WCM-Jun24-Issue

The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024
FREE
pittwaterlife
E-BIKES SAFETY ‘CODE’
GULP! WHY WE MIGHT PAY $500 MORE IN RATES EACH YEAR
‘1 IN 10’ LOSING THEIR LICENCE / PALM BEACH GC CENTENARY
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / BEN LEE Q&A / THE WAY WE WERE

Editorial
Council moves to avert tragedy
Northern Beaches Council
is to be commended for its
initiative in partnering with
NSW Police and stakeholder
Bicycle NSW to deliver a campaign
aimed at ingraining good
safety habits in e-bike users.
As we reported last month,
police are set to ramp up
fines for riders who break
the law. Meantime, Council
has launched ‘The Code’ – a
three-step guide to making our
shared paths, roads and open
spaces safer places (p6).
It’s an Australia-first; while
there are no guarantees, the
hope is that with enough focus,
behavioural change will help
avert a tragedy.
Still on the roads, State MP
Rory Amon has discovered an
alarming spike in driver licence
suspensions across Pittwater
since COVID-19, particularly
last year. Using 2021 Census
data, and assuming licences
held by residents aged 16
through 79 (total 55,000 across
Pittwater suburbs), around 10
per cent of drivers lost their
licence in 2023-24.
Mr Amon wants to work with
the Government to determine
why that is (p11).
Back to our cash-strapped
Council, Councillors fear there
may be no alternative but to
apply to the Independent Pricing
and Regulatory Tribunal
(IPART) for a hefty residential
rate rise variation – which could
see rates bills increased by $500
a year (p8).
Last, further to our story
last month about the Minns
Government’s ‘shameful’ school
funding cuts, we were contacted
by an Education Department
representative disputing the figures/percentages
we published.
We offered right of reply; they
said they would have true figures
for us before we published
this issue.
However, they subsequently
decided not to make further
comment. – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 3

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Email:
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Publisher: Nigel Wall
Managing Editor: Lisa Offord
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Vol 34 No 11
Celebrating 33 years
14
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024
FREE
pittwaterlife
E-BIKES SAFETY ‘CODE’
GULP! WHY WE MIGHT PAY $500 MORE IN RATES EACH YEAR
‘1 IN 10’ LOSING THEIR LICENCE / PALM BEACH GC CENTENARY
SEEN... HEARD... ABSURD... / BEN LEE Q&A / THE WAY WE WERE
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thislife
INSIDE: Northern Beaches Council has launched a campaign
to educate e-bike riders in the hope of averting tragedy (p6);
residential rates could soar an extra $500 a year as our
cash-strapped Council looks to stay on top of its delivery of
services (p8); why have almost 1 in 10 drivers in Pittwater
lost their licences in the past 12 months (p11)?; we interview
musician Ben Lee before his Avalon RSL gig (p18); we speak
to locals trying to qualify for the Paris Olympics (p22); and
Palm Beach Golf Club is celebrating its Centenary (p38).
COVER: Makin’ Tracks / Sharon Green
also this month
Editorial 3
Pittwater Local News & Features 6-37
The Way We Were 28
Seen... Heard... Absurd... 30
Community News 32-37
Life Story: Palm Beach GC 38-41
Author Q&A + Art 42
Art 43
Hot Property 44
Health & Wellbeing; Hair & Beauty 46-51
Money 52-53
Food & Tasty Morsels 58-60
Crossword 61
Gardening 62-64
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JUNE 2024 The Local Voice Since 1991

News
New ‘Code’ drills e-bike safety
PHOTO: Nigel Wall
PROACTIVE: Mayor
Heins hopes Council’s
new ‘Code’ will avert
e-bike tragedy.
Northern Beaches Council has moved
to head off serious e-bike accidents,
launching an Australia-first education
campaign aimed at getting users – with a
focus on youth – to know the road rules,
ride safely and respect other road users.
It follows a spike in e-bike sales across
NSW, with Mayor Sue Heins and police
conceding they believed it was “just a
matter of time before we experience a serious
incident” on the Northern Beaches.
As reported in Pittwater Life last month,
local police are set to crack down on illegal
e-bike use in the hope it will stem
the flow of riders who disobey the law –
speeding on “souped-up” e-bikes, riding in
inappropriate places or who ride or carry
passengers who are not wearing helmets.
Mayor Heins said Council was “deadly
serious” about its campaign – called ‘The
Code’ – to effect behavioural change “before
it’s too late”.
The three-point e-bike Code urges riders
to slow down to walking pace when
others are on a shared path; ring their
bell and call “on your right” to let others
know they are approaching; and to be
ready for sudden changes – for example
the unpredictable movement of pedestrians,
pets and prams.
“We conducted a safety audit of e-bikes
and their usage last year and this is our
next step,” she said. “Now we’re the first
Council in Australia to target users with
education and awareness.
“We’ve had to act swiftly with the rapid
influx of e-bikes on our streets and in the
absence of legislative change of the road
rules by the State Government.
“When something happens there will be
no insurance, no tracking… we are trying
to prevent the issue from happening and
we know it’s going to happen.”
The ‘Code’ campaign has the support of
Northern Beaches Police Area Command
and industry group Bicycle NSW.
Inspector Stuart Forbes said the campaign
was sending the clear message that
safety and following the road rules was
everyone’s responsibility.
“As I’ve been standing here I’ve seen at
least 10 people riding at speed or with no
helmet,” he said at the campaign launch
on the Manly beachfront on May 13.
“Since July last year, we have had hundreds
of reports and complaints involving
e-bikes in the Northern Beaches Police
Area Command.
“Age really is the predominant thing
that sticks out. Parents are buying the
bikes for the younger audience, which is
great.
“But that becomes problematic when
they exceed the speed limit, they are
going too fast and they’re putting
themselves at risk. They’re not wearing a
helmet, and they’re not wearing protective
clothing,” he said.
Inspector Forbes said e-bikes illegally
modified to attain faster speeds were an
increasing problem.
“With the younger audience, they
need…. to understand and respect the
rules that society has put in place,” he
said. “With police enforcement, we just
have to keep on targeting offences.
“From March 2023 to March 2024, from
Manly to Palm Beach, there have been 244
offences. We are now strategically looking
at what we’ve got to do to enforce it even
harder,” said Insp Forbes.
He added police were considering confiscating
bikes.
“There is an ability to do that, but
there’s complications on how we can go
about confiscating. There’s legislation
around it, but there’s probably some
things we need to look at.”
Mayor Heins urged schools across the
Northern Beaches to follow the lead of
Stella Maris College at Manly, which had
introduced strict e-bike user and storage
rules for its students.
These included parents confirming
their children had twice passed the
Learner Driver exam; that students had
read the road rules for bike riders; that
students lodged their e-bike serial numbers;
and that the e-bike throttle speed
was locked.
Also, Council has issued a fact sheet on
e-bikes, including that e-bikes are subject
to the same road rules as bicycles. To be
considered a bicycle it cannot be propelled
exclusively by a motor. In Australia,
e-bikes must not assist pedalling past
the speed of 25 km/h.
– Nigel Wall
*View the campaign video on Council’s
website; What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
6 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
‘$500 rate increase per year’
Northern Beaches property owners are facing a 20 per cent Debating the NB Council draft budget, Liberal councillors
said they were furious that Council employee costs were
hike in residential rates to help the local Council meet its
obligation to deliver services from Palm Beach to Manly.
The grim outlook came to light as councillors squabbled over
passing Council’s 2024-28 Delivery Program, including its 2024-
25 Budget, for community consultation.
As reported by Pittwater Life last month, Council staff have
projected a $25.5 million annual shortfall in funding to both
deliver services as well as upgrade capital works over the next
decade.
At Council’s May meeting, Liberal Councillors
opposed the draft 2024-25 budget
which contained a staff report recommending
modelling based on a significant rate
increase.
Mayor Sue Heins, a member of the Your
Northern Beaches Independent Team
(YNBIT), used her casting vote to ensure
the Delivery Program was tabled for public
exhibition on Council’s website.
If it had not been passed Council would
have struggled to implement a budget in
time for next year.
Mayor Heins’ factional colleague, Frenchs
Forest Ward councillor Jose Menano-Pires,
conceded Council was embarking on a
increasing by 8.8 per cent, against their calls for employee cost
restraint and calls for productivity increases and efficiency
improvements across Council.
They claimed Council now had six executives who were paid
more than the Premier of NSW (who is paid $416,000).
While all Liberal Councillors supported the capital infrastructure
expenditure in the draft budget, they were angry their
calls for staff to take control of operational
expenditure and waste had been ignored.
Liberal Councillor Karina Page (Pittwater
Ward) said it was only three years ago that
Pittwater residents had large rate increases
to harmonise with the former Warringah
Council’s higher rate charges.
Her colleague Cr Bianca Crvelin (Narrabeen
Ward) said Council’s budget plan
would exacerbate cost-of-living pressures
and also place further financial burdens
on mortgage holders and renters throughout
the Beaches.
“Moreover, it is alarming to see essential
services being scaled back despite rising
costs in executive and managerial positions.
Roads, parks and reserve maintenance
“tax-and-spend budget” which would have
and footpaths represent the fundamental
DIRE FORECAST: Cr Jose Menano-Pires.
ramifications for rate payers.
responsibilities of our Council,” she said.
“This is a budget that spends a lot of money we don’t have…
and later on, we’re going to tax our residents to recover those
costs,” he said.
“We are looking at somewhere around 15 to 20 per cent SRV
(Special Rate Variation). What that means is, we are looking at
a 15 to 20 per cent increase in rates on top of the 4.9 percent
that IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) will
probably determine.
“So this could be something that… could equate to well over
$500 a year.”
In May, two Sydney Councils were among eight Councils
in NSW granted extraordinary rate increases by IPART; Willoughby
Council had its application for a 15 per cent increase
approved, while Randwick Council (whose General Manager is
former NB Council CEO Ray Brownlee) was granted an 11.6 per
cent increase over the next year.
Council CEO Scott Phillips said: “Like many councils in NSW,
Councillor Michael Gencher (Pittwater Ward) urged “fiscal
vigilance”.
“Instead of resorting to rate hikes, let’s look into cost-saving
measures and operational efficiencies,” he said. “I cannot in
good conscience endorse another inflation-exceeding increase
for residents.”
However, Councillor Sarah Grattan (YNBIT – Manly Ward),
defended the budget – even with its projected impact on residents.
“We’ve heard a lot from people saying we need to cut costs
[but] we know from the magnitude of the gap that we have currently
between the costs and the income, that we’re not going
to be able to do it by shaving here or there,” she said.
“To get us back into a non-deficit position, that is about
significant changes to structure, significant changes to the
services that we deliver, significant changes to everything that
we’ve already agreed with the community in the Community
Northern Beaches Council is facing growing pressure to its Strategic Plan.”
– Nigel Wall
financial sustainability as increases in rates income, under
the NSW rate peg system, have not reflected the rising costs of
labour, materials, contracts, and construction.”
*View the Delivery Program 2024-28 on the ‘Your Say’ page
on Council’s website. What do you think? Tell us at readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
PHOTO: NB Advocate
8 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Korzy rues demerger poll loss
Pittwater Greens Councillor
and Council demerger
campaigner Miranda
Korzy has condemned her
fellow elected representatives
for “watering down” her resolution
for a community poll to
re-form Pittwater Council.
She said the only way
forward now for a Council
demerger was via a “massive”
petition –following Labor’s
legislative changes and the
sinking of her poll motion.
Cr Korzy’s motion at Council’s
April meeting called for a
demerger poll to be held at the
September 14 Local Government
election. She said this
would have been the cheapest
way of enabling a vote before
the 10-year cut-off set by the
Local Government Act.
However, Pittwater Liberal
Councillor Michael Gencher
amended the motion, removing
the call for a poll and
proposing a Council-based
‘Have Your Say’ consultation
instead.
“I was deeply frustrated
though not surprised that
councillors supported the
amendment which ripped
the guts out of my motion,”
Cr Korzy said.
“This was about the restoration
of democracy. The vast
majority of
Pittwater residents
opposed
the amalgamation
yet it was
forced upon us
without a vote.
“Residents
are capable of
making their
own decision
on the issue
without the
intervention of
councillors.
“We
shouldn’t need a ‘Have Your
Say’ on the Council website
for councillors to understand
the principle of giving the
community a vote.
“Staff frequently tell us that
‘Have Your Say’ is designed
to survey issues of concern
FRUSTRATED: Cr Korzy.
rather than to carry out a
numerical analysis.
“So this will be a total waste
of staff and residents’ time as
well as Council money.”
Cr Korzy said Council’s
failure to support the poll
showed the
NSW Labor
Government’s
new changes
to de-amalgamation
pathways
under the
Local Government
Act were
unworkable.
She said
that under
the changes
debated in
Parliament in
May, a Council will now only
be able to initiate a demerger
referendum after developing
a full business case with
a transition plan – likely to
cost several hundreds of
thousands of dollars – and
with the approval of the Local
Government Minister.
Alternatively, the community
can initiate a demerger
with a petition, which Local
Government Minister Ron
Hoenig said he would accept
with only 250 signatures.
Cr Korzy said this was
contrary to the advice from
the Government to the Protect
Pittwater Association – nearly
two years after it submitted
its original petition with more
than 3,000 signatures – that it
needed 10 per cent of electors
to sign up.
However, Cr Korzy said
Mr Hoenig had indicated he
would also expect a strong
business case with a transition
plan and she believed
demerger supporters would
still need thousands of signatures
to send the Government
a strong message.
“The Council demerger
pathway will be much tougher
following the passage of the
Labor amendment in Parliament,”
Cr Korzy said.
– Nigel Wall
10 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Driver suspensions spiral
The NSW Government is lauding the
ALARMING: The ward for safe driving could be the difference
between ongoing employment and
success of its driver ‘demerit point return
increase in driver’s
trial’ which it says has seen almost
licence suspensions losing your livelihood,” Mr Graham said.
in Pittwater.
50,000 drivers on the Northern Beaches
“People are used to the stick of enforcement
lose one demerit point from their licence
for maintaining a blemish-free record
over the past 12 months.
However in a twist, latest figures
obtained by Pittwater MP Rory Amon last
month reveal more local drivers are losing
their licences than ever before.
“I recently learned that in Pittwater
about 1 in 10 drivers had their licence
suspended in 2022/23 – this is an
extraordinary number,” Mr Amon told
Pittwater Life.
“The number has increased from 5,151
pre-COVID to 5,732 in 2022-’23.
“This number has been increasing…
the 2022-23 number is alarmingly high,
and the trend since 2018/19 is upwards.”
Mr Amon’s discovery came weeks before
the Government’s announcement.
Mr Amon said he had written to the
NSW Minister for Roads John Graham on
9 May to determine how the number of
driver licence suspensions in Pittwater
suburbs compared with the rest of NSW,
as well as asking for suspension percentage
increases in other electorates and a
breakdown of the major offences which
were resulting in driver suspensions
across Pittwater.
“A driver licence suspension can be
devastating to an individual, their livelihood,
and their social and mental wellbeing,”
Mr Amon said.
“I am keen to work with Government
to discuss and implement strategies to
help improve road safety outcomes and
ensure we keep drivers on the road.”
Meanwhile Mr Graham said motorists
on the Northern Beaches were reaping
the reward of their safe driving.
“If you drive for a living then the re-
and double demerits, but this
is the carrot of reward for good behaviour.
“Every demerit point wiped from a
licence under this trial is the result of
a full 12 months of safe driving by a
motorist on NSW roads.”
Labor MLC for the Northern Beaches
Greg Donnelly said earning the removal
of a demerit point could mean a lot, especially
to motorists who relied on their
cars to drive children to school or to get
to work.
“It is great to see drivers rewarded for
their safe driving… this program is driving
that message home,” he said.
The demerit return trial has been
extended for a second year as the NSW
Government continues to sharpen its
focus on road safety in 2024 amid a rising
road toll.
Mr Amon said he had yet to receive a reply
to his letter to the Minister. – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us your
driver’s licence story; email readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 11

News
Letters: Readers have their say
Liberal Gencher
has ‘betrayed trust’
Councillor Michael Gencher
was elected to Northern
Beaches Council on the platform
of being Independent.
His recent move to the Liberals
is betraying the trust of
those who voted for him.
It would have been more
transparent if he had declared
his intention to defect
a little closer to the next
Council election.
Tina Butler
Bilgola Plateau
Council’s ‘blind eye’
on maintenance
I was most impressed with
your missive about Robert
Ellis of Palm Beach mowing
the footway strip opposite
Barrenjoey House at Palmy.
Well done Robert!
Here in downtrodden Newport
we have been endeavouring
to have Council commit
to ongoing maintenance work
around the suburb for more
than seven years. Some success,
but sadly not much.
I sent an email to all NBC
councillors on 5 November
2023 highlighting some of the
Newport maintenance items
needing attention. I also met
with The Acting Director of
Assets and Transport on site
at Newport last December
and showed him some of the
concerns.
A works schedule for Newport
was discussed at this
meeting – sadly no schedule
has been received to date. No
items mentioned in my list of
works has been properly carried
out either.
Taken together with the
problems of Rob Ellis at
Palmy I feel that NBC has
been badly let down by on-site
supervision of contractors
and of Council staff. In my
onsite civil and structural
engineering experience,
one cannot supervise onsite
works from an office desk!
Mike Musgrove
Newport
Say ‘no’ to Council
budget with fudges
Memo Councillors: I appreciate
it is not an easy task as
our elected representatives to
assess the complex financial
plan as presented to you.
However, a preliminary
review of the Operational
Plan highlights some simple
actions required:
The Council like all of us
“has to live within its means”.
Without any fudges or borrowing
from the dead (Mona
Vale Cemetery). It needs to cut
expenditure.
Operationally the Council
needs to narrow its focus. The
current grand approach with
22 goals is too complex and
impossible to understand, let
alone measure outcomes.
You should reject the current
plan outright. There
should be no consideration
of seeking additional rate increases
or additional borrowing.
Core services and maintenance
prioritised. “Nice
to haves” cut or deferred.
Expenditure on “critical IT
services” questioned.
Expanded head count in
these circumstances should
certainly be rejected.
The community is struggling.
Cost of living is out
of control. You need to show
leadership and not accept a
deficit budget with fudges.
Geoff Hodgkinson
Palm Beach
School ‘funding
shame’ a disgrace
Congratulations on your
excellent article (School
funding cuts ‘shameful’ –
Pittwater Life May). I am a
retired teacher whose whole
career was devoted proudly
to public education. Over the
years I saw State and Federal
governments gradually give
more and more financial support
to private schools, at the
expense of the public school
system.
This has now resulted in a
12 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

growing inequality as successive
governments shed themselves
of the responsibility of
supporting a strong public
education system.
The current Minister for
Education Prue Car has justified
the recent cuts because
of the decline in public school
enrolments, when in fact she
is part of the reason for that
very decline.
Finland, in the 1970s,
banned private schools and
its wealth and educational
excellence soared. It is now
regarded as one of the happiest
countries on the planet
while equality levels have
remained steady, whereas in
Australia we slide further
and further down the scale
of happy countries as our
inequality grows.
Allowing for socio-economic
factors, academic results
between private and public
schools don’t differ. Public
schools continue to punch
far above their weight as they
struggle with these iniquitous
cuts.
Wendy Sykes
North Narrabeen
In the graffiti camp
Re local graffiti: People wanting
to leave their mark has
been around since the dawn
of time. Would it be okay if it
was a Banksy artwork?
What about the light pollution
from hundreds of LED
screens beaming advertisements?
Nobody asked to have
that shoved in their face but
that seems to be okay because
there is cash to be made.
The “negative effects” you
list in your article (Pittwater
Life – May) are laughable
compared to most industrial
supply chains operating on
the beaches.
At least the property owners
with their tax breaks can
laugh – but the young kids
doing it will never be able to
afford a house or shopfront in
the area they grew up in.
Michael Davies
by email
Council should
retain Beachwatch
We cannot do without Beachwatch,
or a similar service
telling beachgoers about water
quality (Pittwater Life – May). I
use this service daily to help me
decide whether to swim or not.
Regional councils pay for
the service, even without the
benefit of the massive amount
of revenue from beach carparks
which coastal councils
have access to.
Wake up, Council. The
Minns Government is unlikely
to change its position on this.
Find a way to keep Beachwatch.
Introduce a developer
levy. Anything.
Dorothy Kennedy
North Narrabeen
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 13

Brad Fittler’s top tip
News
Rugby League personality Brad
‘Freddie’ Fittler has lived on the
Northern Beaches for more than a
decade now and loves it here. Although
he has a surprising favourite place.
“I love the tip,” says Fittler. “Love the
tip at Kimbriki.”
He says it deadpan and I don’t know if
he’s joking.
‘Freddie’ is known for his sense of humour,
but also for his different approach
to life. When he coached the Roosters
and also the NSW Blues for State of Origin,
some of his methods were described
as whacky.
“Yeah, I love going to the tip,” he says
again, slightly drifting off wistfully, his
mind possibly on mixed waste or the
recycling shop.
Fittler is one of a kind. Captain of
NSW and Australia as a player, coach of
the Roosters and the Blues through six
Origin series, he has an unquestionable
mental toughness, and yet is hilarious,
upbeat and offbeat as a commentator
with Channel 9. Very much his own man.
He grew up in Sydney’s west, but Terrey
Hills has been home since 2013 and
he loves it.
“I didn’t know Terrey Hills existed,
I’d never heard of it,” he recalls. “I don’t
think people know how much is here.
It’s a random old place Terrey Hills, but
it’s got a golf course, a driving range, a
rifle range, a bike racing track, restaurants…
the Palms is a great restaurant,
the Urban Tadka does food that is
absolutely sensational, and there’s a
little Japanese take-away that I visit far
too often.”
Brad’s first stay on the Northern Beaches
was at the turn of the millennium – he
BIKE AT THE READY:
Brad Fittler loves
a ride through the
National Park to
West Head.
had a few years at Collaroy during the
last years of his playing career with the
Roosters. He was living in a unit with the
kids when his partner Marie suggested
they look at a property in Terrey Hills.
He’s been living on five acres out there
ever since.
And he loves the area.
“It’s the best place on earth,” he says
enthusiastically. “It’s got everything – the
beaches, Pittwater, the National Park. It
ticks a lot of boxes.
“Mona Vale beach is my favourite
beach and I love riding my motorbike
through the National Park.”
His five acres also comes in handy for
the odd party, as viewers of the Sunday
Footy Show can testify, as Brad admitted
feeling ‘dusty’ recently after his son’s
18th birthday party.
“Yeah, that was a big one,” he laughs.
“Five acres is good for parties like that.”
And with that Fittler says he has to go.
He’s jumping on his motorbike to head
to Campbelltown for a night of television
commentary from the sidelines. He’ll be
back down Mona Vale Road later to his
beloved Terrey Hills, the wind in his face
and, likely, the smell of Kimbriki Tip in
his nose.
– Rob Pegley
*Catch State of Origin Game I (June 5)
and Game II (June 27) on Channel 9.
14 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
‘Good things in store’
The opening of the Warriewood for nearby households.
Community Battery will prove a “These benefits flow not just to
huge step forward in the solar power
journey for the Mackellar community,
says local Federal MP Dr Sophie
Scamps.
“The installation of the battery
will mean that
households who
already have solar
will be able
to use more of
the power they
generate and
avoid the cost of
installing their
own battery,”
explained Dr
Scamps.
She said
excess electricity
generated
during the day
those with solar panels, but also to
households without panels,” she said.
“It means more solar panels and
electric car chargers can be connected
to the network without stressing
the existing
infrastructure.
“It also
means a
stronger grid
and fewer solar
exports, and
less investment
in poles and
wires because
the solar power
that is produced
is used
right here, in
Warriewood.
“I welcome
would be stored OPENING: The Warriewood Community Battery. Ausgrid’s
locally instead
investment
of being fed back to the grid. Local
households could then draw upon
this cheap energy store in the evening
and other times of high electricity
in this important infrastructure
and congratulate the artist, Daniel
McDonald, who has made a big box
a really lovely feature in Honeyeater
demand.
Reserve.”
– Lisa Offord
The Battery, opened in May, will
also help deliver lower energy bills
*More info Ausgrid.com.au/sharedbattery
‘Hoons plague Pittwater’
Pittwater MP Rory Amon has repeated his call
for the NSW Government to install noise cameras
and requested more support for local police
to combat the ongoing issue of hooning.
“Residents report a substantial increase in
hooning activity across Pittwater, with convoys
of motorists travelling at unsafe speeds, causing
chaos on our main roads and disturbing quiet
residential streets,” said Mr Amon.
He said hooning activity was concentrated
along Barrenjoey Road to Palm Beach and Mc-
Carrs Creek Road, Church Point. Convoys were
clearly organised, travelling similar routes at the
same time each week.
Mr Amon said he had made several requests
for the Labor Government to expand their trial
of noise cameras to include key locations in Pittwater.
Sadly, the Government had declined these
requests to date.
“The Pittwater community is becoming increasingly
frustrated with the convoys of hoons
plaguing our roads,” he said. “We cannot continue
to allow intentionally reckless behaviour to
occur on our roads.
“Our local police need support and resources
to crack down on hooning and educate motorists.
I have written to Police Minister Yasmin Catley
asking that these resources be provided urgently
to prevent accidents, injuries, and the loss of
amenity associated with unreasonable levels of
noise,” said Mr Amon.
– LO
16 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Beachwatch extension
The NSW Government’s
Beachwatch water quality
monitoring program will
continue to be offered free of
charge to Northern Beaches
Council until June 2025,
Minister for the Environment
Penny Sharpe has announced.
Ms Sharpe approved the
extension for all 14 Sydney
Councils who had been asked
to contribute to the program
from July 1.
She said that in July 2022,
the former government decided
to expand Beachwatch’s
cost-sharing partnership
model, which had been in
place across regional NSW
since 2002, to include 14 Sydney
coastal councils which
currently did not pay for
water quality sampling and
laboratory analysis.
Under the current program,
Sydney coastal councils do
not share the costs with the
NSW Government, but regional
councils do. Ms Sharpe
explained the proposed
changes were designed to
make the system equitable.
She said that consultation
was supposed to start
in late 2022 to give councils
18 months’ notice before the
decision came into effect in
July 2024. However, the consultation
was deferred until
December 2023.
Councils including Northern
Beaches have provided
feedback on several issues
regarding the proposed
changes, including that 6
months’ consultation was not
sufficient for them to plan for
and consider the transition.
“Beachwatch is an important
program for those
who visit our beaches and
waterways, and for councils
that work with Beachwatch to
detect and respond to emerging
pollution problems,” Ms
Sharpe said.
“We are dedicated to
genuine partnerships with
councils, and look forward to
working with them to ensure
Beachwatch can give the community
confidence to swim in
more waterways across NSW.”
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 17

News
Ben shifts to power-pop mode
We caught up with multiple ARIA Award-winning singer/
songwriter Ben Lee (‘Cigarettes Will Kill You’, ‘Catch My
Disease’, ‘We’re All In This Together’), in the lead-up to his
gig at Avalon Beach RSL on June 15.
Q: What’s your connection to the
Northern Beaches and Pittwater?
I used to go sailing with my dad’s
friend. He would get drunk and we
would sail out of the Broken Bay
heads. It was kinda terrifying and
formative. Now I have good friends
who live on Mackerel Beach, we
visited them recently. It’s a magical
area.
Q: Ever played Avalon, or up these
parts before? When was last time?
Hmm. I’m not sure! Honestly 30
years of gigs and I don’t remember
everywhere I’ve played, but I’ll have
really specific memories of moments
in the shows. The audience’s faces…
things like that.
Q: What can the Avalon RSL
audience expect – old, new?
I try to mix it up. We have a great
band, a three-piece. Obviously
recognising the audience want to
hear all the “hits”, but some songs
over the years have kinda become
live favourites of the audience,
bigger than they were at the times
the records came out. I try to make
the shows a fun, ecstatic, quite silly,
kinda profound journey via pop songs. A
bit of chaos is always part of the plan too!
Q: You like to parody the “bad”
experiences you’ve had playing live
(injuries, playing off-key) – what’s the
latest thing you can add to the list of
touring mishaps?
Getting my rental car locked in the hotel
AVALON-BOUND:
Ben Lee is bringing
his diverse musical
catalogue to Pittwater.
carpark for three days in Brisbane. It was
so weird.
Q: The tour seems to have been planned
throwing darts at a map – from Dangar
Island, then to Qld and Townsville, then
back to Melbourne… any reason?
At the moment, I’m answering the phone
and saying ‘yes’ to invitations. No other
plan than to get out there and play where
there seems to be some demand, reconnect
with my audience, have a good time.
Q: What ‘new’ music and ‘old’ music are
you listening to?
Mallrat, YNG Martyr, Cub Sport,
Deep Faith, Georgia Maq, Quivers.
Older stuff? De La Soul, Lou Reed,
Teenage Fanclub, The Replacements.
Q: Would you ever do The Masked
Singer again? (Ben was eliminated
in the third episode of his series.)
I’m always open to weird
adventures. Especially if they come
with a decent pay cheque.
Q: Tell us about your work with
your wife Ione Skye and ‘Weirder
Together’?
Our company Weirder Together,
is a creative production house for
artists, thinkers, projects we are
interested in. So far that has meant
producing and distributing podcasts
for people like Jello Biafra (Dead
Kennedys), Lou Barlow, Safy-Hallan
Farah, Brock Enright, putting out
music by artists like Deep Faith,
Azalia Snail and (comedian)
Cameron James. And holding
events for artists like Amyl and
The Sniffers, Joanna Sternberg and
Ninajirachi.
Q: Any new album in the works?
My new album ‘This One’s For The Old
Headz’ is out September 20. It’s a blistering,
power-pop album full of loud guitars, big
harmonies and songs about getting older
and more punk. It’s coming out via Weirder
Together. – Nigel Wall
*Tickets avalonrsl.com.au
18 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Stars align for Katherine
News
She’s not getting ahead
of herself but Katherine
Bennell-Pegg – raised on
the Northern Beaches and
in the running to become
the first astronaut to fly as
an Australian – has already
donned the new moon suit
which NASA engineers have
designed to be worn when
moon landings are resumed.
“I got to try on the new suit
for humans going back to the
moon,” Katherine, the director
of Space Technology at the
Australian Space Agency in Adelaide,
told the ABC. “They’re
looking at making them for
diverse body types and more
comfortable than before. So,
more people can go to space
and do good work up there.”
In April it was announced
that she is on the short list
to launch into space, having
passed the vigorous tests
put in place by the European
Space Agency in Germany
where she has been seconded
since last year.
“I’ve got the astronaut wings
on and the Australian flag on
my shoulder,” the 39-year-old
mother of two said. “It’s absolutely
incredible to graduate
as an astronaut, especially an
Australian astronaut.”
Her two Australian-born
predecessors in space – Andy
Thomas and Paul Scully-
Power – did so as US citizens.
Katherine qualified for the
ESA Basic Training program
as a joint Australian and UK
passport holder; however, she
will launch as a proud antipodean.
(Who knows – it may be
the first time “Aussie, Aussie,
Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi” is heard
from the heavens.)
Her upbringing in Curl Curl
was “perfect” she says, playing
with her two sisters in the
local parks, joining North Curl
Curl Life Saving Club as a nipper,
and representative basketball
with Manly Warringah.
“I always really loved sports
and the outdoors and the
beach. As a kid curious about
science, the best place to be
is outside in nature because
there’s so much to discover.”
The year her parents gave
her a telescope for Christmas
was a turning point, moving
from the moon to the other
CAREER THAT SUITS:
Katherine in the Collins
Aerospace (based at
Lane Cove) prototype
spacesuit; and flying
the flag for Australia.
planets in our solar system.
“Once you realise stars are
not just pretty sparkles of
light, but can be planets, other
worlds, suns or even entire
galaxies, it makes your sense
of the universe expand,” she
explained.
“And when you know that
there are other worlds you can
walk on potentially, it’s pretty
exciting as a kid. You have
an innate sense of curiosity
in seeking an adventure,
and I wanted to be the one
that would explore those new
worlds when I was very young.”
Famously, at Mosman’s
Queenwood School for Girls,
she and her classmates were
asked to write down three
careers they would like to
pursue when they left school.
Katherine wrote down just
one: astronaut.
At high school she had
taken subjects relevant to her
calling: maths, English, chemistry,
physics and economics,
while taking on aerobatic flying
lessons and astronomy to
help her achieve her goal.
At the University of Sydney,
she graduated with degrees
in Aeronautical Engineering
and Advanced Physics – still
finding time to serve as an
Australian Army Reservist and
as a volunteer in the NSW SES.
She married Space Systems
Engineer Campbell Pegg, gave
birth to two daughters and
spent a decade in Europe – specialising
in the International
Space Station, debris removal
studies and spaceflight.
To work on the International
Space Station she has had
to learn Russian, become an
expert in robotics and prove
she can handle Zero Gravity.
“I went on a zero G plane,”
she told the ABC. In bursts of
22 seconds she experienced
near Zero Gravity, learning
“how to manoeuvre in space
and avoid colliding too much”.
In 2023, she wrote an article
for Queenwood’s school magazine
in which she told present
students: “Some pinch-me
moments have included the
thrill of watching the first
launch with a payload I helped
build… and creating together
with my colleagues a new
part of the ISS that isn’t just
technically novel but will
also demonstrate a new way
of doing space business by
operating commercially.”
She also wrote in the school
magazine that “it was fitting
to me we had a space-related
motto. Per aspera ad astra:
Through struggle to the stars.”
A teacher, Miss Rennie, had
explained the school motto
the best. Katherine wrote.
“Strength and courage are
necessary, for the highest and
best are not attained without
struggle. Are not these high
adventures which call for
women of strength, courage
and purpose?”
Her hope is that other Australian
scientists and engineers
will follow her lead. “I want to
inspire the pursuit of STEM careers
and show all Australian
that they too can reach for the
stars.” – Steve Meacham
20 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991
PHOTOS: Supplied

News
From Pittwater to Paris
Swimmers follow Olympic dream
Competing at the Olympics
is every elite swimmer’s
dream, but you’ve
got to get there first and that
can be an incredibly difficult
journey, one that Pittwater
teenagers Josh Kerr and Lillie
McPherson are now on.
They are both coming off
multiple wins at the recent
national age championships
and, along with their Manly
Swimming Club coach Justin
Rothwell from Narrabeen, have
been selected to represent Australia
at the Junior Pan Pacific
Championships in late August.
But their immediate priority
is preparing for the Australian
Swimming Trials at the
Brisbane Aquatic Centre from
June 10-15 – the sole selection
opportunity for swimmers to
make the Dolphins Swimming
Team for the Paris Olympics
just five weeks later.
“The Olympic trials is a very
tough competition, probably
the toughest competition in the
southern hemisphere, and it’s
good for these guys to come
through and witness what happens,”
says Justin.
“You’ve got someone like
Cate Campbell going for her
fifth Olympic Games, putting
it all on the line, and they’ll get
to see what the best of the best
are doing, how they prepare
themselves, what they’re doing
in the marshalling area.”
Both Josh, 18, from Avalon,
and Lillie, 15, who lives at Newport,
are in great form. Their
first goal is to make the finals
of their events at Trials and
HARD WORK: Josh Kerr (on
left), Justin Rothwell and Lillie
McPherson after training at
Manly Aquatic Centre.
take it from there.
Lillie’s are the 100m butterfly,
100m and 200m freestyle.
Josh is competing in the 100m
breast stroke, 100m backstroke
and 200m individual medley.
To get this far has taken phenomenal
dedication, determination
and mental toughness.
Lillie – who dominated the
15 years age bracket at the age
championships on the Gold
Coast, winning four gold medals
– trains 21 hours a week.
That doesn’t leave much
room for anything else apart
from schoolwork; lucky she
loves it.
“It takes up a lot of your time
but when you love it like I do
it’s okay,” says Lillie.
“I love waking up in the
morning and seeing all my
mates. When you’re swimming
as much as we do it’s pretty
much your social life.”
The pressure can be intense
so Lillie tries to focus on what
PHOTO: Martin Kelly
she’s doing and can manage.
For her, personal best (PB)
times are the benchmarks she
references.
“Because it’s hard always
to medal, I like to look at my
times opposed to medals so I
can see I’m improving,” Lillie
says.
“There’s lots of pressure you
put on yourself, it’s hard to
handle sometimes, so looking
at my own performances
rather than everyone else
really helps.
“Eventually I’d love to make
the senior Australian team
and maybe that could be in an
Olympic year, who knows, it’s
definitely in the back of my
mind.”
Josh, winner of two golds
and a silver at the age championships,
takes a similar approach.
He is also prepared to
work hard and has a long-term
perspective.
He says the key to maximising
performance is an even
split between the mental and
physical.
“I think sitting down with
Justin and setting skills and
time-based goals is really important
for me,” says Josh.
“Whenever you’re in a race
it’s just you, swimming your
own race, that’s how you’ve got
to think about it.”
His goals for the upcoming
Australian Trials are to make
finals and record PBs with an
eye on the future.
“It’s tough transitioning
from age to opens,” he says.
“I know there’s a lot of people
that really struggle with it, but
I quite like racing older more
experienced people, I feel it
lifts my game.
“I’m aiming for 2028 in LA
and getting to the Brisbane
home games in 2032 would be
pretty special.
“That’s a long way away now
but I’m just taking it day by
day trying to get there.”
Making the team for Junior
Pan Pacific Championships is
a big part of that process for
both Josh and Lillie.
“I’m very proud of them – it’s
a very difficult team to make,
so they’ve done really well to
qualify,” says Justin.
“I’m really excited the Pan
Pacs are in Canberra this year –
it’s our home turf.
“The Japanese and Americans
are really, really strong
in their junior ages groups so
it will be a tough meet and so I
think any advantage we can get
we will take.” – Martin Kelly
22 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Stoked on
the water
GOING
FOR GOLD: Jim
Colley with sailing
partner Shaun Connor.
Jim Colley is ready to compete
for a sailing medal at
the Paris Olympics – then
head back to celebrate with a
coffee at Swell Cafe in Avalon.
In an age of helicopter parenting
and tiger parents, Jim
was given a refreshingly simple
start to his sailing life – and the
now 26-year-old credits it with
much of his success.
“My dad built me a boat in
the garage when I was five,”
begins Jim. “He taught me
the basics and then said, ‘go
figure it out for yourself’.
“So I sailed around the moorings
in Claireville, and it wasn’t
until I was 11 that I got any
formal coaching and started to
race. It was good to learn myself
and I was never pushed.
“What that meant was that
the drive came from me and
not my parents.”
Jim and his sailing partner
Shaun Connor compete in the
49er class, and the day we talk
he is in Barcelona, where their
Olympics boat has just been
delivered to a warehouse near
where they train. The previous
week was an event in France;
the following week was the European
Championships back
in France.
It’s a tough life for some – although
it’s something that’s not
lost on the assured 26-year-old.
“Yes, I’ve been amazingly
fortunate to race around the
world at a young age,” shares
Jim. “I qualified to race in an
International Regatta at 13,
and Mum and Dad put me on
a plane and away I went.”
Having grown up in Avalon
sailing and surfing, learning
the ropes on Pittwater, it was
joining Newport Sailing Club
where things really kicked on.
“When I started racing, I
was at a higher level than
people expected, but I hardly
knew any rules,” recalls Jim,
PHOTOS: Sailing Energy; Beau Outteridge
“… I was disqualified from my
first race.
“I started figuring things
out though and really enjoyed
it, and then a Pittwater local,
Tracks Gordon, took me under
his wing when I was 12, and
he really challenged me. He
pushed me in a way I enjoyed
and showed me how to get
there. That’s when I properly
learned about racing.”
Having transitioned to
youth classes, at 18 Jim had
to make the call whether to
sail fulltime and create a
pathway to the Olympics. It’s
been a fruitful eight years
since then, but hard work and
plates have needed spinning.
“I was working as a sailing
coach alongside training
through my late teens and
early 20s, but also doing Mechanical
Engineering at UNSW.
“We’ve also had some amazing
sponsors. What we do is
expensive and we’ve had some
local Pittwater benefactors.
Then we got the results we
needed to qualify into the Australian
system – that allows for
some funding, but also access
to coaching and physio.”
Jim and Shaun started sailing
together halfway through
the Tokyo (2021) cycle and
while they didn’t qualify,
they got closer than they
expected. It was always a sixyear
program with France in
their sites, and Jim was back
in Avalon when he found out
his place at the Olympics had
been assured.
“I was having coffee with
mum and dad in Avalon when
I got the call, so that was really
nice. They’ve been massive
from day one and always had
my back.
“To find out with them was
really, really special. They
were probably more excited
than me – and booked their
flights that day.”
The sailing events are some
of the first of this year’s
Olympics and actually take
place in Marseille rather than
Paris. With six years of hard
work behind them, the boys
have a quiet confidence. And
some humble plans in mind
for potential celebrations.
“We’re there to win a medal
and we believe we can,” says
Jim. “I’ll come back to Avalon
and show off the medal if we
get one. I’ll grab a coffee at
Swell – [owner] Barry has really
supported my campaign.
“And spend time with my
parents. They made this all
happen with their attitude
– go work it out, but we’ve
always got your back.”
– Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 23

News
Jordy a surfing surprise packet
Wild celebrations erupted
at North Narrabeen beach
last month when local surfer
and event wildcard Jordy Lawler
won the GWM Sydney Surf
Pro before a raucous crowd.
Lawler came from nowhere
to win at his home beach,
going on a final day tear as
the sun finally broke through
after two weeks of grey skies
and rain, which meant most
of the contest was run in
dismal weather and chunky,
bumpy surf.
Local knowledge was a major
factor. Lawler’s superior
wave selection contributed
heavily to his victories in the
quarter-final, semi-final and
then the final against Brazilian
veteran Alejo Muniz, who
ripped throughout.
The win ended a poor run
of results for Lawler, who only
got to compete via a wildcard
to the World Surf League
Challenger Series event.
“Honestly, the last few
months have been a real rollercoaster,”
Lawler told Pittwater
Life. “After not qualifying
PHOTO: Martin Kelly
UPSET: Jordy Lawler
chaired from the
beach by his mates
after winning the
GWM Sydney Surf Pro.
for the Challenger Series this
year, I was honestly thinking
about calling it quits, so I’m
just stoked I stuck with it.
“To make it to the Championship
Tour has been my
goal for so long and to win an
event of this size can really
help with that, I just can’t
believe it.”
In the women’s event,
Isabella Nicols won for the
second consecutive year, beating
rising star and Challenger
Series leader Erin Brooks.
– Martin Kelly
6THINGS
THIS MONTH
Net Zero Expo. Council will be
pulling out the bells and whistles
at the Narrabeen Tramshed
Community Arts Centre and Berry
Reserve on Sun 2 showcasing
all things sustainable, with
opportunties to road test electric
vehicles and e-bikes, shop
a second-hand market, visit
panel discussions and listen to
environmental advocate Craig
Reucassel from the ABC’s ‘War
on Waste’ and be in the mix to win
a bunch of prizes to help make
your lifestyle greener, cleaner and
more affordable. Free; bookings on
Council website.
Comedy show. Showcasing
some of Australia’s funniest
comedians with disability or
chronic illness, Are You Pulling
my Leg? boasts a line-up of
award-winning performers with
entertaining and uncensored
insights into disability and more.
Audience (18+ only) on Sat 8 from
7.30pm at Glen Street Theatre.
Book at the theatre or on online;
tickets from $30.
More housing info. Learn more
about the NSW Government’s
proposed low- and mid-rise
housing reforms, how they will
affect you and what you can do
about it, at an NB Council-run info
session at Newport Community
Centre on Thu 6 from 6pm-7pm.
Prune & propagate. Discover
how to prune your trees and
shrubs to increase durability and
strength, plus how you can save
money by learning how to grow
plants from seed and cuttings
at this workshop on Sat 15 from
10am-2pm at Kimbriki. Cost $40-
$60; book online.
SES Women’s Workshop.
The Warringah Pittwater Unit is
hosting another of its popular
free workshops for women to
help prepare for storms, floods
and other emergencies at the
SES, Unit 3 Thompson Street,
Terrey Hills on Sun 30 from 2pm.
Bookings essential via Warringah
Pittwater Facebook page.
Trivia Fridays. Book a spot at
Avalon bookstore Bookoccino
for three hours of great live music
(with a guest DJ in control of the
‘Guess The Tune’ section), good
vibes and generous prizes at Trivia
Friday on Fri 14 from 5.30pm.
24 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Push for local ‘Men’s Shed’
Community Sheds is an inspiring
initiative that benefits the
community in so many ways;
now there’s a push to start one in the
Pittwater area.
Formerly referred to as ‘Men’s
Sheds’, they are a workshop where
members – mostly retired men, or those
approaching retirement – can attend
to work on woodwork and metalwork
projects. It’s a great way to make friends
and deal with any mental health issues.
Ted Reid describes his local
Community Shed at St Ives as a
sanctuary.
“It’s somewhere I can get away from
home and any family stresses and have
comradeship, banter and peer-to-peer
support,” he said.
“I can also lose myself in making
something, in maintenance of the shed
or in a community project.”
Ted first joined the Shed at Bundanoon
in the Southern Highlands when he was
working away from the family home and
it provided him with mateship.
Now he’s seeking help in getting a
Shed off the ground in Pittwater.
“I’ve been looking at the idea for about
five years,” Ted explains.
“About six months ago we looked at
the Narrabeen RSL site as a possibility.
No physical premises there is suitable or
available, but land to build something
might be a possibility. So we need
some support in terms of a steering
committee, and to seek funding from
local government.”
In a positive, Pittwater MP Rory Amon
has agreed to be Patron of the steering
committee once it’s set up, and Mackellar
MP Dr Sophie Scamps has also pledged
DRIVER: Ted Reid wants a Shed for Pittwater.
her support.
Bec Whipper of the Australian Men’s
Shed Association (AMSA) said: “There
have been lots of inquiries over the
years for a Pittwater Shed and obviously
a location is very difficult because of
land scarcity and value.
“But there are unused premises and
vacant land held by NB Council, the
NSW State Government, and the Federal
Government in multiple locations in
Pittwater.”
Meanwhile, Ted is looking to broaden
the remit of any new Shed.
“It should just be a safe space for
community members to come and have
their own identity.”
Alongside more DIY-based projects,
Ted gives examples of other creative
pursuits, with the St Ives shed offering
art classes and cookery classes.
Pottery, mosaic art, picture framing,
photography, poetry and other culturaland
history-focused groups are all also
welcomed.
– Rob Pegley
*Want to help? Email readers@
pittwaterlife.com.au – people with
commercial and community development
experience especially welcome.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 25

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
The Way We Were
25 Years Ago…
Residents were warned to “expect
increases in rates, garbage fees and
even a pet levy on all ratepayers for
the next year”. The proposed Pet Levy
was contained in a report to go to the
council as part of its Companion Animal
Management Plan. The Levy was “…
being justified on the basis that animal
management and enforcement cannot
be funded out of registrations and fines.
It should apply to all ratepayers because
all residents benefit from local animal
management, not just pet owners”.
Pittwater had more than 6,500 dogs
registered. “The management plan has
to combine the needs of animal owners
in the urban area with pressure from
the anti-animal lobbies and others who
claim pets, particularly dogs and cats
are destroying the environment and
fauna of the area. A contentious item
will be the future of the unleashed dog
area at Careel Bay where bird lovers and some Council
staff are anxious to restrict activities.” A local property
investment company paid $1.835 million for the Pittwater
Council-owned building in Avalon Parade – The RSL Club
was a bidder but pulled out of the auction when bids
topped $1.6million. In the magazine’s ‘Diary’ section “… a
15 Years Ago…
Nick Carroll wrote about May’s
“crazy violent storms along
the east coast” and how they
“put a dramatic exclamation
mark on the story of autumn’s
Australian surf season –
which for a splendid change,
featured Pittwater as a major
character.” He proclaimed “…
few surfers around here will
forget Anzac Day 2009 in a
hurry”… Solid
three to four
metre waves
careened into
North Avalon,
other places
“also erupted;
the rock shelf
near the tip of
Little Reef at
Newport, the lee
of Barrenjoey,
the whole of
Narrabeen
Beach” then
days later, as
the coast realigned, “wherever
you looked – Palmy? South
Avalon? Bungan? – impossibly
perfect surf had appeared”.
Windsurfers also enjoyed
conditions as the cover
showed. Meanwhile, the
landslip review report was
delayed… again; Council
supported an initiative to ban
the collection
and disposal of
e-waste to landfill
from January
1 2010; and
Pittwater was
heading for “a
$10-million black
hole in its capital
works program
for the year
2009-2010 and
the three years
that follow”…
because of
the economic
downturn.
friend who works in the Pittwater area
who lives elsewhere was discussing
the syndrome of people who buy
in to an area then want to change
everything around them because
they don’t like the noise of some other
factor… (the) friend has a neighbour
who is not only complaining to the
Council about the noise of low hum
lawn mowers on the adjacent golf
course but also wants action to stop
golfers issuing expletives after they tee
off.” In other news the “posh end of
Palm Beach faces a heritage listing”
with the Heritage Council of NSW
considering listing an area between
Ocean Place and Horden Park, the
beach and Florida Road as “an area of
State significance.” Meanwhile, the land
release for medium density housing
in Warriewood “may well be under
threat from the endangered species the
Long
Nosed Bandicoot” with wildlife rescue
organisation WIRES concerned “they will be displaced and…
will be running around, lost and frightened”. WIRES “has
warned the Council and wants to work out a way to assist
in any problems that might arise due to destruction of their
habitat”.
5 Years Ago…
Readers learned about
Northern Beaches Council’s
plans to encourage more
residents to install solar
panels; we revealed the
blueprints for four netball
courts to be constructed
in Avalon; we met the four
women who take fans of
the soapie Home and Away
on tours of ‘Summer Bay’
and we provided a snapshot
of how residents voted in
the 2019 Federal Election
(voters placed their faith in
MP Jason Falinski, returning
the Liberal candidate for
a second term.) Council
sought an extension of the
deferral from the application
of the State Government’s
new Medium Density
Housing Code for another
12 months “to enable staff
to complete its crucial Local
Housing Strategy”. We listed
the events being held across
the peninsula starting in
late June as part of the
Gai-mariagal Festival and
NAIDOC Week. Work had
commenced on the geriatric
medical unit and dedicated
10-bed palliative care unit
at Mona Vale Hospital and
A Current Affair reporter
Brady Halls detailed his
colourful career and why
“... life in Pittwater is second
to none”.
28 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
PHOTO: Alec Smart
SEEN…
Stonemason Newton Bishop’s
new Council-commissioned tribute
to local surfing legend Midget
Farrelly on Black Rock at Palm
Beach. Bishop used a drill to chip
away at the sandstone, drawing
inspiration from an iconic photo
of Farrelly in action when winning
the World Champion title at
Manly Beach in 1964 (inset). Palm
Beach & Whale Beach Association
President Dr Richard West said: “It’s a very appropriate tribute
to Midget Farrelly at Palm Beach.”
HEARD…
Residents of the sleepy palm tree-dotted enclave adjoining
Bilgola Beach are celebrating the NSW Land and Environment
Court’s decision to uphold Northern Beaches Council’s refusal
of a DA for a new mega-mansion. The L&C refused the appeal
by the owners of 2A Allen Avenue who wished to demolish
the existing dwelling and construct a new four-storey home
and swimming pool, incorporating retention of their existing
tennis court. Acting Commissioner of the Court Louise Byrne
ruled in April that the proposed development was not in the
public interest, and that the DA was “an attempt to squeeze
too much onto the site that in my opinion… is unacceptable
and unworkable in this locality”. A local who didn’t want to be
named told Pittwater Life the decision was “a win for Bilgola
Beach”. He added a petition with more than 1500 signatures
opposing the DA had been secured over recent months… Council’s
budget woes are highlighted elsewhere in this magazine;
however, it’s worth noting some of the top-level items affecting
the balance sheet: COVID-19 and the Emergency Services Levy.
In its budget notes Council estimated the net cost of COVID-19
to be $41 million. In the past five years the Northern Beaches
experienced six natural disasters at a cost of $14 million, of
which $7 million has been recovered from the Federal Government.
But over the past 12 months the Emergency Services
Levy increased by $3.1 million to $9.3 million – equivalent to a
$90 increase per ratepayer. Mayor Sue Heins has appealed this
“cost-shifting” inequity to the Minns NSW Government.
ABSURD…
As Northern Beaches Council consults with community about
the new plan of Management for Governor Phillip Park at Palm
Beach, many locals are scratching their heads about why Council
has moved on from completing works on its Palm
Beach (South) Landscape Masterplan drawn up in
2017. As this photo taken after the April weather
event shows (below), the area is in desperate need
of some TLC. “The implementation was so badly
planned and overseen that most of the work done
required redoing twice, sometimes three times, at
huge additional cost to ratepayers,” one resident
complained. “The area from the Pacific Club on
Ocean Road through to Kiddies Corner is a disgrace
in appearance and a danger to cars parking. Perhaps
Council should consider completing one project to a
satisfactory standard before embarking on another
costly cosmetic frippery.” Council told us: “Most of
the actions out of the South Palm Beach Masterplan
have been completed, in particular improvements in
pedestrian safety between Governor Phillip Park and South Palm
Beach. The Masterplan also proposed a boardwalk to continue to
Kiddies Corner, but on further investigation this structure was
considered to be too visually intrusive on this beautiful area,
while the current shared zone on Ocean Road allows safe passage
of pedestrian who choose not to walk on the sand.”
30 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

News
Pittwater News
Hospital turns 60
Mona Vale Hospital has
celebrated its 60th birthday
with past and present staff
who have cared for the
community since it first
opened its doors on 22
February 1964. The hospital
came into being after much
desire and willingness by
the community to campaign
and fundraise for a hospital
on the Northern Beaches.
Initially accommodating 152
patients, it now provides
care to over 445 admitted
patients each year. Northern
Sydney Local Health
The next meeting of the Pittwater
Men’s Probus will be held at Mona
Vale Surf Club on Tuesday June 11. The
guest speaker is former Ship’s Master
Christopher Rynd who will describe his
extensive career as a mariner, starting
in 1974 as junior third officer on the
SS Oronsay, through to commanding
the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2005, and
subsequently commanding Queen Mary
2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
The meeting commences at 10am;
visitors welcome. More info call Terry
(0412 220 820).
The next meeting of Newport Probus
Club will be on Thursday June 6 at the
Newport Bowling Club. The speaker will
be rock music historian Paul Kearney
who will present the history and a selection
of great old rock ’n’ roll songs from
the 1950s. Meeting commences 10am;
visitors welcome. More info call Phil
Butcher (0413 046 370).
Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club next
meets on Wednesday 26 June at Narrabeen
Baptist Church. Guest speaker is
Robyn Bible who will explain and show
District Chief Executive
Anthony Schembri said:
“Mona Vale Hospital has
had a significant role in our
district in being a major
provider of rehabilitation
services, since the opening
of the assessment and
rehabilitation unit in 1988.
It was the first dedicated
rehabilitation unit for people
living on the Northern
Beaches. The urgent care
centre is also much-valued,
providing 24-hour care to
the community for nonlife-threatening
medical
conditions.”
Youth Hub boost
Council is repurposing the
former Avalon Customer
Contact Centre for
community use, offering
the space on community
licence to the Burdekin
Association. The deal will
see an expansion of the
existing services the Avalon
Youth Hub provides at
Avalon Recreation Centre.
Currently the Avalon Youth
Hub offers free counselling,
case management,
mentoring, advice, referrals
and general support to
young people in Pittwater.
June Probus Club news in your suburb...
how to cut back and propagate various
plants, including geraniums. Doors
open 9.45am for 10am meeting; visitors
welcome. For more info call/text (0424
464 047).
The next meeting of the Combined
Probus Club of Mona Vale will be on
Tuesday, 18 June in the auditorium at
Pittwater RSL Club (from 10am). Guest
speaker will be Sergeant Melinda Murray
of the NSW Mounted Police. Melinda
joined the NSW Police Force in 1989; her
first posting was Mona Vale Police Station
in 1990. She also worked at Manly
and Dee Why Police stations for six years
before transferring to the NSW Mounted
Police Unit in 1996. She was promoted to
the rank of Sergeant in 2014. Melinda is
a Supervisor and Instructor at the Unit
and is the longest-serving current member
of the NSW Mounted Police. Melinda
and her husband currently reside in Pittwater.
Visitors welcome – for more info
call Barry (0435 010 367).
The next meeting of the Bilgola Plateau
Probus Club will be at 10am, Friday
7 June at the Newport Bowling Club.
Northern Beaches Mayor
Sue Heins said the move
opens new opportunities
for the community at a
time when young people
were facing increasing
challenges. The Burdekin
Association was one of four
applications received by
NB Council. As part of the
process, applicants had to
demonstrate that their use
of the facility will increase
health and wellbeing of
the Northern Beaches
community. More info
Council website.
Continued on page 34
Guest speaker will be Kevin Murray on
the topic ‘Science Myths and Misconceptions’
– examining a range of commonly
held science-based myths, their origins
and the reasons they persist in spite of
scientific evidence to the contrary.
Although they are not taking new
members at the moment, visitors are
welcome. More info call or text Shelley
(0415 538 864).
Palm Beach and Peninsula Probus
Club will hold their next meeting at
Club Palm Beach on Wednesday 19 June,
commencing 9.45am. Speaker will be
author David Hunt who will amuse and
entertain with some of the tall but true
tales from his award-winning Australian
history books, Girt, True Girt, and Girt
Nation. Said to be ‘in the fine tradition of
writing gleefully and outrageously about
our past, present and future’ attendees
will hear how Australia became
Australia, which Australian prime
minister talked to the dead, and why
camels are bad news. Membership is
open to retired men and women; visitors
welcome. Enquiries call 0421 435 792.
32 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Lynne Czinner Park opens
park named in honour of
A former Pittwater Mayor
Lynne Czinner opened in
Warriewood last month,
complementing the existing
park affectionately known as
‘Rocket Ship Park’ through its
new bridge connection across
Fern Creek.
The park effectively
doubles the amount of park
available for the community
of Warriewood.
The new green space
includes a shared path and
pedestrian bridge connection
across Fern Creek; picnic areas
with BBQ facilities, shade
and water bottle refill stations;
a fitness area; network
of pedestrian paths; open
grassed areas; native plantings
and landscaping; and car
parking on Dove Lane.
Northern Beaches Mayor
Sue Heins said the project
was fully funded by developer
contributions.
“By naming this green
space after Lynne we honour
her legacy. May this space
forever stand as a testament
to her dedication, vision, and
service to our community.”
Lynne Czinner was elected
to the first Pittwater Council
in 1992, serving consecutive
terms until 2008. Within that
period, Lynne spent four consecutive
terms as Deputy Mayor
from 1998 to 2002, and in 2004
Lynne was elected as Mayor.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 33

Pittwater News
Continued from page 33
Mona Vale SLSC opens doors
As a community-focused surf club, Mona Vale SLSC is
opening its new clubhouse on the first Tuesday of each
month to its over-65s surf club members and extending
this invitation to all over-65s within the local community.
Club President Ralph Stonell says the afternoon is intended
to be an opportunity where locals can come and mix with
like-minded people; you can sit and chat over a cup of tea or
coffee or, if you fancy, play a game of Scrabble, backgammon,
Mahjong, chess or cards – or even challenge yourself to a jigsaw
or put your mind to the test over a crossword or Sudoku.
Long-time members of the club Rhonda Lycett and Ross
James are leading the initiative, which kicks off with its
first afternoon on 4 June from 1pm to 4pm (light afternoon
tea provided; lift access).
More info call 9145 2987 or email admin@monavaleslsc.
org.au
News
Continued on page 36
34 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater News
Continued from page 34
Pittwater sports
grants allocated
Pittwater MP Rory Amon has
welcomed the announcement
of $50,000 in funding for
sporting groups across
Pittwater. Grants included
$20,000 to Terrey Hills
Tennis Club to upgrade
their outdated women’s and
men’s bathrooms; $17,367 to
Manly Warringah Basketball
Association for equipment
for its wheelchair basketball
program; $8,997.50 to Avalon
Sailing Club to upgrade their
bathrooms and changeroom
facilities; and $3,635.50 to
Manly Warringah District
Baseball Association to
upgrade the batting nets
at Rat Park in Warriewood.
Funds were part of the 2023-
24 round of the NSW Office
of Sport’s Local Sport Grant
Program. For info about
future funding opportunities
email pittwater@parliament.
nsw.gov.au
Disability Inclusion
Awards call-out
Do you know a business
that’s inclusive to customers
with disability? Nominate
them now for Northern
Beaches Council’s Disability
Inclusion Award. Anyone
can nominate including
customers, businesses
owners and staff. Selfnominations
are also
welcome. Nominations
through council’s website
close Mon 10 June.
Council election
candidates session
Council will hold an info
session on Thurs 27 June
for anyone interested in
running in this year’s local
government election. The
next election for Northern
Beaches Council will be held
on 14 September 2024. Venue
is Dee Why Civic Centre
(6-7.30pm). Registrations
essential on Council website.
Scamps says Albo is
‘betraying the future’
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps has accused
the Albanese Federal
Government of betraying
future generations with
its Future Gas Strategy,
which she says “wipes out”
the nation’s greenhouse
gas reduction plans.
“Every household who has
diligently tried to reduce
their greenhouse footprint
by buying electric cars,
changing their appliances
and installing solar panels
should feel outraged by
Labor’s Future Gas Strategy,”
Dr Scamps said. While she
welcomed the Government’s
commitment to invest in new
industries with its Future
Made in Australia policy, she
said it was “speaking out
of both sides of its mouth”.
“The Future Gas policy
pulls in exactly the opposite
direction. It is a backward
leap entrenching the use and
export of fossil fuels.”
News
Blowhole rescue honours
Brave members of the Warriewood and
Mona Vale Surf Life Saving IRB teams
have been acknowledged for their work
together to save a group of young boys
caught at the notorious blowhole at Warriewood.
Last month Pittwater RSL handed Community
Excellence Awards to Warriewood’s
Saskia Rundle Trowbridge
(right) and Adam Kovac, and Mona Vale’s
Mark Bonney and Jacob Rodwell, for their
roles in the January rescue event.
“Pittwater RSL created this opportunity
to appreciate and acknowledge the hard
work of volunteers in our community
clubs, primarily those working with the
grassroots sporting organisations we
fund,” said CEO Jason Manning.
“This program aims to establish a
strong relationship with our volunteers
and recognise their dedication and
hard work.”
Pittwater RSL sponsors the IRB programs
across Warriewood, Mona Vale, North
Narrabeen and South Narrabeen SLSC.
Other ‘Quarter 1’ community award
winners included Sebastian Vega
(Mona Vale SLSC), Diane Rossello
(Pittwater Baseball Club) Drew Humphries
(Narrabeen Sharks RLFC Life
member) and Steve McGuiness (Mona
Vale Boardriders Club).
36 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Beneteaus overcome squalls
forecast of up to
A 50mm of rain was
nowhere near enough to
deter loyal enthusiasts for
the annual Beneteau Pittwater
Regatta last month.
Today’s latest Beneteaus
were represented by the
powerful First 44 and
sublime First 36, and then
all the way back to legacy
craft from 30-plus years
ago, with the vessels
spanning a gap from 27 to 51 feet in length.
In the Spinnaker Division, Julian Bell
brought the 51st Project (pictured) down from
Port Stephens, and they sailed with intent to
win; industry stalwart Carl Crafoord took the
new First 44, Firefox, and
its crew to second place.
Elara won the Non-
Spinnaker Division,
which was a first for
them, after having been
on the podium several
times. Bob Swan’s Elusive
Spirit finished in second
place, with Uwe Roehm’s
Currawong collecting
third.
The Beneteau Pittwater
Regatta was first run in 2000, and has done
so every year since, bar one during the COVID
era.
The Beneteau Cup on Sydney Harbour will
be in late October, 2024. – John Curnow
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
Dental disease can often be
hidden from sight, with
unhealthy teeth contributing
to pain and other diseases in
pets. Cats can particularly be
adept at hiding any discomfort.
Regular health checks are important.
Cats can’t brush their
teeth, but just like people, they
are at risk of developing dental
problems because bacteria and
plaque accumulate on their
teeth contributing to gum disease
or gingivitis, which can be
painful and also lead to bacteria
entering the bloodstream and
circulating to affect other body
organs.
Some tell-tale signs that your
cat may require a dental treatment
include if they have bad
breath or if they have yellow or
brown tartar deposits on their
teeth – as normal healthy teeth
should always be white. If there
is a red line along the gum
margins around the teeth, this
usually indicates gingivitis – or
inflammation and infection of
the gums. Cats with dental disease
may have difficulty eating,
may salivate excessively, and
can sometimes have bleeding
gums.
Our veterinary team will
discuss with you the appropriate
treatment options available
to manage your cat’s dental
health. This may include a
dental scale and polish procedure
(performed under a
general anaesthetic) to clean
and protect the teeth. Special
dental foods are also available
to help reduce the risk of dental
disease in cats.
Recognising when your cat’s
teeth require veterinary attention,
seeking advice from our
veterinary team and implementing
the appropriate treatment
will ensure that your cat
remains happy and healthy into
their older years.
If we haven’t seen your cat
for a while, Sydney Animal
Hospitals has the purr-fect
opportunity in May and June –
with free dental checks by our
veterinary nurses, to have your
cat’s dental health assessed,
along with reduced-price dental
procedures and more.
More info visit sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 37

Palmy’s ‘ton’
of links fun
Life Stories
Humble Palm Beach Golf Club is
celebrating 100 years of proud history
and broad appeal.
Story by Rob Pegley
25 homes in the area and just Like Avalon Bulldogs down
The fairways at ‘Palmy’ are the neighborhood that might 88 people.
the road at Hitchcock Park
a place where billionaires sound like an empty promise. The following year, however, (George Hitchcock was one
rub shoulders with But set foot on the course or Raine and Horne auctioned of Palm Beach’s foundation
battlers, and players range walk through the Clubhouse’s the Barrenjoey Company’s members), the Club started
from 8-year-olds to those still door and you’ll immediately land around Palm Beach and as a general sports club: The
swinging in their 90s. “Our be struck by its down-to-earth Sydney’s elite started buying Palm Beach Recreation Club.
membership is not as large nature. Friendly, accessible blocks. Over the next few years, With some evidence that golf
as some of the other courses and lacking the stuffiness you the first holiday houses in the was played in the area before
locally and so we all know each might expect of a golf club in area were built and the odd the golf club was actually
other. It’s one of the greatest this location. But then maybe mix of billionaires and battlers formed, it was the Palm Beach
things about Palm Beach Golf there’s something in its DNA began. Seemingly that real Recreation Club Limited that
Club – the friendships you that has been there right from mix of backgrounds has never would eventually morph into
can make,” says current Club the beginning.
stopped enjoying playing golf the golf club.
President Daniel Hill.
Starting as a cow paddock together.
The oldest golf club record
“We are all part of this great at the start of the previous “Our members have nothing can be found in the report of
Club – we have members with century, its early membership to prove,” says Daniel. “Some an ‘annual’ general meeting
different backgrounds and consisted largely of campers – drive Aston Martins, some held on December 26, 1925
means, and that is all left at mainly because hardly anybody drive a beat-up car and there’s which actually covers the two
the front door. There’s no point lived in the area. Access took everything in between. It’s years from January 1, 1924, to
having a community-based most of the day from Sydney more about getting together December 31, 1925. While the
Club unless it’s part of the and involved different modes with your mates and coming report shows Mr C Crossman
community.”
of transport – including boat. and enjoying yourself. And as the first president, there is
Given the evident wealth in The 1911 census showed only being part of something.” no evidence of when the first
38 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

ound of golf was played on the
course, or who played it, but it
is stated that over a thousand
people played the course in
1925.
Milestones were achieved
over the following years, such
as the employment of the first
groundsman and the first club
championships held in 1929.
Prizes of silver palm badges
were awarded and a marquee
and 130 tables were set up,
with a jazz band playing until
midnight.
Which brings us to the
clubhouse. Now an impressive
modern complex, it was once a
quaint cottage called ‘Dormy’.
In 1930, local resident Allan
Oxlade bought Dormy as his
second home. Allan was an
athlete who had represented
Australia and worked as an
electrical engineer for the
family owned Federal Electrical
and Engineering Works. He
rented Dormy to the Club to
become its clubhouse in 1932
and would eventually sell it to
the Club in 1950. His daughter
Joyce Mildwater says that her
father was a dedicated member
of Palm Beach Golf Club and
the lease and later the sale were
both made to help the Club,
rather than for financial gain.
For the next couple of
decades it was the course itself
that had work undertaken. The
annual report for 1930 records
that the club had begun placing
bunkers on the course. From
1931 to 1938, greens were
enlarged and bunkered, and
a considerable tree planting
program was undertaken.
For those that don’t know
the course, it’s a 9-hole layout
that you play twice to make 18
holes. It’s flat, relatively short at
4240 metres, and a has par of
64. It looks easy enough – but
very few professionals have
shot under par and you need
control to avoid its pitfalls.
As Daniel explains, its
short, flat terrain means it’s
accessible to everyone. “There
are about 450 playing members
and we have a really good
spread of demographics – I
know one boy of eight who
plays with his Dad and a few
players in their 90s. It’s a great
course for all, including for
people at the beginning and the
end of their golfing days.
“And I might be biased, but
Palm Beach has some of the
best views of a golf course in
Continued on page 40
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE:
No better backdrop for golf
than Pittwater; an early men’s
representative team from 1938;
from the archives – the opening
of the Clubhouse, 1965; having
fun circa 1930 (although we’re
not sure that their footwear
would be acceptable today!);
more from the Club archives;
President Daniel Hill has been
at the helm for five years; the
plaque commemorating the
Club’s 100 years, unveiled by
Australian golfing legend and
local resident Craig Parry.
Life Stories
PHOTOS: Courtesy State Library
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 39

Life Stories
Continued from page 39
the country – along Pittwater
under the shadows of the
lighthouse.”
Bias isn’t a factor – Palm
Beach is in a stunning setting.
You can turn up any day and
pay for a quick round, whether
you’re a member or not. On
the western boundary is the
beach with windsurfers and
seaplanes; to the east are sand
dunes; and to the north, the
historic lighthouse.
The Club is well run by both
staff and volunteers. Daniel is
himself a volunteer – although
he admits that it’s like having a
second full-time job alongside
the one he does for the NSW
Government working in social
housing. Daniel joined in
2003 as a 12-year-old, playing
alongside his dad. In 2017 he
joined the Board as a Director
and in 2019 became the
youngest ever President at 31.
He’s been in the role for five
years now. He was recently
re-elected for a sixth year at the
Club’s Annual General Meeting
held in May.
“We rely on volunteers for so
much, but have great full-time
staff as well – Renae Fitzgerald
the General Manager, Nikki
Lowe the Accounts Manager,
our chef and a few dozen other
staff working part-time or fulltime.”
They follow in the footsteps
of people such as Ron
Gassman, who was the first
full-time secretary manager;
Wally Gale, the first teaching
pro; and long-term professional
Alan Berry.
There have been tough times,
however. In 1981, the Club
made a loss for the first time
in its history. Then 1982 was
marked by low rainfall and the
Club had to spend more money
on town water. In 1983, the
introduction of random breath
testing had positive effects
on lowering road accident
numbers but ate into bar
profits.
However, help was at hand.
In February 1984, when
Tony Weymouth took over as
Secretary Manager, the Club’s
finances were in bad shape
and there were membership
vacancies in all categories. By
1985 though, the bar which
had run at a loss for the two
40 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

previous years, was back in
profit.
These days, on Daniel’s
watch, the Club is thriving.
A solicitor by trade, he has
overseen one of the most
successful periods in its
history.
“I’ve been here five years
now as President and I’m proud
to report the last four years
have been the most successful
financial years the club has
had. But there’s always more
to do. My focus is to look at
further ways to ensure longterm
viability.”
As golf clubs are not-forprofit
entities, that financial
success gets rolled back into
make the Club even stronger.
Under Daniel’s tenure
they received an $800,000
grant from the former NSW
government to upgrade for
accessibility, which included
installation of two disabled
bathrooms, an elevator
for wheelchairs and better
mobility, and alterations to the
golf course. It means absolutely
anyone can eat on the balcony
upstairs, enjoy the views, and
more people can play golf.
Former Australian Open
champion Craig Parry added
some redesign touches to the
course, and another $300k
is being spent on upgrading
locker rooms and greenkeeper
facilities. In addition, some
120 solar panels have been
installed and the club is
looking at other ways to reduce
costs and make themselves
even more sustainable –
working with Sydney Water on
one such project.
“We’ve been at the heart of
the Palm Beach community
for over 100 years now,” says
Daniel fondly. “In World War II
we sent gift packs to members
who were serving overseas.
“There is a rich history –
Kerry Packer lived round the
corner and liked to play here…
Kelly Slater enjoys a round. We
have celebrities come and go
and nobody draws attention
to it.
“Anytime there’s no comp
on, people can just turn up and
play. Our forebears 100 years
ago wanted it like this and we
haven’t really changed.”
Here’s to Palmy’s next 100
years…
Life Stories
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 41

Author Q&A
Bolt from the ‘Blue’
provides Victoria’s
Radio Hour inspiration
Adelaide-based Victoria Purman is an Australian top-10 and USA Today
bestselling fiction author who is visiting Avalon Community Library on
Tuesday 4 June to talk about her new release The Radio Hour. Tickets $10
at the Library or call 8495 5080. Interview by Lisa Offord
Books
Q: What inspired you to write
your new book?
The Radio Hour was inspired
by my own time working in
radio as a cadet journalist
at the ABC, and in all the
experiences my women friends
and I had in newsrooms and
with broadcasters, but I wanted
to broaden it out to radio
drama – where I thought I
could create some fun! And for
that, the legendary Blue Hills’
creator Gwen Meredith was
the perfect inspiration. The
serial ran for 5,795 episodes
and she single-handedly
wrote each and every one. It
was compulsory listening in
households right across the
country and was much-loved. I
wondered what might happen
if the public broadcaster
wanted another serial to follow
Blue Hills – and The Radio Hour
was born.
Q: How did it all progress?
When I set out to write a new
novel, I spend a lot of time
thinking about the era and
researching, and coming
up with the characters and
the locations. Once I type
‘Chapter One’ it takes about
eight months from beginning
to end. For this book, I found
books on the history of radio
broadcasting in Australia,
listened to interviews with
Gwen Meredith and those
who worked with her, and
even listened to old episodes
of Blue Hills. Old newspapers
and magazines of the era were
invaluable in helping me to
find radio schedules of the
day and articles about
Australia’s favourite
serials.
Q: Detail your writing
habits; when and where do
you write?
I write in a small office
overlooking the backyard
where I watch the sun set in
the afternoons and listen to
the birds in my backyard,
watching the trees with
fascination as the seasons
change. I have to admit,
there’s a lot of procrastinating
during that writing time –
including staring at my golden
retriever, Maisie, seeing
friends, watching television
and reading books. I can never
stop reading books!
Q: Any interesting feedback
from readers?
The feedback so far from
readers to The Radio Hour
has been incredible and
very humbling. I love that it
invokes their memories of
sitting with their parents
and grandparents who were
glued to the radio when their
favourite serials were on. So
many have said they haven’t
been able to put it down and
that it’s my best book yet. My
readers are honestly the best
people.
Q: Anything else to add?
I’m hoping this book
will appeal to the largest
readership in the country –
women over 45. Particularly
for nostalgic reasons,
remembering Blue Hills and
those old radio days. And I
would love readers to finish
the last page and take to heart
what Martha tells her proteges:
it’s never too late to be what
you might have been.
* The Radio Hour RRP $33 is
out now. Victoria Purman’s
A Woman’s Work, The Nurses’
War, The Women’s Pages,
The Land Girls and The Last
of the Bonegilla Girls were
Australian bestsellers. An
earlier novel The Three Miss
Allens was a USA Today
bestseller.
42 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Art Life
Eclectic mix for Manly gallery
The latest exhibitions at Manly Art Gallery & Museum in June
Western Desert ‘Coo-ee’
Manly Art Gallery & Museum is
hosting an exhibition of stunning
Western Desert art by 57
acclaimed Aboriginal artists.
Commencing June 15, ‘Three
Echoes – Western Desert Art’
is curated by celebrated artist,
curator, writer and activist,
Djon Mundine. The exhibition
showcases works by critically
acclaimed artists from the Aboriginal
communities of Ikuntji,
Papunya and Utopia, from the
private collection of Andrew
Arnott and Karin Schack.
Featured artists include Billy
Stockman Tjapaltjarri, Turkey
Tolson Tjupurrula, Long Tom
Tjapanangka, Dr George Tjapaltjarri,
Gloria Petyarre and Emily
Kame Kngwarreye.
The free exhibition explores
the poetic notion of echoes
– how metaphorically and
metaphonically we can echo
a thought, a sentiment or a
consciousness.
“In the early 1970s, my father
once told me of how, when
he was a child in Bandjalung
country, people coming along
the river or through the woods
would ‘Coo-ee’ to announce
their presence at certain places
where their voice would echo repeatedly,
reverberating into the
distance; to which the receiver
would, ‘chant-like’, respond,”
said curator Djon Mundine.
*Exhibition runs 14 June – 28
July; open Tues – Sun, 10am-
5pm. Bookings for official
opening (Thurs 20 June
6-8pm) essential on Council
website.
A ghoulish tale
In 1960s Poland, 9-year-old girl
Iwona and her friend broke into
an abandoned, bomb-ruined
theatre and saw a strange apparition.
There on the stage,
in post-war Wroclaw, stood a
group of ghostly actors, dressed
in historical costumes.
This thrilling story is the
inspiration for an artwork by
artist Katy B Plummer, ‘We Believe
You Babcia’. The story has
been told time and time again
to the artist’s children by their
paternal grandmother, Iwona.
‘We Believe You Babcia’ is an
exhibition about storytelling,
Polish grandmothers, intergenerational
relationships and the
lineage of familial creativity.
The exhibition combines cinematic
storytelling with domestic
textile practices. Through performance,
video and large-scale
textiles, the artist explores how
history can be haunting.
Plummer grew up on the
Northern Beaches, now lives
and works in Sydney, and has
exhibited her work in galleries
across Australia and overseas.
*Exhibition 14 June – 28 July;
open Tues – Sun, 10am-5pm.
Bookings for official opening
(Thurs 20 June) essential.
Emerging curator
Daniel Press has been named
Northern Beaches Emerging
Curator for 2024.
Press, a sculptor and curator
known for his innovative
approach to sculpture and
commitment to uncovering
emerging trends in Australian
contemporary art, will develop
MASS, an ambitious exhibition
at Curl Curl Creative Space in
September 2024.
MASS will showcase collaborative
works from eight femaleidentifying
artists, delving into
themes of ecofeminism, transformation,
and place-making.
The Emerging Curator Program,
building on its successful
2023 debut, provides earlycareer
curators with professional
mentoring, a platform
to develop their practice, and
opportunities to expand their
networks.
Art Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 43

Hot Property
Homes where the hearth is
These character-filled weatherboard properties new to the market offer views, gorgeous fireplaces,
and all the modern comforts to make you feel at home no matter what the weather… By Lisa Offord
One of the last of its kind on Pittwater’s shoreline, this charming
two-storey weatherboard cottage sits right on the waterfront and
less than a 100-metre stroll from Clareville Beach. LJ Hooker Palm
Beach agents David and BJ Edwards say 46 Hudson Parade Avalon
Beach is “… the kind of home that takes you back to the easy,
relaxed and uncomplicated part of Summer, boasting iconic views
across Pittwater from just about every vantage point.” The main
integrated living/dining areas plus a newly updated kitchen are on
the ground level and the three bedrooms are above, with a verandah
showcasing spectacular views. Original sash windows, a massive
wood fireplace, sandstone walls and level lawns to the wide tidal
beachfront speak volumes about its vintage appeal. Well-hidden
with easy access from Hudson Parade there’s a double carport plus
offstreet parking for two vehicles. Land is 1,252 square metres.
Hot Property
Nestled into a private alcove with lofty east-facing beach and ocean
views, this four-bedroom home commands an idyllic plateau position.
Laing+Simmons Avalon Beach agent Amy Young says the “peaceful
retreat” at 21 York Terrace Bilgola Plateau also served as an
“immaculate entertainer”. With a seamless flow, the airy, open-plan
kitchen, dining and living area is filled with light. A wood-burning open
fireplace pairs beautifully with the warmth of blackbutt floorboards. The
expansive upper-level master suite, delivers “classic beachside vibes,
alongside divine beach and ocean views from the travertine balcony”.
The covered rear deck is equipped with an inbuilt wet bar and a raked
ceiling with overhead heating. Stairs invite you to the private lawn with a
custom seating area and firepit. Other features include a rumpus with a
loft and a 200-bottle wine cellar and tasting room.
This beautifully renovated 1950s weatherboard home blends classic
charm with modern style. Situated on a 1,220-square-metre north-facing
parcel of land, interiors at 9 Dress Circle Road Avalon Beach feature
vintage design elements and artisan finishes, using an organic palette
of timber, marble and aged brass. Belle Property agent Greg Griffin said
“the single-level layout is family-focused, with a seamless indoor-outdoor
flow to a sprawling backyard and sunny front balcony that offers views
of Bangalley Headland, ocean glimpses and refreshing sea breezes”.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has Australian hardwood
floorboards throughout and is surrounded by lush greenery. The light
and airy living/dining area boasts a working fireplace and a designer
Viola stone-finished kitchen anchors the space. The master bedroom
features an ensuite, underfloor heating and marble powder bay. A home
office and garage with ample storage completes the picture.
44 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

GN Cunninghams IN MARCH 24 – DEC 24 Quoted $1380 + GST
per page March 24 – Dec 24. Nigel emailed Nat 3/5 Page 45

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Things local women need to
know about parenthood delay
Northern Beaches mums
are getting older, and
they are facing more
fertility challenges, says
Dr Michele Kwik, fertility
specialist, IVFAustralia
Northern Beaches.
Mothers across Pittwater
and the Northern
Beaches, including those
having babies for the first time,
are getting older, as factors
such as career and cost of living
pressures weigh more heavily
on decisions about when to
start a family.
The median age of mothers
on the Northern Beaches is now
34.2 – well above the national
average of 31.1*, according to
the most recent Australian Bureau
of Statistics (ABS) data.
That is reflected in what we
are seeing in our Northern
Beaches fertility clinics. Patients
are sharing with us that they
have been delaying parenthood
because they have been focusing
on their careers, waiting
for greater financial security, or
because they have not found
their ‘Mr Right.’
Age and fertility
This trend towards older mums
has seen a rise in women and
couples facing fertility challenges.
The older you are, the
harder it can be to conceive.
Once you turn 36, your chance
of conceiving naturally starts
to decline; at the age of 41, this
chance falls to just five per cent.
The reason that women in
their late 30s and 40s have a
lower chance of conceiving is
due to decreasing egg quantity
and quality as you get older,
especially after the age of 36.
Unfortunately, staying
healthy, eating well and exercising
regularly will not slow
the rate at which your fertility
declines. While lifestyle factors
can help boost your fertility,
the number one factor that
determines egg count and quality
is age.
Women are
seeking help
A growing number of women
on the Northern Beaches and
elsewhere around Australia are
now seeking the help of assisted
reproductive techniques
such as IVF.
One in every 18 babies
in Australia are now born
through IVF. Data from medical
researchers at the University
of New South Wales shows a
record 18,594 babies were born
via IVF treatment in 2021.
There is a growing demand,
too, for other fertility services.
It is now more common to see
women relying on donor eggs
or surrogacy, or freezing their
eggs when they are younger as
backup for future pregnancy.
Women and their partners are
AWARENESS: Dr Michele Kwik.
also turning to genetic testing
of embryos if they are known
carriers of serious medical
conditions. The latest advances
in technology, which include artificial
intelligence, have greatly
improved the chances of a successful
pregnancy through IVF.
When to ask for help
A woman’s age is a key factor in
deciding when to seek the help
of a fertility specialist.
If you are over 35 years of
age and you have been unsuccessfully
trying to conceive
for six months, you should
consider a referral to a fertility
specialist.
If you are under the age of
35, you should seek fertility advice
if you have been unsuccessful
after 12 months of trying for
a baby. However, you should
seek help earlier if you are
concerned, particularly if you
have had past gynecological
problems, such as endometriosis,
polycystic ovary syndrome
or irregular menstruation.
Checking if your ovarian
reserve is appropriate for your
age can be done with an AMH
test, which measures the Anti
Mullerian Hormone in your
blood. Remember, though, that
the AMH concentration only
reflects the number of eggs you
have. It gives no information
about the quality of your eggs.
Support on the Beaches
If you have been struggling to
conceive, or if you have concerns
about your fertility, advice
and support are available on
the Northern Beaches.
IVFAustralia has two premium
full-service clinics located in
Dee Why and Frenchs Forest.
These clinics offer a full range
of fertility services from ovulation
induction, IUI, IVF, egg
freezing, genetic testing and
donor services.
Our world-class laboratory
provides embryology and
andrology diagnostic services,
giving patients the best possible
chance of success.
The growth in local demand
has led to the welcome
addition of a new IVFAustralia
fertility specialist at our Northern
Beaches clinics, making a
team of three female fertility
specialists.
*Reference aihw.gov.au; more
info ivf.com.au
46 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Discover your inner stillness
In today’s fast-paced world, finding
moments of tranquillity is more
important than ever. Mark and Tina
founded Immerse Yoga Studio to provide
a sanctuary where you can recharge and
reconnect with yourself.
“Stress and a constant pursuit of
material success often lead to physical
and emotional imbalances – yoga teaches
us that true happiness and contentment
come from within, helping you find peace
regardless of external circumstances,”
explained Mark.
The couple met in Thailand during
a Yoga Teacher Training. They have
experienced firsthand the transformative
power of yoga, breathing, and
meditation. These practices have
helped them through challenging times,
developing into a daily routine that they
now live and breathe.
“We noticed that nowadays yoga often
focuses only on the physical aspect,
which does have many amazing benefits.
However, we felt that Yoga beyond the
physical postures was missing,” Mark said.
This inspired them to create a space
at Warriewood focused on movement,
meditation, breathing, and ZenThai
Shiatsu, where people can find regular
guided practice and change their lives.
Mark and Tina come from different
backgrounds and have unique
approaches to the practice, but they work
as a team and complement each other.
Their diversity offers a comprehensive
approach to well-being and yoga, sharing
BROADER
OUTLOOK:
Mark and Tina
from Immerse
Yoga Studio.
their strengths and knowledge to provide
a holistic experience.
Their offerings include yoga classes
(with variations) for beginners or
experienced, plus unique Mindful
Meditation and Breathing classes to help
develop techniques to calm the mind,
reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing.
It’s an opportunity to learn from
those who live and breathe what they
teach, extending benefits far beyond the
physical aspect of yoga.
They also offer ZenThai Shiatsu
Treatment, a holistic bodywork therapy
that combines elements of Thai massage,
Zen Shiatsu, and osteopathy.
“It integrates acupressure, joint
mobilisation, and energy work to promote
relaxation, balance energy flow, and
address physical, mental, and emotional
tension,” explains Mark. “It’s a unique
and wonderful way to release blockages,
tension, and enter a state of softness and
deep relaxation. Experience it yourself
with either an individual session or come
with your partner or friend and share this
beautiful experience.”
Also, Immerse Yoga Studio is proud
to sponsor MVB and Para Surfers,
demonstrating their commitment to
supporting local initiatives.
“We believe in the power of community
and the importance of supporting
small businesses. By fostering these
connections, we aim to contribute to
the well-being and growth of our local
community.”
– Lisa Offord
*Find them at 6 Jubilee Ave,
Warriewood; more info and classes
immerseyogastudio.com
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 47

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
New PET CT scanner for Beaches
Lumus Imaging is thrilled
to be providing PET and
CT imaging services at its
Northern Beaches Hospital
centre with a new PET CT
scanner.
Lumus Imaging Group
Executive Dr Phil Lucas – also a
Newport resident and practising
Radiologist at the hospital
– said he was delighted that
Lumus Imaging could now
provide a new PET CT scanner
to the local community.
“Northern Beaches patients
with cancer and other medical
conditions no longer have to
travel far to get their PET scan
examinations,” he said.
The new PET CT scanner
produces best-in-class image
quality reported by Lumus
Imaging Radiologists with
dual qualifications in both
PET and Diagnostic Radiology.
This means patients can
have an Oncologic PET and
Diagnostic Oncologic CT in
one convenient visit.
Additionally, this new
Oncologic PET, CT and MRI
service is integrated into the
Northern Beaches Hospital
cancer service.
“Patients will really benefit
from this integrated service,”
reiterated Director of Imaging
at Northern Beaches Hospital
Professor Alex Pitman.
Lumus Imaging Northern
Beaches Hospital opened at
the same time as the hospital
in 2018. It is a purpose-built
centre, which has continued to
evolve to ensure services continue
to support the diagnostic
imaging needs of the hospital
PROUD: (Left to right) Imaging Manager Yolanda Johnstone, Professor Alex Pitman, Modality Head Nuclear
Medicine Amir Meybdy and Deputy Head Secretary Taryn Smuts.
and local community.
Imaging Manager at the
Lumus Imaging centre Yolanda
Johnstone added: “I’m lucky
enough to live in the Northern
Beaches and to be working at
hospital since we opened the
doors five years ago. During
this time, we’ve maintained
a common focus of fulfilling
the healthcare needs of the
residents.
“The addition of this new
PET CT moves us one step
closer to achieving this goal,
and we’re very proud of that.”
As well as the PET CT
service, Lumus Imaging
Northern Beaches Hospital
offers a full suite of
modalities and services which
include X-ray, Ultrasound,
CT, Mammography, MRI,
Nuclear Medicine, Bone
Mineral Densitometry, and
Interventional Radiology.
One of the largest Imaging
providers in the country,
Lumus Imaging is committed
to the Northern Beaches.
Lumus Imaging’s clinics at
Northern Beached Hospital,
Brookvale and Chatswood,
form part of a national
network of 150 diagnostic
imaging centres nationwide.
Dr Lucas said Lumus Imaging’s
highly specialised Radiologists,
Sonographers, Nuclear
Medicine Technologists, Nurses
and Clerical teams were dedicated
to providing top quality
imaging to patients, caring for
their health and wellbeing at
every stage of life.
All referrals were welcome
at their imaging centres, he
said.
*Bookings and inquires
contact: Lumus Imaging
Northern Beaches (open
Mon – Sun; outpatient
appointments accepted)
– 9470 5200; Lumas
Imaging Brookvale (open
Mon-Sun); Lumas Imaging
Chatswood (Open Mon-
Fri; closed weekends). For
hours and more info go to
lumusimaging.com.au
48 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Seniors of 2024 honoured
Local seniors Helga Pike, Diana Newton and Gail Gosling have
been honoured for their selfless contributions to Pittwater.
The trio received 2024 Local Senior Achievement Awards from
Pittwater MP Rory Amon last month.
Helga served as an in-water volunteer at Mona Vale Hospital
therapy pool for over 20 years and is an active member of our
beloved Bei Loon Dragon Boat Club.
Diana is the membership secretary and life member of the
Pittwater Motor Enthusiasts Association and volunteers at
Lifeline and coordinates the Peninsula Ladies Walking Group.
Gail served for many years at Newport Red Cross, Marcus
Loane House in Warriewood and the Mona Vale Hospital café.
She currently runs the knitting group at Pittwater Village and
assists Samaritan’s Purse in constructing boxes of gifts and
necessities for children overseas.
– LO
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 49

Health & Wellbeing
with Rowena Beckenham
Health & Wellbeing
Sustainability: Our small
business proud of its role
has the highest
per capita greenhouse
emissions in the ‘Australia
developed world. It’s more
than twice the OECD average
and four times the world
average’ – OECD
Small businesses have a wonderful
platform to be thought
leaders and influencers in
communities, and I believe
they have a social responsibility
to make the environment a
key factor in decision making.
Some of the ways small businesses
can begin to look at
sustainability is by engaging in
eco-friendly practices and holding
the businesses they partner
with accountable for their
environmental impacts.
Sustainable practices don’t
have to negatively impact
product quality or patient care
– in fact they do the opposite.
Fast fashion and disposable,
frequent replacement of frames
and sunglasses is a by-product
of the past decade of two-forone
and cheaper disposable
manufacturing. At Beckenham
Optometrist we are asking the
question – what is better for
the world we live in?
We strive to provide our
community with clinical excellence
and the most up-to-date
information and technology in
the optometry industry, which
includes the best frames and
lenses for both our patients
and the environment.
In store, we recycle, reuse
and refill everything we can
– from our packaging, cleaning
sprays, and old spectacle
cases. We recycle patients’ old
specs by donating them to
Lions Club, who put them to
good use in developing countries.
We facilitate the recycling
of disposable contact lenses
and blister packs, which are
recycled with Opticycle – who
have so far recycled more than
12,497kg of optical materials.
This is particularly impressive
considering incorrect contact
lens disposal (i.e. flushing
contact lenses down the sink or
toilet, perpetrated by around
20 per cent of wearers) contributes
to distressing quantities of
microplastics in our waterways.
We are actively partnering
with Aussie frame brands who
hold sustainable credentials.
Good Citizens, a local Northern
Beaches company, produces
spectacles and sunglasses that
are made from 100 per cent
recycled plastic. In fact, one
plastic water bottle makes one
pair of glasses. They also use
approximately 70-75 per cent
less CO2 in their manufacturing
process than other framewear
brands who use brand new
plastic in their production.
Otis, heralding from WA, takes
pride in providing “style with
substance”, and is B CORP
certified. Their sunglass lenses,
made from mineral glass
sourced from natural elements,
are non-toxic, and recyclable.
Otis frames are made from
Eco-Acetate which is also
recyclable, biodegradable, and
eco-friendly.
Sustainability issues may seem
confronting because they are
numerous and complex; however,
the journey of transforming
our business has evolved slowly
over time through incremental
changes. The process is a
rewarding one that provides
greater opportunities for collaboration
and new avenues of
growth with the overarching aim
of minimising our impact on the
world we live in.
Rowena has been practising
at Beckenham Optometrist in
Avalon for 24 years. Whether
it be in Avalon alongside
valued colleagues Rebecca
Thompson and Stephanie
Ng, teaching eyecare
nurses and teachers in a
remote clinic in rural Sumba
Indonesia, or helping direct
the future of independent
optometry in her role
as Chair of the board of
Provision, the passion for
vision, eyes and the people
behind the eyes is there.
50 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
The peel you have... when
you are not having a peel
It is that time of the year again
when our skin lets us know
the Summer has been a little
unkind. The telltale signs of
hyperpigmentation are pretty
apparent on our skin. One of
the most effective ways to deal
with this discolouration, skin
dryness and skin renewal is
with an in-clinic treatment using
a peel.
Peels are available in various
strengths and cocktail formulations,
and the one suitable for
you will depend on your skin
condition or concern. A peel is
a skin rejuvenation technique
that usually contains enzymes,
chemicals and herbs.
The idea behind a peel is
to remove the damaged outer
layers of dry, discoloured, and
coarse skin from the skin’s surface.
When the peel is applied,
it stimulates the skin’s regenerative
process. The results
reveal a marked improvement
in skin conditions such as fine
lines and wrinkles, texture and
tone of the skin, lightening and
brightening the skin, increased
blood circulation, softening
scar tissue, strengthening the
integrity of the skin, stimulating
fibroblast cells resulting in
new cell formation, hydration,
reduction of pore size, clearing
of blemishes, more balanced
oil production and an overall
healthier appearance of the
skin.
There are four main types of
peel intensity in the clinical
treatment room:
1. Progressive – This peel
does not usually cause visible
exfoliation. There may be
superficial dryness for a few
days post-procedure, and the
skin will look refreshed and
radiant. It can be experienced
as a standalone treatment or
in conjunction with treatments
such as microdermabrasion.
This mild peel can be carried
out every 1-2 weeks for 3-6
treatments.
2. Mid-Depth – exfoliation with
this peel usually occurs within
3- 5 days post-procedure. This
The Local Voice Since 1991
level of peel will usually turn
brown before a gentle flake
occurs. This rejuvenation technique
is ideal for monthly use.
3. Deep – the skin undergoes
considerable peeling, almost
like a snake shedding its skin.
Two of the better-known deep
peels are Cosmelan and the
Deep Herbal Peel. The entire
process can take 7-10 days and
is usually repeated three times
a year, depending on the skin
condition or concern.
4. Biochemical Peel – The peel
you have when you are not
having a peel. This is the ‘new
kid on the block’ from Europe.
This avant-garde technique
has no downtime, pain, heat or
peeling.
The biochemical peel incorporates
active ingredients in its
formulas, and its effectiveness
has been proven by dermatological
science. Using a cocktail
of acid ingredients such as
salicylic, lactic, malic, pyruvic,
azelaic, mandelic, phytic, ferulic,
hyaluronic, pure glycolic,
citric, kojic and tranexamic, the
outcome is nothing short of miraculous.
These ingredients are
not new in the peel arena; the
difference is in the percentage,
pH and layering technique.
Factors required to review
before having a peel include:
1. Home care and skin preparation
are undertaken at least two
weeks before treatment;
2. Skin reactivity, thickness, and
oiliness;
3. The time of the year and the
intensity of the sun;
4. Your general health, includ-
ing autoimmune disorders;
5. The Fitzpatrick skin type is a
guideline to determine how the
skin might respond to a peel;
and
6. The Glogau classification is
also known as the wrinkle scale
of photoaging. This will assist
in determining the severity
of sun damage in the form of
discolouration and wrinkles.
Peels stimulate the formation
of new, healthier cells, reviving
the complexion. No matter your
skin concern or the numerous
peels and techniques, rest assured
there is one that is just
right for you.
Peel and lift the veil your skin
has been hiding under!
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
JUNE 2024 51
Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty

Business Life: Money
with Brian Hrnjak
Business Life
Budget fairytale: How Govt is
spending up to ‘fix’ inflation
This month a quick look
back over the Federal
Budget: To me, the most
telling analysis of Jim Chalmer’s
third budget was a simple,
memorable cartoon in a publication
that wasn’t, that just
said: Budget winners – those
with lobbyists; Budget losers –
those without.
On Budget night small business
didn’t appear to have a
lobbyist in the room.
Looking through the
66-page Budget overview
document, at page 40 was the
small business section: $290
million to extend the $20,000
instant asset write-off for 12
months, $3.5 billion of energy
bill relief, including rebates
of $325 to around one million
small businesses. $10 million
to provide additional support
for small business employers
administering the Paid Parental
Leave scheme. $10.8 million to
deliver tailored, free and confidential
financial and mental
wellbeing supports for small
business owners. To help small
businesses understand and
comply with recent workplace
relations changes, the Govern-
ment is providing $20.5 million
to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The Government is providing
$3 million to implement the
Government’s response to the
Review of the Franchising Code
of Conduct, including remaking
and enhancing the Code, and
an additional $2.6 million to
support more small businesses
through alternative dispute
resolution.
Now, let me give you the
cynic’s eye view of these initiatives:
another year (to June
2025) will be added onto the
$20,000 instant asset write-off
provisions that were previously
announced in the 2023 Budget,
but are still not yet law. Small
businesses (but only those with
energy accounts) will receive
an energy rebate of $325. The
balance of the initiatives
appear to be paid to other
Government departments to
help small business operators
navigate the myriad of rules
the Government keeps dropping
onto them or, failing that,
to improve their mental health.
Households didn’t seem to
fare much better in this Budget,
they just don’t know it yet.
In an economy where a third of
people rent and another third
are buying their homes, two
thirds of the population are
invested in the Government doing
everything in their power
to reduce inflation which feeds
into the setting of rents and
interest rates on borrowings.
This matters because households
are feeling the pinch
even with high level statistics
painting a rosy picture on
incomes. BCG Consulting, also
known as Boston Consulting
Group, published research
in May that examined trends
in household income and
expenditure between 2019
and now. The AFR covered the
data release in its Chanticleer
column on Budget Day: ‘The
BCG report concludes that
households are under financial
pressure on many fronts. It
considers changes in income
and spending over the five-year
period, and then in the past
year. By the numbers, household
gross income is up 25
per cent to $4000 a week over
the past five years, which is a
$796-a-week increase. But once
you take out increases in tax
($222), interest ($103), depreciation
of buildings and equipment
52 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

($98), there is only $373 of the
increase left. That $373 has
been spent on an increase in
housing ($90 a week), transport
($42), food/groceries ($42) etc
– and the result is $799 more
going out the door every week.
The end result is a $3-a-week
reduction in net savings.’
In the ABS monthly spending
data that underlies much
of the BCG report, you can see
the shift in peoples spending
patterns. Unsurprisingly,
consumers are spending more
on non-discretionary items,
services, transport, health and
food. They are balancing these
increases with reductions
(or what are euphemistically
described as ‘value-based’
decisions) in discretionary
items, cafes and restaurants,
recreation and culture, furnishings
and household equipment,
clothing and footwear.
The trend in the ABS data is
particularly pronounced since
January this year as the interest
rate rises continue to take
hold.
Like it or not, this is what the
monetary policy levers set by
the RBA were set to achieve,
to slow things down without
‘breaking’ the economy. Prior
to the Budget, inflation had
been on a steady track downward
and depending on which
economist you believed, interest
rates were coming down
between now and the end of
the year.
The AFR’s economics editor
John Kehoe wrote on 17 May:
‘Every household will get
a $300 energy bill credit, rent
assistance will go up 10 per
cent and the prime minister
is criss-crossing the nation in
a hard hat and high-vis vest
to promote his “Future Made
in Australia” green industrial
policy. Labor has discarded orthodox
economics. In the short
term, higher spending will help
reduce inflation, according to
the government. But subsidising
our way to lower inflation
flips traditional economics on
its head. The only plausible
explanation was spelled out by
Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy
last year. He argued that
mechanically reducing the CPI
via government price interventions
will help reduce wage
rise claims and lower welfare
payments that are linked to the
official inflation rate.
Most economists such as Bar-
The Local Voice Since 1991
renjoey’s Andrew Lilley are not
buying it, dismissing it as “just
cash handouts with a little CPI
measurement trick”. Former
RBA assistant governor turned
Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis
gave a more nuanced explanation,
noting the budget’s net
impact on inflation was difficult
to ascertain. “The direct effect
is to soften inflation via the
associated subsidies and lower
indexation of some other prices
the following year,” she said.’
Kehoe in his article identifies
$23 billion per year going back
into the economy from Stage 3
tax cuts from 1 July, $10 billion
net spending from this Budget
and an additional $9 billion in
cost-of-living relief from WA,
Victoria and Queensland State
Governments.
No doubt the RBA Governor
would have factored into her
thinking the Stage 3 tax cuts,
but there may have been a
face-meets-palm moment after
she saw drafts of the federal
and state budgets.
Unless everybody who
receives this money saves it or
uses it to pay down debt, the
obvious effect of around $42
billion of stimulus, depending
on how well the CPI ‘measurement
tricks’ work, are to kick
the inflationary problem down
the road where it is likely to
pop up again later – like maybe
sometime after the next election?
When we meet with mums
and dads that have acquired
funds for investment, I can categorically
say that 100 per cent
of them pay down some or all
of their debt before embarking
on an investment program.
Only a government could come
up with a plan to fix an inflation
problem by spending their
way out of it.
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.
JUNE 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.
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.
CAR SALE & REMOVAL
Cash for Cars
Call Wal 0425 304 475
Damaged, unregistered car on your
property? Will beat any offer from dealer;
also free tow-away service.
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.
CONCRETING
Adrians Concrete
Call Adrian 0404 172 435
Driveways, paths, slabs… all your concreting
needs; Northern Beaches-based.
ELECTRICAL
Alliance Service Group
Call Adrian 9063 4658
All services & repairs, 24hr. Lighting
installation, switchboard upgrade. Seniors
discount 5%.
54 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Eamon Dowling Electrical
Call Eamon 0410 457 373
For all electrical needs including phone,
TV and data. Pittwater-based. Reliable;
quality service guaranteed.
Warrick Leggo
Call Warrick 0403 981 941
Specialising in domestic work; small jobs
welcome. Seniors’ discount; Narrabeenbased.
FLOOR COVERINGS
Blue Tongue Carpets
Call Castro 9979 7292
Owner/operator of Northern Beaches
Flooring Centre. Owner/operator, Mona
Vale. 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.
Luxury Property
Maintenance
Call Luke: 0415 112 480
All maintenance inc hedge trimming, lawn
mowing, pressure cleaning, mulching +
planting.
Melaleuca Landscapes
Call Sandy 0416 276 066
Professional design and construction for
every garden situation. Sustainable vegetable
gardens and waterfront specialist.
Ken Wilson Roofing
Call 0419 466 783
Leaking roofs, tile repairs, tiles replaced,
metal roof repairs, gutter cleaning, valley
irons replaced.
HANDYMEN
Local Handyman
Call Jono 0413 313299
Small and medium-sized building jobs, also
welding & metalwork; licensed.
JEWELLER
Gold ‘n’ Things
Call 9999 4991
Specialists in remodelling. On-premises
(Mona Vale) workshop for cleaning,
repairing (including laser welding), polishing.
Family owned for nearly 40 years.
HOT WATER
Hot Water Maintenance NB
Call 9982 1265
Local emergency specialists, 7 days.
Sales, service, installation. Warranty
agents, fully accredited.
KITCHENS
Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Call 9972 9300
Danish design excellence. Local beaches
specialists in kitchens, bathrooms and
joinery. Visit the showroom in Collaroy.
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.
Trades & Services
Precision Tree Services
Call Adam 0410 736 105
Adam Bridger; professional tree care by
qualified arborists and tree surgeons.
Special Branch Tree Services
Call Jason 0439 964 538
Qualified arborist. Owner/operator;
celebrating 25 years of all aspects of tree
work in Avalon & surrounding area. Fully
insured.
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.
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 55

Trades & Services
Trades & Services
PAINTING
Alan’s Painting
Call Alan 0478 714 478
No.1 Painter in the Northern Beaches;
high-quality work. Prompt, reliable. Free
quotes.
Cloud9 Painting
Call 0447 999 929
Your one-stop shop for home or office
painting; interiors, exteriors and also roof
painting. Call for a quote.
Tom Wood Master Painters
Call 0406 824 189
Residential specialists in new work &
repaints / interior & exterior. Premium
paints; 17 years’ experience.
PEST CONTROL
Predator Pest Control
Call 0417 276 962
predatorpestcontrol.com.au
Environmental services at their best.
Comprehensive control. Eliminate all
manner of pests.
PLASTERING
Craig Florimo Plastering
Call Craig 0420 866 009
All aspects specialising in ceilings,
cornice, walls, repairs, renovations,
insurance work. Vermiculite ceiling
solutions. craigflorimo@hotmail.com
PLUMBING
Platinum Plumbers & Pipe
Relining
Call Rhys 0421 637 410
Northern Beaches Plumbers, all general
plumbing and specialists in blocked drains.
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.
Total Pipe Relining
Call Josh 0423 600 455
Repair pipe problems without
replacement. Drain systems fully relined;
35 years’ guarantee. Latest technology,
best price.
REMOVALISTS / PACKING
NB Removals
Call Greg 0417 253 634
Owner/operator, Avalon-based. For
local / country / interstate requirements.
Reputation (30+) years built on
excellence in furniture removing. Trucks
regularly upgraded.
Pack & Unpack U
Call Lynne 0414 988 919
Professional local ladies will pack and
unpack your clothes/belongings; also
declutter and organise your home.
RUBBISH REMOVAL
Jack’s Rubbish Removals
Call Jack 0403 385 312
Up to 45% cheaper than skips. Latest
health regulations. Old-fashioned honesty
& reliability. Free quotes.
One 2 Dump
Call Josh 0450 712 779
Seven-days-a-week pick-up service
includes general household rubbish,
construction, commercial plus vegetation.
Also car removals.
SLIDING DOOR REPAIRS
Beautiful Sliding
Door Repairs
Call 0407 546 738
Fix anything that slides in your home;
door specialists – wooden / aluminium.
Free quote. Same-day repair; 5-year
warranty.
UPHOLSTERY
Luxafoam North
Call 0414 468 434
Local specialists in all aspects of outdoor
& indoor seating. Custom service, expert
advice.
56 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

WINDOW CLEANING
Local Window Cleaning
Call Simon 0406 389 841
Free quote; Mona Vale-based window
cleaning micro-details specialist.
Reasonable price, no subcontractor, the
owner does it himself. Fully insured.
YACHT SERVICES
Hanlon Yacht Services
Call Jeff 0415 327 687
Professional yacht captain available for
Australian and worldwide yacht deliveries
and all yachting services. No job too small.
Trades & Services
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 57

Food Life
with Janelle Bloom
Food Life
Recipes: janellebloom.com.au; Insta: instagram.com/janellegbloom/
Tray magnifique! 5 of the
best one-pan Winter meals
One-pan or one tray meals are my go-to
in the cooler months for mid-week
dinners. They are the ultimate in
convenience and require little skill (though
Ratatouille tortellini
Serves 4
¼ cup olive oil
1 small red onion, finely
chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 medium (300g) eggplant, cut
into 2cm pieces
2 zucchini, cut into 2cm pieces
1 red capsicum, deseeded, cut
into 2cm pieces
500g jar passata
1 vegetable or chicken stock
cube, crumbled
1 cup water
565g pkt fresh ricotta and
spinach tortellini
1/3 cup finely grated,
parmesan
Fresh basil leaves and grated
parmesan, to serve
1. Heat the olive oil in a large,
deep, non-stick frying pan
over medium heat. Add
the onion and garlic. Cook
stirring 5 minutes until soft.
Increase the heat to mediumhigh,
add eggplant, cook, for
and starts to colour.
2. Add the zucchini and,
capsicum. Cook, stirring
often, for 5 minutes or until
the vegetables soften.
3. Add the passata, stock
cube and water to the
pan. Bring to the boil.
Add the tortellini, stir to
combine. Reduce heat to
medium, simmer, stirring
occasionally, for 6-8 minutes
or until the tortellini is
tender and sauce reduced
and thickened. Stir in the
parmesan. Taste and season.
4. Scatter with basil leaves and
extra parmesan. Serve.
One pan creamy
chicken with
mushrooms and
spinach sauce
Serves 4
my one tip is make sure you have one good
heavy-based pan – cast iron preferable). And
of course, there is minimal washing up! Here
are some of my favourites:
200g mushrooms, sliced
300ml thickened cream
1 tbs Dijon or French mustard
1 cup chicken stock
60g baby spinach
Crusty bread, to serve
1. Heat half the olive oil in
a large frying pan over
medium-high heat. Season
both sides of the chicken.
Cook, skin side down for
3-4 minutes or until golden,
turn and cook a further 2
minutes. Remove to a plate.
2. Add the remaining oil to
pan. Add onion, garlic
and thyme. Cook, stirring,
for 5 minutes or until
onion softens. Add the
mushrooms, cook 5 minutes
until soft.
3. Return the chicken to the
pan. Whisk the cream
and mustard together.
Add to the pan with the
stock. Bring to the boil.
Reduce heat to medium.
Simmer, uncovered, stirring
occasionally, for 20 minutes
or until chicken is cooked
through and sauce has
thickened (if the sauce starts
to thicken too much, cover
the pan with a lid after 15
minutes).
4. Remove from the heat, stir
in the spinach. Serve with
crusty bread.
Janelle’s Tips: No time to keep
an eye on the pan? If you have
a frying pan that is suitable
for stovetop and oven, you
can transfer the pan to 180C
fan-forced in the oven for 20
minutes in Step 3. Time saver:
You can use chicken thigh or
breast fillets for this recipe;
reduce the cream to 200ml
and stock to ¾ cup, cook 10-12
minutes in Step 3.
One pan Korma
fish curry
Serves 4
600g skinless, boneless white
fleshed fish (like blue eye, ling
or barramundi fillets)
2 tbs vegetable oil
1 brown onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 red capsicum, chopped
1/3 cup korma curry paste
4 tbs olive oil
6 chicken thigh cutlets, skin on
1 brown onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
5 minutes or until it softens 1 tbs thyme leaves, optional
58 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

For more recipes go to janellebloom.com.au
400g can diced tomatoes
1½ cups water
400g can lentils, drained,
rinsed and drained again (See
Janelle’s Tip)
½ cup Greek-style yoghurt
½ cup coriander leaves
Basmati rice, warmed naan
bread & lemon wedges, to
serve
1. Cut the fish into 4cm pieces,
check there are no bones.
2. Heat oil in a deep, non-stick
frying pan over medium
heat. Add onion. Cook,
stirring, for 4 minutes or
until softened. Add garlic,
capsicum and curry paste.
Cook, stirring, for 1 minute
or until fragrant. Add
tomatoes and water. Bring to
the boil.
3. Add the fish, poking it into
the sauce. Reduce heat to
low. Cover and simmer for
8 minutes. Stir in the lentils,
simmer, uncovered, for 5
minutes or until the fish is
cooked through and lentils
heated through. Stir through
the yoghurt, simmer 1
minute.
4. Scatter over the coriander.
Serve with rice, naan bread
and lemon wedges.
Janelle’s Tip: The lentils help
to thicken the curry; if you
don’t want to use them just
simmer the sauce an extra
5-10 minutes in Step 2 before
adding the fish.
One pan Mexican
beef and rice
Serves 4
1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp ground cumin
The Local Voice Since 1991
3 tsp smoked paprika
3 tsp dried oregano
500g beef mince
2 tbs tomato paste
1 red capsicum, chopped
1 green capsicum, chopped
2 cobs corn, kernels removed
400g can black beans, drained,
rinsed and drained again
1 cup beef stock
250g packet 90 second brown
rice
1 lime, halved
sour cream, chopped avocado,
warmed tortillas or corn chips,
to serve
1. Heat oil in a deep large
frying pan over mediumhigh
heat. Add onion and
garlic. Cook, stirring often 5
minutes until soft. Add the
cumin, paprika and oregano,
cook, stirring 1 minute until
fragrant.
2. Increase heat to high, add
mince. Cook, breaking
up mince with a wooden
spoon for 6 minutes or until
browned. Add the tomato
paste, cook, stirring 1
minute.
3. Add the capsicum, corn,
black beans and stock.
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Cook, uncovered, for
6 minutes.
4. Break the rice up in the
packet, stir into the pan.
Cook for 2-4 minutes or
until liquid is absorbed and
rice warmed through.
5. Squeeze over the lime juice.
Serve with sour cream,
avocado and warmed
tortillas or corn chips.
Mediterranean
chicken and
vegetable bake
Serves 4
4 French shallots, peeled,
halved (see Janelle’s Tips)
320g mixed coloured cherry
tomatoes, halved
1 tbs drained capers
8 garlic cloves, skin on
6 chicken thigh fillets, skin
on (optional), bone out (see
Janelle’s Tips)
¾ cup basil pesto
2 tbs olive oil
½ lemon, juiced
3 tsp smoked paprika
½ cup chicken stock
balsamic vinegar, to serve
fresh herbs like rosemary and
basil
crusty bread or cooked pasta
shells, to serve
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan
forced.
2. Scatter the shallots,
tomatoes, capers and garlic
over the base of roasting pan.
3. Using ½ cup of pesto, spoon
the pesto under the skin
of each piece of chicken.
Place into the roasting pan.
Combine the oil, lemon and
paprika. Spoon over the
chicken, rubbing in with
fingertips. Pour enough stock
into the pan to cover the
base.
4. Roast for 40- 45 minutes,
stirring the vegetables and
basting the chicken with pan
juices every 15 minutes or
until the chicken is golden
and cooked through.
5. Drizzle over the balsamic
vinegar, dollop over the
remaining pesto and herbs if
using. Serve with crusty bread
or over cooked pasta shells.
Janelle’s Tips: You can replace
the French shallots with 1 red
onion, cut into wedges. And
if you have trouble finding
boneless chicken thigh with
the skin on, you can spoon the
pesto over skinless chicken
thigh fillets, then wrap in
streaky bacon.
JUNE 2024 59
Food Life

Tasty Morsels
with Beverley Hudec
Some Tiny Morsels to savour in June
Tasty Morsels
Cloche-ing time for
John after winning
3 World food titles
From Bentonville to Mona Vale –
John McFadden is back on home
turf after defending his title at the
competitive culinary cook-off, the
Final Table of this year’s World
Food Championship (WFC).
To reach the finals, John won
the World Seafood Championship
in Dallas for a second time last
November.
Unlike his fellow challengers,
once again he competed solo,
and took on 11 teams in three
elimination challenges. John
finished third and pushed his skills
to his mental and physical limit in
the last 60-minute final challenge.
Proud of his achievements,
John has decided to retire with
three world titles to his name. His
successor is Bethany Boedicker.
WFC is a big name in food sport.
Since its inception in 2012, this
tournament has seen thousands
of industry professionals
and passionate home chefs
compete for big buck cheques in
prizemoney.
The nitty gritty
on Randy’s thick
and tasty schnitty
And it’s back! If you’ve missed
Sandy’s schnitty sanga,
the Avalon sandwich bar’s
successor Randy’s has put the
popular feed back on the menu.
This schnitty is sandwiched
between thick slices of La
Banette bread and served with
chilli jam, lettuce, pickles and
tarragon mayo. It’s available
Wednesday to Friday lunchtime.
Cuppa Berry at
Mona takes acai
to the next level
There are acai bowls – and
then there are Cuppa Berry’s
awesome acai creations. The
Mona Vale outlet is home
to extreme frozen assets
including blackberry and
watermelon twisters, acai
bowls crumbled with buttery
Butterboy cookies, drizzles of
peanut butter sauce and big
scoops of smooth ice cream.
Three of a kind: Bring Your Own (BYO)
A sauvignon blanc or a
light red? Sahar Afghan
Restaurant’s menu pairs well
with a glass of vino. Here,
flavours are aromatic rather
than spicy, blending cardamom,
cinnamon, mint and cumin with
onions and tomatoes (left). BYO
is $5 per person; operates at
this Newport curry house during
the week.
Can’t be bothered to cook?
Pizza is always a good bet. Why
don’t you grab a bottle and
head to Mona Vale’s Toro Nero
for a slice of Italy. The menu
showcases all the favourites
from ciabatta garlic bread to
classic woodfired margheritas
and a variety of meaty pizzas.
Corkage for BYO bottled wine
is $4.
Cranzgot’s in North Avalon is
another pizzeria with BYO as a
$9-a-bottle option. Pizzas range
from traditional to a selection of
specialty choices. These include
the Tika Tala, which is topped
with African spiced chicken and
roasted pumpkin on a pesto
base. Cranzgot’s has live music
on Wednesday and Saturday
nights.
60 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Pittwater Puzzler
Compiled by David Stickley
27 A coral island consisting of a
circular belt of coral enclosing a
central lagoon (5)
28 Made a mistake (5)
29 Any heavier-than-air powerdriven
flying machine, with
fixed wings (9)
30 International sporting event
(8)
31 Scotland Island-based author
and illustrator, ______ Lodge (6)
ACROSS
1 A supposed bringer of good
luck; airport in Sydney (6)
4 Items made and offered for
sale (8)
10 Local who will be competing
in sailing at the 2024 30-across
in Paris (3,6)
11 A feeling of weariness or
languor (5)
12 The part that touches the
ground, eg on a shoe or a wheel
(5)
13 A space in which goods are
sold or displayed (9)
14 A flat-bottomed freight boat,
with or without sails, used on
rivers and canals (5)
15 Not to be doubted,
indisputable (7)
18 Drowned valley (3)
19 A long wandering, or a tale
of wandering (7)
21 The period of darkness
between one day and the next
(5)
24 A worker, especially one with
special skills (9)
DOWN
1 A cocktail available from
Mexicano in Narrabeen (6)
2 Fictional coastal town
featured in Home and Away
(6,3)
3 Awaiting delivery (2,5)
5 A sail immediately above the
top gallant sail (5)
6 Kitchen sideboard (7)
7 An apartment or unit in
America (5)
8 Sport that aspiring athletes
Josh Kerr and Lillie McPherson
excel in (8)
9 Blowing in violent and abrupt
bursts (8)
15 Australian capital city (8)
16 Title of Katherine Bennell-
Pegg, a high-flyer (9)
17 Source of pizza in Mona Vale
(4,4)
20 Type of comedy that features
a series of gags (5-2)
22 A clutching instrument (7)
23 Sheep’s coat (6)
25 Before the appointed time (5)
26 Winner of the tender to
construct Barrenjoey Lighthouse
and the keepers’ cottages, _____
Banks (5)
[Solution page 64]
Pittwater Puzzler
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 61

Garden Life
Garden Life
Frond thoughts: add gorgeous
greenery with elegant ferns
Ferns are one of the first
type of plants to live on
land and have been around
for at least 350 million years.
There are over 13,000 known
different species of ferns, from
the smallest being the ‘Adders
Tongue Fern’ measuring just
1.2cm; to the tallest ‘Norfolk
Tree fern’ which can reach
over 20 metres in height; and
the widest, the native ‘King
Fern’ that can grow fronds
that measure a staggering 5-7
metres wide.
Ferns are found worldwide in
temperate to tropical regions,
diminishing in abundance at
higher altitudes and in dry or
cold parts of the world.
In the garden, ferns can
tolerate a range of conditions,
but are particularly useful
for those damp, shady areas
where more sun-loving plants
will struggle. On the Northern
Beaches conditions are perfect
to create a beautiful fern oasis.
The ‘King Fern’ Angiopteris
evecta will make a huge
statement in your garden.
If you have some space this
fern makes a great feature
plant and talking point with
its massive fronds (opposite
page, top) and ancient linage.
It prefers dappled light and
adequate moisture.
Prepare the soil by digging
in extra organic matter such as
compost and some nitrogenrich
fertiliser that will keep new
leaves healthy and green. Plant
your fern in a prepared hole
that is twice the size of the pot.
Water in well and keep wellwatered
during drier periods.
If you like tree ferns but
don’t have the space to plant
one, you could try Blechnum
nudum (left). It has a more
compact form and can develop
small dark brown trunks up
to 50cm high. The fronds are
light green and are produced
62 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Compiled by the team at Cicada Glen Nursery, Ingleside.
from a central point, forming
an eye-catching rosette.
Planted in clumps of three, five
or seven they make a great
courtyard plant or understory
plant in a shady garden.
The ‘Rough Tree Fern’
Cyathea australis (pictured left,
main) is a wonderful locally
native tree fern that looks
great in the garden. (Not to be
confused with Cyathea cooperi
that can be commonly seen
growing in local creeks and has
spread further than its natural
range due to cultivation.)
The Rought Tree Fern can be
grown in shady areas or in full
sun, so long as it has adequate
moisture available. It forms
a distinctive trunk to several
metres high and can add great
structure to a fern garden.
Native Rhododendron
Did you know that there
are Rhododendron species
that are native to Australia?
Rhododendron lochiae is
one that naturally occurs in
the cloud forests of North
Queensland, but is well
suited to growing in a range
of conditions further south.
In the Sydney region it does
well in shady areas and can
even produce abundant Red
The Local Voice Since 1991
to orange flowers (pictured
below). It is a medium-sized
shrub that can add a great
splash of colour to a shady
corner of the garden. It prefers
a well-drained soil with plenty
or organic matter and mulch.
Now is a good time to plant to
ensure it’s settled in and ready
for Spring flowering.
World of Waratahs
There are now many varieties
of this iconic native flower
available in nurseries, from
whites, pinks and deep vibrant
reds. Waratahs prefer growing
in full sun, a free-draining soil
is the key to avoiding fungal
diseases or root rot. If the
drainage in your garden soil is
less than perfect, then growing
waratahs in containers is an
excellent alternative. Select a
good native potting mix that
has free-draining qualities and
the correct low phosphorus
fertiliser included. Waratahs
can be pruned back to about
a metre in height after
flowering, which will mean
the next season’s flowers
will be at about eye level.
Once established, waratahs
are relatively hardy, longlived
plants that can produce
flowers year after year.
‘Enchanted Red’ is a
variety derived from Telopea
speciosissima. It has crisp red
flowers (pictured above) that
have flecks of white as the
flower develops. It can grow
up to 3m high and about 1.5m
wide.
‘Shady Lady White’, as the
name suggests, produces
white Waratahs. It is hardier
than other varieties and
produces lots of flowers once
established. It can grow up to
3m high and about 2m wide.
‘Enchanted Pink’ is
another hybrid of Telopea
speciosissima that can
produce abundant pink flower
in Spring. It can tolerate a
moderate frost and does well
in full sun to part shade.
JUNE 2024 63
Garden Life

Garden Life
Garden Life
Your June to-do list...
Winter is here, the weather
is cold and wet but if
you want to warm up there
is still plenty of work to do
in the garden. June is a great
time to add some colour and
improve your garden for this
season and the next! If you
need some inspiration here’s
some things that might help
encourage you and brighten
up this winter weather.
What’s flowering?
Most gardeners want flowers
year-round! While other
seasons are known to be more
colourful, if you think Winter
means no flowers, then think
again. Choosing plants will
depend on preferences or
the style of your garden; here
are some Winter-flowering
favourites that may inspire
you: French Lavander, Tempe
Bells (Pieris), Camelia, Indian
Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis),
Roses and Proteas. Some
native favourites include
Correas, Grevilleas, Kangaroo
paws and Hardenbergia.
Why plant now?
Save most of your planting
for the colder months; with
the temperature low and the
rainfall higher, planting now
will give your plants a great
start in developing a strong
root system before Summer
rolls around. In Winter, many
trees and shrubs – especially
deciduous plants – can go
semi-dormant or grow at a
slower pace and instead of
placing energy into foliage,
more energy is directed into
root growth. With the increased
rainfall, the conditions will help
in stopping the root system
from drying out.
Mulching
There are many benefits to
mulching your garden, not
only visually but mulching
also improves the soil health
by encouraging organic
matter, biological activity and
helps retain moisture. Other
benefits include improving
soil compaction, soil drainage,
helps protect against frost and
provides a natural barrier to
help fight weeds.
Garden pests
Most garden pests aren’t
afraid of the cold. Some
insects may disappear in
winter, but most are still
active and should be kept
at bay to keep your garden
looking nice and healthy. Not
all pests are treated the same
and it’s important to work
out what types you have.
Pests can be put into groups
such as chewing and rasping
(such as snails, caterpillars
and curl grubs), sap suckers
(like aphids, psyllid and
mealy bugs), and boring and
tunnelling (like borers, citrus
leaf miner and fruit fly).
These groups have different
control methods; determine
what pests you have, then
controlling these pests can
become more effective.
Indoor plants
If it’s too wet or unpleasant
to be outside gardening or
if you don’t have the outside
Frost
Frost can be a real pain to avoid in the garden
and for some plants, depending on the extent
of damage, it can mean the end. Most plants will
be affected when the temperature drops below
zero; ice crystals can form inside the plant cells
and cause the inside of the cell to rupture. If frost
is forecast and you don’t want to lose desired
plants, there are some steps you can take to help
avoid frost damage. Move potted plants to a more
protected area, cover plants with shade cloth or
bottle for seedlings, mulching and keep the soil
moist. There are also products that may help with
preventing frost damage.
space for a garden, you can
always bring the garden
inside. Brighten up your
house with some indoor
plants. As well as enhancing
the visual appearance of
the space, indoor plants
can boost moods, increase
creativity, reduce stress and
improve air quality. The
amount of sunlight and the
aspect of your space will help
determine what plants will do
well. Head to a local nursery
to find out what may work.
Crossword solution from page 61
Mystery location: GREEN POINT
64 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

Travel Life
Colour of incredible India
Travel Life
India is a ‘bucket list’ travel destination
for many – certainly it’s always held
great allure for Luxe by iTravel advisor
Sharon Godden, so when the opportunity
came to experience India in all its colour
and majesty with local group Tikka Tours,
she jumped at the chance.
“Tikka Tours opened my eyes to
‘Incredible India’ and its people; every day
was an adventure,” she explained.
The idea of going to India is the
easy bit; however, it can be quite
overwhelming when you start planning.
Sharon decided to dive into the unknown
and travel in style whilst celebrating the
Holi festival.
Her party celebrated the ancient Hindu
festival of Holi in the majestic pink city of
Jaipur, whilst exploring the backroads of
Rajasthan on a highly personalised, smallgroup
journey.
Holi is a popular and significant Hindu
festival celebrated as the Festival of
Colours, Love, and Spring; powdered
paint called ‘gulal’ is thrown as part of the
celebration.
“We experienced the best of the ’Land
of the Kings’, exploring the desert state
with its ancient traditions, vibrant colours,
intoxicating sights, local markets, rural
villages and amazing Rajasthani cuisine,”
Sharon said.
There were so many highlights… like
witnessing the sun rise at the amazing
Taj Mahal and celebrating the Holi festival
with locals, immersing ourselves in the
Indian culture.
“Then there was playing with and
walking with rescue elephants during
our stay at a wilderness camp, our
accommodation being luxurious tents
with a surprising bush plunge pool (not to
mention the ‘Sundowners’ /happy hour in
the desert).
“We viewed antelope and a leopard in
the wild on a private Jeep safari – and we
stayed in the almost 400-year-old Best
Exotic Marigold Hotel’, where the movies
were filmed!”
Sharon said the luxurious journey
involved a diverse range of 5-star
boutique, heritage and palace hotels and
luxury tented camps.
“On our journey we sampled deliciously
prepared fresh foods with fragrant spices
and witnessed intricate textiles and art
works being painstakingly made by hand.
“Accompanying our small group of
like-minded people was our experienced
guide Rohit and Claudia from Tikka tours;
their knowledge of Indian culture and
history was undeniably what made our
trip so memorable.” – Nigel Wall
*Join Sharon for an information event
on Monday 17 June. If you would like
to attend and find out more about
Incredible India, call 0414 632 476,
or email sharon@luxebyitravel.au to
register your interest.
66 JUNE 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991

South Pole or tropical paradise?
World luxury expeditions leaders PO-
NANT have announced 31 Antarctic
departures for their 2025 season; from
the towering glaciers of the Antarctic
Peninsula and the immense wildlife of
the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands to
the rugged coastlines of South Georgia
and the Chilean Fjords – each journey
promises a unique and immersive
experience in all facets of the ‘White
Continent’.
“PONANT’s luxury polar expeditions
include daily excursions led by expert
guides, both on Zodiacs and ashore,”
explained Travel View Avalon’s Gail
Kardash.
“Expedition guides lead immersive
adventures, including hiking across
snow-covered landscapes, sea kayaking
in the icy blue waters, and wildlife
encounters with playful penguins, lazing
seals, or whale spotting amidst the
pristine wilderness.”
Gail said you’ll even have the opportunity
to follow in the footsteps of great explorers
and visit Shackleton’s Hut in Cape
Royds, a place where fewer than 1,000
people have visited – a true adventure!
“After spending the days ashore immersed
in the polar environment, guests
return to the warm luxuries of PONANT’s
small ship fleet,” Gail continued.
“With a capacity of up to just 264
guests, you can find moments for both
private reflection and shared enjoyment.
Indulge in spa treatments, delve
into a world-class gastronomy experience,
and enjoy an open bar including
complimentary French Champagne, all
supported by a dedicated crew of up to
145 members ensuring a premium onboard
experience in the most elemental
of surroundings.”
And for those seeking a tropical paradise
for their next holiday, Gail said PO-
NANT’s new venture – PASPALEY PEARL by
PONANT – promised to leave you inspired
after exploring aboard this boutique
expedition vessel.
“PASPALEY PEARL emerges as the only
boutique expedition motor yacht in the
Kimberley region with private balconies,
featuring 15 staterooms and suites accommodating
a maximum of 30 guests.
“From January 2025, PASPALEY PEARL
offers year-round expeditions through
the Kimberley, East Indonesia, and
Papua New Guinea, where you will be
actively immersed in your surroundings
with activities such as fishing in the
Kimberley, snorkelling in Raja Ampat,
and exploring waterways inaccessible
to larger vessels, ensuring unmatched
adventures in remote paradises.” – NW
*Travel View and Ponant are collaborating
to offer a special offer for
cruise bookings – details in ad below.
Or call 9918 4444 for more info.
Travel Life
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2024 67