Pittwater Life April 2020 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991 

APRIL 2020 

FREE 

pittwaterlife 

KEEP CALM AND STAY HEALTHY! 

SHANE STEDMAN – AGELESS CHAIRMAN OF THE [SURF] BOARD 

OFFSHORE GAS DRILLING: THEY WOULDN’T DARE, WOULD THEY? 

PLUS: COUNCIL’S HOME SOLAR INCENTIVE / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...

Editorial 

Spare a thought for our GPs... 

Staying at home for a week 

or more – visiting the books 

you have yet to read, or binge 

streaming on Netflix – should 

be considered a privilege rather 

than an inconvenience. After 

all, you have nothing if you 

don’t have your health, right? 

Just ask Pittwater’s heroic 

GPs and health workers who 

have been emulating the deeds 

of our firefighters, putting 

their lives on the line to protect 

our community as they battle 

to contain the spread of the 

COVID-19 pandemic. 

Many are scared. But that 

hasn’t stopped them from 

rallying. Selflessly. Proactively. 

Pittwater Life has heard from 

multiple sources that in mid- 

March, Federal Government 

health representatives put 

out a call for expressions of 

interest to set up facilities to 

supplement services operated 

by NSW Health at Mona Vale 

Hospital and NB Hospital. 

When the deadline closed, 

we’re told they had zero replies. 

Not that our GPs didn’t care; 

rather, they were concerned 

about their patients: the 

practice model touted involved 

volunteering their services, with 

some or all practice resources. 

So, they collaborated, and 

came up with a solution: 

external, undercover facilities 

with triage and screening and 

access to practices for those not 

affected, including the elderly 

and most vulnerable. 

There’s plenty in this month’s 

magazine to address the crisis 

we face. But plenty of uplifting 

content, too. 

We’ll leave you with the 

words of Nobel Prize-winning 

physicist Marie Curie: “Nothing 

in life is to be feared, it is only to 

be understood. Now is the time to 

understand more, so that we may 

fear less.” 

Stay healthy all. – Nigel Wall 

* Pittwater Life intends to 

publish for the duration of the 

COVID-19 crisis. And beyond! 


APRIL 2020 3

FREE LOCAL 

MONTHLY 

INDEPENDENT 

DISTRIBUTION 

32,000 

Delivered to householders 

& businesses throughout 

the Pittwater area at the 

beginning of each month. 

AFFORDABLE 

RATES & 

LONG-LIFE 

EXPOSURE 

CALL 

US TO 

DISCUSS 

YOUR AD! 

Tel: 0438 123 096 

PO Box 170 

Mona Vale 1660 

Email: 

info@pittwaterlife.com.au 

Website: 

www.pittwaterlife.com.au 

Publisher: Nigel Wall 

Managing Editor: Lisa Offord 

Graphic Design: CLS Design 

Photography: Adobe / Staff 

Contributors: Rosamund Burton, 

Gabrielle Bryant, Rob Pegley, 

Matt Cleary, Brian Hrnjak, 

Jennifer Harris, Nick Carroll, 

Janelle Bloom, Sue Carroll, 

Dr John Kippen, Geoff Searl. 

Distribution: 

John Nieuwenhof & Gill Stokes 

pitlifewalkers@gmail.com 

Published by 

Word Count Media Pty Ltd. 

ACN 149 583 335 

ABN 95 149 583 335 

Printed by Rural Press 

Phone: 02 4570 4444 

Vol 29 No 9 

Celebrating 28 years 



FREE 

pittwaterlife 

KEEP CALM AND STAY HEALTHY! 

SHANE STEDMAN – AGELESS CHAIRMAN OF THE [SURF] BOARD 

OFFSHORE GAS DRILLING: THEY WOULDN’T DARE, WOULD THEY? 

PLUS: COUNCIL’S HOME SOLAR INCENTIVE / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... 

10 

22 

WALKERS 

WANTED 

Retirees, mums, kids to deliver 

Pittwater Life once a month. 

Permanent and casual runs 

are available now in: 

Palm Beach, Avalon, 

Newport, Mona Vale, 

Bayview & Church Point. 

EARN TOP MONEY PAID PROMPTLY! 

Email: 

pitlifewalkers@gmail.com 

8 

thislife 

COVER: Pittwater GPs have co-ordinated a proactive 

response to help ‘flatten the curve’ of COVID-19 infection, 

both to protect the community and also local health 

workers (p8); Council has triggered its plan to help more 

residents ‘flick the switch’ on domestic solar uptake (p6); 

We look at the latest development in the pursuit of potential 

gas reserves off our coastline (p10); We can’t gather to 

commemorate ANZAC Day, but never forget we should still 

remember (p22); And surfing industry icon Shane Stedman 

relates his life story (p32). COVER IMAGE: Sharon Green 

also this month 

Editorial 3 

Pittwater Local News 6-31 

Life Stories: Shane Stedman 32-34 

Tasty Morsels 35 

Hot Property 36-37 

Art 38-39 

Surfing 40-41 

Health & Wellbeing: Hair & Beauty 42-47 

Money 48-49 

Trades & Services Guide 50-52 

Crossword 53 

Food 54-55 

Gardening 56-57 

Travel 58 

the goodlife 

Restaurants, food, gigs, travel and gardening. 

Also find our regular features on beauty, health, surfing, 

art, local history, our guide to trades and services, money, 

law and our essential maps. 

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! 

Bookings & advertising material to set for 

our MAY issue MUST be supplied by 

FRIDAY 10 APRIL 

Finished art & editorial submissions deadline: 

FRIDAY 17 APRIL 

The MAY issue will be published 

on WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 

COPYRIGHT 

All contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the 

written consent of the copyright owner. GST: All advertising rates are subject to GST. 

4 APRIL 2020 

The Local Voice Since 1991

News 

Council showing solar flair 

Northern Beaches Council is making 

good on its promise to reduce 

barriers and dramatically raise 

domestic solar energy uptake with a new 

free service to help residents install solar 

and reduce energy costs. 

Council has partnered with the 

Australian Energy Foundation (AEF) 

which is offering residents free advice 

for navigating the array of solar power 

and battery storage systems on 

the market. 

The AEF is the leading forpurpose 

national energy 

foundation that collaborates to 

create a zero-carbon society; it has 

supported 27,000 households with 

energy advice since 2013. 

The new service comes just nine 

months after Northern Beaches 

Mayor Michael Regan first charged 

Council staff to find ways to 

reduce barriers and dramatically 

raise domestic solar energy 

uptake. 

Mayor Regan said there were 

around 100,000 homes located on the 

Northern Beaches, of which 9,440 had 

solar panels. There were also more than 

59,000 freestanding or semi-detached 

houses which were suitable for the 

installation of solar panels. 

“With just 13% of solar compatible 

households generating their own 

electricity from the sun, our 

community’s solar uptake is relatively 

low compared to the rest of Australia,” 

he said. 

“Our research has found that the 

perceptions of cost, uncertainty of 

payback periods and a lack of confidence 

in solar power suppliers are just some of 

the common obstacles. 

“But Council is helping the community 

turn this around. We’ve got an ambitious 

target to have all suitable premises on 

the Northern Beaches with solar power 

by 2030 and one of the ways we’re 

working towards this is by partnering 

with the Australian Energy Foundation.” 

He explained locals could chat to 

AEF advisors to help avoid the pitfalls 

of solar and find answers to their 

questions. Residents could also be 

referred to accredited, trustworthy 

suppliers, vetted by AEF to help the 

process of navigating suppliers easier. 

“This way our Northern Beaches 

community can start enjoying the same 

financial and environmental benefits 

enjoyed by over 2 million Australian 

households,” he said. 

Northern Beaches resident, Jason, 

installed a 4.8 kW solar PV system 

through the service in August 2019. He 

said he had been thinking about solar 

for 15 years, but despite knowing the 

environmental benefits, he knew back 

then it would never pay itself off. 

“But after reading an article which 

explained how due to falling solar costs 

and rising energy bills the average 

payback period had dropped to 3-5 years, 

I started researching it,” he said. 

Jason went to a solar information 

session run by Council and AEF, which 

gave him helpful advice in knowing what 

to look for. 

He said he was wary, given the ‘boom 

and bust’ nature of the industry, that at 

least 610 solar companies had gone into 

liquidation or deregistered since 2011. 

“Seeing this made me realise 

it was important to install solar 

with an established, reputable 

installer that is unlikely to go 

out of business,” he said. “The 

Council/AEF program seemed to 

me one of the safest ways to go 

about it, as all the pre-vetting has 

already been done.” 

Jason decided to request a 

quote via the program and was 

very pleased with the supplier. 

“My experience was superb,” 

he said. “The solar consultant 

came to my home and explained 

everything I needed to know in 

professional and simple terms. They 

gave me all the information I needed 

on components, the number of panels, 

where the panels would sit on the roof 

and information on costs and savings.” 

He said that after discussing the 

proposal with his wife, they decided to 

go ahead with the installation – and had 

his system installed six weeks later. 

Jason has been delighted with the 

savings – he said his latest quarterly bill 

was just $30 (down from $1100). 

“I would definitely recommend the 

program and already have to several of 

my friends and colleagues.” – Nigel Wall 

* For more check Council’s Solar and 

Energy webpage @ northernbeaches. 

nsw.gov.au 



Our GPs’ proactive 

News 

By Lisa Offord & Nigel Wall 

General Practitioners 

across Pittwater have 

gone on the front foot to 

provide the community with 

the safest and most effective 

care during the COVID-19 

pandemic. 

GPs from practices in suburbs 

including Newport and 

Avalon have taken the extraordinary 

measures of setting 

up external undercover triage 

facilities and are screening 

people who have made appointments 

online. 

Also, most practices across 

the upper northern beaches 

are offering phone consultations, 

ensuring people with 

pre-existing conditions and our 

community’s most vulnerable 

will still have access to their 

doctors’ expertise without the 

requirement of having to first 

attend the surgery. 

Avalon Family Medical Practice 

(AFMP) and the Newport 

Doctor (ND) proactively set up 

external facilities, independent 

of Government, in late March. 

Their practice doors remain 

shut, with access provided 

only to no-risk patients after a 

thorough screening and assessment. 

AFMP manager Claire 

Cavanaugh said local GPs had 

monitored the development of 

the Pandemic both overseas 

and in Australia from early 

March. When the scale of the 

emergency became clear they 

developed a strategy which 

they believe will deliver optimum 

health outcomes. 

“We realised we were a few 

weeks ahead of the curve so 

we’ve worked to put in these 

steps which will both reassure 

patients and the community 

and also our GPs and other 

health workers,” Claire said. 

“After receiving a booking 

online, our GPs call each patient 

and either use a COVID-19 

MBS Bulk Bill item number 

or charge a non-rebateable 

private ‘Telehealth’ item for 

these Telehealth consults,” she 

explained. 

“We are doing carpark 

consults for patients with 

flu symptoms or at risk of 

COVID-19, if physical examination 

is indicated medically,” she 

said. “Our GPs wear PPE (personal 

protective equipment) for 

these consults. Patients have to 

be phone triaged first for this 

type of consult. 

“We are physically seeing 

some patients at the surgery 

after an initial Telehealth consult 

by a GP, when absolutely 

necessary. Our model is fluid 

and will change with circumstances. 

“If we have patients waiting 

(for various reasons), they are 

being asked to social distance 

and wait outside in either 

their car (we have a carpark) 

or under our purpose-built 

tarpaulin or on our back deck – 

all spaced out with no waiting 

indoors.” 

She added the practice would 

be conducting flu clinics when 

the Government’s flu vax 

became available. 

The team at Newport Doctor 

are practising medicine in a 

FRONT FOOT: New external facilities at the Newport Doctor. 

similar way with all initial consults 

offered as Telehealth. 

If patients have clinically 

significant concerns they can 

attend the practice but enhanced 

screening and patient 

flow protocols have been put 

in place. 

The practice’s Dr Erin Noonan 

told Pittwater Life: “We are 

all doing our very best to look 

after our valued patients whilst 

endeavouring to take pressure 

off the public health system. 

“In most cases we can help 

our existing patients via audio 

or video call and if necessary 

the doctor will advise them 

to come to the practice for a 

physical examination, bringing 

only the essential people to the 

consultation.” 

She asked patients to be 

honest and patient with all 

reception staff across general 

practice. 

“We are doing everything we 

can to protect our teams and 

our patients,” Dr Noonan said. 

“Our priority is to ensure 

our patients with chronic 

conditions continue to receive 

high level care to manage their 

complex medical needs which 



pandemic response 

require treatment through the 

COVID crisis. And we appreciate 

your understanding with 

our extreme measures to keep 

our team safe. 

“A few months ago our 

courageous firefighters were 

on the front line protecting 

our communities – now it’s the 

healthcare workers who are 

masking and gowning up for 

battle, ready to do everything 

they can to care for their communities. 

“Even though the threat is 

not visible this time, this is war 

of a different kind.” 

ND’s Dr Julian Northover 

added: “The frightening facts 

are that pandemic modellers 

(Imperial College London) are 

advising that if we continue living 

as we are, COVID fatalities 

will exceed the World War I and 

World War II death tolls combined 

– not over 10 years but a 

few months in 2020 alone. 

“Please help us help you by 

staying at home as much as you 

can, adhering to social distancing 

policies and self-isolate if 

you are unwell.” 

Other practices offering 

phone consults include Gilbert 

Collins Medical (Mona Vale), 

Bungan Street General Practice, 

and Mona Vale Medical Centre. 

Dr Ethel Gilbert from Gilbert 

Collins Medical said: “We are 

doing telephone consults with 

appointments made via HOT- 

DOC and online. 

“We will run a flu clinic, with 

strict protection measures in 

place, from early April. 

“We may open at weekends 

for telephone consults, so we 

are available for our patients 

throughout the crisis.” 

Mona Vale Medical Centre 

General Manager Peter Carr 

said his practice would also 

move towards video consultations 

to improve efficiency. He 

urged patients to set up with 

Skype or Facetime. 

“This will help avoid wasting 

time,” he said. “Our doctor may 

be talking to a patient but then 

need to see them – for example 

a 70-year-old with a sore foot. 

The doctor may need to view 

the foot or any other medical 

condition before deciding the 

next course of action. They 

can’t afford to waste time if 

the patient isn’t equipped to 

advance to a video call. 

“It’s all about stopping 

people leaving their homes and 

delivering best care.” 

In other news: 

Restrictions 

In line with health advice, 

from March 23 non-essential 

activities and businesses were 

temporarily shut down and 

strict social distancing rules 

applied. 

Restaurants and cafes are 

restricted to takeaway and/or 

home deliveries. 

Hairdressers and barbers are 

open with restrictions including 

up to 30 minute appointments. 

No more than 10 people at 

funerals and weddings are restricted 

to the couple, celebrant 

and witnesses. 

Schools were remaining 

open, yet parents were being 

encouraged to keep their children 

at home. 

The message was clear: Stay 

at home unless for groceries, 

exercise, medical needs, care/ 

support and work, where it cannot 

be from home. 

Health Boost 

The State Government announced 

$700 million in extra 

funding to assist in doubling 

‘A few months ago our courageous 

firefighters were on the front line 

protecting our communities – now it’s 

healthcare workers’ 

ICU capacity at hospitals, preparing 

for additional COVID-19 

testing, purchasing additional 

ventilators and medical 

equipment, establishing acute 

respiratory clinics and bringing 

forward elective surgeries to 

private hospitals. 

Medications 

Pharmacists have enforced 

limits on dispensing certain 

prescription products to one 

month’s supply and sales of 

certain over-the-counter products 

to a maximum of one unit 

per purchase to ensure people 

will have ongoing access to 

medicines they need. 

The restrictions were introduced 

after people unnecessarily 

stockpiled medications 

in a panicked response to the 

pandemic. 

If you can’t locate a product 

you want on the shelf ask the 

pharmacy assistant as some 

products have been moved 

behind the counter to assist in 

allocating supply equitably. 

These temporary limits will 

be reviewed in the future. 

Hospital visitors 

Mona Vale Hospital has asked 

patients and their families to 

limit visitors to one per patient 

with other family and friends 

encouraged to use technology 

to check in with their loved 

ones. 

COVID-19 Clinics 

There are two COVID-19 clinics 

on the Northern Beaches for 

those most at risk. 

The Mona Vale Hospital 

clinic is in Building 1, the same 

building as the Urgent Care 

Centre; however it is accessed 

by a separate sign-posted 

entrance. 

The Northern Beaches Hospital 

clinic is located at the rear 

of the Emergency Department. 

If you suspect you or a family 

member has coronavirus 

you should call (not visit) your 

GP or ring the national Coronavirus 

Health Information 

Hotline – 1800 020 080. 

People without symptoms do 

not need to be tested. 

* Advice changes regularly as 

the pandemic develops and 

testing criteria will be continually 

reviewed. 

News 



Offshore gas 

drill shock 

News 

Coastal protection group 

Living Ocean has condemned 

steps that could 

see a gas rig activated off the 

NSW coastline within the next 

few years. 

Exploration company Asset 

Energy owns the controversial 

PEP11 lease covering 4,576 

sq.km of the offshore Sydney 

Basin, from Newcastle to 

Manly. It describes PEP11 as 

“a high impact exploration 

project” and “one of the most 

significant untested gas plays 

in Australia”. 

Asset Energy completed 

seismic testing south east of 

Newcastle in 2018; it’s current 

lease permit expires in March 

2021. 

The National Offshore Petroleum 

Titles Administrator 

(NOPTA) confirmed to Pittwater 

Life that it had received 

an application last December 

“requesting additional time 

to complete its work program 

commitments and to vary 

the current conditions of the 

permit”. 

The variation would enable 

drilling without further seismic 

testing. 

Asset Energy’s application 

proposes the extension of 

the permit title for up to two 

years. The company says it is 

moving to be drill-ready in 

2020. 

Living Ocean President 

Robbi Luscombe-Newman 

condemned the move. 

“Many of the seismicrelated 

issues we had raised 

re PEP11 apply equally 

to offshore gas drilling,” 

Robbi said. “The PEP11 

zone is spread right across 

the ocean’s largest humpback 

whale migration route 

and Living Ocean’s unique 

research has shown drilling 

activity would be detrimental 

NOT ON OUR WATCH: Living Ocean opposes any move to drill. 

to these marine mammals 

in terms of habitat denial, 

behaviour and breeding success. 

“Underwater noise at high 

volume can drown out the famous 

mating songs of humpbacks 

and creates a virtual 

‘fence’ that is known to affect 

a wide range of other ocean 

creatures as well. Little is 

known about marine ecosystems 

in the area, and further 

research may highlight further 

impacts to a wider range 

of species. 

“Further, Living Ocean has 

shown that predominant 

currents along our east coast 

would direct any byproduct 

or waste from drilling and industry 

directly down onto the 

Sydney coastline. More powerful 

east coast lows would also 

increase this hazard potential.” 

Living Ocean dismissed 

Asset Energy’s position that 

“previously observed mapped 

prospects and leads were 

highly prospective for gas”. 

“Australia is the largest 

exporter of gas in the world 

– there is no gas crisis on the 

east coast of Australia,” Robbi 

said. “It’s a marketing and 

management issue. Gas is not 

a realistic transition fuel. 

“Also, no major oil or gas 

firm has taken up interest in 

the PEP11 zone due to issues 

with drilling into highly fragile 

sandstone. 

“With its deep feelers in 

the community, Living Ocean 

knows the community would 

never accept offshore drilling 

on this part of the coast.” 

A NOPTA spokesman told 

Pittwater Life: “A decision on 

the application is yet to be 

made; NOPTA has requested 

further information from Asset 

Energy. 

“Following receipt of all 

required information, NOPTA 

anticipates it will take about 

four weeks to complete its 

assessment.” 

Living Ocean was due to 

testify this month at a Senate 

inquiry into seismic testing in 

Australia, now postponed due 

to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

– Nigel Wall 



News 

Council mixes closures with 

$1.1 million business support 

Temporary closures to 

facilities and changes 

to some services, plus a 

$1.1 million support package 

for local businesses, have 

been announced by Northern 

Beaches Council in the face 

of the COVID-19 pandemic 

emergency. 

Mayor Michael Regan said 

Council’s response features 

an unprecedented range of 

measures to protect staff and 

the community, support local 

business and care for the 

most vulnerable. 

“We are in uncharted 

territory and we have had to 

make some tough decisions 

to prioritise the health of our 

staff and community,” Mayor 

Michael Regan said. 

“To do that we have 

temporarily closed some 

of our facilities and made 

changes to some services.” 

However, he stressed the 

community should be assured 

Council would continue to 

maintain all essential services 

including waste collection, 

Meals on Wheels and roads 

maintenance. 

“We are also aware that our 

local business community is 

being hit hard and need as 

much support as possible,” 

he said. 

“We are working closely 

with the local Chambers of 

Commerce and have proposed 

a $1.1million business 

support package. 

“For our most vulnerable, 

we are working with local 

community agencies to 

identify how we can help them 

to support those who need it 

most. Plus looking at what we 

can do to help connect people 

in this time of social isolation.” 

The $1.1 million business 

support plan – unanimously 

endorsed at Council’s March 

meeting – includes waivers for 

six months on outdoor dining, 

food health on premises and 

fire safety fees as well as 

more flexible and pragmatic 

arrangements for parking for 

take-away pick-ups. 

Additionally, local 

supermarkets will be able to 

receive deliveries 24 hours a 

day under new regulations 

introduced to stop panic 

buying amid the coronavirus 

pandemic. This is because 

the NSW Government has 

overridden local Council rules 

which restrict some stores 

from restocking shelves and 

operating loading docks 

outside regular business hours. 

NSW Planning Minister and 

Pittwater MP Rob Stokes said 

the new regulations made it 

clear that deliverers could 

supply stores and retailers with 

essential goods at all times. 

Mayor Regan said Council 

would also assist local 

businesses to find new ways 

to connect with customers, 

including promoting ‘shop 

local’ initiatives. 

“We will continue to meet 

regularly with the business 

chambers and keep ongoing 

communications to ensure 

the business community 

stays well informed,” Mayor 

Regan said. 

Council also announced it 

would move towards operating 

a range of essential 

services, including customer 

service, childcare, including 

vacation care. 

They will also implement a 

new library service based on 

a ‘click and collect’ concept, 

among other services. 

(Meanwhile local bookstores 

including Beachside Bookshop 

and Bookoccino in Avalon 

are offering home delivery 

services for customers.) 



CLOSED: Avalon Community Library. 

Temporarily closed: 

n Manly and Warringah 

aquatic centres 

n Avalon Community Library 

(also Mona Vale, Dee Why 

and Forestville) 

n Glen Street Theatre 

n Manly Art Gallery and 

Museum 

n Creative Space in North Curl 

Curl 

n Kimbriki Buy Back Centre 

and the Eco House & Garden 

n Environmental Centres and 

programs 

“I can assure the local 

community that our customer 

services centre remains open 

and fully staffed,” Mayor 

Regan said. 

“Our adolescent and 

family counselling and youth 

services teams play a very 

important role in supporting 

our local community, 

particularly at times like 

these. So we have decided to 

move to a phone, online and 

video conferencing sessions 

so we can still meet and 

support people in need. 

“These are very challenging 

times. We are a resilient 

community, we can get 

through this together. We 

appreciate everyone’s patience 

and understanding with these 

difficult circumstances,” 

Mayor Regan said. 


* For regular updates visit 

northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 

News 



Rowe 

talent 

News 

Towards the end of 2016, 

Narrabeen resident 

Georgie Rowe was working 

as a nurse at the War Vets 

RSL Lifecare and rowing surf 

boats. Then a friend suggested 

she enter the Australian Indoor 

Rowing Championship. 

When I meet her and her 

mentor, Romilly Madew, AO, at 

Mona Vale SLSC, she tells me 

she not only won the competition, 

but within the week was 

urged by Ron Batt of Rowing 

Australia to go to Boston the 

following February to compete 

in the CRASH-B Sprints, a world 

indoor rowing championship. 

“I ended up coming second 

in the 2000 metres, which was 

surreal,” she says with a grin. 

The same week as Ron Batt 

contacted her, Georgie received 

a telephone call from John 

Keogh, Rowing Australia’s 

Women’s Head Coach. Keen to 

meet this young woman who 

was so fast on the erg (rowing 

machine), Keogh caught up 

with her at Collaroy. 

“‘You should be rowing still 

water,’ he told me, but he was 

also straight up about how hard 

I would have to train and what 

was required,” Georgie recalls. 

She started rowing at UTS 

Haberfield Rowing Club to see 

if she liked it, and was bitten. 

Georgie really got a taste of 

the hard work needed to succeed 

– for about eight months, 

five days a week she got up at 

4.15am to get to Haberfield by 

5.15am for a 20km row, before 

driving back to the beaches for 

a gym session or erg training, 

and then working a 2pm-10pm 

shift at RSL Lifecare. 

She did that until she made 

the Aussie team in 2018 and 

went into the women’s eight. 

That year the boat won the 

Remenham Challenge Cup at 

the Henley Royal Regatta and 

came third in the World Rowing 

Championships in Plovdiv. 

CEO of Infrastructure 

Australia, Romilly Madew, 

is one of the founders of the 

not-for-profit Minerva Network, 

which aims to empower elite 

female athletes in the business 

of sport, giving them similar 

opportunities to their male 

counterparts. For a year she has 

been Georgie’s mentor, and having 

rowed at state level while 

at university, then recently 

surfboats with Bilgola SLSC, she 

has a thorough understanding 

of Georgie’s journey. 

The 53-year-old and 27-yearold 

clicked the first time they 

met, and the mentor/mentee 

relationship developed quickly 

into a firm friendship. Currently, 

Georgie is fully focused 

on her training, with Romilly 

helping to raise her profile and 

extend her network, introducing 

her to local Federal MP, 

Jason Falinski, State MP Rob 

Stokes, Northern Beaches Mayor 

Michael Regan, as well as elite 

athletes and businesswomen. 

They catch up monthly, but are 

in contact by text or through 

social media on a weekly basis, 

and Romilly is one of Georgie’s 

greatest supporters. 

Last year when the Australian 

women’s eight won silver at 

the World Rowing Championships 

in Austria and the boat 

qualified for the Olympics, 

Romilly spread the word of the 

women’s success. 

In November 2019 Georgie 

broke the world record in the 

5km ergometer time trial, with 

a time of 16:54.2. 

“That was one of the hardest 

ergs I’ve done. My legs were 

like jelly, I could barely walk 

afterwards. I was crying and in 

a lot of physical pain. I’ve never 

felt so s***, but so elated at the 

same time,” she says smiling. 

Her mentor was one of the first 

people she texted. 

The following day it was back 

to training as usual. 

“From when I started two 

years ago at the Women’s National 

Training Centre (WNTC) 

in Penrith every day the focus 

has been on being the best version 

of yourself. On Thursday, 

FIRM FRIENDS: 

Georgie Rowe 

and her mentor 

Romilly Madew 

(pre-COVID-19 

distancing). 

we rowed eight 500 metres max 

sprints in the pair, did a twohour 

gym session, a 10km run 

and a 30km cycle. It’s a huge 

training load and somedays it 

seems impossible, but having 

the support of the other girls 

around you keeps your spirit 

alive and your goals in sight.” 

But at 1pm on March 23 the 

goalposts moved when the AOC 

decided Australia would not 

send a team to the Olympics, 

and within 24 hours the Games 

were postponed until 2021. 

The WNTC closed immediately. 

Speaking to Georgie by phone 

she emphasises the enormous 

value of the support Romilly is 

giving her at this time. Gutted 

to be separated from her rowing 

mates and suddenly finding 

herself without the constant 

guidance of her coaches, this 

unstoppable athlete is nevertheless 

already planning how 

to turn this setback into an 

opportunity to get fitter and 

stronger. When she broke the 

erg world record, she was given 

the rowing machine, so she can 

train on that at home. She’ll 

cycle and run and will row in a 

single skull on Narrabeen Lake, 

which she says will be good for 

her development. 

“This is also an opportunity 

to increase my nursing skills 

and help as much as I can at 

this time. I hope I’ll have a balance 

of nursing and training.” 

Hats off to Georgie. Her attitude 

is pure gold. 

– Rosamund Burton 



News 

Remarkable Roberta honoured 

A 

little over a month after receiving 

council’s Australia Day award for 

Outstanding Community Service, 

passionate community advocate Roberta 

Conroy was presented with a NSW 

Parliamentary accolade, named as the 

2020 Pittwater Woman of the Year. 

The award, which recognises 

outstanding achievements of local 

women and their valuable contribution 

to the community, was announced by 

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes at the 

annual Zonta International Women’s Day 

Breakfast in March. 

Roberta is actively involved in a variety 

of volunteer organisations focused 

around the promotion and preservation 

of Pittwater’s cultural heritage and 

natural environment. 

This includes Pittwater Environmental 

Foundation, Bayview Church Point 

Residents Association, Pittwater Natural 

Heritage Association, Northern Beaches 

Council’s reference and advisory groups, 

Manly Warringah Pittwater Historical 

Society and Katandra Bushland 

Sanctuary. 

“It’s Roberta’s positive and optimistic 

outlook which makes her so effective... 

she somehow finds time to share her 

skills, knowledge and experience with 

ACHIEVER: Pittwater Woman of the Year 

Roberta Conroy accepts her award from local 

MP Rob Stokes. 

a variety of local groups which are all 

focused on making our community an 

even better place to live,” Mr Stokes said. 

Roberta, who has lived in Bayview 

with her family for more than 26 years, 

has had a lifelong connection to the area 

through bushwalking and boating. 

In her working life she is a director 

of an environmental consulting 

company focusing on strategic 

planning, management and projects 

and volunteers her professional skills, 

experience and knowledge in a myriad of 

local endeavors. 

She told Pittwater Life a stand-out 

achievement had been the Church Point 

project. 

“After 40 years of local discussions, 

it finally happened with the opening in 

2017 of the boardwalk and in 2018 the 

new car park, with new pontoons, cargo 

wharf and landscaping following. 

“I have loved working with a talented 

bunch of on- and offshore people in 

the design group, Council and external 

engineers, to create an award-winning 

and environmentally sensitive legacy 

project, which has increased access and 

improved people’s lives,” she said. 

Another project that got of the ground 

thanks to Roberta’s input are the stairs 

linking Bayview to Church Point. 

Roberta also advocated for and played 

a key role in school initiatives, which has 

resulted in school grounds opened out of 

hours to community as well as Breakfast 

Clubs rolled out throughout NSW. 

She is currently involved with The 

Church Point Design group on the 

Thomas Stevens Reserve design elements 

including furniture, lighting, materials, 

surfaces, boardwalks, access. The new 

deck around the heritage café is due for 

completion in June. – Lisa Offord 



A vision for 20 years on 

Northern Beaches 

Council’s urban 

planning blueprint 

Towards 2040 will now 

go to the Greater Sydney 

Commission for approval, 

following endorsement at 

Council’s February meeting 

yesterday evening. 

Towards 2040, Council’s 

Local Strategic Planning 

Statement, received strong 

support with 88% of 

respondents responding 

to it positively in the 

community engagement 

process late last year. 

Mayor Michael Regan 

said Council was very 

pleased to see how well 

Towards 2040 was received 

by the local community. 

“Towards 2040 is very 

important as it aims to 

protect and enhance all 

our community values 

while managing growth in 

a sustainable way over the 

next 20 years and beyond. 

“It guides Council 

in future planning by 

identifying clear priorities 

for sustainably managing 

the natural environment, 

infrastructure, housing, 

transport and employment. 

“Overall, Council 

received 337 responses to 

our public exhibition of 

the plan and about 260 

people attended our dropin 

sessions. It was great to 

see our local community 

taking such a strong 

interest in their future 

and letting us know what 

matters most to them. This 

feedback is invaluable.” 

Of the 30 planning 

priorities, feedback from 

community engagement 

was the strongest for 

sustainability priorities 

such as healthy and valued 

coasts and sustainable 

local transport networks 

and a low carbon 

community. 

The most number 

of public submissions 

received were related to 

public transport initiatives 

including mass transit. 

Submissions called for 

more sustainable forms 

of public transport such 

as electric buses and for 

Council to go further than 

the proposed Bus Rapid 

Transit corridor initiatives 

within Towards 2040. 

The second highest 

number of submissions 

gave the thumbs down 

to excessive population 

growth due to its potential 

impact on the environment 

and concerns regarding 

infrastructure. 

Towards 2040 is a 

response to the NSW 

Government requirement 

of all NSW Councils to 

prepare a Local Strategic 

Planning Statement to 

guide future land use 

decisions. 

News 



Local correspondent 

News 

From Super Hurricane 

Sandy to the Sandy 

Hook school shooting, 

television journalist Denham 

Hitchcock has covered the 

world’s most confronting 

events. After which he always 

feels blessed to return to the 

Beaches, for challenges that 

are slightly more fun. 

“I always take visitors to 

the ‘Keyhole’ at Warriewood,” 

says Hitchcock, as we discuss 

favourite places on the 

Northern Beaches. “I spent 

my childhood jumping in the 

water there and swimming 

out through the tunnel. I still 

do it in my 40s…” 

Which, given the warning 

signs to deter thrill seekers 

from this dangerous pursuit, 

would seem a scary thing to 

do for most people let alone 

older blokes… that is, if they 

hadn’t covered Isis attacks on 

Syria, at the height of Islamic 

State’s strength, as part of 

their day job. 

Denham is a man who likes 

a challenge. 

Which is good, because 

Denham tells me that at 43, 

he and his wife Mari are 

expecting their first child. 

But then he and Mari put off 

their honeymoon for two years 

while they renovated a boat, 

which they then sailed across 

the Pacific for six months. 

They’re a formidable team. 

Mari quit her job and Denham 

took six months off from 

reporting on natural disasters, 

presidential campaigns, or 

from the world’s war zones. 

Denham tells me that it 

takes perspective, built up 

over years on the job, to deal 

with the emotions of things 

he’s covered. 

“We get offered counselling, 

but I’ve never used it to date. I 

always remember that I’m just 

a visitor to these disasters, 

and the people I’m reporting 

on are actually living it. My 

position is transient and it 

would feel selfish for me to 

take on their pain.” 

“I get to come home to the 

beautiful Northern Beaches,” 

he adds. 

A career in journalism 

was always on the cards. 

“I loved English and had a 

wild imagination – teachers 

were dumbfounded by what I 

wrote,” says Denham. 

“Dad [Kevin Hitchcock] 

was a reporter for Network 

Ten and inspired me. I saw 

him travel the world covering 

political coups and thought 

that was awesome. It seemed 

so important.” 

“He actually set me tasks at 

a young age,” Denham reveals. 

“He’d give me five newspaper 

articles and get me to write 

a TV news story script from 

them. I was still at Primary 

school!” 

Kevin was a tough critic 

and remains so (“he exploded 

at me when I was younger 

and finished a piece with the 

phrase ‘time will tell’. I got a 

lecture on cliches”). 

But Denham is extremely 

close to his dad, and describes 

him as the most incredibly 

strong-willed man he’s ever 

known. 

“He had a spinal accident 

when I was 14 and I pulled 

him out of the river. We had 

a close relationship, but 



ON LOCATION: 

Denham Hitchcock 

filming in Cobargo (top). 

HONEYMOON: Denham and 

his wife Mari sailed across 

the Pacific for six months. 

saving his life made it closer,” 

Denham shares. “He’s now an 

‘incomplete quadriplegic’, he 

has slight movement in his 

limbs and can eat and steer 

his chair,” he continues. “But 

he’s as sharp as a whip and to 

see him go about his life is a 

lesson in fortitude.” 

Starting his media career 

at 18, on the very day he was 

interviewed, Denham filled 

biscuit barrels and did post 

runs, until his work ethic 

got him a research role at 

only 19. Since then he’s been 

a Producer, Chief of Staff, 

Editor, reporter, presenter and 

correspondent. 

“Nothing beats being 

on the road as a reporter, 

though,” says Denham, who 

was a member of the ‘Sunday 

Night’ current affairs team. 

“You have a front seat to 

history and you can help with 

important things. I’ve been 

involved in stories where 

people have been charged 

after 10 years, or inquests 

have been reopened.” 

“I think journalists can 

provide the checks and 

balances on people and 

government. Right the wrongs 

and give a voice to the people 

who often don’t have one.” 

It was local people dealing 

with ferocious bushfires that 

Denham gave voices to, in his 

recent documentary Hellfire: 

The Battle for Cobargo. Having 

seen the bushfires at close 

hand, Denham witnessed the 

most intense and longest fires 

he’d ever seen. 

“I looked at the story and 

I felt something should be 

done.” 

His perspective on the fires 

is balanced and interesting: 

In a debate which seems to 

pitch the binary problems of 

Climate Change and Fuel Load 

Reduction against each other, 

Denham sees them both as the 

problem. 

“Climate change is clearly 

an issue that needs to be 

solved, but it’s going to take 

time. Hazard reduction can 

happen this winter. The 

centralisation of decision 

making around hazard 

reduction has taken it away 

from local fire authorities 

and getting permits takes too 

long.” 

“Climate change needs 

addressing, but fuel on the 

ground supercharged the fires 

and we can fix it this winter.” 

Our conversation keeps 

returning to favourite haunts 

of the ex-Mona Vale Primary 

School student. He loves a pie 

at Upper Crust at Collaroy, 

for instance, and a sail on 

Pittwater. 

“I’ve been to all four corners 

of the globe but there’s nothing 

like the Northern Beaches,” 

Denham says fondly. “I love 

that you can walk into a bank 

with sandy feet and dripping 

wet shorts from the beach.” 

– Rob Pegley 

News 



Newport’s ‘Magnificent 7’ 

News 

Newport romped home 

to take out the double 

in the Open Ironperson 

and double Open Taplin Relays 

to seal an incredible and 

unparalleled seventh straight 

NSW Championships at Swansea 

Belmont SLSC last month. 

The Newport juggernaut 

tested the competition on 

finals day to consolidate the 

club’s overall lead and finish 

with an unassailable victory 

of 568 points – 181 points 

ahead Wanda on 387 and North 

Cronulla on 187. 

Darren Warrener – Competition 

Director at Newport, said: 

“Seven in a row is an outstanding 

achievement for any club. 

It’s all about the kids and the 

competitors and they all blend 

and gel well together and I 

think it’s outstanding. We’re 

pretty excited! 

“There are many highlights... 

the Open Taplin Finals are 

always the premier event – outside 

the ironperson – and Newport 

won both which I think 

TAPLIN WINNERS: Mitchell Trim, Lizzie Wellborn, Jayke Rees, Zach Morris, 

Maddie Spencer, Jackson Borg, Charlie Brooks, Emily Doyle and Max Brooks. 

is outstanding. And then for 

Max (Brooks) to win the Open 

Ironman and Emily (Doyle) to 

get the Open Female... it was 

altogether a great weekend.” 

Newport Coach Trent 

Herring said that having ‘Mr 

Newport’ Nick Carroll turn up 

to cheer the team on brought 

some special energy. 

“Emily Doyle won the 

under-19 ski race which was 

really exciting for her,” he said. 

“The boys in the -15s did really 

well in the Team events. They 

went one, two, three, four in 

the Surf Race and they went 

one, two, three, four in the 

Irons. They’re a great bunch 

of kids and super-competitive. 

Those guys have got a long 

career ahead of them.” 

An exuberant Emily Doyle 

said her race was hard but 

great because it was “super 

close” the whole way. 

“I kept my head together 

and just worked with Jemma 

and Naomi and we worked 

with each other in the swim 

and we all got the same wave,” 

she said. “And I just put my 

head down and I didn’t care if 

I was going to pass out without 

breathing. I really wanted that 

win.” 

The prestigious Open Ironman 

event was won by Newport’s 

Max Brooks – with fellow 

club mate and reigning title 

holder Jackson Borg coming a 

close second. 

“I’m definitely happy with 

that,” said Max. “It’s a short 

race with a lot going on... a lot 

of good athletes. It was good 

for the club to win two years in 

a row. Hopefully we can build 

the momentum. 

“We have a really good club 

culture and we focus on the 

teams. Good teams breed good 

individuals. Any individual 

results are a bonus.” 

It was announced that the 

Championships will return to 

Swansea Belmont in 2021 for a 

fifth year. 

This year’s NSW State Championships 

attracted around 

6,000 competitors of all ages 

from across NSW. 



We will [still] 

remember 

ANZAC Day commemoration services 

may have been cancelled this year, 

but it’s vital we remember and honour 

this important date on the calendar… 

Message by ‘Colonel Matt’* 

News 

On ANZAC Day we 

honour the service, 

sacrifice and 

selflessness of a distinct 

group of Australians. It is on 

this day that we honour those 

men and women who have 

served our nation in its times 

of need. 

On this day 105 years 

ago, men of Australian 1st 

Division landed at Ari Burnu 

on the Gallipoli Peninsula. 

Their actions were of course 

part of a broader campaign 

to penetrate the Dardanelles 

and seize the Turkish capital 

of Constantinople – thus 

removing the Ottoman 

Empire from the war. 

The initial foothold and 

beachhead covered a mere 

3km frontage by 1km depth. 

The ill-fated campaign would 

endure for eight long months 

and the suffering, death and 

disease was immeasurable. 

Australia alone lost over 

6000 men in the Gallipoli 

campaign. The casualties 

were 1 in 5. One only has 

to read the accounts of the 

Battle for Lone Pine – part of 

the August 1915 offensive 

– to understand, against all 

odds, the physical and moral 

courage, resolve and gallantry 

displayed by these fine 

soldiers. 

While we honour that 

magnificent generation 

of Australians, ANZAC 

Day is an opportunity 

to contemplate, reflect, 

understand and reaffirm 

the values demonstrated 

over a century ago – our 

ANZAC values of courage, 

mateship, selflessness and 

dedication – still vital to our 

way of life nowadays. These 

are of course fundamental 

Australian values. We should 

be immensely proud of how 

this ANZAC spirit lives on 

in the hearts, minds and 

actions of Australians today. 

It is evidenced through the 

stamina, courage and good 

humour of Australians 

when the chips are down; 

our determination to ensure 

a ‘fair go’ for all; and our 

sense of community and 

selflessness when we see 

others in need. We will bend 

our backs and empty our 

pockets to help others in 

trouble. This is important, 

because I think the very 

best way we can honour our 

fallen, on ANZAC Day and 

every day, is to ensure that 

we live by the values they 

demonstrated in their final 

moments. 

So ANZAC Day is about 

remembering. Remembering 

those ordinary, decent 

Australians. Remembering 

the debt we owe to the 

generations that came 

before us, people who did 

things so extraordinary 

that they test our powers 

to imagine. Remembering 

our war dead – those tens 

of thousands of Australians 

who lie in foreign fields – on 

the pretty downlands above 

the Somme, in the deserts 

of Libya, in an olive grove 

on Crete, in the heavy clay 

of Flanders. Every grave 

represents someone’s child 

or parent or relative. Every 

grave represents sacrifice in 

perhaps its saddest form; the 

death of the dreams of youth. 

ANZAC Day is about 

remembering our bond 

with New Zealand. The New 

Zealanders were alongside 

us at Gallipoli, in France and 

Belgium, Kapyong in Korea, 

just as they were alongside 

us again in Vietnam and 

Afghanistan. ANZAC Day 

is a good time to remember 

that the values we share with 

New Zealand are profoundly 

stronger than any trifling 

differences we might have 

about rugby or racehorses. 

On ANZAC Day we 

remember people – the 62,000 

dead from World War I, the 

8000 who died as prisoners 

of war in World War II, the 

thousands of Australians 

who died in the skies over 

Europe, the 340 lost in Korea, 

500 who killed in Vietnam 

and the 41 in Afghanistan. 

We also remember those 

members of the Australian 

Defence Force who are 

now no longer with us or 

are suffering as a result of 

their recent war experience. 

On ANZAC Day we also 

remember, strange as this 

might seem to outsiders, the 

Turks we fought at Gallipoli. It 

is almost unprecedented that 

two countries that discovered 

each other so violently should 

become friends. 

Charles Bean devoted his 

life to recording the deeds of 

the men of the 1st Australian 

Imperial Force. In dedicating 

the Australian War Memorial 

Bean wrote: “Here is their 

spirit, in the heart of the land 

they loved.” So, on ANZAC 

Day we remember that spirit. 

Which means we remember 

bravery and stoicism, mateship, 

service before self and 

the dry wit of adversity – we 

remember the democratic 

temper that was unique to 

the Australians – we remember 

the ideal that goes by the 

name of duty, and we remember 

a quality that Bean called 

great-heartedness. Service 

above self. 

So in light of the current 

challenges we face and in 

the absence of the annual 

commemorative events, take 

the time to quietly reflect. In 

doing so, you will be saying 

that we have not forgotten… 

and will never forget. 

* ‘Colonel Matt’ is a locally 

born and bred combat veteran 

of 34 years, having served in 

Bougainville, East Timor, Iraq 

and Afghanistan. A familiar 

face to many, he usually conducts 

several ANZAC Day commemorations 

on the northern 

beaches. 



Support local business 

The way we shop and pay 

for goods and servi ces is 

looking a lot different to this 

time last month with many 

local businesses adapting to 

the times. 

While many are facing the 

challenges head-on, some 

unfortunately are already 

closing their doors for good. 

Government has rallied 

with economic packages and 

some banks have announced 

a pause of repayments and 

loans to try to keep small 

businesses afloat. 

There’s also plenty we can 

do as a community and the 

message is clear… your local 

business needs you! 

Good health is the priority 

– so the best thing to do right 

now is pick up the phone or 

go online. 

We are already used to 

doing this when making 

appointments with doctors, 

dentists, optometrists, 

hearing specialists, 

physiotherapists, podiatrists 

and other allied health 

providers. 

And most of us are well 

trained in booking hair and 

appointments in advance. 

Same goes with accountants 

and lawyers. 

However, it may be in your 

best interest to contact your 

local pharmacy to check on 

medication supply or if they 

can assist your health query 

before popping in. 

Meanwhile many real 

estate agents have pulled 

the shutters down on their 

physical spaces – operating 

remotely. People wanting 

to inspect properties are 

increasingly treated to 

private viewings – and social 

distancing rules applied. 

While restaurants and 

cafes are in shut-down mode, 

many are offering prepared 

meals and fresh produce 

drops. 

You can still get your 

“essential” daily coffee to 

take away; phone ahead so 

it’s ready to pick up. 

Services such as Battery 

Business and television and 

music installers and IT and 

computer support are still 

operating. 

Art supplies, framing 

services can still be utilised 

(and many local artists’ work 

can be viewed online). 

Bookings for quotes for 

home improvements such 

as house cleaning, floor 

sanding, painting, kitchens, 

decking, stairs and other 

modes of access and orders 

for blinds and cushions can 

continue to be organised 

over the phone. 

Some trainers, exercise 

leaders, yoga and dance 

teachers are promoting 

online classes until it is 

deemed responsible to 

resume face-to-face classes. 

While the merits of 

activities that can be enjoyed 

solo such as golf, bike riding 

and surfing shine in these 

circumstances. – LO 

News 



News 

Books 

Roger a man of 

many talents 

Pittwater is a melting pot of literary talent, 

with more and more writers becoming 

published authors. This month we launch 

a regular Q&A series to celebrate their 

achievements; first up is Roger Treagus. 

Lighthouse inspector, postman, storm spotter, 

bat scarer, spy… these are just a few of 

the experiences that make up the story of 

Roger’s weird and wonderful “non-career”, 

artfully captured in his first book ‘Odd Jobs’ 

(published by Austin Macauley). 

Q: What’s the Roger Treagus story? 

I am a long-time Northern Beaches resident 

living in Queenscliff, Elvina Bay and now 

Avalon. I love it here because of the people, 

the climate and of course the beaches. I live 

with my wife and teenage son. I am now 

74 but working more than ever. My work is 

what my book is about. It’s a sort of 240- 

page CV depicting a rollercoaster career 

heading off in all directions. 

Q: When and why did you begin 

writing? 

I started writing about eight 

years ago doing biographies of 

our iconic bushwalkers. I love 

creative writing and early on 

realised my own story was worth 

telling. My mother inspired 

me. She was one of the few who 

actually make a living out of 

creative writing with some ‘best 

sellers’ to her credit. I wanted to 

follow in her footsteps. 

Q: How did it come to be published? 

I wrote ‘Odd Jobs’, my memoir about my 

‘non-career’, over two years and an English 

publisher took it up, possibly because of 

the large amount of material in it about the 

England-Australia relationship. 

Q: Best feedback? 

One reader commented on social media that 

the only reason he put the book down was 

that his train was arriving at his railway 

station. And some people who thought they 

knew me well told me how shocked they 

were when on reading my book discovered 

they didn’t really know me at all! 

Q: Where and when do you 

write? 

My wife is a Registered Nurse 

at Northern Beaches Hospital, 

so I write in a quiet space at 

home when she is working. I 

collect my thoughts faster than 

I can type them, I need to focus 

without interruption on the 

story, so I don’t miss including 

something vital. 

Q: What are you working on 

now? 

My mother’s biography. It’s a 

big but untold story about a woman who 

smashed through the glass ceiling. 

Q: Where can readers purchase your book? 

Dymocks in Warringah Mall and through 

Amazon for both the hard copy and 

electronic version. 

– Lisa Offord 

Gathering Dark 

Candice Fox, 

Bantam $32.99 

Former prisoner Blair 

Harbour is trying to get her 

life (and son) back, swapping 

surgical scrubs for shifts at 

the local gas station. 

After an armed hold-up, 

she becomes embroiled in a 

dangerous and crazy effort 

to track down her cellmate’s 

daughter with the help of 

the detective who put Blair 

behind bars. 

Fox is one of Australia’s 

most exciting crime writers, 

with a knack for quirky 

characters. A Beachside 

favourite is her crime 

trilogy Crimson Lake set in 

Queensland. This new standalone 

novel set in the US is 

an interesting departure 

and will no doubt capitalise 

on a new readership who 

has discovered her writing 

in collaboration with James 

Patterson. 

– Libby Armstrong, 

Beachside Bookshop 

(home deliveries available) 



Govts rally with financial support 

The Federal and NSW State Governments 

have released unprecedented 

financial assistance plans to cushion 

the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 

on Northern Beaches residents. 

Federal MP Jason Falinski said $189 billion 

was being injected into the economy to 

help keep locals in work and businesses in 

business. 

This included $17.6 billion for the Government’s 

first economic stimulus package 

released in mid-March, $90 billion from 

the RBA and $15 billion from the Government 

to deliver easier access to finance, 

and $66.1 billion from a second economic 

support package. 

“Our economic support package includes 

support for households including casuals, 

sole-traders, retirees and those on income 

support; assistance for businesses to keep 

people in a job; and regulatory protection 

and financial support for businesses to 

stay in business.” 

He said the Government was acting to 

cushion the blow for businesses and households 

to help them get through to the other 

side of the crisis. 

Some of the support for workers and 

households includes: 

n A new $550 Coronavirus supplement 

to be paid fortnightly (for six months) for 

BOOST: Pittwater businesses set for some relief. 

both existing and new recipients of the 

JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance jobseeker 

and Parenting Payment. 

n Allowing individuals in financial stress 

as a result of the Coronavirus to access up 

to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019- 

20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21. 

n Temporarily reducing superannuation 

minimum drawdown requirements for account-based 

pensions and similar products 

by 50 per cent for 2019-20 and 2020-21. 

n Providing up to $100,000 to eligible 

small and medium sized businesses, and 

notfor-profits (including charities) that 

employ people, with a minimum payment 

of $20,000 (available from 28 April). 

n Introducing a Coronavirus SME Guarantee 

Scheme to support small and medium 

enterprises (SMEs) to get access to working 

capital; under the Scheme, the Government 

will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans 

issued by eligible lenders to SMEs. 

n Temporarily increasing the threshold 

at which creditors can issue a statutory 

demand on a company and the time 

companies have to respond to statutory 

demands they receive. The package also 

includes temporary relief for directors 

from any personal liability for trading 

while insolvent. 

* More info Australia.gov.au 

Meanwhile the NSW Government has announced 

$1.6 billion in tax cuts to support 

jobs, including: 

n $450 million for the waiver of payroll tax 

for businesses with payrolls of up to $10 

million for three months (the rest of 2019- 

20). This means these businesses will save 

a quarter of their annual payroll tax bill in 

2019-20. 

n $56 million to bring forward the next 

round of payroll tax cuts by raising the 

threshold limit to $1 million in 2020-21. 

n $80 million to waive a range of fees and 

charges for small businesses including 

bars, cafes, restaurants and tradies. 

n $250 million to employ additional 

cleaners of public infrastructure such as 

transport assets, schools and other public 

buildings. 


News 



News 

Shane, meet Shane! 

When local surfing industry icon Shane Stedman – the subject 

of a very entertaining and revealing Life Stories feature 

this month (p32) – found out that the operator of the Palm 

Beach-based Manly Surf Schools outlet was named after 

him, he jumped at the chance of an introduction. Stedman’s 

old radio mate Lloyd Jones was taking his grandchildren for 

lessons at Kiddies Corner when he mentioned his long-time 

friendship with the renowned surfboard maker and surf 

reporter. “That’s who I’m named after!” said teacher Shane 

Conwell. Seems Conwell’s mum used to listen to Stedman’s 

surf reports on the radio in the ’70s and ’80s and liked the 

sound of the name. Pittwater Life was there when Shane 

(Stedman) presented Shane (Conwell) with a copy of his 

book ‘The Shane Gang’. Our small world gets even smaller! 

Pittwater News 

COVID-19 & your pet 

The outbreak of COVID-19 

has raised many challenges 

for society. One that is not 

an issue is contact with your 

pet. Dogs and Cats are not 

carriers, do not incubate or 

transmit COVID-19. The Australian 

Veterinary Association 

are advising pet owners to 

keep the welfare of their pets 

a priority, in response to the 

recent report from Hong Kong 

of human-to-animal transmission 

in a pet dog. “The current 

spread of coronavirus in humans 

is the result of humanto-human 

transmission,” 

said AVA President, Dr Julia 

Crawford. “To date, there is no 

evidence that pets can spread 

the disease, or that they can 

become sick.” Dr Crawford 

cited the 2003 SARS outbreak 

where a small number of cats 

and dogs tested positive for 

the virus but did not demonstrate 

a role in transmitting 

the virus to other animals or 

humans. 

As the outbreak is an evolving 

situation, the AVA advises 

pet owners who may contract 

COVID-19 to take precautionary 

steps to limit close contact 

with their pets and to practice 

appropriate hand hygiene before 

and after handling them. 

At no stage should pet owners 

take measures that may compromise 

the welfare of their 

pets. (Sydney Animal Hospitals 

– Northern Beaches and 

Avalon are taking measures to 

stay safe and be available for 

their clients and their pets. 

Director Dr Ben Brown says 

you will be able to access all 

services as per normal.) 

Libraries closed but 

options still available 

With all Northern Beaches libraries 

closed due to COV- 

ID-19, our community will 

still be able to access library 

services through two new services: 

Click and Collect and 

Library2U. Click and Collect 

provides two options: Librarians’ 

Choice – inform our staff 



what you like to read or watch 

and they will pick titles for 

you; or Your Choice – where 

you choose up to seven items 

from the online catalogue. 

Members then choose a collection 

time between 10am-3pm 

(Monday to Friday) and they 

can collect them from outside 

their local library branch. 

The Library2U service is to 

support elderly or vulnerable 

people who are impacted by 

COVID-19 and are unable to 

access the Click and Collect 

service. Staff will deliver 

personally selected library 

items to members if they have 

been confined to home as a 

consequence of COVID-19 or 

if the person who normally 

takes them to the library is 

no longer able to. Northern 

Beaches Mayor Michael Regan 

said it was important to 

continue to provide a library 

service for the community for 

as long as possible. “These 

are extraordinary times and 

we are continuing to identify 

ways we can work differently 

to service our community,” he 

said. “Our front line library 

staff will now be diverted to 

facilitate this service.” More 

info Council website. 

The prescription? 

Buy Australian-made 

Federal Minister for Agriculture, 

Drought and Emergency 

Management David 

Littleproud has urged those 

businesses and Australians 

who will receive the Federal 

Government’s stimulus to buy 

Australian-made products 

and buy from Australian businesses. 

“The government has 

targeted its stimulus package 

to support economic confidence, 

encourage investment 

and protect jobs, but those 

receiving the stimulus have 

an opportunity to make it go 

further by spending locally,” 

Mr Littleproud said. “If businesses 

invest in a product 

made or supplied by another 

Australian company, it’ll magnify 

the economic effect. I’m 

asking not only those receiving 

the direct payment, but 

all Australians, to take a few 

extra seconds at the shops to 

look for the green and gold 

kangaroo and support Australian 

made. This is a simple 

way we can all do our bit. 

Spare a thought 

for Club community 

Our thoughts are with all 

local employees and business 

owners affected by COVID-19. 

In particular a big shout out 

to the employees at Pittwater 

clubs and pubs. Clubs Australia 

says: “These are dark 

days for the club industry. 

In the 150-odd years since 

clubs were first established, 

we have never encountered 

a crisis of this magnitude. 

Our thoughts are with the 

172,000 people who rely on 

clubs to earn a living, and 

the holders of 13.2 million 

club membership across the 

country who, for the foresee- 

Continued on page 28 

News 




News 

Continued from page 27 

able future at least, won’t be 

able to visit their home away 

from home. Clubs Australia is 

working with government and 

other relevant stakeholders to 

ensure the industry remains 

viable in the immediate term, 

so that when the doors can 

re-open, the industry can 

continue to provide jobs, support 

communities and offer 

Australians safe and comfortable 

meeting places to spend 

time with family and friends.” 

It continued: “We encourage 

club members to look out 

for each other in the months 

ahead, albeit remotely. We are 

acutely aware that for many 

people, clubs provide them 

with their primary social outlet. 

Our message to club members 

and employees is – look 

after yourselves and if you 

need to talk to someone, call 

a family member or friend, or 

failing that contact Lifeline on 

13 11 14. There are tough days 

ahead, but we will get through 

this, and when it’s safe to 

do so, your local club will be 

there for you and the broader 

community.” 

KU Avalon Preschool 

celebrates 125 Years 

Pre the COVID-19 crisis, KU 

Avalon Preschool celebrated 

the 125th anniversary of its 

children’s services by holding 

a Family Fun Day attended by 

children, families and staff 

from the centre. The preschool, 

which provides quality 

early education for children 

aged 3-5, is run by KU 

Children’s Services which was 

founded 125 years ago and 

was the first provider of early 

education in Australia. The 

theme for the celebration was 

‘making a difference through 

125 years of social impact and 

early education’. “Our celebration 

gave us the opportunity 

to gather the Avalon community 

and celebrate with all our 

families and staff, creating 

connections, friendships and 





News 

SEEN… 

Some welcome news for Pittwater drivers after months of 

inconvenience coping with the Northern Beaches Hospital 

road upgrade, with the new Warringah Road underpass set 

to open for Warringah Road traffic from March 28. The big 

development for Pittwater locals though comes on the night of 

Saturday April 4 when the beleaguered intersection of Warringah 

Road and Wakehurst Parkway enters its final opening arrangement. 

As the diagram illustrates, the Wakehurst Parkway 

intersection will include: An on ramp to the Warringah Road 

underpass for Wakehurst Parkway northbound and southbound 

motorists to travel westbound (towards Chatswood) 

on Warringah Road; importantly – two right-turn lanes from 

Wakehurst Parkway southbound into the underpass westbound 

towards Chatswood (plus one right-turn lane for motorists who 

wish to continue on the surface road); two left-turn lanes from 

Wakehurst Parkway northbound into the underpass westbound 

(plus one left-turn lane for motorists who wish to continue on 

the surface road). Importantly, Pittwater motorists making 

their way home across the Roseville Bridge are reminded to 

stay on the surface road and not enter the underpass, in order 

to turn north onto the Wakehurst Parkway at the Northern 

Beaches Hospital. From April 18, the intersection of Warringah 

Road and Forest Way will be in its final arrangement. The Forest 

Way intersection will include: Three right-turn lanes from 

Warringah Road westbound (facing Chatswood) to Forest Way 

northbound (towards Terrey Hills); plus one bus only lane and 

two lanes for general traffic on Warringah Road eastbound 

(towards Frenchs Forest). Importantly motorists will not be able 

to enter the underpass from the Forest Way intersection. There 

are no changes to entry points for Northern Beaches Hospital. 

HEARD… 

The civil action undertaken by 

Protect Palm Beach aimed at 

stopping Council’s offleash dog 

trial at Station Beach from proceeding 

remains in the Courts 

system, with Council continuing 

to expend ratepayer funds and 

staff resources in defence of its 

position. We hear both parties 

will return to court on May 15 

for a Second Directions Hearing. 

Commenting on the protracted 

saga, Mitch Geddes of Pittwater 

Unleashed says: “Concerns 

about the impact of dogs on 

seagrass are a beat-up. The 

experts know this and the locals know this. The’ big blow’ of 

February 9 showed us how natural forces periodically give the 

seagrass a ‘haircut’ – the idea that dogs running and swimming 

nearby could cause a measurable impact is fanciful.” 

ABSURD..? 

We had a bit of a laugh when we saw this from Northern 

Beaches Police Area Command. Headlined ‘Unlicensed driver 

uses grinder to force open flood gates’, it read: “I’m running 

low on fuel,” said the driver when stopped by police at the Narrabeen 

end of a flooded Wakehurst Parkway. To get there, he’d 

taken an angle grinder to the chain on the closed gates at the 

Oxford Falls end and driven through the water flowing across 

the road. He was seen by those monitoring the gates and, being 

the only vehicle on the Parkway, wasn’t hard for police to find. 

Asked for ID he offered a New Zealand driver’s licence that 

clearly wasn’t his. Take two, and he tried with another false 

ID. It was only after the officers worked out who he really was 

that the man confessed to not having a licence. Next stop: an 

appearance before the magistrate. 




long-term relationships that 

will take the families into 

primary school and beyond,” 

said KU Avalon Director, 

Mariza Economides. 

Council elections 

postponed to 2021 

The NSW Government 

has made the decision to 

postpone the September 

local government elections 

for 12 months in the face 

of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A spokesperson said local 

government elections were a 

vital part of the democratic 

process, ensuring local 

councils were accountable to 

their local communities. “The 

decision to postpone them 

has not been taken lightly but 

is necessary to ensure the 

health and safety of voters, 

NSW Electoral Commission 

staff and election candidates.” 

Beware of scammers 

With government 

departments sending out 

emergency payments to many 

in the community, scammers 

are frantically ringing phone 

numbers at random to gain 

access to people’s personal 

details, police report. “I’m 

from the government/ 

Centrelink/Medicare/your 

bank,” the scammers say. “We 

want to send your payment 

but first need to verify your 

Medicare/Centrelink/bank 

account details/passwords.” 

Be aware: Government 

departments already have 

your details and they don’t 

ring people at random. If 

you are one of the many who 

receive these calls, just hang 

up. If you have already had 

one and passed on personal 

information, contact your 

bank or relevant government 

department and let them 

know immediately. 

Anderson honoured 

Narrabeen surfer and shaper Simon Anderson, the inventor 

the three-fin Thruster surfboard design almost 40 years 

ago, has been lauded for making the single most significant 

evolution of the surfboard since wooden boards were 

replaced by foam and fibreglass. 

Anderson’s design still dominates boards ridden by 

today’s champion surfers and his innovation was recognised 

when he was presented with the 2020 Midget Farrelly 

Lifetime Achievement Award by seven-time world champion 

Layne Beachley at a Business Leaders’ Breakfast jointly hosted 

by Business Australia, Surfing NSW and the World Surf 

League at the Sydney Surf Pro Challenger Series at Manly. 

“Simon is regarded as the foremost surfer and surfboard 

shaper of his generation and beyond,” said Harry Hodge, 

Deputy Chairman of Surfing NSW which, along with the late 

Midget Farrelly’s family, is the custodian of the award. 

Anderson was humbled by the award. 

“It’s the Midget Farrelly Lifetime Achievement Award, so it 

means a lot,” he said. “I’ve been in the industry for 50 years 

– I’ve been a pro surfer and a board maker and it’s nice to be 

recognised for your contribution to surfing.” 

Vet 

on 

call 

Just like humans, animals 

need greater care in their 

senior years. Dogs are 

considered seniors when they 

reach their 7th birthday, for 

cats it is their 10th birthday. 

Older age presents new health 

problems for our pets and it 

is important to be aware of 

the signs of aging as early 

detection is vital. 

Some symptoms of aging 

may be more obvious, like 

an intolerance to exercise or 

limited mobility, while others 

are much more subtle. It is 

important to monitor your 

pet’s eating patterns and body 

weight, as obesity can cause 

many health issues, including 

osteoarthritis and diabetes in 

old age. Similarly, if your pet 

is too thin it could be having 

dental issues, metabolic 

disease or certain types of 

cancers. Sleeping patterns and 

cognitive behaviour are also 

things to look out for; a cat 

or dog that isn’t aware of its 

surroundings or has difficulty 

recognizing people may be 

experiencing early cognitive 

dysfunction or dementia. Also, 

looking at the condition of 

your pet’s coat and how much 

your cat is grooming itself can 

also be indicative of its health. 

How much your pet is or 

isn’t drinking can be indicative 

of many problems, from 

endocrine issues to kidney 

disease. It’s often difficult to 

check, especially in multipet 

households, but water 

intake should be monitored 

closely. The normal water 

intake for cats and dogs is 

approximately 50ml per kg 

bodyweight per 24 hours, any 

level above this warrants a 

check-up. 

Because our pets can’t talk 

to us, senior pets should have 

a routine blood test every 

year. This helps to determine 

the health of many important 

internal organs such as the 

kidneys and liver and can 

often be the first indicator 

that something is wrong. Drop 

into one of our hospitals this 

month to discuss our senior 

pet health focus. 

News 



Chairman 

of the Board 

Shane Stedman’s life reads like the hero of an epic 

novel, rather than an autobiography – surfer, rock 

star, businessman, inventor. Pushing 80, he has no 

intention of slowing down whatsoever and there are 

definitely a few more chapters ahead… 

Story by Rob Pegley 

Life Stories 

I’m shattered after an hour chatting to 

surfing entrepreneur Shane Stedman 

– the man can really talk. And yet 

I also feel energised and inspired by 

his infectious humour and zest for 

life; you can see why so many great 

names in surfing have worked for and 

with him over the years – Ted Spencer, 

Russell Hughes, Simon Anderson, Terry 

Fitzgerald and Butch Cooney among 

others. 

His story about fronting a rock ’n’ 

roll band at a boring country town RSL, 

that went crazy when a girls netball 

tournament hit town, is one of many he 

shares that has me in stitches. Things just 

seem to happen to Shane. 

“I’ve been very lucky to be in the right 

place at the right time, but you make your 

own good luck at times,” he said. “It’s all 

about working hard and my early life gave 

me a huge work ethic. At 10 I was getting 

cow dung off the golf course, bagging it 

up and selling it.” 

Anthony Stedman (he took the moniker 

‘Shane’ after Alan Ladd’s hero gunslinger 

from the film of the same name), was 

brought up in Crescent Head. There was 

no electricity until he was 12 and he went 

to a one-room/one-teacher school. Many 

would have found it tough, but Shane 

thrived. 

“I couldn’t have got a better start. It 

must have been tough for mum though, 

she came from a posh Victorian family. 

Then my father deserted us and she went 

from living in Rose Bay, to a timber hut 

in the middle of nowhere. There was no 

fridge and it got really hot in Summer. In 

Winter the taps froze up.” 

Shane eventually headed for Sydney, 

and did six years of night school to get a 

Production Engineering degree. He joined 

a factory and learnt from the bottom up. 

There were 2000 workers at the firm and 

yet he was chosen to go on an outward 

bound course to help with his leadership 

and decision making. 

“I got back and the Production 

Manager asked if it had helped me to 

make decisions. I said it had, and that I’d 

decided to leave!” 

“I told him I was going to go and make 

surfboards. He thought I was mad. He 

said he’d heard of the surfing craze, but 

didn’t think it would last.” 

It didn’t just last, it took off in a crazy 

way. It was the 1960s, and what started as 

just a plan to support a surfing lifestyle 

turned into a huge business. 

“I’d learnt from my degree that you 

needed to be close to raw materials, close 

to transport and close to customers – 

Brookvale was perfect for that. It was 

starting to be known as an area for 

surfboard factories, but it really took off 

after we arrived. 

“I lived at the factory 24/7. I built five 

shaping bays and was paying 60 bucks 

rent a week – everyone thought I’d go 

broke. But soon we were making 150 

boards a week and having wild parties at 

night.” 

Shane sounds like he was a pretty good 

boss, too. 

“All of the boys were working 

piecework, so if they didn’t work, they 

didn’t get paid. So I let them work when 

they wanted. If the surf was up in the day 

they’d take off, but then they’d come back 

later and work until midnight. We could 

make as much noise as we liked on the 

industrial estate at night, so we had the 

music up and plenty of beers.” 

And so ‘The Shane Gang’ was born 

– surfers, shapers, sanders, designers – 

which is the name of Shane’s autobiography. 

At 300 pages you feel he must have 

left a lot out. Surf shops everywhere have 

been happy to stock the book – and it in- 



cludes a fascinating Ugh/Ugg Boot story. 

If Shane didn’t invent the Ugg 

Boot, then he was at least the first to 

commercialise them and he registered the 

trademark worldwide. 

“We turned them into a product that 

would work. We gave them proper soles 

and support. Up until then they were 

homemade and would have bits of meat 

still hanging off them, that the dogs 

would eat while you wore them.” 

Shane sold the rights for US$10k – a 

lot less than the business is worth 

these days, partly due to the Americans 

renaming Ugh as Ugg. But it still helped 

pay for his place at Mona Vale. 

“And they still send me Ugg Boots to 

this day – for myself and the kids and the 

grandkids,” says Shane with a laugh and 

not an ounce of bitterness. 

Shane arguably was one of Australia’s 

first ‘brand’ makers, who knew the 

powerful value of a personal association 

with a product. Case in point: with his 

board manufacturing business in full 

swing, Shane embarked on a parallel 

career as an AM radio surf reporter – first 

with 2UW (1967), then 2SM (’72-’82) and 

2WS (from ’82 to ’96). 

“I would do live-to-air reports every 

half hour between 6am and 9am and 

then in the afternoons, every hour from 

3pm to 6pm,” Shane said. “I drove up and 

down the northern beaches, in those days 

from Mona Vale to Manly and Palm Beach 

then back to Mona Vale in less than an 

hour! There were only four sets of traffic 

light back then. And I had stringers 

(contributors) on the southern beaches 

who I paid.” 

He reasoned his reporter role would 

benefit his Shane surfboards brand – “If 

they saw I was legitimate, they could have 

faith in Shane surfboards.” 

There were other ventures too – like the 

health food restaurant the ‘Carbon Cycle 

Café’ he opened at Neutral Bay which ran 

for three years from 1972. It attracted 

plenty of rock stars and celebrities, both 

local and international. 

“We had Cat Stevens and his band over 

when they toured,” Shane recalls. “Cat 

(or Steve as they called him) didn’t say a 

thing, just sat in the corner playing his 

guitar and mumbling to himself...” 

Shane’s place at Mona Vale is a story 

in itself. Shane paid only $32k for the 

1890s bungalow with 180-degrees views 

over Bungan. Since then he’s dug out 180 

tonnes underneath the place to create 

a unit that he still keeps on, now that 

he’s building a house back up at Crescent 

Head. He rents out the rest of the 

renovated home. When he first bought it 

though, his girlfriend was not keen. 



CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Shane at Palm 

Beach; ‘The Shane Gang’ book cover; his 

mum Bette and dad Ron circa 1940; playing 

guitar and singing up a storm at a Port 

Macquarie talent quest; the ‘Shane’s Surf 

Report’ Suzuki was a common sight up and 

down the northern beaches in the 1970s 

and 1980s; in good ‘shape’ with trusted 

employee Bob ‘Kenno’ Kennerson. 



CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: 

Working with Phil Jarratt, 

Mark Warren and crew on the 

production of ‘Men of Wood 

and Foam’ at Mona Vale; Ugh, 

Ugh, Ugh... oi, oi, oi!; Forget 

The Beatles... what about 

The Trojans? That’s Shane 

with a mop top, back left 

with guitar, hoping to make 

it big in 1964; friends in high 

places: Shane and daughter 

Bonnie with Sir Richard 

Branson in Mona Vale. 



“Squatters had moved in, 

the toilets were blocked and 

they’d been crapping in the 

backyard. My girlfriend said 

‘we’re not going to buy THIS!’. 

But I persuaded her that it 

was the perfect position and 

over 40 years we turned it 

into an amazing place. Built 

rooms upstairs, plenty of 

room downstairs for a pool 

table and to store all my 

surfboards.” 

Shane’s kids have taken 

after him with exciting lives 

and a ‘Can do’ attitude. Son 

Luke is a personal trainer in 

Venice Beach after spending 

years on the surfing World 

Tour. Shane recounts that 

recently, Luke was flown 

to Hawaii for a week, given 

accommodation and paid a 

salary to take a client and 

some mates surfing. 

Daughter Bonnie studied 

naturopathy in the UK for 

three years, to keep herself 

busy, while husband ex-State 

of Origin player Josh Perry 

played rugby league for St 

Helens. Now back in Australia 

she has a business up at 

Byron Bay. 

Shane explains he penned 

his autobiography for his 


three grandchildren, but his 

next book might well just be 

written for himself. 

“My mate has just bought 

three acres up near Broome 

and asked if I want to come 

up fishing. It might be a good 

place to write the novel I’m 

thinking about. I pack up the 

trailer and you come across 

these small towns on the way. 

If you go in the local pub and 

say you’re going to have half a 

dozen beers and a meal, they 

normally let you park up and 

sleep on their property.” 

Shane is definitely not 

slowing down. 

“No, I work all day every 

day, there’s always something 

to do. You need to exercise 

mind and body – so I’m always 

looking for problems to solve. 

I don’t even feel like it’s work 

most of the time.” 

“The way I look at it, I’ve 

always had fun and done 

things I love and got paid for 

it.” 

Which is exactly how I felt 

after talking to Shane. 

* The Shane Gang ($39) is 

available from all northern 

beaches surfshops and bookstores; 

also online at soulsurf. 

com.au 

34 The Local Voice Since 1991

Tasty Morsels 

An Organic process 

In a welcome contrast to the 

hardship many Pittwater 

businesses are experiencing, 

local couple Jennayah and Josh 

Patenall report they couldn’t be 

busier as they struggle to meet 

demand for the fresh produce 

they stock at their Organic 

Avenues food store at Bilgola 

Plateau. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic 

crisis grips deeper, more locals 

are taking steps to ensure they 

stay healthy – with organic 

foods and home delivery on 

their shopping lists. 

Organic Avenues, which the 

couple have operated since 

2015, ticks both boxes. 

Jennayah said Organic Avenues 

continues to deliver locally 

across Pittwater, including dropoffs 

to people in self-isolation. 

Deliveries are available through 

Bundlfresh to the rest of the 

Northern Beaches; or customers 

can shop in-store. 

All produce is exclusively 

certified organic and all from 

Australia. 

“We do not compromise on 

that,” she said. “Josh goes to the 

organic markets every Monday 

and Thursday morning to select 

and ensure the quality. 

“Besides produce we have 

organic grass-fed meat from 

Shiralee Meats, organic freerange 

chicken from Inglewood 

Farms, and sustainably farmed 

and wild caught seafood, plus 

a full range of dairy products 

from leading Australian organic 

brands. 

“We offer a wide range of 

dairy alternative milks as well 

and our grocery store is fully 

stocked with dry goods, pastas, 

rice, canned and dry legumes, 

nuts, condiments, plus healthy 

snack foods for the kids.” 

Jennayah agrees that people 

are becoming more health and 

environmentally conscious – 

especially these days when 

maintaining a strong immune 

system is crucial. 

“We are becoming more 

aware of what modern food 

practices involve and the 

numbers of chemicals such 

as pesticides, antibiotics and 


preservatives that go into the 

production of our mainstream 

food supply,” she said. 

Jennayah said price was 

always a consideration when 

considering buying organic 

food. 

“But there are some ways to 

keep costs down, such as following 

the ‘Dirty Dozen’ – these 

are the fruits and veggies that 

farmers use the most amount 

of pesticides, fungicides on 

and are best purchased organic 

where possible to avoid that 

toxic load.” 

Getting a weekly seasonal 

produce box was another way 

to reduce cost. 

“When we pack our boxes, 

we include lots of fresh fruit 

and veggies that are in season, 

what is best value that week for 

the customer, so we can put as 

much in the box as possible for 

the price tag. 

“And we are expanding our 

range of produce boxes – we do 

a series of fruit, veggie and mix 

boxes in a variety of sizes. 

“We also do a personalised 

grocery service where customers 

can email us their shopping 

list.” 

Other products stocked by 

Organic Avenues include toiletries, 

organic skin care (Juniper), 

toilet paper, paper towels, baby 

wipes, shampoos, conditioners 

and sun cream, all without the 

added chemicals. 

“One of our main attractions 

is our organic take-home meals, 

cooked fresh on Mondays 

and Tuesdays each week,” she 

explained. “We have vegetable 

lasagne, chicken and vegan curries, 

soups each week as well a 

number of others that rotate. 

They also have an organic 

café, which offers organic coffee 

(and in usual times, a light 

breakfast and lunch menu). 

Jennayah said their typical 

home delivery customers were 

families, who were often timepoor 

and who found a regular 

supply of fresh organic produce 

into their homes took some 

pressure off their schedules. 

“We also have a number of 

our ageing population who are 

becoming interested in organic 

food and home delivery can 

be useful for them, especially 

as getting out and about can 

become more difficult.” 

Setting up shop was a major 

career deviation for the pair. 

“We actually didn’t have any 

experience in the food industry 

before we started, but we loved 

the shop (which has been open 

since 2011) and the community 

and wanted to work together, 

so decided to take the dive,” 

Jennayah said. 

“My background is in social 

work and play therapy and 

Josh’s is in construction and 

carpentry… we have three 

young girls, we live in Bilgola 

and are well known in the local 

community.” – Nigel Wall 

* Find them at 2/1 Bilambee 

Avenue, Bilgola Plateau; phone 

8919 0279 or organicavenues. 

com.au 

FOOTNOTE: At the time 

of going to print the 

weekly Organic Food 

Markets at Mona Vale were 

scheduled to proceed in 

April; held each Sunday 

at Pittwater RSL car park. 

More info on Facebook – 

OrganicFoodMarkets 

APRIL 2020 35 

Tasty Dining Morsels Guide

Hot Property 

Hot Property 

Life’s a beach... 

Bilgola Beach 

34-36 The Serpentine 

4 bed / 3.5 baths / 3 car 

Claiming the largest oceanfront parcel on Bilgola Beach, this 

expansive residence presides over 1,461sqm on a premier 

double block; nestled above the reserves and offering direct 

beach access, it enjoys one of the most private positions on 

the peninsula with spectacular 270-degree views across the 

entire oceanfront and beach, with Long Reef and Manly as the 

backdrop. 

This is a unique property that’s loaded with opportunity and 

potential; the home, while generously scaled, comfortable and 

full of light, needs a bit of updating. You can renovate the existing 

structure or benefit from the already approved subdivision and 

follow your dreams... 

* Contact listing agents @ LJ Hooker Avalon: David Watson 

(0414 441 111) or Andrew Mappin (0411 220 745). 

Grand private estate 

North Avalon 

66 Binburra Avenue 

5 Bed / 4 Bath / 2 Car 

Nestled amid tropical gardens and estate-like grounds, this is 

a contemporary residence of grand dimensions, exceptional 

privacy and understated luxury. 

Set across a truly impressive 1,640sqm parcel, it’s a substantial 

home that offers remarkable versatility for the family with sumptuous 

interiors spanning three levels; the main floor extends to 

an enormous wraparound deck and overlooks the resort-style 

pool and gardens. Its fully self-contained apartment with its own 

entrance is perfect for guests or extended family living. 

The expansive layout has fluid open interiors and a huge ground 

floor rumpus, while the exceptionally private, manicured gardens 

include a resort-style pool. This home is a fabulous ‘entertainer’. 

* Contact the listing agent @ Belle Property: Greg Griffin 

(0421 874 751). 

Nada to farewell ‘Hy Brasil’ 

Artist Nada Herman is 

looking to stay in the 

local area after her family’s 

historic Avalon home and 

estate ‘Hy Brasil’ is sold in the 

coming months. 

Nada explained she and her 

brother Andrew had decided 

to list the sprawling 2.09-acres 

estate (60-62 Chisholm Ave), 

which comprises two dwellings 

– a four-bedroom sandstone 

cottage and modern, six-bedroom 

pavilion home – following 

the death of her mother Dawn 

last June. 

“But I am going to stay in the 

area; perhaps buy a warehouse 

to show my works on a more 

commercial basis,” she said. 

Nada says she’ll be sad to 

leave but will take with her a 

flood of fond memories. 

“The sandstone heritage 

home ‘Hy-Brasil’, which is Gaelic 

for ‘Paradise’, was built in 

the 1930s by the ‘organic’ style 

architect Alexander Jolly,” she 

said. “There was no road up 

the hill, just a track. The stone 

was quarried on the site and a 

donkey hauled materials.” 

“My father Ted Herman 

acquired the property in the 

1950s as a weekender,” Nada 

continued. “He married my 

mother four years later and after 

we were born, he extended 

the one-bedroom house to a 

5-bedroom house and created 

rockeries, fishponds, gardens, 

pathways and a driveway.” 

Nada recalls playing in the 

bush and caves as a child, and 

her mother hosting myriad 

charity functions. 

“My mother founded ‘The 

Godmothers’, an organisation 

which raised funds for underprivileged 

children in the local 

area,” she said. 

“There were concerts in the 

living room, white elephant 

stalls in the gardens, weekly 

meetings, and later art exhibitions 

in the studio.” 

Nada fondly remembers 

owning a horse and riding to 

school each day. 

“We’d gallop up Avalon Beach 

at sunrise and tether the horses 

on grassy vacant blocks of land 

while we were at Barrenjoey 

High School. 

“I also have fond memories 

of my grandfather, my father 

and I all painting in the one studio… 

I now have my daughter 

Tasmin painting with me, the 

fourth-generation artist within 

the family.” 

Asked what she’ll miss the 

most, she said: “What is there 

not to miss? People tell me this 

is the most beautiful, unique 

property on the beaches. 

“Everywhere you position 

yourself on the property there 

is a view or an aspect of calming 

tranquility. It is a retreat. 

There is National Park across 

Pittwater and natural bushland, 

sandstone and angophoras 

surrounding the house... the 

Angophora Reserve walk is at 

the end of the street.” 

Nada said the main residence 

comprised three pavilions 

made of glass and timber, with 

a Koi pond running between 

them. The flooring is resin on 

concrete, with a ripple effect 

reflective of the Pittwater view. 

The main bedroom upstairs 

has views to the ocean and 

Pittwater. The large kitchen 

overlooks Pittwater, while the 

three downstairs bedrooms 

each have their own balconies. 

Nada said the historical 

sandstone cottage was uniquely 

cozy and naturally blended 

in the hillside landscape. 

“It would appeal to a creative 

person or someone who wants 

to escape the hustle and bustle 

of modern-day life,” she said. 


* Expressions of interest (in 

one line) through Ray White 

Prestige Palm Beach. 



Blank canvas with a view 

Bilgola 

32 Monterey Road 

3 Bed / 3 Bath / 3 Car 

Perched on the top of the ridge, from here you can see for miles 

and miles! Over Newport, right up to Manly, and out over the ‘Big 

Blue’... 

This huge family house is around the corner from local shops 

and moments from Bilgola Public. It’s also only a short drive to Avalon 

and Newport shops and beaches. Large, solid and spacious... 

just bring an open mind and a creative eye. 

On an almost level block with the rear garden facing north, 

there’s lots to like. Upstairs, you arrive into a huge open plan living 

room, with large sliding doors to a south facing timber deck and 

views down the coast. 

It’s packed with opportunity! 

* Contact the listing agent @ Shores Real Estate: Stephanie 

Hammond (0414 997 328). 

The grass is ‘Greener’ 

Avalon Beach 

3 Burrendong Place 

4 bed / 2.5 baths / 2 car 

There’s an honesty to this home that’s undeniable; stripped back 

to the bones in 2010, the current owners turned their focus to 

creating a fully “green” home with a strong visual connection to the 

surrounding environment, yet with minimal impact to the site. 

The design is an innovative fusion of form and functionality, 

drawing inspiration from its bushland setting; it incorporates green 

design principles with reclaimed materials and organic textures, 

creating a singular, sustainable vision and an extraordinarily 

appealing retreat. 

Set across three levels and filled with gentle light, the home 

displays a robust industrial aesthetic and a playful quality too – with 

surprises of embedded art at every turn. 

* Contact listing agents @ LJ Hooker Avalon: Rebecca 

Hammond (0499 101 552) or Tom Mackay (0429 236 879). 

Hot Property 


Fabulous Garden Unit living 

Avalon Beach 

Unit 5 / 82 Avalon Parade (Pittwater Palms) 

2 Bed / 1.5 Bath / 1 car 

This ideal ground floor Strata Titled apartment in the ‘Eastern 

End’ of the Pittwater Palms (over-55s) Village has a wonderful 

northerly aspect and presents very well throughout. 

Offering comfortable, easy living with an open plan lounge / dining 

room, two bedrooms, one with built in wardrobe, fully renovated 

bathroom, modern kitchen, and internal laundry with extra w/c. 

This very private apartment also has an outside patio area, leading 

onto the manicured lawn and gardens. 

Pittwater Palms Village is all about Seniors lifestyle. Apartments 

are Strata titled and for residents’ (and loved ones’) peace of mind, 

care is on hand with a 24/7 emergency call button. All ideally located 

in Avalon Beach, within an easy level stroll to the village. 

* Contact the listing agent @ One Agency: John Ireland 

(0411 553 308). 


Art Life 


Talented northern beaches 

based artist Vieri Landini 

has taken out gold at the International 

Design Awards. 

The recent Sydney Design 

School graduate created his 

winning hospitality space, ‘3rd 

Base’, during his Advanced 

Diploma Of Interior Design 

course. 

The restaurant and bar 

concept (which was developed 

months before the recent Australian 

bushfires) is intended 

to provoke a conversation 

about climate change – every 

element has been designed to 

represent the oxygen, fuel and 

heat required to generate fire. 

“The project concept delivers 

an important message 

that sustainability should be a 

key element of interior design 

and our world as whole,” Vieri 

explained. 

“Both the design and the 

materials bring into focus the 

environmental issues we face, 

challenging human passivity 

which is one of the core issues 

of the climate crisis.” 

Vieri says he wants to 

change the way people view 

interior design, from creating 

a space to creating an 

artwork… the aim here was to 

Artists collective a new model for success 

Vanessa Ashcroft, Director 

of the local artist-run gallery 

Art Gallery on Pittwater, 

believes she has a dream job. 

When the space on Barrenjoey 

Road in Palm Beach is open to 

the public, Vanessa literally 

floats into work travelling 

over from Patonga on the 

beautiful ferry skippered by 

Steve Reynolds, and picks 

Bold restaurant design takes gold 

“shock”. 

“I am a practising artist and 

this is the base from which all 

my creativity stems,” he said. 

“Like a piece of art, ‘3rd 

Base’ aims to construct meaning 

and allow individuals to 

articulate their thoughts and 

personal opinions about what 

they are seeing, feeling and 

thinking.” 

Sydney Design School Director, 

Amanda Grace, is passionate 

about teaching concept 

development to interior design 

students. 

She believes her graduates’ 

ability to create spaces that 

tell a story, sets them apart in 

the industry. 

“Great interior design is 

more than beauty, it’s about 

the development of an idea 

and how you translate that 

concept into a physical space,” 

says Amanda. 

In 2020, Sydney Design 

School (where importantly 

you can study online) will 

focus on the Circular Design 

Economy, challenging their 

students to create spaces with 

minimal waste materials. 

The International Design 

Awards were established in 

2007 to recognise, celebrate 

and promote legendary design 

visionaries and to uncover 

emerging talent from around 

the world. – Lisa Offord 

* More info sydneydesignschool.com.au 

up her coffee from Stacy at 

Pronto on her arrival, before 

she sets about getting the 

gallery ready for a busy day 

of customers. 

An accomplished artist, Vanessa 

has a studio in Patonga 

where she lives and mixes up 

her painting with teaching 

workshops (both online and 

in person), doing demonstrations 

and mentoring other 

galleries who have decided to 

use her successful artist-run 

business model. 

“This unique model is where 

the artists back themselves 

rather than relying on the old 

model where the gallery owner 

paid all the outgoings and was 

betting on the artist’s work 

selling,” Vanessa explained. 

Express 

Yourself 

winners 

a mixed 

palette 

Y 

oung visual artists from 

20 high schools across 

the Northern Beaches have 

been recognised as part 

of the prestigious 2020 

Express Yourself exhibition 

of HSC major works. 

Two awards are granted 

annually: Manly Art Gallery 

& Museum Society presents 

a $3,000 award and 

the Theo Batten Youth Art 

Award of $5,000 goes to a 

student continuing studies 

in visual arts. 

This year the Theo Batten 

Youth Art Award was 

shared between two young 

artists this year, both from 

Northern Beaches Christian 

School. 

The Manly Art Gallery 

& Museum Society Award 

was shared between three 

talented students. 

The Theo Batten Youth Art 

Award 2020 – $2,500 each 

to: Jasmin Pike (Northern 

Beaches Christian School) 

and George Cox (Northern 

Beaches Christian School). 

Manly Art Gallery & 

Museum Society Prize – 

$1,000 each to: Kaya Vulevic 

(Northern Beaches Secondary 

College – Manly Selective 

Campus); Annika Rose 

Curotta (Stella Maris College) 

and Charlie Belic (Northern 

Beaches Secondary College – 

Mackellar Girls Campus). 



“Having artists join together 

and pay rent means that galleries 

can continue to operate, 

and artists can show their 

work.” 

Vanessa’s work is varied, 

with works on paper, oil and 

mixed media in all sizes and 

she enjoys doing collaborative 

works with other artists 

to further stretch and challenge 

herself. 

She chooses a price point 

for her work, with a view that 

she would rather it be enjoyed 

and viewed rather than simply 

collected and stored. 

Over the years many firsttime 

purchasers of original art 

start their collecting journey 

with a piece of her work. More 

at vanessaashcroft.com.au. 

Vanessa and artists look forward 

to welcoming the public 

back to Art Gallery On Palm 

Beach again soon. – Nigel Wall 

Another Starry Night... 

Trinity Morris, whose artwork ‘Starry Night’ (pictured) 

won the 2019 Newport Creative Trail, has had to cancel 

her first solo exhibition which was due to be held at The 

Concourse in Chatswood in April. 

Morris’ art is influenced by growing up in the 1980s, and 

she is inspired by artists like Reg Mombassa, Keith Haring, 

Ken Done and Thierry Noir. The colours are vivid, the lines 

are bold and the simple, cartoon-like figures often have no 

obvious race or sex. 

“My work challenges the audience with ambiguity, allowing 

the viewer to decide the story and what it means to them,” she 

says. 

To find out more and rescheduling visit Insta: @trinmoz 

or trinitymorrisartist.com/ 




Surfing Life 

For many, what else to do 

but go surf some more? 

And out of the water, there are other ways to ‘immerge’ yourself... 

with Nick Carroll 

Surfing Life 

As the pandemic and 

all its associated 

concerns have fallen 

upon us, you’ll for sure have 

read about how Australia will 

undergo its first recession in 

30 years. 

What does that mean, if 

you’re a surfer? 

I was here for the extended 

recession of the late 1970s, 

the one when they coined 

the term “dole bludger”. 

(By “they” I mean the then- 

Treasurer Philip Lynch, who 

was keen to shift the blame 

for unemployment on to the 

unemployed.) 

I missed the 1990/’91 version, 

at least our version of 

it – I was living in California at 

the time. 

But ’90/’91 sounded a lot 

like the late 1970s. Basically, 

everyone went surfing. In 

the ’70s, the dole bludgers 

coined their own term for 

themselves: the Malcolm 

Fraser Surf Team. Their unemployment, 

and the many 

hours of late-teens surfing 

it led to, fuelled Australia’s 

dominance of professional 

surfing in the mid to late 

1980s, and obliquely, to the 

rise and rise of the Aussie 

surf industry. 

In ’90/’91, that industry 

was one of the few to skate 

TIMES LIKE THESE: 

Load up the car 

and hit the road. 

through the recession more 

or less untouched. “Recessionproof!” 

various friends and 

acquaintances crowed to 

me from across the Pacific. 

While the California-based 

franchises of Quiksilver, Rip 

Curl etc were being thrashed 

by the downturn, back home 

it seemed as if nobody could 

buy enough wetsuits, surfboards, 

legropes, and the like. 

Because the surfing life 

is built on not working very 

much, and when you can’t 

work at all, what else are you 

gonna do? 

I don’t mean that to sound 

callous. There may be a lot of 

suffering ahead. But there will 

be plenty of people anxious 

(maybe a little too anxious) to 

tell you all about that. Day after 

day after day. For months. 

Just for now, in this little 

spot, let’s consider how surfing 

might make it all a little 

easier to bear. 

Drive. Travel was the first 

casualty of this crisis. There’s 

no international travel any 

more for a while now, which 

closes down thousands of 

Indonesian surf trips, just for 

one thing. But you can still 

buy petrol, and it’s probably 

never going to be cheaper 

to travel within this nation’s 

borders. The range of surf 

locations within six or eight 

hours’ drive of Pittwater is 

truly astounding, and unless 



NICK’S APRIL SURF FORECAST 

I’m looking over the horizon thanks to some crazy new forecasting 

software. It’s called LATCHAWG: Look At The Charts and Have 

A Wild Guess. LATCHAWG is telling me to expect an April of two 

distinct halves. The first half will be a tiny bit dominated by the late 

monsoon, which as you read this very column, is pouring a whole 

lot of new tropical moisture over the Equator. This will fire up the 

easterly trades across the SW Pacific and blow a lot of wacky 

weather and swell down upon the east coast of Australia. Splat! 

Rain, wind changes, drama, and swell, swell, swell. The second 

half may very well see an inversion of that trend and the arrival of 

classic autumn conditions: cool morning offshores, light winds 

through the day, smooth small clean swells from the south and 

east. Both halves will have their advantages. Further out? A mild 

May and a wet and wild June. 

Nick Carroll 

you’ve been a truly avid 

surfer for at least a couple of 

decades, you’ll have missed 

almost all of them. It’s an unrivalled 

opportunity to open 

up your knowledge of the 

NSW coastline from a surfer’s 

point of view. 

Read. If you want to understand 

this area and the 

relationship of its peoples to 

the surf zones over time, you 

can’t do better than to find a 

copy of John Ogden’s wonderful 

and illuminating ‘Saltwater 

People Of The Broken Bays’. 

The book takes you into 

10,000 years of coastal occupation 

by humans, between 

the two massive rocky headlands 

now known as Barrenjoey 

and North Head – these 

great props of our drowned 

river valley coast. (I don’t 

even know if John has any 

left for sale, but if not you 

can probably find your way to 

borrowing a copy.) 

A couple of others not on 

the daily surf reading radar 

but very much worth your 

time: 

‘Surf’, by C Bede Maxwell. 

First published in 1949, this is 

a highly readable, occasionally 

florid account of the early 

days of surfing in Australia, 

particularly in Sydney. Mrs 

Maxwell was a deep researcher 

and excellent writer who 

lights up her accounts of surfing 

and surf lifesaving in the 

first half of the 20th century. 

It’s a revealing look back into 

a surfing world before the 

descent of the Whitewater 

Curtain between surfers and 

clubbies. 


‘The World In The Curl’, by 

Peter Westwick and Peter Neushul. 

This is a kind of alternative 

history of surfing. Rather 

than being written from inside 

the sport, it approaches surfing 

via the forces that shaped 

its place in the world: the 

Hawaiian lifestyle, the tourism 

expansion of the early 20th 

century, the Baby Boom and 

the growth of the Californiabased 

military industrial machine 

that dumped hundreds 

of thousands of kids on the 

sands of Los Angeles’s beaches 

in the 1960s. The authors 

are a bit dismissive of the 

world beyond US shores, but 

it’s still an interesting read. 

Make a surfboard. I have a 

couple of friends in their 50s 

who’ve done this recently and 

acquired a taste for it. This is 

because there’s never been a 

better time to be an amateur 

boardmaker. Surfboard foam 

blanks are better made than 

ever, you can get your blank 

pre-rough cut off a CNC cutter 

or design it yourself on a computer 

and have it cut to a T, 

and you can glass it yourself 

or pay a pro glassing shop to 

do a flawless job for you. Or 

you can do the whole thing by 

hand, from the blank on. Up 

to you. 

Get in the water. As much 

as you can. Keep a safe distance, 

but do it. There’s nothing 

more useful to the mind 

and body in times of stress. 

Remember: beyond the virus, 

beyond the economy, lies the 

season. It’s autumn. Best time 

of the year to surf, wherever 

you are. 


Surfing Life

Health & Wellbeing 


Time right for extra self-care 

Whether you’re self-isolating, working 

from home or are anxious about what 

the future might hold chances are coronavirus 

has already affected you in some 

way. 

This is an unprecedented time. This 

outbreak will continue to change our 

lives and there’s a lot to wrap our 

heads around both physically and 

mentally. 

To help encourage a positive frame 

of mind, it is important to look after 

yourself says the Australian Psychological 

Society. 

Everybody practises self-care differently 

– here are some examples to take 

on board. 

Healthy lifestyle 

A healthy lifestyle will help protect your 

mental health and immune system. Try to 

stick to a routine as much as possible. Eat 

a balanced diet, keep the same bedtime 

and same wake time, if you can, take a walk 

outside to get exercise – seeing other people 

(albeit at a safe distance) will give you a sense 

that we are all in this together. Avoid smoking, 

excessive alcohol and drugs. 

Stay in touch 

Stay connected with others so you’re not 

socially isolated or lonely. Make deliberate 

efforts to connect and communicate 

openly with family and friends via social 

media, text, email, Skype or make a good 

old-fashioned telephone call. 

Help others 

Be kind and compassionate: when we help 

others, it helps us feel better. 

Make time 

Fill your time with productive activities 

and things you enjoy. Choose actions that 

soothe you or give you purpose – it 

might be reading, playing board 

games, putting together puzzles, 

listening to podcasts, cooking, yoga, 

dancing or, exploring your creative 

side… whatever takes your fancy. 

Learn something new 

Change things up and put your brain 

into another gear by focussing on 

something new. You can learn pretty 

much anything online from card 

games to knitting, baking, a language, 

a musical instrument. 

Practice relaxation 

Give your body a chance to settle and 

readjust to a calm state by practising 

relaxation, meditation and mindfulness 

techniques. 

If you’re feeling distressed or overwhelmed 

it’s important to reach out talk to your GP or 

other trusted health professional. 

Lifeline 13 11 14 and lifeline.org.au 

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 and beyondblue.org.au 

au 



Things you need to know about COVID-19 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness 

caused by a new virus. 

The virus can spread from person 

to person and some spread 

might be possible before people 

show symptoms but good 

hygiene and social distancing 

can prevent infection. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of COVID-19 can 

range from mild illness to 

pneumonia. 

Some people will recover 

easily and others may get sick 

very quickly. 

People with coronavirus may 

experience: 

n Fever 

n Flu-like symptoms such as 

coughing, sore throat and 

fatigue 

n Shortness of breath 

Who is at risk 

Based on what health authorities 

know about coronaviruses, 

those most at risk of serious 

infection are: 

n People with compromised immune 

systems (such as people 

who have cancer); 

n Elderly people; 

n People with chronic medical 

conditions; 

n People in group residential 

settings; 

Seeking attention 

To seek medical help from a 

doctor or hospital, call ahead of 

time to book an appointment. 

You will be asked to take precautions 

when you attend for 

treatment. Follow the instructions 

you are given. 

If you have a mask, wear it to 

protect others. Stay at least 1.5 

metres away from other people. 

Cover your coughs or sneezes 

with your elbow. 

Tell the doctor about: 

n Your symptoms; 

n Any travel history; 

n Any recent contact with 

someone who has COVID-19. 

If you have serious symptoms 

such as difficulty breathing, 

call 000. 

Protect yourself 

and others 

To prevent the spread of 

viruses, practise good hygiene 

and social distancing. 

If you have a confirmed case, 

you need to self-isolate. 

Surgical masks in the community 

are only helpful in 

preventing people who have 

coronavirus disease from 

spreading it to others. 

If you are well, you 

do not need to wear a surgical 

mask. There is little evidence 

that widespread use of surgical 

masks in healthy people prevents 

transmission in public. 

Coronavirus Helpline 

Call the national helpline for 

information and advice on coronavirus 

(COVID-19). The service 

operates 24 hours seven days a 

week. 1800 020 080 

Stay informed 

Keep up to date via the Australian 

Government Department of 

Health website health.gov.au. 

(Sources NSW Health/Australian 

Govt Department of 

Health) 






Measures you can take 

to boost your immunity 

The World Health 

Organization has 

cautioned anyone feeling 

unwell to avoid close contact 

with others where possible. 

If you present at a hospital or 

medical centre with symptoms 

of coughing and/or fever, be 

sure to use a face mask on 

offer and notify reception 

staff immediately to ensure 

the safety of others and help 

prevent viral spread. 

Some daily habits that 

help to ensure you and your 

family have the best chance 

of preventing colds and flus 

include: 

1. Reducing stress: stress 

can increase the levels of the 

hormone cortisol, which is 

known to reduce the immune 

system. Stress-reduction 

techniques such as meditation, 

yoga and other mindfulness 

practices can help protect your 

immune system. 

2. Eat a balanced diet: This 

involves eating a diverse diet 

including a variety of whole 

grains, healthy fats and protein 

at each meal. Following these 

basic guidelines ensures you 

receive a range of essential 

vitamins and minerals to 

support your immune system. 

3. Practising good hygiene 

habits: Always wash your hands 

thoroughly, avoid touching your 

mouth, eyes or face, dispose of 

used tissues in a closed bin, and 

ensure you sneeze or cough 

into the crook of your elbow or 

a tissue (not your hands!). Due 

to the reduced availability of 

hand sanitisers, pharmacists 

have now been compounding 

their own for personal use 

to help reduce the spread of 

bacteria. 

Cold and flu viruses, as 

well as other respiratory 

illnesses, can spread rapidly 

and unexpectedly. Some cold 

and flu viruses can be more 

severe than others, so it pays 

to be prepared. Whether you 

are concerned about the spread 

of illness or are experiencing 

symptoms such as swollen 

glands, runny nose, fatigue, 

fever, sore throat, watery eyes, 

or coughing and wheezing, 

there are a number of ways 

you can support your immune 

system and stay healthy. 

Vitamin C is well known to 

help our immune system. It 

has also been shown that 

combining vitamin C with zinc, 

and vitamin D can help increase 

our immune response. 

Another effective 

combination is probiotics 

with vitamin C. One study in 

children found that a daily 

dose of 50mg of Vitamin C 

with Andrew Snow 

with a combination of specific 

probiotics significantly reduced 

the occurrence and duration of 

respiratory infections. 

If a sore throat, cough and 

upper respiratory irritation 

are the main symptoms then 

herbs such as thyme and 

marshmallow root can be 

beneficial. These herbs soothe 

the throat and provide relief 

from a cough. Echinacea 

(pictured) is another effective 

herb for general immune 

support and is taken when 

symptoms first begin to 

show of a common cold or 

respiratory infection. Other 

key ingredients a health 

practitioner will consider are 

olive leaf extract, andrographis, 

vitamin E, betacarotene, 

manuka honey, and iodine. 

Compounding pharmacists can 

provide a range of these active 

ingredients in capsules, nasal 

sprays, throat coats, and sprays 

where appropriate. 

Pittwater Pharmacy & 

Compounding Chemist at 

Mona Vale has operated as 

a family-run business since 

1977. Open seven days; drop 

in and meet the highly 

qualified and experienced 

team of Len, Sam and Amy 

Papandrea and Andrew 

Snow. Find them at 1771 

Pittwater Rd; call 9999 3398. 








Surgery ‘about face’: 

so what is reversible? 

There may be a few reasons 

to reverse surgery: 

too much surgery has 

been done, or the effect that 

was gained has been lost. 

Rather than reversing surgery 

it is probably best to prevent 

this situation. Most surgeons 

will adopt a more conservative 

approach in being able to 

perform a bit more surgery 

rather than having to reverse 

it. Hence the term a “nip” or 

“tuck”. It is far easier to take 

a little more skin or tighten a 

little more than having to perform 

reversal of the surgery. 

Unfortunately, surgeons work 

with living, unequal, mobile, 

unpredictable tissue so setting 

anatomic measurements will be 

different with each person and 

even less predictable within the 

same person. This tissue also 

varies in response to surgery. 

At times the surgery lasts many 

years and yet the same procedure 

in another person may last 

much shorter. It is not possible 

to predict this before surgery. 

Scars are an inevitable result 

of surgery. This is the way the 

body heals and it is not predictable. 

The role of a plastic surgeon 

is to try to optimise the 

scar, or hide them. Scars can 

be revised, moved, changed 

in orientation or lightened. 

Scars themselves may migrate, 

stretch, become elevated and 

pigment. They cannot be 

removed and poor scars (keloid 

or hypertrophic) may recur. If 

wounds take longer than two 

weeks to heal or if there are 

other complications of healing, 

then the scars may be worse. 

Certain areas of the body are 

prone to poor scars. Scars may 

also cause a recurrence of the 

need for surgery, badly scarred 

noses after trauma have a 

higher recurrence rate. 

Cosmetic surgery usually 

tries to improve the signs of 

ageing. Patients ask: “How 

many years younger will I look?” 

It is important to realise that 

the ageing process continues, 

so in several years there may 

be a recurrence of the signs of 

ageing. Surgery may need to be 

repeated. Certain procedures 

have a higher risk of recurrence. 

Breast lift surgery may 

need to be repeated as the loss 

of tissue elasticity may contribute 

to subsequent droop. 

After liposuction, breast 

reduction or tummy tuck, 

weight gain or repeat pregnancy 

my reverse the effects 

of the surgery. Heavy upper 

eyelids may be compensated 

with Dr John Kippen 

for by unconsciously lifting the 

eyebrows. Once the reason for 

this compensation is removed 

(eyelid surgery), the brows may 

drop and cause an apparent 

recurrence or reversal of the 

surgery. Usually this is unequal 

between the sides. 

True reversal of surgery can 

be achieved in certain procedures. 

If too much tissue is 

removed then tissue must be 

replaced and conversely if not 

enough is removed, then more 

need to be taken. The most 

obvious of these are breast 

augmentation, the implants can 

be removed and breast reduction 

where breast implants may 

be required to add volume back 

to the breasts. Nose surgery is 

reversed at times if too much 

“bump” is removed or it is made 

too narrow. All revision surgery 

has similar risks and complications 

to the original surgery 

and in some cases those risks 

are often higher. This should be 

considered. 

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. 

He welcomes enquiries; email 

doctor@johnkippen.com.au 



Hair & Beauty 

Expert opinion delivers 

rethink on ageing skin 

with Sue Carroll 

Skin Ageing is a complex 

moisture, thus leaving the skin ing not only by trying to erase 

biological process influenced 

by a combination of 

tion (TEWL) and itchiness. The also playing a significant part in 

prone to lipid dryness, dehydra- 

time vestiges in the skin, but by 

Internal (intrinsic) and External 

possible solutions are: 

prevention, regeneration, and 

(extrinsic) factors. Natural 

Using a lipid-rich product delaying of skin ageing. The 

ageing is inevitable, however 

nightly as the last product desired therapeutic anti-ageing 

premature ageing, which is usually 

over serums to lock in mois- 

effect of the skin is a continu- 

caused by extrinsic factors, 

ture while allowing the skin to ous, step-by-step process that 

is not. Here we will look at new 

repair itself overnight; look for must also explore inner health 

information provided by Matoyla 

products with ingredients that as well as skin health to achieve 

Kolaras from Skin Factors, 

contain hormone-like effects to long-lasting and positive 

Australia. 

ease the symptoms of hormonal changes. 

While ageing signs of internal 

reduction such as black cohosh 

organs cannot be seen, the 

and DHEA; and use products 

Sue Carroll of Skin 

skin’s outward expression provides 

with ingredients that will target Inspiration has been a quali- 

the first obvious marks ucts, having regular monthly epidermal lipid synthesis which fied Aesthetician for 33 years. 

of the passing of time. If life facial treatments with the addition 

of an acidic exfoliator and ga 3, 6,&7, ceramides, squalene 

will ease dryness such as Ome- 

Sue has owned and 

is about to change, the skin is 

operated successful beauty 

proof of that change. The fact low pH products, and home and Shea butter. 

clinics and day spas on 

remains that good, healthylooking 

skin, and beauty, is still acid mantle’s healthy flora such 

care products that support the While natural ageing is genetically 

determined, extrinsic age- 

the Northern Beaches. 

considered one of the principal as probiotics. 

ing can be prevented. Aesthetic info@skininspiration.com.au 

factors representing the overall The major age-related treatments and home care can www.skininspiration.com.au 

perception of well-being in change is the increasing lack contribute to healthy skin age- 

people. In order to best treat, of bonding of Hyaluronic Acid 

reverse and prevent further (HA) to water. In younger skin 

premature ageing, there are the water is bound to HA and 

some new players in this arena other proteins, while in older 

to be aware of when reviewing skin most of the water is bound 

the multi-faceted processes that to itself, known as tetrahedron 

occur in the skin as we age. or “bulk water”. As a result, 

The healthy pH of the skin collagen and elastin become 

is between 4.1 and 4.8, much harder and stiffer, together 

lower than once thought. The they can obstruct the passage 

pH of men’s skin is more acidic of nutrients and waste between 

than women’s. The acid mantle cells. Therefore, this lack of 

plays a crucial role in skin interaction between water and 

integrity and cohesion (working surrounding molecules may 

with the skin’s own building explain that although water 

blocks such as ceramides, cholesterol, 

content remains stable in older 

enzymes and sweat, skin, it is often dry, withered 

to enable the epidermis to stay and of poor quality. The solutions 

balanced), immune function 

to these problems consist 

(normal healthy skin can resist of identifying the difference 

acidic/alkaline aggression to between dehydrated and lipiddeficient 

some degree). As the skin ages, 

skin; what has caused 

usually between 50 and 80 the TEWL (transepidermal water 

years of age, the pH increases, loss) ie products, treatments, 

resulting in an impaired barrier, lifestyle and environment; and 

poor skin cohesion, defective to use home care products 

lipid processing, reduced resistance 

containing hyaluronic acid and 

to pathogens, increased essential fatty acids. 

sensitivity to treatments and Many of the symptoms we 

products, increased likelihood see in the ageing of the skin 

of inflammation and disease, and body are directly attributed 

and reduced response and to a decrease in hormones 

repair to injury. The news is not particularly estrogen and 

all bad as the simple solutions androgen. This can result in a 

consist of using pH-balanced decrease in sebum production, 

cleansers and skincare prod- 

and the skin’s ability to retain 



Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty

Business Life: Money 

Business Life 

What the Government’s 

relief plan means for you 

This month there’s 

only one thing to get 

off everybody’s chest 

and that’s the Coronavirus. 

As I write this on March 20 

you don’t need me to tell 

you that this little bug has 

made a lasting impact both 

at home and all over the 

world. Financial markets are 

down nearly 30% and pricing 

in a recession, there’s panic 

buying in supermarkets 

and rumours of lockdowns 

circulating everywhere. We 

seem to be struggling to find 

our feet and our composure 

against an invisible enemy. 

In response to the 

pandemic the Australian 

Government released a range 

of concessions both economic 

and administrative to assist 

small to medium business. 

The measures aim to increase 

cashflow for small business, 

provide investment incentives 

and maintain current 

employment levels. A business 

may be eligible for one or 

more of these incentives. 

We will need to wait for 

legislation to be introduced 

and passed for the stimulus 

package to be finalised and 

become law; the points 

listed below are summaries 

of my understanding of the 

Government’s initiatives. 

Many of the business owners 

I have spoken to are surprised 

to find that they are eligible 

for any form of Government 

assistance. I would strongly 

recommend that business 

owners study the incentives 

and speak with their advisers 

before lodging their next 

BAS or IAS on how best to 

structure their affairs. For 

example, owners drawing 

dividends from a company 

instead of wages may find 

it preferable to switch but 

they will need to make 

allowance for superannuation 

contributions on those wages. 

CASH FLOW 

INCENTIVES 

Pay as you go (PAYG) 

incentive 

Small and medium-sized 

businesses with aggregated 

annual turnover of less 

than $50 million that 

employ workers between 

1 January 2020 and 

30 June 2020 may be eligible 

for up to a $25,000 tax-free 

PAYG payment. These eligible 

businesses will receive a 

payment equal to 50% of their 

PAYG withheld, delivered as a 

credit in their BAS from March 

to June 2020, with a minimum 

$2,000 payment and up to a 

cap of $25,000. 

Deferral of Payments Tax 

Liabilities 

The Australian Government 

has put forward the 

following measures to 

assist business in relation 

with Brian Hrnjak 

to payment of prior, current 

and future liabilities with 

the Tax Office. Please note 

The ATO assistance is not 

automatic, taxpayers or their 

agents must first contact the 

ATO with a request, and if 

eligible, the ATO will ‘tailor’ 

the assistance package. 

n Deferring by up to 4 

months the payment of tax 

amounts due through the BAS 

(including PAYG instalments), 

income tax assessments, FBT 

assessments and excise by 

affected businesses. 

n Allowing businesses on 

a quarterly reporting cycle 

to opt into monthly GST 

reporting to get quicker 

access to any GST refunds. 

n Allowing businesses to vary 

PAYG Income Tax Instalments 

to zero for the April-June 

2020 quarter. Businesses that 

vary their PAYG instalment to 

zero can also claim a refund 

for any instalments made 

for the September 2019 and 

December 2019 quarters. 

n Remission of any interest 

and penalties, incurred by 

affected businesses on or 

after 23 January 2020, that 

have been applied to tax 

liabilities; and, 

n Allowing affected 

businesses to access to lowinterest 

payment plans for 

their existing and ongoing 

tax liabilities. 



Social Security $750 

payment 

For those individuals who are 

on social security, veteran 

and other income support, 

a $750 one-off payment will 

be made to the qualifying 

individual. These individuals 

must have held an eligible 

concession card on 12 March 

2020. This payment will be 

tax-free and will not count as 

income for Social Security, 

Farm Household Allowance 

and Veteran Payments. 

INVESTMENT 

INCENTIVES 

Instant Asset Write-Off 

From March 12, the instant 

asset write-off threshold 

will increase from $30,000 

to $150,000. The threshold 

to qualify will also increase 

to include businesses with 

an aggregated annual 

turnover of less than $500M 

(previously $50M) until 30 

June 2020. The instant asset 

write-off threshold is set to 

revert to $1,000 at 30 June 

2020. Increasing the instant 

asset write off will bring 

forward tax deductions for 

assets that were previously 

depreciated and encourage 

spending by profitable 

businesses on additional 

equipment, but it offers 

no support to businesses 

currently making losses. 

Be aware, the most you 

could write off against a new 

car would be $57,581 due to 

the operation of motor vehicle 

depreciation limits, but a 

truck or similar commercial 

vehicle would qualify for the 

$150,000 threshold, another 

good reason to take advice 

before committing. 

MAINTAINING 

EMPLOYMENT 

Apprentices and trainees 

Eligible small business 

employers will be able to 

apply for a wage subsidy of 

50% of the apprentice’s or 

trainee’s (in training as at 

1 March 2020) wage for up 

to 9 months from 1 January 

to 30 September 2020, up 

to $21,000 per apprentice. 

Employers can register for 

the subsidy from early April 

2020 with final claims for 

payment due by 31 December 

2020. 

NSW GOVT INCENTIVES 

Payroll Tax Measures 

Businesses with payrolls of 

up to $10 million may waive 

payroll tax remittances for 

the remaining quarter of 

the financial year. From 1 

July 2020 the payroll tax 

threshold will rise to $1.0 

million. 

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. 

Business Life 



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. 

AV INSTALLER 

Chase AV 

Call Erin 0429 336 606 

End your frustration with a suite of Savant 

products to bring you stress-free 

TV and music. 

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. 

BUILDING SERVICES 

Rob Burgers 

Call 0416 066 159 

Qualified builder provides all carpentry 

needs; decks, pergolas, carports, 

renos & repairs. 

CLEANING 

Amazing Clean 

Call Andrew 0412 475 2871 

Specialists in blinds, curtains and 

awnings. Clean, repair, supply new. 

The Aqua Clean Team 

Call Mark 0449 049 101 

Quality window washing, pressure 

cleaning, carpet washing, building 

soft wash. 

Martin Earl House Wash 

Call 0405 583 305 

Pittwater-based owner on site at all 

times. No travellers or uninsured 

casuals on your property. 

HouseWashing 

NorthernBeaches.com.au 

Call Ben 0408 682 525 

Softwash experts; window cleaning, pressure 

& gutter cleaning. Pittwater resident. 

COMPUTERS 

Mac and Me 

Call 8277 9277 

info@macandme.com.au 

Apple Authorised Reseller; personalised 

Apple sales solutions; training 

and advice. Local since 1999. 

CONCRETING 

Pavecrete – All Concrete 

Services 

Call Phil 0418 772 799 

pavecrete@iinet.net.au 

Established locally 1995. Driveways plus 

– Council Accredited. Excavation service. 

ELECTRICAL 

Eamon Dowling Electrical 

Call 0410 457 373 

For all electrical, TV, phone 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. 

FLOOR SANDING 

Pittwater Eco Floor Sanding 

Call 0425 376986 

Floor sanding & polishing; staining & 

lime washing; installation & repairs; 

rejuvenation; decking and outdoor 

timber. Call for your free quote. 

GARDENS 

Graham Brooks 

Call 0412 281 580 

Tree pruning and removals. Reports 



egarding DA tree management, 

arborist reports. 

Precision Tree Services 

Call Adam 0410 736 105 

Adam Bridger; professional tree care by 

qualified arborists and tree surgeons. 

GUTTERS & ROOFING 

ABC Seamless 

Call 9748 3022 

Local roofing & guttering experts. 

Free quotes. 40 years’ industry 

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. 





Advertise 

your 

Business in 

Trades 

& Services 

section 

Phone 

0438 123 096 

experience. Fully licensed, insured & 

extensive warranties. 

Cloud9 G&R 

Call Tommy 0447 999 929 

Prompt and reliable service; gutter 

cleaning and installation, leak 

detection, roof installation and 

painting. Also roof repairs specialist. 

HANDYMEN 

Onshore Handyman Services 

Call Mark 0415 525 484 

Tick off your wish list of repairs and 

improvements around your house and 

consider the job done! 

Palm Beach Handyman 

Call Nigel 0412 510 736 

Trusted local operator with 20 years’ 

experience; quality service and all work 

guaranteed. 

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. 

PAINTING 

Modern Colour 

Call 0406 150 555 

Simon Bergin offers quality painting 

and decorating; clean, tidy, great detail 

you will notice. Dependable and on 

time. 

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. 

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. 

UPHOLSTERY 

Luxafoam North 

Call 9999 5567 

Local specialists in all aspects of 

outdoor & indoor seating. 

Custom service, expert advice. 


Antique 

General 

Store 



Pittwater Puzzler 

Compiled by David Stickley 

CLUE: 13 ACROSS 

ACROSS 

1 The ocean that’s affected by ebb and 

flow (9) 

6 Pittwater resident who is a champion 

rower, Georgie ____ (4) 

10 World religion (5) 

11 A substance that is introduced into the 

body to produce or increase immunity to 

a particular disease (9) 

12 Fizzy drink (8) 

13 Composition of quartz (6) 

15 Fibre used in hatmaking (6) 

16 Grown without chemicals (7) 

18 What burglars do (3) 

19 Showy expert (7) 

21 Stew slowly in closed pan (6) 

24 Without variation or change, in every 

case (6) 

25 Sluggishness, inertness (8) 

27 A spoken or written account of 

connected events (9) 

28 Love affair (5) 

29 Produced or growing in extreme 

abundance (4) 

30 Day in, day out (9) 

DOWN 

1 Exams done by Year 12 students before 

the HSC (6) 

2 A situation in which a choice has to be 

made between two equally undesirable 

alternatives (7) 

3 Title given to Roberta Conroy, 2020 

Pittwater ____ __ ___ ____ (5,2,3,4) 

4 A person other than the principal 

people involved (eg in the agreement 

between the insured and insurer) (5,5) 

5 Necessary or available space (4) 

7 Enthusiastic applause (7) 

8 Way in (8) 

9 National Park west of Pittwater (2-4-3,5) 

14 Popular national park spot on Cowan 

Creek (6,4) 

17 Aussie colloquial term for small 

change (8) 

20 Northern Beaches Council’s urban 

planning blueprint: _______ 2040 (7) 

22 People who are employed in the 

operation of a ship, especially whose who 

are not officers (7) 

23 The ‘E’ in AEF (6) 

26 Essential piece of equipment for 

someone who likes to fish (4) 

[Solution page 57] 

Pittwater Puzzler 



Food Life 

Food Life 

Recipes: Janelle Bloom Photos: Adobe 

Bake off: isolate with 

yummy Easter treats 

Growing up I used to look forward to Easter 

and its accompanying school holidays, as 

there were always a few cool or wet days 

we spent inside with my grandma and mum 

baking Easter treats. Sometimes it was simple 

cakes topped with easter eggs and other years 

we would spend hours decorating biscuits or 

Easter bunny 

cupcakes 

Makes 12 

125g butter, softened 

¾ cup caster sugar 

2 eggs 

1 tsp vanilla essence 

1 1/3 cups plain flour 

1 tsp baking power 

½ cup milk 

12 mega white marshmallows 

Raspberry jelly crystals or 

pink decorating sugar 

Pink candy-coated speckled 

crispy chocolate mini eggs, to 

decorate 

Icing 

125g butter, softened 

125g cream cheese, softened 

1 cup icing sugar 

1 tbs raspberry jelly crystals 

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 

a 12-hole, 80ml (1/3 cup) 

capacity muffin pan with 

paper cases. 

2. Use an electric mixer, 

beat the butter, sugar and 

vanilla together until pale 

and creamy. Add the eggs, 

1 at a time, beating well 

after each addition until 

combined. Sift the flour and 

baking powder together 

over the bowl. Add the milk 

and gently stir until just 

combined. Spoon mixture 

evenly among paper cases. 

Bake for 20-25 minutes 

or until a skewer inserted 

into the centres comes out 

clean. Remove from oven. 

Transfer to a wire rack to 

cool completely. 

3. For the icing: Use an 

electric mixer, beat the 

butter and cream cheese 

together until smooth. 

Add icing sugar and jelly 

crystals and beat until 

well combined. Spoon into 

a piping bag fitted with 

a star nozzle, pipe onto 

centre of each cake. 

4. Cut the marshmallows in 

half on diagonal, dip cut 

side marshmallows in jelly 

crystals or decorating 

sugar then position on top 

each cake to form bunny 

ears. Decorate with eggs. 

baking hot cross buns. One thing is for sure, my 

childhood memories of baking warm my heart. 

So don’t let this Easter pass you by without 

creating memories of your own for your kids. 

Especially given these difficult days – it’s a great 

way to bond with the young ones. Here are some 

colourful, sweet, yummy recipes to help! 

Flower cookies 

Makes 20 

2¼ cups plain flour, plus a 

little extra for rolling 

100g chilled butter, diced 

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

2/3 cup brown sugar 

1 egg 

1/3 cup golden syrup 

2 tsp vanilla extract 

To decorate 

1kg pack ready-to-roll icing 

Food colouring or gel 

Icing sugar, for rolling 

Candy-coated chocolate mini 

eggs 

1. Combine the flour, butter, 

bicarb and brown sugar in a 

food processor. Pulse until 

you can’t see any lumps of 

butter. Transfer to a mixing 

bowl. combine the egg, 

golden syrup and vanilla 

together. Pour into the bowl, 

stir until combined, then 

using your hands, knead 

together into a smooth 

with Janelle Bloom 

dough. Cut the dough in 

half, wrap in baking paper 

chill 15 minutes. 

2. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 

3 baking trays with baking 

paper. Roll out dough 

between lightly floured 

baking paper until 5mm 

thick. Use an 8cm round 

cutter to cut discs from 

dough, rerolling excess. 

Place on trays, allowing 

room for spreading. Bake 

1 tray at a time, for 10-12 

minutes or until light 

golden. Cool on the trays. 

3. Divide the icing into as many 

colours as you like! Knead 

in food colouring or gel to 

get your desired colours. 

Roll out thinly on a surface 

lightly dusted with icing 

sugar. Using a large flower or 

star cutter, cut shapes from 

icing. Brush the backs of the 

icing with a little water and 

stick onto the biscuits then 

press easter egg into centre 

of each. 

Janelle’s Tip: You can get 

icing, food colour, gels and 

Easter cookie cutters from 

somethingforcake.com.au 

located at Brookvale. 



For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au 

Dyed eggs 

Easter egg 

brownies 

Makes 12 

150g butter 

150g dark chocolate, broken 

into squares 

1 cup caster sugar 

¼ cup cocoa powder 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

3 eggs 

½ cup plain flour 

1 cup speckled mini Easter 

eggs 

1. Preheat your oven to 

160°C and line the base 

and sides of a 20cm 

square cake tin with 

baking paper. 

2. Place the butter, 

chocolate, sugar, cocoa 

and vanilla in a saucepan 

(you want it to be big 

enough to add the extra 

ingredients to later) and 

stir over a low heat until 

the butter has melted and 

the mixture is smooth. 

Remove the saucepan 

from the heat, cool 5 

minutes. 

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, 

whisking constantly until 

combined. Stir in the flour. 

Pour the brownie mixture 

into the prepared tin and 

smooth the surface. Gently 

press the Easter eggs onto 

the brownie. Bake 25-30 

minutes or until a skewer 

inserted into the centre 

comes out with moist 

crumbs clinging. Set aside 

to cool before cutting into 

squares. 


Chocolate Easter 

egg nests 

Makes 12 

250g milk chocolate, chopped 

2 x Mars bars, chopped 

40g butter, chopped 

2 x 100g pkt Chang’s Original 

Fried Noodles 

36 M&Ms Speckled Eggs 

1. Line a baking tray with 

baking paper. Place the 

chocolate, mars bars and 

butter in a heatproof 

bowl over a saucepan of 

simmering water. Stir with a 

metal spoon for 5 minutes 

or until chocolate melts and 

mixture is smooth. Remove 

from heat. Stir in the fried 

noodles. 

2. Spoon mixture equally onto 

trays, forming into cup 

shapes to make 12 nests. 

Create a small hollow in 

the centre of each mound. 

Place 3 eggs in each hollow. 

Refrigerate until set. Store 

in an airtight container. 

For each colour you need 

1 tsp white vinegar 

Approx 20 drops liquid food 

colouring 

White-shelled hard-boiled 

eggs 

1. Line large baking tray with 

paper towels and top with 

wire cooling rack. 

2. Combine ½ cup boiling 

water, vinegar, and food 

coloring in a small deep 

bowl or cup. Immerse 

eggs in dye, turning 

occasionally to ensure 

even coating, until desired 

colour is reached, about 

5-10 minutes. Using 

slotted spoon, remove 

eggs from dye and 

transfer to rack to drain. 

Refrigerate when dry. 

For spotty eggs... 

Place small round stickers 

randomly over eggs before 

dyeing. When dry carefully 

remove the stickers, leave 

them white or hand paint the 

white shell with colour. 

For Striped Eggs... 

Wrap a portion of the egg 

with a rubber band before 

dyeing. Once the egg is dry, 

remove the rubber band to 

reveal the white, undyed 

strip underneath. 

Free-Hand Eggs... 

Before dyeing, draw on the 

egg with a light-colored 

crayon or wax. If desired, 

once the egg is dry, the wax 

can be softened by holding 

the egg over a candle flame 

and then wiped off. 

Two-Toned Eggs... 

Dye the whole egg a light 

color, such as pink, and let it 

dry. Then wrap the egg with 

a rubber band, affix stickers, 

or draw a design in crayon. 

Dye the egg a second color, 

such as blue. Once dry, 

remove the rubber band, 

stickers, or crayon. The 

areas blocked off will remain 

the first color. 

Ombre Eggs... 

Dip a portion of the egg 

in one color and another 

portion in another color. If 

the two sections overlap, that 

area will turn a combination 

of the two colors. 

Janelle’s Tip: You can get 

wide variety food colour and 

gel from somethingforcake. 

com.au located at Brookvale. 


Food Life

Garden Life 

Garden Life 

Delight Tibouchina in the colour amazing sight 

colours for post-summer of hydrangeas eyes 

Always a favourite for 

Christmas colour, hydrangeas 

are flowering their 

heads off! They look wonderful 

in the garden, brightening 

the semi-shaded areas and 

glowing in the full, protected 

sunlight. Once the older 

varieties were either pink or 

blue depending on the soil, 

additional lime will deepen 

the pinks and blueing tonic 

(sulphate of aluminium) will 

heighten the blues, but the 

new named varieties will 

maintain their colour. White 

never changes. There are 

hydrangeas of every size from 

the tiny dwarf Piamina to the 

tall traditional Mop Heads. 

With so many to choose from 

it is almost too difficult to 

decide. There are the delicate 

lace caps, the huge blooms 

As I drive around Pittwater I 

wonder where the summer colour 

has gone. Gardens and hedges 

are green but very little colour, and 

I wonder what has happened to the 

glorious evergreen, violet flowering 

tibouchinas of the 1990s. 

The few remaining are now tall, 

spreading shrubs that glow in the 

evening sunlight. ‘Alstonville’ was the 

first release, with huge, rich, soft purple 

flowers that completely cover the large 

velvety green leaves. This variety was 

developed by a nurseryman in Alstonville 

where you will see these trees lining the 

streets. Tibouchina ‘Kathleen’, another 

tall-growing shrub, has pink flowers 

of the traditional mop heads, 

the cone-shaped flowers of 

hydrangea paniculata bushes 

with Gabrielle Bryant 

Dreary corners? 

Try the Coleus fix 

Empty spaces in the garden can be depressing. 

After the strange weather patterns 

that we have had, it is good to replant and 

fill any gaps. I know of no plant that will 

do this quicker than the colourful and very 

beautiful ‘Coleus’. Known as the ‘Poor Man’s 

Croton’, the stunning colour and variety of 

shape of the leaves is unchallenged. Coleus 

are an easy, very Cherry cheap filler. Guava No plant will a fill 

a dreary corner 

sweet 

better. 

surprise 

Pink, yellow, Ired, gold, violet, striped, 

blotched, frilled 

n 

or 

full 

serrated… 

flower in 

every 

my veggie 

plant 

is slightly different. garden Coleus is my grow Cherry very Guava, fast – 

pinch out the sometimes tips to keep known them compact. as a Strawberry 

they Guava. begin This to flower, delightful pinch 

If as 

the weather cools 

the flowers out evergreen to keep them shrub bushing never fails up. to 

Once the Winter produce cold a hits, heavy take crop the of tips cherry and 

that can be two metres cut tall. them as a guavas bunch of in flowers. early autumn. Very quickly 

The recently introduced they will grow roots It is a in small, water pretty and you tree will with 

smaller growing Picotee have new plants rounded, to plant glossy out in green Spring. leaves 

varieties with two-tone flower that only grows to about 

while ‘Noelene’ has white, pink and 

And if the plants are stressed, dig them up 

heads are hard to leave behind 

and if you have a semi- 

trimmed into shape after fruit- 

three metres in height. Keep it 

lavender flowers. 

with as much root as possible and pot them 

There are many newer varieties 

up to bring inside as potted colour; keep 

shaded wall, the climbing ing. The delicate fluffy flowers 

available, from the tiny ‘Babies’ – whiteand-pink 

flowered ‘Cool’, purple ‘Groovy’ 

them in a bright sunny window, ready to take 

hydrangea petiolaris back is just as the weather are creamy warms. white, growing close 

beautiful. 

to the branches. They are followed 

by the tangy flavoured, 

and white ‘Peace’ Baby that are perfect 

Hydrangeas are forgiving 

for pots; the one-metre tibouchina ‘Jules’; 

plants that are easy to grow. sweet, berry-sized, cherry red 

the 1.5m open-flowered violet ‘Jazzie’; to 

They like regular water and fruit that are high in vitamin C. 

the two-metre fast-growing ‘Chameleon’ 

any good garden soil. Mulch Unlike the taller-growing deciduous 

yellow guava that needs 

that changes colour from white to dark 

the roots with compost to 

pink. Naming but a few currently grown. 

keep them cool and feed cooking, the fruit can be eaten 

Whether tall or tiny, all tibouchinas 

them in early spring to get raw straight from the tree or 

respond well to pruning in Spring to 

them going. Grow them in used in cooking, jellies, drinks, 

promote thicker new growth in Summer. 

pots, or in the garden; bring sauces or jams. 

Be aware they need protection from 

them inside when in flower You should protect the fruit 

strong winds but they will 

or 

grow 

cut the 

in full 

blooms – they last from fruit fly with a fruit fly bait. 

sun or light shade. 

well in water. 

Get into the 

‘swing’ of Xmas 

It is time to relax and enjoy 

your garden. Look at your 

outdoor seating requirements 

– the shops are full of 

amazing chairs and tables. 

Hanging cane egg chairs have 

been trendy for the past few 

years and now the ‘Swing 

Seat’ is back. Nothing is more 

peaceful than swinging in a 

seat for two, sheltered from 

the weather with a roof to 

shade from the sun – makes a 

great Christmas present too! 

72 56 DECEMBER APRIL 202017 


Easter Daisies to 

reach for the stars 

Easter daisies will burst into 

flower as the days shorten 

and the weather cools down 

in Autumn. The tall sprays of 

lilac, pink, violet or white daisies 

bring warmth and colour to the 

golden days as Summer fades. 

There are many hybrid varieties 

available, some dwarf (with 

flower stems just 30cm tall) and 

others that produce flowering 

stems 80cm to one-metre high. 

The taller-growing varieties 

make wonderful cut flowers for 

the house. 

These Autumn-flowering 

daisies were appropriately 

renamed as ‘Easter Daisies’ in 

the southern hemisphere, but 

in Britain they are known as 

‘Michaelmas Daisies’ as they 

flower in late Summer for the 

Archangel St Michael’s day on 

the 29th of September. There 

are varieties of Asters that are 

native to Europe that were used 

Time to 

go ‘potty’ 

The season has changed; 

gone are the hot dry days 

of Summer. Now the nights are 

cool and the soil is damp. Time 

then to plant new season’s annuals 

for Winter colour. 

Summer living promotes 

colourful containers for decks 

and patios, but so often the 

pots and containers lie bare 

through the cooler months. 

Even if it is cold outside there 

can be nothing more cheerful 

than to look out though the 

window at pots and baskets 

of colour in the garden. 

Why not mix and match 

with Winter-flowering 

annuals? Pots of pansies 

and violas mixed with 

white alyssum or dark 

blue lobelia. Pink, white 

or dark red dianthus mix 

well with taller-growing 

snapdragons. For additional 

colour add colourful grasses 

or variegated ivies. The 

huge, cheerful faces of 

golden calendulas (English 

marigolds) mix well with the 

soft foliage of purple sage 


by the ancient Greeks to ward 

off evil, but the asters that we 

grow today are descended from 

those that were first introduced 

into England from America in 

the early 1700s. (The name 

‘Aster’ comes from the stars. It 

is said that the goddess Astraea 

wept from the sky and her tears 

turned to into asters as they fell 

to earth.) 

Asters are easy to grow. They 

prefer well-drained garden loam, 

but they will tolerate sandy or 

heavy soil. They love the sun but 

don’t want to dry out. Bees love 

the flowers; plant asters as a 

border in the veggie garden. 

Once Asters are cut they 

will come again, like the Magic 

Pudding; once the flowers are 

finished cut the plants back and 

wait for them to grow again in 

Spring. Divide the clumps every 

second year and replant to keep 

them growing. 

and silver senecio cineraria 

‘silver dust’. Or for something 

different try mixing 

calendulas (pictured) with 

trailing nasturtiums, chives, 

golden oregano, rainbow 

chard and parsley. Heathers 

(ericas) are perennials but 

flower in Winter; they work 

well with the dark purple or 

golden leaves of heucheras 

and trailing allysum. 

Crossword solution from page 53 

Mystery location: HERON COVE 


Garden Life

Travel Life 

Travel Life 

Drawing on Red 

Centre inspiration 

Visit the vast land of the 

Northern Territory; 

sweeping escarpments, 

flourishing wildlife, ancient rock 

art and sparkling waterfalls 

make a journey through this 

land an outback adventure like 

no other. 

On Inspiring Journeys’ Northern 

Territory Dreaming itinerary 

(with bookings being taken for 

dates from September 2020), 

experience 10 unhurried days 

of true immersion, enrichment 

and connection. Starting in Australia’s 

tropical capital, Darwin, 

travel to the lush Kakadu and 

Litchfield National Parks before 

heading down to Australia’s 

beating heart: the Red Centre. 

Here, you will explore the outback 

township of Alice Springs, 

the breathtaking landscapes of 

the West MacDonnell Ranges 

and Kings Canyon, before ending 

your journey at Uluru-Kata 

Tjuta National Park. 

Travel View Avalon’s Sharon 

Godden said an Inspiring 

Journey was infused with connection. 

“They’re designed to 

celebrate the storytellers that 

make these incredible destinations 

so unique,” Sharon said. 

“For example, on day four, on 

arrival in Katherine, you will be 

welcomed by Aboriginal artist 

Manuel Pamkal. Brought up 

in the bush near King River, 

Manuel is a passionate teacher 

and storyteller – you’ll learn the 

ancient art form of rarrk painting 

and make your very own 

masterpiece to take home.” 

Sharon added the small 

group experience ensured a 

level of intimacy with destination 

and community available 

to only a privileged few, as you 

share moments that will take 

your breath away with your 

group of likeminded travellers. 

“After two days spent exploring 

the best of Alice Springs 

and surrounds, be treated to a 

truly unique destination dining 

experience that will appeal to 

your inner foodie,” Sharon said. 

“The ‘Under a Desert Moon’ 

dinner is set under the light of 

a million stars, as you enjoy 

sparkling wine and canapes 

at sunset, followed by a fivecourse 

degustation with paired 

wines. 

“When you visit Australia’s 

beating heart and tropical 

Top End on Northern Territory 

Dreaming, it will spark a deep 

appreciation for this great 

diverse land we are so blessed 

to call home.” – Nigel Wall 

* For more info and to book, 

call Travel View Avalon on 

9918 4444 or email sales@ 

travelview.net.au

Pittwater Life April 2020 Issue

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?