Pittwater Life August 2025 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025
FREE
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BUDGET PROS & CONS
DISCONNECT BETWEEN GOVT & COUNCIL ON EV CHARGERS
E-BIKES SAFETY FORUM / REMEMBERING ARTIST BRUCE GOOLD
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Editorial
Illegal tobacco breakthrough
Illegal vape and tobacco shops
are finally in the authorities’
crosshairs, with the NSW
Government announcing tough
new laws after more than a year
of pressure from the Liberal
coalition opposition and multiple
independent MPs including
Pittwater’s Jacqui Scruby.
The laws introduce some of
the strongest penalties in the
country – including up to seven
years in jail, million-dollar fines
and powers to shut down dangerous
shops for up to a year.
Also, the Government will
investigate legislation that will
allow prosecution of landlords
for leasing space to a tenant
they know is breaking the law.
The Labor Government’s
announcement amplifies the
bipartisan political support for
drastic action, with a coalition
Bill reflecting the framework of
the Government’s new laws.
Also, our MP Jacqui Scruby
made stubbing out illegal tobacco
and vapes sales a priority
after her election.
Beyond the Government’s
crackdown Ms Scruby wants follow-through
on other key areas
including zoning restrictions to
prevent vape shops operating
near schools and childcare centres;
dedicated enforcement assigned
to the Northern Beaches;
youth education programs and
public health campaigns; and
annual public reporting on
compliance activity, penalties
and youth vaping trends.
Let’s hope the Government
maintains the momentum.
* * *
August marks the 35th year
of Pittwater Life, which
started out as a humble 16-page
black-and-white newsletter. Today,
we circulate 32,000 copies
a month and home-deliver from
Narrabeen to Palm Beach.
Happy birthday to us! (But we
couldn’t continue without the
support of our loyal readers and
advertisers – thank you!)
– Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 3

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Publisher: Nigel Wall
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Vol 36 No 1
Celebrating 35 years
22
64
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025
FREE
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E-BIKES SAFETY FORUM / REMEMBERING ARTIST BRUCE GOOLD
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thislife
INSIDE: What our readers have to say this month (p6); local
MPs are hosting a community forum on e-bike safety (p9);
meet the North Narrabeen teenager who won the Young
Archies with her self-portrait (p11); Jacqui Scruby laments
the missed opportunities in the NSW Labor Government’s
2025 budget (p12); another tree in Avalon’s Ruskin Rowe is
to be felled (p16); we pay tribute to iconic artist Bruce Goold
who passed away in June (p22); and our Life Stories subject
is marine conservationist volunteer Jools Farrell .
COVER: ‘Laughing Kookaburra’ / Bruce Goold
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 6-39
Letters 6-7
Sideline Eye 26-27
The Way We Were 28-29
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 30
Community News 34-39
Life Stories: Jools Farrell 40-43
Hot Property 44
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 46-51
Money 52-53
Crossword 58
Food & Tasty Morsels 60-63
Gardening 64-66
* The complete Pittwater Life archive
can be found at the State Library of NSW.
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AUGUST 2025 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Letters: Readers have their say
Why can’t Mona Rd
Upgrade start now?
I read with interest the
announcement of funding
for Mona Vale Road West
(Pittwater Life – July). Work
on the upgrade is not due
to commence until 2028,
after the next election. What
I don’t get is that planning,
design and environmental
assessment work is expected
to take two-plus years,
allowing construction to
start in 2028.
The Western upgrade
was ready to have work
commence until Labor pulled
the pin on funding when
they were elected. A large
portion of the road formation
is already in place as it was
used as the spoil area for the
Eastern upgrade. I and others
were under the impression
that all the design was done,
otherwise how would the
contractors have known
where to place the spoil and
form it with all the drainage
work done?
We already knew about
traffic lights at Kimbriki…
the relocation of the Addison
Road junction, fauna
underpasses, etc.
This looks to me like a
publicity announcement
to get the Northern
Beaches residents off the
Government’s back. Another
snow job I’m guessing.
Rod Andrews
Bayview
Justification for
second hospital?
Re: your article about
Pittwater’s rapidly ageing
population and another
about the huge cost of the
Government buying out
Healthscope’s contracts for
Northern Beaches Hospital
(Pittwater Life – June).
Here’s an idea: if the
proportion of old people is
rapidly increasing then there
will soon be justification for
a second major hospital in
the area. Rather than give
huge amounts of money to
Healthscope, why not put
that money towards building
that second hospital now?
The Government doesn’t
even need to acquire any
land. They can build it on
the site of the old Mona Vale
Hospital.
Ian Collopy
Newport
Losing faith over
youth crime spike
As a long-term resident of
Pittwater, I’ve watched this
place grow – but lately, I’ve
also watched it change in
ways that worry my family.
Vandalism and graffiti are
on the rise (Pittwater Life –
July). Local parks are littered
with broken bottles. Large
groups of teens are loitering
our streets and shops well
into the early hours, even on
school nights. Neighbours
talk about stolen e-bikes,
break-ins, and a growing
sense of unease about
youth crime. This is not the
Pittwater we built or what we
want to leave our children.
What’s equally concerning
is why is there an absence
of real leadership? Our
Independent State MP, Jacqui
Scruby promised us a lot
when she was elected but
right now she appears more
focused on petitions and
press releases than pressing
this Labor Government to
act.
Youth crime is not a niche
issue. It impacts us all and
NSW’s weak youth crime laws
are becoming a defining
issue for not just us here in
Pittwater but across the state.
I thought political
change would mean we
would not be ignored by
this Labor Government
but I am beginning to
question whether our local
representative is willing or
even able to hold Labor to
account on youth crime.
The community is
6 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

watching, and many of us are
losing faith that anyone in
Macquarie Street is listening
or cares.
Neil Jones
Mona Vale
The case for local
high density builds
Increased housing density in
areas near public transport
will help solve the housing
crisis but many other
imaginative steps are needed.
In the article ‘Priced out
of Pittwater’ (Pittwater Life
– June), local realtor James
Baker said “… young families
are moving out”. But the
population is ageing, too.
Local MP Jacqui Scruby
said: “… 1,700 fewer families
are living here compared to
2019 …”.
Land prices in the Northern
Beaches LGA are very high
and many new builds are
actually rebuilds of existing
dwellings that don’t add to
the housing supply.
I believe the only solution
to provide affordable housing
near to retail, health and
services is to build highdensity,
high-rise, affordable
housing in the existing
centres – including Mona
Vale.
High-density housing can
be done well – look at some
of the new buildings in
Cronulla and at Double Bay.
Deigning high rise and
high density, such as
the Meriton ‘Lighthouse’
development in Dee Why,
is to exclude the homeless,
older single women, essential
workers, nurses, cleaners,
police, teachers and their
families a place to live
near where the work is,
while caring for the ageing
population and providing
children for the local
schools.
Peter Fuller
Narrabeen
More needed on
e-bike regulation
The Government may be
encouraging the use of
e-mobility devices (Pittwater
Life – June), but there are
many in the Community who
aren’t as keen.
In May last year Northern
Beaches Mayor Sue Heins
predicted that it would only
be a matter of time before
there was a death or serious
injuries caused by e-bikes
and e-scooters. Sadly her
prediction has been proven
correct, with the recent death
of an elderly pedestrian in
Frankston in Victoria, after
been hit by a speeding e-bike.
Closer to home, in July a
teenaged e-bike rider died
after a crash at Arncliffe.
Also, hospitals across Sydney
are reporting increased
cases of injuries from e-bike
accidents.
E-bikes and E-scooters
are unlike conventional
bikes; their riders need to
be licensed, and regulations
enforced. Many younger
users are riding them as if
they are a motor bike and
travelling at speeds will
cause serious injury, even
death, in the event of an
accident.
As a concerned
older member of the
community, I remain vigilant
when out driving or walking.
Most days I see irresponsible
riding by e-bike riders, and
when challenged am typically
given a rebuke for cautioning
them.
Peter Fysh
Manly
Why double dip
on beach patrols?
Regarding your
rationalisation of lifeguards
across the whole of the
Northern Beaches (Pittwater
Life – July) and the services
that can be provided, I
have two suggestions on
how to make the available
manpower stretch further
First, on weekends, why
do we need both lifeguards
and lifesavers. Do away with
the lifeguards and leave
patrolling to our faithful
volunteers. No benefit from
duplication.
Second, when lifeguards
deem the beach too rough to
erect flags and they close the
beach, send the lifeguards
home. No point paying
lifeguards to sit watching a
closed beach.
Richard Barnes
Narrabeen
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 7

News
Scamps’ childcare reform call
Mackellar Independent
MP Dr Sophie Scamps
says she will call on the
Federal Government to boost
unannounced spot checks of
childcare centres, as well as
initiate a national childcare
worker registration scheme and
database.
Her action follows disturbing
revelations over the past few
months of horrific abuse of
young children in childcare and
education centres.
“Parents across the country
are rightly distressed and asking
if their children are safe,” Dr
Scamps said.
“While the vast majority of early
childhood educators are doing excellent
work every day to offer a good quality
experience, there is no doubt that the
current system is letting down our
youngest Australians families that rely on
the childcare system.”
Dr Scamps said she fully supported the
Government’s new legislation that would
provide the power to withdraw federal
funding to childcare centres that did
not meet minimum safety and quality
standards.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: Dr Scamps discusses issues affecting the delivery of
childcare services with staff at Goodstart Early Learning at Mona Vale.
“It’s outrageous that centres may
continue operating under such
conditions,” she said. “Currently, it is
estimated that over 50,000 children attend
childcare centres across the country that
do not meet minimum standards. This
must end.
“I’ll also be pushing for greater
transparency around the results of
centre assessments by regulators. This
information needs to be available publicly,
so parents, board members and private
investors are aware when centres fail to
meet minimum standards.
“Other measures I am calling for include
boosting unannounced spot
checks of centres, as well as
a national childcare worker
registration scheme and
database.
“Compulsory children’s
safety training for early
childhood educators is also
vital to ensure educators are
fully aware of both the signs
of grooming and abuse and
their mandatory obligations to
report.
“Finally, I am calling for
the establishment of an Early
Childhood Education and Care
Commission to support system
stewardship and a national approach to
regulatory standards.”
She said reform and national leadership
of the early childhood education sector
was crucial.
“There is much that can be done at
both federal and state levels to ensure the
safety of our children,” she said. “As your
federal representative, I will be pushing for
concrete action in Canberra so that we can
be confident our kids are safe.
“On behalf of the Mackellar community,
I will be advocating for urgent action to
keep our children safe.” – Lisa Offord
8 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

MPs’ e-bikes safety forum
Independent Pittwater MP
Jacqui Scruby is calling
for stronger education and
action to stop the import of
illegal e-bikes, following a
recent crackdown across the
Northern Beaches that saw
28 non-compliant e-bikes
identified and 32 fines issued
by police.
“This issue has well and
truly landed on our doorstep.
E-bikes are incredibly popular
in Pittwater, especially with
young people, but many riders
and parents simply don’t know
the rules,” Ms Scruby said.
To help steer a safer rollout
of e-mobility Ms Scruby and
Mackellar Independent MP
Dr Sophie Scamps are hosting
a community Forum on e-bikes
at Mona Vale Surf Club on
Thursday 21 August.
Ms Scruby recently partnered
with local police and
Council at a pop-up education
session at Avalon Beach,
where officers gave advice and
answered questions, without
issuing fines.
“Our approach in Pittwater
has been education first. Families
need a chance to understand
the law before enforcement
kicks in. But the recent
operation shows police are
stepping up patrols, and people
riding illegal or modified e-
bikes risk serious penalties.”
Ms Scruby is advocating for
better state-wide education and
tighter controls on the import
and sale of high-powered, noncompliant
e-bikes.
“They are not safe, they are
not insurable, and often the
buyer has no idea. We need to
stop these bikes at the source.”
Ms Scruby is advocating for
urgent state-level reforms to:
• Introduce a 10km/h speed
limit for e-bikes on footpaths
and shared paths;
• Maintain the ban on adults
riding on footpaths, unless
they are accompanying
children under 16;
EDUCATION: Police talk to e-bike
riders at Avalon Beach.
• Prohibit modifications that
allow e-bikes to exceed legal
speed and power limits;
• Grant police powers to confiscate
non-compliant or dangerously
operated bikes; and
• Support the roll-out of a student
bicycle licensing program
in local schools.
“Recent incidents in Newport,
Warriewood, and Mona Vale
have highlighted the urgent
need for coordinated action,
with young riders and pedestrians
injured in avoidable
collisions,” she said.
“Our forum in August is an
PHOTO: NB Advocate
opportunity for the community
to come together, raise
concerns, and help shape the
changes needed to keep our
streets and shared spaces
safe.”
Dr Scamps said: “E-bikes are
a game-changer in accessible,
clean transport – but we have
a responsibility to ensure their
growing popularity doesn’t
come at the cost of people’s
safety including the young
people riding them and pedestrians
who are feeling unsafe.
“From a federal perspective, I
will be pushing for stronger
safety standards and import
regulations to make sure the
bikes our kids are riding are
safe and cannot be modified to
exceed legal speed limits.”
The forum will bring together
local police, school leaders,
and advocacy groups including
Bicycle NSW and E-Bike Safety
Australia , creating space for
practical solutions and open
discussion. – Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 9

News
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Buddy’s Back! Internationally
renowned performer Scot
Robin, who has been walking in
Buddy Holly’s musical shoes for
30 years, will bring to life more
than 30 iconic hits in a highenergy
show suitable for all ages
at Glen Street Theatre on Sun 3.
Show starts 2pm. Tickets from
$60. Glenstreet.com.au
History workshop. Curious
about your family history but
not sure where to start? Join
the Local History team at Mona
Vale Library in an introductory
workshop where you will learn
how to access, explore and
document your ancestors using
their free to access databases
Ancestry, Find My Past and more
on Tue 5 from 2pm-3.30pm.
Bookings essential at the library
or on Council website.
Have a laugh. The Australian
Comedy Festival is coming to
Pittwater RSL on Sat 16. The
two-hour 18+ show is headlined
by comedians Mick Meredith,
Cameron James, Steve Hoskins,
Billy Darcey and Cam Night.
Doors open 7.30pm; tickets
$39pp. Bookings pittwaterrsl.
com.au.
Gruffalo’s Child. Kids will be
delighted to join the Gruffalo’s
Child on her adventurous
mission in the musical
adaptation of the much loved
picture book at Glenn Street
Theatre on Tue 19 and Wed 20
Glenstreet.com.au.
Create outdoors. Treat
yourself to a relaxing day at an
inspiring art workshop near
Narrabeen Lake, led by awardwinning
artist Chantelle Stewart
– no painting experience
needed. Unwind, recharge and
let your creativity flow through
painting in nature on Sun 24 from
10am-4pm. Cost $250. Lunch,
afternoon tea and all materials
included. Book Council website.
Free family fun. The Coastal
Enviroment Centre at North
Narrabeen is holding an Open
Day on Sat 30 from 9am-2pm.
There will stations and handson
activities based on local
wildlife, native bees and living
sustainably, giveaways, nature
play and much more.
10 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Portrait of a young artist
YOUNG TALENT: 16-year-old Jasmine Merton from North Narrabeen with
her winning Young Archies self-portrait at the Art Gallery of NSW.
At just 16, Jasmine
Merton from North Narrabeen
has already captured
the art world’s attention
with her evocative self-portrait
My Name is Jazz, a winning
entry in this year’s ‘Young
Archies’ art prize.
A Year 11 student at Glenaeon
Rudolf Steiner School, Jasmine
combines a love of art, writing
and vintage fashion with
a thoughtful inner world that
seeps through her brushstrokes.
“I’ve been into art for as long
as I can remember,” she tells
Pittwater Life. “There was never
a specific moment that sparked
it – it’s always been something
I’ve gravitated towards.”
Drawing on an admiration
for Renaissance art and iconic
artists Frida Kahlo and Edvard
Munch, Jasmine’s creative influences
are as rich and layered as
her winning piece (16-18 years
category).
“I absolutely adore old art,
like beautiful renaissance
pieces that just look so dreamy
and whimsical, so I aspire to
be able to paint in that sort of
style one day.”
Jasmine explains her portrait is a window
into her mind. Set in her bedroom,
the work captures her spirit through
symbolism, texture and intimate detail.
“My room is full of all the things I
think about most and the things that
make me the happiest,” she says. “If I’m
in my room, even if I’m alone, I feel loved
and surrounded by memories and faces
and beautiful things.”
A close look reveals personal artefacts
woven into the background: Polaroids
of friends, birthday cards, movie tickets
and a memorial card for a beloved
teacher. There’s also a hanging snakeskin
from her little brother Leo and the
watchful gaze of her two whippets Roux
and Dusty – neither of whom, she says,
are technically allowed in the room but
love keeping her company while she
paints.
The road to My Name is Jazz wasn’t
rushed. “I spent all Summer on it,” she
says, having painted it in the room she
depicted. And although it’s only her
second entry in the Young Archies – she
submitted a portrait of her boyfriend
Flynn two years ago – Jasmine feels the
growth in her skill and artistic maturity
has been monumental.
“Winning this year felt like such
PHOTO: Art Gallery of NSW
a huge milestone. It was a
huge step up in skill for this
portrait… I feel like I’ve really
made myself proud in comparison.”
Jasmine’s artistic interests
extend to poetry and creative
writing. “It’s a perfect way
to clear my head or get my
thoughts out,” she says. Plus,
she has a flair for fashion, collecting
jewellery and op-shop
treasures to create a style all
her own. “I love expressing
myself through what I wear.”
Jasmine is currently focused
on developing ideas for her
HSC body of work, as well as
sketching and dreaming up
new creations – many of them
inspired by her friends who
she calls her biggest muses.
“They’re all so interestinglooking
and have such beautiful
personalities,” she says.
She has never pictured
herself doing anything but art
for a career.
“I don’t mind what it is,
whether it be painting commissions
or doing tattoos or
designing high fashion… anything
creative,” Jasmine says.
“I really do think that winning this
prize is the most ideal link towards
achieving that life. I couldn’t be more
grateful to get my name out to the public
so early… I think it’ll make a huge impact
in my art journey.”
And where will her winning portrait
hang when it is finished being exhibited?
“Somewhere in my house I guess, I don’t
know if it’d be upstairs or downstairs, but
I’d like it to be somewhere that feels important.
I’m really proud of it.” – Nigel Wall
*See the Young Archies at the Art Gallery
of NSW until August 17; artgallery.
nsw.gov.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 11

Pittwater budget windfall
News
MISSED OPPORTUNITY:
The NSW Government has
gone shy on gambling
reform, says Jacqui Scruby.
State Independent MP Jacqui
Scruby says Pittwater
is set to benefit from “the
most targeted funding this
community has ever received”
following the handing down
of the Minns’ Government’s
2025 Budget.
As reported in Pittwater Life
in July, the budget pledged
$250 million to kickstart the
Mona Vale Road West upgrade,
as well as $7 million to build a
new synthetic track at the Narrabeen
Sports Academy.
Ms Scruby said that despite
the NSW Government delivering
a fiscally conservative
budget squarely focused on
housing, it still delivered huge
investment in Pittwater.
However, she added that
many in the community would
be disappointed the budget
revealed the Government
had “gone shy” on gambling
reform, with a series of other
“missed opportunities” also.
“People welcome budget
wins and announcements but
don’t want to celebrate until
the works are delivered,” she
told Pittwater Life.
“I’ll continue to hold the
Government to account and
won’t stop until all the ribbons
are cut.”
She said sustained pressure
had driven key Pittwater
priorities to the top of the
Government’s agenda.
“I haven’t met a person who
doesn’t want the Mona Vale
Road West upgrade completed,”
she said. “It never should
have had the money pulled,
and it’s great to have the green
light.
“Another key win is securing
funding for Narrabeen
Athletics Track, which has
been closed since 2023.
“And Narrabeen Sports High
School was singled out for
almost $3 million. The Deputy
Premier announced a Creative
and Performing Arts Centre
for the School in April. This is
a welcome investment in one
of our wonderful local public
high schools.”
She added Pittwater would
also benefit from a share of
$844 million for 60 new buses
and 274 electric buses for
the Mona Vale and Brookvale
depots.
Ms Scruby said she expected
significant investment would
be required by the Government
to purchase Northern
Beaches Hospital; however, she
conceded she did not expect
to see funding allocated in the
budget as negotiations were
still ongoing.
But disappointingly the
budget had fallen short in key
areas.
“People in Pittwater care
greatly about broader NSW
issues, particularly addressing
climate change, protecting
our native forests, gambling
reform, domestic violence support
and supporting innovation
– and some will be left
disappointed.
“Whilst the budget includes
$2.1 billion to roll out renewable
energy zones in NSW,
households won’t benefit from
NSW battery or EV budget
support, and there’s missed
opportunities for net zero
initiatives for the new homes
that the NSW Government is
focused on building.
“Meanwhile we continue to
pay the cost of climate change
with at least $4.2 billion for
disaster relief.
“The NSW Government has
gone shy on gambling reform
and it has failed to deliver an
environment focused budget
which although allocating
money for a Koala Strategy,
hasn’t backed the Great Koala
National Park any further.”
But Ms Scruby says the
$79.2m Investment Delivery
Authority would provide vital
support for new and emerging
industries as coal and fossil
fuel exports were phased out
over time.
And a $1.2 billion investment
in child protection
shifted the focus to supporting
some of the most vulnerable
members of our communities.
“This focus on child protection
will bring real benefits
to Pittwater. Increased Foster
Care allowances and better
support for caseworkers will
strengthen local services and
help keep vulnerable children
connected to their communities.”
The NSW Budget offers no
new vouchers or direct cost-ofliving
relief for families, with
programs like Back-to-School
vouchers discontinued and
the toll relief cap ending in
January.
“For Pittwater families
facing rising expenses, the
lack of immediate financial
support will be felt, despite
broader investments in
services across the state,” she
said.
“But this is the most targeted
funding this community
has ever received in a NSW
Budget. I’ve advocated tirelessly
for these projects applying
evidence-based pressure.
“Budgets are about choices.
Our priorities are cutting
through, and I thank the
Minns Government for their
support.” – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
12 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Local EV charger boost
News
Pittwater has been allocated 18 new kerbside electric
vehicle (EV) chargers as part of a $2.8 million NSW
Government grants scheme that will see 549 chargers
installed across 22 Local Government Areas from Ku-ring-gai
to Shellharbour.
Under the plan, the Northern Beaches will receive 66
chargers in 2026, with the Pittwater suburbs slated for the
rollout being Mona Vale (8), Narrabeen (6) and Newport (4).
The grants have been awarded to five companies, who will
contribute a further $2.2 million in private investment to
install the chargers.
However, the installation of any of
the chargers remains uncertain given
the Government ‘jumped the gun’ with
their announcement, failing to take into
consideration any of the 22 councils’
planning requirements.
Pittwater Life understands a condition
of all grant applications was to
nominate specific locations for chargers.
In a statement, Pittwater Independent
MP Jacqui Scruby revealed the locations
given a green light for chargers included
1 Surfview Rd, Mona Vale; 1610 Pittwater
Road, Mona Vale; 2-4 Malcolm St,
Narrabeen; 72-90 Ocean St, Narrabeen;
405 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport; and 13
Kalinya St, Newport.
Ms Scruby said the investment would
help meet growing demand and ensure
residents who didn’t have access to offstreet
parking weren’t left behind in the EV transition.
“This is a win. These fast chargers make owning an EV more
practical and convenient for more people – especially renters,
apartment dwellers, and anyone without a driveway or a
battery,” she said.
“We’re cutting pollution, reducing household transport costs,
and giving people more reasons to make the switch to electric.
With these chargers, we’re powering up local infrastructure for
a cleaner future.”
However, a Northern Beaches Council spokesperson said that
before a dedicated parking space was allocated for a charger,
Council needed to undertake detailed assessment of the site
GRANTS: Pittwater will receive 18 new EV chargers,
like this one kerbside at Frenchs Forest.
as suitable, undertake community consultation as well as seek
approval from the Northern Beaches Traffic Committee.
“Council welcomes in principle a proposed increase in
charging points across the Northern Beaches to improve
access for, and promote the use of, electric vehicles,” the
spokesperson said.
“Council has had preliminary discussions with [the]
successful grant recipients regarding the suitability of
allocated spaces at the locations nominated and will continue
to work with them through the process to ensure the
community has a say on any proposed
locations.”
They added that Council was
currently reviewing its Northern
Beaches Electric Vehicle Charging
Infrastructure Plan to ensure that
it remained relevant to the current
market with a view to doing an
Expression of Interest for companies
interested in locating EV chargers on
Council land.
The Northern Beaches currently
has 19 dedicated EV charging sites
in locations such as Frenchs Forest,
Freshwater, Manly, Newport, Mona Vale,
Palm Beach, Terrey Hills, Narrabeen,
Collaroy, Forestville, Allambie Heights,
Dee Why, Brookvale.
The Government says electric
vehicles help slash household transport
costs and accelerate efforts to reach the
state’s legislated net zero emissions targets.
It says expanding the EV charging network is key, giving
drivers the confidence to go electric with ample options to top
up their vehicles.
The $2.8 million in EV Kerbside Charging Grants have been
awarded to five recipients: Charge Post, Connected Kerb, EVX,
Plus ES and EF Asset Management.
Pittwater Life has asked the NSW Government whether any
sites north of the Bilgola Bends were considered in the grants
scheme, and if they were, why they were not approved.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
14 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Angling for new members
Avalon Beach RSL Fishing Club
has been running continuously
for over 40 years now; reeling in
snapper and flathead from boats, off
rocks, estuary sands and the beach, and
enjoying the friendship and camaraderie
that goes with it.
But after previous highs of more
than 100 members, they are currently
down to just over 30 anglers.
Keen to see a return to those levels,
the club are starting a fresh year of
competitions across deep sea, rock
and fishing divisions aimed at men,
women and juniors.
As Club President Alexis Anderson
explained though, being a member
is about far more than just catching
fish.
“We have competitions on the third
Friday of every month, which start
at 5pm and run until a 2pm weigh-in
on Sunday afternoon,” Alexis said.
“After weighing and recording the
fish we then have a barbecue, share
stories and give away prizes to the
juniors.
“The competition is just a bit of fun
really – it’s a way to get together with
other people and share knowledge
and techniques… discuss what’s biting
at the moment.
“It’s a good social occasion; we
have a drink and a barbecue and
families come along. Kids are a big
part of the group – they learn about the
fish and how to handle them.”
Alexis said his children Kai, 6, and
Elka, 3, loved fishing and attending the
Sunday weigh-in to look at the variety
of interesting fish – in fact, Kai caught
a 1.5kg salmon while beach fishing at
night with his dad in June!
HOOKED: Fionn
Charter (front)
and Kai Anderson
fishing at
Avalon Beach.
While there may be some in the community
who hold disdain for fishing, this
small group of anglers make a point of
helping children learn about sustainability
and how to fish responsibly.
“Everything we catch is within the
fishery rules and if you intend to eat seafood,
there is no more sustainable way to
do it,” explains Alexis. “There’s no waste,
or by-catch.”
Alexis has been with the club for about
a year and is encouraging more people to
join for social reasons, but also as an escape
from the pressures of everyday life.
“People are working a lot more these
days, but if you go out in the boat or
on the rocks it takes you away from all
that,” he said.
“I fish on the rocks and beach, and
catch tailor and blackfish. We have members
who go out deep sea fishing in boats
and catch snapper, flathead and kingfish.
Then there are guys on Pittwater
who will catch whiting and flathead.
Again, the kids love learning about
the different types of fish.”
In fact, ages of members range
from 3 to 80, with a couple of
lifetime members, and a couple of
older members who no longer fish
but come along simply for the social
connection.
With an annual membership costing
only $35 for individuals or $50
for a family it’s certainly a reasonable
way to make friends and catch
your dinner. New members can join
online through the Avalon Beach RSL
website or over the counter at the
RSL Club.
And if competition is more your
thing, there is a designated ‘trophy’
species every month: July was snapper
and in August it’s morwong.
But as Alexis says, you get a lot
more out of the club than just catching
something on your line.
“The club is perfect for families
that enjoy fishing, or individuals
looking for people to fish with, or to
share fishing knowledge and information
with. And the kids love it. They get
their own gear and rods, and any kids
that bring in a fish wins a lucky dip
prize, such as some fishing tackle.”
– Rob Pegley
*More info avalonrsl.com.au (navigate to
Fishing Club tab).
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 15

Avalon tree to be felled
News
One of the Ruskin Rowe
trees earmarked for
removal by Northern
Beaches Council – and the
subject of a residents’ blockade
last year – will finally succumb
to the chainsaw following an
independent arborist’s review
by Council.
Pittwater Greens councillor
Miranda Korzy, who joined
residents in their vigil to save
the tree and its companion after
two other trees in the street
were felled for safety reasons
last June, said staff had informed
councillors on July 24
that the tree outside 29 Ruskin
Rowe, Avalon Beach, would be
removed within 10 days.
Staff told councillors the
independent arborist, from the
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney,
had climbed the tree and
carried out a range of tests,
including an aerial assessment
in its canopy.
“I’m very sad the enormous
Flooded Gum that beautifies
this heritage listed street,
provides shade to residents
and homes for a range of local
wildlife, will be lost,” Cr Korzy
told Pittwater Life.
“I am currently waiting to
see the arborist’s report, which
staff have said they will send
me before the tree is removed.
“However, it’s some consolation
that they say the
independent arborist’s work
has shown the other Flooded
Gum in the cul-de-sac is sound
enough to remain.
“The residents’ blockade in
June and July last year, along
with the arborists’ reports they
commissioned, secured both
these trees another year of
life – while the new arborist’s
report has saved one of them.
“It has also resulted in a
renewed focus on tree management
by Council staff – with
a review of its practices to
be carried out in the second
half of this year and new tree
management guidelines to be
developed for staff.”
Cr Korzy said Council has
committed to replacing this
latest tree and other Flooded
Gums lost in recent years,
with appropriate local trees in
Spring.
“The Flooded Gums are not
endemic to Pittwater, although
they have thrived in Ruskin
Rowe, so Council staff will
have to choose trees that don’t
mind ‘wet feet’ resulting from
the run-off that flows from
Bilgola Plateau.”
Council’s report noted: “The
tree at 29 Ruskin Rowe has
a history of branch failures,
a significant wound at the
junction of large limbs, decay
and bark inclusion. This represents
a high risk of branch
failure, particularly under
wind loading.
SADDENED: Cr Korzy
joined residents in a
blockade last year.
“The other tree… opposite
31 Ruskin Rowe, is able to be
retained if… mitigation measures
are undertaken. These
include pruning to remove
deadwood over a certain size,
reducing significant load-bearing
branches over the road,
protecting the root zone, and
ongoing monitoring.”
During the blockade in 2024,
Cr Korzy had described Council’s
independent arborist’s
report as flawed.
“I’ve had an expert level
arborist, a level eight arborist
with an environmental law
degree, who’s basically looked
at their arborist report, and
found that it’s faulty in the way
it did its risk assessment,” she
said at the time.
“I do not want to keep this
tree if it’s dangerous. There’s
no way as a Councillor that I
would be saying we have to
keep this tree against all reason,
but I am not satisfied that
the arborist report actually
was a true indicator of the risk
of this tree.”
Meanwhile, Council’s new
Tree Management Policy was
PHOTO: NB Advocate
adopted at Council’s July meeting.
The policy aims to maximise
and enhance tree cover
by protecting existing trees,
replacing those that are lost,
and with plantings in areas
with little canopy cover.
“I’ve advocated for better
tree management since I joined
Council so am pleased to
finally see this policy enacted,”
Cr Korzy said.
Cr Korzy applauded the
inclusion of an Iconic Tree
Register. Residents will be
able to nominate any tree
with aesthetic, environmental,
historical or other cultural or
scientific value for the register.
Additionally, provision for
notification of tree removals
on private property seven days
before and after felling, will
create greater transparency for
neighbours as well as discourage
unapproved removals.
Finally, Cr Korzy said Pittwater
has experienced problems
with unqualified tree loppers
telling them they have a dead
or dangerous tree in the garden
and offering to cut it down
on the spot.
“This practice has led to the
unnecessary destruction of
trees, without council permission,
and potentially putting
residents’ homes and even lives
at risk,” she said.
Cr Korzy acknowledged
Pittwater Natural Heritage Association
(PNHA) and Canopy
Keepers for their involvement
in development of the Council
tree management framework.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
16 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Boys’ first base: Taiwan
Ben Beezley and Izaac Johnson – remember the names.
They could be heading for The Big League one day – and
that’s not a metaphor.
Baseball may not get the coverage some sports do in Australia,
but Ben (pitcher and first base) and Izaac (pitcher, short stop
and outfield) are two local 12-year-old
boys hoping to change that. Not many
Aussies make it to Major League Baseball
in the US – but the talented pair from
the Pittwater club are beginning their
journey, starting with running out for
Australia at the under-12s Baseball World
Cup in Taiwan in August.
And as Shane, their Manly representative
team coach explained, they want to
go all the way.
“Ben and Izaac live and breathe baseball
along with the rest of their teammates,”
says Shane. “They are obsessed
with it.
“We identified early on that we had a
really good group and they’ve already
been successful at Under-11s. They’ve
been National champions and State
champions. And to be fair, we’ve put them through some really
hard training sessions, and they just love it.
“The group want to just keep growing together as a team.
“We selected three boys to go to the trials for the Australian
team and Ben and Izaac were successful.”
Shane explains that while Manly has produced quite a few
TALENTED: Pittwater baseball pair Ben and Izaac.
Australian representatives at seniors and most age groups,
Ben and Izaac are the youngest. In Taiwan, they will be playing
in front of crowds of potentially up to 20,000 fans, but Shane
believes they will thrive.
“It’ll be great experience for them. And while they won’t have
played in front of anything like those
sorts of numbers, there is scrutiny when
you play for Manly. Along with Brisbane,
we’re the most watched team in
the country at their age group. They’ve
played under pressure before, so I don’t
think it will phase them.”
The vibe will be fanatical in Taiwan,
where baseball is huge. The USA, China
and Japan – the world number ones
– will be tough opponents and Shane
doesn’t expect Australia to be victorious.
“It’s about experience for the Australians.
We’ll hold our own against the
European teams – they’ll be playing
against Germany and will be on the
same level as them. But it’s about getting
the experience and coming back
stronger, so that they know what to expect next time.”
“The group we have at Manly want to continue to grow together
as they go through the age divisions and the experience
that Ben and Izaac have in Taiwan will help all of them. It’s a
group that can go all the way if they stay together.”
– Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 17

Sally’s success story
News
“We know 80 per cent of our
customers by name,” says
Sally Tabner, from Avalon’s
iconic Bookoccino. “They come in, sometimes
on a daily basis, raving about how
much they love the book they’re reading,
how the story is unfolding.
“Reading isn’t a solitary endeavour
when you have a good local bookstore.”
Sally, who took over Bookoccino in 2018
with business partner – former New York
Times correspondent and Pulitzer
prize-winning journalist Raymond
Bonner – is honoured to have won the
2025 BookPeople ‘Bookseller of the
Year’ award.
“It’s a great industry to be in, bookselling,”
she says. “Book people are the
best people, we like to say!”
Sally began working for Bookoccino’s
founding owners Margaret and Roger
Hutchings in 2013. By then Bookoccino’s
glory days seemed to be fading.
In 1992 when the store first opened
its doors, the concept – enjoying a
great coffee while browsing books –
was new to Australia.
“For a good 15 years Bookoccino was
doing really well,” Sally reflects. “International
guest speakers like Jackie Collins
and Spike Milligan would fly from
Rose Bay to Palm Beach by seaplane.”
By 2017 Margaret was facing big
challenges and on the verge of closing.
On summer vacation from New
York, Ray stopped in to say hello. The rest
sounds like a feelgood novella. Ray and
Sally expanded Bookoccino to new premises
soon after and hosted a village-wide
celebration with visiting authors, live music
and the who’s who of literary Sydney.
There were plenty of doomsayers. Who
would want quaint human contact when
you could choose the anonymous online
algorithms of Amazon? But they had faith.
“We’re really proud to have debunked
the idea that bookstores aren’t viable,”
boasts the philosophy graduate. “We need
to be relevant, accessible and clever about
how we position ourselves.
“Bookstores are places for people to engage
with each other and with ideas. They
are a vital part of the community. And
it’s important to have spaces where you
can switch off, take time, relate to and
understand your fellow human beings
and exercise the empathy muscle.”
As for the much-predicted death of the
physical book, “you can’t read an art book
or a children’s book on your Kindle, and
NURTURING: Sally Tabner with some excited youngsters
at Bookoccino’s monthly children’s Book Club.
there’s something wonderful about taking
a physical book to the beach or reading it
in a hammock”.
When the bookstore moved to the
sunny side of Old Barrenjoey Road in
2018, the cafe was moved to the front, enticing
customers to linger among books,
conversations and passing pedestrians.
“We’ve revitalised author talks, hosting
high-calibre international and Australian
authors for lively discussions, which our
community absolutely loves. It’s really sophisticated
– but you can turn up in your
boardshorts, fresh off the beach.”
Ray’s literary connections have helped.
“Philippe Sands was a recent highlight;
such an eloquent man. Geraldine Brooks,
Richard Flanagan, Lionel Shriver and
Stephanie Power were all incredible.”
Alongside their thriving events program
there is children’s story time every
Tuesday morning, plus film screenings,
poetry readings, meditation and sound
healing and “our famously hilarious
Trivia night”.
Sally is fond of the dozen children
between the ages of nine and 13 who
attend monthly book club.
“They come in and we make hot
chocolate together and talk about
books. They are such bright and talented
kids and I just love encouraging
them to feed their imagination and
intellect. I wish I’d had a book club,
and a shop like Bookoccino around
when I was a young girl.”
Of her favourite recent reads Sally
reels off an eclectic collection: A
Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevalyan
– “a wonderful page-turner”; The
White Crow by Michael Robotham –
“masterful crime-writing”; Modern
Man in Search of a Soul by Carl Jung
– “very readable, the insights are
incredible”; and Girl on Girl: How Pop
Culture Turned a Generation of Women
Against Themselves by Sophie Gilbert
– “amazing, calls out toxicity and
moves the conversation forward”.
When she is not at Bookoccino you can
find Sally at her home at Lovett Bay, reading.
“I feel so fortunate to have landed
here, living in this beautiful area and
doing what I think is really important
work. Community and culture make an
enormous difference to the quality of our
society.”
– Steve Meacham
*Bookoccino’s next guest Kate Grenville
will discuss her book Unsettled: A
Journey Through Time and Place at Glen
Street Theatre on September 3.
PHOTO: Cameron Bloom
18 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

It IS rocket science!
News
If you wander down Wimbourne
Road in Brookvale,
past the car body shops
and builders’ merchants, and
look through the window of
number 49, you’ll see something
surprising. Something
you could say is perhaps not
of this world…
It’s here that Brad Younger,
founder of Sunburnt Space
Co, is building rockets – yes,
real rockets – just up the road
from Maccas. And he’s happy
for you to take a look.
“People are welcome to see
what we’re doing,” enthuses
Brad. “There’s a QR code in the
window, or you can jump on
the website and we give tours
of the factory twice a week –
although we’re booked up for
a while.”
To say that Brad is down
to earth seems an oxymoron
given his profession, but the
fact is he just happens to be a
rocket scientist on the Northern
Beaches.
Now 49, Brad was a teenager
when he first got the bug.
“I was about 15 and my dad
would take me to model shops
and I’d stare at the rockets,”
he said. “Then as I got a job,
I could afford to start buying
them… and I just got addicted.”
At 17, Brad built his first
rocket; thereafter they got
bigger and bigger. Like with
any hobby, family and commitments
started to get in the
way, but 10 years ago Brad returned
to the world of rockets
and he is now President of the
NSW Rocketry Association.
And he has been able to
turn his hobby into a career.
“We’re not making money
at the moment and I’m currently
paying for the company
through my cyber security
business, but the intention
from day one has been to create
revenue streams,” he said.
“It’s a growing industry that
is going to be worth trillions
of dollars in the next 10 years.
We have ambitious goals, but
we feel we can realistically
achieve those with just Australian
and local partners like
Japan, without having to enter
the US market.
“We’re hoping to go orbital
in the next five years,
but there are stepping stones
– we have our first launch in
November at White Cliffs in
NSW, where we hope to go up
30 kilometres. Then we work
towards going up over the
Karman line [100km above the
earth] which is considered the
AIMING BIG: Northern Beaches rocket entrepreneur Brad Younger.
edge of space.”
Brad makes it sound simple,
but his is only the second
company in the launch sector
in Australia.
“Gilmore Space Technologies
is the big one in Australia,
and Australia has half a dozen
satellites. The Australian
Government worked with the
UK in the ’50s but shut down
the programs in the ’80s, and
there’s not been much since
then,” he explains.
“I know the NSW Government
has just allocated money
to research into space food
though, and that’s just of the
issues that everyone is working
on. How do you create food
out in space – that’s a tough
one. There’s a long way to go.”
Brad means that figuratively,
but it could be applied literally
when he talks about what
is possible in his lifetime.
“I think we’re becoming a
space-faring civilisation and
going into an age of a lot of
space travel. We need to start
building infrastructure up
there, but I think travelling
between here and the Moon,
and then Mars, will become
more frequent.
“Elon [Musk] said 10 years
ago that he thought we could
visit Jupiter and I’ve got that
on my bucket list. Although
lower down, as it would be the
last trip I ever made!”
He talks about having
booster rockets like the space
shuttle, and I wonder aloud if
it’s a dangerous business to
be in.
“Rockets are still the safest
way to get into space,” Brad
replies. “I don’t see them being
replaced anytime soon.”
And he goes on to explain to
me why. The way he describes
it, it doesn’t sound like rocket
science. But, of course, it is…
– Rob Pegley
20 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Countdown to good times
For half an hour while talking to
Paul Field I am transported back
to the 1980s and the excitement of
the music, the fashion, the TV and radio.
Which is of course the point of the show
that Paul fronts – celebrating the music
of iconic Aussie TV music show Countdown.
The Cockroaches member and ex-
Wiggles manager, singing and introducing
hits from that beloved era.
On Saturday 16 August the hits of
Skyhooks, AC/DC, ABBA, Sherbet, Queen
and Mental As Anything will be revived
at Avalon RSL. But as Paul recalls, it
didn’t used to be just Saturday night that
gigs were played on the Beaches back in
the day.
“It was this mystical era when you
could see big Australian bands every
night of the week,” recalls Paul. “And I
don’t mean in Sydney, I mean in your suburb.
You’d see INXS at your local pub.
“There were so many gigs you could
do. The Cockroaches could play Sydney
suburbs every night for a month!
“We’d play the Dee Why Hotel, which became
The Venue… The Royal Antler, The
Narrabeen Sands. I remember supporting
the Oils over here, and that could be a
tough gig, because Oils fans only wanted
Midnight Oil – but they’d seen us so many
times that we were accepted.”
In fact, back in 1988, The Daily Telegraph
newspaper ran a poll to find the
hardest working band in Australia, and
by dint of the number of gigs they’d
played, The Cockroaches came out on top.
“We rode that last wave of the pub rock
era,” said Paul. “I think the fact that there
was so much choice meant you had to be
good to pull a crowd. I think that served
the bigger bands well when they made
it internationally. AC/DC, INXS… they
RELIVE YOUR YOUTH: Paul Field heads the revival show.
slipped into it pretty quickly when they
went to the UK, as they’d already played
hundreds of gigs.”
Paul taps into that time as he sings
Cockroach numbers, The Romantics
and KC and the Sunshine Band, among
others.
He is joined by Bronwyn Mulchay who
sang in Cats, The Musical, for several
years and was a backing singer for INXS;
and Dave Wilkins who has played with
Chrissie Hynde among many others.
They run though a catalogue of hits from
Blondie, Pat Benatar, Fleetwood Mac and
more.
As for Countdown itself, Paul pays
homage to host Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum.
“Molly was simply a fan – he loved the
music. He was perfect for that time. He
broke bands like ABBA, who had their
first hit in Australia, and he’d get all the
big stars on for interviews.
“I played and hosted Countdown and
made so many friends from here and
overseas – I became mates with Crowded
House and The Mentals.”
We both lament the fact that ‘tribal
fashion’ no longer seems to be part of the
mix.
“It feels quite homogenous now, you
used to see big differences between what
was worn in the UK and US, and between
different types of music followers,” Paul
says. “I loved the Ben Sherman and mod
gear that kids in the UK wore. It went
hand in glove with the music and you felt
part of something.”
While most of us have – literally – outgrown
the fashions of the ’70s and ’80s,
the music lives on.
“It’s great fun and the people who
come know every song. I know they call
them ‘punters’, but this is a sure bet for
what they’ll be hearing,” he says. “Instant
memories and people up on the dance
floor from the first song.” – Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 21

News
Remembering Bruce Goold
Artist Bruce Goold’s daughter Nancy
has remembered her father’s
great bond with the Peninsula, his
home for more than four decades.
Pittwater’s much-loved master printmaker
and ‘artist in residence’ passed
away in June; he was 76.
“Bruce always had an affinity and a
connection with the tropical beat of
nature on the Peninsula,” Nancy told
Pittwater Life. “The ‘King of the Magpies’
we would sometimes call him.
“He was particularly inspired by all
the birdlife that flocked to him at his
Palm Beach home studio – magpies,
kookaburras, cockatoos and King
Parrots, to name a few.”
Nancy recalled there was a
period when a Tawny Frogmouth
owl became Bruce’s
best friend.
“Bruce named him ‘Tawny’.
Artworks were made with him
as the muse!” Nancy said.
“In the last five years Tawny
was not around – then, miraculously
the day after Bruce passed away, Tawny
returned. He had come back to visit and
sat high in the tree above Bruce’s bedroom
window. I know he came to pay his
respects,” she said.
Nancy said Bruce loved the Peninsula
and the Peninsula loved him back.
“It was a symbiotic relationship to be
treasured by all who were lucky enough
to witness it,” she said.
In 2020, Bruce opened the doors of his
Palm Beach cottage, where he lived for 23
years, to Pittwater Life, providing an insight
into his creativity – with his ‘Life Story’ appearing
in our January 2020 issue.
Bruce was born in Newcastle in 1948
and attended Sydney Grammar School.
He recounted that his dad, a Spitfire pilot
during World War II, had been a “very
good artist” and treasured a book of
drawings his dad had compiled.
Bruce’s own artistic journey featured
broad brushstrokes – he studied in the
CONNECTION: Bruce Goold lived at Palm Beach for 23 years.
late 1960s at both the National
Art School in Newcastle
and Sydney, and became
involved in the famed Potts Point
artists collective, the ‘Yellow House’.
He recalled attending an exhibition
of Australian printmakers at the Ward
Gallery in Glebe in the mid-1970s, where
he saw the lino and woodcut prints of
Margaret Preston and Thea Proctor.
“It was completely inspiring and I
thought ‘I love that, and I can actually do
that’. There was a banksia in the garden,
so I started off doing a banksia, then did
waratahs,” he told our writer Rosamund
Burton.
Bruce developed an array of works
during his career: prints, drawings, collage,
fabrics, interiors, ceramics, murals,
packaging and brand logos.
In the 1990s he designed for Australian
brand Mambo, contributing bold and
colourful fabrics and Hawaiian-style
shirts with Australiana themes such
as bogong moths; also a commission
for Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island
features kentia palms.
In 2003, Bruce was commissioned to
do a series of prints for the Sydney Town
Hall. Seeing the waratahs etched in the
glass throughout the 19th century building,
he featured the waratah in his four
works – which are of a magpie, cockatoo,
kookaburra and lyrebird. The set, along
with two other of his works – the wattle
and the waratah – hang in the Lord
Mayor Clover Moore’s office.
Bruce moved to Newport in the early
1970s, and soon after met his Melbourneborn
wife, Katie; Nancy was born in 1978.
Katie died in 2018.
Bruce’s recent contributions to Pittwater
include designing covers for Bookoccino’s
Summer Reading guide and the logo
for the Avalon Beach Centenary in 2021
(inset photo above).
“I hope to continue sharing Bruce’s
extensive array of artworks and fabrics
which have Palm Beach woven into their
DNA,” said Nancy.
– Nigel Wall
*This month’s cover features Bruce’s
artwork ‘Laughing Kookaburra’; read
his Life Story in our January 2020 issue
– see pittwaterlife.com.au
PHOTO: Nigel Wall
22 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Runners go extra distance
Last year the Beach2Beach
Fun Run celebrated 30
years of, well… running.
This year is the first time
the event will include a half
marathon and it’s set to go to
a whole new level, as Cameron
Wise, part of the event committee
explained.
“Last year we had 4,300
participants and this year it’s
going to be over 7,000, with
half of those taking part in the
half marathon,” Cameron said.
“We have people flying in
from Spain, Great Britain,
Mexico, New Zealand, France,
Denmark, Brazil, Belgium and
the US to take part.
“Many are coming for the
first time and others are stepping
up from the 14km after
setting themselves a new
goal. Our youngest entrant in
the half marathon is 16 and
the oldest is 82.”
Taking place on Sunday 24
August, all runs end in Newport,
with the half marathon
and 14km starting at Dee
Why, the 6km at Warriewood
EXPANDING: The 2025 Beach2Beach Fun Run.
and the 3km at Mona Vale.
As Cameron explains, there
is an incentive for all of them
to get to Newport.
“The Finish Festival has
grown every year and this
year it’s bigger than ever. It’s
a great way to wrap up the
event. We’re encouraging
locals to enjoy the atmosphere
and there will be a stage with
bands, a variety of stalls and
food vendors and promotional
areas for the sponsors. There
will also be SES and RFS
trucks for the kids to climb on
and a helicopter display.”
Two unique aspects make
the run extra special; the first
is that it is perhaps the most
scenic half marathon in the
world.
“People are flying in to take
part in a half marathon that
runs along one of the most
beautiful coastlines in the
world,” Cameron said. “And
they’ll be able to see the sun
rise over the ocean while
they’re running.”
The other reason is that 100
per cent of money raised for
charity goes to charity. Event
coordinator Rotary Club of
Brookvale ensure that the
major sponsors (this year
United Resource Management
and Mounties Group) cover the
costs of running the event and
people’s fundraising efforts go
exactly where they intend.
“The event has raised over
$8 million to date and will
make half a million alone this
year.
“While we have the half
marathon we welcome everyone;
whether they’re walking
the dog, pushing a stroller,
or they have a disability – we
have disabled participants
and we’re very proud of that,”
Last year the event was
named Northern Beaches
Council Community Event of
the Year. This year it will be
even better – they are, after
all, literally going the extra
distance. – Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 23

Opinion News
Opinion
I’m deeply concerned about
the explosion of illegal vape
and tobacco sales in our communities
and how close these
products are getting to our
kids.
In Pittwater, we’ve seen
shops pop up within metres of
schools, playgrounds and bus
stops. It’s not subtle. These
stores are targeting young
people with bright packaging,
sweet flavours and zero concern
for health or the law. Behind
the counter – they are selling
unlicensed products that fuel
organised crime networks and
put children at risk.
The NSW Government has
recently announced a new
licensing scheme, an inter-agency
taskforce, and at the Federal
level, the appointment of an
Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette
(ITEC) Commissioner. These are
positive steps, but they don’t go
far enough.
Right now, we’re tougher on
food hygiene violations than
we are on stores selling banned
products to minors. If a cafe
serves unsafe food, it gets shut
down. But a business caught
selling illegal vapes can stay
open – often right next to a
school.
We need enforcement that is
up to the job. Currently, NSW
Health has 20-odd compliance
officers covering an estimated
20,000 retail tobacco loca-
• Zoning restrictions to prevent
vape shops operating near
schools and childcare centres;
• Immediate trading bans for
retailers caught breaking the
law;
• Dedicated enforcement assigned
to the Northern Beaches;
• Youth education programs
and public health campaigns;
and
• Annual public reporting on
compliance activity, penalties
and youth vaping trends.
I support, in principle, the
coalition’s proposed Bill to give
By Jacqui Scruby MP
Pittwater Independent MP
We need to stub out illegal
vape and tobacco retailers
BRIGHT PACKAGING: Young people are being targeted.
tions across New South Wales.
This is wholly inadequate and I
question whether these health
compliance officers are the
right people to tackle enterprises
linked to organised crime
networks.
I am pushing for immediate,
concerted action, including real
enforcement, stronger planning
controls and real consequences
for criminals profiting from illegal
trade. I’d like to see stronger
legislation that reflects community
expectations and closes
loopholes, including:
authorities powers to issue
short-term closure orders,
terminate tenancies and pursue
criminal penalties for retailers
caught selling illegal tobacco
products.
The Federal Government’s
appointment of Australia’s first
ITEC Commissioner reflects the
scale of the problem and will
help coordinate cross-border
law enforcement to cut off illicit
supply chains before they reach
our streets.
Locally, I welcome Narrabeen
Ward Councillor Vince De Luca’s
proposed planning amendment
to restrict vape shops from
opening in sensitive areas, like
close to schools.
We now have momentum, but
we need to address this problem
urgently, and we need to
do it properly. This isn’t about
politics, it’s about protecting
public health and community
safety, and I am asking for your
help. Please report shops to the
hotline and sign my petition
(see below).
By working together we can
ensure that illegal tobacconists
are shut down – and stay shut
down.
Report (confidentially) to NSW
Health: 1800 357 412; or Border
watch (for smuggling) 1800 061
800.
*Authorised by Jacqui Scruby
MP; funded using parliamentary
entitlements.
24 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Opinion
Sideline Eye
In the heart of Mona Vale, surrounded
by public amenities
and constant foot traffic, sits
a café space that should be
the centre of community life.
Instead, it’s empty. Again.
This is the Village Park Café
at 1 Park Street – next to the
library, the playground, the
Village Green and Council’s
customer service centre. It has
everything going for it except
one thing: a viable lease. And
that’s not due to a lack of
interest, but to how Northern
Beaches Council has chosen to
manage the space.
The Lease That
Strangled Itself
In late 2024, Council issued a
formal tender offering a 10-year
lease, with a 5-year option. On
paper, it looked promising. But
for utilities, cleaning, insurance,
maintenance – and even land
tax risk. And surprisingly, it remains
unclear whether staff and
patrons would have any toilets,
beyond a single accessible toilet
in Memorial Hall or the public
block across Park Street. For a
venue expected to serve locals
and families, this is hardly practical
– or inviting.
Unsurprisingly, no lease
was signed. The café remains
closed.
A Pattern of Vacancy
This isn’t the first time this
By Michael Gencher
Vacant by design? What is
going on at Village Park...
‘The last two businesses to operate from
Village Park Café didn’t fold due to lack of
patronage – they walked away.’
the red tape began before a tenant
even signed.
No base rent was set – applicants
had to guess within
a vague range of $90,000–
$110,000 per year. Tenants were
required to fund 100% of the
fit-out, lodge a DA within three
months, and complete construction
within 12 – all without support.
The café would function as
a public thoroughfare between
8.30am–5pm on weekdays.
Council controlled every interior
element, including signage. The
tenant bore full responsibility
space has failed to thrive. The
last two businesses to operate
from Village Park Café didn’t
fold due to lack of patronage
– they walked away. Despite
community support, both tenants
reportedly found it increasingly
difficult to operate under
the weight of restrictive lease
conditions, high overheads and
limited flexibility. In one case,
mounting compliance pressures
and lack of support made
continuing operations unviable.
In the other, the business model
simply couldn’t survive under
the financial and structural limitations
imposed by Council.
Instead of learning from these
outcomes, Council has doubled
down – repeating the same
flawed approach and expecting
a different result. The conse-
26 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

quence is a space that could
and should be alive with local
energy, still sitting empty.
Red Tape Isn’t New Here
Since then, Council has shifted
to an informal expressions-ofinterest
process – but retained
all the original conditions.
Transparency has eroded
further, and still no tenant has
been secured. And this isn’t an
isolated case. Northern Beaches
Council has a well-established
track record of overregulation
and red tape that frustrates
small businesses.
In recent years, Council has
TUMBLEWEEDS:
The deserted
Village Park site.
been publicly criticised – including
by its own elected representatives
(me included) – for
excessive delays in processing
development applications and
heavy-handed enforcement.
Local businesses have faced
warnings and legal threats over
minor compliance issues, while
efforts to introduce creative
or temporary ventures have
been blocked outright, often
citing vague “environmental” or
“procedural” concerns. These
bureaucratic obstacles have undermined
business confidence,
delayed investment, and left
many operators feeling unsupported
and targeted.
There is a pattern here. Council
is quick to impose rules, but
slow to support activation. And
the lease terms for Village Park
Café follow the same trend:
maximum control, minimal
vision.
Who’s Making
These Decisions?
The real question is: who
within Council has the commercial
leasing or hospitality
experience to create a viable
offering? Who is guiding these
processes, and what expertise
do they bring? If the answer is
“none”, then why hasn’t Council
engaged and listened to experienced
commercial property
advisors?
What makes matters worse
is that much of the decisionmaking
– rent negotiations,
lease structure, assessments
– has taken place behind closed
doors, under the Council meeting
item ‘Matters Proposed to
Take Place in Closed Session’.
This lack of transparency
leaves the community in the
dark, unable to assess who is
shaping these outcomes, what
criteria are being used and how
decisions align with community
needs.
It’s Time to Get
Out of the Way
The Village Park Café isn’t just a
missed opportunity – it’s a case
study in bureaucratic overreach
and underperformance. When
public assets are mismanaged
like this, the entire community
loses. We lose vibrancy. We lose
connection. We lose trust.
It’s time for Council to stop
pretending it can do this alone.
It can’t. The responsible and
community-minded thing to do
now is to bring in professional
advice, revisit the terms and
start acting in the genuine interest
of activation – not control.
Because Mona Vale doesn’t
just need a café. It needs a vibrant
town centre. And it needs
a Council willing to get out of
the way to let that happen.
*Contact michael@michaelgencher.com.au
(no hyphen);
What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
Opinion
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 27

The Way We Were
Every month we pore over three decades of Pittwater Life, providing a snapshot of
the area’s recent history – and confirming that quite often the more things change, the
more they stay the same. Compiled by Lisa Offord
25 Years Ago…
15 Years Ago…
The Way We Were
Pittwater Life was nine years old
this month, boasting the highest
readership on the Northern
Beaches after the Manly Daily.
In Council news, staff were
instructed to make a detailed
investigation into density
controls for shop-top and multiunit
housing. “Community anger
is mounting over developments
taking place under the policy.
The close scrutiny comes against
a background of community claims that it is
destroying the shopping centres rather than
offering a creative solution to medium density
houses. It is also leading to what residents
believe are unacceptable developments… The
Council adopted the policy to meet its obligations
to the State Government to have medium-density
housing in the area. There was widespread
community backlash to proposals to put the
housing in residential areas. But in adopting
the policy which designated every commercial
site in Pittwater as suitable for
medium-density housing, in order
to prevent losing its planning
powers to the State Government,
some Councillors are now realising
that they virtually handed the
powers over to developers.” A new
report showed “… it will take
just 50 minutes of heavy rain for
the Avalon commercial centre
and surrounding areas to flood
to the point where water will be
running into shops. While this is claimed to be
a once in 100 years probability locals note that
in the last 16 years the commercial centre has
been underwater three times and eight times
since 1973”. The Careel Creek Floodplain
Management Study provided several flood
management options. Also, the families of
the Warriewood glasshouses were featured
and there was a picture spread showcasing
local high school students work capturing the
beauty of Pittwater.
In our 20 th Year! “For 19 years
Pittwater Life has proudly
been the Voice of Pittwater.
The people of Pittwater are
noted for their care for the
environment, their concern for
those less fortunate and their
hard work and generosity in
supporting them and their
laidback acceptance of the
many celebrities in the film,
television, literary, musical and
artistic worlds which so enliven
and add to the diversity of our
community. And most of all for
their joy in their surroundings
the water, beaches and bush
which provide us with one of
the most beautiful and scenic
areas of the world. As we begin
our 20 th year we will continue
to cover Pittwater, consistently
reporting on development and
28 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

5 Years Ago…
issues which affect all of us and
seeking to encourage change
for the better. We will continue
to offer positive support to our
business people who work hard
to provide our villages with the
essential service which enable us
all to live here. Thank you to all
our loyal supporters, readers and
advertisers who made Pittwater
Life possible and enable us to
continue.” In news, Pittwater
Council and residents reached
an agreement to allow the “social
drinks tradition” at the Thomas
Stephens Reserve at Church
Point to continue
at certain hours
(Friday, Saturday
and Sunday
between 3pm
and 9pm) and on
public holidays
and for special
events following
a proposal
for a total ban
on alcohol
consumption on
the site. “Offshore
residents in
particular have
been meeting for drinks at the
site for many years and the area
is one which local architect Ric
Leplastrier has described as ‘one
of the great little public spaces
of Sydney’. He said that people
should be allowed to drink there
at any time and not be subject
to strict regulations… there had
been a number of complaints
about drinking at the reserve.”
A decision to downgrade
maternity services at Mona Vale
Hospital (from a medical unit
where doctors were “allowed to
deliver babies to
a midwifery unit
with five midwives
to service the
area”, cutting the
number of births
from around 700
a year to 200 a
year) was widely
condemned.
Council launched
an “anti-plastic
bag” pilot
program with
business owners
given calico bags
for customers.
Two ferocious East Coast
Lows pounded our beaches
in July “whipping up huge
swells and providing some
awesome if intimidating
and challenging surfing
conditions”. Councillor
Vincent De Luca started a
petition calling for a fully
staffed Mona Vale Police
Station and more police on
the beat north of Narrabeen
Bridge. Residents were
angry with NB Council
over ongoing delays in
dealing with unauthorised
encroachments on public land. Council moved to allay
fears about environmental and health impacts of
replacing grass fields with synthetic surfaces. Council
also issued a warning to the community “to be wary
of unscrupulous tree lopping operators who are again
active on the Northern Beaches”. We met Ollie, Pittwater
High’s therapy dog. Actor and Avalon Beach local
Raelee Hill talked about her nearly 30 years on stage
and screen. We were inundated with letters objecting
to the proposed 351 Barrenjoey Road development and
the likely impact on Robertson Road and the Newport
village. We featured the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy
Repair Group celebrating 45 years and introduced a
new page supporting local restaurants and cafes.
The Way We Were
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 29

News
45
TARG ET:
7 – to July ’25
3 – to June ’25
BUS
WATCH
*Total Bendy buses
returned to beaches
routes since Oct 2024
SEEN…
Readers may remember
Jason Breen from
his encounter with
a humpback whale
while wing-foiling
(Pittwater Life – Dec
2023). Jason had another
close encounter
with a marine
creature in July
– this time saving a
Blue Groper from
Newport ocean pool
(right). “It had been
stuck in there for
a week after large
surf washed it in,” he said. “Wildlife Rescue
had five people who tried to rescue it but couldn’t;
miraculously I caught it and managed to release it.”
Jason said the groper approached him the next day
when he was in the surf. “That was an awe-inspiring
treat!”… Council’s new multi-purpose hard courts at
Winnererremy Bay Park, Mona Vale (below) are now
open for play. The courts are suitable for sports including
basketball, netball, handball and pickleball…
Council staff have updated councillors on Wakehurst
Parkway flood mitigation works. At Oxford Falls Road
West, investigations into whether essential utilities can
be avoided or relocated will take up to six months. At
the Bends site, changes to the road infrastructure and
nearby Middle Creek are being considered, with a topographic
survey completed (also at the Sydney Sports
Academy site). Council is working with Transport for
NSW to progress preliminary concept designs for both
locations, as well as ecological surveys… Tree poisoning
continues to be a problem across Pittwater, with a
reader dismayed at the poisoning of native trees on
the walkway below Barrenjoey Road at the northern
end of Newport Beach. Council told us: “We are aware
of previous tree poisoning and investigated the situation,
resulting in signage being placed at that site. We
are investigating the current poisoning incident and
will install additional signage if required. Council
will prosecute should it find conclusive evidence of
wrongdoing.”
HEARD…
months to get back on the road through
the end of June. Combined tally: 7
(our audit – see left – will continue next
month)… Narrabeen Councillor Vince
De Luca estimates the Greens-led Ruskin
Rowe tree blockade cost Council/ratepayers
around $30,000 in additional
arborist reports and investigations he
says were not necessary. As reported on
page 16, a new independent arborist report
confirmed one of the two remaining
trees needed to be felled due to the safety
risk it posed… Pittwater Independent
MP Jacqui Scruby has welcomed the NSW
Government’s proposed new laws to combat
illegal tobacco and vape sales. As we
went to press, the Government announced
it would introduce some of the strongest
penalties in the country to combat the
scourge – linked to organised crime – including up to
seven years in jail, million-dollar fines and powers to
shut dangerous shops down for up to a year. “This is a
win for the community,” Ms Scruby told Pittwater Life.
“We pushed hard for powers like shop closures and
enforcement at the local level because communities
like Pittwater have been left to deal with this alone
for too long.” Ms Scruby said a focus on enforcement
was now crucial.
ABSURD…
A reader (name withheld) contacted us about
pedestrian safety in Bilgola Plateau; specifically
about planting of low trees/shrubbery (now well
established over time) on the corner of Mia Place and
Wandeen Road (pictured). The resident says the intrusion
of the growth no longer allows safe or clear
pedestrian access; residents including school children
have to walk on the road instead. The resident
contacted Council in June; they say Council’s reply
was that it was “important to protect the local tree
canopy”. Which got us wondering about Council’s
policy on plantings on Council-managed land such
as nature strips. Council told us: “The planting of
vegetation on road reserves requires residents to
coordinate with Council. This ensures any plantings
are a suitable species and the location is safe for pedestrians
and vehicles and won’t impact assets like
footpath and roads in the future… with this specific
location the planting appears to have been in place
for a couple of decades prior to the current request
process. An officer has conducted a site safety check
and the area will be made safe for sight distance.”
Okay, but what about access?
A status report on the 45 damaged ‘Bendy’ buses
withdrawn from service across the Northern Beaches
in October 2024: Transport for NSW says it returned
four repaired buses in July. Woo hoo! That’s in addition
to the three buses it took the Government eight
30 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Local Author Q&A
Mystery targets ‘middle’ kids
Local debut author Rosie Schonell talks about her passion for engaging
young readers and the story behind her nail-biting mystery for middlegraders,
Breaking School Rules is Easy. Interview by Lisa Offord
Q. Tell us about yourself…
I have lived in Clareville Beach
for 14 years. I am addicted
to swimming at the Avalon
Ocean Pool and have recently
found a love for out-rigging on
Pittwater. I swear that Avalon
has the best coffee in Sydney
and the pastries at La Banette
are to die for! I’ve always been
an avid reader and have been
involved in education on and
off over the last 30 years,
whilst raising my three (now
adult) children. I’ve taught
both primary and high school
and completed a Masters in
Special Education, which led to
my interest in teaching literacy
to children with learning
difficulties and volunteering
in literacy programs such as
the migrant’s language scheme
run by the University of Sydney
and the Exodus Foundation
Reading Room.
Q. What inspired you to write
this book?
I’ve seen so many students
struggle with their school
work but shine in areas that
are rarely celebrated in the
school setting. While academic
results are important, I want
young people to understand
that they are not the sum
total of their grades and that
each of them has special gifts
outside of academia and which
require celebration. I believe
storytelling is one of the most
powerful ways to bring home
messages to young people and
it is my hope that, through
my own storytelling, these
important life lessons can
reach my readers and equip
them with the confidence to
become life-long learners and
happy adults.
Q. How did it all come
together?
I’ve wanted to write a novel
for a long time but life was
busy. It is only now that my
children have grown up that
I’ve been able to focus on
writing; I quickly realised
though, that writing is a
craft and you cannot just
pick up a pen and write, so
I undertook creative writing
courses at the University of
Sydney and the Australian
Writers Centre. When picking
my setting, I noticed there
was very little in the way of
middle-grade mysteries set
in Australia so I aimed to fill
this gap. I remember sitting on
Clareville Beach one
day looking across
the water at the
Ku-ring-gai National
Park and realising
that I wanted to
write a mystery
story set in a school
surrounded by
the Australian
bush. I’ve always
found the bush
an evocative and
foreboding setting.
Writing my story
quickly became
a passion and
I found myself
taking every opportunity
to escape into the world of
Mirrabooka with my new
friends – the book’s two
protagonists, Minty and Billie.
Q. What are your writing
habits?
My morning starts with a
swim at Avalon pool. Winter
swimming is my favourite
when the water is clear and the
cold water makes your skin
tingle and your brain alert.
Sitting at Lovat Cafe with a
coffee in hand and watching
the waves, my imagination
swirls with possibilities for
my story. I write at home but
I often record my story on my
phone and sit down at Taylors
Point as I listen to the words
that I have written that day.
Q. Any interesting feedback?
I’ve had really pleasing
feedback from not just middle
graders but also teenagers
and adults. They especially
love the Australian setting.
They say it gives the story a
sense of eeriness and mystique
which is what I had hoped for.
Readers also love some of the
quirky names I’ve given to my
characters.
Q. Anything else to add?
Although my story has a
satisfying resolution, I have
left it open with Minty and
Billie facing the possibility
of another mystery to solve.
Having created the world
of Mirrabooka and all its
characters, everything is still
so alive in in my head. I feel
I am unable to leave them
behind and so am planning,
at least at this stage, to write a
sequel.
Books
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 31

News
Pittwater News
Choir celebrates
50th year concert
The Manly Warringah Choir
will perform its 50th Anniversary
Concert on Sunday
17 August at St Paul’s College,
Manly. The concert will feature
an orchestral piece as well as
choral works, and reprise some
of the favourite moments of the
choir’s five decades of programs
with famous composers
including Bach, Handel, Mozart
and Brahms. Solo violinist is
Alexander Norton, with the
choir and orchestra conducted
by Dr Carlos Alvarado. Venue
The next meeting of Bilgola Plateau
Probus Club will be held on Friday
1 August at Newport Bowling Club
(commencing 10am). Guest speaker
will be Sarah Martin, who will relate
how her daughter suffered the nightmare
of a psychotic episode while
travelling the world and their courageous
journey through mental illness
to a place of understanding and hope.
Visitors welcome.
The next meeting of Newport
Probus Club will be held on Thursday
7 August at Newport Bowling Club
(commencing 10am). Guest speaker
will be Andrew Campbell, a renowned
leader in Audiology research in
‘Hearing and Brain Health Care’. RSVP
to Jenny (0406 762 908) to advise
attendance.
The Combined Probus Club of Mona
Vale will meet next on Tuesday, August
19 in the auditorium at Pittwater
RSL Club (from 10am). Guest speaker
will be Susan Ackroyd, whose book
Rhyme and Reason looks at the stories
is Waterford’s Hall; commences
2pm, tickets $45. *More info
manlywarringahchoir.org.au
or 0411 777 738.
Free Attenborough
movie screening
Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay
are inviting the local community
to a special evening
to celebrate the ocean and
our shared responsibility
to protect it. Join the group
for a free screening of David
Attenborough’s acclaimed
film Ocean on Wednesday 20
August, followed by a short
address by Pittwater MP Jacqui
Scruby before the Friends
of Bongin Bongin Bay Annual
General Meeting. Gather at
5pm for a 5.15pm screening
start at Mona Vale Surf Club
(Ocean Room). *Bookings essential
via bonginbonginbay.
org.au
Zonta Club dinner
Zonta Club of Northern
Beaches will celebrate 50
years of community service
with a Birthday Dinner to be
held on 15 September at Dee
Why RSL. It will be a night of
August Probus Club news in your suburb
behind those old nursery rhymes we
all know and love, some of which date
back to the 13th century. Who were
Georgie Porgie, Little Boy Blue and
Humpty Dumpty? With a career as an
educator and lawyer, Susan explains
the origin of the rhymes, often mocking
the political and social establishment
of the times, and how they’ve
been passed down orally through the
centuries to become the lullabies, ditties
and nonsense rhymes we continue
to use today. Visitors interested in
membership welcome – enquiries call
Barry (0435 010 367).
The next meeting of Avalon Beach
Ladies Probus Club is on Tuesday 5
August at Club Palm Beach (commencing
10am). Speaker will be Rita Shaw
who will talk on ‘A Rhino Lady in Africa’.
Lunch is available after the meeting
for those who would like to dine.
Book Club commences after lunch;
the Club is also planning a Mahjong
group. Visitors welcome; more info
contact June (0439 745 302).
celebration, history telling
and student award presentations.
Guest speaker will
be Anita Jacoby, television
producer, award winning
journalist and advocate for
women. *Bookings via zontanorthernbeaches.org
Young Filmmakers
Comp turning 21
The Beaches Young Filmmakers
Comp is back, now in its
21st year, offering a golden
opportunity for budding
filmmakers to showcase
their talents and creativity.
The next meeting of the Palm
Beach and Peninsula Probus Club
will be held at Club Palm Beach on
Wednesday 20 August (commencing
9.45am). Paul Kearney returns as
guest speaker; Paul will be presenting
his new talk on Australian hits of the
60s. Come along and join in some toetapping
and memories of those great
hits of yesteryear. New members and
visitors are welcome. Enquiries for
guest speakers to Julie Bertoldo (0418
272 214).
The next meeting of Pittwater
Men’s Probus Club will be held at
Mona Vale Surf Club on Tuesday 12
August (commencing 10am). Guest
speaker is Justine Playle who will
describe her experiences working on
‘Housing for Health’ projects around
Australia. She has a background
in architecture and program
management in urban, regional
and remote areas around Australia.
Visitors welcome; further details
contact Stephen (0400 726 017).
34 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Get snapping underwater
Northern Beaches
Council’s fifth annual
Underwater Photography
competition is open until
Sunday 18 August.
The 2025 theme ‘Wonder,
sustaining what sustains
us’ aligns with the Worlds
Ocean Day theme and
gives photographers the
opportunity to showcase
the Beaches’ five aquatic
reserves and be in the
running for part of the
$4,000 prize pool.
The competition
celebrates all skill levels
and is open to amateur and
professional photographers
and videographers.
With 8 categories
including a major award
– The Valerie Taylor
Underwater Photography
Award for Excellence –
entrants can enter up to 3
images; videographers can
submit one reel.
People’s Choice voting
opens 28 August and runs
through to 21 September,
with winners announced in
November.
(Pictured is Lisa De Luca’s
2024 Threatened Species
category winning entry
‘The return of the nurses’,
captured at Long Reef.)
*More info Council
website.
News
This exciting competition
invites individuals or teams
to produce a short film of
up to 7 minutes, integrating
secret inclusions – a mystery
item, keyword, and phrase –
that will be revealed on the
Northern Beaches Council
website at 5pm on Wednesday,
27 August. Participants will
have four days to bring their
vision to life and submit their
entries by 10pm on Sunday,
31 August. With a total prize
pool of $3000 and various
industry prizes, aspiring
filmmakers will also have
the chance to see their films
screened at the prestigious
Finals and Awards Night
on Thursday, 19 September
at Hoyts Warringah Mall.
Teams can consist of 1 to 12
members, aged between 12
and 24 years, with at least
one member living, working,
or studying in the Northern
Beaches. Finalists’ films will
The Local Voice Since 1991
be showcased on the Council’s
website following the Finals
and Awards Night. *More info
Council website.
Avalon is set to
go all Frothy
The 3rd annual ‘Festival of
Froth’ will be held at Avalon
Beach from Friday, 22 to Sunday
24 August, incorporating
the International Body Surfing
Association (IBSA) World Tour
Qualifying Series. Open Men
& Women divisions will be
held on the Friday (no handplanes,
fins optional). Saturday
is the NBBS Bodysurfing
Competition, with divisions
including Juniors (U17), Open,
Masters (Men 40–55, Women
40+) and Tribal Elders (56+).
Sunday will focus on an
‘expression session’ followed
by a community BBQ. Evening
festivities include dinner,
film and trivia at Avalon Golf
Continued on page 36
AUGUST 2025 35

Pittwater News
News
Continued from page 35
Club (Friday) and dinner and
band The Urban Legends at
Avalon Beach SLSC (ticketed
event, open to all). *More info
festivaloffroth.org
Afternoon of
chamber music
Wyvern Music Forestville is
presenting an invigorating afternoon
of chamber music on
Sunday 12 August, performed
by 12 highly talented Sydney
Symphony Orchestra Fellows.
The program – ‘Brahms and
Beyond’ – will explore ensemble
configurations and works
brimming with character, contrast
and expressive flair. The
program’s final offering – the
opening movement of Brahms’
Piano Quintet – concludes the
afternoon with dramatic intensity
and lyrical poignancy. For
almost 25 years, the Sydney
Symphony Fellowship program
has nurtured the next generation
of professional orchestral
musicians through a comprehensive,
hands-on learning
experience. Commences 3pm
at Our Lady of Good Counsel
Catholic Church, Forestville.
Tickets $35 (concessions
available). *More info wyvern.
fmca.org.au or 9416 5234.
Japan nuclear
bombing vigil
The community is invited
to commemorate the 80th
anniversary of the world’s
first nuclear bombings in
Japan with a candlelight vigil
at Oxford Falls Peace Park in
August. The attacks took place
at Hiroshima on August 6,
1945, followed by Nagasaki
on August 9. The gathering
is being coordinated by the
Northern Beaches Greens.
Pittwater Greens councillor
Miranda Korzy said the vigil
would provide an opportunity
to reflect on the tragedy while
offering young people a sense
of hope. “Many residents, and
particularly young people, are
alarmed by the fraught nature
of international affairs at the
moment – and the fact that nuclear
weapons are now many
times more powerful than in
1945,” she said. Frenchs Forest
Greens councillor Ethan
Hrnjak said: “This sombre
anniversary also serves as a
timely reminder of the need
for peace, its fragility and
the importance of working
towards a world free from the
threat of nuclear weapons.”
*The hour-long ceremony is
on Saturday August 9, commencing
4.45pm.
Loosely Woven
back at Avalon
At 2pm on Sunday 3 August,
local group Loosely Woven,
consisting of 18 instrumentalists
and singers, returns to
Avalon Baptist Church with a
brand-new concert. There will
be several well-known songs
including hits by Kenny Rogers,
Roberta Flack, Jerry Lee
Lewis, ABBA and Bob Dylan,
as well as some lesser-known
songs. Instruments this time
around will include violins,
viola, harmonium, saxophone,
whistles, glockenspiel, melodica,
harp, guitars, keyboard and
percussion. *Entry is free, but
a donation to a human-rights
cause will be appreciated.
$155K to tackle
noxious weeds
Pittwater’s noxious weeds are
to take a cutting with more
than $155,000 in state funding
to help care for some of our
most-loved parks, headlands
and coastal reserves. The
funds will support weed management
at 10 sites across Pittwater,
including Camp Kedron,
Avalon, Lake Park, Hitchcock
Park Foreshores, Beeby Park,
Upper Karuah River and North
Narrabeen. Pittwater Independent
MP Jacqui Scruby said the
funding acknowledged the
community’s deep appreciation
for the area’s natural beauty.
“Addressing noxious weeds
was an issue I ran on at the
election – it’s wonderful to have
this funding. Noxious weeds
on our headlands, reserves
Continued on page 38
36 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Newport
Garden
turns 10
In July, Newport
Community Garden
marked its 10th
anniversary as a notfor-profit
community
association. However, in a
twisted coincidence it was
also the day that fierce
storms wreaked havoc on
this tranquil Woolcott Street
oasis.
The hardworking and
passionate garden members
have much to be proud of,
creating a place for members
to grow herbs, vegetables
and fruit in a social and friendly
environment with the aim of living
more sustainably and reducing waste
through composting
and recycling.
With Council and
other grants plus
fundraising, the
garden has expanded
considerably.
The number of
garden beds has
tripled, a small
orchard established, a native beehive
introduced, rainwater tanks installed,
and active membership increased.
Thankfully, the storm damage didn’t
dampen the spirits of the garden
members, particularly long-standing
figureheads Karen Bond and Valerie
Long (pictured l-r).
“With the storm debris removed we’re
eager to get ready for Spring planting,”
said Valerie, the Garden President.
“And we’re always keen for new
members. No experience necessary and
age is no barrier,” said Karen, who acts
as treasurer.
*More info and to join, email
newportcommunitygardenau@gmail.
com; or Facebook at newportcgnsw
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 37

Pittwate
Continued from page 36
and parklands threaten the
biodiversity of our area.” She
said the Government funding
would go straight to weed
control. “It’s not glamorous,
but it’s essential. It protects
native species, keeps tracks
safe and walkable, and helps
our bushland bounce back.”
*Funding is administered by
Crown Lands in the Department
of Planning, Housing
and Infrastructure.
News
St Ives Orchid Fair
The St Ives Orchid Fair is the
highlight of the year for local
orchid enthusiasts and plant
lovers, providing an opportunity
to see and buy some of
the country’s most soughtafter
orchids. This year’s Fair,
from 15-17 August at St Ives
Showground, will feature
hundreds of Australian and
exotic orchids in full flower,
with 18 local and interstate
nurseries and vendors selling
orchids from seedlings
to mature plants as well as
pots, fertilisers and growing
supplies. Entrance fee $10;
free parking free. *More info
stivesorchidfair.com
Dying to Know Day
Mona Vale event
Rooted in the Northern
Beaches community, Full
Circle offers individualised
end-of-life care that bridges
gaps in health and aged
care. Their team of medical,
nursing, and end-of-life
professionals provides compassionate,
practical, and
holistic support tailored to
each family’s unique journey.
In addition to continuing to
walk with families facing
terminal illness or advanced
aging, Full Circle will soon
welcome the community to a
new site in Newport – offering
space for reflection, planning,
and support throughout the
end-of-life process. And as
part of their ongoing community
engagement, Full Circle
will host a Dying to Know Day
event on Saturday 23 August,
with a relaxed end-of-life coffee
conversation at Waterview
Café, Mona Vale Golf Club
(commencing 10am). *More
info fullcirclematters.com.au
38 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

r News
Belong Club forms connection
For many Australians, especially older
adults, Winter can bring a sense of isolation
that lingers into the new season – but
staying socially active is vital for both mental
and physical wellbeing.
Local community care service provider
Proveda is making that easier – its ‘Belong
Club’ is offering a wide range of free inperson
and online activities, encouraging
individuals to get involved, meet new people
and feel more connected to others in the
community.
“At Belong Club, we see firsthand how even
small moments of connection like a walk,
coffee catch-up, or arts and crafts workshop
can make a world of difference to someone’s
wellbeing,” explains Proveda’s Community
Program Coordinator Alison Hush.
“Having an activity to look forward to is
incredibly important and Belong Club creates
opportunities for people to have this and
build their social network, which in turn
helps keep them uplifted and feeling supported.”
With something happening every week,
there’s an event for everyone:
Walking Groups: Join a friendly walk around
Narrabeen Lagoon from the Tramshed Arts
Centre on Tuesdays; or take in ocean views
every Friday with the Manly group from
Queenscliff to Shelly Beach.
Connected Cafes: These relaxed coffee meetups
are held across the Northern Beaches
and led by community-minded locals who
are passionate about building meaningful
social connections.
Belong Book Club: A monthly discussion
where book lovers can share thoughts and
meet like-minded readers.
Online Activities: Enjoy weekly Zoom classes
that help you stay active and healthy (gentle
exercise and yoga), or test your trivia chops
in the ever-popular ‘Weekly Quiz’ on Wednesdays.
Whether you’re looking to try something
new or simply want good company, now is
the perfect time to try out a Belong Club
event. There are even opportunities to volunteer,
offering a great way to give back and
support others in the community.
– LO
*To learn more and view the full calendar
of events, visit proveda.com.au (navigate to
Community Programs tab).
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
As a vet, one of the most
common issues I see –
and often too late – is dental
disease in dogs. It’s incredibly
common, affecting over 80% of
dogs by the age of three, yet
many pet owners don’t realise
it’s there until their dog is in
pain or at risk of more serious
health issues.
The truth is, dogs don’t
always show obvious signs
of dental pain. They keep
eating. They wag their tails. But
behind those happy faces can
be red gums, loose teeth and
bacterial infections.
Dental disease doesn’t just
cause bad breath – it can
affect your dog’s entire body.
Bacteria from the mouth can
enter the bloodstream and
impact the heart, kidneys and
liver. I’ve seen first-hand how
something as simple as tartar
build-up can lead to much
bigger health issues.
Some signs to watch for
include:
• Bad breath (it’s not just “dog
breath”);
• Reluctance to chew toys or
eat harder food;
• Drooling more than usual;
• Pawing at the mouth; and
• Changes in mood or
behaviour
At Sydney Animal Hospitals,
we use the same ultrasonic
cleaning tools your own dentist
uses. A proper scale and polish
under general anaesthetic
allows us to clean above and
below the gumline – where the
real damage often begins.
In some cases, we’ll also
recommend dental x-rays
to check for hidden issues,
especially in older pets or dogs
with known dental concerns.
To help more dogs get
the care they need, we’re
running our Dog Dental Month
campaign this July and August,
offering free nurse dental
checks, discounted dental
procedures; free dental diet;
complimentary calming packs
for anxious dogs; plus advice
and support.
Book a free dental
check with one of our lovely
nurses; they’ll let you know if a
clean is needed and walk you
through the next steps.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 39

For more than
15 years,
Avalon’s Jools Farrell
has risked injury
and arrest while
highlighting the
horrors of whaling.
Story by Kate Farrelly
Life Stories
Deep
commitment
At six she decided she termaster, first for Sea Shepherd
and then for the Captain got caught!”
get everything ready for when
I used to stay out, but I never answer it… and you’d have to
would be a nurse and
by eight she’d fallen in Paul Watson Foundation.
Her “partner in crime” the ambulance came in.”
love with the ocean.
“I just love being away at was a girl called Trisha, and Jools spent around 40 years
Decades later Jools Farrell
sea,” she says. “I think doing when their six months in the in accident and emergency
managed to fuse her two what I’m doing for all these nurses’ quarters was up, the nursing, including a three-
biggest life passions into one years and being on the ocean, pair moved into a Palm Beach year stint at a trauma centre
dream role: marine conservation
and being with young people, share house with five blokes. in Hawaii.
activist.
it keeps you active and it Wild parties and cooling off “I lived over in Sunset Beach
She walks with a slight limp keeps you young.”
in Pittwater were woven into and Waimea Bay and that was
when Pittwater Life visits the Jools has fond memories of working life, which Jools describes
absolutely fantastic because
Avalon home she shares with her own youth when she left
as “hard yakka”. you could just go and sit
husband Mark and chocolate home at 17 to complete nursing She loved nursing from the on the beach and watch the
labrador Stella, having twisted training at Mona Vale Hospital. start, but with training complete,
surfing comps and that’s also
her knee aboard the John Paul “I couldn’t get out of home
she swore she wouldn’t where I learned to windsurf.”
DeJoria, the first ship of the quick enough,” she says, work on the general wards Back in Sydney, Jools spent
Captain Paul Watson Foundation.
laughing. “Back then you had again – “so boring” – and many happy hours windsurf-
to live in the nurses’ quarters instead got into intensive care, ing on Narrabeen Lake before
But while the knee injury for six months. It was very coronary care and the emergency
and after nursing shifts.
meant returning home early strict, you even had a ‘mother’
department (ED).
But by 2004, Jools was look-
from the latest campaign, that lived in the nurses’ quarters
“In ED, you’re basically ing for a new challenge.
Jools remains incredibly enthusiastic
and they’d lock the door like an adrenaline junkie,” “I still wanted to stay in
about her volunteer at 11 o’clock at night, so if you she says. “You’re living on nursing but I just felt like a
work. For the past 18 years weren’t back, you were locked adrenaline, waiting for the change,” she says. “I’d had
she’s been a medic and quar-
out. I was a bit of a rebel and blue phone to go off, and you’d enough of the hospital system,
40 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

and I’d had enough of ED
work and I could see friends
of mine burning out and I
didn’t want that to happen to
me.”
Jools took on a role with
Cover-More Travel Insurance,
setting up their medical
underwriting department.
Her mother was horrified to
learn Jools had refused to
provide travel insurance to
tenor Luciano Pavarotti, arguably
the world’s most famous
opera singer, having deemed
him “a heart attack waiting to
happen”.
After five years Jools had
had enough of commuting to
North Sydney and moved into
casual practice nursing. But
she struggled to relax into
semi-retirement.
“I’m not the sort of person
that goes out to lunch or plays
tennis… that’s not me.” It was
time to look for a hobby.
Jools spied a tiny ad in The
Sydney Morning Herald: Sea
Shepherd were looking for
volunteers to start a Sydney
chapter.
“I knew about [Sea Shepherd
co-founder] Paul Watson, he
was a big inspiration to me,”
she says. “I just remember
reading an article about him
and thinking, this man’s
amazing, he’s been working
for the ocean since he was 11.”
Together with three other
volunteers, Jools joined Sea
Shepherd and was quickly
appointed the Sydney Chapter
co-ordinator.
Jools enjoyed all facets of
the role, from fundraising and
outreach to ship tours when
the ships were in town, but
it was her first gig as a crew
member that really cemented
her interest.
“In 2010 they got a new
ship, the Bob Barker, and it
was up in Gladstone,” she
says. “And I got a call from
the CEO of Sea Shepherd at
the time saying, ‘Jools, do you
want to go up to Gladstone
because we want you to help
bring the ship back to Melbourne’.
I said yes!”
Jools joined the crew as
medic, setting up the hospital
room to meet Australian
Maritime Safety Authority
standards,
“Once you get onto a ship,
it gets into your blood,” she
says, confessing she was now
hooked on marine conservation
activism.
So she was thrilled when
she got asked to go on
campaign to Antarctica, an
adventure that kicked off with
an undercover operation to
pick up the newest addition to
the fleet, Sam Simon.
Sea Shepherd had purchased
the ship, a Japanese
government research vessel
formerly used to support
whaling in the Pacific, under
the guise of a marine research
group.
“There’s no way that they
would have sold the ship to
Sea Shepherd, knowing it
was going to be used against
them,” she explains.
The Japanese delivered the
ship to Cairns and Jools flew
up to join the international
crew, a mix of passionate conservationists
from all walks
of life.
“I couldn’t tell anybody
where I was going,” she says. “I
couldn’t even tell my husband
where I was going, because it
was all super-secret.”
Jools got the hospital room
up and running before setting
off to Antarctica with three
other Sea Shepherd ships for
Operation Zero Tolerance.
Along with her medic duties,
which included tending
to seasick crew, stitching up
lacerations and monitoring
Continued on page 42
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: In
the hospital room she set
up in 2012 for the MV Sam
Simon for Sea Shepherd;
volunteer duty with ORRCA,
after a successful whale
disentaglement at Whale
Beach; a talk at Avalon PS;
early nursing days (at right) in
1972; Quartermaster duties;
with this year’s Community
Recognition Award; onboard
the JPD heading to Europe
in 2025; crew photo for
Operation Paiakan in 2023.
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 41

Life Stories
Continued from page 41
concussions, Jools took shifts
on the bridge, plotting the
ship’s course and monitoring
weather conditions.
Big seas were par for the
course and while frightening
for some crew members, Jools
revelled in nature’s ferocity.
“It doesn’t worry me at all!
I love the big seas, I love a bit
of rock ’n’ roll, as I call it. I’ve
never been seasick a day in
my life.”
But ultimately, the most
memorable part of the trip
was seeing Antarctica.
“It was just absolutely
mind-blowing,” she says. “It is
the most beautiful, beautiful
part of the world. Just seeing
the wildlife, seeing icebergs
for the first time. There’s no
pollution, it’s just pristine.”
Of course the splendour
of the Southern Ocean was
tarnished by Sea Shepherd’s
encounter with aggressive
Japanese whalers, but the
campaign was deemed a success,
with whaling attempts
severely disrupted.
Jools has since been on four
more campaigns, the most
devastating of which was to
the Faroe Islands where the
locals practice Grindadráp,
a regular hunt that kills
hundreds if not thousands of
pilot whales. While Jools had
seen videos of the carnage,
this was the first time she’d
witnessed it first-hand.
“We were all in tears,” she
says. “All we can see is a bay
full of blood, it was shocking.
It’s gut-wrenching to think
what they’ve done to these
magnificent pilot whales.”
Jools says the experience
only made her more determined
to make a difference,
and she continues to risk
injury and arrest with the
Captain Paul Watson Foundation,
founded in 2022 after
Paul split from Sea Shepherd.
Her most recent trip was
to Dublin where a ship was
42 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

FROM LEFT: In
Antarctica in
2013; with the
Living Ocean
team in 2018.
preparing to protest whaling
in Iceland, but the plans for
whaling activity were cancelled
and the crew instead
attended the United Nations
Ocean Conference in France.
For Jools, there’s no part
of ship life she doesn’t enjoy.
While she agrees there is occasional
conflict between crew
members, the 70-year-old
loves spending time with the
younger crew. She sleeps well
in her cabin, loves the vegan
food onboard, and as a keen
photographer, loves capturing
sunsets, sunrises and the
moon from the ship’s deck.
And in between campaigns
Jools keeps busy with public
speaking engagements at local
schools and volunteering
with ORRCA, the Organisation
for the Rescue and Research
of Cetaceans in Australia.
Over 2020 and 2021 she was
regularly spotted monitoring
fur seal Reg, who became a
familiar visitor at Manly, Dee
Why, Curl Curl and Long Reef.
She also lends a hand to Living
Ocean, a centre for marine
studies based in Palm Beach
that works to protect vulnerable
marine species, solve marine
pollution, and learn more
about the oceans critical role
in addressing climate change.
Jools says she plans to keep
on fighting for marine conservation
for as long as she’s fit
and able.
“I will fight until I go to my
grave,” she says. “As long as I
can fight for the oceans and
the planet, I will. When my
time comes, I’d like people to
say, ‘wow, look what Jools did’.”
Life Stories
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 43

Hot Property
Hard to (self) contain the excitement
Discover three unique Avalon Beach homes that offer flexible, self-contained living options –
perfect for extended families, guests, or generating income. By Lisa Offord
Set on 917sqm at 162 Central Road, this charming four-bedroom
cottage offers relaxed coastal living with flexible options for
families, downsizers or investors. The light-filled single-level home
features timber floors, raked V-groove ceilings and plantation
shutters.The open layout flows to a private, north-facing backyard
with multiple outdoor areas perfect for entertaining. A separate,
fully self-contained one-bedroom cabin at the rear is ideal for
guests, extended family, or rental income, with approved plans
in place for future upgrades. The modern kitchen includes gas
appliances and a walk-in pantry, while the bedrooms are newly
carpeted and the master features a spacious walk-in robe. With
lush gardens and a double garage the agents say this is a rare
opportunity with room to live, grow, or invest. Contact Angus
Abrahams or Jonothan Gosselin at LJ Hooker Avalon Beach.
Hot Property
This five-bedroom home at 137 George Street offers stunning
views over Careel Bay and glorious estate-like gardens. Set on
a 2,400sqm north-facing block, the property combines original
1920s charm with practical, updated features. The main living area
opens to a wide deck with water views. There’s also a cosy library
with a stone fireplace and kitchen that flows into a conservatory
overlooking the gardens.The master bedroom has an ensuite, water
views and deck access. A separate wing holds two more bedrooms.
Downstairs is a self-contained area with sandstone walls, fireplace
with flexible capacity for two bedrooms, kitchenette and living area.
Surrounded by landscaped gardens, stone paths and entertaining
areas, this unique property offers plenty of privacy (history buffs
will appreciate this feature!) and room to adapt. Contact Amy Young
or Matthew Young, Laing & Simmons Avalon Beach.
Positioned on a sunny corner block with access from both
Patrick and William Streets, this spacious two-level home offers
versatile living for families, multi-generational households, or
passive income (STCA). Level access from 24 Patrick Street
leads to generous open plan living, a modern kitchen and out
to alfresco dining and a huge entertaining deck. Two bedrooms,
including the master with its own balcony, are located on this
level. Downstairs offers a second living space with a wet bar, two
more bedrooms, a renovated bathroom and all-weather outdoor
entertaining – great for separate living. With a secure garage,
room for three cars, ducted air conditioning and plenty of garden
with potential for a pool STCA, this home suits a wide range
of lifestyles. Contact Rebecca Hammond or Peter Robinson LJ
Hooker Avalon Beach.
44 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Sargeant a major contributor
For more than three decades, Avalon Physiotherapy Centre has
provided compassionate, evidence-based care in a welcoming
space tucked away on Bowling Green Lane.
At its helm is practitioner Warwick Sargeant whose journey into
physiotherapy began with a desire to help
others – and a deep aversion to needles.
“As a boy I dreamed of doing medicine,”
Warwick said. “But the sight of blood
and the thought of hypodermic syringes
turned me off.”
Instead, inspired by his late father’s love
of physical education, Warwick completed
a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education
at Sydney University. He taught for
five years but wanted to do more one-onone
with people, which led him to studying
Physiotherapy at Cumberland College.
What’s kept him passionate for 35 years?
“Almost every day, something really good
happens,” he said.
“A chronic condition turns around… a
patient with a severe wry neck walks out
more comfortable… or an elderly patient
tells me they made their bed without a hint
of unsteadiness.”
Northern Beaches-raised Warwick says he couldn’t have chosen a
better place than Avalon to establish his practice.
“I often say we don’t have a list of patients, rather we have a cast
LONG SERVICE: Warwick with former Practice Manager
Jenny Martin who was part of the team for 22 years
until she retired to the Central Coast.
of characters,” he said.
Among them: a Holocaust survivor who quietly revealed her
inked wrist number; a Burma Railway survivor who gifted him one
of only three copies of his personal memoir; and a renowned humanitarian
lawyer whose sick note had
to be addressed to the Secretary-General
of the United Nations.
He says he’s treated everyone from
“beach bums” to billionaires, writers,
filmmakers and even one of his favourite
musicians. “Landing in Avalon was such
a blessing,” he says.
However, much has changed over the
years.
“The principles of our practice haven’t
changed – honesty, integrity, care for the
patient and evidence-based treatment,”
he says.
“However treatment techniques have
evolved as research has progressed… I
do things now that I didn’t when I first
graduated and vice versa.
“Avalon is busier and parking is a
nightmare but the people are still generally
a delight.
“One great change is that with more people working from home,
I no longer need to open so early or close so late!”
As sessions are 30-plus minutes long, Warwick has had the privi-
46 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

for 35 years
lege of learning about people’s lives in intimate detail.
“It’s been the greatest education I could have wished for,” he
says. “I’ve gained knowledge about different occupations, cultures,
travels and more, all through listening.
“Apart from treating locals over the years, we have also always
welcomed work experience students from any of our local schools
who show an interest in a career in physiotherapy. . . I think they all
go away with something they didn’t have before,” he said.
And what about the work-life balance? “Next question!” he
teases. “I’ve historically worked too hard – often 60-plus hours a
week and no more than two weeks off per year.”
But lifestyle changes are afoot.
With a daughter in Los Angeles and a new grandson, he and wife
Annie are planning travel and pulling together a bucket list.
Avalon Physiotherapy Centre’s future is in good hands though.
Warwick talks up the next generation – Tom and Joe – as equally
passionate professionals.
“Tom and Joe are not only exceptional people, they are also
excellent, enthusiastic and extremely capable physios, who both
share a passion in prevention of injury,” Warwick said.
“Tom is passionate about exercise programs to prevent back and
spinal injury and Joe, an elite basketballer, is equally passionate
about prevention and rehab of sports injuries.
“Joe has also instigated a fabulous Falls Risk Program for seniors
which has been very well received.”
Warwick cherishes his role in the community. “After all these
years, I think I’m accepted as a local – and hopefully as a trusted
and respected one,” he said.
– Lisa Offord
Golf day to change lives
he Men for Menopause
TGolf Day led by Cameron
and Alison Daddo is calling
on players to show up to Long
Reef Golf Club next month
not just with clubs in hand but
with open minds.
The event on 5 September
is designed to break the
silence around menopause,
encouraging men to better
understand and support the
women in their lives through
what can be a confusing and
isolating time.
Alison said knowledge
about menopause was the
key to navigating this stage
of women’s lives and it was
time men became part of the
conversation, too.
“It’s so important for men
to have some sort of knowledge
about what their loved
ones might be experiencing;
we want this day to be super
fun and easy but also impactful,”
she said.
“Women often feel incredibly
lonely and misunderstood
at this time of their lives and
men need to look out for
the signs that their partners
might need more support.”
The day has not only been
designed to start a conversation
about menopause but
also to help men with some
actionable tools for themselves
and their loved ones.
Following a breakfast and a
round on Long Reef’s 18-hole
course, guests will enjoy a
lunch hosted by the Daddos.
The day will feature personal
stories, expert insights and
practical advice, all aimed at
reducing the stigma around
menopause and encouraging
more empathy.
All proceeds go to the Debbie
Gaunt Foundation, created
in memory of Debbie Gaunt,
who tragically took her life
during perimenopause.
There will also be a silent
auction with golf gear, travel
and jewellery prizes, and a
grand prize – a $10,000 trip to
the Maldives.
Tickets available now
through Eventbrite. – LO
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 47

Health & Wellbeing
with Rowena Beckenham
Health & Wellbeing
How clear vision helps pave
the way to a clearer mindset
The connection between
eye health and mental
wellbeing often gets
overlooked. Our eyes and the
way we see the world influences
our emotional and psychological
wellbeing. When your vision
is clear, comfortable and strainfree,
daily life becomes easier.
You feel more confident, your
energy improves, and you quite
literally gain a clearer perspective
on the world.
The Hidden Toll of
Digital Eye strain
In today’s fast-paced, screenladen
world, digital eye strain
is increasing common. This
phenomena is the feeling of
discomfort that occurs after
prolonged periods of looking
at a screen. Signs include dry,
gritty or irritated eyes; blurry vision
that clears when you blink;
headaches; and fatigued eyes
that don’t work as well as they
should. Biologically our bodies
weren’t meant to process this
much visual information – and
our eyes are showing the strain.
When your vision is blurry or
uncomfortable, tasks that once
felt simple – such as reading,
driving, or even socialising – become
frustrating. This can wear
down a person’s mood, focus
or sense of wellbeing.
Vision and Mental Health:
A Two-Way Street
Vision and mental health share
a bidirectional causal relationship
– one can affect the other
and vice versa. Mental health
conditions such as anxiety and
depression can manifest in
physical ways that affect vision
– such as experiencing visual
disturbances including light
sensitivity or tunnel vision.
On the other hand, blurry or
uncorrected vision can slowly
affect your quality of life. Good
vision isn’t a luxury; it’s a
core part of your identity and
facilitates how you experience
the world. It’s no shock then
that vision loss has been linked
to loneliness, social isolation,
as well as feelings of worry,
anxiety and fear, especially in
older adults.
Vision impacts wellbeing
at all ages; we see this
connection in kids as well.
Undiagnosed vision problems
can lead to behavioural issues
in school, lower self-esteem
and difficulties with learning
– factors that significantly
shape a child’s mental health
trajectory.
Protecting your Eyes and
your Peace of Mind
If you’re feeling off, experiencing
headaches, tired eyes,
trouble concentrating, or difficulty
reading texts, it might
not just be stress – it might be
your vision. When your vision
is unclear, your brain must
work harder to make sense of
what you’re seeing. This extra
effort can lead to fatigue,
mental fog, mood fluctuations
and even disrupted sleep
– particularly if your eyes
remain overstimulated into the
evening. Booking an eye exam
is a great way to look after
your eye (and mental) health.
During a consult we not
only assess your visual acuity
(how well you can read our
letter chart), check for signs of
eye disease and look for early
indicators of systemic health
problems, we also listen. While
we focus on your eyes, we’re
in a unique position to notice
when someone isn’t quite
themselves – and that opens
the door to supportive care.
Good sight helps us feel
safe, capable and connected.
As Optometrists, we pride
ourselves on being not only
able to find you the right pair
of glasses, but also a partner
in health and wellbeing.
Rowena has been practising
at Beckenham Optometrist in
Avalon for 25 years. Whether
it be in Avalon alongside
valued colleagues Rebecca
Thompson and Stephanie
Ng, teaching eyecare
nurses and teachers in a
remote clinic in rural Sumba
Indonesia, or helping direct
the future of independent
optometry in her role
as Chair of the board of
Provision, the passion for
vision, eyes and the people
behind the eyes is there.
48 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
with Cheree Sheldon
Health & Wellbeing
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
support: the first 1000 days
August is a special month
during which we celebrate
World Breastfeeding
Week. From pregnancy to
two years of age – known as
the first 1,000 days – you’re
laying foundations for your
child’s lifelong health.
Here’s what’s really
important:
Hydration
You need more than ever
before. This time is important
to nourish your body with
warming soups and stews.
Add hydration salts to your
water and consume healthy
fats like avocado and olive
oil. Nuts and seeds are
incredibly important
for their nutritional
content. If your nutritional
intake is low,
your body draws from
its own reserves, even
from your bones, just to
produce milk. That’s why it’s
so important to stay nourished
and hydrated.
Let’s talk about formula.
There’s a lot on the market
and it can be confusing and
difficult to pinpoint what’s
going to be the best for your
baby. If you have food intolerances,
then it’s quite possible
your baby may have the same.
Choosing a less reactive formula,
such as one made from
goat’s milk, might be a better
choice for your baby.
Probiotics
Probiotics are important not
only for mum but bub. Breastfed
babies have a gut microbiome
that is Bifidobacterium.
This helps build a strong
immunity and reduce risk
of illness. For those that are
formula feeding, you include
probiotics for your baby’s gut
microbiome that will support
a healthy, diverse
microbiome as
well as reducing
digestive
discomfort
and infant colic. Speak to us in
store about the right one for
you and your baby.
Mastitis & Breast care
There is a particular probiotic
strain researched to support
healthy microbiome and reduce
the symptoms of mastitis.
Cracked nipples are very common,
so support your skin with
hydrating creams, aloe vera,
marshmallow and natural plant
oils. It’s not just about supplements
though. There are products
available in-store that can
support your nipple health when
you are on your breastfeeding
journey. It comes with challenges,
but with the right nutrition
and holistic support, it can be a
truly rewarding journey.
Herbs & Nutrition
Raspberry leaf is a great herb
that’s been traditionally used
to support breastfeeding and
birth recovery. You can begin
taking raspberry leaf during
your second trimester. It’s
called a uterine tonic and it
can help your contractions
during labour as well as birth
recovery. Galactogogs are
wonderful herbs that can
support your breastfeeding
journey. Lesser thistle and
fenugreek (pictured) are traditionally
used to support breast
milk production.
If there’s one product to
have in the cupboard, it’s the
Super Greens powder. Simply
blend it with water and it’s
the easiest way to boost your
nutrition. Packed with fibre and
antioxidants, it’s a plethora of
fruit and vegetables. Protein is
really important to meet your
nutritional needs, to help you
feel fuller for longer, but
also to help make rich,
nourishing milk for
your baby
Remember, it’s a
priority to seek professional
healthcare
advice before consuming
any supplements
to ensure they’re right
for you. There are
many remedies to help
with all symptoms you can
face as a new mum – and we
want you to know that you
are not alone. Post-partum
hormone fluctuations are very
real, so don’t be afraid to ask
for help.
We invite you to come and
speak to one of our naturopaths;
we’d love to support
you on this journey.
*Cheree Sheldon is a Qualified
Naturopath at Flannerys
Organic Wholefood Market,
Mona Vale; flannerys.com.au
50 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Menopause and your skin:
helping decode the changes
Perimenopause and menopause
are hormonal transition
periods in a woman’s
life when ovarian function declines,
leading to reduced levels
of testosterone, progesterone
and oestrogen. These changes
can cause fatigue, depression
and low libido, while also triggering
myriad skin changes,
including increased sensitivity
and altered texture.
Much like puberty and pregnancy,
menopause is a natural
physiological process. However,
it is often shrouded in pseudoscience,
misinformation and a
surge of supplements, medications
and treatments promising
miraculous results – many lacking
robust scientific evidence to
support their efficacy.
Oestrogen production peaks
around age 30 and many
women won’t notice symptoms
of reduced oestrogen during
perimenopause until their
40s, about 10 years before
menopause (defined as the
cessation of menstrual bleeding
for one year). With increasing
life expectancy, women may
spend one-third of their lives
post-menopause, managing
the lasting impact of declining
oestrogen levels on their health,
including their skin, which becomes
more prone to dryness
and thinning.
Oestrogen (a group of hormones
– oestradiol, oestriol and
oestrone, collectively referred to
as oestrogens) plays a significant
role in skin health. While
changes in other organs may
seem more critical, skin and
aesthetic concerns are highly
visible. These visible changes,
such as fine lines and uneven
tone, can affect self-esteem and
quality of life, often prompting
women to seek targeted skincare
solutions.
In the skin, oestrogen binds
to specialised receptors and
performs several protective and
beneficial roles:
• Increases blood flow, ensuring
optimal nutrient delivery to
The Local Voice Since 1991
skin cells.
• Maintains telomere length,
delaying cell ageing and promoting
skin rejuvenation.
• Stimulates skin cell proliferation
and receptor expression.
• Enhances hyaluronic acid,
elastin and collagen production,
improving skin hydration.
• Inhibits enzymes that break
down collagen, preventing
premature ageing.
• Acts as an antioxidant, protecting
against oxidative stress
from sun exposure (reducing
rough, dry, wrinkled and sagging
skin).
• Stimulates hair follicles to
promote hair growth, helping
prevent or reduce female pattern
hair loss.
Beyond appearance, menopause
affects skin health and
function, leading to concerns:
Dry, Dull Skin: Reduced hyaluronic
acid and sebum production
result in lacklustre, dry
skin. The skin’s ability to retain
moisture diminishes, leading
to sensitivity, itchiness, and a
weakened skin barrier. Poor
circulation contributes to dullness,
reduced skin renewal and
a less radiant complexion, often
requiring intensive moisturising
treatments.
Fragile Skin: Nearly every
cell involved in skin repair
is influenced by oestrogen.
Declining levels impair wound
healing, slowing recovery from
procedures like RF needling,
laser therapy, skin peels, and
microdermabrasion. This
fragility increases sensitivity to
these treatments, necessitating
gentler approaches.
Skin Laxity, Wrinkles, and
Sagging: Approximately 30%
of dermal collagen is lost in
the first five post-menopausal
years, with an average decline
of 2% per year over 15 years.
This alters the skin’s mechanical
properties, making it thinner,
weaker and less resilient. Collagen
loss also triggers degenerative
changes in elastic fibres,
reducing skin plumpness, exacerbating
wrinkle formation, and
contributing to facial sagging.
External factors like pollution,
smoking, poor diet, lack of
sleep and sun exposure further
compromise skin appearance,
accelerating laxity and premature
ageing.
Topical solutions abound,
combining home-care products
with in-clinic treatments. Daily
use of broad-spectrum sunscreen,
retinoids and peptide-
based serums (pictured) can
support skin health. The skin
must be in optimal health (internally
& externally) before undergoing
intensive treatments
like RF needling, skin needling,
peels, fractional laser, Q-switch
YAG, Q-Switch ReGen laser or
HIFU (high intensity focused
ultrasound).
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
AUGUST 2025 51
Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
Cream of the crop: a look
at the top-performing funds
This month a look at a
new exchange traded
fund that I wish I had
known about when I was 18,
plus a look back at the topperforming
super funds to 30
June 2025…
One of the core elements
of (investment) faith we hold
onto dearly in this country
is that you need to invest in
property to build wealth. The
second limb of that piece of
dogma is that, due to the
nature of our tax system, you
need to borrow to do so.
This is it how it came
across to me when an older
client, feeling left behind
in their super balance due
to a series of unfortunate
life events, announced that
they wanted to set up a selfmanaged
fund and borrow
to buy a single residential
property. Pity the adviser
who only has facts to combat
deeply held faith. Needless to
say, the client wasn’t getting
a statement of advice from
me recommending their
preferred course of action,
but it did get me to look at
what was available in the
market that incorporated
gearing (borrowing)
into the investment
process.
The first question
should be, why gear at
all? The answer to that
question is that it really it
depends on the investor. In
the case of younger clients
who have many years to
retirement, gearing can
help them achieve their
goals faster. Certain
older clients may
also benefit,
particularly
if they have
reached their
maximum
caps into
superannuation.
But gearing to invest
is a double-edged
sword.
That is because gearing, at
any level, will magnify your
gains and will also magnify
your losses. For this reason,
gearing is only suitable for
those with higher appetites
for risk and this not an
easily treatable risk as it is
with diversification. Markets
have a way of being down
longer than you can remain
SPECULATING: The
Swiss Army knife of
investments?
solvent. Interest rates can
change. Governments can
change policies. There are
many moving parts.
For those of us who
invested through the 1987
crash, the 1991 recession and
the innumerable events up
to and including the global
financial crisis in 2008, we
all learned the hard way
what the words ‘margin call’
meant after each sell-off.
In the period after the
GFC, margin lending
became a taboo
topic and I can’t
recall in the 17 years
post-GFC that anyone
has come in requesting
to set up a new margin
loan.
Over that
same period,
regulators
have made it
harder to borrow
within self-managed
superannuation funds. Where
there were several major
banks offering loans in the
past, now it’s the preserve of
a few specialised lenders or
the parts of banks that focus
on key professions such as
medical.
What has emerged since
2008 is strong growth in the
number of exchange traded
funds being offered on the
ASX with further reach into
local shares, international
markets and alternative
assets such as crypto. It was
52 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

almost certain that gearing
would creep into the product
offerings at some point.
Looking at the growing
range of funds that
incorporate gearing, one
in the Betashares stable
caught my eye as something
I wish I had known about as
an 18-year-old, rather than
finding out who was playing
at the Royal Antler next
Saturday night.
Betashares’ ‘Wealth Builder
Diversified All Growth Geared
(30 – 40% LVR) Complex ETF’
or code GHHF on the ASX
is a fund that holds 42% US
exposure, 37% Australian
exposure and then smaller
holdings in Japan, Canada,
China, Germany, France and
other emerging markets. This
Fund launched in April
2024 and has had a strong
year (remember gearing
multiplies gains), just over
20% return for the year to 30
June 2025. It did that with
30 – 40% of the total assets
of the Fund being borrowed
money giving a 143% – 167%
geared exposure of the Funds
net assets. The borrowed
funds are sourced ‘… at
institutional interest rates that
are considerably lower than
those typically available to
individual investors… requires
no loan applications, no credit
checks and no possibility of
margin calls as the gearing is
managed internally within the
Fund’.
For a young person with a
long-time horizon to invest,
this sort of fund could be
the ‘Swiss Army knife’ of
investment products, if it
suits your risk profile. What
I mean by that is there are
going to be times when you
will lose money, possibly a
lot as a percentage of your
investment, so think about
that if you want to use it and
get some advice because
what I write here is just
general advice and comment
that doesn’t consider
anyone’s specific needs or
circumstances.
As a starting point, Google
search and read Mark
LaMonica’s article dated
13 November 2024 on the
Morningstar website on the
‘Promise and perils of geared
ETFs’.
I have asked the investment
committee at Raiz Invest to
The Local Voice Since 1991
consider the Fund’s inclusion
on their app as they currently
have no geared fund option
on the platform.
Now that provides me
with a perfect segue to the
topic of best-performing
superannuation funds of
2025. Those of you who
read this column would
know that I’m a foundation
shareholder in ASX-listed
Raiz invest (RZI); around this
time of year I cover this topic
because big media have a
way of ignoring, filtering…
whatever… the fact that Raiz
super balanced option was
the top performer for the
past two financial years –
and I’m please to say this
year makes it a hat-trick.
Chant West data reported
in The AFR on July 17
only included funds over
$1 billion in size which
preferred the major
industry players and named
legalsuper MySuper Balanced
as the top performing fund.
Industry press Super
Review reported the
SuperRatings results which
noted:
The Raiz Super Moderately
Aggressive option was the
top-performing option in the
SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index,
according to SuperRatings,
returning 13.8 per cent
over the last financial
year. It was closely followed
by legalsuper – MySuper
Balanced option and
Hostplus – Index Balanced
option, returning 12.6 per
cent and 12.0 per cent,
respectively.
*Disclosure: I have a Raiz
investment account and I
also have a shareholding in
the ASX-listed company that
owns the Raiz platform.
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.
AUGUST 2025 53
Business Life

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AIR CONDITIONING
Alliance Climate Control
Call 02 9186 4179
Air Conditioning & Electrical Professionals.
Specialists in Air Conditioning Installation,
Service, Repair & Replacement.
Breezy Airconditioning
Call 9174 5373
New system installations; repairs; all makes
and models. Local, family owned. Transparent
pricing, free quotes.
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.
ARCHITECTURAL PLANS
Cade Turner Design
Call Cade 0432 366 221
Award-winning designs. New homes, rebuilds
and additions; renovations and extensions plus
Granny Flats & Studios. Award-winning designs.
BATTERIES
Battery Business
Call 9970 6999
Batteries for all applications. Won’t be beaten on
price or service. Free testing, 7 days.
BUILDING
Right Build
Call Ian 0468 710 834
Local building, maintenance, repairs &
upgrades including decks, plaster walls,
brickwork, rendering, tiling, windows, doors,
painting. Site & property prep ready for sale.
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.
Isaac’s Carpentry
Call 0408 344 388
Building, carpentry, painting, interior & exterior.
Including decks, pergolas, doors, locks, screens
etc. Also timber rot repairs & painting. Narrabeenbased,
30 years’ experience. Lic 94555C
CLEANING
Amazing Clean
Call Andrew 0412 475 287
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.
CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting
needs; Northern Beaches-based.
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.
54 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

ELECTRICAL
Alliance Service Group
Call Adrian 9063 4658
All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting installation,
switchboard upgrade. Seniors discount 5%.
HANDYMEN
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313 299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also
welding & metalwork; licensed.
Eamon Dowling Electrical
Call Eamon 0410 457 373
For all electrical needs including phone, TV and
data. Pittwater-based. Reliable; quality service
guaranteed.
Northern Power & Lighting
Call Daniel 0431 593 171
Lighting design & upgrades; power point
installations, ceiling fans. Domestic /
commercial. Pittwater-based; free quotes.
Warrick Leggo
Call Warrick 0403 981 941
Specialising in domestic work; small jobs
welcome. Seniors’ discount; Narrabeen-based.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Castro 9979 7292
Owner/operator of Northern Beaches Flooring
Centre, Mona Vale. 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.
Abloom Landscapes
Call 1300 225007
Local landscaper established 2003; design &
construction, horticulture & maintenance. TLA
Member.
Campos Tree Services
Call Paulo 0403 941 883
Over 20 years servicing Pittwater. All tree work
including stump grinding. Fully qualified team.
Narrabeen Handyman
Call Rob 0468 828 008
Small residential & commercial repairs.
Pensioner discount, Narrabeen-based, free
quotes. All work guaranteed; SMS contact details
+ any photoss.
HOT WATER
Cheapa Hot Water
Call 0410 693 532
Fast water heater repair, replacement &
installation service. No call-out fee, emergency
assistance.
Hot Water Maintenance NB
Call 9982 1265
Local emergency specialists, 7 days. Sales,
service, installation. Warranty agents, fully
accredited.
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 40 years.
KITCHENS
Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Call 9972 9300
Danish design excellence. Local beaches
specialists in kitchens, bathrooms and joinery.
Visit the showroom in Collaroy.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for neck & back
pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic problems.
Trades & Services
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction for every
garden situation. Sustainable vegetable gardens
and waterfront specialist.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by qualified
arborists and tree surgeons.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
Cloud9 R&G
Call Tommy 0447 999 929
Prompt and reliable service; gutter cleaning
and installation, leak detection, roof installation
and painting. Also roof repairs specialist.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced,
metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley irons
replaced.
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 55

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
PAINTING
Actarus House Painting Services
Call 0429 121 901
Local professional painting, interior & exterior.
Staining decks. Also repairs, plus painting of
furniture.
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.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best. Comprehensive
control. Eliminate all manner of pests.
PLUMBING
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.
REMOVALISTS / PACKING
NB Removals
Call Greg 0417 253 634
Owner/operator, Avalon-based. For local /
country / interstate requirements. Reputation
(30+) years built on excellence in furniture
removing. Trucks regularly upgraded.
Pack & Unpack U
Call Lynne 0414 988 919
Professional local ladies will pack and unpack
your clothes/belongings; also declutter and
organise your home.
RENOVATIONS
BlindLight
Call Dave 0403 466 350
Specialists in window tintings and glass coatings.
Act now before the weather gets hotter!
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.
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 microdetails
specialist. Reasonable price, no subcontractor,
the owner does it himself. Fully insured.
Washlord
Call Sam 0433 525 024
Premium window & pressure cleaning. Local, insured
and highly rated. Visit washlord.com.au
56 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 57

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
23 Diamond knitting
design (6)
26 Extremely pleasing to the
sense of taste (9)
27 Guided looks at Barrenjoey
Lighthouse, perhaps (5)
28 Impedes; delays (7)
29 Emblem flag (6)
Pittwater Puzzler
ACROSS
1 Meal cooked and usually
eaten outdoors (6)
5 Activity enjoyed by many
anglers in Pittwater (7)
9 Digital attachments? (5)
10 A public show or display,
especially on a large scale (9)
11 Spicy condiment no doubt
served at Sankaku Izakaya
in 9-down (6)
12 Event that’s part of the
2025 Beach2Beach Fun Run,
half ________ (8)
14 Swing to and fro like a
pendulum (9)
16 Drop anchor (4)
19 Consistent with fact or
reality (4)
20 Belonging to a thing by its
very nature (9)
22 A river, canal, or other
navigable channel used
as a means of travel or
transport (8)
DOWN
2 Not functioning properly (5)
3 Sport played by talented
pair Ben Beezley and Izaac
Johnson (8)
4 Direction of the sea from
Whale Beach (4)
5 Professional sportspeople
not under contract (4,6)
6 System that uses satellites
to provide autonomous
geo-positioning (6)
7 Colluding; conspiring (2,7)
8 Part of a golf hole (5)
9 Crystal Bay’s suburb (7)
13 They direct the courses of
ships etc. (10)
15 Show that will be featured
by host Paul Field at the
Avalon RSL in August (9)
17 They are built by Brad
Younger, founder of Sunburnt
Space Co (7)
18 Changes habitat
according to the season,
as whales do (8)
21 See 24-down
22 Timepiece (5)
24 & 21-down Painting award
won by Jasmine Merton in the
16-18 years category (5,6)
25 An outdoor function
with the sale of goods,
amusements, etc, especially to
raise funds for charity (4)
[Solution page 66]
58 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
A cuppa and some cake: take
a break with sweet loaf treats
Baking sweet loaf cakes is a lovely way to
fill your kitchen with comforting aromas
and create a treat that’s perfect for any
occasion. These cakes are simple to make and
great for sharing. Once baked to perfection,
a drizzle of glaze or a dusting of icing sugar
makes the loaf irresistible. They’re perfect
with a cup of tea or coffee! I hope you enjoy
making these as much as I do – especially my
Mum’s Ovaltine loaf!
2. Sift the flour, baking
powder, bicarbonate
of soda and cinnamon
together onto a sheet of
baking paper.
3. Combine the eggs, oil
maple syrup and sugar in
large bowl of an electric
mixer. Whisk on medium
high speed for 3-5 minutes
or until thick and pale.
4. Sift the flour mixture again
over the egg mixture, then
gently fold together until
combined. Stir in pumpkin
and walnuts. Spoon
mixture into prepared pan.
Smooth over the surface.
5. Bake for 55-60 minutes or
until cooked when tested
with a skewer. Stand in
the pan for 15 minutes.
Lift out onto a wire rack.
Dust with icing sugar.
Serve warm or at room
temperature.
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Pineapple
coconut loaf
Serves 8
1¾ cups self-raising flour
2/3 cup caster sugar
¾ cup chopped fresh
pineapple
¾ cup coconut milk or
buttermilk
½ cup olive oil
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup (untoasted) flaked or
shredded coconut
1. Preheat oven 160°C fan
forced. Grease and line base
and sides of a 12cm x 22cm
(top measurement) loaf
pan, allow the baking paper
to extend above the pan
edges.
2. Sift the flour into a large
bowl. Stir in the sugar. Add
the pineapple. Toss to coat
in flour mixture.
3. Whisk coconut milk, oil
and eggs together. Add
to flour mixture. Gently
fold together until just
combined. Spread mixture
into prepared pan. Scatter
over the coconut, gently
pressing into the batter
with your fingertips.
4. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or
until cooked when tested
with a skewer. Stand in the
pan 15 minutes. Lift onto a
wire rack. Cool completely.
Slice and serve.
Tip: This loaf is also
delicious drizzled with
passionfruit icing.
Pumpkin maple
walnut loaf
Serves 8
1½ cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup sunflower oil or light
olive oil
¼ cup maple syrup
½ cup caster sugar
2 cups grated pumpkin
½ cup finely chopped walnuts
Icing sugar, for dusting
1. Preheat oven 160°C fan
forced. Grease and line base
and sides of a 13cm x 25cm
(top measurement) loaf pan,
allow the baking paper to
extend above the pan edges.
Tip: This cake is delicious
served warm with butter
or cooled and topped with
cream cheese frosting. For
a quick frosting, beat 250g
cream cheese until smooth.
Add 1 cup icing sugar, ¼
cup at a time, beating until
smooth and creamy.
60 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
Mum’s quick mix
Ovaltine loaf
Serves 8
My mum learnt to make this
around 70 years ago at Sydney
Electricity Cooking Class. I
have fond memories of it
in our lunch box, on a plate
after school and piled high at
every pool party we ever had
growing up. It’s one to cherish!
1½ cups full cream milk
1 tbs golden syrup
2 cups self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ cup caster sugar
6 tbs Ovaltine powder
1 cup raisins or sultanas,
roughly chopped
Butter & golden syrup, to
serve
1. Preheat oven 160°C fan
forced. Grease and line
base and sides of a 7cm
deep, 13cm x 25cm (top
measurement) loaf pan,
allow the baking paper
to extend above the pan
edges.
2. Combine the milk and
golden syrup in a small
saucepan over medium
heat. Heat for 3-5 minutes
until the syrup has
dissolved and the milk is
lukewarm.
3. Sift the flour and
bicarbonate of soda into
a bowl. Add the sugar,
Ovaltine and raisins or
sultanas, stir to combine.
Add the warm milk mixture.
Stir gently until combined.
Stand in the bowl for 5
minutes (see Tip). Fold
Lemon
poppyseed loaf
Serves 8
Lemon glaze
1 1/3 cups icing sugar
3-4 tsp lemon juice
1. Preheat oven 160°C fan
forced. Grease and line base
and sides of a 12cm x 22cm
(top measurement) loaf
pan, allow the baking paper
to extend above the pan
edges.
2. Combine the poppy seeds
and ¼ cup of the lemon
juice in a small bowl. Stand
10 minutes to soften.
3. Combine the butter, sugar
and half the lemon rind in
a large bowl of an electric
mixer. Beat on medium-high
speed for 3-5 minutes or
until pale and creamy.
4. Add the eggs, 1 at a
time, beating well after
each addition. Fold in the
coconut and yoghurt.
5. Sift the flours together over
the batter, then gently fold
until almost combined. Add
poppyseed mixture. Stir to
combine. Spoon into the
pan. Smooth the surface.
6. Bake for 55-60 minutes or
until a skewer inserted into
the centre comes out clean.
Stand in the pan for 10
minutes then lift onto a wire
rack to cool.
7. For the glaze, sift the icing
sugar into a heatproof bowl.
Stir in enough lemon juice
for a very thick icing. Place
the bowl over a saucepan
of simmer water, stir until
the icing become warm and
runny. Quickly spoon the
glaze over the cake, sprinkle
with remaining lemon rind.
gently again, then pour the
mixture into the pan.
4. Bake for 50-60 minutes or
until a skewer inserted into
the centre comes out clean.
Stand in the pan for 10 ¼ cup (40g) poppy seeds
minutes then lift onto a wire 2 lemons, rind finely grated,
rack. Slice and serve warm juiced
with butter. Its awesome 125g butter, softened
toasted as well.
1 cup caster sugar
Tip: Allow the mixture to 3 eggs, at room temperature
stand before it goes into the ½ cup desiccated coconut
pan; this allows it to thicken ½ cup Greek-style yoghurt
slightly, so fruit won’t all fall 1 cup self-raising flour
to bottom of the pan when ½ cup plain flour
cooking. Continued on page 62
Food Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 61

Food Life
Continued from page 61
Blueberry madeira
loaf cake
Serves 8
225g butter, softened
1 cup caster sugar
Finely grated rind 2 oranges
Finely grated rind 1 lemon
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup self-raising flour
¾ cup plain flour
½ cup full cream milk
2/3 cup fresh or frozen
blueberries
Food Life
1. Preheat oven 160°C fan
forced. Grease and line
base and sides of a 12cm
x 22cm (top measurement)
loaf pan, allow the baking
paper to extend above the
pan edges.
2. Combine the butter, sugar
orange and lemon rind in a
in large bowl of an electric
mixer. Beat on medium high
speed for 3-5 minutes or
until pale and creamy.
3. Add the eggs, 1 at a time,
beating after each addition.
4. Combine the flours in a
bowl. Sift half the flours over
butter mixture. Fold until
just combined. Add half
the milk. Fold until just
combined. Repeat with
remaining flours and
milk. Gently fold in the
blueberries. Spoon mixture
into pan. Smooth surface.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes or
until a skewer inserted into
the centre comes out clean.
Stand in the pan for 10
minutes then lift onto a wire
rack. Serve warm or at room
temperature.
62 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Tasty Morsels
with Renata Gortan
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in August
New cafe ‘Bites’ back
at Winnererremy Bay
Families have been at a loss since Flying
Fox Café shut down, but The Bay Bites
has opened in its place. The space is still
being fitted out, but the bench seating
has been given a fresh coat of white
paint, the coffee is Toby’s Estate and it’s
brimming with parents, grandparents,
pets and little kids who are after a quick
treat after playing at one of the best
parks in the ’hood, which is just next
door.
Spice things up at
this new Brookie bar
Indian wine bar Bazaar & Bar opened
in Brookvale last month, with a
modern take on Indian cuisine and
spice-forward cocktails. Dine on prawn
gassi with red chilli, coconut and
tamarind; semolina crusted kingfish
collar with recheado spice and grilled
spatchcock in kali mirch butter.
Drinks have a distinctive Indian twist,
think garam masala negroni, curry
leaf gimlet and smoked jaggery old
fashioned.
Mona Vale’s new
Chinese charm
Mona Vale welcomes Cai
Garden, a Chinese restaurant
in the laneway behind Mrs
Jones where Blend café used
to be. It serves up all the old
school favourites, from beef
and black bean to prawn toast
and honey chicken to sweet
and sour pork. Its lunch deal is
a steal – $12.80 for a range of
dishes including a comforting
bowl of laksa (pictured) with
enough spice to warm you
right up.
Sunset’s seasonal
drinks for grown-ups
The vibe at Sunset Diner in Avalon is
distinctly summer, what with its palm
trees, pastel pink fit-out, epic burgers,
hot dogs and milkshakes. But winter
presents a few more reasons to visit,
seasonal hot drinks for grown-ups,
including hot toddies (pictured), mulled
wine and spiked hot chocolate. They’ll
be available throughout August, along
with a special truffle burger.
Three of a kind: Local meal delivery
When life is busy and cooking Soups by Belinda Black dishes Gut Happy Foods serves
takes a back seat, but going out up the kind of comforting soups up plant-based meals based
isn’t an option, turn towards you wish you had the energy to on founder Mansi’s Indian
locally made meal delivery
cook; the cauliflower soup has heritage. She uses her nutrition
services. These are all cooked butter beans and cavolo nero, background to supercharge
in Warriewood. Harvest Lane rice noodles are swimming in the recipes her mum cooked –
Food does small batch meals the sweet corn and chicken palak tofu, kala channa, masoor
(left), with family faves including soup; and the tomato, French dhal – to make them even more
lasagna, roast chicken enchiladas lentil and vegetable is as hearty nourishing and delicious, while
and twice-baked butter chicken. as it gets.
supporting gut health.
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 63
Tasty Morsels

Garden Life
Garden Life
Managing your garden’s plant
options in a wet or boggy soil
Managing wet or boggy
soil in the garden can
be challenging, but
with the right techniques and
plant choice, you can improve
drainage, prevent plant
diseases and even turn the area
into a productive space. Even in
the driest of conditions some
areas just stay wet, this may be
due to an underground spring,
a leaky pipe, run-off from a
neighbour or a heavy soil type
such as clay.
The first question you need
to ask is: what do I want to
achieve? Do you want to dry
out the area with improved
drainage or raised beds, or as
an alternative do you accept
that it’s always going to be a
wet area and select plants that
will thrive.
Improving drainage can
be disruptive and expensive,
whether it’s by digging
trenches and installing drainage
pipes, or by building up with
raised garden beds.
In many cases, simply
selecting the right plants for
the area can create a beautiful
oasis, wildlife habitat and
help suck up excess moisture.
Natives such as Baloskion
pallens (pictured left), formerly
known as Restio, or Juncus are
wonderful choices that grow
in tight upright clumps and
thrive in wet conditions. Some
Banksias, such as Banksia
robur (above) in particular
and Banksia ericifolia will
tolerate and even thrive in wet
conditions. If you are looking
for a small to medium tree that
will tolerate wet feet, many of
the Melaleucas (paperbarks) or
Callistemons are a great choice.
Planting natives that can
tolerate these wet conditions
will not only help dry up excess
moisture, it will also create
habitat for wildlife such as
frogs, lizards, insects and birds.
Native Bonsai
Traditional bonsai is deeply
rooted in Japanese and earlier-
Chinese horticultural art. Over
centuries, certain plant species
have proven particularly wellsuited
due to their small leaves,
aesthetic bark, slow growth and
tolerance for pruning. Conifers
such as Junipers and Japanese
Black Pine as well as deciduous
trees like maples and elms have
long been used for centuries to
create beautiful Bonsai trees.
Bonsai likely arrived in
64 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991

Compiled by the team at
Cicada Glen Nursery, Ingleside.
Australia informally through
post-war immigration,
particularly from Japan and
China. However, it did not gain
significant traction in public
horticultural circles until the
1960s, when international
travel increased and gardening
culture boomed. The use of
Australian natives in Bonsai has
increased over this time.
Probably the most popular
and easiest Australian native
to use for Bonsai is the Port
Jackson Fig (Ficus Rubiginosa).
It’s a tough tree that can
handle some neglect but also
develops a strong thick trunk in
a relatively short time. It is an
evergreen tree that has thick,
dark green, glossy leaves that
can be successfully reduced in
size over time with the correct
pruning techniques.
The Old Man Banksia
(Banksia serrata) is another
excellent native to use for
Bonsai (below). (There is a
specimen on display at the
National Bonsai & Penjing
Collection at the National
Arboretum in Canberra that is
approximately 45 years old.)
Old Man Banksias develop fat,
gnarly trunks relatively quickly
when grown in bonsai pots or
containers. The serrated leaves
and wooder cones also add to
the visual appeal.
Melaleuca or paperbarks are
also widely used in Australian
Bonsai. They are hardy, fastgrowing
and full of character,
with features like flaky bark,
fine foliage and small flowers
that make them well-suited for
bonsai design.
All of the above-mentioned
trees are widely available at a
local native nursery and not a
huge investment if you want to
give Bonsai a go.
Rare native conifer
Much has been written and
reported about the relatively
recent discovery of the
Wollemi pine, a species of tree
long thought to be extinct
but discovered growing in
an isolated gully in the Blue
Mountains; however not many
people would have heard of
another rare Australian conifer
– the Mount Spurgeon Black
Pine.
This is an ancient species
that is incredibly rare in the
wild. The distribution is limited
with plants only found growing
on the granite-derived soils of
Mount Spurgeon and Mount
Lewis at elevations of 1000-
1200m; consequently it has
been included in the Rare or
Threatened Australian Plants
(ROTAP) list. Although found
naturally in the wet tropics, it
can be grown successfully in
sub-tropical and cooler districts
including Canberra, Sydney or
Melbourne. It will also tolerate
low light or shade, making it an
interesting indoor plant.
The Mount Spurgeon Black
Pine (right) is a slow-growing
ornamental that has bushy fernlike
foliage. It will eventually
(over many years) reach a
height of 8-10m but can be
also hedged and pruned to the
desired height. This is one tree
that will not get away from you
in terms of fast growth.
An under-utilised native tree
that has loads of horticultural
potential. While hard to find
they are available at our Cicada
Glen Nursery on the Northern
Beaches.
Garden Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2025 65

Garden Life
Garden Life
Your to-do list
for August…
Winter may seem like a quiet
time in the garden, but it
offers some benefits for both
plants and gardeners. In Sydney,
the cooler temperatures and
slower growth allows existing
and new plants to rest, recover
and establish themselves in
the garden, while giving us
gardeners a chance to tidy up,
improve soil health and plan
for Spring. Reduced heat and
humidity usually mean less
pests, diseases and weeds, as
well as keeping the soil moist.
Fallen Leaves
Some gardens, particularly with
deciduous trees like Frangipani,
Crepe Myrtles, Hydrangea, Acer
and Liquidamber, can drop lots
of leaves through Winter. If your
green bins are full and would
prefer to use them in another
way to benefit your garden, you
can; make leaf mulch – rake up
fallen leaves shred them and
spread around the garden beds
and base of trees or add them
to compost – mix dry leaves
into your compost as a ‘brown’
carbon-rich layer.
Planting
Winter in Sydney is generally
mild. This allows us to plant
a wide variety of cool-season
vegetables, herbs and other
ornamental plants. In general
Winter is our favourite time to
plant ornamentals. The mild
temperatures and higher rainfall
give your plant time to establish
themselves before the warmer
weather and the faster growth.
Some Winter favourites include
spinach, silverbeet, kale and
other leafy greens. Brassicas
like broccoli, cauliflower and
cabbage. Root and allium
veggies like garlic, onion, carrot
and beetroot.
Weeding
There are always weeds
to remove, even in Winter!
Some species like Poa annua
will only pop up during the
colder months. Most will grow
year-round but significantly
slow down this time of year.
Removing them now will help
prevent early seeding and
reduce the spring germination
rates for the months to come.
Winter pruning
Now is a great time to prune
some dormant or deciduous
trees. Pruning during this time
of year can encourage healthy
growth in spring, improve plant
structure and help prevent
disease. Fertilising after pruning
will give your plants that extra
boost to help encourage healthy
new growth come spring.
Sharpen & clean tools
Cleaning and sharpening your
gardening tools are essential
for several reasons – both for
your tools and your plants.
Dirty tools can carry fungi,
bacteria and viruses from one
plant to another. Cleaning your
tools after use helps prevent
contamination. Use a wire
brush with disinfectant to scrub
off any sap, bacteria, rust and
plant matter. Sharpen blades
with a sharpening stone or
specialised sharpener; this
will ensure cuts are clean,
reducing plant tissue damage
and disease. Using WD-40 or
a similar can help prevent rust
and help lubricate.
Prepare for Spring
Think ahead and start planning
out your vegetable garden bed
for Spring. Start by clearing
dead plant material, weeds and
debris left from Winter crops.
Loosen soil with a garden fork
this helps with aeration and
drainage. Mix in organic matter
like compost or manure to
enrich the soil and encourage
microorganisms. Check pH as
this may help determine which
manure to use or any other
actions to take.
Weed of the Month
Crofton Weed (Ageratina
adenophora) is an erect,
perennial multi-stemmed shrub
around 1-2m tall (above). It
grows and spreads rapidly and
can quickly become a nuisance
for our gardens and local
bushland/parks. It is poisonous
to horses, outcompetes native
plants, reduces habitat and food
for native animals and reduces
crop yields.
It is native to Mexico and was
introduced into Australia as an
ornamental garden plant in the
early 1900s. It is now found all
along our east coast and is one
of the more prevalent weeds.
Best method of control for
residential gardens is manual
removal. Pull out before the
plant goes to flower and
dispose of properly – especially
flowers and seed heads. Also
important to follow up on and
check if any seedlings appear.
For larger patches or areas
where manual removal is not
efficient, chemical control is
also a useful treatment method.
Crossword solution from page 58
Mystery location: AVALON
66 AUGUST 2025
The Local Voice Since 1991