Pittwater Life March 2017 Issue

Celebrating 25 Years
MARCH 2017
FREE
The
Soapbox
Issue
Local leaders
have their say
pittwaterlife
GREAT SCOTS
CASS AND BILL GYE
IT’S ON FOR
YOUNG & OLD!
YOUTH WEEK AND
SENIORS FESTIVAL
+
PALM BEACH REVAMP
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Editorial
Reflecting on MP’s 10 years
It may sound a romantic,
idyllic lifestyle but spare a
thought for the great levellers
our offshore residents have to
cope with to live their dream.
Just hours after we captured
the smiling faces of prominent
Scotland Islanders Cass and
Bill Gye’ for this month’s ‘Life
Stories’ feature, Sydney was
swamped by storms and rain
that plunged the island into
four nights without electricity.
Read this local power couple’s
incredible story on p28.
It’s easy to rip into politicians
because, well, they’re
politicians and they’re in the
firing line when communities
perceive their local area isn’t
getting a slice of the broader
infrastructure and funding pie.
But credit where credit is
due. This month marks Rob
Stokes’ 10-year anniversary as
the State Member for Pittwater.
Borrowing from Monty
Python’s Life of Brian: “What has
Rob Stokes ever done for us?”
We approached Mr Stokes’
office for achievements
delivered over the past decade.
The list includes: Purchase
of Currawong Beach and
declaration as a NSW State
Park; over $50m secured for
infrastructure improvements
at Mona Vale Hospital;
commencement of the Mona
Vale Road Upgrade project;
expansion and upgrade of the
Palm Beach Ferry Wharf; longterm
funding for the protection
of the Warriewood Wetlands;
planning underway for a
dedicated inpatient palliative
care unit at Mona Vale Hospital;
the new B-Line bus service;
and the declaration of the
Narrabeen Lagoon State Park...
plus more (see our website).
We know there will still
be those who read this and
say: “All right, but apart from
[insert the above], what has Rob
Stokes ever done for us?” LOL.
In any event, we congratulate
Mr Stokes on his milestone.
– Nigel Wall
MARCH 2017 3

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Email:
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Website:
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Publisher: Nigel Wall
Managing Editor: Lisa Offord
Graphic Design: CLS Design
Photography: iStock
Contributors: Rosamund
Burton, Gabrielle Bryant, Brian
Hrnjak, Jennifer Harris, Nick
Carroll, Sue Carroll, Dr. John
Kippen, Janelle Bloom, Simon
Bond, Geoff Searl, Maclaren
Wall, Matilda Wall
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4
Vol 26 No 8
Celebrating 25 Years
GREAT SCOTS
IT’S ON FOR
YOUNG & OLD!
CASS AND BILL GYE
YOUTH WEEK AND
SENIORS FESTIVAL
+
Celebrating 25 Years
PALM BEACH REVAMP
WEST HEAD CYCLE FUNDRAISER
FASTER INTERNET IS COMING...
MARCH 2017
FREE
The
Soapbox
Issue
Local leaders
have their say
pittwaterlife
34
36
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6
MARCH 2017
thislife
COVER: Northern Sydney’s premier cycle ride is on this
month – find out how you can enter (p13); hear from
local leaders Rob Stokes, Jason Falinski and Dick Persson
(p21-23); gear up for the 2017 Seniors Festival with great
activities (p40) and a special Seniors Health feature with
tips from local health experts to help you age well (p36);
Nick Carroll documents the history of the world’s oldest
surfing publication SURFING magazine (p34); hear about
the fast new internet on the upper northern beaches
(p50); and discover why you may not own your LinkedIn
contacts (p54). COVER IMAGE: Amanda Westwood
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Community News 6-27
Life Stories: Cass & Bill Gye 28-29
Art Life 30-31
Boating Life 32
Surfing Life 34-35
Seniors Health Special 36-39
Seniors Festival Activities 40-41
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 42-47
Money & Finance 48-52
Times Past 53
Law 54-55
Crossword 67
Gardening Life 68-71
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.
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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.

News
Bunny watch
Rabbit owners on the
Northern Beaches
have been warned to
vaccinate their pets
given the release of a
new strain of wild rabbit
control virus (Calici-
Boost) in March.
Led by Greater Sydney
Local Land Services,
the new strain of Rabbit
Haemorrhagic Disease
Virus will be released in
National Parks and other
local reserves across the
Northern Beaches and
northern Sydney region
where high feral rabbit
populations occur.
Northern Beaches
Council Deputy General
Manager Ben Taylor said
that controlling feral animals
was an important
part of protecting native
animals and the precious
natural environment.
“Feral rabbits have a
significant impact on
the Northern Beaches,
competing with endangered
penguins and
bandicoots for habitat,
as well as damaging
reserves and residential
areas,” he explained.
The new strain of the
virus is more suitable
to temperate Australian
conditions, has no impact
on native or other
animals, and is considered
a more humane and
effective form of control
for wild rabbits than
previous strains.
“But we want to
ensure no-one’s pet is
harmed so I encourage
all people with pet
rabbits to speak to their
vet and make sure their
vaccinations are up to
date,” Mr Taylor urged.
He added it was
important to note that
current vaccinations
for RHDV1 are perfectly
effective in protecting
domestic rabbits from
infection from the new
RHDV1-K5 strain.
A litter bit that
goes a long way
R
esidents of the former Pittwater
Council region have demonstrated
their deep connection to community by
registering 25 sites for Clean Up Australia
Day on Sunday 5 March.
This represents more than 40 per
cent of the total 62 sites registered
from Manly to Palm Beach and west to
Belrose in the new combined Northern
Beaches Council area.
Tonnes of new rubbish is strewn
around our streets, parks and waterways
each year, with residents encouraged
to make a difference by pitching
in gather and bag the rubbish from 8am
to 1pm on Clean Up Day, with Council
collecting the mess.
Local school students will contribute
with their own collections on Friday 3
March.
In 2016, more than 682,000 volunteers
removed an estimated 14,000 tonnes of
rubbish from 6,890 sites across Australia.
It’s not too late to join a collection
team – go to cleanupaustraliaday.org.au
6
MARCH 2017

News
Residents all ears as ‘cool’ change
set to transform tired Palm Beach
Change is coming to Palm
Beach with tired, neglected,
dangerous and incomplete
areas of the beach precinct
set for a massive injection of
funding and rejuvenation over
the coming 18 months.
Northern Beaches Council
Administrator Dick Persson
revealed consultation in
February with residents and
their forums, including the
Palm Beach Whale Beach
Residents Association,
had been productive, with
discussion focussed on several
key areas.
On the checklist included
improving parking availability
for residents, delivery of
the detailed design for the
long-awaited Palm Beach
Walkway from the wharf to
Governor Phillip Park – the
construction of which Council
is targeting within 12 months
– and “overdue” landscaping
improvements to the southern
end of Palm Beach.
Mr Persson said he
immediately realised the latter
requirement after being driven
around by residents, prompting
the draft plan which is being
exhibited for community
comment this month.
He said the final design
would be sympathetic to the
environmental, cultural and
heritage values of Palm Beach
and enhance the unique
qualities of the location.
It would include upgrades
to furnishings, while built
elements would use natural
materials, timber, and
sandstone and crushed
sandstone.
Additionally, the dunes
would be replenished, reshaped
and planted based on advice
from a coastal engineer, with
pedestrian access along the
beach adjacent to Ocean Rd to
be improved.
“I know it is about defining
the edges – currently you
have worn areas between
the pavement and the grass
and it may well involve the
sort of attempt to establish
a walking path with those
timber slats they have used
in places like Noosa which
most people think are a
nice compromise between
natural and needing to have
something to stop erosion,”
Mr Persson said.
“The draft plan for
community comment will
be available this month,” he
confirmed. “And I will make
sure funds will be in the
2017/’18 budget so we can
get on with whatever work is
finally determined.”
Regarding the sore point of
limited parking in Pittwater
Park and surrounding areas
which was in high demand
during peak periods,
Council was working with
the community to develop a
parking demand management
strategy.
Residents had been angered
that the carpark was being
taken up by tradespeople
from out of the area, meaning
residents and visitors to the
local business precinct had
nowhere to park.
As an interim measure to
help provide more short-term,
high-turnover parking spaces,
Council last year introduced
changes to 17 parking spaces
in Pittwater Park, resurfaced
the car park, adding additional
spaces including some more
timed parking to increase
turnover and support local
businesses, and banning nonresident
parking permit holders.
“Council recognises it is a
delicate task to balance the
needs of local residents and
facilitate access to the area for
the broader community and
visitors,” Mr Persson said.
He added Council expected
8
MARCH 2017

to move to the tender
process for the $1.7m Palm
Beach Walkway this month
(March). This followed the
development of detailed
designs and engagement with
the community – including
residents on Barrenjoey Rd
– to ensure the project was
construction-ready.
Design details included
retaining the midway bus stops
due to community support for
their retention and preserving
pedestrian access to Beach Rd.
“It was not possible to
incorporate a cycleway due to
the narrowness of the road,” he
added.
Palm Beach Whale Beach
Residents Association President
Richard West welcomed the
collective initiatives, saying
Council was “doing quite a
good job with the walkway and
the landscaping plan”.
However, he said the issue of
resident parking needed to be
tightened.
“There needs to be more
time restrictions imposed
in the Southern carpark
(Pittwater Park)… more fourhour
parking is needed,” he
stressed. “Perhaps Careel
Bay could be used during the
holiday periods and then the
L90 brings people up every
15 minutes.
“We’re pleased Council
are addressing the parking
issue and getting input from
residents… it’s a difficult issue
– there’s limited parking and a
number of competing parties:
there are the residents, the
offshore community and the
campers who stay overnight at
places like The Basin.”
“The problem is residents
get two stickers which applies
to the whole of the Northern
Beaches – this has increased
demand on resident parking
places and reduced availability
for local residents.”
Dr West agreed the
beachfront and Governor
Phillip Park also needed to be
looked at.
“And Ocean Rd and Palm
Beach Rd leading up to Pacific
Rd is getting very congested
– there needs to be some
restrictions put in place there.
“We welcome the initiative –
we’re waiting expectantly.
“They’re doing quite a good
job with the walkway and the
landscaping plan… they just
need to sort out parking, buses
and a few other things.”
– Nigel Wall
News
MARCH 2017 9

News
Teens swap oceans for opals
For the first time, secondary
school students living
in the former Pittwater
Council area will get a chance
to sample life in the Australian
outback when this year’s
‘Beach To Bush’ youth program
is staged in April.
Northern Beaches Council
is looking for six teens (three
boys and three girls) aged
14-19 who live on or are connected
to the Northern Beaches
to visit the remote north-west
NSW town of Brewarrina from
18-24 April.
This is the first year the
opportunity to help promote
friendships between beach
and bush communities has
been open to young people
the length of the Northern
Beaches, having previously
been confined to Warringah.
The visit to Brewarrina is
part of the Sister City Youth Exchange
program and coincides
with National Youth Week Celebrations
– with applications
closing March 13.
Some of the activities
Country ‘cousins’: (l-r) James Spencer from Davidson, Rachel van Dort
from Dee Why, Monique Wright from Forestville, Rhiannon Marshall-
Witte from Wheeler Heights, Charlie Orton from Forestville and Rupert
Canning from Beacon Hill.
planned include visiting
Gundabooka National Park,
learning sheep shearing, visiting
an outback radio station,
seeing first-hand the worldfamous
opal mines at Lightning
Ridge, learning about the
40,000-year-old Brewarrina
fish traps and interacting with
the local community.
Pittwater Life asked three of
last year’s Youth Ambassadors
to describe their experiences.
Rhiannon Marshall-Witte,
16, of Wheeler Heights, said
the trip was one of the most
rewarding things she’s done.
“I was quite apprehensive
as I had never been more than
four hours up and down the
coast before, and I didn’t know
anyone else who had applied,”
she said. “However, when I met
the five others, and we heard
stories from the previous
year’s group, I immediately
knew this would be an experience
I would never forget.”
Rhiannon said travelling to
the largely Aboriginal town of
‘Bre’ and meeting its people
was an eye-opener.
“It really made me grateful
for what we take for granted
here in Sydney,” she said. “Bre
is probably the size of one or
two small suburbs here on the
beaches. Everyone in the town
knew everyone else, which
showed their strong sense of
community – something that
isn’t as evident throughout the
Northern Beaches.”
Differences in education and
facilities were stark.
“Bre has one Catholic
primary school and one K-12
public school. They also have
a small TAFE program. As
a student, and after having
been to Bre, I understand how
fortunate we are with our large
amount of options available to
us in Sydney.”
Charlie Orton, 15, from
10
MARCH 2017

Forestville, said forming new
friendships was a highlight.
“Meeting and hanging out
with all the new people… I
remember one time that was
a lot of fun was on the last
day when we were swimming
in the river with the people
we had met from Bre, and
also some people from the
surrounding towns: Walgett,
Bourke and Lightning Ridge,”
he said. “It was such an awesome
way to end the trip.”
Charlie said he had already
caught up with his new friends
from Bre after they visited
Sydney late last year.
“We took them around the
city and then hung out with
them and saw a rugby game.
It was a lot of fun and I look
forward to seeing them again.”
Rachel van Dort, 17, of Dee
Why, said learning about the
outback and Aboriginal culture
was a highlight.
“It was such a great adventure,
learning about the bush
lifestyle and meeting kids
from outback towns,” she said.
“We spent fun times with the
local kids in the Bre Youth
Centre, around the fire, day
trips like the Tri-Sports Day
and at the ancient Aboriginal
Fish Traps.
“It’s amazing to realise that
indigenous people have survived
well here for over 40,000
years – makes you realise how
little you need, really.”
Rachel too has already
reconnected with her new
friends. “We took them to Warringah
Mall, a very different
experience from their local
shops!” she said.
She agreed attitude to education
was different.
“It seems that many of the
students don’t do their HSC,
there is a lot less pressure to
do it, so many seem to leave
in Year 10,” she said. “Our
schools here seem to have
more facilities like science
labs, and choices for subjects
and sports.
“Fortunately some indigenous
kids do come to my
school – Mackellar Girls – and
get better opportunities. We
are very lucky with what our
schools can provide.”
* Applications close March
13; to apply, visit the Council
website or email justin.
burke@northernbeaches.nsw.
gov.au
News
MARCH 2017 11

Don’t hoard your board
– get ready to surf swap
News
Are you a surfer who is tired
of being hounded by your
mum or partner about your
ever-growing collection of surfboards
cluttering the house,
garage or backyard shed? If so,
a cool local event next month
will give you the chance to
offload some of your ‘babies’
and leave you happy knowing
they’re going to a good home.
The first annual ‘Boardcollector
Surf Swap Avalon
Beach’ – staged in conjunction
with the Avalon Palm Beach
Business Chamber – hits Dunbar
Park on Sunday April 9.
Organiser Damion Fuller
says that like every good vintage
surf swap there will be
pre-1990 surfboards for sale
and to swap.
“It will be a festival of surf
culture involving vintage surfboard
collectors sharing their
collections, local surfboard
makers showing their latest
designs, local artists, craftsman,
and businesses showing
their wares plus gourmet food
and drinks stalls,” he said.
“The best part of every surf
swap is the chance to pick up
a new vintage stick or clean
out the garage and turn the
clutter into cash.
“So far we have wooden
tooth picks from the 1930s,
Midget Farrelly’s personal riders,
Hawaiian big wave guns,
’70s single fins and twin fins
Surfboard world record attempt
Barrenjoey High will be attempting to set a World Record on
March 16. All students and the local community are encouraged
to attempt to lay more than 685 surfboards end to
end around the school and Avalon Beach (the current world
record was set in America’s Long Beach). Students will be
raising both funds and awareness for the Disability Surfers
Association (DSA) through the sale of raffle tickets and
other activities on the day.
right through to ’80s thrusters,
quads and Lazor Zaps on
display from collectors from
Torquay to the Sunshine Coast
– with a month to go we’re
calling for more folk from the
northern beaches to bring out
their boards for display.”
Damion said the surf swap
would also offer free vintage
‘Antiques Roadshow’ style
surfboard appraisals by expert
appraisers, with owners
encouraged to bring down
their “mystery” surfboards
which would have their shape
and design reviewed, plus the
board’s history before a market
value is calculated.
The day will also highlight
the best of today’s new
surfboards and contemporary
shapers, with previous events
featuring shapers and surfer
such as Hayenshapes (with
Hayden Cox and Craig Ander-
son), DHD (with Asher Pacey),
Channel Islands (with Wade
Goodall), Misfit Shapes, Dead
Kooks, Mick Mackie and more.
Also, STAB Magazine will be
hosting a free ‘Filmlyfe’ Film
festival on the green of the
Avalon Bowling Club, screening
some rare gems from their rich
archive and premiering exclusive
Northern Beaches content.
The green will feature gourmet
food stalls and will be licensed.
“It will be a day of boards,
bands, beers and burgers,
kicking off at 9am in Dunbar
Park and running through till
9pm in the Avalon Bowling
club,” Damion said.
“In Dunbar Park there will
a stage screen and bean bags
on the grass to relax in and
watch films and listen to Q&As
with local surfing and shaping
legends quizzed by guest
MC Luke Kennedy, editor of
Tracks,” he said.
More than 50 stalls are available
for businesses – including
photographers, local artists,
local clothing and accessories,
plus coffee, food, craft beer and
wine – to showcase their wares.
Stalls (3 x 3 metres) cost $175 –
or $150 if you are a member of
the APB Business Chamber.
* More info boardcollectorsurfswap.com
or email info@
boardcollectorsurfswap.com
12
MARCH 2017

Spokes-people for worthy causes
More than 2,500 cyclists
– including a mix of
enthusiasts and recreational
cyclists – are expected to
hit the streets in this year’s
Bobbin Head Cycle Classic on
Sunday March 26, with the aim
of raising a record $250,000
for charities.
The classic, the premier cycling
event in Sydney’s north
which was established in 2012
and is organized by the Rotary
Clubs of Ku-Ring-Gai, St Ives,
Turramurra and Wahroonga,
sees cyclists enter one of four
circuits, from a leisurely 27km
social ride from Turramurra to
Bobbin Head and back; a 57km
ride to Terrey Hills and back,
an extended 80km ride (minus
the Akuna Bay hills), or the
“serious’ 104km ride to West
Head and back.
Rotary Club spokesman
Doug Reid said the Classic
raised important funds for
charity partner Lifeline, and
charity beneficiaries, KYDS
Youth Development Service,
Eagle RAPS, Hornsby Women’s
Shelter, The Cromehurst
Foundation, and a Rotary
project to operate a Children’s
Hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone.
“Additionally, the event
is an opportunity to involve
the community in a healthy
and enjoyable recreational
activity, whilst highlighting
important aspects of bike and
road safety,” he said.
Newport resident Glenn
Rowe, 56 (pictured top left,
centre) urged locals to get
involved.
“The Bobbo is fun, scenic
and for a good cause! It’s a
great opportunity to get to
know friends and colleagues
in a situation that can be physically
demanding,” he said.
“Suicide is the leading cause
of death for Aussies aged 15
to 44… sadly every day eight
people will end their lives –
this is twice as many people
who die on our roads.
“Last year, Lifeline was
able to answer 85% of the one
million calls received from
people in crisis. The goal is to
be able to answer all calls and
the money we raise will help
meet this goal.”
Glenn will again team up
with workmates from IT
services company Datacom:
“We’re hoping for at least eight
riders this year… last year our
Datacom team was amongst
the leading fundraisers, we
raised $7,000 for Lifeline – this
year we are aiming at $10,000.”
He said the 104km ride
included amazing scenic sections
at Bobbin Head, North
Head and Akuna Bay.
“Cadel Evans was quoted
recently saying the only place
he would ride in Sydney is
Akuna Bay and West Head,”
Glenn said. “Most motorists
on this route on a Sunday are
considerate to cyclists, something
I’m very grateful for, but
to ride through the National
Park with next to no traffic is
a huge privilege.
“The downhill sections of
Bobbin Head and Akuna Bay
are the most enjoyable – they
take me back to my childhood.
The uphill sections
bring me back to reality and
don’t get any easier, but there
is a great feeling of satisfaction
on getting to the top of
the hills.”
He said last year the team
had varied capability so didn’t
stick together for the entire
ride. “It took our riders between
three and five hours to
complete the 104km course,”
he said.
More info bobbinheadcycleclassic.com.au
– Nigel Wall
News
MARCH 2017 13

News
Newport on the move
Newport continues to
evolve as a hospitality
hub with a new trattoria, live
music venue and bar and
boutique beer establishment
opening in recent months.
Italian eatery Sotto Sopra
joins The Kave Bar and Three
Pines, all on Barrenjoey Rd, to
provide new relaxed venues
to get a bite to eat, have a
drink and enjoy music.
Sotto Soppra is a branchout
venture from restaurateur
Alessandro Pavoni (Ormeggio
at The Spit), with partner Mattia
Rossi joining as co-owner
and head chef after working
the pans at Ormeggio and its
adjoining kiosk Chiosco.
Alessandro’s wife Anna,
who works with the team, told
Pittwater Life they had been
hunting for another site on the
northern beaches for a while.
“Our criteria really is either
on the water, or a site that
has something memorable
and different about it,” she
said. “The site at Newport has
those huge beautiful curved
glass walls, and with its
multi-level design we missed
the water, but we certainly got
something memorable and
different.”
She explained Sotto Sopra
means “down/up” in Italian
– reference to the interior design
on the place (the kitchen
is above the dining room), but
Sotto Sopra also translates as
“upside-down”... so as usually
seen in other Pavoni ventures
she says you can expect
some twists on traditional
Italian dishes.
Anna said their welcoming
communal table, which
sits 16, had been embraced
since their opening in early
February.
“We have found it to be
really popular with families
who want to go out together,”
she said. “We’ve also been
seating smaller groups in
a communal setting and it
always turns into a really
convivial table.”
Sotto Sopra is open for
lunch on Friday to Sunday
11.30am-3pm, and dinner
from 5pm daily.
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
History lesson. The Aboriginal
Support Group is hosting
educator Kerrie McKenzie
OAM who (as a non-Aboriginal
Australian) will speak of her
journey exploring Australian
history and creating pathways for
all Australians. Mon 13 7.30pm
at Mona Vale Memorial Hall. For
more info ASGMWP.net.
Australasian bat night. Join
“batty” expert Dr Brad Law on
an evening walking beautiful
Warriewood Wetlands learning
all about our native Australian
Microbats and Flying foxes, while
using bat detectors to identify
their presence. Fri 17 from 7.15-
9pm, all ages; meeting point on
booking 1300 000 232.
Party in the park. The young
(and the not so young) will be
flooding into Rat Park on Sat
18 for a huge music festival
featuring some of Australia’s
biggest acts and a bunch of
DJs, food, drinks and a craft
zone. From 1-11.30pm. Details
partyinthepark.com.au
Enjoy some music. The
Avalonian Trio comprising
Bridget Bolliger (flute), Susan
Blake (cello) and John Martin
(piano) bring a delicious mix of
romance and classicism with
more than a hint of swing, laced
with anecdote and sparkle to St
Luke’s Grammar School Bayview
Campus on Fri 24 at 8pm.
Enjoy a sparkling wine supper
and meet the artists. Details:
peninsulamusicclub.com.au.
Stay down to earth. Two
guided walks, each two hours
long, will celebrate Earth Hour
on Sat 25. First up from 9am
is a walk through some of the
beaches’ most stunning areas;
the other is a trek by torchlight
through beautiful bushland
from 7pm. Suitable for all ages.
Meeting point on booking via the
Coastal Environment Centre 1300
000 232.
Seniors Festival. Plenty of
things for you or loved ones of a
certain vintage to get stuck into
as NSW celebrates seniors. See
pages 40 and 59 for a selection
of local activities. For more info
go to NB Council website or
seniorsfestival.com.au
14
MARCH 2017

News
Locals find clear
way to improve
Mona Vale Road
Take a bow Pittwater –
your sensible feedback
on the Concept Design
for the all-important Mona
Vale Road West upgrade has
triggered several significant
improvements that Roads and
Maritime Services officials
agree will benefit traffic flow
as the population grows.
Following the amendments,
the RMS has prepared a Review
of Environmental Factors (REF)
and a Species Impact Statement
which is on display for
further community comment
until Monday March 13.
Northern Beaches Council
is working with the RMS to
ensure the road upgrade takes
into account projected traffic
from future development.
Since the original Concept
Design was displayed for community
consultation in late
2014, Roads and Maritime has
refined the design in response
to community feedback and
the release of the Ingleside
Precinct Plan.
The changes include construction
of a new access road
linking Powder Works Road to
Harvey Road for current and
future residents, changing
access to the Baha’i Temple,
Tumburra Street and Addison
Road, and investigating new
fauna crossings.
On and off ramps and an
overpass which were originally
slated to solve the issue
of access to the new Ingleside
development have been abandoned,
replaced by a new road
extension into Harvey Road (at
the major Powderworks Road
intersection) that loops around
and joins up with Tumburra St.
The new plan sees Tumburra
Street will be restricted to left
turn in and left turn out, thus
reducing traffic disruption on
the corridor adjoining Garigal
National Park.
The road upgrade will
require some property adjustments
and acquisitions, with
the RMS holding discussions
with the affected property
owners and continuing to work
with the community to minimise
impact.
Major objectives include
improving traffic flow and
efficiency by providing additional
lanes; improving safety
for motorists, pedestrians and
cyclists by improving the road
alignment and widening the
shoulders; providing safe and
efficient travel for pedestrians
and cyclists from a new shared
path; providing better access
for current and future Ingle-
16
MARCH 2017

side residents; and enabling
fauna to cross Mona Vale Road
safely and access Garigal and
Ku-ring-gai National Parks
by constructing an overpass
bridge and underpasses.
“Extensive investigations
have identified a number of
fauna and flora species that
may be affected, including
Duffys Forest endangered
ecological community,” a RMS
spokesman said.
He said mitigation measures
would be implemented to minimise
impact on threatened
species, as well as common
flora and fauna species.
Residual impacts that cannot
be mitigated would be
offset in accordance with biodiversity
offsetting guidelines.
A 40-metre wide fauna
bridge crossing is proposed
across Mona Vale Road east
of Kimbriki Rd, as well as two
fauna underpasses. A fauna
connectivity strategy would be
prepared during the detailed
design, including identification
and detailing of fauna fencing.
When given the green light
construction on the upgrade
is expected to take around 30
months.
“We will consider all
comments in finalising the
proposal and design and will
continue to liaise with the
community throughout the
project,” the spokesman said.
“Following the display of the
REF and SIS, we will prepare a
submissions report to respond
to matters raised.”
Printed copies of the REF
and SIS are available to view
until Monday 13 March at
Mona Vale Library (1 Park
Street, Mona Vale). – Nigel Wall
News
MARCH 2017 17

News
Swim ‘Around
The Bends’
March might be the month said Volker. “Here the rock
when we finally bid shelves extend to large
farewell to the scorching boulders and caves, and this
heat of the summer period pristine world is home to
– but don’t pack away those giant schools of fish… it’s not
swimming costumes just yet! unusual to spot a turtle or a
Two months after the friendly cuttlefish.”
conclusion of the popular “I love the changes in the
Pittwater Ocean Swim Series, underwater environment as
Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving we swim along – last time I
Club is hosting the inaugural saw a lovely ray and lots of
‘Around
little fish
The Bends’
amongst the
Newport
bright green
to Avalon
beds of
Ocean Swim
seagrasses
Challenge,
just before
raising funds
getting
for the Can Too
into Avalon
Foundation.
Beach.
The 2.5km
“There’s
swim on Sunday March 19 is no need to swim it at full pace
your chance to conquer three – there are too many beautiful
beaches before breakfast! distractions,” he said.
Club member Volker
Adds Kalinda Hawson,
Klemm, who has swum the a newcomer to ocean
course several times with swimming: “Even on an
clubmates, says the start average day you can see
from the northern end of the bottom of the ocean
Newport Beach is currentassisted,
taking swimmers reassuring. If you really want
most of the way, which is
easily around the headland. to enjoy the swim without
Surrounded by fellow competitiveness, grab your
swimmers (and plenty of flippers, wear a wetsuit and
water safety observers) you join us in the Back of Pack
continue across the sandy starting group.”
bottom of Bilgola Beach to The swim is sponsored
Bilgola Headland.
by new Newport trattoria
“Above the water the Sotto Sopra; cost is $40
views are great – but the with registrations at www.
underwater views are
oceanswims.com or more info
absolutely wonderful,”
from Volker on 0403 193 337.
A piece of Italy beside the beach
Have you ever wanted to
cook great-tasting Italian
food just like an Italian
chef? Popular Mona Vale
eatery Cinque Cucina e Caffe
has stepped up to the plate
to accommodate, recently
introducing their first 4-class
cooking course, consisting of
antipasto, pasta making, secondi
(mains) and dessert.
It was such a success that
owners Guido Ferri and Peter
Wood are in the process of
offering a “second course” –
and in time they plan to add a
class for children as well.
Located just a few steps from
Mona Vale beach, ‘Cinque’ as
it’s affectionately known has
built an enduring reputation
among locals and visitors alike
for its honest fare.
“We take pride in delivering
an authentic and affordable
Italian experience in a casual
dining surrounding,” says
Guido (top right). “Our menus
change seasonally, with one
underlying principle: Simple
authentic Italian… done well.”
Adds Peter: “Our produce
and breads are locally
sourced, whilst our meats,
cheeses and olive oils are
imported from Italy.
“Head Chef Antonio Maturo
is at the helm of the kitchen
with the highly skilled support
of Iacopo Carpentieri &
Alex Morris.”
The pair have also launched
an innovative local wine supply
service – Cinque Cellars
– in which their imported Italian
wine list (plus more) can
be delivered to your door.
“Treat yourself to something
unique or impress
your next dinner guests with
something not found in bottle
shops,” recommends Guido.
Customers can also now tuck
in to the eatery’s new pantry
line of bottled sauces, infused
olive oils and pickled vegetables.
Cinque Cucina e Caffe
offers breakfast and lunch
seven days a week, plus
dinner Wednesday through
Sunday.
For lunch Monday to
Wednesday, they offer a main
course and glass of Italian
wine for $20 (see ad P3) whilst
their $10 burgers are not to be
missed on Wednesday nights.
They also run a popular
Sunday set menu for $55 per
couple, with bookings highly
recommended.
– Nigel Wall
18
MARCH 2017

Marty is King
of the Mona
Vale kids
He spent 28 years at
sea serving the Royal
Australian Navy. And
before he received a promotion
as a Lieutenant Commander,
Martin Cowper
was awarded an OAM while
serving as a Warrant Officer
on the aircraft carrier HMAS
Melbourne.
These days ‘Marty’, as he
is better known, is the head
coach of the Mona Vale SLSC
juniors – and the kids absolutely
adore him.
Jayme Saggers says: “He
puts so much time and effort
into every training session.
He’s always there on time
and he cracks me up with his
jokes.”
Adds Kira Beuzeville: “He’s
an amazing coach. He can be
strict but then really funny.”
And Mia Paltridge chips
in: “He makes us do really
hard stuff and he teaches us
new things every training session.
I’ll never leave Mona Vale
unless Marty does.”
High praise indeed. But
Marty has no intention of
leaving. His job is far from
finished.
Like his previous time
at Newport SLSC when he
coached just a handful kids,
it was the same story when he
arrived at Mona Vale.
“I suppose there were about
half a dozen kids at Mona
Vale when I first got there –
now there’s 40,” Marty said.
“‘Now they are all making
individual finals and qualifying
for State… it says to me
that all the hard work over
the past two years, especially,
is paying off and it is rewarding
for the kids.”
Marty developed some extremely
talented girls at Mona
Vale but, unfortunately, they
moved to Newport.
“Hopefully, we can hold onto
this current group,” he said.
While Nutri Grain rookie
ironwoman Maddie Spencer
competes for Newport,
she coaches the swimming,
while Kim Moran looks after
the beach kids at Mona Vale.
“We are lucky to have both of
them,” Marty says.
But one of the interesting
things Marty has done with
the older juniors is introducing
them to ski paddling.
“We’ve got them on the ski
already at 13, to give them
GUIDANCE: Super coach Marty Cowper with some of his Mona Vale juniors
and Kris Monnock.
a good grounding,” he said.
“We’re thinking, ok, let’s get
these kids having fun… we
don’t work them that hard on
the ski. Some are very competent
paddlers on flat water.
We’ll take them in the ocean
in the off-season.
“Next year the best of them
I will send to Performance
Paddling and put them onto
K1s. They will be coached by
two ex-Olympians.
“We are trying to develop a
craft ethos at Mona Vale.”
Marty was over the moon
with some of the results at the
Branch Championships last
month.
The club picked up several
medals in board relays
and board rescue events
and the combination of Kira
Beuzeville, Mia Paltridge and
Jayme Saggers won gold in the
under 13 girls board relay.
Mia’s younger sister Macy
is one for the future. She won
the under-9s surf and board
races.
What is Marty hoping to
achieve at the State titles at
Blacksmiths in Newcastle on
March 5?
“Obviously some finals
and for the kids to give me a
mistake-free race – that’s what
I am really after,” he said.
After he gained his Bronze
Medallion at Palm Beach SLSC
in Queensland, where he
originally hails from, Marty
then found his way to Avalon
Beach, while stationed in the
Navy at Quakers Hill.
“I actually used to hitchhike
to get to the beach,” he
recalls.
He spent time at Shoalhaven
Heads SLSC and next stop
was Newport.
But he won’t be leaving
Mona Vale in a hurry.
– John Taylor
News
MARCH 2017 19

Comment
Ingleside to set bar for
sustainable development
The suburb of Ingleside is a
largely unknown area, yet
it performs an important
role as Pittwater’s western
gateway.
Nestled between Ku-ring-gai
Chase and Garigal National
Parks, and the escarpment
above Warriewood, Ingleside
has been designated for
residential subdivision since
the 1920s. After many decades
of inaction, and following a
long and detailed investigation
by Council and Government,
Ingleside is now positioned to
become Pittwater’s latest village.
It is essential, however,
that the unique character of
Ingleside is embraced and that
this important opportunity
to increase local housing
supply occurs in a carefully
planned, well-co-ordinated and
environmentally conscious way.
Following the upgrade of
Mona Vale Road, a new village
centre will be created north of
Mona Vale Road, a little to the
east of the Baha’i Temple. New
terrace homes, three-storey
apartments and traditional
detached houses will radiate
out from the village centre to
join with the existing large
lot subdivisions and farmlets
of Bayview Heights and the
Wirreanda Valley.
More than 200 hectares
will be retained as public
environmental lands,
recognising the amazing
biodiversity and natural
landscapes of Ingleside, while
the plan also proposes 15
hectares of sportsgrounds and
active parklands. Another three
hectares is set aside for the
creation of a new public school
to serve the local community.
Ingleside will set a new
benchmark for sustainable
development in Sydney
by mandating the highest
environmental standards.
This includes water-sensitive
and energy-efficient urban
design, LED street lighting
and infrastructure for electric
vehicles.
While the former Labor
government planned to cram
more than 4,800 homes into
Ingleside, detailed transport
modelling and environmental
analysis means that we are
aiming for around 3,400
instead. This will enable
a more appropriate and
By Rob Stokes
Member for Pittwater
sustainable settlement pattern,
allow greater environmental
protections and avoid
congestion on the expanded
Mona Vale Road.
New public transport
connections to Macquarie Park
and the North Shore railway
line, plus the inclusion of up to
10 per cent affordable housing,
will mean that Ingleside will
provide opportunities for
younger working families, as
well as retirees and downsizers.
Important heritage sites
such as ‘Whale Rock’, Ingleside
House and the Katandra
Bushland Sanctuary will be
preserved and protected
and, over the next 20 years,
Ingleside will provide the bulk
of new housing needed to
support growth in Pittwater.
Comment
MARCH 2017 21

Comment
Comment
‘Food For Thought’ will
help shape local vision
The new Northern
Beaches Council is
not yet a year old,
but already we have made
significant inroads building
major infrastructure projects
whilst continuing to deliver
the same, if not better levels
of service the community
has come to expect.
One of the most significant
projects moving forward is
the Connecting Communities
program, which includes
connecting the various
and isolated stretches of
walkway and cycle paths
along our coastline to form
a continuous iconic walkway
from Palm Beach to Manly,
with links to other centres
and key transport hubs.
An important part of the
program is our focus on
all-abilities playgrounds
and connecting our children
in play. Two new regional
all-abilities playgrounds
will be built at Lionel Watts
Reserve in Frenchs Forest
and another at Manly Dam.
Fifty Northern Beaches
playgrounds will have
accessibilities upgrades
and a new pilot local
neighbourhood playground
program that will see the
introduction of various
accessibility elements. The
new Council is also funding
improvements to our Surf
Life Saving Clubs and
sporting facilities. All of the
Connecting Communities
improvements will provide
opportunities to get active,
stay fit and healthy and
create a more connected and
inclusive community.
This April the Northern
Beaches Council opens the
next round of applications
for $500,000 Stronger
Community Grants. The
first round saw 25 not-forprofit
community groups
receive funds up to $50,000
each that will help deliver
projects that will make our
community more inclusive,
vibrant and sustainable.
The grants are part of the
Stronger Communities Fund
established by the NSW
Government under the Fit for
the Future program. I hope,
like me, you are pleased to
see the Northern Beaches
community is receiving
direct benefits from the
funds made available by
the State Government to
assist the formation of a
new Council with additional
funds available from cost
savings as a result of the
amalgamation.
Some of the other major
projects underway include
the Church Point Carpark,
which will complete stage
one works around the
middle of this year. During
construction Council was
able to find a more costeffective
seawall and is
using the money saved
to improve the stage two
works and modify the actual
structure of the carpark to
be more recessive. Staff
have continued to work
with the Aesthetic Advisory
Committee, comprising
architects and designers
from the community, to
ensure the carpark will
both be functional and fits
in with surrounding local
environment.
There is of course also the
long-awaited Macpherson
Street upgrade. These works
are due to be completed
at the end of the year and
are essential in helping
to reduce flooding in the
Warriewood Valley as well
as providing an evacuation
route during extended
rainfall. In addition, the
works will improve traffic
flow, provide new walkways
and improve the general
amenity of the area.
I have continued to consult
with many community groups
across the Northern Beaches.
During my first month, I
met with the Palm Beach
and Whale Beach Residents
Association, and I am pleased
that these discussions
By Dick Persson
Administrator, Northern Beaches Council
have led to several planned
improvements for that
area. These improvements
will include a safe walkway
between the ferry wharf and
Governor Phillip Park, South
Palm Beach landscape plan
and reserve restoration, and
improved parking at the ferry
wharf.
Two-way communications
is an important part of
Council’s policy development
process. Council is holding
‘Food For Thought’ sessions
throughout March and
April where members of
the community sit down
for a light meal and help us
shape the vision, goals and
strategies for our area over
the next 10 years. The Food
For Thought discussions
will help inform the Draft
Community Strategic Plan
and I encourage everyone
to register their interest
for a seat at the table and
provide any other thoughts
at yoursay.northernbeaches.
nsw.gov.au.
Northern Beaches Council
believes in continuous
improvement for the benefit
of the entire community,
particularly when it comes
to communication and
consultation, so I encourage
everyone to visit our website
for news, project updates and
opportunities to get involved.
22
MARCH 2017

Comment
Urgent need to upgrade
demountable classrooms By Jason Falinski
Federal Member for Mackellar
The end of the year
always heralds school
celebrations for Families
with Children, it’s a time
where academic, sporting
and leadership success are
recognised. As a father with
a young daughter, I know the
pride parents feel for their
children’s achievements.
I myself attended many
award nights as 2016 drew
to a close: at Pittwater High,
Barrenjoey High, Dee Why
Public School and Mater
Maria, to name but a few.
Schools often come to
Canberra to visit Parliament
House and I spend time
with them to talk about the
parliamentary and political
process. The exchanges are
fascinating – particularly when
the kids start to open up
about what they’d like to have
changed in our community. To
date I have been able to see
the Japanese School, Christian
Covenant School and Pittwater
House, and look forward to
many more.
There is often follow-up
work for me to do after the
visits. I was for instance asked
to provide a timeline for the
construction of the Cromer
Skate Park for one group.
Another raised the issue of
demountable classrooms. As
the schools in our area have
had to deal with increased
demand, they have had to
erect temporary classrooms.
These structures need to be
upgraded to give kids longlasting
and better-quality
infrastructure. I am talking
to my State colleagues to
implement these changes.
Meeting with as many of
you as possible has been and
continues to be a big part
of what I do. During one of
these meetings, I discovered
the amazing work being
done by the Be Centre – a
charity dedicated to assisting
traumatised children aged
3-13 using Play Therapy.
The Centre is relocating
to Warriewood as it has
outgrown its current facility. I
am looking forward to helping
make this transition a reality.
I try to assist our
many great community
organisations secure
government grants wherever
I can. At the end of last year
we provided $200,000 to the
Kinma School at Terrey Hills
for a new learning space.
Many of you have filled
out my community survey,
for which I am very grateful
(if you haven’t it’s available
on www.jasonfalinski.com.
au). One of the big issues that
you have raised with me is
the cost of living, particularly
when it comes to affording
child care. I know from my
own conversations with you
that often times the cost of
child care is higher, or barely
covered by the money earned
if a parent goes back to work,
creating a dilemma for a lot
of our families.
Your Liberal Government,
led by Malcolm Turnbull,
is determined to fix the
outdated model we have now.
Parents who want to return
to work must have affordable
childcare available to them.
That is the liberal way. I
believe in these reforms and
will fight for our package in
Canberra, because I believe in
an environment where all of
us parents, who want a better
future for our families, have
the opportunity to do so.
Comment
MARCH 2017 23

News
Pittwater News
Make dates for
2017 Youth Week
Early events scheduled
for Youth Week this year
include music, art and
skater activities, with more
planned before it kicks off in
late March. Announced are:
1 April: Shore Shocked, St
Leonards Park, North Sydney
– Free music festival featuring
youth bands from across
the Northern Beaches and
broader Northern Sydney
region; 31 March-1 April:
Art Decko Workshops, 105
Abbott Rd, Nth Curl Curl –
Participants learn street art
style artistic techniques for
creating their own unique
skate deck; 4-15 April: Art
Decko Exhibition, 105 Abbott
Rd, Nth Curl Curl – An
exhibition of the skate decks
created by local youth at
the Art Decko Workshops: 7
April: Northern Composure
Band Comp Final – After battling
it out in the heats local
bands will compete for great
prizes and to win the title
of best Northern Beaches
youth band; 8 April: Northern
Beaches Street Skate and
Scooter Comp at Mona Vale
– A comp for all ages and
abilities with giveaways and
great prizes; 10 April: Free
Comic Wallet Workshop
at Manly Library – Young
people aged 10-13 years will
learn how to create their own
comic wallet to take home.
For more info on Youth Week
activities call 9942 2401.
Lucky Jason wins
Swim Series prize
Another successful Pittwater
Ocean Swim Series
in 2017 saw 2981 entries in
the 2km+ events plus 693 in
the 800-metre swims raise
around $80,000 for the Bilgola,
Newport, Avalon, Mona
Vale and Whale Beach surf
lifesaving clubs. Congratulations
to Jason Fan, 29, from
Northbridge, who won the
‘Lucky Door’ prize of four
nights’ luxury accommodation
for two people at the Bay
Royal Apartments in Byron
Bay, including airfares, plus
entry in the Classic Swim
from Watagoes Beach to the
Surf Life Saving Club on
the main Byron beach. The
draw was made by Rob Berry,
Kylie Ferguson from Northern
Beaches Council (Series
Sponsor) and Gail Kardash
from Travel View (Prize
Sponsor). Jason was one of
221 eligible swimmers who
participated in three or more
of the five swims.
Submarines on
PROBUS agenda
The pair of Japanese minisubmarines
that invaded
Sydney Harbour in 1942 will
be the topic of a talk at the
24
MARCH 2017

next Pittwater PROBUS club
meeting at Mona Vale Golf
Club on Tuesday March 14.
Noel Phelan, a volunteer
guide at the Sydney Maritime
Museum, will discuss the
wartime events, which saw
one of the submarines sink
off Bungan headland. All
welcome; phone Bill Marshall
9999 5226.
Rotary Club Golf
Day at Bayview
The Rotary Club of Upper
Northern Beaches is calling
for entries for their second
annual Charity Golf Day at
Bayview Golf Club on Friday
March 31, with proceeds
from the day going to the
charitable projects of the Rotary
Club. The 18-hole event
will follow the popular 4-ball
Ambrose format, in which
each player can participate
regardless of skill level. The
day begins with a shotgun
start at 8:30am, with teams
starting on different holes
and all finishing around
1pm. A complimentary snack
and drinks cart will be
available, as well as optional
novelty events. A two-course
lunch will be served after
golf, with prizegiving and
a raffle, before the day’s
activities wrap up around
3pm. Players can register as
individuals or as foursomes.
Entry is $150 (or you can register
for just golf for $100 or
lunch for $60). Beneficiaries
include the Palliative Care
Centre at Mona Vale Hospital.
Sponsorship details and
entries golfday@rotaryuppernorthernbeaches.org
or
call Simon on 0402 037 032.
Continued on page 26
News
MARCH 2017 25

News
Pittwater News
Billabong Retreat
Competition winner
Congratulations to Janelle
Osborne from Mona Vale,
who won the Billabong
Retreat Getaway competition
run in our January issue.
Janelle wins three nights’
accommodation for two people
the relaxing Billabong
Retreat Comp, plus meals,
two yoga classes each day
and meditation workshops to
the value of $1600.
New FoodSt offers
takeway alernative
Foodst.com.au, Australia’s
first online marketplace
for ready-to-eat homecooked
food, launches on
the Northern Beaches this
month. Founder Lorraine
Gnanadickam says the service
matches the time poor
with home cooks who love
to share their meals. FoodSt
has been operating in Inner
Sydney since late last year.
“We have had an amazing response
and we are excited to
bring it to our home on the
Northern Beaches,” Lorraine
said. “Many of our customers
are working families who
don’t have the time to cook…
people who don’t want to
feed their family takeaway.”
Food safety is paramount in
the business model. “All of
our cooks hold a valid Food
Safety Supervisor Certificate
which is the level required
to supervise a team in a
commercial kitchen,” she
said. More info www.foodst.
com.au.
Local author for
Bookoccino talk
Local Author Amanda Hampson
(above) will give a talk at
Bookoccino in Avalon Beach
from 11am on Wednesday
March 8, to celebrate the
release of her new novel ‘The
French Perfumer’ set in the
French Riviera. Bookoccino’s
Margaret Hutchings says:
“The novel is a gorgeous
piece of escapism, written in
the spirit of ‘The Little Paris
Bookshop’ and ‘The Guernsey
Literary and Potato Peel Pie
Society’, both great favourites
over the last few years
– you can expect a lively
discussion about the process
of research and writing.”
Tickets $10; includes light
refreshments. Bookings on
9973 1244.
Grants for local
war memorials
Grants of up to $10,000 are
now available as part of the
2017 Community War Memorials
Fund (CWMF), ensuring
the enduring legacy of our
veterans. The fund is designed
to protect, repair and
improve the accessibility of
local war memorials, statues,
honour rolls, and memorial
halls which commemorate
the Anzac legacy. Minister for
Veterans Affairs David Elliott
said conserving and protecting
war memorials was an
essential part of honouring
Australia’s service men and
women. “The importance of
young people understanding
the sacrifices made during
World War I and ensuring
their legacy lives on has
never been more important,”
he said. The CWMF allocated
a total of $250,000 to
projects across NSW last year.
“Funding applications can be
made until Anzac Day and I
26
MARCH 2017

sincerely encourage all communities
who believe their
local memorial needs a bit of
love or protection to apply for
a grant,” Mr Elliott said. More
info veterans.nsw.gov.au
Container deposit
deadline extension
The implementation date for
the NSW 10 cent container
deposit scheme has been
delayed by five months following
requests from environment
groups and industry
bodies. The container deposit
scheme will now be rolled
out from 1 December, 2017,
in order to ensure maximum
possible state-wide coverage
from implementation.
“Clean Up Australia and the
Boomerang Alliance, along
with industry stakeholders,
have asked for an extension
of time to make sure the
container deposit scheme
is a world leading program,
from day one,” NSW Environment
Minister Gabrielle Upton
said. “This will be the biggest
initiative to tackle litter in the
state’s history – stakeholder
feedback is vital to get the
scheme right.” The 2015-2016
National Litter Index found
that 49 per cent of litter by
volume was made up of beverage
containers – and 43 per
cent of the total volume was
containers that will be caught
by the NSW container deposit
scheme. Under the scheme,
people in NSW will be able to
return most empty beverage
containers between 150ml
and three litres to collection
points for a 10 cent refund.
The container deposit scheme
will give people a financial incentive
to “do the right thing”
and recycle drink containers
to significantly reduce the
estimated 160 million drink
containers littered every year.
Cook up an
Italian Storm
Are you determined to master
the secrets of cooking risotto?
Head to the Royal Motor
Yacht Club at Newport for
their first Ladies Luncheon
for 2017, with foodie Melina
Puntoriero demonstrating
a 2-course meal for you to
enjoy on the day. Melina
has travelled extensively
throughout Asia, Europe,
South America and Australia,
forming the unique flavour
combinations that highlight
her cuisine. Melina operated
her own restaurant and catering
business for 10 years,
specialising in Italian Cuisine.
In her demonstration,
Melina will take attendees
through the “10 commandments
of a perfect risotto”.
Plus she will deliver a latesummer
twist on tiramisu.
Bookings 9997 5511.
Volunteers raise
funds for hospital
Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary
volunteers will be out
and about again this month
raising funds to purchase
equipment for Mona Vale
Hospital. Diary dates are: Sat
4th – stall at Pittwater Place,
Mona Vale, featuring sewing,
knitting and craft (from
8am-3pm); Sat 11th – Bunnings,
Narrabeen, sausage
sizzle from 8am-3pm; Fri
17th – stall in the foyer of
Mona Vale Hospital featuring
baking, knitting, sewing,
craft and books (9am-3pm).
Did you know?
Bungan Street General Practice
has changed its name to
Mona Vale Medical Practice.
You can still find them at
Suite 10, 5 Bungan St, Mona
Vale.
Vet
on
call
with
Dr Ben Brown
If your dog or cat has blood
in its urine, if it is urinating
more frequently than normal,
passing only small quantities
of urine or straining then
there’s a chance it could have
bladder stones (or “uroliths”).
These small stones can form
in pets the same way they
form in humans, starting out
as tiny crystals in the urine
that build up over time.
What causes them? Well,
bladder stones may be the
result of many different
factors including a diet rich
in certain minerals, a pet
not drinking enough and/
or bladder infections. Some
breeds of dogs such as
Dalmatians and bulldogs as
well as Burmese and Persian
cats, are simply more prone to
stones than others.
Your vet may be able to
confirm whether your pet
has stones by feeling hard
lumps through the bladder
wall during an examination.
In some cases a urine test,
radiograph or ultrasound may
be needed to see if stones are
present.
If stones are confirmed then
they may either be removed
with surgery, or an attempt
can be made to dissolve the
stone with a prescription diet.
What your vet recommends
will usually depend on
whether your pet needs urgent
treatment, how healthy it is
and what type of stones are
diagnosed by your vet (some
types of stone cannot be
dissolved). Surgery can be the
most effective treatment, with
most pets recovering quickly
within a few days of their
procedure.
If you think your pet could
have bladder stones it’s
important to see your vet as
soon as possible. Bladder
stones can be extremely painful
so it’s essential to get them
treated, as well as to prevent
the formation of any more.
If you’d like to make an
appointment for your pet, our
hospital at Newport is open
every day from 7am to 9pm.
News
MARCH 2017 27

Life Stories
Great
Scots
Long-term residents Cass and
Bill Gye recount the decades of
change and challenges living
offshore on Scotland Island.
Story by Rosamund Burton
It’s Sunday afternoon and several
Scotland Island residents have gathered
at Church Point Wharf to enjoy a
few drinks and the live music at the
Waterfront Café. I am meeting Bill and
Cass Gye, who arrive a few minutes late
due to a problem with their outboard
motor.
Sitting on a bench looking across the
water to Scotland Island, Cass tells me
that she came here 40 years ago. Having
grown up on the Northern Beaches, she
was looking for somewhere to build.
“I found this wonderful block at the top
of the island, with a huge rock shelf and
cave.” She bought the land with her partner
at the time and started building. In 1980
she met Bill, when he came to visit some
friends, who had bought a house nearby.
In 1981 Bill and Cass travelled
together to India. Bill was attending a
Transpersonal Conference in Mumbai,
and Cass was keen to visit Mhow. Here,
aged 16, her Anglo-Indian mother had
married her English father, and three of
her five siblings were born.
Bill, it transpires, also has Asian roots.
His great-grandfather was Chinese and
came to Bendigo during the gold rush
28
in the 1850s. However, that did not
precipitate Cass and Bill going to Canton.
Instead, they travelled through India,
Nepal and Ladakh for 18 months, then
finished building the house on Scotland
Island, before their daughter Tashi was
born in 1985.
When Cass first came here there were
only 200 houses on the island. Today
there are 360.
“I loved it when there weren’t many
people, but I also love the community
now.”
Scotland Island’s residents are a
diverse group including people working
in essential services, such as nurses and
teachers, others in IT and banking, as well
as many artists and musicians.
“There is a certain eccentricity of the
demographic, which unites people,”
reflects Bill. “You’ve got to be a little brave
to want to do that journey across the
water every night to get home.”
For a couple of years in the late ’80s
Bill and Cass didn’t own a boat. Bill was
doing his Masters in Cognitive Science
at the University of NSW. Cass used their
car, to drive from her administration
job in Pyrmont in time to collect Tashi
MARCH 2017
from family day care and catch the ferry
home each day. So, Bill used to travel via a
change of buses from Kensington to Mona
Vale and either catch a taxi or hitchhike
to Church Point, where he’d arrive at
11.30pm, and then wait at the wharf for a
lift to the island.
“I always got a lift – but once had to wait
until 1.30am,” he says.
Currently, Bill is a FIFO worker. He
is CEO of Ostara Australia, the largest
provider of employment services in
Australia for people living with mental
illness. “I fly to Melbourne on Monday
morning and come home on Thursday
night.” Prior to this he was General
Manager for the Schizophrenia Fellowship
of NSW Recovery Services, and used to
drive from Church Point to Gladesville
every day.
Bill was awarded a Medal of the Order
of Australia in 2014 for his work in social
community, particularly disadvantage
communities, as well as for his
community service on Scotland Island.
In 1992 he became President of the
Scotland Island Residents’ Association, a
year later Cass became the secretary, and
they have contributed to the community

ever since. As committee members for
many years they have grappled with the
issues of the management of the dirt
roads, drainage and storm water, as well as
the island’s lack of water and wastewater
and other infrastructure and services. On
Australia Day Cass received an award for
Outstanding Community Service.
“Cass has the ability to influence people
in a very collegial way,” Bill tells me, “and
I’ve been fairly good at marshalling people
together.”
“We’re a bit of a double act,” interjects
Cass. “Bill leads and I come from behind.”
But, she stresses, they are just two of the
many committee members and residents
who put numerous hours into supporting
the island community in a host of
different ways.
The kilometre-long Scotland Island
does not have its own water, so residents
rely on rainwater tanks and a water pipe
from the mainland. For over 20 years
until the end of 2016 Cass was one of
two water monitors, checking meters
and coordinating times for houses to
get access to the island’s emergency
water supply and keeping an eye on the
maintenance of the waterline. Having
done that job for so long means that she
knows most of the island’s approximately
715 inhabitants by name.
“In an Island Players review one year
there was a character called Queen
Cassaurina, who people had to bow to,
in order to get water. For a week after
everyone was bowing to Cass,” Bill
recounts.
An issue that has consumed Bill for
25 years has been the parking at Church
Point. The Point, he explains, is sheltered
from the wind, and is the closest landing
place for most of the Scotland Island’s
households, and also the 155 other
offshore households at McCarrs Creek,
Elvina and Towlers Bays on Pittwater’s
western shore. The car ownership average
for these communities is 1.23 cars per
household, and all those cars need to be
parked somewhere. Between 1992 and
now, Bill says, he has been to 250 meetings
regarding parking at Church Point.
“I have 10 cardboard boxes full of old
plans and minutes of the meetings, which
nobody wants,” he grins. A car park, with
spaces for 120 vehicles is currently being
built, which Bill says will help alleviate the
parking issue considerably.
Bill and Cass talk about the island’s
book clubs, music and theatre
performances, the monthly fire shed
dinners during winter, festivals and
fairs and the annual Scotland Island Dog
Race on Christmas Eve. The entry fee is
a longneck of cold beer and a can of dog
food for this 500-metre doggie paddle race
from Bell Wharf to Church Point.
“Sassy, the golden Labrador we’ve been
looking after for the last week, won the
Diesel Trophy, the award for the fastest
local dog, two years in a row,” Cass
recounts.
But despite the camaraderie, island
living isn’t for everyone.
“People come here with a romantic
idea of living on an island, but there are
challenges,” explains Bill, such as getting
over to the island in bad weather.
Families often move away when the
children are teenagers, because getting to
and from the mainland becomes too hard.
Tashi had a job at Terrey Hills Tavern as
a teenager, and Cass would get in their
tinnie at 1am to pick her up from the
wharf.
Bill and Cass make the 120-metre
climb from Bell Wharf to their house via
steps and dirt roads. They carry up small
amounts of shopping and otherwise
rely on the community vehicle funded
through a community transport scheme
and manned by volunteer drivers.
“There’s a lot of physicality involved
with living here,” Cass says, and now both
well into their 60s, they are thinking about
whether in 10 years’ time they’ll still be
able to climb up the steps, or need to have
a car on the island, or even move away.
“I don’t like the idea of leaving the
island or Pittwater,” says Cass. “It’s a very
vibrant community, very unique, and I
love being part of it.”
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Cass
and Bill with their island home
in the background; daughter
Tashi with childhood friends;
Cass and Bill dolled up for
the Scotland Island Fireman’s
Ball; mayhem and fun during
the Christmas Eve Dog Race;
accepting her Australia Day
Award; the old Pasadena site
at Church Point; an old land
release poster for Scotland
Island dating back 111 years.
MARCH 2017 29
PHOTOS: Supplied;

Art Life
Art Life
‘Cybele’ by Annette Golden
Golden talent
is helping to
save sight
What happens when a lawyer
who is the head of a major
company’s legal department – and
who is also a talented violinist,
music composer and mother of two
– turns her hand to art?
The results are a complexity
of colour, pattern, line and form
reflecting the synergies between
those two powerful forms of
expression – music and art. The
ability to orchestrate a symphony
and mix so many instruments into
one comes out in the paintings of
Annette Golden, where multiple
images coalesce into a unified but
complex and powerful work of art.
Annette’s beautiful works feature
imagery inspired by people, travel,
conversations, memories, dreams
and ideas.
“I am not that special… I just enjoy
painting,” says Annette, adding
the words of one of her favourite
artists Gustav Klimt as an insight
into her and her creativity: “Whoever
wants to know something about
me... ought to look carefully at my
pictures.”
Annette is Eye Doctors Mona
Vale’s feature artist for autumn; you
can view and buy her works at their
practice at 20 Bungan St Mona Vale
from March through May – importantly,
25% of the cost of each sale
will be donated to support the prevention
of blindness in Myanmar.
Resident doctor Kwon Kang’s
world-acclaimed project has taught
the local doctors how to do vitreoretinal
surgery; Kwon continues to
visit Myanmar several times a year,
improving their skills, with the aim
of saving thousands of people from
being totally blind over time.
30
Skate Park art celebrates
youthful ‘possibilities’
The Mona Vale Skate Park has come
to life with the installation of a colourful,
contemporary new public art
work created by Brookvale-based artist
Miguel Gonzalez.
Northern Beaches Council General
Manager Mark Ferguson said a
dedicated working group comprising
skaters, engineers and youth development
staff collaborated with Miguel to
design the work.
“When we opened the Mona Vale
skate park last September it was
always our intention to bring it to life,”
he told Pittwater Life.
“The art work installed on the side
of the skate ramp celebrates the park
HSC graduates
set to ‘Express’
themselves
The work of the northern
beaches’ talented
HSC students will again be
celebrated when the monthlong
2017 ‘Express Yourself’
exhibition opens at the Manly
Art Gallery & Museum at 6pm
on March 3.
The vibrant and dynamic
annual exhibition, showcasing
the talent and creativity
of the 2016 crop of HSC
Visual Arts students, will be
opened by Tristan Sharp,
Director Programs & Engagement,
Museum of Applied
Arts & Sciences.
Express Yourself celebrates
the work of over 40 emerging
MARCH 2017
as being an inclusive place and the
little boy depicted in a cape represents
possibilities – in the skate park, it feels
possible to fly.
“This is an outstanding facility,
which I am sure our local skating community
will feel a strong attachment to
for years to come,” Mr Ferguson said.
Originally from Venezuela, Miguel
Gonzalez is a well-known artist whose
work is featured at other public venues
in Sydney and across Australia.
Locals are encouraged to head down
to the public launch of the new artwork
on Thursday March 9, from 3pm
to 5pm, when attendees will be treated
to live music and a BBQ.
young artists from 18 secondary
schools in the region
and includes multi-media,
digital, sculpture, graphics
and drawing.
The outstanding technical
and artistic calibre of the
works in Express Yourself
reflect the artistic strength
of the students in Sydney’s
Northern Beaches region, and
the high quality of teaching
and learning in Visual Arts at
the HSC level.
Displayed alongside the
artworks (including St Luke’s
Grammar graduate Kate Farrugia’s
‘Mindfulness’, above)
are statements written by the
students expanding on the
inspirations and influences.
The winners of the 2017
Manly Art Gallery & Museum
Society Youth Art Award
and Theo Batten Bequest
Youth Art Award will be
announced on the opening
night. These two awards are
granted annually to students
featured in the exhibition.
Manly Art Gallery & Museum
Society presents a $3000
award and the Theo Batten
Youth Art Award of $5000 is
awarded to a student who is
continuing tertiary studies in
the arts.
A feature will be the ‘Art
Walk + Talk’ from 2-3pm on
Saturday March 11, when the
artists will walk through the
exhibition and discuss their
works.
* The Gallery will also
stage a tribute exhibition featuring
15 works from the late
Rod Milgate (left) from March
3 to April 2.

Chance for interior
lovers to get creative
W
ith their students off campus in April, Sydney Design School
are opening their doors for their Autumn short course series.
This year at St Leonards they’ll be running hands-on workshops
in interior decoration and styling for those with a passion for
design – no experience required.
“We find some people are a little self-conscious about their
creative ability – so we run two-day workshops on campus to give
interior enthusiasts a chance to play and build their confidence,”
says Sydney Design School Director, Amanda Grace.
Her hand-picked educators are all practising interior designers,
architects, stylists and artists themselves which means they bring
their real-world experience and energy into the classroom.
Their Interior Decoration Masterclass is a sell-out each season,
with would-be decorators accessing insider tips and building their
own interior mood board for a space in their home.
The Styling Essentials course is equally hands-on, teaching
students to master the art of composing a beautiful image and
capturing it for use on social media.
For those with interiors experience who want to improve their
presentation skills, there is also a two-day course in computer
modelling software, SketchUp.
Autumn School runs April 19-21; info sydneydesignschool.com.au
Art Life
MARCH 2017 31

Boating Life
Boating Life
How a change
in attitudes is
changing lives
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
Club prides itself on inclusion
of all in the sport of sailing
and on Friday 10 February
the club along with ANZ Bank
hosted a charity lunch for the
Attitude Foundation raising
awareness for social integration
of those living with disabilities.
More than 80 guests attended
the lunch where
chairman and founder of the
Attitude Foundation and former
Australian Disability Commissioner,
Graeme Innes, spoke
of the social change needed to
promote better lives for those
living with disabilities.
“The Foundation aims to
promote change through their
own stories, stories of those doing
work, doing sport and doing
life,” he said.
“These stories will help create
a better understanding of what
it’s like living with a disability
that will change people’s attitudes
and remove the barriers
to promote inclusion in both
society and the workforce.”
Five-time Paralympic medallist
in both wheelchair basketball
and sailing, Liesl Tesch,
spoke of the importance of the
role sport plays in the promotion
of change. After suffering
from an accident when she
was 19, Liesl told of how her
discovery of wheelchair basketball
opened her eyes to what
she could achieve living with a
disability.
This passion for wheelchair
basketball led to her winning
silver at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics,
Silver in 2004 Athens
Paralympics and Bronze in the
2008 Beijing Paralympics. From
there her passion and competitive
spirit propelled her into the
sport of sailing.
Meeting Daniel Fitzgibbon
at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
Club, the pair teamed up and
with the help of club members
developed the award winning
Integrated disAbled Sailing
Program (IdS) which strives to
encourage and assist sailors
from all walks of life to participate
into the club’s regular
sailing program.
Daniel and Liesl won gold
medals at the 2012 London
Paralympics and the 2016 Rio
Paralympics in sailing along
several world and national
championships in between.
As ambassadors of the IdS
program, Leisl and Daniel have
expanded the program to
branch out to other organisations
and community groups
including Sailability Crystal
Bay and Australia’s Soldier On
organisation which assists in integrating
the country’s veterans
into civilian life.
For the bigger picture the
Attitude Foundation seeks
to spread the message and
encourage others to tell their
story. In doing so the Foundation
is raising money to produce
a TV series to air on the ABC to
show the stories told by those
living with disabilities. To donate
visit www.attitude.org.au
For more info about the
RPAYC IdS program visit rpayc.
com.au – Stephen Collopy
32
MARCH 2017

Young Life
Abbotsleigh welcomes
its new headmistress
The 11th Headmistress
of Abbotsleigh, Mrs
Megan Krimmer, was
officially inducted in February
by the Archbishop of Sydney,
the Most Reverend Dr Glenn
N Davies, before a crowd that
included Mrs Krimmer’s family
and four past Abbotsleigh
Headmistresses – Kathleen
McCredie (1970-1987); Diane
Nicholls OAM (1988-1996);
Judith Wheeldon AM (1996-
2004) and Judith Poole (2005-
2016).
Speaking at the service
Mrs Krimmer honoured the
School’s long history, saying:
“Over the past 132 years
Abbotsleigh has been led by
10 extraordinary women of
faith, wisdom and vision. I am
honoured to join their rank
and deeply humbled by the
extraordinary support I have
Book Review
received from Abbotsleigh
and the wider educational and
Anglican communities.”
Mrs Krimmer began her role
as Headmistress in January
2017 as successor to former
Headmistress Mrs Judith Poole
who retired at the end of 2016
after a 12-year tenure. Mrs
Krimmer follows a long line
of remarkable female leaders
that followed after founder
and first Headmistress of the
School, Miss Marian Clarke
(from 1885-1913).
Mrs Krimmer’s
commencement sees a period
of new leadership at the
School, with Mrs Krimmer
joined by new Deputy
Headmistress, Mrs Victoria
Rennie – an Abbotsleigh Old
Girl and current parent of
students at the School.
Beginning her career as an
Mr Romanov’s Garden in the Sky
Robert Newton
Penguin Books $17.99
Robert Newton, Melbourne firefighter
and Prime Minister’s Literary
Award-winning author, paid Beachside
Bookshop a visit on the eve of
publication of his latest young adult
novel. He believes that the right
book at the right time in someone’s
life has the ability to change their
path, and we believe Mr Romanov’s
Garden in the Sky is one of those
special books.
Thirteen-year-old Lexie lives
with her frequently absent mum
in a housing commission tower. Lonely and trying to parent
her mum, plus grieve the death of her dad, she by chance
saves the life of an elderly Russian neighbour, Mr Romanov.
An unlikely friendship is struck which leads to an epic road
trip of self-discovery for all.
Newton wrote this story to give a young girl he met in the
line of duty a voice, and while some of us will never experience
the big themes the characters of this novel tackle, there
are readers who will. For the rest of us it’s about empathy
and awareness and beautiful storytelling. We are reading Mr
Romanov’s Garden in the Sky for our April parents & kids
Book Club; contact us if you’d like to join.
– Libby Armstrong
New Abbotsleigh Headmistress Megan Krimmer (far right) with her predecessors
(from left) Kathleen McCredie (1970-1987); Diane Nicholls OAM
(1988-1996); Judith Wheeldon AM (1996-2004) and Judith Poole (2005-2016).
English/History/Languages
teacher, Mrs Krimmer has
held a number of middle
management and executive
positions in the areas of
administration, curriculum
and pastoral care. Her most
recent position prior to joining
Abbotsleigh was as Principal
of Roseville College, a position
she held since 2011. Before
her appointment at Roseville
College, Mrs Krimmer was
Director of Curriculum at
Abbotsleigh, so she enters
her new role as Headmistress
with a strong understanding
of the education of girls from
Kindergarten through to Year
12, as well as an appreciation
of the School’s Early Learning
Centre and Transition programs.
Throughout her career,
Mrs Krimmer has advocated
strongly for the education
and equality of girls, believing
firmly in the importance
of leadership training and
‘student voice’ for girls. Mrs
Krimmer holds a Bachelor of
Arts, Diploma in Education
and a Masters of Education
from the University of Sydney
and is recognised as a leader
amongst her peers. She is
currently the President of
the Association of Heads of
Independent Girls’ Schools
(AHIGS) and a member of the
Executive of the Association of
Heads of Independent Schools
of Australia (AHISA).
Young Life
MARCH 2017 33

Surfing Life
Print wipeout: are surf
mags a dying trend?
with Nick Carroll
Surfing Life
No doubt you’ve heard it
before. “Print is dead.”
This reductive sorta
judgment has been bandied
about in media circles, in
surfing as much as anywhere,
for over a decade now.
But in late January, when
SURFING magazine actually
closed its doors, surfers
worldwide got a bit of a
shock.
The California-based
SURFING had been in
continuous publication
since 1964. As one of the
two biggest surf mags in
the world for much of the
past 53 years (the other one
being close rival SURFER), it
34
1964 1975-76 1984
defined the modern trend
toward high-energy highperformance
surfing for
generations of readers.
At its peak in 1989, it sold
over 120,000 copies a month,
employed 38 people full-time
and a couple of dozen parttime,
and booked up to half
a million dollars’ worth of
advertising per issue, much
of it from the surging young
lions of the new surf industry
of the day: Gotcha, Quiksilver,
Body Glove and many more.
A social and economic
powerhouse, in fact! Yet the
rise and decline of SURFING
magazine tells a bigger story,
about how its subject and
MARCH 2017
readership has swung with
social change.
When it began publishing
as ‘International Surfing’
in the early 1960s, modern
surfing was still in its birth
throes. The Baby Boomers
were still almost just that,
babies: a third of the US
West Coast’s population
was under 21 years of age.
The lightweight foam and
fibreglass Malibu surfboard
was on sale everywhere to
these kids, with their new-car
mobility and desire to explore
the world.
Like those kids, SURFING
took a while to figure out who
it really was. In 1967 it briefly
left SURFER in the dust,
rolling with psychedelia and
the shortboard revolution,
before settling into a bimonthly
groove – a sort of
stoned stability that matched
its 10,000-odd readers.
That lasted until 1975,
when the tendrils of the
new pro surfing movement
began to snake their
ways into California’s surf
consciousness. SURFER, the
self-proclaimed “bible of
the sport”, turned its nose
up at this tomfoolery, but
SURFING’s young editor, Dave
Gilovich, saw a chance to do
what all good editors do –
separate your mag from the
competition. SURFER might
be the bible, but SURFING’s
tagline read, “The Hot One!”
In 1978 the mag was
bought by Australian emigre
Clyde Packer. Clyde signed
off on a monthly publication
schedule and gave his young
staff its head. They dragged
in brilliant LA designer Mike
Salisbury and turned SURFING
into a bright, brash showcase
for the surf stars of the
1980s. And everything lit up.
The magazine kept finding
new readers – the “echo
boomer” generation, who

1992 2005 2013
wanted to reject everything
their boring 1960s parents
had stood for. In that late
’80s boom time, its average
reader age got down to just
under 17. SURFER’s publisher
tried to disparage it with
the nickname “Teen Beat” –
but that was just what the
advertisers wanted to hear.
The recession of 1991
hit that whole construct
– advertisers and readers
– hard. But magazine sales
stayed bravely above 70,000,
and rebounded with the
emergence of sensational
Kelly Slater and his generation
of young wizards. SURFING
spent the 1990s perfecting
the role of conduit between
Kelly and crew and their
expanding fan-base – still
youthful, yet less brash
and more given to opening
up new areas of surf, like
Indonesia’s Mentawais chain
and Tahiti’s Teahupoo.
1999’s dot-com bubble
had everyone predicting the
End of Print. But the dot-com
bubble came and went with
little effect on magazines –
specially not on the sharp
niche press like SURFING.
What did change was the
ownership. A terminally ill
Clyde Packer sold the title and
its associated publications
to a big New York publishing
house for just over $20
million.
In one way this sealed
SURFING’s fate. Magazines –
all media really – exist in the
tension between ownership
and readership; once you’re
a niche publication in a big
corporate structure, things
are bound to go south. A few
years and acquisitions later,
SURFING, SURFER and a third
younger rival, Transworld
Surf, were all under the same
corporate roof, forced to
share offices and even ad
sales staff, trying desperately
to chase readerships that
were diffusing just as the
mags themselves were
congealing.
Then came smartphones
and social media, and
that pretty much killed off
SURFING’s raison d’etre – its
role as conduit. What kid in
a shrinking kids’ surf market
needed “The Hot One” to
check John John Florence’s
latest clip? What surf star
needed a mag when he or
she had Instagram? The
publication went back to eight
per year, and recent sales had
declined to something close
to its 1975 average of 10,000.
In the end – a very 2017
end – SURFING was killed via
corporate rationalising. It was
it or SURFER, and “the bible”
sounded better. One of the
staff was game enough to
offer just over $3 million for
the title, but the corporates
knocked it back, clearly
thinking it was worth that just
to prevent competition.
In SURFING magazine’s 53
years, Australia and the US
saw 256 separate surfing titles
come and go. Only a handful
still exist, mostly surviving on
niches within the niche: mostly
older or more artisanally
minded readers, who like the
physical feel of a publication
and who have the money to
PL’s MARCH SURF CALENDAR
March 14-25: WSL Championship Tour, Quiksilver and
Roxy Pros, Snapper Rocks, Qld
Two of the world’s biggest pro events kick off this year’s world
championship tour. We say “biggest” not because of the prizemoney
or entry list – they’re the same as any other CT event –
but because of the crowd. More people show up to watch, surf,
and have a holiday around this Queensland behemoth than any
event except perhaps Rio de Janeiro. The crowd puts a lot of
pressure on the pros, both during practice sessions (ever been
asked for an autograph in a surf zone?) and in the closely observed
heats, where every surfer’s every move is fully visible 50
metres away across the famed Snapper “superbank” sandbar.
Whatever else, the winners always earn this one. Watch it live at
www.worldsurfleague.com (app also available there)
NICK’S MARCH SURF FORECAST
If you reckon the heat’s switched off now, you might have cause
to think again. The monsoon trough that caused all that dead
air to build up in western NSW and pour like fetid syrup over
the coastal range on several too many occasions in January
and February is still there, and it would not surprise us at all to
see one or two more such occasions in the first coupla weeks
of this month. But we sense the back end of March will be
something different, as a late cyclone season takes hold of the
SW Pacific and sends down some extra-tropical magic. It’s
just a gut feeling, mind, but it’s encouraged by a strengthening
easterly tradewind band between here and Tahiti and some very
warm surface waters across the whole region. The whole thing
is just waiting to blow, and if it does, late March might be some
of the best surf this year. Watch for fairly calm days ahead of
that period, with light winds interspersed with occasional southeasterlies
and not a vast amount of swell. If you see any, get it
while it lasts.
Nick Carroll
dead, but like surfing, it’s
definitely middle-aged.
Nick Carroll is a leading
(*I should reveal here that I Australian and international
wrote for SURFING it its glory surf writer, author, filmmaker
years and was editor-in-chief
and surfer, and one
of Clyde Packer’s Californian of Newport’s own. Email:
magazine stable from 1991 to
pay for it. Print’s not quite 1997.)
ncsurf@ozemail.com.au
MARCH 2017 35
Surfing Life

Seniors Health Special
‘ACTIVE’
INGREDIENTS
Over the following pages, you’ll find general and specialist information on health issues
affecting seniors, with simple messages to assist. Plus, tips from local experts will help
you manage your health and wellbeing - so you can age well! Compiled by Lisa Offord
Health & Wellbeing
HEALTHY AGEING
We have known for ages that healthy
eating and being active is important
to staying well and strong and it’s never
too late to start paying attention to what
you put into your mouth and how you use
your body.
Enjoying a wide variety of foods in the
right amounts will ensure you are getting
all the nutrients your body needs; while
sitting less and moving more is good for
your heart, your bones, flexibility and
balance.
Although you can’t control every factor
that affects your health, adopting other
habits – such as staying up-to-date with
immunisations and health screenings and
having regular dental, vision and hearing
check-ups, taking steps to ensure you
are getting enough sleep, learning about
common conditions and how to manage
them and staying safe and connected –
will help you age well.
Healthy eating
As you age your nutritional needs change.
For example, older adults need more
calcium and vitamin D to help maintain
bone health and can often find they
need to eat more high-fibre foods (fruits,
vegetable and whole grains) and drink
more water to prevent constipation as the
digestive system slows down with age.
The National Health and Medical
Research Council (eatforhealth.gov.au)
recommends guidelines for maximum
vitality, health and energy in people of
all ages and life stages and provides
36
details on how many serves of food you
need to eat every day, tips for eating well
and healthy recipes. Also, check out The
Heart Foundation and Diabetes Australia
websites for easy-to-follow healthy eating
tips and recipes.
Make your move
Too much time spent sitting around and
not enough time being physically active is
bad for your health.
If you have always exercised keep it up
to the best of your ability.
If you haven’t been active in a while or
you have a chronic health condition talk
with your doctor or a health and fitness
professional about the type and amount
of activity suitable for you.
And remember… the old saying “no
pain, no gain” no longer rings true. If you
feel pain, slow down or stop!
The Australian Physical Activity
and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
recommend people aged 65 years and
over focus on four types of activities.
Try to include at least one from each
group:
n Moderate activities for your heart,
lungs and blood vessels for 30 minutes
on most days. These include brisk
walking, continuous swimming, golf,
cycling, washing the car, walking the
dog, gardening, tennis, water aerobics
and dancing.
n Strength activities to maintain your
bones two or three times a week. These
include weight, strength or resistance
MARCH 2017
training, lifting and carrying, climbing
stairs, push-ups.
n Flexibility activities to help you move
more easily such as Tai Chi, bowls, yoga
and dancing.
n Exercises to improve balance and help
prevent falls.
(See opposite page for tips from some of
our local experts.)
Healthy sleep
Sleep changes as we age, becoming lighter
and more interrupted. There are however
things you can do to improve the situation.
Most adults need between seven and nine
hours of sleep each day – in older people
this sleep may not all occur at night (nap or
after dinner snooze anyone?).
To sleep well:
n Keep regular times for going to bed and
waking up.
n Relax an hour before going to bed.
n If you are in the habit of taking naps, do
not exceed 45 minutes of daytime sleep.
n Avoid caffeine at least four hours before
bedtime.
n Be aware that alcohol in the evening can
interfere with sleep.
n Exercise regularly, but not right before
bed.
n Avoid going to bed on a full or empty
stomach.
n If you cannot fall asleep after 20 minutes
in bed go to another room until you feel
tired again.
n Get some sunlight during the day.

If you are having trouble falling asleep or
not getting enough quality sleep and feeling
sleepy during the day talk to your doctor.
Sometimes certain medications can
affect your sleep; also some sleep
disorders such as insomnia and obstructive
sleep apnoea are more common in the
elderly but with diagnosis and care they
can be treated and even prevented.
People tend to fall
off the exercise
bandwagon with the
arrival of the kids
and/or heavy work
commitments through
our 30s and 40s, says
Warwick Sargeant of
Avalon Physiotherapy.
“Bad patterns tend to
extend into our senior
years when some of us
have already picked up a
little blood pressure and
cholesterol and obesity
and maybe even Type 2
Diabetes,” he said.
“We see a lot of people
who have an ongoing
niggling injury which
is certainly treatable
by us in the short term
but more importantly a
symptom in itself of a
larger issue such as the
loss of general condition
or fitness… especially
in the postural muscle
groups of the spine and
pelvis.
“We always assist our
patients with a specific
solution but include
a return to a general
exercise as a very
important part of the
total resolution,” he said.
Find something you enjoy
Warwick stressed: “It
doesn’t really matter
what the form of exercise
is.”
“The two most
important factors
are that you somewhat
enjoy the activity and
that you actually keep
doing it... if you don’t
enjoy it, you won’t.”
Walking, swimming,
cycling, playing ball
sports like tennis,
kayaking, aquarobics,
aerobics, circuit training,
Pilates, Tai Chi, yoga all
have benefits to your
health if you keep them
up, he said.
“Combinations of these
give variety and if you
can alternate between
a leg-based fitness
(walking, cycling) and
arm-based (swimming,
racquet sports) then you
tend to get more all-over
muscle group coverage.”
Warwick says five
important things to
keep in mind are:
You have to puff a
1. bit. “Exercise at a rate
or a speed that makes
you a little breathless. By
that I mean you can still
maintain a conversation
but you pant between
phrases. Try to exercise
for 20 to 25 mins.”
Use the local terrain
2. and/facilities.
“Choose interesting
local walks, use the local
pool or Pittwater to swim
or kayak on. So it is
handy and you have no
excuse for not returning.”
Keep good posture
3. throughout. “Even
though you may not be
doing a specific back
exercise, by keeping
good erect posture
throughout the activity
you will be toning those
muscles adjacent to
your spine without even
trying.”
Don’t push yourself
4. too hard or you
won’t return.
Think about what
5. you used to like
doing when you were at
high school and it will
help you select a fun
activity.
Health & Wellbeing
Get ‘back’ on track
Of all of the predictors of back pain
and degeneration there is one that
has a significantly larger amount
of evidence, that being sedentary
lifestyle – in other words, not
moving your body enough, says
Doctor of Chiropractic, Sam Garner
from Avalon Beach Chiropractic &
Wellness.
“Our body was designed to move
through the full range of motion of all
of its joints; when we do not deliver
this movement to the body, the joints
begin to stiffen up and over time it
can lead to permanent loss of motion
and degeneration,” Sam said.
He said when patients attend
a Chiropractor, treatment such
as mobilisation, chiropractic
adjustments, dry needling, massage
and rehabilitative exercises and
stretches are given to alleviate pain
and restore normal motion.
“It is essential after treatment in
order to prevent problems coming
back (or occurring in the first place)
to regularly move our bodies through
their full range of motion.
“For elderly members of our
community with degenerative
conditions I recommend water-based
activity which may be as simple as
walking back and forth in the water,
swimming or water aerobics – due
to the buoyancy in water there is
minimal pressure on the joints while
strengthening the surrounding
muscles and allowing healthy
movement.
“Other gentle activity such as
Tai Chi, gentle yoga and specific
exercises directed by a Chiropractor
or other health care professional are
recommended,” he said.
MARCH 2017 37

Seniors Health Special
STAYING STRONG
Health & Wellbeing
There are plenty of things you can do
to help prevent and/or manage the
physical problems associated with
ageing... the key is knowledge.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more
of your joints it is the leading cause of
pain and disability. The main symptoms
of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness,
which typically worsen with age. The two
main types of arthritis osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis damage joints in
different ways.
Risk factors include
n Being overweight.
n Having a previous injury.
n Repetitive use of joints.
n Family history.
n Smoking.
What you can do
The impact of arthritis on normal
activities and lifestyle varies from person
to person but there are things you can do
to help manage the symptoms:
n Maintain a healthy weight – being
overweight can increase complications
of arthritis.
n Stay active… and know when to rest.
n Learn how to manage pain and flareups
and don’t try to ignore chronic pain
– talk to your doctor.
n Talk to your pharmacist to check you
are taking medications correctly.
Contact Arthritis Australia for more
information arthritisaustralia.com.au
Osteoporosis
Bone health is a priority for over-50s.
Osteoporosis is a condition where the
bones become fragile and brittle, and
can fracture more easily than normal
38
bones. Even minor falls can cause serious
fractures. Osteoporosis affects women
and men, however women are at greater
risk because of the rapid decline in
oestrogen levels during menopause. When
oestrogen levels decrease bones lose
calcium and other minerals at a much
faster rate. Men also lose bone as they
age however their bone mass remains
adequate till later in life because of
testosterone levels. It is important to try to
prevent the development of osteoporosis
– or at least treat it as early as possible so
you can minimise its effects.
Risk factors include
n Little or no physical activity.
n Smoking.
n High alcohol intake.
n Thin body build or excessive weight.
n Low calcium intake.
n Low hormone levels – in women: early
menopause; in men: low testosterone.
n A direct relative who has an
osteoporotic fracture.
n Conditions leading to malabsorption
such as coeliac disease.
n Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic liver
disease or kidney failure.
n A history of thyroid problems.
n Long-term drug treatment with
corticosteroids.
n Some medicines for breast cancer,
prostate cancer, epilepsy and some
antidepressants.
What you can do
n Strong bones require a lifelong intake
of calcium, adequate Vitamin D and a
healthy, active lifestyle.
n Check you are getting enough calcium.
If your diet does not contain enough
calcium or your do not get regular sun
exposure your doctor may suggest you
take supplements.
n Vitamin D is also essential for healthy
Mental health and wellbeing
Studies of mental health and wellbeing in old age generally paint a positive
picture however symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety among older
people can be easily missed.
According to beyondblue symptoms such as sadness, sleep and appetite
problems or mood changes may be dismissed as a ‘normal’ part of getting older.
Symptoms such as poor concentration and memory difficulties may also be
confused with other conditions such as dementia.
It’s normal to feel sad or moody or down from time to time but if these
feelings are preventing you from getting the most out of life, help and support is
available… not matter what your age.
Asking your doctor for advice about your mental health is a good first start – if
necessary they can refer you to services that best suit your needs.
For more information go to www.beyondblue.org.au
MARCH 2017
bones. It is formed by the action of
sunlight on the skin, and plays an
important role in increasing calcium
absorption from foods.
n Regular exercise is important for bone
strength, maintaining balance and
preventing falls.
Contact Osteoporosis Australia for more
information osteoporosis.org.au
Bladder and bowel health
As you age your pelvic floor muscles –
the ‘sling’ of muscles that supports the
bladder, bowel and uterus in women and
the bladder and bowel in men – may stretch
and weaken. This can cause incontinence –
the leakage of urine, faeces or wind when
you do not mean it to happen. The good
news is for many people simple exercises
can help prevent problems.
Risk factors include
A number of factors may contribute to
pelvic floor muscles weakening including:
n In women, the effect of pregnancy and
childbirth and changes in hormone
levels after menopause.
n Being overweight.
n Chronic constipation.
n Chronic cough.
n Frequent lifting of heavy objects.
What you can do
n Eat plenty of high fibre from a wide
variety of foods, to avoid constipation.
n Maintain a healthy body weight.
n If you smoke stop. Chronic coughing
associated with smoking can weaken
your pelvic floor.
n When using the toilet, sit down properly
with your feet firmly supported. This
helps to fully relax your pelvic floor and
sphincter muscles. Also, don’t strain.
n Don’t get into the habit of going to the
toilet “just in case”. Go only when you
need to.
n Visit your doctor if you suspect a
urinary tract infection or if you have
ongoing respiratory problems.
n Daily exercise helps stimulate
movement of the bowel and keeps your
weight healthy.
n Avoid heavy lifting as this weakens your
pelvic floor.
n Do pelvic floor exercises regularly.
There are a number of health
professionals that specialise in the area of
continence who you can turn to for help.
The Continence Foundation
(continence.org.au) recommends talking
to your doctor or a continence nurse
advisor on the National Continence
Helpline 1800 33 00 66 to help determine
the best course of action.

Dental
Health
Regular oral health check-ups
will help you retain your
natural teeth, manage issues
and encourage optimal health.
Lynch Dental in Avalon has
introduced a new member to
the team, Oral Health Therapist
Patricia Li (above) who has a
special interest in maintaining
the health of the elderly
population.
Key issues as you age
include gum disease, managing
restorative work and dentures
and dry mouth.
Regular dental check-ups for
patients with dentures were
essential to reduce the risk of
developing fungal infections
and ensuring they are kept in
good condition.
Certain medications can
also dry out the mouth, which
not only affects speech but
increases the risk of oral
bacteria which can lead to
serious health problems.
To reduce the risk of complex
oral health conditions the
health professionals at Lynch
Dental recommend booking an
appointment every six months.
Dentists will professionally
clean and scale your teeth, pick
up on any little issues before
they become more problematic,
check your overall oral health
and refresh your understanding
of correct tooth brushing and
flossing techniques.
Calcium boost
Osteoporosis Australia
says three to four
servings of dairy products
(e.g. glass of milk, tub of
yoghurt, slice of cheese) each
day will generally provide you
with the recommended daily
calcium intake for adults of
1000mg/day.
In older adults, calcium
is absorbed less effectively
and more can be lost
through the kidneys so
intake needs to be
maintained at a higher level
– recommended calcium
intake increases to 1300mg
per day for women over 50
and men over 70.
Tips for increasing
calcium intake:
n Try products fortified
with calcium (e.g. some
breakfast cereals).
n Eat canned salmon or
sardines which contain
bones.
n Use yoghurt in soups and
salads.
n Try soy based products
and tofu that contain
calcium.
n Include broccoli, Bok Choy,
silverbeet, cucumber,
celery, and chickpeas in
your regular diet.
n Eat almonds, dried figs
and dried apricots.
Pharmacy weighs in on
Complementary medicine
An increasing number of
Australians are choosing
to use some form of complementary
medicine – but
many of them are unaware of
important things to consider.
Complementary medicine
– also known as traditional or
alternative medicine –includes
a wide range of therapies,
vitamin, mineral, herbal, aromatherapy
and homoeopathic
products, said pharmacist
Wayne Miller of Newport
Pharmacy.
“There are therapies and
products that don’t work or
are unsafe but there are many
others with good evidence of
effectiveness and safety that
are becoming more widely
used in conventional medicine,”
Wayne said.
It is estimated that more
than two thirds of Australians
use complementary medicines
and spend four to six
billion dollars a year on them.
“Clearly many see a benefit
in the products; however
many companies also see a
great opportunity to make
money marketing products
of little or no benefit… if it
sounds too good to be true, it
usually is,” he said.
Wayne stressed just because
a product was “natural”
it was not necessarily “safe”.
“Heroin comes from the
poppy plant and in high
doses is fatal… Potassium is
a natural mineral but if you
get too much it will stop your
heart.”
“Any product that affects
your body’s highly regulated
balance, even when intended
for good, can have negative
side effects or interact with
other prescription medicine
to make them less effective
or possibly toxic,” he
explained.
Ask your pharmacist or talk
to your doctor before taking
any complementary medicine
and always inform your
doctor of any complementary
medicines you take, so they
can make the best decisions
for your health when
prescribing medications or
treatments.
“It is your body and your
choice as to what medicines
you do or do not take.
“Your health care professional
such as your doctor or
pharmacist are available to
help you make an informed
choice,” Wayne said. – LO
Health & Wellbeing
Note: This special feature is intended as a general introduction to the topic and in no way should be seen as substitute for your
own doctor’s or registered health professional’s advice. Prepared utilising information from the National Health and Medical
Research Council, The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, Sleep
Health Foundation, Arthritis Australia, Osteoporosis Australia, Continence Foundation, beyondblue and myagedcare.
MARCH 2017 39

Seniors Health Special
Seniors: The more you
do, the more you can do
Health & Wellbeing
Research shows that being
connected and social can
improve physical health
and emotional wellbeing – the
more you do, the more you
can do.
There’s always plenty to do
in Pittwater and this month,
when NSW celebrates the
Seniors Festival, is a great opportunity
to explore activities
and services available close
to home. Here are 20 local
events to tap into.
Fitness, health
and wellbeing
Exercises for
independence
Get a taste of the seven best
exercises to help maintain
your independence. Morning
tea provided. Wed 8 from
10.45-11.45 at Avalon Annex.
Free. Bookings required call
Mitch at Be Mobile Physiotherapy
1300 859 509.
Window shopping
Get in some free exercise
walking in total comfort rain,
hail or shine supervised by a
qualified trainer. Mon 6, 13
and 20 and Wed 8, 15 and 22
from 7.30-8.30am at Warriewood
Square. Contact Becky
0416 087 893.
Try Lifeball
Similar to netball,
Lifeball is played at
a walking pace. Mon
6, 13 and 20 from
11am-12.30pm Ted
Blackwoood Hall
Warriewood. Call
Trevor 0416 050
540.
Beginners
square
dancing
Learn simple dance
moves and watch
how good you can
40
become with practice on Tue
7, 14 and 21 from 7.45-9pm at
Ted Blackwood Hall Warriewood,
Free RSVP by March 5
Newport Ocean Waves Square
Dancing Club 0475 821 976.
Scottish Country
Dancing
Scottish Country Dancing is
fun and easy to do. All experience
welcome, no need for a
partner at the Nelson Heather
Centre Warriewood, Thurs 16
and 23 from 2-4pm. $2 per
session, bookings required
call Noreen 0413 033 526.
Wetlands walk
Explore the unique Warriewood
Wetlands. Thurs 9 from
10.30am-12.30pm. Free, bookings
essential RSVP by March
8 on 1300 000 232.
Creative activities
Art
Get a feel for the regular art
class run by Avalon Active
Seniors group by meeting
other students and an artist
who will give a demonstration
and tutorial. Mon 13 from
1-3pm at Avalon Rec Centre.
Call Carol 0413 666 406.
MARCH 2017
Music
Enjoy an afternoon of music
with performances by U3A students
from the singing, ukulele,
recorder and acoustic guitar
classes. Sat 18 from 2-4pm
Narrabeen Baptist Church. RSVP
Ruth 0401 203 368
Photography
Learn the tricks of the trade
and how to shoot incredible
pictures on your basic digital
camera, phone or tablet on
Wed 22 from 10-11.30m. At
Pittwater Village Mona Vale.
Free. Contact Deborah 9979
5385.
Social clubs and
activities
Fun and games
Join Northern Beaches Creative
Leisure and Learning for
a morning of fun with cards
and board games. Fri 3 and
17 from 10am-12pm Nelson
Health Centre Warriewood.
RSVP Maureen 9913 1474.
Lawn Bowls
Avalon Bowling Club members
will be on hand to
encourage vision-impaired
people to keep up or take up
lawn bowls. Bowls provided,
wear flat-soled shoes. Tue 7
from 10am-12.30pm. Avalon
Bowling Club. Free, bookings
required by March 3; call
Maureen 0412 092
771.
Discover
Pittwater
Youth Hostel
Catch the ferry
from Church Point
to Hall’s Wharf
and be guided to
the Pittwater YHA
where you will
enjoy presentations
and a morning
tea. Wed 8 from
9.20am-12pm;
bookings required
call Sharelle 9970
1600.
Toy workshop
Learn about the Peninsula
Seniors Toy Recyclers Group.
Lunch provided. Tue 14, from
9.30-11.30am. 169a Mona
Vale Rd Terrey Hills. Free;
RSVP by March 9. Call Matina
9942 2732.
Volunteer bushcare
Join a one of council’s
bushcare groups. Improve
the wildlife habitat, remove
weeds, replant native species
and encourage healthy bush.
No experience necessary all
tools provided. Call Michael
9942 2766 to find out about a
group near you.
Education and
information
eBooks and
eAudiobooks
Learn how to access Mona Vale
Library’s collection of eBooks
and eAudiobooks using your
iPad. Mon 6, from 3-4.30pm;
Wed 8, 10-11.30am or 11.30am-
1pm; Fri 24, 10-11.30am. Free;
bookings essential call Catherine
9970 1600.
Seniors fete
A mixture of stalls and information
for older members of the
community and carers run by
Anglicare at St John’s Church,
Mona Vale. Thurs 9 from 11am-
2pm. Call Jenna 9979 6832.
Help to stay put
Discover the support available
to allow you to stay at home as
you or a loved one ages. Find
out how My Aged Care and
other services work. Fri 10,
from 10am-12pm at Northern
Beaches Community College.
Bookings call Kim 9970 1000.
Stress-free downsizing
Join downsizing expert Belinda
Grundy to work out what to
sell, keep and dispose of before
you organise your downsize so

you don’t feel overwhelmed. At
Dee Why RSL Club on Tues 7,
11am-12.30pm or Mon 20 from
2.30-4pm or 6-7.30pm. RSVP
Belinda on 0433400 139.
Legal and Financial
matters
The NSW Trustee and Guardian
presents on wills, appointing
an executor, power of
attorney and guardianship;
a local hostel and nursing
home representative will talk
about residential care options
and access; and an aged
care specialist will discuss
financial maters. Fri 10 from
12.30-3pm. $10 afternoon tea
provided. Mona Vale Library
Pelican Room RSVP by March
8, call Robyn 9931 7750.
NBN and smart devices
Find out about the NBN and
also how to get the best out
of your phones, iPads and
tablets overseas. Tue 14 from
1.30-3.30pm at Newport Community
Centre. Call Gregory,
Avalon Computer Pals for
Seniors 0408 795 371.
Health & Wellbeing
MARCH 2017 41

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Buying a hearing aid: are
you getting value for money?
These days, there are
plenty of options for
purchasing hearing
aids. You can go to a large
retail outlet, purchase online,
or visit an independent
audiologist in a Hearing
Clinic. The price of hearing
aids is often cheaper when
purchasing online – but
what exactly are you paying
for, and what are the
hidden costs, or long-term
implications of your hearing
aid purchase?
Local audiologist Emma
van Wanrooy from Pittwater
Hearing in Avalon has
prepared a list of things to
consider when comparing
costs of hearing aids:
l What does the cost of the
device include? Are you
paying for a package of
services, or just the device?
Can you return as often as
you like?
Says Emma: “Regular followups
for fine tuning of the
hearing aids are important as
your listening preferences or
needs may change over time.
In addition, your hearing may
change, so are you able to
have your hearing checked as
needed, and the aids adjusted
as part of your package? Do
you need to pay extra for
these services?”
l Are you provided a large
choice of devices, or only 1
or 2? Have you been offered
devices that fit completely in
your canal?
Says Emma: “There are
several styles of hearing
aids, that come in about 4-5
different levels of technology.
It is the level of technology
that has a large impact on the
price, as well as all the other
things that we are considering
here.”
l What are the features you
are paying for?
Says Emma: “Does the
hearing aid have a narrow
beamforming directional
microphone to help you in
noisy situations? Can you
adjust the hearing aids using
an app on your phone? Do
you have access to quick
audiological support and
audiologists’ hearing aid
adjustments via an app on
your phone?
l Do you have to pay
extra for custom ear
moulds, replacement
parts such as tubing
and domes and wax
protectors?
Says Emma: “Some
clinics will include
all parts for the
first three years
as part of your
hearing aid
purchase.”
l Are you
given
the
option of a custom-made ear
tip, or are you only given the
“one-size-fits-all” ear tips?
How is the hearing aid fitting
measured to ensure it’s best
for you?
Says Emma: “The gold
standard for audiologists is
to perform measurements in
your ear, and speech in noise
testing with the hearing aids
to ensure the devices and
settings are appropriate for
you and your needs.”
l Can your hearing aid be
adjusted by another clinic if
you move, or wish to change
providers, or are you locked
in to going back to the
original provider for the life
of the hearing aid?
Says Emma: “And what
happens if your hearing aids
need repair? What is the
warranty period? Do you need
to courier the aid for repair
yourself, or will your clinic
do this for you? What is the
turn-around time for repairs?
How will you manage without
your hearing aid? Some clinics
will provide clients with a loan
device while they wait 1-2
weeks for their hearing aid to
be repaired.
“Of course, there is a lot
to consider, and having
time to discuss your options
with an audiologist who can
advise you on what features
or styles are best for you,
your hearing loss and your
communication needs
is essential. Don’t ever
hesitate in getting a second
opinion if you feel you
need it.”
For more info call
Emma at
Pittwater
Hearing
on 8919
0008.
42
MARCH 2017

Search for home care
gets more personal
Seniors are now able to
shop around for aged care
services most appropriate for
their circumstances.
It is recommended first
port of call for older Australians
is the My Aged Care
website that shows the options
available in the aged
care sector as well as eligibility
and assessment for these
services.
Options range from home
help – such as personal care,
domestic help or nursing
needs – to short-term assistance
for health problems,
improving independence and
delaying or avoiding the need
to enter longer-term care,
through to types of residential
aged care homes.
The Federal Government
subsidises a range of agedcare
services but seniors
are expected to contribute
depending on their financial
position and the services
they receive.
It pays to be informed at
any age.
Receiving help with regular
activities at the right time
can improve wellbeing and
help people manage better
at home.
From this month, all home
care packages will be provided
to individuals rather than
the previous method where
packages were awarded to
approved providers under an
allocation process.
This now gives people
the ability to choose their
provider and to direct the
Government subsidy to that
provider.
You can search for local
service providers on the My
Aged Care website and compare
fees and charges. Visit
my agedcare.gov.au or call
1800 200 422 for more info.
Health & Wellbeing
MARCH 2017 43

44
MARCH 2017

Health & Wellbeing
Eco Corner
We’ve had some big days
for solar in 2017! Heat
waves have highlighted the
challenges of supply and
demand faced by the grid.
Demand soared when air
conditioners were cranked.
Less than 14% of our energy
is currently produced from
renewable sources, the rest
from fossil fuels. Our target is
to produce almost one quarter
of Australia’s energy needs,
powering 5 million households
by 2020. It’s a modest target.
We have the sunshine, wind,
geo thermal capacity and
waves but do we lack the will,
unlike China, and India. The
world’s largest solar power
plant in India covers 10 sq km.
By 2022, India plans to power
60 million homes by the sun!
Our key challenges lie in
generation, storage and peak
demand management. The
intermittent nature of wind
and solar-powered electricity
has impacted its viability
but as battery technology
is improved it’s becoming
possible to store solar energy.
If you’re home during the
day, you can use your solar
power as it’s produced to cool
your house when you need
it most, run the dishwasher
and washing machine and
recharge the electric car.
And energy prices are
going thought the roof. The
great news is that people
are developing smart,
affordable storage and energy
management solutions. The
game changer is technology
which is disrupting the energy
market and gradually lowering
the price, enabling renewable
energy to undercut coalpowered
electricity.
Electricity is the largest
source of greenhouse gas
emissions in Australia. Thanks
to technology, renewable
sources are finally becoming
viable. We’ve
just got to
move faster.
Why you may not
see eye disease
Did you know a 360° eye
consultation could save
your sight? The Facts
around Eye health in Australia
don’t lie:
l 4.1 million Australians have
not had their eyes tested recently
and one million have
never had an eye exam;
l 1 in 4 Australians are at risk
of losing all or part of their
vision due to eye disease –
nearly half of these individuals
wait until their eyes
deteriorate before getting
them checked;
l The 2016 National Eye
Health Survey (NEHS) revealed
more than 50% of the
4,836 participants found to
have an eye condition were
unaware they had that condition
prior to the survey;
and
l 1 in 5 children suffers from
an undetected vision problem
and awareness around
children’s eye health is low.
Beckenham Optometrist, in
conjunction with Optometry
Australia, are launching the
‘You may not see eye disease
coming’ Preventive Eyecare
Campaign to highlight the
dangers of not having a regular
eye examination.
Our experience tells us the
main reason someone visits
an optometrist today is that
they experience some sort
of vision change. But many
with Rowena Beckenham
symptoms of eye disease are
invisible, so it is essential that
Australians of all ages not wait
for a problem before seeing
their local optometrist.
Early detection of conditions
such as Macular Degeneration
and Glaucoma, as well
as signs of Cardiovascular
Disease and Diabetes can be
detected in a comprehensive
eye examination. This consultation
is the main weapon
against avoidable vision loss
and blindness, picking up the
early signs of disease so it can
be diagnosed and treated.
The 360° eye consultation
includes a holistic and
extensive eye examination
plus advice on health, diet and
lifestyle and the latest eyewear
solutions for maintaining
healthy eyes and vision.
* The facts and figures
in this release are sourced
from research conducted
by: Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare
(AIHW); Australian Bureau
of Statistics (ABS) 2011–
12 National Health Survey
(NHS); Line of Sight blueprint
by Optometry Australia;
Vision Australia; aihw.gov.au;
and visioneyeinstitute.com.au
Comment supplied by Rowena Beckenham, of
Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon (9918 0616). Rowena
has been involved in all facets of independent private
practice optometry in Avalon for 16 years, in addition
to working as a consultant to the optometric and
pharmaceutical industry, and regularly volunteering in
Aboriginal eyecare programs in regional NSW.
Health & Wellbeing
Russell
Lamb is the
Founder of
ecodownunder
MARCH 2017 45

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Tele-medicine option for
unplanned pregnancy
Many Australian women are
unaware of the options
available when they’re faced
with unwanted pregnancy, says local
specialist Dr Paul Hyland.
“One in four women will have a
termination of pregnancy… it isn’t
a topic that is widely discussed in
Australia and many still think it is a
surgical procedure, not aware there
was an alternative,” Dr Hyland said.
Dr Hyland has called for more
education.
“Not only does a woman have a right to
choose, she now has a choice between a
surgical and medical procedure and she can
do it without visiting a doctor,” he said.
A gynaecologist for more than 30 years,
Dr Hyland is the medical director and founder
of The Tabbot Foundation, an Australian-wide
telephone service for home-based medical
termination of pregnancy.
Medical termination of pregnancy involves
two medicines that can be taken up to nine
weeks after conception.
The Tabbot Foundation, established in 2015,
assesses women living in rural and urban
areas over the phone and then posts them the
medications.
A woman wanting access to the telemedicine
service can call a toll free number
and be referred to local bulk-billing
providers for ultrasound and blood
tests.
A doctor then gets the results
electronically to use in a phone
consultation.
If the treatment is approved the
woman is posted the medications
mifepristone and misoprostol,
antibiotics, painkillers and antinausea
drugs.
(In some states approval also
depends on the results of a mandatory
psychological assessment).
The woman is guided through the process
by a registered nurse and a 24-hour on-call
doctor.
Dr Hyland said the Tabbot Foundation
averaged around 100 visits a day on its
website, with between 30 and 40 consults each
week from all over Australia.
The Pittwater resident said the foundation
was moving towards becoming a registered
charity, with the aim of providing the service
free of charge.
Unplanned pregnancies happen to women of
all ages and backgrounds for many different
reasons. The pro-choice Children By Choice
website can be a useful resource.
– Lisa Offord
Simple steps
to prevent
Seniors falls
F
alls are a major cause of
injury for older people –
it is estimated that one in
three people aged 65 and
over experience at least one
fall a year.
Tips to prevent falls include:
l Keep living areas neat and
tidy and avoid clutter.
l Tidy up overhanging
curtains, bedspreads,
cords, mats or rugs,
repair loose fitting tiles
and worn out carpet.
l Place things within easy
reach and not above head
height.
l Take care with slippery,
wet or loose surfaces.
l Keep your spectacles clean
and use hearing aids.
l Make sure shoes fit well
and have flat soles with
good grip.
l Use walking aides if
recommended.
If you’ve had a fall or
you often feel like you are
at risk of falling talk to a
health professional and ask
about different options that
might help you.
46
MARCH 2017

Hair & Beauty
Don’t let wrinkles – life’s
roadmap – get you down
with Sue Carroll
As we age our skin loses
volume and begins to
show wrinkles, mostly
due to a loss of collagen and
elastin which are essential
substances that keep skin
firm, supple and elastic.
Lines and wrinkles may
make a person look older
and detract from their best
features, while volume loss
can cause sagging skin as
well as unflattering hollows –
especially around the cheeks,
jawline and temples.
Wrinkles may be caused by
a variety of reasons including
the way we sleep. Because
wrinkles are not created
equally, understanding the
cause means it can be easier
to correct their appearance.
1) Mechanical distortion
wrinkles are created while
we sleep, or from the way
we sleep. These wrinkles can
appear on the face, neck and
chest in the morning when
we get up. Compression or
mechanical distortion wrinkles
tend to be perpendicular to
expression lines, and they
don’t respond significantly
to animation. When we are
very young these wrinkles will
disappear very quickly, but as
we get older they tend to stay
for longer and then become
permanent fixtures. The best
way to treat these compression
wrinkles is to sleep on your
back and then the face and
chest will not be squished into
the pillow. If this cannot be
done there are silicone patches
that can be applied prior to
going to bed on the facial and
chest area. These will stop the
wrinkle from forming and will
reduce those that are already
there. Failing this, often a filler
can be injected to plump up
the wrinkled area.
2) Expression wrinkles can
be seen in the forehead as a
frown, around the eyes from
laughing (known as crow’s feet)
and also around the mouth
(from laughing). These wrinkles
are caused by repeatedly
making the same expressions.
Most people do not want to
appear expressionless, and
therefore a small amount
of Botox or Dysport can be
injected to reduce the amount
of movement in a specific area.
This means you do not have to
look frozen, just a little more
relaxed.
3) Atrophic wrinkles are
deep parallel lines on the
forehead that appear when
the eyebrows are furrowed.
These wrinkles often make
the person appear angry or
worried, when in fact they
have no idea their muscles
are creating this movement.
With this type of wrinkle,
again the use of Botox alone
or in combination with a
filler are the best methods of
treatment. Hydration of the
skin with good quality skin
care can assist with reducing
the appearance slightly.
4) Gravitation wrinkles often
appear as saggy skin created
by loss of collagen and elastin.
This may be due to the natural
aging process, sun damage,
genetic predisposition,
menopause or a combination of
these factors. Treatments such
as radio frequency, ultrasound,
skin needling or a facelift may
be the best solutions.
5) Elastic wrinkles appear as
tiny creases on the cheeks,
lips and neck. These wrinkles
are formed from too much
direct sunlight. The UV
damage thins the skin, and
fine lines, wrinkles and
hyperpigmentation result.
The best way to prevent these
wrinkles is to avoid the sun,
wear sunscreen daily (and
reapply every 2-3 hours), and
use a prescribed cosmeceutical
skin care program specifically
for your skin condition. Intense
Pulsed Light, Fractional Lasers,
Skin Microneedling and peels
are the best clinical treatments.
Facial wrinkles, lines and
folds are not formed purely
from the expressions that we
make. While having a little
wrinkle here and there tells
part of the story of our life
journey, it is not necessary to
have a road map criss-crossing
from one side of our face
to the other! With a healthy
lifestyle, the blessing of good
genetics, practised sun safety,
the regular use of prescribed
home care and a little clinical
intervention, our skin can be
kept in an enhanced condition
we can be proud of.
Sue Carroll of Skin
Inspiration writes on
beauty trends and treatments
for Pittwater Life.
She has been a fully 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
MARCH 2017 47
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
Business Life
An $80 slice of pizza
business now on special with Brian Hrnjak
“If a cop follows you for
small and medium businesses
500 miles, you’re going to
but at least these guys are not
get a ticket.” This is how
ripping off the staff wages.
Warren Buffet once famously
described the legal woes facing
But what about those who
have to compete in markets
Jamie Diamond, the CEO of JP
with perfect competition like
Morgan Chase.
exploitation, slavelike
conditions and black
fast food or groceries? What
It seems the same cop was on
happens when some bright
the tail of ASX market darling
market labour gangs found spark in a national fast food
Domino’s Pizza (DMP).
on farms and in factories company marketing meeting
Stand back and look
this latest supplying Australia’s biggest yells out “We should try $5
at a long-term chart of
news of wages supermarkets and fast food pizzas!” Usually the competition
Domino’s share price
rorting by local chains.” The companies
has their own bright spark that
and you’ll see evidence of
franchisees has seen the implicated in this instance were yells out “we have to match
impressive growth commencing
with a float price of $2.20 per
share in 2005 and peaking at
around $80 per share in August
last year – in round terms a very
handy 3,600% capital return for
investors!
But a number of Domino’s
franchisees have recently been
exposed underpaying workers,
according to reports by Adele
Ferguson in The Sydney
Morning Herald who was
also the reporter responsible
for outing the large-scale
underpayment of wages at
7-Eleven stores.
Domino’s shares have been
in a downward drift since their
peak in August which is more
than likely a reflection of global
pizza market fundamentals but
once $80 shares fall to around
$55 per share in late February.
I think it still surprises
many of us that companies
this big can be party to such
poor practice and sloppy
corporate governance. The
fact is however that this sort
of behaviour is being reported
more and more in the press
these days. 7-Eleven, probably
the worst example of recent
cases, even achieved the
dubious honour of having one
Sydney Morning Herald article
that was headlined: ‘A sweat
shop on every corner’.
You only need to go back to
2015 to another joint Fairfax
/ ABC investigation shown on
Four Corners that uncovered:
“evidence of extreme labour
supermarkets: Woolworths,
Coles, Aldi, IGA and Costco;
and fast food outlets: KFC,
Red Rooster and Subway. An
impressive list of brands if
ever there was one – in fact, a
list of the major food anchor
tenants in just about any mall
in Australia.
The problem with our big
business cousins behaving in
this way is that we in small
business have to compete with
them on something that is
not even close to being a level
playing field.
At our office we compete
with big business every day of
the week – in our case with the
banks for financial planning
and international accounting
practices for the accounts of
them!” and before you know it
you’re in the middle of a messy
pizza war. From the reporting
mentioned above we know
that at least some Domino’s
franchisees cooked the wages
books as much as they cooked
the pizzas and last year we
saw the toll such competition
can take with the third biggest
chain in the country, Eagle Boys,
being placed into voluntary
administration and sold to Pizza
Hut.
I’m not arguing against
free market competition;
the issue here is that some
organisations need to be
saved from themselves and
employees should not be the
ones that ultimately bear the
brunt of a relentless fight for
48
MARCH 2017

market share. An interesting
common thread with all of
these reported wages rorts is
that in large part they affected
workers on specific types of
visas, such as holiday work
visas and student visas.
In terms of fixing this, from
what I can see certain types of
visa holders who are looking
to work are required to apply
for a tax file number via a
specific ATO web site. The ATO
therefore knows who these visa
holders are, and where they are
working, as they lodge tax file
number declaration forms with
their employers.
The tax office that I have
dealt with for the best part of
30 years takes great interest
in activities that are not only
illegal but activities that are
also popular.
If it is the case that some
large Australian businesses
are relying on exploitation of
a class of workers to maintain
their competitive position it
should not fall to the media to
expose this activity if the ATO
through relatively simple data
matching can show clusters of
workers with similar attributes
concentrated under an
employer or an industry. A few
payroll audits and prosecutions
in the big end of town should
get the jungle drums beating.
And I’ll venture to guess the
States may even kick the tin as
they would stand to recover
lost workers compensation
premiums and payroll tax.
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
MARCH 2017 49

Business Life: Finance
Business Life
High speed fibre internet
= increased house prices
A
hot topic that has
gotten people talking
lately centres on the
proposition that high Internet
speed – or more specifically
Fibre Internet – increases
property value. Research in
the US and the UK highlights
the positive correlation
between the two.
Being a share market guy
means I spend an enormous
amount of time studying and
researching companies and
sectors. My particular area of
expertise is where the… in
fact, how the whole shooting
match affects the future as
we know it.
When Google launched its
gigabit Fibre service in July
2012 they announced that a
direct Fibre Optic connection
50
to a home would improve
its value by between
US$2,000 – US$5,000. A
recent study by Wichita
State University noted
that “Kansas City’s
housing market is clearly
on the rebound” and
that home values were
expected to rise 2.7 per
cent in 2014, roughly a
year after Google Fibre
was deployed.
Verizon (USA) on
its website cited a 2008
study conducted by
Park Associates: Multi-
Dwelling Units (MDUs)
residents estimated the
rental value of a standard
2-bedroom, 2-bathroom,
1,000-square-foot apartment
offering Verizon Fios Fibre
MARCH 2017
Internet to be an average of 5
per cent more per month than
one offering DSL/satellite/
cable services.
That study supported
academic researcher Gabor
Molnar from University
of Colorado, whose
2013 study found that “…
the presence of fibre-based
broadband was associated
with a positive effect on
property values in the
neighbourhood”; hence Fibre
availability may drive real
estate prices upwards.
There has been an
explosion of demand for
Fibre Internet in recent years.
For instance, over 1,100
cities in the US are in line
with requests that Google
introduce Google Fibre in
their municipalities. Cities
that fail to get picked for
Google Fibre are looking
for ways to either build it
themselves or partner with
someone who will do it for
them.
“It’s getting to the point
where, if my neighbouring
community has a gigabit and
we’re still doing satellite, the
property value in that town is
going to go up,” commented
Deb Socia, Director of Next
Century Cities which is a
coalition of cities working
to provide Gigabit Internet
services to their residents.
with Simon Bond
In the UK, broadband
speed is now regarded
as the “fourth utility”
after gas, water and
electricity, said BBC
property expert Henry
Pryor. “I was involved
with a survey that
looked at the impact of
broadband speed on
people looking to buy
or rent and the potential
impact on prices and we
found a home without
at least a standard
broadband connection
could be worth up to
20 per cent less than
a comparable property,” Mr
Pryor said. A property needs
21st century connectivity.
“More people are making
decisions to work from home
fulltime or even part of
the time. More demanding
buyers now want Fibre-Optic
superfast speeds for things
like streaming entertainment
and managing a host of
equipment that relies on this.”
According to a study of
British homebuyers, a good
broadband connection now
tops off street parking and
access to local amenities
as one of the vital deciding
factors for people buying
a new house. The study
also found that one in ten
buyers have walked away
from properties with poor
internet connection – and that
broadband is connected even
before gas.
Home owners in London
are also willing to pay up to 8
per cent above the market
price for properties in areas
offering very fast internet
speeds. Statistics compiled
over a 15-year period,
from 1995-2010, show that
property prices across the UK
increase on average by about
3 per cent when internet
speed doubles.
Website Rightmove.co.uk
has added broadband speeds
and availability to its lists

of houses for sale, and the
information is attracting
400,000 page views per
month. Around 3,000 of
its users have reported
that speedy broadband is
now more important than
transport links or schools.
One estate agent lamented
that a buyer pulled out of
bidding on a £6m house in
the Cotswolds in England
because the internet access
was so poor. “Some buyers
have the broadband tested
and subsequently pull out
because it isn’t fast enough,”
says Rupert Fisher of real
estate agency Savills.
While demand for highspeed
Internet in Australia
is ever-increasing, the actual
fibre roll-out is a different
story. NBN Co has plans
to use the existing copper
to deliver the ‘last mile’
connection to apartment
units rather than utilising full
fibre connection as it had
done during a trial roll-out
phase.
This unfortunately will
eventuate in less-thanstellar
speed performances.
Even more unfortunate is
that other telcos are using
a similar technological
approach. Only residents in
Australia privileged enough to
receive true Ultra-Fast speeds
rather than ‘up-to’ speeds
could conceivably see their
property value going up, as in
the US and UK.
To shine some light on why,
one needs to understand the
Contention Ratio (or over
subscription ratio) which is
the number of users sharing
the same data capacity. The
lower the contention ratio the
higher the quality of service.
A 50:1 contention ratio means
that up to 50 broadband
customers are sharing the
same bandwidth at any one
time.
So, if you are on the
top tier NBN connection –
which is tier 5 – you
will get “exposure to” 100
mbps down and 40 mbps up.
With a contention ratio of say
15, this means your average
speed down will be 6.66
mbps down and 2.66 mbps
up.
Not enough to lift the
value of your place sorry
to say – but the good news
is newportnet.com.au is
bringing TRUE gigabit fibre
internet to Newport, so we
may yet be able to add some
value to your place! Stay
tuned…
* Disclaimer: Simon Bond is
co-director of NewportNet.
Simon Bond of Morgans Newport (9998 4200) has been actively
involved in all aspects of Stockbroking since 1987. Simon’s area
of expertise includes equities, portfolio management, short-term
trading, long-term strategies, derivatives and fixed interest. His
focus is on how technology is changing the investment landscape,
demographic trends and how they influence equity markets.
Business Life
MARCH 2017 51

Business Life
Business Life: Finance
Get down to business
at Metro Mirage expo
Boutique waterfront 4-star hotel, The
Metro Mirage Hotel Newport, is hosting
its annual Business Expo on Friday 31st
March from 2pm – 5pm to showcase the
property, its conference and function
facilities and let attendees enjoy a small
taste of what Pittwater has to offer.
Meeting planners, event organisers
and executive assistants will have
the opportunity to view the hotel’s
conference and meeting facilities
while enjoying welcome drinks and
canapes overlooking stunning Pittwater.
Italian-born head chef, Raul Farnea,
will demonstrate his pasta-making
expertise, sharing his passion for all
things Italian with a pasta-making cookoff
in The Mirage Restaurant, giving
visitors a chance to be hands-on and
sample freshly cooked produce.
The Business Expo offers an excellent
opportunity to discuss your conference
and event plans with the hotel’s
dedicated and experienced conferencing
team, and meet and brainstorm ideas
with some of the hotel’s team building
partners, says MMHN’s Tracey Scott.
“Pinnacle Team Events, Skipper-A-
Clipper, Let’s Party with Balloons, Visual
Funk and The Conference Shop are
just some of the companies who will
be showcasing their offerings on-site,”
Tracey said.
Entry is free, and all attendees
will be entered into a draw to win a
complimentary overnight stay for two
people in one of the hotel’s waterfront
guest rooms, including full buffet
breakfast, bottle of sparkling wine and
strawberries on arrival and late check-out.
“The Metro Mirage Hotel Newport has
a custom-built conference centre ideal
for a wide range of corporate events,
from small business meetings to large
overnight conferences for up to 100
attendees,” Tracey said. “There are four
conference rooms and multiple function
spaces, including several break-out
meeting rooms that can be configured
depending on your requirements.”
Located just 45 minutes from Sydney
CBD, The Metro Mirage Hotel Newport
offers accommodation including
waterfront spa suites, outdoor swimming
pool and spa, The Restaurant and Terrace
function space overlooking Pittwater, a
casual poolside area perfect for postevent
networking or private functions,
complimentary WiFi, 24-hour reception,
on-site complimentary parking and a
private jetty for arrival by water.
Attendees will receive a drink voucher
from the neighbouring The Newport to
enable them to continue enjoying the
Northern Beaches hospitality in this
breathtaking location.
* To register contact Tracey Scott
on (02) 9997 7011 or email tscott@
metrohg.com.
52
MARCH 2017

Times Past
Dance hall
days of early
Palladium
Over its 85 years the
‘Palladium’ at 16
Ocean Road, Palm
Beach has been many things
to many people – locals and
visitors alike.
It appears to have been
built as a dance hall and
especially used by (and for
the benefit of) the early
years of the Palm Beach Surf
Life Saving Club. This is
confirmed by a ‘jotting’ in
the social pages of The Sun
in December 1932:
“The Palm Beach Surf
Life Saving Club will hold
their usual bright dance on
Boxing Night and New Year’s
Eve at the ‘Palladium’, the
fine new dance hall on the
beach front, instead of the
little store, as in previous
years…”
(The ‘little store’ referred
to was ‘The Rendezvous’
which featured in our
February issue.)
The Boxing Night dance
attracted 300 people, some
of whom had travelled from
the city for the occasion.
Apparently numbers were
boosted by many guests
attending from the large
number of ‘house parties’
held locally.
When local, Mavis Crowley
(nee Hillier) and a sister
(there were 10 siblings)
arrived at Palm Beach from
Cootamundra in 1926
she recalled there was no
electricity. In 1933 the whole
family made the trek over
the saddle (from their house
next to Barrenjoey House)
via Palm Beach Road to take
part in the celebration of the
connection of electricity to
Palm Beach by Councillor
Hitchcock in the ‘Palladium’.
Apparently Councillor
Hitchcock stood up and
began his address with “In
this ‘ere ‘all” when a cheeky
local retaliated with “all
what?”. Mavis noted that
Hitchcock was “a real old
country fellow from up the
Hawkesbury”.
She also recalled: “The
Palladium was the local dance
hall right up to when the war
got going… we used to go
around there and dance to a
3-piece orchestra with people
who came from Narrabeen.”
Although Anglican Church
services at Palm Beach were
first held in 1933 at the home
of Mr Goddard, they were
later moved to the Palladium
where still later, Sunday
School was conducted by
Mrs Barr, with four to five
children attending initially.
By the 1950s the left-hand
side of the building had
become the Dining Room and
the right-hand side the Milk
Bar, selling take-away food.
In later years the large
awning with the word
‘restaurant’ on it had been
removed, the centre door
replaced with glass and the
narrow ‘window box’ planter
had been extended from the
dining room entrance to the
northern end of the building.
Two windows were installed
above the old awning to
provide light for an upper loft.
In more recent years it
has served as a film studio
and still more recently as a
private residence.
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.
MARCH 2017 53
Times Past

Business Life: Law
Business Life
Jury’s out: Do you ‘own’
Linkedin connections?
You are delighted to have
got your prized job after
the submission of your
carefully crafted CV and a challenging
series of interviews.
You are ready to begin; there
is just the contract of employment
to be signed and you will
be launched!
In the euphoria of the moment,
a careful reading of the
contract and an understanding
of its terms before you
formally accept is essential.
Remuneration and term are
likely the main issues attracting
attention – but pause and
carefully consider the detail.
Increasingly employers are
including in the contract robust
social media policies which you
will be required to observe.
These policies seek to
establish clear rules governing
post-employment conduct,
particularly in relation to clients
– e.g. there will probably
be a reference to contact lists
made in the course of employment
and in particular those
which are stored on Linkedin.
There could be a requirement
to agree on a list of clients
which were yours prior to commencing
employment and an
obligation to require you to delete
contacts established during
your employment and not
re-connect with those contacts
for a specified period. There
can be other clauses dealing
company was terminated and
started his own electronics
company in Texas. When he
originally commenced employment
with the company he
signed a contract in which
he agreed that his employers’
‘Proprietary information’
would not leave the company
‘physically or electronically’.
Later he signed a confidentially
agreement which covered his
employers’ ‘proprietary information”.
The employee’s work
required him to work with
procurement personnel from
companies who would likely
purchase product from his
employer. His success depended
on his ability to network
and develop contacts. All his
contacts were retained in an
electronic contacts list maintained
at work. Prior to his
being terminated the employee
mailed himself the contact list.
The employer brought an
action claiming damages and
injunctive relief on various
grounds including trade secrets
and misappropriation.
The employee argued that
neither his computer file nor
his Linkedin account could
be considered a trade secret.
However, the judge rejected
the argument and found that
the electronic contact list was a
trade secret under Californian
law and that the Linkedin conwith
a multiplicity of social
media but for the purposes
of this article it is proposed
to examine Linkedin and ask:
Are your Linkedin connections
trade secrets and who owns
them?
These questions have been
and are being litigated around
the world from the USA, UK
and Australia.
Linkedin, founded in California
in 2002, describes itself as:
“Linkedin is a business and
employment oriented social
networking service that operates
via websites…”
Within a year of operation,
Linkedin had become an essential
tool for the busy modern
professional. Today it is seen
as a most effective means
of maintaining and exchanging
information with your
colleagues, clients, business
partners and members of your
professional network. It adds
to and helps build business. It
has an estimated 350 million
individuals with 45 million
businesses signed up.
So what happens if you leave
your employment and join a
competitor or set up in business
for yourself?
Restraint of trade clauses
in an employment contract
usually cover protection of
an employer’s confidential
information, non-poaching of
the employer’s clients and/
or workforce, and limiting the
ability of the former employee
from working for, or setting up
a rival business, in competition
with their former employer.
In 2010 in California an
employee of an electronics
with Jennifer Harris
54
MARCH 2017

nections could also potentially
be a trade secret. In California
trade secrets are defined as
information that is of value not
being publicly known.
In Australia however, various
facts and circumstances are
considered in determining
whether your Linkedin connections
are likely to be considered
trade secrets. For example:
n The details of any employment,
confidentiality and/
or restraint of trade agreement
in place;
n The privacy settings of an
employee’s Linkedin profile
during their period of employment;
n The instructions given
to the employee by the
employer;
n Whether the employer pays
for the employee’s Premium
Linkedin account;
n What notes the employee
may have made in relation
to each contact on
Linkedin; and
n The skill and effort
required to collect the connections.
In a case before the NSW
Supreme Court in 2012, a
recruitment company alleged
that a former employee had
breached confidentially and
restraint of trade clauses in her
employment contract in relation
to Linkedin contacts created
during the course of her
employment. From December
2010 to 10th February 2011,
the former employee’s Linkedin
network had increased from
approximately 150 to over 500
– achieved, it was alleged by
the employee, using names of
individuals who had been previous
clients of her employer and
used to establish ‘connections”
on the employee’s Linkedin
account.
Unfortunately this action
was settled out of court and
the judicial guidance hoped
for by practitioners was not
forthcoming.
There have been two cases
in the UK since 2012 where
Linkedin accounts have been
examined and although no
definitive ruling was made in
either case both suggest that
even in circumstances where
an employee owns the Linkedin
account, the ownership of
contact lists stored on the
Linkedin account and created
by an employee in the course
of employment belong to the
employer.
This issue has now become
a lively and contested legal
argument awaiting judicial
guidance. In Australia, the UK
and USA, the position remains
unsettled.
So, as you accept your contract
of employment be mindful
that employers are trying to
minimise risk in respect of the
emerging use of social media
and the rights associated with
contacts made on professional
networking sites.
If uncertain of the meaning
of your contract and your
obligations, seek legal advice
before you commit.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates, Solicitors,
4/57 Avalon Parade,
Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jenniferha@pacific.net.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
Window safety laws
By this time next year all
strata apartments and
townhouses in NSW above
ground level must be fitted
with window safety devices
to prevent children falling
from windows.
The safety devices must
be robust and childproof
and when the locks are
engaged the window should
not open more than 12.5cm.
Jackie Jarvis from northern
beaches Strata Window
Safety company Urban Blox
explained it was the responsibility
of the owners’ corporation
to ensure compliant
locks were in place.
The window safety
requirments must be met by
13 March 2018.
“The laws mandate the
installation of compliant
window child safety locks on
all openable windows in residential
strata schemes where
the window is in area where
the floor is 2m or more from
the exterior ground and the
bottom sill of the window
is less than 1.7m from the
floor,” Jackie said.
“For many strata unit
owners, whilst they understand
the good intent of the
legislation around window
safety locks, if they don’t
have children or rarely have
children visit their apartment,
the legislation is
yet another costly obligation,
which in this specific
instance they don’t believe
applies to them.
“However, this legislation
is mandatory and statutory
fines may apply for noncompliant
owners corporations.
“More seriously, noncompliance
places owners’
corporations at risk of a
massive lawsuit if an accident
happens and your
insurance may be affected
if compliant locks are not
installed.
“You must be compliant to
be insured,” Jackie said.
Business Life
MARCH 2017 55

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AIRCONDITIONING
Avalon Air
Call 0414 944 894
Local and dependable. They
specialise in domestic ducted
airconditioning, split systems and
central heating.
AUTO REPAIRS
British & Swedish
Motors
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 vehicle specialist.
BOAT SERVICES
Avalon Marine
Upholstery
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
Arbor Master Tree Group
Call Jason 0404 922 223
Environmentally friendy service;
Level 5 & Level 8 arborists.
Specialists in crane work. Stump
grinding and chipping.
Newscapes
Call Craig 0416 238 506
Specialist in lawn care, trimming,
irrigation installation and repairs.
Also house and paving cleaning.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree
care by qualified arborists and
tree surgeons.
CLEANING
House Washing
Northern Beaches
Call 0408 682 525
Specialists in soft washing house
exteriors and high-pressure
cleaning of paved areas.
The Aqua Clean Team
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/operator
on site at all times. No travellers
or uninsured casuals on your
property. Ideal for selling.
Avalon Physiotherapy
& Clinical Pilates
Call 9918 0230
Dry needling and acupuncture,
falls prevention and balance
enhancement programs.
Treatment for neck and back pain.
Avalon Beach
Chiropractic
Call 9918 0070
Chiropractic, massage, dry
needling. Professional care for all
ages. Treatment for chronic and
acute pain, sports injuries, postural
correction & pregancy care.
Fix & Flex Pilates / Physio
Call Jen 0404 804 441
Equipment pilates sessions run by
physios. Mona Vale-based. Help
improve posture and reduce pain
while improving core strength.
PAINTING
Contrast Colour
Call 0431 004 421
Locals Josef and Richard offer
quality painting services. Tidy,
reliable, they’ll help consult
on the best type of paint for
your job.
Modern Colour
Call 0406 150 555
Simon Bergin offers painting and
decorating; clean, tidy, quality
detail you will notice. Dependable
and on time.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
PLUMBING
Nick Anderson Plumbing
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for
neck & back pain, sports injuries,
niggling orthopaedic problems.
Call 0411 251 256
All aspects of plumbing including
gasfitting and drainage.
Competitive rates, free quotes.
56
MARCH 2017

MARCH 2017 57
Trades & Services

Trades & Services
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their
best. Comprehensive control.
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, renovations and repairs.
B & RD Williams
Call Brian 0416 182 774
Kitchen and bathroom renovations,
decks and pergolas. Small
extensions specialists.
SunSpec
Call Dustin 0413 737 934
sunspec.com.au
All-aluminium, rust-proof remotecontrolled
opening roofs & awnings.
Beat competitor’s prices.
SECURITY
Sure Security
Call 1300 55 12 10
Northern Beaches-based specialists
in Alarms, Intercoms, Access
Control and CCTV Surveillance
with solutions to fit your needs.
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.
Trades & Services
58
MARCH 2017

the
good
life
Showtime
Angels take a long
line to Terrey Hills
dining
food
crossword
gardening
60
64
67
68
Legendary Aussie band
The Angels promise some
surprises when they take
their high-energy brand of rock
to the Terrey Hills Tavern on
March 18 at the start of their
new 4x4 Across Australia Tour.
The band, who are celebrating
their 44th year of touring,
will be digging through their
back catalogue to pick some
of their biggest hits.
The 4x4 concept sees the
band select four of their most
iconic records, and playing –
back-to-back – four hits from
each record.
Lead guitarist Rick Brewster
told Pittwater Life he enjoys
performing now “as much as
in the beginning and more
than in the middle” of their
vaunted career.
“And it’s just as easy/hard –
depends on the night!” he said.
With new songs and their
classic back catalogue of
tracks such as No Secrets,
Face The Day, Take A Long
Line, Marseilles and Shadowboxer,
the Angels are revered
for their live shows.
For Rick, the band’s longevity
all stems in classic
Aussie rock. “It is all about the
songs,” he says. “Long Way To
The Top, Eagle Rock… they are
all as relevant today as they
were when first released.
“We are proud to have a
large repertoire of songs that
fall into this category and continue
to become entrenched in
the next generation. Our gigs
are always filled with fans who
want to hear the music they’ve
grown up with.”
Brewster, who plays alongside
brother and co-founding
member John behind ‘new’
members including front man
Dave Gleeson (Screaming Jets),
said that while there will be
a certain number of planned
songs, some tracks will be
decided on the night.
“There will be no two nights
that are the same,” he says.
“The old rule will apply; something
old, something new, and
something blue.”
(And by ‘blue’, we’re figuring
that applies to the crowd
favourite ‘Am I Ever Gonna See
Your Face Again’.)
Rick fondly remembers playing
on the northern beaches in
the 1970s and ’80s.
“The northern beaches had
some fantastic venues – the
Manly Vale Hotel, Manly Flicks,
the Royal Antler… sell-out
crowds everywhere, hot,
sweaty, sticky and smelly!”
He added singer Dave Gleeson
brought a new dynamic
to their sets – “he has a great
voice, great performance, real
energy to burn!”
Pressed for his all-time band
catalogue favourites, Rick
nominated three tracks.
“Skid Row After Dark – I love
the light and shade; Dawn Is
Breaking – for its brooding
atmosphere and lyric, poetry
put to music; and Talk The
Talk – a great rock track with a
very pertinent lyric.
And the demographic at an
Angels gig nowadays?
“It’s 18-65… it doesn’t matter,
they all know most of the
songs and are there for the
music,” he said.
* More info terreyhillstavern.
com.au – Nigel Wall
Showtime
travel
72
A taste of old-fashioned fun for seniors...
Dee Why RSL invites you and yoru friends
to enjoy the movie The Notebook and a
High Tea on Thurs 9; min two per booking
$19.90 for members, non-members $22.50.
Enjoy The Hits of 1977 on Sat 11 from
7.30pm. Cost $35; present your Seniors
Card at the show for one free champagne or
beer. Join Andrew O’Keefe and Glenn Amer
as they present Gilbert & Sullivan Forever
at Glen Street Theatre Belrose. Enjoy all
the romance and mayhem of The Mikado,
The Pirates of Penzance and other glorious
operettas. This feast of fun and much-loved
melodies is on Tues 14 from 11am-12.15pm.
Bookings required. Call 9975 1455 or go to
glenst.com.au.
MARCH 2017 59

Dining Guide
Dining Guide
March’s best restaurants, functions, events and reader deals...
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
BOOKINGS 9997 4157
LIC
BYO
All
Who doesn’t love great Chinese
food? At this popular
Newport eatery you will be
amazed at the variety of
great dishes.
Order ahead for their wonderful
Peking Duck which
is offered as a dine-in-only
special Thursdays through
P
Sunday evenings.
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 $5
while mains are reasonable
too, starting at $12.90.
The menu ranges from adventurous,
like a Mongolian
chicken hot pot, to contemporary,
spicy salt and pepper
king prawns, to traditional,
fillet steak with snow peas
and bean sprouts.
New dishes are introduced
regularly so make sure you
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.
Phone 9997 8379.
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
BOOKINGS 9974 5566
LIC
All
Head to Club Palm Beach,
conveniently located just
a short stroll from Palm
Beach Wharf, for great meal
specials in March.
The Members’ lucky badge
draw is held Wednesday and
Friday night (every 30 mins
between 5pm-7pm), and
jackpots by $100 each week.
Wednesday and Sunday
are meat raffle nights, with a
whopping 14 trays to be won.
Catch the first round of the
2017 NRL season on the big
screen, from March 2-5.
They’re offering a great
‘Cruising Palm Beach’ deal for
groups of 10 or more – enjoy
a round-trip cruise followed by
lunch at the club for $20pp.
Enjoy Trivia Night from
5.30pm on Wednesdays, plus
Bingo at 10am on Fridays.
The club’s Barrenjoey Bistro
is open for lunch (11.30am
to 2.30pm) and dinner (6pm
to 8.30pm) seven days. The
P
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 fish
and chips with salad (Fridays),
except on public holidays.
Entrees on the a la carte
menu range from $10.50 to
$17.50 (mains $14.50 to $25).
The club has a courtesy
bus which meets the 11am
ferry from Ettalong at the Palm
Beach Wharf at 11.20am daily,
returning on request.
It also makes regular runs
Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays from 4.30pm to
9pm. Ring to book a pick-up.
* The Club celebrates its
60th anniversary in 2017;
the call is out for locals to
contribute their stories about
the early days. P: 9974 5566.
Oceanviews
Restaurant
Shop 4, 120 Narrabeen Park
Pde, Warriewood Beach.
OPENING HOURS
Open 7 days lunch and dinner
CUISINE
Vietnamese
PRICE RANGE
Entrees $2-$9.80
Mains $13.80-$19.80
Noodles $13.80
Lunch specials.
1/2 price daily deals.
BOOKINGS 9979 9449
BYO
All
P
60
MARCH 2017
Book now for a great table
for lunch or dinner at
this popular Vietnamese
eatery.
Ocean views across
Warriewood Beach may be
enjoyed from the restaurant
which offers one of the
most popular of Asian
cuisines.
Eat in and take-away
meals are available; plus

they offer free home delivery
for orders over $35.
Tantalising lunch specials
from $2 to $10.80 include egg
custard buns (two for $4.40),
Money Bags (four for $5.80),
prawn dumplings, fresh rice
paper rolls, beef noodle soup,
noodles with veggies and
chicken, or beef with rice for
just $10.80.
Chef’s specials include Basil
Mint Pork, Honey King Prawns,
Sizzling Tofu Hot Pot and
Chicken Laksa.
Each day there is a halfprice
deal for evening dinersin
(limit of one deal per table
of diners).
They include: on Thursday
satay king prawn for $10.40, on
Monday salt and pepper squid
for $10.40 and on Saturday
lemongrass chicken for $8.90.
Prices reduced across
the board, as well as lunch
specials and the daily halfprice
deals.
Find Daniel and his
friendly team at 120
Narrabeen Park Parade,
Warriewood Beach.
Advertise
in our
Dining
Guide!
Beach Road Dining
Palm Beach Golf Club
2 Beach Road, Palm Beach
CUISINE
Modern Australian
PRICE RANGE
Entrees From $18
Mains $26-$33
Kids’ meals $12
BOOKINGS 9974 4079
LIC
Visa
MasterCard
If you haven’t already tried
out the new Beach Road
Dining at Palm Beach Golf
Club, you don’t know what
you’re missing – Andrew and
Amy Towner and their team
from The 2107 Restaurant
in Avalon have taken over
the kitchen, serving up tasty
dishes from a new modern
Australian-themed menu.
A multitude of menu
options are available from a
Café style menu during the
week to an a la carte dining
menu on Friday nights and a
P
pub-style bar menu with all
the classics on weekends.
Selections from the a la
carte menu include entrees
of flash-fried salt and pepper
squid and beef and vegetable
spring rolls (both $18), for
mains you can’t go past the
delicious 250g New York cut
sirloin with waffle chips, chef’s
slaw and chimichurri (pictured,
$33) – although the grilled or
battered WA barramundi with
chips and salad ($26) receive
plenty of return orders.
Palm Beach Golf Club is
offering an unbeatable fullplaying
golf membership
deal – only $530! That’s the
equivalent of three take-away
coffees a week!
This month, don’t miss
the Club’s special event – a
5-Course Degustation Dinner
on March 16, when you can
meet the winemaker from Plan
B Wines in Western Australia
(see ad page 51 for details).
There’s great music every
Sunday from 1-4pm – with
performers in March including
Liza Ohlback (5th), Mary Jane
Guiney (12th), Rick Melick
(19th) and Kate Lush (26th).
Dining Guide
Phone
0438 123 096
MARCH 2017 61

Dining Guide
Dining Guide
62
Cinque Cucina
e Caffe
5 Darley St East,
Mona Vale
OPENING HOURS
Breakfast/lunch
7 days 7am-2.30pm
Dinner Wed-Sun 5.30-10pm
CUISINE
Italian
PRICE RANGE
Breakfast $9.50-$16
Lunch:
Starters $12-$22
Main $15-26
Dinner:
Starters $13-$22
Main $21-$28
BOOKINGS 9999 5555
Visa
MasterCard
Casual, authentic Italian at
it best. Operating 7 days
for breakfast and lunch
MARCH 2017
and Wednesday through
Sunday for dinner, Cinque
Cucina e Caffe brings a
taste of Italy to Mona Vale
Beach – with a pleasing
price-tag.
Relaxed indoor and
outdoor dining areas provide
a great setting for early
morning coffee, a work
meeting, a dinner date or
whole-venue function for
that special event (birthdays/
anniversaries).
With simplicity and fresh
key ingredients in mind,
the lunch/dinner menus
comprise 6 to 8 starters and
9 mains with gluten free,
vegetarian and dairy free
options.
Start with a cured meat &
cheese Antipasto plate ($21),
followed by a Cartoccio Di
Pesce ($28) an oven-baked
parcel of Hoki fillet, calamari,
prawns & mussels with white
wine, olives, cherry tomatoes
& garlic.
Their signature 5-hour
roasted Pork Belly ($24) is
another must – whilst their
famous burger is available
Wednesday nights for just
$10!
The standout on their
extensive Italian wine list
is the Fantinel Pinot Grigio
– crisp with a light finish –
whilst the Nero D’Avola will
be a hit with anyone looking
for a full-bodied shiraz.
There’s BYO too (wine only).
Bookings are highly
recommended on 9999 5555
or ciao@cinque5.com.au
Ninja
6/11-13 Avalon Pde,
Avalon Beach
OPENING HOURS
Dinner Tues-Sun 6-10pm
Lunch Tues-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm
CUISINE
Japanese Restaurant
PRICE RANGE
Entrees $6.80-19.80
Main $16.80-36
Corkage $2.50pp
*Takeaway available
BOOKINGS 9918 9963
LIC
BYO
Visa
MasterCard
Dine indoors or outside
under stylish new awnings,
catching the cool sea breeze
at Ninja in Avalon – it’s
the perfect space for a
great dining experience in
authentic surrounds.
Ninja serves tantalising
Japanese dishes including
fresh sushi and sashimi,
assorted tempura, agedashi
tofu and char-grilled salmon
teriyaki.
Owner/chef Hideaki
Serizawa is a qualified
Japanese chef, who graduated
from Barrenjoey High, and
was trained in popular
restaurants in the Akasaka
district of Tokyo where he
learnt their secret recipes.
Recommended entrees
include the grilled premium
wagyu beef, and deep
fried soft shell crab with
ponzu sauce. Mains include
Japanese-style steak,
California rolls, prawn
tempura and mixed sushi/
sashimi platter. Particularly
popular is the Grilled Hirimasa
Kingfish, chargrilled with your
choice of teriyaki or wasabi
tartare sauce.
Ninja serves a mouthwatering
Agedashi tofu and
their Ninja Potatoes (deep
fried sweet potatoes with
soy-based sweet syrup and
black sesame) are a true taste
experience.
Also, for a local lunch on
the run, Ninja offer takeaway
specials Tues-Fri, 11.30am-3pm,
including Chicken Teriyaki with
rice ($6) and Vegetarian Spring
Rolls (3 for $4).
P

Ninja can accommodate
up to 40 guests in the main
dining room – it’s perfect for
parties or for those special
family get togethers.
www.ninjarestaurant.com.au
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
BOOKINGS 9997 5511
Bookings are essential for
all events.
Club social memberships
are available for just $160.
www.royalmotor.com.au
Little Bok Choy
Pittwater RSL
82 Mona Vale Rd,
Mona Vale
OPENING HOURS
Open 7 days
Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm
(3pm Fri, Sat, Sun)
Dinner 5:30-8:30pm
(9:30pm Fri, Sat)
PRICE RANGE
Entrees $6-$20
Mains $12.80-$25
BOOKINGS 9446 9613
popular Chinese dishes are
included, from Sweet and
Sour Pork, Honey Chicken,
Sizzling Mongolian Beef and
Seafood Stir-fry. Plus, they
have plenty of fried rice and
fried noodles also available in
kids’ size!
Prices are very reasonable
– Chinese mains start from
$15.80, with gluten free and
vegetarian options available.
If you prefer Thai, be sure
to check out their latest
addition – Tom Yum Fried Rice,
a modern twist on a classic
favourite. And their range of
Thai soups, salads, curries and
stir fry noodles are fresh and
exciting, all prepared by their
skilled Thai chef.
Walk-ins are welcome,
although for larger
groups (6+) to ensure they can
comfortably accommodate
you, call to book in advance.
And don’t forget to present
their ad on page 62 for 10 per
cent off your bill in March!
LIC
All
P
RMYC’s restaurant Salt
Cove on Pittwater’s menu
offers affordable meals and
generous servings including
a variety of starters and
share plates, seafood,
burgers, grills, salads,
desserts and woodfired
pizza.
In March, Friday night
entertainment kicks off
in the Lounge Bar from
7.30pm. Great acts appearing
this month include Jack
Evans (3rd), TBA (10th) Keff
McCullough (17th) and
Antoine (24th).
Sunday Sessions are
continuing in the Garden
Forecourt from 2pm-5pm
every Sunday during Autumn.
Look out for Chris Hallowes
(5th), Jim Gannon (12th), Ange
(19th) and Jesse (26th).
Trivia is held every
Tuesday night from 7.30pm
(great prizes and vouchers).
On Saturday March 11, get
out your knee-high boots and
sing along to the great hits of
the 1970s when ABBASBACK
take to the stage. Tickets are
just $25 for members ($30
non-members).
And a special Ladies
Luncheon on Wednesday
March 15 features guest
speaker Melina Puntoriero;
tickets $65/$75.
Have you discovered the
hidden gem that is Little Bok
Choy? Conveniently located
inside Pittwater RSL, with
plenty of on-site parking
and public transport, it’s the
ideal location for locals to
get together to share great
Asian food.
With a vast range of menu
options, you won’t know
where to start in this Asian
Fusion restaurant. Some of
the secrets of LBC’s finest eats
include traditional favourites,
like Shao Long Bao – it’s the
perfect starter; the juicy mini
pork buns will get your taste
buds excited for the coming
courses.
Tuck in to Yum Cha
favourites including delicious
Prawn Dumplings, BBQ pork
buns, Spring Rolls and popular
Thai entrees like Thai Curry
Puffs.
For mains, all the
MARCH 2017 63
Dining Guide

Food Life
Food Life
Recipes: Janelle Bloom Photos: Steve Brown; Mark O’Meara
Minimal effort, full-on
flavour – in 30 minutes
Summer’s hot weather often can carry over well into March,
making the preparation of meals in a steamy kitchen an
unpleasant chore. This month I thought I would inspire
you with some quick, delicious meals that use minimal
ingredients and equipment; you can serve them up in under
30 minutes – and the entire family will love them!
Moroccan Lamb
skewers with herb
potatoes
Serves 4
4 unwashed potatoes, peeled,
cut into 4cm pieces
2 tbs olive oil
½ cup chopped parsley
1 tbs pine nuts, toasted
Grated parmesan cheese,
optional
Moroccan Lamb skewers
2 tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbs Moroccan spice blend
64
1 tbs lemon juice
700g lamb fillet, cut into 2cm
cubes
Thick Greek-style yoghurt
sprinkled with paprika, to
serve
1. Put the potatoes into a
saucepan and cover with
cold water. Bring to the boil;
boil gently for10-15 minutes
until just tender. Drain and
transfer to a large bowl. Add
the oil, parsley and pine
nuts. Season; stir gently
to coat. Set aside for 15
minutes.
MARCH 2017
2. Combine the oil, spice
blend and lemon juice in a
ceramic dish. Add the lamb;
turn to coat well.
3. Thread the lamb onto 8
skewers.
4. Preheat a barbecue plate or
grill on medium-high heat.
Cook lamb, turning occasionally,
for 6-8 minutes for
medium or until cooked to
your liking.
5. Serve the lamb skewers
with potatoes and yoghurt.
Minute steak with
pepperonata
Serves 4
Pepperonata is one of my
favourite things to make in a
big batch and keep stored in
the fridge. It’s delicious on
ham sandwiches, over pasta
or pan-fried haloumi, on a
sausage bun… and the list
goes on. It will keep 2-3 weeks
in an airtight container in the
fridge.
1 tbs olive oil
8 small ‘minute’ steaks
Shoestring fries, to serve
with Janelle Bloom
Pepperonata
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 small brown onion, finely
chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 red capsicums, cut into
strips
1 yellow and orange capsicum,
cut into strips
400g can whole peeled tomatoes,
chopped
1 tsp caster sugar
3 tsp red wine vinegar
1. For the pepperonata, heat
half the oil in a non-stick
frying pan over mediumlow
heat. Add onion and
garlic, cook stirring 3
minutes or until soft. Stir in
the capsicums, cover and
cook for 15 minutes or until
tender. Add the tomatoes,
sugar and season with salt
and pepper. Increase heat
to medium-high; cook,
uncovered, stirring often 8
minutes or until sauce has
thickened. Add vinegar and
cook 1 minute.
2. Heat oil in a large frying
pan over medium-high heat
until hot. Season steaks

For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au
Ice cream Tiramisu
Makes 6
2 cups strong-brewed espresso
250g packet sponge finger
biscuits, halved crossways
1 cup vanilla custard
250g mascarpone cheese
3 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
slightly
¼ cup liqueur (such as Baileys,
Tia Maria or Kahlua)
Cocoa powder or finely grated
milk chocolate, to serve
1. Pour the warm coffee into
a shallow dish. Dip biscuits
one at a time into the coffee
and use to line sides of six,
large glasses (see Janelle’s
Tip), bowls or ramekin.
2. Gently fold the custard
into the mascarpone, then
stir into the ice cream with
liqueur.
3. Fill the glasses carefully with
ice cream mixture. Cover
and freeze for 15 minutes.
4. Just before serving sprinkle
the top with cocoa powder
or grated chocolate to
cover.
Janelle’s Tip: Alternately you
can use a 6-cup capacity loaf
pan. Cover the base and sides
with soaked sponge fingers,
keeping some to cover the top
of the loaf after it has been
filled.
Food Life
both sides just before
cooking. Cook the steak,
in batches, for 30 seconds
each side (for medium) or
until cooked to your liking.
Serve with pepperonata and
fries.
Lemon, basil & pea
spaghetti
Serves 4
400g spaghetti
1 cup frozen peas
3 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 red chilli, deseeded, finely
chopped
1 large lemon, rind finely
grated, juiced
1 tbs thyme leaves
½ cup basil leaves, shredded
250g piece fresh ricotta
1. Cook the spaghetti in a
large saucepan of boiling
salted water until al dente,
adding the peas to the
pasta for the last 2 minutes
of cooking.
2. Meanwhile heat 2 tsp oil
in a non-stick frying pan
over medium heat, add the
garlic and chilli and cook
2 minutes until aromatic.
Remove from the heat,
add lemon rind, ¼ cup
lemon juice, thyme and the
remaining oil.
3. Drain the pasta and the
peas and return to the
hot saucepan over low
heat. Add the garlic lemon
mixture and basil, season
with salt and pepper and
toss over low heat until well
combined.
4. Break the ricotta into
pieces, add to pasta and
toss gently. Season with
pepper and drizzle with a
little extra oil if desired.
Serve.
MARCH 2017 65

Food Life
In Season
Watermelon
Food Life
On a hot March day or
night, there is nothing
better than an icy cold
piece of watermelon!
Buying
Watermelon don’t ripen after
harvest, so they are ripe and
ready to eat once picked.
Select fruit with hard skin,
which feel heavy and have a
pleasant aroma. If cut, choose
melon with bright pink- to redcoloured,
firm flesh with no
signs of bruising.
Storage
Store uncut fruit at room
temperature for up to 1 week.
Once cut wrap in plastic and
store us in the fridge. Use
within 3 days. If cut from the
skin, store in a glass airtight
container for 1-2 days.
Nutrition
Watermelon is very
low in saturated
fat, cholesterol
and sodium.
It is a good
source of potassium, and a
very good source of vitamin A
and vitamin C. But note: watermelon
is high in natural sugars,
so too much will increase
your daily calorie count.
Also In Season
March
Bananas; figs; grapes;
kiwifruit; limes; mangoes,
nashi pears; Valencia
oranges; papaw;
passionfruit; plums and
quince; watermelon. Also
Asian greens; beetroot,
green beans; broccoli
and broccolini; carrots;
capsicums; cucumbers;
eggplant; spinach,
sweetcorn and zucchini.
Watermelon & lychee with
passionfruit slush
Serves 4
The fresh lychee season
ends in March; try them –
you won’t be disappointed!
Alternatively
use a
565g can,
drained.
1kg seedless watermelon,
peeled
16 fresh lychees; peeled,
seeds removed
Passionfruit slush
1 cup caster sugar
4 limes, juiced
3 passionfruit, halved
66
MARCH 2017
1. For the passionfruit slush,
combine the sugar and 1
cup cold water in a medium
saucepan over low
heat. Cook, stirring, for
3 minutes or until sugar
dissolves. Bring syrup to
the boil; boil uncovered,
without stirring, for 5
minutes or until syrup has
reduced by half. Remove
from the heat, stir in ½
cup lime juice and the
passionfruit pulp. Pour
into an airtight container
and freeze 2-3 hours or
until semi-frozen.
2. Cut the watermelon into
2cm-thick slices, then cut
each slice into 3-4cm triangles.
Divide watermelon
and lychees between serving
glasses or bowls, spoon
over passionfruit slush and
serve.

25 26 27 28 29
Pittwater Puzzler
30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39
40 41
42
43 44
Compiled by David Stickley
28 Describing the food at Urban Curry
in Avalon, no doubt (5)
29 A written document describing the
findings of some individual or group
(6)
30 Lifesaver who was once an important
part of beach rescues (7)
ACROSS
1 What can be found at Central Rd opposite
Nandina Terrace in Avalon (3,4)
5 Abandon civilised life (2,4)
8 Small light van (5)
9 International Women’s Day event
hosted by Northern Beaches Council at
Manly Golf Club (9)
11 Type of possum not uncommon on
the Northern Beaches (8)
12 Small bays or openings in a coastline
(6)
13 The state of someone’s romantic
relationships (4,4)
15 Green part of a calyx (5)
18 Home of Bollywood (5)
20 An item that wouldn’t be out of
place at Mexicano in Mona Vale (8)
22 Body of people (6)
24 Boatbuilding site (8)
27 An hors d’oeuvre of thin strips of
raw meat or fish often eaten with a
relish (9)
DOWN
1 Person essential to businesses like La
Banette in Avalon (5)
2 Pittwater Life’s finance commentator
(5,4)
3 Prickly plant possibly found on
Scotland Island? (7)
4 Advertising agent (9)
5 Clarified butter (4)
6 Swimmers seen on Pittwater
beaches, no doubt (7)
7 Broad-bladed tool for digging (5)
10 Vigorous fight (6)
14 Time off in the evening of Saturday,
25th March? (5,4)
16 Local name for 16 Ocean Rd,
Palm Beach, a one-time dance hall (9)
17 Open-air meal popular in the many
reserves in the Pittwater area (6)
19 Guacamole ingredient (7)
21 A situation from which further progress
is impossible (7)
23 Pittwater area has seven ocean rock
pools and _____ swimming enclosures
(5)
25 Senior member of a group (5)
26 Local islander like Cass or Bill Gye
possibly? (4)
[Solution page 70]
Pittwater Puzzler
MARCH 2017 67

Garden Life
Garden Life
Tools you need to keep
the garden in top shape with Gabrielle Bryant
Now that summer veggies
are finished, clear the
veggie garden and add
cow manure and compost,
turning the soil and digging
in the mulch that you have
used. Leave it to rest for
a couple of weeks before
you plant. While you wait,
it is time to take stock of
the garden tools that you
need. Whether you are an
experienced gardener or
planting your garden for the
first time, there are some
tools that everyone will need
– and some that the retailers
will try to convince you that
you should have!
Every garden should have
the following basic list to
make life easy: A strong
garden fork; a spade; a
plastic rake; a strong trowel
and hand fork; a watering
can; a hose with a watering
wand attachment (preferably
on a hose reel to avoid
tangled hoses that can trip
you up); a wheel barrow;
gloves; 2 x 5-litre sprayers
(one for fertilisers and one
for weed killers or poisons);
a compost bin; a pair of
plastic garden hands to
scoop up leaves and garden
refuse; and a strong pair of
secateurs.
Choose carefully for
the size tools that are
appropriate for you. It is
always a temptation to
buy cheap tools that don’t
last, but it is well worth the
investment to buy the best
that you can afford. Well
looked after and kept clean,
your tools will last a lifetime.
Check plant mature
sizes… or else!
The ground is warm
and ready for autumn
planting – as soon as the
days cool down. As I write,
the 39-degree weather is still
too hot for tiny seedlings
and newly planted shrubs to
flourish.
Before you plant, check
carefully the mature size of
trees, shrubs, perennials
and seedlings. So often I
see gardens that have been
“landscaped” with ridiculous
overplanting. Nothing looks
worse than a plant that has
been butchered in an attempt to keep it small.
The ‘Tuckeroo’ trees on Barrenjoey Rd at Newport are great
as street trees but I have recently seen them planted just 70cm
apart on the top of a stone retaining wall in a narrow bed. This
is a recipe for disaster in five years’ time!
Small 140mm pots of salvia can grow 1.5m tall and table
poinsettias can out-grow the dwarfing chemicals to become
small trees. Indoor pots of dracaena, when planted out, will be
taller than the roof of a single-storey house!
Be prepared for the mature size of plants because their
removal in later years is very expensive, and if they are native
trees or shrubs they may be protected and not allowed to be
cut down.
68
MARCH 2017

Direct-to-public sale a must
The Collector’s Plant Fair will be held at the Hawkesbury
race course on April 8-9 – this show makes a great day
out and is a must for any plant enthusiast.
The fair is different to any other garden show. There will
be a collection of more than 70 growers who will sell direct
to the public. Many only sell online at other times of the
year. They are not the big commercial nurseries but the
small individual growers.
Enjoy your day browsing through the stalls of orchids,
frangipanis, begonias, bulbs, fruit trees, roses, cottage
plants, water plants, veggies and many more. If you have
time, listen to lectures by the experts. This is my favourite
plant sale of the year.
More info collectorsplantfair.com
Pentas give you a
spectacular starburst
Occasionally known as
Egyptian Starburst,
Pentas are the most colourful
garden plants. They flower
non-stop for 12 months; even
in the colder winter months
I still have colour in the
garden.
The bee-attracting bright
heads of tiny stars stand
above the soft green foliage.
These small shrubs are
easy to grow. Often sold in
140mm pots, they will grow
into bushes up to 1-metre
tall. Keep them trimmed and
prolong the flowering by
pinching back the tips of the
new growth, and removing all
the dead flowers.
They come in many colours
– including red, pale pink,
lilac, white, mauve and hot
pink. (There is also a bright
red pentas ‘A touch of Ice’
that has variegated leaves.)
Many are grown from seed,
so the colours vary; if you
have one you love then you
can propagate more. They
strike readily during the
warmer months from soft
wood cuttings.
MARCH 2017 69
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
Plant new trees and shrubs
this month. The warm soil
will allow new root growth,
giving the plants a head
start in spring. Also, hail has
damaged some of our gardens
– but wait for cooler weather
before trimming back. Another
hot day will burn new growth.
It is discouraging to see the
damage but look on the bright
side: use the leaf litter to make
extra compost! If you want to
plant a really beautiful tree,
plant an Ivory Curl Tree. It is
truly spectacular!
Time to feed
Feed and trim the garden
while the ground is warm
and still damp from the
summer rains.
Have a Heart
The silver-leafed Sea Heart
(brunnera) will brighten up a
shady spot in the garden. It
is a low-growing, clumping
plant with huge heart-shaped
silvery leaves that are heavily
patterned with bright green
veins. It looks good all year
Jobs this Month
March
round and in spring will
delight you with a display of
bright blue flowers. It looks
great when used as a border
plant.
Frangipani care
Frangipani have very few
problems, but in the past few
weeks of high temperatures
and high humidity, many
trees are being attacked by a
fungal disease. Rust attacks
the leaves, covering the
underneath with a fine, rustcoloured
powder. This disease
can be controlled by spraying
under the leaves with Eco
fungicide. Remove all affected
leaves and place them in a bin,
wrapped in plastic to prevent
the disease spreading. Once
the trees lose their leaves in
winter, spray the tree and the
ground beneath with lime
sulphur.
Feed citrus
Pull out summer annuals and
plant now for winter pansies
and poppies. Also, feed your
citrus trees, before the colder
months arrive. Protect new
growth with Eco Oil. (And
look out for a new round of
Orange citrus bugs that will
attack the flowers.)
Flower watch
Check out Camellia sasanquas
that are flowering now. Then
you will be sure to get the variety
that you want (plants can
often be wrongly labelled).
A perfect patch
It is not too late to patch up
lawns with new turf. After
planting, water well with Eco
hydrate to help the water penetrate
through to the roots.
Snail deterrent
Saucers of beer at intervals
through the garden will control
the snails. Snail baits are dangerous
for pets and wildlife.
Rotate vegies
All the leafy vegetables
grow well through the colder
weeks. Plant baby spinach,
rainbow chard, silver beet,
broccolini, celery and Asian
greens this month. Also,
remember to rotate winter
vegetable crops. Never plant
the same crop in the same
place as before. Plantings
should be three years apart.
Carrots grow all year round
planted as a border. Eat them
as they grow, thinning the
babies to make room for the
fully grown carrots.
Crossword solution from page 67
Mystery Word: OUTBOARD
70
MARCH 2017

Prince of Orange
leaves a happy glow
The huge, orange, clustered
flower heads of the Ixora Prince
of Orange take on a rich glow in
the autumn sunlight. Ixoras are
tropical plants that are readily
available in the warmer districts of
Sydney. They come in
many colours but the
Orange is by far the
hardiest – and I believe
the only one worth
growing in this climate
(there will always be
the exception to the
rule if you want to
experiment but you
risk losing the plant in winter).
Prince of Orange grows happily
in full sun or shade, even as an
understorey shrub beneath palms,
or on the south side of the fence.
The large, glossy, dark green
leaves complement the outrageously
brilliant orange flowers.
Often grown as an indoor pot
plant or in a pot on a balcony,
once planted in the ground it
will eventually reach a height of
1.8m. It grows slowly and is very
controllable. Ixoras respond well
to a light prune in spring – they
can be kept as a low
hedge about 1m tall if
trimmed regularly.
They are related to
gardenias and require
very similar conditions:
well-drained soil, with
a mulch over the root
zone. They thrive on
neglect – so long as
their basic needs are covered.
They require a deep watering
weekly in dry weather and a
slow-release fertiliser applied in
spring and early autumn. Ixoras
are sometimes prone to scale
or aphids that can be easily
controlled with a regular spay of
Eco-Oil.
Time to
train your
Sweet
peas well
Don’t forget that March is the month to plant
sweet peas. They are fantastic in the vegetable
garden as a filler until you plant beans and
tomatoes again in spring.
Choose a sunny position and add garden lime, at
the rate of 100g to the square metre. Dig it in well!
For quick germination, soak the seeds overnight
before planting. The seeds will swell in size. Plant
the seeds in pairs – sweet peas love company!
Water well at planting time; then, no more
until the seedlings break through the soil. The
seeds need to be well covered so that they can
germinate in the dark. It is better to grow from
seed as seedlings take a long time to recover from
transplanting.
Sweet peas seeds are available as small-growing
ground cover or pot varieties, or as tall-growing
climbers. If you like to pick the flowers and bring
them inside, the taller varieties are best. The stems
of the dwarf ones are very short. If you choose the
climbing varieties, make sure that you erect a trellis
or frame to support the plants as they grow.
Garden Life
MARCH 2017 71

Travel Life
Travel Life
Relax as your luxury Indonesian
archipelago adventure unfurls
Searching for that elusive
unique holiday experience
in an exotic, seldom-seen destination?
Joining Star Clippers’
170-guest clipper ship, Star
Flyer, fulfils all requirements.
Gail Kardash from Travel View
& Cruise View in Avalon Beach
says not only are Star Clippers’
ships unique in offering an
authentic sailing experience,
they each feature the comforts
of a regular cruise ship making
Star Clippers suitable for most
well-healed travellers.
“Sailing the Mediterranean,
Caribbean and Asia, my next
box was checked when I
discovered a variety of 7-, 10-
and 11-night round-trip cruises
from Bali visiting the wondrous
and rarely visited spectacular
islands of the Indonesian archipelago,”
Gail said.
“These cruises take place
during our Aussie winter, which
is just the right time to escape
the cold for a week or two and
to get there it’s only a five-hour
flight.”
Flying to Bali fills you with
choices, with myriad options
before and after the cruise.
“Of course, my true anticipation
centres on boarding Star
Flyer for seven nights and the
chance to uncover seven colourful
destinations,” Gail continued.
“Highlights include visits to
four of the Gili Islands, some
uninhabited and known for their
white beaches for swimming,
plethora of colourful tropical
fish for snorkelling and diving
and the chance to see green
and loggerhead turtles.
“Next, a day at sea as Star
Flyer unfurls her sails with
musical accompaniment, with
plenty of time for socialising,
learning the ways of sea, and –
dare I say it – indulging in the
delicious meals created by the
on-board chefs.
“The following few days will
take me to Komodo, not only
to see the famous dragons,
but also so I can step ashore to
swim, snorkel and walk along
one of the world’s seven pink
sand beaches.
“Then it’s on to Satonda, a
lush and green uninhabited
island that is also a Marine
Nature Reserve due to the carol
reefs and large variety of tropical
fish.”
Packing your bags already?
You can join Gail aboard Star
Flyer from August 26 including
return flights to Bali, transfers,
a three-night pre-cruise
hotel stay in Bali and then your
7-night Star Flyer cruise including
gratuities and an exclusive
€100 per person shipboard
spending credit.
More info phone 9918 4444.
72
MARCH 2017

New take on River cruising
& touring Eastern Europe
Combining the joys of small
group touring with Back-
Roads and the delights of a
Danube River Cruise with Riviera
Travel River Cruises, how’s
this for a 20-night holiday that
ticks all the boxes!
Fly from Australia to Prague
on August 29 to join Back-Roads
Touring for a 10-night exploration
all the way to Budapest.
“It’s a region of ancient cities,
time-honoured culinary customs
and ever-changing landscapes
– Eastern Europe rewards those
ready to explore,” says Chris
Riou of Newport Travel. “You
can discover the highlights of
the Czech Republic, Poland,
Slovakia and Hungary on this
diverse tour. Back-Roads offers
unique experiences like taking
part in a traditional Polish
Pierogi (dumplings) making
class; sampling Czech beer
culture on a tour of Prague’s
local pubs; and travelling by traditional,
wooden rafts through
the Dunajec Gorge.”
Chris said the beauty of
travelling with Back-Roads was
that the size of your luxury mini
coach gets you into places the
large buses just can’t manage.
And travelling with a group
of only 15 guests means new
friends and quick loading and
unloading of your coach.
After your tour ends in
Budapest, you spend two
nights in a local hotel before
stepping aboard the MS Emily
Bronte River Cruise Ship. “You
will appreciate the superb
surroundings of your floating
luxury hotel for the next
seven nights with spacious
and well-appointed cabins or
suites, with private bathrooms
and meticulously prepared fine
cuisine,” Chris said. “The Emily
Bronte hosts up to 169 guests
and was launched in 2017,
making her brand new.”
Riviera travel is predominately
English-speaking, with
majority of guests hailing from
the UK, she added.
From Budapest, the ship
heads north to Esztergom
spending the morning exploring
its historic centre, which once
was Hungary’s capital, before
continuing westwards to the
beautiful old town of Bratislava,
the capital of Slovakia. It then
navigates through Lower Austria
to reach the romantic town of
Dürnstein, where Richard the
Lionheart was imprisoned, with
a visit to the remarkable monastery
in Melk, with its 200m-long
Emperor’s Gallery.
“Next is Linz from where you
will take the short drive to Salzburg,
the birthplace and residence
of Mozart, then on your
way back eastwards enjoy a
visit to Vienna, home of Strauss
and many great composers,”
Chris added.
Finally, cruising into Hungary,
you arrive back in imperial
Budapest, straddling the picturesque
Danube.
Riviera Travel River Cruises
offers elegant accommodations,
all shipboard main meals and
a full range of included shore
excursions.
This sensational offer, exclusive
to Newport Travel, is priced
at $10,695 per person, twin
share – including airfares (ends
March 31 or until sold out).
More info on 9997 1277.
MARCH 2017 73
Travel Life

Travel Life
Travel Life
Small group luxury soaking
up colour & sounds of Africa
For over 50 years, Abercrombie
& Kent have been building
a global business taking
guests to destinations near
and far, in seamless style and
comfort. They make sure everything
is organised so you don’t
need to lift a finger, even in the
most rugged locations. You
will be put in the most fitting
lodgings – whether an elegant
palace hotel, an outback station
or a traditional felt tent.
“Luxury for A&K is the
quality of the service and the
experience you’ll have,” notes
Travel View’s Megan Catterall,
who recently experienced
eight days of game viewing in
Africa, where the company first
started touring, as part of their
small group departures.
“We flew into Johannesburg
and took a private aircraft
to Madikwe game reserve,
flying over the most amazing
scenery,” Megan said.
“We had three nights at
the Makanyane safari
lodge. We’d wake to a
light breakfast before an
early morning game drive
in an open-air Jeep to see
the results of the predator
activity the night before.
“On safari, we tracked
animals with our expert
guide Darren following
tracks and sounds. After a
sumptuous lunch we had time
to relax with a massage or
lounge around the pool before
heading out on an afternoon
game drive to spot shy, nocturnal
species and predators
heading out on the hunt each
evening.
“Darren would set up our
pre-evening cocktails and we
would watch the sun set. The
colours were amazing – and
then the sounds would start!
The lion’s roar sent shivers
down my spine but it was miles
away, you hear everything and
see so much.
“Then it was back to the lodge
for warm drinks and a fireside
chat, sharing our day’s sightings
with other guests over a gorgeous
dinner with fine wines.”
Megan’s trip concluded with
four nights in Capetown, taking
in great dining, penguins at
Cape Point, the architecture at
Stellenbosch and wine tasting
at Grand Provence.
“After a day on Robben Island
our farewell dinner was with
Christo Brand, the warden who
became lifelong friends with
Nelson Mandela,” Megan said.
“It was very emotional hearing
his story – this is a special
experience exclusive to A&K
Guests on tour. Definitely a
highlight!”
For more info on Abercrombie
& Kent phone Megan at
Travel View on 9999 0444.
74
MARCH 2017