Pittwater Life September 2023 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
BUSHFIRE SEASON ALERT
MAYOR HEINS WALKS AVALON, TAKES IN VILLAGE CHANGES
RETURN OF THE BARRENJOEY BOATSHED / ‘FESTIVAL OF FROTH’
THE WAY WE WERE / SHARK NETS UP / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...

Editorial
Is Avalon functioning okay?
The official six-month
trial of Avalon’s ‘Streets
as Shared Spaces’ project
concludes on October 1,
whereupon Council will review
community response before
deciding whether to make
the infrastructure changes
permanent.
With the deadline looming,
we invited Northern Beaches
Mayor Sue Heins, plus all three
Pittwater Ward Councillors
and representatives from the
Avalon Palm Beach Business
Chamber to walk the village to
observe the changes impacting
roads, pedestrians, buses and
parking.
The shared pedestrian/
car thoroughfare on Old
Barrenjoey Road (north) has
proven a hit; it’s an inviting
space where locals and friends
can meet up for a coffee and
relax. Visitors too – if they can
find a car parking spot, that is.
Reduced parking and revised
bus services seem to be the
major sticking points raised by
opponents of the new set-up.
And while it has always
been illegal to park down the
centre strip of Old Barrenjoey
Road south of Avalon Parade,
observations are that it’s on the
increase. Certainly police have
noticed this and have boosted
their presence over the past
months, booking plenty of cars.
Some background: the Avalon
trial was adopted after the
previous State Government
offered funding to Council,
on the condition the money be
spent before the end of 2022.
So, was the trial rushed? Is
the overall functionality of
Avalon Beach village (and not
just the shared pedestrian
section) better now, or worse?
This month is your last
chance to have a say (see p22).
Footnote: In August, Council
announced another ‘Streets as
Shared Spaces’ project, at Dee
Why, will become permanent.
– Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 3

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Vol 34 No 2
Celebrating 33 years
16
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
BUSHFIRE SEASON ALERT
MAYOR HEINS WALKS AVALON, TAKES IN VILLAGE CHANGES
RETURN OF THE BARRENJOEY BOATSHED / ‘FES TIVAL OF FROTH ’
THE WAY WE WERE / SHARK NETS UP / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
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thislife
INSIDE: Flower Power at Warriewood will likely make
way for 53 new dwellings (p6); hear readers’ feedback on
local issues (p8); late Winter rainfall has set back hazard
reduction burns in the lead-up to bushfire season (p10);
there are fears the Mona Vale Road West upgrade will be
canned in the State Budget (p13); and the Mayor, Councillors
and stakeholders toured Avalon Village to note first-hand
the impact of the ‘Streets as Shared Spaces’ trial (p22).
COVER: Pylon / Sharon Green
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 6-37
The Way We Were 28
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 30
Community News 32-37
Life Story: Avalon Community Library’s 40 Years 40-44
Art 46-47
Hot Property 48-49
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 50-55
Money; Law 56-59
Trades & Services 60-63
Food & Tasty Morsels 64-68
Crossword 69
Gardening 70-72
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SEPTEMBER 2023 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Warriewood Flower Power sell-off
A
comprehensive overhaul of the Flower
Power Garden Centres on the Northern
Beaches could see its Warriewood site
on Macpherson Street bulldozed to make
way for 53 new dwellings, with construction
likely to commence in late 2025.
Meanwhile Flower Power’s Terrey Hills
site on Mona Vale Road is slated for expanded
development.
A $36 million Development Application
for 43 attached dwellings and 10 separate
houses is now in the hands of
the State Planning Panel North.
In a statement, Flower
Power’s Chief Executive Officer
John Sammut said the
decision to develop the Warriewood
site was “not an easy
choice”.
“Over the last four years,
following the overwhelming
success of our new garden
centre concept at Milperra, Flower Power’s
strategic direction has shifted toward
redeveloping each of our garden centres,”
Mr Sammut explained.
“For those who haven’t yet visited Milperra,
it offers a unique and modern take
on the traditional garden centre, featuring
plenty of space to accommodate extended
product ranges and inspirational displays,
plus a cafe, fruit market, pet store and
PLANS: An aerial of
the proposed development
in Macpherson
St Warriewood; the
terrace-style attached
houses.
pool and spa shop.
“We look forward to rolling out this new
model across our stores.”
He said extensive site evaluations had
determined that the Warriewood site’s
limited size and existing zoning made it
unsuitable for redevelopment to Flower
Power’s current model.
“Terrey Hills, however, has a far larger
site with more favourable zoning, making
it the perfect candidate for redevelopment,”
he said.
“As a result, and in order to make the
most of the opportunity at Terrey Hills,
we made the difficult decision to sell the
Warriewood site.
“As a Northern Beaches local myself,
alongside my late father Nick, who was
Flower Power’s founder, this was not an
easy choice.
“I love the rustic character of the Warriewood
store and have always appreciated
seeing our local customers enjoying it, too.
“However, the redevelopment of Terrey
Hills will allow us to offer all of our
Northern Beaches customers a cuttingedge
garden centre with a new ambience,
an improved range of plants and products
and some exciting new retail partners.
“As a business, we are really excited to
deliver this state-of-the-art experience to
you in the near future.”
Mr Sammut added the Warriewood
Garden Centre would remain open while
development works took place at Terrey
Hills.
“At this stage, we expect these works to
be completed by mid-2025.”
The subdivision site is within the existing
Warriewood Valley Urban Land Release
Area.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
6 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Council shuts Avalon Customer Centre
Northern Beaches Council’s
Customer Service Centre
at Avalon Beach will close by
the end of November 2023,
following a Council review
that found maintaining the
location financially unviable.
It brings down the curtain
on decades of face-to-face
service in the village.
Council will now reimagine
the space at the Avalon
Recreation Centre, calling on
expressions of interest for
community use.
Council explained that
it currently operates four
customer contact centres at
Manly, Dee Why, Mona Vale
and Avalon, which offer full
services five days a week.
It maintains the move to
close Avalon and operate from
three branches will provide “a
more effective service to the
residents of the Beaches”.
Northern Beaches Mayor
Sue Heins said that since
the COVID-19 pandemic,
customers had embraced
alternate delivery methods
CLOSING: The Avalon Centre.
across all levels of government,
often choosing online
services over face-to-face
interactions.
“Following the collection of
data over 16 months to examine
visitation at all centres, we
discovered that Avalon is not
well-utilised by the community,
with only 13 visits per day
compared to other locations,
which each had a minimum of
31 visits,” Mayor Heins said.
“The cost of operating the
Avalon branch is also much
higher than other locations.
Council has a responsibility
to the community to provide
effective and efficient services
that are value for money.
“The evolving digital landscape,
driven by customer
expectations, has led to an
increased demand for services
on digital platforms that can
be accessed at the customers’
convenience.
“The provision of a five-dayper-week
customer centre at
Avalon on the evidence provided
is unfortunately unsustainable
and the needs of the
community have changed.”
Council said that as it continued
to evolve its business
systems, there was a “strong
emphasis on creating customer-centric
processes and using
technological advances to provide
opportunities to enhance
the customer experience”.
“Council will run an education
campaign to provide
the Avalon community with
information on where and
how they can access online
and in-person alternatives,” a
spokesperson said.
They added that currently,
customers could undertake
nearly all transactions with
Council without needing to
attend in person.
The Service Centre’s future
has hung in the balance since
December 2022, when Council
resolved to review its operation
beyond March 2023.
Council said it had also
made efforts to drive visitations
to the branch with a
targeted social media campaign
and increased signage
and service identification, yet
customer visits remained low.
Once closed, Pittwater
residents and ratepayers can
access most services online,
via telephone on 1300 434 434
or in person at the Mona Vale
contact centre. – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us
at readers@pittwaterlife.com.
au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 7

News
Letters: Readers have their say
Editor’s note
Curl Curl Greens Councillor Kristyn Glanville has moved
to clarify her statements of record about looking into the
possibility of establishing a ‘Voice to Council’, or comment
Council staff had already undertaken work on the matter.
As we reported in August, Cr Glanville’s briefing notes
to Council said: “As the community considers whether the
Australian Constitution should be amended to provide an
advisory voice to Federal Parliament, there is also an opportunity
to consider whether Northern Beaches Council should also
have an advisory group on a local level. There is existing
work underway by the Community team within Council to
consider these possibilities, and this will be dealt with at a future
meeting…”
After publication of our article Cr Glanville told Pittwater
Life: “When I was writing the motion [to promote community
discussion on The Voice referendum], I became aware the staff
were planning to provide Councillors with a briefing about
how Council engages with the local Indigenous community
members/stakeholders and options for how Council
approaches this.
“Preparing this briefing is the ‘work’ I was referring to staff
doing.”
Our article prompted significant reader response…
Avenues exist
It was reported in Pittwater
Life that Northern Beaches
Council is working on two
related proposals, including
the creation of a Northern
Beaches ‘Voice to Council’.
I am ratepayer and strongly
object to my rates being
misused; there are abundant
avenues already in place by
which local indigenous people
can express their wishes to
Council or any other level of
government. These include
the Metropolitan Local
Aboriginal Land Council,
Aboriginal Heritage office and
Northern Beaches Aboriginal
Education Consultative group.
Andrew Smallman
Mona Vale
Pushing agendas
I was quite taken aback to read
about the ‘Voice to Council’.
There is an assumption that
local Councils exist for the
benefit of their community and
not to push political agendas.
Surely Council’s time,
energy and finance ought
to be focused on issues of
overseeing and budgeting local
maintenance and improvement
to the benefit of ratepayers.
It must be appreciated that
ratepayers in a community
are a mix of differing political
persuasions. This ought to be
respected by all Councils.
Getting involved and
taking sides on a Federal
Constitutional issue is surely
outside the remit of any
Council and unwarranted
expenditure of ratepayers’
money.
Chrissie Jephcott
Newport
Voice dividing us
It is deplorable that any
business or Council should
promote either YES or NO
to ratepayers or customers
without promoting intelligent
and informed information re
both sides of the Referendum.
Of particular interest
is to ensure people read
Part V, section xxvi of the
Australian Constitution: The
Parliament shall, subject to
this Constitution, have power
to make laws for the peace,
order, and good government
of the Commonwealth with
respect to: (XXVI) the people of
any race for whom it is deemed
necessary to make special laws.
The saying ‘Together we
stand – Divided we fall’ is a fair
assessment of what The Voice
is achieving. It is seriously
dividing this once beautiful
country instead of Uniting Us.
Rohan Walter
Newport
Noise cameras #1
I live at McCarrs Creek where
the rocky cliffs of the National
Park amplify the noise, to the
delight of the noise-makers but
not to the residents.
From 8pm to 6am there are
multiple events and as well as
the noise it is evident that the
vehicles are travelling at high
speed. The noise from one
vehicle can be at high decibels
for five minutes.
I have never understood why
people inflict this on others.
Noise cameras are a great
idea, if effective like speed
cameras.
I hope your magazine
can keep us informed of the
progress of this.
Rick Welch
McCarrs Creek
Noise cameras #2
I fully support Rory Amon’s call
for use of noise cameras and
would like to suggest another
possible location – I live at the
bottom of Cabbage Tree Rd at
Bayview/Mona Vale and suffer
considerable noise from some
motorbikes and car hoons.
Because of the local
topography the noise
reverberates through the valley
and can be heard quite clearly
for quite a long time.
Bob
Mona Vale
Wakehurst Parkway
Reading about the confirmation
of funding for the long-awaited
improvements to the Wakehurst
Parkway (Pittwater Life, June
‘23), all I can say is – WHEN?
So many promises have been
made in this respect, but now
it’s time for action.
Could this actually be our
lucky year – and how many
years before we can celebrate
its completion? Here’s hoping
we will still be young enough
to party all along its length and
breadth!
Marianne van de Voorde
North Narrabeen
*Got something to say? Write
to us at readers@pittwaterlife.
com.au
8 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Concern as rain dampens
local fire reduction burns
News
According to the NSW
Rural Fire Service, Pittwater
and the Northern
Beaches are a major bushfire
concern within the greater Sydney
area – but while it remains
a priority for hazard reduction
burning in the lead-up to an ‘El
Nino Summer’, the windows
of opportunity are few and far
between.
“Usually we like to get most
of the preparation work done in
Autumn, but it’s still been too
wet for us to do burns in some
areas,” spokesperson for the
NSW RFS Angela Burford tells
Pittwater Life.
“In the last couple of years
the wet weather has made it
harder to find windows and
so we’re doing burns at this
time of year, when that isn’t
normally the time we’d be doing
them.
“While Australia hasn’t yet
declared it an El Nino event,
we are expecting warmer and
windier conditions through
to March,” Angela continues.
“There were huge sections
untouched by fire in 2019 and
2020 and that was a miracle.
“Grass growth is of primary
concern at the moment, but
both bushland and grassland
are a real risk as we go into this
Summer.
“The Central Coast, Hornsby
and the Northern Beaches
would be areas of thick
bushland that are of primary
concern at the moment.”
As local ranger Stephanie
Martin agrees, however, finding
the right conditions for preparation
has become extremely
difficult in the past couple of
years.
“It’s important to remember
that when scheduling burns in
the area, there are a number of
things to consider,” Stephanie
explains.
“There are environmental
approvals, the resources available,
the preparation required
and neighbour consents. We
have a prioritisation list for areas
to do work – but more than
anything the weather windows
dictate when we do burns.
“We need a period of two
HINDRANCE: More
than 75mm of rain
registered at Terrey
Hills in August delayed
local reduction burns.
to three days,” Stephanie
continues, “where there are
going to be low winds, low
temperatures, and no rain on
the horizon. There is no point
starting a burn after the rain as
it’s a waste of resources.”
“It’s been really difficult to
get those specific conditions in
10 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

ecent times,” adds Angela. “As
a result, there’s been a build-up
of vegetation due to a couple
of very wet years… and we’re
quite behind.”
“We will take the opportunity
whenever it presents itself
though and there is preparation
work planned and being done
on the Northern Beaches.
“We have mitigation personnel
working with volunteers
to reinforce and define lines
where we want fires to burn up
to and then stop,” says Angela,
MOPPING UP: Crews
monitor the aftermath
of the Coasters Retreat
grassfire in July.
“so widening trails and tracks
that are used as dividing lines,
or clearing grass and litter
in areas where you want the
burns to stop.”
Scott Molenaar of the Northern
Beaches Rural Fire District
is hopeful that burns will take
place soon; he agrees that the
wet weather has been an issue
– more so for the Northern
Beaches than many other areas.
“The rain we’ve had has been
quite coastal, and so if you look
at places even just 10km inland
such as Baulkham Hills and the
Hawkesbury area, they’ve been
able to do some burns,” explains
Scott. “We’ve done some
at the back of Cromer Heights,
but we had a burn just above
Akuna Bay that we had to stop
as it rained.
“Things are drying quicker
than they were say six weeks
ago, but there are still frustrations
with the weather when
assessing what is viable.
“We’ll burn into September
and October, but it becomes a
game of cat-and-mouse when
things start to warm up, and
we have to stop the fires. But
there are plenty of places ready
to go – and I know Ingleside
is one of them – we just need
those weather windows to be
on our side.
“People will perhaps see
that there’s been a week of dry
weather and think ‘why aren’t
they burning?’, but it’s a bit
more complicated than that.”
– Rob Pegley
* The RFS is holding a ‘Get
Ready Weekend’ on September
16-17 to encourage residents
to plan and prepare for the
bushfire season; rfs.gov.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 11

News
Off-leash trial on planning pause
Northern Beaches Council has discovered it needs to
prepare more paperwork before it can progress its
proposed off-leash dog walking trials at Palm Beach and
Mona Vale.
Council has learned it must prepare Plans of Management for
55 regions across its Local Government Area, including those
slated for the trials.
The latest bureaucratic hurdle comes
three years after Council’s decision to
progress an off-leash dog trial at Station
Beach (also at Palm Beach) was overruled
by the NSW Land & Environment Court.
In December 2020, a Council
resolution to approve a trial was
deemed non-compliant with the
Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act. As a result of the
court’s judgment, off-leash dogs are
prohibited at Station Beach ongoing.
Since then, Council has focused on
the feasibility of unleashed dog areas
at Palm Beach (north) and Mona Vale
Beach (south) and exhibited a review for
community consultation.
Anxious to avoid a repeat of the
previous bureaucratic slip-up, Council’s
legal and planning staff have been
poring over the fine detail of the new
proposed trial areas.
Adding complexity to the process
is that the two areas incorporate not
just Council land but also Crown Land
Industries - Fisheries and the NSW Department of Planning and
Environment, and Crown Lands.
One of the next steps involves negotiating with Crown
Lands for Council to obtain care, control, and management of
much of the land being considered under the draft plans of
management and proposed trials.
Council undertook a comprehensive environmental
assessment, also known as the Review
of Environmental Factors (REF), of the
two locations. The community’s views
were also considered and integrated
as amendments to the environmental
assessment.
“The environmental assessment
revealed that the potential impacts
of the proposed trials are considered
unlikely to have significant impacts,”
said Mayor Heins.
“It’s important we balance the needs
of dog owners with those of others in
the community as well as look after our
environment.
“Community feedback was detailed
and varied. While we recognise a
common concern from residents
relating to dog owners not complying
with the conditions of the trial, we
acknowledge that there is also support
for a trial.
“We appreciate the community’s
patience while we continue to explore
the necessary steps and due diligence
– for example at Governor Phillip Park
and Mona Vale Beach, the land on the
FOCUS: Plan of Management for Governor Phillip Park. before we make any decision in relation
to a potential trial.”
oceanside of the mean low tide is Crown Land.
“Before we make a decision about whether or not to
proceed with a potential trial, we must prepare the plans of
management, and this requires us to work through a number of
mandatory processes carefully,” Mayor Sue Heins said.
Pittwater Life understands the Plan for Governor Phillip Park
will be Council’s priority.
Public exhibition of the draft environmental assessment
ran between 11 August 2022 to 11 September 2022. Since then,
Council reviewed all 879 submissions and identified 1583
issues which were grouped into 18 themes.
The most common themes and percentage of overall
comments included compliance/social responsibility of owners
(17%); the question of how soon before the trial could start
Council has also sought feedback from the NSW National (16%); and waste management (5%). – Nigel Wall
Parks & Wildlife Service, NSW Department of Primary
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
12 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Amon wary of Budget blues
Pittwater MP Rory Amon has called
on the Minns NSW Government
to stand by its pre-election pledge
“to govern for all” and provide funding
for essential infrastructure projects in
Pittwater in its deferred, first Budget in
September.
Mr Amon said he feared the Budget
would see several crucial, budgeted
projects placed on hold or scrapped –
including the $340 million widening of
Mona Vale Road West from the Baha’i
Temple to Kimbriki Tip.
Other funding and works under a
cloud include $60-million-plus to complete
the full refurbishment approved for
Narrabeen Sports High School, and $31.1
million for Wakehurst Parkway flood
mitigation works to be done by Northern
Beaches Council.
“Since March, I have made representations
to various Government Ministers
regarding the needs of the Pittwater
community,” Mr Amon said.
“In particular, I have written to the
Minns Government multiple times seeking
meetings and advice on the status of
the Mona Vale Road project.
“Those requests have been ignored
and no response provided. It is beyond
disappointing that basic courtesies and
Pittwater are being ignored,” he said.
Mr Amon said that since his correspondence,
the Government had advised
that the Mona Vale Road West project
was under “review” – whereas the $340
million in funding had previously been
locked in to the budget by the former
Liberal Government.
He said a serious head-on collision on
Mona Vale Rd in August which closed the
road between Forest Way and Powderworks
Rd for several hours and caused
peak-hour havoc was reinforcement that
CHAOS: A head-on
accident on Mona
Vale Rd in August
closed the arterial
route for six hours.
the second stage of road widening was
crucial to secure reliability to the link
between Pittwater and the upper north
shore and western suburbs.
The non-fatal collision prompted hours
of road chaos across the Northern Beaches,
funnelling traffic down Pittwater Rd
and onto the Wakehurst Parkway, with
many residents delayed for hours – and
reports of some residents not being able
to reach their homes until after 8pm,
more than six hours after the incident.
“[The] collision is an unfortunate
reminder that the widening and safety
upgrades of Mona Vale Road West are
paramount and must proceed. The allocated
$340 million must remain in
the Labor Government’s Budget,” wrote
Mr Amon in a letter to the Minister for
Roads and the Treasurer.
“With each day that goes by, lives are
put at risk.
“The widening and safety upgrades
will address these risks and also significantly
reduce congestions across the
road network.”
Mr Amon added that work had effectively
already commenced on the Mona
Vale Rd West project, given that rock
and earth cut from the East upgrade had
already been transported to the West
upgrade location, where the planning
had provided for it to be used as fill for
the second stage of the Mona Vale Rd
widening project.
Other projects Mr Amon lobbied to
secure included $6.34 million for a fivechair
renal dialysis unit for Mona Vale
Hospital; $8 million for the Newport
Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) upgrade; $1
million for the North Narrabeen SLSC
upgrade; $5 million for upgrades around
the Wakehurst Parkway/Pittwater Rd
intersection; funding for other pinch
point planning and works along the Pittwater
Rd corridor; funding for water and
wastewater infrastructure to Scotland
Island; and funding for a pre-school at
Terrey Hills.
Ordinarily handed down in June each
year, the Minns Government deferred the
budget to 19 September, when it will be
delivered by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey.
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 13

Night Sky Place not in dark
News
Beach Headland is
a phenomenal spot to
“Palm
enjoy the night sky,”
offers Northern Beaches Mayor
Sue Heins. “And we have the
chance to enhance it through
it becoming an official Urban
Night Sky Place.”
It has been a long process
– with initial objections from
the Palm Beach & Whale Beach
Association, a not-for-profit,
non-political residents association.
Mayor Heins says Council
conducted an online survey
which resulted in 370 replies,
“the vast majority supportive
of the project”.
Now the Dark Sky initiative
will go ahead in “the near future”,
according to the Mayor,
with an application in place
to the International Dark Sky
Association.
“If successful, we’ll likely be
the first Urban Night Sky Place
in Australia which means we’ll
help raise awareness of the
benefits of good outdoor lighting
design while maintaining
public safety and protecting
the natural nighttime environment,”
she told Pittwater Life.
No further public consultation
is required, Mayor Heins
said. Already the Council has
allocated $50,000 towards
sensitive lighting in Governor
Phillip Park – and the
newly refurbished Barrenjoey
Boathouse has incorporated
lighting to limit impact on the
PHENOMENAL: Dimming the lights around Palm Beach will make the
heavens even more brilliant from Barrenjoey Headland.
local fauna (see page 17).
The initiative to make Barrenjoey
Head, with its historic
lighthouse, Australia’s first
Urban Night Sky Place was
originally proposed by Dark
Sky expert Marnie Ogg, partner
of English-born Professor
Fred Watson, Australia’s first
Astronomer-at-large.
Marnie is the founder of the
Australasian Dark Sky Alliance,
and stresses that there
are four other Dark Sky sites in
the country, but none of them
are in urban areas.
However, the Terrey Hills
resident (Marnie grew up at
Avalon Beach) backed off after
being accused of a conflict of
interest by the Palm Beach &
Whale Beach Association.
Instead, her mantle has been
picked up by the Northern Sydney
Astronomical Society.
Its Observing Officer Phil
Angilley has attended many
of the Council meetings when
the Dark Sky initiative has
been discussed, and he has
contributed to the scientific
debates. But he is honest
enough to admit his personal
interest.
“It’s purely a selfish thing on
my part,” he said. “I want dark
skies so I can see the stars.
“But there’s also a lot of benefits
for wildlife. Even humans.
“Humans need the dark/
PHOTO: Luke Tscharke
light skies to function properly,
and sleep.
“As for nocturnal creatures,
I’m told they have thrived in
Governor Phillip Park since
the light pollution has been
reduced.
“That’s one of the reasons we
were pushing for a Dark Night
Sky Place.
“I don’t want to get into the
politics, but it’s an absolute
shame Marnie pulled out. She
has a lot of knowledge about
Dark Sky places around the
world”.
Under its proposal to the
International Dark Sky Association,
the Council is proposing
to hold up to four events a year.
Not all will be held in Palm
Beach. The first will probably
be staged in Belrose.
A Council spokesperson
explained: “It is a requirement
of the dedication that we
undertake outreach activities
each year that promote the
benefits and importance of
good lighting practices and
promote the Urban Night Sky
Place itself.”
The destiny of the Northern
Beaches first Dark Sky reserve
will be submitted to the NSW
government “in the near future”,
according to Council.
– Steve Meacham
*Follow its progress on the
Your Say page of Council’s
website; also Northern Sydney
Astronomical Society – nsas.
org.au
14 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Avalon’s Festival of Froth
News
The indigenous Saltwater People
of the Northern Beaches have a
creation story of a Garigal man
who spotted a young dolphin in distress,
according to Jeremy Winer.
Winer is president of the Northern
Beaches Bodysurfing Association (NBBS)
so naturally likes to imagine the heroic
rescuer was a bodysurfer.
So the story goes, the Garigal man
found himself in trouble on the way to
shore – and was guided into the beach by
a grateful pod of helpful dolphins.
Winer tells the story to demonstrate
Avalon Beach’s historic association
with bodysurfing, long before the first
recorded champions in the 1940s such as
Max Watt and Doug Crane; or John Little,
Jeff Spence and Alan Cox in the 1950s.
This month Avalon Beach will host the
peninsula’s first Festival of Froth (September
9/10), a competition that could result
in up to eight men and women qualifying
for the world championships in 2024,
which are slated to be held at Point Panic
in Hawaii – “a legendary surfing wave that
is exclusive to bodysurfers”.
The FOF event will be held simultaneously
with Avalon’s annual 24-hour
indoor rowing fund-raising challenge for
mental health charity, Gotcha4Life.
“The Festival of Froth will also be raising
money for Gotcha4Life,” says Winer
(who at 62 will be entering the Tribal
Elders age division to compete against
others of his generation).
“We want to raise awareness for mental
wellness,” he continues. “Bodysurfing is
good for mental wellness.
“There’s always a smile on the faces
of bodysurfers as they emerge from
the water. It doesn’t matter how many
waves you get, or don’t get. The spirit of
being in the water, and the challenge, is
exceedingly good for mental wellbeing,
whatever age you are.
“It’s like aquatic yoga.”
There is a group of bodysurfing elders
who meet at Avalon most mornings who
‘AQUATIC YOGA’:
Richie Evans rides a
bodysurfing high.
call themselves “the Muppets”. And a
younger group of watermen who grew
up in Avalon, “the Cobras”. Both will
have entrants in the inaugural Festival of
Froth event.
The association’s founder Marvin
Smith is also a talented photographer.
His classic image of Richie Evans,
taken at Curl Curl, with two fingers,
Churchill-style, emerging from the surf
is emblematic of the sport.
“Richie has gained celebrity status
because he’s good in all sizes of waves,”
Winer explains. “He can ride treacherous
point breaks, and has done around the
world.”
Winer took up bodysurfing as a teenager,
but only readopted it as his go-to
sport in 2020, during COVID.
The Frenchs Forest resident then discovered
via Instagram that there were lots
of similarly aged bodysurfers – men and
women – who enjoyed meeting up on the
Northern Beaches for a group session on
whatever beach had the best conditions.
“I just love getting into the surf for
exercise and the adrenalin rush,” Winer
says. “Quite a few tribal elders of my age
find it difficult to stand up on a surfboard
anymore. But we can still have fun
in the surf.”
He’s competed a couple of times at
Coolum Wedge, in Queensland, until now
the only bodysurfing event in Australia
approved by the International Body Surfing
Association (IBSA).
“The IBSA is seeking to establish a
world circuit, involving France, the United
States, South America and Australia,”
Winer says.
“Over two days we’ll have some of
the best bodysurfers from the Northern
Beaches and other parts of Australia
competing at Avalon Beach. There are
two events, the IBSA qualifying and the
less competitive and great spirited age
divisions of the NBBS competition.
“Bodysurfing requires skill to ride the
critical open face of the wave. Unlike
surfers you don’t have anything to ride
on. You have to use different parts of
your body to negotiate the speed and
leverage of the wave.
“The only equipment allowed in the
IBSA is a pair of fins, and a handplane in
the NBBS event.” – Steve Meacham
*See festivaloffroth.org and gotcha4life.org
PHOTO: Marvin Smith
16 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

$7m new Barrenjoey Boatshed
After a three-year hiatus
and a $7 million infrastructure
revamp, Palm
Beach’s most iconic venue is
set to open its doors in December
when the Barrenjoey
Boatshed – formerly known as
The Boathouse Palm Beach –
will re-open with new owners
and a fresh look and feel.
Behind the reimagining
of the well-loved waterfront
venue within Governor Phillip
Park are new leaseholders,
Northern Beaches local Rob
Domjen and Ben May who is
known for his iconic venues
such as the recently sold
Manly Wharf Bar.
The pair told Pittwater Life
they are focused on the new
Barrenjoey Boatshed carrying
on the history of the original
structure built in the 1940s
and opened in 1947.
As well as a restaurant and
upgraded building and wharf
amenities, boat hire will
remain available, while it’s
anticipated Sydney Seaplanes
will soon resume its services.
But it has been quite the
journey to re-opening.
A meticulous,
detailed facilities
upgrade was required,
delivered by Northern
Beaches’ Blue
Pacific Constructions
in consultation with
Northern Beaches
Council all the way to
DA stage.
A new separate
restroom block
has been added,
with three men’s and three
women’s cubicles plus a disabled
toilet – replacing the old
single-cubicle bathroom attached
to the former building.
The sewer was upgraded
and linked to the main sewer,
to ensure no contamination.
Protection of seagrasses was
a priority, with the construction
team craning over pylons
– 97 in total, with deep footings
– from the road (no barges).
Working with Council, the
team delivered provision for
the Coastal Walk access that
cuts through the property
from the south to the north,
with disabled access where
possible.
Car parking has been upgraded;
there’s provision for
enviro lighting (no uplighting
in accordance with Dark Sky
protocols); while the garden
area between the road and the
boatshed features a permeable
surface drain and opengrated
asphalt to protect the
site’s iconic Norfolk Pines.
Rob told Pittwater Life the
restaurant would focus on
casual, fun and relaxed Australian
seaside dining, open
for breakfast, lunch and evenings
(in Summer months).
“Guests can expect simple,
refined, classic Australian
dishes that bear the mark
of the Mediterranean way of
life,” he said.
The Boatshed team are working
towards offering a skippered
boating service – a day
out on Pittwater on a skippered
luxury boat for up to 12 people,
with guests enjoying a fully
catered service while
visiting beautiful and
hidden Pittwater locations.
There are also plans
for a ‘dock-and-collect’
service where boaties
can pull up and park
their boats off the
end of the wharf for
pre-ordered catering
or takeaway breakfasts
or lunches.
“In time we’re hoping to
be able to have a place where
Pittwater locals and travellers
can pull up and park, enjoy a
COUNTING
DOWN: The
operators of the
new Barrenjoey
Boatshed Rob
Domjen and
Ben May on site
at Palm Beach:
“We can’t wait
to open.”
breakfast or lunch then jump
back on the boat,” he said.
“Ben and I are so excited to
see the Boatshed come to life
and we can’t wait to open the
doors.
“Whether you want a waterfront
coffee on a Sunday
morning, or a long lunch with
friends and family, we will offer
something for everyone.”
Also, Terrigal Pavilion,
arguably one of the most
extraordinary locations on the
NSW coast, will be relaunched
by Rob and Ben in the coming
months. Originally Terrigal
Sailing Club and most recently
The Haven, a mix of kiosk and
restaurant, Terrigal Pavilion
will be a complete rebuild.
– Nigel Wall
PHOTO: Alex Marks
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 17

News
Shark nets remain for season ’23-’24
Shark nets return to our beaches this
month despite calls from conservationists
and Councils including Northern
Beaches Council for the program to be
scrapped due to it being “ineffective” and
a death trap for other marine animals.
In April 2021, Northern Beaches Council
called on the State Government to get
rid of the shark nets from Palm Beach
to Manly and replace them with other
strategies to reduce the risk of shark
bite, such as Drone surveillance, alert
systems and SMART drumlines.
However premier Chris Minns confirmed
his Labor government would
install the shark nets across 51 beaches
from Newcastle to Wollongong again this
year in time for the Summer season.
But Marine Biologist and Humane Society
International campaigner Lawrence
Chlebeck said shark nets were redundant.
“Last season, ZERO target sharks were
caught on beaches in Sydney – instead
they caught threatened and protected
species,” the Mona Vale local said.
“Returning shark nets makes no sense.
They serve no purpose other than to kill
our marine wildlife. In fact, a shark net
is about as effective for shark safety as a
volleyball net on the sand.”
Chlebeck explained unlike shark nets
‘NOT RUSHED’: NSW Premier Chris Minns agrees
it is “good ambition” to scrap shark nets.
at Harbour beaches which do form an enclosure,
the shark nets at ocean beaches
are tiny in comparison to the size of the
beach.
At only 100 metres in length at 6
metres high, sharks easily swim around,
over and under the nets.
Yet they did catch and drown many
other marine animals such as turtles,
dolphins and rays.
“In the past decade we’ve seen
3433 non-target animals killed in the
nets,” Chlebeck said.
“Modern and very effective solutions,
such as drones and alert systems, are
successfully installed at the beaches,
so it makes no sense to continue with
100-year-old technology for which there
is no scientific support.”
Humane Society International Australia
and the Australian Marine Conservation
Society called on the Minns Government
to announce an urgent retirement
plan for the shark nets.
The Premier said removing shark nets
in Sydney was a “good ambition” but he
was not confident in the alternatives.
“Last year was the first year when we
had… nets as well as drone technology
and other emerging trends for shark
detection and warning systems,” Mr
Minns said.
“We’re looking closely at the emerging
technology and I think it’s a good ambition
to remove (nets) from popular city
beaches.
“But we’re not going to get rushed into
it.
“We’re not in a position at the moment
where we can say hand on heart for this
coming Summer that these new technologies
are as good a replacement as shark
nets for Sydney beaches.”
– Lisa Offord
18 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Fun can lead to fame!
Australian actor, screenwriter,
producer, director
WORKSHOPS: Fun for all ages.
and drama teaching veteran
Cassandra Magrath will
lead a series of acting and
drama half-day workshops at
Newport over the September
school holidays.
Well before she landed her
most iconic role in the global
hit Wolf Creek, Cassandra
grew up on Aussie screens
from the age of 11, playing
lead characters on classic TV
shows such as Ocean Girl,
The Wayne Manifesto, The
Crash Zone and co-starring
in SeaChange with Sigrid
Thornton.
Cassandra is excited to
be coming to the Northern
Beaches to share her profound
knowledge and experience
through the Northern
Drama and Acting for kids
and teenagers increases inner
self-confidence, creativity,
self-perception and social
present, I started at a beginners
workshop.”
Her career has vastly
expanded, having been in a
Beaches Acting
awareness. dozen feature films, in over
EXPERIENCE:
and Drama school
Cassandra “In a demanding
world of high productions, a casting direc-
nearly three decades of TV
holiday programs
Magrath.
for ages 6-17 during
the first week
of the Spring
school break.
“My childhood
acting experience
all began when
my mother, many
years ago now,
registered me and
my two other siblings
in a drama
program just for
fun. I remember the day and
how grateful I am for that opportunity,”
she said.
Cassandra believes that
expectations,
accompanied by
the false sense of
self-worth kids
get from social
media these days,
too often kids are
not able to express
themselves
confidently or
have the skills to
adapt to life situations
that I know
drama classes would help.
“Fun can absolutely lead to
fame and success, and like
many actors of the past and
tor herself, directed two plays
for the Comedy Festival, and
produced award-winning
short films – all while recently
completing a Masters
in Screenwriting.
Northern Beaches Acting
and Drama for beginners is
now open for registration and
running over the school holidays
for half-day workshops
at the Royal Motor Yacht Club
– but you need to be quick as
spots are limited. – Nigel Wall
*More info nbaad.com.au
or bookings and enquiries
email team@nbaad.com.au.
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Family fun. Picnic in the Park will
return to Lakeside Park Narrabeen
on Sat 2 with music, dancing and
special shows by PAW Patrol
and Dora the Explorer from 9am.
Coffee and snack vans on site
and prizes for dressing up. Cost
$10 a person, details on council’s
website.
Beekeeping Club. Want to learn
more about keeping bees? Get
along to this month’s Northern
Beaches Beekeeping Club
meeting on Wed 6 from 7.15pm-
9pm in the Lakeview Room at
The Tramshed in Narrabeen.
Guests $5; bookings essential via
eventbrite.com.
24 hour row. What started as
a fundraiser at Avalon Surf Life
Saving Club six years ago has
grown to be a national event
involving scores of teams keeping
their rowing machines going
for 24 hours, raising money for
Gotcha4Life and mental fitness
this year happening at clubs/gyms
and schools on Sat 9-Sun 10. More
info at 24hourrow.com.au.
BHS big night out. Help raise
funds for Barrenjoey High School
staff and students at a ‘Best of the
’80s’ trivia night and silent auction
at Avalon Surf Club on Sat 16 from
6.30pm-11.30pm. Tickets $40;
canapes and dinner included!
Book via trybooking.
Crooner concert. Catch young
vocalist and musician Charlie
Chech honouring the likes of Frank
Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin,
Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Andy
Williams, Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald,
combined with the modern-day
crooners in Michael Bublé, Harry
Connick Jnr, Diana Krall at Avalon
Bowlo on Wed 20 from 7pm-
9pm. Tickets $20 at 9918 3231 or
avalonbowlo.com.
Golf day. Fancy a round of golf
for a good cause? Surf Life Saving
Sydney Northern Beaches
annual Charity Golf Day on Fri
22 at Bayview Golf Club is the
major fundraiser for the team of
50 young volunteer members
to attend the SLS Interbranch
Championships. Heaps of prizes
including a $10,000 hole in one
comp. Entry $150 per player
includes breakfast, lunch, green
fees and goodie bag. Book via
trybooking.
20 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pathway medal for Sports High
Narrabeen Sports High School
student and aspiring Olympian
Ruby Trew and local Olympians Matilda
Kearns and Jo Brigden-Jones
joined Australian Olympic Committee
CEO Matt Carroll last month
to formally recognise Narrabeen
Sports High School as an Australian
Olympic Pathway School.
The news is a significant boost
for the school, which had recently
been the focus of negative attention concerning the state of dilapidated
facilities while awaiting an upgrade.
The NSW Government promised urgent action to repair the
school – now it has been named as one of only seven NSW schools
to achieve Olympic Pathway School status.
Ruby, the number one ranked female skateboarder in Australia
who is training to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics,
praised the school for helping to accommodate her training
requirements, allowing her to remain enrolled while most other
competitors had to switch to home schooling to maintain a
training schedule.
Selection as an Australian Olympic Pathway School requires
the school to meet a strict set of criteria under a sport program,
including nutrition and well-being education and support for
students; education on sport integrity matters, including antidoping
and competition manipulation; coaching and facilities of the
highest standard; and educational opportunities to students in
a supportive environment that promoted a culture of academic
excellence, collaboration, and commitment.
Mr Carroll said the new designation represented opportunity for
INSPIRATIONAL: Jo Brigden-Jones, Matilda Kearns and Ruby Trew.
students, but also secured the future
of Australian Olympic sports.
“Having pathway schools is
important because it’s a virtuous
circle – you don’t get high-performance
athletes unless you have
these pathways,” he said.
“The high-performance athletes
then inspire the next generation
to have a crack through the pathway.
So they are a very important
link that no sport can do without.”
Narrabeen Sports High School Principal Heidi Currie said the
status as an Olympic Pathway School would inspire students to
achieve their goals.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to be able to have
the support that they need in the classroom and all of the expert
coaching that they need to realise their own dreams and their
own potential,” said Ms Currie.
Her comments were echoed by Narrabeen Sports High School
Parents and Citizens (P&C) President James Wiggins who said the
recognition of sports was important as part of a holistic education
program.
“As a parent, I know that the cultural pursuits, the academic
pursuits in the sporting sense, are all really important to build a
balanced human being,” he said.
“This is a good affirmation in terms of all of the good things
that come with sports, and the school is now being backed up in
that. It’s an amazing achievement,” said Mr Wiggins.
Australia will host the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
– northernbeachesadvocate.com.au
PHOTO: Northern Beaches Advocate
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 21

‘Shared Spaces’: trial
or permanent fixture?
News
Northern Beaches Mayor
Sue Heins joined local
councillors and members
of the Avalon Palm Beach
Business Chamber on a walkaround
inspection of Avalon
Beach village in August.
The meeting, convened by
Pittwater Life, gave councillors
the chance to focus on the
overall functionality of the
village following the traffic,
parking, bus stop and other
changes made to accommodate
the six-months ‘Streets as
Shared Spaces’ trial which officially
commenced in February.
The trial concludes on
October 1, along with the
opportunity for the public to
lodge their views via Council’s
survey (on Council’s website) or
the Chamber’s own survey (on
its website).
Also, the inspection followed
increased police presence in
Avalon with numerous sweeps
of the southern section of Old
Barrenjoey Rd to crack down
on illegal parking by motorists
and goods deliveries in
the centre strip of the road in
recent weeks.
In October, Council staff will
begin poring over community
comment before formulating a
recommendation to the elected
Council about whether the
trial’s changes should become
permanent, or be wound back
in part, or in full.
Joining Mayor Heins were
Pittwater Ward Councillors
Miranda Korzy and Michael
Gencher, Chamber representative
Stephanie Hammond, local
architect Simon Mather and
business owner Kathy Franco.
Mayor Heins told Pittwater
Life: “It was a lovely opportunity
to meet with different
groups and locals to hear their
comments on the trial and to
gain a better perspective of
their diverse views.”
Councillor Gencher added:
“It’s always good to get out
with representatives from the
community – and to just listen.
“I felt most of us on the walk
around have come to the same
conclusions on the Shared
Space trial…. We like it, in principle
– however, there are still
several issues that need to be
considered and resolved before
we can consider the outcomes
from the trial – and the future
of the village. “
Cr Gencher agreed the
shared space – involving a oneway
thoroughfare south down
Old Barrenjoey Rd from the
Avalon Recreation Centre, with
cars restricted to 10km/h and
with pedestrians having right
of way – was designed and
considered in isolation.
“It seems it did not really
consider the impact on local
business, traffic flows (although
traffic flows and pedestrian
safety were key reasons
for it), the aesthetic, parking,
and bus stops,” he said.
“Consultation needs to be
consultative – I know that
sounds ridiculous, but as we
discovered, in just a relatively
short time walking around the
village, we were able to discuss,
debate and communicate our
thoughts – which is really what
a community is all about.”
Council has maintained that
only nine parking spaces in
and around the village have
been lost in the changes to
roads – a number disputed by
locals and business operators
who note that many alone have
been lost from between outside
the Woolworths crossing and
Terry White (Herforts) Chemmart.
That did not take into
account up to 10 spots lost on
Barrenjoey Road to accommodate
a new bus stop.
Councillor Korzy said that
before she made any final
judgment on the area, or Council
made its final decision, she
wanted to see the outcomes of
public consultation.
However, she did have
concerns.
“Regarding the roadway
through the shared zone – I’ve
22 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE: The inspection party during their walk around Avalon Beach village to view the workings
of the ‘Shared Spaces’ trial; a stream of illegally parked cars and a delivery truck (in distance) in Old Barrenjoey
Rd; Police are out in force and cracking down on transgressors.
heard from residents about
cars not giving way to kids in
particular in this area,” she
said.
“I think the roadway needs
to be a different colour from
grey, which makes it look just
like any other road. We also
need better signage for speed
limits and indicating pedestrians
have right of way.”
She said while money
allocated to lighting in the
2023-24 budget for the Avalon
Place Plan was appropriate, the
top priority should be fixing
uneven footpaths.
“I’ve spoken to nearly every
shop owner in Avalon in the
past and they just about all cite
the dangerous footpaths as
their top concern – with elderly
people falling every week, and
shopkeepers or shoppers taking
them home or to hospital.”
She said Council should not
just rely on survey results but
also initiate a way for residents
to make written submissions
about the plan, which should
all be exhibited once consultation
finishes.
Also, residents’ initial submissions
on the plan called for
native plants and natural finishes
to be used in the area.
“If the shared space becomes
permanent, I’d like to see these
in place.”
Business Chamber spokeswoman
Stephanie Hammond
said Chamber members appreciated
the opportunity to meet
Mayor Heins and Councillors
Gencher and Korzy.
“It was a great opportunity
to observe the workings of
Avalon village, including the
new ‘shared space’,” she said.
“The Chamber looks forward
to working with the Mayor and
our Councillors to strengthen
the relationship between
Northern Beaches Council, the
business community and the
community at large.”
Pittwater Life asked Council
why the number of respondents
to its survey were not displayed
on its ‘Your Say’ page,
as they are for submissions
lodged for other community
engagement projects.
Council admitted the number
of respondents was not
originally included; however,
they have updated the page
with this information.
There were 1089 survey
respondents as of August 23.
“The number of respondents,
the issues, concerns, and
themes will be detailed and
reported back to Council at
the conclusion of the survey,”
Council said.
Council said it will hold a
drop-in event for the community
to find out more about the
project and have their say. This
will be held in late September
at the Avalon Recreation
Centre, with details to be announced.
For more info or to have your
say visit the ‘Your Say’ page on
Council’s website; also avalonpalmbeachbusinesschamber.
com.au
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 23

News
Pittwater
MP Rory
Amon
has expressed
concern that
the wildly
popular
Return and
Earn program
is at risk in
Pittwater, with
the closure of
yet another reverse vending
machine in the local area.
“Closure of the Golf
Paradise Terrey Hills Return
and Earn in late July, coupled
with the recent closure of the
machine at Northern Beaches
Indoor Sports Centre,
Warriewood, puts at risk the
success of this program in
Pittwater,” said Mr Amon.
Mr Amon said that after
commencing in December
2017, the Return and Earn
program had seen nearly
10 billion drink containers
returned, 885,700 tonnes of
material recycled, and $42
million donated to charities
Return and Earn ‘at risk’
TAKE-UP DOUBLED:
Cr Crvelin and MP
Rory Amon are
lobbying for more
locations for the
popular Return and
Earn scheme.
and community groups.
“Before the commencement
of the program, the NSW
container recycling rate was
33 per cent – the rate is now
65 per cent,” he said.
“The Pittwater community
are passionate about our
environment and recycling.
The Return and Earn program
established by the former
Liberal Government has
changed the game, triggering
a doubling of recycling rates.
“It’s embraced by children,
parents, and grandparents
alike, teaching young people
about the value of recycling
and how precious our
environment is.
“To lose another machine
is a blow to the future
success of this program in
Pittwater.
“The reality is that if busy
people and families cannot
conveniently access a Return
and Earn site, they simply
won’t use it.”
The comments come after
Mr Amon wrote to the new
CEO of the Northern Beaches
Council Scott Phillips
requesting the Council
consult with community and
investigate the establishment
of possible Return and
Earn sites on Council land
in Avalon Beach, Newport,
Bayview, Warriewood,
Narrabeen and Terrey Hills.
“Also, I am pleased to
have spoken with Narrabeen
Ward Councillor Bianca
Crvelin, who is planning on
moving a motion in Council,
calling for Return and Earn
sites on Council land to be
progressed. I look forward to
the outcome of that process,”
said Mr Amon.
– LO
24 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Vale Mark ‘Blocker’ Houlder
Pittwater is mourning the passing of much-loved local
identity and Avalon Beach RSL Club President Mark
Houlder, who died overseas after a
short illness in late August.
“For those who have not heard the
news already, I’m extremely saddened
to advise that ‘Blocker’ passed
away while on holiday in Thailand,”
said Avalon Beach RSL Club General
Manager Cristo Tracy.
Mark, who was 62, was an Avalon
local from birth. He committed
his life to the community through
football, the surf club, his working MISSED: Mark Houlder.
career in the fire brigade and his decades of service for the
Avalon Beach RSL Club.
“Mark’s involvement in the community from such a
young age never faltered and we can only thank our lucky
stars he was such a major part of Avalon,” said Mr Tracy.
Mark, always with a cheery face and kind demeanour,
was on the Avalon Beach RSL Club board for close to 40
years and was the Club President since 2011. He was also
honoured with a life membership at Avalon Beach RSL Club
in 2021.
He was also the longest serving captain of Palm Beach
Golf Club (seven years).
“Blocker was a friend to all, our members, board and
staff, past and current. Blocker will be forever missed and
in our hearts for our lifetime,” he said.
“Rest in Peace mate; we can’t wait to laugh with you again.”
*A celebration of Mark Houlder’s life is being planned;
details soon on Avalon Beach RSL Facebook.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 25

News
GRINNERS: Winners Sherry, Ziao, and Vivien show off their lipbalm, the
first product they created for Amerie Cosmetics.
Spark Tank winners
learn how to pivot
Amerie Cosmetics was
founded by Sherry,
Vivien and Ziao, three Year
10 students who participated
in the 2022 Spark Tank youth
busines pitch event.
“Originally we had the idea
of making biodegradable
bubblegum,” said Sherry. “But
after months of effort, trial
and unfortunately failure, our
morale was low and the idea
to quit loomed over us.
“However, we decided to try
again – switching our product
to lip balm to maximise
the use of materials we had
already bought for the bubblegum.”
Their business now makes
organic lip balm with allnatural
ingredients. They aim
to fill the gap in the youth
market and ensure teenagers
know exactly what is in the
products they use.
Last October the Amerie
team won $2750 in the Spark
Tank business pitch event
and since then they have
been working hard on their
website, packaging and social
media platforms to make
their idea a reality.
“Along the way, we learned
about the basics of business
set-up and management, like
how to apply for an ABN, how
to maximise our marketing,
and plenty of trial and error
while refining our product to
make it exactly how we envision
it to be,.” said Vivien.
“It was extremely hard
to figure things out at first,
but we pushed through. As a
team, we are incredibly proud
of how far we’ve come – we
are now an official small business
in Australia!”
To support Amerie’s positive
impact on the lives and
lips of young people visit
their website at amerie.online.
– Kimberly Clouthier
*Spark Tank 2023 entries
close 15 September; more
info at sharethespark.org.au
26 SEPTEMBER 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
The Pittwater Artfest was launched.
Organised by a small group of
enthusiastic artists, parents and
teachers (co-ordinated by Meredith
Rasdall) the youth art festival offered
classes, workshops and demonstrations
during the school holidays, discounts
on materials and framing and an art
prize, with entries displayed in local
businesses. In news, Avalon Public
School Band celebrated 25 years of
music making “this makes it the longest
continuously running band program in
New South Wales”; storms in August cost
Pittwater Council more than $1 million
in damage; local netball champion Anne
Sargeant had a Sydney HarbourCat
named after her; the Mayoral Elections
were to be held with the contest shaping
up between Shirley Phelps and incumbent
Patricia Giles and the “wrangle continues over the future
of the cottages at Barrenjoey Lighthouse” with Jervis Sparks
who had rented the assistant lighthouse keeper’s cottage
for more than 30 years embroiled in a battle with the
Commonwealth Government’s Australian Maritime Safety
Authority (AMSA). Jervis with wife Bridget, who worked to
15 Years Ago…
The “amazing talent of the youth
of Pittwater” will be celebrated
during Artfest: “… artists of
Pittwater will donate their time to
work with children to demonstrate
their skills… a highlight will be an
aerosol mural to be created on the
back wall of the Avalon Recreation
Centre replacing the existing faded
one.” The magazine’s “coverboy”
was snowboarder Nathan ‘Nate’
Johnstone: “At 18, Nate has not
spent a Christmas at home since
he was 12, following the snow and
spending much time training in
Breckenridge, Colorado… Nate,
who comes from Mona Vale,
now has his sights on the Winter
Olympics, training as a member
of the Australian Institute of
Sport team with a World Cup
bronze medal already.” In news,
the council elections were to be
held on September 13, with 35
candidates seeking the nine spots
on Pittwater Council; Sydney
Lakeside Holiday Park Narrabeen
was awarded for its excellence
and environmentally friendly
initiatives; Avalon Beach Bowling
and Recreation Club celebrated its
50th year. And MP for Pittwater
Rob Stokes wrote about Sydney’s
public transport network,
observing “… the simple reality is
that we have a chronic shortage of
buses and bus routes in Pittwater.”
restore the cottage from a vandalised
ruin to reflect how life was lived in the
late 1880s, opening it up to the public
for inspections, maintaining the tracks
to the lighthouse, eradicating weeds
“and a whole list of other activities, all
of which were unpaid,” was seeking to
renew his lease for another 10 years on
a low rental “considering that there is no
sewer, no electricity… no windows”. The
AMSA was “making what Jervis considers
to be impossible demands to bring the
house up to Palm Beach standards…” (an
estimated $200,000 worth of work at his
expense) “… so that he can then pay the
government a higher rent.” And, “when
all that is done the AMSA will hand it
over the NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Service.” Advertisements informed
us the first Pentium 11 Laptop under
$4000 (cost $3950) was available; French restaurant Le
Boulevard had two courses with coffee for $25; LJ Hooker’s
David Edwards was selling a three-bedroom home on Whale
Beach Rd for $450,000 and GHR was voted one of the top
three NSW firms in The Sydney Morning Herald Accountants
Survey.
5 Years Ago…
The new Northern Beaches
Hospital was recruiting locals
to fill a raft of roles; “our ecoconscious
Council is considering
investing in an all-electric car
fleet for its workforce” and it had
been two years since Pittwater
Council was rolled into an
interim Northern Beaches
Council – and “one year this
month since we elected our
new councillors”. Our editorial
noted: “Certainly the Pittwater end of the new Council
region has fared well, mainly courtesy of funding set aside
by the State Government to ease the process of easing three
into one. Whether the delivery of infrastructure and services
continues at a rapid pace remains to be seen…” We asked
the six Pittwater and Narrabeen ward councillors, plus
Mayor Michael Regan, to reflect on Council’s first year.
Meanwhile, Avalon Beach SLSC snared the State Club
of the Year Award; the Sydney Academy of Sport and
Recreation at Narrabeen had been earmarked for possible
redevelopment “… complete with international standard
hotel accommodation at the top of the list”; developer
Waterbrook was pushing ahead with a controversial
proposal to build 95 retirement living units at Bayview
Golf Course; Barrenjoey High School celebrated its 50th
anniversary; and iconic restaurant Jonah’s was celebrating
its 90th year.
28 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
SEEN…
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of an early
hours fire that destroyed three boats docked off HolmePort
Marinas at Church Point on August 10 (pictured). Fire & Rescue
NSW report the blaze broke out onboard one of the vessels
moored at the marina on McCarrs Point Road around 5am,
with flames spreading quickly from one boat to two others
nearby. In all, the vessels contained more than 1000 litres of
fuel. Thankfully, a quick response by six fire trucks and 22
firefighters managed to prevent the fire spreading to at least
20 other vessels. There was no-one on board the burning boats
and no reports of injuries. The vessels were pushed to the
shoreline to allow better access to the flames and minimise
environmental damage. Hazmat firefighters, liaising with the
Environment Protection Authority, also established a boom to
contain leaking fuel, oil and other contaminants. Police are appealing
for any witnesses or anyone in the area at the time and
may have dash cam vision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800
333 000.
HEARD…
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps has added her support to the
push to gain recording artists a better share of revenue for
songs been played on the radio and in public spaces. Noting
that Mackellar was home to talented musicians including
Angus and Julia Stone, Sons of the East, Lime Cordiale and The
Rions, Dr Scamps said she stood by Independent Senator David
Pocock’s’ ‘Fair Play For Radio’ Bill. “This will ensure that artists
and their agents can negotiate fair remuneration,” she said.
“Under laws established 55 years ago, artists are not able to
negotiate a true market rate for their music because of legislative
caps that have not been altered in 60 years. Such caps
do not exist for any other type of copyright in Australia. It’s
clear these regulations are extremely outdated. I support fair
rights of our country’s artists.”… Council will call on the State
Government to amend legislation to stop a Councillor from
holding Local Government office once elected to State or Federal
Parliament. A motion was passed at Council’s July meeting
which, if progressed by the Minns Government before the
next Council election in 2024, would see former Mayor Michael
Regan, who was elected the Independent MP for Wakehurst in
the March NSW election, step away from his role as Frenchs
Forest Councillor. Narrabeen Independent Councillor Vince
De Luca said: “Cr Regan has an inherent conflict of interest in
holding both positions. How can residents complain or seek to
have their Local Government matters reviewed when their State
MP is a member of that Local Government? It’s a ridiculous and
untenable situation.”
ABSURD…
We’ve all occasionally forgotten to pay our Council rates or
power bills… maybe even mistakenly let our car rego lapse (especially
given we don’t have stickers on windscreens anymore
to remind us). But for the Government-appointed operator of
public transport on the Northern Beaches – Keolis Downer
Northern Beaches– to be pulled up by police for driving in an
unregistered (and therefore uninsured) vehicle is simply staggering.
A driver of a van from the popular on-demand Keoride
fleet was flagged down by a passing police car at Bayview on
August 20 after its number plate was automatically fed through
the police system and spat out as unregistered. The driver of
the van (example pictured), which was not conveying passengers
when it was pulled over, was instructed to return it to the
depot. It’s not known whether any fines were issued, which
would have been the case had it been a member of the public.
Also unknown is how many trips were taken with passengers
in Keoride fleet vehicles that were unregistered and uninsured.
A spokesperson for KDNB, which also operates the B-Line, said:
“It has since been established that all vehicles have undertaken
authorised safety inspections and are now registered. Keolis
Downer Northern Beaches is currently investigating registration
procedures to align with safety requirements.”
30 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Council events grants
More than 30 recipients will
share in $175,000 as part
of Council’s ‘Event Grants’
and Sponsorship program in
2023/’24, paving the way for
more events and activities to
have fun in town centres and
open spaces. From a carnival
dedicated to four-legged
friends to showing off samba
moves as part of a Latin Festival
– there will be something
for everyone to see and do
over the next year. Other
Council-funded events include
a writer’s festival in Manly; star
gazing in Frenchs Forest; and
a new festival in the up-andcoming
cultural precinct in
Brookvale. As part of the grant
conditions, support is in the
form of funding and/or fee
waivers and can be used up
until 31 August 2024 (or longer
for multi-year grants). Full list
on Council website.
Triple treat
at The Shack
The Shack Live Music Club is
held on the first Saturday of
Members of the Palm Beach and Peninsula
Probus Club will next meet on
Wednesday 20 September at 9.30am Club
Palm Beach. Guest speakers – Bette Lakin
and Janelle Dodd – will detail the worldwide
not-for-profit enterprise called ‘Days for
Girls’. The aim is to provide hygiene education
and simple, washable and reusable
sanitary care kits for girls in Third World
countries who otherwise miss days of school
each month. Days for Girls workshops are
conducted on the first Sunday of the month
in Avalon. Club membership is open to retired
men and women; visitors also welcome.
More info call 0421 435 792.
The next meeting of the Bilgola Plateau
Probus Club is on Friday 1 September, with
doors open from 9.30am. Speaker will be
Deb Wallace, the well-known and respected
former Detective Superintendent of the
NSW Police. Deb, who retired in 2019 after
36 years of service, has many interesting
stories to relate, so this meeting really is a
must-attend! The Club is proud to report it
has just notched its century of members – a
husband-and-wife team the latest additions
at their August meeting. For more info call
Shelley (0415 538 864).
each month at the Ted Blackwood
Hall at Warriewood.
Each show features three
live music acts in a cabaret
candlelit atmosphere with BYO
food and drinks. Their next
concert on 2 September features
The Bottlers, Ingrid Mae
and Michael-John Azzopardi.
And stay tuned for details and
line-up for the 2023 Northern
Beaches Music Festival at Berry
Reserve, Narrabeen on November
4-5. Shack entry $30
cash (no wi-fi) at door or visit
shackfolk.com
Local Probus News in September
The law is in focus at the next meeting of
the Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club, too. They
next meet on Wednesday 27 September at
Narrabeen Baptist Church, with doors open
at 9.45am for a 10am start. Guest speaker
will be police officer Sandra Fraitta, who will
talk about schemes used by scammers to
trick members of the community into giving
money (NB: Sandra’s talk has been rescheduled
from July). The club has around 80
members (visitors welcome, no waiting list).
For more info call or text 0424 464 047.
The Combined Probus Club of Mona Vale
meets next on Tuesday, 19 September, in
the auditorium at Pittwater RSL Club (from
10am). The guest speaker will be Phil Allan,
a long-time member of the Handbells
Society of Australasia. A few years after retirement,
Phil was looking for an additional
activity, so he purchased a set of miniature
handbells and taught himself to play – the
rest, as they say, is history. His topic – ‘The
History of Handbell Playing in Australia”
– will be supported by… handbell playing!
Audience members will be invited to
ask questions and try the bells and chimes
afterwards. Visitors welcome; more info
Robert (0407 202 266).
Friends of Soibada
Join Friends of Soibada (FOS)
for a fundraiser evening with
entertainment featuring a
range of local performers and
some new and exciting Northern
Beaches bands. A variety
of homemade soups will be
served accompanied by crusty
bread (bring your own drinks
and additional nibbles). All
funds raised go towards projects
in the village of Soibada
in Timor Leste. This year FOS
are working on developing
Continued on page 34
TAFE showcase
Northern Beaches TAFE NSW
campus (NBC) hosted an
evening to network with leaders
from the hairdressing industry
last month. TAFE partnered
with Australian haircare
company NAK to showcase
new innovative techniques for
colour and styling.
Beth Porter and Skye Macfarlane
from Vintage Roots in
Newport attended, with Beth
winning the lucky door prize,
$300 worth of NAK products.
The night included a talk
from Head Teacher Magali
Pimblett (left, with Beth and
Skye) and salon owner Nicky
Cassidy who spoke about the
support she has received from
TAFE NSW and how pleased
she has been with apprentices.
32 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Whale cruises from Palm Beach
Winter might be winding down, but now comes the opportunity
to witness the majestic annual humpback
whale migration up close and personal, with bespoke whale
watching cruises departing from Palm Beach wharf during
the September / October School Holidays.
There’s no need to travel into Sydney, as a 2.5-hour long
cruise operated by Fantasea Cruising departs Palm Beach
Wharf at 8.45am and 11.45am every Thursday – Sunday, with
complimentary transfers from the Central Coast (with Palm
Beach Ferries).
Whale sightings are guaranteed with thousands of humpback
whales embarking on their return journey back to Antarctic
waters with many mothers taking their newborn calves
right in close to shore. (In the unlikely event of not seeing any
whales, you can join a 2nd cruise free of charge.)
And if you are a ‘My NRMA’ member, you can save 20% on
Whale Watching tickets with Fantasea Cruising.
*Book online at whalewatchingsydney.com.au or call 1800
326 822
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 33

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 32
a men’s carpentry workshop
and training program, setting
up small businesses for the
women of the craft cooperative,
and a dental hygiene program
throughout the primary
schools (and much more). Night
is on Friday 15 September at
the Maria Regina Church Hall,
Avalon Beach, 6.30-11pm. Tickets
$20 (includes soup + bread)
on trybooking.com.
Art Gallery & Museum
fundraising strategy
Council has put the final
brushstrokes on its six-year
plan to maximise opportunities
by local creatives to showcase
arts and culture, to support
public art and to continue
growing creative spaces. The
new Manly Art Gallery and
Museum Fundraising Strategy
will target raising funds that
contribute to the development
and exposure of the arts and
culture sector not only on
the Beaches but wider afield.
Mayor Sue Heins said previously
the capacity for local
government to provide for arts
and culture had traditionally
been limited to self-funding,
income generating activities,
grants from other levels of
government, and business
partnerships. MAG&M – which
is celebrating its centenary
of collections in 2024 – is the
oldest metropolitan purposebuilt
regional gallery in NSW;
it’s both a proud gallery and
museum with a nationally
significant collection of over
5,000 objects including painting,
ceramics, works on paper,
photographs, museum objects,
documents and public art.
Council is also considering
participation in the Sydney
Film Festival, Sydney Writers
Festival, Festival of Sydney
and VIVID.
Bands in 50 years
of making music
It’s the 50th Anniversary of the
Avalon Public School Band Program,
and they are celebrating
with a Gala Night and Concert
on Thursday 14 September.
It’s the longest running public
Bowlo an end-to-end winner
Newport Bowling Club takes pride in being regarded as
the safest, as well as one of the most welcoming, social
venues on the Peninsula.
It’s been targeted as ‘the place to be’ for 85 years by members,
residents as well as
savvy Northern Beaches
community groups.
Its appeal is broad and
its atmosphere unpretentious:
socialise in the
Clubhouse’s comfortable
lounge bar, or enjoy a
catch-up with friends on
the large covered veranda
overlooking the greens.
A relaxed family and
dog-friendly setting are
among the many enjoyable
advantages of becoming
a Newport Bowlo social member. Enjoy an alfresco morning
coffee and a tasty snack at the on-site cafe ‘GoodFolk’; join
in the Friday night meat raffles; sample the club’s choice of
more than 60 beers(!); or simply have fun on the greens.
Newport Barefoot bowling is terrific fun and great value
for families and groups of friends. Sessions are just $5 for
children ($10 adults) including all equipment hire. Barefoot
bowling is ideal for team building, corporate events and special
occasions where men, women, and children can compete
on an equal footing.
*Open daily (corner Barrenjoey / Palm Rds, Newport); more
info newportbowling@bigpond.com or call 999 1661.
34 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

PHOTO: Larry Paice
school band program in
NSW thanks to the ongoing
dedication of the school, band
directors past and present,
parents, volunteers and of
course students. The band’s
Director Charles Wilkinson,
24, has brought a youthful,
modern twist to the program.
“Watching the students progress
from never picking up an
instrument to playing in huge
concert halls as a cohesive
ensemble in such a short time
is what drives my passion,”
Charles says. With around 100
students from Years 3-6 making
up the four bands (including
Roy Laurich from the Year
3 Training Band – pictured),
mornings at Avalon Public
School are full of music and
laughter.
The concert will be a trip
down memory lane with music
from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and
naughties played (some mums
and dads may remember playing
the pieces themselves!).
Photos and memorabilia from
50 years of APS band will
be displayed on the night.
Doors open 5.15pm; tickets
are limited – more info email
avbandrocks@gmail.com
Peninsula Music Club
A concert with a difference at
a new venue! One of Australia’s
best-loved classical pianists
Simon Tedeschi is teaming up
with jazz vocalist and violinist
George Washingmachine to
perform Gershwin favourites
and classic jazz standards by
Cole Porter, Oscar Pietersen,
Fats Waller and more at the
Pittwater High School Hall on
Continued on page 36
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 35

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 35
Fri 15th Sept from 8pm (doors
open 7.30pm). Tickets $30.
Bookings at peninsulamusicclub.com.au
or 0407 441 213.
Trish is top of the table
North Narrabeen table tennis
player Trish Egan has won
gold, silver and bronze medals
in national and international
championships in her first
year of competitive play.Trish
(pictured right), a member of
Pittwater Uniting Table Tennis
Club at Warriewood returned
from Scandinavia in August
with a singles Gold medal and
doubles Silver at the European
Master Games in Tampere,
Finland.And the previous
week in Oslo Fjord, representing
England at the European
Table Tennis Championships,
Trish won through six rounds
to reach the quarter finals
in an event which attracted
some 2000 players from 40
countries.A relative newcomer,
her first table tennis
competition outing was last
year in Perth where she won
a Silver and three Bronze
medals in women’s and mixed
doubles events at the Australian
Masters Championships.
Trish’s next competition is in
Canberra in October where she
has been selected to represent
NSW at the National Table Tennis
Championships.
Head to Manly Jazz
Manly will come alive with the
sounds of Australia’s longest
running jazz festival Manly
Jazz from 22-24 September.
The Manly Corso and beachfront
as well as the surrounding
streets and laneways will
become the setting for locals
and visitors to enjoy some
great music from a range of
legendary artists. Now in its
46th year, the Festival will
feature more than 50 outstanding
artists across four stages.
Artists include the Sydney
Conservatorium Big Band, John
Morrison All Stars (featuring
John Hoffman), House
of Bop and a Tribute to Don
Burrows (with special guest
Johnny Nicol). There will be
stages at Manly Beachfront,
Sydney Road, Manly Town Hall
forecourt, St Matthews Church,
Scamps runs for Voice
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps joined former Federal Liberal
Minister Pat Farmer on his ‘Run For The Voice’ last month.
Farmer set off from Palm Beach and was joined by Dr Scamps at
Narrabeen, with the former GP running to Collaroy before Farmer
continued on to the Sydney Opera House.
By October the ultra-marathon runner will have clocked up
14,400km in six months spruiking the ‘Yes’ campaign.
Dr Scamps said: “What Pat Farmer is doing is incredible. He believes
wholeheartedly in the Voice.
“I joined him because the Voice referendum is a monumental
moment in Australian history. It’s our opportunity to step into the
future on a positive note and to show the rest of the world what type
of people we are.
“The referendum is a chance for Australia to show our generous
and gracious hearts, not our small and fearful hearts. Initiatives to
support our First Nations Peoples to date, and to ‘close the gap’, have
been a dismal failure as we have not consulted properly with the people
who are affected by policies and decisions made on their behalf.
“Sadly, the debate so far has been muddied for purely political
reasons, but I believe that Australians will rise to this moment in
history.”
plus roving performers along
The Corso, laneways and Manly
Wharf. Manly Jazz is nonticketed
and free to attend. The
full stage program is available
on Council’s website.
Ready to Engage
Are you a parent or carer of
children? Always looking to
find fun things to do locally on
the Northern Beaches – especially
with the school holidays
looming? Engage Northern
Beaches are full of ideas – from
events, activities, explore and
holiday activities; they’ve
done the hard work for you,
so there’s no more finding out
about things too late. Engage
empowers parents and carers
to engage with kids and makes
it as easy as possible for you to
find things to do. Engage are
building a website search function,
where you’ll be able to
find things to do at the click of
the button. For now, they share
loads of ideas on Instagram @
engage_northern_beaches.
Northern Beaches
economy boost
Council says Pittwater and the
lower Northern Beaches will
benefit from a stronger and
greener economy with more
jobs and local spending, under
their new economic development
strategy. Following
public consultation, Council
36 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

has updated and endorsed the
Economic Development Strategy
– Business on the Beaches.
Submissions called for greater
protection of employment
lands, greater business diversity
in town centres and measures
to tackle skill shortages
and housing affordability. Key
targets for the next five years
include increasing local jobs
by 5%, creating 5,500 new jobs;
increasing manufacturing
output by 10% ($400 million);
boosting the number of businesses
by 10% (3,500 new businesses);
local spending by 10%
($800 million); and the number
of jobs in green industries by
10%. (Specific estimates for
Pittwater not available.)
Community libraries
funding confirmed
Council has approved almost
$125,000 in funding for local
community libraries for
the 2023/24 financial year.
Council’s funding provides for
the delivery of baseline public
library services and is critical
to the ongoing management of
community library operations.
Council has a long history of
providing an annual subsidy
to the community libraries of
Avalon, Terrey Hills, Balgowlah
Seaforth, as well as the
Booklovers’ Club Northern
Beaches Inc. Community
libraries’ services include the
provision of engaging library
collections; access to comfort-
able spaces and places for
educational and recreational
purposes; access to Wi-Fi and
public computers; delivery of
events and programs such as
story time and local author
talks; plus opportunities for
community volunteering.
Avalon Community Library
celebrates 40 years in October
(see story page 40); this year
Booklovers Club NB celebrates
70 years (see page 52).
Bush ‘Sister City’
Program bolstered
Council is strengthening its
Sister City relationship with
Brewarrina Shire Council in
north-west NSW and exploring
new ways to support
the regional council. The
Brewarrina region is rich in
Aboriginal culture, famous for
its heritage-listed Brewarrina
Aboriginal Fish Traps. The
Brewarrina Youth Exchange
will see six young people from
Brewarrina spend a week in
the Northern Beaches, and
six young locals from the
Northern Beaches will head to
the bush. Mayor Sue Heins said
the youth exchange program
was an invaluable opportunity
for young people to experience
life in a totally different community.
“It’s a real opportunity
to build a deeper understanding
and respect for Aboriginal
culture – and that experience
is so life changing.” More info
Council website.
Tigers show
respect
T
he Pittwater Tigers Junior
AFL club recently celebrated
their
50 years
anniversary
at a special
fundraising
night at
Mona Vale
Surf Club
which raised
a whopping
$16,000.
The club was supported by
many local businesses who
generously provided products
and services for the silent
auction – including a signed
Sam Kerr football, a Japan Ski
Holiday and a year’s supply
of beer.
On the night Club President
Simon Smith announced one
of the biggest changes at the
club in 50 years – a newly
designed football guernsey
to serve as a permanent
recognition of the traditional
owners of the lands where
AFL is played on the Northern
Beaches (pictured).
Smith said Indigenous
artist Rheanna Lotter had
created a design that reflected
the club’s values and the
lands around North Narrabeen
reserve.
At a separate ceremony
local Elder, Uncle Neal Evers,
hosted a welcome to country
and smoking ceremony to
present the guernseys to the
club.
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
Dogs and cats can become
itchy due to allergies, skin
parasites or skin infections
– and sometimes it can be a
combination of causes resulting
in a very itchy and uncomfortable
pet. Pruritis is the medical
term for itching, and the skin
disorder features areas of red
inflamed skin, which can sometimes
progress to areas of skin
infection or pyoderma. As the
pet itches, licks and scratches,
this self-trauma can result in
raw bleeding skin and areas of
hair loss.
Itchiness in pets can occur
due to seasonal skin allergies or
atopy – caused by an allergen
which the pet inhales or ingests;
or itchiness can result from flea
allergy dermatitis – when the
pet is allergic to flea bites, and
itchiness can also occur due to
contact allergies, skin mites, insect
stings and skin infections.
If your pet is itching, it’s
important to book them in for a
consultation. The vet will complete
a full physical examination,
including assessing their
skin. Depending on the likely
cause of the problem, the vet
will then discuss if any diagnostic
tests are recommended,
followed by outlining the best
treatment options.
The treatment for itchiness
or pruritis may include parasite
control products to manage any
skin parasites present – such as
fleas, anti-inflammatory medications
to relieve the itchiness
and settle areas of inflammation
– and antibiotic medications
to treat skin infection.
Depending on the cause of
the itchiness, the vet may also
recommend treatment with
medicated or soothing shampoos,
topical creams to apply
onto areas of affected skin, or
other medications and supplements.
As part of the consultation,
the vet will explain how long
treatment will be required for,
and what to watch out for in
terms of any flare-ups or recurrence
of the skin disorder.
For further advice about itchy
pets call our team at Avalon
(9918 0833) or Newport (9997
4609) or visit sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 37

Life Stories
A real page-turner
Albert Einstein wasn’t
just a mathematical and
physics genius but a
philosopher with a pithy knack
of distilling the universe into
language the rest of us can
understand. The only thing
you “absolutely need to know”
in life, he once said, “is the
location of the library”.
The more local the library is,
the better – encouraging both
inspiration in children and
escape or knowledge in adults.
In October, Avalon
Community Library celebrates
its 40th anniversary.
Along with Woolies, the
surf club, RSL, churches,
schools and a handful of
other buildings, the library
is the beating heart of the
community it serves.
Perched on the top floor of
Avalon Recreation Centre –
above the various halls and
rooms hosting everything
from martial arts and toddler
gymnastics to federal election
Avalon Community Library is
gearing up for its 40th anniversary
celebration; here, those involved in
its history tell its story…
counts and Alcoholics
Anonymous meetings – the
library is such a cornerstone
of “village” life, it’s hard
to imagine Avalon and its
northern fringes without it.
And yet it involved a
community campaign to give it
seed, as Craig Boaden recalls.
Speaking from St Louis,
Missouri – where he’s
visiting his daughter and
grandchildren – Craig was a
conspicuous member of the
launch on Friday October
28, 1983. He was one of the
few males, and the only one
wearing a bow tie.
Story by Steve Meacham
At that time, under
Warringah Shire Council,
there was no library further
north on the peninsula than
Mona Vale. Young mothers
and pensioners would often
need to catch a bus below “the
Bends” to borrow a book – and
catch it back again.
Brenda Kable was the
driving force to get the
community to finance a library
in Avalon, as Craig – now
the President of the Avalon
Preservation Association –
recalls.
To be fair, Craig says,
Warringah Council was
running on a shoestring
budget. Which is why Brenda
Kable suggested that an Avalon
Community Library could
largely support itself.
A crucial moment came
in a council debate, explains
Meg Dunn, who has been
a volunteer for 12 years
and is now President of the
community library.
“Warringah Councillor
Frank Webeck was reported in
The Manly Daily as saying, ‘We
should not stand in the way
of people who want to help
themselves. It’s a fine example
of the community spirit and
effort of the people’.”
Cr Webeck also suggested
a possible venue for the
fledgling library. “It was
a small room in the old
Baby Health Centre,” Craig
remembers. “Ironically,
almost exactly where the
library is now.”
Craig claims no credit for
the opening of the library.
40 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

“Brenda agreed to be chair
(of the launch committee),
and I happened to mention I
was a professional librarian.
Suddenly I was in!
“I’m not sure how Brenda
knew Morris West (then one
of the most famous novelists
in the world after Shoes of the
Fisherman).
“But he lived at Taylors
Point. I was just the frontman.
Morris had agreed to be our
patron.
“My job was to hand him a
bottle of wine, an Australian
shiraz, on behalf of the
committee. It was purchased
from Avalon Wine & Cheese,
one of the oldest buildings in
Avalon.
“The only other place to
buy wine in Avalon in those
days was the drive-in (roughly
where the Telstra building is
today).”
It wasn’t a big launch party
because the newborn library
was barely the size of a broom
cupboard in one of those
houses you see in the real
estate ads and can’t afford.
Brenda and her team – Judy
Thomson, Joy Morbey, Joan
Gilies, Helen Sweeney, Beryl
Blaydon and Helen Clark –
worked tirelessly, cataloguing
books and training
volunteers.
Most of the books at the
opening had been gifted by
publishers, bookshops or local
authors.
However, every building
or structure – from the
pyramids onwards – has
human stories embalmed in
the brickwork.
Today, Meg says, “We have
around 65 volunteers, plus
Jane Park, our wonderful
library coordinator – the only
paid librarian on site, who has
worked here for six years.”
Jane was appointed after
the library’s first coordinator
Helen Clark retired in 2017
– and has expanded the
community events, including
author talks.
“Roughly one a month,” Meg
says. “That’s a lot to organise.”
Michael Robotham is
probably Avalon’s 21st
equivalent of Morris West
– a best-selling author with
multi-million sales in many
languages.
“I love local libraries because
they’re not just about reading,
but about job-hunting, and
studying and doing research,”
says the author. “They’re hubs
that bring people together,
curing loneliness and
generating ideas and fostering
community spirit.
“If you want the evidence –
look at how many people are
willing to volunteer their time
to keep the Avalon Library
running; and how loved it is by
residents.”
Local Logie-award-winning
actor Peter Phelps used the
community library as a place
of quiet refuge and reflection
to write 2018’s The Bulldog
Track: A grandson’s story of
an ordinary man’s war and
survival on the other Kokoda
Track.
“I’d often come in here, still
wet from a surf, and borrow a
book, so it was all part of my
lifestyle,” Peter explains.
“I love writing in my home,
but I write more in the library.
I love the fact that I can put
my headphones on and listen
to ambient music and just be
in this area surrounded by
books, right in the middle of
the community.
“There’s someone reading
the local magazine, someone’s
doing their taxes on the
computer next door – I love
that whole spirit that it’s for
everyone.
“The best thing about
Avalon library is that I know
it’s always there. And it’s so
well-stocked with the books
that I like and I can always
request something. And
everyone’s so accepting and
very helpful.
“It is the centre of Avalon.
It’s central to the community.
Without it you’d have a less
cohesive community. And
more lonely people.
“I can travel the world
within Avalon library.”
Avalon Community Library
moved so many times within
a few hundred metres it
could double as a mobile
library. And is now operating
under its third council
Continued on page 42
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: The volunteers’ Christmas party in 2019; Meg
Dunn and Jane Park pore over historical photos; the first library circa 1983;
the library’s second location; author’s talks are popular; former library
co-ordinator Helen Clarke; Brenda Kable and the original committee; Craig
Boaden and patron Morris West at the official opening on 28 October, 1983.
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 41

Life Stories
Continued from page 41
jurisdiction, having outlived
both Warringah and Pittwater
councils.
In 1988, it had outgrown the
original room at the Avalon
Baby Centre and moved to what
had been the site of the first
Woolworth’s store in Avalon,
in Avalon Parade, opposite
the Post Office. The Woolies
building had been demolished
to make way for the current
arcade we know today.
The library also took over
a vacant shop in the arcade
which became the children’s
library.
In 2002, there was another
move. Now under the auspices
of Pittwater Council it
transferred to the new Avalon
Recreation Centre – its current
site.
“The library’s collection has
grown from a modest 3500
books to over 23,000 items,”
Meg says proudly.
Items?
“There were no DVDs or
audio books in 1983,” Meg
points out. “There was VHS,
but no-one came to the library
for videos because they
just went to the video store
(at the southern tip of Old
Barrenjoey Rd.”
As well as its own collection
of books, the community
library’s 5,000 members can
also order books from the
other libraries in the Northern
Beach Council area – with
a delivery service ferrying
them several times a week so
readers can just pick them up
from Avalon.
“We have access to all the
items on the Northern Beaches
Library Services catalogue
which the Council’s Library
Service Team keeps updated,
so we know everything that
the other Northern Beaches
libraries have.
“And if a particular item
isn’t to be found locally, we can
always do an interlibrary loan
by borrowing from libraries
outside our own Council area.”
Though the community
library has always received
grants from the relevant
councils, “we do collect funds
from use of our computers,
reservations – and, of course,
fines,” Meg explains.
“Some locals make yearly
financial donations, and we
Continued on page 44
42 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

AUTHOR, AUTHOR: The library has hosted dozens of talks from writers
including Avalon’s Amanda Hampson (top) and Anthea Hodgson (below).
Life Stories
Continued from page 42
weed our collection regularly
– selling books which aren’t
needed anymore for a nominal
amount.”
It is Jane’s job to ensure the
library is kept relevant to the
community’s every-changing
needs.
“It is a great privilege to lead
a team of so many volunteers,”
Jane says. “For a start, they all
want to be here.
“They enjoy the challenge two days a week for five
of tracking down a book for a years. He covers newly arrived
borrower or helping them on books and helps at author
the computer.
talks, bumping in and as a
“I try to ensure they are barman.”
continuously trained to deliver COVID was the toughest
a quality customer service to years in the library’s history.
our community.”
Just when the community had
The average age of
time on its hands to escape
volunteers has plunged
into a book and a desperate
significantly in recent years, need for companionship, it
partly because computer skills was forced to close – first
are such a necessary part of due to the “Avalon cluster”,
the service.
then for the general lengthy
But there are still far more lockdowns.
female volunteers than males. The team was even more
Paula Szeps has been one eager to reopen than the
of the youngest volunteers borrowers. That’s the kind of
for two years – since she, library it is.
her husband and their two Adds Northern Beaches
children arrived in Avalon. Mayor Sue Heins: “Like all our
“Working at the library is a branches, Avalon Community
chance to get out of the house Library’s operational costs are
(I mainly work from home) funded by Council and it’s an
and interact with people. It’s essential service we provide to
been a way to get into the the community.
community,” she says.
“It has many uses beyond a
“All the volunteers, and library and is a great facility
visitors, really enjoy the for the northern part of the
environment. It’s a very nice peninsula.
place to be. And everyone here “The efforts by Meg Dunn,
is interested in reading books Jane Park and the committed
and supporting that for future team of volunteers is admirable
generations.
– 40 years is an incredible
“Without the library here, achievement to celebrate.”
it would be a piece of life *More info avalonlibrary.
missing.”
org.au; Facebook and Insta:
Silvio Pires has volunteered avaloncommunitylibrary
44 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

School Life
John Colet: building students’ confidence
It takes a community to raise
a child, and children learn
best when they are not alone
on their journey. Through
collaborative learning
opportunities within class, to
opportunities for students to
engage across year levels in
an integrated buddy program,
John Colet School is proud
that their students learn with,
and are supported by, each
other.
Likewise, says Headmaster
Julian Wilcock, the collective
understanding between home
and school helps ensure there
are no gaps for students and
that they are supported at all
stages.
“Actively developing a
child’s ability to give attention
to tasks is an important skill
that is best learnt at an early
age,” Mr Wilcock said.
“Children’s minds naturally
wander, and practical exercises
help them to learn how to
focus.
“It is all about being in the
present moment. Many of our
unique subjects and clubs
facilitate this, such as Singing,
Shakespeare, extended Art
and Chess. However, it is the
regular pausing throughout
the day that helps children
learn how to fall still, quiet
the emotions and give their
attention to the task at hand.”
Mr Wilcock explained that
John Colet School was a multifaith
School where spiritual
and character development
was an important aspect of
students’
development.
“The children
are introduced to simple
exercises in self-awareness
and inner stillness. There are
regular moments of quiet
between lessons, and at the
age of 10, the children can
learn meditation. The aim
is to give children a quiet
sense of self assurance and
confidence.”
Philosophy classes are
conducted at all age levels, as
open discussions addressing
questions such as Who am
I?; How should I live my life?;
and What does it mean to be a
good friend? Scripture classes
draw on a range of traditions
from East and West.
Students are taught within
a caring, supporting
environment of trust
– and stay with their
class teachers for
two to three years,
for stability and
connection.
A daily vegetarian
lunch is also provided.
“While we are well-known
for our academics, our focus
remains on building a child’s
confidence and adaptability,
which we do through a
traditional curriculum and a
focus on liberal arts,” said Mr
Wilcock.
*Limited places are available
for girls in Years 3 and 5
in 2024; more information
johncolet.nsw.edu.au or
9451 8395.
School Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023
45

Art Life
Art Life
Charlotte’s prized Narrabeen study
WINNER: Charlotte Yan with her ‘Devolution’ works.
North Narrabeen local Charlotte Yan took inspiration from the
beauty of Narrabeen Lagoon to become joint winner of the
13-18 years category in the 2023 Northern Beaches Environmental
Art & Design Awards.
Although run by Northern Beaches Council, the Northern
Beaches Environmental Art & Design Awards attract entries
from all across Australia – which is why Charlotte was shocked
when her mum called her to say she was a winner.
“I was in Europe, travelling around France, Italy, Greece and
England when my mum called me,”
reveals Charlotte. “I never considered
I might be a winner.”
Her winning piece entitled ‘Devolution’
is a stunning work; taking over
a year to complete, it grew almost as
organically as the beautiful trees it
depicts.
“I started it in Year 11 as my major
piece of art work,” explained Charlotte.
“It’s acrylic, but with added
layers to give an oil look. I also added
drypoint prints to it, by etching designs
into plastic and then putting
them through a press to add more
layers to the work.
“I kept going back to it and adding
more. I felt it was one-dimensional
early on, but my art teacher introduced
me to the impressionists and I
added tones of blue and purple into
the shadows, as many of them [the
impressionists] did.”
Like many of her generation, the
environment is incredibly important
to Charlotte.
“I take inspiration from nature and in particular the Narrabeen
Lake and Lagoon areas. I go there a lot.
“Devolution is the idea of reverting back to a form from the
past over time. My collection of works examines the impact of
humans on what once was a pristine environment.”
She said her investigation of Narrabeen Lagoon had revealed
a history of light industries which punctuated the banks of the
lake.
“But a program of revival and replanting has resulted in
regenerated vegetation with little evidence of the sites’ polluted
waters and industrial past,” she explained.
“I’ve always had an interest in wildlife and nature and sustainability
and that is coming out in my designs.”
When Charlotte refers to ‘designs’, she means the looks she is
creating as part of studying architecture at University.
“My architecture degree is a lot harder than I thought. I’m
doing a three-year degree followed by a Masters, which takes
a year and a half. The work is very hard and so art is a good
distraction from that.
“And winning this award has really inspired me to continue
with my art.”
The winners of the 2023 Northern
Beaches Environmental Art & Design
Awards were announced at Manly Art
Gallery and Museum last month, with
an exhibition of the finalists works
displayed across three galleries on
the Northern Beaches.
Charlotte was a joint winner in one
of the nine categories; her piece was
chosen from a massive 600 entries
from across Australia, showing the
importance of the awards in only
their third year.
The awards aim to encourage artists
and designers to contribute to
the conversation around environmental
challenges in the 21st century,
and to create innovative ideas for the
future around the natural world and
environmental regeneration.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue
Heins said: “The Environmental Art
& Design Prize has brought together
a dynamic community of artists,
designers and audiences who care
deeply about our future. Their works
speak volumes about not only about their creativity but the
underlying reasons we created this national prize.”
This year’s winners included: Ceramics and Small Sculpture
– Shani Nottingham, Cowra, NSW; Film – Perdita Phillips,
Fremantle, WA; Interdisciplinary Collaboration – Kandos School
of Cultural Adaptation, Bulli, NSW; Painting and Mixed Media –
Grace Kemarre Robinya, Alice Springs, NT; Works on Paper and
Photography – Belinda Yee, Balmain, NSW; Wearable Design
– Adelash Parsons, Surry Hills, NSW; Functional Design – Jack
Stannard, Balgowlah, NSW. People’s Choice – Ember McCabe;
Shona Wilson and Penelope Oates.
Rob Pegley
*More info Council website.
46 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Tramshed show on track
Best-selling
author and
comedian Wendy
Harmer will open
the Northern
Beaches Art
Society’s annual
Spring Art
Exhibition and Sale
at the Narrabeen
Tramshed Hall in
late September.
Entry to the
exhibition – which
runs from Friday
29 September to
Monday 2 October
– is free.
Society President
Heather Macorison
said that with
Spring being the time of renewal, the
exhibition provides the perfect opportunity to
purchase a new and original piece of artwork
for the home, or office, or as a forwardplanned
Christmas gift.
“There will be a vast array of works in
a variety of mediums and styles in oils,
watercolours, acrylics, and pastels, all
covering a multitude of subjects and all the
paintings will be for
sale,” said Heather
(pictured – In Fields
of Gold by Annette
McCrossin).
Visitors will also
be able to vote for
their two favourite
paintings in the
exhibition. Not only
will the two artists
who receive the
most votes win a
prize each, but all
those who vote will
go into the draw for
the Viewer’s Prize.
Exhibition
hours are from
3pm on Friday 29
September (the
Official Opening will be from 6pm to 8pm);
and on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from
9am to 5pm.
On the final day of the exhibition, Monday
2 October, closing drinks will be served from
3pm and the exhibition will close at 5pm. Any
sold paintings can also be picked up after
5pm on Sunday.
– NW
*More info northernbeachesartsociety.org
Family bonds
on exhibition
A
dynamic exhibition of
multi-disciplinary works by
mother and daughter artists
Heather and Kate Dorrough
will be on show at the Manly
Art Gallery & Museum from
September 1 to October 8.
‘Heather + Kate Dorrough:
Lineage’ explores the connection
between the arts and crafts
movements, female creative lineage,
body and landscape, river
and fertility, and environmental
issues and activism.
The exhibition encompasses
fibre art, paintings, prints,
ceramics, sculpture and video,
showcasing the dynamic and
diverse practices of both artists.
Heather Dorrough (1933
– 2018) was a pioneer of
fabric and fibre art in Australia,
creating innovative works that
challenged the boundaries
between craft and art.
Kate Dorrough (b.1964) is a
Sydney-based artist who works
across painting and ceramics,
exploring the dynamics that
exist between paint and clay.
*More info on Gallery website.
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023
47

Hot Property
Plenty of wiggle room inside and out
Many home buyers are searching for layouts than can accommodate ever-changing family needs and adapt
to life’s unpredictable moments – such as switching a kids’ room into a dedicated office, art studio or guest
room… and back again! Here are three properties with multiple flexible spaces.
This much-loved home at 75 Riviera Avenue
Avalon Beach has been held by the current
family for the past 35 years. Its versatile layout is
set over two levels with multiple living spaces and
separate bedroom wings. Upstairs the kitchen
and dining area flow into the main living area
which opens to a wide deck with an outlook to
the ocean and the master bedroom has a balcony
which also captures views. On the lower level
there is spacious second living/rumpus and three
well-sized bedrooms which open to gardens or
the deck surrounding the grand swimming pool.
Auction guide $2.65 million; contact Peter
Robinson LJ Hooker Avalon.
Hot Property
A north-facing weekender nestled against the
shoreline at Berowra Waters offers plenty of space
to escape to. With dual jetty, private pontoon and
entertainment deck on arrival, 17 Collingridge
Point is perched in the treetops and set over
two levels with unobstructed river views. The
master bedroom suite and second bedroom
lead off the open plan living/dining area onto an
entertaining deck that connects the inside to out.
The lower level, originally designed as an artist’s
studio, is a huge area that could be utilised as a
third bedroom, guest or rumpus room. For sale.
Contact Noel Nicholson Ray White Prestige.
This six-bedroom home at 3 Koala Place Avalon
Beach offers a harmonious mix of communal
living, guest quarters and workspaces perfect
for large or extended families. Sleeping zones
are cleverly positioned, with three bedrooms
on both upper and lower levels. The spacious
master is a tranquil retreat with ocean views,
ensuite and walk-in robe. The ground level
boasts a stunning kitchen and open plan living
and dining area with a second generous living
area, two office spaces and a home studio
space with adjoining storage room. Auction
guide $3.5 million; contact Amy Young
Laing+Simmons Young Property.
48 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Happy Qubec owners move in
It’s taken a year longer than expected,
but Guy Fraser-Hills and his wife Sarn
are delighted to have finally moved
into their new Qubec apartment in
Beaconsfield Street, Newport.
The couple sold their family home
in nearby Prince Alfred Parade, where
they lived with their two children for 20
years, in April 2021 and purchased off
the plan in Qubec a few weeks later.
Sale of their home was completed
in September 2021, whereupon they
rented in Mona Vale until the expected
completion of their new apartment.
But then the
project’s builder
collapsed –
with 95% work
completed,
developer The
Stable Group’s
directors Ed
Horton and
Danny Flynn
stepped up to
complete the job.
Although
the Fraser-Hills
had to rent for
WORTH WAIT: The
another year,
Fraser-Hills & Qubec.
they are “over
the moon” with their new abode.
“It has certainly met or exceeded
every expectation,” Guy said. “It’s
different when it’s off the plan and
nothing has been turned on before but
the finishes and attention to detail of
the trades is excellent.”
Ed Horton explained the long road to
delivery.
“The construction industry in Australia
has suffered from unseasonal extreme
weather events over the past two years.
“Moreso, the effects of COVID-19
were far greater than the immediate
direct effects of shutdowns and
restricted work conditions.
“There have been extraordinary cost
increases in the construction sector. These
have greatly contributed to the demise
of many builders and sub-contractors –
many small and some large.
“The Qubec builder PBS was one of
those casualties, going under in March
2022.”
Guy added: “What Ed and Danny have
achieved after the builder went broke
has been great – to get control of the
site, regain the trust of the trades… it
has been remarkable.
Ed said Quebec was one of the most
smart and sustainable projects of its
type in the country.
“Each of the 18, three-bedroom
townhouses has its own internal elevator,
making it easy
for residents to
stay on, long
after their legs
give up climbing
stairs, and
most notably all
have their own
solar array and
battery energy
storage, which
contributes to
both lowering
energy costs
and providing
ease of
recharging EV
vehicles, with
EV chargers in
each garage,”
he said.
“The latest
in smart
technology
allows the
home to be
completely connected, with biometric
and Bluetooth door access through
to number plate recognition car park
entry and even voice control.”
Now there’s the opportunity to
secure the last remaining apartment
(#12) – with the benefit of viewing the
finished product in the completed
community, not off the plan.
*Contact LJ Hooker Newport (agent
Gordon Spring); more info 9979 1111.
Management
with a difference
The all-female owner/operated
team at new holiday property
management group The Curated
Collection have made it their mission
to set themselves apart from typical
property managers.
The team is headed by licensee
Laura Mears, plus directors Jacqui Gill
and Trish Goodyear.
Well-known local real estate identity
Laura has a dedication to seamless
property management that’s deeply
rooted in her love for the Northern
Beaches community.
Having laid the groundwork as
Home Hostess est. 2017, Jacqui brings
hospitality finesse; her expertise in
establishing and maintaining owner
relations and making guests feel at
home translates into a professional
and hospitality-focused experience.
And Trish’s eye for detail, knack
for efficiency and commitment to
service make her an integral part of
the team. Her commitment to quality,
forged through her successful cleaning
business, guarantees your property
will always look its best.
“Our aim is simple – to enhance
property management on the Northern
Beaches through transparency, trust,
and personal connection,” said Laura.
“Our promise extends beyond
managing properties; it’s about
nurturing relationships and fostering
open communication.
“Our unwavering dedication to
hospitality, as well as our backgrounds
as career professionals in our fields
are imbued in every interaction.
“We are your local partners in
making holiday property ownership
a breeze – a team with a dynamic
blend of expertise, each with a
passion for enhancing your ownership
experience.” – LO
*More info see ad page 11
Hot Property
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 49

Health & Wellbeing
Neurodivergent
Health & Wellbeing
Coco Cherie at Newport
is a hairdressing salon
like no other – helping
people with mental health
issues to actually enjoy
getting hair treatments for the
first time in their lives.
“I began going to Courteney
over a year ago,” begins
Meagan Newbery. “As
someone who suffers from
anxiety, it is so wonderful
to know that, not only is my
hair in good hands, but that
if I don’t feel like talking
Courteney is happy to just
give me space and silence to
think.
“I also love that she offers a
one-on-one service,” Meagan
adds. “So I have taken my
toddler in when I have had to,
with no worries that he will
disrupt anyone else.”
It’s not only toddlers that
Courteney Pobje welcomes to
her Newport salon, but dogs
are regular visitors as well.
“It’s just me working at
the salon with my little dog,
Coco,” explains Courteney.
“She’s a bit of a mixture of
breeds from the pound. But if
I know that clients are going
to bring their dogs in, then I’ll
leave Coco at home.”
customer care
Welcome then to Coco
Cherie, an entirely new
concept in customer service
and interaction – let alone
hairdressing salons – and one
that provides a truly relaxing
experience for those who feel
overwhelmed by the lights,
noise and expense of bigger
hairdressers. A dog-friendly
salon, a sustainable salon,
and a neurodivergent salon
that welcomes customers with
ADHD or autism, among other
mental health conditions.
It does so, because even
after 15 years as a qualified
hairdresser, Courteney herself
can be overwhelmed by hair
TEAM: Courteney with Coco.
salons.
“I started having some
health issues in 2020,”
Courteney reveals. “I
struggled with burnout and
chronic fatigue, and I was
having bad anxiety attacks.
“I took a 12-month
sabbatical at that point and
found out I have ADHD and
autism. That explained why
I found a day of work so
draining and over-stimulating.
And it made me realise why
I’d never quite fit into other
salons – I found the lights and
noise overwhelming.
“But I love hairdressing, and
so I decided if I was going to
carry on working, I needed
to create a space that I felt
comfortable to work in and
hang out in.
“And I wanted it to be a
space for those girls who feel
the same as me.”
Courteney left her job in
Brookvale on great terms,
agreeing not to take any
of her existing clients and
started her Newport salon
completely from scratch, back
in April 2022. Initially a slow
burn, she now has a growing
clientele – many of whom are
actually enjoying going to a
SANCTUARY: Courteney’s salon
provides one-on-one attention in a
calming space.
salon, after years of enduring
it.
“I have some women in their
50s and 60s who have never
felt comfortable going to the
hairdressers and now look
forward to it. They’ve never
experienced how beautiful it
can be. And now, by finding
the right salon, it doesn’t feel
like a chore. That can be really
empowering.
“It’s such a safe, healing and
comfortable space here, that
after 50 years dreading the
hairdressers, they now come
in weekly and look forward
to it. That really warms my
heart.”
Many clients who struggle
50 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

with self-conscious feelings
opt for a mirror-less
appointment, and Courteney
is happy to cater for whatever
issues people struggle with.
But as Courteney says, it isn’t
just people with mental health
issues who might need a
softer touch.
“I find that since COVID
there’s been a shift in the way
the world works. Even those
people who don’t have mental
health issues want to embrace
a slower pace and enjoy a oneon-one
experience with lights
that can be dimmed.”
As for Courteney herself,
she’s never been better.
Psychology, regular gym visits
and her new business have all
helped.
“I’m definitely in a good
space. The healthiest and
most stable I’ve ever been.”
“There were times I didn’t
think I’d make it to my 30s.
But If I hadn’t had those
struggles I wouldn’t have
Coco Cherie and wouldn’t be
touching so many beautiful
women’s lives.”
Lives such as Meagan’s.
“I love Courteney’s
philosophy that everyone,
regardless of anything,
deserves to feel beautiful,”
says Meagan. “She is a proud
neurodivergent woman who
understands the different
needs of everyone she
encounters and that is
something to encourage and
admire.” – Rob Pegley
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 51

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Booklovers celebrate 70 years
reputedly
the oldest established
book club “We’re
in Australia,” said Booklovers
Northern Beaches President
Maria Tomaino. “In the old
days you had to be invited, but
now anyone can join. And you
don’t have to wear your hat and
gloves – but you used to.”
To celebrate its 70th anniversary
on 25 July, the club
organised a trivia morning to
raise money for Women and
Children First, followed by
lunch. Having been a voracious
reader since adolescence, Maria
became a member of the book
club 17 years ago. She was
working part-time as a family
therapist at Queenscliff Health
Centre, and joined a few years
before she stopped working.
The book club was started
by Jo Quilty in 1953, when she
invited four of her friends to
her Narrabeen home in Ocean
Street to exchange and discuss
LIBRARIAN: Glenys Murray is in charge of the Club’s 1600 books.
books. A video on the club’s
history reflects that in the early
1950s, most women gave up
their careers when they married.
They reared the children,
often housebound and isolated
while their husbands went off
to work. There was no television,
only radio. Many young
women had university educations
and had held down jobs
as teachers and nurses, and
Jo Quilty believed that women
were being wasted.
The book club became a
regular event and by 1955 there
were 12 members. With more
books and more members the
club moved to Collaroy House
and guest speakers were introduced.
“The club saved my life,”
Maria recounts being told by
a member who had moved to
Avalon with her young children
in those early days.
In 1960, the Warringah Shire
Council decided to build a
hall for the Girl Guides near
the lake at Narrabeen, and Jo
Quilty persuaded the council
to let the book club share the
hall. So, in 1962, the Women’s
Recreation Centre became the
permanent home of the Booklovers
Club Warringah, which
had 88 members. In 2016, the
name was changed to the Booklovers
Club Northern Beaches.
The club’s oldest member is
100-year-old Jean Nysen, who
was a wireless telegraphist during
World War II; however she
no longer attends meetings.
The club meets on the second
Tuesday of every month
for a guest author talk, and the
fourth Tuesday of the month
DRIVE: Maria Tomaino says the Club
is on the lookout for new members.
for a book discussion. There
has been a stellar line-up of
guest speakers over the years
including authors Morris West,
Ruth Park and Dymphna Cusack.
Tom Keneally has been a
regular guest; Peter Fitzsimons
has spoken; also local authors
including Michael Robotham.
The club also has a library,
which boasts 1600 books, and
opens to members and the public
on Tuesday and Thursday
mornings, explains its librarian
Glenys Murray, who worked
at Warringah and Mona Vale
libraries, and later in her career
at Lane Cove and Ryde as the
local studies librarian.
“My husband’s aunt was on
the committee many years ago,
and she marked me out to grab
me when I retired, so the club
would have a librarian.”
The books are mostly fiction,
but do include some biographies
and non-fiction. The
recent literary phenomenon,
Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible
Life by Anna Funder, has been
purchased and already read by
the president only three weeks
after publication.
Membership was over 110,
but since COVID has dropped
into the 70s.
“So,” says Tomaino, “we are
on the hunt for people who
are interested in reading.” If
passion counts for anything
the Club looks sets to be going
strong for many years to come.
– Rosamund Burton
*More info go to warringahbooklover.wixsite.com
or call
0418 454 194.
52 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Terrey Hills private hospital near
$98 million private surgical and rehabilitation
A hospital in Terrey Hills has entered its final
construction phase and is on track to open its
doors in mid-2024.
Developers of the 84-bed Wyvern Private Hospital,
on a four-hectare
site in Myoora Road,
celebrated the completion
of the facility’s main
structure last month.
They say the hospital
will provide Sydney’s
Northern Beaches access
to world-class private
medical and surgical
facilities and healthcare
services.
Developed by Australian
Unity and leased for
30 years to operator Wyvern Health, the hospital
will feature seven operating theatres, a cardiac
catheterisation laboratory, 56 surgical inpatient
beds, 20 rehabilitation beds and an eight bed Intensive
Care Unit.
The hospital will also have associated clinical
support facilities such as radiology and pathology,
a pharmacy and a hydrotherapy pool and a gym for
physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
There will be 15 consulting suites, a café and a
148-space parking area.
Wyvern Health said the hospital would focus on
spinal surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery,
vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, pain
management and ophthalmology.
Chair and founder Dr William Sears said it was
“critical” that people in northern Sydney, many
of whom were ageing, had access to world-class
ON TRACK: Wyvern Private
Hospital (artist’s impression)
will open mid-2024.
private medical and
surgical facilities and
healthcare services.
“Our mission at
Wyvern is to provide
care without compromise.
This care extends
well beyond hospital
patients to our staff, our
local community, and
the surrounding environment.
We’re committed
to enriching life in
Terrey Hills,” he said.
“We’re excited to be just one year away from
opening our doors, joining Sydney’s healthcare
ecosystem and delivering excellent healthcare to
residents of the Northern Beaches and its surrounds.”
According to the Health Atlas of Australia, Terrey
Hills is home to a rapidly growing number of
residents aged over 70, rising at a rate of 2.3 per
cent, per annum.
More than 70 per cent of residents in the Northern
Beaches catchment are covered by private
health insurance, compared with 50 percent across
Greater Sydney.
– LO
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 53

Health & Wellbeing
Tenors tonic
Health & Wellbeing
BRILLIANT TALENTS: The Australian Tenors.
The Australian Tenors’ The Opera, Neapolitan
versatility spans all genres favourites and beautiful duets.
of the classical tenor repertoire; Not to mention works by
in their new local tour they’re Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen
presenting songs from great Sondheim and Leornard
musical composers in a concert Bernstein.
that has already entertained Proudly Australian, their
and uplifted generations performance is never complete
worldwide.
without delighting audiences
The Spirit of Australia tour with a sing-along of Australiana
2023 is heading to the Glen songs: the rousing ‘Waltzing
Street Theatre in Belrose on Matilda’… the iconic poem by
October 6.
Dorothea Mackellar ‘Australia
Five of the best tenor voices My Country’ set to music…
in Australia – Matthew Reardon, I Am Australian… I Still Call
Murray Mayday, Lorenzo
Australia Home… Road to
Rositano, John Donohoe and Gundagai and many more
Michael Butchard – will bring favourites to stir the patriotic
romance, excitement, warmth heartstrings.
and humour to the stage.
The Australian Tenors have
As the Tour’s name suggests, performed extensively with
their concert captures the spirit, Opera Australia, Australian and
the beauty and vocal demand of International Symphonies and
truly authentic tenor voice. Philharmonic Orchestras.
Audiences are thrilled by Here they are backed by
the classical arias from the The Southern Cross Orchestra
popular operas such as the under the direction of Musical
‘tenor Trademark’ of Puccini’s Director and Conductor Glenn
‘Nessun Dorma’, along with Amer.
Verdi’s ‘Anvil Chorus’, to
*Bookings filling quickly;
popular tenor songs from Les more info 9470 5913 or
Miserables, Phantom Of
glenstreet.com.au
New Avalon doctor
Avalon Wholistic Medical & Dental Centre has
welcomed Dr Abbas Haghshenas to its family
friendly practice.
Dr Abbas is a General Practitioner who has a
passion for medicine, mental health, research
and education. His interests extend to children’s
and family health, aged care, skin cancer and
chronic disease management.
He welcomes new and existing patients.
The AWMDC team pride themselves in offering
the very best of care, with services including
dental, medical, acupuncture, osteopathy and psychology.
*Appointments call 9918 2288
54 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Teatments that will help to
reduce risk of acne scarring
When we treat acne,
the first step is to
focus on cleaning
up and correcting breakouts
and blemishes. At the same
time, we also need to work
on eliminating the factors
contributing to developing
acne. A key part to effectively
treating acne is reducing the
risk of acne scarring. Acne
lesions are cellular wounds, and
when left untreated, wounds
can become breeding grounds
for bacteria, which in turn
increases the risk of permanent
scarring.
There are several causes of
acne scarring, which include
the type and way a lesion
heals, hyperpigmentation,
inflammatory erythema,
picking and self-extraction.
Post-Inflammatory Erythema
(or PIE) is characterised by
reddish-purple discolouration
on the skin. This inflammation
is the most commonly seen and
can be the easiest to treat and
prevent further damage.
Post-Inflammatory
Hyperpigmentation (or PIH)
is characterised typically
by brown discolouration or
pigmentation, due to trauma.
Depending on whether there
has been UV exposure and sun
protection, or not, PIH can form
from the acne lesions.
Unlike pustules and
comedones (blackheads), cystic
acne lesions are deep within the
skin. Due to their depth within
the skin and their inability to
reach the surface of the skin,
the collagen within the skin is
damaged, which results in an
indent in the skin. With bacteria
trapped within the skin, it
creates a buildup of tissue.
Self-extracting and
picking – or as I like to say
archaeological excavation – are
major contributing factors to
acne scarring. When doing
this, tissue is damaged and it
may also cause the bacteria to
spread on the surface, which in
turn can lead to more acne.
The Local Voice Since 1991
The two types of scarring
associated with acne are
atrophic and hypertrophic.
Atrophic scarring is the most
common type of scar, due to
the loss of collagen, tissue
malformation and build-up.
Typically this type of scarring
is referred to as ‘boxcar’, ‘ice
pick’ or ‘rolling scars’ due to
the appearance and indentation
in the skin. Fortunately, this
type of scarring can be treated
and softened effectively with
advanced aesthetic procedures
like chemical peels, microneedling,
RF needling, nanofractional
laser and fractional
laser, or a combination of any of
these procedures.
Keloid scarring is also known
as hypertrophic scarring.
This type of scarring has an
increased amount of collagen
deposited in a particular area,
combined with a decrease in
collagenase activity (enzymes
that break the enzyme bonds
in collagen). This scarring is
firm, thick and raised and is
more prevalent in those with
higher Fitzpatrick’s (the scale
measuring skin colour, 6 being
African American). This scarring
can also be seen in the skin
with deep trauma.
Following the philosophy
of reducing bacteria, and
inflammation, and increasing
cellular exfoliation is a great
starting point, but don’t forget
the importance of healthy
wound healing. This involves
important ingredients that will
accelerate the healing.
Epidermal Growth Factors
contain 53 amino acids,
decreasing inflammation and
stimulating cellular turnover.
These specific proteins increase
the blood synthesis around the
damaged skin, improve healing,
and reduce the risk of scarring.
L-Arginine is another critical
amino acid that will increase
blood flow to the skin and
stimulate wound repair. Used
with phytic, mandelic, and
pyruvic acids, this creates a
beneficial staple to any acne
regimen.D-Alpha Tocopherol,
the chirally corrected form
of vitamin E, is known for its
incredible healing properties to
damaged skin while reducing
erythema and inflammation.
In-Clinic treatments that
will assist with scar reduction
are peels, skin needling, RF
needling, fractional laser,
Tixel, and mesotherapy. Often
a combination of treatments
can be beneficial and always in
conjunction with a prescribed
homecare regime.
A healthy and clear
complexion and renewed
confidence are definitely within
your reach.
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
SEPTEMBER 2023 55
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
TikTok! Fraud shows it’s time
to look at ATO governance
This month we look at
some goings on at the
ATO and consider what
lessons might be learned…
I’m writing this in 29-degrees
sunshine from the deck of
our rental in Port Douglas, a
rare chance to escape for a
week from what has been a
very cold Sydney winter. As
always seems to happen, work
follows whenever I leave the
office but there’s little value in
complaining when you work in
a deadline driven profession;
relaxation may follow sometime
after retirement.
My holiday
crisis de jour
was the fate of
a client who had
just been issued
with a director’s
penalty notice –
a powerful tool
in the ATO arsenal
used to pin
personal liability
on company direc- tors for
unpaid superannuation and
PAYG deductions. Good on
them you’d say and normally
I would agree. The issue here,
however, is that the client
purchased a company from a
liquidator (not on our advice)
and it was the liquidator who
failed to make the final instalment
of superannuation. The
client, who wasn’t involved
with the company at the time
of the alleged offence, will
likely get off. In a nutshell, the
ATO got the wrong guy. What
it cost the ATO, the client and
us to get it to this point is
probably close to the modest
amount of $20,000 of super
they were chasing.
As tax practitioners we
know that the ATO are not
perfect. Mistakes can happen
easily when administering
Australia’s labyrinth of sometimes
old, sometimes new
but at all times confusing
taxation
laws. I can confidently say
this because reported in the
Australian Financial Review
on the same day as I’m dealing
with the above issue was
a story about the ATO being
monumentally scammed by up
to 70,000 people lodging falsified
claims for GST refunds in
what has become known as
the TikTok fraud.
According to the AFR, in late
2020, around the time my client
was supposedly not paying
his super obligations, the ATO
sees the first wave of the Tik-
Tok claims. This was not a sophisticated
scam; people registered
for an ABN (or used a
dormant one) and subsequently
lodged a BAS containing fictious
expense claims that gave
rise to a refund of GST.
Reporting by Neil Chenoweth
and Max Mason in the AFR on
18 August described the ease
of scam: ‘It came down to this –
120 seconds to
fill in three numbers
on a form, and that was the
$50,000 moment. “You literally
enter those three figures,” says
one accountant who did not
want to be named and who is
angry about how easy the $4.6
billion fraud wave promoted on
TikTok was to execute, by using
an Australian Government My-
Gov services account to claim
fraudulent goods and services
tax (GST) refunds.’
Remember that to get a
$50,000 refund means you
have expenses including GST
of $550,000. In our office we
have warned clients when
lodging BAS’s that have refunds
approaching $20,000
to expect a call from the ATO
and be prepared to provide
original receipts. At least
that’s what used to happen.
But consider the timing of
the scam: it was late 2020
or peak pandemic – people
were scared. After bushfires,
floods and then a pandemic
they were used
to the idea of
getting money
from the government.
It
is also likely
when this was
going on that
most if not
all ATO staff
were working
from home. The
AFR article suggests that
the main enabling factor for
the scam was our system of
self-assessment – lodge what
you like as long as what you
have declared is correct and
you have receipts to show
when you are audited. Selfassessment,
however, is only
one half of the issue… just
because you say you have
a refund doesn’t mean the
ATO have to automatically
pay it out. What occurred
here points to the lack of a
functioning risk management
framework and/or a deliber-
56 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

ate management or political
imperative to get refunds out
ASAP due to the pandemic
(something for a senate inquiry
to chew over).
The fraud itself predominantly
involved individuals,
most of whom claimed
refunds using their real
names. It progressed quickly…
very quickly. Fuelled by social
media, again from the AFR:
‘They believed the TikTok social
influencers who told them
“Everyone else got refunds,
it’s OK, it’s just a temporary
loan.”’ Part of the spread was
caused by the unfiltered use
of MyGov accounts to register
for ABNs and lodge BAS statements.
Someone could have
claimed each quarter from
2020 well into 2022 before
they needed to lodge their
2021 income tax return, when
their tax agent would have
looked on the ATO portal and
asked, ‘You’ve claimed what!?’
It progressed through channels
in society: the country
town of Mildura, outer suburbs
of Western Sydney, Outlaw Motorcycle
Gangs are just some of
the pathways the scam passed
through. It was first detected
soon after it started in 2020
by fraud units within the major
banks who noticed activity
such as large ATO refunds
being paid to the accounts of
welfare recipients. The banks
locked down some of these
accounts and made attempts
to refer the matter to the ATO
without success; privacy issues
apparently stood in the way of
action. In frustration the banks
referred the matter through
their networks to the RBA who
were able to ultimately get the
ATO to engage.
In the first half of 2022 the
ATO did two things. The first
is they admitted there was
a problem, but claimed they
had everything under control.
Secondly, they launched
Operation Protego which they
say stopped a further $2.7
billion of fraudulent claims but
by 30 June of this year they
reportedly had outstanding
recoveries of some $1.6 billion
plus $300 million in penalties
against approximately 56,000
individuals, if indeed any of
this can be recovered or prosecuted
without clogging the
court system for years.
The AFR noted the fraud
was: “The biggest tax revenue
The Local Voice Since 1991
fraud against the community
in the history of the ATO”, deputy
commissioner John Ford
said in a speech last May.’
I’m not sure who was responsible
for the saying: a
billion here, a billion there,
pretty soon it all adds up! But
in this instance it adds up to
the value of a decent hospital
or some other useful item of
public infrastructure.
The ATO portray themselves
as a progressive institution;
they have independence, they
have a Board of Taxation, an
Audit & Risk Committee, an
Inspector General of Taxation
and Taxation Ombudsman
and around 20,000 staff, all
of whom are charged with
working towards protecting
the integrity of the taxation
system.
They were even the subject
of a performance audit in December
2020 by the Australian
National Audit Office on the
management of risks associated
with the rapid rollout of
COVID-19 economic response
measures. Two of the findings
stand out:
The ATO has been effective
in managing risks related to
the rapid implementation of
COVID-19 economic response
measures.
The ATO identified new and
changing risks, including to
existing operations. The ATO
adopted an iterative approach
to identifying risks at a project
and program level that was fitfor-purpose.
(My emphasis)
It would seem that the ATO’s
fortress of governance measures
proved to be ineffective
in the face of the world’s
dumbest fraud. If there ever
was a case for an inquiry, this
is it. The community deserves
nothing less.
Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is
a Director of GHR Accounting
Group Pty Ltd, Certified Practising
Accountants. Office: Suite 12,
Ground Floor, 20 Bungan Street
Mona Vale NSW.
Phone: 02 9979-4300.
Web: ghr.com.au and altre.com.au
Email: brian@ghr.com.au
These comments are general
advice only and are not intended as
a substitute for professional advice.
This article is not an offer or
recommendation of any securities
or other financial products offered
by any company or person.
SEPTEMBER 2023 57
Business Life

Business Life: Law
with Jennifer Harris
Business Life
Understanding guarantees
and enforcability under law
A
not uncommon
observation made
by friends when
discussing their adult
children is: “Have you
noticed that the older they
get the more expensive they
become?”
It is the comment of
caring parents everywhere
for endeavoring to help
their children pay HECS,
or obtain the deposit for
their first home, or help
them in business, or pay the
grandchildren’s school fees.
The help can take many
forms: a gift of funds, the
establishment of a trust fund
or a third party guarantee
where parents provide a
Personal Deed of Guarantee
and Indemnity for a specified
amount and often add the
mortgage over their family
home.
This article deals with but
one aspect of what may be
termed ‘the bank of mum
and dad’ – a $35 billion
industry as at July 2023,
where over 50% of children
are understood to be under
financial stress.
More often than not
clients call and make an
appointment saying they
have some papers from a
bank or lending institution
which requires their
signature to be witnessed
by a solicitor. It is rare that
a full explanation is given
as to what the documents
to be witnessed are for and
it requires a few questions
to understand what the
documents represent.
If the documents are
a Third Party Guarantee
requiring the provision of
independent legal advice,
this practice asks that the
documents are submitted
prior to the conference
where they are to be signed,
so that they can be read and
understood.
Unfortunately, far too
many loving and welldisposed
parents caught up
in the spirit and emotion of
helping their family do not
understand the possible
consequences of signing
a Third Party Guarantee.
They present the documents
often in triplicate, heavily
flagged with ‘Sign Here’ tabs
and assume that the tabbed
pages are all they have to
read.
When providing an
Independent Advice
Certificate it is the duty
of the solicitor to act as a
“competent, independent
and disinterested stranger”,
to explain the import of the
documents to be signed by
the clients and to determine
as to whether in his or
her opinion those signing
adequately understand
the possible consequences
to themselves should the
primary borrower default.
An interesting case
occurred in which the NSW
Supreme Court deliberated
in what is a good illustration
of the difficulties which
can arise from Third Party
Guarantees and those who
advise them.
A lender agreed to lend
$23 million to a property
development company which
was in desperate need of
funds to pay creditors and
to ensure completion of a
large residential strata title
property in Perth.
As the lender assessed the
loan as being at a high level
of risk, it sought to mitigate
by requiring security
including Personal Deeds
of Guarantee and Mortgage
from third parties.
The businessman and
Company Director of the
company raising the loan
turned to his elderly parents
to provide the Guarantees,
Indemnities and Mortgages
for $2 million. The father
had worked as a builder
and had an understanding
of the construction side of
the project and business
involved but the mother
had no involvement in the
Company or its activities.
The Company defaulted
on the Loan and the lender
sought to enforce the
Personal Guarantees of the
58 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

parents and its rights under
the mortgage over the family
home at Clontarf.
The parents sought to
resist the lenders Application
for Orders on various
grounds but the mother
claimed that the transaction
was not adequately explained
to her and to enforce the
transaction against her would
be unconscionable.
The mother and
not the husband was
successful in their claim of
unconscionability.
The court found the
mother:
Was not wholly aware
of what she was signing
and relied totally on her
husband.
The requirement by the
lender that the mother and
father receive legal advice
was more to protect itself
rather than to protect the
mother and father.
There was a conflict of
interest and the solicitor
providing the advice did
not act as an independent
solicitor and the advice given
was wholly inadequate – only
by telephone.
The lender was aware of
the inadequate advice being
given and the conflict of
interest the solicitor had
with the borrowing entity.
The lender was found to
not have taken enough steps
to ensure that the Third
Party Guarantor was given
competent, independent or
objective advice to ensure
that she was wholly aware of
the extent of the agreement.
Applying an earlier
decision of the High Court
in 1998, the Supreme
Court held that it would be
unconscionable to enforce
the Guarantee against the
mother.
This case carries a
message to lenders and
solicitors advising Third
Party Guarantors to be
aware that it is not enough
that legal advice has been
obtained but that the advice
should be objective and
adequate.
It should also provide a
message to those who are
asked to provide Third Party
Guarantees and Indemnities.
No matter how much one
may wish to help children
and families it is prudent
to carefully consider the
import of the Guarantees,
Indemnities and/or
Mortgages or other Security
which you may be asked to
provide and to be aware of
the consequences i.e. that
you may lose the Security
should the primary borrower
i.e. your children or family
default.
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
SEPTEMBER 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.
BATHROOMS
Northern Beaches Bathrooms
Call 0475 147 375
Specialists at complete bathroom
renovations, mains and ensuites. Prompt,
reliable. High-quality work. Free quotes.
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 608 398
Doors & locks, timber gates & handrails,
decking repairs and timber replacement. Also
privacy screens. 25 years’ experience. Lic:
7031C.
Pepper Carpentry
Call Shane 0406 403 032
Honest, professional, hard-working; servicing
the Northern Beaches and surrounding
areas. All Carpentry and maintenance; decks,
pergola, doors, timber floors, extensions.
carports, stairs, fences, flat packs, joinery.
Lic No 245509C
CARS WANTED
AAA Absolutely Unwanted
Call Mike 0414 423 200
All cars, vans, utes and trucks removed free;
cash up to $30,000. Same-day removal all
suburbs.
CLEANING
Amazing Clean
Call Andrew 0412 475 2871
Specialists in blinds, curtains and awnings.
Clean, repair, supply new.
All NB Pressure Clean
Call 0416 215 095
Driveways, paths, garden walls, awnings, house
wash.
60 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Housewashing -
northernbeaches.com.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
Celebrating 25 years in Avalon & Collaroy.
Experts in softwashing & pressure
washing. Also windows, gutters, roofs &
driveways.
CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting
needs; Northern Beaches-based.
Northern Beaches Concreting
Call Tony 0417 640 546
Specialising in driveways; quality work,
council compliant. FREE quotes. Servicing
the beaches for 14+ years.
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.
FENCING
Add-A-Fence
Call Adam 0410 332 197
Supply and install for pool, garden, all timber
and tubular fencing. Plus gates, handrails,
security and more. Repairs / small & big jobs.
Lic 3391C.
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.
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction
for every garden situation. Sustainable
vegetable gardens and waterfront
specialist.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by
qualified arborists and tree surgeons.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
Cloud9 R&G
Call Tommy 0447 999 929
Prompt and reliable service; gutter cleaning
and installation, leak detection, roof
installation and painting. Also roof repairs
specialist.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced,
metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley
irons replaced.
HANDYMEN
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also
welding & metalwork; licensed.
JEWELLER
Gold ‘n’ Things
Call 9999 4991
Specialists in remodelling. On-premises
(Mona Vale) workshop for cleaning, repairing
(including laser welding), polishing. Family
owned for nearly 40 years.
HOT WATER
Hot Water Maintenance NB
Call 9982 1265
Local emergency specialists, 7 days. Sales,
service, installation. Warranty agents, fully
accredited.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 61

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
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.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for neck & back
pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic problems.
Studio Pilates Avalon
Call 0478 827 080
No memberships, no lock-in contracts. Get
started with 6 classes for $60 (new clients
only).
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
Total Pipe Relining
Call Josh 0423 600 455
Repair pipe problems without replacement.
Drain systems fully relined; 50 years’
guaranty. Latest technology, best price.
RUBBISH REMOVAL
Jack’s Rubbish Removals
Call Jack 0403 385 312
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest health
regulations. Old-fashioned honesty &
reliability. Free quotes.
One 2 Dump
Call Josh 0450 712 779
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service includes
general household rubbish, construction,
62 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

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
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.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 63

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Fresh herbs in Spring: Here
are the picks of the bunches
Fresh herbs may be small, but they’re
mighty big in the flavour stakes – they
really are a cook’s best friend when used
well. Yes, they can be expensive – but that’s
only if you use a portion of the bunch. Below
are some recipes to make sure there is no
6 Best Bunches…
Coriander
Also called cilantro, it’s a
polarising herb: you either love
it, or hate it! The leaves, stems
and roots are all edible. A taco
would not be the same without
this wonderful herb.
Goes great with: Lime,
garlic, chilli, coconut,
yoghurt, noodles, prawns and
avocadoes.
Mint
Great in both sweet and savoury
dishes. A must in the garden
(grown in pots to prevent it
taking over). Popular in Middle
Eastern, Thai and North Africa
dishes.
Goes great with: Lamb,
potatoes, fennel, green onions,
yoghurt and cucumber.
Parsley
A must for every garden. It
elevates each and every dish
it’s added to. Flat parsley has a
slightly peppery bite, whereas
the curly variety is moderate to
bland.
Goes great with: Butter, garlic,
cream, cheese, mayonnaise,
pasta, beans eggs and zucchini.
Thyme
This is one of my favourite
herbs. It’s delicate and works
best in tandem with other herbs
such as basil, parsley and mint.
Like rosemary, recipes calling
for thyme require you to strip
the leaves from the woody
stems.
Goes great with: Mushrooms,
fish, salmon, lamb, butter,
tomatoes and lemon.
Basil
This go-to herb originated in
India; however we recognise
it in all things Italian. It has a
sweet, slightly aniseed flavour.
A great tip if you’re planning
to growing it: once the plant
flowerhead, as this keeps the
plant producing new leaves.
Goes great with: Tomatoes,
olive oil, mozzarella, eggplant,
potatoes, lamb, strawberries
and peaches.
Rosemary
Known as the ‘herb of
friendship’, rosemary has a
strong, pungent aroma and
flavour and therefore should
not be eaten raw. Native to the
Mediterranean, it is widely used
in Italian, French and Spanish
cooking.
Goes great with: Lamb,
chicken, bread, potatoes, olive
oil and pizza.
waste! Don’t forget, Spring is a great time
to get planting, so you have an abundance
of fresh herbs to pick through the end of
Summer. Plus, there are great local markets
like Mona Vale Market which offer wonderful
fresh produce.
Salsa Verde
with barbecued skirt
steak
Serves 4-6
2 tbs olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1 tsp smoked paprika
800g piece skirt steak, trimmed
Salsa verde
½ cup (firmly packed) flat-leaf
parsley
½ cup (firmly packed) coriander
leaves (see tip)
2 tbs oregano leaves
2 small garlic cloves, coarsely
chopped
1 tbs drained baby capers
2 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 tsp white wine vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbs lemon juice
1. Combine the oil, garlic, chilli
and paprika together then
rub over the steak. If time
allows refrigerate 1 hour.
2. Preheat the barbecue on high
then turn to medium-high
ready to grill. Add the steak,
barbecue for 6-8 minutes
each side for medium.
Transfer to a plate, cover
loosely with foil and set aside
for 20-30 minutes to rest,
don’t skip the resting, its vital
for skirt steak.
3. Meanwhile, for salsa Verde,
combine the herbs, garlic,
capers, anchovy fillets and
vinegar in a food processor.
Storing your herbs
For more robust herbs – like
rosemary, thyme, coriander,
oregano, sage and tarragon –
line an airtight container with
a damp paper towel. Add the
herbs and cover loosely with
more damp paper towels. Store
in the fridge. Mint and parsley
are best stored like a bunch of
flowers: trim off the dry ends
and sit them in a glass one-third
full of water. Cover loosely with
a plastic bag and store in the
fridge. Keep basil in a glass of
is strong, remove the centre water on the window sill.
64 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
Pulse to a coarse paste.
Combine the oil and lemon
juice. Add to the herb
mixture and pulse until well
combined. Season.
4. Slice the steak, spoon over
the salsa Verde and serve.
Janelle’s Tip: If you’re not a
coriander fan you can replace
the coriander with ½ cup extra
flat leaf parsley leaves.
Storage Tip: Spoon any unused
salsa verde into a clean,
sterilised jar. Cover the top with
a thin layer of extra virgin olive
oil. Store in the fridge for up to
3 months.
Basil and parsley
pesto spaghetti
Serves 4
400g spaghetti
3 tbs olive oil
2 bunches asparagus, ends
trimmed
1 buffalo mozzarella, torn into
4
basil leaves and extra
parmesan. to serve
Basil and parsley pesto
4 large garlic cloves, whole,
skin on
1 cup firmly packed basil leaves
1 cup firmly packed flat leaf
parsley leaves
The Local Voice Since 1991
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
½ cup freshly grated parmesan
cheese, optional
over the asparagus, season.
Pan fry in a hot frying pan,
over high heat for 3 minutes,
shaking the pan often until
the asparagus is lightly
charred and tender.
6. Drain the spaghetti and
return to the pan. Dollop over
as much pesto as you like,
shake the pan to combine.
Divide between serving
plates. Top with asparagus,
mozzarella, basil leaves and
extra parmesan. Drizzle with
remaining oil. Season. Serve.
1. Preheat the oven 180°C fan
forced. Place the garlic cloves
in the centre of a piece of
baking paper. Drizzle with
a little olive oil and season.
Gather the edges to secure
then wrap in a sheet foil.
Place on a tray and roast for
20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Squeeze the roasted garlic
from the skin into a small
Pickled fennel, ham,
food processor. Add the
basil, parsley, and pine nuts.
cornichon herb
Process until evenly chopped. mayo baguette
2. With processor running, pour Serves 4
the combined oils through
the spout in a slow, steady 1 long baguette, warmed
stream until all oil has been 185g deli ham
incorporated. Transfer pesto 6 cornichon, thinly sliced
to a bowl. Stir in parmesan lengthways
if using. Season. Use
2 tbs chopped chives, optional
immediately or prepare for Herb mayo
storing.
2/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise
3. To store pesto, transfer pesto 1/3 cup sour cream
to a clean, sterilised jar. 1 tbs seeded mustard
Cover the top of pesto with a 1/3 cup chopped fresh herbs
thin layer of extra virgin olive (like flat leaf, tarragon, chives,
oil. Store in the fridge for up thyme)
to 3 months.
Pickled fennel
4. For the pasta, cook the 1 cup cider vinegar
spaghetti in a large saucepan 1 cup water
of boiling salted water, 2 tbs caster sugar
following packet directions 1 tsp sea salt flakes
until al dente.
1 tsp chilli flakes
5. Meanwhile, drizzle a little oil 1 medium head of fennel,
SEPTEMBER 2023 65
Food Life

Food Life
Food Life
sliced finely lengthways on a
mandolin
1. For the pickled fennel, place
the vinegar, water, sugar, salt
and chilli flakes together in
a saucepan and bring to the
boil. Remove from the heat,
set aside to cool to room
temperature. Thinly slice the
fennel using a mandolin. Add
the fennel to the pickling
liquid. Stir to coat. Cover and
refrigerate 1-2 hours.
2. For the herb mayo, combine
all the ingredients in a bowl,
season. Mix well.
3. Split baguette in half. Spread
both sides of the baguette
with herb mayo. Drain the
fennel and pat dry with paper
towel. Pile the fennel over
the base of the baguette. Top
with ham and cornichons.
Dollop over a little (or
a lot!) more herb mayo.
Sprinkle with chives. Season.
Sandwich with the baguette
top. Cut into 4 and serve.
Labneh
Serves 6-8
Labneh is a thick, strained
yoghurt, almost cream cheeselike.
A staple in every Lebanese
household, it is eaten like a
spread or dip topped with
herbs, olives and finished with
za’atar.
1kg plain Greek-style yoghurt
1 tsp crushed sea salt
1 tbs thyme leaves
To serve
½ cup sliced pitted olives
3 tsp za’atar
½ cup fresh herbs like (mint,
coriander, thyme, basil, parsley)
2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
flatbread & marinated olives
1. Line a sieve with a piece of
muslin or unused (new) dish
cloth. Spoon the yoghurt,
salt and thyme together in
a bowl. Then spoon into the
sieve and sit over a deep
bowl. Cover and place in
the fridge for 4-6 hours
or overnight. The longer
it stands the thicker and
creamier it becomes. Discard
the liquid in the bowl.
2. Spoon the labneh over the
base of a shallow dish.
Sprinkle with olives, zaatar
and herbs. Drizzle with olive
oil Serve with flatbread and
olives.
Janelle’s Tip: Store labneh in
an airtight glass or ceramic
container in the fridge for up to
2 weeks.
Lime coconut mint
ice pops
Makes 12
¾ cup caster sugar
½ cup water
1 cup firmly packed mint leaves
6 limes, juiced
1 cup coconut cream, chilled in
the fridge
1. Combine the sugar and
water in a saucepan. Stir
over medium heat until the
sugar has dissolved. Bring
to the boil. Remove from the
heat. Add the mint leaves.
Set aside to cool to room
temperature. Remove the
mint leaves and stir in the
lime juice. Refrigerate until
cold.
2. Stir the coconut cream into
the minted lime syrup, mix
well.
3. Pour into ice-block moulds.
Insert the sticks. Freeze
overnight or until firm.
66 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pick of the Month:
Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the
most antioxidant-rich
foods in the world. The blue
colour of the berry comes
from its polyphenols which
provide most of its antioxidant
properties.
Buying
Buy firm, plump berries that
have a natural, light blue-silver
blush on the skin. This silvery
blush/bloom is a natural
protective wax coating, the
blush or bloom is lost as the
berries age and the more they
are handled.
Storage
Remove from the punnet,
discard any soft berries and
scatter the unwashed berries
in a single layer on a plate lined
with paper towel. Cover and
refrigerate. Use within 3 days.
Nutrition
A good source of Vitamin
C; also a source Vitamin E &
dietary fibre and pretty low in
Kj – 100g blueberries has only
220kJ.
Blueberry crumble
muffins
Makes 12
2 cups (300g) self-raising flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown
sugar
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
The Local Voice Since 1991
75g melted butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
150g fresh blueberries
Crumble topping
½ cup plain flour
¼ cup white sugar
40g butter, melted
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan
forced. Line a 12-hole (1/3
cup-capacity) muffin pan
with paper cases.
2. To make the crumble
topping; combine all the
ingredients together.
Squeeze together with your
fingertips to form crumble.
3. Sift the flour into a large
bowl. Stir in the brown sugar.
Whisk together the milk,
eggs, butter and vanilla until
combined. Add to the flour
mixture and stir gently until
almost combined. Gently
stir in the blueberries, do
not overmix. Spoon evenly
among the paper cases.
4. Sprinkle over the crumble,
pressing lightly. Bake for 20-
25 minutes or until golden
and cooked through when a
skewer inserted in the centre
comes out clean. Stand the
muffins for 10 minutes in
the pan. Transfer to wire
rack. Serve warm or at room
temperature.
Janelle’s Tip: Store muffins
in an airtight container up to
2 days in a cool place or wrap
individually in plastic wrap and
freeze for up to 3 months.
SEPTEMBER 2023 67
Food Life

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in September
Mona Vale makes
room for Mrs Jones
If you’re keeping up with the Joneses,
Mrs Jones The Baker has just opened
a fifth store, in Mona Vale. Drop in for
sourdough bread, sweet and savoury
treats, cakes, coffees and gelato.
Pastry chefs Lucy and Barry Jones’
artisan bakery has been part of the
local food scene since opening in
Freshwater back in 2015.
Sahar's aromatic
flavours complexity
Sahar Afghan Restaurant’s spice
cupboard is as colourful as the venue
itself. Dishes are aromatic rather than
spicy, blending cardamom, cinnamon,
mint and cumin with onions, tomatoes
and sweetness from pomegranates for
a subtle complexity of flavours. The
Newport curry house is open evenings
from Tuesday to Sunday.
Tasty Dining Morsels Guide
No better place
to enjoy the
early Sunrise
From an early morning
bacon and egg roll to a
weekend afternoon tipple,
head down to Warriewood
Beach. Sunrise Kiosk is
definitely one of those
hidden gems where you’ll
enjoy both. There’s coffee,
smoothies, burgers,
pancakes and even a
vegan cheeseburger on the
extensive menu too.
The Nook's homage
to an Aussie icon
The Nook has its own homemade
‘Vegemite’ on the menu. Try it on
Berkelo sourdough toast with avocado,
house-pickled onions, sprouts, herbs
and hemp seeds. The Elanora Heights
cafe also has local brew Barrel One
coffee. For a latte with a twist, there’s a
medicinal mushroom version.
Three of a kind: Coffee on the run
Zubi’s Narrabeen caffeine
spot is a local favourite.
This bijou cafe pumps
out Campos coffee and a
selection of simple snacks
seven days a week. Pair an
oat milk latte order with
avocado toast or a croissant
for breakfast. If it’s later in
the day, a chicken burger or
a toastie (pictured) makes a
quick lunch bite.
The Hungry Ghost is
part of Avalon’s laneway
coffee club. Here, it’s
those upmarket jaffles that
do justice to any hunger
pangs. Fancy fillings include
bolognaise with feta and
jalapeño, a sauerkraut,
pastrami and Swiss cheese
Reuben and, for non-meateaters,
there’s the umami
punch of truffle mushroom
and jarlsberg.
Tucked in the corner of the
Waterfront Cafe & General
Store, is its busy kiosk.
This Church Point hole-inthe-wall
is frequented by
weekend road warriors, day
trippers and locals keen for
caffeinated beverages, fresh
juices and eats from either the
glass-fronted cabinet or the
takeaway menu.
68 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
24 Promontories that are a feature
of the Pittwater area (9)
25 Changeable; sullen (5)
26 Slippery (6)
27 An Arctic white whale, the male
of which has a long straight spirally
fluted tusk developed from one of
its teeth (7)
DOWN
1 Afghan restaurant in Newport (5)
2 Family Fun event held at Lakeside
Park in Narrabeen (6,2,3,4)
3 Edible bivalve mollusc no doubt
available at every seafood restaurant
on the Northern Beaches (6)
4 Round, bouncy item hit with a
racquet (6,4)
5 Change residence, affiliation, or
place of employment (4)
6 Large triangular muscles covering
the shoulder joints (8)
7 International Bodysurfing
Association event held on the
Northern Beaches (8,2,5)
10 The presiding officer of the lower
house of a parliament, as in the
House of Representatives (7)
13 Seize, obtain or find (3,5,2)
14 Actor who will lead a series
of acting and drama half-day
workshops at Newport over
the September school holidays,
Cassandra _______ (7)
16 Used again after processing (8)
19 Comedian who will open the
Northern Beaches Art Society’s
annual Spring Art Exhibition, Wendy
______ (6)
22 Steadfast in allegiance or duty (5)
23 The green-eyed monster (4)
Pittwater Puzzler
ACROSS
1 Financial backing (7)
5 Cricket fieldsman and position (3-3)
8 Workarounds used by computer
specialists usually (5)
9 Some members of the Northern
Beaches Writers’ Group no doubt (9)
11 Restricted or restrained (6,2)
12 Portable cellular telephone (6)
14 Poetic term for the open ocean or
high sea (4)
15 A promenade along a beach (9)
17 The state of your digestive
system (3,6)
18 A guided look at Barrenjoey
Lighthouse, perhaps (4)
20 A response accepting an order on
board a ship (3-3)
21 Not permissible (8)
[Solution page 72]
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 69

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Plant veggies now for great
salads through to Autumn
September is the beginning of Spring,
and our gardens are coming alive.
It is a busy month in the vegetable
garden. There is only one way to be sure
that the veggies you eat are free from
pesticides and chemical fertiliser and that
is to grow your own!
With prices on the rise in the
supermarkets, backyard growing gets
more popular every year. If you haven’t
grown veggies before, try it this Spring.
It is easy to get carried away and plant
just a few of many different varieties
but it is better to keep it simple. Some
veggies are easy and others can be tricky.
Tomatoes are the most popular and as
long as you keep away from heirloom
varieties and the larger fruiting varieties
that attract fruit fly and are prone to
blossom end rot, they are simple.
The smaller cherry tomatoes of every
colour are easy to grow. And just two or
three plants will supply you with salads
until Autumn. Make sure you give them
a strong support at planting time as they
can grow quite tall.
Climbing beans and cucumbers will
need a frame to climb up. These are
better planted as seed where they are to
grow; transplanted seedlings take several
weeks to get going again.
Zuchini are fun but need plenty of
space – and look out, the stems are quite
spikey.
Silverbeet is one of the easiest
vegetables. The plants will just keep
growing back if you only pick the outside
leaves.
Spring onions make a great border
plant. You must separate the tiny
seedlings that look almost like grass and
space then at least 2cm apart, otherwise
when you harvest them it will be difficult
to pull out individual plants.
No kitchen garden is complete without
a chilli plant; just one bush is enough.
Once they start to ripen chillis are very
prolific.
If you enjoy eating eggplants, they take
a little longer to fruit but they are easy,
compact, decorative plants to grow.
Once your vegetables are planted it is
time to plant the companion flowering
plants that will attract the bees,
ladybirds, hover flies and other beneficial
bugs; and as an added bonus their
flowers are edible to be added to summer
salads.
Companion planting is a method that
has been used successfully by gardeners
for centuries, long before the advent of
the pesticides and chemicals used by
commercial growers. Most of the following
flowering annuals will self-seed. Once
planted they will pop up everywhere,
adding colour to the garden at the same
time as working hard for you! French
marigolds, violas, pansies, nasturtiums,
sweet William, alyssum and ageratum as
well as flowering basil and sky-blue borage
(left) will all work their magic.
70 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Cliff orchid a coastal delight
We all love and know
the drainage is good.
the dendrobium
Although it likes water
‘Rock Orchid’ that creates
such wonderful racaemes
of pure white flowers
in Spring, growing on
trees or clinging to
rocks; but not so well
known is another much
smaller orchid whose
home is from the Victoria
seaboard to the central
coast of NSW and up as
far as the Queensland
border, usually above the
height of 1000m.
The sarcochilus
hartmannii has several
common names: the Blue
Knob orchid, the Cliff
orchid, the large boulder
orchid, or the ravine
it will not tolerate poor
drainage. In late winter
and spring, the cliff
orchid will produce tall
sprays of white flowers
that have burgundy
centres. It is easy to grow
and flowers without
trouble.
It is a great orchid for
beginners, it is easy to
grow with few demands.
Feed it with half-strength
liquid fertiliser sparingly
through the warmer
months. And water
weekly in the warmer
months but only monthly
in Winter.
Repotting is best done
orchid. It is a member of
in Autumn using a mix of
will get plenty of light but be sheltered
a family of 15 varieties that span from
5 parts small bark chips to 3 parts small
from hot sun.
Tasmania as far North as Cape York. It is
gravel stones, or perlite, to reproduce
an orchid that will grow in cooler areas,
The Cliff orchid is a miniature orchid
the natural environment on rocky faces.
making it the perfect companion for the that grows with roots that will attach it Look for plants in a garden centre that
much-loved cymbidiums.
It grows well in open positions nestled
in under the cymbidium leaves where it
to rocks, or crevices as it multiplies into
a thick clump of dark green leaves. It
likes to be in an open airy position where
specialises in native plants; or look on
Ebay where you can find them easily on
line.
Garden Life
Gifts for green-thumbed Dads
Father’s Day is this month,
and every Dad needs to
be remembered. All Dads
with green thumbs love
a new piece of gardening
equipment.
Look for secateurs, a new
blower, new spades, forks,
rakes – or even a ‘pocket’
chainsaw, that will never run
out of battery or fuel!
Give him some gloves, a
kneeling pad or some garden
hands to pick up the rubbish!
It may be that he would
prefer some seedlings or
seeds, some potted annual
plants for instant colour or
The Local Voice Since 1991
a bag of fertiliser or potting
mix.
Most Dads like to be the chef
in charge of the BBQ; a pot of
mixed herbs to keep nearby is
a perfect addition for a day of
cooking in the sun.
If all else fails, take him to
breakfast at your favourite
garden centre and give him
a gift voucher. No Dad, who
loves his garden, would find
it hard to spend a voucher,
no matter what the value, in a
plant nursery.
Last idea is a ticket to the
Plant Lovers fair at Kariong on
Sept 16th-17th.
SEPTEMBER 2023 71

Garden Life
Jobs this
Month
September
Garden Life
After a very cold (and
late) wet Winter there
is plenty to do in the
garden. Weeds are jumping
up and all the shrubs are
starting to show new growth.
Spray lawns for bindii if you
haven’t already done so,
before they set seed that
will stick into your bare feet
in summer… The ground
is damp and additional
water on the lawn can cause
fungal problems… Lawns
need feeding after Winter,
so it is better to feed with
granular fertiliser before
the next expected rainfall
than spraying with a water-
Colour burst
Dormant bulbs are coming alive.
Spring bulbs are finishing as the
scarlet Paintbrush lilies are bursting
into colour, the delicate Pleonie
ground orchids are sending up
bright new foliage and sprays of
violet bells, and the bright pink
Naked Ladies are flowering before
the leaves appear from beneath the
soil. All gardens should have some
plants and bulbs that suddenly
emerge in unexpected places, that
mark the change of the seasons. Too
late this year for these bulbs – but it
is time to look for hippeastrums and
Summer-flowering liliums.
soluble fertiliser… Find the
time to take a visit to the
Wildflower Garden at St Ives;
the wildflowers are in full
bloom and will fill you with
inspiration for your garden.
Clean the decks
Clean up wooden decks and
pavers with a high-pressure
sprayer. There are plenty of
chlorine-based cleaners on
the market. Choose a sunny
day with no wind. Spray
drift can burn the leaves.
Any accidentally sprayed
plants should be hosed off
with clean water as soon as
possible to prevent burn.
Prudent prunes
Now that the season has
turned it is time to prune
hibiscus and other Summerflowering
shrubs. Prune
carefully to improve the
shape and density of the
bushes.
Spread veggies
Commercially grown
seedlings of vegetables are
often overcrowded. Thin
them out when planting out
into the garden, by carefully
teasing out the roots with as
little damage as possible. If
you plant the seedlings as
they are grown they will be
overcrowded and choke each
other out.
Other chores
Citrus trees are flowering
now; be careful not to spray
with insecticide that will
kill the bees. Protect the
new growth from aphids
by spraying with Eco oil at
weekly intervals until the
fruit has set… Keep an eye
on clipped hedges – with
new growth they can easily
“get away”; to keep their
shape they will need frequent
attention at this time of the
year… Divide and multiply
bromeliads by taking off the
side shoots and replanting
them. Discard the mother
plant that has flowered, as it
will die once it has flowered.
Crossword solution from page 69
Mystery location: PALM BEACH
72 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
The life of greengrocer Bob
Once upon a time in
Avalon Beach… there
were six service stations,
four butchers and,
although there were four
greengrocers (including a
mobile greengrocer), according
to many locals, one stood
out from the rest.
Sam (Salvatore) Taranto
and his wife Maria lived on
the small volcanic island of
Alicudi in the Messina province
off the coast of Sicily. On this island it
was said that “all you really needed was a
fishing line and a donkey”.
Their first son Bob (Bartolo) was born on
the island before coming to Australia as a
13-year-old with his sister Joanne in 1962.
Sam had previously arrived and remarried.
They headed north to Palm Beach where
there was no greengrocer but a huge
camping area with many semi-permanent
residents. Sam rented the shop (which
presently sells homewares next to Pronto)
and opened a greengrocer shop with son
Bob as his right-hand man.
The family, now numbering six children
with Bob as the eldest, lived above the shop
in a two-bedroom flat, accessed by a tiny
lane between the shop and the chemist.
The camping area which had existed
since the late 1920s was forced to close in
the early 1970s and with it went many of
Sam’s customers.
The Electoral Roll of 1958 lists Domitilla
and Robert Taranto as occupants of
18b Avalon Parade, specifically Robert as
‘shopkeeper’. They moved to Manly Vale as
greengrocers and the Cutrie family took
over the business employing a young local
lady, Lyn. Sam and his family took over the
shop which had now become (after reallocation)
40 Avalon Parade.
Sam began the ‘Avalon Fruit Market’
with son Bob as his 2IC and the business
MISSED: Vale Bob Taranto; Sam and son Bob’s fruit shop in Avalon Parade (now occupied by the Lee
Matthews fashion boutique).
began to flourish. Lyn was retained as an
employee.
Bob couldn’t do enough for his customers
and the locals loved the friendly service,
especially retaining Lyn as a previous
employee.
The family lived in a house behind the
shop.
Sam rented the shop for some time but
then bought it outright.
In 1970, Bob married Lyn, who became
the love of his life and they lived first in
a rented flat on Bilgola Plateau. They then
moved back to Palm Beach and rented the
same flat where Bob had lived with his
brothers and sisters when they first arrived
in Palm Beach.
Three children followed – Olivia, David
and Michael.
When Sam retired, Bob joined Sal Polimeni
and they ran another greengrocers
shop almost opposite the cinema. Still
later, Bob joined his cousin Bob and wife
Cherie in ‘Avalon Fresh’, the greengrocer
shop across the lane from the Post Office
in Avalon Beach.
Years later Bob and Lyn eventually
bought a house in Avalon Beach.
Bob sadly passed away recently after a
long fight with a blood disorder.
A devout churchgoer, he was adored by
his many grandchildren.
Son Michael recalled “he was an avid
fisherman who was always happy to throw
in a line, bring home the catch and dinner
was done”.
Avalon Beach will miss this hard-working
soul who loved everybody and a good
joke; a true gentleman.
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
SEPTEMBER 2023 73

Travel Life
Travel Life
Science & adventure in Antarctica
Southern Sea Ventures, known for its
immersive adventure travel experiences,
has partnered with Northern
Beaches-based environmental association
Living Ocean for its Antarctic
Expedition Cruise this summer –
combining science and adventure for a
once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
Toby Story, Southern Sea Ventures’
Managing Director and Chief of Operations,
said the expedition promised
UNIQUE: The Antarctic.
not just an awe-inspiring journey at
the height of the 2023/24 whale migration, but also a chance
for passengers to participate as citizen scientists, thanks to the
partnership with Living Ocean.
During the Antarctic summer, whale spotting is at its peak
as these majestic giants migrate south to feed on the abundant
krill brought to the surface by warmer waters.
“Not only will travellers witness this breathtaking spectacle,
they will also get a chance to learn about crucial research areas
such as animal behaviour, the impact of microplastics and climate
change as part of Living Ocean’s Antarctic Research Project
2023 – a citizen science initiative taking place on board during
the expedition,” said Toby.
“What we’re offering is more than just a chance to experience
this enchanting landscape up close. We’re also extending an
opportunity for travellers to contribute to real Antarctic marine
research during their time aboard the MV Polar Pioneer.”
Sustainability is at the heart of the Polar Pioneer, the chosen
vessel for Southern Sea Ventures’ polar
expeditions, and the only 50-passengers
vessel operating in these waters.
Lovingly upcycled, this former Soviet
research vessel has been fitted out with
an array of environmental considerations,
from the use of biodegradable
cleaning materials to a determined aim
for zero single-use plastics onboard.
The limited passenger capacity further
ensures a personal and low-impact interaction
with the Antarctic ecosystem.
“We’re also privileged to have Dr Ian Goodwin, a renowned
Antarctic scientist, joining us on this journey as part of our
partnership with Living Ocean,” said Toby. “His expertise will
provide valuable context to our time in Antarctica and deepen
our understanding of these fragile marine ecosystems.”
Southern Sea Ventures’ 2023/24 Antarctic Expedition Cruise
offers a unique opportunity to blend adventure and science in
an intimate encounter with one of the most incredible landscapes
on Earth.
Toby explained Southern Sea Ventures specialised in immersive
adventure travel rooted in a commitment to sustainable,
authentic experiences.
“We pioneered commercial kayaking adventures to Antarctica
30 years ago, and have guided adventurers to all corners of the
world ever since.”
*For more info or to book, visit southernseaventures.com/
antarctica or contact ssvtrips@southernseaventures.com
PHOTO: Toby Story
74 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Paul Gauguin paradise cruises
Imagine a world where turquoise waters
caress pristine shores, where vibrant cultures
beckon with open arms, and where
every moment is a canvas awaiting your
personal touch.
“Welcome to the world of Paul Gauguin
Cruises – a journey that seamlessly
blends luxury, culture, and exploration
into an experience unlike any other,” said
Travel View’s Gail Kardash.
Gail says that stepping aboard a Paul
Gauguin voyage is akin to stepping into
the very essence of artistic expression.
“Named after the post-impressionist
master, these cruises embody Gauguin’s
fervour for adventure and his desire to
capture the beauty of the world’s most
captivating landscapes,” she says.
“The focus is the enchanting South
Pacific – a region that has long captivated
explorers and artists alike.”
Paul Gauguin Cruises redefine luxury,
offering a haven of comfort and opulence
amidst the vast expanse of the sea. With
a capacity to accommodate not more
than 330 guests, these voyages offer
an intimate setting that fosters a strong
sense of community and personalised
service.
“Each suite and stateroom, adorned
with mesmerising ocean views, becomes
your sanctuary – a place of reprieve after
days filled with awe-inspiring adventures.”
Beyond the breathtaking vistas and
luxurious accommodations, Paul Gauguin
Cruises set themselves apart through
their commitment to cultural immersion.
“These journeys aren’t just about visiting
destinations; they’re about experiencing
the heartbeats of diverse communities,”
Gail says.
“Onboard experts – from local artisans
to distinguished lecturers – paint a vivid
tapestry of the region’s history, traditions,
and art forms. You’ll delve into the
rhythmic sway of traditional dances, learn
the secrets behind indigenous crafts, and
even craft your own masterpiece inspired
by the stunning surroundings.”
Special Offer – Amidst the allure of
Paul Gauguin Cruises, a truly exclusive
offer awaits those who seek to embark
on this voyage of a lifetime. Starting at
an enticing A$4,480 per person*, these
cruises are already an incredible value
for the experiences they promise. Yet,
when you choose to book through Travel
View Avalon, an extra layer of indulgence
graces your journey – a shipboard credit
of US$200* per person. Imagine savouring
exquisite culinary delights, treating
yourself to rejuvenating spa therapies, or
venturing into captivating shore excursions
– all enhanced by this generous
credit,” says Gail.
*All advertised prices are based on
the Ponant Bonus fare per person, in
Australian dollars, based on a double occupancy
in the best available category,
including port taxes and transfer, yield
managed, correct at time of printing,
are subject to availability and can be
changed at any time. Shipboard credit
of US$200 available only when booked
through Travel View Avalon; more terms
and conditions may apply. More info call
Travel View Avalon on 9918 4444.
Travel Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
SEPTEMBER 2023 75