Across the streets and street corners there were activations of stalls, painting boards for youngsters, and quite a few 'oldsters' contributing splashes of colour too, strolling musicians and some stationed outside popular cafés, a children's colouring competition and book stand at Bookoccino, a packed field in Dunbar Park wherein residents could find not only some great pre-loved treasures but also find out more about our bushland and native animals, priority weeds and invasive predators and get advice on creating a Native Habitat in your backyard and grab a free plant to get you started.
Northern Beaches Council's stall was packed with information and educational material on all things waste related, while youngsters could enjoy story time with Tilly the Turtle and Billie the Bandicoot.
Local eateries and shops offered specials for the day, there was a free 40 minute Orientation Workout class at Studio Pilates on offer, and those youngsters not painting the boards on every street corner could get their own face painted or play with giant game boards - ...or just do some freestyle handstands and cartwheels for themselves:
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There was even a market for pooches hosted in the Avalon Bowling Club grounds, with lots of 'ruff-ruff' play involved.
It all began back in 2014 when Pittwater Council became part of the 2014 Garage Trail Sale and held a Community Boot Sale at Dunbar Park, Avalon on Saturday October 25th.
Cr. Jacqui Townsend, then Mayor of Pittwater, welcomed the involvement of Council and the unique opportunity Garage Sale Trail provides local residents and organisations in Pittwater.
In bringing Garage Sale Trail to the area, Council saw an opportunity to deliver a fun, creative and community-driven program for the benefit of residents and local organisations who might want to repurpose their unwanted belongings; live in a more sustainable fashion by reducing waste; connect with their community and raise some money for themselves or others.
“Pittwater is proud and excited to be supporting Garage Sale Trail this year; it’s a great opportunity for us all to think creatively about how we can reuse items that might otherwise end up in landfill,” Cr. Townsend said then.
“I would love to see the whole community get on board; it’s a great way to move on those unwanted items. As clichéd as it sounds ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’,” she added.
This was a resounding success, and although the Garage Sale Trail lapsed locally, there have been recent moves by residents, once again, to get the program up and running again.
Garage Sale Trail is a not-for-profit community enterprise founded by Andrew Valder and Darryl Nichols. Garage Sale Trail aims to promote reuse, reduce waste to landfill, create awareness about illegal dumping, unite communities, and stimulate local economies. The first Garage Sale Trail took place in Bondi in May 2010.
The 2014 event saw Australians list over 1.5 million pre-loved items for sale, generated average earnings for sellers of $323 and make on average of 13 new community connections between local sellers and buyers on the day. Over one third of participants fundraise for a charity or a cause.
It's still going, with this year's edition happening on 9-10 and 16-17 November 2024 all over Australia. In 2024 2,179,203 Pre-Loved items are for sale at 8,965 Garage sales. You can find out more at: www.garagesaletrail.com.au
Certainly a case of 'from little things big things grow'.
Yesterday the Northern Beaches Council, supported by the great work being done by the Avalon-Palm Beach Business Chamber, renewed this festive marketplace and community coming together spirit in the village - it was a little alike a mini-Avalon Market Day.
Newport's Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Spring into Summer Celebration on Saturday November 2 from 8am until 4pm, supported by Council through its community grants scheme, along with many boots on the ground on the day.
Spanning Bert Payne Park, Barrenjoey Road and Robertson Road, the village festivities also coincides with the popular Timber Boat Festival at the Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC) in Newport. Shuttle buses from Porter's Reserve are set to run people back and forth on the day between the RMYC on the Pittwater estuary side of Newport and the beachfront.
The day will be filled with loads of activities, entertainment, market stalls, activations and special ‘one day only’ offers the whole family can enjoy.
Those keen to snap up an early Christmas bargain may find just the thing at the local fashion boutiques and lifestyle stores as they present their new season collections, plus host ‘market day’ sample and archive sales and special offers.
Recreational water quality has been monitored in the Sydney region since 1989 by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Beachwatch program and since 2022 by Blue Mountains City Council under the Beachwatch Partnership Program.
Monitoring of estuarine beaches commenced in 1994, with the addition of Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay and lower Georges River to the program. Pittwater Council estuarine areas were added in 1996 and most sites in Port Hacking were added in 1999.
In December 2023 the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) advised that NSW councils who wish to continue participating in the Beachwatch program will be required to provide funding for it from 1 July 2024.
However, the sate government has adjusted the timeframe since.
The 'State of the Beaches 2023-2024' report summarises the performance of 101 swimming sites in the Sydney region, providing a long-term assessment of how suitable a site is for swimming.
Monitored sites include ocean beaches, a lagoon, a rockpool, estuarine sites in Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay, lower Georges River and Port Hacking and freshwater creeks in the Blue Mountains.
The Report states that in 2023–2024, 67% of swimming sites in the Sydney region were graded as Good or Very Good, including 33 ocean beaches.
Best beaches: All in Pittwater
The Report states 19 of the 20 ocean beaches were graded as Very Good or Good in 2023–2024. Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Avalon Beach, Newport Beach, Bungan Beach and Mona Vale Beach were graded as Very Good. The water quality at these sites was of a very high standard and suitable for swimming almost all of the time.
Newport Beach, Bungan Beach and Mona Vale Beach were upgraded to Very Good from Good, due to improved microbial water quality.
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Palm Beach stormwater drain opposite Wilshire Park creek, July 6, 2024
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Profile of the Week Michaela Douglas: Boating Industry Australia’s Apprentice of the Year for 2024TAFE NSW student and Pittwater local, Michaela Douglas, has received an impressive accolade from the marine industry, being awarded Boating Industry Australia’s Apprentice of the Year.
In August this year, Pittwater Online shared Michaela had won the NSW Apprentice of the Year from BIA. Now news has come through that her efforts also won her the Australia-wide recognition as well.
Michaela at only 22, has already started her second trade qualification in Automotive Electrical Technologies, having just finished her Marine Mechanical Apprenticeship; a testament to her commitment to be the very best she can, demonstrating her enthusiasm for continual learning and development.
Community News VALE Jon 'Wallaby' Mitchell, Gone Fishing Day: October 27 at Narrabeen, Pittwater Ocean Swim Series 2025, Remembrance Day 2024: 11 November 2024, Christmas - New Years Events in already!, Narrabeen Dragonboat Club Spots a Stingray, Children's Art Class With Meredith Rasdall, No Nonsense Avalon moving south, Safer Neighbourhood Program Public Meeting + Community drop-in sessions, Update: Critical incident declared after man suffers severe burns - Pittwater, Safer Neighbourhoods Program: Narrabeen to Mona Vale, Avalon Beach to Palm Beach Safety Zone - have your say, Ghostbusters Halloween at Elanora Heights: For Make-A-Wish Foundation, Council's Draft Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct: Have your say, Osprey Livestream, 2024 Spiral NSW State Championships: Pittwater, Shoosh for Youngsters: Calling all junior summer sports!, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Mandy + Ricardo, Well done Mr. Griffin, Mental Health Month: Let’s Talk About It, New technology to detect floods and bushfires: Grants open, Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy: Proposed amendments, Architecture award for new Mosman Pavilion, Public health warning: viral gastroenteritis on the rise, Northern Beaches Police Area Command Updates and Newsletter, Narrabeen RSL Site sold, Warriewood Square: Half Share sold, $33+ Million Proposal for Terrey Hills, Other new DA's Lodged: construction of seniors housing at Terrey Hills + 2 x Secondary dwellings on Palm Beach sites, Council's Draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy: Have Your Say, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter: October 2024, Eramboo Artist in Residence program accepting applications, Proposed lease: KU Avalon Preschool, NBWS Expands with Narrabeen House, Barrenjoey Artwalk, Barrenjoey Headland Amenities, Computer Pals NB needs Volunteers, Life-saving defibrillators available for NSW sports facilities, $5 million available for NSW Surf Clubs, 2024 Anzac Community Grants applications open, Marine Rescue Broken Bay: Christmas Raffle 2024, Avalon Preservation Association AGM, Whale Beach SLSC: New Members Needed, Pittwater Organisations, Sports, Social, Environment and Groups Lists
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Aquatics State of the Beaches 2023-24 Report + Beachwatch Program NSW Government Changes update + Narrabeen lagoon entrance openings not recorded + the 'state of Collaroy-Narrabeen beach': Extension approved
Children Sunday Cartoons- A CGI 3D Short Film: "Plum", The ‘best comet of the year’ is finally here – here’s everything you need to know, Curious Kids: Can chameleons change colour in their sleep? Curious Kids: What does the edge of the universe look like? Daylight saving is about to start; But why do the days get longer?, The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast + Does magic really exist? The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast + Curious Kids: how high could I jump on the moon? + Will your phone one day let you smell as well as see and hear what’s on the other end of a call? + Why can’t it always be summer? It’s all about the Earth’s tilt, Stories this Issue: So Much Slime + 'Rodeo Red' read by Gillian Anderson, book of the month October 2024: Dot and the Kangaroo by Ethel C Pedley, published 1899, + More.
Youth Four Aussies qualify for 2025 WSL Championship Tour: George Pittar among them!, Word Of The Week: Kudos, Halloween candy binges can overload your gut microbiome – a gut doctor explains how to minimise spooking your helpful bacteria, Mary Queen of Scots and the clandestine tricks of the women who kept her secrets, The long culinary history of pumpkins – from ancient Mexican soups to modern spiced lattes, From fish to clean water, the ocean matters and here’s how to quantify the benefits, New Prada-designed spacesuit is a small step for astronaut style, but could be a giant leap for sustainable fashion, Sydney’s beloved Footbridge Theatre launched some of our biggest stars; After nearly 20 years, it’s making a grand return, Hidden women of history: 19th-century author Augusta Drane was an intellectual ‘warrior nun’, If a Year 12 student gets an early offer for uni does it mean they stop trying?, Going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole? Science says you’re one of these three types, What’s the difference between fusion and fission? A nuclear physicist explains, From Camilla to the ‘ugly’ Elizabeth of Austria: our problematic history of obsessing over royal women’s looks, + More
Seniors World Falls Guidelines updates poised to dramatically reduce falls and ease $2.3b healthcare burden, Dying to receive home care, Hip fracture mortality decreases with high quality clinical care, Removing debit card fees crucial for older Australians, Sydney’s beloved Footbridge Theatre launched some of our biggest stars; After nearly 20 years, it’s making a grand return, AvPals Term 4 2024, Wines and Crimes at Avalon Library, Party season is coming. Here are 2 ways to make small talk less awkward, ‘It just lifted me’: new research suggests shared reading groups combat loneliness – and the effects can be astounding, Pittwater-Narrabeen Parkinson’s Support Group, Manly Sailability needs volunteers, Local services, groups for you
Pictures Turimetta Moods: Warriewood Wetlands Perimeter Walk by Joe Mills
DIY Ideas Spring Garden Care + A Salad Garden For Children: Inspire them to Grow what they will Eat this Summer
Inbox News Bill to strengthen puppy and dog welfare across New South Wales, SafeWork NSW inspectors launch blitz targeting scaffold safety, NSW Government passes significant rental reforms, NSW support for the Commonwealth community safety order scheme, Government states Liberals back profiteering private insurers over public hospitals, NSW Government takes action after customers unlawfully charged for merchant fees, New research shows problematic community attitudes allow child sexual abuse to continue, ASIC alleges QBE misled customers, Ombudsman to provide advice and dispute resolution for community members hosting renewable energy, NSW invites technology and AI solutions to improve planning assessments, Child protection caseworkers and NSW government sign historic deal, Australia’s fertility rate has reached a record low. What might that mean for the economy?, What are executive function delays? Research shows they’re similar in ADHD and autism, Where there’s smoke: the rising death toll from climate-charged fire in the landscape, Draft guidelines for ‘forever chemicals’ have been released. Here’s what it means for drinking water safety in Australia, Scurvy is largely a historical disease but there are signs it’s making a comeback, Promoted as a win-win, Australia’s Pacific island guest worker scheme is putting those workers at risk, ‘They do not respect our land. They do not respect our people’. Brazil’s traditional people take on BHP in one of the world’s biggest class actions, Andrew Garfield and Elmo are going viral with their moving chat. Celebrities can help us talk about grief, View from The Hill: We have bigger issues around freedom of speech than Lidia Thorpe’s noisy protest, 4,300 tonnes of space junk and rising: another satellite breakup adds to orbital debris woes
Food A Sugar-Free Halloween
Weeks Two and Three: Asparagus: Spring Vegetable Recipe Ideas
October 2024 - Weeks One and Two: 10 Minute Spring Salads
Events Music at all compass points, Christmas and New Years events already in, Scotland Island Cafe, Scottish Dancing, Fundraisers, Social Groups, Dancing classes + more
