BYRA's Boatbuilding Program has been won the 2026 NSW and ACT Australian Sailing Innovation Award. Delivered by experienced BYRA mentors and supervisors, the BYRA Boatbuilding Program has shared knowledge on workshop safety procedures, PPE requirements and safe tool systems, and has been an inclusive and supportive learning environment for those who took part.
The NSW-ACT Sailing Awards were announced Saturday evening, September 19, at a gala celebration at Sydney's Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. Winners in the State Awards progress to the National Awards.
The National Australian Sailing Award winners will be announced at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions Gala Dinner at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on Friday 30 October.
The BYRA Boatbuilding Program win caps off a brilliant week for BYRA. Last Sunday, September 13, the home of sailing at Bayview held their Opening of the Sailing Season with the launch of the BYRA Boatbuilding Program's Northbridge Juniors that have been built over Winter.
Australian Sailing - NSW & ACT said earlier this week:
‘’Seeing a new fleet of beautifully crafted boats, built by young sailors with the support of their parents and dedicated club volunteers, was truly inspiring. The craftsmanship on display was exceptional, but even more impressive was the immense sense of pride shared by the kids, their families and everyone who contributed to making the program a success.
The highlight of the day was watching these young builders officially launch and then sail the boats they had spent months creating. A wonderful example of the program's simple but powerful philosophy - Build it. Sail it. Keep it.
Well done to everyone involved at BYRA Bayview Yacht Racing Association Sailing Club on delivering such a special program.''
The Northbridge Junior is a purpose-designed junior sailing dinghy created to introduce young sailors to the sport in a safe, simple, and engaging way. It is stable and practical for junior training, simple to rig and maintain, designed specifically for learning and ideal as a stepping stone into club sailing and racing.
In announcing the winner of the Innovation Award for 2026 the judges stated:
''BYRA’s Northbridge Junior Boatbuilding Program is an innovative initiative that combines boatbuilding, STEM education, practical trade skills and sailing into a unique participation pathway. Participants build their own dinghy before participating in club Discover Sailing Programs and progressing into racing. The program creates affordable boat ownership while fostering skills, confidence and lifelong connections within the sailing community. By bringing together experienced volunteers, young sailors and their families, it strengthens intergenerational knowledge transfer and creates a sustainable pathway from building boats to becoming active, lifelong participants in sailing.''
Winner 2026 NSW & ACT Innovation Award - BYRA Boat Building!
Testing their skills even further were 20 students who took part in a simulated search and rescue exercise at Warringah Pittwater NSW SES Unit last week
More than 60 high school students are graduating from NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs this school term, equipped with practical emergency response skills, newfound confidence and a passion for helping their communities.
The year 10 students have spent the past eight weeks attending weekly training at their local NSW SES Units including Warringah Pittwater, Shellharbour, Lismore, Griffith and Camden Haven.
Through hands-on demonstrations with experienced NSW SES volunteers, the students aged 15 and 16 years old have developed practical emergency response skills ranging from first aid, communication, teamwork and problem solving.
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NSW SES Warringah Pittwater Unit Youth Internship Coordinator Michelle Puhl said the program gave students skills they can use in life beyond the classroom.
“The students have been taught a variety of practical and life skills, including how to communicate, work in teams, problem solve and build resilience,” she said.
“These are skills they can take with them into their everyday lives, whether that’s at school, at home or in the future workplace.”
More than 20 students put these skills to the test at Warringah Pittwater Unit last week, taking part in a simulated search and rescue exercise.
For 16-year-old Joshua Ryals, the program has not only taught him valuable skills but given him a greater sense of responsibility and purpose.
“I’ve especially enjoyed the first aid course because I’m out in the bush all the time mountain biking, and these skills are very transferable,” he said.
“If something does happen to another rider or bushwalker, I now know how I can help out.”
Josh had the opportunity to lead a team during the search and rescue exercise last week; an experience he said boosted his confidence.
“After what I’ve done throughout the program, I’ve been 100 percent inspired to join the SES!”
Ms Puhl said the program had given long-term volunteers an opportunity to step up, share knowledge and mentor the next generation of volunteers.
“The students are so engaged and excited every week that they come along. If this program is anything to go by, the future of emergency services is in safe hands,” she said.
The NSW SES Youth Internship Program is proving to be a valuable pathway into volunteering, with more than 40 school-aged participants signing up to join the NSW SES ranks fulltime since its launch in 2023.
For more information about the program, or to apply, contact your local NSW SES Unit or email experience@ses.nsw.gov.au
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Three days of close, tactical racing came to a conclusion at Fremantle Sailing Club on Sunday September 13, wrapping up the 2026 Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship and another strong showcase of women’s sailing on the waters off Fremantle.
Six teams from Western Australia and New South Wales contested the national title in Elliott 7s, with three Round Robins determining the top four teams to advance to Sunday’s semi-finals and finals. The Championship was hosted by Fremantle Sailing Club in conjunction with Australian Sailing.
Conditions varied across the three days, testing teams in everything from light northerlies and flat water on Friday to a south-westerly on Saturday and another light and challenging day for Sunday’s Finals Series.
The opening day set the tone for a closely fought Championship. After two Round Robins, Mia Lovelady (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club) and Chelsea Williams (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) were tied at the top of the standings with seven wins each, with Isabella Holdsworth (Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club) close behind on six.
Photos: Bernie Kaaks and Freemantle Sailing Club, September 10 2026 racing
Profile of the Week Readers Festival at Avalon Beach Set to Run Panel Discussions, Workshops + Festival Fiver Sessions: Runs September 26-27The Northern Beaches Readers’ Festival, which will run solely in Avalon Beach over the weekend of Saturday September 26 through Sunday September 27, is a biennial event focused on connecting readers with popular Australian fiction authors, and will feature some of Australia’s leading storytellers in panel discussions and more intimate ‘in conversation’ events.
This is the only literary festival in Australia with a 100% focus on both fiction and Australian authors, providing support for new and emerging authors. The 2026 festival will have nine debut authors and a bumper program with something for everyone.
The not-for-profit festival was established in 2022 by a group of local authors to provide a platform for genres that are often overlooked at other literary festivals, such as crime, historical fiction, and romance. The festival’s main focus is reading for pleasure, and the event allows authors to connect with readers.
This year there will be 52 authors participating, including Michael Robotham, Ali Lowe, Matt Nable, Tara Rae Moss, and local author Petronella McGovern.
There will be plenty for aspiring and early-stage writers. The two writing workshops, with Pamela Cook and Hayley Scrivenor, and three $5 ‘Festival Fiver’ sessions on:
- ‘Ask us anything’ (three authors spill the beans on exactly what it’s like to be a writer)
- ‘How to birth a book’ (an author, an agent and a publisher give specific practical advice)
- ‘Book club’ (Meg Dunn from Avalon Community Library and others will run a session on Liane Moriarty’s new book, Big Little Truths).
Have a look at the program and book your tickets before they sell out. Visit: www.nbrf.com.au/2026program
History Avalon Public School's 75th Celebrations: Fete on Sunday September 20 - A few Insights into the History of A great school for its Diamond Jubilee
Community News Shark Management: Community Info Session, SOS Save our Suburb Mona Vale Parliamentary Delegation: Oct. 21 + Next Meeting: Oct. 3, Mackerel Beach Wharf Build: Update, Appealing a seizure: e-bikes, Local Liquor Accord: Barring Notices, National Medals for RFS Volunteers, Bird Flu Info Session at Warriewood: Wednesday Sept. 30, Narrabeen Girls High School and Narrabeen Boys High School 50 Years Reunion, Motions to Rescind Passed Motions: Dogs On Beaches Near children-Wildlife + Community Voices via a Forum Restoration to Council Meetings, Mobility Parking applications go online, New rules strengthen protections for learner drivers, Instructors, Screen-time limits For all public schools, New DA's, Veteran and Family SPUR Engagement Day, Narrabeen Indigo DA Update: Demolition - Tree Removal refused, Change of Use for Site Manager's Office Refused, Spring School Holidays Break, Home Again: Volunteers return from USA, NDIS Reform: Have your say on the future NDIS support coordination and connection service, Fishing Frothers: Spring School Holidays, ASIC seeks feedback on future access to information on companies register, Better Together Grants: Council, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Iggy + Frappe, veterans’ Community Grants NSW, Consultation now open on proposed NDIS access changes, Extension of Feedback for Draft LEP - DCP, Calling All Stallholders: Elanora Heights Village Christmas Market, Mayor - Deputy Mayor, Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League Girls Tackle 2027 EOI, Marine Rescue Broken Bay Christmas Raffle, SNB Surf Sports Calendar for 2026-2027, Defib funding returns for NSW clubs, Pittwater Pitch Night, Discover Sailing Day Resources Now Available, SNB Surf Sports Calendar for 2026-2027, Avalon Community Library Needs Volunteers, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Social Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, Local JP's, + more
Environment Eight additional H5 bird flu events in NSW, Bird flu has claimed its first Australian sea lion and dolphin. How does the virus get into these animals?, Our new research shows humans have maligned bandicoots for decades making them more vulnerable to extinction + Bandicoot Killers in Pittwater, Weeping whales: why one humpback whale mother stayed beside her dead newborn, Garigal + Ku-ring Gai National Park: 1080 Operation, Closed areas: West Head Army Track closed for essential works, Safety alerts: America Bay walking track - condition alert, Strategic assessment of NSW forestry underway drafts '20 more years of logging': Have your say, NSW government to double length of aquaculture leases, Unlocking faster and simpler assessments and approvals through environmental law reforms, IPART Review of the water pricing framework for NSW data centres: Have your say on terms of reference, proposed public land at Seaforth, Revamped lookout to deliver panoramic views across Western Sydney: feedback invited, Public comment opens on industrial port and dredging proposal threatening Exmouth Gulf-Ningaloo, Get Ready Weekend 2026, Flying-fox Census, Katandra Bushland Sanctuary Season 2026, PNHA Activities 2026, Coming up at Kimbriki, National Parks protect Southern Right Whales with new ‘stay away’ distance of up to 500 metres, Australia must double down to meet our climate targets. Our new study shows how, It’s been one year since Australia assessed its national climate risk. But have we listened?, Unsustainable?; We don’t yet know how data centres will impact Australia’s environment, Data centres have existed for decades; why are they so controversial now?, Climate change is putting the squeeze on the world’s grapegrowers: new research, We could soon be able to track changes in Australia’s forests in near‑real time – using satellites, Imported phosphate for fertiliser is expensive – could this homegrown alternative be a solution?, Can what we feed farm animals directly benefit our own health? Our research suggests it can, Why the story of urchin barrens and kelp forests is more complex than we thought, Mona Vale Dunes bushcare group: 2026, Bangalley Headland WPA 2026, Sydney Wildlife Needs People for the Rescue Line, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Beaches: Adopt your local beach program, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Protect wildlife: dispose of fishing gear responsibly, Volunteers for Barrenjoey Lighthouse Tours needed, Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Recycling Batteries: at Mona Vale + Avalon Beach, Reporting Dogs Offleash - Dog Attacks to Council, Plastic Bread Ties For Wheelchairs, Stay Safe From Mosquitoes, Mountain Bike Incidents On Public Land, Report fox sightings, marine wildlife rescue group on the Central Coast, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Pittwater Gardens, Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Environment History insights + Walks, Birds +
Children Sunday Cartoon: The Beatles Yellow Submarine, NSW-ACT Sailing Awards 2026 Winners: BYRA's Boatbuilding Program Wins Innovation Award, North Narrabeen Claim Victory at Australian Boardriders Battle NSW Central Regional Qualifier: Top 18 Boardrider Clubs Battle at Curl Curl Beach, Warringah Pittwater NSW SES: Next Generation of Emergency Responders Graduate from NSW SES Youth Internship Program, Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship 2026: Podium Finish for RPAYC Team, Surfing Is Sydney's Favourite Summer Pastime: 1959 film shares visions of Manly Beach, The Ibis Tells His Story: Another 'Bird Letter', Sir Dragonfly, Pittwater Softball Club: Play Tee-ball or Softball this Summer, Avalon JRLFC Summer Touch Footy, OptiChicks at RPAYC, Avalon PS Fete, 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Curious Kids: Is it true that male seahorses give birth? + Where does money come from? + How can penguins stay warm in the freezing cold waters of Antarctica? + How do remote controls work? + Why bats sleep upside down, and other stories of animal adaptation, Stories this week: What Trucks Love to Do + 'When a Dragon Moves In' read by Mark Duplass, Activities +++
Youth NSW-ACT Sailing Awards 2026 Winners: BYRA's Boatbuilding Program Wins Innovation Award, North Narrabeen Claim Victory at Australian Boardriders Battle NSW Central Regional Qualifier: Top 18 Boardrider Clubs Battle at Curl Curl Beach, Warringah Pittwater NSW SES: Next Generation of Emergency Responders Graduate from NSW SES Youth Internship Program, Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship 2026: Podium Finish for RPAYC Team The Jackeroo (1960); Life on a Queensland Sheep Station, Screen-time limits For all public schools, Why Sydney Sweeney’s controversial advert goes beyond sexualising women’s sport, Opportunities: Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League Girls Tackle 2027 EOI + Mick Fanning, Surfing Legend, Sporting Hero, All Heart, in Conversation with Tom Carroll + Pittwater Dragonboat Clubs invitation to have a run + Surf Boat Crew Members sought + OptiChicks at RPAYC 2026 + Nature Writing Prize 2026 + Pittwater Softball Club: Play Tee-ball or Softball this Summer + 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Glebe, Pirates were far more diverse than Blackbeard. And they didn’t say ‘arrr’, matey, Some of the most iconic movie sets aren’t sets at all – they’re paintings, 1 in 3 uni students experience serious financial hardship. Could concession cards for all help?, Skipping showers is the latest trend. But is there any science to ‘pheromone’ maxxing?, Do pimple patches actually work? Here’s what the science says, Rib contouring surgery promises a smaller waist. But here’s what this trend really tells us, Poetry is popular with young Australians, from pop‑up readings to poetry slams, Trailblazing lawyer Mary Gaudron, a woman of many firsts, leaves a huge and lasting legacy, A brief history of collage from 12th century Japan to Sydney today – and your own kitchen table, Australia’s female economists have been making history for nearly 150 years. It’s time we knew their stories, A brief history of the hangover and its cures – from cabbages to cloves and the lungs of a goat, Groups and Activities and Supports for you ++
Seniors PBO analysis shows private health insurance cuts will target pensioners, Labor Tinkers Around the Edges of Broken Aged Care Assessment Tool: Greens, Greens welcome Government backdown on cuts to Veterans health care, Narrabeen Girls High School and Narrabeen Boys High School 50 Years Reunion, Private health insurance rebate changes need urgent rethink as impact on pensioners becomes clearer: COTA, Veteran and Family SPUR Engagement Day, Older Australians urge Parliament to reject private health insurance changes: COTA, Charity Ceilidh for Cancer Research, Pensioners with private health set to lose $15 per fortnight as bill passes lower house: National Seniors, Pittwater/Narrabeen Parkinson's Support Group 2026 Meetings, Nature Writing Prize 2026, Why health insurance cuts for the over‑65s won’t swamp public hospitals after all, AvPals Term 3 2026 Schedule, Trailblazing lawyer Mary Gaudron, a woman of many firsts, leaves a huge and lasting legacy, What are statins? And can healthy people use them to prevent heart disease and dementia?, Bluster and betrayal: Paul Barry probes how steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta hoodwinked the powerful, MWP Care Seeking Volunteers, Pittwater Probus, Local groups, clubs, events, services for you
DIY Ideas Spring 2026: Time to Help your Garden Grow - your 'how to' list for soil care, mulching, tool care and what to plant now
With the earth starting to turn from its Winter coolness to Spring warmness, now is the time to spend a few hours feeding soil, freshening up mulch and planting out what you'd like to smell, see and eat later this year.
Inbox News NSW Government strengthening youth crime prevention and responses: Opposition Announces akin 'adult time for adult crime' - Greens state this is an 'attack on civil liberties by stealth', 2026 Lowy Institute Media Lecture, ASIC seeks feedback on future access to information on companies register, ACCC and AFP strengthen collaboration to combat scams, Updated charges against financial services company director Donald Cuthbertson: ASIC, One in six women may have this liver condition. What does it mean in pregnancy?, Who should own the knowledge that underpins AI technology?, Why ‘slow jogging’ is the perfect fitness trend for people who want to get into exercise, NSW Parliament brings Federation story to life through education program for Years 9 + 10, Why the consequences of the ‘empty nest’ can be real – and serious, A big assumption has kept women out of health and fitness studies for years. What if it’s wrong?, Too many students have ‘reading anxiety’. New research suggests it is triggered by problems in primary school, AFP commissioner urges ‘conversation’ about link between Australians’ level of illicit drug use and organised crime, We may be able to turn off the algorithm but we can’t escape the misogyny of the manosphere, Why big tech will hate the Australian tax office’s latest ruling, All Australians deserve a fair share of the GST: NSW Government, Data from more than 600 people shows resting heart rates have their own secret rhythm
Pictures Turimetta Moods: Spring - September 2026 By Joe Mills
Aquatics North Narrabeen Claim Victory at Australian Boardriders Battle NSW Central Regional Qualifier: Top 18 Boardrider Clubs Battle at Curl Curl Beach
Food Spring Salad Ideas
If you crave the fresh light stuff here are a few inspirations for your Spring table - all using now in Season vegetables and fruits which means they're not only high quality ingredients but also at seasonal prices - cheap!:
Park Bench Philosophers Australian Government Enabling Theft of Australians copyrighted work + How to Opt Out of AI using your online anything without your permission + What are AI Data Centres? And will they Cause the extinction of Humans? etc...
Events Pittwater Softball Club: Play this Summer, Pittwater Dragonboats: try it out!, Shark Management: Community Info Session at Avalon Beach SLSC Today: Sept. 20, Bird Flu Info Session at Warriewood: Wednesday Sept. 30, Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League Girls Tackle 2027 EOI, Fishing Frothers on Pittwater: Spring School Holidays fun for 12-17 year olds, The Waiting Room: New Comedy by Mike Bullen runs in Mona Vale Performance Space this October, Manly Warringah Waratahs Opener to Cricket Season, Author Talks, Art Shows, PNHA Walks, Music at all compass points, Markets, Social Groups + more on!
Middle Creek Reserve - lone White egret on shoreline
Middle Creek Reserve, Sports Academy boatshed
Middle Creek Reserve, pedestrian bridge
Middle Creek Reserve resident
Middle Creek Reserve, reflections
Middle Creek Reserve, Wakehurst Parkway bridge
Lapwing Plover nesting at Sports Academy, Narrabeen
Sports Academy track build update - now includes kerbing
Australian water Dragon at Jacksons' Road Bridge, Narrabeen Creek
