Pittwater Life January 2023 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
LOCAL GUIDE: 179 THINGS TO DO
ANGER AT AVALON INTERSECTION CONSTRUCTION DEBACLE
SALTWATER SCRIBE NICK CARROLL / NSW ELECTION CANDIDATES
THE WAY WE WERE / REAL ESTATE / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...

Editorial
New Lizard Rock conundrum
It will be interesting to see
whether Northern Beaches
Council accepts the NSW
Department of Planning
and Environment’s offer to
assume the planning proposal
authority role for the mooted
Lizard Rock development.
The Department dropped
a bombshell two days before
Xmas with its ruling that the
Metropolitan Local Aboriginal
Land Council’s (MLALC)
planning proposal for Lizard
Rock will proceed to Gateway
determination (the step before
lodgement/consideration).
Council remains opposed
to the development, which
involves the clearing of land
for 450 dwellings to assist
economic self-determination of
Aboriginal people.
Does accepting the planning
authority role place it at odds
with its position? Or is it better
to drive the process?
Council has until the end of
January to decide.
F
urther to Councillors’
condemnation of the
Albanese Government for
reallocating $75 million
earmarked by the former
coalition government for
blackspot works on Wakehurst
Parkway (Labor claimed the
cash was to progress works on
the Beaches Tunnel Link, which
it says was cancelled by the
NSW Government):
Mayor Michael Regan has
written to the Federal Minister
for Infrastructure seeking a
meeting and documentation to
confirm that was the case.
On the Wakehurst Parkway…
maybe it’s a good thing that
Council, as overseer, is not
attempting too much with its
initial flood mitigation works at
Oxford Falls.
Based on what’s been going
on at Avalon Beach (see page
12) there’s every chance it could
have increased flooding on the
Parkway. Boom tish.
Happy New Year! – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 3

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Publisher: Nigel Wall
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Graphic Design:
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Photography: Adobe / Staff
Contributors: Rob Pegley,
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Vol 32 No 6
Celebrating 32 years
48
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
LOCAL GUIDE: 179 THINGS TO DO
ANGER AT AVALON INTERSECTION CONSTRUCTION DEBACLE
SALTWATER SCRIBE NICK CARROLL / NSW ELECTION CANDIDATES
THE WAY WE WERE / REAL ESTATE / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
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thislife
INSIDE: Independent, Liberal and Labor candidates for the
NSW election in March have been announced (p6); Avalon
Village remains in a state of construction limbo (p12); the
2023 Pittwater Ocean Swim Series kicks off in January (p14);
Marine Rescue NSW are calling for more volunteers to staff
their Belrose operations centre (p16); check out what we’ve
Seen, Heard and consider Absurd this month (p28); we
profile local surfing identity Nick Carroll (p36); and browse
myriad activities in our Summer Guide to Pittwater (p62).
COVER: North Palmy breakers / Sharon Green
XXXXX 2022
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 8-33
The Way We Were 26
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 28
Briefs & Community News 30-33
Art 34-35
Life Story 36-38
Hot Property 40-47
Summer Guide To Pittwater 48-59
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 60-67
Money 68-69
Holiday Crosswords 74-75
Food 76-77
Gardening 78-80
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JANUARY 2023 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Battle for Pittwater heats up
The battle for the State
seat of Pittwater has
commenced in earnest,
with environmental lawyer
and corporate climate
change advisor Jacqui Scruby
announcing she will run
under the ‘Independent for
Pittwater’ banner at the NSW
election in March.
Ms Scruby, is hoping to end
the NSW Liberal Party’s 15-
year grip on the electorate.
Incumbent MP Rob Stokes,
who is not recontesting the
seat, has held Pittwater since
2007.
CANDIDATES: Independent Jacqui Scruby; the Liberal Party’s Rory Amon; and Labor’s Jeffrey Quinn.
Meanwhile, Northern
“PEP-11 and future projects of Pittwater. Businesses and students and teachers,
Beaches Councillor and remain a risk to our beaches. households should be energyindependent
nurses, doctors, and those
family lawyer Rory Amon has Our community is clear: we
– it’s policy requiring essential medical
been endorsed by the NSW must save our beaches. No failure that they’re not. care.”
Liberal Party State Executive oil and gas on our coastline. “We need to make sure
Liberal Party candidate
as its candidate.
We need this to be more than every family and business Rory Amon said: “I
Mr Amon received
dead in the water – it needs has affordable access to am looking forward to
overwhelming support from to be tied to a rock and sunk our abundant and cheap continuing Rob Stokes’ and
the local members’ branch to the bottom of the ocean renewables to cut energy the Liberal Party’s record of
before his candidacy was forever.”
costs. It’s a no brainer.” delivery and continuing to
rubber-stamped just before Most recently Ms Scruby She added the Pittwater provide a strong voice for the
Christmas.
has been an advisor to
community was appalled people of Pittwater.”
Pittwater local Jeffrey Mackellar MP Dr Sophie at NSW currently clearing A lifelong local of the
Quinn will stand as NSW Scamps. She says the
an area of native forest 50 Beaches, Mr Amon has served
Labor’s candidate.
experience has demonstrated times the size of Sydney’s as a councillor on Northern
Ms Scruby, 39, who lives in the true power of
CBD each year, costing the Beaches Council since 2017.
Pittwater, says she will fight independents.
NSW Government $29 million “Locally I’ve fought to
to make the community’s “Having just worked with annually.
ensure accountability and
voice be heard on State and Dr Scamps to improve the “In NSW we have the
transparency, improve
local issues.
Climate Change Act and National Party hellbent on services and manage the
She said Pittwater had been usher in the new National killing koalas, insisting Council’s finances, as well
“neglected too long” by the Anti-Corruption Commission, we continue logging native as standing up against
Liberal Party.
I’ve seen first-hand how forests at the taxpayers’ inappropriate development,”
“We’ve lost our public independents bring their expense. We’ve opened 11 Mr Amon said.
hospital, we no longer have community’s voice to
new coal mines under the “While there are challenges
Pittwater Council, and one Parliament. But the job is far current government and ahead, including addressing
of our main roads [the
from done.
our export emissions are the cost of living and housing
Wakehurst Parkway] floods “As in the Federal election, abhorrent.
affordability, protecting
seemingly every time it I know that people are
“We are also facing changes our community from
rains,” she said.
ready for a different kind of to planning and zoning, overdevelopment, managing
“The Pittwater community politics,” she continued. “So and a major development the transition to a net-zero
wants better services and to many of you have already at Lizard Rock bordering economy, ensuring the
protect our beautiful area – reached out to get involved. Pittwater.”
duplication of Mona Vale
and the best way to do that is This is a truly community-led NSW Labor candidate Road and upgrades to the
to have an independent voice campaign.”
Jeffrey Quinn, who has Wakehurst Parkway, I’m
in State Parliament.
Ms Scruby says she is worked as a school teacher optimistic about our State’s
“As an independent, I will standing for strong climate and a small business owner/ future and protecting and
always vote in the interests action, restoring integrity and operator, said the focus enhancing our lifestyle here
of our community, not
trust in state politics, and of his campaign would be in Pittwater.
in a political party’s best ensuring NSW’s economy was on education matters plus “I’ll continue to fight for
interests.”
managed responsibly.
healthcare advocacy.
local families and small
Further, Scruby said that She said that having been “The electorate is facing businesses, and be a strong
Asset Energy, the company a small business owner, she teacher shortages, impacting voice for Pittwater.”
behind the PEP-11 lease – was committed to ensuring student outcomes and
Alex McTaggart was the last
which if resurrected had the the State Government didn’t schools needing maintenance Independent to represent the
potential to see gas drilling stand in the way of the due to underfunding,” Mr Pittwater electorate (2005-
kilometres off our beaches “incredible small businesses” Quinn said.
2007). – Nigel Wall
– had announced its project in Pittwater.
“I am passionate about *What do you think? Tell us
plans were “far from dead in “Cost of living is also a healthcare – I will advocate at readers@pittwaterlife.
the water”.
major issue for the people for the community, parents, com.au
8 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Locana the Grom to watch
News
Avalon’s Locana Cullen
is the ‘grom surfer’ to
watch – he has won
every under-12s regional, state
and national comp in 2022
except one! His incredible work
ethic, passion and talent is really
paying off and he dreams
of one day surfing the World
Cup Circuit.
“I like being in the water and
standing up on my surfboard,”
the 11-year-old says simply.
Parents Nic and Bec tag-team
supervising sons Locana and
Balin, who surf together every
day. Waking shortly after 5am
they surf for a
few hours then
it’s back in the
water in the
afternoon.
In the evenings
the family
heads to the
local skatepark
to hone balance
and trick skills.
The skatepark
is where one
sponsor, Luke
Howarth (from
Howie Shapes
Surfboards), first spotted
Locana. By age 4 or 5, protected
head to toe in oversized padding,
Locana was taking on the
biggest halfpipe, which blew
Howie away.
Despite Balin being 19
months older, the family has
identified that it’s Locana who
currently ‘wants the win more’,
staying out longer in the water
than Balin, getting him results.
But Balin says Locana’s wins
motivate him to step up and
adds they’re very lucky to have
each other.
PHOTO: Emma Wilson
TALENT: Locana
winning the NSW
title at Maroubra.
SHARED PASSION:
Brothers Locana
(left) and Balin.
“I want to be
a professional
surfer too,”
says Balin.
Nic says Locana
is extremely self-motivated.
“He’s never fazed by the conditions...
if it’s surfable he will
surf it”.
Mum Bec says Locana practises
holding his breath in the
bath, replicating being held
underwater by rough waves.
Also, he watches YouTube clips
of the world’s best surfers,
quoting their career achievements
off by heart.
Surf coach Matt Cattle notes
Locana’s incredible passion.
“For his age group he is one
of the best in the world and
happily surfs up to six hours
a day.”
Bec and Nic believe the best
coaches can give the best advice
but kids have to be willing
to take advice on to grow.
Bec, a Naturopath with a
Bachelor of Health Science
(and Advanced Diplomas in
Naturopathy), pulled both sons
out of the mainstream school
system to oversee their education.
Responsive to her fairly
strict approach, the boys are
used to Bec expecting them to
practise their musical instruments
daily and are thriving
under this system.
“They both love to read and
PHOTO: Rebecca Jean
would all day if I let them but
we also do Science, Maths and
English… and if it’s not neat
enough, they write it out again.
Both sons have tutors and
play piano, guitar, drums, beatbox,
Didgeridoo and Djembe.
“Health is a massive focus
and has everything to do with
our food, sleep and mental
state and the kids learn all of
it,” Bec says. “We talk about
everything, including the flowon
effect our feelings have on
every aspect of our daily life.”
She adds that while home
schooling may not be attuned
for everyone, it works for their
family dynamic and supports
them work towards their goals.
Former world champ surfer
Tom Carroll is enjoying watching
Locana develop his skills
on top of incredible talent.
“Innate talent never changes
but it’s something you can’t
teach,” he said.
During training, Tom observes
Locana’s hard work has
a positive flow-on effect on the
kids around him.
Howie thinks Locana’s
understanding of waves, feet
positioning and skillset is way
beyond his years.
“He has a great sense of how
to control the elements in his
surf heat,” he said, noting his
instinctive understanding of
what each wave could “offer
him”, assessing what trick to
execute next.
For now, Locana’s professional
surfing dream gives this
little fella a lot of joy.
“I’m going to practice every
single day and dream about it
every night,” he said.
– Emma Wilson
10 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Locals float anger over
News
The trouble-plagued
Avalon Shared Space
will remain in a state of
construction limbo over the
New Year period.
Council’s contractors have
beaten a retreat from the
centre of the village after a
series of embarrassing Keystone
Cops-like failures and
remedial work.
The upgrade to the Avalon
Village intersection was
suspended on December 22,
with Council overseers and
contractors now scheduled to
pick up their tools again on
February 13.
On December 22, construction
crews undertook emergency
works, digging an elaborate
drain under Old Barrenjoey
Road North to link with an
adjoining stormwater drain.
It’s understood the new
drain was not included in the
original scope of works. It was
implemented only after a lack
of drainage was identified
after the grading of the road’s
asphalt surface.
Council adopted the Avalon
Place Plan in July 2022, including
works to create the shared
one-way (south) car/pedestrian
zone on Old Barrenjoey Rd
at Avalon Pde, which will be
trialled for six months.
Council’s Traffic Committee
reviewed and adopted the
plans in October. Council told
Pittwater Life that in developing
the plans, stormwater
capacity was reviewed and
considered in the context of
the design.
The intent of the design
was to mitigate any potential
flooding risk, by inverting the
flow of water through the centre
of the road space, rather
than the kerb lines.
However, this was not implemented
from construction
outset.
Later, when the botched job
was remedied, serious shortcomings
became apparent,
requiring remediation in the
form of a new drain.
Council remained in damage
control approaching
Christmas, following myriad
complaints from residents
and business owners about
the construction process – including
noisy daytime works
and dangerous concrete dust
blowing into shops.
The chorus of local dissent
first boomed in early December
when Council’s contractor
failed to incorporate rubberstamped
plans to shape dropoffs
in the asphalt to funnel
water away from the newly
uniform pavement/road
height towards drains.
The error only became
apparent when a freak storm
swept across the Northern
Beaches on Monday 11 December,
dumping significant
rain at Avalon in a 15-minute
deluge.
Business owners along
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER:
Construction crews dig a drain to
rectify the issue of pooling water
on Old Barrenjoey Road (North).
Old Barrenjoey Rd hurriedly
prepared for flooding, which
they say would have occurred
had the rain not stopped
when it did. As it was, they
were left to sweep away water
which lapped the entrances to
their shops.
Swell Café owner Barry
Blyth took matters further, obtaining
sandbags to barricade
the border of his business.
Council took Barry’s lead,
delivering more sandbags, to
mitigate the risk of damage
due to any further run-off
before Council’s contractors
were able to re-do the asphalt
to the correct specifications.
“Undoubtedly we would
have been flooded, but the
rain stopped just in time,”
Barry said.
“We’d carried sandbags
from the roadside, where they
were underwater, to protect
the cafe.
“I explained to the Council
officers why I’d done it – and
within an hour (each business)
was delivered more
sandbags.”
At the time, Council CEO
Ray Brownlee conceded to
Pittwater Life: “Council is
working fast to get the contractor
back on site to bring
the road construction to the
12 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Avalon works debacle
required design levels. This
will mitigate the issues that
occurred from the rainstorm.
“The issue here is the works
completed by the external
contractor did not meet the
design requirements. The
bitumen laid was not at the
correct levels specified in the
design plans.
“The contractor has acknowledged
the error… we
took immediate action to get
the contractor to urgently
fix the road levels, ensuring
they are consistent with the
approved design, which would
mitigate any flooding risk.
“We appreciate the timing
is not great at the start of
the Christmas holidays, but
we will continue to support
the local businesses and get
this project completed to the
standard we expect for our
community.”
While the asphalt was
subsequently “fixed” within
days – it revealed an alarming
new legacy: pooled water in a
30m2 area approaching the
former pedestrian crossing on
Old Barrenjoey Road North.
The pooled water was not
channelling to nearby drains;
hence the emergency works
on December 22.
Pittwater Life asked Council
whether its staff could assure
the local community
and business owners that its
original plan and all relevant
engineering guidelines and
PHOTOS: Steve Meacham
OOPS:
Pooled water after work
crews re-graded the asphalt
to prevent flooding of
pavements and businesses.
requirements for the specific
location had been assessed
and approved.
Further, assurance was
sought that as a consequence,
the new works would not result
in greater flooding than
has previously been experienced
at the location.
Mr Brownlee responded:
“Once the road construction
is complete, we are confident
the new design will not exacerbate
the risk of localised
flooding.
“We apologise for the inconvenience
and are working to
finalise the project as quickly
as possible.”
Representatives of the
Avalon & Palm Beach Business
Chamber Inc expressed
disappointment at Council’s
repeated failures.
President Stephanie Hammond
and Vice-President Sally
Tabner said: “It’s one thing for
Council to apologise for the
upheaval but it’s clear that the
process was not correct from
the start.
“Undertaking works of this
GET USED TO IT:
The traffic free-for-all
at the new Avalon
village intersection.
magnitude at this time of
year was always going to be
disruptive, despite assurances
from Council it would minimise
impact to residents and
businesses.
“And the fact they have had
to correct works on multiple
occasions, including digging
a new drain three days before
Christmas, speaks volumes
about their poor planning and
execution.
“Council is pointing the
finger at its contractor, but
ultimately the buck stops with
the designated authority –
and that’s Council.”
They added the Chamber
was also disappointed at the
lack of consultation and communication.
“Council remains adamant
they have always been consultative
regarding the Shared
Space zone but what occurred
on December 22, ripping up
the road to dig an emergency
drain, came like a bolt from
the blue.
“No-one knew anything
about this.”
All work on the Shared
Pedestrian Space, including
the new one-way traffic zone,
reduced parking capacity
and enhanced pedestrian
crossings, originally had a
pre-Christmas completion
timeline. – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell
us at readers@pittwaterlife.
com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 13

In the swim of things
News
The 2023 Pittwater Ocean
Swim Series kicks off
this month on local
beaches every Sunday, with
races delivering participants
the opportunity to win a holiday
in the Whitsundays.
The series comprises five
swims, with each swim promoted
individually as well as part
of the series. Newport, Bilgola,
Mona Vale, and Palm to Whale
Beach are all held in January,
with the series concluding with
the Avalon Swim in March.
Inspirational English Channel
swimmer John Wall will be
guest starter at the Newport
Pool to Peak swims on Sunday
8 January.
The Big Swim, between Palm
Beach and Whale Beach (sponsored
by Macquarie Bank), is
the longest-running ocean
swim of the series, starting in
1974. It offers $500 cash to the
male and female winners in its
Elite category, plus medals for
placegetters in all categories.
The Little Big Swim (sponsored
by Ray White Prestige
Palm Beach) is a 1km swim off
Palm Beach; it’s used by many
of the stronger swimmers as a
warm-up for the big event.
“You don’t even have to win
one of the series races to take
out the main prize,” explains
Big Swim race director Annette
Baggie. “It is eligible to any
swimmers who complete three
of the five series swims.”
Last year’s competition winner
was 26-year-old Ali Pluss,
who won an amazing swimming
holiday in the Whitsundays.
“It was so good,” Ali enthus-
GET SET: Thousands will compete
in January’s Pittwater ocean swims.
ADVICE: Channel conqueror Wall.
es. “Five days and four nights
swimming twice a day in the
most beautiful locations!
“I took my brother Nick, who
competed in the 2.8km Big
Swim and is really into ocean
races now, and I took my mum
(61) who had done the 1km
Little Big Swim with me.
“It was a great holiday and
you could swim at your own
pace in the longer races, it
wasn’t like a hiking trip where
you hold the group up.
“We’re all keen swimmers,
although haven’t been competitive
in the past or trained…
we just all love the water.
“Ocean swimming is very
different to the pool – more
exciting things can happen.
And you really get the benefits
of being outdoors in the fresh
air, and of the cool water and
nature.”
John Wall’s swimming journey
is inspirational. He joined
Mona Vale SC in 2013 and com-
pleted his Bronze Medallion
after his two boys joined Nippers.
After moving to Newport
and joining its club, he started
with two of the swimming
groups, the Newport Leather
Jackets and the Knackers.
He was a complete novice,
having never competed or
trained as a swimmer.
“They would swim out to
a buoy, affectionately known
as ‘Kylie’, which was about
250 metres out to sea,” said
John. “I really had my doubts I
would be able to make it. However,
I gradually mastered it.”
His first ocean swim was
at Bilgola in 2014 was an eyeopener.
“It was a 1.5km swim
and I hadn’t trained enough
for the conditions. I reckon I
nearly drowned and I vowed I
would never put myself in that
position again.”
John competed in many Sydney
ocean swims to improve
his skills. He also went to
stroke correction with Marathon
Swimming Hall of Fame
coach Vlad Mravec at Andrew
Boy Charlton Pool (ABC), Woolloomooloo.
John then entered the
Rottnest Channel Swim, an
open-water 29.7km swim
from Cottesloe Beach in WA
to Rottnest Island. At this
time, the longest swim he had
completed was The Big Swim
(2.7km).
Just a few years later, and
after logging 30km of ocean
swims each week, he signed
on to swim the English Channel
in July.
“The Channel is 33km; my
expected time was 15 hours,
but I took provisions for an 18-
hour swim,” said John.
His time? “13 hours, 14 minutes,”
he said with modesty.
John has a message for this
year’s series entrants:
“Set a goal, even if you are
not sure how to complete it. It
does not have to be extreme,
like swimming the English
Channel. Doing this will
ensure you meet new friends,
stretch your ability, mentally
and physically, and have you
doing things you did not think
you were capable of.”
– Rob Pegley & John Guthrie
14 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Guardian angels of waterways
Pamela Sayers was
working around 11.30pm
one night at the NSW
State Communications
Centre in Belrose – home of
Marine Rescue Sydney – when
an emergency call came in
from a vessel in distress on
the state’s North Coast.
“It was a catamaran that
had lost its mast about 13
nautical miles out to sea off
Yamba,” recalls Pamela who
with Debbie Nicholson heads
up Marine Rescue Sydney’s
recruitment drive for new
members.
“Sandy (Howard, Deputy
Unit Commander) was due to
relieve me at 1.30am.”
The two worked together
for several hours, keeping in
contact with the catamaran
while waiting for the local
Marine Rescue branch to
rustle a crew from their beds.
At one point, Sandy adds,
the catamaran’s skipper
“had an accident and she fell
overboard”, adding to the
drama.
It took until 6am before
craft and crew were safely
adjacent to dry land.
The incident illustrates
that, from dark till dawn, the
$1.3 million Belrose facility’s
24-hour service is the oceanic
guardian of “85 per cent”
of the NSW coastline. (Port
Macquarie and Port Stephens
choose to have their own 24-
hour coverage.)
In one sense, Marine Rescue
Sydney is “the invisible
service”.
People are all too familiar
with what the Rural Fire
Service and State Emergency
Service do from personal
experience or TV coverage. But
a successful marine rescue
rarely makes the headlines.
For two decades before
Belrose opened 12 months
ago, Sandy, Pamela and
colleagues operated from a
compact radio room in Terrey
Hills, also home to the RFS
and the SES.
Why ‘so far’ from the
Pacific Ocean? Because the
mast provides excellent
radio coverage from Sydney
Harbour to the Central coast.
Height is no longer so
important.
“The Belrose centre is in a
valley,” Sandy says. “We now
do everything on ROIP (Radio
Over Internet Protocol). But
if the internet fails, we can’t
talk.”
On any average Saturday,
the service responds to five
distress calls. There have
been seven today when we
meet.
And what’s the most
common factor?
“Idiots,” Sandy says
emphatically. Most incidents
are caused by running out of
fuel or flat batteries.
“No-one drives a car
without checking how much
fuel is in their tank,” adds
Pamela, more diplomatically.
“Or driving without a
seatbelt or getting the car
regularly serviced. It’s no
different with a boat.”
One of Marine Rescue’s
greatest bugbears are
boaters who aren’t wearing
a life jacket when something
unexpected happens.
“Accidents can happen
RESCUE HQ: More volunteers are required at the centre at Belrose.
on Pittwater or Sydney
Harbour as easily as they can
offshore,” he says.
When we meet, at a cafe
overlooking Pittwater, Pamela
confesses she’s had a tough
day.
A marine rescue? No,
she explains: a fundraising
sausage sizzle at Bunnings.
To become a member of
Marine Rescue Sydney you
don’t even have to swim, let
alone have nautical skills.
“One of the women with
us at the barbecue today gets
seasick every time she’s on a
boat,” Pamela says. “But she
enjoys helping us fundraise.”
The volunteer service
requires people with
secretarial, marketing, events
and financial skills. But most
of all it’s desperate for people
over 18 to train as radio
operators.
Strangely, over the past
six months much of Marine
Rescue Sydney’s finest
work has been conducted
inland, far away from Pacific
breakers.
“Nine people from HQ and
112 volunteers have served
in the NSW floods,” Sandy
explains. “From Deniliquin to
Forbes, Bourke to Condobolin.
“The SES volunteers don’t
have the vessels or the water
skills.”
Since COVID lockdowns
ended, there has been an
increase in people taking
to the water on jet skis
and boats without a full
understanding of how
dangerous our ocean and
waterways can be.
However, being a member
of Marine Rescue Sydney isn’t
all about crisis and dramatics.
“We work closely with NSW
National Parks, monitoring
sightings of whales, dolphins
and seals,” Pamela says.
– Steve Meacham
*More information go to
marinerescuesydney.com
16 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Local yachtie Clive remembered
Local sailor Clive Imber, who made a
single-handed double crossing of the
Atlantic when he was in his late 60s, died
in November. He was 92.
A well-known figure on Pittwater at
the helm of his dark blue 23ft gaff-rigged
cutter Rummager 2, Clive also crewed
regularly with friends and was a member
of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
and then Royal Motor Yacht Club.
Clive had a colourful past and, as a
member of the King’s Troop Royal Horse
Artillery, fought in the Korean War. In
civilian life his sporting activity was
as joint master and huntsman of the
Norfolk Beagles. Hunting was banned
when he was in his 50s and, desperate
for something new, he enquired about
lessons at a little local sailing club.
After his first session, when he turned
up wearing a Barbour jacket and green
wellies, he was hooked.
It was not long before he had qualified
for an Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate
and bought his first boat, a Falmouth
Bass, a South Coast One Design. Then
he had a Vancouver 34 sloop built at
Itchenor, West Sussex, to fulfil his dream
of sailing the Atlantic single-handed – a
feat which he achieved at the age of 66
in 1996.
Clive departed Falmouth and began
COLORFUL PAST: Clive Imber
took up sailing in his 50s.
the Atlantic crossing from the Canary
Islands along the traditional trade winds
route. He met a solitary Russian cargo
ship and the master delighted him by
calling him “one of us, a man of the sea”.
His partner of many years, Sheila
joined him in Antigua and they cruised
the Caribbean for many weeks. When
told the cost of shipping the boat back,
he decided the only option was to sail
Rummager back himself.
On the return voyage he put into the
Azores and in time-honoured tradition
painted the name of his boat on the
harbour wall.
Sheila joined him unexpectedly for
a brief holiday before he set sail again
for England, making final landfall just
before his 68th birthday and completing
a total 8,596 nautical miles on the round
trip.
Clive was sailing up to a year ago when
he reluctantly sold Rummager 2, the
boat he had had shipped to Australia in a
container when he settled here in 2005.
Determined to keep fit, he spent time
on his rowing machine each day and was
fit enough to walk to the car when finally
admitted to Northern Beaches Hospital,
where he died peacefully a few days later.
As he wished, his ashes have been
scattered out to sea off Barrenjoey
Headland and he asked for any donations
to be sent to the Royal National Lifeboat
Institute – a volunteer organisation
whose services he was thankful never to
have needed.
– Michael Woolley
18 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Rust bucket
roadsters
get in gear
News
Bilgola resident
Michael
Dean-Jones
had a tough 2022,
undergoing a
heart operation
which required at
least three months’
recuperation.
So what is he
doing to relax now
he’s been given the
all-clear?
Driving from
Rockhampton
inland via the
Great Artesian
Basin – Tambo, Eulo, Cobar
to Tolleybuc and Geelong,
where the convoy of 250 ‘rust
buckets’ will catch the Spirit of
Tasmania for the final leg of
a 3600-kilometre competitive
journey through Strahan to
the finish line in Hobart.
Michael and his co-driver
Peter Turvey will be in good
company.
Michael’s older brother
Philip Dean-Jones completed
this particular outback
adventure with schoolfriend
Rob Nagy in 2021, when the
route was from Alice Springs
to the Gold Coast via the Gulf
of Carpentaria – the first time
every car finished, even a
vintage Morris Minor with a
hole in the floor behind the
pedals.
The event – the charmingly
named Shitbox Rally – was
founded by James Freeman in
2009 after he lost both of his
parents to cancer. The rally
has raised over $32 million for
the Cancer Council.
“You can’t call something
the Shitbox Rally and expect it
to be taken seriously,” James
says. “Fundraising has to be
entertaining.”
What this rally definitely is
NOT, is a race. It’s more of
a reward for raising at least
$5000 in sponsorship for the
Cancer Council.
Each team – and Michael
and Peter’s team is called Not
Dead Yet – has to purchase
a vehicle for under $1500
and ensure it is sufficiently
roadworthy to be scrutinised
by the police and negotiate
around 2200km of dirt track.
“Before COVID, the price
limit on the cars was $1000,”
Philip says. “But obviously the
price of used cars has gone
up.”
Michael and Peter bought
a 1998 Mazda 323. Philip and
Rob purchased a 1997 Nissan
Maxima.
Michael, the younger
brother by two years, and
Peter have already raised more
than $7000.
Philip and Rob “are trying
not to go back to the same
well”, Philip says. “We raised
$12,000 last time but we don’t
want to ask the same friends
again.”
Virtually everyone on the
rally has a friend or relative
who died of cancer.
The trigger for the brothers
to take part was the death of
a cousin, nicknamed Gritch,
hence the name of Philip and
Rob’s team: Gritch’s Rally Rats.
Initially diagnosed with
testicular cancer, he went into
remission for a decade before
the cancer returned and
spread uncontrollably.
“Each team taking part in
the rally has a list of names
they are doing this rally for,”
Michael says. “Not Dead Yet has
REST STOP: The Gritch’s Rally Rats entry in 2021.
RUNNING REPAIRS: Welding the 1956 Morris Minor.
six: including
our mum, my
father-in-law
and a good
friend of mine
who died of
cancer last
year.”
Each rally – and this is the
first to be held in summer
to try to catch up with the
fundraising losses during
COVID – takes seven days. The
routes explore the roads less
travelled. And visit Outback
towns that generally don’t
witness a caravan of this
magnitude passing through
for a night.
“These remote townships
come out to greet us,”
Philip says. “We’re bringing
commercial dollars – filling up
with fuel, buying food.
“Each town provides us with
a barbecue dinner which we
pay for. Plus showers and a
campsite, because we all take
our own tents.”
A day on the road usually
starts around 8.30am after
a short briefing of any
unexpected hazards.
The 250 vehicles are
gathered into “buddy groups”
of between seven and ten rust
buckets, with inter-vehicle
communications, so that no
car is left behind.
“The goal is safety and
reliability,” Michael adds. “The
idea is to obey the road rules.
Keep the speed down and get
to the finish line safely.”
Each “buddy group”
contains a bush mechanic and
a first aid expert.
The 1956 Morris Minor
on the 2021 rally may have
been the oldest car (“I don’t
know how it was ever deemed
roadworthy,” Rob admits. “The
bush mechanics laid down a
bed of old tyres by the side of
the road and just rolled it onto
its side so they could do the
welding by torchlight.”).
“There was also a Toyota
Corolla on that rally. It blew
a radiator on a dirt track in
the middle of nowhere. The
mechanics didn’t have a spare
one.
“But we found a dumped
Toyota Camry, left by the
side of the road with police
stickers all over it and two
good batteries plus a working
radiator.
“The bush mechanics took
the radiator out of the Camry
and modified it to fit into the
Corolla. But the radiator was
too big to fit under the Corolla’s
bonnet, so they strapped the
bonnet to the roof.
“When we got to the
Gold Coast, we feared the
police might declare it was
unroadworthy.
“So the bush mechanics cut
a hole in the bonnet with an
angle grinder and we arrived
safely with a customised
radiator.”
Rob mentions the jolly
japes. There are several
costume changes along the
route. In Hobart, the final stop
will end with a talent contest.
“It’s actually more of a No
Talent Contest,” Rob admits.
– Steve Meacham
*The first Summer Shitbox
Rally leaves Rockhampton
on March 18 and finishes
in Hobart on March 24.
More info & to sponsor:
shitboxrally.com.au.
20 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Ditch the tree. Council will collect
your not-so-fresh-now Christmas
tree if you take time to dispose
of it correctly – trees must be
contained within your vegetation
bin and the lid closed flat. If you
prefer not to cut the tree so that it
fits in your vegetation bin, you can
drop it off (for free) at the Kimbriki
Resource Recovery Centre,
Ingleside.
Games for seniors. Get down to
The Mind Cafe at 1356 Pittwater
Road Narrabeen every Tues from
1.30pm and keep your brain active
by enjoying a range of board, table
and card games amongst old and
new friends. More info CCNB 1300
002 262.
Give blood. The Mobile Blood
Donor Centre is rolling into Mona
Vale and setting up at Surfview
Road from Mon 9 to Sun 15. Prebook
at lifeblood.com.au, on the
app, or on 13 14 95.
Under-18s gig. Beats on The
Beaches is an event for local
youth aged 13-17 to celebrate
summer with an electric mix
of EDM, POP & Hip Hop artists.
Headliners are DARLEY and
15grams. Supporting acts
include rhyme hustlers XMPLA,
PURPOSE and SoulBLu3. Police,
first aid, youth organisations and
private security personnel will
be on hand to ensure the drug
and alcohol-free event runs as
smoothly as possible. Fri 20
from 6pm-9.30pm at the PCYC
Northern Beaches, Dee Why.
Tickets $39 available through
humanitix.
Polystyrene drop-off. Residents
can take rigid pieces of 100%
clean white and dry polystyrene
packaging to Kimbriki Resource
Recovery centre for recycling on
Sun 22 from 8am-4pm.
Ocean Swims. Dive into four of
the five diverse swims that make
up the Pittwater Ocean Swim
Series – Newport to Peak on Sun
8; Blackmores Billy Swim Bilgola
on Sun 15; Warriewood to Mona
Vale Swim (& Family Swim) Sun22
and The Big Swim at Palm Beach
Sun 29. (Pittwater Life is a proud
associate sponsor of TBS.) See
story on page 14.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 23

News
The Mind Café’s special blend
Aiming to create a
“I love working for Guy,
community for people
he’s a great boss and very
struggling with life, The Mind
Cafe at Narrabeen is about far
more than just great coffee.
Café owner Guy is a jovial
host – so it’s hard to believe
that it’s only four years since
he tried to take his own life.
“I’ve always struggled with
anxiety and depression,” Guy
says candidly. “I had quite
a strange upbringing; my
mother and sister were both
sex workers and my mum
would take me to the brothel
while she worked when I was
only 11. My dad left when I
was two and my stepfather
was hard on me.
“But I know lots of people
have strange childhoods and
that all seemed normal to me.
EMPATHY: The motto of Guy’s café is ‘be kind’.
trustworthy,” says Thomas.
“I love the ethics of the place,
and it’s fun and entertaining.”
Thomas has started
baking for the cafe and loves
seeing his old teachers from
Narrabeen Sports High when
they come in.
“They’ve become like
family to me,” says Guy. “I
never judge people and when
Thomas came in for a trial I
saw what a great work ethic
he had. He and his brother are
the heartbeat of this cafe.”
And that family is growing
as Guy has introduced some
evening groups at the venue
and hopes to cultivate more
self-help-style forums.
“We have a ukulele group
“I also had great
grandparents who took me to
church and taught me morals
and ethics.”
Heading off overseas at a
young age, Guy found work in
the hospitality industry which
led to him often seeking
refuge in alcohol. But after
returning to Australia and
graduating with a degree in
marketing he got his life back
on track. By the end of 2018,
however, his marriage was
ending due to his gambling
and drinking.
“I took a drug overdose,”
says Guy, quietly, “and if my
Feeling blessed to have
survived, Guy started work for
a non-profit organisation that
helped people with disabilities
and mental health issues. He
also started work on various
projects of his own, trying to
help create online communities
for people struggling with
mental health issues.
“I suddenly felt a real
purpose to my life,” says Guy.
“I love that feeling of being
kind to others.”
All of these endeavours,
together with a few quirks of
fate, saw him start The Mind
Cafe just over a year ago.
help others.
“We’re all about inclusion
here and our motto is
‘Be Kind’,” explains Guy.
“We welcome people with
problems or those who are
lonely and I love to listen to
customers when they share
their stories.”
The empathy also extends
to staff, with Guy employing
twin brothers John and
Thomas who have struggled
in the past with speech
problems and learning
difficulties; along with Jay,
who was born female but
identifies as male.
called NUTs who have a
concert on the last Friday
evening of the month,” Guy
explains. “And there is also
the Belong Club, which is
every Tuesday between
1.30pm and 3pm.
“I want to start more
support groups for people
with anxiety, depression or
other mental health issues, so
that people can feel together
and part of something.
“Money has never been
a driving force for me,”
explains Guy. “Obviously we
need to survive, but it’s more
important for me that we give
friend hadn’t helped me that Something that has brought Thomas loves working at people hope.” – Rob Pegley
night, I wouldn’t be alive
today.”
together his experience in
hospitality and his need to
the cafe and getting to know
the regulars.
*The Mind Café, 1346
Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen.
24 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Plan for booming business
Northern Beaches Council has
released its first Economic
Development Strategy to grow and
support businesses across the whole of its
local government area.
And it could see Council throw its weight
behind growing a significant central
business district hub.
Mayor Michael Regan said ‘Business on
the Beaches’ recognised the unique nature
of our local economy, and challenges and
opportunities over the next 10 years.
“Our vision is for a more diverse,
innovative, vibrant and green economy. A
local economy that is sustainable, both in
an economic and an environmental sense,”
Mayor Regan said.
“We love our local businesses and want
to support them now and into the future.
This economic development strategy
identifies the challenges our economy
faces, the opportunities available and sets
out our aspirations for the next decade.
“The Northern Beaches is home to many
highly skilled and talented people, who
could contribute significantly to our local
economy if we can create new employment
opportunities in our local area.”
The draft strategy was prepared by
specialist economic development firm
NDP Economic Development with the
assistance of Council staff and follows a
thorough analysis of the current economic
climate and consultation with the Northern
Beaches community.
Major opportunities could include:
Innovation – new spaces or hubs to
attract knowledge-based businesses and
workers that align with the skills and
aspirations of workers.
Entrepreneurship – with some of the
most talented professionals in Sydney and
higher levels of home-based businesses, a
focus on start-ups could grow the culture
of entrepreneurship through information
sharing, promotion and networking.
Town centres – Welcoming back
business and tourism through a
combination of promotion, events and
public domain improvements.
Cultural & creative – the Northern
Beaches is home to the largest
concentration of cultural and creative
RETAINED: Council says it’s important existing
industrial areas, such as at Mona Vale, are kept
a part of the Beaches’ fabric.
businesses outside the Sydney CBD,
offering scope for further growth by
establishing creative hubs.
Green economy – with local consumers
wanting sustainable products and a high
proportion of residents having the skills
that could support a green economy,
there is potential to explore emerging
investment opportunities in this sector.
Council has identified challenges in the
plan, including traffic congestion, with
slow transport for staff, customers and
suppliers potentially reducing business
profits.
Also, with the Beaches not having a
major ‘CBD’ it could be harder to attract
major corporates and provide jobs that
match residents’ skills.
The absence of international students
and working travellers, as well as rising
housing costs that force many key workers
to live outside the LGA, was also limiting
the pool of workers for entry level roles.
Further, Council is adamant that existing
industrial and warehousing areas must be
protected as they allowed for existing and
emerging industries that supported the
ongoing performance and functionality of
the Northern Beaches economy.
Among the many actions set out in
the draft strategy are plans to revitalise
employment areas. Council will also
enhance existing industrial zoned areas
and look at ways to support innovation and
emerging industries.
Investment in affordable housing will
help attract and retain a broad range of
essential workers and advocating for better
public transport connections will support
logistics and help attract employees.
Council’s business support service will
be expanded and a Business Advisory
Forum could also be established,
comprising key local businesses.
The draft economic development
strategy is underpinned by independent
technical reports, employment studies and
consultation with the business community.
Business on the Beaches will be on public
exhibition for eight weeks on the ‘Your
Say’ page on Council’s website; resident
feedback is encouraged.
Comment has been sought from
Pittwater’s local Chambers of Commerce.
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 25

The Way We Were
Every month we pore over three decades of Pittwater Life, providing a snapshot of
the area’s recent history – and confirming that quite often the more things change, the
more they stay the same! Compiled by Lisa Offord
25 Years Ago…
The Way We Were
“Here’s to a great 1998!* January, and again
Pittwater welcomes its holiday makers from
near and far staying perhaps in their tents,
caravans and huts at the lovely Narrabeen
Lake, with relatives, on yachts or in their
rented Palm Beach homes. It is the month
when the locals also relax to enjoy the sun,
surf and sailing, the bushwalks and beach
picnics the easy living that summertime offers
in this special part of the world. To our visitors,
welcome.” In news there was a story about
the Big Swims at Avalon (sponsored by Rebel
Sport, Speedo and Secure Parking) and Whale
Beach (sponsored by Australia Post) where “…
every year hundreds of surf swimmers gather
in Pittwater for two major events”. Entry for
the Avalon swim was $15 while entry to the
Whale Beach swim was $25. Pittwater Council was exploring
where to re-house the Avalon Community Library which had
outgrown its current site, with some options also attempting
to “resolve the car parking problem in the village”. One
thought was to open the Bowling Green Lane car park to
Central Avenue. “But observers suggest that this may be a
ploy to try to close off the northern end of Old Barrenjoey
Road to create a partial pedestrian mall. Such a move
however would generate problems with public transport … as
15 Years Ago…
well as blocking direct access to the shops and
other facilities of the village.” Still in Avalon,
a group of local GPs “currently operating out
of old homes in Avalon Parade” were seeking
to have three blocks of land adjacent to
the Bowling Green Lane car park re-zoned
to allow construction of a modern medical
centre “… a similar proposal which also
included a day surgery and specialist rooms
was proposed by a former Avalon doctor
five years ago, but this was rejected”.
Dog owners were “preparing to fight the
conservationist who want to fence off
access to the sand flats and water at the
western end of the Careel Bay exercise
area”. Australia Day celebrations focussed
on Newport Beach, with a breakfast BBQ, thong throwing, a
citizenship ceremony and sailing events at the Royal Motor
Yacht Club. In his column ‘Chip Thrills’ David Hague revealed
“… almost one in eight Australian households have a personal
computer of some description”. In property news, David
Edwards of LJ Hooker Palm Beach was handling the sale of
The Iluka development… “six luxury three bedroom strata
apartments and two penthouses of international standing”
between Iluka Road and Barrenjoey Road, priced from
$705,000 with completion due mid-1999.
5 Years Ago…
Council sought more CCTV in the Pittwater business
districts and increased use of private security guards
“following extensive graffiti and damage to Council-owned
property which is costing Council around $100,000 a year to
rectify”. The story Remembering the Bicentenary Twenty Years
On featured highlights from an exhibition in Avalon staged
by historian Jonathan King who organised the First Fleet
re-enactment voyage
of tall ships from
England to Australia.
There were three
major ocean swims
this month – Avalon
Beach, Warriewood
to Mona Vale and
the “daddy of them
all from Palm Beach
to Whale beach
on January 27”.
The Australia Day
Breakfast (and
thong-throwing
competition) was to
be held at Newport
Beach; and the
Royal Motor Yacht
Club was hosting
its annual Australia
Day Boating Parade.
We presented our annual
Locals’ Guide; writer Matt
Cleary spent a day with
local water police who
had been afforded added
random drug testing
powers for the first time
that summer. There were
plenty of announcements
on the local news front,
including a walkway link
between Bayview Heights
and Church Point, and
a shared pedestrian
and cycling path to
wrap around the Bilgola
Bends; we reported on
the latest rumblings
over the development
of the Pasadena site at
Church Point and the
Pittwater Swim Series
(which comprised five swims), with profiles of some of the first
participants in the Big Swim which entered it 45 th year in 2018.
And Northern Beaches Council introduced a 24-hours ban on
alcohol on all beaches from 6am on Australia Day.
(Current Editor’s note: Eagle eyed readers – and we know there
are many – will notice the ‘typo’ on the cover of the January
1998 magazine).
26 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
SEEN…
The NSW Government has introduced stronger rules around
registered vehicles and trailers left on our streets for extended
periods of time. Council can now notify owners to move their
property: immediately if causing obstruction or a safety risk;
within three days if unregistered or unable to be legally driven
(due to damage etc) and left in one place for more than 15 days;
and within 15 days if registered and left unattended in one
place for more than 28 days (ie, that’s 44 days one spot in total).
Fines of $660 apply for leaving a vehicle unattended for longer
than legally permitted. If, as some readers have lamented to us,
Council’s Rangers say they are not empowered to act as above,
feel free to refer them to the new Fact Sheet on the NSW Government
website. Or any of several other Sydney Council websites
(for example Fairfield) which are displaying the updated rules
which came into effect in November… Meanwhile, minutes
from Council’s December meeting show it has put on hold – for
now – staff’s push to reduce the opening hours of its Avalon
Customer Centre in the Avalon Rec Centre building. The Avalon
Preservation Association had feared that Council’s plan to
reduce services from five days a week to two days a week would
be triggered at the meeting. However, Councillors voted to defer
a decision until at least March 2023. Council wants to bank a
six-figure saving by downgrading services. We understand Pittwater
and Narrabeen Ward Councillors are concerned about the
inequity of allowing the ratepayer-funded Hop, Skip and Jump
bus to continue to operate across the Manly area while ripping
services from the top end of the LGA. They also question the
merits of less access when this exact zone has been transformed
to encourage more pedestrian and community use.
HEARD…
The Palm Beach & Whale Beach Association is calling on locals
concerned about the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s
plan to allow short-stay accommodation on Barrenjoey
Headland to attend a protest rally in Governor Phillip Park
on 22 January (11am). The Draft Plan of Management for
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Lion Island includes a
vision for ‘adaptive reuse’ of historic buildings including the
Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage (right) and Assistant Lighthouse
Keeper’s Cottage… Council tells us it has received around
950 community submissions on its proposed land rezoning.
It will review its draft methodology in the New Year, taking
on board points raised in the submissions. “In some cases,
site visits may be conducted, including where changes to
the methodology do not address concerns raised,” a Council
spokesperson said. They added the outcome of the public
exhibition will inform the development of a draft Northern
Beaches Local Environmental Plan and Development Control
Plan, which will be presented to Council before going on
public exhibition for community feedback.
ABSURD…
Avalon residents aren’t the only ones livid with the ongoing
Shared Zone debacle in their village centre. Councillors are finding
their voices, too. Like Pittwater Ward representative Michael
Gencher, who labels the project ‘botched’. “The community is
upset and they have a right to be… too many promises have been
broken,” he said. “As Councillors, we saw a design that looked
great and we were assured was properly engineered, so we did
the right thing and voted in favour of it. The implementation
clearly hasn’t gone to plan though, and as elected Councillors
we are not getting satisfactory answers about where the fault
for that lies. It’s not just us that needs answers, the community
deserves answers – they have to put up with this mess,” he
said. While frustrated and angry, locals are also showing their
senses of humour – someone even dropped a draft of yellow
plastic ducks (above) into pooled water on the road (before site
emergency works on December 22 – see page 12), while one wit
was spied seated at an outdoors café table with facemask and
snorkel. Works have now paused until Monday 13 February
“pending contractor availability”.
28 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Pittwater active
transport funding
The NSW Government
is supporting Northern
Beaches Council to deliver
two key footpaths that will
help Pittwater residents
and visitors move around
safely. The projects funded
include $971,000 for a new
footpath, kerbs, gutters and
drainage along the eastern
side of Barrenjoey Road,
North Avalon (between Careel
Head Road and Currawong
Avenue); and $369,000
for a new footpath on the
northern side of Turimetta
Street, Mona Vale to complete
the missing connection
between Mona Vale Police
Station and George Mockler
House – a strategic walking
connection to Mona Vale,
schools and the B-Line.
Minister for Active Transport
and Pittwater MP Rob Stokes
said the funding would go
towards strengthening active
transport in the community,
making it easier for people to
get from A to B in a way that
didn’t always involve getting
in the car. “More than $18
million has been committed
to projects in Western
Sydney and $20 million in
regional NSW, where we’re
seeing a growing demand
for infrastructure that helps
people walk and cycle safely,”
Mr Stokes added.
Posties reeling
from dog attacks
Australia Post is urging local dog owners to safely secure
their pets following data that shows nearly 1,000
Australia Post workers have been attacked by household
dogs over the past five months.
Dog-related incidents recorded by Australia Post have
increased more than 55 per cent, with an average of almost
seven incidents reported each day since July 2022, compared
to an average of just over four per day in 2021-22.
In the past five months alone, 986 incidents have been
reported, compared to 1587 for the full 2021/22 financial
year. Some of these attacks can lead to severe and
debilitating injuries with many requiring medical treatment.
NSW recorded the highest number of dog-related incidents
with 351 since 1 July.
Australia Post spokeswoman Susan Davies said the data
showed an alarming upwards trend in incidents as well as an
increase in the severity of injuries sustained.
“As we continue through the busiest delivery time of the
year, we want to ensure that our Posties are protected,” she
said.
Australia Day on
Newport Beach
Head down to Newport Beach
on 26 January for an Australia
Day BBQ celebration breakfast
from 7.30-11.30am. There
will be amusement rides, face
painting, thong throwing
for kids and adults, coffee
vendors, gelato ice-cream and
music provide by the Northern
Beaches Concert Band. The
breakfast is supported by the
National Australia Day Council
and Northern Beaches Council.
Proceeds from the breakfast
will go to local community
organisations the SES, Rotary,
Zonta, Headquarters and
Mackerel Beach Rural Fire
Brigades. (No bottled water
for sale but there will be two
portable water stations.) More
info contact Allan Brett 0407
214 681.
First young adult
hospice complete
The first patients at the new
$19.5 million Adolescent and
Young Adult Hospice (AYAH)
in Manly are expected to be
admitted in February after
major building works on
the new waterfront facility
were completed in December.
The hospice is the first of its
kind in Australia and will
provide respite care, symptom
management or end-of-life
care to 15- to 24-year-old
patients with life-limiting
“Dogs are territorial by nature, so even the sweetest dog
can be a danger to our Posties.
“Our Posties are just trying to do their job and if they feel
that a situation is unsafe when they approach a home, they
will not make the delivery.
“Our teams’ safety has to come first so we really want to
stress the need for people to secure their dogs, especially if
they are expecting a delivery.”
30 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

illness. “This is an incredibly
important facility that will
provide specialized care for
young people and support
for their families at a time of
unimaginable circumstances,”
said NSW Premier Dominic
Perrottet. “It’s in a natural
and peaceful setting that
will hopefully offer comfort
and dignity to people at
the end of their life and is
an important component
of the NSW Government’s
enhancement of palliative care
services.” The hospice will be
important for young people
aged 15 to 24 who outgrow
Bear Cottage or who are
diagnosed with life-limiting
conditions as a young adult.
The facility includes: Eight
bedrooms for patients, each
with an ensuite and outdoor
balcony; two carers’ lounges;
two family accommodation
units with two bedrooms
each; on-site dedicated kitchen
and dining room; breakout
spaces including lounge room,
games room, media room,
multisensory room, quiet
room and sitting rooms.
Council’s grants for
rainbow connection
Avalon & Palm Beach Business
Chamber Inc is one of seven
local organisations sharing
$20,000 in Council grant
funding to support events
planned for WorldPride 2023.
The world’s largest LGBTQIA+
event will be held across
Sydney from 17 February – 5
March celebrating diversity,
equity, and inclusion. At
its September meeting,
Council resolved to support
activities for the event
including providing financial
support to businesses and
organisations through
small place-based grants as
well as several Council-led
activations including rainbow
banners across the peninsula,
a temporary art installation
in Manly, exhibitions in
libraries; rainbow story times
for children, film screenings
and author talks. Also,
Council has been exploring
options to “dress up” a B1
bus and a Manly Ferry during
WorldPride. Sydney is the
first city in the southern
hemisphere chosen to hold
this event to celebrating
diversity, inclusion, and
accessibility. WorldPride is
a global event licenced by
InterPride which is awarded
to a different host city every
two to three years.
Spin-a-thon for
Mental health
Community Capital
Foundation in partnership
with Manly Business Chamber
and ANTHEMCYCLE are
hosting the first-ever ‘Manly
Spin-a-thon.’ On Saturday
1 April the outdoor spincycling
fundraising event
will help raise awareness and
funds for youth mental health
programs on the Northern
Beachers. This year’s
proceeds will go to local surf
charity, Waves of Wellness
Continued on page 32
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 31

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 31
(WOW) Foundation. You don’t
need to be an expert cyclist
to participate – anyone can
get involved by registering
to ride or sponsor a team.
Spots are limited; more info
communitycapitalfoundation.
com.au or contact Jessie
Williams at 0452 627 257.
Probus Club news
Guest speaker at the next
Pittwater Men’s Probus Club
meeting is member Wes
Harder who will deliver a talk
on the controversial case for
nuclear power generation in
Australia. Meeting at Mona
Vale Surf Club on Tuesday 10
January starts 10am. Visitors
welcome; more info contact
Terry Larke on 0412 220 820.
The next meeting of the Palm
Beach and Peninsula Probus
Club will be held at Club
Palm Beach on Wednesday
18 January commencing
9.45 am start and visitors
are very welcome. On 25
January the Club will host a
screening of the film, Tea with
Mussolini, followed by lunch.
Membership is open to retired
men and women. Enquiries to
Carmel on 0414 978 465. The
speaker at the next Newport
Probus Club meeting will be
Tom Sweeney from Willoughby
Theatre Company, whose topic
will be ‘The Art of Putting
on a Play’. The meeting will
be held at Newport Bowling
Club on Thursday 5 January,
commencing 10am. Visitors
welcome; more information
contact David Newton-Ross
(0418 298 572).
Winning
underwater
scene
Manly’s Cabbage Tree Bay was
the inspiration for the majority of
entries in this year’s UNDERWATER!
2022 photo competition, with Chad
Barlow’s breathtaking image ‘The
Schooled Vortex’ declared the overall
winner.
Chad described the scene and
location as “the inner state of
harmony which conveniently aligns
to the external chaos… it’s about
realising that it starts within the
heart to prosper and drive forward
what really matters, when the chaos
has transitioned to bliss you know
you’re home”.
UNDERWATER! 2022 is cosponsored
by the NSW Department
of Primary Industries and Northern
Beaches Council.
*View all entries and other category
winners on Council website.
32 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

NSW Seniors
Card 2023 here
Seniors can now pick up the
latest copy of the NSW Seniors
Card Directory or access it
online. The directory details
more than 2,000 businesses
providing significant
discounts off products and
services available through the
NSW Seniors Card program.
The directory lists all the
savings that can be accessed,
from supermarkets, retail
and boutique stores, health
and fitness, travel, utilities
and professional services.
The NSW Government is
encouraging more businesses
to sign up to the NSW Seniors
Program and join the more
than 6,000 businesses that
have opened their door
to more than 1.9 million
seniors across the state.
Seniors Cards are available
for permanent NSW residents
who are 60 years of age or
over and are working no more
than 20 hours per week in
paid employment. More info
seniorscard.nsw.gov.au.
COVID signage
updates urged
Northern Beaches Council is
encouraging businesses and
the community to review
their pandemic-related
signage and, if they are out
of date, take steps to recycle
or repurpose them. CEO Ray
Brownlee said pandemicrelated
signage was essential
in keeping the community
safe prior to vaccinations
being introduced. They
also provided up-to-date
information on the everchanging
public health
measures and restrictions.
“Since restrictions have been
lifted and the situation has
evolved, we have removed
outdated signage – we have
repurposed all of our 4500
pandemic-related signs –
either reusing them as new
signs or recycling them.
The corflute signs can be
‘re-skinned’ with fresh print
multiple times, so the signs
that once instructed you to
stay 1.5m away may soon be
on display at a Council event
or project near you. Signs that
are too large to be re-skinned
are sent off to a specialist
recycling service here in
Australia. Importantly,
we have prevented these
temporary signs from ending
up in landfill.”
Movember heroes
Locals Peter Thomas and
Sheldon Smith completed a
24-hour bowls marathon to
raise money for Movember – a
charity which assists with
men’s health. The pair raised
$3700 over the 24 hours
and the team raised more
than $10,000 for the month
of November – more than
doubling the amount they
raised previously. “We would
like to thank everyone who
not just played against us, but
donated money to this great
charity,” Sheldon said. He also
thanks sponsors Pittwater
RSL Club, Pittwater Bowls
Club and ‘Iprint Digital’.
Young Women
volunteer awards
The Zonta Club of Northern
Beaches is putting the call out
for locals to help recognise
young women aged 16-19
for their commitment to
leadership and volunteering
by nominating them for
the Young Women in Public
Affairs Award 2023. One
application provides three
opportunities: Club Award
(A$750); District Award
(US$1500); and International
Award (US$5000).
Applications close March 10.
Head to qrco.de/bdSgC1 or
email ywpazcnb@gmail.com
Council CIO
honoured
As part of an annual survey by
the Chief Information Officer
Executive Council, Northern
Beaches Council’s CIO Naren
Gangavarapu, his team and
Council as a whole, have been
recognised for outstanding
digital improvements to the
core business. “The accolade
acknowledges the delivery of
key innovations at Council
that have led to improved
customer satisfaction,
improved efficiency and cost
savings,” said Council.
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
Puppies and kittens are a cute
addition to the family and
to ensure they grow into happy
and healthy dogs and cats, it’s
important to follow the health
advice of your veterinarian.
Good nutrition is vital to ensuring
that your new puppy or
kitten develops strong bones, a
shiny coat and has the energy
needed for lots of activity.
Depending on your pet’s breed
and lifestyle, our vets can
provide advice specific to your
new pet.
It’s also important to protect
your new puppy or kitten from
parasites such as intestinal
worms, heartworm, fleas and
ticks and mites. Intestinal
worms can cause your puppy or
kitten to lose weight and body
condition, and can also cause
gastro-intestinal disturbance
such as diarrhoea. Heartworm
can be transmitted to your pet
by mosquito bites, and can be
a potentially fatal condition for
pets. There are many species of
ticks in Australia which can be
deadly, so it’s very important to
protect your pet from ticks.
During our free health
checks, our veterinarians will
provide advice on the best
parasite prevention products for
your pet. We’re offering a free
first dose heartworm prevention
injection at 12 weeks of age
for puppies, and free 4 weeks
flea and tick prevention. We’re
also offering free 4 weeks pet
insurance for your puppy or
kitten to ensure they’re covered
for any unexpected accidents.
Call your local Sydney Animal
Hospitals to book in your puppy
or kitten for their free veterinary
health check during January
to March, and take advantage
of our exciting offer which
includes free 4-weeks pet insurance,
a free sample bag of Hill’s
puppy or kitten food, a free first
dose heartworm prevention
injection at 12 weeks of age for
puppies, and free 4 weeks of
flea and tick prevention.
sydneyanimalhospitals.
com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 33

Art Life
Art Life
Gallery embraces ferries nostalgia
It’s back by popular demand – ‘Manly by
Ferry’ presents a fascinating pictorial history
of Manly’s ferries, as a free exhibition at
Manly Art Gallery and Museum (MAG&M).
This exhibition celebrates a quintessential
Sydney icon and reveals insights into its
evolution across the decades.
Drawing from MAG&M’s photography,
painting, and museum collections, the
exhibition explores the inherent duality of
these much-loved vessels as they balance
carrying care-free day-trippers and busy local
commuters, across boisterous swells and
peaceful waters.
Part of the ‘Treasures from the Vault’ series,
this exhibition is designed to reveal some of
the rich history and stories of Manly, and of
the artists themselves who called this part of
Sydney home.
Highlights include photography by Max
Dupain, Frank Hurley, and Frank Bell; historical
signage ‘Seven miles from Sydney and a
thousand miles from care!’; tourist brochures
and memorabilia plus posters featuring
the famous SS South Steyne; watercolours
depicting scenes of Manly Cove and paddle
steamers in the late 19th century.
‘Treasures from the Vault’ features works
acquired through MAG&M Society, the Theo
Batten Bequest and artists and donors.
As part of the exhibition, there is also an
opportunity for members of the public to come
and share their memories of Manly Ferries
as stories in a special event hosted by the
exhibition curator.
*More info on Council website.
Make Gallery
on Palm
Beach a
port of call
After so many disruptions
with COVID and
restrictions the artists of
Art Gallery on Palm Beach
are happy and excited to
open their doors to holiday
makers, day trippers and
the locals of the Palm
Beach peninsula every day
throughout January.
The gallery showcases 15
emerging and professional
artists from across the
Northern Beaches and the
Central Coast,
The band of artists’
unique and diverse works
capture the essence of
Pittwater and our waterways,
beaches and bush with local
scenes, botanical sculptures
and ceramics which fit into
your suitcase or can be
shipped.
As the gallery is an artistrun
cooperative, you can
meet the artists each day,
ask about their techniques
and put your name down
for any upcoming mini
workshops (which have been
a smash hit over the winter
months).
*Open 10am-3pm Thurs-
Sun; find the gallery at
1095 Barrenjoey Rd (next
to Pronto). More info 0488
400 053.
34 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Reopen 16 Jan; Mon to Fri 9am–5pm
Studio Bangalley
offers triple treat
Creative types Marian Purvis, Vivian Christian and Anita Howard
are well known in art circles – ‘relatively’ speaking.
Marian, her sister Vivian and daughter Anita are preparing
to showcase their diverse works at ‘Studio Bangalley’ at Whale
Beach on the weekend of January 14-15.
Marian, an associate member of the Royal Art Society, studied
at the Datillo-Rubbo Art School; she has held numerous exhibitions
of her work, including at the Holdsworth Gallery and has
figured in the prestigious Blake, Sulman and Wynn competitions.
Marian has painted in remote areas of Australia as well as
overseas. She is a sketch book, video, printmaking and photography
enthusiast.
Vivien gained a Diploma of Fine Arts degree and studied in Italy.
She is a member of two Art Societies and has been awarded
two first prizes in exhibitions.
Vivien’s work has been hung in the Archibald Prize; she works
in watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel, printmaking and mixed
media. She says she has many subjects of interest, especially
portraiture.
Anita obtained her art training at the University of New South
Wales (Bachelor of Education – art) and for many years she
taught art at High School.
She says that her muse is the world around her and that her
choice of medium – drawing, printmaking, painting or mixed
media – depends upon her intent to express or highlight at the
time, vibrant colours through to delicate details.
All art on show is available for purchase; open 10am-5.30pm
at 13 Surf Rd, Whale Beach. More info 9974 5676. – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 35
Art Life

Saltwater
scribe
Life Stories
Nick Carroll is one of
those lucky individuals
who get to combine
their passions to earn
their living – in his
case surfing, the ocean
and writing.
Story by Alicia King
Nick Carroll is prone to cackling –
loud belly bursts of impromptu
laughter when he finds something
amusing, interesting, or when he is just
plain happy: which is often.
He throws his head back, roaring,
upon spotting a gaggle of young nippers
rolling in the Newport shore break. His
laughter booms as he eyes an old friend
on the wooden decking that overlooks
Newport peak, pumping his fist
overhead. And he chuckles and softens
towards an old staffie hobbling towards
him for a pat.
The 63-year-old Newport resident and
long-time surf writer hums with a vigour
that belies his age.
He has somehow sustained the joie
de vivre that propelled him and little
brother – pro surfing World Champion
– Tom to run to the beach each morning
as kids. They’d surf their foam Coolite
boards while their dad, Fairfax journalist
Victor Carroll, swam and ran the beach.
Mother Janet and sister Josephine
rounded out the Carroll clan, though
fate reduced the family unit to a trio of
men: Janet died of pancreatic cancer
when Nick was 9, and Josephine later
died in a car accident. Victor forged
on, remarrying and having two more
daughters, Lucy and Annie. He passed
away in 2019 aged 94.
Though his little bro gets most of
the gun surfer cred, Nick – a voracious
competitor and founding member of
Newport Plus Boardriders – won two
Australian Surfing Championships in
1979 and 1981. The Australian title, and
particularly defending it, held significant
meaning for him.
“I’d grown up idolising the Australian
champions – Nat Young, Midget Farrelly,
Phyllis O’Donnell – more so than the
world champs. I thought it was really
worth having a crack at. I won once, and
thought you’ve only really won it when
you’ve defended it. So, I won again, just
to make sure,” he says laughing.
Pro surfing and a world title never
beckoned, for a couple of reasons.
“I didn’t really feel like going for
a world title was my thing,” he says.
And I knew it was really Tom’s thing. I
seriously did not want to go into battle
with Tom for a world title, I thought it
would be destructive for both of us.
“I also really liked to write and am
a natural observer. I felt it would be a
waste if I didn’t pursue writing, wrestle
with it, and try to get good at it.”
Nick’s first published story was a
somewhat unkind surf movie review in a
1977 issue of Tracks. In time he became
editor and his incisive and unapologetic
takes on surf culture made him a go-to
authority on all things surfing. He’s
also contributed to many mainstream
publications and written documentaries
including Bombora: The Story of
Australian Surfing.
He says, writing has offered an infinite
challenge:
“Writing is something that doesn’t end.
You never stop improving as a writer.
You can keep getting better at it forever,
really: until you’re dead.”
His appetite for growth sparked a
move to the United States in the early
’90s – wife Wendy and young children
Jack and Madeleine in tow – where
he became Editor-in-chief at Surfing
magazine. Last year it drove him to take
on the role of kickstarting Surfline in
Australia, tackling “one of the greatest
challenges in media” – taking a brand
and making it work in the context of a
new country. This job has morphed into
now overseeing all Surfline’s editorial
teams and worldwide content.
36 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

When asked what work he is most
satisfied with, he responds: “I’m not
really satisfied with any of the work
I’ve done, it’s been a constant process
of failure.” This serves to engage him
further in his writing process, embracing
Samuel Beckett’s tenet “Fail again. Fail
better.”
A driving force in his writing is to “cut
the crap” and get to the “heart of things
really fast”, as is seeking to understand
his subject matter. The 2013 biography
TC, Tom Carroll was ostensibly Tom’s
story, but writing it enabled Nick to
“explain something to myself” about the
way both their lives had unfolded. He
reveals much of himself in the book and
unflinchingly explores the uglier parts
of not only Tom’s, but also his own life.
The ugly. The joyful. The unexpected.
The metaphysical. Nick talks about all
these things as we sit in his tidy but
homely office, his new Border Collie pup
not far from his always bare feet.
What about surfing? This act he has
fashioned his life around. What does
surfing mean now?
“I’m not really obsessed by surfing
anymore, but I’m deeply engaged with it.
I try to hold it really lightly in my hand
and I hugely enjoy it, now more than
ever, I think.”
He’s in the water most days – his car
parked near the peak or surf club – but
the way he is in the water has changed.
Rather than gripping on tightly – like
a toddler unwilling to part with a toy
– he’s loosened. This is when he gets
metaphysical:
“I get a lot of memory from going
surfing. I’ll remember waves from 30 or
40 years ago while I’m riding waves now.
It spills down through my experience
of the water – and I allow it to do that –
which I probably could not have done 10
or 12 years ago.
“I’m able to enjoy the sight of other
surfers around me a lot more than I
ever could. I used to hold the act of
surfing close to me and not really want
anyone else to have fun. That’s not true
anymore. I’m quite happy to surf with
anyone.”
What he does in the water has also
changed over time, in unexpected ways.
Upon returning from California, his
daughter Maddie immersed herself into
nippers at Newport. Nick noticed many
of the adults were communicating a
fear of the ocean to the kids, stemming
from their own inexperience. He sensed
a lot of the kids were “itching to do a bit
more”.
So, Nick and a couple of others
began running board paddling and
swimming sessions, setting up courses
and encouraging kids to do things “they
didn’t think they could do”.
“I really learnt the lesson about how
important it is to subject yourself
to frightening – yet actually safe
– experiences when you’re quite
young. You gain resilience in passing
through that: fear turns to elation and
excitement, which is enlightening,” he
says.
Mucking around with the nippers on
‘clubbie’ boards coincided with hearing
about a Hawaiian board paddling race
from Molokai to Oahu. Nick and Tom
were bored with pro surfing’s stagnancy
in the early 2000s and thought “Let’s
do it!”. They bumbled through their
Continued on page 38
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Riding down the line at Jeffreys Bay, South
Africa; with some of the Newport Kinghorn Surf Racing Academy
team; with lil brother Tom heading down the beach at Waimea Bay
in Hawaii on a pretty big day; with Tom and big sister Josephine
and their surf mat, Newport Beach 1967; surfing Newport Peak
in 1981; taking notes at a Pipe event; surfing at Bells Beach;
sharing a wave at Newport circa 1980.
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 37

Life Stories
Continued from page 37
training, clueless as to what
was in store. But it connected
them with an element of
Hawaiian water culture they
hadn’t felt before,
“It was amazing how
instantaneously we felt at
home with the history and
culture of moving across
water. It’s such a cool thing
to get on a board on one
island and paddle to the next
without going back.”
Nick has since done the
51-kilometre Molokai race six
more times: three as a team,
and three solo.
He also and unexpectedly
got himself in deep at
Newport Surf Club, his
decades of service earning
him a life membership in
2020. He has viewed his
purpose at the club to quite
simply:
“Keep freeing people up to
the ocean, what they can do
in it, how to put their skills
to use.”
The self-confessed “super
clubbie” has found Masters
surf lifesaving racing
carnivals (with age groups
over 30 up to over 70) to
be a healthy outlet for his
animalistic competitiveness,
a trait he previously felt
ashamed of, like he was
“morally deficient.” Now he
surrenders to it.
“Rather than let it spew
out all over my life in
inappropriate ways, I’m going
to aim it into a safe place.”
Aiming it like this has
resulted in a neat pair of
Australian Ironman Masters
Championships in 2021 and
2022 to go alongside his
surfing titles. Maybe there’s
more in store?
Sometimes Nick’s jaunt
to Newport presents a
prosaic scene: the same
old carpark, beach and
nondescript waves pouring
in. Other times it’s telescopic
time transportation. The
unexpected always looming.
It’s a Saturday morning
board paddle and Nick
decides to cut in close around
north Bilgola headland, while
the rest of us take a wider arc.
A wave sucks dry beneath
him, and he is suddenly and
precariously teetering atop a
now exposed rock. He throws
his head back, cackling.
38 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
Hot Property
Price records to head north as
grand properties hit the market
Northern Beaches
residential price records
were smashed last year
when a raft of desirable topend
‘trophy homes’ found
new owners.
LJ Hooker Palm Beach office
reported new Beaches highs
of $27.5 million in June with
the sale of a “weekender” at
167 Pacific Road Palm Beach,
while a Whale Beach record
price of $14,125,000 was
secured for a five-bedroom
oceanfront home at 17a Malo
Road.
Industry sources say the
rising tide of record-breaking
house sales will continue into
the New Year with several
grand properties set to raise
things to a whole new level.
Take for example the
designer mansion currently
under construction on the
Whale Beach clifftop which
has reportedly found a buyer
for close to $30 million;
“Australia’s most beautiful
beach house” – the sevenbedroom
‘Bellona’ at 35
Ocean Road Palm Beach –
which has price expectations
of $40 million; and the showstopping
home ‘Celeste’ on
Stokes Point with hopes of
around $50 million.
And at the time of going to
print, there were whispers a
luxury beachfront residence
on Iluka Road overlooking
Pittwater was snapped up off
market for around $40 million.
PRIZED: The outlook from luxury Palm Beach home ‘Bellona’.
Cunninghams’
Collaroy push
Building on its expansion
to Avalon Beach in 2021,
Cunninghams Northern
Beaches has cemented a base
at the gateway to Pittwater
– involving a merger with
the former team of 20-years
location specialists LJ Hooker
Collaroy.
Managing Director John
Cunningham said the merger
included Principal Andrew
Strong and his team, experts
at servicing the Dee Why to
Narrabeen region.
“Cunninghams are one
team, four offices, and one
business group so this is
a huge value add for our
new clients who will now
have access to an extensive
client database, as well as a
large team of non-competing
sales agents who also have
broad client networks.”
Currently, Cunninghams sells
close to one in nine homes
along the beaches, from
Manly to Palm Beach and out
to the Forest region.
Established in 1991,
Cunninghams now has a
team of 80+ employees
working across four locations
from Avalon Beach, Manly,
Balgowlah and now Collaroy.
Rent bidding
illegal in NSW
Renters frustrated at feeling
they have to “up the ante” in
their quest to secure rental
properties have received
a boost with the NSW
Government outlawing the
practice of rent bidding to
improve affordability amid
high cost-of-living pressures.
Premier Dominic Perrottet
said its ban on rent bidding
would help prospective
tenants secure housing in a
tight rental property market.
“The search for a rental
property is tough enough
without it turning into a
bidding war that pushes
people beyond their comfort
level,” he said. “An advertised
rental fee should be just that.”
The new regulations came
into effect for all new listings
on 17 December.
Advice for renters is
available on the NSW Fair
Trading website.
First Home Buyer
Choice policy
NSW first home buyers will
have the option to swap
stamp duty for an ongoing
annual property tax payment
from January 16 after the NSW
Government passed the ‘First
Home Buyer Choice’ policy
last November.
Holiday rentals:
what a bargain!
From Pittwater Life January
1998: “For those of you who
are interested in these things,
the top holiday rental this
year was $6,500 a week for a
six-week rental at Palm Beach
through Ray White Real Estate
at Palmy, to an executive
of Kerry Packer’s. Well, that
should help pay the iniquitous
Bob Carr land tax on the
property.” – Lisa Offord
40 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
Hot Property
Newport beauty drenched in sun
Quiksilver Europe founder
and surfing entrepreneur
Harry Hodge, his partner
Louise Wallace and extended
family gathered in Newport
at Christmas to celebrate one
last hurrah in the iconic 1930s
home ‘Panima’, which quietly
slipped onto the market last
month.
Part of the original Panima
Estate and set on a sprawling
half acre of land, Harry has
enjoyed the spoils of the
two-level, character-filled,
five-bedroom/five-bathroom
residence with its multiple
entertaining spaces and wraparound
views for the past 13
years.
But with kids who are now
adults and Harry and Louise
travelling more, it’s time to
sell up and downsize to a local
bolthole they can simply lock
up and leave.
“It’s a substantial house
on quite a bit of land and
we just don’t use the whole
property anymore – I often
joke somebody could be living
downstairs and I wouldn’t
know it,” he tells Pittwater Life.
Harry, who has owned
several outstanding properties
on the Northern Beaches over
the years (including ‘Melody
Lane’ across the water on
Beaconsfield Street which
recently exchanged hands
again last year for just shy of
$12m), says the views from
and aspect of ‘Panima’ were
unparalleled.
“I’ve lived on the beach but
I’ve always preferred Pittwater
and facing north/northwest
this house is drenched in
sunlight,” he said.
“It’s light and bright and
airy and in winter we rarely
have any heating on because
it sits quite low and being
an older build, it’s all double
brick, so it stays warm.”
Outside, the property
boasts a stunning 15-metre
saltwater pool and established
gardens with waterfront
access to a deep-water
pontoon and jetty.
Other resort-style amenities
include a putting green/half
court, home theatre and a
gym with steam room.
One of Harry’s favourite
spaces is the glass-covered
terrace dining area with
UNIQUE: Old
Hollywood vibe
in Newport.
its outdoor industrial-level
kitchen near the pool soaking
up the views.
“We basically live outdoors
here in Summer overlooking
Pittwater and protected from
the southerlies,” he said.
The sale of number 2
Panima Place, Newport is
being handled by Luke Hayes
from Knight Frank Australia;
price on application. – LO
North Avalon luxury
Avalon Beach
62 Tasman Road
4 beds / 3 baths / 2 cars / Lease
This fully furnished family beach house, immaculately presented
with luxurious appointments throughout, is the very essence
of quintessential North Avalon living.
It’s located only footsteps from Avalon Beach, yet private and
secluded with magnificently lush gardens and a superb solar/gas
heated crystal swimming pool, hot tub and pizza oven.
Features include expansive, open-planned living and dining areas
with a fireplace opening onto the extensive deck overlooking
the beautiful, heated swimming pool with northerly sun all day.
The king-sized master suite is privately separate from the other
bedrooms, all which access chic designer ensuites.
A state-of-the-art gourmet chef’s kitchen is a centre point, while
there are sumptuous blackbutt timber floorboards throughout.
For lease: $3500 per week (incl. pool, lawn and garden maintenance).
*Contact the leasing agents @ LJ Hooker Avalon Beach: Sian
Uther (0439 844 743) or Lauren Fisher (0499 154 655).
Sublime Palmy living
Palm Beach
986 Barrenjoey Road
4 beds / 3 baths / 5 cars
Tucked high above Pittwater on a vast and exceptionally private
1138sqm parcel, yet only moments from the sandy beach on
Iluka Road, this polished retreat is the embodiment of a coveted,
Palm Beach lifestyle.
The well-balanced forms of the home span three levels with a
fluid, open layout and richly textured interiors; the main lounge
feels grand yet intimate with French doors merging the living
zones with sunlit entertaining terraces and never-to-be-built-out
views across Pittwater.
Set to soak up a dazzling northwest aspect, it’s just the
way you’d imagine the perfect holiday home would look and
feel – light and airy with its classic lines setting the overall tone,
while contemporary styling and well-integrated updates capture
the essence of casual sophistication.
Auction is scheduled for February.
*Contact the listing agents @ LJ Hooker Avalon Beach: Jono
Gosselin (0488 011 870) or Angus Abrahams (0488 007 236).
42 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

179
Things
Summer Guide
To Do *
HEAD TO
THE WATER
Explore our beautiful waterways
and golden beaches. From
Narrabeen Lagoon to the northern
tip of Palm Beach there are
myriad places to swim, snorkel
and engage in on-the-water
activities or simply immerse
yourself in the restorative effects
of blue space.
Best beaches
We are truly spoilt for choice
with every surf beach boasting
a unique vibe. Where possible
swim between the red
and yellow flags and follow
the lead of our lifesavers who
know better than any of us
when it comes to reading the
ever-changing surf conditions.
Check beachsafe.org.au (and
Beachwatch pollution forecast)
before heading out.
Locals’ Tip: The best spot at
any of our surf beaches during
summer is the north end.
There is (mostly) always a
nor’-east sea breeze and it can
be unpleasant if you’re fully
exposed to its impact. Mona
Vale Basin, North Bilgola, North
Avalon and Whale Beach are all
sheltered in these conditions.
(*At Least!)
Welcome to our 2023 Summer Guide to Pittwater
and its surrounds; even locals will find something
new to experience. Compiled by Lisa Offord
Rock pools
Jutting off the coast you’ll find
some of the most dramatic
ocean pools in the world.
Palm Beach – The 50-metrelong
Johnny ‘Jack’ Carter Pool
is at the southern end of Palm
Beach in an area known as
‘Kiddies Corner’.
Whale Beach – At the southern
end of the beach, this
25-metre rock pool isn’t very
deep and has a nice sandy
bottom, much-loved for its
quiet atmosphere. Access is
from The Strand.
Avalon – Located at the southern
end of the beach, this
uniquely shaped pool is just
over 20 metres long complete
with a paddle pool for littlies.
Access is from the carpark off
Barrenjoey Road.
Bilgola – At the southern
end of the beach, this 8-lane,
50-metre pool has concrete
walls and floor. The pool has
two sections, separating the
serious lap swimmers from
the wading area which is ideal
for toddlers. In summertime,
the pool lights stay on until
10pm for late-night swims.
Newport – At the southern
50-metres long with a natural
rock platform as the floor.
The water is waist-high and is
great for swimming laps. You
can reach it from the walkway
at the corner of Calvert Parade
and The Boulevard or along
the beach from the beach
carpark.
Mona Vale – Accessed off
Surfview Road at the northern
end of the beach sitting on
a rock platform that is surrounded
by water at high tide,
there are two pools – one suitable
for children and less confident
swimmers and a larger
pool measuring 30-metres for
bigger kids and adults.
North Narrabeen – At the
entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon
with access off Narrabeen Park
Parade, this 50-metre pool
(main pic) is best known for its
timber boardwalk enclosing a
smaller pool from the rest of
the pool. It’s a lovely spot for
curious kids too, as there are
plenty of natural rock pools to
explore nearby.
Locals’ Tip: Rock pools are
sometimes closed due to
rough seas, renovations and
cleaning – and they do get a
little grubby between cleans
especially in summer when
slime and grime builds up
quickly from frequent use, so
time your visits accordingly.
Council publishes the cleaning
schedule on its website.
Tidal pools
Our waterways are pretty
clean but as a general precaution
it’s best to avoid swimming
in Pittwater for up to
three days following rainfall
or for as long as stormwater
is present. Stillwater swimming
enclosures include:
Paradise Beach – access is off
the northern end of Paradise
Avenue, Avalon; Taylors Point
Baths – located at the southern
end of Clareville Beach
Reserve, access is off Hudson
Parade; Clareville and Bayview
Baths – On Pittwater Road Bayview.
Locals’ Tip:Plan ahead.
Usage may be limited on low
tides. Finding a parking spot
can be tricky.
GETTING
AROUND
Public transport
If you are relying on public
transport, best to check transportnsw.info.
end of the beach, the pool is
48 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

You can take a double decker
B-Line bus for a birds-eye
view and a quick trip to the
city. The high-frequency yellow
buses operate every 30
minutes between Mona Vale
and the CBD stopping at Warriewood,
Narrabeen, Collaroy,
Dee Why, Brookvale, Manly
Vale, Spit Junction (Mosman),
Neutral Bay and Wynyard. If
you are north of Mona Vale
you can use the 199 service
which operates every 10 minutes
across the day between
Palm Beach and Manly to link
to the B-Line.
Locals’ Tip: Get a lift to and
from your place to the nearest
B-Line bus stop through the
on-demand transport service
Keoride, covering North Narrabeen,
Warriewood, Ingleside,
Mona Vale, Bayview, Newport,
Clareville, Bilgola Beach, Avalon
Beach, Whale Beach and
Palm Beach.
Parking
The Park’nPay App can help
you find and pay for parking
in beach and reserve carparks
across the Northern Beaches or
use pay and display machines
and display the ticket on your
dashboard or in the special
holder on motorbikes. If you’re
visiting Palm Beach or catching
a ferry during summer you can
leave your car in the seasonal
car park at Careel Bay playing
fields and take the 199 bus to
Palm Beach. Or if you’re heading
into the City and don’t
want to drive all the way, the
Park&Ride at Mona Vale, Warriewood
or Narrabeen are a
good option – park your car
and hop straight onto the B1.
Ferries
Fantasea Palm Beach Ferries
runs two passenger services
– from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe
and Ettalong on the
Central Coast and another
servicing Northern Pittwater
from Palm Beach to Coasters
Retreat, The Basin, Currawong
Beach and Mackerel Beach.
The high-speed ferry service
between Palm Beach and the
Central Coast takes around
30 minutes and spans four
waterways from Pittwater,
Broken Bay, the entrance to
the Hawkesbury River and
Brisbane Waters. It’s a great
way to take in the sites passing
Lion Island between the
heads of Barrenjoey Headland
and Box Head. You might spot
wildlife along the way too.
The Church Point Ferry which
departs Church Point hourly
will take you to Scotland Island,
Lovett Bay and Elvina Bay.
Charter a boat
Church Point Charter based at
Princes Street Marina Newport,
boasts a fleet of clean and
well-maintained 4- to 10-berth
power or sail boats to hire
from one day to a week; no
licence needed and you’ll be
surprised at just how little it
can cost. Don’t want to steer?
Four- to five-hour skippered
charters for up to 18 people
with a Captain and hostess
also available. Go to churchpointcharter.com.au.
Boat ramps
If you have a boat you want to
float you can launch it from
ramps at Rowland Reserve or
Bayview Park or Maybanke
Cove or Riddle Reserve off
Pittwater Road Bayview; Bilarong
Reserve, Jamieson Park or
Lake Park North Narrabeen;
Careel Bay off George Street
Avalon; At Church Point near
the parking area, or off Mc-
Carrs Creek Road; Clareville
off Delecta Avenue or Lot
7312 Taylors Point Road; Florence
Park or Salt Pan Cove off
Prince Alfred Parade Newport
and at Palm Beach Governor
Phillip Park, Sandy Point Lane
or for dinghies only Lucinda
Park off Nabilla Road.
NATURAL ASSETS
Pittwater is a natural heritage
area that comprises bushland,
wetlands, lagoons, waterways,
rock platforms and beaches
– it’s also home to a large
variety of native animals. All
native animals are protected
species. If you find an injured
or orphaned native animal
contact WIRES on 1300 094
737. If you see a stranded or
distressed marine mammal
report it to ORRCA (Organisation
for the Rescue and Research
of Cetaceans in
Australia) on 9415 3333.
Majestic headlands
Appreciate the beauty of
Pittwater’s headlands and take
in some excellent views. The
list is almost endless. Narrabeen
Headland – Peal Place,
Warriewood; Turimetta Headland
– Narrabeen Park Parade,
Warriewood; South Mona Vale
Headland – Narrabeen Park
Parade, Mona Vale; Mona
Vale Headland – Grandview
Parade, Mona Vale; Eastern
end of Hillcrest Avenue, Mona
Vale; Bungan Head – Queens
Parade East, Newport; Newport
Headland – Barrenjoey
Road, Newport; Eric Green
Reserve (access from North
of Newport Beach Carpark);
North Bilgola Headland – The
Serpentine, Bilgola; Bangalley
Head (the highest point
on Sydney’s northern coastline)
– Marine Road, Avalon;
Careel Head – Whale Beach
Road, Avalon; Whale Beach
Headland – Malo Road & The
Strand, Whale Beach Malo
Reserve; Little Head – Whale
Beach Road and Norma Road,
Whale Beach; Palm Beach
Headland – Southern end of
Ocean Road, near the rockpool,
Palm Beach; Barrenjoey
Headland – At the end of Governor
Phillip Park, Palm Beach.
Rock Platforms
When the tide retreats a secret
world of marine ecosystems
opens up with clusters of mini
aquariums, teeming with tiny
creatures. Explore the flat,
expansive, eroded regions at
the bottom of our rocky headlands.
You’ll find they’re home
to a huge variety of plants,
animals and invertebrates
such as starfish, crabs and
shellfish.
Locals’ Tip: Visit the Coastal
Environment Centre near the
Summer Guide
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 49

Summer Guide
Lakeside Holiday Park at Narrabeen
to learn more about
our rocky shores.
Warriewood Wetlands
The Warriewood Wetlands, the
largest remaining sand plain
wetland in Sydney, is home
to all sorts of flora and fauna
with lots of info signposted.
There’s a boardwalk stretching
2.4km and trails that can
lead you to waterfalls (see below).
The wetlands are easy to
find (just behind Warriewood
Square) and it’s an easy walk
that will take you 45 minutes
to an hour.
Irrawong Waterfall
The track to the waterfall is
accessible from Garden Street
or the end of Irrawong Road,
corner of Epworth Avenue
Warriewood. It takes about
20 minutes from the Garden
Street entrance and is relatively
manageable by most
fitness levels as much of the
walk is quite flat along cleared
paths or wooden boardwalks.
However, there are steps in
sections, so not suitable for
wheelchairs or strollers. You
will see lots of rainforest and
if you are lucky, local wildlife.
The waterfall clearing is
a popular picnic spot, but the
size of the clearing (and the
6m waterfall flow) depends on
recent rainfall. It can also be a
little muddy. There are tracks
beyond the waterfall but be
careful as the track is steep.
Narrabeen Lagoon
State Park
Step out and walk, run, ride a
bike, enjoy numerous water
sports, or simply find a spot
to relax near the water’s edge.
There is an 8.6km trail around
the lagoon which will on average
take you 2-3 hours on foot
if you want to enjoy the beautiful
ecosystems, cultural heritage
and historical sites. The
well-formed track has no steps
and is a shared trail popular
with joggers, hikers, cyclists,
dogs on leads, mums with
prams, and families with kids
on bikes. Cyclists are asked to
stick to the left and pedestrians
have right of way. There
are plenty of places to peel off
to rest, and picnic areas with
toilet facilities dotted along
the circuit. If you don’t want
to tackle the loop in one go,
there are five short walk options
(Middle Creek to Bilarong
Reserve – 2.2km; Bilarong Reserve
to Berry Reserve – 1.2km;
Jamieson Park to South Creek
– 2.3km and South Creek to
Middle Creek – 1.2km).
Angophora Reserve
Located in the suburbs of Avalon
Beach and Clareville, this
18.5-hectare space provides
a small taste of the peninsula
similar to what it was like presettlement
with significant
samples of vegetation and
fauna habitats that are under
threat. The reserve was
intended to preserve a giant
Angophora tree. It also contains
one of the most archaeologically
significant Aboriginal
shelter sites in the Sydney region.
Two main walking tracks
extend through the reserve,
one from the Palmgrove Road
to Wandeen Road entrances
and one from Hilltop Road to
Chisholm Avenue.
WALK THIS WAY
Here are just a few of the
walks you can take to make
the best of our great outdoors.
Some can be found close to
home, others a little further
afield. You can discover many
more walks at nationalparks.
nsw.gov.au. Information on
loads of local walks, including
maps, also available on
the Northern Beaches Council
website.
Locals’ Tip: Take necessary
precautions to protect yourself
from ticks and mozzie
bites – warm, wet weather
means more are breeding and
biting, including the ones that
can carry disease.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits at
Sydney’s most northern point
– Barrenjoey Head at Palm
Beach. Positioned 91 metres
above sea level the lighthouse,
its oil room and keepers’ cottages
were built in 1881 from
sandstone quarried on site.
There are two routes to the
top; the more gentle 1km Access
Trail or the shorter, steeper
Smugglers Track. When you
get to the top you will be rewarded
with glorious views of
Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase
National Park as well as the
Central Coast.
Locals’ Tip: The inside of the
lighthouse is only accessible
by guided tour on Sundays.
McKay Reserve
If you’re up for a challenge
take the ‘Stairway to heaven’
from Barrenjoey Road near
Iluka Road at Palm Beach. The
walk up through McKay Reserve
with its 700 plus stairs
and steep slopes, stunning
views and native bushland will
take your breath away. The
walk is 1.37m one way – allow
at least 40 minutes each way.
Locals’ Tip: If you aren’t super
fit best tackle this one from
the top (access via McKay
Road Whale Beach) to bottom.
Avalon to Narrabeen
Coast Walk
Beginning at Avalon Beach
Surf Life Saving Club this walk
will take you over Bilgola Head
to Bilgola Beach and around
the southern headland to
Newport Beach. Past Bungan
Castle, the walk drops down
to Bungan Beach, then over
Mona Vale Headland to Bongin
Bongin, Mona Vale and Warriewood
beaches, Turimetta
Head and beach, Narrabeen
Head, Narrabeen Lagoon and
finishes at Narrabeen shops.
Allow at least five and a half
hours to cover the 13km distance,
with plenty of stops.
Crown to the Sea,
Newport
Linking four bushland reserves
between Newport and Bilgola
Plateau this challenging walk
has it all. Starting at the Crown
of Newport reserve, walkers
take on a 300-metre moderate/
steep trek under the canopy of
a rainforest with its rare plants,
waterfalls and wildlife before
moving into the Attunga Reserve,
a 1000-metre strenuous
steep climb with incredible
coastline views, followed by
an easy walk, through Porter
Reserve winding into Kanimbla
Reserve overlooking Newport.
All up the walk is roughly
1.7km and takes 1-2 hours.
Narrabeen
Coastal Walk
Start this walk at North Narrabeen
pool; it’s a lovely way to
take in the wonder of the area.
Start by climbing up the steps
to arrive at Turimetta headland.
There are a few tracks
to choose from. The lookout
overlooking North Narrabeen
beach is stunning. You can
take the path all the way along
to Mona Vale headland (about
3.2km) which will take you
around 45 minutes.
Anembo Reserve
Walk and Trail
Anembo is an Aboriginal
word meaning ‘quiet place,’
and peace and tranquility is
what you will experience on
this walk. Surrounded by Kuring-gai
Chase National Park
on three sides, this ridgetop
reserve includes 22 hectares
of native vegetation providing
habitat for several threatened
species. Starting at Anembo
Road, Duffys Forest this
medium-graded 2km walk will
take 30-45 minutes along a
formed track with no steps.
Locals’ Tip: Be mindful of giving
way to horses.
Deep Creek Trail
Starting at the Deep Creek
Reserve, the 5.5km loop by
creeks and waterfalls can get
50 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Summer Guide
NEW FOODIE
HOTSPOTS
6Where to dine/drink
in style in January
Basin Dining
The hottest dining spot
this summer is Mona Vale
Surf Life Saving Club. Local
restaurateurs Doug and Kylie
Fraser and head chef Dan
Weier launched Basin Dining
in late November. It blends
breathtaking views and a
mega-bucks renovation with
a contemporary seafood
menu. Baked scallops
with chilli kombu butter,
lobster risotto and basque
cheesecake (pictured) are
dishes to watch.
Sardean
Hooray! The Whale Beach
site vacated by Boathouse
has been filled. Just
moments from the sand,
Sardean café and store is
dishing up locally sourced
pastries, pies, fresh bread
and salads, drinks plus
refrigerated meals and
other essentials. Coffee is
St Dreux – named after the
bean brew’s patron saint!
Randy’s
Sandy’s is now Randy’s.
Bar Elvina’s Andy Emerson
and Jess McTavish have
revamped their downstairs
sandwich bar into a stylish,
open-kitchen small bar.
McTavish’s menu is creative
and local produce-driven.
This summer, walk in and
snack on bug meat burgers,
hand-filleted sardines and
bresaola, whipped parmesan
pepper and leek oil. Wine by
the glass from $14.
Hang 10
Check out Hang 10
Distillery’s website. Here
you’ll find that the base
ingredient for their two gins
and vodka is leftover bread
from local bakeries. You’ll
also find several cocktail
recipes using the distillery’s
award-winning Classic Gin
and Baker’s Dozen Gin on
Instagram. There are big
plans for 2023. Bread beer
and an outlet in Warriewood
are coming.
Rosa
A classic white exterior and
a breezy refit have breathed
new life into a former Mona
Vale Mexican. Hola ‘Rosa’!
The Mexico-meets-So-Cal
menu focuses on small
bites, shared plates and
vegan options. Go for trendy
tacos, ribs, tangy salads and
summery margaritas like
spicy pineapple and Aperol.
Open, Wednesday to Sunday.
Charbel’s
Start the day at Charbel’s
on Avalon Parade with a
coffee and something just
a little different. Teriyaki
mushrooms with avocado
and crispy ginger on
sourdough toast peps up a
cafe classic. Charbel’s doors
will stay open over summer
from Thursday through to
Saturday night for dinner
and live music.
rocky and slippery at times
but is generally considered
an easy track which takes on
average one and a half hours
to complete. It does get busy –
be prepared to share with trail
runners and mountain bikers.
Resolute Track
The Resolute Track lies at the
far end of West Head. You can
catch a ferry from Palm Beach
to Great Mackerel Beach Wharf
and proceed north along the
beach to enter the bushland
track in the National Park,
do a loop and finish back
where you started where you
can cool down with a swim.
There are numerous lookouts,
and the best of the historic
Aboriginal art in the Ku-ringgai
Chase National Park along
the way. It’s a 9km walk; allow
around 5 hours.
Locals’ Tip: A short and easy
walk from the picnic area
car park will lead you to the
best-known Aboriginal art
site in the park – Red Hands
Cave and the rock engravings
of the Guringai people.
America Bay Track
One of the more popular walking
tracks in the Ku-ring-gai
Chase National Park. Moderate
in difficulty, the walk takes in
waterfalls, aboriginal engravings,
scenic lookouts and an
abundance of natural wildlife.
Allow 1-2 hours, depending on
your ability.
West Head Army track
Follow in the footsteps of
World War II soldiers as you
climb down the challenging
West Head army track to a
historic army battery where
Sydney’s Broken Bay was
protected from possible invasion.
The well-constructed
restored track can be accessed
from the West Head lookout
car park and is clearly signposted.
This track winds down
West Head’s eastern face in
Ku-ring-gai Chase National
Park. Some parts are so steep
you’ll be scaling ladders. Much
of the original wartime track
work still exists, uncovered by
NPWS and West Head Awareness
Team volunteers during
track upgrades. The real
reward of this walk for history
buffs is the destination.
Perched above the shoreline,
the army battery once hosted
two 4.7-inch ex-naval guns
52 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Summer Guide
supported on 800kg pedestals,
an observation post,
ammunition storage and 2
searchlights. Set aside 1-1.5
hours.
Manly Dam
This free guided walk of the
Heathland Track on Monday
January 16 is an opportunity
to learn about how the
Gayamaygal lived in this country
and the unique vegetation
at Manly Dam. Led by Karen
Smith from the Aboriginal
Heritage Office, it has been
organised by the Northern
Beaches Council as part of the
Australia Day Program. The
walk from 9am-10.30am starts
at the Allambie Heights Community
Tennis Club. More info
on Council website.
DOG PARKS
Pittwater has some beautiful
spots where your dog can run
around. Avalon Beach Reserve
Dog Park is a medium sized,
fully fenced area and located
in Central Avenue. Hitchcock
Park Dog Park has a designated
off-leash area to the north
of Careel Bay playing fields
between Etival Street and Barrenjoey
Road. (Dogs must be
on a leash through Hitchcock
Park, however). At Deep Creek
Reserve, North Narrabeen,
dogs can only be unleashed
when conducting dog training
sessions within the fenced
areas. At Mackerel Beach Dog
Area, dogs are permitted
off-leash between the Wharf
and the most northerly house,
between sunrise-9.30am and
5pm-sunset. Dogs must be
leashed when moving between
boats and houses and are not
permitted below the high tide
mark or in the water.
McCarrs Creek Reserve at
Church Point is a trial offlead
dog area from Monday
to Friday in the signposted
area which is west of the main
access road into the reserve.
Other great places to walk your
fur babies include Progress
Park, Garden Street North Narrabeen;
Rowland Reserve Dog
Park at Bayview – a favourite
with dog lovers; South Mona
Vale Headland (Robert Dunn
Reserve); and Terrey Hills Oval,
which is open to unleashed
dogs from 12am (midnight) to
8.30am daily. Check Council
website for changes to any of
these areas.
Locals’ Tip: Make sure your
pet’s tick prevention is up to
date, and don’t forget to take
some poop bags with you.
QUIET
REFLECTION
Bible Garden
Situated high on the escarpment,
the Bible Garden in
Mitchell Road, Palm Beach
offers magnificent views
over the ocean to Barrenjoey
headland. Established in the
1960s the garden is so named
because almost all 148 plants
mentioned in the Old and New
Testament are featured. The
garden also has a pond, seats,
table and a Bible. All are welcome.
Locals’ Tip: Parking can be
a nightmare; better to walk
there, or go early or just before
sunset.
The Baha’i House of
Worship
This magnificent temple within
nine hectares of gardens is
open to all people of all beliefs
from 10am-2pm Monday to
Friday and from 10am-4pm on
weekends. A place of meditation
and prayer, the stunning
nine-sided structure – a symbol
of the unity of the world’s
religions – is the highest point
in the area and one of seven
Baha’i Temples throughout
the world. There’s a Visitors
Centre (with volunteer guides
available to answer questions),
a bookshop and a covered
open-air picnic area. 173 Mona
Vale Rd, Ingleside.
Veterans Tribute
A new memorial to commemorate
the 1800 service men
and women who lost their
lives at sea while being transported
to Japan and islands in
the South West Pacific during
World War II can be found at
Mona Vale’s headland (Robert
Dunn Reserve). The plinth
has a seat alongside it so visitors
may sit and reflect on all
those lost and all those who
serve still.
MARKET FORCES
Mona Vale
The people who run the markets
that are held at Pittwater
RSL every Sunday are moving
a little closer to the beach in
January, hosting Summer Holiday
Markets with fresh produce,
gourmet food, fashion
home wares, flowers, plants,
herbs in Mona Vale Village
Park on Sunday 15, 22 and 29.
See Mona Vale Market Facebook
page for updates.
Beaches Farmers
Market
Fabulous fresh food, fashion,
gourmet products and more
from 8am-1pm on Fridays
13,20 and 27 at Pittwater
Rugby Park, Warriewood. Free
parking via Walsh Street.
Berry Reserve Market
Set amongst the trees in a
lakeside position at Berry Reserve
Narrabeen you will find
more than 80 stalls offering
arts, jewellery, collectibles,
home wares, fashion food
stalls and much more every
third Sunday of the month
throughout the year.
Palm Beach Market
Offering a wide choice of
home wares, fashion, jewellery
plus food at Governor Phillip
Park every fourth Sunday of
the month.
54 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Summer Guide
OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
There are plenty of opportunities
to get out there for fun
and fitness over summer.
Barefoot bowls
Walk the greens at Avalon
Beach, Newport and Mona
Vale Bowling Clubs. No experience
necessary. Contact the
clubs for details – and while
you’re at it, ask about happy
hours and meal deals – they’re
plentiful and good value!
Tennis
Dust off your tennis gear and
book a court at Newport Community
Centre, North Narrabeen
Community and Tennis
Centre, Bayview Tennis Club,
Elanora Park Tennis Club,
Wakehurst Couvret Tennis
Centre, Careel Bay Tennis Club
or Terrey Hills Tennis Club.
Details on council website.
Shoot hoops
You’ll find hard courts marked
for netball, basketball and pickleball
next to the skate park at
Avalon Beach Reserve and four
multi-use hardcourts with lighting,
fitness equipment and a
learn-to-ride track around the
perimeter of the Warriewood
Valley Sports Courts on Boondah
Road or take it inside at
Northern Beaches Indoor Sports
Centre in Warriewood.
Exercise areas
Free outdoor exercise areas in
many of our local parks and
reserves are geared up with a
variety of equipment to help
you push up/pull up, do situps,
arm combos, leg presses,
shoulder presses, some also
have step machines. You’ll find
them at Berry Reserve, Bilarong
Reserve, Lakeside Park, Newport
Beach and the Warriewood
Valley space in Boondah Road.
Skate Parks
The Mona Vale skate park
in Kitchener Park has “mustskate”
status. The predominantly
street-style park with a
mini bowl and vert ramp, is a
huge hit with skateboarders,
bladers and BMX and scooterusers
of all ages and abilities
with the 1800m2 space
containing heaps of features
to allow progression from beginner
to advanced. You will
also find skate parks in Avalon
just behind the Avalon Surf
Life Saving Club and at Terrey
Hills playing fields. If you
are prepared to travel further
afield it’s worth checking out
the skate park in Lionel Watts
Reserve in Belrose.
Golf
Boasting three public courses
and some of the best invitation-only
private courses in
Sydney, if golf is your game
you’re in the right spot. Accessible
courses at Bayview and
Mona Vale are 18-holers, while
Palm Beach and Avalon Beach
each offer nine holes of fun
and relaxation. The Pittwater
Golf Centre in Narrabeen has
putt-putt for the kids and
young at heart and a decent
56 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

golf range where you can let
the ‘Big Dawg’ off the leash!
On your bikes
The Terrey Hills BMX Bike
Track is competition standard
and well maintained by volunteers.
It’s open to all levels
and coaching is available. The
track is closed when damp or
wet to prevent damage to the
track surface. You will find it
near Garigal National Park at JJ
Melbourne Hills Memorial Reserve,
Thompson Drive.
For mountain bike riders the
world-class facility Bare Creek
Bike Park at Crozier Road Belrose
features 1.6 kilometres of
downhill bike trails, flow trails,
skills and dirt jump areas
– three separate tracks, for
kids to advanced; it also has
walking trails, toilets, drinking
fountains, bike maintenance
stations and onsite parking
for up to 40 cars. Open 7am
– 7pm every day (weatherpermitting).
Of course, if busy
parks are not your thing,
then there are plenty of great
tracks for riders of all levels in
Pittwater – from the gentle flat
loop of Narrabeen Lagoon to
the bush around Terrey Hills
and the National Parks.
Horse riding
You will find numerous arenas,
equestrian facilities and
horse riding schools in the
area catering to all levels with
several horse trails in Terrey
Hills and Duffys Forest in the
Ku-ring-gai and Garigal National
Parks.
Paragliding
Soar like a bird or get a bird
eye’s view of paragliders flying
over Mona Vale, Warriewood
and Turimetta – all three are
known as gliding favourites.
Outdoor Cinema
The family can enjoy a night
under the stars watching
the iconic Australian movie
Oddball at Winnererremy Bay
Mona Vale on Wednesday
25 gates open 5.30pm for a
6.30pm start.
FISHING
There is an abundance of recreational
fishing spots around
Pittwater with options for all
levels and experience. Here
are some local fishing tips to
take on board.
Yellowtail Kingfish –
Hotspots include the moorings
from Stokes Point all the way
past Clareville. Also try moorings
around Scotland Island
plus the current line between
Palm Beach Wharf and Mackerel
Beach.
Flathead – Best areas are
along sand drop-offs and the
convergence of sand and weed
or sand and rock.
Bream – Fish in areas close to
structures such as wharves or
rocky headlands with ample
tidal flow.
Narrabeen Lagoon
Common species in the main
lagoon are whiting, bream and
flathead. Occasionally, large
mulloway, tailor and salmon
make their way through the
entrance of the lagoon from
the ocean to feed on the large
schools of mullet and other
baitfish that are present.
Rock fishing
The rocky platform around
Barrenjoey Head from the
northern end of Station Beach
to the northern end of Palm
Beach and the whole foreshore
from the south end of
Turimetta Beach to the rock
baths at Narrabeen Head are
classified as Aquatic Reserves.
Within aquatic reserves, you
can line fish and spearfish
(subject to normal restrictions)
and collect rock lobster, sea
lettuce and bait weed. It is
prohibited to collect cunjevoi
and all invertebrates (dead
or alive) including anemones,
barnacles, chitons, cockles,
crabs, mussels, octopus, pipis,
sea urchins, starfish, snails
and worms, and empty shells.
This includes a prohibition on
the killing of cunjevoi or invertebrates
to feed fish.
PICNIC SPOTS
AND KIDS PLAY
Apex Park
Apex Park is across the road
from Mona Vale beach and a
popular spot for families. It
has a huge bike path for the
kids to ride around plus a
playground and BBQ areas.
Bert Payne Reserve
A handy spot for a picnic or to
Summer Guide
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 57

Summer Guide
enjoy a takeaway, the reserve
at Newport Beach also boasts
a great innovative playground
which provides an inclusive
play space and equipment designed
for children of varying
ages and abilities.
Bilarong Reserve
Bilarong Reserve at North Narrabeen
is an ideal place for a
family picnic. Complete with
bike tracks, a playground in
two halves – a shaded fenced
play area with basic equipment
for toddlers surrounded
by a larger more adventurous
playground – and fantastic
BBQ and table set-ups, it ticks
a lot of boxes. Located right
next to Narrabeen Lagoon on
the Wakehurst Parkway.
McCarrs Creek
Reserve
This is a picturesque spot with
the Ku-ring-gai Chase National
Park on the opposite side.
The large grassy area is great
for games. Dogs are welcome
from Monday to Friday in the
signposted off-lead dog area
which is west of the main access
road into the reserve.
Warriewood Valley
Playground
Better known as ‘Rocket Park’
this is a great space with a
range of exciting play equipment
for kids of all ages.
There are shaded areas
with seating, BBQs and toilets
in this peaceful setting off
Callistemon Way, Warriewood.
Winnererremy Bay
‘Flying Fox Park’ next to
Pittwater High School in Mona
Vale is still one of the best
parks for children of varying
ages. The playground has a
giant climbing structure for
the older kids, swings and
much more to keep the littlies
entertained for hours. The
park also has BBQs and
picnic areas and is bike-,
skateboard- and scooterfriendly.
INDOOR
ACTIVITIES
The great thing about Pittwater
is there’s no need to
worry about boredom setting
in if the weather isn’t up to
scratch...
Art Exhibitions
Many of Pittwater’s talented
artists have exhibitions and
sales this Summer. Also, it’s
worth the trip south to explore
our nearest regional art
gallery Manly Art Gallery &
Museum at West Esplanade
Manly. See Art section p34.
Movies
Catch a film at a local cinema.
Take your pick from United
Cinemas in Avalon, the multiplex
in Warriewood or the
pretty turquoise art deco complex
in Collaroy. Also, Mona
Vale Library will screen free
kids’ movies on the biggish
screen on Friday 13 and Friday
20 from 2pm-4pm.
Libraries
Avalon Community Library
will be closed first week of
January, re-opening Sat 7
while Terrey Hills Community
Library will resume normal
operating hours from Tuesday
Jan 3. It will be business as
usual at Mona Vale Library
from Jan 2 which will also
be hosting several activities
during the school holidays
including a games room for
high school students with Nintendo
Switch and a selection
of classic board games (free
just drop in) kids’ movies (see
below left) and a stained-glass
craft workshop for primary
aged students on Tuesday
24 from 10am-11am cost $5
bookings essential.
Tenpin bowling
Timezone & Zone Bowling
at Dee Why RSL is loud and
bright boasting 16 lanes of
bowling, at least 70 state-ofthe-art
arcade games on site
and a modern take on bumper
cars.
Glen St Theatre
John Waters and Stewart
D’Arrietta are back with the
fabulous Liverpool Band,
bringing you the latest instalment
of their hugely successful
interpretation of Lennon’s
music in The Lennon Songbook
in Concert – Lennon like
you’ve never heard before. All
the songs you love, and even
some you didn’t know you did
on Friday Jan 20. If you are a
fan of the Fab Four make time
on Sunday 29 for The Beatles
50 Years On! Beatlemania
Show.
58 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

SCHOOL
HOLIDAY
ACTIVITIES
Entice the kids off screens and
get them out and about...
Tennis
Goodwin’s Tennis Academy
offer instruction on strokes for
beginners to advanced levels.
There are also round robins,
games and match play. School
holiday tennis camps for ages
4 and up run throughout January
at Kitchener Park Mona
Vale with full and half-day
sessions and before and after
care available. Bookings essential.
More info at goodwinstennisacademy.com.au.
P:
0410 523 726
Nature focus
Children aged 6-12 love the
holiday programs at the CEC
Narrabeen where they learn
about our natural environment
and how they can help preserve
it. In January, programs
generally run from 10am-3pm
and include Fossil Hunting,
Eco Art, Rock Pool Fun, Mini
Marine Explorers and Survival
Skills to name a few. Cost $70
per child. Bookings essential
online.
Reading Challenge
School-aged children and
youth are welcome to take on
the Bookopoly Reading Challenge
running until January 31.
Grab a Bookopoly board from
any Northern Beaches Council
Library and play to win.
OUR CLUBS
Local clubs are offering a
raft of special deals and live
entertainment throughout
January.
Pittwater RSL
‘Pittwater’ is home to the
Northern Beaches’ biggest
rooftop bar. The Deck @Pitty
holds a max 450 people and
has bean bags, big screens,
pool tables and more. Patrons
have three bars to choose
from, there’s food available
plus Sunday family fun days
and great live music through
January. Pittwater RSL 82
Mona Vale Rd, Mona Vale.
Check out all the details via
pittwaterrsl.com.au
Avalon Beach RSL
If you love prawns, you can’t
go past the special every day
this summer where you will
only have to shell out $20
for half a kilo (dine in only).
Live entertainment @#AVRSL
includes Phil Jamieson on Friday
6, Jack Botts on Saturday
14 and Felipe Baldomir on
Saturday 28. Bowling Green
Lane Avalon Beach. avalonrsl.
com.au
Royal Motor Yacht Club
One of Australia’s premier
boating clubs The RMYC has
been operating on the shores
of Pittwater since 1926. The
club welcomes boat owners
and social members and their
guests to experience its three
bars, a variety of dining options
and a sparkling outdoor
heated swimming pool. You’ll
find the club at 46 Prince Alfred
Parade Newport. More
info at royalmotor.com.au.
Surf Clubs
Licensed bars boasting some
of the best views of the beaches
will be open over Summer.
Check out the Mona Vale
SLSC, Newport SLSC and Avalon
Beach SLSC social media
pages for operating hours.
Summer Guide
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 59

Health & Wellbeing
Caution over
early-age
hearing loss
ASSESS: Kids’ early hearing.
Health & Wellbeing
Parents are being warned
about the incidence of
hearing issues in young
children, with statistics revealing
that around 30 per cent of
children attending kindergarten
through Year 2 at school
(ages 4-6) are displaying a
hearing loss at some time.
“Most people don’t realise
how common hearing loss in
children can be,” said Avalonbased
audiologist Emma van
Wanrooy.
“All babies have their hearing
screened at birth because
a severe hearing loss at birth
will impact on a child’s ability
to learn language and speak.
However, hearing problems in
children can occur after birth
in the toddler, preschool or
school years.”
Emma said most of these
hearing problems were temporary
due to fluid in the middle
ear. This was called a Conductive
Hearing loss – it makes
sound muffled, and often has
the greatest impact on low
frequency sounds like ‘m’ in
speech.
“The middle ear blockage
can normally be resolved
with medical intervention,”
said Emma. “In some cases,
this can involve having a
‘grommet’ inserted into the
eardrum.”
Emma said conductive hearing
loss could be difficult to
notice by parents and teachers,
as this condition rarely
caused pain or discomfort.
“In addition, the associated
hearing loss can be constantly
changing in severity or disappear
altogether.
“However, if this type of
hearing loss is ongoing and
untreated, it can lead to permanent
damage to the middle
ear and possibly permanent
hearing loss.”
She said another aspect of
hearing that came into focus
as children started school was
Auditory Processing – a child
may pass a standard hearing
test, but have difficulty with
Auditory Processing.
“While we think of hearing
being linked to the ears that
stick out of our head, our
brain plays a large part in how
we hear,” Emma said.
“The ear picks up the
sound, but our brain does a
lot of work in processing the
sound. So, a child may pass a
standard hearing test, but still
have a lot of difficulty hearing
in noisy environments.
“This is because the brain
is responsible for sorting out
speech from noise. It will make
decisions as to what are important
sounds that we need to
pay attention to – for example,
voices – and works to filter out
background noise so that we
can understand speech in a
noisy environment.
“The brain does this in a
number of ways, including
comparing the sound received
by the left and right ear;
comparing the spatial location
of sounds and the pattern of
sounds.”
Emma said treatment for
Auditory Processing disorders
varied depending on the type
of problem.
“Some options may be an
App-based training program,
or use of a remote microphone
in the classroom,” she
said. “This enables the volume
of the teacher’s voice to be
boosted above other noise in
the classroom.”
Some schools have soundfield
amplification systems
installed in classrooms. This
involves a microphone worn
by the teacher, transmitting
to a speaker in the room. This
ensured that the teacher’s
voice was boosted above any
classroom noise, making it
easier for children to hear the
teacher regardless of where
they are sitting in the room.
“Given the high incidence of
fluctuating hearing difficulties
in the early school years, this
is a great way of helping to
reduce the impact of hearing
problems on learning, which is
supported by research.”
Emma said signs that your
child may have a Hearing
Loss or Auditory Processing
difficulty included: Asking for
‘repeats’ of speech; difficulty
hearing in noisy environments;
difficulty following
instructions; and delayed or
unclear speech.
“An assessment with an
audiologist who can advise on
the appropriate path of intervention
will help to minimise
the impact of hearing difficulties
on your child’s learning at
school.” – Lisa Offord
*Emma van Wanrooy is principle
audiologist at Pittwater
Hearing, Avalon.
60 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Top ranking for NB Hospital
Northern Beaches Hospital
Emergency Department
has been ranked first in
its peer group for treating
patients on time.
Data showed 78.8 per cent
of emergency patients at
Frenchs Forest were treated
on time – well above the
average of 62.8 per cent for
hospitals of a similar size in
NSW.
“Despite seeing an
increase in life-threatening
resuscitation cases and
urgent emergency cases, our
team continued to ensure
the sickest people were seen
as quickly as possible,” said
NBH Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Newton.
“We are currently the
third busiest emergency
department in our peer
group, so it is pleasing
to see we are treating
most patients within the
recommended time frames.”
Throughout the
quarter there were 16,193
attendances at the hospital’s
Emergency Department – an
average of 176 per day.
The hospital is continuing
to work with local GPs and
the on-site medical centre
to encourage people to
visit their GP for non-urgent
issues. More than 41 per
cent of its attendances in
this quarter were non-urgent
(triage four and five).
Northern Beaches Hospital
was also the highest
performing hospital in its
peer group for the transferral
of patients arriving by
ambulance into hospital,
allowing paramedics to get
back on the road quickly.
“Almost all of the patients
arriving by ambulance, 97.4
per cent, were transferred to
our care within the 30-minute
benchmark – well over the
peer group average,” Mr
Newton said.
The results were included
in the Bureau of Health
Information’s July to
September 2022 quarterly
report.
– LO
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 61

Health & Wellbeing
with Bec Johnson, M.Pharm
Health & Wellbeing
Supplements and arthritis:
important things to know
Osteoarthritis (OA) is due
to mechanical wear and
tear over time, and thus
is often a slow decline beginning
later in life. Symptoms are
joint-specific, often beginning
on one side and moving over
time as other joints become
worn. The most commonly affected
joints are large, weightbearing
joints (such as the hips
or knees), spinal joints, or the
joints closest to the ends of the
fingers or thumbs. Joints may
be stiff in the morning after
waking, however generally improve
within an hour after they
are used. Joints may ache or
be tender, but swelling of the
joints is rare and minimal.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is
the result of an autoimmune
disease attacking the joints of
the body; it can occur at any
time in life and has an often
rapid onset over the span of
weeks to months. It often affects
the smaller joints on both
sides of the body symmetrically,
particularly the joints of
the hands, wrists, and feet.
Affected joints become painful,
swollen, and stiff, which is
particularly prominent in the
morning after waking. Unlike
OS, the morning stiffness
often lasts longer than an hour
despite moving the affected
joints. As it is an autoimmune
disorder, RA can include systemic
symptoms of fatigue and
feeling generally unwell. RA
can be managed in the short
term by non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs);
however this is not appropriate
in the long term and should be
diagnosed and managed with a
specialist.
Supplements
Supplements can be considered
as an add-on therapy to
arthritis medications, not as
a replacement. If a doctor has
prescribed a medication to
help with arthritis, it is important
to continue this medication
unless they have advised
you to stop.
Supplements often take a
period of a few weeks to show
effect, so it is important to
give them a trial of at least a
month. Always check with a
doctor or pharmacist before
initiating a supplement – while
more “natural” therapies may
sound safe to self-select, supplements
can interact with
different medications and
conditions.
Omega-3
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is
found naturally in oily fish, and
through its actions reduces
inflammation in the body. While
this is useful in the management
of inflammatory joint pain, it
also has an important role in
reducing cardiovascular risk.
EPA is often found in fish or
krill oil supplements alongside
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the
principal fatty acid found in the
cortical grey matter of the brain.
Supplements high in EPA
can be recommended for patients
with inflammatory joint
disorders. However, as they
can increase bleeding risk, it is
important to consult your doctor
or pharmacist.
Curcumin
A chemical compound found
naturally in turmeric, curcumin
has been found to provide a
degree of relief for patients
with OA, RA, and other inflammatory
conditions.
SAM-e
SAM-e (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)
is found naturally in the
body, and has been found to
stimulate the production of
cartilage in patients with OA,
along with having antidepressant
and pain killing properties.
Speak with a doctor or
pharmacist before initiating
SAM-e therapy, particularly if
you have a history of mental
health conditions, are on medication
for these conditions, or
are immunocompromised.
Self-care points
n Regular exercise is an
important aspect of managing
arthritis. It is important to be
aware of the affected joint(s),
and to take care not to strain
or injure any affected joints.
n As much as exercise is important,
it is equally important
to learn when your body needs
to rest. Relaxation techniques
can help to reduce anxiety and
relieve pain.
n For arthritis in weight-bearing
joints, keeping to a healthy
weight helps to limit the load
on the joints and improve quality
of life.
n Maintaining a good posture,
and avoiding sitting in the
same position for too long, can
also help to reduce joint stiffening
and associated pain.
n Utilising heat packs for
improving joint stiffness, or
cold packs for swollen painful
joints, can be effective in
improving symptoms and providing
a degree of pain relief.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist
about when a hot or cold pack
would be appropriate for you.
Glucosamine
While the specific mechanisms
by which they work is unclear,
it is thought that glucosamine
and/or chondroitin supplementation
may help to rebuild joint
cartilage, reduce joint inflammation,
and aid in improving
joint mobility, particularly in
patients with OA.
Pittwater Pharmacy &
Compounding Chemist
at Mona Vale has operated
as a family-run business
since 1977. Open seven days;
drop in & meet the highly
qualified and experienced
team of Len, Sam and Amy
Papandrea, Andrew Snow
and Bec Johnson. Find them
at 1771 Pittwater Rd;
call 9999 3398.
62 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

with Dr John Kippen
Skin protection in summer
Despite widely publicised
campaigns, people are
still allowing themselves
to get sunburnt. This is a New
Year reminder!
Sun damage is cumulative,
therefore protecting the skin is
an important factor in preventing
this damage. This is particularly
important for childhood exposure.
Sun exposure is higher at
latitudes closer to the equator.
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 from 10am to
2pm (or 11am to 3pm daylight
saving). It is estimated that 60%
of UVR occurs during this time.
Sunburn 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
(SCCs). It is necessary to apply
to all exposed skin remembering
lips, ears, scalp and behind
the knees. Recommendations
are to apply sunscreen 20
minutes before sun exposure
and reapply every two hours.
Reapplication needs to be more
frequent if swimming, sweating
or towelling.
Sunscreens are either
chemical or physical. Chemical
sunscreens penetrate the upper
skin levels and if broad spectrum,
will absorb both UVA and
UVB. Physical sunscreens reflect
UVR as a physical barrier.
Wide-brimmed hats, or
Legionnaire-style caps, are
recommended. They are best
for direct sunlight but do not adequately
protect from reflected
light on beaches, or near water.
Shade is very important. Actively
avoid direct sun exposure.
Roof cover, beach umbrellas 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. Using an SPF 2 rated
sunscreen users 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.
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.
No single preventative modality
is adequate. UVR damage
can be reduced by using all modalities
together. Please, protect
your skin!
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
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 63

Health & Wellbeing
with Matilda Brown
Health & Wellbeing
Keeping it simple: My three
easily achieved 2023 goals
I
said goodbye to 2022
with a kiss into the wind.
There was no 12 o’clock
countdown, no fireworks,
no drunken hugs to bring in
the New Year. Gone are those
days. Instead, I celebrated
with my husband and kids
and my cousins and their
kids, among the chaos that is
parenting. Outside the UK air
was freezing but we rugged
up and each blew a kiss into
the wind to say goodbye
to 2022. We toasted by the
fire, inside, and were in bed
before 9.30pm.
It seemed only yesterday
that I was 15. Prettying my
face with make-up and putting
on my high heels – excited
to stay up and watch the sky
turn a smoky multi-coloured
mess. Then spewing my guts
up in a bush somewhere.
Wow. This life is flying by,
and occasionally I get quick
glimpses of me at the end,
looking back on it all. What
will I think? What regrets will
I have, if any? What will have
mattered the most?
In my teens and 20s, I
started many a year with a
fresh notebook and a brandnew
resolution. Be better at
this, try harder at this, care
less about that, lose 5kg
by March, run every day,
learn another language, do
something kind every day for
a stranger. Blah blah blah. But
the Pisces in me that prefers
to go with the flow, coupled
with my impatient nature,
would inevitably see me fail.
I have finally realised that I
like the “idea” of a New Year’s
resolution, much more than
I like to accomplish it. For
me, life has always been, and
will always be, much more
satisfying without the hardand-fast
rules.
This year I will turn 36. I am
still in my “youth” but for the
last three years, I have been
astonished by how fast the
days, months and years are
passing. As a parent my goals
have simplified but carry
significantly more weight.
This year, I made three easily
achievable goals, not for the
year, but for life. I figure, if I
can get to the end, at a ripe
old age and say that I achieved
these, then perhaps nothing
else will matter: 1. Count my
blessings regularly; 2. Let my
kids know I love them and I’m
proud of them often; and…
3. No matter how many times
I fall or fail, pick myself up,
dust myself off and say YES to
the next challenge.
Life is a gift. We are here,
however briefly, for a reason.
Let us not forget how lucky
we are to experience all the
variables that are on offer, as
a human. I hope 2023 is an
explosion of experiences for
all of you.
Matilda Brown is
an actress, writer and
business owner. Her
husband Scott Gooding
is a holistic performance
& nutrition coach, sports
nutritionist and chef.
Together they founded and
run The Good Farm Shop.
www.thegoodfarm.shop
64 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 65

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Body contouring is a great
way to boost self-confidence
As the weather heats up,
it is the time of year
when many show more
of their skin. You have been
diligent with your workouts
and eating your balanced diet,
but those troublesome areas
still pop out of your clothing
and keep resisting change.
Surgical and non-surgical
treatments are available to
assist with those stubborn
areas that won’t budge with
dieting and exercise.
Suppose surgery with
liposuction is not for you. In
that case, many non-surgical
treatments are available for a
wide range of areas such as
love handles, abdomen, chin,
axilla pouf (the fold of skin
near the underarms), knees,
inner and outer thighs, bra
rolls, chest, arms and back.
In addition, there are many
benefits to non-invasive body
sculpting compared to surgery,
such as avoiding anaesthesia
and scarring, along with less
downtime and expense.
Some non-surgical
treatments available to assist
with body contouring are
cryolipolysis, laser therapy,
muscle toning, ultrasound,
radio frequency and injections.
One of the most important
things to consider when
reviewing these treatments is
ensuring the technician is wellqualified
and a body sculpting
expert. Often the optimum
results can be best achieved
when combining modalities to
treat fat deposits, muscle tone
and cellulite. Drink 1-2 litres
of water daily to assist with
the removal of the fat once
the various treatments have
broken the fat down.
The most widely known
body contouring treatment
is cryolipolysis, or fat
freezing. A controlled cooling
process freezes unwanted fat
deposits using specific-sized
handpieces for each area being
treated. Only the fat cells are
destroyed as they are more
The Local Voice Since 1991
sensitive to cold than other
surrounding cells. The nerves,
skin and other tissue are left
unharmed. Once the fat cells
are destroyed, they are gone
for good. The treatment takes
between 30-60 minutes and
may require more than one
session per area.
Muscle toning treatments
will help to build muscle
and burn fat while you rest
on a treatment bed. These
treatments will offer intense
muscle contraction while
simultaneously delivering heat
and magnetic energy which
results in more fat reduction
and muscle growth. If you want
to define your six-pack, perk
up your booty or sculpt your
arms or legs this treatment is
worth considering.
Fat-dissolving injections or
mesotherapy, can be provided
by an experienced doctor
or nurse. The injection will
specifically target localised
fat with a cocktail of three
ingredients that assist with
fat cell destruction. The cell
membrane dissolves and the
fat is removed naturally from
the body over 8-12 weeks.
One to three sessions every
6-8 weeks may be required
for the face, while three to six
treatments for the body every
4-6 weeks might be required
for optimum results.
Laser therapy works by
dismantling subcutaneous
fat with controlled heat.
The fat cells are broken
down with specific laser
wavelengths when applied to
the skin. The laser lipolysis
treatment employs diode laser
applicators which are applied
to the area while you rest and
simply enjoy the outcome
after one or two sessions
spaced four weeks apart.
Radiofrequency treatments
are fabulous for treating
cellulite and circumferential
reduction. RF treatments
feel like a warm, deep-tissue
massage. The RF waves heat
the fat cells, underlying
collagen fibres and the
connective tissue providing
localised volume reduction
and a smoother texture and
appearance, regaining skin
suppleness.
Body Contouring treatments
are not a ‘free hall pass’ to fall
off the exercise and healthy
lifestyle wagon. A positive
and sensible way of viewing
these treatments is they are
a compliment to a healthy
lifestyle. Most of us need a
little extra outside help at
some time in our lives and
body contouring is one of
these areas. Feel your best in
whatever you wear and be the
best version of you… after all,
you deserve it.
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 a dedicated team
of professionals who are
passionate about results for
men and women.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
JANUARY 2023 67
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
New Year, new incentives
for new cars, new houses
This month a look at two
recently gazetted items
of legislation that could
make you reconsider the car
you drive, the house you live
in – or, perhaps both!
Car incentives
Salary packaging is ‘at thing’
again… the first change
to examine is to the fringe
benefit tax (FBT) treatment of
electric cars. In late November
the government secured cross
bench support to abolish FBT
on a range of energy efficient
vehicles.
Of course, there are
always going to be rules and
the following information
is derived from the ATO’s
website covering FBT and the
Electric cars exemption:
n The incentive is for zero- or
low-emissions vehicles –
battery electric; hydrogen fuel
cell or plug-in hybrid designed
to carry less than 1 tonne and
fewer than 9 passengers.
A motorcycle is not a car
for FBT purposes, even if it is
electric. Plug-in Hybrids are
only included as part of the
scheme until 1 April 2025
or beyond that date if they
are covered by a financially
binding commitment, for
example a novated lease,
commenced prior to 1 April
2025. The ATO has already
indicated that an optional
extension to an agreement
after the cut-off date (such as
the refinance of a residual)
would not be considered
binding.
n The first time the car is both
held and used is on or after 1
July, 2022.
The example used on the
ATO website is illustrative:
John orders a car on 1
February 2022 that is
delivered on 15 June 2022 at
which time legal ownership
passed to John. John first
makes the car available for the
private use of his employees
on 5 July 2022. The car was
first held on 15 June 2022 and
first used on 5 July 2022. The
first time it was both held
and used was after 1 July
2022 therefore any car fringe
benefits are exempt from FBT.
n The car is used by a current
employee or their associates –
such as family members.
Benefits provided under
salary packing arrangements
are included in the exemption
– for example, a vehicle
provided to a spouse. Also
included are the associated
costs of running the car
– registration, insurance,
repairs, maintenance and fuel
(including the electricity to
charge and run the electric
car). The provision of a
home charging station is not
considered an associated car
expense, rather a property
or expense payment fringe
benefit not subject to the
concession.
n Luxury car tax (LCT) has
never been payable on the
importation or sale of the car.
The LCT for fuel efficient
vehicles is higher than that
for standard cars – $84,916
for 2022/23 and $79,659 for
2021/22. To access the FBT
concession buyers of used
fuel-efficient vehicles need
to ensure that the vehicle
has never been subject to
LCT in the past so access to
previous sales and ownership
documents is going to be
important for vehicles that may
have been priced at the margin.
The motivation behind
the relaxation of FBT was
to encourage the quick
expansion of fuel-efficient
vehicles into the pool of
corporate fleet vehicles. The
government has also promised
to speed up electrification
of the government fleet with
the overarching goal being
to flood the second-hand car
market with stock in around
three to four years’ time.
For employers and
employees looking to access
these benefits there are
going to be material savings
compared to employers
owning non-fuel-efficient
vehicles or employees choosing
to own a fuel-efficient car
themselves. There are also
a variety of state-based
incentives in addition to the
FBT benefits that will only
enhance what the Feds are
seeking to achieve. The dollars
saved will depend on many
68 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

factors, but the savings will
be in the thousands. Unless
I’ve missed something in
this whole PR blitz, the
policy change will switch the
emphasis back onto salary
packing at a time when many
employers have done exactly
the opposite by choosing to
pay car allowances to avoid the
burden of FBT documentation.
Employers that do offer the
option packaging of fuelefficient
cars will be required
to record the notional taxable
value of the benefits (using
either the statutory formula
or the operating cost method)
and record the value through
the single touch payroll
system or the employee’s
payment summary. This will
be used in assessing other
income thresholds such as
Medicare levy surcharge,
family assistance and child
support payments.
Incentives for houses
– downsizer downsized
The second legislative change
that was made into law in late
November was the reduction
of the eligibility age for
downsizer contributions to
super from age 65 in 2018 to
age 60 in 2022 and now from
age 55 commencing from 1
January 2023.
Downsizer contributions can
be made from the proceeds
of the sale of a home that is
at least partially exempt from
CGT and that was at least
owned for 10 years by one
or both spouses. There are
some other eligibility tests,
but the most interesting part
is that these contributions
have no upper age limit and
they are not affected by total
superannuation balance
(TSB) limits that govern non-
concessional superannuation
contributions.
It will be interesting to see if
the uptake of the scheme gets
a boost from the reduction
in age. Previously the age
thresholds coincided with
preservation thresholds, albeit
limited at 60, but access to
benefits was either on hand or
likely to be attainable. At 55
preservation age is five years
away, so you’d be locking away
the money for all that time until
you could start a transition to
retirement pension or retire
from an employer who had
contributed to your super.
The reduction in the age
threshold will boost planning
options for those who now
find themselves eligible, but
chances are the take up will
come from those who already
have very high superannuation
balances (hence limited scope
for further non-concessional
contributions) or who have a
fair amount of surplus cash
that they are happy to leave
in the concessionally taxed
environment of super for some
time. Unusual policy for a
Labor government… but then
so are stage 3 tax cuts.
Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is
a Director of GHR Accounting
Group Pty Ltd, Certified
Practising Accountants. Offices
at: Suite 12, Ground Floor,
20 Bungan Street Mona Vale
NSW 2103 and Shop 8, 9 – 15
Central Ave Manly NSW 2095,
Telephone: 02 9979-4300,
Webs: www.ghr.com.au and
www.altre.com.au Email:
brian@ghr.com.au
These comments are of a
general nature only and are
not intended as a substitute
for professional advice.
Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 69

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.
BATTERIES
Battery Business
Call 9970 6999
Batteries for all applications. Won’t be beaten on price or
service. Free testing, 7 days.
BUILDING
Southern Stairs
Call 9542 1344
Specialists in high-quality staircase for 35 years; new
Northern Beaches showroom.
CARPENTRY
Able Carpentry & Joinery
Call Cameron 0418 608 398
Doors & locks, timber gates & handrails; decking repairs +
more; 25 years’ experience.
CLEANING
Amazing Clean
Call Andrew 0412 475 2871
Specialists in blinds, curtains and awnings. Clean, repair,
supply new.
Aussie Clean Team
Call John 0478 799 680
For a sparkling finish, inside and out. Also light maintenance/
repairs. Free quotes; fully insured.
Housewashing -
northernbeaches.com.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
Established 1999 in Avalon & Collaroy.
We specialise in soft and pressure washes, plus window and
gutter cleaning, driveways and rooftops.
CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting needs; Northern
Beaches-based.
ELECTRICAL
Alliance Service Group
Call Adrian 9063 4658
All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting installation, switchboard
upgrade. Seniors discount 5%.
Eamon Dowling Electrical
Call Eamon 0410 457 373
For all electrical needs including phone, TV and data.
Pittwater-based. Reliable; quality service guaranteed.
Warrick Leggo
Call Warrick 0403 981 941
Specialising in domestic work; small jobs welcome. Seniors’
discount; Narrabeen-based.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Stephan or Roslyn 9979 7292
Northern Beaches Flooring Centre has been family owned
& run for over 20 years. Carpets, Tiles, Timber, Laminates,
Hybrids & Vinyls. Open 6 days.
GARDENS
!Abloom Ace Gardening
Call 0415 817 880
Full range of gardening services including landscaping,
maintenance and rubbish removal.
Conscious Gardener Avalon
Call Matt 0411 750 791
Professional local team offering quality garden maintenance,
horticultural advice; also garden makeovers.
Living Gardens Landscape
Call Richy 0475 148417
Lawn & garden maintenance, garden regeneration, stone
70 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

work, residential & commercial.
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.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
Cloud9 R&G
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.
HANDYMEN
Hire A Hubby
Call 1800 803 339
Extensive services including carpentry, outdoor
maintenance, painting and plastering and more.
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also welding &
metalwork; licensed.
HOT WATER
Hot Water Maintenance NB
Call 9982 1265
Local emergency specialists, 7 days. Sales, service,
installation. Warranty agents, fully accredited.
KITCHENS
Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Call 9972 9300
Danish design excellence. Local beaches specialists in
kitchens, bathrooms and joinery. Visit the showroom in Collaroy.
Seabreeze Kitchens
Call 9938 5477
Specialists in all kitchen needs; design, fitting, consultation.
Excellent trades.
LOCKSMITHS
Mosman Locksmiths
Call 9969 6333
40 years servicing the Beaches; specialists in lock-outs
including automotive, rekeying, smart lock security; also door
hardware and safe sales & installation.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for neck & back pain, sports
injuries, orthopaedic problems.
PAINTING
Cloud9 Painting
Call 0447 999 929
Your one-stop shop for home or office painting; interiors,
exteriors and also roof painting. Call for a quote.
Tom Wood Master Painters
Call 0406 824 189
Residential specialists in new work & repaints / interior &
exterior. Premium paints; 17 years’ experience.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best. Comprehensive control.
Eliminate all manner of pests.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 71

Trades & Services
Advertise
your
Business in
Trades &
Services
section
Ph: 0438 123 096
Trades & Services
PLUMBING
Mark Ellison Plumbing
Call 0431 000 400
Advanced solutions for sewer & stormwater pipe relining:
Upfront price, 25-year warranty.
R AINWATER TANKS
Aquarius Watermaster
Call 1300 794 850
Rainwater tanks & pumps to capture and use the rain. Sales,
service & installation. View large display area at Terrey Hills.
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.
SLIDING DOOR REPAIRS
Beautiful Sliding Door Repairs
Call 0407 546 738
Fix anything that slides in your home; door specialists –
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.
wooden / aluminium. Free quote. Same-day repair; 5-year
warranty.
TV & AUDIO
Install Service
Call Damian 0456 53 53 51
Sound specialist + TV (inc iQ5) and Wi-Fi repair; express
service. Seniors’ rates.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of outdoor & indoor seating.
Custom service, expert advice.
72 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 73

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
is given in part payment for a
new one (5-2)
29. Game played by the
Warringah Rats (5)
Pittwater Puzzler
ACROSS
1. A natural depression in the
surface of the land often with
a lake at the bottom of it (5)
4. Clive Imber’s great passion (7)
9. One more time (5)
10. Rented land (9)
11. Describing Jacqui Scruby,
a candidate in the upcoming
16-down (11)
14. Is carried along by
currents of water or air, or by
the force of circumstances (6)
15. A skilled worker who fixes
things (8)
17. Instruments or vessels
commonly used in a
household, especially in a
kitchen (8)
19. Pittwater haven, Scotland
______ (6)
21. Newport resident and
brother of surf champion Tom,
who is a long-time surf writer
(4,7)
26. Hurry up (4,5)
27. Home of Bollywood (5)
28. An item of property that
DOWN
1. One who enjoys 20-down
(10)
2. Popular playground feature
that needs a bucket and spade
(7)
3. Any of numerous polymeric
amides that can be formed
into fibres, bristles or sheets
(5)
4. Horizontal plane of the
ocean’s surface (especially that
halfway between mean high
and low tide) (3,5)
5. A tendency to remain
unchanged (7)
6. Golf club (4)
7. Supreme beings (4)
8. Type of yacht that normally
wins the Sydney to Hobart
yacht race (4)
12. First light (5,2,3)
13. A pattern of regularly
spaced horizontal and vertical
lines, like this crossword (4)
14. Renovate (2,2)
16. Public vote that will
happen across NSW next
March (8)
18. Lounge around on a beach
catching some some rays, say
(7)
20. Popular water sport in the
Pittwater area (7)
22. (Of weather, the sky, etc.)
not dull or cloudy (5)
23. Heavy metal; guide (4)
24. Describing the ocean along
the shore when there are no
waves (4)
25. A system of exercises
practised as part of a Hindu
discipline to promote control
of the body and mind (4)
74 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Holiday Jigsaw
Anagram Cryptic Crossword
All answers start with the given letter. Fit the answers where
you can...
A Ornamental shrub, a type of Rhododendron, grown for its
showy flowers of various colours (6)
B A literary award given annually for a novel published by a British
or Commonwealth citizen during the previous year (6,5)
C A chilled can or stubby of beer (6)
D Type of golf hole that includes a sharp bend (6)
E A kind of Hebrew priestly vestment, especially that worn by
the high priest (5)
F A device for making a noise, a cylinder of paper or cardboard
containing an explosive and a fuse (11)
G A cricket delivery bowled by a wrist spinner which looks as if it
will break one way but in fact goes the other (6)
H Large wasps with brown and yellow striped bodies, capable of
inflicting a serious stings (7)
I A frozen flavoured confection on a stick (8)
J Dealer in gems (8)
K Two golden ducks in the same game of cricket (4,4)
L Active-wear fabric (5)
M Accounts of the author’s personal experiences (7)
N A lexicographer of new words and expressions (9)
O Earache (7)
P A particular course of action intended to achieve a result (7)
Q The most powerful piece in chess (5)
R An uncultured, aggressive, rude, noisy troublemaker (9)
S A person who rescues or delivers from danger, destruction, etc.
(7)
T Advertisement for a coming film (7)
U Disconnect train carriages, for example (8)
V A person highly skilled in the technique of a fine art, especially
music (8)
W A fleshy wrinkled and often brightly coloured fold of skin
hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and
turkeys) or lizards (6)
X A colourless odourless inert gaseous element occurring in the
earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts (5)
Y Amounts produced (6)
Z German rigid airship (8)
The Local Voice Since 1991
All clues contain a definition, the letters of the answer and a
word or words indicating that jumbling is required.
CRYPTIC CLUES
Across
1 APEC adjusted rate of
progress (4)
3 Identify a bell out of tune (5)
7 Unpleasant person disrupted
smug ABC (7)
8 Public hanging unsettled
rat (3)
9 Wrap a utensil in a shoddy
way (8)
12 Overseas traveller at once
is confused (8)
15 Eat cooked meal (3)
16 Goof makes it as a cocktail
(7)
17 Fruit related to a variety of
lemon (5)
18 Team organised essential
part (4)
NORMAL CLUES
Across
1 The distance covered by a
step (4)
3 Trade name of a company
that produces musical
recordings (5)
7 Dirty dog (7)
8 Creative works (3)
9 Protect from heat or cold (8)
12 Paddler (8)
15 Oolong, for one (3)
16 Bad move (7)
17 Large round fruit of various
plants of the gourd family (5)
18 Vegetarian’s no-no (4)
Down
1 Local mail deliverer (6)
2 Curriculum (6)
3 A tower that gives warning
to passing ships (10)
4 Musical rhythm (4)
5 Deceased (4)
6 Van Diemen’s Land’s namer
(4,6)
10 Angry harangue (6)
11 Thoroughfare (6)
13 Piece of news (4)
14 Racetrack fence (4)
Down
1 Enigmatic poet is a person
of letters (6)
2 Channel for water source
needed for development (6)
3 The ghoul is not normally a
beacon (10)
4 Master organised a bet (4)
5 Unusual tale after hours (4)
6 Dutch navigator bans a
metal moulding (4,6)
10 Lecture I rated poorly (6)
11 Retest new transport route
(6)
13 Couple going out
rescheduled time (4)
14 Lair reviewed commuting
option? (4)
[ALL Puzzle solutions on p80]
JANUARY 2023 75
Pittwater Puzzler

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; FB: facebook.com/culinaryinbloom Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Romancing the ‘stone’: ideas
for this month’s freshest fruit
Walking into any green grocer or supermarket is a treat this
time of year – as the perfume of fresh stone fruit hits, it’s
impossible not to add them to the trolley even if they were
not on the shopping list! Icy cold and fresh from the fridge, or
roasted, baked, chargrilled or pickled, there are so many ways to
enjoy the abundance available this month.
Chargrilled
maple peaches
Serves 8
12 freestone peaches, halved,
stones removed
2 tbs maple syrup
olive oil spray
1. Preheat a barbecue grill or
chargrill pan on mediumhigh.
Pour the maple syrup
into a small shallow dish. Dip
the cut side of the peaches
into the maple then spray
with olive oil.
2. Place the peaches, cut side
down, onto the hot grill and
cook for 4 minutes until
lightly charred. Turn the
peaches over and cook for
1 minute then remove to a
platter. Serve.
Serving suggestions
1. Top with a slice of brie and
proscuitto, drizzle with
caramelised balsamic.
2. Chop up the chargrilled
peaches, add diced
cucumber, feta and cherry
tomatoes and serve over
grilled chicken, pork or
seafood.
3. Toss chargrilled peaches
with cooked beetroot, sliced
radish, baby spinach and
roasted walnuts, dress with
lemon vinaigrette and serve
with chicken or salmon.
4. Top with a scoops of mango
sorbet and sprinkle with
mint sugar for a quick
dessert!
Summer
nectarine salad
Serves 4 (as a side salad)
4 sourdough bread
2 tbs olive oil
1 large garlic clove, halved
40g rocket or baby spinach
½ cup fresh basil leaves
4 freestone nectarines, sliced
12 slices prosciutto
150g cherry tomatoes, halved
150g burrata or buffalo
mozzarella, drained
dressing
3 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs red wine vinegar
2 tsp seeded mustard
1 tsp honey
1. Preheat barbecue grill on
medium-high. Brush the
bread with oil, then rub the
bread with the cut side of the
garlic. Season with salt. Chargrill
for 3 minutes each side
until lightly charred.
2. Arrange the rocket or
spinach, basil, nectarines,
prosciutto and cherry
tomatoes on a serving
platter. Tear the burrata or
mozzarella into pieces and
add to the salad.
3. Whisk the dressing
ingredients. Drizzle over
the salad, season and
serve with chargrilled
bread.
Chicken wings
with sticky
spiced cherries
Serves 4
1.5kg chicken wings
2 tbs olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic salt
sticky spiced cherries
500g fresh cherries, pitted
3 tbs white sugar
3 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tsp chilli flakes, optional
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
Grease a large oven tray.
2. Arrange the chicken in a
single layer on the tray.
Combine oil, paprika
and garlic salt in a bowl.
Spoon the oil mix over
the chicken and turn to
coat. Roast for 30 minutes,
turning once until golden
and cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, to make the
sticky spiced cherries,
place the cherries into a
medium non-stick frying
pan. Sprinkle over the
sugar and shake the
pan so the cherries are
coated. Add the vinegar
and chilli flakes, season
with salt and pepper. Place
over medium high heat
and cook, shaking the
pan for 5-8 minutes until
the cherries soften and
become a little syrupy.
remove from the heat,
stand in the pan for 5
minutes.
4. Spoon the sticky cherries
over the chicken to serve.
Janelle’s Tip: The spiced
cherries are also delicious
on chargrilled bread topped
with fresh mozzarella or over
barbecued chicken, pork or
prawns.
76 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
Fresh apricot
no-churn ice cream
Makes 1.2 litres
500g apricots, halved, stones
removed
¼ cup white sugar
1 lime, halved
600ml thickened cream
1 x 395ml can sweetened
condensed milk, chilled
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
Place the apricots in a large
greased roasting pan, cut
side up. Sprinkle over the
sugar, turn to coat. Squeeze
over one half of the lime.
Roast for 12-15 minutes,
until the apricots just start to
collapse. Cool in the pan for
30 minutes.
2. Turn the apricots skin side
up. Pinch the skins to remove
them. Discard the skins.
Blend or process the apricots
with the lime juice from the
remaining half lime until
smooth.
3. Pour the cream and
sweetened condensed milk
into a chilled bowl (see
tip). Using hand beaters
or electric mixer, whip to
soft peaks. Add the pureed
apricot, stir gently to
combine.
4. Pour into a freezer safe
container so the container is
almost full (this gives room
for expansion but prevents
ice crystals forming). Press
a sheet of baking paper
onto the surface and freezer
overnight. Scoop into bowls
and serve with wafers.
Janelle’s Tips: Chilling the bowl
is always a good idea when
whipping cream in summer…
Keeping the top covered with
baking paper prevents ice
crystals forming on top and the
ice cream becoming too hard
to scoop.
Plum and
almond cake
Serves 8
250g butter, softened
1 cup caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
3 eggs
¾ cup (90g) almond meal
2 cups self-raising flour
½ cup milk
6 red-fleshed plums, cut into
thick wedges
2 tbs flaked almonds
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C
fan forced. Grease and line
the base of a 22cm (base)
springform pan.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat
the butter, sugar and vanilla
until light and creamy. Add
the eggs one at a time,
mixing well. Stir in the
almond meal. Sift half the
flour over the butter mixture
and stir gently to combine.
Stir in half the milk. Repeat
with the remaining flour and
milk. Spread the cake batter
into the prepared pan and
smooth the surface.
3. Gently place the plum
wedges on top of the cake
batter. Sprinkle over the
almonds. Bake for 45-55
minutes (cover the top
loosely with foil if it starts
to get to brown) or until a
skewer inserted into the
centre of the cake comes out
clean. Cool for 15 minutes in
the pan then release the side
and cool on a wire rack.
Summer
Peach punch
Serves 8
6 ripe yellow peaches
3 tbs lime juice
¾ cup (180ml) mango nectar,
chilled
3 cups ice cubes
750ml bottle prosecco, chilled
chilled soda water, to serve
1. Peel and roughly chop 4
peaches. Place the chopped
peach and lime juice in a
food processor. Process until
smooth. Transfer to a jug
and stir in the mango nectar.
Refrigerate until cold.
2. To serve, spoon 3
tablespoons of peach and
mango mixture into the base
of chilled glasses. Slice the
remaining peaches and add
a few slices and ice cubes
to each glass. Add prosecco
and soda to taste. Stir and
serve.
Food Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2023 77

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Beautiful bulbs that switch off
and flower boldly in Autumn
Everyone loves the bulbs
that flower in Spring; but
not many people appreciate
the bulbs that sleep through
Spring and flower in Autumn.
They are available from
bulb growers, now ready for
planting.
Get them into the ground as
soon as you can to be sure of
flowers this Autumn. I never fail
to be amazed by the magic that
can turn dry-looking bulbs into
a wonderful display of colour.
The Autumn-flowering bulbs
will withstand the hot days of
Summer, needing very little
attention. They will lie dormant,
surviving on the natural rainfall
until the length of the days
begins to shorten. Once they
begin to emerge above the
earth, they will require regular
water. Some will grow leaves,
but others will flower before the
leaves appear.
The tiny white Autumn
crocus, zephyranthes (also
known as rain lilies), love the
warm humid weather. They get
their name from their ability to
withstand the summer heat and
dry conditions, then burst into
flower once the rains begin.
They will soon multiply and
naturalise in full sun or part
shade. Plant them at any time of
the year.
Nerines are a gardener’s
favourite; these scarlet, pink or
gold spider lilies love to be left
alone to multiply. Grow them
in well-drained soil in dappled
shade where they can multiply
and be left undisturbed. They
flower best when they are
crowded. They are easily grown
in the garden, or in pots to
be brought inside when they
flower.
Common names can be
confusing… also known
as spider lily, is the golden
hurricane lily, lycoris. This
special bulb sends up clustered
flower spikes of golden yellow
before the leaves appear.
Lycoris can also be brilliant
scarlet. They need little
attention once planted and
will survive dry conditions and
natural rainfall.
The tall dramatic spikes of
huge pink, fragrant trumpets of
the Belladonna lilies (or Naked
Ladies) that emerge in early
Autumn before their leaves are
unrivalled for drama. Naked
Ladies can also be white or
dark pink.
Before planting any bulbs
make sure to dig plenty of
compost into the ground. Plant
the bulbs with their necks at
soil level and feed at planting
time with bulb food.
Continue to feed the bulbs
until the leaves die down, as
the dying foliage will feed the
bulb for the following season.
78 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Mozzie control
The extraordinary
weather pattern of wet
rainy days followed
by hot sun has provided
mosquitoes with the perfect
breeding ground. Mozzies
can ruin any pleasure in the
garden, not only do they bite
but they can carry disease,
including Ross River fever.
While you can never totally
control them there are many
ways to keep them at bay and
reduce the numbers.
Stagnant or still water is
their breeding ground. Rinse
out bird baths and water
bowls every few days. Empty
any pots and watering cans
that fill with rain. Make sure
that any tarps or BBQ cover
are stretched tight and have
no puddled water. Keep
gutters free from leaves and
blockage. Flush out saucers
below pot plants.
If you have a water tank,
make sure that the lid fits
tightly. As a precaution, spray
Who’s a Pretty Turtle!
Pretty Turtle is an easy-to-grow indoor plant that needs little
attention. It gets its name from the extraordinary pattern on
the large, fleshy, furry leaves that resembles the pattern of a turtle
shell!
It grows into neat rosettes, making it a perfect pot plant for
desks and coffee tables. If you are delighted with the patterned
leaves, you will love it
even more when you
see its stems of violet,
bell-shaped flowers!
Pretty Turtle comes
from Africa and
Madagascar, where it
can be found growing
wild in many different
shaded situations,
on rocky ledges, in
crevices, on level
ground and banks.
This is an
undemanding plant that
will grow well in many
different situations. It will need good light but no direct sunlight
that will burn the leaves.
It enjoys the humidity of kitchens and bathrooms but should
never be left with the pot sitting with water in the saucer. Water
the plant below the leaves and allow it to drain. It won’t need more
water until the soil seems dry.
Better to under-water than to drown your plant. Feed it monthly
with a soluble fertiliser.
If you can’t find this exciting plant in garden centres, try looking
online.
The Local Voice Since 1991
the surface with eco oil to
prevent any mozzie larvae
hatching.
Install yellow bug lightbulbs
in outside lights. Light
attracts insects but the yellow
coating on these bulbs makes
the light less attractive to the
mozzies that will ruin your
evening.
There are many commercial
controls, insect repellents,
zappers and candles available,
all with reasonable success.
Mozzie coils and citronella
candles give some protection,
so will coffee grounds.
Mosquitoes hate the smell. To
make it more pungent, singe
the grounds with a match.
If you don’t mind the smell,
the water from boiled garlic
makes a spray that you can
use under decks and other
places that mozzies love.
All these controls will
work – but why not reduce
the problem by planting
insect repellent plants around
doorways and outdoor sitting
areas. For centuries, homes
have been aired with dried
bunches of herbs and bug
repellent plants, long before
the modern use of chemicals.
Pots of orange nasturtiums,
marigolds and scented
geraniums, or hanging baskets
of lemon thyme, mint, or catnip
and tubs of lavender, sage,
rosemary or lemon grass, will
all discourage flying insects
and marauding mozzies.
Outside the kitchen door
grow troughs of basil and
garlic – handy for cooking and
also effective deterrents!
JANUARY 2023 79
Garden Life

Garden Life
January
Jobs this Month
Garden Life
The strange Summer
weather is causing havoc
in the garden; it doesn’t
know what to do. All the plants
and shrubs are confused.
Plants that flower in November
are flowering now. Frangipani
is only just getting leaves! Take
care when the heat comes
back, plants will burn. Don’t
be tempted to remove burnt
foliage. Wait until new growth
appears before trimming.
Grubby time
Watch out for suspicious brown
patches in the lawn. Army
grubs love rain, humidity and
heat. Spray with Eco oil mixed
with Dipel for control. Dipel is
harmless to birds and animals
that may eat the dying grubs.
Veggie tips
Take a look at the veggie
garden. It is not too late
for a second planting of
tomatoes, beans, zucchini,
and cucumbers before the
seasons change. Sometimes
veggies need a helping hand.
Zucchini, pumpkin, squash and
cucumbers have both male and
female flowers. When the days
are dull, and the bees are not
around to cross-pollinate the
flowers, you can help. Female
flowers have tiny fruit behind
the flower and male flowers are
on single stems. With a paint
brush, take pollen from the
male flower to the centre of the
girls. Some days you will have
only girls and sometimes only
boys. Both sexes need to open
on the same day for success.
Watch daily – and you can
double your harvest.
Fix fungus
Fungus problems are
everywhere. Spray with Yates
Fungus Fighter on ornamentals
at first signs of powdery
mildew. Be careful on the
veggies: use a natural spray,
there are several that are
commonly used. A cup of milk
mixed with 10 cups of water,
50ml of vinegar in 1 litre of
water; or 4 tsp of bicarbonate
of soda, 2 litres water, 2 drops
Puzzle solutions from page 74-75
Mystery location: HERON COVE
of vegetable oil and 2 drops of
washing up liquid, are all tried
recipes for sprays.
Choose the food
It is time to feed the garden.
Camellias, azaleas, pieris,
magnolias, begonias, fuchsias
and other acid-loving plants
all love Kahoona pellets.
Citrus, roses, veggies and
flowering plants will thank you
for feeding them with Power
Feed to keep the flower buds
coming.
Orchid watch
Check orchids for scale insects.
They are hard to control as they
live and breed where the leaves
join the stems. Ants that are
attracted by the sticky secretion
carry the scale from one plant
to the next. It takes time and
patience to eliminate the scale.
You need a small paint brush
and a bottle of Isocol (a rubbing
alcohol that has many uses).
Carefully paint over any visible
scale making sure to get the
Isocol well into every nook and
cranny!
Waste nothing!
Make the most of veggies in the
kitchen. Never waste a garlic
that begins to grow! Divide
the garlic into cloves and plant
each one, pointed side up in full
sun. Plant them just below the
surface and leave a 15cm space
between each one. Mulch well to
keep weeds down and wait until
the foliage begins to die down
before harvesting. They are
simple, undemanding plants.
80 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Travel Life
Travel Life
Japan family snow getaway
Hokkaido has earned an excellent
ski domain, with perfect powder slopes,
reputation as a top winter sports
ski lifts, a snow park, and a gondola for
destination. It boasts a ski-perfect climate,
where the finest powder snow covers every
inch of the mountain.
Travel View’s Gail Kardash says Club
Med Hokkaido is the perfect winter holiday
destination for all – from families to
couples, all guests can enjoy a variety of
winter activities.
“Enjoy a thrilling ski experience for the
whole family, with endless snow and apresski
activities in-resort influenced by the
thrilling days in the snow. This charming,
authentic Japanese mountain escape
offers an all-inclusive experience to make
winter holidays easy and hassle-free. With
expertly guided ski lessons, horseback
riding, a relaxing outdoor Canadian bath,
and endless pursuits for children, a holiday
tradition spent here will create indelible
memories for your friends and family.”
Tomamu Hokkaido – “Club Med Tomamu
introduces a thrilling snow escape where
beauty of Japan,” said Gail.
with ice fishing, ice skating, ice bar and powdery perfect slopes are just waiting for
“Easy for beginners and young families, dining.”
discovery. Fresh seafood, premium Wagyu
there’s powder snow for all and something Club Med Resorts in Japan feature: beef, and award-winning locally brewed
for everyone off the slopes. Club Med Kiroro Peak – “Opening this season,
spirits make this more than a destination
Resorts provide the perfect ski experience
for both experienced and beginner skiers
and snowboarders and for other snow
activities such as snow trekking and snow
shoeing.
“Plunge into Japanese culinary traditions
with seafood Nabe hot-pot tasting, or
indulge in a guided whisky tasting and sake
tasting. Then, enjoy sparkling nights at the
nearby Ice Village (pictured) where cool
evenings meet heart-warming moments
it’s nestled in a mountainous region of
Hokkaido renowned for its generous snow
cover. It is the perfect place for couples and
families with teenagers alike to experience
a serene white powder winter getaway.”
Sahoro Hokkaido – “Explore the best
powder snow, pure fresh air, traditional
Japanese cuisine, and a wealth of family
journeys to share at Club Med Sahoro
Hokkaido. For skiers of all levels, the
dedicated mountains feature a larger
to discover, but a culinary journey to enjoy.
From skiing and snow trekking, to riding
Japan’s largest indoor wave pool at nearby
Hoshino Resort, guests seeking winter
excitement to share with friends and family
will find it at Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido
all-inclusive resort.”
* Book now & save on January departures
in 2024; for more information and
bookings contact Travel View on 9918
4444 or sales@travelview.net.au
82 JANUARY 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991