Pittwater Life March 2024 Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024
FREE
pittwaterlife
IS PEP-11 DEAD FOREVER?
ANGRY MONA VALE STREET RESIDENTS RESIST BUS RE-ROUTE
PITTWATER ARTISTS TRAIL / EASTER COLOURING-IN COMPETITION
THE WAY WE WERE / WHARF REVUE / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...

Editorial
High emotions on high rise
In January, we revealed the
NSW Government’s proposed
overhaul of planning laws that
would permit seven-storey
high-rise in appropriately
zoned areas in and adjoining
town centres of suburbs
across Pittwater including
Warriewood, Mona Vale,
Newport and Avalon Beach –
without options of refusal.
Council has made a
submission to the Government
hoping to at least get a say in
the approval process (page 22);
we’ll keep you updated on the
government response.
* * *
If you’ve never set foot on a
Pittwater Artists Trail, this
month is your chance to sample
the works of the talented artists
under the one roof.
Twenty artists will gather
at the Newport Community
Centre for their 2024 Group
Exhibition and Charity
fundraiser, with an opening
evening on Friday March 15
and showing on March 16-17.
They will hold a silent auction
of 20 works – this year, 50 per
cent of proceeds will go to child
play therapy facilitators Be
Centre.
The Group exhibition
is a prelude to their 2024
Trail weekends in July and
November.
Get out and support your
local creatives – including
Ben Waters, whose Pittwaterinspired
art graces our cover.
* * *
This month we say farewell
to our gardening columnist
Gabrielle Bryant. Gabrielle
has been a contributor to
this magazine on all things
‘green thumb’ for 30 years. Her
insights, wisdom and passion
have helped generations of
locals tend and grow their
gardens. On behalf of Pittwater
Life and readers, we wish her all
the best – and many relaxing
hours in her own beloved Palm
Beach garden. – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 3

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Email:
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Publisher: Nigel Wall
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Contributors: Rob Pegley,
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Jennifer Harris, Janelle Bloom,
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* The complete Pittwater Life archive can be
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Vol 34 No 8
Celebrating 33 years
6
38
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024
FREE
pittwaterlife
IS PEP-11 DEAD FOREVER?
ANGRY MONA VALE STREET RESIDENTS RESIST BUS RE-ROUTE
PITTWATER ARTISTS TRAIL / EASTER COLOURING-IN COMPETITION
THE WAY WE WERE / WHARF REVUE / SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD...
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thislife
INSIDE: Mona Vale residents are livid about a planned bus
rerouting down their narrow street (p6); elsewhere in Mona
Vale, the historic Victory Tree has died (p9); new legislation
first championed locally may see the controversial
PEP-11 gas exploration licence finally scrapped (p20);
Council hopes to liaise with the NSW Government to limit
feared overdevelopment; the hilarious Wharf Revue is
coming to Glen Street Theatre (p24); and Radio Northern
Beaches celebrates 40 years of community operation (p38).
COVER: ‘Treeline Reflection’ / Ben Waters (work sold)
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 6-37
The Way We Were 28
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 30
Community News 34-37
Life Story: Radio Northern Beaches turns 40 38-41
Hot Property 42
Author Q&A 44
Art 45
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 46-51
Money 52-53
Food & Tasty Morsels 58-61
Gardening 62-64
Crossword 65
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MARCH 2024 The Local Voice Since 1991

Bus shift ‘dangerous’
News
Residents of Cook Terrace at Mona
Vale are fuming over a plan to reroute
a State Bus service down their
street.
In January, residents received a letter
from Northern Beaches Council informing
them bus contractor Keolis Downer wished
to reroute the 155 bus, which services the
Mona Vale Hospital to Northern Beaches
Hospital run, due to safety reasons.
The bus currently operates up and down
Narrabeen Park Parade. Council’s proposal
– following a review with Keolis
Downer – is to reroute the run’s
northbound buses to Melbourne
Avenue and Cook Terrace.
In its letter, Council said it had
received concerns from residents
and bus drivers regarding the
limited opportunities for two
buses to pass each other on
Narrabeen Park Parade between
Melbourne Avenue and Cook
Terrace.
“This is due to the narrow
width of the road and on-street
parking which restricts carriageway
width,” Council said.
“Buses have had to reverse a
long distance to allow the opposing
bus to pass, and have on occasion
sustained damage. Parked
vehicles have also been damaged
and there is concern about pedestrian
safety noting the high use
of the street by pedestrians.”
However, Cook Terrace residents spokespeople
Helen Prentice and Joanne Trevitt
said this would pose a more significant
hazard, even though buses would be limited
to one direction of flow.
Council said the re-routing would alleviate
pinch-points and “vision blockouts”
along North Narrabeen Parade. But Mrs
Prentice and Mrs Trevitt said a re-routing
would only contribute to create further
serious pinch points and vision blackouts.
“Moving the northbound bus to Cook
Terrace to then turn left into Narrabeen
Park Parade will only further compromise
safety,” they told Pittwater Life. “This
turn has very limited visibility of traffic
proceeding up the hill from Mona Vale
Hospital, south on Narrabeen Park Parade.
The current situation where buses often get
stuck in this northern section of Narrabeen
Park Parade and need to reverse to allow
passing, will be made considerably worse.
“The street is constantly clogged with
parked cars, with Hospital staff and
OUTRAGED: Cook Terrace residents have received support from Pittwater
Ward Councillor Michael Gencher (in suit).
PHOTO: Supplied
visitors utilising the street’s unrestricted
parking each day, as well as dog owners accessing
the adjoining Robert Dunn Reserve
to walk their pets.
“Cook Terrace is a narrow residential
street with no footpath. It is a thoroughfare
for cars and pedestrians to access the dog
park and South Mona Vale Beach.
“Vehicles using Cook Terrace travelling
in opposing directions are unable to pass
without pulling into driveways. The suggestion
of introducing buses in this street
would therefore significantly heighten
safety concerns for pedestrians and vehicle
owners alike.”
Residents have proposed several solutions
including re-routing northbound
buses wholly via Melbourne Avenue and
placing a bus stop at the bottom of Melbourne
Ave and Coronation Street.
“This would give passengers easy and
safe access via an existing footpath and
pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights on
the corner of Coronation Street and Pittwater
Road.”
Pittwater Ward Councillor
Michael Gencher said it was crucial
Council addressed residents’
concerns.
However, he noted residents of
Melbourne Avenue opposed a solution
involving their street, with
similar concerns aired about
disruptions and safety.
He added: “Exploring the
feasibility of smaller buses and
incorporating a bus loop within
the hospital grounds aligns with
long-term accessibility goals and
mitigates challenges posed by
narrow residential streets like
Cook Terrace.
“By prioritising safety, efficiency,
and community input,
a comprehensive approach can
effectively address transportation
needs.”
Council told Pittwater Life that
while two vehicles cannot pass at the same
time on Cook Terrace, Transport for NSW
was satisfied there was ample space for
vehicles to pull over and safely let another
vehicle pass.
“At this stage it is intended that feedback
from the community will be presented to
the Traffic Committee on 5 March before a
decision is made on whether the proposed
changes will be implemented.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
6 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

What lengths a lost pet?
News
What lengths would you go to find a missing pet? For
Kristy Berry and her missing cat Bentley, it’s absolutely
any length.
“I cry quite a bit about it,” begins Kristy. “He’s my family. I
have his brother Murphy here with me and he’s so sad, too.”
Always an indoor cat, Kristy says she
would pop home during her break working at
Alma in Avalon, to feed Bentley and her other
feline guests: “I had nine cats staying at the
time as I foster cats sometimes.”
On New Year’s Eve she returned home
during the day and couldn’t find Bentley, a
two-year-old lilac Burmese.
“Alma let me work a short shift – they’ve
been amazing throughout all of this,” says
Kristy. “I spent the rest of New Year’s Eve
looking for him.”
And she hasn’t stopped.
“I go out around 10pm to check the streets.
And I get up at 3am to have another look.
Early on I slept with the door open in case he
sneaked in.”
“I’ve door-knocked hundreds of homes in
North Avalon. We’ve printed 1500 flyers and
put 300 posters on telegraph poles. I’ve put up posters both
sides of the Bilgola Bends.”
Around week three, Kristy bought a security camera and set
it up at a vacant house nearby and baited the place with food.
Around the same time she spent 48 hours camped out at a
friend’s place where there had been a sighting.
HOPEFUL: Kristy with Bentley.
Then in week four she enlisted a ‘pet communicator’.
“I googled for ‘pet psychic’, I think,” says Kristy good-naturedly.
While Kristy might say she’s a “crazy cat lady”, she’s not,
well, crazy. She’s just desperate to find her beloved Bentley, but
very aware that it’s slightly obsessive.
What else can you do when you love your
pet?
“I came across Becky Willoughby in the UK
and contacted her, and sent six pictures of
Bentley,” explains Kristy.
Willoughby claims success in reuniting
pets with their owners – including a dog in
outback Australia.
“She’s communicated with him three
times now and feels he’s alive,” Kristy adds
hopefully.
“She gets words from him such as ‘park’,
‘field’, ‘avenue’ and ‘church’. She thinks he
was chased off by another cat – perhaps a
Tabby I saw on camera – and that someone
has taken him in and is feeding him. But
she’s sure he’s alive and not injured.
“I don’t know if I believe it 100%, but I need
to keep going.”
Kristy is hoping Pittwater Life readers can help – you can
contact her on 0404 190 311 if you think you’ve seen Bentley.
“I’m thinking someone local might have him and they think
they’re doing the right thing,” says Kristy. “Maybe we can reach
them this way.”
– Rob Pegley
8 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Vale Mona Vale Victory Tree
Northern Beaches Council says it
other commemorative tree nearby
will plant a new commemorative
to reflect on this significant time in
tree in Mona Vale after confirmation
the century-old ‘Victory Tree’
planted on the site of the original
Methodist Church has died.
The towering Holly Oak was planted
in 1920 within the grounds of the
then church on Pittwater Road. It
was one of 200 trees planted across
NSW under a church youth program
to honour those who served in World
War I – and was one of only a few
which remained.
The Victory Tree is now located on
our history.”
At the height of its health in 2016,
Pittwater Council erected an interpretive
sign at the base of the tree.
Mona Vale & District Residents
Association (MVRA) Chair Kelvin
Auld said community members
had, with regret, noticed the
gradual decline of “this extremely
significant item of living heritage”.
“The association and residents
express both appreciation and a
sense of loss,” Mr Auld said.
private property.
“The tree commemorated the
LEST WE FORGET: The dead Victory Tree.
Eight months ago, Council said it
brave sacrifice of Australian diggers
was invited by the property owner
to consult on the tree’s health, as it was
Council said it was now planning to
plant another symbolic tree nearby, as
in the World War I that contributed
so much to Australia’s nation hood – lest
showing signs of illness. Council’s Tree they had been told it was inadvisable to we forget.
Services organised testing on the tree
plant a tree in the same location due to
“A replacement tree, or special place of
which established that it was suffering
commemoration would be most welcome.”
soil contamination. A date and location
from Armillaria Root Rot.
were yet to be set.
In consultation with experts from
Council said responsibility for removing
the dead tree lay with the property
Mayor Sue Heins told Pittwater Life: “I
the Sydney Botanic Garden Plant Clinic,
several interventions were carried out to
am saddened to hear of the loss of the
owners.
improve the tree’s chances of survival, historic Victory Tree in Mona Vale which They would not disclose who owns the
unfortunately without success.
The property owner is now in discussion
with Council’s Heritage Officer for
guidance on commemorating the tree.
served as a reminder of our fallen soldiers
and a place of reflections for their
loved ones.
“I’m looking forward to planting an-
property due to privacy issues.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 9

News
Barrenjoey Headland
short stays ruled out
Locals opposed to the introduction of
short-stay accommodation on Barrenjoey
Headland are celebrating a backflip by the
Minns Labor Government that will no longer
see it pursue the proposal.
Pittwater MP Rory Amon, the local Palm
Beach & Whale Beach Association (PBWBA)
and hundreds of community members who
campaigned relentlessly over past years
have welcomed news that the plan has been
abandoned.
Mr Amon explained that in November 2022,
the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
(NPWS) proposed that
historic cottages on
the Headland would
be used for short-term
accommodation as
part of a Draft Plan of
Management for the
site.
The plan was met
with significant
community opposition,
with hundreds
attending a rally
organised by the
PBWBA at Governor
Philip Park, Palm Beach
in January 2023.
had opposed the plan over more than a decade,
including Mr Amon, Mackellar Independent MP
Dr Sophie Scamps and the ‘Save Barrenjoey’
community group.
“Also our wonderful local community who
attended our rally last year at relatively short
notice, and at a time when many were on
holidays,” he said.
“This was the second rally in which the
PBWBA had sought to save the buildings on
Barrenjoey Headland from unsympathetic
re-use for accommodation purposes – the
previous rally took place in 2013 and featured
a particularly fiery
speech from the late
Harvey Rose, former
Mayor of Pittwater.”
Mr Mackinnon said
despite uncertainty
since the 2023 state
election, the PBWBA
also acknowledged the
influence of Minister
Sharpe.
“When we held our
‘Save Barrenjoey’ rally,
which attracted around
300 people in drizzly
conditions, Ms Sharpe
spoke passionately
“While the then Labor CELEBRATION: Pittwater MP Rory Amon with thankful about the need to
Opposition promised members of the PBWBA at Palm Beach.
preserve the buildings
to scrap the plan, following their election,
on Barrenjoey Headland indicating that to alter
it became apparent the Government was
them would be to lose their integrity.”
considering a deviation on this commitment,”
But he warned “the battle isn’t over yet”.
said Mr Amon.
“Rather, we are about to enter another phase.
He said that last June, Minister for
We urge Minister Sharpe to make the heritage
Environment Penny Sharpe had backtracked
on Labor’s promise to scrap the plan, revealing
buildings on Barrenjoey Headland available for
that “management options for heritage
cultural and community purposes,” he said.
buildings will be considered” in response to
“To begin, we’d love to see the buildings
Mr Amon’s question in Parliament asking the
restored to the state they were in in 1881 and
Government to honour its commitment to scrap
reused as interpretive centres.
the plan for short-stay visitor accommodation. “There are a myriad of stories, many of them
“In light of this uncertainty, we continued to untold, that would allow residents and visitors
fight tooth and nail and I am very pleased to alike to celebrate the extraordinary richness of
report that the accommodation plan has finally the natural, indigenous and colonial history of
been scrapped,” said Mr Amon.
this part of Sydney.”
In January 2024, in response to Mr Amon’s Pittwater Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy
further question in Parliament, Ms Sharpe said the announcement was fantastic news.
advised that the final plan of management
“Since the mid-19th century, Barrenjoey
would “rule out the use of heritage buildings at lighthouse and its keepers have warned ships
Barrenjoey Head for visitor accommodation”. that once plied the Hawkesbury River, as well as
PBWBA spokesperson Robert Mackinnon said those travelling between Newcastle and Sydney,
it was a great outcome.
of the dangerous rocks below.
“And not just for local residents but also for “This would be a wonderful site for a local
the estimated 250,000-plus people who trek up maritime museum exploring this history,” she
to Barrenjoey Headland each year – in fact, that suggested.
number is probably conservative as it was taken “The cottages contain a wealth of historical
by NPWS in pre-COVID days, he said. “And the artifacts, providing a glimpse into a bygone
peninsula has seen a surge in visitations since era. I would like to see them professionally
the COVID lockdowns.”
conserved and opened to the public. – NW
Mr Mackinnon said the PBWBA wished to *What do you think? Tell us at readers@
thank the many individuals and groups who pittwaterlife.com.au
10 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Council spills on Gencher split
Last month, Pittwater
Ward Councillor
Michael Gencher
defected from the Your
Northern Beaches
Independent Team
(YNBIT) party to join
the Liberal Party.
We approached Cr
Gencher’s 14 councillor
colleagues for comment.
Bianca Crvelin
Narrabeen Ward – Libs
“In the time that I’ve known Cr
Gencher, I’ve come to admire
his dedication to serving the
community. His commitment
to voting with conscience and
prioritising the concerns of
his constituents truly sets him
apart as a public servant.
“Now that Cr Gencher has
decided to align himself with
the Liberal Party, I see this
as an exciting opportunity
for us to collaborate more
closely. I am eager to work
alongside him, leveraging
his insights and values to
further our shared goals and
objectives. I am confident
that his contributions will be
invaluable, and I look forward
to the positive impact we can
make together.”
Miranda Korzy
Pittwater Ward – Greens
“The new Pittwater Liberal’s
change of allegiance
won’t alter my focus on
environmental protection and
supporting our community.”
Ruth Robins
Narrabeen Ward – YNBIT
“I thank Michael Gencher
for his work with our team
and wish him the best for his
future.”
Georgia Ryburn
Manly Ward – Libs
“Cr Michael Gencher defecting
to the Liberal Party is
unsurprising.
“Like us Liberal Councillors,
he has continuously
demonstrated he cares
about easing the cost-ofliving
burden, protecting
our environment, and
valuing transparency and
MOVEMENT: Within the ranks of our elected Council.
accountability on Council.
“I look forward to
continuing to work closely
with Cr Gencher as we make
the Beaches better.”
Jose Menano-Pires
Frenchs Forest Ward – YNBIT
“I’ve met and worked with Cr
Michael Gencher for almost
three years. During that
time, I found Michael to be
an interested and committed
Councillor, with a deep
understanding of the issues
affecting our Community.
“He has served the Northern
Beaches in general and Pittwater
residents in particular in a
very professional and competent
manner.
“I wish Michael and his
family well on his future
endeavours.”
Vincent De Luca
Narrabeen Ward –
Independent
“While I believe Council now
has a much better culture
under Mayor Sue Heins, I
will always argue that Local
Government should be about
the residents and their needs
and interests – and not
dominated by political parties
and used as a stepping stone
to State or Federal Parliament.
“After watching how the
Your Northern Beaches
Independent Team (a
registered political party) has
operated, I understand why Cr
Michael Gencher resigned.
“I note the Liberal
Party, while accepting his
membership, has not endorsed
him as a Liberal Councillor so
I hope he approaches matters
independently and votes how
the Pittwater Ward residents
expect him to.
“I know many have asked
the Pittwater Ward Councillors
to move for a Referendum
of their Ward on whether
Pittwater Council should be reestablished
to stop rate rises
and increased development. It
will be interesting to see if Cr
Gencher takes up their cause.”
Karina Page
Narrabeen Ward – Libs
“Being a fellow Pittwater Ward
councillor, I have worked
well with Michael and look
forward to a stronger working
relationship.
“Michael is very dedicated
and caring of his community.
His passion for Pittwater and
the greater community of
the Northern Beaches is very
evident.
“I am very happy about
Michael joining the Liberal
Party; I believe he will bring
a more measured approach
to decisions we are required
to make. As a Liberal we all
have the ability to vote using
our common sense, which
is for the betterment of the
community at large, and not
feel pressured to vote on
emotive issues or as a bloc.”
Mayor Sue Heins
Curl Curl Ward – YNBIT
“No comment.”
Stuart Sprott
Frenchs Forest Ward – Libs
“What can I say, he (Cr
Gencher) is a very smart man.”
Sarah Grattan
Manly Ward – YNBIT
“I wish Cr Gencher all the
best.”
David Walton
Curl Curl Ward – Libs
“I am very happy that
Councillor Michael Gencher
has decided to join the Liberal
Party. My observations of
Michael over the past three
years on Council, is that he
is a considered, informed
and dedicated Councillor in
serving the Northern Beaches
and Pittwater communities.
He also always appeared to
very unwilling to enter into
the bloc voting of the YNBIT
political party – particularly
when they bloc voted through
rate increases above inflation.
“Michael, as a successful
business owner and CEO, is
more in tune with our Liberal
philosophy of ensuring the
rights and freedoms of all
residents, the importance
of family, businesses and
the rule of law, as well as
working towards a lean local
government that does not add
to the cost-of-living pressures
through rate increases above
inflation that has been caused
by indulging Councillors’
wasteful expenditure whims.
“Of course, all Councillors
care for our environment and
protecting our great beaches
and bushland across the
Northern Beaches.
Michael will now add to
the Liberal Councillor’s aim
of stopping the wasteful
council spending, like the
new rubbish bins that nobody
wanted or needed; reducing
the rate increases to below
inflation to stop adding
cost-of-living pressures to
residents and families on the
Northern Beaches; and sticking
to core local government
responsibilities of roads, rates,
rubbish, footpaths, playing
fields, parks and improving
the liveability of the Northern
Beaches.”
No reply received: Cr Candy
Bingham (Manly Ward – Good
For Manly); Cr Michael Regan
(Frenchs Forest Ward – YNBIT);
Cr Kristyn Glanville (Curl Curl
Ward – Greens). – Nigel Wall
12 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Battle of Beaches brewing
It’s on! Battle of the Beaches is coming
to North Narrabeen on Saturday, March
2, pitting the best Northern Beaches
boardriding clubs and surfers against
each other to determine number one.
There’s $10,000 in prize money up for
grabs and the winning club will get to
host next year.
But probably more important is who
will get bragging rights in what’s believed
to be the first standalone comp of its kind
on the Northern Beaches for decades.
The idea came from Northern Beaches
native and publican Ben Hanson, who
bought the Park House Mona Vale with his
uncle, Arthur Laundy, Sydney’s biggest
pub owner, in October last year.
“I basically grew up in Dee Why and
was in the Dee Why and North Curlie
boardriders and when I bought Park
House I wanted to get involved with the
boardriding clubs again,” says Hanson.
So he reached out to another family
connection, his brother-in-law and former
pro surfer Greg Anderson, and they
concocted Battle of the Beaches.
Anderson put Hanson in touch with
Damien Hardman and Nathan Webster
from North Narrabeen and the concept
quickly became reality.
Contest Director and surfing icon
Hardman – the 1987 and 1991 ASP World
Tour champion – says the last event of
this kind he remembers on the Northern
Beaches was more than 40 years ago.
“The first teams event I ever surfed
in was a five-way comp at Narrabeen
probably back in the late 1970s – it was
huge… a really big event,” says Hardman.
“Surfing is such an individual sport you
don’t really get the opportunity very often
to surf as a team. To surf as a team brings
the whole beach together.”
He says the standard of surfing will be
elite. “On the Northern Beaches you’ve got
so many great surfers. Many of the clubs
qualify for the Australian Boardriders
Battle most years.”
For Nathan Webster, a former pro surfer
and now Pathways Manager at Surfing
NSW, local boardrider comps play a huge
role in the surfing community.
“For me, a lot of it started, and is
ending, at the club level,” jokes Webster,
who now has a family but still competes
at the boardrider level.
“You know, after going on the tour, I
now have my residual competitive itch
scratched by competing in these events,”
says Webster.
CO-ORDINATORS:
Ben Hanson,
Nathan Webster and
Damien Hardman.
Battle of the Beaches is a tag team
competition with 11 clubs confirmed:
North Steyne, Queenscliff, Freshwater,
Curl Curl, Dee Why, Long Reef, North
Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Bungan, Newport
and North Avalon.
There’ll be five surfers from each club:
two open men, another aged 40 or over, a
male junior and a female surfer.
Prize money is provided by the Park
House and 4 Pines Brewing Co. First prize
is $5000, the runner up gets $2500, third
place $1000.
The presentation at the Park House
starts at 4pm after the contest and is
followed by live music featuring Chase
Makai Trio. All are welcome. – Martin Kelly
PHOTO: Martin Kelly
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 13

OLYMPIC DREAM:
Bayley Sadler
(centre) competing
at the 2024 Winter
Youth Olympics.
News
Bayley takes stock of future
Fresh from competing in the 2024
Winter Youth Olympics, Pittwater
local Bayley Sadler has his eyes
on a spot at the next Winter Olympics
in Milan – but first there is Year 11 to
negotiate…
You have to wonder how a kid like
Bayley, born and bred by the beach, ends
up representing Australia at the Winter
Youth Olympics.
The answer is determination and great
parents.
Bayley lives at Newport and like most
teenagers there he surfs spots like
Bungan and grabs a feed at The Honest
Chicken on Barrenjoey Road. Unlike most
local kids though, he started skiing at the
age of three and has spent every Term 3
since Year 1 on the slopes at Perisher.
“My brother started skiing when he
was five, and we would go and stay in a
unit in Perisher,” explains Bayley. “My
parents weren’t skiers, but they would
take us there every year. In fact, from
Year 1 onwards I would change schools
for Term 3 and ski that whole time.
“It was a lot of work and effort on the
part of my parents to do it,” Bayley acknowledges,
“and my school Pittwater High
has been great about the whole thing.”
Both brothers started off alpine skiing,
before Bayley’s brother swapped to
snowboarding and managed to win a
spot at the 2020 Youth Olympics. While
he has stopped hitting the slopes for
now, sibling Bayley has taken things to
the next level.
“About a year ago I really started zoning
in on Ski Cross after competing in
lots of different events – and I have been
competing seriously throughout 2023.
“Ski cross is a race where all the skiers
are on the course at once and you have
obstacles to overcome.”
Competing in Gangwon, South Korea
on the 23rd and 24th January, Bayley finished
an impressive 17th despite being
one of the younger competitors.
Team Sadler were, of course, there to
cheer him on.
“My mum, dad and brother were all
here,” said Bayley. “They’ve been really
supportive as always and are super
proud.
“It was an amazing experience and I
loved it so much. I met all of the team
and staff and everyone was really lovely.”
And so Milan 2026 beckons for the
Newport youngster. While he says he
intends to focus and train for the event,
he knows his Term 3 transition might be
more difficult than usual.
“Year 11 is a really tough one, so it’s
going to be difficult, but I’d love to make
it to Milan.”
It’s not a dilemma many Year 11 kids
on the Northern Beaches will have, but
no doubt one that Bayley will negotiate.
– Rob Pegley
14 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Alex still ‘Amazing’ his fans
We caught up with
singer songwriter
Alex Lloyd who plays
Avalon Beach RSL on
Saturday March 2.
Q: You’re playing Avalon
Beach RSL on March 2 –
have you played many
gigs on the Northern
Beaches… ever played
Avalon before?
I do believe I played Avalon
before; I also remember
playing at Lizotte’s
when they had a venue at
Dee Why. I can go as far
back as when I was in my
second band Mother Hubbard;
we use to play the
Northern Beaches loads. I
have always enjoyed the
vibe. And I get to sneak in
a little body surf before
the show or sound check.
Q: Do you have a connection
to Pittwater – either
from past holidays, or family
members, trips to the
beaches etc?
When I was a kid, I had a mate
whose dad had a beautiful 45-
foot Yacht; sometimes I would
get invited to sail out and
up Palm Beach and around
Pittwater and Scotland Island.
AVALON-BOUND:
Singer/songwriter
Alex Lloyd.
Loads of fishing and loads
of sunburn. It was the 1980s,
well before the skin cancer
and sunscreen campaigns
of today.
Q: You were no.1 on Triple J’s
Hot 100 in 2001 with ‘Amazing’;
what’s the demographic
of an Alex Lloyd gig in 2024?
I have been playing nationally
post-COVID, some very
solid touring. My demo
is fairly varied, anywhere
from 18 to 60-plus. I have
noticed younger people
coming. Either having
grown up with their parents
playing my music
(like ‘Amazing’), or having
discovered one of my
earlier albums.
Q: What can the audience
expect/
This tour is called ‘Some
Old, Some New’ but the
majority are songs people
know. I am writing and
producing new music
again. So I will throw in
a few new ones to spice
things up a bit… road test
the new tunes see which ones
are working but as I say, the
majority of the tunes are what
people know me for. – NW
*Tickets avalonrsl.com.au
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Hughesy Live. Catch larrikin
stand-up comedian, television
and radio presenter Dave
Hughes live on stage completely
unfiltered in this strictly 18-plus
event at Pittwater RSL on Sat 9;
doors open 8pm. Tickets $40;
bookings at pittwaterrsl.com.au
Computer pals. Avalon
Computer Pals are holding two
short courses for over-55s
this month – An Introduction to
Artificial Intelligence on Tues 5;
and Computers – The Essentials
on Tue 12 at Newport Community
Centre from 1.30pm-3pm. Cost
$15 a session. More info at
avpals.com or leave a message
on 8064 3574.
Author talk. Melbourne-based
crime writer Sarah Bailey is
visiting the Avalon Community
Library to discuss her fifth crime
novel ‘Body of Lies’ on Wed 14
from 6pm. Book at the library or
on 8495 5080.
Beat the burn. Firefighters
from Narrabeen Fire Station are
raising money for children with
burns over a gruelling five-day
event from Mon 11. Beat The
Burn will see firefighters from
NSW and ACT take part in
outdoor challenges, including
running, riding and paddling
near Kosciuszko National Park,
to raise funds for the Burns Unit
at The Children’s Hospital at
Westmead. You can find out more
and donate at beattheburn.org.
Anti-scam seminar. Mackellar
MP Dr Scamps will host a
free seminar about how to
recognise, avoid and report
scams presented by staff from
the Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission’s
Scamwatch on Thu 14 from
10.30am-12pm at the Ted
Blackwood Community Centre,
Warriewood; sophiescamps.
com.au/events
Market gardeners. The
market gardens of Warriewood
Valley were once covered with
more than 3,500 glasshouses
in a farming district known as
Glass City. Hear how Italian and
Yugoslavian migrants of the
1920s transformed the area and
created a vibrant community at a
talk at Mona Vale Library on Tues
19 from 2pm-3pm . Free.
18 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Red caps march to glory
The red caps of Collaroy Surf Club
wrote another chapter in March
Past history at the recent Northern
Beaches Branch Championships at Newport
Beach.
Collaroy filled the podium as the Bears
(gold), Ladies (silver) and the
next generation Comebacks
(bronze) celebrated a clean
sweep in the Open Mixed March
Past.
It is a grand Collaroy tradition
to turn out championship
winning March Past teams, with
the Bears and Ladies teams
being Australian champions
multiple times (and friendly
rivals).
The Comebacks are new this
season and are a mix of boaties
and members returning to competition,
many having marched
as Nippers.
Debra Trim has been marching with the
Ladies team for 23 years.
“It all started because we wanted to
march… but then it became a social
thing, we’d go away for weekend training,
we’d go away to carnivals… it’s a bonding
thing for the group at the Surf Club
as well – we’re all different people… it’s
fun,” Debra says.
Family connections figure strongly
– Debra’s brother Kenyon, sister-in-law
Karen, daughters Kelly and Jodie and
daughter-in-law Abbey all march.
CLEAN SWEEP: Collaroy’s victorious March Past teams: (L-r) the Bears,
the Comebacks and the Ladies (Debra Trim second from right front row
Ladies) celebrate at Newport Beach.
There are 12 members of a March Past
team – four in the backline, four carry
the reel, two march next to the reel and
the belt person and standard (flag) bearer
lead the team out.
“It’s harder than you think because everyone
walks differently, everyone swings
their arms differently – you’ve got to get
12 people to look exactly the same,” Debra
explains.
Focus, discipline and total concentration
are necessary. Precision wheeling
(turning) and perfect timing need to be
exhibited.
Debra talks about coach
Paul de Kort: “If you’re at
training and you’re concentrating
– as soon as you think
about what you’re doing for
dinner that night… Paul gets
you – he will see!”
The State titles are happening
locally at Queenscliff,
Freshwater and North Steyne
(1-17 March), the Aussies are on
PHOTO: Supplied
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
(April) and the World titles are
on the Gold Coast (September).
At each carnival the March
Past will draw big crowds to
the Surf Club to experience the colour,
tradition and pageantry of this uniquely
Australian event.
“Everyone stands on the promenade,
everyone stands up in the club bar… it’s a
spectacular event!” Debra agrees.
– Greg McHugh
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 19

Ding Dong, the PEP-11 wit
News
Pittwater politicians and
community identities
are celebrating the NSW
Government’s belated decision
to introduce new laws
which would ban all offshore
gas and mineral exploration
projects in NSW waters.
If enacted, the new legislation
would see the controversial
offshore PEP-11 gas mining
lease, partially situated in
NSW waters, scrapped.
However, the community
celebrations have been
tempered by comments from
gas producer Advent Energy
that it remains committed
to developing gas resources
further out to sea, in Commonwealth
waters more than
20 kilometres off the NSW
coast.
While the NSW opposition
supports the banning
of the PEP-11 project, it has
criticised the government for
not supporting its own bill
to prevent offshore exploration
and mining, which was
introduced by Pittwater MP
Rory Amon.
Mr Amon said: “Imitation
is the sincerest form of flattery…
I am pleased that Labor
has agreed to support my Bill
to ban offshore oil and gas
mining, which was introduced
to parliament in June
2023 and was to be finally
debated in March.
“Labor are doing this by introducing
their own Bill… but
that’s okay – that’s politics!
“It’s been a long-held position
of the NSW Liberal Party
to stop offshore oil and gas
in NSW waters – indeed it was
an issue both the party and I
campaigned on in the lead-up
to the 2023 State election.
“As Member for Pittwater, I
have successfully pushed for
that policy to go further. The
position I have brought the
NSW Liberal Party to means
that any oil and gas mining
approvals by the Federal Government
in Commonwealth
waters would be frustrated by
the NSW position.
“This is a big win for our
community.”
He added he was currently
going through the Government’s
Bill to “ensure there
are no holes in it”.
“I expect to work with the
Government on any amendments
needed to tighten up
the Bill.”
Jacqui Scruby, the Independent
candidate who ran
against Mr Amon in the 2023
State Election, told Pittwater
Life the NSW Labor Government’s
announcement was a
great victory for the community.
“Pittwater we did it! This is
a stellar example of how politics
should be done – where
communities are listened
to and a multi-partisan approach
is taken to making
historic laws,” she said.
“This legislation started as
a draft independent bill I announced
during the Pittwater
election campaign and has
continued to gain momentum
with the advocacy of all sides
of the political spectrum – Independents,
Liberal Nationals
and Labor all working to get
this done.
“It has truly been a community
effort – from paddle-outs
to petitions, Surfrider Northern
Beaches’ and Surfers for
Climate’s ongoing campaigning
and pressure at both
State and Federal levels – and
NOT IN OUR WATERS:
New laws are proposed
which would prohibit
exploration and mining
in NSW waters.
everyone should be proud of
what we’ve achieved.”
Independent Federal Member
for Mackellar Dr Sophie
Scamps said it was “a great
win for our Northern Beaches
community, for our coast and
for our climate”.
“I have been working hard
to bring an end to PEP-11
since before the last Federal
election,” she said. “I’ve
met both the NSW State and
Federal Environment Ministers
a number of times about
the issue, telling them that
the people of the Northern
Beaches would never accept
drilling for oil and gas off our
beaches.
“I have also spoken in
parliament a number of times
about the issue, including
seconding [Federal Warringah
Independent MP] Zali Steggall
MP’s Bill to end PEP-11,
reiterating each time that it
20 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ch is ‘dead’
CROWN LAND:
Governor
Phillip Park.
would never be accepted by
our community.
“So, it is great news that the
State Environment Minister
[Penny Sharpe] got the message,
saying that her decision
was based on the fact that the
‘overwhelming majority’ oppose
offshore mining.
“This hopefully ends years
of uncertainty about this
destructive fossil fuel project,
right on Sydney’s doorstep.
“I also want to pay tribute
to Jacqui Scruby, who developed
the Save our Beaches
Bill to block this risky
development during her 2023
campaign, and which was
ultimately introduced by the
current Member for Pittwater
[Rory Amon].”
Northern Beaches Council
Pittwater Ward Independent
Councillor Miranda Korzy
said she hoped Federal Labor
would follow its NSW counterpart
and block any further
offshore gas (or onshore)
exploration or mining.
“It’s great the NSW Government
is putting up a bill to
do so in this state; however,
the ultimate decision rests
with the Federal Government
because PEP-11 is slated to
go ahead in Commonwealth
waters between Newcastle and
Wollongong,” Cr Korzy said.
“Many groups have joined
together in the long fight
against PEP-11, but we can’t
relax yet.”
Surfers for Climate CEO
Josh Kirkman said: “We’re
stoked! This is a fantastic
outcome and shows how seriously
we all take protecting
our pristine ocean from the
impacts of climate change.
“With this announcement
from the Labor Government,
we know that the overwhelming
majority of politicians
in NSW want to draw a line
in the sand on oil and gas in
NSW waters and beyond.
“We’re thrilled to see a
growing bipartisan approach
to climate action in NSW
which will also bring jobs and
economic opportunities to
coastal and regional communities
as we shift from fossil
fuels to renewable energy.”
Petroleum Exploration
Permit 11 (PEP-11) licence area
covers 4,500 square kilometres
of ocean from Manly to
Newcastle. It was originally
surveyed in 1981 but there
was no action until 2010,
when the first exploratory
wells were sunk. Progress on
its development then stalled.
More seismic testing took
place in 2018.
In 2021, the company
that holds the permit, Asset
Energy, applied to renew the
permit.
In 2022, PEP-11 became a
Federal Election issue and
a source of community
concern, with former Prime
Minister Scott Morrison refusing
to renew PEP-11.
Asset then appealed to the
Federal Court challenging
the decision. In February this
year, after receiving advice
that it would likely lose the
case, the Labor government
agreed to revisit the decision.
– Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell
us at readers@pittwaterlife.
com.au
Govt’s Crown Land
management review
Crown land managers,
community groups, Local
Aboriginal Land Councils,
native title groups and other
members of the public are
invited to have their say on
a review of the legislation
that governs the management
and use of Crown land
across NSW.
The Department of Planning,
Housing and Infrastructure
is conducting a
five-year statutory review of
the Crown Land Management
Act (CLMA) 2016.
The review will determine
how well the Act is
working and identify reforms
that could strengthen
and improve it.
Crown land is land that
is managed by the NSW
Government, or delegated
Crown land managers, for
the benefit of communities
– such as Governor Phillip
Park at Palm Beach.
Crown land provides
space for a variety of uses
including parks, sporting
grounds, Scout and Girl
Guide halls, surf clubs, cultural
heritage sites, caravan
parks and racecourses, as
well as areas for business
and grazing. It also plays
a critical role in restoring
and supporting the rights
of Aboriginal people in NSW
via Aboriginal land rights
and native title interests.
Minister for Lands and
Property Steve Kamper said
Crown land was at the heart
of many local communities.
“Crown land has never
been more important to the
people of NSW providing
spaces for recreation, community
groups and sporting
organisations as well as
environmental reserves to
support native animals and
plants,” Mr Kamper said.
“It also generates revenue,
which is funnelled back into
the community.
“As the needs and aspirations
of communities
evolve, the use and management
of Crown land must
evolve with it.
A final report on the
outcome of the review will
be tabled in Parliament by 1
July.
– NW
*For further information
on the review and to have
your say before 19 March
visit crownland.nsw.gov.au/
review
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 21

Plea to Govt on high-rise
News
Northern Beaches Council will send a
submission to the NSW Labor Government
seeking urgent consultation
on the Government’s proposed new
planning reforms that would see sevenstorey
developments approved on mediumdensity-zoned
land across Pittwater.
It comes as Premier Chris Minns
brushed off an approach from Mayor
Sue Heins for a meeting on the proposed
reforms which currently contain a contentious
‘no refusal’ clause.
As reported by Pittwater Life in January,
the Government released an Explanation of
Intended Effect (EIE) in December last year
to create low- and mid-rise housing, outlining
proposals to amend the State Environmental
Planning Policy (SEPP) to increase
housing supply.
In its draft submission to Government,
Council said it acknowledged the need for
urgent action on housing and supported a
centres-based approach to growth.
While it was committed to working with
the Government to address housing supply
it asked that it be done “in a collaborative
manner that includes the planning and
provision of supporting infrastructure”.
Council provided conditional support
for residential flat building development
(21m heights/6-7 storeys) in R3 medium
density zones and dual occupancy development
(2-3 storeys) in R2 low density zones
– subject to more stringent development
standards than those outlined in the Government’s
EIE.
It noted the EIE proposals were of a
scale and density “that would in many
cases have significant impacts on local
IMPRESSION: Council’s example of new height
limits, applied here to Sydney Road at Balgowlah.
character and place, tree canopy and the
environment, access, transport and traffic,
demand for community infrastructure, exposure
to natural and man-made hazards,
areas and items of heritage significance,
and affordable housing provision, warranting
further, more detailed assessment”.
It added: “The proposals conflict with
current and proposed Council-led precinct
planning in Mona Vale, Frenchs Forest and
Brookvale.”
Council said it understood its submission
would be considered by the Department
of Planning between March and
April, with the Department drafting policy
between March and June, aiming for finalisation
by the third quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile the Mona Vale Residents Association
(MVRA) said it was disappointing
that Council was not opposing the changes
more vigorously.
“The MVRA does not support Labor’s
proposed changes facilitating low- and
mid-rise housing which would result in an
over-development of Mona Vale centre and
much of the surrounding suburb,” said
Chair Kelvin Auld.
“In relation to Mona Vale, the proposed
changes are inconsistent with and undermine
all the good work on the Mona Vale
Place Plan, the District Plan as it relates to
Mona Vale centre, Council’s Local Strategic
Planning Statement as it relates to Mona
Vale, and Council’s own Local Housing
Strategy,” he said.
“Labor’s unplanned growth undermines
good centre master planning of centres by
local Councils, informed by community
engagement.”
– Nigel Wall
22 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

New demerger obstacle
Council demerger campaigners
in Pittwater are
bitterly disappointed by the
Minns Labor Government’s
recent proposals that will
make it harder for smaller
councils forcibly amalgamated
to go their own way.
Protect Pittwater Association
president Simon Dunn
said amendments to the Local
Government Act proposed
by the Government would do
nothing to restore democracy
for minority councils such as
Pittwater, amalgamated into
the Northern Beaches Council
in 2016.
Mr Dunn said Protect Pittwater
wrote to Local Government
Minister Ron Hoenig
last September pointing out
that the act was missing a
mechanism for a former area
to be reinstated without a
resolution of the new amalgamated
Council of which the
former area has a minority of
Councillors to support such a
resolution.
Also, it was missing an
orderly procedure for assets
and staff to be allocated when
a former Council area was
reinstated.
“The legislation introduced
to Parliament in February
breaks the policy promise
Labor took to the past two
elections,” Mr Dunn said.
“It perpetuates the endless
deferring of decisions
between the boundary commission
and the minister,
with neither being compelled
to respect the strong desire of
the former council residents
to see their beloved Pittwater
Council reinstated.
“Protect Pittwater instead
urges NSW Labor to amend
their proposed legislation
to provide for a plebiscite of
residents of a former council
area – which was already
found to be financially viable
– to be the only mechanism
required to reinstate that
former Council.
“With the proposed legislation,
we would be trapped
in a situation where the six
councillors representing
the former Pittwater, can be
outvoted on any issue by the
other nine.”
– NW
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 23

‘Wharfies’ launch new
News
Albo, our Prime Minister, will make
frequent appearances. Along with
Peter Dutton in musical mode.
King Charles III makes a cameo. And
Lidia Thorpe – the controversial indigenous
senator who many say helped sink
The Voice referendum in 2023 – will be
lampooned in a Groucho Marx classic.
“Lidia, oh Lidia, have you met Lidia?
Lidia the Attitude Lady?” sings veteran
thespian Drew Forysthe, 74, one of the
co-founders of the Wharf Revue, Australia’s
premier (only?) theatrical political
satire show.
Founded in 2000 after an invitation
from Robyn Nevin, then the Sydney
Theatre Company’s artistic director, this
year’s incarnation ‘Pride In Prejudice’
stars Drew, Jonathan Biggins – two of the
three originals along with Phillip Scott
– plus David Whitney, Mandy Bishop and
Michael Tyack at the piano. Scott has
helped write this show, and will be back
on stage for the final production beginning
in October.
“Robyn knew of the political satire
Jonathan, Phillip and I had been doing
(since the 1980s),” Drew recalls. “She
asked us if we’d do a late-night revue at
the Wharf Theatre.”
Political satire had a strong pedigree
in Australia, particularly on the ABC,
that has largely disappeared (apart from
Shaun Micallef and Charlie Pickering), as
it has on stage. The likes of Ruth Cracknell,
Reg Livermore and Barry Humphries
used to perform their versions of
political and social satire at theatrical
venues like the long-gone Phillip Street
Theatre in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
“Barry was a big supporter of the
Wharf Revue,” Drew reports. “He’d come
every year, and arrive backstage after the
show, always positive.”
Sorbie’s Travelling Vaudeville show, under
a circus tent pitched each year at what
is now the site of the Glen Street Theatre,
was another important training ground.
Now just the Wharf Revue, no longer
associated with the STC, survives. And
then only for one more season after this
with touring venues from Canberra,
Sydney’s Seymour Centre, Melbourne,
Adelaide, Brisbane, Wollongong and
other spots in-between.
“We all want to retire,” Drew admits,
pointing out 2025 will be a quarter of a
century since their debut.
Though the years at the STC were good,
with bumper audiences and a faithful following
of theatre-literate subscribers, the
freedom they had enjoyed under Nevin
eroded under later STC management.
The final straw, Drew says, came when
FEELING SKITTISH: Wharf Revue co-founder
Drew Forsythe (left); victims of their satire
include ‘Rudy Giuliani’ and ‘Donald Trump’
(above) and Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe
(right, with Forsythe as Groucho Marx).
they were told they could only lampoon
the Chinese communist party leader Xi
Jinping or the North Korean dictator Kim
Jong Un if they were played by Chinese
and Korean actors respectively.
At the same time, the founding trio
were advised they could not only gain
more artistic freedom but also earn
more money by breaking from the STC
shackles.
“The Wharf Revue was often the most
profitable show of the year for the STC,”
Drew explains. But the people who put
the skits together – and performed them
24 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

satirical strike with skills they had learned from the
National Institute of Dramatic Art and
the likes – were just on a basic deal.
“To be frank, we wanted to take
control, make some money and take the
show to places which weren’t on the STC
circuit,” Drew admits.
The format hasn’t really changed since
the Wharf days: “We still poke fun at
politics and politicians. We’re not afraid
to offend, but we don’t go out of our way
to offend.”
The title of this show, borrowed obviously
from Jane Austin with Regency
costumes to suit, reflects what Drew
says is our apparent pride in the political
prejudice now apparent worldwide.
So what will happen to political satire
when these veterans of the discipline
take their final bow? “It’s up to the
younger generation to find their own
way of satirising the hypocrisy of Australian
politics.”
In ‘Pride In Prejudice’, expect to see
Sussan Ley, the deputy opposition
leader; a mini Russian opera focussing
on Vladmir Putin; journalist David Marr
interviewing the robot responsible for
RoboDebt; and the Prime Minister and
deputy Prime Minister singing a spoof
version of a song from South Pacific.
The highlight? “That would be David
Whitney as Peter Dutton… a brilliant job,”
Drew recommends. – Steve Meacham
*Glen Street Theatre from 14-28 March;
tickets glenstreet.com.au
Boost for youth
mental health
Plans for a four-bed adolescent mental
health, drug and alcohol unit at
Northern Beaches Hospital have been
shelved, with the NSW Government instead
unveiling additional resources to
help young people and their families
in distress in the community.
The announcement by NSW Labor
Minister Rose Jackson was welcomed
by Independent MPs Michael Regan
and Dr Sophie Scamps.
According to a joint media statement
released by Mr Regan and Dr
Scamps, the additional services
include the establishment of a drop-in
Safe Haven service at the Brookvale
Community Health Centre.
The new service will provide a nonclinical
environment for young people
to go to in times of mental health crisis
and will be open seven days a week
with no appointment required.
The community PACER program
(Police, Ambulance & Clinician Early
Response) will also receive an increase
in funding.
This will mean there are more
dedicated psychiatric nurses who work
with police in the community to assess
young people in severe distress and
help decide next steps for treatment.
For acute mental episodes, which require
hospital admission, the Northern
Beaches Hospital does have enhanced
capacity to look after children and
youth with mental health problems.
There will be an additional clinician
employed at the hospital dedicated to
supporting care for young people with
co-morbid mental health and drug and
alcohol issues.
– LO
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 25

News
Letters: Readers have their say
Bravo Gencher shift
Cr Michael Gencher’s decision
to join the Liberal Party
reflects a commendable
commitment and dedication
to his community. It’s clear
that he made this choice after
careful consideration, with
the best interests of Pittwater
and the Northern Beaches
community in mind – which
in my dealings with him, has
always been his approach.
His willingness to adapt and
align with a political party
(that actually admits to
being a political party) that
he believes shares his vision
and values demonstrates a
commitment to delivering
positive change.
Moreover, his candid
assessment of the
shortcomings within his
former political affiliation,
where he noted a lack of clear
vision, unified direction,
and cohesive teamwork,
shows his commitment
to good governance and a
sincere desire to serve his
constituents more effectively.
It’s refreshing to see a
politician who is willing to
take such steps to better serve
their constituents.
Dale Stephenson
Avalon
Land value woes
I am relieved to see
the issue of inflated and
unsubstantiated land
values are being exposed
and discussed. There is no
legitimacy to the increases/
decreases. There is no
structural format set up
to dispute the individual
changes. Higher land values
means higher rates, higher
land tax etc – this screams a
money grab by a desperate
Government. My suspicion
is every household will
eventually pay land tax, not
just property investors.
I was absolutely
stonewalled when I wrote
to reverse the land value
increase at my property. I
received a notification a year
after I purchased my property
(Avalon, Stokes Point) stating
my new land value was
deemed more valuable than
what I had paid for the whole
house (5-bed, 4-bath, pool etc)
and land only a year prior.
I also stated that a
comparison with my
neighbour’s property
values showed no
consideration that my block
of land presented very
limited developing scope due
to a large, well-established
gum tree situated right in
the middle of the block. A
land’s value has significant
correlation with its potential to
develop. My request to have a
site visit and correction of the
increase was denied. Instead, I
was informed the only way to
dispute the increase in my land
value was to provide at least
two examples of sales in my
street that supported my case
– which would mean I had to
find two recent sales of houses
in my street that both had a
large gum tree in the middle
of the block, which decreased
the sales value! It was a
deliberately impossible request
and the inflated land value
and associated increased costs
remain.
I have no hesitation
in labelling this scheme
disreputable.
Name & address supplied
Stokes Point
Fuel rip-off
I live at Avalon Beach and
travel to the city regularly for
work. I can’t help but notice
that petrol prices escalate
the further up the Northern
Beaches one travels.
Yet on Warringah Road,
petrol is way cheaper. For
example, I have a diesel
vehicle and filled up on
Warringah Road a few weeks
ago and the price was almost
40 cents per litre lower than
the service stations in and
north of Mona Vale.
I feel we are being seriously
ripped off for our fuel,
particularly in the northern
26 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

(Pittwater) region. Maybe your
magazine could consider an
article on fuel prices here?
Gary Gill
Avalon Beach
On-lead dog
walker plea
There are responsible dog
owners who want to be able
to exercise their dogs on-lead
and not be pestered by offlead
dogs in our reserves and
beaches.
Off-lead dogs are everywhere
– legally and illegally. Local
Reserves are so often occupied
by off-lead dogs that it makes
it impossible for families to
picnic, or young children to
play without the fear of dogs.
Dogs off-lead are, by definition,
not under the full control
of the owners. Also, unless
watching every second, owners
rarely pick up after their offlead
dogs, further eroding the
pleasure of those who want to
use these public spaces.
I have already opposed the
north Palm Beach off-lead
trial. Currently, most dogs
who are walked at Palm Beach
are on-lead and there is rarely
mess left behind.
I want to be able to walk
my on-lead dog on the beach.
Anywhere on the Northern
Beaches would be appreciated.
I feel I am disadvantaged by
the fact that I want to have
full control over my dog by
keeping her on-lead. I am sure
I’m not the only one.
And a thought for any
north Palm Beach or Mona
Vale beach off-lead trial:
Allow on-lead dogs there
between 10am-4pm, when offlead
dogs are not allowed.
Name & address supplied
Bilgola Plateau
Help Garland family
I am reaching out during
a very difficult period for
my family, as my beautiful
wife Susie has recently been
diagnosed with aggressive
Triple Negative Breast cancer.
This has come as a huge
shock; we have three young
children who are 2, 4- and
6-years old.
Susie has a rough road
ahead with six months of
chemotherapy, followed by
multiple surgeries and then
radiation. She commenced
chemotherapy in December
and the side effects have
been extremely brutal and
debilitating for her as she
has been on the strongest
chemotherapy drug available
due to the aggressive nature
of the cancer.
While the diagnosis itself
is extremely devastating for
our family, the subsequent
financial burden has added
another layer of stress and
is something we weren’t
prepared for, and we are very
unclear when Susie will be
well enough to return to work.
Susie’s close friends have
started a gofund me to
support her and they/we
would be forever grateful if
you could share the page.
Adam Garland
North Narrabeen
*Editor’s note: readers can
help the Garland family by
donating at gofund.me/
e5113b54
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 27

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
Our mag continued to devote many column
inches to the drama surrounding a plan
by the producers of the American Series
‘Baywatch’ to switch their permanent
location to Avalon Beach over Winter.
Also, more than 200 Newport residents
expressed concern over the impact of
multi-unit medium density housing in
their area at a public meeting with the
Newport Progress Association, observing
that the suburb “has copped its fair share”
and “future allocations of areas for medium
density units should be drawn from other
areas of the Peninsula.” Elsewhere, Avalon
was seeing the “… start of a new push” by
Council towards “shop-top housing – that
is, medium-density housing over shops.
The plans mean a major influx of new
residents which in itself is fine, provided
that the infrastructure needed for them are in place. That
means such things as an adequate road system to cope with
the extra cars and commuters”. In other news the Avalon
Lions “have recovered their pride” following an article
in the magazine appealing for new members; and it was
Seniors Week “everywhere in NSW except for Pittwater”; the
story explained “although 50% of councils and many private
organisations have received seeding grants from the Ageing
15 Years Ago…
and Disability Department for various
activities, neither Pittwater Council or
any organisation here sought a grant
or proposed an activity”. Meanwhile,
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club was
planning to celebrate its first Pittwater
Foundation Day with a re-enactment of
“the discovery and naming of Pittwater by
Captain Arthur Phillip on March 7, 1788”.
A family fun day was planned with
the inaugural Foundation Day Regatta
winner to receive the perpetual trophy
– a model of Captain Phillip’s longboat;
organisers were getting set for the
seventh Newport Jazz festival; the Trades
and Labour Council of NSW were to
consider the recommendations from its
executive over the future of Currawong;
the McKay Reserves Residents’ Committee
at Palm Beach was “angry over the lack of care and
maintenance at the reserve by Pittwater Council”. There were
10 sites in Pittwater nominated for Clean Up Australia Day;
the mag supported an Easter colouring competition; and
an independent survey by Pittwater Council revealed that
Pittwater Life “is the most regularly read publication produced
in Pittwater… our regular readership is second only to the fiveday-a-week
Manly Daily”.
5 Years Ago…
Dual gold medal winning nipper Tom Trbojevic from
The 2019 State Election was
Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club “dominated the Under being held and we introduced
12 boys individual beach events at the 2009 Westpac
all the candidates for Pittwater
Surf Life Saving Championships at Blacksmiths Beach”. electorate and the issues that
The Year 7 Pittwater High School student “who also
formed the basis of their
plays rugby league, AFL and cricket” (he’s now an NRL campaigns. There was a
superstar) grabbed gold in the flags and the sprint finals. “fracture in the community”
Trbojevic, who started nippers in the Under 6 age group over the proposed off-leash
“acknowledged he was heading back home to Mona Vale dog trial at Station Beach.
happy”. Readers learned “Pittwater’s newspapers and
We were set to get a fleet of
container recyclables are not going into landfill despite
new garbage and recycling
reports that there is a surplus bins and trucks as part of
of recyclable materials in
Council’s “new greener and
Australia”; a State Government safer waste management
draft sea level rise policy contract”. Council abandoned
“should, if adopted, effectively its recommendation that
put an end to any development either the Avalon Annex or
at Currawong”. Pittwater the Avalon Golf Clubhouse celebrated
Council was supporting
become the site for the new Northern Beaches Hospital’s
“many local events to
creative space north and
new recruits; Pittwater Artists
celebrate Seniors Week”. And instead decide to “… pluck the Trail held its Open Studio
Craig Goozee (pictured on Mona Vale Civic Centre as the weekend featuring 19 artists
cover with family) was “off host location”. The new plan across 11 locations; Pittwater
again, this time running, “would see Mona Vale built readied for Clean Up Australia
paddling and cycling around out to the tune of $4million”. Day and our Life Stories
Australia, his third major Work began on the $140
featured Northern Beaches
effort to raise funds for
million eastern section of the car sales legend and charity
children’s cancer”.
upgrade of Mona Vale Road; we champion Col Crawford.
28 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
SEEN…
Staggering projections from the new NSW Reconstruction
Authority that show the cost of damage to homes and
businesses from the state’s worsening natural disasters
will nearly triple over the next 35 years – with the Northern
Beaches at the top of the list. According to the authority,
the annual loss in our built environment will total a
whopping $969 million – up from $103 million just last
year. A breakdown of those figures shows the cost of coastal
inundation and erosion spiralling from $11 million in 2023
to… wait for it… $867 million in 2060! Some $10 million
of that is erosion. On a “happier” note, the projections for
storm, flood, bushfire and earthquake events show damage
costs will rise only $8 million, from $94 million (2023) to
an annual clean-up bill of $102 million by 2060. Given the
world’s inaction on climate change, we’re not sure how that
works… but we’ll take it. Still on the beaches, Roger Sayers
reports on an unusual ‘thank you’ gift an Avalon Beach
SLSC patrol received last month. “Azam and his family were
visiting from Homebush,” he said. “They were warned about
not swimming near the rip in front of the surf club, as their
son was about to go in there. To show their appreciation for
this preventative action, they brought down a delicious tray
of cooked lamb kebabs with flat bread for the entire patrol
team (pictured).” He added patrollers encouraged the public
to ask about swimming safely at our beaches. “You don’t
have to provide a tray of kebabs – the service is free!”
HEARD…
Kudos to the local community for rallying to support the
Mind Café in Narrabeen after its owner and manager Guy
Morel took to social media last month to announce he was
scrambling to find ways to make the business sustainable
long term, and that he had just two months to turn things
around. With a focus on mental health, wellbeing and
inclusion, the café with the powerful motto “Be Kind” has
been a local hub for great food and coffee and a space to
share mental health struggles and achievements for just
over two years. Within hours of Guy’s announcement,
councillors and politicians reached out with information
about grants he could apply for, business advisors offered
their expertise, a GoFundMe page was set up and locals
stopped by for a coffee or a feed and paid it forward by
contributing to the café’s ‘Kindness Jar’. Well done all!
A week after, Guy was back on Facebook with a smile
thanking everyone for their generosity and support. He said
he is working with business advisors to find the best way
forward.
Ten days after its launch The GoFundMe page was just
short of a $20,000 fundraising goal.
If you can help, visit the cafe at 1346 Pittwater Road
Narrabeen or reach out through the Mind Café Facebook
page.
ABSURD…
Who pushes the button
on closing the Wakehurst
Parkway when it floods?
And what does it take?
Pittwater Life was driving
west on the Parkway
at 12.20pm on Monday
February 22 when your
correspondent saw a
police highway patrol
car parked in the pullover
section short of the
Sydney Sports Academy
at Narrabeen. It was two
hours after a deluge of
maybe 40mm of rain.
The police vehicle’s
lights were flashing
and the sole occupant
looked to be speaking
animatedly on his radio.
‘What’s that about’, we
thought. A few hundred
metres later we slowed to a crawl (Aussie crawl, even), as
traffic tentatively dived into the depths at the section of
the Parkway most notorious for flooding. Having cautiously
pushed through, all dash lights lit up (no idea what the
faults were, wasn’t stopping to look). We later learned the
Parkway closed at 1pm. Which reminds us that we need to
contact Council and Transport for NSW to see how the works
scheduled for the first half of this year are tracking… more
on that next month.
30 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater News
Volunteer ‘Computer’
secretary needed
Computer Pals for Seniors
Northern Beaches are seeking a
volunteer secretary to take the
minutes at their monthly meetings.
If you’re looking for a way
to give back to the community
and have a few hours a month
to spare they would love to hear
from you. They have operated
for more than 20 years, and as
a volunteer secretary you will
at Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
The inaugural recipient in 2023
Jodi Dowd said the program
was invaluable. “This program,
and the connections I’ve made,
have enabled me to advance my
collaboration skills with fellow
curators, community members,
and creatives, while also
learning practical skills with
the team at MAG&M,” Ms Dowd
said. Key opportunities include
$4,350 towards a curator’s fee
and project funding; mentorbe
entitled to free technology
lessons. For more info 0478
920 651 or email anne.computerpals@gmail.com
Peninsula Music
Club update
Peninsula Music Club is excited
to present this year’s wonderful
program of four concerts
featuring well-known Australian
and International acts at a
venue near you. Stay tuned for
details in next month’s Pittwater
Life magazine; also check
out the website peninsulamusicclub.com.au
for updates.
Emerging Curator
Program
Applications are now open
for early-practice curators to
produce a funded exhibition
and/or series of public events
at Curl Curl Creative Space with
mentorship from the curators
News
State-of-art Science Labs
Narrabeen Sports High
School has opened its
four impressive new science
labs, made possible due to
$20 million in government
funding provided for various
vital renovations across the
school including significant
improvements to classrooms,
bathrooms, roofs, and
outdoor areas.
The opening marked a
major milestone in the school
community’s campaign for
essential upgrades, driven
by Principal Heidi Currie,
Parents & Citizens President
James Wiggins, and P&C
Secretary, Peter McDonald.
Designed collaboratively
and led by Head of Science
Cameron McDonald, science
students at Narrabeen will
now enjoy a world-class
learning environment.
Pittwater MP Rory Amon
and Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps, who campaigned
for the Minns Government to
release funds pledged by the
former coalition government
towards the improvements,
50th Big Swim a swell success
The 50th Big Swim in
January was a memorable
and resounding success,
attracting 1620 competitors
who negotiated the 3
kilometres from Palm Beach
to Whale Beach – albeit into
a stiff southerly swell that
added around
10 minutes to
the swimmers’
times.
It was a time
of celebration
for many
veteran ocean
swimmers.
“I was just 20 when I did
that first swim back in 1974,”
recalled John Archer. “It was
a choppy surf and blustery
conditions when 40 or so of
us Whaley blokes first swam
from Palm Beach to Whale
Beach. Then, 50 years later,
there I was fronting up to do
it again!”
John was joined by his
younger brother Mark and
Brian Lamrock, a mate from
the same lifesaving era at the
Club.
said they would continue
to work with the State
Government to ensure all
the school’s necessary works
received sufficient funding.
“We were absolutely on a
high when we came up the
beach at Whaley, to have
been able to do this 3km
swim after all those years
– although my time was
probably twice that of the
first swim!”
It was a special
family day
for 69-year-old
Brian Lamrock
(centre), another
first event
participant
who swam the
50th swim
with his sons Jack (left) and
Hugh.
The male winner with fastest
time of 35.22 was Angus
Jarolimek, with Mitchell
Green just one second behind
– the same result as the
2023 Big Swim.
The fastest female with a
time of 40.25 was renowned
60-year-old marathon swimmer
Jeanette Brits.
*Full results with a gallery
of photos can be viewed at
thebigswim.org.au
34 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ship with MAG&M curators;
developing and showcasing a
unique curatorial approach;
and building networks in the
arts community. Hurry – applications
close Monday 4 March,
3pm; visit Council website and
search ‘arts and culture’.
NASA storage win
North Avalon Surfriders Association
(NASA) has a new home
for all its gear at North Avalon
Beach. The club’s objective is
to nurture local surfing talent,
hold monthly local competitions
and enter teams in state
and national competition. Until
recently the club’s trailer with
their equipment was stored
in the carpark or on a nearby
street; however, thanks to a
grant and additional funding
from Council a new exclusive
dedicated space has been
built. The 6.5m x 6.5m storage
facility adjoins the existing
public amenities block with
ample space to store their gear
securely.
Continued on page 37
Local Probus Club news for March
The next meeting of the Palm Beach and
Peninsula Probus Club is on Wednesday
20 March at Club Palm Beach, commencing
9.30am. Speaker will be Noel Phelan from
the Maritime Museum to talk about the Concordia
disaster. The ship was on a Mediterranean
luxury cruise in 2012 when it deviated
from its course and struck a rock formation
causing the ship to list and partially sink,
resulting in the deaths of 32 passengers. The
big question was why did it alter course?
Visitors welcome; more info 0421 435 792.
Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club next meets
on Wednesday 28 March at Narrabeen Baptist
Church. Singer/songwriter Peter Ashton
will entertain with songs from the 1960s.
Doors open 9.45am for 10am meeting;
visitors welcome. More info call or text
0424 464 047.
The guest speaker at Bilgola Plateau Probus
Club’s next meeting at Newport Bowling
Club on Friday 4 March will be bestselling
author, historian and speaker David Hunt.
Visitors welcome; more info call Shelley
(0415 538 864).
At the next meeting of the Pittwater
Men’s Probus, club member David Cant,
who had a career in architecture spanning
55 years, will explore the symbiotic
relationship between architecture and
human civilisation, and the influence of
technology past, present and beyond. In
an illustrated talk, David will reflect on
the evolution of architecture and identify
current trends in design and practice of the
world’s second oldest profession. Meeting at
Mona Vale Surf Club on Tuesday 12 March
commences 10am. Visitors welcome; more
info Terry Larke (0412 220 820).
The Combined Probus Club of Mona Vale
will next meet on Tuesday 19 March at Pittwater
RSL, commencing 10am. Guest speaker
is Gordon Mar, whose parents migrated from
China in the 1920s. Following university,
Gordon embarked on a professional and
business career lasting 53 years, the last
20 of which he was immersed in the sewage
treatment industry. Now in retirement,
Gordon has taken an interest in the history
of Chinese people in Australia. This interest
led him to explore some unusual periods
in Chinese history – his talk is titled ‘When
Britain Bullied China’. Visitors welcome; more
info call Barry (0435 010 367).
The Newport Probus Club will next meet
on 7 March at 10am at the Newport Bowling
Club and commence with their Annual
General Meeting. A representative from
Searchdogs Sydney Inc will speak about the
involvement of highly trained dogs in search
and rescue. Visitors welcome; more call Di
(0410 456 303).
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 35

Pittwater News
News
State Champs go lakeside
D
espite the lengthy process to replace its clubhouse, Narrabeen
Lakes Sailing Club has commenced the 2024 sailing
season with much enthusiasm.
In late February the club again hosted the O’Pen Skiff Narrabeen
Super Cup in conjunction with the Australian International
O’Pen Skiff Association. This regatta for juniors from
across Sydney of varying abilities held races in Gold, Silver and
Green classes.
On 16-17 March, the club will host the Heron Junior NSW
Championships in conjunction with the Heron Association of
NSW. It is anticipated that junior sailors will come from across
the state for a weekend of competition on the lake.
Club spokesman David Loomes said that despite the adversity
of their current limited facilities they continue to thrive as
a club on Sundays and were able to host this calibre of events
in makeshift conditions.
Membership of the club continues to grow in its 119th year.
*More info call 0419 631 287
‘Fore’ a good cause
An update on local junior
golf prodigy Jackson
Castle, who Pittwater Life introduced
to the local audience
back in February 2021. Then a
seven-year-old and a Bayview
GC Junior Cadet, Jackson was
“gripping it and ripping it” on
the US Kids Golf Sydney Local
Tour – he was crowned Australian
champion in his age
group and had just qualified
for the World Championships
for the second year in a row.
Now a 10-year-old, a little
birdie tells us (sorry!) Jackson
(pictured) has qualified for
the World Championships at
US Open venue Pinehurst in
North Carolina for a fifth year
in a row. It’s another step in
his ambition to one day play
the US Masters at famed Augusta
National in Georgia.
The enterprising youngster
is looking to help his parents
out as they support him to
live out his dream – so he has
opened a small local car washing
business to raise money
for the trip.
Jackson will attend your
home and wash your car for
$65 (under the watchful eye of
mum Brooke).
If you’d like to help Jackson
out, book a wash through
Brooke on (0414 438 443).
It’s ‘fore’ a good cause!
*Follow Jackson’s golf
achievements on his Instagram
page Jackson_golf
36 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Continued from page 35
Loosely Woven
community concert
Community choir and musical
group Loosely Woven, consisting
of 20 instrumentalists
and singers, returns to Avalon
Baptist Church on Sunday 3
March, with their ‘Déjà Vu ’24’
concert – featuring highlights
from last year’s concerts.
The program starts 4pm and
includes Paul Kelly’s powerful
‘Sleep Australia Sleep’ as well
as two specifically anti-war
songs - ‘Johnny I hardly knew
ye’ and Swtizerland’s recent
Eurovision entry ‘Watergun’. Instruments
will include violins,
saxophones, clarinet, flute, melodica,
harp, guitars, keyboard
and percussion. Free concert;
donations (to Amnesty International)
are welcome.
Grab an unclaimed
watercraft bargain
It’s that time of year again
where Council auctions
impounded and unclaimed
watercraft at a bargain price.
Up to 100 items including small
dinghies, kayaks, and paddle
boards will be up for grabs on
Saturday 2 March at Rowland
Reserve. Viewing is only possible
on the day and kicks off at
8am, with the auction starting
at 10am. All watercrafts will be
required to be removed from
the site on the day. Payment is
required on the day by card; no
cash will be accepted. More info
contact Open Space Bookings
on 02 8495 5009.
March 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 two live
music acts in a cabaret candlelit
atmosphere with BYO food and
drinks. The concert on Saturday
2 March features Scupriri,
plus The Durham Project. Tickets
at shackfolk.com or cash at
the door (no wi-fi).
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
As cherished members of our
families, our pets deserve
the best care possible as they
age gracefully. However, knowing
how to provide this care
can be a challenge as our furry
friends enter their senior years.
Here are some essential tips:
• Regular Vet Check-Ups:
Just like humans, senior pets require
more frequent check-ups.
Regular visits allow for the assessment
of overall health and
the early detection of potential
issues. Your vet can recommend
treatments, supplements, or
lifestyle changes.
• Adjust Diet and Exercise:
As pets age, their dietary and
exercise needs change. Consult
with your vet to adjust their diet
and exercise regimen to suit
their age and activity level.
• Provide Comfort & Companionship:
Mental well-being
is as important as physical
health for senior pets. Offer
extra cuddles, companionship,
and mental stimulation
to keep them happy and loved.
Environmental changes, such as
interactive toys or a companion
pet, can also provide comfort.
• Manage Chronic Pain:
Senior pets may suffer from
chronic pain conditions like
osteoarthritis or dental disease.
Regular monitoring for signs
of pain, such as changes in
behavior or mobility issues, is
essential. Consult with your vet
for effective pain management
strategies tailored to your pet.
• Special Offer: Throughout
March and April, Sydney Animal
Hospitals is offering a free
senior pet arthritis check with
a veterinary nurse, discounted
Senior Diagnostic Screening,
discounted Hills Prescription
Diets, discounted Arthritis
Medication & Supplements and
discounted Laser Therapy for
Arthritis.
Take advantage of this opportunity
to ensure your senior
pet’s health and well-being.
Don’t wait until it’s too late
to prioritise your senior pet’s
health and happiness. Contact
one of our Hospitals (Avalon
or Newport) to book your free
senior pet arthritis check and
learn more about caring for
your aging companion.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 37

Radio Northern Beaches has been
informing and entertaining locals for
40 years; we speak to the volunteers
who make the magic happen.
Story by Rosamund Burton
Life Stories
In tune with
our community
In March, Radio Northern a friend told him there was a Balgowlah Heights, that spans who presents The Coast, focusing
on environmental issues.
Beaches (RNB) celebrates radio station here, he went in the southern part of the Northern
Beaches. It is also streamed Tia Pagliasso, now 25, did the
40 years on air. Founded in search of it and joined up.
1975, initially it was an aspirant
community broadcaster
– proving it had the necessary
skills, equipment and content.
Its community radio licence
was issued in 1984, and it
started broadcasting from
Narrabeen High School.
Electrical engineer Andrew
Goodman-Jones, 52, joined the
station aged 18.
“I grew up with a passion
for radio,” he explains. “When
I was seven I started my own
radio station, broadcasting to
the different bedrooms in the
house using bits and pieces I
found out of old radios. Then
I got a little transmitter and
transmitted to the neighbours.”
In 1989, his school Beacon Hill
High was performing music at
Narrabeen High School. When
Andrew Goodman-Jones,
Craig Brown and Tia Pagliasso
– all directors of Radio Northern
Beaches – are sitting in
Studio One at RNB’s premises
in Yulong Road Terrey Hills.
The station moved from
Narrabeen High to Belrose
Bowling Club in 2003 and 10
years later, to here.
“Each time we moved, we
stayed on air,” says Andrew.
“We did some trickery at the
transmitter sites – machines
playing a weekend of prerecorded
programs.”
RNB broadcasts from 7am
to midnight seven days a week
on two frequencies: 88.7FM
from a transmitter in Ingleside,
which covers the north of the
peninsula; and 90.3FM from
a transmitter at Tania Park in
on the internet, and through
the Tune In app.
The station is run entirely by
volunteers – about 70 of them,
all of whom have a connection
to the Northern Beaches. They
raise funds to cover the rent,
running costs, insurance and
broadcasting fees through
grants, sponsorship, fundraising
events, membership fees
and running the radio skills
training course. This course
was started in 2000 and is
now a prerequisite for a Radio
Northern Beaches member.
Over 1,000 people have
completed it – including as a
teenager Vic Lorusso who progressed
to be a traffic reporter
for various radio stations and
the TEN Network; and awardwinning
journalist Wendy Frew
radio skills workshop aged 16.
“We had just moved to the
Northern Beaches and I’d
started at Cromer High. My
parents were asking me what I
wanted to do with my life and
I had no idea. I did the course,
fell in love with radio, and said,
‘I’m going to do this for the rest
of my life’.”
The programming is driven
by the interests of volunteers.
Tia started broadcasting a program
called ‘Cheers with Tia’,
which covered music and new
artists. When she turned 18 she
became a RNB director with
a focus on the radio’s social
media. Aged 20 she landed a
job as a presenter with a South
Australian commercial radio
station, Magic 89.9, where she
worked for six months.
38 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

“It opened my eyes to the
commercial industry, but I
think my heart has always
been in community radio,
because of the freedom to talk
about what you want,” she says.
Former senior advertising
executive Craig Brown attended
the radio skills course six years
ago. He presents ‘Golden Years’,
featuring the success stories of
new Australians.
“It’s about seven hours to
prepare for an hour’s program,
but I love these stories.
They’re a record for the guests
too, in their own words, and
something for them and their
children.”
Andrew Goodman-Jones
always looks for ways to extend
the station’s technological
reach. He recalls while on holiday
with a friend in Thailand
going to Kanchanaburi, the
location of Hellfire Pass. They
arrived at 3am on Anzac Day
to find more than 2500 people
gathered for the dawn service,
including the head of the Australian
Air Force and the head
of the Australian Navy. He felt
unable to miss this opportunity,
so got out his mobile phone
and interviewed these people
and sent the interviews back
to the station, where they were
aired on Anzac Day morning.
A listener rang in saying that
his brother was in Gallipoli,
and asked if Andrew wanted
to speak to him. Two hours
later Andrew and his friend
were walking through the bush
when his phone rang.
“I grabbed my mate’s phone,
pressed record, then we rested
both phones on a fallen tree
trunk and I did the interview,
which was broadcast later that
day.”
Andrew adores the technical
challenge of an outside
broadcast, and parked outside
is the station’s well-equipped
Big Yellow Van.
“I am always pushing myself
to see if we can do something
technically that we haven’t
done before.” His persistence
has paid off. Volunteer Sharon
Cottle was inside the van during
an outside broadcast when
a technician from Channel
Nine stuck his head in and
said: “Wow, there’s the role of
about six people happening
inside this van.”
The station’s regular outside
broadcasts include the recent
‘Billy Swim’, organised by
Bilgola Beach SLSC, the Beach
to Beach run, and the Northern
Beaches Music Festival at
Narrabeen. Andrew Goodman-
Jones and Sharon Cottle regularly
take the Big Yellow Van to
the Manly Fig and The Shack’s
live music sessions, which are
then broadcast on Andrew’s
Sunday evening program, RNB
Live.
While we’re talking, Alan
Dixon arrives at the station to
prepare for his Christian-based
program ‘Highway to Heaven’
which airs on Monday nights.
Now in his 80s, he joined the
station 31 years ago in 1993.
Behind him appears the very
tall Stephen Wells. He has only
been with RNB for 18 months,
and is here to record in the
smaller Studio 2 his program
‘Down the White Rabbit Hole’,
and this episode features musicians
born in the first week of
February.
After a career as an engineer
Continued on page 40
Life Stories
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: Andrew Goodman-Jones at the
console; Graham Christie ‘live’ interviewing at the Billy Swim;
presenters (x3 pics) in 1987; the workings of a community
radio station drew crowds; Tia Pagliasso has been involved
for nine years; Michael Lester with musician Ken Davis at a
live broadcast of his performance at Dee Why; a pink radio
prop to mark the full-time RNB broadcast licence in 1984.
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 39

Life Stories
Continued from page 39
and economist working in
Australia and internationally,
including for the OECD in Paris
and the World Bank, 75-yearold
Michael Lester decided to
pursue his passion for blues
music. Five years ago he
started presenting a program
called Blues Stories, a mix
of stories, history and blues
music. Now he presents a host
of other programs too. In Community
Voices he interviews
local people in the community
from volunteers to politicians,
authors, actors and environmentalists.
He also presents
a program about technology,
science and society, and a
contemporary music program,
OzMusic, which showcases new
music from Northern Beaches
bands. Studio Three is set specifically
for live music.
“I’ve spoken to people about
very difficult issues, and their
resilience and willingness
to share their experiences is
amazing. I also speak to some
of the most eminent people in
the country on aspects of technology.
I call these people and
tell them I’m from a local community
radio station and they
are happy to give up their time.
It’s such a privilege to talk to
them and I find it absolutely
thrilling.”
When it comes to radio
gaffes over the years, leaving
the mic on is a common one.
When Tia first started presenting
she sang along at the top of
her voice to the song she was
playing thinking the mic was
off. Another presenter had unwittingly
left the microphone
on and broadcast a conversation
with his proctologist.
Michael Lester said that of the
600 interviews he has done, on
four occasions he failed to get
the recording.
“There was a profound interview
with Australia’s greatest
expert on nuclear power. He
was terrific… and I lost it. It is
embarrassing going back to
people who have given up their
valuable time to ask them to
do it again. Most people have
been so gracious, and say these
things happen. This was the
only occasion I didn’t have the
guts to ring up.”
For the 40-year celebration of
being continuously on air, one
40 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ABOVE: Broadcasting live from the NB Music Festival; ‘roadies’ freighting gear
circa 1980 (below left); checking out the grounds in the 1970s (below right).
RNB’s initiatives is nurturing
local community talent. The
station is organising a music
competition for high school
students on the beaches.
“We’ll have a judging panel
of musicians and producers,
and prizes and a finals
concert.”
The passion and dedication
of this band of volunteers
is extraordinary and Radio
Northern Beaches is such a
valuable voice for our community.
Tune in and enjoy the
next 40 years of the Northern
Beaches’ fabulous community
radio.
*For more details about RNB
and the next radio skills training
courses on 13 April, go to
rnb.org.au
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 41

Hot Property
Homes boasting elevated interest
There’s something special about a property that’s elevated and can capture a view, or one
nestled in the treetops that catches the coastal breeze. Check out these three beauties...
Poised on an 860sqm elevated block, this classic
beach cottage is full of charm. Surrounded by tropical
palms, lush greenery and ocean breezes,
78 Central Road Avalon Beach is just 400m from the
surf and 300m from the village. First built in 1942,
agent Jonathan Fletcher from Cunninghams says the
four-bedroom home has been loved for generations
and offers character and potential, with captivating
features such as stained glass, high ceilings and
rustic timber floors throughout. The open floor plan
is awash in natural light, while the flexible studio
on entry-level adds multi-use accommodation. An
east facing covered deck overlooks natural greenery.
Auction Saturday 16 March.
Hot Property
Privately tucked away this renovated three-bedroom
house at 82 Wallamatta Road Newport has stunning
east-to-west views across the yacht club marinas and
over Pittwater. The elevated views captivate from every
angle, from the open plan kitchen, the indoor/outdoor
living area, the oversized deck or master bedroom. Floor
to ceiling windows capture easterly sun. The home is
versatile for both living and entertaining with the upper
main level having two bedrooms and the lower level can
be used as a studio or guest accommodation. Agent
Benjamin von Sperl from LJ Hooker Newport says
this home would appeal to sea changers, downsizers or
executive couples. Auction guide $2.1million.
This grand family home on a ridgetop position
at 12 Jacquelene Close Bayview enjoys majestic
views to the Ku-ring-gai National Park. Amy Young
at Laing+Simmons Avalon Beach says the beauty
of nature meets the eye from the living room’s park
vistas to the kitchen and private alfresco areas
framed by bush rock formations. There are four
bedrooms on the upper level, with two opening
onto the balcony. The master has a large walk-in
robe plus ensuite, with French doors leading to the
garden. A lower-level fifth with ensuite is ideal as a
guest bedroom with a second living space boasting
a home theatre and sandstone fireplace. For sale
$2.6million.
– Lisa Offord
42 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Books
Local Author Q&A
Amanda keeping
things Cryptic
Amanda Hampson is the author of two non-fiction
books and seven novels – The Olive Sisters, Two
for the Road, The French Perfumer, The Yellow
Villa, Sixty Summers, Lovebirds and The Tea Ladies.
Now living in Melbourne, she has jumped at the
opportunity to visit her old stamping ground to
launch her latest novel The Cryptic Clue.
Q: Tell us about yourself…
Having lived in Avalon for
23 years, I recently moved
to inner-city Melbourne. It
couldn’t be more different and,
much as I miss the community
and the beaches, there are
many compensations to living
in the heart of a vibrant,
cultural city. My first novel The
Olive Sisters was published by
Penguin almost 20 years ago,
and since then, there have been
six more books published.
The latest one, The Tea Ladies,
was in the top 10 bestselling
Australian novels of 2023. The
next in the series, The Cryptic
Clue, will be released on 3 April
and I’m now working on a third
book in the series.
Q: What inspired you to write
The Cryptic Clue?
I noticed a post on a Facebook
page called ‘Australia
Remember When’ with an
image of a tea lady and her
trolley, serving tea in an
office. There were hundreds of
comments recalling tea ladies
of bygone days with great
affection. Someone commented
(rather mysteriously) ‘the tea
RETURN:
Amanda
Hampson.
lady knew where the bodies
were buried’. It struck me that
the beloved tea lady would be
the only person in the company
who knew everything that
went on. In those times, small
manufacturers were contained
in the one building (the factory
at the bottom, management
at the top) and she would be
the only person who moved
throughout it, trusted and
welcomed by all.
By virtue of being overlooked
and underestimated, a tea
lady is the perfect amateur
sleuth. I definitely didn’t want
to perpetuate the myth that
PHOTO: Christian Trinder
older women are a bit dotty
and set out to create highly
capable women whose
invisibility is a distinct
advantage. The result
was The Tea Ladies, set
in 1965; The Cryptic Clue
continues into 1966.
Q: How did it all come
together?
It takes me a year to get
to a decent draft and
then there’s another
year of polishing and
editing, working with
the publisher. With
these books being set
in the ’60s in Surry
Hills, there’s also a lot of
research to create convincing
setting and characters.
Initially, I found the genre
very tricky and complex. I
was used to having a major
twist in my books, but a crime
mystery needs many twists,
red herrings, information
concealed but also subtly
revealed. And everything has
to be perfectly woven together
in a logical and satisfying
ending. No pressure!
Q: Describe your writing
habits…
I start early and write for
around four hours. Ideally,
I work every day to keep the
flow going, but sometimes
life intervenes. I’ve never had
any luck planning a book, it
quickly becomes predictable. I
have to write the first sentence
and continue to figure the
plot out as it goes along. The
only way I can get it done is by
committing to a minimum of
500 words a day; it’s not a lot
but it builds up over time. Once
that first
draft is in place, expanding and
polishing scenes is so much
fun I don’t want to let it go.
Q: Any interesting feedback?
With the world in a state of
upheaval, I know readers have
been enjoying escaping reality
with a humorous whodunit
set in an earlier time and are
loving the depiction of older
women as strong, capable, and
fearless, bound together by
friendship.
Q: Anything else to add?
Bookoccino and Avalon
Community Library have
been a fantastic support over
all these years and we’ll be
having a launch event on April
10 at the Recreation Centre.
I’m really looking forward to
coming back and seeing a few
familiar faces!
*Catch Amanda talking about
The Cryptic Clue on Wed April
10 at 6pm. Book at the Avalon
Community Library or on
8495 5080.
44 MARCH 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Art Life
Take a deep dive
into creativity
Pittwater Artists Trail is
back in 2024 stronger
and bolder than ever. To
launch the 2024 Trail, members
are excited to be back at
the Newport Recreation Centre
with their group exhibition
from 15-17 March.
Trail co-ordinator
Karen Hick says
the group exhibition
offers a unique
‘destination’ experience
to see all the
members of the trail
under one roof. It
is intended as a
‘taster’ to then visit
the artists in their
own studios in July
and November.
“We are a dynamic
and diverse
group, and this exhibition
is a fabulous opportunity to
purchase art straight from
the artists,” said Karen. “The
variety and quality on offer
makes the event a must for
anyone keen on enriching
their home or workspace with
locally made art.”
Karen said you may find
many familiar faces you have
encountered in other places
when you arrive at the March
exhibition.
“This is because our artists
participate in a wide range of
exhibitions and competitions
or offer regular workshops
and events sharing their skill
The Local Voice Since 1991
with the Northern Beaches
and wider Sydney community,”
she said.
“To name a few – our very
talented weaving artist, Louise
Nade, conducts re-use weaving
workshops in the Northern
Beaches and Marrickville. Jan
Cristaudo facilitates
painting and
drawing workshops
at Willoughby Art
Centre and Ally
Bryan’s driftwood
painting workshops
are hugely popular.
“Or, you may
have seen painter
Jennifer Rosnell
featured in the
current Home
Beautiful magazine
in an article about
accessing and
enjoying local talent.”
The PAT exhibition kicks
off with an opening night on
Friday 15 March (6-8pm), and
is then open 10am-4pm on
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17th.
(Pictured are works by
‘Trailers’ Jan Cristaudo (top)
and Jennifer Rosnell, while Ben
Waters’ art graces the cover of
this issue of Pittwater Life.)
“The overarching message
for the Pittwater Artists Trail
is ‘Meet the artists… see their
work… buy Direct’,” said
Karen.
“We look forward to meeting
lots of new faces in March.”
– NW
MARCH 2024
Society’s Autumn art show
The Northern Beaches Art Society are proud to present their
Autumn Art Exhibition and Sale over the Easter Weekend
(28 March – 2 April) at the Tramshed
Hall in Narrabeen.
With Easter being a time of re-birth,
it represents a great opportunity to
revitalise your walls with some new
and original artworks.
“We have a wealth of talent on the
Northern Beaches and all the artworks,
in this exhibition, are from local Northern
Beaches Artists,” said President
Annette McCrossin.
“There will be a vast array of works
in a variety of mediums and styles in
oils, watercolours, acrylics, and pastels, all
covering a multitude of subjects – and all the paintings will be
for sale.”
Visitors will also be able to vote for their two favourite paintings
in the exhibition. Not only will the two artists who receive
the most votes win a prize each, but all those who vote will go
into the draw for the Viewer’s Prize.
Entry is free and opening hours are from 3pm on Thursday
28 March; plus 9am to 5pm other days.
The official opening will be from 3pm to 6pm on Thursday
28 March, with wine being served (all welcome).
On the final day (Tuesday 2 April), drinks will be served from
3pm and the exhibition will close at 5pm.
Any sold paintings can also be picked up after 5pm on
Sunday. (Pictured is ‘Mangroves in McCarrs Creek’ – Heather
Macorison.).
– NW
*More info northernbeachesartsociety.org
45
Art Life

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Beaches Seniors Festival fun
The Northern Beaches Seniors
Festival celebrates
the role and contributions
of older Australians and
provides an opportunity for
seniors to develop new skills,
meet people with similar
interests and find out how to
get involved in other activities
throughout the year.
The official theme of
this year’s festival is ‘Reach
Beyond’, with a wide range of
events planned from Monday
March 11 to Thursday March
28. Check council website.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s on:
Festival Roadshow. Drop in to
Mona Vale Library on Monday
11 from 10am-1pm and receive
hands-on tech help, collect
Legal Information Access Centre
resources, hear about free
government services for carers,
and more.
Nature journaling. Try Nature
Journaling in a comfortable and
supportive environment with
other seniors who are also new
to this activity on Thursday 14
from 10am-12pm at the Coastal
Environment Centre Narrabeen.
Nature Journaling is the practice
of using pictures, words
and numbers in a sketchbook/
journal to record your own
observations of nature. No art
experience is necessary, as
your tutor Wendy Orchard will
introduce you to a number of
LOTS TO DO: There are activities aplenty in March.
techniques that will assist you
in creating your own unique
nature journal. Cost $10; booking
essential.
History Alive. View inscriptions
and symbolic religious
art and hear about the
pioneers who settled and developed
the area on a tour of
Mona Vale Cemetery on Tuesday
19 from 9.30am-10.30am.
Reasonable level of fitness is
required. Tour will be followed
by refreshments. Meet at the
Cemetery Caretaker’s Office.
Free; bookings essential
by Monday 11 March. Numbers
limited. Phone 8495 6127 or
email cemeteries@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Kimbriki Tour. Learn what happens
at the HUB at Kimbriki in
Ingleside on a tour on Tuesday
19 from 10am-1pm. The HUB
houses four not-for-profit
organisations: Seniors Toy
Repairers, Bikes4life, Boomerang
Bags and Reverse Garbage
whose volunteers help to
reduce waste going to landfill
through repair and reuse. After
the HUB enjoy a guided
walk through the Eco House &
Garden, a light lunch and a bus
tour of the Kimbriki site. A bus
has been organised to collect
residents from The Tramshed
car park Narrabeen at 9.30am.
You are also welcome to drive
there – park at the HUB which
is halfway down the hill on the
left. Free; limited places and
bookings essential online via
Council website, or call 1300
434 434.
Virtual Reality Experience.
Immerse yourself in the digital
world! Learn to use the VR
headsets in a safe and fun environment
at Mona Vale Library
on Friday 22 from 10am-12pm.
This is a seated activity in a
fully accessible space. Light
refreshments provided. Free; no
bookings required. Enquiries
8495 5028 or libraryprograms@
northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Meet Your Local Seniors
Groups. There are many local
seniors groups and no matter
your hobby or interest, there’s
a group or activity out there
for you. This expo at the
Newport Community Centre
on Friday 22 from 1pm-4pm
is an opportunity for you to
get to know what’s available.
The expo features more than
25 information tables from
groups and organisations, a
toe tapping performance by
the Third Age Jazz Rock Fusion,
health, wellbeing and planning
presentations, vouchers, lucky
door prizes, giveaways, and
more! Free transport can be
arranged. Phone Easylink 9919
0700 (conditions apply).
Uplifting Music and Songs.
Enjoy an afternoon of music
and song featuring the Northern
Beaches Concert Band and
the Karinya Hummingsong
Choir on Sunday 24 from
2.30pm-4pm at the Pittwater
Uniting Church, 10 Jubilee Avenue
Warriewood. Free; no RSVP
necessary. Enquiries: info@
nbcb.org.au – Lisa Offord
46 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

New private hospital eyes opening
new $98 million state-of-the-art
A private surgical and rehabilitation
hospital in Terrey Hills is nearing completion
and on track to open in the coming
months, with first patients expected to be
accepted in September.
In a recent behind-the-scenes tour of
the impressive 85-bed Wyvern
Private Hospital it was evident
work on the final phase of
construction – the interior fit-out
and installation of world-class
medical equipment – was moving
along nicely.
Owned by Australian Unity
and leased for 30 years to operator
Wyvern Health, the hospital
which is spread over three
pavilions nestled in natural
bushland at 33A Myoora Road,
will provide residents with
more private healthcare options
closer to home.
Facilities designed by doctors include
seven operating theatres, 56 surgical
inpatient beds, 20 rehabilitation beds
and a nine-bed intensive care unit, plus
a range of support units and services
including a catheterisation lab, medical
imaging, pathology, rehabilitation (with
a gymnasium and hydrotherapy pool),
pharmacy and consulting suites.
Operators will focus on providing
specialist medical services including
spinal surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic
surgery, vascular surgery, interventional
cardiology, pain management and ophthalmology.
LIGHT & BRIGHT:
Artist’s impression of a
staff station at Wyvern
Private Hospital.
Wyvern Private Hospital CEO Ian Campbell
said the vision powering the project
from the start was best summed up in
three words: ‘care without compromise’.
“Care without compromise is at the
heart of everything we do,” Mr Campbell
said.
“We are creating an exceptional
environment to provide vital care to
help patients heal in a beautiful location
supported by the best equipment, best
doctors and best staff.”
A walk through the facility in February
revealed every part of the hospital, from
the main entry – which incorporates a
feature spiral stair – to the ward rooms,
operating theatres, consulting
suites and staff lounge and
changerooms, is spacious with
an open and airy ambiance.
Large, glazed windows allow
for an abundance of natural
light and a connection to the
natural enviroment and the use
of light oak wood and a softneutral
colour palette throughout
creates a soothing sense
of calm.
With a notable team already
on board and strong interest
from doctors operating across
the target specialty areas, the Wyvern
Private Hospital is building a dynamic
community.
– Lisa Offord
*Applications are being accepted for a
wide range of roles in nursing, rehabilitation,
spinal care, physiotherapy,
pharmacy, general healthcare and
administration and management; visit
wyvernprivatehospital.com.au
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 47

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
with Dr John Kippen
Information on eyelid
reduction surgery
A
common request for
upper eyelid surgery is
being told you look tired,
angry or stressed. Puffiness and
swelling of the lower lids can be
corrected surgically.
Regarding the upper lids,
skin and muscle excess
contribute to fullness, folding
and hooding. Medial fat pocket
excess, adjacent to the nose,
results in bagginess in this
area. Lateral fullness may be
due to tear gland droop. Skin
thickness is important, with
thin skin correcting easily. Thick
skin may look a little undercorrected.
Surgery addresses
all these layers: namely skin,
muscle and fat. Tear glands
may need to be repositioned.
The incisions run hidden in the
fold lines and usually extend
out into the crows feet. This
corrects the lateral hooding.
Frown lines can be softened
through these incisions.
Eyebrow position is very
important, as drooping
eyebrows contribute to upper
eyelid skin. Brows may need
to be independently corrected
to optimize outcomes. There
are a range of procedures to
accomplish this from minimally
invasive direct browlifts to
endoscopic, camera assisted
procedures.
Drooping of the upper eyelid
itself can also be corrected.
This is usually the result of
Before After
the elevating muscle being
stretched or disconnecting
from the insertion. This is done
at the same time. The eyelid is
repositioned with respect to the
pupil.
Surgery alone is not good
at correcting fine skin creases,
skin pigmentation or tear
troughs. Additional procedures
at the time of surgery improve
these.
Where appropriate,
upper eyelid surgery can
be performed under local
anaesthetic in the rooms, or
in a day surgery; sedation or
general anaesthetic may also
be used. Surgery takes between
30 and 90 minutes. Stitches
are removed between four and
seven days. Internal stitches
dissolve.
Depending on the bruising
and type of occupation, people
can be back at work as early
as three days or a little longer
with more invasive procedures.
Vision may be a little blurred
and eyes a little dry. A full
explanation will be given at
consultation.
Two consultations are usually
required to fully explain and
understand the procedure,
recovery and return to
activities of daily living. Careful
assessment and planning is
needed and photographs are
often used for this.
Written information,
brochures and ‘before’ and
‘after’ photographs (as
pictured) are useful to fully
explain the techniques,
outcomes and risks.
This is usually a well-tolerated
procedure with favourable
outcomes.
Summary:
Cost – $5500
Time in hospital – Rooms
under local anaesthetic, going
home immediately (or day
surgery).
Work return – 3-10 days.
Our columnist
Dr John Kippen is a qualified,
fully certified consultant
specialist in Plastic and
Reconstructive surgery.
Australian trained, he
also has additional
Australian and International
Fellowships. He welcomes
enquiries; email
doctor@johnkippen.com.au
‘Community
Care’ in
national
rebrand
Northern Sydney community
care provider Community
Care Northern Beaches (CCNB)
is celebrating 30 years of delivering
health and wellbeing
services for locals with a new
look and name, rebranding to
Proveda.
Chief Executive Officer of
Proveda Karen Dawson said
Proveda had been evolving to
offer a wider circle of support
services to help people and
their families.
“Proveda has expanded its
support from where it started
in aged care in 1994, to today
offering a large variety of services
including disability and
mental health services such
as suicide prevention, social
isolation programs, volunteer
support, education around
end-of-life planning, and other
community-based programs,”
she said.
“The expansion of its footprint
outside of its Northern
Sydney roots has culminated
in a rebrand as a national
entity.”
Ms Dawson said Proveda
was committed to finding a
‘best-fit’ solution for people
and their families – no matter
the life challenge they may be
facing.
The organisation has grown
to become one of Northern
Sydney’s largest independent,
not-for-profit, community-led
organisations – impacting the
lives of approximately 15,000
people over the last 30 years.
48 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 49

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Easylink’s community grant boost
Mackellar Federal MP Sophie Scamps
joined clients and staff of Easylink
Community Services at Narrabeen to
celebrate their recent $16,000 community
grant.
Easylink provides affordable and accessible
transport for Northern Beaches
residents, including hospital and medical
shuttles, group shopping, and social outings
for people who struggle to get out on
their own.
“Thanks to the grant, we were able to
purchase equipment to streamline our
newsletter mailout. Our printed newsletter
is the main way for our 7,000 clients
to keep up to date with our services and
upcoming events,” explained Easylink General
Manager Dan Giles.
“It used to be a massive undertaking,
normally taking a working party of staff
and volunteers around a week to complete.
Now it takes only three and a half
hours, freeing up our team to do a lot
more value-add work for the community.
“I can’t thank Sophie Scamps enough for
her support with this. The whole grants
process was straightforward and the team
at Sophie’s office were extremely friendly
WIN: Dr Scamps with GM Dan Giles (second from
right) and Easylink staff and clients.
and helpful.”
Mr Giles encouraged other community
organisations to check out all the grants
available in Mackellar.
Client Rick added that Easylink was a
very caring organisation “and they take
us to places that we find difficult to get to
these days”.
Dr Scamps told Pittwater Life she was
delighted to join the Ezylink social outing
and see first-hand the difference their
community service made to people’s lives.
“Easylink provides a vital service for
many vulnerable members of our community,
who need help to get to medical appointments,
get out to the shops or just get
out and about to socialise and enjoy some
quality time with friends,” said Dr Scamps.
“Volunteers and community groups
make such a positive contribution and provide
generous support in our community.
They help make Mackellar a caring and vibrant
place to live and work, and I’ll always
do everything I can to support them.”
Dr Scamps said Easylink was one of 40 local
community organisations in Mackellar to
receive a community grant awarded through
her office in 2023, with a total of more than
$230,000 in grants awarded last year.
She said all applications were considered
on individual merit by an independent
committee made up of volunteers with
local knowledge of the Mackellar community
and expertise in community needs.
Applications are via an expression of
interest and details published on Sophie
Scamp’s website and via her newsletter
when open.
– LO
*Sign up for the newsletter and you will
automatically be contacted by the electorate
office when the grant application
process opens.
50 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
What aestheticians want all
their clients to stop doing...
Aesthetic practitioners
are dedicated to enhancing
your appearance
and overall well-being through
various treatments, home care
products and recommendations.
However, a few misconceptions
and recurrent habits
can impact the progress and
efficacy of this close relationship.
An honest collaboration
between aesthetician and
client will provide the best
possible outcome for optimal
skin health.
A survey in the medical aesthetic
profession found a few of
the most common areas where
you, the client, can assist with a
more positive outcome.
During the consultation,
the aesthetician and the
client must be completely
transparent about what may
be achieved and the desired
outcome. We all see the
social media before and after
photos, and we all want a
miracle in a jar, so to speak;
this includes me. The results
are ultimately determined
by age, health, lifestyle and
compliance with home care
products and applications.
Nothing lasts forever, even a
facelift. Remember, our body
is a continually aging machine,
and “regular servicing” needs
to be maintained.
After any treatment, please
refrain from touching the skin
immediately after. By doing so,
the introduction of bacteria can
disrupt the healing process. For
injectable procedures, this can
mean not touching the treated
site (unless advised to, and
only on clean skin with clean or
gloved hands).
Do not expect immediate
results, as improvement will
vary depending on age, health
and healing capacity. This
applies to all injectables, laser
procedures, skin needling and
peels. The older we are, the
slower the healing and rejuvenation
time for the skin. Be
patient and comply with your
homecare instructions.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Do not overload on exfoliating
procedures at home. Combining
chemical exfoliants and
mechanical exfoliants too often
and aggressively can damage
the protective skin barrier,
leading to dehydration and
eroding the youthful, plump
appearance we all desire.
Just because your friend had
the procedure and an excellent
outcome does not mean
the procedure is correct for
you. While some treatments
may be universal for most skin
types, no two skins are identical.
This is where the consultation
process is required. While
one person may require a
fractional laser, another may
be able to have an IPL for the
treatment of colour irregularities
and then may need a
fractional laser or a course of
skin needling to achieve their
desired result.
When you arrive for a treatment
where heat may be applied
– possibly in the form of
laser, radio frequency, RF skin
needling or even a skin peel
– and you have come straight
from the gym, a run, hot yoga
or even hot coffee – the skin
will not be able to cope with
the parameters the treatment
requires for your desired
outcome. If you are unsure
of your pre- and post-instructions,
always call ahead and
have them cemented in your
thoughts so you and the clinic
are aligned with achieving
optimal results for your skin.
Always disclose any aller-
gies and medical history, as
there are often contraindications
to ingredients and
treatments. This also includes
disclosing any injectable
treatments, even if obtained
at another clinic, as deep laser
and RF treatments and deep
massage can create a possible
migration or dissolving of the
ingredients. This also means if
you have had prior treatments
at another clinic in a close
time frame. With this transparency,
the outcome is always a
more-than-desirable result.
Rapidly changing skin care
products can irritate the skin
and disrupt the healing process.
Discuss with your aesthetician
if you feel a product
could improve your outcome.
Daily, we are preaching to
use sunscreen, even on the
cloudiest of days. Overexposure
to the sun is the number
1 reason for skin ageing in
this country.
When there is open and
transparent communication
between the aesthetician and
the client, the desired result is
so much easier to achieve.
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
MARCH 2024 51
Hair & Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
At the ‘stage’ where political
promises truly run shallow
This month we reflect
on promises made and
promises broken. Or, as
an alternative title perhaps: ‘you
got me good, Albo’. Last month I
wrote about legislated and
pending stage 3 tax cuts. To
quote the streaker’s lament I
deployed to this magazine’s
publisher: it seemed like a good
idea at the time. Like, what could
possibly go wrong? These tax
cuts were both legislated and
pending (as my underlines are
intended to emphasise to you).
And I’m no rookie; before I hit
the send button on 19 January,
I had checked out the political
landscape, there was nothing
to indicate a recant: the Prime
Minister had reaffirmed his
commitment to proceeding with
the cuts as legislated only the
Wednesday before.
But just four days
later, on 23 January,
proposed amendments
to the
legislated stage
3 tax cuts were
leaked and then
confirmed 24
hours later following
a caucus meeting
on Wednesday
24 January. The
rest is history.
This is the political
environment
we have allowed
our leaders – from
both sides of politics – to sink
into. Howard, Rudd, Gillard,
Abbott, Morrison have had
cause to ‘change direction’
suddenly. Please don’t get me
wrong: politicians
are allowed to
change policies
and laws, it’s what
they are elected
to do. It’s the way
the process is
undertaken and
how they take the
electorate along
that leaves so much
to be desired.
What if – in the
alternative, the PM
had been true to
brand (like the guy
on the beer can) and
opposed the stage 3 cuts
straight after the 2019 election?
What if – as part of their
election platform in May 2022
or as soon as possible following
the election, the new government
put their hand up and said
‘yeah-nah’ to the stage 3 cuts?
They would have still had the
kudos of giving (or standing
up to the principle of giving)
more people a tax cut without
promising they were committed
to the status quo – some days
the principles displayed by our
politicians can be worse than
what we see displayed during
an episode of MAFS.
No; instead they waited, they
reaffirmed, they sat quietly on
their hands FOR FIVE YEARS
until they could wait no more
because of the pressure of the
legislative calendar… and then
they recanted. Of course, someone
in government would have
had to have instructed Treasury
to work on the change many
months before, as they’re inca-
52 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

pable of doing anything quickly.
The final triggers for the
recant were twofold, the official
one was cost of living relief, the
second one (and in politics the
most important one) was giving
Peter Dutton and the opposition
a massive wedgie.
As Annabel Crabb saw it in
on the ABC on 8 February: “‘My
word is my bond,’ said Anthony
Albanese not long after becoming
PM, after a campaign where
every second question addressed
to the former student socialist
centred around whether he was
absolutely, truly, reeeaaallly
as committed as he claimed to
handing back billions of dollars
to the nation’s wealthiest taxpayers.
And so, with this week’s
parliamentary confirmation that
in fact, the Stage 3 legislated
tax cuts are going to have a
teeny bit of retooling, ‘My word
is my bond’ joins ‘There will be
no carbon tax under a government
that I lead’, ‘I don’t hold
a hose, mate’, ‘We’ve lost 30
Newspolls in a row’ and ‘This is
the greatest moral challenge of
our generation’in the annals of
political statements that seemed
like a good idea at the time. And
of course, at the time, strategically,
promising to keep the legislated
cuts was an entirely good
idea for Mr Albanese, in whose
rear-vision mirror the plume of
acrid smoke from Bill Shorten’s
boldly redistributive 2019 campaign
platform was still clearly
visible.”
The trainwreck 2019 election
affected the psyche of the
Labor members who contested
it so badly that even when returned
to power in 2022 they
stayed away from attacking the
traditional sacred cows of middle-class
wealth building. Everyone
it seemed was on board the
aspirational band wagon. Well,
that appeared to be the case
until recently.
Barely a week following the
recant on the stage 3 tax cuts,
articles appeared in the press
calling out negative gearing,
superannuation concessions
and capital gains tax policy. It
was as if the ‘tax reform’ genie
was released from the bottle.
Unsurprisingly, the early mover
in this space was The Guardian
on 31 January covering the annual
Treasury summary of tax
expenditures and quoting Brendan
Coates from the Grattan Institute:
“If you want to any kind
of serious tax reform you’re
The Local Voice Since 1991
going to need to close off those
holes in the income tax base,
with the federal budget facing a
long-term structural deficit and
big spending pressures looming,
curbing these tax concessions
should be a priority.”
James Kirby in The Australian
also raised the issue on 16 February
of the government being
re-emboldened around taxation
and pointed to the new tax on
superannuation commencing
1 July next year as an example:
“The tax system is wide open
to the government; they got
the personal tax amendments
through parliament this week
without a problem. Now we have
this extraordinary tax planned
for super which looks ever more
likely – no wonder investors are
wondering what’s next.”
Kirby rightly points out
that: “Regulatory risk is now
a crucial item for investors at
all levels. After the surprises of
last month, we cannot say for
sure any tax structure is guaranteed.”
I’m sure that Kirby would
admit regulatory risk has always
been an important factor
when in making investment
decisions. Governments come
and go and they generally behave
according to their political
DNA. Joe Hockey’s disastrous
budget in 2014, Shorten’s failed
election run in 2019 – they all
give us a glimpse behind the
masks they wear.
Interestingly, as I write this
on 21 February, there is suddenly
no talk of tax reform in
the media or from our federal
politicians. You see, a small
boat arrived with some asylum
seekers in far north Western
Australia…
Quote for the day: “Jerry, just
remember, it’s not a lie if you
believe it!” – George Costanza.
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.
MARCH 2024 53
Business Life

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.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TeslaAirportTransfers
Call Ben 0405 544 311
New Tesla Model Y fleet; Airport
transfer Mona Vale ($129), Avalon
($139), Palmy ($149). Guaranteed
on-time pick-up.
BATTERIES
Battery Business
Call 9970 6999
Batteries for all applications. Won’t
be beaten on price or service. Free
testing, 7 days.
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.
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
Avalon-based. Doors & locks, timber gates
& handrails, decking repairs and timber
replacement. Also privacy screens. 25
years’ experience. Lic: 7031C.
CLEANING
Amazing Clean
Call Andrew 0412 475 2871
Specialists in blinds, curtains and
awnings. Clean, repair, supply new.
Aussie Clean Team
Call John 0478 799 680
For a good clean, inside and outside;
windows, gutters. Also repairs.
Housewashing
northernbeaches.au
Call Ben 0408 682 525
On the beaches for 25 years! Softwash,
hardwash, windows, gutters, roofs & more.
54 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your
concreting needs; Northern Beachesbased.
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;
Narrabeen-based.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Stephan or Roslyn 9979 7292
Northern Beaches Flooring Centre has
been family owned & run for over 20
years. Carpets, Tiles, Timber, Laminates,
Hybrids & Vinyls. Open 6 days.
GARDENS
!Abloom Ace Gardening
Call 0415 817 880
Full range of gardening services
including landscaping, maintenance
and rubbish removal.
Conscious Gardener Avalon
Call Matt 0411 750 791
Professional local team offering quality
garden maintenance, horticultural
advice; also garden makeovers.
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction
for every garden situation. Sustainable
vegetable gardens and waterfront specialist.
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.
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.
Trades & Services
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.
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 55

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
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
Advertise
your Business
in Trades &
Services section
Ph: 0438 123 096
replacement. Drain systems fully
relined; 35 years’ guarantee. Latest
technology, best price.
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.
TV ANTENNA
Action Antenna
Call Paul 0412 610 170
Beaches-based; TV antenna
installations, repairs and removal.
25yrs exp. Insured.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of
outdoor & indoor seating. Custom
service, expert advice.
56 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 57

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
All about the crack: how to
cook the perfect egg dishes
Eggs: they’re nature’s perfect little
package. Eggs are inexpensive, versatile
and nutritious; and they can be used to
6 Top Egg Tips
1. Start with fresh eggs, by
keeping eggs in their carton
you can keep an eye on their
use by date.
2. Store eggs in the fridge, in
their original carton. This
extends their freshness.
3. Control the heat, eggs cook
quickly, so it’s crucial to
control the heat. Use medium
heat to prevent overcooking
and ensure even cooking.
4. Remove the pan from the
heat, just before eggs are
cooked, the residual heat
continues to cook the eggs.
5. Season well – don’t skimp on
seasoning! Eggs love salt and
pepper. As eggs are protein,
it’s best to season after
cooking.
6. Freshness test: fill a bowl
with cold tap water and place
your eggs in it. If they sink
to the bottom and lay flat on
one side, they are fresh and
good to eat. A bad egg will
float because of the large air
cell that forms at its base.
Discard floating eggs!
Perfect
Poached Eggs
Use the freshest of eggs (farm
fresh if you can). There are
several techniques for poaching
eggs; this is my fave:
Start by bringing a medium
saucepan of water to a simmer
(small bubbles breaking the
water surface).
Add 2 teaspoons white
vinegar to the water; this helps
the egg hold together during
poaching.
Crack 1 egg into a small
shallow bowl. From just above
the water, gently pour the egg
into the pan then gently stir
to create a whirlpool. Repeat
if you’re cooking more than 1
egg.
4 minutes for a soft yolk, 6
minutes for medium yolk and 8
minutes for hard yolk.
When your egg is cooked, use
a slotted spoon to remove to a
plate lined with paper towel to
absorb any leftover water.
Serving suggestion:
Poached egg with
smashed avocado &
sesame dukkha
1. Smash ripe avocado with a
squeeze lime juice, spoonful
crème fraiche and as much
or little sriracha sauce as you
like.
2. Dollop thickly onto toasted
sour dough.
3. Sprinkle with dukkha and top
with poached egg.
4. To make the sesame dukkha
place ¼ cup sesame seeds in
a small nonstick frying pan
over medium heat. Cook,
shaking often 3 minutes until
light golden. Add 1 tbs each
ground cumin and coriander,
2 tsp sweet paprika, 1 tsp
chilli flakes, 1 tsp seas salt
flakes, crushed and freshly
ground black pepper. Stir
over low heat until aromatic.
Remove to a bowl, set aside
to cool completely. Once
cool, spoon into a clean
airtight jar and store for up
to 3 months.
make great meals for breakfast, lunch and
dinner. This month is all about cooking the
perfect egg!
Perfect Fried Eggs
Start with a cold, nonstick
frying pan and roomtemperature
eggs.
Pour the oil or melted butter
into the non-stick pan.
Crack the eggs into the cold
pan then place over medium
heat. Allowing the egg and fat
to come to temperature at the
same time prevents the white
popping and overcooking.
Once the fat starts to sizzle,
increase heat to medium-high
and cook to your liking.
If you like your fried egg
sunny-side up, remove from
heat. If you prefer a firm yolk,
turn the egg and cook for 30-
60 seconds or until the yolk is
cooked to your liking.
Season after cooking.
Serving suggestion:
Croque Madame
Makes 2
80g butter
1 tbs plain flour
½ cup full cream milk
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
3 tbs grated Parmesan cheese
175g Gruyère cheese, grated
4 slices bread brioche or
sourdough
4 tsp Dijon mustard
100g thinly sliced ham
4 fried eggs
1. Melt 1 tablespoon of
butter in a small-medium
saucepan over medium
heat. Add flour, cook,
stirring for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat,
add the milk, and nutmeg.
Return to the heat, cook,
stirring, for 3 minutes,
until sauce comes to the
boil. Remove from the
heat. Stir in the Parmesan
and half of the Gruyère
cheese.
2. Arrange two slices of
bread on a baking tray.
Spread with Dijon. Top
with ham. Spread a little
of the thick cheese sauce
over the ham, top with the
remaining Gruyere and
another slice of bread.
3. Melt 3 tablespoons of
butter in a large nonstick
pan over medium
heat. Brush the tops of
Cook, without stirring, for
58 MARCH 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

the sandwiches with some
of the melted butter. Place
the sandwiches in the hot
pan, buttered side down and
brush more butter over the
tops. Cook for 2-3 minutes
each side until golden.
4. Remove the sandwiches to
the baking tray. Spread the
remaining cheese sauce over
the tops, making sure to
coat the edges (this prevents
edges burning).
5. Position a rack in the top
third of the oven. Grill the
sandwiches for 1-2 minutes
until sauce starts to bubble.
6. Remove the sandwiches to
plates, top each with 2 fried
eggs. Season and serve.
Perfect Boiled Eggs
Always boil eggs from room
temperature. Slightly older
eggs are best, as the pH level
within the whites increases,
causing those whites to
adhere less tightly to the inner
membrane of the shell. This
makes them easier to peel
once boiled.
Bring a saucepan of water
to the boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to medium
high so the bubbles just break
the surface. Place eggs, one at
a time onto a slotted spoon,
gently slide the eggs into the
water.
Gently stir the eggs after
adding to the pan, this stirring
motion helps to centre the
yolks.
Cook for 4 minutes for a set
white and a runny yolk (great
for dippy eggs), 6 minutes for a
hard white and a runny yolk, 8
minutes for a hard white and a
creamy yolk, or 12 minutes for
hard boiled.
At the end of the cooking
time, using the slotted spoon,
transfer the eggs to a bowl of
iced water. Stand for 5 minutes
before peeling.
Serving suggestion:
Medium boiled
egg with whipped
fetta toast
For 1
1. Combine 125g fetta with 2
tablespoons Greek yoghurt
in a food processor.
2. Process until smooth. Stir in
1 tsp Dijon mustard and 2
tbs chopped fresh herbs.
3. Spread over toasted grain
bread and serve with softmedium
boiled egg.
The Local Voice Since 1991
Serving suggestion:
Best egg and
lettuce sandwich
Makes 1
2 medium boiled eggs
2 tsp tandoori paste
2 tbs whole egg mayonnaise
2 tsp dry mustard powder
2 sliced grain or white bread
1 tbs butter, softened
2 lettuce leaves
1. Peel and roughly chop the
eggs.
2. Combine the tandoori paste
and mayonnaise in a bowl,
mix until well combined.
3. Add the mustard and egg.
Season with plenty salt and
pepper. Mix well.
4. Spread the bread with butter.
Top 1 slice of bread with
lettuce leaves then spoon
over the egg. Season well.
Sandwich with remaining
bread. Serve.
Perfect
Scrambled Eggs
The key to perfect scrambled
eggs is whisking the eggs
vigorously and thoroughly in
a bowl. For 1 serve, whisk 2
eggs in a medium bowl until no
white or yolk is visible – start
this as the butter melts in the
pan. Add 1-2 tablespoons of
thickened cream (for weekend,
café style), or full cream milk
(for mid-week), whisk until
combined. Season with pepper.
Melt a little butter in a nonstick
frying pan over mediumlow
heat (a non-stick pan makes
it easier for you to drag the
egg around the base of the
pan). Stop whisking and pour
the mixture to the pan over
medium-low heat.
For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
Once the egg begins to set
around the edge and base, use
a flat-edged wooden spoon to
gently push the cooked mixture
from the edge to the centre,
trying not to break the mixture
up too much. Remove from
heat just before cooked to your
liking. Season with salt and
pepper and serve immediately.
Serving suggestion;
Breakfast burrito
Makes 2
4 rindless bacon rashers,
halved crossways
2 tortilla wraps
2 tbs chilli jam
½ cup grated tasty cheddar
4 eggs, scrambled as above
2 tbs chopped green onions
1 small tomato, diced
Cook the bacon in a chargrill
or non-stick frying pan over
medium-high heat for 2
minutes on each side or until
golden. Transfer to a plate lined
with paper towel.
Spread one side of each
wrap with chilli jam. Top with
cheddar, scrambled eggs, green
onions, tomato and bacon. Roll
up the wraps. Spray lightly with
olive oil spray.
Cook in a clean frying pan over
medium heat for 1-2 minutes,
each side or until warmed
through. Cut in half and serve,
Perfect Omelettes
It’s all about the pan. It should
be heavy-based and non-stick
(don’t use your old, scratched
non-stick pan!).
Crack 2 room temperature
eggs into a jug. Add 1
tablespoon of cold tap water
or milk.
Use a fork to gently whisk
the eggs until well combined.
Season with pepper. You can
also add some mixed herbs at
this stage.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in
a medium non-stick frying pan
over medium-high heat until
foaming. Pour the egg mixture
into the centre of the pan, then
tilt the pan back and forth so
the egg runs over the base
evenly.
Cook for 1-2 minutes or until
the base of the omelette is
set and lightly golden and the
top is still slightly a little soft
and uncooked (this uncooked
egg acts as the glue when the
omelette is folded over). If the
omelette is cooked until the
top is dry, the omelette will be
overcooked.
Use a spatula to fold the edge
of the omelette closest to you
towards the centre. Flip the
omelette onto a plate. Serve.
Add any fillings, just before
folding the omelette, such as
chopped cooked bacon, diced
tomato, sauté mushrooms or
grated cheese.
MARCH 2023 59
Food Life

Food Life
Pick of the Month:
Food Life
Limes
Closely related to lemons,
the lime originated in
Southeast Asia. In Australia we
see two varieties. The Tahitian
lime which has a green skin
and the Mexican Lime which
is yellow skinned. Limes are
a great source of vitamin C.
Tip: To get the most juice from
the fruit, roll on the benchtop
then microwave for 20 seconds
before cutting in half and
juicing.
Buying
Look for fruit that feels heavy.
While they are in season it’s a
good idea to buy in bulk and
juice the fruit. Pour into ice
cube trays and freeze then
transfer to an airtight container
or bag and freeze.
Storage
Store out of direct sunlight in
a fruit bowl on the bench for
up to 7 days, or in an unsealed
plastic bag in the crisper for up
to one month.
½ cup (125ml) lime juice (about
4 limes)
300ml thickened cream,
whipped
1. Grease and line base and
sides of a 18cm x 28cm
(base) slice pan.
2. Break the biscuits into a
food processor. Process
until coarsely crushed. Add
the butter and process until
combined. Spoon into the
prepared pan. Use the back
of the large metal spoon to
press evenly over the base.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes or
until firm.
3. Beat egg yolks in a small
bowl with an electric mixer
until light and fluffy. With the
mixer on low speed, add the
condensed milk, lime rind
and juice.
4. Pour the mixture into
prepared crust. Bake for
about 12-15 minutes or until
just set. Set aside to cool
to room temperature, then
refrigerate until required.
5. Cut into pieces. Serve topped
with whipped cream and
extra lime rind.
In Season
March
Bananas; figs; grapes,
Kiwifruit; limes;
mangoes; Nashi pears;
Valencia oranges;
papaw; passionfruit;
pomegranate; plums &
quince; watermelon; also
Asian greens; beetroot,
Green beans; broccoli;
broccolini; carrots;
capsicums; cucumbers;
eggplant; lettuce; spinach;
sweetcorn and zucchini.
Key lime slice
Makes 16
250g plain sweet biscuits
100g butter, melted, cooled
Filling
4 egg yolks
400g can sweetened condensed
milk
1 tbs finely grated lime rind +
extra to serve
60 MARCH 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in March
Avalon's Merchant
curries f(l)avour
Mekong Merchant’s Vietnamese
street food hits the spot with tasty
lunch orders like rice paper rolls,
salad bowls, pho and banh mi. But
there’s more, if you’d like something
to take home; the Avalon restaurant
has frozen dishes, too. Freezer faves
include spicy vegan curry, lemongrass
chicken and Vietnamese beef stew.
Head to the Coast
for casual dinners
Coast in Palm Beach is doing casual
dinners on Friday nights. Start the
evening with tuna crudo and arancini
before moving on to slow-cooked
lamb salad or a stacked lamb burger
with halloumi, tzatziki and fries.
Grilled fish with Greek salad and
fries or fish and chips are worthy
alternatives. Dinner from 5-8pm.
Bakery bliss
at Newport
Newport has a new
café-cum-general-storecum-bakery.
Leaf and
Grain ticks those healthy
boxes with sugar-free,
gluten-free, vegetarian,
vegan, organic and
free-range farm-to-table
products. The homemade
pies, sausage rolls and
sweet treats like the oldfashioned
vanilla slice are
made on-site.
Clareville Kiosk
has its 'last supper'
Hurry, restaurateur Nathan Boler is
bidding farewell to Clareville Kiosk, his
culinary home of almost nine years.
Boler’s last dinner features canapés,
salt and pepper slipper lobster, lamb
backstrap with pea, potato and feta
gratin and sticky toffee pudding. The
final degustation dinner is on March 2.
Tasty Morsels
The Local Voice Since 1991
Three of a kind: caffeine hits
Fancy a latte to help a
sustainable social enterprise?
Turning Teardrops Into
Joy’s coffee cart (left) makes
Short Street coffees to raise
awareness on the issues
of modern slavery. The
Vespresso cart is located
in the space under Avalon
Baptist Church. It’s open
Friday through Monday, from
7am until 1pm.
Whether it’s hot or cold,
Newport’s Shotlab Espresso
has coffee season sewn up.
For those sticky Autumn
days, why not try one of the
iced lattes or a cold brew
instead of a cappuccino?
Marvell Street supplies
the coffee. Finish an early
morning order off with bacon
and egg roll or croissant
slathered in Pepe Saya butter.
From a little shop in an arcade
back in 2102, the family-run
Beco Group now sports
cafes in Newport, Mona Vale
and Brookvale. The house
signature blend is made with
beans from Brazil, Colombia
and Ethiopia producing a
smooth, fruity coffee. The
menu is coffee-friendly too
with suitable breakfast and
lunch accompaniments.
MARCH 2023 61

Garden Life
with Gabrielle Bryant
Garden Life
Take heed and fruits of your
citrus labours will be rewarded
Now that autumn is here it is time to
look after your citrus trees, which
are the most popular backyard tree
in Sydney. Either in a pot or in the ground,
they need similar treatment to produce
lemons, limes, oranges, cumquats or
grapefruit.
Leaf miners are still active so continue
with fortnightly applications of Eco Oil.
They will distort the leaves but not damage
the fruit. Trim back any damaged shoots
(there is still time for the new growth to
mature before Spring).
Give your trees a last feed with a
balanced citrus food before Winter sets
in. Sprinkle the food around the drip line
of your tree. A common mistake is to feed
plants close to the trunk. The feeding
roots grow away from the trunk. Feed the
soil away from the tree to encourage new
growth in search of food!
After feeding, apply new mulch 10cm
thick, making sure that it doesn’t touch the
trunk. There are many mulches to choose
from: sugar cane, pea straw, compost,
bark, leaves or well-rotted grass clippings.
All will do the trick of keeping the roots
warm and maintaining moisture in the soil.
Citrus are prone to both root rot and
collar rot, a fungal disease that will ring
bark and kill the tree. After so many weeks
of rain and humid hot weather fungal
disease is easily developed. Spray with
Yates Anti-rot; it will protect both the bark
and the roots of the tree.
And if you don’t have a citrus tree, now
is the perfect time to plant one, while the
soil is still warm from the Summer sun. If
space is limited, grow a cumquat tree in a
tub.
Lawn grubs
on the march
Watch out for your lawn! Army
worm (sometimes known
as lawn grub) are on the march!
Recent warm humid weather is
their favourite climate. These furry
brown caterpillars are hatching
everywhere. Tell tale signs are
brown dead patches in the lawn that
look as if the grass has been cut too
short. These patches spread very
quickly, and a whole green lawn can
be reduced to a bare brown earth in
a matter of days! These caterpillars
eat both the roots and the leaves.
The plague of these army worms
is so widespread that I would
recommend preventative treatment
even if you have no visible signs of
their presence. Dipel is a chemical
that is easily applied with a sprayer
or a watering can. It is harmless to
birds and animals; the only things
that it will harm are the caterpillars.
Follow instructions carefully.
62 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Vilolet datura
a fragrant fave
The huge pendulous
blooms of the tallgrowing
daturas, in white,
pink, yellow and orange,
are to be seen in many
peninsula gardens. However,
not so easily found is the
small-growing violet datura,
which is grown under many
names including Angel’s
Trumpet, Hairy Thornapple
and Blackcurrent Swirl.
Unlike the tall-growing
varieties that are now
renamed as brugmansia,
the violet datura is a fastgrowing,
short-lived small
shrub. It can grow up to 1m
tall in its first season. Its
shiny black stems highlight
the violet-edged flowers that
open as the daylight fades
and stay until the end of
the following day. They face
upwards to the sky, glowing
in the night and filling the
air with a heavy fragrance.
Although once native to China, indigophora decora in now
treated as native to Australia – although there is some
discussion about this. It has naturalised itself along parts of the
east coast of NSW and Queensland.
Called ‘Bush Wisteria’, indigophora decora is a delightful,
small, deciduous shrub that will grow in full sun or semi-shade.
The lilac pink, wisterialike
flowers bloom from
Spring to late Summer. It
is a low-growing shrub
to 75cm and 90cm wide.
The delicate foliage
shelters the pendulous
flowers. Prune it back
when it is dormant
in Winter and watch
the fresh new shoots
appear.
In Spring, new
suckers will shoot,
that can be left to
increase the bush, or
they can be separated
to make new plants.
It is an easy plant
to grow, tolerant of
many different soil
types and positions,
and although it may
die back in severe
drought it will soon
regenerate once
conditions improve!
The Local Voice Since 1991
They will grow easily in the
garden but also make a very
decorative plant for tubs
and planters.
Their origin is under
debate: often thought to
be from China, it is now
believed they are native to
South America and were
introduced many centuries
ago to China where they are
used in Chinese medicine.
Grow them in the full
sun or semi-shade. They
are tolerant of poor sandy
soils but prefer a better
garden soil. Overseas they
are commonly available in
garden centres but are not
so easy to find in Sydney –
so why not grow your own?
They can be propagated
from stem cuttings but are
more usually grown from
seed that germinates easily
in four weeks. Seeds are
readily available online.
Beautiful bush wisteria
MARCH 2024 63
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
March
Jobs this Month
The rain has caused so
many problems: root
rot, powdery mildew
and more. Let’s hope that
the weather will dry out.
This month it’s time to fill
empty spaces and pots with
flowering annuals to brighten
the garden for Easter
weekend.
Season’s change
If you haven’t already pulled
out Summer veggies and
annuals, do it now. Plant Winter
and Spring season seedlings.
Silver beet, peas, carrots,
broccolini, spring onions,
lettuce and caulies can all go
in now. If your family needs are
not very much try using seed
tape it is the easiest way to sow
the veggies that you will need
without too many at one time.
Just 30cm of seeded tape every
couple of weeks will give you
a selected quantity. It is time
to plant pansies primula, viola,
marigolds, alyssum, lobelia,
cineraria and snapdragons.
Mulch well with sugar cane and
protect your new seedlings
from the snails that have
multiplied in numbers since the
rain.
Palm danger
With the coming of Autumn,
palm seeds are falling. Be
sure to rake them up. Fallen
seeds are a dangerous risk
to pedestrians. It is easy to
step on them and they act as
rollers underfoot causing bad
falls.
Let sun shine in
Move your cymbidium orchids
from the shade to where they
will get some morning sun
or a bright light. The flower
Sweet Pea time
Don’t forget to plant
sweet pea seeds on St
Patrick’s Day 17 March.
Once the seedlings
reach a height of 5cm,
pinch out the top to
keep them bushy.
spikes are forming – the more
light, the better the spikes.
Safety watch
Clean slippery foot paths
and pavers. There are plenty
of commercial products
available, but if you would
rather use a non-chemical
product either vinegar or
bicarbonate of soda mixed
with water will do the trick. No
expensive equipment just a
bucket and a strong brush or
broom.
Protect fruit
Possums and birds love
Autumn fruits. Protect
pawpaw, mangoes, guavas,
bananas, peaches and plums
with bird netting. Remember
to fasten the net under the
trees because possums can
climb from underneath, as
well as the top!
Replace shrubs
Autumn is the best time to
replace shrubs in the garden.
All plants have a limited
life span. Pull out tired and
woody shrubs and replace
with some new ones now. The
ground is warm, damp… and
welcoming!
Crossword solution from page 65
Mystery location: LONG NOSE POINT
64 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
28 Changing over (9)
29 A bid on a house, for
example (5)
30 Excessively sweet or
especially sentimental (6)
31 These are available from My
Ride Narrabeen (8)
ACROSS
1 Taking pains to avoid being
observed (8)
5 Opposite to 21-across (6)
9 One of the host cities of the
2026 Winter Olympics, an event
that local skier Bayley Sadler
hopes to participate in (5)
10 A safe place for vessels to
moor (9)
12 Writers with handwriting that
is careless and hard to read (10)
13 Direction of the sea from
Whale Beach (4)
15 Stays on (7)
16 A contest; a prolonged or
difficult struggle (6)
19 Writer of The Cryptic Clue,
______ Hampson (6)
21 This can be viewed in the
early morning from Pittwater’s
beaches looking 13-across (7)
25 Cuisine of the restaurant at
1301 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen (4)
26 Across the country (10)
DOWN
1 This entree can be found at
Curry By The Curve in Avalon
Beach (6)
2 Make bigger (7)
3 Surfing classics, with rounded
noses and wide midlengths, that
offer easy paddling and wave
catching (10)
4 See 14-down
6 Noodle available from Ninja
Japanese Restaurant in Avalon
Beach (4)
7 Condiment plentiful in theory
in the Pittwater area (3,4)
8 Building designed for the
performance of shows like the
Wharf Revue (7)
11 Centre (4)
14 & 4-down Area of Pittwater
where plans for short term
accommodation have been
abandoned (10,8)
15 A spirit distilled from sugar
cane residues or molasses (3)
17 Sheltered side (3)
18 Highlighting local indigenous
culture – _______ Tours (8)
19 Creative people (7)
20 Classic Alex Lloyd song (7)
22 Practised, expert, adroit,
ingenious (7)
23 A hired car or boat that can
get people around Pittwater (4)
24 Round gems that can be
found in oysters (6)
27 Permanent skin mark (4)
[Solution page 64]
Pittwater Puzzler
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2024 65

Travel Life
Travel Life
Take a Tauck experience in ’24
Tauck is a world leader in premium
guided travel, offering more than
150 distinctive, enriching land
journeys, European river cruises, small
ship ocean cruises and Tauck Bridges
family travel adventures across all seven
continents.
Family-owned and operated since their
foundation in 1925, Tauck is honoured to
have the trust and guest satisfaction to be
named to Travel + Leisure’s ‘World’s Best’
list for 26 consecutive years.
“With journeys to 100 destinations and
to 70-plus countries, Tauck keeps moving
forward to find new ways to enhance
travel experiences that will be memorable
for a lifetime,” said Travel View’s Gail
Kardash.
“And you’ll be guided by the best –
personal, caring service is the hallmark
of the Tauck Tour Directors and their
handpicked local guides. Tauck Tour
Directors average 10 years of service,
come from 41 countries and collectively
speak a total of 52 languages.”
Gail said Tauck’s European river cruises
were a magnificent way to explore
Europe.
“You’ll be in the company of likeminded
travellers who chose their Tauck
River Cruise for the same reasons –
mutual interests that foster camaraderie
and discovery,” she said.
“Your Tauck Directors and ship’s crew
make you feel welcome from the moment
you embark, ensuring you are looked
after onboard the riverboat and on shore
excursions.
“With Tauck, it’s not just about the
places you visit – it’s how you experience
them.
You will see the world differently
thanks to exclusive access in destinations
throughout Europe.”
This means unique experiences such as
feeling like a king of the castle during a
Tauck Exclusive dinner at Slot Loevestein,
enjoying a private island setting open
only to Tauck.
Tauck’s experienced Directors are both
knowledgeable and passionate about
travel and the destinations that you will
be visiting.
“They take care of all the day to day
travel details of every trip, so you are free
to experience the joys of travel without
any of the work – or the worries.
“Their expertise in local culture,
customs, and traditions allows them to
show you the world in ways you couldn’t
experience on your own… making the
difference between a trip, and the trip of
a lifetime.”
Explore the world with your loved ones
on Tauck’s multigenerational vacations
that are full of fun and shared memories
for ‘kids’ of every age.
Created for your family and led by the
best in the business, Tauck Bridges trips
are engaging, effortless and easy to enjoy
for youngsters and the young at heart.
“In 2024, choose from six inclusive river
cruises in some of the most exhilarating
destinations,” said Gail. – NW
*Find out more – call Travel View on
9918 4444.
66 MARCH 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991