Pittwater Life November 2020 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020
FREE
pittwaterlife
FEARS FOR ‘COVID AMBASSADORS’
1980 FLASHBACK: REMEMBERING THE FIRST AVALON VILLAGE FAIR
SWELL CHASER: HOW TIM BONYTHON BECAME A BIG WAVE FILM MAKER
LATEST COUNCIL NEWS / SUMMER SAILING / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...

Editorial
No flood of ideas for Parkway
What’s to be done about the
Wakehurst Parkway – or
the ‘Wakehurst Floodway’ as
Federal MP Jason Falinski now
prefers to call the troublesome
road given its vulnerability
during heavy rains.
The State Government is
no closer to solving the issue
of improving access, much
to the disappointment of the
many thousands of Pittwater
residents who use the road to
get to and from work each day.
Not to mention the anxiety
felt by the elderly and more
vulnerable in our community
when faced with ongoing visits
to Northern Beaches Hospital
and when the alternative
route, Mona Vale Road, is also
proving a headache during its
upgrade.
Whatever the findings of
any feasibility study into the
Parkway, locals deserve to
know what is, or isn’t, going
to happen in the short and/or
long term.
* * *
This year marks 40 years
since the first Avalon Village
‘Fair’ (as it was called before it
became known as Market Day).
With all 2020 Market Days
scrapped due to COVID-19, we
recall the festivities from 1980.
It certainly was a different
time, with a few highlights that
would never see the light of day
in 2020! See page 14.
* * *
Kerrie King from popular
amateur drama group
Elanora Players reports the sad
news of the recent passing of
their Booking Officer Margot
Beckett after a long battle with
cancer.
“Margot, with the help of her
husband Eric, was an integral part
of Elanora Players for 45 years...
she had a marvelous rapport
with audience members, knew
many personally and always
endeavoured to accommodate
seating requests. She will be
sorely missed.” – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 3

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Publisher: Nigel Wall
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Vol 30 No 4
Celebrating 29 years
52
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020
FREE
pittwaterlife
FEARS FOR ‘COVID AMBASSADORS’
1980 FLASHBACK: REMEMBERING THE FIRST AVALON VILLAGE FAIR
SWELL CHASER: HOW TIM BONYTHON BECAME A BIG WAVE FILM MAKER
LATEST COUNCIL NEWS / SUMMER SAILING / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
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thislife
INSIDE: Residents of Ingleside are concerned the dry
bushland surrounding their homes represents a fire
disaster waiting to happen (p8); Council’s plan to recruit
volunteers to monitor and enforce social distancing across
the local government area this summer has met with a
mixed response (p10); we relive the first Avalon Market/
Fair 40 years ago (p14); big wave surf film-maker Tim
Bonython tells how he found his career groove (p36); and
catch up on all the latest real estate sales and news (p40).
COVER IMAGE: Avalon Beach / Stephen Fitzgerald
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News 8-35
Life Stories: Film-maker Tim Bonython 36-38
Hot Property 40-49
Book Review + Author Q&A 50
Art 52-53
Surfing 54-55
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 56-63
Money 64-65
Trades & Services Guide 68-70
Times Past 71
Tasty Morsels & Food 72-76
Pittwater Puzzler Crossword 77
Gardening 78-80
the goodlife
Returning soon! Showtime, Pubs & Clubs and gigs!
Inside this month: our regular features on food, gardening,
beauty, health, surfing, art, local history, money, plus our
guide to trades and services... and our essential maps.
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6 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Burning question for Ingleside
The bushfire season is upon us and
residents of Ingleside are more worried
than most, feeling hazard reduction
has been neglected for far too long.
Two years ago, Ingleside was deemed too
much of a fire risk to consider development
in the area. According to many locals,
however, no hazard reduction burning has
been carried out since then.
Dig deeper and some will tell you that
the area has not been prepared properly for
the bushfire season in almost a decade.
Stephen Choularton, President of BIRA
(Bayview Ingleside Residents Association),
told Pittwater Life that as far back as 2013
the area was marked as urgently needing
hazard reduction – but it’s not been done.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” says
Stephen Choularton. “The fires were bad
here in ’93/’94, and I have no doubt they
will be a lot worse next time.”
Another resident of Ingleside Stephen
Smith agrees.
“I was part of the Ingleside Community
Reference Group (ICRG) formed in 2013 by
Pittwater Council, to represent people in
the area when it came to land development
– and it’s gone nowhere. Finally, 22 months
ago we were told we would receive the
development plan within a month. Then
five months ago there was an apology and
another meeting was announced… which
was cancelled three or four days before it
was due to take place.”
Stephen Smith is certainly worried: “Last
fire season was scary and it’s a question
of when – not if – a fire comes through.
There’s nowhere to go… what’s the evacuation
plan?”
Stephen Choularton believes that most
residents in the area are in favour of development
and would welcome a development
plan. He believes that locals are largely
very keen to sub-divide land. But beyond
the questions of zoning, it is the imminent
fire season that needs addressing urgently,
according to both Stephens.
“I know they’ve been doing backburns,”
says Stephen Smith, “but not in Ingleside.
OVERVIEW: Dark areas show burned land, with green areas revealing dense growth.
They did a great burn 15 years ago and
told me then that they would stay on top of
things... that it had to be done at least every
12 years to avoid trouble. It hasn’t been
done since.”
When residents have taken matters into
their own hands, they claim Council has
‘stop-worked’ their efforts to clear the fire
hazards and threatened them with fines.
“The Council served notice for land
clearance,” says Stephen Choularton. “They
told us the RFS would come and burn it,
but the season has passed yet again.”
If nothing else, an evacuation plan would
seem an absolute necessity.
“We have water tanks rather than water,”
explains Stephen Smith. “They’re doing
road works on Mona Vale Road, they could
at least put a water pipe to the Fire Station.
“Either do a burn-off, or give us the water
and let us do it.”
Scott Molenaar, who is responsible for
Community Safety with the Northern
Beaches District RFS, played down the
residents’ concerns.
“Things are definitely happening in the
Ingleside area – especially in the Cicada
Glen Creek area, north of Cicada Glen
Road and up towards Bayview,” says Scott.
“Hazard reduction burning is happening,
although weather conditions have made
that hard in recent weeks.”
Scott agreed that Mona Vale Road was
certainly in danger of getting clogged in
the event of an evacuation, but was pragmatic
about the situation.
“The roads are the roads,” said Scott,
“you can’t really change that.
“There is also a responsibility on owners
to manage risks to their properties and
prepare for fire season conditions,” he
added. “You can’t rely entirely on the RFS.”
The RFS remain confident the situation
is under control, but if nothing else, there
seems to be a communication breakdown
that needs to be addressed. – Rob Pegley
*At its October meeting Councillors were
expected to endorse a staff recommendation
to place the new draft Bush Fire Management
Policy on public exhibition for a
minimum 28 days, with the outcomes and
feedback to be reported to Council.
IMAGE: Google Maps.
8 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Safety fears for volu nteer ‘COVID Cops’
News
Northern Beaches Council’s
proposal to recruit
volunteers from the
local community to serve as
COVID Safety Ambassadors
this summer has drawn criticism
from within its ranks
over the safety of those who
sign up to participate.
Under the plan, volunteers
will be expected to patrol
10 key identified sites from
Manly to Palm Beach, monitoring
social distancing and
crowd numbers and, when
required, intervene to remind
the public of their responsibility
under COVID safety
guidelines.
Volunteers will be given t-
shirts to clearly identify them
as COVID Safety Ambassadors.
It’s understood Council’s
preferred position had been
for the NSW Government
to fund the Ambassadors
program, which would have
seen individuals employed to
perform duties.
Sources say Council
wrote to the Government
requesting $1.4 million
in funding but had not
received a response;
Council consequently
triggered its fallback
position of proposing
to recruit volunteers at
its September meeting;
their resolution passed 13
votes to 2.
Over the past month,
online recruitment had
yielded more than 50
expressions of interest
from the public.
Mayor Michael Regan
said the proposal was
part of Council’s comprehensive
COVID-19
Summer Action plan for
Outdoor Spaces to keep
the region’s popular
public spaces COVID-safe
through summer.
“Like all businesses, Council
has incurred significant
human and financial expense
in keeping staff and customers
safe through the
pandemic,” he said. “We
have taken an innovative
approach to solving
manpower challenges
by drawing on the vast
expertise and goodwill of
our community.”
He added all ‘ambassadors’
would receive suitable
training to carry out
their roles, be covered by
workplace insurance and
be identified by distinctive
clothing.
“We have reached out to
other councils with similar
challenges with visitation
‘hot spots’ in the interest
of information sharing a
uniform approach to crowd
control over summer.
“We have all seen examples
of where volunteer
ambassadors have worked
well at sporting events, like
the local rugby, and being respected
as they asked people
to maintain suitable distance.
“Volunteers would perform
a similar role to those at the
Sydney Olympics, providing
a friendly face to crowd management,
which then helps
free up lifeguards and lifesavers
to focus on the water.”
However, three councillors
expressed fears for the safety
of volunteers.
French Forest Ward Cr
Vince De Luca told Pittwater
Life: “I believe Council using
volunteers in such a hostile
environment could pose a
serious risk to their safety. We
should not be risking exposing
volunteers to potential
violence and attack.
“Ratepayers are liable for
costs should an incident occur
and legal action taken as
volunteers fall under workers
compensation legislation in
our state and could make a
claim against council should
they suffer in the pursuit of
their volunteering as COVID
Safety Ambassadors.”
He said several local sports
Clubs had reported that
during winter competitions
their volunteers were abused
and threatened for trying to
enforce COVID restrictions.
“I note one sport banned
certain parents who were
abusive,” he said.
Narrabeen Ward Cr Rory
Amon said that while he was
always open to ideas, Council’s
“COVID Cops” initiative was
likely to prove dangerous for
participants as well be a waste
of staff’s time and resources.
He described it as “another
example of tone-deaf virtuesignalling”
from the Mayor.
“The social distancing message
is important and COVID
safety is vital – but both these
are already being promoted
loud and clear by Federal,
State and Local Governments,”
Cr Amon said.
“We don’t need nanny state
‘COVID Cops’ monitoring our
community and we’re also
potentially putting volunteers
at risk by having them seek to
enforce or encourage compliance
with social distancing
requirements.”
Pittwater Ward Cr Alex
McTaggart maintained it was
a missed opportunity for the
State Government to collaborate
with Council to ensure
a uniform front and COVIDsafety
message.
“It’s unlikely we’ll see a vaccine
before next summer so
from my position this should
have been considered a longterm
process – I personally
believe that no ‘Jo Average’
should be put in front of people
unless it’s part of a State
position tackling the broader
issue,” he said.
“We are only part of the
solution and there should be
continuity of rules, messaging
and of course uniforms right
across the city and the state,
so people visiting from outside
the area are familiar with
these Ambassadors and the
reason they’re being told to
comply with their directives.
“You don’t want a situation
where someone gets off
a ferry or parks their car at
the beach and takes unkindly
to being told what to do by
someone in a coloured t-shirt
that means nothing to them.
“We have 18 beaches – that’s
a lot of ground to cover and
this will run into 2021 and
2022 so we should get ready
for the long haul.”
Council has identified 10
sites to be monitored by volunteers
over summer: Mona
Vale, Newport, Palm Beach,
the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail,
Manly (and surrounds), Manly
Dam, Queenscliff, Freshwater,
Curl Curl and Dee Why.
– Nigel Wall
* What do you think? Have
you, or would you volunteer?
Tell us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
News
10 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 11

News
New principal to make his Mark
Some of Mark Robinson’s youth was
spent riding a bodyboard at Mona
Vale Beach but nowadays the selfconfessed
sports tragic is more enamoured
with English Premier Football,
motorsport and tennis.
“There were a few ‘boos’ when I mentioned
to the students that I supported
Manchester City,” he said.
Importantly, the new Principal of
Barrenjoey High is also obsessed with
education, describing himself as a
holistic educator who fully supports the
school’s directive to produce “life-ready
students”.
“I believe in physical and emotional
wellbeing which allows students to grow
and develop,” he said.
The new principal is married to Tania,
who is also a teacher, and they have a
young daughter. Currently the family
lives at South Turramurra.
Mr Robinson, who is in his early 40s,
said he was inspired by the work which
had been done by the previous principal
Ian Bowsher, and that he was confident
of being able to continue in that vein.
“While also adding some of my own
flavour,” he said.
“I think leadership means having high
expectations. But is also means having
compassion and empathy. Ultimately,
you want what’s best for the community.
“I feel privileged to be in this position.
It comes with much responsibility.”
His last school was Ku-ring-gai High
where he was Deputy Head; prior to that
he was Deputy at Asquith Girls’ High
School, following a stint as Humanities
teacher at both Chatswood and North
Sydney Boys’ high schools.
He said he liked the balance of the
sexes in education. This also drew him to
this comprehensive co-ed school.
“I knew a fair bit about Barrenjoey
before applying,” he said. “I could see
it was a school with a strong sense of
community and one that valued learning
– for students and teachers.”
Mr Robinson said he prided himself in
creating a workplace culture of high expectations,
rigour and academic success.
“It’s a great time to begin at Barrenjoey
as it’s the start of our vision for the next
four years,” he said. “This is the Strategic
Improvement Plan (SIP).
“SIP involves the whole school community
including staff, students, parents
and relevant stakeholders. It’s a working
document that details the steps the
school will take to improve outcomes,
achievement and growth for all students.”
NEW HEAD: Principal Mark
Robinson with 2020 Year 11
students Eliza Cutrie, Ewan
Coles and Hannah Hopkins.
The principal recognised the strain
the community had been under following
the relative spate of recent suicides,
particularly felt hard by the school.
“I’ve been at other schools where this
has happened and it’s always awful,” he
said. “It’s something where we need to
continue to improve.
“Both physical and emotional wellbeing
is important. For instance, we now
have a team of teachers who go around
at lunch and encourage kids to be active
– to get them off their phones.
“It’s not just an issue for our school
but it’s across the northern beaches, and
Sydney. It’s a community issue.
“We have the kids between 9am and
3pm. Beyond that, we have to work with
the community.” – Rod Bennett
12 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

1980 flashback:
the f irst Avalon Fair
News
Curse you COVID-19: if it weren’t for Coronavirus, this
month Avalon would be celebrating the 40th anniversary
of its popular ‘Market Day’ – or ‘Village Fair’ as it was
known when it kicked off in 1980.
Leigh Haines, who used to own and operate the Avalon Toy
Shop, remembers the occasion with pride. He recalls the Fair,
which took place on Saturday October 25, was the brainchild
of Mike Menson, the first President of the newly formed Avalon
Beach Chamber of Commerce and the proprietor of Mensons
Pharmacy at 40 Avalon Parade (now Saad Khan’s Avalon Beach
Pharmacy).
Leigh was his deputy and the Fair’s convenor.
“Mike had visited the Queen Street
Fair at Woollahra and believed that
a similar event could be staged in
Avalon to boost the local business’
trade and promote Avalon Village as a
‘destination’,” Leigh tells Pittwater Life.
“The fair was to be open strictly to
Avalon Beach traders, charitable organisations
and local craftspeople.”
Leigh remembers the local Warringah
Council was approached for permission
to temporarily close Old Barrenjoey Road
between Sanders Lane and Avalon Parade,
but the Traffic Committee “would not hear
of such a bold idea”.
“A fall-back request was for the angle
parking bays along Old Barrenjoey Road to be occupied
by traders to set up tables with Village Fair specials,”
Leigh continued, “But that was refused too.”
So, shopkeepers were strictly limited to having
a table on the pavement outside their business
and craftspeople and charities occupied the space
outside banks and other spaces not otherwise
used on Saturdays.
“There was nothing like the street closures
enjoyed by traders, the community, and visitors in
recent years,” Leigh said.
The Fair was promoted through street banners and bunting,
signs in shops and a fully paid-for supplement in the local
Manly Daily newspaper.
There were a few highlights from 40 years ago that would
raise eyebrows today.
“The Avalon Village Fair in 1980 featured a Miss Avalon competition,
with judges selecting three winners from shoppers on
the day,” Leigh explained.
“The winner received a $50 cash prize and the two runnersup
received gifts of merchandise.”
Leigh said Newport car dealership Sundell Motors displayed
one of only 500 HDT Brock Special Commodore cars, the model
which had filled the first eight places in the 1980 Hardie Ferodo
1000 car race at Bathurst just three weeks before the Fair.
“As Marlboro cigarettes was a major sponsor, the Marlboro
25 Girls were there ‘to excite the interest of the more mature’,
according to the Manly Daily
supplement, and promoted their
product,” he said.
Fair entertainment included the
Barrenjoey HS Band, which played
on the Avalon Theatre steps.
“The band had been unbeatable
over four years in the school band
championships,” recalled Leigh.
Also, the Fair hosted displays by
the Australian Army, Avalon Sailing
Club and Avalon Surf Club.
Searl’s Health & Bulk Foods and Avalon
Health Foods gave out free samples
and had specials (dried apricots were
$5 a kilo).
For children there was a merry-goround,
a jumping castle and fairy floss, with
special appearances by Alcoa’s early environmental
ambassador ‘Aluminium Man’ and by Holden’s
mascot, Rory the Lion, who gave out balloons.
The Manly Daily supplement listed Fair specials
including Johnnie Walker Scotch for $11.99
and Penfolds Bin 231 Rhine Reisling for $1.99 a
bottle at Avalon Drive-in Liquor; dinner at Avalon
RSL for $1.50; 115cm wide dress fabric for $1.99
per metre at Avalon Fabrics; childrens’ sandals for
$5 at Shoeland; Fisher Price toys at half-price at Avalon Toy
Shop; a Polaroid camera for $35.95 at Plunketts Chem-Mart
Pharmacy; and men’s poly-cotton shirts for $6.50 at Haslam’s
Avalon.
– Nigel Wall
*Were you there? What do you remember? Tell us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
Get ready for jibe talking
Turns out sailing is one of the most COVID-safe
pastimes we can enjoy this Summer, writes James Judd
Sailing is a sport of many tribes,
from the cruising sailor, kids in
dinghies, youths in skiffs, twilight
racers to offshore ‘gruelers’ and classic
boat enthusiasts. Some sailors race,
while others cruise, so Pittwater’s club
managements and volunteers busy
themselves with diverse programs to
cater for all.
The dinghy clubs are perhaps the
spawning grounds for many a sailor’s
lifetime passion. Robert Warnes of
Bayview Yacht Racing Association
(BYRA) speaks with a genuine passion
about helping children discover the
simple pleasures of sailing. BYRA’s learn
to sail classes are affordable and fun,
with a large beach area to rig on and
events as simple as an ‘adventure sail’
to another bay, to competition racing at
a high standard. COVID has closed their
canteen and made what is a fabulous
boatshed wedding venue available only
to small groups; otherwise it’s business
as usual out on the water.
Avalon Sailing Club is another Dinghy
sailing club on the shores of Pittwater
with a very community-oriented
approach to sailing and other sports.
Commodore Larry Eastwood says their
clubhouse is available to other community
groups for yoga, art classes and
the like at very affordable rates, adding
it’s a beautiful venue for these pursuits.
The growing paddling division includes
a local community of SUP and kayak
paddlers. He reports their learn to sail
classes and sailing calendar is unaffected
by COVID, with all on-water events
going ahead.
Woody Point Yacht Club’s Ian Major
suggests they have arguably the most
COVID-safe club in the world – “since
we don’t have a clubhouse!” They have
a large enthusiastic membership, with
their Wednesday evening twighlight
‘stern chaser’ race attracting over 70
boats. It’s an eclectic fleet of yachts,
from old wooden classics to discarded
ex-Olympic boats to pretty much anything
with a keel and sails.
Pittwater Aquatic Club at Mona Vale,
with its sound financial position, enjoys
a membership kept at 400 and a waiting
list to join. Run by volunteers, its
excellent DIY facilities make it the club
of choice for boat owners who like to do
their own maintenance and/or restorations.
Its calendar and activities include
racing and cruising for keelboats;
because of COVID restrictions there are
no clubhouse prize-givings or social
events but on-water activities remain
unaffected.
The Royal Motor Yacht Club conducts
events for motor, sail and angling that
keeps Events Manager Jaz Rowntree very
busy. Like other clubs, their busy on-water
calendar is unaffected by COVID. The
multihull division continues to grow
as a part of the RMYC diverse boating
culture. For the clubhouse activities, the
management has engaged with advisors
to fall in with all legislation relating to
COVID including staff training for social
distancing and cleaning. They have curtailed
any large clubhouse events and
otherwise obliged members to socially
distance with all that requires in a club
setting. A popular trend is ordering
takeaway from the clubhouse, so members
can still head down to the club for
the weekend and enjoy a meal aboard,
cooked for them at the restaurant.
The RPAYC’s focus is on sailing, from
learning to sail for kids or adults to high
performance training, gym facilities,
cruising and racing inshore/offshore
divisions. The club hosts state, national
and world championships. Unfortunately
COVID has stopped national or
international competition for the time
being. In March each year, the club runs
one of Australia’s premier ocean races,
the Pittwater-Coffs Harbour race. Whilst
the 2020 event was cancelled, the 2021
event is expected to attract a large fleet.
News
14 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 15

News
Council plan for rocketing rubbish
Flying squads of sanitation teams will gear
up for the summer months to ensure
popular public places across Pittwater are
garbage-free and public toilets are cleaned
more frequently.
Council says it will ramp up cleansing
services over summer to supplement its COV-
ID-19 summer safety plan, and cater for larger
than usual crowds.
Chief Executive Ray Brownlee said Council
anticipates an influx of visitors to beaches and
outdoor leisure areas due to a forecast hot summer
and travel restrictions from COVID-19.
“During the recent October long weekend
alone we managed an increase of over 62
per cent more garbage at beaches and public
places, compared to the same holiday weekend
in 2019,” Mr Brownlee said.
“We were prepared for the hike so distributed
44 more bins at hotspots and scheduled 10
extra cleaning staff to shift an unprecedented
39 tonnes of garbage.
“Going forward, we will continue these extra
teams so people can enjoy the warmer months
outdoors without the nuisance of backed-up
litter spoiling our beaches and leisure spots.
“This strategy is aligned with extra hygiene
practices businesses and individuals are being
urged to undertake to keep COVID-safe.”
Council says additional services are scheduled
for the bins along patrolled beaches over
summer. These bins will be emptied twice
or three times every day in some locations
depending on the crowds and weather.
Extra cleansing staff will be scheduled to
work additional shifts from early morning
until 8pm, particularly on peak days.
Locals who notice any overflowing bins can
report the location to Council on 1300 434
434 any time of day.
Avalon Art Space Workshop ready in January
The new Avalon Workshop
Creative Space is currently
under construction with
projected completion in late
January, Council has announced.
The lower level of the
Avalon Golf Club is being
transformed into a hireable
artist studio, two multi-use
teaching spaces and a communal
kitchen.
The cost of the project is estimated
at around $450,000.
The space will be available
for activities including workshops,
artistic collaboration,
arts activations and talks.
Council says it will subsidise
hire rates to support artists
and provide opportunities
for them to develop their
skills and generate income.
Council says the larger
Creative Space earmarked for
the Mona Vale Civic Centre is
still in the planning stage.
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Movember. Patchy, lopsided,
itchy or epic – whatever Mo you
grow in November, your face can
raise funds and awareness in
support of men’s health. Sign up
at movember.com
Step up. Join a virtual monthlong
exercise event to help raise
funds for the Manly Warringah
Women’s Resource Centre and
support women and children
escaping domestic violence and
abuse. Register your interest,
gather some sponsors and move
anyway you want – walk, run,
swim, ride or dance – knowing
you are doing it for a great cause.
More info womensrefuge.org.au
Tour Careel Bay. Learn more
about the most significant area
of estuarine wetlands on the
Northern Beaches on a guided
walk around Careel Bay led by
Coastal Environment Centre
Educator Tim Seaton on Sun 15
from 2.30-4.30pm. Bookings
essential through the CEC.
Walking Netball. Sharpen
skills and build on your strength,
balance, co-ordination and have
a ball playing walking netball
at John Fisher Netball courts
North Curl Curl on Tuesdays
from 10am-11am. Run by Netball
NSW cost is $5 a session go to
playwalkingnetball.com.au for
more info or call 9951 5000.
Grow Herbs.See how to
cultivate a variety of herbs in a
small space and how to build a
herb spiral so you can always
have fresh herbs at your fingertips
in this free one-hour webinar
hosted by horticulturist Toni
Salter on Sat 14 from 1pm-
2pm email wasteeducation@
northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Counsellor Training. Learn
skills to help support someone
you know who is experiencing
crisis in this series which will
equip you to RECOGNISE
when others are struggling, to
RESPOND appropriately with
confidence and to REFER them
to the best help. Held over two
Thursday nights (19 and 26)
from 7-9pm using ZOOM. cost
$50. Contact Lifeline Northern
Beaches 9949 5522 or alistair.
robinson@lifelinenb.org.au
16 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Loretta’s Kindred spirit
News
It’s not unusual to hear
that a famous musician’s
offspring are also fine
minstrels in their own right.
But how much is nature and
how much is nurture?
Now a book by Newport
author Loretta Barnard delves
into the backgrounds of some
of Australia’s finest players
– including some from our
neck of the woods.
Kindred Chords: Australian
Musical Families takes a
look at 27 of these family
connections across the gamut
of musical expression.
“I didn’t want to make
it too esoteric, just about
classical music for instance,”
Loretta said.
She says the book changed
shape as she researched it: “It
became more about finding
similarities between the
musicians.”
Loretta knows about the
musical ties that connect
people. She is the daughter
of famous Australian jazz
REVEALING: Loretta Barnard.
trumpeter Bob Barnard, and
the mother of professional
musicians Beau and Casey
Golden.
She says a common trait
among all she interviewed
was a general love for music
in the household.
“Another was how focused
these people were,” she
said. “All were dedicated to
improving themselves and
becoming the best.”
Loretta admits to originally
thinking that somehow
people who trained in music
would be different from
those who had not.
“We have that stereotypical
idea that the rock stars are
wild hedonists, and the
classical musicians are the
nerdy ones – locked away
doing their scales,” she
said. “I don’t think that’s
necessarily true.
“People think classical
musicians sit around playing
Mozart. But a lot of them like
to listen to jazz or rock when
they go home and relax.”
Along with Loretta’s family,
Pittwater locals to appear in
the book are the Morrisons,
Angus and Julia Stone, and
Joy Yates, Dave MacRae and
their children.
Other dynasties include:
the Barnes (Jimmy et al),
the Fields (Wiggles), Nigel
Westlake (composer of film
scores Babe and Miss Potter),
the Williamsons (John and
his daughter Ami), the
Amphletts (Little Pattie and
niece Chrissy), and Jimmy
Little and composer-niece
Deborah Cheetham.
Loretta feels readers
might be surprised to
learn country singer John
Williamson’s daughter Ami
studied opera in Europe.
Of course, that is until they
learn her grandparents were
fond of Gilbert & Sullivan
and used to sing in G & S
performances.
Then there is the story of
jazz drummer John Morrison
who, like his brother James
and sister Kathryn, is a pilot.
In fact, he is a commercial
pilot and at one time flew
Bob Barnard and his band to
gigs around regional NSW.
From Kindred Chords:
“There have been occasional
nervous passengers who have
expressed concern that the
small plane they’re about to
fly in is being piloted by a
drummer”.
And the question of nature
vs nurture? Loretta says in
the end the score was about
50/50.
“I think there is something
in the connections people
have with their ancestors,” she
said. “It’s interesting to watch
shows like Who Do You Think
You Are and the star discovers
a long-lost relative was also,
for instance, an actor.”
But some were adamant
there were no genetic factors
at play and that this bent was
due to the environment of
their youth.
“Just because someone’s
father is a plumber, you don’t
say to them, ‘hey, can you fix
my toilet – you must have a
natural talent’,” Loretta said.
MUSICAL FAMILIES: Dynasties Loretta researched included the Fields, the
Morrisons (Newport locals) and the Amphletts.
“By the same token, you don’t
ignore music education because
your child can play by ear. If
your child is a fast runner, you
wouldn’t say ‘they’ll be right,
they don’t need to train’.
“There might be something
inherently in them but it still
needs to be coaxed out and
encouraged.”
Kindred Chords is
available directly from the
publisher Shooting Star Press
(shootingstar.pub) or online
from Amazon or Booktopia.
– Rod Bennett
News
18 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 19

News
Living Ocean
riding a wave
of innovation
success
Local volunteer group
Living Ocean has
achieved global
recognition for its worldleading
animal tracking
software, which was initially
developed to track humpbacks
migrating up and down the
east coast of Australia, and
is now being used to study
wolves in Canada and polar
bears in the Arctic, as well
as birds, bees and butterflies
across the globe.
Living Ocean was
established in 2010; cofounder
and Palm Beach
resident Robbi Newman
explains it is his colleague,
IT guru Bill Fulton, who
had developed the Behayve
software.
“He did a lot of work in
America with some of the big
international computer firms,
and also was involved with
some of the American marine
environmental organisations,
because of his fascination for
marine mammals.
Back in 2004, Fulton
and environmentalist Sam
Barripp began an annual
survey of migrating whales
off Sydney, using a runabout
to record their tracks as well
as the water temperature
and depth with the intent to
discover the factors which
influenced whales in a
limited geographic area.
Fulton developed a
software called WhaleTrack,
but because it wasn’t
configurable, he went on to
build the completely new app,
Behayve, which integrates
tracking, behaviour and
environmental conditions, as
well as providing real-time
feedback on events as they
occur. Fulton and Barripp
have been working with
Living Ocean since 2014,
when the latter merged forces
with the Whale and Seal
Foundation.
It was the data collected
with Behayve in 2017 that
enabled Living Ocean to
secure the postponement
of seismic testing by
the petroleum company
leaseholder in the PEP
(Petroleum Exploration
Permit) 11 zone, after it
confirmed the seismic survey
location was on the southern
migration track of the
humpback whales.
“Also, Living Ocean’s data
has assisted Save Our Coast
and Surfrider Australia in
their campaigns for the
removal of the PEP 11 zone,”
adds Newman.
In 2019, the Behayve
app was launched to the
research and citizen science
community at the World
Marine Mammal Conference
in Barcelona.
“The Behayve app is already
in use by 130 research
teams worldwide, even in
COVID-restricted times – in
USA, Canada, Mexico, UK,
Germany, Russia, Australia,
New Zealand and others,”
says Fulton.
GOOD USE:
LJ Hooker Palm
Beach has loaned
Living Ocean a boat
to conduct research.
But to do their research
the Living Ocean volunteers
need to be out on the water,
and it’s David and Diana
Scott Edwards of LJ Hooker
Palm Beach who have made
that possible by giving them
free use of their 18 foot Iluka
Class boat, when it’s not being
used to show clients around
the Pittwater.
“It’s sensational that the
Edwards’ have lent us the
boat,” says Newman. “They’re
doing it because they care.”
Because it’s a small boat,
the team only go offshore in
calm weather.
“Because the whales are
migrating south, depending
on the conditions we usually
head up to Cape Three Points
and from there go out to pick
them up coming down the
coast, and once we find a pod
we follow it for as long as
we’re allowed. There are time
limits and strict state and
federal regulations.
“We’ve discovered that
humpback whales don’t use
sonar to navigate, but they
follow the same route year
after year – the mothers and
calves staying close to the
coast and the others taking
advantage of the east coast
current and swimming
further offshore.”
The vast volume of
research that Living Ocean
has gathered has resulted
in the organisation being
invited to participate as a full
partner in a study by Griffith
University and several South
African Universities to model
the effects of climate change
on southern hemisphere
whales.
Living Ocean also collects
data on microplastic for
AUSMAP and Fulton is
developing a microplastic app
for AUSMAP data collection.
AUSMAP is a nation-wide
citizen science initiative,
surveying Australian
beaches and waterways
for microplastic pollution.
AUSMAP is creating maps of
microplastic hotspots around
Australia, with the aim
that its findings will enable
communities and government
to implement behaviour
change, regulate industry
and develop better waste
management systems.
“It’s phenomenal,” says
Newman, “that this software
developed here on the
Northern Beaches is going
global.”
– Rosamund Burton
News
20 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 21

News
Gale pitches in with
a forceful presence
Don Gale is such an integral part of Pittwater RSL Football
Club he virtually bleeds green. Story by Ryan Jones
Don Gale is the type of person every
sporting club craves. No job is
beneath him; he has always been
happy to lend a helping hand, accompanied
by a beaming smile.
With an affiliation at Kitchener Park in
Mona Vale stretching back to 1974, the
81-year-old says he can’t imagine life without
“his second family” – anyone associated
with Pittwater RSL Football Club.
Born in Guernsey off the coast of France
before moving to England, Gale emigrated
to Australia in 1971 with his late wife
Lorna.
The Gales settled in Newport and soon
found themselves heading to Dunbar Park
in Avalon, with their eldest son Marcel
initially turning out for the Reds.
“A few years later, Marcel asked me if he
could play for Pittwater, purely because all
his friends from Newport Public (School),
were there,” Don tells Pittwater Life.
“So we headed down to Kitchener to get
a feel for the place, and it just felt right.”
In 1977, Pittwater were on the hunt for
a men’s Premier League manager, and the
affable Gale was the perfect fit.
“I loved it from day one,’’ he recalled. “I
was living the dream every Saturday afternoon,
watching ‘my’ team, and also doing
the jobs behind the scenes that needed to
be done on game day.
“I made sure the boys didn’t touch the
match balls before kick-off, the lines were
marked properly, the nets were at regulation
height… all tasks which are very
important.”
Eventually Don, who also was a
groundsman and ‘general dog’s body’ at
the club, decided he would have a crack at
refereeing.
“Like so many Poms (English) I felt I
knew the game back to front,” he said.
“So I did the (refereeing) course and
got a call from (then referees course boss)
John Caputo saying I had failed!
“It was very humbling and probably the
kick in the pants I needed at the time.
“I quietly went away, came back with a
different attitude second time round, and
passed.”
Over the next few years, Don officiated
countless local Premier League and Amateur
League games across the peninsula,
as well as State Cup fixtures.
He was promptly given the nickname
‘Gobby Gale’ by many, as he had the habit
of pulling players into line mid-match.
“I was dealing with some fiery characters,”
he recalled. “My well-versed line was
‘you are better than that’ if a player looked
like he was going to lose control.
“I only sent off nine players when I was
refereeing, which is a statistic I am quite
proud of. You always want to be involved
in a clean game, there is no need for silly
behaviour on the pitch.”
Over almost five decades, Don, a boilermaker
by trade, has seen his fair share of
talented players and squads donning the
iconic green colours of Pittwater RSL FC.
He nominates the likes of Aaron Ferguson,
Alan Crawford and Steve Gosling
as ‘born footballers’, and in recent years
Stefano Teghini, Roland Weber and Charlie
Fyfe were some of the best individuals he
has laid eyes on.
“But for me the two standouts are Colin
Macedo and Helmut Weber. I firmly believe
Colin could have played for Australia he
was that good, and Helmut, he did some
freakish things on the field,” Don said.
“Pittwater has been fortunate to have
great teams as well. The 2011 men’s
Premier League team is the best I’ve seen.
They won the league, grand final, MWFA
Cup and the NSW Champion of Champions
All Age decider at Parklea, all in one
season. They were wonderful to watch.
“It is also worth pointing out Pittwater
don’t pay their players… plenty of our current
(Premier League) guys are local juniors…
they are here for the right reasons.”
In 2000, Don and his Lorna were both
formally recognised for their tireless efforts
with football locally when they were
made life members of the Manly Warringah
Football Association.
“It caught both of us by surprise, I was
happy to attend on the night to support
Lorna,’’ he said.
“To both walk away with some accolades
on the night was unexpected and fantastic.”
MWFA CEO David Mason described
Don’s contribution to the ‘beautiful game’
locally as immeasurable.
“Both for Pittwater RSL Football Club
and the MWFA, Don has volunteered his
time and energy to not only help drive
and deliver football on the Northern
Beaches but to help inspire and teach
younger generations of players, coaches,
referees and administrators,” he told Pittwater
Life.
“Grassroots sport is built on a platform
of dedicated volunteers and Don, as well
as his late wife Lorna and as his entire
family, are right at the top of the tree
when it comes to long-standing and passionate
support of football.”
Mr Mason’s glowing words were echoed
by current Pittwater men’s Premier League
coach Adam Israel.
“He is a modern-day legend in my eyes,”
he said. “Don’s support is incredible. I
have been fortunate to see it first-hand
the past five years.
“He really is ‘Mr Pittwater’; he is the
reason the place ticks. All the boys and
everyone at the club loves him, Don’s
selfless nature epitomises what football
should be about.”
Away from football, family is everything
to Don.
He is a doting granddad for his daughters
Annette and Samantha and also loves
to read, particularly history.
“Life has been good to me, I have been
fortunate to meet some great people from
all walks of life,” he said.
“I didn’t mind judo back in the day, but
football has always been my favourite pastime…
I also watch Manly United as often
as I can, especially at Cromer Park.
“My friendships from football are very
special, I love the way sport unites people.
“I think the (Pittwater) club will continue
to go from strength to strength over
the next few years, good people are working
hard behind the scenes.
“This COVID business the past few
months has shown how quickly life
can change, so my advice is to enjoy all
aspects of life as well as the wonderful
Northern Beaches – it really is an amazing
place to call home.”
REPAIRS: New piles at Great
Mackeral Beach Wharf.
Northern Beaches
Council is making
progress on a series of
wharf and jetty upgrades.
Currently Council is
undertaking emergency
repairs to Currawong
Wharf and recently
completed urgent repairs
to piles at Great Mackerel
Beach wharf.
It is also about to trigger
$2.2 million worth
of work on the Bell and
Carols wharf upgrades
on Scotland Island. Plus,
work has begun on repairs
to the Taylors Point
Tidal Pool, which includes
repair work on the jetty
attached to it.
CEO Ray Brownlee said
for many residents in
Pittwater, boating was an
essential part of life with
many relying on sea craft
as their only means of
access to other parts of
the region.
“It’s very important we
maintain our wharves
and jetties in good order,
so they are safe for public
transport such as ferries
and also private recreational
boating.”
At the Taylors Point Tidal
Pool, work will include
replacement of some
piles, renewal of decking
boards and piles to support
the netting. Work is
expected to be completed
by late November, weather
permitting. During the
construction works,
PHOTO: Sharon Green
Wharf and jetty upgrades
access to the jetty and
water will be restricted to
ensure public safety.
Emergency repairs
to Currawong Wharf
entailed the replacement
of piles so the wharf can
withstand the impact of
ferries bumping up alongside,
which is a normal
part of their operation.
On Scotland Island,
the upgrades include the
construction of a multipurpose
floating pontoon
at both Bell Wharf and
Carols Wharf, as well as
repairs to the existing
fixed wharves.
Works on Bell and
Carols wharves is likely
to be finished around the
middle of 2021. – NW
News
22 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 23

News
Happy snaps in Dog Project
One Whale Beach
mum’s tenacity to see
her daughter’s lifeeducation
grow has led to a
book called The Dog Project,
due for release next month.
Tania Kerr wanted to do
more for daughter India, 18,
who had to leave the school
system due to learning
difficulties, the result of a
brain injury because of a
stroke at birth.
She also has mild cerebral
palsy.
While holidaying in the US,
Tania came up with the idea of
a book dedicated to local dogs.
Moreover, India would play a
big role in its production.
“I saw a photographic book
called Canines of New York,
with a short bio on each
dog,” Tania said. “I knew a
photographer and I thought
‘it’s achievable’.”
Furthermore, she said dogs
CANINE CONSULTATIONS: Working with dogs has been a confidence booster for Whale Beach teen India Kerr.
were effectively her daughter’s
connection to the community,
as she regularly walked them
and loved them.
“We had an interview
template for India and she was
able to ask owners questions
about their dogs,” Tania said.
Enter photographer Elle Hall
could also be protective and,
as a result, she felt safer and
more independent with her
who lived next door to the dogs around.
Kerrs. She took on the project She said the project had
and began shooting pictures allowed her to meet many
of dogs who they met in the interesting people and their
Avalon/Palm Beach area. pets.
In addition to the countless “I asked the owners the
hours photographing, Elle also names of their dogs and the
edited the stories – all at no breeds,” India said. “I was
cost.
able to find out about their
“I did it because I love Indi characters, their favourite
so much,” Elle explained. “It foods, and where they liked
was nice to do something to go.
from a motivation of love and “What I’ve liked most about
kindness, not money.”
this project is the way it
She said the book’s goal has all come together. It has
was to profile 100 dogs and brought community together
to record the progress of the and there is communication
project on social media. between us.”
“When we started, Indi was While The Dog Project is
like a timid little girl, always mostly about dogs, there are
asking for reassurance of her also some human profiles.
questions,” she said. “Now In particular, Paralympics
that it’s nearly finished, her snowboarder Ben Tudhope
communication skills and features in the book.
confidence levels have vastly Money raised from the sale
improved.”
will go to CPA (Cerebral Palsy
India’s support worker Maria Alliance), India’s charity of
Gerathy, from Hireup, agreed: choice.
“It’s been wonderful for India The Dog Project will be
to learn different skills, like launched at Avalon Bowling
working collaboratively, Club, 4 Bowling Green Lane,
to achieve something
at 2.30pm on Saturday,
meaningful.”
December 5.
India, who has two dogs of *For a preview, check out The_
her own, described her pets Dog_Project on Instagram or
Daisy and Stella as happy and visit thedogprojectcpa.com
always loving. She said they
– Rod Bennett
24 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Carols, fireworks COVID-cancelled
Due to the ever-present risk of Coronavirus
(COVID-19), Northern Beaches
Council has made the tough decision to
cancel this year’s local community Christmas
Carol events along with New Year’s
Eve fireworks.
Events cancelled include Carols by the
Lake at Narrabeen, Carols by the Beach at
Avalon, the Rotary Club event, Carols in
the Park at Mona Vale, as well as the Fireworks
over Pittwater (held in conjunction
with The Newport).
Council will instead put the funds
towards smaller initiatives in the town
centres and outdoor spaces such as public
and street art, localised performers and
carollers, lighting displays and Christmas
decorations.
Mayor Michael Regan said cancelling the
popular local events, which attract tens of
thousands of people, was simply the right
thing to do.
“The community’s health and safety is
paramount and we could not guarantee
large crowds could gather safely with the
continued threat of possible COVID-19
transmissions,” Cr Regan said.
“Obviously, this will be disappointing
for many people which is why we have
decided to reallocate the funds to provide
localised entertainment, lights and street
art to give our whole area a real festive
buzz through the holiday period.
“This approach has the added benefit of
supporting some local artists and musicians
and we encourage locals to submit
an EOI if they’d like to be a part of it.”
Inspector Jill Walters of Northern
Beaches Police Area Command supported
NOT THIS YEAR: Avalon Beach’s popular Carols.
Council’s decision to cancel the New Year
fireworks this year.
“The health and safety of the general
public is paramount and unfortunately
due to COVID-19 the impact of the crowds
due to the fireworks may have the potential
to place people at risk,” she said.
Cr Regan said major events are subject
to the NSW Government’s public health orders,
which are continuously amended to
address the local impact of the pandemic.
“Due to current health precautions in
place, other community groups have also
made the hard decision to cancel their
Christmas carol events.
“Council supports those decisions as
they are simply in the best interest of
community safety.
“It would be irresponsible for us to
encourage thousands of people to come
together, potentially exposing them to infection
because enforcing social distancing
would be impossible.
“We look forward to the return of events
to the community when it is safe to do so,”
Cr Regan said.
Bands, musicians, orchestras and choirs
from the Northern Beaches are encouraged
to submit an EOI to be a part of the
entertainment initiative – see Council’s
website.
– NW
26 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
OFF LIMITS: School leavers won’t be able to head to usual Schoolies venues.
Schoolies out for Pittwater?
With Fiji, Bali and the Gold
Coast off limits to NSW
school leavers this year, are
the Northern Beaches about to
be invaded by Schoolies?
Well, the short answer is:
probably not. But it is going
to be busier generally than
ever on the Beaches this year,
according to the many sources
Pittwater Life contacted.
Every year during the last
week in November and the
first week of December, popular
beach resorts are invaded
by Schoolies intent on having
a great time – sometimes at almost
any cost. The Gold Coast
in particular can be a riot of
young people over-indulging
in raucous high spirits.
With many of the usually
popular destinations off-limits
due to COVID-19, many locals
have raised concerns that the
Northern Beaches might become
a new Schoolies hub.
Councillor Pat Daley is on
the record saying that: “There
is now a big question mark
regarding schoolies week
celebrations on the Gold Coast
and other traditional locations.
This means northern beaches
teenagers will be having
even more of their schoolies
celebrations in our parks,
bushland reserves and other
public locations.”
Having approached local
police, entertainment venues
and many local school leavers,
however, the feeling is that
Pittwater won’t see a large
influx of school kids looking
for fun; instead Schoolies
seekers are likely to head to
the South Coast; flock to the
Central Coast; or head even
further north to Byron Bay.
Even unlikely places such as
The Local Voice Since 1991
Dubbo are being touted as new
Schoolies venues.
While the Northern Beaches
is a beautiful place to spend
the Summer, it is thought by
many not to be suited to the
cheap-and-cheerful, OTT shenanigans
of Schoolies.
It will be busy, though…
Management at Sydney
Lakeside Holiday Park at
Narrabeen was one of many
Pittwater Life talked to; they
are already heavily booked for
Summer, but with a crosssection
of families, couples
and youngsters, rather than
any one particular age group.
With International holidays out
this year, and the Queensland
border still closed, a bumper
Summer is expected on the
Northern Beaches.
And certainly, our many local
organisations are prepared
for that – not least with the
Council’s COVID-19 Summer
Action Plan for Outdoor Public
Places now available. Working
with the community and
including measures such as
aerial surveillance, there is a
raft of guidelines in places to
deal with different capacities
on our beaches and in our
parks and bushland.
For those who have traditionally
enjoyed a quiet
Summer on the beaches, as the
majority depart for overseas
holidays and family reunions,
expect things to be a little different
this year.
– Rob Pegley
* At its September meeting, NB
Council resolved to investigate
the possibility of using ‘Red
Frog’ or similar volunteers to
help with social distancing at
any local Schoolies celebrations.
NOVEMBER 2020 27
News

News
SEEN…
The bumper-to-bumper traffic negotiating the slog to work
down Pittwater Road south of Narrabeen, after problem child
the Wakehurst Parkway was closed both ways due to flooding
that accompanied Sydney’s big, big wet in late October. The
closures came days after the Parkway was thrust into the
media spotlight again with reports Transport for NSW had
reaffirmed its current position to not upgrade the troublesome
carriageway from two lanes to four lanes from Narrabeen to
Frenchs Forest. The road conveys more than 10,000 vehicles
each day. The latest closures due to flooding give further voice
to locals’ calls to upgrade the Parkway to ensure better access
to Northern Beaches Hospital – especially when the alternative
Mona Vale Road is currently a go-slow-if-at-all route during its
own multi-million dollar upgrade. Flooding aside, this year the
Parkway has also been closed due to several bad car accidents,
many involving the tricky turn-off to Middle Creek Reserve –
where locals have been crying out for safety changes for years.
Federal MP Jason Falinski tells us he is more focused than ever
to try to get the NSW Government to widen and floodproof
the Parkway, which he now prefers to call the ‘Wakehurst
Floodway’. In the meantime, readers want to know when they
can expect much-needed urgent repairs to the crumbling road
surface.
HEARD…
Avalon locals appeared to enjoy another win last month in
their long-running battle against unauthorised structures
built on Shore Brace Reserve in Riverview Road. They claimed
the structures built by the owner of the neighbouring 173-
175 Riverview Road were illegal, gave the impression of
privatising the reserve and were not in the public interest.
Council unanimously agreed with them 12 months ago.
However, no action was taken by Council for nine months
before the property owner, Gary Johnston (who gave his
side of the story to Pittwater Life last month), attempted
to overturn elements of the Council determination via an
application to modify the original DA. Given the number
of objections to the application, the matter was referred to
the independent Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel. We
hear that the panel unanimously rejected the application
on October 7. Further, we understand another application
for a Building Construction Certificate to “regularise” the
illegal structures has also been rejected by Council, which
now plans to commence the enforcement process. Locals
say they will be watching keenly to see if Council follows
through.
ABSURD...
While some consider Council guilty of dragging the chain
on Shore Brace Reserve, the same could never be said for any
of the key initiatives Council is keen to get up and running
at the earliest opportunity, even if there is the minor
issue of consulting with the community first. Like, say, its
12-month trial of a walking and cycling-friendly link within
The Serpentine at Bilgola, which also forms a section of the
Newport to Avalon Pedestrian and Cycle Link. The changes
include more space for cycling with cycling lanes on the
uphill section of The Serpentine; a 10km/h posted speed
limit (for cars and cyclists), with planter boxes, pavement
paintings and marked parking bays. But blink and you’d
miss Council’s community consultation, which it notes on its
website was slated for ‘October/November’. Well, kinda – it
was posted online on Friday October 23 and ends November
8, so if you want to have ‘Your Say’ you’d better act quickly.
Regardless, the trial will commence in December.
28 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Streets close for
event weekends
Northern Beaches Council
has announced two pilot
street closures in Pittwater in
November, paving the way for
two public space events that
will provide an opportunity
to create places for people to
support local venues and help
Northern Beaches Council plans to support
34 more local cafes to set up ‘swap
and go’ takeaway coffee systems to keep
people safe during COVID-19 and also help
the environment. During the COVID-19
lockdown, many local businesses began
offering a ‘swap-and-go’ takeaway coffee
service to ensure customers and staff
remained safe from the virus. There
are currently more than 30 cafes on the
Northern Beaches using either Green Caffeen,
Huskee Swap, Returnr or Claycups
swap and go systems. Under the ‘swap and
go’ system, customers get their coffee in
a reusable cup washed and sanitised in
the café, which they can either return to
the café or to another café using the same
bring communities together
in a safe and relaxing way,
increasing outdoor dining
and car-free areas for walking
and cycling. The pilot street
closures involve Robertson
Road, Newport – Friday 13
November (evening) through
10am Monday 16 November;
and Waratah Street, Mona Vale
– Friday 20 November through
10am Monday 23 November.
More info Council website.
Alarming statistics
on woman drinkers
A recent survey has highlighted
problem drinking among
women on the Northern
Beaches. Northern Sydney
Council helps cafes install coffee cup swap
swap system. Mayor Michael Regan said:
“Australians use one billion disposable
coffee cups per year, which generally can’t
be recycled and could easily be avoided
with a reusable cup. The beauty of this
system is that if you forget to bring your
own cup to the café, or it is inconvenient
to do so, you don’t need to get your coffee
in a takeaway cup.” He said if 50 customers
used the system at each café, it had
the potential to save 620,500 cups from
landfill each year. “If 200 customers use
the system at each café, this could add up
to 2.48 million cups, spared from landfill.”
The swap-and-go systems also make business
sense – based on 50 cups used in one
day, each café would save $2,700 a year,
Local Health District (NSLHD)
Health Promotion Service
asked Northern Beaches
women aged 35 to 59 years
for their thoughts, opinions
and experiences with alcohol.
The survey revealed 56% of
women in this cohort believed
there was problematic
drinking among their peers.
due to reduced packaging costs (assuming
a disposable coffee cup and lid is 0.15c).
Eligible cafes can apply through an EOI
on Council’s website. Council’s ‘Swap for
Good’ team are also hosting a webinar on
10 November at 6pm with a panel of ‘swap
and go’ providers to answer questions.
Register on the website.
Women were drinking alcohol
for enjoyment, to be social
and to relieve stress. Yet,
women were rethinking their
consumption with nearly
50% of moderate to high-risk
drinkers wanting to reduce
their intake. The results have
enabled NSHLD to explore
innovative strategies to help
reduce alcohol related harm
for Northern Beaches Women.
Do you or someone you know
want to drink less? The NSW
FREE Get Healthy Service offers
free and friendly support
over the phone to change
your drinking habits and set
healthy lifestyle goals. All
calls are strictly confidential;
1300 806 258 or visit gethealthynsw.com.au/alcohol
Gap Year 2021?
Time to go bush
Despite closed international
boarders, local Federal MP
Jason Falinski says taking an
adventure-fuelled gap year is
still an option for Pittwater
school-leavers. The Australian
Government is investing
$33.7 million to support
farmers by encouraging and
incentivising Australians to
take a ‘domestic gap year’ and
eligible temporary visa holders
to work in the agriculture
sector this coming harvest
season. Mr Falinski said the
agriculture sector was facing
unprecedented pressure on
labour supply as a result of
COVID-19. “Through the 2020
Budget, the Liberal Nationals
are investing $17.4 million in
relocation support and $16.3
million in temporary Youth
Allowance and ABSTUDY
eligibility changes to incentivise
people to take up seasonal
farm work this summer.” He
said relocation allowances
of up to $6,000 for Australians
and up to $2,000 for
eligible visa holders would be
available from 1 November to
undertake seasonal work. He
further explained that under
the Youth Allowance and AB-
STUDY new criteria, a person
Continued on page 32
Youth Hub thankful
for funding extension
Northern Beaches Council
has signalled its
intention to extend financial
support of the Avalon Youth
Hub.
Council was instrumental
in helping to set up the Hub
in May 2018, in response to
an alarming rise in youth
suicide and mental health
issues in the Pittwater area.
Co-ordinated by the
Burdekin Association, the
Hub has been providing
free counselling, case
management, mentoring,
advice and referrals and
delivering workshops and
information sessions to
young people and their
families and the wider
community.
At Council’s October
meeting staff recommended
Council continue to provide
the Hub with funding
through to June 2022;
funding will be $90,000 per
annum for the 18 months.
Burdekin Association CEO
Justene Gordon explained
the council’s ongoing
support provided the
opportunity for the group to
secure the Hub’s future.
“Council’s
recommendation to continue
to support the Hub at
this time is unbelievably
fantastic... there is such a
need for it,” Justene said.
“Over the past two
years our energy has been
focussed on meeting the
demand for support services
and building the resilience
of young people in the
community.
“Now we have space to
build on that capacity and
resilience and invest time in
finding alternative funding
sources for the Hub to be
self-sufficient.” – LO
News
30 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 31

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 31
who earned $15,000 through
employment in the agricultural
sector in regional Australia
between 30 November 2020
and 31 December 2021 would
be considered as “independent”
for the purpose of YA
(student) or ABSTUDY. “This
will significantly reduce the
time needed for a young
person to gain ‘independent’
status and claim Youth Allowance
or ABSTUDY faster than
under the existing criteria,”
Mr Falinski said. More info
dese.gov.au
Palm Beach Probus
Members of the small and
friendly Palm Beach Probus
Club have been pleased to
resume their monthly meetings
thanks to the excellent
safety protocols at Club Palm
Beach. Their next meeting is
on Wednesday, 18 November
for a 9.45 start, with guest
speaker Richard Broinowski, a
distinguished career diplomat
who has worked in Japan, the
Philippines, Iran, Burma, and
as Ambassador to Mexico,
Vietnam and South Korea. On
his retirement from DFAT he
became Adjunct Professor in
Media and Communications,
first at the University of Canberra,
then Sydney University.
He will be speaking on his
varied experiences.
Anytime access
via new library app
Northern Beaches Council has
released a new Library app to
allow members streamlined
contactless borrowing, catalogue
searches and information
about library events and
news. The app has everything
together in one mobile-friendly
location to make accessing
the library now safer and
easier. Via the new library app,
users can manage accounts;
store library cards and link
family members’ cards; borrow
books in-branch; view
loans and reservations or renew
items; scan the barcode of
any book (like one you see in
a bookstore) to see if you can
borrow it from your library;
search the collection and place
a reservation; browse for easy
access to the eLibrary and eReosurces;
and check out what’s
available at the nearest library.
Earlier this year, Council’s
library service moved quickly
during the COVID-19 pandemic
to deliver Library2U, a home
delivery service ensuring our
community could still access
and enjoy the library during
challenging times. Search for
Northern Beaches Library Service
in the App Store or Google
Play store; free to download.
Crohn’s & Colitis
support group
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia
have established a support
group at the Mona Vale Memorial
Hall for people impacted
by inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD). The facilitated
group provides support for
those diagnosed with IBD and
their family, partner, carers or
loved ones, from people with
experience living with IBD.
For more information or to
register to attend visit crohnsandcolitis.com.au
Tough competition
for Community Grants
After an exhaustive review
process, Northern Beaches
Council has approved
$280,000 in Community Development,
Arts and Creativity
as well as Environmental
grants for this financial
year, to support projects and
initiatives that deliver direct
benefits to the local community
and the environment.
It provides grants of up to
$10,000 to eligible individuals
and organisations to support
projects and initiatives to be
delivered by 31 December
2021. Of the $280,000 awarded,
$240,000 was shared between
the Arts and Creativity
and Community Development
grants and $40,000 went towards
Environmental grants.
Council approved $95,250 in
Continued on page 34
That’s not a knife…
it’s another Dagger
A
valon Beach’s Michael
Robotham has triumphed
at this year’s Crime
Writers’ Association Awards,
receiving the prestigious and
internationally recognised
Gold Dagger for Best Crime
Novel of the Year for his
bestselling Good Girl, Bad
Girl. Robotham joins a select
few including John Le Carre
to have claimed the Dagger
twice and he becomes the
first Australian to do so.
Robotham said: “What thrills
me the most is that since
2007 Australians have won
[the Gold Dagger] four times. It reflects how far Australian
crime writing has come.” An unnerving psychological thriller,
Good Girl, Bad Girl became the top-selling fiction title on
release in August 2019 and When She Was Good, released in
August this year, was equally well received earning the top
spot for adult fiction in its release week. The Gold Dagger
rounds off what has been an incredible year for Robotham,
with Good Girl, Bad Girl also nominated for the 2020 Edgar
Award for Best Novel (presented by the Mystery Writers of
America) and shortlisted for the 2020 ABIA General Fiction
Book of the Year Award. Also, The Secrets She Keeps television
series premiered on Channel 10 in April.
News
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The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 33

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 33
Arts and Creativity grants
and $97,566 in Community
Development grants. In the
previous financial year, five
grants were awarded for funding
over three years; $47,184
was allocated this year for the
second year of this multi-year
funding. Mayor Michael Regan
said the number of grant applications
received this year
far exceeded Council’s grants
allocation in the budget. “We
received more than $1.8 million
in eligible applications
to come from an allocated
budget of $280,000, so it was
super competitive. We were
only able to fund about 20%
of the eligible applications.
There were many quality submissions,
so some difficult
decisions needed to be made.”
He said COVID had had an
obvious impact contributing
significantly to the high level
of applications this year. “In
the past six months, we have
seen an increased demand for
community-based programs
and activities in the areas of
mental health, community
support services and in the
creative sector.”
Hospital Auxiliary
making busy for sale
Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary
members report they have
been busy during the COVID
pandemic making and acquiring
goods to sell at their
stalls to raise funds for the
Builder’s Bilgola SLSC gesture
PBS Building, which is about to start construction on the luxury
and sustainable Qubec villas project at Newport, has shown
its support for the local SLS community with the purchase of a
unique longboard signed by former Women’s World Champion
Layne Beachley and a host of other surfing identities. PBS head
Dominic Fussell bought the board from Bilgola Surf Lifesaving
Club for $5,000 – then loaned the surfboard back to the Club for
display in the Clubhouse over the current season. Dominic (far
right) is pictured with Ed Horton, Chairman of developer The
Stable Group (left), and Bilgola SLS Club Sponsorship & Grants
Officer Jonathan Papworth (centre), who thanked the company
for its generosity. * Hot Property – see page 40
Hospital. Stalls will be held on
Friday and Saturday, December
4th and 5th at Pittwater
Place, Mona Vale from 8.30am
until 3pm and on Friday, 11th
December outside the vacant
shop, 41 Avalon Parade, Avalon,
also from 8.30am until
3pm. Items will include sewing,
knitting, books, jam and
more. (Unfortunately, Mona
Vale Hospital kiosk has had to
close after serving the staff
and public for many years.)
Seniors: learn
computer skills
Calling all Seniors: Manly
Computer Pals (their patron
is Cr Kylie Ferguson) are open
for Term 4 enrolments. Learn
to master the online world
so you can plan your next
(domestic) holiday with ease;
learn how to play Bridge; learn
how to video your family’s
events; research your ancestors;
meet up and enjoy a new
social group. Let your tutor
know the skills you would
like to learn on your mobile
device or computer – your
personal tutor will show you
how to comfortably enjoy
using your own personal
computer or mobile device.
Contact Manly Computer Pals
on 9976 0930 or manlypals@
gmail.com.
Work starts on NRL
Centre of Excellence
Construction has begun on
the $33.1 million Manly Sea
Eagles Centre of Excellence
Three new buildings within the Mater Maria Catholic
College at Warriewood were opened by Most Reverend
Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay last month.
Principal Marc Reicher said: “I’m very proud that we
have been able to achieve our projected growth, allowing
us to provide a Catholic education for over 1,000 students
on the Northern Beaches every year.” With this growth
and our thoughtful financial management at the school
level, the support of the Diocese and its building fund,
we were able to start this project in 2017, and we have
gradually moved into the spaces over the last 12 months.”
Set high in a tranquil bush location, Mater Maria Catholic
College is a co-educational school for Years 7 to 12. The
College has indoor and outdoor agile learning spaces, new
administration and staff facilities, an easily accessible
student welfare hub, a new café style canteen and the
old parts of the school have been reconfigured into 6
new classrooms, a new junior kitchen and a purpose-built
STEM lab.
and Northern Grandstand at
Brookvale Oval, with work
expected to be finished in
time for the start of the 2022
NRL season. The project is
expected to create more than
300 jobs and provide a major
boost to the local construction
industry,” said Acting
Minister for Sport Geoff Lee.
“It’s one of the most iconic
grounds in rugby league and
this project will ensure the
Northern Beaches community
continues to love coming
to Brookie Oval.” The new
grandstand will add 3,000
seats. The Sea Eagles Centre
of Excellence will include
high performance, training
and administration facilities
for the Manly Warringah
Sea Eagles men’s and future
women’s NRL teams, as well
as pathway participants.
Military service
boards update
Newport Surf Life Saving Club
is in the process of updating
its Military Service Honour
boards to include those club
members who have served
since 1975. The criteria for
inclusion is to have been a
Newport SLSC member at
time of deployment; and to
have received a Returned
from Active Service badge.
If you, or someone you know,
fulfils those requirements,
please email Club Historian
Michael King at historian@
newportsurfclub.com.au.
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
We all know how important
tick prevention is for our
dogs in summer, but what about
heartworm disease? Is your dog
adequately protected?
Heartworm in dogs is a
potentially fatal disease that is
transmitted from infected to
uninfected dogs by mosquitoes.
These mosquitoes inject several
tiny worms (microfilaria) into the
dog’s body which then mature
into adult heartworm over about
six months. These adult worms
settle inside the chambers of
the heart and interfere with the
flow of blood. Adult heartworm
infection causes heart failure
which can result in serious
illness and death. Heartworm
disease is very difficult and
expensive to treat so prevention
is much better than cure!
According to the Australian
Heartworm Advisory Panel, yearround
heartworm protection
is recommended for every dog
Australia wide. Therefore, just as
we vaccinate pets against deadly
viral diseases, heartworm
prophylaxis is an important
cornerstone of preventative
care. Whilst monthly heartworm
preventatives have been
demonstrated to be effective
(when given every month) any
lapse in treatment puts patients
at higher risk of heartworm
disease. Recent research
showed that complacency
around heartworm prevention
has resulted in dogs testing
positive to heartworm, in fact
around 40% of dogs diagnosed
with heartworm disease are
on owner-given monthly
heartworm preventatives.
The easiest way to avoid
forgetting heartworm
medication is to use annual
heartworm prevention given
by injection at the time of
vaccination, this medication
lasts for 12 months.
Give us a call to discuss
your dog’s heartworm
prevention to make sure they
are adequately protected
leading into the warmer
months. We are currently
offering a free heartworm
test with every year round
heartworm prevention injection
sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au
News
34 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 35

swamp and I remember as a kid there was
a property owner running around on a
horse, a stockman with a stock whip who
chased us off his property a few times.”
They later moved to the Adelaide Hills
and for a time lived in a magnificent
160-year-old house at Mount Lofty owned
by his grandmother.
The Creative Bug
By the time he was 12, the family had
moved to Sydney where his father opened
the Hungry Horse Gallery in Paddington
and Tim was attending Cranbrook School
in Bellevue Hill, where he met well-known
shaper Greg Webber and his brothers, who
in those days were Bondi locals.
“Because of all the creative things going
on around me when I went to Cranbrook, I
was trying to create things I could sell and
make money out of. I saw opportunities
all around me,” he says. “And we were
hanging out a lot with the Laws family,
John and Caroline, because John and dad
were good friends.
“John had a Super 8 movie camera
sitting on the floor and I kept on eyeing it
off for many, many months and I said ‘hey
John I’ve seen that movie camera on the
floor, any chance I can borrow it?’
“He looked at me and said, ‘you know
what, I don’t use it so if you can put it to
good use you can have it.”
From that point on Tim started shooting
Super 8 footage, partly inspired by the
Webber boys who were making films of
their own. “So that was the beginning of
my film career.”
A business model born
By 1981 Tim was back in Adelaide,
working as a DJ. “I was still shooting
surfing on the Yorke Peninsula and a few
other spots for the fun of it,” says Tim.
“Then I hit up a guy by the name of Peter
Victorsen – his nickname was Punk –
who owned the Top o Taps surf shop to
sponsor me to go to Sydney and shoot the
1981 2SM Coca-Cola Surfabout.”
After some haggling Punk agreed and
on the same long trip Tim made it to Bells
Beach for the annual Easter comp. The
timing could not have been better.
The waves at Bells reached a perfect 15
foot while Narrabeen’s Simon Anderson
won the comp on a three-finned board
known as a thruster, a revolutionary
design that changed surfing.
It was a seminal event – and so was the
movie that resulted for Tim.
“We had a line a mile long to see the
film because the only way you’d see
surfing in those days was a 30-second
bulletin on the news,” Tim says. “I
suddenly realised I could live a dream on
Continued on page 38
Surf’s
Life Stories
Up!
Into his fifth decade behind the
lens, Avalon film-maker Tim
Bonython tells of his career
documenting big wave surfing.
Story by Martin Kelly
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: With surfing’s original ‘Gidget’ in
Malibu; with legend Kelly Slater; back in his early DJ days; with wife
and business manager Sandrine and sons Tristan and Maxim; with
dad Kym; after a heavy knock, with jet ski driver Campbell Farrell.
Life Stories
Tim Bonython can trace his family
tree back to 1370 but he very much
lives in the moment, so fast it’s
often hard to keep up, both with his
conversation, which jumps from point to
point, and movement – he’s always doing
something.
Later this month, Tim, a timeless
showman and acclaimed surf
cinematographer from Avalon, will once
again be packing his bags and heading
up the coast for the latest instalment
of the Australian Surf Movie Festival, a
moveable, changeable feast he started
back in 2002.
Eighteen years on, media production
and consumption may be radically
different – streaming, internet, mobile,
COVID – but in essence the surf movie
game remains the same. Entertainment.
For Tim this means getting exclusive
shots of the best surfers in the largest,
heaviest, scariest waves possible, cutting
and editing the footage before taking it
out on the road.
The drill is the same as it ever was: travel
from surf town to surf town, promote the
hell out of the product, charge a fair entry
fee, set up in a local cinema, put on the
show for the local crew.
Then move on and do it all again,
following the path laid down in the 1960s
and 1970s by surf movie pioneers such as
Bruce Brown, Bob Evans, Paul Witzig, Albe
Falzon and others.
Early days
Tim’s story begins 1400km from Avalon
in the city of Adelaide, where he was born
61 years ago into one of the city’s bestknown
families. Paternal grandfather,
Sir John Lavington Bonython, was a
journalist, businessman and former Lord
Mayor of Adelaide. His dad Kym achieved
a certain fame as a World War II squadron
leader, jazz aficionado, concert promoter,
entrepreneur, speedway racer, art gallery
owner, politician and man about town.
Tim is one of three children from
Kym’s second marriage to former Miss
South Australia Julie McClure, and grew
up by the water in the Adelaide suburb
of Tennyson, a long way from the surf
towards the crook of Gulf St Vincent but
right on the beach.
“The front door opened onto the street
but the back door straight on the beach
and so I would just kinda wander out
the back door and the ocean became my
playground from day one,” Tim says.
“Literally just half a ‘kay’ up the road
was the sand hills that ran up to Largs
Bay. Then on the other side was the
36 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 37

PHOTO: Russell Ord
LEFT: Filming big wave surfer Mark Mathews at ‘The Right’ in Western Australia. RIGHT: Shooting from the beach in Hawaii.
Life Stories
Continued from page 37
the road, shooting surfing and showing it
to a paying public.”
Fast Forward
Now here we are, 40 years later, and Tim
– who has a wife Sandrine and two boys
aged 18 and 21 – still has the energy and
enthusiasm of that long-ago teenager with
his first Zino Super 8, doing crazy things
like shooting “mental” 60-foot Nazare in
Portugal from the back of a jet ski.
“It’s so exciting, I love it. I’m scared
shitless but… Nazare from the water is
just so rewarding because you’re putting
your life on the line to get the shot. I
can join the hundreds of people on the
hills getting those shots but that’s not
exclusive,” he says.
“When you’re on a ski, trying to get that
angle, you just can’t beat it. But it comes
with the worst-case scenario and so you’re
constantly on guard, you know, relying on
the driver to keep you out of trouble.”
In terms of the danger, he rationalises
that: “The more you’re with the ocean the
more you become part of it and the less
likely you’re going to drown.” (Ok...)
His other favourite wave to shoot is
Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
“It is cinematically the most amazing
wave that delivers some of the most
incredible big wave surfing when it gets
super big, and you can get so close to it,
literally just metres away from the energy
in a boat.”
Australian Surf
Movie Festival
Both Nazare and Teahupo’o feature in
the latest edition of the Australian Surf
Movie Festival, titled ‘Swell Chasers – To
Swell and Back’ – five movies featuring
footage from some of the world’s most
infamous big wave locations.
It kicks off with a screening at the
Orpheum Cremorne on November 10
before heading up the NSW coast.
Also keep an eye out for a new
four-episode series called (again) Swell
Chasers, that takes a behind the scenes
look at Tim’s life and work. It’s due to
screen on Foxtel later this year.
* Tickets & info visit asmf.net.au
38 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
Hot Property
Keen out-of-area buyers,
low stock driving up prices
This Spring, the number
of properties for sale
in Pittwater is far lower
than normal but demand is super
high, leading to some very
quick sales and street records.
Agents have been welcoming
up to 60 parties at open
houses, are holding extra
open inspections and have
been seeing buyers who are
checking out the upper northern
beaches for the first time.
A quick survey of Realestate.
com.au shows that in the busy
selling season there are only 14
houses for sale in Mona Vale,
10 in North Narrabeen and in
Bilgola Plateau, which would
normally see around 15 properties
on the market, there are
just two homes selling.
Reasons for the low volume
include older sellers deferring
coming to market in COVID-19
conditions and younger homeowners
deciding to renovate
rather than upgrade thanks to
low interest rates compared
to changeover costs. For the
average stamp duty and legals
payments of $150,000, families
can extend and renovate
their existing home – and
many are choosing to do so.
Next pocket to pop
One example of high demand
leading to a high price is
in a small pocket of North
Narrabeen next to a popular
holiday park. This low-lying
area including Collins Street,
Road has been sometimes
overlooked by locals but
out-of-area buyers are seeing
value, a pocket close to the
B-Line bus, Narrabeen Lagoon
and the beach.
Joshua Perry, of Belle Property
Dee Why, sold 17 Darius
Ave for $2.111.111 to an eastern
suburbs buyer who loved the
position. The four-bedroom
house with pool and granny
flat originally had a guide of
$1.7 million but that was raised
to $1.8 million after 65 buyers
turned up at the first open
house. The previous record for
the street was $1.6 million.
“This is a forgotten pocket
but only two minutes to the
beach and I believe it is the
next area to pop,” Perry said.
Street record in
four days
Meanwhile a four-bedroom
house at 17a Loombah Street,
Bilgola Plateau sold in four
days in October setting a new
street record by more than
$500,000. Adrian Venturi, of
McGrath Pittwater, said he
had seven offers (below), six
from out-of-area buyers, and
it sold in the mid-$2 millions.
The previous street record was
$2.02 million.
“In 14 years I have never
seen stock levels so low and
we are seeing so many buyers
at a Saturday open house we
are now opening on a Wednesday
as numbers were getting
out of control,” he said.
He added that Pittwater was
becoming more attractive to
Sydneysiders thanks to NBN,
the B-Line bus service to the
city and the hope of the Northern
Beaches Tunnel.
“They are realising life on
the upper northern beaches
is pretty cool, you can work
from home, surf, enjoy the
parks, live on a big block of
land and the largest distance
to the ocean is one kilometre,”
he said.
Whale of a sale
Out-of-area buyers have
swooped on an old cottage
100m from the sand at Whale
Beach, paying more than the
$4.4 million guide before it
could get to auction.
Number 214 Whale Beach Rd
had been held for six decades
and consisted of three bedrooms
on a 753sqm block one
house away from the beach.
Noel Nicholson, of Ray White
Prestige, said the market was
incredibly strong, driven by
low stock levels and new buyer
groups entering the market.
“We’re also seeing a greater
interest from affluent outof-area
buyers (mostly North
Shore and Eastern Suburbs)
who due to the limitations of
domestic travel and the new
reality of working from home
are placing a premium on
lifestyle,” he said.
Whale Beach Beauty
A rare fresh listing for Whale
Beach is a brand-new architect-designed
home with due
north aspect that has just
come to market with a $5.3
million guide and a November
11 auction date.
Number 24 Beauty Dr (main
photo) has only just been
completed and comprises four
bedrooms, three bathrooms
and four-car garaging on
830sqm of land in a private
cul-de-sac and it has close and
wide beach and ocean views
plus an infinity pool and spa.
Peter Robinson, of LJ
Hooker Palm Beach, describes
it as the epitome of Whale
Beach living.
Features include several
outdoor entertaining areas,
one with a sunken firepit and
another upstairs with television
and barbecue zone. Inside
there is a Tassie oak ceiling,
vast bifold glass doors to the
views, a top-of-the-line induction
and pyrolytic kitchen,
zoned air-conditioning and
underfloor heating.
Berry Avenue and Lake Park
– Kathryn Welling
40 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
Sod turn near for
luxe-living Qubec
Hot Property
Work on a large luxury
townhome/villas
development set to
transform the residential zone
behind Newport’s Pittwater-edge
shops is scheduled to commence at
the end of November.
Construction of the Qubec
complex, which will front Queens
Parade and Beaconsfield Street,
covering 3000 square metres
and incorporating 18 three-level
townhomes, will begin in early
2021.
Developer The Stable Group
bought the site, comprising six
properties, from a local property
entrepreneur last year and has collaborated
with architectural firm nettletontribe on
a design incorporating numerous energyefficient
and eco-friendly features.
Affluent downsizers are the primary
target market. Ed Horton, Chairman
of The Stable Group, says the appetite
from this growing cohort has exceeded
expectations.
The initial release of five townhomes
sold quickly at premium prices between
$2.95 million and $3.7 million.
Expressions of interest are now being
taken for the second sales release, expected
to come on the market in early 2021.
Horton says Qubec has struck a chord
among northern beaches residents who want
to downsize from their
large homes to a luxury
“lock-and-leave” dwelling.
There has also been a
surge in buyer interest
from outside the area.
“What has happened
since COVID is that the
demand from people
aspiring to come to
the northern beaches
has blown up, it’s huge
now,” says Horton.
“People are not just looking for holiday
accommodation up on the northern
beaches, they’re looking to make it their
principal place of residence.
“It is a much bigger market than we
originally envisaged – and it’s growing.”
Horton adds that “people are flocking
to quality” – validating The Stable Group’s
decision to go all-out on fittings and
inclusions, which include a luxe $27,000
fridge for each property and the very latest
appliances from industry leaders.
Each villa consists of three large
bedrooms, study, two-plus bathrooms,
a double lockup garage and a private,
accessible rooftop area; also, each has its
own private elevator.
Generous balconies, courtyards and
thoughtful landscaping break up the
design, providing open space throughout
the project.
There also polished concrete floors,
voice control for lighting and appliances,
electric vehicle charging facilities, solar
power and battery storage, number plate
recognition, biometric access – no keys
required – and smart light switches.
Horton says learnings from several of
his company’s previous projects, most
notably the award-winning The Burcham
in Rosebery and the Lifestyle Working
complex in Brookvale,
have been incorporated
into the design of
Qubec.
He says it will set
new benchmarks for
quality on the northern
beaches and that some
of the features will
reduce running costs for
residents.
“For example, we’ve
got individual solar on
each roof and a battery storage system in
each villa that can be accessed by residents.”
Horton says each villa has also been
designed to minimise the use of air
conditioners.
“We’ve got polished concrete floors,
ceiling fans, louvers, sliding doors and
cross ventilation through each one,
empowering the occupier to manage their
indoor air quality using passive techniques
without electronics.”
Completion is anticipated in the first
quarter of 2022.
– Martin Kelly
‘Freshwater’
a finalist
GJ Gardner Homes Sydney North
have been named a finalist in
the 2020 HIA CSR NSW Housing
and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
for their beautiful Freshwater
showcase home.
Company owners Horst and
Melissa Lueckl are delighted to be
recognised not only by industry
leaders, but also by the public.
“The Freshwater was a true labour
of love, and our team took so much
pride in considering every detail of
this place from the slab pour down
to the final finishing touches with
the wine in the cellar and the GJ baby
hoodie in the nursery,” said Melissa.
The home was built to complement
Sydney’s northern beaches
while maintaining a modern, family
friendly layout. Carefully thought
out to best satisfy the needs of large
and growing families, it offers an
abundance of space and functionality,
spread over two fluid levels.
“Being recognised as a readers’
choice shows us that the dedicated
effort we put in really hit the
mark and we have delighted our
customers and guests who have
walked through the home or taken
a virtual visit.”
Taking advantage of the block
size, and the lifestyle of this
region, the home was built to incorporate
a large, open-plan living
space. The generous kitchen, cellar
and butler’s pantry connect effortlessly
with the family and dining
areas, which extend outdoors to an
oversized rear-covered alfresco.
The winners of the 2020 HIA CSR
NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom
Awards will be announced on
Friday 20th November.
* The Freshwater showcase home
is available to view by appointment;
call 9939 3339.
42 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
Hot Property
Hop, skip & jump away
Avalon Beach
54 Central Road
5 Bed / 4 Bath / 6 Car
Spacious interiors, a versatile family focused layout and quality
finishes set the scene for a superb coastal lifestyle in this
elevated ocean-view home with pool.
A two-storey layout offers flexibility of space with informal and
formal living areas and separate living quarters for in-laws or teenagers.
Interiors open to a choice of balconies boasting ocean views
and sea breezes with alfresco entertaining in the rear.
Also features secure front level lawn, landscaped gardens and
ducted air conditioning. Positioned within a short stroll to Avalon
Village shops, convenient to schools and express city buses.
* Contact the listing agents at LJ Hooker Avalon: Danielle Forde
(0418 463 615) or David Watson (0414 441 111).
Moments to Paradise
Avalon Beach
3 Paradise Avenue
4 Bed / 2 Bath / 2 Car
This long-held family dwelling is one of just a handful of homes
that enjoys an exclusive Paradise Avenue address and it’s just
moments to adorable Paradise Beach.
With all bedrooms on the lower level, the bright and breezy
upper level is devoted to entertainment. The lounge, kitchen and
dining area is spread comfortably over a large single area upstairs.
At ground level, there’s a double carport with internal access.
On the lower level, there are four bedrooms, the master with wide
and expansive views over Pittwater, an en suite, and all with built-in
robes. There’s also a great study nook area.
* Contact the listing agent at Shores Real Estate: Stephanie
Hammond (0414 997 328).
Prized in every aspect
Newport
128 Grandview Drive
4 Bed / 2 Bath / 2 Car
This property offers unrivalled potential to accompany a prized
coastal lifestyle. Nestled amongst tree tops, this contemporary
home has so much to offer. Open-plan living flows to a timber deck
to take in the peaceful north easterly aspect while the private courtyard
allows for year-round entertaining.
The family friendly layout offers a separate ‘work from home’
office space or potential guest/fourth bedroom. It boasts a contemporary
design with modern kitchen, open-plan living and an
abundance of light.
It has spacious bedrooms, modern bathrooms and a private master
with walk-in robe, well-appointed en suite and private balcony.
This property provides low-maintenance living and is designed
to take in the leafy surrounds and sea breeze.
* Contact the listing agent @ LJ Hooker Newport: Rebecca
Hammond (0499 101 552).
46 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Books
Books
Love
Clancy
Richard Glover
ABC Books
$29.99
Have you ever wondered
what your dog really
thinks about their life
with us humans? In this
hilariously funny new
book from Richard Glover
we get a rare insight.
After Richard’s beloved
dog of 13 years Darcy dies
the family brings home
Clancy. Not only is Clancy
a cheeky Kelpie but also
quite the letter writer
and the book features
a selection of the dog’s
letters back home to his
‘Mum and Dad’.
As a puppy we
learn about Clancy’s
bewilderment at the
goings in his household –
especially the behaviour
of ‘the man’. Why do they
think I enjoy car rides?
Why when they have a full
fridge of food do they not
feed me more? Why does
the man keep fussing
over yellow patches in the
lawn?
At the end of each
Clancy letter, ‘The Man’,
has his right of reply
ensuring the record is
‘accurate’.
This is another gem
from Richard Glover.
Michael Armstrong
Beachside Bookshop
Focus on
meditation an
enlightening
revelation
In the midst of a global mental health
crisis, Northern Beaches-based journalist
Shannon Harvey recruited a team of
scientists to put mindful meditation to the
test. Her acclaimed documentary and book
My Year of Living Mindfully are out now.
Interview by Lisa Offord
Q: When and why did you begin writing?
I studied journalism at UTS and later got my
first job as a TV and radio journalist with
the ABC in my early 20s. I hoped to become
a foreign correspondent, but when I was
24 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune
disease (originally thought to be lupus, now
diagnosed as Sjogren’s disease) and my
life took another path. I now make feature
documentaries, write books, and present
podcasts which are all about
finding evidence-backed
solutions to the chronic
illness epidemic.
Q: What inspired you to
write My Year of Living
Mindfully?
I’d like to say this whole
thing started when I decided
to tackle a big problem: the
global mental health crisis.
But although that would have
been a worthy motive for any
unshrinking journalist, the
truth is, the inspiration for
My Year of Living Mindfully
was also very personal. I’d
just had my second child
and although I wasn’t in the midst of a fullblown
mental health episode, I was struggling
in my attempt to dance the work/life twostep.
Even more troubling though, was my
insomnia. One or two nights a week I was
plagued with rumination and unable to sleep.
With a family history of mental illness and
addiction, I went in search of something that
I could do (and something that I could teach
my kids) that didn’t require expensive trips
to a therapist or having to take medication.
I was after a kind of evidence-based mental
fitness training, like the brain’s equivalent
of a 30-minute workout or the mind’s daily
serving of five fruit and vegetables.
Q: What did you learn?
After my year-long self-experiment to see
what would happen if I meditated every day,
it’s now clear to me why mindfulness has
earned a multi-decade record in modern
medicine and healthcare, and why it’s now
finding its way into education, business,
social justice, and politics. At a time when
275 million around the world suffer from
anxiety, when one in five of us live in the
grip of chronic pain, and every 40 seconds,
someone, somewhere, takes their own life, it’s
pretty clear that the current
mainstream strategies we
have in place to support
psychological wellbeing are
not working. Mindfulness
is no panacea, but in all its
simplicity and complexity,
high-quality mindfulness
training is an adjunct that
complements the best of
whatever else is available.
Q: Any interesting
feedback?
Among other things, people
who have seen the film
and read the book tell me
how motivated they are to
start mindfulness training
and how relieved they are to know that the
training was (and still is) difficult for me. I
think it’s good to be honest and to bust the
myth that mindfulness training is easy and
always relaxing. Just like learning any new
worthwhile skill, mindfulness training can
be hard work, especially at the start. I’m not
suggesting that mindfulness training is a
replacement for the best of evidence-based
psychology, psychiatry or pharmacology. It’s
an adjunct that, with the help of qualified
teachers, we can do every day for ourselves
to keep mentally fit and prepare for whatever
life will throw at us.
* Published by Hachette Australia, My Year
of Living Mindfully is available where all
good books are sold.
50 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991

Art Life
Art Life
Historic Hill End
muse for sketches
month’s artistic residence in a historic program run by Bathurst Regional Art
A cottage in Hill End proved fruitful inspiration
Gallery.
for Avalon artist Joanna Gambotto
whose interiors sketches are now on exhibition
at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
A series of 14 etchings was developed
from countless sketches Joanna made of
the interiors of homes she visited while in
the former gold rush town in June last year.
The sketches were later developed into
large-scale charcoal drawings and etchings,
produced at the Warringah Printmakers
Studio.
Senior Curator Katherine Roberts said
Joanna’s residence enabled her to pursue
her interest in the quaint interiors of the
homes there.
“The large scale of the work invites the
viewer to immerse themselves in the drawings,
to almost walk in to the cottages and
to become a part of the lives of their occupants,
absorbed by the curios, architecture
and history of this town,” Katherine said.
Joanna said she first caught a glimpse of
the beautiful interiors of Hill End cottages a
few years ago, during a brief visit; thereafter
“The local community was very welcoming
and keen to open their doors wide, enabling
me to wander through the cottages
and make many sketches of the interiors,”
she said.
“Initially intended only as a starting point
for my paintings, the drawings gained so
much gravity that it became imperative
to give them a life of their own. All they
needed was a touch more refinement. I
turned to printmaking.”
This project was assisted by a 2020
Northern Beaches Council Creative Communities
Support grant.
Mayor Michael Regan said it was great to
see the works of a very talented local artist
showcased at the Gallery.
“There’s no doubt Joanna is one of our
emerging artists to watch on the Northern
Beaches, and at MAG&M, we are very keen
to nurture our local talent.”
The exhibition closes November 29; there
will be an artist’s ‘Walk & Talk’ from 2pm on
Sunday November 1 – bookings essential
she applied for the Artist in Residence on Council’s website. – Nigel
Wall
Society sale keeps
with tradition
After a challenging year full of
cancellations and disappointment,
the Northern Beaches Art Society is
excited to announce their 74th Annual
Art Exhibition and Sale.
President Heather Macorison said: “In
2021 artists have had the advantage of
being able to use an abundance of time
to put brushes to canvas and pencils to
paper. Works on display at this exhibition
will be in a variety of mediums and styles
in oils, watercolours, acrylics, and pastels
as well as drawings.
“There will be a multitude of subjects
such as landscapes, seascapes, abstracts,
semi-abstracts, still life, animals and
birds; all artworks will be for sale.”
The exhibition will be held in the
Lakeview Room at the Tramshed, in
Narrabeen; in order to comply with
COVID-19 regulations, all visitors will be
required to sign in.
There will not be an official opening
night or any awards presented. However,
the doors will be open earlier than in the
past, from 2pm on Friday 13 November,
and will stay open until 7pm that day.
(Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine on
Opening Day.)
On Saturday and Sunday, doors will
open at 9am until 5pm.
Northern Beaches Art Society are
offering discounted membership for those
who join at this exhibition.
*Visit northernbeachesartsociety.org
‘Inside Out’ explores
lockdown art process
Art Gallery on Palm
Beach is presenting
the exhibition ‘Inside
Out’ by Northern Beaches
artists Julie Nicholson and
Fiona Verity from 19-22
November.
The stunning double
solo exhibition relates
the artists’ experiences
during lockdown and
how it forced them to see
their surroundings in a
new way.
Gallery owner Vanessa
Ashcroft said the collection of semi-abstract paintings were
an emotional response to the physical and mental restraints
of staying inside or within the boundary of their studios. “The
result is a stunning collection that encourages the viewer to take
time to discover the layers of each painting and the impact this
year has had on them personally,” she said.
Fiona Verity’s work (above) gives form to objects found and
drawn, with multiple moments and memories revealing themselves
through layers of paint. During lockdown Fiona simply
drew items she found near her home and studio rather than her
usual practice of responding to the local landscape.
Julie Nicholson has
developed a new body of
work that delves deeper
into abstraction (right);
exploring the poetry of
transforming her memories
and experiences into
pictures began during
lockdown. Her lush
layered, heavily textured
paintings are an emotional
response to the physical
and mental restraints of
staying inside.
The Art Gallery on
Palm Beach is a collective of successful Sydney artists offering a
broad range of affordable, original and spectacular art.
Find the gallery at 1/1095 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach; open
Thursday to Sunday, 10am-3pm.
Spotlight on watery wonders
Stunning oil pastel
drawings of the lagoons,
marshes, creeks and
waterfalls of the Northern
Beaches feature in
Sydney artist Nick Hollo’s
exhibition ‘Waterways’ at
the Manly Art Gallery &
Museum this month.
The exhibition will
feature Hollo’s drawings
of 13 key sites from
Pittwater’s Careel Bay
to Manly’s North Head,
including Narrabeen
Lagoon and Deep Creek
(pictured).
Nick is passionate about
the need to preserve the
pristine beauty of the
waterways and catchments.
“These places provide
important habitat as well as
places of tranquillity for us
in the burgeoning city,” he
said. “Our waterways and
their catchments should
be the centrepiece of our
planning for the future.”
A series of guided
walks associated with this
exhibition are presented
in partnership with
Environment & Climate
Change, Northern Beaches
Council. Pick up a list at
the gallery and book via
Council’s website.
The exhibition closes
November 29. – NW
Art Life
52 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 53

Surfing Life
with Nick Carroll
NICK’S NOVEMBER SURF FORECAST
Surfing Life
Awkward truth about how
women are treated in the surf
Here’s something to think about this Summer...
It’s an awkward truth in
today’s world that top
Australian women surfers
receive a fair bit of unwanted
male attention. Some of it is
scary. Some of it’s dangerous.
A couple of weeks back, a
66-year-old man named Squire
Winter was convicted and
fined $1000 in Tweed Heads
Local Court after breaching a
protection order taken out on
behalf of seven-times world
champ Stephanie Gilmore.
Winter, who has a long
history of violence, assault,
and breaching similar orders
involving other people,
approached Steph at a recent
“ice-breaker” WSL event
in northern NSW and was
subsequently arrested for
breach of the order, which
had been taken out after he’d
approached Gilmore several
times earlier this year.
If you’re thinking Steph
might be a little sensitive,
maybe you’d be right. In
2012 she was attacked by a
homeless man with an iron
bar outside her apartment.
Her wrist was broken in the
attack.
Then again, Steph might
have been thinking about
Jodie Cooper. Jodie, a pro
surfing legend of the 1980s
and ’90s, was attacked by
a man in the surf at Lennox
Head in 2018. The man, local
surfer Mark Thomson, held
her underwater so long she
acted out drowning just to
get free. Thomson was also
convicted and given 300 hours
of community service.
These events have had
plenty of publicity. But they
occur over the top of a
background hum of women
copping questionable
treatment from men in lineups
far and wide – treatment
that may not turn violent, but
feels as if it might.
Biba Turnbull isn’t what
UNHAPPY HISTORY:
Stephanie Gilmore
has endured some
unpleasant stuff in
recent times.
you’d call a shrinking
violet. At 25, Biba is an
accomplished athlete, an expro
snowboarder who moved
to Vermont, USA by herself
as a teen to pursue her goals.
Today she works for Surfing
NSW in admin and team
support. She comes across as
a can-do human.
But when she contacted us
back in June, she sounded
pretty much at the end of
her tether. She’d just spent
a weekend surfing the
perfect winter waves at South
Narrabeen. But in this case,
“surfing” had meant that every
wave she caught, men would
take it from her.
They’d “look at me, make
eye contact, then just drop in
on me.” (For non-surfers, “drop
in” means taking off on a wave
despite someone else already
being up and riding on it. Fullon
no-no.)
It kept happening, wave
after wave, for over an hour
till she went in. Biba says she’s
grown used to being ignored
in her years of surfing,
but at Narrabeen that day,
something snapped. “I just felt
disgusted,” she said. “It makes
me ashamed to be part of the
surfing community.”
Biba’s so not alone. A
social media post she made
following the incident was
deluged with replies from
other women surfers.
They’d been told “F*&k you!”
They’d been told women don’t
belong in the water. They get
what they call “free lessons all
day” – men explaining to them
what to do or how to behave,
even if they’re better surfers
than the men.
One comment: “I’m sick of
hearing, ‘Oh I thought you
wouldn’t make it’.”
Another: “He got so
flustered, he spat in the water
in front of my board.”
Another: “And the older men
54 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
Can I tell you, this summer is going to blow a gasket. It’s
going to be as epic as last summer was traumatic. Instead of
fire, we are going to experience water, in all its forms. Water
will fall from the sky, it will come flooding out of the rivers,
and it will come smashing down on all our heads thanks to
gale force winds in the Tasman Sea and the south-west Pacific
Ocean. As you may have noticed in the last week of October,
it’s already begun, and thus it will continue. November, I feel,
will run in and out on this score. There will be mad periods
of wind and rain and swell, and quieter periods in which the
wind will settle. Watch for a range of swells from every angle,
sometimes hitting all at once, and a lot of sea life, including
possibly quite fierce bluebottle onsets. Also look for rapidly
warming surface waters, which are likely to peak later in the
summer at levels we haven’t seen in Sydney for a lifetime.
are the worst!”
Another, quoting a man
who’d dropped in on her and
didn’t like being called out on
it: “What’s wrong with you, you
must be on your period.”
Semi-rarely, they’d made a
good place for themselves at
a localised spot and surf on
equal terms. But even then,
they’ll pick up on differences
in their treatment. “Been
surfing a very busy and
popular wave for 28 years,”
said one. “The guys who I surf
with regularly hoot me into
waves. The random guys who
show up just drop in blatantly.
The random women who show
up do not. I think that says it
all.”
But too often it seems
nastier stuff happens, as
it did recently to Georgia
Matts. Georgia, 27, a lifelong
surfer from Coledale near
Wollongong, is a bit like Biba
– she’s used to it. But not
long ago, she was surfing her
home beach when a teenage
boy dropped in on her, fell
off, then called her a “stupid
c^@t.”
The boy was with his father
at the time, but instead of
straightening him out, Dad
told Georgia, “He’s just a local
boy.”
“I yelled at him, ‘So you
think it’s OK for your son
to speak to women that
way?’” Georgia told her local
newspaper. “He just shook his
head and drove away.”
Now, surfing’s always
had a primitive edge. There
will be many men who’ve
experienced aggression and
hostility in one line-up or
other. Many of them, schooled
from childhood in masculine
The Local Voice Since 1991
Nick Carroll
etiquette, will have stayed
quiet and moved on, or tried
to. Many will read the above
and think something like,
“Well, so what? I’ve seen
worse.”
But it’s something to
think about as we head
into what surely will be the
busiest surfing summer in
generations.
* * *
On a totally different note!
Evergreen surf film-maker
Tim Bonython and his team
have put together another
Australian Surf Movie Festival
for your mad entertainment.
I’ve seen some of the footage
and it’s classic Bonython
– the craziest array of big
wave daredevilry he’s been
able to conjure up, with as
little filter on it as possible.
So worth seeing on the big
screen. Here’s Tim’s local
dates in November: Cremorne
– Hayden Orpheum, 6.30pm
Tuesday 10th; Randwick – The
Ritz, 6.30pm Wednesday 11th;
Cronulla – Hoyts 6.30pm
Wednesday 25th. Tickets at
asmf.net.au
NOVEMBER 2020 55
Surfing Life

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Podcast
discussion
boost for
mental
health
What are our young
people thinking and
feeling right now? If
you are prepared to listen,
you might just find some of
the answers in a new podcast
launched this month.
Produced by a group of
young people, for young
people, The Avalon Youth
Hub podcast will feature 10
episodes with interviews and
discussions addressing tough
topics around mental health,
COVID, anxiety and bullying
to name a few.
The content will also appeal
to parents and carers by providing
an insight into what’s
important to our youth and
how they are navigating the
world around them.
“The podcasts are unique in
that they come entirely from a
young person’s perspective,”
Avalon Youth Hub project Coordinator
Laura Hamilton said.
“In the ‘Coming Out of
COVID’ episode for example,
the podcasters talk about how
school closures and learning
from home affected them
and describe how not going
to school every day changed
school friendships and the
impact that had on them.”
Episodes also feature guest
speakers and experts in their
fields.
In one episode we hear
from radio commentator and
mental health advocate Gus
Worland talking about men’s
mental health and the work
of the Gotcha 4 Life Foundation
(Gus also helped train the
podcasters earlier this year).
Another episode focussing
on body image features
input from an expert in cyber
safety.
Barrenjoey High School
student Lily Davis, 17, became
involved in creating the
podcast to help reach more
people in need by providing
an opportunity for people to
tap into discussions they may
not feel comfortable having
face to face.
“Everyone has the right to
know about mental health and
how common it is and that it is
OK to talk about it,” she said.
Lily particularly hopes an
episode about anxiety where
she and others share their
personal stories and trade tips
will help spread knowledge
and perspective that could
change the way people think
about anxiety and help others
IN THE STUDIO: The crew at work.
SUPPORT SERVICE: (Back l-r) Isabel Schilling, Ash Downey, David Singleton;
(Front l-r) Rachael Geddes, Astrid Twibill Hall and Lilly Parker.
understand what it is really
like.
“I think it’s also important
for anyone, anywhere who
might be struggling, to know
that they aren’t the only one
who may be feeling that way
and also that it’s OK to open
up about it.”
Another host, 15-year-old
Isabel Schilling added: “We
all know about mental health
but you may never know how
much someone close to you
could be suffering.
“We hope by sharing our
stories and opinions and what
we have gone through or
are going through and how
we have dealt with it or are
dealing with it will help more
people understand.
“I hope our voices can open
up more conversations,” the St
Luke’s Grammar student said.
The podcast was made possible
by a NSW Government’s
Youth Opportunities Grant
which provided $35,000 for
training and equipment.
The Avalon Youth Hub was
established in 2018 to offer a
safe space for young people
to find confidential support
and access a broad range of
youth support services in one
location.
With a base in the Avalon
Recreation Centre, the service
focusses on emotional wellbeing
and associated issues,
offering free one-on-one
counselling, mentoring and
workshops to support young
people aged from 12-25 and
their families in the Pittwater
region.
You can access the podcast
by going to avalonyouthhub.
org.au/podcast – Lisa Offord
56 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
2021 ocean swims announced
Pittwater surf clubs are offering a breath of
fresh air for 2021, forging ahead with plans
to host the annual series of ocean swims
starting in January.
If all goes well, the popular Newport Pool
to Peak ocean swims will kick off at Newport
Beach on Sunday 3 January.
Chairman of the Pool to Peak organising
committee John Guthrie said
planning was well underway
to have three swim courses –
400m, 800m and 2km – under
COVID-safe conditions that
comply with health department
guidelines.
“We will have various
protocols in place including a
limit of 500 people involved
on the beach at any one time
with only online entries accepted,” John said.
COVID safety marshals will ensure social
distancing and the starts for each swim will
be staggered to keep people separated.
“These are different times but what a great
way to start a new year, swimming in the
ocean, at one with nature,” he said.
At this stage, all the Pittwater ocean swims
will be following the COVID-safe protocol
involving the limit of 500 applicants.
David Madew and Nicola Curtin, organisers
of the Bilgola Ocean Swims, said plans were
The Local Voice Since 1991
well advanced for the two swims of 500m and
1500m scheduled for Sunday 17 January.
“Our aim is to be able to hold the two
swims safely for both swimmers and volunteers”
David said. “We are, however, mindful
that we conform to local, state and national
government regulations and advice – we will
only be accepting entries before the day and
then adapt the starting regimes
to allow us to operate
safely for both swimmers
and volunteers,” he added.
Mona Vale will hold their
swims on Sunday 24 January,
featuring 2km and 1km
courses.
Organisers of The Big
Swim, Palm Beach to Whale
Beach, are “fairly optimistic”
that the event will take place on Sunday 31
January with registrations now open.
Avalon SLSC will hold their swims on
Sunday 21 March 2021 with a 1.2km swim
at Avalon as well as the Newport to Avalon
Round the Bends 2.5km swim.
The Pittwater ocean swims are critical
fundraisers for the clubs involved, with funds
going towards the purchase of essential lifesaving
equipment and its maintenance.
Entries for the Pittwater Ocean swims are
available online at oceanswims.com – LO
NOVEMBER 2020 57
Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Dangers of over-exposure
to the burning summer sun
Despite widely publicised
campaigns, people are
still allowing themselves
to get sunburnt.
Sun damage is cumulative,
therefore protecting the
skin from sun damage is an
important factor in preventing
this damage. This is particularly
important for childhood
exposure – and for Australians,
given sun exposure is higher at
latitudes closer to the equator.
The ‘slip, slop, slap, seek
and slide’ guidelines apply to
slipping on clothing, slopping
on sunscreen, slapping on a
hat, seeking shade and sliding
on sunglasses.
Closely woven clothing is
one of the primary means of
reducing ultra violet radiation
(UVR). It is necessary to check
the rating – most good quality
garments carry a sun protection
factor (SPF) rating of 50. A
t-shirt, especially if wet, may
have an equivalent SPF rating of
only 10.
Guidelines suggest avoiding
sun exposure in the hottest time
of the day – from 10am to 2pm,
or 11am to 3pm with daylight
saving. It is estimated that 60%
of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
occurs during this time. Sun
burn is noted to be faster during
these times.
Regular use of sunscreens
is associated with an 80%
reduction in UVR skin damage
and is estimated to be similar for
malignant change. Studies show
a decreased rate in actinic or
solar keratoses and associated
squamous cell carcinomas
with Dr John Kippen
(SCCs). It is necessary to apply to
all exposed skin remembering
lips, ears, scalp and behind
the knees. A broad spectrum
sunscreen covers UVA and
UVB. Recommendations are
to apply the sunscreen 20
minutes before sun exposure
and reapply every two hours.
Reapplication needs to be more
frequent if swimming, sweating
or towelling. Australia has high
life expectancy rates, so the use
of sunscreen is applicable to
older people and adults. Living
to 80 years old and only starting
sunscreen use at 40 years
old will still give 40 years of
protection, half a lifespan.
Sunscreens are either
chemical or physical. Chemical
sunscreens penetrate the
upper skin levels and if broad
spectrum, will absorb both
UVA and UVB. Common agents
include para-aminobenzoic acid,
benzophenones and cinnamates.
Physical sunscreens reflect UVR
as a physical barrier. Common
agents include titanium dioxide
and zinc oxide.
Wide-brimmed hats or
legionnaire-style caps are
recommended. They are best
for direct sunlight but do
not adequately protect from
reflected light. Reflected light
is particularly high on beaches,
near water and even city
pavements.
Shade is very important.
Actively avoid direct sun
exposure. Roof cover, beach
umbrellas (pictured) and shade
tents all contribute to sun
prevention. Thin clouds may
only decrease sun exposure by
20-40%.
Sunglasses reduce sun glare,
sun exposure and protect
the eyes. They must be of
good quality and most sold
in Australia carry a standards
rating.
SPF stands for Sun Protection
factor. It is a numerical scale
for rating sunscreens. It is
calculated by comparing the
time needed to produce sunburn
(redness) on protected and
unprotected skin. If someone
becomes red after 10 minutes
of sun exposure this is their
initial burning time. Using an SPF
2-rated sunscreen, they should
turn red after 20 minutes. A
sunscreen rated SPF 15 will allow
150 minutes (2½ hours) before
redness occurs. The minimum
recommended sunscreen is
SPF 15. Higher SPF values have
higher protective ratings. An
SPF of 30 is 97% protective, but
this still allows UVR through.
Guidelines suggest a broad
spectrum, SPF30+, waterresistant
sunscreen, applied
in adequate amounts, 20
minutes before sun exposure
and reapplied every two hours.
Remember to also check the
expiry date. For sensitive skin
try non-fragranced toddler
classified sunscreen.
No single preventative
modality is adequate. UVR
damage can be reduced by
using all modalities together.
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
Health & Wellbeing
58 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 59

Health & Wellbeing
Move it, or lose it
Health & Wellbeing
Exercising might be the
last thing you feel like
doing when your joints
are stiff and achy but if you
are one of the 2.2 million
Australians with osteoarthritis
the message is clear: it’s time
to move.
Health experts say if you
have osteoarthritis, the one
thing you should do every
day to reduce joint pain
and improve strength and
flexibility and your overall
health, is exercise.
An important first step
however is to make sure you
know exactly what you are
dealing with.
Although osteoarthritis
was by far the most common
cause of joint pain, there were
many other conditions with
similar symptoms said Mona
Vale-based GP Ethel Gilbert.
“Not all joint pain and
stiffness is osteoarthritis and
these symptoms should be
assessed so you can better
manage your condition.”
There’s no cure for
osteoarthritis but the good
news is there is a lot you can
do to reduce pain and improve
function.
“Treatments for
osteoarthritis vary depending
on which joints are affected
and the severity of your
condition but management
commonly includes a weight
loss program if you are
overweight, and a tailored
exercise program,” Dr Gilbert
said.
Pain management
using medicines such as
paracetamol or non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs may
also be considered but check
with your doctor first.
And if these simple
measures aren’t effective,
your doctor may refer you
to a specialist for further
treatment which may include
joint injections or surgery if
required.
Most people worry that
exercising with osteoarthritis
could harm their joints
and cause more pain,
physiotherapist and director
of Epic Life Physio, Trish Orr,
said.
“However clinical research
shows that people can and
should exercise when they
have osteoarthritis.
“In fact, exercise is
considered the most effective,
non-drug treatment for
reducing pain, stress and
tension on joints, and
improving movement,
circulation and muscle
strength in patients with
osteoarthritis.”
The aim of a tailored
program was to avoid pain
and it encourage exercises
which lighten the load on
painful joints.
“Physiotherapists are in
the best position to prescribe
suitable exercises for patients
with osteoarthritis as they
understand the pathology
of the condition and how to
best advise their patients
to exercise often using
therabands and light weights
and aquatic exercise,” Trish
said.
Trish added “major
advances” had been made
in treating osteoarthritis
in hands and knees using
shockwave therapy to
improve function and exercise
capability.
Extracorporeal shock wave
therapy (ESWT) involves
delivery of shock waves to soft
tissue.
“ESWT is an exciting
treatment as it is non-invasive
and is achieving immediate
and long-term results,
particularly for patients with
moderate to severe pain,” she
said.
Follow the advice from your
doctor or physiotherapist.
In general, range-of-motion
exercises should be done
every day.
“Do not stop exercising
when you have osteoarthritis
as you will find that you will
stiffen up, your pain will
increase and your function will
decrease rapidly,” Trish said.
– Lisa Offord
Health & Wellbeing
60 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 61

Health & Wellbeing
with Andrew Snow
Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Prevention better than cure:
ways to protect your skin
Summer’s here – it’s time to
get your beauty ‘glow’ on
Health & Wellbeing
Skin cancer occurs when
skin cells are damaged,
for example, by
overexposure to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation from the sun.
There are three main types
of skin cancer: Basal cell
carcinoma; Squamous cell
carcinoma; and Melanoma –
the most dangerous form of
skin cancer.
In Australia, the incidence
of skin cancer is one of
the highest in the world. It
accounts for around 80%
of all our newly diagnosed
cancers. Doctors tally
more than 1 million patient
consultations per year for skin
cancer.
Approximately two in every
three Australians will be
diagnosed with skin cancer
by the time they are 70. Nonmelanoma
skin cancer is
almost twice as common in
men and the risk increases as
you get older.
In 2018, a total of 2094
people died from skin cancer
in Australia – 1429 from
melanoma and 665 from nonmelanoma
skin cancers.
It is important to check your
skin regularly and check
with your doctor if you
notice any changes. Look
for:
■ Any crusty, non-healing
sores;
■ Small lumps that are red,
pale or pearly in colour; and
■ New spots, freckles or any
moles changing in colour,
thickness or shape over a
period of weeks to months.
The sooner a skin cancer
is identified and treated, the
better your chance of avoiding
surgery or, in the case of a
more serious cancer, potential
disfigurement or even death.
Your doctor may perform
a biopsy for any spots that
may look suspicious. In some
cases, your doctor may refer
you to a specialist such as a
dermatologist if necessary.
Skin cancers are almost
always removed. In more
advanced skin cancers, some
of the surrounding tissue may
also be removed to make sure
that all the cancerous cells
have been taken out.
Some skin cancers can
be treated with ointments
or radiation therapy. Skin
cancers can also be removed
with cryotherapy (using liquid
nitrogen to rapidly freeze
the cancer off), curettage
(scraping) or cautery
(burning).
For best protection, when
the UV level is 3 or above,
use a combination of sun
protection measures such as:
■ Wear sun protective
clothing that covers as
much skin as possible;
■ Apply a broad spectrum,
water resistant sunscreen
that is at least SPF30. Put it
on 20 minutes before you
go outdoors and every two
hours afterwards. Sunscreen
should never be used to
extend the time you spend
in the sun;
■ Wear a hat that protects
your face, head, neck
and ears;
■ Stay in the shade when
possible;
■ Wear sunglasses that meet
Australian standards; and
■ Be extra cautious in the
middle of the day when UV
levels are most intense.
Most non-melanoma skin
cancers do not pose a serious
risk to your health but a
cancer diagnosis can be a
shock. For more detailed
information about skin
cancer please phone Cancer
Council 13 11 20 or talk to
your preferred health care
professional.
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.
62 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
Along with our great outdoor
lifestyle comes the
ravages of the Australian
sun and hyperpigmentation
in all its forms. With summer
knocking at our door, there is
still time to reduce last year’s
brown spots before adding to
those we will acquire this year.
There are three main types
of pigmentation: Epidermal,
where the pigmentation is close
to the surface of the skin and
is light brown; Dermal, where
the brown marks appear more
solid, is usually deep brown
and ashen grey; and a mixture,
where both levels are usually
dark brown.
There are many causes of
hyperpigmentation which may
include: PIH (post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation; pregnancy
(melasma); birth control pills;
long-term sun exposure;
estrogen (HRT); razor bumps;
acne; severe sunburn; eczema;
chemical irritations; rashes;
abrasive scrubs; surgical
procedures; perfume sprayed
on sun-exposed skin; certain
prescription medications; picking;
insect bites; scratching;
Chicken Pox; and trauma to the
skin. They all lead to the same
outcome where we have ageing
brown marks on both our face
and body.
Melanocytes are cells in our
skin that produce melanin, or
pigment and these are located
deep within the skin. It would
be perfect if the colour or
pigment was produced evenly
across our skin but given the
stimulants mentioned above
aggravating our melanin, this is
not usually the case.
My philosophy for treating
hyperpigmentation focuses on
five main areas to help achieve
a luminous, radiant glow for
our skin. These are: Surface exfoliation;
suppressing melanocyte
activity; treatment; cellular
repair and protection; and
lightening and brightening.
With the assistance of
gauze, toning lotion and/or
The Local Voice Since 1991
surface exfoliation, skin cells
are sloughed off, revealing a
brighter complexion. Some of
the key ingredients in these
products are Retinaldehydes,
Mandelic Acid, Flower Acids
and AHAs and BHAs.
To reduce existing hyperpigmentation,
superior brightening
agents in skin care products
will include Daisy Flower
Extract, Kojic Acid, L-Arbutin,
Resveratrol and Niacinamide –
all of which assist in reducing
melanocyte activity. This in
turn will improve skin clarity
and even out the skin tone.
Treatments to help reduce
the appearance of hyperpigmentation
may include progressive,
mid-depth and deep
peels; Intense Pulsed Light (IPL),
Fractional Laser, Skin Classic
Dyathermy, Nano Fractional
Laser and Tixel, or a combination
of these procedures.
When our skin is under attack
from any of the causes of
hyperpigmentation, cellular
breakdown occurs and cellular
repair is needed. This can be in
the form of internal nutritional
food and supplements (including
the antioxidants Vitamins
A, B and C) and external product
application (which include
ingredients such as reparative
stem cells like Gardenia, Swiss
Apple, Edelweiss, Vitamin C
and B). By incorporating a natural
physical sunscreen – zinc
and titanium dioxide – to our
everyday skincare regime, the
skin has a natural shield of protection
against future attacks. It
is important to note regular 3-4
hourly application of sunscreen
is required; and even then we
can still obtain a tan.
To assist with lightening and
brightening our complexion,
the skin may benefit from the
infusion of Vitamin C, Mandelic
and Phytic Acids, and Plantain
Leaf extract. In-clinic skincare
treatments are like the ‘boot
camp’ for the infusion process –
and it does not mean you have
to suffer to be glowing. The
treatments are performed regularly
and provide radiant skin
and you leaving more relaxed –
a great prescription for healthy,
radiant skin.
We live in “a sunburnt country”,
so we need to be vigilant
year-round with our skin/sun
protection. A healthy diet for
internal support and sun protection
(sunglasses, sunscreen,
sun hat, long sleeves) and
skincare supporting cellular
repair and melanin suppression
will all assist with the necessary
external support. The result will
allow us to ‘get our glow on’.
Sue Carroll is at the forefront
of the beauty, wellness
and para-medical profession
with 35 years’ experience on
Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
She leads an experienced,
professional team who are
passionate about results for
men and women.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
NOVEMBER 2020 63
Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
What happens when the
Federal Budget goes viral
This month we take a
brief look at the recent
Federal Budget from
a business perspective; and
wasn’t it a strange budget
experience! A Federal
Budget being handed down
in October instead of May,
well that’s odd in itself, but
then with all of the spending
coming from a Liberal
treasurer it turned into a bit
of a freak show. “A pretty
good Labor budget” one
writer in The Sydney Morning
Herald commented. This may
be true, but this year more
than any other in a long time
probably calls for a pragmatic
approach.
I have cherry picked some
of the budget highlights that
would be of benefit to most
of the small and medium
businesses operating in our
area:
Capital asset write-offs
Prior to the budget, small
businesses were able to
expense capital assets costing
up to $150,000 and installed
for use before 31 December
2020. In a nutshell, the Budget
has uncapped this amount
and extended the time limit
through to 30 June 2022.
As with most things the
government “gives” you,
there are conditions: first,
the turnover of your business
is relevant but I’m assuming
a small business here is
less than $50 million. Cars
always come up as part of
this discussion and you need
TAX CUTS: On the agenda.
to know that a depreciation
threshold on motor vehicles
of $59,136 applies – so don’t
order a shiny new car over
that amount assuming it can
be deducted in one year, plus
you have to allow for any
private use component that
will also limit your deduction.
Be aware, however, that this
depreciation threshold does
not apply to vehicles that
can carry a load over one
tonne, or that can transport
nine passengers. Another
exclusion to be aware of
applies to capital works –
things such as buildings or
alterations to a building,
structural improvements,
or earthworks. The point is,
at the margin, accelerated
depreciation can be
complicated so if you are
contemplating the purchase of
a significant asset it would be
wise to schedule a chat with
your adviser.
The last point to take notice
of is the growth in both scale
and reach of this concession
over many years. The reason
why it gets trotted out so
often at budget time is simple:
it costs the government very
little and plays off the short
time horizons of individual
taxpayers versus the
theoretically unlimited time
horizon of the government.
In accountant’s parlance, it’s
just a timing difference – but
don’t let that stop you buying
a new asset, just don’t let it
be the only reason why you
bought it.
Carry-back loss
provisions for companies
Unlike certain former
ABC journalists, most
businesspeople realise that if
you incur a loss when running
your business you need to
make up that loss in the future
before you become liable
for further income tax on
profits. This particular budget
incentive works in reverse
allowing companies (and only
companies) that have made
profits in the financial years
64 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
between 1 July 2018 and 30
June 2021 to obtain a refund
against losses they have
incurred between 1 July 2019
and 30 June 2022.
The reason why only
companies are eligible is
that this refund is generated
against the company’s
franking credit account and
the scale of any refund is
limited to the balance of the
franking account and cannot
create a deficit. Companies
that clean out their franking
accounts will need to make
profits and pay company
tax in the future before
they can go onto to pay
franked dividends to their
shareholders.
Personal Tax Cuts
I won’t bore you with the
rundown of the brackets but
The Sydney Morning Herald
quoted some post-budget
analysis from the BankWest
Curtin Economics Centre
that around three quarters of
Australians will be better off
as a result of the combination
of brought forward tax cuts,
extension of low and middle
income offsets, two $250
payments to pensioners and
the Corona Virus supplement
paid to those on JobSeeker
benefits.
More importantly for
business owners, in the week
following the Budget the
Herald went on to report a
strong jump in the regular
Westpac survey of consumer
confidence to a two year high
that economist Bill Evans
described as “extraordinary”
and attributed to the
Budget as well as improving
containment of the virus.
When tax planning this
financial year, it would pay to
keep an eye on the thresholds
of $45,000 and $120,000 as
these are the points that mark
the start of new tax brackets
as well as the end point of tax
offsets. For example, salary
sacrificing superannuation on
an income of $45,000 is no
longer economic when you
consider the average rate of
income tax combined with tax
offsets – you’d be better off
taking the funds as wages.
The tax cuts contained
The Local Voice Since 1991
in the budget have been
backdated to 1 July and
legislated so they will
manifest themselves as lower
PAYG withholding for most
businesses when they prepare
their BAS. The tax offsets
should any apply will become
available when an individual
lodges their 2021 tax return.
JobMaker Hiring Credit
This is an age-based hiring
credit for new employees
engaged for 20 or more hours
per week who were previously
on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance
or Parenting Payment. Paid at
the rate of $200 per week for
those aged 16 to 29 and $100
per week for those aged 30
to 35, the concession is for
12 months from the date of
employment.
Apprenticeships
wage subsidy
From 5 October 2020 to 30
September 2021, businesses of
any size will be able to claim
a Boosting Apprentices Wage
Subsidy for new apprentices
or trainees who commence
during this period. Employers
will be reimbursed up to 50%
of an apprentice or trainee’s
wages up to $7,000 per
quarter subject to a national
cap of 100,000 places.
The government may have
wanted to splash around
the word ‘apprenticeship’
in the budget papers but
a quick look around at the
traineeships on offer shows
there is a strong diversity of
training available in nontrades
areas such as office
work that should mean the
scheme is well supported.
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.
NOVEMBER 2020 65
Business Life

Business Life: Law
with Jennifer Harris
Business Life
Dispute resolution: sorting
things out during COVID
In July, this column addressed
the issue of “surviving
lockdown” and noted
“... for Strata managers,
several issues have arisen
for example concerning
meetings and processes,
finance and maintenance and
safety dispute resolution”. We
observed that problems arose
mainly about the conduct of
people living under curfew
during the virus pandemic
period and further noted that
“... perhaps an area giving rise
to increased activity is dispute
resolution”.
In a recent discussion with
a colleague who practises
exclusively in Strata Law, it
was illuminating to hear of the
magnitude of matters requiring
recent dispute resolution – considerably
increased in recent
months. These involved queries
on adjoining property developments,
dividing fences and retaining
walls, trees and plants,
destruction and damages and
nuisances and negligence.
Working at home has
given rise to concentration
on renovation, gardening
and development – hardware
outlets are booming. Adjoining
property development disputes
arise where access is sought
to an adjoining property for
construction works, or for a
problem which may have arisen
in relation to the use of land.
BUILDING FENCES: Boundary
issues can be the source of
much aggravation between
neighbours.
The issue is: how can one
access and neighbour’s land if
agreement cannot be reached
with the neighbour for access?
In these circumstances the
person requiring access to the
adjoining property may make
an application for an order in
terms of the Access to Neighboring
Land Act 2000.
The Act provides that an
access order may be made for
one or more of the following
purposes in connection with
the land on which the work is
to be carried out:
■ carrying out work of constructions,
repair, maintenance,
improvement or
demolition of building or
other structures;
■ carrying out inspections for
the purpose of ascertaining
whether such work is
required;
■ making plans in connection
with such work;
■ ascertaining
the
course of
drains, sewers,
pipes or
cables and renewing, repairing
or cleaning them; or
■ ascertaining whether any
hedge, tree or shrub is
dangerous, dead, diseased,
damaged or insecurely
rooted.
The Act sets up a regime
to alter the balance of the
interest of the owner requiring
access and the dominant
owner in the interests of the
community generally. Judicial
observations have noted that
where it is in the public interest,
particularly in situations
where there is a closely settled
area, buildings can be properly
maintained and there can
be appropriate urban renewal
by sensible give and take
between adjoining owners.
Overall, the Act encourages
people to negotiate in good
faith and make reasonable efforts
to reach agreement.
In the event that litigation
occurs, the Local Court may
order that a person
to whom an
access order
is granted pay
compensation
to the owner
of the land to
which access
is granted for
loss, damage or
injury, including
damage to personal property,
or financial loss and personal
injury arising from access.
An issue where access is
often sought to a neighbour’s
property is over the subject of
dividing fences and retaining
walls – particularly the latter
on the Northern Beaches
peninsula where geotech
engineers report on shifting
ground and surfaces.
Fences are important to
most property owners. An
adjoining owner is liable, in
respect of adjoining lands
where there is a no sufficient
dividing fence, to contribute
to the carrying out of fencing
work that results or would
result in the provision of a
dividing fence of a standard
not greater than the standard
for a sufficient dividing fence
66 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
– set out in Section 6 of the
Dividing Fences Act 1991.
It is essential in any negotiation
over fences which may
lead to the Local Court and
indeed it is a requirement that
if an adjoining owner wants
the other adjoining owner to
contribute to the construction
of a fence, a notice in
writing must be secured to
the other owner. The notice is
to specify the boundary line
on which the fencing work is
proposed to be carried out,
or if it is impractical to carry
out the fencing work on the
boundary, the line on which it
is proposed to carry out the
work, the type of fencing work
proposed to be carried out
and the estimated cost of the
fencing work. If the cost of the
work is to be borne otherwise
than in equal proportions, the
actual proportion should be
specified.
If adjoining owners do not
agree within one month after
the service of notice as to the
fencing work to be carried
out, either owner may apply to
the Local Court for determination.
In 2014, a decision in Turner
v Biggin [2014] NSW CATC 187
demonstrated how critical the
one-month time limit is in any
application. In that case the
applicant filed an application
seeking orders in accordance
with fencing work proposed
in the notice. However, the
application was served and
filed 18 days after service of
the notice. As a consequence
the Tribunal failed to make
the order on the basis that
the legislative requirement in
Section 12 of the Act had not
been satisfied. Accordingly,
the application for an order
was dismissed.
The issue of retaining walls
is complex and usually very
expensive. The law concerning
retaining walls is found not in
The Dividing Fences Act 1991
but rather in the Conveyancing
Act and deals with an owner’s
duty of care in relation to support
of the land and set out
that “... a person has a duty of
care not to do anything or in
relation to land – supporting
land, that removes the support
provided by the supporting
land and any other land
The Local Voice Since 1991
– supported land.”
Another very common
dispute between neighbours
concerns trees and plants.
In 2009 a Commissioner in
the NSW Land & Environment
Court observed: “Trees whether
living or dead, are evolving,
changing dynamic structures.
Many trees may grow, flower,
fruit or react to climatic
changes such as drought.
They are also susceptible to
attack from a variety of organisms
large and small – from
micobial fungi through human
beings to pachyderms.”
The Trees Act does not
apply to trees situated on any
land that it is vested in, or
managed by, a Council or any
land of a kind prescribed by
the regulations.
As with the Fence Act an
application for an order in the
Land & Environment Court
gives at least 21 days’ notice
of intention to lodge an application
and the term of the
order sought to the owner of
the land on which the tree is
situated.
A not uncommon occurrence
of a large tree falling on
a neighbour’s property in Gosford
with resultant significant
damage happened in 2008.
It was found that the mere
fact that a tree is situated on
a person’s land is insufficient
reason by itself to justify making
that person the insurer of
other persons for any harm
the tree may cause to
them or their property.
This and other subjects are
continually before The Land
and Environment Court for adjudication
and resolution and
during this period of lockdown
the volume of applications has
increased.
Overwhelmingly, one should
be mindful that the Court
looks at attempts between the
parties to reasonably resolve
these disputes before making
application to the Court.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates,
Solicitors, 4/57 Avalon
Parade, Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jennifer@jenniferharris.com.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
NOVEMBER 2020 67
Business Life

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AIR CONDITIONING
Alliance Climate Control
Call 02 9186 4179
Air Conditioning & Electrical
Professionals. Specialists in Air
Conditioning Installation, Service,
Repair & Replacement.
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.
AV INSTALLER
Chase AV
Call Erin 0429 336 606
End your frustration with a suite of
Savant products to bring you stressfree
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.
High Pressure
House Cleaning
Call Crispin 0416 215 095
Houses, Roofs, Paths & Driveways;
Domestic & Commercial.
Northernbeaches.com.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
Celebrating 21 years on Pittwater.
Softwash experts, pressure cleaning,
gutters & windows inside & outside.
CONCRETING
Pavecrete – All Concrete
Services
Call Phil 0418 772 799
pavecrete@iinet.net.au
Established locally 1995. Driveways
plus – Council Accredited. Excavation
service.
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
!Abloom Ace Gardening
Call 0415 817 880
Full range of gardening services
including landscaping, maintenance
and rubbish removal.
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction
for every garden situation. Sustainable
vegetable gardens and waterfront
specialist.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree
care by qualified arborists and tree
surgeons.
Tree Force
Call Guy 0411 730 239
Professional, safe 7 cost-effective
service. Specialising in all aspects
of tree work. 30 years on Northern
Beaches.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
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.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles
replaced, metal roof repairs, gutter
cleaning, valley irons replaced, whirly
birds fitted. 30 years exp.
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!
HANDYMEN Continued
Palm Beach Handyman
Call Nigel 0412 510 736
Trusted local operator with 20 years’
Trades & Services
Antique
General
Store
68 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 69

Trades & Services
Times Past
Trades & Services
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.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best.
Comprehensive control. Eliminate all
manner of pests.
PLUMBING
Brock’s Plumbing
Call 1800 99 58 58
General and emergency services. Hot
water; CCTV sewer and stormwater
inspections. Serving Northern Beaches
for 30+ years.
Rapid Jet Pipe Cleaning
Call 1800 99 58 58
Sewer & stormwater pipe rehabilitation;
25-year warranty & annual CCTV
inspection.
RENOVATIONS
BlindLight
Call Dave 0403 466 350
Specialists in window tintings and
glass coatings. Act now for summer.
RUBBISH REMOVAL
Jack’s Rubbish Removals
Call Jack 0403 385 312
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest
health regulations. Old-fashioned
honesty & reliability. Free quotes.
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 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of
outdoor & indoor seating.
Custom service, expert advice.
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.
‘Flint and Steel’ house
out beyond West Head
The McGaw house of
Flint and Steel Beach
was once described by
the Royal Australian Institute
of Architects as “one of the
finest examples of Australian
Vernacular Architecture”.
The house was called ‘Flint
and Steel’ after which the
beach received its name –
although these days somewhat
strangely it also goes by the
name White Horse Beach.
New Zealand-born Eardley
Henderson ‘Mac’ McGaw
received the grant of a lot
from a proposed subdivision
of Ku-ring-gai Chase in 1924,
previously called Commodore
Heights. It was, in fact, a
‘permissive occupancy’
in that he was required to
construct a house to the value
of at least 160 pounds within
four years, to encourage
investors to purchase land.
‘Mac’ was a builder and
loved nature, especially the
environment, and he thought
nothing of walking to Pymble
in five hours via a rough bush
track. One report stated that
he spent some time in a cave
along the Hawkesbury River,
including six months in a
shelter made of palm tree bark.
The shingles on the house,
which are estimated to
number 50,000, came from
the casuarinas up on the
ridge and the sandstone
for the retaining walls and
landscaping, from the site.
The cement which was used
for the walls and the floors
was carried up the steep slope
from the beach in kerosene
tins. The rest of the materials
came from Brooklyn via a
rowboat, with McGaw on the
oars. Water came from two
springs above the site, used
in the construction and, later,
for the occupants of the house
and still later the guesthouse.
A feature of the house was
the art nouveau stained glass
windows on the ground floor,
acquired from a demolition
sale. “The fireplace is a
masterpiece of graceful lines,
with colourful concrete
blocks to give a decorative
appearance.” The ground floors
are of green, red and ochrecoloured
concrete blocks.
In the upper floor there was
no glass in the large window
frames and ladders were
needed to climb to access the
bedrooms from which you
could “gaze out beneath the
overhanging eaves across a
blue river to the golden sands
of Patonga Beach”.
During World War II,
the Navy requisitioned the
property and apparently
built a jetty, although there
are no remains visible these
days. It would have been well
concealed from the entrance
to Broken Bay and the
Hawkesbury River behind the
FROM THE 1940s: McGaw House ‘Flint
and Steel’ located behind White Horse
Beach, also called Flint and Steel Beach
after the house; and the coloured
concrete blockwork fireplace (below).
West Head fortifications.
In 1968, the National Parks
and Wildlife Society took over
the management of the whole
area and the McGaws were
ordered to quit and demolish
the buildings.
‘Mac’ fought the decision
and while spending some
time at Narrabeen, ‘Flint
and Steel’ was mysteriously
destroyed by fire in 1971.
All that remains today of
‘Flint and Steel’ are remnants
of the former garden,
including some of the stone
retaining walls. Ticks, snakes
and goannas are the only
residents these days.
TIMES PAST is supplied by
local historian and President
of the Avalon Beach
Historical Society GEOFF
SEARL. Visit the Society’s
showroom in Bowling Green
Lane, Avalon Beach.
Times Past
70 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 71

Tasty Morsels
Pearl's a cracker of a Thai
on the Bayview waterfront
Blue Pearl
17/1714 Pittwater Rd, Bayview
Open: Tues-Sun, lunch and
dinner
P: 9997 8918
with Beverley Hudec
Tiny Morsels…
Curtain goes up on
renovated Forest Hotel
After 12 months of renovations, dated
Parkway Hotel on Frenchs Forest Road
East has been redeveloped as The Forest
Hotel. The design brief for the venue
includes an indoor-outdoors use of
natural materials, greenery, light-filled
interiors, a beer garden and dining
terraces (below). The Forest is scheduled
to open mid-November.
Tasty Dining Morsels Guide
Blue Pearl is one of those
restaurants you’d blithely
drive past if you didn’t
know it was there. The
location in Bayview Anchorage
keeps it well hidden from the
road, but from the water it’s a
different story.
Every table in this light and
airy upstairs restaurant is
blessed with a Pittwater view,
whatever the weather. And, as
you’d expect, the best ones
straddle the floor-to-ceiling
glass windows. For pure table
envy, the ultimate dining
experience is al fresco at one of
the tables on the small balcony.
Book a table and Blue Pearl
still offers BYO wine – corkage
is currently three bucks a
head. And perchance the wine
fridge happens to be empty
when you order a Friday
night takeaway, there’s home
delivery too on a selection of
beer, cider, wine and bubbles.
The restaurant is quiet
when we turn up, so any of
the window tables are up for
grabs. It’s a lovely day, so
there’s plenty of weekend
action in the marina below
and out on the water.
Service follows Pittwater
time and is unhurried and
friendly. Staffer Phillip
knowledgeably runs through
the menu, picking out a
few favourites. In true
Thai restaurant style,
it’s an extensive list
covering off familiar
stir fries and curries,
as well as signature
dishes. Every table
picks at least one
of these, we’re told. Chef
specials include Dancing Go
Go, a spiced wagyu beef and
green bean dish, not a latenight
table-top activity; Sailing
on Pittwater, which is a deepfried
whole
fish served
with a choice
of one of three
homemade
sauces; and Ruby
of Oriental, a
deboned duck
dish topped with
red curry paste,
pineapple and
cherry tomatoes.
While they sound
delicious as part
of a larger shared
banquet, they’re
perhaps a bit heavy
for a light lunch.
Instead, Thai-style
nibbles, Nar-Tang (above),
moves away from popular
appetisers like money bags, fish
cakes and satay sticks. Small
pieces of chicken, prawn and
crab meat in a coconut sauce
turn it into a chip and dip with
a Thai twist. Chilli provides
a blip of heat and the puffed
crackers are bitter, balancing
the sweetness and the heat.
The secret of any good Thai
dish are those classic flavour
balances – sweet, spicy, sour
and salty.
Blue Pearl’s sweet and
creamy Penang vegetable curry
is made with a homemade
curry paste, cooked with
coconut cream, roasted ground
peanuts and Thai seasoning.
It’s a mild curry with a thick,
rich gravy. It is rather sweet;
however it is a dish that sits
nicely alongside another classic
Thai salad – larb gai (left).
Minced chicken breast is
cooked with a lemon dressing,
dried chilli, fish sauce, roasted
rice for texture and served
with a herb, lettuce and cherry
tomato garnish. It’s light,
fresh and tangy with a hint of
sour and heat and perfect to
offset a sweet, creamy curry.
Blue Pearl has kept a
generation of young Bayview
sailors and their families
happy with spring rolls and
Pad Thai for 18 years. Here’s
to another generation.
72 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
Cultural melting pot
is Three Doors Down
One laneway Mona Vale cafe is a
melting pot of Middle Eastern and
Japanese flavours. Three Doors Down
has goodies like shakshuka, or Isreali
baked eggs, and Japanese pancakes
– okonomiyaki – on the menu. These
are topped with kale, poached
eggs and served with house-made
fermented chilli sauce (above). Three
Doors Down is in Waratah St. Open
from 7am. Closed Sunday.
Three of a kind: local brews
The beer week at Trust
Tree Brewing Co
begins on Monday and
Tuesday with brewing.
Wednesday is reserved
for canning 100 cartons
of lager and pale ale and
Thursday is delivery day.
You’ll find the Avalon
micro brewery tucked
behind the butcher on
Avalon Pde. Doors open
to the public on Friday
from 4-9pm.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Modus Operandi has
jumped on the nonboozy
beer wagon with
its own brew. Rather
than producing a lager,
the Mona Vale indie
brewery is making
a fruity golden pale
ale called Nort. The
Harkeith St venue also
has 16 tap beers, a
menu with Americanstyle
eats and live music
on Sundays.
Newport is home to
4 Pines’ aged-beer
collection where beers
are cellared and infused
in barrels and foeders
(large timber tanks) to
develop their flavours.
The Public House
(right) currently has 12
beers bubbling away.
Squamish Sunset is a
light-bodied, complex
flavoured beer that is
perfect for summer.
New Coastal vibe
for Palm Beach
A new cafe has popped up in Palmy.
Coast Palm Beach has moved into
the spot vacated by the Greedy Goat
on Barrenjoey Road. Just like sister
cafe Coast 175 in Ettalong, the cafe
channels a Mediterranean-meetscoastal
vibe and a mod cafe menu
with a Greek twist. Dishes include corn
fritters (above), all-day breakfast and
slow-cooked lamb gyros. Coast Palm
Beach is closed on Tuesdays.
What's brewing
up at Avalon
David Trevena is a man with
a van. To be more precise,
Classic Coffee is a 1958
split-screen Kombi, which
he’s painstakingly converted
into a mobile coffee station.
Popular choices to order
alongside Single O coffee
include breakfast burritos
and vegan raspberry and
almond slices. The van is
parked bright and early on
South Avalon headland from
6am every day (left).
NOVEMBER 2020 73
Tasty Dining Morsels Guide

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
'Going Greek' gives plenty
of small share plate options
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; facebook.com/culinaryinbloom; instagram.com/janellegbloom/ Photos: Adobe
Summer is the time for all of us who live
on the northern beaches to make the
most of our beautiful surroundings.
That means plenty of warm, sunny days and
nights on the deck outside, sharing a table of
food packed with flavour – and for me that
Greek Meze
Serves 6
Hummus, Baba Ghanoush,
kalamata olives and charred
Greek pitta, to serve
Greek rissoles
1kg lamb mince
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tbs currants
2 tbs pine nuts, toasted
½ lemon, juiced, rind finely
grated
2 tsp dried oregano
Greek salad
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
250g cherry tomatoes, halved
3 Lebanese cucumbers, sliced
½ cup pitted kalamata olives
½ red onion, thinly sliced
100g fetta, cut into cubes
1. For the Greek salad, whisk
olive oil, lemon juice, oregano
and pepper in a bowl. Add
tomatoes, cucumber, olives,
onion and fetta. Toss gently
to combine. Refrigerate until
ready to serve.
2. For the rissoles, combine
all the meatball ingredients
in a bowl. Season with
salt and pepper. Mix well.
screams ‘Greek!’. This cuisine is great food to
share and a perfect choice as you can make
everything from scratch yourself or mix
and match, making some things and buying
others to complete your feast. At the end of
the day the choice is yours!
Shape mixture into 24 small
rissoles. Press onto six
bamboo skewers. Heat a
greased barbecue plate on
medium-high heat. Cook
rissoles for 3-4 minutes each
side or until cooked through.
3. For the charred pitta, brush
both sides of the pitta
with olive oil. Barbecue
1-2 minutes each side until
starts to colour.
4. Arrange rissole skewers,
salad, dips, olives and
charred pitta on the table.
Janelle’s Tip #1: To flavourboost
purchased hummus,
spoon into a bowl. Warm a
little extra virgin olive oil with
smoked paprika and spoon
over the hummus.
Janelle’s Tip #2: To flavourboost
purchased Baba
Ghanoush, spoon into a
bowl, top with finely chopped
pickled jalapeno, red onion
and parsley. Drizzle with extra
virgin olive oil.
Chicken &
chips Gyros
Makes 6
750g oven fries
1 tbs Greek seasoning
1 tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp sweet paprika
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 tbs olive oil
18 (about 1kg) chicken
tenderloins, trimmed
6 Greek pitta breads
250g cherry tomatoes
Tzatziki
250g Greek yoghurt
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs lemon juice
½ cup fresh mint leaves, finely
chopped
½ garlic clove, crushed
1 Lebanese cucumber,
coarsely grated
1. To make tzatziki, combine
all the ingredients in a
bowl. Season with salt and
pepper. Refrigerate until
ready to serve.
2. Preheat oven 180C fan
forced. Cook the oven fries
following packet directions.
3. Meanwhile, combine the
seasoning, coriander,
paprika, garlic and 2
tablespoons oil in a bowl.
Add the chicken, turn to
coat. Heat a large, non-stick
frying pan over a medium
heat. Cook the chicken in
2-3 batches, for 3-5 minutes
each side, or until cooked
through. Remove to a plate,
keep warm.
4. Brush the pitta with
remaining oil and pan fry
1 minute each side until
warm. Alternately, wrap
together in a sheet of foil
and warm in the oven under
the fries for 8 minutes.
5. Spread some tzatziki over
warm pitta. Top with fries,
chicken and tomatoes.
Drizzle with more tzatziki.
Roll up to enclose. Wrap in
baking paper to secure. Serve
with remaining tzatziki.
Janelle’s Tip #1: Replace the
cherry tomatoes with wedges
of ripe summer tomatoes.
Janelle’s Tip #2: If your
yoghurt is a bit thin, before
you make tzatziki, spoon the
yoghurt into a sieve lined
with muslin or unused Chux.
Place over a bowl. Cover and
refrigerate 1-2 hours. Discard
the drained liquid.
Greek silverbeet,
ricotta and
fetta pies
Makes 24
2 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 bunch silverbeet, leaves
removed, shredded
2 eggs, lightly beaten
150g fresh ricotta, crumbled
150g fetta, crumbled
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves,
finely chopped
8 sheet frozen puff pastry,
partially thawed
Tzatziki or lemon wedges, to
serve
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan
over medium heat. Add the
onion and garlic and cook
for 5 minutes or until onion
softens. Add the silverbeet
and cook, stirring, for
1 minute. Transfer the
mixture to a large bowl, add
eggs to the warm silverbeet
mixture and set aside to
cool. Add ricotta, fetta and
parsley. Season with salt
and pepper. Set aside to
cool.
2. Preheat oven to 200°C.
Cut out 12 x 12cm rounds
from the pastry. Ease into
12-hole ½-cup-capacity
greased muffin tray. Cut 4
x 2cm slits into each pastry
round (see pic). Half-fill the
pastry cases with spinach
mixture. Brush the edges
with a little water and fold
over the filling. Press the
edges together to seal. Bake
for 18-20 minutes or until
golden. Stand 5 minutes
in pan then remove to wire
rack. Repeat with remaining
pastry and filling to make
12 more. Serve warm or
at room temperature with
tzatziki or lemon wedges.
Baklava panna cotta
Makes 6
300ml thickened cream
2 tsp powdered gelatine
½ cup caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1¼ cups (330g) Greek yoghurt
1½ cup walnuts, toasted
Baklava syrup
1 cup caster sugar
½ cup honey
1 lemon, finely grated rind
1 cinnamon quill
1 cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp rosewater, or to taste
1. Pour 100ml of cream into a
medium saucepan. Sprinkle
over the gelatine. Whisk
gently over low heat until the
cream is warm and gelatine
has dissolved (do not boil).
Add the sugar and vanilla
and remaining cream. Whisk
gently over low until sugar
has dissolved and mixture is
warm, do not boil. Remove
from heat and stand 5
minutes. Whisk in yoghurt,
then strain into a jug.
2. Pour panna cotta evenly
between 6 glasses. Cover
and refrigerate 4 hours
until set.
3. Meanwhile, for honey syrup,
combine sugar, honey,
lemon rind, cinnamon and
water in a saucepan over
medium heat. Stir 3 minutes
until sugar has dissolved.
Reduce heat to low; simmer
10 minutes. Remove from
heat, strain through a
fine sieve, stir through
lemon juice and rosewater.
Refrigerate until cold.
4. Stir the walnuts into the
baklava syrup and spoon
over the panna cotta. Serve.
Food Life
74 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 75

Food Life
Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
Pick of the Month:
Watermelon
1 ACROSS
Food Life
After a day at the beach
there is nothing better
than coming home and
gorging on a few icy cold
pieces of watermelon.
Watermelon contains only
46 calories per cup and even
though it is 92% water, it is
high in vitamin C, vitamin
A and many health plant
compounds. Here are a few
ways to enjoy November’s
pick of the month.
Watermelon, fetta
& mint skewers
Staying with the Greek
theme, watermelon, fetta &
mint skewers; cut watermelon
and feta into cubes. Sandwich
2 watermelon cubes with
cube of fetta and fresh mint.
Insert a skewer to secure.
Serve icy cold (delicious
with Mezze plate on
previous page).
Watermelon Pops
Cut watermelon into wedges
and insert a paddle pop stick.
Freeze 2-3 hours, they make a
great alternative to ice cream
for a kids treat.
Fruit salad
with a twist
Combine chopped
watermelon, mango,
strawberries, blackberries
and lychee on a platter to
form a yummy fruit salad.
Process ¼ cup raw sugar with
4 basil leaves and the grated
rind (zest) of one lime to
form a fine powder. Sprinkle
the powder over the fruit
salad and serve as a delicious
refreshing dessert or snack.
In Season
November
Look out for a huge
variety of tomatoes,
Asian greens, Hass
avocadoes, Broad
beans, Baby carrots,
Green beans, beetroot,
capsicums, peas,
green onions, Zucchini
and Zucchini flowers;
meanwhile the top fruit
buys are: blueberries,
blackberries, raspberries,
mulberries, cherries and
mangoes will come into
their own – especially
Calypso and Kensington
Prides. Also look forward
to seedless watermelon,
grapes and pineapple.
ACROSS
1 A surfboard innovation that
changed surfing (8)
5 Black and white bird (6)
10 Bowler’s approach (3-2)
11 Watchful (9)
12 Original name of Avalon’s
Market Day (7,4)
13 Black gold (3)
14 Ideally perfect place (6)
16 Enjoy oneself (4,3)
18 The second hour after
midnight or midday (3)
19 Improve especially by
replacing components (7)
21 Yes indeed! (3,3)
24 This can be preceded by
afternoon, high and kitchen (3)
25 Avalon surf movie maker,
creator of Swell Chasers (3,8)
28 Position held by Mark
Robinson at Barrenjoey
High (9)
29 The border of the land near
the sea (5)
30 The way out (6)
31 Commanded; prescribed (8)
DOWN
1 To grow healthily and
vigorously (6)
2 Long curl of hair (7)
3 Cuttlefish ink (5)
4 To free from the burden of
blame or obligation (9)
6 Flying generally (3,6)
7 A game to decide a tie, a
championship, promotion, etc
(4-3)
8 Home of Coast 175, Coast
Palm Beach’s sister cafe (8)
9 The largest of the world’s
continents (4)
15 The professional businesses
of doctors, lawyers, etc. (9)
16 The masses; the common
people (3,6)
17 Having several or many
parts, elements, or individual
components (8)
20 A large-scale sheep farmer
or cattle farmer (7)
22 In reality (2,5)
23 Singing from the same
hymn sheet (6)
26 The domain of a
cartographer (4)
27 Vessel often seen on
Pittwater (5)
[Solution page 80]
Pittwater Puzzler
76 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991 The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 77

Garden Life
Garden Life
Passionfruit & more: embrace
the new trend to home-grown
Since the dreaded C-virus
has kept us under virtual
‘house arrest’, it is amazing
how the tide has turned
from a focus on immaculate,
trimmed gardens to interest
in home-grown veggies, flowers
and backyard farming.
The sound of chickens and
ducks would rarely have been
heard on the Northern Beaches
a couple of years ago.
Raised veggie gardens
are being built everywhere
and garden centres are full
of enticing veggie and herb
seedlings. If you are running
out of space, look to the side
fence for increased production.
Beans, cucumbers,
sweet potatoes, zuchinnis,
and peas can all be grown as
climbers with lattice of mesh
to climb on.
Don’t forget the fruiting
crops that will give a permanent
cover for privacy and
shade in summer.
Passionfruit are a long-time
favourite for Sydney gardens.
All passionfruit need full sun,
good drainage, regular water
and plenty of fertiliser to crop
well. There are many varieties
to choose from. The Norfolk
Island black passionfruit is
the all-time favourite, either
grown as a seedling that will
need replacing every few years
or as a grafted plant that will
last longer. Panama red and
Panama gold are larger, very
delicious fruit that need a
warmer, more sheltered spot.
Not commonly grown are the
banana passionfruit. These
soft-skinned, yellow fruit are
rarely seen in fruit shops but if
you can find one you will realise
that they are the best of all. The
vine has a very pretty pale pink
flower.
Kiwi fruit and grapes are
both deciduous vines. They’re
perfect for summer shade
over a pergola or verandah,
letting sun through the cold
winter days when they lose
their leaves. Grapes are a
delicate vine with tendrils
that cling around lattice of
timber frames; the flowers are
insignificant but the clusters
of pendulous, coloured or
green grapes that ripen in
autumn look wonderful before
the leaves turn to russet of
burgundy before they fall.
Kiwi fruit are a much stronger
vine that needs strong
support, perfect for fences or
grown over the garden shed.
To produce fruit they need a
male and female grafted plant.
Make sure that you buy a pair,
or one male and two female
vines. One male will be sufficient
to fertilise two female
plants. Keep the labels until
they flower, as sometimes
the plants can be wrongly
labelled.
with Gabrielle Bryant
Recycling ‘junk’ in the garden
Gardening can be an expensive
pastime but there are many ways
you can reduce the cost while adding
individuality to your plants. So many
things can be recycled and reused.
Potting mix and fertilisers are always
needed for healthy plants. Keep
all your vegetable scraps to add to
the compost heap. Throw in any old
potting mix, paper from the shredder,
biodegradable kitty litter, even
the dust from the vacuum cleaner,
grass clippings, leaf litter from the
gutters, and shredded pruned bits
from the hedge.
A shredder is a good investment.
Home-made compost is better for
the garden than any purchased product.
It is better to make several small
compost bins (small dustbins with
drainage holes are perfect), otherwise
if you keep adding new material
it will never get used! Remember to
turn the compost regularly to help it
break down.
Keep any suitable sticks or bamboo
canes to use as garden stakes.
Laddered panty hose and old t-shirts
cut into strips make excellent garden
ties.
Pots and hanging baskets are back
in fashion as designers revive the
fashions of the ’70s and ’80s. New
pots are expensive – but plants will
grow in any container that has good
drainage. Terracotta drainage pipes,
old watering cans that have holes,
wheelbarrows, broken or chipped
pots can be turned on their sides,
rubber tyres (not for veggies)... even
old toy trucks make great pots.
Old teacups are wonderful indoor
table pots. Empty glass jars can be
turned into miniature terrariums for
succulents or tiny ferns. Save them
up to make Christmas presents.
Hanging baskets and macramé
hangers look great inside or out.
Cane baskets, easily found in charity
shops, make great hangers. Just
remember if you use them indoors
to take them outside to water the
plants! If you have an old fan, keep
the metal frame that covers the
blades and line it with a coconut
liner; palm fibre that drops is perfect
for lining baskets if you can find it,
and you have the rice basket look
that was so popular years ago. Outside,
plant it up with annual flowering
plants or, inside, it will look
amazing with a hanging Boston fern.
Time to replant the garden
Late Spring is the perfect
time to replant and make
new gardens. Garden centres
are full of ideas and landscape
materials to get you
going. Palms of the ’90s are
now huge and overgrown
– get the sunlight back into
your garden now while there
is still time
to establish
a new-look
garden for
summer.
If the
garden is
choked with
roots that
are hard
to remove,
poison the
trunks to
stop any
regrowth or
suckering and raise the soil
level with new garden edging.
Over time the old roots
will rot away. Palm trunks
can be cut horizontally to
make a flat surface that is
perfect base for a large pot
and new, raised edging can
be easily installed. Rocks,
cut sandstone, concrete
blocks or timber sleepers all
have their place.
Backfill the beds with a
good-quality garden soil
(not potting mix) and plenty
of compost before replanting.
Choose some structural
shrubs and
fill in empty
space with
flowering
annuals or
cottage garden
plants.
Columbine is
an old-fashioned
flower
that is back
in vogue. It
will flower
for several
months if
the old flowers are cut
back. Also, pentas, daisies,
lavender and salvias will all
fill in gaps very fast. Shady
gardens can be filled with
begonias and dwarf hydrangeas
(for quick colour),
cordylines and calatheas.
Garden Life
78 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 79

Garden Life
Garden Life
Jobs this Month
November
We have had rain
but the ground
remains hard and
dry. Remember that water
restrictions are still on. No
sprinklers and hand-held
hoses only before 10am and
after 4pm. This is making
life tough so before you
finish watering, make sure
that buckets and watering
cans are full for daytime
watering if it is very hot!
Don’t wait, bait
Protect your tomatoes, citrus
and other fruit with fruit fly
baits. One lure is enough
for the average garden. It
will attract the male fruit fly
but it won’t stop the females
from stinging the fruit. Spray
at least every two weeks
with Eco Oil which will help
prevent all other insects,
including thrips, aphids,
scale and mites – but it won’t
hurt the bees! Also, spray the
garden with Bee Keeper – this
is a lure that attracts the
bees, which will pollinate your
veggies and fruit.
Prepare for Xmas
Pull out spring annuals that
may still have a few flowers
left and plant up pots of
petunias, snap dragons,
verbena, lobelia, alyssum
and daisies to brighten your
garden. If you wait too long
you will miss the summer
colour. White flowers are
great because they glow in the
evening light.
Replenish veggies
Keep replanting lettuce,
carrots, spring onions,
spinach, bok choy, beans,
zucchini and cucumbers at
regular intervals to feed the
family through until autumn.
Lawn watch
Patch up bald patches in
the lawn. If suspicious
brown patches appear spray
immediately with Dipel to
control army worm and curl
grub before you lose your
grassed area. Also watch
out for white cabbage moth.
Yates success will control
caterpillars without harming
you.
Chores to do
As the blue haze of the
agapanthus fades remember
to remove the seed heads.
Agapanthus are brilliant in
the garden but they are not
welcome in the bush. Also,
cut back the old tatty canes
of ginger and new ones
will soon grow back as the
weather warms up.
Possum house
We have been lucky to have
had the endangered Powerful
Owl hunting in the bush on
the upper Northern Beaches,
but sadly he has almost
demolished our population
of Ring Tail possums and
bandicoots. He has now
moved away and the Boobook
owl is back. Help the
possums re-establish their
home by erecting a possum
house in your garden. If you
feed them with fruit and
bananas they won’t eat your
plants.
Control weeds
Weeds are popping up
everywhere. Spray them
with slasher. Slasher should
be applied when the sun is
out and weeds will be dead
by nightfall. It is an organic
spray with no harmful
Encourage kids
Get the kids into the
garden – dwarf sunflowers
are perfect to entice any
kid. They will grow in the
ground or they are perfect
for pots. Take off all the
spent flowers to keep more
of the huge yellow faces
returning.
chemicals. It will burn
anything so take care not
to use on a windy day when
spray could drift into your
garden bed.
Crossword solution from page 77
Mystery location: PALM BEACH
Travel Life
Explore Australia’s
greatest wilderness
When thinking of visiting
their own backyard,
Australians may think
of heading to the Great Barrier
Reef, Kangaroo Island or Uluru.
However, according to
Travel View's Gail Kardash,
few destinations
can match the rugged
beauty of Australia’s
greatest wilderness,
The Kimberley.
Once described by
Sir David Attenborough
as one of the world’s “greatest
natural wonders”, The Kimberley
boasts a coastline covering
12,000 kilometres between
Broome and Darwin and is
larger than 75% of the world’s
countries.
“You will feel like you are the
only people on the planet – this
is domestic travel at its finest,”
said Gail.
Home to some of the world’s
oldest cultural landmarks, rich
with biodiversity and geological
EXPERIENCE: Gail
wonder, many parts of the Kimberley
are inaccessible by land.
“The best way to access it is
by sea, and what better way
to explore this region than on
a luxury small-ship
expedition,” said Gail.
“With Ponant’s smallship
expeditions,
you’ll sail alongside
a team of experts on
a small modern ship,
giving you access to
the best of what the
Kimberley has to offer.
“Just like Antarctica, you
never know what you might
come across from one day to
the next. With an abundance
of native wildlife, you can spot
green sea turtles making their
way past the Lacepede Islands,
where huge flocks of sea birds
swirl overhead; in the quieter
waterways, it’s possible to spot
short-ear rock wallabies and if
you’re lucky you might find the
true king of the Kimberley: the
iconic estuarine crocodile.”
She added that between July
and September there was the
opportunity to see humpback
whales as they made their way
up from the Southern Ocean.
“Right from the comfort of
your Zodiac (pictured), you
have the opportunity to marvel
at ancient rock formations,
gorges and canyons, cliffs and
boulders, sandstone that has
been moulded by the Earth’s
forces over millennia.
“The rocks themselves are an
attraction, a true highlight. And
many of the gorges and cliffs
are punctuated by spectacular
waterfalls, torrents of water that
crash into lagoons below.”
With one of the largest tidal
ranges on Earth, you can also
witness the region’s spectacular
Montgomery Reef where an
amazing series of waterfalls
empty out of the reef, and in
Talbot Bay, get up close and
personal with the powerful Horizontal
Waterfalls.
On Jar Island or in Swift Bay,
accompanied by some of the
best Kimberley experts in the
industry, learn all about the
region’s rich Indigenous history,
with fascinating rock art galleries
and rock paintings dating
back as far as 30,000 years.
“Embarking on a small-ship
expedition with PONANT is
a new kind of travel experience.
With only 92 staterooms
onboard, you will experience
attentive service, enjoy Frenchinspired
fine dining, and learn
from an experienced and passionate
expedition team.”
* More info Travel View Avalon
9918 4444.
Travel Life
80 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2020 81

Travel Life
Travel Life
Partners in exceptional client experiences
Travel View in Avalon Beach is a long
way from Marseille in France, home
port for small ship luxury Expedition
cruise company PONANT. However, the two
companies could not be closer – Travel View
and PONANT forged a partnership seven
years ago and continue to work closely on
delivering exceptional client experiences.
For over 30 years, PONANT has been
pursuing their goal of taking guests where
others do not venture. From secluded ports
to secret seas, from forgotten beaches to
remote lands, they choose itineraries that
take you away from major tourist routes so
you can enjoy unique cruises and shorelines
that few have seen before.
As the only cruise company sailing
under the French flag, PONANT
is a hallmark for the French way
of life across every sea on the
globe. From the moment you step
on-board, guests experience the
French touch through refined
ambiance, discreet and intuitive
service, and outstanding French inspired
gastronomy all while sailing on the world’s
youngest fleet of environmentally responsible
small luxury expedition ships.
Travel View’s Gail Kardash and Sharon
Godden, along with many of their loyal
clients, have been experiencing the French
ADVISOR: Sharon
touch first-hand for many years.
“My love affair began the day I stepped
on board L’Austral in Auckland back in
2015,” explains Sharon. “As a well cruised
travel manager, I realised this was something
very special – since then I have cruised
with PONANT in French Polynesia, through
Alaska’s inside passage, along Australia’s
iconic Kimberley coast and from Athens to
Venice, ticking off a lifelong dream of sailing
through the magical Corinth Canal.”
Incredibly, it was along the coast of Far
East Russia where Sharon got to witness a
new island forming, right from the comfort
of a Zodiac (pictured).
PONANT Commodores and
long-time clients of Travel View,
Robbie and Robert, have cruised
with PONANT over 20 times and
are not slowing down any time
soon. One of Robbie’s most
memorable moments happened
here in our backyard.
“We visited The Kimberley during
the Waterfall season and still cannot
believe the grandeur of King George Falls,”
she said. “We got as close to the falls as
possible in our Zodiac and watched in awe
the water soaking the ancient red sandstone
cliffs.”
Members of the PONANT Yacht Club
receive special attention, exclusive services
both on board and on land, and offers not
available to other guests.
Guests become a member of the
PONANT Yacht Club once they have booked
their second cruise aboard any of the
PONANT ships including Le Paul Gauguin.
With four tiers of membership that PONANT
guests can achieve, depending on the
number of cruises they have booked, the
benefits enjoyed at each level increase.
* Ready to start creating memories you
will have for a lifetime? Call Travel View
Avalon on 9918 4444.
82 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991