Pittwater Life Febraury 2024 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024
FREE
pittwaterlife
LAND VALUES QUERIED
AUSSIE-FIRST: BAYVIEW’S NEW ELECTRIC BOAT CHARGER
GUIDE TO LOCAL SMALL GYMS / SAILOR JOHN FORBES
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / AV SOCCER / THE WAY WE WERE

Editorial
Coast Walk a shemozzle
Remember the plan for the
Northen Beaches Coast
Walk? When the concept was
launched in 2018 it proposed
to deliver an “extraordinary
experience from Manly to Palm
Beach”, complete with purposebuilt
walkways and public art.
Six years on it remains little
more than a blank canvas
– with Council conceding it
doesn’t have the cash to buy
the paint needed for all the
project’s brushstrokes.
Council has confirmed two
sections of the Coast Walk are
unable to be completed “at this
stage” due to limited funding:
The Serpentine to South
Avalon; and Whale Beach
Road from Norma Road to
Florida Road.
It adds it will seek additional
funding opportunities in
future years.
What a wasted opportunity,
given the years when funding
was available.
Meanwhile, while the project
has stalled, not so the visitors.
We’re hearing concerns from
residents of Barrenjoey Road
north of The Serpentine about
the “hundreds of walkers” each
day struggling to negotiate
the unpaved, uneven-ground
strip down to Avalon, with
observations of slipping and
near misses with the steady
flow of traffic.
Which segues into the
latest on last month’s item
regarding Council’s new powers
to implement road works
without consulting the Local
Traffic Committee or Transport
for NSW.
Whether or not that will be
adopted moving forward will be
discussed at the Committee’s
next meeting on February 6.
Last, a reminder that
the extended deadline for
submissions on the Streets as
Shared Spaces – Avalon Beach
trial close on February 28. As of
22 January, 1507 responses had
been received. – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 3

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Vol 34 No 7
Celebrating 33 years
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38
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024
FREE
pittwaterlife
LAND VALUES QUERIED
AUSSIE-FIRST: BAYVIEW’S NEW ELECTRIC BOAT CHARGER
GUIDE TO LOCAL SMALL GYMS / SAILOR JOHN FORBES
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / AV SOCCER / THE WAY WE WERE
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thislife
INSIDE: The latest land valuations issued by the NSW
Government for Pittwater properties are causing some
homeowners confusion and concern (p6); hear what readers
have to say on local issues (p10); Australia’s first electric
boat fast charger station has been installed at Bayview (p12);
check out our guide to small gyms (p22); The Way We Were
recaps changes to our community over the past 25 years
(p28); and we profile four-time Australian Sailor of the Year
John Forbes (p38).
COVER: Pittwater Treat / Sharon Green
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 6-37
The Way We Were 28
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 30
Community News 34-37
Life Story: Sailor John Forbes 38-41
Hot Property 42
Art 44
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 46-51
Money 52-53
Trades & Services / Classifieds 34-57
Food & Tasty Morsels 58-60
Crossword 61
Gardening 62-64
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FEBRUARY 2024 The Local Voice Since 1991

New land values a puzzle
News
The latest Northern
Beaches land values issued
by the NSW Valuer
General have left a bitter taste
in the mouths of thousands of
homeowners across Pittwater.
The Valuer General declared
an overall “moderate decrease”
of seven per cent in residential
land values across the Local
Government Area between July
2022 and July 2023.
However, many homeowners
have been smashed with
high double-digit land value
increases – with some readers
contacting Pittwater Life to
highlight what they said were
increases as high as 70 per cent
over two years.
Land values are used by
Councils to determine their
annual rates.
In its report, the Valuer
General noted the average
seven per cent decrease in land
values was primarily driven by
the softening in demand for
residential properties on the
Northern Beaches, especially in
the latter half of 2022 to early
2023.
However, it said “prestige” or
“trophy home” sales had generally
continued to have strong
demand and greater price rises
than the rest of the market.
It admitted the decrease was
not consistent amongst all residential
market segments. “Environmental
living beachside
locations including Palm Beach,
Avalon Beach, Bilgola Beach,
Mona Vale and Newport and
areas where there is a strong
demand for prestige properties,
have seen moderate to strong
increases in land values,” the
Valuer General’s report said.
NO CONSISTENCY:
The 2022-23 land
values for Pittwater.
“Low-density residential
land values depending on
the suburb have ranged from
steady at Collaroy Beach and
Collaroy Basin and Long Reef,
to showing slight increases at
Mona Vale Beach and moderate
increases at Collaroy Plateau
and Narrabeen beachfront.”
Non-waterfront properties at
Bayview and Church Point by
contrast had seen land values
remain steady, the report
continued – with large-lot residential
properties at Bayview,
Church Point and Ingleside
also showing moderate value
increases.
One reader who contacted
Pittwater Life about the land
value increase to their property
at Bayview, as well as
the increases to the value of
their immediate and extended
neighbours’ properties, said the
Valuer General’s summary contradicted
their circumstance.
“As a collective we’ve discussed
the new land values
together and we worked out
more than 20 adjoining properties
have gone up an average 74
per cent in the past two years,”
said the reader, who requested
they not be named.
“Some have gone up 86 per
cent.”
“This flies in the face of the
commentary from the Valuer
General – these are properties
on both sides of the street, and
the size of the blocks vary from
small to medium to large.”
The resident said the group
had written to the NSW Government
to complain. They also
highlighted the precedent for
“self-correction” which they
hope the Government will apply
in coming years.
“In 2004 the rates went up
60 per cent in one year and the
Government (Labor, under Premier
Bob Carr) left it alone for
four or five years,” the reader
said.
Elsewhere in Pittwater the
Valuer General said mediumdensity
zoned sites in locations
such as Warriewood had experienced
moderate increases in
land values over the past year.
Mixed-use land at Mona Vale
exhibited a strong increase
in land values, while mixeduse
zoned land in Dee Why
showed a slight increase; these
increases were attributed to
infrastructure spending as well
as the continued development
of Dee Why Town Centre.
“Demand remains for quality
boutique development
sites with potential to build
residential units,” the report
concluded. “This is partly due
to the Northern Beaches attractive
natural amenity, beaches,
and proximity to employment
options.”
A snapshot of samples of
land values provided by the
Valuer General shows huge
discrepancies both across and
within Pittwater suburbs.
For example, a property on
a 588m2 block on Barrenjoey
Road at Palm Beach, zoned C4
(Environmental Living) saw its
land value soar 13.9 per cent to
$11.5 million – but a property
on a 695m2 block on Nabilla
Road at Palm Beach saw no
change to its $3.4 million land
value.
And a property on a 695m2
R2-zoned block on Binburra Avenue
at Avalon Beach dropped
its land value 1.1 per cent to
$1,830,000 – while a property
on a 765m2 C4-zoned block
on Hudson Parade at Avalon
Beach dipped 12.9 per cent to
$1,350,000.
Also, at Elanora Heights, a
property on a 695m2 C4-zoned
block on Dewrang Avenue tumbled
20 per cent to $1.2 million;
and at Mona Vale, a property
on a 1113m2 C4-zoned block
increased its land value 8.2 per
cent to $7.7 million.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think about the
new land valuation for your
property? Email us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
6 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Locals in Australia Day Awards
Pittwater residents featured
prominently in Northern
Beaches Council’s 2024
Australia Day Awards.
North Narrabeen’s Aileen
Ogilvie, a four-decades community
volunteer, was awarded
Senior Citizen of the Year, with
Narrabeen Sports High student
Lachlan O’Callaghan a corecipient
of the Young Citizen
of the Year gong with friend
Cooper Morgan; together they
heroically saved the life of a
swimmer in trouble off Church
Point.
Jimmy Arteaga of Forestville,
Unit Commander for Broken
Bay Marine Rescue, was named
Citizen of the year.
Outstanding Community
Service Award recipients included
Bilgola Plateau’s Gary
Searles, Terrey Hills’ John
Diamond, Cottage Point’s Jon
Russell and Ingleside’s Terry
Cook.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue
Heins explained Aileen Ogilvie
had been volunteering on the
Northern Beaches for 37 years,
HONOURED: Major Awards recipients including (from third on left)
Lachlan O’Callaghan, Jimmy Arteaga and Aileen Ogilvie.
starting as a Lifeline Counsellor.
“She mentored vulnerable
teenagers in high schools all
along the Northern Beaches for
over 21 years with Raise, also
mentoring foster children,”
Mayor Heins said.
Lachlan O’Callaghan and
Cooper Morgan – who were
both 16 at the time, displayed
leadership in a rescue operation
that saved a life.
Gary Searles has been President
of Peninsula Cricket Club
for three years and a committee
member for the past 10.
“In fulfilling these roles, he
actively contributes to a variety
of volunteer positions as a
coach, mentor, coordinator of
cricket workshops and competitions,
and ‘come and try’
sessions for children as young
as six up to young adults.”
John Diamond founded the
Lions Club of Frenchs Forest in
the early 1960s and has served
the community with the Lions
Club ever since.
“He has served as President
and as the elder statesperson
of the club, attending meetings
for over 65 years. As a foundation
member, he has contributed
to the fundraising of
millions of dollars to help the
Northern Beaches community,”
Mayor Heins said.
Jon Russell displayed a tireless
commitment to a telecommunications
tower project,
where he played a pivotal role
in highlighting Cottage Point as
an emergency black spot area
in Sydney.
“Through Jon’s advocacy,
funding for the construction of
a telecommunications tower at
Cottage Point was secured.
“And Terry Cook is the main
coordinator, President and contact
for Peninsula Seniors Toy
Recyclers, working tirelessly to
refurbish many thousands of
toys, games, dolls and bicycles
for reuse by numerous charities.”
– Nigel Wall
*Full list Council website.
8 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

‘Offleash dog trials must start’
Pittwater MP Rory Amon has called
on Northern Beaches Council to
expedite the commencement of trials
of off-leash dog spaces on Mona Vale
Beach South and Palm Beach North.
“As we start 2024, we enter the third
decade of our community’s struggle
with council and a maze of bureaucratic
absurdities to let families enjoy a small
part of beach space with their dogs,” said
a frustrated Mr Amon.
He said the two-decades long battle
had continued since Pittwater Council
closed Careel Bay to dog swimming in
2003.
Since then, attempts have been made
and are ongoing to trial off-leash space
on small sections of Mona Vale Beach
South and Palm Beach North, primarily
before 10am and after 4pm daily.
Mr Amon said that in a recent report
to Northern Beaches Council, residents
were informed that it would take until
at least August 2024 to progress the trial.
“Environmental studies have given the
trials a green tick of approval, and community
support sits at nearly 90 per cent,
with nearly 4,000 submissions made,” he
said.
Mr Amon said that since 2003, forces
“had worked to subvert the will of our
POPULAR: Rowland Reserve at Bayview is a rare
waterside venue for walking dogs offleash.
community, and we have evidence of
this”.
“This cannot continue.”
Mr Amon has lobbied the NSW Minister
for Lands and Property Stephen
Kamper to do all in his power to have
Crown Lands assist Council expedite
the process through the complex Plan of
Management legislation.
In late 2023, Mr Amon delivered a
PHOTO: Gotta Luv Dogs/Facebook
speech in the NSW Parliament calling out
the former Pittwater and current Northern
Beaches Councils for their delays,
and calling for reforms of Crown Land
management.
“The system for managing Crown
lands is fundamentally broken,” he said.
“Council has been delaying this process
since before I could legally drink. I
can say to the council that if this matter
is not expedited with as much haste as
possible, I will do everything I can to
pressure the council to commence the
trial. If that means knocking on doors or
moving private members’ bills to amend
the Act to streamline the process or embarrassing
the Council into action, then
that is what I will do because the process
has taken far too long.”
He added that although Council now
appeared to be on the right track – and
he thanked them for working in earnest
– “… residents and I am on alert to
make sure Council finally upholds the
community will and I look forward to
the Minister approving Council’s adopted
Plan of Management in 2024”.
“Might 2024 finally be the year where
families with dogs can enjoy some offleash
space on Mona Vale Beach South
and Palm Beach North?” – Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 9

News
Letters: Readers have their say
Boats, caravans
a roadside curse
Regarding the large volume
of private boats, trailers and
campers parked in public
streets: why not introduce
an incentive – half-price
registration if parked on
private property and double
price if parked on public roads.
This could be enforced with
two colors of registration
stickers and an App, whereby
the public could report
those vehicles parked on
public roads (that should be
on private driveways), then
followed through with a fine by
the ranger.
Currently on Bilgola Plateau
there are so many of these
rarely used toys taking up
the roads and turning them
into narrow one-way streets,
that walking and cycling have
become dangerous.
TL
Bilgola Plateau
Planning strategies
must be respected
Housing reforms should
be better managed and
responsibilities more
appropriately assigned. There
is a housing shortage that
needs to be addressed – but
the State should not simply
override the established
planning strategies of
local Councils or their
intimate knowledge of their
communities, locations and
capabilities.
The State’s sole responsibility
should be to allocate annual
house building targets to each
Council. These targets must
not in aggregate exceed the
annual State/Federal growth
targets. Councils must then
determine how their individual
targets are met – with failure
to meet the Council target to
result in increased building
allocation the subsequent year
+/or financial penalties.
Should there be significant
issues in a Council area,
eg insufficient road
infrastructure caused by State
budget reductions, then this
should be reviewed by an
independent body who would
determine whether or not the
Council’s annual building
allocation should be reduced.
Stephen Balme
Mona Vale
One-size rezoning
recipe for disaster
The Minns Government wants
to blanket the area with
high rise with no avenue for
public oversight. Pittwater is
on a peninsular; there’s one
narrow road in and out. When
a bushfire ignites, residents
will be trapped in traffic
gridlock trying to escape. Has
government learnt nothing
from climate change and its
impacts?
DANGEROUS:
Boats on trailers
on the street.
Pittwater should be
proclaimed a Conservation
National Park status with strict
and appropriate development
rules that acknowledge its
physical limitations, flood and
fire hazards and its natural
environmental importance.
Otherwise the Government is
potentially creating a death trap.
Who benefits from this
proposal – not residents, not
the environment, not the
rest of Sydney, not first home
buyers; prices will be in the
millions.
Anna Maria Monticelli
Protect Pittwater
No big picture
thinking here
The potential planning
amendments that would affect
the Northern Beaches do
indeed appear to be “wicked”
(Rory Amon).
There is no return from
an overdevelopment and as
for all zoning amendments,
it must synchronise with
infrastructure management.
Back in 2000, Bob Carr
claimed Sydney was “full”;
yet here we are in 2024 still
without big picture thinking.
Where are those fast trains
that open up our regions,
allowing easy access to
Sydney?
We do need to send our
politicians to places like Japan
and Europe to appreciate that
cities such as Sydney shooting
at a six million population is
only one option – and a poor
one at that – to deal with the
population demands.
Bruce Hall
Avalon Beach
Uplifting defib story
Your report of Margaret
Filmer’s experience (Pitt Life
– Dec) aroused considerable
interest – that a lady of some
80 years could be revived so
that she could continue to
lead a healthy and happy life
thanks to a defibrillator on
hand.
It reminded us how
important it is for defibrillators
to be installed in as many
places as possible.
While defibs are not
mandatory, a large number
of retirement villages have
installed them throughout
their villages.
However, on a recent tour
of a village in Mona Vale I
discovered only one machine,
which I was told was kept in
a cupboard and in a building
which is locked at night.
Yet I noticed there were fire
extinguishers everywhere,
no doubt due to the strict fire
regulations.
Is it not time government
made defibrillators mandatory
in retirement villages as well?
Elderly lives matter too.
Sara Herzhog
Bilgola
10 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater leads the ‘charge’
INNOVATION: The Seavolt
electric boat fast charger;
Eyacht’s new all-electric
RAND boat arriving soon.
Pittwater is leading the
way in national sustainable
boating with The
Quays Marina at Bayview
the first on-water location in
Australia to install electric
boat fast chargers.
It follows increased enquiry
from boating enthusiasts looking
for sustainable vessels,
including hybrid boats, and the
impending arrival of local specialist
boat dealership Eyachts’
eagerly anticipated new range
of fully electric RAND boats.
The Quays Marina – a private
marina with 106 berths and
69 moorings that are leased to
customers – has long been an
iconic destination for boating
enthusiasts.
Teaming with Eyachts and
renewables leader Seavolt, the
introduction of the new fast
boat chargers has elevated the
marina’s status as a trailblazing,
environmentally conscious
centre for boating.
Eyachts General Manager Ross
Turner said the innovative addition
would empower boaters to seamlessly dock, recharge
and embark on their on-water adventures with minimal delay
– all while embracing a clean and green energy source.
The Quays have also made further substantial investments
in sustainability, boasting 200 solar panels that
generate a remarkable 600kWh of energy daily, effectively
powering the entire marina during daylight hours.
The marina recently installed four electric fast car
chargers by Seavolt, which harness solar energy, further
reducing their carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly
transportation options.
Ross said Seavolt was leading the charge in the electric boating
revolution.
“Seavolt is a company committed to building
electric charging marine networks Australiawide,”
he said. “Their goal is to usher boat owners,
marina operators, commercial enterprises,
and governments into an era of zero-emission
vessels.”
He added Seavolt offered a range of zeroemission
charging solutions, powered by 100
per cent renewable electricity, and incorporated
off-grid solar and battery storage systems
whenever possible.
Eyachts, based at The Quays Marina, has
been instrumental in forging these partnerships
and pioneering opportunities for sustainable
boating.
“Our electric boat fleet includes brands like
RAND, Axopar and Greenlines, which showcase
the future of eco-friendly boating,” Ross said.
“RAND, for instance, leads the pack with its
100 per cent electric day boats and is on track
to become the most eco-friendly mainstream
boat brand.
“The Axopar x Evoy series
combines electric efficiency
with exhilarating performance,
earning accolades
like the Gussies Electric Boat
Award.
“And the Greenline Yachts
range redefines sustainable
cruising, blending hybrid electric
propulsion with traditional
boating to offer eco-friendliness
without sacrificing adventure.”
He added the first fully
electric RAND Supreme 27 was
arriving in Pittwater in coming
months and would be based at
the Quays Marina.
“Stay tuned for more on this
revolutionary new way of boating on Pittwater – you’re also invited
to drop by Eyachts’ Pittwater office at The Quays or the new
showroom at Warriewood to discuss our eco-boating options.”
12 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Murder game that refuses to die
COVID almost killed the longestrunning
murder mystery company
in the world three times over. But
as some locals with a pent for excitement
and fun are about to find out, Host A
Murder is very much back from the dead.
On Saturday 24 February, a “murder”
will take place at the Metro Mirage Hotel
Newport – and your help is required to
solve ‘whodunit’. Over dinner with friends
and with four rounds of investigation, you
will challenge your companions, unearth
clues and ask questions until the murderer’s
identity is revealed – and there’s every
chance that the clues will lead back to you…
“Nobody finds out who the murderer is
until the end of the game,” explains Peter
Eedy, the man behind the clues. “That includes
the murderer – and it could be you.”
Peter likens the creation of each game
to writing a screenplay, and the work
involved is indeed impressive.
“It takes two years to write a game,”
reveals Peter. “The work is phenomenal.
The game is created in a way that everyone
has a different viewpoint and things
change from round to round. Everyone is
a suspect. It’s very, very clever.”
Peter has been running Host A Murder
for 35 years and holds the record for the
world’s biggest murder game – 300 people
playing simultaneously in a pavilion
at the Sydney Showgrounds, just before it
became Fox Studios.
In 2000, he had his best ever year,
with 4000 people taking part in various
murder games.
But four years ago, he thought it was
the end.
“Things were going really well and I
had 10 months’ worth of bookings – and
then COVID hit,” recalls Peter. “In 24
hours, every booking went. I had money
going out and nothing coming in and
FUN: Participants
dress the part.
thought that was it.
“I started again very slowly and then
it happened again. I was wiped out three
times.
“It was really hard and I did a lot of
meditation to get through it. We’re just
building up again now, but I’m still in
debt and it’s been painful and long.”
And yet, Peter’s sense of fun and adventure
remains.
“People just love the games. Families
and friends take part and all groups and
ages – I’ve had three generations of a
family in a team. And people make a real
effort with fancy dress.
“It’s amazing how people put on a
costume and get into character and just
lose their identity. They’re thinking and
problem solving, acting and being comedians.
It’s just the best fun.”
With various scenarios over the years
including ‘William Sheepshear at the
Glib Theatre’, the latest murder mystery
takes place at a mansion in the English
countryside. Sir Roger has invited you for
the reading of his new Will and Testament,
along with his GP, Dr Mel Practice.
Three Wills have been drawn up when Sir
Roger is found drowned in the pool. It’s
up to attendees to find out which is the
forgery, and who the murderer is.
Peter recommends a table of 10, so that
you can play all 8 characters even if a
couple of people drop out on the night –
if all 10 people turn up, then characters
can be doubled up. If there’s only two of
you wanting to play, then get in touch
and you might be able to join a table and
meet new people – Peter expects around
100 people to play on the night.
And the added incentive for winners, is
that they will be invited to an end-of-year
play-off with the chance to win a week in
Fiji. Death in paradise!
Food, fancy dress and finding a murderer
– what could be better on a Saturday
night? Channel your inner Poirot and
Sherlock Holmes and get ready for some
real life Cluedo.
– Rob Pegley
*More info and bookings call 9997 7011.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 13

Charity ride
across 25 countries
News
Avalon couple Richard and Judy
Brierley-Jones are about to embark
on the motorbike journey of a
lifetime with two of their oldest friends.
Raising money for charity, they also
hope to show that you can achieve your
dreams whatever your age.
Leaving Newport on 1 February,
Richard and Judy and their friends
Lawrence and Linda Lee plan to ride two
motorbikes 35,000 kilometres across 25
countries over six months.
It will take them from New South
Wales to Old North Wales in a trip reminiscent
of Ewen McGregor and Charlie
Boorman undertaking The Long Way
Round (Richard acknowledges he was a
fan of the TV series).
“It’s been a dream since the ’80s, but
The Long Way Round was also part of the
inspiration,” begins Richard. “I’ve known
Lawrence and Linda since I was 12, when
we were in the same class together in a
school in Wales. We’ve done lots of trips
together over the years.
“They came to visit last year and we
were chatting about adventures. I told
them over a few drinks that I’d always
wanted to ride back to the UK and they
said that they wanted to do it as well.
Our dear ladies were even prepared to
ride on the back!”
Linda and Judy are certainly supportive
partners to sit on the back of a bike
for six months – but you wonder how
they will pack for the trip, considering
they will be camping much of the way.
“Sitting on the back isn’t the easiest and
they’re making a lot of sacrifices to come,
but that’s the really special part of the
trip, that they’ll be with us,” Richard said.
“And yes, packing for two on one bike
is a challenge. I’ve bought a few pipes
from Mitre 10 in Avalon and have made
some modifications to the bike.”
Packing isn’t the only challenge:
monsoons, freezing temperatures and
inhospitable terrain awaits.
“First of all we have to ride across
Australia and the Nullarbor in the height
of Summer. We have to do that, so we can
cross China and Tibet in Summer. We’ll
tackle the wet season across Indonesia,
and we need a guide to take us through
China and then Tibet in freezing temperatures.
“We’ll visit Everest Base Camp on the
Tibet side and there are 50 passes over
3000 metres we’ll have to tackle, so
altitude sickness could be an issue – and
we’re all in our early 60s.”
Add to the mix multiple borders and
myriad paperwork and the intention to
camp two thirds of the journey and it
sounds anything like a holiday.
“We’re planning to ride around fourand-a-half
hours every day so that we
REVVED UP: Richard and
Judy on their packed BMW
bike; and planning the trip
with friends Lawrence and
Linda (bottom left).
don’t get too exhausted, and we’ll stay
a third of the nights in Airbnb-type accommodation
– although anything but
luxury.”
There are so many highlights Richard
and the team are looking forward to
though, not least after they complete the
journey.
“We have a friend who is involved with
Wrexham Football Club and we hope to
do something fun to celebrate when we
finish.
“It’s also for a great cause though and
we really want to give something back.”
The four adventurers are raising money
for mental health charities – BlackDog
ride (blackdogride.org.au) and Mental
Health Motorbike (mhmotorbike.com) –
both trying to raise awareness of mental
health issues and provide support for
those in need.
“Mental health isn’t something we’ve
dealt with ourselves, but we’ve had
friends who have committed suicide.
It’s something that’s not talked about
enough and it feels achievable to help
people. These are both wonderful charities
here and in the UK.
“Proceeds from our YouTube channel
and any donations will all go towards the
money raised.”
– Rob Pegley
*Follow the journey and witness stories
along the way at 2upfromdownunder.
com and YouTube channel @2upFrom-
DownUnder.
14 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Aiming for sustainable
swimwear success
News
For many mainstream
swimwear companies,
you suspect the idea of
sustainability and reducing
their carbon footprint is a
necessary evil; a box-ticking
exercise to ‘greenwash’ their
brands.
For three enterprising women
on the Northern Beaches
though, it is at the centre of
their ideology.
Alexandra Dash created her
company Shapes In The Sand
over a decade ago and continues
to lead the way in sustainable
materials and practices.
Tegan Kirkby started her
business – The Someday Co –
with her husband three years
ago during the first round of
COVID lockdowns. Meanwhile,
Amanda Murray is going
through the hard yards of
start-up, regularly travelling
overseas in search of the right
materials and manufacturers
ahead of her range Tao Tui’s
impending launch.
All three women are based
on the Northern Beaches,
which has been a big factor
in shaping their desire for
cleaner oceans.
“I love nature and spend a
lot of time outdoors,” begins
Alexandra Dash. “My partner
and I love bushwalking, rock
climbing, camping and he’s a
big surfer – I’m learning, too.
“I think of nature as our
playground and want to look
after it.”
At the end of her time
studying fashion at Ultimo
TAFE a decade ago, Alexandra
started Shapes in the Sand.
Wanting to support the environment,
she started working
with sustainable materials
that most companies had yet
to embrace.
“I threw myself in at the
deep end,” says Alexandra.
“Initially it was very hard. It’s
mostly just me and I’ve had to
learn from my mistakes.
“I get some help from my
parents with packing orders
and so it’s a family business
to some extent. I live
at Mackerel Beach and have
my studio in Umina, and
everything is manufactured
locally by another family-run
business.”
Each collection that Alexandra
has released has been
designed by herself or local
artists and has aligned with
a local conservation project.
Recently that has been the
Powerful Owl Project run by
Birdlife Australia.
Hoping to diversify from
swimwear in the future, Alexandra
also strives to improve
her footprint further.
“The fabrics I use are
derived from waste that is
destined for landfill,” explains
Alexandra. “It’s durable,
quick-drying and is given new
life – but it can still have some
effect on the environment,
even though it’s recycled.
“I’m keen to move towards
an even more natural fibre,
and there is a lot of testing
involved.”
Amanda Murray from
Dee Why is right in the
middle of testing products
and is experiencing
many of the things that
Alexandra did 10 years
ago. Recent months have
seen her travel to Bali
and Hong Kong in a bid
to get the most ecofriendly
materials and
processes for her new
company Tao Tui. Along
with helping the environment,
she also wants to
help women who have
limited choice when it
comes to swimwear.
16 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

“I wanted to
create a product
for women who
are larger in the
chest area, but
not necessarily XL
everywhere,” begins
Amanda. “Swimwear
is based around a C-
cup size and whereas
there are 40 different
sizes of lingerie available
for women, there
are only five sizes of
swimwear – and this is
for something you wear
in public.
“The difference with
the swimwear I’m creating
is that it has a sizing
band, like on the shoulder
strap of a bra, rather
than just string. It’s fully
adjustable and ideal for
women who don’t fit conventional
sizing.”
INNOVATORS Tegan and Grant Kirkby started
The Someday Co with offerings including a
one-piece Kids swimwear range (above) and
retro surf shorts and top (left); Alexandra
Dash’s Shapes in the Sand features the stylish
Bush Checker (top); and Amanda Murray has
developed an adjustable bikini top range (left).
Having come up with the
idea two years ago, Amanda
started working on the project
in May 2022, but ramped
things up last year.
“Finding a manufacturer
has been slow and arduous
and has taken me to Bali,
twice, and Hong Kong in the
past few months,” she said.
“I’m investigating manufacturers
who can print digitally
on the materials I’m using.
“The reason it’s taking
longer is that I want to embrace
as many sustainable
options in the product as
possible. Yes, some brands
use sustainable materials, but
what about sustainable packaging?
And some dyes that
companies use have terrible
carbon footprints.”
Previously a SCUBA instructor
and describing herself
as an ‘ocean girl’, Amanda
also studied fashion
in London. Even with
that background
though, she’s had to
learn the hard way.
“I’m a bit of a risk
taker, but when I
want something I go
after it,” she said. “So
it’s been stressful,
but I want to create
a successful Indie
brand that hopefully
becomes profitable
enough by the second
year for it to
become my full-time
job.”
“I’ve already had
heaps of interest,
and many women
saying ‘I need this!’”
Tegan Kirkby is in the third
year of running her company
The Someday Co; she thinks
it will be another two years
before she can give up the
day job.
“It’s still a ‘side hustle’ for
me and my husband,” said
Tegan. “We have two full-time
roles and two young children,
so we tag-team with the kids
and work on the business
weekends and evenings. Luckily
we have two good sleepers!”
Tegan’s mission is to rid
the world of ocean plastic and
so her business retails ecofriendly
swimwear brands.
Launching from her lounge
room floor during COVID, it
was driven by her search to
find these brands and products
for herself and her kids.
“We’d just had a son and
wanted to make changes to
benefit his world,” explains
Tegan. “And I began to think
there must be other people
thinking the same way.
“We thought we’d give it a
shot, and while we both had
ad backgrounds, we needed
to learn e-commerce and
stock management. It started
slowly, but sales are up 60%
year on year, and you find
that most ‘overnight successes’
have been started 10
years before!”
Soon to start manufacturing
their own brand as well
as selling others, Tegan says
that kids and women’s surfer
makes up the majority of
their sales, while eco-friendly
sunscreen and sunglasses
also do well.
“There aren’t that many
men’s brands doing sustainable
lines, but companies are
realising they need to tick
that box. We’d love to see
these products become the
norm though. Then we’d just
be a surf retailer, rather than
a sustainable surf retailer.”
– Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 17

Watch the Sea Eagles so
News
The Manly-Warringah Sea
Eagles are The Greatest
Rugby League Team In
The Universe. Statistics do
not lie.
The Sea Eagles have won
eight Premierships since
claiming their first title in
1972 – no other team even
comes close in that time.
Manly is the only team
to be crowned Premiers
in every decade from the
1970s. In 2024, the Sea Eagles
faithful will be dreaming of
this streak continuing and
another title heading to the
Northern Beaches.
The quest for Premiership
No.9 begins in Las Vegas on
March 3 in the opening match
of the NRL season against
the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Naturally, The Greatest Team
In The Universe has been
chosen to showcase rugby
league to the US masses.
Daly Cherry-Evans was
in scintillating form last
year and with the Trbojevic
MAGIC MAN:
The mercurial
Cliff Lyons circa
early 1990s.
brothers, Jake and Tom, fit
and ready to go, will be the
backbone of a Manly outfit
that will be expected to reach
the Finals. New recruit Luke
Brooks will be a vital extra
playmaker with the ability
to unleash the barnstorming
Haumole Olakau’atu and the
quicksilver Reuben Garrick.
It’s a season to be hopeful,
even confident. Consistently
high performance across the
squad will be needed. Coach
Anthony Seibold will be
demanding it.
Happily, even if dreams
turn to nightmares during
the cold winter months,
Manly fans can still warm
their hearts and take comfort
by remembering all eight
glorious Premierships and a
couple of stand-out Sea Eagles
legends from each winning
team (my personal picks).
1972 – Manly 19 def Easts 14
Fred Jones – first Premiership
captain and hooker in the
long gone days when real
contested scrums existed and
John O’Neill – a hard man
front-rower recruited from
Souths, one of many astute
buys by Manly supremo Ken
Arthurson.
1973 – Manly 10 def
Cronulla 7
Bob Fulton – Immortal, scored
both Manly tries in this
brutal Grand Final, brilliant
centre and five-eighth and
Malcolm Reilly – tough,
uncompromising English
lock, you wanted him on your
team.
1976 – Manly 13 def
Parramatta 10
Max Krilich – crafty and
skilful hooker and one club
man, Australian captain,
Harbord United junior and
Phil Lowe – rangy, freerunning
back-rower with ball
18 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ar in 2024!
skills, another Englishman
(and no he did not become
Governor of the Reserve Bank).
1978 – Manly 11 d Cronulla
11, Manly 16 def Cronulla 0
(Grand Final Replay)
Graham Eadie and Terry
Randall – each 4-time
Premiership winners, Eadie a
rampaging running fullback
and toe poke goal kicker and
Randall a devastating tackler,
block of granite forward and
North Curl Curl junior.
1987 – Manly 18 def
Canberra 8
Cliff Lyons – THE MAGICIAN,
ball-playing mastermind
at five-eighth and Michael
O’Connor – side-stepping,
goal kicking centre, dual
International (Publisher’s
note: poached from St George
Dragons).
1996 – Manly 20 def
St George 8
Geoff Toovey – Manly captain,
fearless defender, zippy
halfback and hooker, Belrose
Eagles junior and Steve
Menzies – try scoring wizard,
his on-field partnership with
Cliff Lyons was telepathic,
Harbord United junior.
2008 – Manly 40 def
Melbourne 0 (Manly
defeat an entire city)
Brett Stewart – electric, elusive
fullback and Brookvale Oval
entertainer and Steve Matai –
opposition centres feared his
crunching tackles, powerful
with the ball.
2011 – Manly 24 def New
Zealand 10 (Manly defeat
an entire country)
Kieran Foran – formed dream
halves combination with DCE,
still running hard and giving
100 per cent and Anthony
Watmough – mercurial
backrower, something always
happened when the football
came his way, Narrabeen
Sharks junior.
– Greg McHugh
*What do you think was
Manly’s best Premiership
win? Email us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 19

News
Gencher’s shock Liberal move
Northern Beaches Council’s Pittwater Ward
Councillor Michael Gencher has sensationally
abandoned his affiliation with former
Mayor Michael Regan’s ‘Your Northern Beaches
Independent Team’ (YNBIT) mid-term to join the
Liberal Party.
In a parting shot, Cr Gencher labelled
his former Councillor party Michael Gencher.
NEW ALLEGIANCE:
colleagues as lacking in “clear
vision” and “unified direction”.
Cr Gencher’s defection boosts
the Liberal Party’s councillor
numbers to six of 15 and reduces
YNBIT representation to five
councillors.
It edges the Liberals closer to
being able to break the majority
bloc voting that has seen YNBIT
members dominant in NB Council
decision-making since Council’s
formation in 2016.
Cr Gencher told Pittwater Life:
“This choice comes after careful consideration
and reflection, driven by my unwavering
commitment to the betterment of our beloved
Pittwater.”
Cr Gencher admitted he was honoured to
be elected as a Councillor in December 2021
under the YNBIT banner, believing that the
group shared his dedication to local issues and
transparency, and that “together, we could make
a significant impact on Pittwater and the greater
Northern Beaches community”.
“However, as time passed, I came to realise
that the promise of independent politics and the
hope for a different kind of political representation
were not fully realised in practice.
“I felt that our group lacked a clear vision,
a unified team, and a cohesive
direction.
“It became evident to me that
for the betterment of Pittwater
and its residents, I needed to
make a change.”
He said his decision to transition
to the Liberal Party was
rooted in a belief that it aligned
more closely with his vision and
values for community.
“I see in the Liberal Party the
leadership, resources, vision,
and support necessary to enact
positive, ongoing change for the
Northern Beaches.
“I am excited about the opportunities it
presents for cooperation and achieving both immediate
and long-term community objectives.
“I have always been dedicated to serving the
interests of the Northern Beaches community,
and I believe that coming back, and joining the
Liberal Party will enable me to work even more
effectively towards our shared goals.”
*What do you think? Email us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
– NW
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Fun Run. Up to 7,000 entrants will
be challenging themselves along
the coastline from Dee Why to
Manly Beach on Saturday 3 for the
biggest Sun Run yet. There will be a
few road closures and special event
clearways (parking restrictions)
around Dee Why, North Curl Curl,
Freshwater, Queenscliff and Manly
from 3am with all roads expected to
be opening to traffic as participants
make their way along the course
from 9am to 11am. Bus services will
also be detoured while roads are
closed. Details livetraffic.com and
transportnsw.info.
Try Soccer Day. Avalon Soccer
Club is hosting a try football and
open day at Careel Bay Clubhouse,
Barrenjoey Rd on Sun 4 from
10am-3pm. Don’t miss the early
bird registration fees (up until Feb
10) plus family discounts available
online now at avalonsoccerclub.
com.au
Classic Trivia. Do you consider
yourself a trivia pro? Are you
looking for a fun midweek event
that will have you and your mates
coming back for more? If your
answer to these questions was
YES... then Pittwater RSL has just
the thing for you in the Distillery
Bar & Lounge every Thursday from
7pm. This event is 18+
Social Scrabble. Join a friendly
game or two of scrabble (and other
board games) with a tea and biscuit
in hand at Mona Vale Library on
Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm. Take
along some friends or make some
new ones – games will be arranged
in groups of three or four.
Amazing Grace. Journalist,
broadcaster and bestselling
author of ‘Queen Victoria’,
and ‘Phosphoresence’ Julia
Baird will be discussing her
new book ‘Bright Shining: How
Grace Changes Everything’ with
renowned journalist Juanita Phillips
on Tues 20 at Glen Street Theatre
from 6pm-8pm. Tickets priced from
$52; glenstreet.com.au
Seniors meeting. The National
Seniors Australia Northern
Beaches Branch will be holding its
first meeting of the year on Thurs
22 at 10am at The Manly Warringah
Leagues Club, 563 Pittwater
Road Brookvale. All over-55s are
welcome; contact Joan Andrews
9451 4254.
20 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Small gyms but perfect
Why more and
more people
are turning to
smaller local
gyms to meet
their fitness
goals in 2024.
CHANGE: Small
spaces are big
on wellbeing
News
There are a host of small,
bespoke and boutique
gyms across Pittwater
that provide an antidote to
the big chains where you
can sometimes just become
a “number”. While some
gyms rely on people joining
and don’t mind if you never
attend as it doesn’t affect
their revenue model, the
smaller fitness studios want
people to turn up regularly.
Core Culture at Newport
and No-Nonsense at Avalon
are just two examples of the
“fitness downsizing” trend.
Pierre Ainscow opened
No-Nonsense gym three years
ago with his wife Nina, in a
shopfront next to Oliver’s Pies
in North Avalon. Eighteen
months ago they opened
a second one. Previous to
that they had been running
a mobile fitness business
called Momentum, with a
popular product line called
No-Nonsense. They rebranded
and the phrase ‘no nonsense’
is the ethos they work to.
“I feel like there’s a bunch
of noise in the fitness
industry at the moment and
it’s all quite sensationalist,
especially on social media,”
said Pierre. “People with
unobtainable appearances
lifting ridiculous weights,
which takes a dedication that
most normal people just can’t
afford to give.”
Pierre says they run small
groups capped intentionally
low, and help people achieve
more realistic and tangible
goals.
“I prefer people not to
have aesthetics goals or
numbers on a scale – I’m all
for people losing weight, but
I’d rather a goal was walking
to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
without getting out of breath.
“We want to cut out the
noise. There are only so
many ways to exercise and
ultimately a squat is a squat,
no matter what approach you
take.”
It’s a lovely, very human
approach that very much suits
its location. It’s also backed
up by real science. Nina has a
bachelor’s degree in Human
Movement and all of the trainers
are degree-educated with
a depth of knowledge. But the
end result is never intimidating,
like some gyms.
“Most of the people who
22 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ly formed
attend have had some sort of
niggle or injury – the gym was
started to help people finish
rehab more actively. Many of
our clients have repeatedly
hurt themselves training and
we help them to move their
bodies again.
“And we really build
relationships, because
unlike the bigger gyms we’re
appointment-based, we rely
on people walking through
the door.
“The other nice thing is
that there feels like a really
cohesive community of gyms
on Pittwater and we help
each other when we can. It
feels very representative of
Avalon.”
India Carolan launched
Core Culture two years ago as
she felt there was a gap in the
market for the sort of Pilates
class she’d like to attend.
“There seemed to be only
two types of Pilates around
at the time – one was the
impersonal class at the
huge gyms, and the other
was an overly expensive
class that was very slow. I
wanted to offer something
around the $30 mark that
involved getting a sweat on
and exercising as part of the
Pilates experience.”
She found the place in
Newport during COVID
lockdown, kitted it out and
the doors were opened as
soon as normal life resumed.
It’s been very much a family
affair.
“My partner works in
real estate and helped find
the premises, my Dad is an
accountant and is a director
of the business, and my
sister Saskia is my right-hand
woman. Even my mum is very
hands-on.”
Things have gone well for
India and her family, with a
second premises now open in
Cammeray and a third studio
on the way soon. India is still
very much hands-on at the
Newport studio though and
she believes this is part of the
attraction of smaller fitness
places.
“Yes, if you have a problem
with a class, then I’m still the
first person you talk to. We
really build a relationship
with our clients. Whereas at
the bigger gyms, they’re quite
happy to earn money from
people who don’t attend, we
want people at the studio.
“I’ve also been determined to
make it a luxury environment
for my clients, so that they
love coming. There are fresh
flowers every day, clean towels
and with the cost of living high
at the moment, I want them to
get the most out of their visit.”
– Rob Pegley
*Suburb-by-suburb guide
to Pittwater’s small gyms –
page 47.
‘Revive Back to
School vouchers’
With the 2024 school
year in swing, the NSW
Opposition has called on the
Minns Government to listen
to families and restore Back
to School vouchers.
Having heard from local
families impacted by the
scrapping of the popular
Back to School vouchers,
Opposition Leader Mark
Speakman and Pittwater
MP Rory Amon agreed
the Government must act
to reduce cost of living
pressures.
“Families are struggling
to make ends meet and what
we’ve heard, and repeatedly,
is that these vouchers
made a real difference for
parents,” Mr Speakman said.
“Axing Back to School
vouchers is impacting
families here in Sydney and
across NSW particularly
hard at a time when they
can least afford it.
“While households
struggle, the Minns
Government has axed Back
to School vouchers, slashed
Active Kids, Creative Kids
and First Lap, and limited
energy relief,” he continued.
Mr Amon said that
families relied upon the
Back to School vouchers
to help them buy school
uniforms and supplies, but
that support for household
budgets had been stripped
away.
In its first Budget, the
Minns Government axed
the former Coalition
Government’s Back to
School vouchers, a cost-ofliving
assistance package
that gave all parents $150
per child in vouchers to
help with the costs of school
supplies, uniforms and
technology.
“During December’s school
presentation season, I met
thousands of parents across
Pittwater and the number
one concern for these
families in Pittwater was cost
of living,” said Mr Amon.
“Not only has the Labor
Government cut practical
cost of living alleviation
measures, such as massively
successful Active Kids and
Back to School vouchers,
Premier Minns isn’t even
across the detail.
“The Labor Government’s
cuts are having very real
consequences for Pittwater
families, but the Premier
doesn’t seem to care.” – NW
*What do you think?
Were Back to School
vouchers a useful saving
for your family? Email us
at readers@pittwaterlife.
com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 23

Avalon Soccer eyeing
more growth in 2024
News
After a few tough
seasons impacted by
COVID and Sydney’s La
Nina rain, Avalon Soccer Club
reports it was great to have
a virtually uninterrupted
2023 – with Careel Bay once
again packed with players
young and old throughout the
winter months, as an incredible
93 teams took to the field
in the famous red shirt.
“Last season we ended up
with 1,252 players, and of that
playing group 1,001 of those
were juniors, as we continue
to grow in our youngest ages,
especially the U6 group,” said
club President John Kowtan
(JK).
“We also had 384 registered
female players, meaning
nearly a third of the club was
girls and women, a number
that we have proudly seen
grow every single year. This
season we have a new competition
for U7 girls on a Sunday
and with that coming in, and
the halo effect of the Matildas
and the World Cup, I think
the numbers will continue to
flourish.”
On the field Avalon saw
mixed results as several successful
2022 teams moved
PREMIERS: The League and Grand Final-winning U13/3 boys.
into higher divisions. Yet
despite the challenges, the
club still produced six Semi
Finalists, a Grand Finalist and
a Grand Final champion.
“A huge congratulations to
our League and Grand Final
winning U13/3 team, coached
by Roger Barber, who won the
double and ended up with a
positive goal difference of
95, taking the competition by
storm,” JK said.
“We also saw positive
results and growth in our U14
– U18 boys teams, with strong
performances in division 2,
and a number of players stepping
into older age groups to
continue their development.
“On the women’s side, we
proudly fielded division 1
teams in W12-W16s, with our
W16/1s achieving the best
24 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

esult in the junior club, finishing
3rd. They also had five
players move up to represent
the WAL1s, as we continue to
develop pathways between
junior and senior football.”
It wasn’t just on the fields
of the Northern Beaches that
players made an impact; W16s
player Annmarie de Uriarte
made her national team debut
for the Paramatildas and was
part of the Australian team
that won the 2023 Asian Cup
in Melbourne in October.
“As a club we are so proud
of Annmarie and her achievements.
To see an Avalon
junior who has been playing
at Careel Bay since she was
eight, pull on the green and
gold and score goals and lift
trophies, is incredibly satisfying,”
said JK.
While it feels that the dust
has barely settled on season
2023, the club is already well
into the planning for 2024 and
beyond. The off-season has
given the club the opportunity
to think about the future and
put the building blocks in
place for the club to thrive.
“We met with officials from
FUN: Avalon boasts more than 1000 juniors, with good numbers in their U6s.
Northern Beaches Council
about maintenance and a variety
of improvements for Careel
Bay, as we look to deliver
facilities that our members
can be proud of. We have big
plans for the infrastructure
of the club, as we have grown
so quickly, and we really need
facilities that reflect that
growth,” JK commented.
“We are really looking to
drive our PROJECT 2030 plan
forward in the coming year,
and form sub-committees
dedicated to looking at our
four key pillars – Football
Development; Club infrastructure;
Sponsorship and Marketing;
and Member Services. But
to do this, we need new blood,
and fresh volunteers.
“We have a wonderful,
dedicated committee, but
they are small in number and
as a result we are stretched
very thin. We know there are
some amazingly talented and
smart members of our Avalon
community out there that can
help us achieve our goals, and
we encourage anyone to reach
out as we look to develop the
Avalon Soccer Club of the
future.”
While the future is a focus,
the present season will see
another bumper year of
football, with registrations
on track for a record number,
and all 90+ teams raring to
start training on 4 March.
JK is bullish about the sport
and its trajectory.
“With the Socceroos’ recent
successes and then the Matildas
capturing the country’s
imagination, there’s no better
time to be involved in grassroots
football. There’s no better
place to play football than
Careel Bay.”
– NW
*More info avalonsoccerclub.
com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 25

Rob reflects on his 30
News
Robert Hopton was 35 years old when
he and his wife Christine moved to
Avalon Beach, quickly establishing a
home and having three children. As each
of their three daughters turned six years
old, they signed them up to Nippers, while
Rob and Christine themselves became
involved as supportive parents.
Rob’s more than 30-year association
with the Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving
Club was formally recognised last October
when he was awarded Life Membership of
the Club plus the joint Pittwater 2023 Community
Service Award for his volunteer
efforts.
The awards are given out annually by
Pittwater’s local MP; this year Rory Amon
announced Rob and Judy Kelly, 87, who
volunteers with the CatholicCare Diocese
of Broken Bay’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors
scheme, as the 2023 winners.
Now aged 72, Rob says the main reason
he loves surf life saving is the friendships,
the activity, the water – and because the
beach is a “real leveller” attracting people
from all walks of life.
“The beach is a very big part of our
Australian cultural psyche, a common
denominator in our society,” he said.
Rob recalls a few years ago during the
annual inflatable rescue boat refresher
course, an 18-year-old club member instructed
a group of other members on the
correct way to operate the boat and how to
strip down the motor and get it operational
again if you were unfortunate enough to
dunk it in the ocean.
The group included an airline pilot, a sea
captain, the CEO of a large company and
Rob himself, a director of a large international
architectural practice.
“Here we were, standing around asking
him detailed questions. It was a classic
example of how age, outside experience
and status meant nothing in this moment
and he was the expert, not us, and we were
hanging on everything he said.”
For eight years, Rob was an ‘age manager’
at Avalon Beach SLSC, committed to
spending his Sunday mornings in the surf;
training Nippers aged 6-12, Cadets under
14 and then older teenagers working to
obtain their Bronze Medallion.
Rob got his own Bronze Medallion in
2001 and joined the ranks of the club’s
active surf life savers.
He’s three times been awarded the Avalon
SLSC President’s award (in 2013, 2014
and 2021). In 2007, he received the Norman
Cook award for the Most Outstanding
Member of the Year and in 2017, the Order
of Avalon Medal (with wife Christine and
Richard Cole) for the delivery of the new
Club House and the Meritorious Services
Award in 2022.
In his two decades of life saving, he
recalls one particularly intense weekend in
2022 when he was on beach duty. “There’s
the beach and there’s a sandbar and a gutter
between the beach and the sandbar,”
he says.
“On that day, there was a huge current
going through the gutter from north to
south. And so people were getting ripped
off the sand. We rescued about 80 people
and a couple of those were kids that really
needed to be grabbed quickly and dragged
in. And we probably stopped another couple
hundred from also hurting themselves.
One family of kids we rescued two or three
times.”
On Australia Day in 2010, Rob was part
of a team rescuing a man who had too
many celebratory drinks and fell off the
cliff on the Southern Headland of Avalon
Beach onto the rocks below. He was lucky
to survive without spinal or head injuries,
Rob says, but broke his pelvis, ribs, leg and
arm.
“What always amazes me is the number
of people and rescue services that can
come together because of one person. On
that occasion, there were three police cars,
four paramedics, ambulances, two fire
brigade trucks and a helicopter – and us,
the surf lifesavers.”
For their efforts, Hopton and his fellow
life savers won Surf Life Saving New South
Wales ‘Rescue of the Month’.
As well as saving lives, Rob has drawn
26 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

years ‘at sea’
PHOTO: NB Advocate
on his professional architectural experience
and took on the role of building
manager of the Avalon Beach SLC since
its inception in 2005 which morphed into
becoming one of the prime movers in the
renovation of the club.
“The old club building just wasn’t fit
for purpose,” Rob says. “It was built in the
1920s with volunteer labour and was a
great building back in the day. However,
and just as an example, it only had one
toilet and one shower for women, which
was totally inadequate.” There was also no
disability access and the electrical wiring
was in poor condition.
The Club under the leadership of the
building committee made up of Rob, Richard
Cole and Rob’s wife Christine raised a
substantial part of the building costs and
along with financial contributions from
the then Pittwater Council and grants from
the State Government, the building works
proceeded in 2011 and it was eventually
completed in August 2014.
‘LEVELLER’: Rob
Hopton (receiving
his award from Rory
Amon with fellow
recipient Judy Kelly)
marvels at the way
the beach attracts
people from all walks
of life.
“We ended up creating a new building,
a resource not just for the club but for the
whole community, we are very proud of
our connection with the Community,” Rob
says. “Of course, surf life saving is about
water safety and saving lives but it’s also
about renewal, bringing new people into
the club every year. Today, we have around
1,100 members and that’s grown a lot in
recent years.”
When the State Member for Pittwater,
Rory Amon, awarded the Community
Service Award to Rob in October he said
his leadership contribution had had an
“immense impact” and will be “felt for
generations.”
Christine Hopton has also played a
significant role in the Avalon SLSC, as the
club’s first female president, a role she
held for eight years. Both Christine and
Rob are now stepping back from active
participation in the club leadership as the
next generation of surf life savers rise to
the challenge.
– Melinda Ham
Council’s new
waste strategy
Northern Beaches Council has taken a
major step towards a sustainable ‘reuse,
repair and recycle’ model of waste
management with the launch of its first
waste and circular economy strategy.
Council’s ‘Waste and Circular
Economy Strategy 2040 – Rethink.
Reduce. Reuse’ action plan is a blueprint
for future waste management, aimed at
transforming waste and litter management
services away from a ‘take, make
and dispose’ model to one which provides
for a more sustainable future.
“We manage one of Sydney’s largest
waste services, with over 330,000 bins,
and our community generates over
100,000 tonnes of household waste each
year,” said Mayor Sue Heins. “That is almost
the equivalent to twice the weight
of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“By 2040 we want to be leading the
way in circular economy practices, with
a waste and litter service that delivers
the cleanest public spaces in Sydney.”
Mayor Heins explained the strategy is
central to shifting the Northern Beaches
to a fully functioning circular economy
that will benefit the environment, local
business, and residents.
“Some 85 per cent of Northern Beaches
residents are willing to change their
habits to reduce the amount of waste
they produce, and 90 per cent already
reuse or repair some household items.
“We now have an opportunity to help
support our local residents, create new
jobs and support innovative, sustainable
businesses that invest in circular practices
like reuse, repair, and recycling,
driving economic growth and strengthening
community bonds. – NW
*Read the strategy on Council’s website.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 27

The Way We Were
Every month we pore over three decades of Pittwater Life, providing a snapshot
of the area’s recent history – and confirming that quite often the more things change
the more they stay the same! Compiled by Lisa Offord
25 Years Ago…
The Way We Were
Following a “global media beat-up with
claims that it has divided the community of
Avalon”, Pittwater Life approached the USbased
producers of Baywatch to outline
their plans for moving the oft-touted
“most-watched TV show in the world” to
Australia and filming at Avalon Beach,
concluding “it is not as bad as many
think”. The show’s producer Greg Bonann
told Pittwater Life the company wanted
to film at “many” Sydney beaches, on
Pittwater and on Sydney Harbour from
April for six months. “We love Avalon
and want to make the Club our base but
we certainly will not be filming there
every week. When we do film, it will
be for two days, sometimes three but
never weekends… when we are there,
there is certainly no suggestion that we
will want to close the beach off to the
public… there is a lot of misinformation out there about our
intentions and actions… if I have an invitation to come to a
meeting and present our side I certainly will.” Bonann added:
“I think this might be a storm in a teacup.” In other news,
Cinema owner Roy Mustaca “who could perhaps be better
described as The Last Picture Show Man” was overseeing
the final touches on the painting of the sky ceiling of his
15 Years Ago…
seventh and largest picture theatre in
Warriewood; Avalon’s “37-year-old Lions’
Club is facing a membership crisis…
losing several older members at a fast
rate.” Pay and Display machines were
installed along the beachfront at Palm
Beach “where parking had previously
been free to generate more revenue for
beachfront improvement” and “a study
is being made of the cliff faces at the
Whale Beach and Avalon rockpools of
rock falls hazards and how to prevent
them”. Readers were introduced to a
cartoon about the philosophical feline
Dharma The Cat and friends created
by Whale Beach resident David Lourie
that “appeared on the Internet about a
year ago… (and)… has developed a cult
following around the world.” The “hits
on the Net are growing daily. By early
January the total was more than 26,000 and the hit rate
has grown from 40 a day last September to an average
of 115 a day in January.” The website had received “16
major Internet awards including Top 10 On The Web.” It
was announced that Pittwater Life would share a monthly
update in its pages on Dharma’s adventures for “non-Net
readers”.
5 Years Ago…
The cover featured Palm Beach Sailing Club’s 2009 Hobie We revealed the plan to have
Youth Challenge... “now a full-scale international event
the Palm Beach isthmus
sailed on Hobie 16s on Pittwater” attracting 80 sailors
designated one of the
from 10 nations including the current World Youth
world’s first Urban Night Sky
Champion local Jason Waterhouse and his crew cousin, parks; the Mona Vale Road
Lisa Darmanin. In news, “one of the largest skateboard
widening works had just
bowls in Sydney – and indeed in Australia – is planned as commenced; there was a
part of an upgrade of Kitchener Park in Mona Vale.” The huge reader response about
skate park was estimated to cost $1.2 million; Avalon
Council’s proposed off-leash
Bulldogs was combining its Registration Day at Hitchcock dog trial on Station Beach;
Park Clubhouse with a
Arcadia Pittwater Private
“Giant League Expo”. And Hospital held an Open Day
“new land valuations from to mark its first birthday,
the NSW Valuer General
while more than 100 beds
will have no impact on
no longer in use at Mona
Pittwater’s rates structure Vale Hospital were being
for 2019-2010 but will
shipped overseas. Council
produce a rise in land
released its strategic
tax.” Meanwhile, David document Towards 2040
Edwards of LJ Hooker
outcome
outlining how it will work to
Palm beach said “there achieve its responsibilities
will not result in a ‘one-size-fitsall’
approach to development
were only 38 sales in
as part of the Northern
the Palm Beach-Whale
District Plan for growth over and concedes the unique nature
Beach area last calendar the next 20 years “but before of some areas of the Northern
year where there would anyone gets red in the face Beaches (cue upper Pittwater)
normally be 100 or more. and starts screaming ‘eight means they are simply not
Of those sales, 28 were storey development’s around suitable to accommodate any
under $3million each”. the corner’… Council says the growth.”
28 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
SEEN…
Surfing industry legend Shane Stedman and media man
David ‘Kochie’ Koch are among those with ties to Pittwater
on the 2024 Australia Day Honours list. Anthony (Shane)
Stedman (formerly Mona Vale) was awarded the Medal of the
Order of Australia (OAM for service to the surfing industry,
while David was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia
(AM) for significant service to media as a television presenter,
and to economic journalism. Others included Caroline
Kelly from Avalon Beach (AM) for significant service to the
community through awareness and research funding for
pancreatic cancer, while OAMs were given to Roberta Conroy
(service to the community) and Benjamin Tory for service to
the community through emergency response organisations.
Judith Perrin was awarded an Honorary OAM for service to
gymnastics, and to the community. And Diane Elfleet and
Emma Tan were awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for
outstanding public service to healthcare, in particular the
delivery of COVID-19-related services. Also seen… teenage life
saver Saskia Rundle Trowbridge has been widely praised for
her daring rescue of three boys at the Warriewood blowhole
last month after a cliff jump left one of them injured. On
patrol with Warriewood SLSC, the 16-year-old jumped from
a rubber duck braving wild swells and jagged rocks (above)
to bring the boys back to safety. The injured 15-year-old was
taken to Northern Beaches Hospital where he was treated for
concussion.
HEARD…
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins smacked a return
into the court of Pittwater MP Rory Amon after our State
Member demanded Council expedite the commencement of
trials of off-leash dog spaces on Mona Vale Beach South and
Palm Beach North (see story p9). Mr Amon also alleged that
for more than 20 years, forces “had worked to subvert the
will of our community, and we have evidence of this… this
cannot continue.” Mayor Heins shot back: “… we are strictly
bound by several mandatory processes. The next step in
the process is to prepare a Plan of Management for the
proposed sites which is legally required before Council can
make a decision to progress any potential trials; however,
this requires Crown Lands to delegate care, control and
management of these sites. We are currently in discussions
with them about this, while we are continuing to prepare our
draft Plan of Management. We welcome any assistance Mr
Amon can provide with lobbying the government to overhaul
the very complicated Crown Lands management processes.”
Meanwhile we note plans for a new, at-most three-storey,
$13.6 million luxury residential project on Beaconsfield
Street at Newport (below) were lodged with Northern
Beaches Council in early January. Developer Jak Newport
Pty Ltd plans to demolish the existing buildings at 54-58
Beaconsfield Street and build a part two-, part three-storey
residential
building of 13
three-bedroom
apartments
with basement
carparking for
32 vehicles.
The site is near
the Kalinya
Street Local
Centre, which
was holiday
destination up to the 1950s
before medium- and low-density residential development
increased. The median price for a three-bedroom unit at
Newport is $1.8 million.
ABSURD…
Further to our item last month on Palm Beach’s ‘hydrangea
hacker’, property owners John and Tigi Coplestone report
the thief returned for yet another round of petal plunder
– this time resulting in police action. “They returned for a
third bunch of around 10 new blooms – and we have a lovely
video of the lady in action,” John said. “The info was passed
on to police and we believe the culprit has been served a
court notice.” John said the incident had a silver lining:
“Your article drew great interest from numerous passers-by,
neighbours, friends. We’ve made many new friends! Your
readership is obviously strong.” John added several people
had sought their advice on growing their own hydrangeas
and/or questioning what a season’s bloom were worth. He
supplied Pittwater Life with his ‘grow-to’ guide, compiled
over 17 years, which we will publish in our Gardening
section in an upcoming monthly issue.
30 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Careel Bay tennis
Are you interested in getting
back into tennis or maybe
just starting out? Careel
Bay Tennis Club offers fun
social tennis every Thursday
9.30am-11.30am for players
of all levels. No membership
or bookings are required, just
come along. The Club Coach
will be there to supervise. Set
in North Avalon, the Club has
five synthetic grass courts, a
large clubhouse with renovated
changing rooms and showers,
an enclosed children’s
play area together with picnic
tables and a BBQ, and stateof-
the- art night lights. Their
2024 sessions start on Thursday
8 February. Cost is $15pp;
open to everyone. More info
Scott Browne (0409 607 703).
A polar lens
on conservation
Join Marnie Ogg for her ‘Light
& Dark’ event as she dives
into icy realms and vibrant
wonders of the Polar regions.
Ever wondered what these
frosty areas can teach us the
art of conservation? Unravel
the secrets of these polar
paradises and discover how
tourism becomes our window
of education. On Thursday 22
February at Belrose. More info
darkskytraveller.com.au
Literacy Network
call for volunteers
Literacy Network Manly Warringah
is putting the call out
for volunteers willing to share
their English language skills.
The not-for-profit organisation
of more than 40 years’
standing is seeking volunteer
Local Probus Club news for February
The next meeting of Palm Beach and
Peninsula Probus Club is on Wednesday
15 February at Club Palm Beach. Speaker is
Hans Kunnen, a “mostly retired” economist
who was formerly chief economist of Colonial
First State investments and of St George
Banking Group. In 2001, he was alone in New
York in the middle of the world-changing
events of 9/11. His story is not a tale of
heroism but is mostly one of hope and help
he witnessed on that terrible day. Commences
9.30am; membership open to retirees, visitors
welcome. More info 0421 435 792.
Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club next meets
on Wednesday 28 February at Narrabeen
Baptist Church. Doors open 9.45am for 10am
meeting. Visitors welcome. The guest speaker
is Tom Sweeney, from Willoughby Theatre,
who will explain how a musical is staged.
More info call/text 0424 464 047.
The next meeting of Newport Probus
Club will be held at Newport Bowling Club
on Thursday 1 February commencing 10am.
The speaker will be Elizabeth Trevan, who
has been in the funeral industry for 20 years,
initially as a funeral celebrant and now a
funeral arranger and Head of Community
with Picaluna Funerals. Elizabeth is also
a wedding celebrant. She will speak about
‘Funerals of the Future’ – how to have a
fabulous funeral! Visitors welcome; more info
Di Burrell (0410 465 303).
Well-known local identity Nicholas Cowdery
AO, KC will be the February keynote speaker
at the next meeting of Pittwater Men’s Probus
on Thursday 13 February. He will deliberate on
some of the issues of justice in NSW. Nicholas
tutors to pair with an adult
who is looking to improve
their English. No prior experience
in teaching is required.
You will undertake six weeks
of training commencing in
March on Tuesday mornings
from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The
coordinators then match you
with a student at a mutually
convenient time and place.
The average weekly time commitment
is two hours a week,
but that is flexible. More info
literacynetwork.org.au, or
email the coordinators at
litnet@optusnet.com.au, or
call 0460 803 699.
was NSW Director of Public Prosecutions
from 1994 to 2011 and is recognised for his
forthright views on the defence of justice.
Venue is the Mona Vale Surf Club, commencing
10am. Visitors welcome; more info Terry Larke
(0412 220 820).
The next meeting of the growing Bilgola
Plateau Probus Club will be held on Friday
2 February. Guest speaker will be rock
historian Paul Kearney who will present the
history of Rock ’n’ Roll along with some great
songs from that era. Visitors welcome; more
info Shelley (0415 538 864).
The next meeting of the Avalon Beach Ladies’
Probus will be on 6 February food historian
Diana Noyce as guest speaker. While the more
Western traditions of decorating Easter eggs
and the visitation of the Easter bunny certainly
make for a lot of fun, Diana will explain those
traditions are only the tip of the iceberg when
it comes to different ways to celebrate Easter.
Venue is Club Palm Beach, commencing 10am.
(Book Club has also recommenced and the AGM
will be held 5 March.) More info Margaret White
(0416 182 393).
The Combined Probus Club of Mona
Vale will meet on Tuesday, 20 February in
the auditorium at Pittwater RSL Club (from
10am). Guest speaker will be Hastings Pawsey,
who in the summer of early 2014, voyaged to
the Ross Sea in Antarctica on a 100-passenger,
ice strengthened cruise ship. At McMurdo
Sound he saw both Scott’s huts, with access to
the second, as well as access to Shackelton’s
hut. He learnt much about Antarctica and its
importance to the world’s climate. Visitors
welcome; more info Robert (0407 202 266).
Scamps’ seminars
highlight scamming
Mackellar Independent MP
Dr Scamps will host a free
seminar on scams, presented
by staff from the Australian
Competition and Consumer
commission’s Scam Watch.
34 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

The in-person event on 14
March will be held at Ted
Blackwood Community
Centre, Warriewood (9.30am-
12pm). It will be followed
by an online presentation
on April 10. The scams
awareness presentations will
provide practical guidance to
assist people to identify and
avoid scams and stay safe
online. The presenter will
share valuable information
on where to seek help and
support when recovering
from a scam. It’s also an
opportunity for attendees to
share their scam stories with
their peers. In 2023, losses to
scams exceeded $4.5 billion,
causing misery and financial
hardship to thousands of
people including hundreds
on the Northern Beaches. The
perpetrators of these crimes
masquerade as your bank, the
Tax Office, phone companies,
or postal delivery services
– to name a few. Scammers
deliberately target older
people, the vulnerable and
people who are not as savvy
with digital communications.
Nearly 20% of reports in NSW
were by people 65 and over,
followed by the 55-64 age
group (12.2%) and 45-54 age
group (10.7%). For more info
on the presentation, or to
register for the online session,
go to sophiescamps.com.au/
events
February acts
for The Shack
The Shack Live Music Club is
held on the first Saturday of
each month at the Ted Blackwood
Hall at Warriewood.
Each show features two live
music acts in a cabaret candlelit
atmosphere with BYO
food and drinks for an affordable
and enjoyable night
of live entertainment. The
concert on Saturday 3 February
features Liza Ohlback &
The Mercy Train, plus Luke
Escombe. Tickets at shackfolk.com
or cash at the door
(no wi-fi).
Continued on page 36
Boat rescues up 18 per cent
Marine Rescue NSW has completed its busiest year on
record with 4,786 search and rescue missions in 2023,
as favourable weather lured more boaters onto waterways.
Surpassing last year’s record figure, the volunteer water
rescue organisation safely returned 10,645 people to shore in
an 18 per cent increase in rescue missions.
In its first Budget, the Minns Government made a record
$73 million commitment to support the vital work of Marine
Rescue NSW and its 3,300 volunteers.
More than 80,000 trips were logged with Marine Rescue
NSW in 2023, almost 16,500 more than the previous year.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed 258,742 radio
calls – or a call every two minutes – with a large number
managed by the 24/7 Marine Rescue NSW State Communications
Centre at Belrose.
More than half the incidents in 2023 could potentially have
been avoided with better boat maintenance, with 57 per cent
of calls for mechanical, battery or fuel issues.
*How to become a Marine Rescue volunteer – page 46.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 35

Pittwater News
Continued from page 35
ty measures and which would
also reveal the consequences
of their decision.” Mr Amon
said the cancellation of the
project last September was
followed by a spate of serious
accidents along Mona Vale
Road West. “The Mona Vale
Road West upgrade would
have improved safety, saved
lives and reduced congestion.
It’s now more dangerous than
ever, with the road narrowing
from four lanes to two lanes
along the most dangerous
section.” He implored the Gov-
Mona Vale Road
safety audit refusal
Pittwater MP Rory Amon has
condemned the NSW Government’s
refusal to conduct a
safety audit of the incomplete
Mona Vale Road upgrade.
“This Government continues
treat the people of Pittwater
with contempt. First, they cut
the upgrade. Now, even more
maliciously, they refuse to
conduct a safety audit which
would help keep people safe
by implementing interim safeernment
to assess the safety
of the road and implement
temporary safety measures.
More info parliament.gov.
nsw.au
Take the kids to work!
CoWork Creche, a coworking
space with flexible childcare,
is opening on the Northern
Beaches in February. It will cater
for children from 8 weeks
of age through to 4 years old
and has no minimum booking
requirements, with parents
able to book as many days, or
News
2024 Pittwater
Regatta change
Organisers at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
Club (RPAYC) have announced a
new Super 40 division for their Pittwater
Regatta, to be held from 9-11 February and
incorporating the ORC NSW Championship.
The Pittwater Regatta is an opportunity
to get the most exciting bowsprit planning
boats from 31 to 44 feet together and
race on a more equal footing under PHRF
and ORC.
The third running of the ORC NSW
Championship opens the regatta on Friday
9 February with an offshore Passage Race.
Pittwater Regatta Championship entries
are headed by Division 1 reigning champions,
Peter Byford and David Hudson with
their Sydney 38, Conspiracy. In March, the
pair will be defending the NSW Sydney 38
Championship title they also won last year.
*Close of entry is 5pm on 2 February;
more pittwaterregatta.au
36 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

even half days, as they need
each week. CoWork Creche
is fully tax deductible and
is holding an Open Day on
Saturday 3 February from
10am to 12pm. More info
about CoWork Creche, their
Open Day and their inclusions
and fee structure call Melody
(0475 677 013) or email melody@coworkcreche.com.au
Celebrate local Seniors
Pittwater residents are
encouraged to celebrate
the positive role seniors
play in the community by
nominating them for the 2024
NSW Seniors Festival Local
Achievement Awards.
“If you know a senior who
helps make our community
diverse, inspiring and active,
then I encourage you to nominate
them for acknowledgement
of their contribution,”
said Pittwater MP Rory Amon.
“This annual festival is
about celebrating the positive
impact of older people in our
families and society.
“By highlighting seniors’
continued efforts in helping
Pittwater thrive, we are
continuing to challenge ageism
and empower seniors to
overcome social stigmas.”
Nominations close 5pm on
Friday 23 February. To nominate
a senior in Pittwater, visit
bit.ly/PittwaterSeniorsAwards.
Winners will be announced
during the NSW Seniors Festival
(11-24 March).
*More info go to seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
Puppies and kittens are a
cute addition to the family
– to ensure they grow into
happy and healthy dogs and
cats, it’s important to follow
the health advice of your
veterinarian. The team at
Sydney Animal Hospitals (SAH)
are here to help keep your
new pet happy and healthy,
and during January, February
and March, our focus is on all
things puppies and kittens!
Good nutrition is vital to ensuring
that your new puppy or
kitten develops strong bones,
a shiny coat and has the energy
needed for lots of activity.
Depending on your pet’s breed
and lifestyle, our veterinarians
can provide advice specific
to your new pet. SAH stock a
range of Hill’s puppy and kitten
food, and we’re offering a
free sample bag of Hill’s food
when you book in for a free
puppy or kitten health check
with one of our vets during
January to March.
It’s also important to protect
your new puppy or kitten from
parasites such as intestinal
worms, heartworm, fleas
and ticks and mites. Intestinal
worms can cause your puppy or
kitten to lose weight and body
condition, and can also cause
gastro-intestinal disturbance
such as diarrhoea. Heartworm
can be transmitted to your pet
by mosquito bites, and can be
a potentially fatal condition for
pets. There are many species of
ticks in Australia which can be
deadly, so it’s very important to
protect your pet from ticks.
During our free health
checks, our vets will provide
advice on the best parasite prevention
products for your pet.
Call your local Sydney
Animal Hospitals or visit
our website to book in your
puppy or kitten for their free
veterinary health check during
January and February, and
take advantage of our exciting
offer which includes, a free
sample bag of Hill’s puppy
or kitten food, a free first
dose heartworm prevention
injection at 12 weeks of age
for puppies, and a free dose
of flea and tick prevention for
puppies and kittens.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 37

Four-time Australian Sailor
of the Year John Forbes reflects on
more than 40 years of having the
wind in his sails.
Story by Rosamund Burton
A life
Life Stories
on the
In November 2023, catamaran
sailor John Forbes was Championship in Houston
ning the 1989 Tornado World
inducted into the NSW Hall with Mitch Booth when I was
of Champions in recognition 19 was great.”
water
of his outstanding achievements.
This unassuming ian Championship with Rod
John had won the Austral-
54-year-old Pittwater local is Waterhouse, which made them
a seven-time world champion, eligible for funding from the
10-time Australian champion
and four-time European (AYF) to go to the World Cham-
Australian Yachting Federation
champion. He won a bronze pionship. But Rod Waterhouse
medal at the 1992 Barcelona
Olympic Games, a silver at the
2000 Sydney Olympic Games
and placed sixth at the 2004
Athens Olympic Games. He has
been Australian Sailor of the
Year four times.
The NSW Champions of
Sport Ceremony 2023 was a
gala dinner held at the International
Convention Centre,
Darling Harbour.
“It was a massive event, attended
by about 700 people,”
John reflects. Cricketer Brett
Lee was also inducted, and
surfer Layne Beachley, AO,
was officially recognised as a
Legend of NSW Sport. John attended
with his wife, Caroline,
and their daughters Teigan
and Bronte.
“The night brought back
many good memories. I was
competing at world level for
19 years. It’s hard to say which
was the best moment, but win-
was not able to travel overseas
then and at that time the AYF
didn’t recognise the crew
member, only the skipper.
“So Mitch Booth and I
basically went to Texas on our
own, and we won that world
championship by an enormous
margin, which was very
satisfying.”
This duo won the Australian
Tornado Championship consecutively
for five years from
1990 to 1994. In 1992 they won
their second Tornado World
Championship. Also that year
they won Bronze at the Barcelona
Olympics, and each was
honoured with the Australian
Yachtsman of the Year award.
“Both positions on the
boat are important, and we
swapped roles,” John explains.
In 1991, he was skipper and
Mitch Booth crew when they
won the inaugural Nacra 5.8
World Championship.
John grew up at Mona Vale
until the age of seven, then
the family moved to Collaroy
Plateau. His father Bob sailed
Hobie Cats competitively in the
1970s, and in 1979 became the
Australian importer and distributor
for Nacra catamaran.
“He built those for about
10 years, and when we were
young, my brother and I were
down at the factory helping
out. We didn’t grow up on
monohulls or dinghies. I just
started sailing catamarans and
kept going.”
In 1982, aged 12, he competed
with his father in the Nacra
5.2 North American Championship
where they placed fourth,
and the following year they
came second in the inaugural
Nacra 5.2 World Championship.
By 1985, John was at the helm,
and he and his brother, Rod,
claimed the 1986 Nacra NSW
State Championship.
In 1987, John was sailing
with 1984 Olympic Bronze
Medalist Chris Cairns. They
won the Kiel Week Regatta and
came second in the Tornado
World Championship.
John and his wife Caroline
attended Cromer High together,
starting dating at the beginning
of Year 12, and have been together
ever since. John decided
several years before the 2004
Athens Olympics that he would
stop sailing competitively.
“Our daughters were one
and three years old. People
said they grow up really
quickly and you don’t want to
miss it. So I stopped and spent
time with the kids.
John describes sailing as “an
ageless sport”, and after his
stellar career the catalyst for
his return, 11 years later, was
his youngest daughter.
38 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

“Bronte said, ‘I’ve never been
on the trapeze on the catamaran’.
So I said, ‘let’s have a go at
sailing and have some fun’. We
bought this old Hobie Cat 18.
She was about 15 then.”
Rather than club race every
Saturday, they compete in
various clubs’ annual regatta
which are several weeks apart.
They are members of the Palm
Beach Sailing Club, which
hosts the Beware the Bullet
Regatta annually on the third
weekend in November.
Palm Beach Sailing Club
used to be known as Pittwater
Catamaran Club, and John was
a member for more than 20
years, before rejoining when
they bought the Hobie 18.
“It doesn’t have a clubhouse.
We sail off the beach at Sand
Point. The start boat is stored
in a nearby garage and everyone
takes turns to do start
boat duty.” But this unassuming
little club has nurtured
the talents of many catamaran
sailing greats, including Chris
Cairns, Rod Waterhouse, Mitch
Booth and Nina Curtis.
The Mitch Booth and John
Forbes sailing partnership
ended in the mid-1990s and
for the next 10 years John
sailed with Darren Bundock.
In addition to sailing regattas
at weekends, and competing
in Australian championships
over the Christmas break,
three months a year they
sailed overseas, and both also
held down jobs. John was
working in the family business
in Belrose with his father.
“I enjoyed working and sailing
because it gave me a break
from both. I had the ability
to completely switch off from
work when sailing, and when
I went back to work I switched
off from sailing.”
If they were in Europe for
90 days, John explains, they
would be sailing for 80 of
those, mostly doing intensive
training with two other teams,
initially the German and
Austrian teams, and later the
Germans and the Greeks.
“There was a lot of sharing
of information, because we
all wanted to go better. We
didn’t care who won, as long
as the three of us were there.
Many people couldn’t get their
heads around that.” But it paid
off and this Australian pair
and the German team were
very dominant, between them
winning many first places,
and also seconds and thirds.
In 1998, John and Darren won
the Tornado World Championship
by 18 points from their
longtime German training
partners, and John became
the first Tornado sailor to win
three world championships.
“Leading up to the Sydney
Olympics the Germans lived
with us in our house. We’re
friends for life because of that.
We won the Silver Medal and
they won the Bronze, and for us
that was a great achievement.”
John now runs the family
business with his cousin, and
since 2006 Caroline, the girls
and he have lived at Bayview.
“It feels like home for many
reasons. My grandparents lived
across the road and my brother
and I used to come here as
kids. Then Mum and Dad
moved here in 1992, and we
bought the house next door to
them when it came up for sale.”
Continued on page 40
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Assorted silverware; at the NSW
Hall of Champions induction; in America, aged 13; with Mitch
Booth celebrating their 1989 Tornado World title; daughter
Bronte with her 2020 Hobie State Champs trophies; victory
in Kiel Week, Germany in 2000 (with Teigan); with Mitch
Booth winning the 1991 World Champs; with wife Caroline
winning the 2023 Hobie 18 North American Championship.
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 39

Life Stories
Continued from page 39
Nowadays, sailing with Bronte,
the emphasis is on enjoying
some father/daughter bonding
and (in Bronte’s words) being
“competitive but not serious”.
John chose to sail the Hobie 18,
because it has a furling jib, and
no spinnaker, but is a fast boat.
“Many people like what
I’ve been doing with Bronte,
because it’s not too full-on,
and now we’ve got a fleet of 10
boats with other parents and
sons or daughters.”
When asked if Caroline sails,
he replies that her passion is
golf.
“I don’t golf at all. I’m
hopeless at ball sports, and
strangely enough I’m not that
competitive. I’m more interested
in the equipment and what
makes the boat go fast, more
than wanting to win.”
The Hobie 18 North American
Championship in July 2023
had 25 boats entered, and a
fleet of this size hadn’t been
seen for 20 years. John rang a
contact in America who was
able to get hold of a boat for
him, but Bronte was at uni, so
Caroline, who had never sailed
more than one day in a regatta,
was coaxed to crew.
“We’ll just go and have some
fun together,” John assured her,
and sporting their koala-styled
caps they competed in the fourday
regatta – and won the North
American Championship.
John is currently mentoring
a brother and sister sailing a
Formula 18 catamaran. And
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: With
brother Rodney, 1976; with Teigan
and their 2017 Hobie State Champs
trophies; with Bronte winning the
2020 Hobie State title; sailing partner
Darren Bundock toppling during the
2000 Worlds in Sydney; sailing with
Rodney at Currumbin in 1985.
for the past five years he has
been refurbishing second-hand
Hobie Cat 18s. When the Hobie
Cat 18 was first designed in
the mid-1970s, it was a powerful
racing machine. John has
developed what he calls the
‘Hobie Cat Reimagined Project’,
because today he sees this boat
filling an important gap for
young sailors and their par-
40 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ents. After kids have completed
the Optimist, O’pen Skiff or
29er programs, the Hobie Cat
18 enables parents and teenage
kids to sail competitively together,
before the kids progress
to the next level on the Formula
16 or Formula 18 catamarans.
John recently submitted
some proposed Hobie Cat
18 class rule changes to the
International Hobie Class
Association, to make it more
youth- and female-friendly.
John Forbes’ sailing accomplishments
are phenomenal,
and what a bonus for the
sailing community that he is
now directing his talents to
keeping upcoming generations
interested and engaged in the
sport.
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 41

Hot Property
Hot Property
Property: What’s in store in 2024?
Although many buyers
have found property
more expensive than a
year ago, experts predict cost of
living pressures will keep housing
prices in check in 2024.
According to the latest
Domain House Price Report, released
last month, the Northern
Beaches median house price
rose by 13 per cent in the 12
months to December last year –
from $2.3m to $2.5m.
Limited stock and demand
from cashed-up buyers who
were not as sensitive to interest
rate changes had supported
the market, Domain chief of research
and economics Dr Nicola
Powell said.
“These are buyers that are
active, less sensitive to interest
rates, they’re supported by family
members, family wealth, or
they are owner-occupiers that
are well established, and they
are less sensitive to the cost of
debt,” she said.
But growth is likely to be at
a slower pace as affordability
constraints bite, with Dr Powell
forecasting Sydney house prices
to rise between 7 and 9 per cent
this year, compared to a 10.6
per cent climb last year.
“It could almost be a year of
two halves,” Dr Powell added.
“We will see a much more modest
pace of growth this year
until we see changes in borrowing
capacity.
“With Stage 3 tax cuts and
then the prospect of cash rate
cuts, these are things that could
drive positive sentiment, housing
activity and therefore price
growth,” she said.
AT THE DOUBLE: Pretty in pink at 104 Iluka Rd; a more relaxing retreat at 106.
Offloading neighbouring properties at Snapperman Beach
LJ Hooker Palm Beach agents David and BJ Edwards
are handling the sales of the neighbouring
waterfront properties at 104 and 106 Iluka
Road owned by “Australia’s richest garbo” Ian
Malouf.
Malouf, who made his fortune in the waste
and recycling industry before turning his hand to
superyacht company Ahoy Club, snapped up a
third property on the same beachfront with a $40
million guide a little over 12 months ago.
Embracing its mid-century roots, the vibrant
holiday home ‘Gidget’ channels a fun yet luxe
Palm Springs vibe with bold colour, plush carpets
and whimsical wallpaper throughout.
Entertainment is at the forefront of 104 Iluka
Rd which boasts two stunning bars, a Sonos
CoreLogic expects “a milder
outcome” for housing values in
2024. According to the Core-
Logic Home Value Index report
released last month, slower
growth towards the end of 2023
suggested home values might
not climb as swiftly this year.
“The trajectory of interest
rates through 2024 will be a
key factor influencing housing
trends,” said CoreLogic’s
research director Tim Lawless.
“Although another cash rate
hike can’t be completely ruled
out, the trend towards lower
inflation, weakening economic
conditions amid low consumption,
and a loosening labour
market suggests another rate
hike is looking increasingly
unlikely.
Lawless said a reduction in
the cash rate target through
2024 could help to “re-stoke
demand” later in the year.
sound system, a two-oven bright pink kitchen
(above left) and multiple zones for chilling out
and play (cue the giant yellow outdoor slide
from the top floor verandah). It has five uniquely
styled bedrooms, four baths, parking for four
cars and a large, gated driveway.
The neighbouring property at 106 is more
restrained, presented in calming whites with
hints of greys and blues. The living, family and
dining areas flow across the lower level and out
towards the entertaining deck. The second storey
functions as a quiet “sleep zone” – with five
bedrooms and three bathrooms. The top-floor
retreat (above right) includes lounge and terrace
plus additional bedroom. High ceilings and full
width glass frame the views.
“Even if interest rates do
come down later in this year,
credit availability is likely to
remain relatively tight.”
PropTrack’s Home Price Index
Report released in December
observed “… home prices have
proved remarkably resilient
over 2023, however several factors
are curtailing the pace of
growth” – namely interest rates
and a reduction in the amount a
buyer can borrow.– Lisa Offord
42 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Art Life
Art Life
Studio is ‘Beginning Again’
Based at Palm Beach, Kirby Olave is
an emerging Australian visual artist
working predominantly with oil paint
on canvas. Influenced by the Renaissance,
Rococo, romantic and surrealist movements,
she infuses emotional expression
and vivid colour palettes to create a
unique artistic voice to form a sensitive
and evocative exploration of her subjects.
Kirby’s new solo exhibition ‘Beginning
Again’ kicks off the fourth year of art
connection and appreciation at The Studio
space at Careel Bay Marina, devoted
to showcasing the work of local artists in
support of local organisations.
Growing up in an artistic family, Kirby
developed a natural interest and passion
for art and design and was encouraged
from a young age to pursue a creative
life. After studying Fine Arts, Design and
Art Education, Kirby found her passion in
Aboriginal art and established her career
working in galleries.
In 2019, she was accepted as an artist
in residence at Chateau Orquevaux
in France, where she connected with
international artists and was encouraged
to pursue her own art career. Making the
transition to full time artist in 2020, she
NEW START: Emerging visual artist Kirby Olave
with Amy and Matthew Young.
went on to exhibit at The Other Art Fair in
Sydney in 2021.
Distinct in its capture of the beauty of
the natural world and the human body,
Kirby’s work is a “personal reflection” on
her life as a woman.
“I took an extended break from painting
to become a mother so for me, this exhibition
feels like an opportunity to start from
the beginning,” Kirby explains.
“My work is feminine, figurative, emotional
and surreal in manner but aesthetically
and technically realistic. There are
layers of meaning, stories and secrets,”
she says.
Beginning Again will raise funds for the
Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter and
Kirby will generously donate 20 per cent
of sale proceeds to this important community
organisation.
The exhibition will be open throughout
February on Saturdays from 9am-12
noon.
Amy Young of Laing+Simmons Young
Property says she is looking forward to
welcoming members of the local community
back to The Studio for another year.
“We’re proud that the local community
has taken ownership of The Studio, not
only welcoming but actively supporting
our vision to help local charities and
causes through collaborations with local
artists,” says Amy.
“In 2024, we’re getting bigger and better.
Kirby’s work exemplifies the natural
beauty we’re privileged to enjoy in our
part of the world,” she says.
– Stephen Naylor
*The Studio by Laing+Simmons Young
Property is in Careel Bay Marina, 94
George St, Avalon.
Curl Curl Space program
The Curl Curl Creative Space has a fresh lineup of exhibitions,
workshops, talks, and live music by emerging and established
artists from across a diverse spectrum of art forms.
From February 28 to March 3, resident artist Charlotte Bourilly
will pay homage to French new wave rock band Taxi Girl in her solo
exhibition ‘As Beautiful as a Bullet’.
The exhibition explores forgotten female bushrangers perpetuated
by the myth of Ned Kelly, understood from different perspectives.
Wild, excessive, disturbing and beautiful, these women
refused to be labelled and identified with a binary system.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of events featuring
space jazz, groove-based improv, and post-future beats performed
live. More info Council website.
44 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
Volunteers to the Rescue
Health & Wellbeing
There are some people you
come across in life that
just blow you away with
their kindness and humility –
Karen Tan is an example. Karen
has volunteered at the Marine
Rescue State Communications
Centre in Belrose for the past
six years – a natural progression
for her, after helping crew
a rescue boat on the Hawkesbury.
She made the change
so that she could volunteer
alongside her daughter when
she turned 16.
“My daughter wanted to
get her marine radio licence
when she turned 16, so that we
could volunteer here together,”
explains Karen. “She literally
took the licence exam on her
16th birthday rather than have
a party.
“My husband and I do a lot of
voluntary work – I teach music
at a local school and also work
with the heritage fleet, and the
kids have a number of voluntary
roles now.”
This correspondent invariably
seeks recognition if he’s
made a good job of the lawn
or stacking the dishwasher, so
it’s humbling to hear somebody
talk about such selfless acts in
such a matter-of-fact way.
“I grew up in a culture where
everyone volunteers, continues
Karen. “It’s not formalised like
it is here in Australia, but in
Penang we just help.”
Doug Elliott is Australianborn
and bred, but shares the
same ethos as Karen, and loves
giving freely of his time.
“It’s just great to be able to
LISTENING: Marine Rescue volunteers Doug Elliott, Hilary Dowling and
Duty Officer Paul Goodyer during a day shift.
help people,” Doug said. “I’ve
volunteered at the Marine Rescue
Centre as a radio operator
for just over three years now. I
had retired and wanted to give
something back to the community.
“I tried a session here at
Belrose and really liked the high
standard of professionalism.
Amateurs delivering a professional
service.
“The environment is friendly
and collegiate, and it’s a great
environment to work in,” Doug
continues. “You’re learning
every day and people are very
supportive. I didn’t always look
forward to my real life work,
but I love coming here.”
Doug explains the function
of the Belrose centre serves two
purposes: During the day it provides
marine rescue services for
Sydney, from Port Hacking up
to Pittwater and Cottage Point.
Then in the evening, most stations
in NSW transfer their functions
over to Belrose, so that it’s
servicing NSW – from Newcastle
south to Bega.
The team also handle a logon/log-off
service via a mobile
app as part of their work. Doug
really believes in the system.
“We get details from a boat
about where they’re going and
when they’re coming back,” he
said. “And if the boat doesn’t
call at the expected time to log
off then we start trying to find
them.
“There’s an escalating course
of steps and 99 per cent of the
time they’ve just forgotten to
log off. But there’s that one per
cent where people are in trouble
and that’s where the system
really works.”
He said most of the calls they
receive are fairly mundane,
such as a boat being out of
fuel, or a flat battery.
“We get a rescue boat to
tow them to where they need,”
he said. “But then if you’re in
the middle of Pittwater with
no power… as soon as it gets
dark, things can escalate pretty
quickly to be life or death, so
we treat everything equally
seriously.”
Both Karen and Doug have
experienced some dramatic
scenarios as part of their roles,
but believe they get far more
from volunteering than they
put in.
If that all sounds too confronting
though, there are
plenty of less stressful ways to
get involved.
Julie Rock is part of the Community
Engagement & Fundraising
Team for Marine Rescue and
organises the monthly sausage
sizzles at Belrose Bunnings.
“I thought it would be good
for my son Dean to get involved
with Marine Rescue and so I
went to the orientation with
him,” explains Julie. “Two and a
half years later he’s a qualified
radio operator and I’m organising
the monthly fundraising
BBQs.
“I co-ordinate the crew
and organise the groceries
to be picked up. Then on the
Saturday I’m there at 6.30am
to pick up the trailer. We have
about 17 volunteers manning
the stall throughout the day
and we always need more
46 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Small Gyms across Pittwater
Is your New Year’s resolution to lead a fitter, healthier life?
There’s a small gym near you waiting to help (from p22-23)…
Avalon
No Nonsense, 5/1 Careel Head Road
Circuitry, 1/9 Careel Head Road
Balance Studio, 101/70 Old
Barrenjoey Rd
Avalon Pilates Studio, 60 Old
Barrenjoey Rd
Feels Pilates, 46 Old Barrenjoey Rd
Pure Form Pilates, 16 Dress Cir Rd
Wave Reformer Pilates, 3/6 Taronga Pl
Soham Yoga, 64A Darley St
Active Pilates, Shop 9, 3/5 Bungan St
S1 Training, Shop 3 Level 1/7C Waratah St
Modern Movement, 2/9 Waratah St
Sky Personal Training,
Shop 5c/1 Mona Vale Rd
Insquare fit, Suite 301,
Level 3/20 Bungan St
KEEP THEM FED: Fundraising Team members Julie Rock (centre), Ari
Esperon (left) and Phil Murphy (right) work a BBQ at Bunnings.
people to help.”
Marine Rescue also holds
stalls at Bunnings over Xmas
and at the St Ives show.
Whether you’re on the front
line as a radio operator or
generating funds, it’s clearly a
rewarding experience.
“You’re helping the community,”
says Karen. “The camaraderie
is fantastic and there’s a
real sense of belonging.”
“It’s a professional, motivated
and supportive environment,
with both men and women of
all ages,” agrees Doug. “Many
are retired, but there are plenty
of younger people with fulltime
jobs. It’s just so gratifying
when you can help your community.”
“I really enjoy it as I love talking
to people,” says Julie. “It’s
just such a good cause and one
I never realised was run by volunteers.
They’re saving lives on
the water – and that makes me
feel really good.” – Rob Pegley
*Want to volunteer? Call 9471
8350
Newport
Core Culture, Shop 1 & 2,
327 Barrenjoey Rd
I Am Pilates, 86 Wallumatta Rd
Perfect Fit, 367 Barrenjoey Rd
Performance Health, 5/355
Barrenjoey Rd
The Booty Parlour, Unit 7/343
Barrenjoey Rd
Northern Beaches Pilates,
11-13 The Boulevarde
For love of… Yoga Studio,
Shops 4-5/5 Kalinya St
Mona Vale
Concept 42, 2/81 Bassett St
360 Strength and Performance, 2/8
Wilmette Pl
The Mona Gym, 14 Tengah Cres
Warriewood
Rebound Health, 14/90 Mona Vale Rd
NBRHD Fitness, 10 Jubilee Ave
Iron Academy, Unit 4101/4 Daydream St
Fix and Flex Pilates., 1103/4 Daydream St
Xen Studios, 4 Daydream St
Holistic Health Club, Unit 31/14 Jubilee Ave
Black Label fitness,
1/2 Apollo St
The Fitting Room, Unit 10/8 Apollo St
Be Pure Pilates, Unit 3/8a
Prosperity Parade
Focus Health, Shop 2/120 Narrabeen
Park Parade
Soul Tiger Hot Studio, 11/3 Vuko Pl
Fitness Boxx, 6/1 Vuko Pl
Fitness Avenue, 15/3 Vuko Pl
*This is not a sponsored listing – tell
them Pittwater Life sent you!
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 47

Health & Wellbeing
with Rowena Beckenham
Health & Wellbeing
Focus on these eye
health tips in 2024
The New Year brings lots
of new resolutions, but
by February some of
those may have slipped by the
wayside. One thing we don’t
want you to let slide is your eye
health.
Some 75 per cent of Aussies
value their vision as their most
important sense but shockingly
1 in 10 of us have never been
to an optometrist. Only 25 per
cent of us have gone in the last
two years, which is recommended.
At the beginning of
2024 we urge you to focus on
your vision and make positive
change for the future. Let’s
look at some tangible suggestions
for you to enact:
n Don’t skimp on your sunnies.
Sunglasses are equally
important as sunscreen when
it comes to protecting yourself
from sun damage. For
complete protection ensure
you lenses have a grade 3 UV
rating, or higher.
n Balance screentime with
‘green time’. Our eyes require
90 minutes of outdoor time
using long distance vision for
balance. When using devices,
they should be at least 50cm
from our eyes and used with
good ambient lighting.
n Focus on healthy foods. Just
as a balanced diet and good
nutrition are essential for our
overall health and wellbeing,
both are also vital for our eye
health, as is adequate hydra-
tion. Alarmingly, 66 per cent
of Aussies aren’t eating the
recommended five servings of
veggies a day.
n Ditch the cigarettes (and
the vapes!). Smoking is a
major contributing factor for
eye diseases which put you
at an increased risk of losing
your sight. Diseases such as
age-related macular degeneration,
cataracts, dry-eye disease,
glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
The more you smoke
the higher the risk, but there
are no safe levels for our eyes.
n Get enough sleep. Rest is
vital for eye function, to alleviate
stress and strain, and
rejuvenate for the day ahead.
Insufficient sleep disrupts this
process, leading to increased
risk of dry-eye disease, eye
strain, glaucoma, and age-related
macular degeneration.
Your eyes are an integral part
of your health; let’s make 2024
the year of healthy vision!
Rowena has been practising
at Beckenham Optometrist in
Avalon for 24 years. Whether
it be in Avalon alongside
valued colleagues Rebecca
Thompson and Stephanie
Ng, teaching eyecare
nurses and teachers in a
remote clinic in rural Sumba
Indonesia, or helping direct
the future of independent
optometry in her role
as Chair of the board of
Provision, the passion for
vision, eyes and the people
behind the eyes is there.
48 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 49

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Clear winner for a healthy smile
If you were given the opportunity to
decide between traditional braces or
clear aligners, which method would
you choose? Lead dentist at Maven
Dental Avalon Beach Dr Celso Cardona
said many people were surprised to
learn that Invisalign clear aligners were
an effective solution to treating many
orthodontic problems.
“There’s a misperception that braces
were the only option for more complex
cases, however I would say ninety per
cent of cases can be solved with Invisalign,”
Dr Cardona said. “Also, many
people think the main reason adults
choose to use Invisalign is for cosmetic
purposes and to simply improve their
smile; however in the majority of cases
it’s for function.”
Invisalign can be used for variety of
purposes, including crowding and spacing
issues, as well as some mild and moderate
bite issues. Teeth correction and straightening
offered numerous benefits including:
n Improved oral health – straight teeth are
easier to clean which reduces the risk of
tooth decay and gum disease.
VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE: Invisalign aligners apply pressure to
your teeth, gradually shifting them into desired places.
n Enhanced bite alignment – properly
aligned teeth prevent unnecessary wear on
teeth and reduce the risk of jaw problems.
n Increased self-esteem and confidence.
Although suitable for all ages, Dr Cardona
said most of his patients using Invisalign
were aged over 60 years old.
As we age, it’s natural for our teeth to
shift slightly, however if you notice changes
such as crowding or crooked teeth,
new gaps appearing, or bite problems,
it may be cause for concern.
“It’s not uncommon for teeth to become
crooked as we age,” Dr Cardona
said. “The first ones to go are usually
the front bottom teeth which become
overcrowded and increasingly difficult
to keep clean. Overcrowding can be
easily corrected using Invisalign.”
Many patients Dr Cardona sees with
crooked teeth or misalignment issues
had undergone orthodontic treatment
when they were younger. “Even after
braces or other dental work, your teeth
will continue to shift slightly throughout
your life,” he said. “If they did not
wear retainers as instructed, their teeth
may have moved over time.”
Other candidates for Invisalign have
always had crooked teeth and may not
have had the opportunity to have braces
as a child. “There is no age limit on having
a healthy smile,” he said. Your dentist will
recommend a treatment option best suited
to you.
– LO
* Call Maven Dental Avalon 9918 2786.
50 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
A close look at HIFU: Is it
just a fad, or is it worthwhile?
HIFU (High Intensity
Focused Ultrasound) is a
skin treatment that fractionally
and specifically traumatises
tissue while maintaining
dermal (second layer of the
skin) integrity. It will increase
skin tightening and enhance
dermal remodelling results.
HIFU was first used as an
early-stage cancer treatment
in the medical field, and from
there, it has been utilised in the
aesthetic profession. It has a
wide array of treatment applications
for both the face and the
body. The treatment is safe and
has virtually no downtime.
The inflammatory response
that HIFU triggers leads to the
following two stages of wound
healing. Even though this may
sound a little daunting, it simply
means:
1. Fibroblast synthesis jumpstarts
neo-collagenesis, followed
by the remodelling of the
collagen fibres.
2. The heat from the HIFU creates
noticeable skin tightening
and contraction.
HIFU treatments are excellent
for skin-plumping, toning,
tightening, lifting and facial
contouring. Selective fat and
cellulite reduction can also be
achieved.
HIFU can reach depths that
laser devices can’t and does so
safely on most Fitzpatrick skin
types. By using precise depths
of penetration, HIFU targets
the epidermal-dermal junction
(1.5mm, similar to needling),
the dermis (3.0mm the deeper
dermis or collagen zone), and
the SMAS (4.5mm, the deeper
collagen structure where
tightening and regeneration
will result with skin lifting and
contouring of the jowls)). Beams
of intersecting ultrasound energy
bypass the epidermis and
travel directly to the targeted
depth, thereby avoiding surface
downtime.
What is the SMAS (superficial
musculoaponeurotic system),
I hear you ask. It plays a significant
role by assisting with
The Local Voice Since 1991
support and shaping the face.
The SMAS is located between
the skin and the underlying
facial muscles, starting at the
bottom of the facial bones and
extending up to the dermis.
This system plays an important
role in facial expressions, as it
attaches to the muscles of the
face. In addition, it will hold
facial fat in place and provide
foundation and support for
skin. Unfortunately, As we age,
the SMAS begins to deteriorate
and loosen, leading to wrinkles
and sagging skin. The SMAS,
or the facelift layer as it is
sometimes known, can assist
in smoothing out wrinkles and
give the face a more youthful
appearance.
One of the myths surrounding
the HIFU treatment is that
it will melt away fat. In some
instances where it is required,
this is the desired result.
Depending on the age of the
face, we all have superficial fat
compartments. These compartments
vary in thickness
and composition. We also lose
facial volume with age, so care
must be taken when treating
the fat pads that sag and
pull on the SMAS due to their
interconnecting structures.
When there is sagging in the
tissue around the jowls, chin,
and lower mouth areas, this is
often caused by a separation of
the connective tissue and an increase
in cell size. We therefore
aim to rebuild the layers, starting
with the SMAS, then the fat
pads and finally the dermis.
When HIFU is delivered properly
it will not destroy facial fat cells
and as with any treatment
modality when performed by a
professionally trained aesthetician,
you will be in safe hands.
As with most aesthetic treatments,
to obtain the optimum
results, prepping is simply
non-negotiable. Skincare utilising
SPF, tyrosinase inhibitors,
Vitamin A, hydrating serums,
multivitamins, peptides, and
the appropriate cleansing ritual
should be stringent morning
and night. In Clinic treatments,
both pre- and post-HIFU may
consist of a light therapy
modality such as BIOPTRON or
LED.
Treatments should be performed
every 3-6 months, with
a maximum of 3 treatments
per year. Results can last over
a year, depending on age, medical
history, lifestyle, diet and
home care. The HIFU glow that
utilises only the 1.5mm depth of
the cartridge can be performed
monthly and provides a radiant
and youthful appearance.
What are you waiting for? Get
glowing for 2024!
Sue Carroll is at the forefront
of the beauty, wellness
and para-medical profession
with 35 years’ experience on
Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
She leads a dedicated team
of professionals who are
passionate about results for
men and women.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
FEBRUARY 2024 51
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
What do Stage 3 tax cuts
mean in Stage 2 of FY 2024?
This month as we pass
the halfway mark of the
financial year we look
ahead to some upcoming
changes and how to play
them… A lot of the focus on
financial preparedness for this
financial year is being driven the
coming change to the personal
income tax scales. So much
media time has been taken
up with the merits of the socalled
‘Stage 3’ tax cuts that a
brief look over the politics is
probably warranted.
To do this, let’s step into a
time machine and revisit budget
night on 2 April 2019. Josh
Frydenberg has just announced
that the budget was ‘back in
black’ and to celebrate, the
Morrison Government would
implement a three-stage
program of taxation relief.
Recall that budget night was
brought forward to 2 April
and a federal election to be
held on Saturday 18 May
was announced only a week
following the budget.
Stage 1 of the program was
in the form of the LMITO – Low
and Middle Income Tax Offsets,
aka the ‘Lamington’ in 2019.
Stage 2 was an adjustment of
the scales between $37,000
and $45,000 and $90,000 and
$120,000 thresholds in 2020,
plus extensions to LMITO and
the low-income tax offset
(LITO). Stage 3 is an adjustment
of the scales between $45,000
and $200,000 thresholds. You
get the drift; lower income
earners were feted by the
government early and just
before an election. High income
earners were recognised
but put on the backburner,
potentially some governments
into the future. No-one at this
stage knew that bushfires,
floods and COVID were coming.
To continue with the
examination of the politics,
we need to look back at Bill
Shorten’s campaign during the
2019 election. I’ve seen the
clip of him jogging… you can’t
unsee it. The really relevant
item for us was his interaction
with a blue-collar worker
in Gladstone Queensland;
here’s how it was viewed in
the official election review
undertaken by Craig Emerson
and Jay Weatherill: “On a
visit to Gladstone in central
Queensland, Bill Shorten was
approached by a coal export
terminal worker who said many
of them earned $250,000 a year
through overtime and evening
shifts. The worker suggested:
‘It would be good to see higher
wage income earners given a
tax break.’ Shorten responded:
‘We’re going to look at that.’
Labor’s policy, as outlined in
the Budget reply, was to restore
the 2 per cent deficit levy
for incomes over $180,000,
increasing the tax rate for those
taxpayers. The slip or change
of position was run heavily in
the media. This further fuelled
the ‘Shifty Shorten’ narrative.
Morrison sought to capitalise on
this during the second debate by
physically advancing on Shorten,
but Shorten parried with a
‘space invader’ jibe.”
Tricky; the guy wanted to talk
about the scourge of bracket
creep, but Bill didn’t have the
heart to tell him they were
going to tax him another 2% on
his income over $180,000 (to
51% including Medicare levy) –
at least not while all those pesky
TV cameras were around.
And there in that paragraph is
the likely reason why following
the 2019 election the opposition
led by Anthony Albanese voted
with the government in passing
the Stage 3 cuts which are now
law and commence on 1 July
this year. Average earnings in
Australia according to the latest
from the ABS were just shy of
$90,000 for men and $78,000
for women. It is not unusual
for what could be considered
52 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

traditional Labor voting
occupations to cross into the
highest taxation brackets. Both
political parties need to be able
to appeal to the broad centre
and that certainly includes
this higher earning cohort
who dislike paying close to
half of what they earn above a
threshold to the government.
The effect of the Stage 3 tax
cuts on a range of income levels
is per the table above:
There are benefits to
taxpayers earning from
$45,000 in taxable income and
rising as income approaches
$200,000. Beyond that
threshold there are decreasing
returns. The main effect of
the Stage 3 cuts comes in as
income crosses over $120,000
where the marginal tax rate
falls from 37% to 30% and from
$180,000 to $200,000 as the
marginal rate falls from 45% to
30%.
So what would I be doing
in anticipation of these new
scales coming in? The general
theme is simple – bring forward
any deductions and defer any
income if possible.
We do know that these tax
cuts are law so income earners
around these thresholds can
anticipate savings in the new
financial year, this may be
grounds for bringing forward
superannuation contributions
into this year either as a
salary sacrifice if you have not
been making the maximum
contributions or as catch-up
concessional contributions if
you are eligible. Markets have
been good so those hovering
under the $500,000 balance
threshold at 30 June last year
(which allows you to make catch
up contributions) may be wise
to act before 30 June this year
as the 2018/19 cap amounts will
expire this financial year.
What we don’t know
is what might be in the
budget. Depending on the
numbers, Treasurer Chalmers
may use the carrot approach
and reintroduce a LMIFO type
benefit for lower income
earners or revert to a stick and
whack retirees or high-income
earners in other ways. Also,
at this stage we don’t know
the December quarter CPI or
Average Weekly Ordinary Time
Earnings (AWOTE) to know
if there will be indexation
of transfer balance caps for
superannuation pensions or
superannuation contribution
thresholds, respectively.
* Proving that a week is a long
time in politics, as we went
to print the PM signalled an
intent to review the form of
the Stage 3 tax cuts. While
the amounts may change the
principles of the discussion
above are still sound and
highlight the need to consider
politics as a risk factor in
personal financial planning.
Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is
a Director of GHR Accounting
Group Pty Ltd, Certified Practising
Accountants. Office: Suite 12,
Ground Floor, 20 Bungan Street
Mona Vale NSW.
Phone: 02 9979-4300.
Web: ghr.com.au and altre.com.au
Email: brian@ghr.com.au
These comments are general
advice only and are not intended as
a substitute for professional advice.
This article is not an offer or
recommendation of any securities
or other financial products offered
by any company or person.
FEBRUARY 2024 53

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AIR CONDITIONING
Alliance Climate Control
Call 02 9186 4179
Air Conditioning & Electrical
Professionals. Specialists in Air
Conditioning Installation, Service,
Repair & Replacement.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TeslaAirportTransfers
Call Ben 0405 544 311
New Tesla Model Y fleet; Airport
transfer Mona Vale ($129), Avalon
($139), Palmy ($149). Guaranteed
on-time pick-up.
BATTERIES
Battery Business
Call 9970 6999
Batteries for all applications. Won’t
be beaten on price or service. Free
testing, 7 days.
DISCLAIMER: The editorial and advertising
content in Pittwater Life has been provided
by a number of sources. Any opinions
expressed are not necessarily those of the
Editor or Publisher of Pittwater Life and no
responsibility is taken for the accuracy of
the information contained within. Readers
should make their own enquiries directly
to any organisations or businesses prior to
making any plans or taking any action.
BUILDING
Acecase Pty Ltd
Call Dan 0419 160 883
Professional building and carpentry
services, renovations, decks, pergolas.
Fully licensed & insured. Local business
operating for 25 years. Lic No. 362901C
CARPENTRY
Able Carpentry & Joinery
Call Cameron 0418 608 398
Avalon-based. Doors & locks, timber gates
& handrails, decking repairs and timber
replacement. Also privacy screens. 25
years’ experience. Lic: 7031C.
CLEANING
Amazing Clean
Call Andrew 0412 475 2871
Specialists in blinds, curtains and
awnings. Clean, repair, supply new.
Aussie Clean Team
Call John 0478 799 680
For a good clean, inside and outside;
windows, gutters. Also repairs.
Housewashing
northernbeaches.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
On the beaches for 25 years! Softwash,
hardwash, windows, gutters, roofs & more.
54 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your
concreting needs; Northern Beachesbased.
ELECTRICAL
Alliance Service Group
Call Adrian 9063 4658
All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting
installation, switchboard upgrade.
Seniors discount 5%.
Eamon Dowling Electrical
Call Eamon 0410 457 373
For all electrical needs including
phone, TV and data. Pittwater-based.
Reliable; quality service guaranteed.
Warrick Leggo
Call Warrick 0403 981 941
Specialising in domestic work; small
jobs welcome. Seniors’ discount;
Narrabeen-based.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Stephan or Roslyn 9979 7292
Northern Beaches Flooring Centre has
been family owned & run for over 20
years. Carpets, Tiles, Timber, Laminates,
Hybrids & Vinyls. Open 6 days.
GARDENS
!Abloom Ace Gardening
Call 0415 817 880
Full range of gardening services
including landscaping, maintenance
and rubbish removal.
Conscious Gardener Avalon
Call Matt 0411 750 791
Professional local team offering quality
garden maintenance, horticultural
advice; also garden makeovers.
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction
for every garden situation. Sustainable
vegetable gardens and waterfront specialist.
HANDYMEN
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building
jobs, also welding & metalwork;
licensed.
JEWELLER
Gold ‘n’ Things
Call 9999 4991
Specialists in remodelling. On-premises
(Mona Vale) workshop for cleaning,
repairing (including laser welding),
polishing. Family owned for nearly 40 years.
HOT WATER
Hot Water Maintenance NB
Call 9982 1265
Local emergency specialists, 7 days.
Sales, service, installation. Warranty
agents, fully accredited.
KITCHENS
Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Call 9972 9300
Danish design excellence. Local
beaches specialists in kitchens,
bathrooms and joinery. Visit the
showroom in Collaroy.
Seabreeze Kitchens
Call 9938 5477
Specialists in all kitchen needs; design,
fitting, consultation. Excellent trades.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for neck &
back pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic
problems.
PAINTING
Cloud9 Painting
Call 0447 999 929
Your one-stop shop for home or office
painting; interiors, exteriors and also
roof painting. Call for a quote.
Trades & Services
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by
qualified arborists and tree surgeons.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
Cloud9 R&G
Call Tommy 0447 999 929
Prompt and reliable service; gutter
cleaning and installation, leak detection,
roof installation and painting. Also roof
repairs specialist.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles
replaced, metal roof repairs, gutter
cleaning, valley irons replaced.
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 55

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
Tom Wood Master Painters
Call 0406 824 189
Residential specialists in new work &
repaints / interior & exterior. Premium
paints; 17 years’ experience.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best.
Comprehensive control. Eliminate all
manner of pests.
PLUMBING
Total Pipe Relining
Call Josh 0423 600 455
Repair pipe problems without
replacement. Drain systems fully
relined; 50 years’ guaranty. Latest
technology, best price.
RUBBISH REMOVAL
Jack’s Rubbish Removals
Call Jack 0403 385 312
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest
health regulations. Old-fashioned
honesty & reliability. Free quotes.
One 2 Dump
Call Josh 0450 712 779
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service
includes general household rubbish,
construction, commercial plus
vegetation. Also car removals.
SLIDING DOOR REPAIRS
Beautiful Sliding Door Repairs
Call 0407 546 738
Fix anything that slides in your home;
door specialists – wooden / aluminium.
Free quote. Same-day repair; 5-year
warranty.
TV ANTENNA
Action Antenna
Call Paul 0412 610 170
Beaches-based; TV antenna
installations, repairs and removal.
25yrs exp. Insured.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of
outdoor & indoor seating. Custom
service, expert advice.
Advertise your Business in
Trades & Services section
Ph: 0438 123 096
56 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 57

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Time to reboot the family
routine with healthier snacks
With the holiday season behind us,
February is the time to (reluctantly…
sadly, even) reboot the family routine.
Healthier eating becomes the priority – but
that’s sometimes hard to manage. Like most,
I want ‘healthier snacks’ – but I also want
Pizza Toasts
Makes 6
6 slices grain or wholemeal
bread
100g mild sliced Hungarian
salami
12 Solanato tomatoes, halved
2 cups grated pizza cheese
½ cup baby rocket, spinach or
basil leaves
Pizza toast sauce
1¼ cups tomato passata
¼ cup tomato sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
1. Lightly toast the bread.
Preheat oven grill to high.
2. Mix all the pizza toast
sauce ingredients together.
Season. Spread evenly
between the toasted bread,
right to the edges. Top with
salami, tomatoes, cheese
and rocket, spinach or basil.
3. Place under the grill for 2-3
minutes, until the cheese
is melted. Allow to stand 1
minute before serving.
pepperoni, capsicum, olives
and mushrooms; Hawaiianreplace
the salami with ham
and tomatoes with pineapple.
For a meat-free option, replace
the pizza sauce with barbecue
sauce mixed with tomato
sauce and top with sliced
mushrooms, roasted pumpkin
and tomatoes.
Berry coconut
yoghurt popsicles
Makes 10
150g fresh or frozen
raspberries, blueberries,
strawberries
2 tbs caster sugar
2 tbs water
1½ cups Greek-style yoghurt
1 cup chilled coconut water
(see Janelle’s Tip)
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
delicious, nutritious, tasty, filling snacks that
the whole family will enjoy. Here’s hoping the
recipes below cover all those options, whether
it be mid-morning, lunch or after school/
sport.
Set aside to cool. Roughly
mash the fruit with a fork.
2. Combine the yoghurt,
coconut water and vanilla,
mix well. Swirl ¼ cup the
berry mixture through the
yoghurt mixture. Spoon the
berry-yoghurt mixture and
remaining berry mixture,
alternately between 10 x
1/3-cup capacity (80ml) ice
block moulds. Insert paddle
pop sticks. Freeze for 8
hours or until firm.
3. Unmould; store in an
airtight container in the
freezer for up to 4 months.
Janelle’s Tip: For a creamier
popsicle, replace the coconut
water with coconut milk or
coconut cream.
Dairy-free
banana bread
Serves 8-10
2 cups wholemeal self-raising
flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup raw sugar or caster
sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
¼ cup olive oil
1¼ cups coconut milk
2 large bananas, mashed (1
cup), plus 1 extra banana
1. Preheat oven to 180°C fan
forced. Grease and line 6cm
deep, 10cm x 21cm (base)
loaf pan.
2. Combine flour, baking
powder, cinnamon, sugar
and coconut in a bowl.
Make a well in the centre.
Add the oil, coconut milk
and mashed banana. Stir
gently until combined.
Spoon mixture into the
1. Place the berries (if using
strawberries, hull then
slice) sugar and water in a
medium saucepan. Stir over
medium heat for 5 minutes
Variations: The toppings
until the fruit softens
are limitless, make supreme slightly. Bring to the boil
pizza toasts by adding
then remove from the heat.
58 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
loaf pan and smooth the
surface.
3. Peel the remaining banana
and slice in half. Place both
halves, cut side up, on
top of the mixture. Bake
for 50-60 minutes or until
a skewer inserted in the
centre comes out clean. Set
aside for 10 minutes in the
pan. Lift onto a wire rack.
4. Slice and serve warm, toasted
or at room temperature.
Janelle’s Tip: Banana bread
will keep 3-4 days in an
airtight container at room
temperature. Alternately,
slice and wrap individually in
plastic and freeze for up to 3
months.
Carrot cake cookies
Makes 16
1 cup traditional rolled oats
1 cup ground almonds
½ cup plain wholemeal flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans or walnuts,
chopped
1/3 cup sultanas (optional)
1½ cups grated carrot
½ cup light olive oil or canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten with a fork
1. Preheat oven to 180°C fan
forced. Line 2 baking trays
with baking paper.
2. Place the oats, ground
almonds, flour, baking
powder and cinnamon in
a bowl, mix well. Add the
sugar, pecans and sultanas,
mix well. Make a well in
the centre. Add the carrot,
oil and egg. Stir until well
combined.
3. Drop tablespoons of the
mixture onto the trays,
allowing room for spreading.
Use damp fingertips to
flatten each cookie slightly.
4. Bake for 18-20 minutes or
until the cookies are light
golden and spring back to
shape when lightly touched
in the centre. Set aside to
cool on the trays.
Janelle’s Tip: Cookies will
keep 4-5 days in an airtight
container lined with foil
at room temperature. The
cookies are delicious spread
with cream cheese frosting.
Tuna, tomato and
avocado salsa
lettuce cups
Makes 12
1 cos lettuce, leaves separated,
washed and dried
200g cherry tomatoes,
chopped
1 large ripe avocado, chopped
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp seeded mustard
2 tbs whole egg mayonnaise
425 can tuna in oil, drained
1 hard-boiled eggs, peeled,
finely chopped
2 tbs chopped herbs, optional
1. Place the lettuce onto a
serving platter.
2. Combine the cherry tomato
and avocado in a bowl. In a
separate bowl, whisk the oil,
lemon, mustard and season
with salt and pepper. Spoon 2
tablespoons over the tomato
and avocado, stir to coat.
3. Add the mayonnaise to the
remaining dressing, whisk
until smooth. Flake the tuna
and add to the mayonnaise
mixture with the egg. Add
herbs, stir to combine.
4. Spoon the tuna mixture into
the lettuce cups, top with
tomato and avocado salsa.
Serve.
Food Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 59

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in February
Flat out beating these
tasty, fluffy bagels
Jerusalem bagels make great toasties.
Instead of more familiar NY boiled
bagels, these beauties are a different
shape and baked in a hot oven, so
they’re lighter, fluffier like pitta bread.
Fillings include poached chicken
with zucchini, rocket and zaatar and
smoked salmon with cream cheese. Try
one at Narrabeen’s Fuel Espresso.
Tasty Morsels
New Mexican on the
menu at Newport
Hola Nopales! This vibrant fusion
Mexican brings big bangs of flavour
to Newport. How about 32-hour beef
short ribs with a tamarind glaze,
battered cauliflower tacos with
pineapple coriander salsa, or Hiramasa
kingfish with mango? If that’s a ‘yes’,
Nopales opens Wednesdays from 4pm
and from noon, Friday to Sunday.
More than just
a bread winner
Berkelo, the popular local
bakery with onsite cafes,
is now doing Friday and
Saturday dinners. You’ll
have to “go bush” to try out
dishes like ravioli stuffed
with zucchini and ricotta
or sourdough spaghetti,
prawns and chilli. Berkelo’s
Terrey Hills venue is open
for daytime cafe duties and
sourdough. It’s also popular
for weekend cyclists.
Awaken a cafe by
day, bar by night
Christmas heralded the arrival of a
new Avalon eatery. Awaken is a cafe
by day and a bar by night. Press,
Pump & Grind supplies the stream
of caffeine hits; while fruit and veg
comes from Avalon Organics and
bread from La Banette. If you’re doing
lunch, there’s a burger and chips, a
house quinoa bowl and a trio of mini
sliders or tacos.
Three of a kind: Chill out
Chill Bar has been a favourite for
Avalon residents and summer
visitors for well over a decade
now. The shop makes ice cream
onsite, tempting customers with
countless flavours to please all
ages. Classic French vanilla is
a perennial, but other scoops
include pistachio and Ferrero
Rocher. Still in summer, why
not try cooling mango or lemon
sorbet?
Acai or Coco soft serve?
Newport’s Blessed Bowls has
both frozen delights on the
menu, plus build-your-own
options. The original acai
bowl features organic acai, the
Brazilian superfruit, organic
granola, seasonal fruit,
coconut shreds and honey.
Swap for the Coco Beach
(pictured) and you’ll get a cold
summer treat.
Mona Vale’s Rosa shakes
up those sultry February
nights with a cool selection
of summer drinks. The menu
features a frozen cocktail
special as well as margaritas
galore and a frozen lychee
and mint margarita. This
tequila shot is pepped up with
cucumber and coconut water.
Open Wednesday to Sunday,
from 5pm.
60 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
27 A manner of speaking that is
natural to native speakers of a
language (5)
28 Any aquatic animal with
pores in its body wall and a
rigid or elastic internal
skeleton (6)
29 Make agreeable or less
painful (7)
ACROSS
1 Someone who risks loss or
injury in the hope of gain or
excitement (7)
5 Taste or preference (6)
8 Sailing class (5)
9 A class of asymmetrical
molluscs, including the limpets,
whelks, snails and slugs (9)
11 Natural ability (6)
12 An entrepreneur who sells
goods through the Internet (1-6)
14 A lightweight surfboard (6)
15 Essential ingredient of
traditional pesto (8)
18 Worker who’s a jack of all
trades (8)
20 Large piles (6)
22 An outburst of bad temper or
petulance (7)
24 Event that will take place at
the Metro Mirage Hotel Newport
on February 24 (6)
26 Craft preferred by local
sailor, John Forbes (9)
DOWN
1 Absence of wind, force 0 on
the Beaufort scale (4)
2 The ‘father’ of Avalon Beach
(1,1,5)
3 Home ground location of the
Avalon Soccer Club (6,3)
4 That which is morally or
socially correct or just (5)
5 American city that will host
the opening games of the 2024
NRL season, including Manly-
Warringah v South Sydney (3,5)
6 One of the types of curries
available at The Cheer Factory in
Newport (5)
7 Vibrant fusion Mexican
restaurant in Newport (7)
10 Absence of light or
illumination (8)
13 Insistent; forceful (8)
16 Mode of transport to be used
by Richard and Judy Brierley-
Jones and Lawrence and Linda
Lee on their global 35,000km
trip (9)
17 Iconic growth generally
restricted to tropical and
subtropical climates (4,4)
19 Around-the-clock (3-4)
21 Pharmacy (7)
23 (In Asian cuisine) quickcooking
noodles, typically
served in a broth with meat and
vegetables (5)
24 Bills of fare (5)
25 Member for Pittwater, Rory
____ (4)
[Solution page 64]
Pittwater Puzzler
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 61

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Lemon myrtles: essential oils
and magic for your cooking
The lemon myrtle
tree, backhousia
citriodora, has been
used by the indigenous
population of Australia
for thousands of years,
both as tucker food,
as an insect repellent
and in medicinal herbal
remedies. The essential
oils of the lemon myrtle
have antifungal and antiinflammatory
properties.
The lemon scent of the
crushed leaves is known
to repel insects and is
a more friendly method
of repelling insects than
modern chemical sprays.
It was first discovered and
introduced for modern use
by James Backhouse an
English botanist in 1853,
and is now used in the
cosmetic industry, as a
culinary additive and for
aromatherapy.
The lemon Myrtle is
an attractive, small tree
that can be hedged or
grown as an ornamental
small tree. The glossy,
bright green leaves
contrast against the fluffy
white flowers in Summer
and the lemon scent
of the crushed leaves
is unrivalled. Plant this
rainforest tree close to
paths and walkways to
enjoy the fragrance that is
released as you brush by.
It is a small tree that
is easily maintained,
making it perfect for small
gardens and as a street
tree under the power lines.
It loves sun or semi shade
and once established will
tolerate most climatic
conditions, including
drought and heavy rain.
Pick the leaves and
enjoy a sensational cup
of lemon tree; use them
in cooking together with
fish, lamb, BBQs and
salads; or in cheesecakes,
muffins and sweet desert
recipes. Crushed and dried
the leaves can be stored
for use as a lemon-flavour
herb in any recipe that
uses lemons.
Caring for
crepe myrtles
The crepe myrtle trees, largerstroemia
indica, are looking gorgeous. They
love the hot, humid weather. They
are flowering now and can be seen
everywhere. The colours can be white,
pink, lavender, crimson or red. Sadly,
many are planted as street trees that
grow uncared for and get butchered
when cut back under the power lines.
To grow crepe myrtles, prune back by
one third every Winter when they lose
their leaves.
Crepe myrtles don’t have to be huge
unkept trees; there is a dwarf variety,
largerstroemia indica nana. The colours
are similar – but they are shrubs, not
trees. With all the attributes of their
taller cousins, these smaller shrubs reach
a maximum height of 1.8m – perfect
for smaller gardens, in the ground or in
large tubs in a courtyard. Prune them
back every Winter to keep them bushy
and compact.
62 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Some like it HOT!
Chilli peppers are easy to
grow and make the most
attractive pot plants or border
plants in the veggie garden.
They come in every shape and
colour. February is the month
that they are readily available
as maturing flowering plants.
Before you buy, check the heat
rating (on the label). Chillies are
rated from 1-10 – with 10 being
fiery hot!
Hundreds of cultivars have
been developed over the years,
from the original plant that
was used in Mexico by the
Aztecs and the Mayan peoples,
both in cooking and as a paste
applied to wounds. It was the
discovery of South America by
Christopher Columbus in 1492
that began the spread of the
use of chillies to the rest of the
world.
If you are growing chillies
just for decoration consider
the Rainbow chilli, a small
shrub just 60cm tall with multi
coloured fruits, or the more
unusual Lemon Drop chilli,
This traditionally is the month to replant your veggie garden but
this year the weather is just too hot. Wait a couple of weeks
until it cools a little at night.
Pull out any veggies that have finished or that have been badly
affected by mildew. Weed and turn the soil and let it rest for a few
days before replanting.
Tomatoes will keep fruiting
if you remove any yellowed or
diseased lower leaves. Trim
them back for a second crop.
Some seedlings can be
planted now. Lettuce can be
planted under tomato plants,
where they will be sheltered
from the heat; while carrots
and spring onions can be
planted year-round. Bok choy
and Chinese vegetables grow
quickly. Seed tape makes it
easy to repeat sowing every
couple of weeks.
It is too early to plant
seedlings of broccoli,
parsnips, cabbage,
cauliflower, broccolini, kale
and spinach but you can sow seeds that will be ready to plant out
by the end of the month.
There is still time for a second crop of bush beans before winter.
If you aren’t already growing herbs, this is a good month
to start. Parsley, basil, chives, tarragon, marjoram, thyme and
oregano will give you a basic variety of herbs to get going. Mint
should be planted separately in a large pot. Once it gets into the
garden it will take over and be hard to control.
The Local Voice Since 1991
with a rating of 7, that comes
from Peru. This will grow to 1m
tall and is covered with bright
yellow fruit.
For cooking, choose carefully.
There are some that are easily
found both as chillies in the
supermarket and as plants in
the garden centres.
The mildest is the Bell
Lantern chilli that has a sweet,
spicy flavour.
There are many medium-hot
chillies but most usual are the
long red peppers, the Rainbow
chillies or Thai chillies. (Just
check that their number is 7
or under or that they have a
pictorial rating of 2
chillies.)
Cayenne, Bird’s
Eye and the
Jalapenos that are
used as chipotle in
Mexican cooking
are next with a
rating of 8 (or 3 pics
chillies), followed
by green habaneros
who rate as 10!
Autumn veggie planting
FEBRUARY 2024 63
Garden Life

Garden Life
Jobs this Month
Garden Life
Whatever happened
to the Summer that
was meant to be
the hottest and driest on
record? Our gardens are
confused; one day heatwave
and the next is pouring rain
and thunderstorms. It is no
wonder that the garden is
struggling! (Don’t be tempted
to remove any sunburnt
leaves that appear after the
random very hot days. They
will protect the rest of the
plant. With such strange
weather patterns there may
well be more hot days to
come.)
Grass care
Mow the grass regularly to
prevent it growing long and
lanky. It is better to mow
frequently than to suddenly
expose the roots that have
been shaded by tall grass. Feed
the lawn this month for Autumn
growth.
Autumn prep
Pull out veggies that are
struggling and prepare the
garden for Autumn planting.
It is good to leave the soil
empty for a couple of weeks
before replanting Winter crops.
Dig the garden well and turn
in additional compost and
fertiliser.
Easy growing
If you are new to growing
vegetables, try a quick crop
of Pak Choi seedlings or buy
a packet of seed tape. Within
just a few weeks you will be
harvesting your crop. (If you
have a compost bin, take
care not to include the seeds
of tomatoes, pumpkins or
watermelons. They will all
germinate when you add the
compost to the garden!)
Cut & keep
Lightly prune back Summerflowering
shrubs. Don’t throw
away the greenery. Select
February
Hedge your best
Keep hedges trimmed. If
you are planting a new
hedge, think about the
Fairy Magnolias. They are
an alternative to murrayas
and lillipillies. Unlike other
magnolias they are evergreen,
compact bushy shrubs that
can be pruned into hedges.
Plant them 1 metre apart, they
are fast growing and quickly
form a hedge or windbreak up
to 3 metres tall. In Spring they
will be covered with a mass of
fragrant flowers, either white,
cream or pale pink.
suitable prunings to make new
cuttings. Chop the rest into
smaller pieces and put them in
the compost bin.
Mind mildew
Veggies that are affected
by powdery mildew can
be safely sprayed with Eco
fungicide. Read the withholding
instructions carefully before
spraying. A spray made with
1 tsp of baking soda mixed in
250 ml of water is an alternative
spray that is very effective.
Citrus feed
It’s the last time to feed citrus
trees before Winter. Spray
with Eco oil to protect the new
shoots from leaf miner as they
appear. Any new growth that
is already affected should be
cut off. New shoots will soon
appear.
Other chores
Move pots of cymbidium
orchids from the shade into
bright light or morning sun.
They will need the light to
develop their flower spikes…
Lightly trim back roses, remove
any old flower stems and feed
the bushes. In just a short time
you will have an Autumn flush
of flowers when the weather
cools.
Crossword solution from page 61
Mystery location: THE BASIN
64 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
Road expansion to Clareville
Without some prompting,
very few locals
would recognise this
thoroughfare as looking west
along Avalon Parade. In fact,
it’s most likely that the photo
was taken before 1920, when
this same stretch of road was
previously called Clareville
Road!
The ‘father’ of Avalon
Beach, AJ Small, envisaged it
as a “grand tree-lined parade”
linking the beach to Clareville
and Pittwater.
True, Central Road had
existed and served a similar
purpose – but its harsher contours
often led to washaways.
Bert Dewbury used to deliver
bread from Mazey’s Bakery
at Mona Vale and complained
bitterly about the number of
drive chains he went through
on his Harley Davidson and
sidecar negotiating the sandtraps
in Central Road.
Interestingly, on a 1901
subdivision plan indicating
Central Road, it is also
labelled “road to cave” and
would have provided access
to St Michael’s Cave from Pittwater
via the Clareville Wharf
from 1885. Coast access at the
time would have been rather
poor – and the reason why
Charles de Boos had walked
from Manly to Barrenjoey
only 20-plus years earlier.
A strange “tail” of a track,
labelled Arnold Road, appears
on several subdivision plans
heading south from the intersection
of Central Road and
Hudson Parade for about 300
feet in 1912. It was also the
western boundary of the 100-
acre property called ‘Risingholme’
which is the one which
AJ Small purchased to create
his seaside village of Avalon
The Local Voice Since 1991
GO WEST: Clareville Road pre-1920; and the first subdivision by AJ Small in 1920 which shows Clareville Road
before it became Avalon Parade one year later. (Note also that Seaview Avenue later became Elouera Avenue and
Coolawin Road is still ’to be born’. Also, Barrenjoey Road is not yet Old Barrenjoey Road since (new) Barrenjoey
Road around the golf course is still some eight years away.)
Beach. It eventually linked
up with Clareville Road to
become Avalon Parade.
The culvert behind the
cows locates the creek’s passage
from what later became
Ruskin Rowe, passing under
the road or track and across
(and under) the present entrance
to Pittwater Palms.
The white fence in the distance
as the road begins its
climb is actually the boundary
fence of the property
called ‘Gunjulla’. The two
stone gateposts mark the
original entrance to the property
and still stand fronting
Avalon Parade, just above the
entrance to Gunjulla Place.
*Alas, no matter how many
increased resolutions we
endeavoured to scan the
sign on the right with, it
refused to reveal itself from
the original photo. Can any
reader enlighten us?
TIMES PAST is supplied by
local historian and President
of the Avalon Beach
Historical Society GEOFF
SEARL. Visit the Society’s
showroom in Bowling Green
Lane, Avalon Beach.
FEBRUARY 2024 65
Times Past

Travel Life
Travel Life
PONANT’s 2025 excitement plans
From exhilarating Zodiac rides along
Australia’s Kimberley coast, snorkelling
the pristine subtropics of Japan, or
Mediterranean island-hopping aboard the
world’s first Relais & Châteaux-accredited
superyacht, PONANT offers a truly unique
experience.
“Venture into the unknown with PONANT
– whichever exploration you choose in
2025, a truly unique and once-in-a-lifetime
experience is guaranteed,” said Travel View
Avalon’s Gail Kardash.
“You can hike Antarctica’s ethereal
coasts, then retreat to the comforts of
the world’s only luxury icebreaker; or
experience the exhilarating Northern
Lights with privileged access to ports only
reachable by small ships,” she said.
Aboard chic and innovative PONANT
EXPLORER Le Soléal, Gail said travellers can
experience a rich blend of modernism and
tradition as they discover the Empire of the
Rising Sun in 2025.
“On a one-departure-only voyage – the
‘Best of Japan’ – enjoy the exceptional
presence of Japanese chef Mitsuru Tsukada
with culinary activities, sake tasting, and
traditional dinners (May 2025).
“You’ll explore cultural and gastronomic
heritage with included excursions at each
port of call. Sail to Sakaiminato to discover
medieval Japan and allow yourself to fall
under the spell of the samurai residences
edging the picturesque little streets of the
old city.”
She added that Nagasaki’s peaceful
charm and the hustle bustle of Hiroshima’s
lively streets also awaited, where travellers
will get to marvel at Miyajima Island’s
Shinto Shrine and explore Tamano’s traces
of traditional Japanese life.
Or perhaps you’ll want to sail far north
aboard PONANT EXPLORER, Le Champlain,
to explore Norway’s enchanting
landscapes on PONANT’s Nordic
Discoveries and Traditions itinerary.
Departing from Tromso in February and
March 2025 on three sailings, the journey
includes excursions at each port, such
as the legendary Nordkapp and Lofoten
Islands.
“Experience the mysterious charm of
the Lofoten archipelago and immerse
yourself in the Sami culture in Narvik. Sail
to Hammerfest, the world’s northernmost
town, to explore the UNESCO-listed Struve
Geodetic Arc. Pass by Bear Island’s rugged
coastline before reaching Honningsvag,
the northernmost point of Europe.
“Marvel at the North Cape and its
iconic Milestone, then explore Alta with
a chance to witness the mesmerizing
and ethereal Northern Lights. Your Arctic
adventure concludes in Tromso where you
will disembark filled with wonder of this
magical region.
“PONANT’s 35 years of expertise
guarantees an unparalleled experience
of luxury and adventure for each guest
welcomed aboard,” she said.
“Guests are welcomed aboard to gain
privileged, and expert-led, access to some
of the most rare and enriched destinations
on our planet in signature luxury.” – NW
*Find out more – attend Travel View’s
exclusive PONANT event at Bayview Golf
Club on Tuesday 13 February; RSVP call
9918 4444.
66 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991