Pittwater Life August 2018 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
TO YOUR
AUGUST 2018
FREE
pittwaterlife
HEALTH...
BEACHES HOSPITAL
‘GREEN STAR’ FIRST
FLOOD OF
COMPLAINTS
THE PLANNING
DECISION THAT
‘MAKES NO SENSE’
MATT BURKE
WALLABIES GREAT
KICKS NEW GOALS
B-LINE U-TURN
SO WHAT IS NEXT
TRANSPORT FIX?
TASTE
OF THE
BEACHES
+ AMAZING CLUB FOOD!

Editorial
‘Slingshot’ rises from ashes
In a remarkable piece
of timing given the
cancellation of the B-Line
extension to Newport,
Pittwater Life can reveal that
a new charter bus service
is set to trial in August,
conveying 40 city workers
non-stop from Newport to
the CBD and back each day,
saving the participants more
than 40 minutes’ travel time
each day.
Slingshot – Chartered
Commute is the brainchild
of Bilgola Plateau resident
Tyson Rose; he has called for
expressions of interest to fill
a privately chartered bus,
with the results set to
determine the ongoing
viability of the route.
The first trial will run
between Newport Beach
Surf Club and the CBD each
day in the week commencing
13th August, leaving Newport
7.45am (pulling into Wynyard
8.45am) and departing
Wynyard 5.45pm (arriving
Newport 6.45pm).
Best of all the trial costs
just $46 for a weekly pass.
There is also an early bird
discount of an additional 15%
if people book before the end
of July (while stocks last).
Tyson is also keen to hear
from locals about other
potential routes.
More info bit.ly/Slingshot_
Bookings. (And read Tyson’s
full story and revolutionary
vision for local transport
in next month’s issue of
Pittwater Life.)
* * *
Community group Protect
Pittwater is still keen
to hear from residents who
would like to recall their
memories of Mona Vale
Hospital, to create a record
for posterity – and they would
particularly like to hear from
anyone born in the hospital.
For more info phone 0439
788 867.
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 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 / Staff
Contributors: Rosamund
Burton, Gabrielle Bryant, Matt
Cleary, Brian Hrnjak, Jennifer
Harris, Nick Carroll, Janelle
Bloom, Sue Carroll, Dr. John
Kippen, Geoff Searl.
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Vol 28 No 1
Celebrating 27 years
The Local Voice Since 1991
TO YOUR
HEALTH...
BEACHES HOSPITAL
‘GREEN STAR’ FIRST
FLOOD OF
COMPLAINTS
THE PLANNING
DECISION THAT
‘MAKES NO SENSE’
AUGUST 2018
FREE
pittwaterlife
MATT BURKE
WALLABIES GREAT
KICKS NEW GOALS
B-LINE U-TURN
SO WHAT IS NEXT
TRANSPORT FIX?
TASTE
OF THE
BEACHES
+ AMAZING CLUB FOOD!
16
30
42
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thislife
COVER: With the B-Line extension to Newport scrapped,
what’s next for transport north of Mona Vale (p7); read
how the new Northern Beaches Hospital will help save
the planet while also helping save lives (p10); Council
is desperately trying to overturn a NSW Government
Planning Panel decision for Warriewood that could see
lives placed at risk (p16); what have we ‘Heard’ that’s
going down locally this month (p21)?; and read about the
Federal Government’s controversial ‘My Health Record’
digital database plan – and how it affects you (p54).
COVER IMAGE: Pamela Pauline / Scotland Island.
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News 6-29
Life Stories: Matt Burke 30-31
Diners Clubs: Local Food Promotion 33-37
Art Life 38-39
Boating Life 40
Surfing Life 42-43
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 44-51
Money 52
Law 54-55
Trades & Services 56-58
Showtime 59
Food 64-66
Gardening: Postcard from the Red Centre 68-70
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.
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4 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Gear shift after B-Li
News
As commuters across
the northern end of
Pittwater come to terms
with the NSW Government’s
decision to ‘tap off’ on its plan
to extend B-Line services from
Mona Vale to Newport, Northern
Beaches Mayor Michael
Regan has launched a bold
bid to have the unused project
funding redirected to pay for
an east-west bus link from Dee
Why to Chatswood.
Other developments following
the end of almost two
years of uncertainty surrounding
the controversial
plan include:
l Disappointed local MP Rob
Stokes hitting out at “scaremongering”
that contributed
to cruelling the project;
l Local residents’ groups demanding
increased frequency
of off-peak bus services
north of Mona Vale;
l A revelation by Transport
for NSW (TfNSW) that the
scope of relocating underground
utility services at the
proposed roundabout site on
the corner of Neptune Road
and Barrenjoey Road played
a pivotal role in the Government’s
backtracking on the
Newport plan;
l Commuters lighting up
social media slamming the
“selfish, self-interested”
opponents of the B-Line extension
who they say rarely
caught bus services anyway;
and
l The release of Government
artist impressions – distributed
to community groups
prior to the plan being
abandoned – that show there
would have been low-impact
on the Newport streetscape
(see below).
Mayor Regan said he was
disappointed the NSW Government
had “given up finding a
solution” for the extension of
the B-Line.
“I think if they had worked
more closely with the community
a compromise could have
been found,” he told Pittwater
Life.
“I will be writing to the State
Government to ask them to
redirect the funding set aside
for this project to create the
desperately needed east-west
bus link from Dee Why to
Chatswood.
“We know this five-stop
express B-Line-type service is
affordable and with the new
hospital about to open it’s
more necessary than ever.
“Now they have abandoned
the Newport extension and
have freed-up funds, the Government
has no excuse not to
push the go button.”
Pittwater MP Rob Stokes confirmed
additional complexities
identified during the Neptune
Road site investigations earlier
this year had raised the threat
of roadwork disruptions.
“The reality was the complexity
of the underground
utility relocations, and the
timeframes involved, simply
weren’t practical,” Mr Stokes
told Pittwater Life.
6 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

ne U-turn
However, he slammed the
“ridiculous and misleading rumours”
that had been spread
around the community.
“There was no proposal to
build a bus terminal in Newport,
no proposal to remove
rows of trees, no proposal
to construct new car parks
and no proposal to introduce
Clearways,” Mr Stokes said.
“The most disappointing
and mischievous rumour
being peddled around the
community was that the B-Line
would somehow change planning
and development rules –
this is simply not true.”
He said ultimately TfNSW
had taken the time to undertake
the necessary investigations,
did its homework and
listened to the community – as
had been promised by Government
and demanded by locals.
“Nevertheless, I’m determined
to see improvements to
public transport services north
of Mona Vale and I’m strongly
advocating for this,” he added.
In its statement, TfNSW
pledged to “continue to investigate
opportunities to improve
existing bus services north
of Mona Vale to align with
demand and customer travel
patterns between the Northern
Beaches, Lower North Shore
and the Sydney CBD”.
It confirmed work will also
continue along the corridor
from Mona Vale to the Sydney
Continued on page 8
Discussion gets ‘Move’ on
Council’s ‘Move Northern Beaches Transport Discussion Paper’
has entered its next phase with the release of a consultation
report which has collated input from hundreds of surveys and
feedback forms, community drop-ins and commuter pop ups.
Immediate findings include that residents want better public
transport and improved parking to get people out of their
cars and reduce traffic congestion.
Mayor Michael Regan said the Northern Beaches transport
strategy would go to Council for endorsement to be released
for further consultation in late August.
“We know traffic and transport are number one concerns
for our community so it is fantastic to be engaging with our
residents on these issues so we have a collective vision for our
future,” Cr Regan said.
“Sitting in traffic makes us all frustrated and we really
need a robust plan for how we will manage our roads and
transport now but also in 10 and 20 years.”
Key themes from the consultation included calls for:
l A better integrated transport that includes more frequent
and reliable public transport – including late at night;
l Better public transport connections to Chatswood and
Macquarie Park;
l Improved ‘Park and Ride’ options – especially as B-Line
parking is often full;
l Increased numbers of safe off-road paths for cyclists and
pedestrians;
l Dedicated Bus Lanes and Clearways;
l Bike carriage spaces on buses (identified by young people);
l More feeder buses to and from the B-Line;
l Well-designed urban development which takes traffic impacts
into account; and
l Increased dedicated motorcycle parking.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 7

News
Continued From page 7
CBD to manage traffic, reliability
of buses and support the
new B-Line bus services.
More than 3,200 new weekly
services to the Northern Beaches
Bus Network kicked off last
November; these included the
introduction of a new, highfrequency
199 service between
Palm Beach and Manly, additional
E88 services between
Avalon Beach and Wynyard,
additional 191 and 192 services
linking Avalon Beach,
Clareville and Bilgola Plateau,
a new E54 route between Mona
Vale and Milsons Point, additional
E60 services between
Mona Vale and Chatswood, additional
156 services between
McCarrs Creek and Mona
Vale, additional E85 services
between Warriewood Valley
and Wynyard and additional
E83 services between Elanora
Heights and Wynyard.
But local residents groups
remain unimpressed.
Palm Beach & Whale Beach
Association (PBWBA) President
Dr Richard West said the
group’s policy was that there
should be an express bus
service from Palm Beach to the
city, with limited stops every
half hour.
“This will give the residents
of North Pittwater the same
direct services as the rest of
the residents of the Northern
Beaches – they should not
be forced to change buses or
drive to Mona Vale,” he said.
The Newport Residents
Association (NRA), which
opposed the extension of the
B-Line to Newport, said the
decision to scrap the plan was
“great news for the communities
from Newport to Palm
Beach”.
The results of an online
survey undertaken by the
NRA showed 85% opposition
(from 250 respondents) to the
Newport extension.
“Since mid-2016 when the
NRA first came to hear about a
possible extension the association
considered the benefits
and detriments of any extension
and considered that the
downsides far outweighed the
upsides,” said NRA President
Gavin Butler.
“TfNSW comments that they
have listened to the community
– whether that is the
whole story is irrelevant as the
outcome is what the community
has been saying for over
two years.
“Our next objective is to
improve the bus services for
all communities north of Mona
Vale, which have been degraded
since the introduction
of the B-Line – especially in
non-peak hours – and we have
been advised that new timetables
are to be announced in
September.” – Nigel Wall
In Brief…
n TfNSW presented a draft
concept to construct a
roundabout at the intersection
of Neptune and Barrenjoey
Roads in October 2017.
n The proposal also included
two B-Line bus stops at
the existing northbound
and southbound stops on
Barrenjoey Road at Newport
shops, and a southbound
B-Line stop on Barrenjoey
Road near Newport Beach at
the existing bus stop site.
n Consultation was
undertaken with customers,
residents and community
groups in October 2017.
n Feedback received from the
community and stakeholders,
along with additional
complexities identified
during the site investigations
undertaken earlier this year,
saw TfNSW review options.
n B-Line services are no
longer proposed to extend to
Newport and the construction
of a roundabout at the corner
of Neptune and Barrenjoey
Roads will not proceed.
8 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Saving lives – and the planet
The new Northern
Beaches Hospital has
achieved a best practice
rating for sustainability, setting
the scene for it to become
a world-class healing environment.
The hospital at Frenchs
Forest will be the first 4
Star Green Star – Healthcare
Design & As Built-certified
hospital in NSW.
Designed and constructed
and managed by Healthscope
under contract with the NSW
Government, the nine-storey,
488-bed hospital will provide
care for both public and
private patients when it opens
in October.
Responsible for maintaining
the facility’s green credentials
is Northern Beaches
Hospital Director of Operations
and Pittwater local Pat
Taurins.
“We applied for the 4 Star
Green Star rating because
there are so many links
between the quality of your
environment and healing and
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: The new
hospital’s rating is a NSW first.
well-being,” Mr Taurins told
Pittwater Life.
“It’s a lengthy process and
a great deal of work involved
but Healthscope feels very
passionately about creating
the best environment possible
for patients, staff, volunteers
and visitors.”
Administered by the Green
Building Council of Australia
(GBCA), Green Star assesses
the sustainable design,
construction and operation
of buildings, fit outs and
communities.
The assessment covers nine
areas: management; indoor
environment quality; energy;
transport; water; materials;
waste; land use and ecology;
and emissions. From this an
overall rating is formulated –
the GBCA’s 4 Star Green Star
rating represents Australian
best practice.
The hospital project team
has been working to achieve
the rating from the outset developing
and following a comprehensive
plan and tracking
and monitoring commitment
to operational sustainability.
As a result, the CBCA says
the hospital is projected to
achieve a 55% reduction in
greenhouse gas consumption
when compared to a benchmark
building.
During construction, 80 per
cent of waste was diverted
from landfill and repurposed,
while environmentally sustainable
materials have been
used throughout to improve
the quality of the indoor
environment.
Constructed using responsibly
sourced steel, concrete,
PVC and joinery and non-toxic
paints and adhesives, the
hospital has been designed to
maximise patient, staff and
visitor comfort and health.
Within the hospital, patients,
staff and visitors will
benefit from high levels of
natural light, indoor air quality,
quality lighting, careful
acoustic design to minimise
noise, spectacular views and
easy access to green outdoor
spaces featuring native plants.
The hospital’s “hi-performance”
façade minimises
heating and cooling power
consumption and high-tech
systems (such as a Co-Gen
system, which generates
electricity from gas and using
waste heat for heating)
employed to increase energy
efficiency.
10 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

‘G’ IS FOR GREEN STAR: NB Hospital’s Director of Operations Pat Taurins.
Other smart energy strategies
include optimising the
orientation of buildings to
minimise unnecessary heat
from the sun and setting up
an extensive electricity and
water metering and reporting
system to track and manage
consumption.
High efficiency fittings
and equipment have been
installed throughout – even
the $3.5 million worth of
sterilising equipment was selected
with the environment
in mind.
“The washers save 30 litres
of water per load, over a year
that’s 50 Olympic sized pools
worth of water that can be
used to water the landscaping
around the hospital,” Mr
Taurins added.
Internationally recognised
advocate and change agent for
sustainability and outstanding
member of the Pittwater
community who also happens
to be the CEO of the Green
Building Council of Australia,
Romilly Madew, described the
hospital’s 4 Star Green Star
certification as a “tremendous
achievement”.
“When it starts operating,
Northern Beaches Hospital
will be a leading sustainable
healthcare facility,” Ms Madew
said.
She said having such a
facility in her local area was
“fantastic”.
“It illustrates to the community
that government has
committed to sustainability
leadership and take not only
their care but costs seriously,”
she said.
“With three active kids I
have had my fair share of
trips to hospital… and not
just from those experiences I
know how important it is that
we design these buildings to
be great places to be in.
“No-one wants to be in a
hospital, so let’s make sure
we make them as good as we
can, both to get out as fast
as we can, but also to make a
difficult time less so.”
Ms Madew explained investments
in improved energy
and water performance lower
operating costs resulting
in more money that can be
directed to patient care.
“There is more than two decades
of compelling evidence
demonstrating that green design
not only makes hospitals
more energy-efficient – it also
has huge benefits for patients,
medical staff, general staff,
visitors and the wider community,”
she said.
There is also evidence
green design can help reduce
hospital stays and improve
patient outcomes.
Ms Madew referred to
research from the World
Green Building Council which
showed that incorporating
green design in hospital
infrastructure could deliver
an 8.5% reduction in hospital
stays, 15% faster recovery
rates, a 22% reduction in the
need for pain medication and
an 11% reduction in secondary
infections.
For staff, a green hospital
Continued on page 21
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 11

News
GP urges ‘opt out’ of digital health record
Newport GP Dr Julian Northover
has warned locals to
do their due diligence before
deciding to remain part of the
Federal Government’s new ‘My
Health Record’ – which automatically
stores individuals’
personal health information in
a massive digital database and
places the onus on people to
‘opt out’ of the program rather
than gain their approval to
participate.
A passionate opponent, Dr
Northover said there were
numerous reasons why he had
already opted out (the window
triggered July 16 and runs
through October 15).
“I did not feel I could trust
the government My Health Record
(‘MyHR’) with my personal
health information which I
disclosed in confidence to my
local doctor,” Dr Northover told
Pittwater Life.
“Nor did I feel I could trust
the government to not change
the rules about access to my
health data in the future; the
government’s refusal to delete
our records if requested once
they are created; the 900,000-
plus health providers and
administrators with access
rights to MyHR; the 100,000-
plus ‘venerable’
computers accessing
MyHR; the
sharing / cross
match of records
by many government
departments
without my knowledge
or consent;
the potential to
use MyHR to deny
/ reduce access to
health insurance or
life/income insurance;
and the use of MyHR in
any judicial process through
subpoena.”
Dr Northover said other concerns
included the potential
use of MyHR to limit employment
prospects through
‘authorised releases’.
“There’s also the linking of
MyHR to other family members
and peers, as well as to
newer big data tools including
artificial intelligence which
will further interrogate our
OPPOSED: Dr Northover.
records,” he said.
“I do not feel that MyHR is
a prudent thing for society,
where we are at the cusp of
storing genetic
information as
part our patient
records.
“Alarmingly, I
did not feel that
MyHR had been
explained to me
– especially the
costs and risks – in
sufficient detail
(including through
my role as a ‘IT
literate’ general
practitioner).
“And I did not feel that
MyHR will add substantially to
my clinical care as a patient –
nor did I feel that the minimal
patient benefits of emergency
presentations and allergies
justified what we are signing
up to.”
Dr Northover said anyone
old enough to remember the
‘Australia Card’ proposal
would recall the debate it
created and the way it was
“watered down” to the creation
of Tax File Numbers.
“Now we live in a newer
digital age where the level of
interrogation of big data for
government and corporate use
will far exceed anything we
can imagine today.”
He said he did believe however
that further efficiencies
in healthcare information were
required to help better manage
care and its costs – but that the
current format “signs us and
our children to a more onerous
and less-forgiving future”.
“This will become a bigger
story in the media as people
become aware of what they
are getting pushed into,” he
said. “Let’s ‘opt out’ for a better
discussion… and while you’re
at it, the kids too!”
More info can be found at
‘For Sale – Your Privacy and
Your Health Data’ at privacy.
org.au; also read the Australian
Medical Association’s view
ama.com.au/gp-network-news/
my-health-record
* What it means – read Jennifer
Harris’ law column p54.
12 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Book Review
On the
Right Track
by Penelope Janu
Mira, $29.99
If you fell in love with the
hunky Norwegian Naval
Captain, Per Amundsen,
in Avalon-based Penelope
Janu’s debut novel, In At
the Deep End, wait till you
catch up with his brooding
diplomat/spy brother, Tor,
in her latest novel.
This time Janu swaps
Avalon and the surf,
for country and horses.
Golden Saunders carries a serious riding injury,
and an even greater family scandal on her shoulders.
When Tor Amundsen brings allegations of her father’s
race-fixing and money laundering to her quiet farm life,
she is forced to cooperate with his investigation by her
powerful politician stepfather.
Try as she might to fight a growing attraction, and the
potential Tor has to up-end her life, his way with animals
and children threatens to melt her heart. Did I mention he
is also very handsome? A well-written romantic treat for
readers.
Penelope Janu will be sharing her writing journey
at Beachside Bookshop’s Sunday Salon on Sunday 12
August. Call 9918 9918 for info.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 13

News
New CEO’s engagement promise
New Northern Beaches
Council CEO Ray Brownlee
says he has made it his
mission to improve the organisation’s
customer service
and the way it communicates
and engages with residents,
businesses and visitors.
Mr Brownlee, who was appointed
on July 17 following
a three-month recruitment
process, told Pittwater Life
he was attracted to apply for
the position on the beaches
as it married with his most
recent experience heading
up Randwick City Council in
Sydney’s east (a role he held
from 2004).
“My experience in senior
executive roles in local government,
focus on customer
service and financial management,
and the leadership
and motivation of a diverse
workforce in a coastal urban
environment, were attributes
that aligned with the direction
of the Northern Beaches
Council,” he said.
“The Northern Beaches
Council has the size and
capacity to deliver the economies
of scale to achieve the
financial savings and benefits
to the community from the
merger process.
“I am very excited to work
with the Mayor and Councillors
to build on the successes
of Council. As the CEO, and
with our staff, we will deliver
high quality services and
facilities to our community.”
Mr Brownlee has more than
30 years’ experience in local
government. Married with
two children and a 14-monthold
grandson, he currently resides
outside of the Northern
Beaches.
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael
Regan said Mr Brownlee
“ticked all the boxes”.
“He has an incredible
breadth of experience, a real
focus on customer service
and delivery and is an exceptional
financial manager,” Cr
Regan said.
“His proven track record was
acknowledged in 2015 when he
was awarded a Public Service
Medal for outstanding public
service in an executive role.
“He is extremely highly
regarded, with demonstrated
ability to influence all levels
of government.
“Plus he is very down to
earth, genuine and peoplefocused
– he will be a great fit
for our community.”
Mr Brownlee was also the
driving force behind the coordination
of partnerships with
public and private entities
which enabled the securing
of transformational infrastructure
development for
metropolitan Sydney and the
greater eastern suburbs such
as the CBD and South East
Light Rail project (currently
under construction).
Mr Brownlee commences a
five-year contract on October 1.
– Nigel Wall
5THINGS
THIS MONTH
Pack birthing kits. Zonta
Club of Northern Beaches and
Barrenjoey High School are
organising a day to pack Birthing
Kits for women in developing
countries. All members of the
community invited to help
assemble the kits containing
six simple items on Sat 18 from
1-4pm. A donation of $3 buys
the materials for one kit and the
training program for its delivery.
Contact Margaret on 0416 182
393 or marg.white@me.com to
register your interest.
Free stay at YHA. Spend two
mornings on the weekend of
August 24-26 helping to remove
weeds in the beautiful Ku-ringgai
Chase National Park and
be rewarded with two nights
accommodation, two days
of meals (morning teas, BBQ
lunches and evening dinners) and
kayak use at the award-winning
Pittwater Youth Hostel. All you
will need is a $20 contribution.
Contact Pittwater@yha.com.au or
9999-5748 to register interest.
Car boot sale. Pittwater High
School will be full of great stuff
for sale on Sun 5 from 7.30am-
1.30pm with bargains for buyers,
sausage sizzles, drinks and more.
Eco textile workshop.
Young folk (12-18) are invited
to join in a 6-week course with
local textile artist Ivana Taylor
to learn how to up-cycle textile
waste. Participants will learn
traditional techniques including
Japanese Boro stitching, Indian
Kantha stitching and a variety
of contemporary ways to curate
and re-purpose fabric scraps to
create textile pieces. Thursdays,
5-7pm from Aug 9 to Sept 13
at Warringah Mall Library. Cost
$30; info 9942 7999.
Make herbal home
remedies. This workshop in
Avalon on Sat 18 from 10am-1pm
is for anyone wishing to learn
about simple and natural home
remedies for the colder months.
The workshop will be presented
by Julie Gundlach, who has
more than 20 years’ experience
in many areas of health and
wellbeing. See the Permaculture
Northern Beaches website for
more info.
14 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

A flood of
complaints
Special report by Nigel Wall
News
Northern Beaches Council
has launched a last-ditch
legal bid to overturn a
controversial decision to approve
development on floodprone
land at Warriewood.
It comes as flood expert and
former general manager of Pittwater
Council Angus Gordon
slammed the determination
of the Sydney North Planning
Panel – chaired by former NSW
Liberal leader Peter Debnam –
which he said could put lives
at risk and create a future massive
clean-up with ratepayers
left to foot the bill.
Further, local MP Rob Stokes
has made representations to
Minister for Planning Anthony
Roberts to highlight the ramifications
of the panel’s July 4
decision to amend the Pittwater
Local Environmental Plan,
which will allow the owner of 2
Macpherson Street, Warriewood
to build 22 dwellings on the site
adjoining the new $6 million
Macpherson St Bridge.
The bridge was planned and
constructed to help manage
flooding upstream from Ingleside;
it opened last December.
At an extraordinary meeting
on July 17, Council resolved to
seek urgent legal advice as to
the prospects of overturning
the decision, as well as write to
the Planning Minister expressing
concern in view of the flood
risk and formally request the
plan not be made.
Mayor Michael Regan told
Pittwater Life that flooding
in Warriewood Valley was a
serious issue, in part because
of the difficulty in evacuating
people when floods occur with
little warning.
“It is clear that the current
framework doesn’t appropriately
deal with the risk of largescale
flooding and Council and
the community are left to deal
with the risks,” he said.
Angus Gordon is a Civil
Engineer who holds a Masters
Degree in Coastal and Water
Engineering; he has more than
40 years’ experience in flood
issues and management, and is
a former Manager of the Manly
Hydraulics Laboratory, which
specialises in water issues
including flood management.
Mr Gordon said the Macpherson
Street site, set up as a
“buffer” zone in the 20-year
Warriewood Valley housing
strategy, had more than a
century of history of being
severely impacted by flooding.
Photo: Angus Gordon
“In the mid-1990s detailed
flood studies confirmed this,
as have more recent refinements
of these flood studies,”
he said. “I have personally
observed the site significantly
flooded on four occasions and
have made several written representations
on the significant
flooding of the site, both as GM
of the former Pittwater Council
and as a community member.”
Graphic photos he took of a
major flooding event in 2013
(below) illustrate the danger to
the community.
“It ends up being the volunteers
such as the SES who have
to risk their lives because of
these thoughtless decisions,
and the rest of the community
that have to pick up the cost,”
he said. “It makes no sense.”
“The developer bought the
land knowing it was flood
prone and zoned with a zeroyield
potential. Any reasonable
professional should have
simply pointed this out to the
developer, just as Pittwater
Council did in the past.”
Mr Gordon said the panel
16 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Photo: All Sky Drones / Jay Platt
PUSH TO OVERTURN: Flood issues expert Angus Gordon stands on the Macpherson Street Bridge at Warriewood; the land adjacent has been given the
all-clear to be developed for housing despite still representing a major flood risk. OPPOSITE: The site during the most recent flooding event in 2013.
had erred by using a ‘1:100
years’ flood level to arrive at
its conclusion of “extremely
low probability of the Probable
Maximum Flood Event” – this
he said was using “old world
terminology”.
“The inquest following the
1997 Thredbo disaster made it
quite clear that it was inappropriate
to use criteria such
as the 1% event where lives and
property are placed at risk by
natural hazards,” he said.
“The Panel’s assertions in
regard of flooding impacts on
the site on property and life
demonstrate the panel did not
have the competence necessary
to make the determination
it made. It knowingly has
placed lives and property in
harm’s way – and this despite
the State Government’s policy
to not allow intensification of
flood prone sites, and the more
modern views on risk and risk
management.”
Mr Gordon further rubbished
the panel’s assertion that, when
filled so that the ground floors
of future dwellings would be
above the ‘Probable Maximum
Flood Event’ height, the land
would not materially affect
other land around it.
“The Panel has completely
neglected the impact on adjacent
properties and properties
downstream,” he said.
“It has been long understood
by flood management professionals
that filling a flood
prone site moves the flood
waters onto adjacent properties
– it is like filling a bucket
to the brim and then dropping
in a couple of bricks; the bucket
overflows and inundates the
surrounding area.
“You don’t have to be very
bright to realise this.
“The Panel clearly didn’t understand
the potential adverse
impacts of their decision on
adjacent properties,” he continued.
“There is an important difference
between understanding
the overall concepts of land use
Continued on page 18
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 17

News
Continued from page 17
planning and on understanding
risk management. Clearly
the Panel lacked the necessary
expertise in risk management.”
Adjacent properties and
properties downstream are
those that may suffer, he said.
“The Panel should have insisted
on an independent ‘run’
on the existing, sophisticated,
computer-based flood model
for Warriewood Valley in order
to properly asses the impacts,”
he continued.
“The Flood model has been
developed and refined over
more than two decades and
clearly shows the site as being
significantly impacted. It would
have been a simple matter to rerun
it to properly assess the potential
impacts of the proposed
development on both the site
in question and surrounding
properties. To not insist on the
proper, and independent, use of
the existing flood modelling is
simply incomprehensible.”
Mr Gordon said there was a
time when there was no flood
insurance and the individuals
impacted by floods had to simply
“wear” the consequences.
HISTORY OF FLOODING: The
Macpherson Street site in 2013
(above) and a long-time resident’s
photo of Warriewood flooding in
the 1940s (right).
“Nowadays the community
ends up wearing the costs of
disasters whether that be
through disaster relief funds
from the State and Federal
Government – which after all
are funded through our taxes –
or from Council funds, funded
through our rates, or through
insurance,” he said.
“Many people don’t realise
that since the insurance industry
introduced flood insurance
(under political pressure), both
the industry and government
realised that the burden of
flood insurance premiums
were often too great on the
individuals most impacted and
so in order to offset this, the
burden has been spread over
many properties.
“That is, many of the community
are actually subsidising
the insurance premiums
of flood prone properties. So
when your taxes, council rates
and insurance premiums rise
in the future you can thank the
Photo: Angus Gordon & supplied
Panel members for doing their
bit to intensify development
that puts lives and property
in harm’s way in Warriewood
Valley, and drains money out of
your hip pocket.”
The Planning Panel’s meeting
lasted 31 minutes. Its determination
noted members made
just one site inspection – in
April 2017, before the bridge
was constructed.
It noted 19 written
submissions
– but tellingly in
its ‘Reasons For
Decision’ it stated
“there were no
speakers from the
community at the
public meeting”.
This drew the ire
of Mayor Michael
Regan, who told Pittwater Life:
“I understand there were very
few community members in attendance
for the Panel meeting.
I’m concerned that there is not
enough advice or information
making its way to our community
before the Panel makes
important decisions – and why
it seems that a verbal submission
is given more weight than
a written one.”
18 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hospital forum concern
Hundreds of people heard of
concerns about the future
of hospital care in the region at
a forum last month.
Prominent doctor Richard
West said NSW Government
claims that is was retaining
a hospital at Mona Vale when
Northern Beaches Hospital
opens were “fraudulent” and
he said the new hospital would
not be able to treat major
trauma cases because it did not
have neurosurgery facilities.
“The problems are, no major
trauma, cardiac surgery has to
be sorted out, and it has to have
a proper stroke unit where patients
can be treated in a timely
fashion,” he said.
A resolution called on the
NSW Government to retain
Mona Vale Hospital in public
hands at a minimum Level 3
hospital with full emergency
department; retain the main
building; upgrade the existing
facilities and that palliative
care and aged care be kept.
In response, a spokesperson
from Northern Sydney Local
Health District told Pittwater
Life all acute healthcare
services provided at Manly and
Mona Vale Hospitals would be
available at the new hospital.
“It will also provide more
complex healthcare than is currently
available on the Northern
Beaches with the potential
to provide even more services
in the future,” he said.
“Mona Vale Hospital would
continue to have an important
role in delivering integrated
services that complement those
provided across the Beaches.”
More than 250 staff will
be employed at Mona Vale
Hospital to provide health services
including the urgent care
centre, rehabilitation inpatient
services, inpatient palliative
care unit and geriatric evaluation
and management unit.
“Residents will continue to
have access to Royal North
Shore Hospital which is the
major adult trauma and acute
thrombolysis and clot retrieval
centre for Northern Sydney
region.”
Mona Vale Hospital will also
have a new ambulance station.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 19

Dredge plea
News
Businesses in Palm Beach
and across Pittwater at
Ettalong are hoping a longterm
solution can be found to
the environmental issue that has
shut down ferry services and cut
off the two tourism destinations
for more than two months.
Massive sand build-up near
Little Box Head forced the closure
of the Ettalong Channel in
May, with dredging required to
clear the waterway – the second
time in two years the channel
has required dredging works
to counter tidal flow deposits
of sand.
Ettalong Tourism & Visitor
Information Centre
administrator at Ettalong
Diggers, Kim Cole, said
the southern-tip Central
Coast community was
desperate for the dredging
to begin and the
ferry service to resume, to
arrest a significant downturn
in business.
“It is imperative for the
survival of small business
in our region which is the
lifeblood of our community,”
Ms Cole said.
“The wharf closure has had
a significant financial impact,
with many highlighting a big
drop-off in trade – it has also
had a big effect on commuters,
tradies and students attending
Northern Beaches schools.”
Wolfgang Zichy, owner of the
Re:Publik Cafe and Art Gallery
on Ocean View, said the flow
of visitors had dried up – with
some shops reporting income
loss of more than 50 per cent.
“It’s the businesses that are
in line with people walking to
and from the ferry who are suffering
the most,” he said.
“Also, we hear Patonga is suffering
from the wash around
the wharf and beach and cars
parked everywhere, so that no
visitors there can find a space,”
he said.
Club Palm Beach general
manager John Sinclair noted
Palm Beach businesses had
also been impacted.
“Where we would normally
CLOGGED: An aerial view showing sand build-up.
BUSINESSES SUFFERING: The Ettalong community have rallied.
expect to welcome 20 visitors
to lunch, at the moment we are
picking up maybe two or three.
And where normally 50 to 60
might get off the ferry at Palm
Beach, now it’s around eight.”
The long-term fix remains
up in the air given an ongoing
dispute between Central Coast
Council and the NSW Government
over responsibility to pay
for the dredging.
The Council refuses to accept
the Government’s definition
that it is a ‘local’ waterway
and is demanding the Berejiklian
Government pay
each time the channel
requires work.
But the Government
maintains that as the
waterway does not
contain any State-owned
maritime structure it
is defined as a regional
waterway, with Council
responsible.
The Government has
stumped up for the bill
on each of the past two
occasions, drawing on
emergency funding; it has also
signed a cheque for $660,000
in new emergency funding
– which will enable a more
extensive dredging job this
time around which it’s hoped
will provide a longer window
between incidents and allow
the Government and Council to
strike accord.
In the meantime, at the Government’s
urging, Council has
applied for emergency assistance
under the Rescuing Our
Waterways program, which
would see Government match
contributions from Council.
New dredging works, which
will take approximately five to
eight weeks, were scheduled to
commence in late July, subject
to weather conditions and seas.
Meanwhile, to help “drive”
people to Ettalong, several offshore
businesses have banded
together under the umbrella
Peninsula Tourism Partners
(PTP).
Its first promotional campaign
has seen the introduction
of ‘Peninsula Dollars’ –
distributed by accommodation
provider Accom, the ‘dollars’
provide discounts and special
deals to visitors.
Mr Zichy said PTP would be
working with Fantasea Ferries
to announce further promotions
as soon as the channel
was reopened.
– Lisa Offord
20 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Photo: Elise Lockwood
HEARD…
ABSURD…
SEEN…
Wow – what a top acting
performance from the cast of new
movie ‘Palm Beach’, which completed
shooting around Pittwater last
month. While the crew were dressed
for July’s bitter cold, Bryan Brown,
Jacqueline McKenzie and Richard
E Grant battled the elements in
beach gear. (Nice Hawaiian shirt
and boardies!) Producers Bryan and
Deb Balderstone, along with director
Rachel Ward, asked Pittwater Life to
thank the Palm Beach community
for their warmth and support during
the shoot. “It’s not hard to make
paradise look like paradise,” said
Bryan. The movie is expected to be
released next year.
We’re hearing Council’s ‘cold feet’ over the compulsory purchase
of Pasadena has dropped a couple of degrees to ‘very cold’. Latest
whisper, given a high level of community support for the iconic
venue’s retention, is Dee Why HQ is looking at ways to buy the
property but then utilise and manage the existing structure as a
community resource. Top of the list is that they tip the $1 million
funding for the new northern end arts facility into the acquisition
kitty and rebirth Pasadena as an art gallery/creative space with
restaurant/café. Thoughts? In other news, councilor Rory Amon,
reacting to community sentiment, has launched a #SavePasadena campaign, complete
with ‘Save Ferris’ style T-shirts. Amon says he’s garnered 2000 signatures supporting the
retention of Pasadena, along with 85 per cent support on a Facebook poll. “The forcible
acquisition is a huge financial risk and could cost Council $20 million we don’t have,” Amon
said. Council will consider the issue further at a meeting in early August.
The misinformation being generated within our community about local Council and
NSW Government projects. All residents of Pittwater deserve better. Let’s do away with
self-interest and make sure all facts are on the table. The withholding of information by
some of our community groups and activists simply staggers us – for example, the lack
of reference to the cheap, on-demand Keoride transport service that links suburbs to the
B-Line. Instead we hear renewed demands for more buses out of peak hours… not exactly
eco-friendly.
Hospital saving
lives and planet
Continued from page 11
could create an environment that
reduced stress, measurably improving
performance and delivery of patient
care, she said.
“It also contributes to increased
employee retention which correlates
with reduced turnover, cost savings
and ensuring smoother overall operations,”
Ms Madew said.
“This is really important because
problems with staff retention are consistently
ranked among the top five
issues for hospitals.
“Our doctors, nurses and hospital
administrators are the unsung heroes
of our community... it seems only right
that they should have fantastic places
in which to work.”
Last year the GBCA hosted Gail Vittori,
co-author of ‘Sustainable Healthcare
Architecture’ and co-director
of the Center for Maximum Potential
Building Systems.
According to Ms Vittori, when we get
the balance right with hospitals – considering
clinical needs, social needs
and sustainability – we achieve a “high
performance healing environment”.
She also points out that sustainability
doesn’t just mean saving energy
and water; there needs to be a holistic
approach taking into account factors
such as access to natural light and
open outdoor space – places that give a
sense of connection.
To ensure the facility continues to
shoot for the stars Mr Taurins said
“green issues” would be a big part of
day-to-day business.
“Management and staff throughout
the hospital will have a role to play in
finding smarter ways to look after our
environment,” he said. – Lisa Offord
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 21

Pittwater News
News
Course to attract budding beekeepers
The North Shore Beekeepers’ Association (NSBA) is running
a two-day course for beekeeping beginners on Saturday 25
August and Saturday 1 September at its Bee Garden and
Club House in Terrey Hills. Club President Keith Pester says
the course has been designed for complete beginners and
is suitable for people who have or are looking to get either
a traditional (Langstroth) or Flowhive. “Participants have
the opportunity to get hands-on experience opening and
inspecting a beehive,” he said. The course costs $250 for the
two days (9am to 4.30pm) including lunch. The NSBA also
runs other events open to the public including Club Open
Days each month (Sunday 12 August and Sunday 16 September
from 11am to 1pm) at 1c Myoora Rd (enter at Par-3 Golf
Course), Terrey Hills. More info and registrations nsbka.org.au.
Dee Why RSL vaults
gymnasts into future
Manly Warringah Gymnastics
Club (MWGC) has a new
bounce in its step following
Dee Why RSL’s latest donation
that has enabled it to
purchase an international
standard competition floor.
MWGC CEO Ian Hardy said
the much-needed acquisition
would allow athletes to
train at top-tier competition
standard for the first time, as
well as permit the Club to host
national level sanctioned competitions
at their now competition
standard gymnasium at
Cromer. MWGC is now one of
the largest sporting clubs on
the Northern Beaches and one
of the most awarded gymnastics
clubs in NSW. They broke
records by having 33 athletes
selected in the 290-strong
State team that contested the
recent Australian Gymnastics
Championships in Melbourne.
Mr Hardy says the club’s objective
was to give every member
the opportunity to reach the
highest level that they were capable
of. “To one child the goal
maybe to do a cartwheel, to
another it maybe to become an
Olympic champion,” he said.
Dee Why RSL have been steady
supporters of MWGC for more
than a decade, donating a total
of $115,000, with an additional
$15,000 committed in 2018-19.
Feel-good concert
for human rights
The light-hearted, uplifting,
ad-hoc troupe of musicians
Loosely Woven will be giving
a free community concert in
Avalon supporting human
rights on Sunday August 12.
Led by Wayne Richmond, the
all-new ‘Feeling Good’ concert
will feature 20 instrumentalists
and singers presenting
a wonderful arrangement of
well-known songs, numbers
that address social injustice
and important issues and
some original pieces all performed
acoustically. “There
are always lots of opportunities
for audience participation
24 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

in a Loosely Woven concert
and when they do it sounds
fantastic for all of us!,” Wayne
said. The concert starts
4pm at the Avalon Baptist
Church. Afternoon tea will
be provided with voluntary
donations to Avalon Amnesty
International Group defending
human rights. More info
kath_moody@hotmail.com or
looselywoven.org.
Rowing challenge for
youth mental health
Avalon Beach Surf Club boaties
are hitting the rowing
machines for 24 hours to
raise awareness and funds
for the charities One Eighty
and Gotcha4Life – two groups
focused on providing support
to young adults and opportunities
to openly discuss mental
health. They are rowing for 24
hours to highlight the fact that
mental illness is a 24-hour-aday
health issue and to remind
all that there is support 24
hours of each day too. The
action will take place at Avalon
Beach Surf Club, starting at
10am on (the very apt date of)
18/08/18. Support around the
clock appreciated; go to avalonbeachslsc.com.au
for more
info and to make a donation.
Dr Rip eyes purple
patch at Newport
Surf Scientist and worldrenowned
expert Associate
Professor Dr Rob (Rip) Brander
from UNSW is coming to
Newport on Sunday August
26 with his award-winning
visual multi-media presentation
about our beaches. Great
for ages 8 years and up, Dr Rip
shows the journey each tiny
grain of sand takes to reach
the beach and the impact of
massive swells that roll in
during big storms. And the big
highlight… he explains how
deadly rip currents form and
shows you how you can spot
them by throwing dye into the
surf. Starts 3pm. Bookings
and more info at newportsurfclub.com.au
Continued on page 26
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 25

Pittwater News
News
Continued from page 25
Annabelle Chauncy @
RMYC Ladies Lunch
Enjoy a two-course lunch and
talk by inspirational leader
Annabelle Chancy OAM the
CEO and Founding Director
of the not-for-profit School for
Life Foundation which builds
schools in rural Uganda to
help create sustainable and
productive communities. This
dynamic young woman will be
special guest at The Royal Motor
Yacht Club’s Ladies Lunch
Local awarded ANU
Tuckwell Scholarship
Congratulations to Pittwater House
Head Boy Finlay Dennison who has
been awarded one of 25 coveted
Tuckwell Scholarships to study at
the Australian National University
in Canberra – considered the most
transformational undergraduate
scholarship program in Australia.
Established by philanthropists
Graham and Louise Tuckwell,
the scholarship is aimed at
young Australian leaders who
are community-minded as well
as academically gifted. Finlay
is a crew member of Reach – an organisation that conducts
youth-led workshops designed to build confidence and selfawareness.
Proud Pittwater House Principal Dr Nancy Hillier
described Finlay as a “great fit” for the Tuckwell program.
on August 15 from 12pm.
Tickets $75 members; $80 nonmembers.
Bookings royalmotor.com.au.
Probus delivers
talks at coalface
Coal is the hot topic of the next
meeting of Pittwater Probus
at Mona Vale Golf Club on
Tuesday August 7. Geologist
and mathematician Tony Osman
will deliver his personal
perspective on coal in Indonesia;
during the 2000s commodities
boom the coal mining
industry was very lucrative as
coal prices were comfortably
high. Many Indonesian companies
and wealthy families
decided to acquire coal mining
concessions in Kalimantan –
thereafter coal became known
as the “new gold”. Tony’s talk
will be complemented by Club
Vice President John Porter
who will discuss “clean coal”
in a five-minute briefing. John
says ‘clean coal’ has been the
‘Holy Grail’ of the fossil fuel
industry for decades. “It is
based on the concept of creating
commercially viable ways
of minimising carbon emissions
from coal-fired electricity
plants, which are considered to
contribute to global warming.”
Visitors welcome; meeting
starts 10am. More info Geoff
Sheppard 0437 274 074.
WIN High Tea and
hear of Seven Seas
Here’s the perfect excuse to
head to the city – the chance
for one lucky couple to win
a ‘High Tea’ at the Langham
Hotel and hear about Regent
Seven Seas Cruises, whose
offerings are considered the
world’s most inclusive luxury
experiences at sea. At this
special presentation you’ll
learn more about the coveted
destinations on their 2020-
21 sailing calendar. Event is
10am-12pm on Tuesday 4 September.
Hosted by Travel View
and Regent. To enter, email
win@pittwaterlife.com.au by
Wednesday August 21.
26 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

U3A talk looks
to the heavens
A Brief History of Astronomy
is the ‘eye-catching’ subject
of the next University of the
Third Age Northern Beaches
talk at Newport Community
Centre on Wednesday August
1. Expert Kevin Murray will examine
how different cultures
through the ages have sought
to measure and explain the
movements of the heavens,
while emphasising the scientific
revolution that led to our
modern understanding of the
universe. Talk 1.30-3.30pm;
all welcome. More info Mavis
Bickerton 9970 7161.
Kick a goal with
local sport grants
Sporting clubs in Pittwater
are being urged to apply for
funds under the NSW Government’s
Local Sport Grant
Program which will provide
up to $50,000 for projects
throughout the community.
The four project types (sport
development, community
sport events, sport access, and
facility development) aim to
increase regular and on-going
sport participation. Clubs
must contribute to their chosen
project either financially
or through the use of voluntary
labour, donated materials,
equipment, or other resources
directly related to the project.
Applications close 24 August;
more info sport.nsw.gov.au/
clubs/grants/localsport
Love Your
Book Shop Day
The popular Sunday Salons
at Beachside Bookshop have
a packed calendar in August.
This month’s in-store and
library schedule includes:
5 August – Belinda Castles,
‘Bluebottle’ (free and in store);
12 August – Penelope Janu,
‘On the Right Track’ (free and
in store); 19 August – Margaret
Morgan, ‘The Second Cure’
(free and in store); and 26 August
– Amanda Hampson, ‘The
Continued on page 28
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 27

Pittwater News
Continued from page 27
Yellow Villa’ (at Avalon Library,
$5). Salons held 3-4pm, including
afternoon tea – bookings
essential on 9918 9918. Plus
it’s ‘Love Your Book Shop Day’
on Saturday 11 August and to
celebrate BB are bringing back
their Young Adult Book promotion
– 11% off all teen titles
on Saturday 11 August. And
spend $150 in store and you’ll
receive a bonus ‘Keep Cup’.
News
Girl power! Avalon Under-16s
achieve great community goal
A
group of Avalon football players’ off-field conduct
while on tour in Vanuatu last month made local news
headlines… and for all the right reasons. Young women
and parents from Avalon Soccer Club were praised in local
media for their work totally refurbishing a kindergarten
at Matarisu village in north west Efate. In a news item
in the Vanuatu Independent, Lisa Paton explained the
Avalon Soccer Club’s U16s women’s teams had visited the
Pacific Island nation annually since 2012 and had always
given something to local communities such as sporting
equipment and school supplies. “We heard about this
kindy which was in such a state that the kids wouldn’t
come and the teacher left and we wanted to make it good
enough that kids would want to come and the teacher
would come back,” Lisa said. As the picture shows, it was
a job well done. The sporting highlights of the 10-day
tour included several friendly games against local village
sides culminating in matches against Vanuatu’s national
women’s teams in Port Vila.
Creeks in the
Catchment
At the next Friends of Narrabeen
Lagoon forum on Monday
August 27, staff members
from Northern Beaches
Council will outline the works
needed to control erosion and
protect against flooding. They
will give information about
the bush regeneration projects
in riparian zones in the catchment.
Venue is Coastal Environment
Centre; from 7pm.
Take things for
‘granted’
Northern Beaches Council has
committed $550,000 to its
Grants Programs for 2018/19
and is encouraging the
community to apply. The three
grant categories cover a broad
range of interests and sectors
of the community including
Community and Cultural
Development ($240,000 total);
Events ($210,000) and Sports
and Recreation Infrastructure
Grants ($100,000 available
28 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

with a minimum grant value
of $10,000 – last year six
local tennis, rugby, football
and bowling clubs were
successfully awarded a share
of the $100,000 grant). More
info Council website.
Iconic Coast Walk on
track for completion
More than 24km of new
cycleways (off/on road) and
1.7 km of the 9km of walkway
have been completed along
the spectacular Northern
Beaches Coast Walk, on track
to be finished by 2020. The
Coast Walk from Manly to
Palm Beach forms part of
the Connected Communities
Program, a $32.6 million
infrastructure investment,
co-funded through the NSW
Government’s Stronger
Communities Fund. To
date, approximately 20% of
the coastal path has been
completed including sections
at Pittwater Road Collaroy
and Narrabeen, Robert Dunn
Reserve Mona Vale, Mona Vale
Golf course, The Boulevarde
and Ross Street Newport,
Bert Payne Reserve, Newport,
Watkins Road Avalon Beach.
The next focus is on North
Narrabeen Headland Reserve
to Robert Dunn Reserve along
Narrabeen Park Parade and
Hillcrest Avenue Mona Vale,
followed by work to Whale
Beach Road from Norma
Road to Florida Road in early
2019. The coastal works are
being complemented by a
series of connected cycling
and walking paths at points
along the route from Manly to
Palm Beach. They connect the
Coastal Walk with areas west
to Frenchs Forest hospital
precinct and Belrose, linking
the B-Line transport hubs
and services to these areas.
Further works are also underway
at missing sections along
Pittwater Road Collaroy and
Narrabeen (to be completed in
September); Hillcrest Avenue
Mona Vale (expected to be
completed by December);
and the design and consultation
for Newport to Avalon
beaches.
That’s berry weird!
Who doesn’t love a kooky fruit or
vegetable shape tale? Cue reader
Giulio Vidoni who was amazed to
find this giant butterfly-shaped
strawberry after opening a
punnet he purchased at Aldi at
Warriewood last month. Anyone
else got one? Email readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
Public art push
Council is asking for community
assistance to help make
the Northern Beaches Coast
Walk from Manly to Palm
Beach a uniquely distinct local
attraction. They’re calling for
comment on a strategic plan
to install public art along the
walkway – with a budget of $2
million for pieces over four
years. The 36km walkway is
on track for completion by
2020 (see previous news item).
Council is now exploring ways
to connect people and places
along the way through public
art. As key themes and sites
are identified, Council will
create artist’s briefs to commission
new artworks for the
community to embrace and
enjoy.
For more info and to have
your say visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Vet
on
call
with
Dr Ben Brown
One of the most common
reasons owners bring
their pets to see our veterinary
staff is because they have
found a lump (or tumour)
somewhere on their animal.
Just like in humans, animals
suffer from many forms of
cancer and sometimes the
first sign can be a lump or
lumps that can be felt within
the skin and fur of our pets.
Tumours are abnormal
growths of cells and can be
benign (non-cancerous) or
malignant (cancerous with
the ability to spread) and
therefore pose different levels
of risk to our pet’s health.
Fortunately, not all tumours
on our pet’s body are
considered a problem but it
can be very difficult to tell
simply based on appearance
and location. All the various
layers and components
of skin and underlying
tissues have the potential
for developing distinctive
tumours. Tumours are usually
small lumps or bumps,
but they also can occur as
hairless, discoloured patches,
rashes, or non-healing ulcers.
Because skin tumours can be
so variable in appearance,
identifying them should be
left to a vet who can perform
an examination and fine
needle aspiration of cells
simply, easily, inexpensively
and relatively pain-free using
a needle and syringe or via a
biopsy.
If the lump or tumour
is found to be a problem
(malignant), we will usually
recommend removal via
surgery. For benign tumours
that are not ulcerated on the
surface and do not affect the
dog’s quality of life, treatment
may not be necessary.
If you have noticed any new
or unusual lumps on or under
your pet’s skin it is important
that you have these checked
by a veterinarian. Drop in to
see either myself or one of our
friendly team who can guide
you through the process.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 29

Former Wallabies
superstar Matt Burke
is enjoying family
life on the upper
northern beaches as
well as his transition
to sports presenter
for Channel 10.
Story by Matt Cleary
Having
Life Stories
a ball
It was May of 2008 when Matt Burke
realised his knee injury would finish
his rugby career. Six months earlier
while playing for Newcastle Falcons in
the north of England he’d ruptured the
anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee
and was told he’d be out for the season. He
did his best with rehab but at 34 years old,
and a veteran of 81 Tests and 232 provincial
matches, he was done and done. And
pining for home.
Because as much as he’d loved Newcastle
– the city, the people, the mates he’d made
playing rugby – the north of England’s
winter can be bleak. And after so long following
rugby seasons around the world – a
wintry existence the opposite of surfers
and cricketers chasing an endless summer
– the idea of living by a beach loomed
large.
And so he and wife Kate began scouring
the Internet for somewhere to live. They’d
sold their place in Willoughby and didn’t
have roots in any particular locale. Options
were open… until they found a place
on the cliff at Bungan Beach. Kate was despatched
home to check it out. Her message
came back: post haste: It’s home.
They’ve been on the northern beaches
ever since.
“I would never have really thought I’d
end up this way,” Burke tells Pittwater
Life. “When I was playing rugby, Newport
seemed a long way away! [Laughs] And it
probably still is! But we love it here. Just
love it.”
After five years at Bungan, Burke’s
growing family – which today includes
daughters Hariette, Edie, Giselle and Zsa
Zsa, and a cocker-spaniel called Cooper –
moved across the hill to Newport where
they reside today. Burke says it’s “a pretty
cool place to live”.
Burke was doing commentary work for
Channel 10 during the 2013 British and
Irish Lions series when Ten’s head of sport,
David Barham, asked how he’d feel about
reading the sports news. Burke was taken
aback. He managed words to the effect of:
“I’ve only been here five minutes, I’d feel
like an imposter.”
Barham replied: “If I was coach of the
Wallabies and plucked you out of reserve
grade, would you say to me you weren’t
ready? Or grab it with both hands?”
Well, when you put it like that…
“He said it was a great opportunity and
I could own the job,” says Burke. “It’s been
a lot of fun. I’ve got my rugby background,
obviously, but I’m able to cover all sports.
And it’s led to other things. I’ve done some
radio. It’s opened opportunities.”
Burke looks a natural for television.
Indeed, his mates call him Ron Burgundy.
Yet on day one he was thrown a curve ball.
“It was the Melbourne Cup of 2013 and
the race was won by Gai Waterhouse’s
Fiorente. I was never a horse racing person
and I’d never heard of Fiorente. But I got
the pronunciation and I’m practising
before we went on – Fiorente, Fiorente,
Fiorente.
“Then Sandra Sully’s thrown to me and
I’ve looked down the barrel of the camera
and the little red light’s on and mate, my
heart jumped out of my chest, my hands
went clammy. And I couldn’t spit out
bloody Fiorente! I was like Fonzie when he
couldn’t say sorry! Fi-, Fi-
“I eventually got it out and went a hundred
miles an hour after that.”
He’s been doing it five years since.
“It’s a buzz, live TV. It’s good fun being
in people’s living rooms at 5:45pm, bring-
30 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

ing the sports news. And Sandra’s great to
work with. We’ll be counting down to going
live and she’ll say, ‘Hey Burkey – don’t
stuff up – we’re going live in a sec’.”
On weekends you’ll occasionally find
Burke at The Newport enjoying the beer
garden with like-minded families. He’s
also been sampling the restaurants cropping
up locally. And of course you’ll find
him at the rugby. The game’s in his blood.
Burke played for Eastwood as a young
man and well remembers playing against
Warringah Rats and their fearsome
forward packs which sported such hard
men as Steve Lidbury, Steve Temple, and
Enrique ‘Topo’ Rodriguez. He reckons the
Shute Shield then was almost as good a
standard of rugby as could be played.
“It was almost like a first-class competition,”
according to Burke. “You’d play four
or five games for NSW, three or four Tests
for Australia. So you’d spend most of your
time playing club footy against Test and
state guys. I was only a young pup but
playing against Lidbury and those guys, it
was tough, hard, uncompromising. They
were big strong guys, physically mature. It
was a learning curve!
“But if you went okay it gave you a sense
that you belonged at their level. Those
guys were playing for Australia. And if you
could mix it up and match it, and go okay,
it gave you belief.”
Burke loved playing at Rat Park. Today
he loves watching rugby there. Particularly
the derby game, Warringah v Manly. “The
locals are really into it. It goes to show you
that you’ve got to light the fire at the bottom
and the flames will go up.”
Burke reckons what the derby game
offers is an entertaining, fun day out with
quality rugby sporting that important
ingredient: “tribalism”.
“The Shute Shield is flying and the
rivalries have been a big part of it,” says
Burke. “Randwick has it with Easts. There’s
Norths and Gordon. Eastwood and West
Harbour. And of course Manly and the
Rats. And those games have really hooked
people in. It’s been exceptional. The last
couple of years the grand final has been an
overwhelming success. Last year at North
Sydney Oval was outstanding.”
For Burke, the beauty of club rugby is
its accessibility. He loves taking his kids to
games and admires how the Rats encourages
juniors. “They have gala days and it’s
just good fun, a good initiation for the little
fellahs into the big boys, the next level.
It gives kids that little taste. It’s smart.
“After a match you can hang around the
players. During the game kids can practise
their tackling on the hill, roll down it.
When a big hit goes up the crowd goes up.
When they don’t agree with the referee
they speak their mind. That’s what club
rugby is all about.”
Burke recalls a match against Eastern
Suburbs one year at Woollahra Oval that
illustrates his point. “The rope there at
Woollahra was five metres back from the
sideline, like it was at most grounds,” he
says. “The people in the crowd felt like
they were right on you. And there I was
doing my thing at fullback, barking orders
at the forwards – go here, go there, move
up, go back – when a bloke on the sideline
yells out, “Burke! Bloody pipe down! I’m
trying to watch the game and you’re ruining
my afternoon!’
“[Laughs] And that’s the beauty again
of club footy. Spectators can hear all that
stuff, the chat. It’s the same for players;
they get a buzz out of the crowd being so
close.”
As does Burke to his beach at Newport.
“The beach is a couple hundred metres
away from our house, which is great,” he
says. “The irony is you go away on holiday,
you go to Bali or Fiji or whatever, and you
come back to the beach and think, ‘Why’d
I go there when I have this here? It’s magic.
It’s a walk away.’
“And the locals are great. My daughters
were laughing at me the other day, we
walked the dog, they were on bikes. And
my little one says, ‘Dad, everyone around
here knows you’. And I told her everyone
knows everyone. That’s the great part
about it. You walk down the beach and
have a conversation with anyone. You’re
deemed a local.”
Life Stories
The Local Voice Since 1991
CLOCKWISE FROM
OPPOSITE: With daughters
Giselle, 8, and Zsa Zsa, 7
at Newport Oval; on the
Swilcan Burn at St Andrews
GC; with the future King of
England after representing
the Barbarians in 2006;
celebrating his 50th Test
cap in 2001; his final Test
on Australian soil in 2004;
the junior long jumper
representing Hornsby
Little Athletics; showing his
renowned goal-kicking form.
AUGUST 2018 31

DINERS CLUBS
Our local clubs have always
held a reputation for
offering good value food. But
increased competition from
the next gen of restauranteurs
has seen them step up
a gear. The result? More
sophistication, more variety
on the menu. But still with
the same great value. The
traditional ‘Specials’ remain
– although in addition, the
chefs (some Michelin Star, no
less!) have created dishes that
are ‘extra special’. Great for
friends, families or couples.
Here we present the pick of
our local Clubs’ offerings.
Compiled by Lisa Offord
Special Local Promotion
SEAFOOD PIE: Dee Why RSL.
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 33

Special Local Promotion
Avalon Beach RSL
Recently reinvigorated, this venue boasts a range of offerings and
activities for members and guests of all demographics. Its restaurant
Bistro 61 is open 7 days, offering honest, house-made modern
Australian cuisine with relaxed alfresco seating available. All produce
is locally sourced where possible and the menu changes seasonally.
There’s also a large playground just for kids. There are two bars
over two levels with 20 beers on tap, an extensive wine selection
and creative cocktails. Head Chef Mitch Blundell has over 15 years’
experience on the northern beaches. Membership costs $5.50 per
year (three years just $11).
The Vibe: A relaxed and comfortable, family friendly atmosphere
in the bistro area. The Surf Lounge has a more funky and
young vibe, hosting a variety of entertainment. The club has been
extensively renovated over the past 12 months, including the dining
area, outdoor area and the new 18+ area the Surf Lounge on level
one. They’ve also recently opened a new dedicated function room –
The Stella Room.
Must Try: Their Baked Eggs is a breakfast go-to – two free
range eggs, house-made beans, capsicum, chorizo, Danish fetta and
sourdough. For dinner, order the Lamb Shank Pot Pie (12-hour slow
cooked lamb shanks, winter vegetables, crème fraiche pastry, mash
potato, peas). For functions you can’t go past the Sliders Platter
(pork or beef).
The Specials: Plenty to get excited about for lunch and dinner
– $25 Rib Special Mondays; $12 Tacos Special Tuesdays; $15 Chicken
Schnitzel Special Wednesdays; 2-4-1 Pizzas Thursdays; $20 Burger &
Beer Special Fridays; and $5 Kids Meals Sundays.
Other stuff: Happy Hour 4-6pm Monday, Tuesday & Friday
($4 local schooners, $4 house wines and $4.50 house spirits); $10
cocktails in the Surf Lounge Saturdays from 9-10pm; Badge Draw
Fridays – starts at $1,000 and can go up to $10,000 (from 6.15pm);
new monthly Super Raffle starting August. Raffle held on 1 st Sunday
of month – each offering more than $1,500 in prizes.
Royal Motor Yacht Club
Popular RMYC, which has operated on the shore of Pittwater at
Newport since 1926, boasts versatile facilities to suit all occasions,
from small intimate groups to large social gatherings. Choose from
the Salt Cove Brasserie (with menu overseen by executive chef
Steve Arena), the Garden Forecourt, Compass Terrace, Water View
Terrace, Lounge Bar and balcony.
The Vibe: Salt Cove Brasserie changes with the seasons, both
in atmosphere and menu. In winter a lit fire, heaters and blankets
add warmth to the ambience. Approaching spring the doors open
to take in the fresh breeze off the bay. Management continually
keep areas fresh and appealing, with furniture upgrades, flowers
and more.
Must Try: Return again and again to ensure you sample each
of their hearty food offerings. Order the Beer Battered Flathead
and amazing super-thick, crunchy chips – the best on the beaches,
so the Club says (there’s a grilled option too). The Rosemary Crusted
Lamb Backstrap has become so popular, it now just changes to
suit the season – in winter that means with mash, steamed greens
and a spectacular shiraz jus. And their generous Salt Cove Fresh
Angus Beef Burger is understandably a crowd-pleaser. Plus the
breakfast menu on weekends offers Eggs Benedict and Pancakes.
The Specials: Always four or more each day, with Fish of
the Day a staple and winter warmer dishes on trend through the
cold months. On Tuesdays (Fame Trivia from 7pm) enjoy Chicken
Schnitzel & Chips for $18 – and pay $15 for a bottle of house wine
(normally $26). Currently they serve a great Sunday BBQ Spit Roast
($18) with accompaniments of corn cobs, coleslaw, salad, jacket
potatoes plus sour cream and chives.
Other stuff: Social Memberships cost $160 (includes 5%
discount on all food and drink). General Membership $620 per
year (one-off $500 Joining Fee). Members Badge Draw is held every
Friday from 7pm; ‘Happy Hour’ Monday to Friday from 5.30pm to
6.30pm; shuttle bus 7 days.
34 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Palm Beach Golf Club
Located smack bang in the middle of paradise – on one side sits
world famous Palm Beach and on the other Pittwater and Lion Island
– this relaxed Club welcomes visitors to share and enjoy its amazing
facilities, including its leisurely nine-hole layout. The Club’s modern
Australian-style restaurant Beach Road Dining is headed by Martin
Brito (formerly Head Chef of Michelin Star Restaurant Nobu London).
Martin’s expansive menu is accompanied by a thoughtfully compiled
wine list, plus there are 12 different beers on tap.
The Vibe: Recently renovated, the Club boasts an open-air balcony
with breathtaking views over the golf course and to Lion Island
by day, while it transforms into an intimate space at night.
Must Try: For starters order Flash Fried Salt & Pepper squid, chili,
sambal with coriander (matched with a glass of Knee Deep sauvignon
blanc). Follow that up with the 300gram Emerald Bay Grass Fed
Sirloin with eschalot garlic butter, paprika-salted chips and mixed-leaf
salad (matched with 2015 d’Arenberg ‘Love Grass’ shiraz). Or if you’re
in the mood for sharing, consider the Hot & Cold Seafood Platter
for two (subject to availability) crammed with Sydney rock oysters,
Queensland king prawns, smoked salmon, grilled barramundi, panko
calamari, battered fish, chips, salad with a selection of sauces. (Pair it
with a bottle of Helens Hill chardonnay from the Yarra Valley that was
recently awarded a 95-point rating from James Halliday.)
The Specials: Kids eat free on Thursdays through Saturday
nights; also the Club hosts a ‘241’ night on Wednesdays which brings
a full house – bookings recommended.
Other stuff: The Club hosts eight band nights per year, with
big names including Barry Leef, The Classic Kings, and Swinging
Sixties drawing up to 300 people who enjoy a fun night of food, wine
and dancing. Also, Beach Road Dining hosts four 5-course Degustation
Dinners per year. The Club is active in the community, regularly
hosting Probus lunches and other community groups from around
Sydney. Social membership is $25; full playing memberships $1350.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Pittwater RSL
Prides itself as the ‘local community club’. Here members and guests can
enjoy four different styles of dining: Glasshouse embraces the farm-totable
approach in its offering that includes aged, wood-fire-grilled steaks;
Nonna’s Kitchen serves authentic handmade pizzas, pastas, salads,
starters and shared tapas plates; Little Bok Choy features extensive tasty
authentic Asian cuisine (awesome noodles, fried rice, stir fries, made-toorder
laksa and Yum Cha with Chinese, Thai and Malay influences); and
Potter’s Cafe (open seven days from 9.30am) is where to head for a coffee
catch-up while letting the kids play in the indoor playground. All for a
membership that starts at $10 a year!
The Vibe: Plenty of variety, from relaxing and intimate, to welcoming
and social. As the name suggests, Glasshouse is sleek and sophisticated.
Gorgeously renovated, Nonna’s Kitchen is a warm and versatile space with
booths to banquet tables, plus a large outdoor terrace where you can enjoy
a glass of wine, dinner and the leafy treetops of Mona Vale. And Potter’s
Café is green, lush and full of natural light.
Must Try: The steaks – cooked in their new wood-fired Josper Grill
which, utilising temperatures in excess of 400 degrees, seals and retains
the flavours. They also hot-smoke seafood and vegetables – yum! The
crispy-skin snapper is a crowd-pleaser, served with bright red, baked truss
tomatoes and a moorish potatoes and olive combo.
The Specials: There’s a Seniors Menu currently on offer and a
variety of daily specials ranging from ‘Marinara Mondays’ to Surf-and-
Turf Thursdays’. Look out for their latest deal – a mouthwatering ‘Sunday
Carvery’ – coming soon.
Other Stuff: The Club stocks a wide range of beverages, from old
classics to new and boutique offerings, including local, international and
craft beers; plus a hand-picked wine list including Sauvignon Blancs from
New Zealand and reds from Margaret River. You can enjoy live music
every weekend, from jazz to acoustic rock – plus great live shows with
top artists. Upcoming shows include ABBALANCHE (August 25), Diesel
(September 22) and Rose Tattoo (October 27). Community groups such as
Probus, Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary and Lion’s Club meet and make use
of the Club amenities for free.
AUGUST 2018 35
Special Local Promotion

Special Local Promotion
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is one of the oldest
and most active sailing clubs in Sydney, with year-round sailing
complemented by wholesome, reasonably priced food and
drinks. From a la carte dining and BBQ specials to casual bistro
service there is something for everyone.
The Vibe: The Club has a relaxed, welcoming vibe and
a beautiful setting on the quiet and picturesque Pittwater.
Halyards Bistro has stunning views over the marina and is a
perfect spot to relax while the kids play safely in the gated
playground within view of the restaurant.
Must Try: The Chef-cooked BBQ specials featuring lamb,
beef or seafood or go for an intimate dining experience at The
Alfred’s Table on a Friday evening (6-8.30pm), when you can
choose from the a la carte menu (which changes each week)
in a more formal setting with clothed tables, table service and
candles. Bookings are essential. Halyards opens for breakfast
on weekends from 8-11.30am.
The Specials: The Bistro menu offers fresh seafood,
fish and chips, a variety of burgers, pizza and plenty of daily
blackboard specials and weekday specials to complement the
season for example during winter, guests have been enjoying
a pasta and drink special on Thursdays and a roast of the day
and drink special on Fridays. Food is seasonal, tasty and good
value and there is always something new on the menu to suit
all ages.
Other Stuff: The club runs a comprehensive year-round
racing and cruising program for the whole family, with a
range of social events complementing the sailing. Members’
benefits include 20 per cent off prices on food and drinks and
heavily discounted access to Sailfit and the Club Fitness Centre.
Membership is open and ranges from age 6, youth membership
to adults (either boat owning or general membership). Family
membership packages are also available. The club welcomes all
prospective membership enquiries.
Narrabeen RSL
Hidden away in the valley, with bowling greens and surrounded by
mature trees, this laid-back venue feels a world away from some of
the busier Clubs on the beaches. On the food front, be blown away
at the Monsoon Grill (Tuesday – Sunday) which serves a thoughtful
menu of delicious modern Australian offerings. There’s something
for all tastes and levels of hunger.
The Vibe: Think old school RSL served with a squeeze of
hipster cool. The main bar area has looked much the same for
decades – but thankfully ‘retro’ is cool again, so the Club is in
fashion again! They have their own Cocktail Bar too – ‘Sunk’ –
located by the bowling green, which also serves craft beers.
Must Try: Who doesn’t like Tasmanian Crispy Skin Salmon?
Here it’s served with baby potatoes, asparagus, herbed tomatoes
and olive tapenade mayo. Their tender Eye Fillet is partnered
with caramelised onion mash, red wine jus, roasted capsicum
and mint chutney. And their Burger with The Lot, well it has a lot
going for it.
The Specials: They merry-go-round each week. On
Tuesdays it’s the Panko-crumbed Chicken schnitzel with chips
and gravy; on Wednesdays, buy any two main meals and receive
a free dessert; On Thursdays dig into a 2kg bucket of chicken
wings and a pint of beer for $25; and Pizzas are the Friday go-to.
Their ‘family friendly’ persona ramps up on weekends with a
$50 Saturday meal deal comprising T-Bone steak (with chips and
gravy), plus chicken wings, a beef burger and the choice of any
two children’s meals. And on Sundays kids (under 12) eat free all
day with any adult’s meal purchase.
Other stuff: Happy Hour 4-6pm Monday to Friday; Members
Badge Draw 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays. They
host regular musical acts – including two Pete Murray concerts
last month (both sold out). On Friday August 14 head down for the
Razza Dazza Sing Song. Club membership is $11 per year – or five
years for $25. What’s stopping you?
36 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Club Palm Beach
Formerly known as Palm Beach RSL, this welcoming space is conveniently
located a short stroll south from Palm Beach Wharf. Even when
it’s busy you’ll find a nook where you can relax and unwind, and the
staff are as down to earth and friendly as you’ll find anywhere. Membership
costs just $10 per year.
The Vibe: Their popular Barrenjoey Bistro is located at the back
of the Club and adjoins a delightful sun-drenched beer garden with al
fresco dining and accompanying under-shelter tables, plus a peaceful
bird aviary that gives it a back-to-nature feel. You can dine inside as
well. The Club pays homage to its RSL roots with displays of military
collections and memorabilia. There’s a plan to refurbish the auditorium.
Must Try: ‘Cheffie’s Spaghetti’ – perfectly seasoned with a generous
serve of king prawns, garlic, chilli, plump truss tomatoes and a
basil garnish, topped with shards of parmesan. If you’re into offal
their Lamb’s Fry with bacon, mash, peas and onion gravy is a deep,
delightful dish. And the Crumbed Prawns, salad and chips makes a
perfect light lunch. Vegetarians are catered for, with offerings of Polenta
Crusted Pumpkin Risotto Cakes and a Roast vegetable and Goats
Cheese Tart.
The Specials: The Club has earned its reputation as a top-value
eating destination by getting its specials offering just right. For just
$13.50 you can enjoy a different meal Monday to Friday, from traditional
roasts, to rump steak, chicken schnitzel, gourmet home-made pies
and tempura fish and chips.
Other stuff: There’s a Mega Meat raffle every Sunday, plus the
Member’s Badge Draw is held Wednesday and Friday nights (every 30
minutes between 5-7pm). They offer group deals, including ‘Another
Day In Paradise’ – a 30-minute guided tour of Palm Beach plus lunch at
the Club for $13.50 (10 or more); plus ‘Cruising Palm Beach’ – a 1-hour
ferry cruise on Pittwater plus lunch at the Club for $25 (10 or more).
The Club has a courtesy bus that makes regular runs Wednesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays between 4.30pm and 9pm; ring to book a pick-up.
Dee Why RSL
Dee Why RSL Club boasts contemporary surroundings and an
expansive menu by executive chef Scott Drinkwater across its six bars,
four restaurants and 13 function spaces. The Club dishes up more than
400,000 main courses each year including bistro classics, Italian, Asian,
and American grill favourites.
The Vibe: The Club opened in 1937 as a venue for returned
service men and women and has stayed true to its roots. Everyone is
welcome.
Must Try: There’s plenty to ponder at the Flame Lounge & Dining,
including the USA Pork Ribs… with secret tequila BBQ sauce; Garlic
Cronut – a garlic-flavoured croissant-doughnut pastry, topped with
garlic butter, rock salt and black pepper; Seafood Pie with fish, king
prawns, calamari, roasted fennel, in semi-dried tomato cream sauce,
topped with brick pastry; and the Grande Brownie Smash – smashed
dark chocolate brownie, with chocolate mousse, vanilla cream and
roasted walnuts. At Aqua Bar & Dining go for the Scaloppine di fungi
– veal, sliced button mushrooms, cream, served with potato and
vegetables; Bolognese, Pea and Parmesan Arancini with Napoli dip; and
Melone & Prosciutto, served with salad leaves and vin cotto. The Bistro
serves a delectable roast pork with crackling and apple sauce (yum);
while you can’t go past the Nasi Goreng at ‘The Asian’.
The Specials: The Bistro hosts ‘Country of Origin’ monthly
food specials. In August the focus is Sweden, which will see dishes
like Swedish Meatballs and cheese pie added to the menu. The Club
also celebrates ‘food days’ including World Chocolate Day, National
Milkshake Day and National Burger Day. Aqua Bar & Dining offers daily
specials including: Monday – Winter Warmer, Slow Cooked Italian-Style
Braised Lamb Shanks on Warm Polenta; Tuesday – Tantalising Tower for
Two; Wednesday – All You Can Eat Pizza or Pasta; Thursday – Parmology
(choose from three parmigiana options, chips and side salad). And on
Sunday – Kids Eat Free!
Other Stuff: The Club has a great entertainment calendar
featuring notable line-ups of the best local and international acts, plus
complimentary live music every night. A two-year Membership costs $5.
Special Local Promotion
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 37

Art Life
Art Life
Inspiration runs deep
Matt Wilcock of ‘Outfall Art’
and Damian ‘Dooma’ Oswald
of ‘Print My Fish’ draw their
artistic inspiration primarily from
the waters of the Pacific Ocean
and the saltwater that runs in their
veins.
Both are surfers and keen
fishermen; Matt dives for chain on
the ocean floor, creating sculptural
wonders that seem to defy gravity
whilst Dooma practices Gyotaku the
centuries-old Japanese technique of
printing freshly caught fish.
Originally freediving to salvage
old and very heavy chain, Matt has
now incorporated SCUBA to speed
up the process. Once collected he
forges and shapes molten metal
into sculptures that reflect the
elemental nature of the sea and
coast.
His sculptures speak to a deepseated
appreciation of natural form
in a primal material.
“If it’s dangerous, dirty or loud,
I’ll be in the thick of it,” Matt said.
Meanwhile, the age-old
fisherman’s tale of “It was this
big…” doesn’t really wash with
Gyotaku – as its process provides
proof of size and also species right
there in front of you.
Using ink or paint (traditionally
non-toxic, so the subject may then
be eaten or preserved), Dooma
transfers the organic shape and
texture onto Washi or rice paper.
Avalon Art Gallery’s Jennifer
Hill says in Dooma’s skilled and
experienced hands, the detail
and movement captured is
extraordinary.
Dooma and Matt’s works are held
in collections throughout the world
in both commercial settings and
private residences; this month locals
have the chance to view them at an
exhibition at Avalon Art Gallery (in
the Cinema Arcade) from Saturday
August 4 through August 31.
Opening night is from 6pm on
August 4, when you can meet the
artists and hear them talk about
their projects and the fascinating
stories behind their creativity.
It’s cheers to creativity!
Always wanted to try painting
but have reservations “People realise that there is
and coach them through.
about your artistic self? Then no barrier, anyone can enjoy
perhaps you’d like to try the painting and I encourage participants
latest innovation in social art
to leave their judg-
classes – group sessions with ments and misconceptions
a glass of bubbly or wine to about art at the door.
help get the
“This is
creative juices
about giving
flowing.
themselves
Local Reiki
permission to
teacher Jane
play with paint
Hodgett says
and not worrying
she started
about
her social ‘Art
an end result
& Alcohol’
– and they get
evenings two
to go home
years ago to
with an amazing
share her love
painting
of art with
on a canvas!”
people who
Jane’s sessions
would like to paint but were
are generally held on
either too busy to commit to a the fourth Saturday of each
course, or who had always felt month, from 7pm-9.30pm at
that they “couldn’t do it”. her home studio in Mona Vale
“Absolutely anyone can do (next session is August 25).
my class – they are strictly for There’s a minimum of 10
fun and no previous experience
people per session (group
is necessary, said Jane. bookings for birthdays and
“Everything is provided – work-bonding sessions also
paints, brushes, table easels, available); cost is $60.
canvas aprons, wine or bubbly;
More info call Jane on 0412
and I provide an image 151 108.
38 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Getting in the ‘Spirit’ for
Newport Sculpture Trail
Planning is well underway for the Sixth Annual ‘Newport
Sculpture Trail’ to be held later this year.
Co-founder Patsy Clayton-Fry says emerging and established
artists are being invited to respond to the 2018 theme
of ‘Spirit’ with sculpture, performance or installation art.
The ‘Newport Sculpture Trail’ is now part of the newly
formed Totem Arts Festival which is currently being developed
as a major long-term contemporary arts festival to energise
the cultural offerings for communities on the northern
end of the peninsula.
“Working closely with local artists, community groups and
business, a calendar of events has been prepared that will
engage everyone,” said Patsy.
“The festival this year will include pop-up activities and
workshops including waste-to-art sculptures, wearable art,
music and performance art.”
The 2018 Newport Sculpture Trail runs from Friday October
26 to Sunday November 11 in Newport village. Artists are
invited to showcase their works in selected local businesses,
attracting more people to both the businesses and the Newport
village.
There will be a curatorial selection for the winner (prize
money to be announced) in addition to a ‘People’s Choice
Award’ with a cash prize of $500.
All artists, including students, are encouraged to apply,
with the final selection determined by an established curator.
Applications close on 1st September; more info email
totemartsfestival@gmail.com
– Lisa Offord
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 39

Boating Life
Boating Life
Breeze up to sailing info day
Looking to give sailing a go,
or get your kids involved at
a young age at a fun, relaxed
club? Then consider Avalon
Sailing Club which is holding
an information and registration
day for kids on Sunday August
26th from 10am to 2pm.
With a modest timber
clubhouse on the shore
between Clareville and
Paradise beaches, Avalon SC
is a unique part of Pittwater’s
world class sailing heritage.
This year the Club will
celebrate two important
MILESTONES: Avalon Sailing Club is celebrating 80 years since formation and 60 years since its Clubhouse opened.
anniversaries – 80 years since
the formation of the Club and “Avalon is one of those
60 years since the official iconic ‘wooden shed’ sailing
opening of the Clubhouse. clubs which has a wonderfully
“We’re a volunteer-run Club inclusive culture that welcomes
with 400 active members, newcomers – there are no flash
ranging in age from 8 to 88, restaurants, bars or pokies,
with a comprehensive and just the best place for families
professional sailing program to enjoy a BBQ and a drink
catering to all ages and skills,” post-sailing whilst taking in the
said Club Commodore, Jane best views on Pittwater.”
Durham.
Friday evenings on the deck
or on the water in Summer
were a popular, family friendly
way to end the working week.
She said the youth program
which runs on Sunday
mornings from September
through to Easter, starts with
Blue Group which is aimed at
beginners aged 7 – 12. (The
Club Nippas & Pacers are used
for this program.)
“Once the basics have been
learnt, the children progress
to the Red and Gold groups
for further instruction and an
introduction to racing.”
Race preparation for State
and National Titles is also
provided. This season there
will be club dinghies available
for season hire, with no
pressure to commit to buying a
boat immediately.
For teenagers and adults,
there is a very active group
sailing Spirals and dedicated
Spiral coaching days with be
run in spring.
“The Club also runs Spring/
Summer school holiday
camps, open to children of
all ages,” Jane said. “Classes
sailed at Avalon include
Nippas, Pacers, Bics, MJs,
Flying 11s & Spirals.
“Planning is also under way
for Adult learn to sail classes
for the coming season. The
emphasis in all these programs
is that sailing is a fun activity
which teaches many skills
and provides opportunities
for a lifetime. There are
many sailors in their 80s who
regularly enjoy cruising and
racing – not many other sports
can claim that!”
The Club also has a healthy
Yacht division and a revamped
racing program for the coming
season will provide a diversity
of events and casual entries
are encouraged.
“Plus the addition of the
Pittwater Couta boat fleet to
ASC this season is a great
bonus and the Couta fleet is
always looking for crews,” she
said. “And for those who like
a more relaxed approach, the
Cruising Division organises
lots of great weekends away
and members can also take
advantage of club moorings
dotted around Pittwater.”
Blue Group Learn to Sail is
limited to 25 children, and
along with sailing camps,
positions are provided on a
first-come, first-in basis.
For more info regarding
Registration Day or any
club activities, head to their
Facebook page or email info@
avalonsailingclub.com.au
– Lisa Offord
40 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Surfing Life
Surfing Life
A look at the surfers
you never knew existed
First up: The girl from New Jersey who was a Woman’s World Tour trailblazer
A
couple of years ago,
I began scratching
away at a book about
professional surfing. I guess I
was fascinated by a number of
things: the development of pro
sport generally and how surfing
fit into that arc; the way it was
immediately global, unlike
so many other professional
sports, the majority of which
are regional or national by
nature; most of all, the weird
nature of surfing itself, a sport
that thanks to its uniquely
Polynesian roots, in many ways
doesn’t even look like a sport
at all.
Why did surfers decide
to turn pro? And how did
that rebound into its wacky
freewheeling culture?
This is all good stuff for
a book. But what’s really
enlivening it for me and my
co-author Sean Doherty – some
of you will know Sean from
his brilliant biography of the
Queensland legend Michael
Peterson, among other works
– is the way new names are resurfacing
through the research.
People who neither of us knew
existed, yet who were key to
what occurred through the arc
of the tale.
I’ll tell you about a number of
these people over the coming
year, but I want to begin with a
woman named Patti Paniccia.
Recently, pro surfing’s latest
governing body, the World Surf
League, has become interested
in its founders. They even held
an event called the Founders’
Cup, which we wrote about
here a few months ago. The
Founders who appeared at the
event did not include Patti. This
tells you an enormous amount
about professional surfing.
Patti was the daughter of a
New Jersey Italian family whose
father once went away to war.
Patti’s Dad joined the Navy
during WWII and travelled first
to Hawaii, then to California,
where he was based around
Long Beach some time after the
war.
He came back to New Jersey
and told Patti’s mother: “This is
a dump! Come on, there’s better
places in the world.”
The Paniccias moved to
California, where Patti was born.
Thus at the age of 13, in 1967,
Patti found herself hanging out
next to the pier at Huntington
Beach, waiting for people to lose
their boards so she could have
a turn.
Her dad’s building
contractor’s business then
signed up for a job in Hawaii.
The Paniccias moved to a house
at Waialua on Oahu’s North
Shore, a short drive to all the
with Nick Carroll
PIONEERS: Four of the girls on the first Women’s Tour in South Africa in 1976
(from left): Sally Prange, Patti Paniccia, Claudia Bates and Becky Benson.
greatest surf spots on earth.
Patti thinks of Hawaii as part
of the expansion of her life,
in sync with their increasing
prosperity and her growing up.
“I didn’t know any different,”
she told me, “so I just surfed
everywhere. Sunset, Haleiwa,
Laniakea, out front of our
house.” There were hardly any
women doing that. You could
count them on two hands:
Patti’s best surfing friend Sally
Prange, the Benson sisters
Blanche and Becky, Dale Dahlin
who surfed Haleiwa a lot,
and Honolulu’s Lynne Boyer,
who would one day be world
champion.
She doesn’t recall any male
meanness. “Everyone was
real nice to us in the surf. You
fought for your waves, but it’s
not like today.”
All the girls competed in the
Hawaiian Surfing Association
events, when they had enough
money for the entry fee. Patti
worked in Jerry’s Sweet Shop in
Haleiwa, flipping burgers. She’d
have surfed anyway, contests
or not.
In the early 1970s she and the
other girls formed a group they
called the Hawaiian Women’s
Hui. (“Hui” is Hawaiian for club,
or group.) The Hui’s energies
were spent on opening the
door to surfing for girls. They
ran learn-to-surf classes and
ding-fixing classes, and also ran
competitions. Patti became the
Hui’s competition director.
In 1973, as the Hawaiian pro
surfing events began to take
off, the big-time promotor
and former world champ Fred
Hemmings decided to invite a
woman to his keynote event,
the Smirnoff Pro. He chose
Laura Blears Ching. Now Laura
was a good surfer, and the
Women’s Hui respected her,
42 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

PL’s AUGUST SURF CALENDAR
10-21/8: WSL CT men’s Billabong Pro, Teahupoo, Tahiti
This event turns the pro year around. Before it, lots of surfers still
kinda had a shot at a world title, or at least a big ranking; after it,
only five or six will be in it. Teahupoo when it’s on epitomises what
we might call the Core Theory of professional surfing, which runs
thus: The waves are the main game. A great surfer will interest
some people, but epic surf gets everyone. In the case of Chopes,
it’ll be the year’s biggest challenge to the young Brazilian surfers
who’ve dominated much of the competition so far. They rip in
normal surf, but Teahupoo is not remotely normal.
NICK’S AUGUST SURF FORECAST
I have to say, July did way better than I’d expected. It featured
the best six hours of surf this year, when an unexpected northeast
swell popped up off a short-lived wind-band up near Lennox
Head, and two of the biggest swells of the year, one of which – a
massive southerly – pretty much stripped Pittwater’s beaches.
Super fun! And also super cold! I think August might begin a trend
away from mega-swells. There might be something significant
early in the month from deep winter storms moving south of
Tassie, but once they’re done, expect a long second half of the
month, with light winds, occasional cold westerlies, and mostly,
very small waves. Sorry.
Nick Carroll
but they also suspected the real
reason Fred had invited Laura
to compete, out of all the girl
surfers in Hawaii, was that Laura
had recently appeared in Playboy
magazine.
They elected Patti to go talk
with Fred about this conundrum.
“Fred was like, ‘Who are you
to be telling me how to run
my business?’” she laughed.
“But I went to lunch with him,
and we kept talking… Maybe it
was some of the Italian in me –
scrappy, is that the word?”
Patti and Fred had plenty
of arguments, but finally he
relented, and asked her to run
the women’s events, which
by 1976 had expanded into
something worth calling a Tour.
So Patti actually founded the
Women’s World Tour. She ran
it that year, then for the next
two years during which the first
women’s pro champion, Margo
Oberg of Kauai, was repeatedly
crowned.
By 1979 Patti had had
enough of running contests
and tours, and decided to
challenge herself. She went
back to California and did Law
at Pepperdine University, and
eventually found her way into
journalism, where she was a key
correspondent for the fledgling
CNN, covering everything from
the Reagan Presidency to the
Rodney King riots in LA. When
CNN sacked her in 1994 after
the birth of her second child,
The Local Voice Since 1991
she fought a celebrated lawsuit
over the issue of employment
during childbirth, took it to
the Supreme Court, and won.
Subsequently she wrote a
best-selling book, ‘Work Smarts
For Women: The Essential Sex
Discrimination Survival Guide’.
Today Patti is an Adjunct
Professor of Law at Pepperdine,
where she teaches legal theory.
She also still owns the old
family home at Waialua, where
she stays and surfs regularly
through the Hawaiian winter
surf season.
I know of very few ex-pro
surfers who come close to Patti
in terms of achievement in and
beyond the sport, if it really is a
sport. Her efforts began a chain
of events that led directly to
Steph Gilmore’s fantastic recent
win at Jeffreys Bay. But why had
I never heard of her before I
started scratching away at this
book? Simple: no surf mag had
ever published a story about
her, or featuring her, or really
anything about the Hawaiian
women surfers of the time at all.
Surfers of the time thought
they were radical people living
a radical life, and in some
senses they were. But when
it came to seeing women and
men as equals, they were as
conservative as any of their
parents.
More from this mad research
from time to time in coming
months!
AUGUST 2018 43
Surfing Life

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
‘Joint’ initiative to empower locals
We are increasingly
becoming a nation of
dodgy knees and wornout
hips – but before you trade
yours in, there are a few things
you should know.
Dr Paul Miniter, head of the
Northern Beaches Orthopaedic
Centre, has recenty opened
rooms in Mona Vale providing
state-of-the-art assessment and
surgery for all disorders of the
lower limb.
With a special interest in joint
preservation surgery of the
knee and hip as well as injuries
relating to the knee, foot and
ankle, Dr Miniter and team are
passionate about
continuing education,
regularly attending
conferences
and joining other
specialists operating
overseas to learn the
latest advancements
in bone and joint
preservation, alternative
approaches
to complex issues,
pain management
and surgical techniques.
And the public will have the
opportunity to share in Dr
Miniter’s knowledge at a series
of free public health seminars to
be held from next month, with
the first focusing on hips and
knee (details see page 7).
“The aim is to help people understand
whether they need to
be thinking about surgery in the
context of their joint problems
– not all people need a joint
replacement even if their X-rays
look terrible,” Dr Miniter said.
SEMINARS: Dr Miniter.
ADVANCES: New techniques could see replacement surgery postponed.
“During the seminars we’ll
discuss other modalities of
treatment such as exercise,
weight loss and physiotherapy.
“Recovery from surgery will
also be covered off as well as
techniques to preserve joints
from wear and tear.
“Importantly, we will be
welcoming questions to help
people understand whether
they actually need treatment.”
Dr Miniter explained there
were many new techniques that
allowed doctors to recommend
conservative treatment and
even postpone joint replacements
in certain patients.
“Also there have
been many exciting
developments in
joint replacement
allowing people
who have suffered
serious disability
to restore function
and lead active
lives,” he said.
Dr Miniter said
advances in orthopaedic
medicine
and surgical equipment now
allowed for specialists to assist
patients closer to their homes
– in many cases alleviating the
need to travel to major hospitals
for procedures and follow-ups.
“The most exciting development
in my opinion is the
speed of recovery and quality of
results that is seen with modern
surgery,” Dr Miniter said.
“In the USA – and soon here –
up to 70 per cent of treatment is
now done in a day surgery; that
means less risks of complications,
less pain and faster return
to work and activities.”
Dr Miniter starts day surgery
procedures, such as knee and
ankle arthroscopy and reconstruction
at the expanded Pittwater
Day Surgery in Mona Vale
from the first week of August.
Dr Miniter undertook postgraduate
medical qualification
at Royal North Shore Hospital.
After graduating as an Orthopaedic
Surgeon he went overseas
for fellowship training in
joint replacement and paediatric
orthopaedics in Scotland.
Over the years Dr Miniter has
formed close associations with
world-renowned orthopaedic
surgeons, allowing for an easy
exchange of professional medical
opinions and ideas.
Each year he shares his surgical
expertise pro-bono, dealing
with an array of orthopaedic
conditions in the very poorest
communities in India and Africa.
Although he has owned a
house in Avalon with wife Kate
for nearly two decades, Dr
Miniter has spent a chunk of
that period in the ACT as a sub
specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
and teaching medical students.
“I have always wanted to
spend more time on the Northern
Beaches… it feels like I am
coming home,” he said.
For those who are sporty and
whose bones and joints are taking
a pounding in efforts to stay
fit and healthy, it’s good to note
Dr Miniter and The Northern
Beaches Orthopaedic Centre
team also have a particular
interest in treating ankle injury.
“Ankle injury is the most common
sporting injury; up to 20
per cent of people have ongoing
issues with the ankle after
injury,” he said.
Fractures and sprains that
are ignored or aren’t treated
properly when they occur could
lead to long-term chronic problems
such as repeated injury,
ankle weakness and arthritis, Dr
Miniter explained.
“If recovery does not occur
with physiotherapy, strengthening
and mobility exercises,
ankle injury requires specialist
assessment and treatment,” Dr
Miniter said.
“We are always on the lookout
for new avenues to further
speed up recovery and deal with
these complex injuries.”
* Plans are also ‘afoot’ for a
weekly acute sports injury
clinic at Pittwater Day Surgery
beginning later this month.
For more info and/or to
reserve your place at the Free
Information Session or sports
injury clinic go to nbocentre.
com.au/infonight or call 1300
901 805. – Lisa Offord
44 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Free grief and loss course
Everyone experiences loss at some time and grief is a
normal and natural response to loss that can affect every
part of our lives.
Research has shown that grief and loss experienced by caregivers
of a loved one occurs at different stages of the caring
journey, bringing significant emotional stress.
This can be the result of receiving a diagnosis; changes related
to financial circumstances; deterioration of symptoms;
prospects of new treatments; relinquishing of care; imminence
of death; or the death of a loved one.
Everyone experiences grief in their own way – some people
express their grief in private and do not show it in public;
some want to express their grief through crying and talking.
Others may be reluctant to talk and prefer to keep busy and
people may behave differently at different times.
There is no ‘correct’ way to grieve, and no way to ‘fix
it’ but understanding more about what you may be going
through can help.
If you’re grieving, it’s important to know that you’re not
alone and help is available.
Northern Beaches Community Connect is running a free
five-week Grief and Loss Course for Carers commencing on
Monday 6 August.
The course focusses on restoration of your emotional functioning
by understanding the theory behind grief, normalising
feelings, engaging in exploration of unique personal experiences,
experiential learning and peer support.
The course will be held on Mondays – 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug,
27 Aug, 3 Sep – from 10.30am to 1.30pm at Dee Why RSL Club
(morning tea and light lunch included).
For more information call Robyn on 9931 7777. – LO
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 45

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Skin needling treatments
offer rejuvenation benefit
Using small needles to
penetrate the skin is now
well established as a technique
to minimise pore size, tighten
skin, rejuvenate skin texture or
surface, minimise wrinkles, reduce
scars and improve stretch
marks.
The theory is that controlled
needles penetrate the dermis
or strength layer of the skin.
Collagen in this layer is induced
or stimulated to heal. With healing,
more collagen is deposited,
which thickens the skin. All
scars contract, so this contraction
tightens the skin. Thicker
skin appears more youthful.
Another big advantage is the
skin needling allows penetration
of therapeutic products.
Skin is a very effective barrier.
Every day our skin protects
against desiccation, bacteria,
chemicals, toxins and solutions.
Such an effective barrier
makes penetration of skin care
products difficult. We all know
vitamins A, B and C are beneficial
to skin care. However,
getting them into the skin
has been a major limitation in
therapeutic effectiveness. Many
skin care solutions list these
products but the concentration
or form may not allow penetration.
Having thousands of tiny
holes markedly increases this
penetration.
There are two main systems
of commonly used skin
needling – rollers and vertical
needling.
Rollers contain fixed needles,
which as the roller is rolled over
the skin, penetrate the dermis.
Different rollers have different
needle lengths. Generally the
longer needles are used by skin
therapists, with the shorter needles
being used at home. A few
factors limit their use. Smaller,
contoured areas of the face –
such as near the nose, lips or
eyes – may be difficult to reach.
Needle length is not changeable;
the whole roller needs
to be changed. The action of
the roller over the skin may
cause small cuts or flicks as the
needles emerge from the skin,
resulting in linear cuts rather
than needle-shaped punctures.
Vertical needling has sterile,
disposable, spring-loaded
needles attached to a vibrating
wand or stem. By vibrating in
a vertical direction, the needle
tracks are controlled, predictable
and vertical. It is considered
less painful and with faster
healing and repair. Needle
lengths can be altered during
a treatment and vibration
speeds can also be changed.
This allows different areas with
different skin thickness or characteristics
to be treated. Having
a smaller surface area, they
are useful on the nose, near
the eyes and lips. There are 11
needles and the length can be
varied from 0.25 – 2.5mm.
All treatments should be
preceded by a time of optimising
skin health. For rejuvenation,
generally 4-6 treatments
four weeks apart are advised.
For acne scars, 6 treatments
six weeks apart and for stretch
marks up to 10 treatments 4-6
weeks apart. Results are seen
from about four weeks and
improvement continues for 6-12
months. A good post-treatment
with Dr John Kippen
regime is suggested, and
intermittent retreatments are
advised.
Downtime and recovery are
proportional to needle depth
and treatment type. This can
vary from mild redness that
may last a few hours, to quite
marked redness lasting 12-24
hours for more intense treatments.
Small amounts of bleeding
may occur near. (Deeper
treatments are often combined
with topical numbing creams.)
In general, skin needling is
a very popular treatment with
very good results. Pore size can
be reduced, skin rejuvenated,
wrinkles reduced, texture improved
and skin tightened. The
vertical needling gives greater
accuracy over a wider variety of
skin types and allows eyelids,
lips and noses to be treated.
Our columnist Dr John
Kippen is a qualified, fully
certified consultant specialist
in Cosmetic, Plastic and
Reconstructive surgery.
Australian trained, he also
has additional Australian and
International Fellowships.
Dr Kippen works from custom-built
premises in Mona
Vale. He welcomes enquiries
and questions. Please
contact him via johnkippen.
com.au or by email: doctor@
johnkippen.com.au
46 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

‘Specialties’ evolves with family dental
Digital dentistry is not the
future – it’s already very
much in the present with
local specialists leading the way
blending high-tech systems
with traditional dental care and
personal attention.
Highly regarded specialist
prosthodontist Dr Tom Giblin
was an early adopter of modern
dental technology when he
opened his practice in Mona
Vale six years ago.
Often likened to an architect
or engineer of the mouth, a
prosthodontist specialises in
the restoration and replacement
of teeth, planning cases not just
for aesthetics but also for long
term function, durability and
easy maintenance.
Operating out of his state-ofthe-art
premises which boasts
its own dental laboratory for
making crowns, veneers and
dentures in-house, Dr Giblin is
also an educator and is regularly
invited to speak about his
work in Australia
and overseas.
“Being a ‘digital’
practice we have
incorporated the
latest in hightech
equipment,
including 3D
Digital imaging for
implant planning
and diagnosis as
well as the latest in
intraoral scanners
that mean often we
simply take a 3D
scan of your teeth
rather than taking
the traditional putty impressions,”
he explained.
“From there we can digitally
‘mock-up’ your smile for you to
see and try in, or design your
new crowns or veneers using
our powerful design software,
before being milled or 3D
printed and then hand-finished
in our dental laboratory.”
Fast-forward to 2018 and
CHANGE: Dr Tom Giblin.
it’s not only new
technology that’s
enhancing local
patient care… Dr
Giblin’s practice
has evolved – it
is now known as
Northern Dental
Implants & Prosthodontics
and
it also includes a
large family and
general dental service
– Barrenjoey
Dental.
He explained
with our ageing
population and busy lifestyles,
patients now more than ever
covet convenience alongside
quality of care.
“Barrenjoey Dental is focused
on providing honest, high-quality
dental care to our patients
and families,” Dr Giblin said.
“By combining a general practice
with the specialist practice,
we can better serve our patients
by offering affordable, quality
everyday dentistry with specialist
restorative care when it is
needed, all in one location,” Dr
Giblin said.
The respected team at Barrenjoey
Dental include Dr Laura
Siebels and Dr John Lockwood
AM, who provide a broad range
of services from check-ups and
cleans to root canals, fillings
and tooth whitening.
“Laura enjoys all aspects of
dentistry, especially working
with children, as well as root
canal therapy and treating gum
conditions,” Dr Giblin said.
She is studying for a Masters
degree in Orofacial Pain.
“Dr John Lockwood moved
his long-standing practice under
our roof two years ago and
he brings decades of experience
in all aspects of general
dentistry,” Dr Giblin said.
Find the team under one
roof at Shop 1, 1731 Pittwater
Rd Mona Vale; P: 9997 1122.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 47

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Fulfilling ‘gap’ year
FROM BELFAST TO AVALON: Dr Ceri Cashell with husband Alisdair Knight,
daughter Izzy and sons Ruairdh and Domhnall.
General Practitioner Dr Ceri Cashell returns to Avalon this
month following a year of working in the UK which she says
revealed differences in the way health provision is delivered
compared to Australia.
“I have had a very busy year working between Belfast and Edinburgh,”
Dr Cashell said. “The volume of work in a day is much
greater in the UK although the types of problems are for the
most part the same as Sydney. And all surgeries offer a maximum
10-minute appointment time.”
She said that professionally she found it hard to have so little
time with her patients.
“And working in lots of different practices meant I lost the
continuity of care that I really valued in Avalon.”
Dr Cashell noted the UK’s National Health Scheme (NHS) had been
very proactive at encouraging patient self-care in minor illness over
the past 15-20 years, with pharmacies often running minor ailment
schemes which avoided the need to see a doctor at all.
“Patients’ health knowledge is similar to what I’ve experienced
in Sydney and varies according to demographic group,” she said.
“However, everything is more protocol-l and guideline-driven in the
UK – and this has encouraged me to update my evidence-based
practice; I have attended several excellent GP update courses.”
The family – including husband Alisdair Knight and kids
Ruairdh, 12, Domhnall, 9, and Izzy, 1 uprooted and returned to
Belfast, Northern Ireland, to spend more time with their parents
as they grew older.
“It has been a very fulfilling year doing things that we have
missed out on living in Sydney,” Dr Cashell said. “Our children
have loved having their Granny Moira around and we have had
lots of wonderful weekends in her mountain cottage with no
WiFi, climbing the Mourne Mountains and mountain biking in
Tollymore Forest.
“We had ski trips to Scotland and the Alps in France as well as
surf camp safaris to the west of Ireland.
“Of course, we missed the blue skies and the beaches but
we were very fortunate to be in the UK for the first four-month
heatwave in over 20 years!” she said. “And a sunny Irish beach is
hard to beat!”
Dr Cashell is looking forward to taking on new patients at
Avalon Family Medical Practice where she will practice Mondays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays.
– Nigel Wall
Eco Corner
You need
info to
ensure you
get the correct
solar inverter
for your
current and
future needs.
Battery storage
will influence
your decision.
A solar inverter (or PV
with
Jono Burke
inverter) is a type of electrical
converter which converts
the variable direct current
(DC) output of a photovoltaic
(PV) solar panel into a utility
frequency alternating current
AC. This means that when
the sun is out you can use the
power in your house directly
from the solar panels.
But the sun doesn’t shine
24 hours! I am always getting
asked about battery storage as
a way to reduce energy costs.
Along with a solar system that
minimises your costs during
sunlight hours, batteries can
store energy to be used after
the sun goes down.
Household or business
energy usage patterns vary
greatly. You may be using most
of your energy during the day
with a business that is open
during normal hours. You may
have equipment or appliances
running well into the night. It’s
important to determine energy
usage patterns before deciding
whether batteries are a viable
option.
When considering using your
solar system to reduce energy
costs for the entire 24-hour
period you must be aware that
not all solar inverters enable
the DC energy to be converted
into the battery storage. The
solar inverter you choose must
be ‘battery ready’.
You need to get a system
with a hybrid solar inverter
that is compatible with the
battery brand you are planning
on installing. My advice is to
plan for the future and install
a ‘battery ready’ inverter.
Batteries have almost halved
in price in the past 12 months
making them more costeffective
than ever. Plan ahead!
* Jono is a Partner with Solar
Energy Enterprises (see ad p28).
48 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 49

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Rewire your brain
through meditation
Neuroplasticity – the ability to rewire your brain to improve your
wellbeing – continues to be a focus of the scientific world.
And meditation is seen as a key activator for this change, helping
individuals reorganise their brain and its function to help overcome
trauma and disease and deal with depression and addiction.
Neuroplasticity has been thoroughly researched, with hundreds of
scientific articles showing regular meditators were able to grow their
prefrontal cerebral cortex, a part of the brain responsible for paying
attention, emotional regulation and sensory management.
Billabong Retreat founder Paul von Bergen agrees that
mindfulness is an attention-training exercise for the brain.
“It involves deliberately trying to focus on one thing at a time, be
it your breath, your physical sensations in your body or for more
advanced practitioners, the stream of thoughts or emotions coming
into your mind,” he said. “This process activates and therefore grows
the prefrontal cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for
your ability to pay attention. This ‘executive control function’ is the
most evolved part of any primate brain and the part you really want
to be developing.”
Paul said that once your ability to pay attention increases you
will start to notice your stream of consciousness – particularly the
underlying patterns of repetitive thoughts, physical sensations and
emotions that can influence your behaviors and decision-making.
“This ability to be able to observe your thoughts, emotions and
sensations is called meta-cognition and is perhaps the most evolved
of all human brain functions,” he said.
Paul added that once an individual had set the intention to learn
meditation it was important they were realistic with expectations.
“It might take a while to find the right teacher, the right training
or the right method,” he continued. “What’s right for me is not
necessarily right for you.
“This is brain reprogramming and it doesn’t happen overnight.”
Paul runs Mindfulness Training programs at Billabong Retreat
every four weeks; for more info phone (02) 4573 6080 or visit
billabongretreat.com.au
– Nigel Wall
50 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
Your lymphatic system:
the mirror to skin health
with Sue Carroll
The science of anti-aging
has always been at the
forefront of human
endeavour. Anti-aging has been
linked through the lymphatic
system, which is also known as
the ‘Elixir of Life’. The lymphatic
system is a vital component
of our immune system and is
one of the most intriguing and
dynamic relationships the body
possesses.
The lymphatic system is the
body’s drainage mechanism
for collection and disposal of
unwanted waste products. It
is a network of tissues and
organs that help rid the body
of toxins, waste and other
unwanted materials. As part
of the circulatory system
and a vital component of our
immune system, the lymphatic
system comprises a network
of lymphatic vessels that carry
lymph – a fluid containing
infection-fighting white blood
cells – throughout the body.
From an aesthetic
perspective, one of the most
famous practitioners of
lymphatic drainage is Danish
physician Emil Vodder, M.D., and
his wife Estrid who developed
the famous Vodder method and
philosophy of manual lymphatic
drainage (MLD). The Vodders
developed a light, rhythmic
massage with stretching
movements to stimulate lymph
flow throughout the body. In
The Local Voice Since 1991
1936, this technique started
to become recognised by the
medical community when
the Vodders presented their
findings to the public at a health
and beauty congress in Paris.
Since then, many physicians
and lymphologists have come
up with their own techniques
for stimulating the lymphatic
system, most of which involve
many of the same basic
principles used in the Vodder
method.
Another form of lymphatic
drainage is pressure therapy.
This is where specialised
equipment is programmed
with compressed air to actively
massage the lymphatic
system. The system may be
used alone or in conjunction
with a wrapping technique,
using cosmetic-rich active
ingredients to enhance the
drainage process. Both MLD
and pressure therapy may be
used for treatment on the legs,
abdomen, buttocks, and arms
for both men and women.
A well-functioning lymphatic
system will influence the tone,
colour and clarity of the skin.
As a consequence of the aging
process, our lymphatics become
less active and facial oedema
may occur. Inadequate lymph
activity is directly attributed to
puffiness and dark circles under
the eyes, as well as swelling of
the face and ankles.
Other physical areas of
concern where lymphatic
drainage may be of use are:
n To assist with reducing
puffiness after a long flight;
n To treat acne and rosacea
where the facilitation of
unwanted bacteria and
cellular debris will be drained
away from the pustulous
region;
n To reduce the effects of
bruising after surgery;
n To reduce the appearance of
cellulite;
n To assist with weight loss
programs;
n To reduce the lactic acid after
a strenuous exercise session;
n If water retention is a problem
this will assist to reduce
puffiness along with a good
health/lifestyle program; and
n In conjunction with a doctor
to treat lymphodema.
The vitality of the lymphatic
system mirrors the skin’s health
and ultimately, one’s overall
health. Lymphatic drainage
remains one of the most effective
methods to assist in the
management of problematic
and congestive skin and health
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
AUGUST 2018 51
Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty

Business Life: Money
Business Life
Good ‘Customer reason service’? for going Now
‘nuts’ there’s this a contradiction!
festive season
When This month writing some about first-hand
accounts financial of innovation customer one
service, of the as perspectives practised by I
can larger share companies: with you I recently is from the
inside had the of pleasure a fintech of company finishing a
which book with in my the case provocative has been title
rolling of ‘Bullshit out Jobs the fast-growing
– A Theory’
Acorns by David app. Graeber Since who launching is
in an Australia Anthropology in early professor 2016 the
app out of now the resides London on School the smart of
phones Economics. of around Graeber’s 350,000 core
Australians, premise is that that’s contrary roughly to a 1.5%
of prediction the population. made by economist
J M If Keynes you’re in 1930 the dark that about by
what century’s I’m talking end we about, would all Acorns be
is enjoying a micro a investment 15-hour work platform week,
or nearly what’s 40% sometimes of the modern called a
‘round-up’ workforce spends app, the their first days one in a
of range its kind of soul-sapping Australia. full-time Our
firm jobs they along secretly with our believe partners do
brought not need it to out be from performed. the US Jobs
in corporate 2015 where law, it had academic been and
established health administration, for a few years. human
resources, The app public works relations, in a couple
of telemarketing ways: by taking and, a yes, data even
feed financial from services your spending all potentially
accounts fall into the and category rounding of what up the
purchases Graeber calls you ‘Bullshit make to jobs’. the
nearest Do read dollar this and book investing if you
these want to accumulated have a laugh balances while also
into enjoying a mix a thought-provoking
of exchange traded
funds look at listed modern on work the ASX, – especially or,
by aspects you debiting such as how an amount society or
regular undervalues payment jobs from that directly your
bank benefit account mankind to – your such Acorns as
account. teaching, nursing Most users or caregiving enjoy the
round – and elevates up feature those of jobs Acorns that as
it mainly allows shuffle them paper to save around while or
they contain spend. the word As a ‘strategic’ parent of in
teenagers the title. Bear I think mind, I’ve come however,
to that the Graeber’s conclusion views that are apps not
such mainstream as Acorns economics using a and blend are
of highly psychology debatable. and technology
may And be it the was only pure effective coincidence way
to that get during modern the kids month to I save had
because Graeber’s they book sure fresh do know
how in my to mind spend. I managed
to Acorns have three works close because the
principles encounters underlying with its design
what I suspect is
the pinnacle of all
useless occupations
– the call centre
representative.
The first encounter was
with Optus – I have one of
their mobiles on a corporate
plan and I contacted them to
arrange a travel pack for an
overseas trip – the $10 per day
‘all-you-can-eat’ phone deal
are for when firmly you rooted are overseas. in behavioural It
finance: turned out investing that they small don’t allow
amounts corporate on customers a regular to basis access that
won’t travel packs. be missed When combined I asked them with
investing if corporate over customers an extended don’t
period travel overseas of time to the average person was
into gushingly the markets apologetic smoothing and said
out they peaks understood and troughs. my concerns Of
course at which it point doesn’t it was hurt just that easier it
does to give all up. of The these next things day within they
the sent framework a text asking of a highly about my
attractive and functional user
interface – fancy words for the
app looks and feels very cool.
While these principles have
proven to be sound over time
Acorns goes on to provide an
indirect benefit to its users
in the form of education and
improved financial literacy.
Get two or more people in the
room who have an account and
you’ll find out what I mean –
when did you start? What are
customer service experience,
I duly ignored it. The day after
they sent me the text again;
bugger it, I filled it out and gave
them all zeros. The next day
someone from Optus actually
called me… but not to fix the
you problem saving or for? to suggest What returns a work
have around you but had? to apologise It’s inherently and
competitive empathise again but when – Aarrrgh! it’s
combined Thanks, but with get the lost! tools and
information The next encounter that the app was with
provides Woolworths. it’s I also have extremely had one of
informative their branded – as credit a regular cards from user
you the days can’t when help it but churned become out
more many informed frequent flyer about points the to
behaviour now when it of doesn’t markets but whether once a
you month are it looking gives you to 10% or not off – your the
with Brian Hrnjak
balance grocery bill, of your a tangible Acorns feature account
rises in a card and when falls in so line many with of them
movements promise so much in markets but deliver during
the so little. course Lately, of the however, trading this day.
feature One of hasn’t the challenges been working
any properly: finance no app automatic would deduction have
encouraging at the checkout, young which people means to
save a half and hour invest on the is phone to remain with
relevant a call centre. in their After eyes. a week Over I get
the past year an a number email with of an
enhancements official-looking
have taken place
following user case feedback, number the
headline ones thanking being: me
Found Money for partners my enquiry, – users
can shop online saying with brands that the
such as Bonds, management
Dan Murphy’s,
BCF, Uber etc. and team these are still
partners usually investigating
deposit bonus
amounts how and why or extra this occurred round ups and
into that they users will advise account; further once
My their Finance investigations feature have – uses been
artificial completed. intelligence This time to I took track a
and moment categorise to reply, spending thanking and them
calculate for their email, free cash advising flow; that in
Super my view fund the cause linkages of the – allows problem
users was their to make rubbish deposits systems to and a
range that if they of industry don’t expedite and public a $50
offer gift voucher superannuation like they did funds; the last
Emerald time the system Portfolio broke – a I socially would
responsible expedite seeking portfolio a new option card
introduced provider and following new supermarket member
feedback; – the problem was apparently
Little solved Acorns the next – sub working accounts day.
designed The last to encounter allow investment was with
on Origin behalf Energy. of children Where we or other live in
dependants Pittwater there under is no the gas age supply of 18.
56 52 DECEMBER AUGUST 2018 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

to the street so we rely on bottled
gas which in our case comes from
Origin. On the day that delivery
was expected I received a text
saying that delivery had failed
and they would reattempt the
following day. No big deal. The
next day I receive another
text, delivery has failed again.
Fantastic news; this represented
another chance to deal with a call
centre. When I finally navigated
the menu to a human I was told
that our long-standing driver
now considered the site access
too steep in light of their new
workplace health and safety
policy. Ok, I asked, so what was
the point of the text message
about reattempting delivery
the next day – did they expect
the site to magically level itself
overnight? After more circular
discussion I worked out that
Origin had unilaterally withdrawn
the supply of gas due to a policy
change, with no plan of informing
us. So after organising to move
the gas bottles to a new policyfriendly
location I made two more
calls to the call centre to arrange
delivery, each time being assured
that that it would be next day. As
anyone who relies on bottled gas
knows you only call when you
have emptied one cylinder and
switched to the next (which was
weeks ago by this stage) so we
were rapidly spiralling towards a
four-long-haired-girl-householdbathroom-crisis-Armageddon.
The bottles arrived four days
later, barely in the nick of time.
While Willie Nelson implored
mothers not to let their children
grow up to be cowboys, ladies
I’m suggesting it could be worse,
much worse if they wind up
as drones in call centres being
professional apologisers. What
could be worse than being that
person on the end of the line
with absolutely no authority
or resources to fix a problem,
armed only with an internal
training course on how to deal
with difficult people and being
‘recorded for training purposes’?
It will be interesting to see if
our large corporates continue
with this cookie cutter approach
to managing customers and
issues. Corporate Australia
along with many of our large
institutions are facing an ongoing
loss of trust – the following words
were written by Patrick Durkin in
the Australian Financial Review in
The Local Voice Since 1991
March this year reporting on the
Edelman Trust Barometer: “Trust
in business slid from 48 to 45 per
cent, government fell from 37 to
35 per cent, media from 32 to 31
per cent and NGOs from 52 to 48
per cent. Australia rates just four
percentage points above Russia,
the world’s least-trusting nation,
and our trust index score places
us in the bottom-third of nations.”
Of course, since then we’ve
had further revelations from
the Banking Royal Commission,
Optus botched the Football World
Cup streaming then botched the
refunds, Woolworths and Coles
upset their customers by selling
them plastic bags they used
to get for free and Bill Shorten
backflipped on small company
tax cuts.
Perhaps to improve trust and
make jobs interesting again
our big businesses could turn
the customer relationship on
its head. Stop listening to those
people with the word strategic in
their job titles, end the ceaseless
rounds of internal meetings, the
obsession with KPIs, targets and
bonus culture and stop hiding
behind the internet.
What if a bank came along that
reinstated the role and status
of the local manager, stopped
trying to sell you stuff every time
you went in there, published the
phone number of the local branch
on their website, kept relationship
managers in their roles for more
than 6 months, put their best
staff who can also speak English
on the end of the enquiry line and
actively rewarded customers for
loyalty and not just those who are
about to walk? We could name
it after an old brand from the
1980s: ‘Mirage Bank’ – too good
to be true.
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.
AUGUST 2018 53
Business Life

Business Life: Law
Business Life
Privacy concerns over
new ‘My Health Record’
Last month readers will
have likely seen headlines
or heard television and
radio commentary concerning
My Health Record, being an
online summary of individual’s
health information, such
as medication prescribed,
medical conditions diagnosed,
treatments received, allergies
noted and pathology test
results as for example blood
tests to be held in an eHealth
record.
It is the Federal
Government’s aim to have a
My Health Record for every
Australian at the end of 2018.
So how has this come
about? And why has there
been so little information
available to warn people that
My Health Record is a system
involving every individual who
on consideration of the issues
involved may choose to ‘opt
out’ of the system but can
only do so between 16th July
and 15th October 2018?
The government has
not conducted a formal
advertising or information
campaign about this major
change to our health system.
In 2012, the then Labor
government introduced and
passed My Health Records
Act and My Health Records
Regulation. Subsequently
the Coalition government
introduced and passed My
Records Rule in 2016.
ONLINE RECORD: The Government is pushing a digital database model.
The scheme as devised by
the Labor government was to
roll out a voluntary, shared
digital health record for all
Australians. The then Attorney
General, Nicola Roxon said “I
want to make sure we bring
consumers with us in the
e-Health journey by adopting
an ‘opt in’ model allowing
them to choose when to sign
on. I believe that the benefits
of giving the Australian public
the choice as to whether they
participate will be key to the
successful implementation...
I think moving to an ‘opt out’
position would be a serious
mistake.”
At the National Press Club
in May this year the CEO of
the Australian Digital Health
Agency (ADHA), Tim Kelsey
spoke on ‘Your Health in your
with Jennifer Harris
hands – the digital evolution of
health and care in Australia’.
He said that last August,
the Council of Australian
Governments unanimously
agreed on a new National
Digital Health Strategy.
This involved three
overriding principles:
n Participation: empower
people to take more control
of their health and care;
n Collaboration: co-design
services with care
professionals and the
community – so that they
serve real need. Always be
evidenced-based and always
listen; and
n Innovation: create platforms
for industry, developers,
entrepreneurs, and
researchers so that their
creativity and businesses can
flourish and health outcomes
in Australia benefit.
In the years since Nicola
Roxon suggested that it
would be a serious mistake to
move to an ‘opt out’ position,
that is precisely what has
happened – and unless you
do so by 15th October 2018
you will automatically have
a digital health record by
the end of the year. Such a
record will be available to your
doctors, hospitals and other
health care providers… such
as physiotherapists to view
your health information, in
accordance with your access
54 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

controls. You are also able to
access it online yourself.
However, concern has and is
being expressed about privacy
and the protection of data.
Security expert Paul Power
has stated “… a centralised
e-Health database accessible
over the internet to more than
100,000 legitimate access
points, each of which has
access to the entire database,
is fundamentally indefensible.”
Insurance companies will not
have access to the data base
and the data can’t be used for
commercial and non-healthrelated
purposes, including
direct marketing to consumers,
insurance assessments, and
eligibility for welfare benefits.
Dr Steve Hambleton from
ADHA has said that strict
safeguards are in place: “I
can absolutely categorically
state that none of the apps
and none of the use of the My
Health Record data will be able
to be sold to third parties –
that’s absolutely prohibited,”
he said.
It certainly is – and
penalties include two years’
imprisonment.
However, in June this year
Australia’s largest online doctor
booking service, Healthengine
– one of My Health Record’s
partner apps – was revealed
as selling and passing on
patient information to third
parties, including law firms.
The Minister Greg Hunt has
ordered an “urgent review” of
the platform and the company
has announced that it would
stop sharing patient data.
It is assumed by the creators
of the seismic shift to the
digital evolution of health
and care in Australia that all
citizens are computer literate
and will be able to negotiate
the system to ‘opt out’ or if
they wish to remain, ‘opt in’,
and that they will choose if
they want their data shared
for research and healthcare
improvement by switching ‘on’
or ‘off’ a ‘Withdraw Consent’
button in their record. The
system is not simple – rather
like that other system MyGov:
almost impossible to navigate.
Similarly, the numerous
Privacy fact sheets published
by the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner
suggest among other matters
you should “… be aware of
the different access settings
available to you… consider
setting advanced access
controls [and a]… Record
Access Code… talk to your
healthcare providers regularly
about what information they
will be adding to and accessing
from your my Health Record…
ask how they will involve you
in this process… check your
my Health Record access
history regularly… [and] set up
notifications.”
It’s difficult to think that
many people will have time
enough to engage in this
bureaucratic nightmare
of monitoring their health
records, and who else might
have access to them.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates, Solicitors,
4/57 Avalon Parade,
Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jennifer@jenniferharris.com.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
Merger of two
local legal firms
S
tuart Latham Solicitors of Avalon and Matthew
Huntingdon Solicitor & Notary Public of Newport have
merged their legal practices.
With effect from 1 July, Stuart and Matthew have
combined their knowledge and experience with the aim of
achieving high-quality, affordable outcomes for their clients.
“The merger allows both firms to expand, with offices in
Avalon Beach and Newport,” said Stuart.
Stuart’s office will remain at Suite 5, 49 Old Barrenjoey
Road, Avalon Beach; Matthew’s office will remain at Suite 8,
355 Barrenjoey Road, Newport.
“The combined firm will have four practising solicitors,
two paralegals/office managers (who both have law
degrees), plus a law clerk (who is currently completing her
law degree),” said Stuart.
“Our combined practice areas will include Property law,
including conveyancing, leasing and developments; Business
law, servicing small to medium enterprises and covering all
forms of commercial agreements; Estate planning including
Wills, Power of Attorney, Guardianship Appointments &
Testamentary Trusts; Estate Administration including Probate
and Letters of Administration applications; Retirement village
contracts; Notarial services; and Dispute resolution.”
Clients may continue to contact them on their usual
phone numbers and email addresses, and Matthew can now
also be contacted at matthew@stuartlatham.com.au
Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 55

Trades & Services
AUTO REPAIRS
British & Swedish Motors
BOAT SERVICES
Avalon Marine Upholstery
CLEANING
The Aqua Clean Team
PAINTING
Modern Colour
Trades & Services
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 specialist.
Call Simon 9918 9803
Makes cushions for boats, patio and
pool furniture, window seats.
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.
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.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for neck &
back pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic
problems.
Avalon Physiotherapy
& Clinical Pilates
Call 9918 0230
Dry needling and acupuncture, falls
prevention and balance
enhancement programs.
Avalon Beach Chiropractic
Call Sam 9918 0070
Professional care for all ages. Treatment
for chronic and acute pain,
sports injuries.
Francois Naef/Osteopath
Call Francois 9918 2288
Diagnosis, treatment and prevention for
back pain and sciatica, sports injuries,
muscle soreness and strain, pregnancyrelated
pain, postural imbalance.
Call 0406 150 555
Simon Bergin offers painting and
decorating; clean, tidy, quality detail you
will notice. Dependable and on time.
AJJ Painting & Decorating
Call 0418 116 700
Andrew is a master painter with 30
years’ experience. Domestic and commercial;
reasonable rates, free quotes.
UPHOLSTERY
All Foam
Call 9973 1731
Cut to measure quality foam for day
beds, boats, caravans and more. Discounted
prices, reliable local service.
Free measure / quote.
Luxafoam North
Call 9999 5567
Local specialists in all aspects of
outdoor & indoor seating.
Custom service, expert advice.
Essyou Design
Call Susan 0422 466 880
Specialist in day bed and outdoor
areas. Reliable local service. Offering
domestic & commercial.
Leather Hero
Call Leanne 0490 796 012
Specialists in leather cleaning,
revamps, repairs and colour restoration
for lounges, cars and boats.
56 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 57

Trades & Services
TUITION
Northern Beaches
Home Tutoring
Call John 9972 1469
1-ON-1 individual tutoring in your
home. All ages and subjects K-Uni.
Qualified tutors. WWC child protection
checked. Since 2009.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best.
Comprehensive control. Eliminate all
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.
manner of pests. They provide a 24-
hour service.
PUMPS & TANKS
Water Warehouse
Call 9913 7988
waterwarehouse.com.au
Rainwater tanks & pumps. Irrigation &
filter supply specialists.
RENOVATIONS
Rob Burgers
Call 0416 066 159
Qualified builder provides all carpentry
needs; decks, pergolas, carports,
renos & repairs.
BlindLight
Call Dave 0403 466 350
Specialists is window tinting and glass
coatings. Act now for summer.
Trades & Services
TUITION
Northern Beaches Home Tu tor ing
Call John 9972 1469
1-ON-1 individual tutoring in your home. All ages and subjects K-Uni.
Qualified tutors. WWC child protection checked. Since 2009.
58 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

the
good
life
dining
food
crossword
gardening
travel
60
64
67
68
72
Showtime
Something for everyone
‘Romantic’ return
One of Australia’s best-loved pianists, Simon
Tedeschi returns to the northern beaches
in a concert of Romantic Classics to sweep you
off your feet.
Joined by Roger Benedict, Sydney Symphony’s
Principal Viola and Director of the SSO Fellows,
Simon and Roger will perform Schubert’s
ever-popular Arpeggione Sonata and Songs
from Winterreise as well as works by Brahms
and Schumann, from their new studio album
for ABC Classics, A Winter’s Tale.
Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening with
two of our finest musicians and some of the
most beautiful music ever written for viola and
piano, at St Luke’s Grammar School Bayview
campus (1977 Pittwater Rd).
The concert, brought to us by Peninsula
Music Club, will be held on Friday August 17 at
HEADLINE ACTS: ABBALANCHE (left) and Shannon Noll.
Here’s a snapshot of some
of the live shows you can
catch not too far from home
this month…
Shade Of Red. Northern
Beaches locals, Craig ‘Finny’
Finniss, Mike Han and Steve
Buiaroski are the Sydney/
North Coast-based Rock and
Pop Trio, Shade Of Red. Catch
the much-loved local legends
performing songs you just
have to get up and dance to at
Avalon Beach RSL Club on Sat
11 from 9pm-12am.
Bard ‘bad’-aption. Give the
kids a slapstick introduction
to Shakespeare and live
theatre at The Tragedy of
Hamlet; Prince of Skidmark
– an hour-long comedy show
packed with silliness, sword
fights, ghosts, bodily fluids
and spooky stuff. Plus ninjas.
And zombies. On Fri 17 and
Sat 18 at Glen Street Theatre.
Adults at kids’ prices! glenstreet.com.au.
Better be good. Everyone’s
favourite runner-up Shannon
Noll hits Dee Why RSL Club on
Fri 17. Catch Nollsie’s gutsy
voice when he shares music
from his new album Unbroken.
Doors open 7.30pm go to deewhyrsl.com.au
for more info.
Here we go again. Playing to
sell-out crowds since 1995 (and
they say they’re not tired!) the
award-winning totally live Abba
Tribute Show ABBALANCHE
will take you on an entertaining
ride through the hits we all
know so well, with plenty of
crowd participation, sing-along
ballads and dance-floor
hits with a dash of humour.
The group is back at Pittwater
RSL Club on Sat 25. Tickets $25
with limited seating. Call 9997
3833 or go to pittwaterrsl.com.
au for more info.
Singing a different tune.
Known for performing classical
choral music, the wonderful
Manly Warringah Choir
is doing something a little
bit different for its winter
concert this month by lending
its voice to some lighter
pieces. Members of the 100
strong choir and orchestra will
perform a medley from the
all-time favouri te musical West
Side Story, Hebrew love songs,
sonnets and songs from
Shakespeare and a little Jazz
music at the beautiful Cardinal
Cerretti Chapel in Manly. The
concert Love, Peace and all
that Jazz conducted by Dr
Carlos Alvarados will be held
on Sun 26 from 2.30pm. More
info manlywarringahchoir.org.
au or 9953 2443.
Burlesque in the basement.
Walk down the stairs of the
Kave Bar on Barrenjoey Rd
Newport and be transported
to 1920s New York, Chicago,
London or Paris as you enter
the raunchy and raucous cabaret
that is ‘The Cats Meow’.
Sat 25 from 7-11.55pm.
WINTER WARMERS: Tedeschi (left) with Benedict
8pm, doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets $25 and
students $10 (under 16 free when accompanied
by an adult).
Enquires 0407 441 213 or 0413 077 749 (tickets
available at the door). More info peninsulamusicclub.com.au.
Supper will be served after the performance.
AUGUST 2018 59
Showtime

Dining Guide
Dining Guide
August's best restaurants, functions, events and reader deals...
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 Bistro 61
is a great place to head for
a local meal, offering tasty
modern Australian dishes at
affordable prices.
In August, catch the
Surf Lounge Sessions every
Saturday night with free live
music from 9pm.
And now available for free
download – the brand new
Avalon Beach RSL Club App.
Earn rewards, prizes and
member points by logging in
daily.
See what's on, check out
events, view menus and more!
Don't miss the Super Sunday
raffle on the first Sunday of
every month – there's more
than $1500 in prizes to be won.
Bistro 61 is open for
breakfast from 9am to
11.30am. Open for lunch
and dinner seven days, with
extensive outdoor dining
areas, Bistro 61 offers a variety
of specials (lunch and dinner)
during the week, including
$12 tacos (Tues), $15 Chicken
Schnitzels (Wed), 2-4-1 pizzas
(Thurs), and a $20 burger +
beer (Fri).
Seniors are well catered
for – there are daily Seniors
specials, including beerbattered
flathead – plus they
do a $5 kids meals on Sundays!
(There’s a playground, too.)
From the menu, chef
Mitch recommends his twist
on nachos – pulled beef and
blackbeans with chipotle, corn
chips, guacamole, Danish fetta
and coriander.
Members get discounts on
meals purchased. Membership
starts from $5.50.
The club is licensed, with
no BYO. Bookings online or
call 9918 2201 – large groups
welcome.
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
18 (see ad opposite). Assemble
outside the Club for an 11am
service followed by finger food
lunch (bookings essential).
Barrenjoey Bistro is open
for lunch (11.30am to 2.30pm)
and dinner (6pm to 9pm) seven
days, plus there's a Snack Menu
available 2.30pm-6pm.
The Bistro serves top-value 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 tempura
fish and chips with salad
(Fridays), except public hols.
The Members’ lucky badge
draw is held Wednesday and
Friday night (every 30 mins
between 5pm-7pm), and
jackpots by $100 each week.
Enjoy Trivia Night from
5.30pm on Wednesdays, plus
Bingo 10am on Fridays.
The club has a courtesy
bus that makes regular runs
Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays from 4.30pm to 9pm.
Ring to book a pick-up.
The Mirage
Restaurant
at Metro Mirage
Hotel Newport
2 Queens Parade West,
Newport
CUISINE
Modern Australian
PRICE RANGE
Breakfast – $25 adults,
$12.50 kids (5-12)
Dinner – entrees
from $7-$17,
Mains from $21-$30,
Desserts from $13-$25
BOOKINGS 9997 7011
Local residents are finding
the peaceful ambience
of The Mirage restaurant
overlooking spectacular
Pittwater, the perfect
waterfront venue to enjoy
breakfast or dinner.
Located in boutique Metro
Hotel Mirage Newport, The
Mirage restaurant is a popular
7-10am seven days a week,
offering a fixed-price full hot
and cold buffet, including a
selection of cereals, seasonal
fruit and freshly made juice,
toast and pastries and
sausages, eggs, has browns,
bacon and tomato served with
the Chef’s Special of the day.
The Mirage restaurant is
also open for dinner from
Monday to Saturday from
5.30pm – 8.30pm and can
be hired, along with all the
hotel’s function rooms, for
private and corporate events
of between 60-110 guests.
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
Book a table at this
popular Newport eatery in
August 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 Winter.
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.
Head to Club Palm Beach,
located just a short stroll from
Palm Beach Wharf, for a huge
month of specials in August.
The annual Vietnam Vets
Luncheon is on Saturday August choice for breakfast from
60 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
LIC
BYO
All
P

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 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.
Fully licensed or BYO.
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
RMYC’s restaurant Salt Cove
on Pittwater’s menu has been
updated for winter – but it still
offers affordable meals and
generous servings including
a variety of starters and share
plates, seafood, burgers,
grills, salads, desserts and
woodfired pizza.
You're invited to the RMYC's
special 'Traditional Mexican
Fiesta' night on Thursday
August 9. Discover Mexico
through great food at Salt Cove
from 6pm; $55 members, $60
The Local Voice Since 1991
non-members, $25 kids (12
and under). Includes a drink on
arrival.
Friday night music kicks off
in the Lounge Bar from 6.30pm.
Great acts in August include
Peter Kinch (3rd); Jim Gannon
(10th); Geoff Kendall (17th); and
Phil Simmons (24th).
Catch up with the Travel View
/ Cruise View Travel Club at the
meeting in the lounge bar from
10.30am on Monday 6th.
And don't miss the Ladies
Lunch with Annabelle Chauncy
on Wednesday 15th August.
A dynamic leader and social
entrepreneur, over the past nine
years through her foundation
'School For Life', Annablle has
built three schools in Uganda
that provide quality education
to 680 students and outreach
to more than 2000 people. Twocourse
lunch from 12 noon ($75
members, $80 non-members).
Trivia is held every Tuesday
night from 7.30pm (great prizes
and vouchers).
Club Boat and Social
memberships are now available
for just $160.
AUGUST 2018 61
Dining Guide

Tasty Morsels
Wine dinners a corker of an idea
Flash yet sophisticatedly rejuvenated
local hospitality site Park
House have launched a fabulous
Wine Dinner initiative showcasing
unique and interesting wines and
winemakers, matched with outstanding
cuisine created by head
chef Jason Stuart.
The dinners kicked off in July
with guests feasting on a stunning
menu in the Park House private
dining space, The Loft, hosted
by Ben Tolstoshev from The Lane
Vineyard wines.
Canapes were enjoyed on arrival,
followed by a three-course
set menu with perfectly matched
premium wines from The Lane
Vineyard.
Entrée was Tiradito of Hiramasa
Kingfish, Sliced & Marinated
with Chilli Lime, Frozen Avocado
Guacamole (paired with The
Lane Block 1A Chardonnay); the
main comprised Applewood
Smoked Chicken, Charred Cos,
Mushroom, Pumpkin and Humble
Greens (matched with The Lane
19th Meeting Cabernet Sauvignon);
while dessert was a deep
Chocolate, Hazelnut, Date Trifle
(accompanied by The Lane Block
5 Shiraz).
More wine dinners are planned
at Park House over coming
months – stay tuned!
Park House Food and Liquor
holds a big, happy family of
restaurants, pop-up markets, food
trucks, cocktail bars and a brew
bar.
Each has its own distinctive
personality, but the family DNA is
fresh, local and flavoursome.
Park House Food Merchants is
an industrial warehouse of flavours
– big, bold and brazen. With
180 seats, an outdoor cocktail bar,
fireplaces and comfy couches plus
a retractable roof, this gathering
place ensures seamless good
times, rain or shine. The menu’s a
freewheeling Southern California
road trip, infused with Mexican,
Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern
tastes and seasonal ingredients.
Front Yard Brews & Burgers is
where craft beers live – with 40
taps! And then there are the epic
burgers. From the slip-sloppy
delights of the Messy AF, with its
cheese, glazed pulled lamb, slaw
pickles and aioli; to a cracking
glazed crispy southern chicken
spectacular; to a mouthwatering
no-meat burger that ensures
vegetarians can party too.
Outside, Truck Stop (opening
Spring 2018) will feature a 1950s
Airstream bar and pizza kitchen,
heaps of activities for the kids and
a rolling program of food trucks,
live entertainment, markets and
festivals for all ages to enjoy
together.
Cast your vote in 2018 Fish and Chips Awards
Does Pittwater have Australia’s
Best Fish and Chips? – We
think so, but we’ll only get
the gong if the shop opted
to register with the Seafood
Industry Australia competition
and the public gets behind them.
Designed to highlight the
importance of buying fresh, local,
seafood, last year’s Australian Fish
and Chip Awards reeled in more
than 100,000 votes, across 800
stores.
More than 2000 shops have
registered for this year’s fry-off.
There are two categories including:
people’s choice and a judge’s
choice. So whether you like your
fish grilled, battered or crumbed,
from August 1 you can vote for
the best fish and chips in the
country.
The winners from each state
and territories will go through to
compete for the national title of
Best Fish and Chips 2018.
Voting runs from August 1 to
September 16, with the national
winner announced on October 15.
For more information and an
oppor –tuna-ty (sorry!) to vote
for your favourite fish and chip
shop visit www.fishandchipsawards.com.au.
62 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Taste of the
Beaches a fun
foodie festival
The second annual Taste of the Beaches
is back this month – bigger and better
than ever with gastronomical delights and
top-notch wineries all set on the beautiful
backdrop of the Pittwater foreshore.
The event will be held on Sunday 19
August (11am-5pm) at Winnererremy Bay
(aka Flying Fox Park) in Mona Street, Mona
Vale – hopefully with plenty of beautiful
late winter sunshine.
On offer will be a selection of foods
from some of the Northern Beaches’ finest
local restaurants and cafes, complemented
by local craft beer brewers and wines from
the Mudgee region.
There will also be a selection of
international cuisine including dumplings,
gourmet burgers, paella and sweet treats.
Locals are urged to grab a picnic rug
and soak up one of the most picturesque
settings on the Northern Beaches and
enjoy the free entertainment on offer
including live music and kids’ activities.
Council’s event partner in 2018 is with
the Mudgee Wine Region – the third largest
grape-growing region in NSW and one
of the oldest wine regions in the state.
Visitors will be able to meet wine-makers
and participate in tastings by purchasing a
Tasting Glass and tokens on the day.
The young ones won't be short of
activities to do with KidzKlub setting up
a Kids Activity Zone which includes art
and craft workshops, a photo booth, giant
board games, face painting and an active
area with skipping ropes, stilts, hoop
games and more!
If you want to kick back and have a few
beverages, then Council has transport
covered as well. Leave the car at home and
take advantage the complimentary shuttle
between 11am and 5.30pm – the bus will
do loops from the Corner of Bungan Lane
and Pittwater Road, Mona Vale, to the Bay.
(Our tip: Catch the shuttle back to Mona
Vale, book a Keoride and arrange to be
picked up from the B-Line bus stop on
Barrenjoey Rd; they’ll drop you at your
door.)
For more info visit northern beaches.
nsw.gov.au
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 63

Food Life
For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au
Food Life
Recipes: Janelle Bloom Photos: Ben Dearnley & Benito Martin
Slow cooking ticks boxes
for winter warmer meals
Now we are two thirds of the way through winter, like me
I am guessing you are a little ‘over’ soup and searching
for new warming winter inspiration to keep the family
satisfied. Whether you use a slow cooker, Crock Pot or the oven
long, slow cooking ticks many boxes. Once the prep has been
done you can walk away and allow the rich, warm aroma to fill
the house; plus you can save money by using cheaper cuts and
make enough to freeze for another meal.
Slow-cooked lamb
with chorizo rice
Serves 6
2 chorizo, finely chopped
1 tbs oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
1 cup basmati rice, rinsed
1¾ cups chicken stock
1 cup drained can chickpeas,
rinsed
1 cup coriander leaves
2kg shoulder of lamb
2 tbs olive oil
1 lemon, rind finely grated,
juiced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup chicken stock
Janelle’s Tip: You can shred
6 sprigs thyme
1. Preheat oven to 130°C fanforced.
the lamb on a board and toss
Greek yoghurt to serve
Score the top of the it through the rice; spoon into
Chorizo rice
lamb fat in a criss-cross pat-
bowls and serve with yoghurt.
64 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
tern. Combine the olive oil,
lemon rind, 1 tablespoon
juice and garlic. Spoon over
both sides of the lamb,
rubbing into the lamb with
fingertips. Season with salt
and pepper. Pour stock into
roasting pan to cover the
base. Place lamb in pan and
scatter with thyme. Press a
piece of baking paper right
down on the surface of the
lamb. Cover the dish with
tight-fitting lid or 2 layers
heavy duty foil. Cook for 6
hours without removing the
lid or foil.
2. Remove from the oven. Preheat
grill on high. Remove
the lid or foil from the lamb,
put it under the grill 5-7
minutes or until golden and
crisp.
3. Thirty minutes before
the lamb comes out of
the oven, cook the finely
chopped chorizo in a
saucepan over medium
heat, stirring often until
light golden. Remove to
a plate. Add the oil and
onion and cook, stirring
occasionally until soft.
Add the cinnamon and
bay leaves, cook, stirring
until aromatic. Stir in the
rice followed by the stock.
Bring to the boil. Reduce
heat to low, cover tightly
and simmer gently for 15
minutes or until the rice
is tender and all the stock
is absorbed. Remove the
pan from the heat and
set aside, covered, for 5
minutes. Remove the bay
leaves and cinnamon, stir
in the chorizo and chickpeas.
Cover and stand
3 minutes. Stir through
coriander.
4. Spoon rice onto serving
platter, top with lamb and
serve with yoghurt.
with Janelle Bloom
Chicken biryani
Serves 6
2 tbs ghee or vegetable oil
750g chicken thigh fillet,
trimmed, chopped 4cm pieces
2 brown onions, finely
chopped
18 fresh curry leaves
1/3 cup biryani curry paste
1¼ cups basmati rice, rinsed
2½ cups chicken stock
½ cup raisins
2/3 cup salted toasted cashew
nuts
½ cup mint leaves
Minted yoghurt and poppadoms,
to serve
1. Heat half the ghee (or oil)
in a large heavy-based frying
pan over medium-high
heat. Add chicken, cook for
1 minute each side or until
browned. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Reduce heat to medium,

add remaining ghee (or oil)
with the onion and curry
leaves, cook, stirring, for
5 minutes until onion is
softened. Add curry paste,
then cook for 1 minute.
Add rice, stirring to coat in
paste, then add stock and
raisins. Transfer to a slow
cooker, stir in the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for
5-6 hours until almost all
the stock has absorbed.
3. Scatter over with cashews
and mint. Serve with yoghurt
and poppadoms.
NB: If you don’t have a slow
cooker, transfer the mixture
to an ovenproof dish. Stir in
the chicken. Cover with a lid.
Place into a slow oven, 150°C
and cook for 1½-2 hours or
until rice is tender and has absorbed
all the stock. Remove
from the oven, stand covered
for 10 minutes. Scatter over
the cashews and mint. Serve
with yoghurt and pappadoms.
Janelle’s Tips: If you can’t
find biryani curry paste you
can use Balti or Korma. Also,
for minted yoghurt, chop ¼
cup fresh mint leaves and stir
through 1 cup thick, Greekstyle
yoghurt. Season.
Slow-cooked Boston
baked beans
Serves 4
500g dried white beans, rinsed
1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
300g speck or bacon, rind
removed, finely chopped
2 tbs tomato paste
¼ cup golden syrup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbs Dijon mustard
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs hot chilli sauce
4 cups chicken stock
Toasted sour dough, baby
spinach & poached egg, to
serve.
cooker, transfer the mixture
to ovenproof casserole with a
tight-fitting lid. Cook in a slow
oven 150°C for 3 hours, stirring
once every hour, or until
beans are tender and liquid
has thickened.
Roasted pear
crumbles
Makes 12
¾ cup roasted unsalted peanuts
1 cup self-raising flour
½ cup plain flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
150g butter, chopped
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup rolled oats
1/3 cup raspberry jam
6 Beurre bosc pears, halved,
cored
Icing sugar & vanilla icecream,
to serve
1. Preheat oven to 180°C fan
forced. Lightly grease a
large baking dish.
2. Put peanuts into a food processor,
process until finely
chopped. Add the flours,
cinnamon and butter. Pulse
until the mixture resembles
coarse breadcrumbs. Remove
to a large bowl. Add
the brown sugar and oats
and use fingers to mix until
crumble starts to form big
clumps.
3. Place the pears into the baking
dish. Spoon a little jam
into the centre of each pear
half. Press crumble mixture
evenly over the surface of
the pears. Bake for 20 minutes
or until pears are just
tender and crumble golden
(if the top begins to brown
too much before pears become
tender, cover loosely
with foil during cooking; it
will depend on the size and
ripeness of your pears).
4. Dust with icing sugar and
serve warm or cold with icecream
if desired.
Food Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
1. Place beans in a large bowl.
Cover with cold water.
Place in the fridge to soak
overnight. Drain then rinse
beans. Place in a large
saucepan, cover with cold
water and bring to boil.
Simmer, covered for 30
minutes. Drain.
2. Heat oil in a saucepan. Add
onion and speck, cook 3
minutes until softened. Add
tomato paste, cook stirring
1 minute. Add Golden Syrup,
sugar, mustard, sauces
and stock. Bring to the boil.
Pour into a slow cooker. Stir
in the beans. Cook, covered,
over low heat for 8 hours,
then uncover and cook
for a further hour or until
the mixture is thickened
slightly. Season to taste.
3. Serve on toasted sour
dough with baby spinach
and poached egg.
NB: If you don’t have a slow
AUGUST 2018 65

Food Life
In Season
Chinese broccoli
Food Life
Chinese broccoli is also
known as Gai lan and
Chinese Kale. It’s closely
related to broccoli, cabbage
and Brussels sprouts. It has
thick stems and dark green
leaves, both of which are
edible.
Buying
When buying Chinese broccoli,
make sure the leaves
are bright green and not
discolored or wilted. Avoid
bunches that contain insect
damage.
Storing
Store unwashed Chinese
broccoli in a sealed container
or bag, and store in the
fridge for up to five days.
Before using, make sure to
wash well under cold water.
Nutrition
Chinese broccoli is an excellent
source of vitamin A, C
and K. Chinese broccoli is
also a great source of folic
acid, and it contains a high
amount of dietary fibre.
Also In Season
August
Apples; Bananas;
Grapefruit; Mandarins,
Kiwi Fruit; Australian
Navel, Blood and Cara
Cara Oranges; Tangelos;
Pears; Quince, Rhubarb
and winter Strawberries.
Also shop for Avocados;
Beetroot; Broccolini
and Broccoli; Brussels
sprouts; Chinese Broccoli,
Cauliflower; Celery;
Leeks, Fennel; Jerusalem
Artichokes; Pumpkin;
Sweet Potato; Spinach
& Silverbeet; Kale and
Turnips.
Yum Cha Chinese Broccoli
with Oyster Sauce
Serves 2 (as a side)
1 bunch Chinese broccoli,
ends trimmed, washed
2 tbs oyster sauce
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tsp caster sugar
1 tbs peanut oil
1 tsp sesame oil
Fried shallots & sliced red
chilli, to serve
1. Cut the stems from the
leaves of Chinese broccoli.
Combine the oyster sauce,
garlic, soy and sugar in a
small bowl.
2. Heat a wok over high heat
until very hot. Add the
oil and Chinese broccoli
stems, stir-fry 30 seconds.
Add 1 teaspoon water,
quickly cover the wok.
Cook 20 seconds, shaking
the wok without removing
the lid. Remove the lid,
add the leaves and oyster
sauce mixture. Stir-fry
30 seconds until leaves
wilted. Remove from the
heat. Drizzle with sesame
oil and top with shallots
and chilli.
66 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
CLUE: 2 Down.
29 Author of On The Right Track and In
At The Deep End, _______ Janu (8)
ACROSS
1 One who works for Pittwater Life,
perhaps (8)
5 US state that had a big impact on
pioneering lady surfer, Patti Paniccia (6)
10 Making a loud sound (5)
11 The Newport Sculpture Trail is part of
_____ ____ Festival (5,4)
12 Land bordering the ocean, for example
(9)
13 Boat fleet new this season to the Avalon
Sailing Club (5)
14 Shellfish favoured by diners and as bait
for fishermen (6)
15 NSW ski village (7)
17 Structures built out of sand on a beach
(7)
20 Husband or wife (6)
22 An aircraft without a pilot that is
operated by remote control (5)
23 Scenic pedestrian route from Manly to
Palm Beach currently under construction
(5,4)
25 Newport resident and former Wallaby
who reads the sports news for Channel
10 (4,5)
27 First in a series (5)
28 Focus of many churches on the
Northern Beaches (6)
DOWN
1 Take out another subscription (5)
2 A white one seen by a swimmer might
be cause for alarm (7)
3 New CEO of Northern Beaches Council
(3,8)
4 People or things competing in a race,
contest, etc (7)
6 A division of some larger or more
complex organisation (3)
7 Stuck on the bottom of shallow water
(7)
8 Ripe, fit and ready for use (2,6)
9 Thoroughfare like Gladstone or
Beaconsfield in Newport (6)
13 Fundraiser held on August 5th for
the Pittwater High School Performing
Ensembles 2020 band (3,4,4)
16 Professor or lecturer (8)
18 One employed to locate whales from
a high point on shore (7)
19 Free from danger (6)
20 Breed of cat (7)
21 Service no doubt available at Papillon
Hair in Avalon (7)
24 Jack in cards (5)
26 Main transport service on the
Northern Beaches (3)
[Solution page 70]
Pittwater Puzzler
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 67

Garden Life
Garden Life
Delight Postcard in from the Red amazing Centre
colours where nature’s of hydrangeas in harmony with Gabrielle Bryant
AThe lways
‘Red
a favourite
Centre’
for
is a
Christmas wonderful colour, place hydrangeas
to
visit
are
if you
flowering
are a keen
their
heads
gardener
off!
or
They
appreciate
look wonderful
the
beauty
in the
of
garden,
our natural
brightening
flora –
the
as my
semi-shaded
husband and
areas
I recently
and
glowing
discovered.
in the
We
full,
set
protected
out from
sunlight.
Pittwater
Once
and after
the older
1600
varieties
kilometres
were
and
either
three
pink
days’
or
blue
driving
depending
through
on
pastures,
the soil,
additional
lush green
lime
country
will deepen
and
the
harsh,
pinks
drought-stricken
and blueing tonic
land,
(sulphate
at Port Augusta,
of aluminium)
we finally
will
heighten
turned north
the blues,
to the
but
desert
the
new
centre.
named varieties will
maintain
No sign
their
of the
colour.
dusty
White
red
never
road that
changes.
I had expected;
There are
the
hydrangeas
road ahead was
of every
in fact
size
finer
from
the
than
tiny
any
dwarf
Expressway.
Piamina
Dead
to the
tall
straight
traditional
we drove
Mop
for
Heads.
a further
With
1000
so
kilometres,
many to choose
passing
from
just
it
a few
is almost
road trains
too difficult
going south
to
decide.
and with
There
the odd
are
caravan
the delicate
lace
ahead.
caps,
The
the
road
huge
in front
blooms
was straight to the horizon.
No sign of civilisation in any
direction, just the endless
cattle grids, a couple of emus,
a huge Wedge Tailed Eagle
feasting on the carcass of a
kangaroo… and silence. We
were entering a new, magical
world of which I knew nothing.
We were now in the red
heart of Australia, a land of
amazing beauty, with fiery
red rocky ranges that turn to
violet at sunset, dry river beds,
red ochre soil, chasms and
canyons that lead to hidden
waterholes, a land of legends
and mythology that has been
of the traditional mop heads,
the cone-shaped flowers of
hydrangea paniculata bushes
passed down over thousands
of years.
As I learn more on the
thousands of plants, insects ,
animals and people that have
that can be two metres tall.
The recently introduced
smaller growing Picotee
varieties with two-tone flower
heads are hard to leave behind
and if you have a semishaded
wall, the climbing
hydrangea petiolaris is just
beautiful.
Hydrangeas are forgiving
plants that are easy to grow.
They like regular water and
any good garden soil. Mulch
the roots with compost to
keep them cool and feed
them in early spring to get
learned to survive the harsh
them going. Grow them in
desert conditions, I wonder
pots, or in the garden; bring
how a desert could ever have
them inside when in flower
been described as dead. Every
or cut the blooms – they last
plant, tree, lizard, bird and
well in water.
Cherry Guava a
sweet surprise
In full flower in my veggie
garden is my Cherry Guava,
sometimes known as a Strawberry
Guava. This delightful
evergreen shrub never fails to
produce a heavy crop of cherry
guavas in early autumn.
It is a small, pretty tree with
rounded, glossy green leaves
that only grows to about
three metres in height. Keep it
trimmed into shape after fruiting.
The delicate fluffy flowers
are creamy white, growing close
to the branches. They are followed
by the tangy flavoured,
sweet, berry-sized, cherry red
fruit that are high in vitamin C.
Unlike the taller-growing deciduous
yellow guava that needs
cooking, the fruit can be eaten
raw straight from the tree or
animal used in has cooking, its part jellies, to play drinks,
this sauces extraordinary jams. chain of
survival. You should protect the fruit
from Every fruit dead fly with log or a fruit burntout
tree stump is home
fly bait.
to
Get into the
‘swing’ of Xmas
It is time to relax and enjoy
your garden. Look at your
outdoor seating requirements
– the shops are full of
amazing chairs and tables.
Hanging cane egg chairs have
been trendy for the past few
years and now the ‘Swing
Seat’ is back. Nothing is more
peaceful than swinging in a
seat for two, sheltered from
the weather with a roof to
shade from the sun – makes a
great Christmas present too!
72 68 DECEMBER AUGUST 2018 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991

lizards , dragons and geckos;
the rocks hide the burrows of
desert rats and snakes; even
the spiders live underground
where it is cool in summer
and warm(er) in the zero
temperatures of the cold
desert winter nights. The
banks of the dry river beds
are home to the burrowing
desert frog, yabbies and fish
spawn that is waiting for the
rain, while the rocky outcrops
provide shelter for the dingos’
dens.
The soft spinifex with its
sticky resin that is used as
a glue; the tall millet grass
whose seeds are used for
flour; the kangaroo grass,
the desert blue grass and the
sand hill cane grass are all
camouflage for the legless
spinifex lizard.
The plant life amazes me
the most. We all read about
the wonderful wildflowers of
Western Australia, but why
don’t we hear of the flowers of
the Red Centre? Even in winter
the prickly wattle, the silver
cassia, the honey grevilleas,
the native violet fuchsias are
in full bloom along the sandy
ridges. The red ochre ground
is covered with the brightly
coloured yellow sunflower
daisies, the aptly named
‘poached egg’ daisies and the
rosy dock is starting to flower.
All the trees have developed
defence mechanisms to
protect themselves from the
harsh conditions. The River
Red wood gums that line
the riverbeds have leathery
leaves with hairs to save them
from the sun; the Desert
Oaks grow tall and straight
with drooping foliage that
protects the trunk from heat
until their roots reach the
water below, then they spread
out into wide shade trees.
The wattles, the long-leafed
Corkwood tree and grevilleas
have straight pencil leaves
with cupped shape to funnel
the water towards the trunk.
And the Red Mulga bush, with
its distinctive curly red bark,
grows in a tulip shape to use
every drop of water available.
The tall white ghost gums
have a white powdery bark
that works as a natural
sunscreen. The young
Ironwood trees have prickly
The Local Voice Since 1991
foliage to protect them as
they grow, before they grow
into tall, weeping shade
trees. Thick glossy leaves,
wax coatings, thorny foliage
and fine hair all save water
and warmth. Flaky bark is a
protection against fire.
The trees are important to
the fragile eco system. It would
seem many are hosts to food.
The Desert bloodwood has
galls the size of cricket balls
that festoon the branches. The
coating is edible and the grub
inside is a delicacy. The roots
of the Mallee trees are home
to the witchety grubs and it is
said that water can be found
in the roots of the Kurrajong
tree. The more I ask, the more
amazing are the things I find
out.
The trees in the unexpected
woodland areas are home to
the most wonderful bird life.
Tiny blue fairy wrens, painted
finches, the honey eaters, the
crested pigeons, the spinifex
bird, clouds of zebra finches
(to name just a few) that I have
seen live close to the ground,
nesting in shrubs and lowgrowing
bushes. The scarlet
throated mistletoe bird carries
the mistletoe from tree to
tree and the orange chat runs
through the dusky grey salt
bush.
High above, the eagles,
falcons and buzzards
fly, waiting to dive on
unsuspecting prey, and the
black cockatoos circle. The
mulga parrots, the purple
headed Australian ring necks
parrots and the Bourke’s
parrot sit in the trees eating
the eucalyptus flowers and
cracking the nuts with their
powerful beaks.
The colours or silver,
orange, red and olive green
against the relentless dark
blue sky can never be
forgotten. The sound of the
birds, the insects and the
silence are something I will
always remember. I am sure
that this is nothing new to
the many who have been here
before me.
It is a long way to travel
from Sydney, but it is a
journey that every Australian
should make. I wish that I
could be here in a few weeks’
time to see the desert wake
from its winter hibernation as
the wildflowers open and life
begins anew!
My grandfather once told
me that I should never go
to bed until I had learnt
something new during the
day. I would have to live for
a thousand years to know all
about this magical place.
AUGUST 2018 69
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
Jobs this Month
August
August is a busy month;
there is a lot to do to
prepare your garden
for the warmer, growing
months ahead. After the very
wet autumn, winter has been
very cold and mostly dry. It
is time for some TLC; wrap
up warmly, put on your boots
and find your gloves and
secateurs!
Summer vegies
Get the summer veggies
growing. Early tomatoes,
zucchinis, capsicum, silverbeet,
eggplants, lettuce and
cucumbers can all go in now.
Also sow seeds of carrots.
Mix the fine seed with dry
sand before sowing into rows.
Carrots need to be sown into
deep soil that doesn’t have any
fresh cow manure or stones.
Otherwise the carrots will be
stunted or forked. Remember
to rotate the veggies in the
veggie garden. You should
try to have a three-year cycle.
Before you plant add plenty of
compost and cow manure.
Seed cliveas
Cliveas are expensive to buy
but are very easy to grow from
seed. Seeds are ripe now and
ready to harvest if you left the
flowers last spring. Open the
pod and you will find around
6 or 8 seeds inside. Red seeds
will produce red flowers and if
you can find some yellow seed
pods you will have the very
special cream-coloured plants.
Take notice of clivea flowers this
spring and make a note of the
flowers that you like. Crosspollinate
the flowers so that next
winter you can harvest the seeds
that you want.
Stick a fork in it
Our lawns have compacted.
Aerate the ground with a fork
or buy a pair of spiked metal
soles for your shoes – this
makes the task much easier,
as you can stomp around and
do the job. Then feed the lawn
with a hose-on fertiliser. If the
ground is very hard, water first
with Eco-hydrate to help the
water to penetrate the soil.
Super succulents
Spring is the time for ‘babies’.
Succulents grow from just one
leaf! Spread the leaves out on
a dry tray in a warm spot and
within a few weeks you will find
that new plantlets have grown.
Wait until the tiny roots appear
and then place the leaf onto a
tray of seed-raising mix. Once
the roots establish, plant out
your new succulent babies.
Caterpillar warning
The lily caterpillar can destroy your cliveas in
just one night, as they eat their way down the
back of leaves to the heart of the bulbs. At
the first sign of damage, cut off the affected
leaves and put them, caterpillars and all into
a plastic bag in the bin. Spray with Eco oil to
prevent any new infestations.
Bulb care
Spring bulbs, daffodils,
jonquils, snowdrops and
tulips, are finishing as the
weather warms up. Make sure
that you keep feeding and
watering them as they die
down. Resist the temptation
to tidy them before the leaves
shrivel up. This is when they
store the nourishment for next
year’s flowers.
Get the good oil
Protect your citrus trees from
leaf miner and fruit fly. Spray
with Eco oil every fortnight. As
soon as the blossom opens, it
is well worth the investment to
buy a fruit fly trap to protect
your crop.
Perennial problem
Now that spring is around the
corner split up overcrowded
perennials. Gingers,
agapanthus bulbs, gazanias,
phlox, begonias, liriope,
mondo grass can all be divided
now. Also, spray azaleas with
Zayleton to protect them from
petal blight. Petal blight can
destroy the flowers on Azaleas
overnight. In dry conditions,
the flowers will last but one
rainy day can destroy them.
Start a worm farm
If you don’t already have one,
start a worm farm today. The
worms will consume all your
kitchen waste and the liquid
from the farm is the most
amazing fertiliser.
Lime spray
It’s your last chance to spray
lime sulphur on roses, fruit trees
and frangipani to destroy the
fungal spores from last season.
Colour explosion
Replant pots and baskets with
seedlings for summer. Petunias,
alyssum, portulacca, French
marigolds, snapdragons,
pansies and dianthus, give a
brilliant display of colour.
Crossword solution from page 67
Mystery location: WARRIEWOOD
70 AUGUST 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
Earliest ocean pools
hand-built by locals
Is this the ultimate in
wearable and disposable
swimming costumes?
These five bathing belles
have been photographed in
one of the ‘hand-crafted’
rock pools which existed
at varying times at North
Avalon.
Local permanent residents
and ‘weekenders’ hand-built
several rock pools between
the 1920s through to the
1940s. This one in particular
appears to have been
what later became the
most structurally sound
– and possibly the one
which shows very clearly
as a distinct rectangle
in the accompanying
detail from a 1941 aerial
photo. One early resident
who still lives in Marine
Parade commented that
it was likely this same
pool was later formalised
somewhat, using concrete,
and this created the very
visible rectangle shape.
She also assured me
that if you know where
to look, you can still see
some rocks with a dash of
concrete attached.
This pool is sited almost
directly in front of 19 Marine
Parade, which was built as
a weekender in 1929 and
called ‘Eurota’ (it still stands).
According to Julie Keegan
(nee Pownceby) “… each of
the waterfront houses in
Marine Parade had its own
private rock pool on an
individual council lease”.
Ms Keegan claimed
remnants of several of the
pools were able to be seen
as recently as 10 years ago
and with a low tide and only
a little imagination this
still seems possible. She
recollected “… this is where I
taught myself to swim. After
much practice I discovered
I could dog-paddle without
touching the bottom”.
She also added that after
school she frequently went
down to one of the pools with
her friend Jill Parker to cool
off.
Grace Hopewell remembers
her father purchasing a
house at 5 Marine Parade
into which the family
moved when the Palm Beach
camping area was closed
in 1952. She not only swam
in the pool directly in front
of their house but learnt to
surf at North Avalon. She
was the first woman to ride
a surfboard at North Avalon
and in 1969 won the Women’s
title at Bells Beach.
I was loaned this
fascinating photo many
years ago to copy for the
Avalon Beach Historical
Society. Unfortunately I
didn’t take sufficient details
and since then, the woman
who loaned it has since
passed on. If any early
resident can assist with
identification of the girls in
the photo the Society would
love to hear from you!
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.
Times Past
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 71

Travel Life
Travel Life: The Insider
Why short breaks are
important for the soul
It’s funny, but it’s
said native New
Yorkers never
visit the Statue of
Liberty – until they
host visitors! We’re a
big believer the same
notion holds true for
Sydneysiders. Recently
I had occasion to
spread our travel net
broadly across NSW
and the discovery for short
breaks and mini-durationholidays
was remarkable.
Over 10 million visitors
descend on Sydney each year
and NSW Tourism proudly
promotes a fabulous basketfull
of historic places, adventures,
eateries and activities to
consider. Most are less than a
half-day’s drive from our Pittwater
front door.
Mini-stays are good for the
soul. Short, self-drive getaways
come with fringe benefits.
Staying ‘local’ avoids airports:
no regimented check-points, or
meandering lines. We keep our
shoes and belts on.
Sydneysiders are ‘splendidly
surrounded’ by great getaway
options. We’ll drop a few
breadcrumbs, starting with:
Pleasing Port Macquarie!
Recently, with an invitation
from my good pal, Kamahl,
I had occasion to spread my
travel net beyond Sydney’s
suburbs and had a truly
memorable Port Macquarie
experience. Even getting there
was enjoyable – just a little
over four hours up the M1.
(Kamahl headed to Port Mac
for a ‘sold out’ performance at
the city’s famous Glasshouse
Theatre. Check out the Glasshouse
events calendar.)
Bunking Down
We checked into Rydges on
the waterfront; the entire
village and foreshore was at
our doorstep, so we walked
everywhere. We selected the
breakfast inclusive deal and
for dinner, meandered a few
blocks to Bill’s Fishhouse.
Eating Out
I was toted to dinner by
Kamahl... on my birthday! I’d
assumed it was a well-kept secret.
I was wrong. The feel and
fresh food at Bill’s was fabulous,
and as I travel for a living,
I love the rare occasion when I
rock up to be treated like family.
I noted, the same honest
Contacts you need
The best way to find your very own short-break destination is
to simply move your mouse around beforehand. We’ve provided
a short list, and there are numerous ‘walk-in’ locations
for hand-help information and collaterals. Here are a few shortstay
sites you might want to try:
Tourism New South Wales: visitnsw.com
Tourism Port Macquarie NSW: portmacquarieinfo.com.au
Top 10 things to do in Port Macquarie: tripadvisor.com
Hotel Rydges: Rydges.com
Bill’s Fishouse: billsfishhouse.com.au
The Glasshouse Entertainment Centre: glasshouse.org.au
The Koala Hospital: koalahospital.org.au
We love feedback from our readers. Some of our very best
enlightenments come from friends. And if you have any questions,
please ask.
Feel free to drop us an e-mail: readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
attention to all the other tables
surrounding ours.
Foodie heaven
Here you can take a road less
travelled and visit a working
organic market farm where
you can harvest fresh produce,
visit a strawberry farm
and pluck the freshest ripest
berries from the vines, or visit
an oyster lease and sample
plump oysters direct from the
estuaries.
Cultural stuff
The public artworks, artist
galleries and studios scattered
throughout the region will
delight and inspire. Enjoy a diverse
collection of exhibitions,
artist talks, workshops and
education programs to appeal
for all. You can even take a
trail throughout the region and
discover 60 large scale koala
sculptures hand painted by
selected artists.
Koala Hospital
I try to learn something new
each day. This venue delivered
a month’s worth of Sunday
sessions. Dedicated volunteers
are the proud backbone of the
marvellous setting. The Koala
Walk arts are priceless; admission
is free.
Eco wonders
Some of the state’s best
nature experiences are right
here waiting for you. Discover
picturesque river systems, a
coastal rainforest with walking
platforms amongst the trees
and over 40,000 hectares
with Mark Sheehan
of National Parks and State
Forests. Follow walking tracks
with breathtaking views up
and down unspoilt coastlines;
find the perfect spot to enjoy a
picnic alongside waterfalls and
swimming holes; or marvel at
the abundant wildlife.
Shopping
Fabulous boutique and name
brand shops are within a baseball
toss in this town, and I
made some marvellous discoveries
in the well-placed thrift
shops and Vinnies venues.
Eateries along the main drag
run the spectrum, from quick
bites to full-on feasting. Study
the curb-side menus.
The Sunday Stroll
The boulders and rocks that
line the foreshore walkway
have been creatively decorated
by families, overseas visitors
and others and the walk is
simply wonderful. Wear comfy
shoes and tote the camera
along. Go to the 19th century
Tacking Point Lighthouse if
you’re keen, or turn around
and double-back for a completely
different perspective at
the playground.
It’s a Wrap
Next time, we’ll catch up on
whale and dolphin watching,
and I might just tote the
camper and nest for a night
at the Sundowner Breakwall
Holiday Park.
Mark Sheehan is an
entrepreneur and travel
specialist who has helped
build iconic brands such
as TrekAmerica, Insight,
Elite, F2T, Scenic, Trafalgar,
and AmeriCan Adventures.
Mark helped Sir Richard
Branson launch V Australia
(now Virgin Australia), while
penning over 200 travel
guides for onboard Tour
Directors. His best-selling
Know BEFORE You GO Guide
– America Over Easy! Is in
its fifth reprint.
72 JULY 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991

New Sails heads into Port
After a multi-milliondollar
design and
construction, Sails
Port Macquarie has opened
its doors to reveal a glamourous,
Hamptons style
inspired coastal leisure,
conference and event
destination.
The iconic coastal
Rydges-owned resort has
undergone a stunning
transformation to capitalise
on its riverside location
with 92 guest rooms and
suites, a swimming pool
with entertainment terrace,
private jetty, The
Boathouse Bar & Restaurant,
The Cape Ballroom,
waterfront wedding chapel
and event pavilion and tennis
court.
Wedding, business and
leisure travellers will appreciate
this all-in-one resort, with
its poolside cabanas, alfresco
fire table, cocktails, French
Champagne and oyster bars.
The project architects have
created a stunning fusion
of worlds, with Hamptonsinspired
architecture blending
seamlessly with the lush
coastal surrounds – featuring
fresh, white gables overlooking
the manicured lawns,
tropical gardens and sweeping
water views.
Just four hours’ drive north
of Sydney or a one-hour flight
from Sydney and Brisbane,
Sails Port Macquarie will no
doubt attract plenty of new
wedding and business bookings.
A standout feature is an
impressive three-storey grand
atrium featuring glass elevators
and an atrium bar; while
the Cape Ballroom is a gorgeous
pillar-less event space
designed to cater for up to
600 in a cocktail-style or 300
for a banquet-style event.
The resort is kicking off with
some ‘Winter Warmer’ deals
for couples and families.
Their ‘Luxe Winter Mini
Break for Couples’ includes
a cheese platter and bottle
of bubbly on arrival. Stay
overnight in a King Water
View Room overlooking the
glistening bay (or upgrade to
an Executive Suite). Enjoy a
full buffet breakfast for two in
The Boathouse Bar + Restaurant,
and have some fun with
their solar heated pool and
spa, paddle boards and tennis
courts. There’s also free WiFi,
complimentary off-street parking
and late checkout; from
$274 per night.
The ‘Winter Escape for Families’
features an overnight stay
in a King Garden Suite for up
to 2 adults and 2 children 12
years and under (or upgrade to
a Water View Suite or add
on another rollaway bed).
Everyone will be happy
with the two complimentary
milkshakes and two
cocktails on arrival. Stay
overnight in a King Garden
Suite for up to 2 adults
and 2 children 12 years
and under (or upgrade to a
Water View Suite or add on
another rollaway bed). Fill
up with a full buffet breakfast
for four in The Boathouse
Bar + Restaurant.
Keep the kids busy with
complimentary kids show
bags, solar heated pool
and spa, paddle boards,
tennis courts, in-room
media ports, free WiFi and
kids channel. Also comes with
complimentary off-street parking
and late checkout; from
$289 per night.
More info www.sailsportmacquarie.com.au
Travel Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
JULY 2018 73

Travel Life
On track for stellar European experience
The road to
Western Europe
is well-trodden:
London, Paris, Rome
– tick, tick, tick!
But what about the
east? Moscow? St
Petersburg? Warsaw?
Prague? Cities of
intrigue and mystery,
once hidden behind
the Iron Curtain, await
discovery.
With history and
culture as ancient as Roman
times contrasting against the
more recent events of the
20th century – communism,
totalitarian states and now
peace and democracy. Much
of it within our lifetime.
Eastern Europe is filled with
history – recent and distant.
But the region doesn’t hang
its hat purely on history, says
TravelView Avalon’s Sharon
Godden, adding culture has
equal weighting.
“St Petersburg’s Hermitage
tory and culture that drive
people to visit Eastern
Europe it’s the landscapes
and beauty of the cities that
amaze travellers the most.
“That comes as no
surprise once you’ve seen
Prague’s Old Town – more
delightful and smugly
quaint than most French
cities,” she said.
“But it’s not all about the
cities… imagine the green
mountains and forests of
Poland drifting by when
you’re lounging back on a raft
steered down the Dunajec
by an expert paddler. Or
is the world’s second
largest museum, with
the largest collections of
paintings anywhere,” she
said. “With over three
million pieces of artwork
it would take years to see
each piece!”
Sharon added that fans
of performance art were rarely
far from a bucket list treat –
including the Russian ballet,
the Viennese opera, and, for
something different, the folk
dancing of Poland.
Also, while it’s the hissubmitting
to the mesmerising
rhythm of a train – and what
better way to thread the lands
of Eastern Europe together
than with this most romantic
of all transportation types.”
Sharon recommends Constellation
Journeys’ private
train adventure through Eastern
Europe.
“Constellation Journeys has
privately chartered a modern
German engineered train for
a 22-day trip from Moscow to
Berlin,” she said. “Accommodation
is provided in five-star hotels
at each destination. Guests
are treated to fine dining – on
board the train and in the top
restaurants of each city. Luggage
is portered from the train
to your hotel and experienced
Journey Leaders work with local
guides for an unsurpassed
experience of Eastern Europe.
– Nigel Wall
* Want to know more? Call
TravelView on 9918 4444 or
9999 0444.
74 JULY 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991