgage. So could 3%
of our local housing stock be
under mortgage stress as the
Four Corners figures suggest?
Sure, there are always going to
be buyers who overextend or
through other circumstances
become stressed. I’m not,
however, convinced that a rate
rise, when it comes, will necessarily
lead to a collapse in home
prices.
History has shown that prices
in our area are more likely
to stagnate while people try
to ride out the cycle. Anyone
who has to sell at that time,
usually because of the three
ds – death, divorce, da-bank
– may cop a hiding if buyers
happen to be on strike. The
other people that should make
themselves scarce once rates
start to move north are mums
and dads with retirement savings,
otherwise known as the
lenders of last resort.
Business Life
Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is a Director of GHR Accounting
Group Pty Ltd, Certified Practising Accountants. Offices at:
Suite 12, Ground Floor, 20 Bungan Street Mona Vale NSW 2103
and Shop 8, 9 – 15 Central Ave Manly NSW 2095,
Telephone: 02 9979-4300, Webs: www.ghr.com.au and
www.altre.com.au Email: brian@ghr.com.au
These comments are of a general nature only and are not
intended as a substitute for professional advice.
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 51

Business Life: Finance
Business Life
Getting to the pointy end
of your dream retirement
When I talk to people
about retirement
planning, the
conversation invariably starts
with numbers. Managing
our client’s life savings for
a living, I am aware of the
importance that money plays
in a successful retirement.
But it is incomplete to look
at figures without taking into
consideration what purpose
money will serve: your
quality of life and sense
of emotional wellbeing.
Numbers alone don’t
provide emotional wellbeing
and quality of life. There is
a need for an approach that
fuses both realms into one
conversation – which we call
Financial Life Plan ning.
All of us face the challenge
of developing a retirement
plan that (ideally) will see
us run out of breath before
we run out of money. There
are many ways to approach
this issue but one that seems
to really work is based on
20th century psychologist
Abraham Maslow’s
‘Hierarchy of Needs’. Here
is my version of ‘Maslow’s
Pyramid’ (pictured).
Maslow teaches that we
are motivated by unmet
needs, and that lower needs
must be satisfied before
the higher needs can be
addressed. We must meet
Money
Pyramid
our most basic needs (like
physical survival) before we
can address our higher needs
(like belonging).
Let’s look at the different
levels of the Pyramid.
Existence Money
Existence Money makes ends
meet. How much do you need
to wake up each day and have
food and shelter? Is it $5,000
a month, or $10,000? If you
stripped away the frills and
thrills and just paid for your
existence, what would it cost?
Most people I meet haven’t
taken the time to answer this
question. They might know
how much they spent last
year, but that is a different
number (more like the whole
pyramid).
Security Money
Security Money is money
we must have to meet life’s
unexpected turns. What if
everything doesn’t work
out as you hoped and
imagined it would? This
is money set aside for
things that don’t turn
out as planned.
Things such as the
risk of outliving
your money,
suffering poor
investment
returns in
the early
years of
retirement, or having to help
family members financially.
Freedom Money
Freedom Money is money to
pursue interests, hobbies and
things that bring fulfillment
to our lives. The cost of the
activities (and indulgences)
that bring pleasure and
relaxation into your life is
different for each household.
Some people engage in
low-cost relaxation activities
(like walking on a beach) and
others engage in high-priced
activities (like walking after
a golf ball). Travel, adventure
and personal growth/
education are also some
of the considerations to
include when calculating the
amount needed to fund your
freedom.
Giving
Giving Money is money for
the people and causes that
we care deeply about. Having
with Darren Johns
met our basic needs of
survival, safety and freedom,
our money can be utilised for
a higher purpose. Many of us
would love to do something
for our parents or children
or to support causes close to
our heart. The money needed
here is your giving money.
Dream Money
Dream Money is money for
the things you’ve always
dreamed of being, doing, and
having. What do you want to
be? What do you want to do?
What do you want to have?
Putting a number on Dream
Money is vastly different
for each of us. The time
and money cost to do/be/
have the things that bring
meaning into our lives can
vary greatly. One of our
clients wants to write a book,
which requires a lot of time
but relatively little money.
Another client wants to spend
a year sailing around the
world, which requires a lot of
money and a lot of time.
How to Get Started
Doing this exercise not
only produces clarity, it can
bring you hope. View your
retirement income not as
just a way to pay the bills
but as a means of funding
a life. To get started, visit
alignfinancial.com.au/
resources/ and download
your own worksheet. It’s
quick and easy and will help
to give you a clear picture
of what it costs to live Your
Ideal Life.
Darren Johns is the current AFA Adviser of the Year, a SMSF
Specialist and one of Australia’s only Financial Life Planners.
He is the Principal Adviser at Align Financial, an independently
owned financial planning business. His writing, thinking,
speaking and questioning have made him one of Sydney’s
most trusted resources for people who realise that time is
finite and that more money doesn’t equal more happiness.
Email: adviser@alignfinancial.com.au or call 02 9913 9995.
These comments are of a general nature only and are not
intended as a substitute for professional advice.
52 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 53

Local Call
Local Call
Silver
lining
for ‘Av
Fab’
Avalon Fabrics & Craft’s big birthday celebration
this month has been a quarter
of a century in the making.
Owner Carolyn Saunders and her daughter
Rachelle Braund say it has been 25 wonderful
years since the little store grew with the modernisation
and refurbishment of the arcade
into a treasure trove of colour and texture,
brimming with creative inspiration.
Over the years Carolyn has placed great importance
on the ability to source a wide variety
of beautiful natural yarns and fabrics for creative
clients while providing value for money.
“The expertise of the staff – Jan Cristaudo,
Judy Porter, Sue Logan, Kathleen Bain and Laurellen
Symonds – is truly remarkable,” Carolyn
said.
“They assist in so many ways to ensure projects
are completed and enjoyed.”
While our community’s enthusiasm for
visiting the store and appreciating the tactile
approach to sourcing materials and face-to-face
advice has never waned, Avalon Fabrics has also
MILESTONE: Sue, Carolyn and Rachelle.
embraced technology with a nationally recognised
online source of inspiration and ordering
through their online store, Instagram and
Facebook pages.
As well as materials, Avalon Fabrics stocks
Janome sewing machines and services all
brands of overlockers and sewing machines.
“We also offer a fortnightly scissor and knifesharpening
service, clothing alterations and
home decorating needs,” Carolyn said.
Other services include access to Avalon
Curtains, Blinds and Screens (avalonscreens.
com)
And for those inspired to learn how to knit
or crochet, Avalon Fabrics & Craft hold group
lessons once a month.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all
the enthusiastic, delightful customers who help
us ensure a visit to the shop is a unique, positive
experience,” Carolyn said.
“Thank you to all the great work of the girls
behind ‘the counter’ – with a special mention to
Ted, the man behind the scenes.” – Lisa Offord
New NB Council Identity explained
Buyer’s
agent for
change
An increasing number of first
home buyers, busy professionals,
investors and downsizers
are engaging professionals
to do the leg-work for them to
help secure their property.
Having co-owned a high-end
real estate agency before working
as a buyer’s agent for the
past four years, local property
professional Anita Borgnis has
launched northern beachesbased
‘Your Home Buyer’.
Anita explains a buyer’s agent
advocates for the buyer, providing
objective and independent
advice to ensure any property
purchase is sensible, affordable
and suitable – while still being
the buyer’s “dream home” or
investment.
“This offers real value in a
property market where buyers’
emotions, the sales strategies of
the real estate agent and tactics
by auctioneers all converge to
drive up the price of properties,”
Anita said.
Anita says there is a real need
locally for buyer’s agents who
have access to off-market and
pre-market properties, due to
shortages of stock and people’s
lives getting busier.
“People need someone on the
ground to put them in the best
possible position to purchase a
home,” she said.
Anita said she loves understanding
buyers’ unique dreams
and goals and helping them find
their special place.
“I basically turn a stressful
experience into a comfortable
journey home.”
Anita said a buyer’s agent
in Sydney typically charges a
commission rate; however fee
structures could also come as a
fixed fee.
“As long as you choose a
buyer’s agent who is transparent
about their fees from the
outset and you do your research
to choose someone who has a
number of years experience and
understands your brief, in many
cases your cost savings in negotiating
an excellent purchase
price will surpass the fees of a
buyer’s agent,” she said.
More info see ad p6. – LO
54 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Book Review
The Twentieth
Man
Tony Jones
Allen & Unwin $33
Take yourself back to the
1970s when we feared
communism, the Whitlam
government had just been
elected and the state of
Yugoslavia still existed.
Tony Jones uses this as
background to tell the
story of a terrorist plot by
the Croatian fascist Utasha
organisation aimed at
unseating the communist
government in that country. It is a young ABC journalist (of
course!) who, while following the plot, begins to unravel the
myriad motivations and connections between Utasha, and
the Australian ‘establishment’ including the former Liberal
Government and ASIO.
While the overall story runs at a cracking pace, the power
of this book is Jones’ ability to take us behind the scenes of
political and journalistic life in the Whitlam years, including
his detailed depiction of Attorney-General Lionel Murphy’s
planning and execution of the infamous ASIO raid in 1973.
The dialogue involving George Negus, Murphy’s press secretary,
is particularly amusing and provides the reader with a
colourful view of how political power works in this country.
* Beachside’s Blokes’ Book Club (first Monday night of the
month) is discussing The Twentieth Man for September;
more info 9918 9918. – Michael Armstrong
Embrace
Reading Hour
T
he Australian Reading
Hour on September 14 will
encourage people to embrace
the benefits of reading for one
hour and help them either
rediscover their love of reading
or introduce them to the joys
of storytelling and learning.
In children, reading has
been shown to help with
identity formation, setting
them up for success in the
future. In adults, reading has
been shown to reduce stress
by 68% more than listening to
music, going for a walk… or
even having a cup of tea. (More
info readinghour.org.au)
Join Beachside Bookshop
for Reading Hour from 5pm
on September 14 and enjoy
listening to the team and guest
stars read from fantastic new
picture books, junior and
middle fiction releases.
Participants will have the
chance to purchase these
books. Bookings essential (each
child accompanied by an adult
will receive a goodie bag).
Local Call
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 55

Business Life: Law
Business Life
Open Banking: interest
grows on pending relief
Issues of concern to the
public (despite media claims
to the contrary) which
our pollsters rate include
electricity prices and the role
and functioning of the four
major banks.
Calls for a Royal
Commission into the banks
are becoming more insistent
as announcements of profits
in the billions are made
and revelations by Austrac,
the government’s financial
intelligence agency, of
systematic breaches of
anti-money laundering
laws by the Commonwealth
Bank come to light.
Against this
background it was a
surprise when your
correspondent received a
document titled ‘Review
into Open Banking in
Australia – Issues paper
2017’.
It would appear that in
the budget in May this year,
the Treasurer announced
that “the Government will
introduce an Open Banking
regime that will increase
access to banking products
and consumer data by
consumers and third parties,
if the consumer consents.
And that the government will
commission an independent
review to recommend the
best approach to implement
the Open Banking regime in
Australia to report by the end
of 2017”. The Open Banking
Issues paper was released on
August 9.
Open Banking is said to
give customers greater access
to and control over their own
banking data. Open Banking
enables the customer to
direct that they, or third
parties chosen by them, be
provided with pre-determined
parts of their banking data in
a secure environment and in
a prescribed way, so that it
can be used to offer new or
better services – for example,
more competitive banking
products that better suit their
needs, or banking products
that would otherwise not
have been available to
them, or better financial
management, accounting,
tax and budgeting tools. The
term is also used to refer
to enabling open access to
banks’ data on their products
and services.
Open Banking is underway
in jurisdictions overseas. Last
March the United Kingdom
began a progressive rollout of
access to banking data under
a mandated Open Banking
standard. The standards
and sharing of customer and
transaction data via open
Application Programming
Interface (API)s are required
with Jennifer Harris
to be in operation by January
1, 2018. While progress has
and is being made, the policy
development process is
reported to have encountered
challenges.
The European Union is
moving towards an Open
Banking regime which should
come into force in 2018.
Elsewhere, the United States,
Singapore and Japan
are all committed to
adopting and are moving
towards an Open Banking
regime.
In recent years in
Australia there have
been several reviews
and inquiries which have
recommended expanding
customers’ access to data.
In 2014, The Murray
Inquiry – The Financial
System Inquiry – argued
for the development of
standards for accessing
and formatting data and
product information,
and addressed consumer
privacy concerns to
strengthen confidence and
trust in the use of data.
In 2015, The Harper
Review Competition Policy
Review recommended that
the Government consider
ways to improve individuals’
ability to access their own
data to inform customer
choices. As a result of the
Harper recommendations, the
56 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Productivity Commission was
commissioned to examine the
recommendations.
The Productivity
Commission recommended in
its report – Inquiry into Data
Availability and Use – that
a new right for consumers
across the economy to direct
data holders to transfer
the consumers’ data in a
machine-readable form to the
consumer or their nominated
representative be introduced.
Finally, late last year the
House of Representatives
Standing Committee on
Economics’ Review of the
Four Major Banks – the
Coleman Report – while
disagreeing with much of the
Productivity Commission’s
recommendations and
conclusions, agreed that
there was a strong case for
increasing consumers’ access
to their banking data and to
banking product data. And
it recommended that banks
be required to provide open
access to customer and small
business data by July 2018.
The current Review into
Open Banking is therefore
tasked with making
recommendations to the
Treasurer on the following:
n The most appropriate
model for Open Banking in
Australia; and
n A regulatory framework
under which an Open
Banking regime should
operate, and a roadmap
and timetable for its
implementation.
The Coleman Report noted
that in 2013, the McKinsey
Global Institute estimated
that increasing access to data
in consumer finance could
add between $210-$280
billion a year to global GDP,
with up to 50% of this total
flowing through to consumers
through:
n Enhanced price
transparency; and
n Tailored product offerings,
and consumers’ ability to
actively shape the products
that they consume.
There is in these inquiries
and reports a recognition of
the inequity of the banks,
not consumers holding
data which give the banks a
substantial amount of power.
In the United Kingdom, the
The Local Voice Since 1991
Competition and Markets
Authority (CMA) found that
both Small and Medium
Enterprises and consumers
find it difficult to understand
the cost and quality of
bank products as compared
with products from other
suppliers. The CMA found
that 92% of consumers
could be around 92 pounds
(approximately $A150) better
off per annum by changing
their current account.
However, this is the issue.
How often have your heard
a politician proclaim you
should “change banks where
you can get a better deal”?
The cost of banking
products is generally unknown
and unknowable which makes
switching costly as to time
and charges. But Data sharing
through Open Banking should
increase price transparency
with the consumer able to
assess precisely the cost of a
product.
The Coleman Committees’
recommendations include
“… there is a strong case
for increasing access to
what the banks themselves
regard as, customers’ data.
This includes, for example,
a customer’s transaction
history, account balances,
credit card usage, and
mortgage repayments”. And
“each data sharing participant
should also release the terms
and conditions for each of
their banking product in a
standardised and machinereadable
format”.
This is an important
review – particularly for small
business.
* Should you wish to make
a submission to the Review,
the closing date is 22
September; email: OBR@
treasury.gov.au or mail
to Open Banking Review
Secretariat, The Treasury,
Langton Crescent, Parkes,
ACT 2600.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates, Solicitors,
4/57 Avalon Parade,
Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jenniferha@pacific.net.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
SEPTEMBER 2017 57
Business Life

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AUTO REPAIRS
British & Swedish
Motors
Call 9970 6654
Services Range Rover, Land
Rover, Saab and Volvo with the
latest in diagnostic equipment.
Narrabeen Tyrepower
Call 9970 6670
Stocks all popular brands
including Cooper 4WD. Plus
they’ll do all mechanical repairs
and rego inspections.
Barrenjoey
Smash Repairs
Call 9970 8207
barrenjoeysmashrepairs.com.au
Re-sprays a specialty, plus
restoration of your favourite
vehicle. Commercial vehicle
specialist.
BOAT SERVICES
Avalon Marine
Upholstery
Call Simon 9918 9803
Makes cushions for boats,
patio and pool furniture,
window seats.
KB Marine
Call Pami 9913 3522
New owner; one-stop shop for
sales, service and repairs of
outboard and inboard Mercury
engines, boats and trailers.
ELECTRICAL
Eamon Dowling
Electrical
Call 0410 457 373
For all electrical, phone, TV,
data and security needs.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Stephan 9979 7292
Family owned and run. Carpet,
rugs, runners, timber, bamboo,
vinyl, tiles & laminates.
Open 6 days.
GARDENS
Graham Brooks
Call 0412 281 580
Tree pruning and removals.
Reports regarding DA tree management,
arborist reports.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree
care by qualified arborists and
tree surgeons.
CLEANING
The Aqua Clean Team
Call Mark 0449 049 101
Quality window washing,
pressure cleaning, carpet
washing, building soft wash.
Martin Earl House Wash
Call 0405 583 305
Pittwater-based owner on
site at all times. No travellers
or uninsured casuals on your
property.
LAWN CARE
Platinum Turf Solutions
Call Liam 0412 692 578
Fully qualified specialists in turf
supply & installation, lawn care
& cylinder mowing, full lawn
construction, turf renovations,
maintenance and more.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment
for neck & back pain, sports
injuries, niggling orthopaedic
problems.
Avalon Beach
Chiropractic
Call 9918 0070
Professional care for all ages.
Treatment for chronic and acute
pain, sports injuries.
NJF Exercise Physio
Call 0449 713 472
Increase mobility. Entitled
Department of Veterans Affairs
(DVA) clients may be referred for
clinically necessary treatment
on a valid D904 referral form.
Francois Naef/Osteopath
Call 9918 2288
Diagnosis, treatment and
prevention for back pain and
sciatica, sports injuries, muscle
soreness and strain, pregnancyrelated
pain, postural imbalance.
PAINTING
Contrast Colour
Call 0431 004 421
Locals Josef and Richard offer
quality painting services. Tidy,
reliable, they’ll help consult
on the best type of paint for
your job.
Modern Colour
Call 0406 150 555
Simon Bergin offers painting
and decorating; clean, tidy,
quality detail you will notice.
Dependable and on time.
Avalon Physiotherapy
& Clinical Pilates
Call 9918 0230
Dry needling and acupuncture,
falls prevention and balance
enhancement programs.
Painting & Decorating
Call 0418 116 700
Andrew is a master painter with
30 years’ experience. Domestic
and commercial; reasonable
rates, free quotes.
58 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 59

Trades & Services
PLUMBING
Nick Anderson Plumbing
Call 0411 251 256
All aspects of plumbing including
gasfitting and drainage.
Competitive rates, free quotes.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 9999 5567
Local specialists in all aspects
of outdoor & indoor seating.
Custom service and expert
advice.
Susan Ottowa
Call Susan 0422 466 880
Specialist in day bed and outdoor
areas. Reliable local service.
Domestic & commercial.
RENOVATIONS
Rob Burgers
Call 0416 066 159
Qualified builder provides all
carpentry needs; decks, pergolas,
carports, renovations and
repairs.
Underdeck
Call Adrian 0417 591 113
Waterproof under your deck and
turn the area into usable space
all year round.
SunSpec
Call Dustin 0413 737 934
sunspec.com.au
All-aluminium, rust-proof
remote-controlled opening roofs
& awnings. Beats competitor’s
prices.
Advertise your
Business in
Trades
& Services
section
Phone
0438 123 096
DISCLAIMER: The
editorial and advertising
content in Pittwater Life
has been provided by a
number of sources. Any
opinions expressed are
not necessarily those of
the Editor or Publisher
of Pittwater Life and
no responsibility is
taken for the accuracy
of the information
contained within. Readers
should make their own
enquiries directly to any
organisations or businesses
prior to making any plans
or taking any action.
Trades & Services
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their
best. Comprehensive control.
They provide a 24-hour service.
PUMPS & TANKS
Water Warehouse
Call 9913 7988
waterwarehouse.com.au
Rainwater tanks & pumps. Irrigation
& filter supply specialists.
Askerrobertson
Call 0411 956 242
Northern Beaches-based
specialists in residential alterations
and extensions, and new
houses.
SECURITY
Sure Security
Call 1300 55 12 10
Northern Beaches-based specialists
in Alarms, Intercoms, Access
Control and CCTV Surveillance;
solutions to fit your needs.
60 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

the
good
life
dining
food
crossword
62
64
67
Showtime
A heady, complicated ‘Actress’
Poignant comedy
‘The Actress’ is the
next production of
talented amateur group
Elanora Players, with
nine performances from
September 29 through
October 18.
Peter Quilter’s play follows
the events backstage as
colourful, complicated
actress Lydia Martin
makes her emotional farewell
performance, while dealing with
the unexpected arrival of her
provocative ex-husband.
Various people from Lydia’s
life invade her dressing room
to say their goodbyes, declare
their love, roar with laughter,
spit insults, grab a final
embrace, and renew old battles.
Vicki Castorina, who plays
Lydia, says there’s a very
interesting play within the
play.
“Lydia is retiring, with her
last role as Lubov in Anton
Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry
Orchard.’ Audiences are
treated to three excerpts from
Chekhov’s play as seen from
backstage,” she said.
Quilter said of his work: “I
think it’s a very funny play,
so I really want audiences to
come and laugh. But it’s also
romantic and bittersweet,
and I hope that audiences will
enjoy it as a character study of
Lydia and the men in her life.”
Vicki’s most recent
appearance with EP was
as Marge in the January
production of “Hotel
Sorrento”. Audiences will
recognise Jan Adamson
(Katherine), Sue Whittaker
(Harriet) and Robert
Longley (Charles) from
roles in earlier 2017
Players’ productions.
Gillian Cooper as Lydia’s
daughter Nicole, brings a
bright new young talent to the
stage.
The season opens at the
Elanora Heights Community
Centre, 49a Kalang Rd,
Elanora Heights at 8pm on
Friday 29 September. Other
performances are at 8pm
on 30 September and 5, 6
& 7 October, at 3pm on 30
September and 1 & 7 October,
and at 11am on 1 October.
– Nigel Wall
Looks magic for the whole family
I
t’s not called the ultimate magic show for nothing.
Young entertainer Jonas Jost brings his action-packed show
that’s full of humour and mind-blowing magic for kids and adults
alike to the beaches this month for a special school holiday treat.
An Australian Society of Magicians Stage Magic Champion,
Jonas’ show is highly interactive getting the kids involved in all
the action onstage while keeping the adults happy too.
Experience the mystery and fun of the Ultimate Magic Show on
Septmber 28 at Dee Why RSL.
Doors open 10.30am for an 11am show. Tickets from $10.
Book at deewhyrsl.com.au or call 9454 4000.
Showtime
gardening
68
travel
73
SEPTEMBER 2017 61

Dining Guide
Dining Guide
September’s best restaurants, functions, events and reader deals...
Barrenjoey
Bistro
Club Palm Beach
1087 Barrenjoey Rd,
Palm Beach
BISTRO OPENING HOURS
Lunch 11:30am-2.30pm
Dinner 6pm-8.30pm
PRICE RANGE
Lunch and dinner
specials $13.50
BOOKINGS 9974 5566
LIC
All
P
It’s here! Club Palm Beach,
conveniently located just a
short stroll from Palm Beach
Wharf, is celebrating its
60th birthday on September
30 – and everyone’s invited
to the party!
The Bobby Sox will rock
the house from 7pm – but
you must book your ticket
to avoid disappointment!
They’re just $10 online (see
ad outside back cover of this
magazine).
And don’t worry about
dinner – there’s a lamb on a
spit from 5-8pm ($15pp).
It’ll be a huge weekend
– head down on Sunday
October 1 for the NRL Grand
Final on the big screen.
The Members’ lucky badge
draw is held Wednesday and
Friday night (every 30 mins
between 5pm-7pm), and
jackpots by $100 each week.
Wednesday and Sunday
are meat raffle nights, with a
whopping 14 trays to be won.
Enjoy Trivia Night from
5.30pm on Wednesdays, plus
Bingo at 10am on Fridays.
The club’s Barrenjoey
Bistro is open for lunch
(11.30am to 2.30pm) and
dinner (6pm to 8.30pm) seven
days. The Bistro serves topvalue
a la carte meals plus
daily $13.50 specials of roasts
(Mondays), rump steak with
chips and salad (Tuesdays),
chicken schnitzel with chips
and salad (Wednesdays),
homemade gourmet pies with
chips and salad (Thursdays)
and fish and chips with salad
(Fridays), except public hols.
Entrees on the a la carte
menu range from $10.50 to
$17.50 (mains $14.50 to $25).
The club has a courtesy
bus which meets the 11am
ferry from Ettalong at the
Palm Beach Wharf at 11.20am
daily, returning on request.
It also makes regular runs
Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays from 4.30pm to
9pm. Ring to book a pick-up.
The Mirage
Restaurant
at Metro Hotel
Mirage Newport
be hired, along with all the
hotel’s function rooms, for
private and corporate events
of between 60-110 guests.
Bistro 61
Avalon Beach RSL
1 Bowling Green Lane
Avalon Beach
OPENING HOURS
Open 7 days
Lunch 12pm-2:30pm
Dinner 5:30-8:30pm
CUISINE
Modern Aust / pub food
PRICE RANGE
Meals $8-$30
Specials $12-$15
BOOKINGS 9918 2201
Avalon Beach RSL’s new
2 Queens Parade West,
Bistro 61 is a great place
Newport
to head for a local meal,
CUISINE
offering tasty modern
Modern Australian
Australian dishes at
affordable prices.
PRICE RANGE
Bistro 61 has been named
to commemorate the opening
Breakfast – $25 adults, of the Club in 1961. The
$12.50 kids (5-12)
kitchen – led by experienced
Dinner – entrees
Northern Beaches head chef
from $7-$17,
Mitch Blundell, boasts all
Mains from $21-$30,
fresh, house-made meals, with
Desserts from $13-$25 locally sourced ingredients
BOOKINGS 9997 7011
used when possible.
Open for lunch and dinner
Local residents are finding seven days, with extensive
the peaceful ambience outdoor dining areas, Bistro
of The Mirage restaurant 61 offers a different special
overlooking spectacular (lunch and dinner) every
Pittwater, the perfect
weekday, including $15 rump
waterfront venue to enjoy steak chips and salad (Mon),
breakfast or dinner.
$12 tacos (Tues), $15 Chicken
Located in boutique Metro Schnitzels (Wed), 2-4-1 pizzas
Hotel Mirage Newport, The (Thurs), and a $20 burger +
Mirage restaurant is a popular beer (Fri).
choice for breakfast from
Seniors are well catered
7-10am seven days a week, for – there are daily Seniors
offering a fixed-price full hot specials, including beerbattered
and cold buffet, including a
flathead – plus
selection of cereals, seasonal they do a $5 kids meals
fruit and freshly made juice, on Sundays! (There’s a
toast and pastries and
playground, too.)
sausages, eggs, has browns, From the menu, chef
bacon and tomato served with Mitch recommends his twist
the Chef’s Special of the day. on nachos – pulled beef and
The Mirage restaurant is blackbeans with chipotle, corn
also open for dinner from chips, guacamole, Danish fetta
Monday to Saturday from and coriander.
5.30 pm – 8.30pm and can Members get discounts on
62
SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991
Visa
MasterCard

meals purchased. Membership
starts from $5.50.
The club is licensed, with
no BYO. Bookings online or
call 9918 2201 – large groups
welcome.
Head to Avalon RSL for
APL Poker Tournaments on
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Visit avalonrsl.com.au/
bistro-61
Royal Motor
Yacht Club
Salt Cove on Pittwater
46 Prince Alfred
Parade, Newport
OPENING HOURS
Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Mon-Fri from 8.30am
Weekends from 8am
PRICE RANGE
Breakfast from $8-$18
Entrees from $9-$21
Mains from $16-$26
BOOKINGS 9997 5511
LIC
All
P
RMYC’s restaurant Salt Cove
on Pittwater’s menu offers
affordable meals and generous
servings including a variety
of starters and share plates,
seafood, burgers, grills, salads,
desserts and woodfired pizza.
Spoil dad on September 3
with Father’s Day breakfast,
lunch or dinner.
Great Friday night
entertainment kicks off in the
Lounge Bar from 7.30pm. Acts
appearing this month include
Marty Stewart (1st), Eric Lewis
(8th), Keff McCulloch (15th),
Geoff Kendall (22nd) and GJ
Donovan (29th).
Trivia is held every Tuesday
night from 7.30pm (great
prizes and vouchers).
There’s a Ladies High Tea
on Wednesday 3rd with Clover
Hill champagne ($65 members,
$70 non-members).
Don’t miss the Madonna &
Cyndi Show on Saturday 2nd
(members $25, non-members
$30), with Susan Smith and
Grace Fagnano recreating the
look and sounds of the famous
1980s songstresses.
Club social memberships
are available for just $160.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Hong Kong
Chinese Restaurant
332 Barrenjoey Rd,
Newport
OPENING HOURS
Dinner Tues-Sun 5pm
CUISINE
Chinese & Asian
PRICE RANGE
Entrees $5-20
Mains $12.90-26.50
*Deliver Whale Beach - Narrabeen
BOOKINGS 9997 4157
LIC
BYO
All
Book a table at this popular
Newport eatery for Father’s
Day on September 3 and
your family is guaranteed
a great night out with a
feast for the eyes and the
tastebuds.
Order ahead for their
wonderful Peking Duck which
is offered as a dine-in-only
special Thursdays through
Sundays in Spring.
There are two traditional
courses: Peking Duck
pancakes & duck sang choy
bow (bookings essential;
mention the ad when you call).
This long-established
restaurant on the eastern
side of Barrenjoey Rd has
an extensive menu based
on traditional flavoursome
Cantonese with touches of
spicy Szechuan and other
Asian dishes and fresh
seasonal vegetables.
Entrees start at just $6
while mains are great value
too, starting at $16.80.
The menu ranges from
adventurous, like a Sizzling
Szechuan-style Platter of king
prawns and fillets of chicken,
to contemporary, featuring
spicy salt and pepper king
prawns, to traditional,
with favourites including
Mongolian lamb, Honey king
prawns and Honey chicken.
New dishes are introduced
regularly so make sure you
check out the blackboard
specials.
The team are only too
happy to home deliver your
meal, with a range that takes
in Narrabeen to the south to
Palm Beach in the north.
P
Sabiang
Thai Restaurant
4/49 Old Barrenjoey Rd,
Avalon
OPENING HOURS
Lunch 11.30am – 3pm 7 days
Dinner 5-10pm 7 days
CUISINE
Thai
PRICE RANGE
Entrees from $8
Mains $15-$28
BOOKINGS 9918 3292
Sabiang Thai is Avalon
Beach’s newest dining
destination – and if you’re
craving some traditional
Thai ‘street food’ fare as well
as hearty curry favourites,
you’ll come away licking
your lips at the menu
formulated by co-owner Mint
and team.
Chef’s specials include
‘Angry Seafood’ (a spicy
seafood stir-fry), Pad Cha
Duck (stir-fried with wild
ginger, basil, red chilli and
green peppercorn), and
‘Heavenly’ Sizzling Beef
(marinated in sesame oil with
oyster sauce, onion, shallot
and roasted sesame seeds).
Enjoy Larb Chicken Mince
– which features chicken,
chillies, toasted rice, onion
and mint – or the Kana Moo
Grob, which is a stir-fry
broccoli dish with oyster sauce
and garlic. For street food you
can’t go past the crispy skin
pork stir fry with green beans,
red chilli, kaffir lime leaves
and prik khing sauce.
Or try their delectable
seafood dishes including
whole fried baby barramundi,
crispy soft shell crab or salt
and pepper squid.
Fried rice, noodle dishes,
curry, and soups are also
favourites...
Located near the corner
of Old Barrenjoey Road and
Avalon Parade, Sabiang
boasts a smart, industrialstyle
interior with soft
colours and soothing blackand-white
wall prints.
There’s outdoor seating
too – perfect as the weather
heats up. Open seven days;
takeaway pick-up or delivery.
SEPTEMBER 2017 63
Dining Guide

Food Life
Food Life
Cakes and ‘just desserts’ make
for delicious sweet memories
As a young girl, I used to sit on the kitchen bench and bake
on weekends with my grandmother; these are the sweetest
of memories for me – and I guess it’s where my love
for all things sweet comes from. I subscribe to the theory that
life is too short to deny ourselves! Memories created and shared
around a home filled with beautiful baking last forever. So go
on: treat yourself, family and friends…
Lemon brulee tart
Serves 8
6 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
150ml thickened cream
6 large lemons, juiced
Double cream, to serve
Pastry
2 cups plain flour
¼ cup caster sugar
200g butter, chopped
Janelle’s Tip: Don’t use
plastic as it causes pastry
to sweat, making it more
difficult to roll out. This
pastry – almost shortbread –
is sensational; if it breaks as
you’re lifting it into the tin,
just press it back together
with your fingers.
1. For the pastry, combine the
flour, sugar and butter into
a food processor. Process
until pastry comes together.
Press into a 15cm round.
Wrap in greaseproof paper
(see Janelle’s Tip). Refrigerate
15 minutes or until firm
enough to roll out.
2. Roll pastry out between two
sheets baking paper to a
32cm round. Use to line a
25cm (base) tart pan. Trim
the excess. Refrigerate or
freeze until firm.
3. Preheat oven and a flat
tray, large enough to sit the
tart, to 180°C fan forced.
Line the pan with a sheet
greaseproof paper. Half-fill
with baking beans or raw
rice. Place onto the hot tray,
bake for 20 minutes until
light golden around the
edges, remove the paper
and beans or rice and cook
a further 10 minutes until
light golden all over.
4. Beat eggs, 3/4 cup of the
caster sugar and cream together
with a fork until well
combined. Stir in 3/4 cup
lemon juice. Pour the filling
into the warm pastry case
and bake 25-30 minutes or
until firm in the centre. Set
aside to cool 30 minutes.
5. Sprinkle top of tart with
remaining ¼ cup caster
sugar; use a kitchen blow
torch to caramelise the top.
Refrigerate until cold. Cut
into wedges and serve with
a dollop double cream.
Eclairs
Makes 36
300ml thickened cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs caster sugar
2 cups pure icing sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3-4 tablespoons boiling water
Choux pastry
1 cup plain flour
125g butter, softened,
chopped
1 cup water
4 x 60g eggs, lightly beaten
Recipes: Janelle Bloom Photos: Steve Brown
1. For the choux pastry,
preheat oven 200°C fan
forced. Grease and line two
baking trays.
2. Place butter and water in
a medium saucepan over
medium heat. Stir until
butter is melted. Increase
heat to high and bring to
the boil quickly without
stirring, the mixture should
begin to rise in pan. Remove
from the heat and quickly
add the flour, stirring until
the dough comes together
64 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au
Nan’s cup cakes
Makes 12
with Janelle Bloom
60g butter, softened
½ cup caster sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup self-raising flour, sifted
¼ cup milk
icing sugar, to serve
Raspberry cream
300ml double cream
1 cup frozen raspberries,
partially thawed
2 tablespoons icing sugar
Janelle’s Tip: For coffee icing
replace the cocoa powder
with 1½ tablespoons instant
espresso coffee powder.
in a thick ball.
3. Transfer to the bowl of an
electric mixer. Add egg
slowly, a little at a time,
until dough is thick and
shiny.
4. Spoon or pipe into little
eclairs about 6cm long onto
baking trays. Bake for 20
minutes, switch the trays in
the oven and bake a further
5-10 minutes or until pastry
is golden and crisp. Set
aside to cool on trays.
5. Whip cream until thick. Add
the vanilla and caster sugar
and whip gently again until
combined. Use kitchen
scissors to cut eclairs in
half. Fill with whipped
cream.
6. For the icing, combine icing
sugar and cocoa in a bowl
(see Janelle’s Tip). Add
water a little at a time until
a thick icing forms. Spoon
icing over eclairs. Allow to
set before serving.
The Local Voice Since 1991
1. Preheat oven to 170°C fan
forced. Line a 12-hole, 1/3-
cup capacity muffin pan
with paper cases.
2. Using an electric mixer,
beat butter, sugar and
vanilla together until light
and fluffy. Add eggs one at
a time, beating well after
each is added. Fold in half
the flour, then half the
milk. Repeat with remaining
flour and milk until just
combined.
3. Divide mixture between
the paper cases so they are
two-thirds full. Bake for 12-
15 minutes or until a skewer
inserted into centre comes
out clean. Stand 5 minutes
in the pan, then transfer to
a wire rack to cool.
4. For the raspberry cream,
whisk the cream in a bowl
until thick. Place raspberries
onto a plate, sprinkle over
the icing sugar. Crush
berries with a fork, then
swirl through the cream.
Janelle’s Tip: To make these
into fairy cakes, cut the top in
half and press the wings into
the cream.
5. Using a small, sharp knife,
cut a shallow disc from the
centre of each cake, 1cm
in from edges and 1½ cm
deep. Spoon raspberry
cream into the hole in
each cupcake and gently
press the top back in place.
Sprinkle with icing sugar
just before serving.
100g dark chocolate, chopped
100g butter, chopped
1½ tbs cocoa powder
½ cup caster sugar
1 egg
¼ cup plain flour
2 tbs self raising flour
1. Preheat oven 180°C no fan.
Grease and line the base
and side of 23cm (base)
New York brownie springform pan with baking
paper.
cheesecake
2. For the brownie base,
Serves 10
combine chocolate and
butter in a microwave-safe
750g cream cheese, at room
heatproof bowl. Microwave,
temperature
uncovered, for 2 minutes
1 cup caster sugar
on High/100%. Stir until
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
smooth. Add cocoa powder
4 eggs, at room temperature
and whisk until smooth. Stir
2 tbs plain flour
in sugar, egg and flours.
300ml carton sour cream
Spread mixture over the
Cocoa powder, for dusting
base of the pan and bake
300ml double cream and
for 15 minutes (the base will
berries to serve
still be a little soft). Remove
Brownie base
from the oven and set aside
15 minutes. Reduce oven to
160°C no fan.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat
the cream cheese, sugar and
vanilla until just combined.
Add the eggs, one at a time,
beating well after each
addition. Stir in the flour.
Fold in the sour cream until
just combined. Pour the
cream cheese mixture over
the warm base, place on a
baking tray and bake for
1¼ to 1½ hours or until just
set in the centre. Turn oven
off, leave the door ajar, and
allow cheesecake to cool
completely in the oven.
Refrigerate until cold.
4. Dust with cocoa, cut with
a warm knife, serve with
cream and berries.
SEPTEMBER 2017 65
Food Life

Food Life
In Season
Bananas
Bananas Food Life
are the world’s
oldest fruit and one of the
most important food crops
in the world. Australians
eat more than 5,000,000 per
day! Bananas are grown on a
palm-like plant (related to the
lily); technically bananas are a
herb, not a fruit (because they
don’t have a strong woody
stem). Once fully grown the
plant produces a single-flower
stem and the banana develops
from the female flower only.
Each banana is known as a
finger; a number of fingers is
a hand and several hands are
a bunch!
Buying
Bananas are harvested while
still green; they will mature
off the plant, so it’s safe to
purchase green fruit. As the
banana ripens the starch
Banana
coconut bread
converts to sugars,
the fruit softens
and the greenish
skin changes to
yellow, followed
by a honey-gold
colour with splashes
of brown spots and
eventually to brown-black.
To eat immediately, buy fruit
with honey-gold skin and few
brown marks; to keep a few
days buy fruit with yellowgreen
skin; and for baking
cakes and muffins use fruit
that is too soft to eat.
Storing
Allow to ripen in a fruit bowl
at room temperature out of
any direct sunlight. When
ripe, store in the fridge to
slow the ripening further;
the skins will turn black but
flesh will be unaffected. To
speed up the ripening process
place a firm green banana in
a brown paper bag at room
temperature with a soft ripe
banana or apple.
Nutrition
Bananas are a healthy
source of fiber, potassium,
vitamin B6, vitamin C, and
various antioxidants and
phytonutrients.
Also In Season
September
Grapefruit, Mandarins,
Australian Blood and
Cara Cara Oranges,
Tangelos, Papaya,
Pineapples, Blueberries and
Strawberries. Also Broad
and Green Beans; Beetroot;
Cauliflower; Carrots (look
out for bunches of coloured
baby carrots), Australian
Garlic, Spring Onions and
fresh Peas.
Serves 8
2 cup self-raising flour
2/3 cup raw caster sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
70g (½ cup) pecan nuts,
coarsely chopped
2 tsp mixed spice
1 cup mashed ripe banana
3/4 cup milk
60g butter, melted, cooled
2 eggs, lightly whisked
Butter, to serve
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
Brush an 11 x 21cm (base)
loaf pan with melted butter
to lightly grease.
2. Line the base and two
opposite sides with
non-stick baking paper,
allowing the sides to
overhang.
3. Place the flour, sugar,
coconut, pecans and mixed
spice in a large bowl. Stir
until well combined. 4.
Make a well in the centre.
5. Combine the banana,
milk, butter and eggs in
a medium bowl. Add to
the flour mixture and stir
until just combined. Spoon
mixture into the prepared
pan and smooth the
surface.
6. Bake in preheated oven
for 50-55 minutes or until
a skewer inserted into the
centre of the bread comes
out clean. Remove from the
oven and set aside for 5
minutes. Turn onto a wire
rack to cool. Serve at room
temperature or toasted
spread with butter.
66 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
use (8)
23 Slightly salty (8)
24 On a ship or train (6)
25 The smallest possible quantity (7)
26 Zubi Bar or ShotLab Espresso
may be described as this type of
establishment (4)
DOWN
1 Beach north of the entrance to
Pittwater beyond Lion Island (5)
2 Kitchen garden favourite (generally)
used to flavour food (3,4)
3 Northern Beaches resident and
author of The Secrets She Keeps (7,8)
4 Native animal threatened by foxes
on the Northern Beaches, _____
wallaby (5)
5 Shock absorber (7)
6 Maz Compton shares part of this in
ACROSS
1 Small edible shellfish (4)
3 Play with much song and dance like
Hot Mikado put on by the NBCS in 2016
(7)
8 A cocktail based on light rum,
curacao, and fruit juices (3,3)
9 Put into a category (8)
10 Very short-stemmed plant with thick
leaves with soothing mucilaginous juice
(4,4)
11 Father John Joseph Therry, who at
one time owned all of Avalon and
much more, was one (6)
12 Complicated situation (9)
14 A sheltered and secluded place (4)
15 Forthwith; immediately (4)
17 Large inlet that has its entrance
between the northern Box Head and
Barrenjoey Head (6,3)
19 Spanish rice dish that is a specialty
of catering company Food Stuff (6)
21 Fallen into disuse, or no longer in
her new e-book, ‘UnEdited’ (4,5)
7 Swoop down and attack like a
protective magpie (4-4)
12 Social network that must be
used to enter the Northern Beaches
council’s current photographic
competition (9)
13 In a foreign country (8)
16 Path that must be taken to reach
the Coastal Environment Centre in
North Narrabeen (7)
18 Starting point of the first Pittwater
Ocean Swim this summer (7)
20 A recognised truth (5)
22 Number of councils that
amalgamated the form the Northern
Beaches Council (5)
[Solution page 70]
Pittwater Puzzler
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 67

Garden Life
Garden Life
It’s not hard to care for
flowering ‘living stones’
Not everyone has either
the time or the space
to garden; for busy
plant lovers the tiny lithops,
commonly known as ‘living
stones’, are the ideal window
sill plant that looks after itself.
Lithops grow wild in the deserts
of South Africa, thriving
in the small cracks between
rocks and stones. They are
drought-tolerant and store
enough water in their fleshy
leaves to last for many months.
There are 35 known species of
lithops and they come in all the
desert colours – greys, greens,
pinks and purples, all designed
to give them camouflage on
the sandy desert floor.
They are so easy to look
after – just make sure not to
overwhelm these tiny plants
with too much TLC. They grow
in coarse sand mixed with fine
gravel plus a small amount
soil. Let the soil dry out completely
before watering again.
Through the winter months
these tiny stones will survive
for 3-4 months without water.
If they are over-watered they
become greedy and the plants
will burst. Keep them in a
bright sunny spot inside the
window or outside.
Lithops love hot, dry
conditions but, as desert
plants, they are very tolerant
of over-night cold. As the
weather warms they grow
their new leaves. The outside
pair begins to wither as a new
pair slowly emerges from the
centre. At this point, hold
back water until the outside
leaves have completely shrivelled
and fallen away. Lithops
flower infrequently, producing
bright yellow or white
with Gabrielle Bryant
daisy-like flowers that open
each day and close at night
once the tiny succulent has
rejuvenated in spring.
68 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Chinese
Jasmine is
something
to bee-hold!
If you have a wall, a bank,
a septic tank or water
tank that you want to hide,
the bright yellow Primrose
Jasmine (sometimes known
as Chinese Jasmine or
jasminium mesnyi) is the
perfect answer.
Unlike the heavily
scented white jasmine that
twists and turns delighting
us in spring with its heady
scent, this jasmine is completely
controllable and
grows with long arching
canes that can be trimmed
or trained into shape. It
can be hedged as a privacy
screen, clipped or just be
left alone to ramble.
The bright, cheerful
flowers develop along
the stems of the previous
year’s growth and flower
from spring until summer.
And bees love it!
Primrose Jasmine is
fast-growing and will grow
in any average garden
soil with little attention; it
loves the morning sun or
part shade. Hot wind and
afternoon sun can burn
the flowers but will not
affect the foliage.
It is an old favourite that
can be seen growing in established
gardens around
the peninsula. This is a
plant well worth growing
in difficult situations.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Stunning giant alcantarea the
landscaper’s tropical delight
If you are looking for
a stunning plant that
will take your breath
away, consider planting
a giant alcantarea – one
of the largest and most
majestic bromeliads.
Alcantareas have in
recent years become
the landscaper’s delight
for planting in tropical
gardens as an accent
plant. They grow in full
sunlight or part shade
and look brilliant mixed in with palms, gingers,
cordylines, aloes and agaves.
It will be just a small plant about 30-40cm
wide when you buy it, but give it space. This
Jerusalem the
pick of the
artichokes
Jerusalem artichokes are an
amazing vegetable that produces
flowers you can pick in
summer and tubers that you
can eat in winter.
Also known as Sunchokes
they are members of the
sunflower family. They grow
tall, with huge yellow ‘daisy’
flowers. They love the sun,
growing to a height of 1.5m.
Plant the tubers now about
5cm deep and 20cm apart in
good soil that has compost
and fertiliser added; once
planted they are easy to grow.
They are quite droughttolerant
but regular water will
ensure good-sized tubers.
Buy your first crop from the
garden centres, then once you
get them going, leave a few
behind in the soil and they will
pop up again next spring.
They make delicious soups
– or you can use them just as
you would use potatoes.
huge swirl of colour
will grow to a height
of 1.5m and 1.5m
wide! There are many
colours and cultivars
available but the
easiest to find is the
alcantarea imperialis
rubra. The soft, grey/
purple leaves turn to
deeper purple in the
colder months.
Alcantarea Silver
Plum has silver foliage
on top, with soft purple backs. Alcantareas need
little water. Usually natural rainfall is enough.
Plant them in free-draining soil and feed with a
slow-release fertiliser in spring.
Magnificent magnolias
add vibrant spring colour
Every garden should have
a spring blossom tree that
bursts into flower as the days
warm up and grow longer.
While our gardens on the
peninsula are too warm for the
traditional peaches and plums,
magnolias will thrive in sheltered
gardens out of the wind.
The huge chalices of pure
white, pink or purple magnolia
soulangeana explode into
colour as winter fades away.
Magnolias are slow-growing
and may take a couple of
years to settle in but once established
they are unbeatable
for spring colour. Plant one as
a shade tree for summer in a
spot where you will enjoy the
sunlight in winter after the
leaves fall.
If you only have a small
space, plant the star magnolia
– magnolia stellate – that
is a beautiful small tree or
large shrub.
SEPTEMBER 2017 69
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
Jobs this Month
September
As the garden wakes up
from winter there is a
lot to do: this includes
feeding, trimming, planting,
digging and mulching. A
priority is to spray your grass
with a bindii killer to get rid of
the bindies before the flowers
set seeds that will stick into the
soles of bare feet in summer.
And it’s a good month to
repair lawn damage. New turf
will establish quickly and bare
patches can be over-sown with
seed. (Try to get your grass
identified before patching, to
make sure that turf or seed
matches your lawn. Take a
sample to a turf supplier for
identification if you are not
certain of the variety.)
Check systems
Mostly it has been a very dry
winter. Check out your watering
system to make sure that
there are no corners of your-
Crushed eggshell tip
Plant flower seedlings of petunias,
phlox, gazanias, lobelia, nasturtiums,
alyssum, verbena, marigolds,
dianthus, sunflowers and impatiens.
Here’s a tip: crushed eggshells make
great barriers around newly planted
seedlings – slugs and snails can’t
slide over them. Much better for the
environment than snail bait!
garden that miss out on water.
As plants grow and change
shape, watering systems need
adjusting.
Prune hibiscus
Prune back hibiscus this
month. It is hard to cut back
flowering stems but it must be
done now to keep the bushes
compact and healthy. They will
soon grow back. Feed them
with a mulch of cow manure
and a slow-release fertiliser.
Watch out for hibiscus beetle.
Apply some granular Richgro
Bug Killa to the soil; this is
great for ornamentals but
should never be used on vegetables
or fruit that you eat.
Cut back hard
Trim back poinsettias as the
flowers finish. They can be cut
back quite hard, and you will
be rewarded next winter with
additional flowering stems.
Manage
hydrangeas
Look after your hydrangeas.
Additional lime will increase
the intensity of pink flowers
and blueing tonic enhances
the blues. Cut them back to a
double bud to shape the bush.
Some of the newer varieties
grow thick new shoots from
ground level.
Take it as red
It is tomato time! Plant seedlings
now to have tomatoes
in time for Christmas. There
are so many different ones
available, from yellow, orange,
red to black. Put in stakes at
the time of planting so that
you can support them as
they grow. The smaller cherry
tomatoes are easiest to grow
– and they don’t have the
same fruit fly problem that the
larger varieties have.
Trap pests
Position a leaf miner lure trap
in your garden. This is small
and unnoticeable, and it will
protect your daisies, gazanias,
vegetables, citrus trees and
ornamental plants from the
hideous trails that these insects
leave as they burrow into
leaves. A yellow sticky pad will
help to control the aphids and
Help the bees
Bring back the bees by
planting flowers in the
veggie garden. Scarlet
nasturtiums, orange French
marigolds, purple lavender
and bright blue borage
all help the vegetables to
produce more fruits.
flying insects. Hang the trap
as high as possible; the glue is
so strong that even tiny lizards
will get caught.
Plant out vegies
Sow vegetable seed now!
Beans, cabbage, carrots,
capsicum, chillies, onions,
zucchini, eggplants, tomatoes,
cucumbers, lettuce and silver
beet and radishes can all go
in for great results in coming
months.
Crossword solution from page 67
Mystery location: WHALE BEACH
70 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
Myths abound about
Avalon headland hamlet
– the high nest of
a bird of prey, as an
‘Eyrie eagle or of any large
bird; a house built high.’
This definition from the
Macquarie Dictionary seems
to suit the tiny three metres
square structure which stands
precariously on the edge
of North Avalon headland,
almost directly above St
Michael’s Cave.
The Oxford Dictionary
extends the definition to ‘a
high or inaccessible place
from which someone can
observe what is below them’.
Many claims have been
made for activities conducted
in this intriguing and tiniest
of buildings – some real and
some apparently imagined!
The most popular claim that
surfaces frequently is that the
author Paul Brickhill finished
writing his 1951 non-fiction
novel ‘The Dam Busters’ up in
the eyrie. Another and similar
claim is that Neville Shute
completed his novel ‘On The
Beach’ way up there; however
neither of these possibilities
have been confirmed.
According to an article
printed in the ‘Pacific Times’
in the mid 1970s, the eyrie
and the adjacent dwelling
were built in 1938 by an
engineer from Maroubra,
William Lumsden. His wife,
Mrs Winifred Lumsden,
told the paper that “her
husband had used the oneroom
cliff-top house as an
office”. He would retreat to
the office where he could
work undisturbed “while the
The Local Voice Since 1991
children were growing up”.
When asked about the
possibility of either Brickhill
or Shute occupying the eyrie,
Mrs Lumsden simply replied
“romantic but untrue”. Of
course, the Lumsdens had
occupied the eyrie during (and
after) World War II, the same
period when the authors were
supposed to be “in residence”.
The family was still using
both places on weekends in
the 1970s.
Apparently Brickhill did
own the exclusive Palm Beach
property called ‘Craig Rossie’
for four years from 1960.
Perhaps this was how the
folklore evolved – at least he
was living in the area!
During more recent years it
has been used (temporarily)
as a yoga studio, an artist’s
retreat – and my son rented
it for 18 months in the mid-
1990s as a cinematographic
editing suite.
In view of the recent
massive collapse of the North
Avalon headland and with
one major fracture still very
visible, one begins to wonder
how long the eyrie will be
with us.
TIMES PAST is supplied
by local historian
and President of the
Avalon Beach Historical
Society GEOFF SEARL.
Visit the Society’s
showroom in Bowling
Green Lane, Avalon
Beach.
SEPTEMBER 2017 71
Times Past

Boating Life
Boating Life
Discover sailing at the Alfreds
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
aimed at minimising the risk to
Club at Newport – one
the sailors and boats,” he said.
of Australia’s premier sailing
clubs – is holding a ‘Discover
Sailing Information Day’ on
September 24.
Communications manager
Brendan Rourke said the Club’s
sailing program and activities,
ideal for the whole family, were
second to none.
“We take pride in our ability
to host high quality, professional
events in a pristine
environment of Pittwater,” he
said. “Our professional event
administrators ensure that
our yacht racing is innovative,
safe and user-orientated with
a varied program, combining
inshore and offshore racing.”
He said racing was conducted
year-round throughout
the week; during Twilight hours
there’s a Women’s Tuesday Twilight
Series and Thursday open
series which were great social
fun events.
Any age or ability can enjoy
the various classes, divisions,
great sailing locations and
competition. The Club has
a wide and varied range of
sailing activities available,
including training (on-water
and shore-based courses) and
seminars to increase your
skills.
“Crew are always welcome to
join races and an online crew
and boat register is available.
The Club actively encourages
safe sailing and actively
pursues a range of initiatives
“Alfred’s Training seeks to
help you achieve your sailing
goals, gain confidence on the
water, whether you are Grand
Prix racing, a day sailor or
cruising up the coast. There
are options for kids through
to adults, dinghies through to
yachts, and high-performance
racing to first aid and sea safety,
we can help you develop
whatever skills you need.
“We specialise in the delivery
of courses for beginner
sailors (and new boat owners),
boat handling skills and
cruising through to racing
skills and shore-based professional
qualifications.
“Our structure allows participants
to move through the
courses at their own pace and
ability in an enjoyable environment.”
More info www.rpayc.com.
au or phone 9998 3700.
72 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

Travel Life
Romantic European
adventure as East-West
cultures are entwined
The heart of Central Europe,
where East and West meet
and entwine in fascinating
cultures and turbulent history,
has long been the focus for
travellers seeking a sense
of adventure – now you can
discover the beauty of the
romantic lower Danube on a
Budapest to the Black Sea river
cruise with Tauck.
Glide past medieval
monasteries, citadels and
villages; discover resort towns
along Romania’s Black Sea
Coast; explore an ancient
Christian necropolis in Pecs;
and visit ‘Dracula’s’ castle in
Transylvania.
Along the way, dine in the
Soviet-style People’s Palace in
Bucharest. Share homemade
refreshments in the home of a
Croatian family rebuilding their
lives in post-war Vukovar; and
listen to famous composer Béla
Bartók’s piano music at a recital
in his Budapest home.
Travel View’s Karen Robinson
says you’ll experience authentic
local cuisine, music and dance,
and a wealth of architectural
wonders as your river cruise
winds its way through Hungary,
Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and
Romania.
“Nights on land are spent at
luxury hotels in the popular
cities of Bucharest and
Budapest (the Paris of Eastern
Europe),” Karen said. “Tauck
offers uncommon access at
every turn – for example your
hotel in Bucharest has an ideal
location next to the Parliament
Palace.”
Other highlights of the cruise
in August 2018 are an exclusive
evening at Belgrade’s Royal
White Palace and a private
evening at Festetics Palace in
Budapest, plus dinner at the
Parliament Palace in Bucharest.
The distinctively inclusive
nature of Tauck provides
value inclusions worth $3,150
in the form of private shore
excursions and experiences.
“When travelling with Tauck
you can look forward to a high
level of service, expertise and
guest satisfaction – with the
highest cruise director to guest
ratio in the industry,” Karen
said.
Tauck’s ‘Budapest to the
Black Sea’ journey includes
airport transfers upon
arrival and departure; 28
meals; service charges; most
gratuities; admission fees; taxes
and porterage; plus unlimited
complimentary onboard
beverages including regional
wine, beer and premium spirits
in addition to specialty coffee.
“This trip will be escorted
(minimum 10) so if you would
like to travel with a small group
of like-minded travellers and
with the added security of your
own escort, it’s an ideal option.”
– Nigel Wall
* Travel View is hosting
an information evening in
conjunction with Tauck on
September 14; to attend
phone Karen on 9918 4444.
Travel Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2017 73

Travel Life
Travel Life
Small ships big
on wow factor
Imagine taking in a painter’s
palette sunset in Santorini
(right), experiencing the
glamourous French Riviera,
the bohemian shores of Ibiza,
culinary delights of Sorrento,
Dubrovnik’s cobbled paths,
the ancient cities of Athens
and Rome, and ultra-luxurious
Monte Carlo (top).
These travel treasures –
and more – can be collected
on Silversea’s Grand Voyage
2018: an extraordinary 42-day
circumnavigation aboard Silver
Muse, Silversea’s newest flagship
vessel, venturing to 38 ports
across nine countries (departing
Venice on June 5, 2018).
Plus, this month you can
take advantage of Silversea’s
incredible ‘Europe Fly Free’
offer – guests making new
bookings until 30 September,
on select European 2018
voyages, will receive free
economy class roundtrip air
fares or for $4,998pp upgrade
to business class (subject to
availability).
Guests who opt not to utilise
the Europe Fly Free’ offer will
receive an exclusive savings
offer of $1,300 per guest.
(These special offers are valid
on new bookings and are
capacity controlled; terms and
conditions apply.)
In 2018, Silversea will
embark on 70 voyages through
Northern Europe, the British
Isles, and the Mediterranean,
encompassing over 170 ports
and adding nearly 30 new
destinations to the ultra-luxury
cruise line’s itineraries.
Travel View’s Karen
Robinson says Silversea’s team
of experts enable travellers
to fully immerse themselves
in the idyllic cities and ports
visited, providing gastronomic,
architectural, and historical
insights.
“The fleet of Silversea vessels
are specifically designed to
allow guests to disembark
closer to shore, maximising
the amount of time spent
exploring,” Karen said. “Guests
can expect to explore and
discover myriad spectacular
destinations, or simply sit back,
relax, and be mesmerised by
the stunning beauty of the
passing landscapes.”
Silversea’s cruise
fares include all-suite
accommodation with butler
service; gourmet menus
inspired by Relais & Châteaux;
complimentary on-board wines
and spirits; and one hour of
complimentary WiFi per day for
each guest (or unlimited WiFi for
select suite categories), plus all
gratuities.
Silversea Cruises is
recognised as an innovator
in the ultra-luxury cruise line
industry, offering guests
large-ship amenities aboard its
intimate, all-suite vessels.
* For more info contact
Travel View Cruise View on
9918 4444 or 9999 0444.
74 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991