Pittwater Life April 2023 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
NEW DAWN FOR PITTWATER
SALLY MAYMAN SNAPSHOT / OUR WINDFOILING STAR ON RISE
PLASTIC RECYCLING / MCCARRS CREEK BOAT SHED NIGHTMARE
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD / ANZAC DAY / THE WAY WE WERE

Editorial
Labor’s plans for Beaches?
The election of the new
Labor Government will
have flow-on effects to locals.
In the run-up to the polls
both the Liberals and Labor
threw money and assurances
at the upper Northern Beaches.
PEP-11 was condemned, as was
housing at Lizard Rock.
The Liberals, Labor and
the Independents all want to
fix flooding on Wakehurst
Parkway – Labor has even
stumped up an additional $13
million so Council can fasttrack
works (see p30).
Short stays at Barrenjoey
Headland are off the table,
with Labor committing to
not allow NSW National Parks
& Wildlife to privatise the
Lighthouse precinct.
Labor policy remains that it
will consider de-amalgamation
of big new Councils (like ours).
But the biggest effect is
likely to be new development;
on which Labor has been
transparent. Former Labor
leader Michael Daley said: “…
it is not fair that the Northern
Beaches and North Shore
are protected from overdevelopment.”
New Premier Chris Minns
said in mid-March: “… we’re
being honest about it…
we’re going to charge the
Greater Sydney Commission
with rebalancing Sydney’s
population growth…”
Meanwhile Northern Beaches
Council has yet to set in stone
its new Local Environmental
Policy for the LGA. It remains
to be seen whether Labor has
its own guidelines for LEPs on
the beaches. Let’s wait and see.
* * *
Stop Press: Condolences to the
friends and family of former
Pittwater Councillor Bob Grace
who has died aged 87.
Mr Grace was a committed
community advocate and
respected barrister; a special
tribute will feature in next
month’s magazine. – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 3

FREE LOCAL
MONTHLY
INDEPENDENT
DISTRIBUTION
32,000
Delivered to householders
& businesses throughout
the Pittwater area at the
beginning of each month.
AFFORDABLE
RATES &
LONG-LIFE
EXPOSURE
CALL
US TO
DISCUSS
YOUR AD!
Tel: 0438 123 096
PO Box 170
Mona Vale 1660
Email:
info@pittwaterlife.com.au
Website:
pittwaterlife.com.au
Publisher: Nigel Wall
Managing Editor: Lisa Offord
Graphic Design:
Craig Loughlin-Smith
Photography: Adobe / Staff
Contributors: Rob Pegley,
Steve Meacham, Rosamund
Burton, Gabrielle Bryant,
Beverley Hudec, Brian Hrnjak,
Jennifer Harris, Janelle Bloom,
Sue Carroll,
Dr John Kippen, Geoff Searl.
Distribution: John
Nieuwenhof & Gill Stokes
pitlifewalkers@gmail.com
Published by
Word Count
Media Pty Ltd.
ACN 149 583 335
ABN 95 149 583 335
Printed by IVE Print
P: 1300 725 628
* The complete Pittwater Life
archive can be found at the
State Library of NSW.
Vol 32 No 9
Celebrating 32 years
40
44
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
NEW DAWN FOR PITTWATER
SALLY MAYMAN SNAPSHOT / OUR WINDFOILING STAR ON RISE
PLASTIC RECYCLING / MCCARRS CREEK BOAT SHED NIGHTMARE
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD / ANZAC DAY / THE WAY WE WERE
PWL_APR23_p001.indd 1 27/3/2023 5:27 pm
27
WALKERS
WANTED
Retirees, mums, kids to deliver
Pittwater Life once a month.
Permanent and casual runs
may be available now in:
Avalon, Whale Beach,
Bilgola, Newport
& Bayview.
EARN TOP MONEY PAID PROMPTLY!
Email:
pitlifewalkers@gmail.com
thislife
INSIDE: Has the plan for housing on Aboriginal-owned
land at Belrose been scuppered for good? (p12); Ingleside
residents have an ambitious plan to be self-sufficient (p14);
Council will pursue its demolition order on an unapproved
boat shed addition at McCarrs Creek that has devastated
neighbours (p22); Council’s soft plastics recycling trial has
been given the green light (p29); look back on The Way We
Were (p32); and read the amazing life story of Pittwater
Woman of the Year, Sally Mayman (p40).
COVER: Deep Waterfront / gemmarasdall.com
XXXXX 2022
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 10-39
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 30
The Way We Were 32
Briefs & Community News 34-39
Life Story 40-42
Sport 44-45
Author Q&A 46
Hot Property 47
Art 48-49
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 50-55
Money; Law 56-59
Crossword 64
Food & Tasty Morsels 66-69
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!
Bookings & advertising material to set for
our MAY issue MUST be supplied by
FRIDAY 7 APRIL
Finished art & editorial submissions deadline:
FRIDAY 14 APRIL
The MAY issue will be published
on FRIDAY 28 APRIL
COPYRIGHT
All contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the
written consent of the copyright owner. All advertising rates are subject to GST.
APRIL 2023 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Postal votes key to Pittwater MP
Pre-polling and postal votes tallied
in the days after the State Election
held the key to determining who
would become Pittwater’s new member
of parliament.
The poll was on a knife’s edge at the
close of counting on election night.
With 56 per cent of votes counted, Independent
for Pittwater candidate Jacqui
Scruby clung to a 0.2 per cent lead over
Liberal candidate Rory Amon after preferences
– 50.1 per cent to 49.9 per cent.
The NSW Electoral Commission tally
showed the difference was a mere 27
votes – with 720 informal ballots cast up
to that point.
There were 56,181 total enrolments in
Pittwater.
Booths across the electorate told the
story of support for the candidates.
Ms Scruby performed strongly in
booths north of Newport; she was ahead
at Avalon Public School, Avalon Rec Centre,
Barrenjoey High and Bilgola Plateau
Public.
Mr Amon attracted more votes at Newport
Public School, Newport Surf Club,
Narrabeen Sports High and Pittwater
High. He was polling more than double
Ms Scruby’s vote at Terrey Hills Public
School (1006 to 458).
CLOSE CONTEST: Jacqui Scruby and Rory Amon.
Of the known 16,983 pre-poll votes
cast in the lead-up to election day, only
5,023 had been tallied – at Newport,
where Mr Amon led by 34 seats.
Vote counting at the Narrabeen and
Pittwater (Mona Vale) pre-poll offices had
yet to commence at the time Pittwater
Life went to print.
At the time of going to print, 1987
postal votes had been counted from 5344
postal vote applications.
Crucially, initial postal vote returns
favoured Mr Amon 1116 to Ms Scruby’s
511, with other candidates sharing the
remaining 360.
Regardless of the result, Ms Scruby said
the political tide had turned in Pittwater.
“This is no longer a safe seat,” Ms
Scruby said.
Meanwhile Northern Beaches Mayor
Michael Regan, standing as a non-aligned
independent, toppled Liberal candidate
Toby Williams in Wakehurst – ending
more than three decades of incumbency
by retiring Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
With 60 per cent of the vote counted
on election night, Mr Regan led 55.3 per
cent to 44.7 per cent after preferences.
First preference voting showed a different
story, with Mr Regan banking just
180 more than Mr Williams (12,809 to
12,629) and a 0.6 per cent margin (36.9
per cent of first votes to 36.3 per cent).
Reflecting on the result a shocked Mr
Hazzard said it appeared some factors
were beyond local control.
“I honestly don’t know what they are…
it strikes me that everything the Liberal
and National [coalition] Government has
done has been banked by the community.”
Mr Regan announced he would step
down from his role as Mayor but would
remain as a Councillor until the next
Council election in September 2024.
It remained unclear whether Mr Amon
(if elected) would continue in his role as
Councillor.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
10 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Lizard Rock landow
News
The future development
of bushland for 450
dwellings at Lizard
Rock at Belrose may hang on
the outcome of legal action
undertaken by the Aboriginal
landowners.
It follows the NSW’s Government’s
pre-election announcement
that contrary to process,
it would halt the rezoning
application if it was re-elected.
The announcement in early
March, by then-Planning Minister
Anthony Roberts, left Lizard
Rock landowners the Local
Metropolitan Aboriginal Land
Council (LMALC) without support
from all sides of politics –
including the Coalition, Labor,
the Greens and independents
– in their aim to achieve economic
self-determination by
developing housing across the
Northern Beaches.
The LMALC is accusing the
Government of political intervention
and abuse of process.
Last year the Liberal
Government added six of the
LMALC’s land holdings on
the Northern Beaches into
a special Aboriginal Land
State Environmental Planning
Policy (SEPP) to allow LMALC
development proposals to be
assessed through an independent
panel, bypassing
Northern Beaches Council.
Just before Christmas, the
Sydney North Planning Panel
determined that the Lizard
Rock project – which the
LMALC had estimated would
generate around $855 million
in revenue – had both strategic
and site-specific merit and
should proceed to Gateway
determination.
Northern Beaches Council
was then offered the role as the
planning proposal authority,
but declined due to its opposition
to the development,
citing lack of infrastructure
and bushfire risk among other
issues.
In the lead-up to the State
election, the Planning Minister
said that concerns raised by
the community in relation to
bushfires, critical infrastructure
and density meant that a
re-elected Liberal Government
would put the red pen through
the rezoning application.
“As Minister for Planning I
have always advocated for the
right developments in the right
place with community support,
particularly in keeping with
local character,” Mr Roberts
explained.
Community opponents
included the Northern Beaches
Bushland Guardians who collected
10,500 signatures locally
and across NSW, in its effort to
“save” Lizard Rock – this was
more than the 10,000 signatures
required to table a paper
petition in NSW Parliament.
Liberal candidate for Pittwater
and Northern Beaches
Pittwater Ward Councillor Rory
Amon said he welcomed Mr
Roberts’ decision.
“I have stood with the community
advocating against this
development. This is a great
outcome that protects pristine
bushland for future generations,”
said Mr Amon.
Other local political figures
opposed included State election
candidates (in Pittwater) Hilary
Green (the Greens), Jeff Quinn
(Labor) and Jacqui Scruby (Independent
for Pittwater).
Northern Beaches Mayor
and new Wakehurst independent
MP-elect Michael Regan
and Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps are also opposed –
their lobbying saw the MLALC
issue each with legal letters
alleging trespass on Aboriginal
land (see Seen… Heard…
Absurd… page 30).
LMALC chief executive
Nathan Moran said he was “bewildered”
by the government’s
move because he said Mr Roberts,
the Planning Department
and the Perrottet Government
had been supportive up to elec-
12 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

ners call in lawyers
tion eve.
“Our land is private land,” Mr
Moran said. “The biggest misnomer
in this is people feeling
that somehow they have a right
to speak about private freehold
SCRAPPED: The Lizard
Rock development
proposal has no
supporters other than
the landowners.
land,” Moran said. “We do feel
it’s about racism and paternalism,
that people believe they
know what’s best for us.”
Labor spokesperson Paul
Scully said Labor sided with
the coalition on the issue; Mr
Scully added that if Labor were
elected he would work with the
LMALC and Northern Beaches
Council to find a use for the
site – but that wouldn’t include
the housing plan.
Before exiting his Council
CEO role, Ray Brownlee told
Pittwater Life: “Council has long
opposed the planning proposal
to develop land at ‘Lizard Rock’
along Morgan Road in Belrose
for its destruction of natural
bushland among a range of
other concerns.
“The planning proposal by
the MLALC does not demonstrate
strategic or site-specific
merit and [we agree it] should
be rejected.
“Council supports the intent
of the Aboriginal Land Rights
Act and appreciates the importance
of enabling Aboriginal
people to achieve economic
self-determination through
developing land, but we have
to consider proposals on their
merits.
“This proposal would see the
destruction of around 45 football
size fields of bushland to
build 400 plus homes surplus
to any housing targets.
“Council recently declined
the government’s offer to
become the Planning Proposal
Authority on Lizard Rock as
the role was unlikely to give
Council any meaningful powers
to review the proposal or
prevent it from going ahead
for Gateway determination.”
Northern Beaches Envirolink
Inc President Dr Conny
Harris, a local GP and nearby
resident on Morgan Road at
Belrose, added: “Developing
this land sets a dangerous
precedent that will not stop at
71 hectares, but open up more
than 220 hectares of land to
development on the Northern
Beaches, and more across the
state.”
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 13

New ‘sustainable’
Ingleside push
News
SOLUTION: Locals want to be able to sub-divide
large lots and maintain their properties as asset
protection zones.
Dr Stephen Choularton has lived in Ingleside
for 30 years. He’s on the north side
of Mona Vale Road, which divides the
suburb in two.
The northern part is still rural, the southern
half more residential.
For much of that time, Stephen has seen
various plans to expand housing north of
Mona Vale Road.
An environmentalist (his doctorate is in philosophy),
Stephen is now leading a campaign to
pressurise Northern Beaches Council to allow
more subdivisions and homes to be built on
the fringes of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
“Here in Ingleside we pay some of the highest
rates in NSW,” Stephen explains. “But we
have no services. No water to the home, no
sewage disposal system, no stormwater relief.”
Hence the foundation of Bayview and Ingleside
Residents Association, which Stephen
describes as a group of owners proposing the
“first sustainable and resilient suburb on the
Northern Beaches”.
The most distinctive building in Ingleside
now is the Baha’i House of Worship, built in
1961, visible from most parts of the Northern
Beaches and considered one of the most significant
religious constructions in Australia of
the 20th Century.
Essentially the residents association is
proposing any block of land in Ingleside larger
than 2000 square metres should be available
for sub division.
But Ray Brownlee, the outgoing chief executive
of Northern Beaches Council, has ruled
this out unreservedly.
“Council is supportive of sustainable development,
which is embedded in our planning
controls and policies,” he told Pittwater Life.
“Any future development on the Northern
Beaches must meet these sustainable development
requirements.
“This option was considered by the NSW
Government during their detailed planning
investigations (in 2016). It was noted that this
outcome could result in hundreds of additional
dwellings and thousands of additional
residents in Ingleside.”
That original proposal indicated 3400 dwellings
could be built in Ingleside, which was
revised down to 980 – primarily because of the
risks of bushfire.
In June 2022, the State Government abandoned
Ingleside as a growth area altogether – a
decision welcomed by the Council which had
long questioned the wisdom of redeveloping
the land north of Mona Vale Road.
Apart from the bushfires risk, the Council
pointed out the area lacked road and transport
connections.
And that ratepayers would have to pick up
the bill for such infrastructure, as well as the
impacts on biodiversity of a landscape bordering
on Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Stephen insists this is not the case.
He says that the residents are proposing to
pay for the infrastructure, through sustainable
methods – including “renewable electricity,
the capture of rainwater, disposal of waste
water on site, an area set aside for food growth
and that the entire property is maintained as
an asset protection zone”.
Pie in the sky?
Ironically – given Ingleside’s bushfire
dangers – the association claims to be driven
by “the effects of climate change (with) the
increased risk of flooding and bushfire”.
A typical half-acre rural block “is big
enough to be able to use recycled sewerage for
watering the garden, can have a house that
has enough roof area to both gather water for
the household and generate enough electricity
to ensure the house is energy neutral,” the
association’s press release reads.
”Half-acre blocks have enough room to have
animals, vegetable gardens and generally contribute
in a meaningful way to the food needs
of the household.”
The rural areas of the Northern Beaches “currently
provide an asset protection zone for the
residential areas of the Northern Beaches, but
this asset protection zone could be improved.
“Many of the houses built in rural areas of
the Northern Beaches were built prior to current
bushfire protection standards. This means
there is no obligation on landowners to maintain
their properties as asset protection zones.
“By allowing the larger lots in rural Ingleside
to be divided into smaller rural lots, it
would allow Council to impose a legal obligation
on landowners to maintain their properties
as asset protection zones for protection
for themselves and other residents of the
Northern beaches.”
The Council disagrees. “Any potential development
in Ingleside, including the suggested
approach by the Residents’ Association, must
address bushfire hazards.
“Bushfire studies of Ingleside raised significant
concerns with any proposal to raise
residential densities.”
The Association’s aims may have been
doused for now – but their ambitions remain.
– Steve Meacham
14 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Collaboration a surf changer
It’s 18 months since Pittwater Life
caught up with Wavechanger director
Tom Wilson, together with his friend
and advocate Layne Beachley. Back in
October 2021, Tom described his passion
project as: “A non-profit initiative on
a mission to speed up transition to a
greener, cleaner and planet-friendly surf
industry.”
Tom has been working hard to effect
change in the surfing industry – and
next-level change is certainly now
happening for his eco-baby.
“The biggest news is that we’ve
merged with a like-minded organisation
in Surfers for Climate,” explains Tom.
“We’ve also launched our website and
have benefitted from the reach that
Surfers for Climate have.
“The CEO of Surfers for Climate saw us
as a really good fit, with us concentrating
very much on the product and supply
side of the surfing industry, while they
are trying to effect environmental
change via the surfing community.”
It was by chance the two organisations
got together.
“I called Josh as we’d just done a
podcast with a company they’d been
working with on a very similar subject
and I wanted to make it clear we weren’t
EMISSIONS: Wavechanger’s new report details
the carbon footprint of making surfboards.
copying them,” continues Tom. “I joked
that we should work together on things
and Josh said coincidentally he was
going to be in Sydney the following week
and suggested we catch up.”
What came out of that was the
Wavechanger Club – a chance for
consumers and businesses to support
the impactful environmental work
Wavechanger is undertaking.
“Surfers for Climate had a Sustainable
Supply Club with an existing
membership program and we agreed
to take that over,” says Tom. “For as
little as $3 a month, you get discounts
on products from 40 different brands,
you are entered into a monthly draw to
win great prizes, and you get access to
exclusive events.
“And of course, we promote the
environmentally friendly products that
partners are producing.”
Wavechanger has also just released
a new report, The Carbon Cost of
Surfboards, a collaborative project with
UTS detailing the carbon footprint of
making surfboards.
“There are some really interesting
comparable stats showing how emissions
from making certain surfboards compare
to other world products,” says Tom.
“And not just the materials, but details
such as the energy used in production
and transportation, plus lifetime usage
and maintenance.”
Tom says none of this is about
shaming the surf industry; quite the
reverse, it is about the industry leading
the way.
“We want to put gentle pressure on it
and help it become a shining beacon as
leading the way in sport,” he says.
“Even focusing on initiatives such as
leasing surfboards rather than buying,
or recycling all surfboards and reusing
the materials.”
– Rob Pegley
*More at wavechanger.org
18 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Still rockin’ for Variety
Beryl Driver is once again heading off to Outback Australia in
August to raise funds for her beloved charity Variety – the
Children’s Charity. And the 3rd Age Rock Orchestra has again
jumped on the bandwagon to help her raise funds, with a Rock
’n Roll concert to be held at Club Palm Beach on Saturday 22
April.
Beryl (pictured with her granddaughter Ruby and son-in-law
Andy on last year’s Bash) turns 90 this year. She has raised
over $1 million throughout her 25 years of Bash participation.
This year’s Bash rally will be an epic 5,500km journey from
Bathurst to the beautiful Batavia Coast in WA.
The 3rd Age Rock Orchestra is a group of 35 Seniors who
come together weekly to enjoy playing and singing ballads and
rock songs from the ’50s to the present day.
*Concert tickets $25 each and available from Beryl – phone
0410 478 897.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 19

News
Pittwater Pinks take on world
Donna Paredes first experienced
breast cancer in
2008 at the age of 39, undergoing
breast reconstruction
surgery as a result. She has
had two recurrences since
then. She has absolutely no
doubt as to the role the Pinks
– a wonderful group of breast
cancer survivors who paddle
for the Bei Loon Dragonboat
Club on Pittwater – have
played in her ongoing battle.
“I recently relocated to the
Northern Beaches and had
previously been in a Dragonboat
team. Because of surgery
I had a frozen shoulder and
only one functioning arm,
so I wasn’t sure whether the
Pinks would accept me,”
Donna explains. “But they
said ‘come on down and we’ll
carry you’.
“And they did, they let me
sit up front in the boat while
they paddled. The group has
been really important to me,”
she continues. “They really
did save my life.”
The Pittwater Pinks Dragonboat
Team is a team made
up solely of Breast Cancer
Survivors. Some “26 walking
miracles” as Donna describes
them.
The Pittwater Pinks, who
started in 2005, stem from a
now worldwide phenomenon
of Pink Lady Dragonboat
teams that was started by Dr
Don MacKenzie, a British Columbia
exercise physiologist.
He found that women
FOCUSED: The Pittwater Pinks head to New Zealand in April.
facing the challenge of
breast cancer benefited from
exercise, and particularly
upper-body exercises. In fact,
paddling specifically eases a
condition which many women
suffer after breast surgery,
called lymphoedema, which
can cause painful swellings
in the arm.
The team is a mixture
of paddlers from social to
competitive, and have competed
locally, nationally and
internationally, training out
of Rowland Reserve.
The local Pinks are about to
face one of their biggest challenges
as a team yet, when
they travel to New Zealand to
compete in the International
Breast Cancer Dragon Boat
Festival from April 10-16.
Team coach Wynette Monserrat
has high hopes for the
team’s performance.
Jenny Jones, a member
since 2006, says the group
don’t talk about breast cancer
“unless people really want
advice”.
“It’s just a really nice gentle
support group; we just enjoy
being fit and keep turning
up for a paddle on Sundays,”
she says.
The Pinks have many
events off the water as well,
including coffee at 8 Knots
and monthly meetings at Collaroy
Beach Club – their two
biggest sponsors.
Donna adds there is a serious
undercurrent though.
“People who haven’t had
cancer don’t get it, they never
know exactly how it feels,”
she says. “We’ve all dealt with
our own mortality as part of
the process.” – Rob Pegley
*Registrations for the Pittwater
Pinks are open yearround.
Email Jenny at pittwaterpinks@hotmail.com.
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Memorial concert. Barrenjoey
High School is holding an outdoor
concert on the school grounds
for the whole community on Fri
March 31 from 6pm to honour
teacher Layne Visser who passed
away in 2020. Ex-students,
teachers, close friends of Layne’s
and local bands including The
Rions will perform with food
trucks on-site plus fundraising for
Avalon Youth Hub.
SES women’s course. A free
workshop for women to gain
practical knowledge and learn
how to prepare for storms, floods
and other emergencies, run by
experienced female Warringah-
Pittwater SES members at unit
headquarters, Gate 3 Thompson
Drive Terrey Hills, on Sun 2 from
2pm-4pm. Register via Facebook.
Camera club. Want to learn
more about photography and
improve your skills? The Pittwater
Camera Club has a great lineup
of speakers, outings and
events scheduled with regular
meetings at Pittwater RSL; details
pittwatercameraclub.org.
Solar roadshow. Head to Mona
Vale Library on Thu 20 from
10am-12pm with your energy bill
and learn how you can reduce
it with free tips from Council’s
sustainability team. No bookings
required. More details on
Council’s website.
Buddy Holly show. During
this two-hour show Scot Robin,
who played the lead role in
the smash-hit musical Buddy,
together with his Crickets, will
perform over 30 hit songs such
as That’ll Be The Day, Heartbeat,
Think It Over, Peggy Sue, Raining
In My Heart, Maybe Baby and of
course Oh Boy! on Sat 22 at Glen
Street Theatre from 8pm. Book
online.
Pottery workshop. The
Hermannsburg Potters, a group
of Western Aranda artists who
live and work in Ntaria, a remote
community 130km west of
Alice Springs, are holding a fun
workshop at Manly Art Gallery
and Museum where you can
learn to sculpt a clay animal of
your own on Sun 30 from 2pm-
3.30pm. Cost from $50; bookings
essential at MAG&M website or
02 9976 1421.
20 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Not being very neighbourly?
News
It’s hard to imagine a better
view in the Northern
Beaches than the one from
Ruth and Brian Bridgewood’s
balcony overlooking McCarrs
Creek on Pittwater.
A minimum of 50 expensive
yachts are moored in the
turquoise waters with pristine
native bushland on the
opposite shore.
The view and serenity
are what persuaded the
Bridgewoods to buy this
property in 2017, investing
in an $800,000 renovation
– paying Brian estimates
“between $20,000 and $30,000”
in council planning and DA
fees “because we wanted to do
everything by the book”.
In 2019, their elderly
neighbours – who had raised
three children next door –
offered the Bridgewoods the
chance of buying their home
so they could be spared the
noise and inconvenience of the
Bridgewoods’ next-door reno.
That was the genesis of
the Bridgewoods’ current
problems which serve as a
warning to every Northern
Beaches Council ratepayer.
The neighbouring house
they bought had a boat shed
which awkwardly intruded
in an L-shape in front of the
Bridgewoods’ land.
But Brian, 80, had no boat
and no intention of buying one:
“If you want to waste money,
buy a boat.”
So when he and Ruth
decided to sell the property,
the boat shed remained part of
the deal, despite its incursion
into what would normally be
expected to be a natural part
FRUSTRATED: The additional storey built onto their neighbour’s boat shed
without approval, in front of Brian Bridgewood’s home at McCarrs Creek.
of their land.
“In hindsight I was foolish,”
Brian says. “I should have just
transferred the boat shed onto
our title. That would have been
easy to do.”
Enter Nick and Theresa
Hall, who purchased the
neighbouring property in May
2021 and began construction
on the addition late that year.
Pittwater Life made repeated
efforts to contact the Halls to
obtain their side of the story.
At the time of publication, no
reply had been received.
Further, Northern Beaches
Council hasn’t received
communication from the Halls
since the Bridgewoods made
their first complaint about the
addition being built over the
top of the boat shed in 2021.
Former NSW Planning
Minister Rob Stokes and the
man who strove to replace him
as the member for Pittwater,
Rory Amon, have both
supported and advised the
Bridgewoods.
As waterfront ‘cabanas’ go,
this one is an entertainer’s
delight. In view are fridges,
cocktail shakers, beer taps,
fully equipped kitchen,
long table and sumptuous
waterfront vistas.
All very impressive – except
it was built without any
planning permission and in
contradiction to the clearly
defined rules.
And it directly impinges on
the Bridgewoods’ enjoyment of
their retirement home.
In one of his last acts in
government, Rob Stokes
referred Pittwater Life to a copy
of the regulations involving
structures built on Crown
Land (which the surroundings
of McCarr’s Creek are,
requiring an annual payment
in addition to Council rates).
The regulations are pretty
simple; among them:
* Any structural works to
existing boat sheds require
Council approval.
* Nothing permanent to be
built over an existing boat
shed below the Council’s
approved high water
“foreshore building line”.
The Bridgewoods aren’t
too concerned about their
neighbours’ 16-metre
motor yacht that they say is
permanently tied up to their
joint wharf that, Brian claims,
is “supposed to be only a
pick-up and drop-off wharf for
boats up to six metres”.
What annoys them is the
unapproved addition, built
centimetres close to their
boundary and constructed
below their bedroom.
Northern Beaches Council
has confirmed that the
addition does not have
planning approval, and that
an order for its demolition
had been issued.
“Boat sheds shall be one
storey and no greater than
4.5 metres in building
height above the platform
on which it is built,”
according to the Pittwater 21
Development Control Plan.
“The incorporation of any
internal kitchen facilities,
habitable rooms, shower or
toilet facilities shall not be
permitted. Roof areas of boat
sheds shall not be used for
recreational or observational
purposes.”
Brian explains: “I rang
Northern Beaches Council in
2021 and asked for someone
to visit and put a stop to it.
Apparently the Council has
issued our neighbours with
a $3000 fine, but no-one has
been able to tell us if even that
has been paid.”
Ruth adds: “We’ve been told
it could take another two to
three years to go through the
legal system.
“Obviously they get to keep
the cabana in the meantime.”
The lesson?
“To be honest, if I was going
to build a house up here now, I
wouldn’t go through Council,”
Brian said. “I’d ignore the rules
like my neighbour did.”
– Steve Meacham
22 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991
PHOTO: Steve Meacham

News
‘New’ Avalon GC
turning heads
Experienced greenkeeper
and lifelong Avalon resident
Shannon Simmons
couldn’t believe his luck when
he heard Northern Beaches
Council was recruiting for a
superintendent for its Avalon
golf course property.
“I always thought it would
be my dream job,” said Shannon,
who cut his teeth in the
industry working at private
clubs Elanora and Monash
before running his own lawn
maintenance business for a
decade.
“I told myself if it ever
came up I would go for
it – I couldn’t believe it
when I was successful,
it’s such a thrill.”
Shannon started work
at the nine-hole Avalon
golf course, which celebrates
its centenary in
2026, last September.
Within weeks, the
tongues of local players
started wagging about the
impressive polish he was
making on site, courtesy
of his attentive tending to the
tees, rough and greens and
his painstaking mowing of
fairway lines.
Shannon was recently
joined on staff by colleague
and friend John Kljajic, who
likewise has experience at
Elanora and Monash Country
Clubs.
John, from Warriewood,
takes pride in double-striping
the fairways, presenting them
in a condition that the committee
at Augusta National,
home of this month’s US Masters,
would be proud of.
Shannon says his aim is to
see the Avalon links upgrade
its reputation to become one
of the best nine-hole courses
in Sydney, if not NSW.
“Certainly to make it the best
Council-maintained course or
park in NSW,” he said.
And it appears he and John
are on the right track, with
the local men’s and women’s
clubs affiliated to the course
reporting increases in their
memberships.
Shannon said his long-term
goal was to re-surface the
nine greens, which over many
decades have seen various varieties
of couch grasses form
the putting surfaces.
“In the meantime we’ll just
keep picking away, doing
modest tree trimming, doing
the paths and just making the
layout more appealing and
presentable,” Shannon said.
“We’ve concentrated on
leaving a bit more rough,
there are a lot of trees on the
property and cut too short,
the grass will struggle to
DETAIL: Shannon (left) and John are living their working dream
at Avalon GC; John’s beautiful stripe-mowing of the 2nd fairway.
grow among the
root line.”
“It’s my dream
job, it’s in my backyard and
we see the results of the work
we put in.”
Avalon Ladies Golf Club
President Christine Gardner
says the difference has been
transformative for the Club
and the local community.
“Shannon and John’s commitment,
energy and experience
in being able to restore
the course in such a short
space of time has been phenomenal
– I cannot sing their
praises enough,” she said.
“Especially their critical remedial
work to some areas of
the course and grounds which
has better enabled our older
members to continue playing
the game.”
Christine added she had
noted a 25 per cent increase
in Ladies Club memberships
in the past three months.
“The word is out – we have
a course that is increasing
in its appeal and stature, is
very playable and is in great
condition.”
Shannon said modestly:
“Hopefully there’s more
interest, which flows through
to more members and players,
which can see further
improvement to the course in
years to come.” – Nigel Wall
24 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Argie influx on the Beaches
News
Micaela (‘Mica’) Guacci is
one of five Argentinians
who qualified
for their bronze medallion at
Avalon Surf Life Saving Club in
March.
Not that it was much of a
surprise: Agustin Aranda,
Victoria Diaz. Facundo Medina,
Adrian Roldan and Mica have
all been well-practised lifeguards
in their homeland.
Mica, particularly, has a
wealth of international experience.
Born in Buenos Aires, she’s
patrolled beaches in Argentina,
Brazil, Italy and Spain. She has
saved lives on the seas of her
homeland, Brazil and Spain.
So why bother doing the
bronze medallion in Australia?
“Because I want to improve
my rescue experience and
learn about the equipment
in Australia,” she says over
coffee. “And obviously practice
my English. And I have no
experience of sharks.
“It makes me feel good,
emotionally.”
Michael King, the surf club’s
director of education, was
putting the five Argentinians
through the paces on the Sunday
morning of the graduation.
The physical challenge was
never in doubt.
They all completed the
200-metre run, 200-metre
swim and final 200-metre
beach run in under six minutes
– two minutes quicker
PROUD: The Argentinian Bronze Medallist and their instructors celebrate.
than the eight-minute cut-off
time.
More of a problem was the
language difficulties (three of
the Argentinians don’t speak
English). Plus the different life
saving signals between South
America and the beaches of
the Great Southern Land.
Which is why the five Argentinians
spent more time on
Avalon beach demonstrating
their Australian life saving
hand gestures than they did
actually swimming.
“We’ve never had a single Argentinian
enrol for the bronze
medallion before,” Michael
explains. “This year we had
five.”
The Argentinian enrolment
to join the beach patrols at
Avalon is part of a much wider
story.
In the past two decades,
Avalon Beach has become a
haven for young Argentine
adventurers.
It began with surfers, drawn
here by the famous breaks –
and the cheap rooms of Avalon
Beach Backpackers hostel
(motto: ‘Surfing, fishing, bushwalking,
sailing, water skiing,
canoeing: 18 miles from Manly,
1000 miles from care’.)
Since then, Avalon has
become a magnet for young
Argentinians – whether they
surf or not.
For all of her swimming
skills (and she got the fastest
time in that Sunday trial), Mica
isn’t a surfer.
So how did she come to rent
a house in North Avalon with
four other Argentinians (after
the obligatory month in the
backpacker hostel)?
“It’s a nice place, with a great
beach,” she says. “I come from
a big city and live far away
from the beach.”
Argentina’s capital has a
population of 15.5 million.
“So I didn’t want to come to
Australia and live in a highrise
city. I like to spend time
on the beach and Avalon is a
really nice community, surrounded
by great nature.”
Like most of the Argentinians
centred around the backpacker
hostel – many of whom
work in local restaurants or
cafes – Mica is on a work visa.
She will leave in October,
before the new surf life saving
patrol season opens. Hopefully
without ever seeing a shark up
close.
“We Argentinians love to
travel,” she says, pointing out
that part of that is due to the
depressed state of the Argentinian
economy.
She’s going home for her
cousin’s wedding.
“I’ve been travelling for four
years, and nothing is more
important than family.”
Naturally one of her fondest
memories of her time in Australia
will remain the night she
saw Lionel Messi hold up the
FIFA 2022 World Cup.
That wasn’t in Avalon, she
explains. “There are many
more Argentinians in the centre
of Sydney than there are
(on the Northern Beaches).”
“I will be back,” she says.
How does Avalon Beach
compare with other beaches
she has patrolled?
Nowhere near as dangerous
as Brazil, Mica says.
There, the beaches are more
crowded, and the Atlantic
waves are more ferocious.
– Steve Meacham
26 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Ready to Reely Rock your world
The film Reel Rock 17 is an inspiring
mix of strength, bravery and
acts of human endeavour. And it
might just change your life…
Newport resident Toby Ryston-Pratt
had never tried climbing when he
started watching rock climbing DVDs
in the mid-2000s. Inspired by the incredible
feats of strength and bravery,
he not only climbs now, but runs a
business based around adventuring.
“These films are so inspiring,” explains
Toby. “They focus on incredible
athletes and I don’t think there is any
greater sporting achievement than the
climbs they do. It’s beyond Olympic
capability.
“I started going to climbing gyms
after I became interested and climb
outdoors now as well. And actually
climbing has become more mainstream
since then,” continues Toby.
“There are three climbing gyms on
the Northern Beaches and we could do
with one at Mona Vale.
“But these films aren’t just about
climbing, they are human stories
based around acts of strength and
bravery.”
To see what Toby is enthusing about,
Reel Rock 17 will be showing at Glen
Street Theatre on Thursday 6 April at
7.30pm. The evening will be sponsored
by major adventure gear retailers such
as The North Face, Black Diamond,
Wild Earth and Scarpa, with prize
giveaways on the night, together with
entry to a bigger tour prize draw.
Reel Rock has been sharing stories
of the climbing community for
15 years now, producing films that
celebrate the human side behind this
sport’s great adventures. The latest
BREATHTAKING: Living on the edge in
adventure sports movie Reel Rock 17.
documentary features three stories
across two hours.
Free climbing couple Babsi and Jacopo
attempt their greatest challenge in
the first story, with a 3000-feet climb
of Pakistan’s famous Nameless tower.
After two years of training, and now
facing extreme weather conditions,
they have a short window to attempt
this incredible feat.
Seb Bouin meanwhile is a 29-yearold
French sport climber, whose family
have provided him with a rich climbing
DNA. He attempts to conquer an
overhanging cave in the Verdon Gorge
of France, with a route so improbable,
it might just be the most difficult
climb ever undertaken.
Finally, in perhaps the most moving
of the trilogy, American writer
and climber Andrew Bisharat returns
to his Palestine roots. Climbing with
Bedouins in the West Bank, he shows
how climbing can unite communities
and transform lives.
And as previously mentioned, Toby
is one of those people whose lives have
been transformed. A Northern Beaches
resident since 1998 and the film’s
distributor, climbing started as merely
a passing interest before becoming his
life.
“I initially started buying DVDs in
the mid-2000s and amassed quite a collection,”
says Toby. “I started showing
them and then started bring in DVDs
from overseas. We’ve expanded since
then to bring in quality film showings
about a dozen times a year and we also
source short films for events.”
“We have more showing at the Glen
Theatre later this year – including
Warren Miller’s annual ski film and a
Women’s Adventure film tour.
“We’ve also expanded our media
assets with five adventure magazines
and websites, and I’d say we are a digital
media company now, with ‘adventure’
as the unifying word. We’re based
in Newport, but do business all over
the world.”
If you’re new to the genre, then Toby
recommends the extraordinary Oscarwinning
documentary Free Solo as the
benchmark in extreme climbing movies,
but Reel Rock 17 is a rare chance to
experience the sport on the big screen.
“This year’s film line-up has a real
international flavour and will take
people on a journey from Pakistan and
Austria to France and Palestine following
some of the world’s best climbers,”
says Toby.
– Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 27

News
Gail a force for locals
Gail Lonnon OAM is far
more embarrassed than
any 86-year-old should be. Her
elevation to the New Year’s honours
list was accompanied with
a short citation: “For services to
the Avalon community.”
Says the former high school
teacher: “Lots of people have
contributed more to the Avalon
community than I have.
“When I first heard about
this ‘honour’ I wanted to say
‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
“But then I thought that
would be unfair on the people
who had had nominated me.
“I’m nervous about embarrassing
myself or my two sons,
David and Ian.”
She quotes the actual citation,
explaining that the award
wasn’t handed over because of
any particular thing she did in
Avalon, but for the numerous
years she served on education
committees – a secondary
teacher who became a primary
school expert.
“Most of the work I was
nominated for wasn’t done in
Avalon. It was done in a range
of committees with educational
authorities,” she says.
Some of those were at ministerial
level.
“I did a lot of curriculum
work when the NSW primary
curriculum was changing.
“The government wanted to
introduce a course for primary
kids called Human Society and
Environment.
“I spent hours in meetings,
banging my head against a
brick wall.”
Raised in the Eastern suburbs
and a boarder at Ravenswood
School for Girls, Gail
and her now deceased husband
Ray moved to Pittwater in 1970.
In the meantime, Gail has
held down many positions.
One of the most interesting
was being the founder member
of Taronga Zoo Educational
Centre.
“I was secretary of the Parents
and Citizens Association
of Barrenjoey High and secretary
of the equivalent organisation
of Avalon Public school
(secretary of the Mother’s Club
from 1878-1994).
AWARD: Gail Lonnon outside the Avalon Recreation Centre.
She also served on the
Avalon Beach Ladies Probus
committee as Public Officer
since 2018.
A club for retired women, it
meets every Tuesday, at Club
Palm Beach.
She’s also been a justice of
the peace, a life member of the
Avalon Preservation Society
and a former roster secretary of
the Avalon Community Library.
Of all the duties which earned
Gail her Order of Australia
Medal, that last position is one
that has made her happiest.
“Avalon Library is staffed
by volunteers,” she explains.
“There’s only one paid librarian.
The rest of us were volunteers.
“For 15 years it was my job
to find all the volunteers to fill
the spots.”
Elevation to the honour’s list
came as a complete surprise to
Gail, and she’s still undecided
whether it is warranted or not.
But a lifetime of selfless
service to the community is no
mean deal, honoured or not.
– Steve Meacham
*Library volunteers: northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/library.
PHOTO: Steve Meacham
28 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Council soft plastics recycling trial
After several years of
research and investigation,
Northern Beaches Council
will soon start a trial to make
it easier for residents to recycle
plastic wrapping, bread bags and
other soft plastics.
The aim is to keep soft plastics
out of landfill as much as possible.
‘Soft plastics’ or ‘scrunchable
plastics’ are commonly used in
consumer product packaging.
Council noted that since the
suspension of the national
REDcycle program that ran out
of popular supermarkets, local
residents had not had anywhere
to drop-off these plastics for
recycling.
At its February meeting, Council
resolved to pursue a soft plastics
collection and processing trial for the
Northern Beaches at drop-off locations.
Mayor Michael Regan said Council
was currently negotiating with recycling
suppliers and would release trial details
and the drop-off locations as soon as
details were finalised.
Council will also continue to monitor
the market and look at opportunities for
larger-scale collections and recycling,
CHALLENGE: Soft plastics recycling.
should funding and markets for recycled
soft plastics be available.
Mayor Regan said that although
soft plastics recycling was a national
challenge that needed a whole of supply
chain solution, acting locally would
make a significant contribution.
“The best thing anyone can do to help
solve our soft plastics problem is to
avoid them, but avoiding them altogether
is almost impossible,” he said.
“We have spent years investigating the
collection and recycling of soft plastics
and exploring possible options for
schemes and programs that will
help facilitate recycling within
our community.
“There are real challenges facing
soft plastics recycling, but we want
to help find long-term solutions
and alternatives.
“This trial is an excellent step
in the right direction, and we’re
hoping it leads to keeping soft
plastics out of landfill as much as
possible.”
Federal Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps said the fact the trial was
going ahead was fantastic news
for the community, and the local
environment.
“With the collapse of REDcycle,
community-based initiatives like this
one are an important part of creating
a circular economy and reducing the
impact of plastics on our environment,”
Dr Scamps told Pittwater Life.
“Northern Beaches Council and Mayor
Michael Regan – now newly minted
Independent MP for Wakehurst – should be
commended for pushing ahead with this.”
Council will continue to work with the
community to promote and educate residents
around living sustainably, avoiding
waste and recycling. – Lisa Offord
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 29

News
SEEN…
Reader Rod writes with a familiar gripe: lack of response by
Sydney Water to leaks. “Whenever there are water leaks in Pittwater
it can takes months for Sydney Water to repair them,” he
lamented. “Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of litres go down
the drain.” Rod cites running water outside the shopping strip
at North Avalon as the latest example. “The water has been running
down the drain since the start of the year. Midway through
March it was still the same.” He said Sydney Water’s response
was typical gobbledygook: “It is with our contractor and there is
no date for when it will be fixed as they are waiting for approvals.”
Ironic when the key message on the Sydney Water website
is ‘Save Water, Save Money’. Privatisation of this service is off the
table under the new Labor Government; still, it might be nice if
someone made it their mission to hold Sydney Water accountable.
HEARD…
Northern Beaches Council is under pressure to fast-track extensive
flood mitigation works on the Wakehurst Parkway and deliver
improvements that would see the road closed only once every
two years due to flooding – despite having wrapped that option
in cotton wool last year fearful of the associated significant environmental
impact. A $2 million feasibility study funded by the
former Liberal Government five years ago identified five options
across three key locations on the Parkway, all with various degrees
of environmental impact. The complete works were costed
at $16 million, with the Liberals depositing the funds into Council’s
bank account. Community consultation revealed a strong
appetite for the works; yet Council decided to take a softly-softly
approach and targeted the least intrusive option, at Oxford Falls,
where the scope of works is currently underway. The new NSW
Labor Government has pledged an “additional” $13 million to
Council to get the major works started. Labor says the additional
money will “allow the work to be completed more rapidly and to
allow for any potential changes in the scope of the project given
the persistent flooding issues”. However, the detail remains
unclear. Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps welcomed the new
pledge. She says she “met with [Labor’s] Shadow Roads Minister
John Graham in January to brief him on the issues facing the
Wakehurst Parkway and to discuss the shortfall in funding for
flood mitigation works… Council can and should now prioritise
these works”. We asked Council if more money was the answer
to mitigating flooding events on the Parkway, and whether it
would sway them to act more decisively. Outgoing CEO Ray
Brownlee said: “Council has not reconsidered its decision about
the flood improvements to Wakehurst Parkway, and work on
the project is continuing in line with Council’s resolution from
March 2022. The Oxford Falls and Oxford Falls West sites are
being progressed in both design and environmental assessment,
and a peer review of the options at The Bends site (alongside
Middle Creek) has been undertaken in order to determine if the
environmental impact there may be mitigated.”
ABSURD…
The Local Metropolitan
Aboriginal
Land Council’s
(LMALC)
plan to build
450 dwellings
at Lizard Rock
was scuppered by
the NSW Liberal
Government on
the eve of the State
Election. It left
the traditional
landowners without
an advocate
in their quest
to develop the
site. In an extraordinary development,
the LMALC’s lawyers fired off letters to two of the
most vocal opponents of the Lizard Rock plan – Mackellar MP Dr
Sophie Scamps and Northern Beaches Mayor (for now) Michael
Regan, accusing them of trespassing on Aboriginal land. The
pair had shot videos on site and posted them to social media
and YouTube. “Our client has never provided you… with permission
to access its land… By accessing our client’s land without
permission or lawful reason, you have trespassed,” the letter
reads. “Unlawful trespass is illegal…. It is wholly inappropriate
that a parliamentarian encourages others to break the law… We
are instructed to request that you immediately cease trespassing
on our client’s land. Lizard Rock is private land. The public have
no right to access this land without permission or lawful reason.
Every person who accesses the land without permission or lawful
reason is a trespasser.” Not good news for the many hundreds
of bushwalkers and trail bike riders who regularly enjoy this
stretch of wilderness on suburbia’s fringe.
30 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

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
Cover images showed
Craig Goozee and team
as he prepared to head
off on his first marathon
to raise funds for cancer
research and the Randwick
Children’s Hospital. A story
about Craig’s 800km paddle
from Avalon to Broadbeach
on the Gold Coast and
more pics featured inside.
Craig raised $150,000 that
first year and went on
to complete many more
gruelling marathons over
the years, raising millions of
dollars for cancer research.
Also in this issue, Pittwater
land values “have risen by
an average of 43% and the
number of properties subject
to the Government’s vicious
land tax has doubled to more
than 300”. Parents at Mona
Vale Primary School were
to vote on a plan to sell off
school land fronting Bungan
Street from Waratah Street
to Pittwater Road. “The plan
put forward by Headmaster
Richard Hoskins would see
the land sold for construction
of shops along the area, the
money being used to rebuild the school as a high-tech 21 st
century showpiece.” Avalon RSL examined a plan to buy
the old Woolworths building to create a new shopping
arcade, restaurant and a main street entrance to the club.
Meanwhile “… a majority of residents of Ruskin Rowe and
Palmgrove Road Avalon are planning a court injunction to
stop any further trapping and removal of peacocks from the
heritage listed residential area. This is the latest step in a row
over the birds following a move
by a recently arrived resident to
trap the birds and remove them
from the area”. (There were
more than 30 peafowl and their
numbers had been reduced to
about six). The Council’s move
to tax restaurants and cafes with
tables on its footpaths was set
to commence “… and A-frame
signs will also disappear” and
Council Rangers “have become
an extension of the Police Service,
with ratepayers of Pittwater
paying them to do police work…
booking motorists for illegal
parking not only on the Council’s
reserves but in all public streets
and shopping centre carparks.
While our Rangers do the work
the Police Service has so far this
year skimmed $150,000 from
the revenue raised as its fee for
processing the infringement
notices. Pittwater Council
retained more than $346,000 by
the end of March. But there is
now growing concern because
the Police want to take over this
role, no doubt as a revenue
gatherer for the Government”.
More funds were needed
to cover additional safety
features for the Avalon Skate Park project, with the target
raised to $80,000: “… There is now $65,000 in the kitty from
what has been one of the most extraordinary community
fundraising projects in Avalon.” And there were more voters
for Pittwater: “The Pittwater State Electorate will gain an
additional 3000 votes in the draft boundaries redistribution
proposal… it will be extended south to include all of the
suburb of Narrabeen to Wetherill Street”.
32 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

15 Years Ago…
Recognising the rapid growth in
beauty salons and spas plus the
development of new treatments for
both men and women, this month
saw Sue Carroll’s “not-to-be-missed
first column”. The first collection of
stories, paintings, and photographs
by offshore residents Water Access
Only was re-printed due to popular
demand. A meeting called by MP Rob
Stokes drew more than 200 people,
unanimous in their opposition to
the development at Currawong. “Mr
Stokes emphasised that is was important
for the whole site to be heritage
listed and taken into the national
park.” Federal MP Bronwyn Bishop
said: “Minister Peter Garratt had
the power to heritage list the site but
had refused saying the site was not
worthy” and actor Shane Withington
threatened that “Friends of Currawong
would camp on the beach and
prevent the bulldozers from moving
in. We will fight until we win, or the
site lies in rubble at our feet.” Others
sought to get “Aboriginal involvement
to preserve it as a sacred site”. Meanwhile,
the Pittwater Sports Centre
celebrated its first year of operation
at North Narrabeen.
5 Years Ago…
Northern Beaches Council CEO
Mark Ferguson “departed” less
than six months into the role
“the best candidate for the job, out
of the talent pool comprising the
former Pittwater, Warringah and
Manly Councils was effectively
shown the door, resulting in
a confidential terms payout
of more than $400,000”. We
presented the first look at the
preliminary sketches of the
Palliative Care Unit at Mona Vale
Hospital with works scheduled
to begin in 2018. Friends of
Northern Beaches Palliative
Care President Jo-Ann Steeves
thanked Rob Stokes for his
tireless efforts in getting
the project off the ground.
“With his community in his
heart he has, from the outset,
been a major and persistent
advocate for achievement of the
palliative care inpatient unit.”
In other news, NB Council
stepped up its campaign to
compulsorily acquire “… the
rapidly transforming Pasadena
property at Church Point”. Lobbying by
local environmentalists “has seen the State
Government write a cheque for $7.5 million
to fund fauna bridges and underpasses – a
Sydney first – as part of the new Mona
Vale Road upgrade”. Dog owners group
Pittwater Unleashed called on Council
to focus on a new dog swimming option
north of Bilgola as “a key deliverable in
Council’s new $400,000 four-year-plan to
upgrade unleashed dog exercise areas”. They
continued: “It’s the opportunity for the new
Council to make good on an undertaking
by the former Pittwater Council to find a
replacement swimming option following
the closure of Careel Bay in 2003 and they
point to Station Beach on the Pittwater side
of Palm Beach – as being the perfect site,
given it was investigated as a trial site 10
years ago before the plan was shelved on
the back of ‘bureaucratic misinformation’.”
Palm Beach locals remained “unimpressed
at the potential loss of up to 26 car
parking spaces in the village.” Pittwater’s
first Return and Earn vending machine
opened in Warriewood; and the new
Warriewood B-Line commuter carpark was
opened – however the opening of the new
Church Point car park had been delayed
by rain. And we “Heard” that NB Council
had it sights set on Avalon “to test its new
place-planning process… but rather than
basing their plans on the suggestions and
recommendations of the community who
live and breathe the village every day, we
hear the place plan will be formulated from
the top down… it was only three years ago
that the local Chamber of Commerce, Surf
Life Saving Club, residents and community
groups painstakingly compiled and tabled
their recommendations for an Avalon
Place Plan, including the important issue of
pedestrian access around the village”.
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 33

Pittwater News
News
Probus Club News
At the next meeting of the
Pittwater Men’s Probus Club,
member Barrie Unsworth,
having visited 25 National
Historic Landmarks throughout
the USA, will provide a
commentary on the location
of buildings and memorabilia
of several Presidential Libraries
and Museums. Meeting
at Mona Vale Surf Club on
Tuesday 12 April commences
10am; visitors welcome. More
info Terry Larke on 0412 220
820. The Palm Beach and
Peninsula Probus Club will
celebrate its 25th anniversary
this month with cake
and bubbly after its AGM on
Wednesday 15 April. Meetings
are held on the third Wednesday
morning of each month
at Club Palm Beach. More
information contact Carmel
on 0414 978 465. Due to the
Easter holidays the Bilgola
Plateau Probus Club will not
meet in April. Guest speaker
at their next meeting at Newport
Bowling Club on Friday
5 May will be Brendan Ryan
from Later Life Advice. He will
speak about ‘Financial matters
for Seniors’. Commences
10am; visitors welcome. More
info call Patricia on 0438
281 573. The next meeting of
the Combined Probus Club
of Mona Vale will be held at
Pittwater RSL Club on Tuesday
18 April. Guest speaker Noel
Phelan will deliver a talk on
the bombing of Darwin during
World War II. Although his
first career was as a science
and mathematics teacher,
Noel has been a volunteer
guide at the Maritime Museum.
Meeting starts 10am;
visitors welcome.
Louise Kerr
appointed interim
Council CEO
Northern Beaches Council
has appointed senior executive
leadership expert Louise
Kerr as interim CEO while
it recruits for a replacement
for the departed Ray Brownlee.
Ms Kerr is currently the
Director of Planning and
Place at Council and has close
to 30 years’ experience in
local government. Northern
Beaches Mayor Michael Regan
congratulated Ms Kerr on her
appointment. “Louise is an
experienced local government
senior executive and planner,
with decades of service to the
community. We are proud to
announce her appointment as
interim CEO and welcome her
advice to the serving Council,”
Mayor Regan said. “Over
the past four years working at
Council, Louise has demonstrated
her strong leadership
and communication skills,
her drive and focus, and her
dedication to serving the
community. She has overseen
the development and
implementation of Council’s
long-term strategic policies
and has been instrumental in
driving performance improvements
and efficiencies in
Council services, enhancing
customer experience, and has
shown a true commitment to
Council’s values,” he added.
Power Purchase
Agreement closer
Council has agreed to negotiate
with two shortlisted
providers for a 100 per cent
renewable electricity group
Power Purchase Agreement
(PPA) for Northern Beaches
businesses – a first for the
area in tackling sky-rocketing
energy costs. A renewable
electricity PPA is a contractual
agreement between energy
buyers and sellers which will
directly benefit participating
local businesses by offsetting
their carbon emissions,
scaling up their buying power
whilst cutting time, complexity
and costs associated with
going it alone and ultimately
generating real savings on
their electricity bills. Mayor
Michael Regan explained
it was an amazing opportunity
for the 32,700 businesses
across the peninsula.
“Non-residential emissions
34 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

account for 37 per cent of the
Northern Beaches community
carbon emissions and of
this more than 70 per cent of
emissions are from electricity,”
he said. “The negotiation
process will identify which
of the two models provides a
better outcome for local businesses
and presents minimal
risk to Council.” He added
that Council was “ambitiously
working” towards reduced
emissions to net zero by 2030
and had formally committed
to net zero by 2050 as outlined
in its adopted Environment
and Climate Change
Strategy. Council’s own Power
Purchase Agreement is currently
with Iberdrola, which
owns the Bodangora Wind
Farm in regional NSW where
Council’s offsets are sourced.
Calling all poets
Attention Pittwater poets: One
of the nation’s richest poetry
competitions, the Cloncurry
Prize, is now open with the
Continued on page 36
Youth Week brings the noise
Youth Week has something for everyone
this year and includes the celebration of
20 years of the local Northern Composure
Band Competition.
Organised by young people and for young
people, Youth Week provides an opportunity
for Northern Beaches locals aged 12-25 years
to share ideas, attend live events and showcase
talent.
Running from April 20-30, in 2023 Council
has developed a comprehensive program
together with several community organisations,
with activities including a boxing and mentoring
workshop, trivia (hosted by Council’s Youth
Advisory Group), and Have Your Say Day organised
by the Beaches Leadership Team.
Council is working closely with several local
youth service providers to develop a diverse
program and celebration with wide appeal.
“Council is a proud supporter of NSW Youth
Week, and while it officially runs from 20-30
April, we have so many activities planned we
have extended our program over April and May
to fit them all in,” said Mayor Michael Regan.
“The bumper program features a range of
activities, including sports, arts, music, fitness
and leisure activities, that all fit into this
year’s theme: Connect. Participate. Celebrate.”
The first event to kick off is Council’s ‘Bags
to Riches Markets’ on 1 April at Walter Gors
Park in Dee Why.
Rounding out the month is the 20th Anniversary
of Northern Composure band
competition on 28 April and PCYC in Dee Why.
Here finalists will battle it out on stage for top
spots and prizes in a $10,000 prize pool.
Forming a Youth Week centrepiece each
year, Northern Composure is the largest and
longest-running youth band competition on
the Beaches that offers musicians local exposure,
as well as priceless on-stage performance
time.
*Details on all activities planned locally visit
kalof.com.au or follow @keepalookoutfor
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 35

Pittwater News
News
Continued from page 35
theme, ‘Outback Heroes’.
Amateur, aspiring and famed
wordsmiths are invited to put
ink to paper (or log on, as the
case may be) for their chance
to win the $10,000 cash prize.
The competition pays tribute
to Dame Mary Gilmore DBE,
an Australian writer and journalist
who features on the $10
note, known for her prolific
contributions to Australian
literature and the broader
national discourse. The Cloncurry
Prize has a $25 entry
fee and is open to Australian
Citizens, living in Australia
with all entries to be assessed
by a select panel of judges.
Entries close on 1 May. The
winner will be announced at
an awards evening held in
Cloncurry on 23 June. More
info cloncurry.qld.gov.au
Stay-cay with
the kids in April
There’s plenty on the Beaches
to inspire a fantastic ‘stay-cay’
with kids this April school
holidays. From places to picnic
or play tennis, discover coves
and hidden places to swim
and view wildlife or learn
something new at local galleries
and libraries, there’s something
for all ages and interests.
The Coastal Environment
Centre at North Narrabeen is
offering day programs at $70
per child. With a unique theme
for each day, kids will learn
about the natural environment
through a range of fun
and interesting activities. The
holiday program is suitable
for children aged 6 (who have
started school) to 12 years.
Bookings on Council’s website.
There’s also enchanting live
theatre performance for little
ones and a street-style circus
at Glen Street Theatre. Possum
Magic will be presented to
children from 3 years and up
and the 360 Allstars will inspire
patrons of all ages with
a contemporary circus. Plus
there’s life drawing and 3D animation
at Manly Art Gallery
& Museum, as well as creative
writing workshops, robotics
fun, and trivia sessions to join
in, with much of the holiday
program tailored to kids aged
6-12 and more bespoke classes
for teenagers at Manly Art Gallery
& Museum.
Give blood
in Mona Vale
Did you know 1 in 3 people in
Mona Vale will need blood in
future, and they need people
like you to give it. The mobile
blood bank will be in Mona
Vale (Surfview Rd) between
April 10-16. Don’t forget to
pre-book your spot at Lifeblood.com.au,
on the Blood
bank app or on 13 14 95.
Loosely Woven
Avalon concert
Local ensemble of 15 instrumentalists
and singers
Loosely Woven returns to
Avalon Baptist Church on
Sunday 30 April with a brandnew
concert, ‘Bright Blue
Rose’. It will feature songs by
well-known artists including
Aretha Franklin, Chris Isaak,
Enya and Puccini, plus Ronan
Keating, The Seekers, Archie
Roach, and others. Instruments
this time will include
violins, cello, flute, recorder,
clarinet, saxophone, harp,
guitars, keyboard and percussion.
The concert is free, but
contributions to Amnesty
International are appreciated.
Light refreshments served.
Council launches
24/7 libraries
Northern Beaches is one of the
first Councils in Australia to
open its library doors anytime
of the day or night following a
successful trial. The initiative
has been designed to meet the
changing needs of the community,
with Forestville Library
transformed into a modern,
flexible space that is available
to members whenever they
need it. Council said it was a
result of learning about how
people navigate work and
study since the pandemic,
36 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Keep your cat safe at home
Pittwater residents are
being encouraged to
keep their pets safe at
home as part of a new animal
protection campaign.
According to RSPCA
NSW, two out of three cat
owners have lost a cat to a
roaming-related accident
and one in three to a car
accident. Northern Beaches
Council is one of 11 councils
partnering with RSPCA
NSW as part of the Keeping
Cats Safe at Home project.
Promoting responsible
ownership, the new campaign
goes beyond desexing
and micro-chipping
of beloved cats and asks
owners to consider keeping
their cats at home.
Northern Beaches interim
CEO Louise Kerr said
there was a dual benefit
to cats and local wildlife
that flowed directly from
promoting responsible
ownership of domesticated
cats.
“Northern Beaches
residents love their pets,
but they’re also passionate
about protecting the local
environment,” Ms Kerr
said.
“Because pet cats occupy
a special place in our
hearts we need to educate
the community on how to
have them micro chipped
and desexed to keep them
safe. This initiative has an
educational focus. It aims
to protect tiny native species
like lizards, mammals,
baby birds and frogs, while
also preventing domesticated
cats from falling prey
to road accidents.”
In 2021 the NSW Government
awarded a $2.5 million
grant from the NSW
Environmental Trust to
RSPCA NSW to deliver the
project.
To help promote the
campaign, Council is asking
cat-lovers to submit a
photo of their cat or kitten
living their best life at
home and go in the draw
to win one of 10 vouchers
(worth $1000) for a deluxe
outdoor cat enclosure.
*Entries close 9 April;
more info Council or
RSPCA websites.
News
with feedback from the community
wanting access to the
library after hours. The service
was another step towards all
Northern Beaches libraries becoming
accessible community
hubs, reflecting the community’s
changing lifestyle. Access
to Forestville Library 24/7 is
available to library members
aged 16 and over. To sign up
people can register for a site
and safety induction through
the library website. Once
updated a member can enter
by scanning their library card
at the door and entering their
library PIN to gain access.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Pressure on Labor
over dialysis pledge
The new MP for Pittwater is expected
to put pressure on the
new Minns Labor Government
to honour the Liberals’ preelection
pledge of $6.3 million
to provide Northern Beaches
patients with greater access to
renal dialysis closer to home,
with the establishment of a
dialysis service at Mona Vale
Hospital. Liberal candidate for
Pittwater Rory Amon said that
for renal patients who had to
sit in a dialysis chair for hours
Continued on page 39
APRIL 2023 37

Pittwater News
ANZAC Day commemorations
What’s on in your suburb…
News
PALM BEACH
Palm Beach RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service
will be held at Whale Beach SLSC (6am).
The parade will commence at the
corner of Iluka and Barrenjoey Rd Palm
Beach at 10.45am and march to the RSL
Club. The ANZAC Day Service will commence
at the Cenotaph outside the front
of the club at 11am with Avalon Public
School Band and vocalist in attendance.
The Service will conclude at 11.30am.
AVALON BEACH
The Dawn Service commences at 5.30am
at the Cenotaph in Dunbar Park. The
march will commence at 11am with the
Commemoration Service at Dunbar Park
at 11.20am.
NEWPORT
All are welcome to attend the Dawn
Service at the Newport Cenotaph in
Trafalgar Park on Gladstone Street, which
will commence at 5.30am.
MONA VALE
Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Day
Dawn Service will commence at 5.30am
at the Cenotaph located at the rear of
Pittwater RSL Club, all attendees are
expected to be seated at least 10 minutes
prior. In the event of rain, the Service will
take place inside the Pittwater RSL Club.
NARRABEEN
The Narrabeen RSL Sub-Branch is holding
its annual ANZAC March and Wreath
Laying Ceremony on Sunday 23. This
year participants are to assemble in
the Narrabeen SLSC car park (opposite
Furlough House on Ocean Street) from
11.00am and the march will commence
at 11.30am sharp. The police will be
managing the parade which will be led
by the Manly Warringah Pipe Band along
Ocean Street to the Narrabeen Cenotaph,
at the intersection of Pittwater Road and
Ocean Street where a wreath laying and
service ceremony will occur.
DEE WHY
Dee Why RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service
will be held at Dee Why Beach (5.30am).
MANLY
Northern Beaches Council-run ANZAC Day
Services will be held on Tuesday 25 at:
Manly War Memorial, The Corso (in
front of Manly Town Hall) Dawn Service
– 4.25am (arrive by 4am) with a Commemorative
Service at 11am (arrive by
10.40am).
Manly Dam Dawn Service – 5.30am
(arrive 5.15am). NO parking inside Manly
Dam gates due to road closure. Parking is
available in surrounding streets.
38 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Continued from page 37
at a time, several days a week,
having a new dialysis service
in Mona Vale would be a great
support.
North Narrabeen
facelift proposed
Residents are invited to have
a say on proposed alterations
and extensions to the North
Narrabeen Surf Life Saving
Club. Suggestions include a
general upgrade as well as a
minor extension to provide
a suitable meeting space for
the North Narrabeen Boardriders
Club, improvements
to increase accessibility,
waterproofing and to provide
an enclosed space on the first
floor deck. Lodge feedback by
April 30; see Council website.
Newport Bowlo Club
after new members
Looking to make new friendships?
Newport Bowling Club
is looking for new members
to take up lawn bowls, with
free lessons with qualified
coaches, including lessons
with a ‘bowling arm’ for those
who are less physically capable.
Organised social matches
are on Wednesdays and
Saturdays from 12.30pm. The
club at 2 Palm Rd, Newport,
is a great social venue, with a
relaxing Lounge Bar and deck
overlooking the greens. More
info call 0448 341 254.
‘Watto’ was one of a kind
Author, broadcaster, documentary, film maker and longtime
Newport resident Jeff Watson died last month after
a battle with brain cancer; he was 80.
“Watto” as he was known in the entertainment industry
was a larger-than-life character.
“His humour, his steadfast loyalty, his love for the long
lunch, his passion for anything that flew from the shuttle
to the Concorde to biplanes and spy planes, Watto had an
encyclopaedic knowledge of it all,” former colleague Carmel
Travers said.
“There’ll never be another quite like him. The mould is
broken.”
As recounted in his Life Story published in Pittwater Life
in June 2016, Watson arrived in Australia from England in
1971 and began working at the ABC on ‘This Day Tonight’,
then ‘Four Corners’ before switching stations to work on ‘60
Minutes’.
In 1979 he returned to the ABC to work on ‘Towards 2000’,
which morphed into ‘Beyond 2000’.
Watson was also the original presenter of ‘Getaway’ on
Channel Nine from 1992 to 1998, with his passion for travel
extending beyond the screen as an avid aviator – he said
one of his greatest adventures was accompanying John Travolta
as they flew an old Qantas jet back from England.
With modesty, he described his career as ‘Fifty Years
Without A Proper Job’.
“Australia has been pretty good to me,” he told Pittwater Life.
“I throw myself into the Pacific every day and I pedal my pushbike
around Newport and people say ‘gidday’. Why would you
live anywhere else but the Northern Beaches?” – Nigel Wall
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
Because our pets cannot
communicate how they’re
feeling, it is important as they
enter senior years that they
have regular health checks and
wellness blood checks.
Our pets age quicker than we
do, entering their senior years
from 7 years old in dogs and
10 in cats. Senior pets can start
to display age-related health
problems, which may slow the
animal down, affecting their
behaviour, appetite and mobility.
It’s important to be aware
of the signs of aging in your
dog or cat as early detection of
age-related disease is vital in
ensuring problems can be managed
to provide a good quality
of life for your pet.
Some symptoms of aging
may be obvious, like not lasting
as long on walks, while other
signs can be much more subtle
– such as changes in their appetite
or demeanour. Monitoring
your pet’s eating and drinking
patterns, body weight, toileting
habits and level of mobility are
all important.
Common health problems
affecting senior dogs and cats
include osteoarthritis, obesity,
metabolic diseases such as
diabetes or kidney failure, bad
teeth and changes to their cardiovascular
system. Behavioural
changes are also common,
which can be related to cognitive
dysfunction or internal
metabolic changes, or pain.
All senior pets should have
regular annual vet checks and
six-monthly wellness blood
tests, to monitor their health.
These blood tests help us
monitor internal organs such as
the kidneys and liver and can
often be the first indicator that
something is wrong.
With early intervention, most
age-related diseases can be
managed to ensure your senior
pet remains happy and healthy.
Senior pets are the focus
during April at Sydney Animal
Hospitals, with the opportunity
for your pet to have a geriatric
profile blood test, laser therapy,
arthritis support medication
and Hills senior dry food at a
reduced price. For more info
call the team at Avalon (9918
0833) or Newport (9997 4609).
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 39

Perfect
focus
Life Stories
The remarkable life of inspirational
community contributor Sally Mayman,
Pittwater Woman of the Year 2023.
Story by Rosamund Burton
In March, then Member for Pittwater Rob students at Barrenjoey High School. Over were in Tassie. I remember really thinking
Stokes named Sally Mayman Pittwater six months, the students spent time with about the best angle to capture this
Woman of the Year 2023 in recognition Corey walking on Country and learning waterfall. I had to climb up what felt like
of her outstanding achievements and about the uses and properties of plants incredibly steep rocks to take it!”
valuable contribution to the Pittwater native to the area.
During her high school years she joined
community. Sally combines her
Students also learnt about the
a photography club and was extremely
photographic and artistic talent with her importance of totems for First Nations fortunate to be taught by Lisa Torma, a
passion for collaboration and community People and were guided in creating their passionate and inspiring teacher. By the
and inspiring young people to be their own on a paver. These will be embedded time she left school in 1985 she knew
best selves. For the past six years she has into a healing / yarning circle at
she wanted to be a photographer, so
been Artist in Residence at Barrenjoey Barrenjoey High School.
enrolled in a four-year part-time course
High School and in recent years has
“It bought together for me many years at Sydney Technical College in Ultimo.
worked on creative projects with students of community work, encouraging young The photographic world was very male
at the Beach School and Avalon Youth Hub. people to express themselves, learning dominated at that time, but photographer
The dynamic 55-year-old photographer, about a deeper history and feeling a Tim Hixson, a Pittwater local, took her on
who has lived in Avalon for 27 years greater connection to Country,” says Sally. as his assistant.
with her family, admits to being both
During COVID Sally started
She describes Tim (who like Sally is
overwhelmed and honoured to receive the photographing the Avalon rock pool every a patrolling member of the Avalon Surf
award.
morning, capturing the community at Lifesaving Club) as “the most wonderful
In November 2022, as part of the Avalon a time when people were unable to be mentor”. He shared a studio in North
Centenary celebrations, the exhibition together. Her book, Beyond, is a collection Sydney with three other photographers:
Barley Ki Giballee: You and Me Come of those photographs and $10 from each Gary Grealy, Robert Morehead and Scott
Together, Collaborating Connecting and book sale supports Avalon One Eighty, the Cameron and their assistants.
Caring for Country opened at the Avalon Northern Beaches organisation with the “The studio was the most amazing
Surf Club. It was the culmination of a yearlong
vision of a future free of youth suicide. creative environment. The photographers
project initiated by Sally and partially Growing up in bushland on the Lane all supported me and stressed the
funded by the Northern Beaches Council, Cove River, and years spent camping in importance of always shooting your own
working with Sandy Chockman, the visual remote areas of Australia with her family, personal work alongside commercial work.
arts teacher at Barrenjoey High School and have given her a lifelong appreciation of It’s something I am deeply thankful for.”
local Indigenous artists Corey Kirk and the natural world. This appreciation led Sally put together her first exhibition
Aleta Wassell. A feature of the exhibition to exhibitions highlighting the delicate with artist boyfriend Mark Hayes,
involved 40 large cyanotype banners, balance of all living things and the need to Beach Faces and Wilderness Places – a
which were the result of a collaboration care for the environment. Aged seven she combination of landscapes from Tasmania
with a group of Year 5 students from began taking photographs.
and portraits from Manly – at the North
Avalon Primary School and Year 8
“I had a tiny Instamatic camera. We Steyne Surf Lifesaving Club.
40 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

After completing her course she worked
in London, assisting big-name commercial
photographers, before travelling in Africa
with her sister for 11 months. She crossed
the Sahara, lived with the Pygmy peoples
in Central African Republic and spent time
with mountain gorillas. It was challenging
at times, she admits, particularly when she
was arrested in Zaire. The country was in
civil war and the military saw her camera
and determined she was a spy.
Returning to Britain she was struck by
the contrast between the simplicity of
people’s lives in Africa and the advertising
world in London where she worked.
“I was so disillusioned. I wanted to train
as a nurse and go back to Africa and do
something useful.” It was her brother who
told her she should use her photography
gift to tell people’s stories. So she applied
to work on a Raleigh International Youth
expedition for three months in Guyana,
South America. Not only did she realise
the power of visual storytelling, but
also experienced the power of changing
young people’s lives. A percentage of the
young people on the expedition were
disadvantaged inner city London kids.
“It was working with those kids that I
found most rewarding, helping them to
break the cycles they were in, and seeing
the change in them over three months.”
Returning to Australia in 1992, she
worked as a volunteer at the Manly Youth
Centre, taking young people kayaking and
rock climbing. In 1995 she married Gerry
Colley, a photographer who had known
her since the North Sydney studio days.
They bought a Swanson 42 with a plan to
sail and work around the world. Having
little sailing experience, Sally did a course,
trained every weekend and enrolled in
meteorology and navigation courses at
TAFE, even learning to use a sextant.
They ended up sailing up the coast to the
north of Queensland. When they returned
to Pittwater nine months later Sally was
pregnant with their first child, Jim who,
she says, was connected to the ocean
from utero. (Now he is a member of the
Australian Sailing Team, sailing 49ers.)
Their second son Tom was born three
years later, and in 2007 Gerry and Sally
took them both out of Avalon Primary
School for eight months, and travelled
around Australia.
“I wanted the boys to get that sense of
Australia that I had. And I wanted them
to see Aboriginal culture – the spirituality
and deep connection to Country. It was
hard at first as a white family travelling,
but when we reached the Kimberleys in
WA we found families running ecotourism
experiences. We fished with them and
sat around a fire at night, listening and
learning about their Country and culture.”
The experience ignited Sally’s longing
to tell the story of this spirituality and
connection to Country which was not
being shown by the media at the time.
She explained her desire to artist Dale
Kentwell, whose sons were also at Avalon
Primary School. By chance there was a
Wilderness Society ‘Save the Kimberleys
Campaign’ meeting at the Avalon
community centre. Dale and Sally went
along and met Albert Wiggan, a Bardi Nyul
Nyul leader, who invited them to come
onto their country.
So they travelled to the Dampier
Peninsula in 2008 and 2009, and listened
to people’s stories, hearing about a
range of issues from loss of culture to
Continued on page 42
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: In the ‘darkroom’ in Guyana; Sally’s mum
and dad at Barley Ki Giballee; climbing with sister Nicky; Sally
with her first Instamatic camera in Tasmania aged 7; the family at
Ningaloo Reef in 2007; at the BKG opening; husband Gerry and Sally
sailing (Sally eight-and-a-half months’ pregnant with son Jim).
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 41

PHOTO: Dale Kentwell
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The cover of Beyond; Barrenjoey High School students lend a hand on Barley Ki Giballee; on Saltwater Country.
Life Stories
Continued from page 41
racism, as well as concerns about the
government’s plans to build an enormous
gas export terminal in a local marine
sanctuary. Sally took photos and Dale
painted artwork. They showed the body
of work initially at Manly Art Gallery,
before the Wilderness Society used their
material, in conjunction with their Save
the Kimberleys campaign, to stop the gas
terminal, and exhibited it in more places.
In 2015, the State Library of Western
Australia bought the entire collection for
its timeliness and cultural significance,
and their book of this work, Seeing
Saltwater Country, was published by
Fremantle Press.
When asked about her sporting ventures,
Sally casually mentions that she started
competing in triathlons around 2016,
after swimming for a while to rehabilitate
her back following a hockey injury. Her
son Tom and she both qualified for the
Australian team to compete at the triathlon
world championship, held in Queensland
in 2018. Sally came 5th in her age group.
Keen to combine her athletic and
creative skills she approached Youth Off
the Streets with the idea of mentoring
the young people in film making and
photography for the 20th year of the
annual Cycle of Courage, a seven-day
1000-kilometre cycle ride from Sydney
to the Gold Coast. Sally cycled alongside
the kids doing the ride and filmed and
interviewed them. Every evening the young
documentary makers and she downloaded
all the footage of the kids cycling, and
made a film, which they posted on social
media the following morning.
A memorable moment for her during
the ride was helping a boy called Jeremy
who was struggling up a very long hill. She
put her hand on his back, partly for moral
support and partly to help push him up the
ascent. Seeing her ambitious move, she was
soon joined by three other cyclists keen
to support him in reaching the top. That
year, for the first time, every youth who
undertook the Cycle of Courage rode every
kilometre of the route.
Sally Mayman truly is an unstoppable
creative force, and she has been a catalyst
for so many young people to realise their
potential.
*More info turtlepictures.com.au;
Insta: @sallymayman
42 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Sporting Life
Sporting Life
Windfoiling keeping Will’s
head way above the water
At 16, Will McMillan has
his aim clearly set on the
2024 Summer Olympics
in Paris.
Not that the Avalon-born,
Barrenjoey High School-educated
teenager – affectionately
nicknamed ‘The Beast Mark
II’ by excitable commentators
(The Beast is an established
superstar of the sport) – has
any need to travel to any
more exotic locations.
In his first year as the
youngest windfoiler on the
Professional Windsurfing
Association (PWA) circuit,
Will has already strutted his
stuff on some of the most
beautiful lakes and oceanic
locations in the world.
Windfoiling – also called
foil windsurfing – is the
evolution of traditional
windsurfing onto hydrofoils,
leading to high energy
action that has made it
a darling of TV audiences
(hence its inclusion in the
Paris Olympics).
“It’s very quiet compared
to traditional windsurfing,”
Will says, when asked
what it is like to be racing on
a windfoil in an international
competition.
“On a traditional windsurfer,
you’re sailing through the chop
and there is significant noise
as the sail and board bounce
around.
“On a hydrofoil, you’re above
the waves. So it is very
silent, smooth and quite
peaceful.
“We’re powered by the
wind, so we need to be
strong to hold the rig and
board down as we travel at
speeds of over 50km/h.
“The sail generates the
power which transfers to the
body, down to the feet and
finally to the board – there is a
lot of leg strength required.”
It makes for spectacular, telephotogenic
racing, and is easy
for non-sailors to admire with
the racing formats.
Windfoiling is increasing in
popularity, presenting challenges
for traditional sailing
clubs desperate to keep
up the old “blue blazer
and a G and T when the
sun’s disappeared over
the yard arm” approach.
That may have endured
since Arthur Phillip
ventured north to name
Pittwater after the British
Prime Minister William Pitt the
Younger in 1789.
But just like skiing gave way
to snowboarding, Will represents
the transformation of
an ancient human skill to a
younger generation.
At 188cm tall and 107kg
(and still growing), Will knew
windfoiling would be
the only option he had
to fulfil his lifetime
dream of becoming a
sailing Olympian.
“The Finn (class)
was at the Tokyo
Olympics and perfect
for bigger sailors
like me, but it was
dropped for Paris,”
Will explains. “So I
had no choice.”
The son of an
Englishman and a
Thai mother, Will
grew up with sailing
as a critical part of
his childhood.
As a kid, he
dreamed of racing
for Australia in the
America’s Cup one
day if another Alan
Bond came along to bankroll it.
But as he grew taller and
heavier, his options shrank.
“I got a bit too big for sailing,
or what sailing I can do at my
age,” he says.
But then windfoiling
emerged, which requires precisely
the strength, dexterity
and sailing prowess he possesses.
As Will explains it, windfoiling
as a concept was invented
before the turn of the millennium.
Back then, no-one could
find a way of mass-producing a
windfoil at a reasonable price.
“Between 2018 and 2020
44 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

they’ve become commercially
available,” Will explains. “Since
then we’ve seen it expand
throughout the windsurfing
community.”
An early adopter, Will learnt
his craft on Narrabeen Lagoon
(pictured as an 8-year-old, far
left), though now he mainly
practises on Sydney Harbour
(“Pittwater is a bit too small… I
need more room”).
Even so, it costs an estimated
A$250,000 a season to keep
Will on this PWA trajectory.
He spent January and February
doing the Australian, New
Zealand and South-East Asian
national championships.
That’s partly through
choice, but also because –
as an Australian/Thai dual
national – he can only spend
90 days in Europe at a time.
That means he’ll miss the
start of the European professional
circuit.
When we met for this story,
he was just back from
Japan, having competed in
the PWA’s final event of the
season, finishing 20th out
of 70 professionals.
In the 2022 European
championships on Lake Garda,
the largest and arguably most
beautiful aquatic gem of Italy’s
alpine lake district, he finished
a creditable 28th out of 160.
“More importantly I came
fourth in the under-21 category,”
Will says.
The world championships,
held in the French naval city
of Brest in southern Brittany,
weren’t so successful.
“I didn’t have a great
World’s,” Will admits. “But it
was my first season.”
– Steve Meacham
*Follow Will on Instagram @
will.mcmillan8
Sporting Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 45

Books
Intriguing Dobell love story
Kim Anderson grew up in Sydney, spending much of her time swimming on the
Northern Beaches. She is a former editor, publisher and media executive. She is
now a non-executive director of several publicly listed companies. Although she
began writing at a young age, The Prize is her first novel.
Books
Q: Tell us about The Prize…
In 1939, when William Dobell
returned to Sydney from
London, he meets fellow artist
Joshua Smith, who is in his
mid-30s and still living at
home. Smith is immediately
infatuated. Dobell, exposed to
the works of Picasso, Braque,
Dali and others, is influenced
by Modernism. Well-heeled
local artist Mary Edwards – an
arch conservative, ardently
believes the scourge of
Modernism is threating to
‘infect’ the Australian art scene.
Edwards, Smith and Dobell
all enter the Archibald, at the
time one of the richest art
prizes in the world. Edwards
has high hopes of winning.
When Dobell’s portrait of
Joshua wins, Edwards mounts
a court case, denouncing the
portrait as a caricature – ‘an
artistic Pearl Harbour’ – and
therefore ineligible to win
under the terms of Archibald’s
bequest. Both artist and sitter
find themselves in the glare of
the spotlight when a court case
to determine the matter turns
into a public spectacle.
Much is at stake.
Homosexuality is illegal, and
a young KC, Garfield Barwick,
is keen to make a name for
himself. Bill and Joshua’s
relationship is put under
pressure and at risk of being
exposed as they are caught in a
world where they must choose
between love and art: between
acceptance and exile.
Q: What inspired you to write
this book?
I came across this story when
I was editing the Bicentennial
history and couldn’t believe the
impact it had on both artist and
sitter. There had to be more to
the story as after the court case
Dobell and Smith never spoke
to each other again.
Q: When did you write it
and how did it come to be
published?
Originally, I wrote it as a
screenplay, but in 2016 I
decided to turn it into a novel. I
like writing on long-haul flights
as there are no interruptions,
and in the middle of the night
when all is quiet. I tend to write
large parts in my head and
then write them down in one
enormous flow before revising.
Q: How do you respond to
people who believe that
authors shouldn’t write
outside their identities?
It had never occurred to me
when talking about love
that it wasn’t universal. That
loving someone and how you
love someone can be defined
so narrowly by gender or
identity. That empathy
can only exist within the
confines of our own identities.
In fact, love is different for
every individual regardless of
gender, race or ethnicity. No
two people love in exactly the
same way. If we can only write
about people who exist with the
same identity as our own, the
world of storytelling would be
a small and uninspiring one.
To suggest that as a woman you
cannot write about two men
in love, or a woman and a man
in love, because you are not a
man, demands a complete lack
of empathy.
Q: Any interesting or
surprising feedback?
I’m a great believer in
serendipity. Long after I
began writing this book, I
had a standing order with
Berkelouw’s second-hand
bookshop in Berrima for any
books on Dobell or art in
Australia in the 1940s. You
can imagine my surprise when
they sent me a book called
Australian Present Day Art
and out of it fell the original
press clippings from the case.
That seemed good luck; then
I read the inscription written
in the book. It was a gift to my
grandmother for Christmas in
1943 from my Aunt Yolande!
I immediately rang my dad
to check it was my aunt’s
handwriting and indeed it was.
*The Prize is available from
April 4 in all good bookstores
and online (RRP $32.99).
WIN: We have five copies to
give away to Pittwater Life
readers. For your chance to
win, email info@pittwaterlife.
com.au with The Prize in the
subject line and your mailing
address in the body of the
email by April 20. Winners
announced next month.
46 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
‘Fringe’ benefits boast the wow factor
This month we shine a
light on three stunning
properties on the fringe
or just outside the
boundary of Pittwater.
Collaroy
Beachfront properties always
attract eyeballs, but agent Noel
Nicholson says he has rarely
seen anything like the level
of interest in 1104 Pittwater
Road; he fielded more than
60 inquiries less than 24
hours after it was launched to
market.
Mr Nicholson of Ray White
Prestige, Palm Beach explained
the majority of those initial
inquiries were from people
living overseas but added
there were also plenty of
locals fronting up to open
inspections soaking up the
property’s 180-degree ocean
views and stepping onto the
sand from the garden.
“We launched late March
at 4pm and by mid-morning
the next day we’d had at
least 60 inquiries, which is
unprecedented,” he said.
“It just goes to show how
rare these types of beachfront
properties anywhere on the
Northern Beaches are, and
expats are very keen on them.”
Mr Nicholson said overseas
interest in prime properties
had ramped up in recent times.
“A similar thing happened
after the GFC and after 9/11 as
well… expats aren’t necessarily
looking at properties to move
into straight away, they are
SUBSTANTIAL: 201 McCarrs Creek Rd sits on 7581 square metres.
looking to buy now to ensure
they have a base here.”
The three-bedroom, threebathroom
house will be
auctioned on site on April 13
with a guide of $5.5 million.
Duffys Forest
This elegant five-bedroom
home with a backdrop over
the lake and the signature hole
of a world class golf course is
located at the tranquil western
edge of Pittwater.
Set on 2.239 square
metres adjoining Terrey Hills
Golf and Country Club, 17
The Greenway boasts an
impressive mix of formal and
casual living, spilling outdoors
to terraces, manicured
gardens, cabana, pool and spa.
Inside, a large family
entertaining area incorporates
a gourmet kitchen adjacent to
the formal dining room and
courtyard with water feature.
The property is being sold
through Belle Property Mona
Vale via an Expressions of
Interest campaign closing April
11 with a $6 million guide.
Church Point
In an elevated private position
nestled amongst the trees with
views to boat-studded Pittwater
rests this newly created
masterbuilt residence.
Olivia Broomhead from LJ
Hooker Avalon says the palatial
property at 201 McCarrs Creek
Around The Traps…
Road has been meticulously
designed to connect with its
surrounds.
“The sheer size of the design
and build in its location is
remarkable – it’s an engineering
masterpiece,” she said.
Sitting on a private
7581-square-metre landholding,
this ultimate escape boasts
the finest fixtures and finishes
with four large bedrooms, three
lavish bathrooms and a layout
featuring multiple glass fronted
living areas.
The family-friendly home
also features a commercialgrade
purified water system
and is completely wired for an
independent generator.
A heated magnesium pool
and spa and large level lawn
that merges with natural
bushland completes the picture.
Price guide is $4.95 million.
• The Ray White Prestige team
has a new home, increasing
their footprint with the
purchase of two commerical
spaces at 1/1105 Barrenjoey
Road Palm Beach. Also, some
quality landscaping and
design has contributed to a striking
new streetscape aesthetic (pictured).
• ‘Elanora Venues’ has been sold. The 5.18-hectare property
at 19A Wesley Street Elanora Heights, which extends to
bushland boarding Ingleside and North Narrabeen, was
owned and operated by the Uniting Church as a school and
community group conference and retreat facility for more
than 60 years.
• Heritage-listed Hy Brasil, the ‘organic’ bungalow at 62
Chisholm Ave Avalon Beach designed by influential architect
Alexander Stewart Jolly and enjoyed by three generations of
the Herman artist family, is back on the market.
Hot Property
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 47

Art Life
Art Life
Bronze sculptures gold quality
The April exhibition at hybrid Careel
Bay art space The Studio will take on a
new and different form, in the shape of the
inspired sculptured creations of Clive Calder
from Australian Bronze.
Clive has worked on sculpture projects for
some of the world’s most renowned sculptors
over the past 25 years. As director and
production manager at Australian Bronze,
he specialises in sculpture project management,
sculpting materials and problem solving
for the three-dimensional world.
But he’s most at home on the workshop
floor and in the sculpting studios, where his
unique eye and three-dimensional talents
enable him to create through-provoking,
awe-inspiring pieces which connect with
people in an emotional and physical sense.
“Sculpture is both a mature pursuit and
an exploration of honesty. Our students are
often told how detail comes after self-appraisal
of form. This personal challenge requires
patience, determination and a relaxed
Council has acquired
12 new artworks from
the biannual Artists’ Book
Award to be exhibited
at Manly Art Gallery and
Museum (MAG&M) before
joining Council’s permanent
Library collection.
Every two years the
Northern Beaches Library
Service holds an Artists’
Book Award, attracting entries
from all over the globe.
This year, 96 artists
entered and were whittled
down to 12 by a judging
panel comprising MAG&M
senior curator Katherine
Roberts and Sydney illustrator
Ben Brown.
The acquired works are
on exhibition at MAG&M
until 16 April.
Recognised for outstanding
artistic expression,
these contributions to art
take the function of a book
as their initial inspiration
and then bend the rules.
The beautiful and diverse
artworks will make a lasting
contribution to the Library’s
creative resources.
letting go of self,” Clive explains.
Over the past 20 years, Australian Bronze
has assisted some of Australia’s finest sculptors
achieve their artistic objectives and its
bronze casting facility has cast many sculptures
in Australia and around the world.
A percentage of sales from the exhibition,
which commences April 6, will be donated to
Living Ocean.
The Studio by Laing+Simmons Property is
a not-for-profit community initiative.
*Viewing Saturdays from 9am-1pm. More
info 0418 723 232.
‘Portable magic’ book acquisitions
“Each time these awards
are held, we get a real
insight into the past two
years of life – it’s a fantastic
time capsule because in
these books we always see
strong themes emerge, that
connect them to a particular
time in history, and to a
period of life we’ve all lived
through together,” observed
Mayor Michael Regan.
The new books, including
Viola Dominello’s ‘Sea
Horses of Manly (pictured),
will be added to the 97 artists’
books already in the
permanent collection across
Council Libraries.
*Visit MAG&M website.
Nursery gallery
looking for artists
Caradoc Gallery has opened its
doors as an exciting addition
to the tranquil nursery gardens of
Cicada Glen Nursery at Ingleside.
The quaint on-site gallery is putting
the call out to local artists looking
to showcase their works.
David Lever, a self-taught painter,
is the Gallery’s first featured artist.
David grew up in Paddington which
has led to much inspiration for
many of his paintings that often
hark back to 1940s to ’60s scenes
and memorabilia.
Now living at Berowra, David
(pictured in the gallery) said he was
thankful for the encouragement
from many well-known artist friends
who urged him to pursue painting.
David’s appealing works include
inner-Sydney scenes, old signs as well
as objects worked into his characterful
and fun paintings – such as beautiful
gramophones with blue-banded
Bees and bubblers with distinctive
Sydney birds, to name a few.
There will be some smaller craft
and artwork contributions available
at the gallery also.
The current exhibition will run
until May. Artists wanting to exhibit
are welcome to contact the nursery.
Caradoc gallery, at 1 Chiltern Rd,
will open daily during nursery hours
8am-4pm, Monday to Thursday and
9am-3pm Friday to Sunday.
*More info 0493 617 744 or email
cicadaglennursery@outlook.com
48 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

ACOP Autumn exhibition
The Artists and Craftsmen
of Pittwater are throwing
open the doors to their first
exhibition for 2023 in April
with free entry for all.
“This is your opportunity to
buy a beautiful piece for your
home, your AirBNB property
or as gifts for your friends and
family, at affordable prices,”
said organiser Margaret Thew.
“You’ll find visual arts – watercolours,
acrylics, oils, photography
– as well as sculpture,
woodwork, jewellery, toys,
clothing and more. Whatever
your taste, our members are
showcasing and selling items
to love and treasure.”
Margaret said the exhibition
would have a very local feel,
celebrating the joy of Pittwater,
including her painting of
Scotland Island (pictured).
Join them at Mona Vale Memorial
Hall from April 14-16.
EFTPOS is available as well
as cash transactions.
*More info 0402 846 751.
2023 Environmental
Art & Design Prize
Artists and designers have
until 14 May to submit art
and design works exploring
environmental themes for
this year’s Environmental Art
& Design Prize, with works
by finalists to be exhibited
at Manly Art Gallery and Museum
(MAG&M) from August
4-27.
Now in its third year,
the non-acquisitive prize
celebrates
Australian
creativity
and
innovation in
response to
the environment,
reflects
on climate
change and explores the
challenges we face with our
natural environment.
The $42,000 prize pool will
be divided across nine categories
encompassing a range
of contemporary practices,
from fashion and design to
ceramics and painting.
The prize provides the
platform to bring together
a dynamic community of
artists and designers and
is a chance to connect with
audiences who care about
the planet.
“On the Northern Beaches,
we value our natural environment
and sustainable living,
so it makes sense for us to
continue to highlight environmentally
focussed art and
design,” Northern Beaches
Mayor Michael Regan said.
“In previous years some
truly incredible and provocative
works have prompted us
all to reflect on the precious
and precarious nature of our
environment.”
This year, winners will be
awarded by an external judging
panel of three leading
creative
practitioners
including
renowned
industrial
designer
Adam
Goodrum,
Powerhouse
First Nations Curator Emily
McDaniel, and contemporary
artist Caroline Rothwell.
Designer and judge Adam
Goodrum said that artists
and designers are agents of
change, often taking the lead
in responding to environmental
or societal challenges.
“The role of creatives is to
influence, educate, expose,
challenge and generate
solutions. Contributions can
be intangible and elicit an
exchange of ideas and emotions
or they might consider
materiality and production,”
Mr Goodrum said.
*Artists and designers
nation-wide can apply on
Council’s website.
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023
49

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Finding positives in being ‘Selfish’
While there can be a divide
between women who choose to
have children or not, two sisters
are proving they can have one voice on
the subject.
Charmaine Coxon and Cassandra Magrath
have joined forces to self-publish
a hand guide for new and experienced
mums called The Selfish Mamma. While
they are similar in being strong women
and each other’s biggest supporters, they
have their differences too – Mrs Coxon
has two children and runs a marketing
business from her Newport home while
Miss Magrath is a Melbourne actor and
screen writer who doesn’t have children.
And while “the selfish mamma” is a
separate identity, it is a joint collaboration
between the sisters who bounced ideas
off each other via Zoom catch-ups. Mrs
Coxon lends her voice to the book, while
Miss Magrath wrote the six chapters.
“I’m the selfish mum,” Mrs Coxon, 38,
said. “When I was pregnant I realised
there was a socio-economic issue with
mums judging other mums. I know of
one mum who judged another with three
kids because she spent an hour doing
her makeup each day.
“It shocked me that another mother
would say that, or think that it’s selfish.
It sparked my awareness of judgment
and it opened my eyes into the motherhood
arena.”
Miss Magrath has also witnessed the
judgmental culture when socialising
with Mrs Coxon, their other two sisters
and her friends who all have children.
“I don’t have children myself but I
do know how mothers can judge one
another,” Miss Magrath, 41, said.
“The list of things that mothers have
to do is insane – the food prep alone
would do my head in, if you’re going to
survive you have to put yourself first.
“I felt like contributing to something
JOINED FORCES: Sisters Charmaine
Coxon and Cassandra Magrath.
positive with The Selfish
Mamma and I wanted to be
part of a growing movement,
it’s a relatable and
funny look at motherhood.
“Just mother the way you want to
mother and stay in your own lane.”
It’s a message echoed by Mrs Coxon,
who acknowledged that while there
were other “cringey” self-help books on
the subject, The Selfish Mamma was a
dark-humoured look at typical mothering
experiences. And the list is long
when you take into account that there is
an expectation that all mums do school
drop-off and pick-up, make school
lunches, have dinner on the table every
night, take their children to activities but
also spend time with them, work out and
look good.
“You shouldn’t spend too much
money but you also have to work to make
money,” she said.
“I was actually doing a lot of things
out of obligation or out of fear that other
mums would judge me. I finally gave
myself permission to say no and a toxic
friendship was the first thing to go – I do
practise everything in my book.
“We do a lot out of love for our kids, but
now (as the ‘selfish mamma’) I’m probably
the most content I’ve ever been.”
Now you are more likely
to find Mrs Coxon
dancing in the loungeroom
with her two
children because they
have the time and energy,
rather than saying
yes to every invitation.
She has also set the
tone at home by not
washing every day
and politely asking her
husband to cook twice
a week, admitting that
“all the little things” have
made a big change.
One of the biggest changes
was being honest with
herself and setting boundaries.
“The kids have noticed a difference
and they do the same things with their
friends,” she said.
“I’m now more conscientious and
aware of my time; I think before committing.
We need to stop this judgment
of ourselves so we don’t judge other
mothers.
“Even if just one other mum questions
‘is this working for me?’ it will be worthwhile,
hopefully it will ignite a re-look at
the way we do things.”
Mrs Coxon had a good-natured laugh
at her own expense too: “I put myself
first – at times.”
And is there another project in the
works for the sisters?
“Maybe a look at female friendships?”
said Miss Magrath. “It’s all about taking
control of your own space.”
– Kat Adamski
*The Selfish Mamma is available on
Amazon.
50 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

with Rowena Beckenham
Regular eye examinations
for ‘Thief of Sight’ glaucoma
Some 300,000 Australians
are affected by glaucoma,
an eye disease that if left
undiagnosed and untreated
can cause blindness. But if
detected early, vision loss can
be prevented.
Just like Kirk Pengilly from
iconic Aussie band INXS,
300,000 Australians are affected
by glaucoma.
“When I got glaucoma it really
hit home how lucky I was
to not lose my sight,” says Kirk
(pictured), who was touring
with INXS in the late 1980s
when he experienced what felt
like daggers being pressed into
his eyes. It was only thanks to
pioneering laser surgery at the
time that his sight was saved
from what was an acute angleclosure
glaucoma attack.
With an estimated 150,000
Australians unaware that they
have glaucoma, we should all
be treating our eyes to a test –
especially those
with a direct
relative who has
glaucoma.
If you have
glaucoma, those
directly related
to you – brothers,
sisters, sons,
daughters – have
an almost 1 in 4
chance of developing
glaucoma
too. Start a conversation and
ask your family and friends to
book an eye examination.
Known as the ‘silent thief
of sight’, glaucoma develops
slowly for most people, and a
considerable amount of peripheral
vision may be lost before
the problem becomes noticeable.
This can affect your ability
to maintain a drivers licence
and can significantly
affect independence.
Glaucoma Australia
says around three
per cent of Australians
(3 in 100) will
develop glaucoma
in their lifetime – yet
more than 35 per
cent have not undergone
regular eye
examinations.
We know that Australians over
50 years of age are more at risk
of developing glaucoma; along
with optometrist colleagues
Valerie, Rebecca and Stephanie
from Beckenham Optometrist
in Avalon, in conjunction with
Glaucoma Australia, we urge
those at risk to have their eye
health checked by an optometrist
every two years to prevent
the irreversible damage caused
by glaucoma – and save sight!
*More info glaucoma.org.au
Comment supplied by
Rowena Beckenham, of
Beckenham Optometrist
in Avalon (9918 0616).
Rowena has been
involved in all facets
of independent private
practice optometry in
Avalon for more than
20 years, in addition to
working as a consultant to
the optometric and
pharmaceutical industry,
and regularly volunteering
in Aboriginal eyecare
programs in regional NSW.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 51

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Daughterly Care
recruitment call
Northern Beaches
businesswomen Verlie
Hall and Kate Lambert
are celebrating 25 years of
supporting older Australians
to stay in their own homes
through their in-home care
business, Daughterly Care.
“I’ve seen a lot over the last
35 years working in aged care
and I know most seniors are
happiest in their own home
because they stay in control of
their life,” said Ms Hall.
“This is especially the case
if they have some cognitive
decline or a form of dementia.
Their home is familiar. They
feel safe, comfortable and we
support in a way that maximises
their control of their life.”
She recalled that when she
worked in a Nursing Home
on the North Shore, residents
constantly appeared unhappy
by having been displaced from
their home.
“I witnessed the Matron’s
son stick toothpaste up a dying
man’s nose ‘to see what
reaction he would have’… I
reported the abuse and resigned.
It was soul destroying,”
she said.
In contrast, Ms Hall said
Daughterly Care caregivers stated
that supporting older people
to remain in their own home
was deeply satisfying work.
“We enter their home and
their world. We get to know our
client and tailor the support to
what they need and what brings
them joy. It’s one-on-one care.
They really appreciate our assistance
and that makes the work
joyful for our caregivers.”
Ms Lambert added: “Our
business name came from Verlie’s
first in-home care client,
who told Verlie ‘you are like
the daughter I never had’.
“Demand for our services
is through the roof and so we
are constantly on the look-out
to employ more in-home care
workers.
“We have been a Registered
Charity since 2016, so the first
$36,750 our caregivers earn
each year is tax-free. Our charity
is managed for our elderly
clients but is run around our
caregivers’ availability,” she
explained.
Ms Lambert added that flexible
hours and tax-effective
pay allowed them to attract
the best in-home care workers
to support older people on
the Northern Beaches, North
Shore, Mosman and surrounds.
Support provider Unisson
Disability is now accepting
new clients at its local Community
Access Centre in Terrey
Hills.
The hub is dedicated to supporting
people with disability
to achieve their social, creative
and skill-focused goals by
fostering growth for NDIS participants
with daily activities.
“We can employ caregivers
for 38 hours a week, or as little
as 8 hours a week,” she said.
“It’s just a matter of finding
the special people who love to
listen, assist, support and care
for older people. People who
can assist clients to shower,
make them a meal, prompt
them to take their medication,
do a load of washing and drive
them to appointments.
“Our help makes the world
of difference to older people
and that’s why our services
are in such high demand.
“We have 175 caregivers but
we need many more Daughterly
Caregivers to meet demand.”
– Lisa Offord
*More info visit daughterlycare.com.au
Terrey Hills disability support
Team Leader Ryan Packness
said the hub was a multifunctional
space allowing for
each person’s goals to be
supported.
“The hub allows clients to
try an activity or hobby they
haven’t before, in a welcoming
and safe space,” he said.
“It’s been great to be able
to nurture and support each
person’s goals through different
activity options.”
For example, in the hub’s
open-plan Blue Apple Art
Studio, clients can try their
hand at painting, drawing
and paper-making, and clay
sculpting.
Programs also encompass
community-based excursions
and day trips including
regular BBQs and picnics at
local reserves and parks,
bushwalking, pub and café
visits, sports days, swimming
and bowling.
*More information go to
unisson.org.au – LO
52 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 53

Health & Wellbeing
with Bec Johnson, M.Pharm
Health & Wellbeing
Way to stay influenza-safe
in a post-COVID Australia
Over the past three years,
the availability of different
COVID vaccines has
been widely discussed, with
public knowledge about vaccines
increasing as a whole.
While we are slowly returning
to a more “COVID-normal”
Australia, the annual influenza
season is right around the
corner. In the Southern Hemisphere,
our influenza peak is
April-September.
Influenza is an RNA virus
highly prone to mutation, which
makes it important to select the
specific strains in our vaccines
each year to ensure it is as up
to date as possible. Multi-strain
vaccines are used to ensure the
best coverage year on year.
It may come as a surprise
to some that there are many
different brands of flu vaccines,
just as there are with COVID-19
vaccines, not just one option
for specific ages. Your GP or
pharmacist may have told you
which brand of flu vaccine you
are getting in the past, and this
brand will have been registered
on your immunisation record.
However, an understanding of
exactly which vaccines are available
may mean more to many
this year than it has in the past.
So, what are our options?
First, it is important to understand
the difference between
egg-based vaccines and cellbased
vaccines.
The egg-based manufacturing
process has been used for
many years, and involves the
use of chicken eggs to cultivate,
extract, and then inactivate the
specific viral strain (or candidate
vaccine virus) desired for
the vaccine. While human flu viruses
are successfully cultivated
within the chicken egg and the
resulting vaccines provide good
coverage in humans, slight mutations
of the virus commonly
arise to help the virus adapt
to the egg environment. This
can theoretically reduce the
effectiveness of the manufactured
vaccine, as the virus may
act differently within a chicken
(avian) or human (mammalian)
environment.
The resources required and
time it takes to manufacture
vaccines in this way led to the
development of the cell-based
manufacturing process. Instead
of using a chicken egg, a model
mammalian cell is used to
cultivate the virus. The resulting
vaccine has been developed to
act in a mammalian environment,
yielding it theoretically
more effective in humans. No
animals are harmed in this process,
the process itself is much
faster than egg-based manufacturing;
however these vaccines
are more expensive.
Not every pharmacy may
stock every flu vaccine, so be
sure to ask when booking an
appointment what options are
available. If you are unsure
which option is best for you,
or you are concerned about
getting your flu vaccination
this year, do not hesitate to
chat with your local pharmacist
vaccinator.
Getting a flu vaccine each
year helps to protect not only
yourself, but your entire community.
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.
Meals on Wheels delivers fresh name
Longstanding local meal delivery
service Meals on Wheels has a new,
longer name – The Village Chef by
Meals on Wheels.
Officially launched last month, the new
name formally recognises the partnership
of three Meals on Wheels branches –
Northern Beaches, Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby
– which joined forces last year.
General Manager Alex Kane said the
service played a vital role in promoting
community connection thanks to dedicated
staff and an army of volunteers that delivered
“more than just a meal”.
“Our volunteers take the time to check-in
on, care for, and chat to our customers,
sometimes even helping with small errands
such as collecting the mail,” Mr Kane said.
“This personal touch to both our meals
and our delivery service, provides a sense
of reliability, companionship and connection
deeply valued by our customers”.
The service also has its own ‘Village
Chef’ Tony Lyons who has prepared meals
for Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years
in a commercial kitchen at Turramurra.
“Tony’s team takes the time to prepare
meals in line with each of our clients’
needs,” Mr Kane said.
“Because we genuinely care about all our
clients, and because we’re small enough to
communicate our clients’ needs, we get to
know clients almost like they’re part of our
family.
“We also offer fresh meals every day and
we are moving to offering two fresh meals
each day.
“For our more vulnerable clients, we can
also heat up meals,” he said.
The Village Chef by Meals on Wheels is
now looking to support even more people
in the community.
For more information phone 1300 361
287 or visit villagechef.com.au – LO
VILLAGE CHEF: Tony Lyons at the launch.
54 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Resuscitating compromised
skin barrier with eczema
A
compromised barrier of
the skin may play out
in various ways from
dryness to aging, rosacea to
acne, and eczema to a super
reactive/sensitive skin. A
compromised barrier of the
skin and eczema are now more
prevalent than ever before.
With a combination of a harsh
environment, mask-wearing,
certain medications, poor gut
health, autoimmune diseases,
the COVID environment,
aggressive products and
treatments, the skin often does
not stand a chance on its own.
7 main types of eczema:
1. Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
is a chronic inflammatory
condition that may occur on any
part of the body. There seems
to be a connection between
allergies, asthma and hay fever
and eczema. The symptoms
often appear in early childhood
and will range from dry patches,
redness, skin roughness and
possibly a rash that may exude
clear liquid when scratched.
2. Contact Dermatitis is an
acute response to either an
allergen or a chemical and may
appear with blisters, swelling,
flaking and burning or stinging.
3. Neurodermatitis is
characterised by extreme
itchiness and discomfort.
The skin may appear thick,
discoloured, scaly and
dehydrated. This condition is
known as a ‘sleep stealer’.
4. Dyshidrotic Eczema accounts
for half of hand dermatitis. The
skin appears cracked, scaling,
red and toughened with pain
and nail discolouration.
5. Nummular Eczema is more
prevalent in men and is often
triggered by medications, stress
and injuries to the skin. Lesions
can weep and will appear as
coin-shaped sores.
6. Seborrheic Dermatitis is
commonly referred to as
dandruff and may appear where
there is hair growth such as the
scalp, eyebrows, sides of the
nose, chest and behind the ears.
The Local Voice Since 1991
When an appropriate shampoo,
conditioner or skincare is used
the condition will disappear. It
has been linked to stress and a
yeast known as Malassezia.
7. Stasis Dermatitis is a type of
eczema that causes fluid to leak
into the lower limbs of the body
and is often accompanied by
skin discolouration known as
‘cayenne spots’. Pain, heaviness
in the legs and shiny skin may
be symptoms. This condition
often appears in people over 50
with poor circulation, underlying
health issues, varicose veins and
lack of exercise.
Since the exact causes
of eczema are not well
understood, often a multipronged
approach is advisable
for the management of this skin
condition. This might mean a
combination of professionals,
such as a nutritionist, colon
therapist, medical professional,
naturopath, homeopath and
aesthetician.
Topically, when the skin
barrier is compromised it is
vital to support its repair as
it is our first line of defence,
protecting against bacteria,
infection, toxins, transepidermal
water loss and UV
damage. The goal when treating
the eczema-affected skin
topically is to heal, nourish and
hydrate. Ingredients with antiinflammatory
properties are
essential, as this will assist in
creating a healthy environment
where skin can heal.
Some of the ingredients to
look for in your products may
include Linoleic and oleic acids
(essential fatty acids which are
close to the skin’s own natural
lipids providing hydration
and soothing discomfort),
Witch Hazel (a rich antioxidant
protecting cells and soothing),
Hyaluronic acid (a water
regulating molecule which
will help to plump, hydrate,
lubricate and prevent transepidermal
water loss), Arnica
Montana (a powerful healer,
natural botanical and is antiinflammatory
speeding healing
and soothes chapped skin).
In the treatment room, active
correctives and treatments
should be avoided. Instead,
the focus should be on gentle
exfoliation with the JetPeel
system and then nourishing
topicals can be gently infused
into the skin to soothe, plump
and hydrate.
As with most skin conditions,
the treatment of eczema is
a multi-pronged approach.
The skin is mirroring the
inflammation on the inside, so
treat it internally and externally
for a positive outcome.
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
APRIL 2023 55
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
New Super tax: where does
the Government’s net widen?
This month we take a
look at the Federal
Government’s recently
announced changes to superannuation
taxation… at first
glance you might think these
the changes may never apply
to you but there are few situations
that could materially
widen the net of those affected.
Firstly, what has been
proposed: a change to the
taxation of superannuation
balances will come in from
1 July 2025, imposing an additional
tax of 15% on those
individuals with a total superannuation
balance (TSB) over
$3 million measured at the
end of 30 June 2026.
So, it’s not really a tax
rate of 30% as some have
described it or a doubling of
superannuation taxes; rather,
it is an additional tax on that
portion of your member balance
above a threshold much
like Division 293 tax that
applies to the contributions
of those on adjusted taxable
incomes over $250,000.
There is no mention of retrospectivity,
thank goodness
for that. Individuals subject
to the tax will likely have the
option of paying the tax themselves
or releasing the amount
from super, again, like Division
293 taxes. The changes
will also apply to defined
benefit funds, but how that is
going to work will need to be
subject to a fair amount of industry
consultation as defined
benefit members don’t usually
have TSBs.
The most contentious element
(so far) of this new tax
is how they intend to calculate
what is to be taxed. In regular
situations, if a person has
property or shares and they
earn rent or dividends or perhaps
they sell their property
or some shares, those items
are generally the factors we
include in the calculation of
taxation liability.
This new tax changes that
process quite dramatically.
When I was introducing the tax
change earlier, I used the term
‘total superannuation balance’
or TSB. The only people that
56 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

know how much you have in
super, in total, are you, your
accountant (via the ATO portal)
and the ATO. Your superfund
doesn’t know if you have
another fund. For the Government
to tax those with over $3
million in super it must have
access to consolidated data, in
this case from the ATO. (You
can find your TSB via MyGov
and the ATO links in there.)
This new tax proposes
to tax ‘earnings’ which are
defined as your TSB at the
end of the financial year less
your TSB at the end of the
previous financial year plus
your withdrawals less your net
contributions. The proportion
of earnings that are taxable
is that proportion of your account
over $3 million and the
tax on that is 15%.
This is not how we have
traditionally approached
taxation within super, or, in
general. The main concern is
that changes to capital values
are now subject to being
taxed – not sold items but
items that have simply gone
up in value. As well, capital
gains tax concessions normally
available inside super are also
disregarded. Consider if your
fund invested in a volatile asset
– bitcoin, tech shares or even
property that has risen in value
one year and fallen in value in
the next and being taxed in
these circumstances under this
proposal which contains no
provision for refunds.
If you want a more detailed
look at this issue beyond the
limited space I have here I’d
suggest you Google Graham
Hand’s very good article on
Firstlinks from 8 March. In it
he considers 10 revelations
about the new tax.
On of the issues examined
by Hand in the article was
modelling from the Financial
Services Council (FSC) attacking
the Government’s position
on not indexing the $3 million
cap. The FSC notes that by not
indexing the threshold some
500,000 taxpayers will breach
it in their lifetimes; leaving
the amount at $3 million
means that in today’s dollars
a 30-year-old will have a real
cap of $1 million in super,
calling into question the intergenerational
fairness of not
indexing.
The FSC also pointed out
that given the start date of the
The Local Voice Since 1991
legislation being 1 July 2025
and the first measurement
date being 30 June 2026 –
three years from now, the real
threshold is nearer to $2.5
million in today’s dollars not
$3 million after allowing for
current rates of inflation.
While the proposal is directed
at individual member
accounts over $3 million, there
are quite a few funds that total
$3 million (or $2.5 million if
you take the FSC’s point about
indexing), mostly mums and
dads, who could find themselves
affected by the proposal
on the death of a partner.
So what planning steps can
be taken now in anticipation
of the legislation?
The most obvious is to work
towards equalising balances
between spouses where material
differences exist and one
spouse is caught and the other
isn’t. A recontribution strategy
is likely the most effective
pathway but the Hand article
went so far as to suggest
some may choose super splitting
via divorce although it is
likely this would be caught under
anti-avoidance provisions
of the tax legislation.
Investment bonds have been
suggested for some time as
an alternative to superannuation,
earnings within these are
taxed at the company rate
while maintained and the proceeds
tax free after 10 years.
People likely to be affected
by the rule changes will start
to reassess their choice of
holding vehicle – super versus
trust versus company. The
issue comes down to the final
tax rate, in super you may be
taxed at up to 30%, however,
company profits and trust
distributions can be made to
those on lower rates of tax.
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.
APRIL 2023 57
Business Life

Business Life: Law
with Jennifer Harris
Business Life
Change in circumstances: Do
you need to revise your Will?
As most readers know, a
Will is a legal document
that directs how assets
are to be distributed after
death.
A Will may include the appointment
of a guardian for
children who are under 18
or who have special needs. It
may also include instructions
for a funeral.
It is considered that a
person may make several Wills
during their lifetime. Generally
first as one begins to acquire
assets, marries, has children
then grandchildren and as one
moves to senior years. In all,
if you begin to make a Will in
your 20s and move through to
your 70s and 80s, at least four
Wills could be made.
Each new Will revokes the
previous Will; it is therefore
unwise to retain copies of
prior Wills as an executor
might seek probate of an
earlier Will.
The usual reason for
revising a Will is a change in
circumstances, for example:
n My executor has died or is
unable to perform the duties
of an executor. (The executor
being the person who is
nominated to carry out the
instructions in the Will.)
Their death has no effect on
the validity of the Will but if
you have appointed only one
executor you should consider
appointing another person or
two, to provide cover for the
contingency of there being no
executor on death.
If there is no living executor
after you die but before
probate of your Will has been
granted, one or more of your
beneficiaries will need to apply
to the court for letters of
administration appointing an
administrator to carry out the
instructions in the Will. To do
this the other beneficiaries will
have to consent. If they don’t
agree and there is a dispute,
the court will probably appoint
the Public Trustee.
n I have married or remarried
after the Will was made.
Marriage automatically
revokes any Will you have
made, except for one made
in contemplation of marriage.
Save for that exception, if you
marry you will need to make a
new Will.
n I have separated.
This will not affect the validity
of your Will but given the
change in your circumstances
will not be appropriate. If you
have left your property to your
spouse in your original Will
and you die they will still inherit
your property. Similarly,
if you have appointed your
spouse as your executor they
will still be entitled to act.
n I have divorced.
Unlike marriage, divorce
does not automatically revoke
your Will but it can change the
way it operates. A court may
be satisfied that the bequests
in your Will were not those of
your intention as at the date
of your death. It is therefore
unwise to leave these matters
open to dispute. Making a new
Will after divorce should make
your intentions concerning
your former spouse abundantly
clear.
n My assets have changed and
I no longer own properties or
shares I have specifically left
to beneficiaries.
If you purport to leave property
in your Will that you have
disposed of as at the date of
your death, the gift fails. Your
Will only speaks at the time
of your death. If you wish to
leave specific gifts of property
to a beneficiary you should be
aware that if you dispose of it
you should make a new Will to
cover your changed circumstances.
n Since making my Will I have
had a child.
This event does not affect
the validity of your Will. If you
have left property to your
children in your Will without
specifically naming them then
the new child will participate
in such a gift and a new Will
may not be necessary. However,
if you have named your
58 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

children in your original Will
you will need to make a new
Will including the new child by
name.
n A beneficiary of my Will has
died.
Usually any specific gift
you have made to a beneficiary
who dies before you do
will lapse upon their death
and the gift will form part of
the residuary estate for your
residuary beneficiaries.
However, as often occurs
rules vary between states and
territories – special rules apply
if the beneficiary who has
died is a child or grandchild
of yours and they have been
survived by a child or children
of their own.
If your Will was made in
the ACT, Northern Territory,
Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
or Western Australia unless
your Will specifically states
otherwise, the law provides
that the deceased beneficiaries
shares passes to their child
or children.
However if your Will was
made in South Australia or
NSW unless your Will specifically
provides otherwise
the law is that the deceased
beneficiaries share in your
Will passes to their estate as if
they had survived you.
There are many other circumstances
which you need to consider
when revising your Will
such as shares in joint names,
life insurance policies, superannuation
funds and whether the
fund accepts a binding death
nomination or not.
It is wise to consider these
and other issues – say every
three years – and to seek
advice to ensure your intentions
are properly reflected in
your Will. It is also prudent to
consider whether you might
need to have an ‘enduring’
power of attorney to manage
your finances – and an ‘enduring’
guardianship to provide
advance care cover for your
health and wellbeing.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates,
Solicitors, 4/57 Avalon
Parade, Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jennifer@jenniferharris.com.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 59

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
Acecase Pty Ltd
Call Dan 0419 160 883
Professional building and carpentry
services, renovations, decks, pergolas.
Fully licensed & insured. Local business
operating for 25 years. Lic No. 362901C
CARPENTRY
Able Carpentry & Joinery
Call Cameron 0418 160 883
Doors & locks, timber gates & handrails,
decking repairs and timber replacement.
Also privacy screens. 25 years’
experience. Lic: 7031C.
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 good clean inside and outside,
windows, gutters and small repairs.
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; Narrabeenbased.
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 work, residential &
commercial.
60 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

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.
Fellofix Roofing
Call Joe 0434 444 252
All aspects of roof repairs & restoration.
Fully insured; Honesty & quality the priority.
Free quote.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced,
metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley
irons replaced.
HANDYMEN
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also
welding & metalwork; licensed.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 61

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
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.
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.
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.
PLUMBING
Mark Ellison Plumbing
Call 0431 000 400
Advanced solutions for sewer &
62 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

stormwater pipe relining: Upfront price,
25-year warranty.
Total Pipe Relining
Call Josh 0423 600 455
Repair pipe problems without
replacement. Drain systems fully relined;
50 years’ guaranty. Latest technology,
best price.
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.
Local Rubbish Removal
Call 0407 555 556
All residential and commercial waste;
deceased estate; Seniors discount.
Same-day service. 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 – wooden / aluminium.
Free quote. Same-day repair; 5-year
warranty.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of outdoor
& indoor seating. Custom service, expert
advice.
Advertise your
Business in Trades &
Services section
Ph: 0438 123 096
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 63

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
Veterinary Hospital (6-3)
27 Describing the food at Curry
By The Curve in Avalon Beach, no
doubt (5)
28 Places much frequented,
especially by holidaymakers (7)
29 A climatic event occurring on
average every four to five years
and involving a rapid warming of
the surface of the southern Pacific
Ocean (2,4)
Pittwater Puzzler
ACROSS
1 Prepare or cook quickly or hastily
(4,2)
5 Headwear necessary for those hot
days on the Northern Beaches (7)
9 Japanese restaurant in Avalon (5)
10 Local open body of water
that measures 18.4 square
kilometres (9)
11 To begin a voyage on the ocean
(3,2,3)
12 Director of Wavechanger, Tom
______ (6)
13 Sea eagle (4)
14 Period when travel is least
active and rates are lowest (3-6)
18 A waiter who manages wine
service in a hotel or restaurant (9)
20 Tech support caller (4)
23 OAM recipient who received her
honour ‘For services to the Avalon
community’, Gail ______ (6)
24 A piece of daring or reckless
behaviour (8)
26 Number in Park St of Mona Vale
DOWN
2 Ride standing on the nose-end of
a surfboard with the toes of both
feet dangling over the edge (4,3)
3 To strike the ball onto one’s own
wicket in cricket (4,2)
4 A type of salami featured with
basil on pizza from Pizza Capanna
in Warriewood (9)
5 An area set aside for some
specific purpose, activity, etc (4)
6 Report in Pittwater Life, perhaps,
of general public interest (4,4)
7 The ‘A’ in ACOP(.com.au) (7)
8 Shark warning signal perhaps
heard along the Northern Beaches
(5)
9 Junior lifesavers (7)
15 The space between high and
low water marks (9)
16 Carardoc Gallery can be found
at the Cicada Glen _______ (7)
17 Journalist (8)
19 Polite or well-bred behaviour (7)
21 Beach located along the western
side of Governor Phillip Park (7)
22 TV presenter who spent more
than 40 years working in the media
industry and was well-known for
his role in ABC science program
Towards 2000, Jeff ______ (6)
23 At some eventual time in the
future (5)
25 Distributors of cash on the
Northern Beaches (1,1,2)
[Solution page 72]
64 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; FB: facebook.com/culinaryinbloom Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Looking for great meals on a
budget? Peek in the pantry...
There are many reasons to keep a well-stocked pantry. You
can save time, money, and a whole lot of stress when you
keep some basic pantry staples such as rice, pasta, canned
tomatoes, stock cubes, Mexican seasoning and tuna. It’s great for
the budget too (and aren’t we all on a budget nowadays). There is
no point having the pantry well-stocked if you don’t have a list of
repertoire recipes you can put together using basic ingredients.
Here is five of my go-to pantry recipes to get you started.
Tuna, pea &
caramelized
onion patties
Makes 12
longer if time permits.
4. Heat the oil in a large frying
pan over medium-high heat.
Cook patties, in batches, for
4 -5 minutes each side or
until golden. Remove to a
tray keep warm in the oven
while cooking the remaining
patties. Serve warm or at
room temperature with,
spinach, tartare and lemon
wedges.
Ham, cheese &
corn pasta bake
Serves 4 (as main)
400g penne pasta
1 tbs olive oil
4 green onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
250g shaved ham, chopped
2 rindless bacon rashers,
chopped
1x 490g jar creamy pasta sauce
2 tbs tomato paste
300g can corn kernels, drained
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup grated 4-cheese blend
onions and garlic. Cook,
stirring, for 1-2 minutes or
until softened slightly. Add
the ham and bacon and
cook, stirring often, for 3-5
minutes or until light golden.
Remove from the heat.
3. In a bowl, mix the pasta
sauce and tomato paste
together. Add the pasta,
bacon mixture, corn, basil
and half the cheese. Mix well.
Season with pepper.
4. Spoon the mixture into
a greased baking dish.
Sprinkle with the remaining
cheese. Place onto a tray and
bake for 20 minutes or until
sauce is bubbling around the
edges and the top golden.
Serve.
Mexican
crunch wrap
Makes 8
2 tbs olive oil, plus extra to
serve
1 small onion, finely grated
600g beef mince
35g pkt taco seasoning
400g can chopped tomatoes
8 large flour tortillas
8 small flour tortillas
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded baby spinach
leaves or iceberg lettuce
2 cups grated mozzarella
olive oil cooking spray
or until the onions are soft.
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C
Remove the lid, increase
fan forced. Cook the pasta in
heat to medium high. Add
a large saucepan of salted
the maple syrup, cook 5-8
boiling water following the
minutes until the onions are
packet directions, until al
sticky and light golden. Set
2 tbs olive oil
dente. Drain.
aside to cool.
2 brown onions, halved, thinly
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in
2. Meanwhile, place potatoes in
sliced
a large frying pan over
a large saucepan. Cover
medium heat. Add the green
2 garlic cloves, crushed
with cold water, season well
1 tbs maple syrup
with salt. Bring to the boil
700g unwashed potatoes,
over high heat. Boil for 10
peeled, chopped
minutes or until the potatoes
425g can tuna in oil, drained are tender. Drain well. Return
¼ cup frozen peas
to the hot saucepan, roughly
½ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped mash. Set aside to cool
1 lemon, rind finely grated completely.
½ cup plain flour
3. Tip the tuna into a large
1 egg, lightly beaten
bowl, flake with a fork. Add
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
the peas, parsley, lemon
vegetable oil, for shallow frying rind, potato and onions.
spinach leaves, tartare sauce Add the flour and egg.
and lemon wedges, to serve Season. Mix until well
combined. Using 1/3 cup of
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan mixture per patty, shape into
over low heat. Add the
rounds then flatten slightly.
onion and garlic, cover
Place onto a tray, coat both
with a lid and cook, stirring sides in breadcrumbs.
occasionally for 15 minutes Refrigerate for 30 minutes or
66 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
250g mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 small brown onion, finely
chopped
114g can Massaman curry
paste
1 chicken stock cube
½ cup warm water
400ml can coconut cream
1 tbs each fish sauce, lime juice
and brown sugar, optional
cooked jasmine rice, to serve
diced tomato, red onion and
chopped coriander, to serve
1 lime, halved
1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick
frying pan over medium
heat. Add the onion, cook
until soft. Increase the heat
to high, add the mince.
Cook, stirring with a wooden
spoon to break up any
lumps, for 5 minutes. Add
the taco seasoning, cook,
stirring 2 minutes until the
mince starts to colour. Add
the tomatoes, bring to the
boil. Boiling gently until the
mixture is thick. Remove
from heat. Cool for 10
minutes.
2. Place the flour tortillas on
a plate, cover with damp
paper towel. Microwave for
20 seconds, so they separate
easily.
3. Lay one large tortilla on
a chopping board. Spoon
about ¼ cup mince mixture
in the centre of the tortilla.
Top with a dollop sour
cream, spinach or iceberg
then sprinkle with the cheese
(when cooking the cheese
melts and hold the crunch
wrap together). Place the
small tortilla on top of the
cheese. Take one edge of the
large tortilla and fold this
edge up to the centre of the
fillings. Take the next edge
and fold to it the centre of
the filling, keep repeating
this folding as tight as
possible, as you work your
way around the tortilla.
Repeat with remaining
The Local Voice Since 1991
ingredients (see Janelle’s
Tip).
4. Wipe the frying pan with
paper towel, heat over
medium heat. Spray both
sides of each crunch wrap
with oil. Place folded side
down, cook for 3-4 minutes,
until golden, turn and cook
further 3 minutes. Remove
to a tray and keep warm in
the oven while cooking the
remaining crunch wraps.
5. Combine the tomato, onion
and coriander, squeeze
over the lime juice, drizzle
with olive oil and serve with
crunch wraps.
6. These are also delicious
serve with sour cream,
guacamole and spicy
sriracha sauce.
Janelle’s Tip: You can wrap
each in foil to hold them
together while assembling the
remaining crunch wraps.
Chicken with
Massaman
mushroom sauce
Serves 4
3 tbs peanut or vegetable oil
4 chicken breast fillets
1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a
medium non-stick frying pan
over medium-high heat. Add
the chicken breast. Cook 1-2
minutes on each side or until
browned. Remove to a plate.
2. Add another tablespoon
oil, add the mushrooms,
cook 2-3 minutes until light
golden. Remove to a bowl.
3. Reduce the heat to medium,
add remaining oil with the
onion, cook, stirring until
soft. Add the curry paste,
cook stirring about 2-3
minutes or until aromatic.
4. Crumble in the stock cube,
add the water and coconut
cream. Bring to a simmer,
simmer for 5 minutes. Add
the chicken and mushrooms
to the sauce, adding any
juices from the plate and
bowl.
5. Cook, turning the chicken
once, for 10 minutes or
until the chicken is cooked
through.
6. Combine the fish sauce, lime
juice and sugar and stir into
the sauce. Serve over rice.
APRIL 2023 67
Food Life

Food Life
Pick of the Month:
Pears
Food Life
The majority of Australian
pears are grown in
Victoria, around the
Shepparton region. The size
and shape of pears varies
from small (Paradise pear) to
large (Packham) and round,
apple-shape (like Nashi) to
slender elongated (the brown
skin pear, Beurre bosc).
Buying
Different to most fruit, pears
ripen from the inside out.
Pears are best purchased
free from cuts and bruises,
firm and allowed to ripen at
room temperature. Not all
pears change colour as they
ripen so skin colour is not
a good guide either. Similar
to an avocado, gently press
the stem area; it should ‘give’
under gentle pressure.
Storing
Unripe pears should be
stored in a single layer
in a fruit basket at room
temperature out of direct
sunlight.
Once ripe, store in a single
layer in an open plastic bag
(starved of oxygen pears will
start to rot quickly from the
core) on the lowest shelf in
the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Pears are an excellent source
of vitamin C. They are rich
in important antioxidants,
flavonoids, and dietary fibre.
Also sodium-free, fat-free,
and cholesterol-free.
Pear cinnamon
cake
Serves 6
440g packet butter cake mix
2 eggs
2/3 cup full cream milk
60g butter, chopped, at room
temperature
2 pears, peeled, cored,
halved, thickly sliced
¼ cup walnuts, chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbs icing sugar
whipped cream, to serve
1. Preheat oven to 160°C fan
forced. Grease and line
the base and side of 20cm
(base) cake pan.
2. Place the cake mix (reserve
the icing for another use),
eggs, milk and butter in
a bowl. Beat with hand
mixer until just combined.
Increase speed to high
and beat for another 2-3
minutes until the cake
batter is pale and creamy.
3. Pour the batter into the cake
pan, smooth the surface.
Arrange the pear slices,
slightly overlapping over
the top of the cake batter,
sprinkle with walnuts,
pressing them in a little so
they stick to the batter.
4. Bake for 50 minutes or until
a skewer inserted into the
centre of the cake comes
out clean. Set aside in the
pan for 10 minutes, turn out
onto a wire rack then turn
back, pear side up.
5. Combine the cinnamon
and icing sugar then dust
over the warm cake. Serve
warm or room temperature
with cream or ice cream.
In Season
April
Apples, Avocados,
Bananas, Custard apples,
Fresh Australian dates &
Pomegranates, Pineapple,
Grapes, Kiwi fruit, Limes,
Pears, Passionfruit,
Mandarins; also Bok Choy,
Green beans, Cabbage,
Capsicum, Cauliflower, Kale,
Fennel, Potatoes, Pumpkin,
Silver beet, Spinach.
68 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in April
Take a 'Captain
Cook' at Mona Vale
Cook Terrace, Mona Vale Surf Club’s
bar, is offering casual eats on Fridays
after work and on Sundays from 3 to
7pm. Scan the QR code and the orders
come from the Basin Dining Room,
which is also located in the club. The
current menu features two classics,
beer-battered fish and chips and
American-style burgers.
New Av one-stop
sandwich shop
Avalon’s got a new sandwich bar.
During the day, Old Skool occupies LJ
Pizza Bar’s space to make a selection
of old-school sandwiches, hamburgers
and egg and bacon rolls. The chilled
cabinet also has room for containers
of Greek salad and one of those real
old-fashioned favourites, homemade
rice pudding.
Being flaky:
it's never
tasted so good
Be warned, Roti Pies’ Royal
Tiger beef rendang pie
packs a meaty bite. Pies
from this Newport hole-inthe-wall
are a little different
too. Instead of pastry,
each pie is encased in roti.
Fillings change weekly;
however the butter chicken
pie is a winner and has been
on the menu since opening
in 2018.
Stylish kiosk makes
waves beside Dunes
Dunes Kiosk is the much more casual
little sister to the stylish restaurant
next door. Depending on the time of
day, the Governor Phillip Park venue
has munchies like bircher muesli, vegan
hash browns or avo on sourdough
for breakfast and beer-battered fish
burgers, paninis and salads for lunch.
Tasty Dining Morsels Guide
The Local Voice Since 1991
Three of a kind: Turning Japanese
Heaped teriyaki bowls are
a lunchtime drawcard at
Newport’s Sankaku Izakaya.
The restaurant’s $15 options
include teriyaki chicken
or eggplant (pictured).
Both come with shredded
cabbage, carrot, salad,
cucumber, rice drizzled with
a sesame dressing. There’s
also a mixed sashimi bowl
and chicken katsu curry.
Avalon’s Ninja Japanese
Restaurant has been an
Avalon stalwart since 2003.
Open in the evenings, its
menu has a selection of
popular entrees including
pork gyoza with dipping
sauce, sashimi and nigiri
sushi, assorted tempura and
inside out sushi rolls. There’s
a kids menu. BYO wine is an
option too.
Cafe Monaka has Mona
Vale’s Japanese food cravings
covered. This popular cafe
serves katsu curry bowls
and karaage chicken and
chips for lunch, but it also
has a typical Japanese-style
breakfast on the menu.
Asagohan features marinated
grilled salmon with steamed
rice, omelette, pickles and
miso soup.
APRIL 2023 69

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Our brilliant blooming Easter
Daisies need care year-round
It is Autumn, Easter is just around the
corner and Easter daisies are flowering.
If you don’t have them, time now to fill
an empty corner.
Easter daises are in the aster family,
sometimes called Michaelmas Daisies;
they are old-fashioned cottage plants
that are regaining their popularity.
Easter daisies are herbaceous plants
that are cut back to a close ground cover
over Winter. As the weather warms up
the new growth appears; this is the time
to lift and divide older clumps. Feed
them well and wait for the tall spikes
of massed small daisy flowers of lilac,
pink, white, blue, or mauve to appear
in late Summer and Autumn. Cut back
the stems that are finished to keep them
flowering.
Grow these in the garden and the
bees will love you; plus they’re perfect to
grow close to your veggie patch. Easter
daisies are easy to grow. They love the
sun and any good garden soil. They
should be easy to find in garden centres
now; if not you can find them easily on
the internet.
Late-to-the-party Crepe Myrtle
The crepe myrtles are
flowering late this year. I
was beginning to think that
they were not doing well,
then suddenly the trees have
burst into glorious colour:
white, pink, purple, hot pink,
and bright red. Some with
green leaves and some that
are newer hybrids, with the
dark midnight leaves that
contrast so wonderfully with
the flowers.
There is a crepe myrtle
for every situation. They are
drought- and heat-tolerant,
and they love the sun. There
are tall-growing trees that
will reach a height of 6-8m
tall, semi-dwarf shrubs that
will grow 2-3m and the baby
dwarf varieties that are just
1m tall. Grow the babies in
pots, hedge the semi-dwarf
varieties or plant the tall
varieties as street trees. Grow
them as standard lollypop
trees, prune them every year
to fit your garden or let them
grow unpruned to enjoy the
very graceful shape and bark
of a mature tree.
Crepe myrtles are
deciduous and lose their
leaves allowing winter sunlight
into the garden and offer
something for every season.
Decorative bark in winter,
lush new foliage in spring
for summer shade, amazing
flowers in late summer and
coloured autumn foliage
as the weather cools down
before winter.
70 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Exotic hanging
Pink Medinilla
Why the pink Medinilla is called the ‘Malaysian Orchid’ I am not
sure. The pendulous pink bunches of flower look more like
grapes than orchids. The medinillas are tropical shrubs and we are
so lucky that the micro-climate of the beaches enables us to grow
them here.
Medinillas are
a plant collector’s
dream: There are
several varieties
– some with pink
flowers and some with
bright orange. The
more upright orange
Medinilla is more
tropical and harder to
grow.
If you grow it in a
pot you can take it
inside through the
coldest months of
Winter, but the pink
Medinilla ‘myriantha’
will stay outside all year round. It, too, is best grown in a pot so
that the clusters of cascading pink flowers that are followed by
purple berries can be appreciated hanging down. Before it gets
too big it makes a great hanging basket plant but as it grows it will
develop into a small shrub (1.5m x 1m). There is a smaller variety
called Pixie that will stay under 1m.
Medinillas come from the humid rainforests of India, Africa,
South east Asia, India and the Philippines; they need open potting
mix, ideally 50% orchid mix and 50% top-quality potting mix.
They like the morning sun but shaded protection as the day heats
up. Keep the soil moist but not wet and dryer through the colder
months.
Hardy, prostrate banksias
There are
so many
properties on the
peninsula that are
steep and difficult
to landscape.
Terraces and
retaining walls
are one answer
to soil erosion
in the torrential
downpours of rain,
but there is another
way: Plant the
banks and gullies
with groundcover
plants that will bind the soil.
Amongst our own native
plants there are some that
are perfect for this. There
are weeping wattles, trailing
grevilleas, ground cover
creepers but the hardiest of
all must be the groundcover
banksias.
Banksias are amongst the
toughest and hardiest plants.
The Local Voice Since 1991
The coastal
varieties grow
in the harshest
conditions of
salt winds and
dry sandy soil.
There are several
varieties – Birthday
Candles, Stumpy
Gold, Pygmy
Possum, Cherry
Candles and more
– but the best of
them is Roller
Coaster (pictured),
the low-growing
form of the Coast banksia,
banksia integrifolia that lines
our shores. It will cover an area
of 3-4m, the birds and bees
love the flowers and the small
native wildlife enjoy the shelter
of it tough leathery leaves.
Remember it is an acid-loving
native plant that does not like
phosphorous. Feed it with a
native plant food only.
Controlling Fungal problems
Luckily chemicals are
being carefully controlled.
It is hard to believe that
in the ’70s insects were
controlled with arsenic and
DDT! Fortunately, these are
now no longer available.
Likewise with fungicides.
One day rain and the
next day high humidity
and soaring heatwave
temperatures make the
growing conditions for any
fungus perfect. Frangipani
are losing their leaves with
rust, lawns are suffering
from Dollar Spot and yellow
patch, and azaleas are
losing their autumn spot
flowers with petal blight.
With many of the older
fungicides no longer on
the market Fungus can be
hard to control. Mancozeb
Plus (with sulphur) is the
most useful fungicide in the
garden.
Sprayed fortnightly onto
Azaleas now and every two
weeks until the buds show
colour will prevent petal
blight. Don’t wait until the
buds show colour to spray,
as it will be too late.
If your frangipani is
infected with rust, pick up
all the fallen leaves, put
them into a paper bag and
place them into your red
bin (not into the compost
as the spore will live until
next Spring ready to
reinfect the garden), before
spraying both the foliage,
the branches, and the soil
beneath with Mancozeb.
Later in Winter spray with
lime sulphur.
Yellow patches of grass,
brown patches or Dollar
Spot are all common lawn
fungal problems that are
prevalent now with the hot
wet and humid weather. If
the problem is not bad, try
spraying with neem oil or
a weak solution of baking
soda and water; however
if it is bad, spray with
Mancozeb Plus.
APRIL 2023 71
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
Jobs this Month
April
It’s a busy month
with the Easter
long weekend and
Anzac Day. Great for a
new project in the garden! It
has been a strange Summer
with very hot days followed
by heavy rain. Time now to
fix the problems and repair
any damage. The soil is warm,
and autumn is the best time to
replant and start afresh.
Renewal time
Turn the surface and clean the
topsoil that has compacted
with the heavy rain or replace
it where it has washed away.
Renew the vigour of the
garden with a fresh layer of
garden compost and mulch.
New sweet peas
It is not too late for sweet
peas. They grow best if
planted as seeds straight
into the ground where they
are to grow. Seedlings take
some time to re-establish in
their new home. Give them a
support to climb up at the time
of planting. A bamboo tripod,
an archway, a lattice on the
fence will be needed for the
taller growing varieties that are
best for picking. The smaller
varieties are best planted in
tubs or hanging baskets. Check
for height on the back of the
packet.
Plant now
The soil is warm and moist,
perfect for planting Winter and
Spring flowering annuals to
fill the gaps. Winter pansies,
primulas, poppies violas,
marigolds, stock, corn flowers,
snapdragons, kalanchoes,
lobelia and alyssum all give
cheerful colour.
Remembrance
It is fitting to be able to pick
a buttonhole of rosemary for
respect on ANZAC Day. If you
don’t already have one, plant
a Rosemary bush today. No
space? Then plant a cascading
rosemary over a wall or in a
large tub.
Winter veggies
Time to start your winter
vegetables crops with cabbages,
broccolini, cauliflowers, carrots.
parsnips, lettuce, spring onions,
leeks and peas that are all ready
to grow.
Season change
When you plan your garden try
to make your plants change
with the seasons.Looking
amazing this month are the
violet tibouchina Alstonville,
bright pink tibouchina
Kathleen, vibrant orange
vireya rhododendron, scarlet
ixoras, autumn flowering
camelia sasanquas in any
colour from white to pink or
burgundy, glowing crotons
and spires of blue ginger.
Lawn care
Lawns are overgrown and
lank after so many wet, dreary
days. Don’t cut them right
back in one go, reduce the
length gradually. If you get
a hot sunny day the newly
exposed roots will burn.
Aerate your lawn and give it a
last feed before winter.
In bloom
Plant Spring-flowering bulbs at
the end of this month. Tulips,
daffodils, jonquils, and snow
drops will flower the first year
but without frost they are never
as good again. Why not plant
bulbs and corms that need
no cold weather; Anemones,
ranunculus, freesias, ixias,
sparaxis, tritonias, and
babianas all give a wonderful
spring display. Plant them in big
pots and overplant with violas
that will flower through Winter.
Caterpillar
watch
Watch out for the lily
caterpillars on your cliveas.
They can munch through
a plant in a couple of days.
The tell-tale sign is the
yellow wilted tip to the
leaves. Look under the leaf
and you will find clusters
of marauding caterpillars.
They also can attack
hippeastrums, crinums,
and spider lilies. Cut off the
affected leaves, caterpillars
and all. Put them into a
plastic bag and into the bin.
Spray the affected plants
with Eco-neem or yates
Success. Plants will recover
but slowly. Feed them with
Seasol at weekly intervals to
help with recovery.
Crossword solution from page 64
Mystery location: TASMAN SEA
72 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
Govett’s view of Pittwater
EARLY RECORD: William Govett’s sketch shows a
party of Aborigines fishing from one of the rock
shelves of the far Northern Beaches (left); and a
sketch of Barrenjoey Headland (above).
William Romaine Govett was appointed
assistant surveyor in the
Surveyor General’s Department
of NSW on July 1827. He had arrived in
Australia from Devon, England earlier
that year.
On 240 pounds ($480) a year, he began
working on the staff of Major Thomas
Mitchell, who described him as “a young
man of much natural talent – but wild
and requiring control”.
Only five years later he became “the
ablest delineator of ground in the department”.
Govett became most renowned for his
work in the Blue Mountains, discovering
Govett’s Leap, named by Mitchell in his
honour.
With his survey party consisting of six
convicts, in September 1829 he began
work on the ‘Pitt Water Range’ (now Mona
Vale Road).
He described rocky ridges with precipitous
sides and caves overhung by massive
canopies, called by the natives Gibber
Gunyas, or houses of rock.
He also came across heaps of “dried
shells piled up in a most singular manner,
between twenty and thirty feet high”.
These of course were middens which were
eventually carted off by boat to Sydney
and burnt to make lime for mortar.
Govett’s sketch shows a party of
Aborigines fishing from one of the rock
shelves of the far northern beaches. They
usually had a fire nearby tended by the
women who roasted the snapper soon
after it was caught. The young men are
usually busy catching bait and collecting
oysters. One of the Aborigines appears to
be tending or catching live bait in a small
rock pool. Although Govett calls the bait
a “starfish”, his detailed description can
only be that of an octopus.
He was amazed at the “bold daring” of
one Aborigine who dived into the water to
successfully free a line snagged below the
rock shelf.
He was also witness to a catch of eight
large snapper in less than half an hour,
using their own hand-made lines and
hooks. The hooks were often cut/ground
from the turban shell using a leaf-shaped
piece of sandstone.
‘Barranjuee’ is a woodcut from Govett’s
original sketch made from present-day
‘Kiddies Corner’ in south Palm Beach.
“Rising as it does from out of the surrounding
waters in a succession of
perpendicular and broken ridges of rock,
it assumes a wide, bold and striking
appearance, in some instances like the
castellated ruins of a fortress with its
dilapidated walls and shattered battlements.”
TIMES PAST is supplied by local historian
and President of the Avalon Beach
Historical Society GEOFF SEARL. Visit
the Society’s showroom in Bowling
Green Lane, Avalon Beach.
Times Past
The Local Voice Since 1991
APRIL 2023 73

Travel Life
Travel Life
A Scenic journey of Discovery
discovery voyage is a very personal
A experience, especially when you set
out to explore some of the most remote
and pristine regions of the world.
Introducing Scenic Eclipse (pictured)
– inspired by the sleek contours of a
sailing yacht and custom-built with an
unwavering commitment to safety and
excellence.
The world’s first Discovery Yacht,
it offers a handcrafted and truly allinclusive
luxury experience with a
selection of 10 world class dining venues
and thoughtful well-being facilities.
“The first sight of a towering glacier, a
large colony of king penguins, a wideeyed
seal pup lazing on a floating ice,
a pod of whales breaching against the
midnight Arctic sun, are moments you
will cherish for a lifetime” said Travel
View’s Sharon Godden.
“On a Scenic Eclipse voyage, you’ll
enjoy one of the highest space-to-guest
ratios in the industry, so that special
moments can be as personal or as social
as guests would like – with no more than
200 guests during polar voyages and 228
guests on board in non-polar regions.”
Sharon explained Scenic Eclipse was
designed to dock right at the heart of
towns and cities, thereby avoiding long
drives from port. All-inclusive shore
excursions are comprised of small groups
and led by expert guides to provide
guests the most immersive and personal
travel experiences.
“Additionally, soar above and beyond in
the on-board helicopters, or dive up to 300
metres under the ocean’s surface in their
on-board submarine, each seating no more
than six guests, to explore sights from a
perspective few have gained before.”
Also, unique all-inclusive Scenic Enrich
experiences in the Mediterranean and
the Americas provide insight into the
cultural and natural highlights of each
destination through private access – from
exclusive after-hours entry to museums,
to a private cultural performance inside
an elegant cathedral.
“The wide range of all-inclusive Scenic
Freechoice activities take into account
guests’ varying fitness levels and
interests and have been hand curated
accordingly,” explained Sharon.
“Guests have absolute freedom to choose
the expert-led shore excursions that suit
their taste, plus walking sticks and poles
are provided in each suite for guests who
may require additional support.”
Scenic Eclipse features up to 10
onboard dining venues so guests can
delight in a different meal each day,
prepared with fresh, locally sourced and
seasonal ingredients. From Bento Box
style meals to fried oysters and caviar,
the choices are wonderfully varied and
inspired by all four corners of the globe.
With intimate seating numbers at
each restaurant and no buffets, dining
experiences are always a gastronomic
indulgence and treat for all the senses.
*Attend an information session with
special presentations from Scenic
Luxury Cruises & Tours on Thursday 11
May (4.30-6pm). To reserve your place
or for more info call Travel View on (02)
9918 4444.
74 APRIL 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991