Pittwater Life June 2023 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991 

JUNE 2023 

FREE 

pittwaterlife 

INCREASE TREE FINE ‘HURT’ 

A TRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY COUPLE JOHN & PAM WARD 

SURFING IN SIBERIA / JONATHAN KING’S CORONATION DIARY 

SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / HOT PROPERTY / THE WAY WE WERE

Editorial 

They’ve shown us the money… 

Our politicians are crowing 

over a new pot of money 

promised to help speed 

flood mitigation and safety 

improvements on arterial link 

the Wakehurst Parkway. 

New Wakehurst MP Michael 

Regan used his first question 

to NSW Parliament to prise 

commitment from the Labor 

Government that they would 

stick to their pre-election 

pledge and stump up an 

additional $13 million, on 

top of the previous Liberal 

Government’s $18.1 million 

handed to Council. 

Mr Regan also sought 

assurance an existing $75 

million pledge would be 

honoured. 

Pittwater MP Rory Amon 

sensed ambiguity in the 

wording of the Government’s 

response – “investing $75 

million in total…” – and seized 

the moment to get clarification. 

Mackellar MP Dr Sophie 

Scamps said she met with then 

Shadow Roads Minister John 

Graham in January, which 

resulted in Labor’s additional 

cash commitment. 

Mr Regan said the longoverdue 

attention the 

Wakehurst Parkway will now 

receive comes after decades 

of neglect and inaction from 

governments of all persuasions. 

And he’s right… well, 

kinda. Unfortunately there’s 

no guarantee of any action. 

Ironically, under Mr Regan’s 

watch, Northern Beaches 

Council decided not to progress 

the most beneficial flood 

mitigation options identified 

in its draft feasibility study, 

citing the likely damaging 

environmental impact. 

Nothing’s changed. Those 

identified environmental 

impacts remain. Unless 

someone in our bureaucracies 

pushes the ‘go’ button, all this 

money talk will go down as 

nothing more than political 

point-scoring. – Nigel Wall 


JUNE 2023 3

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Publisher: Nigel Wall 

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Photography: Adobe / Staff 

Contributors: Rob Pegley, 

Steve Meacham, Rosamund 

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Vol 32 No 11 

Celebrating 32 years 

36 


JUNE 2023 

FREE 

pittwaterlife 

INCREASE TREE FINE ‘HURT’ 

A TRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY COUPLE JOHN & PAM WARD 

SURFING IN SIBERIA / JONATHAN KING’S CORONATION DIARY 

SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / HOT PROPERTY / THE WAY WE WERE 

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thislife 

INSIDE: Meet film maker Spencer Frost whose latest project 

involved surfing the icy waters of the Kamchatka Peninsula 

between Siberia and Alaska (p8); Avalon historian Dr 

Jonathan King recounts his wild Coronation camp-out 

(p14); Dr Sophie Scamps talks about her first 12 months 

as Mackellar MP (p18); Canopy Keepers want higher fines 

for the illegal removal of trees (p22); and we pay tribute to 

Elanora community couple John and Pam Ward (p36). 

COVER: Headland Light / Sharon Green 

XXXXX 2022 

also this month 

Editorial 3 

Pittwater Local News & Features 8-33 

Seen... Heard... Absurd... 26 

Briefs & Community News 28-33 

Life Story: John & Pam Ward 36-38 

Art 40 

Hot Property 41 

Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 42-47 

Money & Law 48-51 

Trades & Services/Classifieds 52-55 

The Way We Were 56 

Crossword 57 

Food & Tasty Morsels 58-60 

Gardening 62-64 

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our JULY issue MUST be supplied by 

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COPYRIGHT 

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

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JUNE 2023 The Local Voice Since 1991

Surfing in Siberia 

makes for cool change 

News 

certainly the wildest 

place I’ve ever been,” 

“It is 

says Spencer Frost, the 

award-winning Avalon-born 

documentary film maker. 

“It’s winter there for eight 

months of the year.” 

He’s talking about the 

Kamchatka peninsula in far 

eastern Russia, sandwiched 

between Siberia and Alaska, 

a gigantic teardrop pointing 

down to the Japanese archipelago. 

“There are 29 active volcanoes 

along the Bering Sea 

coast all covered deeply in 

snow, with smoke coming 

from their summits. 

“There’s these jagged, 

snow-encrusted cliffs that 

just look angry. The average 

water temperature when we 

were there was two degrees 

celsius. 

An obvious place to film a 

surfing documentary, then? 

Spencer, 28, who went to 

Barrenjoey High School – “We 

spent a long time in the surf 

and learned to love the ocean” 

– had enjoyed 

the success of 

his first surfing 

documentary 

‘A Corner of the 

Earth’, having 

filmed it in northern 

Iceland and 

inside the Arctic 

Circle. 

Where could be 

more difficult to 

film? The team 

discussed several 

options, but Kamchatka 

proved by far the most 

extreme. 

Some Russian surfers head 

to Kamchatka in the four 

months of summer, surfing 

on the more protected western 

side of the peninsula. 

But no-one has been so 

foolhardy as to try surfing 

in winter on the Bering Strait 

coast. 

The planning 

took three years, 

mainly during 

COVID. 

But the crisis 

point came at 

Abu Dhabi airport 

on Thursday 

Feb 24. 

“Everything 

was normal when 

we left Sydney,” 

Spencer recalls. 

“Then all the TV 

screens at the 

airport were showing the Russian 

invasion of Ukraine.” 

Spencer, his co-filmmaker 

Guy Williment and their two 

pro-surfer friends Letty Morrison 

and Fraser Dovell – all 

Northern Beaches boys – held 

urgent talks, consulting family 

and friends about whether 

they should pull the pin. 

“We looked at the map, and 

confirmed the Kamchatka 

peninsula is a 10-hour flight 

from Moscow,” Spencer says. 

“We’ve touched on the 

Ukraine invasion in the film, 

but at the end of the day we’re 

not political commentators. 

We’re just surfers.” 

Kamchatka is a world away 

from the ‘insular peninsula’, 

though much more isolated. 

Spencer explains the 

logistics involved once the 

four-man crew arrived at the 

nearest airport: 

“When we got off the 10- 

hour flight from Moscow, it 

was minus 16 degrees C,” he 

says. 

“The only way of getting to 

the peninsula was to charter 

8 JUNE 2023 

The Local Voice Since 1991

huge helicopters to transport 

us to a suitable beach. 

“On the way we saw a 

left-hand pipeline similar to 

Teahupo’o in Tahiti. Nothing 

we’d expected to find in 

Russia.” 

As the helicopters took off 

again, leaving them alone, the 

four friends heaved their gear 

– camping equipment, surf 

boards, gas, food and cameras 

– to their chosen beach. 

“We set up camp, then went 

to sleep in the snow on the 

beach,” Spencer says. 

In his teenage years, Spencer 

was a talented surfer. 

“But a lot of my friends 

became pro-surfers. I was 

never really that good, so I 

concentrated on filming them 

behind the camera.” 

His images earned him a 

livelihood with surf mags and 

adverts before venturing into 

documentaries. 

The breakthrough came in 

2019 when he collaborated 

with Guy and Fraser on ‘A 

Corner of the Earth’. That 

trip prepared them – as best 

as possible – for the freezing 

temperature they endured in 

the Kamchatka peninsula. 

PHOTOS: Guy Williment 

OPPOSITE: Spencer with his trusty camera which captured pro surfers Letty Morrison and Fraser Dovell (above). 

For the latest trip, their wetsuits 

were custom-made by 

Project Blank to survive the 

intense cold. But still the four 

friends suffered for their art. 

Spencer rarely surfed. “As 

director I mostly filmed with 

my underwater camera. Nothing 

really prepares you for the 

freezing cold waters of the 

Kamchatka peninsula.” 

Not that it was all chill and 

no chili. The local diet, Spencer 

says is “caviar, reindeer 

jerky and smoked salmon. 

No veggies. Nothing grows up 

there.” 

‘Corners of the Earth: 

Kamchatka’ had its sold-out 

premiere on February 4 at 

Cremorne’s Orpheum. 

It has since had five screenings 

at United Cinemas Avalon, 

with another scheduled 

at the Cremorne Orpheum on 

June 27. 

Spencer doesn’t have a long 

time to chat at Avalon Life 

Saving Club. He’s about to 

drive to Coffs Harbour, before 

crossing to Western Australia 

for more publicity launches. 

Later this year he’ll be presenting 

‘Corners of the Earth: 

Kamchatka’ in Bali, the UK 

and the USA. 

So where next? “It might be 

the Antarctic,” Spencer says. 

“We’ve heard of an island that 

has good breaks.” 

– Steve Meacham 

*Tickets Orpheum.com.au 

News 



WELLBEING: The 

benefits of cold water 

swimming have been 

scientifically proven. 

News 

Beaches Winter water therapy 

Increasingly, social media 

pages are filled with 

images of people shivering 

in ice baths, or adopting Wim 

Hof’s methods. But for many 

Northern Beaches’ residents, 

a cold water start to the day 

is nothing new. They simply 

jump in the ocean or their 

local ocean pool every day. 

And they do so all year 

round, including through 

Winter. 

Anytime from 5am onwards 

you’re likely to see people in 

hoodies and hooded towels, 

Ugg boots and beanies, holding 

steaming cups of coffee as they 

prepare to – literally – take the 

plunge. Some bring out the 

wetsuits for June to August, 

others keep going in cozzies 

and shorts. But all agree it’s 

good for them – and with the 

majority aged in their 60s, 70s, 

and 80s it would be hard to 

argue. 

In fact, benefits of cold 

water swimming have been 

scientifically proven. 

For one, it’s good for your 

immune system. Forced to 

react to extreme conditions, 

your body becomes better 

at raising its defences and 

your white blood cell count 

can actually rise as a result. 

Circulation also improves, as 

the cold water flushes veins 

and arteries. 

Endorphins kick in 

as a result of cold water 

swimming, so it’s good 

for your mind as well as 

your body. Endorphins are 

released when we are in pain 

and so exercise and cold 

water combine to get the good 

mood chemicals pumping. 

You burn calories – and not 

just due to swimming laps. 

Simply being in the cold water 

means the heart has to pump 

faster to keep you warm. 

All these factors should 

mean that stress is 

reduced. Not to mention the 

connections you make, seeing 

the same faces every morning 

and having a chat over a 

coffee to start your day. 

Physically, mentally and 

emotionally, there are few 

better starts to the morning. 

Research has also shown 

cold water also increases 

libido. Oestrogen and 

testosterone are produced 

just taking a dip in the cold 

water every morning. 

That said, many regular 

Winter swimmers will tell 

you that the water isn’t that 

cold – and they’re not “being 

tough”. Often the hardest part 

of a Winter swim is getting 

out. Sydney water is usually 

around 18 degrees in early 

Winter – compared to around 

23 degrees in Summer. 

(Although temperatures 

are quite consistent there 

is a time lag that means 

September is the coldest, 

dropping to around 16 

degrees or less.) 

Getting out, however, 

is more than fresh. Some 

mornings you emerge from 

the water to temperatures of 

around 6 or 7 degrees, and 

with the wind factor it feels 

like minus 5! Never fear, get 

the Uggs and hoodie on, grab 

that coffee and feel a selfsatisfied 

smugness wash over 

you that you’re boosting your 

immunity and starting the 

day right. 

Here’s what some local 

Winter swimmers say: 

Scott Campbell, North 

Narrabeen: “Swimming in the 

pool all year round is the best 

psychiatrist known to man.” 

Mark Bevan and Sally 

Simpson, Narrabeen: 

“I used to swim a lot as a kid, 

and then my partner got me 

back in the pool after my son 

died,” said Mark. “It gave me 

a fresh start and now I look 

forward to my laps every day.” 

Adds Sally: “I just love it as a 

start to the day, it grounds me 

and connects me to nature.” 

Matt Zack Curnow, Collaroy: 

“Starting my mornings off 

in the ocean really sets my 

mind and body up for the 

best chance of a good day. It 

gets me moving, present with 

nature, and out of my head. I 

love it.” – Rob Pegley 

PHOTO: houseofwellness.com.au 



Bec and call of the beach 

News 

For most of us a day at the 

beach is relaxing – catch 

a wave, soak up some 

sunshine… hot chips from 

the local take-away, chill out; 

nice. 

Bec Capell of Newport SLSC 

was recently crowned Australian 

Champion Lifesaver 

(40-49 years) at Scarborough 

Beach, Western Australia. Bec 

explains her day at the beach 

can be very different. 

Champion Lifesaver events 

test the all-round skills and 

abilities of competitors – it’s 

surf lifesaving’s version of 

the Olympic decathlon. 

Bec outlines the energy sapping 

event: 

Run – 70-metre dash on soft 

sand: “I can’t say I love that!” 

Swim – 500 metres: “I’m 

better in the surf than in the 

flat I’ve discovered… I always 

bank on a wave to carry me 

in.” 

Board – 600-metre paddle. 

Tube rescue – 300-metre 

swim with fins and rescue 

tube: “Out of all of them that 

one is the hardest.” 

CPR – starts with a live patient, 

then compressions on a 

dummy (precision timing is 

required). 

Theory – 40 multiple choice 

questions from a 300-page 

manual, encompassing surf 

forecasts, first aid… even obscure 

questions on hat brim 

width. 

Bec said competition days 

could run from 7am marshalling 

through to 6pm. 

Physical and mental fitness is 

examined. Training is often 

squeezed in late after Bec’s 

day as a Support Education 

Facilitator at Mona Vale Public 

School. 

She comes from a social 

work background and now 

works with autistic children 

in Kindergarten up to Year 

3 – a rewarding and challenging 

career requiring patience. 

Bec enjoys being able to work 

one-on-one with children in a 

small class environment. 

“My job can be quite stressful 

some days and it’s that 

training… because we train 

almost an hour every afternoon 

doing something… that 

makes me able to go home 

and ‘face the music’ for the 

family,” she explained. 

Health, and mental healthwise, 

it’s been a godsend. 

“I think I get more out of it 

than I ever expected and the 

competition is just a bonus,” 

AUSSIE CHAMPION: 

Bec Capell on 

Newport Beach. 

she said. 

Bec’s training partners, 

Guyren Smith (Australian 

Champion Lifesaver 50+ 

years) and Phoebe Savage, encouraged 

her to enter Masters 

events (30+ years). The pair 

have been her guides. 

“Guyren and Phoebe just 

took me under their wing and 

it was such a slow progression, 

they just kept putting 

my name down as a Master. I 

think I came last in my first 

Aussies!” Bec said. 

“Every week they just kept 

me going. They’ve become my 

second family.” 

Bec’s husband Brendan 

and children Sam, Harry and 

Abi are all active members of 

Newport SLSC. The Capells 

are in the famed Patrol No.2 

(the Love Patrol). 

“These dates are the first in 

the calendar and we work our 

life around them. Sometimes 

it’s the only time in the week 

that all five of us get together,” 

she said. 

Certainly hers is a busy life. 

“I think that’s why I respect 

so many Masters, because 

we’ve all got family, we’re all 

working and we can still find 

time for each other and train. 

I think that needs to be given 

credit.” 

Synchronised swimming 

was Bec’s water background 

before discovering her love 

for the beach and the surf. 

She first got involved 

with surf lifesaving in 2009 

when Sam and Harry joined 

Newport Nippers after she 

and Brendan decided their 

children needed to do Nippers 

and learn to surf, or at least 

learn to ‘read’ the surf. 

A Bronze Medallion, Nippers 

water safety and stints 

as Junior Activities Chairperson 

and the Club’s Member 

Protection Information Officer 

have all followed. 

Bec is also a member of the 

six-person Patrol Competition 

team (a super mix of Masters 

and teenagers) and the 

Masters water team. She’s also 

recently joined the Inflatable 

Rescue Boat team – she says 

just so she can “hang out with 

Harry”. 

On 3 June, Newport SLSC 

is holding its Annual Awards 

presentation, The Bernies 

(named after Club legend 

Bernie Howard). The Capell 

family feature strongly – with 

seven nominations. 

– Greg McHugh 



Elliot’s future is written in the stars 

Imagine it is 2050. You’re on a space mission 

to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. It’s a ‘brief’ 

three-year trip and there are 35 astronauts along 

for the ride. 

Elliot Powell and his futuristic rocket propulsion 

system will get you there! 

Elliot, 17, a Year 11 Oxford Falls Grammar 

student, has been awarded the highly soughtafter 

NASA-affiliated Al Worden ‘Endeavour’ 

Scholarship, beating out more than 600 other 

applicants. 

His video pitch to the Scholarship judges 

showcased experimental future technology in 

a nuclear thermal-powered Mothership and a 

traditional chemical-powered Landing Module. 

Elliot said a family trip to the Kennedy Space 

Centre in Florida to witness a rocket launch when he was just 

nine lit the fuse for his passion. 

“That was quite incredible. They say you feel it before you 

see it and that was definitely true,” he said. “My Dad calls it 

the greatest place on earth.” 

Introduced to the Kerbal Space Program video game by his 

English cousin (who designs rockets to collect space junk), 

Elliot was soon building and designing his own ‘virtual’ 

rockets. 

“As a nine-year-old seeing that (launch), it presented a 

medium through which I could build my interest in space,” 

he said. 

A deep family interest in aviation, aerospace and a steady 

diet of space-themed movies has continued to fuel Elliot – 

with ‘Apollo 13’ on an infinite loop at the Powell’s residence. 

SCHOLARSHIP: Elliot Powell. 

In July, Elliot will fly to Space Camp at the US 

Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama. 

The Al Worden ‘Endeavour’ Scholarship aims 

to inspire young space explorers and engineers. 

Al Worden was the Apollo 15 Command Module 

pilot and a passionate advocate for exploration 

and STEM (science, technology, engineering, 

mathematics) education. 

Elliot and three other eager Australian high 

school students will travel to Alabama with 

an experienced STEM educator. Teams from 

France, Bahrain and the United States will also 

touch down at Space Camp. 

“It’s an incredible opportunity.” 

The Space Camp will expose students to 

astronaut training simulators, engineering 

challenges and team-based activities – even lessons on space 

careers and on International Space Station languages. 

The simulators have grabbed Elliot’s attention. 

He talks about actor Ed Harris (who played astronaut John 

Glenn) in the movie ‘The Right Stuff’, being locked in a chair 

and spun every which way to simulate a tumble on re-entering 

the Earth’s atmosphere (the Multi-Axis Trainer). 

Elliot says he is up for it. 

“I have been pretty good on rides… never been sick. It will 

really test me but I’m looking forward to it,” he said. 

Currently learning to fly a Cessna, he has dreams of going 

into aviation, ideally through a degree with the Air Force. 

“It’s definitely a goal of mine to go to space. The destiny of 

humanity is in the stars… we do need to explore, we do need 

to get out there.” 

– Greg McHugh 

News 



An Avalon camper’s 

crazy Coronation diary 

News 

Story by Dr Jonathan King 

As soon as I heard King Charles III’s 

Coronation would be 6 May 2023, I 

decided to attend; after all, I had an 

inside lane – or so I thought – having gone 

to Geelong Grammar’s bushland campus, 

Timbertop, just a few years ahead of 

Charles. I had also interviewed Charles for 

a story for The Australian when he arrived 

at Timbertop in the 1960s. 

We shared the same History teacher, Michael 

Persse, and graduated with History 

Degrees. In 1984 Persse asked Charles to 

secure Buckingham Palace support for my 

Australian Bicentennial Re-enactment of 

the First Fleet voyage. 

Thanks to Charles, Prince Philip met 

me at Buckingham Palace and wrote a 

strong letter of endorsement. My wife 

Jane and I were presented to the Queen, 

who accepted a posy from our daughters 

in Portsmouth where Her Majesty then 

boarded HMS Sirius, reviewed my Fleet 

of 11 tall ships, officially launching our 

expedition. 

As Australian Rainforest Foundation 

director, in the 1990s, I also publicly defended 

Charles’ visionary call for bans on 

rainforest logging. 

I won an Order of Australia in 2022 in 

the last Queens Birthday Honours; hence 

I really thought I had this ‘inside lane’ to 

the Coronation. In January I sent a letter 

to Charles asking for special consideration 

for his 80-year-old ‘School Chum’. 

I checked my letterbox every day for 

months but to no avail. I decided, “To 

hell with it – I’ll go anyway!” (I am certain 

Charles would have replied if he had seen 

it.) 

Having seen enthusiasts on TV camping 

out for Royal weddings, I bought a tent, 

flew to London and headed straight to 

Buckingham Palace. 

Friday 5 May 

I got to the front of the queue of red, white 

and blue bunting-covered tents at the 

Buckingham Palace end of the Mall by 

sneaking through St James Park, finding 

a tiny spot under a tree on Coronation eve 

morning. 

Smiling nervously, I took my Australian 

flag out of my backpack, donned my Akubra 

and asked the most dominant camper 

if I could pitch my tent. “Of course, Aussie! 

We’ll help!” said cockney Jake, 35. He 

instructed Marty (from Poland) and Jirina 

(from Czechoslovakia) to assist erect 

my tent, tie it to a tree and blow up my 

Li-lo. Then there was Welsh couple Paula 

and John who said I looked like Crocodile 

Dundee; they presented a bottle of 

Australian chardonnay, and barbequed 

sausages. Karen from Portsmouth, who 

remembered the Queen farewelling my 

First Fleet, gave me a portable charger. 

By noon I “belonged” and began enjoying 

the camaraderie of this unifying 

celebration. However, 30 minutes later 

we encountered heavily tattooed former 

British soldier Leighton, 42 – with a pottymouth 

and shaved head, he burst into our 

camp erecting his tent beside mine. He 

said he was stoned on marijuana and he 

was happy to boast about it. Then between 

vapes he befriended me. Leighton said 

he’d been invalided out of the Afghanistan 

war after stepping on a landmine, showing 

me a patched-up leg. “It’s all in here,” 

he said, fishing a copy of Prince Harry’s 

‘Spare’ out of his tent. “Harry fought in 

same theatre, a bloody brave soldier, and 

great bloke.” 

More colourful characters added spice 

to the afternoon, before at 2.05pm the 

crowd roared: “It’s the King!” A red Rolls 

Royce stopped nearby. Charles, the Prince 

and the Princess of Wales, went on walkabouts, 

chatting to campers for 20 minutes. 

During the afternoon, reporters from a 

host of countries interviewed us for social 

media, with an English reporter congratulating 

me on “the best seat in the house”. 

Exhausted, I fell asleep at 7pm, woken 

just an hour later by laughter as a group 

of Jamaicans carrying chairs joined our 

crowded camp. 

Going to the toilet was a challenge, as 

the Porta Loos were locked until the day 

of the Coronation. When I reported a paper 

shortage in the local toilet, the ‘Bobby’ 

laughed; “I’ve got more important issues 

than that!” 

At 9pm a drunken Irishman fell into my 

tent. Every time I emerged, more people 

had pushed in. At 10pm it looked like a 

refugee camp. Loud hammering woke 

me at 2am as security guards erected a 

wall blocking my wife’s Jane’s rehearsed 

entry via St James Park. I texted her. After 

catching sleep in half-hour lots I woke at 

4.30am. 



CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: The Town Crier welcomes the author to London; Dr King and wife Jane finally 

catch up with ‘King Charles’; Dr King’s campsite on Coronation eve; the crowd gathers later that night; the author 

with fellow campers Leighton and Paul; dressed for the occasion, Coronation enthusiasts cheer the new King. 

Saturday 6 May 

The day started in chaos. Police arrived 

at 6am demanding we dismantle 

our tents but one of the group refused, 

shouting: “That’s no way to treat a homeless 

man!” Leighton vowed to defend 

the camp, demanding I stand firm. No 

chance for breakfast. 

Jane arrived at 6.30am, just before police 

blocked access. At 7am, overhearing 

my accent, a Sky News reporter interviewed 

me in a live cross for the 4pm 

Sydney news. 

The excitement built and shortly after 

10am campers rushed barricades as the 

official procession left the Palace for Westminster 

Abbey – King Charles in white 

robes waving with Queen Camilla. Then, 

with the rain beginning to fall, we watched 

on our mobile phones as the 40th monarch 

since 1066 was crowned at the Abbey. 

At 1.30pm we peered through drizzle 

at Charles returning in the glittering 

1762 gold state coach. Running with the 

crowds we reached the Palace just as 

King Charles appeared waving on the 

balcony – an historic moment for us history 

tragics! 

“Thank you, King Charles for supporting 

my First Fleet!” I shouted, lifting removing 

my hat in respect. This prompted the young 

woman beside me to burst into tears. 

“What’s the matter?” I asked. 

“It’s your deep respect for our King” 

replied 35-year-old Rebecca in Irish 

brogue. “I haven’t seen that for years – it 

touched my heart.” 

So, as I hoped, it was indeed rewarding 

connecting with my old school chum – 

even if just to unleash these heartfelt emotions 

from a woman from, of all places, the 

traditionally Republican south of Ireland! 

* Author and historian Dr Jonathan King’s 

Life Story appeared in our September 

2022 issue. 

News 



News 

McCarrs Creek cyclists’ push 

When the McCarr Creek Cyclist Club was formed in 1994, 

it was before lycra became the figure-hugging cycling 

uniform of choice. 

“We started riding in T-shirts and shorts,” says John Florin, 

one of three founder members. “It was a while before we got 

into lycra. I’m afraid we’re all lycra warriors now. 

“It’s much more comfortable to ride in.” 

So it’s not that club members want to look sexy? “Lycra only 

looks sexy on some!” John admits. 

Stuart de Jong, who joined the MCCC around 2005, credits 

John, the late Lindsay Harvey and Richard Farago (who is now 

unable to ride because of dementia) for the group. 

Lindsay was the keenest and most talented cyclist of the trio. 

He also rode with the Audax Australia Cycling Club, which specialises 

in long distance rides of between 200 and 300 kilometres 

under the auspices of Audax Club Parisien and Union des 

Audax Français. 

He persuaded several of 

these elite riders to join the 

MCCC, and was always on the 

lookout for new members. 

At its peak, the club had 50 

members on its email list, 

though a typical ride would 

feature around 20. 

Richard, according to Stuart, 

was the club’s self-appointed 

fashion director, not 

holding back if he thought 

a member wasn’t dressed to 

standard. 

“He was also the ‘Scone Nazi’,” Stuart laughs. “He was an 

advocate of healthy food.” 

Now the club is looking for new members, especially women 

since female numbers have been depleted recently. 

Most members are men in their 60s and early 70s who cycle 

to keep up their fitness but younger members are welcome. 

Despite its name, the MCCC is not a registered club, John 

explains. “It’s more a group of loosely connected friends. 

“We’re extending an invitation to anyone who would like to 

join us for a relatively gentle ride and a cup of coffee. 

“People need to feel comfortable riding at our pace. Our ride 

average is between 18 and 22km/h. If someone wants to ride 

a lot faster or a lot slower, they probably wouldn’t enjoy it as 

much.” 

There are two rides a week, both starting at 7.30am. On 

Wednesdays, they ride the 30 kilometres around Akuna Bay 

OUTINGS: Members at their 

regular ‘pit stop’ (top right) 

at West Head; and on tour 

at the top of Mt Hotham. 

and back – starting and 

finishing at Tempo, the 

popular cycling cafe in 

Terrey Hills run by Dan 

Forsythe. 

For a while Dan rode with 

the MCCC. “But he’s a much 

better cyclist than us,” John 

admits. 

“When we first rode to 

West Head, we’d be the only 

cycling group there,” Stuart 

recalls. “Now it’s standing 

room only.” 

On Saturdays, the routes 



vary, but are generally between 60 to 100 kilometres. Sometimes 

they start at Hornsby and ride to Woy Woy, taking the 

train back. Another route starts at North Turramurra and 

heads to Berowa and the Galston Gorge. A third is to Palm 

Beach and back. 

The rides are social rather than competitive, featuring plenty 

of on-saddle banter. 

Twice a year the club heads to somewhere further afield: 

Tumut, Bright, Mount Hotham – with partners acting as support 

crew. 

They’ve also organised cycling trips abroad including the 

South Island of New Zealand, the Italian Dolomites and the 

Pyrenees. – Steve Meacham 

*If you’re interested in going for a test ride with the MCCC 

either arrive at Tempo before 7.30 am on a Wednesday or 

phone John (0438 533 844) or Stuart (0429 442 604). 

News 



News 

‘My first year on Mackellar w 

Independent Federal MP Dr Sophie Scamps 

outlines the progress she’s made on behalf of 

the residents of Mackellar in the 12 months 

since her election. Interview by Nigel Wall 

Q: Congratulations on your 

one-year anniversary… tell 

us, what’s been the biggest 

eye-opener from the past 12 

months? 

The biggest surprise to 

me has been the rate and 

extent to which change can 

happen in Parliament and 

how quickly our nation can 

respond to important issues 

– if the political will is there. 

The past 12 months has seen 

our country take enormous 

strides on important issues 

like the climate crisis, international 

relations and alliances, 

and the transition to a 

renewable energy economy. It 

feels like Australia is back on 

the international stage again 

and it feels good to be there. 

Q: What has been your most 

satisfying achievement? 

Prior to the last election 

two issues were clear front 

runners for our community 

– urgent action on climate 

change and restoring integrity 

to federal politics. 

So, I’ve focused on negotiating 

with the government 

to improve our climate laws, 

including enshrining our net 

zero 2050 target in law and 

strengthening the safeguard 

mechanism to ensure our 

biggest polluters deliver real 

emissions cuts. I’m proud 

that Australia is finally on the 

road to addressing climate 

change. 

At the same time, I’m very 

proud to have voted in line 

with community expectations 

for a strong National Anti- 

Corruption Commission and 

to further push the issue of 

integrity in politics with my 

‘Ending Jobs for Mates’ Private 

LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY: Dr Sophie Scamps says local issues are 

front and centre of her focus as she enters her second year in parliament. 

Member’s Bill. This Bill aims 

to end the cronyism and ‘jobs 

for mates’ culture that has led 

to many Australians losing 

trust in federal politics. 

More locally, it was very 

pleasing that after advocating 

strongly to all levels of 

government that the new NSW 

Government listened to my 

concerns over the flooding 

of the Wakehurst Parkway 

and promised to deliver extra 

funding for flood mitigation 

works. 

Q: What is the most pressing 

local issue? 

People tell me repeatedly 

that cost-of-living pressures, 

particularly the lack of affordable 

housing in the area, 

is the major issue of concern. 

It is heartbreaking to witness 

young families and individu- 



atch’: Scamps 

als having to move away from 

the Northern Beaches because 

they cannot afford to buy 

their own home or the high 

rents in the area. It separates 

people from their families 

and networks and drives intergenerational 

inequality. 

Protecting our local environment 

is also an issue that 

is very close to the hearts of 

the people of Mackellar so 

I will continue to campaign 

strongly against PEP11 – the 

permit to drill for oil and gas 

off our coastline. I was proud 

to second the Bill of fellow 

Northern Beaches Independent 

MP Zali Steggall that calls 

for this licence to be extinguished 

forever. 

Q: Are you happy with how 

you are being heard by the 

Albanese Labor Government? 

The Prime Minister and 

ministers have been very 

open to communicating and 

working with me and the 

others on the crossbench. The 

Prime Minister meets regularly 

with the crossbench and 

during parliamentary sitting 

weeks Government ministers 

brief the crossbench weekly 

about upcoming legislation 

for question and comment. 

This is apparently something 

that has not happened previously. 

Consistent with my promise 

to do politics differently, I’ve 

been working constructively 

with the government to improve 

and create better laws 

for our nation. For example, 

when a Bill to ensure our biggest 

polluters cut their emissions 

was held up in the Senate, 

I helped find a solution 

by drafting an amendment 

that was broadly accepted and 

allowed the Bill to be passed. 

The amendment I proposed 

to this safeguard mechanism 

Bill was to require all new and 

expanded fossil fuel facilities 

to be net zero from the day 

they start operating. This is 

now law. 

Q: What things have you 

requested specific to Mackellar 

that are still works in 

progress, or have not been 

addressed? 

Working together with State 

and Local governments we’re 

making progress on upgrades 


to the Wakehurst Parkway to 

reduce the recurrent flooding 

and closure of the road 

from 6-7 times a year to once 

or twice every two years. It 

is vital the people of Mackellar 

can access their only 

public hospital no matter the 

weather. I will continue to 

push to ensure that both the 

flood mitigation works and 

upgrades to the road itself 

progress. 

I’ve also recently requested 

that the Federal Communications 

Minister intervene on 

the unacceptable 3-year delay 

in upgrading the mobile telecommunications 

infrastructure 

at Cottage Point. For 

over 20 years, the community 

has asked for solutions to the 

lack of mobile phone coverage 

and internet access to 

the area, and still this has 

not happened. This is despite 

the death of a resident in 

2019 after their partner was 

unable to contact emergency 

services because the landline 

was down and there 

was no mobile signal. With 

the awarding of funding for 

the installation of a mobile 

phone base station in March 

2020 through the Federal 

Government’s Mobile Black 

Spot Program, the community 

was relieved that a solution 

was imminent, however 

three years later, this is yet to 

be installed. It is an unacceptable 

situation. 

Q: Now the area doesn’t have 

a sitting Government member 

both federally and State, 

will you work collaboratively 

with the MP for Pittwater to 

help hold Chris Minns accountable, 

and help lobby for 

local improvements? 

One of the advantages of 

being an Independent is that 

I can work with MPs from 

across the political spectrum 

to stand up for our community. 

I am 100% looking forward 

to working with both our 

new state MPs, Rory Amon in 

Pittwater, and Wakehurst’s Independent 

MP Michael Regan. 

Together we will hold the new 

NSW Labor Government to account 

and ensure the government 

tackles the issues we are 

facing here on the Beaches. 

JUNE 2023 19 

News

News 

No-take proposal 

polarises locals 

Our story about the planned proposal to 

Northern Beaches Council to turn Mona 

Vale basin at the north end of the beach 

into an aquatic reserve and no-fishing zone 

has caused something of a submarine stoush. 

Not least between members of the 

Dawnbusters ocean swimming group, from 

which the ‘Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay’ was 

formed. 

John Randall, 83, claims to be “the oldest 

long-term member of the Dawnbusters”, 

having swum with the club for 23 years. 

He says the story in the May edition of 

Pittwater Life “… has caused friction at the 

beach and anger in the community directed 

at us”. 

Twice recently, John says, he was confronted 

by locals complaining the no fishing proposal 

from the ocean swim club was “a scare 

campaign”. 

An abusive poster festering against the nofishing 

proposal has since been removed. 

John said he couldn’t defend his fellow 

swim club members’ proposal because he and 

several other members of the Dawnbusters 

don’t agree with it. 

Particularly about the club’s insistence that 

aquatic life would be destroyed if fishing was 

allowed to continue along the beach and the 

two rock headlands that stand sentry. 

John says he is now too unsteady on his feet 

to fish from the rocks anymore. 

But he relishes memories of fishing from 

the headlands when he was younger. 

“I’ve been talking to experienced fishermen 

– one who has been fishing here for 65 years 

– and they all say they haven’t noticed any 

reduction in fish numbers or size.” 

John has also spoken to general beachgoers 

who, he says, resent one club attempting to 

impose restrictions on an environment every 

Australian should be able to enjoy. 

“These guys (the swim club’s management) 

want to swim across the bay every morning, 

but want to stop fishermen (being able to 

enjoy the same location). 

“There’s absolutely no need to ban fishing 

off the rocks – and there are a lot of angry 

people after your article.” 

Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay expect to 

finalise and submit their proposal to Council 

in late Winter. 

– Steve Meacham 

*Want your say? Read the submission: 

bonginbonginbay.com 

6THINGS 

THIS MONTH 

Music treat. Peninsula Music 

Club presents international 

Australian Pianist Andrea Lam 

performing favourite classical 

works as well as works by 

Australian composer Matthew 

Hindson who will be live on-stage 

providing insight into the pieces, 

what inspired them and how they 

evolved on Sun 4 from 2.30pm- 

4.30pm at St Luke’s Grammar 

School Bayview Campus. Tickets 

$30 peninsulamusicclub.com.au 

or at the door. 

Boat safety series. The Royal 

Motor Yacht Club at Newport 

is hosting a free safety series 

this month with a range of guest 

speakers, sessions on how to 

conduct safety audits, lifejacket 

and fire extinguisher checks, 

radar and night navigation, flare 

and life raft demos and a “First 

Mate” ladies technical day. Info at 

royalmotor.com.au or 9997 5511. 

Weaving Workshop. Join Master 

Weaver Aunty Karleen Green at 

the Mona Vale Creative Space on 

Fri 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 10am-12pm 

to weave, listen to stories about 

our local history and contribute 

to a public artwork as part of 

Gai-mariagal Festival. Bookings 

through Council website. 

Wrestling. International Wrestling 

Australia presents Team Northern 

Beaches vs Team Western 

Sydney, featuring Australian 

Heavyweight Champion and 

Northern Beaches Local Jackson 

Kelly at Pittwater RSL on Sat 10. 

General Admission $22 Adults, 

$18 Child. Doors open 7.30pm. 

More info pittwaterrsl.com.au. 

Author talk. Avalon Library 

welcomes Anthea Hodgson who 

will talk about her book The War 

Nurses – a story of courage and 

camaraderie based on a true story 

of Australian nurses in WWII. On 

Sun 25 at 3pm; book at the library 

or call 8495 5080. Tickets $10. 

High Tea and Champagne. 

Chemical CleanOut. Clear out 

your old paint, batteries, poisons, 

garden, and household chemicals, 

plus motor fuels, globes, smoke 

detectors and gas bottles and 

safely dispose of them for free at 

the Mona Vale Beach car park on 

Sat 24 and Sun 25 from 9am-3pm; 

more info epa.nsw.gov.au 



New Independent Wakehurst 

MP Michael Regan 

has extracted confirmation 

from the Minns State Government 

that it will honour 

its pre-election pledge of 

increased funding to hasten 

flood mitigation works and 

safety and capacity improvements 

on the Wakehurst 

Parkway. 

The former Northern 

Beaches Mayor used his first 

question in parliament to ask: 

“Will this government deliver 

its pre-election commitment 

of $13 million for flood mitigation 

work, as well as the 

previous budget allocation 

of $75 million dollars for the 

Wakehurst Parkway, so that 

the people of the Northern 

Beaches can rely on this crucial 

arterial road?” 

In response, Transport Minister 

Jo Haylen confirmed the 

Government’s $13 million commitment 

to fast-track work on 

flood mitigation measures, in 

addition to the $18.1m already 

provided to Northern Beaches 

Council by the former Liberal 

State Government to improve 

flood mitigation on Wakehurst 

Parkway. 

“The NSW Government is 

investing $75m in total to improve 

safety and capacity on 

the parkway,” she added. 

“It is a critical thoroughfare 

but it is also surrounded by 

places of important cultural 

heritage and environmental 

significance, so the Government 

needs to get this right.” 

Ms Haylen said the Government 

would carry out the 

widening of Dreadnought 

Road to the Oxford Falls Road 

intersection, with an additional 

southbound lane from 

Dreadnought Road to Trefoil 

Creek, and improvements 

at Elanora Road at Elanora 


FOCUS: Fast-tracking 

flood mitigation works. 

Parkway funding confirmed 

Heights and Mirrool Street at 

North Narrabeen. 

“The investigations and 

works will ensure that this 

Government gets this right, 

and the community will be 

informed along the way,” she 

said. 

“The proposed improvements 

to the road will help 

to reduce accidents. They 

will improve access to the 

Northern Beaches Hospital 

– a something that is very 

important for the member’s 

community. Ultimately, it will 

save commuters time. 

“It will improve road safety, 

network efficiency, capacity 

for future traffic flow, public 

transport and active transport 

opportunities. 

“While a lot of the work will 

be carried out to minimise 

traffic impacts, there will be 

some disruptions along the 

way.” 

Ms Haylen added the Government 

wanted to make sure 

it dealt with any environmental 

impacts. 

Mr Regan said the upgrades 

to the Parkway were something 

he had pushed for both 

as Mayor of Northern Beaches 

Council and during the NSW 

election. 

“It is heartening that the 

new Government has officially 

confirmed this funding 

for our community,” he said. 

“The long-overdue attention 

the Wakehurst Parkway 

will now receive comes after 

decades of neglect and inaction 

from governments of all 

persuasions. 

“Now that funding has been 

confirmed, the works should 

begin as soon as is practical,” 

he said. – Nigel Wall 

*What do you think? Tell 

us at readers@pittwaterlife. 

com.au 


News

News 

Tree fines: ‘Increase the hurt’ 

Pittwater-based community 

group Canopy Keepers 

is urging Northern 

Beaches Council to increase 

the financial penalty for the 

illegal removal of trees. 

The group also want Council 

to advertise tree removal 

applications and permits 

onsite, with signage as per 

current Development Application 

displays. 

Their calls follow a decision 

in Manly Court on May 

9 where a developer was 

convicted of the removal of 14 

trees from a construction site 

at North Narrabeen in 2021. 

The defendant was ordered 

to pay a fine of $10,000 plus 

professional legal costs, with 

the court judgment describing 

the offence as a “serious 

breach”. 

Canopy Keepers spokeswoman 

Deborah Collins said 

although the group welcomed 

the successful prosecution, 

the penalty was insufficient 

deterrent. 

“Unfortunately, we need to 

increase the hurt,” Ms Collins 

said. 

Council was first alerted to 

the issue in September 2021 

after receiving a complaint 

about the removal of a tree at 

a construction site in North 

Narrabeen. 

On inspection, Council 

found that 14 trees had been 

removed in contravention of a 

development consent. 

Northern Beaches Council 

Interim CEO Louise Kerr said 

the case served as an important 

reminder of the need 

to comply with development 

consents. 

WATERED DOWN DETERRENT: Canopy Keepers’ Deborah Collins wants 

financial penalties for the illegal removal of trees increased. 

“Northern Beaches Council 

is committed to protecting 

and maintaining trees and 

bushland, especially threatened 

species and trees with 

heritage significance,” Ms 

Kerr said. 

“Council has zero tolerance 

to these types of offences and 

takes these matters seriously. 

“While these 14 trees have 

sadly been removed, we hope 

that this will serve as an 

important reminder to others 

in the community to comply 

with conditions of their 

development consent and not 

remove trees without Council 

permission.” 

Canopy Keepers’ Ms Collins 

told Pittwater Life: “We support 

Council’s stand of Zero 

Tolerance with breaches of 

this kind… residents have a 

high expectation that Council 

is able to act in such circumstances 

and yet more often 

than not our canopy and our 

wildlife suffer an irreversible 

loss with limited reparation. 

“The NSW Department 

of Planning says it gives 

Councils extensive powers 

to investigate incidents and 

penalise offenders, yet we believe 

many at Council would 

agree that there is much in 

the legislation that requires 

reviewing and improving – including 

an easier way to bring 

about convictions.” 

She pointed to Ku-ring-gai 

Council as leading the way to 

have illegal tree removal fines 

increased. 

Ms Collins urged Northern 

Beaches Council to join with 

other councils to ensure fines 

were increased, as well as 

amend the ‘burden of proof’ 

legislation. 

“We call on the Council to 

advertise tree removal applications 

and permits onsite 

– just as they do DAs. 

“This allows residents to 

know in advance what is happening 

to their community of 

trees and why it is happening 

– and this alone could avert 

many illegal removals.” 

She noted that in the North 

Narrabeen case, the developer 

received a $10,000 fine 18 

months after the offence. 

“That’s $700 per tree for 

possibly 70-100 years of 

growth – such a fine is not a 

deterrent to a developer or a 

wealthy home buyer, it simply 

is part of the development 

cost and seen as such,” Ms 

Collins said. 

She added that planting 

replacement tree stock, that 

took decades to mature, did 

not replace habitat or canopy, 

and with often a low compliance, 

this solution was 

flawed. 

Ms Collins said another 

layer of deterrent could be 

added if tree loppers were 

made accountable after carrying 

out illegal services for 

their clients. 

“In this instance was the 

tree lopper also fined? If a 

tree lopper was at risk of being 

listed on the NBC website 

or newsletter as disreputable, 

might that deter them?” she 

posed. 

Ms Collins said the 

vigilance of residents was 

essential in deterring illegal 

tree felling. 

“Follow the sound of the 

chainsaw, take photos of 

the tree felling, call Council, 

check the NBC website for approvals, 

talk to neighbours,” 

she said. – Nigel Wall 

*What do you think? Tell us 

at readers@pittwaterlife.com. 

au; also visit canopykeepers. 

org.au 



Govt delivers Council a $3m blow 

Northern Beaches Council has slammed 

the Minns State Government for withdrawing 

crucial Environmental Services 

Levy insurance subsidies it pays NSW 

Councils, which will leave our Council with 

a $3.1 operating budget deficit heading into 

the new financial year. 

Newly elected Mayor Sue Heins labelled 

the move a “cost-shifting exercise”, while 

Pittwater State MP Rory Amon warned 

Labor’s move would likely force Council to 

raise its rates, further impacting the hip 

pockets of ratepayers during the current 

cost-of-living crisis. 

Mayor Heins said Labor had dumped a 

highly damaging increase in the Emergency 

Services Levy (ESL) on all NSW councils 

without warning heading into the 2023-’24 

financial year. 

She said the sharp rise in the ESL 

through a 19.5 per cent increase and the 

removal of the existing subsidy paid by the 

NSW Government to offset levy increases 

in recent years would result in a $3.1 million 

spike (50 per cent increase) in its costs 

in 2023-’24. 

“This sudden announcement by the NSW 

Government came after we had finalised 

our draft 2023-’24 budget and started consulting 

our community on a plan we can 

no longer afford to fully fund,” she said. 

“This means we will now have to look at 

cutting costs elsewhere to meet this sharp 

increase in the levy. 

“It impacts our community because we 

may not be able to provide all the programs 

and services we had planned to.” 

Mayor Heins explained the NSW Government 

had paid an ESL subsidy to Councils 

since 2019-’20. The subsidy covered the 

large increase in the ESL in recent years 

due to increasing costs following bushfires 

and floods, along with funding reforms 

to workers’ compensation for firefighters 

with work-related cancers. 

“Now NSW Councils are being asked to 

fund significant rises in emergency services 

budgets,” Mayor Heins said. 

In the 2023-’24 financial year, Northern 

Beaches Council’s ESL will increase by $3.1 

PHOTO: NSW RFS 

million, comprising a $1.5 million (19.5 per 

cent) increase in the levy to $9.3 million, 

and $1.6 million through the removal of 

the levy subsidy. 

The ESL is paid by councils and insurance 

companies to support NSW emergency 

services including Fire & Rescue, State 

Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service. 

Insurers of property in NSW fund almost 

74 per cent of the costs. They collect 

an Emergency Services Levy from their 

customers as part of insurance premiums, 

which is passed onto the NSW Government. 

All NSW Councils fund 11.7 per cent of 

the costs of emergency services. Unlike 

the insurance industry, councils are not 

permitted to pass this levy directly onto 

customers through rates notices. 

Pittwater MP Rory Amon, a former Pittwater 

Ward councillor, said the new Labor 

Government had “ripped the carpet out 

from underneath our local Council”. 

“They have told them to fund the levy increase 

themselves, leaving us $3.1 million 

worse off this year alone,” he said. 

“This hike threatens the Council cancellation 

core services or projects, such as 

the delivery of new footpaths or surf club 

upgrades. This is unacceptable. 

“Labor’s decision demonstrates how out 

BUSHFIRES: The Northern 

Beaches remain a high-risk 

of natural disaster area. 

of touch they are with local communities, 

and they need to wake up to the enormous 

challenges being faced in communities 

across the state. 

“This decision of Labor will only further 

hurt families because Council will likely 

need to yet again increase rates to make up 

the $3.1 million difference, or by cutting 

key services or projects.” 

Mr Amon said local community services 

had long been funded through a costsharing 

arrangement between insurers, 

Councils and the NSW Government. 

“The former Liberal Government understood 

that local councils simply couldn’t 

afford any increase to their contribution as 

a result of COVID-19, natural disasters and 

other economic challenges,” he said. 

“I am proud of the former Government’s 

commitment to communities by delivering 

millions of dollars to local Councils 

to cover the cost of levy increases, so that 

Council could focus on core community 

services and projects.” 

Mayor Heins said Council rejected the 

move outright and had resolved to call on 

the NSW Government to reinstate the ESL 

subsidy. 

– Nigel Wall 

*What do you think? Tell us at readers@ 

pittwaterlife.com.au 

News 



News 

Helping youth stage their identity 

Since its resurrection two 

years ago, the Northern 

Beaches Youth Theatre 

has gone from strength to 

strength – and now it wants 

your help in growing further. 

“There’s always a lot of 

laughter and fun. Myself and 

Chantal feel very privileged 

to work with the kids,” says 

Victoria Lockhart. 

Chantal is Chantal Harrison, 

who along with 

Victoria are the co-directors 

of Northern Beaches Youth 

Theatre (NBYT). Pittwater Life 

last talked to the pair two 

years ago when they started 

NBYT back up after a 10-year 

hiatus. Previous to that, it had 

two decades producing great 

plays and great young actors 

– Chantal was NBYT alumni 

herself. 

Back in 2021 the theatre 

was about to put on a production 

of the heart-warming 

play ‘Hating Alison Ashley’. 

It’s safe to say it was quite a 

success. 

“It was excellent,” says 

Victoria, “we really chose the 

right play to do and so there 

was a sigh of relief afterwards. 

“The audience loved it, the 

kids loved doing it, and we 

could see that we were servicing 

a part of the Northern 

Beaches which had not happened 

in a long time.” 

Another contemporary play 

came next: ‘School of Sharks’ 

was written about life on an 

isthmus, the strip of land out 

to an island. 

“We saw some irony in 

doing the play on the peninsula,” 

says Victoria, “and it 

was something that appealed 

to the youth – there are some 

mental health issues in it, 

which seemed especially 

heightened in young people 

after COVID. 

“Like with ‘Hating Alison 

Ashley’ we had a double cast 

as so many kids wanted to be 

involved. The play is full of 

humour and coping mechanisms 

for dealing with mental 

health.” 

And indeed the NBYT itself 

is very much an antidote 

to the pressures of being 

a young person in today’s 

world. 

“It’s a stepping stone to confidence 

in many ways,” agrees 

Victoria. “Students come out 

of their shell and it gives 

them a voice. Kids that were 

quiet and shy are suddenly 

animated.” 

‘Christmas Carol High 

School’ – again with a double 

cast – was the latest production. 

And now with ‘Anne 

of Green Gables’ about to 

premiere, the theatre is very 

much looking to take its next 

growth step. 

“We’re looking for more 

youth to get involved, but also 

more adults,” explains Victoria, 

“and we want the community 

to know we’re there.” 

”We’re building ourselves 

as a theatre and we’re now 

looking for people to assist 

with grant applications,” 

BOOST: Victoria and 

Chantal (rear) say 

Northern Beaches 

Youth Theatre provides 

kids with a stepping 

stone to confidence. 

she said. “We’re looking for 

philanthropists and we want 

to grow. 

“We know now that we’re 

needed and appreciated. 

It’s a safe space for youth 

to explore and get into that 

lovely creative and imaginative 

space. They can free 

themselves and feel ownership 

and pride over what they 

create. We’re facilitating their 

creativity. 

“But to do more, we need 

more finances.” 

If you want to get involved, 

the Home Theatre is in Warriewood 

at Pittwater Uniting 

Church. Rehearsals are 

4.30pm to 6.30pm on a Friday 

evening. And that ramps up 

coming up to production 

time – which is the case now, 

with ‘Anne of Green Gables’ 

next up. 

“The kids have just loved 

it,” says Victoria. “We hadn’t 

done anything traditional 

up until now and this is a 

straight adaptation of the 

story.” 

“It’s been great to do a 

traditional piece, with people 

involved in creating the set 

and costumes that requires – 

so that people could see our 

scope and variety. 

“And everyone has loved it. 

They giggle a lot at the language, 

and it’s a great education 

for them.” – Rob Pegley 

*Anne of Green Gables performances 

June 15 and 17 

(Cast A) and June 22 and 24 

(Cast B). Tickets @ Humanitix.com; 

Adults $20, Youth/ 

concession $12, Family $50. 

Email infonbyt@gmail.com 



News 

SEEN… 

The notice from NSW Liberal HQ appointing Pittwater MP 

Rory Amon Shadow Assistant Minister for Planning and 

Public Spaces, Housing, and Youth. Mr Amon told Pittwater 

Life: “These portfolios shape our future. We need sustainable 

planning policies, better activation and sensitive use of our 

public spaces, effective policies for affordable and social 

housing, and ensuring that Government provides a wholeof-government 

approach to youth issues to make sure our 

future generations are represented. Labor have promised to 

dump more density in Pittwater and the Northern Beaches 

and have no plans for more infrastructure… I will advocate 

against inappropriate development which may be pursued 

by the NSW Labor Government in Pittwater.” Also, more a not 

seen – the wait goes on for the posted decision by the Sydney 

North Planning Panel on the future of Newport Surf Club. 

A public meeting was held on 16 May, when the Panel heard 

verbal submissions and asked questions of representatives of 

Council (the applicant) and other interested parties – including 

the Surf Club and Surfrider Foundation. The Panel’s website 

indicates that a determination has now been deferred “… to 

enable further consideration of complex statutory and policy 

requirements” and “to ensure that an informed decision can 

be made”. The Panel says it will now determine the matter 

“electronically”. No time frame was provided. Previously the 

Panel had indicated it would aim to publish its decision within 

seven days after the public meeting. (An earlier determination 

by a differently constituted Panel refused the DA.) 

HEARD… 

Still with Rory Amon, the Pittwater MP has slammed the 

Albanese Federal Government’s 2023-24 budget for its failure to 

deliver anything for environmental initiatives, local community 

groups, organisations, or for local infrastructure projects 

in Pittwater. “Labor completely ignored Pittwater and the 

Northern Beaches altogether. There was not one cent of new 

funding for our community groups or infrastructure. This is 

despite an exhaustive consultation process being undertaken 

by the Government with councils, community groups and 

Independent MPs to determine community needs.” … Did 

you know that the Federal seat of Mackellar, despite having 

an incumbent Independent MP in Dr Sophie Scamps, also has 

its very own ‘Senator for Mackellar’ – Labor’s Tony Sheldon? 

No, it was news to us, too. Last month Senator Sheldon’s office 

announced that Labor had granted Pittwater High School 

$25,000 for refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, as part 

of a $32 million nationwide program. Senator Sheldon also 

confirmed Labor’s commitment of $500,000 for a community 

battery at Warriewood (like the battery installed at Beacon Hill 

in 2021 – pictured). But as Dr Scamps told us: “While that’s 

great news, it’s clear that ongoing community consultation by 

Ausgrid is required 

to find a suitable 

location.” She said 

the first consultation 

had identified 

broad support for 

community batteries 

and the transition 

towards cleaner, 

cheaper energy in 

Mackellar. But not 

all residents were 

on the same page 

about its proposed location 

(Valley View Reserve at Parkland Way). “And so I look forward 

to working with the Government and Ausgrid to find either a 

suitable location for the battery or an alternative solution such 

as installing a fleet of smaller batteries that attach to power 

poles,” Dr Scamps said. “This technology is being proposed 

in other electorates and could be perfect for the Warriewood 

community.” Meanwhile, Senator Sheldon’s spokesman said 

that while it was presumed constituents would first approach 

sitting MP Dr Scamps with their concerns about local issues, the 

Senator was also happy to be approached. 

ABSURD… 

Council’s Local Traffic 

Committee is currently 

working with Northern 

Beaches Police to audit 

electric bike, electric 

scooter, electric 

rollerblades, electric 

skateboards and other 

bike usage, on our various 

shared paths, bike paths 

and footpaths. The audit 

is examining how Police 

and Council rangers can 

target non-compliance 

with road rules. Which is great. To 

complement that, Council have compiled a quiz which they’ve 

posted on their website, inviting locals to test their knowledge 

on e-bike safety. They’re encouraging folk to enter by offering 

the chance to win one of five $100 gift vouchers. Trouble is the 

short, multiple-choice quiz content doesn’t go to any lengths to 

actually educate participants about what you can and can’t do. 

It’s a curious form of parenting. Surely Council would be better 

off posting a Facts sheet, to deliver absolute clarity about the 

legalities of e-bikes (and other) and their usage. But if you’re 

interested in winning a gift voucher, head to Council’s website; 

you have until Thursday June 15 to enter. 



News 

Pittwater News 

Local Probus Club 

June speaker news 

The newly formed Bilgola 

Plateau Probus Club 

reports they have reached a 

membership of 84-strong. 

They meet at 10am on the 

first Friday of every month 

at Newport Bowling Club. 

The speaker at their next 

meeting on Friday 2 June will 

be Chris Gotham, volunteer 

ambassador from Australian 

mental health and well-being 

organisation Beyond Blue. 

Chris will share his personal 

experience of dealing with 

depression and his road to 

recovery. More info Shelley 

Barwick (0415 538 864). The 

speaker at the next Newport 

Probus Club meeting will be 

Jon Simpson. He will speak 

about The Sydney Heritage 

Fleet, which he describes as 

Sydney’s best kept secret. 

The meeting will be held at 

Newport Bowling Club on 

Thursday 1 June, commencing 

at 10am. Visitors welcome; 

more info call President Di 

Burrell (0410 465 303). The 

Combined Probus Club of 

Mona Vale meets the third 

Tuesday of each month in the 

auditorium at Pittwater RSL 

Club (from 10am). On June 

20 the guest speaker will be 

author Warren Henry. Warren 

says he was born curious – 

small wonder then that he 

includes 24 years as a Private 

Investigator in a resume of 

careers that have included 

wine production, export, film 

making, management training 

and hospitality. Warren will 

be discussing his book, ‘The 

Ark in your Pocket’, in which 

he addresses a dilemma 

facing the modern family: 

How do we maintain bonds 

Ice Skating fun returns 

Pittwater RSL’s hugely popular 

Ice Skating Spectacular 

is returning for a third successive 

year, with the Club’s allweather 

area to be converted 

into a Winter Wonderland 

from July 1-16. 

Presenting an exciting 

experience for the whole family 

during the Winter school 

holidays, the 225-square-metre 

all-ice rink will be open daily, 

with ice skating sessions running 

for 45 minutes starting 

on the hour every hour. 

The pop-up rink is the 

perfect activity for families, 

sporting teams, and corporate 

groups looking for a fun and 

unique experience. 

Children under four years 

old must be accompanied by 

an adult on the ice, and there 

are penguin ice skating aids 

available for hire for small 

children who need extra assistance. 

“We are excited to bring 

back the Ice Skating Spectacular 

to the Northern Beaches. 

After the success of last year’s 

event, we wanted to give the 

community another chance 

to enjoy Pittwater’s leading 

services once again” said Club 

CEO Jason Manning. 

Book tickets and times online 

at pittwaterrsl.com.au 

of intimacy and togetherness 

when we live ever further 

apart? Warren reveals new 

ways to preserve and pass 

on the best bits of family, the 

stories of who we are and 

where we came from. Visitors 

welcome; more info 1300 

630 488. The next meeting of 

Palm Beach and Peninsula 

Probus Club is on Wednesday 

15 June, with former Detective 

Superintendent Deb Wallace 

their guest speaker. Deb’s 

trail-blazing career and long 

experience in commanding a 

range of specialist crime 

squads led to her hosting 

‘Million Dollar Murders’ 

for Channel 9. Working 

collaboratively with NSW and 

Victorian Police and with 

$1m reward on offer, the 

show aimed to shine a light 

on unsolved cases. Visitors 

welcome; meeting at Club 

Palm Beach commencing 9.30 

am. More info call Carmel 

(0414 978 465). The speaker at 

the next meeting of Pittwater 

Mens Probus Club at Mona 

Vale Surf Club on Tuesday 

13 June will be member Bill 

Sherman, who will trace the 

history of firearms (and what 

makes them go bang) from 

their early days in ancient 

China through to the present 

day. Commences 10am; 

visitors welcome. More info 

call Terry (0412 220 820). 

Sailing Club in 

history shout-out 

Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club 

is calling on members of the 

local community to help them 

write their history so they 

can publish a book in time for 

their 120-year anniversary in 

2025. Publicity Officer David 

Continued on page 30 



Welcome to Ocean Country 

Tens of thousands of Humpback Whales 

are expected to migrate north along the 

East Coast of Australia from June to September; 

traditionally the indigenous Garigal 

people of the Northern Beaches, whose totem 

is the whale, welcomed the migration to their 

Ocean Coast. 

On June 3, environmental 

organisation Living 

Ocean will facilitate 

a Welcome to Ocean 

Country for the humpback 

whale migration, 

commencing 7:30am at 

the Avalon Beach Surf 

Club (last year’s event 

pictured). 

A Garigal elder will 

perform a smoking ceremony, followed by 

whale songs on the didgeridoo, and finally 

the local community will call the whales in 

the traditional way by squeaking their feet in 

the sands of Avalon Beach. 

The ceremony will mark the beginning 

of Living Ocean’s 2023 whales and climate 

research program, which is being planned to 

span humpback behavioural research from 

Pittwater; humpback non-invasive GPS tagging 

from Eden; and the humpback Antarctic 

research project. 

Living Ocean says the 2023 research program 

is critical as it will help fill significant 

data gaps on shifting migratory patterns due 

to climate change. 

Living Ocean Vice President David Cousins 

said that the world’s oceans hit their warmest 

temperatures on record for the fourth year 

in a row in 2022, with many scientists saying 

2023 would take our 

oceans into uncharted 

territories. 

“As the oceans warm, 

they are also acidifying, 

putting krill, the 

humpbacks’ main food 

source in the Southern 

Ocean, under increasing 

threat,” he said. 

“The crustaceans’ 

shells are eaten away by the acid, reducing 

their reproduction and survival rate. 

“Additionally, the location of krill concentrations 

on the migration route is changing 

because of shifts in ocean currents, adding 

to the difficulty humpbacks have in finding 

food during their long migrations.” 

Living Ocean is already observing reduced 

body weight in humpbacks migrating north 

from their feeding grounds at the Antarctic 

shelf. 

More info Simon Hayward: simon@livingocean.org.au 

or call 0411 416 643. 

News 



News 


Continued from page 29 

Loomes said he anticipated 

that the book would include 

several chapters which would 

document the evolution of 

the Club,. Unfortunately 

records and memorabilia 

were destroyed by fire in 

2021, so the Club is asking 

past members and friends to 

participate in this project by 

writing their own anecdotes 

which will be collated and 

included. To contribute, email 

nlschistory@myyahoo.com 

New facilities for 

Porter Reserve 

A new amenities building 

and kiosk has opened at 

Porter Reserve in Newport – 

with the aim of supporting 

an increase in female 

participation in sport. Home 

to Newport Breakers Rugby 

Club and Newport Junior 

Rugby Club the Reserve is 

used heavily during Winter 

for rugby training, games 

and gala days. The focus of 

the new amenities building 

is a female change room with 

toilets and showers, which 

complements the existing 

change rooms, a first aid 

room, accessible amenities, 

canteen and balcony area 

and seating. At the official 

opening on 28 April, the club 

were joined by Rugby royalty 

with the Australian Women’s 

7’s team attending. Newport 

Junior Rugby Club President 

Josh Griggs said: “These great 

new facilities will support the 

enjoyment, accessibility and 

solidify our commitment to 

inclusive rugby for all.” The 

build took eight months to 

complete and cost $1.1 million. 

Scotland Island 

takes to the stage 

A new historical fiction 

play based on two women 

important to the history of 

Scotland Island will premiere 

at the island community 

hall in June. Written by 

Jasper Marlow and featuring 


Finding ability through creativity 

Local Northern Beaches 

community access and 

social program, Explore 

Social has spent the past 18 

months building a strong 

platform in bringing together 

young adults from all 

abilities to be more confident 

and learn new skills 

and passions. 

Co-founder, Jess Summerfield 

praised the local 

community in supporting 

their cause. 

“Explore Social is all about 

being supportive and the 

community has been so supportive 

of us which has been 

awesome, it’s helped our clients 

discover so many new 

things about themselves,” 

said Jess. 

One key area of success 

has been creative-based 

activities which have opened 

the door for clients to explore 

their creative side and 

develop a strong sense of 

pride and ownership. 

Moving into 2023 and 

beyond Explore Social plans 

to grow their initiative of 

building pride through art 

in developing dedicated art 

classes for people of all ages 

and abilities. 

“We’re finding that art 

just breaks all boundaries, 

it doesn’t matter your age 

or ability you can create 

something and the positive 

results we’re seeing now it’s 

exciting to expand into the 

dedicated classes,” said Jess. 

*To view the works visit 

exploresocial.com.au 



‘Granny Flats’ make sound investment 

Want to safeguard yourself against inflation and cost of 

living pressures? The trending, low-risk investment option 

offering great returns is not what you might think… 

No, it’s not Bitcoin or crowdfunding another 

tech start-up. It’s tangible and you can 

keep a close eye on it – as it’s in your backyard! 

Although its name can be polarising, it has so 

much more potential than the humble ‘Granny 

Flat’ label would suggest. 

Chris Willoughby, Director of local Granny 

Flat builder Bungalow Homes, answers some 

topical questions. 

Q: Why should I look to invest in a Granny 

Flat? 

While demand for typical ‘Granny Flat’ use 

– where family members move into a smaller 

home on a property – remains strong, we are 

now seeing more people looking to create additional 

income streams by taking advantage of 

this lucrative option. 

A deepening of the rental crisis is placing 

upward pressure on rental prices – it’s only set 

to worsen due to limited supply, the current 

squeeze on credit, and reduced residential 

building activity. 

This represents an opportunity for investors. 

We have clients who rent out their Granny 

Flats and are using the additional income to 

fulfil their travel goals; or they have moved into 

READY TO HELP: The Bungalow Homes team. 

the Granny Flat and are renting their larger 

home. This just shows that a Granny Flat can 

offer superb flexibility. Combined with rental 

returns, Granny Flats are also proven to add 

value to your property. 

On the Northern Beaches, our 2-bedroom 

Granny Flats have recently seen rental returns 

of more than $900 per week. Even 1-bedroom 

Granny Flats are renting for more than $550 

per week. 

However, the rental does not have to be 

long-term and fixed. Being in the Northern 

Beaches, a highly sought-after location with 

few other accommodation options, you can 

use short-stay websites such as Airbnb to help 

facilitate casual rentals – allowing you to have 

[Advertorial] 

guests when you want, while still creating great 

returns. 

One of our newly completed bungalows in 

Collaroy has been renting for short stays during 

May for over $1,000 per week – and it’s not 

even peak season. 

Alternative property investment options 

come with their own costs – stamp duty, strata 

fees, Council rates, land tax. The Granny Flat 

option is much more cost-effective, and so the 

returns are much greater. 

Q: I’ve heard stories of expensive construction 

and delays; is now the right time? 

At Bungalow Homes we have developed 

an innovative design which can be completed 

in half the time of our custom Granny Flats. 

The design utilises interconnecting concrete 

panels which form structural walls, and by 

incorporating architectural design and quality 

finishes, we have created a very durable, lowmaintenance 

home at a new lower price point 

in the Granny Flat market. 

Although finance costs are a little higher 

right now, returns remain strong, especially 

when compared to alternative investment 

options. 

We are passionate about the returns our 

Granny Flats can provide and offer all our 

clients a complimentary site assessment and 

feasibility report, so that they can fully evaluate 

this option with no obligation.

News 



“many local celebrities”, 

‘Two Catherines: A Twisted 

Scotland Island Tale’ will be 

performed on June 16, 17 and 

23, 24 from 7.30pm. More info 

scotlandisland.org.au. 

Gotta love The Shack 

The Shack Live Music Club 

is held on the first Saturday 

of each month at the Ted 

Blackwood Hall, Warriewood. 

Each show features three 

live music acts in a cabaret 

candlelit atmosphere with BYO 

nibbles and drink for an 

affordable and enjoyable night 

of live entertainment. Next 

concert on 3 June features 

Daddy Longlegs and the 

Swamp Donkeys, Wild Thyme 

and Greg Nunan. Then on 

July 1 enjoy performances 

from Kevin Bennett, 

Traditional Graffiti and Dead 

Mellow. Entry $30 cash at door 

(no wi-fi f) or tickets/booking 

at shackfolk.com. 

Hospital Auxiliary 

in call for help 

The Mona Vale Hospital 

Auxiliary members are hoping 

to increase their numbers of 

volunteers to help with stalls 

Sue Heins elected new Mayor 

Councillor Sue Heins has been elected the 

new Mayor of the Northern Beaches. Council 

voted for the position at an Extraordinary Meeting 

in May, following Michael Regan’s resignation 

from the role. A second May 

meeting saw Councillor David 

Walton elected as Deputy Mayor. 

Cr Heins, who represents the 

Curl Curl Ward, was first elected 

to Council in 2012. She will hold 

the position of Mayor for four 

months before the next Mayoral 

election is held in September. 

Cr Heins has lived and worked 

on the Northern Beaches for 

more than 25 years. She has supported 

the local small business 

community passionately for 

many years, running networking 

events and facilitating mentoring 

programs. 

Cr Heins is also involved 

with several charities and is 

currently Chairperson of Women & Children 

First (domestic violence services) and Women’s 

Healing Sanctuary. In 2015, Cr Heins received 

the Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government 

for her outstanding contributions to 

Council and the community. 

New-Mayor Heins acknowledged the work 

of former Mayor Michael Regan, who has been 

elected the Member for Wakehurst in the NSW 

State Parliament, and said she 

was honoured to accept the role. 

“I am looking forward to collaborating 

with my fellow Councillors 

and thrilled to serve the 

Northern Beaches community in 

this new role,” she said. 

Councillor Rory Amon also 

submitted his resignation from 

Northern Beaches Council. 

Council is consulting with the 

NSW Electoral Commission for a 

countback of the ballot papers 

to fill the vacancy in the Pittwater 

Ward, with the new Councillor 

likely to be sworn in in July. 

New Deputy Mayor David Walton 

was previously a Police Officer, 

Detective and Commander 

of the Northern Beaches Local Area Command, 

where he was awarded the NSW Police and 

National Police Medals. 

The position of Deputy is a 12-month appointment 

and is peer voted annually. 



Bei Loon in State of celebration 

Bayview-based Bei Loon Dragonboat Club 

achieved great success at the recent 

Australian Championships held at Gateway 

Lakes, Albury/Wodonga. 

Bei Loon entered a team of 37 paddlers, 10 

of which were first-time Nationals entrants. 

The team competed in 10 events and claimed 

medals in five of the Senior B (over-50s) 

events. 

The Senior B Women 20s – 2km; and Senior 

B Mixed 10s – 500m teams won gold, while 

the Senior B Women 20s – 500m, Senior B 

Women 20s – 200m and Senior B Mixed 10s – 

200m each won silver. 

Five paddlers – Arthur Papanicolaou, John 

Flaherty, Steve McKeough, Di Maher and 

Wynette Monserrat – represented the State 

team. 

Collectively, the Bei Loon NSW State paddlers 

and give them new ideas at 

their monthly meetings. The 

auxiliary raises funds to 

purchase equipment for 

Mona Vale Hospital and 

to make patients’ stays 

in the Rehabilitation and 

Palliative care units more 

comfortable. More info email 

monavalehospitalaux@gmail. 

com. 

Marine Rescue’s 

warning on whales 

Boaters off the Pittwater coast 

are being advised to not get 

too close to whales as they 

make their annual trip north 

to warmer waters. Multiple 

pods of humpbacks have been 

spotted off our coast in recent 

weeks. Marine Rescue NSW 

Commissioner Alex Barrell said 

boaters needed to be aware 

and vigilant in their attention 

offshore. “As we are starting to 

see the whale migration along 

the NSW Coast, Marine Rescue 

is reminding boaters that there 

are rules and restrictions in 

place for the wellbeing of the 

animal but also the safety of 

boaters,” he said. “Boaters are 

not to come within 100 metres 

of a whale or 300 metres of 

a whale and a calf. If a whale 

does surface near your vessel it 

is important that you cut your 

motors and slow down to a safe 

speed.” Commissioner Barrell 

also said skippers should not 

approach whales from behind, 

or wait in front of their paths. 

No more than three vessels at 

a time should approach whales 

and skippers should wait their 

turn.” 

netted 5 gold and 2 silver medals and also 

claimed honours in the State v State event. 

Dragon Boat racing is a rapidly emerging 

inclusive Australian and International competitive 

sport for people of all ages, involving 

up to 20 paddlers in a boat, accompanied by a 

sweep. There is also a drummer when racing. 

*Bei Loon of Bayview is the biggest club in 

NSW; for more info visit beiloon.com.au 

Royal Far West look 

for history volunteers 

Do you have a passion for 

history? Help tell the rich 

stories of Royal Far West 

Manly in the lead-up to its 

Centenary in December 

2024. RFW is looking for 

volunteers to help them 

manage and preserve records. 

The organisation needs help 

reviewing its collection, 

accessioning, and keeping 

its records up to date as well 

as preparing its collection 

to move to another location. 

The project will start in June 

at the offices in Wentworth 

Street, Manly. Volunteers 

will need to commit to a 

minimum six-month period 

email communications@ 

royalfarwest.org.au 

Vet 

on call 

with Dr Brown 

Therapeutic laser therapy for 

pets involves the use of red 

and near-infrared wavelengths 

of light to stimulate the body’s 

natural ability to heal. This 

regenerative process alters 

the cellular and tissue physiology 

stimulating electrons and 

activating cells to promote 

tissue growth, proliferation and 

repair – helping damaged cells 

to recover from injury faster. 

The effects of this laser energy 

include improved healing time 

after wounds or surgery, pain 

reduction, increased circulation 

and decreased swelling. 

Laser therapy is quickly becoming 

an important standard 

of care in both human and 

veterinary medicine. Considered 

a non-invasive treatment, 

laser therapy is pain-free, and 

we use it at each of our Sydney 

Animal Hospitals to reduce 

pain and inflammation, and to 

speed healing. Our veterinary 

team members administer laser 

therapy via a handpiece that 

emits the therapeutic infrared 

light to treat surface problems 

such as wounds, as well as 

deeper structures – penetrating 

through fur, skin, and fat 

if necessary to reach damaged 

tissue. Laser therapy can often 

reduce or replacing the need for 

pain medications. 

Because laser therapy is painfree, 

pets tolerate the treatment 

very well, and no clipping or 

shaving is required. 

Laser therapy treatments for 

pets take approximately 5 to 10 

minutes depending on the size 

of the treatment area and the 

condition being treated. During 

this treatment your pet will 

experience a soothing warmth 

that often relaxes patients, and 

sometimes makes them go to 

sleep! Our vets will discuss the 

recommended treatment regime 

with you when your pet’s 

condition is evaluated. 

Senior pets, and those pets 

who have recently had orthopaedic 

surgeries such as Tibial 

plateau levelling osteotomy 

(TPLO) can especially benefit 

from laser therapy. 

For more information call our 

team at Avalon (9918 0833) 

or Newport (9997 4609); sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au 

News 



John and Pam Ward 

never set out to 

be paragons of 

community-mindedness. 

But through decades 

of selfless service, they 

became exactly that. 

Story by Daniel Williams 

Life Stories 

The Giving Kind 

The spirit of the union between John window of the Wards’ upstairs sitting Idleness played no part in their lives. 

and Pam Ward was set at their first room. “All the while she could have been Why sit around gazing at a screen when 

meeting, back in a simpler time. They up there dancing with all these people and you can be useful? Why seek to monetise 

were student teachers, both teenagers, having fun. She won me on the spot.” every skerrick of your time and talents 

and in the winter of 1957, fate had brought For her part, Pam was exactly where she when there’s a sweeter reward to be felt in 

them to what is now the Broken Bay Sport wanted to be. “I thought he had the kindest contributing to the greater good? 

and Recreation Centre, north of Sydney, to face I’d ever seen,” she says. 

a training camp that would qualify them to How apt that an act of kindness – and Bush Values 

run school-holiday playcentres for the NSW an attraction sparked by a perception of John entered the world on Valentine’s 

Education Department. 

kindness – lit the fuse for John Ward and Day 1939 in Gilgandra, at the foot of the 

It was the evening of the big dance, Pam Coates. Until John’s recent passing Warrumbungle mountains in northwest 

and all the 150-odd trainees were in high at the age of 84, the couple could reflect NSW. Home was a property called Wait-Aspirits. 

Everyone, that is, except John, on a life together built on precisely that While, on which his father was a grazier 

who’d sprained an ankle that day in a quality: kindness, as well as compassion, and wheat farmer. His mother, a former 

gymnastic mishap and was sitting glumly generosity, fairmindedness – and a mighty dux of her school and force of nature, was 

while the pretty young women kicked up work ethic. 

a schoolteacher who died of cancer when 

their heels. 

Last Australia Day, the office of the John was four. His father remarried the 

Suddenly, one of those women, Pam Governor-General recognised the Elanora following year; John would become the 

Coates, was at his side. 

Heights couple’s contribution to the 

eldest child of six in a blended family. He 

“What happened to you?” she asked. public good, awarding them both Medals was a born athlete. In everything he tried – 

John related his tale of woe, and they of the Order of Australia for service 

cricket, rugby, athletics – he shone. 

began talking. They chatted for an hour or to the community through a range of 

Pam was born in Kyogle, west of 

more as the dancing and frivolity went on organisations, encompassing causes from Lismore, the daughter of a bank manager. 

around them. It was all so effortless. They Scouts to world peace, Indigenous children Raised in a devout Catholic family, “I 

shared a keen interest in sport – tennis, to the Olympic movement, learn-to-swim was certainly taught what was right and 

especially – and they’d both grown up away classes to the Australian Labor Party. what was wrong,” she says. The bulk of 

from the big smoke. 

John and Pam lived in a manner that is her childhood was spent in Newcastle, 

“She stayed there just talking to 

an inspiration to us all. In an era marred where she played competition tennis on 

me,” John recalled on a recent wintry by social media-generated self-absorption, Saturdays and swam like a mermaid at 

Wednesday morning at their home, as the Wards stood tall as a couple who would Newcastle Ocean Baths on Sundays. 

we took in a view of Long Reef from the sooner help others than strive to get ahead. In pursuing teaching, John was following 



the example of his late mother, while Pam 

saw it as a noble profession. John’s first of 

13 appointments was to Bega High School 

as an agriculture teacher in 1958, while 

Pam started out in the infants department 

at Wattawa Heights PS in Bankstown, where 

she soon became the sports mistress. 

Their relationship blossomed despite 

one obstacle: religion. Pam’s Catholicism 

clashed with John’s Protestant upbringing. 

Fortunately, John’s father was ready with 

some advice. 

“Look, don’t worry about religion,” he 

told John. “It doesn’t really matter. The 

thing is, do you love her?” 

John was sure that he did, and he and 

Pam wed on 9 May 1964 at St Jerome 

Catholic Church in Punchbowl. 

As a newly married couple, never did 

they sit at the kitchen table and resolve 

to live a life defined by volunteerism 

and community spirit. That happened 

organically, from a blend of character and 

largely unspoken guiding principles. 

“I’ve loved every class I’ve taught,” 

said John, who retired at the end of 1999 

after 41 years in schooling, having spent 

the previous eight years as principal 

at Barrenjoey High School in Avalon. 

“Naughty kids and good kids alike, I could 

always find something I liked about them. 

I’ve always been someone prepared to give 

people second and third chances. All my 

life I’ve felt a strong sense of justice.” 

In his boyhood, John noted a form 

of segregation occurring at Gilgandra’s 

Western Monarch Theatre, where wealthy 

people sat upstairs, poorer folk sat 

downstairs, while the local Indigenous 

patrons did not sit at all – they stood 

downstairs in a zone just for them. The 

injustice of it troubled the boy, who 

couldn’t be soothed by adult assurances 

that this was simply how things worked. 

Pam says she learnt much from 

Aboriginal children while teaching 

at Stewart House in Curl Curl. “If an 

Aboriginal child ran away, it was not 

because they were naughty,” she says. 

“The child was simply used to being out 

in the bush. Although it (Curl Curl) was a 

lovely place to bring them, it was different 

to what they knew. That opened my eyes. 

They weren’t naughty. They just felt 

penned in.” 

It was never the Ward way to stew on 

issues while doing nothing practical. Much 

better to pursue change from the inside. 

Pam was the NSW Teachers Federation’s 

representative on the state’s Aboriginal 

Education Council from 1992-95, and then 

a council vice-president for a further five 

years. For all that time, John was a council 

VP, too. 

Play Together, 

Stay Together 

In 1975, two years before they moved into 

their Elanora Heights home, John and Pam 

became members of the Elanora Tennis 

Club, of which John would later become the 

honorary treasurer and then president. He 

never chased power, he told me, but found 

it fiendishly hard to say no when asked to 

step into the breach. 

Pam has been the same. In rough 

chronological order, in a period spanning 

the late-1960s to now, she’s served as: 

examiner, Royal Life Saving Society of 

Australia; committee member, Elanora 

Heights Girl Guides; secretary, Chequers 

Netball Club; member, St Anthony in 

the Fields Catholic Church (Terrey Hills) 


PHOTOS: Rob Tuckwell (x3) 


CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Pam, with Governor of NSW Margaret 

Beazley, after receiving her OAM; with John at Uluru; at a Labor 

function; the inseparable couple; beaming on their Wedding Day; 

John after being awarded his OAM for service to the community; 

meeting Prime Minister Julia Gillard; family has always come first. 





Social Justice Group; secretary, 

Narrabeen-Pittwater branch of 

the ALP; secretary, Mackellar 

Federal Electorate Council of 

the ALP (both Pam and John 

ran the election campaigns for 

Pittwater and Mackellar from 

the 1990s to present); member, 

finance committee of the NSW 

branch of the ALP; pioneer 

volunteer, Sydney Olympic 

Games; assessor, AUSTSWIM. 

That list is not exhaustive. 

John’s looks similar, though 

toss in positions with the 

Elanora Community Centre and 

the Narrabeen Scout Group, as 

well as refereeing duties for 

state basketball and the NSW 

Rugby League. 

As a couple, John and Pam 

were proof that you can be 

a pillar of society but still 

recognise (and protest) its 

failings. Both marched for 

nuclear disarmament in the 

1980s when the Cold War 

was casting its shadow over 

everything. In 1984, John 

handed out how-to-vote cards 

for Peter Garrett when the 

Midnight Oil frontman ran as a 

federal candidate for the newly 

formed Nuclear Disarmament 

Party. Here again, John cited 

the influence of his father: “He 

hated war with a vengeance”. 

A life of service won’t make 

you rich, Pam says, but it offers 

priceless rewards. One is that 

it links you with likeminded 

people, fellow travellers who 

share your love of this or your 

thoughts on that. 

Another benefit, Pam says, 

is that, in a small way, she and 

John helped put federal Labor 

back in power in May last year. 

Not having “come down in 

the last shower”, she knows 

politics is polarising and that 

others won’t share her fond 

memories of the change of 

government. But as she sees 

it, “Australia’s now in a much 

better place. [Labor] looks after 

people. It’s progressive in its 

social policies. I’m Catholic, 

but everyone has a right to feel 

secure, happy and loved.” 

Family First 

It’s not as though John and 

Pam devoted themselves to 

community in lieu of raising 

a family. Between 1965-’85, 

they brought six children 

into the world – Stephen, 

Katherine, Peter, Helen, Kali 

and Rebekah. They now have 

10 grandchildren and one 

great-grandchild. 

Recently, with the help of 

Jayne Denshire, a Hammond 

Care Palliative Care Biography 

Program volunteer, John 

produced a short book about 

his life, A Fair Go For All, in 

which his children open up 

about their dad. Clearly, none 

of them feels deprived for 

having had such a busy father. 

This from Kali: “I will 

remember you as a great 

storyteller, teacher and 

philosopher. I will remember 

you for your empathy, 

kindness, fairness and 

humbleness.” 

Katherine recalled a verse 

her dad used to sing to her 

from Nat King Cole’s Pretend: 

Pretend you’re happy when 

you’re blue 

It isn’t very hard to do 

And you’ll find happiness 

without an end 

Whenever you pretend 

Likewise, Pam has shown 

she will do anything for her 

children. In 2000, she donated 

one of her kidneys to eldest 

child Stephen. From her 

adolescence until eight years 

ago, she also made 108 blood 

donations, stopping only when 

her doctor ordered her to. 

Shortly before we parted, 

John told me the story of how 

he’d started feeling ill in April 

2021, of the grave diagnosis 

and extensive treatment, how 

his cancer seemed beaten but 

then returned, how he’d now 

exceeded by a couple of months 

the timeframe doctors gave 

him. “I’m on borrowed time,” 

he said, matter-of-factly. 

Quite rightly, Pam has the 

last word in John’s book. 

I would not have wanted to 

spend my life with anyone else 

but you, John – my husband, my 

hero, my best friend. You have 

borne your illness so bravely. 

You never complained or asked: 

Why me? 

Vale, my darling. Safe 

journey. 

* Editor’s note: John Ward 

passed away peacefully on 

May 22, five days after being 

interviewed by Pittwater Life. 

With Pam’s permission, we 

publish this piece as a tribute 

to John and to acknowledge 

his and Pam’s selfless, 

decades-long contribution to 

the Beaches community. 



Art Life 

Art Life 

Society’s colours of the ‘Spectrum’ 

The Northern Beaches Art 

Society will present their 

77th Annual Awards Art Exhibition 

and Sale – ‘Spectrum’ 

– at The Creative Space, Curl 

Curl from June 14-25. 

Entry to the exhibition is 

free and viewing and sales will 

run from 10am to 4pm daily. 

The Official Opening, by new 

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue 

Heins, runs 6-8pm on Wednesday 

14 June, when drinks will 

be served. 

Society President Heather 

Macorison said their enthusiastic 

members, who are all local 

artists, will be vying for three 

major awards, which will be 

presented on opening night. 

“Visitors will be able to 

see a vast array of works in a 

variety of mediums and styles 

stunning photographic exhibition that reveals 

A how Australian veterans and their families 

share personal stories and experiences through 

tattoos opens at Manly Art Gallery and Museum 

(MAG&M) on 9 June. 

The emotive Ink in the Lines exhibition 

features more than 70 portraits detailing the 

experiences of 22 Australian servicemen and 

servicewomen; it’s thought to be the first exhibition 

in Australia to explore the use of tattoos in 

the military. 

Australian War Memorial photographic curator 

Stephanie Boyle said the veterans’ identities 

are inscribed on their skin to recognise the 

commemoration of loss, experiences of trauma 

and overcoming adversity, the bonds of family 

and friends, and to acknowledge the experiences 

that define who they are. 

“I hope this exhibition helps visitors to engage 

with the Australian military in a way they 

probably haven’t before, so that they see that 

in oils, watercolours, acrylics, 

and pastels as well as drawings 

covering a plethora of 

subjects,” Heather said. 

“They will also be able to 

purchase raffle tickets to win a 

beautiful oil painting of boats 

on Pittwater, with all proceeds 

from this raffle going to the 

Ukraine Crisis Appeal.” 

The winner will be drawn at 

the end of the exhibition. 

Visitors will also be able to 

vote for their favourite painting. 

The artist who gains the most 

‘People’s Choice’ votes for their 

painting will win a prize at the 

end of the exhibition. 

Opening night drinks will be 

served from 6pm, with closing 

drinks on the afternoon of 

Sunday 25 June from 2pm. 

All the paintings will be for 

sale and any sold paintings 

can be picked up after 4pm on 

Sunday 25 June. – Nigel Wall 

*For more info visit northernbeachesartsociety.org 

‘Ink in the Lines’ military tribute 

PHOTO: Bob McKendry 

everyone has an important story to tell, and 

that some stories can be written on skin.” 

“By sharing personal accounts of their service, 

and emotional details of life after the defence 

force, the exhibition reveals the unifying 

reasons for getting ‘inked’ – to remember the 

people, events and experiences which shaped 

their lives,” Ms Boyle said. 

The exhibition, which runs through July, includes 

a comprehensive schedule of associated 

public programs. 

– NW 

*More info MAG&M website. 

Affordable Art 

Fair returns 

Following a successful Sydney 

debut last year, welcoming 

close to 10,000 visitors and 

generating millions of dollars’ 

worth of art sales for galleries, 

Affordable Art Fair will make 

its return to the Winx Stand at 

Royal Randwick Racecourse 

from 15-18 June. 

Boasting its biggest gallery 

line-up yet, the Fair will see 56 

of the nation’s best boutique 

galleries converge to showcase 

thousands of original 

works under $10,000, from 

established and emerging 

artists. 

Alongside a kaleidoscope of 

artworks, the Fair’s extended 

program will provide new 

immersive experiences for 

visitors including live artist 

demonstrations, free interactive 

workshops, an outdoor 

sculpture park, and a scrumptious 

selection of culinary 

delights and tasty tipples. 

Since its Australian debut in 

2019, Affordable Art Fair has 

significantly contributed to 

the growth of the national art 

ecosystem by attracting a total 

of 37,500 visitors and generating 

more than $7 million in art 

sales for hundreds of living 

artists and galleries. – NW 

*More info and full gallery 

list @ affordableartfair.com 



Hot Property 

Where home is where the hearth is 

During the colder months a fireplace often becomes the heart of the home, drawing us in and providing 

comfort with its warmth and flickering flames. Even if you live for Summer and the great outdoors, these 

three homes which are currently on the market boast fabulous fireplaces that make it easy to hunker down. 

The large, original wood-burning stone 

fireplace in the lounge room of this luxurious 

residence creates a charm that’s hard to beat. 

The fireplace is one the original features 

retained in a flawless transformation of one 

of the area’s original sandstone cottages at 

32 George Street Avalon Beach. Designed to 

embrace laidback beachside glamour, the fourbedroom, 

three-bathroom light-filled split-level 

home is full of warmth with original timber 

beams and French Oak timber floors and 

high-end inclusions including Calcutta marble 

island kitchen bench, brass fittings, induction 

appliances and bespoke cupboards. Outside 

you’ll find north-facing entertaining areas, 

newly landscaped gardens and a striking inground 

pool surrounded by a spacious level 

lawn. For sale through LJ Hooker Palm Beach. 

The stunning Bronpi wood-burning fireplace 

at 5 Kookaburra Close Bayview can be 

appreciated from several vantage points in this 

contemporary tri-level home. Stylishly built 

into the vast split-level first floor, this modern 

fireplace is the perfect fit for this off-centre 

space, housing a raised kitchen and dining, main 

living area and open lounge room with sliding 

doors leading to a terrace. With soaring ceilings 

and floor-to-ceiling windows, the bold angular 

design of this solidly built three-bedroom, twobathroom 

home is softened by curved features 

inside and out, soaking up spectacular northly 

views across Pittwater from its natural bushland 

setting. Heated flooring throughout will help 

keep you warm underfoot. For sale through 

Ray White Prestige with a price guide of $3.5 

million to $3.7 million. 

New data has confirmed what 

our local real estate agents have 

been telling us – the Northern 

Beaches has experienced some 

of the strongest property price 

growth in Sydney in the past 

five years. 

Several local suburbs 

featured in lists, published by 

Sitting on 693 square metres of land within 

a magical rainforest garden, this characterfilled 

original three-bedroom beach house 

retreat is a lovely setting from which to 

reflect and relax this Winter. Northern light 

streams through large windows from the deck 

into the open plan living area of the cottage 

at 127 Avalon Parade Avalon Beach where 

the crackling fireplace is complemented by 

Big gain hunting: local property market review 

Channel Nine Entertainment 

Co, of the top 10 suburbs 

based on the median prices for 

units and houses recorded by 

Domain data in the five years 

to March 2023. 

Narrabeen topped one list; 

its unit prices rose most over 

the past five years, growing 

42.7 per cent to $1,245,000. 

Also, Collaroy recorded a 27.8 

per cent growth to $1,185,000, 

Mona Vale had a 23.5 per cent 

growth to $1,135,000 and 

Newport came in at 10th place 

with a 19.4 per cent growth to 

$1,015,000. 

Avalon Beach’s median 

the warmth of the exposed beams and timber 

floors. A split-level floorplan with flexible 

spaces offers plenty of scope to put your 

own stamp on this charming property – and 

whenever you are up for a swim you’ll be 

spoilt for choice, with the surf and Pittwater 

only minutes away. For sale with an asking 

price of $2.27 million through Laing + 

Simmons Young Property. 

house price grew by just over 

50 per cent to $2,715,000, 

placing it 6th on the list while 

Newport’s median house 

price was up 48.4 per cent in 

five years (despite the price 

dropping 14.3 per cent in the 

last year to March 2023 to 

$2,785,000). – Lisa Offord 

Hot Property 



Health & Wellbeing 

Hernias: The other 

battle of the bulge 


Hernias are common and hernia repair 

is one of the most common surgical 

procedures in Australia. We interviewed 

surgeon Dr Gabby Vasica from Pittwater 

Day Surgery to find out more... 

What is a hernia? 

A hernia is the protrusion of 

body contents from one body 

space where they should be to 

another body space where they 

should not be, for example fat 

and bowel protruding through 

the bellybutton to under the 

skin. 

Types of hernias 

Hernias can occur in different 

parts of the body. The most 

common hernias in men are 

groin or inguinal hernias – up 

to 75% of all men will experience 

a groin hernia on one 

side or the other. The most 

common hernias in women 

are umbilical (or belly button) 

hernias due to the changes 

in the abdominal wall during 

pregnancy. 

Signs and symptoms 

Hernias can be completely 

asymptomatic. They can be 

present for many years before 

patients either notice them, 

or someone points them out, 

or before symptoms develop 

such as pain or a burning 

sensation. The main reasons 

for seeing a doctor are either 

a swelling or pain. Hernias can 

also present as an emergency, 

and this may be because the 

contents become caught and 

can be starved of blood flow 

– this will require emergency 

surgery. 

Causes and risk factors 

Hernias can occur simply because 

we have natural openings 

in our bodies that allow passage 

of body contents from one 

space to another and being an 

upright posture being, gravity 

can pull extra contents through 

these openings. As we age, we 

also become a little bit more 

stretchy, less strong – this occurs 

because there is a change 

between the volume of collagen 

and elastin in our bodies, so 

these natural openings in our 

bodies widen with age. Exercise 

and lifting cause us to tense 

our core, hence increase our 

intra-abdominal pressure which 

causes the hernias to grow. It is 

commonly thought that lifting 

and exercise cause hernias – 

SURGEON: 

Dr Vasica 

not quite so, and we would not 

recommend stopping these 

activities because hernias can 

occur without them. Some risk 

factors include overall health 

and wellbeing, weight, medical 

conditions, previous pregnancies, 

and past surgeries. Also, 

if a patient has had one hernia, 

it is very likely that they will 

develop another at some stage 

over their lifetime. 

Treatment 

Early medical care and lifestyle 

changes such as weight loss, 

good management of any 

underlying medical issues and 

overall improvement of general 

fitness can minimise symptoms 

however surgery is the only 

way to effectively treat a hernia. 

There are different types of 

hernia repairs including open 

surgery (via an incision) or 

laparoscopic (keyhole) repair. 

Any form of hernia repair can 

be reinforced with the use of 

meshing which has been shown 

to reduce the risk of hernia recurrence. 

In the extreme, very 

large hernias can sometimes 

require an abdominal wall reconstruction 

which can be quite 

long and complex procedures 

but shown to lead to marked 

improvement in quality of life. 

Hernia repair surgery 

Hernia surgery is mostly 

undertaken in hospital and 

requires the use of general anaesthetic. 

Dependent on what 

type of hernia you may have, 

your surgeon may advise open 

or laparoscopic surgery. Open 

surgery usually means an 

incision over the hernia itself, 

dissection to identify where the 

hernia has protruded through 

and subsequent release of the 

hernia to really be able to see 

how large the defect is. Once 

this is clear, the surgeon will 

either suture the defect closed 

with layered sutures and/ 

or reinforce the repair with 



mesh. Mesh is generally made 

of polypropylene which is a 

polyester-based product that is 

inert and incorporates into your 

body to form a strong scar. It 

is this scar that reduces the 

risk of another hernia forming. 

Alternatively, your surgeon 

may recommend a keyhole 

repair, in which case they use a 

camera, typically through your 

navel that allows them to see 

the hernia from beneath. After 

reducing the hernia, once again 

meshing is used to reinforce 

PAIN: Hernia 

symptoms can 

include a burn- 

ing sensation. 

the repair to reduce another 

hernia from occurring. These 

surgeries usually take an hour 

or so and you may need to stay 

in hospital overnight for post 

operative care. In general, it 

takes about six weeks for you 

to complete the recovery and 

it is usually six weeks before 

you can do normal exercise and 

normal lifting. 

How to reduce the 

risk of hernia 

Everyone is at risk of a hernia 

simply because of our body’s 

design. Good overall health, 

nutrition, fitness, and stable 

weight are all sensible ways 

we can reduce the chance of 

developing a hernia. Learning 

to lift correctly and maintain 

core strength can also reduce 

those risks. However, despite 

all of this, it is still possible to 

develop a hernia. The most important 

thing to remember is if 

you experience any symptoms 

do not ignore them – see your 

doctor to be assessed. Hernias 

are much simpler with good 

long-term outcomes when they 

are small rather than waiting 

until they are large and then 

needing a much more complex 

surgery to repair them. 

– with Lisa Offord 

* Dr Vasica is local to the 

Northern Beaches providing 

a service to all residents in 

the emergency on-call roster 

and elective lists at Pittwater 

Day Surgery and the 

Northern Beaches Hospital. 

In addition to rooms in Mona 

Vale’s Bungan Street Tower, 

she also consults at the 

Sydney Adventist Hospital in 

Wahroonga. 





with Bec Johnson, M.Pharm 


Raising awareness on how 

to reduce bowel cancer risk 

Bowel cancer is the second 

most common cancer in 

men and women in NSW, 

with an estimated 1 in 14 

people being diagnosed within 

their lifetime. June marks 

Bowel Cancer Awareness 

Month, the goal of which is to 

stress the importance of reducing 

risk factors and the role of 

screening in early detection. 

The large intestine, or large 

bowel, consists of the colon, 

rectum, and anus. The term 

“bowel cancer” refers to any 

cancers which originate in the 

colon or rectum. 

People with certain risk 

factors are more likely to 

develop bowel cancer, including 

a strong family history of 

bowel cancer; over 50 years of 

age; history of polyps in the 

bowel; inflammatory bowel 

diseases (such as Crohn’s disease 

or ulcerative colitis); and 

poor lifestyle, including being 

overweight, high alcohol intake, 

smoking, or a diet rich in red or 

processed meats. 

The National Bowel Cancer 

Screening Program is free to all 

Medicare-registered Australians 

aged 50-74 years. This program 

arranges screening kits to be 

sent out every two years, usually 

around six months after 

your birthday. 

Bowel cancer can often 

develop without any symptoms; 

however, trace amounts of 

blood can leak from growths 

and pass into the faeces. Bowel 

screening therefore involves 

doing a faecal occult blood 

test (FOBT), which looks for 

these trace amounts of blood 

in two tiny faecal samples. The 

test kits come with detailed 

instructions to make it as clean 

and easy as possible to perform 

yourself at home. Once you 

have the samples, you simply 

post them off to the lab. 

The results are sent back to 

you and your doctor or health 

service within four weeks. 

Early detection of bowel 

cancer greatly improves the 

chances of successful treatment 

and remission, with more than 

90% of early detected cases 

being successfully treated. This 

program is severely underutilised, 

with only an estimated 

40% of eligible people participating. 

Taking a small amount 

of time to send the samples in 

for analysis can save lives. 

If you do not qualify for a 

free test and you are concerned 

about your risk of developing 

bowel cancer, screening kits 

are available for purchase from 

your local pharmacy. 

A few simple points to keep 

in mind are as follows: 

n Maintain a healthy weight. 

National guidelines recommend 

a BMI between 20 and 25. 

n Keep physically active, for at 

least 30 minutes a day. Avoid 

sitting for long periods of time. 

n Drink less alcohol. National 

guidelines recommend no 

more than 10 standard drinks 

per week, and no more than 4 

standard drinks in any one day. 

n Quit smoking. 

n Get screened regularly. As 

discussed, you can take part 

in the National Bowel Cancer 

Screening Program if you are 

aged between 50-74. 

n Eat healthy. Increase intake of 

fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, 

fibre, and dietary or supplemental 

sources of calcium. As 

red meats (such as beef, lamb, 

and pork) and processed meats 

(such as bacon, ham, and 

chorizo) increase bowel cancer 

risk, it is recommended to keep 

these to a minimum. 

Pittwater Pharmacy & 

Compounding Chemist 

at Mona Vale has operated 

as a family-run business 

since 1977. Open seven days; 

drop in & meet the highly 

qualified and experienced 

team of Len, Sam and Amy 

Papandrea, Andrew Snow 

and Bec Johnson. Find them 

at 1771 Pittwater Rd; 

call 9999 3398. 



Be prepared to stay well as colds hit 

Everyone in NSW is being urged to 

ensure they are up to date with their 

recommended influenza and COVID-19 

vaccinations, with community transmission 

at high levels. 

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said that 

as we enter the Winter months, staying up 

to date with recommended vaccinations 

was the best way to protect you, your family 

and the community from serious illness. 

“Influenza is a serious disease in young 

children, and both COVID-19 and influenza 

viruses can have serious consequences 

for older adults, people who have chronic 

health conditions and those who are immunocompromised,” 

Mr Park said. 

“Vaccination remains the best protection 

against severe illness and now is the 

time to make sure you are up to date with 

the shots recommended for you.” 

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry 

Chant said health authorities were 

anticipating high levels of influenza 

activity over the coming months, so it 

was important people continued to take 

simple precautions to protect themselves 

and each other. 

Those considered to be at higher risk 

of severe illness from influenza are 

eligible for a free influenza vaccine and 

include: 

INCREASE: Flu risk 

during Winter. 

n Children aged six months to under five 

years; 

n People aged 65 and over; 

n Aboriginal people from six months of 

age; 

n Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy; 

n Those with serious health conditions 

such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, 

obesity, severe asthma, kidney, 

heart, lung or liver disease. 

Simple steps to help protect individuals 

and their loved ones from COVID-19 

and influenza include: 

n Staying up to date with your recommended 

influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations; 

n Staying home if you have cold or influenza 

symptoms; 

n Wearing a mask in crowded, indoor 

places; 

n Getting together outdoors or in large, 

well-ventilated spaces with open doors 

and windows; 

n Washing or sanitising your hands often; 

n Talking with your doctor now if you 

are at higher risk of severe illness from 

COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan 

about what to do if you get sick, including 

what test to have, and being assessed 

to determine if you are eligible for antiviral 

medicines; 

n Don’t visit people who are at higher 

risk of severe illness if you have cold or 

influenza symptoms or have tested positive 

to COVID-19 or influenza; 

n Consider doing a rapid antigen test 

(RAT) before visiting people at higher risk 

of severe illness; 

n Free RATs are now accessible to the 

community via ServiceNSW and NSW 

Health services. 

Also, a good diet and a healthy lifestyle 

can help support your immune system 

and the effect of vaccines. Research 

has shown a Mediterranean diet has 

an anti-inflammatory effect in the gut 

which can help boost the body’s immune 

function and moderate-intensity physical 

activity can improve immune response. 





with Rowena Beckenham 


Think safety when choosing 

your sports vision solution 

As the seasons change, 

so do the ways we move 

our bodies and spend 

our spare time. While we hang 

up our goggles and towels it’s 

time to pull on our socks and 

uniforms and head out onto 

the sports fields. No matter 

your age, there are eyewear 

solutions if you choose to 

spend your time playing 

team sports, road cycling, or 

hitting the slopes skiing or 

snowboarding. 

If you need spectacles to see 

well, chances are you can also 

enjoy the freedom of contact 

lenses. Advances in contact 

lens technology in Australia 

over the past few years have 

made contact lenses more accessible 

to everyone, ranging 

from kids as young as 8 to 

adults with complicated multifocal 

prescriptions. Contact 

lenses are made from comfortable 

breathable materials ensuring 

your eyes remain fresh 

and lubricated all day, providing 

the freedom to exercise 

and play whilst seeing clearly. 

Contact lenses can help you 

experience clear vision at all 

distances, so you can perform 

your best on and off the field – 

court, bike, or slope! 

Vision itself isn’t the only 

consideration when thinking 

about sporting eyewear; safety 

is also an important factor. In 

a five-year study conducted by 

The Royal Victorian Eye and 

Ear Hospital, 54 per cent of eye 

injuries were attributed to ball 

sports and more than 30 per 

cent of these injuries occurred 

in children and teenagers. Specs 

and sport don’t mix – unless 

you’re talking impact-resistant 

sports glasses. 

While sporting specs aren’t 

currently standardised, talking 

to your local optometrist about 

protecting the eyes and seeing 

clearly while participating in 

sport, may also have the benefit 

of improved performance with 

depth perception, judgment of 

speed on or off a ball and clarity 

in variable or low-light situations 

like playing or training 

at night, or cycling before the 

sun’s up. 

When it comes to cycling, 

consider prescription, scratchresistant, 

antifog cycling sunglasses. 

These not only enable 

you to see more clearly and 

protect your eyes from dangerous 

UV rays during long rides, 

cycling glasses also ensure your 

eyes are protected from debris 

and traumatic injury. 

In terms of eyewear when 

skiing, make sure to don a pair 

of goggles or sunglasses on the 

slopes. Whilst you might not 

be thinking about sun damage 

when it’s so cold, reflective 

glare off the slopes and 

altitude increase the intensity 

of UV. Contact lenses and goggles, 

goggles with prescription 

inserts, or prescription 

backcountry eyewear will enable 

good vision in all conditions in 

addition to reducing glare and 

ensuring your eyes don’t get 

burnt. The right tints in alpine 

eyewear also increase contrast 

so you can see the terrain better 

and reduce other injuries on 

the mountain. 

If you’re looking for a sports 

vision solution, or need advice 

on the options that might suit 

you best, call in and talk to the 

experienced staff at Beckenham 

Optometrist. 

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 more than 

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. 



Hair & Beauty 

with Sue Carroll 

Looking on the brighter 

side of skin during Winter 

Winter is upon us, 

and this is an ideal 

opportunity to treat 

hyperpigmentation created 

during the warmer months. So 

many of us battle some form of 

hyperpigmentation; no skin is 

resistant to this, regardless of 

gender, race or age. Correcting 

the skin to its bright and 

healthy complexion is easier 

when there is an understanding 

of pigmentation. 

The creation of 

hyperpigmented 

(melanogenesis) is a complex 

process. When the skin 

is harmed, the melanin 

production cycle changes and 

either slows down or goes into 

overdrive, producing more 

melanin. When this happens, 

we see three main classes of 

pigment shifts in the skin. 

1. Hyperpigmentation or 

darker pigment; 

2. Demarcation or uneven 

pigment; and/or 

3. Hypopigmentation or 

deficiency of melanin in the 

skin. 

The various types of 

hyperpigmentation occur 

mainly from either intrinsic 

(internal) or extrinsic 

(extrinsic) factors. The main 

extrinsic factor is UV exposure. 

Intrinsic factors might be 

hormonal fluctuations or 

medication. And then there is 

inflammation, which may be 

caused by either/both intrinsic 

or extrinsic influences. 

There are four crucial 

factors to help with 

eliminating, lessening and 

managing hyperpigmentation 

issues. These are exfoliating 

the surface of the skin, 

suppression of melanocyte 

activity, skin brightening 

and lightening and cellular 

protection and repair. 

Treating the various forms 

of hyperpigmentation can 

be a frustrating process. 

The question to ask is: what 

direction will you take to 

achieve a brighter, more 


even skin tone? Many options 

range, from lasers, chemical or 

herbal peels, mesotherapy, or 

mechanical resurfacing. Any of 

these options can be impactful 

on the right individual. The 

best outcome is when both 

clinical and home care regimes 

are combined. 

When choosing a good 

homecare program, look for 

ingredients such as botanical 

brighteners, plant stem cells, 

epidermal growth factor, 

peptides, mandelic acid and 

retinaldehyde. This combination 

will address the four 

fundamental areas, melanin 

suppression, cellular repair and 

protection, exfoliation, skin 

brightening, and of course, a 

good 30+ sun protection each 

day – rain, hail or shine. 

In-Clinic, treatments are 

wide and varied. There is 

usually some downtime 

with these procedures, this 

being determined by the 

depth of colour we start with. 

One of the most important 

considerations before any in 

Clinic treatment is undertaken, 

is to prep the skin with home 

care products prior. A better 

outcome will be achieved and 

will also reduce the likelihood 

of rebound pigmentation from 

occurring. 

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) 

is an effective light therapy 

treatment and will reduce or 

eliminate brown spots and 

colour on the face, neck, chest, 

hands, arms, legs and back. 

Diathermy is an effective 

and affordable treatment 

using an electrical current to 

dehydrate minor seborrheic 

keratoses 

Fractional Laser creates 

small pixels in the skin and 

helps to reduce or remove 

hyperpigmentation and will 

stimulate elastin and collagen 

production at the same time 

Cosmelan, Deep Sea 

Herbal Peel and Clinical peels 

are fabulous treatments to 

assist with the removal of 

brown marks on the skin, 

particularly the face, neck 

and chest. Depending on the 

depth of peel decided upon 

will determine the level of 

downtime. There are 3 main 

types of peels, Progressive 

(may be performed weekly), 

Mid-depth (can be done 

monthly) and Deep Peels 

(performed once every 3 

months and have the greatest 

amount of downtime where 

the skin will shed). 

Mesotherapy, Tixel 

Infusion and Skin Needling 

are treatments whereby 

either injecting/infusing skin 

brightening serums into the 

skin will work on reducing 

hyperpigmentation. 

Sue Carroll is at the forefront 

of the beauty, wellness 

and para-medical profession 

with 35 years’ experience on 

Sydney’s Northern Beaches. 

She leads a dedicated team 

of professionals who are 

passionate about results for 

men and women. 

info@skininspiration.com.au 

www.skininspiration.com.au 


Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money 

with Brian Hrnjak 

Business Life 

Give til it hurts: questions on 

donations & tax deductions 

As the financial year end 

approaches, we look at 

issues around giving – 

which apparently some of you 

aren’t doing too well…. It was 

Stephen Brook recently in The 

Sydney Morning Herald that 

painted Aussies as a bunch 

of tightwads: ‘One-quarter of 

Australians have not donated to 

a charity in the past year and 

our charitable donations lag 

behind comparable countries. 

We would need to lift donations 

to charities from $13.1 billion to 

$30 billion annually to match 

New Zealand, according to 

Philanthropy Australia.’ 

In the rush for a click-baitable 

headline the author seems 

to have ignored the fact that 

more than 13 per cent of the 

population, or around half 

that number being called out 

for non-giving, live below the 

poverty line and are more likely 

to be on the receiving end of 

a charitable gift. The article 

contained similar insights such 

as: ‘Those on less than $50,000 

were less likely to donate – 63 

per cent – than those earning 

more than $120,000 (83 per 

cent).’ Who would have thought? 

Probably the most useful 

insight was: ‘Polling for 

Philanthropy Australia found 

the three key motivations for 

donating were a personal or 

emotional connection to a cause 

that affected loved ones; people 

preferred donating on their 

own terms; and when giving 

made them feel part of a bigger 

community.’ 

The point about donating 

on their own terms aligns 

with what we see as a key 

motivator expressed by clients 

when collating their taxation 

returns. Elsewhere in the SMH 

article the author notes a 

Productivity Commission report 

from 2010 recommending 

that all registered charities 

are granted deductible gift 

recipient (DGR) status. Currently 

only about half of all charities 

hold this status due to the 

complex processes involved in 

qualifying, but the article fails 

to note rorts from the past and 

the potential for abuse that 

comes with the ability to accept 

tax-deductible donations. 

While the charity sector is 

largely populated by genuine, 

well-intentioned people it 

has not always covered itself 

in glory. Charitable trusts 

operated by sports people and 

celebrities have in the past been 

shut down following exposure 

of maladministration, including 

lack of record keeping, hiring 

family members, spending on 

personal expenses… whatever 

shenanigans you can think of 

that tend to happen where you 

can engineer a tax deduction 

for otherwise non-deductible 

expenses. 

Corporate charitable 

programs are things that 

progressive CEOs love to 

promote. It’s one thing if a 

company’s staff or customers 

have contributed to a cause 

and those funds are being 

passed on, but what are the 

ethical implications when a 

company then matches those 



contributions, or simply 

donates out of profits? Many 

shareholders and shareholder 

associations would argue the 

most ethical approach is for 

the company to return those 

funds to shareholders as a 

dividend and the shareholders 

can choose to make whatever 

donations they wish. 

The charities themselves are 

under enormous pressure to 

evolve. For many years they 

were notoriously low payers 

of salaries and wages to the 

extent that the FBT system still 

has a carve out for benefits 

paid to employees of some 

charities and benevolent 

institutions. Because of benefits 

such as these and their DGR 

status there is a need for 

greater scrutiny of governance 

which means more complex 

reporting and administration. 

Charities themselves have 

also evolved their corporate 

structures: CEOs, marketing 

managers, fundraising 

executives are a part of many 

organisations. They are likely to 

reach out to potential donors 

very early on, even looking to 

be written into wills. We have 

seen charity representatives 

attend funerals and agitate 

after probate is granted for 

benefits to be paid over. 

Complex arrangements 

around fundraising are now 

normal. Those overly friendly 

people you see when walking 

into Woolies who are seeking 

donations on behalf of some 

good cause are usually 

contractors that are primarily 

focussed on getting you to 

sign up to a monthly program 

of giving for which they will 

receive a healthy commission. 

It’s no wonder that people 

hesitate to give or give larger 

amounts to charity when they 

struggle to determine what 

actual percentage of their 

contribution makes it to the 

cause. The regulator is of little 

help in this regard. I looked at 

one charity that claimed 100 

per cent of funds raised were 

paid to eligible charities, but 

its accounts with the regulator 

show that in 2021 it donated 

18 per cent of donations 

revenue raised in that year to 

charities and in 2022 it donated 

16 per cent of donations 

raised to charities. A greater 

percentage of donations were 

spent on fundraising and 

travel expenses. I don’t quite 


understand how you can claim 

to donate 100 per cent when 

you have operating expenses 

at all. 

The problem with donating 

cash is its fungibility; basically 

it can be used for anything and 

once you hand it over you lose 

control. 

For most of us, donating a 

few dollars to the Salvos or Red 

Cross in their times of need will 

continue to be the norm. For 

others who are looking to 

make a more substantial 

donation there are a few other 

options. For example, you may 

be able to donate property 

to a DGR within 12 months 

of purchase – items such as a 

piece of medical equipment or 

a motor vehicle or other nonphysical 

items such as shares 

and ownership rights. 

If the item is more than 12 

months old but over $5,000 it 

may also be claimable through 

a valuation process with the 

ATO. This pathway can also be 

used for prizes won in raffles 

that people may wish to donate 

as they don’t fit the definition 

of being ‘purchased’. 

There is a cultural gift 

program for art, artefacts, 

film paintings, manuscripts, 

photographs and the like. 

Again, these need to be valued 

and the recipient must be a 

DGR unless you are donating 

to the Australiana Fund or 

Australian Government for 

Artbank. 

The rules for this type of 

giving can be complex as can 

be the tax consequences and 

it would be sensible to seek 

advice. It is important to keep in 

mind that donations cannot add 

to or create a tax loss so there 

are provisions in place to elect 

to claim your deductions over a 

period of up to five years. 

Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is 

a Director of GHR Accounting 

Group Pty Ltd, Certified 

Practising Accountants. Offices 

at: Suite 12, Ground Floor, 

20 Bungan Street Mona Vale 

NSW 2103 and Shop 8, 9 – 15 

Central Ave Manly NSW 2095, 

Telephone: 02 9979-4300, 

Webs: www.ghr.com.au and 

www.altre.com.au Email: 

brian@ghr.com.au 

These comments are of a 

general nature only and are 

not intended as a substitute 

for professional advice. 


Business Life

Business Life: Law 

with Jennifer Harris 


Managing mortgage stress: 

Communicate with lenders 

Following the global 

financial crisis in 2009 

and 2020-21 COVID 

lockdowns, it was said that 

business had “returned to 

normal”, but its ramifications 

had not. All over the 

peninsula it was becoming 

quite common to see and 

hear of businesses closing – 

and mortgage stress rising. 

The Governor of the 

Reserve Bank Dr Philip Lowe 

seemingly reassured the 

market that interest rates, 

then at record lows, would 

remain stable and virtually 

unaltered through until 

2024. Then early last year 

he reversed his observations 

and began increasing interest 

rates every month for 11 

months, with one small pause 

before it started again. 

While it is still unusual to 

see property repossessions 

and mortgagee sales, there 

are an increasing number of 

mortgage ‘delinquencies’. 

With cost-of-living increases, 

people are experiencing 

substantial financial hardship. 

If you have a home loan – 

ie, a loan covered by one of 

the industry codes of practice 

– you should be able to have 

recourse to sections of the 

code which cover financial 

hardship and how the lender 

should respond to a request 

for a repayment arrangement, 

if sought. 

However, is your problem 

one of urgency? 

If you have defaulted in 

making payments to the 

lender, quite possibly. 

If you have received a 

default notice which gives you 

28-30 days to repay the areas, 

then yes. 

If you have received 

a statement of claim or 

summons from the court 

seeking possession of your 

property in payment of your 

loan – yes. 

In all these circumstances 

you should seek advice 

immediately. In fact, if you 

have circumstances – a say 

illness, or unemployment 

which may cause you to miss 

a payment – it is wise to notify 

the lender before you default. 

If you call the lender you 

should ask to be transferred 

to the financial hardship team. 

You need to tell the lender 

you are in financial hardship 

and in these circumstances 

what you can afford to pay 

per month, and how long you 

can afford to make reduced 

repayments. If the period of 

lesser payments is uncertain, 

ask for between three to eight 

months. 

You may seek a variation 

of the term of the loan if you 

can’t afford new repayments. 

If legal action has been 

commenced request default 

fees and interest cease 

while your request is under 

consideration by the lender 

and ask that you not be 

listed on the credit reference 

listing. Banks operate a 

comprehensive credit report 

which notes a positive 

reflection and a negative 



eflection and usually is 

reviewed monthly. 

Whatever you do keep a 

note of your conversations 

and agreement if any with 

the lender and confirm the 

conversations in writing with 

the lender. 

You may find dealing 

with the matter quite 

difficult, particularly if the 

lender rejects your offer of 

repayment. 

If this is the case, you may 

find it more efficient to seek 

External Dispute Resolution 

(EDR). 

EDR is a service for 

resolving disputes between 

consumers and credit 

providers (including mortgage 

managers and finance 

brokers). 

Under EDR, lenders are 

held to account under their 

industry code of practice and 

the National Credit Code. 

Enforcement action is put on 

hold and negotiations should 

take place. This service has 

been found to be particularly 

effective in cases of real 

financial hardship. 

External Dispute Resolution 

(EDR) is free and can be 

accessed via the Financial 

Ombudsman Service at 1300 

78 08 08 and fos.org.au; or 

Credit Ombudsman Service 

1800 138 422 and cosl.com.au 

Other helpful areas are 

Money Smart, which is the 

Australian Securities and 

Investments Commission’s 

website on money matters. It 

contains helpful and practical 

information and videos for 

people who are struggling to 

pay their mortgages. www. 

moneysmart.gov.au 

Finally, there is the 

Consumer Credit Legal Centre 

(NSW) 1800 808 488 and 

cclcnsw.org.au 

This is far from an 

exhaustive list of matters; 

there are many more issues 

to consider and to which 

you must attend. It is not 

an option in this country to 

offer to vacate the premises 

and give the lender the keys. 

You are responsible for 

repaying the lender, even 

after the property has been 

repossessed and sold. Any 

shortfall from the sale of the 

property is your responsibility. 

What is required is that you 

seek help early and try to 

resolve the problems ahead. 

Seek legal advice if you 

need help on any of these 

issues. 

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 




Trades & Services 


AIR CONDITIONING 

Alliance Climate Control 

Call 02 9186 4179 

Air Conditioning & Electrical Professionals. 

Specialists in Air Conditioning Installation, 

Service, Repair & Replacement. 

BATTERIES 

Battery Business 

Call 9970 6999 

Batteries for all applications. Won’t be beaten 

on price or service. Free testing, 7 days. 

BUILDING 

Acecase Pty Ltd 

Call Dan 0419 160 883 

Professional building and carpentry services, 

renovations, decks, pergolas. Fully licensed 

& insured. Local business operating for 25 

years. Lic No. 362901C 

CARPENTRY 

Able Carpentry & Joinery 

Call Cameron 0418 608 398 

Doors & locks, timber gates & handrails, decking 

repairs and timber replacement. Also privacy 

screens. 25 years’ experience. Lic: 7031C. 

CLEANING 

Amazing Clean 

Call Andrew 0412 475 2871 

Specialists in blinds, curtains and awnings. 

Clean, repair, supply new. 

All NB Pressure Clean 

Call 0416 215 095 

Driveways, paths, garden walls, awnings, 

house wash. 

CONCRETING 

Adrians Concrete 

Call Adrian 0404 172 435 

Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting 

needs; Northern Beaches-based. 

Northern Beaches Concreting 

Call Tony 0417 640 546 

Specialising in driveways; quality work, 

council compliant. FREE quotes. Servicing 

the beaches for 14+ years. 

ELECTRICAL 

Alliance Service Group 

Call Adrian 9063 4658 

All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting 

installation, switchboard upgrade. Seniors 

discount 5%. 

Eamon Dowling Electrical 

Call Eamon 0410 457 373 

For all electrical needs including phone, TV 

and data. Pittwater-based. Reliable; quality 

service guaranteed. 

Warrick Leggo 

Call Warrick 0403 981 941 

Specialising in domestic work; small jobs 

welcome. Seniors’ discount; Narrabeenbased. 

FLOOR COVERINGS 

Blue Tongue Carpets 

Call Stephan or Roslyn 9979 7292 

Northern Beaches Flooring Centre has 

been family owned & run for over 20 years. 

Carpets, Tiles, Timber, Laminates, Hybrids 

& Vinyls. Open 6 days. 

GARDENS 

!Abloom Ace Gardening 

Call 0415 817 880 

Full range of gardening services including 

landscaping, maintenance and rubbish 

removal. 

Conscious Gardener Avalon 

Call Matt 0411 750 791 

Professional local team offering quality 

garden maintenance, horticultural advice; 

also garden makeovers. 

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. 

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. 

Fellofix Roofing 

Call Joe 0434 444 252 

All aspects of roof repairs & restoration. Fully 

insured; Honesty & quality the priority. Free 

quote. 

Ken Wilson Roofing 

Call 0419 466 783 

Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced, 

metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley 

irons replaced. 

HANDYMEN 

Local Handyman 

Call Jono 0413 313299 

Small and medium-sized building jobs, also 

welding & metalwork; licensed. 

HOT WATER 

Hot Water Maintenance NB 

Call 9982 1265 

Local emergency specialists, 7 days. Sales, 






service, installation. Warranty agents, fully 

accredited. 

KITCHENS 

Collaroy Kitchen Centre 

Call 9972 9300 

Danish design excellence. Local beaches 

specialists in kitchens, bathrooms and 

joinery. Visit the showroom in Collaroy. 

Seabreeze Kitchens 

Call 9938 5477 

Specialists in all kitchen needs; design, fitting, 

consultation. Excellent trades. 

MASSAGE & FITNESS 

Avalon Physiotherapy 

Call 9918 3373 

Provide specialist treatment for neck & back 

pain, sports injuries, orthopaedic problems. 

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. 

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 

Total Pipe Relining 

Call Josh 0423 600 455 

Repair pipe problems without replacement. 

Drain systems fully relined; 50 years’ 

guaranty. Latest technology, best price. 

R AINWATER TANKS 

Aquarius Watermaster 

Call 1300 794 850 

Rainwater tanks & pumps to capture and use 



the rain. Sales, service & installation. View 

large display area at Terrey Hills. 

RUBBISH REMOVAL 

Jack’s Rubbish Removals 

Call Jack 0403 385 312 

Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest health 

regulations. Old-fashioned honesty & 

reliability. Free quotes. 

Local Rubbish Removal 

Call 0407 555 556 

All residential and commercial waste; 

deceased estate; Seniors discount. Sameday 

service. 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. 

UPHOLSTERY 

Luxafoam North 

Call 0414 468 434 

Local specialists in all aspects of outdoor 

& indoor seating. Custom service, expert 

advice. 

Advertise your 

Business in 

Trades & 

Services section 

Ph: 0438 123 096 




The Way We Were 

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

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

the more they stay the same! Compiled by Lisa Offord 

25 Years Ago… 

The Way We Were 

Avalon Beach became the focus of 

international attention with the 

Australian Surf Life Saving IRB 

Championships. “White hot action 

is guaranteed” with more 700 

Surf Life Savers, 100 officials, 200 

VIPs and 2000 spectators on the 

finals day expected. “The event has 

particular significance for Avalon, 

for it was in this club and on this 

beach that the IRB was developed as 

a surf life saving rescue vehicle by 

Warren Mitchell and it was here, just 

a month later in December 1969 that 

the first mass rescue took place.” In 

other news Pittwater Council held a 

public meeting “on issues connected 

with the ocean outfall from the 

Warriewood Sewage Treatment Plant 

(STP)… issues to be discussed include 

timely release of information for the 

community on the operation for the 

Warriewood STP, System by-pass, 

health and environmental impact of the 

current ocean outfall performance and 

increased development in Warriewood Valley and plans to 

upgrade plant capacity… HAVE YOUR SAY Now!” Opposition 

to the Environment Levy was growing, as Pittwater Life 

posed the question: “E Levy: Community views ignored?”. 

While there was undoubtedly widespread support for a 

special environmental levy that was fair and equitable 

in its applications, the “… proposed E-levy for Pittwater 

smacks of attempt to bring the budget into line by having a 

de facto increase in rates” and while 

Council was “arguing it is only an 

average of $52 per household… the 

real costs vary from a mere $15 in 

some households on low valuations to 

around $180 on others. There is no 

differentiation between single-person 

households which have less impact 

and households with four or more 

people in them. Nor does 

it give any relief to fixed or lowincome 

persons already caught 

in a spiral of high rates and land 

taxes. The majority of Pittwater’s 

Councillors are ‘gung-ho’ to 

ignore the views they received 

with public consultation, and 

impose an Environment Levy 

on the community. In doing so 

they have ignored two public 

meetings… Councillors note that 

Manly and Warringah imposed 

an E levy without any community 

consultation. How they operate 

is not the issue. Pittwater has an articulate community 

which likes to be consulted. That’s why it broke away 

from Warringah.” Meanwhile, all unleashed dog exercise 

areas in Pittwater were again under scrutiny, with an 

audit undertaken to “assess the appropriateness of each 

area… and environmental impact” as a result of the State 

Government’s proposed new Animal Act; and Cr Shirley 

Phelps was photographed turning the first sod for the 

Avalon Skate Park. 



There were moves to make Avalon plastic-bag free, Woolworths “have informed us their 

with Council calling a meeting between community supermarkets in Avalon, Narrabeen 

groups and Woolworths to encourage the supermarket and Warriewood will go single-use 

to move away from plastic bags to coincide with the plastic bag free from June 20”. Our 

store’s re-opening following 

mag presented six pages promoting 

its renovation. The 

Pittwater’s cafes; Former Pittwater 

second Avalon Festival was Councillor Kay Millar talked about 

to be held; the new $1.3m her quest to ensure our local area 

purpose-built animal 

gained much-needed inpatient palliative 

hospital on Barrenjoey 

care; Residents group Protect 

Road Newport was officially 

Pittwater explained how they would 

opened; Pittwater focus on gathering information they 

Outrigger Racing Canoe say would “prove the failings of the 

Club’s Open Women’s Crew new Northern Beaches Council and 

became the new national strengthen their case for returning 

sprint champions and 

to the former Pittwater Council 

it was expected Council boundary”. The Palm Beach & Whale 

would begin discussions Beach Association celebrated 100 years; People were urged to exercise 

on a Masterplan for the caution near the Whale Beach Ocean Pool due to dangers posed by an 

long-term future of Avalon 

unstable rock shelf; and the Avalon Youth Hub marked its first full 

town Centre. 

month of operation. 



Pittwater Puzzler 

Compiled by David Stickley 

(40-49 years) from Newport SLSC, 

Bec ______ (6) 

26 An idea that does not fall within 

normal social standards (3,5) 

29 Largest continent (4) 

30 Large racing yacht (4) 

31 In a softened tone (5) 

32 A public display of a message 

(4) 

33 The principal dish of a meal 

(4,6) 

DOWN 

1 Large whale with long flippers 

that may be seen travelling off the 

Northern Beaches (8) 

2 Beautiful; heavenly (7) 

3 One of the things Kimbriki deals 

with (5) 

4 Newport SLSC’s Annual Awards 

presentation (3,7) 

5 Pinkish table wine (4) 

7 Stops by briefly (5,2) 

8 A choice delicacy or item (6) 

12 Fuel used by internalcombustion 

engines (6) 

15 The crowning of King Charles 

III, for example (10) 

17 Praises greatly (6) 

19 A person who is present and 

participates in a meeting or an 

event (8) 

21 Swimming back and forth over 

and over again (7) 

23 Someone who accesses a 

website (7) 

24 Large bodies of water (6) 

27 The speed at which music is or 

should be played (5) 

28 A festive or special occasion (4) 

Pittwater Puzzler 

ACROSS 

1 The upper tributaries of a river 

(10) 

6 Prepare for publication (4) 

9 An ancient astrologer or 

magician (5) 

10 Direction of the sea from Whale 

Beach (4) 

11 Former Prime Minister, Harold 

____ (4) 

13 Person in general who might 

visit Pittwater Uniting Church (8) 

14 Watercraft that takes advantage 

of beautiful locations of Pittwater 

(3-3) 

16 Ride a bike (5) 

18 Material used to make wetsuits 

(8) 

20 In fashion (3,3,2) 

22 Bottomless Lunch destination in 

Newport (5) 

25 Australian Champion Lifesaver 

[Solution page 64] 



Food Life 

with Janelle Bloom 


Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; FB: facebook.com/culinaryinbloom Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/ 

Veg out: Get your serves of 

these wonderful Winter crops 

We all know how important vegetables in our diet are. 

We should be eating at least five serves each and every 

day – but most Australians only eat half that. The secret 

is to try to add some to each meal, then the five serves is easy to 

achieve. Given the wonderful winter crop of vegetables we have at 

our fingertips, I hope the recipes below inspire you to get creative! 

Spiced roast 

cauliflower 

Serves 4-5 (as a side) 

1 tsp ground cumin 

1 tsp ground coriander 

1 tsp smoked paprika 

¼ tsp cayenne 

¾ tsp sea salt flakes 

Pinch of ground turmeric 

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil, plus 

extra, to serve 

1 (approx 700g) cauliflower, 

trimmed, cut into florets 

Raita or yoghurt, to serve 

3. Drizzle with oil. Serve with 

raita or yoghurt. 

Serving suggestion: Serve 

with pan-fried minute steak, 

salmon or lamb chops. 

Italian Stuffed 

mushrooms 

Makes 8 (Serves 4) 

8 large Portobello/flat 

mushrooms 

1½ cups soft breadcrumbs (see 

Tip) 

¼ cup roasted red capsicum 

strips 

¼ cup semi dried tomatoes, 

chopped, 

2 tbs pitted olives, chopped 

¼ cup parsley leaves, chopped 

2 tbs pine nuts, toasted 

½ cup basil pesto 

½ cup finely grated parmesan 

cheese 

olive oil cooking spray 

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C 

fan-forced. Trim the stalks 

from the mushrooms. Finely 

chop the stalks and place 

in a large bowl. Add 1 cup 

of the breadcrumbs to the 

bowl. Add the capsicum, 

tomatoes, olives, parsley and 

pine nuts. Season. Mix well. 

2. Place the mushrooms 

on a baking tray. Divide 

the stuffing between the 

mushrooms and press 

down slightly. Dollop 

over the pesto. Combine 

the remaining ½ cup 

breadcrumbs and parmesan 

and sprinkle over the 

mushrooms. Spray the tops 

with oil. 

3. Roast for 20 minutes or until 

the tops are golden and the 

mushrooms are tender. 


with roast beef, chicken or 

barbecued chorizo sausages. 

Janelle’s Tip: Process day-old 

sourdough or sliced bread; 

you will need around 4-5 

slices. 

Winter roast 

vegetables 

Serves 4 (as a side) 

1 red onion, peeled, cut into 

thin wedges 

2 zucchini, cut into thick 

rounds 

2 Lebanese (or 1 small 

regular) eggplant, cut into 

thick rounds 

1 red capsicum, chopped 

1 yellow capsicum, chopped 

3 tbs extra virgin olive oil 

1 tbs maple syrup 

2 tbs orange juice 

1 tsp dried oregano 


fan-forced. 

2. Place all the vegetables in 

a large greased roasting 

pan. Whisk the oil, maple 

syrup, orange juice, 

oregano and salt and 

pepper together until well 

combined. Pour half over 

the vegetables, toss gently 

so all the vegetables are 

well coated. Spread the 

vegetables evenly over the 

pan. 

3. Roast for 25-35 minutes, 

shaking the pan every 

10 minutes until the 

vegetables are golden 

and tender. Spoon over 

the remaining oil mixture. 

Serve. 


with meatloaf, rissoles, 

bolognese or char-grilled 

pork chops. 

Janelle’s Tip: Add thinly 

sliced baby potatoes, 

pumpkin or sweet potato, 

brussels sprouts or 

cauliflower to the mix if you 

have them on hand. 


fan forced. Combine the 

cumin, coriander, paprika, 

cayenne, salt and turmeric 

in a bowl. Add the oil, stir to 

combine. 

2. Place the cauliflower in 

a greased roasting pan. 

Spoon over the spiced oil 

mixture. Turn to coat all 

the cauliflower, then spread 

the cauliflower in a single 

layer. Roast, shaking the 

pan occasionally, for 20-30 

minutes or until golden and 

tender. 



For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au 

Kale, quinoa and 

cranberry stuffed 

butternut pumpkin 

Serves 4 

1.6kg butternut pumpkin, 

halved lengthways 

olive oil cooking spray 

150g (¾ cup) quinoa, rinsed 

(see Tip) 

¾ cup water 


1 brown onion, finely chopped 

2 tbs Moroccan spice blend 

1 garlic clove, crushed 

1 cup can chickpeas, drained 

1 cup shredded kale, spinach 

or silverbeet leaves 

1/3 cup slivered almonds or 

pistachio, toasted 

½ cup cranberries or raisins 


fan-forced. Line a baking tray 

with baking paper. Remove 

and discard the pumpkin 

seeds and membranes. Place 

the pumpkin, cut side down, 

on the baking tray. Cover 

tightly with foil. Roast for 1 

hour. 

2. Remove the pumpkin from 

the oven and turn over. 

Leaving a 2cm border around 

edge of pumpkin halves, 

scoop out the flesh (see tip). 

Spray the pumpkin cavities 

lightly with oil and season. 

Roast, cut side up a further 

30-45 minutes or until the 

pumpkin is golden and 

tender when tested with a 

skewer. 

3. Place the quinoa and water 

in saucepan. Bring to the 

boil. Reduce heat to low, 

cover and simmer for 12-15 

minutes until the water is 

absorbed. Remove from the 

heat, stir with a fork. 

4. Meanwhile, heat 1 

tablespoon oil in a large 

frying pan over medium 

heat. Add onion. Cook, 

stirring, for 5 minutes or 

until softened. Add spice 

blend, garlic and chickpeas. 

Increase the heat to medium 

high, sauté for 5 minutes 

until the chickpeas start to 

colour. Remove from the 

heat, add the kale, almonds 

and cranberries. Transfer 

to a bowl, stir in the quinoa, 

season and mix well. 

5. Spoon the quinoa mixture 

into the roasted pumpkin 

halves. Drizzle with 

remaining oil, cut the 

pumpkins in half crossways. 

Serve. 

Serving suggestion: Serve with 

chicken, lamb or pan fried tofu. 

Janelle’s Tips: You can replace 

the quinoa with couscous or 

cooked rice… Steam, roast or 

microwave the scooped-out 

pumpkin. Mash or puree. Great 

on its own or stirred through 

mash potato and served with 

sausages. 

Herb and garlic 

Hasselback sweet 

potato bake 

Serves 6 


80g herb and garlic butter (see 

tip), melted 

60ml (¼ cup) chicken or 

vegetable stock 

2kg sweet potato, peeled 

chopped parsley and finely 

grated parmesan, to serve, 

optional 


fan-forced. Grease a deep 

20-22cm (top measurement) 

heavy based pan (see tip) or 

baking dish. 

2. Combine the olive oil and 

butter in a bowl. Add 2 

tablespoons to the stock and 

mix well (set the remaining 

oil mixture aside). 

3. Use a mandolin or a sharp 

knife to cut the sweet potato 

into 3mm-thick slices. 

Discard the end slices of 

each potato. Place in stacks 

on a plate. Arrange the slices 

standing on their sides, 1 

stack at a time, in a tightly 

packed circular pattern in the 

pan or dish. Season. 

4. Pour the stock mixture over 

the top. Cover with foil. 

Bake for 1 hour. Remove 

the foil. Warm the reserved 

oil mixture if necessary and 

brush about a third over the 

top of the sweet potatoes, 

allowing some to run 

between the layers. Bake, 

uncovered for a further 20- 

30 minutes, basting with the 

remaining oil mixture every 

10 minutes or until the sweet 

potato is tender and the top 

is golden and crisp. 

5. Sprinkle the top with 

combined parsley and 

parmesan. Serve. 


with roast chicken, lamb or 

barbecued steak. 

Janelle’s Tips: Heavy-based 

cast iron pans, suitable for 

stovetop and oven, are great 

for this recipe as they hold the 

heat; if using a ceramic dish, 

the cooking time may be a little 

longer… You can buy herb and 

garlic butter or to make your 

own, mix 100g softened butter 

with 3 cloves crushed garlic 

and 2 tbs chopped herbs like 

parsley, thyme or rosemary. 




Tasty Morsels 

with Beverley Hudec 

Some Tiny Morsels to savour in June 

Bottomless lunch? 

You've gotta Lovat! 

Fancy a leisurely weekend lunch? 

Lovat’s $99-a-head Bottomless Lunch 

starts with an Aperol spritz on arrival, 

followed by burrata and olives. The 

deal has two entrees and four main 

courses. Choices include Sri Lankan 

fish curry, steamed mussels or steak 

with fries. Pair with bubbles, wine or 

beers. Dessert is extra. 

Queen Ester expands 

street eats empire 

Queen Ester fans can now sample its 

tasty street eats in Mona Vale, where 

a second outpost is now open on 

weekdays. Go for Israeli cheese-filled 

pastries called Ziva, shakshuka, coffee 

and sweet treats. The homemade 

felafel pockets stuffed with hummus, 

hot pickled peppers and labneh make 

trying to find a car spot worthwhile. 

Tasty Dining Morsels Guide 

Sammy's at 

Careel Bay 

Newly opened Sammy’s 

at Careel Bay serves its 

coffee with knockout 

water views. Tuck into 

avo and goats cheese on 

sourdough, chia puddings 

and NY-style bagels with 

smoked salmon and cream 

cheese. Hot bites include 

jaffles filled with bacon, 

egg and aioli and jaffles or 

slow-cooked bolognese, 

mozzarella and basil. 

Beans on the move at 

Narra's Bar 210 

Bar 210’s coffee beans make their way 

from a Marrickville boutique roaster to 

Narrabeen for the cafe’s caffeine fixes. 

There’s an all-day breakfast menu with 

smashed avo on sourdough and egg and 

bacon rolls. Move on to lunch and there 

are chicken burgers and wraps as well as 

a selection of jaffles and paninis. 

Three of a kind: Burgers 

It’s winner, winner chicken 

dinner in Newport. Chicken 

burger fans can pick pimped 

schnitty burgers or tangy 

tandoori chicken burgers 

with minted yoghurt. The 

Honest Chicken’s namesake 

(pictured) features a herby 

grilled chicken fillet, lettuce, 

tomato, cheese and aioli. 

Chicken salt-sprinkled chips 

are a must. 

Narrabeen’s Two Hungry 

Bears has mega-meaty burgers 

to sate peckish carnivores. 

Mr Miyagi packs a beef patty, 

American cheese, crispy sweet 

and sour pork hock, pickled 

carrots and sesame mayo 

into a bun. Mac Killer pimps 

Angus beef, American cheese 

and bacon jam with a mac ’n’ 

cheese patty, special sauce and 

pickles. 

Any self-respecting cafe these 

days has to have a vegetarian, 

and preferably, a vegan 

option. Mona Vale’s Ruby’s 

at the Beach showcases 

its chickpea, turmeric and 

cauliflower patty and then 

piles on kimchi, vegan aioli, 

lettuce, pickles and sweet 

potato fries. Alternatively, 

swap the ciabatta bun for a 

naked burger bowl. 



Garden Life 

with Gabrielle Bryant 


Now’s the time to plant beds 

of colourful, fragrant roses 

It’s rose-planting time – roses need a 

bright sunny well drained position in 

the garden. There are roses for every 

situation; carpet roses will spill down 

slopes or cover the ground, tiny miniature 

roses are ideal for pots and window boxes, 

standard roses are perfect for structural 

balance in tubs or lining pathways, climbing 

roses cover arbours, fences and climb the 

walls – but the most popular are the bush 

roses. Perfect for picking and easy to grow. 

Bush roses are either single-stemmed 

for cutting, or multi-headed floribunda 

roses for massed colour in the garden. 

The selection in the garden centres and 

online from the rose growers is quite 

overwhelming. 

Some roses are fragrant while others are 

not. Colours from pure white to the deepest 

velvet, through every shade of pink, orange, 

As the cold weather sets 

in, it is the best time to 

plant new rhubarb crowns, 

either in the veggie patch 

or in large pots or tubs. 

Rhubarb is an old-fashioned, 

perennial favourite that is 

coming back into modern 

cooking. Nothing can 

beat hot rhubarb crumble 

or rhubarb pie on a cold 

winter’s night. 

Rhubarb is a cut-and-comeagain 

vegetable – just like 

the ‘Magic Pudding’. Planted 

in compost-rich soil, it needs 

to be well-fed and watered 

regularly but must not have 

yellow, purple and lavender. There is a rose 

for everyone. 

Before you plant your new rose, dig the 

proposed spot thoroughly and add some 

slow-release fertiliser and plenty of compost 

to the soil. Remove the rose from its bag and 

‘tease’ the roots. Next, mound the soil in the 

bottom of the hole and sit the rose onto the 

mound, spreading the roots downwards into 

the hole. Fill the hole with water and allow 

it to drain, then backfill to bury the roots, 

making sure that the graft remains above 

the soil level. The graft can be identified by 

a scar on the stem that is just above the soil 

line, then water well once again. 

It is very important that the roots should 

not be allowed to dry. If the rose has 

started to make new growth while in the 

bag, cut it back now. It will soon shoot 

again. 

Rhubarb… rhubarb… rhubarb! 

wet feet or the crown will rot. 

It is very easy to grow. 

Rhubarb will jump into 

life as soon as the weather 

warms up, growing huge, 

scarlet-stemmed leaves. Once 

the plant matures, harvest by 

braking back from ground 

level and pulling up. Make 

sure to discard the outer 

leaves – only the stems are 

edible. (The green leaves 

are full of oxalic acid that is 

poisonous.) 

Put the discarded leaves 

to one side. Boil them up 

in water, about 1 part to 

10, add some soapy water, 

after you have strained it, 

and you will have your own 

organic insecticide. 

Legacy of 

Dolly’s Dream 

If you have kids or grandkids, 

this is the rose for you. Dolly 

took her life after cyber bullying 

and being badly bullied at school; 

it led her family to start the 

charity ‘Dolly’s Dream’ with the 

aim to reduce bullying in schools 

through education and support. 

Together with Knight’s Roses 

in SA, they have released a 

floribunda red rose called ‘Dolly’s 

Dream’ that has three or four 

buds on every stem. 

This is a very fragrant, dark red 

rose that can change in colour in 

different temperatures, from dark 

burgundy to deep purple. It can 

be bought now as a bush rose 

or as a 2ft or 3ft standard rose. 

It is available online and every 

rose sold will pay royalties to this 

charity and help to focus on antibullying 

programs in schools. 



Welcome new Davana Fern 

Introducing a spectacularly beautiful 

new fern: Phlebodium Davana. 

Phlebodium aurea is an epiphytic fern 

that grows wild in the Caribbean and 

tropical parts of South America. It 

grows naturally both on the trees and 

across the ground. It’s known in the US 

as the ‘Blue Star fern’ as it can be found 

growing in the South-eastern States. 

Meanwhile Davana is a compact 

cultivar that has been developed in the 

Netherlands; its glorious blue, greygreen 

ruffled leaves grow thickly from 

rhizomes that slowly creep across the 

surface, clinging to the soil. 

Unlike other ferns it is tolerant of 

many conditions. You can grow in in 

hanging baskets, pots or in the ground. 

It prefers regular water – but not too 

much, always water the soil below and 

avoid watering the foliage if possible. If 

you miss out and forget, it will forgive 

you. 

This fern will withstand dry soil for 

a short time and will spring back into direct sunlight that will burn the huge, heaters that will dry the air. It will live in 

new growth once it gets a drink. Where ruffled fronds) to keep its bright blue shadier, dark spots but the colour will 

it comes from there are periods of colour. Light shade or dappled light if it be less intense. 

drought before the seasonal rains. is outside; indoors it needs good light Davana is an amazing newcomer 

Davana needs good light (but not near a window and away from winter which will soon become a favourite! 

Little John a good hedge bet 

So much is discussed about 

tall hedges for privacy and 

screens – but sometimes a 

hedge is used for boundary 

lines and edging in open 

spaces. There are several 

plants that are perfect along 

a pathway, at the top or the 

bottom of a wall, beside a 

driveway, next to a swimming 

pool or marking a boundary. 

Dwarf Indian hawthorn, with 

either pink or white flowers, 

will always do well; if it is 

hot and sunny all day plant 

lavender (find either lavender 

allardii or French lavender, 

lavender dentata). Some of the 

newer varieties are less hardy 

for hedging. 

Small-growing grevilleas, 

scarlet sprite (or Mt 

Tamboritha) will grow in 

part sun and part shade 

while westringia (the coast 

rosemary) is hard to beat in 

salty, exposed positions. 

But my favourite that will 

take all conditions is the 

tiny bottlebrush, Little John. 

Little John is a small-growing 

shrub (1m). The blue/grey 


foliage is highlighted by deep 

red bottles every Spring and 

Autumn, with spot flowers 

thoughout the year. It can be 

left as an informal hedge to 

1m, or it can be trimmed into 

a formal hedge. 

After planting, water 

regularly until established 

and then unless there is a 

prolonged drought it will look 

after itself. A feed three times 

a year of any slow-release 

fertiliser for native plants will 

keep it bushy and flowering 

well. 


Garden Life


June 

Jobs this Month 


The weather is cold and 

wet, but there are still 

plenty of jobs to do in 

the garden. Time to rug up 

and put on the rubber boots! 

June is the month to harvest 

all the dormant winter 

crops: potatoes, artichokes, 

shallots, sweet potatoes, 

garlic and onions. This will 

give you time to replenish 

the soil, ready to re-plant 

next month. Also, check out 

the bulb stands for liliums to 

plant in time for Christmas 

colour. Check the instructions 

carefully as there are so many 

different colours, shapes 

and sizes, some for pots and 

some for gardens. 

Cleaning up 

Once frangipani, Spring 

blossom and fruit trees are 

bare, spray the trees and 

surrounding soil with Lime 

sulphur or a copper spray to 

destroy any lingering fungal 

spores after the wet and chilly 

weather. This will give the new 

growth a head start spring. 

Be sure to clean up any fallen 

leaves from the ground and 

put them in the bin. 

Red beds 

Plant a strawberry patch this 

month. Dormant strawberry 

crowns are available in garden 

centres now. Strawberries are 

a great ground cover in the 

veggie patch. Their pretty, 

bright green leaves will keep 

down weeds. Plant them 30cm 

apart and tuck them in with a 

mulch of straw or sugar cane. 

Also, June is a good month to 

plant blueberries. Blueberry 

Burst is an attractive small 

shrub that grows better in 

a pot than in the ground. 

A great plant for terraces 

or balconies. In Spring you 

will be picking your own 

breakfast! 

Colour tips 

There is no excuse for a dull 

Winter garden; they can be 

as bright and cheerful as in 

Summer. Flowering now are 

camelias; pale pink and white 

tree dahlias; pink, yellow, 

and orange kangaroo paws; 

tall yellow or scarlet aloes; 

begonias; orchids; violet 

salvias; pink and scarlet 

poinsettias… the list goes 

on. Fill any gaps with multicoloured 

polyanthus or Winter 

pansies. 

Lawn 

care 

If your lawn 

has suffered 

badly in the 

wet weather 

and the 

grass has been 

too wet to mow, becoming 

long and lanky, don’t be 

tempted to cut it too short; if 

we get a few hot sunny days 

the roots will burn. Reduce the 

length over time with several 

cuts. Let the grass harden up 

slowly. 

Moss fix 

Wet weather can make paving 

very slippery. There are many 

products on the market 

to help stop this, but for a 

simple solution, mix a cup of 

baking soda into a bucket of 

water and add some soapy 

detergent. Spray or brush it 

onto the pavers and leave for 

half an hour before brushing 

off with a hard-bristled brush. 

Then wash off with water. 

White vinegar can also be 

effective – but never use a 

brown vinegar as it can stain. 

Perfect Pyrus 

Most trees that have Autumn 

colour 

perform better in cooler 

climates, but the brilliant 

red ornamental pear Pyrus 

Chanticleer is spectacular 

in our seaside suburb. Plant 

one now. It is a slim, columnshaped 

tree that is perfect 

for small suburban gardens. 

First you have white blossom, 

then the green leaves that 

are followed in Autumn with 

amazing colours that change 

from green to gold to red. 

Crossword solution from page 57 

Mystery location: BILGOLA 



Times Past 

Milkman to butcher to mechanic 

VARIED CAREERS: Sam off 

to service someone’s fridge 

in the 1960s; Jones’ dairy – 

main house, now occupied 

by the El Cortijo home units 

on Barrenjoey Rd; and Sam 

(WJ) Meek’s label for box 

packaging of his tomatoes. 

Last issue we left colourful character 

Sam Meek in transit from Joe’s dairy 

at Mona Vale to Stan Jones’ dairy at 

North Avalon. It seems he only spent a 

short time at Joe’s because he arrived at 

North Avalon in December 1939 – around 

a month after suffering Joe’s 4am morning 

wake-up call of the ‘roaring bull’! 

Jones’ dairy, located between Whale 

Beach Road, Careel Head Road and Burrawong 

Road, supplied milk locally as 

well as to Palm Beach. 

Jones had 40 cows which were allowed 

to free range all around the area and 

Sam’s first job of the day was to locate 

the cows, round them up and head them 

back to the bales for milking around 

4am. He admitted it wasn’t easy in the 

dark, so you had to listen out for thebells, 

especially if the cows had travelled 

as far as Ruskin Rowe. 

Sam didn’t refer to the job as milking 

but used instead the less subtle expression 

of ‘tit pulling’. After milking 10 cows, he’d 

load up the delivery van and head off to 

Fred’s Boatshed (these days better known 

as Careel Bay Marina or simply as ‘Bluey’s’). 

With 10 litres of milk, a bottle can measure 

and a torch, he wound his way through the 

scrub and vines to deliver to Finisterre, the 

last residence on Stokes Point. 

Later while on his rounds, Sam noticed 

a sign in Mr Brindell’s butcher shop in 

Avalon Beach. 

The sign read: ‘Youth wanted to learn 

butchering’. The Japanese were closing 

in on the east coast and the manager, Sid 

Alford wasn’t going to hang around in 

case they landed locally. 

He took his wife and family and 

headed for the Blue Mountains and Sam 

got his job. He had to make the sausages 

and deliver parcels of meat using a motor 

bike and sidecar. Sam recalled it was 

tricky on the dirt roads, constantly dodging 

the koalas. 

Sam joined the Avalon Fire Brigade as 

a volunteer and recalled a trip to Crows 

Nest Station to learn how to extinguish 

incendiary bombs using a wooden 

shovel. 

After around 10 years as a butcher, 

Sam decided to “hang out my shingle as 

a refrigeration mechanic” taking care of 

the fridges in the increasing number of 

shops in the local area as well as domestic 

fridges. 

He bought three acres of land for 75 

pounds ($150) and in the 1950s built a 

house in Therry Street where he grew 

some excellent orchids and loads of tomatoes, 

which he sold to local shops. 

TIMES PAST is supplied by local historian 

and President of the Avalon Beach 

Historical Society GEOFF SEARL. Visit 

the Society’s showroom in Bowling 

Green Lane, Avalon Beach. 

Times Past 



Travel Life 

Travel Life 

Tauck sprints the travel walk 

International travel experts Tauck keep 

you have along the way, those personal 

moving forward to find new ways 

encounters and unexpected moments that 

to enhance experiences that will be 

memorable for the lifetimes of their 

guests – that’s why they’ve been named 

to esteemed authority Travel and Leisure’s 

‘World’s Best’ list for 25 consecutive years. 

Travel View Avalon’s Gail Kardash 

explained that Tauck are a company – and 

a family – of passionate travellers. 

“As a family owned travel company 

for over 98 years, their values and vision 

remain true: to always do the right thing 

for their customers and guests.” 

“With unique and exclusive access, 

with journeys across seven continents, 

in over 100 destinations and to 70+ 

countries, Tauck invites you to see the 

world as you’ve never seen it before.” 

Gail said Tauck’s philosophy was that it 

wasn’t just about the places you visit – it’s 

how you experience them. 

“These are the travel experiences 

that define Tauck – authentic, intimate 

experiences that connect you more deeply 

to the destination and the people you 

meet,” she said. 

“These moments take you behind the 

scenes, providing special access to mustsee 

sites and places generally not open 

to the public, often at times when crowds 

aren’t there. 

“They show you the world differently 

than you could see it on your own and 

astonish you with the unexpected – and 

that’s what makes the difference between 

a trip and the trip of a lifetime!” 

Gail said the best travels bring the 

right kind of connections, with locals who 

share their daily lives along with cultural 

insights, secrets of nature, stories of the 

past that define the present, and special 

skills – and a journey becomes both 

enriching and everlasting. 

“The most memorable trips aren’t 

just about the grand sights you see, 

they’re also about the little experiences 

make your visits – and your memories – 

extraordinary!” she said. 

She added that personal, caring 

service was the hallmark of all Tauck 

Tour Directors and their handpicked local 

guides. 

“Tauck Tour Directors average 10 years 

of service, come from 41 countries and 

collectively speak a total of 52 languages,” 

said Gail. “Their expertise in local culture, 

customs, and traditions allows them to 

show you the world in ways you could not 

experience on your own… it’s the Tauck 

difference. 

“An example is their 2024 Tours to 

Jordan and Egypt – ‘Petra to the Pyramids’ 

(see ad below). 

“You can travel confidently… just book 

your trip, pack and go. 

“Not to mention their experienced 

Global Response Team stands ready 

to spring into action to respond to any 

situations should they unfold. Tauck 

manage the unexpected – big and small – 

so you can sit back, relax and enjoy.” 

* Want to know more? Call Travel View 

Avalon on 9918 4444.

Pittwater Life June 2023 Issue

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