Pittwater Life November 2023 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023
FREE
pittwaterlife
THE MUSIC SPECIAL ISSUE
+ ROD WILLIS: HIS WILD ROCK JOURNEY WITH COLD CHISEL
ANGRY MONA VALE ROAD DRIVERS VENT / LOCAL TREE PLAN
THE WAY WE WERE / LEGO SHOW / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...

Editorial
‘No need’ for upgrade: Minns
It doesn’t matter which side of
the political fence you stand,
NSW Premier Chris Minns’
reasoning for putting the
upgrade of the Western section
of Mona Vale Road on hold
doesn’t pass the pub test.
Asked on ABC Radio last
month about whether there
was a need to upgrade the
Western section, Mr Minns was
dismissive of the importance of
the road to our community.
“No, I don’t believe so,” he
said. “There is a case for road
upgrades right across Sydney...
it’s all about severity and we
are applying a needs-based
approach to infrastructure
spending, not on a marginalseats
or Labor-electorates
approach... and obviously those
communities that desperately
need the funds are where we
are investing them.”
Apparently it doesn’t matter
that the single lanes of road
heading east and west between
Kimbriki Tip and the Baha’i
Temple are piling up crash
statistics and full closures like
no other major road in Sydney
Mona Vale Road has been
closed for six hours at a time
twice in the past 12 weeks – at
the black spot now on hold.
There have been more than
10 serious accidents requiring
police and emergency vehicles.
Mr Minns should talk to the
users of the road about what
they think, as we did (see p12).
* * *
Remember when cafe owners
used to offer a small
discount on a takeaway coffee
if you brought your own ‘keep
cup’?
We do – but only just. Does it
even happen anymore?
We’d love to hear from
readers about their experiences;
and as reward we’ll give a shout
out to the local cafes who are
offering the ‘perk’.
Remember, every little bit
helps in the battle to reduce
landfill.
– Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 3

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Celebrating 33 years
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thislife
INSIDE: Council will oppose the revised development plan
for the Patyegarang Development (Lizard Rock) at Belrose
(p10); local users of Mona Vale Road express their disgust
that the Western Upgrade has been put on hold (p12); reflect
on 50 years of the Avalon PS band (p16); Pittwater and its
existing tree canopy will be given the same priority as other
Beaches areas needing more trees (p21); a bunch of bands
hit the local scene (p24); and hear from Avalon’s Rod Willis
on his wild ride managing Aussie band Cold Chisel (p44).
COVER: Palmy Gold / Sharon Green
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 10-41
The Way We Were 30
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 32
Community News 36-41
Life Story: Cold Chisel’s manager Rod Willis 44-48
Art 50-51
Hot Property 52-53
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 56-63
Money; Law 64-67
Trades & Services 68-71
Food & Tasty Morsels 72-75
Travel: The spectacular North Pole 80-81
Crossword 82
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NOVEMBER 2023 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Council renews Lizard Rock fight
Northern Beaches Council has
picked holes in the revised
Planning Proposal for 450
homes in the renamed Patyegarang
Development (formerly Lizard
Rock) at Belrose and will renew its
opposition in a new submission to
the NSW Government.
At its October meeting, Council
staff papers observed that the revised
Planning Proposal presented by the
Sydney North Planning Panel – which
was placed on public exhibition
in September and will be open for
submissions through 7 November – failed
to address most of the concerns raised by
Council 12 months ago.
These included severe bush fire risks,
major impacts upon biodiversity, and
inconsistency with Council’s Local
Strategic Planning Statement and Local
Housing Strategy.
But a key point in Council’s
“overarching” concerns with the
revised proposal regarded the required
acquisition of Council land in Forest Way
for a slip lane to evacuate the area.
“The draft Planning Proposal included
a description and map of the proposed
slip lane for evacuation purposes as
required by the RFS (left turn slip lane
AERIAL: The slip lane would exit Morgan Rd onto Forest Way
(top left of pic).
from Morgan Road and allow traffic to
bypass the traffic lights and directly
enter Forest Way), requiring acquisition
of Council land,” Council said.
“No discussion in relation to this
matter has been undertaken.”
Council was disappointed the majority
of elements in the new Planning
Proposal remained the same.
“The proposal still provides for the
development of 450 dwellings in a highly
bushfire-prone area with very restricted
evacuation and transport routes,”
Council said.
“The proposal still would involve the
clearing of approximately 70% of the 70.1
ha site in an undisturbed bushland area
with high conservation value.
“The proposed rezoning to R2 low
density residential and RE2 private
recreation remains inconsistent with
the North District Plan, Council’s
Local Strategic Planning Statement
and Local Housing Strategy, and
Council’s most recent and extensive
work underpinning proposals for
zoning of the Deferred Lands area
under the new consolidated LEP for
the whole of the LGA.
“The revised Planning Proposal
still does not provide sufficient
information or evidence to support the
proposed re-zoning. Nor have any new
or significant mitigation measures or
actions been identified to respond in a
meaningful way to the concerns Council
raised in its submission on the draft
Planning Proposal (in November 2022).”
It noted the revised Planning Proposal
stated that “If Council refuse to negotiate
then Transport for NSW have the powers
to compulsorily acquire the land”.
Council said it would object to the
acquisition of its land to facilitate this
development; further consideration of
Council’s property rights was being
undertaken.
– Nigel Wall
*More info Council website
10 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Charge of the EV stations
The NSW government has
allocated $10 million
to support more than 125
apartment buildings across
NSW to install electric vehicle
(EV) charging stations in their
carparks.
Grants are now available for
buildings
with 10
or more
apartments
and will
co-fund up
to 80 per
cent, or a
maximum
FREE: 15-minute charging.
of $80,000,
the necessary upgrades and
purchase and installation of
up to four chargers.
“In a national first, NSW is
co-funding EV infrastructure
upgrades in apartment
buildings, to make EV
ownership attractive for more
people,” said NSW energy
minister Penny Sharpe.
“More than 90 per cent
of EV drivers charge their
vehicle at home, and we
don’t want people living in
apartments to miss out.”
The Electric Vehicle Ready
Buildings grants program is
open until June 20, 2025.
Meanwhile, following
community consultation, NB
Council in partnership with
JOLT will be rolling out EV
Stations
deploying
free public
charging
for up
to 15
minutes at
Pittwater
Park South
carpark,
Palm Beach and Berry Reserve
Carpark, Narrabeen.
A proposal to place a
station at The Boulevarde,
Newport will not proceed due
to potential flooding issues.
Council said it would
continue to work with JOLT to
find an alternative location in
Newport. – Lisa Offord
*More info on the Electric
Vehicle Ready Buildings
grants program at nsw.gov.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 11

Mona Vale Road disgust
News
With funding for the completion
of the Mona Vale Road upgrade
now on hold, regular users of
the arterial route say lives are being put
at risk in the name of politics.
The Western stage of the upgrade is
in limbo, with $340 million previously
allocated for the road works now pulled
as part of the Minns Government’s first
budget. The Eastern section is still due
for completion before the end of this
year, but the dangerous Western section
has had its funding deferred for at least
two years.
Local MP Rory Amon has reacted
angrily, claiming that Pittwater is a
victim of ‘postcode politics’, with the
budget concentrating on winnable Labor LATEST ACCIDENTS: Mona Vale Road West was closed for six hours both ways on October 9 (above)
seats. Mr Amon says lives will be put at while a head-on accident in August closed the road for a similar time in August (below).
risk as a result – and regular users of the
road have been quick to agree.
Mark Bevan from Narrabeen drives a
truck, making deliveries for a building
supplier. He says that the section of the
road that will remain as one-lane eachway
can be extremely hazardous for
heavy vehicles.
“It’s really one of my least favourite
roads,” Mark tells Pittwater Life.
“Especially where it gets very narrow
between Bahai Temple and Kimbriki. I’m
surprised there are not more accidents
than there already are.
“You have to really concentrate hard
in a wide vehicle and it can be quite
unnerving.
“It’s particularly dangerous with
goat track? We’re being punished by the section (“a fab design”) but is incredibly
vehicles turning right out of Kimbriki
Labor party again.
disappointed that work has stopped on
tip to head back towards Mona Vale,” he
“I wrote to Rory Amon after the last the West.
continues. “That whole section could do
accident that occurred recently and
“There’s just no margin for error on
with a rethink.”
Long-time Avalon resident Jacqueline
he’ll do what he can, but frankly I’m that strip – you’d just need to sneeze
Watson, who used to work at Kimbriki
appalled.”
and you could have a head-on,” says
and regularly uses Mona Vale Road West,
Mark Fitzgerald has been a resident Cliff. “It’s narrow and dangerous and
wrote to Mr Amon in October regarding
of Newport for decades; he says
I’ve sadly seen a lot of accidents over the
her concern at the funding withdrawal
he “tolerates” Mona Vale Road. He
years. I’ve had a few near misses myself.
for the upgrade. She believes the road has a different thought on who the
“When it’s raining or there’s fog, it’s
has not been properly maintained and government was actually penalising. even worse – and the sun can be shining
feels unsafe when she uses it.
“I think it’s dogmatic and smallminded
to pull the funding when the “I guess Labor don’t want to spend
in your face.
“The West section is the worst portion
of the road,” said Jaqueline. “I worked road is half finished, but I think they are the money here. I’m not a political
at Kimbriki for a few years and had to discriminating against people out west. commentator, but it would seem to slam
travel that road every day. I also had It’s a huge bottleneck and they’re saying the door on them for the future.”
to exit Kimbriki and the right turn you ‘we don’t care if you want to go to the Transport for NSW’s traffic tool shows
have to make is harrowing – it’s the only beach’. It’s going to take people out west Mona Vale Road is used by more than
word for it.
two hours to drive here and two hours to 30,000 vehicles each way every weekday.
“I remember at least three occasions drive back.”
On Sunday 9 October, a URM garbage
where the road there was closed because He added he was also annoyed the truck was involved in a collision with two
of accidents on the dip portion of the Liberal government didn’t finish the cars at the one-way blackspot section of
road.
project quicker “as it was obvious this the road, with four persons injured – two
“One night I was going home in the would happen as soon as government seriously. The accident blocked traffic in
dark where the road turns and someone changed in the cycle of things”.
both directions for six hours.
was doing a three-point-turn on the road. Cliff Brigstocke from Avalon works
– Rob Pegley
I was doing the speed limit, but was in manufacturing and has done the *Mr Amon’s petition to the Government
worried someone might be coming up drive to Homebush and back four or five to have a change of heart and throw the
behind me.
times a week for the past 20 years. He West upgrade a lifeline now has more
“How long do we have to live with this loves the job they’ve done on the East than 4000 signatures.
12 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Meet the Palmy ‘Pod Couple’
Palm Beach locals Di
Edwards and Nicola Dale
have been best friends
for more than 40 years. They
love a chat so much, that it’s
become their passion project,
co-hosting the popular Podcast
‘Over the Back Fence’.
Di and Nicola truly love to
talk. Usually interviews with
story subjects involves asking
numerous questions in
search of a decent soundbite.
However, for Di and Nicola it’s
simply a case of switching on
the tape recorder, sitting back
and occasionally trying to
sneak in the odd question.
“We’re honestly always
excited to see each other, even
after 40 years,” says former
international flight attendant
Nicola.
“And because we’ve been
friends that long, we respect
each other’s opinions even
when we disagree,” responds
Di, owner of LJ Hooker Palm
Beach. “I don’t hold back!”
In fact, neither of them
hold back, which makes the
Podcast so entertaining. Commendably,
it was one of those
great ideas that actually came
to fruition, rather than just
fizzling out.
“I’d presented a TV show in
the past and was keen to do
something
new, but
wasn’t sure
on what platform,”
says
Di. “But you
put things
out there
and surrender
to the
universe and
something
happens.”
Adds Nicola: “And I was
hiking in Tasmania with my
daughter (Gabriella Power
from Sky News) and we were
listening to Podcasts.
“That night I said to
Gabriella ‘I think Di and I
could do a Podcast’. Gabriella
loved the idea and went
straight into producer mode
making notes.
“Di was in the States and
I asked what she thought,”
continues Nicola. “And, bang!
Straight away she comes back
with a list of ideas.”
And so in April this year,
Over The Back Fence was first
recorded.
Since then
there have
been 30 episodes
and
although
it has a
community
focus, it also
now has a
global following.
“They particularly
love us in America,”
says Nicola. “I can see us going
over there sometime. But
we’ve really found our happy
place with this.”
“We wanted to celebrate 40
years of friendship,” continues
Di, “but also explore the
issues of being older, with an
undercurrent of being motivating
and uplifting.”
“If we could help or inspire
one person then we’ve done
our job,” adds Nicola.
“Inspiring people with a
giggle!” says Di with a laugh.
It’s a double act that has to
be witnessed – and with an
Instagram account showing
clips of the Podcast, and a
YouTube channel on the way,
you can do just that. The real
beauty comes in their ability
to find the positive in just
about any situation.
“We seem to naturally find
the joy, even when things are
really bad,” explains Di. “We
bring some goodness out of
the worst situations. It just
seems to happen. We can lift
people when they’re down. It’s
effortless.”
“We just see the beauty in
people,” agrees Nicola. “We
find interest and joy in every
single person that we meet.”
A great array of guests have
already appeared on the show
including Mandy Spooner,
Richard and Colin Scotts,
Catherine Mahoney, Lizzi
14 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

PODCAST WITH PURPOSE: Neighbours and friends Nicola and Di have
gone global with their down-to-earth chats.
PHOTO: Rob Pegley
Morrissey and Gus Worland.
Tim Olsen is an upcoming
guest and the duo have yet to
even tap into the contacts of
Nicola’s partner of four years
Richard Wilkins.
“Richard said a few words
at the launch party… he said
‘I’ve got to give it to these
ladies they’ve done it completely
on their own’. And we
have,” says Di.
“We’ll get him on the show
at some paint,” says Nicola.
“I’ll give him such a hard
time!” laughs Di.
While plenty of women in
their 20s, 30s and 40s are
doing podcasts, it’s rarer to
find women in their 50s and
upwards. To Nicola and Di
“age is just a number”. Jane
Fonda and Bette Middler are
just two of the names they’d
love to chat to ‘over the fence’,
and both agree that some
women are doing amazing
things against all odds as
they get older.
“The older I get I just feel
gratitude that we’re at this
age,” says Nicola. “Some people
never even get to where
we are.”
“And some people don’t
have a sense of purpose
anymore,” adds Di. “The kids
have gone and they’re treading
water – we can hopefully
help them find that purpose.”
“We’re Palm Beach women,”
Nicola sums up. “Our kids
went to Palm Beach kindy and
Avalon schools, we share a
back fence… we’re two local
ladies who have started a
thing that’s going global.”
– Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 15

Fine tuned: 50 years
News
What does the Avalon Public
School Band have in common
with iconic Aussie rock band
AC/DC and American new wave band
Devo? All three are celebrating their
50th anniversary in 2023.
“I am tremendously proud of the
Avalon Public School band program and
its significant heritage and pedigree,”
gushes School Principal, Andy Rankin.
“Reaching 50 years of continuous musicmaking
is a wonderful achievement –
even more notable when we share a 50th
anniversary with equally famous bands
such as Devo, Journey and AC/DC. Go,
Avalon!”
On 14 September, the Band celebrated
their 50th Anniversary with a
spectacular gala concert in the school
hall, a backdrop of pictures spanning
the five decades stirring the memories
for many in attendance. Videographers
captured the musicians up close and
projected their images to LED screens
on both sides of the stage, creating a
“live concert moment” for everyone in
attendance. There was also a screening
of a video made by local actress Raelee
Hill – A Day in the Life of Band – with
the entire room delighted in watching
this depiction of band life told from the
perspective of the kids.
Avalon Public School has the longest
continuously running band program in
NSW public schools. When the kids were
asked what they thought about being
part of this, their pride was palpable:
“Wow!”… “Pretty cool”… “We’re the best”.
The school has four bands – Training
Band, Concert Band, Senior Band and
Performance Band – playing wind, brass,
bass and percussion instruments. Mostly
kids will play in the band suitable for
their school year, but if someone shows
aptitude, they can move up a band.
Band Director of three years Charles
Wilkinson skilfully keeps the kids
engaged by choosing movie themes
or contemporary songs for them
to perform. He also recognises the
importance of performing for the
young musicians and this year has seen
participation in the Instrumental Festival
at Pittwater High School, NSSWE Spring
Festival, APS Learning Expo and the
Music Showcase at Warringah Mall, and
playing with Shaw’s Northern Beaches
Concert Band.
Wilkinson took over from Sarah Shaw
who held the role for many years; he
is assisted by fellow conductor Rachel
Rule. The band program has also been
supported by Assistant Principal Sam
Bateson, who has liaised between the
school and the band for 30 or so years.
Band President Cassandra Mow has
been involved with the band since
her son Edwin Minter, who plays the
euphonium, joined in Year 3. Now in Year
6, he is one of the band captains, along
with Felix Frost. Yonca O’Mahony takes
over the role of Band President next
year; her daughter has just joined band.
“She loves playing flute. She loves music
and she feels like she’s part of a team. I
wasn’t expecting anything like that for
her in Year 3,” says Yonca.
“It’s a very inclusive program with a
place for any child,” Cassandra stresses.
“Any child can learn music. It’s about
giving the kids pride and a sense of
community, a love of music and having
some fun at the same time.” She adds
that not all kids want to put in the
practice or get up early for rehearsals
and they tend to drop out but may return
later. However, there have also been
many stories from past parents about
how their child blossomed.
The 50th anniversary celebration
brought back a flood of memories. Local
historian Geoff Searle found an article
in the October 1975 edition of Avalon
News, reporting that 68 band members
attended band camps at Narrabeen
National Fitness Centre. For band
members today the weekend band camp
held at the Sydney Academy of Sport
and Recreation Centre in Narrabeen is
a highlight of the year. The two days of
16 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

of hitting high notes
NOW AND THEN: The band celebrates 50 years of making music; the huge
band in 1977; performing on ANZAC Day in 1983; 50th year performance;
Lions Festival 1977 (couldn’t do that today!); Manly Aquarium 1990.
intensive practice and tuition culminate
in a concert on the Sunday afternoon and
see a steep change in skill level.
Band alumni Trent Morgan started
with cymbals in 1981 and became
percussion section leader in 1982. He
recalls: “The highlight for me playing
these cymbals was on the back of a
flatbed truck in the Palm Beach ANZAC
Day march, standing up (no safety
precautions back then) as the truck
rolled along amongst the diggers.”
In 2007, he went on to form his own
band, which is still performing. “Playing
in the school band had a lifelong
influence on me.”
Other alumni include sisters Elena
and Laura Newlyn, who both played in
the band and are now tutoring flute,
while studying at the Australian Catholic
University. And Michael Welch, started
his musical journey here, graduated from
Barrenjoey High School in 2019, and
is now majoring in tuba at the Sydney
Conservatorium of Music. Will Cassell
is a graduate of Barrenjoey HS in 2022;
he achieved equal first in NSW for HSC
Music 1. “You need passionate teachers,
an encouraging learning environment…”
he said, when interview by the ABC after
leaving school.
“We have been blessed with some
amazing band directors, highly talented
students and a supremely supportive
parent body of volunteers without whom
our program would not exist,” says Andy
Rankin.
Wilkinson summed up the legacy
of this phenomenal school band in
his speech at the gala concert: “As we
celebrate the past 50 years, let us also
look forward to the next 50, knowing
that the music we make today will
continue to inspire generations of young
musicians, setting them on their own
journeys of creativity, expression, and
lifelong learning.”
– Rosamund Burton
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 17

News
The biggest group of ocean swims in Australia,
the annual Pittwater Ocean Swim
Series, is coming to Pittwater in January 2024.
The series, conducted by surf clubs in the
region, attracts ocean swimmers, of all levels,
from around the world and Australia.
David Madew, coordinator of the Pittwater Series,
says ocean swimmers welcome the chance
to test their ocean swimming skills at some of
the most beautiful beaches in the world and at
the same time go in the draw for a Whitsundays
holiday (which includes an Oceanfit swim).
“Each of the ocean swims caters for both
experienced swimmers right through to swimmers
testing their swimming skills in an ocean
environment. There are short courses such as
400m and 800m which are very popular for
the less experienced or for strong swimmers to
warm up for the longer events.
“The first swims in the series will be at
Newport on Sunday 7 January 2024 followed
by Bilgola on 14 January, Then it’s Mona Vale’s
turn, on 21 January with their popular Warriewood
to Mona Vale course. The Big Swim from
Palm Beach to Whale Beach one of Australia’s
original ocean swims is celebrating its 50th anniversary
with its event on Sunday 28 January.
“Then on Sunday 17 March, Avalon will hold
its iconic, Around the Bends, ocean swim from
Newport to Avalon to complete the Pittwater
Series.”
REGISTER: Entries
are now open for
the 2024 Pittwater
Ocean Swim Series.
Swim series makes another splash
Each of the ocean swims not only offers
a challenge to those wanting to take on the
ocean. Each swim is an important fund raiser,
for the surf clubs involved, so that they can
purchase and maintain essential life saving
equipment.
“This in turn make sour beaches safer for the
many swimmers who visit Pittwater each summer,”
said David.
To be eligible to win the Oceanfit Whitsunday
holiday prize, swimmers must enter at least
three of the swims in the series. “Previous winners
have thoroughly enjoyed the Whitsunday
experience. The winner is drawn from those
who have entered three swims, so the winner
can come from any swimmer, no matter what
time they achieve,” David added.
The Pittwater Ocean Swim Series is generously
sponsored by Northen Beaches Council, who
obviously recognise the tourism value of the
event with the knowledge that swimmers and
their supporters flock to the local cafes, clubs
and restaurants as well as the boutique shops
after the swims.
There is a strong emphasis on safety for each
of the swims as would be expected from the
surf clubs. Swimmers are urged to train for
their event and take notice of lifesavers on the
beach.
– John Guthrie
*All info and entries visit oceanswims.com;
also follow the series on Facebook.
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Author talks. Global risk
specialist Tony Loughran will be
speaking about his remarkable
life and new book Zero Risk at
numerous venues this month
including Zubi Expresso 207
Ocean Rd Narrabeen on Thurs
2 from 6.30pm and Manly Spirits
Winbourne Road Brookvale on
Thurs 30 from 6pm. He will also
join five speakers at Bucketty’s
Brewing Co in Brookvale on Tue 21
from 7pm-9pm. Go to the ZeroRisk
International Facebook page for
more details.
Music Festival. Catch some
of the 50 acts performing on
five stages over two days in the
Northern Beaches Music Festival
at Narrabeen Tramshed and Berry
Reserve on Sat 4 to Sun 5. Info at
northernbeachesmusicfestival.org
Flute & Harp. A duo of Flute and
Harp might conjure images of
heavenly music that is sweet and
gentle, yet the extraordinary Sally
Waker and Emily Granger may well
change this perception with their
undeniable dynamism and skill.
Catch their ‘Something Like This’
concert at Pittwater High School
Hall on Friday 10 from 8pm. Tickets
$30 peninsulamusicclub.com.au
Polystyrene drop. Residents
are invited to bring rigid pieces
of 100% clean polystyrene
packaging for recycling to Kimbriki
Resource Recovery Centre on Sat
11 from 8am-4pm.
School bus drive. Providing
support to children with moderate
to severe intellectual disability who
live on the Northern Beaches and
beyond, Fisher Road School Dee
Why is holding a fundraiser on Sat
11 from 6.30pm at Manly Leagues
Club; details comedyforacause.
net/FRS.
Eramboo art. Artist in residence
Bronte Cormican-Jones invites
a conversation between the
architectures of the trees and
surrounding bushland, and
the space within the gallery
through the layering of images
and reflective materials in her
exhibition ‘Passing Through’.
Opening night includes live music
and celebratory drinks at Eramboo
Artist Environment, 304 McCarrs
Creek Road, Terrey Hills on Sat 25
from 5pm-7pm.
18 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Lego mania set for Pittwater
The Pittwater Brick Show takes place
the first weekend in November, providing
great entertainment for the
kids… but perhaps an even greater thrill
for their parents.
“I do the door and ticketing for the
events,” explains Graham Draper, creator
of The Brick Show, “and the parents are
often the bigger fans of LEGO. They like
to talk about what they like building, and
they pull up chairs to build alongside their
kids.
“I do a show in Orange and some locals
actually come and display their own stuff
there!”
For many big kids, Graham is living the
dream, turning his lifelong passion for
LEGO into the day job.
“I’ve always played with LEGO, from
the age of five,” said Graham. “I have my
own personal collection at home and have
been to Billund in Denmark [where LEGO
is made] many times. Some might say I’m
obsessed.
“About six or seven years ago I started a
LEGO group in Wollongong, where I live, to
raise money for charity, for sick and disabled
kids. We’ve raised $250,000 for them
so far. I also raise money for underprivileged
kids to get them
toys at Christmas.
“Then during COVID
I decided that maybe
I could go on the road
with the shows full-time.
So I started ‘Playwell
Events’ and now we do
about one big show – like
Pittwater – every month,
and a smaller show every
fortnight. But we still
do the charity shows as
well.”
What kids – and Mums
PLASTIC FANTASTIC: Graham Draper is bringing The Brick Show to Pittwater RSL in November.
and Dads – can expect at The Pittwater
Brick Show are around 40 tables of LEGO
displays, some made of up of 50,000
pieces.
There are also interactive models to
engage with, play tables to get your hands
on LEGO, and plenty of
LEGO sets available to
buy.
“Myself and my partner
Rachel put all of the
show models together…
I wouldn’t say she’s a
fan, but she tolerates it,”
Graham laughs.
“None of the models
are glued together and
so I’ve had a few fall
over and smash when
transporting them. The
whole show takes me
around six or seven hours to set up.”
When the shows aren’t happening,
Graham has the LEGO in storage, while he
works behind the scenes on Channel 9’s
LEGO Masters show. He’s not allowed to
compete, but thinks that might be a blessing:
“Too much pressure!”
And to reinforce the fact that LEGO
might be for the parents more than the
kids, Graham shares that he has an
11-year-old son with no interest whatsoever.
“He’s spent his whole life around it and
he’s just not interested,” said Graham. “I
thought I might pass on the family business
one day, but it doesn’t look like it at
the moment. He’d rather play basketball.”
– Rob Pegley
*The Pittwater Brick Show is at Pittwater
RSL on the weekend of 4-5 November;
entry $8.
20 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

New Canopy Plan a win for locals
Council’s new Tree Canopy Plan will give Pittwater’s vast
existing canopy the same focus as other suburbs on the
Northern Beaches that require increased plantings, thanks to
intervention by Pittwater Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy.
Last month Council endorsed its initial three-year plan to
ensure the Local Government Area’s tree canopy remained one
of the largest in Sydney.
But Councillor Korzy explained the final draft plan prioritised
the creation of canopy in areas like Brookvale and Dee
Why, where trees were scarce and
the urban heat more intense.
However, in a win for the upper
Peninsula, her proposal to give
equal weighting to protection and
preservation of areas with significant
canopy such as Pittwater was
endorsed in the final plan.
“That means funding for the
Canopy Plan for actions like succession
planting – so as old trees reach
the end of their life, younger ones
are already growing in place,” said
Cr Korzy.
“We can also look forward to the
creation of an Iconic Tree Register
RECORD: A Tree Register will note significant trees on both
public and private land.
to record trees on both public and private land with significant
scientific, social, historic and/or aesthetic value.
Also, to protect trees from illegal removal, Cr Korzy called for
a system of notification for Council-approved tree removals.
“This would include signs to be posted at properties, as for
DAs, alerting the community to the proposed removal, providing
opportunities for community feedback, and identifying if
permission exists for a tree to be felled.”
She said the canopy plan also included other important measures,
such as establishing incentives for landowners to retain
and protect trees.
Council said it received 197 submissions on the draft plan.
There was strong support for increased compliance and heavier
fines for illegal tree removal; strong support for a review of
statutory and development controls to support the protection of
trees on private land; and strong support for tree planting being
practical and prioritising native species.
Other key actions in the plan include: continuing to plant
5,000 trees per year; conducting an audit of trees in priority
areas; measuring tree canopy cover every four years; raising
awareness about tree planting programs; improving tree
diversity and health; and strengthening the Local Environment
Plan and Development Control Plans to focus on retention and
protection of tree canopy.
Council said it would continue to investigate and act upon
unauthorised activities that impacted on the tree canopy,
such as illegal vegetation clearing, unauthorised recreational
trails and other environmental
damage.
The plan provides actions to
manage tree canopy through
to 2027, when the plan will be
reviewed.
Beyond existing canopy, the
Pittwater suburbs prioritised for
increased plantings included Mona
Vale, Narrabeen and Warriewood.
Local regeneration group Canopy
Keepers welcomed the plan.
Canopy Keepers has always
maintained a focus on the preservation
of the existing canopy,
so we thank Councillor Korzy,” said
spokesperson Deb Collins.
She said retaining canopy was easier and cheaper than growing
new canopy and existing canopy provided the vital corridors
that wildlife needed to access food, water and their habitat.
“This Tree Canopy Plan now offers us a multi-pronged approach.”
She added that if residents better understood the health and
safety aspects of a strong canopy they would contribute to
growing and maintaining canopy on private land – which she
stressed was the place of greatest canopy loss.
“Compliance needs to come in the form of more rangers
on the ground who can answer questions, assess tree health,
explain to residents how the laws work and why, and track tree
replacements,” she said.
“And we need better systems and a new interface between
Council and residents to assess and monitor tree removal permits
and approvals.”
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 21

News
Rehab services recall plea
The State Government
has been urged to
urgently address the lack of
residential drug and alcohol
rehabilitation services on the
Northern Beaches.
Member for Pittwater Rory
Amon said that having been
denied access to vital rehab
services for almost a year,
vulnerable residents continue
to travel far out of area to
seek help.
He explained Kadesh
Rehabilitation Services had
operated in partnership with
the Northern Sydney Local
Health District from 2010.
Its Phoenix House Drug
and Alcohol Rehabilitation
residential service was
established at the Mona Vale Hospital site in
February 2019.
In December 2022, the service was closed
without any notice being given to the Pittwater
or Northern Beaches community.
“Since being elected, I have pursued the new
Government about reinstating the residential
drug and alcohol rehabilitation service for
Pittwater and Northern Beaches residents,” Mr
Amon said.
“Sadly, the government has obfuscated and
refused to provide any commitment to these
CLOSED: Mr Amon at the vacant Mona
Vale Hospital rehab space.
vital services.”
The calls come months
after Mr Amon wrote to the
Health Minister and sought
answers to a Question
in Parliament seeking
assurances regarding the
reinstatement of the services.
Recent Government
advice stated that “The
former Phoenix House site
is currently unoccupied
pending the outcome of
further investigations and
consultations about the best
use of the site.”
Mr Amon continued:
“The Government has been
investigating and consulting
on the provision of critical
residential drug and alcohol
services for nearly 12 months. It has taken far
too long and swift action is needed.
“The closest operational residential
rehabilitation services are in St Leonards,
Sydney City, and Concord.
“This means that people struggling with
addiction are forced to seek support far away
from their home, isolated from their loved
ones.
“It is an utter waste to have Phoenix House
sitting vacant at the Mona Vale Hospital site.”
– NW
Another garden
centre set to go
W
arriewood could be
without a dedicated plant
nursery with another garden
centre looking set to make way
for a housing development.
An application to demolish
Foleys Nursery at 16 Macpherson
St, Warriewood and transform
it into 28 new homes is
with Northern Beaches Council.
The proposed $18-million
housing development would
comprise 21 separate houses
and four semi-detached homes
as well as three attached dwellings
— all with three bedrooms.
In the DA, planning consultants
state that the homes would
“provide a high level of amenity
for future occupants, without
compromising the amenity of
surrounding development or
the character of the locality”.
The application to redevelop
the 10,000 sqm site comes as
NSW Government planning officials
are examining a $36-million
proposal to uproot the
nearby Flower Power Garden
Centre and replace it with 53
homes.
22 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Musos take it to the limit
News
Close your eyes and listen to The
Australian Eagles Show and you’d be
excused for thinking you were back
in cruisy California in the 1970s.
Locals will get the chance to do just that
when the tribute band brings their Dark
Desert Highway Tour to the Glen Street
Theatre on November 24.
“I can remember exactly where I was
when I first heard Take It Easy, the Eagles’
first single,” recalls Shayne Browne, of The
Australian Eagles Show, “and it changed
my life.”
“It was 1972, I was in my mum’s car, a sky
blue HR Holden, and I said to her ‘I want
to do that when I get older’, and I started
learning the guitar almost straight away.”
Going on to be a music teacher and play
in various bands, Shayne was true to his
word. But he still had no idea things would
come full circle in terms of the Eagles,
until he was approached at a gig he was
playing.
“It was 2015 and some of us were in a
different band at the time, we were playing
covers of ’70s and ’80s music like The Little
River Band, Steely Dan and the Doobie
Brothers. A promoter came up to us and
said that our harmonies would be perfect
for an Eagles tribute band.
“I asked him if there was a market for
that sort of thing and he said ‘you’ve got to
be kidding me!’”
Despite being accomplished musicians,
it took three months of rehearsals before
they were ready to play.
It’s Troos Love for You all
Ahead of their performance at Avalon
RSL in November, as part of The
You’s Pull Up Their Troos Tour, Russell
‘Rusty’ Hopkinson talked to Pittwater
Life about why You Am I still love playing
together after 35 years.
“Nothing beats the moment when
everything kicks in just right on stage,”
says You Am I drummer Rusty (pictured
second from right). “It doesn’t matter if
it’s in front of 20 or 20,000 people. That’s
what’s what we do it for, the push and
pull of being a living, breathing rock and
roll band playing off each other’s energy
and getting the joint moving.”
On Sunday 19 November that joint
will be Avalon RSL, and the You’s always
enjoy a gig on The Beaches.
“We play up on the Northern Beaches
a lot and have always had people come
along and have a good time, right from
the early days,” says Rusty. “It’s one of
our old stamping grounds – the gigs
seemed to dry up for a while but in past
few years places like the Narrabeen RSL
and now Avalon have been real lifesavers
for the music scene up there.”
Still recording new music, Rusty says
that the latest album is in the “smoke
and mirrors phase of conjecture and
small talk”, but that “these things have a
habit of snowballing very quickly!”
He adds: “It’s nice to know there are
people out there who want to hear new
tunes but it’s also nice that there’s folks
out there who just want to hear our older
stuff. We’ve always made records that are
primarily aimed at pleasing ourselves so
anyone else liking them is a bonus!”
The band have plenty of outside
interests to keep things fresh, but are
essentially just mates who never tire of
playing together.
“We keep things mellow and we have
done for a while now. We all have other
interests outside of the band so there’s
plenty to keep us busy if we want to wind
the band down for a little bit every now
and again,” Rusty explains. “Most importantly
we’re all friends so it’s not like we
can’t talk to each other if things start to
get tough.”
“The Eagles’ music is like an onion
– there are just layers and layers to it,”
explains Shayne. “It sounds simple, but
when you start picking the songs apart
there’s a lot going on. You’ve got to get the
vocal harmonies arranged very carefully
– there are five different vocal tones all
being blended.”
The band members are all aged in their
50s and early 60s, and Shayne says that
their core audience tends to be between 45
and 70, although plenty of young people
come along, having grown up listening to
their parents’ records.
But it was on Hamilton Island a few
years ago they saw how The Eagles’ music
really transcends time.
“We were on Hamilton Island to play a
“But what’s not to love. It’s the best job
in the world, with the best people in the
world”.
Having supported The Rolling Stones
and The Who, Rusty also reels off Soundgarden,
Teenage Fanclub, The Replacements,
The Ramones and The Strokes
from the top of his head, as favourite
acts they have played alongside.
Pittwater music fans can shortly
remind themselves why You Am I are so
valued by the biggest names in rock.
As Rusty says: “Expect a rock ’n’ roll
show with a bit of pomp and swagger;
some newer stuff, some older stuff, some
hits… and some misses! It will be loud
and it will be fun and everyone’s welcome
to come and join us!” – Rob Pegley
24 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

LIFE IN THE NOT-SO-FAST
LANE: ‘Eagles’ band members
(l-r) Shayne Browne, Michael
John Thompson, Paul Kerin,
David Thompson,
Jason Chandler.
gig for a yacht race and when we got there
the crowd were all in their 20s dancing to
a DJ’s ‘doof-doof’ music. It turns out they
are the hard-working crews of the yachts
and want to party,” Shayne said.
“I said to the rest of the band” ‘I think
we’re in trouble here!’.
“We started playing and those little buggers
knew the words to every song –they
had a great time!”
And those songs include all of the classics:
Lying Eyes, Take It Easy, Desperado,
Hotel California (the most popular song).
The band also play some surprise songs
from the solo careers of Don Henley, Glenn
Frey and Joe Walsh.
Currently negotiating a tour of Malaysia,
the band play all over Australia a couple of
times a month, day jobs allowing. But they
never replicate the excesses of the Eagles
themselves. No televisions are thrown out
of hotel windows as part of the tribute act.
“It’s funny when places are putting
together a rider for us,” says Shayne, “they
ask if we want beer and Jack Daniels, but
we ask for 24 bottles of water, some tea
and coffee. None of us even smoke!”
“When we finish a gig, it’s a nice cup of
tea and then home to bed.
“We get lovely comments from audiences
about how if they close their eyes, they
can hardly tell the difference. We don’t try
to look like the Eagles or act like them, we
just try to sound like them – and I think
we do a great job.
“And the music sells itself. It gives
people memories and that’s what they love
about it. I know when I hear Take It Easy,
I’m right back in the sky blue HR Holden in
1972.” – Rob Pegley
*More info + tickets Glenstreet.com.au
A ‘Cam do’ sort of guy
The multi-talented Cameron Daddo
comes from a family of multitalented
Daddos. Himself, Andrew and
Lochie all cross the roles and genres
of actor, presenter, musician, author
and DJ. Whether nature or nurture,
Cameron blames the parents!
“We’re the product of very creative
parents,” reveals Cameron. “They
didn’t put any restrictions on what we
wanted to do and we were modelled
very creative behaviours to follow.
“My mum in particular was a very
talented painter, ceramicist and
gardener. And she had very eclectic
tastes.”
On the first weekend
in November,
Cameron Daddo
and The Paisley
Prophets will play
the Northern Beaches
Music Festival at
Narrabeen.
In a world where
the likes of Russell
Crowe, Keanu
Reeves and Johnny
Depp sometimes
draw criticism
for daring to play
music live, it should
really come as no
surprise that creative people can be
creative in a number of areas.
“It’s a necessity!” says Cameron.
“It’s a small industry. I’m treating my
acting career as a bit of a hobby at the
moment! And in the meantime I’ve
been with Smooth FM for a decade now,
which I love. I just try to fill my time
with creative pursuits and the band is
one of them.”
With a blues, folk, country folk
sound, it’s Cameron’s Dad who was the
influence in terms of music.
“Dad was a huge music fan and we
grew up with him playing records. Hot
August Night by Neil Diamond was
one, and it’s still one of the greatest records
ever made. I loved KISS and Slide,
anything with a big back beat. I’ve got a
heavy left hand when I play the piano.
“So we’ll be playing songs from the
two albums and two EPs I’ve written.
Good story songs.”
All three Daddo brothers were
born in Melbourne, but now call the
Northern Beaches home. Lochie is at
Newport, Andrew in Manly, another
sister is at Fairlight and Cameron is at
North Curl Curl.
“I first moved to the Northern
Beaches at the age of 19 and never left
– apart from 25
years in LA!
“I was living in
The Cross when I
moved to Sydney at
18 and was then offered
the chance to
house-sit at Whale
Beach, which was a
no-brainer.”
“Now we’re back,
I belong to Long
Reef Golf Club and
swim with the Pink
Caps at Manly in
the morning. We
like the Harbord
Hilton and The
Diggers, and my father-in-law has just
moved to Dee Why, so we go to the Dee
Why RSL a bit.”
Along with Smooth FM and gigs with
The Prophets a mix of creativity is, as
always, on the horizon.
“I’ve just taken part in the next series
of Luxury Escapes,” says Cameron.
“I’m in about four episodes of that on
Ten, Foxtel and Binge. And I’m publishing
my first book next year – it’s a book
on confidence called ‘Come Undone’.”
– Rob Pegley
*Northern Beaches Music Festival full
bands line-up, tickets and info visit
northernbeachesmusicfestival.org
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 25

News
Bye Bye ‘Boat Builder’s Curse’
Gary Swindail might have
discovered a love of sailing when
he was only eight but for more
than four decades he’s suffered from the
boat builder’s curse.
Gary has spent his whole life building,
restoring and repairing boats for other
people and not enough time enjoying
and reflecting on his handiwork – “some
call it the boat builder’s curse,” he
chuckled.
“It’s not that I don’t enjoy my work, I
feel lucky to love what I do,” the 62-yearold
from North Narrabeen said.
“Now the time has come to have more
‘me time’. So what do you do in your me
time? You build a boat – but this one is
for me.”
He started building a 5.8-metre ocean
mini sailing yacht – a Class Globe 580 –
almost two years ago in his spare time
at his Mona Vale workshop. But don’t
expect to see him sailing on Pittwater
once it’s finished early next year; he
plans to sail it around the world.
This involves filling with freezedried
food and
water (maybe
a few beers)
and shipping
it to Lagos
next October
to compete in
the 2024 Trans
Atlantic qualifier
race from Portugal
to Antigua in the
Caribbean, via the
Canary Islands.
Thereafter
his next stop?
Sailing solo
around the world
in the Mini Globe
Race; Gary will
start and finish at
Antigua, following
a tradewinds route
for 26,000 nautical
miles. Departure
date is February,
2025, and he will be
at sea for more than a year with
only four main stops.
“There’s not much room on board
but I don’t mind being by myself,” Gary
said. “It’s a race of attrition, if you don’t
try you’ll never know. You don’t get to
sleep for long periods, in theory it’s 20
minutes at a time. That is generally the
amount of time it takes a cargo ship,
if on a collision course, to reach your
position once it comes over the horizon.”
He estimates it has cost about $50,000
to build the boat (not including labour)
and hundreds of man hours to complete
PASSION PROJECT: Gary Swindail and his partially completed mini
sailing yacht at Mona Vale; and at the helm of an Agean 600.
Gary says
“My wife is a little apprehensive
there are
(about the global race) but she has fully
generations of supported me from day one.”
boat builders He has worked as a shipwright for
and seafarers most of his life and started Sydney
on his mother’s Harbour Boat Builders nearly 20 years
side of the ago. After thinking about “just taking
family – but he off and going sailing for many years”,
will be the last it almost seemed like fate when an
to uphold the advertisement about the Mini Globe Race
boat building popped up on his Facebook feed.
tradition
“It’s just what I’ve always wanted to
because his do,” Gary said. “When it’s dead calm at
two sons sea I’ll jump off to clean the bottom of
have gone the boat, I’ll just have to watch out for
in different sharks.”
directions for His wife Tina will meet him at the
their careers. main stop-over ports at Panama,
His great Antigua, Fiji and Cape Town so he can
grandfather, restock and repair any damage to the
grandfather and uncles were all
boat.
boat builders while his great great
And when he finishes the race he still
grandfather was a ship builder and hasn’t quite decided what he will do with
ship’s captain. Gary’s grandfather built Question II.
him a Sabot (sailing dinghy) when he “I could leave it in Antigua unless
was a youngster and they named it someone wants to buy it, or my wife and
Question. The boat Gary is building I could sail around the islands,” he said.
now will be called Question II in honour Gary would like to raise $100,000 for
of his grandfather, with a flag staff the compulsory safety and navigation
repurposed from the original mast of equipment. He will be looking for possible
his Sabot.
sponsors or donors in the coming months.
“My mum didn’t like boats at all, she Any offers of support can be emailed to
was scared of swimming,” he said. “So gary@sydneyharbourboatbuilders.com
I only ever took her out once on a boat I
– Kat Adamski
it.
restored.
*More info visit minigloberace.com
26 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991
PHOTOS: Kat Adamski

News
Letters: Readers have their say
Shared concern #1
I have concerns about the
Avalon Shared Space: First, as
the bus stop for the 192 service
has been moved to Barrenjoey
Rd opposite the entrance to
Avalon Beach car park, there
is no facility to sit down while
waiting for the bus. My elderly
neighbour (84) now drags her
trolley up to the bus stop at
Central Rd because there is no
seating at the new bus stop.
On notifying Council officers
nearly 10 months ago there
have been many new seats
added in the Shared Space but
still no seating while waiting
for the bus.
Second, the marking for
the pedestrian crossing has
been removed at the approach
to the shared space. With
no markings we are relying
on drivers to read a sign on
approach. The pedestrian
crossing area should be
reinstated.
Bob Cooper
Avalon Beach
Shared concern #2
I was shocked, upset and
unable to see the purpose
of this ugly extension of the
already adequate pathway. It
does not help to alleviate the
congestion which arises
where roads meet. A simple
roundabout would suffice.
There is a park (Dunbar) for
people to sit – put some shaded
space and chairs there.
Another summer is not
going to change the way it is
not working, or addressing
fundamental traffic issues.
Sally Martin
Avalon Beach
Shared thanks #1
I am a big ‘yes’ to the shared
space. In fact, I wish it went
further and was a full mall.
The entry and exit to Woolies
could be off the main road. Of
course, over summer there is
never enough parking but that
relates to too many people and
an ever-expanding Australia…
without the planning!
I would be really upset if it
doesn’t become permanent.
Nila Chambers
Avalon
Shared thanks #2
I’ve been dealing with
the carnage at the village
intersection for the past 40-odd
years I’ve had a driving licence
and, in my opinion, the new
shared space arrangement has
helped with the challenges for
people with a below-average
driving ability.
It’s much easier for them…
less to think about, I guess.
The shared space is also an
awesome gathering place for
locals and tourists alike.
Anyone that doesn’t like
this set-up must be very hard
to please and I feel for Council
having to put up with all these
‘Karens’ and ‘Carls’ in the area.
Todd Warren
Avalon Beach
Liberals’ ‘hypocrisy’
Re your article: ‘Ambulance
upheaval will put lives at risk’
(October 2023). State Liberal MP
Rory Amon says lives will be
put at risk given the impending
move of Narrabeen Ambulance
centre to Dee Why, a distance
of 6km. However, he seems to
have forgotten that it was the
former Liberal Government
that closed Mona Vale Hospital
as a full working hospital and
redirected to Northern Beaches
Hospital at Frenchs Forest
13km away.
Maybe he’s also forgotten
that in 10 years the Liberal
Government undertook no
upgrade to Wakehurst Parkway.
As the road floods in heavy
rain, alternative routes must be
used via Belrose (19km), or Dee
Why (15km).
The hypocrisy is clear to
see, and more of the same
old ‘Liberal good, Labor
bad’ politics. Shame the
Independent Jacqui Scruby
didn’t win the seat, we might
have gained more of a balanced
approach.
Gerry Lenihan
Avalon Beach
(Editor’s note: We contacted Mr
Amon for comment; he wished
to clarify his concern was based
on the hole in services that
would be created if intensive
care paramedics relocated to
Dee Why without any additional
resources allocated north of Dee
Why. He also wished to make
clear the Wakehurst Parkway
upgrade/flood mitigation was
funded by the State Government
six years ago but has yet to be
progressed by Council.)
Warriewood woes
I am saddened and upset to
know that the Flower Power
area in Warriewood may be
redeveloped (pictured), and also
Foleys.
It is bad enough to lose the
facility itself, as it is a distance
to travel for locals to the next
nearest Flower Power. But, even
worse, the fact that if both
developments are approved
there will be 52 dwellings
replacing it, plus nearly 40 for
Foleys, is horrifying.
This area is already
overdeveloped and the
infrastructure is not there to
deal with it. Macpherson Street
and Garden Street are already
a nightmare at commuter and
school times.
Liz Vincent
Warriewood
28 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

New localised help for veterans
RSL LifeCare is set to extend its crucial
service delivery for local veterans
and their families with the opening of a
Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Dee Why.
This centre has been made possible
thanks to a partnership with Dee Why
RSL, which has committed $1 million
over the next four years to house and
assist with the ongoing operating costs
of the centre, as well as ongoing financial
support from local RSL NSW sub-Branches.
The new Northern Beaches Veteran
Wellbeing Centre, which will join RSL
LifeCare’s three established hubs in
Nowra, Wagga Wagga, and Newcastle,
will continue to provide financial
assistance, homelessness support,
DVA Claims assistance, employment
pathways, and further education and
training opportunities for veterans and
their families who reside in the Northern
Beaches region.
RSL LifeCare Chief Executive Officer
Janet Muir said the Northern Beaches
Veteran Wellbeing Centre was an
extension of the ‘hub and spoke’ model
being implemented across New South
Wales that would ensure veterans could
access a range of critical services that
were tailored to the needs of the local
communities, wherever they chose to
settle.
“RSL LifeCare is always excited to
announce another Veteran Wellbeing
Centre, because we know the positive
impact the facilities have on the mental
and physical health and wellbeing of
our Australian Defence Force personnel
who have given so much to protect our
country,” Ms Muir said.
“Together with RSL NSW, we are
very happy to have established this
partnership with Dee Why RSL, because
with a large number of veterans in the
area, this is a great step forward to
provide the localised assistance that
those veterans and their families need.
“This important step is representative
of our ongoing commitment to
supporting veterans and their families
across the state.”
Dee Why RSL President Graeme Liddell
said he was proud to be partnering
with RSL LifeCare and RSL NSW for this
important initiative.
“We know there is a need for these
services in the local community, and
every year on ANZAC Day we see the
passion of local families for supporting
veterans when they come out in the
NEEDED: Beaches veterans will be able to
access a range of critical services at the new
centre in Dee Why.
thousands for our Dawn Service at Dee
Why Beach.
“This partnership and this veteran
wellbeing centre reinforce our
commitment to support veterans and
their families across the Northern
Beaches,” Mr Liddell said.
RSL NSW President Ray James said:
“RSL NSW is committed to supporting
RSL LifeCare’s veteran focused centres
and hubs because we know they work.
“Since 2021, RSL NSW sub-Branches
have donated over $5.2 million to RSL
LifeCare to support the ongoing delivery
of critical services to veterans and their
families right across NSW.” – NW
*Pittwater Remembrance Day services –
see page 37.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 29

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
The future of Currawong “the worker’s
paradise… is under review with claims
that it will become a millionaire’s resort”
with plans to create a modern conference
centre and holiday accommodation on the
site. Council’s Rangers were “again in the
spotlight following their blitz on A-frame
signs and shopping centre parking which
has many businesspeople wondering if
they are becoming revenue collectors for
the Council.” According to the story, “last
year the Rangers produced more than
$540,000 in revenue for the Council mostly
from car parking infringements.” (The fine
for displaying an A-frame on the footpath
outside a store was $330). Pittwater Life’s
computer columnist David Hague was
awarded the State Government contract to
“place the HSC results on the Internet”. Students were able to
access their results onscreen by using a PIN number… it was
the first time “individual HSC results will be available via an
Internet Web page.” Hague said the main challenge in setting
up the site for the NSW Board of Studies was “making sure
the results couldn’t be hacked or tampered with.” Meanwhile
his column ‘Chip Thrills’ focussed on “the joys and pitfalls”
of internet shopping. “The media continually tell us the
15 Years Ago…
Internet is full of sharks and charlatans
trying to rip us off by stealing credit card
numbers and organising ‘net-based scams’;
the fact remains however that the internet
is going to be a major part of our lives
when it comes to spending.” In news, the
“new technology for home entertainment,
the Digital Video Disc” was available in
Avalon at That New Video Shop, with the
proprietor noting rentals of DVDs had
started slowly as consumers switched
to the new players… “some stores are
already renting DVD players for around
$267 a month on a 12-month contract”.
The Avalon Beach Market Day was held;
Council spent more than $50,000 to
“redesign and rejuvenate” Newport’s
Robertson Road, turning it into a one-way
street with angle parking that released large areas for newly
paved courtyards for outside dining; Dog owners using
the unleased area at Careel Bay asked Council to “respond
to a submission made last August following a meeting with
councillors on the future of the area” – the dog owners were
“concerned that emphasis is being placed on environmental
sensitivity at the expense of public use; and the Crown to the
Sea bushlink was ready for walkers.
5 Years Ago…
Avalon Market Day and the
the intersection. Chip Thrills
Our villages came to life
Newport Festival were held.
columnist David Hague wrote with markets and festivals in
Pressure mounted against private about the development of a
Avalon, Mona Vale, Newport
development of Currawong, with small screen into which a daily and Narrabeen. Readers
calls to put the site on the Heritage newspaper could be downloaded. learned the State Government
list. Meanwhile the
“Are the days
funding earmarked for the
group Pittwater
of newspapers
compulsory acquisition of
Residents Against
numbered, to
the Pasadena site at Church
Inappropriate
be overtaken by Point was to be redirected
Development
electronic devices?” to the Mona Vale Surf Life
(PRAID) was
(Hague didn’t think Saving Club following the
seeking to expand
so). Meanwhile the scrapping of the planned
its “sphere of
Christmas holiday purchase. We reported dog owners advocacy group
influence by
rental market, Pittwater Unleashed had accused Northern Beaches
generating a wider
particularly in Council of “… unnecessarily delaying the introduction
membership base to
Palm Beach and of an off-leash dog trial at Palm Beach’s Station Beach,
give more emphasis
Whale Beach, was which it says should have been settled be staff”; local
to developments in
“feeling the pinch in business chambers slammed council’s fee increases
the southern area
bookings in some for outdoor seating space for cafes and restaurants
of Pittwater”. In
areas, with rentals “… saying they are jeopardising businesses and slowly
Newport, Cabbage
in the lower price stripping villages of their vibrancy and character”. And
Tree Palms had
ranges down on last year”. At the we noted there was a “ghost town vibe about Newport
“suddenly appeared among the top end, bookings had already and Avalon, with more shopfronts with ‘For Lease’ signs
controversial Norfolk Pines in the been taken in the $35,000- to than we can recall.” Writer Rosamund Burton spent
median strip” of the rejuvenated $40,000-a-week market, though time with our Marine Rescue volunteers to provide an
Newport shopping Centre, and agents reported that many were overview of all the fine work they do; and Life Stories
shopkeepers in Robertson Road taking shorter holidays reflecting featured engineer Bob Moran and his remarkable
were advised of major disruptions the international and domestic collection of scientific wonders in the ‘Discovery Shed’
due to the redevelopment of financial downturn.
in Mona Vale.
30 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
SEEN…
Around a year ago Pittwater Life reached out to Northern
Beaches Council about Council conducting an audit of its
COVID-19 signage. We thought it timely to move on from the
pandemic, and surely removal of ‘reminder’ and ‘warning’
signage should have been on the agenda. Council told us they
had attended to their COVID signage. Yet here we are, nudging
2024, and stark reminders are common. Like this one at Palm
Beach Wharf. Readers with other examples are urged to let us
know at readers@pittwaterlife.com.au. We’ll forward them on
to Council. Also seen (briefly): a tweet from Mackellar MP Dr
Sophie Scamps linking the electorate’s Voice referendum result
with community opposition
to the Local Metropolitan
Aboriginal Land Council’s
plan to build 450 homes on
land it owns at Belrose – formerly
known as Lizard Rock,
now the Patyegarang (grey
kangaroo) development.
Dr Scamps’ tweet came six
days after the vote, with the
result in Mackellar barely
50.3 per cent in favour of
the Voice. Dr Scamps’ office
said the tweet was deleted
to respect Indigenous Yes23
campaigners who had
called for a week of silence
after the referendum
result was known, Channel
9 Media reported. Dr
Scamps has been publicly
critical of the planned development, campaigning alongside
former Northern Beaches Mayor, now Wakehurst Independent
State MP Michael Regan. Mr Regan countered: “The people of
Wakehurst can distinguish between local planning issues and
constitutional recognition.”
HEARD…
Secret ballot voting introduced for September’s election
of Deputy Mayor was well received, according to Pittwater
Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy, who called for the private
votes after Sue Heins was re-elected Mayor. “I believe this
Council has been characterised by block voting since its
inception, and the votes for Mayor and Deputy have been
no exception,” said Cr Korzy, referring to the majority Your
Northern Beaches Independent-aligned councillors plus
Liberal Councillors, outweighing the two Greens in the
15-strong contingent. “That’s why I called for a secret ballot
for the election of Deputy Mayor – and was pleased the majority
of councillors supported it.” Cr Korzy maintained the
secret ballot enabled councillors to vote for the candidate
they believed was best for the role, without the risk of repercussions
from their political grouping. “Councillors know
each other’s strengths and weaknesses as well as political
outlook… with the rejection of popular elections for Mayor
and Deputy, I believe secret ballots can provide the best possible
outcome when choosing the Mayor and Deputy.” Manly
Ward Liberal Councillor Georgia Ryburn was elected Deputy
Mayor on the secret ballot. Cr Korzy added she did not think
the outcome for Mayor would have been different with a
secret ballot… Out-of-area commercial and residential agent
Upstate (Dee Why-based) has been appointed by Council to
negotiate the lease on the Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club
café and restaurant space. We’ll let you know when (or if)
they put pen to paper with a new operator… Last, North
Avalon residents are livid that Des Creagh Reserve has
again been ripped up by hoon drivers, barely 12 months
after the last incident (above). They are calling for Council
to install CCTV cameras to deter future vandalism.
ABSURD…
At Council’s September meeting, Curl Curl Ward Councillor
David Walton was expected to push his plan to reduce the
Northern Beaches Local Government area from five wards and
15 elected representatives to two wards with six councillors
each. However, Cr Walton revised his motion, instead pushing
three wards with a total of 12 councillors. The motion
was defeated. Cr Walton had argued the carve-up would lead
to better and more timely decision-making. It was a pushback
against the stifling debate that results when councillors
pursue issues and agendas relevant to their wards. But… isn’t
that the whole point of electing people to represent our area?
Pittwater Council used to have nine councillors; now we have
six spread from Narrabeen to Palm Beach. Can you imagine
just two wards covering 35km of coastline? Sounds like a
whole different Council… hey, wait a minute…
32 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
‘Prepare for a bad
bushfire season’
Former Commissioner of Fire
and Rescue NSW Greg Mullins
has encouraged Northern
Beaches residents to heed
the advice of the Rural Fire
Service (RFS) and prepare
their homes and families now
ahead of a potentially serious
bushfire season. Mullins,
also a local firefighter, used
an appearance at an October
bushfire season preparation
event hosted Mackellar MP
Dr Sophie Scamps to inform
local residents how serious
bushfire seasons have
become more frequent and
are lengthening. “Fire seasons
are getting exponentially
worse across the country, and
The next meeting of the Palm Beach and
Peninsula Probus Club is on Wednesday
15 November, commencing 9.30 am at Club
Palm Beach. Guest speaker is Marie Palmer, a
volunteer with Sydney Harbour Trust. Marie
will talk about the extraordinary places on
Sydney Harbour that are open to the public –
these include North Head Sanctuary, Headland
Park, Mosman, Cockatoo Island, the old
submarine base at North Sydney, Woolwich
and Macquarie Light Stations. Club membership
is open to retired men and women and
visitors are welcome. Enquires 0421 435 792.
The Combined Probus Club of Mona Vale
will next meet on Tuesday, 21 November in
the auditorium at Pittwater RSL Club (from
10am). Guest speaker is Kez Hasanic, whose
subject will be the Lusitania disaster. Kez
has had a lifelong interest in history and in
particular military and naval history. Before
retirement in 2018 he served as a history
teacher at Kogarah High School for 40 years.
Currently Kez is active as a volunteer guide
at the Australian National Maritime Museum
and recently joined the museum’s speaker’s
group. The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean
liner owned by the Cunard Line – built to
compete for the highly lucrative transatlantic
passenger trade. On 7 May, 1915 it was sunk
by a German U-boat – this solidified the
United States’ public opinion against Germany
and indirectly contributed to the entry
of the US into World War I. Visitors welcome;
more info Robert (0407 202 266). (NB: No
guest speakers in December or January.)
The next meeting of Avalon Beach Ladies
Probus will be held at Club Palm Beach on
Tuesday 14 November (10am-12pm, followed
by lunch). Guest speaker will be Sallymae
Bailey, an administration professional who
the forecast is for a hot and
dry spring and summer. The
Northern Beaches is a particular
concern this year as we
haven’t had a major fire for
nearly 30 years, while three
consecutive La Ninas have
fuelled massive growth in
grass and vegetation,” Mr Mullins
said. “It’s important we
prepare now for what could
be a bad summer.” Mr Mullins
urged residents to focus on
preparing their properties by
clearing flammable materials
away from their homes,
regularly clearing their roof
gutters and having a bushfire
plan. Dr Scamps urged locals
to heed the advice of authorities
while also committing
to fighting for more ambitious
and urgent action on
climate change. “The people
of Mackellar have consistently
told me that tackling climate
change is a major priority for
them, so I will continue to
work with all sides of Parliament
to move Australia in a
direction that decarbonises
our economy while setting
us up as a clean energy and
green commodity superpower.”
Find out more about how
you can prepare your home
for bushfire season at rfs.
nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare.
Calling all cyclists
Celebrating its 10th anniversary,
Northern Beaches charity
Royal Far West is calling
for cycling enthusiasts to join
its annual Ride for Country
Local Probus News in November
had the privilege of serving on the newest
custom-built hospital ship MV Global
Mercy for six months in Europe and Senegal
in early 2022. She will share her experience
of travel in pandemic times, being part of
the equipping team, experiencing a Bay of
Biscay storm on the first sail to the Canary
Islands and eventually serving in Dakar, Senegal.
Visitors welcome.
The guest speaker at the next meeting of
Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club on Wednesday
22 November will be David Rosenberg, whose
subject will be ‘From Pine Gap to the Present’.
Venue is Narrabeen Baptist Church; more info
call or text 0424 464 047.
Bilgola Plateau Probus Club reports it
celebrated its first birthday in style at its
October meeting. Their next meeting is on
Friday 3 November at Newport Bowling Club,
when guest speaker Noel Phelan will deliver
a talk about the HMAS Melbourne and HMAS
Voyager collision – Australia’s worst peacetime
naval disaster. Doors open 9.30am;
more info Shelley (0415 538 864). (NB – this
will be the Club’s last meeting for 2023, with
a Christmas party taking place on Friday 1
December.)
The speaker at the next Newport Probus
Club meeting on 2 November will be Ken
Davies – the well-known local musician
who is one of the world’s most celebrated
composers of relaxation, environmental and
ambient music. Ken composes many styles
of music and he created ‘Healing Rooms’ at
the Royal North Shore Hospital for patients
receiving chemotherapy. His music is available
on all streaming services. Meeting commences
10am at the Newport Bowling Club.
Visitors welcome; more info Di Burrell (0410
465 303).
Kids. Raising funds for vital
health and developmental
services for children in
remote and regional communities,
the ride will take place
next March 17-19 with riders
powering over 330 kilometres
from Merimbula to Cobargo.
RFW will be holding an information
session to share all
the details and all interested
riders should visit the website
rideforcountrykids.com.au to
learn more.
Technology made
easy for Seniors
Do you struggle with the
demands of modern technology?
Computer Pals for Seniors
Northern Beaches can help;
they give lessons on Android/
Apple tablets and phones,
Apple/Microsoft laptops.
Each lesson is one-on-one for
an hour each week during
term times. Operating hours
are Monday to Friday, 9am to
5pm. Computer Pals are based
at The Tramshed Arts & Community
Centre, Narrabeen
(close to the B-Line). More
info call Anne (9984 0604) or
email anne.computerpals@
gmail.com
Clubs benefit from
Sport & Rec grants
Mona Vale Golf Club and the
Avalon Beach Pickleball Association
are among six sporting
clubs across the beaches
that will share $100,000 in
grants from Northern Beaches
Council. The annual Sports
and Recreation Infrastructure
Grant Program aims to
improve sports and recreation
facilities on the Northern
Beaches. This year Council received
19 applications. Avalon
Beach Pickleball Association
will receive $12,000 to install
six sandstone seating blocks
and a path at the multiuse
courts at Avalon Beach
Reserve. Mona Vale Golf Club
has been allocated $10,000 to
redesign and rebuild an existing
teaching and practise facility
consisting of a chipping
green and bunker. Other recipients
included Manly Warringah
Field Archers (located
at JJ Melbourne Hills Memorial
Reserve in Terrey Hills)
who will receive $30,000 to
36 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

install an all-weather structure
over a target range as
well as a disabled parking bay
and new paths; $20,000 to
Northern Beaches Volleyball
Association to install two
dual-use seats with storage
at North Steyne Reserve in
Manly; $18,000 to Allambie
Height Community Tennis
Club to convert one synthetic
court to a hard-court surface;
and $10,000 to Long Reef Golf
Club to redesign and improve
the bunkers at the 13th hole.
Heins re-elected
Beaches Mayor
Councillor Sue Heins has been
re-elected as the Mayor of the
Northern Beaches with Manly
Liberal Councillor Georgia
Ryburn elected Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Heins who represents
the Curl Curl Ward, was first
elected to Council in 2012.
She will hold the position of
Mayor until the next Mayoral
election in September 2024.
Councillor Ryburn has served
Continued on page 38
Remembrance Day services
Remembrance Day on Saturday 11 November will commemorate
the Armistice at the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month, marking the end of World
War I; it remembers all those who have suffered or died in
wars and armed conflicts.
Avalon Beach RSL Sub-Branch: Saturday 11 November
from 10.45am – 11.15am; commemoration service at Dunbar
Park followed by members lunch (medals to be worn).
Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch: From 10.20am – 11.30am; commemoration
service at Lower Cenotaph, Pittwater RSL Club.
Dee Why RSL Sub-Branch: From 10.30am; commemoration
service at Dee Why RSL Club Peace Garden.
Narrabeen RSL Sub-Branch: From 10.45am – 11.15am;
commemoration service at Narrabeen Cenotaph.
Palm Beach RSL Sub-Branch: From 10.45am; commemoration
service Club Palm Beach cenotaph.
War Vets (Narrabeen) RSL Sub-Branch: From 10.30am;
assemble Montgomery Theatre and Forecourt.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 37

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 37
on Northern Beaches Council
for more than two years
representing the Manly Ward.
The position of Deputy is a
12-month appointment and is
peer voted annually.
December acts
for The Shack
The Shack Live Music Club is
held on the first Saturday of
each month at the Ted Blackwood
Hall at Warriewood.
Each show features three live
music acts in a cabaret candlelit
atmosphere with BYO
food and drinks for an affordable
and enjoyable night of
live entertainment. The concert
on December 2 features
Rhonda & The Grass Cutters,
Ann Palumbo & Friends and
Dan Challis. Shack entry $30
cash (no wi-fi) at door or visit
shackfolk.com
Society thinks
theosophically
The Theosophical Society was
founded in 1875 to explore
ancient wisdom. The Avalon
group meets on the first
Saturday of the month at 2pm
for a talk by a guest speaker,
discussion and afternoon tea.
Small club offering moor
Palm Beach Yacht Club was
established in 1985 with the
singular aim of helping boat lovers
enjoy their vessels – either
by racing them, cruising them,
or just talking about them.
The small Club, with relaxing
environment and feel, is now
accepting new members, with an
annual subscription of just $300.
Management says the focus is
on members enjoying Pittwater
to the fullest – it boasts smaller
fleet sizes that are well suited to
less-experienced sailors to get
Past talks have included such
topics as Sacred Geometry,
Rumi, Spiritual Symbolism
in Colours, Kabbalah, Sacred
Architecture, Hildegard of
Bingen, Raja Yoga, The Power
of Thought, Near Death Experiences,
Science and Spirituality
and Reincarnation. There
is no dogma and members
are free to explore and follow
Continued on page 40
participants safely competing
and enjoying their boats.
The Club holds Twilight
and Sunday yacht races, with
monthly ‘virtual mark’ racing
for navigation buffs all year
round.
Club moorings are nestled in
picturesque Coasters Retreat,
Towlers Bay and Refuge Bay.
It also hosts social dinners at
Club Palm Beach (membership
included in Club fees).
*More info pbyc.com.au or call
Jim (0414 351 642).
38 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Timber Boat Festival
Head to the Royal Motor
Yacht Club on 4-5
November (9am-4pm) to
marvel at a collection of
beautiful and unique wooden
boats, set on the picturesque
backdrop of Pittwater.
There will be nautical
displays, kiddies’ activities
(from ducky fishing, treasure
hunts, art competition, a
crafting corner, snow cones)
plus free skin cancer checks
from the Australian Skin
Cancer Foundation Truck.
(The event is a
fundraiser for
both Marine
Rescue and the Skin Cancer
Foundation.)
The Festival will also
feature the ‘Duyfken’
courtesy of the National
Maritime Museum. The
Duyfken (pictured) is one of
the rarest ships in the world
– a full-scale reproduction
of the original ship that was
the first European contact
with the Australian mainland
and meeting between
the Indigenous people of
Australia and Europeans,
it pre-dates James Cook’s
voyage on Endeavour by 164
years!
Off-site parking is
available, with a shuttle
bus from Porter Reserve,
Newport and Barrenjoey
Road; $5 entry, kids
under 12 free.
*More info
royalmotor.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 39

News
Pittwater News
Continued from page 38
their own belief systems and
spiritual interests. Visitors
welcome; more info theosophicalsociety.org.au
or
Manly Xmas Concert
Manly-Warringah Choir is
performing a Christmas
concert ‘Tidings of Comfort
and Joy’ in the Waterford Hall,
St Paul’s College, Manly, from
4pm on Sunday December
3. Afterwards, meet up with
friends or make new ones on
the lawns overlooking Sydney
Harbour. Tickets $45; early
booking advisable. More info
and to book visit manlywarringahchoir.org.au
or phone
0411 777 738.
$16m Crown
Grants call
Applications are now open for
$16 million in NSW Govern-
ment funding to maintain and
improve Crown land reserves
for the use of communities,
with $14 million in grants and
$2 million in loans on offer.
Eligible applicants include all
Crown land managers including
community organisations,
and user groups that are licensed
to use Crown reserves
across NSW. Grants also
support weed and pest management
projects to ensure
healthy public reserves that
help protect native plants and
animals from invasive species.
Crown reserves support
communities by protecting
the environment and providing
open spaces and facilities
for parks, ovals, walking,
cycling, camping and other
sports and recreation activities,
to keep communities
healthy and happy. They also
provide land for community
organisations and assets like
showgrounds, public halls,
scouts and girl guide groups,
surf life saving clubs and
more. Applications are open
until 17 November; visit
reservemanager.crownland.
nsw.gov.au
Council devises
‘ulti-mutt’ solution
Northern Beaches Council has
partnered with National Parks
and Wildlife Service (NPWS)
to stop the spread of Phytophthora
cinnamomi, a soil-borne
pathogen that infects threatened
and iconic plants, by
using specially trained sniffer
dogs to detect the disease.
The soil pathogen threatens
endangered species and can
cause root rot in susceptible
plants. With funding from the
NPWS Saving Our Species program,
the NPWS Invasive Species
Unit developed a project
in mid-2022 to see if conservation
detection dogs could be
trained to detect Phytophthora
and prevent new infestations
to protect threatened
species. Two of their newest
dogs – Alice, a Springer
Spaniel and Echo, a Brittany
Spaniel – have been successful
in identifying the pathogen
in controlled trials. Mayor
Sue Heins said results from
the pilot study had proven
the dogs could discriminate
the scent of Phytophthora and
they could successfully locate
infected tube stock when
placed with uninfected tube
stock. Conservation detection
dogs play an important role
at NPWS and are also used in
detecting threatened species
such as Koalas and underground
orchids, as well as
invasive animals and plants
like the Hawkweed eradication
program in Kosciuszko
Ooh la la at Palmy
Celebrate the Cuisine of France at a special two-course dinner
at Palm Beach Golf Club on Saturday 25 November.
The evening will feature a special a la carte menu from Head
Chef Phillip Martin and launch the Club’s French seasonal
wine.
Tickets are $60 (entree + main), and an additional $10 for
dessert (you may opt in on the night).
Enjoy a beautiful, casual dining experience with a view
across the golf course and out to Lion Island and the stunning
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
*Book early – scan the ad on Page 3, or head to palmbeachgolf.com.au
40 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

National Park. More info visit
the NPWS website.
Bayview yachtie
a NSW ‘Legend’
Bayview yachtsman John
Forbes will join fellow Northern
Beaches sportspeople,
surfer Layne Beachley and
cricketer Brett Lee, in being
inducted as a Legend of NSW
Sport. The trio will be honoured
at a NSW Champions of
Sport Ceremony on November
20. Forbes made history when
he became the first Tornado
catamaran sailor to win three
World Championships. He
went on to better that by
completing his career with
a total of seven catamaran
World Championship wins.
Four-time Australian Sailor
of the Year, and a veteran of
three Olympic Games, Forbes
won a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona
Olympic Games with
Mitch Booth. In 2000, they
won silver at the 2000 Sydney
Olympic Games. Forbes won
four European Championships,
and 10 Australian
Championships. Beachley,
from Queenscliff, unquestionably
one of the greatest
female surfers in the history
of the sport, becomes the
24th NSW athlete and the first
surfer to be elevated to NSW
Legend Status. Beachley is
the first woman to win seven
World Championships triumphing
in 1998, 1999, 2000,
2001, 2002, 2003, and 2006.
New beach wheelchair
Pittwater MP Rory Amon joined with representatives of
the Newport Surf Life Saving Club to unveil the Club’s
new beach wheelchair in October.
“After having the previous beach wheelchair for 15 years,
the club sought support from the community to obtain a
new fit-for-purpose wheelchair, to ensure Newport Beach
can continue to be accessed and enjoyed” said Newport
SLSC President Guyren Smith.
The Club received financial support from Pharmacare
Laboratories in Warriewood and an Amon Community
Grant to fund the purchase of the chair.
*The chair is available now and bookings can be made
through Northern Beaches Council or directly through the
club.
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
We all know how important
tick prevention is for our
dogs – but what about heartworm
disease? Is your dog
adequately protected?
Heartworm in dogs is a
potentially fatal disease that is
transmitted from infected to
uninfected dogs by mosquitoes.
These mosquitoes inject a
number of tiny worms (microfilaria)
into the dog’s body which
then mature into adult heartworm
over about six months.
These adult worms settle inside
the chambers of the heart and
interfere with the flow of blood.
Adult heartworm infection
causes heart failure which can
result in serious illness and
death. Heartworm disease is
very difficult and expensive to
treat so prevention is much better
than cure!
According to the Australian
Heartworm Advisory Panel,
year-round heartworm protection
is recommended for every
dog Australia wide. Therefore,
just as we vaccinate pets
against deadly viral diseases,
heartworm prophylaxis is an
important cornerstone of preventative
care. Whilst monthly
heartworm preventatives have
been demonstrated to be
effective (when given every
month) any lapse in treatment
puts patients at higher risk of
heartworm disease.
Recent research showed
that complacency around
heartworm prevention has resulted
in dogs testing positive
to heartworm, in fact around
40 per cent of dogs diagnosed
with heartworm disease are
on owner-given monthly
heartworm preventatives.
The easiest way to avoid
forgetting heartworm medication
is to use annual heartworm
prevention given by injection
at the time of vaccination, this
medication lasts for 12 months.
Call your local Sydney Animal
Hospitals Avalon (9918 0833) or
Newport (9997 4609) to discuss
your dog’s heartworm prevention
with our team. We’ll help
make sure they are adequately
protected leading into the
warmer months.
More info head to sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 41

Idol
maker
Avalon’s Rod Willis recalls a life spent in the
heady world of ear-splitting music, including
guiding a little-known pub-rock band from
Adelaide – Cold Chisel – to stardom.
Life Stories
Story by Daniel Williams
Presently, the days pass one else – apart from our road not even a half-century in the Roseville, where the trajectory
quietly for Rod Willis. crew – would know about cauldron of rock can match the of Rod’s life was reset. Living
Unable to surf after a until the performance”. But ferocity of the Australian sun. across the road was the
series of skin-cancer ops,
he spends most of his time
at home – reading, listening
to music (soul and blues)
and helping out with an
expanding family. Until
recently, he was putting
the finishing touches to his
memoirs. It’s a way of life
that’s perfectly apt for a man
in his mid-70s, yet one that
could scarcely contrast more
sharply with his lifestyle of
decades past.
Perhaps you remember
the grand finale of the
Countdown Music Awards
of 1981, when Cold Chisel
reworked ‘My Turn to Cry’ into
a full-throated protest song
– against sponsors TV Week
specifically and the music
industry generally – complete
with guitar smashing, drum
kicking and microphone-stand
slamming? Onlookers, you
could say, were aghast.
Today, Willis admits to
co-hatching the plan “that no-
as a member of the audience
that night at Sydney’s Regent
hotel, he watched the mayhem
unfold uneasily, sliding ever
lower in his seat. Then, as
band manager, he had to go
onstage to accept the last
award of the night – Best
Record Cover Design, for
Chisel’s huge-selling East.
“The walk of shame,” he says,
“was all mine.”
While music took Willis
on a long and wild ride, he
remains a lovely bloke with
an excellent memory, and
on a recent Friday morning
in the sitting room of his
Avalon home he’s delighted
to walk this reporter through
the strikes and gutters of his
extraordinary life.
He looks fit in jeans and
a snug-fitting, palm treepatterned
collared shirt,
though he wears a cap to
conceal the aftereffects of
those recent surgeries. For
impact on the flesh, it seems
Knockin’ On
Heaven’s Door
Willis came into being on
November 19, 1947, the first
of three children to Graham,
a TV executive, and Peggy, a
model. They lived in Dee Why
in a house near South Creek
Road that had been designed
to resemble a ship. Young Rod
was happiest outside with his
friends, surfing at Collaroy
Beach or making rafts out of
corrugated iron to use on Dee
Why Lagoon or heading into
the bush with a slingshot or
BB gun.
Inspired by the 1956
Australian film Smiley, the
boy decided he’d like to be a
farmer. His dad had a mate by
the name of Rob Askin (yes,
the future premier of NSW)
who pulled some strings to
secure the Willis boy a place
at James Ruse Agricultural
High School in Carlingford.
The Willises relocated to
Hamilton family, whose oldest
boy Tony had formed a surf
band called The Stompedes,
which had no trouble getting
gigs during the 1960s’ dance
phenomenon known as ‘The
Stomp’.
“Of course, the venues
were packed with young
girls, so I’m thinking, This is
fantastic!” says Willis. “So, I
started lugging gear for them.
That was my entrée into what
would consume the next 50-
odd years of my life.”
In June 1964, The Beatles
came to town and Rod’s father
procured four tickets to one
of their concerts at Sydney
Stadium. Seated in row 7,
Rod was mesmerised. “It was
crazy,” he says. “You couldn’t
really hear the band because
the crowd noise was so loud;
just every girl screaming. But
you knew every song from the
records.”
Soon other huge acts – The
Rolling Stones, PJ Proby, The
44 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

PHOTO: Robert Hambling
Dave Clark Five – made it
to these shores, helping to
spark in Willis a new yearning
that had nothing to do
with ploughing or milking.
The music of the ’60s was
changing Western culture and
Willis dreamed of being at the
epicentre of the revolution:
London. By labouring in
Darwin, he saved enough
money to buy a return ticket
on an Italian liner bound for
England, his father’s country
of birth.
“I don’t think I can
overstate how terrified I was,”
says Willis, who was 18 when
he sailed away on September
28, 1966. “The furthest I’d
been until then was Wagga in
Dad’s car.”
Disembarking six weeks
later at the White Cliffs of
Dover, Willis planned to stay
in England for two years.
But those two years would
become 11 as the various
cultural movements of the
time – mod, hard rock,
hippy, psychedelia – came in
a torrent that engulfed the
goodtime boy from Dee Why.
He saw Cream, a young Rod
Stewart, an emergent Pink
Floyd – basically every hot act
under the Northern sun while
living as a hormone-fuelled
mod with a charming accent
during the Swinging Sixties.
Staying meant working,
though, mostly as a roadie,
firstly for Little Free Rock, a
hard-rock trio from Preston
in Lancashire. He also pitched
in variously for Emerson,
Lake & Palmer, King Crimson,
Grand Funk Railroad and
Roxy Music, among others,
before joining the crew of the
full-tilt and hugely influential
UFO. Life on the road with
that volatile group drained
Willis, who left the music
scene for two years to work as
an illegal street trader selling
belts and bags on Oxford
Street, resulting in numerous
appearances in Marylebone
Magistrates Court.
In the early 1970s, music
lured him back. He became
a road dog for Irish folk-rock
singer Jonathan Kelly before
linking with blues band Savoy
Brown, for whom he became
tour manager in 1976. Having
learnt so much – about
equipment, lighting, travel
arrangements and handling
the egos and quirks of
brilliant and temperamental
musicians – Willis was more
than ready to step up.
Misfits
But Willis’ life was about to
take another turn. Standing
around at a concert in
Toronto, Canada, he noticed a
girl in the front row smiling
at him. Long story short, he
married this girl, Barbara,
in London and there was a
baby on the way. “I decided I
couldn’t live this rock ’n’ roll
lifestyle any longer,” Willis
says. “I needed to return to
Australia.”
In 1977, back in Sydney
with his pregnant wife, Willis
knew this much: “My days
of shovelling elephant shit
were over; I was determined
to be the ringmaster.” All
he needed was an exciting
yet undiscovered local band
to take to the top. His early
impressions of the Australian
music scene were dispiriting,
however. Then his brother Ian
suggested he check out this
band from Adelaide called
Cold Chisel.
“Oh, my God,” Willis
recalled, “what a dreadful
name.”
“No, no,” Ian insisted.
“You’ve got to go see them.”
So, Willis went one night
to the once-famous Chequers
nightclub in Sydney’s
Chinatown where Cold Chisel
were performing “in front
of three men and a dog”. But
Continued on page 46
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: With Don Walker and Michael
Gudinski at Rod’s 50th birthday at Avalon RSL in 1997; the
Breakfast at Sweethearts album cover shoot in 1979; singing
at his 50th (Barnsey on guitar); with Jimmy, bass player Phil
Small and guitarist Ian Moss, 2020; London in the Swinging
Sixties; business discussion with Mossy; Southern Rocker in
the US, 1976; with Savoy Brown in the USA, 1975.
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 45

Life Stories
Continued from page 45
Willis was acute enough to
see past the dingy room and
woeful crowd. “They were just
an incredible, tight band,” he
says. “Great guitarist [Ian Moss],
their piano player [Don Walker]
rocked like Jerry Lee Lewis, and
the singer [Jimmy Barnes] had
this voice. There were a lot of
blues shouters around who had
that gruff quality, but this guy
was like Stevie Winwood. I was
blown away.”
Afterwards, Willis met
first with just Walker, who
produced a folder full of
knockbacks from record
companies, one of which had
written off the band as having
“no commercial potential”,
before making his pitch to all
the guys in a cramped room at
the Plaza Hotel in Kings Cross.
“You guys are world class,”
he said. “I reckon I could
make you the biggest band in
Australia – maybe the world.”
Willis doubted he’d gotten
through to them. But the next
day, his phone rang.
“It’s Don, mate. You’ve got
the job.”
In the winter of 1980, as
46 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: With
financial guru Gino, EMI Publisher
John Anderson and Icehouse
frontman Iva Davies sealing
a deal in 1989; early days
celebrations with Cold Chisel
– Don Walker, Ian Moss, Jimmy
Barnes (in shades), Phil Small and
Steve Prestwich; mixing in LA in
July 1998; Rod with Jimmy, Steve
and Phil on a ferry to Denmark in
1982; Rod’s new book is out now.
Cold Chisel were taking off,
Willis’ marriage to Barbara
was unravelling and not even
their three-year-old daughter
Shannon could keep them
together; they divorced in
1981. Barbara subsequently
married Dallas Royall, the
original drummer for Rose
Tattoo, while Willis found
comfort in the arms of his
secretary Gay with whom
he would raise Shannon as
well as two daughters of
their own, Kelly and Leigh.
Today, Willis and Gay remain
happily married and have six
grandchildren.
He’s content here in their
Avalon home of 30 years. For
Willis, the Northern Beaches
are, simply, “home” – for him
and for most of his oldest
mates, who know him, he
Continued on page 48
Life Stories
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 47

Life Stories
Continued from page 47
says, “not as Rod Willis the
band manager but Rod the
surfer”.
When The War Is Over
Although Willis never made
Cold Chisel the biggest band
in the world, he did guide
them to an enduring form
of superstardom: album
sales nudging seven million;
eight studio albums in the
Australian Top 5; induction
into the ARIA Hall of Fame;
instant name recognition
across generations of music
fans.
“I wouldn’t call myself
the sixth member [of the
band],” says Willis, “but the
way it worked was, Don and
I ran it. Don always was and
remains the leader of Cold
Chisel. Don’s songs made
the difference. He was the
visionary in terms of what
the band was going to be.
And I had my vision, and our
visions were close. I saw that
they were a working-class
band.”
In 1983, Cold Chisel
disbanded for more than a
decade, causing Willis to focus
on other projects, including
enticing to Australia a range
of smash international acts –
Tears for Fears, Paul Young,
Howard Jones, Alison Moyet
– and a managerial stint with
another great homegrown
band, Icehouse. But when Cold
Chisel reformed in 1997, Willis
came back onboard, finally
walking away in 2009 when
the band wanted to change the
terms of his contract.
Feeling adrift and driving
Gay spare by moping about
the house, Willis linked up
with a horticulturalist mate
and spent the next 10 years
as a professional landscaper.
While he’s had chances to
return to the music industry,
he’s let them go. “The vibe,”
he says, “is gone.”
But the Chisel boys, you
ask, does he stay in touch
with them?
“Of course,” he says. “It’s
hard to break that bond.”
*Ringside: A tale of music
and mayhem from the
man behind rock and roll
superstars Cold Chisel (Allen
& Unwin) is out now.
48 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Art Life
Art Life
Adam Cullen retrospective
Over a decade since Adam Cullen’s
death, rarely seen works by the artist
are now on display at Manly Art Gallery &
Museum.
In this retrospective exhibition, more
than 70 paintings,
works
on paper,
bronzes,
ceramics, film
footage, and
artist books
have been
drawn largely
from private
collections.
The colourful
and complex
artist,
who grew up
on Sydney’s
Northern
Beaches,
famously won
the Archibald
Prize in 2000 for his portrait of actor David
Wenham, which will feature in the exhibition.
In 2002, he represented Australia at
the 25th Biennale de São Paulo.
As a child, Cullen showed artistic talent
and drew cartoons for the local Collaroy
In this time of mass production, fast
fashion and global availability it is
more important than ever that we take
the time to stop, take a breath and
appreciate the small conversations or
moments which make our lives more
whole. Take the time to also consider the
things which can enrich your life in the
long term.
The final Open Studio Event for the
Pittwater Artists Trail in 2023 happens
on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November
at studios across the Pittwater area
(10am – 4pm). The artisans invite you to
join them in their working environments,
to share with you the process and
intricacies of creating unique pieces, to
hear their narrative behind the work.
More often than not when hearing
these narratives it can evoke a memory
for you the visitor, and it is that shared
narrative which can only happen through
meeting the artist themselves. This is
why taking the time to visit the trail is
so rewarding – plus you may walk away
with a new treasure for your collection
or a very special gift for a loved one.
The Pittwater Artists Trail includes
the work of 21 artists and craftspeople
Plateau newspaper. After art school, he
emerged from Sydney’s grunge art scene
in the 1990s to become one of the most
important artists of his generation.
Cullen’s bold and challenging paintings
are insightful
and often
confronting,
reflecting on
contemporary
societal
issues.
Works revolve
around
issues of
national and
gendered
identity,
addressing
racial intolerance,
bigotry,
sexism, and
political
and social
hypocrisies
(pictured – ‘Kelly with Mare’, 2011).
Cullen passed away at his home in Wentworth
Falls in July 2012. – Nigel Wall
*Adam Cullen: Art is Pain Relief is showing
at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum
until December 3. Free entry.
16 studios on Artists trail
(pictured painting by Ben Waters)
featured at 16 studios from Palm Beach
to Collaroy and Terrey Hills.
Find a brochure in public libraries and
Council facilities across the peninsula,
art suppliers and many other venues. Or
text 0423 456 373 or 0414 762 168 to
request a brochure.
*You can also find maps, studio
and artist details at
pittwaterartiststrail.com
Onespace with
plenty on offer
The Northern Beaches is filled
with great artistic talent – but
sometimes finding the right piece,
at the right price, can be a challenge.
Just in time for the holidays and
gift-giving, Sydney Art Space and
Sandrine Levallois have joined
creative forces to deliver an inspiring
end-of-year exhibition at the
Onespace Collective (63 Bassett St,
Mona Vale).
On the weekend of 25-26 November,
a collection of original paintings
and sculptures will be sold by their
makers (pictured above is Sandrine’s
work ‘Spiky’).
Sandrine, a visual artist who aims
to deliver works that speak of nature
and deeper connection, is also
passionate about helping others become
a better version of themselves
and radiate in their community.
To fulfil this purpose, Sandrine
and her husband Scott co-created
Onespace Collective, a venue
focused on nurturing self-growth
through art and wellness workshops.
“For those who have been a part
of the Onespace Collective and
Sydney Art Space community, it’s a
time of celebration, as we prepare
to showcase the journey that has
unfolded within our art workshops
venue,” said Sandrine.
Sydney Art Space, established
2013, is now a permanent resident
of Onespace. They offer adult
classes covering sculpture and drawing,
teens’ and kids’ art club, plus
school holiday workshops. They also
provide private tuition for HSC BOW
candidates.
“We had a rocky start, opening
just three weeks before COVID hit –
but the Onespace Collective is now
thriving thanks to the overwhelming
support from the local community,”
said Sandrine.
– NW
*More info on exhibitions, classes
and workshops: onespacecollective.com.au
and sydneyartspace.
com
50 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Emotions run deep
The emotionally expressive
creations of Palm
Beach ceramics artist Claressa
Gonsalves will be on show at
The Studio at Careel Bay in
November.
Claressa’s exhibition – Motion
of the Deep – will feature
works which represent the
physical manifestation of
her processing of a range of
powerful emotions through
her life.
Clarissa says that with
a soul-deep connection to
the ocean, she enjoys using
clay, throwing on the wheel,
making handmade pieces,
using moulds as an avenue to
express textures of shells, and
experimenting with glazing.
“I use the vessel as a canvas,
to explore and express
the waves of emotion, creating
a shoreline,” she says.
A Northern Beaches local
who grew up on the Palm
Beach shore, Claressa’s family
founded the Gonsalves boatshed,
the little fisherman’s
shack adjacent to the ferry
wharf which has been passed
down for generations. It’s an
upbringing which has proven
rich in artistic inspiration.
A percentage of sales from
Claressa’s exhibition will be
donated to Variety, the children’s
charity.
The Studio at Careel Bay
Marina is the half office /
half creative space initiative
of Laing+Simmons Property
principals Amy and Matthew
Young (with Claressa, centre).
The not-for-profit community
endeavour has supported
a range of local causes over
the years including Living
Ocean, One Eighty, ORRCA,
Dreams2Live4, Sea Shepherd
Australia, the Seabin Project,
and the Be Centre. – LO
*Claressa’s exhibition at The
Studio runs throughout November
on Saturdays from
9am-12 noon; more info Matthew
Young (0418 723 232).
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023
51

Hot Property
Taste of Pittwater easy-living
Retreat to a meticulously renovated beach house, a glamourous tri-level home
or a two-bedroom apartment in a boutique resort… Compiled by Lisa Offord
Boasting an elegant understated coastal
design with majestic views across Pittwater,
this five-bedroom, three-bathroom home
at 77 Hilltop Rd, Avalon Beach has been
renovated and master-built from the ground
up, blending original elements from its
1960s beach house history with modern
high-end finishes. The master suite, home
office and guest wing are on the ground
level. Upstairs are three bedrooms with
living, kitchen and dining which open
to an entertaining deck and native rock
garden at the rear. Contact Amy Young
Laing+Simmons Avalon Beach.
Hot Property
Stay a while or lock up, leave and holiday
lease this easy-care, self-contained twobedroom
apartment with internal lift,
secure basement parking, communal
pool, heated spa, plus barbeque area in
a tightly held boutique resort at 7/39
Iluka Road Palm Beach. Featuring openplan
living and balcony overlooking the
gardens, The Lighthouse at Iluka Resort
offers the duality of a holiday retreat
or generation of an all-year income.
Contact Tara Jaijee Ray White Prestige
Palm Beach.
Innovative design and attention to detail
are matched with a generosity of space in
this five-bedroom home, holding a blueribbon
position overlooking Winnererremy
Bay and boat-studded Pittwater. Designed
by locally acclaimed Chartered Building
Designer Peter Downes, 125 Waterview St
Mona Vale has been crafted with a noexpenses-spared
approach to family living,
with multiple living spaces, easy internal
lift access and a seamless connection to
a north-facing resort-style garden with
striking pool and spa. Contact Gordon
Spring LJ Hooker Newport.
52 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

PRIVILEGE:
A lucky few
get financial
help from
their parents.
Research: few withdrawals
from ‘bank of mum & dad’
Just a small proportion
of Aussie homeowners
tapped into the ‘bank of
mum and dad’ when buying
their first home, according to
new research by Finder.
A survey of 1,096
respondents – 584 of whom
own a home – revealed
just 1 in 10 (equivalent
to 682,000 households)
received financial assistance
from their parents towards a
deposit on their first home.
Those who received
financial assistance were
granted an average of
$56,231 towards their
deposit.
A third (35%) of first home
buyers didn’t receive an
offer of help from the ‘bank
of mum and dad’ – but this
included 12% who still receive
help from their parents in
other ways.
The research found 1 in
10 first home buyers asked
their parents for help but the
request was denied, while
a similar amount had their
parents guarantee their loan.
A further 36% didn’t want
financial assistance from
their parents towards a
deposit.
Richard Whitten, home
loans expert at Finder, said
saving for a deposit is no
small feat.
“Getting on the property
ladder can feel like an
impossible dream, but many
battle to do so without the
help from the ‘bank of mum
and dad’,” he said.
“For many home buyers
there is no ‘bank of mum and
dad’. They’re on their own.
“Over the course of the
pandemic, saving for a house
deposit became easier as
The Local Voice Since 1991
many were able to stash
away their cash during
lockdown. However, the cost
of living has forced Aussies
to cut savings.
“Rising costs and
skyrocketing interest rates
will see plenty of Australians
priced out of the market
without financial assistance
– a worry felt by thousands
of house hunters across the
country.”
The average first home
buyer deposit in Australia
now tops almost $119,000
– more than the average fulltime
salary of $94,000.
It would take the average
first home buyer more than
12 years to save up that
amount of cash, taking into
account potential interest
earned in an average savings
account with a rate of 2.7%.
Mr Whitten urged
prospective first home
buyers to supercharge their
savings.
“Look for ways to boost
your capital. With some high
interest savings accounts
surpassing 5.5%, getting a
decent earnings rate for your
savings is becoming easier.”
Whitten said every dollar
counted when you’re on the
road to home ownership.
“There are plenty of
schemes and incentives for
first home buyers to take
advantage of.
“If you qualify for a first
home owners grant, this can
form part of your deposit.
“Getting your parents to go
guarantor can be an option
for some buyers if direct
financial support is out of
the question.
– Taylor Blackburn
*More info finder.com
NOVEMBER 2023 53
Hot Property

School Life
School Life
Promoting inner stillness, reduced stress
It takes a community to
raise a child, and children
learn best when they are
not alone on their journey.
Through collaborative learning
opportunities within class, to
opportunities for students to
engage across year levels in
an integrated buddy program,
John Colet School
students learn
with, and are
supported by,
each other.
Likewise,
the collective
understanding
between home
and school
helps ensure
there are no
gaps for students and that they
are supported at all stages.
“Actively developing a child’s
ability to give attention to tasks
is an important skill that is best
learnt at an early age,” says
Headmaster Julian Wilcock.
“Children’s minds naturally
wander, and
practical
exercises help
them to learn
how to focus.
It is all about
being in the present moment.
“Many of our unique subjects
and clubs facilitate this, such as
Singing, Shakespeare, extended
Art and Chess. However, it is
the regular pausing throughout
the day that helps children
learn how to fall still, quiet
the emotions and give their
attention to the task at hand.”
John Colet School is a
multi-faith School where
spiritual and character
development is an important
aspect of our students’
development. Children are
introduced to simple exercises
in self-awareness and inner
stillness. There are regular
moments of quiet between
lessons, and at the age of
10, the children can learn
meditation. The aim is to give
children a quiet sense of self
assurance and confidence.
Philosophy classes are
conducted at all age levels, as
open discussions addressing
questions such as who am I;
how should I live my life; what
does it mean to be a good
friend? Scripture classes draw on
traditions from East and West.
Students are taught within a
caring, supporting environment
of trust and stay with their
class teachers for 2-3 years
for stability and connection. A
daily vegetarian lunch is also
provided.
“While we are well-known
for our academics, our focus
remains on building a child’s
confidence and adaptability,
which we do through a
traditional curriculum and a
focus on liberal arts,” says Mr
Wilcock.
*Limited places for Girls in
Years 3 and 5 in 2024. Call
9451 8395.
54 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The heads-up on ear,
nose & throat problems
Health & Wellbeing
If ever there was a certain
time of year when most locals
experienced issues with their
ears, nose and throats it would
be around now: the height of
the hay fever season.
Yet ear, nose and throat
problems occur year-round,
regardless of the weather, with
a range of symptoms and conditions
that can affect children
and adults at varying degrees.
Mild ear and sinus infections,
hay fever and excessive sneezing
and coughing, sore scratchy
throats and runny or stuffy
noses can often be managed
with home remedies and simple
solutions with advice from a GP
or pharmacist.
However, signs of a chronic,
acute, or severe condition relating
to these parts of the body,
should prompt a referral to an
otolaryngologist, widely known
as an ENT surgeon – a specialist
in the diagnosis and treatment
of disorders and diseases affecting
the ear, nose, throat and
structures of the head and neck.
Mona Vale-based ENT
surgeon Dr Frank Elsworth
said common symptoms that
required investigation by a
specialist included:
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Frequent nose bleeds.
• Chronic nasal congestion.
• Speech delay.
• Loss of smell, hearing or
voice.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Earache, sore throat, or pain
that doesn’t go away.
• Dizziness or balance
problems.
• Nasal breathing problems;
and
• Sleep problems.
Dr Elsworth said when
surgery was required the good
news for locals was many
procedures could be carried
out close to home at Pittwater
Day Surgery (PDS) in Mona Vale,
with patients admitted and
discharged on the same day.
Conditions commonly treated
by ENT specialists at PDS
include:
Recurring acute/chronic otitis
media (glue ear)
“Glue ear is a condition where
the middle ear fills with thick
fluid. It most commonly presents
in young children with
speech delay, hearing loss,
behavioural change or recurring
painful ear infections,” said
Dr Elsworth. “Persistent glue
ear causes middle ear damage
and possibly long-term hearing
loss. Tiny tubes called grommets
can be inserted into the
ear drum under general or local
anaesthetic to help prevent the
build-up of fluid or ear infections.”
Grommets can also assist
adults/children who experience
severe ear pain and possible
inner ear damage with hearing
loss due to air travel.
Sleep impairment
“In children, this usually manifests
by excessive snoring and
poor sleep quality and fatigue.
If caused by adenoid enlargement
or tonsil enlargement (or
both) your doctor may recommend
a trial of a medicated
nasal spray or removal of the
adenoids (adenoidectomy) or
56 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

tonsils (tonsillectomy). Adenoidectomy
is carried out at PDS
while paediatric tonsillectomy
is referred to a larger hospital,”
he explained. Adolescent and
adult tonsillectomy is performed
at PDS.
Sleep disorders
“In adults, surgery to widen the
airway and allow air to move
through the throat and/or the
nose more easily may help if
a sleep disorder is severe and
wearing a mouth guard or
splint or using continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) at
night haven’t helped,” he said.
Allergic rhinitis/chronic hay
fever
“Hay fever is the common name
for allergic rhinitis. It affects 1
in five people in Australia. Hay
fever can be managed by medications
and immunotherapy
and sometimes surgery may be
recommended,” he explained.
“Surgery cannot cure allergy
but can help reduce nasal congestion,
sinus pressure and
improve breathing, providing
long-term relief.”
Acute, chronic, or recurring
sinusitis
“Sinusitis is when the lining of
the sinuses that surround the
PAINFUL: Recurring symptoms should prompt referral to a specialist.
nose become inflamed/ infected.
Surgery may be recommended
to help reduce sinusitis
symptoms.”
Tongue tie
“Present at birth, tongue tie (ankyloglossia)
can effect breast
feeding, eating and speech”
Dr Elsworth said. “Sometimes
tongue tie may not cause problems.
Some cases may require
a simple surgical procedure,
managed by ENT surgeons or
paediatric dentists.”
Nasal obstruction
“A common cause is nasal
septal deviation, a condition
in which the nasal septum is
significantly crooked, making
breathing difficult,” Dr Elsworth
said. It is also associated with
poor sleep quality. “Surgery
may be needed to straighten
the nasal septum. In some
cases, surgery to reshape the
nose may also be needed for
functional or cosmetic purposes.”
Other causes of a nasal
obstruction include allergies,
enlarged adenoids and nasal
polyps.
Surfer’s ear
A condition where the bone of
the ear canal expands into the
ear canal causing obstruction,
water trapping and recurring
outer ear infection. “The bony
growths are called exostoses.
If surfer’s ear develops to an
extent that it causes repeated
infection or deafness, it is best
managed by surgically removing
the bony growths.” he said.
Ear drum perforation
“The eardrum can be punctured
or torn by infection, sudden
pressure changes, loud noise,
injury from an object forced
into the ear or a blow to the
head. This might result in hearing
loss and infection. It may
require surgical repair if it does
not heal by itself.”
Voice changes
“To investigate the cause of
voice changes, biopsy, or
removal of some lesions in the
voice box may be done under
brief general anaesthesia.”
– Lisa Offord
*Six ENT surgeons are
accredited to operate at Pittwater
Day Surgery – Dr Frank
Elsworth, Dr Ming Lee, Dr
Nicholas Leith, Dr Jason Roth,
A/Prof Alex Saxby and Dr
Michael Taplin.
All specialists have trained
in paediatric and adult ENT
surgery in Australia and PDS
is accredited to take patients
from 12-months of age.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 57

Health & Wellbeing
with Dr John Kippen
Health & Wellbeing
Preparation advice for best
outcomes after your surgery
A
question often heard concerns
getting prepared
for plastic surgery and
trying to get the best outcomes.
As a general rule, you need
to be in the best health possible
to optimise outcomes. Anyone
who is fit, healthy and eats and
sleeps well will bounce back
from surgery more quickly. If
you do not regularly exercise
it is often counter-productive
to race out the week before
surgery and run, stretch and
cycle. You will end up with sore
muscles, dehydrated and tired.
Regular exercise, a good
healthy diet, good hydration
and an overall healthy lifestyle
will encourage the best
outcomes. Active people tend
to get moving more quickly
after surgery which reduces
some risks such as deep vein
thrombosis and basal lung
pneumonias.
Certain procedures require
you to be at your ideal weight.
Breast reduction, tummy-tucks
and liposuction are procedures
where parts of the body are reduced
or tightened. Subsequent
weight loss will result in tissues
being empty and flaccid which
goes against what the surgery
is trying to achieve. With a tummy-tuck
the abdominal skin is
tightened and stretched down,
this amount cannot be too
tight as then blood supply and
thus healing will be effected. If
after the procedure you were to
then lose weight, this tightness
would be less.
People requesting liposuction
who are overweight will often
be left with skin excess if they
then lose weight. An empty roll
of tummy skin may be more
difficult to manage – do you
tuck it in your belt line or let it
hang over? If you were at your
ideal weight a small skin excision
procedure would give you
a better outcome.
The degree of weight loss
does depend on body type
and height. In a person who is
broad-shouldered and tall, a
few kilograms has less overall
effect then a small framed,
shorter person.
It is important to list not
only prescription medications,
but also all supplements and
herbal remedies. These products
may affect blood clotting
and result in more bruising or
increase the risk of bleeding.
Bruising in the tissue is often
inflammatory and can cause
more pain. It may even affect
the healing process. Medication
that affects platelet function
may need to be stopped seven
to 10 days before surgery. Stopping
anticoagulation medications
needs to be balanced
against the value that they
provide; it is much better to
have a healthy heart and some
bruising than cause heart problems
with no bruising. Be very
honest in what supplements
you may take and how much
alcohol you drink.
Smoking has a huge impact
on surgery. Most surgeons re-
quire you to stop smoking some
time before surgery. Recent cessation
often leaves an irritable
airway which result in coughing
after the procedure. This may
put tension on the wounds and
healing can be reduced. Blood
flow in small vessels is reduced
by smoking and this significantly
reduces healing. Nicotine
containing products or patches
have a similar result and should
be listed
Having said all that, it must
be remembered that often
having surgery allows easier
exercise and is very motivating.
This is especially true for
breast reduction and breast
lifts. Larger pendulous breast
can make exercise difficult and
once they are reduced or lifted
this becomes a lot easier. Many
people find having had surgery
to be very strong motivation to
change their lifestyle or commit
to the changes they may have
made before surgery.
Our columnist
Dr John Kippen is a qualified,
fully certified consultant
specialist in Cosmetic, Plastic
and Reconstructive surgery.
Australian trained, he
also has additional
Australian and International
Fellowships. He welcomes
enquiries; email
doctor@johnkippen.com.au
58 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

NB Hospital celebrates 5 Years
BUSY: More than 116,000 elective surgeries
have been performed at Northern Beaches
Hospital in five years.
As Northern Beaches Hospital marks
five years of operation, CEO Andrew
Newton says the hospital continues
to achieve great results and is consistently
performing as one of the best emergency
departments in its peer group.
“We continue to be one of the busiest
EDs in the region and we have saved many
lives,” said Mr Newton.
“Each day we care for an average of
200 patients with many resuscitation and
life-threatening emergency cases brought
directly to NBH instead of being diverted to
other hospitals.
“People are feeling confident that their
local hospital is the place to come when
you need high quality health care close to
home.”
More than 430,000 people were treated
in the ED since October 30, 2018, with
more than a quarter admitted to hospital.
Almost 83,000 people arrived by ambulance
with the majority transferred to
hospital care within 30 minutes.
More than 116,000 elective surgeries
were performed, with almost 100 per cent
of elective surgery conducted within the
clinical timeframe, he said.
Also, almost 9,000 babies were born
since opening.
“Hundreds of highly respected specialists
have joined the team and introduced a
range of new procedures that have never
been available locally,” he said.
“With the addition of world-renowned
specialists like Prof Michael Wilson, Beaches
residents now have access to advanced
robotic heart surgery avoiding the need for
open heart procedures.”
Prof Wilson has started using the recently
purchased NBH DaVinci robot to conduct
minimally invasive heart and lung cancer
surgery.
“Other services like robotic orthopaedic
and urology and spinal surgery are now
available to local residents right here on
the Beaches,” Mr Newton said.
“Our directory of services is updated
regularly as we add new doctors and
procedures to keep residents up to date on
everything we can offer.
“Our services will continue to grow and
evolve to meet local demands which means
people won’t need to travel out of the local
area to get the services they need.”
He added NB Hospital was also bringing
cutting edge clinical research to the
Beaches with more than 100 trials and
research projects now underway.
“Our Clinical Trials Unit means residents
of the Northern Beaches no longer have to
travel to access some international clinical
research trials.
“For many, the travel requirements are
too much and they aren’t able to participate
in these studies.”
The hospital was also gaining a reputation
for being a great training ground for
junior medical staff, he said.
“Each year we have thousands of people
apply for our junior medical and nursing
roles and we have close partnerships with
TAFEs and universities to train staff and
then place them here at NBH to begin their
careers.
“Most importantly, we are continuing to
work with your community. Our volunteer
workforce is growing and diversifying and
we’ve forged partnerships with local high
schools and community groups.”
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 59

Health & Wellbeing
Dental anxiety?
Have no fear...
CALM: Most fears about
the dentist are passed down
from parents to children.
Health & Wellbeing
It’s fair to say most people
don’t relish the thought of
going to the dentist.
But what if you knew one of
the best ways to feel more at
ease in the dental chair was to
schedule regular visits, when
you’ll likely also discover some
of the simple steps some
dentists now take to make
sure patients get the best care
they need?
From the fear of the unknown
or what the dentist
might find, the perceived pain
of a procedure and the fact
that people feel like they have
little control in the dentist’s
chair, it’s very common for
people to feel nervous or
apprehensive about a dental
appointment.
Recent studies suggest high
dental fear affects approximately
one in six Australian
adults.
Despite striking advances
in technology over the past
20 years and pain-free
techniques, dental fear can
lead to people cancelling appointments
or avoiding them
together.
Problems get worse,
requiring more complex and
intensive treatment – which
reinforces the fear and leads
to continued avoidance and
poorer health.
In Australia, estimates suggest
that around 40 per cent
of people with high dental
fear are trapped in this “vicious
cycle”.
The good news is most
dentists are now trained in
dealing with anxious or nervous
patients.
Lead dentist at Maven Dental
in Avalon Beach Dr Celso
Cardona said communication
was the key to helping people
find a dentist they were comfortable
with to manage any
nerves or fears.
“We make a point of meeting
and talking to our patients
in a consultation room with no
instruments or dental chairs
in sight to help people relax
and encourage them to open
up about any concerns,” Dr
Cardona said.
“Some people might
be nervous about sound,
some are nervous about the
sensation, some might be
concerned because they gag,
some may fear the unknown
and want to know exactly
what will occur during their
visit… others might be worried
about money.
“We take time to help allay
any fears and work out the
best strategy for each patient
often starting with a simple
procedure and working up
from there if necessary.
“If sound of the dental
practice causes anxiety, we
can provide a patient with
noise-cancelling headphones,
we can switch on an overhead
TV for distraction, if they feel
that would help, and if anxiety
is severe, we can discuss sedation
dentistry,” he said.
Dr Cardona added the best
way for people to overcome
fears was to prevent the need
for dental treatment in the
first place.
“Regular visits will reduce
fears in the long term as patients
develop trust with their
dentist and in turn prevent
the need for more complex
treatment.”
Finally, if you are a parent,
be positive.
“Most fears about the dentist
are passed down from parents
to children,” Dr Cardona said.
“If parents stay relaxed and
calm about their child’s visit,
the child will generally remain
calm too.” – Lisa Offord
60 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 61

Hair & Beauty
Papillon Hair
spreads wings
Hair & Beauty
TEAM EFFORT: Deborah and Ben in the new Papillon space.
In-demand hair stylist Deborah
Raymond has unveiled a
dream new salon space for
clients and her team of handpicked
hairdressers in Avalon.
A destination for people who
appreciate the professional skills
required to create beautiful natural
hair that’s easy to maintain,
Papillon Hair first opened in Paddington
in 2012, relocating to
Avalon Beach after Deborah and
her husband made the move
here almost a decade ago.
“We were enchanted by the
charm of Avalon, its welcoming
community, and the coastal
beauty,” Deborah explained.
“My dream to open in Avalon
materialised in 2017 with the
launch of Papillon Hair and now
I’ve embraced an exciting opportunity
to relocate right next
door, crafting my dream salon
precisely as I envisioned it.”
The new salon in Garden
Court Arcade, Avalon Parade, is
luxurious and welcoming; the
extensive use of natural wood,
beautiful colours, and the soft,
filtered natural light that fills
the space, creates a soothing
atmosphere.
The project, which entailed
fusing two neighbouring office
spaces, removing walls, uncovering
boarded-up windows,
grinding and polishing concrete
floors, design and fit-out, was a
year in the making.
The space is meticulously
designed, with solid American
oak and marble finishes, handcrafted
pieces, fluted glass
and linen curtains juxtaposed
with the rough character of
the original concrete slab and
large windows opening out to
the colourful back alley.
Deborah collaborated with
talented local interior designer
Alex Johnson from Knot Studio
to select the colour palette
featuring captivating green tiles
and a stunning green marble
desk.
Her husband, Ben Raymond
from Vanwood, took the helm
in overseeing and hand-crafting
the entire fit-out, from the
intricacies of joinery to the creation
of custom-made benches,
floors, and windows.
Working alongside him,
Ben Haig Smith from Haig and
Smith played a pivotal role in
decision-making and produced
some of the custom-built pieces
in the salon.
“We were fortunate to have
the invaluable support of local
tradespeople, and the collective
effort has resulted in the
creation of something extraordinary,”
Deborah added.
Deborah says she is proud
to have been able to deliver
something for the community
to enjoy.
“Seeing the joy on our clients’
faces and that of my staff made
it all worthwhile” she said. “I
deeply care about my staff
and want to ensure they love
coming to work, so a perfect,
functional salon was a top
priority.”
Papillon is certified as an
official ‘Sustainable Salon’, upholding
the highest standards
in terms of waste management,
team training and overall social
responsibility. All products used
in the salon are chemical-free
and chosen for minimal harm
and maximum performance.
– Lisa Offord
*To celebrate the launch, Papillon
Hair Avalon is extending
a warm welcome to new
clients with an exclusive offer
(see ad this page).
62 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991
PHOTO: Martin Siegner

with Sue Carroll
So much available... but which
treatment should you choose?
Texture, tone and
colour all play a huge
role in defining the
appearance of healthy skin.
Many treatments are available
to improve the texture and
complexion of your skin by
reducing hyperpigmentation
and fine lines, clearing acne,
improving pore size, reducing
scarring and simply brightening
the skin. But where to start,
what to have and what to
combine it all with for the best
possible result.
RF Skin Needling is a
revolutionary skin tightening
and firming treatment, which
utilises a combination of
percutaneous needling and
radio frequency to induce the
tightening of elastin fibres and
induce collagen production.
A set of tiny needles creates
controlled micro-injuries on
the skin’s surface. These
tiny needles also deliver
radiofrequency energy to
the deeper layers of the skin,
promoting collagen production
to firm the skin.
By incorporating both the
radio frequency and the use
of the microneedles, the result
is a firming from the RF and a
refinement of the skin texture.
This treatment is also beneficial
when treating stretch marks
and scarring. If the skin is in a
less than optimal condition, it
is a great choice to start with
2-3 skin needling treatments
spaced about seven days apart
and then embark on the RF
needling treatment, which
can be performed monthly for
2-3 treatments with minimal
downtime.
Surface rejuvenation and
toning with the Q switch laser
is a gentle and non-invasive
treatment that stimulates the
skin’s deeper layers. A very
short delivery system gently
heats the skin, can shatter
pigment, stimulate collagen
production and assist with
skin refinement, all without
downtime. The Q switch laser
toning system is suitable for all
The Local Voice Since 1991
skin types, particularly those
who suffer from acne, blocked
or enlarged pores, dull skin,
pigmentation and simply those
who wish to step up from their
facial peels and treatments.
The Q switch laser treatment
may be added to a fractional
laser treatment to boost
results. It may also be used in
the China Doll or Hollywood
skin treatment for that special
occasion.
Over time and with added
stress in our lives, the
underlying changes to the skin
result in fine wrinkles, lines
and sagging skin. HIFU is a
treatment that lifts and tightens
the skin and simultaneously
reduces fine lines. HIFU
delivers ultrasound energy
non-invasively to heat the skin
tissue at numerous depths,
from 1.5mm and up to 4.5mm
for the face and up to 13mm
for the body. This will trigger
a natural regenerative reaction
that promotes the development
of new collagen and contracts
the fibres for the firming effect.
After the HIFU treatment, you
can return to work the next
day with no visible downtime.
In some instances, a feeling of
slight bruising may last for 2-4
weeks due to the depths the
ultrasound has penetrated. It
must be remembered nothing
will replace a facelift. Still,
often, when postponing this
procedure, this might just
be the next best thing when
combined with IPL for colour
correction, RF Needling for
skin refinement and a little
injectable here and there.
Fractional laser delivers
multiple microscopic columns
of light energy into your skin
to emulate micro-wounds,
which will, in turn, stimulate
your skin’s natural healing
and rejuvenation. Fractional
laser is an effective treatment
for pigmentation, fine lines
created by the sun, scarring
and general skin refinement.
This treatment has minimal
downtime and can be repeated
every 4-6 days until the desired
results are achieved.
An old favourite and an
excellent treatment to start with
before all treatments is Intense
Pulsed Light. IPL uses multiple
wavelengths and will treat both
capillaries and pigmentation in
the same treatment. Darkening
of pigment is seen immediately
post-treatment and can last
7-10 days and will then be
sloughed off.
Restoring your confidence
and natural beauty when
guided by a professional
aesthetician is easy. Book a
consultation and be guided by
their expertise.
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
NOVEMBER 2023 63
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
Doctors finding new payroll
tax medicine hard to swallow
This month we touch on
an issue that’s likely to
be giving your doctor
a case of heartburn… It
never fails to amaze me that
in 2023 we are yet to arrive
at a harmonised position,
across all sectors of business
and government, as to what
defines a person’s status as an
employee versus a contractor.
This question of status
has been asked for a long
time now and has grown in
importance along with the
dominance of professional
and service industries in
our economy. At its core the
issue is not that complicated:
the person engaging the
contractor wants to transfer
the risk of undertaking a
task to them, pay them for
the service and then move
on. The contractor wants
to receive a fee for service,
deduct whatever expenses
are appropriate in providing
the service and deal with
their profits as they see fit.
Neither party seeks to be
entangled by each other’s
workers compensation
insurance, public liability,
superannuation, payroll tax or
industrial issues; each party
should provide for their own –
otherwise you’d just hire them
in the first place.
An employee on the other
hand is hired by the employer;
they are provided with the
tools and equipment to
perform their tasks, they are
paid (mainly) on a time-based
system and undertake their
work at the direction of the
employer. The employer takes
the risks for their output, pays
them a regular wage based
on the applicable industrial
framework and incurs the
liability for superannuation
guarantee payments, workers
compensation insurance,
payroll tax and PAYG
withholding.
It would be so easy if
everyone could just stick
to their definitions, but
sometimes employers and
contractors blur the lines
between the two when it suits
them, sometimes by mistake
–and then there are the
governments that occasionally
move the goal posts.
Why this issue is giving
your doctor and other health
professionals heartburn is
that Revenue NSW released
a ruling on payroll tax in
August this year targeting
medical centres that applies
to a range of practitioners
(doctors, dentists, specialists)
as well as allied health
(physios, optometry etc.).
The preamble to the ruling
also neatly describes the nub
of the problem: “A contract
between a principal and a
contractor may be a ‘relevant
contract’ under the contractor
provisions in Division 7 of
Part 3 of the Payroll Tax Act
2007 (‘the Act’). If the contract
is a relevant contract, the
principal who engages the
contractor is deemed to be an
employer (section 33 of the
Act), the contractor is deemed
to be an employee (section
34 of the Act) and payments
made under the contract for
the performance of work are
deemed to be wages (section
35 of the Act).”
You need to briefly suspend
your views on payroll tax
(as an ill-conceived piece
of tax legislation that acts
as a brake on employment)
to consider that, yes, you
would need a range of antiavoidance
provisions to make
sure that people didn’t rort
the system. But when you as
a single taxing agency start
‘deeming’ things you run the
risk that you may be going
beyond the original intent of
the legislation, the common
law, or, the rules as they stand
at the federal level and in the
other States.
In this case the ruling
wants to prescribe that a
64 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

professional’s relationship
with a medical centre is not
subject to payroll tax if all of
the following items apply:
1. The practitioner provides
services to the public
generally – section 32(2)(b)
(iv) of the Act.
2. The practitioner performs
work for no more than 90
days in a financial year –
section 32(2)(b)(iii) of the
Act.
3. Services are performed
by two or more persons –
section 32(2)(c)(i) of the Act.
According to the ruling,
if any of these 3 items are
absent in the relationship, the
centre is deemed to be your
employer and you are deemed
to be its employee. While the
first test might be reasonable,
the second and third are
pretty arbitrary hurdles that
seem less about defining a
business and more about
bringing greater numbers into
the tax net.
The affected practitioners
aren’t looking to avoid payroll
tax – they want to be treated
as standalone businesses
and therefore have access
to their own thresholds. The
larger medical centres already
pay payroll tax when their
staff wages are above the
threshold – for example for
reception, nursing, junior and
employed doctors. They are
objecting to the practitioner’s
own business turnover being
classified as wages and
being subjected to payroll
tax because they choose to
affiliate with a medical centre.
They also don’t like the threat
of a five-year look back that
may bankrupt some practices.
The majority of
professionals I deal with in
this space trade through
a practice entity such as
company or trust; they align
themselves to a particular
centre because it’s the best
cultural or geographical fit
for them. They work the times
and days to suit their family
circumstances and they don’t
derive any employment-related
benefits from the centre – they
see patients, they get paid,
they don’t see patients, they
don’t. They typically pay the
centre around 30% of what
they charge to cover reception
and common administrative
expenses. Technology has
allowed more and more
The Local Voice Since 1991
practitioners these days to
bill their patients directly and
remit the service fee to the
centre rather than having the
centre provide central billing;
this further strengthens their
contractor argument. As
medical professionals they
assume personal liability for
their mistakes and they carry
medical indemnity insurance
to protect themselves and the
public. It’s not complicated,
they’re in business.
The Federal rules already
define what it takes to pass
the ‘results’ test and to be
definitively considered as a
business; so why would a State
Government need to deem
anything more proscriptive
than this, particularly when
they have anti-avoidance
provisions with regard to
grouping and common
ownership of businesses.
Not long after the ruling
was published the College
of GPs and other medical
associations swung into
action at a scale and pace
that must have alarmed the
State Government who moved
to an immediate 12-month
moratorium on implementing
the ruling. There were signs
and petitions in waiting
rooms, there were threats of
increasing the costs of a visit
to the GP by $20 to cover the
impact – not a good thing
when cost of living is front of
people’s minds.
We can probably expect a
revised ruling to come out
for consultation in the new
year. Keep an eye out when
you go for your flu shot
next year; if the corflute
signs and petitions are back
in the waiting rooms, the
negotiations are probably not
going so well.
Brian Hrnjak B Bus CPA (FPS) is
a Director of GHR Accounting
Group Pty Ltd, Certified Practising
Accountants. Office: Suite 12,
Ground Floor, 20 Bungan Street
Mona Vale NSW.
Phone: 02 9979-4300.
Web: ghr.com.au and altre.com.au
Email: brian@ghr.com.au
These comments are general
advice only and are not intended as
a substitute for professional advice.
This article is not an offer or
recommendation of any securities
or other financial products offered
by any company or person.
NOVEMBER 2023 65
Business Life

Business Life: Law
with Jennifer Harris
Business Life
Final steps to securing the
purchase of your new home
Last month we discussed
the process of
conveyancing up to the
exchange of contracts by both
private treaty and auction.
The process then is one of
investigations of title of the
property you are purchasing
including:
*The ordering of searches
from Government authorities.
The Conveyancing (Vendor
Disclosure and Warranty)
Regulations give you the right
to end the Contract and claim
return of the deposit in the
event that the property is
affected adversely by certain
matters which were not
disclosed to you in the Contract.
If we find that the property is
affected then the only remedy
is to rescind the Contract. These
investigations only relate to the
property being purchased and
do not extend to adjoining or
neighbouring properties.
*Where you are borrowing to
purchase the property, seeing
that your lender has what it
needs to complete the loan.
*Arranging the stamping
of the Contract which has to
be paid within 3 months of
exchange.
(However if you are to
settle with 42 days, which
is customary, and you have
an incoming mortgagee
they will require that stamp
duty is payable on or before
settlement.
Your solicitor will arrange for
settlement/completion of the
Contract with the Vendor and
your lending Bank.)
This is an initial summary
of a residential Conveyancing
procedure which will be
conducted by your solicitor
or Conveyancer when you
purchase a property.
What happens when you
decide to sell your property
and how different is it from
purchase?
The Vendor or seller
commences the process by
instructing the solicitor to
prepare a Contract for sale.
The Vendor via the Contract
provides information and
66 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

includes warranties and
representations about the
property which is being sold.
Essential elements of the
Contract include for example
a, zoning certificate, issued by
the local council and provides
details of planning controls and
matters which may affect the
property. A Sewerage service
diagram which shows the
location of the sewer lines and
a copy of the certificate of title
showing your ownership of the
property are crucial together
with copies of documents which
create easements, rights of way,
covenants or restrictions.
The warranties you make
about the property include
that you have not received
notice that the land on which
the property stands is not
proposed to be acquired by any
government or government
instrumentality which would
affect your enjoyment of the
property.
That the sewer service lines
are fully disclosed on the
sewerage service diagram and
that the planning certificate
provides an accurate of the
zoning of the land as at the date
of the contract.
If you have carried out
improvements or building
works you should include
copies of a building certificate,
an occupation certificate,
a copy of home owners
warranty insurance and if you
have a pool, a certificate of
compliance.
You may also provide to the
successful purchaser copies of
the plans as approved by the
council in the case of major
works.
Your solicitor usually
provides special conditions
to the contract. i.e. terms and
conditions additional to the Law
Societies standard conditions
found in the first pages of the
contract.
Special conditions are drawn
to protect the vendor’s best
interests. It may be that the
vendor is purchasing another
property at the same time
as selling and desires to
have both settlements occur
simultaneously. A special
condition which seeks the
release of the deposit for the
purpose of a deposit on the
new property may therefore be
included.
It is customary for solicitors
for vendors and purchasers to
negotiate many of the terms
and conditions of the contract.
For example, a purchaser may
want to have a shorter or more
likely longer settlement period
than the usual 42 days.
Often there are negotiations
over what is included in the
sale for example fittings and
fixtures or what constitutes
fittings and fixtures and in
cases where vendors are
downsizing furniture and
furnishings may be included or
offered in the sale.
All these matters must be
negotiated and settled before
exchange.
Another element vitally
important in the sale is the real
estate agent.
It is not lawful to show or
advertise a property without
a contract available for a
prospective purchaser to view
or obtain a copy. It is always
desirable that the vendor
has a solicitor responsive
to prospective purchaser’s
solicitor’s enquiries as they
examine the contract.
When the contracts have been
exchanged and the property
has been taken off the market
the deposit cheque is frequently
handed to the real estate agent
to invest in an interest-bearing
account until settlement. If
you don’t have an agent your
solicitor may do it for you.
At settlement the interest
earned on the deposit will
usually be split equally between
the vendor and purchaser.
These two articles have
endeavoured to provide
information on some of the
steps and matters which occur
in the process of buying and
selling residential property.
They are not an exhaustive
summary of the steps to be
taken but they may provide
some of the issues you should
consider when buying and
selling. It can be an extremely
complex area of law and should
not be embarked upon without
professional legal advice.
Comment supplied by
Jennifer Harris, of Jennifer
Harris & Associates,
Solicitors, 4/57 Avalon
Parade, Avalon Beach.
T: 9973 2011. F: 9918 3290.
E: jennifer@jenniferharris.com.au
W: www.jenniferharris.com.au
Business Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 67

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
AIR CONDITIONING
Alliance Climate Control
Call 02 9186 4179
Air Conditioning & Electrical Professionals.
Specialists in Air Conditioning Installation,
Service, Repair & Replacement.
BATHROOMS
Northern Beaches Bathrooms
Call 0475 147 375
Specialists at complete bathroom
renovations, mains and ensuites. Prompt,
reliable. High-quality work. Free quotes.
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.
CARS WANTED
AAA Absolutely Unwanted
Call Mike 0414 423 200
All cars, vans, utes and trucks removed free;
cash up to $30,000. Same-day removal all
suburbs.
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.
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.
68 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

housewashing -
northernbeaches.com.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
Celebrating 25 years in Avalon & Collaroy.
Experts in softwashing & pressure washing.
Also windows, gutters, roofs & driveways.
CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting
needs; Northern Beaches-based.
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.
FENCING
Add-A-Fence
Call Adam 0410 332 197
Supply and install for pool, garden, all timber
and tubular fencing. Plus gates, handrails,
security and more. Repairs / small & big jobs.
Lic 3391C.
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.
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by
qualified arborists and tree surgeons.
GUTTERS & ROOFING
Cloud9 R&G
Call Tommy 0447 999 929
Prompt and reliable service; gutter cleaning
and installation, leak detection, roof installation
and painting. Also roof repairs specialist.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced,
metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley
irons replaced.
HANDYMEN
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also
welding & metalwork; licensed.
JEWELLER
Gold ‘n’ Things
Call 9999 4991
Specialists in remodelling. On-premises
(Mona Vale) workshop for cleaning, repairing
(including laser welding), polishing. Family
owned for nearly 40 years.
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.
Trades & Services
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction
for every garden situation. Sustainable
vegetable gardens and waterfront
specialist.
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 69

Trades & Services
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.
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.
POSITION VACANT
Practice Manager
Call Sam on 0435 165 265.
George & Matilda Eyecare for Mark Wilson
Optometrists in Dee Why are looking for a
Practice Manager. Call Sam on 0435 165 265.
Trades & Services
70 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

RUBBISH REMOVAL
Jack’s Rubbish Removals
Call Jack 0403 385 312
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest health
regulations. Old-fashioned honesty &
reliability. Free quotes.
One 2 Dump
Call Josh 0450 712 779
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service includes
general household rubbish, construction,
commercial plus vegetation. Also car
removals.
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.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 71

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Make and bake: homemade
Xmas gifts from the heart
Yes, it’s November! Where did the year go!
While there have been plenty of curve
balls thrown at us this year, it’s time
to push them aside and start planning for
Christmas.
Step 1: write up a list of all teachers,
doctors, tradies, work colleagues, family and
Mexican spiced
Macadamia nuts
(Makes 2 cups)
2 cups (300g) raw Australian
Macadamia kernels
30g butter
1 tbs maple syrup
2 tbs (20g) Taco spice mix
(Fiery) or Mexican seasoning
(see Janelle’s Tip)
1. Preheat the oven 150°C fan
forced. Line a baking tray
with baking paper.
2. Melt the butter in a medium
frying pan over medium
heat. Add the maple and
spice mix or seasoning. Cook
shaking pan for 15 seconds.
Add the macadamia nuts, stir
to coat.
3. Spread the macadamia
nuts onto the tray. Roast
for 20-25 minutes, stirring
every 5 minutes until the
macadamias are golden and
roasted. Set aside to cool.
As a Christmas Gift: Pack them
into cellophane bags, then into
Christmas gift boxes or spoon
into clean, sterilised jars.
Storage: Nuts will keep 1 month
in airtight bags or jars, at room
temperature.
Tip: Use hot taco seasoning if
you like them spicy; alternately
you can use medium or regular
taco seasoning.
Aunt Dot’s
Rum Balls
(Makes about 24)
This recipe is a ‘family
heirloom’, and I think the
best rum balls ever!
250g pkt Marie biscuits
1 cup icing sugar
2 tbs cocoa powder
2 tbs (40ml) golden syrup
4 tbs (80ml) dark rum (see
Janelle’s Tip)
2 tbs (40ml) sherry
a good pinch sea salt flakes,
crushed
1 cup grated dark or milk
chocolate
1½ cups desiccated coconut,
chocolate sprinkles or extra
grated chocolate, for coating
1. Place the biscuits into a food
processor, process to fine
crumbs. Transfer to a mixing
bowl. Add the icing sugar,
friends who are on the home-made gifts list
for this year! Step 2: decide what to make –
and that’s where I can help you out. I have put
together my favourite things to make as gifts
that won’t break the bank, but will certainly
be received with gratitude. Get the family
together and start planning!
cocoa powder, golden syrup,
rum, sherry, salt and grated
chocolate. Mix well, adding
more rum if necessary to
make a suitable consistency
for rolling. The mixture
should come together in a
firm ball when to squeeze a
spoonful in your hand.
2. Spread the coconut, sprinkles
or extra grated chocolate
onto a plate.
3. Using damp hands (this helps
roll the balls into smooth
rounds), roll a small spoonful
of mixture into even size
ball, then roll in the coconut,
sprinkles or chocolate
(important to roll while the
surface of the rum ball is a
little wet from your damp
hands).
4. Place into small paper cases
and refrigerate at least 3
days. Rum balls get better the
longer they have to chill.
As a Christmas Gift: Place into
gift boxes or airtight jars and
give as a gift.
Janelle’s Tip: If you prefer not to
add alcohol, you can replace the
rum and sherry with ½ cup cold
espresso.
Gingerbread granola
(Makes 8 cups)
4 cups traditional rolled oats
3 cups mixed nuts (like walnuts,
whole almonds and pecans)
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup extra light olive oil or
grapeseed oil
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup golden syrup
1 tbs ground ginger
2 tsp each ground cinnamon
and nutmeg
1 cup dried fruit, like raisins,
sultanas, craisins, chopped
dried apricots
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C
fan forced. Grease a large
roasting pan with olive oil.
2. Combine the oats, nut and
sugar in a large bowl, mix
well.
3. Combine the oil, maple syrup
and golden syrup in a small
saucepan. Stir over medium
heat until hot. Remove from
the heat, stir in the spices.
Pour the warm spice mixture
into the oats. Mix well. Spoon
the mixture into the roasting
pan, spreading out evenly.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, stir
and bake a further 15-20
minutes without stirring (this
allows the granola to clump
together) or until golden.
Removed from the oven.
Scatter over the dried fruit,
set aside to cool.
As a Christmas Gift: Spoon
72 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

into airtight jars. Add
swing tags and Christmas
decorations.
Reindeer cookies
(Makes about 18)
125g butter, chopped at room
temperature
¼ cup caster sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1½ cups plain flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
100g milk chocolate, melted
red Smarties, Jaffas or M&Ms,
to decorate
1. Using an electric mixer,
beat the butter and sugars
together until creamy. Add
the egg and beat until just
combined. Sift the flour and
cinnamon together over the
butter mixture, beat on low
speed until the dough just
comes together.
2. Turn the dough onto a lightly
floured surface. Gently knead
until the base is smooth.
Divide into two. Shape each
into 2cm-thick discs. Wrap
in baking paper, place in the
fridge for 30 minutes.
3. Roll the dough between
sheets baking paper until
3mm thick. Use 8cm round
cutter to cut discs from the
dough, rerolling unused
dough and chilling as
require. Place cookies on
lined baking trays, allowing
a little room between each.
Place in the fridge 15 minutes
until firm.
4. Preheat oven to 180°C
fan forced. Bake for 10-12
minutes or until light golden.
Cool on trays.
5. Spoon the chocolate into a
resealable snap lock bag.
Make a small cut in one
corner. Use chocolate to
The Local Voice Since 1991
attach the smarties to the
biscuits for noses. Pipe the
remaining chocolate on the
biscuits to make reindeer
eyes and antlers. Allow to
set.
As a Christmas Gift: Place
into cellophane bags, tie with a
Christmas ribbon and swing tag
as gifts.
Microwave
caramilk, pistachio
craisin fudge
(Makes 16)
1x395g can condensed milk
1 cup caster sugar
100g butter, chopped
2 tbs liquid glucose or light
corn syrup (see tip)
180g caramilk or white
chocolate, chopped
2/3 cup pistachio kernels,
roughly chopped, toasted
½ cup craisins, roughly
chopped
1. Line a 20cm (base) square
cake pan with baking paper,
extending the paper up the
sides of the pan.
2. Combine condensed milk,
caster sugar, butter, and
glucose in a large heatproof,
microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave, uncovered, on
High, stirring every minute
for 6-8 minutes or until
mixture the mixture comes
to the boil, thickens and
changes a light caramel
colour.
3. Add the chocolate; stir until
chocolate melts and mixture
is smooth. Stir in most of
pistachio kernels and craisins
(leaving a few of each to
press on top). Pour into pan
and smooth the surface.
Sprinkle over the remaining
pistachio kernels and
For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
craisins, press into the fudge.
Place in the fridge 4 hours to
set. Cut into pieces.
As a Christmas Gift: Wrap
individually in baking paper
and place into gift boxes or
jars. Fudge will keep in the
fridge for 4 weeks.
Janelle’s Tip: You can buy
liquid glucose or light corn
syrup from supermarket or
health food stores.
Strawberry
margarita jam
(Makes 5 cups)
1kg fresh strawberries, washed,
hulled, roughly chopped
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon
juice
5 cups white sugar
2 tbs citrus pectin
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime
juice
½ cup tequila
¼ cup Triple Sec (or other
orange liqueur)
1. Combine strawberries and
lemon juice in a large bowl.
Add 1 cup of the sugar, stir
to coat. Cover and refrigerate
3 hours or overnight to
macerate.
2. Combine remaining sugar
with pectin and mix well (this
prevents the pectin from
clumping).
3. Pour the strawberry mixture
to a large non-reactive
saucepan. Add lime, tequila
and Trip sec, stir to combine.
Sprinkle over pectin sugar
mixture, stirring until well
combined.
4. Place over medium heat,
bring to the boil slowly,
stirring occasionally until
the sugar has dissolved. Boil
gently, stirring occasionally,
for 20-30 minutes, skimming
and scum from the top every
10 minutes. Cook until the
jam reaches the setting
point.
As a Christmas Gift: Spoon
into sterilised jars and seal.
Decorate with Christmas fabric
and ribbon.
To sterilise jars: Place jars
with lids in a large saucepan
of simmering water for 10
minutes. Using tongs, remove
jars and lids to a clean tea
towel. Ladel hot jam into hot
jars. Secure the lids. Turn the
jam upside down for 3 minutes
then turn upright and set aside
to cool.
Test for setting point: Place
a small plate in the freezer
for 10 minutes to chill. Drop a
spoonful of jam onto the chilled
plate. Refrigerate for 3 minutes.
Push your finger through the
chilled jam – if the jam stays
separate on the plate and
wrinkles as it is pushed, setting
point has been reached. If not,
cook for a little longer.
NOVEMBER 2023 73
Food Life

Food Life
Pick of the Month:
Food Life
Beetroot
Beetroot, which is ripe
when picked, can be
roasted, steamed, boiled,
baked microwaved, pickled
and grated raw.
They are a good source of
dietary fibre and folic acid
and contain a useful source
of vitamin C.
Select smooth skin
beetroot that are not split at
the top. The leaves and stems
should be intact.
Storage
Store beetroot in a storage
bag (with leaves intact) in the
crisper section of the fridge
for up to 10 days.
Preparation
Cut the stems from the
top of the beetroot,
leaving approximately
2-3cm depending on the
recipe. Leave the root end
untouched. Wash the beetroot
well to remove the surface
soil.
Cook with skin on to
avoid the colour running.
Use rubber gloves to rub
the skin from the beetroots
after cooking. The leaves are
edible, wash well to remove
soil and blanch, steam or
microwave until just wilted.
(Chop and use in soups, pasta
sauces.)
Pickled Beetroot
(Makes 1 x 2-cup jar)
This is delicious in salads,
on sandwiches, wraps and
burgers.
1 bunch beetroot, trimmed,
scrubbed
1 cup red wine vinegar
½ cup caster sugar
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp peppercorns
1 fresh bay leaf or 2 dried
bay leaves
½ tsp sea salt flakes
1 star anise
1. Preheat oven to 180°C fan
forced. Wrap the beetroot
together in foil. Place on
a tray. Roast for 1 to 1½
hours or until tender. Set
aside to cool.
2. Peel beetroot. Use a sharp
knife to chop the beetroot.
Place in a 2-cup
sterilised jar.
3. Combine.
In Season
November
Look out for a wide variety
of tomatoes, asparagus,
Asian greens; Hass
avocadoes; broad beans,
coloured baby carrots;
green and yellow beans;
beetroot; capsicum, peas;
green onions, zucchini
and zucchini flowers.
The top fruit buys are
blueberries, blackberries,
raspberries, strawberries,
grapes, pineapple, early
season cherries, mangoes
and melons including
rockmelon, green melon
and seedless watermelon.
74 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in November
You can't get enough
of these Bad Boys
Newport’s eat street has a new player.
Bad Boys Kebab adds kebabs, pide,
gozleme, Turkish pizza and burgers
to Robertson Rd’s global food scene.
Eat in, or order one of the takeaway
falafel wraps, stuffed with crunchy
pickles, tabouli, salad and hummus
sauce for an impromptu beach picnic.
For something different, the menu has
a camel burger.
Taste of Spain
hits Mona Vale
Hola Bocado! Pittwater RSL’s
newest eatery taps neatly
into tapas. Spanish for
“small bites”, Bocado’s menu
embraces savoury nibbles
like marinated meatballs
and bacon-wrapped chorizo.
There are more-substantial
sharing dishes including
flatbreads and a fiery prawn
pizza topped with chilli flakes
and sriracha mayo. The venue
opens on November 3.
In good spirits
at The Good Bar
Two buzzwords – cube
maturation – are the talk of
Brookvale. Goodradigbee is
distilling its brand of spirits
with an innovative, distinctly
Australian twist. Instead
of French or American oak
barrels, this new distillery is
using native hardwood cubes.
The cubes offer more contact
surface area than barrels so
the artisan spirits develop
their flavour, complexity
and colour much faster than
traditional barrel maturation
processes. Goodradigbee is
also distilling wood-infused
and native botanical gins
and vodka. The Good Bar on
Orchard Rd is open for tipples
and food on Wednesday
to Friday from 4pm. On
weekends, doors open at
noon on Saturdays and from
10am on Sundays.
Barrenjoey House is 100
From those early days of
Over the years too, this iconic
tea and scones to lobster Palm Beach venue has played
cocktails, charred broccolini a pivotal role in the culinary
with tahini and trendy mezcal backstory of several high-profile
cocktails, Barrenjoey House’s chefs. Peter Kuruvita, the late
menu has moved with the times Darren Simpson and Neil Perry
in its 100-year history.
have all worked in the kitchen.
Originally built for the Resch Until October 31, Barrenjoey You’ll find Casa, the new casual
family in 1923, its current
House is celebrating its very Italian restaurant and bar in the
owners, The Boathouse Group, special birthday with luxe $100 existing homewares store just
has created a restaurant, bar menus and champagne.
down the road. The menu has
and guest accommodation built Moving forward, the group antipasto, pizza and cocktails.
around its signature brand of has also unveiled Casa, a
Aperol Spritz paired with
Aussie Hampton style.
pop-up that’s summer-ready. shopping, what could be better?
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 75
Tasty Morsels

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Prepare for your new lawn
and you’ll soon be on a roll
If you are planning a new lawn, now is
the best time to get going before the
weather gets too hot. New lawns take
several weeks to establish but there
is still time to establish the grass in
readiness for Christmas entertaining. It
is a simple task but there are a few steps
that are essential for success.
First, prepare the ground well. Rake
and level the surface, removing any
weeds and stones. Weeds can be easily
removed with Slasher, or another weed
killer that does not sterilise the soil. If
you have sufficient soil loosen it with a
rake or hoe to a depth of at least 10cm;
alternatively, apply a layer of fresh, sandy
soil that can be supplied by your turf
supplier. The surface along pathways
should remain 2cm below the path to
allow for the thickness of the turf.
Next, add some lawn starter fertiliser
and water crystals to the surface before
laying the turf.
When rolling out the turf lay it in a
brick pattern. By doing this it will remain
stable until it is firmly rooted. Butt the
edges firmly together, leaving no gaps
between the edges; any soil that remains
exposed will allow weeds to creep in
before the new grass begins to grow.
If you lay turf on a sloping site, roll out
the turf horizontally across the area to
keep it in position. Vertical rolls will slip.
Once the turf is laid, water it
thoroughly and roll the whole area to
make sure that there is complete contact
between the turf and the soil below.
Rollers are easily hired for the day.
Each turf roll is one square metre
and measures approx 1.7m x 6m.
When ordering, allow for extra rolls
(5-10%) to avoid using small pieces to
fill the gaps. These small pieces rarely
take easily.
Watering is essential until the turf is
growing. Make sure not to let it dry out!
Summer water
We had a few heavy showers in mid-
October, but the soil remains dry.
It is time to prepare your garden for a
hot dry summer. Automated sprinkler
systems are fantastic but expensive; a
soaker hose will give a good soaking
to the soil at minimal cost. If shrubs
are taller, try stapling the soaker hose
to the top bar of the fence. A tap timer
that can be programmed to minimise
water wastage is easy to install.
There is often confusion about the
different benefits of water crystals and
liquid wetting agents. Both can help
with the dry conditions ahead.
A wetting agent is a liquid that is
applied to the surface of the earth,
either as a ready-to-use product or
mixed into a sprayer. By reducing the
surface tension, it will allow water to
penetrate dry, hydrophobic soil and
reach deep down to the roots of the
plants. An application to all lawns
and garden beds will be beneficial in
upcoming summer months.
Water crystals are different. They
are small beads that absorb the water.
They can increase up to 500 times their
size. Mixed into the soil or potting mix
they will store water to be released
slowly to the roots as needed. Water
crystals will reduce the number of
times that you will need to water your
plants.
A quick word of warning: They work
magic for your plants but keep them
away from pets and children as they
are toxic.
76 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Adenium Desert Rose
It is hard to believe that
the Desert Rose adenium
obesum, with its olive green
leaves and trumpet-shaped
flowers, is a member of the
succulent family. This exotic
plant is slow growing and
easy to grow, making it one
of the easiest plants for a
beginner or experienced
gardener alike.
It originates from the
hot dry regions of Africa
and the Middle East. The
swollen trunk and sculptured
branches make it easily
mistaken for a bonsai, but
it is not. Instead of swollen
leaves to store water like
most succulents, it stores the
water in its swollen trunk,
looking like a miniature
bottle tree.
The soft green leaves will
fall in autumn when the
temperature falls below 12
degrees and it will remain
dormant until spring, when
the flower buds appear in all
shades from white through
pink to deep crimson.
Shrimp plants are old-time favourites that are coming back
into popularity. The name is very appropriate. When it is
in full flower it looks as though it should be in the fish shop
window. The pinkish brown flowers look just like shrimps. The
“flowers” are bracts of colour, and the actual tiny white flowers
peep out from
behind.
Shrimp plants
have been
listed under
three different
names, but
most commonly
as Beloperone
guttata. Shrimp
plants love a warm,
semi-shaded
position. They
are amongst the
easiest plants
to grow. Trim
them regularly to
keep them bushy
and you will be
rewarded with
flowers year-round.
They will grow to
about 90cm tall and wide but can easily be kept smaller. The most
usual colour is pink but there is also a lime green and yellow one
available.
If you are very lucky there is a variegated pink variety which is
hard to find. Its flowers are brighter pink than the common pink
variety.
The Local Voice Since 1991
It is an amazing little
plant; it’s perfect for pots
indoors or out, where
the light is bright, has
sheltered morning sun and is
protected from the weather.
In a warmer climate where
it can be grown in the
ground the Desert Rose can
reach a height of 2m, but in
Sydney it is better grown in
pots. It will grow slowly, a
maximum of 30cm in a year;
it can be re-potted each year,
but to keep it small leave it
in the same pot for several
years before potting on.
Adeniums should be
grown in pots with great
drainage to prevent root rot,
using a succulent mix with
additional sand. They have
a shallow root system, so
bonsai pots are perfect. To
keep if flowering fertilise
monthly with a half-strength
liquid fertiliser.
To propagate, it can be
grown from seed that will set
after flowering, or you can
take z cutting in winter when
Shell out for Shrimp plant
it loses its leaves – be careful
as the sap is poisonous.
Allow the cut surface to
heal for several days before
planting into a cactus mix. If
you grow seeds the seedlings
will not always be the same
as the parent plant.
NOVEMBER 2023 77
Garden Life

Garden Life
Jobs this Month
November
Garden Life
After a mixed beginning
to spring with both
heatwaves and sudden
cold, at last the warmer
weather is settling in. If
you haven’t sown vegetable
seeds, buy some ready-toplant
seedlings. Plant now
tomatoes, climbing beans,
bush beans, squash, zucchini,
pumpkin, cucumber, spring
onions, carrots, lettuce,
capsicum, eggplant, basil,
coriander, parsley, oregano,
and all other herbs.
Worm watch
Army worm are on the march
as the weather warms up. If
tell-tale patches appear in the
grass, spray with Neem oil.
These caterpillars appear at
dusk to eat their fill of your
lawn and its roots. If you are
unsure, leave a damp towel
on the grass overnight and
look under it in the morning.
If caterpillars are there, they
will be under the towel.
Aggie care
It is Agapanthus month, with
purple and white flowers
everywhere! Remember to cut
back the flower heads before
they go to seed and escape
into neighbouring bushland.
Agapanthus come in all sizes,
from the giant white-and-blue
striped Queen Mum; the dark,
nearly black/violet flowers of
Black Panther; to the tiny white
Snow Flake (just 15cm tall)
that looks so dainty in a pot.
Choose carefully and make sure
of the height before planting.
Bad bindii
Too late now to control the
bindii in the grass. The seed
heads are already formed,
with the tiny barbs that
are designed to hook onto
passing prey to spread the
seed far and wide. Bindii
cannot differentiate between
human feet and the fur
coats of wild animals! The
only way now is to sit on the
grass with a glass of wine
and systematically dig out
the bindii plants. A garden
weeder makes the job easy.
Xmas colour
There are only a few weeks
until Christmas, but there is
still time to plant petunias,
alyssum, lobelia, bedding
begonias, asters, portulaca,
nasturtiums, gerberas, French
marigolds and ageratum. Get
them in now for Christmas
colour.
Tomato tips
Tomatoes are the most
popular vegetable and the
easiest to grow. The larger
table varieties attract fruit
fly and will need regular
treatment to protect the crop.
White oil sprays every week
and a Cera trap fruit fly bait
hanging on the plant. For
carefree tomato growing,
plant the small cherry-size
tomatoes. They don’t attract
the dreaded fruit fly.
Last things
Don’t forget the bees. Spray
flowering veggie crops with
Bee Keeper to increase the
pollination for a bumper crop…
Warm weather is bringing
back the weeds. Spray with an
organic weedkiller that won’t
harm the environment. Slasher
is one but there are many on
the market… If you harvest
your spring onions, either cut
them off just above the soil
leaving the roots, or replant
the roots. They will grow again
faster than new seedlings.
Crossword solution from page 82
Mystery location: HERON COVE
78 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Times Past
Barrenjoey High School memories
When Barrenjoey High School
opened in 1968 there were
almost a quarter of a million
students engaged in secondary school
education under the new Wyndham
Scheme. The first school magazine, produced
in 1971 and called ‘Kulka’, named
the 751 students who attended that year.
The Government Architect’s Office
helped to alleviate the pressing problem
of increasing student numbers using
what were called ‘doughnut buildings’,
with Michael Dysart as the brainchild.
They were usually sited around a central
area creating a large open space but, as
some students recalled, they created
a cold wind tunnel effect, especially
in winter. Apparently Dysart hadn’t
anticipated the prevailing sou-easterlies
of Avalon Beach sufficiently and one
ex-student recollected: “The wind would
blow off the ocean between the headland
and Avalon Beach sandhills but we
wouldn’t lower the hems on our uniforms
for anything.”
There are times when the history of an
event is best recounted by those present
as prime sources. Here are some recollections
to stir the memories.
“I remember jumping off the first floor
into the fibreglass insulation bags when
it was being built. We were so itchy after
the bags split open and the fibreglass got
into our skin.”
“We initially lived in Elaine Avenue
right behind the school and when
construction started and the pile driver
began thumping its way to bedrock, the
shudder was deafening.”
Up to eight students used to ride to
school and one student recalled “the
horse paddock gate would be ‘accidentally’
left unlatched at lunch time. Then,
shock, horror… classes would notice that
the horses had escaped, requiring students
to rush out of class to rescue the
THROUGH THE YEARS:
BHS after construction
in 1968; a recent aerial
which shows clearly
the squared ‘donut
design’ by Dysart; the
striking cover a 1974
issue of ‘Kulka’.
horses”. Another recalled “several horses
jumped the barricade in the mood of
a stampede and the other horses just
ploughed through it. They formed a herd
of around seven horses clattering down
Tasman Road”.
Milton Brown, one of the teachers, was
a member of the NSW School Surfing
Association and after intense lobbying of
the Department of Education from 1976
to 1980, managed to have Barrenjoey
High School declared the first school
to have surfing officially approved as
a school sport. As a consequence, one
recollection claimed that “not everyone
who entered the cross country through
he sandhills returned, they got lost in
the surf.”
Another recalled that “some boys
would go for a surf at lunch and return
covered in sand – if they returned at all”.
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
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 79

Travel Life
The North Pole: [Northern]
Travel Life
There’s a lot to take in at arguably the remotest place on the planet. Story by Sharon Godden
The North Pole – the top of
the world, not Santa’s home
– is a famed, almost mystical
geographical location. But it does exist
– and in August, my daughter and I were
privileged to join the ranks of the few
thousand people to have ticked it off
their destination bucket list.
To put things into perspective, our
voyage was on the stately PONANT vessel
Le Commandant Charcot’s ninth trip to the
North Pole – and only 168 times has any
ship ever reached 90° North. Only around
22,000 people have ever reached there.
The first man to ever reach the North
Pole was Ronald Amundsen in 1926, on
an airship which flew over the ice caps
with 16 men onboard.
Almost 100 years on, our journey
started with a charter flight from Paris to
Norway’s Spitsbergen archipelago, where
we boarded Le Commandant Charcot.
We set off not realising the remarkable
adventure that lay in store.
In the evening we were briefed by our
captain Patrick Marchesseau (regarded
as somewhat of a nautical hero given his
capture by Somali pirates on Le Ponant);
we were to sail north and could expect to
see our first sea ice in two days. Beyond
this point we would be breaking through
ice drifts for another two days, before
reaching the geographic North Pole.
Crushing through sea ice is an outof-body
experience. With 24 hours of
daylight, the sun hovers slightly over the
horizon and the ice covers the ocean,
creating a desert of white – it’s like flying
in a plane through clouds just before
sunset. Crushing through the ice can
also be a similar feeling to turbulence on
a plane; it’s more of a vibration than a
rocking sensation.
En route we were treated to
numerous lectures from the expedition
team, including qualified naturalists,
photographers and scientists.
Vessels cruising these waters are
invested in scientific investigations,
given their ability to enter such
remote environments. An onboard
science research lab is kitted out for
experiments.
My favorite place to experience the ice
crushing was from the bow, watching the
ice crack and shatter. Every morning we’d
pull back the curtains of our cabin and it
was like a Christmas surprise, wondering
what new vista awaited. The excitement
among travellers and crew is palpable for
days; we are also on 24-hour lookout for
wildlife including Polar Bears, seals and
whales.
On the fourth morning Captain Patrick
announces we will reach the North Pole
that afternoon. At 2pm we all gather on
the helicopter pad at the front of the ship.
Finally, we arrive. The vessel reaches 90
degrees North. Patrick sounds the horn
and the crew let off flares. Then an opulent
surprise: rising from below deck, up to
the helipad, champagne and canapes are
conveyed – accompanied by a saxophonist
playing ‘What A Wonderful World’.
This was a true ‘Ponant moment’ when
we thought “we are the luckiest humans on
the planet to be in this place right now”.
After the welcome celebration we
prepared to disembark and venture out
onto the ice sheet; we put on orange
parkers (supplied by Ponant), plus our
boots, thermals and beanies; we were ready
to play! (I say play because we were all like
kids playing in the snow with snowshoes/
cross country skis and toboggans.)
We would have been out there for a
couple of hours but the unexpected
Plan your perfect Cruise with us! Call
80 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: Four days from civilisation; the Northern Lights;
we made it – only 168 times has any ship reached 90 degrees North; crushing
through the ice – “it’s an out-of-body experience”; snug on an icy expedition
within sight of Le Commandant Charcot; the “friendly” Polar Bear that managed
to sniff out our cruise party from its home two kilometres away!
happened; the expedition team started
ushering us back onboard, saying they
needed to pack up. However, it was
revealed a polar bear from around two
kilometres away was making its way to
the ship.
We watched as the most magnificent
animal I have ever seen in the wild
walked across the icy expanse to
our ship. The bear had smelled our
footprints in the snow and was probably
thinking “how I am going to eat these
people”. (Actually, it probably smelled
the amazing French cuisine onboard that
was being cooked for our dinner.) The
Polar Bear stayed around for an hour,
which enabled us to just sit and observe
this beautiful creature.
We remained parked on the ice sheet
overnight before the expedition team
went out the next morning, scouting to
make sure there were no Polar Bears still
hanging around. The expedition team
set up a guarded perimeter around the
ship so that we could explore. On the
day’s agenda was more fun on the ice
– and the ‘Polar plunge’, an incredible,
exhilarating experience.
We left the North Pole that afternoon;
there was some sadness in knowing that
we possibly would never return and that
Lights, cameras, action!
quite possibly in years to come this ice
sheet will be gone… along with the Polar
Bears that call this place home.
Captain Patrick was quick to lift our
spirits, telling us the second half of
the cruise was going to be every bit as
exciting. We headed back to Svalbard for
three days and over to East Greenland.
In Svalbard, we visited Ny-Alesund, a
research town where Amundsen and
his men left in their airship to reach the
North Pole. We cruised in Zodiacs up
close and personal to Lilliehook Glacier,
where we could hear the cracking and
rumble of the glacier sliding into the
sea (also known as ‘carving’). The blues,
whites and greys of the landscapes
were so enchanting it was difficult to
stop taking more and more photos. We
saw more Polar Bears on land from our
Zodiacs (not too close). One morning
when we awoke there was so much fog
that we got in the Zodiac and seconds
later could not even see the ship
(although we did see a group of walruses
which came close to us in the ocean).
Last stop was Ittoqqortoormiit, one
of the remotest towns on the planet
in East Greenland inhabited by Inuit
people. Some of the guests went for a
four-hour hike with the expedition team.
(Everywhere we stopped on land you had
an option of hiking or possibly kayaking,
depending on the weather.)
Then we journeyed back to Iceland,
cruising past beautiful icebergs with the
sun setting. That evening at 11.30pm,
when most of us were asleep, the
captain announced over the loudspeaker
that the Northern Lights were out and
putting on a show! Jumping out of bed,
we quickly dressed and raced outside to
watch a mesmerising two-hour show of
the Northern Lights. What a way to end
the cruise!
After one more day at sea we arrived
in Iceland to start our land adventure.
Be warned: once you visit the world’s
polar regions you will want to keep
going back for more – the polar areas
are captivating, and so integral to what
keeps humans alive, and the planet’s
environments balanced.
*The author would like to thank Ponant
for the opportunity to experience the
world’s first luxurious Ice Breaker and
its journey of exploration through the
polar regions. For more information on
the Le Commandant North Pole trips,
or any of the polar regions, call Travel
View Avalon on 9973 4444. We would
love to help!
Travel Life
the team on 9918 4444
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2023 81

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
28 To separate by untwisting (7)
29 Pittwater haven, Scotland
______ (6)
30 Reflector studs set into a road
(4,4)
Pittwater Puzzler
ACROSS
1 Park located along the southern
foreshores of Narrabeen Lagoon (8)
5 Fishing equipment attached to
fishing lines indicating biting fish (6)
10 Provide commentary for a film,
for example (7)
11 To mark or ornament with
incised letters, designs, etc. (7)
12 One the events in the Pittwater
Ocean Swim Series (3,3,4)
13 Band that Rod Willis helped get
to the top, ____Chisel (4)
14 Mentally perceptive and
responsive (2,3,4)
17 Local boatbuilder who plans to
compete in the Mini Globe Race in
2025, ____ Swindail (4)
19 Careel, Towlers, Crystal are
some (4)
20 Person who loads new program
onto a computer (9)
23 To eject or expel (4)
24 Artist whose works are now
on display at Manly Art Gallery &
Museum; a former Archibald Prize
winner (4,6)
27 Guacamole ingredient (7)
DOWN
1 The meeting of two major roads,
like Pittwater Road and Mona Vale
Road (8)
2 To cause to be swallowed up or
absorbed in something greater or
superior (5)
3 Testing people (9)
4 Expanse of ocean (4,3)
6 The star of Graham Draper’s
‘The Pittwater Brick Show’ (4)
7 Local club that features Bistro 61
(6,1,1,1)
8 Done without delay (6)
9 A wire, rod, etc. exposed to
receive or emit electromagnetic
waves (6)
15 Spore-producing, poisonous,
umbrella-shaped fungus (9)
16 Group of linked computers that
communicate with each other (3)
17 People who have received a
degree on completing a course of
study, as at a university or college
(9)
18 Small fancy articles, bits of
jewellery, or the like, usually of
little value (8)
20 Located, suited for, or taking
place within a building (6)
21 An Italian anise-flavoured
liqueur (7)
22 Band playing at 7-down with
Russell Hopkinson on drums
(3,2,1)
25 The people as distinguished
from some particular profession,
usually the clerical (5)
26 The first light of day, a
magic time on any Pittwater
ocean beach (4)
[Solution page 78]
82 NOVEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991