Pittwater Life January 2024 Issue
LOCAL GUIDE: 193 THINGS TO DO 1991‘DEVELOPMENT ONSLAUGHT’ FEARS / BEACHES ACHIEVERS HOLIDAY CROSSWORD + PUZZLES / BARRENJOEY BOATSHED THE WAY WE WERE / HOT PROPERTY / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
LOCAL GUIDE: 193 THINGS TO DO
1991‘DEVELOPMENT ONSLAUGHT’ FEARS / BEACHES ACHIEVERS
HOLIDAY CROSSWORD + PUZZLES / BARRENJOEY BOATSHED
THE WAY WE WERE / HOT PROPERTY / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
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The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
FREE<br />
pittwaterlife<br />
LOCAL GUIDE: 193 THINGS TO DO<br />
‘DEVELOPMENT ONSLAUGHT’ FEARS / BEACHES ACHIEVERS<br />
HOLIDAY CROSSWORD + PUZZLES / BARRENJOEY BOATSHED<br />
THE WAY WE WERE / HOT PROPERTY / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
Editorial<br />
Wakehurst works in sync<br />
We hear NB Council is making<br />
headway negotiating<br />
with Transport for NSW to<br />
co-ordinate State-led safety<br />
upgrade work on the Wakehurst<br />
Parkway with Council’s flood<br />
improvements agenda.<br />
As reported last month, the<br />
NSW Government is about to<br />
commence $150m of blackspot<br />
safety upgrades along the<br />
Parkway, include two lanes<br />
of roadway from Oxford Falls<br />
Road to Frenchs Forest Road.<br />
Meanwhile Council’s project<br />
aims to reduce the frequency<br />
of flooding at four locations<br />
– Oxford Falls Road West, The<br />
Bends, Sydney Academy of<br />
Sport and Wakehurst Parkway<br />
at Oxford Falls.<br />
Council concedes that given<br />
the programs are linked, it is<br />
vital that construction is integrated<br />
and delivered efficiently<br />
and cost-effectively, with minimal<br />
impact on the community.<br />
Council says it has progressed<br />
designs and environ-<br />
mental approval for both sites<br />
at Oxford Falls, which will<br />
achieve the required protection<br />
against flooding. Council<br />
has also revised options for<br />
The Bends that reduce harm to<br />
the environment and increase<br />
potential for flood prevention.<br />
Council tells us it will<br />
progress the detailed design,<br />
approvals and procurement<br />
for the Oxford Falls Road West<br />
flood improvement works,<br />
including community consultation,<br />
in the next few months.<br />
Council will also soon progress<br />
the alternative design at<br />
The Bends, including concept<br />
designs, identification of likely<br />
environmental approvals and<br />
community consultation.<br />
Likewise detailed design,<br />
approvals and procurement for<br />
the Sydney Academy of Sport<br />
flood improvement works are<br />
expected to begin later in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Readers can follow progress<br />
on Council’s Your Say page.<br />
– Nigel Wall<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 3
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Publisher: Nigel Wall<br />
Managing Editor: Lisa Offord<br />
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Contributors: Rob Pegley,<br />
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* The complete <strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong> archive can be<br />
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Vol 34 No 6<br />
Celebrating 33 years<br />
10<br />
38<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
FREE<br />
pittwaterlife<br />
LOCAL GUIDE: 193 THINGS TO DO<br />
‘DEVELOPMENT ONSLAUGHT’ FEARS / BEACHES ACHIEVERS<br />
HOLIDAY CROSSWORD + PUZZLES / BARRENJOEY BOATSHED<br />
THE WAY WE WERE / HOT PROPERTY / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...<br />
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thislife<br />
INSIDE: Read community feedback about local matters (p8);<br />
The State Government is handing power to Council to make<br />
road decisions without referring to local Traffic Committees<br />
(p9); What do the NSW Goverment’s new laws on mediumdensity<br />
housing mean for <strong>Pittwater</strong>’s villages (p12)?; Meet<br />
Claire Morris, who we can thank for reigniting the local live<br />
music scene (p17); We look at how the Barrenjoey Boatshed<br />
at Palm Beach became a hub for seaplanes (p28); And don’t<br />
miss our <strong>2024</strong> Local Guide (p38). Happy New Year all!<br />
COVER: ‘Merging’ / Sally Mayman – turtlepictures.com.au<br />
also this month<br />
Editorial 3<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> Local News & Features 6-25<br />
The Way We Were 18<br />
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 20<br />
Community News 22-25<br />
<strong>Life</strong> Story: Carmel Walton & Barrenjoey Boatshed 28-32<br />
Art 34-35<br />
Hot Property 36<br />
Summer Guide To <strong>Pittwater</strong> 38-49<br />
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 52-57<br />
Money 58-59<br />
Holiday Crossword & Puzzles 64-65<br />
Food 66-69<br />
Gardening 70-73<br />
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!<br />
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written consent of the copyright owner. All advertising rates are subject to GST.<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> The Local Voice Since 1991
News<br />
‘Lucky’ refugees’ stories told<br />
Journalist Melinda Ham – Canadianborn<br />
but now living on Scotland Island<br />
for the past 20 years – has been<br />
a passionate refugee advocate since she<br />
was a student in Montreal and London,<br />
and a foreign correspondent in Malawi<br />
and Zambia.<br />
Since migrating to Australia in 1994,<br />
while working as a journalist, she has also<br />
tutored many refugees and addressed Rotary<br />
Clubs and other voluntary groups to<br />
put the record straight above the contribution<br />
refugees continue to make to Australian<br />
society, despite the negative press.<br />
Now she has written The Lucky Ones<br />
which makes her case from the interwoven<br />
stories of six refugee families who<br />
arrived here between 1948 and 2019 in<br />
different circumstances.<br />
She said each of the families had<br />
survived unspeakable torture or abuse<br />
of human rights at the hands of some<br />
of the most murderous regimes of the<br />
20th and 21st centuries: Hitler, Stalin,<br />
Mobutu, Ho Chi Minh, the Taliban and<br />
then Islamic State.<br />
One refugee recounted being thrown<br />
into a rat-infested cell. Others were<br />
starved. Deprived of medical care. Denied<br />
access to their families or international<br />
rights organisations. Persecuted<br />
for simply having “the wrong religion, or<br />
ethnic background.<br />
In The Lucky Ones Melinda chose to<br />
focus on families, rather than just men:<br />
“Women deserve to be present in the<br />
narrative.”<br />
Australia adopted the White Australia<br />
Policy at the same time as Federation in<br />
1901. By the time Polish Catholics Maria<br />
and Wojciech arrived on a ship from<br />
Genoa Italy, Prime Minister Arthur Caldwell’s<br />
slogan was “populate or perish”.<br />
The refugee families come from a wide<br />
geographical area: Poland, Vietnam,<br />
Tibet, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Democratic<br />
Republic of the Congo. However,<br />
the way their ordeals, escapes and arrival<br />
in Australia share the same traits<br />
PASSIONATE: Scotland Island<br />
refugee advocate Melinda Ham.<br />
makes for a gripping if harrowing<br />
history.<br />
Melinda began researching<br />
The Lucky Ones in 2018, but<br />
postponed it during the COVID-19 lockdown:<br />
“You can’t do these interviews by<br />
Zoom. They have to be face to face, over<br />
many cups of tea.”<br />
Originally her own story wasn’t included.<br />
“The publishers insisted. I wasn’t<br />
keen. But it explains why I came to write<br />
the book.”<br />
Beginning with student advocacy,<br />
Melinda’s passion for refugees deepened<br />
during the six years she spent in Malawi<br />
and Zambia, from 1989. “Five million<br />
Mozambicans were displaced during the<br />
civil war by the Mozambican National<br />
Resistance rebels,” she explains.<br />
“They fled to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.<br />
One million were killed.”<br />
The Vietnamese refugees, Kasse and<br />
Minh, arrived in Indonesia by boat and<br />
then were processed by the United Nations<br />
High Commissioner for Refugees<br />
(UNHCR) and permitted to come to Australia.<br />
But this was during Liberal Prime<br />
Minister Malcolm Fraser’s time at The<br />
Lodge when they were welcomed.<br />
More than 30 years later Imtiaz, from<br />
Afghanistan, was poised to board a boat<br />
in Malaysia after his mother Nikmorgh<br />
had paid “thousands of dollars to people<br />
smugglers” for him to make the perilous<br />
crossing. Fortunately the<br />
boat was intercepted<br />
by police. Being a<br />
minor, Imtiaz was<br />
handed over to<br />
the UNHCR which<br />
arranged for his<br />
legitimate transfer to<br />
Australia.<br />
What does Melinda<br />
hope to gain from<br />
the publication of her<br />
book?<br />
“The Lucky Ones<br />
equips the (nonrefugee)<br />
Australian<br />
with background and<br />
knowledge about what<br />
it has taken the refugees<br />
to get to Australia, settle here and<br />
make a success of their lives. It enables<br />
the reader to walk beside them in their<br />
journey and hopefully feel more compassion<br />
and understanding about what they<br />
have experienced.<br />
“I hope my book will put a human face<br />
on the plight of more 35 million refugees<br />
around the world waiting for countries<br />
like Australia to take them in.<br />
“Most who come here are hard-working<br />
and make a success of it because of<br />
where they have come from and their<br />
background of poverty and hardship.<br />
Their children work hard too.<br />
“Refugees can be a huge bonus to a<br />
country like ours, especially when we<br />
have a labour and skills crisis.”<br />
– Steve Meacham<br />
*More info affirmpress.com.au<br />
6 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
News<br />
Letters: Readers have their say<br />
Mona murals #1<br />
I think they are wonderful.<br />
Perhaps they could also go on<br />
the northern side of Mona Vale<br />
Road near the cemetery. Surely<br />
no vandal would ruin such<br />
attractive pieces of work?<br />
Di Millgate<br />
Warriewood<br />
Mona murals #2<br />
It’s an absolute pleasure to see<br />
these artists’ works displayed;<br />
it gives the village a lovely feel.<br />
I suggest there is a massive<br />
‘canvas’ waiting to be painted<br />
on the back of the buildings<br />
by the stormwater drain<br />
between Bassett and Darley<br />
streets. These buildings are<br />
a target for ugly graffiti and<br />
tagging. A beautiful mural<br />
would be a great addition.<br />
Helen Fewtrell<br />
Bayview<br />
Mona murals #3<br />
The murals are fabulous! I was<br />
disappointed to read some<br />
people think it’s defacing the<br />
brickwork.<br />
When I walk past a (good)<br />
mural, my heart lifts and I<br />
smile. If I walk past a brick<br />
building, I feel nothing.<br />
Murals are also a great<br />
attraction; I’ve been to<br />
Dunedin in NZ where they’re<br />
a highlight and you go for a<br />
walk to admire the murals.<br />
Keep them coming!<br />
Dee Calvesbert<br />
Church Point<br />
Mona Vale Road #1<br />
I have asked Rory Amon to find<br />
out how much “the stop” on<br />
the Western stage of the Mona<br />
Vale Road contract is costing<br />
taxpayers. As yet, no reply. I<br />
doubt anyone in the Premier’s<br />
MURAL HERE PLEASE:<br />
To deter graffiti.<br />
office knows or cares.<br />
I understand that new<br />
homes developed in<br />
Warriewood valley were to be<br />
permitted only if Mona Vale<br />
Road was widened to allow<br />
residents to escape the area in<br />
the case of a catastrophic fire.<br />
Susan Hill<br />
Bayview<br />
Mona Vale Road #2<br />
I’m sure Rory Amon is indeed<br />
angry about the Mona Vale<br />
Road upgrade cancellation<br />
debacle foisted upon us by<br />
the Minns Labor Government.<br />
But sadly for him, as a<br />
newly minted junior MP in<br />
a traditionally super-safe<br />
Liberal seat, he has absolutely<br />
zero leverage to do anything<br />
about it. So he is left with the<br />
empty performative gesture of<br />
a petition (which we all know<br />
will be ignored).<br />
Rory, if you want to fix<br />
this issue there is only one<br />
way to do it – leave the Libs<br />
and become an Independent.<br />
Minns’ government teeters<br />
on the narrowest of margins;<br />
history tells us that sooner<br />
or later, scandal will see<br />
Labor lose an MP or two, at<br />
which point Minns will need<br />
Independents to govern.<br />
Darren Jones<br />
Avalon Beach<br />
Avalon Shared<br />
Space<br />
It beggars belief that there are<br />
objections to this initiative – it<br />
makes the Avalon village and<br />
busy intersection so much<br />
more user-friendly and far<br />
more safe. As a previous ‘four<br />
ways’, it was a nightmare.<br />
Bruce Hall<br />
Avalon<br />
8 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Council given control over streets<br />
The State Government will give Northern<br />
Beaches Council the authority to<br />
design and deliver pedestrian crossings,<br />
bike lanes and parking changes without<br />
referral to local Traffic Committees.<br />
The major regulatory change, involving<br />
all Councils across NSW, is aimed at<br />
making streets more liveable and to better<br />
support walking and cycling.<br />
Also, Northern Beaches Council will<br />
soon be able to temporarily close local<br />
streets to vehicles to host more community<br />
events and boost outdoor dining<br />
experiences.<br />
And the State Government has introduced<br />
new legislation that will prevent<br />
single complainants from shutting down<br />
outdoor events featuring live music.<br />
The Government’s $15 million Vibrant<br />
Streets program will be available to<br />
councils from early <strong>2024</strong>. It says the<br />
program will help reduce the cost and<br />
complexity for communities to use the<br />
streets they own.<br />
“This package of initiatives creates<br />
more opportunities to have fun outdoors<br />
by making it cheaper to arrange events<br />
and removing the often slow and complex<br />
application processes involved in delivering<br />
street activations,” said Transport for<br />
NSW spokesperson Brooke Wharton.<br />
STREET ACTIVATIONS: The NSW Government is<br />
cutting red tape to make events easier to stage.<br />
“These activations will help make<br />
spaces feel safer and more welcoming<br />
and support local employment and business.”<br />
The Vibrant Streets program includes<br />
two packages:<br />
Open Streets – A grant funding program<br />
for NSW councils to temporarily<br />
close streets and open them for people to<br />
use and enjoy. Applications for councils<br />
opens in <strong>January</strong> <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Permit/Plug/Play Pilot – A program<br />
partnering with pilot councils to help<br />
reduce the cost and complexity of delivering<br />
street-based events through an innovative<br />
“local problems, local solutions”<br />
model to allow for global pre-approvals<br />
for streets as event sites.<br />
Also, the Government passed legislation<br />
in November which backs live music,<br />
encourages the creation of more local<br />
entertainment zones, and will prevent<br />
single complainants from shutting down<br />
venues.<br />
In addition to the Vibrant Street program<br />
and the new legislation, Transport<br />
for NSW has also introduced its own<br />
initiatives to encourage more events and<br />
activities on local streets.<br />
The first is a change to the Roads Regulations<br />
to make it easier for communities<br />
to hold neighbourhood street events.<br />
It gives councils the power to approve<br />
road closures for neighbourhood gatherings<br />
on minor roads – such as a community<br />
party or holiday event – without<br />
approval from Transport for NSW.<br />
The second initiative, announced in<br />
December, is the new Temporary Delegation<br />
which gives council the authority to<br />
design and deliver pedestrian crossings,<br />
bike lanes, street trees and parking<br />
changes without referral to either Transport<br />
for NSW or local Traffic Committees.<br />
More information on Neighbourhood<br />
Activity Guidelines and the Temporary<br />
Delegation is available on Transport for<br />
NSW’s website.<br />
– Nigel Wall<br />
News<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 9
Lili’s a rugby lioness<br />
News<br />
Narrabeen’s Lili Boyle<br />
recently captained the<br />
Australian Schoolgirl<br />
Sevens team to a global victory<br />
with her skillful and physical<br />
displays, and yet you wouldn’t<br />
know it off the pitch.<br />
Off the field Lili is shy and<br />
reserved, and has a smile that<br />
says butter-wouldn’t melt. On<br />
the pitch, she’s described as<br />
a lion.<br />
Captaining the Australian<br />
Schoolgirl Sevens rugby team<br />
to victory in the Global Youth<br />
Sevens on the Gold Coast<br />
in December, she was also<br />
named in the tournament’s<br />
Dream Team, selected from<br />
every nation taking part.<br />
A student at Narrabeen<br />
Sports High, she’s an ordinary<br />
Beaches teen who loves<br />
Chicken Bites in Narrabeen<br />
and surfing with friends at<br />
Freshie Beach (“we’re not very<br />
good!”). She hangs with her<br />
family and friends, does her<br />
studies – and then tears apart<br />
the opposition on the rugby<br />
field.<br />
“I’m not really in a position<br />
that scores points,” says Lili,<br />
“but I do lots of tackling and<br />
get through a lot of work.”<br />
And it’s that work ethic<br />
that earned the respect of her<br />
teammates and the captaincy<br />
of the team.<br />
“I wasn’t expecting to be<br />
captain, but we went up to the<br />
Gold Coast and at the jersey<br />
presentation I was named<br />
captain,” says Lili humbly, “it<br />
was mainly for my leadership<br />
on the pitch and the way the<br />
girls respect me and look up<br />
to me.”<br />
REWARD FOR EFFORT: Unassuming Lili Boyle’s leadership skills were recognised when she was selected captain<br />
of the ultimately victorious Australian Schoolgirl Sevens team last month.<br />
Grandmother Karen says<br />
Lili’s transformation when she<br />
runs out to play is astounding.<br />
“She’s so quiet, but just<br />
comes into her own on the<br />
field,” says Karen. “It just<br />
amazes me how much respect<br />
her teammates have for her!”<br />
Lili got into rugby through<br />
her younger brother and initially<br />
started playing 15-a-side,<br />
before progressing to 7s. A<br />
regular for Manly Mermaids,<br />
the victorious Australian<br />
team she captained had barely<br />
trained together, let alone<br />
played any games.<br />
“The girls are all aged 16, 17<br />
and 18, and we went through<br />
a selection process,” explains<br />
Lili. “I represented Sydney<br />
North and then NSW and we<br />
played against Qld and ACT.<br />
The best girls from those<br />
games progressed to a selection<br />
camp, where they picked<br />
the final 13 for the squad.<br />
“We’d never played together<br />
as a team, and didn’t get to<br />
train together a great deal,<br />
but we had two camps and<br />
also went up to the Gold Coast<br />
early to prepare together.”<br />
Lili says she and the team<br />
took some inspiration from our<br />
national golden girls The Matildas<br />
and it all came together for<br />
them in a tense final against<br />
the “old enemy” New Zealand,<br />
after beating Canada and<br />
Tonga in earlier games.<br />
“There was a real bond and<br />
connection between the girls<br />
in the final,” reveals Lili. “We<br />
had real trust to get the job<br />
done together and beat New<br />
Zealand 27-12.”<br />
At 18, Lili will now end her<br />
role with the Schoolgirls rugby<br />
team, but with pathways growing<br />
for women in traditional<br />
men’s sports, a jump in code<br />
to rugby league and the Sea<br />
Eagles might be her next port<br />
of call?<br />
The lioness of Narrabeen<br />
might next become an eagle.<br />
Regardless, expect to hear a<br />
whole lot more of Lili Boyle.<br />
– Rob Pegley<br />
10 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Govt planning reforms<br />
News<br />
The NSW Government<br />
is under pressure to<br />
rethink its proposed<br />
planning laws that would permit<br />
seven-storey developments<br />
within 400m of <strong>Pittwater</strong> town<br />
centres including Narrabeen,<br />
Mona Vale, Newport Beach and<br />
Avalon Beach.<br />
This includes the potential<br />
for towering 21-metre shop-top<br />
housing along Old Barrenjoey<br />
Road at Avalon Beach and Barrenjoey<br />
Road at Newport.<br />
The Government’s broadbrushstroke<br />
reforms for dual<br />
occupancies, shop-top housing,<br />
multi-dwelling housing and<br />
mid-rise housing (see panel)<br />
apply to the Six Cities region,<br />
which incorporates the Northern<br />
Beaches Local Government<br />
Area as part of the Eastern<br />
Harbour City region.<br />
The Eastern Harbour City<br />
region comprises 19 Sydney<br />
Council LGAs.<br />
The Government’s reforms<br />
– outlined in a 40-page<br />
document on public exhibition<br />
until February 23 – propose<br />
non-refusal standards for new<br />
developments in R3 and R2<br />
Zones, plus shop-top housing.<br />
This would mean Council<br />
and local planning panels<br />
would be powerless to deny<br />
DAs that meet all other planning<br />
requirements.<br />
Northern Beaches Council’s<br />
zoning map reveals swathes<br />
of R3 blocks across <strong>Pittwater</strong>,<br />
including within Narrabeen<br />
EXAMPLE: <strong>Pittwater</strong> MP Rory Amon outside a Mona Vale home in R3 Zone.<br />
(along Ocean and Lagoon<br />
Streets), Mona Vale (Vineyard<br />
Street, the north side of Mona<br />
Vale Road, Golf Avenue and<br />
Darley Street East), Newport<br />
Beach (Foamcrest and Seaview<br />
Avenues and the eastern side<br />
of Ocean Avenue) and Avalon<br />
Beach (The Crescent and<br />
Avalon Parade East). Most of<br />
Warriewood is zoned R3.<br />
The planning map shows<br />
large parcels of R2 zones<br />
adjoining those suburb’s R3<br />
zones.<br />
Shop-top housing is prevalent<br />
in Avalon Beach, Newport,<br />
Narrabeen and Mona Vale.<br />
Although its reforms have<br />
not been legislated the Government<br />
has already overruled<br />
a planning refusal within<br />
Parramatta Council LGA; in late<br />
December Channel Nine Media<br />
reported that Parramatta Council<br />
was considering legal action<br />
against the Government for<br />
interfering with the integrity of<br />
its planning process.<br />
At is December meeting,<br />
Northern Beaches councillors<br />
voted to seek an urgent<br />
audience with Premier Chris<br />
Minns and Planning Minister<br />
Paul Scully to voice Council’s<br />
opposition and also request an<br />
extension of time for community<br />
submissions.<br />
Mayor Sue Heins said Council<br />
believed the proposals represented<br />
‘rezoning by stealth’.<br />
“The changes are in effect rezoning<br />
land for higher density<br />
uses without going through a<br />
rezoning process,” she said.<br />
“The rezoning process allows<br />
all relevant factors to be<br />
considered for good strategic<br />
planning outcomes. The<br />
one-size-fits-all approach as<br />
outlined here does not and it<br />
undermines the very basis of<br />
the planning system in NSW.”<br />
Planning Minister Paul Scully<br />
said the Minns Government<br />
was confronting the housing<br />
crisis with bold reforms to<br />
create tens of thousands of<br />
new, well-located, low-rise and<br />
mid-rise homes.<br />
“The reforms create capacity<br />
for industry to deliver up to an<br />
estimated 112,000 new homes<br />
across the Greater Sydney region,<br />
Hunter, Central Coast and<br />
Illawarra,” he said.<br />
He said currently, each local<br />
Council had its own rules for<br />
what kind of homes could be<br />
built in their area.<br />
“In many local government<br />
areas, these rules do not allow<br />
the types of homes that we<br />
need for the next generation,<br />
housing close to transport,<br />
infrastructure and social<br />
amenity.”<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> State MP Rory<br />
Amon condemned the Government’s<br />
plan.<br />
“Dumping significant development<br />
in <strong>Pittwater</strong> without<br />
adequate infrastructure is<br />
wicked,” he said.<br />
“The Government has<br />
cancelled the Mona Vale Road<br />
West widening and canned the<br />
Beaches Link Tunnel. These<br />
cancelled projects and now<br />
new density would leave our<br />
suburbs in gridlock and ruin<br />
12 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
have <strong>Pittwater</strong> on edge<br />
our quality of life.”<br />
He noted the full details of<br />
the Government’s plans would<br />
not become clear until its draft<br />
State Environmental Planning<br />
Policy (SEPP) was released following<br />
a review of community<br />
feedback.<br />
However, he said the proposed<br />
reforms had telegraphed<br />
the Government’s intent.<br />
Mr Amon said that in addition<br />
to doubling apartment<br />
block heights, Council sources<br />
estimated that Government’s<br />
changes to low-density zones<br />
to permit dual occupancies,<br />
terraces and manor homes on<br />
tiny blocks would mean an<br />
additional 44,000 dwellings<br />
could be created across the<br />
Beaches.<br />
“We are not against development,<br />
but we are deadset<br />
against development without<br />
adequate infrastructure,” he<br />
said.<br />
“In an area without mass<br />
transport options, these changes<br />
are unacceptable. With our<br />
community, we will fight this<br />
unreasonable plan and I will<br />
let them know how they can<br />
help in the weeks ahead.”<br />
Protect <strong>Pittwater</strong> President<br />
Simon Dunn told <strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong>:<br />
“Nothing highlights the need<br />
for environmentally sensitive<br />
zoning in <strong>Pittwater</strong> more than<br />
a State Government wielding<br />
a SEPP to achieve housing<br />
targets.<br />
“We have not yet seen the<br />
details of the proposed SEPP<br />
but would expect it to exempt<br />
environmental living zones.<br />
“We are therefore thankful<br />
that a great number of <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
residents and community<br />
groups had the foresight to<br />
strenuously oppose the drastic<br />
zoning changes for <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
that were initially proposed by<br />
the Northern Beaches Council<br />
in early 2023.”<br />
He said that, had the zoning<br />
changes gone unchallenged,<br />
“<strong>Pittwater</strong>’s unique natural<br />
environment would have been<br />
left even more vulnerable to<br />
inappropriate development”.<br />
Mackellar Federal Independent<br />
MP Dr Sophie Scamps said<br />
it was premature to “jump to<br />
conclusions” about the planning<br />
reforms leading to overdevelopment.<br />
“There are two issues at<br />
play – the need to address the<br />
housing crisis Sydney is facing,<br />
and that development should<br />
be consistent with community<br />
expectations,” she said.<br />
“The Government is seeking<br />
submissions and has also foreshadowed<br />
that councils will<br />
have input on the suitability of<br />
local town centres for higher<br />
densities, depending on the<br />
range of services they offer.<br />
“So it is premature to jump<br />
to conclusions.”<br />
She added the Government<br />
should be aiming to create vibrant,<br />
walkable, well-designed<br />
NSW Govt’s proposed reforms<br />
• Permit Residential Flat Buildings (RFBs) with consent in the<br />
R3 Zone within station and town centre precincts in the Six<br />
Cities region (includes Northern Beaches Council LGA within<br />
‘Eastern Harbour City’).<br />
• Includes introducing non-refusal standards that apply to<br />
RFBs wherever they are permitted (excluding R2 Zones) in<br />
station and town centre precincts in the Six Cities region.<br />
• Maximum building height RFBs – 21m within inner (0-400m)<br />
station and town centre precincts.<br />
• Maximum building height RFBs – 16m within outer (400-<br />
800m) station and town centre precincts.<br />
• Permit Multi-Dwelling Houses (MDHs) with consent in R2<br />
Zones within station and town centre precincts in the Six Cities<br />
region – maximum building height 9.5m.<br />
• Permit shop-top housing (STH) with no change to permissibility<br />
but with non-refusal standards identical to RFBs<br />
(heights 21m and 16m).<br />
* Source: NSW Government.<br />
and sustainable communities<br />
close to transport that were<br />
consistent with Northern<br />
Beaches values.<br />
“Even though this is a State<br />
issue, I will be closely scrutinising<br />
it and working with<br />
my State counterparts and<br />
Council.”<br />
Wakehurst Independent<br />
MP Michael Regan said he<br />
supported the intent of the<br />
reforms to increase low-and<br />
mid-rise development in residential<br />
zones.<br />
“There is no question that<br />
many people want to downsize<br />
from big houses into<br />
either large apartments, or<br />
something lacking here on the<br />
Beaches, terraces and villas,”<br />
he said.<br />
“And not just downsizers,<br />
but small families and executive<br />
couples, for example.<br />
“So many people have approached<br />
me over the years<br />
about wanting to have a duplex<br />
on their property to allow their<br />
kids an opportunity to remain<br />
in the area or to look after<br />
their folks in retirement.”<br />
However, he said he didn’t<br />
support the “blanket application”<br />
of density changes which<br />
did not take into account the<br />
“fundamental infrastructure<br />
constraints of the Northern<br />
Beaches, or other parts of Sydney<br />
for that matter”.<br />
– Nigel Wall<br />
*What do you think? Tell us at<br />
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au<br />
News<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 13
News<br />
Warriewood greenspace revamp<br />
The build-out of<br />
Warriewood’s new Lynne<br />
Czinner Park – formerly<br />
known as Fern Creek Reserve<br />
– will provide locals with<br />
a revamped green space to<br />
offset the likely addition of<br />
new housing developments<br />
along Macpherson Street in<br />
the next few years.<br />
Both Flower Power and<br />
Foleys Nursery have lodged<br />
DAs with Northern Beaches<br />
Council for a combined 81<br />
dwellings.<br />
Council’s expansion of<br />
Fern Creek Reserve – made<br />
possible by additional<br />
property acquisitions along<br />
the creek – is creating a<br />
much-anticipated area<br />
of open space for the<br />
community of Warriewood.<br />
The new park along with<br />
the parkland to the north<br />
of the creek – known as<br />
‘Rocket Ship Park’ after its<br />
playground – was renamed<br />
in consultation with the<br />
community to Lynne Czinner<br />
Park to honour the former<br />
Mayor of <strong>Pittwater</strong> and<br />
BIGGER: The expanded Lynne Czinner Park (artist’s impression).<br />
environmental trail blazer.<br />
Council’s vision for the<br />
new space includes a shared<br />
path and pedestrian bridge<br />
connection across Fern<br />
Creek; picnic areas with BBQ<br />
facilities, shade and water<br />
bottle filling stations; a<br />
fitness station; a network of<br />
shared paths; open, grassed<br />
areas; native plantings and<br />
landscaping; and additional<br />
car parking on Dove Lane.<br />
Council said the build<br />
was being fully funded by<br />
developer contributions and<br />
was expected to be completed<br />
in April, weather permitting.<br />
Recently the pedestrian<br />
bridge connecting the<br />
northern and southern side<br />
of the park was completed<br />
but it will remain closed<br />
while the other works are<br />
undertaken.<br />
Lynne Czinner was elected<br />
to the first <strong>Pittwater</strong> Council<br />
in 1992, serving consecutive<br />
terms until 2008. Within that<br />
period, Lynne spent four<br />
consecutive terms as Deputy<br />
Mayor from 1998 to 2002,<br />
and in 2004 was elected as<br />
Mayor.<br />
– NW<br />
7THINGS<br />
THIS MONTH<br />
NYE Fireworks. Enjoy<br />
spectacular fireworks displays<br />
scheduled to light up the sky<br />
around Bayview from 9pm to<br />
9.15pm and again at midnight.<br />
Free Outdoor Cinema. Drop into<br />
the new outdoor cinema at The<br />
Newport on Wednesday nights<br />
to catch some of the best surfing<br />
adventure moments on the big<br />
screen. Movies this month include<br />
Kamchatka, Facing Monsters and<br />
South to Sian.<br />
Giant obstacle course. There’ll<br />
be something for all the family to<br />
enjoy when Australia’s biggest<br />
inflatable obstacle course (300m<br />
long) and other fun activities<br />
are set up by Tuff Nutterz at<br />
Winnererremy Bay Mona Vale<br />
from Tues 9 to Sun 14. Cost $25-<br />
$40; search online to book a spot.<br />
Donate blood. The Mobile Blood<br />
Donor Centre is rolling into Mona<br />
Vale and setting up at Surfview<br />
Road from Mon 8 to Sun 14. Don’t<br />
forget to pre-book your spot<br />
at lifeblood.com.au, on their app,<br />
or on 13 14 95.<br />
Get ready Swifties! Ages 10<br />
years and up are welcome to drop<br />
in at Mona Vale Library on Thurs<br />
18 from 2 to 5pm for an afternoon<br />
of bracelet making, listening<br />
to music and meeting other<br />
Northern Beaches ‘Swifties’.<br />
Materials are provided to make<br />
Taylor Swift-inspired friendship<br />
bracelets including beads, letters<br />
and elastic strings. Create up to 5<br />
unique bracelets to take home or<br />
to trade. You are welcome to bring<br />
along additional bead charms.<br />
Free.<br />
Polystyrene drop. Residents<br />
can take rigid pieces of 100%<br />
clean, white and dry polystyrene<br />
packaging for recycling to<br />
Kimbriki Resource Recovery<br />
Centre, Terrey Hills on Sun 21<br />
from 8am to 4pm.<br />
Australia Day Breakfast.<br />
Everyone is invited to head to<br />
Bert Payne Reserve Newport<br />
Beach on Fri 26 for <strong>Pittwater</strong>’s<br />
Australia Day BBQ Breakfast from<br />
7.30am-11.30am. Organised by<br />
our local Zonta and Rotary clubs,<br />
there will be amusement rides,<br />
face paining and a thong throwing<br />
competition, plus great coffee<br />
vendors, gelato and live music.<br />
14 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Bryan’s new whodunnit<br />
Q: How did you get into writing<br />
and why?<br />
Pitches I was writing for<br />
film and television began to<br />
take on a life of their own.<br />
They became stories. Hence a<br />
bunch of them became ‘Sweet<br />
Jimmy’ (a collection of short<br />
stories published in 2021).<br />
Now a much longer short<br />
story has become a novel:<br />
‘The Drowning’.<br />
Q: What inspired<br />
you to write The<br />
Drowning?<br />
I know a particular<br />
area of the north<br />
coast of NSW. I<br />
surf there. I know<br />
the community.<br />
The little nearby<br />
towns. The different<br />
demographics.<br />
The vitality and the<br />
quiet. It was natural<br />
that I’d want to set a<br />
story there.<br />
Q: How did it all come together?<br />
When did you write<br />
ONE-<br />
FINGER<br />
TYPER:<br />
Bryan<br />
Brown.<br />
it/ how long did<br />
it take?<br />
I began the book<br />
late 2022. I had<br />
an incident that<br />
I knew was arresting<br />
for the<br />
reader and I<br />
also had three characters that<br />
would take me on a ride. The<br />
book was finished early 2023<br />
and then there was a little<br />
finessing. Not a lot. It usually<br />
comes racing out. Not straight<br />
away but on some days an<br />
hour or two and then nothing<br />
for a week maybe.<br />
Q: Describe your writing<br />
habits…<br />
I can’t sit for long writing<br />
away and I am a one-finger<br />
typer. As I said, the characters<br />
tell me the story. Some<br />
days they have nothing to tell<br />
me and then some nights just<br />
before sleep they announce<br />
where they are going. Next<br />
morning I’m in front of the<br />
computer.<br />
Q: Any interesting feedback<br />
so far?<br />
I’m interested in what the<br />
locals in a particular town<br />
will think because I’m sure<br />
they are going to reckon I’ve<br />
set ‘The Drowning’ there!<br />
*‘The Drowning’; published<br />
by Allen & Unwin. RRP –<br />
$32.99. Available at all good<br />
bookstores or online.<br />
CYC grant<br />
gives Marine<br />
Rescue boost<br />
Marine Rescue Broken<br />
Bay has enhanced its<br />
operational capabilities<br />
following the completion<br />
of crew and training rooms<br />
and a dedicated administration<br />
area at its Bayview<br />
facility.<br />
The internal fit-out was<br />
made possible through<br />
a $42,551 grant from the<br />
Cruising Yacht Club of<br />
Australia SOLAS Trust.<br />
The grant is part of a<br />
larger $300,000 three-year<br />
funding commitment.<br />
In the first 11 months of<br />
2023 the Broken Bay unit<br />
safely returned 283 people<br />
to shore, completing 132<br />
search-and-rescue missions<br />
including seven life-threatening<br />
emergencies.<br />
The new rooms will<br />
enhance the unit’s ability<br />
to respond swiftly and<br />
effectively to emergencies<br />
on the water. – NW<br />
News<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 15
Peter had scores to settle<br />
News<br />
Collaroy’s Peter Dawson<br />
first took up golf at the<br />
age of 12. Sneaking onto<br />
the exclusive fairways of The<br />
Australian Golf Club at Kensington,<br />
he and a few mates<br />
would play as many holes as<br />
they could until they heard<br />
the course ranger coming for<br />
them.<br />
It was 1959 and the ranger<br />
had plenty of horsepower.<br />
“Our primary purpose was<br />
to avoid the ranger. Most of<br />
the time now they’re on motor<br />
bikes or little 4-wheel agricultural<br />
vehicles – but in those<br />
days he had a big white horse<br />
and we had one eye out for<br />
him and one on the ball. We<br />
heard him before we saw him.<br />
So we were very quick off<br />
the mark. It was exciting but<br />
scary too,” Peter remembers.<br />
This was the beginning of a<br />
life-long love affair with golf<br />
and connection to The Australian<br />
Golf Club, the co-host with<br />
The Lakes Golf Club of the<br />
Australian Open in late 2023.<br />
Peter was there, as one of<br />
the hundreds of volunteers<br />
critical to staging such a<br />
major event. He has volunteered<br />
at the Australian Open<br />
for 17 years, both as a course<br />
marshal (Quiet Please!) and as<br />
a walking scorer.<br />
“I go to the Open to volunteer<br />
because I love being<br />
around the players, I love<br />
seeing good shots, I love the<br />
atmosphere of the place. As<br />
soon as I step in, even before,<br />
going up to the club before I<br />
start each day I get quite excited.<br />
You don’t get that very<br />
often these days… at my age,<br />
anyway!” he says.<br />
IMPRESSIVE: Peter (second right) scoring the play of Thai amateur Elia Galitsky.<br />
As a walking scorer in 2023<br />
he was assigned to groups<br />
of three golfers, recording<br />
statistics (fairways hit/number<br />
of putts) and hole-by-hole<br />
scores and radioing in the<br />
scores for display on the electronic<br />
scoreboards around<br />
the course.<br />
The days can be long, with<br />
rounds taking more than five<br />
hours; but he is inside the<br />
ropes and close to the action.<br />
He gets to see what the golfers<br />
are really like, both men<br />
and women. Peter enjoys the<br />
solitude he can find in the<br />
midst of such a busy event,<br />
just in his own zone focusing<br />
on scoring.<br />
He talks about brother and<br />
sister superstars Min Woo Lee<br />
and Minjee Lee and renowned<br />
chatterbox Lee Trevino and<br />
how the best golfers are the<br />
carefree ones.<br />
“The one thing I’ve learnt is<br />
that the better golfers have a<br />
better attitude. They’re not totally<br />
focused… on what is going<br />
on around them… they’re<br />
there to hit a ball,” Peter says.<br />
From the 2023 Australian<br />
Open field he picks an eclectic<br />
group of three carefree<br />
golfers he would like to have a<br />
relaxing 18 holes with:<br />
Masters champion Adam<br />
Scott – “He’s an Aussie and<br />
I think he would be a lovely<br />
guy to play with”;<br />
US pro Michael Block – a<br />
2023 feel-good story, following<br />
his hole-in-one and high<br />
finish in the US PGA Championship;<br />
and<br />
Thai amateur Eila Galitsky<br />
– Peter scored her 1-under-par<br />
71 on the final day. “She was<br />
magnificent, absolutely magnificent.<br />
She just fired at the<br />
pin all day. Steady, pure golf,<br />
didn’t make a mistake.”<br />
Peter is a dedicated numbers<br />
man and being a walking<br />
scorer is a natural fit. A Chartered<br />
Accountant by trade, he<br />
spent 40-plus years revelling<br />
in the beauty of numbers, a<br />
passion and skill kick-started<br />
by encountering long division<br />
at primary school.<br />
“I owe it, I believe, to the<br />
Nuns. I think around third<br />
class at St Joseph’s Rosebery,<br />
just down the road from The<br />
Australian Golf Club,” he<br />
explains.<br />
A Long Reef Golf Club<br />
member since 2001, playing<br />
to a single-figure handicap<br />
on his good days, Peter is<br />
also the official scorer for<br />
the Long Reef on Tour (LROT)<br />
group – with a reputation for<br />
photobombing every prize<br />
presentation on tour.<br />
– Greg McHugh<br />
16 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Why Avalon gets top billing<br />
You may not have heard of Claire<br />
Morris, but she’s perhaps the<br />
most important person in music<br />
on the peninsula, and the<br />
reason Avalon RSL has<br />
become the number one<br />
music venue.<br />
When Narrabeen RSL<br />
closed, Claire was its Events<br />
Manager; suddenly she had<br />
11 great acts lined up for<br />
the Northern Beaches – and<br />
nowhere for them to play.<br />
“I was in total despair,” remembers<br />
Claire. “I cold-called<br />
Avalon RSL and they jumped<br />
at it. They took on almost all<br />
11 shows in one hit. I’m so grateful to<br />
Cristo and the board of directors.<br />
“It’s not easy to put on live music – it’s<br />
expensive and you need resources to do<br />
it. On top of that, getting an RSL to put<br />
on a band like The Exploited [hard-core<br />
working class Scottish punk band] with<br />
open arms is a testament to them.<br />
“Avalon RSL is now once again established<br />
as a touring artist venue, like it<br />
was in the ’80s/’90s.”<br />
It certainly is, with The Exploited,<br />
You Am I, and The Whitlams just a few<br />
bands to have played recently.<br />
As Events and Entertainment Manager<br />
and Artist Liaison, Claire plays a<br />
massive part in that. Most of her days<br />
are spent talking to booking agents,<br />
discussing ideas, sorting social media,<br />
checking ticket sales and keeping<br />
things on track. Then at the weekend<br />
it’s working with the production guys<br />
and bands to make sure it all happens.<br />
“My biggest aim is that everyone<br />
leaves with a smile on their face,” says<br />
Claire. “That the audience are happy,<br />
the venue is happy, and the band are<br />
happy they’ve come out to Avalon.”<br />
Apart from one gig where a power<br />
outage saw the show cancelled (“… he<br />
‘GIG’ ECONOMY: Skunkhour playing the Avalon Beach RSL; and events manager Claire.<br />
still played a couple of acoustic numbers,<br />
but legally we weren’t allowed to<br />
continue”), the only tough part of the<br />
job is Monday when it’s all over.<br />
“When your adrenalin runs out and<br />
there’s no show, it’s really hard. You’re<br />
looking for that feeling again and trying<br />
to find purpose in ordinary life!”<br />
Clearly it’s in the blood.<br />
“Yeah, my dad had a hotel and I’ve<br />
always loved live music. I’ve worked in<br />
venues for over 30 years now.<br />
“And I love that we have such a<br />
fan base on the Northern Beaches – a<br />
strong and established audience.<br />
Agents and artists know that they have<br />
an audience [here] and that the venue<br />
will look after them.<br />
“I also love that we have a solid punk<br />
crowd. The Exploited and local band<br />
RUST showed that recently at Avalon<br />
RSL. Everyone thinks we’re swanning<br />
around in linen on the peninsula! But<br />
this punk scene is going on amongst a<br />
conservative environment.”<br />
Claire says the days of excessive<br />
‘riders’ (requests) backstage are over –<br />
especially at Avalon RSL – but admits<br />
that she’s witnessed some in her time.<br />
However, what goes on tour, stays on<br />
tour.<br />
“If they ask for something cheeky<br />
these days, it’ll be tongue-in-cheek. One<br />
band wanted a souvenir, so we gave<br />
them Avalon RSL lighters and t-shirts.”<br />
If it sounds a fun job and a fun life,<br />
well, it is.<br />
“The best part is you get to fill a<br />
room with people who might not have<br />
anything in common other than that<br />
they love the same song or band,”<br />
Claire said.<br />
“Nowhere else that’s available. Maybe<br />
in church. But these people come<br />
together just because of passion for a<br />
song or album.<br />
“I don’t think anything is better than<br />
that professionally.”<br />
Bands coming to Avalon RSL early<br />
in <strong>2024</strong> include Adam Newling, Alex<br />
Lloyd, Ash Grunwald, Sons of the East<br />
(sold out), Tijuana Cartel and Jason<br />
Singh. With a few other surprises to be<br />
announced soon.<br />
And if Claire could get one act to<br />
Avalon RSL?<br />
“Iggy Pop. I once drove 1800 kilometres<br />
to see Iggy.”<br />
– Rob Pegley<br />
News<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 17
The Way We Were<br />
Every month we pore over three decades of <strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, providing a snapshot<br />
of the area’s recent history – and confirming that quite often the more things change,<br />
the more they stay the same! Compiled by Lisa Offord<br />
25 Years Ago…<br />
The Way We Were<br />
Welcome to <strong>January</strong> 1999, when the US TV<br />
show “Baywatch looks like becoming part of<br />
our life to the benefit of the Avalon Surf Club<br />
and our image around the world.” Hmm,<br />
not so fast… further inside the magazine<br />
readers learned “Avalon’s Alex McTaggart<br />
has a personal objection to the use of Avalon<br />
Beach for filming the Baywatch TV programs<br />
and that’s why his ‘No More Baywatch’ signs<br />
appeared at North Avalon and on the Bilgola<br />
Bends.” The story explained Mr McTaggart’s<br />
protest, through a recently formed<br />
committee Friends of Avalon Beach, was<br />
not against the filming but against what he<br />
saw was the lack of consultation with beach<br />
users. The “Baywatch people” wanted to film in Avalon for<br />
two days a week during the winter months. “I want to see a<br />
public meeting which we will call at which all the information<br />
can be made available, and the community as a whole can<br />
have their say. If the majority feels this is good for Avalon,<br />
then so be it. I will abide by that,” McTaggert said. Moving<br />
on… Summer Holidays in <strong>Pittwater</strong> mean “… sailing, the<br />
beach, long lunches, and dinners on balmy evenings. This<br />
month we have focussed on the best of a <strong>Pittwater</strong> summer,<br />
places to go, things for kids and adults to do, the best eateries<br />
and some great holiday reading.” Council was revising its<br />
medium density Shop Top housing plans to “push people<br />
15 Years Ago…<br />
into the commercial centres to live”. The<br />
plan had “already seen unprecedented<br />
development of units in the commercial<br />
centres of Avalon and Newport”. The<br />
“controversial policy was created by the<br />
Council in response to State Government<br />
moves for more medium density houses and<br />
a backlash from residents who complained<br />
about the original plans for the whole of<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong>… the resident groups complained<br />
long and loud about the impact of medium<br />
density housing in their own streets”. Under<br />
the new plan each new development “…<br />
will have to meet genuine housing needs and<br />
larger developments that contain only studios<br />
and one-bedroom dwellings will not be approved”. Australia<br />
Day in <strong>Pittwater</strong> “will focus once more on Newport Beach”.<br />
A party atmosphere was planned, with “traditional sports<br />
such as thong throwing and a great wheelie bin race”. A safe<br />
play space at Katoa Reserve at Warriewood was unveiled<br />
showcasing “great design and sculptures” including stone<br />
carved snakes, water dragons, frogs and turtles lying in a<br />
dry creek bed and sandpits. The cover of our mag showed<br />
the beginning of the <strong>Pittwater</strong> to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race;<br />
also, it marked 25 years since The Big Swim from Palm<br />
Beach to Whale Beach first took place.<br />
5 Years Ago…<br />
The cover was “<strong>Pittwater</strong>’s own maxi-yacht” Wild<br />
We ran our annual Locals’<br />
Oats XI, built by McConaghy Yachts in Mona Vale and<br />
Guide. There were some great<br />
owned by Palm Beach’s Bob Oatley, streaking down the gigs including The Screaming<br />
Derwent in Hobart on its way to the finishing line. In<br />
Jets and GANGajang. Also,<br />
news, more than $60 million in capital works relating<br />
the Ocean Swim Series. In<br />
to the Warriewood Valley land release was “in danger<br />
news, an off-leash dog trial at<br />
following moves by the State Government to reduce<br />
Station Beach was “closer to<br />
charges to developers… the scheme is being implemented reality”. Council announced<br />
in a desperate attempt to curry favour with the electorate its partnership in a research<br />
and particularly among the new home buyers finding<br />
project to devise a national<br />
house and land packages too costly”. Council’s General<br />
early warning system to<br />
Manager Mark Ferguson said the proposal could lead to alert coastal communities<br />
rate increases of up to 25 per of impending storm-wave<br />
cent a year. Work had begun damage; Avalon Public School,<br />
on the Renal Dialysis unit<br />
Bilgola Plateau PS, Elanora<br />
at Mona Vale Hospital; more Heights PS and Narrabeen<br />
women were competing in Sports High were set to get excavation will assist to keep<br />
the Ocean Swim series; a plan new air-conditioning systems; the lagoon entrance open for<br />
to build a block of 10 home Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent several years before further<br />
units for seniors and people Care Centre was upgraded<br />
works are required.” And a large<br />
with disabilities at 2129 and with emergency trained staff<br />
contingent of Avalon locals<br />
2133 <strong>Pittwater</strong> Rd, Church to manage patients who selfpresent<br />
with injuries and<br />
were “busy planning a protest<br />
Point attracted more than<br />
70 objections; and Australia illnesses 24 hours a day;<br />
meeting to vent their opposition<br />
Day events were being held the mouth of the Narrabeen to NB Councils current plans for<br />
at Bert Payne Reserve, The Lagoon had been excavated the coastal walkway through<br />
Newport Arms and at the and open for public use over Little Avalon car park at<br />
Royal Motor Yacht Club.<br />
summer. “It’s understood the Surfside Avenue”.<br />
18 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
GN Eyachts IN JAN Marnie. $1610 + GST. Nigel emailed Marnie 4/12. Page 19
News<br />
SEEN…<br />
Finally! Well, sort of…<br />
the long-awaited upgrade<br />
of the Eastern section of<br />
Mona Vale Road is undergoing<br />
a soft opening<br />
until Sunday 7 <strong>January</strong>,<br />
with all four lanes<br />
open between Foley<br />
Street, Mona Vale and<br />
Manor Road, Ingleside.<br />
Transport for NSW<br />
reports the temporary<br />
availability will remain<br />
in place until 6pm on<br />
<strong>January</strong> 7, after which<br />
time lane closures will<br />
be reinstated until last<br />
works are completed for<br />
an official opening. The<br />
speed limit will remain at 60km/hour during<br />
this period. There will be no changes to the new intersection<br />
of Mona Vale Road, Ponderosa Parade and Samuel Street. For<br />
the latest traffic updates visit livetraffic.com<br />
HEARD…<br />
Good news for NIMBY locals who don’t like the disruption<br />
of Channel Seven TV series Home and Away being filmed at<br />
Governor Phillip Park – from <strong>2024</strong> they’ll be filming more<br />
episodes in other locations. That’s due to the Labor Government’s<br />
decision to amend the producer offset tax legislation,<br />
which provides a 30 per cent rebate to local TV drama<br />
productions. Seven West Media CEO James Warburton told<br />
AdNews that future production of Home and Away would<br />
involve more location filming, including in regional Australia.<br />
Seven chief content officer, entertainment programming,<br />
Angus Ross, said: “More location filming will help<br />
ensure Home and Away maintains its globally acclaimed<br />
production values and will create new work for the Australian<br />
production sector.”… No news is not necessarily good<br />
news, especially in the case of the ongoing vacancy at Avalon<br />
Beach Surf Club’s café and restaurant. We asked Council<br />
for another update on lease developments for the site. They<br />
told us in early December: “Submissions have been received<br />
and these are being negotiated to see if an outcome can be<br />
achieved that is acceptable. If Council accepts a party’s offer<br />
the next step will be to carry out a financial assessment to<br />
determine if the organisation has the financial capacity to<br />
meet the proposed lease requirements.” A follow-up approach<br />
to Council was made on December 22, with no reply.<br />
Another summer’s trade… gone.<br />
ABSURD…<br />
Who would do such a thing? Readers John and Tigi Coplestone<br />
say they received a rude welcome home to Etival Street, Palm<br />
Beach after visiting family in New Zealand late last month. The<br />
couple were left in disbelief and dismay to find that some opportunistic<br />
Grinch had roughly hacked and stolen their prized<br />
hydrangeas, which they had lovingly tended all year – as they<br />
do every year – so they could celebrate the blooms at Christmas.<br />
All up 40-50 white hydrangeas were pinched, presumably<br />
under the cloak of darkness (pictured before… and after).<br />
Particularly galling, say the couple, is the fact they now feel<br />
the need to install security cameras “regretfully, after 30-plus<br />
years in the area”. STOP PRESS: As <strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong> went to print<br />
the Coplestones contacted us to report they did indeed install<br />
CCTV cameras, which had subsequently captured vision of<br />
an intruder – a woman around 50, with longer than shoulderlength<br />
blondish hair. The vision has been referred to police.<br />
BEFORE<br />
AFTER<br />
20 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
News<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> News<br />
Midget Farrelly<br />
rock art tribute<br />
Local surfing legend Bernard<br />
‘Midget’ Farrelly will be forever<br />
honoured and remembered<br />
with a rock carving / public<br />
artwork on Black Rock at Palm<br />
Beach. It follows public consultation<br />
undertaken by Northern<br />
Beaches Council. Farrelly lived<br />
at Palm Beach for 54 years and<br />
surfed there almost every day;<br />
he passed away in 2016 at the<br />
age of 71, after a battle with<br />
cancer. He became the first<br />
Australian to win a major international<br />
surfing title in 1962.<br />
Two years later, he won the<br />
inaugural World Surfing Championships<br />
at Manly Beach. In<br />
1985, he was inducted into the<br />
Sport Australia Hall of Fame.<br />
Farrelly gave back to the local<br />
community through the Palm<br />
Beach and Whale Beach Surf<br />
<strong>Life</strong>saving Clubs, where he was<br />
a member and mentor for more<br />
than 20 years. The Recognition<br />
Committee recommended a<br />
petroglyph carving, which is<br />
created by incising, picking,<br />
carving or abrading part of the<br />
rock surface. The tribute will<br />
be installed in early <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Become a<br />
Computer Pal<br />
Have you recently retired,<br />
and looking for a way to feel<br />
connected and pass on the<br />
knowledge you have acquired?<br />
Computer Pals for Seniors<br />
Northern Beaches are looking<br />
for volunteers who can give 2-3<br />
hours of their time each week.<br />
Local Probus News in <strong>January</strong><br />
Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club next meets<br />
on Wednesday 24 <strong>January</strong> at Narrabeen<br />
Baptist Church. Doors open at 9.45am for<br />
10am meeting. The guest speaker will be<br />
Merinda Air from the National Maritime<br />
Museum. Visitors welcome; more info call/<br />
text 0424 464 047.<br />
The first meeting of the Bilgola Plateau<br />
Probus Club for <strong>2024</strong> will be held on Friday<br />
5 <strong>January</strong> at Newport Bowling Club. The<br />
meeting starts 10am; doors open from<br />
9.30am. Guest speaker will be Hette Mollema<br />
who is going to focus on ‘Toiletology’ – the<br />
study of toilets. Toilets are critical to our<br />
wellbeing, and something that we very much<br />
take for granted in our modern world. Hette<br />
intends to plunge in and flush out all the<br />
facts about the evolution of toilets, and the<br />
methods for the disposal of our bodily waste<br />
products that humans have devised from the<br />
The not-for-profit organisation,<br />
located at the Tramshed Arts &<br />
Community Centre at Narrabeen,<br />
helps seniors navigate the<br />
world of technology. Platforms<br />
include Android/Apple tablets<br />
and phones, Apple/Microsoft<br />
laptops and Chromebook. If<br />
you feel you could help, email<br />
anne.computerpals@gmail.<br />
com<br />
Short story<br />
competition<br />
The Northern Beaches Writers<br />
Group has announced<br />
the opening of its <strong>2024</strong> Arts<br />
& Words Project, with a first<br />
prize of $250 and publication<br />
online. Writers are encouraged<br />
to submit entries of up to 2,500<br />
words responding to the theme<br />
‘Glass’, along with at least<br />
one image that reflects and<br />
enhances their story. Collaborations<br />
and multiple entries<br />
are welcome. Stories can be<br />
non-fiction, fiction, or fiction<br />
inspired by true events – all<br />
genres and styles are welcome.<br />
Cost is $15 per entry (multiple<br />
entries are permitted but must<br />
be accompanied by a separate<br />
fee and entered separately). The<br />
primary judge is multi-awardwinning<br />
author Zena Shapter<br />
(‘Towards White’). Total prize<br />
pool is $450, including $100 for<br />
the Northern Beaches Commendation<br />
Award (locals only).<br />
Entries close March 31. More<br />
days of hunter-gatherers up to today. Visitors<br />
welcome; enquiries to Shelley (0415 538 864).<br />
The next meeting of Newport Probus Club<br />
is on 11 <strong>January</strong> at Newport Bowling Club.<br />
This meeting is one week later than usual,<br />
to give members the opportunity to return<br />
from holidays and/or recover from the busy<br />
Festive Season. The business meeting will be<br />
followed by a panel of speakers from within<br />
the membership and an entertaining hour is<br />
anticipated. Commences 10am. More info Di<br />
Burrell (0410 465 303).<br />
The next meeting of <strong>Pittwater</strong> Mens Probus<br />
will be held at Mona Vale Surf Club on Tuesday<br />
9 <strong>January</strong>. If you are a boating enthusiast,<br />
this is one not to miss. Gifted speaker Noel<br />
Phelan will deliver ‘The Halvorsen Story’ – a<br />
vessel which is steeped in boating history.<br />
Commences 10am; visitors welcome. More info<br />
Terry Larke (0412 220 820).<br />
info northernbeacheswritersgroup.com<br />
Draft Multicultural<br />
Inclusion plan release<br />
Northern Beaches Council will<br />
put its blueprint for greater<br />
inclusion of multicultural communities<br />
in future decisionmaking<br />
on public exhibition<br />
in early <strong>2024</strong>. Council’s draft<br />
Championing Diversity –<br />
Multicultural Inclusion Plan<br />
2029 identifies the ways that<br />
multicultural communities<br />
can be better informed and<br />
involved in decision making.<br />
Council says it is the first step<br />
in an overall plan to ensure the<br />
needs of those from diverse<br />
Countdown on to 50th Big Swim<br />
The <strong>Pittwater</strong> Ocean Swim<br />
Series splashes into action<br />
in <strong>January</strong>, with three local<br />
swims in the lead-up to the 50th<br />
Big Swim (Palm Beach to Whale<br />
Beach) on Sunday <strong>January</strong> 28.<br />
The Newport Pool-To-Peak swim<br />
starts proceedings on Sunday<br />
<strong>January</strong> 7, followed by the Bilgola<br />
Beach ‘Billy’ swim (<strong>January</strong> 14)<br />
and the Warriewood to Mona Vale<br />
swim (<strong>January</strong> 21).<br />
Big Swim entrants are mainly<br />
recreational swimmers, ranging<br />
from 12 years through 80 years<br />
and over, with more than 75 per<br />
cent coming from outside the<br />
Northern Beaches – a boost for<br />
local businesses.<br />
Organisers report that several<br />
of the originals from the first<br />
swim in 1974 will be swimming<br />
in the 50th swim.<br />
With a record number of entries<br />
expected they will restrict numbers<br />
to 2000 to ensure adequate<br />
water safety craft and surveillance<br />
including jet skis and drones.<br />
*Whale Beach SLSC needs<br />
volunteers to help with entry<br />
registration for the Big Swim<br />
on 28 <strong>January</strong>. The Big Swim is<br />
expected to attract 2000 people.<br />
If you are able to help, email<br />
your name and contact to info@<br />
whalebeachslsc.com.au<br />
22 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Giant Cuttlefish snap wins day<br />
stunning image of a giant cuttlefish<br />
A swooshing through shallow water<br />
at Manly’s Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic<br />
Reserve has won the third annual<br />
UNDERWATER! 2023 Photo Competition.<br />
As part of Northern Beaches Council’s<br />
30th Ocean Festival, the competition<br />
featured captivating images of<br />
underwater life at the five Aquatic<br />
Reserves on the Northern Beaches<br />
by new, emerging and established<br />
underwater photographers.<br />
The competition’s judges said Talia<br />
Greis’ winning image ‘Torpedo’ (above)<br />
“beautifully captures one of the<br />
Northern Beaches most iconic species<br />
and is technically masterful”.<br />
In addition to the overall winner, there<br />
were eight other winners, one from each<br />
of the competition’s categories as well as<br />
a People’s Choice winner.<br />
For the first time this year, a special<br />
category was included to appeal to<br />
underwater videographers.<br />
More than 225 images were submitted<br />
in 2023, twice the number of entries<br />
from 2022.<br />
The competition’s People’s Choice<br />
award was won by Alana Abercrombie for<br />
her image, Taking a Breath – a fascinating<br />
photo features a turtle’s view of the urban<br />
coast. This category was judged online by<br />
more than 1000 residents.<br />
Meanwhile the inaugural Northern<br />
Beaches Ocean Festival drew 100<br />
enthusiastic participants to Bongin<br />
Bongin Bay last month for a marine sand<br />
sculpture event (above). The familyfriendly<br />
activity promoted the crucial<br />
message of supporting marine life against<br />
the backdrop of marine conservation.<br />
The festival’s success marked a<br />
powerful kick-off to Ocean Festival week,<br />
emphasising the urgency of marine<br />
conservation and aligning with the 30x30<br />
campaign for community engagement.<br />
*View UNDERWATER! images on<br />
Council’s website.<br />
News<br />
backgrounds have access to the<br />
same opportunities as others<br />
living in the community. Mayor<br />
Sue Heins said: “Our plan<br />
means local multicultural communities<br />
will have a seat at the<br />
decision-making table and are<br />
able to be active and engaged<br />
members of our community.”<br />
The plan was developed with<br />
input from more than 500<br />
community members, including<br />
many from a multicultural<br />
background, who communicated<br />
their experiences<br />
living, working or visiting the<br />
Northern Beaches. The draft<br />
plan will go on public display<br />
from mid-<strong>January</strong> to the end<br />
of February.<br />
Enviro Grants<br />
worth $50,000<br />
Northern Beaches Council has<br />
approved $50,000 in environmental<br />
grants for projects in<br />
<strong>2024</strong> aimed at delivering a<br />
positive impact on the local<br />
environment. Council says<br />
recipients will deliver direct<br />
benefit via hands-on creek<br />
bank stabilisation works,<br />
online solar training and bush<br />
regeneration. In the current<br />
program, 10 projects will<br />
receive full funding of $5,000<br />
per project and two will be<br />
awarded partial funding for<br />
projects beginning in December.<br />
All projects are required to<br />
be completed by 31 December<br />
<strong>2024</strong>. See the full list on NB<br />
Council’s website.<br />
Annual Report<br />
highlights works<br />
Northern Beaches Council has<br />
released its annual report for<br />
the 2022/23 financial year<br />
highlighting what it said was<br />
a year of growth, innovation,<br />
and milestone achievements<br />
across various areas. Northern<br />
Beaches Mayor Sue Heins<br />
described the year as one of<br />
Continued on page 24<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 23
<strong>Pittwater</strong> News<br />
News<br />
Safe Space awarded funding<br />
Liberal Member for<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> Rory Amon<br />
joined MoWaNa President<br />
Melani Kypri and Labor<br />
candidate for <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
Jeffrey Quinn to celebrate<br />
the announcement of<br />
$50,000 of funding to<br />
support MoWaNa’s service<br />
of the Northern Beaches<br />
community.<br />
MoWaNa Safe Space<br />
– short for ‘Mona Vale,<br />
Warriewood and Narrabeen’<br />
– is a peer-led communitybased<br />
service to support<br />
people who are experiencing<br />
emotional or suicidal<br />
distress.<br />
Based at the Mind Café,<br />
Narrabeen, MoWaNa<br />
operates 5pm – 9pm on<br />
Friday, Saturday and Sunday<br />
each week, providing a<br />
welcoming and non-clinical<br />
environment where those in<br />
need can ‘drop in’.<br />
The funding has been<br />
awarded by the NSW<br />
Government following<br />
a nomination by Labor<br />
Candidate for <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
Jeffrey Quinn during the<br />
recent election period.<br />
The funding will be<br />
used to employ a part-time<br />
volunteer coordinator<br />
and trainer to ensure the<br />
longevity of the safe space.<br />
“The MoWaNa safe space<br />
has helped so many, there<br />
are countless stories of<br />
people whose lives have<br />
been transformed by this<br />
service,” said Mr Amon. “I am<br />
pleased that this funding will<br />
allow the service to continue<br />
and expand, providing<br />
more crucial assistance to<br />
vulnerable people.<br />
“On behalf of our<br />
community, I want to thank<br />
Melani and her team for<br />
their vision and tenacity,<br />
and Guy Morel and the<br />
Mind Café for donating a<br />
space each week for this<br />
important initiative.<br />
“I also applaud Jeffrey<br />
Quinn for his recognition of<br />
this wonderful organisation,”<br />
said Mr Amon. – LO<br />
Continued from page 23<br />
recovery, optimism and teamwork.<br />
“Council delivered $82<br />
million in capital works this<br />
year including an investment<br />
of over $15 million to provide<br />
10.3km of road resurfacing,<br />
5km of new footpaths, 4.1km<br />
of shared paths and 1.6km<br />
of footpath renewals,” she<br />
said. “This is just the tip of<br />
the iceberg with several major<br />
capital works being completed<br />
which provide direct benefit to<br />
the community including the<br />
new Long Reef Surf <strong>Life</strong> Saving<br />
club, a new pedestrian bridge<br />
over Narrabeen Lagoon, a new<br />
Marine Rescue Headquarters<br />
at Bayview and a new Rural<br />
Fire Service Brigade Building<br />
at Duffys Forest to support the<br />
great work our volunteers do.”<br />
View the Annual Report on<br />
Council’s website.<br />
Marine Rescue:<br />
Log On, Log Off<br />
If you are planning on enjoying<br />
some time on the water in a<br />
tinnie, cruiser, yacht, kayak,<br />
canoe or a jet ski, don’t forget<br />
to ‘Log On and Off’ with Marine<br />
Rescue – it’s quick, simple<br />
and free. MR advise to Log On<br />
whenever you’re heading out<br />
on the water and Log Off when<br />
you return. To Log On, call<br />
24 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
your Marine Rescue NSW base<br />
on VHF Channel 16, or use the<br />
MarineRescue App. When you<br />
Log On via the radio, the operator<br />
will ask you for some basic<br />
information about your vessel,<br />
your destination and contacts.<br />
You’ll enter the same details<br />
on your smartphone or other<br />
device if you’re using the app.<br />
If you decide to stay out longer,<br />
simply call the base on VHF<br />
Ch 16 or use the MarineRescue<br />
App to update your arrival<br />
time. Remember to Log Off<br />
when you’re back on shore. If<br />
you haven’t let Marine Rescue<br />
know you’re back safely, they<br />
will start to look for you! More<br />
info marinerescuensw.com.au<br />
24-hour bowls<br />
marathon<br />
Locals Peter Thomas and Sheldon<br />
Smith (right) completed a<br />
24-hour bowls marathon for<br />
Movember, raising $3700 to<br />
assist men’s health.<br />
The funds were added to<br />
the pair’s ‘<strong>Pittwater</strong> Pelicans’<br />
team, which raised more than<br />
$10,000 for the month of November<br />
and – with donations<br />
still pouring in.<br />
Peter and Sheldon thanked<br />
everyone who helped by playing<br />
against them, as well as<br />
local donors, plus supporters<br />
Bayview NYE fireworks<br />
Northern Beaches Council<br />
is hosting several<br />
free family friendly New<br />
Year’s Eve fireworks sites<br />
for the community to<br />
enjoy the festivities – with<br />
Winnererremy Bay at Bayview<br />
set to explode into colour at<br />
9pm and 12 midnight.<br />
To ensure compliance<br />
with fireworks exclusion<br />
zone requirements, Rowland<br />
Reserve at Bayview will be<br />
closed. Families can enjoy<br />
the fireworks from multiple<br />
outdoor vantage points<br />
around the bay.<br />
Other locations that<br />
will hold 10-12 minutes of<br />
fireworks at 9pm include:<br />
Frenchs Forest – 9pm, Lionel<br />
Watts Reserve, Blackbutts<br />
Road; Dee Why – 9pm, Ted<br />
Jackson Reserve, Dee Why<br />
Beach; and Manly – 9pm, East<br />
& West Esplanade, Manly Cove.<br />
Families are encouraged<br />
to bring your own picnic or<br />
purchase takeaway from one<br />
of the many local restaurants<br />
and enjoy the fireworks<br />
spectacular.<br />
Council reminds readers<br />
alcohol is prohibited at Dee<br />
Why, Frenchs Forest, Bayview<br />
and Manly (East Esplanade)<br />
from 8pm-8am.<br />
*For updates on the day<br />
follow @beachescouncil on<br />
Facebook and Instagram.<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> RSL Club, <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
Bowls Club and Iprint Digital<br />
who sponsored the day.<br />
20% off sports shoes<br />
Shoe retailer Mike Pawley is<br />
offering locals a $20 discount<br />
(off RRP) on two brands of nonmarking<br />
sports/court shoes to<br />
help keep the six court surfaces<br />
at the Northern Beaches Indoor<br />
Sports Centre clean. Parents<br />
looking to buy new sports<br />
shoes for their school-aged<br />
children are urged to head<br />
to a Mike Pawley Sports store<br />
(Mona Vale and Dee Why) and<br />
check out the ASICS Court shoe<br />
or New Balance Court shoe –<br />
and look for the non-marking<br />
labels on the shoes. The store<br />
has a full inventory of Men’s,<br />
Women’s and Children’s nonmarking<br />
shoes. NBISC caters<br />
for more than 9000 volleyball,<br />
basketball and netball players<br />
each week, spending more than<br />
$200,000 a year in court maintenance,<br />
with black-soled shoes<br />
the biggest problem. More info<br />
mikepawleysports.com.au<br />
Vet<br />
on call<br />
with Dr Brown<br />
Summer is synonymous with<br />
sun-soaked adventures, but<br />
for our pets, the rising temperatures<br />
pose potential dangers.<br />
As responsible pet owners, it’s<br />
crucial to understand the risks<br />
and take proactive measures to<br />
ensure our furry companions<br />
stay safe and cool during the<br />
scorching months.<br />
Heat stroke, or heat stress,<br />
occurs when the body›s heat<br />
production surpasses its ability<br />
to cool down, resulting in<br />
hyperthermia and, in severe<br />
cases, organ failure. This<br />
life-threatening condition can<br />
escalate rapidly, especially for<br />
pets outdoors on hot days.<br />
Certain breeds such as Pugs<br />
and French Bulldogs are more<br />
susceptible to heat-related<br />
issues. Additionally, animals<br />
with heavy coats need special<br />
attention. Consider scheduling a<br />
grooming session to keep them<br />
comfortable and facilitate easier<br />
tick checks.<br />
When temperatures soar, it’s<br />
best to bring your pets indoors,<br />
preferably with access to a fan<br />
or air conditioner.<br />
Some practical tips to safeguard<br />
your pets:<br />
Ensure outdoor enclosures<br />
are shaded throughout the day,<br />
as the sun’s position changes.<br />
Provide fresh water daily and<br />
consider adding ice cubes on<br />
hot days. Check sipper bottles<br />
for blockages.<br />
Place a wet towel for your<br />
pet to sit on, create a doggy ice<br />
block, or use a child’s plastic<br />
seashell sandpit as a pool.<br />
Avoid walks during the<br />
hottest part of the day. If the<br />
ground is too hot for your feet,<br />
it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.<br />
Stay vigilant for signs of<br />
heat stroke, including excessive<br />
panting, sluggishness, drooling,<br />
vomiting, and loss of consciousness.<br />
If your pet exhibits these<br />
symptoms, act promptly:<br />
Move your pet to a cooler<br />
place and check its breathing.<br />
Cooling Measures: Wrap<br />
your pet in a cool wet towel,<br />
avoiding ice-cold water.<br />
Seek Veterinary Attention:<br />
Contact your vet immediately<br />
for professional assistance. Call<br />
Avalon (9918 0833) or Newport<br />
(9997 4609).<br />
News<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 25
The Barrenjoey Boatshed will be<br />
reborn in the coming weeks; here we<br />
recount how seaplanes became part<br />
of the fabric of this iconic venue.<br />
Story by Rosamund Burton<br />
<strong>Life</strong> Stories<br />
Plane<br />
sailing<br />
Eighty-seven-year-old Cessna on floats at the back of near the boatshed to Careel opportunity to buy the lease<br />
Carmel Walton sits on the a fisherman’s cottage. When Bay because of strong winds, of the boatshed, the vote was<br />
bench near the Barrenjoey<br />
we return to Sydney, Vic goes but a storm overturned the unanimous that they sell up<br />
Boatshed, recalling how<br />
this place became her home<br />
for 30 years. Her husband, aircraft<br />
pilot Vic Walton, and she<br />
began renting the boatshed in<br />
1975.<br />
“Vic had just started working<br />
for Nationwide Air Services<br />
as a demonstration pilot<br />
for the Government Aircraft<br />
Factory’s Nomad – a twin-turbo<br />
prop,” she explains. “While<br />
waiting for his first demonstration<br />
aircraft he was asked<br />
to fly a Cessna on amphibious<br />
floats up to Cairns for a prospective<br />
customer, and I went<br />
with him.<br />
“By the time we reach<br />
Cairns Vic is quite keen on<br />
seaplanes. The prospective<br />
buyer takes us to Kurumba on<br />
the western side of Cape York<br />
to look at a dilapidated old<br />
to the bank manager, gets a<br />
loan for $10,000, and buys this<br />
aeroplane.”<br />
Vic and the other man<br />
patched up the plane; the Waltons<br />
gradually limped back<br />
to Sydney and the plane was<br />
taken out to Bankstown to be<br />
totally renovated. Vic thought<br />
that the Palm Beach end of<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> was the best place<br />
for seaplanes, and his father<br />
knew Aub Allen, who owned<br />
the lease of the boatshed. On<br />
a handshake, Vic and Carmel<br />
rented the boatshed, which<br />
included a takeaway shop, and<br />
an upstairs apartment.<br />
Carmel said that by the<br />
end of October 1975 the<br />
Cessna 185 seaplane had been<br />
restored and was in <strong>Pittwater</strong>,<br />
ready to start joy-ride flights.<br />
Vic moved it from its mooring<br />
seaplane and it had to be<br />
taken back to Bankstown for<br />
extensive repairs. However, by<br />
Christmas it was up and running,<br />
and despite opposition<br />
from some locals, concerned<br />
about the safety of other users<br />
of the <strong>Pittwater</strong> waterway and<br />
also aircraft noise, Aquatic<br />
Airways was operating its first<br />
joy flights over <strong>Pittwater</strong>.<br />
Vic, Carmel and their<br />
children – Lynne, Russell and<br />
Joanne – relocated for the<br />
summer from their home in<br />
Baulkham Hills to the small<br />
flat above the boatshed. Russell<br />
helped his father with<br />
the planes and Lynette and<br />
Joanne ran the takeaway shop<br />
with Carmel. No-one wanted<br />
to return home at the end of<br />
<strong>January</strong>. So six months later,<br />
when the Waltons had the<br />
and move here permanently,<br />
and the kids aged 17, 15, and<br />
13, started at Barrenjoey High.<br />
Vic had begun taking flying<br />
lessons in England aged 21,<br />
while staying with relatives<br />
over there. Back in Australia in<br />
1951 he was accepted for the<br />
Qantas Cadet Pilot Scheme,<br />
but Qantas had a surplus of<br />
pilots, so instead gave him a<br />
job as a flight steward.<br />
Carmel and Vic met when<br />
she was 17 and he was 22. Vic<br />
was working towards his commercial<br />
pilot’s licence, training<br />
at the Royal Aero Club in<br />
Bankstown.<br />
“Our first date was in a Tiger<br />
Moth,” says Carmel. They<br />
married in 1957 and lived in a<br />
flat at Clareville before moving<br />
to a beach cottage on the<br />
Serpentine at Bilgola, which<br />
28 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
they rented for five pounds,<br />
one shilling and threepence<br />
a week, and where their three<br />
children were born. By 1962,<br />
Vic had his commercial pilot’s<br />
licence, and his first job was<br />
as a sales demonstration pilot<br />
for Victa, the lawnmower<br />
company, which in the 1960s<br />
diversified into light aircraft.<br />
When the Walton family<br />
made the permanent move to<br />
the boatshed in 1976, Vic left<br />
Nationwide Air Services to<br />
work full-time on Aquatic Airways.<br />
However, later that year<br />
the Nomad had a fatal crash<br />
and the test pilot was killed,<br />
so Vic offered to do test flights<br />
again, explains Carmel.<br />
“Often during the week he<br />
would do test flights, then operate<br />
the seaplane at the weekends.<br />
He also did demonstration<br />
tours and flew at the Paris<br />
Air Show and the Farnborough<br />
Air Show in the UK. Vic had an<br />
interesting career. I was very<br />
proud of him.”<br />
While demonstrating the<br />
Nomad in Sweden he spotted<br />
a Cessna in a snowdrift. He reported<br />
it to air traffic control<br />
– to be told that its existence<br />
was known and that the owner<br />
was keen to sell it. Vic agreed<br />
to buy it. He was interested in<br />
recovering the engine – but<br />
with some help, despite its isolation,<br />
he managed to recover<br />
the whole aircraft. So he now<br />
had a second Cessna – this one<br />
on skis – which having had<br />
transported back to Australia,<br />
he transferred to floats.<br />
By 1978, as well as operating<br />
its scenic flights, Aquatic<br />
Airways was flying what<br />
Vic Walton believed was the<br />
world’s shortest air route:<br />
from Palm Beach to Gosford,<br />
a journey time of only eight<br />
minutes. The boatshed had<br />
fuel facilities for planes, boats<br />
and cars, Hobie Cats and fishing<br />
boats were available for<br />
hire, and there was also the<br />
takeaway food shop.<br />
The next additions to the<br />
Aquatic Airways fleet were<br />
two Beavers and a Cessna 206<br />
to make the documentary,<br />
Pelican’s Progress, in which<br />
three seaplanes flew around<br />
Australia.<br />
“Vic left Palm Beach and<br />
kept Australia on the left,”<br />
says Carmel. Paul Hamlyn<br />
also published a book about it<br />
called ‘Australia – the Greatest<br />
Island’ (published 1980).<br />
In the early 1980s, Vic and<br />
Carmel’s marriage fell apart.<br />
They still had the boatshed<br />
lease, so Vic continued to<br />
operate the seaplane business,<br />
and Carmel stayed living in<br />
the flat and ran the takeaway<br />
business. Until then she had<br />
been busy in the office organising<br />
flight bookings, so she<br />
had rented out the takeaway<br />
businesses at weekends, and<br />
only operated it herself during<br />
the week. Now she turned<br />
her attention to making the<br />
food outlet more of a going<br />
concern.<br />
“A friend had a t-shirt from<br />
Carmel-by-the-Sea in California,<br />
and said, ‘It’s a good name<br />
for your business’, so I called<br />
it Carmel’s by the Sea.” It went<br />
from just being takeaway to<br />
having a bigger deck with<br />
tables, with a greater range of<br />
good basic food and drinks,<br />
and was loved by both locals<br />
and visitors. “Gradually I<br />
Continued on page 30<br />
<strong>Life</strong> Stories<br />
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: Carmel at the newly renovated<br />
Barrenjoey Boatshed; the modest structure in the early<br />
1970s; an aerial showing the arrival of seaplanes; <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
<strong>Life</strong> promoted Carmel’s By The Sea; a cartoon reflecting the<br />
early mood of locals; a pic from ‘Australia – the Greatest<br />
Island’; local media picked up on Vic’s ambitions; Aquatic<br />
Airways’ early days; Carmel on the beach in the 1980s.<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 29
<strong>Life</strong> Stories<br />
ABOVE: Vic was accepted into the Qantas Cadet Pilot scheme and dreamed of<br />
flying Constellations. BELOW: Expanded outdoors dining in the 1980s.<br />
Continued from page 29<br />
improved it, but it never had<br />
table service. It was always low<br />
key.”<br />
It was only when living<br />
alone at the boatshed that she<br />
realised how isolated it was.<br />
“Fortunately, Russell was<br />
working with the water police<br />
in Bayview then. The water<br />
police were wonderful. They<br />
knew I was on my own and<br />
kept an eye on the place.”<br />
Vic’s last flight, says Carmel,<br />
was in 1993 when he flew their<br />
youngest daughter, Joanne,<br />
and her bridesmaids in the<br />
seaplane to her wedding at the<br />
boatshed.<br />
“We had carpet down the<br />
wharf and a big silk marquee<br />
on the deck. It was wonderful.”<br />
Vic went out of business<br />
in 1993, and died of cancer<br />
a year later, but Carmel continued<br />
to run the café. There<br />
were book launches at the<br />
boatshed, several water police<br />
Christmas parties, weddings,<br />
and formal dinner parties in<br />
the upper deck dining room.<br />
And from the time Home and<br />
Away started in the late 1980s<br />
scenes were filmed here.<br />
Continued on page 32<br />
30 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
THE YOUNG COUPLE: Carmel and Vic (right) in the 1950s.<br />
<strong>Life</strong> Stories<br />
Continued from page 30<br />
“In 1998 between Christmas<br />
and New Year it was<br />
stinking hot, I was short<br />
staffed, people were 10-deep<br />
at the counter, and I thought I<br />
don’t want to do this anymore.”<br />
Carmel sold the café<br />
business to Jackie Burns, who<br />
worked with her. By this time<br />
Carmel owned the lease of<br />
the boatshed with Russell and<br />
Joanne, and she continued<br />
to live there until 2006 when<br />
they sold it. Jackie still had<br />
two years to go on the café<br />
lease, and when that finished<br />
Andrew Goldsmith and his<br />
wife Pip Robb moved in, and<br />
the Barrenjoey Boatshed<br />
became the first of The Boathouse<br />
venues.<br />
Carmel bought a house in<br />
Avalon, where she now lives,<br />
but this place just a few kilometres<br />
north will always hold<br />
special memories.<br />
“I loved being here. I had<br />
my 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th<br />
birthday parties here,” she<br />
says, “and saw many a good<br />
sunset”.<br />
32 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Art <strong>Life</strong><br />
Art <strong>Life</strong><br />
Gallery’s 100 years of collecting<br />
Manly Art Gallery &<br />
Museum (MAG&M) is<br />
celebrating 100 years of<br />
public collecting, with a series<br />
of exceptional exhibitions and<br />
special events in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Kicking off the celebration<br />
is Collection 100: Gifted, on<br />
exhibition until 18 February.<br />
The exhibition honours the<br />
philanthropists, artists, donors<br />
and members of the public<br />
whose contributions have<br />
shaped MAG&M’s impressive<br />
public art collection.<br />
Northern Beaches Mayor<br />
Sue Heins said the 100-yearold<br />
collection all began with<br />
the purchase through public<br />
subscription of an Australian<br />
impressionist painting – Middle<br />
Harbour from Manly Heights by<br />
Seaforth based artist James R<br />
Jackson.<br />
“Manly Art Gallery & Museum<br />
is the oldest metropolitan<br />
purpose-built regional gallery<br />
in NSW, officially opening in<br />
1930,” Mayor Heins said.<br />
“The collection began six<br />
years before the building<br />
opened, when a committee of<br />
12, appointed by Manly Council,<br />
considered that a prize-winning<br />
artwork by James R Jackson<br />
was far too precious to pass<br />
out of Manly.<br />
“Describing the possible loss<br />
of the painting as a ‘catastrophe’,<br />
they raised funds by<br />
public subscription to purchase<br />
the work, and gifted it to Manly<br />
Council.”<br />
This painting will be on display<br />
at Collection 100: Gifted,<br />
alongside early works by Tom<br />
Roberts, Ethel Carrick (Manly<br />
Beach – Summer Is Here 1919,<br />
right) and Antonio Dattilo-<br />
Rubbo, and more recent works<br />
by Elisabeth Cummings, Wendy<br />
Sharpe (Blue Harbour 2018,<br />
below) and Kathy Cavaliere.<br />
Opening alongside this<br />
exhibition is Surface Effect:<br />
Ceramics Collection Stories,<br />
showcasing some of MAG&M’s<br />
extensive ceramics collection.<br />
This exhibition emphasises<br />
the intricate interplay between<br />
ceramics, painting, and printmaking,<br />
revealing the common<br />
threads that unite artists in<br />
their creative process. From ancient<br />
pottery to modern sculptures,<br />
ceramics have provided a<br />
canvas for painters and printers<br />
to explore new techniques.<br />
Works by Belinda Fox &<br />
Neville French, Elisabeth Cummings<br />
& Barbara Romalis, Noel<br />
McKenna, Danie Mellor, and<br />
Guan Wei make visible the<br />
connections between ceramics,<br />
painting, and printmaking<br />
and the shared characteristics<br />
intrinsic to the artists’ hand.<br />
Surface Effects: Ceramics Collection<br />
Stories runs until 28 July.<br />
“The spirit of generosity and<br />
the belief of art as intrinsic<br />
to our community lives on at<br />
MAG&M,” Mayor Heins said.<br />
“The gallery continues to be<br />
a hub for creativity and culture,<br />
connecting artists, donors and<br />
the community.<br />
“We thank each and every<br />
donor over the past 100 years<br />
for their generous contributions<br />
to our public collection.”<br />
Also, the Gallery will be<br />
hosting ‘ICONIC: Lost in Palm<br />
Springs’ – a discussion on Midcentury<br />
Modern (MCM) design<br />
– on Thursday 18 <strong>January</strong><br />
(6pm-7.30pm). At this special<br />
event, artist Paul Davies, artist/<br />
curator/designer Liane Rossler<br />
and architect Penelope Seidler<br />
AM will share their thoughts on<br />
contemporary approaches to<br />
living with MCM.<br />
It’s part of ‘Lost in Palm<br />
Springs’, an interdisciplinary<br />
exhibition bringing together 14<br />
creative minds – including internationally<br />
recognised artists,<br />
photographers and thinkers<br />
from America and Australia –<br />
who respond to, capture, or<br />
reimagine the magical qualities<br />
of the landscape and the<br />
celebrated mid-century modern<br />
architecture found in the renowned<br />
Californian desert city.<br />
Lost in Palm Springs runs<br />
until 25 February.<br />
*More info MAG&M website<br />
34 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
‘Salt’ of the<br />
earth works<br />
erging’ – a detail of<br />
‘Mwhich graces the cover<br />
of this issue of <strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />
– is one of the many evocative<br />
images shown by Sally Mayman<br />
at her recent exhibition<br />
at Art Gallery on Palm Beach.<br />
It’s part of her body of<br />
work ‘Salt’, which Sally said<br />
celebrates connections to the<br />
sea and our community which<br />
is shaped by it.<br />
“Through the oceans, salt<br />
connects us all and is an essential<br />
for life,” she said. “The<br />
oceans, like our land environments,<br />
are being drastically<br />
affected by climate change.<br />
This exhibition encourages<br />
reflection on our collective responsibility<br />
in maintaining the<br />
delicate balance of nature, so Vanessa said.<br />
future generations can enjoy<br />
what we have so loved.”<br />
A selection of Sally’s images<br />
are still on show at Art Gallery<br />
on Palm Beach, which is open<br />
every day in <strong>January</strong>. With<br />
16 artists represented there<br />
is a wonderful selection of<br />
paintings, ceramics, botanical<br />
sculpture and photography.<br />
Gallery director Vanessa<br />
Ashcroft said Art Gallery of<br />
Palm Beach was excited to be<br />
showcasing local prize-winning<br />
artists to the holiday makers of<br />
Palm Beach this summer and<br />
would be open every day from<br />
10am – 3pm in <strong>January</strong>.<br />
“Not only will the Palm<br />
Beach Gallery be open, but<br />
the sister gallery and flagship<br />
gallery in Balmain, Art Gallery<br />
on Darling, will also be open<br />
for two weeks from <strong>January</strong><br />
15 – 28 with the artists of<br />
AGOPB exhibiting their work,”<br />
– Nigel Wall<br />
*More of Sally’s work can be<br />
seen at turtlepictures.com.<br />
au, including all recent collections;<br />
more gallery info @<br />
artgalleryonpalmbeach<br />
Art <strong>Life</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
35
Hot Property<br />
Hot Property<br />
Word on street: Avalon<br />
Beach officially ‘hot’<br />
If you are planning on<br />
buying property and on<br />
the hunt for the next “hot”<br />
suburb you don’t have to<br />
look far with Avalon Beach<br />
named as one of the 100<br />
locations across the country<br />
to watch.<br />
Avalon Beach and Dee Why<br />
were the only suburbs on the<br />
Northern Beaches included<br />
in the annual realestate.com.<br />
au ‘Hot 100’, which lists 100<br />
Australian suburbs that are<br />
tipped to outperform in <strong>2024</strong><br />
and beyond.<br />
The list was compiled<br />
by a panel of industry<br />
professionals based on<br />
several economic and<br />
local growth drivers, such<br />
as supply and demand,<br />
population growth and<br />
infrastructure projects, which<br />
are expected to boost prices<br />
in the short to medium term.<br />
Avalon Beach was<br />
nominated for its location<br />
and amenity, while down the<br />
coast Dee Why made the list<br />
based on affordability.<br />
Property prices along the<br />
Northern Beaches pulled back<br />
in 2022 after skyrocketing<br />
during the pandemic, and<br />
Avalon Beach has seen a 12<br />
per cent correction in house<br />
prices since the peak in<br />
March 2022.<br />
But according to LJ<br />
Hooker’s Christine Mikhael,<br />
the beachside village is now<br />
at a turning point.<br />
“Avalon has seen a rebound<br />
STREET APPEAL: 71 George St, Avalon Beach (see panel story right).<br />
in house prices with a 2.40<br />
per cent increase since May,”<br />
Ms Mikhael said.<br />
“The suburb’s beachside<br />
appeal and strong demand,<br />
particularly from Eastern<br />
Suburbs upgraders, should<br />
contribute to price growth<br />
over <strong>2024</strong>.”<br />
Young families who can<br />
afford it are moving into<br />
Avalon Beach in droves, with<br />
a quarter of the population<br />
aged under 20 – higher than<br />
the state average, according<br />
to PropTrack data and<br />
economic analysis.<br />
PropTrack director of<br />
economic research Cameron<br />
Kusher said that while there<br />
were never any guarantees<br />
which locations would<br />
outperform, the Hot 100 list<br />
gave buyers insights into<br />
the thinking of experts and<br />
what they believed were key<br />
drivers of price growth.<br />
“There are a lot of things<br />
that make a suburb ‘hot’; it<br />
can be in a desirable location<br />
that drives more demand,<br />
it can be undergoing<br />
gentrification to make it<br />
more attractive, it can be<br />
relatively affordable to other<br />
surrounding suburbs,” Mr<br />
Kusher said.<br />
“Of course, there are<br />
always individual suburbs<br />
and locations that will<br />
either underperform or<br />
overperform.” – Lisa Offord<br />
Sneak a preview<br />
You could be among the first<br />
to view this contemporary<br />
coastal home at 71 George<br />
Street Avalon Beach, with<br />
local LJ Hooker agent Peter<br />
Robinson planning on opening<br />
its doors for Auction Preview<br />
Inspections from <strong>January</strong> 13.<br />
Completed in 2021,<br />
Robinson says the one-of-akind<br />
home is meticulously<br />
executed in design and finish.<br />
The property is described<br />
as “exuding bespoke<br />
craftsmanship and a<br />
captivating sense of refined<br />
luxury, offering an open<br />
connection that invites the<br />
best of year-round living. Entry<br />
level offers multiple formal<br />
and casual zones, a dream<br />
kitchen and dedicated home<br />
office, while four bedrooms<br />
rest on the upper level<br />
including huge master and<br />
ensuite. There’s a seamless<br />
transition to both the front<br />
and rear child-friendly<br />
gardens, with all-season<br />
alfresco entertaining, level<br />
lawn and tiled in-ground<br />
plunge pool.”<br />
Other features include<br />
reverse cycle multi-zone air<br />
conditioning; high ceilings;<br />
ample storage; Tesla power<br />
wall system (fed by 19 solar<br />
panels); 8000L rainwater<br />
tanks for retention/detention;<br />
huge double garage with car<br />
hoist providing a third secure<br />
space; internal access and<br />
workshop; plus additional offstreet<br />
parking for van, boat or<br />
another two cars.<br />
The home’s sustainable<br />
architecture ensures it treads<br />
lightly on the environment,<br />
within an easy stroll to the<br />
beach, the village, schools<br />
and buses.<br />
– LO<br />
36 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
ansforming their backyard<br />
Tinto a captivating oasis<br />
became Luke and Tania’s<br />
mission when they acquired<br />
their 1970s Pettit & Sevitt<br />
home in North Balgowlah. The<br />
unruly 780m2 garden posed<br />
a challenge, prompting them<br />
to seek the expertise of Matt<br />
Poiner, the visionary behind The<br />
Conscious Gardener in Avalon.<br />
This was a garden makeover;<br />
it was the creation of a<br />
beautiful awareness-filled<br />
landscape. The journey<br />
unfolded as Matt’s discerning<br />
eye identified a starting<br />
point: a concrete aggregate<br />
pour around the pool, with<br />
knife-edge surrounds. Tania<br />
shared: “Matt’s process was<br />
always about the garden – he<br />
calls himself the ‘conscious<br />
gardener’, and that couldn’t<br />
be more fitting. He is so aware<br />
of your requirements, the<br />
aesthetic, and how you want to<br />
use the space.”<br />
As the transformation<br />
unfolded, tall trees made way<br />
for carefully curated foliage,<br />
including broad-leaved<br />
Elephant Ears and dotted<br />
Hibiscus allowing for more<br />
light. Dimmer uplighting was<br />
installed to ‘hero’ the tropical<br />
space after dusk, adding magic<br />
to the atmosphere.<br />
The battleaxe block’s slope<br />
presented a unique challenge,<br />
met with Matt’s clever<br />
suggestion of a sandstone<br />
retaining wall, featuring<br />
repurposed blocks from the<br />
property creating a sunny<br />
courtyard. Tania praised him,<br />
saying: “He’s a genius.”<br />
Matt, in turn, expressed his<br />
passion for helping clients<br />
bring their garden dreams to<br />
life, emphasising: “My role is to<br />
help visualise that dream and<br />
create the reality.”<br />
Matt’s qualifications as a<br />
horticulturist, combined with<br />
extensive plant knowledge and<br />
[advertorial]<br />
CULTIVATING AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE<br />
“Matt’s process<br />
was always about<br />
the garden – he<br />
calls himself<br />
the ‘conscious<br />
gardener’, and<br />
that couldn’t be<br />
more fitting”<br />
design experience, make him<br />
a true maestro in the realm of<br />
garden transformations. From<br />
concept to completion, his<br />
strong methodology involves<br />
understanding the client, their<br />
requirements, and uncovering<br />
the unique character of the<br />
property.<br />
The services offered by The<br />
Conscious Gardener extend<br />
beyond traditional landscaping,<br />
encompassing design,<br />
project management, plant<br />
selection, stone walls, paving,<br />
decks, pergolas, polished<br />
concrete, and even outdoor<br />
kitchens. Matt’s approach is<br />
not just about gardening; it’s<br />
about crafting an immersive<br />
experience that reflects<br />
the client’s desires and the<br />
inherent beauty of the space.
193<br />
Things<br />
Summer Guide<br />
To Do *<br />
GETTING AROUND<br />
The roads and ferry wharves<br />
get very busy at this time<br />
of year so make sure you<br />
leave plenty of time before<br />
heading out. While cycling<br />
is encouraged, the area’s<br />
typography and the state of the<br />
roads mean peddle power isn’t<br />
always the preferred option<br />
to get from A to B; however<br />
the uptake of electric bikes is<br />
helping to change that. Use<br />
transportnsw.info to plan your<br />
bus and/or ferry trips and tap<br />
into apps and social media<br />
pages for real-time updates.<br />
(*At Least!)<br />
Welcome to our <strong>2024</strong> Summer Guide to <strong>Pittwater</strong> and<br />
its surrounds; even long-time locals will find something<br />
new to experience. Compiled by Lisa Offord<br />
there are around 30 JOLT<br />
electric vehicle (EV) charging<br />
locations across the Northern<br />
Beaches where anyone can<br />
charge vehicles for up to 15<br />
minutes for free. In our area<br />
you’ll find them in Ocean<br />
Street and in the Lagoon Street<br />
Carpark in Narrabeen, near<br />
the library in Park Street and<br />
Bungan Street Mona Vale… and<br />
there are more to come.<br />
Buses<br />
You can take a yellow doubledecker<br />
B-Line bus for a birdseye<br />
view. The high-frequency<br />
buses operate every 30 minutes<br />
between Mona Vale and the<br />
CBD stopping at Warriewood,<br />
Narrabeen, Collaroy, Dee Why,<br />
Brookvale, Manly Vale, Spit<br />
Junction (Mosman), Neutral Bay<br />
and Wynyard. If you are north<br />
of Mona Vale, you can use the<br />
199 service which operates<br />
every 10 minutes across the day<br />
between Palm Beach and Manly<br />
to link to the B-Line. Locals’<br />
Tip: Get a lift to and from your<br />
place to the nearest B-Line bus<br />
stop through the on-demand<br />
transport service Keoride,<br />
covering North Narrabeen<br />
Vale, Bayview, Newport<br />
Clareville, Bilgola Beach, Avalon<br />
Beach, Whale Beach and Palm<br />
Beach.<br />
Ferries<br />
Fantasea Cruising runs two<br />
passenger services – the iconic<br />
Palm Beach ferry Myra services<br />
Northern <strong>Pittwater</strong> and a highspeed<br />
ferry from Palm Beach to<br />
the Central Coast.<br />
Myra runs on the Palm Beach<br />
to The Basin, Coasters Retreat<br />
run. The first two stops – at<br />
Bennetts Wharf and Bonnie<br />
Doon – are the gateway to<br />
Coasters Retreat. She then<br />
stops at The Basin then<br />
Currawong Beach and Mackerel<br />
Beach. The ferry departs Palm<br />
Beach hourly seven days a<br />
week. The round trip takes<br />
approximately 45 minutes.<br />
The high-speed scenic<br />
service between Palm Beach<br />
and Ettalong on the Central<br />
Coast takes around 30 minutes<br />
and spans four waterways<br />
from <strong>Pittwater</strong>, Broken Bay, the<br />
entrance to the Hawkesbury<br />
River and Brisbane Waters. It’s<br />
a great way to take in the sites<br />
passing Lion Island between<br />
the heads of Barrenjoey<br />
Headland and Box Head.<br />
Locals’ Tip: New for summer<br />
is the Palm Beach Hopper Pass<br />
where you can hop on and off<br />
at each destination serviced<br />
by Palm Beach Ferries as often<br />
as you like within either a<br />
24-hour or 48-hour window.<br />
palmbeachferries.com.au<br />
The Boathouse Ferry Co<br />
operates the 50-foot timber<br />
passenger ferry ‘Merinda<br />
II’ between Palm Beach and<br />
Patonga.<br />
The Church Point Ferry<br />
Service which departs Church<br />
Point hourly on the half hour<br />
will take you to Scotland Island<br />
and the western foreshores<br />
stopping at Elvina Bay, Halls<br />
Wharf (access to Morning Bay)<br />
and Lovett Bay.<br />
Parking<br />
You will need to pay for parking<br />
at beach and reserve carparks<br />
across the Northern Beaches.<br />
If you’re visiting Palm Beach or<br />
catching a ferry during summer,<br />
Boat hire<br />
you can leave your car in the<br />
Church Point Charter based at<br />
seasonal car park at Careel Bay<br />
Princes Street Marina Newport,<br />
playing fields and take the 199<br />
boasts a fleet of clean and<br />
bus to Palm Beach. Or if you’re<br />
well-maintained 4- to 10-berth<br />
heading towards the city and<br />
power or sail boats to hire from<br />
don’t want to drive all the way,<br />
one day to a week; no licence<br />
the Park&Ride stations at Mona<br />
needed and you’ll be surprised<br />
Vale, Warriewood or Narrabeen<br />
at just how little it can cost.<br />
are good options – park your<br />
Don’t want to steer? Four- to<br />
car and hop straight onto the<br />
five-hour skippered charters for<br />
B-Line. Locals’ Tip: Currently Warriewood, Ingleside, Mona<br />
up to 18 people with a Captain<br />
38 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
and hostess also available.<br />
churchpointcharter.com.au.<br />
Boat ramps<br />
If you have a boat you want to<br />
float you can launch it from<br />
ramps at Rowland Reserve or<br />
Bayview Park or Maybanke<br />
Cove or Riddle Reserve off<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> Road Bayview;<br />
Bilarong Reserve, Jamieson Park<br />
or Lake Park North Narrabeen;<br />
Careel Bay off George Street<br />
Avalon; At Church Point<br />
near the parking area, or off<br />
McCarrs Creek Road; Clareville<br />
off Delecta Avenue or Lot 7312<br />
Taylors Point Road; Florence<br />
Park or Salt Pan Cove off Prince<br />
Alfred Parade Newport and at<br />
Palm Beach Governor Phillip<br />
Park, Sandy Point Lane or for<br />
dinghies only Lucinda Park off<br />
Nabilla Road.<br />
Locals’ Tip: Check<br />
pittwaterweather.com if you<br />
want to keep an eye on our<br />
local micro-climate.<br />
HEAD TO<br />
THE WATER<br />
Explore our beautiful<br />
waterways and golden<br />
beaches. From Narrabeen<br />
Lagoon to the northern tip of<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
Palm Beach there are myriad<br />
places to swim, snorkel<br />
and engage in on-the-water<br />
activities or simply immerse<br />
yourself in the restorative<br />
effects of blue space.<br />
Best beaches<br />
We are truly spoilt for choice,<br />
with every surf beach boasting<br />
a unique vibe. Where possible<br />
swim between the red-andyellow<br />
flags and follow the<br />
lead of our lifesavers who<br />
know better than any of us<br />
when it comes to reading the<br />
ever-changing surf conditions.<br />
Check beachsafe.org.au (and<br />
Beachwatch pollution forecast)<br />
before heading out. Locals’<br />
Tip: The best spot at any of our<br />
surf beaches during summer is<br />
the north end. There is (mostly)<br />
always a nor’-east sea breeze<br />
and it can be unpleasant if<br />
you’re fully exposed to its<br />
impact. Mona Vale Basin, North<br />
Bilgola, North Avalon and<br />
Whale Beach are all sheltered in<br />
these conditions.<br />
Surf Safety<br />
It goes without saying… but on<br />
behalf of all the surf life savers<br />
we’ll say it again… please<br />
swim between the flags. Rips<br />
are common. Typical characteristics<br />
of a rip include: deeper,<br />
darker coloured water, fewer<br />
breaking waves and water moving<br />
out to sea. If you get stuck<br />
in rip stay calm and focus on<br />
staying afloat, rips will not pull<br />
you under they just pull you<br />
away from shore. Normally a<br />
rip will stop just behind breaking<br />
waves. Stay calm, float with<br />
the current to conserve your<br />
energy, raise your arm to alert<br />
life savers and wait for help to<br />
arrive. If you are a confident<br />
swimmer, swim with the rip to<br />
just behind the waves. Then<br />
swim left or right to catch a<br />
wave back to the shoreline.<br />
Rock pools<br />
Jutting off the coast you’ll find<br />
some of the most dramatic<br />
ocean pools in the world.<br />
Palm Beach – The 50-metrelong<br />
Johnny ‘Jack’ Carter Pool<br />
is at the southern end of Palm<br />
Beach in an area known as<br />
‘Kiddies Corner’.<br />
Whale Beach – At the southern<br />
end of the beach, this 25-metre<br />
rock pool isn’t very deep and<br />
has a nice sandy bottom, muchloved<br />
for its quiet atmosphere.<br />
Access is from The Strand.<br />
Avalon – Located at the<br />
southern end of the beach, this<br />
uniquely shaped pool is just<br />
over 20 metres long, complete<br />
with a paddle pool for littlies.<br />
Access is from the carpark off<br />
Barrenjoey Road.<br />
Bilgola – At the southern<br />
end of the beach, this 8-lane,<br />
50-metre pool has concrete<br />
walls and floor. The pool has<br />
two sections, separating the<br />
serious lap swimmers from the<br />
wading area which is great for<br />
toddlers. In summertime, the<br />
pool lights stay on until 10pm<br />
for late-night swims.<br />
Newport – At the southern<br />
end of the beach, the pool is<br />
50-metres long with a natural<br />
rock platform as the floor. The<br />
water is waist-high and is great<br />
for swimming laps. You can<br />
reach it from the walkway at<br />
the corner of Calvert Parade<br />
and The Boulevard or along the<br />
beach from the beach carpark.<br />
Mona Vale – Accessed off<br />
Surfview Road at the northern<br />
end of the beach sitting<br />
on a rock platform that is<br />
surrounded by water at high<br />
tide, there are two pools –<br />
one suitable for children and<br />
less confident swimmers<br />
and a larger pool measuring<br />
30-metres for bigger kids and<br />
adults.<br />
North Narrabeen – At the<br />
entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon<br />
with access off Narrabeen Park<br />
Parade, this 50-metre pool<br />
is best known for its timber<br />
boardwalk enclosing a smaller<br />
pool from the rest of the pool.<br />
It’s a great spot for curious<br />
kids too, as there are plenty of<br />
natural rock pools to explore<br />
nearby.<br />
Locals’ Tip: Rock pools are<br />
sometimes closed due to rough<br />
seas, renovations and cleaning<br />
– and they do get a little grubby<br />
between cleans especially<br />
in summer when slime and<br />
grime builds up quickly from<br />
frequent use, so time your visits<br />
accordingly. Council publishes<br />
the cleaning schedule on its<br />
website.<br />
Tidal pools<br />
Our waterways are pretty<br />
clean but as a general<br />
precaution it’s best to avoid<br />
swimming in <strong>Pittwater</strong> for up<br />
to three days following rainfall<br />
or for as long as stormwater is<br />
present. Stillwater swimming<br />
enclosures include: Paradise<br />
Beach – access is off the<br />
northern end of Paradise<br />
Avenue, Avalon; Taylors<br />
Point Baths – located at the<br />
southern end of Clareville<br />
Beach Reserve, access is off<br />
Hudson Parade; Clareville and<br />
Bayview Baths – On <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
Road Bayview. Locals’ Tip:<br />
Plan ahead. Usage may be<br />
limited on low tides. Finding<br />
a parking spot can be a<br />
challenge.<br />
NATURAL ASSETS<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> is a natural heritage<br />
area that comprises bushland,<br />
wetlands, lagoons, waterways,<br />
rock platforms and beaches<br />
– it’s also home to a large<br />
variety of native animals. All<br />
native animals are protected<br />
species. If you find an injured<br />
or orphaned native animal<br />
contact WIRES on 1300 094<br />
737 or Sydney Wildlife Rescue<br />
on 9413 4300. If you see a<br />
stranded or distressed marine<br />
mammal report it to ORRCA<br />
(Organisation for the Rescue<br />
and Research of Cetaceans in<br />
Australia) on 9415 3333.<br />
Majestic headlands<br />
Appreciate the beauty of<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong>’s headlands and<br />
take in some excellent views.<br />
The list is almost endless.<br />
Narrabeen Headland – Peal<br />
Place, Warriewood; Turimetta<br />
Headland – Narrabeen Park<br />
Parade, Warriewood; South<br />
Mona Vale Headland –<br />
Narrabeen Park Parade, Mona<br />
Vale; Mona Vale Headland<br />
– Grandview Parade, Mona<br />
Vale; Eastern end of Hillcrest<br />
Avenue, Mona Vale; Bungan<br />
Head Reserve – Bungan Head<br />
Road, Newport; Newport<br />
Headland – Barrenjoey<br />
Road, Newport; Eric Green<br />
Reserve (access from North<br />
of Newport Beach Carpark);<br />
North Bilgola Headland – The<br />
Serpentine, Bilgola; Bangalley<br />
Head (the highest point on<br />
Sydney’s northern coastline) –<br />
Marine Parade, Avalon; Careel<br />
Head – Whale Beach Road,<br />
Avalon; Whale Beach Headland –<br />
Malo Road & The Strand, Whale<br />
Beach Malo Reserve; Little<br />
Head – Whale Beach Road and<br />
Norma Road, Whale Beach; Palm<br />
Beach Headland – Southern<br />
end of Ocean Road, near<br />
the rockpool, Palm Beach;<br />
Barrenjoey Headland – At the<br />
end of Governor Phillip Park,<br />
Palm Beach.<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 39<br />
Summer Guide
Summer Guide<br />
Rock Platforms<br />
When the tide retreats a secret<br />
world of marine ecosystems<br />
opens up with clusters of<br />
mini aquariums, teeming<br />
with tiny creatures. Explore<br />
the flat, expansive, eroded<br />
regions at the bottom of<br />
our rocky headlands. You’ll<br />
find they’re home to a huge<br />
variety of plants, animals and<br />
invertebrates such as starfish,<br />
crabs and shellfish. Locals’ Tip:<br />
Visit the Coastal Environment<br />
Centre at Narrabeen to learn<br />
more about our rocky shores.<br />
Warriewood Wetlands<br />
Covering 26 hectares<br />
Warriewood Wetlands is the<br />
largest remaining sand plain<br />
wetland in northern Sydney.<br />
There’s a boardwalk stretching<br />
2.4km and trails that can lead<br />
you to waterfalls (see below).<br />
You can take a self-guided tour<br />
starting from Katoa Close by<br />
following the new signs and<br />
scanning the QR codes to learn<br />
about the plants and animals<br />
and history that make up this<br />
area. The wetlands are easy to<br />
find (just behind Warriewood<br />
Square) and it’s an easy walk<br />
that will take you 45 minutes to<br />
an hour.<br />
Irrawong Waterfall<br />
The track to the waterfall is<br />
accessible from Garden Street<br />
or the end of Irrawong Road,<br />
corner of Epworth Avenue<br />
Warriewood. It takes about<br />
20 minutes from the Garden<br />
Street entrance and is relatively<br />
manageable by most fitness<br />
levels as much of the walk<br />
is quite flat along cleared<br />
paths or wooden boardwalks.<br />
However, there are steps in<br />
sections, so not suitable for<br />
wheelchairs or strollers. You<br />
will see lots of rainforest<br />
and if you are lucky, local<br />
wildlife. The waterfall clearing<br />
is a popular picnic spot, but<br />
the size of the clearing (and the<br />
6m waterfall flow) depends on<br />
recent rainfall. It can also be a<br />
little muddy. There are tracks<br />
beyond the waterfall but be<br />
careful as the track is steep.<br />
Narrabeen Lagoon<br />
State Park<br />
Step out and walk, enjoy<br />
numerous water sports, or<br />
simply find a spot to relax<br />
near the water’s edge. There<br />
is an 8.6-kilometre trail with<br />
no inclines around the lagoon,<br />
which will take you 2-3 hours<br />
on foot if you want to enjoy<br />
the beautiful ecosystems,<br />
cultural heritage and historical<br />
sites. The well-formed track<br />
is a shared trail popular with<br />
joggers, hikers, cyclists, dogs<br />
on leads, mums with prams,<br />
and bike riders. Cyclists are<br />
asked to stick to the left and<br />
pedestrians have right of way.<br />
There are places to peel off<br />
to rest, and picnic areas with<br />
toilet facilities dotted along<br />
the circuit. If you don’t want to<br />
tackle the loop in one go, there<br />
are five short walk options<br />
(Middle Creek to Bilarong<br />
Reserve – 2.2km; Bilarong<br />
Reserve to Berry Reserve –<br />
1.2km; Jamieson Park to South<br />
Creek – 2.3km and South Creek<br />
to Middle Creek – 1.2km).<br />
Angophora Reserve<br />
Located in the suburbs of<br />
Avalon Beach and Clareville,<br />
this 18.5-hectare space<br />
provides a small taste of the<br />
peninsula similar to what<br />
it was like pre-settlement<br />
with significant samples of<br />
vegetation and fauna habitats<br />
that are under threat. The<br />
reserve was intended to<br />
preserve a giant Angophora<br />
tree. It also contains one of<br />
the most archaeologically<br />
significant Aboriginal shelter<br />
sites in the Sydney region.<br />
Two main walking tracks<br />
extend through the reserve,<br />
one from the Palmgrove Road<br />
to Wandeen Road entrances<br />
and one from Hilltop Road to<br />
Chisholm Avenue.<br />
WALK THIS WAY<br />
From challenging hikes for<br />
you to sink your boots into,<br />
boardwalks signposted for selfguided<br />
tours and gentle strolls<br />
along well-formed paths, here<br />
are just a few of the walks you<br />
can take to make the best of<br />
our great outdoors. Some can<br />
be found close to home, others<br />
a little further afield. You can<br />
discover many more walks and<br />
more details on the AllTrails<br />
app, at nationalparks.nsw.gov.<br />
au and Council website. Locals’<br />
Tip: Protect yourself from<br />
ticks and mozzie bites – warm,<br />
wet weather means more are<br />
breeding and biting, including<br />
the ones that can carry disease.<br />
Barrenjoey Lighthouse<br />
Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits at<br />
Sydney’s most northern point<br />
– Barrenjoey Head at Palm<br />
Beach. Positioned 91 metres<br />
above sea level the lighthouse,<br />
its oil room and keepers’<br />
cottages were built in 1881<br />
from sandstone quarried on<br />
site. There are two routes to<br />
the top; the more gentle 1km<br />
Access Trail or the shorter,<br />
steeper Smugglers Track. When<br />
you get to the top you will be<br />
rewarded with glorious views of<br />
Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase<br />
National Park as well as the<br />
Central Coast (main pic above).<br />
Locals’ Tip: The inside of the<br />
lighthouse is only accessible by<br />
guided tour on Sundays.<br />
McKay Reserve<br />
If you’re up for a challenge take<br />
the ‘stairway to heaven’ from<br />
Barrenjoey Road near Iluka<br />
Road at Palm Beach. The walk<br />
up through McKay Reserve<br />
with its 700-plus stairs and<br />
steep slopes, stunning views<br />
and native bushland will take<br />
40 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
your breath away. The walk is<br />
1.37 kilometres one way – allow<br />
at least 40 minutes each way.<br />
Locals’ Tip: If you aren’t super<br />
fit, best tackle this one from<br />
the top (access via McKay Road<br />
Whale Beach) to bottom.<br />
Bayview to<br />
Church Point<br />
An accessible walking path<br />
along the shoreline from<br />
Bayview to Church Point. One<br />
way is approximately 3kms.<br />
There are plenty of options to<br />
extend it either way.<br />
Avalon to Narrabeen<br />
Coast Walk<br />
Beginning at Avalon Beach<br />
Surf <strong>Life</strong> Saving Club, this walk<br />
will take you over Bilgola Head<br />
to Bilgola Beach and around<br />
the southern headland to<br />
Newport Beach. Past Bungan<br />
Castle, the walk drops down<br />
to Bungan Beach, then over<br />
Mona Vale Headland to<br />
Bongin Bongin, Mona Vale<br />
and Warriewood beaches,<br />
Turimetta Head and beach,<br />
Narrabeen Head, Narrabeen<br />
Lagoon and finishes at<br />
Narrabeen shops. Allow at<br />
least five-and-a-half hours<br />
to cover the 13-kilometre<br />
distance, with plenty of stops.<br />
Crown to the Sea,<br />
Newport<br />
Linking four bushland reserves<br />
between Newport and Bilgola<br />
Plateau this challenging walk<br />
has it all. Starting at the<br />
Crown of Newport reserve,<br />
walkers take on a 300-metre<br />
moderate/steep trek under<br />
the canopy of a rainforest<br />
with its rare plants, waterfalls<br />
and wildlife before moving<br />
into the Attunga Reserve, a<br />
1000-metre strenuous steep<br />
climb with incredible coastline<br />
views, followed by an easy<br />
walk, through Porter Reserve<br />
winding into Kanimbla Reserve<br />
overlooking Newport. All up<br />
it’s roughly 1.7 kilometres and<br />
takes 1-2 hours.<br />
Narrabeen<br />
Coastal Walk<br />
Start this walk at North<br />
Narrabeen pool; it’s a lovely<br />
way to take in the wonder of<br />
the area. Start by climbing<br />
up the steps to arrive at<br />
Turimetta headland. There<br />
are a few tracks to choose<br />
from. The lookout overlooking<br />
North Narrabeen beach is<br />
stunning. You can take the<br />
path all the way along to Mona<br />
Vale headland (about 3.2<br />
kilometres) which will take you<br />
around 45 minutes.<br />
Anembo Reserve<br />
Walk and Trail<br />
Anembo is an Aboriginal<br />
word meaning “quiet place”,<br />
and peace and tranquility<br />
is what you will experience.<br />
Surrounded by Ku-ring-gai<br />
Chase National Park on three<br />
sides, this ridgetop reserve<br />
includes 22 hectares of native<br />
vegetation providing habitat<br />
for several threatened species.<br />
Starting at Anembo Road,<br />
Duffys Forest this mediumgraded<br />
2-kilometre walk will<br />
take 30-45 minutes along a<br />
formed track with no steps.<br />
Locals’ Tip: Be mindful of<br />
giving way to horses.<br />
Deep Creek Trail<br />
Starting at the Deep Creek<br />
Reserve, the 5.5-kilometre loop<br />
by creeks and waterfalls can<br />
get rocky and slippery at times<br />
but is generally considered<br />
an easy track which takes on<br />
average one and a half hours<br />
to complete. It does get busy –<br />
be prepared to share with trail<br />
runners and mountain bikers.<br />
Resolute Loop Walk<br />
The Resolute Loop track lies<br />
at the far end of West Head.<br />
You can catch a ferry from<br />
Palm Beach to Great Mackerel<br />
Beach Wharf and proceed<br />
north along the beach to enter<br />
the bushland track in the<br />
National Park, do a loop and<br />
finish back where you started<br />
where you can cool down<br />
with a swim. It’s considered<br />
a moderate walk with steep<br />
sections and stairs. There are<br />
numerous lookouts and the<br />
best of the historic Aboriginal<br />
art in the Ku-ring-gai Chase<br />
National Park along the way.<br />
It’s about a 6-kilometre loop;<br />
plan it as a day trip to allow<br />
for relaxing and swimming<br />
stops.<br />
West Head Army track<br />
A must-do trek for fit history<br />
buffs, you will be following<br />
in the steps of World War II<br />
soldiers climbing down the<br />
challenging West Head army<br />
track to a historic army battery<br />
where Sydney’s Broken Bay<br />
was protected from possible<br />
invasion. The restored track<br />
can be accessed from the West<br />
Head lookout car park. Some<br />
parts are so steep you’ll be<br />
scaling ladders. Set aside 1-1.5<br />
hours.
AROUND<br />
THE CLUBS<br />
Local clubs are offering<br />
deals and live entertainment<br />
throughout <strong>January</strong>.<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> RSL Club<br />
Boasts a wide range of venues<br />
including outdoor deck spaces,<br />
restaurants and bars and great<br />
entertainment. Its newest<br />
restaurant Bocado is a blend of<br />
Spanish Tapas and international<br />
flavours with an array of small<br />
and large plates perfect for<br />
sharing. Plus, you can enjoy live<br />
music every Sunday on the Deck<br />
from 3-6pm. <strong>Pittwater</strong> RSL open<br />
from 10am at 82 Mona Vale Rd,<br />
Mona Vale. pittwaterrsl.com.au<br />
OF THE BEST<br />
CLUB HOTSPOTS<br />
6Drinking and dining close to<br />
the coast this <strong>January</strong><br />
Summer Guide<br />
Avalon Beach RSL Club<br />
If you love prawns, you can’t<br />
go past the special every day<br />
this summer where you will<br />
only have to shell out $20 for<br />
half a kilo (12pm-8.30pm, dinein<br />
only). Happy hour specials<br />
include $5 frozen cocktails and<br />
live performances include Sun<br />
Room on Sat 6; Adam Newling<br />
on Sat 13 and Tijuana Cartel on<br />
Sat 20. Avalon Beach RSL Club<br />
is at 1 Bowling Green Lane.<br />
avalonrsl.com.au<br />
Royal Motor Yacht Club<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong>-based since 1926. The<br />
club welcomes boat owners<br />
and social members and their<br />
guests to experience its bars<br />
and a variety of dining options,<br />
live music and a sparkling<br />
outdoor heated swimming<br />
pool. You’ll find the club at 46<br />
Prince Alfred Parade Newport.<br />
royalmotor.com.au<br />
Tourist trappings<br />
North Palm Beach Surf <strong>Life</strong><br />
Saving Club’s cafe is a must<br />
for devoted Home and Away<br />
fans. Pilgrims clamber off<br />
tourist buses to sample meat<br />
pies, fish and chips and ice<br />
creams bought in fictitious<br />
Summer Bay. The volunteerrun<br />
kiosk is open weekends<br />
and on Tuesdays from<br />
9.30am. Just watch out for<br />
the chip-stealing kookaburra!<br />
Deck this out<br />
The Deck at Whale Beach<br />
Surf <strong>Life</strong> Saving Club is<br />
the perfect spot to sip a<br />
cheeky Sunday afternoon<br />
glass of chilled wine and<br />
enjoy the ocean views. More<br />
substantial eats include steak<br />
sandwiches with caramelised<br />
onions, BLTs and pies from<br />
award-winning local bakery<br />
Oliver’s Pies. Closed on<br />
Mondays.<br />
Roast by Coast<br />
Rowie Dillon’s Sunday<br />
lunch at Newport Surf <strong>Life</strong><br />
Saving Club swings into its<br />
second year. Throughout<br />
<strong>January</strong>, Rowie’s by the Sea<br />
serves lunch from noon.<br />
This canteen-style pop-up<br />
punches above its weight.<br />
Weekly menus include slowroasted<br />
lamb, Asian baked<br />
barramundi and fancy salads.<br />
Bookings 0402 530 862.<br />
Palm Beach Golf Club<br />
Enjoy a beautiful, casual dining<br />
experience with a view across<br />
the Golf Course and out to Lion<br />
Island and Ku-ring-gai Chase<br />
National Park. Open for lunch<br />
Tuesdays to Sundays with<br />
extended evening dining in<br />
Summer available Wednesdays<br />
to Saturdays. Book online to<br />
make sure you get a table.<br />
palmbeachgolf.com.au<br />
Newport Bowling Club<br />
Sitting on the corner of<br />
Barrenjoey and Palm Roads<br />
Newport everyone is welcome<br />
to this fantastic little spot for<br />
lawn bowls (with or without<br />
shoes!). There is great little<br />
clubhouse and lovely deck<br />
Take a Captain Cook<br />
Cook Terrace’s impressive<br />
drinks list showcases<br />
everything from Aperol<br />
spritzes, to boozy ginger<br />
beers, Japanese lager and<br />
non-alcoholic cocktails. Food<br />
orders come from The Basin<br />
Dining Room, located on the<br />
other side of the club. Mona<br />
Vale Surf <strong>Life</strong> Saving Club’s<br />
bar opens Fridays after work<br />
and on Sundays from 1pm<br />
to 7pm.<br />
That’s a wrap<br />
North Narrabeen Surf <strong>Life</strong><br />
Saving Club sells post-surf<br />
snacks including toasties,<br />
wraps and cakes every day<br />
of the week and they have a<br />
full menu from Thursday to<br />
Sunday. Hit Cafe also has a<br />
selection of freshly squeezed<br />
juices and its own brand of<br />
delicious coffee. While you’re<br />
there, pick up a 1kg bag of<br />
beans. Open daily, 6.30am-<br />
2.30pm.<br />
Got you covered<br />
Cabana Beach Kiosk occupies<br />
an upstairs spot at the<br />
rear of South Narrabeen<br />
Surf <strong>Life</strong> Saving Club. The<br />
covered terrace is the ideal<br />
spot for beachside summer<br />
dining. The breakfast menu<br />
has cafe faves including<br />
homemade pancakes for the<br />
kids, Californian burritos,<br />
and eggs Florentine. Open<br />
Wednesday-Sunday, 7am-<br />
3pm.<br />
42 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Summer Guide<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 43
Summer Guide<br />
overlooking the greens where<br />
you can sit and sample the<br />
massive range of craft beers<br />
(tinnies and on tap) and/or<br />
premium wines, spirits and<br />
soft drinks. Open Monday<br />
to Sunday. Takeaways<br />
available 7 days a week.<br />
newportbowlingclub.com.au<br />
DOG PARKS<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> has some pleasant<br />
spots where your dog can run<br />
around. Avalon Beach Reserve<br />
Dog Park is a mediumsized,<br />
fully fenced area and<br />
located in Central Avenue.<br />
Hitchcock Park Dog Park has<br />
a designated off-leash area<br />
to the north of Careel Bay<br />
playing fields between Etival<br />
Street and Barrenjoey Road;<br />
Dearin Reserve Newport<br />
has plenty of large trees<br />
offering shade and dogs are<br />
permitted off-leash 24-hours<br />
a day; at McCarrs Creek<br />
Reserve, Church Point dogs<br />
are to be on-leash in the offleash<br />
area of the reserve on<br />
Saturdays, Sundays and Public<br />
Holidays; at Progress Park<br />
North Narrabeen dogs are<br />
permitted to take a dip in the<br />
creek; Rowland Reserve Dog<br />
Park at Bayview is a particular<br />
favourite with dog lovers and<br />
dogs who love the water;<br />
South Mona Vale Headland<br />
(Robert Dunn Reserve) offers<br />
plenty of open space and a<br />
sea breeze; At Deep Creek<br />
Reserve, North Narrabeen<br />
dogs can only be unleashed<br />
when conducting dog training<br />
sessions within the fenced<br />
areas. At Mackerel Beach,<br />
dogs can be off-leash between<br />
the Wharf and the National<br />
Parks sign in the morning<br />
before 9.30am and after 5pmsunset<br />
and Terrey Hills Oval is<br />
open to unleashed dogs from<br />
midnight to 8.30am daily.<br />
Check Council website for any<br />
changes.<br />
Locals’ Tip: Make sure your<br />
pet’s tick prevention is up to<br />
date, and don’t forget to take<br />
some poop bags with you.<br />
QUIET<br />
REFLECTION<br />
Bible Garden<br />
Situated high on the<br />
escarpment, the Bible Garden<br />
in Mitchell Road, Palm Beach<br />
offers magnificent views<br />
over the ocean to Barrenjoey<br />
headland. Established in the<br />
1960s the garden features<br />
almost all 148 plants<br />
mentioned in the Old and New<br />
Testament. The garden also has<br />
a pond, seats, table and a Bible.<br />
All are welcome. Locals’ Tip:<br />
Parking can be a nightmare;<br />
better to walk there, or go early<br />
or just before sunset.<br />
The Baha’i House<br />
of Worship<br />
This prominent landmark<br />
sitting at the highest point in<br />
the area within nine hectares<br />
of native gardens is open to all<br />
people of all beliefs. A tranquil<br />
place for individual prayer,<br />
contemplation and reflection,<br />
the nine-sided structure – a<br />
symbol of the unity of the<br />
world’s religions – is one of<br />
eight Baha’i Temples around<br />
the world. There’s a Visitors<br />
Centre (with volunteer guides<br />
available to answer questions),<br />
a bookshop and a covered<br />
open-air picnic area. 173 Mona<br />
Vale Road, Ingleside.<br />
Veterans Tribute<br />
A memorial to commemorate<br />
the 1800 service men and<br />
women who lost their lives at<br />
sea while being transported to<br />
Japan and islands in the South<br />
West Pacific during World<br />
War II can be found at Mona<br />
Vale’s headland (Robert Dunn<br />
Reserve). The plinth has a seat<br />
alongside it so visitors may sit<br />
and reflect on all those lost<br />
and all those who serve still.<br />
MARKET FORCES<br />
Mona Vale<br />
An open-air marketplace that<br />
supplies certified organic food,<br />
artisan gourmet produce and<br />
conventional fresh fruit and<br />
vegetables, freshly baked<br />
breads, pastries and general<br />
goods is held on Sundays from<br />
8.30am-1pm at <strong>Pittwater</strong> RSL,<br />
82 Mona Vale Road Mona Vale.<br />
Re-opening after a Christmas<br />
break on Sunday 14. Check<br />
Mona Vale Market Facebook<br />
page for updates.<br />
Beaches Farmers<br />
Market<br />
Fabulous fresh food, fashion,<br />
gourmet products and more<br />
from 8am-1pm on Fridays (reopens<br />
after Christmas break on<br />
Friday 12) at <strong>Pittwater</strong> Rugby<br />
Park, Warriewood from 8am-<br />
1pm. Free parking via Walsh<br />
Street.<br />
44 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Berry Reserve Market<br />
Set amongst the trees in a<br />
lakeside position at Narrabeen<br />
you will find more than 80<br />
stalls offering arts, jewellery,<br />
collectibles, home wares,<br />
fashion and food every third<br />
Sunday throughout the year.<br />
Beaches Market<br />
@ Palmy<br />
Offering food, home wares,<br />
fashion and jewellery at<br />
Governor Phillip Park every<br />
fourth Sunday of the month<br />
from 9am-3pm.<br />
OUTDOOR<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
There are plenty of<br />
opportunities to get out<br />
there for fun and fitness over<br />
summer.<br />
Barefoot bowls<br />
Walk the greens at Newport,<br />
Mona Vale and Avalon Beach<br />
Bowling Clubs. No experience<br />
necessary. Contact the clubs<br />
for details – and while you’re at<br />
it, ask about happy hours and<br />
meal deals – they’re plentiful<br />
and good value!<br />
Biking trails<br />
The Terrey Hills BMX Bike Track<br />
is competition standard and<br />
well maintained by volunteers.<br />
It’s open to all levels and<br />
coaching is available. The<br />
track is closed when damp or<br />
wet to prevent damage to the<br />
track surface. You will find it<br />
near Garigal National Park at<br />
JJ Melbourne Hills Memorial<br />
Reserve, Thompson Drive.<br />
For mountain bike riders<br />
the world-class facility Bare<br />
Creek Bike Park at Crozier Road<br />
Belrose features 1.6 kilometres<br />
of downhill bike trails, flow<br />
trails, skills and dirt jump<br />
areas – three separate tracks,<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
for kids to advanced (pictured);<br />
it also has walking trails,<br />
toilets, drinking fountains,<br />
bike maintenance stations and<br />
onsite parking for up to 40<br />
cars. Open 7am – 7pm every<br />
day (weather-permitting).<br />
Of course, if busy parks are<br />
not your thing, then there<br />
are plenty of great tracks for<br />
riders of all levels in <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
– from the gentle flat loop of<br />
Narrabeen Lagoon to the bush<br />
around Terrey Hills and the<br />
National Parks.<br />
Exercise areas<br />
Free outdoor exercise areas in<br />
many of our local parks and<br />
reserves are geared up with a<br />
variety of equipment to help<br />
you push up/pull up, do situps,<br />
arm combos, leg presses,<br />
shoulder presses, some also<br />
have step machines. You’ll<br />
find them at Berry Reserve,<br />
Bilarong Reserve, Lakeside<br />
Park, Newport Beach and the<br />
Warriewood Valley space in<br />
Boondah Road.<br />
Golf<br />
Boasting three public<br />
courses and some of the best<br />
invitation-only private courses<br />
in Sydney, if golf is your<br />
game you’re in the right spot.<br />
Accessible courses at Bayview<br />
and Mona Vale are 18-holers,<br />
while Palm Beach and Avalon<br />
Beach each offer nine holes of<br />
fun and relaxation. There’s a<br />
Par-3 ‘Pitch and Putt’ course<br />
in Terrey Hills and a putt-putt<br />
and a decent golf range in<br />
Narrabeen.<br />
Horse riding<br />
There are numerous arenas,<br />
equestrian facilities and horse<br />
riding schools and several<br />
horse trails in Terrey Hills and<br />
Duffys Forest in the Ku-ring-gai<br />
and Garigal National Parks.<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 45<br />
Summer Guide
Summer Guide<br />
Paddle<br />
Discover calm protected waters<br />
perfect for paddling (sitting<br />
or standing up) and places to<br />
hire everything you need on<br />
the foreshores of Narrabeen<br />
Lagoon and <strong>Pittwater</strong>.<br />
Paragliding<br />
Soar like a bird or get a bird<br />
eye’s view of paragliders flying<br />
over Mona Vale, Warriewood<br />
and Turimetta – all three are<br />
known as gliding favourites.<br />
Shoot hoops<br />
You’ll find hard courts marked<br />
for netball, basketball and<br />
pickleball next to the skate<br />
park at Avalon Beach Reserve<br />
and four multi-use hardcourts<br />
with lighting, fitness<br />
equipment and a learn-to-ride<br />
track around the perimeter of<br />
the Warriewood Valley Sports<br />
Courts on Boondah Road or<br />
take it inside at Northern<br />
Beaches Indoor Sports Centre<br />
in Warriewood.<br />
Skate Parks<br />
The Mona Vale skate park<br />
in Kitchener Park has<br />
“must-skate” status. The<br />
predominantly street-style<br />
park with a mini bowl and<br />
vert ramp, is a huge hit with<br />
skateboarders, bladers and<br />
BMX and scooter-users of all<br />
ages and abilities with the<br />
1800m2 space containing<br />
heaps of features to allow<br />
progression from beginner<br />
to advanced. You will also<br />
find skate parks in Avalon<br />
just behind the Avalon Surf<br />
<strong>Life</strong> Saving Club and at Terrey<br />
Hills playing fields. If you are<br />
prepared to travel further<br />
afield it’s worth checking out<br />
the skate park in Lionel Watts<br />
Reserve in Belrose.<br />
Tennis<br />
Dust off your tennis gear<br />
and book a court at Newport<br />
Community Centre, North<br />
Narrabeen Community and<br />
Tennis Centre, Bayview Tennis<br />
Club, Elanora Park Tennis Club,<br />
Wakehurst Couvret Tennis<br />
Centre, Careel Bay Tennis Club<br />
or Terrey Hills Tennis Club.<br />
FISHING<br />
There is an abundance of<br />
recreational fishing spots<br />
around <strong>Pittwater</strong> with options<br />
for all levels and experience.<br />
Here are some local fishing tips<br />
to take on board.<br />
Yellowtail Kingfish – Hotspots<br />
include the moorings from<br />
Stokes Point all the way past<br />
Clareville. Also try moorings<br />
around Scotland Island plus<br />
the current line between Palm<br />
Beach Wharf and Mackerel<br />
Beach.<br />
Flathead – Best areas are<br />
along sand drop-offs and the<br />
convergence of sand and weed<br />
or sand and rock.<br />
Bream – Fish in areas close to<br />
structures such as wharves or<br />
rocky headlands with ample<br />
tidal flow.<br />
Narrabeen Lagoon<br />
Common species in the main<br />
lagoon are whiting, bream and<br />
flathead. Occasionally large<br />
mulloway, tailor and even<br />
salmon make their way through<br />
the entrance of the lagoon from<br />
the ocean to feed on the large<br />
schools of mullet and other<br />
baitfish that are present.<br />
Rock fishing<br />
The rocky platform around<br />
Barrenjoey Head from the<br />
northern end of Station<br />
Beach to the northern end<br />
of Palm Beach and the whole<br />
foreshore from the south end<br />
of Turimetta Beach to the rock<br />
baths at Narrabeen Head are<br />
classified as Aquatic Reserves.<br />
Within aquatic reserves, you<br />
can line fish and spearfish<br />
(subject to normal restrictions)<br />
and collect rock lobster, sea<br />
lettuce and bait weed. It is<br />
prohibited to collect cunjevoi<br />
and all invertebrates (dead or<br />
alive) including anemones,<br />
barnacles, chitons, cockles,<br />
crabs, mussels, octopus, pipis,<br />
sea urchins, starfish, snails<br />
and worms, and empty shells.<br />
This includes a prohibition<br />
on the killing of cunjevoi or<br />
invertebrates to feed fish.<br />
PICNIC SPOTS<br />
AND KIDS PLAY<br />
Apex Park<br />
Apex Park is across the road<br />
from Mona Vale beach and a<br />
popular spot for families. It has<br />
a huge bike path for the kids to<br />
ride around plus a playground<br />
and BBQ areas.<br />
Bert Payne Reserve<br />
A handy spot for a picnic or to<br />
46 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
enjoy a takeaway, the reserve<br />
at Newport Beach also boasts<br />
a great playground which<br />
provides an inclusive play space<br />
and equipment designed for<br />
children of varying ages and<br />
abilities.<br />
Bilarong Reserve<br />
Located right next to<br />
Narrabeen Lagoon on the<br />
Wakehurst Parkway, Bilarong<br />
Reserve at North Narrabeen<br />
is an ideal place for a family<br />
picnic. Complete with bike<br />
tracks, a playground in two<br />
halves – a shaded fenced play<br />
area with basic equipment for<br />
toddlers surrounded by a larger<br />
more adventurous playground<br />
– and fantastic BBQ and table<br />
set-ups, it ticks a lot of boxes.<br />
McCarrs Creek<br />
Reserve<br />
This is a picturesque spot with<br />
the Ku-ring-gai Chase National<br />
Park on the opposite side. The<br />
large grassy area is great for<br />
games. Dogs are welcome<br />
from Monday to Friday in the<br />
signposted off-lead dog area<br />
which is west of the main<br />
access road into the reserve.<br />
Robert Dunn Reserve<br />
The Robert Dunn reserve near<br />
Mona Vale Hospital takes in<br />
the beautiful scenery of Mona<br />
Vale beach and surroundings,<br />
with plenty of benches and<br />
seats. It also doubles as a<br />
dog park – one of the little<br />
treasures of the area.<br />
Warriewood Valley<br />
Playground<br />
Better known as ‘Rocket<br />
Park’ this is a great space<br />
with a range of exciting play<br />
equipment for kids of all ages.<br />
There are shaded areas with<br />
seating, BBQs and toilets in this<br />
peaceful setting off Callistemon<br />
Way, Warriewood. Locals’ Tip:<br />
The Rocket can get very hot in<br />
the heat of a Summer’s Day.<br />
Winnererremy Bay<br />
‘Flying Fox Park’ next to<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> High School in Mona<br />
Vale is still one of the best<br />
parks for children of varying<br />
ages. The playground has a<br />
giant climbing structure for<br />
the older kids, swings and<br />
much more to keep the littlies<br />
entertained for hours. The park<br />
also has BBQs and picnic areas<br />
and is bike-, skateboard- and<br />
scooter-friendly.<br />
SCHOOL HOLIDAY<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
There are plenty of ways to<br />
keep the kids busy this <strong>January</strong>.<br />
Tennis<br />
Goodwin’s Tennis Academy<br />
offer instruction on strokes<br />
for beginners to advanced<br />
levels. There are also round<br />
robins, games and match<br />
play. School holiday tennis<br />
camps for ages 4 and up<br />
run throughout <strong>January</strong> at<br />
Kitchener Park Mona Vale with<br />
full and half-day sessions and<br />
before and after care available.<br />
Bookings essential. More info at<br />
goodwinstennisacademy.com.<br />
au. P:0410 523 726<br />
Nature focus<br />
Children aged 6-12 love the funpacked<br />
holiday programs run<br />
from the CEC Narrabeen where<br />
they learn about our natural<br />
environment and how they can<br />
help preserve it. In <strong>January</strong>,<br />
programs generally run from<br />
10am-3pm and include Nature<br />
Detectives, Eco Explorers,<br />
Marine Art and Science, Junior<br />
Marine Biology and Survival<br />
Skills to name a few. Cost $74<br />
per child. Bookings essential<br />
online.<br />
Reading Challenge<br />
School aged children are<br />
welcome to take on the<br />
Summer Reading Challenge<br />
running until <strong>January</strong> 31. Pick<br />
up a booklet from any Northern<br />
Beaches Council Library and<br />
complete all 12 challenges for a<br />
chance to win a prize pack. Kids<br />
who complete the challenge<br />
by <strong>January</strong> 20 will receive an<br />
invitation to a Summer Reading<br />
Party with a disco, games and<br />
prizes.<br />
Funday Sunday<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> RSL is hosting a<br />
Funday Sunday on The Deck on<br />
Jan 7 from 12pm-5pm where<br />
there will be face painting,<br />
balloon animals and free frozen<br />
slushies for the kids.<br />
INDOOR<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
There’s no need to worry<br />
about boredom setting in if the<br />
weather isn’t up to scratch...<br />
Summer Guide<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 47
Summer Guide<br />
Libraries<br />
It will be business as usual at<br />
Mona Vale Library and Avalon<br />
Beach Community Library from<br />
Jan 2 plus lots of extra activities<br />
for kids.<br />
Movies<br />
Catch a film at a local cinema.<br />
Take your pick from United<br />
Cinemas in Avalon, the<br />
multiplex in Warriewood, or<br />
the pretty turquoise art deco<br />
complex in Collaroy.<br />
Squash<br />
There are championship squash<br />
courts and a licensed club at<br />
Elanora Heights.<br />
Tenpin bowling<br />
Timezone & Zone Bowling at<br />
Dee Why RSL is loud and bright<br />
boasting 16 Lanes of bowling,<br />
at least 70 state-of-the-art<br />
arcade games on site and a<br />
modern take on bumper cars.<br />
Glen St Theatre<br />
Our closest dedicated theatre<br />
is located in a unique bushland<br />
setting in Belrose. In <strong>January</strong><br />
you can see the NSW Youth<br />
Ballet Company presenting Don<br />
Quixote in two acts on Saturday<br />
20 and The Sensational Beatles<br />
Boys reliving all the Beatles<br />
classic hits in a 2-hour concert<br />
on Sunday 21. Details at<br />
glenstreet.com.au<br />
CREATIVE SPIRIT<br />
Look out for art and take<br />
advantage of the holiday vibe<br />
to unleash your creative side.<br />
Art Exhibitions & Sales<br />
Many of <strong>Pittwater</strong>’s talented<br />
artists have exhibitions and<br />
sales this Summer. Also, head<br />
south to explore and support<br />
our nearest regional art gallery<br />
Manly Art Gallery & Museum at<br />
West Esplanade Manly. (See Arts<br />
– pages 34-35)<br />
Public Art<br />
Discover our public artworks<br />
that are dotted around our<br />
villages, parks and along<br />
the coast. New murals have<br />
added a splash of colour to<br />
Bungan Lane; on Mona Vale<br />
Memorial Hall; and in Village<br />
Park, Mona Vale. Art along the<br />
coast celebrates our beach<br />
culture, local history, natural<br />
environment, and Aboriginal<br />
heritage. Head to Mona Vale<br />
Surf <strong>Life</strong> Saving Club to see<br />
designs based on the rock<br />
engravings in sites at Ku-ringgai<br />
Chase National Park; cast<br />
aluminium oyster shells can be<br />
found near Narrabeen Lagoon<br />
and bronze plaques which<br />
symbolize the ‘singing-in’ of<br />
the whales can be found at<br />
Avalon Beach. More info on<br />
council’s website.<br />
Three Peaks Photography<br />
Professional landscape<br />
photographer Peter Sedgwick<br />
runs different courses<br />
on the Beaches where he<br />
will teach you one-on-one<br />
how to make the best use<br />
of your camera, catering<br />
to your individual needs.<br />
threepeaksphotography.com.<br />
au.<br />
SHORT TRIPS<br />
Step onto a ferry, water taxi<br />
or hire a boat to explore some<br />
magical places.<br />
The Basin<br />
A short ferry ride from Palm<br />
Beach is one of Sydney’s most<br />
popular camping grounds<br />
– The Basin on the western<br />
foreshores of <strong>Pittwater</strong> Kuring-gai<br />
Chase National Park.<br />
With the capacity to cater to<br />
400 campers on non-powered<br />
sites it will be busy at this time<br />
of year but there are lovely<br />
places to take a dip including<br />
a protected swimming lagoon,<br />
good fishing, several walking<br />
tracks and wildlife. A day trip<br />
is a good way to check out the<br />
camping area for any future<br />
overnight stays, which you will<br />
need to book through NSW<br />
National Parks and Wildlife<br />
Service in advance.<br />
Scotland Island<br />
Home to some 1000 people<br />
and accessed by water only,<br />
the island is both a thriving<br />
community and refuge<br />
for native flora and fauna.<br />
There are no cafes, shops<br />
or restaurants and most<br />
day trippers visit the island<br />
to simply walk either from<br />
one ferry wharf to another,<br />
or all the way around along<br />
the waterfront which takes<br />
around half an hour. Elizabeth<br />
Park, at the top of the island,<br />
features a significant spotted<br />
48 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
gum forest. Roads and walking<br />
trails are mostly unpaved.<br />
Locals’ Tip: There are no public<br />
toilets on the island, except in<br />
the Community Hall and the<br />
Fireshed, and these buildings<br />
are only open when there are<br />
events.<br />
‘Secret’ beaches<br />
Accessible by water or walking<br />
track, beaches on the foreshore<br />
of Ku-ring-gai Chase National<br />
Park – including Taylors Bay<br />
Beach, Morning Bay, Portuguese<br />
Beach and arguably one of<br />
the nicest spots on <strong>Pittwater</strong>,<br />
Resolute Beach – remain<br />
uncrowded and beautiful.<br />
Patonga<br />
Patonga Beach is a tranquil<br />
seaside village at the southern<br />
end of the Central Coast with a<br />
[advertorial]<br />
calm bay perfect for swimming,<br />
kayaking and SUPs. There’s a<br />
campground and a Boathouse<br />
Hotel.<br />
Ettalong Beach<br />
Ettalong is a humming Central<br />
Coast village which hosts<br />
lovely little shops, art galleries,<br />
cafes, old-world-charm village<br />
markets, restaurants, The<br />
Ettalong Diggers RSL Club, a<br />
quaint independent cinema,<br />
places to swim and plenty of<br />
accommodation options.<br />
Locals’ Tip: Want to stay<br />
longer? Hire a boat with room<br />
to stay onboard overnight,<br />
search online for private<br />
holiday rentals or Airbnb,<br />
check out YHA <strong>Pittwater</strong><br />
Eco at Morning Bay, and the<br />
restored and reasonably priced<br />
Currawong Beach Cottages.<br />
Summer Guide<br />
Home Dental for those in need<br />
ooth Sparkler Family Dental<br />
Tstands as a beacon of<br />
comprehensive and compassionate<br />
healthcare.<br />
What sets this clinic apart is<br />
its unwavering commitment to<br />
individual care, making each<br />
patient’s journey a unique and<br />
tailored experience.<br />
And their care extends beyond<br />
their practice within Frenchs Forest’s<br />
health hub – principal dentist and<br />
owner Sara Lonergan (at right) says<br />
they are always keen to reach out and<br />
attend to patients who can’t get to<br />
the clinic, whether they are at home<br />
or in residential/aged care facilities.<br />
First impressions of the waiting<br />
room reveal a space more like a<br />
living room than dental practice,<br />
immediately putting patients at ease<br />
– something Sara was conscious to<br />
create.<br />
The team values inclusivity;<br />
they are adept at facilitating good<br />
oral health outcomes for everyone<br />
including those with special needs,<br />
neurodiversity, the elderly/frail and<br />
those with limited finances. And for<br />
those grappling with dental phobia<br />
and anxiety, special measures are in<br />
place to transform the experience<br />
into a positive one.<br />
Kids are well catered for too, with<br />
enthusiastic oral health therapists<br />
who focus on prevention of dental<br />
decay and gum disease.<br />
By understanding and<br />
considering everyone’s unique<br />
situation they help tailor an oral<br />
health strategy that everyone<br />
deserves.<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 49
Health & Wellbeing<br />
Chef Oliver joins Scamps’<br />
junk food ad ban crusade<br />
Health & Wellbeing<br />
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie<br />
Scamps recently<br />
teamed up with celebrity<br />
chef Jamie Oliver to promote<br />
her Healthy Kids Private<br />
Members Bill, as she ramps<br />
up her campaign to achieve<br />
restrictions on junk food advertising<br />
to children.<br />
“Meeting Jamie was a real<br />
highlight for me in my campaign<br />
to stop our kids being<br />
bombarded with advertisements<br />
for fatty, salty and sugary<br />
foods,” Dr Scamps said of<br />
their meeting in November.<br />
“His work as a healthy food<br />
advocate, especially food marketed<br />
to children has inspired<br />
me.”<br />
Most people know Oliver as<br />
the TV chef with the endearing<br />
Essex accent. But as well as<br />
being a global food superstar<br />
and advocate for healthy<br />
home-cooked food, he’s also<br />
championed the cause of improving<br />
children’s food habits<br />
and protecting them from<br />
harmful junk food advertising<br />
for decades in the UK.<br />
Jamie’s ‘AdEnough’ campaign<br />
had a simple message: to make<br />
it easier for children to make<br />
better, healthier food choices.<br />
In 2018 he ran a grassroots<br />
SEE NO ‘EVIL’: Jamie Oliver with Dr Sophie Scamps.<br />
action, where parents and<br />
children were asked to post a<br />
picture of themselves covering<br />
their eyes.<br />
The message? The only<br />
way to avoid seeing ads for<br />
unhealthy junk food is literally<br />
to cover your kids’ eyes.<br />
“It was hugely successful<br />
– he’s managed to convince<br />
London Transport to stop displaying<br />
ads for unhealthy food<br />
on all London Transport,” said<br />
Dr Scamps.<br />
“The UK government<br />
has also agreed to ban the<br />
advertising of foods high in<br />
fat, sugar and salt until after<br />
9pm and a ban on ‘buy-oneget-one-free’<br />
deals on junk<br />
food. The TV ban is still to be<br />
implemented.”<br />
Oliver said he was dismayed<br />
that junk food manufacturers<br />
were targeting children.<br />
He said: “Basically, what we<br />
found out is that our children<br />
– your children – are being<br />
hunted.<br />
“Advertisers and marketers<br />
are specifically trying to advertise<br />
to kids.”<br />
Oliver explained that after<br />
looking at digital billboards at<br />
bus stops in the UK he and his<br />
team quickly ascertained that<br />
they were advertising unhealthy<br />
food at precisely the time kids<br />
were going to school, then<br />
switching to other products like<br />
holidays and travel once the<br />
kids were in their classrooms.<br />
“Kids are not born to eat<br />
nuggets or pizza. It’s not genetic.<br />
It’s marketing,” he said.<br />
“If you have relentless advertising<br />
to kids, it does change<br />
the outcomes.”<br />
In Australia, more than<br />
$550million is spent on advertising<br />
food and non-alcoholic<br />
drinks.<br />
The Federal government has<br />
commissioned a study from<br />
the University of Wollongong<br />
on the feasibility of banning<br />
junk food advertising in Aus-<br />
52 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
tralia. The report is expected<br />
mid-<strong>2024</strong>.<br />
In the meantime, Dr Scamps<br />
said she would not let matters<br />
rest and would continue to<br />
advocate for action.<br />
She is now holding consultations<br />
with technology<br />
companies over how to stop<br />
the targeting of children with<br />
pop-up ads for unhealthy food<br />
when they are on social media<br />
platforms such as Facebook<br />
and Instagram.<br />
“As a former GP and a mother<br />
of three teens, I am deeply<br />
concerned about the rising<br />
rate of childhood obesity in<br />
Australia, which sets them up<br />
for a life of chronic disease,”<br />
she said.<br />
“One quarter of all children<br />
and two-thirds of adults are<br />
above the healthy weight<br />
range. Obesity and diabetes<br />
have become societal problems<br />
requiring a societal response.<br />
“That’s why I moved my bill<br />
[in June]. A ban is not radical.<br />
Some 40 countries have done<br />
it, including the UK, Norway,<br />
Mexico and Chile. It just takes<br />
will by the government.”<br />
The Healthy Kids Advertising<br />
Bill 2023 calls for an end to<br />
television and radio advertising<br />
of unhealthy foods between<br />
6am and 9.30pm including on<br />
subscription and/ streaming<br />
services.<br />
It would prohibit the targeting<br />
of children on social media.<br />
This is built into algorithms<br />
used by the platforms and<br />
results in targeted ads appearing<br />
when children are viewing<br />
material, including when they<br />
are using sites for study.<br />
Unhealthy food in the<br />
Healthy Kids Advertising Bill is<br />
defined as food and drink not<br />
recommended for promotion<br />
to children in the 2018 guide<br />
published by the Health Council<br />
of the Council of Australian<br />
Governments.<br />
Research from 2018 suggests<br />
that restricting junk food<br />
advertising on TV between<br />
the hours of 6am and 9.30pm<br />
would result in $778 million in<br />
healthcare savings.<br />
Health & Wellbeing<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 53
Health & Wellbeing<br />
with Dr John Kippen<br />
Health & Wellbeing<br />
Inverted nipples procedures<br />
Generally, the more severe<br />
the retraction the more<br />
invasive the procedure<br />
needs to be to correct it. There<br />
is a chance that breastfeeding<br />
is not possible; with severely<br />
retracted nipples, the inability<br />
to attach during breastfeeding<br />
may in itself preclude feeding.<br />
Inverted nipples are a<br />
common condition affecting<br />
approximately two per cent of<br />
women. Interestingly, both men<br />
and women can be affected.<br />
One or both sides may be<br />
involved and often unequally.<br />
Instead of pointing outwards,<br />
the nipples appear flat, or as<br />
a depression or slit. Usually<br />
first noticed at puberty with<br />
breast growth and development.<br />
Nipples may be retractile<br />
in that they invert at times and<br />
protract at other times. They<br />
may be permanently inverted.<br />
Functionally, inverted nipples<br />
may be associated with rashes,<br />
irritation and discomfort.<br />
Though often quoted as being<br />
a problem, breastfeeding may<br />
still be possible. Nipples often<br />
spontaneously evert or correct<br />
at the time of breastfeeding.<br />
The correct technique of<br />
attachment with the infant attaching<br />
to both the areolar and<br />
nipple allows adequate breast-<br />
feeding. Correction of inverted<br />
nipples may be for functional or<br />
cosmetic reasons.<br />
There are many causes of<br />
nipple inversion. The breast<br />
has between 12 and 20 ducts<br />
that open independently onto<br />
the nipple. Shortening of these<br />
ducts or fibrous tissue between<br />
the ducts may cause shortening.<br />
Breast scars, underlying<br />
breast disease, breast duct<br />
infections and internal fibrosis<br />
may all cause inversion. Mostly<br />
no obvious cause is found. A<br />
full medical breast and general<br />
history and examination is<br />
necessary to exclude these<br />
reversible causes and exclude<br />
any diseases. The examination<br />
includes the axillae or armpit.<br />
Correction may be non-surgical<br />
or surgical. Non-surgical<br />
methods include massage,<br />
stretching, suction cups or<br />
piercing. There are two main<br />
groups of surgical procedures.<br />
The first preserves breast ducts<br />
and the second cuts through<br />
these breast ducts.<br />
Through small incisions,<br />
the fibrous tissue between the<br />
breast ducts is removed. Skin<br />
flaps and sutures then lift and<br />
hold the nipple in an everted<br />
or protracted position. More<br />
severe cases may need the<br />
breasts ducts to be cut. Deeper<br />
tissue may be lifted and moved<br />
as flaps to push up the nipples<br />
from below.<br />
Our columnist<br />
Dr John Kippen is a qualified,<br />
fully certified consultant<br />
specialist in Plastic and<br />
Reconstructive surgery.<br />
Australian trained, he<br />
also has additional<br />
Australian and International<br />
Fellowships. He welcomes<br />
enquiries; email<br />
doctor@johnkippen.com.au<br />
54 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Vapes now by<br />
prescription only<br />
Mackellar Independent MP Dr<br />
Sophie Scamps has welcomed<br />
the decision by Federal<br />
Health Minister Mark Butler to ban<br />
the importation of single-use vapes<br />
from <strong>January</strong> 1 and to treat them as<br />
therapeutic products that require a<br />
prescription.<br />
“It is great news that from <strong>January</strong><br />
1 nicotine-laced e-cigarettes can no<br />
longer be sold legally to our children,”<br />
Dr Scamps said.<br />
“This is something I have been<br />
advocating for since I was elected,” she<br />
said.<br />
Dr Scamps said so-called ‘convenience<br />
stores’ selling snacks and vapes had<br />
popped up in several locations around<br />
Mackellar in the past year, with parents<br />
“very upset” about the stores being<br />
typically located close to schools and<br />
bus stops used by school kids.<br />
“It’s not just Mackellar – throughout<br />
Australia there has been a proliferation<br />
of these stores in locations frequented<br />
by children,” she said.<br />
“This is not without motive. ‘Big<br />
tobacco’ knows that children who use<br />
vapes are three times’ more likely to<br />
take up tobacco smoking.<br />
“Vapes are a gateway drug to<br />
smoking. From my perspective as a<br />
doctor, I welcome Minister Butler’s<br />
strong action on this.”<br />
The Government has confirmed the<br />
importation of single-use vapes will be<br />
banned from <strong>January</strong> 1.<br />
Medical practitioners and nurse<br />
practitioners will be able to prescribe<br />
vapes, with patients able to fill their<br />
script at pharmacies.<br />
The Government will also introduce<br />
legislation to prevent domestic<br />
manufacture, advertisement, supply<br />
and commercial possession of nontherapeutic<br />
and disposable single-use<br />
vapes.<br />
The Government will provide an<br />
additional $25m to the Australian Border<br />
Force and $56.9m to the Therapeutic<br />
Goods Administration over two years for<br />
enforcement.<br />
– Lisa Offord<br />
SINGLE-USE<br />
BAN: From Jan 1.<br />
Health & Wellbeing<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 55
Health & Wellbeing<br />
with Sani Nand<br />
Health & Wellbeing<br />
Tips for sufferers of ‘Dry Eye’<br />
heading into heat of summer<br />
eye’ is an<br />
inflammatory disease<br />
‘Dry<br />
which if left untreated<br />
will likely worsen over time.<br />
Tears, which compose of water,<br />
fatty oils and mucus, play an<br />
important role in lubricating<br />
and nourishing the outer<br />
surface (cornea) of the eye. Dry<br />
eye syndrome may occur if you<br />
don’t produce enough tears<br />
or if you produce poor-quality<br />
tears.<br />
Some of the symptoms of<br />
dry eyes may include redness,<br />
stinging or burning, irritation<br />
of the eyes, watery eyes,<br />
foreign body sensation, eye<br />
fatigue, blurred vision and light<br />
sensitivity.<br />
Dry eye is not as simple as it<br />
may sometimes seem, as the<br />
causes are multi-factorial in<br />
nature.<br />
One of my speciality areas<br />
is detecting and managing<br />
dry eye disease. It can be<br />
temporary or chronic in nature<br />
– more so the latter.<br />
Dry eyes are probably one<br />
of the most common diseases<br />
I come across in the practice<br />
and I have been treating this<br />
condition throughout my<br />
career.<br />
Eyedrops are a temporary<br />
solution – they do not fix the<br />
cause of the problem. During<br />
an eye test I always take a<br />
detailed medical history,<br />
go through a questionnaire<br />
and conduct a repertoire of<br />
diagnostic tests to determine<br />
the underlying cause of dry<br />
eyes. Backed by an evidencebased<br />
approach, treatment and<br />
management depends on the<br />
severity of the dry eyes.<br />
Some of the treatment<br />
options include prescribing<br />
eye drops and ointments to<br />
lubricate the ocular surface; in<br />
some instances there may be<br />
a need to prescribe specialised<br />
eye drops to reduce the<br />
inflammatory process that is<br />
involved with the dry eye cycle.<br />
Lid hygiene and heat<br />
application to the lids may be<br />
needed to promote the opening<br />
of the tear glands.<br />
It’s also important to discuss<br />
diet, lifestyle, environmental<br />
factors and other medical<br />
issues that can cause dry eyes.<br />
With the hot summer upon<br />
us, it would be important<br />
for dry eye sufferers to wear<br />
good quality sunglasses,<br />
drink lots of water, avoid<br />
direct air blowing into<br />
the eyes (such as car airconditioning<br />
and hairdryers),<br />
blink frequently, take breaks,<br />
have a well-balanced diet and<br />
take nutritional supplements<br />
designed for dry eyes.<br />
It is also very important to<br />
have an eye test at least every<br />
two years.<br />
At our clinic, we cover<br />
all aspects of eye health,<br />
offering comprehensive eye<br />
examinations, prescription<br />
glasses and contact lenses.<br />
Having a therapeutic<br />
qualification has fuelled<br />
my passion for detecting<br />
and managing various eye<br />
conditions.<br />
Sani graduated from Auckland University in 2009; she has<br />
been practising as a clinical Optometrist for the past 14 years.<br />
She was born in Durban, South Africa, and migrated to New<br />
Zealand with her family when she was 12. She says the family<br />
then did the “typical Kiwi move”, travelling across the ditch<br />
to Australia. Sani now permanently reside in Sydney with her<br />
husband. Having worked across most locations of Sydney she<br />
has returned to the Northern Beaches, joining Eyecare Plus<br />
Avalon Beach (formerly Milat Optometrist) – a business that has<br />
operated in the local area for the past 40 years. P: 9918 2400<br />
56 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Hair & Beauty<br />
with Sue Carroll<br />
A look into the Crystal Ball<br />
for beauty trends in <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Aesthetic profession<br />
is never stationary.<br />
Innovations for health,<br />
wellness and self-improvement<br />
for the skin and body assist us<br />
with being the best version of<br />
ourselves. There is no slowing<br />
down when it comes to being<br />
healthy inside and out.<br />
Spas, gyms and wellness<br />
centres assist people with<br />
muscle recovery with<br />
cold plunge therapy and<br />
breathwork. People want to<br />
maintain peak performance,<br />
improve their resilience,<br />
circulation, energy levels and<br />
reduce inflammation. While<br />
physically, ice baths or cold<br />
water therapy assist with<br />
this, working on the mental<br />
and emotional aspects with<br />
breathwork gives a more<br />
balanced and positive result.<br />
The ’90s Skinny Brow is<br />
making a comeback! Some<br />
of the biggest celebrities and<br />
beauty influencers embracing<br />
this style. After seeing so many<br />
people follow this trend years<br />
ago and can now not regrow<br />
their brows, I think improved<br />
brow grooming is the better<br />
alternative.<br />
One thing we seem to<br />
never have enough of is time.<br />
Many time-poor clients have<br />
already requested effective,<br />
time-reduced, but still relaxing<br />
skin treatments. This usually<br />
combines high tech with high<br />
touch to achieve their goals.<br />
Treatments such as a HIFU<br />
GLOW, China Doll, Hollywood<br />
Red Carpet Facial, Tixel<br />
Infusion and JetPeel treatments<br />
make this possible.<br />
The next chapter of overall<br />
wellness is mind-body beauty,<br />
where mental and emotional<br />
well-being are intertwined<br />
with physical appearance and<br />
health. Finally, we are looking<br />
at the body as a whole and not<br />
in segments. One works with<br />
the other and the health jigsaw<br />
puzzle comes together in a<br />
wonderful unison.<br />
Pre-rejuvenation treatments<br />
are taking the younger<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
generations by storm. Earlier<br />
maintenance where action is<br />
taken to prevent loss of laxity<br />
in the skin before signs of<br />
ageing are even visible, colour<br />
is more even, and textural<br />
changes are reduced to give a<br />
more flawless complexion.<br />
The injection of fillers is a<br />
minimally invasive procedure<br />
and assists with restoring<br />
volume and enhancing facial<br />
features. There are many<br />
different types of fillers today,<br />
using hyaluronic acid. Their<br />
composition, viscosity, where<br />
it is used, and injection depth<br />
will influence the final result.<br />
One of the many growing<br />
treatments where clients<br />
receive amazing results<br />
without looking as if they have<br />
abnormal lips is using a very<br />
fine hyaluronic acid into each<br />
lip line. The “barcodes” are<br />
reduced, and a more youthful<br />
lip is achieved.<br />
Mushroom-based ingredients<br />
hit the aesthetic industry back<br />
in 2018. Mushroom magic is<br />
making a resurgence. They<br />
are being incorporated into<br />
skincare to boost collagen<br />
production, brighten, and<br />
hydrate the skin, and provide<br />
anti-inflammatory benefits<br />
and antioxidant protection.<br />
Mushrooms have been used in<br />
Traditional Chinese medicine<br />
(TCM) for centuries, so consider<br />
this a revamp to an already<br />
well-known ingredient.<br />
The desire to let healthy skin<br />
shine through, rather than be<br />
smothered with makeup, is<br />
being embraced. Makeup is<br />
being used to enhance one’s<br />
natural beauty and the skin<br />
hybrid is born. We have had<br />
BB and CC creams for a while<br />
now where the 2-in-1 routine<br />
for skincare and makeup has<br />
assisted with fewer products<br />
and time-saving strategies.<br />
More products will hit the<br />
market with a hint of colour<br />
while giving our skin the<br />
nutrients they yearn for. The<br />
one thing to remember is that<br />
they cannot be used in the<br />
evening routine.<br />
It is nearly impossible to<br />
have not heard about AI being<br />
introduced into the aesthetic<br />
world. AI apps are being used<br />
to scan the skin and assist with<br />
homecare recommendations.<br />
The healthy aging concept in<br />
<strong>2024</strong> is being embraced, where<br />
the focus is shifting away from<br />
how one looks at their age and<br />
more focused on what can be<br />
done to keep mind, body and<br />
spirit healthy.<br />
Sue Carroll is at the forefront<br />
of the beauty, wellness<br />
and para-medical profession<br />
with 35 years’ experience on<br />
Sydney’s Northern Beaches.<br />
She leads a dedicated team<br />
of professionals who are<br />
passionate about results for<br />
men and women.<br />
info@skininspiration.com.au<br />
www.skininspiration.com.au<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 57<br />
Hair & Beauty
Business <strong>Life</strong>: Money<br />
with Brian Hrnjak<br />
Business <strong>Life</strong><br />
Rebellion on the floor:<br />
whose money is it anyway?<br />
This month, quite contrary<br />
to the spirit of Christmas<br />
giving, we look at the<br />
question of companies getting<br />
into causes and donating shareholders’<br />
funds and ask: Whose<br />
money is it anyway?<br />
I can’t be the only regular<br />
user self-checkouts at Woolworths<br />
who’s wondered where<br />
my invite was to the staff Xmas<br />
party this year. Woolworths,<br />
along with many other large<br />
Australian companies, have extracted<br />
permanent operating efficiencies<br />
by making customers<br />
do much of the work previously<br />
done by staff and then proceed<br />
to spend more on marketing<br />
telling us how good they are.<br />
More and more of this marketing<br />
is in the form of sponsorships<br />
and corporate giving.<br />
But how valid is it for a company<br />
like Woolworths, an ASX<br />
public listed company, to engage<br />
in activities like corporate<br />
giving or getting involved in<br />
questions of conscience? Is it a<br />
valid form of brand building, or<br />
is it a futile exercise in corporate<br />
soul searching?<br />
Would it alter your perception<br />
of Woolworths if you knew that<br />
the board awarded senior executives<br />
‘safety bonuses’ as part<br />
of their remuneration even after<br />
the deaths of two employees in<br />
separate workplace incidents<br />
that are still the subject of ongoing<br />
investigation?<br />
Would it bother you that<br />
a Woolworths employee, Jo<br />
Wright, who is also a shareholder,<br />
felt the need to have<br />
the following exchange at the<br />
Company’s AGM as reported in<br />
The Sydney Morning Herald on<br />
15 December: “Wright, a staff<br />
member on the supermarket<br />
floor, and her colleagues were<br />
pushing for a $4 hourly increase<br />
to their base rates, the Woolworths<br />
board wanted to reward<br />
senior executives with a portion<br />
of their safety bonus to their<br />
seven-figure salaries. ‘My base<br />
rate pays $25.12 an hour and<br />
my team bonus last year was a<br />
packet of Cadbury Favourites,’<br />
Wright, also a shareholder, began.<br />
‘I’m not a member of any<br />
union, but I do support a $29<br />
base rate pay. In our store, we<br />
have several team members<br />
who are working three jobs to<br />
make a living wage… Is it time<br />
for merit-based remuneration<br />
existing alongside the current<br />
grade system using the criteria<br />
that applies to executive team<br />
pay increases?’”<br />
Many large shareholders ultimately<br />
agreed with Ms Wright<br />
with approximately 28% of the<br />
Company’s proxy holders voting<br />
against the Company’s remuneration<br />
report on executive<br />
pay at the AGM. This is regarded<br />
as a ‘first strike’ and if it is<br />
58 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
epeated at the following year’s<br />
AGM, it prepares the ground for<br />
a board spill.<br />
Another iconic Australian<br />
company to suffer a similar fate<br />
at its AGM was Qantas. Qantas<br />
copped a massive 83% vote<br />
against its remuneration report<br />
caused by their spat with the<br />
media and Federal government<br />
and the subsequent brand damage<br />
as former CEO Alan Joyce<br />
exited the company.<br />
Both Woolworths and Qantas<br />
also received criticism from a<br />
range of stakeholders for entering<br />
the ‘Voice’ debate as highprofile<br />
supporters of the ‘Yes’<br />
side. Of course, they weren’t<br />
alone and were joined in this endeavour<br />
by companies such as<br />
BHP, Rio and Wesfarmers who<br />
each contributed $2 million to<br />
the cause. It’s a tricky business<br />
for companies to pick sides in<br />
what is essentially a question of<br />
conscience with a binary win or<br />
lose outcome; you run the risk<br />
of upsetting a substantial portion<br />
of your customer base.<br />
Why spend millions on<br />
sponsorships, charities and<br />
causes? According to GivingLarge,<br />
a research provider<br />
in the area of corporate philanthropy<br />
(whose reports ironically<br />
are not free), the top 50 corporate<br />
philanthropists have for the<br />
first time topped $1.5 billion in<br />
donations.<br />
According to their report<br />
dated 30 November which<br />
also appeared in the AFR:<br />
“Woolworths says philanthropy<br />
is also a focus for directors.<br />
Woolworths recorded a near<br />
tripling of its giving program<br />
this year, to $122 million. ‘Our<br />
board takes a very keen interest<br />
in our philanthropic agenda<br />
as it is a key part of the wider<br />
group’s purpose, in which everyone<br />
at Woolworths Group has<br />
a part to play. Food relief activity<br />
is discussed regularly with<br />
the board,’ says Woolworths<br />
chief sustainability officer Alex<br />
Holt. Woolworths attributes the<br />
surge in giving mainly to the<br />
ability, for the first time, to accurately<br />
value the amount of<br />
food donated to its food rescue<br />
partners, such as OzHarvest,<br />
Foodbank and FareShare. The<br />
value of food donated accounted<br />
for $76 million of the increase,<br />
while the remainder came from<br />
a rise in financial contributions,<br />
Holt notes.”<br />
Elsewhere in the report there<br />
was insight into what moti-<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
vates some companies over<br />
and above the pure marketing<br />
effect: “The rise in corporate<br />
giving comes as surveys show<br />
younger employees increasingly<br />
want to work at companies<br />
whose values are aligned with<br />
theirs. [Our giving program] is...<br />
a retention tool.”<br />
So, it’s a feel-good factor for<br />
the staff and management. Putting<br />
some humanity over the<br />
top of the cold corporate bones,<br />
so to speak. The only problem,<br />
and it was a big problem for<br />
both Woolworths and Qantas,<br />
is that all the causes, philanthropic<br />
endeavours and corporate<br />
giving are worth nothing to<br />
your brand when you are vulnerable<br />
to claims that you have<br />
been diddling your suppliers,<br />
staff and customers for years.<br />
Eventually, the public does<br />
get around to seeing these feelgood<br />
efforts by big companies<br />
behaving badly for what they<br />
are worth and that’s very little<br />
unless you happen to be the<br />
direct beneficiary of the donation<br />
or cause.<br />
Unless they are very large,<br />
shareholders – ultimate owners<br />
of the business – have little or<br />
no access to management or<br />
directors of corporations. In<br />
the main they must resort to<br />
the angry email or voting at<br />
the annual general meeting. If<br />
last year was anything to go<br />
by the scorecard for corporate<br />
Australia this reporting season<br />
was bad, as Sumeyya Ilanbey<br />
noted in The SMH on 15 December:<br />
“Australian investors have<br />
made history this year, issuing<br />
a strike against the remuneration<br />
reports of 32 companies,<br />
the highest ever backlash. They<br />
didn’t believe the performance<br />
of companies they had invested<br />
in justified the exorbitant wages<br />
and bonuses of executives.”<br />
Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is<br />
a Director of GHR Accounting<br />
Group Pty Ltd, Certified Practising<br />
Accountants. Office: Suite 12,<br />
Ground Floor, 20 Bungan Street<br />
Mona Vale NSW.<br />
Phone: 02 9979-4300.<br />
Web: ghr.com.au and altre.com.au<br />
Email: brian@ghr.com.au<br />
These comments are general<br />
advice only and are not intended as<br />
a substitute for professional advice.<br />
This article is not an offer or<br />
recommendation of any securities<br />
or other financial products offered<br />
by any company or person.<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 59<br />
Business <strong>Life</strong>
Trades & Services<br />
Trades & Services<br />
AIR CONDITIONING<br />
Alliance Climate Control<br />
Call 02 9186 4179<br />
Air Conditioning & Electrical<br />
Professionals. Specialists in Air<br />
Conditioning Installation, Service,<br />
Repair & Replacement.<br />
AIRPORT TRANSFERS<br />
TeslaAirportTransfers<br />
Call Ben 0405 544 311<br />
New Tesla Model Y fleet; Airport<br />
transfer Mona Vale ($129), Avalon<br />
($139), Palmy ($149). Guaranteed<br />
on-time pick-up.<br />
BATTERIES<br />
Battery Business<br />
Call 9970 6999<br />
Batteries for all applications. Won’t<br />
be beaten on price or service. Free<br />
testing, 7 days.<br />
BUILDING<br />
Acecase Pty Ltd<br />
Call Dan 0419 160 883<br />
Professional building and carpentry<br />
services, renovations, decks, pergolas.<br />
Fully licensed & insured. Local<br />
business operating for 25 years. Lic<br />
No. 362901C<br />
CARPENTRY<br />
Able Carpentry & Joinery<br />
Call Cameron 0418 608 398<br />
Avalon-based. Doors & locks, timber gates<br />
& handrails, decking repairs and timber<br />
replacement. Also privacy screens. 25<br />
years’ experience. Lic: 7031C.<br />
CLEANING<br />
Amazing Clean<br />
Call Andrew 0412 475 2871<br />
Specialists in blinds, curtains and<br />
awnings. Clean, repair, supply new.<br />
Aussie Clean Team<br />
Call John 0478 799 680<br />
For a good clean, inside and outside;<br />
windows, gutters. Also repairs.<br />
CONCRETING<br />
Adrians Concrete<br />
Call Adrian 0404 172 435<br />
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting<br />
needs; Northern Beaches-based.<br />
DISCLAIMER: The editorial and advertising content in<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong> has been provided by a number of sources. Any<br />
opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or<br />
Publisher of <strong>Pittwater</strong> <strong>Life</strong> and no responsibility is taken for<br />
the accuracy of the information contained within. Readers<br />
should make their own enquiries directly to any organisations<br />
or businesses prior to making any plans or taking any action.<br />
60 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
ELECTRICAL<br />
Alliance Service Group<br />
Call Adrian 9063 4658<br />
All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting<br />
installation, switchboard upgrade.<br />
Seniors discount 5%.<br />
Eamon Dowling Electrical<br />
Call Eamon 0410 457 373<br />
For all electrical needs including<br />
phone, TV and data. <strong>Pittwater</strong>-based.<br />
Reliable; quality service guaranteed.<br />
Warrick Leggo<br />
Call Warrick 0403 981 941<br />
Specialising in domestic work; small<br />
jobs welcome. Seniors’ discount;<br />
Narrabeen-based.<br />
FLOOR COVERINGS<br />
Blue Tongue Carpets<br />
Call Stephan or Roslyn 9979 7292<br />
Northern Beaches Flooring Centre has<br />
been family owned & run for over 20<br />
years. Carpets, Tiles, Timber, Laminates,<br />
Hybrids & Vinyls. Open 6 days.<br />
GARDENS<br />
!Abloom Ace Gardening<br />
Call 0415 817 880<br />
Full range of gardening services<br />
including landscaping, maintenance<br />
and rubbish removal.<br />
Conscious Gardener Avalon<br />
Call Matt 0411 750 791<br />
Professional local team offering quality<br />
garden maintenance, horticultural<br />
advice; also garden makeovers.<br />
Melaleuca Landscapes<br />
Call Sandy 0416 276 066<br />
Professional design and construction<br />
for every garden situation. Sustainable<br />
vegetable gardens and waterfront specialist.<br />
jobs, also welding & metalwork;<br />
licensed.<br />
JEWELLER<br />
Gold ‘n’ Things<br />
Call 9999 4991<br />
Specialists in remodelling. On-premises<br />
(Mona Vale) workshop for cleaning,<br />
repairing (including laser welding),<br />
polishing. Family owned for nearly 40 years.<br />
HOT WATER<br />
Hot Water Maintenance NB<br />
Call 9982 1265<br />
Local emergency specialists, 7 days.<br />
Sales, service, installation. Warranty<br />
agents, fully accredited.<br />
KITCHENS<br />
Collaroy Kitchen Centre<br />
Call 9972 9300<br />
Danish design excellence. Local<br />
beaches specialists in kitchens,<br />
bathrooms and joinery. Visit the<br />
showroom in Collaroy.<br />
Seabreeze Kitchens<br />
Call 9938 5477<br />
Specialists in all kitchen needs; design,<br />
fitting, consultation. Excellent trades.<br />
MASSAGE & FITNESS<br />
Avalon Physiotherapy<br />
Call 9918 3373<br />
Provide specialist treatment for neck &<br />
back pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic<br />
problems.<br />
PAINTING<br />
Cloud9 Painting<br />
Call 0447 999 929<br />
Your one-stop shop for home or office<br />
painting; interiors, exteriors and also<br />
roof painting. Call for a quote.<br />
Trades & Services<br />
Precision Tree Services<br />
Call Adam 0410 736 105<br />
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by<br />
qualified arborists and tree surgeons.<br />
GUTTERS & ROOFING<br />
Cloud9 R&G<br />
Call Tommy 0447 999 929<br />
Prompt and reliable service; gutter<br />
cleaning and installation, leak detection,<br />
roof installation and painting. Also roof<br />
repairs specialist.<br />
Ken Wilson Roofing<br />
Call 0419 466 783<br />
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles<br />
replaced, metal roof repairs, gutter<br />
cleaning, valley irons replaced.<br />
HANDYMEN<br />
Local Handyman<br />
Call Jono 0413 313299<br />
Small and medium-sized building<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 61
Trades & Services<br />
Trades & Services<br />
Tom Wood Master Painters<br />
Call 0406 824 189<br />
Residential specialists in new work &<br />
repaints / interior & exterior. Premium<br />
paints; 17 years’ experience.<br />
PEST CONTROL<br />
Predator Pest Control<br />
Call 0417 276 962<br />
predatorpestcontrol.com.au<br />
Environmental services at their best.<br />
Comprehensive control. Eliminate all<br />
manner of pests.<br />
PLUMBING<br />
Total Pipe Relining<br />
Call Josh 0423 600 455<br />
Repair pipe problems without<br />
replacement. Drain systems fully<br />
relined; 50 years’ guaranty. Latest<br />
technology, best price.<br />
RUBBISH REMOVAL<br />
Jack’s Rubbish Removals<br />
Call Jack 0403 385 312<br />
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest<br />
health regulations. Old-fashioned<br />
honesty & reliability. Free quotes.<br />
One 2 Dump<br />
Call Josh 0450 712 779<br />
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service<br />
includes general household rubbish,<br />
construction, commercial plus<br />
vegetation. Also car removals.<br />
SLIDING DOOR REPAIRS<br />
Beautiful Sliding Door Repairs<br />
Call 0407 546 738<br />
Fix anything that slides in your home;<br />
door specialists – wooden / aluminium.<br />
Free quote. Same-day repair; 5-year<br />
warranty.<br />
TV ANTENNA<br />
Action Antenna<br />
Call Paul 0412 610 170<br />
Beaches-based; TV antenna<br />
installations, repairs and removal.<br />
25yrs exp. Insured.<br />
UPHOLSTERY<br />
Luxafoam North<br />
Call 0414 468 434<br />
Local specialists in all aspects of<br />
outdoor & indoor seating. Custom<br />
service, expert advice.<br />
Advertise your Business in<br />
Trades & Services section<br />
Ph: 0438 123 096<br />
62 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Trades & Services<br />
Advertise<br />
your Business<br />
in Trades &<br />
Services<br />
section<br />
Ph: 0438 123 096<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 63
<strong>Pittwater</strong> Puzzler<br />
Compiled by David Stickley<br />
30 This type of cinema is now<br />
available at The 28-across (7)<br />
31 Sport that has been a<br />
big part of Collaroy’s Peter<br />
Dawson’s life (4)<br />
32 Book written by Liane<br />
Moriarty, set on the Northern<br />
Beaches, Big ______ Lies (6)<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> Puzzler<br />
ACROSS<br />
1 Game recording official (6)<br />
5 Plant which comprises grasslike<br />
herbs with pithy or hollow<br />
stems, found in wet or marshy<br />
places (4)<br />
9 Become less intense (4,3)<br />
10 A term of endearment<br />
expressing fondness or<br />
familiarity (3,4)<br />
13 A place where vessels may<br />
be bought, hired, refuelled, or<br />
repaired (8)<br />
14 Sport that Stewart<br />
MacKenzie excelled at (6)<br />
15 Takes into custody (4)<br />
17 The captain of a vessel (10)<br />
20 Author of The Drowning<br />
(5,5)<br />
21 Feature that inspired the<br />
theme of the playground next<br />
to Berry Reserve (4)<br />
24 Travelling over water<br />
behind a 18-down (6)<br />
25 Town on the Hawkesbury<br />
River (8)<br />
28 Suburb in which you’ll find<br />
Salt Pan Cove (7)<br />
DOWN<br />
2 To select from a number, or<br />
in preference to another or<br />
other things or persons (6)<br />
3 A course reviewing or<br />
updating previous studies or<br />
maybe a sea breeze on a hot<br />
day (9)<br />
4 Strong currents (4)<br />
5 Clear-headed (8)<br />
6 Author of The Lucky Ones,<br />
Melinda ___ (3)<br />
7 Revolutionary oceancleaning<br />
technology,<br />
essentially a floating rubbish<br />
collector that operates 24/7<br />
(6)<br />
8 The largest of the world’s<br />
continents (4)<br />
11 Description of Vic Walton<br />
who once operated joy flights<br />
over <strong>Pittwater</strong> (7)<br />
12 Trimming gardening tool<br />
(5)<br />
16 Suburb that’s home the<br />
Loquat Valley Anglican<br />
Preparatory School (7)<br />
18 Motorised craft commonly<br />
seen on <strong>Pittwater</strong> (9)<br />
19 From time to time (2,3,3)<br />
20 Campground in Ku-ringgai<br />
Chase National Park, The<br />
_____ (5)<br />
22 Children (6)<br />
23 The H in <strong>Pittwater</strong> YHA (6)<br />
26 Feature in Broken Bay, ____<br />
Island (4)<br />
27 And others (2,2)<br />
29 Bird-to-be (3)<br />
64 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Coded Puzzle<br />
Holiday Jigsaw<br />
All answers start with the given letter. Fit the answers where<br />
you can...<br />
A – Source of Pink Ladies, Granny Smiths or Red Galas, for<br />
example (5,4)<br />
B – The way one conducts oneself; manners (9)<br />
C – A person who shows no emotion (4,4)<br />
D – A semi-detached house (6)<br />
E – A puzzling thing or person (6)<br />
F – Omnivorous six-footer of tropical and subtropical America<br />
that can inflict a painful sting (4,3)<br />
G – Indian clarified butter especially from the milk of a buffalo<br />
or cow (4)<br />
H – Established customs (6)<br />
I – Excessive adoration of or devotion to someone or<br />
something (8)<br />
J – A glossy black varnish or lacquer (5)<br />
K – A vertical Japanese wall-picture, usually painted or<br />
inscribed on paper or silk and mounted on rollers (8)<br />
L – Salty expanse in South Australia (4,4)<br />
M – Large Western Australian freshwater crayfish which lives<br />
on the sandy bottoms of permanent rivers and streams (6)<br />
N – A fine, soft cotton fabric, originally from the Indian<br />
subcontinent (8)<br />
O – A connoisseur of wines (9)<br />
P – Small stretch of coastline not available to be used by the<br />
general public (7,5)<br />
Q – A bitter colourless alkaloid which is used in medicine as a<br />
stimulant and to treat malaria (7)<br />
R – A (future) time of financial need (5,3)<br />
S – A person who looks on at a show, game, incident, etc. (9)<br />
T – Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder (7)<br />
U – An encouraging person (5)<br />
V – A cheap wine generally for popular consumption (3,9)<br />
W – A person experienced or distinguished in fighting in an<br />
armed force, tribe, etc. (7)<br />
X – Worked as a radiographer (1-5)<br />
Y – A light conical tent of skins etc, supported by posts, used<br />
by nomads in Siberia and Mongolia (4)<br />
Z – A soft, mild breeze (6)<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
Work out which letters are represented by the numbers in the<br />
puzzle. There are three starting letters that are already populated<br />
in the grid. Work out the rest of the combinations. All letters of<br />
the alphabet have been used. Proper nouns may be present.<br />
Word Search<br />
Allenby | Amelia | Anana | Apex | Attunga<br />
Berry | Birdwood | Briony | Collaroy | Coral<br />
Coronation | Fielding | Gunyah | Hordern | Hudson<br />
John Fisher | Lagoon | Minmai | Nareen | Narrabeen<br />
Pamela | Pavich | Phillip | Plateau<br />
[ALL Puzzle solutions on p72]<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 65<br />
<strong>Pittwater</strong> Puzzler
Food <strong>Life</strong><br />
with Janelle Bloom<br />
Food <strong>Life</strong><br />
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/<br />
Sharing is caring with these<br />
vibrant platters that matter<br />
Happy New Year to <strong>2024</strong> – the Chinese<br />
Year of the Dragon. It’s said to be one of<br />
the luckiest and most prosperous, full<br />
of unprecedented opportunities. Let’s hope<br />
so! To kick off another year I’m focusing on<br />
shared platters and boards, which are very<br />
Shared Crudité<br />
dip platter<br />
My tips for a dip platter,<br />
make 1-2 dips and enhance<br />
any purchased dips. Serve<br />
with a combination of fresh,<br />
colourful vegetables, crisps<br />
and crackers.<br />
Jalapeno avocado dip<br />
½ cup thick sour cream<br />
1 large ripe avocado, peeled<br />
2 tbs drained pickled jalapeno,<br />
finely chopped<br />
1 tbs finely chopped chives<br />
1 tbs lemon or lime juice<br />
Minicaps, sugar snap peas,<br />
Qukes, carrot and celery sticks<br />
and radish, to serve<br />
Crackers and beetroot crisps,<br />
to serve<br />
1. Spoon the sour cream into<br />
a sieve lined with muslin or<br />
un-used Chux cloth. Place<br />
over a bowl, cover and<br />
refrigerate 1-2 hours, this<br />
allows excess water to drain<br />
so you end up with thick<br />
sour cream mixture.<br />
2. Mash the avocado with a<br />
fork until almost smooth.<br />
Stir in the sour cream,<br />
‘in’. They have always been my favourite way<br />
to entertain family and friends, as the work<br />
is all done ahead of time. Enjoy these over the<br />
summer ahead!<br />
jalapeno, chives and lemon<br />
juice. Season to taste. Spoon<br />
into a bowl.<br />
Spiced hummus<br />
1. Combine 2 tablespoons<br />
olive oil, 1 tsp each ground<br />
cumin, ground coriander<br />
and smoked paprika in<br />
a small frying pan over<br />
medium heat. Warm,<br />
shaking the pan often until<br />
warm and aromatic.<br />
2. Pour the spiced oil mixture<br />
into a bowl. Cool. Add<br />
purchased hummus, stir to<br />
combine. Spoon into a bowl,<br />
drizzle with extra virgin<br />
olive oil and season.<br />
Beetroot tzatziki<br />
1. Combine a purchased<br />
beetroot dip and tzatziki<br />
dip together. Grate one<br />
Lebanese cucumber,<br />
squeeze out excess moisture<br />
and stir into the dip. Season<br />
and spoon into a bowl.<br />
paper towel. Pat dry with<br />
more paper towels.<br />
2. Lightly spray both sides<br />
with olive oil. Place into<br />
the air fryer in a single<br />
layer. Cook 180°C for 12-15<br />
minutes, turning halfway<br />
through cooking, check<br />
every 5 minutes until they<br />
feel dry, they will turn crisp<br />
on cooling.<br />
Charcuterie platter<br />
When assembling a charcuterie<br />
platter, think colours, textures<br />
and flavours. There are 5<br />
categories essential to a wellbalanced<br />
charcuterie platter.<br />
Charcuterie is all about the<br />
meat (in French it means cured<br />
meat), so these need to be the<br />
centre of the board. You need<br />
at least 2 options – but 3-4 is<br />
best. A combination of thickersliced<br />
spicy cured meats like<br />
salami and pepperoni with<br />
wafer-thin salty ham and<br />
prosciutto is essential.<br />
Spreads & condiments<br />
– olives, peppers, semi<br />
dried tomatoes, pickles<br />
and tapenades not only<br />
add colour, but they also<br />
complement the cured meats.<br />
Sweetness – think fruit<br />
pastes, like mango, fig or<br />
quince paste. These are<br />
delicious spooned into<br />
peppers, bowls or simply<br />
turned onto the board. Little<br />
jars or bowls of fragrant<br />
honey or spiced maple syrup<br />
also add balance.<br />
Bread and crackers – choose<br />
a variety of flavours, textures<br />
and shapes. Thinly sliced<br />
baked sour dough, char<br />
grilled Turkish bread or<br />
even warmed garlic bread<br />
is delicious. Spread warm<br />
fig paste over thinly sliced<br />
prosciutto and wrap around<br />
breadsticks.<br />
Finishing touches – fresh<br />
herbs, good quality extra<br />
virgin olive oil, sea salt flakes<br />
and pepper mill should all be<br />
on hand.<br />
Cheese platter<br />
A cheese board should be<br />
quality over quantity. Select<br />
3-4 types of cheese from a<br />
variety of categories (see<br />
below). You should allow<br />
between 100-150g in total per<br />
person.<br />
When selecting what cheeses<br />
to put together, keep in mind<br />
shapes and textures.<br />
Cheese<br />
Hard cheese – like cheddar,<br />
Air fried beetroot crisps<br />
1. Peel and using a mandolin,<br />
thinly slice fresh beetroot.<br />
Place onto a tray lined with<br />
66 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au<br />
pecorino, or parmesan.<br />
Semi-hard cheese – such as<br />
Provolone, Swiss or Manchego<br />
Soft cheese – such as ricotta,<br />
buffalo mozzarella, burrata<br />
Blue cheese – like a wheel<br />
of blue brie or camembert,<br />
Danish blue or gorgonzola<br />
Goats cheese – like marinated<br />
goat’s cheese, Persian feta or<br />
goats milk camembert<br />
Meat<br />
I think 2 types of meat for<br />
a cheese board is ideal. The<br />
meat should be secondary to<br />
the cheese. Salami, pepperoni<br />
and prosciutto are ideal.<br />
Fruit<br />
Think seasonal: fresh grapes<br />
and berries team with all types<br />
of cheese. Fruit pastes (see<br />
mango paste below), jellies<br />
and chutneys all team well.<br />
Gap fillers<br />
Olives, cornichons, nuts,<br />
crackers, bread and bread<br />
sticks all have a place on the<br />
perfect cheese platter.<br />
minutes. Set aside to cool<br />
for 10 minutes (this allows<br />
the pectin in the apple and<br />
lemon to leech into the<br />
water.). Strain over a bowl,<br />
pressing the mixture to<br />
extract as much liquid as<br />
possible. Reserve the liquid<br />
and discard the solids.<br />
3. Pour the liquid back into<br />
the saucepan and add the<br />
chopped mango. Bring<br />
to the boil over high<br />
heat. Reduce the heat<br />
to medium-low. Simmer<br />
gently, uncovered, for 20-30<br />
minutes, stirring every 5<br />
minutes or until the mixture<br />
is very thick. Set aside to<br />
cool for 15 minutes. Pour<br />
into a blender or food<br />
processor and blend or<br />
process until smooth.<br />
4. Pour the mango mixture<br />
back into the saucepan, add<br />
the sugar and bring to the<br />
boil, stirring occasionally,<br />
over high heat until the<br />
sugar has dissolved. Move<br />
the pan to the smallest<br />
burner on the stovetop,<br />
reduce the heat to low.<br />
Simmer, uncovered, stirring<br />
and scraping down the<br />
sides every 15 minutes for<br />
2 hours, until the mixture<br />
is very thick and paste like,<br />
when you run the wooden<br />
spoon through the centre<br />
of the mixture, it should<br />
stay apart briefly. Set aside<br />
for 5 minutes. Pour into<br />
small warm sterilised jars.<br />
Cool, secure the lid then<br />
refrigerate.<br />
Bruschetta platter<br />
This is one of my favourite<br />
platters. When doing a<br />
bruschetta platter it’s always<br />
best to theme your platter.<br />
Think breakfast, lunch,<br />
cocktail hour – even dessert<br />
bruschetta!<br />
The perfect bruschetta base<br />
1 loaf good quality sour<br />
dough<br />
Extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 large clove garlic, cut in half<br />
(skin on)<br />
1. Thickly slice the sourdough<br />
straight across, not on an<br />
angle.<br />
2. Preheat barbecue grill or<br />
chargrill on medium. Brush<br />
both sides of the bread with<br />
extra virgin olive oil, season<br />
with salt and pepper.<br />
Barbecue or chargrill, 3-5<br />
minutes each side until<br />
toasted and lightly charred.<br />
3. Whilst hot, rub cut garlic<br />
clove over the toast, then<br />
drizzle with more extra<br />
virgin olive oil.<br />
Breakfast bruschetta<br />
Spread sour dough with<br />
ricotta, cream cheese<br />
or cottage cheese. Top<br />
with sauté Worcestershire<br />
mushrooms and basil,<br />
scrambled, poached or fried<br />
egg.<br />
Lunch bruschetta<br />
Spread sour dough with<br />
ricotta, soft feta or labne,<br />
top with fresh tomato, sliced<br />
cucumber, radish and herbs<br />
tossed together with lemon<br />
vinaigrette, rare roast beef<br />
sliced and topped with<br />
caramelised onion jam.<br />
Dessert bruschetta<br />
Replace the sour dough with<br />
fruit toast or brioche. Brush<br />
with olive oil mixed and char<br />
grill. Spread with Nutella,<br />
salted caramel, crème fraiche<br />
and top with berries and<br />
watermelon. Finish with a<br />
drizzle chocolate sauce and<br />
basil.<br />
Summer fruit<br />
skewer platter<br />
with spiced maple<br />
syrup glaze<br />
3 firm ripe mangoes, peeled,<br />
cut into 3cm pieces<br />
250g fresh strawberries,<br />
halved<br />
2 kiwi fruit, halved, thickly<br />
sliced<br />
250g black grapes, removed<br />
from stalk<br />
Food <strong>Life</strong><br />
Calypso® mango paste<br />
2 Calypso® mangoes<br />
½ lemon<br />
1 small apple, skin on, sliced<br />
into rounds<br />
1 cup water<br />
500g white sugar,<br />
approximately<br />
1. Peel the mangoes, reserving<br />
the mango skin and seeds<br />
(see Janelle’s Tip). Roughly<br />
chop all the mango and<br />
place into a bowl.<br />
2. Peel the rind from the<br />
lemon. Place the rind into a<br />
medium (about 22cm base),<br />
heavy-based saucepan with<br />
the mango seeds, skin,<br />
apple and water. Bring to<br />
the boil over high heat.<br />
Reduce the heat to medium,<br />
cover and boil for 10<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 67
Food <strong>Life</strong><br />
Pick of the Month:<br />
Fresh Jalapeno<br />
Food <strong>Life</strong><br />
250g green grapes, removed<br />
from stalk<br />
12 fresh lychee, peeled (or 1<br />
can lychee, drained)<br />
2 x 125g blackberries<br />
1 small [pineapple, peeled,<br />
quartered thickly sliced<br />
Cream and or ice cream, to<br />
serve<br />
Spiced maple syrup glaze<br />
1 cup (250ml) pure/Canadian<br />
maple syrup<br />
1 tsp each ground cinnamon<br />
and nutmeg<br />
1. For the spiced maple syrup<br />
glaze, pour the maple into<br />
a small non-stick frying<br />
pan or small saucepan over<br />
medium-high heat. Bring to<br />
gently boil, boil gently 3-4<br />
minutes until reduced and<br />
thickened. Remove from<br />
heat, stir in the spices. Cool.<br />
2. Thread the pieces of fruit<br />
onto 24 bamboo skewers.<br />
Place on a platter, cover and<br />
refrigerate until icy cold<br />
for 10 minutes. Serve the<br />
fruit skewers drizzled with<br />
spiced maple glaze and<br />
cream or ice cream.<br />
Jalapeno is a medium-sized<br />
plum-shaped chilli. It has a<br />
thick red or green flesh which<br />
makes it feel heavy for its size.<br />
It’s one of the most popular<br />
and versatile varieties. Use<br />
in salsas, casseroles, dips or<br />
omelettes. Pickled Jalapenos<br />
are very common and widely<br />
used in Mexican cuisine, while<br />
the smoked version is referred<br />
to as chipotle. (Heat rating<br />
4-5/10.)<br />
Buying<br />
Buy chillies that have a<br />
smooth, shiny, tight skin.<br />
Wrinkles or soft spots are<br />
signs the chilli is old. Also<br />
check there is no sign of<br />
mould around the stem.<br />
Storing<br />
Store in a paper bag in<br />
the crisper section of the<br />
fridge for up to 1 week.<br />
Don’t be tempted to store<br />
in a plastic bag as this will<br />
cause the chilli’s to sweat<br />
and deteriorate rapidly. Fresh<br />
chillies can be frozen in<br />
small airtight plastic bags for<br />
up to 12 months. Alternately,<br />
place chillies on a wire rack<br />
or thread with a needle &<br />
thread and allow to dry at<br />
room temperature in a bright<br />
sunny spot. The chillies will<br />
shrivel and their heat will<br />
concentrate.<br />
Preparation<br />
It goes without saying that<br />
caution is required when<br />
preparing these hot little<br />
morsels. Avoid rubbing<br />
eyes or touching skin after<br />
handling chillies (if you do<br />
68 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
chillies<br />
not wear disposable gloves)<br />
as the capsaicin will burn for<br />
hours. Remember to wash<br />
your hands and equipment<br />
such as processors, blenders,<br />
knives and boards in<br />
warm soapy water after<br />
preparation.<br />
Use a small sharp knife to cut<br />
the chilli in half lengthways<br />
on a non-porous surface such<br />
as a wooden board.<br />
Use a teaspoon to scrape<br />
out the seeds and white<br />
membrane from centre of<br />
chilli halves.<br />
Its the seeds and membrane<br />
(membrane hotter than<br />
the seeds) that contain the<br />
intense heat, so discard to<br />
reduce heat. Use a sharp<br />
knife to chop the chillies as<br />
required.<br />
Pickled jalapeno<br />
chillies<br />
20 fresh jalapeno chillies,<br />
washed<br />
1 cup white wine vinegar<br />
½ cup caster sugar<br />
3 tsp sea salt flakes<br />
½ tsp cumin seeds<br />
1. Wearing gloves,<br />
cut chillies into 5mm-thick<br />
rounds.<br />
2. Place vinegar, sugar,<br />
salt and 1 cup of water in<br />
a saucepan over mediumhigh<br />
heat. Bring to the boil.<br />
Boil gently for 5 minutes.<br />
Remove from the heat. Stir<br />
in the chilli. Stand for 30<br />
minutes.<br />
3. Using a slotted spoon,<br />
carefully transfer chilli to<br />
warm sterilised glass jars.<br />
Carefully pour enough hot<br />
vinegar mixture into jar<br />
to cover chilli. Seal jar. Set<br />
aside to cool. Refrigerate<br />
for 1 week to allow<br />
flavours to develop.<br />
4. Once opened, use within 3<br />
months.<br />
In Season<br />
<strong>January</strong><br />
Apricots; Berries (Blackberries,<br />
Blueberries, Raspberries<br />
& Strawberries); Cherries;<br />
Lychee; Lime, Mango; Melons<br />
Nectarines; Peaches, Plums<br />
& Pineapple; also Avocado;<br />
Asparagus, Beans (Green & Flat);<br />
Eggplant; Celery, Cucumbers,<br />
Capsicum; Lettuce; Peas; Radish,<br />
Corn on cob & Tomatoes.<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 69
Garden <strong>Life</strong><br />
with Gabrielle Bryant<br />
Garden <strong>Life</strong><br />
Alcantareas add drama and<br />
colour to landscape design<br />
Bromeliads are easy to grow. In recent<br />
years they have become more and<br />
more popular as landscaping plants,<br />
where low maintenance is required. They<br />
multiply quickly, needing very little water<br />
and thriving in full sun or semi-shade.<br />
Exotic colours of red, purple, variegated<br />
green and white or soft grey bromeliads<br />
will fill the gaps in tropical gardens<br />
amongst gingers, cordylines, palms and<br />
crotons.<br />
The family is vast and very adaptable.<br />
Bromeliads are epiphytic plants that grow<br />
naturally on logs, posts or dead tree<br />
stumps. They will not harm their host<br />
plant; they only use it for support. Instead<br />
of growing them in<br />
pots try strapping them<br />
to a log and making a<br />
bromeliad tree.<br />
The smallest are the<br />
tiny air plants, tillandsias,<br />
that will even grow<br />
attached to magnets on<br />
the fridge. The brightflowering<br />
vriesias, often<br />
grown as indoor plants,<br />
send up tall flower<br />
spikes of yellow, scarlet,<br />
or brilliant orange. The<br />
medium-sized, deep<br />
purple, red or speckled<br />
guzmanias, the striped<br />
cryptanthus (with their<br />
crinkled leaves known<br />
as Earth Stars), the pale<br />
grey billbergias with their<br />
pendulous pink spray of<br />
flowers, the grey-striped<br />
aechmea that produces<br />
a huge pink and violet<br />
flower and even the<br />
pineapple(!) all belong to the family.<br />
Last, but not least, is the giant alcantarea<br />
imperialis rubra.<br />
Alcantareas have become the favourite<br />
of the landscaper brigade. These huge<br />
spectacular bromeliads grow in rosette<br />
form to a width and height of 1.5m. The<br />
more sun they get, the richer the colour. If<br />
grown in the shade they will become dark<br />
green with reddish tips. They add drama to<br />
any landscape design, either as a feature<br />
plant or grown as a centrepiece in pots.<br />
They can take any length of time to<br />
flower, from 8-15 years. The tall spikes of<br />
flower are produced from the centre. White,<br />
scented flowers appear from the red bracts<br />
that grow along the 3m<br />
stems (pictured). They<br />
can be seen flowering<br />
now across the peninsula.<br />
These huge flowers look<br />
like Christmas decorated<br />
trees.<br />
As with all bromeliads,<br />
once they have flowered,<br />
they will begin to die<br />
back, and new pups will<br />
appear at the base of the<br />
plant. Separate the pups<br />
from the mother plant<br />
and grow them on as the<br />
next generation.<br />
To grow bromeliads<br />
in pots, use orchid mix –<br />
not potting mix – as they<br />
need excellent drainage<br />
to prevent the roots from<br />
root rot. Outdoors they<br />
can rely on rainwater<br />
and will only need to<br />
be watered after long<br />
periods of drought.<br />
Pink freckles<br />
a shooting star<br />
It can be hard to find a plant that will<br />
flower in full shade, and also grow with<br />
some dappled sunlight.<br />
Tricyrtis Shooting Stars Pink Freckles<br />
(above) will light up the dark areas of the<br />
garden with orchid-like pale mauve or<br />
pink flowers that are speckled with violet<br />
spots in late summer and autumn. For<br />
added colour, mix the pink freckles with<br />
blue and mauve varieties.<br />
I am not sure why these showy<br />
herbaceous plants have been given the<br />
name of ‘Toad Lilies’. They look delicate<br />
but are hardy and easy to grow. With<br />
rhizomes underground that slowly creep<br />
along, they will soon develop into a<br />
dense patch of shiny green foliage.<br />
Left alone the toad lily will naturalise<br />
but never become invasive. Cut back the<br />
leaves and old flowers in early winter<br />
and new growth will appear in spring.<br />
70 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Signs of the Pines<br />
If you look closely at the Norfolk the tree is much narrower.<br />
Island Pines that are planted along The bark of the Cook Pine peels<br />
our beaches (pictured) you will see off in thin sheets, unlike other<br />
that some trees are much narrower pines. As sapling trees, it is hard to<br />
than others, yet all are commonly differentiate between the varieties<br />
called Norfolk Island Pines.<br />
and initially they were treated as<br />
They are in fact different varieties. one, explaining why both varieties<br />
The true Norfolk Island Pine was can be seen together. In recent years<br />
found in Norfolk Island by the very growers have favoured the Cook Pine<br />
early settlers and seed was brought to and it is the variety most commonly<br />
Australia by Captain Cook who hoped grown as a Christmas Tree. The cones<br />
that the very straight trunks would be are most distinctive and can be seen<br />
used as masts for sailing ships. They flowering now (inset pic). The female<br />
proved unsuitable but the timber was cones are oval and grow at the top<br />
used for other purposes.<br />
of the tree, but the male cones can<br />
These trees are enormous, the be seen on the lower branch tips as<br />
largest being measured as 51.93m long clusters of elongated pale brown<br />
tall with a spread of up to 23m wide, cones. These trees flower most years,<br />
and it is quite unsuitable for domestic but the Norfolks only produce cones<br />
gardens.<br />
every 4 or 5 years.<br />
However, on Cook’s second voyage These pines often appear to be<br />
in 1774 he discovered a second, leaning on an angle; it could be<br />
narrower pine – Cook’s Pine, aurucaria thought to be from windy conditions,<br />
columnaris – in New Caledonia that is but recent research has shown that<br />
one of the oldest known trees in the they will always grow towards the<br />
world.<br />
equator. The further away, the more<br />
Sometimes known as the Gondwana they will lean over. Plants never fail to<br />
Pine, Cook’s pine is a slender tree that amaze me!<br />
will grow as tall as the Norfolk Island Although smaller, it is still not a tree<br />
Pine but the foliage is more dense and that is suitable for domestic gardens.<br />
Bleeding Heart (de)vine<br />
The Bleeding Heart vine, clerodendron thomsoniae, is a bright<br />
green tropical vine from west Africa. The clusters of scarlet and<br />
white flowers (below) that appear in terminal clusters last for many<br />
weeks; the scarlet<br />
middles will fall, leaving<br />
the white outsides that<br />
will slowly turn pink as<br />
they age.<br />
Some evergreen<br />
creepers will<br />
eventually overtake<br />
the garden unless<br />
carefully kept under<br />
control. The Bleeding<br />
Heart vine, that<br />
flowers in time for<br />
Christmas every<br />
year without fail,<br />
although evergreen<br />
in its native habitat,<br />
is deciduous in<br />
our cooler climate,<br />
and as the night<br />
temperature drops<br />
in winter, it loses its<br />
leaves. This makes it<br />
easy to control.<br />
The flowers come<br />
on the new season’s<br />
growth, so if it is pruned back before the new growth in<br />
spring, it will never become a problem.<br />
This is a plant that grows well in containers, or on a fence. It<br />
loves full sun and regular water.<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 71<br />
Garden <strong>Life</strong>
Garden <strong>Life</strong><br />
Jobs this Month<br />
<strong>January</strong><br />
Garden <strong>Life</strong><br />
The strange summer<br />
weather is causing<br />
havoc in the garden.<br />
One day it is hot and the next<br />
day it rains. Take care when<br />
the heat comes back: plants<br />
will burn. If the foliage is<br />
burnt, resist the temptation<br />
to trim it. Wait until new<br />
growth appears before<br />
trimming, as the burnt leaves<br />
will protect the branches<br />
from sunburn.<br />
Mind mildew<br />
Fungus problems are<br />
everywhere. Spray with<br />
Yates Fungus Fighter on<br />
ornamentals at first signs of<br />
powdery mildew. Be careful<br />
on the veggies: use a natural<br />
spray, there are several that<br />
are commonly used. A cup<br />
of milk mixed with 10 cups<br />
of water, 50ml of vinegar in<br />
1 litre of water, or 4tsp of<br />
bicarbonate of soda, 2 litres<br />
water, 2 drops of vegetable<br />
oil and 2 drops of washing-up<br />
liquid are all tried recipes for<br />
sprays.<br />
Living Xmas trees<br />
After New Year make sure to<br />
take living Christmas trees<br />
back outside. For the first<br />
week keep them shaded from<br />
Grubby matters<br />
Watch out for suspicious<br />
brown patches in the lawn.<br />
Army grubs love rain,<br />
humidity and heat. Spray with<br />
Eco oil mixed with Dipel for<br />
control. Dipel is harmless to<br />
birds and animals that may<br />
eat the dying grubs.<br />
the sun, then harden off<br />
gradually to avoid sunburn.<br />
Carefully looked after, a living<br />
tree will grow with the family<br />
for many years.<br />
Veggie refresh<br />
Take a look at the veggie<br />
garden. It is not too late for a<br />
second planting of tomatoes,<br />
beans, zucchini, and<br />
cucumbers before the seasons<br />
change.<br />
Help nature<br />
Sometimes veggies need<br />
a helping hand. Zucchini,<br />
pumpkin, squash and<br />
cucumbers have both male and<br />
female flowers. When the days<br />
are dull, and the bees are not<br />
around to cross-pollinate the<br />
flowers, you can help. Female<br />
flowers have tiny fruit behind<br />
the flower and male flowers<br />
are on single stems. With a<br />
paint brush, take pollen from<br />
the male flower to the centre<br />
of the girls. Some days you will<br />
have only girls and sometimes<br />
only boys. Both sexes need<br />
to open on the same day for<br />
success. Watch daily and you<br />
can double your harvest.<br />
Feeding time<br />
It is time to feed the garden.<br />
Camellias, azaleas, pieris,<br />
magnolias, begonias, fuchsias<br />
and other acid-loving plants<br />
all love Kahoona pellets.<br />
Citrus, roses, veggies and<br />
Puzzle solutions from page 64-65<br />
flowering plants will thank<br />
you for feeding them with<br />
Power Feed to keep the flower<br />
buds coming.<br />
Scale insects<br />
Check orchids for scale<br />
insects. They are hard to<br />
control, as they live and breed<br />
where the leaves join the<br />
stems. Ants that are attracted<br />
by the sticky secretion carry<br />
the scale from one plant to<br />
the next. It takes time and<br />
patience to eliminate the<br />
scale. You need a small paint<br />
brush and a bottle of Isocol<br />
(a rubbing alcohol that has<br />
many uses). Carefully paint<br />
over any visible scale, making<br />
sure to get the Isocol well<br />
into every nook and cranny!<br />
You may need to repeat this a<br />
couple of times at fortnightly<br />
intervals.<br />
Mystery location: BILGOLA<br />
72 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991
Times Past<br />
Stewart ‘Sam’ Alexander Mackenzie<br />
Famous rower Stewart Mackenzie<br />
was born on 4 April 1937 and<br />
educated at the King’s School Parramatta<br />
where he began the sport.<br />
His mother, Phyllis Mavis Blanche, and<br />
father, Alexander Alan, ran a poultry<br />
farm at Seven Hills until they moved to<br />
Palmgrove Road in 1963. (Stewart was<br />
actually trained and worked as a chicken<br />
sexer during his early rowing carer.)<br />
He was a member of the Bilgola Surf<br />
Club (and possibly Avalon Beach) but<br />
retired from surfing to concentrate on<br />
his sculling.<br />
After completing his schooling in<br />
1954, he rowed out of the Leichhardt<br />
Rowing Club.<br />
Stewart qualified for<br />
the 1956 Olympic Games<br />
in Melbourne as a debut<br />
member of the Australian<br />
Rowing Team, winning<br />
a silver medal in the<br />
Men’s Single Sculls.<br />
He was a complete<br />
sportsman, qualifying for<br />
both the discus and the<br />
shooting teams, but chose<br />
rowing. Also, whilst living<br />
in Florida in the USA, as<br />
a scratch golfer he played<br />
alongside the famous<br />
professional golfer, Lee<br />
Trevino.<br />
A feat that he was most well-known<br />
for was his prowess in the Henley<br />
Royal Regatta, where he won the<br />
Diamond Challenge Sculls six times –<br />
consecutively – from 1957 to 1962 and<br />
won the Silver Goblets in the Double<br />
Sculls.<br />
He avenged his defeat in Melbourne<br />
by the Russian Ivanoff by defeating him<br />
in one of the Diamond Sculls events in<br />
July 1957.<br />
In August 1957, he also won the<br />
LINK: Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton.<br />
COMPLETE SPORTSMAN: Rower extraordinaire Stewart Mackenzie, circa 1950s.<br />
world’s amateur sculling<br />
title at the European<br />
Games held in Duisburg,<br />
West Germany.<br />
When his outstanding<br />
success as a sculler was<br />
brought to the attention<br />
of Warringah Shire Council<br />
by the Avalon Progress Association, in<br />
August that year it decided to send him<br />
a letter of congratulations under Seal of<br />
Council and “to accord him a civic reception<br />
on his return to Australia”.<br />
Unfortunately he never returned to<br />
Australia and after residing in the UK<br />
for the past 30 years Stewart passed<br />
away in October 2020.<br />
Interestingly, another Olympic medallist<br />
Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton occupied the<br />
same house in Palmgrove Road after the<br />
Mackenzies moved up to Bilgola Plateau<br />
sometime around 1972.<br />
Besides winning gold in the 1500-metres<br />
freestyle at the Paris Olympic<br />
Games in 1924, he set five world records<br />
and also won a further three silver and<br />
one bronze medal in his Olympic career.<br />
He lived there with his wife Jessie,<br />
son Murray and daughter Patricia until<br />
he passed away as the result of a heart<br />
attack in December 1975 aged 68 years.<br />
Apparently he was suffering with emphysema<br />
and generally poor health.<br />
*Thanks to Christine Ellis for assistance<br />
with this article.<br />
TIMES PAST is supplied by local historian<br />
and President of the Avalon Beach<br />
Historical Society GEOFF SEARL. Visit<br />
the Society’s showroom in Bowling<br />
Green Lane, Avalon Beach.<br />
Times Past<br />
The Local Voice Since 1991<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 73
Travel <strong>Life</strong><br />
Travel <strong>Life</strong><br />
Your Powder Paradise Awaits<br />
Hokkaido isn’t just a winter<br />
sports destination; it’s<br />
a powder paradise.<br />
Imagine the finest, lightest snow<br />
blanketing every inch of the<br />
mountain, shrouding the world<br />
in a serene white canvas.<br />
“Club Med Hokkaido sits<br />
right in the heart of this<br />
magical winter wonderland,<br />
ready to whisk you away on<br />
an unforgettable holiday,” said<br />
Travel View’s Sharon Godden.<br />
“Whether you’re a family seeking<br />
thrills and laughter, or a couple<br />
yearning for cozy nights and<br />
romantic adventures, it has<br />
something for everyone.<br />
Families can embark on a<br />
thrilling ski experience amidst<br />
endless snow and après-ski<br />
activities in a resort inspired by<br />
the beauty of Japan. Designed to<br />
be beginner-friendly and perfect<br />
for young families, Club Med<br />
Hokkaido offers powder snow<br />
for all skill levels, coupled with a<br />
variety of off-slope delights.<br />
“From savoring Japanese<br />
delicacies to non-stop fun<br />
in the nearby ice village<br />
and access to the largest<br />
indoor pool in Japan, Club<br />
Med Hokkaido resorts<br />
transform the winter<br />
wonderland into a reality<br />
for all.<br />
“And if you’re after an<br />
escape for two, Hokkaido<br />
beckons – a pristine winter<br />
wonderland where Club<br />
Med invites you to recharge and<br />
indulge with your loved one.<br />
“Imagine thrilling downhill<br />
runs through untouched<br />
powder, together conquering<br />
black diamond challenges, or<br />
learning the ropes on gentle<br />
slopes.”<br />
But Hokkaido’s magic extends<br />
far beyond.<br />
“You’ll feast on Hokkaido’s<br />
bounty, from melt-in-yourmouth<br />
Wagyu beef to the<br />
freshest seafood delicacies, all<br />
paired with award-winning local<br />
sake. And cozy izakayas and<br />
private dining offer intimate<br />
settings for couples.”<br />
Other Club Med Hokkaido<br />
resorts include Club Med Kiroro<br />
which features two distinctive<br />
resorts: Kiroro Peak – perfect<br />
for couples and families with<br />
teenagers alike; and Kiroro<br />
Grand – where you’ll step into<br />
an ‘Enchanted Forest’ design<br />
and discover a dreamlike<br />
wonderland inspired by nature<br />
and fairytales. (Newly opened<br />
in December 2023, this unique<br />
resort caters to families of all<br />
ages, with kids’ facilities for 2<br />
years and above.)<br />
“Or consider Sahoro<br />
Hokkaido, where you<br />
can explore the best<br />
powder snow, pure fresh<br />
air, traditional Japanese<br />
cuisine, and a wealth of<br />
family journeys,” said<br />
Sharon.<br />
“For skiers of all levels,<br />
its mountains feature<br />
a larger ski domain,<br />
with a snow park, and a<br />
gondola.<br />
“With expertly guided<br />
ski lessons, horseback riding,<br />
a relaxing outdoor Canadian<br />
bath, and endless pursuits for<br />
children, a holiday tradition<br />
spent here will create indelible<br />
memories for your friends and<br />
family.”<br />
Meanwhile at Club Med<br />
Tomamu, fresh seafood,<br />
premium Wagyu beef, and<br />
award-winning locally brewed<br />
spirits make this more than a<br />
destination to discover, but a<br />
culinary journey to enjoy.<br />
*For more info call the team at<br />
Travel View on 9918 4444.<br />
74 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Local Voice Since 1991