Pittwater Life April 2024 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991 

APRIL 2024 

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THE FOOTY ISSUE: WARRINGAH RATS & AVALON BULLDOGS 

NARRABEEN ATHLETICS TRACK WOES / BARRENJOEY RD DANGER 

SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / ANZAC DAY / THE WAY WE WERE

Editorial 

Avalon Streets report pending 

Community consultation 

for the Avalon Streets as 

Shared Spaces ‘trial’ closed at 

the end of February. 

Council tells us its project 

team is now reviewing 1625 

online submissions as well as a 

“significant” number of written 

submissions received by post 

and email. 

“Given the volume of 

submissions received, it will 

take some time to review all 

submissions and report back 

to Council,” a spokesperson 

told us. 

“A report summarising the 

submissions, community sentiment 

and options will then be 

presented to Council.” 

Meantime Pittwater Ward 

Councillor Miranda Korzy 

reveals an unintended consequence 

of the changes and the 

safety concerns she holds (p16). 

* * * 

An update on the proposed 

bus rerouting down Cook 

Terrace and Melbourne Avenue 

at Mona Vale, as reported last 

month: Council says that so as 

to allow sufficient time for staff 

to compile feedback from the 

community about the proposed 

changes, it will table a report at 

the next Local Traffic Committee 

meeting in April. 

It says Transport for NSW 

and bus operator Keolis Downer 

continue to experience safety 

issues along Narrabeen Park 

Parade and on the feedback 

received from the community, 

a number of options to resolve 

the safety concerns were currently 

under review. 

Pittwater MP Rory Amon told 

us he had met with residents on 

site to hear their concerns and 

had raised them in a meeting 

with Keolis Downer. 

“Cook Terrace seems an inappropriate 

street for bus traffic,” 

he said. “The bus operator has 

undertaken to review this matter 

and I am looking forward to 

a sensible outcome.” 

– Nigel Wall 


APRIL 2024 3

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Vol 34 No 9 

Celebrating 33 years 

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THE FOOTY ISSUE: WARRINGAH RATS & AVALON BULLDOGS 

NARRABEEN ATHLETICS TRACK WOES / BARRENJOEY RD DANGER 

SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / ANZAC DAY / THE WAY WE WERE 

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thislife 

INSIDE: A favourite son has taken the reins at Warringah 

Rugby Club in 2024 (p6); Council’s new ticketless parking 

fines process is ruffling feathers (p10); hear what readers 

have to say about local issues (p14); Surfer Laura Enever has 

become the youngest Pittwater Woman of the Year (p22); 

Pittwater hospitality operators are bracing for unknown 

Winter trade (p26); read what we’ve seen, heard and consider 

absurd this month (p32); and we look at the proud 62-year 

history of the Avalon Bulldogs (p34) . 

COVER: ‘Autumn Morning’ / Sharon Green 

also this month 

Editorial 3 

Pittwater Local News & Features 6-45 

The Way We Were 30 

Seen... Heard... Absurd... 32-33 

Community News 40-45 

Life Story: Avalon Bulldogs Rugby League Club 34-37 

Hot Property 46-47 

Author Q&A 48 

Art 49 

Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 50-57 

Money 58-59 

Crossword 64 

Food & Tasty Morsels 66-69 

Gardening 70-72 

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Bookings & advertising material to set for 

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All contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the 

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APRIL 2024 The Local Voice Since 1991

2024 BRAINS 

TRUST: (L-r) Mark 

Gerrard, Tetera 

Faulkner, Josh 

Holmes and Boyd 

Killingworth. 

News 

Fresh blood, ideas fuel Rats 

It’s been a huge off-season for Warringah 

Rugby Club with 30 new players 

– including a slew of star signings 

from other clubs – joining the Rats, which 

this year is being coached by a quartet of 

former players that is surely the youngest 

coaching group in the Shute Shield. 

Josh Holmes, who led Warringah’s first 

grade Colts team to the 2023 premiership, 

is the new head coach. Mark Gerrard, Boyd 

Killingworth and Tetera Faulkner are also 

on board. All but Gerrard, a senior statesman 

at just over 40 years of age, are in 

their 30s and not long retired. 

Youth is a recurring theme at Warringah 

this year. Holmes replaces club stalwart 

Mike Ruthven, who stepped aside after the 

confronting 2023 season, when the club’s 

two top sides finished second last, the 

worst result in many years. 

History will not repeat, says Holmes, 

a born salesmen who led the aggressive 

recruitment campaign to make the club – 

which with him playing halfback won the 

premiership in 2017 and made the grand 

finals in 2018 and 2019 – a Shute Shield 

force again. 

Fresh blood and much greater depth are 

reasons why Holmes is looking forward to 

a successful season. “There are 25-30 Colts 

players from last year who have come to 

grade, and we’ve gone out and recruited 

about 30 new players as well,” says Holmes. 

“Our goal is to make the finals in all 

grades, get into the semis and do some 

damage. We think we’ve got the players to 

put together a really good season, and if we 

get to the finals, we have the belief that we 

can push any team to win the comp.” 

Warringah targeted either established 

first graders or players on the verge of becoming 

excellent first graders. “They’ve all 

really bought into the club and are driving 

standards,” says Holmes. 

New players include 2023 Shute Shield 

Rookie of the year Zac Barnabas, a devastating 

open side flanker returning to his 

junior club from arch-rival Manly. 

Then there’s gun Kiwi backrower Chlayton 

Frans and Lismore-raised lock Travis 

Gifford (both lured from Hunter Wildfires), 

New Zealand flyhalf Coby Miln, who won 

the premiership last year with Randwick, 

‘Throwing them with 

the new guys… has 

created a fresh start.’ 

and Eastwood’s freight train centre Komiti 

Tuilagi. 

“A whole bunch of the guys from last 

year have returned like Ben Marr, Charlie 

McKill, Wes Thomas, Esera Chee Kam, Harvey 

Elms, Connor Hickey, Sam Thomson 

and Tyson Davis, while Ben Woollett has 

come back after a stint with the Leicester 

Tigers,” says Holmes. 

“Throwing them with the new guys has 

created a really good environment, like a 

fresh start.” 

Working with Holmes is longtime Warringah 

collaborator Boyd Killingworth as 

defence coach. He has a big job – the Rats 

had more points scored against them than 

any side in the comp last year. 

Mark Gerrard – club legend, former Wallaby 

and experienced coach – is on board. 

Gerrard has been a driving force behind 

the Rats Rising Waratahs Academy, a big 

reason why Warringah is connecting much 

better with its rich junior player nursery. 

He is joined by set-piece coach Tetera 

Faulkner, who also works with the Waratahs 

and unknowingly did some frontline 

research into his new role last July, packing 

down against the Rats for Souths, one of 

just four matches Warringah won in 2023. 

Holmes brings a one-in-all-in approach 

to the head role and says the recruitment 

drive was necessary to build depth, which 

was a big issue in 2023 when a bad run 

with injuries impacted the spread of talent 

and experience across all grades. 

“The game’s getting pretty hard: it’s 

more physical and faster and it’s hard to 

ask guys to back up and play 80 minutes 

every week. Adding some depth to the 

squad across all grades will build good culture, 

build competitiveness and also give 

opportunities for players to rest.” 

On culture, Holmes says: “We’re one 

club, we’re Warringah Rats. There’s no top 

squad, there’s no bottom squad. We all 

train together. If guys are doing well and 

training hard, then they’re going to get an 

opportunity.” 

The Rats’ first match is an away clash 

with Southern Districts on April 6, followed 

by a testing home game against reigning 

premiers Randwick at Rat Park on Saturday, 

April 13. 

– Martin Kelly 

6 APRIL 2024 


PHOTO: Martin Kelly

Mona Vale ranked 

the 6th best beach in 

the world? Discuss… 

Conde Nast Traveller magazine has named 

Mona Vale Beach the sixth best beach in 

the world… and by default, the best beach 

on the Northern Beaches. Is it though? 

Rob Pegley took to the sand to find out. 

News 

Conde Nast Traveller is a But then we are blessed 

bastion for luxury style with an amazing array of 

and culture. From Paris beaches on our doorstep, so 

to New York, and indeed Sydney, 

who am I to argue? Instead, 

it celebrates the world’s I hunted down some other 

best in hotels, restaurants and people to argue. Starting with 

destinations. 

NRL legend Brad Fittler… 

In February, it announced its 

list of the 34 best beaches in Brad Fittler 

the world – the 50 best would Tick for: Mona Vale 

perhaps have been even better, “Mona Vale is a surfing beach, 

but maybe they were pushed has a rockpool, the basin is filled WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE: The image of Mona Vale ocean pool accompanying 

for time. (In fact, there is an with marine life, there are walks Conde Nast Traveller’s best beaches ranking story. 

idea in publishing that an around the rocks and parking! swim across the Basin (Bongin Sue Heins 

exact number like 34 suggests What more do you need?” Bongin Bay), children playing (Mayor, NB Council) 

a more definitive list – you can 

in Apex Park, surfers enjoying Tick for: Non-committal 

be the judge of that…). 

Chalk one up for Mona. multiple surf breaks, nippers “It is brilliant that Conde 

Palm Cove north of Cairns 

learning valuable surf lifesaving 

skills, sunset drinks on the what we already know – our 

Nast Traveller has recognised 

was at No.1, followed by Kauai Ralph Stonell 

in Hawaii. Fair enough. And (President, Mona Vale SLSC) Cooks Terrace balcony and a beaches are among the best 

dreamy Wategos at Byron Bay Tick for: Mona Vale 

beautiful dinner at the Basin in the world. Mona Vale offers 

No.4… Noosa at No.8. But a “The Mona Vale Beach community 

Restaurant, the Mona Vale something for everyone, a great 

windswept Breckon in the 

is buzzing about this Beach precinct has a lot to of- 

surf break for keen surfers, 

Shetlands of Scotland was acknowledgment. We are very fer locals and visitors alike.” rockpools for exploring, picnic 

one of three Scottish beaches proud and conscious of how 

areas, a great new surf club 

in the list – who knew 10 lucky we are. From a pre-dawn Fair enough. Can’t argue. and several popular cafes and 

per cent of the world’s best 

restaurants nearby. Our community 

beaches were in Scotland? 

is blessed with over 20 

At No.6 was the only representative 

stunning ocean beaches, many 

of the Northern 

with amazing public facilities 

Beaches: Mona Vale. The best 

and no doubt we all have our 

beach in Sydney… nay, NSW. 

own favourite.” 

Now, I love every beach on the 

Northern Beaches and opinions, 

Hmm. Diplomacy at its best. 

including those of the Conde 

Nast journalist, might be subjective, 

Stuart Mercer 

but Mona Vale wouldn’t 

Tick for: Mona Vale 

have made my top five on the 

“There are 6 million people in 

Northern Beaches, let alone 

Sydney and some mornings 

sneak into a list of the world’s 

I’m the only one on the beach! 

most best beaches. Although 

The local swimming groups are 

the aerial picture in the article 

really proud of their environment 

looks amazing, I wouldn’t have 

here and they often talk 

rated it as the best beach in Sydney. 

of shark sightings out behind 

I’ve never heard someone 

the pool – maybe that’s what 

MONA FANS: 

say: “If you visit Sydney, you 

Brad Fittler with keeps the people away. 

MUST go to Mona Vale beach, 

Stuart Mercer at 

it’s out of this world.” 

Mona Vale. 

Maybe Conde Nast has a point. 


The Local Voice Since 1991

Ken Burrows 

Tick for: Mona 

Vale or Avalon 

“Having moved 

away the one 

thing we really 

miss are the Pittwater 

beaches. 

We could never 

really make our 

mind up between Mona Vale 

and Avalon. The sunrise over 

Mona Vale is spectacular as 

is the swim amongst the fish 

in the Basin. The Avalon tidal 

rock pool is also pretty special. 

So we alternated daily between 

the two. How blessed you guys 

are!” 

How about someone visiting 

Sydney? 

Ludwig Unterriner 

(Visiting daughter Vanessa 

from Austria) 

Tick for: Bilgola Beach 

“Bilgola 

has got a 

lovely palm 

tree-swathed 

entrance 

and a cuteas-a-button 

surf club, the 

pool is large 

and protected 

and the 

beach is small and empty of 

tourists most of the time. The 

pool is deep and beautiful for 

swimming.” 

And some Beaches locals… 

Alix Segal 

Tick for: North Curl Curl 

“I’ve lived here my whole life 

and I’ve never been to Mona 

Vale beach! But my favourite 

is North Curl Curl – it’s quite 

secluded, and with the rocks/ 

cliffs, it looks like you could 

be somewhere in the Mediterranean, 

so it’s like a getaway, 

without getting away.” 

That’s throwing Conde Nast a 

‘Curly’ one. 

CURL CURL VIEW: Alix. 


Kim Turnbull 

Tick for: Freshwater 

“How do you ever choose 

just one?! It really depends 

who/where you are in life. As 

a kid, I grew up on Freshie 

beach and I’d still rate it as 

one of the best, particularly 

for families. As a teenager 

with friends it was Queenscliff, 

purely cause Manly was 

the place to 

be. As a single 

adult for many 

years (ie, not 

thinking about 

anyone but 

me) North 

Curly was 

my fave. 

And now, 

as a dog owner, 

South Mona where everyone 

takes their dogs is just perfect! 

Overall, I’d say Freshwater 

would get the majority vote on 

the beaches!” 

Good observations there… 

Peter 

Andrews 

& son 

Rory (9) 

Ticks for: 

Freshwater 

“Being Melbourne 

born, 

our closest 

‘proper’ 

beach back 

then was 

a 90+ min 

drive… Our 

closest and favourite 

beach 

at Freshwater 

is a 10-minute drive away. 

One thing we love is the beach 

during a Winter Storm – so 

amazing!” 

And there you have it – conclusive 

proof* that Freshwater 

in the south and Mona Vale in 

the north are indeed the best 

beaches on the peninsula. 

Unless you have a different 

opinion… 

*‘Conclusive proof’ means 

we asked a random bunch of 

people on the Northern Beaches 

what they thought… and we’re 

sure we could have covered off 

all the stretches of sand on the 

Northern Beaches if we’d asked 

enough people. 

*Read the article at cntraveller.com; 

what do you think? 

Tell us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au 

APRIL 2024 9 

News

News 

Council line on ticketless fines 

Northern Beaches Council says it 

will consult with Revenue NSW 

before deciding whether to amend 

its delivery of the NSW Government’s 

‘Print & Post’ ticketless parking fine 

process – despite receiving a request 

from the Minister for Finance to leave 

“calling cards” on the windscreens of 

cars alerting drivers that a fine has been 

issued. 

Under Print & Post, the owners of 

illegally parked cars receive their fines 

via mail or the Service NSW app. 

Council opted into the scheme, which 

has been adopted by more than 20 

Sydney metropolitan Councils since 

2020, at the beginning of March. 

However, following a community 

outcry that overlapped Northern Beaches 

Council’s implementation of the scheme, 

the State Government scrapped further 

take-up by other Councils. 

Further, last month Minister for 

Finance Courtney Houssos wrote to 

Councils including NB Council, formally 

requesting they provide additional onthe-spot, 

written notification to drivers 

so they would know they had been 

booked. 

Council told Pittwater Life it would 

“consider the guidance from Revenue 

NSW” – its direct line of government 

reporting – when implementing the 

added layer of notification to individuals 

who were to receive a ticketless fine. 

Revenue NSW reports directly to the 

Finance Minister’s office. 

In supplied background information 

Council said: “It is worth noting the 

system does allow drivers to receive 

more information about the offence than 

previously. When an offence is detected 

and a ticket is issued, parking officers 

take photographic evidence at the site 

which is then transferred to the Revenue 

NSW server and can be reviewed by the 

driver with full details of the offence. 

For those with grounds to appeal, having 

this evidence can assist.” 

NO PHYSICAL TICKETS: Council rangers are rolling out the new ‘Print & Post’ model. 

Council added that additional benefits 

included safer working conditions for its 

employees issuing parking infringement 

notices (PINs), measurable savings for 

ratepayers and increased efficiency in 

the administration of PINs. 

Countering that, Ms Houssos said 

the Government understood councils 

were concerned about the safety of 

infringement officers from abuse and 

aggression when issuing tickets – but 

noted PINs were already issued in-person 

by officers using a digital device and 

required them to take photos as evidence 

for inclusion with the posted fine. 

Pittwater Ward Councillor Michael 

Gencher said he had received a torrent of 

emails from locals about ‘Print & Post’. 

“Council’s decision to transition 

away from paper parking dockets 

to a ticketless system has sparked 

considerable concern among residents 

and stakeholders,” he said. 

“I’ve received more than 20 emails 

– that’s a lot for any local issue… I was 

surprised. 

“While the move is ostensibly 

motivated by a desire to streamline 

processes and reduce environmental 

impact, it has raised questions about its 

practicality and potential drawbacks.” 

Cr Gencher urged Council to assess 

the feasibility and associated costs of 

introducing a paper-based parking 

notification system, coupled with the 

incorporation of Revenue NSW’s Print and 

Post service for issuing parking fines. 

“This evaluation should emphasise 

the preservation of transparency and 

accessibility for residents, as underscored 

by concerns voiced by Minister Houssos 

and the community,” he said. 

“The recent remarks by Ms Houssos, 

highlighting the inadequacies of the 

ticketless parking system, and the 

subsequent recommendation urging 

councils to furnish drivers with on-thespot 

written notifications, such as a 

conveniently placed pre-printed card on 

windshields upon issuing fines, only serve 

to emphasise the imperative for Northern 

Beaches Council to reassess its stance.” 

He added: “Returning to the previous 

system seems not only logical but also in 

line with the principles of transparency 

and accessibility that should underscore 

any policy change. 

“The simplicity and immediacy 

of the previous system provided a 

straightforward process for both residents 

and authorities, ensuring fair and efficient 

handling of parking matters.” – Nigel Wall 

PHOTO: Council website 



News 

Wesley Narrab 

deal is expected within an Expressions of Interest 

A weeks for the sale of campaign. Wesley Mission 

Wesley Taylor Village over announced last April that 

9200sqm of prime beachside Narrabeen was one of three 

land at Narrabeen, which residential aged centres it 

preferred buyer Retirement by was selling, getting out of the 

Moran plans to redevelop into sector. 

a premium retirement living Managing Director of Retirement 

by Moran Sally Taylor 

complex. 

The site takes up almost the expects the transaction to 

entire block between Ocean, settle over the next few weeks. 

Octavia, Lagoon and Loftus There are 19 residents on site, 

Streets and is believed to be according to Wesley, and their 

the largest land sale on the contracts will be included in 

Narrabeen Peninsula since the the sale. 

Warringah Ice Skating Rink “Our full intention is that 

was turned into apartments should we be successful we’ll 

during the late 1990s. 

be redeveloping that site into 

Neither party would comment 

on potential sale price. village – that’s always been the 

a seniors’ living retirement 

Local real estate agents believe basis on which we engaged,” 

the land would be worth at says Taylor. 

least $65 million if it was a She says inspiration for 

residential transaction, but a Narrabeen will come from its 

zoning caveat ensures the site latest development, Sage by 

can only be used for seniors Moran at Cronulla, where the 

living, reducing its value. penthouse sold for $4.75 million 

and prices for the two and 

Negotiations started 

six months ago between three-bedroom units started 

owner Wesley Mission and at $1.85 million. 

Retirement by Moran after Taylor says Narrabeen will 



een sale near 

CLOSE: The 

sale of Wesley 

Taylor Village. 

be a high-quality development 

but baulked at the luxury 

label often attached to such 

projects. “I would prefer to 

use the term quality – we are 

building a quality retirement 

village that caters to the needs 

of the community,” she says. 

It’s likely there will be no 

one-bedrooms apartments 

at Narrabeen. “There’s no 

demand for one-bedroom 

units from people looking to 

downsize from large family 

homes.” 

The sale, when it happens, 

marks the end of Wesley 

Mission’s almost 100-year association 

with the site, which 

it opened as ‘The Outlook’ in 

1929 as a home for aged men. 

Over time it evolved and both 

residential units and care facilities, 

which were shuttered 

last May. 

“It is a challenging environment 

to be a smaller provider,” 

Rev Stu Cameron, Wesley Mission 

CEO and Superintendent, 

said when announcing the 

closures. 

“Wesley Mission’s support 

for older people in NSW continues, 

focusing on providing 

in-home care and living 

to help people stay in their 

homes for longer.” 


News 



News 

Letters: Readers have their say 

Land values anger 

In response to your article 

on Land Values (Pittwater Life 

Feb ’24); I have had extensive 

communications on this 

matter with Northern Beaches 

Council, Dr Sophie Scamps, 

Rory Amon, The Valuer 

General and NSW Minister 

for Local Government Ron 

Hoenig. 

All of which got me 

nowhere, as it transpires that 

the Valuer General’s office 

has appointed a temporary 

CEO whilst it is being 

completely overhauled after 

a Parliamentary Enquiry 

deemed that it was operating 

ineffectively for ratepayers! 

I live in Bareena Road, 

Avalon and my land tax as of 

1 July 2019 was $1,110,000; 

on 1 July 2022 it increased to 

$2,060,000 – almost a 100 per 

cent increase in three years! 

This value is used by 

Council to calculate residents’ 

rates – and our rates increased 

by 14.93 per cent over the 

previous year due to increases 

in costs and the higher land 

tax value. 

Plus, the Valuer General’s 

office rejected my objection 

to the increase (due to their 

unfair closing date for 

objections, as it precedes the 

date that the Council notify 

residents of rates increase for 

2023/’24). 

I trust you might be able 

to help us local residents 

to combat the emotionless 

bureaucracies that we have to 

deal with, and pay for. 

Name supplied 

Avalon Beach 

Parking ticket 

madness 

I understand that in the 

interests of ‘sustainability’ 

Council is set to drop paper 

parking tickets and the only 

way you’ll find out you’ve 

been fined is by email, or post 

(‘Print & Post’). 

Surely sending an email or 

letter is a lot more expensive 

than the parking inspector 

just leaving the usual ticket? 

So what’s the real reason? 

Making it harder for residents 

to dispute a poorly applied 

fine? Adding late fees when 

their email went straight to 

the ‘junk’ folder? 

Sometimes Councils seem to 

forget that their primary duty 

is serving the community – 

not milking it for funds. 

Northern Beaches Council 

officers have taken some good 

decisions in recent years, but 

this isn’t one of them! 

John Dengate 

Avalon 

(Editor’s note to readers: see our 

update story on page 10) 

Why more Mona 

Vale Road lights? 

Locals are all hugely 

disappointed by the Minns 

Government’s decision to halt 

completion of the Mona Vale 

Road western upgrade. 

The eastern upgrade is 

nearly complete, at immense 

cost. But why have they 

burdened us with another set 

of traffic lights, instead of a 

roundabout at the Ponderosa 

Road/Samuel Street/Mona 

Vale Road intersection? The 

previous roundabout there 

worked efficiently and well. 

Hold ups seemed minimal. 

There is acres of room. 

We now have 10 sets of 

traffic lights between Manor 

Road at Ingleside and Bungan 

Beach! 

Jon Pratten 

Whale Beach 

Find a solution 

for bus rerouting 

Re: your article on the 

proposed rerouting of buses 

down Cook Terrace at Mona 

Vale (Pittwater Life, March ’24) 

– surely this is a joke? There 

are many streets where buses 

can’t pass, and where cars are 

parked on both sides of the 

road. Example to name two: 

Gladstone Street at Newport 

and Myoora Road at Terrey 

Hills. 

Perhaps (the operators) 

Keolis Downer should get out 

from behind their desks to 

view the situation. Why don’t 

they get on a route 155 or a 

197 and see for themselves? 

The article mentions that 

“parked vehicles have been 

damaged”. So of course, the 

drivers doing the damage 

have left their details on the 

damaged cars for the car 

owners? 

These streets were never 

built for buses to go along. 

It’s time to come up with 

other options. Brainstorm 

till you find one that’s 

acceptable to bus users and 

residents. 

Name supplied 

Mona Vale 

Plaque for old 

Victory Tree site 

Regardless of whether 

or where another Tree of 

Remembrance (Victory Tree) is 

planted in its place (Pittwater 

Life, March ’24), I would like to 

see a commemorative plaque, 

perhaps on a sandstone plinth, 

so people actually notice it, 

erected on the site. 

I think Council should 

pay for it and the landowner 

should accept it and be 

prepared for the minimal 

maintenance it would require. 

Comments on the proposed 

wording, drafted by Council, 

could be published in Pittwater 

Life for community feedback. 

Joanna, 

Mona Vale 



‘Cost shifting’ disputed 

News 

‘Every dollar we pay in 

levies and subsidies to 

the State Government is 

one less dollar we can put 

into our local roads and 

footpaths, our parks and 

community centres.’ 

Pittwater MP Rory Amon has called 

out Northern Beaches Council for 

crying poor after Council blamed 

the former Liberal Coalition Government 

for leaving ratepayers $39 million worse 

off due to “cost shifting” in 2022. 

Council said ratepayers were out of 

pocket $379 per ratepayer due to cost 

shifting from the then NSW Government 

in that year. 

But Mr Amon explained money was 

never “free”, as it came from the State 

Government and the taxpayer “always 

foots the bill”. 

A former Councillor, Mr Amon said he 

expected Councils to fight to minimise 

costs they felt they paid for. 

“But I also expect Councils to be as 

efficient as possible,” he said. 

“In the past, our Council spent $13 million 

on new bins we didn’t want or need.” 

He highlighted that in 2021/22, Northern 

Beaches Council received revenue 

from State and Federal Governments and 

other sources of $71 million – confirmed 

in Council’s 2021-’22 financial statement. 

“Council also says that cost shifting 

cost it $39 million in that same year. In 

2021/’22, Council seemed to be a net beneficiary 

of Government and other funding 

to the tune of at least $22 million. 

“I will let residents form their own view.” 

But Council maintains that cost shifting 

saw it out of pocket $39 million in 

2021/’22. 

It said a Local Government NSW-commissioned 

Cost Shifting Report revealed 

Northern Beaches Council paid the highest 

Emergency Services Levy in 2021/’22 

($6.4 million – $62 per ratepayer and 

28 per cent more than the next highest 

Council), while its Emergency Services 

Levy increased to $9.3 million, equivalent 

to $90 per ratepayer. 

The report was produced by independent 

consultants, Morrison Low, for the 

2021/’22 financial year which calculated 

an amount of $1.36 billion in costs has 

been passed on to councils across NSW. 

This was an increase of $540 million 

since the last report, from 2017/’18. 

Mayor Sue Heins said increasing cost 

shifting put a huge burden on the financial 

stability of local government. 

“Every dollar we pay in levies and subsidies 

to the State Government is one less 

dollar we can put into our local roads 

and footpaths, our parks and community 

centres,” she said. 

“Put simply it constrains our ability to 

maintain our community infrastructure 

and sustain the same level of service to 

our community. Our Asset Management 

Plan (2022-2032) identifies an infrastructure 

funding gap of $151 million over 10 

years. 

“Our community deserve better and 

this must stop.” 

Mayor Heins encouraged the Minns 

Government to consider how cost shifting 

was resulting in lost services, lost 

opportunity and lost amenity for NSW 

residents and businesses. 

“And do something to fix it,” she said. 

– Nigel Wall 

‘Rethink Avalon traffic island’ 

Pittwater Ward Councillor 

Miranda Korzy 

Rory Amon. 

wrote to Pittwater MP 

is calling for a rethink 

“Although I’ve had 

of the new pedestrian island 

responses to my emails, 

on Barrenjoey Road 

so far I haven’t heard of 

due to safety concerns. 

any progress.” 

“Because of all the 

Also, Ms Korzy said 

changes to Avalon’s 

she would like to see the 

speed limit on Barrenjoey 

Rd through Avalon 

roads over the past year 

or so, this is the one I’m 

reduced to 40km/h, at 

most concerned about – 

least during school start 

we need to fix this crossing 

area before there’s 

and finish times, due to 

the number of students 

a tragic accident,” Ms 

crossing at those times. 

Korzy said. 

“Without a footpath 

She added that during 

between Kamikaze Corner 

and Avalon Pde, we 

the week, kids “corralled” 

on the island, on 

have cars travelling at 

their way to Barrenjoey 

60km/h or more along 

High or Avalon Primary, 

here literally centimetres 

from pedestrians 

DANGER: The 

and were surrounded 

crossing on 

by cars, often travelling 

Barrenjoey Rd. – not to mention on the 

at high speed as drivers 

stretch outside the surf 

rushed to work. 

refuge was also busy with and prams, elderly people, club.” 

“When there’s a break in the holidaymakers going to the dogs and those on bikes and She welcomed current 

traffic, they weave around the beach. 

skateboards, negotiate the Council consultation on 

vehicles, some still moving, “I often cross here myself traffic.” 

parking around Avalon PS 

with others backed up from with my heart in my mouth She said she raised these and encouraged residents to 

the red light on Avalon Pde. watching everyone, including issues with Council staff in comment on the proposals on 

“Over summer, the island mums and dads with toddlers December and more recently Council’s website. – NW 



News 

‘Urgent action’ call on track 

Member for Pittwater 

Rory Amon has called 

for urgent action 

following the indefinite 

closure of the Sydney 

Academy of Sport athletics 

track in Narrabeen. 

The track was closed 

in December 2023 owing 

to ongoing “bubbling” of 

the track and following an 

assessment by the Office of 

Sport and its insurer iCare 

which deemed the track 

“unsafe”. The closure was 

despite long term “bubbling” 

on the track which did 

not previously attract the 

attention of Government 

representatives. 

“Track users report to me 

that the ‘bubbling’ is not any 

worse than in the past, and 

for years the Office of Sport 

and its insurer were happy 

for the track to remain open,” 

he said. 

“The track has had longterm 

challenges and they 

need to be fixed; however, 

this does not warrant a 

heavy-handed, arbitrary and 

bureaucratic response in 

closing the track indefinitely. 

“The organised sport 

users of the track, such 

as the Manly Warringah 

Little Athletics, report that 

they have always been able 

to adapt and address any 

challenge associated with 

bubbling,” said Mr Amon. 

President of the Manly 

Warringah Athletics 

Association Jeff Wrightson 

said it was appalling that 

the future of the athletics 

facility was up in the air and 

dependent on the advice from 

consultants only recently 

engaged by iCare. 

“Whether the cause of the 

track surface bubbling is due 

to inadequate drainage, poor 

track repairs, flooding, or 

rising sea levels, the problem 

has been known for the past 

five years,” he said. 

“Why wasn’t the 

appropriate action taken well 

before now? 

“At the busiest part of the 

athletics season and in a 

year the sporting public of 

Australia will be captivated 

by the Paris Olympic Games, 

having no proper athletics 

facility in the area is not good 

enough. The closest facilities 

with a synthetic surface are at 

least an hour’s drive away.” 

Seeking an urgent 

collaborative approach, Mr 

Amon wrote to NSW Minister 

for Sport Stephen Kamper last 

month calling for an urgent 

onsite meeting with key 

stakeholders including Little 

Athletics, so that the track 

could be re-opened. 

“It is concerning that the 

taxpayer-funded insurer 

iCare seems to have been so 

inconsistent in their decisions 

regarding the track,” Mr 

Amon said. 

“The indefinite closure is 

causing significant detriment 

to our athletics community 

and school users. 

“The Office of Sport and 

the Minister seem to be doing 

REMAINS CLOSED: The troublesome synthetic track at the Sydney 

Academy of Sport at Narrabeen; insurer iCare has withheld insurance. 

their best to be responsive 

to enquiries on behalf of the 

Pittwater sports community, 

including helping establish a 

temporary grass track for use, 

but we need to cut through the 

red tape and find a practical 

solution now,” said Mr Amon. 

Mackellar Federal MP 

Dr Sophie Scamps urged 

the State and Federal 

Governments to join forces 

to find another site within 

the Northern Beaches for a 

second elite level track, so 

PHOTO: Supplied 

that our best athletes were 

not forced to travel for hours 

across Sydney to simply train. 

“Asking elite sprinters to 

train on a grass track is like 

asking Olympic swimmers to 

train in an ocean pool or the 

local dam,” said Dr Scamps, a 

former elite athlete who was 

ranked No.1 in the country 

over 800 metres. 

“Australians love their 

sport, and we love it when our 

athletes do well, so let’s give 

them a fair go.” 

A spokesman for the NSW 

Office of Sport said that a 

temporary grass athletics 

track opened on 30 January 

2024 on Oval 1 at Sydney 

Academy. 

The temporary track is 

available for training by 

both user groups and casual 

visitors, Little Athletics clubs 

and school sports carnivals. 

The infield area of the closed 

athletics track is available 

for throwing and jumping 

disciplines, including high 

Jump, long jump, pole vault, 

shot put and discus. 

Dr Scamps said data held by 

NSW Athletics indicated there 

was a great need and demand 

for a second track in the area. 

“That’s why I and my 

fellow State independent MP, 

Michael Regan, have begun 

the process of advocating 

to the NSW and Federal 

Governments not only to 

resolve the issue with the 

track at the Sydney Academy 

of Sport – but also for a new 

athletics facility in the region 

to accommodate the huge 

number of athletes in our 

community.” – Nigel Wall 



Warriewood’s Piano Man 

News 

Every day at 4pm, Dr 

Bill delights the fellow 

residents of Arcare Warriewood 

Aged Care home with 

his brilliant Piano playing – 

all the more impressive given 

Bill is 102 years old. 

It takes me by surprise 

when I think about it, but I’ve 

never met anyone who was 

over 100. If I had any preconceptions 

of what a centenarian 

might look and act like, 

then Dr Bill blows them away 

pretty quickly. He launches 

into some Gershwin on the piano 

and looks me straight in 

the eyes as he says: “I’m not 

really a fan of the acoustics 

in this room. And these keys 

[he nods at the baby grand] 

are wooden rather than ivory 

– but it still makes a good 

sound.” 

It certainly does. And it 

continues to do so as Bill 

goes through his repertoire 

of Rachmaninov (“my real 

favourite”), Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ 

(from Porgy and 

Bess), and Burt Bacharach. 

“Classical and music from the 

1940s and ’50s are my favourites,” 

says Bill. 

Bill’s daughter Sue turns 

the sheet music pages lovingly 

as Bill plays with his mouth 

slightly open in concentration. 

“I’ve always done that,” 

Bill laughs. 

“He absolutely loves playing,” 

says Sue proudly. “He 

used to play every evening at 

home while mum was cooking 

dinner,” she remembers 

fondly. 

Now he plays in the beautiful 

tearoom at the Arcare 

home in Warriewood which in 

many ways has the feel of a 

grand art deco hotel. 

Bill says he learnt when 

he was only five and so has 

played for 97 years. He played 

throughout his school years as 

a border at Shore School, and 

then at university, where he 

played hymns on the organ. 

“I’d love an organ,” says Bill, 

with mischievous eyes, “a 

Wurlitzer would be wonderful.” 

Until the organ comes 

along, Bill is happy to sit at 

the baby grand every day at 

4pm and tinkle the ivorylooking 

wood keys. 

“The staff always love listening 

to Bill as they go about 

their work,” says Sue. “And he 

normally has one or two people 

come and sit and listen.” 

It’s one of a few things 

that keep Bill seeming much 

younger than his 102 years. 

His hearing is not good and 

he relies on a walker to get 

around, but other than that 

you would guess he was in 

his 80s. 

And he has certainly lived 

a life. 

Born in 1922, Bill became a 

radiologist and oncologist, being 

one of only two Australians 

of his generation to get a 

fellowship to study in the UK 

– where he met his wife, Joan, 

who was on a working holiday 

in London at the time. He 

worked in his field until the 

late 1970s, when he became 

one of the first people in Sydney 

to practice hypnotherapy 

– helping people with anxiety 

and addictions. 

Joan died in 2010 and it 

was 2019 when Bill moved 

into aged care at Warriewood. 

He bought a small electric 

keyboard for his room during 

COVID. 

Towards the end of my own 

private concert, I ask Bill what 

his advice would be for a long 

and happy life. 

He considers before saying: 

“You need to find a way to 

escape the rage and noise of 

this world sometimes,” says 

Bill. “It’s important that you 

concentrate on your breathing. 

That you relax as you let 

your breath out. And that you 

find happy things to think 

about and to do. I have my 

music and crosswords and I 

still like to go for walks. You 

need to find a way to break 

free from the real world.” 

– Rob Pegley 



Roy’s century of memories 

Extended family and around 50 

friends gathered at the Avalon 

home of RAF Flight Lieutenant Roy 

Smith last month to celebrate his 100th 

birthday. 

As well as the RAF memorabilia laid 

out on a table in the home, guests 

saw Mr Smith’s personal 

message from King 

Charles III and the Queen 

Consort. 

“It was a very nice message,” 

he said. “I thought it 

and the Governor General’s 

letter were very good.” 

Daughter Deb Mundell 

said in fact her father was 

absolutely chuffed at the 

Royal correspondence and 

said the letter appeared 

regularly when people visited 

the house. 

Mr Smith and family 

moved to Australia from 

England in 1962 when the 

chartered surveyor took 

over operations of a property consulting 

firm. 

Mr Smith said he was born into a 

modest British family, although clearly 

one in which the over-achieving gene 

was strong. He said his sister was an 

acclaimed ballet dancer, his younger 

brother became a headmaster, and his 

older brother was a British Ambassador 

and a one-time head of MI5. 

Alas, Mr Smith outlived his exceptional 

siblings. 

“It’s always been my ambition to 

make 100 and follow in my mother’s 

footsteps,” he said. “I must admit, I’ve 

been counting down the years!” 

Any secrets to longevity? 

“Love is the biggest thing,” the father 

of three said. “It binds together. And 

from it you get peace and tranquillity.” 

Mind you, having extraordinary good 

fortune doesn’t go astray. Like when the 

21-year-old pilot 

cartwheeled an 

impaired, flaming 

four-engine 

Halifax down a 

runway at Shaibah, 

Iraq. It was 

in July 1945, and 

HAPPY HUNDRED: 

Roy Smith at home 

at Avalon; young 

Roy (on left) 

during service in 

World War II. 

it was a miracle 

that ‘Skipper’ 

and his crew survived. 

Or when he flew his crew over ‘the 

hump’, aka the Himalayas, and all 

engines of his Halifax stopped working 

– frozen after entering a sudden cloud 

bank. 

“The safety height was 17,000ft,” he 

recalled. “We couldn’t see and were 

going down… 15, 14, 13, 12. We ended 

up at 9,000ft when the cloud cleared. 

That was when we saw we were flying 

in-between two mountain peaks.” 

The engines managed to come back 

to life and they landed at an airstrip 

in North Burma (now Myanmar). He 

recalled a quirky wartime detail about 

the event: “Some US soldiers emerged 

from the jungle and took us back to 

their camp where they had an icecream 

maker! We ate freshly made ice 

cream in the jungle.” 

Immediately after the war he lived in 

South-East Asia, as part of an RAF team 

which flew 2400 tonnes of rice and 180 

tonnes of salt to the starving Kachin 

people living in the Burmese 

mountains. 

He said he was blessed 

to have been appointed 

to the 298 Squadron 

Tactical Air Force, whose 

main tasks were towing 

huge gliders and dropping 

rations and SAS operatives 

across enemy lines. 

But Mr Smith didn’t drop 

any bombs – a situation for 

which he is now grateful. 

“I was no hero,” he said. “I 

just had a job to do.” 

The cricket-loving, former 

tennis player said he has 

some other regimented 

practices that he swore by. “I do the 

New York Times puzzle every day to 

keep my mind active, and I love the 

outdoors,” he said. 

Ms Mundell added that chocolate was 

also a regular indulgence, joking that 

her father had put away more than his 

fair share over the years! – Rod Bennett 

*ANZAC Day ceremonies – see page 44 

News 



News 

Laura youngest ‘Woman of Year’ 

World women’s professional 

surfing legend Laura Enever 

has become the youngest 

recipient of the Pittwater Woman of 

the Year. 

Laura was honoured in recognition 

of her significant contribution to the 

local and international surfing community, 

and for inspiring and showing 

young women that the sky is their 

limit. 

At the annual International Women’s 

Day Breakfast hosted by the Zonta Club 

of the Northern Beaches at the Royal 

Prince Alfred Yacht Club last month, 

Pittwater MP Rory Amon singled out 

HONOURED: Laura with 

Laura’s passion and the positive impact 

Pittwater MP Rory Amon; 

she has made locally and abroad. 

and surfing a big wave. 

“This is a well-deserved honour – 

Laura’s dedication to surfing and success in breaking the 

world record for the largest wave ever surfed into by a woman, 

has made our community so proud.” 

In December, Laura, 32 – who grew up at North Narrabeen – 

was awarded the Guinness Book of Records’ world record for 

the largest wave ever “paddled in” by a female. 

She debuted on the Women’s surf Tour in 2008 and spent 

more than a decade finishing in the top 10 in events before 

turning her focus to big wave surfing. 

“Laura is an inspiration to many young surfers and aspiring 

pro athletes, particularly women, in Pittwater and beyond,” 

said Mr Amon. 

Accepting the award, Ms Enever praised her mother, 

Sarah Enever, who she described as her “… hero, always 

being there for me so I could pursue my passion”. 

She also thanked her former teachers from Narrabeen 

Sports High School, who encouraged her to pursue her 

dream. 

“It’s been an honour to 

represent my community 

through my whole career, 

through all of the different 

stages and phases of 

my life,” said Laura. 

“It is a community that 

has really supported and 

moulded me into the person 

I am today, as well as 

the athlete and surfer. 

“My career as a surfer 

has taken me all around 

the world. There’s truly 

nothing better than landing 

back in Sydney and heading north over the Narrabeen 

Bridge. 

“Home truly is a feeling, and a lot of my favorite memories 

have happened on the Northern Beaches. From joining the 

North Narrabeen Boardriders as a little 10-year-old grommet, I 

was one of the only girls. 

“I surfed with the boys. Today, there’s over 30 girls in the 

club in its women’s division and it’s the most amazing thing 

to see the girls some days overtake the amount of guys in the 

line-up.” 

– NW (with NB Advocate) 



News 

25 years of pizza(zz) 

Avalon institution Cranzgot’s is 25 years 

old this year – and it’s same, same, but 

different for the locals’ pizza place. 

“I used to bring the kids here when they 

were younger,” says Lara, the manager of 

Cranzgot’s. “The different owners 

over the years have usually lived 

in Avalon and we’re all about 

collaboration and community 

these days.” 

The origins of Cranzgot’s 

are South African 

though. A pizzeria started 

in Plettenberg Bay in 1981, 

that was known for its 

pizza, its atmosphere and 

the big wooden tables that 

people carved their names in. 

Sound familiar? 

“Philip Golombick moved to 

Avalon at the end of the ’90s and 

brought his ideas with him; to 

this day we retain a South African 

influence in the menu. 

MOREISH: 

Cranzgot’s 

fare. 

“We’re not an Italian pizza restaurant, we’re 

unique. We have ingredients such as pepperdew, 

which is a chilli-sweetened roasted 

capsicum. 

“The menu doesn’t change a great deal, but 

we do have specials which are new concoctions, 

such as the recent Club Pesto, and we 

also bring back old favourites by popular 

demand. And there are specials such as the 

CCC (chicken, cranberry and camembert) that 

we bring out for special occasions.” 

Cranzgot’s has had music off and on over 

the years, but Lara has honed the 

brand as Live @ Cranny’s, with 

local up-and-coming acts on a 

Wednesday evening and established 

bands on a Friday. 

It’s common for people 

to get up and dance, and 

Cranzgot’s has a relaxed 

but lively atmosphere. 

In terms of local collaboration, 

Lara works closely 

with Chill Bar in Avalon, 

only serving their ice cream. 

While beers are brewed locally 

at The Avalon Brewery (formerly 

Trust Tree). Cranzgot’s also help 

sponsor Avalon Soccer Club and are 

always looking for new local staff. 

As for the 25th anniversary, Lara has more 

innovation planned. 

“Stay tuned for some great new things happening 

at Crangot’s. We have Facebook and 

Instagram pages that are constantly being 

updated, and there will be plenty for locals to 

enjoy this year.” 

– RP 

*More great ‘Tasty Morsels’ – Page 69 

6THINGS 

THIS MONTH 

Author talk. Best-selling author 

Amanda Hampson will be back in 

Avalon talking at the Recreation 

Centre on Wed 10 from 6pm about 

her latest book The Cryptic Clue – 

the highly anticipated new novel in 

the Tea Ladies cosy crime series. 

Tickets $10 from Avalon Library or 

phone 8495 5080; includes light 

refreshments. 

Inflatable fun. Dunbar Park will be 

transformed into a giant inflatable 

jumping castle and obstable course 

as the Avalon Youth Hub hangout 

celebrates Youth Week on Wed 10 

from 3.30pm-5.30pm. More info 

@avalonyouthhub on insta and 

facebook. 

Create & Connect. Adults are 

encouraged to explore art making, 

creative expression and relaxation 

in an Open Studio art therapy 

workshop at Avalon Creative Space 

at the Golf Club, 32 Old Barrenjoey 

Rd on Thur 11 from 9.30am- 

11.30am. Cost is $40 and includes 

a wide range of art materials. 

Contact Philippa 0433 81 2 679 . 

Calling all golfers. Here’s an 

opportunity to enjoy a round of golf 

on a prestigious private golf course 

and do something positive for your 

community by playing in The Rotary 

Club of Upper Northern Beaches 

Charity Golf Day at Monash 

Country Club on Thur 11. Details at 

rotaryuppernorthernbeaches.org. 

360 ALLSTARS. Boasting a stellar 

cast of world champions and world 

record holding chamption athletes 

and artists and seen by more 

than one million people of all ages 

worldwide, this non-stop energy 

packed supercharged urban circus 

complete with dancing, beat boxing, 

acrobatics and BMX biking will roll 

on stage at Glen Street Theatre 

for four shows on Wed 17 and Thur 

18. Tickets from $45; family $190. 

Check out glenstreet.com.au 

Refugee journeys. Join awardwinning 

journalist and former foreign 

correspondent Melinda Ham as 

she discusses her anthology of 

Australian refugee journeys The 

Lucky Ones at Warringah Mall 

Library on Tue 30 from 6.30pm- 

7.30pm. Cost $5; books will be 

available for purchase and signing 

on the night. Non-alcoholic 

refreshments and nibbles on arrival. 

8495 5028 or libraryprograms@ 

northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 



Wild ride for hospit 

News 

It’s been a crazy 12 months for Northern 

Beaches hospitality operators. The winter 

of 2023 will be remembered as one 

of the toughest ever with colder weather, 

rising interest rates and surging inflation 

impacting base costs and trade, contributing 

to several key venue closures. 

But leading operators say when Spring 

and then Summer arrived, consumers 

threw off the cost-of-living shackles and 

started spending again, especially at the 

more casual end of the market. 

Momentum has continued through 

the hazy days of early Autumn; however 

the question for many now is – what will 

Winter bring? 

Doug Fraser, who owns restaurants 

The Basin Dining Room at Mona Vale Surf 

Lifesaving Club and Lovat in Newport with 

his wife Kylie, says he’s still trying to make 

sense of how it’s all played out. 

“Over the past 12 months it’s been wildly 

different and unpredictable,” he says. “I’ve 

been in the industry for 25 or 26 years and 

it was the worst Winter I have ever seen. It 

was really, really bad as soon as those rate 

rises hit. 

“And then Summer came, and everything 

just exploded. So, it’s just been very 

odd trying to deal with that contrast. 

Summer’s been very good across both our 

venues and the general feeling among a lot 

of my friends who own restaurants is that 

it’s been a good one.” 

Fraser is uncertain whether the Winter of 

2023 was an anomaly or predictor for 2024. 

“Everyone’s having a good time now and 

are spending money and eating out, we’re 

very grateful for that, but I don’t think it 

can go on like this forever.” 

Ben Collis, Head of Commercial and 

Marketing at The Boathouse Group, which 

operates seven venues between Palm Beach 

and Manly, says spending patterns have 

changed. 

“It’s clear there’s strong demand for people 

still to be heading out and socialising, 

PHOTO: Martin Kelly 

but with the economy we’re seeing a shift 

into more casual dining,” says Collis. 

“Our cafes are definitely flourishing 

versus our more premium restaurant offerings. 

The trend has slowly moved with the 

economy over the past 12 months.” 

He says while the operating environment 

is challenging – “over the past year 

we’ve been belted by inflation and interest 

rate rises” – product innovation such as 

tweaking opening hours and adding live 

music at certain venues has paid off. 

As always, weather plays a significant 

role. On sunny weekends Collis says Boathouse 

venues – which include Barrenjoey 

House, Manly Pavilion and The Boathouse 

Shelly Beach – are “heaving, but as soon as 

the weather sours, people on the Northern 

Beaches tend to stay in”. 

Collis says the Group’s homewares store 

and café and pizza pop-up Casa by The 

PHOTO: Martin Kelly 

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: CASUAL 

DINING SHIFT: Boathouse’s Ben 

Collis. 

UNPREDICTABLE: Local operators 

Doug Fraser and wife Kylie wonder 

what’s in store in Winter 2024. 

SIGN OF THE TIMES: The Barbuto site 

at Narrabeen. 



ality on Beaches 

Boathouse at Palm Beach will close when 

the lease expires after Easter. 

Work is well underway on The Boathouse 

Group’s newest venue at Mona Vale Golf 

Club, which CEO Antony Jones told The 

Daily Telegraph will have a country clubmeets-boathouse 

vibe. 

A mid-year opening is planned, with an 

announcement expected soon on the new 

executive chef, tipped to be a local. 

Winter won’t be easy for the industry, 

predicts Collis, but says there’s cause for 

optimism. 

“I do think it will be a tough Winter for 

lots out there running hospitality with the 

state of the economy and the fact that in 

Winter people go out less,” Collis says. 

“But looking ahead to the back end of 

the year, there’s tax cuts coming and also 

potential interest rate drops. 

“We’re hoping that happens before Summer 

and we have a really strong season.” 

Popular venues to close either during 

or after Winter 2023 include Barbuto and 

Moonlight Social in Narrabeen, both sites 

empty for months, and Sir Duncan at 

Newport. 

Agent Vincent West from Upstate says 

the hospitality leasing market has been 

hard to decipher but seems to have turned 

a corner since February. 

West says he has strong interest on both 

Barbuto, advertised at an annual rent of 

$138,000 + gst, and the hospitality spaces 

at Avalon Surf Lifesaving Club, where landlord 

Northern Beaches Council is asking 

$169,000 + GST per annum. 

The North Agency confirmed Moonlight 

Social has been carved into two tenancies, 

with leases taken by an Italian restaurant 

and hairdresser. 

“There’s a lot of activity around and it 

seems to me the good operators are confident 

in moving forward and the operators 

that stick a manager in there and think 

‘I’m going to be an investor’ are the ones 

struggling,” says West. 

“For the guys that do it professionally 

and are in the business, running the business, 

they seem to be doing ok or better 

than those running them as an investment. 

“Any time anything gets hard there’s 

always a separation between those who 

know what they’re doing and those that 

have done ok because the market’s been so 

good.” 


*What do you think? Tell us at readers@ 

pittwaterlife.com.au 

News 



The Way We Were 

Every month we pore over three decades of Pittwater Life, providing a snapshot 

of the area’s recent history – and confirming that quite often the more things change, 

the more they stay the same! Compiled by Lisa Offord 

25 Years Ago… 

The Way We Were 

The cover picture was the interior of the 

historic ‘Loggan Rock’ cabin featured in 

a new book about Avalon and its unique 

architecture ‘Avalon: Landscape and 

Harmony’ by local historian and publisher 

Jan Roberts. “Jan has been fascinated by 

the early architects of Avalon, like Alexander 

Jolly, Walter Burley Griffin and Harry Ruskin 

Rowe who designed the spacious street named 

after him with large blocks in the centre of 

the peninsula between Clareville and Avalon 

and now considered to be one of the top five 

most desirable streets of Sydney.” In the 

book’s introduction, Jan made her objectives 

clear: to “more fully appreciate the outdoor 

‘art gallery’ that Griffin, Jolly and Rowe 

left behind them in a community under 

continued threat from greedy development 

and urban ugliness.” Meanwhile, in news, the future of the 

land adjacent to the Wentworth Estate in Newport was to 

be decided by the Land and Environment Court following 

“a controversial decision by Pittwater Council to reject an 

application to build a home on it. The Council also placed 


strict guidelines to virtually prevent any 

future plans for subdivision”. Newport 

businesses were looking to build a 

skateboard track “which will be for a 

snake-type rink running downhill into 

a bowl” at the northern end of the 

Newport Beach carpark. The mag ran 

a four-page newsletter from Federal 

Member for Mackellar Bronwyn Bishop 

MP which included a full page ‘Have 

your Say’ survey about important issues 

in the local area. Pittwater Day was “to 

become an annual event after a successful 

launch at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht 

Club to commemorate the discover of 

Pittwater by Captain Arthur Phillip in March 

1788… festivities included a re-enactment 

of Phillip’s landing… and a contingent of 

‘convicts’ played by children of Club members” (note from 

current Editor – some things do change!); ANZAC Day 

services in Pittwater were listed; and Avalon RSL Sub Branch 

was considering proposals to build a new war memorial in 

Dunbar Park. 


The cover captured a rescue Warriewood $2320, Ingleside Council’s appointed arts 

training operation in Broken $1751, Terrey Hills $2167 

consultation committee 

Bay by the Royal Volunteer and Church Point $2763.” In members revealed why 

Coastal Patrol, the Canadian a sign of the times, the mag they thought Mona Vale 

Helicopter Company and the carried a special feature on “… was the right fit for 

NSW Ambulance Service “… “recession shopping – how to the new Creative Arts 

if you want to be involved shop and save” and readers Space North”. We featured 

more volunteers are needed”. learned Pittwater Council was Warringah Rats’ new 

In news, a report from the “heading for an operating loss head coard Mark Gerrard. 

University of Newcastle Centre 

for the current year of almost The proposed offleash 

of Full Fmployment and Equity 

half a million dollars, while the 

dog trial at Station Beach 

showed that “if the national 

value of its CDO investments 

“is closer following 90% 

economy contracts, Pittwater 

community support.” 

has plummetted.” The new $4 

and Warringah residents are 

And we asked “what 

million Newport Community 

not very vulnerable to job 

are the duties and 

Centre was due to open and 

losses… The report has shown 

responsiblities of local 

local playgrounds 

suburb by suburb 

government? Should 

were reopened 

that Pittwater 

it concentrate on core 

has higher 

after the Council 

apply for 3D seismic tests 

essential services to 

average income 

replaced sand 

to follow up its 2D testing 

ratepayers? Or should off Newcastle in 2018. Our 

than the Sydney 

with “rubberised 

Concil’s brief extend 

editorial noted: “… the good 

wide median… 

material” 

to broader community news for opponents is that 

mortgage 

due to the 

concerns?” We ran a story it’s not a given and it could 

repayments 

“reappearance looking at the effects any be up to 12 months before 

were however 

of a rare form seismic testing may have they submit documents 

higher than the 

of bacteria in on marine life as Asset seeking approval”. Newport 

state average 

the playground Energy – the owners of the SLSC was crowned top club 

of $1517… 

sand linked to PEP11 exploration lease in NSW for the sixth year 

Avalon pays 

an outbreak of that stretches from at least in a row; and Rob Stokes 

$2167, Bilgola 

gastroenteritis in 5 kilometres off the coast was re-elected Member 

$2400, Mona 

young children from Newcastle to Manly for Pittwater to serve his 

Vale $2188, 

in Pittwater”. – flagged its intention to fourth term. 



News 

SEEN… 

Reader Rod Austin 

from Clareville 

reports he and 

wife Janet, while 

on a recent trip 

to Europe and 

waiting for a 

flight from 

Cardiff to 

Dublin, were 

flabbergasted 

to see this 

display poster 

at the QATAR 

Airlines checkin 

desk. Just goes to show the 

“power” of AI… although it appears the AI algorithms 

haven’t worked out the North Avalon headland doesn’t look 

like that since the latest rockfall in 2017. Nor has there been 

a restaurant/café on the Avalon SLSC site for several years 

now (PS, Council is asking rent of $169,000 per annum)… 

* * * 

Former Pittwater MP Alex 

McTaggart and current 

parliamentarian Rory Amon 

were among the 45,000-strong 

crowd at Los Vegas’ Allegiant 

Stadium on March 3 to watch 

the Manly Sea Eagles kick off 

the 2024 NRL season against 

the South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

The pair, both Manly fans, 

made a pact to wear North Avalon Surfriders shirts and 

Avalon Bulldogs caps. (Pictured with Manly Legend Steve 

Menzies.) The 25,000-kilometre round-trip was worth it as 

Manly secured a 36-24 victory. (The pair wish it known they 

paid their own way.) 

* * * 

A Bilgola Plateau resident 

drew on plenty of wit 

when crafting this sign 

to lampoon the owners 

of caravans and boats/ 

trailers continuing to 

selfishly clog Plateau 

Road… while the legality 

of the parking might 

be okay, surely the 

impeded vision is a 

safety concern worth 

following up? 

HEARD… 

Former Liberal Mackellar MP Bronwyn Bishop has 

apologised to current parliamentarian Dr Sophie 

Scamps after claiming the Independent MP was part of 

an antisemitic movement because she backed a call for 

the Albanese Government to find a way to send aid to 

Palestinians. Speaking on Sky News in early March, Ms 

Bishop criticised several independent MPs for writing a joint 

letter to the government that called for a “clear direction” 

about how the United Nations Relief and Works Agency 

(UNRWA) could regain Australian funding. The government 

had suspended the funding after Israel released a dossier 

claiming that some UNRWA staff joined Hamas in the 

terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. The UN agency fired 

12 employees and said it would investigate the matter. Ms 

Bishop’s remark prompted a letter from lawyers acting 

for Dr Scamps; on March 12, a contrite Ms Bishop issued a 

statement on Sky: “Dr Scamps has called for funding to be 

restored to UNRWA by Australia to address [the] humanitarian 

crisis in Gaza… This does not make her an antisemite,” 

Ms Bishop said. “I should not have suggested that, and I 

apologise to her for the offence, distress and harm I caused 

her.” Dr Scamps concluded: “Australia is facing many 

challenges. People want constructive debate and solutions, 

not pointless old school mudslinging.” On March 15, the 

Government released $6 million in paused funding to 

UNRWA. 

* * * 

In January we reported the mystery of the “hacked 

hydrangeas”; Palm Beach locals John and Tigi Coplestone 

had arrived home from a holiday in New Zealand in late 

December to find their prized flowers stolen (see before and 



BEFORE 

after photos). The 

couple installed 

CCTV cameras 

and thereafter 

captured vision 

of the “offender” 

returning for 

more batches of 

AFTER 

blooms on two 

further occasions. 

Last month in Manly Court, a 

66-year-old Palm Beach woman was convicted of the theft 

after pleading guilty to three counts of stealing plants 

– allegedly at least 10 per time – in a garden. Magistrate 

Robert Williams convicted her on one charge and fined 

her $450, The Daily Telegraph reported. She was handed 

nine-month good behaviour orders on each of the other 

two counts. The offender’s barrister said her client had 

displayed “a lapse in judgment”. Although she thought 

the home was uninhabited and “boarded up”, she had 

fully admitted her actions were wrong and she was “quite 

remorseful”. 

ABSURD… 

Palm Beach resident Robert Ellis contacted Pittwater Life 

last month about what he described as ongoing lack of 

care and maintenance of Council-managed land, including 

Pittwater Park opposite the high-end, tourist-magnet eatery 

Barrenjoey House. Robert’s complaint is one of many we’ve 

received from readers in recent months. Robert was so 

disappointed and frustrated at the “disgraceful condition of 

this very popular leisure destination” that he took matters 

into his own hands, lugging his mower down to the car 

park. “I mowed a strip of it myself, out of sheer frustration, 

to try to remember what it can look like when the Council 

mows it spasmodically,” he said. Two weeks later Robert 

reported: “Council’s contractor turned up and cut the grass. 

Well, some of it. Sloppy, incomplete and visually a mess. 

There is so much dirt in the gutters that grass is growing!” 

He added: “As an aside, we sometimes get a Council worker 

turning up with a bin and long grab-claw; he wonders around 

casually picking up to odd piece a paper. Meanwhile the 

park remains a disgraceful mess.” We asked Council for 

comment: “Northern Beaches Council regularly maintains 

parks and reserves right across the peninsula as scheduled 

and on an as needs basis, to provide quality open space for 

everyone to enjoy,” a spokesperson said. “Contractors are 

used to provide a range of maintenance activities including 

mowing of parks and are selected after a rigorous open tender 

process to ensure Council is delivering a value for money for 

the community.” It noted four firms were engaged under the 

LGA’s mowing contract and “… while the contractors may 

travel from outside the LGA, they usually visit multiple sites on 

the Northern Beaches on the same day.” It added: “Contractors 

provide reports on works undertaken on a regular basis, 

including photographs of sites. Council staff also inspect a 

portion of completed works to check on the quality of work by 

contractors, ensuring works are carried out to set specifications 

and contractors are providing appropriate value for money.” 

We suggest Council managers add these pics to their files. 

We await their confirmation that this work is considered 

“quality” and “value for money”. 

BEFORE 

ROBERT 

COUNCIL 

News 



After 62 years, the Avalon 

Bulldogs Rugby League Club are 

in better shape than ever, with 

young and old leading the way for 

this unlikely footy outpost. 

Story by Rob Pegley 

Life Stories 

That Bulldog 

spirit 

Thriving among the 

cosmopolitan Av Cats 

are The Bulldogs. Avalon 

and Rugby League might not 

at first sight seem a natural 

match – footy and pies 

alongside the Range Rovers, 

cronuts and Breton tops of 

Avalon Now. But three years 

on from celebrating their 60th 

anniversary (albeit low-key 

due to COVID), the Avalon 

Bulldogs go from strength to 

strength. Spend an evening 

in the company of Brian 

Friend, Paul Collins and Dick 

Harris and you understand 

why. At a time when the NRL 

seems to grab as many frontpage 

scandals as back-page 

headlines, this trio of grass 

roots footy heroes make you 

fall in love with the sport all 

over again. Add the energy 

of young(ish) new President 

Ian Dalgleish and 22-year-old 

secretary Jazmin Ball, and this 

footy outpost at the north end 

of the peninsula is in good 

hands. 

Originally the Avalon Junior 

Sports Club, playing netball, 

swimming and rugby league, 

the Junior Rugby Club first 

came into being in 1962, 

under president Cliff Fenwick 

– their first meeting held at 

Avalon Primary School. The 

first Premiership came three 

years later, with the Under-9s 

winning the 1965 Grand Final. 

The first ‘proper’ A Grade 

side took the field in 1967. 

A renegade Narrabeen side 

had previously played in red 

and black for a single season 

under an Avalon banner in the 

early ’60s, after an internal 

dispute at their home club. 

They returned to Narrabeen 

as Premiers after their one 

season further north. The real 

Avalon A Grade side initially 

played at Newport Oval, as 

Hitchcock Park was – literally 

– a rubbish tip at the time. 

They only lasted for four 

seasons, before disappearing 



until the early ’90s. 

Brian, Paul and Dick can 

still remember those early 

years and as they share 

banter on the clubhouse sofa, 

you can imagine them in the 

sheds back in the day. Brian 

is serious about his league, 

but a larrikin with it – he’s 

coached the under-6s and 

under-7s for an incredible 49 

seasons running. “It’s because 

of the good-looking mums,” 

he deadpans. Dig deeper and 

he’s passionate about the kids 

learning the basics. “I make 

sure they can tackle properly 

so that they don’t hurt 

themselves,” he says, proudly. 

“In 49 years I’ve never had a 

kid injure themselves… other 

than falling out of a tree after 

training or skateboarding!” 

President for three years in 

the late ’90s, Brian was made 

a life member back in 1986, 

and had honours added in 

2018. 

“The mums worry about 

their kids at first,” chips in 

Paul. “Not just getting hurt on 

the field, but also the violence 

on the sides (sidelines) that 

you read about.” Again, this 

trio have that covered. 

“I recruit referees and get 

them trained,” says Brian. “We 

always have trained referees 

for our games, not parents.” 

And an initiative started 

by Dick in the late ’80s 

means those referees are well 

supported on the sidelines. 

“We had a big recruitment 

drive in the ’80s when the 

club was struggling,” Dick 

adds. “The result is that we 

have two ground managers 

for every game, managing the 

sidelines. We don’t get any 

violence at Avalon.” 

Dick is the quietest of the 

three, and definitely a quiet 

achiever. The ‘recruitment 

drive’ he refers to was his 

strategy that brought the club 

back from the brink. 

“It was a difficult time and 

we were down to 84 players 

and only four teams – we were 

facing extinction,” says Paul. 

“Dick Harris jumped 

in with all guns blazing,” 

adds Brian of his friend. 

“He really worked at getting 

volunteers and making them 

feel genuinely welcome. His 

strategies won recognition at 

State level. By the time he’d 

finished we had 16 teams and 

355 players.” 

Dick was president for four 

years at the start of the ’90s 

and was made a life member 

in 2001. 

If Dick saved the club, and 

Brian has coached the kids 

to be safe, then Paul is the 

workhorse in the background 

who helped build the 

clubhouse, and ran a raffle at 

Avalon RSL every week for 14 

years, just so every kid would 

receive a trophy every year. 

“He’s here every weekend 

doing everything including 

manning the chip pan,” says 

Brian. 

In fact, Paul worked every 

weekend except Christmas for 

two years running in a bid to 

get the clubhouse built. 

“There was a cast of 

thousands at first, but they 

gradually dropped off,” says 

Paul without any bitterness. 

“Originally when we first 

moved here, we had a tent 

with no electricity for the 

Continued on page 36 


CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: Dick Harris, Jazmin Ball, 

Ian Dalgleish, Brian ‘Friendly’ Friend and Paul Collins 

at Hitchcock Park; the Avalon Junior Sports Club’s first 

premiership in 1965; Clubhouse opening 2003; the Life 

Members board; the old caravan canteen; in the Clubhouse; 

Under-6s on Anzac Day 2017; Brian and Paul with NRL star 

Sam Verrills; Cliff Lyons drew a crowd at the Bulldogs versus 

NRL Legends game in 2013; Anyone see themselves – the 

Under-9s Bulldogs from 1977 (with faithful mascot). 




Continued from page 35 

canteen,” he continues. “Then 

we got a caravan painted 

green and red. We had a fire 

pit that was an old sceptic 

tank that we’d sit round.” 

Now they have a great 

clubhouse which is used for 

functions and is a hive of 

activity at the weekend. 

“We sought Council 

approval in 1994,” says Brian. 

“And it was passed in 2000,” 

adds Paul. “The Johnson 

Brothers Mitre 10 were a 

massive help getting it built.” 

Paul was secretary for nine 

years from 1977 to 1985, 

and president for four years 

after that. He was made a life 

member in 1984 – honours 

were added in 2016. 

The three have seen some 

good players between them 

over the years, and Brian’s 

tackling tutorship has clearly 

paid off. Sam Verrills – now at 

the Titans, previously a star 

at the Roosters – played in 

the winning under-17s team 

of 2016, the year the club 

made a record seven Grand 

Finals. Glenn Bourne played 

for Manly, as did Mark Bryant. 

Dick’s son Sam played for 

Manly and Wests. 

Maybe not as well known, 

but worth a mention in the 

Bulldogs history, is Rob 

Nicholson, who’s won the 

most Premierships as a 

coach. Taking the Under-8s 

to the 1992 Grand Final and 

winning it, he took the same 

team to the Under-9s title a 

year later. He repeated the 

feat every year for six more 

years. His Under-14s team 

were runner’s up, but in eight 

seasons, that team won seven 

Premierships up until 1999. 

And so to today – and 

standing on the shoulder of 

giants is Ian Dalgleish, the 

new president who took over 

from Paul’s son Anthony, who 

had done a six-year stint. 

“I played for the club when 

I was younger and my mum 

was club person of the year 

back in 1984, so I have a long 

history with the club,” says 

Ian. “I drifted away and did 

other things, but then my 

youngest son started playing 

for the Under-6s and that 

brought me back. 

Ian spent the last six years 



as a coach and one year as 

vice-president in 2023; he 

says their biggest challenge 

currently relates to the club’s 

playing field. 

“We’re constantly under 

pressure to share the field 

with soccer, rugby union and 

cricket, but the field itself 

also needs a lot of work,” he 

says. “Because it was built 

on what was originally a 

tip, the drainage is terrible. 

The season before last we 

managed one home game all 

year because of the water. 

“The other thing we want 

to achieve is to build a ladies’ 

dressing room. That will take 

around 18 months to two 

years, hopefully. They need 

better facilities. 

“But we have some great 

sponsors in LJ Hooker Avalon 

Beach, Johnson Brothers Mitre 

10, Avalon RSL, Precision 

Tree Services and many other 

local businesses. In fact, 

this year we’ve been able to 

produce $32,000 worth of 

merchandise which will go 

to all of our players. All the 

sponsors said yes to helping. 

“We have 18 teams at the 

moment and that includes six 

female tag teams.” 

Which is where Jazmin 

comes into her own and is 

very much the future of the 

club. At only 22, she has 

already been secretary for two 

years and has a huge passion 

for girls playing rugby league. 

“In the first year we started 

the girls game here, we had 

three teams – two Under-12s 

and an Under-14s. Now we 

have six – three Under-12s, 

and Under-14s, -16s and -18s. 

“At Mona Vale there are 13 

female teams,” adds Jazmin. 

“That’s 52 per cent of their 

players, so we still have some 

way to go.” 

Although not that far, one 

might argue. 

Certainly the club have come 

a long way in the past 60 years, 

and with 700 kids playing 

on Friday nights in Summer, 

they are in a great place. With 

people like Brian, Dick, Paul, 

Ian and Jazmin, and the host 

of other volunteers, the club 

will no doubt be around to 

celebrate 100 years. 

*More info head to 

avalonbulldogs.com.au 



News 

Pittwater News 

April Probus Club news 

Gifted speaker Noel 

Phelan returns to 

Pittwater Men’s Probus 

in April – this time to 

talk about the sinking 

and salvage of the Costa 

Concordia which sank on 

the 13 January 2012 with 

3,229 passengers and a 

crew of 1,023. The captain 

of the ship was Francesco 

Schettino. He diverted the 

ship from its normal course 

to do a “salute” to a friend 

on Giglio Island. Come 

along and hear what really 

happened and the chain 

of events that led to this 

disaster and the salvaging 

of the ship that took years 

and cost $2 billion. The 

meeting at Mona Vale Surf 

Club on Tuesday 9 April 

commences 10am. Visitors 

welcome; more info Terry 

Larke (0412 220 820). 

Palm Beach and 

Peninsula Probus 

members will celebrate 

their 26th AGM at Club 

Palm Beach on Wednesday 

17 April, with light 

refreshments afterwards. 

On the following 

Wednesday, 24 April, there 

will be a walk at Palm Beach 

ending with coffee at The 

Joey (former Boathouse); 

friends and visitors are 

welcome. Membership 

enquiries to the 

Membership Secretary (0421 

435 792). 

Narrabeen Lakes 

Probus Club next meets 

on Wednesday 24 April at 

Narrabeen Baptist Church; 

doors open 9.45am for 10am 

meeting. Visitors welcome. 

Author and Pittwater Life 

contributor Rosamund 

Burton will entertain the 

group with stories of her 

3200km bicycle ride tracing 

the Overland Telegraph Line 

from Adelaide to Darwin. 

For more info call/text 0424 

464 047. 

The speaker at the next 

meeting of the Newport 

Probus Club on 4 April 

will be Katie Little Poulton 

who will speak about the 

life of her mother Jeanne 

Little and the Foundation 

for Alzheimer’s Research 

that Katie has established 

in her mother’s memory. 

The meeting will be held 

at the Newport Bowling 

Club; commences 10am 

and visitors are welcome. 

More info contact Di Burrell 

(0410 465 303). 

The Combined Probus 

Club of Mona Vale will 

next meet on Tuesday, 16 

April in the auditorium at 

Pittwater RSL Club (from 

10am). Guest speaker will 

be Stephen Cassettari who 

has studied the philosophy 

of Zen Buddhism and 

Chinese painting for many 

years. Stephen lives at Lake 

Macquarie and has been 

teaching Chinese painting 

for more than 28 years. He 

has written more than 

10 books on the various 

aspects of the techniques 

of Chinese Painting. During 

his talk, Stephen will 

demonstrate some of 

these techniques – he will 

paint several examples, 

explaining the techniques, 

history and philosophy of 

this art and answer any 

audience questions. Visitors 

welcome; membership 

enquiries call Barry (0435 

010 367). 

Bilgola Plateau Probus 

will next meet at Newport 

Bowling Club on Friday 5 

April, when the speaker will 

be Snr Constance Sandra 

Fraietta from Northern 

Beaches Police who will 

talk about Scams and cyber 

safety. Visitors welcome; 

more info Shelley (0415 538 

864). 

Avalon Beach Ladies 

Probus next meets at Club 

Palm Beach on Tuesday 2 

April. After their meeting 

(starts 10am) there will be 

a presentation ‘A Cavalcade 

of Lace’ which will marvel 

at the various ways lace 

has been used to enhance 

both clothing and other 

treasured items. Many 

items will be on display and 

passed around. Cost $10. 

More info thecavalcade.org 

April 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. April’s show 

features three 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 6 April features 

Aljamia, The Go Two’s plus 

The Luvvies. Tickets $30 at 

shackfolk.com or cash at the 

door (no wi-fi). 

Battle of Beaches 

new date April 6 

After the inaugural ‘Battle 

of the Beaches’ board riders 

tournament was postponed 

due the lack of swell in 

early March, organisers 

have shifted their attention 

to the new date of Aril 6, 

adding: “We are praying 

that ‘Huey’ the swell god 

decides to cooperate and 

give us a monster swell!” 

The Surf Comp will kick 

off at 8am and conclude at 

3pm at North Narrabeen, 

with all participating board 

riding clubs competing for a 

share in $10k prize money. 

First place will take home 

bragging rights and enjoy the 

right to host the tournament 

next year. All participating 

board riding clubs will head 

back to Park House, Mona 

Vale for the presentation 

and after party kicking off 

at 4pm, with music being 

headlined by the soulful 

Mitch King. Still on Park 

House: Forget the days of 

expensive Ubers into the city 

– their crew have been hard 

at work creating the ultimate 

party – ‘Mona Fridays’ – in 

the heart of the Northern 

Beaches. Each week some of 

Sydney’s best DJs will be on 

headlining duties along with 

a great support line-up of 

local talent. Their first ‘Mona 

Friday’ kicks off on 5 April, 

Decade of dominance 

Newport Surf Life Saving Club dominated the state championships 

held last month, becoming the Open Overall Point 

Score Champion for the tenth straight time. 

The 2024 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships featured 

fierce competition with hundreds of competitors engaged over 

three days at Queenscliff Beach. 

The gold-and-maroon caps – finishing, in the end, by more 

than double the points accumulated by Wanda SLSC in second 

– did it in style, signing off with an emphatic win in the Open 

Female Taplin through Sarah Locke in the swim leg, Lizzie Welborn 

on the board, and Jemma Smith in the ski to finish. 



headlined by KLP supported 

by James Humphries, Lazar 

and Edgar George, with DJs 

kicking off from 9pm. More 

info Parkhouse.com.au 

‘People’s Jury’ on 

local housing crisis 

Mackellar MP Dr Sophie 

Scamps will hold a one-day 

People’s Jury to hear from the 

people of her electorate about 

solutions to the housing 

crisis. The event, on June 15, 

will involve 30 people from 

Mackellar spending a day 

with experts to help come 

up with policy ideas that Dr 

Scamps can take to Canberra. 

It will use an innovative 

process called “deliberative 

democracy” where members 

are selected to match 

the demographics of the 

Mackellar community and 

they will be helped by a range 

of experts to formulate policy 

ideas through consensus. 

“The housing crisis is hitting 

people hard across the 


Youth paddle-out for change 

More than 150 people joined Independent 

MP Dr Sophie Scamps for a paddle-out 

at Mona Vale Beach last month to call for the 

Federal Government to end PEP-11. 

This was a youth-led event, organised by a 

group of young locals. Dr Scamps said it was 

clear from the turnout that young people 

wanted their voices heard on action on climate 

change. 

Youth activist Anjali Sharma spoke about 

the concept of a duty of care bill to protect 

younger generations, which Dr Scamps 

wants to see enshrined into our environment 

and climate laws. 

“It is clear that young people care deeply 

about climate action,” said Dr Scamps. “We 

are creating their future right now and they 

deserve to be heard. The Duty of Care Bill is 

how we make sure their future wellbeing is 

considered.” 

“The idea of the Duty of Care is to ensure 

that the interests of younger and future generations 

are considered by lawmakers when 

they approve fossil fuel projects or pass laws 

that will have long-term consequences,” she 

said. 

PHOTO: Chris Barlow 

News 




News 

‘The Joey’ jump-starts 

T 

he revamped Barrenjoey Boatshed is now open, with 

‘The Joey’ set to be a must-stop destination for locals 

and visitors alike. 

Founders Ben May and Rob Domjen were set on the 

name (originally coined in 1947) from the beginning of the 

project, wishing to honour the Heritage listed building and 

its history to the area. “Hearing about the history of the 

building made us proud to rename it with the original title 

of “The Barrenjoey Boatshed, with a relaxed shortening to 

‘The Joey’.” 

The Joey is open for breakfast and lunch seven days; 

dinner service Fridays and Saturdays initially before sevendays 

rollout. 

The Joey proudly pairs an elegant seafood-infused menu 

with uninterrupted views of the ocean, offering various 

menu options including à la carte or a set menu starting 

from $80 per head. 

*Follow The Joey’s Instagram page @thejoeypalmbeach. 


country, including here on 

the Northern Beaches,” said 

Dr Scamps. “The median 

house price is now above 

$2 million and rents have 

skyrocketed. I am regularly 

approached by constituents 

who are finding it difficult to 

find a place to rent, or who 

say they worry how their 

children will afford to buy a 

home anywhere near where 

they grew up.” She added 

that at a meeting with local 

principals she heard how the 

lack of affordable housing 

made it hard to recruit 

teachers to work on the 

Beaches. Over coming weeks 

Dr Scamps will be inviting 

volunteers to take part in 



a one-day event. From this 

pool, demographers will help 

choose participants to match 

the population make-up of 

Mackellar. “Even if you’re not 

chosen for the jury, there 

will be opportunities to 

participate via a submission 

process and we’ll also 

livestream and record the 

expert presentations,” 

she said. More info 

sophiescamps.com.au 

‘Shotcrete’ concerns 

The Avalon Preservation Association 

(APA) has made its 

concerns known about the 

Council ‘shotcreting’ work 

that had damaged the wellknown 

and loved, Heritagelisted 

geological feature on 

the corner of Wanawong Road 

at North Avalon. Council said 

the embankment was identified 

as unstable and required 

remediation after a landslip 

caused by a major storm 

event in March 2022. Council 

said it engaged geotechnical 

experts and academics 

with experience in heritage 

aspects which recommended 

shotcreting as the most appropriate 

way to stabilise the 

rockface for road safety which 

would also maintain the geo 

heritage aspect and balanced 

aesthetic concerns. (The APA 

says it thinks Council may 

have achieved two of its three 

aims.) Council says it has now 

secured funding to apply a 

surface treatment to ameliorate 

the shotcrete. It’s hoped 

this will deter potential graffitists 

who have tagged another 

shotcrete site south of 

the Bilgola Bends roundabout. 

More info Avalonpreservationassociation.org.au 

Shop local, keep 

our Beaches 

economy strong 


has launched a new Go Local 

to Grow Local campaign, 

aimed at invigorating 

the local economy by 


News 





encouraging the community 

to spend more on the Beaches 

with local businesses. 

Research indicates that a 

staggering $3.6 billion was 

spent outside the area in 

2023, of which $238 million 

was spent in the Chatswood 

shopping precinct and $390 

million in the city. Council’s 

campaign aims to reverse 

this trend by promoting the 

benefits of shopping locally. 

“We believe that supporting 

local businesses is not only 

beneficial for our economy 

but also vital for maintaining 

our unique character and 

charm,” said Mayor Sue 

Heins. “Every dollar spent 

locally keeps the economy 

circulating within the 

community. It helps create 

jobs, strengthen community 

ties and sustain the vibrant 

culture that makes living 

here so amazing.” Distinctive 

green stickers will be 

appearing in shop windows 

and on social media to help 

encourage the community 

to shop local. More info on 

Council website. 

Gov Phillip Park 

Management Plan 

Council is planning its 

approach to revising the 

Plan of Management (PoM) 

for Governor Phillip Park 

at Palm Beach. The revised 

PoM will consider current 

and future management 

ANZAC Day 

and use of the entire park, 

including a dog-off leash 

area trial at North Palm 

Beach. Council says broad 

community engagement will 

be undertaken beginning in 

April “gathering ideas and 

aspirations for the area” as 

they develop the new PoM. 

More info on Council’s ‘Your 

Say’ page. 

Pittwater Yacht Show 

Attention yachties: the 2024 

Pittwater Sailing Yacht Show 

will be held from April 5-7, 

with simultaneous viewings 

at Gibson Marina, Bayview 

Anchorage, The Quays 

Marina, and the Royal Prince 

Alfred Yacht Club – all within 

a 1km radius. You’ll be able 

to view new yachts from 

Jeanneau, Beneteau, Excess, 

Grand Soleil, X-Yachts, 

Bavaria, Hanse, Dehler, 

Moody, Elan, and Viko; yachts 

will be available to step on 

board and you can even book 

in a test sail. From monohulls 

to catamarans, for those who 

like to cruise to those who 

like to race, from the ultimate 

in luxury to those who 

would like to buy a share, 

a full selection of the latest 

models will be available. 

Entry to all displays is 

free, and there will be a 

complimentary shuttle bus 

service running all day with 

parking available at Rowland 

Reserve. More info facebook 

/SailingYachtShow 

News 

in your suburb… 

Join our local veterans and 

community for ANZAC 

Day to remember and 

commemorate all Australians 

and New Zealanders who 

served and still serve, in 

conflicts, operations and 

training activities. 

This year local RSL subbranches 

will be hosting 

commemorative ANZAC Day 

services across Pittwater on 

Sunday 21 and Thursday 25. 

PALM BEACH 

Palm Beach RSL Sub-Branch 

Dawn Service will be held on 

Thursday 25 at Whale Beach 

SLSC from 6am-6.30am. 

The march in Palm Beach 

commences at 10.45am on 

Barrenjoey Road, marching 

to the RSL Club. The ANZAC 

Day Service will commence at 

11am at the Cenotaph outside 

the front of the club with 

Avalon Public School Band 

and vocalist. The service will 

conclude at 11.30am followed 

by a sub-branch luncheon. 

AVALON BEACH 

The Dawn Service will 

commence in Dunbar Park 

outside the RSL at 5.50am. 

The March will start at 

11am from outside Avalon 

Public School with veterans, 

schools and service clubs 

parading through the village. 

This will be followed by a 

service in Dunbar Park. The 

Barrenjoey High School Band 

will accompany Samantha 

Shaw and The Big Sing leading 

everyone in song. 

MONA VALE 

Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch 

invites the community to 

attend its Dawn Service at 

the Pittwater RSL Club Lower 

Cenotaph 82 Pittwater Road 

Mona Vale on Thursday 25 at 

5.30am. Everyone is asked to 

arrive before 5.20am. Breakfast 

will be available to purchase 

in the Club from 6.30am. In 

the event of wet weather, the 

Service will be held in the 

club’s undercover car park. 

NARRABEEN 

Narrabeen RSL Sub-Branch’s 

annual ANZAC Sunday March 

and Service Ceremony will be 

held on Sunday 21. This year 

the parade starts from the 

Narrabeen Surf Life Saving 

Club car park (opposite 

Furlough House on Ocean 

Street) at 11.30am. Police will 

be managing the march; the 

parade will proceed along 

Ocean Street to the Narrabeen 

Cenotaph, at the intersection 

of Pittwater Road and Ocean 

Street where the ANZAC 

Service ceremony will be held. 

DEE WHY 

Dee Why RSL sub-Branch will 

conduct an ANZAC memorial 

service in the Peace Garden at 

Dee Why RSL Club on Sunday 

21st April commencing at 

3pm. DYRSL will host the 

Anzac Day Dawn Service at 

Dee Why Beach on Thursday 

25. Traditionally attended 

by thousands of people, the 

service starts at 5.30am. 


will host two dawn services 

on April 25 – at Manly War 

Memorial at 4.25am (arrive 

by 4am); and at Manly Dam 

at 5.30am (arrive by 5.15am). 

A commemorative service 

will be held at Manly at 11am 

(arrive by 10.40am). 



Kickability on the beaches 

Kickability – the modified 

AFL program for children 

with disability – is being 

launched on the Northern 

Beaches at the Pittwater 

Tigers Junior AFL Club, with 

registrations now open. 

Club President Chris Davison 

said Kickability would be 

offered to youngsters aged 

5 to 17, with interest already 

strong. 

“One of our committed 

15-year-old club members 

lives with disability,” he said. 

“He and his family are cheering 

because he has his own 

Tigers uniform but until this 

year was unable to play with 

mainstream kids… now he 

gets the chance to play in the 

modified, supported game.” 

Kickability will be held on 

Sundays at 10.30am at North 

Narrabeen Reserve from May 

to August exclusive of school 

holidays for a minimum of 10 

sessions. 

Specialist Coaches 

from AFL Kids will guide the 

team with the assistance of 

professional Disability Sports 

Support Staff at a ratio of 1:5. 

Pittwater Tigers is offering 

heavily discounted registration 

($100), free socks, shorts 

and a loaned guernsey for the 

season to all Kickability registrations. 

Active Kids vouchers 

are accepted. 

*More info at pittwatertigers. 

com.au 

Vet 

on call 

with Dr Brown 

As our beloved pets journey 

into their golden years, it’s 

crucial to prioritise their health 

and well-being. Since our furry 

companions can’t verbally express 

their discomfort, regular 

health check-ups and wellness 

blood tests are essential to detect 

any potential issues before 

they escalate. 

Did you know that dogs are 

considered seniors at 7 years 

old, while cats reach their senior 

years at 10? Aging pets may 

start showing signs of agerelated 

health issues, affecting 

their behaviour, appetite, and 

mobility. It’s crucial to recognise 

these signs early on, as 

prompt detection of age-related 

diseases is the key to managing 

them effectively and ensuring a 

high quality of life for your pet. 

Some symptoms of aging 

may be obvious, like reduced 

stamina during walks, while others 

may be more subtle, such as 

changes in appetite or demeanour. 

Keeping an eye on your 

pet’s eating and drinking habits, 

weight, toileting behaviour, 

and mobility is essential so that 

you can promptly report any 

changes to your veterinarian. 

Common health problems 

affecting senior pets include 

osteoarthritis, obesity, metabolic 

diseases like diabetes or 

kidney failure, dental issues, 

and cardiovascular changes. 

Regular annual vet check-ups 

and six-monthly wellness blood 

tests are recommended for all 

senior pets. These blood tests 

help veterinarians assess the 

function of internal organs such 

as the kidneys and liver and 

can often serve as the first 

indicator of any underlying 

health issues. 

With early intervention, most 

age-related diseases can be 

managed effectively, ensuring 

that your senior pet remains 

comfortable, happy, and healthy 

for years to come. Give your 

furry friend the gift of proactive 

healthcare – schedule their 

wellness blood test today and 

receive a complimentary bag of 

Hill’s food tailored to your Pet’s 

senior needs. 

Sydneyanimalhospitals.com. 

au; Avalon (9918 0833) or 

Newport (9997 4609). 

News 



Hot Property 

Low-maintenance living in Avalon 

Bedrooms are “conceived as private 

sanctuaries”, including plush master 

suites, while a flexible lower-level fourth 

bedroom could serve as a home office or 

media room. 

*More info casaavalon.au or call Josh 

Perry at Belle Property (0420 941 220). 

Hot Property 

STYLISH: An artist’s impression of Casa Avalon’s living area. 

Buyers and curious locals are lining up 

to be among the first to step inside 

‘Casa Avalon’ a brand new bespokebuilt 

duplex beach house due for competition 

in July. 

Walsh Architects and property developer 

Laxale say they have created the four-bedroom, 

two-storey residence at 31 Careel 

Head Road North Avalon to “offer the 

ultimate in coastal luxury living”. 

With direct lift access from the four-car 

garage, the interiors reveal high-quality 

materials and inclusions combined with 

an organic feel featuring a natural pallette 

of warm tones. 

There’s plenty of space for families to 

live, work and entertain, with a stonefinished 

kitchen the hero of the openplan 

living space and a wall of sliding 

doors affording a seamless connection to 

the private garden and a striking heated 

in-ground pool. 

Positive news for 

local homeowners 

CoreLogic’s latest Home Value Index 

shows dwelling values rose across almost 

90% of house and unit markets across 

Australia in the 12 months to February 

this year. 

A recent suburb-level analysis using 

CoreLogic’s interactive ‘Mapping the 

Market’ tool found that 88.4% (4,087) 

of the 4,625 house and unit markets 

analysed nationally saw values rise over 

the year. This was up from just 52.9% of 

markets studied in July 23 (2,456/4,640), 

recording positive annual growth and up 

from the 39.1% assessed in February 2023 

(1,851/4,732). 

CoreLogic data revealed most suburbs 

in Pittwater recorded a rise in house 



values over the 12 months to March this 

year. 

Median value changes included: Avalon 

Beach – $2,821,663 (up 7%); Bilgola 

Plateau – $2,317,217 (fell 4.1%); Newport – 

$2,695,748 (up 4%); Bayview – $3,069,397 

(up 14.4%); Mona Vale – $2,463,785 (up 

10.2%); Warriewood – $2,334,970 (up 

8.4%); Elanora Heights – $2,357,319 (up 

7.7%); North Narrabeen – $2,152,193 (up 

12%); Narrabeen – $2,963,409 (up 23.2%). 

(Median values refer to the 50th percentile 

of valuation estimates observed in 

the suburb. It is useful for understanding 

what the typical house or unit in a suburb 

is worth. 

Suburbs with less than 20 sales annually 

and less than 100 valuation observations 

are excluded from the analysis). 

Delving into the performance of Australia’s 

housing market, CoreLogic Economist 

Kaytlin Ezzy said the broad-based 

capital gains seen over the past year 

reflect the ongoing imbalance between 

housing supply and demand, which has 

helped to counteract the less favourable 

market and affordability conditions. 

“Despite three rate hikes, worsening 

affordability, and the rising cost of living, 

the increasingly entrenched undersupply 

in housing stock, and above average demand 

thanks to strong net migration, has 

helped push values higher,” she said. 

Warriewood rejection 

The $32-million proposal to redevelop 

the Flower Power Garden Centre at Warriewood 

into 53 homes has been rejected 

because the planned townhouses looked 

too much alike and they would be too 

close together; buildings and lots encroached 

on a creekline and there was a 

lack of space to drive around the subdivision, 

according to the NSW Government’s 

Sydney North Planning Panel. 

*See determination on Council’s website. 

Stutchbury house for sale 

One of acclaimed architect Peter Stutchbury’s 

earliest houses that he designed, 

built and made his family home for 

almost 25 years is for sale again. 

West Head House at 75 Hudson 

Parade Clareville has featured in numerous 

books and magazines, cited for its 

thoughtful and innovative use of resources, 

melded with deep understanding 

for the landscape, says LJ Hooker’s Peter 

Robinson. 

This is the home where Stuchbury 

worked the chisels with his own hands. 

The five-bedroom, three-bathroom 

home just 300 metres from Clareville 

Beach sold in 2013 for $1.5m. It is now 

on the market through LJ Hooker Avalon 

Beach with an expression of interest campaign 

and guide of $6.9M. – Lisa Offord 


‘The only way to 

stay in our home’ 

Finding a new house 

is difficult at the best 

of times, but Sue and 

her husband found that 

during COVID-19, it was 

next to impossible. 

After months of 

looking, the couple 

decided to rent a 

double-storey townhouse 

in Mona Vale, whilst 

continuing their search 

for a new home in the 

area. 

This was Sue’s first 

time living in a place with 

stairs, but the climb had 

its rewards; the view over 

the glowing sands and 

pristine waters of Basin 

Beach was spectacular. A 

few months after signing 

the lease, Sue and her 

husband knew they never 

wanted to move out and 

made an offer on the 

property. 

Ecstatic after their 

purchase, the couple 

started planning a 

renovation. But life isn’t 

always easy, and at about 

this time Sue started 

experiencing increased 

knee pain caused by years 

of playing competitive 

netball as a teenager and 

young adult. 

The specialist 

recommended knee 

replacement surgery, 

and as he explained 

the procedure and 

rehabilitation period, Sue 

realised she wouldn’t be 

able to use the stairs for 

months. 

“We faced the 

heartbreaking decision 

of moving out – but 

didn’t want to move 

again. Not at this age!” 

she said. 

“We realised a 

residential lift was 

essential. It was the only 

way to stay in our home.” 

With the help of 

their family, Sue and 

her husband consulted 

numerous lift companies 

and considered many 

different designs. 

“Then my daughter-inlaw 

spotted a RESiLIFT 

van noting they covered 

the Northern Beaches, 

and the rest is history,” 

smiles Sue. 

RESiLIFT’s local 

distributors, John and 

Sharen Braams, visited 

the couple to help them 

choose the lift best 

suited to their home, 

lifestyle and needs. In 

the end, there was only 

one place a lift could go, 

and the ‘Mirage’ model 

fit perfectly. 

“We were blown away 

by the design of the 

HOME HELP: Sue 

says RESiLIFT’s 

Mirage unit has 

enabled her and 

her husband to live 

independently in the 

Mona Vale home of 

their choice. 

Mirage and thought it 

looked amazing! It was 

just so neat and modern. 

“We couldn’t believe 

all the components and 

features of the lift could 

fit into such a small 

cabin,” Sue says. 

Following her 

operation, Sue relied 

heavily on the lift to 

access all the areas 

of her home and to 

transport heavy items 

like the washing and 

vacuum cleaner. 

When friends and 

family saw it, they could 

hardly believe such 

attractive home lifts were 

available. 

“Now we have people 

calling in just to ride the 

lift,” Sue laughs. 

Recently, another 

medical setback has 

made the couple even 

more grateful to have a 

lift in their home. 

“The lift is an absolute 

bonus in my life. It’s like 

one of my best friends,” 

Sue says. 

– Deborah Chan 

*Would a residential lift 

make your life easier? 

Contact RESiLIFT’s local 

distributors John and 

Sharen on 1300 303 

522 for a free in-home 

consultation. 


Hot Property

Author Q&A 

Aussie crime writer 

eyes Avalon Beach 

for next novel 

Speaking to Pittwater Life about his latest book The Seduction of Sunni 

Sinclair, Noel Mealey revealed he has set his sights on the captivating 

backdrop of Avalon Beach for his next novel. Interview by Lisa Offord 

Books 

Q: Tell us a little bit about 

yourself… 

Well, I’ve had an interesting 

life journey. In various 

capacities I’ve associated with 

wanted criminals, crooked 

police, corrupt politicians and 

wily journalists and others in 

many walks of life. All have 

allowed me to build on my 

characters and put real face 

to gangsters and murderers. 

My father was the one who 

inspired me to write, he 

had a wonderful talent for 

storytelling. He focused on 

the eccentric personalities 

he knew and encouraged me 

to create characters that are 

reflections of my real-life 

associates. My first two books, 

Murder and Redemption and 

The Icon Murders do exactly 

that, as does my new book. 

I like to weave truths and 

historical facts with the fiction 

story. I enjoy historical crime. 

Q: We believe a recent visit 

to the Northern Beaches 

has got your creative juices 

flowing… 

I have been staying with my 

Q: Tell us about your new 

fiction novel The Seduction 

of Sunni Sinclair… 

It’s about a notorious female 

escort who outwits Sydney’s 

criminal underworld to 

mastermind the most 

audacious heist in Australia’s 

history. Sunni is a woman 

on the wrong side of the law 

and we follow her transition 

from a fun-loving, quickwitted, 

romantic to a vengeful 

gangster with a price on 

her head. She’s a gutsy 

woman navigating the maledaughter 

and grandchildren 

on the Northern Beaches while 

finalising my new book, and 

I am intrigued by the area. 

Sweeping beaches, national 

parks, quiet coves… it’s a 

stunning stretch of coastline, 

a little wild and a there’s a 

real culture of creativity. The 

setting plays a pivotal role 

in storytelling, it serves as 

more than just a backdrop; 

it becomes a character in 

its own right, shaping the 

narrative, and influencing 

the characters. Avalon Beach 

is an ideal canvas with a 

community that 

provides a microcosm 

of relationships, alliances, 

and conflicts. There is so 

much fertile ground for 

character development and 

intricate plot dynamics. 

Also, I have a personal 

connection to Pittwater, 

sailing here in my youth. I 

have fond memories which 

will help Pittwater to become 

a living, breathing part of 

the story. It’s incredibly 

important to me that I am 

connected to the setting. 

dominated 

world of organised crime 

in the 1950s. But she’s not 

afraid to challenge the status 

quo. Sunni’s journey is not 

only one of survival but a 

testament to the indomitable 

spirit of women who dared 

to challenge the norms and 

carve their path in a world 

dominated by men. 

Q: Anything else to add? 

The audio book is narrated by 

AFI Award winning actress 

Fiona Press, a veteran of 

Australian stage and screen 

with a magnificent theatrical 

voice. Fiona has worked with 

most of our national main 

stage theatre companies 

and impressed in feature 

film roles (opposite John 

Malkovich) in Disgrace, and 

as Therese in Waiting – which 

awarded her an AFI for Best 

Supporting Actress. 

*The Seduction of Sunni 

Sinclair is available in retail 

and digital (audio book early 

April). 



Art Life 

‘Tabled’, ‘Held’, ‘Placed’ – 

stunning ceramics display 

Manly Art Gallery & 

Museum (MAG&M) will 

exhibit three unique 

exhibitions side by side in 

April, showcasing the very 

best in contemporary ceramics. 

‘TABLED’, ‘HELD’ and 

‘PLACED’ – a partnership 

between MAG&M and The 

Australian Ceramics Association 

– will run concurrently 

from 19 April to 9 June. 

The exhibitions feature tableware 

developed in collaboration 

with some of Australia’s 

top chefs, restauranteurs and 

artisans; clay pieces exploring 

connections to place; and 

utilitarian sculptural objects 

shown on one continuous 

shelf. 

TABLED presents tableware 

designed and made by 12 

potters, developed in collaboration 

the Australian Ceramics 

Association (TACA). 

TABLED: Paul Davis Ceramic plate, 

black clay, with minnie sweets. 

PHOTO: Minako Asai 

The artists worked with 

chefs, cooks and food producers, 

including leading 

Australian chefs from hatted 

restaurants Firedoor and Gildas, 

regional restaurants and 

distilleries, providores and 

food artists. Together they 

have produced 12 dramatic 

and elaborate table installations 

which reveal fascinating 

connections between ceramics 

and food. 

HELD features 90 small contemporary 

artworks created 

by members of TACA. The 

sculptural objects are utilitarian 

and functional, appearing 

as though they could be physically 

‘held’. More experimental 

works in the series capture 

the sense that in objects, 

memories are also held. 

PLACED explores sense of 

place, belonging and connection, 

with works from the 

MAG&M ceramic collection 

and loaned pieces from artists 

Rona Panangka Rubuntja, 

Mechelle Bounpraseuth and 

Ara Dolatian. 

Rona Panangka Rubuntja 

joined the Hermannsburg 

Potters in 1998 and has 

established herself as one of 

the most prominent senior 

artists of the group, participating 

in more than 40 group 

exhibitions in Australia and 

internationally. Inspired by 

contemporary life in Ntaria, 

PLACED: Rona Panangka Rubuntja, 

Home to Hermannsburg, 2023. 

her figurative works are 

distinctive, humorous and 

imaginative. 

The child of Laotian parents, 

Bounpraseuth uses art 

to process loss of cultural 

heritage, inherited trauma and 

childhood memories. 

Dolatian explores the 

relationship between cultural 

landscapes and the natural 

ecosystem with models of 

utopian cities and sculptural 

experiments. 

The exhibition (open Tuesdays 

– Sundays, 10am-5pm) 

will be officially opened on 3 

May by Quay’s Executive Chef 

Peter Gilmore. 

– NW 

*More info magmam.com.au 

Art Life 



49

Health & Wellbeing 

At-work hacks for better 


The workplace and school classroom can be 

energy-sapping environments. But only if you 

let them be. Here’s how you can achieve better 

focus throughout the day. By Lizzie Williamson 

One day my daughter 

Ruby came home from 

school, frustrated 

and fatigued. Slamming her 

schoolbag on the table, she unleashed 

a torrent of questions: 

“Why do we have to sit for six 

hours straight? We’re all falling 

asleep, my back is aching. Why 

is school designed this way?” 

“I have no idea!” I said to her. 

“But I’m writing a book about 

the same thing, except in the 

workplace, hoping that more 

people will start to ask these 

questions too. When you enter 

the workforce, Ruby, I want 

things to be different.” 

And thus, the seed of my 

book was planted. Amidst 

rising rates of burnout and 

health issues, it’s time to ask: 

Is this truly working? Is there a 

better way? 

I’ve witnessed firsthand 

the incredible transformation 

that occurs when individuals 

and organisations 

around the world 

break up long 

hours of sitting 

by embracing 

movement and 

wellbeing in the 

workplace. 

But where do we 

begin this journey 

towards a more 

active work life? 

From all-ornothing 

to all-orsomething: 

Does 

the idea of finding an hour to 

exercise seem daunting? We 

often fall into the trap of the 

‘all-or-nothing’ mindset, believing 

that if exercise doesn’t 

align with our expectations, it’s 

not worth doing. But your body 

and brain don’t care about 

rigid rules, so instead of waiting 

for the perfect scenario, 

remember something is always 

better than nothing. 

Change the 

word: The word 

‘exercise’ can 

carry negative 

connotations, 

but what if we 

reframed it as 

‘energise’? By reframing 

exercise 

as energising, 

you can tap into 

a new enthusiasm 

for movement. 

The two-minute 

trick: Feeling strapped for 

time? Convince yourself to 

start with just two minutes 

of movement. Whether it’s a 

quick stretch, a brief walk, or 

a few push-ups, every little bit 

counts. Research shows that 

even short bursts of movement 

can yield incredible 

benefits, from improved mood 

to increased energy levels. 

Imagine if your workday 

was like having access to a 

pharmacy filled with all the 

mood-boosting elixirs and 

formulations you need to 

feel energised, focused, and 

fulfilled – for free! It sounds 

too good to be true, doesn’t 

it? But you already have this 

inner pharmacy inside you. The 

secret to unlocking this new 

level of productivity, focus, and 

fulfilment lies in something 

simple yet incredibly powerful: 

an active workday. 

Here are some micro-move- 



wellbeing 

ALL-OR-SOME- 

THING: Exercise 

can carry negative 

connotations, says 

Lizzie Williamson. 

ment tips to get you started. 

Need a mental pick-me-up? 

Give your brain a microbreak by 

turning your head to one side to 

look away from the screen, take 

a deep breath, then turn to the 

other side. 

Facing a challenging 

problem? Take a 30-second 

walk on the spot to release 

BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic 

factor), which enhances 

creativity and problem-solving 

abilities. 

Feeling sluggish and low on 

energy? Stand and pace when 

on the phone instead of sitting. 

This simple change can invigorate 

your body and mind, boosting 

energy levels. 

Getting distracted by tightness 

in your back? Sneak in 

some chair stretches. Pretend 

you’ve dropped a pen on either 

side of you and lean over to 

pick it up, stretching out those 

tight muscles and improving 

circulation. 

Commit to doing angled pushups 

at the kitchen bench when 

waiting for the kettle to boil. 

This muscle contraction releases 

myokines, which scientists 

have dubbed ‘hope molecules’, 

making you feel more optimistic 

about tackling tasks. 

Want to be in a better mood? 

A study by Columbia University 

revealed that a two-minute 

walk every 30 minutes helps to 

improve your mood. 

By incorporating these simple 

micro-movement tips into your 

daily routine, you can unlock a 

wealth of benefits for your body 

and mind, leading to a happier, 

healthier, and more productive 

work life. 

*Author Lizzie Williamson 

lives in Bilgola; she published 

Two Minute Moves in 2017. Her 

new guide The Active Workday 

Advantage is available 

now in bookstores and online. 






Local students’ ARTEXPRESS triumph 

Outstanding local student 

artworks developed for 

the HSC and selected for this 

years’ ARTEXPRESS exhibition 

at the Art Gallery of NSW were 

inspired by our calming natural 

landscapes. 

In a series of seven pieces, 

former Pittwater High student 

Jessie O’Rielly worked with 

the unique properties of 

gouache paint to examine 

the beauty of the untouched 

environment. 

Inspired by photographs she 

took while out with friends on 

Pittwater, the 18-year-old from 

Mona Vale said her work Inattentional 

blindness “represents 

what people don’t have time to 

appreciate and take in”. 

A self-confessed perfectionist, 

Jessie thanked her “very 

supportive and amazing 

teacher” Cassandra Reynolds. 

Jessie has embarked on an 

Interior Design course at Sydney 

Design School, where she 

PHOTOS: © Art Gallery of NSW / Mim Stirling 

GOUACHE PAINT: Former Pittwater High student 

Jessie O’Rielly with her work ‘Inattentional blindness’. 

will utilise her love of decorative 

art. 

Former Northern Beaches 

Secondary College, 

Freshwater Senior Campus 

student Millie Crowley, 18, 

lives with bushland behind 

her family home and spends 

a lot of time bushwalking and 

exploring. 

Her work ‘Landscapes 

revealed’ is an interpretation of 

the topography of the landscape. 

“My artwork captures the 

scaffold of the land using an 

exaggerated colour pallette to 

represent the hidden shapes 

and colours that can be found 

when you immerse yourself in 

the bush,” she said. 

Influenced by the work of 

local artist Ben Waters, Millie 

started painting in second 

TOPOGRAPHY: Former NB Secondary College student 

Millie Crowley with her work ‘Landscapes revealed’. 

term, working right up until the 

due date, encouraged by her 

teacher Ms Morley who “really 

pushed me to explore more”. 

Millie is studying Interior Architecture 

at UNSW and hopes 

to continue with her art on the 

side. 

– Lisa Offord 

*ARTEXPRESS 2024 is being 

exhibited at the Art Gallery 

of NSW until April 21. Entry 

is free. 




with Rowena Beckenham 


The unseen role nutrition 

plays in good eye health 

Easter is a beautiful time 

to spend with family and 

friends, enjoying the company 

of those we love, as well 

as – dare I say – much more 

chocolate than usual. 

We are all aware of how 

crucial good nutrition is for our 

overall health and wellbeing – 

but did you know a balanced 

diet is also necessary for eye 

health? Different micronutrients 

and antioxidants play an 

important role in supporting 

good eye function, as well as 

helping to prevent a number of 

eye disorders. 

Luckily, dark chocolate (containing 

a minimum 72 per cent 

cacao – pictured) can boost 

vision by increasing blood 

flow, which in turn sharpens 

our ability to read words and 

numbers. It has been suggested 

that flavonoids found in 

dark chocolate may also help 

improve vision in people with 

glaucoma and may help reduce 

the risk of age-related macular 

degeneration. 

Chocolate is perhaps not the 

only thing we should be consuming, 

even if it is Easter! So 

here are some more eye-friendly 

nutrients to add to your diet 

that can help maintain and 

improve your vision. 

n Vitamin E – found in seeds, 

seed oils and fruit, is thought 

to protect the retina against 

damaging free radicals, 

which are unstable molecules 

that break down healthy 

eye tissue – amongst other 

things. 

n Vitamin C – found in fresh 

fruit and vegetables, 

promotes healthy blood vessels, 

including the delicate 

capillaries found in the 

retina, and has been shown 

to contribute to cataract 

prevention. 

n Zinc – which is found in 

seafood, meats, nuts, and 

beans, and has shown to 

significantly reduce the risk 

of age-related macular degeneration, 

as well as aiding 

to slow its progression. 

n Lutein and zeaxanthin are 

antioxidants, known as 

carotenoids; they can be 

found in corn, spinach, cabbage, 

leak, kale, oranges, 

celery, and capsicum. These 

are pigments produced by 

plants that are vital for eye 

health through the filtering 

out of harmful blue light and 

reduction in hazardous free 

radicals. 

n Selenium is a trace mineral 

found in Brazil nuts, fish, 

and bread; selenium is 

important for the proper 

functioning of the retina. 

n Omega 3 fatty acids also 

play an important role in eye 

health, and have been shown 

to improve the symptoms of 

dry eye and ocular surface 

disease in addition to supporting 

macula health. They 

are found in cold-water 

fatty fish, such as salmon, 

mackerel, tuna, herring, and 

sardines and in nuts and 

seeds such as flaxseed, chia 

seeds, and walnuts. 

The good news is around 

90 per cent of vision loss is 

preventable or treatable, and 

looking after your eyes has 

never been tastier! 

*For more information pop in 

and chat to our optometrists 

Rowena, Rebecca or Stephanie. 

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. 








Celebrating 20 

years of dragon 

boat paddling 

The Bei Loon Pinks Dragon boat Team, part of the Bei Loon 

Dragon boat Club, has been welcoming breast cancer survivors 

to dragon boat paddling on Pittwater for 20 years. 

Members of the Bei Loon Pinks team are a mix of ages, cultures 

and backgrounds –breast cancer is the common thread. 

The team paddles for fun, fitness and friendship and members 

are serious about thriving, 

not just surviving. Organisers 

say some members are 

retiring from paddling this 

year to become social members, 

so they are welcoming 

new members to join the 

team of happy paddlers 

who enjoy a fun way to 

keep fit, and a coffee and 

chat after a weekend session 

on the water. At heart 

is support for each other, 

on and off the water. 

Some team members 

compete at the highest 

international levels – five 

have been selected to 

compete at this year’s 

Club Crew World Championships 

in Ravenna, Italy. 

RECRUITING: The Bei Loon Pinks are calling 

for new members. 

In April, some will compete in the cancer survivor division at 

the Australian National Dragon boat titles in Perth. 

The Club reports Dragon Boat Racing among breast cancer 

survivors is growing in Australia and internationally. The International 

Breast Cancer Paddler’s Commission (IBCPC), stages 

a festival every four years and now hosts 316 teams from 37 

countries, involving about 15,000 breast cancer survivors. 

The Bei Loon Pinks have participated in every IBCPC event since 

its inception in 2007, most recently at Lake Karapiro in New Zealand 

in 2023. Fundraising has commenced to support a team to 

participate in 2026 at Aix-les-Bains in the French Alps. – LO 

*More info beiloonpinks.com 



Hair & Beauty 

with Sue Carroll 

Skin Laxity presentation and 

the right device for treatment 


Skin laxity is a common 

sign of ageing and can 

affect various areas of the 

body such as the face, neck, 

arms, legs or abdomen. It 

occurs when the skin loses its 

elasticity, resulting in a saggy, 

loose appearance. 

Loss of skin elasticity may 

present as: 

Fine lines and wrinkles: When 

skin loses its elasticity in the 

dermal matrix (second layer of 

skin), it is prone to fine lines 

and wrinkles. These lines can 

appear deeper and more prominent 

over time. 

Jowls: As we age the bones 

tend to shrink, leading to the 

muscular layer (SMAS) and 

dermal layer to then droop and 

create the jowls. 

Drooping Eyelids: As with 

the jowls, this drooping tissue 

affects the orbital area. Ptosis 

(the drooping of the skin of the 

upper eyelid) can be the result. 

Crepey Skin: When the support 

in the dermal matrix is lost or 

declines, and the surrounding 

glycosaminoglycans (GAG’S), 

that provide the cushioning and 

the environment of collagen 

and elastin, this depletion leads 

to the skin having the appearance 

of thin, tissue-like skin. 

Skin laxity is caused by a 

combination of intrinsic (internal) 

and extrinsic (external) 

factors that affect the skin’s 

structure and function. Some of 

the scientific causes are: 

Age and hormonal changes: 

Where the collagen and elastin 

fibres, which provide support 

and elasticity to the skin, 

degrade over time, leading to 

thinning and sagging. Additionally, 

the skin’s ability to produce 

new collagen and elastin 

decreases with age. 

Exposure to prolonged UV 

radiation: From the sun damages 

the collagen and elastin 

fibres. This damage can result 

in the formation of wrinkles 

and sagging. 

Certain lifestyle factors: Such 

as poor diet, lack of sleep, 

excessive alcohol, and smoking 

all add to oxidative stress 

resulting in the skin breaking 

down and not having the ability 

to regenerate. 

Genetics: Can play a huge part 

in the loss of laxity in the skin, 

and this can happen earlier in 

some compared to others. 

Other areas: Glycation, dehydration, 

significant weight 

loss and extreme temperature 

environments. 

When choosing the most 

appropriate treatment for your 

area of concern there are several 

factors to review such as: 

n Different areas will respond 

better to one treatment rather 

than another, HIFU, RF, RF 

Microneedling and Plasma 

Fibroblast can provide more 

significant skin tightening for 

moderate to severe skin laxity, 

while microneedling will address 

fine lines and moderate 

skin laxity. 

n Different modalities are 

better suited for specific areas 

of the body. HIFU and RF can 

be used on the face and body, 

while RF Needling and microneedling 

are primarily used 

on the face and neck. Plasma 

can be used on the face and 

body but is not suitable for all 

body areas. 

n Depending on your timeline 

for your result HIFU and Plasma 

can provide more immediate 

results, while RF and RF Needling 

usually require multiple 

treatments. 

n Your pain tolerance this also 

must be a strong consideration 

for the appropriate treatment. 

n Budget is also a consideration. 

HIFU and Plasma 

Fibroblast are typically more 

expensive than RF, RF Needling 

and Microneedling (pictured). 

What is the primary skin 

concern? 

A. moderate to severe laxity 

B. fine lines and wrinkles 

C. Mild to moderate skin laxity 

Which area do you want to 

target? 

A. face and body 

B. face and neck 

C. face only 

How soon do you want the 

results? 

A. Immediate 

B. within a few weeks to 

months 

C. over time with multiple treatments 

How much downtime will you 

tolerate? 

A. no downtime 

B. some downtime 

C. little to no downtime 

What is your budget? 

A. high 

B. moderate 

C. low 

It is so important to combine 

both in-Clinic treatments, a 

good home care regime and 

a healthy lifestyle in order to 

achieve your optimum results. 

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 


Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money 

with Brian Hrnjak 

Business Life 

Positive changes could lose 

out in adversarial argument 

This month a look at 

issues arising from the 

State Government’s 

changes to housing density 

and building targets. Late last 

year the Minns Government 

revealed a series of policy 

changes affecting housing 

density particularly around 

town centres and transport 

hubs. The essence of the 

changes were: 

n Dual occupancies (two 

separate homes on a single 

lot), such as duplexes, in all R2 

low density residential zones 

across all of NSW. 

n Terraces, townhouses and 

two-storey apartment blocks 

near transport hubs and town along the corridor of Pittwater rates that is the key driver of grew by 624,000 people (2.4 

centres in R2 low density / Barrenjoey Road from 

housing prices, it’s no surprise per cent). These figures are 

residential zones across the Narrabeen to Avalon. While that the State Government expected to increase to new 

Greater Sydney region, Hunter, the policy and the government would eventually turn up on highs in pending statistical 

Central Coast and Illawarra talk about merit assessment, the doorstep of local Councils. releases. Something like 40 

(the Six Cities region). 

the policy contains a potent Former RBA Governor Phil per cent of new migrants 

n Mid-rise apartment blocks non-refusal standard 

Lowe said as much in the AFR will find their way to Sydney 

near transport hubs and meaning that Councils will be in 2023: ‘Dr Lowe said house for reasons of it being a key 

town centres in R3 medium effectively powerless. 

prices and rents were rising point of entry, family reunion 

density zones and appropriate The initial reaction from as the population expanded reasons and work availability. 

employment zones. This will Northern Beaches Council from thousands more migrants In the absence of adequate 

mean more housing just a was pretty mild to say the wanting to enjoy the high supply, how can rents and 

short 10-minute walk (800m) least: ‘Council is preparing a standard of living in Australia. house prices not go up? 

from transport hubs, shops submission on the proposed He blamed state and local Here are the key fronts 

and amenities. 

reforms. We have also written government zoning and shaping up in what could 

The aim was to generate to the Honourable Paul Scully, planning regulation, as well become an almighty 

an estimated 112,000 new Minister for Planning and as people opposing housing social war: the State 

homes across greater Sydney Public Spaces, expressing developments, for the nation’s Government who tabled 

and to restore what’s become significant concerns about housing undersupply.’ 

their housing policy as 

called the ‘missing middle’ the radical proposal, and 

Current RBA Governor a means of addressing 

of housing choice, referring requested an urgent meeting Michelle Bullock at the 

housing affordability 

particularly to terraces and with the Premier and Minister press conference following through additional supply; 

town homes. The Transport- for Planning.’ 

the March rates decision local Councils who are 

Oriented Development SEPP Submissions to the 

reinforced this view; again being accused of stifling 

calls for residential flat 

government closed on 23 from the AFR: ‘I wouldn’t like supply through excessive 

buildings within 400m of February, the Council debated to predict housing prices. bureaucracy and pandering 

31 selected rail stations and the issue on 27 February (yes, Frankly, every time we tried to vested interests; and the 

transport hubs with density those dates are correct), with to do that we seem to get it Federal Government who 

and height uplifts (to 8 storeys) the minutes indicating not wrong… But ultimately, the determine a key element for 

if the proposal includes much movement from the bigger force in housing, I housing demand – population 

sufficient affordable housing initial reaction – basically a think, comes down to supply growth. 

provisions. This second arm stern letter to the Minister. and demand. And that’s 

Underlying the above 

of the State Government’s This year, however, can be something that obviously, factors is the generation 

proposals seeks to create a febrile one for local issues governments can deal with.’ gap: ‘boomers’, who in this 

an additional 138,000 new being a Council election year Last financial year 

fight are the beneficiaries of 

homes over the next 15 years. where sensitivities on issues Australia’s net overseas decades of property price 

In January, this magazine such as this are heightened. migration was 518,000 

appreciation and who happen 

reported the potential for the With the sudden realisation people, the highest on record, to be overrepresented as 

policy to result in high rise sweeping the political set that albeit a rebound from COVID decision makers on local 

development in town centres it is supply and not interest lows. Population overall councils, being pitted against 



the younger generation, Gen 

Zs and Millennials, who are 

struggling with affordability 

and who will look towards 

independent and alternative 

parties who will listen to their 

concerns. 

Consider this advice 

reported in The SMH last 

year, from Christopher Rath, 

Liberal whip in the NSW upper 

house to his fellow state party 

members to ignore pressure 

from NIMBY Baby Boomers in 

their electorates who oppose 

new housing: ‘The reality 

is that you’re not going to 

lose your seat because of 10 

letters that you receive about 

a development from a few 

NIMBYs that don’t want it to 

go ahead, he said. But you will 

lose your seat if only one-infive 

Gen Z and one-in-four 

Millennials are voting for the 

Liberal Party because they 

can’t afford to buy a home. 

That’s how you’re going to lose 

your seat. My suggestion would 

be to do more to drastically 

increase private housing 

supply in NSW and maybe 

worry a little bit less about 

the handful of NIMBY boomers 

that email and phone your 

office.’ 

We know from experience 

that determined State 

governments ultimately get 

what they want and there’s 

little doubt that many Councils 

in established areas of Sydney 

have been acting as stewards 

of the status quo. Ask any 

of your neighbours who may 

have gone through the DA 

process if they found it at 

all to be customer-focused, 

straight forward or just a 

whole bunch of expensive, 

bureaucratic mumbo 

jumbo. (If you are curious 

about the ‘local rules’ do take 

a moment to peruse our own 

local Pittwater 21 DCP – all 

1,049 pages of it!) 

If this issue becomes an 

argument played out in an 

adversarial way between 

local Councils and the State 

Government, we risk missing 

out on a rational conversation 

about the positive changes 

to planning and development 

that we might hope to see, 

that might reflect what people 

want. There are innovative 

projects being held up as 

examples all over the State: 

build-to-rent units in Inner 

West Council area using 

church land to provide lowcost 

housing for local essential 

workers; low-rise multi-use 

commercial and residential 

estates such as Habitat in 

Byron Bay, with a recent 

example of this also in Noosa; 

or well-planned, low-rise 

medium-density apartments 

such as the Richard Coledesigned 

Catalina Boardwalk 

development in Avalon 

Parade. 

If people understand what’s 

possible they might be more 

inclined to be brought along 

on the journey. 

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. 

Business Life 



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. 



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. 

Luxury Property 

Maintenance 

Call Luke: 0415 112 480 

All maintenance inc hedge trimming, 

lawn mowing, pressure cleaning, 

mulching + planting. 

roof installation and painting. Also roof 

repairs specialist. 

Ken Wilson Roofing 

Call 0419 466 783 

Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles 

replaced, metal roof repairs, gutter 

cleaning, valley irons replaced. 

HANDYMEN 

Local Handyman 

Call Jono 0413 313299 

Small and medium-sized building jobs, 

also welding & metalwork; licensed. 

JEWELLER 

Gold ‘n’ Things 

Call 9999 4991 

Specialists in remodelling. On-premises 

(Mona Vale) workshop for cleaning, 

repairing (including laser welding), 

polishing. Family owned for nearly 40 years. 

HOT WATER 

Hot Water Maintenance NB 

Call 9982 1265 

Local emergency specialists, 7 days. 

Sales, service, installation. Warranty 

agents, fully accredited. 

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. 


Melaleuca Landscapes 

Call Sandy 0416 276 066 

Professional design and construction 

for every garden situation. Sustainable 

vegetable gardens and waterfront 

specialist. 

Precision Tree Services 

Call Adam 0410 736 105 

Adam Bridger; professional tree care by 

qualified arborists and tree surgeons. 

GUTTERS & ROOFING 

Cloud9 R&G 

Call Tommy 0447 999 929 

Prompt and reliable service; gutter 

cleaning and installation, leak detection, 





PAINTING 

Cloud9 Painting 

Call 0447 999 929 

Your one-stop shop for home or office 

painting; interiors, exteriors and also 

roof painting. Call for a quote. 

Tom Wood Master Painters 

Call 0406 824 189 

Residential specialists in new work & 

repaints / interior & exterior. Premium 

paints; 17 years’ experience. 

PEST CONTROL 

Predator Pest Control 

Call 0417 276 962 

predatorpestcontrol.com.au 

Environmental services at their best. 

Comprehensive control. Eliminate all 

manner of pests. 

PLASTERING 

Craig Florimo Plastering 

Call Craig 0420 866 009 

All aspects specialising in ceilings, 

cornice, walls, repairs, renovations, 

insurance work. 30 years’ experience. 

craigflorimo@hotmail.com 

PLUMBING 

Platinum Plumbers & Pipe 

Relining 

Call Rhys 0421 637 410 

Northern Beaches Plumbers, all 

general plumbing and specialists in 

blocked drains. 

Total Pipe Relining 

Call Josh 0423 600 455 

Repair pipe problems without 

replacement. Drain systems fully 

relined; 35 years’ guarantee. 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. 

WINDOW CLEANING 

Local Window Cleaning 

Call Simon 0406 389 841 

Free quote; Mona Vale-based window 

cleaning micro-details specialist. 

Reasonable price, no subcontractor, the 

owner does it himself. Fully insured. 

Advertise 

your Business 

in Trades & 

Services 

section 

Ph: 0438 123 096 






Pittwater Puzzler 

Compiled by David Stickley 

guests or strangers (11) 

28 Sea creature also called the 

carpet shark (9) 

29 Youth Week Finale Event 

presented by International 

youth ambassador and beaches 

resident Heather Miller (1,3,1) 

30 Those who travel around on 

bikes (6) 

31 Those who go too fast in 

their cars (8) 

Pittwater Puzzler 

DOWN 

1 Pointers (6) 

2 Covered porch (7) 

3 Like sea water (5) 

4 Began anew (9) 

6 Link between a terminal and 

an aeroplane (3,6) 

7 Ball-shaped (7) 

8 Local beach that’s ranked 

6th in the world by Conde Nast 

Traveller (4,4) 

9 The home of Governor Phillip 

Park, ____ Beach (4) 

15 Bikinis, board shorts, etc (9) 

16 Getting together (7,2) 

17 User of Avalon Community 

Library, perhaps (8) 

20 Seized suddenly (7) 

22 A gaze or stare 

superstitiously believed to be 

able to cause material harm 

(4,3) 

23 Thick sweet sticky liquids (6) 

26 A place or locality (4) 

27 Actor’s comment to the 

audience (5) 

ACROSS 

1 The A in YAG (8) 

5 Busy Lizzie, for example (6) 

10 Living in the country (5) 

11 Shallow-water echinoderm 

having a soft body enclosed in a 

thin spiny globular shell (3,6) 

12 Author of Lies My Mirror Told 

Me (5,6) 

13 Church minister’s title, 

perhaps, in short form (3) 

14 Animal that’s the focus of 

Bayview Bunnies (6) 

16 Type of centre that’s located 

at 5/1 Kalinya St, Newport (7) 

18 The evening or day before 

a church festival or any date or 

event (3) 

19 Prepared for all 

contingencies; vigilant (2,5) 

21 The Pittwater Woman of the 

Year 2024, Laura ______ (6) 

24 Drowned valley (3) 

25 The friendly and generous 

reception and entertainment of 

[Solution page 72] 



Times Past 

Shark in shallows at Avalon 

Fortunately for the future 

of both sharks and surfers, 

there have been few 

confrontations between the 

two locally; although one 

such incident occurred at 

Avalon Beach in March 1951. 

When on patrol, Avalon 

Beach Surf Life Saving 

members noticed a shark 

swimming dangerously close 

to a group of children in onemetre-deep 

water. 

Ken Davidson, a 23-yearold 

local known to all and 

sundry as ‘Davo’, was the 

first to respond and grabbed 

his surfboard (known as a 

‘toothpick’ before the ‘mal’ 

came along) and paddled out 

the short distance to the area. 

After sounding the shark 

alarm, other club members 

jumped to Ken’s aid. 

“I thought it much smaller 

than it really was. I dived 

into the shallow water and 

grabbed the shark by the tail” 

said Ken. Unsurprisingly, the 

shark did a U-turn and took a 

bite in retaliation. 

In previous weeks Ken 

had been fishing around the 

rocks near the pool and had 

caught several Port Jackson 

sharks. Ken remarked that 

they were solid and if you 

held them close to the tail, 

they could only bend their 

bodies in a small arc – but 

not so this carpet shark. 

Ken later recalled: “When 

the shark swung around to 

attack me, its lower teeth 

caught in my webbing belt, 

POOR SHARK: Ken Davies with the Wobbegong/carpet shark in 1951. 

luckily. If they had not it 

could have given me a far 

more vicious bite.” 

His brother Neil was one 

of the first on the scene and 

arrived with a spear gun but 

the first shot bent the arrow 

when it struck the shark. Neil 

swapped the spear gun for a 

so-called ‘shark spear’ from 

the clubhouse and drove it 

twice into the shark, killing it 

almost instantly. 

The shark was then hauled 

onto the beach. 

Clubmates took Ken to 

Narrabeen where a doctor put 

three stitches in the wound. 

The shark was later classified 

as a ‘carpet shark’, so 

named because many of the 

species have a mottled skin 

closely resembling ornately 

patterned carpets. They are 

also called by the more common 

name of ‘wobbegong’. 

This one must have been 

the granddaddy of them all 

and eaten his fair share of 

molluscs and crustaceans 

over the years because carpet 

sharks normally only reach 

one metre but the newspaper 

photo shows it had almost 

reached double that length. 

TIMES PAST is supplied by 

local historian and President 

of the Avalon Beach 

Historical Society GEOFF 

SEARL. Visit the Society’s 

showroom in Bowling Green 

Lane, Avalon Beach. 

Times Past 



Food Life 

with Janelle Bloom 


Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/ 

These chocolate and caramel 

treats will hit the sweet spot 

There are many iconic food pairings – 

like bread and butter, bacon and eggs, 

burgers and fries, milk and cookies 

– although my favourite has to be chocolate 

and caramel. Easter weekend (or week) is 

Janelle’s easy 

chocolate caramel 

slice 

Makes 12-16 

1 x 395g can sweetened 

condensed milk 

2 tbs golden syrup 

50g butter 

200g milk or dark chocolate, 

melted 

Base 

125g butter, at room 

temperature 

1/3 cup caster sugar 

1¼ cups plain flour 

1. Preheat oven to 160°C fan 

forced. Grease a 20cm square 

(base) cake pan then line the 

base and sides with baking 

paper, allowing the paper to 

overhang the sides. 

2. To make the base, use 

an electric mixer to beat 

the butter and sugar together 

until pale and creamy. Add 

the flour. Beat on low speed 

until just combined. Use your 

hands to bring the mixture 

together. Press evenly into 

the pan and smooth the 

surface. Bake for 15 minutes 

or until lightly browned. 

Remove from the oven and 

set aside for 10 minutes. 

3. For the caramel filling, 

combine the condensed milk, 

golden syrup and butter 

in an medium heatproof, 

microwave-safe Pyrex 

bowl (see Janelle’s Tip). 

Microwave, uncovered for 

3-4 minutes on High/100%, 

whisking every minute until 

light golden and thickened 

slightly. 

4. Pour the warm caramel over 

the warm base. Bake 10-12 

minutes or until the edges 

are deep golden. Set aside 

to cool 1 hour. 

5. Pour the melted chocolate 

evenly over the caramel 

filling and smooth the 

surface. Set aside to cool. 

Cut into pieces to serve. 

Janelle’s Tip: Make sure the 

bowl is not scratched, deep 

scratches from well-used bowls 

can crack when used in the 

microwave to make caramel. 

For a double chocolate 

caramel slice: Follow the steps 

above, whisking 2 tablespoons 

cocoa powder into the hot 

caramel at the end Step 3. 

the perfect time to share these treats; but 

they come with a warning – they are rich, 

decadent, delicious and should be enjoyed 

in moderation (easier said than done, right?) 

Enjoy! 

3-ingredient 

chocolate caramel 

pretzel treats 

Makes 21 

21 baked pretzel 

170g block Rolo chocolate 

21 pecans, salted macadamia 

nuts, fresh raspberries 

1. Preheat the oven 130°C fan 

forced. Line a baking tray 

with baking paper. 

2. Place the pretzels on the 

tray allowing a little room 

between each. Carefully 

cut the block of chocolate 

into squares. Place 1 

square into the centre of 

each pretzel. Place into 

the oven for 5 minutes 

until the chocolate looks 

melted and soft but still 

holds its shape. 

3. Remove from the oven, 

press pecan, macadamia, 

or raspberries into the 

soft chocolate. Allow to 

cool 15 minutes then place 

the tray in the fridge for 1 

hour to set. 

4. Pretzel treats will keep in the 

fridge for up to 8-12 hours 

before the pretzel softens. 

Variations 

For Easter, replace the Rolo 

chocolate squares with 

caramel-filled easter egg. 

Replace the raspberries with ½ 

a small fresh strawberry. 

Replace the pecans and 

sandwich with a second 

pretzel. 



For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au 

Chocolate mud 

cupcakes with 

peanut butter 

caramel icing 

Makes 12 

125g butter, chopped 

½ cup milk 

¼ cup hot water 

100g dark chocolate, chopped 

1 cup brown sugar 

2/3 cup plain flour 

¼ cup self-raising flour 

2 tbs cocoa powder 

1 egg, lightly beaten 

Peanut butter caramel frosting 

250g cream cheese, chopped 

60g unsalted butter, room 

temperature 

1 cup (250g) creamy peanut 

butter 

½ cup salted caramel (Dulce 

Leche or Bon Maman brand 

caramel) 

2 cup icing sugar 

1-2 tbs milk 


forced. Line 12 x 1/3-cup 

(80ml) muffin pans with 

paper cases. 

2. Combine the butter, milk, 

hot water and chocolate in a 

medium saucepan. Stir over 

low heat, for 3 minutes or 

until the mixture is warm and 

smooth. Remove from heat. 

Stir in the sugar. Set aside for 

10 minutes to cool slightly. 

3. Sift the flours and cocoa 

together over the chocolate 

mixture. Using a balloon 

whisk, whisk until smooth. 

Stir in the egg, mix well. 

Pour the mixture evenly 

among the paper cases. 

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or 

until a skewer inserted into 

the centre comes out clean. 

Transfer to a wire rack to 

cool. 

5. For the peanut butter 

caramel frosting, beat the 

cream cheese and butter 

together until creamy. 

Add the peanut butter and 

caramel, beat until well 

combined. Add the icing 

sugar ¼ cup at a time, 

beating on low speed 

until combined, continue 

beating until smooth. Add 

enough milk to adjust 

the consistency. Spoon or 

pipe to frosting onto the 

cupcakes. Serve. 

Malted chocolate 

caramel thick shake 

Makes 2 

½ cup thickened cream 

200g milk or dark chocolate, 

chopped 

2 cups vanilla ice cream 

1 cup milk 

¼ cup malted milk powder 

1/3 cup Dulce Leche or Bon 

Maman brand caramel 

Cream and extra caramel, to 

serve 

1. Combine the cream and 

chocolate in a microwavesafe 

heatproof bowl. 

Microwave, uncovered, for 

2-3 minutes on High/100%, 

stirring every 30 seconds 

until melted and smooth. 

Set aside to cool 30 minutes 

(sauce will thicken). 

2. Place the ice cream, milk, 

malt powder, two heaped 

spoons chocolate sauce and 

the caramel into a blender. 

Blend until smooth. Pour 

into glasses, top with cream 

and extra caramel. Serve. 

Janelle’s Tips: Store any 

unused chocolate sauce in an 

airtight container in the fridge 

for up for 3 weeks. Also, you 

can replace the malt powder 

with peanut butter. 

Snickers ice 

cream loaf 

Serves 10 

2 litre vanilla ice cream, 

slightly softened 

4 x 55g snickers bars, chopped 

¼ cup salted roasted peanuts, 

chopped 

Homemade salted caramel 

sauce 

3/4 cup white sugar (regular 

coarse sugar, not Caster) 

200ml thickened cream at room 

temperature 

1 tsp sea salt flakes crushed 

1. For the salted caramel sauce, 

pour the sugar into a clean, dry 

saucepan. Melt over medium 

heat, stirring until the sugar 

melts and turns deep golden. 

Turn the heat off. Carefully 

pour in the cream (sugar will 

spit a little and turn to toffee). 

Return pan to medium-high 

heat, cook whisking until the 

toffee dissolves and sauce 

is smooth. Simmer gently 1 

minute to thicken slightly. 

Whisk in the salt. Set aside 15 

minutes to cool slightly. 

2. Spoon the ice cream into 6cm 

deep, 10cmx21cm (base) loaf 

pan. Top with snickers bars, 

gently pressing them into the 

top of the ice cream. Drizzle 

with a little of the lukewarm 

salted caramel. Cover and 

freeze overnight. 

3. Scoop into bowls, drizzle 

extra caramel and serve. 

Janelle’s Tips: Store any unused 

caramel in a clean jar in the 

fridge for up to 4 months. 

It will thicken on cooling, so 

microwave on medium as 

needed. Also, you can replace 

the home-made salted caramel 

with 2/3 cup Dulce Leche or Bon 

Maman brand caramel. 





Pick of the Month: 

Kale 


Kale is a cruciferous 

vegetable in the same 

family as cabbage, cauliflower 

and broccoli. It’s available in 

green, purple or Tuscan (deep 

green). 

Nutrition 

Kale is a great source of fibre 

and contains vitamins A, C 

and K. 

Store 

Keep kale unwashed in an 

airtight bag or container in 

the crisper drawer of the 

fridge. 

Use 

Shred finely and add raw 

to salads, juiced with 

your favourite fruits and 

vegetables or added 

to stir-fries, pasta or 

risottos. 

Crispy 

parmesan 

kale chips 

1 bunch 

kale washed, dried, 

stems removed and roughly 

torn 

1 tbs extra virgin olive oil 

½ cup finely grated parmesan 


forced. 

2. Place the kale, oil and 

parmesan onto a bowl. Mix 

until each piece of kale is 

coated with oil, season with 

salt and pepper. 

3. Spread the kale leaves 

out onto baking trays in 

a single layer. Bake for 15 

minutes, swapping the 

trays around in the oven 

after 10 minutes or until 

crispy. Allow to cool on the 

trays. 

Janelle’s Tip: If you have 

an air fryer, these are great 

cooked at 190°C, but you will 

need to do them in batches. 

In Season 

April 

Apples; avocados; 

bananas, Custard 

apples; fresh Australian 

dates & pomegranates; 

pineapples; grapes; 

Kiwi fruit; limes; pears; 

passionfruit; mandarins. 

Also Bok Choy; green 

beans; cabbage; 

capsicum; cauliflower; 

kale; fennel; potatoes; 

pumpkin; silverbeet 

(chard); spinach. 



Tasty Morsels 

with Beverley Hudec 

Some Tiny Morsels to savour in April 

Ale the chief at 

Canchella in Mona 

Beer lovers, put April 20 in your diary. 

Starting at noon, Park House will host 

Canchella, the Mona Vale pub’s beer 

festival dedicated to canned craft 

brews. Each $20 ticket gives access to 

10 beer samples from the mainly local 

breweries. There will be festival-style 

food available, live entertainment and 

an after party that kicks off at 9pm. 

Luxe local chockie 

shop ready for Easter 

Chocolatier Gemma Hutchinson is 

Easter-ready. Jack & Sandy, her Mona 

Vale shop, has cute chocolate bunnies 

made with antique moulds. There 

are also luxe, handmade Easter eggs 

decorated with coloured cocoa butter 

and gold leaf and filled with caramels 

and pralines. Chocolate is gluten-free 

and dark chocolate is dairy-free. 

4 Pines plates up 

tantalising menu 

4 Pines’ Newport 

establishment has a new 

menu. Hospitality Brand 

Manager Nathan Jolly said 

that the venue will deliver an 

elevated pub experience with 

a seasonal, locally sourced 

menu. Nibble on Berkelo rye 

sourdough served with truffle 

butter and vintage cheddar, 

or share a T-bone steak or the 

pork belly with yum Davidson 

plums with your friends. 

Roti Pies floats new 

Narrabeen space 

Roti Pies has recently opened a 

second pie ship next to Porters in 

North Narrabeen. Instead of pastry, 

the pies are wrapped in a roti paratha 

case. You’ll find all the old favourite 

fillings like butter chicken here too. 

More space means an expanded menu 

– expect to see more main course 

choices like pie floaters with dahl. 

Tasty Morsels 


Three of a kind: Mexican 

Bar Veinte’s catch cry is $14 

margaritas all day every day – 

except on Mondays when the 

venue is closed! This small Mona 

Vale Bar sure does pump out a 

mean margarita. In fact, the two 

best sellers are the Classic and 

Chilli margaritas (pictured). Both 

are shaken and poured over 

ice. Pair one of these legendary 

cocktails with snapper ceviche 

or a serve of house tacos. 

Alma’s mood board is distinctly 

neutral and the decor is 

pared-back but classy. This 

popular Avalon restaurant 

also showcases contemporary 

Mexican fare blended with 

local coastal produce and 

western influences. Inventive 

eats range from agave halloumi 

with salsa matcha, to kingfish 

ceviche, street corn and classic 

guacamole. 

Down Narrabeen way, you’ll 

find Loco Birria. Drop in for a 

bowl of loaded fries piled with 

melted cheese, pico de gallo 

and jalapeño aioli. If burritos 

are more your thing, the menu 

has flour tortillas stuffed with 

cheese, baby spinach, lime 

and cilantro rice, black beans 

and cabbage. Add-ons include 

chipotle chicken or braised 

beef. 


Garden Life 


Gorgeous grevilleas about to 

come into their own in Winter 

BURSTING WITH COLOUR: Myriad varieties of native grevilleas. 

Grevilleas – or commonly 

referred to as Spider 

Plants – are iconic in 

the Australian landscape, 

with more than 300 species 

nationwide and endless 

varieties available. 

They come in a range of 

sizes, from groundcovers to 

trees, and can have many 

different types of foliage; 

but they are best known for 

their flowering display. Mainly 

flowering in Winter, many 

species will flower throughout 

the year. The spectacular 

flowers can be seen with 

almost every colour and shade, 

except blue! The flowers 

can vary from the size of 

fingernails, to larger than your 

hand – and birds love them. 

They can tolerate a range 

of soil types and conditions 

but in the Sydney region they 

tend to prefer a well-drained 

sunny position, or part shade, 

making them perfect for 

almost any garden; coming 

into Autumn it is a great time 

to get planting. 

There are many local 

grevilleas on the Northern 

Beaches which can often be 

overlooked but there is one 

special species that is rarely 

seen: Grevillea caleyi. Critically 

endangered, it is a shrub 1-3 

metres high with soft divided 

leaves; it has beautiful, deep 

pink flower which can be seen 



Compiled by the team at Cicada Glen Nursery, Ingleside. 

around August to April. It can 

only be found in Terrey Hills 

and Belrose. 

Finger lime time 

Finger limes (below) are a 

native citrus that can produce 

an abundant crop of unique, 

finger-shaped fruit that has a 

deliciously tangy, caviar-like 

pulp. Finger limes naturally 

vary in shape, colour and size 

and there are now several 

commercially available varieties 

that have been developed, 

including pinks, reds, purple, 

pale green and yellow. 

In the garden, different 

varieties can grow into a dense, 

weeping shrub or small slender 

tree with an open canopy. 

Plants will benefit from regular 

watering and fertilising, much 

like other citrus species such as 

lemons or oranges. 

Finger limes are fruiting 

at this time of year, and you 

might be wondering what 

to do with all that delicious 

native fruit. 

A popular use is as a 

garnish on seafood, such as 

freshly shucked oysters. Mixed 

with some finely sliced ginger, 

they add a real zing and 

flavour explosion. 

Also, mix the pearls into 

a fresh salsa of tomato, 

cucumber and onion to use 

over grilled flathead tacos. 

Or add some tang to a 

cheesecake or tart by mixing 

in some finger lime and then 

sprinkle over the top as a 

garnish. 

You can substitute 

traditional lime with finger 

lime in cocktails such as 

Mojitos or Gin and Tonic. 

Regardless of what you use 

them for, a finger lime will 

make an interesting addition 

to your garden. 

Think Broad beans 

It’s time to clear out what’s 

left of the summer vegies 

and start preparing for winter 

crops. Broad beans make an 

easy-to-grow Winter crop that 

produces lots of beans and 

also fixes nitrogen in the soil – 

perfect for your next Summer 

planting of tomatoes or leafy 

greens. 

Broad beans prefer cooler 

conditions for a good crop, 

so planting in Sydney from 

April to June produces the 

best results. Prepare your soil 

a few weeks before planting 

by adding organic matter, 

compost and a generalpurpose 

fertiliser. Soak dried 

seeds overnight and plant 5cm 

deep and around 20cm apart 

in rows, then water in well 

with a seaweed solution. 

Once the seeds have 

germinated and have 

produced their first sets of 

leaves, give them a feed with 

a general-purpose liquid 

fertiliser. Broad beans will 

need some support once they 

start growing taller. A good 

way to do this is to put a stake 

at the end of each row and 

weave string between the 

plants, adding more as they 

grow. 

You will be able to start 

harvesting beautiful Broad 

beans in approximately 12-15 

weeks (picture above). 

Broad beans are packed 

full of nutrients, vitamins, 

minerals and can help the 

body produce dopamine 

that improves our mood, 

concentration and motivation. 

Chewed orchids 

Have you noticed something 

is chewing the new growth 

on your native orchids? 

Dendrobium Beetle can be 

devastating on your orchids 

and can wipe out an entire 

season’s growth. 

These orange and black 

beetles chew new leaves, then 

lay eggs in the soft new stems. 

Once the eggs hatch grubs will 

continue to chew the stems 






and growth tips until they fall 

over, or there is not much left. 

To control these beetles 

(above), you could use a 

systemic insecticide that works 

by being absorbed by the 

plant and then transferring the 

insecticide to the beetle when 

it feeds. Or you can sneak 

up on them (there are always 

two of them), place your hand 

slowly below the leaves being 

eaten by them and with your 

other hand, try to grab them. 

If you miss, they will hopefully 

drop into your other hand, as 

their defence is to drop to the 

ground when disturbed. Next 

step is to place under your boot 

and walk away! 

Crossword solution from page 64 

Mystery location: ELVINA BAY 

Your April to-do list... 

As Summer dies down and the colder 

weather of Autumn takes hold, now is 

a great time to get into the garden. The 

more labour-intensive jobs like planting, 

fertilising and weeding get easier. Time to 

harvest the Summer crops such as carrots, 

corn, cucumber, green beans and many 

solanum varieties like chillies, tomato, 

capsicum potatoes and eggplant. Keep an 

eye on bulbs, as some varieties like daffodils, 

freesias and crocus will start to poke their 

heads out. 

Planting 

When planting it’s all 

about the soil. Now that 

the warmer weather 

is leaving us it’s our 

favourite time of the year 

to start planting. It’s a 

perfect balance of the 

weather being not too 

warm and not too cold, 

meaning the chances of 

survival will increase. 

It also gives plants the 

chance for their roots to 

branch out and become 

established through the 

colder months before the 

warm weather returns. 

The soil will retain moisture while its cold but 

it’s important to keep an eye on things; if it’s 

still dry products like sugarcane mulch can 

help with moisture retention and encourage 

organic matter, if it’s too wet back off on 

watering and mulching. 

Best crops 

The cooler months don’t mean an end 

to the growing season, for some it’s just 

beginning. It’s a great time of the year to 

plant Broad beans, spinach, radish, onion 

and many types of brassicas like cauliflower, 

cabbage, kale and broccoli. These should be 

ready to harvest around Spring/ Summer. 

Late Autumn is the time to prune back any 

rubus you have… things like raspberries 

and blackberries. Once they finish fruiting 

the stems will die back, so it’s important to 

prune the bushes back down to ground level 

and fertilise to encourage good growth as 

Spring sets in, meaning a plentiful harvest 

later in the year. 

Weeding 

Autumn weeding is great for many reasons. 

Weeds aren’t as prolific in the garden as 

Summer, but they don’t 

disappear! Getting on 

to them now can be 

beneficial for the garden 

as it gives your plants 

more nutrients they need 

throughout Autumn and 

Winter. Weeds can also be 

seasonal, catching those 

weeds in early Autumn 

when the seasonal 

change hits will make the 

garden more manageable 

later in the season and 

will prevent the seeds 

from spreading which 

is important in slowing 

down the cycle. At times 

it’s challenging getting on 

top of woody weeds, like 

senna and lantana, especially through the 

warmer months. 

Autumn flowering 

The sunnier days may be leaving us behind, 

but the colour isn’t! Spring is known to be a 

colourful time of year with many deciduous 

plants dropping their leaves, there’s also a 

lot of flowering plants that start to pop which 

will brighten up the garden. Exotics like 

tibouchina, dahlias, roses and salvias look 

amazing this time of the year. Don’t forget 

the natives – there are so many to choose 

from, with favourites including banksia 

(pictured), grevillea, acacia, crowea, correa 

and philotheca. 



Travel Life 

Discover Northern Europe, British Isles 

There’s no single way to sum up a 

voyage through Northern Europe and 

the British Isles, simply because there 

are so many ways to explore this intriguing 

region. 

You might be following the ancient trade 

routes of the Vikings through the Baltic 

Sea via a cruise. Or breathing in deliciously 

fresh air as you stand on deck at dawn, 

taking in the tumbling waterfalls and lush 

greenery of the Norwegian fjords. You 

could be un-peeling centuries of history in 

imposing Scottish castles, or tracing the 

footsteps of your ancestors in Ireland. 

According to Travel View principal Gail 

Kardash, travelling by ultra-luxury ship with 

Silversea, you’re at a significant advantage, 

whichever route you choose. 

“Perhaps you’re intrigued by the British 

Isles, which cram millennia of history, 

extraordinary natural beauty and a melting 

pot of cultures into a relatively small space,” 

said Gail. “On a luxurious all-inclusive 14- 

day expedition voyage aboard Silversea’s 

Silver Wind, you can take in the authentic 

raw beauty of the wild and remote British 

Isles and Iceland, which are so far from big 

cities that they are best explored by ship.” 

Gail said travelling round-trip from 

Dublin, first you’ll journey to Iceland with 

its patchwork of glaciers, peaceful blue 

seas, and soaring mountains. 

“Wild, untamed, and so dramatic 

that you’ll be doing constant doubletakes, 

Iceland is like nowhere else. Spiky, 

volcanic rocks, creaking glaciers, vast 

beaches and tumbling waterfalls are only 

the beginning. 

“You’ll also visit eccentric museums, learn 

why locals still believe in elves and if you’re 

adventurous, taste fermented shark.” 

Then sail on to the far north of Scotland 

to discover uninhabited islands, see 

colonies of rare seabirds such as puffins 

and dine on delicious local cuisine. 

Some voyages head round the top of 

Scotland, to Orkney, travelling even further 

back in time, to visit the Neolithic village of 

Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, a circle 

of standing stones that’s been here for 

more than 5,000 years. 

“These lands are rich in culture, history 

and tradition, and a Silversea Expedition 

voyage complete with a team of expert 

guides and zodiac cruising experiences 

is guaranteed to fully immerse you in the 

region. 

“When you step aboard Silver Wind you’ll 

experience the epitome of Italian luxury 

(pictured) whilst enjoying the expeditionary 

excellence for which Silversea Expeditions 

is renowned. 

“With just 274-guests, beautiful all-suite 

accommodation and spacious public areas, 

Silver Wind offers a timelessly elegant yet 

luxuriously relaxed ambience.” 

*Silversea offers an incredible choice 

of Northern Europe and British Isles 

expedition voyages sailing between May 

and August 2025; call the team at Travel 

View on 9918 4444 to discover more. 

Travel Life

Pittwater Life April 2024 Issue

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