Pittwater Life August 2018 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991 

TO YOUR 

AUGUST 2018 

FREE 

pittwaterlife 

HEALTH... 

BEACHES HOSPITAL 

‘GREEN STAR’ FIRST 

FLOOD OF 

COMPLAINTS 

THE PLANNING 

DECISION THAT 

‘MAKES NO SENSE’ 

MATT BURKE 

WALLABIES GREAT 

KICKS NEW GOALS 

B-LINE U-TURN 

SO WHAT IS NEXT 

TRANSPORT FIX? 

TASTE 

OF THE 

BEACHES 

+ AMAZING CLUB FOOD!

Editorial 

‘Slingshot’ rises from ashes 

In a remarkable piece 

of timing given the 

cancellation of the B-Line 

extension to Newport, 

Pittwater Life can reveal that 

a new charter bus service 

is set to trial in August, 

conveying 40 city workers 

non-stop from Newport to 

the CBD and back each day, 

saving the participants more 

than 40 minutes’ travel time 

each day. 

Slingshot – Chartered 

Commute is the brainchild 

of Bilgola Plateau resident 

Tyson Rose; he has called for 

expressions of interest to fill 

a privately chartered bus, 

with the results set to 

determine the ongoing 

viability of the route. 

The first trial will run 

between Newport Beach 

Surf Club and the CBD each 

day in the week commencing 

13th August, leaving Newport 

7.45am (pulling into Wynyard 

8.45am) and departing 

Wynyard 5.45pm (arriving 

Newport 6.45pm). 

Best of all the trial costs 

just $46 for a weekly pass. 

There is also an early bird 

discount of an additional 15% 

if people book before the end 

of July (while stocks last). 

Tyson is also keen to hear 

from locals about other 

potential routes. 

More info bit.ly/Slingshot_ 

Bookings. (And read Tyson’s 

full story and revolutionary 

vision for local transport 

in next month’s issue of 

Pittwater Life.) 

* * * 

Community group Protect 

Pittwater is still keen 

to hear from residents who 

would like to recall their 

memories of Mona Vale 

Hospital, to create a record 

for posterity – and they would 

particularly like to hear from 

anyone born in the hospital. 

For more info phone 0439 

788 867. 


AUGUST 2018 3

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Email: 

info@pittwaterlife.com.au 

Website: 

www.pittwaterlife.com.au 

Publisher: Nigel Wall 

Managing Editor: Lisa Offord 

Graphic Design: CLS Design 

Photography: iStock / Staff 

Contributors: Rosamund 

Burton, Gabrielle Bryant, Matt 

Cleary, Brian Hrnjak, Jennifer 

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Vol 28 No 1 

Celebrating 27 years 


TO YOUR 

HEALTH... 

BEACHES HOSPITAL 

‘GREEN STAR’ FIRST 

FLOOD OF 

COMPLAINTS 

THE PLANNING 

DECISION THAT 

‘MAKES NO SENSE’ 

AUGUST 2018 

FREE 

pittwaterlife 

MATT BURKE 

WALLABIES GREAT 

KICKS NEW GOALS 

B-LINE U-TURN 

SO WHAT IS NEXT 

TRANSPORT FIX? 

TASTE 

OF THE 

BEACHES 

+ AMAZING CLUB FOOD! 

16 

30 

42 

WALKERS 

WANTED 

To deliver Pittwater Life 

once a month. 

Permanent and casual runs 

are available now in: 

Palm Beach, Avalon, 

Newport, Mona Vale, 

Bayview & Church Point. 

EARN TOP MONEY PAID PROMPTLY! 

Email: 

pitlifewalkers@gmail.com 

thislife 

COVER: With the B-Line extension to Newport scrapped, 

what’s next for transport north of Mona Vale (p7); read 

how the new Northern Beaches Hospital will help save 

the planet while also helping save lives (p10); Council 

is desperately trying to overturn a NSW Government 

Planning Panel decision for Warriewood that could see 

lives placed at risk (p16); what have we ‘Heard’ that’s 

going down locally this month (p21)?; and read about the 

Federal Government’s controversial ‘My Health Record’ 

digital database plan – and how it affects you (p54). 

COVER IMAGE: Pamela Pauline / Scotland Island. 

also this month 

Editorial 3 

Pittwater Local News 6-29 

Life Stories: Matt Burke 30-31 

Diners Clubs: Local Food Promotion 33-37 

Art Life 38-39 

Boating Life 40 

Surfing Life 42-43 

Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 44-51 

Money 52 

Law 54-55 

Trades & Services 56-58 

Showtime 59 

Food 64-66 

Gardening: Postcard from the Red Centre 68-70 

the goodlife 

Restaurants, food, gigs, travel and gardening. 

Also find our regular features on beauty, health, surfing, 

art, local history, our guide to trades and services, money, 

law and our essential maps. 

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! 

Bookings & advertising material to set for 

our SEPTEMBER issue MUST be supplied by 

FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 

Finished art & editorial submissions deadline: 

FRIDAY 17 AUGUST 

The SEPTEMBER issue will be published 

on WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 

COPYRIGHT 

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

written consent of the copyright owner. GST: All advertising rates are subject to GST. 

4 AUGUST 2018 

The Local Voice Since 1991

Gear shift after B-Li 

News 

As commuters across 

the northern end of 

Pittwater come to terms 

with the NSW Government’s 

decision to ‘tap off’ on its plan 

to extend B-Line services from 

Mona Vale to Newport, Northern 

Beaches Mayor Michael 

Regan has launched a bold 

bid to have the unused project 

funding redirected to pay for 

an east-west bus link from Dee 

Why to Chatswood. 

Other developments following 

the end of almost two 

years of uncertainty surrounding 

the controversial 

plan include: 

l Disappointed local MP Rob 

Stokes hitting out at “scaremongering” 

that contributed 

to cruelling the project; 

l Local residents’ groups demanding 

increased frequency 

of off-peak bus services 

north of Mona Vale; 

l A revelation by Transport 

for NSW (TfNSW) that the 

scope of relocating underground 

utility services at the 

proposed roundabout site on 

the corner of Neptune Road 

and Barrenjoey Road played 

a pivotal role in the Government’s 

backtracking on the 

Newport plan; 

l Commuters lighting up 

social media slamming the 

“selfish, self-interested” 

opponents of the B-Line extension 

who they say rarely 

caught bus services anyway; 

and 

l The release of Government 

artist impressions – distributed 

to community groups 

prior to the plan being 

abandoned – that show there 

would have been low-impact 

on the Newport streetscape 

(see below). 

Mayor Regan said he was 

disappointed the NSW Government 

had “given up finding a 

solution” for the extension of 

the B-Line. 

“I think if they had worked 

more closely with the community 

a compromise could have 

been found,” he told Pittwater 

Life. 

“I will be writing to the State 

Government to ask them to 

redirect the funding set aside 

for this project to create the 

desperately needed east-west 

bus link from Dee Why to 

Chatswood. 

“We know this five-stop 

express B-Line-type service is 

affordable and with the new 

hospital about to open it’s 

more necessary than ever. 

“Now they have abandoned 

the Newport extension and 

have freed-up funds, the Government 

has no excuse not to 

push the go button.” 

Pittwater MP Rob Stokes confirmed 

additional complexities 

identified during the Neptune 

Road site investigations earlier 

this year had raised the threat 

of roadwork disruptions. 

“The reality was the complexity 

of the underground 

utility relocations, and the 

timeframes involved, simply 

weren’t practical,” Mr Stokes 

told Pittwater Life. 



ne U-turn 

However, he slammed the 

“ridiculous and misleading rumours” 

that had been spread 

around the community. 

“There was no proposal to 

build a bus terminal in Newport, 

no proposal to remove 

rows of trees, no proposal 

to construct new car parks 

and no proposal to introduce 

Clearways,” Mr Stokes said. 

“The most disappointing 

and mischievous rumour 

being peddled around the 

community was that the B-Line 

would somehow change planning 

and development rules – 

this is simply not true.” 

He said ultimately TfNSW 

had taken the time to undertake 

the necessary investigations, 

did its homework and 

listened to the community – as 

had been promised by Government 

and demanded by locals. 

“Nevertheless, I’m determined 

to see improvements to 

public transport services north 

of Mona Vale and I’m strongly 

advocating for this,” he added. 

In its statement, TfNSW 

pledged to “continue to investigate 

opportunities to improve 

existing bus services north 

of Mona Vale to align with 

demand and customer travel 

patterns between the Northern 

Beaches, Lower North Shore 

and the Sydney CBD”. 

It confirmed work will also 

continue along the corridor 

from Mona Vale to the Sydney 

Continued on page 8 

Discussion gets ‘Move’ on 

Council’s ‘Move Northern Beaches Transport Discussion Paper’ 

has entered its next phase with the release of a consultation 

report which has collated input from hundreds of surveys and 

feedback forms, community drop-ins and commuter pop ups. 

Immediate findings include that residents want better public 

transport and improved parking to get people out of their 

cars and reduce traffic congestion. 

Mayor Michael Regan said the Northern Beaches transport 

strategy would go to Council for endorsement to be released 

for further consultation in late August. 

“We know traffic and transport are number one concerns 

for our community so it is fantastic to be engaging with our 

residents on these issues so we have a collective vision for our 

future,” Cr Regan said. 

“Sitting in traffic makes us all frustrated and we really 

need a robust plan for how we will manage our roads and 

transport now but also in 10 and 20 years.” 

Key themes from the consultation included calls for: 

l A better integrated transport that includes more frequent 

and reliable public transport – including late at night; 

l Better public transport connections to Chatswood and 

Macquarie Park; 

l Improved ‘Park and Ride’ options – especially as B-Line 

parking is often full; 

l Increased numbers of safe off-road paths for cyclists and 

pedestrians; 

l Dedicated Bus Lanes and Clearways; 

l Bike carriage spaces on buses (identified by young people); 

l More feeder buses to and from the B-Line; 

l Well-designed urban development which takes traffic impacts 

into account; and 

l Increased dedicated motorcycle parking. 

News 



News 

Continued From page 7 

CBD to manage traffic, reliability 

of buses and support the 

new B-Line bus services. 

More than 3,200 new weekly 

services to the Northern Beaches 

Bus Network kicked off last 

November; these included the 

introduction of a new, highfrequency 

199 service between 

Palm Beach and Manly, additional 

E88 services between 

Avalon Beach and Wynyard, 

additional 191 and 192 services 

linking Avalon Beach, 

Clareville and Bilgola Plateau, 

a new E54 route between Mona 

Vale and Milsons Point, additional 

E60 services between 

Mona Vale and Chatswood, additional 

156 services between 

McCarrs Creek and Mona 

Vale, additional E85 services 

between Warriewood Valley 

and Wynyard and additional 

E83 services between Elanora 

Heights and Wynyard. 

But local residents groups 

remain unimpressed. 

Palm Beach & Whale Beach 

Association (PBWBA) President 

Dr Richard West said the 

group’s policy was that there 

should be an express bus 

service from Palm Beach to the 

city, with limited stops every 

half hour. 

“This will give the residents 

of North Pittwater the same 

direct services as the rest of 

the residents of the Northern 

Beaches – they should not 

be forced to change buses or 

drive to Mona Vale,” he said. 

The Newport Residents 

Association (NRA), which 

opposed the extension of the 

B-Line to Newport, said the 

decision to scrap the plan was 

“great news for the communities 

from Newport to Palm 

Beach”. 

The results of an online 

survey undertaken by the 

NRA showed 85% opposition 

(from 250 respondents) to the 

Newport extension. 

“Since mid-2016 when the 

NRA first came to hear about a 

possible extension the association 

considered the benefits 

and detriments of any extension 

and considered that the 

downsides far outweighed the 

upsides,” said NRA President 

Gavin Butler. 

“TfNSW comments that they 

have listened to the community 

– whether that is the 

whole story is irrelevant as the 

outcome is what the community 

has been saying for over 

two years. 

“Our next objective is to 

improve the bus services for 

all communities north of Mona 

Vale, which have been degraded 

since the introduction 

of the B-Line – especially in 

non-peak hours – and we have 

been advised that new timetables 

are to be announced in 

September.” – Nigel Wall 

In Brief… 

n TfNSW presented a draft 

concept to construct a 

roundabout at the intersection 

of Neptune and Barrenjoey 

Roads in October 2017. 

n The proposal also included 

two B-Line bus stops at 

the existing northbound 

and southbound stops on 

Barrenjoey Road at Newport 

shops, and a southbound 

B-Line stop on Barrenjoey 

Road near Newport Beach at 

the existing bus stop site. 

n Consultation was 

undertaken with customers, 

residents and community 

groups in October 2017. 

n Feedback received from the 

community and stakeholders, 

along with additional 

complexities identified 

during the site investigations 

undertaken earlier this year, 

saw TfNSW review options. 

n B-Line services are no 

longer proposed to extend to 

Newport and the construction 

of a roundabout at the corner 

of Neptune and Barrenjoey 

Roads will not proceed. 



News 

Saving lives – and the planet 

The new Northern 

Beaches Hospital has 

achieved a best practice 

rating for sustainability, setting 

the scene for it to become 

a world-class healing environment. 

The hospital at Frenchs 

Forest will be the first 4 

Star Green Star – Healthcare 

Design & As Built-certified 

hospital in NSW. 

Designed and constructed 

and managed by Healthscope 

under contract with the NSW 

Government, the nine-storey, 

488-bed hospital will provide 

care for both public and 

private patients when it opens 

in October. 

Responsible for maintaining 

the facility’s green credentials 

is Northern Beaches 

Hospital Director of Operations 

and Pittwater local Pat 

Taurins. 

“We applied for the 4 Star 

Green Star rating because 

there are so many links 

between the quality of your 

environment and healing and 

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: The new 

hospital’s rating is a NSW first. 

well-being,” Mr Taurins told 

Pittwater Life. 

“It’s a lengthy process and 

a great deal of work involved 

but Healthscope feels very 

passionately about creating 

the best environment possible 

for patients, staff, volunteers 

and visitors.” 

Administered by the Green 

Building Council of Australia 

(GBCA), Green Star assesses 

the sustainable design, 

construction and operation 

of buildings, fit outs and 

communities. 

The assessment covers nine 

areas: management; indoor 

environment quality; energy; 

transport; water; materials; 

waste; land use and ecology; 

and emissions. From this an 

overall rating is formulated – 

the GBCA’s 4 Star Green Star 

rating represents Australian 

best practice. 

The hospital project team 

has been working to achieve 

the rating from the outset developing 

and following a comprehensive 

plan and tracking 

and monitoring commitment 

to operational sustainability. 

As a result, the CBCA says 

the hospital is projected to 

achieve a 55% reduction in 

greenhouse gas consumption 

when compared to a benchmark 

building. 

During construction, 80 per 

cent of waste was diverted 

from landfill and repurposed, 

while environmentally sustainable 

materials have been 

used throughout to improve 

the quality of the indoor 

environment. 

Constructed using responsibly 

sourced steel, concrete, 

PVC and joinery and non-toxic 

paints and adhesives, the 

hospital has been designed to 

maximise patient, staff and 

visitor comfort and health. 

Within the hospital, patients, 

staff and visitors will 

benefit from high levels of 

natural light, indoor air quality, 

quality lighting, careful 

acoustic design to minimise 

noise, spectacular views and 

easy access to green outdoor 

spaces featuring native plants. 

The hospital’s “hi-performance” 

façade minimises 

heating and cooling power 

consumption and high-tech 

systems (such as a Co-Gen 

system, which generates 

electricity from gas and using 

waste heat for heating) 

employed to increase energy 

efficiency. 



‘G’ IS FOR GREEN STAR: NB Hospital’s Director of Operations Pat Taurins. 

Other smart energy strategies 

include optimising the 

orientation of buildings to 

minimise unnecessary heat 

from the sun and setting up 

an extensive electricity and 

water metering and reporting 

system to track and manage 

consumption. 

High efficiency fittings 

and equipment have been 

installed throughout – even 

the $3.5 million worth of 

sterilising equipment was selected 

with the environment 

in mind. 

“The washers save 30 litres 

of water per load, over a year 

that’s 50 Olympic sized pools 

worth of water that can be 

used to water the landscaping 

around the hospital,” Mr 

Taurins added. 

Internationally recognised 

advocate and change agent for 

sustainability and outstanding 

member of the Pittwater 

community who also happens 

to be the CEO of the Green 

Building Council of Australia, 

Romilly Madew, described the 

hospital’s 4 Star Green Star 

certification as a “tremendous 

achievement”. 

“When it starts operating, 

Northern Beaches Hospital 

will be a leading sustainable 

healthcare facility,” Ms Madew 

said. 

She said having such a 

facility in her local area was 

“fantastic”. 

“It illustrates to the community 

that government has 

committed to sustainability 

leadership and take not only 

their care but costs seriously,” 

she said. 

“With three active kids I 

have had my fair share of 

trips to hospital… and not 

just from those experiences I 

know how important it is that 

we design these buildings to 

be great places to be in. 

“No-one wants to be in a 

hospital, so let’s make sure 

we make them as good as we 

can, both to get out as fast 

as we can, but also to make a 

difficult time less so.” 

Ms Madew explained investments 

in improved energy 

and water performance lower 

operating costs resulting 

in more money that can be 

directed to patient care. 

“There is more than two decades 

of compelling evidence 

demonstrating that green design 

not only makes hospitals 

more energy-efficient – it also 

has huge benefits for patients, 

medical staff, general staff, 

visitors and the wider community,” 

she said. 

There is also evidence 

green design can help reduce 

hospital stays and improve 

patient outcomes. 

Ms Madew referred to 

research from the World 

Green Building Council which 

showed that incorporating 

green design in hospital 

infrastructure could deliver 

an 8.5% reduction in hospital 

stays, 15% faster recovery 

rates, a 22% reduction in the 

need for pain medication and 

an 11% reduction in secondary 

infections. 

For staff, a green hospital 


News 



News 

GP urges ‘opt out’ of digital health record 

Newport GP Dr Julian Northover 

has warned locals to 

do their due diligence before 

deciding to remain part of the 

Federal Government’s new ‘My 

Health Record’ – which automatically 

stores individuals’ 

personal health information in 

a massive digital database and 

places the onus on people to 

‘opt out’ of the program rather 

than gain their approval to 

participate. 

A passionate opponent, Dr 

Northover said there were 

numerous reasons why he had 

already opted out (the window 

triggered July 16 and runs 

through October 15). 

“I did not feel I could trust 

the government My Health Record 

(‘MyHR’) with my personal 

health information which I 

disclosed in confidence to my 

local doctor,” Dr Northover told 

Pittwater Life. 

“Nor did I feel I could trust 

the government to not change 

the rules about access to my 

health data in the future; the 

government’s refusal to delete 

our records if requested once 

they are created; the 900,000- 

plus health providers and 

administrators with access 

rights to MyHR; the 100,000- 

plus ‘venerable’ 

computers accessing 

MyHR; the 

sharing / cross 

match of records 

by many government 

departments 

without my knowledge 

or consent; 

the potential to 

use MyHR to deny 

/ reduce access to 

health insurance or 

life/income insurance; 

and the use of MyHR in 

any judicial process through 

subpoena.” 

Dr Northover said other concerns 

included the potential 

use of MyHR to limit employment 

prospects through 

‘authorised releases’. 

“There’s also the linking of 

MyHR to other family members 

and peers, as well as to 

newer big data tools including 

artificial intelligence which 

will further interrogate our 

OPPOSED: Dr Northover. 

records,” he said. 

“I do not feel that MyHR is 

a prudent thing for society, 

where we are at the cusp of 

storing genetic 

information as 

part our patient 

records. 

“Alarmingly, I 

did not feel that 

MyHR had been 

explained to me 

– especially the 

costs and risks – in 

sufficient detail 

(including through 

my role as a ‘IT 

literate’ general 

practitioner). 

“And I did not feel that 

MyHR will add substantially to 

my clinical care as a patient – 

nor did I feel that the minimal 

patient benefits of emergency 

presentations and allergies 

justified what we are signing 

up to.” 

Dr Northover said anyone 

old enough to remember the 

‘Australia Card’ proposal 

would recall the debate it 

created and the way it was 

“watered down” to the creation 

of Tax File Numbers. 

“Now we live in a newer 

digital age where the level of 

interrogation of big data for 

government and corporate use 

will far exceed anything we 

can imagine today.” 

He said he did believe however 

that further efficiencies 

in healthcare information were 

required to help better manage 

care and its costs – but that the 

current format “signs us and 

our children to a more onerous 

and less-forgiving future”. 

“This will become a bigger 

story in the media as people 

become aware of what they 

are getting pushed into,” he 

said. “Let’s ‘opt out’ for a better 

discussion… and while you’re 

at it, the kids too!” 

More info can be found at 

‘For Sale – Your Privacy and 

Your Health Data’ at privacy. 

org.au; also read the Australian 

Medical Association’s view 

ama.com.au/gp-network-news/ 

my-health-record 

* What it means – read Jennifer 

Harris’ law column p54. 



Book Review 

On the 

Right Track 

by Penelope Janu 

Mira, $29.99 

If you fell in love with the 

hunky Norwegian Naval 

Captain, Per Amundsen, 

in Avalon-based Penelope 

Janu’s debut novel, In At 

the Deep End, wait till you 

catch up with his brooding 

diplomat/spy brother, Tor, 

in her latest novel. 

This time Janu swaps 

Avalon and the surf, 

for country and horses. 

Golden Saunders carries a serious riding injury, 

and an even greater family scandal on her shoulders. 

When Tor Amundsen brings allegations of her father’s 

race-fixing and money laundering to her quiet farm life, 

she is forced to cooperate with his investigation by her 

powerful politician stepfather. 

Try as she might to fight a growing attraction, and the 

potential Tor has to up-end her life, his way with animals 

and children threatens to melt her heart. Did I mention he 

is also very handsome? A well-written romantic treat for 

readers. 

Penelope Janu will be sharing her writing journey 

at Beachside Bookshop’s Sunday Salon on Sunday 12 

August. Call 9918 9918 for info. 

News 



News 

New CEO’s engagement promise 

New Northern Beaches 

Council CEO Ray Brownlee 

says he has made it his 

mission to improve the organisation’s 

customer service 

and the way it communicates 

and engages with residents, 

businesses and visitors. 

Mr Brownlee, who was appointed 

on July 17 following 

a three-month recruitment 

process, told Pittwater Life 

he was attracted to apply for 

the position on the beaches 

as it married with his most 

recent experience heading 

up Randwick City Council in 

Sydney’s east (a role he held 

from 2004). 

“My experience in senior 

executive roles in local government, 

focus on customer 

service and financial management, 

and the leadership 

and motivation of a diverse 

workforce in a coastal urban 

environment, were attributes 

that aligned with the direction 

of the Northern Beaches 

Council,” he said. 

“The Northern Beaches 

Council has the size and 

capacity to deliver the economies 

of scale to achieve the 

financial savings and benefits 

to the community from the 

merger process. 

“I am very excited to work 

with the Mayor and Councillors 

to build on the successes 

of Council. As the CEO, and 

with our staff, we will deliver 

high quality services and 

facilities to our community.” 

Mr Brownlee has more than 

30 years’ experience in local 

government. Married with 

two children and a 14-monthold 

grandson, he currently resides 

outside of the Northern 

Beaches. 

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael 

Regan said Mr Brownlee 

“ticked all the boxes”. 

“He has an incredible 

breadth of experience, a real 

focus on customer service 

and delivery and is an exceptional 

financial manager,” Cr 

Regan said. 

“His proven track record was 

acknowledged in 2015 when he 

was awarded a Public Service 

Medal for outstanding public 

service in an executive role. 

“He is extremely highly 

regarded, with demonstrated 

ability to influence all levels 

of government. 

“Plus he is very down to 

earth, genuine and peoplefocused 

– he will be a great fit 

for our community.” 

Mr Brownlee was also the 

driving force behind the coordination 

of partnerships with 

public and private entities 

which enabled the securing 

of transformational infrastructure 

development for 

metropolitan Sydney and the 

greater eastern suburbs such 

as the CBD and South East 

Light Rail project (currently 

under construction). 

Mr Brownlee commences a 

five-year contract on October 1. 

– Nigel Wall 

5THINGS 

THIS MONTH 

Pack birthing kits. Zonta 

Club of Northern Beaches and 

Barrenjoey High School are 

organising a day to pack Birthing 

Kits for women in developing 

countries. All members of the 

community invited to help 

assemble the kits containing 

six simple items on Sat 18 from 

1-4pm. A donation of $3 buys 

the materials for one kit and the 

training program for its delivery. 

Contact Margaret on 0416 182 

393 or marg.white@me.com to 

register your interest. 

Free stay at YHA. Spend two 

mornings on the weekend of 

August 24-26 helping to remove 

weeds in the beautiful Ku-ringgai 

Chase National Park and 

be rewarded with two nights 

accommodation, two days 

of meals (morning teas, BBQ 

lunches and evening dinners) and 

kayak use at the award-winning 

Pittwater Youth Hostel. All you 

will need is a $20 contribution. 

Contact Pittwater@yha.com.au or 

9999-5748 to register interest. 

Car boot sale. Pittwater High 

School will be full of great stuff 

for sale on Sun 5 from 7.30am- 

1.30pm with bargains for buyers, 

sausage sizzles, drinks and more. 

Eco textile workshop. 

Young folk (12-18) are invited 

to join in a 6-week course with 

local textile artist Ivana Taylor 

to learn how to up-cycle textile 

waste. Participants will learn 

traditional techniques including 

Japanese Boro stitching, Indian 

Kantha stitching and a variety 

of contemporary ways to curate 

and re-purpose fabric scraps to 

create textile pieces. Thursdays, 

5-7pm from Aug 9 to Sept 13 

at Warringah Mall Library. Cost 

$30; info 9942 7999. 

Make herbal home 

remedies. This workshop in 

Avalon on Sat 18 from 10am-1pm 

is for anyone wishing to learn 

about simple and natural home 

remedies for the colder months. 

The workshop will be presented 

by Julie Gundlach, who has 

more than 20 years’ experience 

in many areas of health and 

wellbeing. See the Permaculture 

Northern Beaches website for 

more info. 



A flood of 

complaints 

Special report by Nigel Wall 

News 

Northern Beaches Council 

has launched a last-ditch 

legal bid to overturn a 

controversial decision to approve 

development on floodprone 

land at Warriewood. 

It comes as flood expert and 

former general manager of Pittwater 

Council Angus Gordon 

slammed the determination 

of the Sydney North Planning 

Panel – chaired by former NSW 

Liberal leader Peter Debnam – 

which he said could put lives 

at risk and create a future massive 

clean-up with ratepayers 

left to foot the bill. 

Further, local MP Rob Stokes 

has made representations to 

Minister for Planning Anthony 

Roberts to highlight the ramifications 

of the panel’s July 4 

decision to amend the Pittwater 

Local Environmental Plan, 

which will allow the owner of 2 

Macpherson Street, Warriewood 

to build 22 dwellings on the site 

adjoining the new $6 million 

Macpherson St Bridge. 

The bridge was planned and 

constructed to help manage 

flooding upstream from Ingleside; 

it opened last December. 

At an extraordinary meeting 

on July 17, Council resolved to 

seek urgent legal advice as to 

the prospects of overturning 

the decision, as well as write to 

the Planning Minister expressing 

concern in view of the flood 

risk and formally request the 

plan not be made. 

Mayor Michael Regan told 

Pittwater Life that flooding 

in Warriewood Valley was a 

serious issue, in part because 

of the difficulty in evacuating 

people when floods occur with 

little warning. 

“It is clear that the current 

framework doesn’t appropriately 

deal with the risk of largescale 

flooding and Council and 

the community are left to deal 

with the risks,” he said. 

Angus Gordon is a Civil 

Engineer who holds a Masters 

Degree in Coastal and Water 

Engineering; he has more than 

40 years’ experience in flood 

issues and management, and is 

a former Manager of the Manly 

Hydraulics Laboratory, which 

specialises in water issues 

including flood management. 

Mr Gordon said the Macpherson 

Street site, set up as a 

“buffer” zone in the 20-year 

Warriewood Valley housing 

strategy, had more than a 

century of history of being 

severely impacted by flooding. 

Photo: Angus Gordon 

“In the mid-1990s detailed 

flood studies confirmed this, 

as have more recent refinements 

of these flood studies,” 

he said. “I have personally 

observed the site significantly 

flooded on four occasions and 

have made several written representations 

on the significant 

flooding of the site, both as GM 

of the former Pittwater Council 

and as a community member.” 

Graphic photos he took of a 

major flooding event in 2013 

(below) illustrate the danger to 

the community. 

“It ends up being the volunteers 

such as the SES who have 

to risk their lives because of 

these thoughtless decisions, 

and the rest of the community 

that have to pick up the cost,” 

he said. “It makes no sense.” 

“The developer bought the 

land knowing it was flood 

prone and zoned with a zeroyield 

potential. Any reasonable 

professional should have 

simply pointed this out to the 

developer, just as Pittwater 

Council did in the past.” 

Mr Gordon said the panel 



Photo: All Sky Drones / Jay Platt 

PUSH TO OVERTURN: Flood issues expert Angus Gordon stands on the Macpherson Street Bridge at Warriewood; the land adjacent has been given the 

all-clear to be developed for housing despite still representing a major flood risk. OPPOSITE: The site during the most recent flooding event in 2013. 

had erred by using a ‘1:100 

years’ flood level to arrive at 

its conclusion of “extremely 

low probability of the Probable 

Maximum Flood Event” – this 

he said was using “old world 

terminology”. 

“The inquest following the 

1997 Thredbo disaster made it 

quite clear that it was inappropriate 

to use criteria such 

as the 1% event where lives and 

property are placed at risk by 

natural hazards,” he said. 

“The Panel’s assertions in 

regard of flooding impacts on 

the site on property and life 

demonstrate the panel did not 

have the competence necessary 

to make the determination 

it made. It knowingly has 

placed lives and property in 

harm’s way – and this despite 

the State Government’s policy 

to not allow intensification of 

flood prone sites, and the more 

modern views on risk and risk 

management.” 

Mr Gordon further rubbished 

the panel’s assertion that, when 

filled so that the ground floors 

of future dwellings would be 

above the ‘Probable Maximum 

Flood Event’ height, the land 

would not materially affect 

other land around it. 

“The Panel has completely 

neglected the impact on adjacent 

properties and properties 

downstream,” he said. 

“It has been long understood 

by flood management professionals 

that filling a flood 

prone site moves the flood 

waters onto adjacent properties 

– it is like filling a bucket 

to the brim and then dropping 

in a couple of bricks; the bucket 

overflows and inundates the 

surrounding area. 

“You don’t have to be very 

bright to realise this. 

“The Panel clearly didn’t understand 

the potential adverse 

impacts of their decision on 

adjacent properties,” he continued. 

“There is an important difference 

between understanding 

the overall concepts of land use 


News 



News 

Continued from page 17 

planning and on understanding 

risk management. Clearly 

the Panel lacked the necessary 

expertise in risk management.” 

Adjacent properties and 

properties downstream are 

those that may suffer, he said. 

“The Panel should have insisted 

on an independent ‘run’ 

on the existing, sophisticated, 

computer-based flood model 

for Warriewood Valley in order 

to properly asses the impacts,” 

he continued. 

“The Flood model has been 

developed and refined over 

more than two decades and 

clearly shows the site as being 

significantly impacted. It would 

have been a simple matter to rerun 

it to properly assess the potential 

impacts of the proposed 

development on both the site 

in question and surrounding 

properties. To not insist on the 

proper, and independent, use of 

the existing flood modelling is 

simply incomprehensible.” 

Mr Gordon said there was a 

time when there was no flood 

insurance and the individuals 

impacted by floods had to simply 

“wear” the consequences. 

HISTORY OF FLOODING: The 

Macpherson Street site in 2013 

(above) and a long-time resident’s 

photo of Warriewood flooding in 

the 1940s (right). 

“Nowadays the community 

ends up wearing the costs of 

disasters whether that be 

through disaster relief funds 

from the State and Federal 

Government – which after all 

are funded through our taxes – 

or from Council funds, funded 

through our rates, or through 

insurance,” he said. 

“Many people don’t realise 

that since the insurance industry 

introduced flood insurance 

(under political pressure), both 

the industry and government 

realised that the burden of 

flood insurance premiums 

were often too great on the 

individuals most impacted and 

so in order to offset this, the 

burden has been spread over 

many properties. 

“That is, many of the community 

are actually subsidising 

the insurance premiums 

of flood prone properties. So 

when your taxes, council rates 

and insurance premiums rise 

in the future you can thank the 

Photo: Angus Gordon & supplied 

Panel members for doing their 

bit to intensify development 

that puts lives and property 

in harm’s way in Warriewood 

Valley, and drains money out of 

your hip pocket.” 

The Planning Panel’s meeting 

lasted 31 minutes. Its determination 

noted members made 

just one site inspection – in 

April 2017, before the bridge 

was constructed. 

It noted 19 written 

submissions 

– but tellingly in 

its ‘Reasons For 

Decision’ it stated 

“there were no 

speakers from the 

community at the 

public meeting”. 

This drew the ire 

of Mayor Michael 

Regan, who told Pittwater Life: 

“I understand there were very 

few community members in attendance 

for the Panel meeting. 

I’m concerned that there is not 

enough advice or information 

making its way to our community 

before the Panel makes 

important decisions – and why 

it seems that a verbal submission 

is given more weight than 

a written one.” 



Hospital forum concern 

Hundreds of people heard of 

concerns about the future 

of hospital care in the region at 

a forum last month. 

Prominent doctor Richard 

West said NSW Government 

claims that is was retaining 

a hospital at Mona Vale when 

Northern Beaches Hospital 

opens were “fraudulent” and 

he said the new hospital would 

not be able to treat major 

trauma cases because it did not 

have neurosurgery facilities. 

“The problems are, no major 

trauma, cardiac surgery has to 

be sorted out, and it has to have 

a proper stroke unit where patients 

can be treated in a timely 

fashion,” he said. 

A resolution called on the 

NSW Government to retain 

Mona Vale Hospital in public 

hands at a minimum Level 3 

hospital with full emergency 

department; retain the main 

building; upgrade the existing 

facilities and that palliative 

care and aged care be kept. 

In response, a spokesperson 

from Northern Sydney Local 

Health District told Pittwater 

Life all acute healthcare 

services provided at Manly and 

Mona Vale Hospitals would be 

available at the new hospital. 

“It will also provide more 

complex healthcare than is currently 

available on the Northern 

Beaches with the potential 

to provide even more services 

in the future,” he said. 

“Mona Vale Hospital would 

continue to have an important 

role in delivering integrated 

services that complement those 

provided across the Beaches.” 

More than 250 staff will 

be employed at Mona Vale 

Hospital to provide health services 

including the urgent care 

centre, rehabilitation inpatient 

services, inpatient palliative 

care unit and geriatric evaluation 

and management unit. 

“Residents will continue to 

have access to Royal North 

Shore Hospital which is the 

major adult trauma and acute 

thrombolysis and clot retrieval 

centre for Northern Sydney 

region.” 

Mona Vale Hospital will also 

have a new ambulance station. 

News 



Dredge plea 

News 

Businesses in Palm Beach 

and across Pittwater at 

Ettalong are hoping a longterm 

solution can be found to 

the environmental issue that has 

shut down ferry services and cut 

off the two tourism destinations 

for more than two months. 

Massive sand build-up near 

Little Box Head forced the closure 

of the Ettalong Channel in 

May, with dredging required to 

clear the waterway – the second 

time in two years the channel 

has required dredging works 

to counter tidal flow deposits 

of sand. 

Ettalong Tourism & Visitor 

Information Centre 

administrator at Ettalong 

Diggers, Kim Cole, said 

the southern-tip Central 

Coast community was 

desperate for the dredging 

to begin and the 

ferry service to resume, to 

arrest a significant downturn 

in business. 

“It is imperative for the 

survival of small business 

in our region which is the 

lifeblood of our community,” 

Ms Cole said. 

“The wharf closure has had 

a significant financial impact, 

with many highlighting a big 

drop-off in trade – it has also 

had a big effect on commuters, 

tradies and students attending 

Northern Beaches schools.” 

Wolfgang Zichy, owner of the 

Re:Publik Cafe and Art Gallery 

on Ocean View, said the flow 

of visitors had dried up – with 

some shops reporting income 

loss of more than 50 per cent. 

“It’s the businesses that are 

in line with people walking to 

and from the ferry who are suffering 

the most,” he said. 

“Also, we hear Patonga is suffering 

from the wash around 

the wharf and beach and cars 

parked everywhere, so that no 

visitors there can find a space,” 

he said. 

Club Palm Beach general 

manager John Sinclair noted 

Palm Beach businesses had 

also been impacted. 

“Where we would normally 

CLOGGED: An aerial view showing sand build-up. 

BUSINESSES SUFFERING: The Ettalong community have rallied. 

expect to welcome 20 visitors 

to lunch, at the moment we are 

picking up maybe two or three. 

And where normally 50 to 60 

might get off the ferry at Palm 

Beach, now it’s around eight.” 

The long-term fix remains 

up in the air given an ongoing 

dispute between Central Coast 

Council and the NSW Government 

over responsibility to pay 

for the dredging. 

The Council refuses to accept 

the Government’s definition 

that it is a ‘local’ waterway 

and is demanding the Berejiklian 

Government pay 

each time the channel 

requires work. 

But the Government 

maintains that as the 

waterway does not 

contain any State-owned 

maritime structure it 

is defined as a regional 

waterway, with Council 

responsible. 

The Government has 

stumped up for the bill 

on each of the past two 

occasions, drawing on 

emergency funding; it has also 

signed a cheque for $660,000 

in new emergency funding 

– which will enable a more 

extensive dredging job this 

time around which it’s hoped 

will provide a longer window 

between incidents and allow 

the Government and Council to 

strike accord. 

In the meantime, at the Government’s 

urging, Council has 

applied for emergency assistance 

under the Rescuing Our 

Waterways program, which 

would see Government match 

contributions from Council. 

New dredging works, which 

will take approximately five to 

eight weeks, were scheduled to 

commence in late July, subject 

to weather conditions and seas. 

Meanwhile, to help “drive” 

people to Ettalong, several offshore 

businesses have banded 

together under the umbrella 

Peninsula Tourism Partners 

(PTP). 

Its first promotional campaign 

has seen the introduction 

of ‘Peninsula Dollars’ – 

distributed by accommodation 

provider Accom, the ‘dollars’ 

provide discounts and special 

deals to visitors. 

Mr Zichy said PTP would be 

working with Fantasea Ferries 

to announce further promotions 

as soon as the channel 

was reopened. 

– Lisa Offord 



Photo: Elise Lockwood 

HEARD… 

ABSURD… 

SEEN… 

Wow – what a top acting 

performance from the cast of new 

movie ‘Palm Beach’, which completed 

shooting around Pittwater last 

month. While the crew were dressed 

for July’s bitter cold, Bryan Brown, 

Jacqueline McKenzie and Richard 

E Grant battled the elements in 

beach gear. (Nice Hawaiian shirt 

and boardies!) Producers Bryan and 

Deb Balderstone, along with director 

Rachel Ward, asked Pittwater Life to 

thank the Palm Beach community 

for their warmth and support during 

the shoot. “It’s not hard to make 

paradise look like paradise,” said 

Bryan. The movie is expected to be 

released next year. 

We’re hearing Council’s ‘cold feet’ over the compulsory purchase 

of Pasadena has dropped a couple of degrees to ‘very cold’. Latest 

whisper, given a high level of community support for the iconic 

venue’s retention, is Dee Why HQ is looking at ways to buy the 

property but then utilise and manage the existing structure as a 

community resource. Top of the list is that they tip the $1 million 

funding for the new northern end arts facility into the acquisition 

kitty and rebirth Pasadena as an art gallery/creative space with 

restaurant/café. Thoughts? In other news, councilor Rory Amon, 

reacting to community sentiment, has launched a #SavePasadena campaign, complete 

with ‘Save Ferris’ style T-shirts. Amon says he’s garnered 2000 signatures supporting the 

retention of Pasadena, along with 85 per cent support on a Facebook poll. “The forcible 

acquisition is a huge financial risk and could cost Council $20 million we don’t have,” Amon 

said. Council will consider the issue further at a meeting in early August. 

The misinformation being generated within our community about local Council and 

NSW Government projects. All residents of Pittwater deserve better. Let’s do away with 

self-interest and make sure all facts are on the table. The withholding of information by 

some of our community groups and activists simply staggers us – for example, the lack 

of reference to the cheap, on-demand Keoride transport service that links suburbs to the 

B-Line. Instead we hear renewed demands for more buses out of peak hours… not exactly 

eco-friendly. 

Hospital saving 

lives and planet 


could create an environment that 

reduced stress, measurably improving 

performance and delivery of patient 

care, she said. 

“It also contributes to increased 

employee retention which correlates 

with reduced turnover, cost savings 

and ensuring smoother overall operations,” 

Ms Madew said. 

“This is really important because 

problems with staff retention are consistently 

ranked among the top five 

issues for hospitals. 

“Our doctors, nurses and hospital 

administrators are the unsung heroes 

of our community... it seems only right 

that they should have fantastic places 

in which to work.” 

Last year the GBCA hosted Gail Vittori, 

co-author of ‘Sustainable Healthcare 

Architecture’ and co-director 

of the Center for Maximum Potential 

Building Systems. 

According to Ms Vittori, when we get 

the balance right with hospitals – considering 

clinical needs, social needs 

and sustainability – we achieve a “high 

performance healing environment”. 

She also points out that sustainability 

doesn’t just mean saving energy 

and water; there needs to be a holistic 

approach taking into account factors 

such as access to natural light and 

open outdoor space – places that give a 

sense of connection. 

To ensure the facility continues to 

shoot for the stars Mr Taurins said 

“green issues” would be a big part of 

day-to-day business. 

“Management and staff throughout 

the hospital will have a role to play in 

finding smarter ways to look after our 

environment,” he said. – Lisa Offord 

News 



Pittwater News 

News 

Course to attract budding beekeepers 

The North Shore Beekeepers’ Association (NSBA) is running 

a two-day course for beekeeping beginners on Saturday 25 

August and Saturday 1 September at its Bee Garden and 

Club House in Terrey Hills. Club President Keith Pester says 

the course has been designed for complete beginners and 

is suitable for people who have or are looking to get either 

a traditional (Langstroth) or Flowhive. “Participants have 

the opportunity to get hands-on experience opening and 

inspecting a beehive,” he said. The course costs $250 for the 

two days (9am to 4.30pm) including lunch. The NSBA also 

runs other events open to the public including Club Open 

Days each month (Sunday 12 August and Sunday 16 September 

from 11am to 1pm) at 1c Myoora Rd (enter at Par-3 Golf 

Course), Terrey Hills. More info and registrations nsbka.org.au. 

Dee Why RSL vaults 

gymnasts into future 

Manly Warringah Gymnastics 

Club (MWGC) has a new 

bounce in its step following 

Dee Why RSL’s latest donation 

that has enabled it to 

purchase an international 

standard competition floor. 

MWGC CEO Ian Hardy said 

the much-needed acquisition 

would allow athletes to 

train at top-tier competition 

standard for the first time, as 

well as permit the Club to host 

national level sanctioned competitions 

at their now competition 

standard gymnasium at 

Cromer. MWGC is now one of 

the largest sporting clubs on 

the Northern Beaches and one 

of the most awarded gymnastics 

clubs in NSW. They broke 

records by having 33 athletes 

selected in the 290-strong 

State team that contested the 

recent Australian Gymnastics 

Championships in Melbourne. 

Mr Hardy says the club’s objective 

was to give every member 

the opportunity to reach the 

highest level that they were capable 

of. “To one child the goal 

maybe to do a cartwheel, to 

another it maybe to become an 

Olympic champion,” he said. 

Dee Why RSL have been steady 

supporters of MWGC for more 

than a decade, donating a total 

of $115,000, with an additional 

$15,000 committed in 2018-19. 

Feel-good concert 

for human rights 

The light-hearted, uplifting, 

ad-hoc troupe of musicians 

Loosely Woven will be giving 

a free community concert in 

Avalon supporting human 

rights on Sunday August 12. 

Led by Wayne Richmond, the 

all-new ‘Feeling Good’ concert 

will feature 20 instrumentalists 

and singers presenting 

a wonderful arrangement of 

well-known songs, numbers 

that address social injustice 

and important issues and 

some original pieces all performed 

acoustically. “There 

are always lots of opportunities 

for audience participation 



in a Loosely Woven concert 

and when they do it sounds 

fantastic for all of us!,” Wayne 

said. The concert starts 

4pm at the Avalon Baptist 

Church. Afternoon tea will 

be provided with voluntary 

donations to Avalon Amnesty 

International Group defending 

human rights. More info 

kath_moody@hotmail.com or 

looselywoven.org. 

Rowing challenge for 

youth mental health 

Avalon Beach Surf Club boaties 

are hitting the rowing 

machines for 24 hours to 

raise awareness and funds 

for the charities One Eighty 

and Gotcha4Life – two groups 

focused on providing support 

to young adults and opportunities 

to openly discuss mental 

health. They are rowing for 24 

hours to highlight the fact that 

mental illness is a 24-hour-aday 

health issue and to remind 

all that there is support 24 

hours of each day too. The 

action will take place at Avalon 

Beach Surf Club, starting at 

10am on (the very apt date of) 

18/08/18. Support around the 

clock appreciated; go to avalonbeachslsc.com.au 

for more 

info and to make a donation. 

Dr Rip eyes purple 

patch at Newport 

Surf Scientist and worldrenowned 

expert Associate 

Professor Dr Rob (Rip) Brander 

from UNSW is coming to 

Newport on Sunday August 

26 with his award-winning 

visual multi-media presentation 

about our beaches. Great 

for ages 8 years and up, Dr Rip 

shows the journey each tiny 

grain of sand takes to reach 

the beach and the impact of 

massive swells that roll in 

during big storms. And the big 

highlight… he explains how 

deadly rip currents form and 

shows you how you can spot 

them by throwing dye into the 

surf. Starts 3pm. Bookings 

and more info at newportsurfclub.com.au 


News 




News 


Annabelle Chauncy @ 

RMYC Ladies Lunch 

Enjoy a two-course lunch and 

talk by inspirational leader 

Annabelle Chancy OAM the 

CEO and Founding Director 

of the not-for-profit School for 

Life Foundation which builds 

schools in rural Uganda to 

help create sustainable and 

productive communities. This 

dynamic young woman will be 

special guest at The Royal Motor 

Yacht Club’s Ladies Lunch 

Local awarded ANU 

Tuckwell Scholarship 

Congratulations to Pittwater House 

Head Boy Finlay Dennison who has 

been awarded one of 25 coveted 

Tuckwell Scholarships to study at 

the Australian National University 

in Canberra – considered the most 

transformational undergraduate 

scholarship program in Australia. 

Established by philanthropists 

Graham and Louise Tuckwell, 

the scholarship is aimed at 

young Australian leaders who 

are community-minded as well 

as academically gifted. Finlay 

is a crew member of Reach – an organisation that conducts 

youth-led workshops designed to build confidence and selfawareness. 

Proud Pittwater House Principal Dr Nancy Hillier 

described Finlay as a “great fit” for the Tuckwell program. 

on August 15 from 12pm. 

Tickets $75 members; $80 nonmembers. 

Bookings royalmotor.com.au. 

Probus delivers 

talks at coalface 

Coal is the hot topic of the next 

meeting of Pittwater Probus 

at Mona Vale Golf Club on 

Tuesday August 7. Geologist 

and mathematician Tony Osman 

will deliver his personal 

perspective on coal in Indonesia; 

during the 2000s commodities 

boom the coal mining 

industry was very lucrative as 

coal prices were comfortably 

high. Many Indonesian companies 

and wealthy families 

decided to acquire coal mining 

concessions in Kalimantan – 

thereafter coal became known 

as the “new gold”. Tony’s talk 

will be complemented by Club 

Vice President John Porter 

who will discuss “clean coal” 

in a five-minute briefing. John 

says ‘clean coal’ has been the 

‘Holy Grail’ of the fossil fuel 

industry for decades. “It is 

based on the concept of creating 

commercially viable ways 

of minimising carbon emissions 

from coal-fired electricity 

plants, which are considered to 

contribute to global warming.” 

Visitors welcome; meeting 

starts 10am. More info Geoff 

Sheppard 0437 274 074. 

WIN High Tea and 

hear of Seven Seas 

Here’s the perfect excuse to 

head to the city – the chance 

for one lucky couple to win 

a ‘High Tea’ at the Langham 

Hotel and hear about Regent 

Seven Seas Cruises, whose 

offerings are considered the 

world’s most inclusive luxury 

experiences at sea. At this 

special presentation you’ll 

learn more about the coveted 

destinations on their 2020- 

21 sailing calendar. Event is 

10am-12pm on Tuesday 4 September. 

Hosted by Travel View 

and Regent. To enter, email 

win@pittwaterlife.com.au by 

Wednesday August 21. 



U3A talk looks 

to the heavens 

A Brief History of Astronomy 

is the ‘eye-catching’ subject 

of the next University of the 

Third Age Northern Beaches 

talk at Newport Community 

Centre on Wednesday August 

1. Expert Kevin Murray will examine 

how different cultures 

through the ages have sought 

to measure and explain the 

movements of the heavens, 

while emphasising the scientific 

revolution that led to our 

modern understanding of the 

universe. Talk 1.30-3.30pm; 

all welcome. More info Mavis 

Bickerton 9970 7161. 

Kick a goal with 

local sport grants 

Sporting clubs in Pittwater 

are being urged to apply for 

funds under the NSW Government’s 

Local Sport Grant 

Program which will provide 

up to $50,000 for projects 

throughout the community. 

The four project types (sport 

development, community 

sport events, sport access, and 

facility development) aim to 

increase regular and on-going 

sport participation. Clubs 

must contribute to their chosen 

project either financially 

or through the use of voluntary 

labour, donated materials, 

equipment, or other resources 

directly related to the project. 

Applications close 24 August; 

more info sport.nsw.gov.au/ 

clubs/grants/localsport 

Love Your 

Book Shop Day 

The popular Sunday Salons 

at Beachside Bookshop have 

a packed calendar in August. 

This month’s in-store and 

library schedule includes: 

5 August – Belinda Castles, 

‘Bluebottle’ (free and in store); 

12 August – Penelope Janu, 

‘On the Right Track’ (free and 

in store); 19 August – Margaret 

Morgan, ‘The Second Cure’ 

(free and in store); and 26 August 

– Amanda Hampson, ‘The 


News 





Yellow Villa’ (at Avalon Library, 

$5). Salons held 3-4pm, including 

afternoon tea – bookings 

essential on 9918 9918. Plus 

it’s ‘Love Your Book Shop Day’ 

on Saturday 11 August and to 

celebrate BB are bringing back 

their Young Adult Book promotion 

– 11% off all teen titles 

on Saturday 11 August. And 

spend $150 in store and you’ll 

receive a bonus ‘Keep Cup’. 

News 

Girl power! Avalon Under-16s 

achieve great community goal 

A 

group of Avalon football players’ off-field conduct 

while on tour in Vanuatu last month made local news 

headlines… and for all the right reasons. Young women 

and parents from Avalon Soccer Club were praised in local 

media for their work totally refurbishing a kindergarten 

at Matarisu village in north west Efate. In a news item 

in the Vanuatu Independent, Lisa Paton explained the 

Avalon Soccer Club’s U16s women’s teams had visited the 

Pacific Island nation annually since 2012 and had always 

given something to local communities such as sporting 

equipment and school supplies. “We heard about this 

kindy which was in such a state that the kids wouldn’t 

come and the teacher left and we wanted to make it good 

enough that kids would want to come and the teacher 

would come back,” Lisa said. As the picture shows, it was 

a job well done. The sporting highlights of the 10-day 

tour included several friendly games against local village 

sides culminating in matches against Vanuatu’s national 

women’s teams in Port Vila. 

Creeks in the 

Catchment 

At the next Friends of Narrabeen 

Lagoon forum on Monday 

August 27, staff members 

from Northern Beaches 

Council will outline the works 

needed to control erosion and 

protect against flooding. They 

will give information about 

the bush regeneration projects 

in riparian zones in the catchment. 

Venue is Coastal Environment 

Centre; from 7pm. 

Take things for 

‘granted’ 

Northern Beaches Council has 

committed $550,000 to its 

Grants Programs for 2018/19 

and is encouraging the 

community to apply. The three 

grant categories cover a broad 

range of interests and sectors 

of the community including 

Community and Cultural 

Development ($240,000 total); 

Events ($210,000) and Sports 

and Recreation Infrastructure 

Grants ($100,000 available 



with a minimum grant value 

of $10,000 – last year six 

local tennis, rugby, football 

and bowling clubs were 

successfully awarded a share 

of the $100,000 grant). More 

info Council website. 

Iconic Coast Walk on 

track for completion 

More than 24km of new 

cycleways (off/on road) and 

1.7 km of the 9km of walkway 

have been completed along 

the spectacular Northern 

Beaches Coast Walk, on track 

to be finished by 2020. The 

Coast Walk from Manly to 

Palm Beach forms part of 

the Connected Communities 

Program, a $32.6 million 

infrastructure investment, 

co-funded through the NSW 

Government’s Stronger 

Communities Fund. To 

date, approximately 20% of 

the coastal path has been 

completed including sections 

at Pittwater Road Collaroy 

and Narrabeen, Robert Dunn 

Reserve Mona Vale, Mona Vale 

Golf course, The Boulevarde 

and Ross Street Newport, 

Bert Payne Reserve, Newport, 

Watkins Road Avalon Beach. 

The next focus is on North 

Narrabeen Headland Reserve 

to Robert Dunn Reserve along 

Narrabeen Park Parade and 

Hillcrest Avenue Mona Vale, 

followed by work to Whale 

Beach Road from Norma 

Road to Florida Road in early 

2019. The coastal works are 

being complemented by a 

series of connected cycling 

and walking paths at points 

along the route from Manly to 

Palm Beach. They connect the 

Coastal Walk with areas west 

to Frenchs Forest hospital 

precinct and Belrose, linking 

the B-Line transport hubs 

and services to these areas. 

Further works are also underway 

at missing sections along 

Pittwater Road Collaroy and 

Narrabeen (to be completed in 

September); Hillcrest Avenue 

Mona Vale (expected to be 

completed by December); 

and the design and consultation 

for Newport to Avalon 

beaches. 

That’s berry weird! 

Who doesn’t love a kooky fruit or 

vegetable shape tale? Cue reader 

Giulio Vidoni who was amazed to 

find this giant butterfly-shaped 

strawberry after opening a 

punnet he purchased at Aldi at 

Warriewood last month. Anyone 

else got one? Email readers@pittwaterlife.com.au 

Public art push 

Council is asking for community 

assistance to help make 

the Northern Beaches Coast 

Walk from Manly to Palm 

Beach a uniquely distinct local 

attraction. They’re calling for 

comment on a strategic plan 

to install public art along the 

walkway – with a budget of $2 

million for pieces over four 

years. The 36km walkway is 

on track for completion by 

2020 (see previous news item). 

Council is now exploring ways 

to connect people and places 

along the way through public 

art. As key themes and sites 

are identified, Council will 

create artist’s briefs to commission 

new artworks for the 

community to embrace and 

enjoy. 

For more info and to have 

your say visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 

Vet 

on 

call 

with 

Dr Ben Brown 

One of the most common 

reasons owners bring 

their pets to see our veterinary 

staff is because they have 

found a lump (or tumour) 

somewhere on their animal. 

Just like in humans, animals 

suffer from many forms of 

cancer and sometimes the 

first sign can be a lump or 

lumps that can be felt within 

the skin and fur of our pets. 

Tumours are abnormal 

growths of cells and can be 

benign (non-cancerous) or 

malignant (cancerous with 

the ability to spread) and 

therefore pose different levels 

of risk to our pet’s health. 

Fortunately, not all tumours 

on our pet’s body are 

considered a problem but it 

can be very difficult to tell 

simply based on appearance 

and location. All the various 

layers and components 

of skin and underlying 

tissues have the potential 

for developing distinctive 

tumours. Tumours are usually 

small lumps or bumps, 

but they also can occur as 

hairless, discoloured patches, 

rashes, or non-healing ulcers. 

Because skin tumours can be 

so variable in appearance, 

identifying them should be 

left to a vet who can perform 

an examination and fine 

needle aspiration of cells 

simply, easily, inexpensively 

and relatively pain-free using 

a needle and syringe or via a 

biopsy. 

If the lump or tumour 

is found to be a problem 

(malignant), we will usually 

recommend removal via 

surgery. For benign tumours 

that are not ulcerated on the 

surface and do not affect the 

dog’s quality of life, treatment 

may not be necessary. 

If you have noticed any new 

or unusual lumps on or under 

your pet’s skin it is important 

that you have these checked 

by a veterinarian. Drop in to 

see either myself or one of our 

friendly team who can guide 

you through the process. 

News 



Former Wallabies 

superstar Matt Burke 

is enjoying family 

life on the upper 

northern beaches as 

well as his transition 

to sports presenter 

for Channel 10. 

Story by Matt Cleary 

Having 

Life Stories 

a ball 

It was May of 2008 when Matt Burke 

realised his knee injury would finish 

his rugby career. Six months earlier 

while playing for Newcastle Falcons in 

the north of England he’d ruptured the 

anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee 

and was told he’d be out for the season. He 

did his best with rehab but at 34 years old, 

and a veteran of 81 Tests and 232 provincial 

matches, he was done and done. And 

pining for home. 

Because as much as he’d loved Newcastle 

– the city, the people, the mates he’d made 

playing rugby – the north of England’s 

winter can be bleak. And after so long following 

rugby seasons around the world – a 

wintry existence the opposite of surfers 

and cricketers chasing an endless summer 

– the idea of living by a beach loomed 

large. 

And so he and wife Kate began scouring 

the Internet for somewhere to live. They’d 

sold their place in Willoughby and didn’t 

have roots in any particular locale. Options 

were open… until they found a place 

on the cliff at Bungan Beach. Kate was despatched 

home to check it out. Her message 

came back: post haste: It’s home. 

They’ve been on the northern beaches 

ever since. 

“I would never have really thought I’d 

end up this way,” Burke tells Pittwater 

Life. “When I was playing rugby, Newport 

seemed a long way away! [Laughs] And it 

probably still is! But we love it here. Just 

love it.” 

After five years at Bungan, Burke’s 

growing family – which today includes 

daughters Hariette, Edie, Giselle and Zsa 

Zsa, and a cocker-spaniel called Cooper – 

moved across the hill to Newport where 

they reside today. Burke says it’s “a pretty 

cool place to live”. 

Burke was doing commentary work for 

Channel 10 during the 2013 British and 

Irish Lions series when Ten’s head of sport, 

David Barham, asked how he’d feel about 

reading the sports news. Burke was taken 

aback. He managed words to the effect of: 

“I’ve only been here five minutes, I’d feel 

like an imposter.” 

Barham replied: “If I was coach of the 

Wallabies and plucked you out of reserve 

grade, would you say to me you weren’t 

ready? Or grab it with both hands?” 

Well, when you put it like that… 

“He said it was a great opportunity and 

I could own the job,” says Burke. “It’s been 

a lot of fun. I’ve got my rugby background, 

obviously, but I’m able to cover all sports. 

And it’s led to other things. I’ve done some 

radio. It’s opened opportunities.” 

Burke looks a natural for television. 

Indeed, his mates call him Ron Burgundy. 

Yet on day one he was thrown a curve ball. 

“It was the Melbourne Cup of 2013 and 

the race was won by Gai Waterhouse’s 

Fiorente. I was never a horse racing person 

and I’d never heard of Fiorente. But I got 

the pronunciation and I’m practising 

before we went on – Fiorente, Fiorente, 

Fiorente. 

“Then Sandra Sully’s thrown to me and 

I’ve looked down the barrel of the camera 

and the little red light’s on and mate, my 

heart jumped out of my chest, my hands 

went clammy. And I couldn’t spit out 

bloody Fiorente! I was like Fonzie when he 

couldn’t say sorry! Fi-, Fi- 

“I eventually got it out and went a hundred 

miles an hour after that.” 

He’s been doing it five years since. 

“It’s a buzz, live TV. It’s good fun being 

in people’s living rooms at 5:45pm, bring- 



ing the sports news. And Sandra’s great to 

work with. We’ll be counting down to going 

live and she’ll say, ‘Hey Burkey – don’t 

stuff up – we’re going live in a sec’.” 

On weekends you’ll occasionally find 

Burke at The Newport enjoying the beer 

garden with like-minded families. He’s 

also been sampling the restaurants cropping 

up locally. And of course you’ll find 

him at the rugby. The game’s in his blood. 

Burke played for Eastwood as a young 

man and well remembers playing against 

Warringah Rats and their fearsome 

forward packs which sported such hard 

men as Steve Lidbury, Steve Temple, and 

Enrique ‘Topo’ Rodriguez. He reckons the 

Shute Shield then was almost as good a 

standard of rugby as could be played. 

“It was almost like a first-class competition,” 

according to Burke. “You’d play four 

or five games for NSW, three or four Tests 

for Australia. So you’d spend most of your 

time playing club footy against Test and 

state guys. I was only a young pup but 

playing against Lidbury and those guys, it 

was tough, hard, uncompromising. They 

were big strong guys, physically mature. It 

was a learning curve! 

“But if you went okay it gave you a sense 

that you belonged at their level. Those 

guys were playing for Australia. And if you 

could mix it up and match it, and go okay, 

it gave you belief.” 

Burke loved playing at Rat Park. Today 

he loves watching rugby there. Particularly 

the derby game, Warringah v Manly. “The 

locals are really into it. It goes to show you 

that you’ve got to light the fire at the bottom 

and the flames will go up.” 

Burke reckons what the derby game 

offers is an entertaining, fun day out with 

quality rugby sporting that important 

ingredient: “tribalism”. 

“The Shute Shield is flying and the 

rivalries have been a big part of it,” says 

Burke. “Randwick has it with Easts. There’s 

Norths and Gordon. Eastwood and West 

Harbour. And of course Manly and the 

Rats. And those games have really hooked 

people in. It’s been exceptional. The last 

couple of years the grand final has been an 

overwhelming success. Last year at North 

Sydney Oval was outstanding.” 

For Burke, the beauty of club rugby is 

its accessibility. He loves taking his kids to 

games and admires how the Rats encourages 

juniors. “They have gala days and it’s 

just good fun, a good initiation for the little 

fellahs into the big boys, the next level. 

It gives kids that little taste. It’s smart. 

“After a match you can hang around the 

players. During the game kids can practise 

their tackling on the hill, roll down it. 

When a big hit goes up the crowd goes up. 

When they don’t agree with the referee 

they speak their mind. That’s what club 

rugby is all about.” 

Burke recalls a match against Eastern 

Suburbs one year at Woollahra Oval that 

illustrates his point. “The rope there at 

Woollahra was five metres back from the 

sideline, like it was at most grounds,” he 

says. “The people in the crowd felt like 

they were right on you. And there I was 

doing my thing at fullback, barking orders 

at the forwards – go here, go there, move 

up, go back – when a bloke on the sideline 

yells out, “Burke! Bloody pipe down! I’m 

trying to watch the game and you’re ruining 

my afternoon!’ 

“[Laughs] And that’s the beauty again 

of club footy. Spectators can hear all that 

stuff, the chat. It’s the same for players; 

they get a buzz out of the crowd being so 

close.” 

As does Burke to his beach at Newport. 

“The beach is a couple hundred metres 

away from our house, which is great,” he 

says. “The irony is you go away on holiday, 

you go to Bali or Fiji or whatever, and you 

come back to the beach and think, ‘Why’d 

I go there when I have this here? It’s magic. 

It’s a walk away.’ 

“And the locals are great. My daughters 

were laughing at me the other day, we 

walked the dog, they were on bikes. And 

my little one says, ‘Dad, everyone around 

here knows you’. And I told her everyone 

knows everyone. That’s the great part 

about it. You walk down the beach and 

have a conversation with anyone. You’re 

deemed a local.” 

Life Stories 


CLOCKWISE FROM 

OPPOSITE: With daughters 

Giselle, 8, and Zsa Zsa, 7 

at Newport Oval; on the 

Swilcan Burn at St Andrews 

GC; with the future King of 

England after representing 

the Barbarians in 2006; 

celebrating his 50th Test 

cap in 2001; his final Test 

on Australian soil in 2004; 

the junior long jumper 

representing Hornsby 

Little Athletics; showing his 

renowned goal-kicking form. 


DINERS CLUBS 

Our local clubs have always 

held a reputation for 

offering good value food. But 

increased competition from 

the next gen of restauranteurs 

has seen them step up 

a gear. The result? More 

sophistication, more variety 

on the menu. But still with 

the same great value. The 

traditional ‘Specials’ remain 

– although in addition, the 

chefs (some Michelin Star, no 

less!) have created dishes that 

are ‘extra special’. Great for 

friends, families or couples. 

Here we present the pick of 

our local Clubs’ offerings. 

Compiled by Lisa Offord 

Special Local Promotion 

SEAFOOD PIE: Dee Why RSL. 




Avalon Beach RSL 

Recently reinvigorated, this venue boasts a range of offerings and 

activities for members and guests of all demographics. Its restaurant 

Bistro 61 is open 7 days, offering honest, house-made modern 

Australian cuisine with relaxed alfresco seating available. All produce 

is locally sourced where possible and the menu changes seasonally. 

There’s also a large playground just for kids. There are two bars 

over two levels with 20 beers on tap, an extensive wine selection 

and creative cocktails. Head Chef Mitch Blundell has over 15 years’ 

experience on the northern beaches. Membership costs $5.50 per 

year (three years just $11). 

The Vibe: A relaxed and comfortable, family friendly atmosphere 

in the bistro area. The Surf Lounge has a more funky and 

young vibe, hosting a variety of entertainment. The club has been 

extensively renovated over the past 12 months, including the dining 

area, outdoor area and the new 18+ area the Surf Lounge on level 

one. They’ve also recently opened a new dedicated function room – 

The Stella Room. 

Must Try: Their Baked Eggs is a breakfast go-to – two free 

range eggs, house-made beans, capsicum, chorizo, Danish fetta and 

sourdough. For dinner, order the Lamb Shank Pot Pie (12-hour slow 

cooked lamb shanks, winter vegetables, crème fraiche pastry, mash 

potato, peas). For functions you can’t go past the Sliders Platter 

(pork or beef). 

The Specials: Plenty to get excited about for lunch and dinner 

– $25 Rib Special Mondays; $12 Tacos Special Tuesdays; $15 Chicken 

Schnitzel Special Wednesdays; 2-4-1 Pizzas Thursdays; $20 Burger & 

Beer Special Fridays; and $5 Kids Meals Sundays. 

Other stuff: Happy Hour 4-6pm Monday, Tuesday & Friday 

($4 local schooners, $4 house wines and $4.50 house spirits); $10 

cocktails in the Surf Lounge Saturdays from 9-10pm; Badge Draw 

Fridays – starts at $1,000 and can go up to $10,000 (from 6.15pm); 

new monthly Super Raffle starting August. Raffle held on 1 st Sunday 

of month – each offering more than $1,500 in prizes. 

Royal Motor Yacht Club 

Popular RMYC, which has operated on the shore of Pittwater at 

Newport since 1926, boasts versatile facilities to suit all occasions, 

from small intimate groups to large social gatherings. Choose from 

the Salt Cove Brasserie (with menu overseen by executive chef 

Steve Arena), the Garden Forecourt, Compass Terrace, Water View 

Terrace, Lounge Bar and balcony. 

The Vibe: Salt Cove Brasserie changes with the seasons, both 

in atmosphere and menu. In winter a lit fire, heaters and blankets 

add warmth to the ambience. Approaching spring the doors open 

to take in the fresh breeze off the bay. Management continually 

keep areas fresh and appealing, with furniture upgrades, flowers 

and more. 

Must Try: Return again and again to ensure you sample each 

of their hearty food offerings. Order the Beer Battered Flathead 

and amazing super-thick, crunchy chips – the best on the beaches, 

so the Club says (there’s a grilled option too). The Rosemary Crusted 

Lamb Backstrap has become so popular, it now just changes to 

suit the season – in winter that means with mash, steamed greens 

and a spectacular shiraz jus. And their generous Salt Cove Fresh 

Angus Beef Burger is understandably a crowd-pleaser. Plus the 

breakfast menu on weekends offers Eggs Benedict and Pancakes. 

The Specials: Always four or more each day, with Fish of 

the Day a staple and winter warmer dishes on trend through the 

cold months. On Tuesdays (Fame Trivia from 7pm) enjoy Chicken 

Schnitzel & Chips for $18 – and pay $15 for a bottle of house wine 

(normally $26). Currently they serve a great Sunday BBQ Spit Roast 

($18) with accompaniments of corn cobs, coleslaw, salad, jacket 

potatoes plus sour cream and chives. 

Other stuff: Social Memberships cost $160 (includes 5% 

discount on all food and drink). General Membership $620 per 

year (one-off $500 Joining Fee). Members Badge Draw is held every 

Friday from 7pm; ‘Happy Hour’ Monday to Friday from 5.30pm to 

6.30pm; shuttle bus 7 days. 



Palm Beach Golf Club 

Located smack bang in the middle of paradise – on one side sits 

world famous Palm Beach and on the other Pittwater and Lion Island 

– this relaxed Club welcomes visitors to share and enjoy its amazing 

facilities, including its leisurely nine-hole layout. The Club’s modern 

Australian-style restaurant Beach Road Dining is headed by Martin 

Brito (formerly Head Chef of Michelin Star Restaurant Nobu London). 

Martin’s expansive menu is accompanied by a thoughtfully compiled 

wine list, plus there are 12 different beers on tap. 

The Vibe: Recently renovated, the Club boasts an open-air balcony 

with breathtaking views over the golf course and to Lion Island 

by day, while it transforms into an intimate space at night. 

Must Try: For starters order Flash Fried Salt & Pepper squid, chili, 

sambal with coriander (matched with a glass of Knee Deep sauvignon 

blanc). Follow that up with the 300gram Emerald Bay Grass Fed 

Sirloin with eschalot garlic butter, paprika-salted chips and mixed-leaf 

salad (matched with 2015 d’Arenberg ‘Love Grass’ shiraz). Or if you’re 

in the mood for sharing, consider the Hot & Cold Seafood Platter 

for two (subject to availability) crammed with Sydney rock oysters, 

Queensland king prawns, smoked salmon, grilled barramundi, panko 

calamari, battered fish, chips, salad with a selection of sauces. (Pair it 

with a bottle of Helens Hill chardonnay from the Yarra Valley that was 

recently awarded a 95-point rating from James Halliday.) 

The Specials: Kids eat free on Thursdays through Saturday 

nights; also the Club hosts a ‘241’ night on Wednesdays which brings 

a full house – bookings recommended. 

Other stuff: The Club hosts eight band nights per year, with 

big names including Barry Leef, The Classic Kings, and Swinging 

Sixties drawing up to 300 people who enjoy a fun night of food, wine 

and dancing. Also, Beach Road Dining hosts four 5-course Degustation 

Dinners per year. The Club is active in the community, regularly 

hosting Probus lunches and other community groups from around 

Sydney. Social membership is $25; full playing memberships $1350. 


Pittwater RSL 

Prides itself as the ‘local community club’. Here members and guests can 

enjoy four different styles of dining: Glasshouse embraces the farm-totable 

approach in its offering that includes aged, wood-fire-grilled steaks; 

Nonna’s Kitchen serves authentic handmade pizzas, pastas, salads, 

starters and shared tapas plates; Little Bok Choy features extensive tasty 

authentic Asian cuisine (awesome noodles, fried rice, stir fries, made-toorder 

laksa and Yum Cha with Chinese, Thai and Malay influences); and 

Potter’s Cafe (open seven days from 9.30am) is where to head for a coffee 

catch-up while letting the kids play in the indoor playground. All for a 

membership that starts at $10 a year! 

The Vibe: Plenty of variety, from relaxing and intimate, to welcoming 

and social. As the name suggests, Glasshouse is sleek and sophisticated. 

Gorgeously renovated, Nonna’s Kitchen is a warm and versatile space with 

booths to banquet tables, plus a large outdoor terrace where you can enjoy 

a glass of wine, dinner and the leafy treetops of Mona Vale. And Potter’s 

Café is green, lush and full of natural light. 

Must Try: The steaks – cooked in their new wood-fired Josper Grill 

which, utilising temperatures in excess of 400 degrees, seals and retains 

the flavours. They also hot-smoke seafood and vegetables – yum! The 

crispy-skin snapper is a crowd-pleaser, served with bright red, baked truss 

tomatoes and a moorish potatoes and olive combo. 

The Specials: There’s a Seniors Menu currently on offer and a 

variety of daily specials ranging from ‘Marinara Mondays’ to Surf-and- 

Turf Thursdays’. Look out for their latest deal – a mouthwatering ‘Sunday 

Carvery’ – coming soon. 

Other Stuff: The Club stocks a wide range of beverages, from old 

classics to new and boutique offerings, including local, international and 

craft beers; plus a hand-picked wine list including Sauvignon Blancs from 

New Zealand and reds from Margaret River. You can enjoy live music 

every weekend, from jazz to acoustic rock – plus great live shows with 

top artists. Upcoming shows include ABBALANCHE (August 25), Diesel 

(September 22) and Rose Tattoo (October 27). Community groups such as 

Probus, Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary and Lion’s Club meet and make use 

of the Club amenities for free. 

AUGUST 2018 35 

Special Local Promotion


Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club 

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is one of the oldest 

and most active sailing clubs in Sydney, with year-round sailing 

complemented by wholesome, reasonably priced food and 

drinks. From a la carte dining and BBQ specials to casual bistro 

service there is something for everyone. 

The Vibe: The Club has a relaxed, welcoming vibe and 

a beautiful setting on the quiet and picturesque Pittwater. 

Halyards Bistro has stunning views over the marina and is a 

perfect spot to relax while the kids play safely in the gated 

playground within view of the restaurant. 

Must Try: The Chef-cooked BBQ specials featuring lamb, 

beef or seafood or go for an intimate dining experience at The 

Alfred’s Table on a Friday evening (6-8.30pm), when you can 

choose from the a la carte menu (which changes each week) 

in a more formal setting with clothed tables, table service and 

candles. Bookings are essential. Halyards opens for breakfast 

on weekends from 8-11.30am. 

The Specials: The Bistro menu offers fresh seafood, 

fish and chips, a variety of burgers, pizza and plenty of daily 

blackboard specials and weekday specials to complement the 

season for example during winter, guests have been enjoying 

a pasta and drink special on Thursdays and a roast of the day 

and drink special on Fridays. Food is seasonal, tasty and good 

value and there is always something new on the menu to suit 

all ages. 

Other Stuff: The club runs a comprehensive year-round 

racing and cruising program for the whole family, with a 

range of social events complementing the sailing. Members’ 

benefits include 20 per cent off prices on food and drinks and 

heavily discounted access to Sailfit and the Club Fitness Centre. 

Membership is open and ranges from age 6, youth membership 

to adults (either boat owning or general membership). Family 

membership packages are also available. The club welcomes all 

prospective membership enquiries. 

Narrabeen RSL 

Hidden away in the valley, with bowling greens and surrounded by 

mature trees, this laid-back venue feels a world away from some of 

the busier Clubs on the beaches. On the food front, be blown away 

at the Monsoon Grill (Tuesday – Sunday) which serves a thoughtful 

menu of delicious modern Australian offerings. There’s something 

for all tastes and levels of hunger. 

The Vibe: Think old school RSL served with a squeeze of 

hipster cool. The main bar area has looked much the same for 

decades – but thankfully ‘retro’ is cool again, so the Club is in 

fashion again! They have their own Cocktail Bar too – ‘Sunk’ – 

located by the bowling green, which also serves craft beers. 

Must Try: Who doesn’t like Tasmanian Crispy Skin Salmon? 

Here it’s served with baby potatoes, asparagus, herbed tomatoes 

and olive tapenade mayo. Their tender Eye Fillet is partnered 

with caramelised onion mash, red wine jus, roasted capsicum 

and mint chutney. And their Burger with The Lot, well it has a lot 

going for it. 

The Specials: They merry-go-round each week. On 

Tuesdays it’s the Panko-crumbed Chicken schnitzel with chips 

and gravy; on Wednesdays, buy any two main meals and receive 

a free dessert; On Thursdays dig into a 2kg bucket of chicken 

wings and a pint of beer for $25; and Pizzas are the Friday go-to. 

Their ‘family friendly’ persona ramps up on weekends with a 

$50 Saturday meal deal comprising T-Bone steak (with chips and 

gravy), plus chicken wings, a beef burger and the choice of any 

two children’s meals. And on Sundays kids (under 12) eat free all 

day with any adult’s meal purchase. 

Other stuff: Happy Hour 4-6pm Monday to Friday; Members 

Badge Draw 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays. They 

host regular musical acts – including two Pete Murray concerts 

last month (both sold out). On Friday August 14 head down for the 

Razza Dazza Sing Song. Club membership is $11 per year – or five 

years for $25. What’s stopping you? 



Club Palm Beach 

Formerly known as Palm Beach RSL, this welcoming space is conveniently 

located a short stroll south from Palm Beach Wharf. Even when 

it’s busy you’ll find a nook where you can relax and unwind, and the 

staff are as down to earth and friendly as you’ll find anywhere. Membership 

costs just $10 per year. 

The Vibe: Their popular Barrenjoey Bistro is located at the back 

of the Club and adjoins a delightful sun-drenched beer garden with al 

fresco dining and accompanying under-shelter tables, plus a peaceful 

bird aviary that gives it a back-to-nature feel. You can dine inside as 

well. The Club pays homage to its RSL roots with displays of military 

collections and memorabilia. There’s a plan to refurbish the auditorium. 

Must Try: ‘Cheffie’s Spaghetti’ – perfectly seasoned with a generous 

serve of king prawns, garlic, chilli, plump truss tomatoes and a 

basil garnish, topped with shards of parmesan. If you’re into offal 

their Lamb’s Fry with bacon, mash, peas and onion gravy is a deep, 

delightful dish. And the Crumbed Prawns, salad and chips makes a 

perfect light lunch. Vegetarians are catered for, with offerings of Polenta 

Crusted Pumpkin Risotto Cakes and a Roast vegetable and Goats 

Cheese Tart. 

The Specials: The Club has earned its reputation as a top-value 

eating destination by getting its specials offering just right. For just 

$13.50 you can enjoy a different meal Monday to Friday, from traditional 

roasts, to rump steak, chicken schnitzel, gourmet home-made pies 

and tempura fish and chips. 

Other stuff: There’s a Mega Meat raffle every Sunday, plus the 

Member’s Badge Draw is held Wednesday and Friday nights (every 30 

minutes between 5-7pm). They offer group deals, including ‘Another 

Day In Paradise’ – a 30-minute guided tour of Palm Beach plus lunch at 

the Club for $13.50 (10 or more); plus ‘Cruising Palm Beach’ – a 1-hour 

ferry cruise on Pittwater plus lunch at the Club for $25 (10 or more). 

The Club has a courtesy bus that makes regular runs Wednesdays, Fridays 

and Saturdays between 4.30pm and 9pm; ring to book a pick-up. 

Dee Why RSL 

Dee Why RSL Club boasts contemporary surroundings and an 

expansive menu by executive chef Scott Drinkwater across its six bars, 

four restaurants and 13 function spaces. The Club dishes up more than 

400,000 main courses each year including bistro classics, Italian, Asian, 

and American grill favourites. 

The Vibe: The Club opened in 1937 as a venue for returned 

service men and women and has stayed true to its roots. Everyone is 

welcome. 

Must Try: There’s plenty to ponder at the Flame Lounge & Dining, 

including the USA Pork Ribs… with secret tequila BBQ sauce; Garlic 

Cronut – a garlic-flavoured croissant-doughnut pastry, topped with 

garlic butter, rock salt and black pepper; Seafood Pie with fish, king 

prawns, calamari, roasted fennel, in semi-dried tomato cream sauce, 

topped with brick pastry; and the Grande Brownie Smash – smashed 

dark chocolate brownie, with chocolate mousse, vanilla cream and 

roasted walnuts. At Aqua Bar & Dining go for the Scaloppine di fungi 

– veal, sliced button mushrooms, cream, served with potato and 

vegetables; Bolognese, Pea and Parmesan Arancini with Napoli dip; and 

Melone & Prosciutto, served with salad leaves and vin cotto. The Bistro 

serves a delectable roast pork with crackling and apple sauce (yum); 

while you can’t go past the Nasi Goreng at ‘The Asian’. 

The Specials: The Bistro hosts ‘Country of Origin’ monthly 

food specials. In August the focus is Sweden, which will see dishes 

like Swedish Meatballs and cheese pie added to the menu. The Club 

also celebrates ‘food days’ including World Chocolate Day, National 

Milkshake Day and National Burger Day. Aqua Bar & Dining offers daily 

specials including: Monday – Winter Warmer, Slow Cooked Italian-Style 

Braised Lamb Shanks on Warm Polenta; Tuesday – Tantalising Tower for 

Two; Wednesday – All You Can Eat Pizza or Pasta; Thursday – Parmology 

(choose from three parmigiana options, chips and side salad). And on 

Sunday – Kids Eat Free! 

Other Stuff: The Club has a great entertainment calendar 

featuring notable line-ups of the best local and international acts, plus 

complimentary live music every night. A two-year Membership costs $5. 




Art Life 


Inspiration runs deep 

Matt Wilcock of ‘Outfall Art’ 

and Damian ‘Dooma’ Oswald 

of ‘Print My Fish’ draw their 

artistic inspiration primarily from 

the waters of the Pacific Ocean 

and the saltwater that runs in their 

veins. 

Both are surfers and keen 

fishermen; Matt dives for chain on 

the ocean floor, creating sculptural 

wonders that seem to defy gravity 

whilst Dooma practices Gyotaku the 

centuries-old Japanese technique of 

printing freshly caught fish. 

Originally freediving to salvage 

old and very heavy chain, Matt has 

now incorporated SCUBA to speed 

up the process. Once collected he 

forges and shapes molten metal 

into sculptures that reflect the 

elemental nature of the sea and 

coast. 

His sculptures speak to a deepseated 

appreciation of natural form 

in a primal material. 

“If it’s dangerous, dirty or loud, 

I’ll be in the thick of it,” Matt said. 

Meanwhile, the age-old 

fisherman’s tale of “It was this 

big…” doesn’t really wash with 

Gyotaku – as its process provides 

proof of size and also species right 

there in front of you. 

Using ink or paint (traditionally 

non-toxic, so the subject may then 

be eaten or preserved), Dooma 

transfers the organic shape and 

texture onto Washi or rice paper. 

Avalon Art Gallery’s Jennifer 

Hill says in Dooma’s skilled and 

experienced hands, the detail 

and movement captured is 

extraordinary. 

Dooma and Matt’s works are held 

in collections throughout the world 

in both commercial settings and 

private residences; this month locals 

have the chance to view them at an 

exhibition at Avalon Art Gallery (in 

the Cinema Arcade) from Saturday 

August 4 through August 31. 

Opening night is from 6pm on 

August 4, when you can meet the 

artists and hear them talk about 

their projects and the fascinating 

stories behind their creativity. 

It’s cheers to creativity! 

Always wanted to try painting 

but have reservations “People realise that there is 

and coach them through. 

about your artistic self? Then no barrier, anyone can enjoy 

perhaps you’d like to try the painting and I encourage participants 

latest innovation in social art 

to leave their judg- 

classes – group sessions with ments and misconceptions 

a glass of bubbly or wine to about art at the door. 

help get the 

“This is 

creative juices 

about giving 

flowing. 

themselves 

Local Reiki 

permission to 

teacher Jane 

play with paint 

Hodgett says 

and not worrying 

she started 

about 

her social ‘Art 

an end result 

& Alcohol’ 

– and they get 

evenings two 

to go home 

years ago to 

with an amazing 

share her love 

painting 

of art with 

on a canvas!” 

people who 

Jane’s sessions 

would like to paint but were 

are generally held on 

either too busy to commit to a the fourth Saturday of each 

course, or who had always felt month, from 7pm-9.30pm at 

that they “couldn’t do it”. her home studio in Mona Vale 

“Absolutely anyone can do (next session is August 25). 

my class – they are strictly for There’s a minimum of 10 

fun and no previous experience 

people per session (group 

is necessary, said Jane. bookings for birthdays and 

“Everything is provided – work-bonding sessions also 

paints, brushes, table easels, available); cost is $60. 

canvas aprons, wine or bubbly; 

More info call Jane on 0412 

and I provide an image 151 108. 



Getting in the ‘Spirit’ for 

Newport Sculpture Trail 

Planning is well underway for the Sixth Annual ‘Newport 

Sculpture Trail’ to be held later this year. 

Co-founder Patsy Clayton-Fry says emerging and established 

artists are being invited to respond to the 2018 theme 

of ‘Spirit’ with sculpture, performance or installation art. 

The ‘Newport Sculpture Trail’ is now part of the newly 

formed Totem Arts Festival which is currently being developed 

as a major long-term contemporary arts festival to energise 

the cultural offerings for communities on the northern 

end of the peninsula. 

“Working closely with local artists, community groups and 

business, a calendar of events has been prepared that will 

engage everyone,” said Patsy. 

“The festival this year will include pop-up activities and 

workshops including waste-to-art sculptures, wearable art, 

music and performance art.” 

The 2018 Newport Sculpture Trail runs from Friday October 

26 to Sunday November 11 in Newport village. Artists are 

invited to showcase their works in selected local businesses, 

attracting more people to both the businesses and the Newport 

village. 

There will be a curatorial selection for the winner (prize 

money to be announced) in addition to a ‘People’s Choice 

Award’ with a cash prize of $500. 

All artists, including students, are encouraged to apply, 

with the final selection determined by an established curator. 

Applications close on 1st September; more info email 

totemartsfestival@gmail.com 





Boating Life 

Boating Life 

Breeze up to sailing info day 

Looking to give sailing a go, 

or get your kids involved at 

a young age at a fun, relaxed 

club? Then consider Avalon 

Sailing Club which is holding 

an information and registration 

day for kids on Sunday August 

26th from 10am to 2pm. 

With a modest timber 

clubhouse on the shore 

between Clareville and 

Paradise beaches, Avalon SC 

is a unique part of Pittwater’s 

world class sailing heritage. 

This year the Club will 

celebrate two important 

MILESTONES: Avalon Sailing Club is celebrating 80 years since formation and 60 years since its Clubhouse opened. 

anniversaries – 80 years since 

the formation of the Club and “Avalon is one of those 

60 years since the official iconic ‘wooden shed’ sailing 

opening of the Clubhouse. clubs which has a wonderfully 

“We’re a volunteer-run Club inclusive culture that welcomes 

with 400 active members, newcomers – there are no flash 

ranging in age from 8 to 88, restaurants, bars or pokies, 

with a comprehensive and just the best place for families 

professional sailing program to enjoy a BBQ and a drink 

catering to all ages and skills,” post-sailing whilst taking in the 

said Club Commodore, Jane best views on Pittwater.” 

Durham. 

Friday evenings on the deck 

or on the water in Summer 

were a popular, family friendly 

way to end the working week. 

She said the youth program 

which runs on Sunday 

mornings from September 

through to Easter, starts with 

Blue Group which is aimed at 

beginners aged 7 – 12. (The 

Club Nippas & Pacers are used 

for this program.) 

“Once the basics have been 

learnt, the children progress 

to the Red and Gold groups 

for further instruction and an 

introduction to racing.” 

Race preparation for State 

and National Titles is also 

provided. This season there 

will be club dinghies available 

for season hire, with no 

pressure to commit to buying a 

boat immediately. 

For teenagers and adults, 

there is a very active group 

sailing Spirals and dedicated 

Spiral coaching days with be 

run in spring. 

“The Club also runs Spring/ 

Summer school holiday 

camps, open to children of 

all ages,” Jane said. “Classes 

sailed at Avalon include 

Nippas, Pacers, Bics, MJs, 

Flying 11s & Spirals. 

“Planning is also under way 

for Adult learn to sail classes 

for the coming season. The 

emphasis in all these programs 

is that sailing is a fun activity 

which teaches many skills 

and provides opportunities 

for a lifetime. There are 

many sailors in their 80s who 

regularly enjoy cruising and 

racing – not many other sports 

can claim that!” 

The Club also has a healthy 

Yacht division and a revamped 

racing program for the coming 

season will provide a diversity 

of events and casual entries 

are encouraged. 

“Plus the addition of the 

Pittwater Couta boat fleet to 

ASC this season is a great 

bonus and the Couta fleet is 

always looking for crews,” she 

said. “And for those who like 

a more relaxed approach, the 

Cruising Division organises 

lots of great weekends away 

and members can also take 

advantage of club moorings 

dotted around Pittwater.” 

Blue Group Learn to Sail is 

limited to 25 children, and 

along with sailing camps, 

positions are provided on a 

first-come, first-in basis. 

For more info regarding 

Registration Day or any 

club activities, head to their 

Facebook page or email info@ 

avalonsailingclub.com.au 




Surfing Life 

Surfing Life 

A look at the surfers 

you never knew existed 

First up: The girl from New Jersey who was a Woman’s World Tour trailblazer 

A 

couple of years ago, 

I began scratching 

away at a book about 

professional surfing. I guess I 

was fascinated by a number of 

things: the development of pro 

sport generally and how surfing 

fit into that arc; the way it was 

immediately global, unlike 

so many other professional 

sports, the majority of which 

are regional or national by 

nature; most of all, the weird 

nature of surfing itself, a sport 

that thanks to its uniquely 

Polynesian roots, in many ways 

doesn’t even look like a sport 

at all. 

Why did surfers decide 

to turn pro? And how did 

that rebound into its wacky 

freewheeling culture? 

This is all good stuff for 

a book. But what’s really 

enlivening it for me and my 

co-author Sean Doherty – some 

of you will know Sean from 

his brilliant biography of the 

Queensland legend Michael 

Peterson, among other works 

– is the way new names are resurfacing 

through the research. 

People who neither of us knew 

existed, yet who were key to 

what occurred through the arc 

of the tale. 

I’ll tell you about a number of 

these people over the coming 

year, but I want to begin with a 

woman named Patti Paniccia. 

Recently, pro surfing’s latest 

governing body, the World Surf 

League, has become interested 

in its founders. They even held 

an event called the Founders’ 

Cup, which we wrote about 

here a few months ago. The 

Founders who appeared at the 

event did not include Patti. This 

tells you an enormous amount 

about professional surfing. 

Patti was the daughter of a 

New Jersey Italian family whose 

father once went away to war. 

Patti’s Dad joined the Navy 

during WWII and travelled first 

to Hawaii, then to California, 

where he was based around 

Long Beach some time after the 

war. 

He came back to New Jersey 

and told Patti’s mother: “This is 

a dump! Come on, there’s better 

places in the world.” 

The Paniccias moved to 

California, where Patti was born. 

Thus at the age of 13, in 1967, 

Patti found herself hanging out 

next to the pier at Huntington 

Beach, waiting for people to lose 

their boards so she could have 

a turn. 

Her dad’s building 

contractor’s business then 

signed up for a job in Hawaii. 

The Paniccias moved to a house 

at Waialua on Oahu’s North 

Shore, a short drive to all the 

with Nick Carroll 

PIONEERS: Four of the girls on the first Women’s Tour in South Africa in 1976 

(from left): Sally Prange, Patti Paniccia, Claudia Bates and Becky Benson. 

greatest surf spots on earth. 

Patti thinks of Hawaii as part 

of the expansion of her life, 

in sync with their increasing 

prosperity and her growing up. 

“I didn’t know any different,” 

she told me, “so I just surfed 

everywhere. Sunset, Haleiwa, 

Laniakea, out front of our 

house.” There were hardly any 

women doing that. You could 

count them on two hands: 

Patti’s best surfing friend Sally 

Prange, the Benson sisters 

Blanche and Becky, Dale Dahlin 

who surfed Haleiwa a lot, 

and Honolulu’s Lynne Boyer, 

who would one day be world 

champion. 

She doesn’t recall any male 

meanness. “Everyone was 

real nice to us in the surf. You 

fought for your waves, but it’s 

not like today.” 

All the girls competed in the 

Hawaiian Surfing Association 

events, when they had enough 

money for the entry fee. Patti 

worked in Jerry’s Sweet Shop in 

Haleiwa, flipping burgers. She’d 

have surfed anyway, contests 

or not. 

In the early 1970s she and the 

other girls formed a group they 

called the Hawaiian Women’s 

Hui. (“Hui” is Hawaiian for club, 

or group.) The Hui’s energies 

were spent on opening the 

door to surfing for girls. They 

ran learn-to-surf classes and 

ding-fixing classes, and also ran 

competitions. Patti became the 

Hui’s competition director. 

In 1973, as the Hawaiian pro 

surfing events began to take 

off, the big-time promotor 

and former world champ Fred 

Hemmings decided to invite a 

woman to his keynote event, 

the Smirnoff Pro. He chose 

Laura Blears Ching. Now Laura 

was a good surfer, and the 

Women’s Hui respected her, 



PL’s AUGUST SURF CALENDAR 

10-21/8: WSL CT men’s Billabong Pro, Teahupoo, Tahiti 

This event turns the pro year around. Before it, lots of surfers still 

kinda had a shot at a world title, or at least a big ranking; after it, 

only five or six will be in it. Teahupoo when it’s on epitomises what 

we might call the Core Theory of professional surfing, which runs 

thus: The waves are the main game. A great surfer will interest 

some people, but epic surf gets everyone. In the case of Chopes, 

it’ll be the year’s biggest challenge to the young Brazilian surfers 

who’ve dominated much of the competition so far. They rip in 

normal surf, but Teahupoo is not remotely normal. 

NICK’S AUGUST SURF FORECAST 

I have to say, July did way better than I’d expected. It featured 

the best six hours of surf this year, when an unexpected northeast 

swell popped up off a short-lived wind-band up near Lennox 

Head, and two of the biggest swells of the year, one of which – a 

massive southerly – pretty much stripped Pittwater’s beaches. 

Super fun! And also super cold! I think August might begin a trend 

away from mega-swells. There might be something significant 

early in the month from deep winter storms moving south of 

Tassie, but once they’re done, expect a long second half of the 

month, with light winds, occasional cold westerlies, and mostly, 

very small waves. Sorry. 

Nick Carroll 

but they also suspected the real 

reason Fred had invited Laura 

to compete, out of all the girl 

surfers in Hawaii, was that Laura 

had recently appeared in Playboy 

magazine. 

They elected Patti to go talk 

with Fred about this conundrum. 

“Fred was like, ‘Who are you 

to be telling me how to run 

my business?’” she laughed. 

“But I went to lunch with him, 

and we kept talking… Maybe it 

was some of the Italian in me – 

scrappy, is that the word?” 

Patti and Fred had plenty 

of arguments, but finally he 

relented, and asked her to run 

the women’s events, which 

by 1976 had expanded into 

something worth calling a Tour. 

So Patti actually founded the 

Women’s World Tour. She ran 

it that year, then for the next 

two years during which the first 

women’s pro champion, Margo 

Oberg of Kauai, was repeatedly 

crowned. 

By 1979 Patti had had 

enough of running contests 

and tours, and decided to 

challenge herself. She went 

back to California and did Law 

at Pepperdine University, and 

eventually found her way into 

journalism, where she was a key 

correspondent for the fledgling 

CNN, covering everything from 

the Reagan Presidency to the 

Rodney King riots in LA. When 

CNN sacked her in 1994 after 

the birth of her second child, 


she fought a celebrated lawsuit 

over the issue of employment 

during childbirth, took it to 

the Supreme Court, and won. 

Subsequently she wrote a 

best-selling book, ‘Work Smarts 

For Women: The Essential Sex 

Discrimination Survival Guide’. 

Today Patti is an Adjunct 

Professor of Law at Pepperdine, 

where she teaches legal theory. 

She also still owns the old 

family home at Waialua, where 

she stays and surfs regularly 

through the Hawaiian winter 

surf season. 

I know of very few ex-pro 

surfers who come close to Patti 

in terms of achievement in and 

beyond the sport, if it really is a 

sport. Her efforts began a chain 

of events that led directly to 

Steph Gilmore’s fantastic recent 

win at Jeffreys Bay. But why had 

I never heard of her before I 

started scratching away at this 

book? Simple: no surf mag had 

ever published a story about 

her, or featuring her, or really 

anything about the Hawaiian 

women surfers of the time at all. 

Surfers of the time thought 

they were radical people living 

a radical life, and in some 

senses they were. But when 

it came to seeing women and 

men as equals, they were as 

conservative as any of their 

parents. 

More from this mad research 

from time to time in coming 

months! 


Surfing Life

Health & Wellbeing 


‘Joint’ initiative to empower locals 

We are increasingly 

becoming a nation of 

dodgy knees and wornout 

hips – but before you trade 

yours in, there are a few things 

you should know. 

Dr Paul Miniter, head of the 

Northern Beaches Orthopaedic 

Centre, has recenty opened 

rooms in Mona Vale providing 

state-of-the-art assessment and 

surgery for all disorders of the 

lower limb. 

With a special interest in joint 

preservation surgery of the 

knee and hip as well as injuries 

relating to the knee, foot and 

ankle, Dr Miniter and team are 

passionate about 

continuing education, 

regularly attending 

conferences 

and joining other 

specialists operating 

overseas to learn the 

latest advancements 

in bone and joint 

preservation, alternative 

approaches 

to complex issues, 

pain management 

and surgical techniques. 

And the public will have the 

opportunity to share in Dr 

Miniter’s knowledge at a series 

of free public health seminars to 

be held from next month, with 

the first focusing on hips and 

knee (details see page 7). 

“The aim is to help people understand 

whether they need to 

be thinking about surgery in the 

context of their joint problems 

– not all people need a joint 

replacement even if their X-rays 

look terrible,” Dr Miniter said. 

SEMINARS: Dr Miniter. 

ADVANCES: New techniques could see replacement surgery postponed. 

“During the seminars we’ll 

discuss other modalities of 

treatment such as exercise, 

weight loss and physiotherapy. 

“Recovery from surgery will 

also be covered off as well as 

techniques to preserve joints 

from wear and tear. 

“Importantly, we will be 

welcoming questions to help 

people understand whether 

they actually need treatment.” 

Dr Miniter explained there 

were many new techniques that 

allowed doctors to recommend 

conservative treatment and 

even postpone joint replacements 

in certain patients. 

“Also there have 

been many exciting 

developments in 

joint replacement 

allowing people 

who have suffered 

serious disability 

to restore function 

and lead active 

lives,” he said. 

Dr Miniter said 

advances in orthopaedic 

medicine 

and surgical equipment now 

allowed for specialists to assist 

patients closer to their homes 

– in many cases alleviating the 

need to travel to major hospitals 

for procedures and follow-ups. 

“The most exciting development 

in my opinion is the 

speed of recovery and quality of 

results that is seen with modern 

surgery,” Dr Miniter said. 

“In the USA – and soon here – 

up to 70 per cent of treatment is 

now done in a day surgery; that 

means less risks of complications, 

less pain and faster return 

to work and activities.” 

Dr Miniter starts day surgery 

procedures, such as knee and 

ankle arthroscopy and reconstruction 

at the expanded Pittwater 

Day Surgery in Mona Vale 

from the first week of August. 

Dr Miniter undertook postgraduate 

medical qualification 

at Royal North Shore Hospital. 

After graduating as an Orthopaedic 

Surgeon he went overseas 

for fellowship training in 

joint replacement and paediatric 

orthopaedics in Scotland. 

Over the years Dr Miniter has 

formed close associations with 

world-renowned orthopaedic 

surgeons, allowing for an easy 

exchange of professional medical 

opinions and ideas. 

Each year he shares his surgical 

expertise pro-bono, dealing 

with an array of orthopaedic 

conditions in the very poorest 

communities in India and Africa. 

Although he has owned a 

house in Avalon with wife Kate 

for nearly two decades, Dr 

Miniter has spent a chunk of 

that period in the ACT as a sub 

specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon 

and teaching medical students. 

“I have always wanted to 

spend more time on the Northern 

Beaches… it feels like I am 

coming home,” he said. 

For those who are sporty and 

whose bones and joints are taking 

a pounding in efforts to stay 

fit and healthy, it’s good to note 

Dr Miniter and The Northern 

Beaches Orthopaedic Centre 

team also have a particular 

interest in treating ankle injury. 

“Ankle injury is the most common 

sporting injury; up to 20 

per cent of people have ongoing 

issues with the ankle after 

injury,” he said. 

Fractures and sprains that 

are ignored or aren’t treated 

properly when they occur could 

lead to long-term chronic problems 

such as repeated injury, 

ankle weakness and arthritis, Dr 

Miniter explained. 

“If recovery does not occur 

with physiotherapy, strengthening 

and mobility exercises, 

ankle injury requires specialist 

assessment and treatment,” Dr 

Miniter said. 

“We are always on the lookout 

for new avenues to further 

speed up recovery and deal with 

these complex injuries.” 

* Plans are also ‘afoot’ for a 

weekly acute sports injury 

clinic at Pittwater Day Surgery 

beginning later this month. 

For more info and/or to 

reserve your place at the Free 

Information Session or sports 

injury clinic go to nbocentre. 

com.au/infonight or call 1300 

901 805. – Lisa Offord 



Free grief and loss course 

Everyone experiences loss at some time and grief is a 

normal and natural response to loss that can affect every 

part of our lives. 

Research has shown that grief and loss experienced by caregivers 

of a loved one occurs at different stages of the caring 

journey, bringing significant emotional stress. 

This can be the result of receiving a diagnosis; changes related 

to financial circumstances; deterioration of symptoms; 

prospects of new treatments; relinquishing of care; imminence 

of death; or the death of a loved one. 

Everyone experiences grief in their own way – some people 

express their grief in private and do not show it in public; 

some want to express their grief through crying and talking. 

Others may be reluctant to talk and prefer to keep busy and 

people may behave differently at different times. 

There is no ‘correct’ way to grieve, and no way to ‘fix 

it’ but understanding more about what you may be going 

through can help. 

If you’re grieving, it’s important to know that you’re not 

alone and help is available. 

Northern Beaches Community Connect is running a free 

five-week Grief and Loss Course for Carers commencing on 

Monday 6 August. 

The course focusses on restoration of your emotional functioning 

by understanding the theory behind grief, normalising 

feelings, engaging in exploration of unique personal experiences, 

experiential learning and peer support. 

The course will be held on Mondays – 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 

27 Aug, 3 Sep – from 10.30am to 1.30pm at Dee Why RSL Club 

(morning tea and light lunch included). 

For more information call Robyn on 9931 7777. – LO 






Skin needling treatments 

offer rejuvenation benefit 

Using small needles to 

penetrate the skin is now 

well established as a technique 

to minimise pore size, tighten 

skin, rejuvenate skin texture or 

surface, minimise wrinkles, reduce 

scars and improve stretch 

marks. 

The theory is that controlled 

needles penetrate the dermis 

or strength layer of the skin. 

Collagen in this layer is induced 

or stimulated to heal. With healing, 

more collagen is deposited, 

which thickens the skin. All 

scars contract, so this contraction 

tightens the skin. Thicker 

skin appears more youthful. 

Another big advantage is the 

skin needling allows penetration 

of therapeutic products. 

Skin is a very effective barrier. 

Every day our skin protects 

against desiccation, bacteria, 

chemicals, toxins and solutions. 

Such an effective barrier 

makes penetration of skin care 

products difficult. We all know 

vitamins A, B and C are beneficial 

to skin care. However, 

getting them into the skin 

has been a major limitation in 

therapeutic effectiveness. Many 

skin care solutions list these 

products but the concentration 

or form may not allow penetration. 

Having thousands of tiny 

holes markedly increases this 

penetration. 

There are two main systems 

of commonly used skin 

needling – rollers and vertical 

needling. 

Rollers contain fixed needles, 

which as the roller is rolled over 

the skin, penetrate the dermis. 

Different rollers have different 

needle lengths. Generally the 

longer needles are used by skin 

therapists, with the shorter needles 

being used at home. A few 

factors limit their use. Smaller, 

contoured areas of the face – 

such as near the nose, lips or 

eyes – may be difficult to reach. 

Needle length is not changeable; 

the whole roller needs 

to be changed. The action of 

the roller over the skin may 

cause small cuts or flicks as the 

needles emerge from the skin, 

resulting in linear cuts rather 

than needle-shaped punctures. 

Vertical needling has sterile, 

disposable, spring-loaded 

needles attached to a vibrating 

wand or stem. By vibrating in 

a vertical direction, the needle 

tracks are controlled, predictable 

and vertical. It is considered 

less painful and with faster 

healing and repair. Needle 

lengths can be altered during 

a treatment and vibration 

speeds can also be changed. 

This allows different areas with 

different skin thickness or characteristics 

to be treated. Having 

a smaller surface area, they 

are useful on the nose, near 

the eyes and lips. There are 11 

needles and the length can be 

varied from 0.25 – 2.5mm. 

All treatments should be 

preceded by a time of optimising 

skin health. For rejuvenation, 

generally 4-6 treatments 

four weeks apart are advised. 

For acne scars, 6 treatments 

six weeks apart and for stretch 

marks up to 10 treatments 4-6 

weeks apart. Results are seen 

from about four weeks and 

improvement continues for 6-12 

months. A good post-treatment 

with Dr John Kippen 

regime is suggested, and 

intermittent retreatments are 

advised. 

Downtime and recovery are 

proportional to needle depth 

and treatment type. This can 

vary from mild redness that 

may last a few hours, to quite 

marked redness lasting 12-24 

hours for more intense treatments. 

Small amounts of bleeding 

may occur near. (Deeper 

treatments are often combined 

with topical numbing creams.) 

In general, skin needling is 

a very popular treatment with 

very good results. Pore size can 

be reduced, skin rejuvenated, 

wrinkles reduced, texture improved 

and skin tightened. The 

vertical needling gives greater 

accuracy over a wider variety of 

skin types and allows eyelids, 

lips and noses to be treated. 

Our columnist Dr John 

Kippen is a qualified, fully 

certified consultant specialist 

in Cosmetic, Plastic and 

Reconstructive surgery. 

Australian trained, he also 

has additional Australian and 

International Fellowships. 

Dr Kippen works from custom-built 

premises in Mona 

Vale. He welcomes enquiries 

and questions. Please 

contact him via johnkippen. 

com.au or by email: doctor@ 

johnkippen.com.au 



‘Specialties’ evolves with family dental 

Digital dentistry is not the 

future – it’s already very 

much in the present with 

local specialists leading the way 

blending high-tech systems 

with traditional dental care and 

personal attention. 

Highly regarded specialist 

prosthodontist Dr Tom Giblin 

was an early adopter of modern 

dental technology when he 

opened his practice in Mona 

Vale six years ago. 

Often likened to an architect 

or engineer of the mouth, a 

prosthodontist specialises in 

the restoration and replacement 

of teeth, planning cases not just 

for aesthetics but also for long 

term function, durability and 

easy maintenance. 

Operating out of his state-ofthe-art 

premises which boasts 

its own dental laboratory for 

making crowns, veneers and 

dentures in-house, Dr Giblin is 

also an educator and is regularly 

invited to speak about his 

work in Australia 

and overseas. 

“Being a ‘digital’ 

practice we have 

incorporated the 

latest in hightech 

equipment, 

including 3D 

Digital imaging for 

implant planning 

and diagnosis as 

well as the latest in 

intraoral scanners 

that mean often we 

simply take a 3D 

scan of your teeth 

rather than taking 

the traditional putty impressions,” 

he explained. 

“From there we can digitally 

‘mock-up’ your smile for you to 

see and try in, or design your 

new crowns or veneers using 

our powerful design software, 

before being milled or 3D 

printed and then hand-finished 

in our dental laboratory.” 

Fast-forward to 2018 and 

CHANGE: Dr Tom Giblin. 

it’s not only new 

technology that’s 

enhancing local 

patient care… Dr 

Giblin’s practice 

has evolved – it 

is now known as 

Northern Dental 

Implants & Prosthodontics 

and 

it also includes a 

large family and 

general dental service 

– Barrenjoey 

Dental. 

He explained 

with our ageing 

population and busy lifestyles, 

patients now more than ever 

covet convenience alongside 

quality of care. 

“Barrenjoey Dental is focused 

on providing honest, high-quality 

dental care to our patients 

and families,” Dr Giblin said. 

“By combining a general practice 

with the specialist practice, 

we can better serve our patients 

by offering affordable, quality 

everyday dentistry with specialist 

restorative care when it is 

needed, all in one location,” Dr 

Giblin said. 

The respected team at Barrenjoey 

Dental include Dr Laura 

Siebels and Dr John Lockwood 

AM, who provide a broad range 

of services from check-ups and 

cleans to root canals, fillings 

and tooth whitening. 

“Laura enjoys all aspects of 

dentistry, especially working 

with children, as well as root 

canal therapy and treating gum 

conditions,” Dr Giblin said. 

She is studying for a Masters 

degree in Orofacial Pain. 

“Dr John Lockwood moved 

his long-standing practice under 

our roof two years ago and 

he brings decades of experience 

in all aspects of general 

dentistry,” Dr Giblin said. 

Find the team under one 

roof at Shop 1, 1731 Pittwater 

Rd Mona Vale; P: 9997 1122. 






Fulfilling ‘gap’ year 

FROM BELFAST TO AVALON: Dr Ceri Cashell with husband Alisdair Knight, 

daughter Izzy and sons Ruairdh and Domhnall. 

General Practitioner Dr Ceri Cashell returns to Avalon this 

month following a year of working in the UK which she says 

revealed differences in the way health provision is delivered 

compared to Australia. 

“I have had a very busy year working between Belfast and Edinburgh,” 

Dr Cashell said. “The volume of work in a day is much 

greater in the UK although the types of problems are for the 

most part the same as Sydney. And all surgeries offer a maximum 

10-minute appointment time.” 

She said that professionally she found it hard to have so little 

time with her patients. 

“And working in lots of different practices meant I lost the 

continuity of care that I really valued in Avalon.” 

Dr Cashell noted the UK’s National Health Scheme (NHS) had been 

very proactive at encouraging patient self-care in minor illness over 

the past 15-20 years, with pharmacies often running minor ailment 

schemes which avoided the need to see a doctor at all. 

“Patients’ health knowledge is similar to what I’ve experienced 

in Sydney and varies according to demographic group,” she said. 

“However, everything is more protocol-l and guideline-driven in the 

UK – and this has encouraged me to update my evidence-based 

practice; I have attended several excellent GP update courses.” 

The family – including husband Alisdair Knight and kids 

Ruairdh, 12, Domhnall, 9, and Izzy, 1 uprooted and returned to 

Belfast, Northern Ireland, to spend more time with their parents 

as they grew older. 

“It has been a very fulfilling year doing things that we have 

missed out on living in Sydney,” Dr Cashell said. “Our children 

have loved having their Granny Moira around and we have had 

lots of wonderful weekends in her mountain cottage with no 

WiFi, climbing the Mourne Mountains and mountain biking in 

Tollymore Forest. 

“We had ski trips to Scotland and the Alps in France as well as 

surf camp safaris to the west of Ireland. 

“Of course, we missed the blue skies and the beaches but 

we were very fortunate to be in the UK for the first four-month 

heatwave in over 20 years!” she said. “And a sunny Irish beach is 

hard to beat!” 

Dr Cashell is looking forward to taking on new patients at 

Avalon Family Medical Practice where she will practice Mondays, 

Wednesdays and Thursdays. 


Eco Corner 

You need 

info to 

ensure you 

get the correct 

solar inverter 

for your 

current and 

future needs. 

Battery storage 

will influence 

your decision. 

A solar inverter (or PV 

with 

Jono Burke 

inverter) is a type of electrical 

converter which converts 

the variable direct current 

(DC) output of a photovoltaic 

(PV) solar panel into a utility 

frequency alternating current 

AC. This means that when 

the sun is out you can use the 

power in your house directly 

from the solar panels. 

But the sun doesn’t shine 

24 hours! I am always getting 

asked about battery storage as 

a way to reduce energy costs. 

Along with a solar system that 

minimises your costs during 

sunlight hours, batteries can 

store energy to be used after 

the sun goes down. 

Household or business 

energy usage patterns vary 

greatly. You may be using most 

of your energy during the day 

with a business that is open 

during normal hours. You may 

have equipment or appliances 

running well into the night. It’s 

important to determine energy 

usage patterns before deciding 

whether batteries are a viable 

option. 

When considering using your 

solar system to reduce energy 

costs for the entire 24-hour 

period you must be aware that 

not all solar inverters enable 

the DC energy to be converted 

into the battery storage. The 

solar inverter you choose must 

be ‘battery ready’. 

You need to get a system 

with a hybrid solar inverter 

that is compatible with the 

battery brand you are planning 

on installing. My advice is to 

plan for the future and install 

a ‘battery ready’ inverter. 

Batteries have almost halved 

in price in the past 12 months 

making them more costeffective 

than ever. Plan ahead! 

* Jono is a Partner with Solar 

Energy Enterprises (see ad p28). 







Rewire your brain 

through meditation 

Neuroplasticity – the ability to rewire your brain to improve your 

wellbeing – continues to be a focus of the scientific world. 

And meditation is seen as a key activator for this change, helping 

individuals reorganise their brain and its function to help overcome 

trauma and disease and deal with depression and addiction. 

Neuroplasticity has been thoroughly researched, with hundreds of 

scientific articles showing regular meditators were able to grow their 

prefrontal cerebral cortex, a part of the brain responsible for paying 

attention, emotional regulation and sensory management. 

Billabong Retreat founder Paul von Bergen agrees that 

mindfulness is an attention-training exercise for the brain. 

“It involves deliberately trying to focus on one thing at a time, be 

it your breath, your physical sensations in your body or for more 

advanced practitioners, the stream of thoughts or emotions coming 

into your mind,” he said. “This process activates and therefore grows 

the prefrontal cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for 

your ability to pay attention. This ‘executive control function’ is the 

most evolved part of any primate brain and the part you really want 

to be developing.” 

Paul said that once your ability to pay attention increases you 

will start to notice your stream of consciousness – particularly the 

underlying patterns of repetitive thoughts, physical sensations and 

emotions that can influence your behaviors and decision-making. 

“This ability to be able to observe your thoughts, emotions and 

sensations is called meta-cognition and is perhaps the most evolved 

of all human brain functions,” he said. 

Paul added that once an individual had set the intention to learn 

meditation it was important they were realistic with expectations. 

“It might take a while to find the right teacher, the right training 

or the right method,” he continued. “What’s right for me is not 

necessarily right for you. 

“This is brain reprogramming and it doesn’t happen overnight.” 

Paul runs Mindfulness Training programs at Billabong Retreat 

every four weeks; for more info phone (02) 4573 6080 or visit 

billabongretreat.com.au 




Hair & Beauty 

Your lymphatic system: 

the mirror to skin health 

with Sue Carroll 

The science of anti-aging 

has always been at the 

forefront of human 

endeavour. Anti-aging has been 

linked through the lymphatic 

system, which is also known as 

the ‘Elixir of Life’. The lymphatic 

system is a vital component 

of our immune system and is 

one of the most intriguing and 

dynamic relationships the body 

possesses. 

The lymphatic system is the 

body’s drainage mechanism 

for collection and disposal of 

unwanted waste products. It 

is a network of tissues and 

organs that help rid the body 

of toxins, waste and other 

unwanted materials. As part 

of the circulatory system 

and a vital component of our 

immune system, the lymphatic 

system comprises a network 

of lymphatic vessels that carry 

lymph – a fluid containing 

infection-fighting white blood 

cells – throughout the body. 

From an aesthetic 

perspective, one of the most 

famous practitioners of 

lymphatic drainage is Danish 

physician Emil Vodder, M.D., and 

his wife Estrid who developed 

the famous Vodder method and 

philosophy of manual lymphatic 

drainage (MLD). The Vodders 

developed a light, rhythmic 

massage with stretching 

movements to stimulate lymph 

flow throughout the body. In 


1936, this technique started 

to become recognised by the 

medical community when 

the Vodders presented their 

findings to the public at a health 

and beauty congress in Paris. 

Since then, many physicians 

and lymphologists have come 

up with their own techniques 

for stimulating the lymphatic 

system, most of which involve 

many of the same basic 

principles used in the Vodder 

method. 

Another form of lymphatic 

drainage is pressure therapy. 

This is where specialised 

equipment is programmed 

with compressed air to actively 

massage the lymphatic 

system. The system may be 

used alone or in conjunction 

with a wrapping technique, 

using cosmetic-rich active 

ingredients to enhance the 

drainage process. Both MLD 

and pressure therapy may be 

used for treatment on the legs, 

abdomen, buttocks, and arms 

for both men and women. 

A well-functioning lymphatic 

system will influence the tone, 

colour and clarity of the skin. 

As a consequence of the aging 

process, our lymphatics become 

less active and facial oedema 

may occur. Inadequate lymph 

activity is directly attributed to 

puffiness and dark circles under 

the eyes, as well as swelling of 

the face and ankles. 

Other physical areas of 

concern where lymphatic 

drainage may be of use are: 

n To assist with reducing 

puffiness after a long flight; 

n To treat acne and rosacea 

where the facilitation of 

unwanted bacteria and 

cellular debris will be drained 

away from the pustulous 

region; 

n To reduce the effects of 

bruising after surgery; 

n To reduce the appearance of 

cellulite; 

n To assist with weight loss 

programs; 

n To reduce the lactic acid after 

a strenuous exercise session; 

n If water retention is a problem 

this will assist to reduce 

puffiness along with a good 

health/lifestyle program; and 

n In conjunction with a doctor 

to treat lymphodema. 

The vitality of the lymphatic 

system mirrors the skin’s health 

and ultimately, one’s overall 

health. Lymphatic drainage 

remains one of the most effective 

methods to assist in the 

management of problematic 

and congestive skin and health 

conditions. 

Sue Carroll of Skin 

Inspiration has been a qualified 

Aesthetician for 33 years. 

Sue has owned and 

operated successful beauty 

clinics and day spas on 

the Northern Beaches. 

info@skininspiration.com.au 

www.skininspiration.com.au 


Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty

Business Life: Money 

Business Life 

Good ‘Customer reason service’? for going Now 

‘nuts’ there’s this a contradiction! 

festive season 

When This month writing some about first-hand 

accounts financial of innovation customer one 

service, of the as perspectives practised by I 

can larger share companies: with you I recently is from the 

inside had the of pleasure a fintech of company finishing a 

which book with in my the case provocative has been title 

rolling of ‘Bullshit out Jobs the fast-growing 

– A Theory’ 

Acorns by David app. Graeber Since who launching is 

in an Australia Anthropology in early professor 2016 the 

app out of now the resides London on School the smart of 

phones Economics. of around Graeber’s 350,000 core 

Australians, premise is that that’s contrary roughly to a 1.5% 

of prediction the population. made by economist 

J M If Keynes you’re in 1930 the dark that about by 

what century’s I’m talking end we about, would all Acorns be 

is enjoying a micro a investment 15-hour work platform week, 

or nearly what’s 40% sometimes of the modern called a 

‘round-up’ workforce spends app, the their first days one in a 

of range its kind of soul-sapping Australia. full-time Our 

firm jobs they along secretly with our believe partners do 

brought not need it to out be from performed. the US Jobs 

in corporate 2015 where law, it had academic been and 

established health administration, for a few years. human 

resources, The app public works relations, in a couple 

of telemarketing ways: by taking and, a yes, data even 

feed financial from services your spending all potentially 

accounts fall into the and category rounding of what up the 

purchases Graeber calls you ‘Bullshit make to jobs’. the 

nearest Do read dollar this and book investing if you 

these want to accumulated have a laugh balances while also 

into enjoying a mix a thought-provoking 

of exchange traded 

funds look at listed modern on work the ASX, – especially or, 

by aspects you debiting such as how an amount society or 

regular undervalues payment jobs from that directly your 

bank benefit account mankind to – your such Acorns as 

account. teaching, nursing Most users or caregiving enjoy the 

round – and elevates up feature those of jobs Acorns that as 

it mainly allows shuffle them paper to save around while or 

they contain spend. the word As a ‘strategic’ parent of in 

teenagers the title. Bear I think mind, I’ve come however, 

to that the Graeber’s conclusion views that are apps not 

such mainstream as Acorns economics using a and blend are 

of highly psychology debatable. and technology 

may And be it the was only pure effective coincidence way 

to that get during modern the kids month to I save had 

because Graeber’s they book sure fresh do know 

how in my to mind spend. I managed 

to Acorns have three works close because the 

principles encounters underlying with its design 

what I suspect is 

the pinnacle of all 

useless occupations 

– the call centre 

representative. 

The first encounter was 

with Optus – I have one of 

their mobiles on a corporate 

plan and I contacted them to 

arrange a travel pack for an 

overseas trip – the $10 per day 

‘all-you-can-eat’ phone deal 

are for when firmly you rooted are overseas. in behavioural It 

finance: turned out investing that they small don’t allow 

amounts corporate on customers a regular to basis access that 

won’t travel packs. be missed When combined I asked them with 

investing if corporate over customers an extended don’t 

period travel overseas of time to the average person was 

into gushingly the markets apologetic smoothing and said 

out they peaks understood and troughs. my concerns Of 

course at which it point doesn’t it was hurt just that easier it 

does to give all up. of The these next things day within they 

the sent framework a text asking of a highly about my 

attractive and functional user 

interface – fancy words for the 

app looks and feels very cool. 

While these principles have 

proven to be sound over time 

Acorns goes on to provide an 

indirect benefit to its users 

in the form of education and 

improved financial literacy. 

Get two or more people in the 

room who have an account and 

you’ll find out what I mean – 

when did you start? What are 

customer service experience, 

I duly ignored it. The day after 

they sent me the text again; 

bugger it, I filled it out and gave 

them all zeros. The next day 

someone from Optus actually 

called me… but not to fix the 

you problem saving or for? to suggest What returns a work 

have around you but had? to apologise It’s inherently and 

competitive empathise again but when – Aarrrgh! it’s 

combined Thanks, but with get the lost! tools and 

information The next encounter that the app was with 

provides Woolworths. it’s I also have extremely had one of 

informative their branded – as credit a regular cards from user 

you the days can’t when help it but churned become out 

more many informed frequent flyer about points the to 

behaviour now when it of doesn’t markets but whether once a 

you month are it looking gives you to 10% or not off – your the 

with Brian Hrnjak 

balance grocery bill, of your a tangible Acorns feature account 

rises in a card and when falls in so line many with of them 

movements promise so much in markets but deliver during 

the so little. course Lately, of the however, trading this day. 

feature One of hasn’t the challenges been working 

any properly: finance no app automatic would deduction have 

encouraging at the checkout, young which people means to 

save a half and hour invest on the is phone to remain with 

relevant a call centre. in their After eyes. a week Over I get 

the past year an a number email with of an 

enhancements official-looking 

have taken place 

following user case feedback, number the 

headline ones thanking being: me 

Found Money for partners my enquiry, – users 

can shop online saying with brands that the 

such as Bonds, management 

Dan Murphy’s, 

BCF, Uber etc. and team these are still 

partners usually investigating 

deposit bonus 

amounts how and why or extra this occurred round ups and 

into that they users will advise account; further once 

My their Finance investigations feature have – uses been 

artificial completed. intelligence This time to I took track a 

and moment categorise to reply, spending thanking and them 

calculate for their email, free cash advising flow; that in 

Super my view fund the cause linkages of the – allows problem 

users was their to make rubbish deposits systems to and a 

range that if they of industry don’t expedite and public a $50 

offer gift voucher superannuation like they did funds; the last 

Emerald time the system Portfolio broke – a I socially would 

responsible expedite seeking portfolio a new option card 

introduced provider and following new supermarket member 

feedback; – the problem was apparently 

Little solved Acorns the next – sub working accounts day. 

designed The last to encounter allow investment was with 

on Origin behalf Energy. of children Where we or other live in 

dependants Pittwater there under is no the gas age supply of 18. 

56 52 DECEMBER AUGUST 2018 2017 


to the street so we rely on bottled 

gas which in our case comes from 

Origin. On the day that delivery 

was expected I received a text 

saying that delivery had failed 

and they would reattempt the 

following day. No big deal. The 

next day I receive another 

text, delivery has failed again. 

Fantastic news; this represented 

another chance to deal with a call 

centre. When I finally navigated 

the menu to a human I was told 

that our long-standing driver 

now considered the site access 

too steep in light of their new 

workplace health and safety 

policy. Ok, I asked, so what was 

the point of the text message 

about reattempting delivery 

the next day – did they expect 

the site to magically level itself 

overnight? After more circular 

discussion I worked out that 

Origin had unilaterally withdrawn 

the supply of gas due to a policy 

change, with no plan of informing 

us. So after organising to move 

the gas bottles to a new policyfriendly 

location I made two more 

calls to the call centre to arrange 

delivery, each time being assured 

that that it would be next day. As 

anyone who relies on bottled gas 

knows you only call when you 

have emptied one cylinder and 

switched to the next (which was 

weeks ago by this stage) so we 

were rapidly spiralling towards a 

four-long-haired-girl-householdbathroom-crisis-Armageddon. 

The bottles arrived four days 

later, barely in the nick of time. 

While Willie Nelson implored 

mothers not to let their children 

grow up to be cowboys, ladies 

I’m suggesting it could be worse, 

much worse if they wind up 

as drones in call centres being 

professional apologisers. What 

could be worse than being that 

person on the end of the line 

with absolutely no authority 

or resources to fix a problem, 

armed only with an internal 

training course on how to deal 

with difficult people and being 

‘recorded for training purposes’? 

It will be interesting to see if 

our large corporates continue 

with this cookie cutter approach 

to managing customers and 

issues. Corporate Australia 

along with many of our large 

institutions are facing an ongoing 

loss of trust – the following words 

were written by Patrick Durkin in 

the Australian Financial Review in 


March this year reporting on the 

Edelman Trust Barometer: “Trust 

in business slid from 48 to 45 per 

cent, government fell from 37 to 

35 per cent, media from 32 to 31 

per cent and NGOs from 52 to 48 

per cent. Australia rates just four 

percentage points above Russia, 

the world’s least-trusting nation, 

and our trust index score places 

us in the bottom-third of nations.” 

Of course, since then we’ve 

had further revelations from 

the Banking Royal Commission, 

Optus botched the Football World 

Cup streaming then botched the 

refunds, Woolworths and Coles 

upset their customers by selling 

them plastic bags they used 

to get for free and Bill Shorten 

backflipped on small company 

tax cuts. 

Perhaps to improve trust and 

make jobs interesting again 

our big businesses could turn 

the customer relationship on 

its head. Stop listening to those 

people with the word strategic in 

their job titles, end the ceaseless 

rounds of internal meetings, the 

obsession with KPIs, targets and 

bonus culture and stop hiding 

behind the internet. 

What if a bank came along that 

reinstated the role and status 

of the local manager, stopped 

trying to sell you stuff every time 

you went in there, published the 

phone number of the local branch 

on their website, kept relationship 

managers in their roles for more 

than 6 months, put their best 

staff who can also speak English 

on the end of the enquiry line and 

actively rewarded customers for 

loyalty and not just those who are 

about to walk? We could name 

it after an old brand from the 

1980s: ‘Mirage Bank’ – too good 

to be true. 

Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is 

a Director of GHR Accounting 

Group Pty Ltd, Certified 

Practising Accountants. Offices 

at: Suite 12, Ground Floor, 

20 Bungan Street Mona Vale 

NSW 2103 and Shop 8, 9 – 15 

Central Ave Manly NSW 2095, 

Telephone: 02 9979-4300, 

Webs: www.ghr.com.au and 

www.altre.com.au Email: 

brian@ghr.com.au 

These comments are of a 

general nature only and are 

not intended as a substitute 

for professional advice. 


Business Life

Business Life: Law 


Privacy concerns over 

new ‘My Health Record’ 

Last month readers will 

have likely seen headlines 

or heard television and 

radio commentary concerning 

My Health Record, being an 

online summary of individual’s 

health information, such 

as medication prescribed, 

medical conditions diagnosed, 

treatments received, allergies 

noted and pathology test 

results as for example blood 

tests to be held in an eHealth 

record. 

It is the Federal 

Government’s aim to have a 

My Health Record for every 

Australian at the end of 2018. 

So how has this come 

about? And why has there 

been so little information 

available to warn people that 

My Health Record is a system 

involving every individual who 

on consideration of the issues 

involved may choose to ‘opt 

out’ of the system but can 

only do so between 16th July 

and 15th October 2018? 

The government has 

not conducted a formal 

advertising or information 

campaign about this major 

change to our health system. 

In 2012, the then Labor 

government introduced and 

passed My Health Records 

Act and My Health Records 

Regulation. Subsequently 

the Coalition government 

introduced and passed My 

Records Rule in 2016. 

ONLINE RECORD: The Government is pushing a digital database model. 

The scheme as devised by 

the Labor government was to 

roll out a voluntary, shared 

digital health record for all 

Australians. The then Attorney 

General, Nicola Roxon said “I 

want to make sure we bring 

consumers with us in the 

e-Health journey by adopting 

an ‘opt in’ model allowing 

them to choose when to sign 

on. I believe that the benefits 

of giving the Australian public 

the choice as to whether they 

participate will be key to the 

successful implementation... 

I think moving to an ‘opt out’ 

position would be a serious 

mistake.” 

At the National Press Club 

in May this year the CEO of 

the Australian Digital Health 

Agency (ADHA), Tim Kelsey 

spoke on ‘Your Health in your 

with Jennifer Harris 

hands – the digital evolution of 

health and care in Australia’. 

He said that last August, 

the Council of Australian 

Governments unanimously 

agreed on a new National 

Digital Health Strategy. 

This involved three 

overriding principles: 

n Participation: empower 

people to take more control 

of their health and care; 

n Collaboration: co-design 

services with care 

professionals and the 

community – so that they 

serve real need. Always be 

evidenced-based and always 

listen; and 

n Innovation: create platforms 

for industry, developers, 

entrepreneurs, and 

researchers so that their 

creativity and businesses can 

flourish and health outcomes 

in Australia benefit. 

In the years since Nicola 

Roxon suggested that it 

would be a serious mistake to 

move to an ‘opt out’ position, 

that is precisely what has 

happened – and unless you 

do so by 15th October 2018 

you will automatically have 

a digital health record by 

the end of the year. Such a 

record will be available to your 

doctors, hospitals and other 

health care providers… such 

as physiotherapists to view 

your health information, in 

accordance with your access 



controls. You are also able to 

access it online yourself. 

However, concern has and is 

being expressed about privacy 

and the protection of data. 

Security expert Paul Power 

has stated “… a centralised 

e-Health database accessible 

over the internet to more than 

100,000 legitimate access 

points, each of which has 

access to the entire database, 

is fundamentally indefensible.” 

Insurance companies will not 

have access to the data base 

and the data can’t be used for 

commercial and non-healthrelated 

purposes, including 

direct marketing to consumers, 

insurance assessments, and 

eligibility for welfare benefits. 

Dr Steve Hambleton from 

ADHA has said that strict 

safeguards are in place: “I 

can absolutely categorically 

state that none of the apps 

and none of the use of the My 

Health Record data will be able 

to be sold to third parties – 

that’s absolutely prohibited,” 

he said. 

It certainly is – and 

penalties include two years’ 

imprisonment. 

However, in June this year 

Australia’s largest online doctor 

booking service, Healthengine 

– one of My Health Record’s 

partner apps – was revealed 

as selling and passing on 

patient information to third 

parties, including law firms. 

The Minister Greg Hunt has 

ordered an “urgent review” of 

the platform and the company 

has announced that it would 

stop sharing patient data. 

It is assumed by the creators 

of the seismic shift to the 

digital evolution of health 

and care in Australia that all 

citizens are computer literate 

and will be able to negotiate 

the system to ‘opt out’ or if 

they wish to remain, ‘opt in’, 

and that they will choose if 

they want their data shared 

for research and healthcare 

improvement by switching ‘on’ 

or ‘off’ a ‘Withdraw Consent’ 

button in their record. The 

system is not simple – rather 

like that other system MyGov: 

almost impossible to navigate. 

Similarly, the numerous 

Privacy fact sheets published 

by the Office of the Australian 

Information Commissioner 

suggest among other matters 

you should “… be aware of 

the different access settings 

available to you… consider 

setting advanced access 

controls [and a]… Record 

Access Code… talk to your 

healthcare providers regularly 

about what information they 

will be adding to and accessing 

from your my Health Record… 

ask how they will involve you 

in this process… check your 

my Health Record access 

history regularly… [and] set up 

notifications.” 

It’s difficult to think that 

many people will have time 

enough to engage in this 

bureaucratic nightmare 

of monitoring their health 

records, and who else might 

have access to them. 

Comment supplied by 

Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer 

Harris & Associates, Solicitors, 

4/57 Avalon Parade, 

Avalon Beach. 

T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290. 

E: jennifer@jenniferharris.com.au 

W: www.jenniferharris.com.au 

Merger of two 

local legal firms 

S 

tuart Latham Solicitors of Avalon and Matthew 

Huntingdon Solicitor & Notary Public of Newport have 

merged their legal practices. 

With effect from 1 July, Stuart and Matthew have 

combined their knowledge and experience with the aim of 

achieving high-quality, affordable outcomes for their clients. 

“The merger allows both firms to expand, with offices in 

Avalon Beach and Newport,” said Stuart. 

Stuart’s office will remain at Suite 5, 49 Old Barrenjoey 

Road, Avalon Beach; Matthew’s office will remain at Suite 8, 

355 Barrenjoey Road, Newport. 

“The combined firm will have four practising solicitors, 

two paralegals/office managers (who both have law 

degrees), plus a law clerk (who is currently completing her 

law degree),” said Stuart. 

“Our combined practice areas will include Property law, 

including conveyancing, leasing and developments; Business 

law, servicing small to medium enterprises and covering all 

forms of commercial agreements; Estate planning including 

Wills, Power of Attorney, Guardianship Appointments & 

Testamentary Trusts; Estate Administration including Probate 

and Letters of Administration applications; Retirement village 

contracts; Notarial services; and Dispute resolution.” 

Clients may continue to contact them on their usual 

phone numbers and email addresses, and Matthew can now 

also be contacted at matthew@stuartlatham.com.au 




Trades & Services 

AUTO REPAIRS 

British & Swedish Motors 

BOAT SERVICES 

Avalon Marine Upholstery 

CLEANING 

The Aqua Clean Team 

PAINTING 

Modern Colour 


Call 9970 6654 

Services Range Rover, Land Rover, 

Saab and Volvo with the latest in 

diagnostic equipment. 

Narrabeen Tyrepower 

Call 9970 6670 

Stocks all popular brands including 

Cooper 4WD. Plus they’ll do all 

mechanical repairs and rego 

inspections. 

Barrenjoey Smash Repairs 

Call 9970 8207 

barrenjoeysmashrepairs.com.au 

Re-sprays a specialty, plus 

restoration of your favourite vehicle. 

Commercial specialist. 

Call Simon 9918 9803 

Makes cushions for boats, patio and 

pool furniture, window seats. 

ELECTRICAL 

Eamon Dowling Electrical 

Call 0410 457 373 

For all electrical, phone, TV, data and 

security needs. 

FLOOR COVERINGS 

Blue Tongue Carpets 

Call Stephan 9979 7292 

Family owned and run. Carpet, rugs, 

runners, timber, bamboo, vinyl, tiles & 

laminates. Open 6 days. 

GARDENS 

Graham Brooks 

Call 0412 281 580 

Tree pruning and removals. Reports 

regarding DA tree management, 

arborist reports. 

Precision Tree Services 

Call Adam 0410 736 105 

Adam Bridger; professional tree 

care by qualified arborists and tree 

surgeons. 

Call Mark 0449 049 101 

Quality window washing, 

pressure cleaning, carpet 

washing, building soft wash. 

Martin Earl House Wash 

Call 0405 583 305 

Pittwater-based owner on site at all 

times. No travellers or uninsured casuals 

on your property. 

MASSAGE & FITNESS 

Avalon Physiotherapy 

Call 9918 3373 

Provide specialist treatment for neck & 

back pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic 

problems. 

Avalon Physiotherapy 

& Clinical Pilates 

Call 9918 0230 

Dry needling and acupuncture, falls 

prevention and balance 

enhancement programs. 

Avalon Beach Chiropractic 

Call Sam 9918 0070 

Professional care for all ages. Treatment 

for chronic and acute pain, 

sports injuries. 

Francois Naef/Osteopath 

Call Francois 9918 2288 

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention for 

back pain and sciatica, sports injuries, 

muscle soreness and strain, pregnancyrelated 

pain, postural imbalance. 

Call 0406 150 555 

Simon Bergin offers painting and 

decorating; clean, tidy, quality detail you 

will notice. Dependable and on time. 

AJJ Painting & Decorating 

Call 0418 116 700 

Andrew is a master painter with 30 

years’ experience. Domestic and commercial; 

reasonable rates, free quotes. 

UPHOLSTERY 

All Foam 

Call 9973 1731 

Cut to measure quality foam for day 

beds, boats, caravans and more. Discounted 

prices, reliable local service. 

Free measure / quote. 

Luxafoam North 

Call 9999 5567 

Local specialists in all aspects of 

outdoor & indoor seating. 

Custom service, expert advice. 

Essyou Design 

Call Susan 0422 466 880 

Specialist in day bed and outdoor 

areas. Reliable local service. Offering 

domestic & commercial. 

Leather Hero 

Call Leanne 0490 796 012 

Specialists in leather cleaning, 

revamps, repairs and colour restoration 

for lounges, cars and boats. 







TUITION 

Northern Beaches 

Home Tutoring 

Call John 9972 1469 

1-ON-1 individual tutoring in your 

home. All ages and subjects K-Uni. 

Qualified tutors. WWC child protection 

checked. Since 2009. 

PEST CONTROL 

Predator Pest Control 

Call 0417 276 962 

predatorpestcontrol.com.au 

Environmental services at their best. 

Comprehensive control. Eliminate all 

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. 

manner of pests. They provide a 24- 

hour service. 

PUMPS & TANKS 

Water Warehouse 

Call 9913 7988 

waterwarehouse.com.au 

Rainwater tanks & pumps. Irrigation & 

filter supply specialists. 

RENOVATIONS 

Rob Burgers 

Call 0416 066 159 

Qualified builder provides all carpentry 

needs; decks, pergolas, carports, 

renos & repairs. 

BlindLight 

Call Dave 0403 466 350 

Specialists is window tinting and glass 

coatings. Act now for summer. 


TUITION 

Northern Beaches Home Tu tor ing 

Call John 9972 1469 

1-ON-1 individual tutoring in your home. All ages and subjects K-Uni. 

Qualified tutors. WWC child protection checked. Since 2009. 



the 

good 

life 

dining 

food 

crossword 

gardening 

travel 

60 

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68 

72 

Showtime 

Something for everyone 

‘Romantic’ return 

One of Australia’s best-loved pianists, Simon 

Tedeschi returns to the northern beaches 

in a concert of Romantic Classics to sweep you 

off your feet. 

Joined by Roger Benedict, Sydney Symphony’s 

Principal Viola and Director of the SSO Fellows, 

Simon and Roger will perform Schubert’s 

ever-popular Arpeggione Sonata and Songs 

from Winterreise as well as works by Brahms 

and Schumann, from their new studio album 

for ABC Classics, A Winter’s Tale. 

Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening with 

two of our finest musicians and some of the 

most beautiful music ever written for viola and 

piano, at St Luke’s Grammar School Bayview 

campus (1977 Pittwater Rd). 

The concert, brought to us by Peninsula 

Music Club, will be held on Friday August 17 at 

HEADLINE ACTS: ABBALANCHE (left) and Shannon Noll. 

Here’s a snapshot of some 

of the live shows you can 

catch not too far from home 

this month… 

Shade Of Red. Northern 

Beaches locals, Craig ‘Finny’ 

Finniss, Mike Han and Steve 

Buiaroski are the Sydney/ 

North Coast-based Rock and 

Pop Trio, Shade Of Red. Catch 

the much-loved local legends 

performing songs you just 

have to get up and dance to at 

Avalon Beach RSL Club on Sat 

11 from 9pm-12am. 

Bard ‘bad’-aption. Give the 

kids a slapstick introduction 

to Shakespeare and live 

theatre at The Tragedy of 

Hamlet; Prince of Skidmark 

– an hour-long comedy show 

packed with silliness, sword 

fights, ghosts, bodily fluids 

and spooky stuff. Plus ninjas. 

And zombies. On Fri 17 and 

Sat 18 at Glen Street Theatre. 

Adults at kids’ prices! glenstreet.com.au. 

Better be good. Everyone’s 

favourite runner-up Shannon 

Noll hits Dee Why RSL Club on 

Fri 17. Catch Nollsie’s gutsy 

voice when he shares music 

from his new album Unbroken. 

Doors open 7.30pm go to deewhyrsl.com.au 

for more info. 

Here we go again. Playing to 

sell-out crowds since 1995 (and 

they say they’re not tired!) the 

award-winning totally live Abba 

Tribute Show ABBALANCHE 

will take you on an entertaining 

ride through the hits we all 

know so well, with plenty of 

crowd participation, sing-along 

ballads and dance-floor 

hits with a dash of humour. 

The group is back at Pittwater 

RSL Club on Sat 25. Tickets $25 

with limited seating. Call 9997 

3833 or go to pittwaterrsl.com. 

au for more info. 

Singing a different tune. 

Known for performing classical 

choral music, the wonderful 

Manly Warringah Choir 

is doing something a little 

bit different for its winter 

concert this month by lending 

its voice to some lighter 

pieces. Members of the 100 

strong choir and orchestra will 

perform a medley from the 

all-time favouri te musical West 

Side Story, Hebrew love songs, 

sonnets and songs from 

Shakespeare and a little Jazz 

music at the beautiful Cardinal 

Cerretti Chapel in Manly. The 

concert Love, Peace and all 

that Jazz conducted by Dr 

Carlos Alvarados will be held 

on Sun 26 from 2.30pm. More 

info manlywarringahchoir.org. 

au or 9953 2443. 

Burlesque in the basement. 

Walk down the stairs of the 

Kave Bar on Barrenjoey Rd 

Newport and be transported 

to 1920s New York, Chicago, 

London or Paris as you enter 

the raunchy and raucous cabaret 

that is ‘The Cats Meow’. 

Sat 25 from 7-11.55pm. 

WINTER WARMERS: Tedeschi (left) with Benedict 

8pm, doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets $25 and 

students $10 (under 16 free when accompanied 

by an adult). 

Enquires 0407 441 213 or 0413 077 749 (tickets 

available at the door). More info peninsulamusicclub.com.au. 

Supper will be served after the performance. 


Showtime

Dining Guide 

Dining Guide 

August's best restaurants, functions, events and reader deals... 

Bistro 61 

Avalon Beach RSL 

1 Bowling Green Lane 

Avalon Beach 

OPENING HOURS 

Open 7 days 

Lunch 12pm-2:30pm 

Dinner 5:30-8:30pm 

CUISINE 

Modern Aust / pub food 

PRICE RANGE 

Meals $8-$30 

Specials $12-$15 

BOOKINGS 9918 2201 

Avalon Beach RSL’s Bistro 61 

is a great place to head for 

a local meal, offering tasty 

modern Australian dishes at 

affordable prices. 

In August, catch the 

Surf Lounge Sessions every 

Saturday night with free live 

music from 9pm. 

And now available for free 

download – the brand new 

Avalon Beach RSL Club App. 

Earn rewards, prizes and 

member points by logging in 

daily. 

See what's on, check out 

events, view menus and more! 

Don't miss the Super Sunday 

raffle on the first Sunday of 

every month – there's more 

than $1500 in prizes to be won. 

Bistro 61 is open for 

breakfast from 9am to 

11.30am. Open for lunch 

and dinner seven days, with 

extensive outdoor dining 

areas, Bistro 61 offers a variety 

of specials (lunch and dinner) 

during the week, including 

$12 tacos (Tues), $15 Chicken 

Schnitzels (Wed), 2-4-1 pizzas 

(Thurs), and a $20 burger + 

beer (Fri). 

Seniors are well catered 

for – there are daily Seniors 

specials, including beerbattered 

flathead – plus they 

do a $5 kids meals on Sundays! 

(There’s a playground, too.) 

From the menu, chef 

Mitch recommends his twist 

on nachos – pulled beef and 

blackbeans with chipotle, corn 

chips, guacamole, Danish fetta 

and coriander. 

Members get discounts on 

meals purchased. Membership 

starts from $5.50. 

The club is licensed, with 

no BYO. Bookings online or 

call 9918 2201 – large groups 

welcome. 

Barrenjoey 

Bistro 

Club Palm Beach 

1087 Barrenjoey Rd, 

Palm Beach 

BISTRO OPENING HOURS 

Lunch 11:30am-2.30pm 

Dinner 6pm-8.30pm 

PRICE RANGE 

Lunch and dinner 

specials $13.50 


18 (see ad opposite). Assemble 

outside the Club for an 11am 

service followed by finger food 

lunch (bookings essential). 

Barrenjoey Bistro is open 

for lunch (11.30am to 2.30pm) 

and dinner (6pm to 9pm) seven 

days, plus there's a Snack Menu 

available 2.30pm-6pm. 

The Bistro serves top-value a 

la carte meals plus daily $13.50 

specials of roasts (Mondays), 

rump steak with chips and 

salad (Tuesdays), chicken 

schnitzel with chips and salad 

(Wednesdays), homemade 

gourmet pies with chips and 

salad (Thursdays) and tempura 

fish and chips with salad 

(Fridays), except public hols. 

The Members’ lucky badge 

draw is held Wednesday and 

Friday night (every 30 mins 

between 5pm-7pm), and 

jackpots by $100 each week. 

Enjoy Trivia Night from 

5.30pm on Wednesdays, plus 

Bingo 10am on Fridays. 

The club has a courtesy 

bus that makes regular runs 

Wednesdays, Fridays and 

Saturdays from 4.30pm to 9pm. 

Ring to book a pick-up. 

The Mirage 

Restaurant 

at Metro Mirage 

Hotel Newport 

2 Queens Parade West, 

Newport 

CUISINE 

Modern Australian 

PRICE RANGE 

Breakfast – $25 adults, 

$12.50 kids (5-12) 

Dinner – entrees 

from $7-$17, 

Mains from $21-$30, 

Desserts from $13-$25 


Local residents are finding 

the peaceful ambience 

of The Mirage restaurant 

overlooking spectacular 

Pittwater, the perfect 

waterfront venue to enjoy 

breakfast or dinner. 

Located in boutique Metro 

Hotel Mirage Newport, The 

Mirage restaurant is a popular 

7-10am seven days a week, 

offering a fixed-price full hot 

and cold buffet, including a 

selection of cereals, seasonal 

fruit and freshly made juice, 

toast and pastries and 

sausages, eggs, has browns, 

bacon and tomato served with 

the Chef’s Special of the day. 

The Mirage restaurant is 

also open for dinner from 

Monday to Saturday from 

5.30pm – 8.30pm and can 

be hired, along with all the 

hotel’s function rooms, for 

private and corporate events 

of between 60-110 guests. 

Hong Kong 

Chinese Restaurant 

332 Barrenjoey Rd, 

Newport 

OPENING HOURS 

Dinner Tues-Sun 5pm 

CUISINE 

Chinese & Asian 

PRICE RANGE 

Entrees $5-20 

Mains $12.90-26.50 

*Deliver Whale Beach - Narrabeen 


Book a table at this 

popular Newport eatery in 

August and your family is 

guaranteed a great night 

out with a feast for the eyes 

and the tastebuds. 

Order ahead for their 

wonderful Peking Duck which 

is offered as a dine-in-only 

special Thursdays through 

Sundays in Winter. 

There are two traditional 

courses: Peking Duck 

pancakes & duck sang choy 

bow (bookings essential; 

mention the ad when you call). 

This long-established 

restaurant on the eastern 

side of Barrenjoey Rd has 

an extensive menu based 

on traditional flavoursome 

Cantonese with touches of 

spicy Szechuan and other 

Asian dishes and fresh 

seasonal vegetables. 

Entrees start at just $6 

while mains are great value 

too, starting at $16.80. 

Head to Club Palm Beach, 

located just a short stroll from 

Palm Beach Wharf, for a huge 

month of specials in August. 

The annual Vietnam Vets 

Luncheon is on Saturday August choice for breakfast from 



LIC 

BYO 

All 

P

The menu ranges from 

adventurous, like a Sizzling 

Szechuan-style platter of 

king prawns and fillets of 

chicken, to contemporary, 

featuring spicy salt and 

pepper king prawns, to 

traditional, with favourites 

including Mongolian lamb, 

Honey king prawns and 

Honey chicken. 

New dishes are introduced 

regularly so check out the 

blackboard specials. 

The team are only too 

happy to home deliver your 

meal, with a range that takes 

in Narrabeen to the south to 

Palm Beach in the north. 

Fully licensed or BYO. 

Royal Motor 

Yacht Club 

Salt Cove on Pittwater 

46 Prince Alfred 

Parade, Newport 

OPENING HOURS 

Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 

Mon-Fri from 8.30am 

Weekends from 8am 

PRICE RANGE 

Breakfast from $8-$18 

Entrees from $9-$21 

Mains from $16-$26 


RMYC’s restaurant Salt Cove 

on Pittwater’s menu has been 

updated for winter – but it still 

offers affordable meals and 

generous servings including 

a variety of starters and share 

plates, seafood, burgers, 

grills, salads, desserts and 

woodfired pizza. 

You're invited to the RMYC's 

special 'Traditional Mexican 

Fiesta' night on Thursday 

August 9. Discover Mexico 

through great food at Salt Cove 

from 6pm; $55 members, $60 


non-members, $25 kids (12 

and under). Includes a drink on 

arrival. 

Friday night music kicks off 

in the Lounge Bar from 6.30pm. 

Great acts in August include 

Peter Kinch (3rd); Jim Gannon 

(10th); Geoff Kendall (17th); and 

Phil Simmons (24th). 

Catch up with the Travel View 

/ Cruise View Travel Club at the 

meeting in the lounge bar from 

10.30am on Monday 6th. 

And don't miss the Ladies 

Lunch with Annabelle Chauncy 

on Wednesday 15th August. 

A dynamic leader and social 

entrepreneur, over the past nine 

years through her foundation 

'School For Life', Annablle has 

built three schools in Uganda 

that provide quality education 

to 680 students and outreach 

to more than 2000 people. Twocourse 

lunch from 12 noon ($75 

members, $80 non-members). 

Trivia is held every Tuesday 

night from 7.30pm (great prizes 

and vouchers). 

Club Boat and Social 

memberships are now available 

for just $160. 


Dining Guide

Tasty Morsels 

Wine dinners a corker of an idea 

Flash yet sophisticatedly rejuvenated 

local hospitality site Park 

House have launched a fabulous 

Wine Dinner initiative showcasing 

unique and interesting wines and 

winemakers, matched with outstanding 

cuisine created by head 

chef Jason Stuart. 

The dinners kicked off in July 

with guests feasting on a stunning 

menu in the Park House private 

dining space, The Loft, hosted 

by Ben Tolstoshev from The Lane 

Vineyard wines. 

Canapes were enjoyed on arrival, 

followed by a three-course 

set menu with perfectly matched 

premium wines from The Lane 

Vineyard. 

Entrée was Tiradito of Hiramasa 

Kingfish, Sliced & Marinated 

with Chilli Lime, Frozen Avocado 

Guacamole (paired with The 

Lane Block 1A Chardonnay); the 

main comprised Applewood 

Smoked Chicken, Charred Cos, 

Mushroom, Pumpkin and Humble 

Greens (matched with The Lane 

19th Meeting Cabernet Sauvignon); 

while dessert was a deep 

Chocolate, Hazelnut, Date Trifle 

(accompanied by The Lane Block 

5 Shiraz). 

More wine dinners are planned 

at Park House over coming 

months – stay tuned! 

Park House Food and Liquor 

holds a big, happy family of 

restaurants, pop-up markets, food 

trucks, cocktail bars and a brew 

bar. 

Each has its own distinctive 

personality, but the family DNA is 

fresh, local and flavoursome. 

Park House Food Merchants is 

an industrial warehouse of flavours 

– big, bold and brazen. With 

180 seats, an outdoor cocktail bar, 

fireplaces and comfy couches plus 

a retractable roof, this gathering 

place ensures seamless good 

times, rain or shine. The menu’s a 

freewheeling Southern California 

road trip, infused with Mexican, 

Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern 

tastes and seasonal ingredients. 

Front Yard Brews & Burgers is 

where craft beers live – with 40 

taps! And then there are the epic 

burgers. From the slip-sloppy 

delights of the Messy AF, with its 

cheese, glazed pulled lamb, slaw 

pickles and aioli; to a cracking 

glazed crispy southern chicken 

spectacular; to a mouthwatering 

no-meat burger that ensures 

vegetarians can party too. 

Outside, Truck Stop (opening 

Spring 2018) will feature a 1950s 

Airstream bar and pizza kitchen, 

heaps of activities for the kids and 

a rolling program of food trucks, 

live entertainment, markets and 

festivals for all ages to enjoy 

together. 

Cast your vote in 2018 Fish and Chips Awards 

Does Pittwater have Australia’s 

Best Fish and Chips? – We 

think so, but we’ll only get 

the gong if the shop opted 

to register with the Seafood 

Industry Australia competition 

and the public gets behind them. 

Designed to highlight the 

importance of buying fresh, local, 

seafood, last year’s Australian Fish 

and Chip Awards reeled in more 

than 100,000 votes, across 800 

stores. 

More than 2000 shops have 

registered for this year’s fry-off. 

There are two categories including: 

people’s choice and a judge’s 

choice. So whether you like your 

fish grilled, battered or crumbed, 

from August 1 you can vote for 

the best fish and chips in the 

country. 

The winners from each state 

and territories will go through to 

compete for the national title of 

Best Fish and Chips 2018. 

Voting runs from August 1 to 

September 16, with the national 

winner announced on October 15. 

For more information and an 

oppor –tuna-ty (sorry!) to vote 

for your favourite fish and chip 

shop visit www.fishandchipsawards.com.au. 



Taste of the 

Beaches a fun 

foodie festival 

The second annual Taste of the Beaches 

is back this month – bigger and better 

than ever with gastronomical delights and 

top-notch wineries all set on the beautiful 

backdrop of the Pittwater foreshore. 

The event will be held on Sunday 19 

August (11am-5pm) at Winnererremy Bay 

(aka Flying Fox Park) in Mona Street, Mona 

Vale – hopefully with plenty of beautiful 

late winter sunshine. 

On offer will be a selection of foods 

from some of the Northern Beaches’ finest 

local restaurants and cafes, complemented 

by local craft beer brewers and wines from 

the Mudgee region. 

There will also be a selection of 

international cuisine including dumplings, 

gourmet burgers, paella and sweet treats. 

Locals are urged to grab a picnic rug 

and soak up one of the most picturesque 

settings on the Northern Beaches and 

enjoy the free entertainment on offer 

including live music and kids’ activities. 

Council’s event partner in 2018 is with 

the Mudgee Wine Region – the third largest 

grape-growing region in NSW and one 

of the oldest wine regions in the state. 

Visitors will be able to meet wine-makers 

and participate in tastings by purchasing a 

Tasting Glass and tokens on the day. 

The young ones won't be short of 

activities to do with KidzKlub setting up 

a Kids Activity Zone which includes art 

and craft workshops, a photo booth, giant 

board games, face painting and an active 

area with skipping ropes, stilts, hoop 

games and more! 

If you want to kick back and have a few 

beverages, then Council has transport 

covered as well. Leave the car at home and 

take advantage the complimentary shuttle 

between 11am and 5.30pm – the bus will 

do loops from the Corner of Bungan Lane 

and Pittwater Road, Mona Vale, to the Bay. 

(Our tip: Catch the shuttle back to Mona 

Vale, book a Keoride and arrange to be 

picked up from the B-Line bus stop on 

Barrenjoey Rd; they’ll drop you at your 

door.) 

For more info visit northern beaches. 

nsw.gov.au 



Food Life 

For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au 


Recipes: Janelle Bloom Photos: Ben Dearnley & Benito Martin 

Slow cooking ticks boxes 

for winter warmer meals 

Now we are two thirds of the way through winter, like me 

I am guessing you are a little ‘over’ soup and searching 

for new warming winter inspiration to keep the family 

satisfied. Whether you use a slow cooker, Crock Pot or the oven 

long, slow cooking ticks many boxes. Once the prep has been 

done you can walk away and allow the rich, warm aroma to fill 

the house; plus you can save money by using cheaper cuts and 

make enough to freeze for another meal. 

Slow-cooked lamb 

with chorizo rice 

Serves 6 

2 chorizo, finely chopped 

1 tbs oil 

1 brown onion, finely chopped 

1 cinnamon stick 

2 bay leaves 

1 cup basmati rice, rinsed 

1¾ cups chicken stock 

1 cup drained can chickpeas, 

rinsed 

1 cup coriander leaves 

2kg shoulder of lamb 

2 tbs olive oil 

1 lemon, rind finely grated, 

juiced 

2 garlic cloves, crushed 

1 cup chicken stock 

Janelle’s Tip: You can shred 

6 sprigs thyme 

1. Preheat oven to 130°C fanforced. 

the lamb on a board and toss 

Greek yoghurt to serve 

Score the top of the it through the rice; spoon into 

Chorizo rice 

lamb fat in a criss-cross pat- 

bowls and serve with yoghurt. 



tern. Combine the olive oil, 

lemon rind, 1 tablespoon 

juice and garlic. Spoon over 

both sides of the lamb, 

rubbing into the lamb with 

fingertips. Season with salt 

and pepper. Pour stock into 

roasting pan to cover the 

base. Place lamb in pan and 

scatter with thyme. Press a 

piece of baking paper right 

down on the surface of the 

lamb. Cover the dish with 

tight-fitting lid or 2 layers 

heavy duty foil. Cook for 6 

hours without removing the 

lid or foil. 

2. Remove from the oven. Preheat 

grill on high. Remove 

the lid or foil from the lamb, 

put it under the grill 5-7 

minutes or until golden and 

crisp. 

3. Thirty minutes before 

the lamb comes out of 

the oven, cook the finely 

chopped chorizo in a 

saucepan over medium 

heat, stirring often until 

light golden. Remove to 

a plate. Add the oil and 

onion and cook, stirring 

occasionally until soft. 

Add the cinnamon and 

bay leaves, cook, stirring 

until aromatic. Stir in the 

rice followed by the stock. 

Bring to the boil. Reduce 

heat to low, cover tightly 

and simmer gently for 15 

minutes or until the rice 

is tender and all the stock 

is absorbed. Remove the 

pan from the heat and 

set aside, covered, for 5 

minutes. Remove the bay 

leaves and cinnamon, stir 

in the chorizo and chickpeas. 

Cover and stand 

3 minutes. Stir through 

coriander. 

4. Spoon rice onto serving 

platter, top with lamb and 

serve with yoghurt. 

with Janelle Bloom 

Chicken biryani 

Serves 6 

2 tbs ghee or vegetable oil 

750g chicken thigh fillet, 

trimmed, chopped 4cm pieces 

2 brown onions, finely 

chopped 

18 fresh curry leaves 

1/3 cup biryani curry paste 

1¼ cups basmati rice, rinsed 

2½ cups chicken stock 

½ cup raisins 

2/3 cup salted toasted cashew 

nuts 

½ cup mint leaves 

Minted yoghurt and poppadoms, 

to serve 

1. Heat half the ghee (or oil) 

in a large heavy-based frying 

pan over medium-high 

heat. Add chicken, cook for 

1 minute each side or until 

browned. Transfer to a bowl. 

2. Reduce heat to medium,

add remaining ghee (or oil) 

with the onion and curry 

leaves, cook, stirring, for 

5 minutes until onion is 

softened. Add curry paste, 

then cook for 1 minute. 

Add rice, stirring to coat in 

paste, then add stock and 

raisins. Transfer to a slow 

cooker, stir in the chicken. 

Cover and cook on low for 

5-6 hours until almost all 

the stock has absorbed. 

3. Scatter over with cashews 

and mint. Serve with yoghurt 

and poppadoms. 

NB: If you don’t have a slow 

cooker, transfer the mixture 

to an ovenproof dish. Stir in 

the chicken. Cover with a lid. 

Place into a slow oven, 150°C 

and cook for 1½-2 hours or 

until rice is tender and has absorbed 

all the stock. Remove 

from the oven, stand covered 

for 10 minutes. Scatter over 

the cashews and mint. Serve 

with yoghurt and pappadoms. 

Janelle’s Tips: If you can’t 

find biryani curry paste you 

can use Balti or Korma. Also, 

for minted yoghurt, chop ¼ 

cup fresh mint leaves and stir 

through 1 cup thick, Greekstyle 

yoghurt. Season. 

Slow-cooked Boston 

baked beans 

Serves 4 

500g dried white beans, rinsed 

1 tbs olive oil 

1 brown onion, finely chopped 

300g speck or bacon, rind 

removed, finely chopped 

2 tbs tomato paste 

¼ cup golden syrup 

¼ cup brown sugar 

2 tbs Dijon mustard 

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce 

1 tbs hot chilli sauce 

4 cups chicken stock 

Toasted sour dough, baby 

spinach & poached egg, to 

serve. 

cooker, transfer the mixture 

to ovenproof casserole with a 

tight-fitting lid. Cook in a slow 

oven 150°C for 3 hours, stirring 

once every hour, or until 

beans are tender and liquid 

has thickened. 

Roasted pear 

crumbles 

Makes 12 

¾ cup roasted unsalted peanuts 

1 cup self-raising flour 

½ cup plain flour 

2 tsp ground cinnamon 

150g butter, chopped 

1 cup brown sugar 

½ cup rolled oats 

1/3 cup raspberry jam 

6 Beurre bosc pears, halved, 

cored 

Icing sugar & vanilla icecream, 

to serve 

1. Preheat oven to 180°C fan 

forced. Lightly grease a 

large baking dish. 

2. Put peanuts into a food processor, 

process until finely 

chopped. Add the flours, 

cinnamon and butter. Pulse 

until the mixture resembles 

coarse breadcrumbs. Remove 

to a large bowl. Add 

the brown sugar and oats 

and use fingers to mix until 

crumble starts to form big 

clumps. 

3. Place the pears into the baking 

dish. Spoon a little jam 

into the centre of each pear 

half. Press crumble mixture 

evenly over the surface of 

the pears. Bake for 20 minutes 

or until pears are just 

tender and crumble golden 

(if the top begins to brown 

too much before pears become 

tender, cover loosely 

with foil during cooking; it 

will depend on the size and 

ripeness of your pears). 

4. Dust with icing sugar and 

serve warm or cold with icecream 

if desired. 



1. Place beans in a large bowl. 

Cover with cold water. 

Place in the fridge to soak 

overnight. Drain then rinse 

beans. Place in a large 

saucepan, cover with cold 

water and bring to boil. 

Simmer, covered for 30 

minutes. Drain. 

2. Heat oil in a saucepan. Add 

onion and speck, cook 3 

minutes until softened. Add 

tomato paste, cook stirring 

1 minute. Add Golden Syrup, 

sugar, mustard, sauces 

and stock. Bring to the boil. 

Pour into a slow cooker. Stir 

in the beans. Cook, covered, 

over low heat for 8 hours, 

then uncover and cook 

for a further hour or until 

the mixture is thickened 

slightly. Season to taste. 

3. Serve on toasted sour 

dough with baby spinach 

and poached egg. 

NB: If you don’t have a slow 



In Season 

Chinese broccoli 


Chinese broccoli is also 

known as Gai lan and 

Chinese Kale. It’s closely 

related to broccoli, cabbage 

and Brussels sprouts. It has 

thick stems and dark green 

leaves, both of which are 

edible. 

Buying 

When buying Chinese broccoli, 

make sure the leaves 

are bright green and not 

discolored or wilted. Avoid 

bunches that contain insect 

damage. 

Storing 

Store unwashed Chinese 

broccoli in a sealed container 

or bag, and store in the 

fridge for up to five days. 

Before using, make sure to 

wash well under cold water. 

Nutrition 

Chinese broccoli is an excellent 

source of vitamin A, C 

and K. Chinese broccoli is 

also a great source of folic 

acid, and it contains a high 

amount of dietary fibre. 

Also In Season 

August 

Apples; Bananas; 

Grapefruit; Mandarins, 

Kiwi Fruit; Australian 

Navel, Blood and Cara 

Cara Oranges; Tangelos; 

Pears; Quince, Rhubarb 

and winter Strawberries. 

Also shop for Avocados; 

Beetroot; Broccolini 

and Broccoli; Brussels 

sprouts; Chinese Broccoli, 

Cauliflower; Celery; 

Leeks, Fennel; Jerusalem 

Artichokes; Pumpkin; 

Sweet Potato; Spinach 

& Silverbeet; Kale and 

Turnips. 

Yum Cha Chinese Broccoli 

with Oyster Sauce 

Serves 2 (as a side) 

1 bunch Chinese broccoli, 

ends trimmed, washed 

2 tbs oyster sauce 

1 garlic clove, crushed 

1 tbs soy sauce 

1 tsp caster sugar 

1 tbs peanut oil 

1 tsp sesame oil 

Fried shallots & sliced red 

chilli, to serve 

1. Cut the stems from the 

leaves of Chinese broccoli. 

Combine the oyster sauce, 

garlic, soy and sugar in a 

small bowl. 

2. Heat a wok over high heat 

until very hot. Add the 

oil and Chinese broccoli 

stems, stir-fry 30 seconds. 

Add 1 teaspoon water, 

quickly cover the wok. 

Cook 20 seconds, shaking 

the wok without removing 

the lid. Remove the lid, 

add the leaves and oyster 

sauce mixture. Stir-fry 

30 seconds until leaves 

wilted. Remove from the 

heat. Drizzle with sesame 

oil and top with shallots 

and chilli. 



Pittwater Puzzler 

Compiled by David Stickley 

CLUE: 2 Down. 

29 Author of On The Right Track and In 

At The Deep End, _______ Janu (8) 

ACROSS 

1 One who works for Pittwater Life, 

perhaps (8) 

5 US state that had a big impact on 

pioneering lady surfer, Patti Paniccia (6) 

10 Making a loud sound (5) 

11 The Newport Sculpture Trail is part of 

_____ ____ Festival (5,4) 

12 Land bordering the ocean, for example 

(9) 

13 Boat fleet new this season to the Avalon 

Sailing Club (5) 

14 Shellfish favoured by diners and as bait 

for fishermen (6) 

15 NSW ski village (7) 

17 Structures built out of sand on a beach 

(7) 

20 Husband or wife (6) 

22 An aircraft without a pilot that is 

operated by remote control (5) 

23 Scenic pedestrian route from Manly to 

Palm Beach currently under construction 

(5,4) 

25 Newport resident and former Wallaby 

who reads the sports news for Channel 

10 (4,5) 

27 First in a series (5) 

28 Focus of many churches on the 

Northern Beaches (6) 

DOWN 

1 Take out another subscription (5) 

2 A white one seen by a swimmer might 

be cause for alarm (7) 

3 New CEO of Northern Beaches Council 

(3,8) 

4 People or things competing in a race, 

contest, etc (7) 

6 A division of some larger or more 

complex organisation (3) 

7 Stuck on the bottom of shallow water 

(7) 

8 Ripe, fit and ready for use (2,6) 

9 Thoroughfare like Gladstone or 

Beaconsfield in Newport (6) 

13 Fundraiser held on August 5th for 

the Pittwater High School Performing 

Ensembles 2020 band (3,4,4) 

16 Professor or lecturer (8) 

18 One employed to locate whales from 

a high point on shore (7) 

19 Free from danger (6) 

20 Breed of cat (7) 

21 Service no doubt available at Papillon 

Hair in Avalon (7) 

24 Jack in cards (5) 

26 Main transport service on the 

Northern Beaches (3) 

[Solution page 70] 

Pittwater Puzzler 



Garden Life 


Delight Postcard in from the Red amazing Centre 

colours where nature’s of hydrangeas in harmony with Gabrielle Bryant 

AThe lways 

‘Red 

a favourite 

Centre’ 

for 

is a 

Christmas wonderful colour, place hydrangeas 

to 

visit 

are 

if you 

flowering 

are a keen 

their 

heads 

gardener 

off! 

or 

They 

appreciate 

look wonderful 

the 

beauty 

in the 

of 

garden, 

our natural 

brightening 

flora – 

the 

as my 

semi-shaded 

husband and 

areas 

I recently 

and 

glowing 

discovered. 

in the 

We 

full, 

set 

protected 

out from 

sunlight. 

Pittwater 

Once 

and after 

the older 

1600 

varieties 

kilometres 

were 

and 

either 

three 

pink 

days’ 

or 

blue 

driving 

depending 

through 

on 

pastures, 

the soil, 

additional 

lush green 

lime 

country 

will deepen 

and 

the 

harsh, 

pinks 

drought-stricken 

and blueing tonic 

land, 

(sulphate 

at Port Augusta, 

of aluminium) 

we finally 

will 

heighten 

turned north 

the blues, 

to the 

but 

desert 

the 

new 

centre. 

named varieties will 

maintain 

No sign 

their 

of the 

colour. 

dusty 

White 

red 

never 

road that 

changes. 

I had expected; 

There are 

the 

hydrangeas 

road ahead was 

of every 

in fact 

size 

finer 

from 

the 

than 

tiny 

any 

dwarf 

Expressway. 

Piamina 

Dead 

to the 

tall 

straight 

traditional 

we drove 

Mop 

for 

Heads. 

a further 

With 

1000 

so 

kilometres, 

many to choose 

passing 

from 

just 

it 

a few 

is almost 

road trains 

too difficult 

going south 

to 

decide. 

and with 

There 

the odd 

are 

caravan 

the delicate 

lace 

ahead. 

caps, 

The 

the 

road 

huge 

in front 

blooms 

was straight to the horizon. 

No sign of civilisation in any 

direction, just the endless 

cattle grids, a couple of emus, 

a huge Wedge Tailed Eagle 

feasting on the carcass of a 

kangaroo… and silence. We 

were entering a new, magical 

world of which I knew nothing. 

We were now in the red 

heart of Australia, a land of 

amazing beauty, with fiery 

red rocky ranges that turn to 

violet at sunset, dry river beds, 

red ochre soil, chasms and 

canyons that lead to hidden 

waterholes, a land of legends 

and mythology that has been 

of the traditional mop heads, 

the cone-shaped flowers of 

hydrangea paniculata bushes 

passed down over thousands 

of years. 

As I learn more on the 

thousands of plants, insects , 

animals and people that have 

that can be two metres tall. 

The recently introduced 

smaller growing Picotee 

varieties with two-tone flower 

heads are hard to leave behind 

and if you have a semishaded 

wall, the climbing 

hydrangea petiolaris is just 

beautiful. 

Hydrangeas are forgiving 

plants that are easy to grow. 

They like regular water and 

any good garden soil. Mulch 

the roots with compost to 

keep them cool and feed 

them in early spring to get 

learned to survive the harsh 

them going. Grow them in 

desert conditions, I wonder 

pots, or in the garden; bring 

how a desert could ever have 

them inside when in flower 

been described as dead. Every 

or cut the blooms – they last 

plant, tree, lizard, bird and 

well in water. 

Cherry Guava a 

sweet surprise 

In full flower in my veggie 

garden is my Cherry Guava, 

sometimes known as a Strawberry 

Guava. This delightful 

evergreen shrub never fails to 

produce a heavy crop of cherry 

guavas in early autumn. 

It is a small, pretty tree with 

rounded, glossy green leaves 

that only grows to about 

three metres in height. Keep it 

trimmed into shape after fruiting. 

The delicate fluffy flowers 

are creamy white, growing close 

to the branches. They are followed 

by the tangy flavoured, 

sweet, berry-sized, cherry red 

fruit that are high in vitamin C. 

Unlike the taller-growing deciduous 

yellow guava that needs 

cooking, the fruit can be eaten 

raw straight from the tree or 

animal used in has cooking, its part jellies, to play drinks, 

this sauces extraordinary jams. chain of 

survival. You should protect the fruit 

from Every fruit dead fly with log or a fruit burntout 

tree stump is home 

fly bait. 

to 

Get into the 

‘swing’ of Xmas 

It is time to relax and enjoy 

your garden. Look at your 

outdoor seating requirements 

– the shops are full of 

amazing chairs and tables. 

Hanging cane egg chairs have 

been trendy for the past few 

years and now the ‘Swing 

Seat’ is back. Nothing is more 

peaceful than swinging in a 

seat for two, sheltered from 

the weather with a roof to 

shade from the sun – makes a 

great Christmas present too! 

72 68 DECEMBER AUGUST 2018 2017 


lizards , dragons and geckos; 

the rocks hide the burrows of 

desert rats and snakes; even 

the spiders live underground 

where it is cool in summer 

and warm(er) in the zero 

temperatures of the cold 

desert winter nights. The 

banks of the dry river beds 

are home to the burrowing 

desert frog, yabbies and fish 

spawn that is waiting for the 

rain, while the rocky outcrops 

provide shelter for the dingos’ 

dens. 

The soft spinifex with its 

sticky resin that is used as 

a glue; the tall millet grass 

whose seeds are used for 

flour; the kangaroo grass, 

the desert blue grass and the 

sand hill cane grass are all 

camouflage for the legless 

spinifex lizard. 

The plant life amazes me 

the most. We all read about 

the wonderful wildflowers of 

Western Australia, but why 

don’t we hear of the flowers of 

the Red Centre? Even in winter 

the prickly wattle, the silver 

cassia, the honey grevilleas, 

the native violet fuchsias are 

in full bloom along the sandy 

ridges. The red ochre ground 

is covered with the brightly 

coloured yellow sunflower 

daisies, the aptly named 

‘poached egg’ daisies and the 

rosy dock is starting to flower. 

All the trees have developed 

defence mechanisms to 

protect themselves from the 

harsh conditions. The River 

Red wood gums that line 

the riverbeds have leathery 

leaves with hairs to save them 

from the sun; the Desert 

Oaks grow tall and straight 

with drooping foliage that 

protects the trunk from heat 

until their roots reach the 

water below, then they spread 

out into wide shade trees. 

The wattles, the long-leafed 

Corkwood tree and grevilleas 

have straight pencil leaves 

with cupped shape to funnel 

the water towards the trunk. 

And the Red Mulga bush, with 

its distinctive curly red bark, 

grows in a tulip shape to use 

every drop of water available. 

The tall white ghost gums 

have a white powdery bark 

that works as a natural 

sunscreen. The young 

Ironwood trees have prickly 


foliage to protect them as 

they grow, before they grow 

into tall, weeping shade 

trees. Thick glossy leaves, 

wax coatings, thorny foliage 

and fine hair all save water 

and warmth. Flaky bark is a 

protection against fire. 

The trees are important to 

the fragile eco system. It would 

seem many are hosts to food. 

The Desert bloodwood has 

galls the size of cricket balls 

that festoon the branches. The 

coating is edible and the grub 

inside is a delicacy. The roots 

of the Mallee trees are home 

to the witchety grubs and it is 

said that water can be found 

in the roots of the Kurrajong 

tree. The more I ask, the more 

amazing are the things I find 

out. 

The trees in the unexpected 

woodland areas are home to 

the most wonderful bird life. 

Tiny blue fairy wrens, painted 

finches, the honey eaters, the 

crested pigeons, the spinifex 

bird, clouds of zebra finches 

(to name just a few) that I have 

seen live close to the ground, 

nesting in shrubs and lowgrowing 

bushes. The scarlet 

throated mistletoe bird carries 

the mistletoe from tree to 

tree and the orange chat runs 

through the dusky grey salt 

bush. 

High above, the eagles, 

falcons and buzzards 

fly, waiting to dive on 

unsuspecting prey, and the 

black cockatoos circle. The 

mulga parrots, the purple 

headed Australian ring necks 

parrots and the Bourke’s 

parrot sit in the trees eating 

the eucalyptus flowers and 

cracking the nuts with their 

powerful beaks. 

The colours or silver, 

orange, red and olive green 

against the relentless dark 

blue sky can never be 

forgotten. The sound of the 

birds, the insects and the 

silence are something I will 

always remember. I am sure 

that this is nothing new to 

the many who have been here 

before me. 

It is a long way to travel 

from Sydney, but it is a 

journey that every Australian 

should make. I wish that I 

could be here in a few weeks’ 

time to see the desert wake 

from its winter hibernation as 

the wildflowers open and life 

begins anew! 

My grandfather once told 

me that I should never go 

to bed until I had learnt 

something new during the 

day. I would have to live for 

a thousand years to know all 

about this magical place. 


Garden Life



Jobs this Month 

August 

August is a busy month; 

there is a lot to do to 

prepare your garden 

for the warmer, growing 

months ahead. After the very 

wet autumn, winter has been 

very cold and mostly dry. It 

is time for some TLC; wrap 

up warmly, put on your boots 

and find your gloves and 

secateurs! 

Summer vegies 

Get the summer veggies 

growing. Early tomatoes, 

zucchinis, capsicum, silverbeet, 

eggplants, lettuce and 

cucumbers can all go in now. 

Also sow seeds of carrots. 

Mix the fine seed with dry 

sand before sowing into rows. 

Carrots need to be sown into 

deep soil that doesn’t have any 

fresh cow manure or stones. 

Otherwise the carrots will be 

stunted or forked. Remember 

to rotate the veggies in the 

veggie garden. You should 

try to have a three-year cycle. 

Before you plant add plenty of 

compost and cow manure. 

Seed cliveas 

Cliveas are expensive to buy 

but are very easy to grow from 

seed. Seeds are ripe now and 

ready to harvest if you left the 

flowers last spring. Open the 

pod and you will find around 

6 or 8 seeds inside. Red seeds 

will produce red flowers and if 

you can find some yellow seed 

pods you will have the very 

special cream-coloured plants. 

Take notice of clivea flowers this 

spring and make a note of the 

flowers that you like. Crosspollinate 

the flowers so that next 

winter you can harvest the seeds 

that you want. 

Stick a fork in it 

Our lawns have compacted. 

Aerate the ground with a fork 

or buy a pair of spiked metal 

soles for your shoes – this 

makes the task much easier, 

as you can stomp around and 

do the job. Then feed the lawn 

with a hose-on fertiliser. If the 

ground is very hard, water first 

with Eco-hydrate to help the 

water to penetrate the soil. 

Super succulents 

Spring is the time for ‘babies’. 

Succulents grow from just one 

leaf! Spread the leaves out on 

a dry tray in a warm spot and 

within a few weeks you will find 

that new plantlets have grown. 

Wait until the tiny roots appear 

and then place the leaf onto a 

tray of seed-raising mix. Once 

the roots establish, plant out 

your new succulent babies. 

Caterpillar warning 

The lily caterpillar can destroy your cliveas in 

just one night, as they eat their way down the 

back of leaves to the heart of the bulbs. At 

the first sign of damage, cut off the affected 

leaves and put them, caterpillars and all into 

a plastic bag in the bin. Spray with Eco oil to 

prevent any new infestations. 

Bulb care 

Spring bulbs, daffodils, 

jonquils, snowdrops and 

tulips, are finishing as the 

weather warms up. Make sure 

that you keep feeding and 

watering them as they die 

down. Resist the temptation 

to tidy them before the leaves 

shrivel up. This is when they 

store the nourishment for next 

year’s flowers. 

Get the good oil 

Protect your citrus trees from 

leaf miner and fruit fly. Spray 

with Eco oil every fortnight. As 

soon as the blossom opens, it 

is well worth the investment to 

buy a fruit fly trap to protect 

your crop. 

Perennial problem 

Now that spring is around the 

corner split up overcrowded 

perennials. Gingers, 

agapanthus bulbs, gazanias, 

phlox, begonias, liriope, 

mondo grass can all be divided 

now. Also, spray azaleas with 

Zayleton to protect them from 

petal blight. Petal blight can 

destroy the flowers on Azaleas 

overnight. In dry conditions, 

the flowers will last but one 

rainy day can destroy them. 

Start a worm farm 

If you don’t already have one, 

start a worm farm today. The 

worms will consume all your 

kitchen waste and the liquid 

from the farm is the most 

amazing fertiliser. 

Lime spray 

It’s your last chance to spray 

lime sulphur on roses, fruit trees 

and frangipani to destroy the 

fungal spores from last season. 

Colour explosion 

Replant pots and baskets with 

seedlings for summer. Petunias, 

alyssum, portulacca, French 

marigolds, snapdragons, 

pansies and dianthus, give a 

brilliant display of colour. 

Crossword solution from page 67 

Mystery location: WARRIEWOOD 



Times Past 

Earliest ocean pools 

hand-built by locals 

Is this the ultimate in 

wearable and disposable 

swimming costumes? 

These five bathing belles 

have been photographed in 

one of the ‘hand-crafted’ 

rock pools which existed 

at varying times at North 

Avalon. 

Local permanent residents 

and ‘weekenders’ hand-built 

several rock pools between 

the 1920s through to the 

1940s. This one in particular 

appears to have been 

what later became the 

most structurally sound 

– and possibly the one 

which shows very clearly 

as a distinct rectangle 

in the accompanying 

detail from a 1941 aerial 

photo. One early resident 

who still lives in Marine 

Parade commented that 

it was likely this same 

pool was later formalised 

somewhat, using concrete, 

and this created the very 

visible rectangle shape. 

She also assured me 

that if you know where 

to look, you can still see 

some rocks with a dash of 

concrete attached. 

This pool is sited almost 

directly in front of 19 Marine 

Parade, which was built as 

a weekender in 1929 and 

called ‘Eurota’ (it still stands). 

According to Julie Keegan 

(nee Pownceby) “… each of 

the waterfront houses in 

Marine Parade had its own 

private rock pool on an 

individual council lease”. 

Ms Keegan claimed 

remnants of several of the 

pools were able to be seen 

as recently as 10 years ago 

and with a low tide and only 

a little imagination this 

still seems possible. She 

recollected “… this is where I 

taught myself to swim. After 

much practice I discovered 

I could dog-paddle without 

touching the bottom”. 

She also added that after 

school she frequently went 

down to one of the pools with 

her friend Jill Parker to cool 

off. 

Grace Hopewell remembers 

her father purchasing a 

house at 5 Marine Parade 

into which the family 

moved when the Palm Beach 

camping area was closed 

in 1952. She not only swam 

in the pool directly in front 

of their house but learnt to 

surf at North Avalon. She 

was the first woman to ride 

a surfboard at North Avalon 

and in 1969 won the Women’s 

title at Bells Beach. 

I was loaned this 

fascinating photo many 

years ago to copy for the 

Avalon Beach Historical 

Society. Unfortunately I 

didn’t take sufficient details 

and since then, the woman 

who loaned it has since 

passed on. If any early 

resident can assist with 

identification of the girls in 

the photo the Society would 

love to hear from you! 

TIMES PAST is supplied 

by local historian 

and President of the 

Avalon Beach Historical 

Society GEOFF SEARL. 

Visit the Society’s 

showroom in Bowling 

Green Lane, Avalon 

Beach. 

Times Past 



Travel Life 

Travel Life: The Insider 

Why short breaks are 

important for the soul 

It’s funny, but it’s 

said native New 

Yorkers never 

visit the Statue of 

Liberty – until they 

host visitors! We’re a 

big believer the same 

notion holds true for 

Sydneysiders. Recently 

I had occasion to 

spread our travel net 

broadly across NSW 

and the discovery for short 

breaks and mini-durationholidays 

was remarkable. 

Over 10 million visitors 

descend on Sydney each year 

and NSW Tourism proudly 

promotes a fabulous basketfull 

of historic places, adventures, 

eateries and activities to 

consider. Most are less than a 

half-day’s drive from our Pittwater 

front door. 

Mini-stays are good for the 

soul. Short, self-drive getaways 

come with fringe benefits. 

Staying ‘local’ avoids airports: 

no regimented check-points, or 

meandering lines. We keep our 

shoes and belts on. 

Sydneysiders are ‘splendidly 

surrounded’ by great getaway 

options. We’ll drop a few 

breadcrumbs, starting with: 

Pleasing Port Macquarie! 

Recently, with an invitation 

from my good pal, Kamahl, 

I had occasion to spread my 

travel net beyond Sydney’s 

suburbs and had a truly 

memorable Port Macquarie 

experience. Even getting there 

was enjoyable – just a little 

over four hours up the M1. 

(Kamahl headed to Port Mac 

for a ‘sold out’ performance at 

the city’s famous Glasshouse 

Theatre. Check out the Glasshouse 

events calendar.) 

Bunking Down 

We checked into Rydges on 

the waterfront; the entire 

village and foreshore was at 

our doorstep, so we walked 

everywhere. We selected the 

breakfast inclusive deal and 

for dinner, meandered a few 

blocks to Bill’s Fishhouse. 

Eating Out 

I was toted to dinner by 

Kamahl... on my birthday! I’d 

assumed it was a well-kept secret. 

I was wrong. The feel and 

fresh food at Bill’s was fabulous, 

and as I travel for a living, 

I love the rare occasion when I 

rock up to be treated like family. 

I noted, the same honest 

Contacts you need 

The best way to find your very own short-break destination is 

to simply move your mouse around beforehand. We’ve provided 

a short list, and there are numerous ‘walk-in’ locations 

for hand-help information and collaterals. Here are a few shortstay 

sites you might want to try: 

Tourism New South Wales: visitnsw.com 

Tourism Port Macquarie NSW: portmacquarieinfo.com.au 

Top 10 things to do in Port Macquarie: tripadvisor.com 

Hotel Rydges: Rydges.com 

Bill’s Fishouse: billsfishhouse.com.au 

The Glasshouse Entertainment Centre: glasshouse.org.au 

The Koala Hospital: koalahospital.org.au 

We love feedback from our readers. Some of our very best 

enlightenments come from friends. And if you have any questions, 

please ask. 

Feel free to drop us an e-mail: readers@pittwaterlife.com.au 

attention to all the other tables 

surrounding ours. 

Foodie heaven 

Here you can take a road less 

travelled and visit a working 

organic market farm where 

you can harvest fresh produce, 

visit a strawberry farm 

and pluck the freshest ripest 

berries from the vines, or visit 

an oyster lease and sample 

plump oysters direct from the 

estuaries. 

Cultural stuff 

The public artworks, artist 

galleries and studios scattered 

throughout the region will 

delight and inspire. Enjoy a diverse 

collection of exhibitions, 

artist talks, workshops and 

education programs to appeal 

for all. You can even take a 

trail throughout the region and 

discover 60 large scale koala 

sculptures hand painted by 

selected artists. 

Koala Hospital 

I try to learn something new 

each day. This venue delivered 

a month’s worth of Sunday 

sessions. Dedicated volunteers 

are the proud backbone of the 

marvellous setting. The Koala 

Walk arts are priceless; admission 

is free. 

Eco wonders 

Some of the state’s best 

nature experiences are right 

here waiting for you. Discover 

picturesque river systems, a 

coastal rainforest with walking 

platforms amongst the trees 

and over 40,000 hectares 

with Mark Sheehan 

of National Parks and State 

Forests. Follow walking tracks 

with breathtaking views up 

and down unspoilt coastlines; 

find the perfect spot to enjoy a 

picnic alongside waterfalls and 

swimming holes; or marvel at 

the abundant wildlife. 

Shopping 

Fabulous boutique and name 

brand shops are within a baseball 

toss in this town, and I 

made some marvellous discoveries 

in the well-placed thrift 

shops and Vinnies venues. 

Eateries along the main drag 

run the spectrum, from quick 

bites to full-on feasting. Study 

the curb-side menus. 

The Sunday Stroll 

The boulders and rocks that 

line the foreshore walkway 

have been creatively decorated 

by families, overseas visitors 

and others and the walk is 

simply wonderful. Wear comfy 

shoes and tote the camera 

along. Go to the 19th century 

Tacking Point Lighthouse if 

you’re keen, or turn around 

and double-back for a completely 

different perspective at 

the playground. 

It’s a Wrap 

Next time, we’ll catch up on 

whale and dolphin watching, 

and I might just tote the 

camper and nest for a night 

at the Sundowner Breakwall 

Holiday Park. 

Mark Sheehan is an 

entrepreneur and travel 

specialist who has helped 

build iconic brands such 

as TrekAmerica, Insight, 

Elite, F2T, Scenic, Trafalgar, 

and AmeriCan Adventures. 

Mark helped Sir Richard 

Branson launch V Australia 

(now Virgin Australia), while 

penning over 200 travel 

guides for onboard Tour 

Directors. His best-selling 

Know BEFORE You GO Guide 

– America Over Easy! Is in 

its fifth reprint. 

72 JULY 2018 


New Sails heads into Port 

After a multi-milliondollar 

design and 

construction, Sails 

Port Macquarie has opened 

its doors to reveal a glamourous, 

Hamptons style 

inspired coastal leisure, 

conference and event 

destination. 

The iconic coastal 

Rydges-owned resort has 

undergone a stunning 

transformation to capitalise 

on its riverside location 

with 92 guest rooms and 

suites, a swimming pool 

with entertainment terrace, 

private jetty, The 

Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, 

The Cape Ballroom, 

waterfront wedding chapel 

and event pavilion and tennis 

court. 

Wedding, business and 

leisure travellers will appreciate 

this all-in-one resort, with 

its poolside cabanas, alfresco 

fire table, cocktails, French 

Champagne and oyster bars. 

The project architects have 

created a stunning fusion 

of worlds, with Hamptonsinspired 

architecture blending 

seamlessly with the lush 

coastal surrounds – featuring 

fresh, white gables overlooking 

the manicured lawns, 

tropical gardens and sweeping 

water views. 

Just four hours’ drive north 

of Sydney or a one-hour flight 

from Sydney and Brisbane, 

Sails Port Macquarie will no 

doubt attract plenty of new 

wedding and business bookings. 

A standout feature is an 

impressive three-storey grand 

atrium featuring glass elevators 

and an atrium bar; while 

the Cape Ballroom is a gorgeous 

pillar-less event space 

designed to cater for up to 

600 in a cocktail-style or 300 

for a banquet-style event. 

The resort is kicking off with 

some ‘Winter Warmer’ deals 

for couples and families. 

Their ‘Luxe Winter Mini 

Break for Couples’ includes 

a cheese platter and bottle 

of bubbly on arrival. Stay 

overnight in a King Water 

View Room overlooking the 

glistening bay (or upgrade to 

an Executive Suite). Enjoy a 

full buffet breakfast for two in 

The Boathouse Bar + Restaurant, 

and have some fun with 

their solar heated pool and 

spa, paddle boards and tennis 

courts. There’s also free WiFi, 

complimentary off-street parking 

and late checkout; from 

$274 per night. 

The ‘Winter Escape for Families’ 

features an overnight stay 

in a King Garden Suite for up 

to 2 adults and 2 children 12 

years and under (or upgrade to 

a Water View Suite or add 

on another rollaway bed). 

Everyone will be happy 

with the two complimentary 

milkshakes and two 

cocktails on arrival. Stay 

overnight in a King Garden 

Suite for up to 2 adults 

and 2 children 12 years 

and under (or upgrade to a 

Water View Suite or add on 

another rollaway bed). Fill 

up with a full buffet breakfast 

for four in The Boathouse 

Bar + Restaurant. 

Keep the kids busy with 

complimentary kids show 

bags, solar heated pool 

and spa, paddle boards, 

tennis courts, in-room 

media ports, free WiFi and 

kids channel. Also comes with 

complimentary off-street parking 

and late checkout; from 

$289 per night. 

More info www.sailsportmacquarie.com.au 



JULY 2018 73


On track for stellar European experience 

The road to 

Western Europe 

is well-trodden: 

London, Paris, Rome 

– tick, tick, tick! 

But what about the 

east? Moscow? St 

Petersburg? Warsaw? 

Prague? Cities of 

intrigue and mystery, 

once hidden behind 

the Iron Curtain, await 

discovery. 

With history and 

culture as ancient as Roman 

times contrasting against the 

more recent events of the 

20th century – communism, 

totalitarian states and now 

peace and democracy. Much 

of it within our lifetime. 

Eastern Europe is filled with 

history – recent and distant. 

But the region doesn’t hang 

its hat purely on history, says 

TravelView Avalon’s Sharon 

Godden, adding culture has 

equal weighting. 

“St Petersburg’s Hermitage 

tory and culture that drive 

people to visit Eastern 

Europe it’s the landscapes 

and beauty of the cities that 

amaze travellers the most. 

“That comes as no 

surprise once you’ve seen 

Prague’s Old Town – more 

delightful and smugly 

quaint than most French 

cities,” she said. 

“But it’s not all about the 

cities… imagine the green 

mountains and forests of 

Poland drifting by when 

you’re lounging back on a raft 

steered down the Dunajec 

by an expert paddler. Or 

is the world’s second 

largest museum, with 

the largest collections of 

paintings anywhere,” she 

said. “With over three 

million pieces of artwork 

it would take years to see 

each piece!” 

Sharon added that fans 

of performance art were rarely 

far from a bucket list treat – 

including the Russian ballet, 

the Viennese opera, and, for 

something different, the folk 

dancing of Poland. 

Also, while it’s the hissubmitting 

to the mesmerising 

rhythm of a train – and what 

better way to thread the lands 

of Eastern Europe together 

than with this most romantic 

of all transportation types.” 

Sharon recommends Constellation 

Journeys’ private 

train adventure through Eastern 

Europe. 

“Constellation Journeys has 

privately chartered a modern 

German engineered train for 

a 22-day trip from Moscow to 

Berlin,” she said. “Accommodation 

is provided in five-star hotels 

at each destination. Guests 

are treated to fine dining – on 

board the train and in the top 

restaurants of each city. Luggage 

is portered from the train 

to your hotel and experienced 

Journey Leaders work with local 

guides for an unsurpassed 

experience of Eastern Europe. 


* Want to know more? Call 

TravelView on 9918 4444 or 

9999 0444. 

74 JULY 2018

Pittwater Life August 2018 Issue

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