Pittwater Life Febraury 2024 Issue

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.
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The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 27