Pittwater Life July 2023 Issue

Local King’s Birthday Honours
Congratulations to the three Pittwater residents who were recognised for making substantial
contributions at local, national or international level in this year’s King’s Birthday Honors list –
the first in seven decades.
Locals were awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM), the Medal of the Order of Australia
(OAM) and one resident was acknowledged with the Public Service Medal (PSM):
Dr Owen Donald, Avalon Beach – AM
For significant service to community and public housing, and to urban research.
Mrs Julie Emerson, Bayview – OAM
For service to the community through a range of roles, including the
first female President of Pittwater RSL Club (pictured), President of
the Australian Driver Trainers Association, Chair of the Nature Based
Tourism Subcommittee of the NSW Environmental Trust, Chair of
the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, Deputy Mayor of
Pittwater Council, and Director of the Local Government Association
of NSW.
Mr Daniel Leavy of Warriewood – PSM
For outstanding public service through improving vehicle and road
safety across the NSW road network. As a result of his dedication to his
role, Mr Leavy contributed to the 2021 NSW road toll being the lowest
in almost 100 years.
*The full honours list can be found at the Australian Honors Search
on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
and local levels in the planning
profession and serves
on several industry boards,
ministerial advisory committees,
and panels. Mr Phillips
will join Northern Beaches
Council from 24 July 2023
under a five-year contract.
Govt footpath grants
Northern Beaches Council has
received $5.6 million from the
NSW Government to help fund
new walking and cycling paths
to improve safety for pedestrians
and cyclists. Council
received $1.7 million for the
construction of a footpath
through a section of the Mona
Vale Strategic Centre.
The funding was provided
through Transport NSW’s Get
NSW Active program which
will provide $39.5 million to
50 councils to deliver projects
that will encourage walking
and bike riding. Work is scheduled
to begin in the 2023/2024
financial year.
Eco Awards winners
Over 100 eco-heroes and community
members attended
Mona Vale Surf Club on June
8 as Council revealed the
winners of the 2023 Northern
Beaches Eco Awards. Now
in its 18th year, the awards
celebrate ordinary people
doing extraordinary things
to conserve the local environment
and the volunteers who
spend their time enhancing
the region’s diverse and valuable
natural habitat. Council
received 30+ nominations
across eight categories this
year, reflecting a strong focus
on the environment and an
urgency to ensure we protect
our area’s unique, natural assets.
For a full list of winners
and categories visit Council
website.
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
It is often a surprise to many
pet parents that their dog is
suffering from dental disease
at their veterinary check-up.
Over 80% of dogs develop
dental disease by the age of
three. If we don’t look after
our pet’s teeth properly, not
only will they have problems
with their teeth and gums,
they can also suffer from issues
elsewhere in their body.
Bad breath in dogs is often
considered normal but it is
actually due to an unhealthy
mouth and an overgrowth
of bacteria. The subsequent
inflammation (gingivitis) and
sore, often bleeding, gums
can allow the bacteria to enter
the bloodstream and spread
to their internal organs potentially
causing severe illness. In
the later stages of dental disease,
the teeth become loose
and can fall out or lead to
severe bone infections around
the tooth roots. You may also
notice dark red areas appearing
along the gum line and
brown discolouration (tartar)
of their teeth. Normal healthy
teeth should always be white.
In the early stages the problem
is often reversible with
regular dental care. The gold
standard is daily teeth brushing
with a special toothbrush
and dog-specific toothpaste
(human toothpaste can’t be
used, as it is toxic to dogs!)
which will help slow the buildup
of plaque and tartar.
Dental chews can also be
offered, which help to draw
plaque and tartar off the
teeth, helping to keep them
clean. Special prescription
dental foods are also available
to help prevent dental
disease in your dog. (Hills T/D
prescription food and OraVet
chews are discounted in our
practices until the end of our
dental months.)
During July and August, Sydney
Animal Hospitals are offering
free dental checks with our
veterinary nurses, along with
reduced price dental procedures
and discounts on dental
pet foods. Call Avalon (9918
0833) or Newport (9997 4609)
or book online www.sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JULY 2023 37