Pittwater Life October 2022 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022
FREE
pittwaterlife
COASTAL DROWNINGS SHOCK
REVEALED: FIRST PICS OF AVALON BEACH’S NEW-LOOK INTERSECTION
CHURCH POINT BOAT BAYS BOOST / MEET ‘DINKY’ DI MORRISSEY
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / HALLOWEEN FOOD / THE WAY WE WERE

Editorial
Respect our surf beaches
The flags are back up on
our beaches and despite
the forecast of another La
Nina event, we’re all looking
forward to another Summer of
sun, sand and surf.
But tempering that
excitement is the revelation
that NSW experienced its worst
season for coastal drownings
(55) on record last year.
Six people lost their life on
the Northern Beaches, but none
on Pittwater beaches. And
the more than 1,000 patrol
volunteers from Narrabeen to
Palm Beach want it to stay that
way in 2022-23 (see p12).
But it’s not just the surf
that holds potential danger.
Authorities are reporting a
massive increase in the sales
of watercraft, from small
boats, to jetskis, surfskis and
and kayaks.
All they ask is that people
looking to have fun on the
water do so in a responsible
way and wearing life jackets.
Do it four your sakes, and
for the volunteers. They are
there for you – but ask any one
of them and they’ll tell you
they really don’t want to see
‘active service’.
* * *
No matter your opinion
on the monarchy, or on
Australia’s possible future
as a republic, no-one could
fault the late Queen Elizabeth
II’s 70-years-plus devotion
to people, country, the
Commonwealth and the world.
Generations of us shared
her as a constant throughout
our lives, as we grew up, from
kids to adults and parents and
grandparents, living through
the best of world times and
also the worst of times.
Readers wishing to pay their
respects to the late monarch
can still do so via pmc.gov.au/
condolence-form
A life of service well lived;
may she rest in peace.
– Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 3

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Email:
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Publisher: Nigel Wall
Managing Editor: Lisa Offord
Graphic Design:
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Photography: Adobe / Staff
Contributors: Rob Pegley,
Steve Meacham, Rosamund
Burton, Gabrielle Bryant,
Beverley Hudec, Brian Hrnjak,
Jennifer Harris, Nick Carroll,
Janelle Bloom, Sue Carroll,
Dr John Kippen, Geoff Searl.
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Vol 32 No 3
Celebrating 32 years
56
82
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022
FREE
pittwaterlife
COASTAL DROWNINGS SHOCK
REVEALED: FIRST PICS OF AVALON BEACH’S NEW-LOOK INTERSECTION
CHURCH POINT BOAT BAYS BOOST / MEET ‘DINKY’ DI MORRISSEY
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / HALLOWEEN FOOD / THE WAY WE WERE
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8
thislife
INSIDE: Easylink community transport is marking 40 years
of operation on the Beaches (p10); in a sobering prelude to
the new surf life saving season, figures show last year was
the worst on record for coastal drownings across NSW (p12);
check out the first pictures of the new-look Avalon Beach
main intersection (p16); with consultation closed, Council
will now make a decision on the best way to expand the
Church Point Commuter Wharf (p29); and author and ‘local’
Di Morrissey relates her engaging life story (p56).
COVER: Newport sunset / Beck @capture.productions
XXXXX 2022
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 8-35
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 32
The Way We Were 34-35
Briefs & Community News 36-43
Art 44-45
Hot Property 46-55
Life Story: Di Morrissey 56-58
Surfing 60-61
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 62-71
Trades & Services 76-79
Crossword 80
Food & Tasty Morsels 82-85
Gardening 86-88
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OCTOBER 2022 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Vets Centre’s first-year milestone
year after opening its
A doors to the nation, a
Northern Beaches veterans’
centre that admits it
“shouldn’t need to exist”
continues to be inundated with
clients.
Veterans Centre Australia
(VCA), a Dee Why-based
not-for-profit charity providing
professional support and
advocacy services to current
and former servicemen, servicewomen
and their families,
reports that demand for its
services has increased by 120
per cent in the past 12 months.
And since the release of
the Royal Commission into
Defence and Veteran Suicide
interim report last August,
client enquiries to the centre
have risen by 10 per cent and
there is now a four- to six-week
waiting list for VCA clients to
access support services.
VCA CEO Nikki Noakes explained
that despite increased
government focus on Australian
Defence Force (ADF) veterans’
welfare over the past five
years, demand for transition
support is showing no signs of
slowing.
“The sad reality is that a
service like ours should not
have to exist. The government
programs currently available
to veterans are not always
consistent and can be met with
barriers for engagement,” she
said.
“Around 30 per cent of our
clients come to us having an
unsatisfactory experience
elsewhere, as they struggle to
navigate a complex Veterans’
Affairs system which usually
exacerbates their stress levels.
“Military legislation is
DEMAND: VCA CEO Nikki Noakes with Andrew Fernandez (VCA Care
Coordinator) and Adam Fuller from Dee Why RSL Sub Branch.
far too complicated, and no
longer practical to support the
changing and unique needs of
veterans and their families.”
Ms Noakes believes VCA will
need to increase its resources
in coming years as it guides
Australian veterans and their
families towards wellbeing
and resilience.
“At VCA, we recognise that
everyone’s transition experience
is different, shaped by a
different set of circumstances,
and an infinite combination of
multifaceted needs. There is
no one-size-fits-all model.
“Our team provides levels of
support ranging from urgent
high-risk intervention at a
tactical nature, through to deliberate
on-base engagements
and long-term wellbeing and
care assistance.
“We work really hard to
connect veterans and their
families with a range of support
services and programs
so that they are informed and
resourced to better respond to
their own individual health,
social and physical needs, both
during and post their ADF
transition periods,” she said.
“Our programs are all about
empowering veterans with the
knowledge and connections
that they need to go on to lead
a fulfilling life.”
After servicing the Northern
Beaches for a decade, the VCA
expanded to become national
last year, due to growing
demand.
VCA Board Chair Ryan
Carmichael said although the
veteran community had faced
immense challenges over the
past few years, this had generated
a fresh spotlight on the
sector, with an increased focus
on veterans’ wellbeing and
employment initiatives.
“VCA has maintained a
laser-like focus on supporting
veterans and families to
ensure we can achieve positive
and sustainable outcomes for
those who seek and need assistance,”
he said.
Naval officer Catherine
Harvey, who has been in the
service for 28 years and is still
serving, was diagnosed with
PTSD following two tours of
Afghanistan.
Catherine said having VCA
handle all the paperwork
around her PTSD claim took
all the stress away.
“Just trying to work out the
system and make a claim was
seriously messing with my
mental health. I handed over
my medical records, I was assigned
an advocate, then they
took over and told me what I
was able to claim. Their business
model is just fantastic,”
she said.
“To have someone else manage
this process for me just
completely lifted the load, in
every respect.”
Wellbeing is VCA’s core
focus and it supports its
clients in three ways: through
care coordination – offering
a pathway to access civilian
support services; military
legislation advocacy support –
ensuring veterans receive the
right entitlements from the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
and training and education
– providing mental health
first aid and suicide prevention
training to volunteers
working within the ex-service
community.
Originally established in
2012 for veterans on the Northern
Beaches, more than half of
VCA’s clients now live outside
the area, spread throughout
Australia. – Robyn Holland
8 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Council’s win on rock overhang
Northern Beaches Council has successfully defended a
The cost of the remediation option preferred by Frost and
court case that could have seen ratepayers foot an almost Northern Beaches Council was estimated at between $264,000
$700,000 cost of removing or securing a boulder that overhung
a Bayview residence and was deemed “life threatening” to its
owners.
The rock teeters over the multimillion-dollar home owned
by renowned theatre
producer John Frost,
responsible for stage
shows including ‘The
Rocky Horror Show’ and
‘Grease’.
Frost took Council
and his neighbours
to court to pay for the
boulder to be removed
or secured – but his
action was dismissed
by the NSW Supreme
Court last month, leaving
him with a big legal and
remediation bill.
Channel Nine Media
reported that Justice
Paul Brereton’s decision
noted that the quartz
and $683,000.
The court heard Frost had not offered to cover any of the
remediation work and had argued the costs should be borne by
Council and his neighbours under the law of nuisance.
Brereton said that while
Frost knew about the boulder
when he bought the property,
geotechnical engineers had
advised him at the time that it
did not pose a risk.
“There is no evidence that
there has been any change
in the boulder since 1999,”
Brereton said.
Frost’s neighbours bought
their home 20 years after
Frost, in March 2019, and the
judge said they were unaware
of the boulder overhang
because it was located on a
part of their property outside
the fence.
The issue came to a head
in January last year when
sandstone boulder,
Frost took steps to sell his
THREAT: The overhanging boulder at Bayview.
located mostly on the
property, which the court
neighbours’ property but partly on council land, posed a “clear
and present danger”.
The danger rendered Frost’s home uninhabitable, even though
the rock “may not fall for decades or even centuries”.
Brereton surmised the boulder had been there for “hundreds,
probably thousands, of years”, but was now “completely detached
from the underlying bedrock” and the portion overhanging the
rear of Frost’s property weighed about 55 tonnes.
He added it was reasonable that Frost had opted to vacate his
Bayview home and relocate to his Southern Highlands property
in March last year when the Council advised him the situation
was life-threatening.
But he added “the hazard constituted by the boulder is
entirely the work of nature and has not been at all increased or
modified by any occupant of the land on which it stands”, and
Frost’s predecessors had “significantly contributed” to the risk
by building a house on the land.
“Mr Frost was aware of the hazard – though not of the extent
of the risk it posed – when he acquired [the property in 1999];
and the works required to mitigate the risk are complex,
heard was estimated to be worth $2.7 million to $3 million. A
new geotechnical report labelled the risk posed by the boulder
as “unacceptable”.
Brereton added that Frost needed to “clearly prove” that his
neighbours and Council “can and in their circumstances ought
to have done more than they have”.
Brereton noted the neighbours told the court they could
contribute to the remediation works in the order of tens
of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, Frost had “substantial
unencumbered assets, and ... he accepted, in crossexamination,
that he would be able to fund the whole cost of
the most expensive remediation option”.
“I am not satisfied that reasonable steps on the part of the
defendants require that they abate the nuisance by removing
and or bolting the boulder,” he said.
Brereton declared that Frost was “entitled, upon reasonable
notice and at reasonable times, to enter upon the land of
the defendants, with workers machinery and equipment, for
the purpose of removing in whole or in part or securing the
boulder”. He otherwise dismissed Frost’s lawsuit and ordered
difficult, dangerous and costly,” Brereton said.
him to pay Council’s and the neighbours’ legal costs. – NW
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 9

News
Doing it ‘Easy’ for 40 years
Easylink is one of the
Northern Beaches best
kept secrets – but as it celebrates
40 years in operation,
it has more than 5000 very
happy customers.
You would be hard pressed
to find any transport service in
the world, let alone locally, that
is universally praised by its
clients. But when Easylink, the
subsidised Community Transport
network on the Northern
Beaches, surveyed its customers
recently, there wasn’t a
single response that rated the
service as below expectations.
Indeed, 98 per cent of users
were very happy or extremely
happy.
Formerly known as Manly
Warringah Community Information
and Service Centre, Easylink,
had its origins in 1969,
when the idea of helping the
old and disadvantaged with a
travel service was raised at a
Manly Council meeting. It was
1982 before the service was
officially funded by the NSW
Government. While funding
may have taken a while to flow,
as GM Dan Giles explains, it is
the past couple of years that
have perhaps been the hardest
for clients.
“COVID was brutal,” said
Dan. “We were restricted to
essential travel only. Part of
our job is helping people avoid
social isolation and it was so
hard for customers trapped in
their home. Everyone reached
out to our customers.”
However, it seems the service
has come back stronger
than ever.
“As soon as the last lockdown
ended, people flooded
DEVOTION: Longserving
volunteers
Warren Cupitt and
husband-and-wife
couple Larry and
Vivienne McKittrick.
back,” Dan noted.
In October, Easylink celebrates
40 years of transporting
people, with heavily subsidised
rates for people in most need
of affordable transport. And
they will do so in style.
“We have our AGM on October
10, which will be at Wakehurst
Golf Club and include
celebration drinks from 5pm,”
said Dan.
“Then there will be an event
at Cromer Community Centre
on October 12 for customers,
staff, volunteers and supporters
to create a real party
atmosphere. The Big Sing will
be there, getting the audience
to have fun and there will be a
huge cake.”
It would need to be a huge
cake if even half of the 5500
regular users turn up, along
with 30 staff and 70 volunteers.
Some of those customers
and volunteers have been
around for a long time as well.
“Our longest customer has
been using the service for 18
years,” explains Dan, “and our
mechanic Majid Mohammad
has been a volunteer for 30
years. He was volunteer number
one and his son Kaveh Etsesami
has recently taken over
as the service’s mechanic.”
Other stalwarts of Easylink
include Warren Cupitt who is
the current longest-serving
volunteer bus driver, with
more than 20 years behind the
wheel. Warren’s wife Elaine
was also a volunteer until she
sadly passed away in 2016.
Larry and Vivienne McKittrick
have also been with the
service for almost 20 years;
they take customers out on a
mystery drive every second
Wednesday.
There are a number of mystery
and regular outings for
groups, such as trips
to a wellness class
twice a week, but
many of the trips are
for day-to-day needs,
such as medical
appointments. And
there are 21 vehicles
available, with 10 Hiace
vans, six Coaster
buses, four cars, and
a ute that spends 100
per cent of its time
on Scotland Island
providing all types of services
for the residents.
It is probably the social and
emotional side of the network
that is probably the most important
part of all.
“For some people we can be
the only interaction they have,”
said Dan.
Hopefully Easylink will provide
that interaction for at least
another 40 years. – Rob Pegley
10 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Caution urged after NSW’s
deadliest year for drownings
Local surf lifesaving
club volunteers know
they are in for another
challenging season in 2022-23
given the release of a recent
report that showed NSW
recorded 55 coastal drownings
last patrol year – the highest
annual tally ever.
The number was up almost
30 per cent on the 10-year
average and equalled the
previous highest recorded
figure in 2015/16.
The Surf Life Saving New
South Wales Coastal Safety
Report 2022 also revealed six
drownings on the Northern
Beaches.
Further, the sobering report
highlighted that the period
December to February claimed
the record for the most
coastal and ocean drowning
deaths over summer, with 25
fatalities recorded – despite
higher than usual rainfall
from La Niña and reduced
beach attendances.
Meanwhile a separate report
by the Royal Life Saving
Society revealed that after
trending down for years, the
national tally for drownings
was 339 – the highest number
since 1996.
Other trends highlighted
by the NSW Coastal Safety
Report included an overrepresentation
of males in
coastal drowning incidents
– 87 per cent compared with
just 13 per cent females. Over
60 per cent of those who
drowned were aged 40+ years.
Over the 2021-22 season, surf
lifesavers, Australian Lifeguard
Service lifeguards and support
operations rescued more
than 4000 people in NSW, and
volunteers spent over 621,000
hours on patrol.
The number of emergency
callouts responded to by Surf
Life Saving increased to 791
for the year.
Locally, Avalon Beach Surf
Life Saving Club performed
122 rescues (no lives lost),
701 preventative actions, 30
first aid treatments, with
4939 volunteer hours on
patrol. They reported 231
active members from a total
CAUTION URGED: Safety
on the beach has never
been more important.
membership of 1064.
Mona Vale Surf Life
Saving Club reported 245
active members from its
1100 total membership
(7,801 patrol hours). Beach
attendances were down
from around 130,000 to
62,000. They performed 26
rescues, administered 85
first aid treatments with 428
preventative measures.
Newport Surf Life Saving
Club reported 339 active
members from its 964 total
membership (7,900 patrol
hours). They performed 14
rescues, administered 268
first aid treatments with 792
preventative measures.
Other key findings in the
New South Wales Coastal
Safety Report included:
Swimming fatalities
comprised 29 per cent of all
coastal and ocean drownings;
rock fishing fatalities climbed
to 11 (a 37 per cent increase);
and boating fatalities
comprised 15 per cent of all
coastal drownings.
Focussing nationally, Chief
executive of Royal Life Saving
Australia Justin Scarr said
the 141 coastal drowning
deaths were the most reported
since the organisation started
collecting data 18 years ago.
“Considering that during
COVID beach visits were
down, international visitors
were absent and the weather
over summer had been
terrible, the result is even
worse than it appears,” Mr
Daw said.
Surf Life Saving performed
8600 rescues – fewer than
the usual 11,000 a year –
because swimmers had often
visited unfamiliar and more
remote beaches that were not
patrolled.
“Because of COVID, people
were looking for more remote
beaches where services
won’t be alerted until it is
potentially too late,” he said.
The national toll included
39 people who drowned in
floodwaters, a trend expected
to increase with continuing
floods forecast.
As well as those who died,
12 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

686 non-fatal drownings were
reported nationally; these can
result in lifelong injuries.
Across NSW, rock fishing
deaths increased to 11, up
from 8. Rock fishing continues
a year-on-year trend as the
second highest cause of
coastal drowning (behind
swimming/wading).
Surf Life Saving NSW is
partnering with the NSW
Government to tackle the
spike in rock fishing deaths by
delivering its largest ever rock
fishing safety initiative.
“This summer we’ll see
skills sessions held up and
down the New South Wales
coast, providing participants
with life-saving information
and a free life jacket,”
said Surf Life Saving NSW
Director of Lifesaving Joel Mr
Wiseman.
“It is also pleasing to see nine
local Council areas (including
Northern Beaches) vote to
introduce mandatory lifejacket
legislation for rock fishers.”
Boating was also a big cause
of drowning in 2021-22, with
eight people boating or using
personal watercraft when they
drowned.
“Regardless of what
you’re doing on the water,
it’s absolutely vital that you
PREPARED:
Avalon Beach SLSC
performed 122
rescues in 2021-22.
check the conditions prior to
heading out, understand the
environment you are entering,
understand your own
limitations and abilities, and
ensure you are well-equipped
should things go wrong,” said
Mr Wiseman.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier
Dominic Perrottet joined Surf
Life Saving NSW President
George Shales and State
Minister for Emergency
Services and Resilience Steph
Cooke to open the 2022-23 SLS
season late last month, with
more than 20,000 volunteers
expected to help with patrols.
Ms Cooke said $1 million
worth of SLSNSW jet skis and
support operations vehicles
would be rolled out across
the State to better support the
work of volunteers.
“The addition of 11 jet skis
and 11 fully kitted out support
vehicles will further enhance
the ability of our lifesavers to
respond to emergencies in the
water and help people when
they get into trouble,” she said.
“Our lifesavers from the 129
clubs up and down the NSW
coastline are looking forward
to being on patrol every
weekend and public holiday
between now and Anzac Day
in April.”
Mr Shales said despite a
third consecutive La Nina
being declared, large crowds
were expected at beaches
throughout Spring and
Summer.
For the first time in three
years, volunteer lifesavers
will not enter the season
under a cloud of COVID-19
restrictions, and instead can
give their full attention to
beach and aquatic safety.
“We had a very wet year last
season but beachgoers need to
remain vigilant after a record
55 lives were lost in the 12
months to June 2022,” he said.
“We’re ready to help if you
get into trouble but we need
to work together to keep
our beaches and coastal
waterways safe to enjoy.”
Patrolled beach locations,
patrol times and live weather
updates are available on the
BeachSafe app or website.
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 13

News
Scamps supports
a ‘climate trigger’
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps says “It is estimated there are over 100
she fully supports a Greens-moved new coal and gas projects up for
Private Members Bill that would see a
‘Climate Trigger’ inserted into national
environmental law.
The trigger would automatically
prevent the advancement of any major
project deemed to have a potential
impact on the environment.
“We know that climate change is
supercharging species and habitat loss
in Australia – I find it hard to believe
that our national environmental law
does not compel the Environment
Minister to consider future climate
impacts when assessing major projects,”
Dr Scamps said.
She added she found it even harder to
believe that new coal and gas projects
were being assessed and approved
without any consideration given to the
future impact that emissions from those
projects would have on the environment
assessment under the EPBC Act. We
need to ensure the impact from the
emissions that these projects will create
are assessed and that approvals under
our national environmental law are
not just a smokescreen that provide
fossil fuel companies cover to continue
profiteering while destroying Australia’s
environment.
“The Albanese Government cannot
have it both ways. They cannot say the
climate wars ‘are over’ and legislate
our emissions reduction targets while
also refusing to act on the root cause of
climate change – fossil fuels.
“It is time our national environmental
laws were strengthened. And the first
step in doing so, is ensuring every major
project is assessed for its future climate
change impacts – our environment, our
economic prosperity and our future
and on the nation.
depends on it.”
– Nigel Wall
“The science is clear, we must stop
burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and
gas if we are to avert the worst impacts
of climate change,” she said.
*How would you like to be involved in
your democracy? Have your say in Dr
Scamps’ community survey – see the
QR Code on page 17.
Greens push for
fossil fuel ads ban
The NSW Greens are lobbying to have
a tobacco-style ban on advertising
by fossil fuel companies in NSW, citing
public health concerns.
Last month NSW Upper House MP
Sue Higginson announced a bill was
being drafted, following a community
campaign that called for an end to
greenwashing ad campaigns and
“social licence purchase of fossil fuel
companies through sponsorship of
sports teams”.
“It’s wrong that these companies
that are causing so much damage and
who are behind the terrible climate
disasters we’re now continually facing
are able to run public advertising
campaigns showing wind turbines and
solar panels or to have their names on
the uniforms of our children’s sports
teams,” Ms Higginson said.
Motions in support of the campaign
have been tabled in local Councils
across the state, including the City of
Sydney Council.
Pittwater Ward Greens Councillor
Miranda Korzy said she would be
liaising with her State representatives
about any motion for Northern Beaches
Council.
– NW
14 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

First look at new
Avalon intersection
News
Here’s what the centre
of Avalon Village will
look like by Christmas,
following its transformation
in the coming weeks.
Old Barrenjoey Road will
be closed to traffic heading
north of Avalon Parade from
as early as December after
Northern Beaches Council hit
the ‘go’ button on the first
stage of works on the new
Avalon Place Plan.
Work will commence in
October on the new ‘Streets as
Shared Spaces’ project, funded
by the NSW Government,
which will be trialled for a
minimum of six months, with
input sought from the community
during the trial period.
Council told Pittwater Life
that the first work on the
project will be to introduce a
one-way shared zone in Old
Barrenjoey Road North be-
PROPOSED
EXISTING
PROPOSED
EXISTING
TRANSFORMATION: How the new shared zone adjacent to the Avalon Recreation Centre will take shape.
16 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

PROPOSED
WIDENED FOOTPATH AREAS: Artist’s impression looking west down Avalon Parade towards the main intersection.
tween the pedestrian crossing
near Woolworths car park to
Avalon Parade.
It says this will enable
works in Barrenjoey Road to
allow changes to bus services
to be made as part of the
project.
Council added that construction
in the town centre
in October and November
would include extending the
pedestrian areas and “providing
an area suitable for periodic
closures to allow further
activations of the public space
for events”.
The pedestrian crossings
will be moved further away
from the intersection to
deliver improved pedestrian
safety.
Landscaping and new street
furniture will be undertaken
and built, while public art
and other components will be
added to provide shade and
improve amenity.
Council said the aim of the
trial was to deliver a much
safer space for pedestrians,
provide a more peoplefocused
experience for locals
and visitors to the village and
improve the streetscape with
plants and new furniture.
It added the ongoing
project benefits to be looked
at included the activation of
laneways (in consultation
with the community and
businesses) to enhance the
viability of the night economy
in the village centre.
Council CEO Ray Brownlee
said: “After years of community
consultation and detailed
consideration by the elected
council, the Avalon Place Plan
has been endorsed and includes
some exciting and much
needed improvements to the
Avalon Beach Village.
“The trial of the partial street
closure and extended pedestrian
areas we hope will bring not
just a safer but more peoplecentred
experience to the
village and we look forward to
hearing from the community
throughout the trial period.”
The project is being delivered
over Spring to allow the
space to be operational in
Summer. – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell
us at readers@pittwaterlife.
com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 17

News
Council’s tree numbers ‘fall short’
Local conservation group Canopy Keepers
is disputing Northern Beaches Council’s
estimate of a net gain of more than 17,000 trees
across the Local Government area since 2018.
Council’s assessment was published in last
month’s edition of Pittwater Life.
Canopy Keepers spokespeople Deborah
Collins and Henry Coleman told us: “It was mentioned
that local community groups advocating
protection of the tree
canopy were ‘delighted
to learn that the net
gain to the environment
over four years has been
17,137 trees’.
“Indeed, the local
Pittwater group Canopy
Keepers welcomes all
tree planting initiatives. We have encouraged
and contributed to these efforts, and have
sensed the overwhelming support for canopy
regeneration in the community.
“However, far from the large gain quoted,
our review (based on the figures cited by
Council in July) revealed a small but considerable
net loss of about 1000 trees. And that’s
without accounting for the unrecorded removal
of potentially thousands of trees under
the 10/50 laws.”
They said Canopy Keepers would welcome the
opportunity meet with Council’s representative
and review their figures.
The organisation added saplings now being
planted were “woeful replacements for the mature
trees removed.
“It will be many decades until these young
ones grow large enough to provide nesting hollows,
habitat and canopy to support thriving
and beautiful ecosystems,” they said.
“Many will die before they get there, while
some replacement ‘trees’ are in fact shrubs or
understory species.
“Numbers alone are
therefore unable to
provide meaningful
assessments of what is
being lost.
“As much as we
should all support
regeneration efforts, we
must also urgently protect what is still standing.
“We can do this through encouraging thoughtful
stewardship on private land, and through
urging the Council to finalise and implement
the Tree Canopy Plan.”
Canopy Keepers was formed in 2020 as an independent
group to raise community awareness
about the social, environmental and economic
importance of trees in Pittwater.
“We aim to increase local appreciation of the
value of a healthy and strong canopy. We also
lobby for changes to regulations and practices to
protect and enhance it.”
– Nigel Wall
*Comment is being sought from Council.
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Short film festival. Film lovers
can unite with an audience of over
100,000 people across 500 cities
and six continents as the Manhattan
Short Film Festival returns to Glen
Street Theatre on Sun 2 at 1pm and
5pm. Tickets $30; book via website
or call the box office on 9470 5913.
Piano concert. Here’s an amazing
opportunity to see an extraordinary
artist on the cusp of a major
international career when Italian-
Slovenian pianist Alexander Gadjiev
(winner of the coveted Sydney
International Piano Competition)
performs at Luke’s Grammar School
Bayview Campus on Fri 7, doors
open at 7.30pm. Tickets only $25
(includes a sparkling wine supper);
Students under 18 free when
accompanied by an adult; go to
peninsulamusicclub.com.au or call
0407 441 213.
Spring into Newport. Local
businesses and Council are inviting
everyone to the Newport Spring
Celebration event to be held in and
around the Newport shopping strip
on Sat 15 from 7am-7pm when shops
will trade on footpaths, Robertson
Road will be closed for kids activities
and live music and eateries will be
dishing up plenty of specials.
Open Air Cinema. A pop-up
cinema will be at Brookvale Oval
showing Spiderman No Way Home
(Rated M) on Fri 7 from 5.30pm-9pm
and the heart-warming animated
musical Vivo (Rated PG) on Sat 8
from 5pm-8pm. Take a picnic rug,
some snacks or grab something
to eat from a variety of food trucks.
Entry $5 per person. Buy tickets
online on Council website.
Nappies seminar. Find out what
options work best for you and your
baby and help keep nappies out
of landfill, Thurs 13 from 5.15pm-
6.15pm; register via Council website.
Mental health fundraiser.
Anytime Fitness Avalon is calling
“any BODY” to participate in the
upcoming ‘Tread As One’ event
to raise funds for R U OK? From
22-29 Oct they are encouraging the
community to run (or walk) as many
kms as possible to go towards the
club’s overall goal of 650 kilometres,
to represent the 65,000 Australians
who attempt to take their own lives
every year.
18 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Janine’s growing string family
Meet the Lightly Strung Orchestra – a happy band of folk
comprising around 50 ukulele players from the Northern
Beaches who are striking the right chord in life.
“Most people think it’s a bit crap and a tinny toy, but there are
brilliant musicians who play the ukulele,” says Janine Shearer,
the creator of the Lightly Strung Orchestra (LSO). “We want to
showcase the instrument and sprinkle
a bit of joy in the meantime.”
“It’s the happiest instrument on
the planet.”
Northern Beaches local Janine
founded her own business Music
4 Life in 2007, with a mission to
create a musical community that
brings people together – and make
music for life.
And with the LSO she is doing
just that – her eldest member is
about to turn 99.
An enthusiastic and infectious
character, Janine has been helping
people most in need throughout
her life, using music as the medicine.
“After studying music therapy in
Melbourne I’ve worked with all kinds
of people to help them with their
conditions,” explains Janine. “From
Babies born at 20 weeks in neo-natal
intensive care, to stroke victims and
people with Parkinson’s.
“In all of the musical areas I’ve
worked though, I’ve seen that music
brings out the person in the patient.
I’ve seen people who couldn’t
talk come alive, and had people with dementia sing songs from
their youth word-for-word.
“It’s absolutely fascinating!”
After working with kids with autism, Janine saw that the
ukulele brought great joy. On her first day using it with adults,
she recalls a man in his 80s with dementia and a post-cancer
survivor with a double mastectomy finding an instant love for
the instrument.
COMMUNITY-MINDED: Janine and the LSO.
“I’m trained in most instruments, but the ukulele was the
first instrument I played at the age of four,” she laughs, “but
until I picked it up again, I hadn’t played it since I was seven.
“It’s an instrument based on rhythm and harmony,”
Which is a great metaphor for someone looking to improve
people’s social connection and quality of life through music.
Now the ukulele is the only
instrument Janine teaches and the
LSO was born almost 10 years ago.
“I wrote my own program for
beginners and intermediate players
and at the end of that, they wanted
to know what was next,” explains
Janine, “so initially we started a
group called JUGs (Janine’s Ukulele
Group), but that quickly became
the LSO.
“I’ve taught around 1000 people
in that time, and at its biggest the
LSO had 75 members at once.”
Janine lost a lot of people from
the playing group during COVID,
but continued on Zoom. For anyone
who has witnessed even a small
group of people try to sing Happy
Birthday in harmony on a Zoom
call, that’s no mean feat.
“At one point we had 49 people
playing Ukulele on a Zoom call at
once,” laughs Janine. “It was amazing
for people in isolation to have
that connection.”
Janine’s aim is to have a Sydney
Festival, with a connected group of
100-strong ukuleles.
“There are festivals in the Blue Mountains and elsewhere,
and pockets of groups playing, but I’d love to unite people and
connect up all the groups,” she said.
“It’s such a great instrument, and I just want to empower
people to make their lives better with music.” – Rob Pegley
*Interested? A 4-week Beginner Ukulele Course will take
place at the Tramshed at Narrabeen during October, and you
can visit makingmusic4life.com for more information.
20 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Name-dropping the facade
New York-based artist Simone Douglas
has returned to her hometown
to install stunning artworks on the
façade of Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
In endeavoring to learn her story,
Simone and myself postpone our first
phone interview, because fierce thunderstorms
are swirling around her New
York home making conversation difficult.
Although if you look at her body of work,
I suspect the artist just wants to get out
and photograph the lightning
and night sky.
“I must admit the intensity
of light on the clouds was
something I had to photograph,”
Simone reveals the
next day, as we talk – morning
in Pittwater and evening in
New York.
The sky and its movements
have long been inspiration for
her art.
“My parents had a corrugated
iron roof and I’d get my dad to come
and sit up on it with me as a child,” Simone
recalls. “He was grounded in science
and we would talk, and I was fascinated
by the sky and eternity, by time and space.
Light encapsulates the past, present and
future all in one moment.”
“Then I had an amazing art teacher at
school, Maryam Brewster, who introduced
me to infra red photography, that can
capture things like heat that are invisible
to the eye, and so light has become fundamental
to my work.”
Along with her Frenchs Forest High
School teacher, the environment of the
Beaches has always shaped her art.
Not surprisingly, moving to New York
proved something of a culture shock.
“I made the decision to come to New
ANGELIC-LIKE: Simone’s ‘Eternal Return’ work and the artist (inset).
York in 2008 after I got a fulltime
role with the prestigious
Parsons School of Design,
who I’d been doing part-time work for. I
live in a shoebox in Manhattan, but there
is a roof so that I can see the sky – I have
to see the sky.
“It took me a long time to adjust.”
Both her family and her work keep her
firmly linked to the Northern Beaches
though, and that bond became stronger
than ever during COVID.
“I had a ticket booked for a conference
in Melbourne, and it was the week that
COVID hit New York. We were ahead of
Australia in that respect and it hit New
York hard. I wondered whether to come
back to Australia and was worried in case
I had COVID.
“But I arrived back, put myself in quarantine...
I was going to come for 10 days
but ended up staying almost two years.”
In that time, Simone taught her students
in New York via Zoom, and would
spend nocturnal hours wandering freely
on the Beaches when lockdown prevented
us leaving the area.
“It was actually truly wonderful,” she
says. “I’d watch the moon come up and go
down, I did a lot of filming of the ocean
and it was a lovely period of contemplation.”
And it is that time that gave rise to the
magnificent artwork that can now been
viewed at Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
Simone will continue to return to the
Northern Beaches at least twice a year as
it fuels her art. But there is a very simple
thing she does as soon as she arrives.
“The first thing I do is swim in the
ocean no matter what time of year it is,
and then go for a walk in the bush.” – RP
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 21

A ‘Golden’ age of
legal achievement
News
Jennifer Harris won’t talk
about the film stars, TV
celebrities and best-selling
authors she has represented
in a lifetime as one of
Australia’s most prominent
media lawyers. (Apart from
Morris West, the late Northern
Beaches author and playwright,
best known for his
papal thrillers including The
Shoes of the Fisherman.)
“No need to mention them,”
Jennifer says in her office in
Avalon Parade.
After all, the point of this
story is to commemorate her
achievement last month (September)
by the Law Society of
NSW for 50 years’ continual
service to the Supreme Court
of NSW since November 24,
1972.
Plus, her quarter of a
century’s advice as Pittwater
Life’s legal correspondent.
Jennifer adopted what she
calls “an accidental change of
lifestyle” in the 1990s, when
high-profile media clients on
the Northern Beaches protested
they’d prefer to meet
her in a cafe “up here” rather
than have to get dressed up
and pay exorbitant parking
fees in the city.
“I was more used to going
on a plane to London,
New York, Los Angeles and
Singapore when I was at the
Australian Broadcasting
Commission,” she recalls. “I’d
leave home around 6.30am.
“Then I realised I could just
roll down the hill from Bilgola
Plateau and be at my work by
9am.”
One day a week in Avalon
eventually turned into five
days a week.
Jennifer joined Hunt &
Hunt lawyers in 1985 where
she concentrated on intellectual
property, media and
communications before
founding Jennifer Harris &
Associates in 1992.
She has also been appointed
by federal governments
as a director of the Defence
Housing Authority and Australian
Hearing.
However, her most glamorous
days were spent at the
ABC, after she was admitted
to practise in 1968 in Victoria.
Later that year Jennifer was
appointed to the ABC as
deputy to Joyce Shewcroft
OBE – the first female lawyer
to become a corporation lawyer
in Australia.
Jennifer succeeded Joyce on
her retirement.
The head of the ABC then
was Sir Talbot Duckmantle
(whose ‘reign’ included the
advent of colour TV, and innovations
such as Classic FM
and Triple J).
What did Jennifer’s legal
role entail?
“We did everything from
beautiful contracts for the
symphony orchestras then
owned by the ABC, to the contracts
for overseas artists.
“Of course, we also did
defamation actions. This
Today Tonight (the forerunner
of 4 Corners) and comedy
programs like The Gillies
Report (starring Max Gillies)
attracted lots of defamation
actions. But we were pretty
successful in defending
them.”
Jennifer’s role also meant
defending ABC journalists in
trouble abroad.
“I remember being woken
up in the middle of the night
by an ABC crew in Northern
Ireland (during The Troubles).
They’d been put up against
a wall by the IRA (Irish Republican
Army), and were in
shock, desperate and in need
of advice.”
The most harrowing case
she was involved with at the
ABC was the murder of British-born
foreign correspondent
Tony Joyce who emigrated
to Australia in 1968 and was
one of the last overseas journalists
to leave Ho Chi Minh
City before it fell to the North
Vietnamese in 1978.
The following year Joyce
arrived in Lusaka to report
on the escalating conflict between
Zambia and Rhodesian
(now Zimbabwe) terrorists.
“Tony was shot in the head
and was taken to hospital
where he laid with a swelling
to the brain for several
weeks,” Jennifer recalls. “We
didn’t have any diplomatic
relations then, but we managed
to get him removed to
a London hospital where he
survived another six weeks
before dying.
MILESTONE: Jennifer Harris has
marked 50 years of practising law.
“I remember phoning
Andrew Peacock, who was the
minister of Foreign Affairs,
so Tony’s body could be released
in time for his funeral
in Australia.”
Naturally, Jennifer’s work
for Pittwater Life has been less
dramatic. But the campaign
she is proudest of is the column
she wrote in 2006: ‘The
Trauma of Older Drivers’.
In it, she recounted how
many distraught clients over
85 were coming to her after
being told they had to face
a medical examination each
year to keep their driving
licences as well as an annual
driving test.
In 2008, the NSW Government
issued a climbdown
to tests every two years for
over 85s. Modified licences,
allowing holders to drive
certain distances within local
areas to shop, attend medical
appointments and other community
activities, were also
introduced.
It remains one of Pittwater
Life’s most successful campaigns.
– Steve Meacham
22 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
More plastic added to ban list
Shocking images of plastic pollution in
the ocean and a turtle choking on a
plastic bag feature in a thought-provoking
new advertising campaign released
ahead of the NSW Government’s November
single-use plastic ban.
Minister for Environment James Griffin
said the confronting images are an
important reminder about why the state
is banning certain single-use plastics.
“Our new Stop it and Swap it campaign
is a stark reminder about why the NSW
single-use plastic bans are critical for our
environment – as consumers we must all
change our behaviour,” Mr Griffin said.
“About 95 per cent of the litter on
beaches and waterways comes from
suburban streets, and the vast majority
of that litter is single-use plastic.
“The amount of plastic in our oceans
is predicted to outweigh the amount of
fish by 2050. That is a horrifying prediction
and a call to action to ensure our
wildlife, like the turtle featured in the
campaign, can have a brighter future.
“The NSW plastic bans are just the beginning
of our massive shift away from
single-use plastic, and they’ll prevent
2.7 billion items of plastic litter from
entering the environment over the next
RECOVERING: The turtle hatchling and the full
vials of ingested plastic it excreted.
20 years.”
Plastic packaging and single-use plastic
items make up around 60 per cent of
all litter in NSW, which is why the NSW
Government is banning more single-use
items from November.
Lightweight single-use plastic bags
were banned from 1 June, and from
1 November, the NSW Government is
banning single-use items including
plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates,
bowls and cotton buds; food ware and
cups made from expanded polystyrene;
and rinse-off personal care products
containing plastic microbeads.
Taronga Wildlife Hospital Rescue and
Rehabilitation Coordinator Libby Hall
said they treat an array of wildlife cases
each year, and sadly, many of these arrive
at Taronga suffering the impacts of
having ingested plastic.
“Just recently, we admitted a Green
Turtle hatchling found on the Northern
Beaches that was only a few weeks old
and excreted plastics for several days
after it arrived,” Ms Hall said.
“While thankfully this little hatchling
is still with us, sadly many have not been
so lucky and it’s a sobering reminder of
how our actions can have devastating
impacts on endangered wildlife.
“Nearly every marine turtle we’ve had
in has been impacted by plastic in some
way – either through ingestion or entanglement.
Many of these animals come
in deceased, and there are only few that
survive.
“So if you have the choice not to use
plastic, please don’t use it.”
The easy-to-understand messaging
of the just launched ‘Stop it and Swap
It’ campaign aims to raise awareness
about the single-use plastic bans, with
the Government engaging the National
Retail Association (NRA) to provide
education to more than 40,000 businesses
and community organisations to
implement the changes.
– LO
24 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Sparking interest in a better future
Oxford Falls Grammar year
5 students Grace, Skye,
April and Cienna recognise
that taking small steps consistently
creates big impact.
Their first small step to enter
the Spark Tank youth business
pitch event last year has
led to the founding of ‘Next
Step of Nature’, a youth-led
organisation created to raise
awareness about the environment
and make it easy for
young people to take small
steps that help nature thrive.
“We can’t wait for adults
to save the environment,”
said April in their 2021 pitch.
So Next Step of Nature have
become sustainability ambassadors,
creating a website
that informs people about the
environment, climate change,
and how they can be sustainable.
The trio are now collecting
signatures for their pledge
and mobilising an army of
young people to give nature
a hand.
“Our next tasks include
confirming our website
BETTER FUTURE: Spark Tank 2021 winners Grace, Skye, Cienna and April
picking up trash for the Next Step of Nature.
and fully launching a new
program into the school and
community,” said Skye.
Principal Dr. Peter Downey
said: “Something that really
inspires me is seeing young
people, not just passively consuming
education, but getting
up and being proactive and
showing initiative, seeking to
deal with an issue or problem
that they see in the world.”
Individually, April said
working with Spark Tank and
her team members helped her
learn and develop new skills
like planning and creating
a pitch, public speaking and
making a website.
“These things were all challenging
for me but my teammates
helped me get through
it,” she said.
“Spark Tank has been an
amazing experience and a
great opportunity for me and
my friends to create ideas
and bring them to life,” added
Cienna.
Next Step of Nature will
be collecting signatures for
their pledge at the 2022 Spark
Tank event on October 13 at
Glen Street Theatre in Belrose,
where this year’s young entrepreneurs
will be pitching their
ideas for biodegradable bubble
gum, safety jewellery, sustainable
swimwear and more.
Founding director of Share
the Spark Kimberly Clouthier
thanked Northern Beaches
Council for its generous support
in 2022, with matching
funds for their $15,000+
prize pool and the use of Glen
Street’s 400-seat theatre.
“It is a bit daunting for a
small non-profit like ours
to fill all those seats, but we
hope the community will
come out in full force to show
our local youth that we really
do value them!” she said.
– Nigel Wall
*Tickets for the event (starts
6.30pm) are available at
sharethespark.org.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 25

News
UNITED THEY STAND: Representatives attending the locals Clubs think tank.
Club bosses hold think tank
Palm Beach Golf Club played host to
leaders from 14 local clubs from Palm
Beach to Avalon Beach last month, parking
their competitive instincts and focus for a
networking lunch with the hopes of sharing
resources, ideas, lessons, challenges, and
opportunities.
Input was generated by the Presidents of
North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club; Club
Palm Beach and Palm Beach RSL Sub Branch;
Palm Beach Sailing Club; Whale Beach Surf
Life Saving Club; Avalon Soccer Club; Avalon
Bulldogs; Careel Bay Tennis; Avalon Beach RSL;
Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club; Avalon
Sailing Club; Avalon Bowling Club, Avalon Golf
Club, plus host Palm Beach Golf Club and the
Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
All are well established within the
community, with Palm Beach SLSC turning 100
in 2021 and Palm Beach Golf Club set to reach
its centenary milestone in 2024.
“As local community-based organisations,
we are all run by dedicated volunteers,” said
Palm Beach Golf Club President Daniel Hill.
“The idea behind the event was to make sure
we support one another to be successful, grow,
and remain part of our communities.”
“By all of the local clubs coming together, our
teams get to know each other, and can reach
out if any of the other clubs need assistance, or
to discuss any issues we’re facing,” said Avalon
RSL President Mark Houlder.
“I cannot applaud this initiative enough –
it will definitely help keep the ‘spirit of the
peninsula’ alive and well with continued
sharing and support of this kind,”, said Avalon
Golf Club President Christine Gardner.
It is hoped that this initiative will be an
annual event with other clubs to host in the
coming years.
Pittwater MP Rb Stokes said it was a brilliant
initiative that he hoped would be replicated
right throughout the upper Northern Beaches
community.
“There’s a wealth of knowledge and
experience among our local club organisations
– so the opportunity to combine resources and
ideas will have widespread benefits.” – NW
26 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Local sphere of influence returns
RELAXED: The seminar room’s welcoming environment.
For more than 10 years
Jonine Gabay and her small
team have been organising
workshops and conferences
on ‘Family Constellation’ in
Collaroy.
Bringing more than 15 accomplished
specialist presenters
together, the conference
offers workshops on couple
and family dynamics; understanding
the purpose of symptoms
with health challenges;
our relationship with business,
money and success; as well
as social issues and conflict
resolution skills.
Family Constellations
returns to Collaroy in October
– at The Collaroy Centre – in its
first hybrid incarnation; now
both an online and in-person
event.
If you are curious about
further understanding Family
Constellations, then the latest
Netflix series Another Self is
a good starting point. About
the lifelong friendship of three
young women and their different
challenges with relationships
and health, it gives a
profound insight into healing
nature of relationships.
Like many businesses and
events, COVID has had a huge
impact on the conference – but
in the case of Family Constellation,
it has made it bigger and
better than ever.
“In 2019 just before international
presenters were due to
fly in for the conference that
year, together with 200 participants
from across Australasia
arrived, we went into lockdown
and everything was cancelled,”
Jonine recalls.
“The options were to just
sit and wait until this thing
cleared, or to get creative and
go online.”
By her admission, Jonine is
anything but tech-savvy, but
nevertheless managed to create
an amazing digital gathering
of nearly 3000 participants
and 91 International presenters
across 40 countries, with some
135 workshop offerings across
the week.
In May last year it again ran
online. And from October 20th
to 24th this year, it will happen
live in Collaroy as well as digitally
around the world.
For therapists, coaches and
healthcare practitioners, or
simply people on a personal
journey of self-discovery and
wanting better relationships,
the 3.5 days is ideal to help you
in all sorts of relationships.
More of a philosophy, it is
a way of looking at situations
from a wider systemic lens – of
who we are within the bigger
picture, often being affected
by events going back several
generations.
It is a system that considers
the unconscious dynamics
impacting our relationships;
those with partners (or absence
of), parents, children, work,
health, money, success, and life
purpose.
You are invited to attend
even just one day in Collaroy,
and each day there will be at
least six workshop to choose
from.
– Rob Pegley
*More info constellationintensive.com
28 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Expansion options for Church Point
Northern Beaches Council
has commenced collating
community responses to its
proposed options to alleviate
overcrowding of facilities at the
Church Point Commuter Wharf.
Community consultation
on the wharf, an important
transport hub for the local onshore
and offshore community,
closed at the end of last month,
drawing 85 submissions.
Council must now decide between
the two top documented
preferences of Transport for
NSW and the opinions of locals.
The option with the highest
ranking, based on stakeholder
ratings, involves extending the
existing commuter wharf with
an additional curved arm.
This would be completed in
two stages, with Stage 1 adding
34 boat bays and Stage 2
adding 85 boat bays, taking the
current 111 berths to a total
230 berths.
The cost per berth was calculated
at $9,443.
However, the option is not
favoured by Transport for NSW,
which says it would impose or
obstruct on the existing navigation
channel used by barge
operators to the Cargo Wharf.
The second-highest ranked
option, which is favoured by
Transport for NSW, involves
building an additional structure
at Rostrevor Reserve to the
west of the Commuter Wharf.
This would also be completed
in two stages, with Stage 1 adding
32 boat bays and Stage 2
adding 25 boat bays, for a total
capacity of 168 berths (construction
cost per berth higher
at $14,320).
However, there is a cloud
over Stage 2 of this option, given
the observation that larger
boats navigating to Holmeport
Marina could be impacted if it
were to proceed, with navigational
issues between the Cargo
Wharf and Marina avoided if
only Stage 1 were implemented.
Council is expected to hand
down its final report by the end
of the year. – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
NEW ARM:
This option would
more than double
boat berth capacity.
NEW STRUCTURE:
57 new boat bays
could be created at
Rostrevor Reserve.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 29

News
SEEN…
Council contractors in Avalon village,
hastily painting the centre lines of Old
Barrenjoey Road for the second time
in two months. It follows revelations
Council’s original move to replace the
decades-old painted centre median
with unbroken double lines meant
any motorists crossing from one
side of the road into parking bays
on the other side would be breaking
the law and could be fined by police.
Council attributes the backflip to a
misunderstanding of the road rules; its
spokesperson told us: “We acknowledge
the earlier advice regarding being able to cross unbroken
white lines on Old Barrenjoey Road to access properties and
parking spaces was interpreted incorrectly and apologise
for any confusion it may have caused residents.” So that
(finally!) is that. There is a still a big problem with the road
though, with no access for trucks unloading goods – as this
pic taken in early September shows. (Incredibly, as Pittwater
Life watched, a police paddy wagon drove past this truck
(pictured), made a legal U-turn and parked. We thought a
hefty fine was about to be dished out, but no. It seems even
the police are prepared to turn a blind eye, given the lack of
loading zone options in Avalon Beach.)
HEARD…
Northern Beaches Councillors Michael Gencher (Pittwater
Ward) and Ruth Robins (Narrabeen Ward) have requested the
elected Council be briefed about the mechanics of the ‘Your
Say’ portal on Council’s website and how Council utilises
responses. The pair note the ‘Your Say’ portal allows for
online submissions which gave stakeholders the opportunity
to raise their issues or indicate their support or opposition
to a publicly notified proposal. “As these submissions are
considered by Council in the decision-making process – it is
essential and necessary that there is trust and confidence
in the validity of the process and the submissions,” they
said. “Of particular concern is multiple submissions from
people who will not be impacted by the proposal – eg, people
from different Local Government Areas.” Questions they
raised included: How are online submissions taken into
consideration in the assessment of any application? What
constitutes a valid and properly made online submission? How
is Council assured that online submissions are rightful and
legal? How does Council confirm the identity of those behind
online submissions? Has Council considered or examined
the possibility for corruption, fraudulent behaviour, or
exploitation from online submissions? Does Council include
submissions from outside the LGA? And is there a difference
in consideration of an online submission between an
individual, organisation or community group?
ABSURD #1...
months now, and no determination on whether it adequately
addresses the community’s concerns has been made. We
know of at least one new complaint made as far back as June
– with the complainant told to not bother making follow-up
complaints as Council was assessing the situation. Elsewhere
in Council, the dribble of complaints received has been
perceived as validation that there isn’t a problem anymore.
We’re now heading into peak learn-to-swim season; both the
School and the community deserve better.
ABSURD #2...
Readers are complaining about Council’s installation of speed
bumps on Grandview Drive, Newport. Peter Fenley writes:
“Council is out of control… I have lived on the plateau for over
40 years and I am aware of there being a few accidents but
there is no rhyme or reason for the installation of this excess.
Drivers are being forced into more dangerous situations
than previously existed on this difficult to navigate roadway.
Better solutions should be found. Where was the community
consultation? Why were residents ignored? This project was
undertaken with stealth and apparent secrecy.” Council
told us: “Six traffic calming devices have been installed on
Grandview Drive as part of the federally funded Black Spot
Program which identified this location as a crash cluster. An
assessment was conducted by Transport for NSW’s Centre
for Road Safety with this information provided to Northern
Beaches Council Local Traffic Committee (NBCLTC) to
progress. Community consultation was undertaken prior to
the matter being reported to the team in October 2021. The
same list of residents directly affected were again notified
of the decision and when construction would commence.”
Council said it was satisfied the speed bumps would provide a
permanent solution to the issue but added that “modification
over time may be undertaken to ensure they are fit for the
intended purpose”. Residents say Grandview Drive is now an
“obstacle course” with its mix of the new plastic speed bumps
and old, purpose-built road speed bumps.
This is not a dig at the Barrenjoey Swim School,
which delivers an important service to the
community. Rather we’re calling out Council for
its sloth-like process. Remember the brouhaha in
March when multiple complaints from neighbours
and residents over noise and traffic saw Council
shut the school? Then the community backlash,
with Council relenting and giving the school a stay
of proceedings? That let-off was based on the School
providing Council with a revised operating model
to address noise and traffic concerns. Well, Council
have been in possession of that document for five
32 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

The Way We Were
Every month we pore over three decades of Pittwater Life, providing a snapshot of
the area’s recent history – and confirming that quite often the more things change, the
more they stay the same! Compiled by Lisa Offord
25 Years Ago…
15 Years Ago…
The Way We Were
We reported that A-Frame signs on
footpaths were “unfavourable” to Pittwater
Council and will not be allowed on public
property. “It is not clear if shops and offices
using these signs will be told to remove them.
This is a job that will fall to the rangers who
have already moved against real estate
agents for house sale signs in residential
areas.” Meanwhile, new Mayor Patricia
Giles was “moving to rid the Council of
its anti-business image by forging closer
links with the business community.” The
Mayor proposed establishing a Business
Council for Pittwater which would bring the
Chambers of Commerce and other business
leaders and Council together. “Her move
marks a refreshing change in direction for
the Council which has largely ignored the
business community since its inception.” One
hour parking meters ($2 an hour) were to
be installed outside shops at Palm Beach
and in Governor Phillip Park. The plan for
a motel in Avalon Parade was withdrawn;
Developers were planning a $12m project of
30 units on the Totally Tom’s Ampol petrol
station site on Old Barrenjoey road as the
“block of flats opposite…. presold all of its 22
units… one-bedroom apartments realising
around $245,000 and the two bedroom
around $325,000”; and David Edwards of LJ
Hooker Palm Beach was handling the sales
of the yet-to-be-built Alex Popov-designed
“The Rockpool” apartments on Surfview
Road Mona Vale: “Never before and never
again will this combination of beachfront
environment and living experiences be
present in such a unique boutique residential
offering… priced from $595,000.” Demand
for holiday homes was strong with the
Christmas/New Year period almost booked
out with waterfront houses commanding up
to $6000 a week.
The mag produced
a special feature on
Newport to coincide
with its Festival
(the former Market
Day). “Despite recent
difficult times the
business people of
Newport have rallied
to revive the village”.
Pittwater Council had
“declined an invitation
to join a trust being
formed by Warringah
for the restoration
of the Narrabeen
Lagoon… as a result
Warringah is pushing
ahead to become the sole
Trust manager… Pittwater’s
decision has given rise to
fears among some in the
community that Warringah…
could impose charges on
people using the lagoon.”
Meanwhile in his first
interview with Pittwater Life
“the somewhat reluctant new
Mayor” David James said “…
he did not want the job but
let his name go forward after
Alex McTaggart announced
his resignation.” James said
the environment was a major
concern “ensuring that there
is no overdevelopment at a
34 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

5 Years Ago…
time
when pressures
for growth are increasing.”
Interestingly “one of his pet
projects is the restoration of
Narrabeen Lagoon, a project
he has been involved with
for 30 years.” Member for
Mackellar Bronwyn Bishop
wrote about the “national
importance of Currawong”
and how she and State MP
Rob Stokes were supporting
Council’s application with
the Federal Government for
listing Currawong on the
National Heritage List.
The newly sworn-in Northern Beaches Council “… is already shining the spotlight
on the former Pittwater region as it looks to create harmony across its 30-kilometre
patch from Palm Beach to Manly. And better community consultation sits atop the
councillors’ mutual to-do list. Pittwater ward councillor Alex McTaggart said his
approach would be to “not hit the ground running but hit the ground listening”
while Your Northern Beaches Independent (YNBI) team head Michael Regan wants
direct community consultation to trigger and drive important projects like the
shelved Mona Vale Place Plan.“We want transparency and accountability at a level
we have not seen before in the former Pittwater area,” said Mr Regan. Iconic local
institution The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club celebrated its sesquicentenary and
we featured motor vehicle industry icon Bill Buckle, who was celebrating 40 years
as a member, in our Life Stories section; Drones were being used “… as an eye
in the sky security guard patrolling Newport’s western waterfront”; and the State
Government announced it would provide $1 million to support Northern Beaches
Council with the refurbishment of the iconic cottages at Currawong. Federal
Member for Mackellar Jason Falinski
told readers about the new initiatives
the Liberal Government was putting
into place to protect our native flora
and fauna, including the Threatened
Species Strategy launched in 2015.
“In Mackellar we have 26 threatened
species, which include birds, turtles,
sharks and whales that pass through
our water and land as part of their
migration. Six of these species are
specifically targeted in the Threatened
Species Strategy: the Caley’s Grevillea,
Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot,
Eastern Curlew, Australasian Bittern,
and Magenta Lilly Pilly. More than $1
million has gone towards supporting
threatened species in Mackellar through
the Green Army Program. The only
place on earth you can see the
Caley’s grevillea is an 8km2 area
around Terrey Hills, which includes
the Baha’i Temple grounds. We are
working on a program that will
introduce the Caley’s grevillea
into nurseries so the community
can help protect them against
extinction.”
The Way We Were
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 35

Pittwater News
Beaches domestic
Violence fundraiser
Tickets are on sale for the
Northern Beaches Annual
Fundraiser breakfast at
Manly Leagues Club on Friday
November 18, which will
help raise awareness on the
increase in family domestic
violence on the Northern
Beaches following years of
COVID-forced lockdown. Guest
speakers will be Minister for
Families and Communities
& Minister for Disability
Services Natasha McLaren
Jones and Police Commander
of the Northern Beaches
Superintendent Pat Sharkey.
There will also be a Q&A
session with a panel from
Lifeline Northern Beaches, The
Salvation Army, Relationships
Australia and the Northern
Beaches Women Shelter.
Tickets $50 on Humanitix.
com; more info Wendy
Finianos (0422 877 866).
Local wildlife
in focus
The Avalon Centenary
Committee is hosting
an interesting free event
featuring presentations on
local wildlife by three experts
on Sunday October 16.
Acclaimed Sydney
naturalist John Dengate will
cover the fascinating range of
wild animals that inhabit the
upper peninsula’s reserves,
parks and backyards. John
says he wants to know what
readers’ experiences have
been and is keen to answer
questions about possums,
bandicoots, cockatoos and all
sorts of other animals like
foxes that may have been seen
or heard roaming the Avalon
area, particularly after sunset.
Noted wildlife photographer
Andrew Gregory will show
some of his stunning work,
including capturing our
spectacular owls (pictured)
that stalk the night.
Also, a representative from
WIRES will discuss what to
do when an injured animal is
found, what first aid can be
provided, who to call and how
best to handle the animal –
and importantly, how best to
drive to avoid accidents with
our wildlife.
Meanwhile, the ninth
annual Aussie Bird Count
will run from October 17-
23; register and details at
aussiebirdcount.org.au.
*Venue is Avalon Beach
RSL at 11am on Sunday 16
October; more info Roger
Treagus (0423) 262 313.
Chamber Music’s
Manly ‘Revival’
After being affected by two
years of COVID, The Sydney
Chamber Music Festival
returns to Manly Art Gallery
& Museum with three shows
on Saturday 15 and Sunday
PHOTO: Andrew Gregory
16 October. This boutiquestyle
festival was founded
in 2008 by a small group of
passionate music lovers and
is the brainchild of renowned
Australian-Swiss solo flautist
and teacher Bridget Bolliger.
The festival offers audiences
News
Colourful start to cricket season
The kids at Sacred Heart Mona Vale had great fun at
their recent Play Cricket Month launch, learning tips
and tricks from Australian cricket stars Nathan Lyon and
Ashleigh Gardner.
Heading into the new season, the colourful and
creative Woolworths Cricket Blast session was aimed at
encouraging the local community to be active through
their local cricket program.
Test star Lyon said: “When I started it was Kanga
cricket… and now it’s Woolworths Cricket Blast. I think
this is where your journey starts, this is where you learn
your basic skills.
“But more importantly this is where you make some
friends for life – that’s the biggest thing about it.
“Cricket is a sport for all and doesn’t matter how you go
about, it’s about coming out here and having some fun.”
*Join a local team: visit peninsulajunior.nsw.cricket.
com.au
36 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

the opportunity to hear
some of the best Australianbased
musicians playing
fine classical music in a
unique setting. Tickets
$15 - $65; bookings
sydneychambermusicfestival.
org.au
Free wattles &
bottle brushes
Up to 6,000 native trees
are on offer to residents
this month, part of the
latest round of the NSW
Government’s ‘Tree
Giveaway’. This month’s
giveaway focuses on
providing a range of native
trees, including Fringed
Wattles, Lilly Pillies and
Bottle Brushes. (With the
hope to secure some more
varieties later in Spring.)
Minister for Planning and
Minister for Homes Anthony
Roberts said it was great to
see the program continuing
in partnership with Bunnings
Warehouse. “This latest round
Continued on page 38
RMYC’s new sailing series
As sailing returns, the Royal Motor Yacht Club has
launched a brand-new yacht racing series to celebrate
the coming summer.
The Broken Bay Island Series is a three-race event
centred around RMYC’s long-running Three Islands race; it
includes two more events that will incorporate at least two
island turns and be sailed on a Saturday.
The BBIS will provide typical club racing yachts a full
series that’s not too demanding on free time while delivering
the fun of racing in a sizeable fleet with spinnakers.
The attraction of the annual RMYC Three Island race
has always been the navigational challenge of tides and
shallows, quite apart from variable winds and some semiopen
water.
Race Coordinator Steve Lucas says the BBIS is reaching out
to include boats and club teams from anywhere from the
Central Coast, Sydney Harbour and south to Port Hacking.
“We really want more clubs to get involved and berthing
is available for visiting competitors at our top-class marina
in Newport,” he said.
*More info 9998 5505 or email jaz@royalmotor.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 37

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 37
will give us a final push
towards achieving our goal
of planting one million trees
in Greater Sydney by the end
of the year. We are closing in
on that target with 922,814
already planted.” For more
info and to claim your free
tree, visit dpie.nsw.gov.au/
free-tree
Hunt is on for
Pittwater ‘Teal’
Buoyed by the success of
the ‘Teal’ independents in
the 2022 Federal election,
including the election
of Dr Sophie Scamps in
Mackellar, a new local
group – ‘Independent
Pittwater’ – is calling for
expressions of interest
from community members
looking to run in the State
Election in March next year.
“The Pittwater ‘Teal’ wave is
rising,” said spokesperson
Rebecca Clarke. “We only
have a narrow window of
opportunity to find our
candidate and campaign,
so we’re asking for people
to help us spread the word.
Perhaps there is someone
who was inspired by the
success of Dr Sophie Scamps
and the other ‘Teals’ who
wants to stand for our unique
Pittwater community.”
Rebecca said the group was
looking for someone who
cares deeply about people and
the local environment. “We’d
love to hear from anyone
interested asap. We’re ready
to get started.” More info
independentpittwater.com.au
October Probus
Club news
Throughout October, Probus
Clubs all over the country
will be celebrating Probus
Day. Local Probus Clubs
provide retirees and semiretirees
with the opportunity
to make new friends, enjoy
outings, participate in a
wide range of activities and
listen to interesting guest
Continued on page 40
A howling good time
Australian Country Music stars, The Wolfe Brothers,
head to Pittwater RSL on Saturday October 29 with
their ‘Startin’ Something Tour’.
Dynamic performers, The Wolfe Brothers rose to
prominence after placing second in Season Six of Australia’s
Got Talent and have carved out a stellar career since,
winning various awards including Country Music Awards of
Australia, ARIA Music Awards, and APRA Awards.
*Tickets $37.50 pp via pittwaterrsl.com.au/special-events
38 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 38
speakers. Ross Clements
is the speaker at the next
meeting of Pittwater Men’s
Probus at Mona Vale Surf
Club on Tuesday October
11. Ross will talk about the
Large Hadron Collider, the
biggest and most powerful
particle accelerator in the
world located at the European
particle physics laboratory
in Cern, Switzerland.
Meeting starts 10am; visitors
welcome. More info call Terry
(0412 220 820). The next
meeting of Palm Beach and
Peninsula Probus Club will
be on Wednesday, October
19 at Club Palm Beach
(9.45am start). Former teacher
Jennifer Hubbard will deliver
a talk about ‘The Writer as a
Spy’ bringing to mind authors
such as John Le Carré and
Ian Fleming as well as earlier
writers, Somerset Maugham
and Rudyard Kipling. Visitors
welcome; more info call
Carmel (0414 978 465). The
speaker at the next Newport
Probus meeting will be
local Club President David
Newton-Ross who will cover
the subject of ‘Living in the
USA – Las Vegas, Hotels, Stars
and Cars’. The meeting will
be held at Newport Bowling
Club on Thursday October 6,
commencing at 10am. Visitors
welcome; more info contact
David (0418 298 572). The next
meeting of fledgling Bilgola
Plateau Probus Club will be
held at Newport Bowling Club
on Friday October 7. Guest
speaker is best-selling author,
historian, satirist, television
presenter and podcaster
David Hunt. Davis has written
three ‘unauthorised’ histories
of Australia: ‘Girt’, ‘True
Girt’ and ‘Girt Republic’.
These are the Australian
histories you never learned
at school – sardonic, funny,
and full of strange but true
facts. More info on joining
and attendance, contact
Club President Patricia (0438
281 573). The Combined
Probus Club of Mona Vale
Continued on page 42
Studio
bags
award
Congratulations to
Laing+Simmons
Young Property,
with co-principal
Amy Young recently
collecting the
John Greig OAM
Community Service
Award at the 2022
REINSW Awards for
Excellence on behalf
of their initiative The
Studio at Careel Bay.
Judges noted that
last financial year
The Studio donated
more than $15,000 to local charities and contributed
around $25,000 to hosting the exhibitions, with more than
1,000 visitors.
Commented Robbi Newman, co-founder of Living Ocean:
“The use of The Studio is a brilliant idea and it enables a
charity, whoever you are, to get in touch with the artist and
the people who are in the community.”
*This month’s exhibition details – Page 44
40 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Musical Festival is back in beat
Get ready to sing your heads off and dance up a storm
when the Northern Beaches Music Festival returns to
Narrabeen in November after a COVID-enforced layoff.
Enjoy a variety of music genres across five stages
(including four ticket-only sites and one free to the general
public) at the Tramshed and adjoining Berry Reserve on
November 5-6.
Executive Producer Paul Robertson said the Festival
Village will also feature world cuisine and merchandise
stalls.
Among the 50 acts will be bands including the up-tempo
Anglophiles and Traditional Graffiti; cool groove from
Dead Mellow; as well as raucous punk/folk juggernaut The
Bottlers (pictured) and the awesome retro ’70s cabaret of
The Trippy Hippy Band.
Other acts include Australian legendary troubadour Pat
Drummond and US touring artist George Mann.
The Northern Beaches Music Festival is a not-for-profit,
community-based event operating since 2011. It’s being
supported by Northern Beaches Council, Mona Vale Music,
FFWOIN Multimedia Productions and The Northern Beaches
Music Alliance.
* More info and full schedule visit northernbeachesmusicfestival.org
Continued from page 40
will hold its next meeting
on Tuesday 18 October 2022
at the Pittwater RSL Club
(from 10:00 am). Guest
speakers Jim Carmichael
and Saskia Saitzieff (Avalon
Computer Pals for Seniors –
AVPALS) will show members
how to spot scams, dodge
the dangers and protect
personal information. They
also run training courses
to help seniors learn and
improve their computer and
technology skills. Visitors
Welcome – call 1300 630
488 to find out more about
Probus.
Local Grants list
From the Pittwater Ocean
Swim Series, to Carols by
the (Narrabeen) Lake, to
the Scotland Island Spring
Garden Festival, to a Scottish
Festival of Tartan and a
Late Nights Music Festival,
Council’s Event Grants and
Sponsorship Program has
announced its successful
2022/2023 first round
funding recipients. The
highly diverse list covers the
cultural spectrum, with each
event chosen for its effort to
enrich life on the Northern
Beaches. Of the 23 groups
that were awarded, a total
of $52,500 in funding and
up to $15,000 in fee waivers
has been allocated to make it
easier for groups to achieve
their goals. Council’s Event
42 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Grants and Sponsorship
Program supports businesses
and community groups events
on the Northern Beaches.
The full list of this year’s
recipients is on Council’s
website.
RSPCA Rescue Run
The RSPCA needs your
help this month – enter
their ‘Rescue Run’ to help
raise money to fund their
Inspectors who detect and
stop animal cruelty. Every
year, RSPCA NSW rescues
thousands of animals from
cruelty and neglect. Across
the country the organisation
attempts to respond to
nearly 60,000 cruelty
complaints each year. Their
field inspectors work hard
to rescue as many animals
as they can. You can do your
bit this month by signing
up to run, walk or roll 56km
between October 18 and
13. They’re hoping to raise
more than the $150,000
donated last year. More info
rspcarescuerun.org.au
Stony Range
Festival returns
The Stony Range Regional
Botanic Garden – an oasis
of Australian native plants
located at Dee Why – is
holding its Spring Festival on
Sunday 9 October from 9am-
3pm.
The Festival will include
a sale of native plants, plus
you can take advantage of
cultivation advice from their
experts on site.
There will be fun for all,
including kids, with live
music, native bees, guided
walks, face painting, a
treasure hunt, a sausage
sizzle, coffee and home-made
cakes.
This year is Stony Range’s
61st anniversary – the
annual festival has been
cancelled over the past two
years due to COVID and then
storm damage, so help them
celebrate this year!
*More info stonyrange@
gmail.com
AGM for Avalon
Preservation Society
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps will be guest speaker
at the 2022 Annual General
Meeting of the Avalon
Preservation Association.
The event will commence
at 7pm on Monday October
31 in the Annexe in Dunbar
Park, Avalon Beach with Dr
Scamp’s address, followed
by the AGM. Dr Scamps will
speak about her journey
from co-founding the Our
Blue Dot environmental
movement, to co-founding
Voices of Mackellar, a
nonpartisan community
group established to engage
residents in the democratic
process, to standing for the
Federal seat of Mackellar as
an independent, as well as her
work to date in parliament.
Meeting info Craig Boaden
(0417 676 476).
Organic waste
out of landfill
Food and garden waste from
an additional two million
households will be kept out
of landfill through a new
$46 million grants program
for councils. Minister for
Environment James Griffin
said the new food organics
and garden organics (FOGO)
collection service will
revolutionise household
waste services and help NSW
reach its target of net-zero
emissions from organic
waste in landfill by 2030.
“Almost half of the waste in
red lid bins in NSW is food
and garden waste that can
be diverted from landfill
and turned into a valuable
resource,” Mr Griffin said.
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
am often asked why we
I vaccinate dogs every year.
Vaccination is an essential part
of creating ‘herd immunity’
whereby the larger animal
population is protected
because the prevalence of many
life-threatening, contagious
diseases is substantially
reduced due to greater
immunity in the population of
pets.
Annual vaccination also
allows a complete physical
examination to be conducted
which can help identify health
problems much earlier, allowing
more rapid resolution. This is
particularly important because
our pets can’t tell us they feel
unwell, and signs of disease can
be very subtle.
At Sydney Animal Hospitals
our core vaccination against
Parvovirus, Distemper and
Hepatitis in dogs is extremely
safe and now lasts for three
years. For unvaccinated dogs
Parvovirus is still very common,
especially in younger dogs,
and can cause life-threatening
viral gastroenteritis and bone
marrow suppression. Distemper
causes viral meningitis and is
rapidly fatal in the majority
of dogs. Thankfully, due to
vaccination and herd immunity,
this disease is rare in Australia.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis is a
worldwide, contagious disease
of dogs. Signs vary from a slight
fever to severe depression,
marked bone marrow
suppression, liver disease and
blood clotting disorders.
In addition to our core threeyearly
vaccination protocol we
also recommend vaccination
against canine cough every
year. The vaccination against
canine cough is an oral vaccine
plus an injection, which safely
provide high levels of immunity
where it is needed – in the
respiratory tract (i.e. nose,
mouth and throat). Canine
cough is common, especially
where dogs congregate e.g. dog
parks. It causes a dry, hacking
cough that can progress to
pneumonia in severely affected,
unvaccinated dogs.
More info Avalon (9918
0833) or Newport (9997 4609).
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 43

Art Life
Art Life
Society’s Spring
show & sale
Focusing on Spring as a time of renewal,
members of the Northern Beaches Art
Society are staging their new-season
Art Exhibition and Sale at The Tramshed at
Narrabeen from Friday October 14 through
Sunday October 16.
President Heather Macorison said the
exhibition would feature a vast array
of works – all for sale – in a variety of
mediums and styles in oils, watercolours,
acrylics, and pastels as well as drawings,
covering a plethora of subjects.
“Spring is the time of renewal and
this would be the perfect opportunity
to purchase a New and original piece of
artwork for your wall; also with Christmas
approaching art makes a wonderful gift,”
said Heather.
“As usual there will be raffle tickets
for sale, so visitors could win a beautiful
watercolour painting by Lyn Matthews –
and all proceeds from this raffle, drawn at
the end of the exhibition, will go to
the Ukraine Crisis Appeal.”
There will also be a ‘People’s
Choice’ winner.
Entry is free; starts 3pm on
Friday 14 October, with the
official opening (drinks served)
from 5-7pm. Weekend hours
are 9am-5pm with closing
drinks served from 3pm on
Sunday.
Purchasers of artworks can
collect their pieces after 5pm
on Sunday. – Nigel Wall
*More information
northernbeachesartsociety.
org
Embellished
by design
The Studio at Careel Bay will feature
the unique creations of local
artist, mother of three and former
advertising creative Gabby Moses in
October.
The collection – ‘Logos Embellished’
– is the result of several
pivots, as well as a helping hand of
local inspiration.
“I have worked in advertising, pivoted
to work in clothing production
for a fashion company, and then put
it all aside to raise three beautiful
children,” Gabby explains.
“But more recently, with more free
time, I have realised the importance
of working congruently with your
dreams rather than only helping
others achieve theirs. What has transpired
is a focus on art to connect,
collaborate and produce pieces that
are heartfelt and made with love.
“Being part of the Avalon community
supports this outlook as it’s
an inspiring place, nestled in with nature
among plenty of artistic souls.
“Logos Embellished is a niche
concept encompassing hand-drawn
logos or emblems that are heavily
embellished. These are highly
detailed works, in line with a customer’s
brief, that can be used for
any outcome they desire, be it for
business or personal use. The work
is digitised for filing as a keepsake.”
A percentage of sales from the
Logos Embellished collection will be
donated to play therapy organisation,
the Be Centre.
She will also be showing a collection
of coloured pencil drawings,
A Compilation of Thoughts, which
express her “inner world”.
The Studio by Laing+Simmons
Young Property is located in Careel
Bay Marina at 94 George Street, Avalon;
the exhibition launches October
6 and runs all month.
44 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

‘Exodus’ a winning entry
Congratulations to Avalon Artist Linda Hume, who was announced
as a co-winner in the People’s Choice section of the
Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize.
Linda’s statement for her work – ‘Exodus – Lismore, March
2022’ (pictured) – describes it as the story of the human toll of
climate change, and of the impact of natural disasters caused by
increasing global warming.
“The scene, the colours, and the light, all evoke the weight of
loss and anxiety of a nation fleeing from safety, reminiscent of
the exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and their
passage through the Red Sea,” she said.
“The work is a plea for Australians to acknowledge the reality
of global warming and the need to change our carbon emissions
and way of life.”
Linda won a cash prize of $1000; the work is on show at the
Mona Vale Pop Up Gallery, a space located within the Mona
Vale Civic Centre, with entry from Park Street via the Mona Vale
Library and Customer Service doors.
Jan captures
outback journey
Pittwater abstract artist Jan
Cristaudo says her new solo
exhibition ‘By The Way’ will
lead viewers on a reflective
journey through the Australian
outback and leave them with a
sense of wonder at the amazing
out-of-the-way places she
has captured.
Jan say the use of colour is
her preferred method of expression
and she has a distinctive
style using oils on canvas
to interpret the subjects that
inspire her.
“As an abstract artist I immerse
myself in the environment
to capture that sense of
place,” Jan said.
“My work comes from the
connection I have to a landscape,
using all my senses to
express the emotion and feel
of a place and then translate
that into my artwork.
“Abstract art is more than
just putting down paint and
moving it around a canvas –
The Local Voice Since 1991
you have to start from a story,
a place, image or feeling. To
know your medium, colours
and brushwork and be able to
build your painting up from a
foundation that can capture
all of that.
“This is what I love about
abstract art: It’s the layers that
you build upon, the colours
you use and the strokes that
create the emotions to form
good art.”
Jan, whose paintings are
held by individual and corporate
clients, says the locations
she chose in her ‘By The Way’
journey revealed stunning
colours and a vastness “that
all play on the senses”. – NW
*The exhibition is at The
Incinerator Art Space, Willoughby,
from 26 October –
13 November. Open Wednesday
– Sunday, 10am - 4pm;
Jan will give an Artists Talk
on Wednesday 2 November
from 11am.
OCTOBER 2022 45
Art Life

Hot Property
Crown jewel commercial
offering hits the market
Hot Property
PRIME POSITION: The Gateway building on the corner of Mona Vale Rd and Pittwater Rd.
One of Pittwater’s
foremost families is
offloading a substantial
multi-million-dollar commercial
holding in one of the
area’s signature buildings –
the Gateway at Mona Vale.
The Gateway, a mixed-use
professional, retail commercial
building over four levels
on the corner of Mona Vale
Road and Pittwater Road, was
developed by the well-known
Johnson clan some 15 years
ago.
Now Hardy’s 1 agent Robert
Henderson – whose link to
the property dates to when
he was given the brief to
handle the marketing for The
Gateway when it was a just
greenfield site – has been appointed
to sell the retail space
which Johnson Bros Investments
(Avalon) has retained
since 2009.
Featuring key tenants
including Gateway Medical
Centre and electrical retailer
Bing Lee, Lot 30 The Gateway
comprises Level 1 and Level
2, plus 84 car spaces over two
basement levels.
There are 11 tenancies all
up in the 3279sqm lettable
area currently showing rent
of $1,067,070 plus GST per
annum.
There’s been no shortage of
attention in this major asset
from local and overseas buyers,
with Henderson reporting
interest from no less than 30
parties in just the first two
weeks of the campaign.
Expressions of interest close
at 5pm on Friday October 14.
While the agent remained
tight-lipped on the potential
dollar value, Pittwater Life
notes two offices in the Gateway
building totalling 196sqm
are currently for sale asking
for offers over $1.5 million.
While the Gateway represents
Pittwater’s most
significant commercial real
estate offering for some time,
other properties have also
recently hit the market, including
a building in the Elanora
Heights Village and a rare
mixed shops and apartments
RARE OFFERING: Barrenjoey Rd Palm Beach, on the corner of Iluka Rd.
46 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

HOT SPOT: Opportunities abound
at 55 Kalang Rd, Elanora Heights.
holding on a corner block at
Palm Beach.
Once home to a Chinese
restaurant and a deli, 55
Kalang Road Elanora Heights
sits on a prominent block of
580sqm and is being promoted
by agent Mark Novac for
sale with the opportunity to
refurbish or knock-down and
develop.
Meanwhile on the main
strip at Palm Beach, Savills
in conjunction with Ken
Jacobs Christie’s International
Real Estate is handling
the sale of shops 1, 2 &
4/1105 Barrenjoey Road and
apartments 1 & 3/43 Iluka
Road, with expressions of
interest closing at 2pm on
Thursday October 6.
Available to purchase
individually or in one line,
the properties are described
as being in a “desirable and
strategic location” with “a possibility
for an amalgamated
acquisition and potential for
future DA (STCA).”
The agents say: “Considering
the scarcity of land on the
Northern Beaches we expect
there to be interest from developers,
investors and owner
occupiers.”
Two to watch in Terrey Hills
Plenty of eyes are on two magnificent properties
at Terrey Hills poised to smash the
suburb record.
The listing of a boutique acreage in Larool
Road with a guide of $12.8 million to $14
million was quickly followed by the launch
of a world-class equine estate and resortlike
home at 96 Booralie Road, which has an
Fully fenced and private,
number 1 Larool Road is
set on 7777sqm of manicured
lawns and landscaped
gardens.
The elegant colonial
homestead has five spacious
bedrooms, all with ensuites
and a whole-floor parents’ retreat
that includes a generous
home office.
Living areas on the main
level – including a dedicated
breezy teen retreat and grand
music room – flow out to wide
verandahs.
At the heart of the estate is
an oversized saltwater pool
and a separate spa.
Marketed as “an
equestrian paradise”,
the Booralie Road estate is
set on 1.89ha, boasts topclass
facilities including four
custom-built stables and
yards, a feed room and a
64m x 24m floodlit dressage
‘Geotech’ surface arena with
jumps and backs onto Kuring-gai
Chase National Park
with direct access to riding
trails.
The private retreat’s
appeal isn’t confined to horse
lovers, as there is a range
of outdoor spaces such as
a heated swimming pool,
tennis court, a croquet lawn,
a giant garden chess board,
meditation garden and a koi
Also on this level is a
temperature-controlled wine
cellar with an adjoining tasting
room.
The property boasts a
championship sized flood-lit
fishpond (with waterfall).
The custom-designed
four-bedroom/fourbathroom
light-filled home
is renovated with quality
materials and high-end
appointments and crafted
$18m-$20m expressions of interest guide.
Positioning Terrey Hills as the “Sydney alternative
to the Southern Highlands”, the sales
of both properties are being handled by coagents
Shayne Hutton (Sydney Country Living)
and Darren Curtis (Christie’s International).
Currently, the suburb high for Terrey Hills is
$12m, set in February this year.
tennis court, a purpose-built
mountain bike track and
a modern warehouse with
triple-height ceilings which
includes a self-contained loft
flat.
for low maintenance family
living.
There’s also a four-car
garage with an adjoining
gymnasium and a separate
fully contained one-bedroom
guest cottage. – Lisa Offord
Hot Property
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 47

Hot Property
Hot Property
Inside tips from a buyers agent
Lower house prices are good news for
those people wanting to buy – and with
fresh property listings popping up and
Spring selling season here, the competition
for quality homes on the northern
beaches is high.
The key to seeking the right property
is having access to off-market properties,
says Marika Martinez from Sydney Northern
Beaches Buyers Agents.
“There are plenty of opportunities and
off-market properties are plentiful at the
moment,” Martinez said.
“Some vendors are unsure of the value
of their property and are a little nervous,
therefore they don’t want to spend a few
thousand dollars advertising… instead
they are opting for a quiet off-market
sale, if the agents have qualified buyers.
“I am on every agent’s database on
the Northern Beaches and have great
relationships with the selling agents, so I
am able to search for and source suitable
properties that may be off market.
“This is a bonus for clients as we have
less competition for the property and
more of an opportunity to negotiate the
best price and terms for the buyer,” she
explained.
ON THE QUIET: Buyers agent Marika Martinez
says buyers need to have every base covered.
Interest rate hikes have impacted
buyers’ borrowing capacity, resulting in affordability
issues for buyers which impacts
property prices and vendor expectations.
Interestingly, Martinez says buyer
demand was increasing because of the
banks’ adjusted lending policy.
“By this I mean that the banks are giving
pre-approvals for 90 days, if the purchaser
cannot secure a property within
those 90 days, they need to re-apply for
the loan,” she explained.
“As the interest rates are climbing, the
next loan application will reduce the borrowing
capacity.
“Therefore, I am finding that buyers are
keen to jump in and secure a property as
soon as possible, therefore increasing the
competition on desirable properties.”
Martinez said there was a higher
demand for properties that didn’t require
renovation as building costs had soared;
also the knock-down/re-build market
demand had decreased substantially.
She added the Northern Beaches
property market often played out a little
differently to the wider Sydney market.
“We have a unique area that is extremely
desirable and has a limited number
of properties with little room for expansion,”
Martinez said.
“Even though the market in the area
did rise to extraordinary levels during the
pandemic and now we have definitely seen
a drop back to price levels similar to early
2021, the Northern Beaches is still a soughtafter
area of Sydney, so I can’t see the property
prices staying low for long, particularly
once the interest rates stabilise.”
– Lisa Offord
48 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hot Property
Hot Property
Rooms with great views
Whale Beach
30 Rayner Rd
4 Beds / 4 Baths / 2 Cars
Soaking in a due north aspect, this opulent four-bedroom home
offers superb functionality and panoramic ocean views of
Whale Beach, Dolphin Bay and the Central Coast.
The spacious residence set across a 850sqm land parcel features
a flexible floor plan highlighted by marble kitchen, dining
and lounge areas with sandstone fireplace. Internal living flows
beautifully to timber decks with incredible views.
Other features: Master with modern ensuite, dressing room/
study; zoned air-con; open-plan modern kitchen, dining and
lounge areas flowing on to a large private balcony; saltwater pool
built into a large timber deck with ocean views.
*Contact the listing agents @ LJ Hooker Avalon Beach:
Peter Robinson (0401 219 077) or Tom Mackay (0429 236 879).
Sublime Palmy rental
Palm Beach
1163 Barrenjoey Road
5 Beds / 3 Baths / 3 Cars
Nestled against the shoreline and basking in 180-degree views
across to Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, this is a home that ticks
every box for family functionality and waterfront lifestyle.
This magnificent home consists of three versatile levels, with
multiple terraces to accommodate large families with ease, while
delivering a private sandy beach merging with pristine Pittwater,
perfect for enjoying beautiful sunsets.
Other features: Lush grassy lawns to the waterfront; inclinator
from street-level parking; full gas-equipped kitchens on first and
third levels, plus a kitchenette on the middle floor; three bedrooms
with terrace access, while all include built-in wardrobes.
*Contact the leasing agents @ LJ Hooker Avalon Beach:
Sian Uther (0439 844 743) or Lauren Fisher (0499 154 655).
‘Golden Triangle’ auction
Newport
31 Palm Rd
5 Beds / 3 Baths / 2 Cars
picture-perfect white weatherboard and sandstone facade is
A the attractive introduction to this ultra-versatile home, which
is currently configured as a three-bedroom residence with a selfcontained
two-bedroom apartment.
The configuration is perfect for dual-living purposes, inter-generational
families, or for rental income. A concealed stairwell inside
the house could easily be opened back up again to integrate
the two levels into a five-bedroom home.
Kitchen with gas cooking and a dishwasher; stunning light-filled
master suite with walk-in wardrobe and shower ensuite; self-contained
apartment; it goes to auction on Saturday October 15.
*Call the listing agents @CunninghamsRE: Jane Gamson
(0419 996 496) or Ben Jones (0424 277 887).
This downsizer has it all
Mona Vale
72 Waratah St
3 Beds / 2.5 Baths / 2 Cars
Inspecting this stylish freestanding townhouse in the exclusive
Woodlands Estate is a must! Nestled in an exclusive, private culde-sac
of just four residences, it is totally free-standing.
This home will suit those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle,
and those looking to downsize close to Mona Vale town centre.
The property features level internal access from the large automatic
double garage – plus an internal lift to the first floor.
It boasts separate lounge and dining rooms on the ground floor
and an open-plan kitchen serviced by gas. Its three very generous
bedrooms all come with large built-in robes.
Scheduled for auction Sunday October 9 (unless sold prior).
*Call the listing agent @ Residential Real Estate Agents:
John Gavagna (0403 823 123).
50 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Prolific author
Di Morrissey, who grew
up on Pittwater’s
foreshore, has always
made a point of
keeping things “real”.
Story by Rosamund Burton
Dinky Di
Life Stories
Pittwater is the setting for Di
Her parents didn’t have much money, fairies.’
Morrissey’s 29th and latest book, and her stepfather ran a water taxi
‘How splendid. I’ll help you,’ she replied
The Night Tide. Usually, she says the service. From the age of seven Di had a and started lifting up the bracken with
place for her next book chooses her, but little wooden dinghy.
her walking stick.”
because COVID-19 has restricted travel “I used to row around all the bays, When invited inside for a glass of milk
she decided on a place significant to her. throw the anchor over and go fishing. I Di was gob smacked to see an entire wall
Di was five years old when her mother remember catching a very big flounder of books.
told her that they were moving to “a once.”
“I only get a book at Christmas and for
really special place, which we get to by One summer she overheard her
my birthday,” she told the famous poet,
boat”.
parents talking about clearing the land “so I make up my own stories.”
“I was fully prepared for a May Gibbs around the house due to the threat of “When you grow up you should write
life, which it was. There were possums bushfires, and her stepfather saying that them in a book for other people to read,”
and wallabies.” Her mother, Kay, and Dorothea Mackellar didn’t want anyone Dorothea Mackellar said.
stepfather, Bill Roberts, had a fibro shack to cut the bracken around her house. Also, living in Lovett Bay was the
in Lovett Bay.
When she asked who they were talking actor Chips Rafferty, who taught Di rude
“There was no electricity, so we had about her mother told that there was an limericks.
kerosene lanterns, the radio ran off the old lady, who could be a witch down the “When I recited one to my mother she
car battery, Mum had a wood-burning bottom of the bay, and that Di was not to nearly fainted, and told me not repeat
stove and a primus, and the fridge ran on go down there.
anything Chips taught me, unless it
kerosene,” Di recounts.
“That was a red rag to a bull. I did was a poem printed in a book.” He also
I am talking to this great Australian go down. The house looked deserted regaled her with stories of his life as a
author at the Langham Hotel in the and the bracken was high. I was nosing stockman and spinning yarns around
Sydney CBD. She is 76, immaculately around and she came out. ‘What do you campfires at night. “So whatever you do,
turned out, exuding energy, enthusiasm think you’re doing?’ she said imperiously. make sure it’s Australian,” he told young
and looking years younger.
Quick as a flash I said, ‘I’m looking for Di.
56 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Another resident of Lovett Bay, Mary
Stackhouse, lent her books guiding
her reading, as Di used to deliver the
Stackhouses’ newspaper and mail every
afternoon, when she took the ferry back
from Church Point after school.
But this idyllic existence ended just
before Di’s tenth birthday. Her 18-monthold
half-brother, Michael, fell off her
stepfather’s boat. Bill dived in to save
him, and both father and son drowned.
Di’s biological father had left soon
after she was born, her mother never
spoke of him, and Bill Roberts was
the only father she had known. She
remembers her mother’s pain and
anguish, as she had no money and
didn’t know what to do. Chips Rafferty
organised a fundraiser for them, and
that enabled them to travel by ship
to San Francisco to Kay’s sister. They
were there about 14 months and Kay
trained in film and television, and went
on to have a very successful career as a
director back in Australia.
“Mum got a war service loan and
bought a little fibro house in Golf
Avenue, Mona Vale. But emotionally she
was very damaged,” Di said. “She had
no social life. At weekends we cleaned,
did the gardening and read books, and I
would be hanging out to go to the beach
with my girlfriends. But Mum was a great
role model. I believed I could do whatever
I wanted.”
After school Di got a job as a copy
girl on Australian Women’s Weekly then
gained a journalist cadetship. As soon as
she graduated she moved to London. She
married Peter Morrissey, an American
diplomat, and remembers at her wedding
Chips saying: “What have I always told
you?”
“Make it Australian,” she murmured
from under her veil.
“Don’t get conned by all of them over
there,” he said, “It’s not what it always
looks. Come back to the real place.”
Through the 1970s Peter and Di
Morrissey lived in Washington, Thailand,
Japan, Indonesia and Guyana and had
two children, Gabrielle and Nicolas. Di
continued writing for magazines and
newspapers and worked in radio.
But Chips and Dorothea Mackellar’s
words had never left her; she felt she
had to return to Australia and follow her
dream of being a writer. The children
stayed at the embassy school with their
father, and Di and the kids “to-ed and
fro-ed during the year between Avalon
and Djakarta”.
Australia’s first breakfast television
program – Good Morning Australia – was
launching, and she was taken on as one
Continued on page 58
PHOTO: Rosamund Burton
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Di and partner Boris at Government House when Di was presented with her AM
Medal; with stepfather Bill aged 7; on the set of Good Morning Australia in the early 1980s; with Gabrielle;
plenty of flowers while working; on the wharf at Lovett Bay; living offshore, aged 10; Di the young reporter.
Life Stories
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 57

Life Stories
Continued from page 57
of the presenters. But her long hours
and 3am starts left no time for writing,
so after eight years on the program she
quit.
“I decided that if I didn’t have a bash
I would never know if I could write a
book.”
Anita Jacoby [whose Life Story was in
the July 2022 issue of Pittwater Life] and
Di became friends while both working
on Good Morning Australia, and Di
rented Anita’s family holiday house in
Avalon. And, having trouble adapting
from working full-time, she was taken
under the wing of the Hermans, who
invited her to come and write every day
in the studio of their sandstone home
on Chisholm Avenue. “I arrived every
morning at 9 o’clock and sat in the
studio, with Sali and Ted painting and
me writing.”
Her first book, Heart of the Dreaming,
inspired by a reporting trip she’d made
to Longreach with RM Williams, was
published in 1991, and a bestseller. Since
then she has written a book every year,
including four set around Broome in WA,
except when her mother died. Last year
plans went awry because of COVID-19
plus she had a melanoma removed from
her cheek. It is hard to believe that half
her face was cut, as there is no sign of a
scar, and her skin looks perfect.
The Night Tide captures the magic
of Pittwater and also its strong close
community. It is as if memories from Di’s
early life have woven themselves into the
story. The main thread of the novel is
the mysterious disappearance of a loving
husband and father 25 years earlier, and
the pain of that loss which has affected
his family.
I imagine the free-spirited 15-year-old,
Cee-Cee, is probably not dissimilar to Di
in her youth, but she says: “If I’m anyone
I’m Dominic, sitting there wanting to
write.” (Dominic Cochrane is the main
character, who has just left a 20-year
political staffer career, and has moved
into a friend’s converted boatshed to
write a book.)
The Night Tide has place names such
as Welsh Island, The Point and Crouching
Island. “It’s a bit of fun for them what
know it,” Di says, “and the old stories are
thinly disguised.” There’s an old man
called Snowy who lives in a shack in the
bush, who existed in Di’s youth, and
Chips Rafferty and Dorothea Mackellar
are also thinly disguised characters.
Having established her own disciplined
routine with the help of the Hermans, in
the early 1990s Di moved to Byron Bay.
She rented a wooden shack on five acres
within walking distance of town, where
she stayed for nine years and wrote nine
books. Then she re-met Boris Janjic, a
cinematographer who worked with her
mum Kay, and they have been together
for more than 20 years.
The couple left Byron Bay after Kay
died, and moved to Wingham on the
Manning River, where Di was born.
Not only does Di write and research
a 130,000-plus page novel every year,
she is also passionate about raising
awareness of important local issues,
including inappropriate housing
development. So since 2015 she has
single-handedly written and published
a monthly community newspaper, The
Manning Community News.
In 2011 she established a school
in Myanmar, which she continues to
support, and she is also passionate
environmentalist. With book sales
of over three million, 28 bestsellers
and five children’s books, in 2019 she
was made a Member of the Order of
Australia (AM) in recognition of her
“significant service to literature as a
novelist, and to conservation and the
environment”.
Di admits that reflecting on her
childhood in Pittwater while writing The
Night Tide “was a difficult sentimental
journey”. But it is poignant that she has,
after so long, revisited the place and the
people, who inspired her to become the
incredibly successfully Australian author
she is.
*The Night Tide by Di Morrissey is
published by Pan MacMillan; RRP
$39.99 (hardback).
58 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Surfing Life
with Nick Carroll
Steph Gilmore’s masterclass:
How to turn a surf around!
The lesson for all is ‘find a good wave and do what you know how to do’
Surfing Life
Around 12 minutes into
her first heat in the WSL
Finals round at Lower
Trestles in mid-September,
seven-time world champ Steph
Gilmore knew it was all going
pear-shaped.
Her feisty opponent Brisa
Hennessy – ranked fourth in
the world, but really, not quite
in Steph’s league – had two
pretty good waves and was
holding priority for the next
one. Steph had two duds and
seemingly nowhere to go.
Steph was a crazy long shot
to win these Finals. The format
was completely stacked against
her. She was coming in fifth
seed of five; to win, she’d have
to beat the other four backto-back,
one after another,
finishing with the defending
world champ, the superb
Hawaiian Carissa Moore. And
at that moment it looked as if
she was about to do what she’d
done in 2021, and lose straight
away, first heat.
“I’d paddled out against
Brisa with such clear
intentions of what to do,” she
said later, after the whole
crazy day was over. “And
then I was just overwhelmed
with the nerves and the
excitement, and I started
making bad decisions, and
I was like, Oh my goodness,
FINE LINE: Between losing control and being in control of your emotions... but Steph Gilmore held it together.
I can’t believe I’m doing this
again.”
Then something clicked.
Or the way Steph put it: “I
just thought, No. It’s not going
to happen this way. Make a
change. Change something.”
It’s fascinating. The heat
is still viewable online. If you
watch it, you will actually
see this change occur. One
moment Steph is half-blowing
a badly chosen ride, paddling
out and looking totally rattled.
The next, she kind of sits up
and looks around, and shifts
her attention to another wave –
a bit smaller but better-shaped.
And she just kind of explodes
– tears the wave to shreds.
Brisa, on the ride behind
her, falters slightly on
paddling out and gives Steph
priority for the last ride of the
heat, and boom.
For Steph, the adrenalin of
the near-miss proved critical.
She’d been given the shock
treatment even the best
athletes need from time to
PHOTO: WSL
60 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

NICK’S OCTOBER SURF FORECAST
You know what? I have absolutely no evidential basis for this, but I
do not think the third encounter we’re about to have with La Niña
is going to be anywhere near as crazy as the first two. 2020 and
2021 were both marked by regular and highly dramatic big surf
events, both in the Sydney region and up north. As the second La
Niña carried into 2022, it led to the devastating floods in Lismore
and throughout the northern rivers’ catchments, accompanied
by consistent bombing swells from the same wind bands that
brought the rain. We have months to run with this third pulse, so
things might still develop, but right now October looks about as
normal a spring month as we’ve had in the past three years. Wind
changes, water temp fluctuations, early season bluebottles, minor
seaweed dumps, and small to moderate bursts of localised swell
from various directions. Maybe a bomb or two from a close range
southerly, but it probably won’t be pretty. Go get ’em anyway!
Nick Carroll
time, and it turned the day
around. History will record
her eighth world title, with
five heat wins in six hours, as
one of professional surfing’s
greatest performances –
something that until she did it,
was thought even by Steph to
be basically impossible.
Yet to her, it felt as if it
suddenly became easy. “The
competitive beast inside of
me just kind of switched on. It
just was so clear that I never
questioned any other decision
for the rest of that day. I was
like, Yep. Too easy. Let’s do it.
No problem. Next heat, next
heat, next heat.”
So – sporting immortality
for Steph! But is there maybe
something in this for us?
All she really did here was
do what almost all of us have
tried to do from time to time,
perhaps some more than
others: she turned a surf
around.
Let’s face it, we’ve all had
that feeling of a surf going a
bit sideways. Maybe you get
into a cycle of catching bad
waves, the way Steph was
here. Maybe you lose touch
with what you know you can
do; this also happened to
Steph during that first nasty
12 minutes. As she put it: “It
was finding that self-belief
again. I had to come back to
technique – in trusting that I
knew a good wave when I saw
it, and in the foundation of my
surfing. Then I could make it
work.”
For sure we don’t have the
eviscerating pressure of a
world title hovering in the
background. But there might
be a lesson from Steph for us
there too. Listen to her, on this
trickiness: “At the same time,
as you’re surfing the heat,
you have to visualise being
crowned the world champion
and holding up the trophy.
Not just visualise it, but feel it.
“It’s a fine line. I’m sitting
out there thinking, OK, I’ll try
and visualise being a world
champ, but at the same time,
I really have to be present. I
have to focus on what I have
to do. Being crowned would
be nice, but I’m just gonna let
go of that, and do what I need
to do right now: Get another
good score, find another great
wave.”
We’re not being scored
by anyone either, thank
goodness, except maybe by
ourselves. But really, you want
to turn a bad surf around? You
could do worse than take a tip
or two from Ms Gilmore here.
It’s only hard till it isn’t. Find a
good wave, do what you know
how to do. And the world will
light up, champ or not.
Surfing Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 61

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Ground-breaking trial hub
Northern beaches residents journey,” he said.
ensure the local community the role of Anticoagulation, Vitamin
C and Statins in COVID-19
now have local access
Fight on the Beaches Co- had access to the best quality
to world-class clinical trials
and treatment options only
previously available at major
research institutes.
On the eve of Northern
Beaches Hospital’s fourth
anniversary Chief Medical Officer,
Associate Professor Peter
Thomas said the hospital was
quickly becoming an academic
research and clinical trial centre
with 80 studies or trials underway
or completed and more
than 20 in planning.
The hospital recently established
the Northern Beaches
Oncology Clinical Trials Unit
and has been chosen to participate
in the AdvanTIG-205 Study
– the first large pharmaceutical
trial to be conducted at NBH, A/
Prof Thomas said.
The unit has also appointed
two Clinical Trials Coordinators
thanks to community funding
raised by Fight on the Beaches
and Northern Beaches Community
Cancer Charity (NBCCC).
“We are honoured to receive
the funding from Fight on the
Beaches and NBCCC to allow us
to appoint these highly skilled
trials coordinators,” A/Prof
Thomas said.
“The coordinators will be
pivotal at every
stage of research
from study startup
activities and
management, to
providing care and
coordination of trial
Chairperson Michelle Heaton-
Armstrong said the funding
would help Northern Beaches
residents diagnosed with cancer
access the latest trials close to
home.
“It’s exciting to see the
evolution of clinical research
at Northern Beaches Hospital.
For too long, Beaches residents
needed to travel outside of the
area to access the latest trials,”
she said.
“We started Fight on the
Beaches to support Australian
cancer researchers. We’ve now
raised more than $1.85 million
towards many national projects.
“It’s especially rewarding to
know we are now able to fund
local research happening on
our doorstep.”
The chair of NBCCC Bonita
Mersiades said the appointment
of the clinical trials coordinators
was a great step
forward for
NBH and the
charity’s goal
to
cancer care and treatment options
available.
“We are delighted that we
are able to help make this
happen for Northern Beaches
residents.”
A/Prof Thomas said many departments
across the hospital
were now involved in mutlidisciplinary
research, including
the Emergency Department,
Oncology, Intensive Care,
Maternity, Orthopaedics, Radiology,
Respiratory, Theatres,
Cardiology, Renal, Paediatrics,
Urology, Infectious Diseases,
Physiotherapy and Pharmacy.
“This multidisciplinary approach
allows us to put the
patient at the centre of our
research and the learnings will
benefit Beaches patients and
the broader community for
decades to come.”
Key trials currently underway
at NBH include:
n COVID-19 Trial - REMAP-CAP
– This award-winning international
trial simultaneously evaluated
potential treatments for
COVID-19 to rapidly generate
evidence that had a significant
impact on the care of critical
patients during the
pandemic. NBH’s
role is expanding
to look at
treatment.
n Troublesome Ticks – looking
at the tick-induced allergies and
tick anaphylaxis.
n Cannabis for Chemotherapy
Symptoms (CannabisCINV) –
looking at the role of oral THC/
CBD to prevent nausea and
vomiting in people undergoing
chemotherapy.
n Cardiac Arrest Trial
(EVIDENCE) – a world-first
randomised clinical trial to look
at rapid transfer for people in
cardiac arrest. Trial involving 15
hospitals and 1300 paramedics.
n Lung Biopsy Study – leading
respiratory surgeon Dr Samantha
Herath is exploring a new
way to take a lung biopsy using
a radial EBUS.
n Robotic knee surgery
(RASKAL) – comparing the
results of robotic-assisted knee
surgery with Kinematic Alignment
which is a customised
method of positioning a knee
replacement to the natural
state.
n Sleep Disturbance in Breast
Cancer Patients – two studies
will be conducted; one using
cognitive behaviour therapy for
sleep disturbance in women receiving
chemotherapy for early
breast cancer. The other will use
melatonin for women with early
breast cancer.
n Oestradiol For Breast Cancer
Patients – looking at the
use of oestradiol vaginal tablets
for genitourinary symptoms in
participants at every
breast cancer patients.
TRIAL: The
stage of their clinical
role of oral THC.
– Lisa Offord
62 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

What to know before you go
P
lanning and making decisions about the end of your life
can be a positive experience; however, with so much
information out there about planning and getting affairs in
order, it can be hard to know where to begin.
You are welcome to gain essential tools and knowledge
to plan for your, or a loved one’s, end of life in a free twohour
online workshop on Thursday October 20 from 10am.
Presented by CCNB, the comprehensive workshop is
designed to help you pull all the essential information
together and explore end-of-life planning in an engaging
and accessible way.
Organisers say the workshop is presented in a way that
leaves participants feeling confident in knowing what options
are right for them and their family and recognising
the strength of their existing skills and experience.
Research shows only 53 per cent of Australians feel able
to talk to another family member about end of life.
‘The Ten Things to Know Before You Go’ workshop
provides participants with the tools for these essential
planning conversations to flow easily.
There are plenty of things that need addressing, from
financial and legal matters, including banking, to health
and care planning.
The workshop covers practical aspects such as writing
a will, appointing an enduring power of attorney and
enduring guardian, planning a funeral and understanding
palliative care.
Importantly it covers all the essentials and helps participants
to navigate ‘what’s next’, in a relaxed, supportive
learning environment with a group of other people who are
looking to plan well.
*To register go to ccnb.com.au
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 63

Health & Wellbeing
with Bec Johnson, M.Pharm
Health & Wellbeing
Allergies and eye irritation:
problems of the new Season
Redness and dryness of
the eyes are symptoms of
many eye conditions. While
some of these conditions are
not serious, others can affect
eyesight. Doctors, pharmacists
and optometrists can help find
the cause of red or dry eyes
and advise treatment. Some
common eye conditions which
can be treated in the pharmacy
are discussed below.
Dry eyes
Every time we blink, a film of
tear fluid coats the surface of
the eye. This is important for
preventing eye dryness, protecting
the eye from external
irritants or infective bodies,
allowing the transport of nutrients
and oxygen to the surface
cells of the eye, and creating a
smooth eye surface so light is
refracted correctly and we can
see clearly.
However, reduced tear production
or increased evaporation
of the protective tear film
can result in uncomfortable dry
eyes which may burn or sting.
You may experience dry eyes in
certain situations, such as on an
airplane, in an air-conditioned
room, while riding a bike or
after looking at a computer
screen for a few hours, or it may
be due to certain medications or
medical conditions. The volume
of tears on the surface of the
eye also declines with increasing
age.
The mainstay management
of dry eyes are identification
and management of the underlying
cause if possible, and
instilling artificial tears to lubricate
the eye. Gels or ointments
can be used in more severe
cases, or overnight. Speak
to your pharmacist or doctor
about the available options.
Red eyes
Red eyes can be a sign of
inflammation, with conjunctivitis
(inflammation or infection
of the conjunctiva) being the
most common cause. The conjunctiva
is a thin, clear membrane
that covers the white
part of the eye and inside of
the eyelids. Conjunctivitis
can be allergic, viral, bacterial,
or due to foreign objects
in the eye. The appropriate
treatment of conjunctivitis is
determined by the cause.
Seasonal allergies often
worsen in late Winter/early
Spring due to increased pollen
from flowering plants, along
with dust, animal dander, and
mould spores. One presentation
is allergic conjunctivitis,
which presents as red, itchy,
and watery eyes. Antihistamine
eye drops are the mainstay of
allergic conjunctivitis management
– histamine release in
response to foreign substances
in the eye causes swelling and
inflammation. Blocking the
activity of histamines, therefore,
is effective in controlling
inflammation and relieving the
uncomfortable symptoms of
allergic conjunctivitis.
Bacterial conjunctivitis presents
as red, gritty, burning,
stinging, or swollen eyes, with
yellow discharge causing the
eye to become sticky. This often
begins in one eye and can
spread to both if care is not
taken to prevent the discharge
from spreading eye to eye. If
bacteria is the cause, antibiotic
eye drops or eye ointment
are available over the counter
from pharmacies as an effective
treatment. Ensure to use it
as directed by your pharmacist
in the affected eye, and begin
the protocol in the second eye
if it becomes infected later on.
Presentation of viral conjunctivitis
often coincides with
another viral infection, such as
the common cold or flu. However,
it can itself be isolated
and presents as red, gritty,
swollen eyes which can be sensitive
to light. Any discharge
coming from the eye is watery,
without the characteristic
colour and stickiness of bacterial
conjunctivitis. Viral cases
do not require antimicrobial
treatment, and usually resolve
on their own in a matter of
days. Antibiotic eye drops or
ointment will not help resolve
viral conjunctivitis. If the eye is
uncomfortable, lubricating eye
drops, gel, and ointment can
be used to relieve discomfort.
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis
are both highly contagious.
Maintaining good hand hygiene,
avoiding sharing eye drops,
towels, pillowcases, or eye
makeup, and avoiding touching
your eyes and having close contact
with others is the mainstay
of preventing spreading.
When choosing eye drops, it
is important to note that most
multidose eye drops need to
be thrown away 28 days after
opening. Single dose vials
don’t require preservatives,
and don’t have to be discarded
after 28 days. Preservative free
eye drops are appropriate for
options for those using eye
drops long term, those with
allergies to excipients, and
contact lens wearers.
Contact lenses
If you have an eye infection, do
not wear contact lenses. Throw
away any contact lenses you
may have used when the eye
was infected, and wait until the
infection is completely resolved
before moving back to contact
lenses. Before choosing any eye
drops, ensure you speak with
your pharmacist about compatibility
with contact lenses.
Pittwater Pharmacy &
Compounding Chemist
at Mona Vale has operated
as a family-run business
since 1977. Open seven
days; drop in and meet
the highly qualified and
experienced team of Len,
Sam and Amy Papandrea
and Andrew Snow. Find
them at 1771 Pittwater Rd;
call 9999 3398.
64 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

with Rowena Beckenham
Lenses to help sufferers of
migraines & light sensitivity
Avulux light sensitivity
lenses are the only
clinically proven
lenses for light sensitivity
and migraine management,
recommended by Migraine
Australia. It’s a lens that
can be incorporated into
standard prescription or nonprescription
eyewear.
So what is light sensitivity
and what does it have to do
with migraines?
Photophobia (or light
sensitivity), is when a person
feels pain or is intolerant to
light exposure. Migraines are
one of the main neurological
causes of photophobia, and
more than 80% of people
who suffer from migraines
experience photophobia as
a symptom and up to 60% of
migraine attacks are caused
by light or glare.
Migraines are a genetic
neurological disorder that
affects 14% of the world’s
population, and are considered
a leading cause of disability,
according to the World Health
Organisation (WHO).
Exposure to certain light
leads to pain and can even
trigger migraine attacks.
Avulux lens filter up to 97%
of the most painful blue, red,
and amber light while allowing
in soothing green light.
These lenses are designed
to be worn full-time or part
time as you feel any migraine
symptoms or when you’re
light sensitive. For prevention,
wearing Avulux throughout
the day and during any trigger
activities, such as extended
screen time and when faced
with harsh light.
Studies have shown 90%
of people find light-triggered
pain relief and are able to
continue with activities of
daily living and 74% of people
reduce or eliminate their usual
need for medication.
There are no side effects
in wearing the lenses with no
colour distortion being colour
neutral, so you can manage
light-sensitivity comfortably
without affecting your quality
of life.
These lenses can be
worn anywhere, indoors or
outdoors (apart from night
driving), and can also be used
as a complement to traditional
migraine treatments.
*For further info and to
discuss a trial of Avulux
lenses, book an appointment
with Rowena or Valerie at
Beckenham Optometrist;
9918 0616.
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 20 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
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 65

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Breathe easier in the big wet
People with asthma are urged to make
and if you are going to be in an area where
sure they are on the best treatment to
there is ryegrass pollen make sure you talk
control their asthma and know what to do
in an emergency as we enter the thunderstorm
season and another period of aboveaverage
rainfall.
National Asthma Council Australia Director
and respiratory physician Professor
Peter Wark said having good asthma control
means using your preventer as prescribed
and not needing to have to use your reliever
puffer more than a few times a week.
“Australia has one of the highest prevalence
rates of asthma in the world with 2.7
million (one in 10) affected by asthma and
we are now heading into peak thunderstorm
asthma season from 1 October until
the end of December,” Professor Wark said.
“A La Niña event now underway in the
Pacific Ocean will increase the likelihood of
above-average rainfall during Spring and
summer in eastern Australia which can lead
to above average grass growth and critically,
more ryegrass pollen in the air.
“If you are allergic to ryegrass pollen, you
could have a severe asthma attack if you are
outside in gusty winds just before or during
a thunderstorm in Spring, or early Summer
ALERT: Beware thunderstorm asthma.
in a place where there is ryegrass pollen in
the air.”
“Good asthma control is critical during
thunderstorm asthma season, so keep
taking your preventer medication as prescribed
by your doctor.”
Professor Wark said most people with
asthma over the age of six years should be
using a preventer to keep their asthma under
control – a blue reliever inhaler does not
stop the inflammation that causes asthma
and will not prevent an asthma attack.
“If you need a reliever more than a couple
of times a month you should be taking a
preventer and in Spring and early Summer
to your doctor,” said Professor Wark.
If you have hay fever, Professor Wark
advises that regular use of a nasal corticosteroid
spray every day, at least during pollen
season, is the best treatment to control
allergy symptoms.
“Hay fever can cause upper and lower airway
inflammation and result in watery eyes,
runny nose and sneezing, but even more
concerning, hay fever can lead to increased
risk of serious asthma flare-ups,” he said.
If you have not been diagnosed with asthma
but wheeze and sneeze during Spring,
see your doctor to determine if you may
have asthma and develop an action plan.
Tips include:
n Take your inhaled corticosteroid ‘preventer’
medicine as prescribed by your GP;
n Always carry a ‘reliever’ puffer;
n Avoid being outdoors during thunderstorms
(especially in the wind gusts that
come before the storm);
n Make sure you know how to use your devices
correctly. Don’t hesitate to ask your
doctor or health professional to check
your technique.
PHOTO: Photo: National Asthma Council.
66 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
with Matilda Brown
Health & Wellbeing
Time for a Spring clean but
not the one you’re used to...
Every so often, I do a good
old ‘Spring’ clean. But
not your typical house
Spring clean, this, my friends,
is a human Spring clean.
What is a human Spring
clean? I hear you say. Well,
if a Spring clean for the
home is about cleaning out
the cobwebs, getting rid of
clothes that no longer fit
and giving your pantry and a
cleanse, then a human Spring
clean is about clearing out
the clutter inside your head,
re-prioritising the things that
matter, and saying “see ya
later” to the things that don’t.
You might find that means
getting rid of old beliefs that
no longer serve you and / or
culling a few friends. Sounds
brutal? Maybe, but it might
be the best thing you’ve ever
done.
For those interested, here
are a few things to consider
when it comes to the human
Spring clean.
1. This is your Spring clean,
resist consulting others.
2. Be prepared to shed some
tears.
3. Remember that the aim is
to create space, so don’t
hold on to everything for
Scott’s Comfort Corner
Slow Cooked Lamb
Shanks
Ingredients
4 lamb shanks (visit
thegoodfarm.shop)
2 tbs olive oil
2 large brown onions –
quartered
6 garlic cloves – left whole
4 anchovy fillets
1 tbs dried rosemary
1/2 cup green olives –
cheeks removed from the
pip
1 tbs tomato puree
800mls tinned tomatoes
Method
1. Remove lamb shanks from
the fridge 30 minutes
before cooking; pre-heat
oven to 140C.
2. Heat the olive oil in a
crock pot on medium heat
on the stove. Add onions,
garlic, rosemary and saute
for 10 minutes. Add the
anchovies and stir .
3. Add lamb shanks and
turn heat up to high and
caramelise the lamb
before adding the puree,
tinned tomatoes, olives;
season.
4. Place in the oven with the
lid on for 3-4 hours.
5. Once the meat begins to
fall off the bones remove
dear life. You want to unburden
yourself and let go
of as much as possible.
Right, now grab a pen and
a piece of paper. This is how
it rolls.
Start by writing down
everything in your life that
takes up space. Everything.
Including people. Including
reoccurring thoughts.
Including activities. Once
you’ve done that (you might
want to be alone for this
part), go through each one
and say that thing out loud.
How does it make you feel?
Does it bring you joy? Or
from the heat and allow to
cool for 10 minutes before
serving.
does it make you feel tight
in the chest, anxious and
heavy? Your body will tell you
– listen to it.
Next you want to label
each one with the word
“keep” or “ditch”. Create
two columns and put all the
“keep” in one column and all
the “ditch” in another. This is
where you can make any final
changes. Is something in the
“ditch” supposed to be in the
“keep”? Or visa-versa? Get
this right because the next
part is hard.
Ditching the “ditch” is not
easy, but it’s essential if you
want to create more space in
your life for any of the below:
n Yourself
n Your family
n New relationships
n Starting a new venture or
project
n More joy
I’m not going to tell you
how to do it; some will be
easier than others to get rid
of, some will fall away simply
by identifying that you no
longer want to give them
time. Others you will have
to consciously remove from
your life, like those unwanted
habits, thoughts, and friends.
That might mean seeing a
therapist to do some deeper
self-work or recruiting a
loved one to help keep you
accountable.
If that all seems ‘too-hard
basket’, just stick to the
house Spring clean. Those
are equally important and
incredibly satisfying! Good
luck!
Matilda Brown is
an actress, writer and
business owner. Her
husband Scott Gooding
is a holistic performance
& nutrition coach, sports
nutritionist and chef.
Together they founded and
run The Good Farm Shop.
www.thegoodfarm.shop
68 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 69

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Breaking the cycle of low back pain
People with lower back pain
should exercise and adopt
a positive mindset rather than
rest in bed or rely on medications
to manage their condition,
according to new guidelines.
Australia’s first national care
standard for low back pain –
the Low Back Pain Clinical Care
Standard – advocates a shift
towards active approaches to
support the one in six Australians
with low back pain.
The use of imaging tests, bed
rest, pain medicines and surgery
are now accepted as having
a limited role in managing
most people with low back pain
– current evidence shows an active
approach is more effective
and less risky for patients.
The new standard provides
a road map for healthcare
practitioners to help patients
manage low back pain episodes
early and reduce their chance of
ongoing problems.
Recommendations include
self-management and physical
activity, addressing psychological
barriers to recovery, such as
thoughts and emotions about
pain, as well as tackling social
obstacles, including work and
home stress.
Clinical lead for the new
standard, Associate Professor
Liz Marles, Clinical Director at
the Australian Commission on
Safety and Quality in Health
Care and a general practitioner,
said the standard marked a
leap forward in effective care
for low back pain patients, who
may be treated across different
healthcare disciplines and often
receive conflicting advice.
Back problems and back pain
are the second most common
reason Australians seek care
from their general practitioner,
and one of the top five presentations
to emergency departments.
People with low back pain
also seek help from allied health
practitioners, such as physiotherapists
and chiropractors.
NEW STANDARD: For low back pain.
“The Low Back Pain Clinical
Care Standard describes how
active self-managed strategies
that educate people about
their pain and how to remain
physically active and working
are most effective to restore
health,” A/Professor Marles
said.
“Contrary to past schools of
thought, for most cases of low
back pain we know that passive
approaches such as bed rest
and medication can lead to
worsening disability.
“Also, if pain medicines are
prescribed, they should be used
to enable physical activities to
help people recover, rather than
eliminate pain.”
For people with a new
episode of low back pain, a
thorough initial assessment
is vital, and should screen for
serious underlying causes such
as cancer, infections or nerve
compression.
Although A/Professor Marles
emphasised that the risk of
a serious cause was very low
(1-5%) and usually identified
through history and physical
examination, cautioning that
other investigations can sometimes
delay recovery.
She explained: “Referring low
back pain patients for imaging
who don’t have any signs of a
serious condition may lead to
unnecessary concern or wrong
care.
“Common findings on back
scans include disc degeneration,
bulges and arthritis; yet
these are often found on scans
of people who do not have back
pain – so these findings can be
unhelpful and misleading.
“The good news is that
most people who have a single
episode of low back pain – 75
percent of patients – will improve
rapidly and their pain will
resolve within six weeks,” said
A/Professor Marles.
For some people, however,
she said the condition can put
lives on hold, affecting a person’s
ability to work, engage in
physical and social activities, as
well as their mental health.
“With this new standard, we
are aiming to break the cycle
and prevent a new episode
of low back pain becoming
a chronic problem for many
Australians.”
Usually, low back pain gets
better within a few weeks, with
simple self-management or
treatment strategies. For some
people, it can last longer or
need additional treatment.
If you are experiencing back
pain, seek advice from your
healthcare provider about the
best care for your individual
circumstances.
– LO
70 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Skin deep: The differences
between men and women
Do women have different
skin from men? Our
largest organ, the skin,
has many similarities between
men and women, but there
are also some key differences.
Men’s skin is recognised as
different from women’s by
the top skin care companies
worldwide.
Hormones will always be
the main difference between
men and women, which is the
first step to explaining the
differences in men’s skin. The
androgens, particularly the
hormone testosterone, attach
to the receptors in the dermis
and epidermis, creating
noticeable differences in the
male skin physiology.
Essentially there are six
primary differences between
men’s and women’s skin.
Men have slightly oilier
1. skin than women. This
is because their sebaceous
or oil-producing glands are
smaller, but their skin has a
higher secretion of sebum.
Oilier skin can be more prone
to open pores, blemishes and
acne. Considering this, men’s
skin care products, starting
with their shaving system, will
factor this in to offer more
balance for sebum production.
Men have more facial hair
2. than women, which is
more coarse and tough. When
choosing a shaving protocol,
consider both the condition of
the skin and the hair texture
to help avoid pseudofolliculitis
– aka ingrown hairs. This is
where the coarse hair grows
sideways in the skin follicle and
is caused mainly by shaving.
Where possible, the wet
shaving method will produce
a better and more consistent
shave, reduce razor burn, skin
irritations, and ingrown hairs
and produce a more clean and
healthy appearance. Men’s
skincare products that control
infection and reduce cellular
blockages will help to eliminate
this problem.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Men’s skin is slightly
3. more acidic and has an
overall sweat composition
that contains more of the
AHA, lactic acid, contributing
to the skin’s acidity. Washing
the skin is the first step in
any skin care program. Most
face washes or soaps men use
have a very high pH level and
this will undermine the skin’s
natural defence system. The
perfect face wash for men will
clean, energise and maintain
the skin’s natural acid mantle,
which will produce healthier
skin.
Most men experience
4. more sensitive skin
compared to women. This may
be seen in the form of flaking,
dryness and redness. Starting
with the irritating effects of
shaving, incorrect products
and regime, along with other
damaging conditions such
as wind, cuts, sun, the use of
hot water, and chemicals will
result in an increase in skin
sensitivity.
Physiologically male skin
5. has more active fibroblast
cells compared to women.
This results in an increase in
collagen production, which
means thicker skin. Thicker
skin has many advantages, but
it also has a downside whereby
their skin may have more and
deeper facial lines and more
age spots. Men’s skin cells
also carry fewer antioxidants
and this can also increase the
number and depth of facial
lines and pigmentation marks.
When men look after their skin
from an early age with sun
protection and preventative
repair serums and treatment
creams, they are able to
maintain skin tone, strength
and a marked reduction in
wrinkles.
The rate of skin cancer is
6. also higher, particularly
in Caucasian men. The
most common form of skin
cancer in men is melanoma,
generally found on the neck,
upper back, ears and face.
For maximum sun protection,
a good sunscreen with zinc
oxide must be used daily as it
will contain a naturally higher
occurring sun protection
factor.
Men want result-oriented
treatments and products, but
they still want simplicity. Many
of the time-proven, effective
ingredients will deliver the
same benefits to both sexes,
but it is the levels within
the formulas that make the
difference. A scientifically
formulated skincare range
and treatment program will
be focused on five simple but
critical skin laws: cleanse,
exfoliate, tone, restore and
build and protect.
Sue Carroll is at the forefront
of the beauty, wellness
and para-medical profession
with 35 years’ experience on
Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
She leads a dedicated team
of professionals who are
passionate about results for
men and women.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
OCTOBER 2022 71
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
The ‘fake it till you make it’
scam: at what cost to us all?
This month we consider if
the ‘fake till you make it’
culture for some in the
younger generation has gone
too far? What drew my attention
to this topic was an article
penned by Rhiannon Down in
The Australian on 18 September
headed: ‘Choice more important
than hard work: academic
cheating scandal exposed’. The
article describes in detail how
ghost writers charging around
US$100 for 1000 words are
drafting, completing and in
some cases submitting assignments
on behalf of students at
major Australian universities.
Cheating in exams has been
around since Adam played fullback,
etc. But it is the scale at
which it appears to be happening
nowadays that is breathtaking.
Also breathtaking is the
ruthless efficiency employed by
the ghost writing agencies – if
their ingenuity could only be
channelled for good instead of
evil society might be a much
better place.
I hate to wallow in the past
but it’s a fact that many of us
who went to university in the
‘old days’ and who are now in a
position to examine university
students and new graduates
today, as their employers or
parents, can notice a deterioration
in quality.
It could all just be jealousy.
Who would want to miss
competing with other students
to get a book out of closed
reserve at the library when the
lecturer lets slip that a particular
text is vital to responding to
the essay question due tomorrow?
Who would want to spend
a small fortune charging a
swipe card used to pay for the
hundreds of photocopies you
needed over a semester? Who
would want to pay thousands
for textbooks? Who would want
to do any of these things when
you can Google, copy/paste
text, have access to referencing
software or be issued with pdfs
of articles, journals or e-books?
As one of my colleagues once
said: information is everywhere
but knowledge is scarce. Copying
and pasting vast slabs of
text may get you to your word
count but is it really useful to
your understanding of the topic,
or are you just playing Tetris
with words?
Even if you are guilty of playing
‘word Tetris’ in your assignments,
it is by far the lesser of
two evils compared to wholesale
cheating.
In May this year, Tim Dodd
also writing in The Australian
reported on a study that found:
“Two-thirds of university students
believe exam cheating is
easier to get away with when
courses and assessments are
fully online… It also found that
16 per cent of students were
more likely to cheat if one of
their peers had done so first.
Universities shifted to online exams
in 2020 because of the pandemic
and many continue the
practice because large numbers
of international students are still
studying from overseas.”
And it is overseas students
who are alleged to be at the
core of the ghost writing
services, according to the
Rhiannon Down article. The
company referred to in the report
is China-based. The ghost
writer identifies themselves as
a Kenyan national who over five
years provided assignments for
bachelor and masters students
in nursing, health, education,
psychology and business administration
courses at most
Australian universities. According
to the ghost writer, 60%
of the market for the service
comes from Chinese students.
The Australian article went
on to report the extent of the
scheme and the interplay between
the student, the ghost
writer and the China-based
Company: “In some cases students
opt to hand over their
login details to their university
portal and allow the ghost writer
to handle the demands of their
entire course on their behalf.
In others, the Company simply
shares the relevant material
such as lecture slides, essential
readings, the rubric for the assignment
and an order form
outlining the word limit via
email. The Australian traced
how the Company organised for
the ghost writer to log into one
University of Sydney student’s
online portal to download course
material for the education subject
Diet and Nutrition for Health
and Sport. Once the ghost writer
had been guided through the
security verification via Chinese
messaging app WeChat, he was
72 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

then able to download the information
required to ‘discuss the
energy demands of an elite level
athlete’ using ‘comparison data
on the average Australian and
the elite athlete’. After accessing
the information, he submitted
the completed 2500-word paper
via email the next day and invoiced
the Company for US$133
for his work.’
What you can say is that as
a scheme it is bloody brilliant
except for the fact it is a completely
corrupting influence and
exploitative of the low labour
costs of the ghost writers.
In the article a spokesperson
for one of the Universities said:
“We take all allegations of…
academic misconduct seriously,
and act on all cases that come
to our attention.” This is the sort
of response that often appears
with other classic responses
such as: ‘Your call is important
to us’ or ‘People are our greatest
asset’, or even the backhanded
politician’s apology: ‘I’m sorry
you feel that way.’
Of the more than 800 reader
comments that Rhiannon
Down’s attracted, many stated
it has been common knowledge
in the sector that this activity
has been around for decades.
At a time when universities
are struggling to find their feet
post-pandemic, they cannot
allow standards to relax to the
point where the actions of a few
might cause many to find their
expensive degree is considered
by employers to be rubbish.
Post-COVID, universities are
in state of transition. They have
cut costs and academic staff
while at the same time being in
a scramble for students, particularly
the lucrative, full-feepaying
foreign variety. Here at
home, they are actively working
around the boundaries of the
ATAR system by making greater
use of early offers and points
discounts to attract a wider pool
of students. Any student that
attends university must be sufficiently
educated and literate
enough to be capable of completing
the course, otherwise
we are just setting them up for
failure – which in the case of
local kids can include a hefty
HECS-HELP loan.
But it’s one thing to have the
universities risk their reputations
on the actions of a small
group of students; the real
worry is could one of these
cheaters find their way into
the professions? Thankfully in
Australia the professions consider
degrees to be a minimal
qualification and all have additional
study and continuous
professional development requirements.
They might be able
to fake-it-till-you-make-it in the
university system, but you can’t
fake competence for any length
of time in the real world.
Just in case, however, I have
prewarned my kids that in 20
years’ time when I am likely to
really need a doctor, that I won’t
be going to anyone under the
age of 50.
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
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 73

Business Life: Law
with Jennifer Harris
Business Life
Copyright and protecting
the products of the mind
Each weekend newspapers
carry supplements about
the acquisition of property
– with or without a house,
renovations and/or building a
house.
Some are very detailed,
carrying comments by
architects, engineers and
building companies. This
information is frequently
supplemented by lifestyle
programs on television or
specialist programs on radio.
Some folk spend their
weekends inspecting project
homes in various parts of
Sydney. Here on the peninsula,
the Warriewood Valley provides
examples of various project
homes.
The sales office of each
company usually carries
brochures of the designs
which the company will build
should you engage them.
Some of these designs are also
published in the newspaper
supplements.
A design plan and inclusions
are specified for a particular
price. Any variations to the
basic plan is usually subject to
increased fees.
The question of copyright
in the plans for project homes
has been the subject of
argument before the Federal
Court in Queensland.
As the Court observed:
“The application of the
law of copyright to project
homes plans gives rise to
special difficulties. Modern
homes have certain features
in common. In the case of
project houses competing for
the same number of dollars,
there are pressures towards
sameness. Of course, the size
and number of rooms and
facilities will vary according to
the price range will be found:
(a) to be designed to fit
blocks of approximately similar
shape and dimensions;
(b) to provide for vehicular
access and accommodation;
and
(c) to include features
demanded by the market
in question, such as certain
number of bedrooms, a
laundry, a kitchen, a family or
rumpus room, an ensuite and a
wardrobe (WIR) in association
with the main bedroom, builtin
wardrobes in the bedrooms,
at least one bathroom
in proximity to the other
bedrooms and facilities in the
kitchen such as a sink, bench,
dishwasher, stove, hotplate,
microwave oven.”
Generally copyright subsists
in the whole of the plan of the
house. It may be possible to
argue that a point considered
in isolation merely expresses a
common ideal. However, there
may be copyright in the whole
plan if the combination and
arrangement originated with
the author/architect protecting
the author’s/architect’s labour
skill originality and judgment.
It should of course be
remembered that in Australia
the taking of an idea, as
distinct from the expression
of an idea from a copyright
work, does not constitute and
74 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

infringement as there is no
copyright in ideas.
In the case before the
Federal Court, a lady collected
brochures of various project
homes. Each brochure
contained floor plans of
particular designs. These plans
were considered indicative i.e.
without dimensions.
The lady (say Mrs Palm)
engaged a project home
builder to construct her dream
home. She signed for say a
“Pittwater” design – one of
the builder’s standard houses
in which the company had
copyright.
Mrs Palm decided she would
like certain modifications
to the Pittwater design so
she used a brochure from
another project home
company and their design
called say “Warringah”. In
doing so she instructed her
project home company in
two stages to incorporate 26
and 22 modifications from
the Warringah design into the
Pittwater design.
The question arose did
these modifications infringe
copyright.
On appeal the Court
analysed each of the
modifications to determine
if what was taken was a
substantial part of the
Warringah plan.
In applying the “substantial
part” test, the Court regarded
that it was infringement of
the whole plan that was in
question, not infringement of
a part. Having concluded its
analysis of the modifications
the Court said:
“In our opinion, cumulatively,
the important features taken
constituted a substantial part
of the Warringah; between the
Warringah and the Pittwater
the parts of the Warringah that
were taken were distinctively
Warringah.”
They listed certain items
as essential and material
non-functional parts of the
Warringah regarded as an
artistic work that were copied.
They preferred however to note
that all of the items which they
considered which were taken
from Warringah when regarded
cumulatively amounted to a
substantial part of Warringah.
Mrs Palm and her project
home company failed on this
aspect.
So what does this tell us?
Substantial copying of plans /
artistic works in which copyright
is vested in the draftsman or
architect is an infringement.
One should remember that
copyright laws protect the
products of the mind. They may
seem intangible – but created in
tangible form, protection arises.
If in doubt we suggest you
consult a lawyer.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates,
Solicitors, 4/57 Avalon
Parade, Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jennifer@jenniferharris.com.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 75

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AIR CONDITIONING
Alliance Climate Control
Call 02 9186 4179
Air Conditioning & Electrical Professionals.
Specialists in Air Conditioning Installation,
Service, Repair & Replacement.
NORTH EAST AIR
Call Tim 0400 364 913
We will deliver all your heating and cooling
options; prompt, courteous service.
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.
BATTERIES
Battery Business
Call 9970 6999
Batteries for all applications. Won’t be
beaten on price or service. Free testing,
7 days.
BUILDING
Southern Stairs
Call 9542 1344
Specialists in high-quality staircase for 35
years; new Northern Beaches showroom.
CARPENTRY
Able Carpentry & Joinery
Call Cameron 0418 608 398
Doors & locks, timber gates & handrails;
decking repairs + more; 25 years’ experience.
CLEANING
Amazing Clean
Call Andrew 0412 475 2871
Specialists in blinds, curtains and awnings.
Clean, repair, supply new.
Aussie Clean Team
Call John 0478 799 680
For a sparkling finish, inside and out.
Also light maintenance/repairs. Free
quotes; fully insured.
Housewashing -
northernbeaches.com.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
Established 1999 in Avalon & Collaroy.
We specialise in soft and pressure
washes, plus window and gutter cleaning,
driveways and rooftops.
The Aqua Clean Team
Call Mark 0449 049 101
Quality window washing, pressure cleaning,
carpet washing, building soft wash.
CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting
needs; Northern Beaches-based.
76 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

ELECTRICAL
Alliance Service Group
Call Adrian 9063 4658
All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting
installation, switchboard upgrade. Seniors
discount 5%.
Eamon Dowling Electrical
Call Eamon 0410 457 373
For all electrical needs including phone, TV
and data. Pittwater-based. Reliable; quality
service guaranteed.
Living Gardens Landscape
Call Richy 0475 148417
Lawn & garden maintenance, garden
regeneration, stone work, residential &
commercial.
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction
for every garden situation. Sustainable
vegetable gardens and waterfront specialist.
Warrick Leggo
Call Warrick 0403 981 941
Specialising in domestic work; small jobs
welcome. Seniors’ discount; Narrabeen-based.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Stephan or Roslyn 9979 7292
Northern Beaches Flooring Centre has
been family owned & run for over 20 years.
Carpets, Tiles, Timber, Laminates, Hybrids
& Vinyls. Open 6 days.
GARDENS
!Abloom Ace Gardening
Call 0415 817 880
Full range of gardening services including
landscaping, maintenance and rubbish
removal.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by
qualified arborists and tree surgeons.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
Cloud9 R&G
Call Tommy 0447 999 929
Prompt and reliable service; gutter cleaning
and installation, leak detection, roof
installation and painting. Also roof repairs
specialist.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced,
metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley irons
replaced.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 77

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
HANDYMEN
Hire A Hubby
Call 1800 803 339
Extensive services including carpentry,
outdoor maintenance, painting and plastering
and more.
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also
welding & metalwork; licensed.
HOT WATER
Hot Water Maintenance NB
Call 9982 1265
Local emergency specialists, 7 days. Sales,
service, installation. Warranty agents, fully
accredited.
KITCHENS
Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Call 9972 9300
Danish design excellence. Local beaches
specialists in kitchens, bathrooms and joinery.
Visit the showroom in Collaroy.
Seabreeze Kitchens
Call 9938 5477
Specialists in all kitchen needs; design,
fitting, consultation. Excellent trades.
LOCKSMITHS
Mosman Locksmiths
Call 9969 6333
40 years servicing the Beaches; specialists
in lock-outs including automotive, rekeying,
smart lock security; also door hardware and
safe sales & installation.
MASSAGE & FITNESS
Avalon Physiotherapy
Call 9918 3373
Provide specialist treatment for neck & back
pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic problems.
PAINTING
Cloud9 Painting
Call 0447 999 929
Your one-stop shop for home or office
painting; interiors, exteriors and also roof
painting. Call for a quote.
Tom Wood Master Painters
Call 0406 824 189
Residential specialists in new work &
repaints / interior & exterior. Premium
paints; 17 years’ experience.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best.
Comprehensive control. Eliminate all manner
of pests.
PLUMBING
Mark Ellison Plumbing
Call 0431 000 400
Advanced solutions for sewer & stormwater
pipe relining: Upfront price, 25-year warranty.
RUBBISH REMOVAL
Brown Bros Skip Bins
Call 1300 879 688
Local waste management & environmental
services experts. Bins to suit, delivered
between 2 & 24 hours. Green footprint.
78 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Jack’s Rubbish Removals
Call Jack 0403 385 312
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest
health regulations. Old-fashioned honesty &
reliability. Free quotes.
One 2 Dump
Call Josh 0450 712 779
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service
includes general household rubbish,
construction, commercial plus vegetation.
Also car removals.
SLIDING DOOR REPAIRS
Beautiful Sliding Door Repairs
Call 0407 546 738
Fix anything that slides in your home; door
specialists – wooden / aluminium. Free
quote. Same-day repair; 5-year warranty.
STONEMASONRY
Shore Stone
Call Beau 0404 031 189
Cladding, retaining & boundary walls,
feature walls and more; 25 years’
experience.
TV & AUDIO
Install Service
Call Damian 0456 53 53 51
Sound specialist + TV (inc iQ5) and Wi-Fi
repair; express service. Seniors’ rates.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of outdoor
& indoor seating. Custom service, expert
advice.
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
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 79

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
Yorkshire Rose in Avalon (yes
please!) (6,5)
27 Rowing instrument (3)
28 Beachwear popular with
lifesavers (7)
29 Employed (a person) for wages
or a fee (5)
Pittwater Puzzler
ACROSS
1 Board; to agree, associate
harmoniously (3,2)
4 Instrument played by The
Lightly Strung Orchestra (7)
9 Had a meal at Barrenjoey
House, for example (3)
10 Coastal pastime that can be
made safer by wearing a life
jacket (4,7)
11 Enjoying a Pittwater beach,
perhaps (2,3,7)
14 Talent spotters (6)
15 Painting that depicts ocean
views from Pittwater, say (8)
17 Subsidised Community
Transport network on the
Northern Beaches (8)
19 One of Australia’s most
prominent media lawyers who
lives in Pittwater, Jennifer ______
(6)
21 Award-winning bakery in
Avalon and Narrabeen (7,5)
26 Brit classic available at The
DOWN
1 Accommodation for
holidaymakers (5,5)
2 A stream of water flowing with
great rapidity and violence (7)
3 Mother-of-pearl from any
shelled mollusc (5)
4 Become loose (8)
5 Positive things about something
that also has negative aspects (7)
6 Prepare for publication (4)
7 No doubt a breakfast option
at one of the many seaside cafes
on the Northern Beaches, ____
Benedict (4)
8 A festive or special occasion (4)
12 Northern Beaches suburb that
contains Boondah Reserve (10)
13 Beverages available at Alfresco
Emporium, Mekong Merchant and
Cafe Monaka (4)
14 Meat casserole (4)
16 Sets of clothes worn by school
kids (8)
18 Dancer’s costume (7)
20 Someone chosen to judge and
decide a disputed issue (7)
22 The direction or distance
sailed by a vessel on one tack (5)
23 Feathered missile (4)
24 Without alteration (2,2)
25 A cryptic clue for you: Part of
initiation ceremony in the past (4)
[Solution page 88]
80 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Halloween fun: kids will love
this ‘horror’ day in the kitchen
It’s time to dust off the
Halloween costumes and
partake in this crazy (but
oh-so-much-fun) American
tradition. Polarising as it
may be, it’s a celebration that
embraces community spirit –
and food. Here are some easy
recipes to make with the kids!
Witches’ Broom
Makes 24
12-pack Bega Stringers cheese
24 pretzel sticks
24 long chives
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; facebook.com/culinaryinbloom; instagram.com/janellegbloom/ Photos: Adobe Stock
1. Cut each piece of stringers
cheese in half crossways,
so you have 2 shorter
pieces. Working one piece
of cheese at a time, make 4
vertical cuts in one end of
the cheese sticks, stopping
about 1½cm from the top.
2. Carefully roll up the cheese.
Using scissors, make 2 or
3 more cuts to form more
bristles of the broom. Press
a pretzel stick into the
uncut end of the cheese
stick to make the handle.
Tie a chive around the top
to hold the broom head
together. Repeat to make
the remaining brooms.
3. Stand the brooms up on
their bristles.
Janelle’s Tip: If long chives
are hard to find, you can use
spring onions. Cut them into
long, thin strips, place onto
a tray and cover with boiling
water for 1 minute (to soften).
Carefully drain and cool. Pat
dry with paper towel. Party
serving suggestion: Crush
biscuits and scatter over a
board, then stand the brooms
up in the biscuit crumbs.
Sausage mummies
Makes 12
12 thin sausages
4 sheets frozen ready rolled
puff pastry, partially thawed
1 egg, lightly whisked
American mustard and small
edible eyes, to decorate
Tomato sauce, to serve
1. Barbecue, pan fry or grill
the sausages until golden
and cooked through. Set
aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 200°C fan
forced. Line a large baking
tray with baking paper.
3. Use a small sharp knife to
cut the pastry into 1cmthick
strips. Lightly brush
pastry with a little egg.
Wrap pastry strips around
each sausage to resemble
bandages, leaving a little
gap at one end for the
eyes. Trim and discard
excess pastry. Place on the
lined tray.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or
until the pastry is puffed
and golden. Remove from
the oven and set aside to
cool for 15 minutes.
5. Dollop a little mustard on
the flat side of the edible
eyes, then attached to the
sausage. Place on a serving
plate. Serve with tomato
sauce.
82 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
Monster burgers
Makes 4
4 slices tasty cheddar
2 tbs olive oil
4 fresh beef patties
2 tomatoes, sliced
4 bread rolls, split, toasted,
buttered
2 pickled cucumbers, thinly
sliced lengthways, for the
tongue
Tomato sauce, to serve
8 stuffed olives, for the eyes
1. Place the cheese slices on
a clean work surface. Use
a small sharp knife to cut
triangles from one edge of
each cheddar slice to make
fangs.
2. Heat the oil in large frying
pan over medium heat.
Add the beef patties and
cook for 3-4 minutes on
each side or until cooked
through.
3. Place the tomato on the
bun bases. Top with
beef patties. Position
the cucumber to form a
hanging tongue then top
with cheese. Drizzle with
tomato sauce. Sandwich
together with bun tops.
Insert toothpicks into the
olives and press into the
bun tops as the eyes. Serve.
Monster cupcakes
Makes 12
340g packet chocolate cake
mix
2 eggs
60g soft butter
3/4 cup milk
48 white choc melts
black gel food colouring
The Local Voice Since 1991
12 plain round biscuits, like
YoYo or Butternut Snap
Icing
375g cream cheese, at room
temp
100g butter, at room temp
1½ cups icing sugar mixture
Blue gel food colouring
1. Preheat oven to 160°C fan
forced. Line a 12-hole, 1/3
cup capacity muffin pan
with paper cases.
2. Make the cake mix following
packet directions. Spoon
mixture into the paper
cases so they are threequarters
full. Bake for 22-25
minutes or until a skewer
inserted in the centre comes
out clean. Stand in the pan
for 10 minutes then remove
to a wire rack to cool
completely.
3. For the icing, use an electric
mixer to beat the cream
cheese and butter together
until smooth. Gradually add
the icing sugar, ¼ cup at a
time, beating well between
each addition. Remove 1
tablespoon to a small bowl
and set aside. Add the food
colouring to the remaining
icing mixture, a little at
a time and beat until the
desired colour is reached.
If the icing is really soft,
place in the fridge for 15-30
minutes to firm slightly.
4. Spoon the icing into a
piping bag fitted with a
1.5cm fluted nozzle. Pipe
icing on cakes. Carefully
press the biscuit into the
icing to form the mouth.
5. Spread a little of the
reserved icing onto the flat
side of 12 white melts, then
sandwich together with
remaining white melts. Pipe
a little black gel onto each
melt to form the pupils.
Insert toothpicks into the
eyes and position on the
cupcakes. Serve.
Halloween donuts
Makes 12
200g black dark chocolate
2 x 225g pkt white melts
1 tbs vegetable oil
Green gel food colouring
12 cinnamon donuts
24 choc bits
Black gel food colouring
1. Cut the dark chocolate into
squares to form eyebrows
(like the photo).
2. Melt 1 packet of white
melts following the packet
directions. Stir in the
vegetable oil. Add the green
food gel a little at a time
until the desired colour is
reached.
3. Dip 1 side of the donuts,
1 at a time, in the green
chocolate. Place on a large
tray. Position the extra
white melts on the donut
to form the eyes and the
dark chocolate squares for
the brows. Repeat with the
remaining donuts.
4. Spoon a little leftover green
chocolate onto the flat side
of the choc bits and press
onto the white melts to
form pupils. Use the black
gel to draw the mouth.
Allow to set before serving.
OCTOBER 2022 83
Food Life

Food Life
Pick of the Month:
Sugar Snap Peas
These are a cross between
snow peas and regular
peas. The pod contains
small peas in the centre and
is entirely edible, including
the pod.
Buying
The pods should be bright
green and crisp (when broken
in half, they should make a
snapping sound, similar to
green beans).
Keeping
They will keep 3-4 days in an
airtight container in the fridge.
Look out for the stringless
variety.
peeled, deveined
150g sugar snap peas, topped
150g snow peas, topped
1 bunch baby bok choy,
chopped
4 green onions, cut into thin
batons
1 cup beansprouts, trimmed
1. Slightly undercook the
noodles, using the packet
directions. Drain and set
aside.
2. Combine the soy sauce,
oyster sauce and curry
powder together.
3. Pour the oil into a cold wok.
Add the garlic and chilli and
place over medium heat.
Cook 3-4 minutes until soft.
Increase the heat to high,
Add the onion, prawns. sugar
snap, snow peas and bok
choy. Stir-fry for 2 minutes
until the prawns change
colour.
4. Add the noodles and curry
mix. Stir fry for 2 minutes
until the noodles are hot.
Remove from the heat, stir
through the green onions
and beansprouts. Serve.
In Season
October
Bananas, blueberries,
blackberries, strawberries,
grapefruit, Australian
Valencia oranges,
mangoes, watermelon,
tangelos, passionfruit &
pineapples; also avocado,
asparagus, Asian Greens,
beans; broccolini,
beetroot; cabbage, chilli,
cucumber, Australian
garlic, fennel, zucchini,
peas – podded, sugar snap
& snow peas.
Food Life
Use
In salads, stir fries or as a
snack or crudité with dips.
Sugar snap pea,
prawn noodle
stir fry
Serves 4
350g pkt fresh Singapore
noodles
2 tbs light soy sauce
2 tbs oyster sauce
3 tsp mild curry powder
1 tbs vegetable or peanut oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 long red chilli, finely
chopped
1 medium onion, sliced
16 medium green king prawns,
84 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in October
Avalon's Rose dishing
up Brit fare for all
For those missing an expat taste
of home, The Yorkshire Rose has a
traditional Sunday roast – namely roast
beef with all the trimmings. This new
Avalon venue also has Brit classics
like bangers and mash and fish and
chips on the menu. Just remember to
save room for apple pie or sticky date
pudding. Open Thursday to Sunday.
Prawn cocktails
are in the House
Barrenjoey House’s nuanced nod to
colourful coastal-meets-Hamptons
styling is a perfect spot for a leisurely
lunch. Seared scallops, prawn cocktail
and tomato conchiglie are dining
room favourites. Don’t forget that
decor heaven, Boathouse Home, is just
a stroll up and around the bend.
Bonfire is
building
It’s a big shout-out to
one local bakery. Bonfire
Bread’s award-winning
bread (pictured) has
picked up gongs at the
Royal Fine Food Show.
The organic stoneground
wholewheat sourdough
loaf nabbed gold, with
five silver and two bronze
medals going to other
traditional and sourdough
bakes. Find Bonfire Bread
in Avalon and Narrabeen.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Three of a kind: Tea time
Alfresco Emporium’s pretty
cafe (left) is the perfect backdrop
for that most British institution,
tea & scones. Home-baked
scones come with jam and
cream or that condiment of
choice for the late Queen
Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee
afternoon tea companion. Like
Paddington, you can have scones
and cream with marmalade.
Head to Sir Duncan
for a great night out
Arise, Sir Duncan. Newport’s small wine
bar is an evening haunt for lovers of
cocktails, live music and trendy tapasstyle
dishes. The Italian- and Spanishinfluenced
menu showcases prawn toast
with chorizo and Calabrian chilli oil, as
well as homemade, wood-fired bread
that’s been fermented for 72 hours.
Have you tried the Taiwanese
craze for bubble tea? This sweet,
milky black or fruity green tea
has become a sensation. The
star of the show are the chewy
tapioca balls, or pearls, you’ll
find at the bottom of the drink.
If you’re tempted, Avalon’s
Mekong Merchant has several
flavours including chocolate
milk and mango tea.
Cafe Monaka, Mona Vale’s
Japanese tea house cum cafe,
has an entire wall dedicated to
the art of tea-making. There
are teapots, ceramic cups,
timers and varieties of premium
quality single origin green
teas labelled with detailed
flavour profiles. For something
different, hoji-cha is a roasted
nutty green tea.
OCTOBER 2022 85
Tasty Dining Morsels Guide

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Planting pumpkins for
some Halloween fun
Halloween pumpkins are a legacy from the
northern hemisphere where October is
harvest time in autumn. Let kids have fun
by carving a lantern into a shop-bought pumpkin
– or better still into a watermelon and let it
be a new Aussie
tradition!
Weatherpermitting
send
the children out
into the garden to
make a mini witch’s
broomstick to
decorate the front
fence for trick or
treat night on the
31st. Find a dead
palm frond. Strip
the leaves from
the side of the
stem, trim back
the central stem of
the leaf to make a
handle any length
that you like. Bundle
the leaves together
and bind them
with string to the
handle to make a
broom stick; once
assembled trim the
ends of the leaves
to an even length. The perfect broomstick for
Halloween!
Pumpkins are huge, exciting plants that grow
fast and furiously given the right conditions.
In the ground they need a huge area to spread
out, but they can be grown in large containers.
Find the biggest container possible: an old
dustbin, a kids plastic swimming pool, a shrub
tub, or a wooden crate. Fill it with quality
soil and add plenty of compost and manure.
Pumpkins are heavy feeders.
Choose a smaller fruiting variety like
butternut. Make sure that the pot is in a
very sunny position, at least 6-8 hours every
day. The vine
will need strong
support once the
pumpkins begin
to swell. Tomato
trainers are
great, a bamboo
tripod or plastic
netting wound
around bamboo
stakes. By growing
the pumpkins
vertically, it will
keep the foliage
off the ground,
eliminating many
soil problems.
Like zucchinis
and marrows,
pumpkins have
both male and
female flowers. To
increase the yield,
it is possible to
hand-pollinate the
female flowers. It is
easy to determine
the sex. The female flowers have small
pumpkin-shaped swelling behind the flower and
the male flowers are on straight stems. Take a
small paintbrush and rub the pollen from the
male flower into the female bloom.
Once the fruit develops it will need to be
supported to prevent the weight breaking it off.
A piece of old pantihose makes a perfect sling to
tie back to the trellis or frame.
Land cress
worth planting
L
and cress is a welcome
addition to the vegetable
garden. Land cress has an
amazing property that will
protect all the cabbage
family of cabbages, broccoli,
cauliflower and kale from
the dreaded white cabbage
butterfly whose caterpillars
can decimate a crop over
night as they hatch.
The leaves of land cress
hold a special property that
exudes an attractant to the
butterfly who will choose its
leaves in preference to those
of the cabbages. These leaves
also produce a soap-like
property that is poisonous to
the baby caterpillars who will
die as they eat into the leaves.
An additional benefit to
planting land cress is that
the spicy green leaves can
be used as a substitute for
watercress in any garden
salad.
It may be hard to find
in garden centres, but it is
readily available as seed that
will germinate quickly.
86 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Help me
Rondeletia!
Roneletia is a tall evergreen shrub used as a
background shrub or an informal hedge. It
was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s but
seems to have been forgotten once buxus
hedges and mondo grass became the order
of the day.
Rondeletia is making a comeback, as
gardeners realise that flowers are needed to
attract bees to pollinate veggies and fruit.
Bees love the flowers of rondeletia collecting
the nectar for their winter food supply. This
is a great shrub to plant near the veggie
garden.
Rondeletia does double duty; it flowers in
Spring and again in Autumn, with a beautiful
display of salmon pink clusters of tiny yellowcentered
flowers that hide the glossy green
leaves.
Left alone it can grow to four metres but
to keep it dense and under control it should
be pruned back after flowering and kept to
a height of 1.8 to 2m. Keep it under control
and compact; it can grow very big. Once it is
flowering cut the flowers and bring them inside
Take cuttings from the pieces that you
prune back after flowering in Autumn. The
hardwood cuttings strike easily if planted
either into pots or into the ground.
Extraordinary ‘Walking iris’
Once you see the profusion of graceful white and violet
flowers, you will understand the name ‘walking iris’ given
to the neomarica gracilis. This extraordinary member of the iris
family has a will of its own.
The flowers are born on upright stems lasting for just one day
and, as they fade,
they drop to the
ground where the
flower takes root into
the soil walking away
from its parent plant
to make a family of
its own!
The bright green,
glossy, sword-like
leaves grow in fanshaped
divisions – it’s
also known as the
Apostle Plant because
they flower once the
plant has 12 leaves.
Walking iris are
shade lovers where
they will grow as taller
ground covers under
trees where they look
best mass planted.
They grow in full or semi-shade but will burn in the full sun. They
need a moist, well-drained position. They have few problems and
are easy to grow, multiplying to fill in an empty spot.
These walking plants are great in hanging baskets or
containers, indoors or out – the arching stems fan out spilling
over the side of the containers
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2022 87
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
Jobs this Month
October
After the Winter rain,
the soil is well watered
and damp deep down.
The surface dries quickly in
the sun so, after turning in
some additional fertiliser and
compost, mulch the garden
well with sugar cane or bark
to keep the benefit of the wet
Winter days. We have had more
rain than we need and now the
prediction is for more to come.
Make sure that saucers under
outdoor containers don’t get
too full. All plants need good
drainage and continuously wet
feet will cause trouble.
Seedling veggies
It is time to get the Summer
veggies growing if you have
not already done so. It is a bit
late to sow seed, so seedlings
are the way to go. Sometimes
sowing seeds can produce too
many plants, for a family just
3 or 4 plants will often do.
As you plant new seedlings
protect them well from snails
and slugs with Multiguard snail
pellets. These are harmless to
birds and wildlife.
Best options
Plant eggplants, capsicum,
tomatoes, cucumbers, chillies
and beans. If space is really
limited just plant the veggies
that your family uses on a
weekly basis. Pick and pickagain
vegetables are the
most productive, such as
tomatoes, beans, cucumber
and zucchinis. Re-plant seeds
or seedlings of carrots, lettuce,
pak choi and spring onions at
two-weekly intervals rather
than filling the veggie patch
all in one day!
Bindii watch
Watch out for bindies in the
grass. Spray them now before
the seeds ripen. It is easier
to spray now with a selective
weed killer than to sit on a
cushion with a trowel and to
dig them out one by one once
their spikey seeds are ripe. If
you have a buffalo lawn, check
with the garden centre before
buying a weed control to
make sure that the chemical is
suitable, buffalo grass is very
sensitive, Yates Buffalo Pro
hose on is an easy way to go.
Other chores
Watch out for fallen palm
Do’s and don’ts of companion planting
This is the month that the garden springs
into action. Get the vegetable pumping,
feed, mulch and plant capsicums, chillies,
corn, tomatoes, beans, snow peas, cabbage,
broccolini, cauliflowers, onions, herbs and
carrots, to list just a few.
Try to plant vegetables that have beneficial
properties for each other. There is much said
about plants that do well together, but little
is told about those that don’t like each other!
Tomatoes are friends with most herbs,
carrots, onions and corn – but don’t plant
them with rosemary potatoes, strawberries
or dill.
Plant potatoes with beans, cabbages,
eggplant, peas and beans, keep sunflowers,
pumpkins, zucchini and capsicum well away.
Keep garlic, strawberries and tomatoes
away from all the cabbage family!
If you want to grow leeks and onions, grow
them well away from beans and peas.
There are many websites and books on this
subject. Companion planting works and it is
well worth the time to learn about it.
seeds. Sweep them up before
they roll away under foot and
cause a fall… Feed Spring
bulbs as they die down and
resist the temptation to cut
off dying foliage. As the
leaves die off they are feeding
the bulbs underground and
forming next year’s flowers…
Plant a Chinese lantern in the
garden to light a dull corner.
Keep trimming it back to stay
compact.
Hibiscus care
This is your last chance to
shape and trim back hibiscus
before summer. Feed the
bushes now with a complete
fertiliser and apply a top
dressing of cow manure to
get the new growth that will
produce the flowers.
Crossword solution from page 80
Mystery location: GREEN POINT
88 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
FILL ’ER UP: The Avalon Service Station circa the 1940s (left);
Frank Gardner with his prized XK120 Jag (below) – the site is
now Careel Shopping Village; The ‘Fairway’ on the corner of
the Crescent and Old Barrenjoey Road (above) – it has been a
vacant block for 30 years!
Wowser! That’s a lot of bowser!
And then there was one!
Believe it or not, Avalon
Beach used to have
eight service stations, with
the ‘Avalon Service Station’
being the first cab off the
rank in 1934. It stood on the
corner of Avalon Parade and
Barrenjoey Road and had a
residence and workshop attached.
Mechanics “inhabited” the
early service stations rather
than the current “standalone”
workshops in Mona
Vale. A flat tyre, a dead battery,
a registration check or a
‘grease and oil change’ could
all be attended to in any one
of the eight service stations
which existed from the 1930s
to the 1970s.
One of the bowsers at the
‘Avalon’ dispensed petrol
with the curious brand name
‘Purr Pull’ and petrol had to
be hand-cranked up from an
in-ground tank.
Some time prior to August
1959 the old ‘Avalon’ was
replaced by a modern service
The Local Voice Since 1991
station with workshop and
was run by Morrie Unicomb
until he moved on in 1970.
Much later it became totally
revamped as the present
‘Coles Express’, absent of any
workshop facilities.
The ‘Metro Petroleum’ at
662 Barrenjoey Road, North
Avalon, is a fine example of
how service stations used
to operate in Avalon Beach,
compared to the modern ‘petrol
stations’. The workshop
attached to the southern end
is sign-posted the ‘Avalon
Garage’ and provides all the
facilities the early stations
did. It was originally the ‘BP
Barrenjoey’ run by Tom Griffith
and later Brian Willan.
The second service station
was opened in August 1954
and called the ‘Fairway’ on
the corner of Old Barrenjoey
Road and The Crescent. It
was independently owned
like the ‘Avalon’. Instead of
a branded petrol company,
individual bowsers distributed
Golden Fleece, BP (British
Petroleum) and COR (Colonial
Oil Refinery) fuels. My dad
Ron was the manager up
until 1967. It changed hands
several times since and has
lain as a vacant block of land
for some 30 years.
The ’Whale Beach Service
Station’ believe it or not stood
on the corner of Careel Head
and Barrenjoey Roads. It was
initially run by the fabled
racing car driver Frank Gardner
as a Mobilgas station. Our
Society has a great photo of
Frank on the driveway standing
beside his XK120 Jaguar.
The site has since become
the ‘Careel Shopping Village’.
Col Matthews took over in
1958 with the White Brothers
assisting until they headed
north to run the Ampol at
Palm Beach (presently Iluka
Resort Apartments).
The Caltex servo stood on
the corner of Bellevue Avenue
and Avalon Parade. It was begun
by John Macarthur-King
in August 1958 and later run
by the father-and-son team of
Hank and Bob Hessink.
The Total servo at 17 Old
Barrenjoey Road was begun
by Brian Slavin in November
1968.
It later became famous as
‘Totally Toms’ when Tommy
Gilbert and his team took
over in 1980 until March
1997 when it became shoptop
housing.
The Ampol ‘Surfside Service
Station’ operated at 46
Avalon Parade from 1970 until
1990 when it then became
the Council car park.
The ‘Clareville Auto Port’
occupied the corner of
Central Road and Avalon and
Hudson Parades. Run by Jack
Campbell, two residences
now occupy the site.
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.
OCTOBER 2022 89
Times Past

Travel Life
Travel Life
Around the world in stunning style
Founded in 2002, Oceania Cruises not
only boasts a fleet of seven small,
luxurious ships, but they’ve also positioned
themselves as the world’s leading culinaryand-destination-focused
cruise line.
“With a team of internationally renowned
chefs and Michelin-style restaurants, guests
can experience the very best epicurean
experiences designed to suit any palette,”
said Travel View’s Gail Kardash.
“Part of why travellers return to sail with
Oceania Cruises is to savour The Finest
Cuisine at Sea®, while journeying to any of
over 450 immersive destinations.”
Gail said that while guests are cruising
the Dalmatian Coast, admiring the stunning
vistas and architectural masterpieces, the
culinary team is busy sourcing premium
artisanal ingredients for use in the line’s
speciality restaurants.
“From Castilla-La Mancha saffron to
French flour custom-milled to the line’s
specifications, its artisanal ingredients echo
the dedication poured into every dish,” she
said. “Every recipe has been proudly crafted
by the talented and innovative team, and
each dish is a study in age-old culinary
technique and tradition.”
Expertly curated travel experiences
aboard the designer-inspired, small ships
call on more than 450 marquee and
boutique ports across Europe, Alaska,
Asia (including Phuket, pictured), Africa,
Australia, New Zealand, New England-
Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean and the
South Pacific, in addition to the epic 180-
day Around the World Voyages.
The brand recently released its 2024
Voyage Collection of itineraries, its largest
itinerary launch to date, with over 350
voyages across a range of exotic and closeto-home
destinations.
Meanwhile, the line’s 2025 ‘Around the
World in 180-day’ voyages and seven epic
new Grand Voyages, are set to break more
records as pent-up demand for longer,
more exotic voyages continues.
“Oceania Cruises has reprised its popular
Around the World in 180 Days voyage
for 2025 aboard Insignia, but in a unique
east-to-west navigation,” said Gail. “Guests
will experience 89 diverse and colourful
destinations across 32 distinct countries,
with 21 overnights in port.
“And there are seven captivating Grand
Voyages ranging in length from 50 to 111
days, including a new 74-day Grand Voyage,
which spans five countries and three
continents, across two ships.”
Looking ahead, Oceania Cruises is
delighted to welcome the return of Regatta
to local waters in December – the first time
she will visit Australia and New Zealand
since 2019.
Oceania Cruises is also welcoming its first
new ship in 11 years to the fleet in 2023.
A marvel in the making, Vista will be the
most anticipated ship in the history of the
company.
“Vista will introduce several unique firsts
for the brand in the realms of dining and
guest experiences, including four new
dining concepts, luxurious signature public
spaces, and spacious, residentially inspired
suites and staterooms.”
*More info call Travel View on 9918 4444.
90 OCTOBER 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991