The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018
FREE
pittwaterlife
BATTLE OF
THE BENDS
What happened
when our local
surfers faced off?
IT’S TIME TO
TALK TURKEY!
Secrets to making the
perfect Christmas roast
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A $500
Gift Card
(See P14)
PITTWATER
XMAS GUIDE
All the info you need on carols,
services, gift ideas, art & more
Editorial
We wish you a Merry Christmas
If this month’s cover image
looks a little familiar,
chances are you are one of
the scores of locals who have
already purchased ‘Beyond The
Bends – Barrenjoey’s Best Bites’.
It’s a cookbook with a
difference, compiled with
input from teachers and
students of Barrenjoey High
School, both past and present.
Turn to page 12 to read all
about it and learn where you
can buy your copy locally.
And a big thanks to project
manager Sally Mayman for
offering us her image for our
magazine this month.
* * *
Our story in November
on bureaucratic delays
in progressing the proposal
for an off-leash dog trial at
Station Beach at Palm Beach
struck a chord, with Northern
Beaches Council announcing
a consultation period for
comment (closes February 28).
The proposed trial is for
a 12-month period in 2019
and will be dependent on
the outcomes of further
environmental assessments
currently being undertaken.
Council will hold pop-up info
sessions at Palm Beach GC on
November 29 and December 1;
if you miss those you can head
to Council’s online survey.
* * *
Easylink reports only modest
passenger numbers in the
first weeks of operating their
shuttle to the new NB Hospital.
Only 15 passengers used
the service in the first three
weeks... which would suggest
there isn’t a great demand for
a direct bus link, or else people
simply don’t know about it.
If the latter, tell your friends!
* * *
We wish all our readers and
advertisers a happy and
safe Christmas and holiday
season – thanks for your kind
words of support, too.
We look forward to bringing
you some great surprises in
2019. Stay tuned! – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 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
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Vol 28 No 5
Celebrating 27 years
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The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018
FREE
pittwaterlife
BATTLE OF
THE BENDS
What happened
when our local
surfers faced off?
IT’S TIME TO
TALK TURKEY!
Secrets to making the
perfect Christmas roast
PITTWATER
XMAS GUIDE
All the info you need on carols,
services, gift ideas, art & more
18
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thislife
COVER: Read about the ‘Beyond The Bends’ cookbook
project that has provided Barrenjoey HS students with
an education on food (p12); we were on hand as Avalon
and Newport boardriders held their annual surf comp
(p18); our Life Stories subject this month is remarkable
97-year-old Elisabeth Kirkby (p32); find all the info you
need on local carols events and Christmas church services
(p34); peruse our Christmas Gift Guide and support local
shops (p36); check out the art exhibitions on this month
(p46); and don’t miss Janelle Bloom’s tips for the perfect
Christmas turkey (p72)! COVER IMAGE: Sally Mayman.
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News 8-31
Feature: Battle of the Bends 18-19
Life Stories 32-33
Christmas 2018: Carols & Church Services 34-35
Christmas Gift Guide 36-40
Surfing Life 44-45
Art Life 46-51
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 52-59
Money 60-61
Law 62-63
Showtime 67
Tasty Morsels & Food 70-74
Gardening 76-78
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 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Road upgrade
priority squabble
News
Local MP Rob Stokes has
questioned community
group opposition to the Roads
and Maritime Services’ scheduling
of the much-needed
Mona Vale Road upgrade
which has given priority to
the eastern section of the
project, between Foley St at
Mona Vale and Manor Road at
Ingleside.
Mr Stokes announced the
successful tenderer for the
$140 million job last month,
with works slated to commence
in February with a
completion date in 2022.
The project will involve
building additional climbing
and descending lanes to
improve travel times, and the
introduction of median separation
and a heavy vehicle arrester
bed to help address the
road’s tragic crash history.
Community group Friends
of Mona Vale, while supporting
the upgrading of Mona
Vale Road, have demanded
the western section of the
project be done first, arguing
works will only worsen
the bottleneck at the Baha’i
Temple / Powderworks Road
intersection.
“Vehicles travelling up
Mona Vale Road will arrive
at that location quicker,” a
spokesman said. “This together
with the existing traffic
coming up Powderworks
Road from Narrabeen will be
a far worse bottleneck than is
presently the case. Additional
traffic delays, driver frustration
and reduced safety will
result.”
The group maintain that
their requests for an additional
meeting with the RMS
to discuss the issue were met
with refusal.
“We have also had discussions
with Rob Stokes…
no-one will listen to common
sense that it is obvious that
Mona Vale Road ‘West’ must
be upgraded first.”
Mr Stokes countered: “We’ve
seen too many accidents on
this section of road and it
must be fixed.
“Our community was very
vocal following the petrol
tanker accident in 2013 (pictured)
that this section of the
road be prioritised.
“Both sections of the road
need to be completed – but
we’ve got to start at one end
and this section has the greatest
safety concerns.
“The project is funded, the
contract is awarded and we’re
ready to go… I can’t understand
why some people want
to stop this safety upgrade
from proceeding.”
Further, the RMS has noted
that the western section of the
project also requires a significant
amount of fill to be used
as part of construction, whilst
the eastern section requires
the removal of a significant
amount of fill.
A spokesman said ordering
the project in the current way
would allow the fill from the
eastern section to be transported
to the western section
for re-use, maximising efficiencies
and cost benefit.
– Nigel Wall
8 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Plan to connect Newport with Avalon
Locals are being urged to view and
comment on Northern Beaches
Council’s vision for safely connecting
the villages of Avalon and Newport
for pedestrians and cyclists before the
deadline for public submissions closes
on Sunday December 2.
Mayor Michael Regan said the proposed
new pedestrian and cycle link
would unlock extraordinary views of
the coast and enable safe cycling and
pedestrian access between the two villages;
draft plans are available to view
on Council’s website.
The proposed design includes
sections of shared cycle/pedestrian
path (including from Neptune Rd to
The Serpentine – although concept
diagrams pictured appear to indicate
a separate carriageway near Bilgola
Beach), some on-road cycleway (following
The Serpentine), and sections
of elevated boardwalk and concrete
pedestrian path.
The link would involve The Serpentine,
Eric Green Reserve and
Barrenjoey Road, as well as the existing
pedestrian connection behind the Bilgola
beachfront.
The plan has met with support from
the Newport Residents Association, who
said they expected construction to have
minimal effect on traffic on the one-road
link between Newport and Palm Beach.
“We discussed the plan at our November
meeting and the consensus was that
it was a good plan to be supported,” said
NRA President Gavin Butler.
“Although, we question the photo
montage on the website which indicates
a shared footpath on the map
plan but has an illustration of a
cyclist on what appears to be Barrenjoey
Rd, which should not be correct.
“We acknowledge that there may be
delays during construction but would
hope that can be managed properly.”
Mayor Regan said the Northern
Beaches Coast Walk was on track to
be completed by 2020.
“We’re hoping it will be the best
walkway in Australia taking in spectacular
coastal views from Manly to
Palm Beach which will be accessible
for not only locals, but visitors and
tourists,” he said.
“The Newport to Avalon Pedestrian
and Cycle Link forms just one part of
Northern Beaches Council’s ambitious
$32.6 million Northern Beaches
Coast Walk infrastructure investment
partnership with the NSW Government.”
If you wish to make a comment, head
to ‘Your Say’ on Council’s website.
Council held drop-in sessions for the
public at both Avalon and Newport in
November.
– NW
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 9
News
Ingleside back to square one
Residential development
plans for 3500 dwellings
at Ingleside will not
proceed after an independent
bushfire risk assessment
found the 2016 draft plan
would put future residents in
danger.
Late in November, both the
NSW Department of Planning
and Environment (DPE) and
Northern Beaches Council
agreed that continuing with the
draft plan in its current form
would introduce unacceptable
risk to the community.
The Department says appropriate
evacuation measures
must be in place for current
and future residents – especially
in the context of other
nearby areas such as Elanora
Heights, Warriewood, Bayview
Additional bus services
north of Mona Vale will
start on December 2.
An additional 15 weekday
E88 express services will operate
across the week between
North Avalon and Wynyard.
Weekday morning E88
times departing North Avalon
will now include 8.16am and
8.36am.
In the evening, weekday
E88 services from Wynyard to
North Avalon will be extended,
with an additional service
at 8.07pm.
NOT HAPPENING:
Any revised plan
for Ingleside will
likely not include
a village hub.
and Church Point.
A future evacuation assessment,
as well as consultation
with landowners, will help
determine whether any further
development could safely
exist in the area.
Further, any development
would need to be at a much
lower scale and the DPE would
need a guarantee that the
road network could handle
the extra development in the
event of an evacuation.
Northern Beaches Council
CEO Ray Brownlee said safety
of the community always had
to come first.
“Presented with the indepth
bushfire investigations
by the State Government, it
was immediately clear that
the current plans for development
at Ingleside are simply
not viable,” he said.
“We understand this may
be a disappointment for some
of our residents, but we don’t
see that we have a choice. We
must put current and future
residents’ safety first and we
support the State Government’s
plan to do further
investigation to see what, if
any, development is possible
in the precinct,” he said.
Local MP Rob Stokes
commented: “Whatever the
ultimate outcome is going
to be – residents in Ingleside
simply want a decision to be
made so they can get on with
their lives.
“This issue has been dragging
on for more than 60
years.” – Nigel Wall
More buses to fill B-Line void
‘Teething’
or other?
Our health district’s Annual
Public Meeting is sure to
generate considerable debate
about hospitals in our area.
Set down for Friday Dec 7,
the Northern Sydney Local
Health District Annual Public
Meeting will be held in the
Kolling Building Auditorium
at Royal North Shore Hospital,
Reserve Road, St Leonards.
Members of the community
are invited to attend. But you
need to act now as RSVPs
close Nov 28; email NSLHD-
AreaCommunications@
health.nsw.gov.au or phone
9463 1722.
Since taking first patients
on Oct 30 the new 488-bed
Northern Beaches Hospital has
been marred by accounts of
systemic failures, understaffing,
shortages of basic supplies,
alarming stories from
patients and reports from
doctors/staff about concerns
for patient and staff safety.
Save Mona Vale Hospital
chairman Parry Thomas said
a vote of no confidence by
senior doctors in the NBH
medical director Dr Louise
Messara and resignation of
CEO Deborah Latta days after
the official opening clearly
showed issues were more than
“teething problems”.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard
has reportedly given
operator Healthscope until
mid-December to fix issues.
Mr Thomas said problems
at the new facility could be
eased in part if acute services
were reopened at Mona Vale
Hospital as part of a networked
hospital model.
He said his group had
warned the State Government
that the new hospital would
attract larger numbers than
expected due to its catchment
extending to the North Shore.
“Healthscope and the
government have clearly been
broadsided by the number of
patients,” Mr Thomas said.
“Mona Vale Hospital should be
reimagined as part of a network
of hospitals serving the
northern beaches restoring a
fully-functioning emergency
Some 31 additional L90
services will operate across
the week between Palm Beach
and Wynyard.
Weekday L90 services from
Wynyard to Palm Beach will
restart again after the evening
peak, with new services
at 9.15pm, 10.15pm, 11.15pm
and 12.15am.
Weekday L90 services from
Palm Beach to Wynyard will
be extended beyond 3.10pm,
with additional services at
4.10pm and 5.10pm.
On Saturday evenings, L90
services departing Wynyard
will be extended from
11.33pm to 12.33am.
Late-night 188 services
will continue to operate after
midnight from the city to
Avalon Beach until the early
hours.
Plan your trip at trans-
department, surgery, ICU and
maternity.” – Lisa Offord
portnsw.info
10 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Recipe for celebration
News
It’s been more than two years
in the making, bringing
together the best ingredients
– youth, experience, taste, passion,
heart and soul - to create
something truly special.
‘Beyond The Bends – B arrenjoey’s
Best Bites’ is a creative
collaboration of 200 students
and staff and 20 parents, both
past and present, celebrating
Barrenjoey High School’s 50th
Anniversary.
With 250 full-colour pages,
the glossy tome is not simply a
catalogue of favourite recipes,
it’s designed as a keepsake
of the stories and food that
connects the community and
celebrates a unique part of the
world, explained school parent,
commercial photographer
and BHS artist in residence
Sally Mayman.
Residents of Pittwater for
20 years, Sally and husband
Gerry’s two sons, Jim and
Tom, attended BHS.
When Tom was in his final
year at Avalon Primary both
Gerry and Sally were involved
in photographing ‘Avalon
Food’, the popular primary
school cookbook, so with Tom
approaching the end of high
school and with many of the
original team now at Barrenjoey,
Sally thought the time
right to create a cookbook for
the high school.
The school community came
on board by sharing their
family-favourite recipes and
the stories behind them, then
students, staff and parents
worked together to cook, style
and photograph them.
“The students were fantastic,
their enthusiasm infectious
and their ideas invaluable,”
Sally said.
“The school Technology and
Applied Studies staff, led by
Caryn Harrington, were wonderful…
it was a great collaboration,
they constantly juggled
classes so as many students as
possible could be involved.”
Caryn said students from
Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and even a
few HSCers pitched in, cooking,
trouble-shooting recipes,
learning how to plate-up and
garnish and assisting with
photography.
“The kids loved it… I don’t
think there was one student
who wasn’t inspired by the
process,” Caryn said.
The English department also
helped with name brainstorming
sessions, with a Year 7
class coming up with the title.
“We all loved this as the
book is designed to be given
to our young people as they
leave home and go beyond the
bends,” Sally said.
“The name also locates our
community and captures the
feeling we all have when coming
home around those bends.”
Sally said there were many
favourite moments during the
book’s production and lots of
laughter.
“There is a lovely positive
12 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
energy generated when a
group of women work creatively
together.
“We bounced ideas around,
learned new skills and solved
each other’s parenting challenges!”
It probably comes as no
surprise that one of the most
popular recipes is ‘Bowsher’s
Bites’ – a recipe which comes
from the BHS Principal’s
Aunty Pat.
“It looks lovely and is quite
unique with an interesting
mix of sweet, salty and sour
flavours,” Sally said.
The project was generously
supported by 30 local businesses,
who made printing it possible,
with design supplied by
Emma Long (Penguin Graphics)
and Petra Timmermann.
The coffee table book costs
$35 and is available from
Barrenjoey HS, Beachside
Bookshop, Bookoccino, Rust,
Avalon Village Meats, Rusti Fig
and Graze n Cakes.
“In the true spirit of our
community, these wonderful
businesses are making no
mark-up on the cookbook over
summer, with all proceeds going
to Barrenjoey High School.
“Please support them – and
shop local this Christmas,”
said Sally. – Lisa Offord
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 13
News
Signing off from Currawong
This will be the
last Christmas at
Currawong for beach
cottage managers Russell
and Wendy Worthington
who have been caretakers
of the now Heritage-listed
destination for the past 11
years.
Northern Beaches Council
are currently poring over
applicants to succeed the
Worthingtons, who will depart
the offshore haven in March.
The transition coincides
with the announcement
the State Government has
allocated a further $1.68
million to support Council
with the refurbishment
of the historic cottages,
following an initial grant of
$1 million.
The funds have been
provided to Council through
the NSW Government’s
Stronger Communities
Fund and have been made
available from leftover
funds that were previously
allocated for the acquisition
of the Pasadena site at
Church Point.
Russell said he and Wendy
would miss the idyllic
location but were looking
forward to some welldeserved
time off.
“We’ll miss living in such
a beautiful part of the world,
but we have been on 24/7
call – in 11 years we’ve had
about eight weeks’ holiday!”
he said. “We manage one
night a week off – at these
times our caretaker stands
in for us.”
Russell said duties have
involved “everything outside
of major maintenance”.
“That includes bookings
and enquiries, cleaning
all accommodation and
maintaining cabins to
the best of our ability,
greeting guests and
transporting luggage to their
accommodation, looking
after the grounds, mowing,
weed control, basic first aid,
tick removal and buying
supplies,” Russell said.
One of their unusual
responsibilities has involved
the local fauna: “We have had
to do some snake relocating
and moving and burying
dead wallabies.”
The couple observed that
the “average” Currawong
guest in their time has been
a resident of the Northern
Beaches, with children up
until young teenage years.
“And group bookings are
very popular – Currawong
can accommodate up to 70
people,” he said.
Wendy said the funniest
incident involved helping a
well-known TV personality
retrieve his Hobie Cat which
had taken off from the beach
in a sudden gust of wind
because the sails had been
left up.
“We spotted it out in the
centre of Pittwater going at
great knots, while trying to
run it down in a 20-year-old
tinny with a 15HP engine,”
she said. “Fortunately the
passing water taxi spotted
it was a runaway and pulled
it in until we got there,
otherwise it was going to do
some serious damage on the
other side!”
As for their next steps,
the couple hope to embark
on some travel and do some
volunteer work “once we get
used to being back in the
suburbs”.
Local MP Rob Stokes said
the Currawong cottage
upgrades would ensure the
accommodation was more
inviting and comfortable
– but would still provide
opportunities for families
and conference groups to
switch off in a natural and
historic waterfront setting.
Meanwhile, Council has
chosen Currawong as the
site for an innovative project
that will see drinking water
produced from air using
solar energy.
The project uses SOURCE
Hydropanels to produce
clean drinking water for
the resort, which currently
14 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
BACK TO REALITY: Managers Russell and Wendy Worthington are retiring.
relies on rainwater and has
no reticulated water supply.
(Council partnered with Zero
Mass Water, producer of the
SOURCE Hydropanels used in
the project.)
Mayor Michael Regan
said the installation and
technology could have farreaching
benefits for the
Northern Beaches.
“So far, the installation at
Currawong shows positive
results… this technology
means drinking water will
be available in places with
unreliable or no water supply
at all, substantially reducing
the cost of servicing these
areas and mitigating the need
for plastic bottled water.”
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 15
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
News
Eyes peeled. It must be
summer ’coz ‘Percy’ the Prawn
Pod has been spotted around
Pittwater. You’ll find the distinctive
food van parked in Bayview over
the holiday season stocked with
fresh Australian prawns for you
to take away or – if you can’t wait
to tuck in – by the bucket, with
cocktail sauce, lemons and fresh
rolls to enjoy in situ overlooking
the water. Go to prawnpod.com.
au to confirm location and times.
Musical concert. Singers and
instrumentalists from local group
Loosely Woven will present a
new program of songs including
Christmas tunes on Sunday
2 from 4pm at Avalon Baptist
Church. Free afternoon tea.
Voluntary donations to Avalon
Amnesty International welcome.
More info looselywoven.org or
0417 069 472.
Christmas market. The annual
Mona Vale Xmas Market is on
Sunday 9 in Village Park from
9am-5pm with a great mix of
stalls, food and music – perfect
for gift shopping.
Diabetes & daily life. The new
medical clinic Osana Narrabeen
is hosting a free (healthy!)
morning tea and presentation for
anyone who wants to know more
about diabetes; on Tues 11 from
10am-11am. Bookings are
essential narrabeen@osana.care
or 13 93 55.
Doggy paddle. Be a part of
local tradition and support the
annual Scotland Island dog
race celebrating its 44th year on
Christmas Eve (Mon 24). The race
starts “around” 6pm from Bell
Wharf – the finish line is at the
Church Point Ferry Wharf.
NYE fireworks. You don’t have
to make the trek into town to
enjoy a great lightshow to bring
in the New Year. The Bayview
fireworks display at 9pm and
midnight are presented by local
businesses with support from
Council – you can enjoy the
display from outdoor vantage
points including Rowland
Reserve, Winnererremy Bay and
Dearin Reserve or clubs such as
Royal Motor Yacht Club. There
will be an exclusion zone in place
around Rowland Reserve.
16 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Two tribes,
one beach
The local ‘Battle of the Bends’ is seriously good fun...
because it’s not too serious at all, writes Matt Cleary
News
In these vexed and oft-divided
modern times, there’s
something cool and reassuring
that people can organise
healthy competition with one
another for no other reason
than it’s a good idea. ‘The
Battle of the Bends’ is such an
idea. Like many ideas it began
over beer. But like only the
very good ones, it outlived the
hangover.
The BOTB is the annual surf
competition between Newport
Plus Boardriders (NPB) and
North Avalon’s Surfriders Association
(NASA). Neighbours,
mates, old school chums, their
fine little contest, now in its
fourth iteration, determines
a year’s worth of bragging
rights, talking points, and
banter, the stuff of this sporting
life.
We’re nestled on a pathway
between the dunes on
Newport Beach, buttressed by
those familiar, sheer headlands
that jut into the sea.
Bacon and eggs are bubbling
on the barbecue, cool tunes
pump from a fine big speaker,
and little kids tool about barefoot
on the sand, annoying
their dads and saying funny
things into the microphone.
Surfers here in their colours:
black T-shirts with the club
motifs; sleeveless denim jackets;
daggy surf chic. Mainly
20-somethings though the
odd old boy. Newport Plus
(‘Plus’ because they have let
in surfers from Avalon) was
formed in 1975 by such as
the Carroll brothers, multiple
world champion Tom, and
Nick, a prolific surf writer
and contributor to this very
journal.
Nick runs out, drawn to
surf against David ‘Hammo’
Hammond, the two pitched
against one another because
they’re considered similar in
style. The heats are organised
18 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
FROM FAR LEFT: Newport’s Harry Musgrove
(blue) shreds a turn on the way to winning the
BOTB final against NASA’s Chris Salisbury (red);
the crew gather to tell tall stories and celebrate;
‘TC’ (blue) styling across the face; but it wasn’t
enough to better the wily Rob Bain (red).
Photos: Newport Plus Boardriders
thus. Big powerful goofy footers
surf against big powerful
goofy footers. And so on.
The heats are judged by
these very clubmen, scores
based on speed, difficulty of
manoeuvre, and style. And
marking on style is “subjective,”
according to organiser
Chris Salisbury. “And if the
judges are off you, you’re no
chance!” he jokes.
Quite hard to see the action
early; the sunlight glistening
off the sea turns the surfers
into black wraiths on a frothy
golden pond. Yet by 11 o’clock
the marquee heat – the great
Tom Carroll versus another
old gun, Rob Bain, who once
beat Kelly Slater in G-Land,
Indonesia. Still a presence
about ‘TC’, the old man of the
sea and Newport local. He’s
all salty goodness, orange and
white beard, with that chunky,
low centre of gravity reminiscent
of David Warner, Cooper
Cronk, and Maradona.
And their heat is a beauty,
both men going wave for wave
in the three- to four-foot swell.
Carroll owns it early but Bain
catches a right-hander all the
way to the beach and steals
it. Each heat wins the club
a point. Winning the final’s
worth three points. Which organiser
Harry Musgrove does
for Newport, though NASA’s
five-point lead heading into
holds firm.
And you think: good luck to
these surfing dudes. The vibe
is very cool, it’s not overtly
competitive, there’s applause
for skills from all. They’re all
mates. And as the beer goes
down in the early evening, it’s
a bit like that ad for Corona,
somewhere you’d rather be.
Someone suggests a party
at one of the boys’ houses.
Everyone agrees it’s a good
idea. Their hangovers may say
otherwise.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 19
‘House’ proud
News
The faithful reimagining of
Palm Beach icon Barrenjoey
House will be unveiled in
December – the latest offering
from husband-and-wife team
Andrew and Pip Goldsmith.
The couple run the Boathouse
Group, which has a string of
coastal-styled eateries and venues
across the northern beaches
including The Boathouse and
Home Store at Palm Beach and
Moby Dicks at Whale Beach.
This year has been huge for
the group; they also bought
The Patonga Hotel which
reopened in their colours in
early November.
Andrew told Pittwater Life
they felt lucky to be Barrenjoey
House’s new custodians and
added that Patonga, an idyllic
coastal fishing village, was a
perfect location for a Boathouse.
“We are really excited to mix
what we do in the cafes with a
waterside Hotel and an outdoor
beer garden,” he said.
“We talk about our product
being about the ‘whole experience’.
We love the ferry to Patonga
– we have two little kids, so
have always enjoyed travelling
over to Patonga. You feel a million
miles from everywhere.”
Why such great success over
the past decade?
“We’ve tried to create venues
where people feel both welcome
and relaxed,” said Pip. “We aim
for our guests to feel like they
are on holidays. We also aim
for the look and presentation to
evolve over the years.”
“We are lucky to have a team
of over 450 people who help to
make The Boathouse what it is
today,” added Andrew. “I am not
sure if you will see anything
new from us for a while... we
have a long list of things we
are working on to improve our
existing venues.”
But can there ever be ‘too
much of a good thing’?
“That’s a very good question.”
said Andrew. “Each venue
and its offering is different.
Our bakery at The Boathouse
Home store sells a small range
of bread and cakes, however
at the same time prepares the
cakes and bread for our venues.
The Bakery also supplies fresh
pasta, flatbread dough and wed-
ding cakes for the Group.
“Moby Dicks offers sitdown
weddings, whereas The
Boathouse Palm Beach offers
canapé-style weddings and
events. Whale Beach Deli is a
smaller offering, and is a more
local, all-day brunch-style of
venue.
“Anything new that we have
added since opening 10 years
ago has aimed to complement
our existing venues.”
So, what does Andrew order
for breakfast?
“I always order in abundance...
the fruit platter is
perfect for sharing, and I think
it’s hard to go past the classics –
house-made banana bread and a
bacon and egg roll!” – Nigel Wall
NEW ADDITION:
The Patonga Hotel
Boathouse is the
latest venue in Pip
and Andrew Goldsmith’s
portfolio; it
features all the cool
styling associated
with their other
eateries plus a stunning
waterfront
location. The Group
will also unveil the
new Barrenjoey
House this month.
20 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
News
Mateship on the beaches
There will be banter and
good-natured ribbing at the
start of the ocean swims at Pittwater
beaches in January.
The annual summer series
kicks off at the Newport
Pool to Peak ocean swims on
Sunday 6 January followed by
Bilgola (13 Jan), Mona Vale (20
Jan) and The Big Swim (Palm
Beach to Whale Beach – 27
Jan). Avalon have moved their
swims to Sunday 14 April.
According to one of the organisers
John Guthrie, a lot of
the regular ocean swimmers
know each other and renew
friendships at the starting line.
“There’s a real feeling of
mateship among the men and
women and boys and girls who
compete regularly, particularly
amongst the older swimmers,”
John said. “They may not know
each other by name but they
enjoy getting together to talk
about the swims they are going
to do over summer.
“They also study the ocean
conditions together and talk
about where the rips might be
and the best place to enter.”
Volker Klemm, a member of
the Pittwater Series committee,
said that while a lot of the
swimmers were quite competitive
in their approach the
general atmosphere was good
natured.
“Ocean swimming is a growing
sport and now that the
clubs have introduced shorter
swims, the younger swimmers
are able to compete – and of
course, many of them are very
fast swimmers,” he said.
“The shorter swims have
introduced many pool swimmers
to the joys of swimming
in the ocean and once they get
more confidence, many graduate
to the longer swims.”
Both John and Volker agree
that the friendly spirit of the
swims can also be seen at the
finish line and at the club barbecues
where swimmers talk
about their experiences.
“Then it flows onto the many
coffee shops where you will
see swimmers and their families
relaxing after their event.”
Entries oceanswims.com
22 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
News
SEEN… HEARD…
Seething Avalon residents are wondering whether Northern
Beaches Council has forgotten about its trial of an off-leash
dog park in Central Rd, which signage indicated should have
finished in July. The small area of fenced-off park (well, except
for the broken bits) is in extremely poor condition due to
traffic and rain erosion. Indeed, despite full sun it is mostly a
dirt/mud bowl. Said one disgruntled resident: “If a member of
council lived here it would never have even been considered…
what an eyesore!” We put the concerns to Council; seems they
haven’t forgotten, with Mayor Michael Regan telling us repairs
are on the agenda. “Council has planned repairs to commence
mid-December,” he said. “The offleash- dog park’s future is
scheduled to be considered at council’s December meeting.
We will consider whether or not to make it permanent and if
so, what improvements need to be made. The trial area will
remain off-leash until a decision is made.” Hmm. We’re pretty
sure what improvements need to be made…
Are you a collector? Avalon Beach Red Cross Shop has been
gifted a wonderful collection of 200 Matchbox ‘Models of
Yesteryear’ by a local resident who wants to see them go to a
good home. All models are in pristine condition in original
boxes. The collection includes Limited Edition models, like
the much soughtafter
Arnott’s Sao
Biscuits Van. The
models range in
price from $20 to
$80 – although
complete purchase
would be ideal. If
you’re interested,
call the Shop on
9918 0952.
ABSURD…
Why has it taken five years for any authority to act in the
interests of residents near McCarrs Creek Reserve who have
had to put up with unacceptable noise from hundreds of
drum-tapping partygoers at a regular pop-up event held on
the first Saturday of every month? The revelry and incessant
drumming from the ‘Castle Drumming’ Facebook group spans
3pm until the early hours, with camping overnight (illegal).
Council and the police know about it, but nothing official has
been done. Yet. Narrabeen Ward Councillor Rory Amon has
asked Council to write to the police to determine what action
can be taken regarding any unlawful behaviour. Council staff
have also been asked to report back in February about next
steps. But for now, the beat goes on…
24 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Best on the beach
Avalon Surf Life Saving Club’s success in being awarded
National Surf Life Saving Club of the Year didn’t happen
overnight.
Publicity Officer Roger Sayers said credit had to be given
to the Club’s board which had developed a strategic plan for
sustainable membership, finances, and efficiently carrying
out very worthwhile community service in a responsible
manner – all while having fun.
“The entire club is a single entity, from the juniors
through to Life Members, with everyone sharing successes
and supporting each other,” Roger said. “We are an integral
part of the local community, running community events,
and having connections with the local high school and primary
schools and the local board riding club.”
He added the Club had a long history of innovations,
starting with the IRB developed at the club in 1969, through
to more recently the Youth Development Program, aimed at
retaining younger members after nippers and before they
were old enough to get their Bronze medallion.
“We welcome new members – provide a worthwhile community
service, learn new skills, get fit, make new friends,
and have fun.”
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 25
News
Pittwater News
Keoride operating
hours extended
Revolutionary public transport
service Keoride has
extended its operating hours.
The new hours will see cars
operating until 11.30pm on
Thursdays, Fridays (previously
10pm) and Saturdays (previously
only 7pm); and until
9pm on Sundays (previously
5pm). There is no change to
the 6am-10pm Monday to
Wednesday hours. Keoride
allows commuters in Pittwater
to book a vehicle at a time
that suits them, connecting
their home address or designated
local pick up point to
the nearest B-Line transport
hub at Mona Vale, Warriewood
or Narrabeen. The on-demand
transport trial has delivered
38,000 trips since it began in
November 2017. “Keoride has
revolutionised public transport
in Pittwater,” said local
MP Rob Stokes. “Our community’s
particularly hilly geography
makes access to some
streets and areas impossible
for traditional buses. “I’m
Cruise to a day at the Gosford races
delighted Keoride’s operating
hours have been extended later
into the evening to provide
further benefits and transport
options for residents.”
Keoride trip costs a flat fee
of $3.10 per trip (or $1.55
for concession card holders).
Bookings through the Keoride
app, online keoride.com.au or
by calling 1800 536 743.
Pittwater Paddle
record shattered
Australian Stand-Up-Paddle
champion James Casey
H
ere’s a great way to keep the holiday celebrations going
between Christmas and the New Year – cruising to a day at
the Gosford Races with Fantasea on Friday December 28. The
prestigious meeting is part of the Tooheys Central Coast Carnival,
with the feature races on the card being the Group 3 Belle of
the Turf Stakes and the Listed Gosford Guineas. It’s also Gritty Pretty Ladies Day (more info
theentertainmentgrounds.com.au). Get some friends together and book now – cost is just $55,
which includes a cruise from Palm Beach Wharf to Gosford (departing 10.30am), then a coach
transfer from nearby Central Coast Leagues Club (short walk from wharf – ladies advised to
“pack your flats”) to the track. Return same from 6.30pm, arriving back at Palmy 8.15pm. $10
admission fee to the racecourse payable on arrival. Bookings essential on 9974 2413.
(right) not only shattered the
Northern Beaches Interchange
Pittwater Paddle fastest course
time by 4.5 minutes, but it was
the first time a SUP has beaten
the entire field in the annual
8.4km race. An ideal spring
morning with light winds and
flat seas greeted competitors
as they made their way from
Winnererremy Bay, Mona Vale
around Scotland Island and
back. Casey, a first-timer who
competes internationally and
finished third in this year’s
gruelling 51km Molokai 2
Oahu ocean event, was pushed
hard by another first-timer,
Chris Wilson, in his debut
Ski race. Winner of the Prone
Paddle event, Mona Vale
SLSC’s Luka Monnock, satisfyingly
beat his paddle coach
to the finish, and Charles
Adams proved too strong
in the Kayak event. Double
SUP honours went to Jason
Kennett and Brett Barber and
father and daughter duo of
Guyren and Geordie Smith
won the male and female Ski
26 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
sprint respectively. For the
Hon Rob Stokes, being part
of Pittwater Paddle is about
getting his race fitness and
experience up for the bigger
surf club carnivals over the
summer. “It’s a great race and
a great course around Scotland
Island; there’s something
for the elite and the hackers
like myself, there’s something
for everyone. Being part of the
event is the ideal way to support
NBI, a great cause.” Full
results pittwaterpaddle.org.au
– Lisa Ratcliffe
Share your stories
of life on the Beaches
Local history buffs and residents
interested in preserving
our community’s heritage have
a unique opportunity to help
Council with the development
of a Thematic History for the
Northern Beaches which will
provide a framework for the future
identification, assessment
and management of heritage
places. Council has created an
online platform where you can
share any story. But hurry –
submissions close December
16. More info on Council’s
website or contact Council’s
Heritage Planner on 9942 2662.
Performance
space funding boost
The celebrations for Barrenjoey
High School’s 50th anniversary
continue, with the State Government
announcing a further
$174,000 for the construction
of a Community Performance
Space at the school. The top-up,
Continued on page 28
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 27
News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 27
announced by local MP Rob
Stokes, brings the Government’s
total contribution to
$1.234 million. Mr Stokes
said that when completed,
the performance space would
provide the school community
with an incredible asset to help
promote and encourage future
generations of performers.
“Barrenjoey’s P&C Association
is passionate about seeing their
vision for this project become
a reality – so I’m delighted the
NSW Government has been
able to provide the funding
boost it needs to see it delivered,”
he said.
Bayview boating
facilities upgraded
Northern Beaches Council has
completed a major upgrade of
boating facilities at Rowland
Reserve, Bayview, with new
access pontoons installed at
the northern and southern
boat ramps to provide recreational
boat users with a safe
and more efficient means of
embarking and disembarking
watercraft. As well, improvements
have been made to the
parking areas for boat trailers
and an additional wash-down
space for boats has been
created along with measures
to prevent pollutants from
the wash-down space entering
Winnererremy Bay. The
works were made possible
by a State Government grant
of $566,000, under the NSW
Boating Now funding program.
In 2015 Council was
awarded $1million by the NSW
State Government, under the
NSW Boating Now funding
program to undertake a series
of improvements to boating
facilities in the area. Mayor
Michael Regan said the facilities
upgrade had improved the
safety and functionality of
this important regional centre
while minimising the environmental
impact of its use.
Cottage Point crew
launch rescue vessel
Boating safety on Pittwater
has been boosted in the leadup
to summer with the State
Government unveiling Marine
Rescue NSW’s new, $328,000
Sailfish catamaran. With two
modern and fully equipped
rescue vessels able to be rapidly
deployed in an emergency,
the volunteers from Marine
Rescue Cottage Point (featured
in last month’s issue of
Pittwater Life) are now better
equipped than ever to keep
a watchful eye on our local
waterways. The vessel’s arrival
coincided with the 50th anniversary
of the Cottage Point
unit, which was originally part
of the Australian Volunteer
Coast Guard Association,
one of three rescue services
that merged to form MRNSW
in 2009. Cottage Point Unit
Commander Paul Millar said
the unit had performed 117
rescue missions over the last
boating season that brought
350 people home safely to
their families. “Our crews are
Funding for foreshore and pedestrian upgrades
Local MP Rob Stokes has
announced further NSW
Government funding of $920,000
to Northern Beaches Council to
progress foreshore and pedestrian
improvements at three key Pittwater
locations – the Palm Beach (South)
Landscape Masterplan, Careel Bay
Foreshore Masterplan (Stage 2) and
the Hudson Parade Footpath Project
between Clareville Beach and
Taylors Point (pictured). This follows
$1 million provided to Council last
year. The additional funds have
been made available from funding
previously allocated to Council
for the proposed acquisition of
the Pasadena site at Church Point.
“Pedestrian, landscaping and
foreshore improvements are not
only aesthetically pleasing – they
also help improve access, safety
and usability,” Mr Stokes said.
“These projects have been desired
for many years – so it’s great to see
Council making them happen.” The
projects are being delivered with the
support of community associations
including the Palm Beach and
Whale Beach Association, Careel Bay
Pittwater Protection Association and
the Clareville and Bilgola Plateau
Residents’ Association.
28 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
trained and ready to help boaters
wherever and whenever
we’re needed,” he said.
President recalls his
days on the Snowy
Pittwater Probus President
John Harston will take the
microphone at the Club’s next
meeting at Mona Vale Golf
Club on Tuesday December
11 to deliver a talk entitled ‘A
Young Engineer’s Life on the
Snowy Mountains Project in
the 1950s and 1960s’. John
joined the Snowy Mountains
Authority in 1959, having
been recruited in the UK. He
was assigned to the Upper
Tumut Works and worked on
the T2 underground Power
Station. John’s address will
provide insight into his work
and life in the mountains and
later in SMA’s head office in
Cooma. His talk will be supplemented
by photos from the
day, both work and personal.
All welcome, starts 10am.
Continued on page 30
Drop off unwanted bikes at Kimbriki
Kimbriki Resource
Recovery Centre is
partnering with not-forprofit
charity Bikes 4
Life to reuse unwanted
bikes with bold plans to
divert over 500 bikes from
landfill every year. Bikes
4 Life collects, restores
and provides bicycles
to marginalised and
impoverished communities
around the world. The
group moved into its new
home at Kimbriki last
month, with plenty of space
for them to sort and repair
bikes collected in Council
clean-ups or dropped
off to the site. Sara Roe
from Bikes 4 Life’s Sydney
operation said their work
was invaluable. “In remote
communities a bicycle is not
only a means of transport to
places of employment and
education but can provide
many with access to remote
sources of food, water,
medicine and shelter,”
she said. To date, Bikes 4
Life’s Sydney workshop
alone have provided over
2000 bikes to various
disadvantaged communities
in Cambodia, Africa,
Central Australia and
Thailand since 2014, while
operations in Melbourne
and Brisbane have donated
over 4,000 bikes to various
communities in need.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood
of Bikes 4 Life so
we’re also calling out for
people to help with our
bike workshops,” Sara said.
“Our workshops are fun
and suitable for people of
all ages and backgrounds,
and no bike experience is
needed as we have a number
of roles for our volunteers.”
Interested in volunteering?
Email sara@bikes4life.com.
au. * Bikes 4 Life will be
holding a bike drop-off day
at Kimbriki on Sunday 9
December from 9am – 3pm.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 29
News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 29
Botanic Gardens talk
University of the Third Age
member Lorraine Emerson
will conduct a talk on the Royal
Botanic Gardens at the next
meeting at Newport Community
Centre on Wednesday
December 5. Opened in 1816,
the gardens are the oldest
scientific institution in
Australia and one of the most
important historic botanical
institutions in the world.
Runs from 1.30-3.30pm; all
welcome. More info Mavis
Bickerton 9970 7161
Ocean Swim
date changes
Organisers of the Pittwater
Ocean Swim Series wish to
alert participants of two major
date changes. Frustrating,
recurring cancellations of the
annual Bilgola ocean swim due
to bad weather or dangerous
surf have prompted a changed
of date from early December
to mid-January. Event Director
for Bilgola SLSC David Madew
said their ocean swim will
now be on Sunday January
13 – taking the day that was
the Avalon Beach swim date
which has moved to April 14.
Further, Avalon SLSC’s Volker
Klemm explained: “We found
a great interest when we
introduced our ‘Around-The-
Bends’ swim from Newport to
Avalon in April 2018. So the
Club decided to also hold the
annual 800-metre and I.5 km
at Avalon on the same day –
this ensures the large number
of volunteers needed for starts
and finishes along with plenty
of qualified lifesavers for
water safety.” Meanwhile the
Newport swim is on January 6;
Mona Vale on January 20; and
The Big Swim (Palm Beach to
Whale Beach) on January 27.
Mona Vale Hospital
building works
Construction works are underway
at Mona Vale Hospital
as part of the next phase of
major infrastructure improve-
30 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
ments. Ground works have
commenced for a modern
Support Services Building to
accommodate new kitchen,
laundry, cleaning, waste, staff
and engineering services.
Work is also underway to
relocate the helipad. The
repositioned helipad will enable
a new inpatient building
to be constructed on the fareastern
side of the hospital.
The new inpatient building
will accommodate a dedicated
Palliative Care Unit and a
specialist Geriatric Evaluation
and Management Unit.
Other new hospital buildings
recently constructed at Mona
Vale Hospital include the
Community Health Service
Building in 2016, the Beachside
Rehabilitation Unit in
2014 and the expansion of
the Palliative Care Outpatient
Unit in 2013. “There’s a flurry
of construction activity underway
and we’ll soon see the
next new hospital buildings
start to emerge,” local MP Rob
Stokes said.
Council
investigates
bushland
destruction
Council is
investigating the
destruction of bushland
at a new subdivision at
Warriewood. Northern
Beaches Mayor Michael Regan
said Council staff were
investigating the property
at 41 Warriewood Road and
would provide more details
once further evidence has
been gathered. “Council is
aware of what appears to
be significant damage to
bushland at a property on
Warriewood Road,” he said.
“I’m shocked at the damage
caused by these works.
Serious questions must be
asked how works in this
precious bushland area can
be justified in contrary to the
conditions of their DA.” He
added staff were undertaking
an investigation as to the
authorisation of works and
exploring all options within
Photo: John Illingsworth
their power to address the
serious issue. “Thank you to
the community for reporting
this matter to Council as
protecting our environment
relies on the community and
Council working together in
partnership,” he said. Council
officers have reviewed
footage of the area and have
raised serious concerns with
the site owner about these
works. “The Council and the
community have spent many
years seeking to maintain
creek line corridors free
of development and kept
in as natural condition as
possible as development in
the Warriewood Valley has
progressed,” Mayor Regan
said. “This recent work is
contrary to the planning
objectives for the area and we
are taking this matter very
seriously.”
Vet
on
call
with
Dr Ben Brown
We all know how important
tick prevention is for our
dogs in summer – but what
about heartworm disease? Is
your dog protected?
Heartworm in dogs is a
potentially fatal disease that
is transmitted from infected
to uninfected dogs by
mosquitoes. These mosquitoes
inject a number of tiny worms
into the dog’s body which then
mature into adult heartworm
over six months. These worms
settle inside the chambers
of the heart and interfere
with the flow of blood. Adult
heartworm infection causes
heart failure which can result
in serious illness and death.
Heartworm disease is difficult
and expensive to treat so
prevention is better than cure!
According to the Australian
Heartworm Advisory Panel,
year-round heartworm
protection is recommended
for every dog Australiawide.
Therefore, just as we
vaccinate pets against deadly
viral diseases, heartworm
prophylaxis is an important
cornerstone of preventative
care. Whilst monthly
heartworm preventatives
have been demonstrated
to be effective any lapse in
treatment puts patients at
higher risk. Recent research
showed that complacency
around heartworm prevention
has resulted in dogs testing
positive, in fact around 40%
of dogs diagnosed with
heartworm are on owner-given
monthly preventatives.
The easiest way to avoid
forgetting heartworm
medication is to use annual
heartworm prevention given
by injection at the time of
vaccination (lasts for 12
months). Give us a call to
discuss your dog’s heartworm
prevention to make sure they
are adequately protected
leading into summer. We
are currently offering a FREE
heartworm test with every yearround
heartworm prevention
injection (see our ad p16).
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 31
Actress, academic, journalist,
parliamentarian and grazier... the
Hon Dr Elisabeth Kirkby OAM boasts
a remarkable lifetime resume.
Story by Rosamund Burton
No limit to
Life Stories
achievement
Scrambling up her steep back garden
on the Western Foreshore’s Morning
Bay is about the only place that
97-year-old, The Hon Dr Elisabeth Kirkby
OAM, doesn’t go. She travels to Sydney
weekly, staying in her apartment at
Potts Point, has just returned from the
70th birthday celebrations of former
Australian Democrat Senator Meg Lees
in Adelaide, and makes regular trips to
Asia and Europe.
This remarkable nonagenarian has
been an actress, journalist, parliamentarian
and grazier – all before deciding
to enter the realms of academia. Having
taken the ferry to Halls Wharf I walk
along the bush track to Morning Bay and
follow her clear instructions to come
down through her neighbours’ garden,
hers being overgrown, to her backdoor.
She is sitting in her study in front of a
large computer screen. Later she tells me
she reads six online newspapers every
day including The Sydney Morning Herald,
The New York Times, The Guardian
and The Conversation.
Five years ago, aged 92, Elisabeth
Kirkby became Australia’s oldest PhD,
having written a thesis about the impact
of the Depression in Australia from an
historical and social perspective.
“After years of being pushed to the
limits and under constant criticism, it
felt a wonderful achievement,” she says.
“I didn’t think I could do it, but I did.”
However, she admits that the graduation
ceremony was “all a bit untidy” as
she was given a huge bouquet of flowers
when she walked onto the platform at
the University of Sydney.
“I was clutching my mortar board in
one hand, the bouquet with the other,
and trying to shake hands with the vice
chancellor and take the certificate.”
Born in Bolton in Lancashire in 1921,
Elisabeth grew up in an 18th century rectory
on the moors. She remembers electricity
being installed, and the labourers
on the nearby farm cutting hay with
scythes. Even as a child she knew she
wanted to be an actress, and at the start
of World War II she was working with
the Manchester Repertory Theatre. When
she turned 21 she was called up to the
Auxiliary Territorial Service. She joined
‘Stars in Battledress’, a military entertainment
unit, and appeared in Terrence
Rattigan’s play, Flare Path, which toured
army camps in Southern England.
Elisabeth was performing at the Manchester
Library Theatre in a play written
by a leading gynaecologist, Tex Rickard.
Rickard’s registrar Derek Llewellyn-
Jones, who later wrote the women’s
health bestseller Everywoman, came to
see the play. Elisabeth and he married
and they moved to Singapore with her
son Tony, as Llewellyn-Jones had been
asked to work in a practice there. Twelve
months later they moved to Kuala Lumpur,
where they lived for 12 years, and
had two children, Deborah and Robert.
Having done some broadcasting work
for the BBC in England, Elisabeth worked
for Radio Malaya, writing and producing
radio plays and features.
In the large book case, she points out a
biography of Singapore’s founding father,
Lee Kuan Yew. Because her family and
she arrived in Sydney within a couple of
days of Singapore becoming independent
of Malaysia, she was asked by the ABC to
do an op ed about the sovereign citystate
and its future.
She tells me that Malcolm Turnbull’s
recent farewell reminded her of Lee
Kuan Yew’s emotional farewell to the
Federation of Malaysia.
“When Malcolm Turnbull picked up his
grandson and carried him out, I thought
that will go down in history, because it
was such a moving moment.”
Newly arrived in Australia, in 1965 she
asked to audition as an ABC newsreader
to be told by the head of the news division:
“Don’t be silly. Who’s going to listen to
a woman reading the news.” However,
she did work as a freelancer for the ABC,
hosting a radio program called ‘Morning
Call’, and also, lugging her 18-kilogram
portable reel-to-reel recorder, doing
documentaries on issues such as housing
and education. She also appeared in
acting roles, including in the early 1970s
32 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
as Lucy Sutcliffe in the classic soap opera
Number 96, which made her a household
name.
It was Colin Mason, head of the ABC
talks and features unit, who persuaded
her to join the new centrist parliamentary
party, the Australian Democrats.
Kirkby became a candidate, standing for
a bi-election in Cessnock in 1978, and
three years later was elected to the New
South Wales Legislative Council.
Her children were all adult by then:
Tony was well-established in his acting
career; Deborah, who had also trodden
the boards, had married Larry Eastwood
(who featured in the September issue
of Pittwater Life), had her daughter,
Gemma, and was a film accountant; and
Robert was a psychiatrist and working
in England. It was also at this time that
Llewellyn-Jones and she separated.
Kirkby went on to become the Australian
Democrats’ New South Wales state
leader for many years, and the longestserving
Australian Democrat member of
parliament before she retired in 1998.
In 1995, she had bought about 800
acres near Temora, and now in her late
70s moved from parliament to paddocks,
growing arable crops and producing fine
wool. She also served as a councillor on
the Temora Shire Council for four years.
“In the 2004 council elections I was
not re-elected,” she recounts, “so I strode
about the kitchen thinking... ‘now what
do I do?’” She decided on a degree in
history through Charles Sturt University’s
distance education program. This
was followed by an honours degree, the
sale of her property and a move back to
Sydney.
She enrolled at the University of
Sydney to do a master’s degree, but after
four months her tutor, Emeritus Professor
Greg Patmore, had other plans.
“’You’re not going to do a master’s,
you’re going to do a doctorate,’ he said.
‘Don’t be silly,’ I replied. ‘Yes, you are.
Come with me and I’ll re-enrol you.’ He
took me to the registrar’s office and
registered me as a PhD student.”
In 2012, she was awarded the Medal of
the Order of Australia for service to the
Parliament of NSW, to the community of
Temora and to the performing arts. The
same year she moved to Morning Bay,
next door to daughter Deborah and sonin-law
Larry. When two years ago they
sold their house and moved to Avalon to
be nearer their daughter and grandchildren,
Elisabeth decided to stay.
She describes the past few years living
in Morning Bay as “perhaps the happiest
in my life. I love being on the water and
the quiet,” she says. But she certainly
isn’t leading a quiet life. In addition to
enjoying seeing her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren growing up, she
is writing a paper about the establishment
of Federation and has been in the
Mitchell Library going through boxes of
handwritten correspondence by Deakin,
Parkes and Barton. She attends lectures
and seminars at the University of Sydney,
is a regular theatre-goer and keeps
up with friends across the world.
When asked what the recipe is for such
a rich and fulfilling life at the age of 97,
she says it’s having a passion, in her case
history and politics, and the good luck to
have good health to follow it.
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: At home in Morning Bay;
wearing her AOM with pride; with sons Robert and Tom;
a 1970s publicity photo; wearing her mortar board to
accept her PhD; on stage in ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ in the
’70s; with her Rhodesian Ridgeback pups near Morisett.
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 33
Carols & Church Services 2018
THE CHRIST
Getting together with family and
friends to sing carols and celebrate
the true meaning of Christmas
remains an important tradition.
In December, Pittwater is once again
privileged to boast three free major local
events to warm hearts (and vocal chords)
and grow the bond of community…
AT THE BEACH
The hugely popular Carols at the Beach,
hosted by Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving
Club, will be held on Saturday December
8. The relaxed event on the grass outside
the club brings our community together for
a night of singing – led by the sensational
Jubilation Choir – celebration and fireworks
all set against the spectacular backdrop of
Avalon Beach (pictured). The evening also
includes a market-style food fair from 4pm,
a visit by Santa and other special guests.
This event supports the club to purchase
much-needed rescue equipment.
WHAT: Carols at the Beach
WHERE: Avalon Beach SLSC
WHEN: Sat Dec 8 from 4pm; carols from
6-9pm
IN THE PARK
The free fun begins at 6.30pm in Village
Park Mona Vale on Saturday December 15
when the precinct comes alive with music
and song with a line-up of local superstars
leading the audience in the traditional
tunes. Presented by The Rotary
Club of Upper Northern Beaches in partnership
with Pittwater Uniting Church,
the Carols in the Park organisers promise
a wonderful evening for the hundreds of
families who choose this event to share
the Christmas spirit. There will be food
and refreshments available and free lollies
for the kids. And Santa will make his
usual appearance, arriving in spectacular
fashion! More info rotaryuppernorthernbeaches.org
WHAT: Carols in the Park
WHERE: Village Park, Mona Vale
WHEN: Sat Dec 15 from 6.30pm
BY THE LAKE
Carols by the Lake 2018 hosted by The
Link Church is on the 22nd of December
at 7pm (with pre-entertainment from
6pm) at Lakeside Park, North Narrabeen.
It will be another great evening with
carols, food trucks, Santa, fireworks
and more! Get there early to claim your
spot – bring family, friends and your
best singing voice! It will be better than
ever; organisers have added extra sound
speakers to cover the whole park and
encourage people to BYO your own water
bottle as they will have water stations
positioned at the event along with other
initiatives to make this event environmentally
sustainable. Donations will be
received on the night to support the
Community Foodcare Program assisting
those in need this Christmas on the
Northern Beaches. More info link.org.au
WHAT: Carols by the Lake
WHERE: Lakeside Park, North Narrabeen
WHEN: Sat Dec 22; pre-entertainment
from 6pm for 7pm start.
34 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
MAS SPIRIT
CHURCH SERVICES 2018
Contact
ANGLICAN
Barrenjoey Churches
– Palm Beach
1079 Barrenjoey Rd
Christmas Eve
8pm Carols by Candlelight
Christmas Day
8am Christmas Celebration
Barrenjoey Churches
– Avalon Beach
1 Kevin Ave
Christmas Eve
4pm Family Fair
5pm Family Celebration
Christmas Day
9.30am Christmas Celebration
Mona Vale Anglican Church
– St John’s
1624 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale
Sunday 23
9am Service of Lessons and Carols
5.30pm ‘Ignite’ Café Church (followed
by family BBQ)
7.30pm Carols by Candlelight
Christmas Eve:
5.30pm Family Service
Christmas Day
8am Holy Communion
10am Family Service
Sunday 30
8am Holy Communion
10am Family Service
5:30pm “Ignite” Service & celebration
meal
Narrabeen Anglican Church
– St Faith’s
5-9 Clarke St
Sun 23
8.30am Traditional Lessons and
Carols
Christmas Eve
4pm Family Celebration
6pm Family Celebration
8pm Christmas Service with Communion
Christmas Day
9.30am Family Service
Warriewood Anglican
Church
Auditorium at Warriewood Brook
6-14 Macpherson St
Christmas Day
9.30am Christmas Service
Newport Anglican
Foamcrest Ave, Newport (next to
Post Office)
Sun 9
4.30pm-8pm Carnival & Carols
Christmas Eve
6pm Children’s Christmas Play
Christmas Day
8am Holy Communion Service
9.30am Family Christmas Celebration
CATHOLIC
Sacred Heart Mona Vale
1 Keenan St
Christmas Eve
5pm Children’s Mass in Sacred
Heart School Grounds
9pm Sacred Heart School Grounds
Midnight Mass (Carols from
11.30pm)
Christmas Day
8am, 9.30am, 6pm (Croatian Mass)
Maria Regina Avalon
7 Central Rd
Christmas Eve
6pm Children’s Mass
9pm Mass of the Night (Carols from
8.30pm)
Christmas Day
9am Mass
St Joseph’s, Narrabeen
21 Lagoon St
Christmas Eve
6pm Family Mass
Midnight Mass (Carols from
11.30pm)
Christmas Day
9.30am Mass
St Rose, Collaroy Plateau
4 Rose Ave
Christmas Eve
5pm Family Mass
8pm Christmas Vigil
church websites for any
updates and more information.
Christmas Day
8am Mass
BAPTIST
Avalon Baptist Church
2 George St
Christmas Day
9am Christmas Service
UNITING
Avalon Beach Uniting
Church
44 Bellevue Ave
Christmas Day
8.30am Christmas Service
Pittwater Uniting Church
Warriewood
10 Jubilee Ave
Christmas Eve
5pm Musical Service
9pm Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Day
9am Christmas Service
PRESBYTERIAN
Pittwater Presbyterian
Church Newport
Robertson Rd
Christmas Eve
8pm Carols by Candlelight service
Christmas Day
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 35
Gift Guide
Shopping local presents a great range
of ideas for Christmas gift giving
Ecodownunder
Beautifully designed new collections
are in store at Ecodownunder in
Avalon and Mona Vale. You’ll love the
new colours and styles for summer
which will impress your Christmas
guests. Plus they have a selection of
great gifts for family and friends for
any budget. Their cotton and linen
sheets, gorgeous quilt covers and
towels are made from pure natural
fibres and either certified organic or
made using their signature eco cotton,
free of synthetics, harsh chemicals and toxic dyes. Everything
you need to dress your bed plus they have a range of terrifically soft and super absorbent bath
towels (Shore Collection 5 for $50 / Luxury Organic Bath Towel Pack $96) plus classic striped beach
towels in vibrant summer colours ($20) or super huge tassel beach towels in cool grey or seaglass
stripe ($39). Organic cotton Turkish style towels are a must-have accessory for summer days out
($19). As their name suggests, Ecodownunder focus on sustainability; they have removed all single-use
packaging from their stores but you’ll receive a reusable bag perfect for gift-giving with your purchase.
Sign up and get $20 off your first order online, or purchase instore. ecodownunder.com.au
Newport
New Pot
Summer is always the season
when Pittwater looks
its best, in flower and in a
blaze of blooming beauty.
Boutique homeware store
Newport New Pot, which
opened in Newport on the
east side of Barrenjoey Road
in June, has everything
you need to showcase this
beauty, both inside the
home and out. Owner Lin
says: “There’s a joy we get
from this beauty, the creativity
it offers us – whether
it’s working with passionate
colours or subtle hues.
At Newport New Pot, we
source must-have statement
pieces that will fill you and
your home with joy... you
will be amazed!” Browse
their large range of flower
pots, Scandinavian-style
simple and elegant pendant
lights, unique pieces of
wooden furniture, wall
decorations – and freshest,
greenest top-quality
plants. Choose something
at Newport New Pot and it
might be the only piece in
Australia. A distributor of
luxe brand PTMD, Newport
New Pot imports all its
home decor products from
PTMD in Amsterdam, where
all products are designed
and built with passion by
artists. It’s the perfect local
store if you want to stand
out from the gift-giving
crowd. P: 0423 388 333
36 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Art Shop
The Art Shop Mona Vale is an independent art and design supplies
store serving and supporting the arts community in Pittwater and
the Northern Beaches. Along with an extensive range of materials
for artists, designers, students and children The Art Shop is packed
full of interesting and unusual gifts for every age and every stage of
art making to make Christmas shopping this year a pleasure and a
delight. Their Christmas range includes gift sets of paints, coloured
pencils, pastels, sketching materials, Posca pens, Copic markers
along with studio easels, table easels and portable easels. They
stock a large range of sketching and watercolour journals, stunning
handmade and handprinted papers, nature-inspired craft materials
and a collection of books to instruct, inspire and bring creative
ideas to life. For Christmas shopping with a creative edge take some
time to browse in this peaceful, cool and colourful space inside
the arcade at 20 Bungan Street Mona Vale. If choosing is hard, gift
vouchers for any amount are available. Open Mon-Sat. P: 9979 6559
Three Peaks
Photography
Here’s a unique gift idea – photography
tuition with professional
landscape photographer
Peter Sedgwick. Peter says the
best way to achieve better
photos, and to enjoy photography
more, is to learn how
to use your camera properly.
“Why own a wonderful camera,
but not use all of its capabilities?” he says. Peter runs one-on-one
courses on the northern beaches; they comprise a full day of learning, and catering to your individual
photography needs. ‘Understanding your Digital Camera’ is suitable for beginners and intermediate
photographers. There is also an Advanced Course for those who already understand the settings, but
would like to delve further into the art of photography. Also, Peter runs two- and three-day workshops
away at beautiful locations outside of Sydney, where you can completely immerse yourself in nothing
but photography. Tuition is one on one, but should you wish to bring along a friend or partner, they
can come along at half price. Peter will be displaying his Landscape Photography at Warriewood Shopping
Centre, in front of the new JB Hifi store, from December 3 to December 24; gift certificates can be
purchased from the stall. More info threepeaksphotography.com.au
The Local Voice Since 1991
Avalon Uncovered
Having recently celebrated their first year in business, the team remain
focused on providing a high-quality range of well-known and
unique and independent lingerie, sleepwear and activewear labels.
Madeleine, Lauren and Di are all experienced bra-fitters, ensuring
each customer receives a warm and caring service. With an extensive
supplier catalogue, they also pride themselves on individual
customer orders to ensure a personalised and local touch – minimising
the stress of having to travel too far! For Christmas they
have a beautiful range of lingerie from Simone Perele, Palindrome,
Calvin Klein and Wacoal as well as luxury silk and cotton nightwear
by Ginia and Fashionata. Key colour combinations range from soft
neutral blush tones through to stunning navy, deep charcoal and
vintage red. For the active woman, their always popular leggings
and crop tops by Dharma Bums and Running Bare, in gorgeous
floral and tropical prints, are firm favourites. Pretty and affordable
stocking-filler ideas include stylish cosmetic bags, totes and robes
from Sanctuary Studio, as well as silk pillow cases and eye-masks
from The Goodnight Co. Free gift-wrapping all year round (plus
gift vouchers). Their online store (avalonuncovered.com.au) is also
regularly updated to help choose the perfect gift. P: 0419 822 844
RitzyRocks
Renata of RitzyRocks has a
beautiful, colourful Christmas
gift idea for you – consider it
‘timeless beauty’. Give that
special person in your life
something unique from the
RitzyRocks collection – or
perhaps it may be time to
pamper yourself? Renata has a
collection of beautiful watches
direct from Venice in Italy – the
watch face is surrounded in the
traditional pattern of millefiore
(meaning one thousand flowers).
This unique timepiece has
a leather band and comes with
a warranty. Renata has a variety
of coloured watch bands with a
silver or gold watch face. These
watches are only $55 (plus
express postage to your door
of $12). Act now – Renata will be
at the Mona Vale Village Xmas
Market on Sunday December 9
at Village Park. Want to know
more? Her watches can be found
at ritzyrocks.com.au under the
heading ‘something unusual’.
DECEMBER 2018 37
Gift Guide
Gift Guide
Natcha Thai Massage & Spa
Send your special loved one back in time this Christmas with a Gift Certificate from Natcha
Thai Massage & Spa at Mona Vale. Let them experience the wonders and benefits of more
than 2000 years of Thailand’s traditional healing system. Natcha’s invigorating massage
therapies embrace the most effective Thai Massage techniques. Their heavenly hands and
aromatic oils loosen tight muscles, improve circulation, soothe the mind, nurture the spirit
and promote overall wellbeing. You’ll
feel your muscles being kneaded and
the tension seep away, leaving you in a
state of sublime relaxation. In December
Natcha is offering 90 minutes of Deep
Tissue Massage for just $125. Or a great
gift idea: a Family Package – choose any
type of massage for 90 minutes, five
times over 12 months for just $500 – a
saving of $125! Find Natcha between
MGS Physio and The Art Shop; Shop
11/20 Bungan St, Mona Vale. Open Monday
to Saturday from 9am-7pm (convenient
for after work). P: 9979 5318
Antique General Store
If you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts
this year, and if you long to avoid crowded
shopping malls, then head to North Narrabeen
and browse through the Antique
General Store. You’ll find an amazing array
of diverse and unique gifts – on-trend
décor pieces, jewellery, silver, furniture,
collectables, and all things vintage. Their
10 specialist dealers have been stocking
up for Christmas so there’s something
for everyone, from traditional to quirky,
and at prices to suit your budget. If
you’re expecting house guests or a large
crowd on Christmas Day, you’ll find all the extra
seating, tables, cutlery and china you may need. And why not treat yourself to that perfect,
one-of-a-kind piece, which will give your home that ‘signature’ touch? Make Christmas
shopping a relaxing experience this year. Visit the Antique General Store – whether
shopping for Christmas gifts or adding to the décor of your home, you’ll find something
truly special. Like them on facebook and stay updated on their latest stock. Find them at
2 Warraba Road, North Narrabeen (cnr Powderworks Road). P: 9913 7636
Beachside
Bookshop
Beachside Bookshop makes the
process of buying your books as
enjoyable as they are to read. Every
title has been hand-selected by
owner Libby Armstrong and team
with the reader in mind, which
makes your job easier at Christmas.
Give the team a few clues about
your gift recipient to benefit from
their book-matching service. Recognised
as experts in young adult and
children’s books, the Beachside’s
team also has at hand a quality
range of adult fiction and nonfiction
titles – including a growing
cookbook collection. As voracious
readers (and cooks!) themselves,
Beachside’s booksellers have great
recommendations for any situation,
with a particular passion for leisure
reading. A destination for local
and visiting authors, the shop has
several titles hand-signed by their
author, perfect for gifting. Drop in
for a copy of the free Kids’ Reading
Guide 2018-2019 and take advantage
of Beachside’s expert advice
and service, plus free customer
parking at the door. P: 9918 9918
38 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Mona Vale Shoe Repairs
Theirs is a 200-year-old family tradition, that
provides a platinum service and quality leather
products. Original ‘boot
maker’ Tom Mastroianni
opened his business
in Mona Vale in 1972.
His grandfather, father
and nephew Dominic
all learned the ancient
craft of the cobbler.
Tom was known for his
excellent craftsmanship;
no item – whether
a handbag, shoes or
any leather good – was
too difficult to repair.
When Tom died in 2011,
Tom’s son-in-law Vince decided to continue the
business and offer the same quality and friendly
service. Joining Vince, Dominic was taught by
Tom from the age of 17. Following Tom’s business
formula in shoe repairs and leather goods
products, Vince and
Dominic have continued
to grow the
business, offering a
range of quality leather
goods imported from
Italy. They specialise in
quality Italian leather
men’s and ladies’
shoes, belts and a
variety of handbags
and wallets – all ideal
for special Christmas
gifts. They also stock a
unique, wide range of
leather care products and umbrellas, plus a fast
key cutting service! Find them at 2/17 Bungan St
Mona Vale. P: 9997 5328
Nothing Butt Lingerie
This inviting Mona Vale boutique has lots of beautiful summer lingerie
and sleepwear for gift-giving for all ages, with Chris and her team happy
to help with your selection. Summer has ushered in lovely vibrant sleepwear
by Orientique and Billy Dream. Chris says that for mature ladies,
Givoni and Schrank always please along with some Florence Broadhurst
prints. “Yuu sleepwear is soft and easy to wear,” she says. “Ginia and
Simply Silks make very special gifts. French Country sleepwear is one of
our most popular for everyday or special gifts. And Pleasure State, Heidi
Klum and Palindrome have launched great new colours for this summer.”
This season Palindrome and Simone Perele have released ultra-luxurious
lingerie sets in satin and laces in beautiful pastels as well as ever-popular
black. There are also triangle lace bras and briefs in red, black, white
and aqua. Berlei have brought out great colours in their lace bras and
briefs, as well as usual black and ivory. Triumph and Berlei everyday bras
are always available in sports, maternity, post-surgery and non-wired
bras. “We have trained bra fitters in store at all times and we provide gift
wrapping as well as Gift Vouchers,” Chris added, wishing all customers
a happy Christmas and New Year. Selected lingerie is on sale at 50% off
and off-season sleepwear year-round. P: 9999 1462
Gift Guide
The Life Aquatic
Christmas is always huge for
Simon Reffold and the crew at
The Life Aquatic. “Pretty much
every five minutes we have
someone popping in or calling
to talk about how they can get
out on the water!” said Simon.
“It’s busy, but we love it – where
else do you get to spend the
day helping people do something
fun?” The Life Aquatic
only stocks quality brands like Hobie Kayaks, SUPs and
Cats, Aquayak Kayaks, Go Pro Cameras and gear, Rooster and Gill sailing gear and they are the only
Northern Beaches distributor of Yeti Coolers. This summer, as well as the ever-popular Kayaks, Hobie
have really focussed on some excellent Stand Up Paddle boards – with a range of super high-quality
inflatable SUPs and the new Heritage (which looks great) is less than $1000! The new Aquayak Kayaks
are also great… really well-priced kayaks, that are Australian made – including the kids’ Banjo Kayak,
just $249! “We can’t keep up with the Yeti Gear at this time of year,” said Simon. “People are evangelical
in their praise of it! They are clearly the best coolers in the world and their range of drink bottles
and keep cups blow people away”. Find them at 42 Darley St Mona Vale. P: 9979 1590
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 39
Peninsula Reflections
Stuck for Christmas gift
ideas? Give the gift of
memories! Bring in that
special photo, or memento
of a holiday and have
it framed professionally
for a truly unique gift for
a loved one. Or come and
purchase a gift certificate
for those last-minute gift
decisions. The team at
Peninsula Reflections in
Warriewood are specialists
in unique design
trends to guarantee your
artwork, or photos, or
memorabilia are presented
to create that WOW factor. Bill and Linda will
assist you to find a framing solution that suits
the art, your tastes as well as your budget. Not
only do they concentrate on design and decor,
they are fully trained in
museum-quality archival
framing, which means
your treasured items are
preserved for generations
to come. “Natural tones
and understated comfort
colours are popular at the
moment,” said Bill. “Also,
for children’s art ‘anything
goes’. Bright and bold
colours that complement
the piece are popular.”
However, he adds that
anything that matches
your taste and preference
is far more important than
a passing fad. So bring in your special piece
and they will frame it for your special someone,
for a truly special gift. Find them at Suite 2102,
4 Daydream St, Warriewood. P: 9979 4488
Gift Guide
Richards Shoes
It is clear to see why Richards Shoes is a popular destination
for families on the northern beaches. The spacious store has
a great range of shoes for everyone, with brands perfect for
the coastal lifestyle including Birkenstock, Taos, Gino Ventori
and Diana Ferrari (for ladies); Florsheim, Merrell and Rockport
(for men); and Clarks and Bobux (for the kids). And with
owner Rod Hiscocks – whose family has been in the footwear
industry for three generations – and his experienced
staff, you know you will not only come out with a great-looking
pair of shoes but with the correct fitting. Rod says their
most popular gift purchases for Christmas are Birkenstocks
for men, women and kids in many styles and colours – and
when you mention this promotion in Pittwater Life you’ll
receive a 10% discount! “Plus, if you’re purchasing shoes as
a Christmas gift you get peace of mind, knowing we have an
old-fashioned, full refund or exchange policy,” said Rodney.
“And we’d like to wish all our loyal customers a merry
Christmas and thank them for their support.” Find them
at Shop 4, 3 Bungan St Mona Vale. P: 9999 6065
Poca Camera Bag
Do you wish you could take your camera on more
outings, but are worried you don’t have an easy way
to carry it? The durable and lightweight Poca is the
answer. What does Poca mean? Poca (‘Poh-ka’) is
Scotts Gaelic for bag – in this case a camera bag that’s
perfect for all photographers, from the occasional
snapper to serious lens folk. Functional yet stylish,
the Agile Messenger Camera bag from Poca Designs
is lightweight and water resistant. It combines a
tough-wearing outer bag and separate inner padded
camera case. The bags come in three sizes. The largest
bag will fit a DSLR camera and four lenses, yet still
only weighs a tiny 715g. The Agile Messenger range
has been designed here on the Northern beaches with
day trips in mind – street photography, bushwalking,
even family days at the beach. It’s the ideal gift for
anyone who likes to take their camera with them. You
can grab yours now at pocadesigns.com and if you
order by December 18 they guarantee delivery for
Christmas anywhere in Sydney.
40 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Surfing Life
Surfing Life
Gift ideas from surf
culture’s wild fringes
Christmas is nearly here – this may help if you’re stuck for stuff to get...
For the stupidly rich...
A DAY AT THE
WSL SURF RANCH
You’ve read about it, you’ve
seen the video clips, you’ve
heard the rumours and
possibly thought a few
up yourself. But the really
astounding thing about the
WSL Surf Ranch, the wave
machine driven and partly
designed by Kelly Slater
and a team of ex-Universal
Studios theme park experts,
is that it actually exists,
and can be ridden… by you!
Yep, the Ranch, about three
hours’ drive north of LA, has
regular “revenue days” when
the pool and its services
are hired out to individuals
or groups – lifeguards,
hospitality, on-the-spot
40-board quiver and all. Stay
overnight at the nearby Tachi
Hotel and Casino, then spend
the day at the pool, being
fed and watered, shown the
ropes of the place, and riding
the 400-metre-long machinegenerated
wave, just like the
big-time pros! Now it costs,
oh yeah it does, eye-watering
sums by most human
calculations, and from what
we hear, all the 80-plus
“revenue days” for 2019 are
booked. But who are we to
say? Maybe you could just
offer an extra 10 grand or
such, and bump someone!
COST: US$55,000, via WSL,
Santa Monica, CA USA
For someone who needs
a new board...
AL MERRICK FLYER
Can I tell you a story? A bit
over 20 years ago I stole one
of Kelly Slater’s boards. Well, I
borrowed it, but I did not want
to give it back. It was a board
that became famous later for
its airspray art, featuring a frog
halfway down the throat of a
stork. The frog’s forearms were
still visible and its hands were
wrapped around the stork’s
throat, preventing the stork
from swallowing the frog. Off
to the side, Kelly had written,
‘Never Give Up!’ But that had
nothing to do with why I wanted
to keep the board. I wanted it
because it was magic. Incredibly
simple, quite short, with a
slightly widened tail block and
a clean flat single concave
running back between the fins.
It had no particular high point,
yet it did anything you could
think of – and back then, in his
footloose early 20s, Kelly could
think of a LOT.
Anyway, he somehow
extracted it from my grasp,
took it home to his designer
Al Merrick, and today, if you
go down to the peerless
with Nick Carroll
For ’80s retro lovers...
TOWN&COUNTRY
In the late 1970s and early
’80s, nowhere in the surfing
world was hotter than Oahu’s
South Shore. This was Hawaii
in summertime, the antithesis
of its scary winter months. A
scene exploding with sunlight,
tradewinds, beautiful little
reef breaks, bright colours,
incredible ripping, plate lunches,
and a logo straight out of
Eastern Mysticism 101. Yin and
Yang, Town&Country. So clever.
They had all the best young
surfers, like Dane Kealoha and
the incredible Martin Potter with
his slashed neon board sprays,
and they set up networks
worldwide, and sold their gear
and their boards, all with that
logo. Then over time, the South
Shore went out of style, the big
Aussie surf companies took the
reins, and T&C retreated into
their roots. Well, they’re back
now, so are the bright colours
and most of all, so is that epic
logo. Not very much of anything
is cooler right now. The full Yin/
Yang boardshorts are way ahead
of the curve.
COST: T&C T-shirts $49,95,
boardshorts $79.95, at Glass
Avenue, Barrenjoey Road,
Newport Beach.
Onboard surfboard store in
Darley Street, Mona Vale, you
can see a rack full of its direct
descendants. This is the Al
Merrick Flyer rack, it’s tucked
away in the second window
bay sorta half behind a pillar,
and if you had to have one
board in Sydney for the rest
of your natural days, a Flyer
might just top the list. Kelly
and Al worked it pretty much
straight off that frog board
nearly 20 years ago and it
boasts the same simple lines,
the same slightly wider than
usual back end, and the same
lovely balance. Thanks
to its width,
For parents or
the Flyer will
sub-teens...
let you get
LEUS BEACH
away with a
TOWELS
tiny bit less
In the past five years,
Californian surf
volume, and
fashion has targeted
its lack of
the margins with huge
complication
success. Stance socks
makes it
are one example,
extremely easy
another might be
to get to know.
Leus. These postironic
beach towel
There’s more
dazzling boards
designers have hit
in the shop,
a nerve in anyone
but there isn’t
who needs a towel
anything more
and a minor statement all in
functional.
one. Beach towels might be the
COST: $885 at Onboard Store, classic Christmas gift; Leus lets
16 Darley St Mona Vale
44 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
PL’s DECEMBER SURF CALENDAR
8-20/12: Billabong Pipe Masters, Pipeline, Oahu
One of the last great pro contests still standing, as the surf industry
companies continue their steady withdrawal from sponsoring
major pro events and the World Surf League tries with limited
success to replace them. Pipe is the gold standard though, the day
it goes will be the day the tour dies a horrid death, and that’s far
from happening this year, as the powerful uber-competitor Gabriel
Medina advances on his second world crown, with seemingly only
the ultra-calm Julian Wilson able to stop him. Julian has a winning
record on Gabriel, especially in finals; trouble is, for him, if they
meet in the final that’ll mean Gabriel’s already world champ. Epic
in any case though. Watch it at worldsurfeague.com
NICK’S DECEMBER SURF FORECAST
The non-El Niño rolls on magnificently. We haven’t had as normal
a spring as this passing one for years and years. Rain, wind and
surf in many forms kept things super lively in November and should
continue into mid-December we suspect, with unpredictable bumps
of swell from a number of directions, day-to-day wind changes,
and all sorts of associated carnage. I do think the back end of the
month will begin to soften, with standard long warm days and NE
seabreezes followed by cooler SE changes, some low cloud, and not
nearly as much surf. It’s take what you can get at this time of year, so
do that, and enjoy the break everyone!
Nick Carroll
you give something a
tiny bit more.
COST: $45 at Beach
Without Sand outlets;
Avalon, Mona Vale, Palm
Beach.
For readers...
RICHO: THE TERRY
RICHARDSON
STORY by Terry
Richardson with
Rob Reynolds
OCEAN RULES: THE
BIKINI COLLECTIVE
by Kate McMahon
These two self-published
books are worlds apart, yet
they kind of talk to each
other in funny ways. Richo,
now moving into his 60s, is
a working class man from
Corrimal who at his peak in
the 1970s and ’80s was one
of the world’s most gracefully,
artistically skilled surfers. He
learned to fight as a kid, then
learned to dance on waves. His
story gets to the core of why
Australian surfers dominated
those years; the world was
loose enough for them to surf
all day, every day, until they
were so good, so individual,
almost nobody could stand
in their way. Richo’s toughnut
background means he
struggles to see himself as
The Local Voice Since 1991
being
any kind of
superstar and it’s not
till he’s off tour and into the
masters age groups that he
wins a world title. His heart
shines through the whole
book. By contrast, Ocean
Rules is a semi-fictional work,
very influenced by Kate’s own
experiences, that explores the
lives of a bunch of teenage girls
just getting into pro surfing.
They’re where Richo was in
1974; the world’s so different
today for them, yet their hunger
for adventure and an unusual
life feels the same as Terry’s
was. Dad and daughter double
bill, these two.
ORDER: Online – Terry at
richosurfshop.com.au / Ocean
Rules from Amazon, Booktopia
and other online retailers.
DECEMBER 2018 45
Surfing Life
Art Life
Art Life
Mick’s travelling sale to
stave off development
Northern Beaches artist
Mick Glasheen is taking
his exhibition, Drawing on the
Land – GARIGAL COUNTRY,
on the road from Palm Beach
to Pasadena.
First held in the Newport
Community Centre last year,
Mick is staging this exhibition
in three reserves on the Northern
Beaches over three weekends
in December – to raise
money to help the community
to hopefully buy the endangered
littoral rainforest above
Porter Reserve, Newport, so
that it may be integrated into
the adjoining Attunga and Porter
Reserves.
“There has been much
community concern about the
possible development of this
bushland that is presently for
sale as an ‘Exclusive Gated
Community Development of 6
Luxurious Homes’,” said Mick.
Mick said so far local residents
had raised $75,000 and
he was hoping to push this to
at least $100,000 with sales
from the travelling exhibition.
The exhibition will begin in
the Governor Phillip Park, Palm
Beach over the weekend of
December 1-2, before moving
to Porter Reserve, Newport on
December 8-9 before winding
up proceedings on the
waterfront outside the newly
renovated Pasadena at Church
Point on December 15-16.
“The paintings will be displayed
outdoors on easels and
works on paper in a specially
constructed pop-up art gallery,”
said Mick.
The art work is the result of
20 years of painting the bush
landscapes of the northern
beaches – evoking the Aboriginal
presence in the land.
To make the paintings,
Mick has developed a unique
process of working with different
media and technologies:
Drawings done on site in the
bush with pen and ink on large
scrolls of paper are digitally
scanned and printed on paper,
then taken back on site and
worked on in colour with paint
and oil pastel, scanned and
printed again on large format
canvases, worked on again
with paint and oil pastel before
finally a digital file is created to
be experienced in 360 3D virtual
reality, with 360 surround
sound bird music.
Featured are large-scale
panoramic paintings of Aboriginal
rock engraving sites in
the Kur-Ing-Gai National Park
– such as the iconic ‘Emu in
the Milky Way’ and ‘Rainbow
Snake’ sites off the Elvina
track.
Also showing will be ‘Dancing
with Strangers’, Mick’s first
History painting – depicting
the first encounter of Europeans
with Aboriginal people
on the shores of Pittwater in
March, 1788 when they both
danced together.
The exhibition will begin at
2pm on Saturday December 1
in Governor Phillip Park, Palm
Beach with a smoking ceremony,
with the official opening
by eminent Yuin Elder, Uncle
Max Dulumunmun Harrison.
– Nigel Wall
46 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Thar Be Leafy Dragons!
Carolyn Hampson says the first time
she saw a Sea Dragon in the wild, its
beauty made her cry.
The talented Scotland Island artist
returns to the rooms of Eye Doctors
Mona Vale in December for an exclusive
summer exhibition residency.
“When I returned from a Scuba trip to
Rapid Bay in South Australia earlier this
year with photos of Leafy Sea Dragons,
my best friend
asked me ‘are
they real?’,”
Carolyn said.
“There are so many amazing and
astonishing creatures that most of us
will never see, and never know existed.
And they are a wonderful artistic
inspiration.”
She explained Leafy Sea Dragons
used to be found in the waters off South
Eastern NSW but are now only found
in South Australia (habitat loss and
poaching caused the NSW Government
to declare them a Protected Species in
the 1990s).
“This body of work is inspired by
those wonderful little dragons, those
magical fragile wonders whose survival
hangs by a thread,” she said.
“Dragons, seahorses and pipefish have
their fathers to thank for carrying and
caring for the eggs, and the sight of a
male seahorse giving birth is something
you can never forget – I seek to honour
fathers.”
Carolyn describes her works as
“colourful and full of whimsy”.
There are dragons,
seahorses, whales, a few
birds… even a mermaid,”
she said. “They will
appeal to those who
love colour and
unique artworks that
bring joy.”
A self-taught
painter,
Carolyn’s
works are oils
on timber – “My
husband is the one who
taught me to use power
tools, although he never
expected the way I would
apply those skills,” she said.
Carolyn said that in addition to
raising money for Dr Kwon Kang’s
valuable work in Myanmar, she sought
to encourage people to love the ocean
and the wonders it contained, to fight
to save it and its creatures, and to see
the lives of wonderful animals valued as
most precious.
“My hope is that our children’s
children get to live in a world with a
living ocean.”
* You can view ‘Thar Be Dragons’
at Eye Doctors Mona Vale, Level 3,
20 Bungan St, Monday to Friday from
December 1. – Nigel Wall
‘NOMADIC’
finds home
Abstract artist Jan Cristaudo describes
her latest solo exhibition NOMADIC
as “a visual journey of travel, places and
experiences”.
“This exhibition is about the past
couple of years’ travelling to various
countries, from my home on Pittwater to
Portugal, Morocco, Lord Howe Island and
into Australia’s hidden outback,” Jan said.
“As artists we all have our own way
of painting and interpreting the subject
matter and with each of my exhibitions,
I do try to extend myself that little bit
more in terms of bringing something different
into my work, which I feel is always
exciting and challenging.
“As an abstract artist I see colour first,
then shape and form,” she explained.
This body of work is abstract and will
include works on paper framed, under
glass and mounted; also works on canvas
with oil and charcoal in various sizes.
NOMADIC runs from December 5-23 at
the Incinerator Art Space, 2 Small St, Willoughby;
open 10am – 4pm Wednesday to
Sunday. More info Jancristaudo.com.au
* For information about Jan’s popular
workshops call The Art Shop Mona Vale
on 9979 6559.
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 47
Art Life
Art Life
Celebrating 10 years
in Mona Vale ‘Patch’
Robyn Evans opened her
colourful shop Patchwork
On Pittwater in Mona Vale 10
years ago with a simple plan:
she wanted to teach and pass
on the skills and traditions of
quilting.
“I started with one room,
which is the shop, and had
a table in the corner for
teaching,” Robyn recalls. “As
our classes grew, we quickly
realised we needed a separate
teaching room, we then
moved our teaching area in to
a separate studio.”
Robyn said that although
the patchwork craft had
always been popular, it had
undergone a revival with the
modern quilt movement.
“Patchwork is a craft where
traditional and modern sit side
by side and we love both at
Patchwork On Pittwater,” she
said. “There are always new
things to learn which keep our
craft fresh and interesting.”
Robyn said sewing, quiltmaking
or any type of slow
stitching could be very
therapeutic, with crafters coming
together with a common
interest.
“Of course, the social side of
this craft is just as important
as the sewing side – there is
nothing as enjoyable as time
spent in the company of likeminded
others.”
One of the great benefits
of the craft was the increased
interest in repurposing, reusing
and recycling of fabrics
and clothing into items such
as quilts, bags and wall hangings,
she said.
“We recently made a quilt
for a lady using all the wonderful
tea towels she had collected
on her travels around
Australia with her husband.
It’s now his 60th birthday
present from her to go in their
caravan.”
Patchwork On Pittwater runs
classes for beginners, bagmaking,
machine quilting and
sashiko/boro stitching and applique.
Being a Bernina agent,
they have Bernina machines
and accessories.
“We offer a sewing machine
PASSING ON SKILLS: Robyn Evans
service and repairs available
to all sewing machines,” said
Robyn. “We are lucky enough
to have the services of two
long arm quilters. We stock
an extensive range of fabrics,
including liberty, reproduction
and original feed sacks from
the US. There is an extensive
range of bag hardware and we
stock patterns for cushions,
quilts and clothes including
Tessuti patterns and Aurifil
and rassant threads.”
Robyn says her shop,
located on Level 4 of the Gateway
Building (1 Mona Vale Rd),
appeals to anyone who loves
fabric, whether a patchworker,
quilter or sewer.
“We have people of all
ages visit us and come to our
classes. Lift access to the 4th
floor makes it easy to get to
and there is plenty of parking,
both underneath the building
and in the council carpark
behind us; we are also on the
bus line.
“Our studio has a lovely
peaceful atmosphere and
we run weekly sit and sew
mornings. We also have a big
interest in learning sewing and
quilting, with some of our local
school girls attending our
Saturday classes.” – NW
48 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Art Life
Art Life
Sydney’s ‘beating heart’ revealed
Manly Art Gallery & Museum,
Mosman Art Gallery and
S. H. Ervin Gallery are showcasing
130 key works by nine
important Australian artists to
celebrate the spirit of Sydney
in a new exhibition Destination
Sydney Re-imagined.
The nine artists whose
exploration of our city form
this exhibition are Ken Done,
Adrian Feint, Ethel Carrick-Fox,
Nicholas Harding, Michael
Johnson, Robert Klippel, Roy
De Maistre, Wendy Sharpe and
Jeffrey Smart.
The galleries have collaborated
again due to
the oustanding success
of the 2015-16 exhibition,
Destination Sydney, which
attracted record attendances
of 75,000 people.
This exhibition has
been curated by art historian
Lou Klepac working
with representatives of the
three public galleries who
have chosen the works.
Katherine Roberts, Senior
Curator at Manly Art Gallery &
Museum, said the exhibition
revealed Sydney in all its glory
and its complexity and the way
artists respond to it as their
subject, as their inspiration
and as their muse.
“Its aim is to showcase
the beating heart of Sydney
through the eyes of artists,”
she said. “It also aims to highlight
the regional galleries play
in contributing to the cultural
life of the city.”
At Manly, work
by Ken Done, Adrian Feint and
Ethel Carrick-Fox will feature,
with 12 paintings by each of
the artists drawn from the
gallery and public and private
collections around the country.
“The pieces are united by
water, highlighting the beach
and harbour, with Pittwater
featuring quite a bit,” Katherine
said.
To get the full experience
of the exhibition, Katherine
encourages art lovers to visit
all three galleries… starting
with Manly of course!
Destination Sydney
Re-imagined
7 Dec 2018- 17 March 2019
Manly Art Gallery &
Museum
West Esplanade Reserve,
Manly. Admission: Free.
Open 10am – 5pm Tuesday
to Sunday. Closed Monday
and public holidays;
mgnsw.org.au
Artists: Ken Done, Adrian
Feint and Ethel Carrick-Fox.
Mosman Art Gallery
Cnr Art Gallery Way and
Myahgah Road Mosman.
Admission: Free. Open 10am
– 5pm 7 days. Closed public
holidays; mosmanartgallery.
org.au Artists: Michael
Johnson, Robert Klippel and
Roy de Maistre.
S. H. Ervin Gallery
Watson Road, Observatory
Hill, The Rocks. Admission:
$12/$10/$4. Open 11am – 5pm.
Closed Monday and public
holidays; shervingallery.com.
au Artists: Nicholas Harding,
Wendy Sharpe and Jeffrey
Smart.
50 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Support ‘gifted’ makers
Looking for a unique or creative
gift idea that will stand
out this Christmas? Then head
to the ‘Creative Made’ makers
market at the Tramshed Arts
and Community Centre in Narrabeen
from 9am on Saturday
December 8.
The market, now in its
fourth year, has become a
destination for contemporary
craft and design in the region;
the event is about supporting
local makers and providing a
platform to showcase and sell
their work.
As well as being a great
day out, Creative Made puts
a spotlight on the abundance
of talent on the Northern
Beaches.
“Give a gift this Christmas
that is unique, hand-made
and know you’re supporting
the local creative community.”
Said Northern Breaches Mayor
Michael Regan.
You can browse a wide variety
of carefully curated stalls
(more than 40) selling handcrafted
jewellery, homewares,
illustrations, candles, skincare
and more.
There will also be live music,
coffee and food, as well as free
gift wrapping; runs until 3pm.
More info northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 51
Health & Wellbeing
New clinic’s healthcare
Health & Wellbeing
An innovative new medical
clinic where patients
pay an annual membership
of $150, have longer,
more frequent GP consultations
and access a dedicated
team of other health professionals
under the same roof
has opened on our doorstep.
Osana in Narrabeen is one of
a handful of modern clinics trialling
a new model of general
practice where each patient is
assigned a GP, Care Manager
and Health Assistant with the
aim of focusing on prevention
rather than symptom relief.
Founded by Australian GP
Dr Kevin Cheng, the Osana
mission is to keep patients
healthy and out of hospital –
its aim is to see patients when
they are well, not just when
they are sick.
“Our proactive approach
focuses on preventing health
issues before they arise and
keeping patients healthy,
happy and well,” Dr Cheng
told Pittwater Life.
Dr Cheng, who has a special
interest in chronic disease
management, explained that
under our current health system,
GPs were under pressure
to see more patients to fund
the running of their practice
and this could affect the time
they would like to spend with
their patients.
“With Osana’s model, GPs
are on a salary instead of
being paid per consultation,
which allows them to spend
more time per patient,” Dr
Cheng said.
Patients also have access to
allied health services on site,
such as dietary advice, physiotherapy,
exercise physiology
and psychology with complimentary
video, phone, email
support, home visits, and transport
to the clinic when needed.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Dr Kevin Cheng, founder of innovative new medical clinic Osana at Narrabeen;
inside the modern practice on Pittwater Road; health professionals will complement care given by GPs.
The clinic operates on a
membership model, with an
annual fee of $150 (concessions
apply) – and no additional
out-of-pocket costs for
patients.
GP and allied health consultations
are charged to
Medicare, and membership
includes the Care Manager
and Health Assistant, as well
as educational workshops and
community activities.
The clinic will also host
weekly education classes and
group activities to encourage
locals to be active in their
health.
52 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
evolution
To measure the success of
the new healthcare model,
Dr Cheng said funding had
been raised “from social
investors” to open Osana
clinics across Sydney, with the
venues tested and evaluated
by independent university
researchers.
“The clinics will not be
financially viable during the
test phase but they can be
long term if we can demonstrate
reduced hospital
admissions and attract funding
from hospital payers (the
State Government and health
insurers),” he said.
Osana clinics have been
launched at Narrabeen,
Cremorne and Woollahra with
plans for a fourth clinic in
Western Sydney next year.
The Osana hypothesis
A new movement called
value-based healthcare is
gaining traction abroad – the
philosophy behind this is
designing healthcare to focus
on value, rather than volume.
“By building models of care
that chronic disease patients
need in order to keep them
healthy, happy and where
possible, out of the costly
hospital system, we can improve
the sustainability of our
health system over the long
term,” Dr Cheng explained.
“Many GPs have the belief
that if they had more funding,
or were able to spend
more time with patients, then
we would get better health
outcomes.
“Osana’s hypothesis is
exactly that – if we invest
more to deliver a model that
patients need, rather than
be constrained by current
funding, then patients and the
health system will benefit over
the long run.” – Lisa Offord
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 53
Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Plastic surgery myths &
what you need to know
There are many myths surrounding
cosmetic surgery.
Probably the most important
is that cosmetic surgery is not
“real” surgery and there are
less risks. This is not true. All
surgery has risk, scars and complications.
These need to be
carefully discussed and understood.
A careful risk to benefit
ration must be assessed.
Another common misconception
is that ‘Cosmetic Surgeons’
are Plastic Surgeons fully
trained as a specialist Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery.
This is also not true. In Australia,
any doctor with a base
medical degree can perform
surgery and call themselves a
“cosmetic surgeon”.
However, it takes eight to
ten years of specialist training
to become a qualified Plastic
Surgeon and have your training
recognised by The Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons
(RACS), the only legitimate,
professional body, accredited
to train Specialist Surgeons.
Only these surgeons can use
the letters FRACS, Fellow of
the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons, after their name.
This is the same College that
trains other specialist surgeons
such as neurosurgeons, cardiac
surgeons or orthopaedic
surgeons. The Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons also
requires and monitors ongoing
medical education, ensuring
specialists continue to provide
the highest standards of professional
care.
Only fully trained and
registered specialist plastic
and reconstructive surgeons
who are Fellows of RACS can
join the Australian Society of
Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the
Australian Society of Aesthetic
Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Having
a background in reconstructive
surgery enhances the
understanding of and ability to
perform cosmetic surgery.
Oculoplastic Surgeons are
Opthalmology trained and
Facial Plastic Surgeons are Ear,
Nose and Throat trained. They
are not Plastic Surgeons.
The belief that plastic surgery
does not result in scars is also
not true. If the skin is cut with
a scalpel or a laser, it heals
with a scar. Plastic Surgeons
are skilled in concealing scars,
using instruments to place scars
in hidden areas and looking
after scars to try to optimise
the outcome. They can manage
scars with active and conservative
treatments.
Bad scars can still result.
Certain areas of the body are
more prone to poor scars. Good
scars in one area of the body
does not imply that all scars will
be good. Scars can be thick,
lumpy (hypertrophic or keloid)
or stretched and wide. Scars
can retain colour and be pink or
purple. Scars usually improve
over time and an improvement
may be seen for up to two
years, sometimes longer.
Fat cells removed at liposuction
come back, or come back
with Dr John Kippen
in other areas? This is not true.
Liposuction procedures permanently
remove fat cells from the
body. If the patient was to gain
weight, the remaining fat cells
increase in size. Loss of weight
has the opposite effect.
Liposuction is good for
weight loss? No – as for all surgery,
the patient should be at
or near their idea body weight.
Liposuction is ideal for localised
fatty deposits resistant to
weight loss and exercise. Being
close to your ideal body weight
has been shown to reduce
surgery risks.
Last, cosmetic surgery is not
“just for women”. The American
Society of Aesthetic Plastic
Surgeons’ research shows a
273% increase in men seeking
cosmetic procedures between
1997 and 2013.
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
54 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Dentist all smiles
as he makes move
After 35 years working in
the same surgery, Newport
dentist Anthony Hooper
has moved to modern premises
on the other side of the
street… well, Barrenjoey
Road actually.
A graduate from Sydney
University, Dr Hooper worked
on the central coast and in
London before settling in
Newport in 1983.
“During the past 30 years
there have been enormous
changes in some areas of
dentistry, especially with
computer records, scanning
technology and excellent
advances in resin/ceramic
restorative techniques,” Dr
Hooper said.
But some things stay the
same, such as the importance
of regular check-ups
and continuity of care.
“I still enjoy the hands-on
aspect of being a dentist
whether it’s providing routine
dental care and maintenance
through to more complex cosmetic
cases,” Dr Hooper said.
“I especially get great satisfaction
of being part of the
community, treating generations
of families over long
periods of time and helping
them achieve excellent dental
outcomes.
“I look forward to providing
ongoing dental care for
years to come.”
Dr Hooper previously
worked out of premises
above Larx on the corner of
Bramley Ave and Barrenjoey
Road.
“I am very excited about
joining Dr Helen Tang’s
highly motivated, well-trained
and friendly team in a new
modern environment,” Dr
Hooper said.
“Newport Medical Dental
also has the added bonus of
being on the ground floor,
with no steps.” – LO
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 55
Health & Wellbeing
Vital role the brain
plays in our hearing
Health & Wellbeing
Ever wondered where the term “selective
hearing” comes from? It’s probably a
reference to the involvement of our brain in
hearing.
“The ear detects sound, the auditory nerve
transmits sound, and the
brain perceives sound,”
explains audiologist
Emma van Wanrooy from
Pittwater Hearing who says
understanding how the
brain is involved in hearing
can help us to understand
hearing disorders and how to
treat them.
“The brain uses
information about the
relative location of speech
versus the noise to help
focus on the speaker that
we want to listen to in a
noisy situation,” said Emma.
“It also performs a filtering
process by comparing the
noise detected by each ear,
to filter out the noise and
‘boost’ the voice we want
to listen to.” She adds that
people who have normal
hearing but difficulty hearing
in noise, may have what is
known as an Auditory Processing Disorder.
On filtering unimportant sounds, she said
that if we were consciously aware of every
sensation that was picked up by our bodies all
the time, we would be completely overwhelmed.
“Therefore, the brain makes decisions about
what we need to be made consciously aware
of,” Emma said. “We are not conscious of the
sensation of our clothes on our skin all the
time – just as we are not always conscious of
sounds that are constant or normal, like an air
conditioner, or the fridge humming. Our brain
knows they are unimportant, and doesn’t draw
our consciousness to them.” This also explains
how we can sleep through noise at night, but a
mother will always be woken by their sleeping
baby. “Our brain knows this
is an important sound that
we need to be made aware
of… likewise, we will often
notice our name being called
even when in a different
conversation in a noisy
party.”
Have you ever noticed a
ringing or buzzing in your
ears? This can often happen
when you are in a very quiet
room, or after a loud music
concert.
“For most people, this is
only a temporary noise and
disappears quickly, but for
some people it can become
an issue known as tinnitus,”
said Emma. “It is commonly
theorised that tinnitus is
the brain’s reaction to an
absence of sound.”
She said the good news
is the brain has been found
to be very adaptable and
trainable – it is possible for the brain to change
the way it processes sound.
“There are brain training programs that have
been found by research to remediate Auditory
Processing Disorders in children,” Emma said.
“The brain can learn to use the sound from a
Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant to hear well in
most situations. The brain can also be trained
to not pay attention to Tinnitus.” – Lisa Offord
* More info email Emma at info@
pittwaterhearing.com.au
56 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 57
Health & Wellbeing
Getting the point
of acupuncture...
Used for centuries in Chinese
medicine, acupuncture
involves the insertion
of fine needles into specific
points along the body’s energy
pathways (meridians) to
resolve imbalances and maintain
unobstructed flow of vital
energy (Qi) throughout the
body. By stimulating and regulating
the body’s self-healing
mechanisms, acupuncture
aims to support immune
function, regulate hormones,
increase blood flow, aid tissue
repair, decrease inflammation
and provide analgesia for
drug-free pain relief.
Acupuncturist and herbalist
at Beaches Health & Wellness
in Newport, Laura Seymour,
says research shows that acupuncture
can be effective in
the treatment of a wide range
of conditions, including knee
osteoarthritis, chronic lower
back pain, headaches and allergic
rhinitis.
“The most common complaints
I see in the clinic are
chronic pain, reproductive
and gynaecological issues, insomnia,
digestive complaints,
anxiety and depression,” said
Laura, who holds a BHthSc
(Chin Med).
“I am often asked ‘What is
the difference between acupuncture
and dry needling?’
– both modalities involve the
insertion of fine needles to
specific points in the body,
but there are vast differences.
“Acupuncturists study for
a minimum of four years, are
registered with the Chinese
Medicine Board of Australia
and follow a holistic approach
by balancing mind, body and
spirit.”
Laura said dry needling was
a 48- to 72-hour course, which
simply focused on painful muscle
areas and was commonly
practised by physiotherapists,
chiropractors and osteopaths.
“There’s a common misconception
that acupuncture is
painful,” she continued. “But
acupuncture doesn’t usually
cause discomfort or pain, although
some may experience a
slight sting or achy sensation.
“Acupuncture needles are not
much bigger than a strand of
hair, so please don’t let the needles
put you off! I used to have
a fear of needles, so trust me, it
ain’t that scary – you may even
find it to be quite relaxing.”
Beaches is an Allied Health
clinic offering osteopathy,
acupuncture and Chinese
herbal medicine. More info on
instagram @laura_seymour_
acupuncture or 9979 7799.
58 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Hair & Beauty
A smoother, brighter &
better you for summer
with Sue Carroll
Regardless of your
every social occasion (sunscreen applied every 3
fast-fix, feel-good
(and you will be the hours) will always be the staple
goal – radiant skin
envy of all).
of a time efficient, healthy skin
and a smoother silhouette
Maintaining and care routine.
– there is a beauty
boosting homecare This time of year is filled with
solution to address your
is so important, merriment and joy and to keep
needs both at home and
even when the party your body and skin in optimum
in the Clinic. When you
finishes at dawn. It health and revealing radiance,
combine your home care
is always easier to indulge yourself with a little
with clinic treatments
maintain the skin, holiday decadence both at
the results are faster,
rather than make a home and in-clinic (all without
smoother, brighter and
last-ditch effort to the calories!).
better, revealing a more
retrieve it from the
radiant version of YOU.
depths of lifeless
Sue Carroll of Skin
Often what we see after the longer be looking like a driedout
despair. A simple routine of Inspiration has been a quali-
cooler months is not what we
autumn leaf. As for removal cleansing, toning (using gauze fied Aesthetician for 33 years.
thought was there last time we of the white pasty skin, this can and a good enzymatic toning
Sue has owned and
had a good look. How did it get be miraculously hidden with lotion), repair (using mandelic
operated successful beauty
there? How can I be seen in my a spray tan. Always exfoliate arginine serum and vitamin
clinics and day spas on
sleeveless dress or top? There before tanning and moisturise A), hydrating (using a cocktail
the Northern Beaches.
are a few shapeshifters to help the areas such as the knees, of hyaluronic, growth factor,
reduce unwanted fat, dry body elbows and ankles to help and grape seed hydrating info@skininspiration.com.au
skin, orange peel dimples and prevent the ‘tandoori chicken’ serum to stimulate cellular www.skininspiration.com.au
the white pasty colour.
appearance.
regeneration), and protection
Dry body brushing is
In-clinic procedures for
recommended as a preventative the body to reduce fat may
for dry skin and a way to
consist of either fat freezing
exfoliate the skin, thus
treatments, radio frequency
stimulating skin renewal, and cavitation or lymphatic
leaving it smooth to the touch. drainage. Undertake now:
It also assists with the reduction remember, the results are not
of cellulite, cleanses the
instantaneous and can take
lymphatic system, stimulates up to 16 weeks. Lymphatic
the oil-producing glands, and drainage treatments are an
tightens the skin preventing ideal way to detox during the
premature ageing; it is easy, party season, to reduce the side
inexpensive and invigorating. effects of jet lag and to improve
After body brushing is the the appearance of cellulite.
perfect time to massage in Summer tends to deplete the
a nourishing Vitamin A and hydration levels within the skin,
glycolic body balm. This
resulting in a dull complexion.
combination is one of the To restore the skin’s health
best topical skin rejuvenators, and glow, in-clinic treatments
improving both the tone and can be focused on the infusion
texture of the skin. Body gels of Vitamin C, oxygen and
containing capsicum and hyaluronic serum.
aminophylline will help reduce The JetPeel treatments are the
the cellulite dimples. This ultimate procedures to gently
should be applied directly after but effectively exfoliate the skin
dry body brushing or a body before an oxygen and vitamin
scrub, to allow more effective infusion. These treatments are
absorption.
the No.1 choice when it comes
When considering the order to achieving the best result for
of application, apply the anticellulite
a deeply hydrated, rejuvenated
gel followed by the and glowing skin, all without
hydrating body balm for the having to endure downtime.
best results. After a few days’ Add the LED (light emitting
diligently following this home diode) treatment to the oxygen
care treatment, the skin will infusion and the ultimate in skin
be more hydrated and will no health will be shining brightly at
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 59
Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty
Business Life: Money
Business Life
Good 5 reasons reason ‘Middle for going Oz’
‘nuts’ is in the this sights festive of season Labor
When With a writing federal about election
financial only six months innovation away one
of let’s the look perspectives at how the I
can middle share class with are you firmly is from in the
inside sights of a Labor fintech leader company Bill
which Shorten… in my case has been
rolling Our politicians out the fast-growing are an
Acorns interesting app. lot, Since regardless launching of
in their Australia persuasion. in early Take 2016 Barnaby the
app Joyce now for resides example; on the recently smart
phones faced preselection of around 350,000 for his seat
Australians, and the moment that’s that roughly process 1.5%
of was the over population. the hubris went into
the If back you’re pocket in the and dark about came
what the humility I’m talking – “it’s about, an incredible
a micro honour investment to be able platform to serve
Acorns
is
or this what’s nation.” sometimes He said, called over and a
‘round-up’ over in the app, media. the (I first presume one
of he its meant kind that in Australia. it’s an incredible
honour along with to be our able partners to serve
Our
firm
brought the nation it out from from the the chairman’s US
in lounge 2015 of where the Qantas it had been terminal?)
established Bill Shorten for will a few say years. very
similar The app words works on election in a couple night
of six ways: months by taking from now. a data But as he
feed offers from you, your the voter, spending his warm
accounts embrace and promises rounding up to govern
for all Australians you make to (especial-
the
the
purchases
nearest ly those dollar upstanding investing members
these of accumulated CFMEU), rest balances assured his
into other a hand mix of is exchange reaching around traded
funds for your listed wallet. on the ASX, or,
by Regardless you debiting of an our amount politicians’ or
regular political payment leanings, from they your all share
bank the remarkable account to ability your Acorns to be unrelatable
to Most the users middle enjoy class the of
account.
Australia while simultaneously
draining it of cash.
When the belt needs tightening
it’s the middle that feels
the squeeze – think back to
round up feature of Acorns as
it allows them to save while
they spend. As a parent of
teenagers I think I’ve come
to the conclusion that apps
such as Acorns using a blend
of psychology and technology
may be the only effective way
to get modern kids to save
because they sure do know
how to spend.
Acorns works because the
principles underlying its design
Labor’s health insurance rebate
changes in 2012 or the Liberal’s
changes to age pension thresholds
in 2017. The interesting
thing with Shorten is that he is
approaching the next election
with a series of policies
that are little more than barely
disguised attacks on middle
are Australia. firmly rooted in behavioural
finance: I have briefly investing mentioned small
amounts these Labor on a election regular basis promises
in be previous missed combined articles; there with
that
won’t
investing are five main over an ones: extended
period 1. Restrict of time negative to average gearing to
into new the homes markets only; smoothing
out 2. Remove peaks and dividend troughs. franking Of
course cash it refunds; doesn’t hurt that it
does 3. Tax all all of discretionary these things trust within
the distributions framework of at a 30 highly per cent;
4. Repeal the company tax cut
for businesses with revenue
of up to $50 million; and
5. Halve the capital gains tax
discount from 50 per cent to
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
25 per cent.
With the space available
we’ll only consider the first
two items. Items 3 and 4
are straight out attacks on
thousands of small businesses,
the changes foreshadowed
for trusts means that many
operating through a discretionary
saving family for? trust What for returns asset
you
have protection you had? will It’s need inherently to consider
competitive restructuring but their when affairs it’s going
combined forward. The with final the item, tools changes
to the capital that gains the app tax
and
information
provides discount, it’s will also make extremely the effects
informative of negative gearing – as a regular changes user on
you dwelling can’t prices help but even become worse.
more informed about the
behaviour Restrictions of markets to whether
you negative are looking gearing to or not – the
Negative gearing is not so much
a tax policy in Australia as it is
a form of religion practised by
more than 1.2 million of us. The
last person that tried to tinker
with Brian Hrnjak
balance with the of policy your was Acorns Paul account Keating
rises and that and pretty falls in much line with ended the
movements in tears. Labor’s in markets proposal during is to
the allow course negative of the gearing trading only day. on
new One properties, of the challenges existing investors
finance will have app their would current have situa-
any
encouraging tions grandfathered. young people The Labor to
save policy and will invest also affect is to remain the ability
relevant to negative in their gear eyes. shares Over which
the may past impact year on a number about 80,000 of
enhancements more people. have taken place
following The rationale user feedback, for the policy the
headline according ones to Labor being: treasury
Found spokesman Money Chris partners Bowen – is users to
can “put shop first home online buyers with brands on a level
playing as Bonds, field Dan with Murphy’s, investors”
such
BCF, and “bringing Uber etc. and the dream these of
partners owning a usually home back deposit in to bonus reach
amounts of many ordinary extra round Australians”. ups
into All good the users motherhood account; stuff;
My however, Finance he’s feature going – to uses achieve
artificial this goal intelligence by dropping to the track price
and of homes, categorise all of spending them. and
calculate Removing free a cash layer flow; of buyers,
Super in this fund case investors, linkages – from allows the
users property to make market deposits will adversely to a
range affect of prices industry and it and will public affect
offer the price superannuation of both new funds; and
Emerald second-hand Portfolio dwellings. – a socially
responsible Something portfolio like 70% option of the
introduced 1.2 million taxpayers following member who
feedback; negative gear only do so with a
Little single Acorns property. – sub This accounts statistic is
designed relevant to understanding allow investment the
on impact behalf of of the children Labor policy or other on
dependants the majority under of property the age investors.
The wealthiest, presum-
of 18.
ably those with multiple dwellings,
will be able to offset their
gearing losses with any income
gains on their other properties
56 60 DECEMBER 2017 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
or shares.
So those with multiple
properties, some negative and
some positively geared, will
still be able to go and negatively
gear another dwelling or
two provided they can offset
those investment losses against
their other investment income.
Seriously, this Labor policy
actually skews the benefits to
the wealthiest investors in the
market! First home buyers will
likely benefit through a fall in
house prices but for all others
– the majority of investors
with only a single property
and those people happy to
store wealth in their homes for
security of the future – will be
negatively affected.
The removal of dividend
franking cash refunds
I had previously written that
our system of dividend imputation
had its genesis in the
Campbell Inquiry in the 1980s
to address the double taxation
of dividends. The dividend
imputation system was in part
implemented by Paul Keating
in the late 1980s and fully
implemented by Peter Costello
in 2001 to the current level
and is now under threat by Bill
Shorten to revert to the original
Keating model which did not
allow for the refund of excess
franking credits.
The Labor proposal is to
eliminate the cash refund of
excess franking credits usually
received by those earning an
income below the tax-free
threshold or superannuation
funds where all members
are in pension phase and the
earnings of fund are therefore
The Local Voice Since 1991
tax free. After an initial public
outcry, the policy was quickly
amended to exclude pensioners
or self-managed superannuation
funds that had an age
pension eligible member as
at the policy date of 28 March
2018.
With these amendments in
place let’s look at who this
policy targets now. Firstly,
any couple with more than
$848,000 or singles with more
than $564,000 in super or assets
apart from the home. People
with assets below these
thresholds may qualify for an
age pension and therefore be
exempt. It also impacts illness
affected couples with assets
over $564,000 as a surviving
spouse is unlikely to qualify for
the aged pension. At the other
end of the spectrum, couples
with more than $3.2 million
in super or singles with more
than $1.6 million now have
their tax-free pensions capped
with the excess held in taxable
accumulation accounts and
here’s the rub: their franking
credits won’t be lost, they’ll go
towards paying the tax on their
accumulation accounts.
These proposed Labor policy
initiatives to negative gearing
and franking credit refunds
have been presented to the
electorate as if they are reining
in some form of wild and profligate
incentives enjoyed by
the top end of town. In effect
what they do is harm ordinary
middle-income earners saving
for their eventual retirement
and create ongoing uncertainty
in our taxation and superannuation
system through constant
rule changes.
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.
DECEMBER 2018 61
Business Life
Business Life: Law
Business Life
Understanding ‘capacity’
and effect of decisions
It has been noticeable in
2018 that mental health
has become a subject much
analysed and debated. It has
emerged as a subject from
obscurity to frank discussion.
It is quite common for mental
capacity to be raised as an
issue when consideration
is being given a person’s
motives in pursuing a course
of action.
Conduct so analysed frequently
turns on a consideration
of an individual’s capacity.
There are three different
types: legal capacity, mental
capacity and physical capacity.
The question of capacity
is often of concern to lawyers
in their practise.
There is a basic common
law presumption that every
adult person has mental capacity
to make their own decisions.
However, in some cases
solicitors may have doubts as
to whether their client has the
required legal level of mental
capacity.
There can be many reasons
for doubt – the client may
have an intellectual disability,
an acquired brain injury or
a mental illness. And as the
number of older people in the
community increases, so does
the likelihood that an older
person may have an age-related
cognitive disability such
as Alzheimer’s disease, which
have the ability to communicate
their decisions.
It is argued that it is very
rare for a person to lack
capacity for all decisions and
if so, it is likely that they have
a severe cognitive disability,
or they are in a coma. It is
said that more often than not
a person will lack capacity in
making one sort of decision
only. For example, a personal
decision as to where to live
may be made but not a financial
decision as to whether to
sell their house. On the other
hand, a simple financial decision
about shopping may be
made but not a more complex
decision about purchase and
sale of shares.
Solicitors are not expected
to be experts in mental
capacity assessments of their
clients. However, they can
be involved in carrying out
a ‘legal’ assessment of their
client’s mental capacity which
involves:
Making a preliminary assessment
of mental capacity
by looking for warning signs
‘triggers’ or ‘red flags’ by
questioning and observation;
If in doubt, seeking a clinical
consultation or formal evaluation
of the client’s mental
capacity by a clinician with
expertise in cognitive capacity
assessment; and
Making a final legal judgimpairs
their mental capacity
to make decisions.
So, what is capacity? Generally,
people who have capacity
are able to make decisions
about things that affect their
daily lives, such as:
n Where to live;
n What to buy;
n What support or services
they need; and
n When to go to the doctor.
And insofar as issues that
have legal consequences:
n Making a Will;
n Getting married;
n Entering into a contract;
and
n Consenting to have medical
treatment.
When a person has capacity,
they can manage
and decide what is best for
themselves and they are able
to understand the facts involved,
understand the main
choices and can weigh up the
consequences of the choices
and understand how the consequences
affect them, and
with Jennifer Harris
62 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
ment about mental capacity
for the particular decision or
transaction.
From time to time, professional
assessors – such as
psychogeriatricians, psychiatrists
and psychologists – refer
patients to solicitors with
a request that the solicitor assist
the patient to ensure their
affairs (such as a Will, Power
of Attorney and Guardianship)
are in order and in place as
the patient is suffering ‘onset
dementia’, and at that stage
they can still make decisions
concerning testamentary
matters but that in due course
they will be unable to do so.
There are several key principles
when considering a
client’s mental capacity:
n Always assume a person
has mental capacity;
n Mental capacity, as noted
above, is decision-specific;
Mental capacity is fluid and
can fluctuate over time and
in different situations. Even
when a person lacked the ability
to make a specific decision
in the past, they may recover
to be able to make the decision
later. Other factors such
as stress, grief, depression,
reversible medical conditions
or hearing or visual impairments
may also affect a person’s
decision-making mental
capacity;
Don’t assume a person
lacks capacity based on
appearances e.g. their age,
disability or behaviour. Mental
capacity should not be assessed
solely on the basis of:
n the way a person looks
n the way a person presents
n the way a person communicates
n a person’s impairment
n the way a person acts or
behaves
Assess the person’s
decision-making ability, not
the decision they make. The
client may make a decision
which is considered unwise
or reckless but that does not
mean they lack mental capacity.
Many people take chances
or make ‘bad decisions’. The
question is does the client
understand the nature and
effect of the document – such
as a Will, Power of Attorney or
Guardianship – at the time it
is made?
The Local Voice Since 1991
Respect a person’s privacy
– that is, a client must consent
to their personal information
being provided to others; andsubstitute
decision-making is
a last resort. This may arise
when everything possible
has been done to support the
client to make a decision. It
may be that one will use nonverbal
communication, visual
aids photographs, symbols,
drawings, or other alternative
formats. It may become
necessary to obtain a communication
assessment from
a speech therapist or other
professional.
It is often difficult to know
when a client’s mental capacity
may be an issue. On some
occasions a member of the
family may comment that a
parent is acting out of character
or is becoming confused
about things easily understood
in the past and their
memory is not as good as
previously – or more seriously,
they are losing language and
social skills. When the solicitor
observes these ‘warning bells’
it is essential to consider the
client’s capacity.
Raising the issue with a client
is a sensitive subject and
the suggestion that they may
be suffering a loss of capacity
may be frightening and stigmatising
to most people, and
many clients can be offended
and defensive when the issue
is raised. However, a formal
assessment is often considered
an ‘insurance policy’ for
the client and can be viewed
as protecting them against
possible future challenges to
the validity of the documents
being executed or the transaction
involved. In taking this
course, the client can work
with the solicitor and any
medical professional to whom
they are referred to achieve
recognition, or otherwise, of
their testamentary capacity.
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
DECEMBER 2018 63
Business Life
Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AUTO REPAIRS
British & Swedish Motors
Call 9970 6654
Services Range Rover, Land Rover,
Saab and Volvo with the latest in
diagnostic equipment.
Narrabeen Tyrepower
Call 9970 6670
Stocks all popular brands including
Cooper 4WD. Plus they’ll do all
mechanical repairs and rego inspections.
Barrenjoey Smash Repairs
Call 9970 8207
barrenjoeysmashrepairs.com.au
Re-sprays a specialty, plus
restoration of your favourite vehicle.
Commercial specialist.
BATTERIES
Battery Business
Call 9970 6999
Batteries for all applications. Won’t be
beaten on price or service. Free testing,
7 days.
BOAT SERVICES
Avalon Marine Upholstery
Call Simon 9918 9803
Makes cushions for boats, patio and
pool furniture, window seats.
CLEANING
The Aqua Clean Team
Call Mark 0449 049 101
Quality window washing,
pressure cleaning, carpet
washing, building soft wash.
Housewashing Nthn Beaches
Call Ben 0408 682 525
Pressure cleaning & softwash. Window
& gutter cleaning. $10m insured. Used
by Estate Agents.
ELECTRICAL
Captain Cook Electrical
Call Blake 0488 849 124
Zero dollars call-out; offering discount
for Senior; 24-hour emergency service.
Family owned and operated.
Eamon Dowling Electrical
Call 0410 457 373
For all electrical, phone, TV and data
needs. Local business. Quality service
guaranteed.
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.
Special Branch Tree Services
Call Jason 0439 964 538
Qualified arborist, fully insured;
celebrating 20 years in Avalon and surrounding
areas.
KITCHENS
Seabreeze Kitchens
Call 9938 5477
Specialists in all kitchen needs; design,
fitting, consultation. Excellent trades.
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, pregnancyrelated
pain, imbalance.
PAINTING
Modern Colour
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.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best. Comprehensive
control. Eliminate all manner of
pests. They provide a 24-hour service.
PLUMBING
Nick Anderson Plumbing
Call Nick 0411 251 256
Specialist in gasfitting, drainage and
plumbing. Complete service, competitive
rates. Local and reliable – free quotes.
Pure Plumbing Professionals
Call 9056 8166
Zero dollars call-out – and you approve
the price before they begin. 24/7 Emergency
Service. 10% pensioner discount.
PUMPS & TANKS
Water Warehouse
Call 9913 7988
waterwarehouse.com.au
Rainwater tanks & pumps. Irrigation &
filter supply specialists.
64 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 65
Trades & Services
RENOVATIONS
Backyard Cabins
Call 9973 1691
Avoid Council approval; studios,
workshops, cabins, teenage retreats.
Ideal for Airbnb.
Rob Burgers
Call 0416 066 159
Qualified builder provides all carpentry
needs; decks, pergolas, carports,
renos & repairs.
BlindLight
Call Dave 0403 466 350
Specialists in window tinting and
glass coatings. Act now for summer.
RUBBISH REMOVAL
One 2 Dump
Call Josh 0450 712 779
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service
includes general household rubbish,
construction, commercial plus
vegetation. Also car removals.
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.
UPHOLSTERY
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.
DISCLAIMER: The editorial and advertising
content in Pittwater Life has been provided
by a number of sources. Any opinions
expressed are not necessarily those of the
Editor or Publisher of Pittwater Life and no
responsibility is taken for the accuracy of the
information contained within. Readers should
make their own enquiries directly to any
organisations or businesses prior to making
any plans or taking any action.
Trades & Services
TUITION
Northern Beaches Home Tu toring
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.
66 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
the
good
life
clubs, pubs & eats 68
food
crossword
gardening
travel
72
75
76
80
Showtime
Narrabeen braces to
turn into Funkytown
Pseudo Echo front man Brian
Canham says the best thing
about being the sole original
member in the band’s current
line-up is that it “keeps the
overall average age way down
– LOL!”
The band, which rocketed
to fame in the mid-1980s with
a string of hits including ‘A
Beat For You’, ‘Listening’ and
(arguably their signature tune)
a rock-driven version of Lipps
Inc’s ‘Funkytown’, hit Pittwater
on December 14 when they
take to the stage at Narrabeen
RSL alongside fellow ’80s
favourites, 1927.
These days Canham (second
from right) says the band plays
gigs most weekends, including
festivals, multi-band-lineup
concerts, plus their own
headline shows.
Their set at Narrabeen
RSL will basically comprise a
snapshot of the band’s 30-odd
year history.
“It entails all of the songs
that were hits for us over the
years, plus some of the more
popular album tracks... and
even a few period covers that
we transform into our ‘Pseudo
Echo’ sound,” Canham told
Pittwater Life.
“The finale being ‘Funky
Town’, plus full-on jamming
at the end with some real
surprises... obviously it’s the
big hits that get the crowd up
and dancing...”
Canham said the current
line-up comprised himself,
Matty Ray (keytar – remember
them?), Cameron Smith (drums)
and James Mudd (keytar and
backing vocals).
“They are really enthusiastic
and youthful, average age
around 30,” the 56-year-old
laughed.
“But most of all, these
guys are all great mates, and
definitely in it for the right
reasons... they love being part
of Pseudo Echo, and perform
with passion, and I think that
is way more important than
being an ‘original’ member.”
Canham said Pseudo Echo
and other groups like 1927
owed local clubs a debt of
gratitude for their renewed
support of local live music.
“It’s fantastic... with the state
of the recording industry, it’s
a good thing that there are so
many live venues active,” he
said.
He added the band was
working on a few new things,
including some resurrected,
original old demo recordings
which could prompt a new
tour.
“I’m also working on a book
in collaboration with my wife
Raquel who manages the
band, and is our personal
photographer too... so the book
will not only be about my life
journey, but also feature a lot of
Raquel’s photography featuring
band in a very candid manner.”
So, will the two groups
merge on the night and
belt out some tunes as a
‘supergroup’?
“So far we haven’t done any
joint performances, but we are
definitely talking about it... so
who knows, by then there may
be something we do together...
Eric (Weidemann, 1927) said
it’s on his bucket list to sing a
song with Pseuds!”
– Nigel Wall
* Catch Pseudo Echo and
1927 at Narrabeen RSL on
Friday December 14; tickets
narrabeenrsl.com
Great gigs
in Newport
Some of the acts at the Kave
Bar in December:
n The On and Ons – threepiece
who have credits
including support slots for
Radio Birdman(!); Dec 1.
n Kate Lush Trio – kicking up
a Funk/Blues storm; Dec 7.
n The Replacements –
interpretive classic rock; Dec 8.
n Red Herrings – smooth
‘saxy’ grooves; Dec 13.
n CJ Raggatt Band – swinging
Blues; Dec 14.
n Electric Avenue – ’60s-’80s
covers; Dec 15.
n Open Mic night – every
Wednesday.
Full listing kavebar.com.au
DECEMBER 2018 67
Showtime
Clubs, Dining Pubs Guide & Eats
Clubs, Pubs & Eats
December's best Club functions, concerts, events and dining news...
Summer on the
menu at Jonah’s
Jonah’s Whale Beach has just launched its mouth-watering
new summer menu, featuring dishes heavily influenced by
Executive Chef Metteo Zamboni’s Italian background using
seasonal local ingredients.
With two- and three-course offerings, the menu includes a
wide variety of fresh, house-made pastas with 10 entrèes, 10
mains, flavourful sides and a selection of desserts.
Dishes include tagliolini with spanner crab, roasted cherry
tomatoes and spicy prawn oil, as well as goat cheese tortelloni
with macadamia, burnt butter and sage (pictured top) .
The menu has retained the signature Jonah’s Frutti di Mare
seafood platter for two, served on a three-tiered timber and
slate stand. Its delicate flavours, enhanced by the salty air and
ocean surroundings that span from the restaurant windows,
create the sensory experience that Jonah’s is renowned for.
And Head Sommelier Niels Sluiman’s tips? The 2015
Hochkirch Maximus Pinot Noir, from a small boutique winery in
Henty, Victoria, to accompany the spice, and rich flavours of the
confit duck and shitake mushroom gnocchi. And Lucia, a sweet
wine from Krinklewood in the Hunter Valley, that’s a blend of
Verdelho and Semillon and a perfect match for the lemon tart
dessert with fresh raspberries and mascarpone cream.
Jonah’s Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and
dinner, seven days a week; full menu jonahs.com.au
68 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Avalon
Beach RSL
Bistro 61
1 Bowling Green Lane
Avalon Beach
Avalon Beach RSL’s Bistro
61 is a great place to head
for a local meal, offering
tasty modern Australian
dishes at affordable prices.
Don't miss the Xmas
Bash on Saturday December
15, with Kid Kenobi & Mark
Dynamix + Owen (Hi-Fi DJs).
Final Release tickets on sale
now – see the club's website.
Have some fun at the
Karaoke Xmas Party event
on December 21 – it's free
entry!
And now available for free
download – the 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 the month –
there's more than $1500 in
prizes.
Here's a great new way to
start the week – 'Wine Not
Monday' – with $15 bottles
of wine, $5 Peronis and $10
pasta and pizzas.
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.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Membership from $5.50!
The club is licensed, with
no BYO. Bookings online
or call 9918 2201 – large
groups welcome.
Opening hours: Open 7 days.
Lunch 12pm-2:30pm; Dinner
5:30-8:30pm.
Price range: Meals $8-$30;
Specials $12-$15.
Bookings: 9918 2201
Club Palm
Beach
Barrenjoey Bistro
1087 Barrenjoey Road,
Palm Beach
In December, head to Club
Palm Beach, located a short
stroll from Palm Beach
Wharf, and win a Christmas
feast in their Monster Ham
and Turkey raffles.
The raffles are on
from 2pm on Sundays
in December through to
Christmas.
Tuck into chef's special
Christmas Group Meal Deal
with traditional fare and
desert for just $21.50pp.
The Directors' Shout is on
Friday 21 Dec from 4.30pm
– remember to bring your
membership badge!
And grab some friends
and enjoy their Cruising
Palm Beach Xmas deal, with
a cruise on Pittwater plus
traditional lunch at the club
for $30pp. Book now!
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 topvalue
a la carte meals plus
daily $13.50 specials of
roasts (Mondays), rump
steak with chips and salad
(Tuesdays), chicken schnitzel
with chips and salad
(Wednesdays), homemade
gourmet pies with chips
and salad (Thursdays) and
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.
Opening hours: Lunch
11:30am-2.30pm; Dinner
6pm-8.30pm.
Price range: Lunch and
dinner specials $13.50.
Bookings: 9974 5566
Royal Motor
Yacht Club
Salt Cove on Pittwater
46 Prince Alfred
Parade, Newport
RMYC’s restaurant Salt Cove
on Pittwater’s menu has
been updated for summer –
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.
Friday night music kicks
off in the Lounge Bar from
6pm. Great acts in December
include Sarah Paton (7th);
Geoff Kendall (14th); Keff
McCulloch (21st); and Alex
Roussos (28th).
Book now for Christmas
Day lunch in the Top Deck
Function Room ($125 adults,
$50 kids 5-12, $30 kids 3-4)
or Garden Forecourt ($115
adults, kids' prices as above).
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet
with seafood and traditional
Christmas fare.
Celebrate New Year's Eve
with dinner in the Top Deck
Function Room ($125pp,
adults only dinner). The
entertainment kicks off from
7.30pm with great classic
rock/pop from 'Audio Vixen'.
Also in December, catch
up with the Travel View /
Cruise View Travel Club at
the meeting in the lounge
bar from 10.30am on Monday
3rd.
Trivia is held every Tuesday
night (except Dec 24) from
7.30pm (great prizes and
vouchers – 12 years plus).
Club Boat and Social
memberships are now
available for just $160.
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
Pittwater RSL
Assorted eateries
82 Mona Vale Rd Mona Vale
There’s something for
all tastes and ages – at
Glasshouse chefs stay true
to the story of the local
area by embracing the farmto
table-approach, focusing
on where food comes from
and how it is grown and
shaping the way they cook
and create. Open for lunch
from 12pm and dinner from
5.30pm 7 days a week.
Or relax on the lush
terrace and enjoy family
friendly food and great
coffee from 9.30am from
Potter’s café while kids play
in the indoor playground.
Potter’s café menu is available
weekends and public holidays
from 12pm – 5pm.
Nonna’s Kitchen boasts
a menu full of delicious and
authentic pizzas, pastas,
salads and starters to leave
you full and happy.
The space is warm and
versatile with intimate
booths to banquet tables
for large groups or families.
There is also a large
outdoor terrace where you
can enjoy your meal with a
glass of wine overlooking
the treetops of Mona Vale.
Open for lunch Thursday
to Sunday from 12pm and
dinner Wednesday to Sunday
from 5.30pm.
For a taste of Asia try
Little Bok Choy for noodles,
fried rice, stir fries and
made-to-order Laksa.
Check the Club’s website
for the latest menus and
meal deals for all eateries.
Opening Hours: Club open
7 days. Breakfast from
9.30am; lunch from 12pm;
dinner from 5.30pm.
Price range: Breakfast items
from $7.50; Lunch from
$18.50 (burgers); Dinner
(pastas) from $15.
Bookings: 9997 3833
DECEMBER 2018 69
Clubs, Dining Pubs Guide & Eats
Tasty Morsels
Tasty Morsels
Pasadena’s ‘Fresh’ new faces
Longtime offshore resident asking if was still interested – I
Colin Pitstock is flying the had a quick chat with Pepe and
flag for the newly refurbished we said, ‘we sure are!’.”
Pasadena at Church Point,
Colin drew inspiration for
having opened a large
the shop’s fit-out and feel from
upmarket (yet reasonably travelling around Australia
priced) delicatessen/
visiting “trendy little towns”
supermarket to service
and their amazing delis and
the offshore community, markets.
“mainlanders”, boaties and Colin says PPF boasts a
day-trippers alike.
whirlwind variety of stock.
The spacious Pasadena
“We have a lot of artisan
Pantry & Fresh, on the street products including gelato,
front at Church Point, includes bread, curry pastes, mustards,
an eclectic offering, ranging relishes, jams, pasta, Asian
from staple goods to gourmet produce, olives, dips, salamis,
foods – and there are plans for plus cheese from all
a bottle shop, too.
around the world in
The store has an environmentally
friendly, sustainable rie,” he said.
locals since opening in
our special fromage-
focus and has just introduced “We have meat
spring.
a convenient Online Store allowing
customers to “click, pay organic, fruit and
many compliments about
that’s free range and
“We have received so
and pick-up”.
veg when possible
our range and the way the
Having worked in the food sourced directly from
store looks, in particular
industry for many years, Colin the farmer – the same
our cheese range... we
jumped at the chance to open goes with our eggs
put a lot of thought into
PP&F with his chef partner Pepe. – and amazing range
the PP&F and it makes it
“Five years ago sailing with of confectionary,
all worthwhile.”
a friend, I said the Pasadena where possible locally
cleaning, knife sharpening.
New for summer, Colin plans
would be a great place for a sourced.
“We also do hampers: day
to deliver to The Basin for holidaying
campers and boaties,
gourmet deli/supermarket with “We have things you might hampers for boats, overnight
a great range of products, as for need for everyday life – milk, hampers for city escapes, BBQ
as well as introducing some
all the locals onshore and off butter, bread, chips, drinks... hampers.”
grazing afternoons on site.
there was nothing,” Colin said. we also sell bait, gas Swap N Colin said he and Pepe were
“Stop in and say Hola!” he
“Fast forward and I got a call Go, Sodastream refills, ice, dry thrilled by the feedback from
said.
– Nigel Wall
Small yet simply de-Vine
The concept of small bars – places to catch Pork Shoulder Lasagna; and Mushroom and
up with friends in a relaxed setting, while Ricotta Lasagna.
enjoying a glass of wine and some bar snacks “The idea behind Paddock & Vine was to
or something more substantial – has been build a sociable and relaxed venue for those
embraced on the beaches over the past 12 who enjoy catching up with friends over a glass
months.
of wine and some delicious European share
In Mona Vale, the stylish and always evolving plates – whether it be some flatbread and
Paddock & Vine has been drawing a steady hummus, or a duck liver pate, or our delicious
and appreciative raft of customers thanks to baked gnocchi, we’re sure you will be happy,”
its innovative menu additions and interesting said Johhny.
wine list.
“Unlike our food, the wine list is mainly Australian
Owned and operated by Johnny Tavernese
as we believe this country makes some
and Harry Dodson, Paddock & Vine boasts of the best. We keep our wine list small, as we
a modern, sleek interior with fine lines and like to change things up often.
décor.
“And we are fully licensed, so if it’s just a
It’s the perfect venue to unwind with a glass of wine you’re after, without having to
glass of wine (they are fully licensed) or graze order a meal, this is the place for you!”
through their eclectic mix of tapas and share Find them at Shop 8, 3 Bungan St Mona Vale.
plates.
– Nigel Wall
Their $15 Pasta Nights (Wednesdays and * Paddock & Vine is offering Pittwater Life
Thursdays) rotate through lovingly prepared readers a special deal in December – simply
options including Beef Cheek Ragu with Fettuccine;
mention their ad for 10% off your total bill.
their ‘signature’ Baked Gnocchi (pictured); (See ad on P22; offer ends January 1.)
70 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Food Life
Serving up a mix of old
and new for Christmas
December is all about getting ready for Christmas. It is just
one day… but an entire month is dedicated to getting prepared
for it, and without question food plays a big part of it.
I don’t know about you but we like to share the venue around and
all contribute to the enormous spread found at the Bloom Family
Table. For us it’s always a mix of traditional and Aussie; we just
can’t let the hot turkey and glazed ham go (and why would you!).
I hope you enjoy browsing this mix of the old and the new. Merry
Christmas all – stay safe on the roads and in the surf. X Janelle.
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: www.janellebloom.com.au Photos: Adobe Stock. Roast Turkey Photo: bendearnleyphotography.com
Roast turkey with
bacon, pine nut &
currant stuffing
Serves 10
6kg fresh or thawed frozen
turkey, cleaned
100g butter, melted
2 tbs olive oil
4 rashers bacon
Bacon, pine nut & currant
seasoning
60g butter, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
250g bacon, rind removed,
chopped
2 large brown onions, finely
chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
¾ cup currants
5 cups breadcrumbs, made
from stale bread
1/3 cup thyme leaves
¾ cup pine nuts, toasted
key legs together with unwaxed
string and tuck the
neck flap under the wings.
Combine the melted butter
and oil, brush generously all
the turkey. Lay bacon over
breast. Place turkey on a
roasting rack, breast side up
in the roasting pan. Cover
completely with baking
paper and secure the entire
roasting pan with foil.
4. Roast for 1 hour. Remove
turkey from the oven, baste
with remaining butter mixture.
Re-cover and roast for
a further 1½ hours, basting
every 30 minutes.
5. Remove the foil and baking
paper. Baste the turkey with
the pan juices (this helps to
colour the turkey) and roast,
uncovered, for a further 25-
30 minutes or until golden
and just cooked through.
The juices will run clear
when the thickest part of the
turkey thigh is pierced with
a skewer. Remove the turkey
from the pan and place on a
warmed serving plate. Cover
loosely with foil and set aside
to rest for at least 30 minutes
before carving. Reserve the
pan juices to make the gravy.
21cm (base) loaf pan on 200C
(no fan) or 180C fan forced for
25-30 minutes or until firm in
the centre and golden around
the edges.
1½ cups Sicilian olives, pitted,
finely chopped
1 large lemon, rind finely
grated, juiced
4 tbs extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs chopped fresh parsley
2 tbs chopped capers
1 garlic clove, crushed
Chilli lime dipping sauce
1 cup white sugar
½ cup mirin
2 limes, juiced
2 tbs fish sauce
4 tbs sweet chilli sauce
4 tbs coriander leaves,
chopped
1. For the stuffing: cook the
butter, oil, bacon, onions
Barbecue Prawns
and garlic in a frying pan
over medium heat for 10
with 3 dipping
minutes, stirring occasionally
sauces
until onion softens.
Serves 10
Transfer to a large bowl. Stir
in the currants. Set aside to
4kg uncooked large prawns
cool 15 minutes. Add the
(about 40), in the shell
breadcrumbs, thyme and
Fresh herbs, crusty bread and
pine nuts. Mix until well Janelle’s Tip #1: If using a frozen
lemon wedges to serve
combined. Season. Cool
turkey, transfer it from the Chilli tomato sauce
completely before stuffing freezer to the fridge two days 400g can diced tomatoes
the turkey.
before cooking to thaw. Fill the ¼ cup brown sugar
1. Heat a barbecue grill on
2. Place the oven rack in the turkey with the stuffing just ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
high heat. Brush prawns
lowest position of the oven before cooking it. Tip #2: The 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce with a little olive oil. Barbecue
in batches for two
so the turkey will sit in the stuffing should come together 1 tbs Dijon mustard
centre. Preheat oven 160°C when you squeeze it in a ball 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped minutes each side. Remove
fan forced. Select a 4-5cm but not feel wet and gluggy. If 2 tsp ground coriander
to a platter.
deep roasting pan a little wet, add more breadcrumbs; 2 tsp ground cumin
2. For the chilli tomato sauce,
larger than the turkey. if dry and crumbly, add a little 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
blend or process the tomatoes
3. Loosely stuff the turkey with oil. Tip #3: The stuffing can be Salsa verde mayo
until smooth. Transfer to
cooled stuffing. Tie the tur- cooked in a greased 10cm x ½ cup whole egg mayonnaise a saucepan, stir in the remain-
72 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au
ing ingredients. Bring to the
boil, stirring over medium
heat. Remove to a bowl.
3. For the salsa verde mayo,
combine all the ingredients
in a bowl, season.
4. For the chilli lime dipping
sauce, combine the
sugar and mirin in a small
saucepan. Stir over medium
heat until the sugar has
dissolved. Remove from the
heat, stir in remaining ingredients.
Set aside to cool.
5. Serve the barbecued prawns
with all three dipping
sauces, crusty bread and
lemon wedges.
Janelle’s Tip: Prawns are best
barbecued in their shell; it helps
to prevent overcooking. If you
like you can split them lengthways,
leaving the tails intact.
De-vein and remove the heads
before cooking. Cook these two
minutes, shells side down, then
just one minute, flesh side down.
Grilled peaches,
rocket and
burrata salad
Serves 10
8 firm, ripe peaches, halved,
stones removed
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs coconut sugar
120g baby rocket
½ cup roasted hazelnuts,
chopped
2 x balls burrata cheese
¼ cup olive oil
Dressing
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp maple syrup
Sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
1. Preheat the barbecue grill
on medium heat. Brush
the cut side of the peaches
with oil and sprinkle with
coconut sugar. Barbecue cut
side down for 3-5 minutes,
or until lightly charred.
Remove to a tray.
2. Scatter the rocket over base of
a large salad bowl. Top with
peaches and hazelnuts. Tear
the burrata into pieces and
scatter over the salad.
3. Combine all the dressing
ingredients in a bowl, whisk
until well combined. Spoon
over the salad, toss gently
and serve.
Janelle’s Tip: Burrata is a fresh,
Italian Buffalo milk cheese made
from mozzarella and cream.
The outer shell is firm mozzarella,
while the inside is soft
creamy texture. It’s available
from larger supermarkets and
Harris Farm. You can use 150g
bocconcini instead if you like.
Rocky Road ice
cream cake
Serves 10
200g packet butternut cookies
¼ cup desiccated coconut
80g butter, melted
2 litres chocolate ice-cream
100g mini mallows
½ cup each dark choc and
caramel bits
2/3 cup salted roasted peanuts,
roughly chopped
Topping
200g good quality dark chocolate
(like club)
100ml thickened cream
Extra 50g mini mallows
Extra ½ cup each dark choc
and caramel bits
1. Invert the base of a 22cm
(base) round springform
pan, then lock in place.
Grease and line base with
baking paper.
2. Process biscuits until finely
crushed. Add the coconut
and butter. Process until
combined. Press over base
and three-quarters of the
way up side of prepared
pan. Refrigerate while preparing
filling.
3. Place ice-cream in a large
bowl. Stand at room
temperature for about 10
minutes, or until softened.
Stir in the mallows, dark
and caramel bits and peanuts.
Spoon into prepared
pan. Smooth the top. Cover
and freeze six hours (or
overnight) until firm. Just
before serving, melt the
dark chocolate and cream
in a microwave-safe bowl
in one-minute bursts, stirring
until smooth. Remove
ice-cream from the freezer.
Remove the side of pan and
lining paper. Transfer to a
serving plate. Scatter the
mini mallows and dark and
caramel bits over the top.
Drizzle with a little chocolate
sauce. Cut into pieces
and serve with remaining
sauce.
Janelle’s Tip: Caramel bits are
in the baking aisle with choc
bits. If they are not available,
replace them with chopped
caramel Werthers.
Food Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 73
Food Life
In Season
Food Life
Strawberries
It’s been tough for our
strawberry farmers lately,
so let’s get behind them
and ensure we buy and use
plenty of fresh Australian
Strawberries over summer.
The sight and sweet aroma
of fresh berries in the shops
is a sign the warmer months
are here. Though strawberries
are available all year round,
they are abundant in spring/
early summer and therefore
reasonably priced. Strawberries
are a member of the rose
family and not surprisingly,
lots of people rate it their
favourite fruit.
Buying
Size and colour are not true
indicators of flavour – bigger
does not always mean better.
Try to smell the fruit: an
intense fragrance is a good
indicator of flavour. Check
the base of the container;
there should be no juice oozing
in the base and no sign of
bruising or mould.
Storage
Berries are one of the most
perishable of all fresh produce.
At home, take the time
to open the punnet and check
there are no soft or damaged
berries; if so discard
any as they will encourage
the speedy deterioration of
the remaining berries. Place
unwashed berries (water will
speed up deterioration) onto
a plate, lined with a paper
towel. Cover loosely with
paper towel and cling wrap.
Store on the lowest shelf in
the fridge and eat as soon as
possible. (Rinse before use.)
Nutrition
Strawberries are low in
calories and fats but a rich
source of health-promoting
phyto-nutrients, minerals,
and vitamins C, B complex
group and contains both
vitamin A and E.
Also In Season
December
In December, look out
for Apricots, Raspberries,
Blueberries, Blackberries,
Strawberries, Cherries,
Lychees, Mangoes,
Watermelon, Peaches,
Nectarines and Pineapple.
Also, Hass Avocadoes,
Beetroot, Green & Butter
Beans; red, yellow and
orange Capsicum, Qukes
and Cucumber, Radish,
Corn and Tomatoes.
Summer berry trifle
Serves 10
12 sponge finger biscuits
100g packet meringue kisses
¾ cup freshly squeezed orange
juice
¼ cup orange-flavoured
liqueur
375g strawberries, sliced
200g blueberries
600ml thick vanilla custard
300ml thickened cream
1∕ 3 cup caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
extra strawberries and blueberries
to serve
1. Roughly chop four sponge
finger biscuits. Scatter them
over the base or a 9-cup
capacity trifle dish. Lightly
crush one-third of the
meringue kisses and scatter
over the sponge biscuits.
Combine the orange juice
and liqueur, spoon onethird
over the biscuits and
meringues. Top with half
the strawberries and half
the blueberries. Spoon over
half the custard. Repeat
these layers.
2. Roughly chop the remaining
sponge finger and meringues
and scatter over the
custard. Cover and refrigerate
four hours.
3. Just before serving, whip
the cream, sugar and vanilla
together until thick. Spoon
over the trifle. Top with
extra berries and serve.
Janelle’s Tip #1: You can
use all orange juice if you
don’t want to use liqueur. It’s
also delicious with a 50/50
mix of cool espresso coffee
and Kahlua. Tip #2: You can
replace the meringue kisses
with home-made or purchased
pavlova.
74 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
CLUE: 23 Down
December, _________ Carols (9)
31 Away from land (8)
32 The first B in BOTB (6)
ACROSS
1 Traditional fare consumed on December
25 (6)
4 Northern Beaches annual contemporary
craft and design fair, ________ Made (8)
10 Location of the Baha’i Temple and
Powderworks Road intersection (9)
11 Coral organism (5)
12 Avoid or escape (a duty etc) (3,3,2)
13 Close-fitting headwear mainly worn in
winter (6)
15 The M in MET, who have 14 new jet
skis to ensure safer waterways across
NSW (6)
16 Works by _______ can be seen in
4-across Space in North Curl Curl (7)
19 Label on clothing (3)
20 To exhaust in strength or endurance
(7)
22 Emblem flag (6)
24 Five years ago, aged 92, Elisabeth
______ became Australia’s oldest PhD (6)
26 Conditionally released from prison
(2,6)
29 No doubt a cut of steak you can get
at Avalon Village Meats (1-4)
30 Event at Village Park Mona Vale in
DOWN
1 One’s special interest or concern (5)
2 Series of boat races – not an
uncommon sight on Pittwater (7)
3 Senior businessman (9)
5 Water grass (4)
6 iPhone maker (5)
7 Scotland and Sanctuary, for example
(7)
8 Source of coffee in Palm Beach, 2108
________ (8)
9 20 laps of Palm Beach Rockpool (9)
14 Splendid display (9)
17 Stretch of water lapping the Northern
Beaches (6,3)
18 Loud crested parrot (8)
21 Branch of a main road (4-3)
23 A young (and inexperienced) surfer
(7)
25 Hardwood tree (5)
27 Come after (5)
28 Permanent skin mark (4)
[Solution page 78]
Pittwater Puzzler
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 75
Garden Life
Garden Life
Delight Summer in ushers the amazing
days
colours of the fragrant of hydrangeas garden
with Gabrielle Bryant
AJust lways
a few
a favourite
weeks to
for
fail as Christmas approaches.
go
Christmas
and Christmas
colour,
will
hydrangeas
The huge glossy green leaves
be here:
are
it’s
flowering
a time of
their
festoon over wires and chains,
heads
hot sun,
off!
warm
They
evenings
look wonderful
cover fences and climb up
and
in
time
the
to
garden,
relax. Sitting
brightening
verandah posts. It is a tropical
the
outside
semi-shaded
is always made
areas
more
and
climber that is often grown
glowing
enjoyable
in
with
the
the
full,
fragrance
protected
inside in colder climates; the
sunlight.
of summer.
Once
With
the
plenty
older
of
waxy flowers are a florist’s
varieties
planning,
were
you can
either
enjoy
pink or
delight in wedding bouquets.
blue
evenings
depending
in the garden
on the soil,
The evening air is filled with a
additional
with heady
lime
perfume
will deepen
magical scent. The dark green
the throughout pinks and the blueing tonic
variety will grow into a sturdy
(sulphate summer months. of aluminium) will
plant; for a smaller space the Cherry Guava a
heighten As November the blues, but the
variegated more delicate variety is perfect.
sweet surprise
new approached named star varieties will
As the stephanotis finishes the frangipani
I
maintain jasmine came their into colour. White
blooms will appear. It always takes some time n full flower in my veggie
never flower. changes. It has been There are
for the trees to recover from winter chills but garden is my Cherry Guava,
hydrangeas flowering this of year every size from
by February the flowers will be tumbling into a sometimes known as a Strawberry
Guava. This delightful
the as never tiny dwarf before. Piamina to the
coloured carpet beneath the trees.
tall The traditional recent rain and Mop Heads.
If you only have a small space, grow the
evergreen shrub never fails to
With following so many heat has to choose from
miniature Murraya Min-a Min; it will flower with a produce a heavy crop of cherry
it provided is almost perfect too difficult growing to conditions. of Grow the traditional as fragrant mop heads, pure white that blossom can be throughout two metres summer. tall. guavas in early autumn.
decide. a ground There cover, are clip the it into delicate a hedge or the let cone-shaped it climb Min-a flowers Min of has all the The qualities recently of introduced
the much loved It is a small, pretty tree with
lace over caps, the fence. the huge The November blooms flowers hydrangea will last a paniculata tall-growing bushes Murraya smaller that is growing used for Picotee hedging, rounded, glossy green leaves
few more days before they fade, making way for but will only grow varieties 1m tall. Clip with the two-tone tiny leaves flower into that only grows to about
the sensational stephanotis.
shape or let it grow heads into a are less hard formal to shrub. leave behind
and and balconies. if you have a semi-
trimmed into shape after fruit-
It is three metres in height. Keep it
Creamy stephanotis flowers appear without just perfect for pots
shaded wall, the climbing ing. Mellow
The delicate fluffy flowers
hydrangea petiolaris is just are creamy white, growing close
Low-maintenance Rock Lilies
beautiful.
to out the branches. with They are followed
by the tangy flavoured,
Arthropodiums – commonly called New Zealand Rock Lilies – are
Hydrangeas are forgiving
tough hardy plants that grow in dry shady coastal areas with
plants that are easy to grow. sweet, Lavender
berry-sized, cherry red
little or no attention once they are established.
They like regular water and fruit that are high in vitamin C.
Some varieties grow tall but Te Puna grows to just 40cm. Its delicate,
any good garden soil. Mulch Unlike the taller-growing deciduous
yellow guava that needs
Meerlo
arching white flowers appear in late spring on sprays that stand tall
the roots with compost to
above the foliage.
M
keep them cool and feed cooking, erlot the is fruit a soft can red be wine. eaten It
Arthropodiums are great for low-maintenance gardens. Mass-planted
them in early spring to get raw straight is a strange from the name tree to or give
they add a lush tropical effect to difficult spaces, beside the path, on top
them going. Grow them in used a variegated in cooking, lavender jellies, drinks, plant.
of a retaining wall or under trees.
pots, or in the garden; bring sauces The only or jams. similarity that I can
Pick the flowers to ensure more keep coming and mulch well with leaf
them inside when in flower see You is should the wonderfully protect the soft fruit
litter of compost at the time of planting. All they require is a feed of allpurpose
fertiliser in spring and late summer.
or cut the blooms – they last from foliage fruit of fly this with newly a fruit released fly bait.
well in water.
plant.
Lavender Meerlo is a
Get delightful into small the shrub for
full sun. The pale grey leaves
‘swing’ are edged with of creamy Xmas
It yellow; is time they to relax are perfect and enjoy
your for pots garden. or in Look the garden, at your
outdoor plus lavender seating Meerlo requirements
is less – picky the shops than are other full of
amazing lavenders chairs regarding and tables. soil and
Hanging conditions. cane egg chairs have
been It trendy prefers for good the drainage past few
years and full and sun now to the provide ‘Swing the
Seat’ on-going is back. supply Nothing of lavender is more
peaceful blue flowers. than swinging This variety in a
seat is more for two, tolerant sheltered of high from
the humidity, weather drought with a roof and to heat
shade than from older the varieties. sun – makes a
great Christmas present too!
72 76 DECEMBER 2017 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Easy way to decorate pots
It is school holidays and the kids are home.
Get them to put down their phones and desert
their computers and take them for a walk to find
interesting seed and leaves to decorate pots.
You will need coloured spray paint, some ribbons,
gum nuts, palm seeds, silky oak seed, hakea seeds
or casuarina seeds… all make great decorations.
Make sure that you use waterproof paint and a
hot glue gun as glue. Craft glue will dissolve with
water. If you use poster paints, cover with a clear
Estapol once the paint is dry. Paint ribbons are
very easy to use. There very pretty ones available
for Christmas wrapping.
I roll the seeds in a saucer of clear PVA wood
glue, then let the glue semi-dry before shaking
the seeds in glitter.
Decorated pots make wonderful table
decorations and presents when potted up with
herbs or potted colour. If you planted seedlings
last month, they will be ready for Christmas; if
not, for just a few dollars, the garden centres
are full of colourful bloomers, snap dragons,
petunias, dahlias and impatiens.
Green thumb gift ideas
Gardeners are the easiest
people to please with
gardening gifts. All the essential
tools are always welcome. Hand
trowels, hand forks, gloves,
secateurs, seeds, fertilisers,
novelty sprinklers, even a spray
bottle of Eco oil will always be met
with appreciation. For plant lovers
there are scarlet anthuriums,
orchids, poinsettias, begonias,
hanging baskets of instant colour,
flowering gardenias and huge
bunches of NSW Christmas bush.
A Yates Garden Guide is one
of the best ideas for the new
gardener. For the veggie gardener, a Bee House
that will attract the
native bees would
be a great gift.
Just one bee can
pollinate 2000
flowers each day.
Garden centres
have wonderful
hangers, wind chimes and dreamcatchers to
decorate the garden, small statues and table water
features, solar lanterns and path lights, the choice
is there for the buying.
Garden Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 77
Garden Life
Jobs this Month
Garden Life
It is amazing how much
damage can be caused
by just one very hot
day when plants are not
hardened after winter.
Mercifully the rains came to
heal the damage! Now that
the plants are regrowing
you can trim back damaged
tips, feed and water well
and all shrubs will grow
back in no time. But look
out for caterpillars in the
garden. They can devour
new foliage overnight.
Spray with Yates’ success
– this spray is harmless to
beneficial insects and birds.
Mulch sweet
mulch
Sugar cane mulch or pea
straw, as a mulch in the
garden, will work as a blanket
to maintain the moisture and
keep the weeds at bay over the
holiday break.
Shock of colour
Decorate your house with
flowering pots of hydrangeas.
Florists sell them in every
colour: white, pink, blue or
bi-colour with white edges, tall
growing or dwarf. Hydrangeas
will reward you with flowers
every year at Christmas. Once
the flowers finish, plant them
out into the garden.
Aggie watch
Agapanthus flowers (not
a native) are finishing; the
seeds germinate easily. Cut
off the seed heads and put
them into the green bin to
prevent them straying into
the bush. Also, clean up
fallen palm seeds. They are
painful for bare feet and roll
underfoot, potentially causing
falls if you are wearing shoes.
Check tomatoes
Check tomatoes daily for the
first sign of mildew. Remove
all the bottom leaves as they
begin to yellow and put them
in the bin. A weekly spray with
Eco fungicide should prevent
mildew damage. Better to
prevent mildew than to try to
control it later.
December
Lawn length
Resist the temptation to
cut the lawn too short. So
often I have seen lawns cut
short before a holiday. The
gardener thinks that it will
take longer to grow back –
then we have a heat wave
and the newly exposed lower
foliage and the roots burn.
Better to let the grass grow a
bit long than to kill it!
Beware of bugs
Watch out for Orange Citrus
bugs. Remember that they can
spray a very toxic liquid when
angry or disturbed. Always
wear gloves when dealing with
them and protect your skin
and eyes.
Bargain or not?
Plants go on sale at the end
of this month. It is always a
temptation to browse through
them. Sometimes you will
find true bargains, when the
reduced price is because
the flowers are finished, or
the foliage is damaged from
insects or windburn. But to buy
other you will be throwing your
money away. Beware the large
super-advanced plants that
have roots showing from the
holes in the bottom of the pot.
These plants are heavily ‘pot-
bound’ and usually take many
months to recover. A smaller,
healthy plant would be much
better value. Plants that have
missed out on water may never
survive.
Indoor + outdoor
Before you go on holiday, place
indoor plants into the bath or
in the shower recess. Clustered
together they will produce
humidity the will keep the
going. Water them well before
you leave and sit them on a
wet towel. Plants protected
like this should be Okay for
a couple of weeks. Outdoor
pots and tubs can be kept alive
by filling a 2-litre soft drink
bottle with water and turning
it upside down with the neck
firmly in the soil. It will take
several days to empty.
Crossword solution from page 75
Mystery location: STATION BEACH
78 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Times Past
The Godmothers of Avalon
FOUNDERS: The first
four ‘Godmothers’ (l-r) Dawn
Herman, Des Allen, Elaine Barnes
and Judy Cooper at Dawn’s
home ‘Hy Brasil’. FRIENDSHIP: A
group of ‘Godmothers’ shortly
before disbanding.
nothing short of astounding.
Some 11 years after
registration, at a special
meeting convened to discuss
their future, it was decided
and announced by their
founder and president, Dawn
Herman on 22 August 1984,
that the organisation should
be wound up.
However, the wish that “the
friendship of the Godmothers
built up over the years should
continue” was unanimously
supported by all.
The following sentence
appeared in a ‘Brief
History of the
Godmothers of Avalon’
folder compiled by Barbara
Armstrong in 2005: “A group
of women concerned with the
present and future welfare of
children.”
This statement is a far too
simplified expression of the
wonderful results achieved by
this amazing group of women.
At a meeting in the Avalon
Playtime Kindergarten in
1969, mothers were told that
the ‘kitty’ had approximately
$3,000 in excess funds – ‘excess’
because the kindergarten had
everything it needed.
The next morning, Dawn
Herman received a phone
call from the Director of
the Kindergarten Union of
NSW suggesting she might
be interested in the plight of
the Ashfield Infants Home.
Rather than donate the money
to another kindergarten, this
might be a more appropriate
way of allocating the excess
funds.
Dawn, her husband Ted, Des
Allen and Judy Cooper visited
the home which cared for 30
children under the age of 5.
They were appalled at the lack
of amenities – “… babies in the
nursery, ranging from 3 weeks
The Local Voice Since 1991
to 6 months of age were
lined up in fruit boxes,
like fruit in a fruit shop,
with no nappies but with
gentian violet on their little
bottoms and name tags for
identification.”
Dawn, Des, Judy, Elaine
Barnes (and later Gaenor
Spencer) put their collective
“feet to the floor” and as a
result, the ‘Godmothers of
Avalon’ was off and running
as a registered charity in June
1973.
Fundraising was ferocious
and very successful and by
1974 the group had swelled
to 40; by 1981, there were 123
‘Godmothers’.
In 1974, Christmas toys were
gifted to 60 underprivileged
children in the Manly-
Warringah area. Interstate
activity also followed, with
parcels of books for the School
of the Air in Alice Springs,
before the Godmothers went
international with baby
clothing for hurricane victims
in Fiji.
Their achievements,
including the massive
amounts of money
raised and distributed to
underprivileged children
and the construction of
‘Grandma’s Refuge’ at Terrey
Hills in 1980/1982, were
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.
DECEMBER 2018 79
Times Past
Travel Life
Travel Life
Western Mediterranean a ‘Star’ attraction
Star Clippers’ flagship 5-masted vessel,
the Royal Clipper, recently set sail
from Cannes on her last voyage of the
Western Mediterranean summer season,
before heading off to the sunnier waters
of the Caribbean.
Newport Travel’s Chris Riou was one
of the almost 200 passengers on board
(the maximum capacity is 227 guests
and 106 crew, but since there were many
solo travellers onboard the ship was full
without reaching capacity).
“You may have seen the Royal Clipper
on TV documentaries, recorded in the
Guinness Book of Records as the largest
square-rigged sailing ship in service,”
said Chris. “Thanks to hi-tech powered
controls, her impressive 5,202 square
metres of sails can be handled by a crew
of just 20!
“Our first sailaway from Cannes on
the Cotes d’Azur was emotional and
memorable, setting the tone for the trip
to come – the hoisting of the sails by the
crew was carefully choreographed, with
changing coloured laser lighting on the
sails enhancing the display.”
They were bound for Portofino on the
Italian Riviera, and some less-visited
ports and islands on the French Riviera,
like the islands of Corsica and Porquerolles.
Being a tall-ship it anchored in
sheltered bays, sails down, with guests
taken ashore by tender boat to explore
or simply enjoy the beach and the ship’s
water sports facilities.
Shore excursions were organised
for some of the ports of call, such as a
coach trip up into the coastal mountains
of Corsica to visit the cobblestoned, mediaeval
villages perched high on hilltops,
ABOVE: Corsican villages. BELOW LEFT: Setting sail at sunset. BELOW RIGHT: St Tropez back alleys.
safely away from pirate and conqueror
invasions!
“For other ports, we were free to
wander or hire bicycles to get around,”
said Chris.
“Life on board could be described as
comfortable, low-key and friendly with all
the services of a larger cruise ship,” she
added. “Just don’t expect broadway-style
shows for entertainment and a choice of
fine-dining restaurants, but rather spectacular
sunrises, a relaxing piano bar,
Captain’s story-telling time and a single
3- to 4-star quality restaurant serving
international cuisine for all tastes.”
Want more info? Phone Chris on
9997 1277 or email chris@newporttravel.com.au
80 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
Discover European
small ship cruising
Set sail to discover Celtic and
Gaelic lands of romance and
legends on board Ponant’s
Le Boreal, which embodies
the subtle alliance of luxury,
intimacy and wellbeing.
“The coasts of the English
Channel and the Irish Sea
are romantic and wild lands,
evocative of the myths and
legends forged by the people
of the North, with cliffs battered
by the waves, flowery
moor lands and mysterious
castles,” said Travel View’s
Sharon Godden.
“You’ll enjoy ports of call inaccessible
to larger ships and
inspire your spirit with visits
to UNESCO-listed sites such
as the Giant’s Causeway – a
massive geological formation
featuring over 40,000 basalt
columns – and the Jurassic
Coast, famous for its exceptional
panorama composed
of spectacular rock formations,
lush hills, wild inlets
and gorgeous sand or pebble
beaches.”
Also, experience the Isles of
Scilly, a strange little archipelago
whose landscapes seem
to have come straight out of
Enid Blyton’s famous story,
The Rockingdown Mystery.
“Here, long sandy beaches
stand alongside green fields,
while ruins of old castles stand
proud on hilltops,” said Sharon.
“The Inner Hebrides will
welcome you with Tobermory,
a charming fishing port with
multi-coloured houses whose
distillery produces a renowned
single malt, and Iona, the cradle
of Christianity in Scotland
where the famous Book of
Kells was written.” (Solo savings
available.)
Sharon said Ponant cruises
delivered a refined atmosphere,
in the spirit of a private
yacht.
“You can discover the
treasures of the land by sea on
board luxurious yachts that are
built on an intimate, human
scale, which is a far cry from
the current industry trend of
gigantism,” she said. “French
crew, expertise, attentive
service, gastronomy: set sail
in a luxurious environment
and enjoy a travel experience
that is simultaneously authentic
and sophisticated.”
She added Ponant had
designed itineraries rich in encounters
and discovery all over
the world: mooring in the heart
of secret bays in the Mediterranean,
sailing between the
majestic icebergs of Antarctica,
expeditions to the remote
lands of Alaska, or island-hopping
in the Caribbean.
* More information call
Travel View Avalon (9918
4444) or Collaroy (9999
0444); also, give them a call
and ask about their fun and
informative Travel Club.
Travel Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2018 81
Travel Life
Travel Life
Crystal’s clear,
unparalleled
luxury at sea
Experience the beauty of
the Mediterranean aboard
the most luxurious of ships:
the award-winning Crystal
Serenity (pictured in Venice).
“Book and prepare to have
every wish catered to, with
Crystal’s renowned six-star
service and a rich roster of
all-inclusive amenities,” said
Travel View’s Karen Robinson.
“Everything from specialty
dining and the finest pour of
select wines, champagnes and
premium spirits to engaging
enrichment and Broadwaystyle
entertainment is
included in your voyage – and
complimentary, unlimited Wi-
Fi means it’s easier than ever
to share your adventures with
friends and family all around
the world, too.”
Karen said the ‘Crystal
Experience’ had been “reimagined”,
adding a greater depth
to passenger relaxation and
enjoyment.
“Expansive and gorgeous,
brand new butler-serviced
suites and penthouses have
replaced a number of staterooms,
effectively reducing
the ship’s guest capacity and
increasing Crystal Serenity’s
service and space ratios to
rank with the highest in the
industry,” Karen said.
“And whether you choose to
travel in a suite or a stateroom,
you’ll discover all the
comforts of home – from
plush beds wrapped in the finest
of linens to state-of-the-art
interactive TVs and high-tech
automation.”
From your own private window
on the world (all suites
and most staterooms feature
private verandah), you can discover
the enchanted wonder
of iconic European destinations
each day.
Then there’s the ‘Decadent
Dining’ and ‘Culinary Delights’,
said Karen.
“Authentic yet inventive…
creative yet classic – the culinary
experience with Crystal
is simply exceptional,” she
said. “From the extraordinary
cuisine of celebrity chef, Nobu
Matsuhisa, to the inventive
menus created by Crystal’s own
acclaimed culinary team, dining
aboard Crystal Serenity promises
to delight and surprise even
the most discerning palate.”
* Want to know more?
Call Travel View Avalon
(9918 4444) or Collaroy
(9999 0444); also, give them
a call and ask about their fun
and informative Travel Club.
82 DECEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991
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