NSW Premier Chris Minns Visits Pittwater: MVR West Update - Local Fire Stations - Sports Club Facilities discussed
NSW Premier Chris Minns made a whirlwind visit to Pittwater recently at the request of MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby - partly to show and celebrate the delivery works underway and announced by his government last budget, including the $500m Mona Vale Road West Upgrade, Narrabeen Sports High School Performance Hall and the $6.7m Narrabeen Sports Track.
Independent MP Jacqui Scruby, Pittwater MP, stated the visit was also twofold as she wanted Premier Minns to witness the infrastructure upgrade needs she continues to advocate for – sports fields and surf clubs, emergency services and other infrastructure like commuter car parks.
The MP for Pittwater said; “I work across party lines to get Pittwater’s issues on the agenda. Last visit the Premier saw Mona Vale Road West and we now have the $500m and project underway. This visit focused on visiting Narrabeen Sports High where a performance centre is about to be built, Narrabeen Athletics track where $6.7m upgrade works are underway as well as highlighting areas needing focus – such as upgrades to our sports amenities and emergency services which have been left neglected for decades.”
Narrabeen Sports High School Principal Heidi Currie and NSW Premier Chris Minns with NSHS students and Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby
Alix and Roy - rehearsals photo
The acclaimed comedy Noises Off by Michael Frayn is coming to Scotland Island, with performances at the Community Hall on 19, 20, 26 and 27 June 2026.
Widely regarded as one of the funniest farces ever written, Noises Off follows a theatre company as their production descends into chaos – on stage and behind the scenes. What begins as a shaky dress rehearsal spirals into a spectacularly disastrous final performance.
The play is famous for its large-scale staging, traditionally requiring a two-storey revolving set. Bringing it to a small island venue has required ingenuity and adaptation.
‘“It’s usually performed on a massive two-storey set – something we could never squeeze into our community hall,” said co-producer Roy Baker.
“But with the author’s permission, we’ve created a scaled-down version that still captures all the pace and energy of the original.”
The production has been adapted for the Scotland Island stage by Roy Baker, who co-produces with Jess McGowan. It is directed by Paul Kininmonth. Cast and crew are drawn from the offshore Pittwater community.
Performances begin at 7 pm. A bar, operated by the Pittwater Offshore Men’s Shed, will be open before and after the show and during the interval (no BYO).
A special ferry service will run after both Friday performances, returning audience members to Church Point and the western foreshore. It will depart Tennis Court Wharf approximately 15 minutes after the performance.
Mainland guests are encouraged to catch the 6.15 pm ferry (Fridays) or 6.30 pm ferry (Saturdays) from Church Point. The journey to Tennis Court Wharf takes around 10 minutes, followed by a short walk to the hall. Water taxis are also available.
Tickets are on sale via Humanitix: events.humanitix.com/noises-off
Reuban and Sophie - rehearsals photo
Why I like the play, and why I think you will too
By Roy Baker
If any play can insist on being counted among the funniest and most successful of twentieth-century comedies, it’s Noises Off. Originally conceived by London playwright Michael Frayn in the 1970s, its appeal has proved enduring and universal, staged thousands of times in many languages worldwide.
This coming month the play reaches Scotland Island, performing in the Community Hall on 19, 20, 26 & 27 June, starting 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now, and there will be a bar, plus a late ferry after both Friday performances to return audience members to Church Point and the western foreshore.
How to sell it to you? Well, it’s funny. Undeniably funny. I fell in love with it straight away, seeing in it the frenetic energy of Fawlty Towers, surely the apotheosis of late twentieth-century British comedy. They date from the same era, and both are rooted in the well-tested tropes of English farce: escalating chaos and implausible misunderstandings. But, like John Cleese and Connie Booth, Frayn revivified and extended the genre.
Much of Fawlty Towers' success comes from the quality of writing; most of us can quote at least one line, even if it's only 'Don't mention the war'. Then there are the characterisations, such as the hapless waiter Manuel. Frayn's characters are equally enduring, and he serves up the same verbal dexterity, but this time it's sardines with plenty of sauce and a generous portion of word salad.
Roy's Report in full HERE
''The club has been home to life savers since 1912 and the North Narrabeen Boardriders Club (NNBC) since 1964.'' council stated
The proposed works will improve accessibility and enhance facilities for members and the community. Planned works include a new 35 m² meeting space for the NNBC, upgraded interiors, balcony and BBQ area.
We're planning to start works between early June and Summer 2026 (weather permitting), though public access to amenities, gym, board riders and SLSC facilities and part of the first-floor deck will remain open. The café and bar may be closed for part of the works, which the club will communicate through their social platforms.''
''The North Narrabeen Boardriders Club will store equipment in temporary storage during the works.
Further upgrades to the first-floor balcony as detailed in Stage 3 of the initial concept plans will be delivered in the future, subject to funding.'' the council stated
The council also stated North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club is undergoing works with the main roof being replaced, concrete cancer repairs, external painting, and the repair and replacement of windows, gutters and downpipes. These works will be completed in July.
On May 14 2024 the NSW Government announced North Narrabeen SLSC lifesavers and surfers have good cause to smile after their club was awarded $632,343 towards Stage 1 Works - Building Extensions and Upgrades.
'The North Narrabeen surf club was constructed in the late 1970's and the project to upgrade the facilities include and extension to the north to provide additional internal floor space, enclosure of part of the existing balcony, rainwater harvesting and stormwater drainage works to reduce the impacts to the dunes' the announcement said.
The funding was allocated to the Northern Beaches Council
How the club will look with the finished alterations and additions - indicative illustration only, courtesy NBC.
We are buzzing with excitement!
The Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney has erected five Bee Poles.
By Judith Charnaud OAM,
President and Environment Director of the Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney
At last, after a year or two of designing, planning and construction the Bee Pole idea seems to have taken off. Over the last few months we have placed Bee Poles in Harbord, Curl Curl North, Kinma, Tea Gardens Public Schools and one in the Coastal Environment Centre, Narrabeen.
Coastal Environment Centre Narrabeen Bee Pole installation
What is a Bee Pole?
The idea for the Bee Pole came from the Peace Poles of Rotary Clubs across the world which is a special project promoting peace – our club thought a Bee Pole in schools could be used to promote environmental sustainability and the importance of ecosystems.
The Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney is a member of Rotarians for Bees and our members are working on ways to encourage the survival of Australia’s native bees. We have carried out a lot of research in order to find out the best ideas and design for the Bee Pole.
Each of the schools we have worked with has very enthusiastic teams of students – Garden Gurus, Eco Warriors, Bee Teams, Gardening Clubs, and of course the students are encouraged by amazing staff members.
The bee pole placements have been extremely successful, each beginning with an Acknowledgement of Country read by a student, followed by me speaking about the importance of our native bees then students helping place the pole in the ground, pouring cement, rocks and water around the pole to ensure it will stand firmly.
Profile of the Week Mona Vale Raiders Junior Rugby League Club: their 2026 Season so farFormed in 1964, the Mona Vale Raiders are one of the fastest growing and one of the most successful junior rugby league clubs in the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League (MWDJRL) competition. The home of the mighty Mona Vale Junior Rugby League Club - better known as the Raiders - is Newport Oval - which is used by local cricket clubs during the offseason.
The club is keen to keep growing and with 800+ members and supporters from Under 6's through to Opens plus a growing female membership the Raiders need girls change rooms, better facilities and a clubhouse to meet that demand. In fact, the Raiders are the only junior rugby league club in Pittwater without a clubhouse.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby stated, after a visit to Newport Oval to look over the facilities with current Raiders president Hamish Mclean;
“Sports and sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our community yet they’ve been neglected for decades. I’m committed to investing the time and energy over the coming years to improve our sports facilities that have been neglected for decades.
Although under council jurisdiction, I’ve called on the state government to come to the table with additional grant opportunities. I’ve invited the Sports Minister to come to Pittwater and see these sites.’’
After a win in Round 6 of the 2026 Northern Open Age Gold with 5 wins in 6 games, the Mona Vale Raiders A Grade sit at the top of the ladder as we head into Round 7 today, Sunday May 31 2026.
This Issue a few insights into a true local family rugby league club and a chat with Mona Vale Raiders president Hamish Mclean, A Grade coach David Heath and a few words from the Raiders Committee on their Mission to be and remain 'A true local family rugby league club'.
Australia’s earliest surviving photograph is said to be by a Tasmanian photographer, George Baron Goodman, and of Dr William Bland, an ex-convict, prominent surgeon, humanitarian, social reformer and inventor. It was taken in 1845.
In New South Wales a gentleman engaged to work at the Sydney Mint, Robert Hunt is considered by many to be a pioneer of photography in New South Wales, so much so that 170 years since his first known photograph was taken, his works are still on display.
Robert Hunt was an amateur photographer and clerk, born in London, the son of Henry Leigh Hunt and Ellen, née Simpson. He came to New South Wales in 1854 to work as chief clerk of the bullion office at the Royal Mint and soon started to practise photography as a hobby. Hunt and John Smith 's outdoor stereoscopic views taken in 1855 are believed to be the first colonial examples of this type of photograph on card.
Mr Hunt also gave us early photos of the North Shore, from 1855, and Pittwater from 1884, and Manly from 1885.
Park Bench Philosophers One Nation’s banning of the ABC and abuse of journalists is shameful; It’s time other media took a stand
Inbox News Need a doctor or nurse after hours? How to get virtual or in‑person care in Australia – including for free, What should ‘foundational supports’ look like for people ineligible for the NDIS?, Australia is battling its worst diphtheria outbreak in decades. But vaccines could curb it, First video of immune cells eating live skin cancer in real time, Thousands of sheep and cows die in trucks and saleyards every year. They need better protection, A meteor exploded in the sky above New South Wales. An astronomer explains where it might have come from, Three ways to avoid being fooled by AI slop, View from The Hill: would a ‘party of independents’ be a contradiction in terms?, Why Australia’s cuts to news services in the Indo‑Pacific are a failure of soft diplomacy, Cricket and soccer are Australian sporting giants. How can they be struggling financially?, How the Great Pyramid of Giza has survived 4,500 years of Egyptian earthquakes, Nearly everything we use online is owned by big tech. There’s a better way forward
Food Winter Warmers: Parsnips, Pumpkin Soup Variations, Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding, Avocado Season - did someone say 'chocolate'?
Pictures Bilgola Beach Environs 1860 to 2026: A Centenary Celebration of the Bilgola Beach Reserves
Events Bilgola SLSC Open Day: May 31, Author Talks, PNHA Walks, Music at all compass points, Markets, Social Groups + more on!
Community News Kings Birthday Honours Issue: Monday June 8, Throwing objects at Cars: Warning, Celebrating Luke Speers, Liquor shop at Careel Bay Shops Approved, Bob Head: 70 Years of Service, Community Forum: Pittwater MP, Pittwater Business Invite, Roadworks, Newport to Bilgola Track Night Works Notice, Avalon Beach Historical Society June Meeting, Anthony Hardwick Paddle out, Support Jason's road to recovery, Digital Wellbeing Event, Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta departs after almost a decade of service, Forest High School site up for DA Proposals, Nominate a Nurse, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Mintie + Squirt, Warriewood SLSC's Biggest Morning Tea, Applications open for grants to improve the lives of people with disability, Women Helping Women SES workshop 2026, Have your say on Health Star Ratings, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter
Environment We are buzzing with excitement!: The Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney has erected five Bee Poles, Australia’s old environment laws were a box‑ticking exercise. Sadly, the new ones could be too, Scientists have scrapped the worst‑case climate scenario – because action is making a difference, For 44 years, Australia has subsidised diesel use. Is it time to stop?, Mackellar MP Host Waves Without Waste Expo at Warriewood: June 13, Electricity prices to fall as Liddell power station demolished and clean power takes over, Net Zero Commission says NSW coal expansion inconsistent with law and advice, Rare male red pipefish carrying eggs on its trunk spotted in Sydney, Mosquitoes learn to link the smell of DEET with a blood meal – new study, National Biodiversity Day: Private Landholders deliver conservation win, State-of-the-art agtech bus journeys to Western NSW 2 – 11 June 2026, Winter signals start of Murray Crayfish season on the Murray and Murrumbidgee, Solar for apartment residents: Co-funding, PNHA Activities 2026, World-leading biosecurity research facility given $31 million boost, Dedicated alpine weather page part of latest BOM website improvements, Why are retail power prices finally falling?, What ‘biodegradable’ packaging really means – and 3 key questions to ask about it, Healthy soil can protect land from soaring heat. But our map shows where soil is suffering, Deep‑sea sponges survive in complete darkness in ways we didn’t know before, Many biofuels haven’t panned out. Could algae make the clean diesel and aviation fuel Australia needs?, Rice feeds billions of people – but its role in fueling climate change is growing, Australia needs thousands more kerbside EV chargers. Here’s how to roll them out fast and fairly, 500‑million‑year‑old fossil helps fill a strange gap in our record of life on Earth, California’s salmon fishery is reopening after a population crash led to a 3‑year closure but that doesn’t mean all is well, Heatwaves are destroying the sex lives of bees – new research, Shutting down federal bee labs threatens bees, beekeepers and the US food system, Nature is good for business – and we now have numbers to show it, The network watching the world’s oceans is under pressure – just when it’s needed most, Some technologies use accelerated natural processes to capture carbon – but can they store it durably?, Mona Vale Dunes bushcare group: 2026 Dates, Bangalley Headland WPA Bushcare 2026, Sydney Wildlife Needs People for the Rescue Line, 2025-26 Seal Reveal underway, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Local Beaches: Adopt your local beach program, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Protect wildlife: dispose of fishing gear responsibly, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, 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, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves, Pittwater Environment History insights + Walks, Birds +
Aquatics A Cruel Sea by Gordon Wellings Q.C.B.C. The ashes of ex-Water Policeman and retired Chief Inspector of NSW Police Gordon George Wellings Q.C.B.C. were recently placed in Broken Bay by Mr. Wellings family, after which refreshments were hosted at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay, at Newport.
Many here remember the June 1974 rescue by Mr. Wellings, Roper Lars Scott (Buster) Brown and Brian Friend of those caught in the Tuggerah bombora aboard the ill-fated Votan.
For those who have been wondering why they glimpse huge seas out the corners of their eyes in recent weeks this may be why - this formative Water Policeman of Broken Bay, known as 'Boots' to his mates, has returned to the waters he knew so well - 'Gone to Sea'.
To mark Mr. Wellings return to patrols off Pittwater and in Broken Bay - this account of that rescue by him from 2011 runs as a Thank You For Your Service tribute this Issue.
Children Sunday Cartoon and Animations This week: Mr Bean in Cash Machine, Emperor Gum Moth, Australia by Train in 1962, 2026 Coins include Mob of Six Roos, 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Curious Kids: why do leaves fall off trees? + why do tigers have whiskers? + why are there waves? + can snails fart? + why do tears come out of our eyes when we cry? + why are buttons and zippers on different sides of men’s and women’s clothes?, Stories this week: Mud! + 'When a Dragon Moves In' read by Mark Duplass, Local activities and clubs for you
Youth Have Your Say Day 2026: Next Gen Speaks Up About What's Important to them, State Government's Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026 Passed, Throwing objects at Cars: Warning, Emperor Gum Moth, Australia by Train in 1962, 2026 Coins include Mob of Six Roos, Art exhibition honours veterans’ service in Greece and Crete 85 years on, Opportunities: Hub for girls makes career in sport a reality + Manly Warringah Netball Association MWNA: 2026 Mens League + Seas the Day 2026 + Bilgola SLSC Open Day; May 31 + More free live music added to Vivid Sydney’s Tumbalong Nights + Pathways for the Future gives insight into post-school choices + Northern Composure is back – Entries now open + Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard arrives at the ANMM + 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Verbatim, Rare male red pipefish carrying eggs on its trunk spotted in Sydney, Gina Rinehart and Southern Cross Austereo: what do billionaire media buyouts mean for democracy?, Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue is the highest selling jazz record of all time – he thought it was a failure, Game changers: how a rainy week led a frustrated Don Bradman to reinvent cricket, Beyond Disney: A 1616 portrait of Pocahontas shows how English colonizers saw Indigenous Americans, Local Groups and Services for you
Seniors Kings Birthday Honours Issue: Monday June 8, Bob Head: 70 Years of Service, Stronger sunscreen rules needed to restore confidence and protect Australians: AMA, In plain sight and never out of mind — national health crises can’t be hidden: AMA, What can we do to keep our brains healthy throughout our lives?, Doing puzzles and joining clubs could help you age well: new research, Support at Home price caps delayed, Nuns have always sat between freedom and control. Now they’re in the social media spotlight, New Liberal president Abbott tells party it must build bigger membership in time of ‘existential crisis’, We need a new anti‑corruption commissioner. Here’s how to pick the right one, , Local groups, clubs, events and services for you
DIY Ideas Dealing With Dampness Inside The Home
This Issue a look at how to prevent and treat dampness to keep your home free from creeping damp and the problems associated with this, including how this may impact on your and your family's health.
The Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 End of Financial Year Catalogue, which runs from May 27 to June 30 2026 - is filled with great bargains which may help you to keep the dampness out of your home. The Max Your Tax Back catalogue, available online, lists items that are great for businesses who need to replace assets in time to lodge these as write offs for this financial year, and available until June 30 as well.
