Community News: December 2019

December 15, 2019 - January 19, 2020: Issue 433

Articles This Issue 

Front Page Issue 433





Christmas Sees Loss Of Mona Vale Hospital's Main Building But Hospital Inquiry A Win For Transparency by Miranda Korzy, Save Mona Vale Hospital Community Action Group  

School Strike 4 Climate At Narrabeen: December 13, 2019 - what the Students had to say about climate change to Mackellar's MP

Aquatics Pittwater Swim Series 2020: The Pittwater Swim Series 2020 commences on Sunday January  5th with the Newport SLSC's Pool to Peak series of swims, then moves to Bilgola SLSC's 'Billy Swim' on Sunday January 12th, followed by the Mona Vale SLSC's 43rd Don Jenkin Memorial Swim from Warriewood to Mona Vale on Sunday January 19th, with the BIG Swim and Little Swims, hosted by Palm Beach and Whale Beach SLSC's happening on Sunday January 26th, while the 'Round the Bends' and Avalon Beach Surf Swims round out the series on Sunday March 29th.

Three In A Row For Sydney Northern Beaches Branch: 2019 Surf Life Saving NSW Interbranch Championships + NSW Youth Team Named To Defend Undefeated Title in 2020 by SLS NSW

Park Bench Philosopher Barrenjoey Boat House, Station Beach: an old History page with a few insights into the business address of a series Pittwater's true 'Nature's Gentlemen'


Food Old Australian Chocolates Back On The Market: The Cherry Ripe Song of MacRobertsons -With the recent resurgence of old favourites such as Scorched Peanut Bars, relaunched in late November 2019 and now being made by Wollongong company Cooks Confectionery, Violet Crumbles returned to us by South Australian gentleman Robern Menz in 2018 and his efforts bringing back the very yummy Polly Waffle in January 2019, that little bean from the lush jungles of South America has inspired a new generation of Australians to taste for the first time old Aussie recipes.

From MacRobertsons we had Cherry Ripes and O.K. Scorched Peanut bars while Hoadley’s gave us the Violet Crumble and Polly Waffle. However the Cherry Ripe story goes back a little further than the chocolate bar so many of us still enjoy today and had its beginnings in a popular song, that became linked with a popular painting and even a popular cake and biscuit before that Christmassy coloured treat came along.

Sydney Wildlife Northern Beaches Branch: Our Year in Pictures by Lynleigh Grieg

A few things to remember going into the Festive Season:

• It will be hot and wildlife will be thirsty. Please consider putting out water in shallow, heavy-based ceramic dishes - positioned in the shade and with pebbles for small critters to clamber out if necessary.

• Drive carefully between dusk and dawn as our nocturnal wildlife are active on and beside roads.

• Keep your pets indoors between dusk and dawn to allow nocturnal wildlife to forage and hunt without interaction.

• If you are going away, keep windows shut so that you don’t get furry, feathery or scaly visitors popping in and not being able to get back out.

If you see any wildlife in distress over the Festive Season, please call Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300 or WIRES 1300 094 737

Profile - Sydney Art Space (Mona Vale) Summer School 2020 Our Summer School Holiday Art Program will run from the 4th -19th January 2020. There are fun and creative art lessons for the children with painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, animation and hand building in clay. Workshop prices include all art materials and tuition.

Sydney Art Space – an art school on the Northern Beaches of Sydney offers art classes for adults, teens and children and is the inspiration of multi-form artist and educator Christine Simpson. The vision of creating an arts education environment has now come to fruition and the art school provides quality art courses, quality art tutors and diverse and interesting art events and creative workshops.

Being principal educator at The Shed Sculpture Studio for the past 12 years, with a Diploma in Education, and the completion of a Master of Fine Art and Master of Studio Art at Sydney University’s Sydney College of the Arts, Christine Simpson’s acquired arts practice-education knowledge has led to the reality of opening and delivering this quality arts teaching facility.

Sydney Art Space gives people of all ages and stages the ability to develop and enhance their creativity and confidence by learning real skills to begin and/or grow their arts practice in a fun, safe, nurturing and non-competitive learning environment. Small art class sizes enable individual attention and the opportunity to belong to a caring creative community. 

We offer adult art coursework on weekdays, evenings and Saturday afternoons, children’s art classes after school, and private HSC tuition Saturday mornings. There is opportunity for everyone, no matter what their weekly schedule may be, to begin and develop their creative journey at Sydney Art Space.

Details about this Summers' classes run this Issue. Bookings and more information is available on the Sydney Art Space Website.
Please visit: www.sydneyartspace.com
History Daniel Gordon Soutar's Influence On Local Golf Courses: Some History Notes - The gentleman associated with the design of local golf courses and credited, along with great mate Carnegie Clark, as being one of the fathers of Australian Golf, was Daniel Gordon Soutar. 

In Pittwater two courses were officially opened within months of each other at Bayview (1924) and Mona Vale (1925), and these had been preceded by a courses at Palm Beach (1922 onward - officially granted land in 1926) and were followed by one at Avalon Beach (1926) and then Elanora Heights (1929), both of which were designed by Soutar and have steep pitches. Mr. Soutar is also credited with fixing a few problems at the Manly Golf Club and with the extensions to 18 holes at Long Reef, and his wife and himself appear to have a hand in early Balgowlah Golf Club works. Decades prior to that, one 9-hole course attached to The Oaks-La Corniche grounds was the first local course Daniel Soutar played at in February 1911, months before he would become the professional attached to the Manly course and club. 

Artists of the Month December 2019 To January 2020: Be Brave Artspace's 2019 'A Little Brave' Exhibition- 33 Artists

Featuring 33 talented, local and regional artists presenting smaller, affordable artworks. The exhibition will showcase a diverse variety of original and inspiring pieces that will be suitable for people to purchase as gifts. Only a selection of each artists work will be on display and will be regularly updated as the exhibition progresses. The remainder of each artists works will be stored at the gallery in the stockroom and be available to look at throughout the course of the exhibition if there is an interest in a particular artist. We will have paintings, photographs, textile art, works on paper, prints, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, tea towels, cards, fashion, homewares and Be Brave Artspace tote bags and gift vouchers.

The exhibition will close for Christmas and then run through until Sunday 19th January.

Be Brave Artspace
5-7 Careel Head Road
North Avalon
Website: www.bebraveartspace.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeBraveArtspace

Opening hours: Mon-Wed Closed | Thurs/Fri 11.00-3.00 | Sat/Sun 10.00-4.00

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update: December 14, 2019 

Click on Logo to acces latest PON: 


To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

South West Lovett Bay Residents Form A Coastcare Group 

The Lower Western Shores of Pittwater now has its first Coastcare group.  The private properties in South West Lovett Bay sit between Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park and the shores of Pittwater. They also sit within a Pittwater Spotted Gum forest and on the edge of a coastal rainforest, both endangered ecological communities. 
 
The group’s objective is to get rid of the bamboo, and other invasive weeds such as cocos palms, asparagus fern and lantana as well as smaller invasive grasses on both public and private land; and to regenerate the bushland.  
 
Resident support for the group is sky high with every property owner in SW Lovett Bay signing up. 
 
Members of the 2 local bushcare groups have also joined so help maintain the work done on public land. 
 
The first event planned by the group is a Weed Identification Workshop to be run by Northern Beaches Council Bushland Supervisor Michael Kneipp this weekend. 


First meeting of SWLBC Committee


Seeds for propagation 

Save Mona Vale Hospital Update And AGM 2019

You are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Save Mona Vale Hospital Community Action Group
Monday 16 December 2019
6.30 - 8.00 pm
Avalon Bowling Club

The Program
Chairman's report
Parry Thomas will provide an update on: 
* What is happening at the Mona Vale Hospital site
* the Parliamentary Inquiry
* SMVH plans for the campaign in 2020

This will be followed by the SMVH Annual General Meeting. 
  • Apologies
  • Confirmation of the minutes
  • Business Arising
  • Treasurer's report
  • Election of Management Committee
  • Election of Public Officer
  • General Business

Friends Of Currawong AGM 2019

At 8.00 pm, the AGM for Friends of Currawong will be held.
Stay for a drink!

Shane Withington is the President of Friends of Currawong. Shane will present an update on Currawong, including the plans for renovation and restoration.

Currawong is managed by Northern Beaches Council for the people of NSW and, of course, us on the Northern Beaches.

Stay to hear what is happening at Currawong, a heritage-listed holiday retreat. This jewel on Pittwater is now owned by the people of NSW.

Enjoy an evening at Avalon Bowling Club and learn about what is happening to two icons, Mona Vale Hospital and Currawong Holiday Retreat.

Santa Ride 2019

Avalon Beach resident Bob Abbott took part in the annual Santa Ride with 500 other bike riders on Friday 13th December to raise funds for Bear Cottage. 

The riders went from Five Dock to Bondi, which may still be a little shaken and stirred as a result.

"Our aim this year is to collect $5000." Bob explained, "There were plenty of lights, with extra coloured lights in the front wheel, and done in a Santa suit of course."

 
Bob Abbott- Pic: Michael Mannington of Community Photography 

DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Charleston

AGE/SEX: 12 years / M
BREED: Staffy X Bull Terrier?
Charleston came to us under Duty of Care with skin cancer lesions. He is a gentle sweet natured obedient dog. He is social with other dogs. We had his lesions removed by a specialist. He recovered well and loves runs in the garden but always wants to come back to his people. He is such an affectionate gentle dog. He never complained and just so appreciative of what we have done for him. He is so much more comfortable. He is a low energy dog who only needs a short daily walk. 

He has a short coat and weighs 23kg. He comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DR Vet. His adoption cost is $400. 

Scarlett

Scarlett came from the pound with newly born bubs. Her kittens have all been adopted and Scarlett is ready for her own home where she can retire from motherhood. She is a very gentle easy to handle girl, 2 year old girl who is used to being around other cats and dogs in a busy vet clinic. She is very smoochy and has the most amazing big eyes. She is located at Ingleside.
She comes desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, FIV/FeLV tested and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $220.

To meet her please call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email cats@Doggierescue.com

For further details or to meet all cats, rabbits and dogs at Doggie Rescue call  9486 3133 or email monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 
Rehoming Organisation No R251000024. 


Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11 AM – 6 PM
Curl Curl Youth & Community Centre - Sydney, Australia
Curl Curl

ENTER ONLINE NOW: http://bit.ly/2OIz2gX and click PURCHASE TICKET button
ENTRY FEE $15 for all ages with all proceeds donated to Lifeline Northern Beaches

Tarp-O-Rama for Lifeline is a community event to engage, educate and empower our community about mental health and wellbeing. The festival will include live bands and DJ’s, food trucks of all kinds, merchandise and market stalls, local art, chillout zones, photobooth, live artist, demos, mini ramps, kids’ zone, plus loads of prizes and giveaways.

With Cooper Chapman and Alex Hayes confirmed on the judging panel, WIN yourself cool prizes for best tarp surfing! Bring your skateboard, skates, scooter, roller blades, paddle skateboards, surfboards with wheels, anything! 

Get yourself and your kids riding the plastic blue wave! 
Heats: Mini Groms 5-10 years, Groms 11-16 years, Open 16+ plus free ride sessions. Get epic shots and video taken by our unstoppable media team!

Tarp surf for a purpose with funds raised supporting Lifeline Northern Beaches so that they can continue to create connection with people in crisis and empower individuals and communities to be safe from suicide.  

Not only will it be fun, but we are opening up more talk about mental health, support and education. Come down for some Northern Beaches all ages fun! Get involved, get connected and get the conversation started. Tarp-O-Rama for Lifeline welcomes our local community and beyond, and aims to ensure the day is as welcoming, safe and accessible as possible for all.

All ages welcome.  

GETTING THERE 
Netball Courts 1-7, Abbott Road, North Curl Curl (outside Curl Curl Youth and Community Centre)
CAR: Located 500m from North Curl Curl Beach and under 40 minutes from Sydney’s CBD on the B-Line, with loads on and off-street parking, plus access for people with disability.
BUS: 159 from Manly, Stop Abbott Rd opposite Hudson Oval, North Curl Curl, 7-minute walk to event
BUS: 136 from Manly & North, Stop Griffin Rd at Abbott Rd, North Curl Curl, 12-minute walk to event
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ukALYvsRoLitgPTq7

Are you a brand or local business that wants to be involved? 
General Inquiries - events@lifelinenb.org.au
Volunteer Inquiries - events@lifelinenb.org.au

Doggie Rescue's 2020 Calendar Is Out Now!

We are proud to launch our 2020 Doggie Rescue Calendar
- our major fundraising activity for the whole year.

Its finally here, our 2020 calendar is a tribute to the beautiful lives we have saved. This year's edition is extra special, thanks to the stunning professional photos by Lyndall of Floppy Ears Photography.

The 2020 DoggieRescue calendar makes a lovely Christmas gift and with limited print numbers this year, you need to act quickly to secure your copy. I do not want you to miss out!

People like you who purchase our calendar not only give the gift of life but also share the successes of our work and help to rescue more animals like Grayson and Meg (featured in the calendar), offering them a bright future.

Three easy ways to get your calendar
  • Online via the DoggieRescue website
  • Over the phone by calling 02 9486 3133
  • Visiting the shelter at Ingleside
At just $20 the DoggieRescue calendar makes the perfect Christmas gift, knowing that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the animals in our care.

For more information call Doggie Rescue on 9486 3133

Surfing NSW Unveils 2020 Event Calendar

Friday, 6 December 2019 
With less than a month until the end of the year, Surfing NSW has unveiled its 2020 event calendar.
 
Over 40 events are already confirmed to be taking place over the calendar year, with proceedings getting underway from the 14th – 16th January when the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final kicks off in the Illawarra.
 
The full list of events can be found here - also available to download as a PDF below.
 
Benchmark events on the calendar include The Sydney Surf Pro, The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series (Carve Pro, Mothernest Great Lakes Pro and Vissla Central Coast Pro), The Port Stephens Pro and the Australian Surf Championships.
 
Surfing NSW will be conducting daily media services at over 35 of the events.
 
Dates for the 2020/2021 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comp Series, the Rip Curl GromSearch series and the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle series will be confirmed in the coming months.
 
More information on specific events can be found by checking out the Surfing NSW events page.


photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW
Surfing NSW 2020 Events Calendar.pdfSurfing NSW 2020 Events Calendar.pdf
Size : 262.598 Kb
Type : pdf

Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Update - November To December 2019

Our last day of work for 2019 will be Friday 20 December and we will return to work on Monday 6 January 2020. We wish you all a safe and restful Christmas and New Year and thank you for your patience during 2019.

The NSW Government is investing $140 million to upgrade Mona Vale Road between Manor Road, Ingleside, and Foley Street, Mona Vale, from two to four lanes to improve safety and traffic efficiency.

Work has now started in all areas along Mona Vale Road between Manor Road, Ingleside, and Foley Street, Mona Vale.

Map of activities in Mona Vale Road East upgrade


Note: Shaded areas are not to scale and for general information and illustrative purposes only

Work between Manor Road and Mona Vale Cemetery

We have moved into the earthwork stage along Mona Vale Road between Manor Road and Mona Vale Cemetery. We expect to complete earthwork in late 2020, weather permitting.

Earthworks include removing top soil, scaling and breaking rock between Manor Road and Mona Vale Cemetery.

The cutting of the rock faces and filling of the gullies along the road corridor will widen and bring the adjacent ground levels to meet the level of the existing roadway. We are also relocating utilities and installing new drainage. 

During the earthwork stage we will:

  • remove about 210,000 cubic metres of sandstone and soil
  • install over 140 rock anchors and shotcrete (spray concrete) to stabilise the excavated rock faces.

Activities to the end of 2019 include:

  • continuing rock breaking along Mona Vale Road between the descending section and the site compound
  • erecting electrical poles and connecting the new electricity service along the southern side of Mona Vale Road
  • constructing permanent retaining structures and commencement of the fauna bridge overpass abutment
  • installing new stormwater and the start of major filling at the Western Early Works area, between Kimbriki Road and Tumburra Street, using the excess material from the Mona Vale Road East project
  • continuing installation of permanent fauna fencing along Mona Vale Road to protect fauna crossing the road. 

Work between Mona Vale Cemetery and Foley Street

The following activities started at the eastern end of the project in mid-October and will continue to the end of the year:

  • survey and confirming locations of existing utility assets
  • clearing vegetation on the southern side of Mona Vale Road. Some clearing is still required near the Cemetery and near Emma Street on both sides of Mona Vale Road
  • removing asbestos contaminated soils and buried construction debris in areas between Mona Vale Cemetery and Foley Street
  • relocating signs and adjusting private property assets for some commercial properties in the area
  • retaining work near Ponderosa Parade.

Pedestrians and cyclists

For safety reasons, pedestrians and off-road cyclists are advised to avoid Mona Vale Road between Daydream Street, Mona Vale, and Manor Road, Ingleside. There is no footpath or cycle way and the road shoulders are not available during construction.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.

Construction Speed Zone

We have implemented a 40km/hr construction speed limit along our work corridor to maintain safety. The increased truck movements at the multiple construction access gates also require safe entry and exit speeds along the road corridor.

For the safety of motorists and construction workers please follow the speed limits during our day and night work.

How will the work affect you?

There is noise, vibration and dust associated with our work. We make every effort to minimise the impact by notifying residents before work starts near their property.

During night work we direct light away from residential properties, use noise shields where possible, and turn off equipment and vehicles when not in use. Eligible residences will be offered alternative accommodation.

Our work schedule

Our standard working hours are between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays. Due to daytime traffic restrictions and safety considerations, out of hours work will need to continue for some activities. Out of hours work may happen on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday night from 8pm to 5am with up to three shifts per week, weather permitting. The out of hours work will not be carried out for more than two consecutive nights in the same area. We will advise you before we start night work near your property.

For more information

If you have any enquiries, feedback or concerns, or would like to sign up for our emailing list, please:
Call: 1800 413 640 (24 hour number)
Email: monavaleroad@georgiou.com.au
Website: www.rms.work/mvreast

If you need help understanding this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1800 413 640

Australian Surfing Awards Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame.

Australian surfing’s night of nights will be hosted in Queensland for the next two years with the 2020 Awards night to be held on Wednesday 25th March 2020 at QT Gold Coast.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Queensland was a natural fit to host the awards and that Tourism and Events Queensland support the event because it attracts visitors to the region which creates jobs in tourism.

“It’s only natural that Queensland also plays host to the annual celebration of Australia’s surfing community. We’re honoured to have secured this prestigious event for a further two years.”

2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore and 2018 WSL Men’s Runner-up Julian Wilson took the honours last year for the Male and Female Surfer of the Year awards, while Wendy Botha became the 41st inductee into the Hall of Fame.

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, The QT Gold Coast couldn’t be a more suitable venue for celebrating and crowing winners across a variety of categories. Adding to the high stakes will be new award categories; Coach of the Year and the Innovation Award. 

Other awards to be presented on the night will be:
MALE SURFER OF THE YEAR
FEMALE SURFER OF THE YEAR
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY RISING STARS (MALE & FEMALE)
HEAVY WATER AWARD
ASB GREATER GOOD AWARD
PETER TROY LIFESTYLE AWARD
SURF CULTURE AWARD
SIMON ANDERSON CLUB AWARD
COACH OF THE YEAR
INNOVATION AWARD 
NIKON SURF VIDEO OF THE YEAR
NIKON SURF PHOTO OF THE YEAR
AUSTRALIAN SURFING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

To nominate someone in any of the below awards, visit: australiansurfingawards.com 
NOTE: Nominations close February 14th, 2020.

The winner of the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award will receive the award-winning Nikon Z 6 with the NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/4 S and FTZ adapter, while the winner of the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award will take home the high-resolution Nikon Z 7 with the NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/4 S and FTZ adapter.

World-renowned Surf Journalist Nick Carroll continues in the role of Curator of the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame.

Operated with the support of Tourism and Events Queensland, the Australian Surfing Awards is renowned for recognising the best in surfing talent.

The Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame is proudly supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, QT Gold Coast, Nikon, nudie, Hyundai, Griffith University, Australasian Surf Business Magazine and 2XP.


The Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame will again be on the Gold Coast in 2020.  Photo credit: Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia  

Pittwater Online News Christmas-New Years Break

The last Issue for 2019 will be published Sunday December 15th. The first Issue for 2020 will be published Sunday January 19th.

NB: Pittwater Online Photographers and Writers will be on the beach, bush tracks and estuary from January 3rd to cover events, do interviews etc. Please let us know in advance if you want us to attend your something as the office will not be attended full-time until January 13th. Email: pittwateronlinenews@live.com.au
All news from January 3rd on will run in the first Issue for 2020.

Thank you very much for all your news leads and contributions this year. You are why this News Service remains For, About and By Pittwater.

Thank you too to all who have sponsored or contributed dollars for their articles, features and business Profiles this year - your fees have been reinvested back into the community as per our Charter and have enabled our great local volunteers to do what they do.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

Please share a big hug with all those who have lost loved ones this year or in years past and will be missing them during holiday get togethers. Please reach out to our Seniors or any others who may be alone during this season, look out for each other and stay safe whatever you are doing. We are here to lift each other up, not tear each other down - so let's keep doing just that.

We wish ALL a brilliant New Years and look forward to being your 'strings-free', 'yes, we'll run it' News Service again throughout 2020.

A J Guesdon 
Editor, Pittwater Online News.

Christmas 2019

Christmas is a special opportunity for our community to come together.

It’s a time when distant travellers will return to their beloved Pittwater and reunite with family and friends.

Family traditions, Christmas trees and carols, twinkling lights, meals and laughter shared beside our beautiful Pacific – we are truly blessed.

A special thank you to our local RFS volunteers, paramedics, doctors, nurses, police, and lifesavers – many of whom will be on duty this Christmas season.

I wish everyone in our community a safe and joyful Christmas.

The Hon. Rob Stokes
MP for Pittwater

Merry Christmas 

I would like to wish everyone on the Northern Beaches a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Whether you are religious or not, these holidays are for everyone and they should be a time to rest, recharge and plan for the year ahead. For me, the Christmas period represents time to spend with friends and family and to thank those who support me both personally and professionally. The people I owe the most appreciation are my wife, daughter, mum and dad. As I take a break over Christmas, I look forward to relaxing and spending time with my family.

My thoughts are also with those in our community who will continue to work throughout Christmas, especially our emergency services personnel. Our volunteer surf life savers who will keep our beaches and waterways safe as well as members of the Rural Fire Service. These heroes will continue to battle blazes right through the holiday period and most likely on Christmas Day as well. I ask that everyone remain vigilant as you travel around the state and country, and please pay attention to the warnings that the police and fire brigades’ issue.  

For some, the Christmas and New Year period is a stressful time and sometimes a sad time. My heart goes out to those who are currently doing it tough and might be struggling with loneliness. Please, remember there are support services available including Beyond Blue and Life Line. Remember to reach out to all your loved ones and check in, and if you need help – please ask for it.

Some 6 million people across Australia require food support each year, and I have been buoyed by the response from the community for my annual Foodbank food drive. I would like to thank all those who have donated, the food will go to families who are most in need.

Merry Christmas and have a great 2020, please stay safe in your travels and I hope you can enjoy some down time. 

Mr. Jason Falinski
MP for Mackellar

Newport Residents Association  2019 Christmas Get-Together

NEWPORT COMMUNITY
WELCOME!
Join us on Tuesday 17th December 7.00pm
Newport Community Centre

The next meeting of the Newport Residents Association will be our Christmas get-together on Tuesday 17th December 2019 at the  Newport Community Centre (The Boulevarde, next to the Bowling Club).

There will be no formal meeting, just an opportunity to celebrate an active year and enjoy each other’s company.

Drinks and nibbles will be supplied by NRA members. 

All members of the Newport community will be most welcome and we encourage you to attend. Please bring a friend or neighbour

Bro Chats

Newport Breakers Rugby Club:
Over the past few months one of the Newport Breakers Rugby Club's brothers, Tom Harding, has been getting a bunch of Northern Beaches fellas together every Friday/Saturday morning and embarking on a walk.

This walk isn’t just any walk, it’s a walk with a purpose. Designed to create a platform for men of all ages to break the stigma surrounding men's vulnerability and opening up.

For too long men have been told to “harden up” or “get over it” but we’re trying to change that. We’re trying to normalise conversations surrounding mental health and make it okay to feel emotions, and that it is okay to talk about what’s really going on.

Join us on Saturday 21st December 2019 for the first official “Bro Walk”. Set off time is 7:00am from the Newport surf club. The plan is to finish up at Porter Reserve, the home of the Newport Breakers, for coffee and breakfast.

Let’s make a difference as a community. Let’s change the way men are told to think.

It ain’t weak to speak.

The Newport Breakers rugby club is stoked to get behind this initiative from The Man Walk - Newport.


Big Sing At Warriewood

Shoppers in Warriewood Square had a treat yesterday, December 14th, when The Big Sing choir, led by Samantha Shaw, sang some Carols. The singing group had a bucket out and were collecting donations for the Manly CWA and Country Women Associations Drought and Bushfire Relief. 

Earlier in the week the Big Sing sang for a Probus group at Mona Vale who loved the great old classics and up tempo spirit these songsters share. 

Coming up.... those who live in Avalon Beach may want to keep a steady eye on the supermarket as the Big Sing has something very very special planned this year. 

Pittwater's 'photographer at large' Michael Mannington of Community Photography shared these great captures:


Samantha Shaw, Musical Director, The Big Sing choir


The Big Sing choir


Noah makes his contribution 

Pasadena PSA Liquor Licence 

Public Submissions close January 1, 2020
The Pasadena is a licensed restaurant with a capacity for up to 164 people at present.

The owners of the Pasadena have applied to Liquor and Gaming NSW for a Primary Service of Alcohol (PSA) Liquor License with the capacity to serve 350 patrons, with trading hours of Monday to Saturday from 5am to 12am (midnight) and Sundays 10am to 10pm.

A PSA License allows patrons to purchase alcohol without needing to buy food and can be served both inside and outside the restaurant (similar to a beer garden).

The Plan and Notice documents may be accessed on the Liquor and Gaming NSW Government website.

To make a submission either:

Email your comments to submissions.licensing@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au, referencing application 1-7616999608, …. or 

If you wish to make a more formal submission click on this form, fill it out (referencing application 1-7616999608) and either email it to  submissions.licensing@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au, or mail it to “The Board Liquor and Gaming at GPO Box 2060, Sydney, NSW, 2001”,  …. or
Write your own letter to above address (referencing application 1-7616999608) 

Please cc the following in your submissions:

If you have a view on this PSA application, it is important that you make a response by January 1, 2020.

Ingleside RFB Info Stalls

The members of the Ingleside have been doing a series of community information stalls each Saturday during late November and December. Elanora Heights shopping centre was visited a few weeks back and yesterday, Saturday December 14th, three of their volunteers were at Warriewood speaking to residents about their ensuring their Are You Ready fire plans are up to date.

Ingleside RFB Responds to 80-100 calls per year
Attends bush fires, structure fire, car accidents and storm damage incidents.

They also engage in community education and conduct hazard reductions

We are looking for new recruits who:
  • Want to assist the community and meet new people
  • Have an interest in learning new skills
  • Available to assist with incident calls throughout the day and night
To find out more visit: inglesideruralfirebrigade

Whilst the NSWRFS funds our general equipment such as trucks and uniforms, the brigade raises funds throughout the year to pay for additional items such as - our brigade rostering service, telephone service, catering for brigade training. 

In the last 12 months these funds have assisted us in purchasing 4G enabled IPADs for our 2 appliances for mapping and other applications, Pole saws and leaf blowers to assist with storm damage and upgrading our brigade IT systems to allow us to operate more efficiently. 

Any donations ($2 and above are tax deductible in Australia). 
Visit HERE to contribute towards these costs.


Ingleside RFB volunteer members Grahame Sherratt, Ben Cooper and Mel Gough - Pic: Michael Mannington of Community Photography 

Scotland Island Dog Race

It's on again!
Same time same place
Christmas Eve 6pm at Church Point

DETAILS:
Register your Dog from 2:30 to 5:30pm
Entry fee is 1 Longneck (Cold !) and 1 x Large Tin Dog Food
Official starting time around 6pm at Bell Wharf


Warriewood SLSC's New Boatie Master

At the age of 69, you wouldn't expect anyone to be trying to obtain their Bronze Medallion in surf life saving. But for retired schoolteacher Peter Mulholland it was something he wanted to achieve after a chance meeting with a boat sweep at Warriewood. On Saturday (November 30), the Warriewood SLSC member completed the water assessments with flying colours and he is now the proud owner of a Bronze Medallion.

"I just can't wait to do my volunteer patrols for the club,'' Peter said.
Only the day before, Peter called it quits for good on his teaching career. "I officially retired when I was 60 but kept doing casual teaching,'' he said.

Even though he grew up near Freshwater Beach, Peter was introduced to sailing at a very young age. When he later moved to Scotland Island, he took up rowing. He rowed a purpose designed and built commuter boat from Scotland Island to Church Point for 10 years.

Peter would eventually leave Scotland Island and, in more recent years and as part of a fitness campaign, he would walk near Warriewood SLSC.

He bumped into Russell Lamb (Warriewood boat sweep) one day and the pair started talking about boats. Russell told Peter that even if he wanted to start rowing surfboats in a masters crew he would have to have his Bronze Medallion.

Peter decided to take up the challenge.
Swimming wasn't going to be an issue for him.

"I swim a km every day," he said. "I am in the pool and every Saturday I do the Manly to Shelly Beach and back swim. I thought my knee would be the biggest problem for the run-swim-run part of the test. But because I'd lost weight, I actually didn't feel any pain with the run."


Picture: Peter Mulholland shows the joy at completing the tube and rescue board tests. Report and Picture SLS SNB

Talk Story 

Avalon Bowling Club, 6pm Thursday 19 December 2019.
Don't miss this community event as a wide range of surf publishers and documenters discuss their work and the future of surfing.
 
Guest speakers include: John Ogden, photographer, author of Saltwater People, publisher of Cactus - Surfing Journals from Solitude; Rob Bain, director and part owner of White Horses; Tim Boreham, director and founder of North Journal; Sean Doherty, author, and editor of Surfing World; Luke Kennedy, editor of Tracks magazine; Mandy Zieren, photographer and blogger; and Tom Carroll, surf legend and photographer.


Remember when preparing for Christmas was a pleasure not a chore? How anticipation grew with every present bought and every ingredient planned? 

This year marks a return to the excitement of Christmas as the retailers of Avalon Village join together to host a late night shopping event from 5-8pm on Thursday 19 December.

In response to community calls for more cheer, more atmosphere and more convenience, the shop owners, cafes and restaurants are working together to give locals and visitors every reason to avoid going around the Bends!

Neighbourhood Safer Places: Pittwater 

Neighbourhood Safer Places are a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency.

They are to be used when all other options in your bush fire survival plan can't be put into action safely.

You should be aware of any Neighbourhood Safer Places in your area, and note them in your bush fire survival plan before a bush fire occurs. You should also know how to get there, as well as alternate routes in case the road is blocked or too dangerous to drive on.

Not all areas will have a Neighbourhood Safer Place. If there is no Neighbourhood Safer Place in your area, you should identify other safer locations you can go to as a last resort. This might include a nearby home which is well prepared, a shopping centre or oval which is well away from the bush.

A Neighbourhood Safer Place is designed as a Place of Last Resort in bush fire emergencies only. Please note that travelling to or sheltering at a Neighbourhood Safer Place does not guarantee your safety.

Remember:
  • Your safest option will always be to leave early.
  • People with special needs, such as the elderly and people with a disability, should always leave before the threat of bush fire.
  • If it is unsafe to leave the area or stay and defend your property, and the path is clear, you should move to your pre-identified Neighbourhood Safer Place, or other safer location, prior to the impact of a bush fire.
  • Be aware that when you are travelling to your Neighbourhood Safer Place there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
  • It is important that you are familiar with the area. Gather at the Neighbourhood Safer Place location and remain there until the bush fire threat has passed.
  • The conditions at the Neighbourhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
  • Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighbourhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
Neighbourhood Safer Places
  • Lakeside Park Open Space, Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen
  • North Narrabeen Reserve Car Park (Pittwater Rugby Park), Open Space: 1472 Pittwater Road, Warriewood
  • Nelson Heather Centre, Building: 4 Jacksons Road, Warriewood
  • Pittwater Rugby Park, Building:1472 Pittwater Road, Warriewood

  • Apex Park, Open Space: Surfview Road, Mona Vale
  • Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre,Building: Namona Street, Mona Vale
  • Mona Vale Golf Club, Building: Golf Avenue, Mona Vale
  • Pittwater RSL, Building: 82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale
  • Kitchener Park Sports Centre, Building: 1610 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale
  • Mona Vale Headland Reserve, Open Space: Coronation Street, Mona Vale
  • Mona Vale Memorial Hall, Building:1606 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale
  • Pittwater Place, Building:10 Park Street, Mona Vale
  • Kitchener Park, Open Space:1610 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale
  • Winnererremy Bay Park, Open Space:Mona Street, Mona Vale

  • Bayview Golf Club, Building:1825 Pittwater Road, Bayview
  • Bayview Park, Open Space: Pittwater Road (adjacent to Boat Ramp), Bayview
  • Church Point Reserve (Thomas Stephens Reserve) Carpark, Open Space: McCarrs Creek Road, Church Point

  • Newport Arms Hotel, Building: Kalinya Street, Newport
  • Newport Park, Open Space: Bishop Street, Newport
  • Newport Community Centre, Building:11 - 13 The Boulevarde, Newport
  • Newport Beach Surf Club, Building:394 Barrenjoey Road, Newport
  • Dearin Reserve,  Open Space: Cnr Kalinya Street and Gladstone Street, Newport
  • Newport Beach Reserve, Open Space: Barrenjoey Road, Newport Beach
Beyond the Bends:
  • Dunbar Park Reserve, Open Space: Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
  • Avalon Beach Reserve, Open Space: Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
  • Whale Beach Surf Club, Building:Surf Road, Whale Beach
  • Lucinda Park, Open Space: Iluka Road, Palm Beach (opposite Nabilla Road)
  • North Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Building:Governor Phillip Park, off Beach Road, Palm Beach
South and West of Pittwater:
  • Clontarf Reserve, Open Space: Sandy Bay, Clontarf
  • Manly Beach - South Steyne, Open Space: South Steyne, Manly
  • Balgowlah Oval, Open Space Sydney Road, Balgowlah
  • Manly West Park, Open Space: Quirk Road, Manly West
  • Little Manly Beach, Open Space: Stuart Street, Little Manly
  • North Balgowlah Community Centre, Building:Corner of Bardoo Avenue and Wonga Street, North Balgowlah
  • Forestville Memorial Hall, Building:Cnr of Warringah Road and Starkey Street, Forestville
  • Abbot Road Fields, Open Space: Abbot Road, North Curl Curl
  • Brookvale Park, Open Space:Federal Parade, Brookvale
  • Beverley Job Reserve, Open Space: McIntosh Road, Naraweena
  • Patanga Reserve, Open Space: Patanga Road, Frenchs Forest
  • Bambara Reserve (Belrose Oval) & Belrose Community Centre,  Open Space: Forest Way (near Bambara Road), Belrose
  • Lionel Watts Oval, Open Space: Blackbutts Road, Forestville
  • Cromer Park, Open Space:South Creek Road, Cromer
  • St Mathews Farm Reserve, Open Space: Grover Avenue, North Cromer
  • Vic Huxley Oval (Collaroy Plateau Oval), Open Space: Blandford Street, Collaroy Plateau
  • Kurara Reserve, Open Space: Kurara Close, Terrey Hills
  • Woolgoolga Reserve, Open Space: Woolgoolga Street, North Balgowlah
  • The Greenway Reserve, Open Space:The Greenway, Duffys Forest
  • Allambie Heights School - Community Centre, Building:165 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights
  • Belrose Public School, Open Space: Cotentin Road, Belrose
  • Cooleena Reserve, Open Space: 28-30 Cooleena Road, Elanora Heights
  • Frank Beckman Reserve, Open Space:Yulong Avenue, Terrey Hills
  • Killarney Heights Oval, Open Space: Starkey Street and Melwood Avenue, Forestville
  • Millers Reserve, Open Space: Campbell Parade, Manly Vale
  • Passmore Reserve, Open Space: Campbell Parade, Manly Vale
  • Truman Reserve, Open Space: Corner of Macquarie Street and Toronto Avenue, Cromer
  • Terrigal Reserve, Open Space: Terrigal Road, Terry Hills

Seeking Stella Ilimo Info

On April 19, 2010, the Pittwater Offshore Newsletter carried an advertisement for the sale of the Stella Folkboat, Stella Ilimo, that was built in 1978 for Ann Gash after the loss of the original Ilimo.

Ann Gash was a female Joshua Slocum: the first woman known to have sailed a small boat around the world, westbound with stops, between 1975 and 1977. It was not an official record attempt nor an official circumnavigation. She was simply proving to herself that she could do it, as a 52 year-old grandmother from Pittwater with no blue-water experience.

She was sailing a Folkboat named Ilimo, which ironically hit an uncharted rock and sank at the entrance to Broken Bay a few months after she returned. The Australian Folkboat Association raised money for a second boat for her, named Stella Ilimo, which she sailed to America and back.

I have heard that this boat is still in Pittwater, and am wondering if anyone there knows if this is the case. I'm writing a piece about Ann and I'm trying to establish what happened to the Stella. If possible, I'd also like to find a photo of her.
I would certainly appreciate any information or memories about either boat or about Ann. I can be contacted at: chrystopher.spicer@jcu.edu.au.

Sincerely,
Chrystopher Spicer

Jason Falinski Welcomes #YouCanTalk Campaign

Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski, welcomes the #YouCanTalk campaign, which encourages Australians struggling with their mental health to reach out and find support. 

The awareness campaign is a collaboration between several organisations, including Beyond Blue, Everymind, headspace, Lifeline, ReachOut, RU OK?, SANE Australia, the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, Roses in the Ocean and the Black Dog Institute.

The campaign will take place over the December-January holiday period, in recognition of how difficult this time of year can be for many Australians. 

Mr Falinski today encouraged young Australians on the Northern Beaches to start a conversation about their mental health. 

“Sadly, more than 3,000 Australians choose to end their lives each year – that’s about eight people a day,” Mr Falinski said. 

“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, creating a ripple effect that flows through families, friendship groups, schools, workplaces and communities.

“I commend the collaboration of these organisations to raise awareness about the importance of starting a conversation, particularly over the Christmas-New Year period.”

The Australian Government has committed to Towards Zero – working towards reducing the suicide rate to zero. 

Mr Falinski said Towards Zero was a total commitment to the value of each and every life, and recognised the importance of all lives, in all ages, and all groups.

“This commitment is backed by our investment of $5.2 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services this financial year, including $63.3 million on suicide prevention activities,” Mr Falinski said. 

“It’s so important for Australians who are struggling to reach out and seek support.” 

The #YouCanTalk campaign also aims to connect people with tools that can support them through their website www.lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/youcantalk

Safe Places Grant Round Now Open To Mackellar Organisations

$60 million worth of grants are now available to assist local organisations expand emergency accommodation. Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski said the grant could help local women and children on the Northern Beaches experiencing domestic violence to find a safe and secure place to stay.

“I would encourage eligible organisations in Mackellar to apply for the grants. It can be used to construct, renovate or purchase new buildings or land to create additional safe places in our community,” Mr Falinski said. 

“This significant investment in emergency accommodation by the Morrison Government can provide more women and children in Mackellar experiencing domestic and family violence somewhere safe to stay.”

“The scourge of domestic violence is one that I take very seriously. On average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. These numbers are sickening and the government is committed to supporting women and children in need, and that is reflected through our policies.”

The grants form part of the Federal Government’s $340 million investment in the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. 

Applications for funding are now open to eligible organisations and close February 14th, 2020. More information can be found here

Church Point Ferry Service Christmas Day Runs

On behalf of everyone at the Church Point Ferry Service, we would like to thank all of our customers for their support during the year. We also wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

On Christmas Day we will be operating the following services
  • 8.20 am Depart Bells Wharf
  • 8.30am Depart Church Point
  • 9.30am Depart Church Point
  • 10.30am Depart Church Point
  • 3.30 pm Depart Church Point
  • 4.30pm Depart Church Point
  • 5.30pm Depart Church Point
For the rest of the Festive Season we will be operating our normal timetable, for Public Holidays use the weekend timetable.

Palm Beach Ferries Summer 2019

Join us this summer at Palm Beach Ferries for a ferry ride, a trip over night to the Basin or a day in Ettalong. Our ferries run every day, even Christmas Day! Check out our times via www.fantasea.com.au/palm-beach-ferries/timetable

December 8 - 14, 2019: Issue 432

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 432: Santa 'Drops In' To Carols At The Beach 2019: Hosted By Avalon Beach SLSC

PM Presents National Rescue Award To NSW Lifesavers by Surf Life Saving New South Wales


Pictures Christmas Cheer: Carols at the Beach 2019 + Christmas Drought Run for Farmers and Their Families: photos from the road + Men Of League Northern Sydney Branch's Xmas Function At North Narrabeen SLSC - we're all beginning to get into the Spirit of things!

NSW Volunteer Of The Year Awards 2019 Awarded: Local Finalists

Surf Dive 'N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles In Margaret River 2019: Narrabeen's Jamie Thomson Wins! by Surfing Australia

Aquatics Shark Nets Are Destructive and Don’t Keep You Safe – Let’s Invest In Lifeguards

Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Update - To December 2019: Our last day of work for 2019 will be Friday 20 December and we will return to work on Monday 6 January 2020



Collector's Corner Snow Globes - Predated by the popular paperweight, the first snow globes were exhibited at the Paris Universal Expo of 1878, apparently featuring a man with an umbrella, and by 1879 at least five or more companies were producing and selling snow globes throughout Europe. In 1889, a snow globe containing a model of the newly built Eiffel Tower was produced to commemorate the International Exposition in Paris, which marked the centenary of the French Revolution - and the opening of that tower. The 1889 Snow Globe would fetch upwards of $20,000.00 according to snow globe experts, but you can begin collecting these from as little as $10.
Profile Sydney Wildlife Northern Beaches Branch: Our Year in Pictures 2019 by Lynleigh Grieg

A few things to remember going into the Festive Season:

• It will be hot and wildlife will be thirsty. Please consider putting out water in shallow, heavy-based ceramic dishes - positioned in the shade and with pebbles for small critters to clamber out if necessary.

• Drive carefully between dusk and dawn as our nocturnal wildlife are active on and beside roads.

• Keep your pets indoors between dusk and dawn to allow nocturnal wildlife to forage and hunt without interaction.

• If you are going away, keep windows shut so that you don’t get furry, feathery or scaly visitors popping in and not being able to get back out.

If you see any wildlife in distress over the Festive Season, please call Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300 or WIRES 1300 094 737

History  Daniel Gordon Soutar's Influence On Local Golf Courses: Some History Notes - The gentleman associated with the design of local golf courses and credited, along with great mate Carnegie Clark, as being one of the fathers of Australian Golf, was Daniel Gordon Soutar. 

In Pittwater two courses were officially opened within months of each other at Bayview (1924) and Mona Vale (1925), and these had been preceded by a courses at Palm Beach (1922 onward - officially granted land in 1926) and were followed by one at Avalon Beach (1926) and then Elanora Heights (1929), both of which were designed by Soutar and have steep pitches. Mr. Soutar is also credited with fixing a few problems at the Manly Golf Club and with the extensions to 18 holes at Long Reef, and his wife and himself appear to have a hand in early Balgowlah Golf Club works. Decades prior to that, one 9-hole course attached to The Oaks-La Corniche grounds was the first local course Daniel Soutar played at in February 1911, months before he would become the professional attached to the Manly course and club. 

Artists of the Month December 2019 To January 2020: Be Brave Artspace's 2019 'A Little Brave' Exhibition- 33 Artists

Featuring 33 talented, local and regional artists presenting smaller, affordable artworks. The exhibition will showcase a diverse variety of original and inspiring pieces that will be suitable for people to purchase as gifts. Only a selection of each artists work will be on display and will be regularly updated as the exhibition progresses. The remainder of each artists works will be stored at the gallery in the stockroom and be available to look at throughout the course of the exhibition if there is an interest in a particular artist. 

We will have paintings, photographs, textile art, works on paper, prints, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, tea towels, cards, fashion, homewares and Be Brave Artspace tote bags and gift vouchers.

The exhibition opened on November 30th, will close for Christmas and then run through until Sunday 19th January.

Be Brave Artspace
5-7 Careel Head Road
North Avalon
Website: www.bebraveartspace.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeBraveArtspace

A community based art gallery, studio and workshop venue.

Be Brave Artspace was an idea that grew out of a love of all things creative. On street level: a light, spacious Gallery delivering dynamic exhibitions of local and Sydney based artists. Downstairs a workshop and studio for creators to be bold and fearless.

A space where artists can exhibit, create, connect and be inspired.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed Closed | Thurs/Fri 11.00-3.00 | Sat/Sun 10.00-4.00

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update December 1st, 2019 

click on Logo: 


To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Christmas Drought Drive For Farmers Families Done!

December 5th, 2019
Words cannot express the wonderful generosity of the Pittwater Community. A small group of people yesterday, came through the towns of Cumnock and Yeoval. With them they bought the Christmas Spirit and shared their Love with our local farming families. Even Santa managed to fight through the drought to find over 50 farm kids through this region. They also bought family hampers, women's and men's gift packs, precious water and a tonne of organic Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for our farmers, pre-paid visa cards for all families who attended, the massive donations of dog food for our working dogs, the crisp wine and cold beer, clothes, tonnes and tonnes of groceries, the 15,000 baby wipes and nappies, aeroguard and sunscreens and even some plum puddings and special treats for Christmas.

They came to say thank you to us for being farmers. I say we need to thank the community of Pittwater for believing in us and what we do.

I (Krystal) would like to thank the Amazing Lisa Hewitt and her kids Josh and Ellie, it has taken a month of late night phone calls. I can't thank you guys enough for your determination and dedication to bringing the best drought drive one would ever see to the small town of Yeoval.

A huge shout out the 6 beautiful people from Avalon who spent yesterday helping, above and beyond 150 people from the local district.

A massive thank you to those who donated:
The Avalon, Bilgola and Newport communities.
Kennards, Johnson Brothers Mitre10, Palm Beach Kindy, Newport Public School, Peninsula Bridge Club, Palm Beach RSL, Avalon Beach RSL, to my amazing past and present swimming parents and kids, Anne Wilson funerals, Avalon Bulldogs, Newport Red Cross, Avalon - Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, Cabana Avalon, Pest Rid, Kobi Avalon school canteen, Lara Rowell, Tammy Carter and Kelly Schott for the most awesome wrapping, Trina Leslie, Simone Sinclair, Stone Real Estate, The Fruitful Boxes, Bilgola Organic Deli, Harris farm, Dianne Cutrie and her husband Darren, Matt and Eliza Cutrie, Lisa Swinton, Scotty Wilcox, Oliver's Pies, Amber Waves, Julie and Richard of PB Kindy who came on board at the last minute to help with transport, and Virginia Upton who decorated the vans, trailers and trucks heading west. If I’ve missed anybody I’m sorry.

I (Lisa) have been incredibly humbled by this whole experience, the generosity and kindheartedness of everyone involved, we as one huge community are going to have some sort of a positive effect on over 150 drought stricken farmers. 
So THANK YOU so much.

You have made an entire towns' Christmas one to remember.

Krystal Haycock
Yeoval, NSW.

Lisa Hewitt
Avalon Beach, NSW.

Men Of League Northern Sydney Branch's Xmas Function At North Narrabeen SLSC 

December 6th 2019 

Photos and report from Brian Friend OAM: We had the best time with great blokes and ladies. There was laughter all around as this is what's needed during Christmas time. Thick skin was the order of the day and tall tales and unbelievable stories from the past were resurrected and exaggerated. 

Big thanks to Trevor Bailey, Ken Vessey, Norm Pounder, Fred Jackson, Ian Dodds and many others who made it a great function. And of course our Manly Sea Eagles players led by Wayne Cousins. And we can't forget John Gibbs as interviewer and Steve 'The Race caller' Windbank for his call on the Melbourne Cup replay.

More photos in this Issue's Pictorial; Christmas Cheer!

Talk Story 

Avalon Bowling Club, 6pm Thursday 19 December 2019.
Don't miss this community event as a wide range of surf publishers and documenters discuss their work and the future of surfing.
 
Guest speakers include: John Ogden, photographer, author of Saltwater People, publisher of Cactus - Surfing Journals from Solitude; Rob Bain, director and part owner of White Horses; Tim Boreham, director and founder of North Journal; Sean Doherty, author, and editor of Surfing World; Luke Kennedy, editor of Tracks magazine; Mandy Zieren, photographer and blogger; and Tom Carroll, surf legend and photographer.


Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11 AM – 6 PM
Curl Curl Youth & Community Centre - Sydney, Australia
Curl Curl

ENTER ONLINE NOW: http://bit.ly/2OIz2gX and click PURCHASE TICKET button
ENTRY FEE $15 for all ages with all proceeds donated to Lifeline Northern Beaches

Tarp-O-Rama for Lifeline is a community event to engage, educate and empower our community about mental health and wellbeing. The festival will include live bands and DJ’s, food trucks of all kinds, merchandise and market stalls, local art, chillout zones, photobooth, live artist, demos, mini ramps, kids’ zone, plus loads of prizes and giveaways.

With Cooper Chapman and Alex Hayes confirmed on the judging panel, WIN yourself cool prizes for best tarp surfing! Bring your skateboard, skates, scooter, roller blades, paddle skateboards, surfboards with wheels, anything! 

Get yourself and your kids riding the plastic blue wave! 
Heats: Mini Groms 5-10 years, Groms 11-16 years, Open 16+ plus free ride sessions. Get epic shots and video taken by our unstoppable media team!

Tarp surf for a purpose with funds raised supporting Lifeline Northern Beaches so that they can continue to create connection with people in crisis and empower individuals and communities to be safe from suicide.  

Not only will it be fun, but we are opening up more talk about mental health, support and education. Come down for some Northern Beaches all ages fun! Get involved, get connected and get the conversation started. Tarp-O-Rama for Lifeline welcomes our local community and beyond, and aims to ensure the day is as welcoming, safe and accessible as possible for all.

All ages welcome.  

GETTING THERE 
Netball Courts 1-7, Abbott Road, North Curl Curl (outside Curl Curl Youth and Community Centre)
CAR: Located 500m from North Curl Curl Beach and under 40 minutes from Sydney’s CBD on the B-Line, with loads on and off-street parking, plus access for people with disability.
BUS: 159 from Manly, Stop Abbott Rd opposite Hudson Oval, North Curl Curl, 7-minute walk to event
BUS: 136 from Manly & North, Stop Griffin Rd at Abbott Rd, North Curl Curl, 12-minute walk to event
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ukALYvsRoLitgPTq7

Are you a brand or local business that wants to be involved? 
General Inquiries - events@lifelinenb.org.au
Volunteer Inquiries - events@lifelinenb.org.au

Doggie Rescue's 2020 Calendar Is Out Now!

We are proud to launch our 2020 Doggie Rescue Calendar
- our major fundraising activity for the whole year.

Its finally here, our 2020 calendar is a tribute to the beautiful lives we have saved. This year's edition is extra special, thanks to the stunning professional photos by Lyndall of Floppy Ears Photography.

The 2020 DoggieRescue calendar makes a lovely Christmas gift and with limited print numbers this year, you need to act quickly to secure your copy. I do not want you to miss out!

People like you who purchase our calendar not only give the gift of life but also share the successes of our work and help to rescue more animals like Grayson and Meg (featured in the calendar), offering them a bright future.

Three easy ways to get your calendar
  • Online via the DoggieRescue website
  • Over the phone by calling 02 9486 3133
  • Visiting the shelter at Ingleside
At just $20 the DoggieRescue calendar makes the perfect Christmas gift, knowing that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the animals in our care.

For more information call Doggie Rescue on 9486 3133

Proposal To Upgrade A Mobile Phone Base Station At Warriewood And Bilgola Plateau 

Telstra is proposing to upgrade the existing mobile phone infrastructure at the below locations to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network and reconfiguration of existing technologies if required. Any works considered ancillary to the proposal may include works for reasons of safety, junction boxes, cables, feeders, removal of redundant equipment, antenna mounts, and general works within the existing compound may be included.

Telstra proposes undertaking the works at the locations below:

92A Mona Vale Road, WARRIEWOOD NSW 2102, RFNSA: 2102002

Works to consists of the addition of NR3500 (5G) and LTE2100 and LTE2600 (4G). Works include six (6) new panel antenna and six (6) new remote radio units. The proposal will remove six panel antenna and six redundant RRU’s.

146 Plateau Road, BILGOLA PLATEAU NSW 2107 RFNSA: 2107001

Works to consists of the addition of NR3500 (5G) and LTE2100 and LTE2600 (4G). Works include three (3) new panel antenna and three (3) new remote radio units. The proposal will remove three panel antenna and twelve redundant RRU’s

Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility
 under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 ("The Determination") based on the description above. 

In accordance with Section 7 of the C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Requests for further information should be directed to Petra Patrocinor, town planner on behalf of Telstra, at telco@petrapatrocinor.com  or by calling 0421 699 789.

Written submissions can be sent to ATT: Thierry/Petra Telstra C/Cyient, 8 Freight Road, Ravenhall VIC 3023.

Further information can be obtained at www.rfnsa.com.au by entering the RFNSA no. provided above.

The closing date for all submissions is the COB 5pm, 12 December 2019

Surfing NSW Unveils 2020 Event Calendar

Friday, 6 December 2019 
With less than a month until the end of the year, Surfing NSW has unveiled its 2020 event calendar.
 
Over 40 events are already confirmed to be taking place over the calendar year, with proceedings getting underway from the 14th – 16th January when the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final kicks off in the Illawarra.
 
The full list of events can be found here - also available to download as a PDF below.
 
Benchmark events on the calendar include The Sydney Surf Pro, The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series (Carve Pro, Mothernest Great Lakes Pro and Vissla Central Coast Pro), The Port Stephens Pro and the Australian Surf Championships.
 
Surfing NSW will be conducting daily media services at over 35 of the events.
 
Dates for the 2020/2021 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comp Series, the Rip Curl GromSearch series and the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle series will be confirmed in the coming months.
 
More information on specific events can be found by checking out the Surfing NSW events page.


photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW
Surfing NSW 2020 Events Calendar.pdfSurfing NSW 2020 Events Calendar.pdf
Size : 262.598 Kb
Type : pdf

Major Crime Categories Remain Stable Across The State 

December 4, 2019
Almost all major crime categories have continued to remain stable or trend downwards, according to the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data released today, Member for Manly James Griffin said.

Mr Griffin said of the 17 major crime categories across NSW – only one had increased in the 24 months to September 2019, while most have remained stable and four had fallen. 

The five categories that recorded major trends across the State included:
  • Steal from retail store has increased by 8.8 per cent; 
  • Break and enter dwelling has decreased by 6.1 per cent;
  • Steal from dwelling has decreased by 2.8 per cent;
  • Steal from person has decreased 5.8 per cent; and
  • Malicious damage to property has decreased by 3.7 per cent.
Mr Griffin said Northern Beaches Police Area Command has continued to do an outstanding job driving down crime in the local community and bringing offenders to justice. 

“The dedicated men and women of our local Police here on the Northern Beaches work incredibly hard to keep us safe,” Mr Griffin said.

“This includes our General Duties police, high-visibility officers and Region Enforcement Squad that maintain the thin blue line and crack down on petty crimes like theft and shoplifting. 

“They also work with retailers on ways to prevent crime and safeguard their stores from shoplifters in the future.” 

Mr Griffin said while it’s not pleasing to see an increase in theft from retail stores on the Northern Beaches, stealing from dwellings has dropped significantly.

“Increased awareness and reporting as well as more police on the beat proactively targeting criminals and putting them before the courts are reflected in BOCSAR’s results,” Mr Griffin said.

Mr Griffin said at the same time NSW Government was delivering 1,500 new police – the biggest increase to the Force in more than 30 years – as part of a record $583 million investment over four years. 

“Community safety will always be our number one priority and this major boost in police means we’ll continue to have to have more police doing the right jobs in the right places to help keep people safe,” Mr Griffin said. 

More information about police’s shoplifting prevention strategies can be found here  

To read BOCSAR’s full report published today, visit www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au.  

Roads And Maritime Services Has Joined With TfNSW

On 1 December 2019, Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) joined together to create one integrated TfNSW so we can deliver better outcomes for customers and communities across NSW.

All functions and responsibilities will now be performed by TfNSW and any references to Roads and Maritime Services will be legally taken to mean TfNSW automatically.

Other than a name change from Roads and Maritime Services to TfNSW, our customers don’t need to do anything but continue to enjoy our services.

Historic Reforms for Better Transport
Published November 19, 2019 - TfNSW
Customers and the community are set to benefit from historic reforms to the NSW Government’s transport agency, which will result in better thinking, planning and delivery of services now and into the future.

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will cease to exist following the passage of the Transport Administration Amendment (RMS Dissolution) Bill 2019 through the NSW Parliament tonight. 

The RMS functions will now be transferred into a new, fully integrated Transport for NSW.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the passage of the Bill marked a historic shift for all transport. 

“The passing of this Bill enables a more integrated and strategic approach to transport for everybody in the State, leading to better roads and services,” Mr Constance said.

“With a single transport agency we will no longer have roads being built in one corner and transport delivered in another, without anybody talking to each other. These changes will better serve our community with a new fit-for-purpose, ready-to-respond transport agency.”

“With $55.6 billion being invested in transport and roads infrastructure over the next four years, an integrated transport agency that meets the needs of the community is vital.”

Mr Toole said changes enabled by the Bill’s passage will strengthen the NSW Government’s focus on delivering integrated transport solutions across the entire state.

“We know how important transport is to our regional and rural communities,” Mr Toole said.

“Transport for NSW is now better placed to plan and deliver roads, transport, and freight movements across the regions to support communities, create jobs and drive economic growth. This re-organisation is not about cuts, we have given a solid commitment that there will be no job losses in regional NSW.”

Mr Constance and Mr Toole said there has been significant progress in bringing the two agencies together since the changes were first announced in April.

The passing of the Bill formalises these changes and provides clarity and certainty for staff and businesses that previously interacted with RMS. 

New Structure Of Federal Government Departments

December 5, 2019
The Hon. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia
Today, I am announcing changes to the structure of the Australian Public Service (APS) as part of our reform agenda to put Australians at the centre of Government.

This morning, the Governor-General approved my recommendation to reduce the number of Government departments from 18 to 14, to ensure the services that Australians rely on are delivered more efficiently and effectively.

Australians should be able to access simple and reliable services, designed around their needs.  Having fewer departments will allow us to bust bureaucratic congestion, improve decision-making and ultimately deliver better services for the Australian people.

The new structure will drive greater collaboration on important policy challenges. For example, better integrating the Government’s education and skills agenda and ensuring Australians living in regional areas can access the infrastructure and services they need.

The following changes will take effect on 1 February 2020:

The creation of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, which will consolidate:
  • the current Department of Education; and
  • the current Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.
The creation of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which will consolidate:
  • the current Department of Agriculture; and
  • environment functions from the current Department of the Environment and Energy.
The creation of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, which will consolidate:
  • the current Department of Industry, Innovation and Science;
  • energy functions from the current Department of the Environment and Energy; and
  • small business functions from the current Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.
The creation of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, which will consolidate:
  • the current Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development; and
  • the current Department of Communications and the Arts.
The Department known as Services Australia (formerly known as the Department of Human Services) will be established as a new Executive Agency, within the Social Services Department.
Ten departments remain unchanged.

I am also announcing today that the remit of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency will be expanded to include drought.  The Hon Shane Stone AC QC will lead the new National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency, providing national leadership and a whole-of-government response to support our farmers and regional communities as they respond to, and recover from, the drought and the north Queensland flood from earlier this year.

The Agency will sit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and report to the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP.

As a consequence of these machinery changes, there will be movement and change amongst the Secretaries of departments.  The following Secretaries will not continue to hold office in the new structure when it takes effect on 1 February 2020:
  • Ms Kerri Hartland;
  • Ms Renée Leon PSM;
  • Mr Mike Mrdak AO;
  • Mr Daryl Quinlivan; and
  • Dr Heather Smith PSM.
Each of these senior officials has served their country with dedication, commitment and a deep sense of public service over many years, and their advice, achievements and leadership have been valued by governments past and present.

On behalf of the Government and all Australians, I thank Ms Hartland, Ms Leon, Mr Mrdak, Mr Quinlivan and Dr Smith for everything they have done to advance Australia’s interests, and for their service, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Mr David Fredericks, currently the Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, will move to be Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.

Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO will take up the position of Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Mr Metcalfe was Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship from 2005 to 2012 and Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 2013. Since then he has been a partner at EY (Ernst and Young). He will bring considerable public policy leadership experience to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and to the Secretaries Board.

The new structure will be implemented before Parliament returns next year. A full list of the new departments and Secretaries is provided below.

I have a deep respect for public servants and their work in delivering the Government’s agenda. I look forward to continuing to work with the public service to achieve the best outcomes for the Australian people.

The new structure of departments and Secretaries, on 1 February 2020, will be:

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO
Attorney-General’s Department Mr Chris Moraitis PSM
Department of Defence Mr Greg Moriarty
Department of Education, Skills and Employment Dr Michelle Bruniges AM
Department of Finance Ms Rosemary Huxtable PSM
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms Frances Adamson
Department of Health Ms Glenys Beauchamp PSM
Department of Home Affairs Mr Michael Pezzullo
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Mr David Fredericks
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Mr Simon Atkinson
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Mr Philip Gaetjens
Department of Social Services Ms Kathryn Campbell AO CSC
Department of the Treasury Dr Steven Kennedy PSM
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Ms Liz Cosson AM CSC

Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 2019

Christmas Craft Stall at Avalon Beach
December 6th from 8am to 3pm 
Outside ANZ Bank
selling sewing, knitting, craft and jam,

Sausage Sizzles at Bunnings, Narrabeen:  8am to 3pm
December 14th

Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Update - November To December 2019

Our last day of work for 2019 will be Friday 20 December and we will return to work on Monday 6 January 2020. We wish you all a safe and restful Christmas and New Year and thank you for your patience during 2019.

The NSW Government is investing $140 million to upgrade Mona Vale Road between Manor Road, Ingleside, and Foley Street, Mona Vale, from two to four lanes to improve safety and traffic efficiency.

Work has now started in all areas along Mona Vale Road between Manor Road, Ingleside, and Foley Street, Mona Vale.

Map of activities in Mona Vale Road East upgrade


Note: Shaded areas are not to scale and for general information and illustrative purposes only

Work between Manor Road and Mona Vale Cemetery

We have moved into the earthwork stage along Mona Vale Road between Manor Road and Mona Vale Cemetery. We expect to complete earthwork in late 2020, weather permitting.

Earthworks include removing top soil, scaling and breaking rock between Manor Road and Mona Vale Cemetery.

The cutting of the rock faces and filling of the gullies along the road corridor will widen and bring the adjacent ground levels to meet the level of the existing roadway. We are also relocating utilities and installing new drainage. 

During the earthwork stage we will:

  • remove about 210,000 cubic metres of sandstone and soil
  • install over 140 rock anchors and shotcrete (spray concrete) to stabilise the excavated rock faces.

Activities to the end of 2019 include:

  • continuing rock breaking along Mona Vale Road between the descending section and the site compound
  • erecting electrical poles and connecting the new electricity service along the southern side of Mona Vale Road
  • constructing permanent retaining structures and commencement of the fauna bridge overpass abutment
  • installing new stormwater and the start of major filling at the Western Early Works area, between Kimbriki Road and Tumburra Street, using the excess material from the Mona Vale Road East project
  • continuing installation of permanent fauna fencing along Mona Vale Road to protect fauna crossing the road. 

Work between Mona Vale Cemetery and Foley Street

The following activities started at the eastern end of the project in mid-October and will continue to the end of the year:

  • survey and confirming locations of existing utility assets
  • clearing vegetation on the southern side of Mona Vale Road. Some clearing is still required near the Cemetery and near Emma Street on both sides of Mona Vale Road
  • removing asbestos contaminated soils and buried construction debris in areas between Mona Vale Cemetery and Foley Street
  • relocating signs and adjusting private property assets for some commercial properties in the area
  • retaining work near Ponderosa Parade.

Pedestrians and cyclists

For safety reasons, pedestrians and off-road cyclists are advised to avoid Mona Vale Road between Daydream Street, Mona Vale, and Manor Road, Ingleside. There is no footpath or cycle way and the road shoulders are not available during construction.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.

Construction Speed Zone

We have implemented a 40km/hr construction speed limit along our work corridor to maintain safety. The increased truck movements at the multiple construction access gates also require safe entry and exit speeds along the road corridor.

For the safety of motorists and construction workers please follow the speed limits during our day and night work.

How will the work affect you?

There is noise, vibration and dust associated with our work. We make every effort to minimise the impact by notifying residents before work starts near their property.

During night work we direct light away from residential properties, use noise shields where possible, and turn off equipment and vehicles when not in use. Eligible residences will be offered alternative accommodation.

Our work schedule

Our standard working hours are between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays. Due to daytime traffic restrictions and safety considerations, out of hours work will need to continue for some activities. Out of hours work may happen on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday night from 8pm to 5am with up to three shifts per week, weather permitting. The out of hours work will not be carried out for more than two consecutive nights in the same area. We will advise you before we start night work near your property.

For more information

If you have any enquiries, feedback or concerns, or would like to sign up for our emailing list, please:
Call: 1800 413 640 (24 hour number)
Email: monavaleroad@georgiou.com.au
Website: www.rms.work/mvreast

If you need help understanding this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1800 413 640

Pittwater Online News Christmas-New Years Break

The last Issue for 2019 will be published Sunday December 15th. The first Issue for 2020 will be published Sunday January 19th.

If you have Events, Notices or News you want in that last Issue for 2019, or that will run prior to the first Issue for 2020, please have that to the office by Saturday the 14th December.

Items for the first Issue of 2020 (No.: 434) can be sent in anytime after Jan. 2nd, 2020.

NB: Pittwater Online Photographers and Writers will be on the beach, bush tracks and estuary from January 5th to cover events, do interviews etc. Please let us know in advance if you want us to attend your something as the office will not be attended full-time until January 13th. Email: pittwateronlinenews@live.com.au

All news from January 5th on will run in the first Issue for 2020.
Thank you very much!

A J Guesdon, 
Ed., Pittwater Online News.


Swim For Lifeline Northern Beaches

My thoughts on anxiety, depression and addiction
Having experienced severe depression and anxiety in my early twenties and forties, plus 10 days in a detox unit for Xanax and alcohol addiction, I have found that human beings are capable of incredible resilience.

My passion is to educate people suffering from adverse mental health to understand that time will be a great healer.

My experience has been that if you can ride through the storms, the dark skies become far bluer than you’ve ever seen them when those dark skies begin to clear. It will be a rocky ride, but you WILL come out the other side a happier and more resilient human being. At the heart of my core beliefs is… “what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger”. Please hang in there because I want you to experience what adversity has given me.

The 10 days in a detox unit changed my life and each year to celebrate I complete a 10 km (or further) butterfly swim to raise funds for mental health.

This #GivingTuesday, I am giving back to Lifeline Northern Beaches by swimming a 12km butterfly swim at Warringah Aquatic Centre on Thursday 12 December – my birthday!

All donations raised will go directly towards Lifeline’s crisis support services, including the 24/7 Crisis Support Line 13 11 14. This service receives around one million calls each year nationally and, for some, this conversation is life-saving. It costs Lifeline Northern Beaches $27.96 for every call to which they respond. Lifeline Northern Beaches answers over 68,000 of these crisis calls each year.

Help me raise much needed funds for suicide prevention, support and community initiatives to assist those who may be affected by mental illness so that Lifeline Northern Beaches can continue to operate and deliver our core services to the public as they create connection with people in crisis and empower individuals and communities to be safe from suicide.

JOIN ME when I dive in at 9am on 12/12 to promote positive mental health for the members of our local community.
Thank you for your support, every little bit counts!

Paul Bailey
Warringah Masters Swimming Club
Patrol Captain Manly Life Saving Club

Toys ‘N’ Tucker Christmas Appeal

December 4, 2019
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes is encouraging local residents, businesses and community groups to make a contribution to the annual Toys ‘n’ Tucker Christmas Appeal.

The Pittwater electorate office in Mona Vale will be accepting Christmas gifts for the appeal until Monday 16 December.

Toys ‘n’ Tucker is part of Anglicare’s annual Christmas campaign where donations of non-perishable foods and new toys are collected and packed into hampers for families who would otherwise go without.

In 2018, 6025 food hampers and 3992 toy hampers were distributed.

“Toys ‘n’ Tucker is a practical way to directly support families in need this Christmas,” Rob Stokes said today.

“Thank you to all in our community who so generously contribute parcels and gifts to share the joy of Christmas.”

Items can include new games, educational toys, picture books, sporting equipment, toiletry packs, or gift vouchers. Food can include packaged Christmas cake or pudding, tinned ham, dried pasta, pasta sauce, packets of biscuits, tinned fruit and vegetables, and jam.


A Good News Story

From Roger Sayers
Life Member ABSLSC
The other day I'd just parked at the club in my surf patrol uniform and was busily  getting stuff out of my car for patrol when 4 young kids on bikes 3 boys 1 girl, teenagers, said 'excuse me we just found this mobile phone on the ground and it's got credit cards and a drivers license in it.  We weren't sure what to do...Can we give it to you?'

The owner of the phone was happily reunited with it later.

It happened so quickly I didn't get their details but its very nice to think we have young kids like them in Av. and I hope they have a great Chrissy.


Brewarinna Bound Caring

Food donations and children' s are still needed for Brewarinna.

Visit: 
Christmas Appeal Launched For Aboriginal Kids In Sister City Brewarrina: Presents should be wrapped with the age and gender of appropriate child attached. Gifts and/or food donations can be dropped to 47 Riverview Road, Avalon, or a pick up can be organised by ringing 0415 401 513.  Please get all gifts to the organisers by December 10th 

Thank you very much!

Save Mona Vale Hospital Update And AGM 2019

You are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Save Mona Vale Hospital Community Action Group
Monday 16 December 2019
6.30 - 8.00 pm
Avalon Bowling Club

The Program
Chairman's report
Parry Thomas will provide an update on: 
* What is happening at the Mona Vale Hospital site
* the Parliamentary Inquiry
* SMVH plans for the campaign in 2020

This will be followed by the SMVH Annual General Meeting. 
  • Apologies
  • Confirmation of the minutes
  • Business Arising
  • Treasurer's report
  • Election of Management Committee
  • Election of Public Officer
  • General Business

Friends Of Currawong AGM 2019

At 8.00 pm, the AGM for Friends of Currawong will be held.
Stay for a drink!

Shane Withington is the President of Friends of Currawong. Shane will present an update on Currawong, including the plans for renovation and restoration.

Currawong is managed by Northern Beaches Council for the people of NSW and, of course, us on the Northern Beaches.

Stay to hear what is happening at Currawong, a heritage-listed holiday retreat. This jewel on Pittwater is now owned by the people of NSW.

Enjoy an evening at Avalon Bowling Club and learn about what is happening to two icons, Mona Vale Hospital and Currawong Holiday Retreat.

Scotland Island Dog Race

It's on again!
Same time same place
Christmas Eve 6pm at Church Point

DETAILS:
Register your Dog from 2:30 to 5:30pm
Entry fee is 1 Longneck (Cold !) and 1 x Large Tin Dog Food
Official starting time around 6pm at Bell Wharf


Seeking Stella Ilimo Info

On April 19, 2010, the Pittwater Offshore Newsletter carried an advertisement for the sale of the Stella Folkboat, Stella Ilimo, that was built in 1978 for Ann Gash after the loss of the original Ilimo.

Ann Gash was a female Joshua Slocum: the first woman known to have sailed a small boat around the world, westbound with stops, between 1975 and 1977. It was not an official record attempt nor an official circumnavigation. She was simply proving to herself that she could do it, as a 52 year-old grandmother from Pittwater with no blue-water experience.

She was sailing a Folkboat named Ilimo, which ironically hit an uncharted rock and sank at the entrance to Broken Bay a few months after she returned. The Australian Folkboat Association raised money for a second boat for her, named Stella Ilimo, which she sailed to America and back.

I have heard that this boat is still in Pittwater, and am wondering if anyone there knows if this is the case. I'm writing a piece about Ann and I'm trying to establish what happened to the Stella. If possible, I'd also like to find a photo of her.
I would certainly appreciate any information or memories about either boat or about Ann. I can be contacted at: chrystopher.spicer@jcu.edu.au.

Sincerely,
Chrystopher Spicer

DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Twiggy
AGE/SEX: 12 years / F
BREED: Beagle

Twiggy is a sweet attentive 12yo granny Beagle who has been left in a painful neglected state. She could not walk as her front dew claws were embedded in her flesh. She had a tumour the size of her ear flap which was putrid. Our vets have surgically removed her dew claws and removed the aural tumour. Despite all this she is a beautiful friendly girl who has been around children in the past. She is social with other dogs. She is true to her breed being very food focussed. Twiggy is needing a committed family to keep on top of ear infections. Our vets say they are likely to need lifelong management as the canals are calcified and damaged due to lifelong infections. She has a short coat and weighs 14.3kg.
She comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DR Vet. Her adoption cost is $450. 

Lulu

Lulu is a sweet senior lady saved from the pound at approximately 11+ years of age. She greets all our visitors at the shelter. She is affectionate and is looking for a home that enjoys spending time with her to live out her twilight years in comfort.
Lulu is located on the Northern Beaches and comes desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, FIV tested and microchipped.
Her adoption fee is $220.

If you are interested in meeting Lulu, please call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email cats@Doggierescue.com

For further details or to meet all cats, rabbits and dogs at Doggie Rescue call  9486 3133 or email monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 
Rehoming Organisation No R251000024. 

Australian Surfing Awards Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame.

Australian surfing’s night of nights will be hosted in Queensland for the next two years with the 2020 Awards night to be held on Wednesday 25th March 2020 at QT Gold Coast.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Queensland was a natural fit to host the awards and that Tourism and Events Queensland support the event because it attracts visitors to the region which creates jobs in tourism.

“It’s only natural that Queensland also plays host to the annual celebration of Australia’s surfing community. We’re honoured to have secured this prestigious event for a further two years.”

2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore and 2018 WSL Men’s Runner-up Julian Wilson took the honours last year for the Male and Female Surfer of the Year awards, while Wendy Botha became the 41st inductee into the Hall of Fame.

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, The QT Gold Coast couldn’t be a more suitable venue for celebrating and crowing winners across a variety of categories. Adding to the high stakes will be new award categories; Coach of the Year and the Innovation Award. 

Other awards to be presented on the night will be:
MALE SURFER OF THE YEAR
FEMALE SURFER OF THE YEAR
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY RISING STARS (MALE & FEMALE)
HEAVY WATER AWARD
ASB GREATER GOOD AWARD
PETER TROY LIFESTYLE AWARD
SURF CULTURE AWARD
SIMON ANDERSON CLUB AWARD
COACH OF THE YEAR
INNOVATION AWARD 
NIKON SURF VIDEO OF THE YEAR
NIKON SURF PHOTO OF THE YEAR
AUSTRALIAN SURFING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

To nominate someone in any of the below awards, visit: australiansurfingawards.com 
NOTE: Nominations close February 14th, 2020.

The winner of the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award will receive the award-winning Nikon Z 6 with the NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/4 S and FTZ adapter, while the winner of the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award will take home the high-resolution Nikon Z 7 with the NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/4 S and FTZ adapter.

World-renowned Surf Journalist Nick Carroll continues in the role of Curator of the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame.

Operated with the support of Tourism and Events Queensland, the Australian Surfing Awards is renowned for recognising the best in surfing talent.

The Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame is proudly supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, QT Gold Coast, Nikon, nudie, Hyundai, Griffith University, Australasian Surf Business Magazine and 2XP.


The Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame will again be on the Gold Coast in 2020.  Photo credit: Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia  

Jason Falinski Welcomes #YouCanTalk Campaign

December 4, 2019
Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski, welcomes the #YouCanTalk campaign, which encourages Australians struggling with their mental health to reach out and find support. 

The awareness campaign is a collaboration between several organisations, including Beyond Blue, Everymind, headspace, Lifeline, ReachOut, RU OK?, SANE Australia, the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, Roses in the Ocean and the Black Dog Institute.

The campaign will take place over the December-January holiday period, in recognition of how difficult this time of year can be for many Australians. 

Mr Falinski today encouraged young Australians on the Northern Beaches to start a conversation about their mental health. 

“Sadly, more than 3,000 Australians choose to end their lives each year – that’s about eight people a day,” Mr Falinski said. 

“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, creating a ripple effect that flows through families, friendship groups, schools, workplaces and communities.

“I commend the collaboration of these organisations to raise awareness about the importance of starting a conversation, particularly over the Christmas-New Year period.”

The Australian Government has committed to Towards Zero – working towards reducing the suicide rate to zero. 

Mr Falinski said Towards Zero was a total commitment to the value of each and every life, and recognised the importance of all lives, in all ages, and all groups.

“This commitment is backed by our investment of $5.2 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services this financial year, including $63.3 million on suicide prevention activities,” Mr Falinski said. 

“It’s so important for Australians who are struggling to reach out and seek support.” 

The #YouCanTalk campaign also aims to connect people with tools that can support them through their website www.lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/youcantalk


Remember when preparing for Christmas was a pleasure not a chore? How anticipation grew with every present bought and every ingredient planned? 

This year marks a return to the excitement of Christmas as the retailers of Avalon Village join together to host a late night shopping event from 5-8pm on Thursday 19 December.

In response to community calls for more cheer, more atmosphere and more convenience, the shop owners, cafes and restaurants are working together to give locals and visitors every reason to avoid going around the Bends!

Two-Year-Old Return And Earn Keeps Delivering

December 4, 2019
The NSW Government’s highly successful Return and Earn container deposit scheme has had its second birthday and continues to deliver big wins for the environment and the community.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment James Griffin said the people of NSW should be commended with over 2.7 billion containers returned through its state wide network of more than 640 return points.

“Return and Earn now has over 5 million drink containers returned everyday and growing, and an impressive current redemption rate of 67% of eligible drink containers supplied into NSW," Mr Griffin said.

“This time last year we were celebrating one billion containers returned on the first anniversary of Return and Earn. The growth of the scheme has seen us knocking on the door of three billion a year later.”

“There’s no doubt Return and Earn has been a great success and has fundamentally changed people’s thinking and behavior around litter.”

“Equally significant has been the impact Return and Earn has had on charities, schools and community groups, helping 430 official donation partners and countless other groups to fund a range of programs, resources and assistance for communities in need.”

This summer, people can opt to donate their 10c refund to ‘Bottles for the Bush’ and help support our fire and drought affected communities by donating some of their empty bottles, cans and cartons at any Return and Earn reverse vending machine.

“Return and Earn was launched with the aim of reducing litter and it’s doing that. Other flow on benefits have been revealed as people find new ways to utilise the fundraising benefits of the scheme it’s inspiring.

“Over $617,000 has been raised for donation partners in the last two years. The scheme has brought on so many positives across communities and every bottle returned is a bottle redirected from landfill and a win for the environment.

“Alongside scheme coordinator Exchange for Change an d network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, we look forward to continuing to work closely with industry to find new and innovative ways to make ‘Returning and Earning’ even easier and continue to grow,” Mr Griffin said.

For more information about Return and Earn including your nearest return point or to check container eligibility, visit www.returnandearn.org.au.

Safe Places Grant Round Now Open To Mackellar Organisations

$60 million worth of grants are now available to assist local organisations expand emergency accommodation. Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski said the grant could help local women and children on the Northern Beaches experiencing domestic violence to find a safe and secure place to stay.

“I would encourage eligible organisations in Mackellar to apply for the grants. It can be used to construct, renovate or purchase new buildings or land to create additional safe places in our community,” Mr Falinski said. 

“This significant investment in emergency accommodation by the Morrison Government can provide more women and children in Mackellar experiencing domestic and family violence somewhere safe to stay.”

“The scourge of domestic violence is one that I take very seriously. On average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. These numbers are sickening and the government is committed to supporting women and children in need, and that is reflected through our policies.”

The grants form part of the Federal Government’s $340 million investment in the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. 

Applications for funding are now open to eligible organisations and close February 14th, 2020. More information can be found here

Independent Review Of The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (the Harbour Trust) was established in 2001. Its role is to rehabilitate prominent former Defence sites on Sydney Harbour and open them for public access as per the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001.

The sites managed by the Harbour Trust are Cockatoo Island, North Head Sanctuary in Manly, Headland Park in Mosman, Sub Base Platypus in Neutral Bay, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, the former Marine Biological Station at Watsons Bay, and Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse. These sites are unique places, each possessing extraordinary natural beauty, rich heritage values and stories which need to be protected and preserved for future generations.

The Australian Government is conducting an independent review of the Harbour Trust and its legislative, financial and governance arrangements. With the Harbour Trust now approaching 20 years old, the review is an opportunity to take stock and ensure that arrangements are fit for the future.

Public forums are on this month - Register now
Register your interest to participate in a public forum as part of the review of the Harbour Trust and its legislative, financial and governance arrangements. Elton Consulting is working on behalf of the Federal Department of the Environment and Energy to host three public forums where you can have your say on the future of the Harbour Trust and the iconic sites it manages. The Federal Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced the terms of reference for the review on 30 October 2019. 

The independent reviewers encourage interested individuals, community organisations and businesses to have their say on the future of the Harbour Trust and the iconic sites it manages.
The independent reviewers are calling for written submissions to the Review. 

Read the consultation paper

A coversheet must accompany your submission. The submission and coversheet should be provided as separate files.

Send your submission
Submissions, including the above coversheet, may be emailed to the Review Secretariat at SHFTReview@environment.gov.au

Alternatively, submissions may be sent to the following postal address:

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Review
Department of the Environment and Energy
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Responses should be submitted to the secretariat no later than 5.00pm AEDT 23 December 2019. 

Church Point Ferry Service Christmas Day Runs

On behalf of everyone at the Church Point Ferry Service, we would like to thank all of our customers for their support during the year. We also wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

On Christmas Day we will be operating the following services
  • 8.20 am Depart Bells Wharf
  • 8.30am Depart Church Point
  • 9.30am Depart Church Point
  • 10.30am Depart Church Point
  • 3.30 pm Depart Church Point
  • 4.30pm Depart Church Point
  • 5.30pm Depart Church Point
For the rest of the Festive Season we will be operating our normal timetable, for Public Holidays use the weekend timetable.

Palm Beach Ferries Summer 2019

Join us this summer at Palm Beach Ferries for a ferry ride, a trip over night to the Basin or a day in Ettalong. Our ferries run every day, even Christmas Day! Check out our times via www.fantasea.com.au/palm-beach-ferries/timetable

 

Click on logo above to visit their website.

Envision Hands

Plastic bottle caps are entirely recyclable; unfortunately they are not being recycled for the most part and are ending up in landfill.
Envision is an organisation taking bottle caps and turning them into filament for 3D printers. This filament is then used to print all the components of the prosthetic hand to make bespoke aids for children in need across developing world.

My office at 1238 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen will be used as a collection point for plastic bottle caps. Please check that a 2 or 4 is printed on the bottle cap. Caps need to be rinsed and ensure there is no extra plastic attached. Larger lids cannot be collected.

Jason Falinski
MP for Mackellar

Mackellar Food Drive

The Member for Mackellar, Mr. Jason Falinski is hosting a food drive in his electorate office on behalf of Foodbank. 
Donations are now being accepted and Foodbank will collect the items on the 16th of December. 
Foodbank accepts the following items:
  • Tinned food
  • Package goods
  • Personal hygiene and laundry products
No perishables including fresh produce can be accepted.
Hunger is a hidden crisis in Australia with over 3.6 million Australians seeking food relief at some point each year. Half of those are children. Charities like Foodbank do excellent work helping those in need, especially around Christmas time. 
Please drop off items to: Shop 1, 1238 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen

Please Register Wildlife Road Strikes

We need your help. Thank you for reporting wildlife road fatalities. There is so much wildlife on the move in our area at present due to various pressures. Although we have had pictures sent to us, many of these have no date or location.

There is a database that volunteers maintain but this needs three pieces of information:
  1. The position via GPS or road and suburb
  2. The date
  3. The animal
The details can be entered into the database directly by you at:

The RMS are using this information to plan mitigation. So please, if you can, add the information in directly.

December 1 - 7, 2019: Issue 431

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 431


Aquatics Coastal Drowning Tragedies Up By 22%: The 2019 Surf Life Saving New South Wales Coastal Safety Report + Nutri-Grain IronMen and Women Head Up New Summer Surf Safety Campaign: Please Swim between the Red and Yellow Flags this Summer

Pictures Summer Springs From Narrabeen's Rock Platform To Palm Beach:  A few great photographs taken by residents this week as we head into the first day and week of Summer 2019-2020

DIY Ideas: Time to Put Up those Christmas Lights and Deck your Gum Trees with rows of Jolly!

Norfolk Island Sojourn by Robyn McWilliam

Park Bench Philosopher Animal Tracking App Celebrates Trail Of Success: Allows Indigenous Rangers To Gather Data In Their Own Language - CSIRO Award Winner 2019



Artists of the Month December 2019 To January 2020: Be Brave Artspace's 2019 'A Little Brave' Exhibition- 33 Artists

Featuring 33 talented, local and regional artists presenting smaller, affordable artworks. The exhibition will showcase a diverse variety of original and inspiring pieces that will be suitable for people to purchase as gifts. Only a selection of each artists work will be on display and will be regularly updated as the exhibition progresses. The remainder of each artists works will be stored at the gallery in the stockroom and be available to look at throughout the course of the exhibition if there is an interest in a particular artist. 

We will have paintings, photographs, textile art, works on paper, prints, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, tea towels, cards, fashion, homewares and Be Brave Artspace tote bags and gift vouchers.

The exhibition opened on November 30th, will close for Christmas and then run through until Sunday 19th January.

Be Brave Artspace
5-7 Careel Head Road
North Avalon
Website: www.bebraveartspace.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeBraveArtspace

A community based art gallery, studio and workshop venue.

Be Brave Artspace was an idea that grew out of a love of all things creative. On street level: a light, spacious Gallery delivering dynamic exhibitions of local and Sydney based artists. Downstairs a workshop and studio for creators to be bold and fearless.

A space where artists can exhibit, create, connect and be inspired.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed Closed | Thurs/Fri 11.00-3.00 | Sat/Sun 10.00-4.00

Christmas Appeal Launched For Aboriginal Kids In Sister City Brewarrina: Presents should be wrapped with the age and gender of appropriate child attached. They and/or food donations can be dropped at the Avalon Primary School office. Otherwise, presents and/or food can be delivered to 47 Riverview Road, Avalon, or a pick up can be organised by ringing 0415 401 513.  Please get all gifts to the organisers by December 10th 

Profile Robin Grille 
Mona Vale psychologist Robin Grille has always been interested in and had a great love for people. Robin is a psychologist in private practice and a parenting educator. He is the author of many brilliant articles  along with the internationally acclaimed books ‘Parenting for a Peaceful World’ and ‘Heart to Heart Parenting’. Robin has recently launched a new work, Inner Child Journeys: How our Children Grow us up -  and shares a few excerpts this Issue.

Robin has delivered his seminars and workshops around Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Canada and Indonesia. His experiential, skills-based and informational parenting courses have helped many people to embrace parenting as a transformative, personal growth journey. Robin also runs workshops about behavioural boundaries, empathy, motivation and vocation for teachers in early childhood through to high school.   

Drawing from 30 years’ clinical experience and from leading-edge neuropsychological research, Robin’s seminars and courses focus on healthy emotional development for children; while building supportive, co-operative parenting and education communities. Robin’s work is animated by his belief that humanity’s future is largely dependent on the way we collectively relate to our children.

This week an insight into one of our local 'gifts' in a person.

Visit: www.robingrille.com  Blog:  hearttoheartparenting.org  

History Palm Beach Pavilion To Be Renamed The Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Marks DSO, MC Pavilion - some historical insights - Palm Beach Pavilion is to be renamed the Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Marks DSO, MC Pavilion in honour of one of the youngest commanders in the Australian forces during World War 1, under a council proposal to be available for community consultation in December. The renaming is planned to coincide with the centenary commemoration of his death at Palm Beach on 25 January next year. On that day, 100 years ago, the young soldier aged just 24, while picnicking at Palm Beach, drowned in heavy surf trying to rescue a swimmer caught in a rip. His death and the death of the woman he dived into save, was instrumental in the formation of the Palm Beach SLSC. Although her body was later recovered, his was never found.

Newspaper reports carried the tragedy to their readers far and wide, some even reporting the rescuers had to run over the hill to the store at Gow's wharf to telephone for help, there being no Ocean road yet at Palm Beach, the only access, and telephone, was over the Palm Beach road. Jean Curlewis, sister of Adrian Curlewis, in her book 'Beach Beyond', a fiction work based on early days at Palm Beach, speaks about this tragedy. Her brother was on the sand that day, as was his good friend, 'Jack' Ralston.

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update December 1st, 2019 

click on Logo: 


To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Mona Vale Hospital Demolition Continues

Community comments via email and messages via social media networks this week have been, in the main:
 'and not a Warning Asbestos sign in sight'.

Photo Credits: Mark Horton and M. Pennisi






Narrabeen Climate Crisis Protest 

If you were in peak hour traffic early Friday morning you would have seen a motivated group of people including local school students brandishing signs asking for drivers to HONK FOR CLIMATE ACTION in front of Jason Falinski’s Narrabeen office on Pittwater Rd. 

"Mr Falinski, the Federal Member for Mackellar, has been noted for his limited response to the climate crisis to date, and his recent dubious responses on the Q&A program on ABC." members of the Northern Beaches Climate Action Network said on Friday



The group received over 150 honks in just an hour from drivers including from trucks and buses.  The early morning action was a lead up to the #Climate Sit-Down event in front of the LNP head office in Woolloomooloo hosted by School Strike 4 Climate which had over 3000 protesters. School Strike 4 Climate hosted numerous events around the country to demand the Liberal government take more action on the climate crisis.  

Their demands include: 
1. No new coal, oil and gas projects
2. 100% renewable energy and exports by 2030
3. Funding for a just transition and jobs for fossil fuel workers and their communities

They said: “Our Government’s inaction on the climate crisis is contributing to catastrophic fire conditions. People are hurting. Communities are being devastated. And summer hasn’t even begun.  But rather than take real action on the climate crisis, all our Government offers is their thoughts, prayers and more support for coal, oil and gas.”

The events raised money for the Rural Fire Service and the students left written messages for PM Scott Morrison. 




Doggie Rescue's 2020 Calendar Is Out Now!

We are proud to launch our 2020 Doggie Rescue Calendar
- our major fundraising activity for the whole year.

Its finally here, our 2020 calendar is a tribute to the beautiful lives we have saved. This year's edition is extra special, thanks to the stunning professional photos by Lyndall of Floppy Ears Photography.

The 2020 DoggieRescue calendar makes a lovely Christmas gift and with limited print numbers this year, you need to act quickly to secure your copy. I do not want you to miss out!

People like you who purchase our calendar not only give the gift of life but also share the successes of our work and help to rescue more animals like Grayson and Meg (featured in the calendar), offering them a bright future.

Three easy ways to get your calendar
  • Online via the DoggieRescue website
  • Over the phone by calling 02 9486 3133
  • Visiting the shelter at Ingleside
At just $20 the DoggieRescue calendar makes the perfect Christmas gift, knowing that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the animals in our care.

For more information call Doggie Rescue on 9486 3133

Mona Vale Road East - Out Of Hours Work

We will continue out of hours work along Mona Vale Road from 8pm to 5am on the following dates, weather permitting:
  • Monday 25 November
  • Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Friday 6 December.
Our work will include:
  • excavating rock
  • road maintenance, where required
  • line marking and barrier placement, from Manor Road to Mona Vale Cemetery
  • signage installation near Ponderosa Parade.
During our out of hours work, we will close one lane of Mona Vale Road and reduce the speed limit to 40km/h to ensure the safety of motorists and workers. A stop/slow arrangement will be in place with traffic controllers and signage directing traffic.

We will use large excavators with buckets and hammers, bobcats, rollers, grinders, cranes, lighting, chainsaws, paving equipment, light vehicles, hand tools and trucks.

To minimise the impact of night work on residents, we do not work for more than two consecutive nights in the same area and will work only 10 days within the same month.

If you are eligible for Alternative Accommodation you will be advised within 24 hours of the work. If work is delayed due to wet weather, we will try and work a different night within the same week. We will notify residents closest to the work if the dates change from the above.

Enquiries and registering for work updates
Please contact the community team for enquiries, feedback or any concerns you may have about the work.
Call: 1800 413 640 (24 hour number).
For more information: rms.work/mvreast

If you need help understanding this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1800 413 640.

Proposal To Upgrade A Mobile Phone Base Station At Warriewood And Bilgola Plateau 

November 27, 2019
Telstra is proposing to upgrade the existing mobile phone infrastructure at the below locations to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network and reconfiguration of existing technologies if required. Any works considered ancillary to the proposal may include works for reasons of safety, junction boxes, cables, feeders, removal of redundant equipment, antenna mounts, and general works within the existing compound may be included.

Telstra proposes undertaking the works at the locations below:

92A Mona Vale Road, WARRIEWOOD NSW 2102, RFNSA: 2102002

Works to consists of the addition of NR3500 (5G) and LTE2100 and LTE2600 (4G). Works include six (6) new panel antenna and six (6) new remote radio units. The proposal will remove six panel antenna and six redundant RRU’s.

146 Plateau Road, BILGOLA PLATEAU NSW 2107 RFNSA: 2107001

Works to consists of the addition of NR3500 (5G) and LTE2100 and LTE2600 (4G). Works include three (3) new panel antenna and three (3) new remote radio units. The proposal will remove three panel antenna and twelve redundant RRU’s

Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility
 under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 ("The Determination") based on the description above. 

In accordance with Section 7 of the C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Requests for further information should be directed to Petra Patrocinor, town planner on behalf of Telstra, at telco@petrapatrocinor.com  or by calling 0421 699 789.

Written submissions can be sent to ATT: Thierry/Petra Telstra C/Cyient, 8 Freight Road, Ravenhall VIC 3023.

Further information can be obtained at www.rfnsa.com.au by entering the RFNSA no. provided above.

The closing date for all submissions is the COB 5pm, 12 December 2019

Keeping Of Animals Policy (Draft)


Submit feedback to the draft policy on the submissions page at: HERE

Project update: by council

In response to community interest in this draft Policy we've extended the submission period until Sunday 8 December.

To date community comments include concerns on the way we propose to manage the keeping of animals in the larger lot residential areas in Elanora Heights and Bayview.

It was not intended to exclude the keeping of horses (and the like) at large lot residential properties in these areas and changes will be made to to the policy before bringing it back to Council, to clarify properties which are zoned R5 - “large lot residential” under the Pittwater LEP.

The draft Policy is seeking to replace the various current Policies already adopted by the former Manly, Pittwater and Warringah Councils.

We encourage community submissions on the draft Policy, so we can consider changes appropriately.


Background
The purpose of the Keeping of Animals Policy (draft) is to provide a balanced approach to the management of domestic and companion animals living within the Northern Beaches local government area.

It will assist owners of animals in understanding their obligations under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

The draft policy aims to:
  • Inform the community of the legal restrictions and acceptable standards which apply to keeping certain animals.
  • Provide advice on restrictions and prohibition applied to keeping animals in certain areas within the local government area.
  • Ensure that public and private amenity is not adversely impacted by the keeping of animals.
  • Promote responsible ownership of companion animals.
  • Investigate complaints about inappropriate animal behaviour.
At its meeting on Tuesday 22 October, Council resolved to:
  • Place the draft Keeping of Animals Policy on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days
  • Note the need to address management of domestic cats given their impact on native wildlife and strengthen the draft policy to reflect the need for continued public education and enhanced legislation.
  • Council report, Item 12.4, Public Exhibition of Keeping of Animals Policy (draft)
  • Keeping of Animals Policy (draft)
  • Council minutes, Tuesday 22 October 2019
Have your say
In writing, marked 'Keeping of Animals Policy (draft)', to Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82, Manly NSW 1655
Submissions now close Sunday 8 December 2019

Bales From The Beach 2019 Is Here!

Last year you were all amazing in your support of our 'Bales from the Beach' Fundraiser and we were able assist in getting close to $18,000 to farming communities through Aussie Helpers. We thank you so much for this however in the lead up to Christmas we again are asking you to dig deep.

Sadly the drought has not improved and farming communities are doing tougher than ever with some towns on the verge of running out of water. Many farmers are sending their livestock for slaughter, and for many there are no crops to harvest leaving no income for these farmers. This then has a ripple effect throughout these towns and their businesses, some of which are completely reliant on the farming community. Many in these communities are at breaking point, and the mental health of many in these communities is of great concern.

This time we are taking an 'adopt a town' strategy whereby we have decided to concentrate on raising funds for the small farming community of Tottenham in central NSW. Tottenham is in an area severely affect by the drought with a population of around 450. 100% of funds raised will be injected directly into the community in way of gift vouchers for local businesses and supermarkets and eftpos cards. Along with the raising of funds through bales we will also be collecting any goods to take to the community however would like to request Kids Xmas Gifts as the priority. We will be engaging with the local schools and kindergartens in from Newport to Palm Beach who were so amazing in their contributions last year and would love to have Christmas Cards from the local schools to deliver to the families in Tottenham.

In December representatives from the Avalon RSL Club Community Crew will travel to Tottenham to deliver any good and all funds raised to be delivered just in time for Christmas.

We know the Avalon Community can't make it rain, but what we do know is that we can bring a little joy, hope, and support to our friends in the bush through a very difficult time.

Bales will be for sale in the club and online. We will also have packs available for the local schools and businesses at request. We have set a target for this year is $20,000.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Angus Rimmer 
General Manager
Avalon Beach RSL

𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: www.avalonrsl.com.au/balesfromthebeach2019.html

Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 2019

Christmas Craft Stall at Avalon Beach
December 6th from 8am to 3pm 
Outside ANZ Bank
selling sewing, knitting, craft and jam,

Sausage Sizzles at Bunnings, Narrabeen:  8am to 3pm
December 14th

Grants Available To Help Bring Communities Together Through Sport

From Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Minister for Youth and Sport and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. David Coleman MP.

Almost $20 million is now available to help communities promote social inclusion and improve health outcomes through sport.

The Government’s Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity grants program is open for applications from not-for-profit organisations including local community groups, sporting clubs and local government entities.

The program is part of the Government’s $71 million investment in social cohesion initiatives to build stronger communities.

Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck said the grants will also contribute to the Government’s plan to make Australia the world’s most active sporting nation.

“Playing sport and engaging in physical activity is great for our physical and mental health, so we want to make sure more Aussies get more active, more often,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Our Government’s national Sport 2030 plan is to make Australia the world’s most active sporting nation, and to do that we need everyone joining in.

“We have also invested $190 million to grassroots sporting infrastructure to encourage female participation, because everyone should feel welcome at their local sporting club.”

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affair David Coleman said getting involved in sport was a great way for migrants to build connections, improve English language skills and feel more at home. 

“Sport plays an important role in the lives of so many Australians and is a great way to bring communities together and strengthen Australia’s multicultural successes,” Minister Coleman said.

“So many of our greatest athletes have migrated to Australia, and the achievements in sport of people of all backgrounds is a key part of the Australian story.

“We want everyone to feel welcome to join in at our local sporting clubs and it is important we provide a helping hand for people to get involved.

The grants are open to applications from not-for-profit organisations including local community organisations, sporting organisations and local government entities and are available to  assist the following community groups get involved in sport and recreational activities:
  • newly arrived migrants and refugees;
  • people with a physical or mental disability;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and
  • Women.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
  • engaging with community organisations to deliver sport and physical activity projects;
  • coaching clinics to teach sports skills and techniques;
  • participation in local sports competitions;
  • instruction in exercise and physical activity classes delivered by qualified instructors;
  • research and data collection; and
  • recruitment and engagement of translators required to deliver the activities.
Further information about the Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity Grant Opportunity (GO2645) is available from the GrantConnect website. Applications close December 12th, 2019 at 2pm.

Local Bus Drivers Rally

If you want to keep buses on the Northern Beaches in public hands, please join drivers, commuters and other members of the community at a rally tomorrow (Monday) at 12 p.m. in Martin Place.




Thank you
Mona Vale Bus Drivers

Christmas Hampers For Farmers And Their Families: Thank You!

To the most amazing community I have ever had the privilege of being part of. THANK YOU DOES NOT SEEM ENOUGH...
Donations are now closed, (except for prepaid Visa cards). 

We have 4 storage lockers at Kennards full, Di’s garage is full, Tammys back room and my deck are full. So let the hamper making begin.



We leave this coming Thursday to deliver them.

There are so many people that I need to thank, but it’s just too many, I am unbelievably grateful as will these farmers and their families will be. 

Thank you for bringing a little bit of happiness to these peoples lives and to give them some joy, on Christmas Day.
THANK YOU

Lisa Hewitt and Di Cutrie

Brewarinna Bound Caring

Food donations and children' s are still needed for Brewarinna.

Visit: 
Christmas Appeal Launched For Aboriginal Kids In Sister City Brewarrina: Presents should be wrapped with the age and gender of appropriate child attached. Gifts and/or food donations can be dropped to 47 Riverview Road, Avalon, or a pick up can be organised by ringing 0415 401 513.  Please get all gifts to the organisers by December 10th 

Thank you very much!

Scotland Island Dog Race

It's on again!
Same time same place
Christmas Eve 6pm at Church Point

DETAILS:
Register your Dog from 2:30 to 5:30pm
Entry fee is 1 Longneck (Cold !) and 1 x Large Tin Dog Food
Official starting time around 6pm at Bell Wharf


Seeking Stella Ilimo Info

On April 19, 2010, the Pittwater Offshore Newsletter carried an advertisement for the sale of the Stella Folkboat, Stella Ilimo, that was built in 1978 for Ann Gash after the loss of the original Ilimo.

Ann Gash was a female Joshua Slocum: the first woman known to have sailed a small boat around the world, westbound with stops, between 1975 and 1977. It was not an official record attempt nor an official circumnavigation. She was simply proving to herself that she could do it, as a 52 year-old grandmother from Pittwater with no blue-water experience.

She was sailing a Folkboat named Ilimo, which ironically hit an uncharted rock and sank at the entrance to Broken Bay a few months after she returned. The Australian Folkboat Association raised money for a second boat for her, named Stella Ilimo, which she sailed to America and back.

I have heard that this boat is still in Pittwater, and am wondering if anyone there knows if this is the case. I'm writing a piece about Ann and I'm trying to establish what happened to the Stella. If possible, I'd also like to find a photo of her.
I would certainly appreciate any information or memories about either boat or about Ann. I can be contacted at: chrystopher.spicer@jcu.edu.au.

Sincerely,
Chrystopher Spicer

Surf Lifesavers Stuff Surf Surf Boats To Help Farmers 

Surf Life Saving NSW has been challenged by Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and NSW Police Commissioner, Mick Fuller to ‘stuff their surf boats’ with donated food to help farmers doing it tough this Christmas.

Joining forces with other NSW emergency service organisations such as the Rural Fire Service and NSW Police, Surf Life Saving NSW is proudly supporting Foodbank to collect urgently needed food for their Christmas Hamper distribution across NSW.

Speaking at the launch event at the NSW Police Air Wing base at Bankstown Airport, Police and Emergency Services Minster David Elliot challenged emergency organisations across NSW to stuff their choppers, fire trucks, response vehicles and surf boats with food for farmers struggling in the state’s worst drought in living memory.

“I am encouraging everyone to rally behind our emergency service personnel to help make sure that families in need do not go without,” said Minister David Elliott.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said that after the success of the challenge in previous years, NSW Police were once again laying down the challenge to other emergency service organisations.

“This is the fifth year we’ve issued the ‘Stuff Your Chopper’ challenge to other emergency services to get involved so we can make the holiday season a little brighter for those who need it most,” said Commissioner Fuller.

Surf Life Saving NSW’s ‘Stuff Your Surf Boat’ challenge begins on Thursday 28 November. Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at participating Rural Fire Service office locations across NSW.

Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales called on Surf Lifesavers to support farmers by donating any non-perishable food items they could spare.

“Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers have a proud history of supporting farmers in need. I know they will rise to Minister Elliott’s challenge to ‘stuff our surf boats’ with food for people doing it tough this Christmas,” said George Shales.

Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped into Rural Fire Service offices in Batemans Bay, Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Coffs Harbour, Sutherland and Warringah – and other inland locations (see below). Food and hampers will then be delivered by Foodbank.

We encourage you to donate urgently needed non-perishable food items. They can be dropped at RFS Fire Control Centres throughout NSW, including the following coastal locations:

GROUP 1 (donations collected until Tuesday 3 December)

  • Batemans Bay RFS Region South Office
  • Shoalhaven RFS Fire Control Centre
  • Illawarra RFS Fire Control Centre
  • Coffs Harbour RFS Fire Control Centre
GROUP 2 (donations collected until Monday 9 December)
More information on ways to donate to Foodbank can be found on their website.

APA AGM Tree Focus

A very interesting talk was given this week at the APA AGM by Associate Professor Peter Davies of Macquarie University.

The estimated social, environmental, economic and health benefits of trees, identified by Assoc Prof Davies, as quantified by a variety of studies were presented. 

Assoc Prof Davies addressed many issues and concerns (apologies to him if paraphrasing is incorrect)... such as:
  • - how to still have tree canopy with urban growth ( eg plant trees on public land such as nature strips at housefront boundaries, BUT not under power lines or over water mains, AND with the support of residents after consulation by council with the adjacent property owners.
  • - native trees are preferable, but even those not native to the area are good. And in fact if the choice is between A tree and No tree,  any tree is better than none if adjacent property owners like it and will care for it.
  • - bushfires and storms require risk management approaches...e.g. remove leaves from gutters to reduce risks from falling embers, a major cause of house fires from bushfires.
It was standing room only at the back of the Bowlo, and the talk was appreciated by all who attended.



Roger Sayers
Avalon Preservation Association

DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Beau

Age/Sex: 6 months/F
Breed: Cattle X Bull Arab?
Beau is a sweet active 6mth old Cattle X Bull Arab girl. She was very thin when she came from the pound at 8.6kg and we are building her condition and at 5 months she is 14.5kg. She will grow to a medium size. Beau is friendly with other dogs and is very sweet and affectionate with people. She is lively and jumpy so best suited to a family with older children. She comes when called. She comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DR Vet. Her adoption cost is $450. 

Big Jim

Big Jim is a generous and happy ball of affection once he is familiar with his surroundings. He is around 6 years old and sports a handsome black coat that adornes a 7kg body that shows he enjoys his food. Big Jim is social with other cats.
Big Jim is located on the Northern Beaches and comes desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, FIV/FeLV tested and microchipped. His adoption fee is $220.
If you are interested in meeting Big Jim, please call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email cats@Doggierescue.com

For further details or to meet all cats, rabbits and dogs at Doggie Rescue call  9486 3133 or email monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 
Rehoming Organisation No R251000024. 

ABHS Christmas Meeting

The next meeting of the Avalon Beach Historical Society will be held on Tuesday, 3 December at 8pm and as usual in the Avalon Beach Bowling Club or the ‘BOWLO’ is it more familiarly known.
This will be our last meeting of the year and the ‘kitchen staff’ has assured us that there will be some excellent Christmas Supper available afterwards.

I know we had one of our very popular ‘slide shows’ back in June but we have come across some more excellent photos. We know how much you enjoy these evenings from the feedback we received after June and we intend to finish the year on a real high.
We have a great pictorial history of Barrenjoey House from the days when it started out as a ‘Refreshments’ room, a café, the ‘Barrenjoey Guest House’, ‘Palm Beach Road House’ and eventually ‘Barrenjoey House’.

For those of you who can’t remember when ‘Kamikaze Corner’ was ‘two ways’ in the early 1920s (which is all of us!) to ‘six ways’ in the 1940s and 50s and then the present ‘four ways’ roundabout, let us refresh your memories pictorially.

Kevin and Suzie Veale were made custodians of some early photos showing the Avalon Sailing Club when they sailed from Clareville Beach. The late Keith Armstrong from Hilltop Road took the photos.

There will be lots more, especially pics. of the exhibition at the surf club recently to celebrate 50 years of the birth of the IRB on Avalon Beach and Jervis Sparks ‘wooden soldier’ on Barranjoey Headland.

Remember that guests of members are always welcome and to stay for supper afterwards.

Geoff Searl OAM
President 
Avalon Beach Historical Society
Visit: abhs.org.au


Notice Of Meeting: Barrenjoey High School P&C

All positions on the Executive Committee and on the various sub-committees are open for election at our AGM on Wednesday 4 December at 6pm.

Being part of the P&C is a great way to get to know your child's school better, to influence how P&C funds are spent, to help shape priorities and be a part of key decision-making. In addition learn firsthand about the school's strategy and future initiatives and have a say in those plans.

The P&C are responsible for the Canteen, Uniform Store School Working Bees and Fundraising.

Some roles require more time than others but all are very rewarding! More details will follow on the individual positions, in the meantime please take some time to think carefully about whether you could fill one of these roles.

Your commitment and support of your child's P&C and school is welcomed and valued. If you would like to know more or have any questions please contact Kalinda Hawson at Kalinda.hawson@det.nsw.edu.au


Remember when preparing for Christmas was a pleasure not a chore? How anticipation grew with every present bought and every ingredient planned? 

This year marks a return to the excitement of Christmas as the retailers of Avalon Village join together to host a late night shopping event from 5-8pm on Thursday 19 December.

In response to community calls for more cheer, more atmosphere and more convenience, the shop owners, cafes and restaurants are working together to give locals and visitors every reason to avoid going around the Bends!

Safe Places Grant Round Now Open To Mackellar Organisations

$60 million worth of grants are now available to assist local organisations expand emergency accommodation. Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski said the grant could help local women and children on the Northern Beaches experiencing domestic violence to find a safe and secure place to stay.

“I would encourage eligible organisations in Mackellar to apply for the grants. It can be used to construct, renovate or purchase new buildings or land to create additional safe places in our community,” Mr Falinski said. 

“This significant investment in emergency accommodation by the Morrison Government can provide more women and children in Mackellar experiencing domestic and family violence somewhere safe to stay.”

“The scourge of domestic violence is one that I take very seriously. On average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. These numbers are sickening and the government is committed to supporting women and children in need, and that is reflected through our policies.”

The grants form part of the Federal Government’s $340 million investment in the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. 

Applications for funding are now open to eligible organisations and close February 14th, 2020. More information can be found here

Independent Review Of The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (the Harbour Trust) was established in 2001. Its role is to rehabilitate prominent former Defence sites on Sydney Harbour and open them for public access as per the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001.

The sites managed by the Harbour Trust are Cockatoo Island, North Head Sanctuary in Manly, Headland Park in Mosman, Sub Base Platypus in Neutral Bay, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, the former Marine Biological Station at Watsons Bay, and Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse. These sites are unique places, each possessing extraordinary natural beauty, rich heritage values and stories which need to be protected and preserved for future generations.

The Australian Government is conducting an independent review of the Harbour Trust and its legislative, financial and governance arrangements. With the Harbour Trust now approaching 20 years old, the review is an opportunity to take stock and ensure that arrangements are fit for the future.

Public forums are on this month - Register now
Register your interest to participate in a public forum as part of the review of the Harbour Trust and its legislative, financial and governance arrangements. Elton Consulting is working on behalf of the Federal Department of the Environment and Energy to host three public forums where you can have your say on the future of the Harbour Trust and the iconic sites it manages. The Federal Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced the terms of reference for the review on 30 October 2019. 

The independent reviewers encourage interested individuals, community organisations and businesses to have their say on the future of the Harbour Trust and the iconic sites it manages.
The independent reviewers are calling for written submissions to the Review. 

Read the consultation paper

A coversheet must accompany your submission. The submission and coversheet should be provided as separate files.

Send your submission
Submissions, including the above coversheet, may be emailed to the Review Secretariat at SHFTReview@environment.gov.au

Alternatively, submissions may be sent to the following postal address:

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Review
Department of the Environment and Energy
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Responses should be submitted to the secretariat no later than 5.00pm AEDT 23 December 2019. 

Pittwater Online News Christmas-New Years Break

The last Issue for 2019 will be published Sunday December 15th. The first Issue for 2020 will be published Sunday January 19th.

If you have Events, Notices or News you want in that last Issue for 2019, or that will run prior to the first Issue for 2020, please have that to the office by Saturday the 14th December as all staff will be on the beach or the Pittwater estuary during the interim.

Items for the first Issue of 2020 (No.: 434) can be sent in anytime after Jan. 2nd, 2020.

Thank you very much!

A J Guesdon, 
Ed., Pittwater Online News.


Palm Beach Ferries Summer 2019

Join us this summer at Palm Beach Ferries for a ferry ride, a trip over night to the Basin or a day in Ettalong. Our ferries run every day, even Christmas Day! Check out our times via www.fantasea.com.au/palm-beach-ferries/timetable

 

Click on logo above to visit their website.

Envision Hands

Plastic bottle caps are entirely recyclable; unfortunately they are not being recycled for the most part and are ending up in landfill.
Envision is an organisation taking bottle caps and turning them into filament for 3D printers. This filament is then used to print all the components of the prosthetic hand to make bespoke aids for children in need across developing world.

My office at 1238 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen will be used as a collection point for plastic bottle caps. Please check that a 2 or 4 is printed on the bottle cap. Caps need to be rinsed and ensure there is no extra plastic attached. Larger lids cannot be collected.

Jason Falinski
MP for Mackellar

Mackellar Food Drive

The Member for Mackellar, Mr. Jason Falinski is hosting a food drive in his electorate office on behalf of Foodbank. 
Donations are now being accepted and Foodbank will collect the items on the 16th of December. 
Foodbank accepts the following items:
  • Tinned food
  • Package goods
  • Personal hygiene and laundry products
No perishables including fresh produce can be accepted.
Hunger is a hidden crisis in Australia with over 3.6 million Australians seeking food relief at some point each year. Half of those are children. Charities like Foodbank do excellent work helping those in need, especially around Christmas time. 
Please drop off items to: Shop 1, 1238 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen

Please Register Wildlife Road Strikes

We need your help. Thank you for reporting wildlife road fatalities. There is so much wildlife on the move in our area at present due to various pressures. Although we have had pictures sent to us, many of these have no date or location.

There is a database that volunteers maintain but this needs three pieces of information:
  1. The position via GPS or road and suburb
  2. The date
  3. The animal
The details can be entered into the database directly by you at:

The RMS are using this information to plan mitigation. So please, if you can, add the information in directly.